Houthis Say U.S. Missile Targeting Yemen's Naval Forces Exploded Near Gabon-Owned Vessel
A spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi group said on Sunday that a missile from a U.S. battleship targeting Yemen's naval forces in the Red Sea exploded near a Gabon-owned ship. The Gabon-owned ship was travelling from Russia, Mohammed Abdul-Salam said. He added, "The Red Sea will be a burning arena if the U.S. and its allies continue their bullying. Countries bordering the Red Sea must realize the reality of the dangers that threaten their national security." The leader of the Houthis, Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, warned on Wednesday they would strike U.S. warships if Washington targeted Yemen. On Saturday, the U.S. Central Command said the USS Laboon "shot down four unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to" the frigate. According to the statement, "These attacks represent the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17."
Yemen's internationally recognized government has welcomed U.N.-led efforts to end the country's civil war after the warring parties committed to take steps towards a ceasefire. On Saturday, the U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said the two sides had committed to a new ceasefire and to engage in a U.N.-led peace process. The Yemeni government said later it "welcomed the statement issued by the Special Envoy... regarding the efforts made to reach a roadmap under the auspices of the United Nations to end the war." In a statement released late Saturday, the government also "expressed its thanks" to Saudi Arabia and Oman for their efforts to advance the peace process. Yemen has been gripped by conflict since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran Sanaa in 2014, triggering a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the government the following year.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Sunday a UN-sponsored peace agreement between the Yemeni government and the Iran-aligned Houthi group. Albudaiwi hoped this agreement would help reach a comprehensive political solution to Yemen that would bring the people prosperity, security and stability. He stressed the need to continue supporting the Yemeni people's efforts to reach a roadmap for the future to restore the country's stability, development, and prosperity to achieve the people's aspirations. He expressed gratitude for the great and valuable efforts made by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia and Oman, which helped secure these crucial measures on time.
Fourteen Israeli soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza over the weekend, the Israeli military said Sunday. The mounting death toll among Israeli troops is likely an important factor in Israeli support for the war, which was sparked when Hamas-led fighters stormed communities in southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking 240 hostages. The war has devastated parts of Gaza and killed roughly 20,400.
