Houthis launch further attacks in Yemen
According to pro-government media, the Houthi militia has again attacked targets in the Yemeni province of Marib with rockets and drones. Residents reported to the German Press Agency that they had heard several explosions on the outskirts of Marib in the morning. Clouds of smoke rose above a military camp of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The pro-government television station Saba TV reported that air defense intercepted several drones loaded with explosives over Marib. At the same time, the Houthi militia shelled the city with rockets and drones. According to current knowledge, there were no victims. The Houthis initially did not comment on the attacks.
The militia said it had already attacked government military camps in the provinces of Marib and Hadramaut on Thursday. Military spokesman Jahja Sari announced further attacks.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased significantly this week. According to data from the analysis company Kpler, only 33 ships passed through the strait in the Persian Gulf from Monday to Thursday. In the same period last week there were 50. On Thursday four ships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz. Among them was the large tanker “Nissos Kea”, which carried around two million barrels Iraq loaded Basrah crude oil. The remaining ships are two liquid gas tankers and a smaller bulk carrier.
According to Kpler, only six crude oil tankers left the Strait of Hormuz this week. 21 ships entered, most of them via the Iranian route. Before the Iran War, 130 to 140 ships typically passed through the strait during that period. In the wake of the Iran War, which began with attacks by the US and Israel on February 28, Iran has blocked the passage.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan apparently want to conclude security agreements
Saudi ArabiaAccording to insiders, Turkey and Pakistan want to sign a defense agreement. The agreement should be sealed in Saudi Arabia, two people familiar with the process told the Reuters news agency. Details are not initially known. Riyadh is seeking closer security cooperation with allies and warning of a growing threat from Iranian-backed groups.
According to a Saudi official, planned attacks by these groups could be aimed at disrupting diplomatic efforts to ease relations with Iran. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already arrived in Saudi Arabia and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is still expected.
