Russia reportedly provided satellite targeting data to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels earlier this year, enabling the group to launch attacks on Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Citing two European defense officials and an individual familiar with the matter, the report claims the data was transmitted through members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stationed in Yemen.
The Red Sea, a vital maritime artery for global trade, has seen significant disruptions due to these strikes, with over 100 ships targeted, two of which were sunk. The campaign has severely affected shipping traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, reducing tanker movements by 77% in August compared to the previous year, according to maritime intelligence data from Windward.
Analysts argue that Russia’s support for Houthi attacks in the Red Sea aligns with a larger strategy to destabilize the region and draw Western attention away from Ukraine. Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told The Wall Street Journal, “Any flare-up anywhere is good news [for Russia], because it takes the world’s attention further away from Ukraine.” By fostering instability outside of Ukraine, Russia could force the U.S. and its allies to divert resources, potentially weakening their focus on the conflict in Eastern Europe.
In response to Houthi attacks, both the U.S. and Israel have dedicated extensive resources to securing the Red Sea. A U.S.-led coalition has conducted airstrikes across Yemen, while Israel has targeted Hodeida port, a critical supply hub under Houthi control. The United States has mobilized a broad array of sea and air assets to protect shipping lanes, including aircraft carriers from the Ike Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG).
Russia’s shifting alliances in the Middle East, especially its growing support for Iran and the Houthis, signal a departure from its earlier close relations with Israel, as it seeks to assert its influence in the region.
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