October 26, 2024 | Flash Brief
Russia Provides Targeting Support to Houthi Attacks on Commercial Shipping
October 26, 2024 | Flash Brief
Russia Provides Targeting Support to Houthi Attacks on Commercial Shipping
Latest Developments
Houthi rebels in Yemen are receiving intelligence from Russia, assisting the Iran-backed terrorist group in targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, The Wall Street Journal reported on October 24. The report, which cited “a person familiar with the matter and two European defense officials,” said that the Houthis have used Russian satellite data to expand their targeting of commercial vessels. Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel embedded with the Houthis reportedly pass Russia’s data on to the terrorist organization, which has been attacking commerce in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait in support of Hamas in Gaza since late last year. The U.S. government, Russia, and the Houthis have not responded to the report.
Iran and Russia have strengthened their military alliance since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, with Iran providing missiles, drones, and other munitions to President Vladimir Putin’s regime. The alliance has also entangled Russia with Iran’s terrorist proxies, including the Houthis. In July, Russia reportedly canceled plans to deliver missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis after strong opposition from Saudi Arabia and the United States. However, CNN reported that Russia sent military advisors, citing sources who said that “U.S. officials watched as large Russian ships made an unusual stop in the southern Red Sea, where the Russian personnel disembarked, were picked up by the Houthis in a boat, and ferried to Yemen.”
Despite the cancellation, Reuters reported on September 24 that Iran continued brokering a deal with Russia to deliver anti-ship missiles to the Houthis. The Journal also reported on October 8 that Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who was released from U.S. custody in a 2022 prisoner swap, was negotiating a deal to sell $10 million worth of small arms to the Houthis.
The Houthis have also received targeting information from other allies. In February, U.S. media reported that the United States conducted a cyberattack against the MV Behshad, an Iranian spy ship operating in the Red Sea that was suspected of gathering intelligence on international commercial vessels traveling through the region and providing it to the terrorist group. The Houthis began attacking commercial ships in November 2023, with more than 100 attacks since, sinking two and hijacking one commercial vessel. The attacks, which are often thwarted by American vessels operating in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, have led the United States and the United Kingdom to conduct several attacks against military targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. On October 16, the United States struck multiple Houthi underground weapons facilities with deep penetrating “bunker buster” bombs carried by B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers.
Expert Analysis
“If this report is accurate, it underscores the extent to which the Kremlin is willing to go to work with Iran, support terrorism, sow chaos, and undermine U.S. and international interests. Apparently, Putin is not satisfied with his war of naked aggression against Ukraine and wants to also deepen cooperation with Iran and support Houthi terrorists and their extraordinary assault on freedom of navigation and maritime trade. Evidently, Putin is not worried about provoking the Biden Administration. It is worth asking why that is the case.” — Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power
“These reports of intelligence sharing between the Houthis and Russians — and the potential transfer of more capable anti-ship cruise missiles to the Houthis — is the natural extension of the evolving axis of chaos. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and their surrogates, such as the Houthis, are conducting more and more exchanges of equipment, intelligence, and know-how. Beleaguered democracies like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan are never confronting just one authoritarian but rather all four regimes, and as such, these democracies must be fully supported by all of the democratic countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.” — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Senior Fellow and Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology
Related Analysis
“U.S. B-2 Bombers Strike Houthi Weapon Depots in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief
“Iran Brokers Talks to Provide Russian Missiles to Houthi Rebels in Yemen,” FDD Flash Brief
“American Forces Under Attack by Iran and its Proxies,” by Cameron McMillan and Bradley Bowman
“U.S. Conducts Cyberattack Against Iranian Spy Ship Helping Houthis,” FDD Flash Brief