Yemen says it seized Iranian drone parts intended for Houthis

Yemen says it seized Iranian drone parts intended for Houthis
Screen Grab: A drone is launched in what Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis say is an attack on the Red Sea port city of Mocha, Yemen, 9 August 2026.
Reuters

Yemeni government-aligned forces said they had intercepted a shipment of drone components allegedly being transported to the Houthi movement, in what officials described as an effort to disrupt supply routes across the Red Sea.

Sadiq Dwaid, spokesperson for the National Resistance Forces, announced the operation on Sunday (30 August), saying the seizure demonstrated the ability of Yemeni forces to protect territorial waters and prevent military supplies from reaching the Houthis.

According to pro-government media, the shipment was intercepted by naval units operating in the Red Sea while it was being transported towards Houthi-controlled areas.

Shipment reportedly contained drone parts

Government officials said the cargo included components used in the assembly and manufacture of drones, though further details about the quantity, origin and intended destination of the shipment were not immediately released.

The December 2 News Agency, which is aligned with anti-Houthi forces, said footage of the seized materials was expected to be made public later on Sunday.

Neither the Houthis nor Iran issued an immediate response to the allegations.

Separate report of maritime threat

In a separate development, Yemen's state-run Al-Yemen TV reported that military forces had destroyed what it described as a Houthi vessel before it could carry out an attack against shipping in the Red Sea.

The broadcaster said the craft was unmanned and remotely operated, but provided few additional details about the incident.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis regarding the report.

Rising tensions in and around the Red Sea

The incidents come amid increased military activity between Yemen's internationally recognised government and the Houthis, who have controlled Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen since 2014.

The conflict has increasingly extended beyond Yemen's borders and into key maritime routes, including the Red Sea, one of the world's most important shipping corridors.

Government forces are backed by a Saudi-led coalition, while Iran has long been accused by its regional rivals and Western governments of providing military support to the Houthis. Tehran has repeatedly denied supplying weapons to the group.

Maritime security concerns persist

Concerns over security in the Red Sea have intensified in recent months following a series of attacks and threats against commercial shipping.

In July, the Houthis announced what they described as a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia, adding to regional tensions and raising fears about the safety of vessels operating in nearby waters.

Sunday's reported interception is likely to increase scrutiny of suspected weapons trafficking routes in the region, as government forces seek to limit the Houthis' military capabilities while efforts to resolve Yemen's long-running conflict remain stalled.

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