"Aid or Alignment? Iraq Sends 250,000 Tons of Wheat to Yemen Amid Houthi Control

A newly revealed official document shows that the Iraqi government has dispatched 250,000 tons of wheat to Yemen under the label of a "gift to the Yemeni people," raising significant concerns over the actual beneficiaries of the aid—especially given the widespread control of northern Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The document, issued by Iraq’s Ministry of Trade, outlines the Cabinet's decision to provide the assistance and assigns a local company to transport the wheat from various Iraqi provinces to Yemen. Although the document does not explicitly name the Houthis as the recipients, the context and timing of the move have triggered widespread speculation regarding who will ultimately benefit from the shipment.

This development coincides with ongoing reports of continued support for the Houthis from Iran-aligned Iraqi militias. Notably, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have reportedly organized fundraising campaigns for the Houthi militia in Yemen. These efforts are said to be coordinated by Houthi official Abu Idris al-Sharafi, who has headed a Houthi liaison office in Baghdad since last year.

Observers warn that such actions form part of a broader Iranian strategy to extend its regional influence through proxy militias, posing a serious threat to security and stability across the Middle East.