Iran warns neighbours, extends help in Yemen
Iranian Foreign Minister warns Yemen's neighbours of involving itself in the conflict, offers 'collective approach' as solution
Tehran: Iran offered its assistance to the Yemeni government to restore security, a day after it warned Yemen’s neighbours against intervening in the current conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucheher Mottaki says Iran is aiming for a “collective approach” to help restore stability in the poverty-stricken country.
"Iran is prepared to cooperate with the government of Yemen and other nations in order to restore security" in Yemen, Mottaki told a news conference.
"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."
Tuesday Mottaki had warned Yemen’s neighbours of involving itself in the conflict, alluding to the recent Saudi military crackdown on rebels in Sa’ada, Yemen’s northern province.
The foreign minister did not identify Saudi Arabia by name but told reporters that countries in 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.
Yemeni government forces launched Operation Scorched Earth against the Zaidi rebels in the north on August 11 and the conflict widened last week when neighbouring Saudi Arabia also entered the fray.
Saudi forces have been shelling rebel positions on the 2,000-metre (6,600-foot) Jebel Dukhan peak straddling the border since last Wednesday, after rebels killed a border guard and occupied two Saudi villages.
The government in Sanaa has accused Iran of supporting the rebels, and in October announced it had captured five Iranians attempting to smuggle a boatload of weapons to them.
