article_snippet: Saudi Arabia is the main Sunni power, Iran Saudi Arabia Shia counterpart.
article_snippet: Philip Hammond said there were fears of a 'proxy' war developing in Yemen between Saudi Arabia, the leading Sunni power, and Iran, the leading Shia power.
article_snippet: Yesterday Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (right) warned of a 'proxy war' exploding in the Middle East as Saudi warplanes continued to blitz rebel positions in Yemen .
article_snippet: Speaking in the US yesterday afternoon, the Foreign Secretary said: 'The Saudis are very exercised by the idea of an Iranian-backed regime in Yemen. '
article_snippet: The Saudis cannot accept the idea of an Iranian-backed regime in control of Yemen, which is why The Saudis felt compelled to intervene the way The Saudis have. '
article_snippet: We know there has been Iranian support for the Houthi and We are all concerned to avoid this becoming a proxy war.'
article_snippet: a Sunni coalition of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia have swept south through Saudi Arabia, forcing the UN-backed President to flee to Saudi.
article_snippet: A full blown conflict in Yemen could plunge Yemen into turmoil and send the price of oil soaring.
article_snippet: Western allies fear a Shiite takeover of another country will cause further instability in Yemen and could lead to either Al Qaeda or Islamic State seizing control of another weakened state.