According to Bloomberg, Russia and China have struck a shipping deal with the Houthis, ensuring safe vessel transits by promising political backing at the United Nations Security Council for the group.
Russia and China have reached an agreement with the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, to let their commercial ships sail the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without worrying about being attacked by drones or missiles, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
During a pro-Palestine gathering, South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said that its citizens serving in Israel’s military would be arrested.
According to one of the reports, Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the leading political figures within the Houthis, and diplomats from China and Russia agreed in Oman. They stated that ensuring the unimpeded movement of ships would be reciprocated with political backing at the United Nations Security Council for the Houthis.
According to Bloomberg, “It’s not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group.”
The Houthi rebels have attacked Red Sea vessels on several occasions since November. To show support for the Palestinians amid the present Gaza crisis, rebels claim that only ships with connections to Israel are the target of their strikes.
The US and its allies conducted Operation Prosperity Guardian, a military operation, in reaction to the Red Sea crisis to defend the vital maritime route. But months later, the operation did not succeed in keeping ships safe. In addition, to counteract terror groups funded by Iran, the US and the UK have conducted air raids on Yemen and other Middle Eastern nations.
“China and Russia are deepening their strategic alliance with Iranian-backed terrorists. It’s a further sign of an emerging new world disorder that threatens freedom of navigation, commerce, transit, and communications,” said David Asher, a senior fellow at Hudson Institute, who commented on the Bloomberg report.
Asher continued: “No one should doubt that Putin and Xi are increasingly coordinating their moves with Tehran while the US embraces appeasement, including via releasing billions of dollars to the Iranians with no substantive result to American interests, power, and prestige.”
Asher issued a warning that “Iran is preparing for an oil war—and markets ignore the growing risks” in a recent paper titled “The Weaponization Of Crude Could Trigger The Next Financial Shock.”
