A senior Houthi official has promised safe passage for Russian and Chinese vessels through the Red Sea, where the fighter group has been carrying out attacks on commercial ships in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, AFP reports.

In an interview published by Russian outlet Izvestia, senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti insisted the waters around Yemen were safe so long as vessels were not linked to certain countries, particularly Israel.

“As for all other countries, including Russia and China, their shipping in the region is not threatened,” he said.

“Moreover, we are ready to ensure the safe passage of their ships in the Red Sea, because free navigation plays a significant role for our country.” Attacks on vessels “in any way connected with Israel” would continue, he added.

In Friday’s interview, Bukhaiti said the blame for the shipping attacks rested with the vessels that ignored Houthis orders to change course. “Ansar Allah does not pursue the goal of capturing or sinking this or that sea vessel,” he said, using the group’s official name.

“Our goal is to raise the economic costs for the Jewish state in order to stop the carnage in Gaza.” Bukhaiti said.