Dubai, Sep 7 (AP) Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes on a southern village have killed nine people, including a child.
Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi rebels claim to have shot down a Saudi
reconnaissance plane. A senior official from the United Arab Emirates says “no single state” should control the Strait of Hormuz.
Here’s a look at the latest news in the Middle East. Full coverage can be found here.
Houthis claim downing Saudi reconnaissance plane ———————————————————– Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed early Monday they downed a Saudi armed reconnaissance aircraft in the northern part of Yemen as the escalation with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces continues.
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement that the aircraft was detected in Jawf province’s airspace. He said the aircraft belonged to neighbouring Saudi Arabia and was seeking to carry out “hostile actions.” The Associated Press couldn’t independently verify that claim. There was no immediate Saudi comment.
Saree added that over the past 24 hours, a total of three reconnaissance drones belonging to Saudi Arabia were downed, including one that was spotted Monday morning in Bayda province.
The Yemeni government armed forces said on X that they targeted Houthi gatherings in Dahle province and launched 13 airstrikes targeting Houthi positions and a missile launch base in Bayda province. Other airstrikes targeted Houthi fronts in Marib province. The Houthi military didn’t address those claims.
UAE says no single state should control Hormuz ——————————————————– A senior official with the United Arab Emirates says “no single state” should control the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran said it plans to announce a new “exclusion zone” near the waterway aimed at vessels intending to transit.
“Our energy exports will not be held hostage, nor will our trade and economic activity,” Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, said at a forum of world leaders in Abu Dhabi.
Gargash said Iran should face consequences for threatening oil tankers and commercial vessels in the strait with mines, drones or missiles. “Using an international waterway as an instrument of coercion is unacceptable,” he added.
The UAE, a close US ally, has repeatedly come under Iranian missile and drone fire throughout the war. Rebuilding trust between Iran and the Gulf countries could take decades, Gargash warned, because by targeting its neighbours, Tehran has “demolished” any presumption of good faith. (AP) SKS SKS
