'Explosions' at Yemeni port after Israel issues evacuation warning
The blasts came after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for people at three Yemeni ports - Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Salif - as well as the Ras al Khatib power station.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it would carry out airstrikes on those areas due to "military activities being carried out there".
An IDF spokesperson said: "For your safety, we urge all those present in the specified areas, as well as ships anchored nearby, to evacuate immediately."
Earlier in the day, a ship was reportedly set on fire after being attacked in the Red Sea.
The assault, off the southwest coast of Yemen, resembled that of the Houthi militant group, said a private security company.
It was the first such incident reported in the vital shipping corridor since mid-April.
Maritime security sources said the vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Magic Seas, had taken on water after being hit by sea drones.
The crew abandoned the ship.
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The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
British couple detained in Iran vanished for weeks amid fears they were in Israel-bombed prison
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The Guardian
43 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Family of UK couple held in Iran did not know pair's whereabouts for month
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So many of our fears remain. How are they doing? Are they being looked after? How are they coping psychologically? 'Our belief is that Lindsay and Craig will be much safer when people know they're there. Every piece of information we've received points to visibility as their greatest protection, when there are eyes on them, that's when they're safest. It took a lot of soul searching, but this isn't about recklessness; it's about responsibility. We've had to weigh risk and reward carefully, but we're convinced that the best way to safeguard them is to ensure the British public cares and is paying attention. Silence puts them at greater risk. Awareness saves lives.' He added: 'Our biggest message is that we want to work with the UK government on their release, but because there is no noise around my mum and Craig, when Keir Starmer is around the table with the Iranians they are not going to be mentioned. We cannot operate in darkness, and we have to bring their names into the sunlight.' 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The feeling last month was that this was moving towards sentencing or trial in that they had been appointed a lawyer, but he did not speak English so it was very very hard to communicate with him. 'We have sent some personal messages to my mum via the Foreign Office. I relayed a message to her that I am looking at the moon at night and that if she looks at the moon as well, we will be sharing that experience and have a connection. It gives me hope and maybe it gives her some hope.' Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who spent six years in an Iranian jail and has advised the family, recalled: 'The cell had tall walls and cold floor. There was no bed but only a thin blanket. I didn't shower for days as I wasn't allowed to leave the cell. The walls were towering and the constant light in the cell was blinding. I was terrified, lost and emotionally traumatised.' 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'It's been tough; whatever you do in life cannot prepare you for this, there is such a sense of powerlessness, and elderly relatives to look after. 'They are pretty strong-headed people. My mum is very much into positive psychology and Craig is very practical. They are together and they have that solace, but we don't know. There may be panic and fear, and that is why it is so important we get their names out there so they know they have not been forgotten.' A spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary, Asghar Jahangir, said at the time of the arrest that the couple, married nine years and living recently in Spain, had 'entered Iran under the guise of tourists' and 'gathered information in multiple provinces of the country'.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Houthi rebels celebrate sinking ship laden with explosive materials in Red Sea
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