Al-Zubaidi discusses with a Russian official the repercussions of the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Major General Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, met today, Saturday, with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Envoy of President Vladimir Putin to the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov.

The Yemeni News Agency "Saba" reported that the meeting, which was held in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, discussed bilateral relations between Yemen and the Russian Federation, ways to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, and reviewed developments related to international efforts to achieve peace and stability in our country and the region.

During the meeting, Major General Al-Zubaidi pointed out the major challenges posed by the repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping lines in the Red Sea, Bab and the Gulf of Aden.

He stressed that these attacks not only threaten the security of Yemen and the region, but also pose a direct threat to maritime security and global trade, renewing the call for a more decisive international role in confronting these threats.

Major General Al-Zubaidi also welcomed Russia's decision to open its embassy in the interim capital, Aden, noting that this step reflects the depth of historical relations between our country and the Russian Federation, and confirms Moscow's desire to strengthen its diplomatic presence and its active role in supporting stability and development in Yemen.

The member of the Presidential Leadership Council confirmed his readiness to provide all facilities that ensure the success of this important step that will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries and peoples.

Al-Zubaidi said via the "X" platform that he discussed with the Russian official "the challenges resulting from the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden, and the risks their attacks on shipping lines pose to food security in our country, not to mention the harm to maritime security and global trade."

Today I was pleased to meet with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and President Putin’s Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, His Excellency Mikhail Bogdanov. We discussed the challenges resulting from the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden, and the risks their attacks on shipping lines pose to food security in our country,…

— Aidaros Alzubidi (@AidrosAlzubidi) November 16, 2024

For his part, Mr. Bogdanov expressed Russia's commitment to supporting international and regional efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, noting the importance of intensifying cooperation with all actors to enhance stability in the region, according to the agency.

Al-Zubaidi had said in late September, in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, that the Houthis were obtaining high-quality weapons from Iran and Russia on ships arriving at the ports of Hodeidah and Salif on the Red Sea without inspection.

Source: Agencies