On October 7, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov declared Moscow is prepared to serve as an honest mediator in Yemen’s conflict if the parties express interest. Alimov emphasized that Russia “is not ready to land and impose ourselves,” but would act with “absolutely pure intentions” as a neutral broker should the factions choose this path. He clarified that no specific requests for Russian mediation have been made by the conflicting parties at present.
The Houthis (Ansar Allah) have maintained control over Yemen’s capital Sanaa and significant northern territories since 2014, opposing forces representing the internationally recognized Government of Yemen—which has operated under the Presidential Governing Council since 2022.
Recent developments show the Houthi movement now controls the entire Yemeni coastline along the Red Sea and has advanced to within striking distance of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. On October 5, Yahya Saria, a Houthi military representative, claimed attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure, including King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and the Aramco oil refinery. The group also reported strikes on Abha airport, Khamis Mushayt airbase, and facilities across Najran and Jizan districts.
Concurrently, Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Governing Council (de facto president), announced on October 5 that the internationally recognized government would launch a military operation to liberate Houthi-held territories, including Sanaa.
