Tag: houthi

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US mulls plan to put Houthis on terror list

President Joe Biden is planning to re-designating Houthi militia as an international terrorist organisation days after the Iran-backed group killed three people in a drone strike in the UAE…reports Asian Lite News

Marking his first full year in office with a two-hour press conference, Biden focused on his domestic efforts and the fight against COVID-19, but also touched on foreign policy issues, mostly addressing the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and also taking questions on Iran and Yemen, news agencies reported.

Weeks after taking office in 2021, Biden officially delisted the Houthi militia as a “foreign terrorist organization,” a designation put in place by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

The US leader has also worked to bring Iran back to the negotiating table over its nuclear weapons program.

President Joe Biden

Asked if he would redesignate the Houthis as a terrorist group, Biden replied: “It’s under consideration.”

Biden was also asked if he was making progress with Iran in efforts to force the regime to adhere to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or nuclear deal.

“It is not time to give up. There is some progress to be made,” he replied.

However, the lengthy press conference was clearly intended to highlight Biden’s achievements since being sworn in as president one year ago on Jan. 20, 2021.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates submitted a letter to Norway, the United Nations Security Council President for the month of January, requesting a meeting of the Council to address the Houthi terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi on 17 January.

The letter condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law. It calls on the Council to unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks with one voice.

ALSO READ: UAE calls for UNSC meeting on Houthi attacks

“The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law,” said Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN. “The UAE expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. This illegal and alarming escalation is a further step in the Houthis’ efforts to spread terrorism and chaos in our region. It is another attempt by the Houthis, using the capabilities they have unlawfully acquired in defiance of UN sanctions, to threaten peace and security. The United Arab Emirates calls on the Security Council to speak with one voice and join in firmly and unequivocally condemning these terrorist attacks, which were launched in complete disregard of international law.”

At 10 a.m. UAE time on 17 January 2022, Houthi militias targeted the Musaffah ICAD 3 area and the new construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, both of which are civilian infrastructure. The attacks, which led to the explosion of three petroleum tankers, killed two Indian civilians and one Pakistani civilian and injured six other civilians. The Houthis confirmed responsibility for the attacks.

Biden’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, was sent to the Gulf and London on Wednesday “to reinvigorate peace efforts in coordination with the UN, senior regional government officials and other international partners,” according to a statement from US State Department spokesman Ned Price.

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Israel condemns deadly Houthi attack in UAE

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.(Photo twitter.comnaftalibennett)

Israel has condemned Monday’s deadly Houthi attack in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and promised to offer security and intelligence assistance to the Arab country…reports Asian Lite News

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter that he “strongly condemn” the drone attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis near Abu Dhabi’s airport, which killed at least three people and injured six, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Israel stands with the UAE. I stand with (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Zayed. The world should stand against terrorists,” Bennett tweeted.

ALSO READ: UAE calls for UNSC meeting on Houthi attacks

In a letter addressed to bin Zayed, which Bennett posted on Twitter, he said that Israel is “committed to working closely” with the UAE against “extremist forces in the region,” and promised to offer “security and intelligence support” to help prevent possible future attacks.

“I have ordered the Israeli security establishment to provide their counterparts in the UAE with any assistance, should you be interested,” Bennett said.

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UAE calls for UNSC meeting on Houthi attacks

The letter submitted to the UN Security Council President by UAE condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law and called on the Council to unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks with one voice, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The United Arab Emirates submitted a letter to Norway, the United Nations Security Council President for the month of January, requesting a meeting of the Council to address the Houthi terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi on 17 January.

The letter condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law. It calls on the Council to unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks with one voice.

“The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law,” said Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN.

“The UAE expresses its condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. This illegal and alarming escalation is a further step in the Houthis’ efforts to spread terrorism and chaos in our region. It is another attempt by the Houthis, using the capabilities they have unlawfully acquired in defiance of UN sanctions, to threaten peace and security. The United Arab Emirates calls on the Security Council to speak with one voice and join in firmly and unequivocally condemning these terrorist attacks, which were launched in complete disregard of international law.”

ALSO READ: World leaders rap attack on UAE targets

At 10 a.m. UAE time on 17 January 2022, Houthi militias targeted the Musaffah ICAD 3 area and the new construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, both of which are civilian infrastructure. The attacks, which led to the explosion of three petroleum tankers, killed two Indian civilians and one Pakistani civilian and injured six other civilians. The Houthis confirmed responsibility for the attacks.

Israel offers security, intelligence support

Israel has condemned Monday’s deadly Houthi attack in the UAE and promised to offer security and intelligence assistance to the Arab country.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.(Photo twitter.comnaftalibennett)


Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett wrote on Twitter that he “strongly condemns” the drone attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis near Abu Dhabi’s airport, which killed at least three people and injured six, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Israel stands with the UAE. I stand with (Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Zayed. The world should stand against terrorists,” Bennett tweeted.

In a letter addressed to bin Zayed, which Bennett posted on Twitter, he said that Israel is “committed to working closely” with the UAE against “extremist forces in the region,” and promised to offer “security and intelligence support” to help prevent possible future attacks.

“I have ordered the Israeli security establishment to provide their counterparts in the UAE with any assistance, should you be interested,” Bennett said.

India pledges solidarity

Conveying India’s strong solidarity with UAE after explosions in Abu Dhabi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that New Delhi will stand with the United Arab Emirates at international forums on the issue of terrorism.

During a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the EAM discussed the terror attack on UAE on Monday that killed two Indian nationals, according to a statement issued by Ministry of External Affairs.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar

As per the statement, the UAE Foreign Minister shared the details of the attack and conveyed the deepest condolences of the UAE Government on the death of two Indians.

He assured that the UAE Government would extend the fullest support to the families of the deceased and country’s authorities are in continuous touch with the Indian Embassy in that regard, the MEA said.

On his part, Jaishankar condemned the terror attack in the strongest terms. He emphasised that in this day and age, such an attack on innocent civilians was completely unacceptable and against all civilized norms. EAM appreciated the immediate assistance provided by UAE authorities to the Embassy in responding to this tragic situation.

ALSO READ: Houthi terror chief killed in Coalition strikes

He also conveyed India’s strong solidarity with the UAE in the face of such an attack. Given its principled position against terrorism, India will stand with UAE in international forums on this issue.

The MEA is in contact with the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi regarding the return to India of the mortal remains of the deceased, the statement read adding that the Embassy is coordinating with the families. (with inputs from ANI)

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Houthi terror chief killed in Coalition strikes

Soldiers of the Yemeni government sitting on armored vehicles in Abs district, Hajjah Province, north Yemen. (Photo by Mohammed al-Wafi)

The Saudi-led Coalition on Tuesday destroyed a number of Houthi targets after it launched airstrikes in Yemen, following the terror attack on Abu Dhabi…reports Asian Lite News

A Houthi terrorist chief was one of about 20 people killed on Tuesday when airstrikes by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen struck militia targets in Sanaa, the Arab News reported.

Abdullah Qassim Al-Junaid, the head of the Iran-backed militia’s aviation academy, had been sentenced to death in his absence by a court in Marib last year on charges of staging a military coup and committing war crimes, it was reported.

According to reports, Tuesday’s airstrikes targeting Houthi camps and strongholds in the Yemeni capital were the heaviest in nearly three years.

ALSO READ: World leaders rap attack on UAE targets

The strikes destroyed nine military vehicles, and eliminated more than 80 terrorist elements, the official Saudi Press Agency said on twitter. “We carried out 17 targeting operations against the militia in Marib during the past 24 hours,” it said.

After Monday’s drone strike the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to “terrorist attacks and criminal escalation,” and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan agreed in a phone call to “jointly stand up to these acts of aggression,” it was reported.

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Coalition strikes Yemen’s Sanaa

The Arab Coalition said the air force was conducting 24-hour air operations in Sanaa…reports Asian Lite News

Hours after the UAE pledged that the suspected drone attacks on its civilian facilities by Houthi militants will not go unpunished, the Saudi-led coalition said on Monday that it had launched air strikes against Yemen’s Houthi insurgents, targeting the rebel-held capital Sanaa, following a terror attack on Abu Dhabi.

“In response to the threat and (out of) military necessity, air strikes have begun in Sanaa,” Khaleej Times quoted Saudi Press Agency as saying on Twitter.

ALSO READ: Houthis warn of more attacks in UAE

Meanwhile, the Arab Coalition said the air force was conducting 24-hour air operations in Sanaa, and called on civilians to stay away from Houthi militia camps in the wake of safety concerns.

“F-15 attack aircraft destroyed two ballistic missile launchers that were in use on Monday,” confirming that “the perpetrators of hostile attacks on civilians in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be held accountable,” Saudi Gazette reported.

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

World leaders rap attack on UAE targets

Statements of support have been pouring in for the UAE, with many countries condemning the “cowardly terrorist attack” which killed three civilians including two Indian and one Pakistani nationals, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

The world leaders, organisations have condemned the Houthi attack against UAE that killed three civilians and injured six others in Abu Dhabi.

Two Indian nationals are among the three people killed and six injured in the explosions in Abu Dhabi on Monday as three petroleum tanker trucks blew up after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of the capital of UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received a phone call from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia who condemned the terrorist Houthi attack on civil facilities in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince

The two leaders affirmed that such terrorist attacks that target the Kingdom of Saudi Araba and the UAE solidify the two nations’ determination to jointly stand up to these acts of aggression.

They added that these terrorist attacks affirm the need for the international community to stand up to these flagrant violations of international laws and norms and to condemn these terrorist crimes that threaten regional and international peace and security.

Abu Dhabi police said that the explosion involving three oil tankers and a fire in the construction site of the emirate’s new airport extension was potentially caused by drones.

“The fire provoked an explosion in three tanks for transporting fuel in the Misfah area near the fuel depots of the Emirati state-owned company ADNOC,” the police said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition destroyed 8 drones headed towards the kingdom, according to Al Jazeera.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, at the same time as the attack, told the Almasirah broadcaster that the Yemeni rebel group will soon reveal details about the military operation in the UAE territory.

The UAE has been part of a Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015. It intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 as part of the Arab Coalition but scaled down its operations in 2019.

The official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki said the “hostile attacks of the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia that deliberately targeted civilians, civilian objects and economic installations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates represent war crimes” and “the perpetrators of which must be held accountable.”

“Such crimes sound the alarm of the threat and danger this terrorist militia represents to regional and international security,” Al-Malki said in a statement.

The United states on Monday (local time) condemned the attack and vowed to stand beside Emirati partners against all threats to their territory.

“The United States strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which killed three innocent civilians. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for this attack, and we will work with the UAE and international partners to hold them accountable, read a statement by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

“Our commitment to the security of the UAE is unwavering and we stand beside our Emirati partners against all threats to their territory,” added Sullivan.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss condemned the terrorist attacks. “I condemn in the strongest terms the Houthi-claimed terrorist attacks on the United Arab Emirates,” Truss tweeted.

France has condemned the attack “in the strongest terms.”

“These attacks threaten the security of the United Arab Emirates and regional stability,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. “France expresses its support for the UAE in the face of these attacks,” he added.

Foreign Ministers of Jordan and Greece Ayman Al Safadi and Nikos Dendias respectively reiterated their country’s full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it is taking against threats to its security.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak expressed strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack, saying it is an unprecedented escalation and a systematic assault on civil facilities and civilians.

ALSO READ: India working with UAE to bring back mortal remains of two Indians

Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani also affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s full solidarity with and full support for the United Arab Emirates in the face of all threats to its security and stability.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri underlined Egypt’s firm position in supporting the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates and the close link between Egyptian national security and the security of the UAE.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres condemned the Houthi militia attack.

The Houthi militia has recently intensified cross-border drone and missile attacks against different Saudi cities. In February 2021, the Houthi militia launched a major offensive against the government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib in central Yemen.

The Houthi group is on the radar of investigative agencies as they announced a terror attack plan against the UAE.

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India working with UAE to bring back mortal remains of two Indians

India Ambassador to UAE Sunjay Sudhur (Twitter)

India is working closely with the UAE government to bring back the mortal remains of the two Indian nationals who died in the tanker explosion in Abu Dhabi, the Indian Embassy in UAE informed on Tuesday…reports Asian Lite News

“17 Jan incident: Identities of 2 deceased Indians established. Indian Embassy in Abu

Dhabi officials are in touch with their families. The mission is working closely with UAE authorities, including ADNOC, for early repatriation of mortal remains,” the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi tweeted.

“Of the 6 injured, 2 are Indian nationals. After receiving the medical treatment they were discharged yesterday night,” the Indian Embassy further tweeted.

Two Indian nationals are among the three people killed and six injured in the explosions in Abu Dhabi on Monday, India’s envoy to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir had confirmed to ANI on Monday.

The two Indians and one Pakistani national were killed and at least six persons were injured as three petroleum tanker trucks blew up after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of the capital of UAE, according to the official state news agency WAM.

“Two Indian nationals are dead in the explosions and we are trying to ascertain their identities,” envoy Sunjay Sudhir told ANI.

ALSO READ: Houthis warn of more attacks in UAE

Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack that was suspected to have been carried out by drones, WAM said.

Abu Dhabi police said that the explosion involving three oil tankers and a fire in the construction site of the emirate’s new airport extension were potentially caused by drones.

The UAE has been part of a Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015. It intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015 as part of the Arab Coalition but scaled down its operations in 2019, according to WAM. (ANI

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Yemen army recaptures Harib district from Houthis

The Yemen government army has recaptured Harib district in the oil-rich province of Marib from the Houthi militia after a deadly battle, a military source confirmed…reports Asian Lite News

The army entered the district’s central town on Saturday and now is combing the areas surrounding it, the source told Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported that the coalition carried out 33 airstrikes on Marib in the past 24 hours, destroying 21 vehicles of the Houthi militia and killing 190 militants.

The Houthi is yet to officially comment on the developments.

ALSO READ: Yemen forces announce recapture of oil-rich province from Houthis

The Houthis seized Harib and several other districts in the government-controlled province last year.

Last week, the Yemeni army recaptured three districts in the adjacent province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia after a 10-day battle, taking the whole province of Shabwa from the militia.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

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Saudi led coalition strike Houthi military camp in Sanaa

Fighter jets of the Saudi-led coalition forces struck a military camp controlled by the Houthis, t in Yemen’s capital Sanaa…reports Asian Lite News

The airstrikes on Thursday hit the al-Sawad camp in southern Sanaa, which is adjacent to a public hospital, Xinhua news agency reported citing a statement by the Houthis.

Meanwhile, the coalition said it targeted the transfer of weapons to the frontlines of Marib Province, calling on the Houthi militia to stop any such attempt, the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported.

ALSO READ: Houthi claim responsibility for missile attack on Saudi city

On Monday, the Yemeni government army backed by the coalition announced the liberation of the southern province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia.

The army said it is advancing to the southern districts of the neighbouring province of Marib.

In February last year, the Iran-backed Houthi militia began a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib.

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Yemen forces announce recapture of oil-rich province from Houthis

Yemeni forces have announced the capture of the oil-rich province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia after intense battles…reports Asian Lite News

“After 10 days of ferocious armed confrontations, the Houthi rebel militants were expelled from all the districts of Shabwa,” the southern Giants Brigades said in a statement.

The pro-government forces revealed that large-scale military operations were launched in cooperation with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the rebels in Shabwa.

According to military sources in Shabwa, the troops entered the Ein district, the last Houthis-controlled district, from three directions, killing scores of the militia members while dozens fled.

Yemeni military sources confirmed to Xinhua that the Houthis failed to confront the large military campaign and were forced to withdraw from the strategic areas in Shabwa.

ALSO READ: UN calls for maximum restraint over seizure of UAE ship off Yemen

An intensified bombardment was carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the Houthis, destroying their sites in Shabwa and enabling the pro-government forces to gain rapid on-ground military progress, the sources said.

The Iran-backed Houthis made substantial advances on the battlefield in September 2021, capturing Bayhan and other key areas in Shabwa after seizing al-Bayda and most areas of Marib.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since the Houthi militia overran much of the country militarily and seized all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, in 2014.

Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthis forced him into exile.