Iran warns against meddling in Yemen

TEHRAN, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Tehran called on regional leaders to avoid meddling in the internal affairs of Yemen amid reports of Saudi military raids on rebel posts in Yemen.

Al-Houthi rebels in north Yemen clashed with Saudi military forces along the shared border in recent days. There are claims the Saudi military has used white phosphorus munitions on the rebels. Al-Houthi fighters, for their part, claim they captured a member of the Saudi security forces.

Yemen launched a scorched earth campaign against al-Houthi rebels in the north of the country in early August. The government there accuses Iran of supporting the Shiite rebel movement as Riyadh backs the military campaign.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called for all parties to abstain from getting involved in the conflict, Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

"We strongly advise regional and neighboring states not to interfere in Yemen's internal affairs and try to restore peace and stability to the state," he said. "Stability in Yemen will contribute to regional stability."

Mottaki went on to warn the escalating conflict in Yemen had the potential to spill over to engulf neighboring states in the region.

"What we are trying to do is to help restore peace and stability to regional countries," he added.