Iran embassy in Yemen hit by airstrike, blames Saudi

Published January 7th, 2016 - 11:54 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

AFP reports that the Iranian embassy in Sana'a, Yemen, has been hit by a Saudi airstrike.

Saudi supports the embattled President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in Yemen, whereas Iran backs the Houthi rebels.

Tensions between the two countries have mounted in the past week as Saudi executed prominent Shia cleric Shiekh Nimr al-Nimr. Iranians protested the execution by setting the Saudi embassy and consulate on fire in Iran. Saudi cut diplomatic ties with Iran.

Iran believes the airstrike on its embassy in Yemen was an intentional attack on Iran.

"This deliberate action by Saudi Arabia is a violation of all international conventions that protect diplomatic missions," foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari said on Iranian television, according to AFP.

"The Saudi government is responsible for the damage caused and for the situation of members of staff who were injured," Ansari continued.

Details about the events and any casualties have not been released.

Saudi has not issued a response.

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