Houthi insurgents in Yemen, who have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea, seemingly in support of Hamas during the Israel-Hamas conflict, have reportedly struck a deal with Russia and China to ensure safe passage for their ships. Bloomberg cited individuals familiar with the negotiations. 

In return for ensuring safe passage, Russia and China are likely to offer political backing for the Houthis, possibly at the United Nations Security Council, although the specifics of this support remain unclear. The Houthis had previously indicated they were not targeting Chinese or Russian vessels. However, after reportedly misidentifying ships they attacked, Russia and China may have sought a more formal agreement. This follows incidents such as the March 6 attack on the "True Confidence" ship, where three crew members were killed.  

Although a Houthi spokesperson claimed the ship was American, its owners denied any ties to American entities. The ship was reportedly sold by an American company to a Liberia-registered company the previous month. Shortly after the Houthis had given assurances that Russian ships could safely navigate the area, there was another incident where Houthi missiles detonated near a vessel carrying Russian oil. 

The Houthis, a Shiite militia in Yemen, have been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the Yemeni government, controlling significant areas, including Sanaa. They align themselves with Iran, presenting as part of an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli front. Due to their actions in the Red Sea, the U.S. designated them a terrorist organisation in January, disrupting global shipping and prompting reroutes. Recent indications suggest the Houthis plan to target more shipping routes.  

A reported agreement solidifies their already amicable ties with Russia and China, who have offered limited support publicly. Both countries abstained from a U.N. resolution condemning Houthi attacks and criticized U.S. and British military actions in the Red Sea, arguing their lack of U.N. authorization. 

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