Just as Iran has provided assistance to Yemen’s Houthis, Tehran helped the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) particularly since SAF took control of Khartoum in March, according to an opinion published by The Maritime Executive news website.
The author Fernando Carvajal, who served on the UN Security Council Panel of Experts on Yemen from April 2017 to March 2019, suggested that “Recent events however show an East Africa footprint provides the Iran-Houthi alliance capabilities to retain threats along the Red Sea”.
He added “Iran, who helped SAF to build a series of tunnel bases and deployed modern air defense and radar systems. has yet to provide such systems to Houthis, perhaps as consequence of the vulnerability to U.S. strikes authorized under Operation Prosperity Guardian, and now Operation Rough Rider. Whereas in Sudan, there is no authority to interfere in the ongoing armed conflict, which would risk a wider war among regional powers and China”.
Earlier this month, according to Carvajal, observers pointed out the lack of activity by Iran’s ""intelligence destroyer" Nedaja, along the Red Sea. The presence of two U.S. Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) across Bab al-Mandab is cited as possible reason behind Iran breaking its naval “continuous presence in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden area since 2008.”
This unique absence also highlights the redeployment of Iranian spy vessels such as the Zagros, Behshad, Saviz and Behzad, which “have played an important role in the collection of intelligence and its dissemination to Iran’s Houthi allies.”
This unique coincidence may have contributed to recent reports claiming Iran has abandoned Houthis, but Houthis have also followed in Iran’s footsteps and established themselves along Sudan’s Red Sea coast. Multiple priorities pushed Houthi expansion into East African territories like Sudan and Somalia.
Houthi drone capabilities, both aerial and sea-based, now have alternative launch points from Sudan capable of protecting their rear in event of a foreign invasion by sea and retain capability to threaten international naval presence across Bab al-Mandab.
Although Houthis have not targeted vessels since December 6, 2024, the month-long U.S. air campaign has reportedly degraded Houthi capability to launch drone or missile strikes against civilian ships across the Bab al-Mandab area.
The Houthi-Iran alliance however can undoubtedly pose a similar threat from across Sudan’s Red Sea coast, targeting any naval forces providing support to ground troops moving toward Hodeida seaport.
U.S. awareness of the threat from Sudan’s shore may also explain the use of Diego Garcia base for B2 bombers and position of U.S. naval forces farther north from Port Sudan and around Gulf of Aden.