[ad_1]
1/3
United States forces intercepted and inspected a fishing vessel, which was found to be carrying several tons of explosive precursors. Four Yemeni citizens suspected of smuggling have been handed over to the Yemeni government by the US military.Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy
November 15 (UPI) — The U.S. Coast Guard said it intercepted a fishing boat smuggling deadly aid from Iran to Yemen, including large quantities of explosives and ammunition.
“U.S. Coast Guard vessel USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) and guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) intercepted the ship as it passed through international waters,” read a statement Tuesday from U.S. Naval Central Command Public Affairs.
During a week-long inspection, the U.S. military, assisted by explosive ordnance ordnance disposal technicians from Task Force 56 of the U.S. 5th Fleet, discovered more than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer used in rockets.
The search also uncovered more than 100 tonnes of urea fertilizer. While urea fertilizer has agricultural uses, the compound urea can be used as a precursor for explosives.
“It’s a large amount of explosive material, enough to fuel a dozen intermediate-range ballistic missiles based on size,” said Lt. The illegal diversion of deadly aid from Iran has not gone unnoticed,” Cooper added.
The four Yemeni sailors were intercepted on a route commonly used by smugglers transporting weapons to Ansar Allah, popularly known as the Houthi movement. UN Security Council Resolution 2216 restricts the sale or transfer of arms to Ansar Allah and affiliated militias.
The ship was deemed a risk and was sunk by U.S. forces on 13 November. The four crew members were transferred to the Yemeni Coast Guard on 15 November for repatriation.
Yemeni human rights organization Mwatana warned The Houthis, as well as the Yemeni government, routinely kill and torture prisoners suspected of collaborating with each other.U.S. State Department all parties say In Yemen, they are guilty of “unlawful or arbitrary killing”.
The U.S. State Department’s 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Yemen noted that neither the government nor Houthi-controlled prison conditions meet international standards.
[ad_2]
Source link