Issued by CEMO Center - Paris
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Seized Weapons Bound for Yemen May Go to Ukraine

Wednesday 15/February/2023 - 05:14 PM
The Reference
Ahmed Seif Eldin
طباعة

Reports have emerged that Ukraine has made a deal with the US to take control of a shipment of seized weapons which was originally bound for Yemen. The deal comes after the Ukrainian government agreed to destroy the weapons, which include anti-tank missiles and other high-tech military equipment.

The shipment was intercepted by US and international authorities in a joint operation that targeted Iranian weapons smuggling to Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are currently engaged in a civil war with the Yemeni government. The Houthi rebels are backed by Iran, which has been accused of using the group to extend its influence in the Middle East.

While the weapons seizure is a blow to Iran's efforts to arm the Houthis, it also highlights the challenges of policing the flow of weapons in a volatile region. The civil war in Yemen has become a proxy conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with both countries providing support to rival factions in the country.

The US government has been working to prevent Iranian weapons smuggling to the Houthis, with the goal of reducing Iranian influence in the region. The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran and backed Saudi Arabia's efforts to combat the Houthis, while the Biden administration has sought to re-engage with Iran in order to curb its nuclear program.

The seizure of the weapons bound for Yemen is a reminder of the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Middle East. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing issues such as weapons smuggling and regional conflict.

While the Ukrainian government's decision to take control of the seized weapons has been hailed by some as a positive development, others have raised concerns about the potential implications of transferring the weapons to a country that is itself engaged in an armed conflict with Russia.

The writer's opinion is not explicitly stated in the article, as it is a news story that primarily reports on factual events and developments. However, the article does provide context and analysis that sheds light on the complex political and military dynamics at play in the Middle East and beyond.

The article notes that the civil war in Yemen has become a proxy conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with both countries providing support to rival factions in the country. This has led to a volatile situation in which weapons are smuggled across borders and used to fuel conflict.

The article also highlights the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US, as well as the shifting policies of the Trump and Biden administrations towards Iran. This background information helps to contextualize the seizure of the weapons and the Ukrainian government's decision to take control of them.

Overall, the article provides a balanced and informative account of the latest developments in a complex and evolving situation. It raises important questions about the flow of weapons in conflict zones and the role of international actors in addressing regional conflicts.


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