A ship smuggling “foreign experts” and materials needed for the development of missiles and intended for the Iran-backed Houthis has gone missing, according to Arabic media reports.

“Iranian experts and senior Houthi security leaders participated in a special meeting held in Sanaa to review and discuss a report on the large boat that was lost in the Red Sea,” a report by the UAE-based Al-Ain news site said, citing informed sources.

Iran has for years smuggled military expertise and materials for the development of long-range precision missiles and drones. Sometimes, the ships, often disguised as commercial vessels, have been intercepted by the US Navy and other navies.

According to Al-Ain, the ship had been scheduled to arrive in Yemen on Friday, but disappeared on Saturday.

The report said the Houthis had “[mobilized] their groups, patrols, and reconnaissance drones in the Red Sea” to find the ship carrying “valuable catch.”

Since declaring support for the Hamas terror group in its war against Israel following the group’s massacre of Israelis on October 7, the Houthis have regularly attempted to attack Israel using long-range missiles and drones.

Image - Reuters