Air strikes were reported in Sanaa on Wednesday, amid a US military campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels. One of the targets appeared to be Houthi barracks inside the Sanaa airport's customs building, Al Arabiya reported, quoting local sources.
Local media reported strikes on the Bani Al Harith and Bani Hashish districts in the Yemeni capital, which the Houthis have held since 2014.
"A series of strikes by the US aggression have hit the south and north of the capital," Al Masirah channel said, without providing further details. The station had earlier reported a series of raids by the US "on the Saada governorate", as well as at least two on Amran.
The Iran-backed rebels' news agency, Saba, said "the American aggression targeted the Oncology Hospital building in Saada". The hospital, which Houthi media said was under construction, was also hit last week.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Houthi military representative had said the group targeted "enemy warships in the Red Sea, led by the US aircraft carrier [USS Harry S] Truman".
The US has been engaged in a renewed bombing campaign against the Houthis across Yemen, with strikes reported almost every day since the large-scale attacks on March 15. At least 53 people, including five children, were killed and 98 others injured in the first round of strikes, according to the Houthis.
The rebels have launched a series of attacks on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, with scores of vessels hit in drone and missile strikes. The group claims it is carrying out the attacks against Israeli-flagged ships or vessels bound for Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump has vowed the Houthis will be "completely annihilated" if they continue the attacks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the US was "doing a great favour to the world" in striking the group.
But a military analyst has cast doubt on Washington's approach to the groups actions in the region.
"You can't eliminate Houthi power with just air strikes", Col Mark Cancian, senior adviser at the CSIS Defence and Security Department, told The National. "You can beat down their ability to strike at long distance, reduce the number of missiles and launchers they have … but the Houthis as a movement, air power alone can't do that."
Col Cancian said bombing was Mr Trump's main option and that it is "extremely unlikely" the US will introduce any ground forces to the conflict in Yemen.
"Even special forces would be risky because of the possibility of capture or otherwise compromise," he said. "Missiles don't have that risk … we've been attacking the Houthis for some time with missiles over the years, so I think that will continue."
The strikes come amid a scandal in Washington over a journalist inadvertently being added to a chat group that included high-level US officials, where they discussed the impending strikes against the Houthis.
Signal chat leaks: Messages appear to show Hegseth revealing Houthi plans
The five pillars of Islam
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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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.
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