Israel attacks Yemen’s Houthis
Israel launched its first strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen just days after Jerusalem vowed revenge for a drone attack on Tel Aviv.
Russia has has been assisting the Houthis’ assault on western shipping lanes in the Red Sea by providing them with targeting data.
As the Houthis intensified their attacks on the postures of the United States and other nations in the region after the October 7 attack on Israel, the Russians offered satellite data that allowed them to expand their attacks, eliminate multimillion-dollar American drones and attack ships sailing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, through which 12% of world trade passes, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Each munition used to intercept a Houthi attack costs the United States between $1 million and $4 million.
The data passed through the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The satellite data would represent Russia’s direct involvement in the attacks on the US.
Responding to the report, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Fox News Digital: “I am focused on the United States and the United Kingdom providing satellite data to [Kyiv] regime to commit terrorist attacks against civilians.
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The oil tanker Sounion is seen burning in the Red Sea following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on September 14. (European Union Operation Aspides via AP)
While the United States has sought to avoid direct involvement in the war by withholding American long-range weapons capabilities for Ukraine, it has provided classified intelligence to kyiv’s war efforts.
The news comes as North Korea is sending at least 3,000 troops to fight alongside the Russians, as conflicts in both the Middle East and Ukraine increase its global involvement.
The United States has long been involved in diplomatic efforts to prevent Russia from arming the Houthis, a group that Washington redesignated as a terrorist organization in January.
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The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until there is a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
In addition to destroying assets destined for the West, regular Houthi attacks increase insurance costs, as premiums for some It was shot ten times. They also force some ships to travel a long way, around the Horn of Africa, which can add a million dollars in fuel costs for a round trip.
Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have attacked more than 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones, capturing one, sinking two, and killing four sailors. Tanker traffic has almost halved through Bab al-Mandab, the strait separating the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, from October 2023 to August this year, according to Windward, a maritime intelligence company.
A missile is launched from a warship during the US-led coalition operation against military targets in Yemen, targeting the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location on January 12. (US Central Command via X/Handout via Reuters/File photo)
Houthi supporters burn Israeli and American flags during a tribal gathering on the outskirts of Sana’a, Yemen, on January 14. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)
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The rebel group shot down one of the US MQ-9 Reaper drones, valued at $30 million each, in October and two in September.
In recent months, Russian President Vladimir Putin has strengthened ties with Iran, despite a historic friendship with Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Putin has criticized the United States and Israel over conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and said the region is at risk of all-out war.
The United States has been urging Russia not to provide anti-ship or anti-aircraft missiles to the Houthis that could threaten American military postures in the region.
Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer whom the United States traded for WNBA player Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap, is trying to negotiate a $10 million small arms deal with the Houthis, according to The Wall Street Journal . It is unclear whether the deal has Kremlin approval.
Tankers carrying Russian oil have been targeted by Houthi attacks, but operate through shell companies aimed at hiding their Russian origin and evading Western oil sanctions.
