US Launches Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen

A photo published by the US Navy of a fighter participating in operations against Houthi targets. (EPA)
A photo published by the US Navy of a fighter participating in operations against Houthi targets. (EPA)
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US Launches Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen

A photo published by the US Navy of a fighter participating in operations against Houthi targets. (EPA)
A photo published by the US Navy of a fighter participating in operations against Houthi targets. (EPA)

The US military conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, US Central Command announced on Thursday.

“CENTCOM forces conducted four self-defense strikes against seven mobile Houthi Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles and one mobile Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile launcher that were prepared to launch toward the Red Sea,” said the statement.

“Additionally, during this time frame, CENTCOM forces shot down a one-way attack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in self-defense.”

The “forces identified the missiles, launchers, and UAS originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and to the US Navy ships in the region,” it added.

CENTCOM said its forces “subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles, launchers and UAS in self-defense,” noting that these actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer.



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.