Russia provides satellite data to Houthis for attacks on ships - WSJ

Attacks on vessels, including commercial ships, in Middle Eastern waters by Houthi militants in Yemen have been ongoing since late last year. The Iran-backed group continues to assault what has been described as a major artery of global trade, further contributing to the destabilization of the region.

"The Houthis, which began their attacks late last year over the Gaza war, eventually began using Russian satellite data as they expanded their strikes," said a source familiar with the matter, along with two European defense officials to Western media.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the data was transmitted to the Yemeni Houthi fighters through members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

One source from the American edition clarified that these IRGC members were integrated into the Houthis in Yemen.

Houthi strikes on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

Since November last year, Houthi militants in Yemen have been launching strikes on vessels in the Red Sea region. They justify their attacks on commercial shipping as a sign of solidarity with the Hamas group in Gaza, where Israel is conducting a military operation against terrorists in response to a massive attack in October 2023.

In response, US military forces and a coalition of European countries have initiated operations to protect shipping in the region and are also targeting Houthi militant positions in Yemen.

The Houthis have promised not to strike vessels and tankers belonging to Russia and China. However, such incidents have still occurred.

Additionally, in September, Western media reported that Russia plans to transfer Yakhont missiles (P-800 Onyx), previously supplied to Hezbollah, to the Yemeni militants as well.