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Fears Grow Over Iran's Ties to Yemeni Militants
(Wall Street Journal) Maria Abi-Habib - Iran is taking advantage of the confusion surrounding Yemen's transition of government to gain a new foothold in the country, Yemeni and Western officials say. Iran is training militants who are aligned with the Hirak separatist movement in southern Yemen, and has directed arms, including heat-seeking missiles, to these militants. The U.S. relies on Yemen's government as both a hedge against Iran and a partner against al-Qaeda-linked militants in Yemen. "If the south of Yemen were to break away and become an ally of the Iranians, it would be a major strategic gain for Tehran," said Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow and director of the Brookings' Intelligence Project. "It might more than compensate for the loss of Syria if Assad's government falls."