US government officials have informed the Financial Times that Chang Guang Satellite Technology, a Chinese satellite company linked to the People’s Liberation Army, is assisting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen by providing satellite imagery used to target US warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. A senior State Department official stated that the United States has raised concerns with the Chinese government multiple times regarding this issue, but Beijing has not responded.
The US begun an air campaign against the Houthis in Yemen late last month, which is aimed at re-opening the Suez Canal for shipping. The Red Sea was closed for shipping by Houthi rebels in January last year.
Earlier this year, China was accused of supplying arms to the Houthis in exchange for safe passage through the Red Sea. The Houthis are also armed and backed by Iran and are currently under attack by US forces. Earlier this week, the US targeted the Ras Issa oil port and the Houthis downed a US MQ-9 drone. Airstrikes on Sanaa also took place last night.
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