China Says Political Solution Needed to End Red Sea Tensions
China on Tuesday said it supports Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging for a political solution to the raging conflict in the Red Sea. In a meeting with Mansour Baggash, the under-secretary for political affairs of Yemen's Foreign Ministry, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li said that Beijing is willing to work with the international community to promote the restoration of peace and stability in Yemen. Deng said that Beijing backs Yemen's legitimate government and wants a political resolution of the "Yemeni issue." Baggash expressed Yemen's "firm adherence" to the one-China policy, support for China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolute opposition to external interference in Beijing's internal affairs. Tensions have escalated in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as Houthis have continued attacking commercial ships allegedly linked to Israel.
The Ansar Allah (Houthi) group arrested a judge in Sanaa, Yemen's capital, most likely because of his posts on X, criticizing Houthi actions in the Red Sea, Human Rights Watch said today. "While the Houthis are busy promoting an image to the world that they are defending Palestinians in Gaza against Israel's atrocities, they are ruthlessly silencing Yemenis under their rule who dare to criticize them," said Niku Jafarnia, Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The demand for fundamental human rights for Palestinians also applies to Yemenis." Houthi forces arrested the judge, Abdulwahab Qatran, on January 2, 2024, at his house in Sanaa. Qatran's son, Mohammed, posted a video on X in which he said that forces belonging to the Houthi Security and Intelligence Bureau arrived at the family's home around 10:00 a.m. and entered the house by force. They then arrested Judge Qatran and took him to an undisclosed location. He remains in custody. Houthis say supporting Palestinians in Gaza is a moral and religious duty.
On Tuesday, the Yemeni riyal recorded its all-time low of 1,700 for 1 US dollar in government-controlled areas. Local money dealers said the Yemeni riyal was exchanged at 1,632 against the dollar in Aden and other government-controlled areas, up from 1,500 riyals a few months earlier. In November last year, the Yemeni riyal fell to a historic low of 1,540 against the dollar in government-controlled territory. Since the creation of the internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022, 1 US dollar was equal to about 1,200 against the dollar. However, the value of the Yemeni currency has lately seen a quick decline.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel would not withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip or free thousands of Palestinian security prisoners, pushing back against media reports on some conditions of a possible truce deal with Hamas. In remarks aired by Israeli TV, Netanyahu added: "We will not end this war short of achieving all of its objectives. That means eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel."
