US, Israel and Yemen Step Up Joint Efforts to Foil Shipments of Iranian Weapon Systems to Houthi Rebels 

Earlier this month, the Yemeni armed forces intercepted a large shipment of Iranian made weapons that was on its way to the Houthi rebels in the country.

The shipment was intercepted by the Yemeni National Resistance Forces (NRF), led by General Tareq Saleh.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the NRF intercepted and seized over 750 tons of munitions and hardware that included hundreds of advanced cruise, anti-ship, and anti-aircraft missiles, warheads and seekers, components as well as hundreds of drone engines, air defence equipment, radar systems, and communications equipment.

As per the NRF, there were manuals in Farsi and many of the systems were manufactured by a company affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Defence that is sanctioned by the United States. The illegal shipment was intended for use by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

The actions of the NRF support the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) and are a direct reflection of their commitment to a safe Yemen, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, praised the actions of the NRF saying, “We commend the legitimate government forces of Yemen who continue to interdict the flow of Iranian munitions bound for the Houthis. The interdiction of this massive Iranian shipment shows that Iran remains the most destabilising actor in the region. Limiting the free flow of Iranian support to the Houthis is critical to regional security, stability, and freedom of navigation.”