Iran's Majlis urges action on Yemen crisis

Iran's parliament has condemned Saudi interference in the conflict in Northern Yemen that has lead to the evacuation of around 240 villages in the war-ridden area.

During a Sunday session, devoted to debate the qualifications of the three remaining members of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 21-member cabinet, 250 of the parliament's lawmakers called on Islamic states to take action against the killing of innocent Muslims in Yemen.

"How can the custodian of the two holy mosques of Islam bring himself to permit the killing of innocent Muslims in the forbidden months," Parliament speaker Ali Larijani asked referring to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

Known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi kings preserve the role as protector of the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, which had traditionally been the role of the Caliph.

Islam has forbidden its followers from waging war or fighting during the four lunar months of Shawwal, Rajab, Dhu al-Qi'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.

Sana'a started a massive crackdown on Shia fighters known as Houthis in August after years of irregular battles against them. The Houthis have taken up arms against the Sunni-dominated central government in protest to its repression and discrimination against the Shia minority of the county.

Some 150,000 Yemenis have been forced out of their homes in the beleaguered north because of the ongoing Operation Scorched Earth which has been also joined by Saudi military forces and fighter jets.

The anti-government fighters accuse Saudi Arabia of collaborating with the Yemeni government in its military offensive on Shias and of targeting civilians in villages far from its territory.

The Saudi military assistance started on November 4 on claims that Houthis had penetrated 'Saudi territory.' The fighters say the Saudis have started shelling their villages with illegal phosphorous bombs, which are capable of inflicting severe burns.

They also charge Sana'a with employing al-Qaeda mercenaries and terrorists to help the army with its campaign against Houthis.