MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Yemeni Ambassador to Moscow Ahmed Salem Saleh Al-Wahishi discussed achieving peace in the republic taking into account the aggravation of the situation in the Red Sea during a meeting.

"The sides exchanged views on the issues of settling the military and political crisis in Yemen, including given the ongoing aggravation in the Red Sea," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting, held at the request of the Yemeni ambassador.

The ministry emphasized that during the conversation "the importance of ensuring the safety of international navigation in the waters bordering Yemen and increasing international support for the establishment of a sustainable intra-Yemeni national dialogue under the auspices of the UN" was reaffirmed.

The ministry added that the parties paid special attention to "the tragic developments of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone." Besides, the diplomats discussed "topical issues of the further development of Russian-Yemeni ties, including prospective areas for strengthening trade and economic cooperation."

With the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalating, the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement announced that it would conduct strikes on Israeli territory and block pro-Israeli vessels from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Tel Aviv ceases its military operation in the Palestinian enclave. The Houthis have attacked dozens of civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since mid-November of last year.