US Intelligence report: Navy intercepts Iranian weapons bound for Houthis in Yemen.

According to information published by the US DoD on July 10, 2024, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) highlighted significant interdictions of Iranian weapons intended for the Houthis in Yemen in a recent report.
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Artist rendering of Houthis weapons seized by the US. (Picture source: Generated by AI)

The report details two key operations in January 2024, underscoring ongoing efforts to curb the smuggling of advanced weaponry to the Yemeni insurgent group.

On January 11, 2024, the U.S. Navy conducted a nighttime raid on an Iranian dhow near the coast of Somalia, seizing components for ballistic and cruise missiles.

Later in the month, on January 28, a forward-deployed U.S. Coast Guard vessel intercepted another Iranian dhow in the Arabian Sea, uncovering parts for ballistic and antitank guided missiles.

Photographic evidence in the report draws a direct comparison between the interdicted materials and known Iranian weaponry. This includes features of Iranian antiship cruise missiles and the Qiam/Burkan ballistic missile, which has been used by the Houthis in various attacks across the region. The interdicted missiles share distinctive characteristics with those used in attacks against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other targets.

Since 2015, the United States and its allies have intercepted at least 20 Iranian vessels transporting illicit arms to the Houthis. These shipments included ballistic, cruise, and surface-to-air missile components, antitank guided missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and thousands of assault rifles and rocket components.

The continuous flow of these sophisticated weapons has enabled the Houthis to launch over 100 attacks on land-based targets and dozens more targeting maritime vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The report also notes the involvement of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) in smuggling these weapons, significantly enhancing the Houthis' military capabilities. Specific comparisons made between the seized weaponry and Iranian-made systems further support claims of Iranian origin.

In summary, the DIA's findings highlight the persistent threat posed by Iranian arms smuggling to regional stability. The interdictions in January 2024 are part of broader efforts to disrupt the supply chain of sophisticated weaponry to the Houthis, aiming to mitigate their capacity to conduct extensive and damaging attacks.