Yemen’s Houthis say they are in contact with the EU to guarantee “safe passage” across the Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi rebels said this Wednesday that they have established contacts with the European Union (EU) to guarantee the “safe passage” of commercial ships in the Red Sea after Brussels announced a mission to protect their shipping in the area.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Yemen’s Shiite movement Hussein al-Ezzi said at a press conference this Wednesday that “constructive contact has been established between Sanaa and the EU” after the Europeans approved a defense mission in the Red Sea. to escort merchant ships.

According to Al-Ezzi, the initiative came from Brussels, which “provided Sana with sufficient explanations and unequivocally confirmed that the EU is in no way involved in the coalition led by the US and UK.”

According to Al-Ezzi, the Houthis accepted the pretext provided for the operation, which, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is characterized by a defensive nature with the aim of escorting merchant ships sailing in the Persian Gulf, Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and shooting down possible missiles or “drones” that the Houthis could launch.

The EU “explained that its mission does not consider Yemen as a military target and that the operational mission was formed at the request of transport companies from EU countries who complained about difficulties crossing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait,” the Houthi official said. .

European officials in the region chose not to respond to an appeal from the Efe news agency.

Operation Aspides by EUNAVFOR – European Naval Forces – was launched on 19 February by the EU under Greek command.

“We agreed [com a UE] in maintaining constant and continuous communication, as well as promoting cooperation and information exchange to facilitate the passage of boats,” Al-Ezzi added, noting that the Sanaa government has established a special center to guarantee this coordination.

At least 5,061 cargo ships have crossed Bab al-Mandeb since Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red and Arabian Seas began last November, with 283 ships passing this week, according to data provided by the Shiite organization.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital Sanaa and large areas of northern and western Yemen, have launched dozens of attacks on Israeli territory and on ships linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports and have vowed to continue those attacks. actions while the Jewish army continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Yemeni rebels have also threatened to attack American and British ships in the area in response to bombings carried out in recent weeks by two Western countries against Yemen, which Washington and London see as seeking to prevent rebel operations and guarantee freedom. region navigation.

Tensions in the region have led major shipping companies to continue to adjust their routes to avoid the route, which carries 8% of global grain trade, 12% of oil trade and 8% of global liquefied natural gas trade.

Yemeni rebels have also attacked US and British ships in the area in retaliation for bombing campaigns carried out in recent weeks by two Western countries against Yemen, which Washington and London see as seeking to prevent rebel operations and guarantee freedom of navigation in the region.