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The Houthi rebels are developing their own advanced ballistic missiles — that could reach Saudi Arabia and Israel — using Chinese-delivered parts, according to an unnerving new report.
Components from Chinese suppliers have been flagged within Houthi territory in Yemen and include parts that would allow the terror group to mimic Iran’s Kheibar Shekan precision-guided missiles, according to the Conflict Armament Research (CAR) group, which studied weapons and their supply chains in conflict zones.
The analysis suggests the Houthis could soon have weapons that can reach 1,200 miles, putting all of Saudi Arabia and Israel within reach, the Wall Street Journal first reported.
The Kheibar Sheka, which Iran debuted in 2022, has been used throughout the latest war with the US, including attacks on American troops and assets in the region.
Yemeni authorities found evidence of the shipments last year when they intercepted two ships concealing missile equipment under a supply of goods.
The imported parts included custom metal missile components, such as motor and airframe, along with fins to stabilize the rocket, according to CAR.
There were also parts of a solid-propellant rocket motor belonging to the Kheibar Shekan-series missile.
An analysis by CAR found that the components originated from a Chinese precision-metal producer, with the Houthis likely already building the medium-range weapons.
“When you have imports like that, there is a possibility that they are already manufacturing or that they are trying and it doesn’t really work out,” Fabian Hinz, senior analyst at CAR, told the Journal.
The intelligence shows how much the Houthis have gained autonomy after decades of relying on Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah for weapons and material.
It also demonstrates how the rebel group has expanded its links with Chinese suppliers in recent years.
Chinese companies have become the biggest sources of seized goods bound for Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, with most of the rebels’ drone parts coming from China, according to the United Nations and arms experts.
The US also accused Chinese companies last year of helping the Houthis stage attacks on American ships in the Red Sea.
Beijing has previously claimed that it is abiding by the UN ban on arms sales to the Houthi terror group.