Yemen Govt Forces Seize Drone-Making Equipment En Route to Iran-Backed Houthis Near Bab al-Mandab

ADEN, July 1: Yemen’s pro-government forces said Tuesday they seized a shipment of materials believed to be used in manufacturing drones and explosive boats aboard a vessel in the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Giants Brigades said in a statement posted on X that their forces intercepted the vessel as it was attempting to reach Yemen’s western coast in Al Hudaydah province, where ports are controlled by the Houthi group.

The statement said three sailors aboard the vessel, suspected of having links to the Houthis, were detained for questioning.

The seized cargo included equipment allegedly used for drone production, including hydraulic drilling machines, servers, electronic chips for drone operations, GPS guidance devices, engines and materials believed to be used in the manufacture of explosive boats, according to the statement.

The Houthi group has not issued an immediate response to the allegations.

The seizure comes amid continued international concerns over weapons transfers to the Houthis. The United States has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying weapons to the group, a claim Tehran has denied.

Yemen has remained under a fragile truce since April 2022 between the internationally recognized government and the Houthis, despite sporadic fighting and ongoing tensions between the rival sides.