Viktor Bout, wey dem dey call ‘Merchant of Death’, don return to him old ways of selling arms, and dis time, him dey negotiate with Yemen‘s Houthi rebels. According to Western officials, Bout dey in talks to supply the Houthi movement with small arms, including AK-74 rifles.
Bout, who gain reputation as one of the most prolific arms smugglers in the 1990s and 2000s, was arrested in 2008 in Thailand by U.S. authorities in a sting operation. Him serve 10 years out of 25-year prison sentence before him get released in a prisoner swap for WNBA player Brittney Griner in December 2022.
Since him return to Russia, Bout join the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party and secure a position in the regional legislature. However, recent reports indicate say him dey back to him old profession, negotiating a $10 million arms deal with Houthi emissaries when dem visit Moscow in August.
The Houthi movement, which be proxy of Iran, don be involved in attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. military assets. Western officials worry say if Russia supply advanced anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, it go increase the group’s ability to destroy commerce vessels and possibly hit warships.
Both Bout and the Kremlin deny any plans to arm the Houthis, but Western officials believe say it unlikely Bout would have resumed his activities without the Kremlin’s tacit endorsement. Bout himself praise the Houthi militants for their accomplishments despite limited resources.
The potential deal with the Houthis is seen as part of a broader strategy by Russia to prepare for heightened tensions if the U.S. and its allies increase support for Ukraine. Russia might consider aiding groups like the Houthis if the U.S. eases restrictions on American-made arms.
