Arab Coalition Warns May Resort to 'All Measures' to Bar Military Use of Hodeidah Port, Sanaa Airport

A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
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Arab Coalition Warns May Resort to 'All Measures' to Bar Military Use of Hodeidah Port, Sanaa Airport

A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)
A view of Hodeidah port on November 7, 2017. (Getty Images)

The Saudi-led Arab coalition confirmed on Monday that the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen had targeted al-Hardh city in the Hajjah province and the Ahem region with four ballistic missiles.

The rockets were fired from Hodeidah port and Sanaa international airport, it revealed in a statement.

The coalition warned against the use of Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport for military acts that threaten regional and international security.

It stressed that it will take "all operations measures" to address the sources of the threats in order to protect civilians in Yemen.

The Houthis have already previously used Hodeidah port and Sanaa airport to launch ballistic missiles and armed drones in attacks against neighboring countries and Yemeni cities.

The coalition has said the militias have effectively transformed the airport into a military base.

Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf praised the efforts exerted by the coalition in backing the political solution and relief operations in Yemen.

Hajraf met on Monday with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber.

He said the coalition is seeking to achieve security and stability in Yemen and resolve its crisis according to the three references: The Gulf initiative, national dialogue outcomes and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.



Syrian Police Impose Curfew in Homs after Unrest

Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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Syrian Police Impose Curfew in Homs after Unrest

Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Syrian children play on a damaged tank in Homs, on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Syrian police have imposed an overnight curfew in the city of Homs, state media reported, after unrest there linked to demonstrations that residents said were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shiite communities.

Reuters could not immediately confirm the demands of the demonstrators nor the degree of disturbance that took place.

Some residents said the demonstrations were linked to pressure and violence in recent days aimed at members of the Alawite minority, a sect long seen as loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, who was toppled by opposition fighters on Dec. 8.

Spokespeople for Syria’s new ruling administration led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the curfew.

State media said the curfew was being imposed for one night, from 6pm (1500 GMT) local time until 8am on Thursday morning.

The country's new leaders have repeatedly vowed to protect minority religious groups.

Small demonstrations also took place in other areas on or near Syria’s coast, where most of the country’s Alawite minority live, including in the city of Tartous.

The demonstrations took place around the time an undated video was circulated on social networks showing a fire inside an Alawite shrine in the city of Aleppo, with armed men walking around inside and posing near human bodies.

The interior ministry said on its official Telegram account that the video dated back to the opposition offensive on Aleppo in late November and the violence was carried out by unknown groups, adding that whoever was circulating the video now appeared to be seeking to incite sectarian strife.

The ministry also said that some members of the former regime had attacked interior ministry forces in Syria’s coastal area on Wednesday, leaving a number of dead and wounded.