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[Social Media]

 

Russia’s role in supporting Houthi rebel assaults on international shipping routes in the Red Sea has recently come to light, revealing a strategic move by Moscow to destabilize a key artery of global trade and divert U.S. attention away from other pressing issues. The Houthis, a group backed by Iran, have been launching missile and drone attacks against Western ships, relying on Russian satellite data for targeting assistance, according to sources familiar with the matter.

 

These attacks, which began in response to the Gaza war in late 2023, expanded significantly as the Houthis gained access to Russian intelligence. The targeting data, passed through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members embedded with the Houthis, has been instrumental in allowing the group to effectively strike one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. This cooperation marks a significant escalation in Russia’s efforts to challenge the U.S.-led Western order.

 

The Russian support, though previously unreported, underscores President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to foster instability in the Middle East. By aiding the Houthis, whom the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization, Russia has contributed to a series of attacks that threaten global trade and further strain international relations. This is part of a broader strategy, analysts suggest, aimed at stretching U.S. resources thin and diverting its focus from the challenges posed by Russia and China.

 

"For Russia, any flare-up anywhere is good news, because it takes the world’s attention further away from Ukraine and the U.S. needs to commit resources—Patriot systems or artillery shells—and with the Middle East in play, it’s clear where the U.S. will choose," said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.

 

As of now, both Russian and Houthi representatives have declined to comment on these allegations. However, the cooperation between Russia and Iran in the region signals a deeper shift in Moscow’s foreign policy. Traditionally aligned with Israel, Putin’s government has cooled its relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while bolstering ties with Tehran. The conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, has become a major point of contention, with Putin openly criticizing the U.S. and Israel’s actions in Gaza. On Thursday, he warned that the situation was edging closer to a full-scale war.

 

The Houthis began their assaults in late 2023, primarily in protest against Israel’s invasion of Gaza, targeting ships navigating the Red Sea to and from the Suez Canal. Since November, over 100 ships have been attacked, with two sunk and another hijacked. Russia’s involvement in the arms trade has also come under scrutiny, as reports surfaced that Viktor Bout, a notorious Russian arms dealer, had attempted to sell $10 million worth of automatic weapons to the Houthis earlier this year.

 

As vessels connected to Israel and its allies continue to face danger, many ships have begun switching off their radio signals to avoid detection, further complicating efforts to track them. Only high-quality satellite imaging, such as that provided by Russia, has been able to monitor these “dark” ships in real time, making the flow of vital intelligence essential for targeting.

 

In supporting these attacks, Russia appears to be leveraging global instability to its advantage, disrupting Western trade routes and forcing the U.S. to divert military and political resources. This new revelation highlights how Moscow continues to use unconventional methods to challenge the existing international order, further entrenching itself in global conflicts.

 

Based on a report from the WSJ 2024-10-26

 

 

 

[Tug]

Quell surprise 

[Bkk Brian]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Houthis gained access to Russian intelligence. The targeting data, passed through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members embedded with the Houthis, has been instrumental in allowing the group to effectively strike one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. This cooperation marks a significant escalation in Russia’s efforts to challenge the U.S.-led Western order.

Russia giving terrorists targeting data to strike civilian cargo ships. A few days ago Putin was lamenting the need for peace in the middle east. He is mates with the main man from the UN now so he cares not......

 

[thaipo7]

7 hours ago, Tug said:

Quell surprise 

??

[transam]

Not surprised..........🤔

[Jingthing]

You might be an isolationist and not interested in war with Russia (can't really blame you) but sadly Russia is interested in being at war with you (except if you're allied with the autocratic axis in which case you're on Russia's side). 

Edited 1 hour ago by Jingthing