Iran Sends Cargo Vessel to Houthi Controlled Port in Yemen

The “Iran Shahed”, an Iranian cargo vessel reportedly carrying humanitarian aid supplies is headed for the Yemeni port of Hodaida. An Iranian naval commander has stated that warships would escort the vessel to the Houthi-controlled port. U.S. officials suggested that the vessel change course and head to a port in Djibouti where the U.N. has a humanitarian aid base.

Pentagon spokesman, Colonel Steven Warren, refused to comment on what actions, if any, would be taken if the Iranian ship didn’t change course. Warren did however urge the Iranians follow the U.N. protocols and unload the materials at the already-established humanitarian base in Djibouti.

Currently, the vessel is in the Gulf of Oman. The warships that are supposedly going to escort the vessel are located in the Gulf of Aden. As the vessel passes the Gulf of Aden the warships are allegedly going to join the vessel’s course. The Iranian ships will have to pass by Djibouti on their way to Hodaida.

This raises the possibility of yet another naval conflict between the United States and Iran. Towards the end of April, the Iranians recalled ships headed for Yemen after U.S. pressure, but then retaliated by seizing a U.S. ship in the Straight of Hormuz. The adding of a naval escort indicates an escalation on behalf of the Iranians, but it remains to be seen whether they will back off like they did before.

Also on Tuesday, May 12, Saudi-led coalition airstrikes targeted an arms depot east of Sanaa. The airstrikes reportedly successfully hit the arms depot, but repercussions resulted in 69 deaths.

This latest set of airstrikes came just hours before the planned beginning of a 5-day ceasefire with the Houthi rebels. The delicate ceasefire is set to begin at 11p.m. in order to give tine for the U.N. envoy to arrive in Yemen. A spokesman for renegade Yemeni troops shared that the Houthi rebels tentatively accepted the ceasefire in order to receive humanitarian aid.

With the ceasefire looming, Saudi Arabia continues to rally foreign support. On Sunday, Malaysian troops arrived at Saudi military bases. The week prior, Senegal committed to sending 2,100 troops. The Saudi Press Agency declared that the Malaysian and Senegalese troops will join forces to conduct operations in Yemen.

While the ceasefire seems like a step in the direction of peace, the actions of the major players indicates otherwise. The Iran Shahed’s is carrying mysterious supplies to a Houthi controlled port and refusing to stop in Djibouti as Saudi Arabia continues to build its foreign ground troop forces. The 5-day ceasefire is unlikely to end the conflict in Yemen, but does allow both sides to re-arm and prepare for more combat.