Russia expresses concern over rising tensions in the Red Sea – senior diplomat – Russian Politics & Diplomacy

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russia is alarmed by the escalating tensions in the waters of the Red Sea and surrounding areas, said Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Presidential Special Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the 4th International Russia Conference Middle East Forum.

“As regards the situation in the Middle East, increasing tensions in the adjacent areas and the waters of the Red Sea, exacerbated by Houthi attacks on ships amid the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, are a matter of serious concern,” the spokesperson said. said diplomat.

Bogdanov stressed that Moscow has repeatedly warned that the continuation of violence in the Gaza Strip and its environs would create additional risks of armed confrontation in the Middle East.

As the conflict in the Gaza Strip intensifies, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement has announced its intention to carry out attacks on Israeli territory and block pro-Israeli ships from entering the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el Strait. -Deny Mandeb until Israel ceases its military operations in the Palestinian enclave. The Houthis claim to have attacked at least 170 Israeli-affiliated ships since November last year, along with 72 American and 12 British ships.