Yemen's Parliament has issued its first official condemnation of Oman, accusing the Sultanate of playing a "suspicious role" by facilitating the movement of Houthi militias and their alleged support from Iran.
In a strongly worded statement, the Parliament denounced the recent escalation by the Houthi militia, which it claims is backed by Iran through a series of flights between Sanaa and Tehran to transport militia leaders and supply them with weapons and experts.
The Parliament specifically criticized Omani authorities for allegedly granting passage to an Iranian aircraft through its airspace on Monday, en route to Yemeni airspace. The statement launched a severe attack on Oman's role, labeling it an unprecedented official stance.
The Parliament accused Oman of turning its territory and ports into conduits for feeding the Houthi war machine, by allowing routes for the transit and smuggling of advanced weapons, ammunition, drones, and military technology from Iran to the militias. The statement cited examples of seized smuggling shipments destined for the Houthis, including parts for Kalashnikov rifles and drone engines, intercepted at the Al-Shihn border crossing with Oman over the past few years.
These seizures, the Parliament asserted, confirm the facilitation and continued exploitation of these border crossings to provide military support to the militias, enabling them to continue targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and international shipping lanes. The statement added that this has directly contributed to the loss of thousands of Yemeni lives and deepened the humanitarian tragedy.
The Parliament concluded its condemnation by describing Oman's actions as "behavior contrary to the principles of good neighborliness, defying Arab national security requirements, and constituting a gross breach of regional responsibility." This marks the first official accusation directed at Oman for allegedly providing support and facilitation to the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
The condemnation comes amid growing criticism in Yemeni circles regarding Oman's role, particularly in light of the recent escalation initiated by the Houthi militia. This escalation began with an Iranian aircraft landing at Sanaa airport, controlled by the Houthis, earlier this month, after traversing Omani airspace. The flight was reportedly to transport a Houthi delegation to attend the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
