Security

Yemeni Forces Seize Massive Iranian Arms Shipment Bound for Houthis

Yemeni forces led by Tariq Saleh announced the seizure of a massive 750-ton Iranian arms shipment, including missiles and drones, bound for Houthi militias. Saleh vowed to continue countering efforts to arm the group.

This snapshot shows the seized arms shipment by the Yemeni forces. (Photo: Yemeni Forces)
This snapshot shows the seized arms shipment by the Yemeni forces. (Photo: Yemeni Forces)
Middle East Iran-backed Houthis Arms Shipment

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A senior Yemeni commander announced on Wednesday the seizure of a massive Iranian arms shipment allegedly bound for the Houthi militias, a haul that reportedly included advanced missile systems, drones, and 750 tons of various weaponry.

Brigadier General Tariq Saleh, the Deputy Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and Commander of the National Resistance, made the announcement in a post on his official account on the "X" platform.

According to Saleh, the operation was carried out by the National Resistance's navy, which acted on close monitoring from its Intelligence Division. He stated they managed to seize a shipment containing 750 tons of various weapons.

The detailed list of seized equipment provided by Saleh includes naval and aerial missile systems, an air defense system, modern radars, drones, eavesdropping devices, anti-tank missiles, "B-10" artillery, tracking sights, and sniper rifles, along with ammunition and other military hardware.

Saleh confirmed that the military’s media office will publish more extensive details about the operation at a later time. He attached a video clip to his post showing initial footage of the shipment's seizure.

He framed the operation as part of a larger mission, stating this step is part of "ongoing efforts to counter attempts to arm the Houthi militias," which he said "seek to confiscate the will of the Yemeni people and undermine the institutions of the republican state."

This is not the first such incident reported by the National Resistance. According to Saleh’s statement, the last similar operation occurred just five days ago, when a shipment of medium-sized weapons was seized in the Red Sea.

The seizure highlights the long-running conflict in Yemen, which pits the Iran-aligned Houthi movement against the internationally recognized government. The government has been backed since 2015 by a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The United Nations, the United States, and Saudi Arabia have long accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with sophisticated weapons, including ballistic missiles and drones, in violation of a UN Security Council arms embargo.

Tehran has consistently denied arming the Houthis directly.

Brigadier General Tariq Saleh is a key figure in the conflict. He is the nephew of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and leads the National Resistance forces, a major faction within the anti-Houthi coalition operating mainly along Yemen's Red Sea coast.

The interception of alleged Iranian arms shipments is a recurring event in the region. U.S. and allied naval forces have frequently announced the seizure of weapons on vessels originating from Iran and believed to be destined for Yemen, as reported by international media outlets such as the Associated Press and Reuters.

 
 
Dr. Kamaran Aziz ,
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