Russia is according to Ziare contemplating the supply of advanced anti-ship missiles to Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to American intelligence agencies.
This move is seen as a potential retaliation for President Joe Biden’s discreet approval allowing Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons on Russian soil.
A Renewed Effort
Last month, Middle East Eye reported that Saudi Arabia had persuaded Russia not to provide anti-ship cruise missiles to the Houthi rebels. However, American officials now believe that Moscow is renewing its efforts to arm the rebels. The White House aims to dissuade Russia from delivering these weapons by employing a third country as an intermediary, according to anonymous US officials.
Russia has previously expressed outrage over US and UK strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. These strikes were in response to militant attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Since October, the Houthi rebels have targeted commercial vessels in the region with missiles and drones, aiming to pressure Israel and the West regarding the conflict in Gaza.
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Escalating Attacks
From October 17 to early May, the Houthis attacked commercial ships at least 53 times and threatened military vessels in numerous other incidents, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov condemned the US and UK retaliatory strikes in January, labeling them "illegitimate" under international law.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has fired over 500 munitions at Houthi drones, missiles, and targets in Yemen as of May. Recently, Israel bombed the Yemeni port of Al Hodeida in the Red Sea, following Houthi missile attacks on the Israeli coastal city of Eilat.
