Yemen: Iran's Role in an Intensifying Insurgency

Yemeni military commanders continue to refute claims by Shiite al-Houthi rebels that they shot down two military aircraft within the past week, and have instead blamed the crashes on mechanical failure. STRATFOR's Hezbollah sources, meanwhile, are claiming that their own fighters in Yemen shot the aircraft down with man-portable air defense systems. Regardless of which side is correct, Iran's hand in this fight remains the main concern for Sanaa and the surrounding Arab players.