Reuters: Iran Adopts a Syria-like Approach in Supporting Yemen's Houthis

On Tuesday, March 21, Reuters reported, citing Western and regional sources, that Iran has increased its support for Yemen's Houthi rebels in the country's civil war, sending advanced weapons and military advisors. Reuters states that these sources emphasized that Iran's actions could disrupt the balance of power in the region. The unnamed sources specified that in recent months, Iran has taken on a larger role in Yemen's civil war by sending weapons and military training, similar to its approach in supporting Hezbollah in the Syrian civil war. Reuters mentions that a senior Iranian official stated that Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, held a meeting last month with commanders to discuss ways to 'strengthen' the Shiite Houthi militants. This unnamed senior Iranian official said, 'It was agreed in this meeting that training, military, and financial assistance to the Houthis would be increased.' Reuters added that a real proxy war is currently underway in Yemen, and victory in this battle will redefine the balance of power in the Middle East. Since the beginning of the conflicts in Yemen, Iran has denied accusations from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries regarding financial and military support for the Houthis, blaming Riyadh for worsening conditions in Yemen. Iran supports Bashar al-Assad's government in the Syrian civil war with the help of Hezbollah militants, while Saudi Arabia supports the opponents of Assad's regime. Reuters notes that Iran's increased support for the Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen, especially with the advent of the Trump administration in the U.S., could indicate a rise in the influence of hardliners in Tehran. Yemen has been experiencing a civil war since the summer of 2014, when Houthi militants, in collaboration with supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, took control of the capital, Sana'a. Following the Houthis' capture of Sana'a, President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was forced to flee the capital, and his government is currently based in Aden. In March 2015, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered the war in Yemen to support Hadi and prevent the advance of Houthi militants. According to Reuters, General Ahmed al-Asiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, also emphasized the existence of documents and evidence of smuggling weapons to Yemen through various routes. Meanwhile, the United Nations reported last week that the civil war in Yemen has left 60% of Yemenis, approximately 16 million people, in a 'critical and emergency' state due to food shortages.