Yemen front and the region
Washington pulls non-essential staff from Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate
The regional dimension dominated this hour: a US ordered departure from Saudi Arabia, two dead from drone debris near the Shaybah oil field, and a surprise solidarity visit by Macron. Inside Yemen, fighting continues west of Taiz and attacks on Riyan and Aden airports go on.
Summary
- ConfirmedThe US State Department orders non-essential staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia.
- ConfirmedSaudi Energy Ministry: two killed and two injured by debris from a drone intercepted near Shaybah.
- ConfirmedSisi limits Egypt's military support to defending Saudi Arabia, ruling out an attack on Yemen.
- AttributedThe government says it repelled a Houthi attack west of Taiz and that Riyan airport was hit for a fourth time.
- UnverifiedPreliminary reports of a missile hitting the Aden airport runway and a delayed flight.
Killed by drone debris near Shaybah
AAP / Reuters 21:05ZTimes Riyan airport was targeted, per the government
AA News 21:51ZDevelopments in this window
- AttributedHadramawt
Government: Houthis targeted Riyan airport in Mukalla for a fourth time
Government forces spokesman Col. Majed al-Nuzaili said on Wednesday evening that Riyan International Airport was targeted for the fourth time. He said attacks on airports aim to impose a blockade on Yemenis. The statement gave no damage details.
Source: AA News - ConfirmedSaudi Arabia
Saudi Council of Senior Scholars calls Houthi attacks terrorism
The council's secretariat, in a statement carried by SPA, urged Muslims to stand united against the Houthis. It described attempts to target Mecca and Medina as terrorism no less dangerous than ISIS and al-Qaeda.
Source: 2dec.net - ConfirmedEgypt
Sisi: Egypt's military support is to defend Saudi Arabia, not to attack Yemen
Egypt's presidency said military support for Saudi Arabia will be limited to defending its territory and borders and will not include an attack on Yemen. It came as Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh and delivered a letter from Sisi to King Salman.
Source: Al-Monitor / Reuters - AttributedTaiz
Tank fire in clashes west of Taiz near the old airport and Jabal Han
Footage showed a government tank firing at Houthi positions on the western outskirts of Taiz on Wednesday. The government says its forces repelled the attack and reports strikes on Houthi positions, vehicles and a missile launchpad around the city. There is no independent account of the outcome.
Source: Euronews arabic.euronews.com - ConfirmedRiyadh
Macron makes surprise solidarity visit to Riyadh
The French president made an unannounced visit of under 3 hours to Riyadh and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Elysee said the trip showed solidarity with the kingdom against Houthi attacks. The two sides agreed on extra diesel supplies to France and consultations on security cooperation.
Source: Free Malaysia Today / AFP - UnverifiedAden
Reports of a missile hitting Aden airport runway, Cairo flight delayed
Aden Time cited preliminary information that a Houthi missile fell on the runway of Aden International Airport, delaying a flight to Cairo and sending passengers back to the waiting hall. There are no details yet on damage or when the flight will resume, and no official confirmation in the sources read.
Source: aden-tm.net - ConfirmedEastern Province
Two killed by debris from drone intercepted near Shaybah oil field
Saudi Arabia's energy ministry said air defences intercepted a drone trying to hit an Aramco facility at Shaybah. Debris killed a Filipino and a Nepali resident, injured a Pakistani and an Indian, and set a vehicle on fire outside the perimeter without affecting operations. The coalition said it destroyed 7 drones launched toward Medina, the Eastern and the southern regions.
Source: AAP / Reuters Diwan FM - ConfirmedSaudi Arabia
Washington orders non-essential staff and families out of Saudi Arabia
The State Department issued an ordered departure for non-emergency employees and their families in Saudi Arabia, spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. He cited growing Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure. He denied the order covers other Gulf states, while several embassies have cut staff under "restricted operations".