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Yemen’s Houthis are trying to produce their own version of one of Iran’s most powerful ballistic missiles using components shipped from a Chinese supplier, a new report by Conflict Armament Research showed, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
The missile, modeled on Iran’s precision-guided Kheibar Shekan, would have a range of up to about 1,200 miles, putting all of Saudi Arabia and Israel within reach, according to the report, as the Houthis vowed Wednesday to keep striking Saudi airports and oil facilities.
A homegrown medium-range missile would sharply raise the threat from the Houthis, who are already waging a deadly air campaign against Saudi Arabia that has shut Riyadh’s airport and hit Aramco facilities.
The report was based on information from Yemeni authorities, who intercepted two shipments last year containing missile equipment hidden among other goods, the Journal reported. The parts included custom-made motor and airframe components, stabilizing fins and parts of a solid-propellant rocket motor for a Kheibar Shekan-series missile.
Shipping documents identified a Chinese precision-metal producer that advertises itself as a maker of custom aerospace parts, though the company was not named. China says it respects the U.N. arms embargo on the Houthis.
"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," said Fabian Hinz, senior analyst at Conflict Armament Research, who spoke to WSJ, adding that well-camouflaged facilities make progress hard to assess.
"They have developed domestic manufacturing capabilities with artificial intelligence for drone and missile softwares, diversified their supply chains, accumulated operational experience, and established relationships with regional smugglers and international procurement networks," said Mohammed al-Basha, founder of Basha Report, who spoke to WSJ.
With medium-range ballistic missiles, "the Houthis can reach deep into Saudi Arabia with a bigger payload than cruise missiles and drones," said Henry Thompson, a former member of the U.N. Yemen sanctions panel. "They are going to be a more potent threat."
Michael Knights of Horizon Engage said the parts show Beijing has "neither the will nor the means to control the final destination of its dual-use technologies."
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Wednesday the group targeted Aramco facilities in Dhahran, an Aramco refinery in Riyadh and King Khalid International Airport, and would continue attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities in the coming days, warning of "severe consequences."
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh on Wednesday. Eighteen people have been killed in attacks on Riyadh’s airport since Oct. 7, and two at Abha airport.
Saudi Arabia plans to go ahead with its Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 26-29, offering in-person and virtual attendance and alternative travel routes, diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Options discussed include flying private jets into Dhahran or traveling via Manama or Doha before driving to Riyadh.
"They contacted us and offered that attendees travel to Manama or Doha," an Asian diplomat said. "I dont think anyone will risk their lives to attend an investment conference," a Western diplomat said, as the Houthis press their campaign.
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