Houthi rebels have been using Russian satellite data to target Western ships in the Red Sea even as Israel is involved in a conflict with the militant group in Yemen.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the data passes through members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and eventually lands in the hands of Houthi who have been targetting ships with drones and missiles.
This, according to the report, is part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan to undermine the Western political and economic order.
Houthis have been targetting ships transiting through Suez Canal in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's invasion of Gaza. Since November, more than 100 ships have been targetted by the militant group, which hijacked one and sank two, causing major disruptions in global trade.
Analysts claim that Russia has been trying to take advantage of the instability in the Middle East and Asia to cause trouble to the US.
“For Russia, any flare up anywhere is good news, because it takes the world’s attention further away from Ukraine and the US needs to commit resources—Patriot systems or artillery shells—and with the Middle East in play, it’s clear where the U.S. will choose,” WSJ quoted Alexander Gabuev, director of Berlin-based think tank Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.
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According to the report, the US is worried that Russia may further offer the militant group antiship or antiair missiles, further escalating the crisis in the sea although there is no evidence of Russia having done this.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout brokering a $10 million arms deal with the Houthis. It is not yet clear if the sale has been through.