Barran Press
China's acting ambassador to Yemen, Shao Cheng, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, called for an end to any escalation of the conflict following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah port in western Yemen last Saturday.
During an online press conference hosted by the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies (a non-governmental organization) on Wednesday evening, the Chinese diplomat warned that "any escalation will impact the daily lives and livelihoods of Yemenis."
He stated that "China is engaging with all parties in Yemen, including the Houthis, to stop attacks in the Red Sea and protect and secure international shipping lanes."
He added, "We are in communication with various parties, including the Houthis, to halt attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which have led to increased shipping costs," emphasizing the "need to stop the conflict in the Gaza Strip, which he said would contribute to de-escalation in the Red Sea."
Regarding the impact on Chinese ships in the Red Sea, the Chinese diplomat explained that "most Chinese ships were not directly affected by the attacks after some changed their route to pass through the Cape of Good Hope," noting "two incidents where Chinese vessels were attacked after the assailants mistook them for ships of other nations."
In his statement, he expressed hope for peace in Yemen as soon as possible, saying, "We urge all parties to return to negotiations and prioritize the interests of the citizens."
On Saturday evening, July 20, Israeli warplanes launched strikes on Hodeidah port, targeting fuel tanks, a power station, and other facilities, resulting in fires that raged for days.
According to Houthi statistics, the Israeli airstrikes caused 9 deaths and 80 injuries among civilians. Many considered this the first such attack since the Houthis became involved in military operations against Israel, claiming to support Gaza, on November 21, 2023.
The Israeli government later claimed responsibility for the strikes. An Israeli military spokesperson said, "Our fighter jets carried out strikes on targets belonging to the Houthi regime in the Hodeidah port area of Yemen," stating that the strikes were "retaliation for Houthi attacks over the past months."
Early Friday morning, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that an Israeli was killed and 10 others injured after a drone crashed in Tel Aviv. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as "unprecedented."
Since November 2023, the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, has continued its attacks with missiles and drones against commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The group's attacks have led to increased maritime insurance costs, prompting many international shipping companies to favor the much longer route around the southern tip of the African continent.
To deter the Houthis and protect maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. Meanwhile, US forces have been carrying out strikes against Houthi military targets.
Since January 12, the number of US and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground has reached approximately 560, resulting in the deaths of 58 individuals and injuries to 86 others, according to the group's own admission.
The internationally recognized Yemeni government maintains that Western strikes are ineffective in neutralizing the Houthi threat to navigation and that the most effective solution is to support its armed forces to retake Hodeidah and its ports, along with other areas under Houthi control.
Despite the group's continued claim of responsibility for more maritime attacks, only three ships out of 162 that they claimed to have targeted since last November have reported serious incidents or injuries.