Radio Erena: 18 February 2015
Shiite Houthi militants seized three Sukhoi fighter jets upon their arrival in Al-Hudaydah Port from Russia aboard a Ukrainian cargo ship, a Yemeni government official said Tuesday.
“The Houthis captured three Russian-made Sukhoi warplanes, which were recently bought by the Yemeni Defense Ministry,” the source, who works at Al-Hudaydah Port, told The Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity.
According to the source, the warplanes were subsequently taken to the northern Saada province, a Houthi stronghold.
No comments have been issued by the Houthi leadership on the reported development.
Yemen’s Houthis emerged as a formidable political and military force after taking control of capital Sanaa last September before moving on to consolidate their control over other parts of the country as well.
Earlier this month, the Shiite militant group issued a “constitutional declaration” dissolving parliament and establishing a 551-member “transitional council.”
The declaration, however, was rejected by most of Yemen’s political forces – along with some neighboring countries – which described it as a “coup against constitutional legitimacy.”
Source: World Bulletin
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