Yemen's Houthi forces claim Red Sea navigation is "not threatened"
Xinhua News Agency, Kuwait City, September 10 (Reporter Yin Zhao) - Sana'a reports: The Yemeni Houthi armed group stated on the 10th that international vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait are "not threatened" and remain safe.
The spokesperson for the Houthi armed group, Mohammed Abdul Salam, issued a statement on social media that navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are still "safe and normal," and that the organization's actions "will not pose a threat to international shipping."
He stated that the military operations currently being conducted by the Houthi armed group have specific objectives and are "defensive" in nature.
He expressed that peace remains the "strategic choice" of the Houthi armed group and called for the establishment of relations based on neighborly friendship, mutual respect, and common interests.
The Houthi armed group announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, and has since carried out multiple attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, using missiles and drones to strike energy facilities within Saudi territory. The Saudi-led coalition has also targeted Houthi military objectives.
Houthi forces assert that international shipping through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains safe and is not threatened by their military operations. The spokesperson stated that their actions are defensive and aimed at specific targets, while also calling for peaceful relations based on mutual respect. This follows a series of attacks on Saudi oil tankers and energy facilities since July 20, 2023.
- Houthi forces claim that international shipping in the Red Sea is safe.
- Military actions by Houthi forces are described as defensive.
- Houthi forces have previously attacked Saudi oil tankers in the region.
- The Houthi spokesperson emphasizes a strategic choice for peace.
- A maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia was announced on July 20.