Russian satellites reportedly aided Iran-backed strikes on Saudi pipeline and air base

Mixed · 2The Associated Press reported that Iranian-backed militias hit the pumping stations of Saudi Arabia's most important oil pipeline last month. Days later, another attack hit a Saudi military air base and damaged an Italian fighter jet inside a hangar. 1 2 Centre · 1According to the report, Russian spy satellites converged over the pipeline and the air base for days beforehand to gather intelligence. 2 Mixed · 2Geneva-based AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence, a private geospatial intelligence firm, said it examined 40 missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias between July 1 and Oct. 19. In every case it found Russian government and military satellites over the areas for days before and after. Its founder, Nawaf Obaid, called this "a 100% match". 1 2

Left · 1The pipeline attack came on the morning of Sept. 10, when drones from Iraq hit three pumping stations on the 1,200-kilometre East-West Pipeline and immediately interrupted the oil flow. The pipeline has been a vital alternative route while Iran attacks shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Obaid said his firm saw 11 Russian Cosmos 2600 series satellites concentrate on those sections from July. Flybys increased in the weeks before the attacks and in the hours around them. 1 Left · 1A week later, Houthi projectiles hit King Fahd Air Base in Taif, damaging hangars and an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon, according to the Italian Defense Ministry. Obaid's firm recorded a 50% increase in Russian satellites over the targets in the 72 hours around each strike, compared with July. He said the precise hit on the Italian jet rather than Saudi aircraft suggests "highly specialized intelligence support" that the Houthis and Iranians lack. 1 Left · 1Three officials told AP that the Houthis and other Iranian allies have benefited from Russian intelligence, as well as Chinese capabilities. They included one Saudi official and one in the top ranks of the Houthis. A private intelligence analyst said the same. According to AP's reporting, Iranian advisers in the field analysed the intelligence and passed it to the allies. 1

Left · 1A Saudi official briefed on the investigations said the satellites also aided Iran's March strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base and on a CIA unit in the US Embassy complex in Riyadh. The official also said the Houthis' missiles and drones contained Russian- and Chinese-made components. A senior Houthi leader said Iranian advisers in Yemen use data based on Russian satellite intelligence for targeting, and that the Iranians supplied more advanced equipment. Obaid said the same satellite patterns appeared around Iranian strikes on US bases during the US-Iran war that began in February. 1 Left · 1Saudi Foreign Ministry deputy minister Rayed Krimly said last week that Iran and the Houthis receive intelligence from "elements in Russia and China, even commercial elements sometimes", and that Riyadh discusses the matter regularly with both countries. Russian officials had no immediate comment on the allegations. 1 Left · 1The evidence is circumstantial. Obaid said the firm has not intercepted any transmission of intelligence to Iran or its allies. It inferred the transfer from satellite positions and activity before strikes. Adam Marsh of the orbital intelligence firm Leolabs said such massing is what one would expect for intelligence collection. He added that no regulatory body could stop it. 1

Left · 1Russia and Iran have a longstanding military cooperation arrangement. US and European officials have previously said Russia has shared intelligence with Iran. 1