Just how neutral is Oman in Yemen war?
Oman has claimed neutrality in the war in Yemen, but Saudi and coalition forces say the sultanate is smuggling weapons through its border with Yemen to Iran-backed Houthis.
![YEMEN-SECURITY/ARABS Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah looks at his mobile phone at the foreign ministers of the Arab League meeting ahead of the Arab Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, in the South Sinai governorate March 26, 2015. The Arab League on Thursday pledged full support for the Saudi-led campaign against Shi'ite Houthi fighters in Yemen. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTR4UZLE](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2016/10/RTR4UZLE.jpg/RTR4UZLE.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=MbspGM7_)
ADEN, Yemen — Oman considers itself a “friend to all,” a dubious claim as some believe the sultanate is facilitating weapons smuggling to rebel Houthis in Yemen.
Oman distanced itself from the Saudi-led military intervention launched in March 2015 to support the legitimacy of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Oman is the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country that has not declared its participation in the Arab coalition.