Yemen Houthi Forces Seize Mayyun Island and Strike Saudi Base in Most Dangerous Countries
Yemeni Houthi forces captured the strategic island of Mayyun and launched attacks on a Saudi base, escalating tensions in the Red Sea amid ongoing global conflicts that include intense fighting in Ukraine and Ukrainian drone operations against Russian forces in Africa and the Middle East in most dangerous countries. [1]
Houthi Advances Escalate Red Sea Tensions in Most Dangerous Countries
Houthi forces have been launching attacks towards Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. [4] Saudi Civil Defense had issued the alerts for the cities of Najran, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Abha. [4] It also later issued warnings for Khamis Mushait and Abha a second time before lifting them again. [4] The Houthis, who control the most populous parts of Yemen and much of the north, have been launching attacks towards Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, with strikes targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. [4]
Humanitarian Impact in Yemen
Fighting, displacement in Yemen deepen humanitarian crisis along its Red Sea coast. [5] More than 82,000 people have been displaced since beginning of September. [5] More than 82,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since the beginning of September due to fighting along its Red Sea coast. [5]
Ukrainian Operations Extend to Africa
Ukraine has deployed military experts to at least five Middle Eastern countries to train local forces on countering Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia. [2] Approximately 15 specialists have been sent to Mali from the Sahel to support local rebel forces fighting against Russian troops as part of Kiev's mission to weaken its enemy wherever it operates. [2] A unit of elite Ukrainian drone operators that spent years hunting Russians from trenches and shelters in Ukraine is now doing the same in the desert in northern Mali. [2] They provide training and operational support in a desert environment. [2] One Ukrainian drone operator currently in Mali stated that he coordinates their operations remotely, with the signal from their drone reaching him via the internet, after which he immediately tells them by radio what to do and where to fly. [2] The Ukrainian group in Mali is integrated into a separatist group that calls itself the Azawad Liberation Front and consists mainly of Tuareg rebels from the north of the country. [2] They are not directly involved in front-line fighting but provide the rebels with support, training and operational assistance. [2]
Ukraine Shares Drone Expertise in Middle East
When Iran began attacking US allies in the Middle East earlier this year, Ukraine sent teams of military experts to at least five countries in the Middle East. [2] They spent several weeks training local forces on ways to shoot down Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia has been using for several years to terrorize Ukraine. [2] A Ukrainian soldier sent to the United Arab Emirates said they operated in mixed teams, alongside local soldiers who moved with them and imitated their every move. [2] In exchange for sharing its know-how, Kiev obtained a series of security cooperation agreements and promises to supply ammunition. [2]
Intense Combat Continues in Ukraine
A total of 208 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield over the past day, with the most intense fighting continuing on the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka fronts, which saw a total of 46 Russian attacks. [3] On the South Slobozhanshchyna front, Ukrainian forces repelled six Russian attacks. [3] The Russians attempted to advance towards the settlements of Kozacha Lopan, Hrafskе and Volokhivka and near Lyman and Starytsia. [3] On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians conducted 26 attacks. [3] They attempted to advance towards the settlements of Dobropillia, Myrne and Serhiivka and near Dorozhnie, Shevchenko, Udachne and Novomykolaivka. [3] On the Kostiantynivka front, 20 Russian attacks were recorded. [3] The Russians conducted assaults near the settlements of Kostiantynivka, Dovha Balka, Rusyn Yar, Toretske and Kucheriv Yar and towards Mykolaipillia. [3]
Broader Context of Russia-Ukraine Proxy Conflicts
Russia is trying to establish itself as a major power in Africa, especially in the Sahel region, which is rich in minerals and frequently affected by coups. [2] Moscow has tried to fill the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of French and other Western forces in recent years, supporting governments in exchange for sums of money and profitable mining rights. [2] At first, the Kremlin outsourced these operations to the Wagner Group. [2] After Prigozhin's death following his attempted coup in 2023, Moscow integrated what remained of Wagner into its regular army, creating the Africa Corps, which is deployed to support Moscow's local allies. [2] The Ukrainian deployments aim to put pressure on Russia and undermine the idea that Moscow can be a reliable ally. [2] The mission also benefits the Ukrainians because it gives them the chance to test their equipment and skills in a completely different environment. [2] Dust and heat cause equipment to fail faster. [2] Filters, cooling, protection of electronic components, batteries all function differently and require serious adaptation. [2] In Ukraine it is a high-intensity war with massive strikes and constant pressure. [2] Here it is more of a war of maneuver, conducted over vast territories, with ambushes, route control, small group actions and reliance on knowledge of the terrain. [2]
What to watch next: Russia has accused Ukraine of participating in massacres against civilians in Mali, an accusation rejected by Kiev, while Human Rights Watch published reports accusing Russian troops in Mali of killing civilians.
