{"id":8044,"date":"2025-04-19T19:04:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T19:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=8044"},"modified":"2025-04-19T19:04:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-19T19:04:05","slug":"us-accuses-chinese-satellite-firm-of-helping-houthis-strike-ships-in-red-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krogragg.com\/?p=8044","title":{"rendered":"US Accuses Chinese Satellite Firm Of Helping Houthis Strike Ships In Red Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"

US Accuses Chinese Satellite Firm Of Helping Houthis Strike Ships In Red Sea
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The US has accused a Chinese satellite firm of directly helping Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen by supplying them with satellite imagery to target US military and commercial ships in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n

The company in question, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited, is said to have close ties to China\u2019s People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA).<\/p>\n

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the firm supports the Houthis in their ongoing attacks.<\/p>\n

Since the start of the conflict, the Houthis have targeted over 100 commercial vessels using drones, missiles, and attempted hijackings since late 2023.<\/p>\n

They claim their attacks are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Bruce criticised China for projecting itself as a global peacekeeper while enabling regimes like Russia, North Korea, and Iran through its companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is clear that Beijing and China-based companies provide key economic and technical support to regimes like Russia, North Korea, and Iran and its proxies,\u201d she said, calling the Chinese firm\u2019s actions \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that the US would not tolerate support for foreign terrorist groups like the Houthis. The Financial Times had earlier reported that Chang Guang Satellite Technology has been feeding data to the Houthis.<\/p>\n

US officials cited by the outlet said the company, known to be affiliated with the Chinese military, may have supplied either raw satellite imagery or processed intelligence used to target US and international vessels.<\/p>\n

The report revealed that the company had around 100 mini-satellites in orbit in 2024, with plans to expand that to 300 by the end of 2025, allowing for imagery updates every 10 minutes over any given area.<\/p>\n

There are indications that Chinese military grade communication gear, capable of transmitting such data, has been found in weapons shipments intercepted by US-led coalition naval forces.<\/p>\n

These shipments were sent by Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force to the Houthis.<\/p>\n

Although the IRGC is believed to have recently withdrawn operatives from Yemen due to targeted US airstrikes, satellite data links remain a way to continue supporting the Houthis remotely.<\/p>\n

Officials also believe that the use of Chinese satellites could give Beijing the ability to warn off the Houthis from attacking Chinese ships, which still use the Red Sea route.<\/p>\n

This gives Chinese ships a commercial advantage, as many other vessels are being forced to take the longer Cape of Good Hope route to avoid attacks.<\/p>\n

The US military carried out a major strike on April 18, targeting the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port in northwest Yemen.<\/p>\n

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24\/7 operations for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) against Iran-backed Houthis\u2026#HouthisAreTerrorists<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zFKb3oCiC4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n