Talks underway with Houthis regarding Red Sea tensions
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have announced that international parties are holding talks with them to de-escalate rising tensions in the Red Sea.
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International parties have taken action following the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea on Israeli-flagged ships or vessels heading to Israeli ports.
Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam stated in a post on his X account that they are in talks with international parties, led by Oman, and that they have explained during these discussions that they cannot stand idly by while attacks and the blockade on Gaza continue, and that the "operations" they are conducting are intended to support the Palestinian people.
Abdulsalam stated, "We have expressed in the talks that Yemen's position on the Gaza issue is not a matter for negotiation. Ships belonging to the enemy or heading to its ports will continue to be targets until the war ends, the blockade is lifted, and aid enters Gaza without interruption."
Mohammed Abdulsalam noted, however, that genuine steps toward improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Palestine could contribute to lowering the rising tensions in the Red Sea.
ISRAELI SHIPS TARGETED
The leader of the Houthis in Yemen, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, had threatened in a televised speech on November 14 that they could target Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
Houthi Military Spokesperson Yahya Saree announced in a written statement on the X platform on November 19 that they would target all types of Israeli-flagged ships in response to Israel's attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Houthis later announced that they would prevent all ships heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea.