Yemen’s Houthis have expanded along the Red Sea coast with support from Iranian weapons and Chinese dual-use components, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Houthi forces seized Red Sea islands in recent weeks and asserted control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a route for international trade and energy shipments.
Before the offensive, the group spent months preparing its forces. It moved weapons and thousands of troops towards Mokha in August and used telecommunications networks under its control to monitor opponents.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly imported components to assemble drones and missiles locally, rather than relying entirely on finished weapons.
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Chinese companies have supplied industrial equipment and parts used in those programmes. Although the group lacks a conventional navy, its arsenal includes missiles, sea mines and explosive drone boats.
Those weapons let it threaten shipping beyond the territory it holds. A Wall Street Journal report links Houthi territorial gains to Iranian weapons and Chinese dual-use supplies.
Read: Yemen Mokha Attack Kills 6 as Rival Sides Dispute Cause
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Iran-backed group has seized key Red Sea islands, expanded along Yemen’s mainland coast, including capturing the strategic port city of Mokha—and asserted control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
