Russia Aids Yemen's Houthis to Counter US Influence, Expert Says

Russia is providing support to Yemen's Houthi rebels as a strategic move to diminish American influence in the Middle East, according to Middle East expert Anna Borshchevskaya. Writing for Maariv, Borshchevskaya, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, suggests that Russian assistance could serve as a "lifeline" for the Houthis, particularly if Iran's capacity to support them wanes. Moscow has previously supplied the Houthis with intelligence and targeting data, enabling attacks on shipping.

The Houthis have recently expanded their territorial control, capturing the island of Perim and the town of Er-Rahb, thereby strengthening their hold on a critical maritime route. Borshchevskaya indicates that Russia has shared satellite targeting information and intelligence for these operations. Secret negotiations, mediated by Iran, have also explored the possibility of supplying anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, with Russian representatives reportedly examining potential arms sales to the group.

Borshchevskaya believes Russia is capable of assisting the Houthis without engaging in direct military confrontation with the United States. "Russia will do a lot to support this regime," she stated, adding that while Moscow might avoid direct conflict, it would not remain inactive. This potential Russian support comes at a time when Iran's regional network is under significant pressure due to the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah's losses from Israeli strikes, and Iran's economic difficulties.

The article posits that Russia's past aid to the Houthis serves as a model for future support to Iran and its proxies. This partnership is driven by a shared desire to reduce US influence, with Russia particularly keen to prevent any rapprochement between Iran and the West. Syria is cited as an example of the limits of Iranian influence and Russia's ability to maintain its own positions, even after Iran's military withdrawal from the country.

While Russia is not yet bearing the full financial burden of Iran's network, its support for the Houthis demonstrates a method for sustaining their operational capacity, thereby complicating US objectives in the region. The article also references a separate report about Russian intelligence activities at Leipzig airport.