Closer cooperation between Russia and the Houthis in Yemen could exacerbate the strategic dilemma facing Western powers as they seek to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and beyond, according to a Newsweek report.
The report published on Saturday, citied Middle East Eye (MEE) which said that “There are indications that Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering supplying the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi movement with anti-ship ballistic cruise missiles, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin via email to request comment.
According to Newsweek's report, Moscow has been coordinating with the Houthis as part of its growing alignment with Iran, with the Kremlin seeking new and deeper alliances among anti-Western powers following its full-scale operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
The report added “Earlier this year, the Houthis agreed not to target Russian or Chinese ships.