WSJ: China arming Houthis; building advanced missile…

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants are reportedly developing advanced medium-range ballistic missiles using components supplied by a Chinese company, raising concerns about the group’s growing military capabilities and potential threats to regional security.

According to The Wall Street Journal, a report by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) revealed that the militants had obtained Chinese-supplied components needed to manufacture a missile modelled on Iran’s powerful Kheibar Shekan precision-guided ballistic missile.

The proposed weapon could reportedly travel approximately 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometres), placing targets across Saudi Arabia and Israel within its potential striking range.

The findings suggest that the Houthis are working towards developing more sophisticated missile-production capabilities, potentially reducing their dependence on direct weapons supplies from Iran.

Conflict Armament Research, an organisation that investigates weapons and supply chains in conflict zones, identified the components as part of its investigation into the militants’ expanding military capabilities.

However, the report does not establish that the Houthis have completed or successfully tested the proposed missile.

The development raises fresh concerns about the proliferation of advanced missile technology in the Middle East, particularly given the Houthis’ history of attacks on regional targets and commercial shipping.

The reported Chinese origin of the components does not, by itself, establish that the Chinese government authorised or participated in their supply.