Unusual appeal to China: Saudi Arabia seeks to curb the Houthis

Saudi Arabia has turned to China for help in curbing the Houthis in Yemen, following the rapid military advance of the Iran-backed group along the Red Sea coast. China has privately asked Tehran to assist in reining in the organization, amid growing Gulf concerns over the implications of the advance on maritime security and the regional economy.

Saudi Arabia has turned to China for help in curbing the Houthis in Yemen, following a broad military blitz by the Iran-backed group over the past week. According to a Reuters report and three Iranian sources, China has privately asked Tehran to assist in reining in the organization. The rapid military advance of the Houthis along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has created a direct threat to major shipping routes in the region, leaving Saudi oil export and shipping lanes exposed and vulnerable. The unusual appeal by Riyadh to Beijing and direct Chinese involvement with Tehran highlight the growing concern in the Gulf over the implications of the Houthi military advance on maritime security and the regional economy. The recent moves in the maritime sector have increased international and regional pressure, leading to quiet attempts to curb the organization's activities through its patrons in the Iranian regime.