Houthis-allied tribesmen holding up weapons shout slogans during a rally against the US terrorist designation of the Houthis, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 4, 2021. EPA
Houthis-allied tribesmen holding up weapons shout slogans during a rally against the US terrorist designation of the Houthis, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 4, 2021. EPA
Houthis-allied tribesmen holding up weapons shout slogans during a rally against the US terrorist designation of the Houthis, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 4, 2021. EPA
Houthis-allied tribesmen holding up weapons shout slogans during a rally against the US terrorist designation of the Houthis, in Sanaa, Yemen, February 4, 2021. EPA

The National

US calls on Yemen’s Houthi rebels to cease attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said the rebels launched four drone attacks on Sunday

Mina Aldroubi
Mina Aldroubi
Abu Dhabi

February 09, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Yemen’s Houthi rebels must stop attacks on Saudi Arabia, the US said after the kingdom intercepted four armed drones aimed at civilian areas on Sunday.

“We call on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks impacting civilian areas inside Saudi Arabia and to halt any new military offensives inside Yemen, which only bring more suffering to the Yemeni people,” the State Department said.

“We urge the Houthis to refrain from destabilising actions and demonstrate their commitment to constructively engage in UN special envoy Martin Griffiths’ efforts to achieve peace."

France also condemned the attempted strikes. In a statement on Tuesday, the French Foreign Ministry called for the escalation against Saudi targets to stop and warned that "the proliferation and use of drones undermine the region’s stability."

"France calls on the Houthis to put an end to their offensive in Yemen, as well as their destabilising regional activities, and to engage in a constructive manner in a political process to resolve the crisis in Yemen," the ministry said.

The Iran-backed rebels have repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks across the border at Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom is leading a coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government.

Read More

Yemen: UN envoy makes first visit to Iran in peace talks bid

Yemen: EU delegation visits Aden in support of unity government

The coalition intervened in the war in 2015, months after the rebels seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Coalition spokesman Col Turki Al Maliki said the rebels launched a total of four armed drones on Sunday.

"They were launched systematically and deliberately by the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian objects in the south of the region," he said.

The coalition will "continue to undertake all necessary procedures to neutralise and destroy the advanced conventional weapons capabilities of the terrorist militia in accordance with international humanitarian law," Col Al Maliki said.

The attacks were condemned by several Arab states, including Jordan and Egypt.

Yousef Al Othaimeen, secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC),  also denounced the act.

Houthi supporters chant slogans as they attend a demonstration against the United States over its decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in Sanaa, Yemen. AP Photo
Houthi supporters chant slogans as they attend a demonstration against the United States over its decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in Sanaa, Yemen. AP Photo
A member of security forces loyal to Yemen's Houthi rebels stands guard as supporters attend a rally denouncing the United States and the Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement. AFP
A member of security forces loyal to Yemen's Houthi rebels stands guard as supporters attend a rally denouncing the United States and the Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement. AFP
A Houthi supporter holds his weapon during a demonstration against the United States over its decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in Sanaa, Yemen. AP
A Houthi supporter holds his weapon during a demonstration against the United States over its decision to designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization in Sanaa, Yemen. AP
Opposers of Yemen's Houthi rebels shout slogans during a rally in support of the United States and the Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement, in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
Opposers of Yemen's Houthi rebels shout slogans during a rally in support of the United States and the Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement, in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
Opposers of Yemen's Houthi rebels shout slogans during a rally in support of the United States and the outgoing Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement, in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
Opposers of Yemen's Houthi rebels shout slogans during a rally in support of the United States and the outgoing Trump administration's decision to apply the "terrorist" designation to the Iran-backed movement, in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
Yemenis opposed to the country's Houthi rebels take part in a rally in support of a recent decision by the United States' outgoing administration blacklisting the Houthi group as a "terrorist" organisation in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
Yemenis opposed to the country's Houthi rebels take part in a rally in support of a recent decision by the United States' outgoing administration blacklisting the Houthi group as a "terrorist" organisation in Yemen's third city of Taez. AFP
A joint Saudi-backed Sudanese-Yemeni force removes landmines, which they said were planted by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen's northern coastal town of Midi, in the Hajjah governorate. AFP
A joint Saudi-backed Sudanese-Yemeni force removes landmines, which they said were planted by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen's northern coastal town of Midi, in the Hajjah governorate. AFP
The Saudi-backed Sudanese-Yemeni force removes and de-activates landmines in the Hajjah governorate near the border with Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea. AFP
The Saudi-backed Sudanese-Yemeni force removes and de-activates landmines in the Hajjah governorate near the border with Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea. AFP
The force collected some 5,000 landmines. AFP
The force collected some 5,000 landmines. AFP
A shot shows landmines collected by the Sudanese-Yemeni force. AFP
A shot shows landmines collected by the Sudanese-Yemeni force. AFP
An expAFP
An expAFP

He said the OIC supported "all measures taken by the coalition forces to deal with the hostile actions of the terrorist Houthi militia".

The Gulf Co-operation Council said the attacks were a "flagrant challenge" to the international community.

"The repetition of such terrorist attempts carried out by the Houthi militias is a matter that necessitates that the world community should take an immediate and firm position to stop such acts from targeting vital and civilian facilities," the GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf said.

They came after US President Joe Biden's administration said last week that it would take the Houthis off the US terrorism blacklist, reversing a move taken by his predecessor Donald Trump just before he left office in January.

"As the president is taking steps to end the war in Yemen, and Saudi Arabia has endorsed a negotiated settlement, the United States is deeply troubled by continued Houthi attacks," the State Department said.

“The time is now to find an end to this conflict.”

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Towering concerns
THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

While you're here
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Neighbourhood Watch
Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mobile phone packages comparison
While you're here
On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 420 bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: from Dh293,200

On sale: now

While you're here
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

On Women's Day
While you're here
While you're here
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20RB%20Sarab%2C%20Allaia%20Tiar%20(jockey)%2C%20Khalifa%20Al%20Neyadi%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.30pm%3A%20Mamsha%20Alkhair%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mutaqadim%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6pm%3A%20Emirates%20Fillies%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Almotajalliah%2C%20Ray%20Dawson%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al%20Hadhrami%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.30pm%3A%20Emirates%20Colts%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Prestige%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Fadwaan%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Ahmed%20Al%20Mehairbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20Dh2%2C500%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Mujeeb%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Ketbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.30pm%3A%20The%20President%E2%80%99s%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh380%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Western%20Writer%2C%20Richard%20Mullen%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Saudi ArabiaYemen