US Strikes at Houthi Targets in Yemen

FILED - 29 January 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: Armed men of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Photo: Osamah Yahya/dpa
FILED - 29 January 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: Armed men of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Photo: Osamah Yahya/dpa
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US Strikes at Houthi Targets in Yemen

FILED - 29 January 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: Armed men of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Photo: Osamah Yahya/dpa
FILED - 29 January 2024, Yemen, Sanaa: Armed men of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Photo: Osamah Yahya/dpa

US military forces have struck at targets in Houthi-controlled Yemen in the past 24 hours, destroying two drones, a Houthi ground control station, and three anti-ship cruise missiles, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
Earlier, the Iran-aligned Houthis said they had attacked a container ship in the Red Sea and two US destroyers in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday.

"These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to US and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement on the US strikes.

It said this "reckless and dangerous behavior" by the Houthis threatened regional stability, but it gave no further details and did not confirm that any US vessels had been attacked.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said earlier that the Houthi air force had launched drones against the US destroyer Cole and fired a number of ballistic missiles at the US destroyer Laboon on Wednesday.

The Liberia-flagged container ship Contship Ono was also targeted with ballistic missiles and drones, he said.

Contships Management in Athens told Reuters the vessel had not been hit and its crew were safe.

A US official said there was no data or information to corroborate the Houthis' claim that the two warships had been attacked.



Lebanon: Aoun Says No Solution for Israel’s Violations Except Through Diplomacy

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
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Lebanon: Aoun Says No Solution for Israel’s Violations Except Through Diplomacy

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated commitment to dialogue to address Lebanon’s long-standing dispute with Israel’s violation and occupation in south Lebanon, saying that it can only be addressed through “diplomacy”.
He reiterated "the importance of diplomatic solutions in resolving conflicts, as the Lebanese people have grown weary of wars”, a Presidency statement quoted Aoun as saying on Friday.
Aoun’s remarks come amid support from the Higher Islamic Shiite Council for the his approach to addressing the issue of Hezbollah’s arms through dialogue.
“Diplomatic efforts may not yield immediate results, but we are working daily with international parties, away from the media spotlight, to achieve the desired outcome”, said Aoun during his visit to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.
The Lebanese president’s comments come amid heated political debate over the future of Hezbollah’s weapons and the call to centralize arms under state authority. Last week, Aoun reiterated his determination to make sure the state has a monopoly over weapons.

Aoun’s strategy to address the issue of Hezbollah’s arms garnered the support of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council. “Let the issue be addressed through calm dialogue away from media and political exploitations. Let the decision be a unifying national one away from submissions to external demands”, said Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, vice-president of the Higher Shiite Council.
Aoun had earlier reaffirmed that communication between the presidency and Hezbollah remains active, with tangible results on the ground.

He also highlighted that he and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri are in agreement on all matters, particularly the goal of placing weapons solely under the control of the state.

Disarming Hezbollah has emerged as a key condition in ongoing discussions surrounding Israel’s potential withdrawal from the remaining five disputed points it occupies in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have linked any pullout to assurances that Hezbollah’s military presence near the border will be curbed, citing security concerns.

For its part, Lebanon maintains that full Israeli withdrawal is a prerequisite for lasting stability, but internal divisions over Hezbollah’s role complicate negotiations. While President Joseph Aoun and others advocate for addressing the group’s arms through national dialogue, critics warn that tying disarmament to Israeli withdrawal risks prolonging the deadlock.