RIYADH — The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday it has foiled an attempt by Iran to smuggle missiles and other weapons to Houthi rebels aboard a fishing boat bound for Yemen. “The Command of the Coalition ... foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons destined to the Houthi militias, on an Iranian fishing boat,” the statement said, adding the vessel was seized on Saturday some 150 nautical miles (241 km) off Salalah in southern Oman. It said 14 Iranian sailors were detained on the boat which was carrying 18 anti-armored Concourse shells, 54 anti-tank shells, 15 shell-battery kits, four firing guidance systems, launchers and five binocular batteries. It said that papers found on board the boat showed that it was registered in the name of Iranian Hogan Mohammed Hout and was licensed for fishing by the Iranian authorities. The announcement was made a day after tribal fighters backed by the coalition won control of a strategic dam in central Yemen from Houthi forces following weeks of fighting in the area east of the capital Sanaa. The coalition, which also includes Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, has been battling the Iranian-backed Houthis for more than six months. The seizure of the Marib dam is the biggest success of Yemeni forces loyal to President Abdrrabbu Mansour Hadi. They have undertaken an armed push toward the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa 110 km (70 miles) west of the dam, but progress has been slowed by landmines and stiff resistance from Houthi forces ensconced in rugged mountains. Yemen's president accused Iran on Tuesday of pursuing the destruction of his country. Speaking at the United Nations, President Hadi thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for acting with “utter determination” by leading an air campaign by Gulf states against Houthi rebels. “We find ourselves mixed in this battle for the country and the legitimacy of the state to ensure that the country does not fall into the hands of Iran, which would like to see its destruction,” Hadi told the annual UN General Assembly gathering of world leaders. Hadi blamed the Houthis for the humanitarian crisis. “You are aware of the human tragedy of our people, and this is due to the blockade imposed by the militias,” he said. — Agencies
