U.S. Navy: Iran is the source of the seized weapon shipment to Somalia

CNN has reported that French forces seized a ship carrying weapons, which likely originated from Iran and was heading towards Somalia, on March 20. A U.S. Navy official stated that the French forces intercepted a weapons-laden ship that originated from Iran. Kevin Stefanovich, a spokesperson for the U.S. Fifth Fleet, told CNN: 'Our assessment is that the weapons recently seized originated from Iran and were likely intended for Yemen.' The French Ministry of Defense also announced that the 10 crew members of the ship were released after questioning. Another U.S. Navy official mentioned that earlier in March, Australians seized a weapons shipment from a ship in the ocean that was also heading towards Somalia, which likely was destined for Yemen. The U.S. Fifth Fleet spokesperson emphasized that this is the sixth weapons shipment seized in the past six months. Reports indicate that French forces stopped the ship in the Indian Ocean during a routine patrol for inspection. According to CNN, hundreds of Kalashnikovs, machine guns, and anti-tank weapons were discovered on the ship. The French Navy is part of international forces participating in securing international waters. Saudi Arabia and the Arab coalition have repeatedly accused Iran of arming the Shiite Houthi militants. The Houthis, along with supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, control Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemeni President Mansour Hadi, has formed a coalition of Arab countries to conduct airstrikes against Houthi positions in various parts of Yemen. Hadi's forces previously managed to retake the city of Aden with the help of the Saudi Air Force.