In this archival photo from 2004, Egyptian naval vessels patrol the Red Sea. (Scott Nelson/Getty Images)
A coalition of 10 countries led by Saudi Arabia began airstrikes in Yemen in the middle of the night, roughly 2 a.m. local time on Thursday, March 26.
The airstrikes occurred after a request from Yemen’s president, Mansour Hadi, and was “designed to protect the people of Yemen and its legitimate government from a takeover by the Houthis.” The Houthi militia has been fighting the Yemeni government for nearly a decade, and in recent months have made enormous gains across the country, including capturing the capital, Sana’a.
We’ll keep updating this post as we learn — and confirm — more information. Latest update: 9:00 a.m. ET (1:00 p.m. GMT) 3.27.2015
What’s happening
- Sameer Jubran, editor and co-founder of the independent Yemeni newspaper and website, Al Masdar, told us in an exclusive interview that his news organization’s headquarters was sacked by Houthi militants and its journalists kidnapped. The journalists have since been released.
- The Saudi Press Agency said that the first phase of operations targeted air bases and destroyed aircraft, ballistic missiles and command and control centers, as well as communications.
- Arab Foreign Ministers approved a draft resolution on the establishment of a joint Arab force, announced by Arab League secretary general Nabil Al-Arabi. The joint force has been in the works for some time, and will be discussed at the Arab League summit this weekend.
- Pakistan is sending a delegation to Saudi Arabia this weekend; the country’s prime minister implied that any threats against Saudi will not be tolerated.
- Morocco, which earlier in the day had expressed “full solidarity” with the Saudi-led campaign, “decided to provide all forms of support to the coalition.” That includes warplanes currently based in the United Arab Emirates.
- In Egypt, maritime sources confirmed to Reuters that four warships from the Egyptian fleet left the Suez Canal for Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Gulf of Aden, where they would take part in joint operation to secure the port. Later this was confirmed by various officials, and finally by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, speaking at a meeting in Sharm el Sheikh ahead of Arab League summit. Shoukri also added that Egypt was ready to sendground forces if necessary, according to al Arabiya. Later, officials told AP that operations will include a ground assault, co-led by Egypt with Saudi Arabia. Over the weekend, Arab League meeting is held in Sharm el Sheikh, where Hadi is expected.
- Our own Malachy Browne checked a report stating UN personnel were being evacuated from Sana’a and Aden — you can follow entire story on this Twitter thread.
- There were recurring reports on Thursday, March 26 of gunshots and explosions in the streets of Aden that can be heard from inside homes.
- The only available information about the number of victims of the airstrikes so far comes from Yemen’s Ministry of Health: 25 people killed was the initial report on Thursday, March 26. Amnesty International reports that at least six children under the age of 10 were killed. Number of victims was updated by Ministry of Health on Friday: 39.
- Confirmed: Reports of a pro-airstrike, anti-Houthi rally in Taiz on Thursday, March 26 (video).
- Sudan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed they’re joining the military operation with ground troops and three fighter jets. (GlobalVoices)
On Hadi’s whereabouts
- Here is the text of President Hadi’s letter with his appeal for GCC intervention.
- Initial claims on Hadi’s whereabouts suggested that that he found refuge in Oman, which is not participating in GCC airstrikes. On Thursday night, Saudi media confirmed that he had arrived inRiyadh and that he is expected to attend the upcoming Arab League meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Support and criticism
- After the US and UK stated their support for GCC led airstrikes, Turkey’s Foreign Minister added Turkey support, according to France24 and Al Zaman. The foreign minister cited rebels’ “interference in the 2011 GCC plan for the reconstruction of Yemen.”
- European Union minister Federica Mogherini said the EU doesn’t agree with the military operation, which could have grave consequences for the region.
- The Free Syrian Army coalition known as the Sham Front has said they support the airstrikes.
- Somalia authorized Saudi to use its skies for airstrikes operations.