WSJ report alleges potential Russian arms transfer to Yemen

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Wall Street Journal
19 Jul 2024 18:50

The report says that the potential arming of the Yemenis by Russia would exacerbate the already volatile situation, given Ansar Allah's existing arsenal, which includes attack drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned boats.

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Ansar Allah supporters attend an anti-US and Israei protest in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, July 12, 2024 (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

The Wall Street Journal on Friday published a report detailing that US intelligence agencies warned that Russia might arm the Yemen Resistance with advanced anti-ship missiles in response to the Biden administration's support for Ukrainian strikes within Russia using US-supplied weapons.

The new intelligence reportedly aligns with a recent classified communication from Gen. Erik Kurilla, the top US Middle East commander, to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Kurilla's letter stated that current military operations are failing to deter Yemeni operations in the Red Sea, and he further called for a broader approach to address the matter, US officials told WSJ.

In response, the White House has launched a confidential effort to prevent Moscow from delivering the missiles to the Yemeni Resistance, who have intensified their attacks on shipping over the past eight months in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The seriousness of the situation was highlighted early Friday when an armed drone, launched from Yemen, struck "Tel Aviv." This attack, which marked Yemen's first successful strike on the city since the beginning of the war on Gaza, resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The blast occurred near a US diplomatic building, heightening concerns among US officials.

The Biden administration's strategy involves engaging a third country to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin not to proceed with the alleged missile transfer. US officials, who declined to name the third country, are wary of the broader implications of such a move by Russia, which could mark a significant escalation in its relations with Washington.

Some US officials argue that more aggressive measures should be taken to force the reopening of shipping routes, including targeting larger weapons-storage facilities and Resistance leaders. They believe that the current efforts, which they claim have included limited strikes on Yemeni missiles and drones, are insufficient to prevent recurring hits.

The report says that the potential arming of the Yemenis by Russia would exacerbate the already volatile situation, given Ansar Allah's existing arsenal, which includes attack drones, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned boats. The introduction of advanced Russian missiles would significantly enhance their capabilities, posing a new level of difficulty to maritime security.

"The Houthis have the most robust antiship capabilities among Iran's regional proxy network," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank. "But Russian anti-ship weapons would represent a qualitative leap and add more teeth to the existing Houthi maritime threat."

US Central Command has been instructed to prepare a broader list of potential targets for possible strikes. Despite some success in destroying Yemeni capabilities, officials remain concerned that current policies do not adequately address the root causes of the attacks.

The Biden administration has also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities alleged to be funding the Yemeni Resistance and designated the movement as specially designated global terrorists. Despite this, the Yemenis have continued their campaign, recently expanding their missile launches into the Arabian Sea.