UN finds proof of Iran link to Houthi missiles

New York : Yemen’s Al Houthi militia is still arming itself with ballistic missiles and drones that “show characteristics similar” to Iranian-made weapons, a report by a UN panel of experts has found. In a confidential report to the Security Council, a copy of which was seen by AFP on Monday, the panel said it “continues to believe” that short-range ballistic missiles and other weaponry were transferred from Iran to Yemen after an arms embargo was imposed in 2015.

Iran has repeatedly denied that it is arming the Al Houthis in Yemen, but the United States and Saudi Arabia have accused Tehran of providing military support to the rebels. Recent inspections of weaponry, including missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the Al Houthis “show characteristics similar to weapons systems known to be produced in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said the 125-page report.