Russia stops shipment of weapons to Houthis amid US, Saudi pressure - report

Russia stopped at the last minute a shipment of missiles and other military equipment it planned to deliver to the Houthis last month after pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia not to do so, numerous sources told CNN on Friday.

A senior US official was cited by CNN as saying the Russian aims to arm the Houthis were "antithetical to the goals we are pursuing" in achieving peace between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

The official added, according to CNN, that if the Houthis were to pursue such an enterprise with the Russians, this would indicate "a lack of commitment" on their part in discussing peace. Indeed, the official affirmed that in the current situation, the Houthis “appear to be drifting further away from a commitment to a negotiated peace in Yemen.”

Russia sends personnel to counsel Houthis

However, the sources told CNN that the main factor that led Russia to halt its arming of the Houthis still remained unclear.

According to the sources, Russia's reason for providing weapons to the Houthis was in response to the Biden Administration enabling Ukraine to attack Russia with arms of US supply. 

Whereas the armament plan was halted, the sources told CNN that in late July, the Houthis hosted Russian military staff sent by Russia as advisors to the group.  They were seen aboard a Houthi vessel in the Red Sea with bags; however, it did not seem that these carried weapons.