FMs discuss Iran intervention in Arab region ahead of summit

CAIRO – 12 April 2018: The Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has discussed recent regional developments in regard to the Iranian intervention in the affairs of Arab countries with his Arab counterparts in Riyadh.

The discussion took place among Arab foreign ministers during the meeting of an Arab ministerial committee that was assigned to follow up on Iran’s intervention in Syria and Yemen.

The committee includes foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and the secretary-general of the Arab League.

A coalition led by Saudi Arabia is seeking to reinstall the Yemen government and restore legitimacy by eliminating the Houthi rebels, who are being funded and armed by Iran.

Later the same day, the Foreign Ministry condemned the firing of ballistic missiles by the Houthis over the Saudi capital and the southern cities of Jizan and Najran.

According to state media and the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, three rockets were shot as Houthi fighters have stepped up attacks recently.

The Houthis say their missile attacks on the kingdom are in retaliation for air raids on Yemen by the Western-backed coalition.

The Arab League has dispatched a delegation to Saudi Arabia for the preparatory meetings for the upcoming 29th Arab Summit in Dammam, the capital city of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

“The meeting addressed the Iranian threats and the firing of ballistic missiles by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia,” spokesperson of the secretary general Mahmoud Afifi stated.

The Houthis have been escalating their attacks in recent months, increasing the regularity with which Saudi cities and installations are targeted with ballistic missiles.

Arms monitor Conflict Armament Research says it has evidence that the drones used on Wednesday and other Houthi kit were made in Iran and was not of indigenous design and construction.

On the other hand, the meeting of Arab foreign ministers held on Thursday excluded the foreign minister of Qatar, which was represented by its permanent representatives to the Arab League, Ambassador Saif bin Muqaddam al-Buainain.

Qatar has been isolated by its Arab neighbours since June 5, 2017, over accusations of funding terrorism across the Middle East and disturbing the peace and stability of Arab countries.

Qatar, backed by Iran, was blamed for the rampant chaos and terrorism in the Arab countries. It was the hotbed of several terrorists belonging to al-Qaeda and ISIS; it provides them with finance, logistic support and weapons to carry out their terrorist operations inside Arab territories.