
Israeli military intercepts missile launched from Yemen
Shafaq News/ The Israeli military said on Friday it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, following air raid sirens that sounded across wide areas of the country, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, the western West Bank, and the hills west of Jerusalem.
According to the army, the missile alert was issued approximately 10 minutes before the projectile reached Israeli airspace, in line with what it described as a "new policy" for early warning procedures.
#عاجل 🔴 اعترض سلاح الجو قبل قليل صاروخًا أطلق من اليمن. تم تفعيل انذارات في عدة مناطق في البلاد
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) April 18, 2025
Israeli public radio reported that sirens were heard in multiple regions and that civilians were instructed to remain in shelters for at least 10 minutes as a precautionary measure.
#شاهد | لحظة دوي صافرات الإنذار في يافا المحتلة بعد صاروخ يمني. pic.twitter.com/yE417yNoND
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) April 18, 2025
The Houthi movement did not claim responsibility.
The incident comes amid intensifying US airstrikes in Yemen, where at least 38 people were killed and 102 wounded in a US airstrike on the Ras Issa oil port in western Yemen on Thursday evening.
⭕️عاجل⭕️مكتب الصحة في #الحديدة: استشهاد 38 عاملا وموظفا وإصابة 102 آخرين في حصيلة غير نهائية لجريمة العدوان الأمريكي على منشأة رأس عيسى النفطية pic.twitter.com/DOxOdkiPvc
— قناة المسيرة (@TvAlmasirah) April 18, 2025
Hashtags

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


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
GCC calls on Iraq to honor Kuwait's sovereignty, pushes power link forward
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers urged Iraq to respect Kuwait's sovereignty and pledged to advance plans to link Iraq to the Gulf power grid, strengthening regional energy ties. In a joint statement following the conclusion of the GCC Ministerial Council's 164th session, held in Kuwait, the ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening Gulf-Iraq relations while upholding international norms and existing agreements. The communique praised the 'positive partnership' between the GCC and Baghdad, confirming progress on the cross-border electricity interconnection project. The initiative is part of broader efforts to deepen economic integration and energy coordination across the region. The council also reiterated that the entire Durra gas field lies within Kuwait's maritime territory. It underlined that natural resources in the adjacent submerged area—shared exclusively between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—are jointly owned by the two nations. Meanwhile, the ministers agreed to proceed with steps toward a GCC union, based on the late Saudi King Abdullah's proposal, assigning the council secretariat to follow up. The ministers also reaffirmed the UAE's sovereignty over the three islands reportedly occupied by Iran, rejecting Tehran's actions as void, and urged resolution through negotiations or the International Court of Justice. Concern over Iran's nuclear program was reiterated, with calls for swift agreements with the US and GCC participation in all related talks. On Gaza, they expressed 'full support' for the Palestinian people, called for lifting the Israeli blockade, and demanded compliance with international law. The council welcomed the US-Yemen ceasefire brokered by Oman and condemned the alleged arms smuggling to the Houthis, urging a political resolution. Ministers further stressed respect for Syria 's sovereignty, praised Saudi and Qatari financial support for the country's recovery, and welcomed €5.8 billion ($6.6 billion) in pledges at the Brussels donor addition, support was voiced for 'Lebanon's reform efforts.'


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
KDP criticizes Baghdad over budget, Praises Kurdish unity
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Central Committee met to discuss key issues, including the Kurdistan Region's relationship with the federal government and intra-Kurdish political relations. In a statement, the party accused 'some in Baghdad' of abandoning federalism in favor of centralization, disregarding the constitution and political agreements made to form the government. The committee reaffirmed support for the KDP's stance on Kurdistan Region salaries, condemned 'the use of salaries and the budget as political pressure tools,' and urged resolving disputes through constitutional means. It also praised the unified Kurdish position expressed on May 31, 2025. The KDP recognized its ongoing efforts to unify Kurdish parties ahead of Iraq's upcoming parliamentary elections. The party noted that 'a broadly attended joint meeting—convened to coordinate positions on federal financial decisions—was successful and productive despite some parties declining to participate.' Regarding Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's recent visit to the United States, the committee affirmed that it 'strengthened ties with the US, supporting both the Region's and Iraq's economy.' The meeting further addressed efforts to form the tenth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraq's upcoming legislative elections on November 11, where a detailed strategy and committee action plan were reviewed and formally approved.


Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US backs Syrian plan to integrate ex-rebels
Shafaq News/ The United States has signaled conditional approval for a Syrian government plan to incorporate thousands of foreign former rebel fighters into the national army, as long as the process remains transparent, according to Reuters. The proposal involves the formation of a new unit—designated the 84th Division—within the Syrian army. Around 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, are expected to be part of the division alongside Syrian nationals. US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkiye, acknowledged the arrangement during a recent visit to Damascus. He emphasized that the integration could be acceptable if handled transparently, noting that many of the fighters are firmly aligned with Syria's new leadership. 'It's better to absorb them within the structure of the state than leave them outside, vulnerable to re-radicalization,' he remarked. 'The key issue is accountability.' The future of foreign combatants who had previously fought under the banner of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has remained one of the most contentious elements in Syria's attempts to normalize ties with the West. HTS, once affiliated with Al-Qaeda, assumed power last year following the collapse of the al-Assad government and the end of a 13-year conflict. Until recently, Washington had advocated for the removal of all foreign fighters from Syrian security institutions. However, policy shifted following President Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East last month. During his visit, Trump met transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, announcing the lifting of al-Assad-era sanctions, and appointing Barrack to oversee US policy toward Syria. Inside Syria's defense circles, officials have continued to push for Western acceptance of the plan. 'We're not asking for blind trust,' explained a senior Syrian military adviser. 'We are offering oversight, verification, and a defined chain of command to make sure this integration reduces regional instability.' The US administration and Syria's official spokesperson have not yet issued a response.