Aden — Yemeni authorities at the Port of Aden have seized a shipment containing over 3,000 drone-related parts, including jet propulsion units, launch platforms, control chips, and surveillance equipment, believed to be destined for Houthi-controlled territories.

The operation was carried out by counterterrorism units and port security forces, under the supervision of the Specialized Criminal Prosecution Office and a Presidential Committee tasked with monitoring arms trafficking. The shipment, which arrived aboard a commercial vessel rerouted from Djibouti, was flagged during routine inspection procedures.

Security officials revealed that the cargo was disguised as industrial machinery and lacked proper documentation. Upon inspection, it was found to include complete factory equipment capable of producing drones, as well as raw materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum alloys, and electronic control systems.

Brigadier General Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, described the seizure as a “severe blow to Houthi military capabilities”, emphasizing the importance of tightening control over maritime and land entry points to prevent further smuggling.

Investigations suggest the shipment was intended to replenish drone production facilities damaged in recent airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure. The discovery has raised concerns about the expanding network of arms trafficking in the region, with links reportedly connecting suppliers in China, Somalia, and Iran.

This seizure follows a series of similar operations in recent months, as Yemeni forces intensify efforts to intercept military-grade equipment en route to Houthi forces. International observers have praised the operation, warning that advanced drone technology in the hands of non-state actors poses a growing threat to regional stability and maritime security.

A detailed report on the shipment is expected to be submitted to the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce the international arms embargo on Yemen.