The Ministry of Defense published a statement on Sunday in which it stipulates Amran local authorities (northern governorate) intercepted a shipment of illegal weapons all bearing the made-in Turkey seal concealed inside a bus.
According to preliminary reports the cargo, 1729 Turkish made guns, is believed to have reached Yemen through one of its seaports. An inquest has been open and officials at the Ministry of Defense said under cover of anonymity the matter is being closely monitored, especially since Yemen is currently holding its National Dialogue Conference in the capital, Sana'a.
The governorate of Amran lies directly north of the capital, raising some security worries.
Back in 2012, Turkey had to answer questions over its involvement in the smuggling of weapons to Yemen as several illegal cargoes were seized by the Yemeni authorities in the seaports of Aden and Hodeida, alleging a link to Ankara. At the time it was theorized Turkey was arming political factions to promote its regional agenda.
All allegations were later on proven ludicrous and Turkey was exonerated, as none of the forensic evidences added up.
At the time, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Secuk Unal retaliated to negative comments toward Turkey's involvement in arm trafficking by saying “Turkey will continue to support the security and stability needed for Yemen’s reconciliation process in various ways, and will firmly oppose any initiative that could negatively affect this process … We certainly have not authorized such a shipment of weapons. It is not thinkable to OK such arms exports to countries where conflict risks are high and where it could result in more deaths.”
It is important to note that in recent months Iran has been also accused of militarily enabling political factions in Yemen (al-Harak and the Houthis) to destabilize the region and work against Saudi Arabia's interests in the Arabian Peninsula.

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