Saudi Coalition Warns Yemen Houthis It Will Strike Ports If Captured UAE Vessel Rawabi Is Not Returned. Now Houthis Say Saudi Coalition Has Seized Their Fuel Ship.
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Wednesday, January 5, 2022! Ships are now being seized by both sides in the Yemen war. The Saudi-led coalition has apparently retaliated for the Yemen Houthi seizure of a ship by diverting a fuel vessel that was headed to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to a Saudi port instead. Houthi television on Wednesday accused the Saudi coalition of capturing the fuel ship, but there is no confirmation from the coalition.
This appears to be the latest act of ship-capturing in the region after the Saudi coalition accused the Houthis of seizing the UAE-flagged ship Rawabi. The Saudi coalition has doubled down on its warning to the Houthis, threatening to bomb ports if the Rawabi isn't returned.
U.S. forces in Iraq now are being threatened by rocket fire almost daily. A Katyusha rocket hit a military base housing U.S forces near Baghdad's international airport on Wednesday, following two earlier attacks of drone fire. The Pentagon spelled out that, even though American troops are now limited to advice and support for the Iraqis, they are still in harm's way and will defend themselves from attack.
Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri said that history won't be merciful on Hezbollah's leader for his latest verbal attack on the king of Saudi Arabia. But Hezbollah members of Lebanon's parliament disagree and criticize "flattering words" to the Saudis.
News from Libya, Turkey, Palestine, OPEC, and More.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has diverted a fuel ship heading for the Yemeni port of Hodeidah to a Saudi port instead, apparently retaliating for the Yemen Houthi's seizure of a UAE-flagged vessel in the Red Sea earlier. Al-Masirah TV in Yemen, run by the Houthi movement, reported that the fuel ship had been diverted. There has been no confirmation by the Saudi coalition.
The Saudi-led Coalition demanded that Houthi rebels in Yemen release the UAE-flagged ship that was hijacked in the Red Sea on its way to Saudi Arabia. Should the Houthis not comply, the coalition warned that it could retaliate by targeting Houthi-controlled ports -- that any port "used for maritime piracy and armed robbery" would become a legitimate military target. The Houthis seized the ship Rawabi over the weekend, claiming it was a hostile military vessel with a military cargo. Saudi officials said the ship was carrying medical supplies. The coalition demands that the Houthis release the ship immediately with its full cargo.
Reuters, Yemen's Houthis say Saudi-led coalition seized fuel ship; no Saudi confirmation.
Al Arabiya, Arab coalition warns of targeting Houthi-controlled ports after Emirati vessel seized.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab Coalition Says Piracy Launched from Any Port Makes It Legitimate Target.
The United States condemned Yemen's Houthis for seizing the Emirati vessel Rawabi. The U.S. said the action by the Houthi militia interferes with freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and "comes at a time when all parties should be de-escalating and returning to inclusive political talks." A statement urged the Houthis to release the ship and crew unharmed and to "cease all violence."
Al Arabiya, US condemns Houthis' seizure of UAE flagged vessel: Threatens international trade.
A Katyusha rocket hit an Iraqi military base housing U.S. forces near the Baghdad International Airport Wednesday. The attack follows two earlier drone firings at bases with U.S. troops this week. Two drones rigged with explosives were fired at Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq's western Al-Anbar province, following an earlier attack at a coalition base near the airport. No injuries or claims of responsibility were reported in any of the incidents, but the attacks are causing increased tension between the United States and Iran, and with Iran-supported groups in Iraq.
Reuters, Rocket hits military base near Baghdad airport, no casualties - military.
Air Force Times, Second drone strike in two days attempted on U.S.-led coalition in Iraq: report.
The Pentagon warned that even though the mission in Iraq has changed, U.S. forces are at risk and retain the ability to defend themselves.
"They clearly are at risk in the region," spokesman John Kirby said. "Our men and women remain in harm's way, and we have to take that threat very seriously."
U.S. forces "always have the right of self-defense," he said. The Pentagon statements came after drones were fired at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops for two consecutive days. Kirby said he couldn't identify "who was responsible for these specific sites."
Department of Defense News, U.S. Troops in Iraq Remain at Risk, Retain Right of Self-Defense, Press Secretary Says.
Hezbollah members of Lebanon's parliament castigated Prime Minister Najib Mikati for his criticism of remarks against Saudi Arabia's king by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Member Hassan Fadlallah said the prime minister failed to respond to "repeated insults" by Saudi Arabia, and member Ibrahim al-Moussawi said Mikati's "flattering words" to Saudi Arabia "are only binding for him."
Naharnet, Hizbullah MPs Slam Miqati for Defending Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon's former prime minister Saad Hariri said Hezbollah is "selling its Arab identity" and that "history will not be merciful." Hariri condemned Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's latest anti-Saudi remarks. "Your insistence on antagonizing Saudi Arabia and its leadership is a continuous act of jeopardizing Lebanon," Hariri said.
Naharnet, Hariri Tells Nasrallah History 'Won't be Merciful' on Hizbullah.
Lebanon's president, Michel Aoun, stepped only gingerly into the dispute between Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia, expressing "keenness" on relations with the Saudis but saying "this keenness must be mutual." Aoun spoke hours after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrullah verbally attacked King Salman of Saudi Arabia and after Lebanon's prime minister, Najib Mikati, rebuked Nasrallah.
Naharnet, Aoun Says Keenness on Lebanon-Gulf Ties Must Be 'Mutual.'
About 200 fighters have been killed in fresh clashes near the strategic Yemeni city of Marib. Saudi-led airstrikes have killed more than 125 Houthi rebels, and a pro-government Yemeni brigade lost 70 fighters over the last 24 hours as the war in Yemen witnessed a new surge in violence.
Voice of America, Sources: Nearly 200 Dead as Fighting Surges Near Yemen's Marib.
France 24, Scores killed as fighting escalates near Yemen's Marib.
The Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa in response to drone attacks. The coalition said it destroyed workshops and warehouses for drones and urged civilians to avoid the area.
Reuters, Saudi-led coalition strikes targets in Yemen's Sana'a - state TV.
The United States believes "modest progress" is being made in Iran nuclear talks in Vienna. But U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price warned: "What is clear is that if we do not soon reach an understanding on mutual returns to compliance, Iran's accelerating nuclear steps will increasingly diminish benefits" of the nuclear agreement.
Al Arabiya, US hoping to build on 'modest progress' made during Iran nuclear deal talks.
A U.S. court has revived a lawsuit against drug companies over allegations that contracts with Iraq's health ministry contributed to the deaths of Americans during the war with Iraq. An appeals court revived an action brought by family members of victims of attacks in Iraq by the Mahdi group. A federal judge had dismissed the suit in 2020.
The case involves AstraZeneca, Pfizer and other companies, and plaintiffs contend that the Mahdi militia group controlled Iraq's health ministry and funded terrorism that killed U.S. troops.
Reuters, U.S. court revives lawsuit against Pfizer, others on Iraq terrorism funding claims.
Oil prices jumped to $80 a barrel after OPEC+ agreed to stick to a gradual increase for oil production in February. There had been concerns that the Omicron virus might restrict travel and hurt oil demand, but the oil-producing countries decided the virus would have only a mild effect.
Reuters, Oil ends up at $80/bbl as OPEC+ sticks with Feb. output hike.
The OPEC+ group members are complying with their production cuts agreement by 117 per cent, indicating they're delivering less than their monthly production quotas.
"The high conformity level with the cuts -- over 100 per cent -- suggests that OPEC+ is actually producing lower volumes overall than the collective quotas."
Business Insider, OPEC+ Continues to Struggle to Produce as Much as Quotas Allow.
The United States is welcoming the decision by top oil producers to stay with a plan that raises crude oil production. A White House official said "the administration is focused on making sure supply rises to match demand as the global economy recovers and that Americans see lower prices at the pump."
Reuters, White House welcomes OPEC+ decision to stick to planned output increase.
Libya's oil production has dropped to 780,000 barrels a day after a pipeline was shut down. The shutdown added to outages at four oilfields that were blockaded by opposing Libyan forces. To compare, Libya earlier was producing 1.14 million barrels per day.
OilPrice, Libya's Oil Production Crashes Down to 780,000 Bpd.
A Palestinian prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for 140 days agreed to end his fast when Israel said he would be released next month. The prisoner, Hisham Abu Hawash, a 40-year-old father of five and a member of Islamic Jihad, was among several imprisoned Palestinians who went on a hunger strike to protest Israel's system of "administrative detention."
Asharq Al-Awsat, Palestinian Prisoner Ends Hunger Strike in Deal With Israel.
Kuwait's new cabinet was sworn in but a number of parliament members walked away. The new prime minister, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, and his cabinet of 15 ministers took the constitutional oath at the start of the National Assembly's session, but a group of parliament members walked away in protest of the oath procedures.
Gulf Today, New Kuwait PM Sabah Al Khalid, cabinet sworn in.
Lebanon's pound has hit a new low, trading at 30,000 pounds to the U.S. dollar. For 22 years, the Lebanese pound was pegged at 1,500 pounds to the dollar, but a political crisis in Lebanon has caused an economic meltdown.
Associated Press, Lebanon's pound hits low of 30,000 to a dollar amid crisis.
More: S. Korean Minister Heads to Vienna for Talks on Iranian Frozen Assets, Asharq Al-Awsat... Israel downed a Hezbollah drone from Lebanon: IDF, Al Arabiya... Libya's parliament asks election commission to set new date, Daily Sabah... UN envoy to Libya stresses need to keep Libyan electoral process moving forward, Ahram... Tunisia's Powerful Union Criticizes President's Roadmap Out of Political Crisis, Reuters... Turkey's inflation hits 36% amid financial turmoil, BBC.
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