Intelligence platform Sheba Intelligence has revealed that elements within the Houthi militia are utilizing portable devices designed to receive aircraft signals, a development that could enhance the group's ability to monitor air traffic within their controlled territories. In a review of recently circulated video footage, the platform stated that the visuals depicted Houthi elements carrying a portable device for receiving ADS-B / Mode-S signals. These systems are employed in tracking aviation movement through data voluntarily broadcast by some aircraft and drones. Sheba Intelligence clarified that these devices can capture information such as an aircraft's location, altitude, speed, and direction. However, they do not function as military radars and cannot detect aircraft or targets that do not broadcast their signals or deliberately conceal them. According to the platform, such devices could aid in monitoring the movement of certain large drones, particularly reconnaissance and intelligence platforms, provided they are equipped with compatible automatic broadcasting systems. The intelligence platform noted that the capabilities of these devices remain limited, as they do not inherently offer precise targeting or control capabilities for air defense systems. Nevertheless, they might provide the Houthis with an initial overview of air traffic patterns and utilized routes. The utilization of this data could be amplified when integrated with other monitoring sources, including field intelligence and visual surveillance. This integration might assist the group in identifying recurring air traffic patterns in the areas they monitor. The circulation of these clips occurs amidst the Houthis' continued reliance on commercially available means and technologies to bolster their surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, against a backdrop of escalating military tensions in the region. |
