Aaj English TV

Friday, November 01, 2024  
28 Rabi Al-Akhar 1446  

Houthis promise to provide safe passage to China, Russia through Red Sea

'Attacks will continue to the vessels connected with Israel,' says Houthi official
A container ship is seen near Suez Canal Bridge which is known as the “Peace Bridge” following a Suez Canal tugboat sinking yesterday after colliding with a Hong Kong-flagged LPG tanker in the waterway of the Suez Canal, Egypt, August 6, 2023. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters
A container ship is seen near Suez Canal Bridge which is known as the “Peace Bridge” following a Suez Canal tugboat sinking yesterday after colliding with a Hong Kong-flagged LPG tanker in the waterway of the Suez Canal, Egypt, August 6, 2023. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via Reuters

Houthi officials have promised safe passage for Russian and Chinese ships through the Red Sea amid ongoing clashes between Iran and Yemeni rebels and US allies.

In an interview published by a Russian news outlet on January 19, a senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said the countries are avoiding shipping via the Red Sea due to the ongoing feud but they are saved and not to be targeted if it would not linked with specific countries, including Israel.

He claimed shipping for all countries including Russia and China is not threatened and: “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.”

However, attacks will continue to the vessels connected with Israel, he said.

Iran-backed rebels termed the attack on US and British-linked ships as fair game after two countries launched an air strike in Yemen water.

Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed that they targeted a US ship at sea on January 19 after the country launched fresh strikes on rebel targets the day before.

The Houthis launched several attacks on the shipping lane in Yemen water since the war in Gaza erupted on Oct 7.

US announces 10-nation coalition to combat Houthi attacks in Red Sea

US strikes Yemen after Huthis threaten Red Sea ships

Oil prices jump after US forces repel Houthis in Red Sea

Bukhaiti defended his group’s capture in November of the Galaxy Leader – a merchant vessel linked to an Israeli businessman – as “a precautionary step for everyone else to follow our requirements”.

The ship’s crew, who are still being held, “are fine, and we are giving them a warm welcome,” he added.

While the Houthis insist their attacks only target vessels of certain nationalities, a US Navy commander has said the ships involved have ties to dozens of countries.

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @Aaj_Urdu. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

russia

china

yemen

Houthis

red sea