US Accuses Chinese Satellite Firm Of Helping Houthis Strike Ships In Red Sea

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.

The company in question, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited, is said to have close ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the firm supports the Houthis in their ongoing attacks.

Since the start of the conflict, the Houthis have targeted over 100 commercial vessels using drones, missiles, and attempted hijackings since late 2023.

They claim their attacks are in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

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

“It 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,” she said, calling the Chinese firm’s actions “unacceptable.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

These shipments were sent by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force to the Houthis.

Although the IRGC is believed to have recently withdrawn operatives from Yemen due to targeted US airstrikes, satellite data links remain a way to continue supporting the Houthis remotely.

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.

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.

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

According to the Houthis, the airstrike killed 74 people and wounded 171. US Central Command said the strike aimed to cut off a major source of revenue that funds the Houthi operations.

“This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully,” said CENTCOM in a statement.

This marks the first time US forces have attacked oil infrastructure in Yemen. CENTCOM stated that this was the 34th consecutive day of strikes on Houthi targets.

Satellite images analysed by Planet Labs PBC showed large-scale destruction at the Ras Isa port, including destroyed tanks and vehicles. There were also signs of an oil spill in the Red Sea.

On the same day, the Houthis also launched a missile toward Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defence forces. Sirens rang out across Tel Aviv and other cities.

When asked for a comment on the satellite firm’s alleged involvement, Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said he was not aware of the matter.

Chang Guang Satellite Technology did not respond to media inquiries.