United News of Bangladesh

Yemen’s Houthi group said Friday that Saudi Arabia had conducted 14 airstrikes and missile attacks in four Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hours, as clashes between Houthi fighters and government forces continued on several fronts in southwestern Yemen. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement on X that Saudi F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets based in Khamis Mushait and Taif, along with missiles launched from Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, struck targets in the Yemeni provinces of Taiz, Amran, Marib and Saada. According to Sarea, the latest attacks raised the number of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes and missile attacks to 1,032 since the latest escalation began. The Houthi claims could not be independently verified, while Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the allegations. Meanwhile, fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis continued on several fronts in Taiz province in the southwest and neighboring Lahj province on Friday, a Yemeni military official told Xinhua. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the opposing sides continued to exchange fire and carry out hit-and-run attacks, with control of some frontline positions changing hands repeatedly. In a separate statement posted on X, Yemeni government forces said a drone strike on Houthi positions along the Al-Kadha front in western Taiz killed seven Houthi fighters and injured several others. Clashes have intensified in Taiz and Lahj following recent Houthi advances near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Government forces are attempting to prevent further Houthi advances toward strategic highlands overlooking the important maritime route. The Bab al-Mandab Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is considered one of the world's major maritime chokepoints, serving as an important route for global trade and energy shipments. Yemen has remained embroiled in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northern Yemen, forcing the internationally recognized government to leave the city. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 to support the Yemeni government.

Governor of Wau State in South Sudan Angelo Taban Biajo has highly appreciated the role of the Bangladesh peacekeepers. The Governor lauded the humane services offered by Bangladesh peacekeepers in Wau and expressed their desire to establish cooperation between Wau province and Bangladesh in different areas like education, ICT and agriculture. The local Governor of Wau along with the provincial Ministers met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the UNMISS compound in Wau province of South Sudan on Friday. READ: Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM The Governor suggested that more female personnel may be deployed in the Bangladesh contingent. The Foreign Minister visited the Bangladesh contingent (BANBATT 4) deployed in the Wau province of South Sudan. Deputy Force Commander of UNMISS and other Bangladesh high officials of UNMISS as well as Bangladesh non-resident Ambassador to South Sudan and Foreign Ministry officials were present. Upon his arrival at the UNMISS compound, the Foreign Minister was presented with a guard of honour by a smart contingent of the Bangladesh Peacekeepers. The Bangladesh Contingent organized spectacular fits which were displayed by Bangladesh Peacekeeping members. Both male and female performers displayed their acrobatic and defensive skills. Dr Momen made an address to the Bangladesh Peacekeepers at the Bangladesh contingent.