UAE-Backed Forces Seize 58 Containers Of Drone Production Equipment Bound For Houthis

Security forces in southern Yemen have seized a massive shipment of drones and military equipment believed to be destined for the Houthis, after intercepting 58 containers weighing more than 2,500 tonnes at Aden Port.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed faction active in southern Yemen, confirmed the discovery, describing it as one of the largest seizures of its kind.

The shipment had been unloaded from a commercial vessel arriving from Djibouti. It was originally bound for Hodeidah but diverted to Aden following restrictions and recent damage to port facilities there.

According to details released by the STC and local security agencies, the containers held equipment and materials for the full-scale production of drones and related systems.

Items listed included drones, launch platforms, jet engines, drone production machinery, spare parts for light and medium weapons, wireless communications equipment, surveillance and espionage devices, and jamming systems.

Inspectors also identified raw materials used in drone construction, including carbon fibre, raw plastics, aluminium alloys, welding tools, and protective gear for technicians.

The shipment also contained thermal imaging sensors, electronic chipboards for drone control, advanced detection devices, and industrial machinery such as lathes and presses.

Officials said the consignment appeared to provide everything needed to establish drone production workshops and command-and-control facilities. Limited images released suggested that much of the equipment was of Chinese origin, disguised as standard commercial goods.

The seizure was made during a customs inspection at Aden Port’s Free Zone after officers grew suspicious of the containers. Security agencies then conducted a full search under the supervision of the Presidential Committee and the Specialised Criminal Prosecution.

ضبط وتحريز 58 حاوية تزن أكثر من 2500 طن تحتوي على مصانع طائرات مسيرة، ومعدات عسكرية وتجسسية حوثية بميناء عدن

بإشراف النيابة الجزائية المتخصصة وحضور اللجنة الرئاسية، استكملت الأجهزة الأمنية في ميناء الحاويات بالعاصمة عدن، عملية تفتيش وضبط أكبر شحنة عسكرية حوثية وصلت إلى ميناء… pic.twitter.com/H7CVhvhNEi

— محمد النقيب (@M_Q_Alnaqib) October 2, 2025

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Al Naqib, spokesperson for the STC, said the inspection uncovered a large-scale weapons consignment disguised as commercial cargo. He confirmed that the process was overseen by Major General Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami Abu Zara’a, Vice President of the STC and a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, who is responsible for Yemen’s security and counter-terrorism file.

The discovery follows earlier confiscations of drone equipment in Aden. On 2 August, local authorities intercepted five containers declared as car parts but found to contain drone components, reportedly shipped directly from China.

Separately, in July, United States Central Command reported that Yemeni opposition forces had intercepted more than 750 tonnes of Iranian-supplied munitions and equipment aboard a dhow bound for Houthi-controlled areas.

Analysts suggest the seized cargo may have been intended to replace or strengthen drone production facilities previously targeted by air strikes. In recent months, U.S. and British forces have carried out repeated raids on Houthi manufacturing sites, including the Hubayshi drone factory south of Sanaa, which was hit in March and April.

Security officials in Aden said that the Houthis often rely on Hodeidah Port and disguised commercial shipments to transport weapons and related technology.

The containers and their contents remain in the custody of security agencies in Aden while investigations continue.

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