Part 1: Grassroots
Part 2: Political interfering mascarading as assistance
Higher level operations being carried out by Shia'ah Iranian backed groups/individuals are aimed at political leaders and influencial popular people.
It has been reported widely that at least 30 parliamentarians are on an Iranian payroll. These parliamentarians are from all parties.
Iranian financial backers are particularly interested in exploiting the south of Yemen and use the separatist movement as a tool to lever up an entry into the country.
The Iranian funds have targeted Sufi Shaikhs as well as exiled separatists such as Ali Al-Baidh the President of South Yemen before unification. Iran has been staging a sort of proxy war by taking advantage of the problems and needs of the people in the South and creating strong hatred for Saudi Arabia for not helping their separatist cause. In some popular demonstrations in the south, Yemenis were equipped with signs by these Iranian activists carrying slogans such as, "Yemeni people against Saudi intervention."
In the Yemeni military, army leaders expelled from their posts for being Houthis or Houthi sympathisers have been cashed up by Iranian sources to caryy out military operations when requested to. This is evident in the ongoing conflicts around Dammaj (Sa'ada province)where the Dar al Hadith Salafi Centre is located, as well as other areas of the province, Amran, Hajjah and Jawf. Houthis have been sabotaging polling stations and electoral offices ahead of tomorrows presidential election (21/2/12).
Why is Iran interested in getting into a basket case Yemen?
The basket case aspect will diminish as they buy up support and/or lock people into relationships due to the funding process.
In the past Iran has wanted to invest in Yemen, especially due to Yemen's strategic position on the Red Sea and Mandab strait which opens up into the Gulf of Aden. Previously the exPresident's son Ahmad Ali refused all Iranian backed bids and was praised by Saudi Arabia for doing so.
By getting involved in Yemen, Iran can also wage proxy war against Saudi Arabia and American interests in the country. In regard to the wars in Sa'ada between the Yemeni government forces and Houthi militants, Saudi Arabia openly supported the Yemen military effort to quell the Houthi uprising. The 5th Sa'ada war was notable as Saudi Arabia funded Ali Abdullah Saleh to "wipe the Houthis off the map." And in the 6th Sa'ada war Saudi Arabia provided infantry and air strikes. They had no choice in some of the matter because the war did cross over the border, but their air strikes were on the Yemeni side of the line.
It is widely known that Iran supports the Houthis, although the Houthis deny it. Recently the US ambassador to Yemen mentioned that it was a pity about the Iranian underhanded intervention in the elections, to which the Houthis howled fowl - that they don't get funded by Iran. But denial is common place in Yemen - Wallah, Mish Ana (I swear its not me!)
Part 2: Political interfering mascarading as assistance
Higher level operations being carried out by Shia'ah Iranian backed groups/individuals are aimed at political leaders and influencial popular people.
It has been reported widely that at least 30 parliamentarians are on an Iranian payroll. These parliamentarians are from all parties.
Iranian financial backers are particularly interested in exploiting the south of Yemen and use the separatist movement as a tool to lever up an entry into the country.
The Iranian funds have targeted Sufi Shaikhs as well as exiled separatists such as Ali Al-Baidh the President of South Yemen before unification. Iran has been staging a sort of proxy war by taking advantage of the problems and needs of the people in the South and creating strong hatred for Saudi Arabia for not helping their separatist cause. In some popular demonstrations in the south, Yemenis were equipped with signs by these Iranian activists carrying slogans such as, "Yemeni people against Saudi intervention."
In the Yemeni military, army leaders expelled from their posts for being Houthis or Houthi sympathisers have been cashed up by Iranian sources to caryy out military operations when requested to. This is evident in the ongoing conflicts around Dammaj (Sa'ada province)where the Dar al Hadith Salafi Centre is located, as well as other areas of the province, Amran, Hajjah and Jawf. Houthis have been sabotaging polling stations and electoral offices ahead of tomorrows presidential election (21/2/12).
Why is Iran interested in getting into a basket case Yemen?
The basket case aspect will diminish as they buy up support and/or lock people into relationships due to the funding process.
In the past Iran has wanted to invest in Yemen, especially due to Yemen's strategic position on the Red Sea and Mandab strait which opens up into the Gulf of Aden. Previously the exPresident's son Ahmad Ali refused all Iranian backed bids and was praised by Saudi Arabia for doing so.
By getting involved in Yemen, Iran can also wage proxy war against Saudi Arabia and American interests in the country. In regard to the wars in Sa'ada between the Yemeni government forces and Houthi militants, Saudi Arabia openly supported the Yemen military effort to quell the Houthi uprising. The 5th Sa'ada war was notable as Saudi Arabia funded Ali Abdullah Saleh to "wipe the Houthis off the map." And in the 6th Sa'ada war Saudi Arabia provided infantry and air strikes. They had no choice in some of the matter because the war did cross over the border, but their air strikes were on the Yemeni side of the line.
It is widely known that Iran supports the Houthis, although the Houthis deny it. Recently the US ambassador to Yemen mentioned that it was a pity about the Iranian underhanded intervention in the elections, to which the Houthis howled fowl - that they don't get funded by Iran. But denial is common place in Yemen - Wallah, Mish Ana (I swear its not me!)