Exclusive Senior Houthi official says Bab el Mandab closure an option if any Gulf states join war Houthi Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Mansour also said the strait could be closed “should the aggression against Iran and Lebanon escalate.” By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Alternative supply routes emerge as Iran war tests Gulf food security Roughly 61 million people in the Gulf rely on established food supply chains, many of which have been upended since the United States and Israel launched their attack against Iran on Feb. 28. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Erdogan fosters security alignment, $30B trade push The Turkish president’s visit cemented Ankara and Riyadh’s accelerating convergence as regional crises mount and Gulf rivalries sharpen. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Yemen’s Houthis hint at Red Sea attacks as US-Iran tensions rise: What to know The Houthi warnings come as a US aircraft carrier accompanied by several guided missile destroyers entered Gulf waters amid tensions with Iran. Iran
Intel: House Middle East panel spotlights Yemen in first virtual briefing The House Foreign Affairs Committee spotlighted Yemen in its first virtual briefing, which the Middle East subcommittee held today. Saudi Arabia
Intel: After US funding cuts, WHO likely to end most Yemen health services As Yemen stares down the prospect of a devastating COVID-19 crisis, the World Health Organization is likely going to suspend about 80% of the health care services in the war-torn country by the end of the week, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande said today. Yemen
Saudi coalition in Yemen condemns separatists’ declaration of self-rule The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen rejected the Southern Transitional Council's declaration of self-rule in the strategic port city of Aden. Saudi Arabia
Women, children face increased risk of abuse during Mideast lockdowns No COVID-19 furlough for imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activists; Interreligious, LGBT couples struggle to connect; Yemen’s cease-fire gets a second chance. Saudi Arabia
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen extends unilateral truce by one month The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen has announced it's extending a cease-fire another month to allow for UN-brokered negotiations as well as efforts to control the novel coronavirus outbreak. Yemen
New US restrictions on WHO, Houthis lead to COVID-19 puzzle in Yemen While the Donald Trump administration is considering increasing its COVID-19 support for Yemen after slashing millions in aid, its new restrictions on the World Health Organization poses significant logistical challenges. Yemen
Saudi-led cease-fire expires in Yemen with no deal in place A unilateral truce in Yemen has expired as aid organizations fear a coronavirus outbreak in the war-ravaged country. Saudi Arabia
In Yemen: Death by bullets or coronavirus Although one case of the coronavirus was officially confirmed in Yemen, sources say there are four infected people in isolation. Yemen
Media, rights groups decry Houthi court's execution orders Yemen is without a doubt hostile to the press, but the death sentences imposed on four journalists by a Houthi court shocked many observers. Yemen
Trump’s COVID-19 aid for Palestinians, Yemenis falls short of Congress’ directives The Donald Trump administration’s new COVID-19 aid for Palestinians and Yemenis represents a tiny portion of the funding Congress actually appropriated to help both peoples. Yemen
Hope for Yemen? Plus, three quick takes on the IMF’s outlook for Iran, Lebanon and Egypt The UN-Saudi peace initiative may be the best hope in an otherwise gloomy regional forecast during "The Great Lockdown." Saudi Arabia
Deadly floods join war, disease to ravage Yemen Recent floods have left at least five dead and injured nearly 100 others as Yemen struggles with war and a growing coronavirus crisis. Yemen