
Yemen's Houthis threaten to target ships linked to firms dealing with Israeli ports
In a televised statement, the Houthis' military spokesperson warned that ships would be attacked if companies ignored their warnings, regardless of their destination.
'The Yemeni Armed Forces call on all countries, if they want to avoid this escalation, to pressure the enemy to halt its aggression and lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip,' he added.
Since Israel's war in Gaza began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking ships they deem as bound or linked to Israel in what they say are acts of solidarity with Palestinians.
In May, the US announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
China and Russia to hold joint naval exercise near Japan next month
The Chinese military announced Wednesday that it would hold an annual naval exercise and conduct a maritime joint patrol with Russian forces next month. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said that the Joint Sea 2024 exercise would be held in the air and seas near the Russian port city of Vladivostok which lies across the sea from Japan's west coast. Last year the drill was held off southern China in the South China Sea. The Chinese and Russian governments have deepened their ties in recent years with China providing an economic lifeline to Russia in the face of Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. European leaders asked China again last week to use its influence to pressure Russia to end the war now in its fourth year but there was no sign that Beijing would do so. Japan's Defense Ministry said in an annual report earlier this month that China's growing military cooperation with Russia poses serious security concerns. Zhang said the exercise and patrol are part of an annual cooperation plan and are not aimed at any other country or related to the current international or regional situation. He didn't provide specific dates for the drill or the joint patrol in the Pacific which he said would be the sixth of its kind. Zhang speaking at a monthly press conference criticized ongoing drills that the US Air Force is conducting with Japan and other partners in the western Pacific. 'Resolute Force Pacific' is the largest contingency-response exercise ever conducted by the Air Force in the region according to the US military. 'The US has been blindly flexing muscles in the Asia-Pacific region and attempting to use military drills as a pretext to gang up intimidate and pressure other countries and undermine peace and stability in the region,' Zhang said. The Air Force has said the exercise will train its forces to maintain readiness and execute missions under stress to demonstrate their ability to defend the United States and partner nations in the Pacific.


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Military Says It Conducted a Raid on Targets in Southern Syria
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it conducted a raid on targets in southern Syria the previous day. It said it seized weapons and questioned several suspects it said were involved in weapons trafficking in the area.


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Fair Competition: A Pillar for Consumers and Driver of Saudi Arabia's Economic Growth
Fair competition is emerging as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's economic transformation, serving not only as a market principle but as a vital engine for national growth and innovation. By fostering an environment of healthy rivalry, companies are compelled to improve product quality, lower prices, and enhance consumer experience, all of which benefit the Saudi consumer and economy alike. This competitive landscape encourages domestic investment, attracts foreign capital, and stimulates research and development, thereby reinforcing economic sustainability. But experts emphasize that fair competition is only as effective as the policies and regulatory frameworks enforcing it. Financial and economic advisor Dr. Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that fair competition acts as a key market regulator, limiting companies' ability to monopolize prices. 'Freedom to compete naturally pushes prices closer to real production costs,' he explained, 'reducing excessive profit margins and expanding consumer choice.' Al-Attas stressed that quality is now central to market success. 'Consumers are increasingly discerning, comparing prices, quality, and service,' he said, adding that companies failing to meet evolving standards in production, packaging, or after-sales support quickly lose market share. He described this environment as creating 'positive pressure' on firms to maintain high quality to retain customer loyalty, making excellence not just a goal, but a survival strategy. Government policies, Al-Attas noted, can either foster or distort competition. While support for startups and tax incentives can spur fair competition, imbalanced subsidies may unfairly favor specific companies, undermining market fairness. Incentives should be based on transparent criteria aligned with public interest, he stressed. Regulatory bodies like the General Authority for Competition play a vital role, he said. They monitor monopolistic behavior, investigate complaints, regulate mergers, and promote business awareness around fair play. For his part, Economist and King Faisal University academic Dr. Mohammed bin Duliem Al-Qahtany echoed this view, calling fair competition not only an economic tool but a 'social guarantee for equity' and a key driver of investor confidence. He highlighted Saudi Arabia's strides in making its economy among the most competitive and sustainable regionally and globally. 'A competitive market forces rational pricing and deters exploitation,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Al-Qahtany cited the rise of Saudi e-commerce as a success story, noting how competition has led to innovations like facial recognition payment and AI-powered consumer analytics, improving both service and efficiency. He pointed to sectors such as food and beverage, where consumer awareness and competition have elevated standards in hygiene and packaging. Government initiatives like the Saudi Made program, he said, exemplify balanced support that boosts national industry competitiveness and promotes small business growth. A robust and transparent competition framework is essential for maintaining a fair market, protecting consumers, and solidifying investor trust in Saudi Arabia's economic future, he stated.