What weapons do the Houthis have? How do Houthis get their weapons?

Yemen’s Ansarullah (Houthi) movement has been threatening shipping in the Red Sea with an increasingly diverse and capable range of anti-ship missiles. These attacks are putting pressure on commercial cargo vessels on a vital trade route and the developing naval coalition that aims to ensure freedom of navigation in those waters.

Iran plays a critical role in supplying Houthi anti-ship missile technology, except for a few obsolescent Soviet-era systems and slightly less antiquated Chinese designs.

Here’s a brief overview of their weapons:

1. Anti-Ship Missiles: Houthi forces have possessed anti-ship missiles for almost a decade, using them to harass military and commercial maritime traffic. Initially, they acquired obsolescent Soviet-made P-21 and P-22 missiles (RS-SSC-3 Styx) and slightly more modern Chinese C-801 (YJ-81/CH-SS-N-4 Sardine) missiles from Yemeni military stocks. These missiles are still paraded by the Houthis, but it’s unclear if they remain operational or how many they possess. However, since then, they have acquired new, better equipment with Iranian assistance.

2. Iranian Assistance: Iran has played a crucial role in upgrading Houthi anti-ship missile capability since 2015. In 2016, the Houthis struck the Emirati troop-transport catamaran HSV-2 Swift and attempted to attack the USS Mason (DDG-87), a guided missile destroyer. The Houthis reportedly employed Iranian-made anti-ship missiles in these attacks.

3. Recent Seizure of Iranian Weapons: In January 2024, US Navy Seals boarded a boat heading for Yemen and seized Iranian-made missile components and other weaponry bound for Houthi forces. The seizure included propulsion, guidance, and warheads for medium-range ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), and parts for air defense systems. These same weapons have been used by the Houthis to threaten and attack international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea.

4. Broader Questions about Iran’s Regional Strategy: The critical role that Iran has played in arming the Houthis raises broader questions about Tehran’s regional strategy.

In summary, Houthi forces have an almost inexhaustible supply of drones and other munitions to launch at shipping, much of it supplied by Iran with parts smuggled in at sea or across desert borders. The ongoing conflict continues to draw attention to the role of external actors like Iran in arming Yemen’s rebel rulers..