Yemeni Rebels Strike Deal: Chinese and Russian Ships Safe in Red Sea

Yahya Sarea, a military spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthi rebels, issued a statement on the 15th in Sanaa, Yemen, threatening to attack ships passing through the Red Sea as a sign of protest against the United States and Israel. /EPA, United

Following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been attacking ships passing through the Red Sea. However, they have now stated that they will ensure the safe passage of Chinese and Russian ships.

On the 21st (local time), Bloomberg News quoted an anonymous source saying that Mohammad Abdel Salam, the Houthi rebels’ top political figure, met with Chinese and Russian diplomats based in Oman. They agreed not to engage in hostile actions against ships from the two countries sailing through the Red Sea.

According to this agreement, the Houthis will not attack Chinese and Russian ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. In return, the two countries will support the Houthi rebels on the international stage, such as at the United Nations Security Council. The news outlet speculated that it’s unsettled how China and Russia will support the Houthi rebels on the international stage. However, it could take the form of blocking resolutions that were hostile to the rebels.

[yarpp]

The Houthis, who receive support from Iran, have attacked ships passing through the Red Sea and nearby seas more than 100 times since last November under the pretext of solidarity with Hamas, which is at war with Israel. Initially, the Houthis targeted ships from Israel, the United States, and the UK, which were at war with Hamas. However, they gathered international criticism for attacking ships unrelated to these three countries.