Houthis Reportedly Trying to Build Missile Capable of Reaching Israel
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
The Houthi movement in Yemen is reportedly attempting to build a medium-range ballistic missile with Chinese parts, modeled after Iran's Kheibar Shekan. The missile's estimated range of nearly 1,900 kilometers could reach Israel and Saudi Arabia. An investigation by Conflict Armament Research found seized components, but confirmed manufacturing success remains uncertain. The effort highlights ongoing supply chains from Iran and China, though direct state involvement is unproven.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Houthis are reportedly trying to build a medium-range ballistic missile using Chinese components.
- The missile is designed after Iran's Kheibar Shekan and could reach Israel.
- Conflict Armament Research found seized components but cannot confirm an operational missile.
- The potential range is estimated at nearly 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles).
- Chinese manufacturer of precision parts is mentioned, but state involvement is unproven.
- The effort indicates ongoing supply chains from Iran and China.
The Houthi movement in Yemen is reportedly attempting to manufacture a medium-range ballistic missile using Chinese components, designed after Iran's Kheibar Shekan missile. According to an investigation by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) cited by The Wall Street Journal, the potential range of this missile is estimated at nearly 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles), which would allow it to target Israel and Saudi Arabia.
CAR based its findings on examining equipment seized by Yemeni authorities from various shipments. These seized parts included fuselage and engine components, fins, and materials for thermal protection during flight. Some components are exclusively military, while others have dual civilian and military uses. The Kheibar Shekan, unveiled in Tehran in 2022, is described as a mobile, solid-fuel, precision-guided missile.
While the seizures confirm an ongoing supply of components and a manufacturing project, they do not definitively prove that the Houthis have successfully produced an operational missile. Fabian Hinz, a senior analyst at CAR, told The Wall Street Journal that the Houthis' camouflage of military sites makes assessing the program's progress difficult. CAR's broader research has identified over 800 missile and drone components intercepted in the Red Sea in 2024 and 2025, indicating continued Iranian material support to the Houthis, though not necessarily direct Iranian involvement in the missile's design or production.
Investigators also reviewed transport documents mentioning a Chinese manufacturer specializing in precision metal parts, whose name was not disclosed. The report emphasizes that there is currently no evidence to suggest direct Chinese government involvement or knowledge of the components' final destination, as Beijing maintains it adheres to the UN arms embargo against the Houthis. If successful, the project could enhance the Houthis' military capabilities, but current information points to an attempted manufacturing effort rather than a deployed weapon.
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