An airstrike has killed at least nine people in an area of Yemen controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels as fighting escalates with Saudi-backed forces.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Israel condemned a settler attack on an American journalist that left her needing surgery, in some of the latest violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Sunday. Read our full coverage here.
Airstrike kills at least 9 in rebel-held Yemen
An airstrike killed at least nine people, including five children and two women, in Yemen’s northern province of Saada, the Houthi-run Health Ministry said.
Spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi said in a statement the strike hit a house in Sahar district and also wounded 19, including 11 children. Some were in critical condition, he said.
Al-Asbahi blamed Saudi Arabia for the strike. There was no immediate comment from the Saudi government.
The fighting has reignited Yemen’s civil war after four years of ceasefire.
US ambassador condemns settler attack on American journalist
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sharply condemned settler violence during an olive harvest in the West Bank that injured several Palestinians and Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine as “a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.”
In a post on X, he called for “a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this.”
Levine was seriously injured in the attack Friday in the village of Abu Falah. Israeli police are also investigating an attack by Israeli settlers on European diplomats Saturday in another West Bank village. Settler violence against Palestinians has soared this year as Israel plans to hold elections Oct. 27.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ambiguous in addressing Levine’s assault, condemning “violence against anyone” but referring to the attack as “alleged” and saying its circumstances remain unclear. Huckabee said Levine’s assault was “vicious” and “dishonorable,” and noted that she was clearly identified as a journalist.
Levine remained hospitalized as she recovers from hand surgery, broken ribs and other injuries. She said she was forced to the ground and beaten for more than 10 minutes by the settlers, who also stole her camera, passport and phone.
The Washington Post reiterated its call for a full and transparent investigation, though Israel rarely investigates settler violence fully.
Saudi helicopter crashes near border with Yemen, killing pilots
A Saudi helicopter gunship crashed in southwestern Saudi Arabia, killing its two-member crew close to the border with Yemen, due to a technical malfunction, a Saudi military spokesperson said. The helicopter crashed near the city of Najran, in an area that has been caught up in fierce fighting between the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi militants and a Saudi-led coalition.
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki made the statement hours after the Houthis claimed to have downed the Saudi helicopter.
The Houthis, a Shiite religious and political movement rooted in northern Yemen, are attacking Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government in the civil war. The Saudis have struggled to counter the latest attacks, even with far superior U.S.-supplied arms.
Egypt agrees to provide defense support for Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s National Defense Council, which decides on high-level military and security affairs, has agreed to support its close ally Saudi Arabia in the major escalation of fighting between the kingdom and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the council decided to provide “all possible forms of support” to enable Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
It didn’t provide further details, but the council said it will also continue diplomatic efforts with regional and international parties to de-escalate the conflict.
El-Sissi said Saturday that his government will implement “any measure” to defend Saudi Arabia, and called for parliament to grant him the authorization to deploy troops and military equipment abroad.
Parliament convened Sunday and will continue deliberations on Monday, according to the state-run MENA news agency.
Iran’s top diplomat says Tehran is reviewing U.S. response
Iran’s top diplomat says his country is reviewing Washington’s response to its latest proposal to end the eight-month war. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rejected it, but further indirect messaging has continued.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said the strait would reopen in a week if the U.S. agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions.
Araghchi said if the U.S. complies with those conditions, the strait would open on the sixth day and negotiations would begin on the seventh day.
Iran approves new defense minister, vows to defend itself
Iran appointed Mehrdad Akhlaghi, a longtime official in the defense industry, as the new defense minister. His predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh, was killed on the first day of U.S.-Israeli attacks Feb. 28, along with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian military commanders.
During a confirmation hearing, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that Iran would not yield to pressure or demands from other countries. Akhlaghi vowed that any miscalculation from Israel or the U.S. would prompt a “surprising and extensive” response.
The post Egypt’s president vows to use ‘any measure’ to defend Saudi Arabia and seeks authorization to deploy troops abroad as battle against Houthis escalates appeared first on Fortune.
