Congressman Keith Self | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Keith Self has addressed concerns to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about reports indicating that Houthi Rebels are acquiring advanced anti-ship missiles from Russia. The missile in question, the Yakhont or P-800 Onik, is known for its ability to travel at twice the speed of sound over both land and water. This missile has been previously associated with Hezbollah's activities against Israel in 2006 and their support for the Assad regime during the Syrian Civil War.
Since October 2023, the Houthis have reportedly disrupted trade through the Suez Canal, a vital route for global maritime commerce. The group poses a significant threat to international trade and civilian safety, including American citizens.
"Allowing Houthi Rebels to enhance their weapons capabilities while they terrorize commercial shipping in the Red Sea would be the worst possible development in this crisis," stated Congressman Self. He emphasized that "Our Armed Forces must take all necessary measures to prevent the Iran-mediated sale of Russian missiles to these barbaric terrorists."
The full text of Congressman Self's letter is available for review.