Brief
Yemen says Houthis have turned Iranian air‑defence weapons into cruise missiles
The internationally recognised Yemeni government claims the Iran‑backed Houthis are using IRGC‑assisted modifications to create loitering missiles that could endanger aircraft over Yemen and the Red Sea.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The internationally recognised, Saudi‑backed Yemeni government alleges that the Iran‑backed Houthi rebels have modified Iranian air‑defence weapons into loitering cruise missiles with help from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
What happened
The government says the modified missiles operate on a thermal‑tracking system and can remain airborne for up to 25 minutes, posing a risk to civilian air traffic over Yemen and the Red Sea. On Thursday, Saudi forces intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and the Yanbu port area, while the Houthis claimed attacks on a "sensitive target" in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera reports that Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones in the two operations. The Yemeni spokesperson Brigadier General Majed al‑Nazili described the weapons as modified Iranian air‑defence systems that now strike aircraft and cruise missiles.
What was said
"These missiles move around for a period of up to 25 minutes per missile and operate using a thermal‑tracking system," Brigadier General Majed al‑Nazili told Al Jazeera.
How it came about
The claim follows renewed fighting after the Houthis seized the Red Sea coast, including the strategic city of Mocha and Mayyun Island, and declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July. Earlier Felo coverage noted the Houthis' expanding missile and drone capabilities and their impact on regional shipping routes.
Key facts
- Yemen's government alleges Houthis have modified Iranian air‑defence weapons into cruise missiles with IRGC assistance. (aljazeera.com)
- The modified missiles reportedly use a thermal‑tracking system and can loiter for up to 25 minutes. (aljazeera.com)
- Saudi forces intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu on the same day the Houthis claimed attacks on Riyadh. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Are Houthis using new modified cruise missiles in Yemen’s war?”
