Iran accused of transforming embassy in Yemen into training ground for rebel militias

Iran has transformed its embassy in Sanaa into a military base, Yemen’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The ministry condemned the move, saying that Iran’s interference had become the main source of instability in the Arab world’s poorest nation.

“Iran has made its embassy into a military facility and training grounds for the rebel militias. Iranian military consultants hold meetings in the building with rebel groups,” said a ministry statement.

According to local media reports, the embassy is being used as a weapons depot and meeting point for Iranian military training consultants.

The internationally recognised government of Abdradu Mansur Hadi, supported by the Arab coalition, issued a statement reminding Iran of Yemen’s demand that Tehran end its diplomatic presence in the country.

The United States condemned an attack on Wednesday by Houthi militias targeting an airport in Saudi Arabian city Abha, capital of the south-west province of Aseer.

“The Houthis’ continued attacks on Saudi population centres calls into question their commitment to helping shape a peaceful, prosperous and secure future for Yemen,” said US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert.

The missiles were fired just hours after President Donald Trump suggested the US would strike at Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, whose forces are backed by Russia and Iran, who is suspected of being behind a chemical-weapons attack.

Saudi forces were able to intercept the two drones launched by the Houthis. The rebels said the attack was directed at the Saudi defence ministry.

The Department of State said the Houthi attacks on Saudi population centres were “fuelled by the Iranian regime’s dangerous proliferation of weapons and destabilising activities in the region”.

“It’s hard to see the timing of the latest Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia as purely coincidental,” said Hani Sabra, founder of Alef Advisory, a New York consultancy.

The attack is probably an Iranian attempt to embarrass Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is wrapping up a foreign tour to world capitals and has repeatedly accused Iran of seeking to destabilise the kingdom, he said.