US strikes Houthi target in Yemen after attack on British oil tanker

US strikes Houthi target in Yemen after attack on British oil tanker
This handout picture released by the US Navy and taken on January 22, 2024 shows crew members from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducting flight operations in response to increased Iranian-backed Houthi malign behavior in the Red Sea. (AFP/File)
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Updated 28 January 2024
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US strikes Houthi target in Yemen after attack on British oil tanker

US strikes Houthi target in Yemen after attack on British oil tanker
  • Houthis began targeting what they said were Israel-linked vessels in Red Sea in November
  • US military says carried out strike early Saturday on Houthi “anti-ship missile” prepared to launch 

SANAA, Yemen: US forces struck an anti-ship missile in Houthi-held Yemen that they said was ready to fire Saturday, hours after the Iran-backed rebels caused a fire on a British tanker in the Gulf of Aden with a similar munition.
US and British forces have launched joint strikes aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to target vessels transiting the key Red Sea trade route — attacks the rebels say are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is at war with Hamas.
Washington has also carried out a series of unilateral air raids, but the Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks.
The US military’s Central Command, CENTCOM, said it had carried out another strike early Saturday on a Houthi “anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea and which was prepared to launch.
“Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missile in self-defense,” it said on social media platform X.
The Houthis’ Al-Masirah television said the United States and Britain had launched two air strikes on the port of Ras Issa in Yemen’s Hodeida province, which hosts the country’s main oil export terminal.
There was no immediate confirmation from Washington or London, and the Houthis did not provide details on the attack or the extent of the damage.
The previous evening, the Houthis’ military spokesman Yahya Saree said missiles fired by the rebels had hit the Marlin Luanda, an oil tanker operated by a British firm on behalf of trading giant Trafigura Group.
“The strike was direct, and resulted (in) the burning of the vessel,” Saree said.

CENTCOM later confirmed the hit, saying it had started a “major fire.”
Other vessels had come to the ship’s assistance, including the USS Carney, the French Navy Frigate FS Alsace and Indian Navy Frigate INS Visakhapatnam.
“Thanks to this rapid response by the US, Indian and French navies, the fire is now extinguished,” it said in an update Saturday.
“There were no casualties in the attack, the ship remains seaworthy and has returned to its previous course,” it added, confirming an earlier statement from Trafigura.
In its statement, the company said that “no further vessels operating on behalf of Trafigura are currently transiting the Gulf of Aden.”
The Indian Navy said the Marlin Luanda has 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi onboard.
It said a fire-fighting team of 10 Indian naval personnel battled the blaze for six hours along with the ship’s crew before bringing it under control.
On Friday the Houthis also fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen toward the Carney in the Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said.
“The missile was successfully shot down by USS Carney. There were no injuries or damage reported,” it added.

The Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israeli-linked vessels to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
They have since declared US and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps on Saturday said his government remains “as committed as ever” to protecting freedom of navigation following the latest “intolerable and illegal” attack by Houthi rebels.
“It is our duty to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and we remain as committed to that cause as ever,” he said.
The United States is leading a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping — an effort the Pentagon has likened to a highway patrol for the waterway.
Washington is also seeking to put diplomatic and financial pressure on the Houthis, redesignating them a “terrorist” organization last week after previously dropping that label soon after President Joe Biden took office.
The attacks by the rebels — who are part of an anti-Israel, anti-West alliance of Iranian proxies and allies — have disrupted trade in the Red Sea, which carries around 12 percent of international maritime traffic.
Several shipping firms are avoiding the waterway, instead taking the longer and more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
This new pressure follows difficult years for the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, when freight rates reached unprecedented levels due to disruptions to supply chains.
Separately on Saturday, the Houthis released an 18-minute video showing fighters in military fatigues conducting military drills against hypothetical US and Israeli targets.
The video, published by one of the rebels’ military propaganda arms, showed fighters using rocket-propelled grenades to strike buildings, Humvees, and tanks adorned with US and Israeli flags.


Cyprus is committed to expanding defense ties with the US, says president

US President Joe Biden shakes hands during a meeting with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, left.
US President Joe Biden shakes hands during a meeting with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, left.
Updated 03 November 2024
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Cyprus is committed to expanding defense ties with the US, says president

US President Joe Biden shakes hands during a meeting with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, left.
  • Centerpiece of security cooperation is the US-funded center for port and maritime security known by its acronym CYCLOPS
  • Officials from neighboring countries including Libya, Yemen, and Lebanon, receive key training ranging from cybersecurity to ship inspections

NICOSIA: The president of Cyprus said Sunday his administration is committed to expanding defense and security cooperation with the US, as his meeting with American President Joe Biden last week charted a course for the “next ambitious steps” in bilateral relations that are currently at a “historic high.”
President Nikos Christodoulides says his government’s “clear foreign policy orientation” has resulted in deepening the Cyprus-US strategic partnership over the first 18 months of his five-year term in fields including law enforcement cooperation on countering money laundering and sanctions evasion, as well as energy.
A centerpiece of that security cooperation is the US-funded center for port and maritime security known by its acronym CYCLOPS where officials from neighboring countries including Libya, Yemen and Lebanon, receive key training ranging from cybersecurity to ship inspections.
Christodoulides said his Oct. 30 visit to the White House “is proof and recognition of the geostrategic role of Cyprus and the country’s potential and capabilities.”
“Cyprus can be a reliable ‘port of stability’ and at the same time a country that has a vision to transform its immediate region, alongside its partners, into a region of promise, stability, cooperation and prosperity,” Christodoulides said in an email response to an Associated Press questionnaire.
The Cypriot president said his administration is “certainly considering” procuring US-made weapons following the 2020 lifting of a decades-long arms embargo. But what must precede such purchases is for the US Congress to lift its embargo for an extended period. Currently, that is renewed annually.
Christodoulides said Cyprus’ geostrategic role is highlighted by the fact that since Sept. 27, some 3,635 third-country nationals from 29 countries have been repatriated through the island nation following their evacuation from Lebanon. He said several countries consider Cyprus an “assisted departure hub and a Temporary Safe Location (TSL)” where the island’s ports, airports and designated temporary accommodations are used for civilian or military-led departures. He did not specify those countries.
He said Cyprus is ready to respond if and when a mass evacuation from Lebanon is set in motion.
Another key initiative for which Cyprus has gained international plaudits and was singled out by Biden is the so-called Amalthea plan that saw the establishment of the Cyprus-Gaza maritime corridor through which some 20,000 metric tons of aid flowed into the Palestinian territory earlier this year.
Most of that aid reached Gaza through a US-built, $230 million temporary pier project that lasted about four months after being beset by turbulent weather, security threats and sweeping personnel restrictions.
Christodoulides said work is underway in cooperation with the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union, to re-activate the maritime route to Gaza through the Israeli port of Ashdod. Collected aid will be security-screened in Cyprus and shipped to Ashdod “for swift onward delivery to Gaza.”
“We maintain excellent, longstanding relations with our neighboring countries, underpinned by trust, and we have consistently acted as the region’s voice in the European Union, and as a reliable interlocutor and partner with all the states of the region,” Christodoulides said.
On his decision to invite FBI and US Department of Justice officials to help Cypriot law enforcement to halt Russian sanctions evasion through Cypriot lawyers and accountants, Christodoulides said, “we are strongly determined to clear our country’s name internationally and prove that Cyprus is a state fully aligned with the principles and values of the West.”
He said “several cases” of possible sanctions evasion are under investigation” and the aim is to bring them to justice as quickly as possible.”
Regarding energy cooperation, Christodoulides said the fact that both US energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron are active in the search for hydrocarbons in Cyprus’ offshore economic zone is “a vote of confidence” in the island nation.
He said next year will be a “milestone” for both energy companies. ExxonMobil and partner QatarEnergy, which discovered a sizeable natural gas deposit in one of two areas, or blocks, they hold exploration licenses for, are scheduled to drill two additional wells in January of next year.
Chevron is expected to complete fine-tuning a revised development plan for its Aphrodite gas field, estimated to hold around 4.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
“As the first gas from the Aphrodite is directed to the market, this automatically makes Cyprus a gas seller, which is extremely important not only in monetary terms but also for geopolitical reasons,” said Christodoulides.


With community meals, Indian village keeps loneliness away from its elderly

With community meals, Indian village keeps loneliness away from its elderly
Updated 03 November 2024
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With community meals, Indian village keeps loneliness away from its elderly

With community meals, Indian village keeps loneliness away from its elderly
  • Chandanki village’s community kitchen initiative was launched about 15 years ago
  • The initiative was a ‘lifeline’ that kept elderly connected with village, senior resident says

NEW DELHI: In Chandanki, a village tucked away in India’s Gujarat state, lunches and dinners are often a communal affair for its elderly population.

Every day, some 40 people gather in the community kitchen to share their meals, benefiting from an initiative that was designed to serve an aging group.

“It all started some 15 years ago,” Poonam Chunnilal Patel, the head of Chandanki village, told Arab News.

“Most people are old here. I am 60 years old, other people are 80, 90 and 95 years old,” he said.

“They were having problems arranging their lunches and dinners, so the villagers decided to do something about that. The kids who settled abroad or outside of the village decided to pitch in and open a community kitchen for these elderly people.”

Officially, Chandanki is a village of about 1,000 people, but most of the younger population reside in other parts of India or abroad, leaving behind their senior parents.

With two cooks on duty, the kitchen makes preparations for around 40 people every day and makes extra for the children who visit from time to time. They serve mainly Gujarati food, such as the Gujarati Thali, an assortment of dishes comprising rice, bread, fried snacks and vegetables.

“We take care of the cooks and we provide houses to them and give them good salaries,” Patel said.

The community kitchen has since served as a space to connect with others for many of the village’s elderly, like 86-year-old Raddilal Somnam Patel.

“The community kitchen is a lifeline for us. For people like us, it not only provides food but also keeps us connected with the people in the village,” Patel told Arab News.

Patel joined the community kitchen nearly a decade ago, not long after the death of his wife and only family. Since then, he has also been celebrating festivals and holidays with the rest of the village.

“It all started close to 15 years ago, and I really appreciate that this idea stuck with the people that time,” he said.

“By dining together, we remain connected, and the sense of loneliness does not impact us.”


London event to highlight religious tourism opportunities ‘beyond Umrah’

The holy Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
The holy Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
Updated 03 November 2024
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London event to highlight religious tourism opportunities ‘beyond Umrah’

The holy Kaaba can be seen at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (@AlharamainSA)
  • Discussions to focus on significant religious sites for pilgrims to visit

LONDON: Religious tourism opportunities in Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims will be discussed at a London event for travel professionals and industry leaders on Monday.

The Umrah+ Connect business-to-business event will highlight significant religious sites that pilgrims can visit, and activities that promote understanding of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

Organized in association with Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Program, the Visit Saudi platform, and the Umrah & Ziyarah Forum, the event aims to meet the expanding demand for religious tourism among British Muslims.

Rashid Mohammed, the organizer of Umrah+ Connect, said Monday’s event would focus on “inspiring a more immersive experience for pilgrims through a ‘beyond Umrah’ theme.”

Mohammed told Arab News: “Umrah+ Connect is more than an event: It’s a transformative opportunity for travel professionals to deepen their knowledge, connect with key partners, and discover innovative ways to serve pilgrims.

“We’re excited to bring the global Umrah community together in London to spark collaborations that enhance both the journey and experience for travelers worldwide.

“We aim to showcase the diverse religious tourism opportunities available, enriching each pilgrim’s journey and adding new dimensions to their visit.”

The annual event, which is in its fourth year, will feature presentations by industry leaders, workshops on religious tourism, and networking sessions with global industry professionals.

It is sponsored by Taiba Investments, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Al-Balad Hospitality by Al-Balad Development Company, Hajj and Umrah tour operator Mawasim, which is part of Almosafer, and ABT Hospitality. Aroya Cruises is an event partner. 


US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib declines to endorse Kamala Harris over Gaza stance

US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib declines to endorse Kamala Harris over Gaza stance
Updated 03 November 2024
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US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib declines to endorse Kamala Harris over Gaza stance

US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib declines to endorse Kamala Harris over Gaza stance
  • Tlaib’s non-endorsement on Friday marked notable departure in her progressive circle, known as the “Squad.”

LONDON: Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman in the US Congress, chose not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris at a recent United Auto Workers rally in Detroit.

The conflict in Gaza has become a major issue for the large Arab American voter base in Michigan, and Tlaib’s non-endorsement on Friday marked a notable departure in her progressive circle, known as the “Squad.”

The other members — Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — endorsed Harris in July, making Tlaib the sole holdout.

Addressing the rally, Tlaib encouraged those attending to mobilize against corporate interests.

“Don’t underestimate the power you all have,” she said. “More than those ads, those lawn signs, those billboards, you all have more power to turn out people that understand we’ve got to fight back against corporate greed in our country.”

Democrats are concerned about a potential replay of the 2016 election, in which third-party votes in Michigan and Wisconsin contributed to Hillary Clinton’s narrow loss.

Tlaib has expressed frustration with her party’s stance on the Gaza conflict. During a recent interview with Zeteo, Tlaib criticized the Democratic Party’s silence on Palestinian issues, saying: “Our trauma and pain feel unseen and ignored by both parties. One party uses our identity as a slur, and the other refuses to hear from us. Where is the shared humanity? Ignoring us won’t stop the genocide.”

Harris, meanwhile, has faced protests from activists calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

While expressing support for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, Harris has stated that Israel “has a right to defend itself,” although she also underlined Palestinians’ right to “dignity, security.”

In her remarks at a recent Dearborn rally, Tlaib denounced Republican nominee Donald Trump and criticized the Biden administration’s policies.

“Trump is a proud Islamophobe + serial liar who doesn’t stand for peace,” she posted on X. “The reality is that the Biden admin’s unconditional support for genocide is what got us here.”

The stance of Michigan’s large Arab American population and Tlaib’s comments underscore the complexities the Democratic Party faces with its base as the 2024 election approaches.


Fading literature: Delhi’s famed Urdu Bazaar on last legs

Fading literature: Delhi’s famed Urdu Bazaar on last legs
Updated 03 November 2024
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Fading literature: Delhi’s famed Urdu Bazaar on last legs

Fading literature: Delhi’s famed Urdu Bazaar on last legs
  • Urdu, spoken by many millions, has rich past that reflects how cultures melded to forge India’s complex history
  • But its literature has been subsumed by the cultural domination of Hindi, struggling against false perceptions

New Delhi: In the bustling heart of Old Delhi, Indian bookseller Mohammed Mahfooz Alam sits forlorn in his quiet store, among the last few selling literature in a language beloved by poets for centuries.
Urdu, spoken by many millions today, has a rich past that reflects how cultures melded to forge India’s complex history.
But its literature has been subsumed by the cultural domination of Hindi, struggling against false perceptions that its elegant Perso-Arabic script makes it a foreign import and a language of Muslims in the Hindu-majority nation.
“There was a time when, in a year, we would see 100 books being published,” said 52-year-old Alam, lamenting the loss of the language and its readership.
The narrow streets of Urdu Bazaar, in the shadow of the 400-year-old Jama Masjid mosque, were once the core of the city’s Urdu literary community, a center of printing, publishing and writing.
Today, streets once crowded with Urdu bookstores abuzz with scholars debating literature are now thick with the aroma of sizzling kebabs from the restaurants that have replaced them.
Only half a dozen bookstores are left.
“Now, there are no takers,” Alam said, waving at the streets outside. “It is now a food market.”
Urdu, one of the 22 languages enshrined under India’s constitution, is the mother tongue of at least 50 million people in the world’s most populous country. Millions more speak it, as well as in neighboring Pakistan.
But while Urdu is largely understood by speakers of India’s most popular language Hindi, their scripts are entirely different.
Alam says he can see Urdu literature dying “day by day.”
The Maktaba Jamia bookshop he manages opened a century ago. Alam took over its running this year driven by his love for the language.
“I have been sitting since morning, and barely four people have come,” he said gloomily. “And even those were college or school-going children who want their study books.”
Urdu, sharing Hindi’s roots and mingled with words from Persian and Arabic, emerged as a hybrid speech between those who came to India through trade and conquest — and the people they settled down among.
But Urdu has faced challenges in being viewed as connected to Islamic culture, a popular perception that has grown since the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014.
Hard-right Hindu nationalists seeking to diminish Islam’s place in India’s history have opposed its use: in the past decade, protests have ranged from the use of Urdu in clothing advertisements to even graffiti.
“Urdu has been associated with Muslims, and that has hit the language too,” said Alam.
“But it is not true. Everyone speaks Urdu. You go to villages, people speak Urdu. It is a very sweet language. There is peace in it.”
For centuries, Urdu was a key language of governance.
Sellers first set up stores in the Urdu Bazaar in the 1920s, selling stacks of books from literature to religion, politics and history — as well as texts in Arabic and Persian.
By the 1980s, more lucrative fast-food restaurants slowly moved in, but the trade dropped dramatically in the past decade, with more than a dozen bookshops shutting down.
“With the advent of the Internet, everything became easily available on the mobile phone,” said Sikander Mirza Changezi, who co-founded a library to promote Urdu in Old Delhi in 1993.
“People started thinking buying books is useless, and this hit the income of booksellers and publishers, and they switched to other businesses.”
The Hazrat Shah Waliullah Public Library, which Changezi helped create, houses thousands of books including rare manuscripts and dictionaries.
It is aimed at promoting the Urdu language.
Student Adeeba Tanveer, 27, who has a masters degree in Urdu, said the library provided a space for those wanting to learn.
“The love for Urdu is slowly coming back,” Tanveer told AFP, adding that her non-Muslim friends were also keen to learn.
“It is such a beautiful language,” she said. “You feel the beauty when you speak it.”