An American institute: Putin’s willingness to deliver weapons to the Houthis “is a way to divert Western support from Ukraine”

Researchers at the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) considered that Russia's willingness to supply weapons to the Houthis in Yemen reveals President Vladimir Putin's strategy to force the West to withdraw its support for Ukraine. This step also confirms Russia's dependence on Iran to obtain precision weapons and components.

Reports revealed that the Kremlin intended to transfer missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen, but this plan was halted after diplomatic interventions.

According to a report by the American Institute, “The announced Russian plan highlights its growing military partnership with Iran and indicates that Russia likely aims to leverage Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and shape Western decision-making.”

CNN , citing US officials and other sources familiar with the matter, reported that Russia was preparing to deliver missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in late July 2024. However, the plan was abandoned after diplomatic pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia.

US officials expressed uncertainty about whether the Saudi opposition would be decisive in canceling the planned transfer.

American officials said that the Russian move to arm the Houthis and provide advice to them is considered a response to lifting some American restrictions on Ukraine's use of weapons provided by the United States to strike targets inside Russian territory.

Analysts believe that Russia's strategy of supporting the Houthis in indirectly confronting the West and escalating tensions is consistent with many Russian disinformation and hybrid warfare tactics aimed at pressuring the West to reconsider its support for Ukraine due to fears of further confrontation with Russia.

The American Institute stated that Putin's willingness to consider supporting the Houthis is part of the deepening of Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia's increasing dependence on Iran for weapons and high-precision components.

The growing partnership between Russia and Iran is likely to encourage Russia to consider supporting other Iranian proxies and leveraging these groups in other indirect attempts to threaten the West with escalation.