MOSCOW/WASHINGTON/SANAA: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged the United States to immediately stop its military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis and engage in political dialogue to prevent further bloodshed, Russia’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Lavrov conveyed Moscow’s stance during a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday.
“In response to the American representative’s arguments, Sergey Lavrov stressed the need for an immediate cessation of the use of force and the importance for all sides to engage in political dialogue in order to find a solution that would prevent further bloodshed,” the ministry said.
The conversation followed large-scale US airstrikes on Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday.
The strikes, which targeted locations in the capital Sanaa as well as in the provinces of Saada and al-Bayda, killed at least 32 people and injured 101, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Trump issues stern warning
The United States launched its military campaign against the Houthis in response to the group’s continued attacks on Red Sea shipping, particularly vessels with links to Israel.
The Houthis, who have been targeting commercial and military vessels since late 2023, had temporarily halted their strikes in January following a ceasefire agreement in Gaza but resumed attacks earlier this month after accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Trump, in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, warned that the Houthis would face overwhelming military retaliation if they did not cease their attacks.
“Your time is up, and your attacks must stop, starting today. If they don’t, hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before,” he declared.
The Pentagon confirmed that US forces had conducted strikes aimed at deterring further Houthi aggression and protecting international shipping lanes.
US Central Command shared footage of fighter jets taking off and bombs striking targets in Yemen.
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that further military action was likely “if the Houthis do not back down.”
Houthi response and regional reactions
In response to the attacks, a spokesperson for the Houthi movement vowed retaliation.
“These strikes will not pass without response,” the group said in a statement carried by its media outlet, Ansarullah.
Houthi officials accused the US and the UK of “criminal aggression” and claimed that most of the casualties were women and children.
Iran also condemned the US airstrikes, calling them a “gross violation of international law.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: “The United States has no authority to dictate Iran’s foreign policy or interfere in Yemen’s affairs.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossein Salami, warned that Tehran would respond “decisively” if its interests were threatened.
Moscow, which has maintained close ties with Tehran, echoed similar concerns. Russia previously condemned US and British strikes on Yemen and has engaged in diplomatic talks with the Houthis.
“We believe the use of force will only escalate the crisis and worsen humanitarian conditions in Yemen,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.
US-Russia diplomatic exchange
During their phone conversation, Rubio and Lavrov also discussed broader diplomatic efforts, including follow-ups on meetings held in Saudi Arabia.
“The Secretary informed Russia of US military deterrence operations against Houthis and emphasised that continued Houthi attacks on US military and commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea will not be tolerated,” US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Despite tensions, both sides agreed to maintain dialogue. “Russia and the US have major disagreements on the Yemen issue, but both have recognised the need to keep diplomatic channels open,” a senior Russian diplomat told TASS on Sunday.
