Are Houthis using new modified cruise missiles in Yemen’s war?

What the report says

Yemen’s internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government has accused the Houthi movement of adapting Iranian air-defence weapons into loitering cruise missiles, a capability it says could endanger civilian flights over Yemen and routes across the Red Sea. The allegations, reported by Al Jazeera on 29 September 2026, say the modifications were made with help from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The government says the systems can track heat signatures and remain airborne for an extended period, creating a risk to both military and civilian aircraft.

The warning comes as fighting has intensified again in recent weeks. Al Jazeera reported that the Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, while Saudi authorities said they intercepted missiles aimed at Taif and the Yanbu port area on the Red Sea. The Houthis said they carried out strikes on targets in Riyadh and on Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu, using a mix of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.

Military analysts cited by Al Jazeera said there is no conclusive proof the Houthis have converted Iranian air-defence systems, but they did not rule it out. They noted the group has long assembled weapons from imported components and has repeatedly adapted its arsenal during the war. The report also placed the issue in the wider context of Red Sea security, where shipping and air traffic have become more sensitive amid regional tensions.