Houthis Step up Assaults Despite Int’l Condemnation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks during a virtual meeting at the State Department in Washington, February 26, 2021. (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks during a virtual meeting at the State Department in Washington, February 26, 2021. (AP)
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Houthis Step up Assaults Despite Int’l Condemnation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks during a virtual meeting at the State Department in Washington, February 26, 2021. (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks during a virtual meeting at the State Department in Washington, February 26, 2021. (AP)

Worldwide condemnation and the US Biden administration revoking the Houthis terrorist label have failed in curbing the Iran-backed group’s persistent violence against civilians in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Houthis continue to violate international norms and laws.

Recent days have witnessed an increase in the frequency of Houthi assaults against civilian targets in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces maintaining vigilance in confronting Houthi missiles and drones, shrapnel from some intercepted projectiles have hit civilian homes in Riyadh and villages in the Jazan region.

The attacks injured a number of civilians and damaged public and private property.

Over the course of the last weeks, Houthi militias launched daily attacks against Saudi Arabia. The group fired cross-border drones and missiles, disregarding international laws and covenants.

States and organizations from all over the world have urged swift and decisive action to end repeated terrorist attacks targeting vital and civilian facilities and threatening the stability of Saudi Arabia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Iran-aligned Houthi coupists to cease hostilities and assaults against Yemen’s oil rich Marib governorate and cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Blinken confirmed that Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized Yemeni government are “committed and eager” to find a way to end the war in Yemen and called on the Houthi group to do the same.

“The necessary first step is to stop their offensive against Marib, a city where a million internally displaced people live, and to join the Saudis and the government in Yemen in making constructive moves towards peace,” he said.

Despite international and UN efforts to broker peace in war-torn Yemen, Houthis have continued to block any serious attempts for achieving a ceasefire and rebooting political talks, Information Ministry Undersecretary Naguib Ghallab told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The group has also disregarded concessions made by the Yemeni government and used negotiations to buy time and advance their war agenda, he added.

According to Ghallab, Houthis have shown no commitment to finding a political solution for conflict in Yemen.



Hamas Says Israeli Female Hostage Killed in North Gaza Area Hit by Israel

Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since October 7 protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 25, 2024. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since October 7 protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 25, 2024. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
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Hamas Says Israeli Female Hostage Killed in North Gaza Area Hit by Israel

Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since October 7 protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 25, 2024. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since October 7 protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 25, 2024. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

A spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing said on Saturday that a female Israeli hostage had been killed in an area of northern Gaza that had been struck by Israeli forces.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was offering a reward of $5 million to anybody who brings out a hostage held in Gaza.

"Anybody who brings out a hostage will find with us a secure way for them and their family to leave" Gaza, Netanyahu said in a video filmed inside the Palestinian territory, according to his office.

"We will also give them a reward of $5 million for each hostage."