Latest news with #YemeniHouthi
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Israel's Red Sea port of Eilat halts operations due to Yemeni-Houthi blockade
Israel 's southern port of Eilat suspended operations on Sunday due to heavy debts and unpaid taxes caused by a dramatic decline in shipping triggered by the Yemeni-Houthi blockade of the Red Sea . This is seen by observers as a victory for the Houthis and a rare defeat for Israel. The port was built between 1952-56 and opened for traffic in 1957. It accounted for 5-7 per cent of Israeli maritime trade, contributed to the local economy, attracted tourists, and assumed a security function for southern Israel. During the first 10 months of 2023, the port serviced 134 ships. About 150,000 vehicles were imported from China which normally provides 50 per cent of cars entering Israel. Crude oil was imported at Eilat and piped to Ashkelon for refining. Potash, fertilisers, and minerals were exported through Eilat. In November, the Houthis began attacks on Israeli, United States and British cargo vessels docking at Eilat and firing missiles and drones at Eilat city to pressure Tel Aviv to agree to a ceasefire or end the Gaza war. This was launched after the October 7th, 2023, attack by Hamas which – according to Israel – killed 1,200 and abducted 150 in southern Israel. By that December, Eilat shipping had fallen by 85 per cent and in March 2024 half the port staff were suspended although salaries have been paid. Throughout that year, 16 ships docked at Eilat while by mid-May this year, only six ships had arrived at the port. Its commercial closure could adversely affect the Israeli navy which has a base at Eilat that operates patrol boats providing security for the Eilat naval shipyard. In June, the Israeli government provided a $4 million (€3.4 million) emergency grant, but this was not enough to cover Eilat's debts and ensure operations. The privatised Eilat Port Company has accumulated more than $8.5 million in debt to service providers, with financial obligations reportedly exceeding $8.5 million. The Eilat municipality last week froze $3 million in the port's bank accounts to pay tax arrears. Houthi attacks have compelled big shipping companies, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa, boosting costs by 30-40 per cent for goods bound for Mediterranean ports. Transit time has increased by seven to 10 days. Insurance premiums for ships which continue to ply the Red Sea route have increased by 300-400 per cent. Although Houthi attacks have diminished and the Israeli navy has offered to protect ships, owners argue the route remains too risky.
Yemen Online
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Air traffic suspended at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport after missile launch from Yemen
Air traffic at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport was suspended Friday following the launch of a missile from Yemen, according to Israeli Channel 12. 'Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF,' the army said in a statement. Alarms were sounded in various areas across the country, including in major cities such as Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, Holon, Rishon LeZion, Bnei Brak, Modi'in and Rehovot, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported. The army and Israeli media did not note any damage from the missile. The Yemeni Houthi group announced it launched a military operation targeting the Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group carried out a "qualitative" military operation targeting the airport with a missile called "Palestine-2." "Our operations will continue until the aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and the siege is lifted," Saree emphasized in a televised speech. The Houthis have intensified missile and drone strikes on Israel since Israeli forces resumed attacks on the Gaza Strip in March after two months of a shaky ceasefire. Since November 2023, the group has targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where nearly 59,000 victims have been killed in an Israeli onslaught.
Middle East Eye
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Houthis target several locations in Israel
The Yemeni Houthi group said it launched several attacks in multiple locations in Israel, including Ben Gurion Airport, Eilat port, and a military site in the Negev region. 'The Houthi missile force launched a ballistic missile of the Zulfiqar type at Lod Airport [Ben Gurion] in the Tel Aviv area,' Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement. The strike forced 'occupying Zionist settlers into shelters and halted airport operations', he added. Earlier, the Israeli army said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.
Kuwait News Agency
14-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait News Agency
Attack on oil tanker near Yemen inflicts limited damage
LONDON, May 18 (KUNA) -- An oil tanker was attacked off the Yemeni coast late on Friday, a British maritime security center said on Saturday. The Joint Maritime Security Center, an authority affiliated to the British Ministry of Defense, said via its website that the oil tanker was lightly damaged due to the impact of an aerial ordnance. The incident happened 76 nautical miles off the Yemeni port town of al-Hodaida in the Red Sea, it said, adding that the captain had affirmed that there were no casualties and that the vessel was pursuing its journey as scheduled. The authority renewed the warning to captains of ships that sail though the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to be vigilant while crossing these waters. The Yemeni Houthi militias have repeatedly targeted ships sailing through the Red Sea and allied forces have disabled missiles and booby-trapped drones unleashed toward the ships. (end)
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
China rejects German accusation over laser aimed at military aircraft
Beijing/Berlin: Beijing on Wednesday rejected the German government's allegation that a Chinese vessel had aimed a laser at a military jet over the Red Sea, as Berlin repeated its claim. Information provided by Germany did not correspond with the facts known to the Chinese side, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing. According to Mao, the Chinese Navy was carrying out escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and in the waters off Somalia, fulfilling its responsibility to maintain security in the region. Germany this week summoned the Chinese ambassador to Berlin over the incident, which took place in early July. According to the German account, a Chinese warship aimed a laser at a German reconnaissance aircraft without any reason or prior contact. The aircraft was travelling over the Red Sea as part of the EU's Aspides military operation to help protect merchant ships from attacks by the Yemeni Houthi militia. In comments to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) media group for publication on Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on Beijing to explain its actions and said that Berlin would oppose any 'irregular behaviour by China.' The Foreign Ministry in Berlin later reiterated its position.(dpa)
