Global Brief: Yemen Launches Houthi Offensive, Iran-US Talks Continue

From Yemen’s announcement of a major military campaign against the Houthis and fresh maritime incidents near key Middle Eastern waterways to continuing Iran-US negotiations and an emergency Makkah Joint Defence Agreement meeting in Riyadh.

here are the major global developments.

Yemen Launches ‘Battle of Liberation’ Against Houthis

Yemen’s military has announced the start of a major military campaign aimed at retaking all territory controlled by the Houthis.

The military said it had begun the “battle of liberation” and an operation to “end the coup,” hours after Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi ordered government forces to begin military operations against the Houthis.

Tanker Reports Multiple Explosions Near Yemen

A tanker reported multiple explosions in close proximity to the vessel around 60 nautical miles south of Yemen’s al-Mukha, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

UKMTO said the crew was safe and no environmental impact had been reported following the incident.

Explosions Heard Near Strait of Hormuz

Several explosions were heard from the direction of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, possibly caused by gunfire targeting vessels accused of violations in the strategic waterway, Iran’s state-linked Fars news agency reported.

The cause of the explosions has not yet been officially confirmed.

Iran-US Negotiations Continue

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker has said negotiations with the United States are continuing as Tehran and Washington discuss their respective demands.

He said fulfilling 100 percent of either Iran’s or the US demands “will not happen.”

Iranian Airlines Resume Najaf Flights

Iranian airlines have resumed flights to the Iraqi city of Najaf after the United States granted Baghdad an exemption allowing sanctioned Iranian carriers, with the exception of Mahan Air, to operate 40 daily flights to the Shia holy city.

MJDA Committee to Hold Emergency Riyadh Meeting

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister said on Friday that a committee of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement will discuss the regional situation during an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday.

The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions and developments across the Middle East.

Egypt Calls Ethiopian Dam ‘Life or Death’ Issue

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has said Cairo is not a party to Ethiopia’s domestic crisis but stressed that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains an existential issue for Egypt.

Abdelatty described the dispute as a matter of “life or death” for 110 million Egyptians.

Germany Announces Additional Ukraine Energy Aid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced an additional €350 million in energy assistance for Ukraine after announcing another €1 billion in military aid to the country.

UN Food Aid Truck Driver Killed in Sudan Strike

A strike targeting two United Nations food aid trucks in Sudan’s South Kordofan state killed one of their drivers, according to the World Food Programme.

The WFP did not specify who was responsible for the attack.

UK Green Party Votes to Define Zionism as Racism

Britain’s left-wing Green Party has voted to define Zionism as racism during its annual gathering, drawing sharp criticism from British Jewish groups and the Israeli government.

From Yemen’s expanding conflict and risks around crucial maritime routes to Iran-US diplomacy and regional defence consultations in Riyadh, security and diplomacy remain at the centre of rapidly developing events across the Middle East and beyond.