US Destroys Houthi Drones, Missiles in Yemen and Red Sea, Military Says

Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
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US Destroys Houthi Drones, Missiles in Yemen and Red Sea, Military Says

Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)
Students recruited into the ranks of Yemen's Houthi militias hold up automatic rifles as they take part in a rally in support of the Palestinians and against the US, Britain and Israel at a university campus in Sanaa on February 21, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas movement in Gaza. (AFP)

The US military said on Friday it had destroyed Houthi drones and anti-ship cruise missiles in Yemen and the Red Sea after determining they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships.

The strikes hit four drones and two cruise missiles that were prepared to launch from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Red Sea, the military's Central Command said.

The military also shot down three Houthi one-way attack drones near commercial ships operating in the Red Sea, it said.

The strikes were conducted on Thursday and Friday, the Central Command said. There was no damage to any ships, it added.



UN's Humanitarian Affairs Agency Ramps Up Preparations to Provide Aid to Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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UN's Humanitarian Affairs Agency Ramps Up Preparations to Provide Aid to Gaza

Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk along a street market in Khan Younis, central Gaza Strip, Saturday Jan. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The UN’s humanitarian affairs agency says it has ratcheted up its preparations for providing aid to Gaza after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect.

Muhannad Hadi, the agency’s humanitarian coordinator for the territory, said Saturday the United Nations and its partners are ready to leverage the opportunity for large-scale relief, The Associated Press reported.

Hadi referenced in a statement the agreements reached on implementing humanitarian components in the first phase of the ceasefire, including the provision of supplies “including water, food, health and shelter to people across Gaza and the long-awaited release of hostages.”

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday, mediator Qatar said. It will pause the fighting after 15 months of war and see the release of dozens of hostages held by the militants in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.