Houthis promise not to attack European and US ships

**Houthis promise not to attack European and US ships**

The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have promised not to attack European and US ships in the Red Sea. The group sent letters of guarantee to the European Union and Washington at a time when it is trying to strengthen its control over the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. This was reported by the Financial Times.

According to two diplomats, the Houthis sent a letter to the EU's foreign and security policy office in September. It noted that the attacks carried out along the southern coast of Yemen do not pose a real threat to international shipping and will not affect transit through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

This letter was sent on September 10, the day the group captured the Yemeni city of Al-Mukha. The Houthis defeated Saudi-backed government forces and also took control of several islands in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Following negotiations mediated by Oman, the Houthis also promised not to touch US-owned ships. After this, US President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis do not want to fight with Washington. However, the Houthis are on the US list of terrorist organizations.

In August and July, the Houthis announced that they would violate the 2022 ceasefire with Saudi Arabia, blockade the country's ports, and attack tankers. However, through the aforementioned letters, they are trying not to involve international shipping companies in the conflict.

Due to the Houthis' promise not to attack, the number of container ships passing through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait has reached its highest level in the last three years. Major companies such as Maersk and CMA CGM have resumed voyages through the waters. According to the analysis firm Xeneta, the volume of shipping through the Red Sea has reached nearly 30 percent of the pre-2023 level.

Iran's restriction of vessel movement in the Strait of Hormuz and new Houthi attacks are worrying tanker owners. For this reason, the European Union and Saudi Arabia are discussing the issue of uniting naval forces to ensure security in the region.

For example, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24 that he would send military personnel and defense systems to Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the Royal Air Force would send a Voyager aircraft to the region for an aerial refueling mission.