US Army Vows to Degrade Houthi Military Capabilities

This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group (IKECSG), sailing in formation in the Red Sea with the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) on June 7, 2024, as part of their mission to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region. (US Navy / AFP)
This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group (IKECSG), sailing in formation in the Red Sea with the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) on June 7, 2024, as part of their mission to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region. (US Navy / AFP)
TT

US Army Vows to Degrade Houthi Military Capabilities

This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group (IKECSG), sailing in formation in the Red Sea with the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) on June 7, 2024, as part of their mission to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region. (US Navy / AFP)
This handout photo released by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Gravely (DDG 107), part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Group (IKECSG), sailing in formation in the Red Sea with the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) on June 7, 2024, as part of their mission to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region. (US Navy / AFP)

A merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea reported an explosion in close proximity to it on Monday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

UKMTO said the crew was reported safe and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) later identified the vessel as Liberian-flagged container MSC SARAH V, saying it was attacked by a missile while navigating the Arabian Sea but was not hit. The ship was sailing 246 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's Nishtun.

The ship reported a missile landing in the water approximately 50 meters off the starboard side of the ship, JMIC said.

"The vessel was likely attacked due to perceived Israeli association," JMIC's note added.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias have been launching drone and missile strikes in shipping lanes since November, saying that are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war in Gaza.

In dozens of attacks, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.

A Houthi military spokesman said in a statement that the militias used a remote-controlled vessel to make a direct hit against the Transworld Navigator bulk carrier in the Red Sea.

He also claimed that the Houthis attacked the Stolt Sequoia in the Indian Ocean with a number of cruise missiles.

In a statement on Sunday, the US Central Command said this was the fourth time the militias target the Transworld Navigator.

The crew reported minor injuries and moderate damage to the ship, but the vessel has continued underway, it said on the X platform.

"This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden," it added.

"CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities," it vowed.



Lebanon Braces for Repercussions of Iran-Israel Conflict

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
TT

Lebanon Braces for Repercussions of Iran-Israel Conflict

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian meet at Dar al-Fatwa. (Markazia)

Lebanon remained on high political alert amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, as officials worked to assess and contain the potential repercussions of the conflict on the country’s fragile stability.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari and Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian emphasized the importance of Lebanon distancing itself from the conflict.

President Joseph Aoun is closely monitoring the unfolding situation and received briefings on the latest developments and the regional and international diplomatic efforts underway to defuse it.

Aoun is in continuous contact with security leaders, in line with the outcomes of a national security meeting held at the Baabda Palace on Saturday, said a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

The president also oversaw efforts to facilitate the return of Lebanese nationals stranded abroad after airlines canceled flights to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport and neighboring countries closed their airspace due to the rising regional tensions.

Saudi Ambassador Bukhari met with Grand Mufti Derian at Dar al-Fatwa to extend Eid al-Adha greetings and congratulate him on performing the Hajj upon invitation from the Saudi royal protocol.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss Lebanese and regional affairs.

According to a statement from Dar al-Fatwa’s media office, the officials stressed the need for Lebanon to disassociate itself from the Iran-Israel conflict.

They underscored the urgent need for intensified Arab and international diplomatic efforts to curb the language of war and restore rational dialogue. They warned of the dangerous political, economic, and environmental consequences the continued fighting could have on the region.

Despite ongoing Israeli attacks in parts of Lebanon and repeated violations of UN Resolution 1701, the country, they said, must pursue security, peace, and stability.