Following the killing of the prime minister of the Houthi-controlled government by Israel, Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the offices of the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF in Sanaa on Sunday, detaining at least 11 UN personnel. The UN Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Yemen have strongly condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of the detained staff, noting a pattern of arbitrary detentions of UN and NGO workers in Yemen. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed further strikes against the Houthis, who regularly target Israel and Red Sea vessels. The attacks occurred amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which has been divided since 2014.
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Prime minister of Yemen’s Houthi government killed in Israeli strike – that headline carries a lot of weight, doesn’t it? It immediately plunges you into a complex web of geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and accusations. It sparks debates about legitimacy, terrorism, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The late Ahmed al-Rahwi was the individual in question, and it’s essential to recognize the nuances here. The Houthi movement, which he was a part of, is not recognized internationally as the legitimate government of Yemen. The internationally recognized government operates from Aden. The Houthis, however, control the capital, Sanaa, and a significant portion of the country.… Continue reading
In response to the killing of their Prime Minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, and other political leaders in a recent Israeli airstrike on Sanaa, Yemen, the Houthi rebels have vowed revenge. The strike, confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, targeted a gathering of Houthi officials, representing a strategic shift by Israel to eliminate key leaders of Iran-backed proxies. This action follows similar operations against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in the past. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and have been targeting Red Sea shipping, are now prepared to confront the “US-backed Zionist enemy.”
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Since the onset of the recent conflict, the Houthi faction from Yemen has significantly escalated its hostility towards Israel, despite the vast distance between them. Through advanced weaponry and naval blockades, they have targeted Israeli interests, including the port of Eilat and global shipping routes. A senior Houthi official revealed that their actions are driven by deep-seated ideological opposition to Israel’s existence, viewing it as an “illegitimate” entity and vowing to continue attacks until their goal of “erasing” Israel is achieved. Furthermore, they aim to expand operations, supported by Iran, to disrupt and weaken Israel, emphasizing their commitment to a Quran-based state and the destruction of the “Zionist entity.”
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Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthis, a surprising revelation has emerged: the Houthis are operating a large oil tanker, the Yemen, originally purchased by the UN for $55 million. The vessel was intended to prevent an environmental disaster by offloading oil from a decaying tanker, the FSO Safer. Despite the UN’s efforts, the Yemen has reportedly been used to store Russian oil, violating international sanctions. Furthermore, the Houthis have utilized the tanker to load and transfer oil, drawing criticism from the UN, while Israel has targeted the Yemen’s infrastructure with airstrikes.
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Following an attack by the Houthis near Yemen, ten people have been rescued from the Red Sea, while several others are believed to be held captive by the rebel group. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the commercial bulk carrier Eternity C, which resulted in three fatalities and the sinking of the ship. The crew consisted of 21 Filipinos, one Russian, and a three-person security team, with the Houthis asserting they targeted the vessel due to its alleged destination of the Israeli port of Eilat. This attack marks the second sinking this week, fueling concerns of a shipping crisis on a crucial trade route, as the Houthis vow to continue targeting ships with alleged ties to Israel until the conflict in Gaza ends.
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In the Red Sea, Houthi rebels attacked the cargo ship Eternity C, resulting in fatalities and the sinking of the vessel. The attacks, which began on Monday and continued through Tuesday, involved sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least three crew members, according to EU naval missions, although the exact number of casualties has not been independently verified. The Houthis claimed responsibility for sinking the ship and reported rescuing some crew members, while the incident marks the second cargo ship sunk by the group in the region.
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Israel has confirmed launching strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting three ports and a power plant, including the Galaxy Leader ship previously hijacked by the rebels. Following the attacks, which were part of “Operation Black Flag,” two missiles were launched from Yemen into Israel, prompting sirens in several areas. The Houthis responded by claiming their air defenses engaged with Israeli strikes using surface-to-air missiles. Israel stated these strikes were in response to repeated attacks by the Houthis and that the targeted ports were being used to transfer weapons from Iran to carry out terror plans.
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Amid reports of a potential Israeli attack on Iran, a Houthi source warned both Israel and the United States of severe consequences. The source cited heightened Houthi readiness due to ongoing conflict with Israel and the dire situation in Gaza, vowing escalation against Israel. Furthermore, the source explicitly threatened the U.S. with retaliation for any actions against the Houthis or Iran, emphasizing the risk of wider regional war. The warnings follow U.S. evacuations of non-essential personnel from several Middle Eastern countries, adding to the escalating tensions. This comes against the backdrop of ongoing, yet uncertain, nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
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The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group conducted the largest-ever aircraft carrier airstrike near Somalia, launching approximately 125,000 pounds of munitions against ISIS militants, whose numbers have surged in the region. Simultaneously, the strike group played a crucial role in deterring Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, executing 670 strikes and intercepting 160 enemy drones and missiles over five months. This deployment, initially routine, was extended to support the ongoing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. The Truman and its escorts are now participating in NATO exercises in the Mediterranean Sea after leaving the Red Sea.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood