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Iran sends two military ships to Gulf of Aden — media

The Bushehr frigate and Al-Barz destroyer were relocated from the Persian Gulf closer to conflict-hit Yemen
Iranian warships (archive) EPA/STR
Iranian warships (archive)
© EPA/STR

BEIRUT, April 8. /TASS/. Iran has sent two military ships to the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Sky News Arabia said on Wednesday.

The Bushehr frigate and Al-Barz destroyer were relocated from the Persian Gulf.

The two military ships "will ensure seafaring security and protect the interests of the Islamic Republic [or Iran] in international waters," Iran’s defense ministry said in a statement.

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis. In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah (Houthi rebels) forced the president and the government to announce resignation.

The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces. They also announced the adoption of the so-called constitutional declaration.

Overnight to March 26, Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in the neighboring country and delivered air strikes at several Houthi positions. Yemeni President Abd Rabbah Mansur Hadi fled the country to Saudi Arabia.

Houthi rebels are currently fighting pro-government forces over control of Yemen’s second-largest city of Aden. The coalition is currently considering launching a ground operation in Yemen to oust Houthis.