West Warns the Houthis: Any Return to Conflict Would Lead to Total Isolation

The head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council met with the US ambassador in Riyadh last Thursday. SABA
The head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council met with the US ambassador in Riyadh last Thursday. SABA
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West Warns the Houthis: Any Return to Conflict Would Lead to Total Isolation

The head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council met with the US ambassador in Riyadh last Thursday. SABA
The head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council met with the US ambassador in Riyadh last Thursday. SABA

The US, Britain and France have warned the Houthi militias in Yemen that “any return to conflict would lead to their total isolation by the international community.”

The ambassadors of the three countries called on the Houthis on Tuesday “to immediately cease any actions that will further damage the economy of Yemen and to engage with the UN.”

In a statement, the diplomats welcomed “the continued broad adherence by all parties to the truce-like conditions in Yemen over the past year.”

“These conditions have allowed for important progress on a number of key issues. The facilitation of goods through Hodeidah port has been an important step to increase Yemeni citizens’ access to much needed basic resources,” said the statement.

While underlining their commitment to a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, the ambassadors called on the Houthis “to prioritize the Yemeni people and engage constructively with all parties in efforts to achieve peace.”

The statement also welcomed “the announcement of new international flights from Sanaa airport, increasing freedom of movement for Yemeni citizens. This included the first direct flights from Sanaa to Saudi Arabia in seven years for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.”



Italian MPs Protest at Egypt's Gaza Border Against War

 Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Italian MPs Protest at Egypt's Gaza Border Against War

 Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)
Italian and European parliament members hold placards during a protest in front of the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, calling for an end to the war and for aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025. (AFP)

Italian parliamentarians protested on Sunday in front of Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza, calling for aid access and an end to the war in the devastated Palestinian territory.

"Europe is not doing enough, nothing to stop the massacre," Cecilia Strada, an Italian member of the European parliament, told AFP.

The group, including 11 members of the Italian parliament, three MEPs and representatives of NGOs, held signs reading "Stop genocide now", "End illegal occupation" and "Stop arming Israel".

"There should be a complete embargo on weapons to and from Israel and a stop to trade with illegal settlements," Strada said.

The protesters laid toys on the ground in solidarity with Gaza's children, who the UN warns face "a growing risk of starvation, illness and death" more than two months into a total Israeli aid blockade.

At least 15,000 children have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, according to the United Nations.

Israel has faced mounting pressure to lift its aid blockade, as UN agencies warn of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.

It resumed its offensive on March 18, ending a two-month truce in its war against Hamas triggered by the Palestinian group's October 2023 attack on Israel.

On Saturday Israel announced an expanded military campaign, killing dozens of people in new strikes.

"We hear the bombs right now," Walter Massa, president of Italian non-profit organization Associazione Ricreativa Culturale Italiana, told AFP near the crossing.

"The Israeli army continues to do what it believes is right in the face of an international community that does not intervene, and in Gaza, beyond the Rafah crossing border, people continue to die," he said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Saturday said he was "alarmed" at the escalation and called for "a permanent ceasefire, now".

Italy's government on Saturday reiterated its calls to Israel to stop attacking Gaza, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani saying: "Enough with the attacks."

"We no longer want to see the Palestinian people suffer," Tajani said.

Gaza's health ministry said Sunday 3,193 people have been killed since Israel resumed its strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,339.