Latest news with #YemeniHouthis
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greta Thunberg's 'Madleen' docks in Ashdod port, crew offered to watch Oct. 7 footage
The Defense Ministry announced that the flotilla was making its way to Israeli shores and that all passengers were expected to return to their home countries. The 12 activists who boarded the Gaza Freedom Flotilla have arrived at the port in Ashdod alongside Shayetet 13, the IDF's elite navy seals unit, on Monday night. According to Ynet, the passengers were given the option to view footage from Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel, but will not be forced to watch it. The IDF intercepted the Madleen early Monday morning at about 3 a.m., boarding the ship and detaining the passengers after the activists ignored repeated warnings to turn back from breaching Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel's position, since Hamas carried out a coup against the Palestinian Authority and took over Gaza in 2007, has been that a naval blockade of Gaza is legal since Hamas is a terror group in a state of war with Israel. Jerusalem also argues that it is necessary to block Iran from smuggling in high-quality missiles, such as those the Yemeni Houthis and other Iranian proxies possess. The activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian European Parliament Member Rima Hassan, and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, were trying to raise awareness of their opposition to Israel's invasion of Gaza, its blocking of certain international groups from directly distributing food aid in Gaza, and the naval blockade in general. Since 2010, there have been several attempts by global critics of Israel to break Israel's naval blockade. However, in recent years, many of those attempts were stopped by drones, insurance lawsuits, and other tactics. In 2010, 10 activists were killed by the IDF after they attacked Israeli Navy commandos boarding the ship with crowbars and other makeshift weapons, badly injuring at least one. Since then, the IDF has clarified procedures to avoid altercations and has boarded and safely taken control of other ships that tried to break the blockade. There have also been incidents, such as the Karine A cargo ship in 2002 and the Victoria cargo ship in 2011, where the navy has intercepted and commandeered weapons-smuggling vessels without either side being badly injured. According to a Foreign Ministry post on X/Twitter, 'All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.' Sources told The Jerusalem Post that the 12 activists would be sent back to their home countries as quickly as possible in order to wrap up the episode. At press time, multiple home countries of the activists were demanding consular access to their citizens while in Israeli custody. While the media has been covering the flotilla's sailing progress toward Israel for some time, at 1:17 a.m. on Monday, the activists started to signal that the Israeli Navy was bearing down on them. The flotilla's Telegram account reported that alarms sounded on the ship, and life jackets were being prepared. One of the flotilla participants Yasmine Najer uploaded a video to her Instagram account and explained why the alarm in the flotilla was activated: 'We are very close to Gaza. The reason we activated the alarm is that four ships surrounded us and two approached to a distance of about 200 meters – this has not happened before. So that is why we sounded the alarm.' Around that time, the Israeli Navy used an international civilian communication system to communicate with the Madleen, ordering it to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area. 'If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the Port of Ashdod via the established channels and distribution zones,' said an Israeli sailor on a video distributed by the Foreign Ministry. The ministry later announced that the flotilla, referring to it as the 'selfie yacht,' was making its way to Israeli shores. 'While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity – and which included less than a single truckload of aid – more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks,' the ministry said in an official statement. 'There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip – they do not involve Instagram selfies.' The ministry then added that the aid on the flotilla, which it described as 'tiny,' would be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels. In recent days, the Madleen's official tracker had shown the ship edging closer to the Gaza coastline, and Shayetet 13 had already begun training to board the ship, which the Post had learned could happen 'soon.' However, IDF officials had been circumspect about sharing exact details. Even after the operation, unusually, the Foreign Ministry, and not the IDF, took the lead in publicizing details of the event. The vessel left a week ago from the city of Catania in Sicily. The IDF had stated that it would intercept the vessel before it reached Gaza. The activists on board reported that they would attempt to livestream the IDF's takeover of the vessel. Amichai Stein and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Changes Top Middle East General For Strong Iran Hawk
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. has underlined the priority of maritime operations and integrated joint forces in the Middle East with the nomination of a naval officer as the region's top commander ahead of a potential confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program and other threats. President Donald Trump has nominated Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, currently the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), to be appointed to the rank of admiral and serve as its new commander. He has been a strong critic of Iran and supportive of Israel in the past. Only one Navy officer has previously commanded CENTCOM—Admiral William Fallon in 2007—while the role has traditionally been held by Army and Marine generals. Why It Matters Commanding U.S. operations in the Middle East is one of the military's critical roles amid ongoing tensions with Iran and with a fragile truce with the Yemeni Houthis, after the Iranian-backed group multiply targeted U.S. aircraft carriers in response to Trump's airstrike campaign launched in March. Trump has threatened to use military force against Iran if diplomacy fails to achieve a deal to curb its nuclear program. CENTCOM is further engaged in regional security efforts related to Gaza since the war that erupted following Hamas' 2023 October attack on Israel. Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq remain key theaters for CENTCOM's anti-ISIS operations. What To Know If confirmed, Adm. Cooper will succeed commander General Michael Kurilla, who is due to retire this summer. Kurilla, with an army background, has also been strongly critical of Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has endorsed Cooper over Army General James Mingus, the presumed frontrunner, shifting away from Biden administration preferences, The Washington Post reported in April. A fierce critic of Iran's activities in the Middle East, Cooper has repeatedly identified it as a threats to regional security, navigation, and stability. As commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, he played a central role in Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational mission safeguarding Red Sea shipping lanes from Houthi missile and drone attacks from 2023. In 2024, he orchestrated the U.S. military's support for humanitarian aid to Gaza, through the establishment of a maritime corridor that boosted aid delivery without deploying troops on the ground, although it faced security challenges and quickly ended. Cooper had visited Israel in January to discuss U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Cooper, a 1989 Naval Academy graduate, holds a master's in strategic Intelligence, studied international relations at Harvard and Tufts, and is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. A recipient of the Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award, he has led Navy ships and crews across key regions, served on the ground in Afghanistan, commanded U.S. naval forces in the Middle East for nearly three years, and led major Navy groups in the Atlantic, Japan, and Korea, including the USS Russell and USS Gettysburg. What People Are Saying Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said on CBS' 60 Minutes in 2024: "For a decade, the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis. They've been resupplying them. They're resupplying them as we sit here right now, at sea. We know this is happening. They're advising them, and they're providing target information. This is crystal clear." Pentagon's press release on Wednesday: "Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced today that the President has made the following nominations: Navy Vice Adm. Charles B. Cooper II for appointment to the grade of admiral, with assignment as commander, U.S. Central Command." What Happens Next His appointment is pending approval by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Trump Reshapes the Middle East with Israel's Foes
President Donald Trump is reshaping the Middle East by drawing closer to Israel's long-term adversaries, prompting critics to suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a key ally—has been sidelined. Trump has struck a truce with the Yemeni Houthis, brokered a hostage deal with Hamas, courted Qatar, lifted sanctions on Syria, praised Turkey's leader, and opened nuclear talks with Iran—all without Israel at the table. Newsweek contacted the Israeli prime minister's office and the U.S. State Department for comment. Trump's recent moves signal the potential for rifts with Netanyahu—a key ally and among his most vocal supporters and raise questions over the extent of the U.S. support that has been invaluable to Israel for decades. Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit Trump at the White House in his second term, has been excluded from high-profile meetings as Trump set out for a Middle East tour skipping Israel. The U.S. secured the release of its last remaining hostage in Gaza through direct talks with Hamas—for the second time. When it first engaged, the White House labeled it a one-off move following speculation it had strained ties with Israel. A week earlier, Trump had decided to halt airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in return for their suspension of attacks on the U.S., a few days after their missile strike near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion's airport. The agreement did not stop them attacking Israel. President Trump has been pushing for a new deal with Tehran to curb Iran's nuclear program and has made clear he prefers diplomacy to the military action that Israel has often touted. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has, meanwhile, accused Israel and allied interest groups for attempting to sabotage negotiations. Trump said Iran had "sort of" made a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, one that he hoped would secure "long-term peace". Trump called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—a frequent critic of Israel's policies— as "very smart" at a meeting with Netanyahu in April, Axios reported. This week in Riyadh, Trump met and praised Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist, announcing a lift of sanctions on the country which Israel still sees as a threatening neighbor even if it less a conduit for Iranian influence than under former President Bashar al-Assad. The U.S. president has secured $1.2 trillion economic commitment in Qatar, according to the White House, while his administration has been actively engaged with the Qatari government in negotiations between Hamas and Israel. Tensions between Israel and Qatar have flared over the latter's ties to Hamas and the "Qatargate" accusations that some Netanyahu advisors were on the Gulf state's payroll to push its influence. But there is no sign Trump has abandoned Israel. While he skipped Israel on his tour of the Middle East, his rhetoric remains closely aligned with Israeli foreign policy—especially on Iran—reiterating that it must abandon ambitions for developing a nuclear weapon and calling it "destabilizing". He also revived the possibility of an offensive on the Houthis while in Qatar, according to Al-Arabiya News. The group has continued to carry out attacks on Israel and targeted the Ben Gurion airport. Direct talks with Hamas haven't led to a unilateral U.S. decision pressuring Israel over Gaza, including its blockade on humanitarian aid. While Trump has voiced sympathy for civilians and a desire to end the conflict, Washington still blames Hamas for the war that started when it attacked Israel in October 2023. Hamas seeks the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and a permanent ceasefire and has criticized the failure to deliver on those expectations, warning in a Thursday statement it could "stall future talks." But Israel still seeks to destroy Hamas as well as secure the release of remaining hostages held by the group. Trump and his administration have also been pushing for more Arab countries to sign the Abraham Accords normalizing ties with Israel. In March, Netanyahu said: "During my recent visit to Washington, I said that Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House. And President Trump shows that friendship each and every day." White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt previously told Newsweek:"Israel has had no better friend in its history than President Trump. We continue to work closely with our ally Israel to ensure remaining hostages in Gaza are freed, Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, and to strengthen regional security in the Middle East." Israel's Opposition head Yair Lapid on X, as quoted by Kan News, translated from Hebrew: "We should have sat at the head of the table in Riyadh and we didn't do it. This is a loss for generations." Tommy Pigott, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson in Tuesday press briefing: "Hamas bears sole responsibility for this war." H.A. Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, told Newsweek: "Israel's lack of normalization in the region has little to do with Trump or Biden or any other American president, per se, and everything to do with Israeli policies. Israel expanded and the occupation in the Palestinian territories and currently occupies Syrian and Lebanese territories as well. These will remain core obstacles against any kind of bettering relations, irrespective of American policies." Much will hinge on how Trump's tour unfolds and the diplomatic signals that follow, with Iran's nuclear talks and the Gaza crisis topping the list of urgent challenges, as well as Israel's next moves regarding a ceasefire. Related Articles Ivanka Trump's Message to Podcast Host Theo Von Goes ViralRepublicans Want to Raise Taxes Targeting 40 Million ImmigrantsTheo Von Mocks Navy, Qatari Culture in Trump Warm-Up Speech for TroopsDonald Trump Ukraine Peace Plan Stonewalled by Putin 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Pressure Grows as Houthis Withstand US Campaign
The Yemeni Houthis have shown growing defiance toward the U.S., despite more than nine weeks of airstrikes aimed at deterring attacks in the Red Sea and on Israel, escalating tensions with Iran over its support for the group. Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon, Houthi officials, as well as the Israel Defense Force and Iran's foreign ministry for comment. The Houthi's escalating and damaging attacks mark a significant shift in the Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump has vowed to annihilate the militant group and the prolonged campaign has prompted additional U.S. military deployments. Since October 7, 2023, Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and strikes on Israel have been a key part of the Iran-supported armed groups' response to the Gaza war. In 2025, the U.S. ramped up pressure through intensified airstrikes and renewed sanctions to cut off their financial and arms supply networks. Over a month into the campaign, the U.S. military claimed it had destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets and eliminated key commanders, while the Houthis said they had downed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones and caused the loss of a fighter jet, which the U.S. says fell overboard from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. On Sunday, a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis struck near Ben Gurion International Airport, evading interception by the Arrow 3 and U.S. THAAD systems—an unusual breach that raised questions about evolving Houthi missile technology. The Israeli military said it launched an investigation. "They're experts on missiles. I mean they actually make missiles, nobody thought that, but they make missiles," Trump said during an Oval Office press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April. Experts have cautioned since the early days of the strikes ordered on March 15 that they are unlikely to counter entrenched power in guerrilla warfare and territorial control. "Washington must avoid acting in Yemen without at least coordinating with its regional allies in the Gulf, specifically the UAE and Saudi Arabia," Research Fellow Farea al-Muslimi and Associate Fellow Thomas Juneau at Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Program noted in an analysis published in April. But direct involvement may be elusive, as both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reluctant to reengage militarily in Yemen after years of costly involvement that failed to defeat the Houthis. "However, both the Saudis and Emiratis have a vested interest in how the war ends and may provide more covert support to forces on the ground", Emily Milliken, Associate Director at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs told Newsweek. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom joined the United States in a coordinated military operation targeting Houthi positions, part of ongoing efforts to secure Red Sea shipping lanes. But Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pushed back against Trump's request to support the U.S. operations, according to The Wall Street Journal, despite losses in the Suez Canal's revenues as a result of the maritime disruption. Meanwhile, the Houthis, who have been losing hundreds of fighters, have continued to mobilize against the U.S. and Israel, while Iran has dismissed accusations of supporting the group and warned both countries against threats towards its territory. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on X: "President Trump is absolutely right! Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters." Emily Milliken, Associate Director of Media and Communications for the N7 Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs told Newsweek: "The Houthis' desire to strike Israel in such an important site for tourism underscores the group remains undeterred by the US air strike campaign. As long as the group's senior leadership remains intact, we can expect them to continue strikes targeting Israeli territory and maritime traffic in retaliation to US strikes and to showcase they are undeterred." The escalation is raising regional stakes, with rival Yemeni forces preparing ground offensives and increasing concerns of a potential Iran-Israel confrontation, as the U.S. intensifies its military involvement in the region. Related Articles US Redeploys Pacific Warship As Iran Threat GrowsHouthis Warn Global Airlines After Missile AttackIsrael Reopens Ben Gurion Airport After Houthi Missile StrikeU.S. War on the Houthis: Five Things to Watch 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Asharq Al-Awsat
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Netanyahu Says Israel Will Respond to Houthis' Iranian 'Masters' after Attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will respond to the Houthis and their Iranian "masters", after the Tehran-backed group launched a missile attack against his country's main international airport. A missile fired by the Yemeni Houthis landed near Ben Gurion Airport, sending a plume of smoke into the air and causing panic among passengers in the terminal building. "Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran," Netanyahu wrote on X. "Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror masters." Earlier, Netanyahu said the US was supporting Israeli operations against the Houthis. 'It's not bang, bang and we're done, but there will be bangs,' he said in a video posted on social media.
