US strike on Yemen kills al-Qaeda members: Yemeni security sources
'Residents of the area informed us of the US strike... five Al-Qaeda members were eliminated,' said a security source in Abyan province, which borders the seat of Yemen's internationally-recognized government in Aden.
'The US strike on Friday evening north of Khabar Al-Maraqsha killed five,' said a second source, referring to a mountainous area known to be used by al-Qaeda.
The second security source added that, though the names of those killed in the strike were not known, it was believed one of al-Qaeda's local leaders was among the dead.
Washington once regarded the group, known as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), as the militant network's most dangerous branch.
AQAP grew and developed in the chaos of Yemen's war, which since 2015 has pitted the Iran-backed Houthis against an Arab-led coalition backing the government.
Earlier this month, the United States agreed a ceasefire with the Houthis, who have controlled large swathes of Yemen for more than a decade, ending weeks of intense American strikes on Houthi-held areas of the country.
The Houthis began firing at shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November 2023, weeks after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, prompting military strikes by the US and Britain beginning in January 2024.
The conflict in Yemen has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, although fighting decreased significantly after a UN-negotiated six-month truce in 2022.
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
JIAT addresses allegations that coalition forces targeted temple, clinic in Yemen
RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team on Wednesday issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted Al-Maqqah temple in the Sarwah directorate of Marib governorate in Yemen on Jan. 14, 2016. The National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations to Human Rights in Yemen reported that Houthi fighters seized archaeological sites in Sarwah, including Al-Maqqah temple. The commission alleged that Arab coalition aircraft struck the site with a missile, causing partial damage to its columns and monuments. After reviewing various documents, including mission schedules, post-mission reports and satellite images, JIAT found that coalition forces, responding to a request from the legitimate government, carried out a close air support mission against a gathering of Houthi fighters. In a press conference in Riyadh, JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour said: 'Coalition forces, under the guidance of a forward controller, carried out a close air support mission on a gathering of Houthi fighters entrenched in a camouflaged location, about 350 meters from Al-Maqqah temple, using one guided bomb that hit its target directly.' JIAT said coalition forces conducted no air missions in Sarwah on Jan. 13 or Jan. 15, 2016. Specialists also studied satellite images of the temple and found no traces of aerial targeting. The team concluded that coalition forces did not target Al-Maqqah temple on Jan. 14, 2016, as claimed. JIAT also addressed another allegation that coalition forces targeted a gas station in the Harib directorate of Marib governorate on Sept. 3, 2015. After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, execution procedures, post-mission reports, satellite images and JIAT's field visit report, the team confirmed that the gas station was located in Harib city, in the eastern part of Marib governorate. Satellite images and field inspections showed the site consisted of a canopy with gas dispensers, a hangar and a building. JIAT found no damage to the canopy or dispensers. Traces of damage were observed on the hangar, though the cause could not be determined, while the building contained bulletholes. By studying coalition air missions on Sept. 3, 2015, JIAT found no operations over Harib city. Similarly, no missions were carried out on Sept. 2 or Sept. 4. JIAT concluded that coalition forces did not target a gas station in Harib city on Sept. 3, 2015, as claimed. JIAT also addressed an allegation that coalition forces targeted a medical clinic in Khamis Marran in the Haydan directorate of Saada governorate on April 1, 2015. The claim, included in a March 2020 report by Physicians for Human Rights, alleged that coalition aircraft struck the clinic, though no coordinates of the site were provided. After reviewing air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coordinates provided by the legitimate Yemeni government, JIAT confirmed that the clinic is located in the southwestern part of Saada governorate and was listed on the coalition's no-strike list. Satellite images showed the site consisted of one building surrounded by a fence with signs of damage, though the cause could not be determined. Analyzing coalition air missions on April 1, 2015, JIAT found that forces carried out a strike against a military target 3,500 meters away from the clinic, using guided bombs that hit their target precisely. Images of the strike site confirmed traces of aerial targeting. JIAT added that no missions were carried out in Khamis Marran on March 31 or April 2, 2015. The team concluded that coalition forces did not target the medical clinic in Khamis Marran on April 1, 2015, as claimed. JIAT further issued a statement regarding the allegation that coalition forces targeted a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019. Reports claimed that at 1 a.m. on that date, coalition aircraft struck a water truck on its way to Hariah dam to collect water. After examining various documents, including air tasking orders, mission schedules, post-mission reports, satellite images and coalition rules of engagement in line with international humanitarian law, JIAT found that the claimed location lacked specific coordinates. Analyzing coalition air missions on March 4, 2019, JIAT found no evidence of operations in Al-Baydha. Similarly, no missions were carried out there on March 3 or March 5. The team concluded that coalition forces did not target a water truck in Al-Baydha governorate on March 4, 2019, as claimed.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemen Minister: Houthis Claiming Support for Gaza to Mask Repression, Looting
Yemen's information minister accused the Iran-aligned Houthi militias of using their rocket launches toward Israel under the banner of 'supporting Gaza' as a propaganda tool to cover up repression and systematic looting of national resources. In an official statement, Moammar al-Eryani said repeated Houthi claims of firing 'hypersonic' missiles at Israel had lost credibility at home and abroad, describing them as 'media stunts' aimed at distracting from internal crises and justifying the militants' abuses against civilians in areas under their control. 'What the Houthis call 'support operations for Gaza' are nothing but a grand lie — a political and media cover for material gain,' Eryani said, adding the militias had amassed more than $103 billion from taxes, levies and confiscated revenues since their 2014 coup, often under the guise of championing the Palestinian cause. He accused the Houthis of imposing new levies on citizens and traders under names such as 'supporting the front' and 'supporting Gaza,' saying the money went to leaders' pockets and to fund their sectarian project, while millions of Yemenis faced hunger, poverty and unpaid salaries. He said the Houthis were also forcing civil servants and students into indoctrination camps under the pretext of preparing to fight Israel and the United States, while in reality recruiting them for their domestic war effort. The minister charged that the 'support for Gaza' slogan had become a tool to suppress dissent, curb freedoms and brand critics as obstructing the cause — a pretext for arrest or harassment. He described the Houthis as an Iranian proxy using the Palestinian issue to extend Tehran's influence after the waning role of Lebanon's Hezbollah. 'The Houthis' practices have only deepened Yemenis' suffering and prolonged the war. They do not support anyone but their sectarian project and Iran's agenda. Their claims of hypersonic missiles provoke only ridicule,' Eryani said. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and drones toward Israel, killing one person when a drone exploded in a Tel Aviv apartment, but otherwise causing little damage. Israel has retaliated with 13 waves of strikes that destroyed parts of Houthi-held Hodeidah port, energy and cement facilities, Sanaa airport and four civilian planes held there by the Houthis. On Sunday, the Houthis said they had fired a new 'Palestine 2' hypersonic missile at Ben Gurion airport, a claim the Israeli military dismissed, saying the projectile was intercepted without damage. The announcement came hours after Israel struck a power station south of Sanaa. While the Houthis insist their attacks are a 'religious and moral duty' toward Palestine, Yemen's legitimate government says the campaign serves only to justify repression and theft of resources, and to turn the country into a battlefield for Iran's regional ambitions.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
Yemen FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iran encouraging Houthis to prolong war, reject peace
RIYADH: Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Shaya al-Zindani accused the Iran-backed Houthi militias of obstructing the efforts of United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg to achieve peace in the country. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the militants were seeking to stoke chaos in Yemen, while the peace process is effectively frozen because Iran is pushing the Houthis to reject peace and prolong the war. 'Unfortunately, as part of the government, we do not sense that the Houthis have a desire to achieve peace and end the war. They live for war,' he added. The legitimate government 'has agreed to all initiatives that have been presented by friends and brothers, but the Houthis have not been receptive to them.' He blamed Iran for encouraging the Houthis to maintain their intransigence. On reports about an attempt on Grundberg's life, Zindani said: 'There are efforts to thwart his work and plunge us in chaos.' This all benefits the Houthis, he went on to say. 'We, on the other hand, believe that the envoy represents the voice of international legitimacy and UN Security Council resolutions. It is in our interest to support him despite his shortcomings in some areas,' the minister stated. Asked if the Security Council was preparing a resolution on Yemen, he replied that he had no information about that yet. He acknowledged, however, that some parties are starting to believe that resolution 2216 was no longer applicable. Media sources have said that the US and Britian were seeking to issue two Security Council resolutions on Yemen in the coming weeks. Zindani remarked that based on his experience, resolutions are rarely amended; rather, new ones are adopted. 'The government, in line with international, regional and national legitimacy, is showing openness and being reasonable with all efforts aimed at resolving Yemen's plight,' he stressed. The new resolutions, he said, will likely complement resolution 2216 and take measures against the Houthis because they have ignored other resolutions. 'The Houthis don't believe in peace or national partnership; they don't even have a political platform,' he charged. 'They are a close-minded group that operates according to its sectarian ideology, and it believes it has the right to rule the Yemeni people,' the FM told Asharq Al-Awsat. The military option against the Houthis will 'always remain on the table' as long as Yemen continues to be threatened, he added. Arms smuggling On Iran's role in Yemen, Zindani lamented that the international community 'had not seriously dealt with the issue of arms smuggling to the Houthis.' Security Council resolutions have been clear about this, but not a single measure has been taken since 2016, he noted. This has allowed Iran to deliver drones, ballistic missiles and even hypersonic missiles to the Houthis, he added. 'One can smuggle a rifle undetected, but sending rockets and drones without detection is suspicious,' Zindani said. He said that some form of leniency in dealing with this issue allowed Iran to continue to support the Houthis. 'Should Iran fail in changing its policies and outlook and agree to establishing good ties with its neighbors and concern itself with its own people, then it will continue to meddle with Yemen's internal affairs, which will only harm it and countries in the region,' he warned. On the recent seizure weapons off the coast of Aden, he said the government 'will not stand idle.' It will uncover the source of these weapons and act on the diplomatic level as soon as it has evidence. Reports have said that authorities busted a shipment of drones and advanced equipment from China. The FM said Yemen and China enjoy 'historic and close ties' and that his country will bring up the issue with it should it receive any confirmed information related to the shipment. 'We know that it isn't easy for any company to export military gear without the knowledge of the Chinese government,' he explained. 'We are keen on our relations with Beijing and we will bring up this issue with our friends there if we receive any evidence that connects the shipment to China,' Zindani said, revealing that the issue was already brought up with Chinese Charge d'Affaires. On relations with Saudi Arabia, the FM said the Kingdom is Yemen's main backer. Its support extends to all Yemeni sectors, such as development, reconstruction and humanitarian work through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. He also noted Saudi Arabia's ongoing financial deposits and grants, stressing that the Kingdom is a 'priority in our foreign policy. We are keen on excellent ties we share with it and we constantly aspire to coordinate our efforts on the international arena.'
