Yemen government accuses Houthis of converting Iranian air defence weapons into cruise missiles
Yemen's internationally recognised government says the Houthis modified Iranian air defence weapons with help from IRGC experts, raising concern for civilian flights over the Red Sea.
The conflict in Yemen has reached a serious turn once again. Yemen's internationally recognised government has levelled a grave charge against the Houthi rebels. It claims the Houthis have modified air defence weapons received from Iran and converted them into cruise missiles.
The Yemeni government also says experts of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helped in this work. The weapons have raised concern over the safety of international air routes over the southern Red Sea and of civilian aircraft.
According to Yemeni military officials, the Houthis made technical modifications to some air defence weapons received from Iran, and these are now reportedly being used like cruise missiles. The missiles are alleged to be fired towards international air routes from the Hodeidah area of western Yemen.
It is also claimed that the weapons carry a heat-seeking system, so they may be capable of following the heat emitted by aircraft engines. According to the Yemeni military, the missiles can stay airborne for about 25 minutes.
The Yemeni government has attributed the modifications to the role of IRGC experts. According to information provided by a Yemeni military spokesperson, Iranian experts working in Houthi-controlled areas helped make the necessary technical changes to the weapons.
Various reports have earlier indicated that the Houthis have received help from Iran for their missile and drone capabilities. But Iran has repeatedly denied allegations that it gives the Houthis such military assistance. The present claim is therefore being treated as an allegation by the Yemeni government.
The biggest concern being voiced is for the safety of civilian air services. International air routes passing over the southern Red Sea are already considered sensitive because of the conflict around Yemen. The Yemeni military has claimed that in these circumstances, commercial aircraft as well as planes of the United Nations and humanitarian organisations could be at risk.
There has been no official response so far from the Houthi rebels or Iran to the allegations. Independent confirmation of the actual nature of the weapons, their number and their actual use is therefore limited for now.
