Military talks between Yemen and Russia address Houthi naval attacks

Today, military talks were held between Russian and Yemeni officials in Moscow, where they discussed issues, including developing the capabilities of the forces affiliated with the Yemeni Internationally Recognized Government, and also the Houthi attacks on maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

The official Saba news agency said that Yemeni Defense Minister Lieutenant General Mohsen Al-Daeri held talks with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin on enhancing defense cooperation between the two friendly countries, especially in the educational and military technical fields and in the exchange of expertise.

The statement said that Al-Daeri stressed on the deep historical relations between Russia and Yemen, and appreciated what Moscow provides in the field of training and rehabilitation of soldiers of the Yemeni armed forces.

The talks also addressed the Houthi militia’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea, according to the statement. The Yemeni Defense Minister said that the Houthi attacks on ships and international shipping had led to the militarization of the Red Sea.

The statement added: "Minister Al-Daeri stressed that achieving peace and restoring stability to Yemen and the region is represented by supporting the government and its armed forces to end the Houthi coup and restore state institutions."

The talks came less than two weeks after CNN reported that Russia, under US-Saudi pressure, had backed down from supplying the Houthis with a shipment of weapons, including missiles, in July. The US channel claimed that Russia deployed military personnel to Yemen to help advise the Houthis over three days in late July, according to informed sources.