Yemen front and the region
European and regional ministers discuss Hormuz and Yemen crises in Istanbul
Foreign ministers from eight European and regional countries met in Istanbul to discuss Hormuz and Yemen, while France pledged defensive support to Saudi Arabia. On the ground, Taiz buried 18 people local authorities say were killed by Houthi shelling, and Houthi media reported Saudi strikes in Saada.
Summary
- ConfirmedAn unprecedented Istanbul meeting brought together the E3, Italy and the R4 group to discuss Hormuz and Yemen.
- ConfirmedFrench Foreign Minister: Paris will provide Saudi Arabia with defensive support against Houthi attacks.
- AttributedTaiz buries 18 people, mostly civilians; local authorities blame the Houthis.
- AttributedHouthi media: Saudi airstrikes hit Al Salem district in Saada at midday.
- AttributedIranian state TV says traffic of violating ships in the Strait of Hormuz has completely stopped.
people buried in Taiz, mostly civilians, according to local media
14:54Zcountries whose foreign ministers joined the Istanbul talks
Gulf News / AFP 14:43ZDevelopments in this window
- AttributedStrait of Hormuz
Iranian TV: traffic of violating ships in Hormuz halted
Iranian state TV announced that traffic of ships it described as violating rules in the Strait of Hormuz had completely stopped. This follows a Revolutionary Guards threat to target 7 undersea internet cables beneath the strait. US Central Command says the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than 25 billion dollars of oil.
Source: soutalomma.com - AttributedTaiz
Taiz buries 18 people it says were killed by Houthi shelling
Residents of Taiz buried 18 people, mostly civilians, including a girl and her father killed by shells that hit their home in Jabal Sabir. Governor Nabil Shamsan attended the funeral at Al-Saeed mosque and vowed to keep fighting until the siege ends. Blame for the Houthis is the local authorities' account; there was no Houthi response within the window.
Source: yemenmonitor.com - ConfirmedDiplomacy
European and regional talks in Istanbul on Hormuz and Yemen
The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy met counterparts from the R4 group of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt in an unprecedented format. A Turkish foreign ministry source said the talks covered Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz and the Palestinian issue. In their separate meeting, the R4 ministers condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom.
Source: Gulf News / AFP Samaa TV - ConfirmedDiplomacy
France announces defensive support for Saudi Arabia
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Paris will provide Saudi Arabia with defensive support against Houthi missile and drone attacks. He stressed freedom of navigation in Hormuz and the Red Sea and warned that any new escalation between Iran and the United States would push up oil prices. No details were given on the type of support.
Source: masrawy.com - UnverifiedBrussels
Yemeni protest outside European Parliament over Taiz siege
Members of the Yemeni community in Belgium held a protest outside the European Parliament in Brussels, demanding an end to the Houthi siege of Taiz and practical European steps to protect civilians. The report comes from a single source and gives no turnout figure.
Source: almasdaronline.com - AttributedSaada
Houthi media: Saudi strikes on Al Salem in Saada
Media outlets quoted the Houthi-run Saba agency as saying Saudi airstrikes hit Al Salem district in Saada province at midday. No casualty details were given, and the coalition did not comment on the strikes.
Source: Lebanon ON - UnverifiedBab al-Mandab
Sources: 60 Houthi fighters disguised in women's abayas headed to Bab al-Mandab
The 2 December agency cited unnamed sources as saying about 60 Houthi fighters disguised themselves in women's abayas and travelled on fishing boats from the Mokha coast to the Bab al-Mandab area. The account comes from a single anti-Houthi outlet and has not been confirmed by any other party.
Source: 2dec.net