UK: Doubtless Iran has role in Yemen conflict

LONDON, Nov. 25 (Saba) - Britain has
said that the Islamic Republic of Iran plays a role in Yemen's year-long conflict,
saying
Iran is not only a threat to the region because of its nuclear program but also
because of supporting terrorists and rebels.
The UK's Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Ivan Lewis, said to the
Alarabiya Satellite Channel that the situation has become very complicated in
Yemen.
Yemen is experiencing a war on behalf of other parties, he said, adding that the
Iranian role in the clashes between the army and the rebels in the far north is
clear.
So far we can't hint at a direct Iranian part in the conflict, but doubtless Iran
is feeding the insurgency in Saada and encouraging the Houthi rebels and what Iran
does
is unacceptable, the UK official said.
The statements coincided with a meeting that gathered Lewis and Yemeni lawmakers
and envoy to Britain on the British strategy for assisting Yemen.
On the other side, Lewis reiterated his country's firm stance toward the
sovereignty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose army was brought into the Yemeni
conflict after
the rebels took a Saudi border region.
In this regard and as the war is continuing on its border with Yemen, Saudi Arabia
denied earlier that it had exceeded its border.
The denial came as a response to previous reports that Saudi troops have deeply got
in the Yemeni territory hunting the Houthi infiltrators who have killed some Saudi
troops
in retaliation for facilities Saudis provided for the Yemeni army during this year's
confrontations that started in August.
Yemen has many times accused unofficial Iranian religious authorities of supporting
the insurgents, urging the Iranian government to block such aid.
Iran instead of just announcing its support for Yemen's unity and security, she
must prove its cooperation and solidarity through concrete steps over the aid
going to the
rebels, Yemen says.
FR