Iran Sent 10-21 IRGC Personnel, Missiles and Drones to Yemen as Houthi Red Sea Threat Grew
Updated
Updated · News18 · Jul 23
Iran Sent 10-21 IRGC Personnel, Missiles and Drones to Yemen as Houthi Red Sea Threat Grew
3 articles · Updated · News18 · Jul 23
Summary
A July 13 Mahan Air flight carried 10-21 IRGC personnel, including senior commanders, plus missile and drone equipment from Tehran to Yemen, according to four sources cited by Reuters.
The team was sent to support Houthi operations and train fighters on new missile systems; one source said the aircraft also transported gold to finance Houthi activities.
Sana'a airport was under attack, forcing the flight to divert to Hodeidah, and within days Iran allegedly told the Houthis to stand ready to shut the Red Sea oil route if the US struck Iranian infrastructure.
The Houthis then announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and later said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers, moves that effectively ended a four-year truce with Riyadh.
Yemen's information minister said the transfer was meant to prepare threats to Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab shipping, underscoring fears that the wider Iran-aligned conflict is spilling into vital trade lanes.