Iran sends drones to Houthi rebels in Yemen

Iran moves its checkers on the international board once again. This time the Islamic Republic appears to have sent "suicide" drones to its Houthi allies in Yemen, according to the US magazine 'NewsWeek'. 

Apparently the images seen by the magazine and confirmed by an expert, who is following Iranian activities in the region, indicate the presence of Iranian Shahed-136 drones, also known as "suicide drones", deployed in the northern Yemeni province of al-Jawf, an area of the country controlled by Houthi rebels.

According to this same expert, the Shahed-136 drones have an effective range of 2,000 to 2,200 kilometres and can therefore "reach Israeli, American and Saudi targets". "What they are trying to achieve is plausible deniability", the expert explained, "such as being able to attack a US, Saudi, Gulf or Israeli target and then have the attack go back to Yemen, and hopefully be denied any kind of attribution".

The recent events take place in the midst of a clear escalation of attacks in the Red Sea. The commander of the Islamic Republic army, General Mohammad Bagheri, has also confirmed that warships will be sent to patrol the Red Sea. The Iranian military leader stressed that the country's armed forces will not allow "the enemy to threaten the safety of their ships", and that they will therefore continue to deploy their naval patrol to establish "full security for our oil and commercial fleet in that sea".

In the midst of several defeats on different Yemeni fronts, the Houthis have increased their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. In addition, they have threatened to burn down the "Red Sea Front", a clear warning to the international community that freedom of navigation and security in the area may be threatened.

The Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have recently been included by the United States in its list of terrorist organisations. The group's inclusion on this blacklist may make Biden's chances of re-engaging with Iran even more difficult. Many have criticised this decision, as it may further worsen the situation of a country which, according to the UN, is experiencing the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.

This manoeuvre has sparked a heated debate within the Trump administration itself, as it does not know how to create exceptions for humanitarian aid shipments, bearing in mind that the Houthis are the de facto authority in the north of Yemen, in addition to controlling the airport of Sana'a, the capital, and the port of Hodeida.