Houthis in Yemen pledge safe passage for ships

Houthis in Yemen pledge safe passage for Chinese and Russian ships

According to Bloomberg, the Houthis in Yemen have stated that they will refrain from attacking vessels from China and Russia as they traverse the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Following discussions between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, a prominent political figure within the Houthi movement, China and Russia have come to an agreement, as reported by anonymous sources familiar with the matter and speaking on condition of anonymity.

In exchange, the two countries may provide political support for the Houthis in bodies such as the UN Security Council, according to the same sources.

As indicated, the specific form of this support is not fully evident, but it may encompass actions such as obstructing additional resolutions targeting the group.

Representatives from the Chinese and Russian governments, as well as the Houthis, including Abdel Salam, did not respond to requests for comment from Bloomberg.

While the Houthis have indicated that assets belonging to Moscow and Beijing would not be targeted, the discussions highlight the growing concerns among global powers regarding the group’s missile and drone attacks in the southern Red Sea region since mid-November.

The Houthis claim to be aiming at vessels associated with Israel, the US, and UK. However, there are instances where they seem to have mistaken certain ships, raising concerns from Russia and China about the need for clearer assurances from the group.

On January 12th, Houthi rebels launched a missile strike near Yemen, specifically targeting a tanker transporting Russian oil. This incident marked an escalation in the conflict, underscoring the Houthis’ willingness to target vessels in the region. The repercussions of such actions became tragically evident earlier this month, on March 6th, when the Houthis struck the True Confidence, a bulk commodities carrier. This attack not only targeted a different type of vessel but also resulted in the first fatalities since the initiation of their maritime assaults.

The Yemen-based Houthis have told China and Russia their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, sources say https://t.co/U3tJKVn3Xn

— Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) March 21, 2024

Since the onset of the attacks, the majority of Western shipping companies have chosen to circumvent the strait, opting instead to navigate around southern Africa. This detour is resulting in additional days and considerable increases in freight expenses for voyages between Asia and Europe.

To note, a senior official from the US Defense Department announced that Yemen’s Houthi militia has carried out around 50 attacks on both civilian and military ships in the waters near Yemen’s coast since their assaults began late last year.

Their targets include Israeli, British, and American vessels, as well as ships bound for Israeli ports, causing disruptions in the crucial trade route along Yemen’s coasts.

Consequently, these attacks have led to a significant increase in insurance expenses for vessels operating in the Red Sea trade route, prompting many shipping companies to opt for the much lengthier route around the southern tip of Africa instead.