Hodaeda — Naval units affiliated with Brigadier General Tariq Saleh, commander of the National Resistance Forces and member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, intercepted a shipment of smuggled pistols off the coast of the Red Sea, military sources confirmed Saturday.

The operation, based on precise intelligence, targeted a suspicious vessel attempting to navigate toward Houthi-controlled territory. Upon inspection, forces discovered dozens of modern pistols concealed within cargo compartments, believed to be part of a broader arms trafficking network supplying the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

Initial investigations suggest the weapons were destined for covert distribution in western Yemen, where recent clashes have intensified. The seizure adds to a growing list of interdictions carried out by Saleh’s forces, who have played a key role in disrupting maritime smuggling routes in the region.

“This interception is part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard Yemen’s sovereignty and prevent the flow of illicit weapons that fuel the conflict,” a military spokesperson said.

The Red Sea has become a critical theater for arms smuggling, with multiple operations in recent months uncovering Iranian-made drones, missiles, and communication equipment en route to Houthi fighters.

Yemeni authorities have pledged to continue maritime surveillance and coordination with regional partners to stem the tide of illegal arms shipments and reinforce national security.