Houthi

The terror organization's leader additionally decried US involvement in the region and urged his followers to remain in “a state of constant vigilance, with a high jihadist spirit."

"The UAE reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting all endeavors aimed at strengthening stability and development in Yemen," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Iran-aligned Houthis detained the additional UN staff on Thursday, said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, and Guterres calls for the immediate release of all those detained.

Maersk said that while it had no plans yet to fully reopen the route, it was considering continuing a "stepwise approach towards gradually resuming navigation" via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

According to the UAE-based Al-Ain media, the Houthis may be preparing an offensive now that the STC has gained some ground in recent weeks.

The separatist Southern Transitional Council says it has taken over the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Mahra and is firmly established across all provinces of the former state of South Yemen.

BEHIND THE LINES: Despite setbacks, Iraq’s Iranian-backed militias continue to thrive politically, posing a lasting threat to Israel’s security.

Survey results also demonstrated that the vast majority of Israelis expect military conflict in the near future, with Hezbollah being the most likely, followed by Iran.

The United States on Wednesday condemned the ongoing detention of current and former local staffers of the US embassy in Yemen by the Houthis.

The STC’s growing power in southern Yemen, while unlikely to mitigate Houthi terrorism, could gift Israel a key ally in the region, particularly if an independent south joins the Abraham Accords.