Houthis Seek Chinese Parts for New Ballistic Missile, Report Finds

Yemen's Houthi rebels are attempting to develop an advanced medium-range ballistic missile system using components sourced from Chinese suppliers, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.K.-based Conflict Armament Research group. The weapon under development appears to be a variant of Iran's Kheibar Shekan precision-guided missile, which has a range of roughly 1,200 miles.

The findings are based on two shipments interdicted by Yemeni government authorities in July that contained suspicious equipment. Senior analyst Fabian Hinz said the specific nature of the parts indicates the Houthis' manufacturing ambition exceeds previous assessments and required access to missile design information.

“The local ambition of the Houthis for manufacturing is beyond what was previously assumed.”

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment from one outlet, while a spokesperson told another that Beijing maintains a prudent approach to military exports and strictly controls dual-use items. China brokered a 2023 rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia and has called for de-escalation in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen's government launched a military campaign last month aimed at pushing the Houthis back from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical trade route for oil and global shipping.