Yemen Monitor/News Room
The Houthi armed group announced on Wednesday that it held discussions with Russia’s special envoy to the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, regarding the military operations in the Red Sea.
According to the group’s negotiator, Muhammad Abdul-Salam, they discussed the latest Israeli aggression against Gaza, the need to stop the aggression against Palestine, and the necessity of halting US and British airstrikes on the group.
The Houthi spokesperson added that the Red Sea operations do not pose a threat to international navigation or target any specific entity, but rather provide logistical support to Palestinian people.
The meeting also touched on reviewing the situation in Yemen, and the need for a comprehensive solution that ensures Yemen’s unity.
Meanwhile, US Newsweek magazine reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering providing ballistic missiles capable of targeting ships to Houthi forces allied with Iran.
The magazine claimed that Moscow’s deepening cooperation with Houthi forces in Yemen could exacerbate the strategic dilemma faced by Western powers in their efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and beyond.
According to the magazine, Russia is coordinating with Houthi forces as part of its growing alliance with Iran, as Moscow seeks new and deeper alliances with anti-Western powers following its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In an earlier statement this year, Houthis agreed not to target Russian or Chinese vessels. In March, a member of the Houthi political office, Ali al-Qahum, said there was “ongoing cooperation and development in relations between Yemen and Russia, China, and BRICS countries, as well as knowledge and experience exchange in various fields.”
Since November, the US Defense Ministry (Pentagon) has recorded over 190 attacks on American military or commercial vessels off Yemen’s coastlines, including nearly 100 since the start of US airstrikes in January.
The Houthis have sunk two ships, including the Robimar in March and a Greek-owned coal carrier, Tutor, which was hit by an explosion-laden surface boat last weeks.
Also in March, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile, which set fire to the Barbadian-flagged ship “True Confidence,” killing 3 people.
