Chinese Fleet Heads to Red Sea amid Rising Tensions

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel and in support of Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, 23 February 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel and in support of Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, 23 February 2024. (EPA)
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Chinese Fleet Heads to Red Sea amid Rising Tensions

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel and in support of Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, 23 February 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during a protest against the US and Israel and in support of Palestinians, in Sanaa, Yemen, 23 February 2024. (EPA)

China has decided to dispatch a fleet to the region amid the rising tensions sparked by the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

The 46th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy sailed for the region on Wednesday, departing Zhanjiang, a coastal city in Guangdong province, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

The deployment is part of China's ongoing efforts to secure the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia. It replaces the 45th fleet.

The 46th fleet's naval mission includes the guided-missile destroyer Jiaozuo, the missile frigate Xuchang and the comprehensive replenishment vessel Honghu, said Xinhua.

Over 700 officers and soldiers are on board, along with two helicopters.

Meanwhile, 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.



Tunisia Coast Guard Recovers Bodies of Six African Migrants

A Red Cross volunteer transfers two migrants to a tent to be attended after disembarking from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez
A Red Cross volunteer transfers two migrants to a tent to be attended after disembarking from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez
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Tunisia Coast Guard Recovers Bodies of Six African Migrants

A Red Cross volunteer transfers two migrants to a tent to be attended after disembarking from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez
A Red Cross volunteer transfers two migrants to a tent to be attended after disembarking from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, April 4, 2024. REUTERS/Borja Suarez

Tunisian coast guards recovered the bodies of five African women migrants and a baby in waters off the town of Monastir, a judge said on Thursday. Reu

Judge Farid Ben Jha told Reuters that the bodies had been recovered late on Wednesday and that the migrants had come from sub-Saharan Africa.