Saudi-Led Coalition Warns Houthis Against Using Traditional Maritime Vessels for Weapons Smuggling
- 2026-10-20
- 14:00:07
Riyadh – The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen on Tuesday warned the Houthi movement against using what it described as “traditional maritime vessels” to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment into Yemen.
In a statement, the coalition said such activities pose a serious threat to Yemen’s security as well as regional and international stability. It added that weapons smuggling operations endanger civilian lives and undermine efforts to maintain maritime security in the region.
The coalition called on all owners and operators of maritime vessels to refrain from cooperating with the Houthis in the transportation of weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea to Yemen’s coastline. It stressed that avoiding involvement in such activities is necessary to protect lives and property.
The warning came as the coalition released footage that it said showed the tracking and targeting of smuggled weapons and maritime assets allegedly involved in delivering arms to Houthi forces through organized criminal networks operating along Yemen’s coasts.
The announcement follows continued military escalation between the Yemeni government and the Iran-aligned Houthi group.
The Yemeni government’s armed forces said they had expanded their operations against the Houthis, carrying out 1,164 “precise and direct” targeting missions over the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on Monday that the group had launched attacks targeting energy facilities, two airports, and military sites in Saudi Arabia.