Morning update
AI Summary
Significant escalation in Yemen with at least 58 killed in Houthi attacks on Saudi-backed forces. Turkish President Erdogan plans talks in Saudi Arabia with regional leaders on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Israeli military operations in Palestinian refugee camps resulted in casualties and detentions amid ongoing tensions.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments from across the region: At least 58 people have been killed in attacks from the Houthis on Yemen's Saudi-backed forces, a military source told AFP on Thursday. Yemen's Houthis earlier said that they conducted attacks on "Saudi military deployments" in Marib and Hadramout in response to Saudi Arabia's "large military buildup" in Yemen. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Saudi Arabia on Friday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, Erdogan's office announced on Thursday. The leaders will discuss the US-Israeli war on Iran and its effects on the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Washington has pursued a "failed strategy" and called on the US to "acknowledge the facts and fulfill your commitments". He also criticised Washington's changing decisions regarding a ceasefire with Tehran, calling it "theater diplomacy". US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that he believes the war with Iran is "going to end pretty soon". He also said that the US has “an unlimited supply” of weapons, denying reports of low munitions supplies once again. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are expected to sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday, AFP reported citing sources close to the Saudi authorities. Regional powers are aiming to strengthen their security ties amid the US war on Iran. At least two were killed and 14 others injured in the Jaramana bombing on the outskirts of Syria’s capital of Damascus. The blast was reportedly caused by an explosive device planted in a minibus. The Israeli army withdrew from the Qalandiya refugee camp after a large-scale raid that left at least 51 Palestinians wounded. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said Israeli forces had detained or subjected more than 60 Palestinians, including women and children, to field interrogation during the operation.