A senior Houthi official has assured safe passage for Russian and Chinese ships in the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Yemeni rebels have been attacking commercial ships in sympathy with Palestinians in Gaza.
In an interview, senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti emphasized that the waters near Yemen, which some shipping businesses are avoiding due to ongoing assault, were safe as long as vessels were not related to certain countries, particularly Israel.
“As for all other countries, including Russia and China, their shipping in the region is not threatened”, he continued.
“Moreover, we are ready to ensure the safe passage of their ships in the Red Sea, because free navigation plays a significant role for our country”, he added.
He went on to say, “Attacks on vessels in any way connected with Israel would continue”.
Iran-backed rebels recently claimed that US and British-linked ships were also fair targets after the two nations started air strikes in Yemen in reaction to the repeated attacks.
The Houthis claimed another attack on a US ship early Friday, a day after the US unleashed new bombs on rebel targets.
Since the Gaza war began on October 7 with Hamas’ murderous attack on Israel, the Houthis have launched repeated attacks on crucial trade lanes near Yemen.
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