Yemen's vice president has backed US President Donald Trump's tough line against the Houthi rebels, with the Iran-backed group having spent the past 15 months terrorising international shipping in the Red Sea.
Gen Aidarus Al Zoubaidi, who serves on Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, welcomed the US decision to redesignate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organisation and called for a policy of maximum pressure.
"Houthi actions in Yemen and against international maritime shipping are a clear act of terrorism and a violation of international law. President Trump has shown decisive leadership where others have not," Gen Al Zoubaidi told The National at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
"The Houthis and its backers in Tehran understand deterrence only through clear actions that are backed with credibility. This is why I have been calling for a comprehensive strategy to the Red Sea crisis and to end the Yemen conflict. This requires a joined-up approach that has been lacking until now.
President Trump has shown decisive leadership where others have not
Gen Aidarus Al Zoubaidi
"They are escalating in the Red Sea, escalating in this region. We are expecting more assertive and direct policies."
Gen Al Zoubaidi said he had not had contact with the new US administration but hopes to speak to Mr Trump's team soon.
The Houthis have launched attacks on nearly 200 international vessels since the start of the Gaza war in 2023, hitting and damaging about 40 ships, which the group claimed had links to Israeli companies. On Tuesday, the Houthis released the 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader from captivity after 430 days in grim captivity.
Gen Al Zoubaidi said sufficient military pressure would eventually force the Houthis to back down or come to the negotiating table, although he expects Yemen to remain split into two states for the foreseeable future. A road map to peace collapsed after the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which was followed by the devastating war on Gaza.
American and Israeli warplanes have hammered Houthi positions in Yemeni cities, including the capital Sanaa, in recent months, but the deterrent has not halted attacks on shipping and Israel. When the Houthis seized parts of Yemen a decade ago, they captured weapons stockpiles from the government and have been propped by financially and militarily by Tehran.
"On the ground, we have the internationally recognised government forces, who are ready for anything," said Gen Zoubaidi, who is head of the ruling Southern Transitional Council in Aden and oversees the armed forces.
"The Arab allies are also present there. And at the same time, the US and the UK are in a direct conflict with the Houthis. What we need now is more co-ordination between all of these layers, in order to push the Houthis, to reach a more effective peace process."
Houthis' billion-dollar ransoms
The Houthis have shaken down international shipping companies in exchange for halting attacks on certain vessels. Reports say this has earned the group about $2 billion a year.
"Houthi militias have taken ransom money from shipping companies to offer a safe passage," Gen Al Zoubaidi said. "Regarding their funding, of course, Iran backs them directly with money, weapons and fuel, in addition to military equipment.
"When Houthi militias started attacking ships in the Red and Arab seas, they acquired modern technology and high-tech naval missiles that are very accurate. Iran remains their biggest supporter and they might double their military and economic support, because they are the only militant arm [in the so-called Axis of Resistance] that is still remaining until now."
In the divided country, it is Yemeni civilians who are suffering the most, he said. Yemen is the Arab world's poorest state.
"Quality of life in Yemen is declining, especially with the collapse of the local currency," Gen Al Zoubaidi said. "In both areas controlled by the Presidential Leadership Council and under Houthi rule, people struggle very hard in their daily lives. High prices of food and medicine compared to the local currency made it hard to satisfy their needs."
Captain tells of battle to save tanker after Houthi attack
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Tales of Yusuf Tadros
Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)
Hoopoe
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
