In a diplomatic effort to address the escalating tensions in the Red Sea region, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak engaged in a phone conversation on Sunday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The talks focused on evaluating the repercussions of the current escalation in the Red Sea, with a particular emphasis on its impact on Yemen, Egypt, and neighboring nations, as reported by the Yemeni state news agency Saba.
The discussions also delved into the distressing situation in the Gaza Strip, with attention given to Israeli actions deemed as atrocities in the region. Additionally, both leaders deliberated on the urgent matter of providing humanitarian and relief assistance to the Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, according to the Saba news agency.
The recent incident involving the sinking of the British ship Rubymar in the Red Sea drew particular attention during the talks. The vessel succumbed to the aftermath of an attack by the Houthi group in Yemen. Notably, the Houthis, in a bold stance, have refused to initiate salvage operations for the sunken British vessel until the delivery of humanitarian aid is permitted into the Gaza Strip.
Highlighting the broader context, the Houthi group has been actively targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These ships are either owned or operated by Israeli companies or are engaged in transporting goods to and from Israel. The Houthi actions are framed as an expression of solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been enduring an Israeli onslaught since October 7.
As tensions continue to rise due to joint military strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom against Houthi targets in Yemen, the group has declared its position on the matter. In response to the strikes, the Houthi group officially considers all American and British ships as legitimate military targets, further heightening the complexity of the situation in the region.
