AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s government-aligned forces have stepped up operations against Houthi threats in the Red Sea, combating drone boats near government-held islands and intercepting a dhow carrying advanced drone components allegedly bound for the Iran-backed group.
The National Resistance said coastguard forces confronted Houthi unmanned surface vessels that approached government-controlled islands on Sunday and Monday.
The incidents came less than a day after the Yemeni army said drones operated by its 5th Military Region carried out a pre-emptive strike on an explosive-laden Houthi drone boat that was being prepared to target shipping in the Red Sea.
Footage released by the army showed a small white motorboat close to the shoreline before it was struck and destroyed.
The National Resistance also said its naval forces had intercepted a dhow in the Red Sea carrying drone components, describing the seizure as the latest in a series of operations targeting weapons and equipment allegedly being smuggled from Iran to the Houthis.
