Russia may transfer missiles to Yemeni Houthis with Iran as mediator

Russia is engaged in secret negotiations with Yemen’s Houthi rebels regarding the transfer of anti-ship missiles, with Iran acting as a mediator, Reuters reports, citing unnamed sources.

“Seven sources said that Russia has yet to decide to transfer the Yakhont missiles – also known as P-800 Oniks,” the news wire said.

Experts said this would allow the militant group to more accurately strike commercial vessels in the Red Sea and increase the threat to the U.S. and European warships defending them.

Russian officials have met with the Houthis at least twice this year, discussing the transfer of dozens of missiles with a range of about 300 kilometers (186 miles). Further meetings are planned in the coming weeks.

Since last November, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in key shipping lanes of the Red Sea with drones and missiles to show support for the Palestinians in the war with Israel in Gaza, according to Reuters.

“They [The Houthis] have sunk at least two vessels and seized another, disrupting global maritime trade by forcing shipping firms to divert cargos,” the dispatch says. 

The U.S. and Britian subsequently struck Houthi positions but were unable to prevent further attacks.

“A senior U.S. official declined to name the specific systems that could be transferred but confirmed that Russia has been discussing supplying missiles to the Houthis, calling the development ‘very worrisome,’” the journalists report.

A U.S. Defense Department official stated that any efforts to bolster the Houthis’ capabilities would “undermine the shared international interest in global freedom of navigation and stability in the Red Sea and broader Middle East.”

Previously, Russia supplied Yakhont missiles to the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Houthis, allies of Tehran, have been waging war against the Saudi-backed government, which was ousted from the capital in 2014, for eight consecutive years.

Earlier, The Washington Post reported that Putin is seeking new red lines, recognizing that the West is not succumbing to the Kremlin’s nuclear threats, according to The Washington Post. 

“It [Moscow] could also turn to proxy groups that are already battling Western interests, like the Houthi militia in Yemen that has been attacking Red Sea shipping,” said Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of War Studies at King’s College in London.