The key facts

  • The coalition warned the Houthis against smuggling weapons on traditional boats
  • Boat owners were urged not to cooperate with the Houthis, with a warning about risk to life and property
  • On Friday, the coalition released footage of strikes on vessels and facilities in the province of Al-Hudaydah

Coalition warning

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen on Monday warned the Houthi group against using traditional boats to smuggle weapons, missiles and military equipment into the country. The statement by the joint forces command emphasized that such practices threaten security both inside Yemen and beyond its borders, citing risks to civilians and regional security.

Appeal to boat owners

The coalition called on boat owners not to cooperate with the Houthis in transporting weapons and military equipment to the Yemeni coast, warning that their lives and property could be at risk. The statement did not provide details of specific smuggling operations or intercepted weapons shipments.

Footage of strikes in Al-Hudaydah

The warning came days after the coalition on Friday released footage of strikes on boats, vehicles and facilities that, it said, were used to smuggle weapons to the Houthis in the western province of Al-Hudaydah. The video shows vessels and vehicles under surveillance, after which strikes hit several targets.

Context of the conflict

Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and a number of provinces, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally recognized government. According to the outlet, the latest fighting began in July, when the truce agreed under UN auspices in 2022 collapsed.