Iran plans navy bases in Yemen and Syria

The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, was quoted saying Iran “needs distant bases, and it may become possible one day to have bases on the shores of Yemen or Syria, or bases on islands or floating (bases).”

“Is having distant bases less than nuclear technology? I say it is worth dozens of times more,” added Baqeri, who was speaking at a gathering of naval commanders on Saturday morning.

He also stated that there are a lot of volunteers from the “shrine defenders” – a title Iran gives its sectarian militias fighting on the ground in Syria and the region – that are “ready to sacrifice for the Navy if given the chance.”

These statements suggest Iran’s intention to use naval forces in Syria and Yemen to further their military intervention in Arab countries that are within its expansionist and sectarian agenda, which many Iranian officials have been supporting.

It appears that the purpose of the declaration by the chief of staff of Iran is to raise the morale of the militias in Yemen after suffering successive defeats at the hands of the coalition forces and the national army.

*This article can also be viewed in Arabic on AlArabiya.net

Last Update: Sunday, 27 November 2016 KSA 14:36 - GMT 11:36