Houthis Assure Russia And China Of Safe Passage Through Red Sea

Reuters reporting confirmation from a "senior Houthi official" that the Yemen-based group has provided assurances to Russia and China that their vessels can safely navigate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

• Bloomberg reported earlier today that China and Russia, "reached an understanding following talks between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the Houthis’ top political figures..."
• Bloomberg noted: "In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people. It’s not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group."
• The agreement will further lower the possibility that China could use influence over Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Chatham House noted in February that Chinese efforts, "were focused exclusively on extracting guarantees to protect China’s direct interests. There is no evidence to suggest Beijing was in any way interested in putting its credibility on the line to push for a full de-escalation in the Red Sea."