Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has expressed concern over the recent US and British strikes on facilities associated with the rebel Houthis movement "Ansar Allah" in Yemen. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sheikh Mohammed warned that these military actions increase the risk of further escalation in the region.
The minister noted that the attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea create "the most dangerous situation" with far-reaching consequences not only for the region but also for global trade. He emphasized the impact on the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a significant concern for Qatar, which supplies LNG to Europe through the Suez Canal.
"What we are seeing now is that the US and UK are retaliating against the Houthis in an attempt to prevent them from acting in a way that disrupts international trade. But this also creates an increased risk of further escalation and further expansion of the conflict," he said.
The prime minister underscored the importance of diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as essential components in addressing the situation in the Red Sea. He emphasized a preference for diplomacy over military solutions and urged a focus on analyzing the root causes of the main conflict rather than localized issues.
The recent US and British strikes on Ansar Allah targets in Yemen, defended by US President Joe Biden as a response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, targeted missile and drone sites, as well as rebel radar stations in several Yemeni cities, including Sanaa and Al Hudaydah.
The geopolitical landscape has been further complicated by the Houthis' threat to strike Israeli territory and obstruct the passage of associated ships through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the situation in the Gaza Strip is resolved. The US military's Central Command estimates that the Houthis have attacked over 20 civilian vessels in the Red Sea since mid-November of the previous year.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS