Aden- Yemeni security forces at the Aden Free Zone container terminal have intercepted a commercial cargo vessel carrying what officials described as one of the largest military shipments recently seized in Yemeni ports.

According to security sources, the ship had originally been en route from Djibouti to Hodeidah but was diverted to Aden, where authorities uncovered 58 containers weighing more than 2,500 tons. The seized cargo included drone manufacturing facilities, surveillance and espionage equipment, and a range of raw industrial materials intended for assembling advanced military systems.

The inspection was carried out by a joint task force from the Counterterrorism Unit, Customs Authority, and Free Zone Security, under judicial oversight. Samples were secured and handed over to relevant agencies for technical analysis. Initial intelligence had prompted authorities to track the vessel ahead of its docking at Aden’s container terminal.

Government officials hailed the operation as a “major security achievement,” highlighting the disruption of weapons-smuggling networks that exploit commercial shipping lines to deliver strategic equipment to Houthi-controlled areas. Reports indicated that some containers held production lines capable of converting civilian components into unmanned aerial systems and advanced communications units, raising concerns about closing the technological gap in the Houthis’ military capabilities.

The Specialized Criminal Prosecution has launched formal investigations, while security agencies have requested international cooperation to trace the supply chain and countries of origin involved in masking the consignment as commercial cargo.

Regional and international reactions included support from partners engaged in combating maritime smuggling. Security experts have urged tighter inspections at regional ports and stricter oversight across shipping networks to prevent similar attempts.