Iran Blamed For Yemen's Conflict As Saudi Arabia Targets Shi'ite Rebels

A Saudi-led coalition of 10 Sunni Arab states continued to launch air strikes against Shi’ite rebels in Yemen that allegedly are backed by Iran.

The attacks came hours after Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi accused Tehran of destabilizing his country, calling the Huthi rebels "stooges of Iran."

Hadi made the remarks at an Arab League summit in Egypt on March 28, just days after he fled an advance by the Huthi rebels on his stronghold of Aden.

Hadi demanded the Saudi-led air strikes continue until the rebels surrender.

He said that "Iran's puppet" and whoever is with them have "destroyed Yemen with political immaturity."

He said Iran’s role in the conflict could ignite a full-scale regional war.

Iran and the Huthi rebels deny that Tehran is playing any role in the fighting.

Russia's chief negotiator at the Iranian nuclear talks in Switzerland said Moscow hopes fighting in Yemen does not jeopardize the talks between Tehran and six world powers.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and BBC