Barran Press
Yemen's Information Minister, Muammar al-Eryani, has condemned Iran's admission of providing the Houthi rebels with advanced anti-ship ballistic missiles, calling it a "dangerous" and "explicit" escalation. Al-Eryani, speaking on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024, stated that this revelation confirms Iran's direct involvement in acts of piracy and maritime attacks targeting commercial vessels and oil tankers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Iranian semi-official news agency, Tasnim, reported that Tehran had provided the Houthis with a sea-launched ballistic missile, dubbed "Qadr." This confirmation follows a series of attacks by the Houthis on maritime traffic using similar weapons, raising concerns about the safety of international shipping lanes.
Al-Eryani, in a statement on social media, described the Tasnim report as an "explicit admission" of Iran's support for the Houthis, who are internationally recognized as a terrorist organization. He accused Iran of establishing an integrated network of command and control, including drones and missiles, to orchestrate these attacks.
The Yemeni Information Minister further alleged that Iran has been covertly using the Houthis as a proxy force to carry out its agenda while feigning indifference to the devastating consequences on Yemen's economy, humanitarian situation, and peace efforts.
Al-Eryani also claimed that Iran has been training and equipping the Houthis for years, using them as a tool to undermine international shipping safety and free trade. He pointed to the recent events in the occupied Palestinian territories as an example of Iran using the conflict to test its weapons and military capabilities.
The Yemeni Information Minister accused Iran of sending only symbolic missiles and drones to Palestine while leaving its other militias to fight Israeli forces. He described this as a deliberate tactic to exploit the Palestinian cause for political gain while failing to provide real support.
Al-Eryani called on the international community to condemn Iran's actions and hold it accountable for its continued arms smuggling to the Houthis. He urged the UN and its permanent members to take immediate steps to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization, cut off their financial resources, and support the Yemeni government in restoring security and stability.
The Houthis have been increasingly active in attacking maritime traffic in the Red Sea, leading to increased insurance costs and forcing many shipping companies to take longer routes to avoid the conflict zone. This has raised concerns about the security of international trade and the potential for further escalation in the region.
The US, Israel's main ally, has formed a multinational coalition to protect maritime traffic from Houthi attacks, highlighting the growing international concern over Iran's influence in the region and its support for the Houthis.