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In an interview with Russian outlet Izvestia, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior official of the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist group, stated that ships from China and Russia will have safe passage through the Red Sea. He emphasized that this assurance only applies to vessels that are not connected with Israel, as reported by Agence France-Presse on Friday, January 19.
The Houthis, who have expressed solidarity with Palestinians amidst Israel's conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza, have carried out over 30 attacks in the Red Sea. These attacks have prompted shipping firms to avoid the affected shipping lanes, leading major companies to reroute their vessels on longer and more expensive routes around Africa. The Red Sea route is a crucial link for maritime traffic, accounting for approximately 15 percent of global shipping.
The most recent incident involved the launch of two anti-ship ballistic missiles by Houthi rebels towards a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden, according to a statement by the U.S. Central Command on Thursday. Fortunately, the missiles landed in the water near the ship, named the M/V Chem Ranger, causing no injuries or damage. The tanker ship, flagged under the Marshall Islands and operated by a Greek company, was the target of the attack.
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack, boasting of "direct hits" in a statement shared on social media. In response, U.S. forces conducted additional strikes against targets within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen on Thursday. These actions reflect growing concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict may escalate into a broader war across the Middle East.
The statement from al-Bukhaiti offers a glimmer of hope for Chinese and Russian vessels seeking to navigate the Red Sea. However, the condition that ships must not be connected with Israel raises questions about the potential impact on international shipping and trade. As tensions in the region continue to rise, the safety and security of maritime routes remain a significant concern for global trade partners.
The situation in the Red Sea underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Middle East, where geopolitical rivalries intertwine with longstanding conflicts. As the international community closely monitors developments in the region, the diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of all vessels passing through the Red Sea will be critical in maintaining stability and preserving global trade routes.
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