Exclusive-China presses Iran to help rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal, sources say

AI Summary

China has asked Iran to help control Yemen's Houthi insurgents after Saudi Arabia's appeal, following Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. These movements threaten Saudi oil exports and maritime shipping.

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Sept 17 (Reuters) - China has privately asked Tehran to help rein in Yemen's Houthis after an appeal to Beijing by Saudi Arabia following the Iran-backed group's military blitz in the past week, according to three Iranian sources familiar with the matter. Riyadh turned to China for help after the Houthis made rapid advances along the Red Sea coast and around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, moves that have left Saudi oil exports and shipping more exposed, the sources said.