Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
Report: Israeli weapons found in Saudi embassy in Yemen
Iranian media reports capture of Saudi embassy in Sana'a along with documents of planned US base to protect Israel.
Israeli made ammunition and weapons were part of a large cache of military material found in the Saudi embassy in Yemen's capital Sana'a, according to a report on Saturday by the Iranian Fars News Agency.
According to the report, rebel Houthi forces captured the embassy Saturday, chasing away some 40 guards at the complex. The Houthi rebels are backed by Iran and have been battling Saudi-backed government forces throughout Yemen for several months.
Destruction in Sana'a after a coalition airstrike. (Photo: EPA)
In addition to the Israeli-made weapons, the report said that rebels had also uncovered documents detailing an American plan to build a military base on Mayyun Island, a Saudi-controlled island strategically positioned in the narrow entrance to the Red Sea between Yemen and the African continent. Fars said that the base would protect American interests in the region, namely Israel's security.
The Iranian report included that Riyadh had asked Israel for a supply of advanced weapons for use by, what the report called, "the terrorist organizations in Yemen who are loyal to the fugitive President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi."
In April, Yemeni officials claimed that Saudi Arabia was using Israeli weapons in strikes against the Houthis. The Saudis organized a coalition of Arab nations in January to support the Yemen government militarily. The President was later forced to flee the country.
