SANAA -- Israel carried out airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Thursday afternoon, as the Houthi group denied claims that the attacks targeted a gathering of its commanders.
Residents said they heard warplanes overhead and witnessed 10 large blasts in the southern part of Sanaa, hitting areas including Attan Mountain, Al-Sabeen Square, and the Central Security Camp. (Israel-Houthis-Clashes)
- - - -
JERUSALEM -- Air raid sirens sounded on Thursday in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip after a drone launched from Yemen entered Israeli airspace, the Israeli military said.
Air defense systems were activated and intercepted the drone, the military added. No human casualties or material damage have been reported. (Israel-Houthis-Clashes)
- - - -
BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday, calling it a result of broad international consensus to support stability in southern Lebanon.
Aoun made the remarks in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously voted to extend UNIFIL's mandate for a final term through Dec. 31, 2026, Lebanon's Presidency said in a statement. (Lebanon-UNIFIL-Mission)
- - - -
ANKARA -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday voiced his country's "readiness to do its utmost for the realization of high-level Russia-Ukraine meetings that will pave the way for peace."
Erdogan made the remarks during a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing the Türkiye-Ukraine relations, the Ukraine-Russia peace process as well as regional and global issues, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. (Türkiye-Ukraine-Conflict) ■
