Yemen / Anadolu

Forces of the Giants Brigades, loyal to the Yemeni government, announced Tuesday that they seized advanced military equipment that was on its way to the Houthi group in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in southwestern Yemen.

This naval operation comes within the framework of efforts by forces loyal to the government to tighten control over strategic shipping lanes and prevent arms smuggling to the Houthis.

According to a statement by the media center of the Giants Brigades, a boat loaded with materials and equipment used in weapon-making was seized, heading to the Houthi militia in Hodeidah.

The center explained that 'the forces’ naval patrols managed to intercept and seize the boat, arresting its crew of smugglers affiliated with the militia, following precise intelligence monitoring and tracking.'

The statement confirmed that the competent authorities are currently examining the entire contents of the shipment, and details of the seized items will be announced after the completion of investigations and legal procedures.

As of 19:30 GMT, no comment has been issued by the Houthi group regarding the Giants Brigades statement.

This comes amid an unprecedented escalation in years between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, as the government announced Monday that its forces bombed the runway of Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing, considering it a response to a violation of the country's sovereignty.

Later, the plane landed at Hodeidah Airport in western Yemen, while the Houthi group accused Saudi Arabia of bombing Sanaa airport, considering that it means the end of de-escalation, while no comment was issued from Riyadh.

While the group announced targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha Airport with ballistic missiles and drones, the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reported that Saudi air defenses intercepted missiles launched by the 'terrorist Houthi militia' towards the southern region of the kingdom.

The Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia was met with widespread Arab and international condemnations.

This incident comes at a time when Yemen is witnessing mutual military escalation between the government and the Houthis, further complicating stalled peace efforts. The Houthi targeting of Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones raises regional tensions and raises fears of a return to large-scale confrontations. The seizure of these advanced equipment is expected to have repercussions on the course of negotiations between the Yemeni parties.