Context:

Fighters allied with Yemen’s exiled government have claimed the seizure of 750 tons of Iranian-supplied missiles and weapons intended for Houthi rebels, marking a significant interdiction in the ongoing conflict. This operation, conducted by the National Resistance Force, highlights the continued flow of arms allegedly from Iran to the Houthis, despite Tehran's denial of such activities. The seized weaponry reportedly includes anti-ship missiles and Iranian-made Type 358 anti-aircraft missiles, which have been used in recent conflicts in the Red Sea. The Houthis have historically used similar weapons to down U.S. drones, with these activities acknowledged by the U.S. military. The prolonged conflict, which began with the Houthis seizing Yemen's capital in 2014, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis with over 150,000 deaths and has pushed the nation towards famine.

Dive Deeper:

• The National Resistance Force, allied with Yemen's exiled government, reported capturing 750 tons of Iranian-supplied weapons meant for the Houthi rebels, marking a significant interdiction in the conflict. This marks the first major seizure of its kind by this group, which is led by Tariq Saleh, related to a former Yemeni leader.

• For years, Western naval forces, including the U.S. Navy, have intercepted Iranian arms shipments to the Houthis. These shipments have played a role in the Houthis' control of Yemen’s capital since 2014 and their attacks on Red Sea shipping amid the broader regional conflicts.

• The seized arsenal includes anti-ship missiles, like those used by the Houthis to sink two ships in the Red Sea recently, resulting in at least four deaths and others missing. Also among the captured items were Iranian-made Type 358 anti-aircraft missiles.

• The Houthis have claimed to have shot down 26 U.S. MQ-9 drones over the course of the war, likely using the Iranian-supplied missiles. These claims have been partially confirmed by U.S. military sources.

• Despite Iran's denial of supplying arms to the Houthis, Iranian-manufactured weapons continue to appear on the battlefield and in intercepted shipments, violating a United Nations arms embargo.

• The conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis captured Yemen's capital, Sanaa, prompting the internationally recognized government to flee. In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition, supported by U.S. intelligence and weaponry, intervened in support of the exiled government.

• The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths, including both fighters and civilians, and has precipitated one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, inching the region towards widespread famine.