Aden – Yemeni and international intelligence sources have revealed alarming developments in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, pointing to a new smuggling route allegedly used by the Iran-backed Houthi militia. 

According to recent reports, the Houthis have shifted their weapons trafficking operations toward Sudan’s Red Sea coastline, exploiting the region’s instability and porous borders to bypass tightened maritime surveillance in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

Security officials claim that the Houthis, with logistical support from Iran, have begun receiving shipments of drones, missile components, surveillance equipment, and electronic warfare tools through Sudanese ports such as Port Sudan. These weapons are then believed to be transferred via small vessels to Houthi-controlled areas in western Yemen, including the strategic port of Al-Hudaydah.

The shift in smuggling routes comes after a series of failed attempts to move arms through traditional channels, which have been increasingly monitored by international naval forces. In one recent incident, Yemeni authorities intercepted a shipment in Aden containing Iranian-made drones and advanced control systems allegedly destined for Houthi forces.

Sources also suggest that Iranian military advisors have been active in Sudan since late 2023, facilitating the transfer of technology and coordinating logistics. Among the weapons reportedly smuggled are Iranian Mohajer-6 and Ababil drones, which have been used in previous attacks on Yemeni government forces and civilian infrastructure.

The revelations have sparked concern among regional powers and international observers, who warn that the expansion of Houthi smuggling networks into Africa could further destabilize the Red Sea corridor and complicate efforts to reach a peaceful resolution in Yemen.