Yemen front and the region
Washington warns against travel to 13 regional countries after Houthi attacks
The US has widened travel advisories to 13 countries after days of Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia. On the humanitarian side, the UN says more than 256,000 people have been displaced since August as Taiz's water and health crisis deepens. On the ground, strikes on Mokha continue amid conflicting accounts.
Summary
- ConfirmedUS travel advisories for 13 countries, including Saudi Arabia, cite the risk of Houthi and Iranian drones and missiles.
- ConfirmedOCHA: more than 256,000 displaced since August; 42 health facilities in Taiz report acute shortages.
- ConfirmedDrinking water in Taiz has reached crisis levels, with prices up as much as 75%.
- DisputedStrikes on Mokha for a second day: the Houthis say residential areas were hit, Al Arabiya says Houthi positions.
- AttributedBelqees: new petrol and diesel price hike in Houthi-held areas.
countries covered by US travel advisories
The National 07:09Zpeople displaced since fighting resumed in August
OCHA via Macau Business 07:23Zhealth facilities in Taiz city reporting acute shortages
WHO via Macau Business 07:23Zrial increase per 20-litre can of petrol in Houthi areas
Belqees 07:40ZDevelopments in this window
- DisputedMokha
Strikes on Mokha for a second day, with two accounts of the targets
The Houthi-run Saba agency said Saudi jets carried out a series of strikes on various areas of Mokha and kept flying over the city. Al Arabiya, by contrast, reported that the intense strikes targeted Houthi positions and gatherings in the city for a second day. The coalition has not commented and there is no independent toll.
Source: vdlnews.com - AttributedSanaa
Belqees: Houthis raise petrol and diesel prices
Belqees said the Houthi-controlled oil company in Sanaa circulated a new price rise from Saturday, citing higher global oil prices. According to the site, a 20-litre can of petrol rose by 900 rials to 11,400 rials and diesel by 1,500 rials to 13,000 rials. We have not seen the circular, and the Houthis have not commented.
Source: belqees.net - ConfirmedDiplomacy
Fidan meets Yemen's foreign minister in Istanbul today
Turkish foreign ministry sources told Anadolu that Hakan Fidan meets his counterpart Afrah al-Zuba on Saturday, on her first visit since taking office. He is expected to reaffirm Ankara's support for Yemen's unity and the recognised government, and to call Houthi attacks on civilians and infrastructure unacceptable. He is also expected to stress maritime security in the straits.
Source: Anadolu Agency - ConfirmedTaiz
UN: more than 256,000 displaced since August
OCHA said more than 256,000 people have fled their homes since the new round of fighting began in early August, and more than 2,000 families in 5 governorates have no shelter. The WHO warned that 42 health facilities in Taiz city report acute shortages, threatening emergency surgery, dialysis and maternal care. Emergency medicines reached Al-Thawra Hospital, while more supplies wait in Aden for road access.
Source: Macau Business / UN - ConfirmedRegion
Washington warns citizens against travel to 13 regional countries
The State Department issued advisories covering Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran and Israel, all citing terrorism. It urged Americans to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia over the risk of drone and missile attacks on US interests by Iran and the Houthis. An official said the advisories do not signal new Houthi capabilities but reflect recent strikes, including on airports.
Source: The National - AttributedTaiz
Local sources: mosque boycott in Sama over Houthi measures
Al-Mashhad Al-Yemeni quoted local sources as saying the Houthis for the first time imposed a change to the call to prayer at a mosque in Dhi al-Bals village in Sama district. It said this triggered a wide boycott of mosques and schools in the area. The Houthis have not commented, and we could not verify the scale of the boycott.
Source: almashhad.news - ConfirmedTaiz
Drinking water crisis worsens in besieged Taiz
Aid groups say the needs of Taiz's more than 1 million residents are barely being met, with limited access to wells, desalination plants short of fuel and most water trucks blocked from entering. Families are paying up to 75% more for bottled water than a few weeks ago. Residents say they are rationing every drop.
Source: NPR / AP