MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg discussed achieving peace in Yemen and the Red Sea.

"During the conversation the sides had a thorough exchange of views on the settlement of the military and political crisis in the Republic of Yemen, including in light of the ongoing escalation of tension in the Red Sea waters," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following their meeting.

The ministry added that the sides reaffirmed the importance of stepping up international efforts aimed at "establishing a sustainable intra-Yemeni national dialogue under the auspices of the UN."

"Hans Grundberg was informed about the Russian side's contacts with representatives of various Yemeni political forces, as well as regional partners to promote normalizing the situation in and around Yemen, including resolving the accumulated socio-economic and humanitarian problems," the ministry concluded.

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.

In response to Ansar Allah’s actions, US officials announced the formation of an international coalition and the preparation of Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure freedom of navigation and protection of ships in the Red Sea. On the night of January 12, US and UK forces launched strikes using aircraft, ships and submarines against Yemeni rebel movement targets in a number of cities, including Sanaa and Hodeidah. The targets included missile sites, UAVs and the Houthis’ radar stations.