The Yemeni government has spoken with Beijing about the Houthis’ alleged attempts to utilise Chinese-made technology for weapons, a Yemeni minister said on Wednesday, as the two sides’ long-running civil war escalates.
“The Chinese are partners and we have discussed with them about, you know, the use of dual products,” Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba said in response to an Agence France-Presse question about reports the Iran-backed group was trying to secure Chinese components to help manufacture weapons.
“They were very keen for any sort of information so they can investigate it. Their support to the Yemeni government is clear,” Zouba added.
The minister spoke to journalists via a virtual press conference to address the war in Yemen, which has also drawn in the government’s main backer, Saudi Arabia.