Aden (South24 Center)

Local authorities in Shabwa Governorate, South Yemen, announced on Sunday (October 25) the arrest of 13 people suspected of links to the Iran-aligned Houthi militia and the seizure of a shipment of weapons, ammunition and explosives allegedly smuggled by sea to the governorate for delivery to Houthi-controlled areas.

Shabwa Governorate's media office said the Rapid Intervention Forces carried out the operation in coordination with security agencies following intelligence gathering and surveillance, seizing the suspects and a truck loaded with sniper rifles, ammunition, high-explosive improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and various projectiles.

According to a report submitted by Rapid Intervention Forces Commander Colonel Khamis Hussein Mohammed to Shabwa Governor Awadh Mohammed bin Al-Wazir, preliminary investigations indicated that the shipment had been transported by boat to the coast of Rudum District, where members of the suspected cell received it before its planned transfer to the Houthis.

The report said investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances of the operation and identify other suspects and smuggling networks involved. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of those arrested, the quantities of weapons seized or the shipment's origin.

Governor Bin Al-Wazir ordered security and military agencies to tighten surveillance of land and maritime routes and entry points, and strengthen coordination and intelligence sharing to pursue arms and explosives smuggling networks.

The operation comes six days after the Houthis launched three ballistic missiles at the Martyr Ahmed Mohsen Al-Sulaimani Training Center, known as Al-Alam Camp, in Shabwa's Jardan District on October 19, striking newly recruited security personnel undergoing training. According to the latest figures announced by the governor on Sunday, the attack killed 77 members of the Rapid Intervention Forces and wounded 195 others. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike.

The announcement also follows a series of security operations targeting suspected Houthi-linked networks in other parts of South Yemen. On October 12, Yemen's Interior Ministry announced the dismantling of cells in Aden, Lahj and Abyan, including an 18-member network arrested in Lahj on September 26. The ministry accused the suspects of plotting attacks against security and military commanders, as well as supply routes and military reinforcements heading toward the Bab al-Mandab and Al-Subaiha fronts.

On October 14, security authorities in Aden announced the arrest of suspects allegedly linked to the Houthis and former military officer Amjad Khalid. Police said they seized landmines, explosive materials and detonators in an operation that uncovered a suspected plot to target security officials in Dar Saad District.

Authorities have not disclosed evidence of any direct operational links between the suspects detained in Shabwa and the networks previously uncovered in Aden and Lahj.