Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
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Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have upped their attacks against Saudi Arabia in the past two weeks. These failed attacks have coincided with a series of mysterious explosions that have rocked various facilities in Iran.

The latest Houthi escalation took place this week when they fired seven booby-trapped drones and four ballistic missiles at the Kingdom. They were all intercepted and downed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Observers said it was not unusual for Tehran to seek such an escalation, especially ahead of the American presidential elections in November, and given the numerous local crises it is grappling with. They noted that it resorts to escalation in order to pressure the international community and save its regime.

Senior research fellow at the Gulf Research Center, Dr. Hesham Alghannam said that every time Iran endures a setback, it carries out a flagrant attack in an attempt to divert attention away from the pressure it is coming under.

The pressure is aimed at altering its hostile behavior against its neighbors and the world. The international community, therefore, must be alert to its tricks and connect developments to each other, he urged. It must not be blind to the fact that a regional party - Iran - is involved in Yemen and does not want its crisis to end.

The recent Houthi attack brings to 322 the number of ballistic missiles and 379 the number of drones they have fired at Saudi Arabia since the eruption of the Yemeni conflict.



UAE: US Companies Sanctioned Over Sudan Do Not Operate in the Emirates

The Emirati Justice Ministry logo
The Emirati Justice Ministry logo
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UAE: US Companies Sanctioned Over Sudan Do Not Operate in the Emirates

The Emirati Justice Ministry logo
The Emirati Justice Ministry logo

The Emirati Justice Ministry on Friday said that the seven companies based in the United Arab Emirates and sanctioned by the US over Sudan do not own valid business licenses or operate locally.

The US has designated seven entities based in the Emirates under its Sudan sanctions program.

These entities include Capital Tap Holding LLC, Capital Tap Management Consultancies LLC, Capital Tap General Trading LLC, Creative Python LLC, Al Zumoroud and Al Yaqoot Gold & Jewellers LLC, Al Jil Al Qadem General Trading LLC, and Horizon Advanced Solutions General Trading LLC.

“Upon notice of the sanctions designations, the UAE initiated its own investigation into the entities and related individuals, seeking additional information from US authorities to support these investigations,” the Ministry said in a statement

It also confirmed that none of the seven entities hold an active business license in the UAE, nor are they currently operating in the UAE.

Relevant UAE authorities continue to monitor any potential suspicious activity in accordance with applicable UAE laws, the Ministry added.