Russian satellites help Iran’s allies strike Saudi Arabia, data and officials say

The AP reports that a private geospatial intelligence firm said it examined 40 missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and militias in Iraq between July 1 and Oct. 19. In every case, the firm found the same pattern of Russian government and military satellites orbiting above the areas for days before and after.[2]"What we found is a 100% match" between the satellite activities and strikes, said Nawaf Obaid, founder of Geneva-based AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence.[2] Obaid also told the AP that the firm has not intercepted actual transmission of intelligence to Iran or its allies[2].Obaid said that in the Taif air base attack, the strike hit only the Italian jet, which suggested "highly specialized intelligence support that the Houthis and Iranians simply don't have"[2].According to the AP, three officials, including one from Saudi Arabia and another in the top ranks of the Houthis, as well as a private intelligence analyst[2], said Iran's allies had benefited from Russian intelligence and from Chinese capabilities.Saudi deputy minister Rayed Krimly told reporters last week that Iran and the Houthis receive intelligence from "elements in Russia and China, even commercial elements sometimes."[2]The AP reports that Russian officials had no immediate comment when asked about the allegations, including AURORAH's findings.[2]