US intercepts weapons shipment bound for Houthis

A U.S. Coast Guard ship seized weapons intended for the Houthi militant group during an operation in the Arabian Sea in late January, U.S. Central Command announced Thursday.

On Jan. 28, personnel aboard the Coast Guard cutter Clarence Sutphin Jr. located and boarded a vessel, the command said in a statement, not specifying who operated the boat or providing other details. But the shipment originated from Iran, the command said.

Once on board, Coast Guard members found more than 200 packages of medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives, uncrewed underwater and surface vehicle components, military-grade communication and network equipment, and anti-tank guided missile launcher components, Central Command said.

The seizure came as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea continued to target commercial shipping, prompting strikes from the U.S. and allies.

“This is yet another example of Iran’s malign activity in the region, ” Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Central Command chief, said in the statement. “Their continued supply of advanced conventional weapons to the Houthis is in direct violation of international law and continues to undermine the safety of international shipping and the free flow of commerce.”