Yemen Monitor/Aden/Exclusive
According to Middle East Eye, a British website, US intelligence claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Saudi Arabia for permission to arm the Houthis in Yemen with cruise missiles.
The website said that Putin was considering providing the rebel Houthi fighters with anti-ship ballistic cruise missiles, according to a senior US official citing intelligence information, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive report.
This idea is not unprecedented. In November, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary group, was planning to provide Hezbollah in Lebanon with a Russian air defense system.
“If Israel attacked inside Lebanon, it would likely deepen the military relationship between Iran and Russia to help Hezbollah defend itself,” William Astore, a former Middle East analyst at the CIA, told Middle East Eye.
Middle East Eye said: However, providing weapons to the Houthis could be more sensitive than helping Hezbollah because of Russia’s efforts to woo oil-rich Gulf countries.
According to US intelligence, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman intervened to prevent Putin from supplying the Houthis with missiles.
The senior US official said: “Putin reached out to Mohammed bin Salman who in turn asked them (Russia) not to pursue this arrangement.”
Middle East Eye contacted the White House and Pentagon for comment on the US intelligence, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. The Saudi embassy in Washington and the Russian foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
The discussions took place after Putin’s December visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to US intelligence. During the December meeting, Reuters reported that Putin and Mohammed bin Salman agreed to “de-escalate tensions” in the region.
