Fighting and diplomatic tensions are escalating across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, with developments in Yemen, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Red Sea and Iran raising fresh concerns over regional stability.
In Yemen, forces loyal to the internationally recognised government have recaptured the strategic port city of Mocha and launched a major counteroffensive against the Houthis near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping route.
The offensive, backed by Saudi air power, comes amid heightened regional tensions.
Meanwhile, Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to move towards rapid military deployment under the Makkah Defence Pact, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s security amid Houthi threats and attacks.
In the Strait of Hormuz, crews have battled an engine-room fire after a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations.
The incident has added to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been sworn in for a second five-year term.
His inauguration comes amid renewed tensions involving Tigray and Ethiopia’s neighbours, including Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan.
Abiy has also reiterated Ethiopia’s demand for reliable access to the Red Sea, saying Addis Ababa will pursue the objective through dialogue and mutual benefit.
The issue has become a major regional point of contention, with coastal states insisting on respect for their sovereignty while Ethiopia maintains that it needs dependable maritime access.
In Sudan, the United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned drone strikes and other attacks on civilians, warning the warring parties that there is “no military solution to the crisis.”
The statement came as the World Food Programme reported that an air attack had struck a truck carrying food supplies in North Kordofan, killing one person.
Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has described negotiations with Washington as “meaningless” following US attacks during the talks, casting further doubt on efforts to revive diplomacy between the two countries.
