Following a request from the US, and through a special security operation, the two Americans were freed and then transported from Sana’a to Aden…reports Asian Lite News
Two US citizens were freed from captivity in the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen and transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“In continuation of the long-standing robust military cooperation and joint security coordination between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, two young American women were freed from captivity, evacuated, and transported from the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital Sana’a to the interim capital Aden, and later on to Riyadh,” said Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, Official Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
During a family visit to Sana’a, the two US citizens were mistreated and restrictions were placed on their freedom and movement, and their passports were confiscated, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Following a request from the US, and through a special security operation, the two Americans were freed and then transported from Sana’a to Aden.
Subsequently, they were flown from Aden to Riyadh by the Royal Saudi Airforce. US Government officials were present upon their arrival in Riyadh, and the two persons were provided with all necessary healthcare screenings and care, it was reported.
This joint operation between the Kingdom and the United States of America to evacuate the two US citizens from Yemen demonstrates the strength of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, it said.
It is also part of the ongoing security and intelligence cooperation to combat terrorist organisations in Yemen such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS in Yemen, and the terrorist Houthi militia that has been designated as a terrorist organization under the United Nations Security Council Resolution (2624)”, it added.
The rebel snipers killed more than 60 soldiers who had infiltrated into the southern and western neighbourhoods and wounded 140 others,” he said…reports Asian Lite News
The Yemeni Houthis drove the government army out of the strategic Harad city in the northern province of Hajjah, killing more than 60 soldiers and injuring 140 others, a military source said.
“The rebels recaptured the al-Mihsam military camp and the range of high mountains from the army during today’s battle,” the source told Xinhua news agency on Saturday.
“The rebel snipers killed more than 60 soldiers who had infiltrated into the southern and western neighbourhoods and wounded 140 others,” he said.
The Saudi-led coalition forces backing the Yemeni government army launched three airstrikes against the Houthi advance, the source said, adding that “the army now is out of this strategic city”, which borders Saudi Arabia.
The defeat is a major blow to the Yemeni government army which had recaptured most of the city in a fierce battle that began last week.
Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control over northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to exile.
UAE intercepts, destroys three drones with hostile intent
The UAE has said that it intercepted three drones with hostile intent and destroyed those objects which penetrated the country’s airspace on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News
“The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announces interception and destruction, away from populated areas, of three hostile drones that penetrated UAE airspace at dawn today, 2/2/2022,” said the UAE’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday (local time).
“MOD confirms it is ready to deal with any threats and is taking all necessary measures to protect the state and its territory,” the Ministry added.
It came days after US military personnel responded to an inbound missile threat by Houthis on the UAE during the Israeli President’s visit to the country. This involved the employment of Patriot interceptors-coincident to efforts by the armed forces of the UAE, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday.
This was the fourth attack against the UAE since the start of January.
On Monday, the UAE air defence systems have intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement from Yemen, the UAE Defense Ministry informed.
Last Monday, the UAE air defence intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis, the remains of the missiles fell in the Abu Dhabi area. Earlier in January, several Houthi drones targeted the UAE capital including the construction site of a new airport and fuel tankers near depots of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, killing three people and injuring six others.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has offered employment opportunities for family members and funding of education of the children of its two Indian employees who died in the attacks on the company’s premises in Musaffah on 17th January.
“India is deeply grateful for the concern and support received from the UAE leadership and ADNOC to the families of the two Indians killed and [other] two Indians injured in the incident,” said Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, on Tuesday.
The UAE state media reported earlier on Monday that three oil tankers in the industrial area in Abu Dhabi were exploded after being hit by small drones…reports Asian Lite News
The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen announced that it fired five ballistic missiles and several explosive-laden drones in multiple attacks on airports and an oil refinery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“The attacks targeted the international airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as the oil refinery in Abu Dhabi,” Houthi military Spokesman Yehya Sarea said in a statement on Monday.
“We vow to hit more vital targets in the UAE if it continues military escalation in Yemen,” the spokesman added.
The UAE state media reported earlier on Monday that three oil tankers in the industrial area in Abu Dhabi were exploded after being hit by small drones, reports Xinhua news agency.
It also reported fire in the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The UAE said it reserved rights to respond to the Houthi threat.
The attacks was widely condemned by Arab and foreign countries.
This attack came nearly a week after the Houthis hijacked and captured a UAE-flagged commercial ship off the militia-held Red Sea city of Hodeidah.
The UN Security Council has called on the Houthi group to release the ship and crew members.
The call was however, rejected by the Houthi group.
The UAE is part of a Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting the Yemeni internationally recognized government against the Houthi militia.
Last week, the coalition-backed Yemeni government army recaptured four strategic districts in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib 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 government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.
A ship hijacking and COVID-19 cases dominated the headlines in India today, as election battles played out in the background.
Ship hijacking: India working on to secure release of seven nationals: India is closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee in Yemen, the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed. “We are in touch with the company operating the ship and have been informed that out of the 11 crew members onboard the ship, seven are from India,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday in a statement. He added that all crew members are “safe” and New Delhi is making all efforts to secure their early release.
COVID-19 updates: The country reported 1,94,720 COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, a number that is 15.8 per cent higher than yesterday’s 1.68 lakh cases, according to Indian government data this morning.
Healthcare workers check a Covid-19 patient at CWG Covid Care Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday January 11, 2022. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS)
Though the Omicron strain is milder and is leading to less hospitalisation, everyone will eventually get the virus at some point, a top government official said today.
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is “almost unstoppable” and booster vaccine doses won’t stop the rapid spread of the virus, said Dr. Jaiprakash Muliyil from the Indian Council of Medical Research to NDTV. “It makes no difference. The infection will occur. It has occurred all over the world regardless of this,” he added, about booster doses.
Assembly election battles intensify: Uttar Pradesh, one of the most hotly contested states in India has seen some striking developments. In a massive hit to the ruling BJP and Yogi Adityanath government, a minister and four MLAs quit the party yesterday (January 11) and joined the party’s main challenger, Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party. Swami Prasad Maurya, a top minister in the Yogi Adityanath government, posted his resignation letter on Twitter, reported NDTV.
Shortly after his resignation, four more MLAs close to him – Roshan Lal Verma, Brijesh Prajapati, Bhagwati Sagar and Vinay Shakya – also quit the party.
(on left) Swami Prasad Maurya wth Akhilesh Yadav and (on right) former’s resignation letter.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has slammed the PTI government for bringing a “tsunami of taxes” through the mini-budget, reported Dawn.
He warned that the burden of the PTI government’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would fall on the common man, which would lead to “economic slaughter” across the country. The Pakistan government has tabled controversial legislations required to meet conditions of the IMF in the National Assembly.
Bangladesh
Cattle smuggling results in death of BSF personnel: An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) constable was allegedly killed by cattle smugglers at Malda in north Bengal on Monday, officials said. According to senior BSF officials, the 30-year-old constable, Vivek Tiwari, 30, was overpowered and drowned in a canal by cattle smugglers close to the Indo-Bangladesh border when he tried to stop them.
Body of BSF Constable Vivek Tiwari being carried with force honours (Photo ANI)
“We have lodged a complaint with the Bamangola police station in Malda. A case has been initiated,” said SS Guleria, DIG BSF (South Bengal Frontier).
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka luxury train: the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has called the launch of a train in Colombo, a ‘significant landmark in India-Sri Lanka ties’. The luxury train service, which was started with a Line of Credit from India, is likely to significantly boost tourism in the crisis-hit nation.
The train will connect the Jaffna district with the capital city of Colombo and is being cited as a significant landmark in the strategic and cooperation ties between the two nations.
Another significant landmark in 🇮🇳 🇱🇰 ties!Hon'ble Minister @pavithrawannia1 inaugurated the AC Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) supplied by @RITESLimited under an Indian credit line & launched the train service from Mt.Lavinia to KKS. She undertook the inaugural ride&was welcomed(1/2) pic.twitter.com/F1TyCZzzyn
Siddharth has apologised to Saina Nehwal for his tweet, and she said she is “happy” with his apology.
Recently, Siddharth’s response to a tweet by badminton player Saina Nehwal had triggered an uproar for its sexist undertones. However, the actor has since apologised for it on Twitter, saying that his “word play” had “none of the malicious intent” that was attributed to it.
The badminton star today said: “Happy that Siddharth has apologised.”
On January 5, Saina had condemned the security lapse in Punjab during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. In response, Siddharth had tweeted, “Subtle cock champion of the world… Thank God we have protectors of India. Folded hands. Shame on you Rihanna.”
Meanwhile, in a chat with AsianLite, actress Soha Ali Khan spoke about her OTT debut with ‘Kaun Banegi Shikharwati’ and why she finds the online space so very exciting. Read the full story here.
