By Matt Underwood US-backed Yemeni forces intercept ‘massive’ Iranian weapons shipment intended for Houthis. This is a big deal, apparently. The news coming out is that a coalition of forces, supported by the US, managed to grab a huge stash of weaponry and equipment that was on its way to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. It’s being hailed as a significant victory, with CENTCOM, the US military command in the region, going so far as to call it the “largest seizure of Iranian advanced conventional weapons in their history.” We’re talking about over 750 tons of munitions and hardware, including anti-aircraft missiles, drone engines, and communications gear. It’s a lot of stuff.
Now, this seizure is expected to hit the Houthis pretty hard. If this was the entire shipment they were expecting, it will be a real blow, potentially slowing their operations. Also, if Iran needs to keep sending more shipments, they will be easier to spot or require them to send smaller amounts which will put the Houthis in a death spiral, where they use up more munitions than they can get. It’s worth noting, if we’re being candid, that the whole idea of “Iranian intelligence” seems a bit farcical these days.
Thinking about the broader implications, this interception could also bolster the Yemeni government, making it easier for them to regain control of the territory currently held by the Houthis. Of course, how effective that will be is up for debate. Some argue that dialing back attacks might not necessarily cripple the Houthis, who are known for guerrilla warfare.
The seizure could indeed affect the Houthis’ combat effectiveness and, in the short term, it might force them to be more conservative with what they have. Even if it’s not the only shipment, it’s still a lot of weaponry off the table.
The context is also important here. Compared to the massive build-up of military equipment during Desert Storm, this seizure might seem small. However, when considering the sheer volume of arms a major supplier, such as a country like Iran, could potentially provide, it’s a significant amount.
And speaking of the source, that’s where things get interesting. The focus of this whole operation appears to be on disrupting the flow of weapons from Iran to the Houthis. Some sources state, for example, that the Israelis have already done some damage to ports, airports, and killed a high-ranking Houthi general. The fact is, that it makes sense that Iran might not have a huge amount of weapons to spare, and likewise, the Houthis don’t have enough that this wouldn’t hurt immensely.
Of course, there’s always the question of what happens next. The intercepted weapons could be sent back to Iran or used to assist another country in need. The key takeaway is that this single event, in the grand scheme of things, is a drop in the bucket. Stopping the source of these weapons and their facilitators would achieve much more.