409
Russia, under pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia, refused to supply weapons to the Yemeni Houthis, who are shelling ships in the Red Sea.
As reported by Ukrinform, this was reported by CNN with reference to its own sources.
According to them, the Saudis, who have been waging a brutal war with the Houthis for years, warned Russia against providing weapons to its opponents.
The US, which has been involved in several diplomatic efforts to stop the Russians from these actions, separately appealed to the Saudis to influence Moscow
For American intelligence, it remains unclear whether Saudi Arabia's position was the main factor contributing to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's rejection of his plan. It is assumed that there could have been other factors, the sources say.
The Russians viewed arming and advising the Houthis as a way to retaliate against President Joe Biden's administration for allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US weapons, officials say.
It is noted that at the end of July, Russia deployed a military contingent in Yemen to provide consultations to the Houthis.
US officials noted that large Russian ships made an unusual stop in the southern Red Sea, where Russian servicemen came ashore and were ferried by boat to Yemen.
The Russians carried bags, but not large enough to carry weapons or their components. It is not clear whether she was on board Russian ships for further transfer to the Houthis, which did not take place.
Intelligence also indicates that the Houthis had intended to conduct live-fire exercises while the Russians were in Yemen, but those plans also appear to have been scrapped.
The Houthis began regularly attacking ships crossing the Red Sea in November 2023 as a sign of support for the Hamas group in Gaza, prompting the US and UK to carry out several airstrikes on military targets in Yemen.
