Yemen’s Hadi calls for no-fly zone, GCC military intervention
Comes after the third largest city of Taiz fell to Houthi rebels
Nasser Al-Haqbani Asharq Al-Awsat 23 Mar, 2015
http://www.aawsat.net/2015/03/article55342544/yemens-hadi-calls-for-no-fly-zone-gcc-military-intervention

Riyadh and Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s internationally-recognized
government on Sunday called on the UN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
to impose a no-fly zone over parts of the country after the third largest
city of Taiz fell to Houthi rebels.

Tensions in Yemen escalated on Sunday after Iran-backed Houthis controlled
Taiz province, the gateway to the southern portal city of Aden where
President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi has established a rival government after
fleeing Sana’a.

The fall of Taiz boosts the influence of the Shi’ite group who are already
in control of the capital Sana’a and several other strategic areas in
central and west Yemen.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yemen’s newly-appointed Foreign Minister
Riyadh Yassin said: “We have addressed both the GCC and the UN for the need
of [imposing] a no-fly zone and banning the use of warplanes at the airports
controlled by the Houthis.”

Yassin called for military intervention by the GCC to contain Houthis’
growing influence in Yemen, warning that the country “is heading towards a
civil war.”

He said: “We call on the [GCC’s] Peninsula Shield force to intervene to stop
the advance of the Houthis backed by Iran.”

Unidentified warplanes hit Hadi’s presidential palace in Aden and the
surrounding area last week. Hadi was reported uninjured.

Hadi’s administration has accused military figures loyal to former President
Ali Abdullah Saleh and Houthis of staging a failed coup attempt, branding
them in a statement as “Iran’s agents.”

The FM claimed the takeover of the Taiz International Airport was carried
out by warplanes loaded with Houthis militants and flown by pilots from Iran’s
elite Al-Quds Force.

The fall of airport in Taiz, Yassin maintained, would facilitate the Houthi
takeover of other airports following the same tactic.

“If Houthis continue to carry out reconnaissance sorties over the
presidential palace in Aden without any resistance, Aden will be shelled,”
he said.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, local sources
said military and security officials “represent the backbone of the fall of
Taiz.”

There are indications, the official warned, that Houthis would use Taiz as a
staging ground for future attacks on the southern provinces of Lahj and
Aden.

On Sunday army forces loyal to Hadi, backed by popular committees, deployed
40 tanks on the outskirts of Aden.

Military reinforcements were reported leaving the Daylami airbase near Sana’a
to Taiz over the past three days.

“Most of the personnel in the reinforcement are not soldiers but Houthi
militants in army outfit,” the source added.

Arafat Madabish contributed reporting.