Russia planned to transfer missiles and military equipment to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, as it seeks to use Iran to confront the West. This is stated in the report of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), UNN reports.
Details
According to the Institute, the Kremlin planned to transfer unknown missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen, but the transfer did not take place due to diplomatic pressure on Russia.
"Russia's reported plan underscores its growing military partnership with Iran and suggests that Russia likely aims to use Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and shape Western decisions," the report says.
It is noted that US officials and other sources familiar with the case said that Russia was preparing to deliver unidentified missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in late July 2024, but abandoned the plan after diplomatic contact between the US and Saudi Arabia.
"CNN sources said that at least three Russian military officials traveled to Yemen in late July 2024 to advise the Houthis and possibly help the Houthis conduct a military exercise that the Houthis later canceled. U.S. officials have said that Russia views arming and advising the Houthis as a measure in retaliation for the lifting of some U.S. restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes inside Russia," the Institute adds.
The report notes that Russia's deepening partnership with Iran is likely to prompt the Kremlin to consider supporting other Iranian proxies and using these groups in other indirect attempts to threaten the West with escalation.
"Russia's increased willingness to use Iran and its proxies to indirectly confront the West will hinder Russia's attempts to present its foreign policy in the Middle East as balanced and may further complicate Russia's relations with countries concerned about Russian-Iranian cooperation," the Institute noted.
Recall
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran early Wednesday morning, an attack that sparked "threats of retaliation against Israel" and further concerns that the Gaza conflict is spiraling into a broader war in the Middle East.