The United Nations on Monday expressed concern about the uptick in cholera cases in Yemen, especially in areas of the war-ravaged country controlled by Houthi rebels, where 75 people have died since October. "Since October last year, we have seen an alarming resurgence of cholera across the country," UN official Edem Wosornu told the Security Council. The last cholera epidemic in Yemen dates back to 2019. Wosornu said while the response in government-controlled areas had slowed the spread of the illness and provided treatment for those affected, Houthi-run areas were in need. As of April 7, more than 11,000 suspected cases have been reported in those areas since October, along with the 75 deaths. In comparison, 3,200 suspected cases have been reported in government-controlled areas.
The Weather Forecast and Early Warning Center warned today that Yemen would be affected by thunderstorms of varying intensity on the coasts, highlands and deserts of the Al-Mahra and Hadramaut governorates to the east of the country. The center said in a statement that thunderstorms are expected to continue on the western highlands of Saada, Al-Dhale', and Taiz, to Lahj, Abyan, Shabwa, Al-Jawf and Marib. The center called on citizens and vehicle drivers to avoid valleys, flood streams, and areas where heavy rain is expected and turn off mobile phones during thunderstorms. Floods and thunderstorms have killed several Yemeni civilians over the past years.
On Monday, China expressed concerns about rising tensions in the Red Sea, urging the Houthis to acknowledge the navigation rights of commercial vessels from all nations in the Red Sea and to halt any related attacks promptly. During a briefing at the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Yemen, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, highlighted the complex and daunting situation in Yemen. "All parties concerned should adhere to the general direction of political settlement," Geng said, emphasizing the need for a Yemeni-led political process. He urged restraint and collaboration among all stakeholders to "create a favorable atmosphere for the political process."
The operations of the European Union's naval mission to the Red Sea have not been affected by Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel, but the force needs more combat ships to protect merchant vessels sailing through "a vast area", its commander said on Tuesday. The EU's Red Sea naval mission, dubbed Eunavfor "Aspides", was launched in February to protect vessels from attacks launched by Iranian-aligned Houthis as part of their stated campaign of solidarity with Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. The mission has so far destroyed ten drones and intercepted four ballistic missiles launched by Houthis in the Red Sea since the middle of February, its officials said.
