In an unusual occurrence, a Russian naval warship has made its way to the main Red Sea port of Massawa in Eritrea, amidst escalating tensions in the region spurred by Iran-backed Houthi insurgents.
Upon its arrival on Thursday, the Marshal Shaposhnikov warship was met by senior Eritrean military officials and dignitaries, including Russia’s ambassador to Eritrea.
According to Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Yemane Gebre Meskel, the frigate hails from Russia’s Pacific Fleet and its presence is linked to commemorating the “30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Eritrea”.
This visit comes against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where a US naval task force has been deployed to safeguard both commercial and military vessels navigating the crucial trade route from potential Houthi assaults.
Eritrea has traditionally regarded Western military presence in the area with suspicion and has recently fostered closer ties with Moscow.
The Houthis, who hold sway over northern Yemen, have been targeting ships traversing the Red Sea in response to developments in the Gaza conflict. These militants are aligned with the “axis of resistance” against Israel.
Despite claims by the Houthis that their attacks are solely directed at vessels linked to Israel, incidents suggest otherwise, with ships unrelated to the country also falling victim.
In January, US and British naval forces initiated strikes against Houthi positions in retaliation for missile and drone attacks launched by the insurgents.