AL-MUKALLA: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed on Friday that it had attacked Israeli and American ships in the Indian Ocean for the first time, only hours after its leader promised to extend action against Israel-linked ships in the area.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the militia launched drones and anti-ship missiles at three Israeli and American ships in the Indian Ocean following its attacks in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
He also claimed that forces used missiles to strike an “Israeli” ship named Pacific 01 which was traveling through the Red Sea, as well as firing drones at a US Navy ship.
The Houthis warned that the militia will now attack any Israel-linked ships or those going to Israel in the Indian Ocean through the Cape of Good Hope.
Its statement said: “The Yemeni armed forces warn all Israeli ships heading to or coming from the ports of occupied Palestine not to pass through the Cape of Good Hope, or they will be a legitimate target for our armed forces.”
In recent months the Houthis have seized a commercial ship and its crew, and launched hundreds of drones, missiles, and remotely operated boats against foreign commercial and naval ships operating in international seas off Yemen’s shores in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis claim that the group targets Israel-linked or vessels bound for Israel to force the country to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Houthi militia leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi said on Thursday that his forces would expand their actions against Israel.
Al-Houthi claimed that since March 7 the militia had launched 58 ballistic missiles and drones against dozens of commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.
He said in a televised speech: “We declare that ships affiliated to the Israeli enemy will be prohibited from traversing the Indian Ocean, even in the area next to South Africa, toward Israel.”
The Houthi claims came as the US Central Command said on Friday that the militia had launched 13 ballistic missiles and two drones targeting international commercial and naval ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the past 24 hours.
CENTCOM said that the Houthis had fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles from areas under the militia’s control in Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, none of which struck any ships, while its forces shot down nine similar missiles and two drones fired by the group.
CENTCOM added: “These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy and merchant vessels.”
Houthis claim first attacks on ships in Indian Ocean
https://arab.news/5c59s
Houthis claim first attacks on ships in Indian Ocean
- US Central Command says anti-ship missiles, drones hit in Yemen strikes
- Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the militia launched drones and anti-ship missiles at three Israeli and American ships
Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills, but no casualties are reported
Mayor Tahir Buyukakin told private NTV television that the blast occurred at the Turkish Petroleum Refineries company, Tupras, in Izmit provicince during “routine drills.”
A fire was quickly brought under control by the privately owned company’s own emergency crews and no request for help was made, he said.
Video footage from the site showed smoke rising from the refinery.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.
Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut
BEIRUT: Lebanese state media reported a strike on an apartment in the Jiyeh coastal area south of Beirut on Tuesday, more than a month into the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The official National News Agency said “a raid targeted a residential apartment in a building in the town of Jiyeh,” where an AFP correspondent said a large plume of grey smoke covered the area.
Iran says killed eight militants since attack on police in province bordering Pakistan
- Militants from the Jaish Al-Adl group killed 10 police officers during a raid in Sistan-Baluchistan province on October 26
- Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddles border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of Iran’s most impoverished provinces
TEHRAN: Iran’s military has killed eight militants in an operation in the restive southeast since a deadly attack last month on a police station, state media reported Tuesday.
Militants from the Pakistan-based Jaish Al-Adl group killed 10 police officers during a raid on October 26 in Sistan-Baluchistan province — one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent months.
Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddles the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of Iran’s most impoverished provinces.
It has long been a flashpoint for cross-border attacks by separatists and extremists, opposed to the authorities in Iran.
Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Shafahi said “a total of eight terrorists have been killed” since the beginning of operations in the province, according to the official IRNA news agency on Tuesday.
“Fourteen other terrorists have been arrested,” including key figures involved in the attack, he said, adding security forces seized weapons and ammunition.
Shortly after the attack in Taftan county, some 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran, a report on the Tasnim news agency said four militants had been killed and four others arrested.
Late on Monday, IRNA quoted Guards ground forces commander Mohammad Pakpour as saying the attackers “were not Iranian,” though he did not specify their nationalities.
In early October, at least six people including police officers were killed in two separate attacks in the province.
Jaish Al-Adl said on Telegram they had carried out the attacks.
Formed in 2012 by Baluch separatists, the group is proscribed as a “terrorist organization” by both Iran and the United States.
Over 100 patients to be evacuated from Gaza, WHO says
- The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing
GENEVA: More than 100 patients including children suffering from trauma injuries and chronic diseases will be evacuated from Gaza on Wednesday in a rare transfer out of the war-ravaged enclave, a World Health Organization official said.
“These are ad hoc measures. What we have requested repeatedly is a sustained medevac (medical evacuation) outside of Gaza,” said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, adding that 12,000 people were awaiting transfer.
The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel before flying to the United Arab Emirates, he added, and then a portion will travel to Romania.
Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions
- In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security
DUBAI: Two French citizens detained in Iran since May 2022 are in good health and being held in good detention conditions, Iran’s judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said on Tuesday, according to state media.
Last month, France’s foreign ministry said the conditions that three of its nationals were being held in by Iran were unacceptable.
“According to the relevant authorities, these two people have good conditions in the detention center and are in good health, so any claim regarding their conditions being abnormal is rejected,” Jahangir said.
The spokesperson was referring to Cecile Koehler and Jacques Paris, who he said were arrested on charges of espionage and will have their next court hearing on Nov. 24.
Jahangir did not mention the third French national detained in Iran. French media have disclosed only his first name, Olivier.
In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests.
