Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Chief Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam said the Houthis have provided assurances to both China and Russia that their vessels can pass safely through the Red Sea.

Houthi forces have repeatedly attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea since mid-November to protest Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The attacks have seriously disrupted global shipping.

The EU naval mission in the Red Sea said Thursday that it had destroyed three Houthi ballistic missiles and an unmanned motorboat operating near commercial ships.