Israel has accused China of providing the Houthi rebels in Yemen with advanced weapons in exchange for promises of safe passage for Chinese merchant ships in the Red Sea. US intelligence has also uncovered a supply chain that the Houthis have set up in China to purchase missile components and drones.

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies, including Shenzhen Boyue Import and Export Company, that have been facilitating these transfers. These allegations have raised concerns about the Houthis’ increased military capabilities and potential threats to regional stability.

Israeli media outlets have reported that Houthi leaders are planning to produce hundreds of cruise missiles capable of hitting countries The Arab Gulf states, using the same Chinese components. Washington has repeatedly passed this information to Beijing since September, including detailed lists of Chinese companies involved in this weapons system.

A diplomatic source revealed that “Houthi officials visited China several times last summer and fall, possibly to hold meetings with senior regime officials.” In the face of Beijing’s inaction, the US is now threatening to work with Israel to cut off these Chinese trade networks from the global financial system.

This revelation comes as the Houthis seek to impose permanent control over one of the world’s most important sea lanes, directly threatening international trade and regional stability.

The Houthis enjoy extensive financial and military support from Tehran. The Houthis have long used Iranian drones, unmanned bomb boats and missiles to attack their chosen targets.

Iran and China have close military and technical cooperation. To obtain Chinese weapons, the Houthis do not necessarily need to communicate directly with Beijing; they can easily obtain them from their Iranian allies.

China has not yet responded to these accusations. But Beijing has repeatedly officially confirmed its commitment to a policy of neutrality in the Middle East in the past.