Houthis are building their own advanced ballistic missiles using Chinese parts that could strike Israel and all of Saudi Arabia

The Houthis are producing their own version of Iran's Kheibar Shekan precision-guided missile, built from parts obtained from a Chinese supplier via smuggling networks. The weapon has a range of 1,200 miles — enough to reach any target in Saudi Arabia and Israel from Yemeni soil. The findings come from Conflict Armament Research, whose report was based on two intercepted shipments of missile components seized by Yemeni government authorities last year. Fabian Hinz, a senior analyst at Conflict Armament Research, cautioned that the group's production capabilities are 'beyond what was previously assumed'.

The Houthi version is designed to outrange the Iranian original by 300 miles and can evade missile defences by travelling at speeds reaching 6,000 miles per hour.

China has become the leading source of contraband intercepted on its way to the Houthis, with most sanctioned suppliers of drone parts also operating there.

China's embassy in Washington declined to comment on the report's findings, maintaining that Beijing 'strictly controls the export of dual-use items'.