1:32 p.m
Red Sea, Navy Seal Operation: Iran seized missiles from Houthis
The central command of the United States (Centcom) announced in a post on X that in a spectacular operation i Navy SEAL Americans, supported by aircraft, helicopters and drones, boarded a ship (dhow) near the coast of Somalia in the international waters of the Arabian Sea and seized Iranian-made missiles and components intended to supply the militias Houthis of Yemen. Cruise missiles were also seized among the weapons confiscated. The same type of weapon was used by the Houthis to attack merchant ships in the Red Sea. During the operation two marine seals were lost at sea.
What happened on January 11, US Central Command says on January 17, 2019. It is clear that Tehran continues to send lethal aid to the Houthis. “This is another example of Iran actively sowing instability throughout the region, in direct violation of United Nations Security Resolution 2216 and international law,” said US General Michael Erik Kurilla. “We will continue to work together as regional partners and international governments to denounce this effort and ultimately restore freedom of navigation.” The dhow was sunk.
08:55
Lebanon: Biden envoy warns of risk of serious escalation
According to the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, the visit of US President Joe Biden's special envoy Amos Hochstein brought only one message: “Restore security in Israel and return residents to their homes,” which was “like a Warning of a serious escalation appears.” The newspaper also reports that Hochstein has asked the Lebanese authorities to move Hezbollah fighters seven kilometers beyond the Blue Line and have them replaced by the Lebanese army. “Otherwise Israel will go to war against Hezbollah,” Hochstein was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
08:43
NGO: Civilians, including newborn, killed in Iranian attack on Iraq
“During the attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Hawler (Erbil), at least five civilians, including an 11-month-old baby, were killed and many other children were injured.” This was stated on X by the Norway-based NGO “Hengaw”. Last night the Pasdaran said they had “attacked and destroyed one of the main spy centers of the Zionist regime (Mossad) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq” in a “ballistic missile” attack on Erbil in northern Iraq.
07:25
Iran: Mossad headquarters in Erbil, Iraq destroyed
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it had “attacked and destroyed one of the most important spy centers of the Zionist regime (Mossad) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq” in the “ballistic missile” attack on Erbil in northern Iraq. This was announced by the Iranian agency Fars. The target is “the center for the development of espionage operations and the planning of terrorist actions in the region and especially in our beloved country,” the statement said. “The offensive operations will continue until the last drops of blood of the martyrs are avenged,” the statement concluded.
07:23
Wafa: New Israeli attack on Gaza, 25 dead
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, 25 people were killed and dozens more injured in Israeli shelling in several areas of the Gaza Strip last night. Local medical sources report 11 casualties in airstrikes on a house in Mirage, north of the southern city of Rafah; eight people died in a bomb attack near the civil protection headquarters in Khan Yunis in central Gaza; four casualties were caused by a raid on the Bureij refugee camp, also in the central area of the Palestinian enclave; Two people died in a bomb attack in the Tel al-Hawa district of Gaza City. The death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip over the past 24 years is at least 132, also according to Palestinian medical sources cited by Wafa.
07:23
Israel: We did not kill the hostages
“We officially deny Hamas’s lies that the hostages were killed after our attacks,” but “we know that we targeted and destroyed the terrorists’ infrastructure near where they were held.” This was stated by Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari in a comment on the video released by the Al-Qassam Brigades, in which the death of two hostages was announced due to Israeli attacks on Gaza. “We have conveyed to the families our deep concern for the fate of Itay Sabirsky and another hostage. They could be dead,” the spokesman added.