The Houthis promised not to attack Chinese and Russian vessels

The Yemeni Houthis have promised not to attack ships belonging to China or the Russian Federation in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have told the governments of China and Russia that their ships can safely navigate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without fear of attack, Bloomberg reports.

China and Russia reached an understanding after talks between diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the most senior political figures of the Houthis, anonymous sources said.

In exchange for the safety of their ships, the two states can provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the UN Security Council. It’s not entirely clear what that support will look like, but it could include blocking more anti-Houthi resolutions.

USM previously reported that the Yemeni Houthis attacked a gas tanker in the Red Sea with missiles, as well as an Israeli seaport.