Viktor Bout, the infamous Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death,” is reportedly back in the arms trade after his release by the U.S. in 2022. According to The Wall Street Journal, Bout is now reportedly brokering weapons deals for the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Bout was originally sentenced to 25 years in a U.S. prison for conspiring to sell weapons to a Colombian terrorist group with the intent to kill Americans. He was arrested in 2008 during a U.S. sting operation, and his arms dealings have spanned decades, supplying conflicts across Africa, South America, and the Middle East.
In 2022, Bout was released from U.S. custody as part of a prisoner swap for WNBA player Brittney Griner, following her imprisonment in Russia for possession of cannabis oil cartridges.
Currently, Bout is allegedly facilitating the sale of Russian arms to the Houthis, including AK-74 rifles and potentially more advanced weapons, with deliveries disguised as food shipments.
The U.S. and its allies have expressed concern as Houthi forces have launched attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. These new arms deals could escalate tensions in the region, posing potential threats to U.S. forces.
While Bout denied any involvement, the implications of these deals are significant for both U.S. military interests and regional stability in the Red Sea.
