Aerial footage shows moment RAF Typhoon strikes Yemen military target
US naval forces have seized the first batch of Iranian weapons components bound for Houthi rebels since the militant group began its Red Sea attacks late last year.
US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said US Navy Seals, supported by helicopters and drones, conducted a night-time seizure of a vessel off the coast of Somalia, south of Yemen. They said it had been illegally transporting weapons parts to the Houthis.
A statement said propulsion and guidance systems, as well as warheads for medium range ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles, were among the items seized. Air defence components were also seized.
“Initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea,” the statement read.
Iran has a history of supporting Yemeni Houthis - and it has long been suspected that they have been doing so for the rebels' latest round of attacks - but these US finding amounts to the first pieces of evidence it its involvement since last Noevmber.
