Seventy-five Iranian military experts arrive in Houthi-held areas to boost intelligence, military capabilities

Yemeni sources close to the internationally recognized government have revealed that 75 Iranian military experts arrived in Houthi-controlled areas during June and July, in several groups, to bolster the Houthis’ military, intelligence, and operational capabilities.

The sources said the most recent group arrived on July 13, comprising 25 Iranian military personnel, including Mohammad Jalal Firouznia, Iran’s former ambassador to Yemen. According to the sources, this group landed at Hodeidah airport aboard a Mahan Air flight after being denied permission to land at Sanaa airport by Yemeni government forces.

Meanwhile, Yemeni intelligence sources reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps assigned tasks to the newly arrived experts, including managing maritime operations, developing missile and drone systems, enhancing Houthi abilities to evade regional and international surveillance, and overseeing operations in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Roles of the Iranian experts

The sources added that Revolutionary Guard experts are responsible for planning and developing command and control centers, utilizing advanced technologies for intelligence coordination, improving ballistic missile targeting, enhancing the performance of drones and unmanned boats, and deploying naval mines.

Among the most critical tasks at this stage, the sources noted, is developing intelligence and tactical capabilities to help the Houthis evade tracking systems and bypass air and intelligence monitoring imposed on Yemeni airspace and ports.

Yemeni observers believe the presence of former ambassador Firouznia among the team signals the level of responsibility entrusted to the group, extending beyond technical support to planning, coordination, and operational oversight.