New Report Reveals Houthi Group’s Rapid Arms Expansion

A recent report from Conflict Arms Research (CAR) indicates that Yemen’s Houthi group, which is supported by Iran, is quickly rebuilding its weaponry through shipments of missiles, underwater weapons, and various components.

Interestingly, these components have been linked to defense companies in several unexpected places like the United States, Switzerland, and South Korea. However, CAR has expressed concerns that many of these parts might be counterfeit. Their main worry lies in the Houthis’ capability to manufacture their own weapons, showcasing a noteworthy advancement in their technical skills.

The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, are a Shiite jihadist group that has held Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, for over a decade. They depend heavily on Iranian backing and have gained notoriety in the wake of the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel by Hamas, another group linked to Iran. After their so-called “declaration of war” against Israel, they proceeded to block commercial shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, significantly impacting trade through the Red Sea.

As the situation evolved, the Houthis eventually halted civilian shipping following the end of the Gaza conflict and have not resumed active involvement in the current tensions between Iran and its adversaries, namely the United States and Israel. Though they claim to have launched missiles at Israel, reports suggest they’ve opted for a more passive stance, raising doubts about Iran’s ongoing support for them.

CAR’s investigation implies that supplies from Iran are still making their way into Yemen. The report emphasizes that the Houthi arsenal now consists of advanced missiles and drones, which pose significant risks to shipping, critical infrastructure, and populated areas. The findings indicate a much more sophisticated threat from the Houthis compared to a decade ago. More than 800 missile and drone parts have been documented from recent maritime seizures in the Red Sea, revealing key insights into the advanced weapons systems they possess.

The report suggests that the Houthis may be navigating around global arms embargoes by acquiring commercially available technology. This investigation was prompted by shipments intercepted by the Yemeni National Resistance Forces destined for the Houthis. The latter have claimed to be the legitimate government of Yemen since taking control of Sanaa in 2015, amidst a civil war against the government based in Aden.

The National Resistance Forces, led by General Tarek Saleh, have emerged as a significant force in Yemen, focusing on undermining Houthi power through the interception of arms shipments. For instance, in July 2025, the Pentagon acknowledged the NRF for capturing over 750 tons of munitions allegedly sourced from Iran. This cargo reportedly included advanced missiles, drone components, and defense systems.

According to CAR’s findings, there is evidence suggesting that the weapons supplied by Iran have become more sophisticated over time. Investigators noted that seized parts bore Persian names and were identifiable as being exclusive to Iran. However, some components seemed to have been made in Iran, which presents a different challenge compared to fully manufactured weapons.

CAR concluded that the Houthis’ reliance on Iranian resources—and Iran’s dependence on foreign-manufactured components—could expose vulnerabilities within their supply chain. The report noted that while the Houthis claim their missiles are homemade, the evidence points to limited domestic production capability.

Despite their occasional involvement in the broader conflict involving Iran and its proxies against the U.S. and Israel, the Houthis could choose to leverage their arsenal to support Tehran whenever necessary. In April, Houthi leaders alleged that the Israel Defense Forces had launched ballistic missiles into Tel Aviv, which they claimed to have intercepted. Some reports also indicated that they were acting in concert with Hezbollah during increased tensions in the region.

Recently, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that they intercepted a drone thought to have originated from Yemen, targeting the port city of Eilat—marking the first attack of this nature since the onset of the Iranian conflict.