Yemen front and the region
Saudi and Russian ministers discuss Yemen escalation as rival accounts emerge from Taiz
Diplomacy dominated the past hour: a Saudi-Russian meeting in Manama, a Saudi message to Arab ambassadors and an Egyptian parliamentary debate running until Tuesday. On the ground, accounts from Taiz conflict, while the government warns that cutting the Hayjat al-Abd road will choke supplies.
Summary
- ConfirmedThe Saudi and Russian foreign ministers discussed the Yemen escalation and security in Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab in Manama.
- AttributedEgyptian MP: parliament's vote on sending troops to Saudi Arabia is expected on Tuesday.
- DisputedA Houthi-leaning outlet says Saudi air strikes over Taiz have stopped; the army reports advances and strikes.
- ConfirmedThe transport ministry condemns the destruction of the Hayjat al-Abd crossing and warns of disrupted supplies to Taiz.
- UnverifiedWitnesses describe Houthi fighters leaving the Taiz and west coast fronts; unconfirmed.
Developments in this window
- DisputedTaiz
Taiz: conflicting accounts of air strikes and front lines
The Houthi-leaning site Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni said Saudi Arabia has halted its air sorties over Taiz and its surroundings, and spoke of Sanaa forces advancing towards the city centre. The Taiz military axis said government forces advanced in Sanamat and Sarari south of the city and that aircraft carried out 3 strikes on Tabbat al-Danin and Madarat to the north-west at dawn on Sunday. Neither account has been independently confirmed.
Source: alkhabaralyemeni.net belqees.net - ConfirmedLahj - Taiz
Transport ministry condemns destruction of Hayjat al-Abd crossing, warns of supply disruption
Yemen's transport ministry condemned the destruction of the crossing on the Hayjat al-Abd road linking Lahj and Taiz, blaming the Houthis. It said cutting the road disrupts deliveries of goods and basic supplies to Taiz. Residents had earlier reported a bridge on the same road being blown up.
Source: adngad.net khabaragency.net - UnverifiedTaiz and west coast
Witnesses: dozens of Houthi fighters leave Taiz and coast fronts
Journalist Fathi bin Lazraq cited witnesses saying dozens of Houthi fighters left the Taiz, west coast and Subaiha fronts and that wounded were moved to Sanaa. Witnesses also reported security vehicles from Saada heading to Taiz. The account comes from a single source and is unconfirmed.
Source: almashhad.news - ConfirmedManama
Faisal bin Farhan and Lavrov discuss Yemen escalation, Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab
The Saudi foreign minister met his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Gulf-Russia strategic dialogue in Manama. They discussed the escalation in Yemen and threats to shipping in the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits. Russia's foreign ministry said both stressed maritime security and keeping international waterways open.
Source: alarabiya.net Middle East Online - ConfirmedTaiz
Taiz governor orders action against currency manipulators
Taiz governor Nabil Shamsan, visiting the central bank branch, ordered legal action against those manipulating the exchange rate and the suspension of violating firms. The branch director said the rate is stable and that traders have liquidity to import food and fuel.
Source: adngad.net - ConfirmedHadramout
Second Military Region bans carrying arms without permits on Hadramout coast
The Second Military Region command warned against carrying or moving weapons through military checkpoints in the cities of coastal Hadramout without official permits. It said violators will face legal and military measures.
Source: aden-tm.net - AttributedEgypt
Egyptian MP: debate on sending troops to Saudi Arabia to last 3 days, vote on Tuesday
MP Mostafa Bakry said the House sessions on authorising President Sisi to send forces to Saudi Arabia will run two more days because many members want to speak. He said a vote is expected on Tuesday. The Egyptian presidency said it is ready to give the kingdom the support it needs if asked. Parliament has not officially announced the vote date.
- AttributedNajran
Maliki answers helicopter-downing claim with photo of Apache squadron
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki posted a picture of an Apache squadron in response to Houthi claims of downing a Saudi helicopter near Najran, writing that it 'will enter the field soon'. The coalition maintains that an AH-6i crashed due to a technical fault, killing its two pilots.
Source: alahalygate.com alanba.com.kw - ConfirmedRiyadh
Khuraiji tells Arab ambassadors Houthi attacks on the kingdom are war crimes
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji met Arab ambassadors in Riyadh. He said Houthi missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities and airports are full-fledged war crimes and a shared international responsibility. He affirmed the kingdom's right to defend its territory.
Source: sabq.org