- The U.S. Coast Guard says it has seized more than 200 weapons packages destined for Yemen's Houthi rebels.
- Parts of an Iranian-derived ballistic missile have been found on a ship in the Arabian Sea.
- Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the Red Sea in response to the Israel-Hamas war.
U.S. Central Command announced that more than 200 shipments of illegal weapons and military parts destined for Yemen have been seized by the U.S. Coast Guard. statement on Thursday.
The cargo was seized from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on January 28, the statement said. U.S. Central Command said the weapons originated in Iran and were on their way to Yemen's Houthi rebels.
A huge variety of weapons were found on the ship, ranging from parts for medium-range ballistic missiles, explosives, and assemblies for anti-tank guided missile launchers.
“This is yet another example of Iran's malign activity in the region,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla said in a statement.
He added: “The continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine international maritime security and free commerce.”
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been attacking shipping ships in the Red Sea since mid-November. The rebels said their attack was a response to the Israeli-Hamas war.
The attack prompted the United States to form an international naval coalition to protect ships transiting the vital sea route.
The United States has shot down missiles and drones fired by the Houthis, and also thwarted Iranian attempts to smuggle weapons into Yemen.
In January, two Navy SEALs who went missing during an operation off the coast of Somalia were declared dead. The two men were helping seize Iranian warheads bound for Yemen at the time of their disappearance.
