Yemen’s internationally recognised government has officially accused the Iranian authorities, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside Lebanon’s Hezbollah, of deploying 21 military experts to assist the Houthi movement in planning and executing operations. The allegations point to an escalation in external backing for the insurgent group.

Interior Minister Major-General Ibrahim Haidan stated that 14 members of the newly identified group allegedly belong to the IRGC, while seven originate from Hezbollah. Haidan claimed that foreign involvement has purportedly shifted beyond mere financing and arming into direct supervision, operational management, and capability enhancement for the Houthi forces.

The official statement detailed that eight of the purported experts are stationed in Hodeidah, four in Sanaa, four in Saada, two in Hajjah, two in Amran, and one in the coastal city of Khokha. Their supposed areas of expertise include command systems, ballistic missiles, drones, electronic warfare, maritime smuggling, and coordinating attacks on commercial navigation.

The Yemeni official warned that these activities threaten international shipping lanes in the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea. In light of renewed fighting across several provinces following the collapse of a prior truce, the government has urged the international community to take decisive measures against the Houthis and enforce existing arms embargoes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com