When Turkey was accused last year, 2012, of facilitating the import of weapons into Yemen to support armed militias, Ankara immediately rejected all allegations, stressing Turkey, which had stood by Yemen in its hour of need was a supportive ally, not a war-monger or a conviving, deceiving force which sought to spread corruption and political instability in the impoverished nation.
Putting its detractors to shame, Ankara proceed with its political rapprochement, ever stronger asserting its friendly ties with Yemen; politically, economically and socially.
Since Yemen sought to turn its republic into a fully pledged civil state, Yemen and Turkey have made it so that their nationals are able to travel freely by lifting all tourist visa restrictions as well as benefit from Turkey's medical expertise through training and scholarship programs. Ankara also offered its unwavering support to Yemen coalition government, acting the mediator, the supporter and the financial sponsor whenever required.
As promised by the Turkish foreign ministry in 2012, Ankara has been closely following Yemen illegal weapon cargo investigation, keen to crack on the gang of traffickers which sough to destroy a friendship inscribed in the annals of history.
This Wednesday, Jamal al-Din Hashmi, Senior Adviser to the Turkish Prime Minister and Chairman of the Turkish Diplomacy Council in Ankara said his country is now taking legal actions against individuals the authorities had identified for being responsible of exporting illegal weapons to Yemen by tampering with permits and other legal documents. Several of the smuggled weapons had been classified as traumatic weapons. Traumatic weapons shoot only blanks and thus they are classified as live or lethal weapon, and as such benefiting from a relax legislation.
He added at a meeting with Yemeni journalists in Ankara on Wednesday that Turkey is keen to further strengthen and develop is relations with Yemen. He stressed that his country would not tolerate any attempt to hinder or damage Turkey's relations with Yemen.
"Turkey is keen to provide Yemen with all forms of support and assistance to exit the crisis, Hashmi emphasized.