Houthis tell China and Russia their ships won’t be targeted in Red Sea
- In exchange, Beijing and Moscow may support the Yemen-based militants in bodies such as the UN Security Council, people with knowledge of the talks say
- The Houthis are pushing for an end to the Gaza war by targeting ships linked to Israel, the US and UK, but have hit others, including one carrying Russian oil
The Yemen-based Houthis have told China and Russia their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, according to several people with knowledge of the militant group’s discussions.
China and Russia reached an understanding following talks between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the Houthis’ top political figures, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private matters.
In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people. It’s not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group.
Spokespeople for the governments of China and Russia, as well as the Houthis, including Abdel Salam, did not reply to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.
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US-led coalition strikes Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen
While the Houthis have already signalled Moscow and Beijing’s assets would not be targeted, the talks underscore the increased nervousness among world powers about the group’s missile and drone attacks in and around the southern Red Sea since mid-November.