Yemen, US sign military deal as country fights rebels - Iran 'ready to aid Yemeni security'

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

Wed Nov 11, 2009

Yemen has signed an agreement with the United States for cooperation on military intelligence and training, its official news agency reported, as the Arabian peninsula state faces a worsening rebellion in the north. The two countries signed the agreement in Sanaa on Tuesday after two days of talks, the second round of such negotiations, Saba reported.

The deal aims to strengthen cooperation in the "extermination of terrorism, smuggling and piracy," Saba quoted Yemen's Chief of Staff Ahmed Ali al-Ashwal, as saying.

Fighting between the Yemeni government and Shi'ite Muslim rebels, who say they suffer political, religious and economic marginalisation, intensified last August when Sanaa launched a military offensive against them.

Last week, neighbouring Saudi Arabia, OPEC's largest oil exporter, launched its own offensive against the rebels after they staged a cross-border raid and seized some territory, accusing Riyadh of collusion with Sanaa's war against them.

The United States and Saudi Arabia fear the fighting in Yemen's north and separatist unrest in the south could allow al Qaeda to expand its presence in Yemen into a new base for operations in the region.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/africaCrisis/idUSLB122369

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Iran 'ready to aid Yemeni security'

Source: Al Jazeera English

Iran has said that it is ready to help restore security in Yemen, which is currently engaged in a deadly conflict with an armed Houthi opposition group.

Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran's foreign minister, made the offer on Wednesday, a day after Tehran warned Middle Eastern governments against interfering in the affairs of the the Arab Peninsula country.

"Iran is prepared to co-operate with the government of Yemen and other nations in order to restore security ," Mottaki said at a news conference.

Mottaki said that the fighting in north Yemen between government forces and the Houthis, who are from the Zaidi sect of Shia Islam, can be resolved by "collective efforts".

"It can restore security, peace and tranquility among the people of Yemen and the whole region. Any measure in contrast of such approach will serve the enemies of Islamic and Arab states. We believe that any approach other than this will not serve the interests of regional nations."

=snip=

The latest Iranian offer to help has, however, been rejected by Yemen.

=snip=

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hossein Shobakshi, a columnist with the Arabic Asharq Alawsat newspaper, was also critical of Iran's offer to help. "It is a very odd situation that Iran threatens anybody that interferes in Yemeni affairs. This is an internal issue between the Yemenis. Saudi Arabia is protecting its borders. What business does Iran have stating what it has stated?"

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/11/20091111124811159617.html


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Yemen rejects Iranian 'interference' in its affairs

(AFP) – 4 hours ago

SANAA — Yemen hit out on Wednesday at what it called Iranian "interference" in its affairs after Tehran's foreign minister criticised regional intervention in Sanaa's war with Shiite rebels in a barely veiled allusion to Saudi Arabia.

"In response to the remarks of (Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr) Mottaki, we affirm that Yemen categorically rejects any interference in its internal affairs by any party whatsoever," the official Saba news agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying.

"Yemen also rejects any attempt by any party to represent itself as the protector of sons of the Yemeni people."

Mottaki told a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday that "countries of the region must seriously hold back from intervening in Yemen's internal affairs."

"Those who pour oil on the fire must know that they will not be spared from the smoke that billows," he said.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iP6BofHO6hzvg2hHJPsVOEMK60KA

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I'm posting all three stories in one because it's a confusing situation that's getting more complicated by the day.

[Captain Hilts]

1. This is REALLY interesting...nt

[winyanstaz]

2. Well another war for oil on it's way......

Of course we are butting in and signing more war deals...the powers that be want a war with Iran and will get in there one way or another.

[Kurska]

3. Egypt thought they could bring Yemen to heel too,

They couldn't, I doubt Iran will have much more luck stepping into Yemen.

[Turborama]

4. I have to admit to not having much knowledge about Iran's relationship with Yemen

I have an understanding on why they're involved with Syria and Lebanon but I can't see the connection here. Do you have any ideas on why they want to get involved with Yemen's problems?

[Kurska]

5. Couple of reasons.

Well for one Iran is very big on protecting followers of Shia islam (20-45% of yemen based on who you ask), many of which are involved in the country's ongoing insurgency/civil war, the one Iran is offering to step in and help solve. Iran is also interested in further developing spheres of influence to counter Saudi arabia, Israel and America, all those goals would be helped if they had more influence in a country that occupies a very strategic position on the red sea (huge amounts of international shipping passes close to the coast of yemen). More infleunce in yemen especially helps counter Saudi Arabia, which is just north of yemen and also keenly interested in the result of the current insurgency (It also happens to be a strong backer of Sunni Islam which makes up most of yemen's population.)