Categories
-Top News Africa News USA

US Intercepts Drones, Missile From Yemen Targeting Warship

Despite repeated strikes by the US and UK, the Iran-backed Houthis continue to pose threats to vital trade routes….reports Asian Lite News

The United States military forces intercepted three drones and a missile aimed at a destroyer in the Red Sea, following announcements from Yemen’s Houthis of targeting two US warships.

Despite repeated strikes by the US and UK, the Iran-backed Houthis continue to pose threats to vital trade routes.

The US Central Command reported the downing of an anti-ship ballistic missile and three unmanned aerial systems launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the USS Carney (DDG 64).

Although there were no casualties or damage to the ship, subsequent actions by US forces destroyed three anti-ship missiles and three naval drones in Yemen.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated their intention to persist until the siege on Gaza ends, linking their attacks to support for Palestinians.

Beginning in November, the Houthis targeted Red Sea shipping, citing solidarity with Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The US and UK responded with strikes, prompting the Houthis to consider American and British interests as legitimate targets.

Tensions escalate across the Middle East due to anger over Israel’s actions in Gaza, with Iran-backed groups involved in violence across Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.”

Undersea Cable Damage Hits Global Communication

The damage caused to undersea cables in the Red Sea, following the Houthi strikes in the region, is disrupting global telecommunications networks and forcing internet providers to reroute as much as a quarter of traffic between Asia, Europe and the Middle East, reported CNN.

Hong Kong telecoms company HGC Global Communications, release a report as the Houthis continue to launch indiscriminate attacks targeting the commercial ships in the Red Sea.

According to the HGC, cables belonging to four major telecoms networks have been “cut” causing “significant” disruption to communications networks in the Middle East.

The telecom company estimated that 25 per cent of traffic between Asia and Europe as well the Middle East has been impacted, the report stated on Monday, according to CNN.

Further, the company said that it is rerouting traffic to minimize disruption for customers and also “extending assistance to affected businesses.”

However, the HGC did not mention the reason behind the cables damage or who was responsible.

This comes weeks after the official Yemeni government warned of the possibility of an attack on the cables by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have already disrupted global supply chains by attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, CNN reported.

Israel news outlet Globes, in a report last weekm suggested that the Houthis had been behind the damage to the cables.

However, Yemeni rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi denied the allegations and said, “We have no intention of targeting sea cables providing internet to countries in the region.”

Among the networks affected is the Europe India Gateway, spanning 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) between Europe, the Middle East and India.

Moreover, Asia-Africa-Europe, a 25,000-kilometer cable system connecting South East Asia to Europe via Egypt, has also been damaged, as reported by CNN.

The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military shipping since November.

The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US, Al Jazeera reported.

Last month, US forces and the United Kingdom Armed Forces, with the support of several other countries, conducted strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen. (with inputs from agencies)

ALSO READ: US Bill demanding ByteDance to divest TikTok introduced

Categories
-Top News Africa News USA

US forces destroy unmanned surface vessels in Yemen

It said that these actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels….reports Asian Lite News

Amid the tensions in the Red Sea, US Central Command said that it has destroyed three unmanned surface vessels (USV), two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and a one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in self-defence. It said that these actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels.

The US Central Command said that the USV and ASCM weapons were prepared to launch towards and the UAV was over the Red Sea and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy ships in the region.

In a post on X, US Central Command stated, “On Feb. 26, between the hours of 4:45 p.m. and 11:45a p.m. (Sanaa time), US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed three unmanned surface vessels (USV), two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and a one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in self-defense.”

“The USV and ASCM weapons were prepared to launch towards, and the UAV was over, the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces identified the USVs and missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, as well as the UAV over the Red Sea, and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels,” it added.

Last week, the US Central Command forces located and destroyed a surface-to-air missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5 pm on February 19, the US Central Command said. It said that one additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 pm. However, it did not affect any commercial or coalition ships.

In a statement shared on X, US Central Command stated, “Feb. 19 and early morning Feb 20 Red Sea Update. Two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned grain carrier in the Gulf of Aden. Minor damage and no injuries were reported. The ship continued toward its scheduled destination to deliver grain to Aden, Yemen.”

“A surface to air missile launcher was located and destroyed by U.S. CENTCOM forces in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5 p.m. One additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 p.m. but did not impact any commercial or coalition ships,” it added.

According to US Central Command, a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the M/V Navis Fortuna, a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned, bulk carrier, causing minor damage and no injuries. The ship continued its voyage towards Italy.

The US Central Command said that its forces destroyed an OWA UAV in Western Yemen, prepared to launch at ships in the Red Sea. Furthermore, US and coalition aircraft and warships shot down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In addition, USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction and shot it down.

In the statement posted on X, US Central Command stated, “The ship continued its voyage toward Italy. At 8:15 p.m., U.S. CENTCOM forces destroyed a OWA UAV in Western Yemen prepared to launch at ships in the Red Sea. Between 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 20, U.S. and coalition aircraft and warships shot down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.” (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden Anticipates Gaza Ceasefire by March 4th

Categories
-Top News USA

Houthi Forces Target Commercial Ship Carrying Food Aid for Yemen

The attack was carried out using two ballistic missiles, according to a Houthi announcement…reports Asian Lite News

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has expressed strong condemnation for the Houthi group’s assault on a commercial ship carrying 40,000 ton of grain intended for the war-ravaged Yemen.

In a statement released by the state-run Saba news agency, the government said on Wednesday that the ship named the Sea Champion was fired upon by Houthi forces on Monday while sailing from Argentina to the port of Aden in southern Yemen, Xinhua news agency reported.

The attack was carried out using two ballistic missiles, according to a Houthi announcement.

The government added that the ship was carrying a cargo of 40,000 ton of grain, of which 9,229 ton of corn were destined for Aden. The rest was to be unloaded at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.

The Sea Champion has delivered vital food aid to Yemen 11 times over the past five years since the outbreak of the country’s civil war, according to the government.

Yemen’s Information Minister Muammar Al-Eryani described the assault as “a dangerous escalation of Houthi attacks on commercial ships”.

He accused the Houthis of exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and forcing innocent civilians to pay the price.

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks on international shipping since mid-November last year, saying they were in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza who faced Israeli attacks.

US Warplanes Launch Airstrikes Targeting Yemen’s Hodeidah Port City

US warplanes launched five airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, media reported.

The strikes hit in the area of Ras Issa in the district of al-Salif, northwest of the city, said the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV report on Wednesday, adding that there were no casualties.

Hodeidah’s residents said there were huge explosions in the Houthi-controlled military sea base in Ras Issa, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Houthis have been launching anti-ship missile attacks against international shipping vessels transiting the Red Sea since the past mid-November in what they said in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Many ships have been damaged, forcing several major shipping companies to change routes around Africa, which increased the prices of shipping and goods.

The US military, which has been hitting Houthi targets almost on a daily basis since January, has yet to comment on the alleged fresh strikes.

The armed Houthis have been controlling the strategic Hodeidah since the 2018 UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement, which was backed by the US and Britain, forcing the internationally recognised government out.

ALSO READ-Stay Out of Red Sea Coalition, Houthis Tells EU

Categories
-Top News Africa News USA

US Destroys Missile Launcher in Yemen

It said that one additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 pm. However, it did not affect any commercial or coalition ships….reports Asian Lite News

Amid escalating tensions in the Red Sea, the US Central Command forces located and destroyed a surface-to-air missile launcher in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5 pm on February 19, the US Central Command said. It said that one additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 pm. However, it did not affect any commercial or coalition ships.

In a statement shared on X, US Central Command stated, “Feb. 19 and early morning Feb 20 Red Sea Update. Two anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) were launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward M/V Sea Champion, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned grain carrier in the Gulf of Aden. Minor damage and no injuries were reported. The ship continued toward its scheduled destination to deliver grain to Aden, Yemen.”

“A surface to air missile launcher was located and destroyed by U.S. CENTCOM forces in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at approximately 5 p.m. One additional anti-ship ballistic missile was launched at 6:40 p.m. but did not impact any commercial or coalition ships,” it added.

According to US Central Command, a one-way attack (OWA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck the M/V Navis Fortuna, a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned, bulk carrier, causing minor damage and no injuries. The ship continued its voyage towards Italy.

The US Central Command said that its forces destroyed an OWA UAV in Western Yemen, prepared to launch at ships in the Red Sea. Furthermore, US and coalition aircraft and warships shot down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In addition, USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction and shot it down.

In the statement posted on X, US Central Command stated, “The ship continued its voyage toward Italy. At 8:15 p.m., U.S. CENTCOM forces destroyed a OWA UAV in Western Yemen prepared to launch at ships in the Red Sea. Between 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 20, U.S. and coalition aircraft and warships shot down 10 OWA UAVs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”

“Additionally, at 12:30 a.m., Feb. 20, USS Laboon (DDG 58) identified one anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) headed in its direction. USS Laboon subsequently shot down the ASCM. The OWA UAVs, the SAM system, and ASCM destroyed were identified by CENTCOM and determined to presented imminent threats to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect navigational rights and freedoms and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” it added.

On February 17, the United States conducted five strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Sunday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. It said it struck three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned surface vessel, and one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) on Saturday. The strikes were carried out between 3 pm and 8 pm (local time).

According to the US, the Houthi vessels presented an “imminent threat” to US Navy ships and these actions will protect freedom of navigation in the region.Notably, this is the first reported use of an unmanned underwater vessel by Houthis since the attacks began last October, as per US Central Command.

Taking to social media platform X, CENTCOM stated, “Between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 17, CENTCOM successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned surface vessel (USV) in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. This is the first observed Houthi employment of a UUV since attacks began in Oct. 23.”

“CENTCOM identified the anti-ship cruise missiles, unmanned underwater vessel, and the unmanned surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” it added.

The strikes have been carried out amid heightened tensions in the region, where Houthi fighters have carried out attacks on commercial and military shipping since November. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US Vetoes Gaza Resolution at UNSC for 4th Time

Categories
-Top News Europe

French Navy Thwarts Drone Attacks from Yemen over Red Sea

The French Navy’s operation contributed to the objective of the operation launched by the European Union, the statement added…reports Asian Lite News

The French Navy has shot down two aerial drones from Yemen over the Red Sea where Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces said.

“During the night of February 19-20, the French Multi-Mission Frigates detected multiple drone attacks from Yemen in their respective patrol zones in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea. Two drones were destroyed,” said the Ministry on Tuesday in a statement.

The French Navy’s operation contributed to the objective of the operation launched by the European Union, the statement added.

On Monday, Brussels announced that it launched a naval mission, codenamed “ASPIDES”, meaning shield in Greek, in the Red Sea and the Gulf regions to safeguard its commercial and security interests, Xinhua news agency reported.

France has deployed the Alsace, a frigate with air defence capabilities, and the Languedoc, an anti-submarine frigate, in the zone, reported French media.

On Saturday, the Houthi military said it would continue launching missile attacks against Israel-linked commercial vessels and Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and would only stop if Israel halts its aggression on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

ALSO READ-Paris Hosts UAE-France High-Level Business Plenary

Categories
-Top News UK News USA

US, UK carry out fresh strikes in Yemen

The attacks targeted military installations, missile and drone launchers, and ammo stores in At Tuhayta District in the west of the province…reports Asian Lite News

The US and UK launched strikes on Houthi-controlled Hodeidah province in Yemen on Tuesday, as rights organizations and government officials accused the militia group of exploiting the Gaza conflict to recruit minors to their own cause.

The Houthis’ official news agency, Saba, said the attacks targeted military installations, missile and drone launchers, and ammo stores in At Tuhayta District in the west of the province.

The strikes came as US Central Command said on Tuesday that the Houthis launched two missiles at Bab Al-Mandab from areas under their control on Monday morning. The attacks hit the Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship and the Greek-owned MV Star Iris.

The Houthis said on Monday that the Star Iris, which was transporting corn from Brazil to Iran, was an American vessel and was targeted in revenge for the bombardment of Yemeni land by the US and UK.

Since November, the Houthis have seized a commercial ship and launched dozens of missiles and drones at vessels traveling through the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden, preventing Israel-linked ships from passing through commerce lanes off Yemen.

The group claims the strikes are intended to push Israel to break its siege of Gaza. This is the first time the Houthis have attacked a ship destined for Iran, the group’s primary patron.

According to a regional security source cited by Reuters, the Houthis told Iran before targeting the ship and said the attack was intended to convey a message that Iran has no control over the Houthis and that they are acting independently.

Meanwhile, international rights organizations and the government have accused the Houthis of using the war in Gaza and global outcry at the mass killing of Palestinians to recruit minors and send them to the battlefields of Yemen.

Niku Jafarnia, a Yemen and Bahrain researcher at Human Rights Watch said: “The Houthis are exploiting the Palestinian cause to recruit more children for their domestic fight in Yemen.

“The Houthis should be investing resources in providing the basic needs of children in their territories, like good education, food and water, rather than replacing their childhood with conflict.”

Yemeni activists told Human Rights Watch that hundreds, possibly thousands, of children had joined the Houthis since Oct. 7 after being convinced to fight Israelis in Palestine. But instead of sending them to Gaza, the Houthis sent them to fight Yemeni government troops.

“The Houthis make children believe that they will fight to liberate Palestine, but they end up sending them to (the front lines in) Marib and Taiz. Indeed, the Houthis’ Gaza is Marib,” an activist who manages a rights group said.

Yemen’s Minister of Information Moammar Al-Eryani has called for a list of Houthi leaders involved in the recruitment of children so they can be sanctioned.

The militia group had “mercilessly” dragged tens of thousands of children into the battlefields and used them as fuel for their war, he said.

“The Houthi militia has transformed schools under its control into war camps, and classrooms into halls to teach youngsters to disassemble and use light and medium weaponry, as well as indoctrinate them with hard-line sectarian ideologies and hostile slogans acquired from Iran,” Al-Eryani said on X.

Houthi attack cargo ships in Bab al-Mandeb Strait

Meanwhile, Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen towards the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated.

Both missiles were launched on Monday towards MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil.

The Bab-el-Mandeb is a strait between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. Moreover, it connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and, by extension, the Indian Ocean.

Reportedly, no one was injured; however, the ship reports being seaworthy with minor damage.

Notably, CENTCOM highlighted that the MV Star Iris’s destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini in Iran.

“On Feb. 12 from 3:30 to 3:45 a.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired two missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Bab al-Mandeb. Both missiles were launched toward MV Star Iris, a Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel transiting the Red Sea carrying corn from Brazil. The ship reports being seaworthy, with minor damage and no injuries to the crew. Of note, the MV Star Iris’s destination is Bandar Iman Khomeini, Iran,” the CENTCOM posted on social media X.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have been targeting these ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since November as Israel carried out a ground offensive against the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have said that they will not stop attacking until Israel ends the hostilities in Gaza

ALSO READ-Putin Plans to Double Troops Along NATO Border Post-Ukraine

Categories
-Top News Arab News

Yemeni Leadership and UN Envoy Hold Talks on Restarting Peace Process

Al-Alimi highlighted “the importance of the UN mediator prioritising concrete actions, not just words, from the Houthis and their Iranian backers to demonstrate serious commitment to peace efforts”…reports Asian Lite News

Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, received UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in Aden to discuss efforts to resume the country’s political process for ending the long-running civil conflict.

The meeting, which was also attended by Yemen’s newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak, focused on the outcome of Grundberg’s recent regional talks and coordinated endeavours with allies aimed at resuming the inclusive UN-led political negotiations to end the war in Yemen, the state-run Saba News agency reported on Saturday.

Al-Alimi highlighted “the importance of the UN mediator prioritising concrete actions, not just words, from the Houthis and their Iranian backers to demonstrate serious commitment to peace efforts”.

These include “ending the Houthi siege on Taiz, removing impediments to the flow of funds, goods, and civil servant salaries, halting military escalation and attacks on civilian sites, and stopping human rights violations across Yemen,” according to the report.

The Yemeni government also expressed readiness to provide all facilities to assist the UN envoy in fulfilling his mandated responsibilities under international resolutions to end Yemeni suffering and restore legitimate governing institutions, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Commenting on his meeting with Al-Alimi, the UN envoy said in a brief press statement that he personally “explored ways to de-escalate tensions, prevent a relapse into violence in Yemen, and continue progress toward a nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of a political process under UN auspices”.

Grundberg has been actively engaging with regional stakeholders to create conditions conducive to restarting the stalled peace dialogue in Yemen.

Yemen has been mired in a bloody conflict since the Iran-backed Houthi group ousted the internationally recognised Yemeni government from the capital Sanaa in 2014. While the Yemeni government and the Houthis have participated in several rounds of UN-brokered peace talks, a long-term solution remains elusive.

ALSO READ-Netanyahu dismisses Hamas ceasefire proposal

Categories
-Top News Africa News Arab News

Gargash meets UN special envoy to Yemen

Dr. Anwar Gargash affirmed the UAE’s support for the international efforts made to end the Yemeni crisis…reports Asian Lite News

Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, yesterday met with Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, and discussed with him the latest developments in the Yemeni crisis and the efforts to find a lasting solution that ends the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people.

During the meeting, Dr. Anwar Gargash affirmed the UAE’s support for the international efforts made to end the Yemeni crisis and its repercussions on the stability of the region, praising the vital role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard.

In a related context, Hans Grundberg expressed his deep concern about the repercussions of the attacks on maritime navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb and Red Sea regions, and the importance of preserving the security of the region and the interests of its countries and peoples within the framework of international laws and norms.

For his part, the UN envoy reviewed the latest developments in the Yemeni issue and his discussions with all international, regional and local parties.

The meeting was attended by Mohamed Hamad Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Yemen.

ALSO READ: UAE-Cambodia CEPA enters into force

Categories
-Top News Arab News Asia News

Hamas condemns US-British airstrikes on Yemen

US and British forces launched joint strikes Saturday against targets in the Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, said the Pentagon….reports Asian Lite News

Hamas has condemned the US-British airstrikes on Yemen, considering it “an escalation that will drag the region into more turmoil”.

“We strongly condemn the US-British airstrikes of the Republic of Yemen and consider it a blatant attack on the sovereignty of an Arab country,” Hamas was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying on Sunday.

Hamas in a press statement said that the airstrikes represented “an escalation that will drag the region into more turmoil and instability, for the repercussions of which Washington and Israel bear full responsibility”.

US and British forces launched joint strikes Saturday against targets in the Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, said the Pentagon.

Yemen’s Houthi group said on Sunday morning it would launch retaliatory attacks for the US-British airstrikes overnight on six provinces under Houthis’ control in northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, the Houthis have carried out more than 40 missile attacks against commercial vessels and US naval ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis said they aimed to press Israel to end the offensive and siege of Gaza.

ALSO READ: Hamas Leaders Discuss Truce in Cairo with Egyptian Officials

Categories
-Top News UK News USA

Houthis order all US, British UN staff to leave Yemen

Peter Hawkins, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, is himself British…reports Asian Lite News

Yemen’s Houthi militia have ordered all US and British staff of the United Nations and its agencies to leave the country within a month, a UN official told AFP.

In a letter dated January 20 and shared on social media, the authorities in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa told the UN resident coordinator that employees with British and US nationality had one month to “prepare to leave the country.”

“They must be ready to leave as soon as the deadline expires,” the document said, adding that 24 hours’ notice would be given by letter.

While they only control a fraction of Yemen’s territory, the Houthis hold sway over most of the country’s population centers. A UN official confirmed that they had received the memo.

“The UN and its partners have taken note of this and are waiting to see what are the next steps,” said the official, who asked to remain anonymous.

Peter Hawkins, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, is himself British.

The expulsion followed joint strikes by the United States and Britain against the Houthis aimed at ending the group’s attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, threatening global trade.

The United States has launched multiple further strikes and on Tuesday carried out a second set of joint strikes with Britain.

Last week, Washington redesignated the Houthis a “global terrorist group,” having lifted it in 2021 to ease aid delivery to the impoverished country.

The Houthis have fought a nearly decade-long civil war against government forces, who are backed by Saudi Arabia.

The conflict plunged Yemen, by far the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, into a deep humanitarian crisis, labelled among the worst in the world by the UN.

Since mid-November, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones from Yemen’s coast aimed at shipping the group says is linked to Israel, in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Gaza is under siege by Israel, which aims to destroy Hamas after the militant group’s surprise attack of October 7.

The Houthis have reacted to the US and British strikes with defiance, targeting further ships.

The United States, Israel’s major ally and provider of military equipment, has created an international coalition to patrol the Red Sea and protect commercial traffic.

ALSO READ-UK to degrade Houthis’ ability to attack, says Cameron