Houthis experiment with 'weapons no other armed group possesses'

Houthi rebels are testing unconventional weapons like “loitering torpedoes” to bolster their military prowess in Yemen and expand their reach across the Middle East, according to a recent report by arms experts. While their long-range strikes have garnered the most attention, the group also employs a spectrum of close-range drones, anti-tank weapons, and artillery rockets to engage in naval warfare, as detailed by Conflict Armament Research (CAR).

A British weapons investigation group, which recently toured Yemen, revealed that Iran plays a pivotal role in resupplying the Houthis, but the rebels are also independently conducting research. Iran's involvement is underscored by the presence of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel in Yemen, and Tehran views the conflict as a new front in the broader regional war.

In a recent lightning advance, the Houthis captured Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, intensifying the conflict's impact on families and displacing over 125,000 individuals. Fabian Hinz, a CAR analyst, highlighted the group's advancements in both weapons and tactics. For instance, the Houthis conducted a "time-sensitive" ballistic missile launch shortly after a surveillance drone flight.

Hinz emphasized that the rebels have expanded their arsenal to include various systems such as small drones, loitering munitions, artillery rockets, close-range ballistic missiles, and anti-tank guided missiles. Notably, the CAR discovered evidence of Houthi experimentation with technologies not documented in any other armed group's possession, including components potentially used in loitering torpedoes that could significantly enhance their maritime attack capabilities.

The rebels claim to have seized 5,400 square kilometers of territory and launched attacks in Saudi Arabia, targeting Makkah with a drone that, while failing to reach the city, drew widespread condemnation. Iran has been a critical source of arms for the Houthis, supplying complete weapons and kits for local assembly, as well as enabling Yemeni manufacturers to produce certain systems.

The US, UK, and pro-government Yemeni forces have intercepted Iranian cargo transfers to disrupt the supply line. Conflict Armament Research has uncovered a significant scale of weapons through one such seizure in June 2025, suggesting that Iran-linked networks not only supply complete weapons but also facilitate local manufacturing using Iranian technology, potentially including hydrogen-powered uncrewed systems.

This intelligence comes amid ongoing Yemeni conflict since 2014, when the Houthis seized Sanaa, with the Saudi-led coalition intervening months later. The crisis has displaced over four million people, with recent fighting adding to the displacement. While the US has avoided direct involvement, recent talks between US officials and Houthi representatives in Oman suggest a potential dialogue aimed at curbing the conflict.