The Houthi controlled part of Yemen is facing its worst fuel crisis of the decade. Hundreds of Yemenis are queuing up outside the petrol pumps waiting for their turn to fill their tanks. Watch report.

Yemen's worst fuel crisis | 4 km-long queues amid worst fuel crisis

A Saudi-led coalition has started a military operation against Yemen's Houthi movement after it stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Saudi state television reported on Wednesday (July 1).

Saudi-led coalition starts military operation against Yemen's Houthis

Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in Jizan targeted, claim Yemen's Houthis

Yemen's Houthi movement claimed to have targeted Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in the port city of Jizan, reports said. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabias-aramco-facilities-in-jizan-targeted-claim-yemens-houthis-277382">Read more</a>

Several countries suspend flights to China as Coronavirus death toll climbs to 132

As several airlines halted and suspended flights to Wuhan, the death toll in the coronavirus in China rose to 132. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-countries-suspend-flights-to-china-as-coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-132-277368">Read more</a>

US charges Harvard and Boston academics for spying, links with China

The United States has been sceptical about China spying on its technological advances. <a href="wionews.com/world/us-charges-harvard-boston-academics-for-spying-links-with-china-277365">Read more</a>

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American warplanes dropped more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force, as Washington intensified attacks in the country amid withdrawal talks with the Taliban. <a href="wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">Read more&nbsp;</a>

US House passes bill to support Tibet, warns sanctions on Chinese officials for interfering in Dalai Lama's succession

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill strengthening Washington's support for human rights and environmental protection in Tibet, and advocating sanctions against China if it interferes in the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-passes-bill-to-support-tibet-warns-sanctions-on-chinese-officials-for-interfering-in-dalai-lamas-succession-277317">Read more&nbsp;</a>

Earthquake of 7.7 magnitude strikes the Caribbean, tsunami warning issued 
 
A major earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck the Caribbean region between Jamaica and Cuba, triggering a brief tsunami alert and sending hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana on Tuesday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-77-magnitude-strikes-the-caribbean-tsunami-warning-issued-277318">Read more</a>

Australian PM seeks greater federal powers to protect the nation from threatening bushfires 
 
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he wants greater federal powers during natural disasters, as authorities warned bushfires ravaging the country for months were sweeping through a national park near the capital. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-seeks-greater-federal-powers-to-protect-the-nation-from-threatening-bushfires-277314">Read more</a>

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50 US service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after its base in Iraq was attacked by Iranian missiles earlier this month. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50-us-troops-diagnosed-with-traumatic-brain-injury-after-iran-strike-pentagon-277276">Read more</a>&nbsp;

Australians scientists recreate coronavirus first time outside of China

A team of scientists in Australia have successfully replicated a lab-grown version of coronavirus the first to be recreated outside of China, is a significant breakthrough that could help combat the global spread of the illness. <a href="wionews.com/world/australians-scientists-recreate-coronavirus-first-time-outside-of-china-277231">Read more</a>

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Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in Jizan targeted, claim Yemen's Houthis Yemen's Houthi movement claimed to have targeted Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in the port city of Jizan, reports said.

Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in Jizan targeted, claim Yemen's Houthis Yemen's Houthi movement claimed to have targeted Saudi Arabia's Aramco facilities in the port city of Jizan, reports said. Read more Several countries suspend flights to China as Coronavirus death toll climbs to 132 As several airlines halted and suspended flights to Wuhan, the death toll in the coronavirus in China rose to 132. Read more US charges Harvard and Boston academics for spying, links with China The United States has been sceptical about China spying on its technological advances. Read more United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force American warplanes dropped more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force, as Washington intensified attacks in the country amid withdrawal talks with the Taliban. Read more US House passes bill to support Tibet, warns sanctions on Chinese officials for interfering in Dalai Lama's succession The US House of Representatives has passed a bill strengthening Washington's support for human rights and environmental protection in Tibet, and advocating sanctions against China if it interferes in the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Read more Earthquake of 7.7 magnitude strikes the Caribbean, tsunami warning issued A major earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck the Caribbean region between Jamaica and Cuba, triggering a brief tsunami alert and sending hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana on Tuesday. Read more Australian PM seeks greater federal powers to protect the nation from threatening bushfires Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he wants greater federal powers during natural disasters, as authorities warned bushfires ravaging the country for months were sweeping through a national park near the capital. Read more 50 US troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after Iran strike: Pentagon 50 US service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after its base in Iraq was attacked by Iranian missiles earlier this month. Read more Australians scientists recreate coronavirus first time outside of China A team of scientists in Australia have successfully replicated a lab-grown version of coronavirus the first to be recreated outside of China, is a significant breakthrough that could help combat the global spread of the illness. Read more Palestinians infuriated as Trump unveils Middle-East peace plan with Jerusalem as Capital US President Donald Trump's peace plan for West Asia delights Israel but fails to recognise Palestinian sovereign ambition. Read more

Top 10 world news today: Saudi Aramco Jizan facilities targeted, Coronavirus death toll rises and more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-mercenaries-among-troops-captured-during-saudi-attack-yemens-houthi-rebels-252738">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a> have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday.

The International Committee of the Red Cross hailed the move as "a positive step that will hopefully revive the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees" under a deal struck last year between the rebels and Yemen's government.

The Houthis recently announced the capture of hundreds of Yemeni loyalist forces in an August offensive near the Saudi border, but they were not among those freed on Monday.

The United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomed the initiative to "unilaterally release detainees".

"I hope this step will lead to further initiatives that will facilitate the exchange of all the conflict-related detainees as per the Stockholm Agreement" Griffiths said, referring to the 2018 accord.

He called on all parties to work together to speed prisoner releases, saying they and their families had "endured profound pain and suffering."&nbsp;

In a statement, he urged the parties to meet at the "nearest opportunity" to resume the discussions on future exchanges.

The Houthi's own announcement on the prisoner release said there were 350 in the group, including three Saudis.

"We have presented to the United Nations a unilateral initiative to release 350 prisoners," Abdel Kader Mortaza, the Houthi official in charge of prisoner affairs, said at a press conference in Sanaa.

Years of conflict in Yemen have killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians.

Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened to back up the government in 2015, the fighting has plunged the country -- the poorest in the Arab world -- into what the UN calls the globe's worst humanitarian crisis.

In early September, a Saudi-led coalition backing the government struck a former college in the western city of Dhamar, used by the Houthis as a detention centre.

The Red Cross said over 100 people were killed.

 
&nbsp;

Yemen's Houthi rebels have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday. The International Committee of the Red Cross hailed the move as "a positive step that will hopefully revive the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees" under a deal struck last year between the rebels and Yemen's government. The Houthis recently announced the capture of hundreds of Yemeni loyalist forces in an August offensive near the Saudi border, but they were not among those freed on Monday. The United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomed the initiative to "unilaterally release detainees". "I hope this step will lead to further initiatives that will facilitate the exchange of all the conflict-related detainees as per the Stockholm Agreement" Griffiths said, referring to the 2018 accord. He called on all parties to work together to speed prisoner releases, saying they and their families had "endured profound pain and suffering." In a statement, he urged the parties to meet at the "nearest opportunity" to resume the discussions on future exchanges. The Houthi's own announcement on the prisoner release said there were 350 in the group, including three Saudis. "We have presented to the United Nations a unilateral initiative to release 350 prisoners," Abdel Kader Mortaza, the Houthi official in charge of prisoner affairs, said at a press conference in Sanaa. Years of conflict in Yemen have killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians. Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened to back up the government in 2015, the fighting has plunged the country -- the poorest in the Arab world -- into what the UN calls the globe's worst humanitarian crisis. In early September, a Saudi-led coalition backing the government struck a former college in the western city of Dhamar, used by the Houthis as a detention centre. The Red Cross said over 100 people were killed.

Yemen Houthi rebels free 290 prisoners: ICRC

Houthi rebels in Yemen say they have killed 500 Saudi soldiers, captured a further 2,000 and seized a convoy of Saudi military vehicles.

Biggest attack on Saudi-led coalition?

Yemen's Houthi movement said on Saturday it had carried out a major attack near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran and captured many troops and vehicles, but there was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabian authorities.

The Houthis' military spokesman said in a statement that three "enemy military brigades had fallen" in the attack, which he said was launched 72 hours ago and supported by the group's drone, missile and air defence units.

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV quoted the spokesman as saying the Iran-aligned movement had captured "thousands" of enemy troops, including many officers and soldiers of the Saudi army, as well as hundreds of armoured vehicles.

The spokesman for a Saudi-led military coalition that has been battling the Houthi group for over four years in Yemen did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Reuters could not independently verify the claim.

Yemeni government troops, supported by coalition air strikes, have in recent months been fighting Houthi forces in the Kataf region of the northern Saada province near the Saudi border. Local sources have said the Houthis had captured scores of Yemeni forces in the battles.

The violence could hamper United Nations' efforts to ease tensions and pave the way for talks to end the war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed millions to the brink of famine in the long-impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation.

The Sunni Muslim coalition, which receives arms and intelligence from Western countries, intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital Sanaa in 2014.

A U.N.-brokered prisoner swap deal agreed between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government last December involving some 7,000 detainees on each side has yet to happen.

"Operation 'Victory from God' is the largest military one since the brutal aggression began. The enemy suffered heavy losses ... and wide swathes of territory were liberated in only a few days," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam tweeted.

The Houthis, who had recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, have claimed responsibility for the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14.

Riyadh dismissed the claim, saying the assault did not come from Yemen and instead blamed its regional foe Shi'ite Muslim Iran. Tehran denies the charge.

The Houthis said on September 20 they would halt missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia if the alliance stopped its operations. The coalition has yet to respond to the proposal.

The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis, who control Sanaa and most big urban centres, deny being puppets of Tehran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

Yemen's Houthi movement said on Saturday it had carried out a major attack near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran and captured many troops and vehicles, but there was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabian authorities.

Yemen's Houthi movement said on Saturday it had carried out a major attack near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran and captured many troops and vehicles, but there was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabian authorities. The Houthis' military spokesman said in a statement that three "enemy military brigades had fallen" in the attack, which he said was launched 72 hours ago and supported by the group's drone, missile and air defence units. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV quoted the spokesman as saying the Iran-aligned movement had captured "thousands" of enemy troops, including many officers and soldiers of the Saudi army, as well as hundreds of armoured vehicles. The spokesman for a Saudi-led military coalition that has been battling the Houthi group for over four years in Yemen did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the claim. Yemeni government troops, supported by coalition air strikes, have in recent months been fighting Houthi forces in the Kataf region of the northern Saada province near the Saudi border. Local sources have said the Houthis had captured scores of Yemeni forces in the battles. The violence could hamper United Nations' efforts to ease tensions and pave the way for talks to end the war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed millions to the brink of famine in the long-impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation. The Sunni Muslim coalition, which receives arms and intelligence from Western countries, intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital Sanaa in 2014. A U.N.-brokered prisoner swap deal agreed between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government last December involving some 7,000 detainees on each side has yet to happen. "Operation 'Victory from God' is the largest military one since the brutal aggression began. The enemy suffered heavy losses ... and wide swathes of territory were liberated in only a few days," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam tweeted. The Houthis, who had recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, have claimed responsibility for the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14. Riyadh dismissed the claim, saying the assault did not come from Yemen and instead blamed its regional foe Shi'ite Muslim Iran. Tehran denies the charge. The Houthis said on September 20 they would halt missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia if the alliance stopped its operations. The coalition has yet to respond to the proposal. The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis, who control Sanaa and most big urban centres, deny being puppets of Tehran and say they are fighting a corrupt system.

Attacked Saudi border frontline, captured troops: Houthis

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group said on Saturday (September 28) it had carried out an attack near the border with the southern Saudi region of Najran and captured several army officers but there was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabian authorities.

Yemen: Houthis claim capture of Saudi troops

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthis-say-aramco-plants-still-a-target-report-249938">halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia</a>, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict.

Implementation of the initiative by the Houthis "in good faith could send a powerful message of the will to end the war," Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said.&nbsp;

The Iran-backed Houthis, which control the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen, have been fighting against a Saudi-led coalition which supports the country's internationally recognized government in a devastating five-year war.

Griffiths hailed "the desire for a political solution to end the conflict" in a statement issued from UN headquarters in New York.

On Friday, the Houthis proposed halting attacks on Saudi Arabia as part of a peace initiative.

Saudi Arabia gave a cautious response, with the minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir saying on Saturday, "We judge other parties by their deeds, actions and not by their words, so we will see (whether) they actually do this or not."

Griffiths stressed "the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity and moving forward with all necessary steps to reduce violence, military escalation and unhelpful rhetoric."

The Houthis' announcement comes after a wave of drone strikes last weekend on Saudi oil installations, which knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's production and sent shock waves through energy markets.&nbsp;

The attacks were claimed by Yemen's Houthis, but the United States says it has concluded the strikes involved cruise missiles from Iran.

Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people -- most of them civilians -- and driven millions more to the brink of famine in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict.

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict. Implementation of the initiative by the Houthis "in good faith could send a powerful message of the will to end the war," Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said. The Iran-backed Houthis, which control the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen, have been fighting against a Saudi-led coalition which supports the country's internationally recognized government in a devastating five-year war. Griffiths hailed "the desire for a political solution to end the conflict" in a statement issued from UN headquarters in New York. On Friday, the Houthis proposed halting attacks on Saudi Arabia as part of a peace initiative. Saudi Arabia gave a cautious response, with the minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir saying on Saturday, "We judge other parties by their deeds, actions and not by their words, so we will see (whether) they actually do this or not." Griffiths stressed "the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity and moving forward with all necessary steps to reduce violence, military escalation and unhelpful rhetoric." The Houthis' announcement comes after a wave of drone strikes last weekend on Saudi oil installations, which knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's production and sent shock waves through energy markets. The attacks were claimed by Yemen's Houthis, but the United States says it has concluded the strikes involved cruise missiles from Iran. Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people -- most of them civilians -- and driven millions more to the brink of famine in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

United Nations welcomes Houthi offer to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that strikes on its oil infrastructure came from the "north" and were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/initial-investigations-show-iranian-weapons-were-used-in-attacks-foreign-ministry-250405">sponsored by Iran</a>, but added the kingdom was still investigating the exact launch site.

"The attack was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran," defence ministry spokesman Turki al-Maliki said. "We are working to know the exact launch point."

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement had&nbsp;claimed responsibility for the strikes, but the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition battling the group had said preliminary findings indicated the attack was not launched from Yemen.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/history-of-saudi-arabia-iran-conflict-250152/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, Maliki&nbsp;would not be drawn on whether Saudi Arabia believed Iran would ultimately be found to be the culprit, only saying they were confident they would find where the weapons were fired from.

Maliki displayed pieces of what he said were cruise missiles and drones used in the strike, recovered from the site of Saturday's attack in the country's east.&nbsp;

He said a combination of 18 drones and seven cruise missiles fired at the two key oil installations from a direction that ruled out its southern neighbour Yemen as a source.

The Saudi Arabian spokesman reiterated Riyadh's position that the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is mired in a five-year conflict, were not responsible for the assault despite claiming it.

"Despite Iran's efforts to make it appear so" they did not originate from Yemen, he said, adding the strike was beyond the capabilities of the militia -- who have however mounted dozens of smaller attacks on Saudi territory.

In addition, "the targeting direction indicates it came from the north," he added.

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that strikes on its oil infrastructure came from the "north" and were sponsored by Iran, but added the kingdom was still investigating the exact launch site.

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that strikes on its oil infrastructure came from the "north" and were sponsored by Iran, but added the kingdom was still investigating the exact launch site. "The attack was launched from the north and unquestionably sponsored by Iran," defence ministry spokesman Turki al-Maliki said. "We are working to know the exact launch point." Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement had claimed responsibility for the strikes, but the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition battling the group had said preliminary findings indicated the attack was not launched from Yemen. Watch Video: However, Maliki would not be drawn on whether Saudi Arabia believed Iran would ultimately be found to be the culprit, only saying they were confident they would find where the weapons were fired from. Maliki displayed pieces of what he said were cruise missiles and drones used in the strike, recovered from the site of Saturday's attack in the country's east. He said a combination of 18 drones and seven cruise missiles fired at the two key oil installations from a direction that ruled out its southern neighbour Yemen as a source. The Saudi Arabian spokesman reiterated Riyadh's position that the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is mired in a five-year conflict, were not responsible for the assault despite claiming it. "Despite Iran's efforts to make it appear so" they did not originate from Yemen, he said, adding the strike was beyond the capabilities of the militia -- who have however mounted dozens of smaller attacks on Saudi territory. In addition, "the targeting direction indicates it came from the north," he added.

Attacks on Aramco oil facility unquestionably sponsored by Iran: Saudi Arabia

The weapons used to strike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-need-middle-east-oil-gas-but-will-help-our-allies-says-trump-after-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-aramco-250005">Saudi oil facilities</a> were Iranian-made, the Riyadh-led coalition said Monday, heightening fears of regional conflict after the US hinted at a military response to the assault.

The weekend strikes on Abqaiq -&nbsp;the world's largest oil processing facility -&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-shuts-pipeline-to-bahrain-after-aramco-attacks-sources-250013">Khurais oil field</a> in eastern Saudi Arabia have roiled global energy markets with prices spiking Monday to record highs.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes but Washington has squarely blamed Iran, with President Donald Trump saying the US is "locked and loaded" to respond.

Saudi's energy infrastructure has been hit before, but this strike was of a different order, abruptly halting 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) or about six per cent of the world's oil supply.

The Saudi-led coalition, which is bogged down in a five-year war in neighbouring Yemen, reiterated the assessment that the Huthis were not behind it, pointing the finger at Iran for providing the weapons.

Russia urged "all countries to avoid hasty steps or conclusions that could exacerbate the situation" while the European Union stressed all sides should show "maximum restraint".

China also called on the US and Iran to "exercise restraint... in the absence of a conclusive investigation or verdict."

"All indications are that weapons used in both attacks came from Iran," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki told reporters in Riyadh, adding they were now probing "from where they were fired".

"This strike didn't come from Yemen territory as the Huthi militia are pretending," Maliki said, adding an investigation had been opened.

He labelled the Huthis "a tool in the hands of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the terrorist regime of Iran".

The rebels said they fired 10 drones at the Saudi infrastructure, but the New York Times reported that US officials had satellite images showing the attacks -- possibly with drones and cruise missiles -- had come from the north or northwest.&nbsp;

It&nbsp;indicated they were sourced in the northern Persian Gulf, Iran or Iraq, rather than Yemen.

The assault on the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry, which engulfed the facilities in flames, has been condemned by Washington as an "unprecedented attack on the world's energy supply".

Oil prices saw their biggest daily gain since the 1991 Gulf War on Monday after the attacks halved output in the world's top crude exporter, fuelling fresh geopolitical and growth fears.

Europe's benchmark Brent crude surged by 20 percent and US counterpart WTI by 15 percent as commodities trading got underway.

Both contracts later came off their peaks, but were still up more than 10 percent on the day by the mid-afternoon in Europe.

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry insisted world oil markets still had sizeable reserves saying the market has "a fairly substantial amount of oil out there available".&nbsp;

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Sunday said the kingdom would use its vast inventories to partially compensate for the lost production, and the US also authorised the release of its reserves.

"Growing tensions in the Middle East are another headwind for the global economy in already uncertain times, and a full-blown conflict could trigger another leg in the global downturn," said Jennifer McKeown, head of Global Economics at Capital Economics.

With the Huthis threatening further attacks, analyst Oanda senior market analyst Craig Erlam noted Saturday's events had "highlighted the vulnerability of security at these facilities to drone attacks".

The kingdom also has a spare capacity of around two million bpd that it can draw on at times of crisis.

But a prolonged production delay could potentially see prices climb to "triple digits", warned Saudi economic consultant Sulaiman al-Assaf.&nbsp;

The attack is a major test for Saudi Arabia as it could dampen investor confidence in Aramco's upcoming two-stage initial public offering (IPO), a mammoth listing that the government hopes will generate up to $100 billion.

Saudi authorities are considering whether to delay an IPO for the oil giant, people with knowledge of the matter said.

"They're in the process of assessing the damage. It's a possibility but it's still very early," said one of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The IPO, earlier scheduled for 2018, has already been mired in delays as it reportedly struggled to reach a $2 trillion valuation desired by Saudi rulers.

Saudi authorities have sought to calm jittery markets, with the Energy Intelligence specialist newsletter citing industry sources as saying Aramco was "close to restoring as much as 40 percent" of the lost production, or about 2.3 million barrels per day (bdp).

The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the damage estimates as saying the targeted facilities would take weeks to return to full production capacity.

The real extent of the damage at the facilities however remains unclear.

All eyes are on official word from the Saudis on the situation, which could offer reassurance to world markets. 
&nbsp;

The weapons used to strike Saudi oil facilities were Iranian-made, the Riyadh-led coalition said Monday, heightening fears of regional conflict after the US hinted at a military response to the assault.

The weapons used to strike Saudi oil facilities were Iranian-made, the Riyadh-led coalition said Monday, heightening fears of regional conflict after the US hinted at a military response to the assault. The weekend strikes on Abqaiq - the world's largest oil processing facility - and the Khurais oil field in eastern Saudi Arabia have roiled global energy markets with prices spiking Monday to record highs. Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes but Washington has squarely blamed Iran, with President Donald Trump saying the US is "locked and loaded" to respond. Saudi's energy infrastructure has been hit before, but this strike was of a different order, abruptly halting 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) or about six per cent of the world's oil supply. The Saudi-led coalition, which is bogged down in a five-year war in neighbouring Yemen, reiterated the assessment that the Huthis were not behind it, pointing the finger at Iran for providing the weapons. Russia urged "all countries to avoid hasty steps or conclusions that could exacerbate the situation" while the European Union stressed all sides should show "maximum restraint". China also called on the US and Iran to "exercise restraint... in the absence of a conclusive investigation or verdict." "All indications are that weapons used in both attacks came from Iran," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki told reporters in Riyadh, adding they were now probing "from where they were fired". "This strike didn't come from Yemen territory as the Huthi militia are pretending," Maliki said, adding an investigation had been opened. He labelled the Huthis "a tool in the hands of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and the terrorist regime of Iran". The rebels said they fired 10 drones at the Saudi infrastructure, but the New York Times reported that US officials had satellite images showing the attacks -- possibly with drones and cruise missiles -- had come from the north or northwest. It indicated they were sourced in the northern Persian Gulf, Iran or Iraq, rather than Yemen. The assault on the heart of Saudi Arabia's oil industry, which engulfed the facilities in flames, has been condemned by Washington as an "unprecedented attack on the world's energy supply". Oil prices saw their biggest daily gain since the 1991 Gulf War on Monday after the attacks halved output in the world's top crude exporter, fuelling fresh geopolitical and growth fears. Europe's benchmark Brent crude surged by 20 percent and US counterpart WTI by 15 percent as commodities trading got underway. Both contracts later came off their peaks, but were still up more than 10 percent on the day by the mid-afternoon in Europe. US Energy Secretary Rick Perry insisted world oil markets still had sizeable reserves saying the market has "a fairly substantial amount of oil out there available". Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Sunday said the kingdom would use its vast inventories to partially compensate for the lost production, and the US also authorised the release of its reserves. "Growing tensions in the Middle East are another headwind for the global economy in already uncertain times, and a full-blown conflict could trigger another leg in the global downturn," said Jennifer McKeown, head of Global Economics at Capital Economics. With the Huthis threatening further attacks, analyst Oanda senior market analyst Craig Erlam noted Saturday's events had "highlighted the vulnerability of security at these facilities to drone attacks". The kingdom also has a spare capacity of around two million bpd that it can draw on at times of crisis. But a prolonged production delay could potentially see prices climb to "triple digits", warned Saudi economic consultant Sulaiman al-Assaf. The attack is a major test for Saudi Arabia as it could dampen investor confidence in Aramco's upcoming two-stage initial public offering (IPO), a mammoth listing that the government hopes will generate up to $100 billion. Saudi authorities are considering whether to delay an IPO for the oil giant, people with knowledge of the matter said. "They're in the process of assessing the damage. It's a possibility but it's still very early," said one of the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. The IPO, earlier scheduled for 2018, has already been mired in delays as it reportedly struggled to reach a $2 trillion valuation desired by Saudi rulers. Saudi authorities have sought to calm jittery markets, with the Energy Intelligence specialist newsletter citing industry sources as saying Aramco was "close to restoring as much as 40 percent" of the lost production, or about 2.3 million barrels per day (bdp). The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the damage estimates as saying the targeted facilities would take weeks to return to full production capacity. The real extent of the damage at the facilities however remains unclear. All eyes are on official word from the Saudis on the situation, which could offer reassurance to world markets.

Weapons used in Saudi oil attacks came from Iran: Saudi coalition

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;has deployed more&nbsp;troops in&nbsp;southern&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;to try to contain clashes between nominal allies in the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis that risks further fragmenting the country.&nbsp;

The fight for the&nbsp;south of the country has opened a new conflict, focused around the port of Aden, in a multifaceted war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed the long-impoverished&nbsp;Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine.

Saudi&nbsp;soldiers and armed vehicles arrived over the weekend in the capital of the oil-producing Shabwa province where the United Arab Emirates-backed separatists have been battling forces of&nbsp;Yemen's&nbsp;Saudi-backed government for control, two local officials said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-france-britain-may-be-complicit-in-yemen-war-crimes-un-report-247434">US, France, Britain may be complicit in Yemen war crimes,&nbsp;UN report&nbsp;says</a>

The two sides are part of the Sunni Muslim coalition, led by&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;and the UAE, that intervened in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;in March 2015 against the Iran-aligned Houthi group which ousted the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi from power in the capital Sanaa in 2014.

But the separatists, who seek to restore the former&nbsp;South&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;republic, turned on the government in early August and seized control of Aden, interim seat of Hadi's government.

They have since been trying to extend their reach to nearby Abyan and Shabwa, clashing repeatedly with government forces.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;has reinforced its positions in Shabwa and Aden as Riyadh called for talks to resolve the crisis and refocus the Western-backed coalition on battling the Houthis, who have stepped up missile and drone attacks on&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;cities.

"Saudi&nbsp;forces arrived in Shabwa and started working with the local government for a de-escalation and a ceasefire. All parties responded positively to the coalition's calls," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said on Monday.

Trenches and tunnels

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's main coalition partner, the Gulf ally the UAE, openly intervened on behalf of the separatist&nbsp;Southern Transitional Council (STC) last week by bombing government forces trying to regain control of Aden, forcing them to retreat.

STC forces also brought reinforcements into Aden, witnesses said on Tuesday, calling back fighters who had been deployed on the outskirts of the main port of Hodeidah, held by the Houthis, in the west.

The fighters dug tunnels and built trenches at the edges of Aden and blocked main roads leading out of the city to prevent government forces from recapturing it, they said.

The STC, which accuses Hadi's government of mismanagement, made its move on Aden after the UAE scaled down its military presence in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;in June under increased Western pressure to the end the war. But Abu Dhabi retained influence through tens of thousands of&nbsp;southern fighters it has armed and trained.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council last week urged all sides to show restraint and preserve&nbsp;Yemen's territorial integrity.

Escalating violence across&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;and the evident rift between&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;and the UAE could complicate United Nations efforts to restart peace talks to end the conflict, which is largely seen as a proxy war between&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;and Iran.

Earlier this week, coalition warplanes bombed a prison complex in&nbsp;southwest&nbsp;Yemen, killing more than 100 people. The UN&nbsp;called for an investigation but the coalition insisted it had struck a Houthi arms storage site.

The Houthis, who hold Sanaa and most big population centres, have seized on the Aden events as proof that Hadi cannot rule or be a serious partner in any negotiations. The group denies being a puppet of Tehran and says it is fighting a corrupt system.

Saudi Arabia has deployed more troops in southern Yemen to try to contain clashes between nominal allies in the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis that risks further fragmenting the country.

Saudi Arabia has deployed more troops in southern Yemen to try to contain clashes between nominal allies in the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis that risks further fragmenting the country. The fight for the south of the country has opened a new conflict, focused around the port of Aden, in a multifaceted war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed the long-impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation to the brink of famine. Saudi soldiers and armed vehicles arrived over the weekend in the capital of the oil-producing Shabwa province where the United Arab Emirates-backed separatists have been battling forces of Yemen's Saudi-backed government for control, two local officials said. Also Read: US, France, Britain may be complicit in Yemen war crimes, UN report says The two sides are part of the Sunni Muslim coalition, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the Iran-aligned Houthi group which ousted the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi from power in the capital Sanaa in 2014. But the separatists, who seek to restore the former South Yemen republic, turned on the government in early August and seized control of Aden, interim seat of Hadi's government. They have since been trying to extend their reach to nearby Abyan and Shabwa, clashing repeatedly with government forces. Saudi Arabia has reinforced its positions in Shabwa and Aden as Riyadh called for talks to resolve the crisis and refocus the Western-backed coalition on battling the Houthis, who have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities. "Saudi forces arrived in Shabwa and started working with the local government for a de-escalation and a ceasefire. All parties responded positively to the coalition's calls," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said on Monday. Trenches and tunnels Saudi Arabia's main coalition partner, the Gulf ally the UAE, openly intervened on behalf of the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) last week by bombing government forces trying to regain control of Aden, forcing them to retreat. STC forces also brought reinforcements into Aden, witnesses said on Tuesday, calling back fighters who had been deployed on the outskirts of the main port of Hodeidah, held by the Houthis, in the west. The fighters dug tunnels and built trenches at the edges of Aden and blocked main roads leading out of the city to prevent government forces from recapturing it, they said. The STC, which accuses Hadi's government of mismanagement, made its move on Aden after the UAE scaled down its military presence in Yemen in June under increased Western pressure to the end the war. But Abu Dhabi retained influence through tens of thousands of southern fighters it has armed and trained. The UN Security Council last week urged all sides to show restraint and preserve Yemen's territorial integrity. Escalating violence across Yemen and the evident rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE could complicate United Nations efforts to restart peace talks to end the conflict, which is largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Earlier this week, coalition warplanes bombed a prison complex in southwest Yemen, killing more than 100 people. The UN called for an investigation but the coalition insisted it had struck a Houthi arms storage site. The Houthis, who hold Sanaa and most big population centres, have seized on the Aden events as proof that Hadi cannot rule or be a serious partner in any negotiations. The group denies being a puppet of Tehran and says it is fighting a corrupt system.

Saudi Arabia boosts troop levels in south Yemen as tensions rise

A US military MQ-9 drone was shot down in Yemen's Dhamar governate, southeast of the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

A Houthi military spokesman had earlier said that air defences had brought down a US drone.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the drone was shot down late on Tuesday.

This is not the first time a US drone has been shot down in Yemen. In June, the US military said that Houthi rebels had shot down a US government-operated drone with assistance from Iran.

US forces have occasionally launched drone and airstrikes against Yemen’s al Qaeda branch, known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

One of the officials said that it appeared that the drone had been shot down by a surface-to-air missile operated by the Iran-aligned Houthi group. The other official cautioned that it was too early to tell who was responsible for the incident.

The drone shoot down comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have risen since President Donald Trump's administration last year quit an international deal to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and began to ratchet up sanctions.

A US military MQ-9 drone was shot down in Yemen's Dhamar governate, southeast of the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

A US military MQ-9 drone was shot down in Yemen's Dhamar governate, southeast of the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. A Houthi military spokesman had earlier said that air defences had brought down a US drone. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the drone was shot down late on Tuesday. This is not the first time a US drone has been shot down in Yemen. In June, the US military said that Houthi rebels had shot down a US government-operated drone with assistance from Iran. US forces have occasionally launched drone and airstrikes against Yemen’s al Qaeda branch, known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). One of the officials said that it appeared that the drone had been shot down by a surface-to-air missile operated by the Iran-aligned Houthi group. The other official cautioned that it was too early to tell who was responsible for the incident. The drone shoot down comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have risen since President Donald Trump's administration last year quit an international deal to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions and began to ratchet up sanctions.

Drone shot down in Yemen, Houthi group responsible: US officials

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-coalition-destroys-yemen-rebels-drone-cave-212077">Saudi forces </a>on Friday intercepted five drones launched by Iran-aligned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ends-refuelling-support-in-yemen-war-as-pressure-builds-on-saudi-arabia-176509">Yemeni rebels</a>, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, in a second assault on an airport in the kingdom's southwest in two days.

The drones targeted Abha airport, where a rebel missile on Wednesday left 26 civilians wounded, and the nearby city of Khamis Mushait, which houses a major airbase, the coalition said in a statement released by Saudi state media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-yemen-saudi-arabia-could-be-nearing-the-inflection-point-199620">In Yemen, Saudi Arabia could be nearing the inflection point</a>

The latest raids come amid spiralling regional tensions after Washington accused Iran of carrying out attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, the second such incident in a month in the strategic sea lane.

"The royal Saudi air defence force and air force successfully intercepted and destroyed five unmanned drone aircraft launched by Huthi militia towards Abha international airport and Khamis Mushait," the coalition statement said without reporting any casualties.

The airport was operating normally with no flights disrupted, the statement added.

Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported earlier that the Iran-linked rebels had carried out drone attacks on Abha airport.

The rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 that has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks and warned that coalition airports were valid targets.

The latest attacks could prompt an escalation in the coalition's bombing campaign as it vowed after Wednesday's missile strike to "take stern action" to deter the rebels and protect civilians.

The missile struck the airport in the mountain resort of Abha, which is a popular summer getaway for Saudis seeking escape from the searing heat of Riyadh or Jeddah.

During a media tour of the airport on Thursday, Saudi authorities said they had closed a part of the arrival lounge after the missile tore a hole in the roof and disrupted flights for several hours.

The area was covered in bamboo scaffolding and littered with concrete debris and shards of broken glass, AFP saw.

Two passengers, including an Indian national, who suffered mild injuries recalled pandemonium and screams after a loud explosion triggered a blaze, leaving the lounge covered in smoke.

- 'War crime' -

Human Rights Watch denounced the strike as an apparent "war crime".

"The Huthis should immediately stop all attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia," said HRW's deputy Middle East director &nbsp;Michael Page.

"Unlawful Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen never justify Huthi attacks on Saudi civilians."&nbsp;

A Saudi civil aviation official said authorities were still investigating rebel claims that they fired a cruise missile at the airport.

If confirmed that would represent a major leap in the rebels' military capability, experts say.

The official also confirmed that it had not been intercepted by the kingdom's Patriot anti-missile batteries.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of arming the rebels with sophisticated weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

The coalition intervened in support of the Yemeni government in 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile as the rebels closed in on his last remaining territory in and around second city Aden.

Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say.

It has triggered what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 24 million Yemenis -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

Saudi forces on Friday intercepted five drones launched by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, in a second assault on an airport in the kingdom's southwest in two days.

Saudi forces on Friday intercepted five drones launched by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, in a second assault on an airport in the kingdom's southwest in two days. The drones targeted Abha airport, where a rebel missile on Wednesday left 26 civilians wounded, and the nearby city of Khamis Mushait, which houses a major airbase, the coalition said in a statement released by Saudi state media. Also read: In Yemen, Saudi Arabia could be nearing the inflection point The latest raids come amid spiralling regional tensions after Washington accused Iran of carrying out attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, the second such incident in a month in the strategic sea lane. "The royal Saudi air defence force and air force successfully intercepted and destroyed five unmanned drone aircraft launched by Huthi militia towards Abha international airport and Khamis Mushait," the coalition statement said without reporting any casualties. The airport was operating normally with no flights disrupted, the statement added. Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported earlier that the Iran-linked rebels had carried out drone attacks on Abha airport. The rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 that has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks and warned that coalition airports were valid targets. The latest attacks could prompt an escalation in the coalition's bombing campaign as it vowed after Wednesday's missile strike to "take stern action" to deter the rebels and protect civilians. The missile struck the airport in the mountain resort of Abha, which is a popular summer getaway for Saudis seeking escape from the searing heat of Riyadh or Jeddah. During a media tour of the airport on Thursday, Saudi authorities said they had closed a part of the arrival lounge after the missile tore a hole in the roof and disrupted flights for several hours. The area was covered in bamboo scaffolding and littered with concrete debris and shards of broken glass, AFP saw. Two passengers, including an Indian national, who suffered mild injuries recalled pandemonium and screams after a loud explosion triggered a blaze, leaving the lounge covered in smoke. - 'War crime' - Human Rights Watch denounced the strike as an apparent "war crime". "The Huthis should immediately stop all attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia," said HRW's deputy Middle East director Michael Page. "Unlawful Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen never justify Huthi attacks on Saudi civilians." A Saudi civil aviation official said authorities were still investigating rebel claims that they fired a cruise missile at the airport. If confirmed that would represent a major leap in the rebels' military capability, experts say. The official also confirmed that it had not been intercepted by the kingdom's Patriot anti-missile batteries. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of arming the rebels with sophisticated weapons, a charge Tehran denies. The coalition intervened in support of the Yemeni government in 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile as the rebels closed in on his last remaining territory in and around second city Aden. Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say. It has triggered what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 24 million Yemenis -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

Saudi Arabia intercepts five Yemen rebel drones in new airport attack

Yemen: A humanitarian crisis with thousands dead

The Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-yemen-saudi-arabia-could-be-nearing-the-inflection-point-199620"> Yemen against two Houthi </a>targets in Sanaa, the capital, early on Wednesday, its spokesman said.

The coalition said the strikes targeted a Houthi drone-manufacturing plant and a warehouse containing launch pads. Residents said a house was also hit, but no casualties were reported.

Saudi Arabia leads a Western-backed alliance of Yemeni and Arab forces that has been fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen since March 2015, after Houthi forces drove Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. They are fighting to restore Hadi's internationally recognized government.

The Houthis, who say their revolution is against corruption, control Sanaa and most population centers. The strikes hit the al-Jeraf neighbourhood in north Sanaa.

Houthi-run Masirah TV said a fire broke out in a plastics factory as a result of air strikes early on Wednesday.

The UN&nbsp;has said that a blast in Sanaa near two schools on Sunday killed 14 children and injured more.

"It was almost lunchtime and students were in class. The blast shattered the windows and unleashed a burst of shrapnel and broken glass into the classrooms," said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's Middle East head.

It is unclear what caused the blast and UN&nbsp;Yemen aid coordinator Lise Grande called for efforts to pinpoint the circumstances "that led to this tragedy".

Yemen’s war has killed tens of thousands of people - some of them by coalition air strikes - and driven 10 million to the brink of famine. The country is also suffering its third major outbreak of cholera since the conflict began.

A peace process that began with a December agreement has stalled and, although a ceasefire largely holds in Hodeidah, Yemen's main port, violence continues elsewhere and has escalated in recent weeks.

The UN&nbsp;is trying to get the parties to pull troops out of Hodeidah and complete a prisoner exchange, two confidence-building measures which could pave the way for further talks.

The Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes in Yemen against two Houthi targets in Sanaa, the capital, early on Wednesday, its spokesman said. The coalition said the strikes targeted a Houthi drone-manufacturing plant and a warehouse containing launch pads.

The Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes in Yemen against two Houthi targets in Sanaa, the capital, early on Wednesday, its spokesman said. The coalition said the strikes targeted a Houthi drone-manufacturing plant and a warehouse containing launch pads. Residents said a house was also hit, but no casualties were reported. Saudi Arabia leads a Western-backed alliance of Yemeni and Arab forces that has been fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen since March 2015, after Houthi forces drove Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. They are fighting to restore Hadi's internationally recognized government. The Houthis, who say their revolution is against corruption, control Sanaa and most population centers. The strikes hit the al-Jeraf neighbourhood in north Sanaa. Houthi-run Masirah TV said a fire broke out in a plastics factory as a result of air strikes early on Wednesday. The UN has said that a blast in Sanaa near two schools on Sunday killed 14 children and injured more. "It was almost lunchtime and students were in class. The blast shattered the windows and unleashed a burst of shrapnel and broken glass into the classrooms," said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's Middle East head. It is unclear what caused the blast and UN Yemen aid coordinator Lise Grande called for efforts to pinpoint the circumstances "that led to this tragedy". Yemen’s war has killed tens of thousands of people - some of them by coalition air strikes - and driven 10 million to the brink of famine. The country is also suffering its third major outbreak of cholera since the conflict began. A peace process that began with a December agreement has stalled and, although a ceasefire largely holds in Hodeidah, Yemen's main port, violence continues elsewhere and has escalated in recent weeks. The UN is trying to get the parties to pull troops out of Hodeidah and complete a prisoner exchange, two confidence-building measures which could pave the way for further talks.

Saudi coalition conducts air strikes in Yemen against Houthi targets

The United Nations said on Friday (November 23) it was ready to help supervise Yemen's vital Hodeidah port to protect it from "potential destruction", as its envoy met managers of the Houthi-held harbour.

Western countries are pressing for a ceasefire and renewed peace efforts to end the country's three-year-old conflict amid fears that half the population, some 14 million people, could soon be on the brink of famine.

UN&nbsp;envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths said that having such a role would "preserve the essential humanitarian pipeline which starts here and serves the people of Yemen."

Griffiths arrived in Hodeidah, the latest focus of the war between the Houthi group, which controls the city, and pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The port is an important supply line to the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, located in mountains to the northeast of Hodeidah, and to much of the country.

Griffiths told the UN&nbsp;Security Council last week that Yemen's warring sides had given "firm assurances" they were committed to attending peace talks he hopes to convene in Sweden in December.

The United Nations said on Friday (November 23) it was ready to help supervise Yemen's vital Hodeidah port to protect it from "potential destruction", as its envoy met managers of the Houthi-held harbour.

The United Nations said on Friday (November 23) it was ready to help supervise Yemen's vital Hodeidah port to protect it from "potential destruction", as its envoy met managers of the Houthi-held harbour. Western countries are pressing for a ceasefire and renewed peace efforts to end the country's three-year-old conflict amid fears that half the population, some 14 million people, could soon be on the brink of famine. UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths said that having such a role would "preserve the essential humanitarian pipeline which starts here and serves the people of Yemen." Griffiths arrived in Hodeidah, the latest focus of the war between the Houthi group, which controls the city, and pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The port is an important supply line to the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, located in mountains to the northeast of Hodeidah, and to much of the country. Griffiths told the UN Security Council last week that Yemen's warring sides had given "firm assurances" they were committed to attending peace talks he hopes to convene in Sweden in December.

UN ready to help run vital Yemen port in danger of destruction

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition bombed Yemen's presidential palace in the centre of the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa early on Monday, killing at least six people, Houthi-run media reported.

The coalition, which entered Yemen's war in 2015 to push back Houthi fighters who had taken over large parts of the country, said it had meant to hit senior Houthi leaders.

"First and second rank Houthi leadership were targeted," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki told reporters in Riyadh, without confirming any casualties.

Two air strikes damaged the palace as well as houses and businesses nearby in the city's central Tahrir district, the SABA news agency reported.

Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia said two Houthi leaders, including Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the group's supreme revolutionary committee, were inside the palace at the time, but did not say what happened to them.

The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said at least six people were killed and more than 30 wounded in the strikes.

Reuters could not independently confirm the reports.

Photos and television footage showed a building reduced to a pile of smashed concrete and twisted metal bars. An armed Houthi fighter tried to stop people approaching the site.

The two sides in Yemen have fought to a stalemate after more than three years of war.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have accused their rival Iran of arming and supporting the Houthis - an assertion dismissed by both the armed group and Tehran.

The Houthis say they are fighting for Yemen’s sovereignty against a Western-backed plot to dominate the country.

A Saudi-led coalition air strike last month killed the Houthis' top civilian leader in Yemen, Saleh al-Samad, the most senior official to be killed by the alliance.

Houthi-run media reported that at least six people were killed

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition bombed Yemen's presidential palace in the centre of the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa early on Monday, killing at least six people, Houthi-run media reported. The coalition, which entered Yemen's war in 2015 to push back Houthi fighters who had taken over large parts of the country, said it had meant to hit senior Houthi leaders. "First and second rank Houthi leadership were targeted," coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki told reporters in Riyadh, without confirming any casualties. Two air strikes damaged the palace as well as houses and businesses nearby in the city's central Tahrir district, the SABA news agency reported. Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia said two Houthi leaders, including Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the group's supreme revolutionary committee, were inside the palace at the time, but did not say what happened to them. The Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said at least six people were killed and more than 30 wounded in the strikes. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports. Photos and television footage showed a building reduced to a pile of smashed concrete and twisted metal bars. An armed Houthi fighter tried to stop people approaching the site. The two sides in Yemen have fought to a stalemate after more than three years of war. Saudi Arabia and its allies have accused their rival Iran of arming and supporting the Houthis - an assertion dismissed by both the armed group and Tehran. The Houthis say they are fighting for Yemen’s sovereignty against a Western-backed plot to dominate the country. A Saudi-led coalition air strike last month killed the Houthis' top civilian leader in Yemen, Saleh al-Samad, the most senior official to be killed by the alliance.

Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemen presidential palace: Houthi media

A Houthi leader on Saturday said that&nbspkilling of a top official of the movement would not cause divisions.&nbsp

In a televised speech, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that Samad's death would not split its ranks.

Saleh al-Samad, the president of the political body that runs Houthi-controlled northern Yemen, was killed in a Saudi-led air strike last week.

Samad was a relative moderate who helped oversee political and administrative duties while the Houthi military wing pursued fighting.

On Saturday, thousands of people attended Samad's funeral in the capital Sanaa. Eyewitnesses reported Saudi-led air raids near the downtown rally for the burial.

In a televised speech, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that Samad's death would not split its ranks.

A Houthi leader on Saturday said that&nbspkilling of a top official of the movement would not cause divisions. In a televised speech, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi vowed that Samad's death would not split its ranks. Saleh al-Samad, the president of the political body that runs Houthi-controlled northern Yemen, was killed in a Saudi-led air strike last week. Samad was a relative moderate who helped oversee political and administrative duties while the Houthi military wing pursued fighting. On Saturday, thousands of people attended Samad's funeral in the capital Sanaa. Eyewitnesses reported Saudi-led air raids near the downtown rally for the burial.

Houthi leader says top official's death will not split the movement

At least 38 Houthi militants were killed when a coalition airstrike led by Saudi Arabia targeted the building of Yemen interior ministry in Sanaa in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

The Saudi-led airstrike targeted a high-level meeting of Shiite rebels in Yemen’s capital which also killed two of the group’s leaders.

The raid happened during a meeting organizing the burial of the so-called Supreme Political Council, reports said. The deputy interior minister of the militia government, Abdelhakim al-Khiowani, who is known as Abu al-Karrar, is believed to be among the targets.

The Houthis confirmed an air strike on Sanaa but gave no details.

Earlier on Saturday, Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted four missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Jazan province bordering with Yemen in southern Saudi Arabia.

Continued missile attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen have forced Saudi Arabia to cut off air, sea and land links from its neighbour. Saudi defence forces have also halted Yemen's financial aids and food and fuel imports as well.

Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed in Sanaa after days of intense fighting between Houthi rebels and his loyalist forces on December 4 last year.

The Saudi-led airstrike targeted a high-level meeting of Shiite rebels in Yemen’s capital which also killed two of the group’s leaders.

At least 38 Houthi militants were killed when a coalition airstrike led by Saudi Arabia targeted the building of Yemen interior ministry in Sanaa in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The Saudi-led airstrike targeted a high-level meeting of Shiite rebels in Yemen’s capital which also killed two of the group’s leaders. The raid happened during a meeting organizing the burial of the so-called Supreme Political Council, reports said. The deputy interior minister of the militia government, Abdelhakim al-Khiowani, who is known as Abu al-Karrar, is believed to be among the targets. The Houthis confirmed an air strike on Sanaa but gave no details. Earlier on Saturday, Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted four missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Jazan province bordering with Yemen in southern Saudi Arabia. Continued missile attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen have forced Saudi Arabia to cut off air, sea and land links from its neighbour. Saudi defence forces have also halted Yemen's financial aids and food and fuel imports as well. Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed in Sanaa after days of intense fighting between Houthi rebels and his loyalist forces on December 4 last year.

At least 38 Houthis killed in Saudi-led airstrike

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reportedly<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194"> intercepted a missile fired by </a>Yemeni rebels over Riyadh, the US later said it &quot;bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons.&quot;

Reports quoting the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

&quot;We must all act cooperatively to expose the crimes of the Tehran regime and do whatever is needed to make sure they get the message. If we do not, then Iran will bring the world deeper into a broadening regional conflict,&quot; Haley told the UN Security Council.

There were no reports of casualties or damage.

&quot;Thankfully the missile was intercepted before it could hit its intended target. But the very fact of this attack is a flashing red siren for this council,&quot; US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said.

Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen.

&quot;We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to its clear violations of the Yemen arms embargo,&quot; Haley said. &quot;We could hold the IRGC (Iran&#39;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) accountable for its violations of numerous Security Council resolutions,&quot; Haley added.

Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reportedly intercepted a missile fired by Yemeni rebels over Riyadh, the US later said it "bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons." Reports quoting the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman. "We must all act cooperatively to expose the crimes of the Tehran regime and do whatever is needed to make sure they get the message. If we do not, then Iran will bring the world deeper into a broadening regional conflict," Haley told the UN Security Council. There were no reports of casualties or damage. "Thankfully the missile was intercepted before it could hit its intended target. But the very fact of this attack is a flashing red siren for this council," US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. Video footage released by Houthi military media Centre showed missile being launched from an unidentified location in Yemen. "We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to its clear violations of the Yemen arms embargo," Haley said. "We could hold the IRGC (Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) accountable for its violations of numerous Security Council resolutions," Haley added.

Watch: Yemeni missile attack on Saudi Arabia bears hallmark of Iranian weapons, says Nikki Haley

A day after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-ex-president-ali-abdullah-saleh-confirmed-dead-25867">Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed</a>, Saudi-led coalition warplanes hit the capital city Sanaa as the Arab League condemned&nbsp;the killing of the former president of Yemen.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-president-orders-forces-to-retake-sanaa-as-saudi-planes-continue-air-strikes-25839">Ahmed Ali Saleh, the son of slain leader talking to a TV channel </a>called for revenge against Iran- backed Houthi rebels, saying: &quot;I will lead the battle until the last Houthi is thrown out of Yemen...&nbsp;the blood of my father will be hell ringing in the ears of Iran.&quot;

Ahmed Ali, a former military commander who lived under house arrest &nbsp;in the United Arab Emirates, said he is ready to &quot;take back Yemen from the Iranian Houthi militias.&quot;

Meanwhile, the Arab League said the Houthi movement which killed Saleh was &quot;terrorist organisation&quot;. 
&nbsp; 
However, the rebel camp led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi &quot;celebrated victory&quot;. Houthi called for a mass rally on Tuesday at a parade ground near the site of the attack which killed Saleh.

In a turnaround, Houthi said his movement had no quarrel with Saleh&#39;s party in a bid to gain allies in a complex fight for power in Yemen.

In the southern city of Aden, where the Saudi-backed government is based, residents set off fireworks and expressed joy, Reuters reported.

Sanaa-based International Committee of the Red Cross said clashes in the Yemeni capital killed at least 234 people and wounded 400 over the past week.

The Arab League said the Houthi movement which killed Saleh was "terrorist organisation".

A day after Ali Abdullah Saleh was killed, Saudi-led coalition warplanes hit the capital city Sanaa as the Arab League condemned the killing of the former president of Yemen. Ahmed Ali Saleh, the son of slain leader talking to a TV channel called for revenge against Iran- backed Houthi rebels, saying: "I will lead the battle until the last Houthi is thrown out of Yemen... the blood of my father will be hell ringing in the ears of Iran." Ahmed Ali, a former military commander who lived under house arrest in the United Arab Emirates, said he is ready to "take back Yemen from the Iranian Houthi militias." Meanwhile, the Arab League said the Houthi movement which killed Saleh was "terrorist organisation". However, the rebel camp led by Abdul Malik al-Houthi "celebrated victory". Houthi called for a mass rally on Tuesday at a parade ground near the site of the attack which killed Saleh. In a turnaround, Houthi said his movement had no quarrel with Saleh's party in a bid to gain allies in a complex fight for power in Yemen. In the southern city of Aden, where the Saudi-backed government is based, residents set off fireworks and expressed joy, Reuters reported. Sanaa-based International Committee of the Red Cross said clashes in the Yemeni capital killed at least 234 people and wounded 400 over the past week.

After Yemen ex-president's death, Houthi leader reaches out to Saleh's party

&nbsp;A cholera outbreak in Yemen has killed 180 people since April 27, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Monday, hours after the Houthi-controlled health ministry said 115 had died from the disease in the capital Sanaa.

ICRC&#39;s Dominik Stillhart told reporters in the Yemeni city of Aden there were 11,000 more suspected cholera cases across the war-torn country. Authorities on Sunday had declared a state of emergency in Sanaa over the outbreak and called for international help to avert disaster.

Hospitals are short of space and medicine is in short supply as people struggle to cope with the bacterial disease.&nbsp;

Cholera is normally contracted by consumption of water and food contaminated by human feces. It leads to&nbsp;massive dehydrating diarrhoea attacks along with vomiting&nbsp;and cramps which if not quickly healed can&nbsp;kill a person in a few days.&nbsp;

Dominik Stillhart, director of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), defined the situation in Yemen as &quot;catastrophic&quot;.&nbsp;During a press conference held in the country&#39;s capital city of Sanaa, he told reporters,&nbsp;&quot;There are people in the gardens, and some even in their cars with the IV drip (intravenous infusions) hanging from the window. There are up to four cholera patients in one single bed.&quot;&nbsp;

The disease is spreading nationwide and Mr. Stillhart informed that since April 27&nbsp;hospitals reported more than 8,500 suspected cases, 2,300 of which in the last week alone. &nbsp;

Hygiene is fundamental in combating the epidemy and a recent garbage crisis in the capital city is not helping. Mr. Stillart reported that piles of garbage lie on Sanaa&#39;s street, contributing to make the environment more prone to any bacterial disease.&nbsp;

On top of all this Yemen is facing a severe food shortage, to the point that the United Nations repeatedly warned that 17 million Yemeni citizens are on the brink of famine and the country is suffering from one of the world&#39;s worst hunger crisis. Children are&nbsp;suffering the most; according to UNICEF there are currently &quot;462,000 children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition &ndash; a nearly 200 per cent increase since 2014.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;What is happening today exceeds the capabilities of any healthy health system, so how can we (cope) when we are in these difficult and complicated conditions,&quot; Yemen&#39;s news agency Saba quoted the Houthi-run administration&#39;s health minister Mohammed Salem bin Hafeedh as saying.

Cholera was perhaps the last thing&nbsp;Yemen needed. The country, the poorest in the Arab world, faces its third year of a war which split the nation between the Shiite Houthi rebels, reportedly supported by Iran, and President&#39;s Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi government, strongly supported by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, Bahrein, Quatar and to a minor extent Pakistan and Somalia are all part of the coalition.&nbsp;

Recent reports say that a new faction, led by Aidaroos Al Zubaidi, has announced its intention to make the southern part of Yemen independent, where the majority of the oil resources lie, adding more chaos to an already fragmented situation. &nbsp;

Since the beginning of the Arab&#39;s spring in Yemen in 2011, Al Qaida in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP) has been able to seize the opportunity and establish their control over swathes of land. And, where there is al Qaida, the US army goes. Yemen has become the most recent chapter of America&#39;s war on terror. The US have no presence on the ground and mainly conduct raids and drone attacks alongside Saudi Arabia. &nbsp;

Houthi forces are mainly in control of the northeastern part of the country &ndash; where the capital Sanaa is located &ndash; and of the crucial Red Sea port of Hodeida.

Despite being less armed and less in numbers they have been capable of inflicting continuous losses to Saudi troops. &nbsp;

This does not seem to worry Saudi&#39;s deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, who said in a recent interview that his country could end the war in a few days by sending the ground force in, but they prefer to wait in order to avoid too many civilian casualties. &nbsp;

According to the UN, nearly 10,000 have already died in Yemen&#39;s war, a conflict which is once again the result of a hegemony struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran in order to establish their primacy over West Asia.&nbsp;

In the meanwhile the Saudi-led coalition is imposing a full-scale blockade against the Houthi-held areas which, given the country&#39;s location, has practically grounded its economy.&nbsp;

The country&#39;s main port of al Hodeidahis under Houthi&#39;s control and its functioning &ndash; once crucial in providing all kind of goods to 80 percent of the country &ndash; is way below normal with the immediate result of a hike in basic goods prices. &nbsp;

A possible Saudi-led military operation to retake control of the port is on the table, but it could result tremendosuly costly in terms of civilians deaths. The UN has warned of an imminent tragedy in case of fighting involving the port ant the adjacent city where 400,000 people live. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;The Houthis will do whatever they can in order to defend the al Hudaydah port,&quot; says Luca Nevola, research associate at the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies. &quot;They know that the port is the only source of whatever goods they need in order to survive, without al Hodeidahthe Houthis will be in great difficulty.&quot;

Saudis have recently renewed their intention to attack the port in order to prevent smuggled weapons to reach the Houthis. The coalition stated that they will open alternative routes, through the ports they control in the south.&nbsp;

Even if the US are fighting alongside Saudi Arabia, they are not expected to take part in an eventual operation to attack the port. &nbsp;

Yemen will most likely be on the table during the discussions that US President Donald Trump will have with the Saudi government during his visit, scheduled for May 19. &nbsp;

&#39;Weapons&#39; will also play a role in Trump&#39;s visit; A senior White House official told Reuters that the two countries are rushing to close a series of arm deals worth $100 billion. &nbsp;

Despite disagreement over the&nbsp;al Hodeidah port eventual attack, it does not seem that US support for Saudi Arabia&#39;s role in Yemen&#39;s war is not in doubt. &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

It is the second outbreak in a country where already 10,000 had died due to one of the world's most forgotten war

A cholera outbreak in Yemen has killed 180 people since April 27, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Monday, hours after the Houthi-controlled health ministry said 115 had died from the disease in the capital Sanaa. ICRC's Dominik Stillhart told reporters in the Yemeni city of Aden there were 11,000 more suspected cholera cases across the war-torn country. Authorities on Sunday had declared a state of emergency in Sanaa over the outbreak and called for international help to avert disaster. Hospitals are short of space and medicine is in short supply as people struggle to cope with the bacterial disease. Cholera is normally contracted by consumption of water and food contaminated by human feces. It leads to massive dehydrating diarrhoea attacks along with vomiting and cramps which if not quickly healed can kill a person in a few days. Dominik Stillhart, director of operations at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), defined the situation in Yemen as "catastrophic". During a press conference held in the country's capital city of Sanaa, he told reporters, "There are people in the gardens, and some even in their cars with the IV drip (intravenous infusions) hanging from the window. There are up to four cholera patients in one single bed." The disease is spreading nationwide and Mr. Stillhart informed that since April 27 hospitals reported more than 8,500 suspected cases, 2,300 of which in the last week alone. Hygiene is fundamental in combating the epidemy and a recent garbage crisis in the capital city is not helping. Mr. Stillart reported that piles of garbage lie on Sanaa's street, contributing to make the environment more prone to any bacterial disease. On top of all this Yemen is facing a severe food shortage, to the point that the United Nations repeatedly warned that 17 million Yemeni citizens are on the brink of famine and the country is suffering from one of the world's worst hunger crisis. Children are suffering the most; according to UNICEF there are currently "462,000 children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition – a nearly 200 per cent increase since 2014." "What is happening today exceeds the capabilities of any healthy health system, so how can we (cope) when we are in these difficult and complicated conditions," Yemen's news agency Saba quoted the Houthi-run administration's health minister Mohammed Salem bin Hafeedh as saying. Cholera was perhaps the last thing Yemen needed. The country, the poorest in the Arab world, faces its third year of a war which split the nation between the Shiite Houthi rebels, reportedly supported by Iran, and President's Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi government, strongly supported by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Sudan, Kuwait, Bahrein, Quatar and to a minor extent Pakistan and Somalia are all part of the coalition. Recent reports say that a new faction, led by Aidaroos Al Zubaidi, has announced its intention to make the southern part of Yemen independent, where the majority of the oil resources lie, adding more chaos to an already fragmented situation. Since the beginning of the Arab's spring in Yemen in 2011, Al Qaida in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP) has been able to seize the opportunity and establish their control over swathes of land. And, where there is al Qaida, the US army goes. Yemen has become the most recent chapter of America's war on terror. The US have no presence on the ground and mainly conduct raids and drone attacks alongside Saudi Arabia. Houthi forces are mainly in control of the northeastern part of the country – where the capital Sanaa is located – and of the crucial Red Sea port of Hodeida. Despite being less armed and less in numbers they have been capable of inflicting continuous losses to Saudi troops. This does not seem to worry Saudi's deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, who said in a recent interview that his country could end the war in a few days by sending the ground force in, but they prefer to wait in order to avoid too many civilian casualties. According to the UN, nearly 10,000 have already died in Yemen's war, a conflict which is once again the result of a hegemony struggle between Saudi Arabia and Iran in order to establish their primacy over West Asia. In the meanwhile the Saudi-led coalition is imposing a full-scale blockade against the Houthi-held areas which, given the country's location, has practically grounded its economy. The country's main port of al Hodeidahis under Houthi's control and its functioning – once crucial in providing all kind of goods to 80 percent of the country – is way below normal with the immediate result of a hike in basic goods prices. A possible Saudi-led military operation to retake control of the port is on the table, but it could result tremendosuly costly in terms of civilians deaths. The UN has warned of an imminent tragedy in case of fighting involving the port ant the adjacent city where 400,000 people live. "The Houthis will do whatever they can in order to defend the al Hudaydah port," says Luca Nevola, research associate at the Yemen College of Middle Eastern Studies. "They know that the port is the only source of whatever goods they need in order to survive, without al Hodeidahthe Houthis will be in great difficulty." Saudis have recently renewed their intention to attack the port in order to prevent smuggled weapons to reach the Houthis. The coalition stated that they will open alternative routes, through the ports they control in the south. Even if the US are fighting alongside Saudi Arabia, they are not expected to take part in an eventual operation to attack the port. Yemen will most likely be on the table during the discussions that US President Donald Trump will have with the Saudi government during his visit, scheduled for May 19. 'Weapons' will also play a role in Trump's visit; A senior White House official told Reuters that the two countries are rushing to close a series of arm deals worth $100 billion. Despite disagreement over the al Hodeidah port eventual attack, it does not seem that US support for Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen's war is not in doubt. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Cholera epidemic has killed 180 in Yemen: ICRC

More than 140 people were killed and more than 525 injured on Saturday in air strikes on a funeral ceremony in Yemen, a United Nations official said told AFP &nbsp;with Houthi rebels blaming the attack on the Saudi-led coalition.

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said aid workers were &quot;shocked and outraged&quot; by the attacks that hit a community hall in the capital Sanaa where mourners had gathered, AFP reported.

The UN aid official has called for an immediate investigation and said the international community must exert pressure to ensure civilians are protected.

&quot;This violence against civilians in Yemen must stop immediately,&quot; said McGoldrick.

Saturday&rsquo;s strike was one of the deadliest attacks since the bombing campaign began in support of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

In a statement to AFP, the Saudi-led coalition said it had no operations at the location and &quot;other causes&quot; for the incident must be considered.

The coalition &quot;has in the past avoided such gatherings and (they) have never been a subject of targeting,&quot; it said.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Houthi rebels have blamed the Saudi-led coalition for the attack

More than 140 people were killed and more than 525 injured on Saturday in air strikes on a funeral ceremony in Yemen, a United Nations official said told AFP with Houthi rebels blaming the attack on the Saudi-led coalition. The UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said aid workers were "shocked and outraged" by the attacks that hit a community hall in the capital Sanaa where mourners had gathered, AFP reported. The UN aid official has called for an immediate investigation and said the international community must exert pressure to ensure civilians are protected. "This violence against civilians in Yemen must stop immediately," said McGoldrick. Saturday’s strike was one of the deadliest attacks since the bombing campaign began in support of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. In a statement to AFP, the Saudi-led coalition said it had no operations at the location and "other causes" for the incident must be considered. The coalition "has in the past avoided such gatherings and (they) have never been a subject of targeting," it said. (WION with inputs from AFP)

More than 140 killed in air strikes on funeral ceremony in Yemen: UN

Houthi rebels in control of the Yemeni capital of Sana&#39;a have accused the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them of killing dozens and wounding hundreds in air strikes during a funeral on Saturday attended by senior officials.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Reuters has quoted the acting health minister in the Houthi-led administration saying that at least 82 people have died and 534 were wounded.&nbsp;

Rebel Almasirah television reported that Sana&#39;a mayor Abdel Qader Hilal was among those killed.&nbsp;

According to AFP, emergency workers have pulled out at least 20 charred remains and body parts from the gutted building and the search is on for more survivors.

The bodies were either completely burned or in pieces, and some of the wounded had their legs torn off and were being treated on the spot by volunteers, AFP reported.

The rebel-controlled news site&nbsp;sabanews.net&nbsp;said that the coalition jets hit a building in southern Sana&#39;a where hundreds were mourning the death of the father of an influential local official.

The airstrikes have come in at a time when Saudi Arabia is under increasing international scrutiny over allegations of civilian deaths in it&rsquo;s air raids.

&quot;A plane fired a missile and minutes later another plane pounded the building,&quot; an eyewitness told AFP.

A security source, quoted by the rebel website, said a fire tore through the building after the strikes.

According to Reuters, eyewitnesses described ambulances ferrying casualties from the scene, where a plume of black smoke rose into the sky.&nbsp;

The Iran-backed Houthis swept into Sana&#39;a in September 2014 and advanced across much of Yemen, forcing the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee the capital

According to the UN, more than 6,700 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Yemen since the coalition intervened in support of Hadi.

 
&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Houthi rebels claim that the mayor of the Yemeni capital was among those killed and around 534 people were wounded

Houthi rebels in control of the Yemeni capital of Sana'a have accused the Saudi-led coalition fighting against them of killing dozens and wounding hundreds in air strikes during a funeral on Saturday attended by senior officials. Reuters has quoted the acting health minister in the Houthi-led administration saying that at least 82 people have died and 534 were wounded. Rebel Almasirah television reported that Sana'a mayor Abdel Qader Hilal was among those killed. According to AFP, emergency workers have pulled out at least 20 charred remains and body parts from the gutted building and the search is on for more survivors. The bodies were either completely burned or in pieces, and some of the wounded had their legs torn off and were being treated on the spot by volunteers, AFP reported. The rebel-controlled news site sabanews.net said that the coalition jets hit a building in southern Sana'a where hundreds were mourning the death of the father of an influential local official. The airstrikes have come in at a time when Saudi Arabia is under increasing international scrutiny over allegations of civilian deaths in it’s air raids. "A plane fired a missile and minutes later another plane pounded the building," an eyewitness told AFP. A security source, quoted by the rebel website, said a fire tore through the building after the strikes. According to Reuters, eyewitnesses described ambulances ferrying casualties from the scene, where a plume of black smoke rose into the sky. The Iran-backed Houthis swept into Sana'a in September 2014 and advanced across much of Yemen, forcing the internationally recognised government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee the capital According to the UN, more than 6,700 people, most of them civilians, have been killed in Yemen since the coalition intervened in support of Hadi. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Yemen: Saudi-led air strikes on funeral 'kill 82' in Sanaa

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