Al-Sharq Saudi newspaper reported that Iran is currently bolstering its sway and influence in the southern Yemeni province of Taiz as it began strengthening its cooperation and enhancing its relationship with the some political factions and media groups in the province which is considered the scientific hub in Yemen.The paper said citing what it called 'familiar sources' that Tehran started, through some Yemeni and Arab mediators, carrying out development projects in Taiz, backing some political factions there, and providing military training for some of the southern province citizens supporting its policy and sect of Islam.
Familiar sources pointed out that the Islamic State is planning to spend nearly $ 10 million-- through Shiite religious clerics and private sector members with whom it has good relations-- in private educational and health projects in Taiz, the spark of the Yemeni revolution.
Iran is going to establish three private hospitals, five schools and a media institution with the aim of spreading and promoting its ideologies, said the sources, according to the paper.With regards to the military field, they revealed that Tehran has just finished training 200 people from Taiz. The 200 citizens received the training in the far northern Yemeni province of Sadda, which is controlled by pro-Iran Houthi Movement.
Furthermore, Iran intends to provide some Yemeni people with scholarships to Lebanon. Those who will be offered the scholarships are going to be trained by the pro-Iranian Hizb Allah Party on how to make explosives and will receive some military training and techniques, according to the unidentified sources.