Mohammed al-Bahiti, a member of the Ansar Allah (Houthis) politburo, provided reassurance that Russian and Chinese vessels navigating the Red Sea face no threats.
In an interview with Izvestia newspaper, al-Bahiti stated, "As for all other countries, among them Russia and China, there is nothing threatening their shipping in the region. 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."
This assurance comes in response to the Houthi movement's earlier declaration, amidst the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip, that it would strike Israeli territory and prevent affiliated ships from passing through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in Gaza concluded.
In reaction to alleged attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, US and British military forces conducted strikes on Ansar Allah targets in various Yemeni cities on January 12. US President Joe Biden described the strikes as defensive actions in response to unprecedented attacks by the Houthis. The targeted sites included missile and drone locations, as well as radar stations belonging to the Houthis.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Komogortsev Ivan Nikolaevich/Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS