Was 750 Tonnes of Weapons Seized in the Red Sea by Yemen?

Aden, July 16 (NationPress) - Yemeni officials revealed on Wednesday the confiscation of 750 tonnes of weaponry, which encompasses a variety of missile systems, in the Red Sea.

Tariq Mohammed Saleh, a key figure in Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and head of the National Resistance Forces, shared on the social media platform X that the captured arsenal included naval and aerial missile systems, air defense mechanisms, advanced radar technology, drones, wiretapping gear, anti-armor missiles, B-10 artillery units, tracking optics, sniper rifles, munitions, and an array of other military apparatus.

The Yemeni official also published a video showcasing what he claimed were the seized materials, revealing a substantial cache of modern and varied weaponry aboard a ship.

Saleh asserted that the intercepted cargo was destined from Iran to the Houthis, although there was no immediate response from the Houthi faction.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government has frequently accused Iran of providing arms and military support to the Houthis, a claim that Tehran has consistently denied, according to reports from Xinhua.

The Houthis have maintained control over the capital Sanaa and most of the northern provinces of Yemen for over a decade.

On the previous Sunday, Britain reported that at least four crew members from the Liberia-flagged vessel Eternity-C were killed during attacks in the Red Sea attributed to Yemen's Houthi group last week, with several others reported missing.

In a statement on social media platform X, the British Embassy in Yemen condemned the unjustified Houthi assaults on the Liberia-flagged ships Magic Sea and Eternity C, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all crew members aboard the Eternity C.

While the precise number of missing individuals was not specified, the Embassy emphasized that the attacks represent a breach of international law and the right to navigation, cautioning that ongoing Houthi aggressions against commercial vessels could further destabilize the region and hinder efforts toward lasting peace in Yemen.

Both vessels were operated by Greek firms and were reportedly targeted because the Houthis alleged they were bound for Israeli ports, as per prior statements from the Houthi group.

The assaults are part of the Houthis' ongoing maritime campaign in the Red Sea against vessels they allege are associated with Israel, which they claim is a response to the current conflict in Gaza.

In a televised address on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi reiterated his determination to uphold what he termed a ban on navigation of the Israeli enemy within the waters of the Red Sea.