Display of 'Iranian Weapons' by Houthis in Abu Dhabi

On Tuesday, June 29, the Saudi-Emirati coalition showcased weapons seized from the Houthis, which they claim have Iranian origins. These weapons, said to belong to Iran, were displayed at a military base in Abu Dhabi. Among the showcased items were sniper rifles, roadside bombs resembling gravel, and unmanned boats containing explosives, which the Saudi-Emirati coalition claims were provided to the Houthi militants by Iran. Additionally, equipment used for missile refueling, which the coalition asserts bears Iranian markings, was also displayed. Talal Al-Taniji, an official from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Associated Press, "It is not surprising that advanced weapons are in the hands of Houthi militants. It took some time to trace their origins by dismantling these weapons... We can say that this military equipment has come from Iran..." The Iranian mission to the United Nations denied these allegations, stating, "Iran has not sent and does not send military equipment to Yemen." Previously, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia had accused Iran of equipping the Houthi militants. The Associated Press noted that the display of these weapons coincides with the Saudi-Emirati coalition's operations to seize the port of Hodeidah, an operation that has faced criticism from humanitarian groups. Aid groups fear that the conflict may lead to the closure of the Hodeidah port, putting millions at risk of famine. Approximately 70% of the food for Yemen's 27 million population is imported through the Hodeidah port. Nearly two-thirds of Yemen's population relies on foreign aid, and about 8.4 million people are currently facing hunger. On Wednesday, Saudi-Emirati coalition sources announced they had taken control of Hodeidah airport; however, sources close to the Houthis denied this claim. Videos released indicate heavy ground fighting between Houthi militants and Saudi-Emirati coalition forces, with both sides claiming to inflict heavy casualties on each other.