Yemeni Forces Foil Houthi Scheme to Plant Naval Mines off Midi Coast

People walk past a ship docked at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Reuters
People walk past a ship docked at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Reuters
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Yemeni Forces Foil Houthi Scheme to Plant Naval Mines off Midi Coast

People walk past a ship docked at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Reuters
People walk past a ship docked at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. Reuters

Yemeni naval forces thwarted Houthi militias' attempt to plant naval mines around the coast of Midi District in Hajjah Governorate.

Yemeni military sources said that Yemeni naval forces targeted boats that were used by the militias attempting to plant the naval mines, some 30 nautical miles from the coast of Midi, which resulted in the deaths of several specialists in planting mines.

The sources added that the military operation resulted in a number of casualties in the Houthi ranks, following the clashes and the failure of their plan, and the government forces captured the boat used by the militias to carry out the offensive.

“Houthi rebels usually resort to the use of some fishing boats to disguise after adding military and mechanical modifications to them,” sources added.

The Yemeni army forces, with the support of the Saudi-led coalition, removed dozens of sea mines planted by the Houthis in the Red Sea, off the coasts of Midi, to target various ships and fishing boats and obstruct the navigation route.

On the other hand, the fighting intensified on the battle fronts al-Bayda and al-Jawf coinciding with air strikes carried out by aircraft of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen.

The fighting and the air strikes against the Houthi coup caused the militia heavy losses in lives and equipment on various fronts.

The government forces also liberated strategic mountain positions in Nahm front, northeast of Sana’a, following clashes that killed at least 25 members of the pro-Iranian group.

There were also other battles between the Yemeni army forces and the Houthi militias, north of the border province of Jawf in the Aqaba region.

"The battles resulted in deaths and injuries of Houthi militants, in addition to the destruction of a combat vehicle and weapons and ammunition," the army's website said.

Governor of al-Jawf Amin al-Okimi inspected "the front lines of the army and the resistance in the series of mountains that overlook Wadi Khab," official sources said.
"The army is determined to clear Wadi Khab, the last location where the militias are based," Okimi said in a statement.

He also stressed that all individuals need to be ready to fight and complete the liberation of all areas in the province.



Palestinians Hold Friday Prayers in the Ruins of Mosques in the Gaza Strip

Palestinians perform Friday prayers among the rubble of their homes destroyed in an Israeli military offensive, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 24 January 2025. (EPA)
Palestinians perform Friday prayers among the rubble of their homes destroyed in an Israeli military offensive, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 24 January 2025. (EPA)
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Palestinians Hold Friday Prayers in the Ruins of Mosques in the Gaza Strip

Palestinians perform Friday prayers among the rubble of their homes destroyed in an Israeli military offensive, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 24 January 2025. (EPA)
Palestinians perform Friday prayers among the rubble of their homes destroyed in an Israeli military offensive, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 24 January 2025. (EPA)

Palestinians have gathered for weekly Muslim prayers in the ruins of mosques in the Gaza Strip that were destroyed by Israeli strikes.

The prayers were held on the first Friday since a ceasefire went into effect that is aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war and bringing about the release of dozens of hostages and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned or detained by Israel.

Dozens of worshippers gathered amidst the crumbled walls and drooping ceiling of a mosque in the southern city of Khan Younis, while others prayed outside.

In the urban Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, children climbed on the destroyed minaret of a mosque.

Israel’s 15-month military campaign, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, caused vast destruction across Gaza.

Israel blames the devastation on Hamas because the fighters operate in dense, residential areas. Over the course of the war, the military released photos and video showing the placement of tunnels and other militant infrastructure near homes, mosques and schools.

The Palestinian Authority says more than 800 mosques were completely destroyed and more than 150 were damaged.