New US-British Airstrikes Target Houthis in Yemen

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. UK MOD/Handout via REUTERS
An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. UK MOD/Handout via REUTERS
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New US-British Airstrikes Target Houthis in Yemen

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. UK MOD/Handout via REUTERS
An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the US-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on January 12, 2024. UK MOD/Handout via REUTERS

Two US officials said the US Central Command forces carried out new strikes on Monday against the Houthi group in Yemen, the NBC news network reported.

The officials said the strikes occurred between 12 noon and 8:00 p.m. Sanaa time, and had struck a mobile missile launcher and a drone system, according to the Arab World Press.

The two officials also noted that Houthis targeted two US ships in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. They said the militia group launched a ballistic missile on the Greek-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier Sea Champion without causing damage, adding that the Marshall Islands-flagged Navis Fortuna was hit by a Houthi drone.

Later, the Houthi-run al-Masirah satellite TV channel reported that the US-British maritime coalition launched an airstrike on the Yemeni Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday.

The first strike hit the area of al-Jabanah while the second landed in the the Sardoud farm in al-Kadan area in al-Duha district, the television said, without providing further details or casualties, according to the Arab World Press.

The US and the UK have conducted rounds of strikes against the Houthis in an attempt to stop the rebel group targeting shipping in the southern Red Sea.

Houthis have been carrying out attacks on Israeli ships or those bound for Israel, in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea in retaliation for Israel's war on the Gaza Strip.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.