Houthi-rebels

Saudi Arabia said its forces intercepted three ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait as the kingdom faced renewed attacks for a third consecutive day. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, said one missile was fired toward Riyadh and two toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia. All three were intercepted and destroyed. Residents of Riyadh reported powerful explosions on Monday night shortly...

US President Donald Trump on Monday criticised Yemen’s Houthi rebels over their escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing the group as “misbehaving very badly” and warning that Washington was considering its response. Asked whether the attacks were intensifying in connection with the US midterm elections, Trump said, “I don’t know how it affects the election. I don’t take that into account.” He added, “I just know Iran will never have a nuclear weapon... They’re never going to have a nuclea...

Saudi Arabia is rushing from ally to ally seeking military support to counter Houthi attacks. As its missile defense interceptors run out, Riyadh has asked regional and Western allies for air defense assistance. However, so far no country has said it will respond to the request for military support.Turkey, however, is conducting diplomatic talks with Iran and the United Arab Emirates to reduce tensions. The United States has also said it stands by Saudi Arabia, but at the same time it has held d...

Bangladesh has strongly condemned the reported “drone attack” targeting Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah Al Mukarramah. The condemnation was issued in a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. Bangladesh is reaffirming its deep respect for the sanctity of Makkah Al Mukarramah and other holy sites in Saudi Arabia. It also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people in protecting these sites. Bangladesh stressed that the security and protection of holy si...

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have effectively taken control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. They completed a rapid operation to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast on Friday. This has strengthened their control over one of the world’s most important shipping routes. It has also created a major strategic advantage for their supporters in Iran. Several media outlets reported that Houthi forces have captured Perim Island, located in the middle of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. Jus...

Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz ​but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions, including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats, before the strategic waterway is reopened.A U.S. official told ‌Reuters on Friday that Iran and Oman were close to a deal that could pave the way for restoring safe passage through the strait, a major conduit for oil and gas shipping before Iran blocked Hor...