Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters.

The decaying 45-year-old oil tanker known as the FSO Safer, long used as a floating storage platform and now abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, has not been serviced since Yemen was plunged into civil war.

A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-hikes-july-crude-prices-surprisingly-high-for-asia-buyers-485530">Saudi Arabia hikes July crude prices surprisingly high for Asia buyers</a>

The tanker, which lies some 150 kilometres (100 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up, the United Nations warned last month.

The Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the UN.

Last week environmental campaign group Greenpeace urged the Arab League to drum up funds for an operation that would transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel.

A UN pledging conference last month fell far short of its $80 million target, bringing in just $33 million.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Asia to pay more for oil from Saudi Arabia

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Environmentalists warn the cost of the operation is a pittance compared to the estimated $20 billion it would cost to clean up a spill.

The UN has said an oil spill could destroy ecosystems, shut down the fishing industry and close the lifeline Hodeida port for six months.

It has said the operation needs to be completed by the end of September to avoid "turbulent winds" that pick up later in the year.&nbsp;

Riyadh will donate $10 million to the effort through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday.&nbsp;

"The Kingdom calls on the United Nations to quickly take the necessary measures to ensure the prevention of oil leakage&nbsp;and also calls on the international community to contribute urgently to support this initiative and prevent a serious environmental disaster," the agency said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-agree-to-extend-truce-for-two-months-says-united-nations-484465">Yemen’s warring sides agree to extend truce for two months, says United Nations</a>

Saudi Arabia's current defence spending is $36.8 billion per year, according to the Military Balance+ database prepared by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The war in Yemen has killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions on the brink of famine.&nbsp;

But fighting has reduced since April when a truce went into effect, with the truce currently due to last until August.

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Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday pledged $10 million to help prevent an ageing Yemeni oil tanker from unleashing a potentially catastrophic spill in the Red Sea bordering its waters. The decaying 45-year-old oil tanker known as the FSO Safer, long used as a floating storage platform and now abandoned off the rebel-held Yemeni port of Hodeida, has not been serviced since Yemen was plunged into civil war. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa the previous year. Also read | Saudi Arabia hikes July crude prices surprisingly high for Asia buyers The tanker, which lies some 150 kilometres (100 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia, is in "imminent" danger of breaking up, the United Nations warned last month. The Safer contains four times the amount of oil that was spilled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, one of the world's worst ecological catastrophes, according to the UN. Last week environmental campaign group Greenpeace urged the Arab League to drum up funds for an operation that would transfer its 1.1 million barrels of oil to a different vessel. A UN pledging conference last month fell far short of its $80 million target, bringing in just $33 million. Watch | Gravitas: Asia to pay more for oil from Saudi Arabia Environmentalists warn the cost of the operation is a pittance compared to the estimated $20 billion it would cost to clean up a spill. The UN has said an oil spill could destroy ecosystems, shut down the fishing industry and close the lifeline Hodeida port for six months. It has said the operation needs to be completed by the end of September to avoid "turbulent winds" that pick up later in the year. Riyadh will donate $10 million to the effort through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday. "The Kingdom calls on the United Nations to quickly take the necessary measures to ensure the prevention of oil leakage and also calls on the international community to contribute urgently to support this initiative and prevent a serious environmental disaster," the agency said. Also read | Yemen’s warring sides agree to extend truce for two months, says United Nations Saudi Arabia's current defence spending is $36.8 billion per year, according to the Military Balance+ database prepared by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The war in Yemen has killed hundreds of thousands of people and left millions on the brink of famine. But fighting has reduced since April when a truce went into effect, with the truce currently due to last until August. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Saudi offers $10 million to prevent Red Sea oil spill disaster off Yemen

An abandoned and rotting oil tanker in the Red Sea is leaking oil, something that can leave millions of people without water.

The oil tanker FSO Safer was abandoned in the year 2017. 1.1 million barrels of crude oil is still onboard the oil tanker.&nbsp;

Negotiations are underway to offload the oil cargo. As days pass and negotiations go on, the likelihood of an oil spill is increasing.

The oil spill, if it takes place, will wreak environmental havoc that is likely to affect Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Oman.

The talks between Houthi rebels, the UN-recognised government of Yemen and the UN have not yielded much so far and a staff of just seven is keeping a watch on the rotting hull.

A model predicting the oil spill has been published in journal Nature Sustainability. The model shows that the oil spill is likely to force closure of Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and Salif within two weeks. This may cause fuel shortage in Yemen. Water pumps will not work in this case and 8 million Yemenis will lose access to running water. Desalination plants in the region are likely to get polluted as well.

It is anticipated that half of the oil will evaporate within 24 hours. But the rest will reach Yemen's western coastline in three weeks.

An abandoned and rotting oil tanker in the Red Sea is leaking oil, something that can leave millions of people without water. The oil tanker FSO Safer was abandoned in the year 2017.

An abandoned and rotting oil tanker in the Red Sea is leaking oil, something that can leave millions of people without water. The oil tanker FSO Safer was abandoned in the year 2017. 1.1 million barrels of crude oil is still onboard the oil tanker. Negotiations are underway to offload the oil cargo. As days pass and negotiations go on, the likelihood of an oil spill is increasing. The oil spill, if it takes place, will wreak environmental havoc that is likely to affect Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Oman. The talks between Houthi rebels, the UN-recognised government of Yemen and the UN have not yielded much so far and a staff of just seven is keeping a watch on the rotting hull. A model predicting the oil spill has been published in journal Nature Sustainability. The model shows that the oil spill is likely to force closure of Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and Salif within two weeks. This may cause fuel shortage in Yemen. Water pumps will not work in this case and 8 million Yemenis will lose access to running water. Desalination plants in the region are likely to get polluted as well. It is anticipated that half of the oil will evaporate within 24 hours. But the rest will reach Yemen's western coastline in three weeks.

Abandoned Red Sea oil tanker may leave millions without water

On September 10, the Indian navy carried out a maritime partnership exercise with the Sudanese navy in the Red Sea. Despite building a strong energy partnership in the 2000s, it was the first time that Indian and Sudanese navies conducted such an exercise. From the Indian side, INS Tabar participated in the exercise along with the Sudanese ships Almazz and Nimar.

IN PICS|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/simbex-india-singapore-naval-drill-in-south-china-sea-410815" hreflang="en">SIMBEX: India-Singapore naval drill in South China Sea</a> 
 
The exercise included `multiple activities covering a wide range of naval operations such as `co-ordinated manoeuvring, replenishment at sea [RAS] drills, helo operations, operations for interdicting suspect vessels at sea and communication procedures.` The exercise `enhanced interoperability between the two navies significantly and widened the scope for combined operations against common maritime threats in future.` 
 
INS Tabar is on an overseas deployment to Europe and Africa. Apart from Sudan, it has also conducted naval exercises with the Egyptian navy in the Mediterranean. Egypt and Sudan are important players in the geopolitics of the Red Sea and due to their proximity with the Suez Canal, are located along one of the most important maritime routes. Therefore, both of these exercises are of significant strategic import and point towards the expanding maritime horizons of the Indian navy. 
 
Red Sea Geopolitics 
 
The Red Sea links West Asia with Africa and is a critical geopolitical space where the rivalries between the Gulf powers are being played out. The Red Sea also links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean through the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and Suez Canal. Large quantities of oil and trade pass through the Red Sea. It is a critical waterway for global energy security and the international economy. The recent blockage of the Suez Canal underscored the strategically important role of the Red Sea and Suez Canal for the global economy. 
 
In the last few years, the Red Sea has emerged as a critical sub-theatre in the evolving geopolitics of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Foreign powers have established their military presence in the region and are taking a greater interest in the affairs of the maritime as well as continental space in and around the Red Sea. Russia, China, the United States (US), France, and Japan hold military facilities in the region. Even the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are active in shaping the trajectory of regional geopolitics and security. 
 
In fact, the presence of security threats such as terrorism and maritime piracy brought foreign powers to the region. US established its expansive network of bases in the WIO and Africa including at Djibouti after launching the Global War on Terror. Maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden around 2007-08 was threatening global shipping and Somalia was unable to contain pirates operating out of its territorial waters. Therefore, a multinational maritime security effort was launched. The navies of major powers including Russia, China, Japan, and South Korea sent their warships to the region to participate in the anti-piracy operations. 
 
Indian Naval Presence 
 
The Indian navy too played a key role in the counter-piracy operations. India is a resident naval power with a willingness and desire to contribute towards the maintenance of regional security in the Indian Ocean including in the sub-theater of the Northwest Indian Ocean. Over the years, India has managed to regularize its maritime presence in the Gulf of Aden and Southwest Indian Ocean. Time and again, India has extended much-needed humanitarian assistance to the littoral states in the region. India has also positioned itself as the `preferred security partner` in the region. 
 
Indian navy is uniquely placed in the regional geopolitics of the Northwest Indian Ocean. It enjoys close relationship with the US, Japan, and France, and consequently, the Indian navy ships can access their naval bases in Djibouti. Russia`s upcoming naval base at Port Sudan also opens up opportunities for greater collaboration between Indian and Russian navies in the Red Sea and WIO. 
 
India`s deepening strategic partnership with UAE could be strengthened further in the domain of maritime security in the context of the geopolitics of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. India and Taiwan share an interest in containing Chinese power. The Taiwanese presence in Somaliland and UAE`s facilities along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden including Berbera could be leveraged for keeping a close watch on the Chinese activities in the region. 
 
The entire region lying between the Suez Canal and Japan is seeing an expanding Indian maritime footprint. The growing interest in the region is demonstrated by regularly deploying warships for conducting naval exercises with friendly countries and for carrying out defence diplomacy. As a result, the Indian navy is indicating that Western Pacific and the Red Sea are emerging as integral parts of its strategic dynamics. The naval exercises with Egyptian and Sudanese navies demonstrate the expanding strategic maritime horizons and underscore the growing salience of the Red Sea in India`s security matrix.

On September 10, the Indian navy carried out a maritime partnership exercise with the Sudanese navy in the Red Sea. Despite building a strong energy partnership in the 2000s, it was the first time that Indian and Sudanese navies conducted such an exercise.

On September 10, the Indian navy carried out a maritime partnership exercise with the Sudanese navy in the Red Sea. Despite building a strong energy partnership in the 2000s, it was the first time that Indian and Sudanese navies conducted such an exercise. From the Indian side, INS Tabar participated in the exercise along with the Sudanese ships Almazz and Nimar. IN PICS| SIMBEX: India-Singapore naval drill in South China Sea The exercise included `multiple activities covering a wide range of naval operations such as `co-ordinated manoeuvring, replenishment at sea [RAS] drills, helo operations, operations for interdicting suspect vessels at sea and communication procedures.` The exercise `enhanced interoperability between the two navies significantly and widened the scope for combined operations against common maritime threats in future.` INS Tabar is on an overseas deployment to Europe and Africa. Apart from Sudan, it has also conducted naval exercises with the Egyptian navy in the Mediterranean. Egypt and Sudan are important players in the geopolitics of the Red Sea and due to their proximity with the Suez Canal, are located along one of the most important maritime routes. Therefore, both of these exercises are of significant strategic import and point towards the expanding maritime horizons of the Indian navy. Red Sea Geopolitics The Red Sea links West Asia with Africa and is a critical geopolitical space where the rivalries between the Gulf powers are being played out. The Red Sea also links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean through the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and Suez Canal. Large quantities of oil and trade pass through the Red Sea. It is a critical waterway for global energy security and the international economy. The recent blockage of the Suez Canal underscored the strategically important role of the Red Sea and Suez Canal for the global economy. In the last few years, the Red Sea has emerged as a critical sub-theatre in the evolving geopolitics of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Foreign powers have established their military presence in the region and are taking a greater interest in the affairs of the maritime as well as continental space in and around the Red Sea. Russia, China, the United States (US), France, and Japan hold military facilities in the region. Even the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are active in shaping the trajectory of regional geopolitics and security. In fact, the presence of security threats such as terrorism and maritime piracy brought foreign powers to the region. US established its expansive network of bases in the WIO and Africa including at Djibouti after launching the Global War on Terror. Maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden around 2007-08 was threatening global shipping and Somalia was unable to contain pirates operating out of its territorial waters. Therefore, a multinational maritime security effort was launched. The navies of major powers including Russia, China, Japan, and South Korea sent their warships to the region to participate in the anti-piracy operations. Indian Naval Presence The Indian navy too played a key role in the counter-piracy operations. India is a resident naval power with a willingness and desire to contribute towards the maintenance of regional security in the Indian Ocean including in the sub-theater of the Northwest Indian Ocean. Over the years, India has managed to regularize its maritime presence in the Gulf of Aden and Southwest Indian Ocean. Time and again, India has extended much-needed humanitarian assistance to the littoral states in the region. India has also positioned itself as the `preferred security partner` in the region. Indian navy is uniquely placed in the regional geopolitics of the Northwest Indian Ocean. It enjoys close relationship with the US, Japan, and France, and consequently, the Indian navy ships can access their naval bases in Djibouti. Russia`s upcoming naval base at Port Sudan also opens up opportunities for greater collaboration between Indian and Russian navies in the Red Sea and WIO. India`s deepening strategic partnership with UAE could be strengthened further in the domain of maritime security in the context of the geopolitics of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. India and Taiwan share an interest in containing Chinese power. The Taiwanese presence in Somaliland and UAE`s facilities along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden including Berbera could be leveraged for keeping a close watch on the Chinese activities in the region. The entire region lying between the Suez Canal and Japan is seeing an expanding Indian maritime footprint. The growing interest in the region is demonstrated by regularly deploying warships for conducting naval exercises with friendly countries and for carrying out defence diplomacy. As a result, the Indian navy is indicating that Western Pacific and the Red Sea are emerging as integral parts of its strategic dynamics. The naval exercises with Egyptian and Sudanese navies demonstrate the expanding strategic maritime horizons and underscore the growing salience of the Red Sea in India`s security matrix.

Indian Navy holds exercises in the Red Sea, not far from the Suez Canal

An Iranian freighter was hit by an "explosion" in the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea, Tehran said on Wednesday after US media reported Israel had struck the ship in retaliation for past Iranian strikes on its vessels.

Iran was at pains to stress that the freighter was a civilian ship, although other sources said it had been used by Iranian commandos as a base for shipping protection and other duties in the area.

The explosion comes at a sensitive time as US President Joe Biden attempts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran which was strongly opposed by Israel and abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump in 2018.

The blast struck the "Iranian commercial vessel" MV Saviz off the coast of Djibouti on Tuesday morning, foreign ministry spokesman Said Khatibzadeh said, adding an inquiry had been opened into the cause.

"The accident caused no casualties and a technical investigation is underway to determine its circumstances and origin," the spokesman said.

"Our country will take all necessary steps through international bodies in this regard."

Khatibzadeh said the Saviz was a "civilian vessel" that had been deployed in coordination with the International Maritime Organization to protect shipping&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;and the Gulf of Aden.

Many foreign governments have stationed protection vessels in the area since a rash of attacks by Somali pirates between 2000 and 2010.

"This ship has been serving as Iran's logistics station,&nbsp;for technical and logistical support,&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea," the spokesman added.

Overnight Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the Saviz had been damaged by "magnetic mines".&nbsp;

It said the ship had been stationed in the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;for several years "in support of Iranian commandos deployed to escort commercial vessels".

According to a specialist website, MarineTraffic, the Saviz is a general cargo ship owned by Iran's state shipping firm IRISL.

The New York Times cited a US official as saying Israel had informed Washington it had struck the ship in "retaliation for earlier Iranian strikes on Israeli vessels".

The paper said that according to the Israelis, "the Saviz had been damaged below the water line".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out against a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on Tuesday (April 6) as talks with world powers about reviving a 2015 nuclear deal are set to begin.

''There must be no return to the dangerous nuclear deal with&nbsp;Iran, because a nuclearised&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would be an existential threat to Israel, and a very big threat to the security of the entire world, '' Netanyahu said.

Since early March, Iran and Israel have accused each other of carrying out a number of attacks on each other's ships.

There was no immediate reaction from the Israeli authorities to the Times report.

But a former deputy &nbsp;director of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, told public radio that while he could not confirm the report, any such attack would be designed to send a message to Iran.

"I don't know whether this report is true or not, but if it is correct, then it seems someone wants to let them know that we too know how to cause damage to shipping anywhere in the world and that they should be prudent,"&nbsp;said Ram Ben Barak, who is now a lawmaker for the opposition Yesh Atid party.

An Iranian freighter was hit by an "explosion" in the Red Sea, Tehran said on Wednesday after US media reported Israel had struck the ship in retaliation for past Iranian strikes on its vessels.

An Iranian freighter was hit by an "explosion" in the Red Sea, Tehran said on Wednesday after US media reported Israel had struck the ship in retaliation for past Iranian strikes on its vessels. Iran was at pains to stress that the freighter was a civilian ship, although other sources said it had been used by Iranian commandos as a base for shipping protection and other duties in the area. The explosion comes at a sensitive time as US President Joe Biden attempts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran which was strongly opposed by Israel and abandoned by his predecessor Donald Trump in 2018. The blast struck the "Iranian commercial vessel" MV Saviz off the coast of Djibouti on Tuesday morning, foreign ministry spokesman Said Khatibzadeh said, adding an inquiry had been opened into the cause. "The accident caused no casualties and a technical investigation is underway to determine its circumstances and origin," the spokesman said. "Our country will take all necessary steps through international bodies in this regard." Khatibzadeh said the Saviz was a "civilian vessel" that had been deployed in coordination with the International Maritime Organization to protect shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Many foreign governments have stationed protection vessels in the area since a rash of attacks by Somali pirates between 2000 and 2010. "This ship has been serving as Iran's logistics station, for technical and logistical support, in the Red Sea," the spokesman added. Overnight Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the Saviz had been damaged by "magnetic mines". It said the ship had been stationed in the Red Sea for several years "in support of Iranian commandos deployed to escort commercial vessels". According to a specialist website, MarineTraffic, the Saviz is a general cargo ship owned by Iran's state shipping firm IRISL. The New York Times cited a US official as saying Israel had informed Washington it had struck the ship in "retaliation for earlier Iranian strikes on Israeli vessels". The paper said that according to the Israelis, "the Saviz had been damaged below the water line". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out against a return to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran on Tuesday (April 6) as talks with world powers about reviving a 2015 nuclear deal are set to begin. ''There must be no return to the dangerous nuclear deal with Iran, because a nuclearised Iran would be an existential threat to Israel, and a very big threat to the security of the entire world, '' Netanyahu said. Since early March, Iran and Israel have accused each other of carrying out a number of attacks on each other's ships. There was no immediate reaction from the Israeli authorities to the Times report. But a former deputy director of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, told public radio that while he could not confirm the report, any such attack would be designed to send a message to Iran. "I don't know whether this report is true or not, but if it is correct, then it seems someone wants to let them know that we too know how to cause damage to shipping anywhere in the world and that they should be prudent," said Ram Ben Barak, who is now a lawmaker for the opposition Yesh Atid party.

Iran freighter ship damaged by 'explosion' in Red Sea, suspicion falls on Israel

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays.&nbsp;

The move was the latest step towards normalcy for Israel, which has fully vaccinated more than half of its roughly 9.3 million residents against coronavirus, the world's fastest per capita pace.

The number of serious coronavirus cases, which stood at 800 at the end of last month, has fallen to 467, according to the health ministry.

Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;began in December, with eligibility extended to citizens and residents over the age of 16 - some 69 per cent&nbsp;of the 9.3 million population. People are deemed fully protected a week after receiving the second shot.

The Health Ministry said that 50.07 per cent&nbsp;of the overall population - or 72.5 per cent&nbsp;of the eligible population - had received both vaccine doses, while 55.96 per cent&nbsp;of the overall population have received the first dose.

From Tuesday through April 12, 300 Israelis will be allowed through Taba on the Red Sea each day.

To cross, individuals must be inoculated or have recovered from Covid-19. A negative laboratory test is also required in both directions.

Egypt's Sinai peninsula is a popular vacation spot for Israelis, especially during the Passover break which began over the weekend, but the pandemic has forced Taba's closure since March 2020.

Israel's successful vaccination rollout has been making gains against the virus.

Israel&nbsp;began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February. Most businesses and schools, as well as airports, have gradually resumed activity - with caps on capacity. The fully vaccinated, and then around 8.7 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Israelis who have recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, are issued with Health Ministry "Green Pass" certificates that confer access to various leisure venues.

Israel&nbsp;has seen an 85 per cent&nbsp;drop in daily COVID-19 deaths, a 72 per cent&nbsp;decrease in the critically ill and 86 per cent&nbsp;fewer daily cases since the pandemic's third peak in mid-January, according to data scientist Eran Segal of&nbsp;Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays.

Israel on Tuesday reopened the Taba border post with Egypt that had been closed throughout the pandemic, allowing limited numbers to cross to the Sinai peninsula for Passover holidays. The move was the latest step towards normalcy for Israel, which has fully vaccinated more than half of its roughly 9.3 million residents against coronavirus, the world's fastest per capita pace. The number of serious coronavirus cases, which stood at 800 at the end of last month, has fallen to 467, according to the health ministry. Distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Israel began in December, with eligibility extended to citizens and residents over the age of 16 - some 69 per cent of the 9.3 million population. People are deemed fully protected a week after receiving the second shot. The Health Ministry said that 50.07 per cent of the overall population - or 72.5 per cent of the eligible population - had received both vaccine doses, while 55.96 per cent of the overall population have received the first dose. From Tuesday through April 12, 300 Israelis will be allowed through Taba on the Red Sea each day. To cross, individuals must be inoculated or have recovered from Covid-19. A negative laboratory test is also required in both directions. Egypt's Sinai peninsula is a popular vacation spot for Israelis, especially during the Passover break which began over the weekend, but the pandemic has forced Taba's closure since March 2020. Israel's successful vaccination rollout has been making gains against the virus. Israel began easing a nationwide lockdown in late February. Most businesses and schools, as well as airports, have gradually resumed activity - with caps on capacity. The fully vaccinated, and then around 8.7 per cent of Israelis who have recovered from COVID-19 with presumed immunity, are issued with Health Ministry "Green Pass" certificates that confer access to various leisure venues. Israel has seen an 85 per cent drop in daily COVID-19 deaths, a 72 per cent decrease in the critically ill and 86 per cent fewer daily cases since the pandemic's third peak in mid-January, according to data scientist Eran Segal of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.

No 'red' cities in Israel for first time in five months

There is growing concern for the red sea coral reef, environmentalists now say that these coral reefs are under threat due to the Israel-UAE oil deal warning that this could lead to the next ecological disaster.

Red sea coral reefs are under threat due to Israel-UAE oil deal

January 3 in history: Liberia gets first president, Apple computer gets incorporated and more

The&nbsp;Saudi-led&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;fighting the Iran-aligned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-deceptive-over-najran-attack-claims-saudi-led-coalition-252901">Houthi movement </a>in Yemen said on Monday the&nbsp;Houthis&nbsp;had&nbsp;seized a vessel towing a South Korean drilling rig at the southern end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-yemen-crisis-spills-over-into-the-red-sea-156287">Red&nbsp;Sea</a>.

The vessel was&nbsp;seized late on Sunday by armed&nbsp;Houthis,&nbsp;Coalition&nbsp;spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement carried by&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;state media. He did not say how many crew members were onboard the&nbsp;ship.

South Korea said two of its vessels were captured, a tug boat and a sand dredger, each of which had one South Korean national was on board.

Four other crew members of unknown nationalities were also on board, the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement.

Both vessels were owned by South Korean builder Woongjin Development, a company official told Reuters.

Another 10 foreign nationals were onboard a towing vessel that belongs to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia which was&nbsp;seized along with the two South Korean vessels, the South Korean ministry said.

A South Korean navy&nbsp;ship&nbsp;that has been conducting anti-piracy operations in the Arabian&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;near Oman has been ordered&nbsp;to deploy to the area where the vessels were&nbsp;seized, the ministry said.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior Houthi official told Reuters the group's forces had&nbsp;seized a "suspect vessel" in the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;and said the crew were being treated well.

"Yemeni coast guards ... are checking to see whether (the&nbsp;ship) belongs to the countries of aggression or to South Korea, in which case it will be released after completing legal procedures," he said.

The&nbsp;Houthis' Al-Masirah TV said three&nbsp;ships had been&nbsp;seized near Uqban island, including one belongs to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, and taken to the Yemeni port of Salif.

The&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;spokesman said the seizure of the&nbsp;ship&nbsp;was a "terrorist operation" that posed a threat to the freedom of international navigation and world trade.

The&nbsp;Saudi-led&nbsp;alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the&nbsp;Houthis&nbsp;after the group ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital Sanaa.

Houthi forces have been driven away from most of&nbsp;Yemen's&nbsp;coast over the course of the conflict but still hold Hodeidah, the country's biggest&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;port and base of the group's navy.

The&nbsp;Houthis&nbsp;have in the past targeted vessels off Yemen, which lies on one side of the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the&nbsp;Red&nbsp;Sea, one of the world's most heavily travelled&nbsp;oil tanker routes.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen said on Monday the Houthis had seized a vessel towing a South Korean drilling rig at the southern end of the Red Sea.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen said on Monday the Houthis had seized a vessel towing a South Korean drilling rig at the southern end of the Red Sea. The vessel was seized late on Sunday by armed Houthis, Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said in a statement carried by Saudi state media. He did not say how many crew members were onboard the ship. South Korea said two of its vessels were captured, a tug boat and a sand dredger, each of which had one South Korean national was on board. Four other crew members of unknown nationalities were also on board, the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement. Both vessels were owned by South Korean builder Woongjin Development, a company official told Reuters. Another 10 foreign nationals were onboard a towing vessel that belongs to Saudi Arabia which was seized along with the two South Korean vessels, the South Korean ministry said. A South Korean navy ship that has been conducting anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea near Oman has been ordered to deploy to the area where the vessels were seized, the ministry said. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior Houthi official told Reuters the group's forces had seized a "suspect vessel" in the Red Sea and said the crew were being treated well. "Yemeni coast guards ... are checking to see whether (the ship) belongs to the countries of aggression or to South Korea, in which case it will be released after completing legal procedures," he said. The Houthis' Al-Masirah TV said three ships had been seized near Uqban island, including one belongs to Saudi Arabia, and taken to the Yemeni port of Salif. The coalition spokesman said the seizure of the ship was a "terrorist operation" that posed a threat to the freedom of international navigation and world trade. The Saudi-led alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the Houthis after the group ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital Sanaa. Houthi forces have been driven away from most of Yemen's coast over the course of the conflict but still hold Hodeidah, the country's biggest Red Sea port and base of the group's navy. The Houthis have in the past targeted vessels off Yemen, which lies on one side of the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern mouth of the Red Sea, one of the world's most heavily travelled oil tanker routes.

Yemen's Houthis seize ship in Red Sea: Saudi-led coalition

Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels seized a Saudi-flagged tug and two South Korean vessels at the weekend, the insurgents and Seoul officials said on Tuesday.

The incident follows a lull in Huthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as one Riyadh official said the kingdom had established an "open channel" with the rebels in a bid to end the four-year conflict.

The Huthis acknowledged they had seized three ships, including a Saudi one, in the Red Sea a few miles off Uqban island, west of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

Seoul's foreign ministry said a South Korean dredger was being towed by one Korean and one Saudi-flagged tug when they were seized by the Huthis.

It added that a total of 16 crew, two of them South Korean, had been taken to the Red Sea port of Saleef, where they were being held by the rebels.

"All of our citizens... are healthy and safe," ministry officials said in a statement.

"We are doing our very best for the early release of our citizens."

Seoul has sent the South Korean navy ship Cheonghae, which had been on anti-piracy standby off the coast of Oman, to waters near where the incident took place.

The Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognised government accused the rebels of "hijacking" the Rabigh-3, which a global tracking website described as a Saudi-flagged vessel.

The rebels on Tuesday said the three ships were seized off Uqban island after they entered "territorial waters without prior notice", according to a statement carried by their Al-Masirah television channel.

The ships were taken to Saleef, it added, without disclosing the nationalities or number of crew members.

The Huthi rebels have been fighting the government and its allies for more than four years in a war that has pushed the country to the brink of famine.

A year after the Huthis seized Sanaa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies intervened in the conflict in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Since 2015, tens of thousands of people,&nbsp;most of them civilians,&nbsp;have been killed in a conflict that has triggered what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Earlier this month, a senior Saudi official raised hopes of possible de-escalation after he said Riyadh had an "open channel" with the rebels with the goal of ending the conflict.

Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels seized a Saudi-flagged tug and two South Korean vessels at the weekend, the insurgents and Seoul officials said on Tuesday. The incident follows a lull in Huthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as one Riyadh official said the kingdom had established an "open channel" with the rebels in a bid to end the four-year conflict.

Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels seized a Saudi-flagged tug and two South Korean vessels at the weekend, the insurgents and Seoul officials said on Tuesday. The incident follows a lull in Huthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as one Riyadh official said the kingdom had established an "open channel" with the rebels in a bid to end the four-year conflict. The Huthis acknowledged they had seized three ships, including a Saudi one, in the Red Sea a few miles off Uqban island, west of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Seoul's foreign ministry said a South Korean dredger was being towed by one Korean and one Saudi-flagged tug when they were seized by the Huthis. It added that a total of 16 crew, two of them South Korean, had been taken to the Red Sea port of Saleef, where they were being held by the rebels. "All of our citizens... are healthy and safe," ministry officials said in a statement. "We are doing our very best for the early release of our citizens." Seoul has sent the South Korean navy ship Cheonghae, which had been on anti-piracy standby off the coast of Oman, to waters near where the incident took place. The Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognised government accused the rebels of "hijacking" the Rabigh-3, which a global tracking website described as a Saudi-flagged vessel. The rebels on Tuesday said the three ships were seized off Uqban island after they entered "territorial waters without prior notice", according to a statement carried by their Al-Masirah television channel. The ships were taken to Saleef, it added, without disclosing the nationalities or number of crew members. The Huthi rebels have been fighting the government and its allies for more than four years in a war that has pushed the country to the brink of famine. A year after the Huthis seized Sanaa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies intervened in the conflict in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Since 2015, tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have been killed in a conflict that has triggered what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Earlier this month, a senior Saudi official raised hopes of possible de-escalation after he said Riyadh had an "open channel" with the rebels with the goal of ending the conflict.

Yemen rebels seize two South Korean, one Saudi vessel

Up to 20 people were presumed dead off Russia-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea after a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ten-sailors-dead-after-2-ships-catch-fire-near-crimea-indian-crewmen-may-be-among-casualties-191893">fire engulfed two ships sailing under the Tanzanian flag</a>, authorities said Tuesday.

The fire broke out when one vessel was transferring fuel to the other on Monday, driving both crews to jump overboard.

Russian authorities rescued 12 people and recovered 10 bodies, Alexei Kravchenko, spokesman for Russia's Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport, told AFP.

The other 10 people were missing and most likely dead, he said.&nbsp;

"There is no hope of finding them alive," Kravchenko said. "It is no longer a rescue operation."

Three of those missing sank into the water "before rescue workers' eyes" without life jackets, he said.

The ships, the Kandy and the Maestro, had crews from India and Turkey.&nbsp;

The Kandy had a 17-strong crew, while the Maestro carried 15.

Kravchenko said that as of Tuesday morning the fire was continuing. "There's an endless amount of fuel there," he said.

India said it was in touch with the Russian authorities.

"Our embassy in Moscow is in constant touch with the concerned Russian agencies to get more information on Indian nationals affected in the incident and to extend necessary assistance," the Indian foreign ministry said.

The accident occurred close to the Kerch Strait, a flashpoint in tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

In November, Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait as they tried to pass from the Black Sea to the Azov Sea.

The confrontation was the first open military clash between Kiev and Moscow since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and a pro-Russian insurgency erupted in eastern Ukraine.

Up to 20 people were presumed dead off Russia-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea after a fire engulfed two ships sailing under the Tanzanian flag, authorities said Tuesday.

Up to 20 people were presumed dead off Russia-annexed Crimea in the Black Sea after a fire engulfed two ships sailing under the Tanzanian flag, authorities said Tuesday. The fire broke out when one vessel was transferring fuel to the other on Monday, driving both crews to jump overboard. Russian authorities rescued 12 people and recovered 10 bodies, Alexei Kravchenko, spokesman for Russia's Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport, told AFP. The other 10 people were missing and most likely dead, he said. "There is no hope of finding them alive," Kravchenko said. "It is no longer a rescue operation." Three of those missing sank into the water "before rescue workers' eyes" without life jackets, he said. The ships, the Kandy and the Maestro, had crews from India and Turkey. The Kandy had a 17-strong crew, while the Maestro carried 15. Kravchenko said that as of Tuesday morning the fire was continuing. "There's an endless amount of fuel there," he said. India said it was in touch with the Russian authorities. "Our embassy in Moscow is in constant touch with the concerned Russian agencies to get more information on Indian nationals affected in the incident and to extend necessary assistance," the Indian foreign ministry said. The accident occurred close to the Kerch Strait, a flashpoint in tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In November, Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait as they tried to pass from the Black Sea to the Azov Sea. The confrontation was the first open military clash between Kiev and Moscow since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and a pro-Russian insurgency erupted in eastern Ukraine.

20 may have died after fire engulfs two ships near Crimea; Indian nationals also affected

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/missile-strikes-against-iranian-revolutionary-guards-quds-force-israel-191798&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwje8a7r7_7fAhXXYysKHY4TAhUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0_EbJQqWvOoegvSUOwGCe4">Israel</a> was to inaugurate a new international airport Monday in its desert south meant to boost tourism to the nearby Red Sea and serve as an emergency alternative to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport.

The official ceremony was scheduled to begin at 11:30 am (0930 GMT) with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-ticks-off-stalin-for-not-echoing-rahul-for-prime-minister-at-tmc-rally-191654&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjBhqn67_7fAhUciXAKHeg1AJ0QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0JWIssE3zMx1QXD152Z7Bc">Prime Minister </a>Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance.

Initially, Ramon Airport will handle only domestic flights, operated by Israeli carriers Arkia and Israir.&nbsp;

A date has not yet been given for the start of international flights.

The new airport, named after Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut who died in the crash of the space shuttle Columbia, will in future host jumbo jets from around the globe.

Its website says that it will be able to initially handle up to two million passengers annually, but will be able to expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030.

It says that it has a 3,600-metre-long runway and apron parking space for nine "large and wide-body aircraft".

It also has freight-handling facilities.

Ramon is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat and the adjacent Jordanian port of Aqaba.

Low-cost and charter airlines currently flying to Ovda airport, about 60 kilometres from Eilat, will move to Ramon, its website says.

They include Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, SAS, Finnair and Ural Airlines.

It will also replace Eilat's small municipal airfield, where for decades arriving aircraft have swooped past hotel towers.&nbsp;

Construction costs for the new airport have been put at 1.7 billion shekels ($455 million, 395 million euros).

Work began in 2013 but original specifications for the project were revised to allow for upgrades.

The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has said that the plans for the Ramon project were revised in light of lessons learned during the 2014 Gaza war.

"In an emergency, not only will Israel's entire passenger air fleet be able to land and park there, but also additional aircraft," the IAA says.

After a rocket fired by Hamas militants in Gaza hit near the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport in 2014, international carriers suspended flights.

Israeli media have said that a 26-metre (85 foot) high, 4.5-kilometre (2.8 miles) long "smart" anti-missile fence has been installed to help protect Ramon, which is adjacent to the border with Jordan.&nbsp;

The IAA refused to comment on those reports.

Tourism brings in significant revenue for Israel, accounting for $5.8 billion in 2017, the last full year for which figures are available.

Arrivals to the country of more than eight million citizens hit a record 3.6 million last year, the Israeli tourism ministry said.

The United States, Russia, France, Germany and Britain accounted for most of the visitors.

Israel was to inaugurate a new international airport Monday in its desert south meant to boost tourism to the nearby Red Sea and serve as an emergency alternative to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport.

Israel was to inaugurate a new international airport Monday in its desert south meant to boost tourism to the nearby Red Sea and serve as an emergency alternative to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport. The official ceremony was scheduled to begin at 11:30 am (0930 GMT) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance. Initially, Ramon Airport will handle only domestic flights, operated by Israeli carriers Arkia and Israir. A date has not yet been given for the start of international flights. The new airport, named after Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut who died in the crash of the space shuttle Columbia, will in future host jumbo jets from around the globe. Its website says that it will be able to initially handle up to two million passengers annually, but will be able to expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030. It says that it has a 3,600-metre-long runway and apron parking space for nine "large and wide-body aircraft". It also has freight-handling facilities. Ramon is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat and the adjacent Jordanian port of Aqaba. Low-cost and charter airlines currently flying to Ovda airport, about 60 kilometres from Eilat, will move to Ramon, its website says. They include Ryanair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, SAS, Finnair and Ural Airlines. It will also replace Eilat's small municipal airfield, where for decades arriving aircraft have swooped past hotel towers. Construction costs for the new airport have been put at 1.7 billion shekels ($455 million, 395 million euros). Work began in 2013 but original specifications for the project were revised to allow for upgrades. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has said that the plans for the Ramon project were revised in light of lessons learned during the 2014 Gaza war. "In an emergency, not only will Israel's entire passenger air fleet be able to land and park there, but also additional aircraft," the IAA says. After a rocket fired by Hamas militants in Gaza hit near the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport in 2014, international carriers suspended flights. Israeli media have said that a 26-metre (85 foot) high, 4.5-kilometre (2.8 miles) long "smart" anti-missile fence has been installed to help protect Ramon, which is adjacent to the border with Jordan. The IAA refused to comment on those reports. Tourism brings in significant revenue for Israel, accounting for $5.8 billion in 2017, the last full year for which figures are available. Arrivals to the country of more than eight million citizens hit a record 3.6 million last year, the Israeli tourism ministry said. The United States, Russia, France, Germany and Britain accounted for most of the visitors.

Israel to inaugurate new international airport near Red Sea

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uneasy-calm-in-yemens-hodeida-as-combatants-await-un-truce-team-185546">Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida</a>, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week.

The ceasefire in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/advance-un-truce-monitors-arrive-in-yemens-hodeidah-186094">rebel-held city</a>, whose Red Sea port is vital for millions at risk of starvation, is part of a peace push seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict.

A pro-government official told AFP that loyalist members of the committee overseeing the truce went to the Union Palace Hotel in the east of Hodeida city to take part in the meeting.&nbsp;

"We are expecting a good outcome," said the official, who requested anonymity.

Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading the joint committee, which includes both government officials and Huthi rebels, and chaired its first face-to-face meeting.

According to a Yemeni official, government members headed to the sit-down in UN vehicles.&nbsp;

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has described the meeting as "one of the priorities" of Cammaert's mission.

A truce in Hodeida and its surroundings went into effect on December 18 but has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations.

Government forces — backed by a Saudi-led coalition — and the Iran-aligned Huthis exchanged gunfire for a few hours on Wednesday morning, an AFP correspondent reported.

The sound of heavy artillery could be heard to the east of the city.

An official for the Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday that 10 pro-government troops had been killed since the ceasefire went into force, accusing the Huthis of 183 violations.&nbsp;

"The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that the Huthis are clearly looking to provoke a response from the coalition and no one is holding them accountable," he told AFP.

The rebels, in turn, said on the same day that they had recorded at least 31 violations in the past 24 hours by pro-government troops, according to the Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV.&nbsp;

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015 when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened.

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine.

'Right to offensive'&nbsp;

A coalition official warned Tuesday of a renewed offensive on Hodeida if violations of the ceasefire persist.

"We look forward to supporting Cammaert in his efforts... we genuinely hope he succeeds, but if not, we reserve the right to recommence an offensive to liberate the city," said the official who spoke on condition anonymity.

Cammaert arrived in Hodeida on Sunday from the rebel-held capital Sanaa, after meeting with government officials in Aden.

Yemen's warring sides agreed at peace talks in Sweden this month on the ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and the coalition against Hodeida.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce.

The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of Hodeida's port and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city.

The text approved by the Security Council "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ceasefire agreed" for Hodeida.

It authorises the United Nations to "establish and deploy, for an initial period of 30 days from the adoption of this resolution, an advance team to begin monitoring" the ceasefire, under Cammaert's leadership.

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week.

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week. The ceasefire in the rebel-held city, whose Red Sea port is vital for millions at risk of starvation, is part of a peace push seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict. A pro-government official told AFP that loyalist members of the committee overseeing the truce went to the Union Palace Hotel in the east of Hodeida city to take part in the meeting. "We are expecting a good outcome," said the official, who requested anonymity. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading the joint committee, which includes both government officials and Huthi rebels, and chaired its first face-to-face meeting. According to a Yemeni official, government members headed to the sit-down in UN vehicles. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has described the meeting as "one of the priorities" of Cammaert's mission. A truce in Hodeida and its surroundings went into effect on December 18 but has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations. Government forces — backed by a Saudi-led coalition — and the Iran-aligned Huthis exchanged gunfire for a few hours on Wednesday morning, an AFP correspondent reported. The sound of heavy artillery could be heard to the east of the city. An official for the Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday that 10 pro-government troops had been killed since the ceasefire went into force, accusing the Huthis of 183 violations. "The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that the Huthis are clearly looking to provoke a response from the coalition and no one is holding them accountable," he told AFP. The rebels, in turn, said on the same day that they had recorded at least 31 violations in the past 24 hours by pro-government troops, according to the Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV. The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015 when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. 'Right to offensive' A coalition official warned Tuesday of a renewed offensive on Hodeida if violations of the ceasefire persist. "We look forward to supporting Cammaert in his efforts... we genuinely hope he succeeds, but if not, we reserve the right to recommence an offensive to liberate the city," said the official who spoke on condition anonymity. Cammaert arrived in Hodeida on Sunday from the rebel-held capital Sanaa, after meeting with government officials in Aden. Yemen's warring sides agreed at peace talks in Sweden this month on the ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and the coalition against Hodeida. The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce. The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of Hodeida's port and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city. The text approved by the Security Council "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ceasefire agreed" for Hodeida. It authorises the United Nations to "establish and deploy, for an initial period of 30 days from the adoption of this resolution, an advance team to begin monitoring" the ceasefire, under Cammaert's leadership.

UN-led monitors meet in Yemen's Hodeida as clashes test truce

The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has sent more than 10,000 new troops towards a vital rebel-held port city ahead of a new assault, Yemeni government officials said Tuesday.

The pro-government coalition deployed the reinforcements to the Red Sea coast ahead of a new offensive on Hodeida "within days", a military official told AFP.&nbsp;

He said they would also "secure areas liberated" from the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, and that forces from Sudan, part of the coalition, had moved in to "secure" areas around the city.

Huthi rebels have for the past 10 days been stationing fighters on rooftops of buildings in Hodeida city, government military officials told AFP.&nbsp;

The adjacent port is the entry point for three-quarters of imports to the impoverished country, which is teetering on the edge of famine.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government after the Huthis ousted it swathes of territory including the capital Sanaa.

The coalition has used air power to push the rebels back from much of Yemen, but the Huthis have held onto Hodeida and Sanaa.

After UN-backed talks collapsed in September, the coalition announced it was relaunching an assault on Hodeida.

The fighting has since eased and Saudi-led forces have focused their raids on the city limits and other parts of the surrounding province.

But last week strikes in the province killed dozens of civilians, the United Nations said, as the Huthis blamed aerial bombardment by the Saudi-led coalition.

The coalition has drawn heavy global criticism for the high civilian death toll from its campaign in Yemen.

The war has left almost 10,000 people dead since the coalition intervened, and sparked what the UN has labelled the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The world body warned last week that 14 million people in Yemen now face a serious threat of famine.&nbsp;

The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has sent more than 10,000 new troops towards a vital rebel-held port city ahead of a new assault, Yemeni government officials said Tuesday.

The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has sent more than 10,000 new troops towards a vital rebel-held port city ahead of a new assault, Yemeni government officials said Tuesday. The pro-government coalition deployed the reinforcements to the Red Sea coast ahead of a new offensive on Hodeida "within days", a military official told AFP. He said they would also "secure areas liberated" from the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, and that forces from Sudan, part of the coalition, had moved in to "secure" areas around the city. Huthi rebels have for the past 10 days been stationing fighters on rooftops of buildings in Hodeida city, government military officials told AFP. The adjacent port is the entry point for three-quarters of imports to the impoverished country, which is teetering on the edge of famine. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government after the Huthis ousted it swathes of territory including the capital Sanaa. The coalition has used air power to push the rebels back from much of Yemen, but the Huthis have held onto Hodeida and Sanaa. After UN-backed talks collapsed in September, the coalition announced it was relaunching an assault on Hodeida. The fighting has since eased and Saudi-led forces have focused their raids on the city limits and other parts of the surrounding province. But last week strikes in the province killed dozens of civilians, the United Nations said, as the Huthis blamed aerial bombardment by the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition has drawn heavy global criticism for the high civilian death toll from its campaign in Yemen. The war has left almost 10,000 people dead since the coalition intervened, and sparked what the UN has labelled the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The world body warned last week that 14 million people in Yemen now face a serious threat of famine.

Saudi-led coalition sends thousands of troops towards Yemen port

Russia and Egypt are to resume direct flights on Wednesday following a more than two-year hiatus after a bomb downed a Russian charter over the Sinai peninsula in 2015.&nbsp

Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians.

On Wednesday evening an Aeroflot plane is due to take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport to Cairo, in a first step towards restoring flights to holiday destinations on the Red Sea.

On Thursday, Egyptair will restart its service between the two capitals, and the two companies will together carry out five return flights between Moscow and Cairo a week.&nbsp

But the move in itself will not immediately help Egypt's troubled tourism sector, Russian officials have said.&nbsp

"Tourists do not need direct flights to Cairo. The transfer from Cairo to sea resorts is long and uncomfortable, and no one will be going there in that way," Russian Tourism Industry spokeswoman Irina Tyurina told AFP.&nbsp

"In practice, the situation is the same as it was before, when people would get there independently via Minsk or Istanbul -- either big fans of Egypt or Russians who live there," she said.&nbsp

"Egypt is not yet back as a tourist destination for the Russian market."&nbsp

A great worry

Flights were suspended at the end of 2015 after a bomb downed a flight carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, killing all 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists.&nbsp

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.&nbsp

The number of foreign tourists in Egypt went from 14.7 million in 2010 to 5.4 million in 2016, on the back of the suspension of flights and the turmoil following the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.&nbsp

In 2017 that number recovered to 8.3 million visitors, according to official figures.&nbsp

Revenues from tourism at the same time dropped by two thirds, from $11.6 billion in 2010 to $3.8 billion in 2016, according to the Egyptian Central Bank.

Moscow and Cairo are to decide on a date to discuss the resumption of flights to Egyptian tourist destinations once flights between the two capitals have resumed, the Egyptian ambassador to Russia Ihab Nasr has said.

Russian officials have meanwhile not hidden their concerns about direct flights being restarted.

"The resumption of direct flights to Egypt, in particular to resort areas, is a great worry for us," Aleksandr Neradko, head of the Russian Federal Air Navigation Authority, said last week in comments reported by Russian agencies.&nbsp

Eight Russian experts will be sent to Cairo airport to check security measures are being enforced on flights towards Moscow, according to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram.

Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians

Russia and Egypt are to resume direct flights on Wednesday following a more than two-year hiatus after a bomb downed a Russian charter over the Sinai peninsula in 2015. Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians. On Wednesday evening an Aeroflot plane is due to take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport to Cairo, in a first step towards restoring flights to holiday destinations on the Red Sea. On Thursday, Egyptair will restart its service between the two capitals, and the two companies will together carry out five return flights between Moscow and Cairo a week. But the move in itself will not immediately help Egypt's troubled tourism sector, Russian officials have said. "Tourists do not need direct flights to Cairo. The transfer from Cairo to sea resorts is long and uncomfortable, and no one will be going there in that way," Russian Tourism Industry spokeswoman Irina Tyurina told AFP. "In practice, the situation is the same as it was before, when people would get there independently via Minsk or Istanbul -- either big fans of Egypt or Russians who live there," she said. "Egypt is not yet back as a tourist destination for the Russian market." A great worry Flights were suspended at the end of 2015 after a bomb downed a flight carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, killing all 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. The number of foreign tourists in Egypt went from 14.7 million in 2010 to 5.4 million in 2016, on the back of the suspension of flights and the turmoil following the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak. In 2017 that number recovered to 8.3 million visitors, according to official figures. Revenues from tourism at the same time dropped by two thirds, from $11.6 billion in 2010 to $3.8 billion in 2016, according to the Egyptian Central Bank. Moscow and Cairo are to decide on a date to discuss the resumption of flights to Egyptian tourist destinations once flights between the two capitals have resumed, the Egyptian ambassador to Russia Ihab Nasr has said. Russian officials have meanwhile not hidden their concerns about direct flights being restarted. "The resumption of direct flights to Egypt, in particular to resort areas, is a great worry for us," Aleksandr Neradko, head of the Russian Federal Air Navigation Authority, said last week in comments reported by Russian agencies. Eight Russian experts will be sent to Cairo airport to check security measures are being enforced on flights towards Moscow, according to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram.

Russia, Egypt resume direct flights two years after attack

Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22, the airline said on Wednesday.

The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn&#39;t materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel.

The announcement from Air India comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Monday, during his visit to the US, that Saudi Arabia had given permission to the Indian carrier for flying over its territory on its route from New Delhi to Tel Aviv.

Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country.

&quot;Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight to Tel Aviv from Delhi with effect from March 22,&quot; an airline spokesperson said.

The Air India flight will fly over Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to reach Israel, a senior airline official said on condition of anonymity.

The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will mean Air India will take a shorter route between Delhi and Tel Aviv and cover the distance in 7 hours and 10 minutes.

The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will save Air India almost 2 hours and 10 minutes as compared to the longer route taken by Israel&#39;s national carrier El Al, which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai, according to another Air India source.

El Al takes a circuitous route over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enters India and avoids countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This route, too, is covered in 7 hours and 10 minutes.

If Air India were to take this route from New Delhi, it would cover the entire distance in more than nine hours, according to the source.

The official added that the shorter flight duration, combined with Air India&#39;s strong domestic network, could give the national carrier an advantage over El Al.

Israeli PM Netanyahu had acknowledged that the Israeli national carrier El Al would be at a disadvantage both in terms of cost and travel time, adding that he is in talks with the national carrier to ensure it doesn&#39;t suffer economically.

The Air India flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It will depart from New Delhi at 4.50 pm and arrive in Tel Aviv at 8.25 pm. On its return leg, the plane will depart from Tel Aviv at 10.15 pm and land in Delhi at 9 am the day after, according to a statement from Air India.

Air India will operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.

During a visit to Israel in July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said direct flights would be launched between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv and the plan gathered steam following Netanyahu&#39;s visit to India in January this year.

Israel&#39;s tourism ministry has also announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for the flight operations.&nbsp;

The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn't materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel

Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv from March 22, the airline said on Wednesday. The national carrier had planned to launch the service in May last year, but it couldn't materialise after some countries denied use of their airspaces for flights to Israel. The announcement from Air India comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Monday, during his visit to the US, that Saudi Arabia had given permission to the Indian carrier for flying over its territory on its route from New Delhi to Tel Aviv. Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country. "Air India will introduce thrice-a-week flight to Tel Aviv from Delhi with effect from March 22," an airline spokesperson said. The Air India flight will fly over Oman, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to reach Israel, a senior airline official said on condition of anonymity. The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will mean Air India will take a shorter route between Delhi and Tel Aviv and cover the distance in 7 hours and 10 minutes. The permission to fly over Saudi Arabia will save Air India almost 2 hours and 10 minutes as compared to the longer route taken by Israel's national carrier El Al, which has direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mumbai, according to another Air India source. El Al takes a circuitous route over the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and then enters India and avoids countries that are on the direct flight path such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. This route, too, is covered in 7 hours and 10 minutes. If Air India were to take this route from New Delhi, it would cover the entire distance in more than nine hours, according to the source. The official added that the shorter flight duration, combined with Air India's strong domestic network, could give the national carrier an advantage over El Al. Israeli PM Netanyahu had acknowledged that the Israeli national carrier El Al would be at a disadvantage both in terms of cost and travel time, adding that he is in talks with the national carrier to ensure it doesn't suffer economically. The Air India flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It will depart from New Delhi at 4.50 pm and arrive in Tel Aviv at 8.25 pm. On its return leg, the plane will depart from Tel Aviv at 10.15 pm and land in Delhi at 9 am the day after, according to a statement from Air India. Air India will operate a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the route. During a visit to Israel in July last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said direct flights would be launched between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv and the plan gathered steam following Netanyahu's visit to India in January this year. Israel's tourism ministry has also announced a one-time grant of 750,000 euros to Air India for the flight operations.

Air India to start thrice-a-week Delhi-Tel Aviv flight from March 22

Turkey will rebuild a ruined Ottoman port city on Sudan&#39;s Red Sea coast and construct a naval dock to maintain civilian and military vessels, Sudan&#39;s foreign minister said on Tuesday, as Ankara expands military and economic ties in Africa.

The restoration at Suakin was agreed during a visit to the ancient port by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said.

Making the first trip by a Turkish president to Sudan, Erdogan said Turkey had been temporarily granted part of Suakin so it could rebuild the area as a tourist site and a transit point for pilgrims crossing the Red Sea to Mecca.

He said the Suakin deal was one of several, worth $650 million in total, agreed with Sudan, which emerged from two decades of US sanctions in October and is seeking to attract international investment.

The countries also agreed &quot;to build a dock to maintain civilian and military vessels,&quot; Ghandour told reporters, adding that they had signed an agreement &quot;that could result in any kind of military cooperation&quot;.

The agreements come three months after Turkey formally opened a $50 million military training base in Somalia as it exerts increasing influence in the region.

Suakin was Sudan&#39;s major port when it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, but fell into disuse over the last century after the construction of Port Sudan, 35 miles (60 km) to the north.

Speaking on Monday in Khartoum, Erdogan said the refurbished port city would attract Mecca-bound pilgrims who would want to see the island&#39;s history, helping Sudan`s tourism sector.

&quot;Imagine, people from Turkey wishing to go on pilgrimage will come and visit the historical areas on Suakin Island,&quot; Erdogan said. &quot;From there ... they will cross to Jeddah by boat.&quot;

The other agreements signed during Erdogan&#39;s visit include Turkish investment to build Khartoum&#39;s planned new airport and private sector investments in cotton production, electricity generation and building grain silos and meat slaughterhouses.&nbsp;

Erdogan and Bashir said they aimed for trade between the two countries to reach $10 billion, Turkey&#39;s Foreign Economic Relations Board said.

In October, the United States lifted a trade embargo and other penalties that had cut Sudan off from much of the global financial system.

Sudan`s state minister for investment has said he aims to attract investment of $10 billion a year, compared to $1 billion estimated by the United Nations for 2016.

Turkey will rebuild a ruined Ottoman port city on Sudan's Red Sea coast and construct a naval dock to maintain civilian and military vessels

Turkey will rebuild a ruined Ottoman port city on Sudan's Red Sea coast and construct a naval dock to maintain civilian and military vessels, Sudan's foreign minister said on Tuesday, as Ankara expands military and economic ties in Africa. The restoration at Suakin was agreed during a visit to the ancient port by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said. Making the first trip by a Turkish president to Sudan, Erdogan said Turkey had been temporarily granted part of Suakin so it could rebuild the area as a tourist site and a transit point for pilgrims crossing the Red Sea to Mecca. He said the Suakin deal was one of several, worth $650 million in total, agreed with Sudan, which emerged from two decades of US sanctions in October and is seeking to attract international investment. The countries also agreed "to build a dock to maintain civilian and military vessels," Ghandour told reporters, adding that they had signed an agreement "that could result in any kind of military cooperation". The agreements come three months after Turkey formally opened a $50 million military training base in Somalia as it exerts increasing influence in the region. Suakin was Sudan's major port when it was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, but fell into disuse over the last century after the construction of Port Sudan, 35 miles (60 km) to the north. Speaking on Monday in Khartoum, Erdogan said the refurbished port city would attract Mecca-bound pilgrims who would want to see the island's history, helping Sudan`s tourism sector. "Imagine, people from Turkey wishing to go on pilgrimage will come and visit the historical areas on Suakin Island," Erdogan said. "From there ... they will cross to Jeddah by boat." The other agreements signed during Erdogan's visit include Turkish investment to build Khartoum's planned new airport and private sector investments in cotton production, electricity generation and building grain silos and meat slaughterhouses. Erdogan and Bashir said they aimed for trade between the two countries to reach $10 billion, Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board said. In October, the United States lifted a trade embargo and other penalties that had cut Sudan off from much of the global financial system. Sudan`s state minister for investment has said he aims to attract investment of $10 billion a year, compared to $1 billion estimated by the United Nations for 2016.

Turkey to restore Sudanese Red Sea port, build naval dock

Conditions are so dire in President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi&#39;s Egypt that anyone could beat him in next year&#39;s presidential election if the vote is held fairly, the highest-profile potential challenger told Reuters.

Khaled Ali, 45, has not formally announced if he will oppose the general-turned-president in 2018 but has indicated he intends to. He is waiting to find out if he will go to prison.

The human rights and labour lawyer went on trial last week on public indecency charges that carry up to two years in prison. If convicted, even with a fine, he will be barred from running.

&quot;If we had fair elections, anyone could defeat Sisi,&quot; Ali said in a Reuters interview.

Worsening economic conditions, deteriorating security and a crackdown on political freedoms all mean Sisi is losing popularity, he said.

Sisi came to power in 2014, a year after he led the military in ousting elected but unpopular Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. He is expected to run again in 2018.

Ali says he&#39;s prepared to address the country&#39;s issues but thinks it is unlikely security forces will allow his potential candidacy a fair shot.

&quot;Society needs to have an experience of resistance. If we keep not resisting, they will stay in control,&quot; he said.

Ali gained prominence in January when he won a case that nullified a government transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, a deal that had prompted mass protests.

He sees the case as having swayed the opinion of many once stalwart Sisi supporters, who oppose ceding sovereign territory.

&quot;Sisi came to power on the basis that he is the army strong-man who will protect the country and he is giving up land Egypt went to war with Israel for,&quot; he said.

The socialist ran for president in 2012 and came seventh. He was the youngest candidate, having turned 40, the minimum age required to run.

He now leads the leftwing Bread and Freedom Party, eight of whose members have been arrested since April on charges including &quot;misusing social media to incite against the state&quot; and insulting the president.

Ali believes the arrests and case against him - which alleges he made an obscene hand gesture on the steps of a Cairo courthouse after winning the islands case - are punishment for his work on that case and his intention to challenge Sisi.

&quot;The regime is trying to make even caring about politics scary. They are trying to make it come with a high price.&quot;

(Reuters)

Khaled Ali, 45, has not formally announced if he will oppose the general-turned-president in 2018 but has indicated he intends to

Conditions are so dire in President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's Egypt that anyone could beat him in next year's presidential election if the vote is held fairly, the highest-profile potential challenger told Reuters. Khaled Ali, 45, has not formally announced if he will oppose the general-turned-president in 2018 but has indicated he intends to. He is waiting to find out if he will go to prison. The human rights and labour lawyer went on trial last week on public indecency charges that carry up to two years in prison. If convicted, even with a fine, he will be barred from running. "If we had fair elections, anyone could defeat Sisi," Ali said in a Reuters interview. Worsening economic conditions, deteriorating security and a crackdown on political freedoms all mean Sisi is losing popularity, he said. Sisi came to power in 2014, a year after he led the military in ousting elected but unpopular Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. He is expected to run again in 2018. Ali says he's prepared to address the country's issues but thinks it is unlikely security forces will allow his potential candidacy a fair shot. "Society needs to have an experience of resistance. If we keep not resisting, they will stay in control," he said. Ali gained prominence in January when he won a case that nullified a government transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, a deal that had prompted mass protests. He sees the case as having swayed the opinion of many once stalwart Sisi supporters, who oppose ceding sovereign territory. "Sisi came to power on the basis that he is the army strong-man who will protect the country and he is giving up land Egypt went to war with Israel for," he said. The socialist ran for president in 2012 and came seventh. He was the youngest candidate, having turned 40, the minimum age required to run. He now leads the leftwing Bread and Freedom Party, eight of whose members have been arrested since April on charges including "misusing social media to incite against the state" and insulting the president. Ali believes the arrests and case against him - which alleges he made an obscene hand gesture on the steps of a Cairo courthouse after winning the islands case - are punishment for his work on that case and his intention to challenge Sisi. "The regime is trying to make even caring about politics scary. They are trying to make it come with a high price." (Reuters)

Anyone could beat Sisi in next year's polls as conditions in Egypt dire: Khaled Ali

Amid rising tensions with Yemen&#39;s Houthi rebels, multiple missiles were fired on Saturday at three US warships in the Red Sea, though none was hit and there were no casualties, the US military was quoted as saying by international agency AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It was unclear how many of the surface-to-surface missiles were fired at the USS Mason, USS Nitze and USS Ponce, a US defence official said adding that &nbsp;the altercation took place starting around 1930 GMT.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;We are aware of the reports and we are assessing the situation. All of our ships and crews are safe and unharmed,&quot; another US defence official said in an apparently cautious reaction.

&nbsp;

According to AFP, once confirmed, &nbsp;the attempted missile strikes would be the most serious escalation yet of America&#39;s involvement in a deadly civil war that has killed more than 6,800 people, wounded more than 35,000 and displaced at least three million since a Saudi-led coalition launched military operations last year.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pertinently, the rockets fired at the USS Mason on Sunday and again Wednesday were believed to be the first time since 1987 that a US warship has been targeted by an incoming missile.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The US Navy launched five Tomahawk cruise missiles as retaliatory fire at three mobile radar sites in Huthi-controlled territory in Yemen

Amid rising tensions with Yemen's Houthi rebels, multiple missiles were fired on Saturday at three US warships in the Red Sea, though none was hit and there were no casualties, the US military was quoted as saying by international agency AFP. It was unclear how many of the surface-to-surface missiles were fired at the USS Mason, USS Nitze and USS Ponce, a US defence official said adding that the altercation took place starting around 1930 GMT. "We are aware of the reports and we are assessing the situation. All of our ships and crews are safe and unharmed," another US defence official said in an apparently cautious reaction. According to AFP, once confirmed, the attempted missile strikes would be the most serious escalation yet of America's involvement in a deadly civil war that has killed more than 6,800 people, wounded more than 35,000 and displaced at least three million since a Saudi-led coalition launched military operations last year. Pertinently, the rockets fired at the USS Mason on Sunday and again Wednesday were believed to be the first time since 1987 that a US warship has been targeted by an incoming missile. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Missiles fired at US warships in Red Sea, no casualties: US

An Egyptian court on Tuesday quashed a government decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, judicial sources said, over-ruling a deal that had sparked public outrage.&nbsp; 
 
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the controversial accord in April during a visit to Cairo by Saudi King Salman.&nbsp; 
 
A judge told AFP that the decision by the State Council, Egypt&#39;s highest administrative court, &quot;cancels the signing&quot; of the deal, which put two islands in the Straits of Tiran under Riyadh&#39;s control.&nbsp; 
 
The handover prompted an outcry from many Egyptians and sparked protests against Sisi.&nbsp; 
 
A court last month sentenced 51 people to two years in jail for taking part in protests against the accord. 
 
In the lead-up to the protests, police already made dozens of arrests to discourage a repeat of a large rally on April 15 at which demonstrators chanted for the &quot;fall of the regime&quot;. 
 
Egypt&#39;s appeals court in May overturned five-year jail terms for 47 people convicted of taking part in non-authorised protests, but upheld fines of more than $11,000 each. 
&nbsp; 
Tuesday&#39;s ruling on the islands deal is not final and may be challenged by the government. 
 
Lawyer Khaled Ali, who brought the case, told AFP the court&#39;s verdict &quot;shows that the two territories are Egyptian... and cannot be given away&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Saudi Arabia is one of Sisi&#39;s main regional backers, and the kingdom has provided Egypt with billions of dollars worth of aid and investment since the former army chief took power. 
 
Although generations of Egyptians have grown up believing the islands belonged to Egypt, Cairo insists they have always been Saudi territory, which was leased to it in 1950 following a request by Riyadh. 
 
Many Egyptians view Tiran and Sanafir with patriotic fondness because of the islands&#39; association with the four wars Egypt fought with Israel between 1948 and 1973.&nbsp; 
 
Lying at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, the islands can be used to control access to the Israeli port of Eilat. They were captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war before being returned to Egypt under the 1979 Camp David Accords. 
 
Cairo says the transfer agreement was based on a presidential decree issued by now ousted leader Hosni Mubarak who in 1990 even informed the United Nations about the matter. 
 
Critics accuse Sisi of &quot;selling&quot; the islands in return for Saudi investments. 
 
The judge, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, said Tuesday&#39;s verdict stressed that the two territories remain &quot;Egyptian&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

The islands,Tiran and Sanafir, have a patriotic significance for many Egyptians and the accord to handover the islands had sparked protests

An Egyptian court on Tuesday quashed a government decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, judicial sources said, over-ruling a deal that had sparked public outrage. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the controversial accord in April during a visit to Cairo by Saudi King Salman. A judge told AFP that the decision by the State Council, Egypt's highest administrative court, "cancels the signing" of the deal, which put two islands in the Straits of Tiran under Riyadh's control. The handover prompted an outcry from many Egyptians and sparked protests against Sisi. A court last month sentenced 51 people to two years in jail for taking part in protests against the accord. In the lead-up to the protests, police already made dozens of arrests to discourage a repeat of a large rally on April 15 at which demonstrators chanted for the "fall of the regime". Egypt's appeals court in May overturned five-year jail terms for 47 people convicted of taking part in non-authorised protests, but upheld fines of more than $11,000 each. Tuesday's ruling on the islands deal is not final and may be challenged by the government. Lawyer Khaled Ali, who brought the case, told AFP the court's verdict "shows that the two territories are Egyptian... and cannot be given away". Saudi Arabia is one of Sisi's main regional backers, and the kingdom has provided Egypt with billions of dollars worth of aid and investment since the former army chief took power. Although generations of Egyptians have grown up believing the islands belonged to Egypt, Cairo insists they have always been Saudi territory, which was leased to it in 1950 following a request by Riyadh. Many Egyptians view Tiran and Sanafir with patriotic fondness because of the islands' association with the four wars Egypt fought with Israel between 1948 and 1973. Lying at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, the islands can be used to control access to the Israeli port of Eilat. They were captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war before being returned to Egypt under the 1979 Camp David Accords. Cairo says the transfer agreement was based on a presidential decree issued by now ousted leader Hosni Mubarak who in 1990 even informed the United Nations about the matter. Critics accuse Sisi of "selling" the islands in return for Saudi investments. The judge, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, said Tuesday's verdict stressed that the two territories remain "Egyptian". (AFP)

Egypt court quashes handover of two Red Sea Islands to Saudi

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