RIYADH, 27 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Yemen’s armed forces have warned that Houthi militants are using modified Iranian air defence weapons as loitering missiles, posing a serious threat to civilian aircraft operating over the southern Red Sea. According to Yemen’s armed forces spokesperson, Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps experts in Yemen are converting the weapons and launching them from Hodeidah Governorate toward international air routes over the southern Red Sea. He said the missiles can remain airborne for up to 25 minutes, use thermal tracking systems and target heat sources without distinguishing between military and civilian aircraft. Al-Nuzaili warned that the weapons pose a direct threat to civil aviation, passengers and humanitarian and relief flights operating to Yemen and the surrounding region. He added that the escalation coincides with threats by Iranian Supreme Leader’s adviser Mohammad Mokhber and Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei to target and disrupt regional aviation services following sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines.