Houthis experiment with 'weapons no other armed group possesses'

Houthi rebels are conducting experiments with innovative weapons such as "loitering torpedoes", as they bolster their military prowess in Yemen and extend attacks to the broader Middle East, according to findings by Conflict Armament Research (CAR). While the rebels' long-range strikes have garnered significant attention, their arsenal includes a diverse range of close-range drones, anti-tank weapons, and ballistic missiles, as reported by the British weapons investigation group.

Iran remains a crucial supplier to the Houthis, but the rebels are also conducting their own research and development. The Houthi advance has captured the entirety of Yemen's Red Sea coastline, expanding the scope of the regional conflict. This development has displaced over 125,000 individuals and disrupted family lives. CAR analyst Fabian Hinz noted that the rebels have made significant progress in their arsenal and tactics, including the recent deployment of "time-sensitive" ballistic missiles launched after surveillance drone incursions.

The innovative nature of the Houthi arsenal extends to their experimental "loitering torpedoes," which could potentially bolster their ability to target maritime vessels. The rebels' actions have also included attacks on Saudi Arabia, with drones aimed at Makkah that failed to reach the city but sparked widespread condemnation across the Arab world.

Iran's involvement in supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels has been a contentious issue, with the US, UK, and pro-government forces in Yemen intercepting cargo transfers from Iran. Recent analysis by CAR revealed an "unprecedented scale and scope of weapons" supplied by Iran, indicating that the rebels are not only receiving complete weapons but also local assembly kits and enabling the manufacture of certain systems within Yemen.

The Houthi rebels now possess at least ten distinct missile types, a marked improvement from their outdated Soviet-era missiles in 2014. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has been a protracted struggle since 2014, with the Saudi-led intervention following the Houthi takeover of Sanaa. The crisis has resulted in millions of internally displaced people, many of whom have been displaced multiple times over the past 12 years.

Despite the US refraining from direct involvement, there have been reports of talks between Vice President JD Vance, foreign policy adviser Massad Boulos, and Houthi representatives in Oman, with assurances from the Houthi side that they have no intention of attacking American ships. The State Department, while acknowledging the discussions, declined to comment further.