Iran Aid Ship Docks in Djibouti Without Incident

By Jonathan Saul

London, May 22 (Reuters) – An Iranian support ship docked on Friday in Djibouti, the place its cargo can be inspected by the United Nations earlier than being moved to conflict-torn Yemen, Iran’s semi-official Fars information company reported.

“The ship docked a few minutes ago in Djibouti,” Fars stated. “The ship entered Djibouti waters yesterday and after inspection by the international organization will head towards Yemen.”

Tehran agreed this week to permit a global inspection of the vessel, the Iran Shahed, averting a possible showdown with Saudi-led forces who’re implementing searches of ships getting into Yemeni ports to cease arms reaching Houthi rebels.

Shi’ite energy Iran backs the dominant Houthi militia in Yemen’s civil battle whereas regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Muslim allies have carried out virtually two months of air raids towards them and need Yemen’s president reinstated.

Tehran has rejected Saudi accusations it’s arming Houthi fighters.

The ship had initially been sure for the Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodaida, which is managed by the Houthis, however its support cargo will now be delivered by the World Food Program, the U.N company stated on Friday.

“The cargo of the ship will be handed over to WFP in Djibouti and will be transferred to WFP-chartered vessels for shipment to the Yemeni ports of Hodaida and/or (the southern port city of) Aden,” WFP spokeswoman Abeer Etefa stated.

“It will be delivered to humanitarian partners on the ground for distribution.”

Etefa stated the WFP had been instructed the two,500 tonne cargo included provides of rice, flour, canned fish, medication, water, tents and blankets. (Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara; Editing by Catherine Evans)