Jordan Aid Reported For Yemeni Royalists

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31329, 28 March 1967, Page 13

Jordan Aid Reported For Yemeni Royalists

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia), March 27.

Jordan is planning to send a military training mission to the Yemen Royalists, an authoritative source said in Jeddah yesterday, the “New York Times” News Service reported.

This is one of a succession o f military developments that are quickening the buildup of opposing forces in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and Jordan supply and finance the Yemeni Royalists, and the Egyptian Army is providing considerable support for the Republican regime. In a related confrontation, the South Arabian Federation and Britain’s declining forces in Aden face a combination of Egyptian-sponsored guerillas and terrorists.

The Jordanian Army has for months been training Federal Army officers that have been flown to Jordan in groups of 50. Partly because he was under United States pressure and partly to repair his relations with the United Arab Republic, King Hussein had halted his previous support of the Royalists and had recognised the Republic. Several months ago, however, he withdrew his mission from Sanaa, the Republican capital. Arms And Officers The Egyptian army during the last week flew arms and 12 officers into Marib in Yemen’s eastern desert Other arms have been parachuted to the republic garrison in Saadeh, the country’s main northern town. For the first time in many months, an Egyptian Army plane carrying arms landed on the airstrip at Barat, southeast of Saadeh. The Egyptians had pulled out of northern and eastern Yemen last year as part of the “long breath strategy” of withdrawal and concentration. But the Royalists, lacking defence against air attack, did not move into populated centres, which remained in the hands of the Republic. Military Rfeform ?

Now Saudi and Royalist authorities are wondering whether the Egyptians are preparing a military return to these areas, or whether they are merely sending in armed teams and making promises of subsidies to ex-

ploit splits on the Royalist help by the Shah of Iran, inside. eluding 20,000 new AmericanDuring the week, the Saudis made rifles with telescopic have sought to reinforce thesights. Royalists by making available Military analysts here disto them substantially in-cern in these developments a creased funds. race between the opposing The Royalists also reportforces in Yemen to prepare that they have been promisedfor a new test of strength.