Two Vessels Damaged in Attacks Off Yemen's Hodeidah

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
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Two Vessels Damaged in Attacks Off Yemen's Hodeidah

A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024.  EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT
A handout screen grab taken from a video released by the Houthis security media center shows firefighters attempt to extinguish the fire at a power plant following Israeli airstrikes on Hodeidah city, Yemen, 29 September 2024. EPA/HOUTHIS SECURITY MEDIA CENTER / HANDOUT HANDOUT

Two vessels sustained damage after being hit with suspected Houthi missiles and a sea drone off Yemen's Hodeidah port early on Tuesday, maritime security agencies and sources monitoring the area said.
Both vessels reported that their crews were safe.
One of the vessels, which sources said was a Panama-flagged tanker, reported being hit by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) 64 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.
It was damaged on its port side ballast tank, British security firm Ambrey said, adding that it was proceeding to its port of call.
The vessel had earlier reported seeing four splashes on the water close to it, which a maritime security source said were attempted missile attacks.

The second vessel, which sources said was a Liberia-flagged bulker, sustained damage after it was hit by a missile about 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah, Ambrey and maritime security sources said. The firm said it was bound for Suez.

Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They have seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.

The last attack on a merchant ship by the Houthis came on Sept. 2.
The Houthis also continue to launch missiles targeting Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes from the Israelis this weekend on Hodeidah.
 



Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
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Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed Monday that those involved in a "heinous" suicide attack on a Damascus church a day earlier would face justice, calling for unity in the country.

The shooting and suicide bombing Sunday at the church in the working-class Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital killed 25 people and wounded 63, the health ministry said, raising an earlier toll of 22 killed.

The authorities said the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State group.

"We promise... that we will work night and day, mobilising all our specialized security agencies, to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime and to bring them to justice," Sharaa said in a statement, AFP reported.

The attack "reminds us of the importance of solidarity and unity of the government and the people in facing all that threatens our nation's security and stability", he added.

Condemnation has continued to pour in from the international community after the attack -- the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

It was also the first inside a church in Syria since the country's civil war erupted in 2011, according to a monitor, in a country where security remains one of the new authorities' greatest challenges.

Since the new authorities took power, the international community has repeatedly urged the government to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria's transition, particularly after sectarian violence in recent months.