Yemeni Forces Seize Iran’s Largest Weapons Shipment Meant For Houthis

The U.S. military has confirmed that a Yemeni military group intercepted a large Iranian weapons shipment meant for the Yemeni Houthis.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the seizure was carried out by the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi group led by General Tareq Saleh, who is the nephew of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

CENTCOM shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the NRF had captured a “massive” shipment of Iranian weapons. The seized cargo contained over 750 tons of munitions and military equipment.

This included hundreds of advanced cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as warheads, seekers, components, drone engines, air defense systems, radar units, and communications gear.

Image Credits: U.S. Central Command/X

According to CENTCOM, the NRF also found manuals written in Farsi within the shipment. They reported that many of the military systems were made by a US-sanctioned company connected to Iran’s Ministry of Defense.

The weapons were intended for the Iran-backed Houthi forces, who have been actively attacking ships in the Red Sea.

This is the largest capture of Iranian conventional weapons by the NRF. CENTCOM said that the action supports United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit unauthorised arms transfers to the Houthis. It also shows the NRF’s commitment to ensuring safety in Yemen, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

Image Credits: U.S. Central Command/X

General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, appreciated the efforts of the NRF and other Yemeni government-aligned forces. He said their ongoing efforts to block Iranian weapons from reaching the Houthis are crucial.

Kurilla also said that Iran continues to be the most destabilising force in the region, and stopping its support to the Houthis is important for regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation.

The intercepted shipment was believed to be aimed at helping the Houthis continue those attacks.

Reference: US Centcom