Basha Report

Today, during the parade of the Support and Assistance Brigades in Abyan, Yemen, on October 14th, the 62nd anniversary of the revolution, a large multi-rotor drone was displayed alongside formations from the Security Belt Forces and the Counterterrorism Service (CTS). The event was held in the Abyan Soccer Stadium, which was heavily damaged during the 2012 large-scale military operations against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which had established a strong presence in Abyan at the time. The October 14 Revolution marks the beginning of the armed struggle against British colonial rule in southern Yemen, which started in 1963 and ultimately led to the independence of South Yemen in 1967. The anniversary is commemorated annually as a symbol of national resistance and southern identity. The drone featured in the parade has eight rotors arranged in dual coaxial pairs, one set above and another below each arm. It has a sturdy, industrial frame with fixed landing legs and an undercarriage fitted with two tubular mounts or dispensers, apparently designed to release or drop small munitions or payloads rather than fire them. This same type of drone has previously been observed in use by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. Both the RSF and the Support and Assistance Brigades have been publicly alleged to receive funding, backing, and equipment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The layout picture with three images shows RSF systems captured by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) south of Omdurman, while the layout of two pictures shows similar VTOL models documented in Ethiopia. It remains unclear whether this drone is linked to a VTOL design produced by the Serbian state-owned defense company Yugoimport SDPR or represents an off-the-shelf Chinese platform that has been modified and re-exported by the UAE or other actors.

The Israeli government is actively recruiting through paid and targeted Facebook and Instagram (Meta) advertisements inside Yemen. The ads appear to come from “Unit 504,” identified in Hebrew as a branch of Israeli military intelligence focused on human intelligence recruitment. The campaign uses Arabic-language visuals showing a hooded figure in front of computer screens and includes messages designed to appeal to disaffected Yemenis. The texts read: “Have you grown tired of watching Yemen collapse? Have you grown tired of living without work, without security, without a future? If you are ready to do what it takes, Unit 504 will give you a path where your skills have value and your actions make a difference. Your future is in your hands. This opportunity will not come again.” Another version says: “Your actions behind the scenes can change the future of Yemen. If you are brave, responsible, and intelligent, Unit 504 wants you. Join us now.” A third reads: “For a long time Yemen has lived through crisis after crisis, but real change begins with those who refuse to surrender. Unit 504 gives you the tools, the ability, and the opportunity to build a different tomorrow for yourself and for your country.” The imagery and language emphasize empowerment, purpose, and national renewal, while encouraging people to register through the provided link. The consistent branding of “Unit 504” suggests a coordinated intelligence outreach targeting Yemeni audiences online.

At this point, I’ve lost count of how many shipments of dual-use military electronic components have been seized by Yemen’s internationally recognized government, all destined for the Houthis. The latest interception involved more than 3,000 sensitive electronic parts, including fiber optic welding units, programmable boards, sensors, and connection cables suspected of being intended for use in manufacturing drones and explosives of 90 different types of models. It’s safe to say the pattern is clear: the Houthis are steadily building a large-scale one-way UAV arsenal.

Looks like the Houthis in Yemen have a major leak they need to plug; someone is singing like a bird. It has been interesting to see various anti-Houthi coalition forces competing with each other to intercept Houthi arms shipments. A joint security campaign in Ras al-Ara, Lahj Governorate, led by Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri of the Second Giants Brigade under the command of Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council and Southern Transitional Council Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, a.k.a. Abu Zar’ah,intercepted a boat off the coast carrying drone equipment, surveillance and espionage devices, and electronic components linked to the Houthis. Three smugglers on board were arrested, and the Specialized Criminal Prosecution supervised the securing of the seized items, which included high-resolution drone cameras, GPS trackers, flight controllers, navigation systems, high-capacity batteries, and carbon fiber components used in drone manufacturing and operations.

Two Yemen Maritime Updates: I) The Houthis Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) has sanctioned U.S. 13 companies, 9 executives, and 2 vessels for violating their so-called ban and embargo: Sanctioned entities: 1. ExxonMobil Sales & Supply LLC 2. Chevron Trading LLC 3. Enterprise Products Operating LLC 4. Phillips 66 5. Marathon Petroleum Supply LLC 6. ConocoPhillips 7. Valero Marketing & Supply Co. 8. Energy Transfer Crude Marketing LLC 9. EPIC Crude Terminal Co. 10. GCC Supply & Trading LLC 11. Occidental Energy Marketing Inc. 12. Pioneer Natural Resources Co. 13. Diamond S Shipping Inc. 14. Darren Woods (CEO, ExxonMobil) 15. Michael Wirth (CEO, Chevron) 16. William R. Fowler (Co-CEO, Enterprise Products) 17. Mark Lashier (CEO, Phillips 66) 18. Maryann Mannen (CEO, Marathon Petroleum) 19. Ryan Lance (CEO, ConocoPhillips) 20. Ronald Riggs (CEO, Valero) 21. Kelcy Warren (Exec. Chairman, Energy Transfer) 22. Kent Britton (CEO, Port of Corpus Christi) 23. Vessel: SEAWAYS SAN SABA (IMO: 9593426) 24. Vessel: SEAWAYS BRAZOS (IMO: 9594731) It remains unclear whether these sanctions signal that the Houthis will begin targeting vessels linked to the sanctioned organizations, companies, and individuals — a move that would risk violating the ceasefire agreement with the Trump administration, facilitated by Oman. The Houthi statement, however, emphasized that “the ultimate goal of these sanctions is not punishment for its own sake, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.” Why now? The Houthis say this action is taken under the principle of reciprocity, a response to U.S. sanctions — despite Oman’s May 6, 2025 announcement of a de-escalation and ceasefire between the U.S. and them. II) Sharing a compilation of videos and photos that capture the saga of the gas tanker Clipper (also known as Eagle Pride and Queen Luca). The vessel, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2022 and carrying Iranian LPG, was struck by Israel Defense Forces drones off the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa port in Yemen on September 17. A fire broke out onboard, and the crew – mostly Pakistani nationals, along with Sri Lankan and Nepali seafarers – endured days of life-threatening conditions. Initially, the Houthis banned the Clipper from sailing after the incident, holding the crew in custody onboard. It was only after strong diplomatic intervention by the Pakistani government, with support from its envoys in Oman and Saudi Arabia, that the vessel was eventually allowed to proceed to Djibouti and the crew released. One of the most striking clips in this compilation shows how the Houthis loaded fire engines onto a nearby vessel to help extinguish the blaze on the Clipper – an almost surreal scene at sea. These events highlights how many drone strikes by the Israeli Air Force in the vicinity of the Ras Isa oil terminal are not being widely reported, despite their scale and frequency.