Russia’s Ambivalent Stance on Middle Eastern Conflicts: Condemning Yemen Airstrikes, Yet Tacitly Supporting Houthi Rebels and Hamas”.

The Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov recently met with a delegation of Yemeni Houthis from the Ansar Allah movement in Moscow. The delegation was headed by its official representative Muhammad Abdel Salam. The meeting addressed the escalation of the situation in the Red Sea, focusing on the dynamics of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the aggravation of tensions in the region.

During this meeting, Russia condemned ongoing strikes on Yemen by the United States and Great Britain for violating the UN Charter. However, it is worth noting that while Moscow denounces the actions of its allies in Yemen, they do not condemn the Yemeni Houthi rebels who have been attacking civilian ships in the Red Sea and launching drones and missiles towards Israel. This stance was emphasized during their interactions.

A week before meeting with the Yemeni Houthis, Bogdanov received a delegation from Hamas in Moscow. Similarly, Russian authorities do not label this organization as terrorist. These interactions highlight Russia’s approach to complex political landscapes in both Middle East and Africa where alliances often shift based on strategic interests and regional dynamics.