Lavrov and Saudi foreign minister call for safe passage on international shipping routes

Sergey Lavrov and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud expressed concern over tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Russia's Foreign Ministry said after their October 18 meeting in Manama.

The ministers stressed the need to ensure safe navigation and free passage along international maritime routes. They also discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf.

The ministry said the sides backed regular political dialogue, stronger economic, investment and humanitarian ties, and continued cooperation within OPEC+.

Yemen's conflict has continued since the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014. The internationally recognized government is based in Aden, while the Houthis control the capital and much of the north and west. Yemeni authorities announced a military operation against the Houthis in early October with Saudi support.