TUESDAY January 9, 2024: 'RED SEA THREAT: Yemen on the Brink' by award winning, ZUMA Press photo-journalist Osamah Yahya: Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, is in the midst of a massive humanitarian crisis that only continues to deteriorate. Rising hunger levels have left many families close to breaking point. Fighting between Houthi rebels and the Saudi coalition that backs Yemen's internationally recognized government has largely subsided in 2023, but Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships transiting the Red Sea in response to Israel's war on Hamas. The Red Sea is one of the world's most important waterways for global trade. Fears are growing that the broader world economy could be disrupted as commercial vessels are forced to reroute. Welcome to: 'RED SEA THREAT: Yemen on the Brink'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #922: TUESDAY January 9, 2024: 'RED SEA THREAT: Yemen on the Brink' by award winning, ZUMA Press photo-journalist Osamah Yahya: Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, is in the midst of a massive humanitarian crisis that only continues to deteriorate. Rising hunger levels have left many families close to breaking point. Fighting between Houthi rebels and the Saudi coalition that backs Yemen's internationally recognized government has largely subsided in 2023, but Houthis have repeatedly attacked ships transiting the Red Sea in response to Israel's war on Hamas. The Red Sea is one of the world's most important waterways for global trade. Fears are growing that the broader world economy could be disrupted as commercial vessels are forced to reroute. Welcome to: 'RED SEA THREAT: Yemen on the Brink'

Yemeni's loyal to the Houthis hold up guns and shout slogans during a gathering in support of Houthis' recent escalation against Israel. A military spokesperson for Yemen's Houthis warned all shipping companies against cooperating with Israel, saying they will be a target of attack in the Red Sea. 'If Gaza does not receive the food and medicine it needs, all ships in the Red Sea bound for Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality, will become a target for our armed forces,' Yahya Saree said.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Yemeni commuters in Sana'a drive under a billboard bearing a picture of American Navy ships, and words reading in Arabic 'The crowd will be defeated and they will turn their backs.' US military forces intercepted and destroyed three boats operated by Houthi rebels. The US took action after the boats tried to attack a Maersk container ship in the waters near Yemen. The Houthi crews of the boats were killed in the operation.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

With hands painted red in protest, Yemeni students gather to support Palestinian people on international human rights day, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

A protester holds photographs from Gaza, during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Two boys sit beneath mock Houthi-made drones and missiles set up at a square, in Sana'a. US Central Command reported that Yemen's Houthis launched a significant drone and missile attack aimed at ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. and British navies were forced to intercept and destroy the projectiles in a major naval confrontation..The Iranian-backed Houthis launched the attack and said their assaults are in response to Israel's actions in the Gaza.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

A boy chants slogans during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have launched attacks on ships in the Red Sea and have used drones and missiles to target Israel since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Men ride horses and perform 'tricks' for passing motorists, hoping to make a few rials from their performance. The U.S. is imposing sanctions on a group of money exchange services from Yemen alleged to be providing funds to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who have been launching attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the southern Red Sea.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

A Yemeni boy stands near tent shelters at a makeshift camp for Internally displaced persons in the capital Sana'a. According to a recent report by the World Food Programme, Yemen ranks fourth on the list of 18 global hunger index countries and an estimated 17 million people suffer from food insecurity. Credit Image:
© November 25, 2023, Sana'a, Yemen: A Yemeni boy stands near tent shelters at a makeshift camp for Internally displaced persons in the capital Sana'a. According to a recent report by the World Food Programme, Yemen ranks fourth on the list of 18 global hunger index countries and an estimated 17 million people suffer from food insecurity. Credit Image:

A Yemeni woman wearing a black niqab together her siblings sit inside their tent shelter at a makeshift camp for internally displaced persons in the capital Sana'a, According to the UN 21.6 million Yemenis, remain in dire need of assistance. Five million are at risk of famine, and a cholera outbreak has affected over one million people.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Farmers inspect wheat crops shortly before harvest season in Sana'a. Yemen imports more than 3.8 million tons of wheat annually, according to estimates by the Houthi-controlled Agricultural Authority. Total wheat production in Yemen contributes less than 10 percent of their needs. The UN estimates that 60 percent of the estimated 377,000 deaths in Yemen between 2015 and the beginning of 2022 were the result of indirect causes like food insecurity and lack of accessible health services.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

An orange vendor waits for customers at a fruit market in Sanaa. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Yemeni economy and its culture. However, during Yemen's armed conflict severe agricultural distress is widespread throughout the country. The production of oranges has experienced a decline in recent years due to economic conditions and ongoing escalations in conflict between the internationally recognized government and the Houthi community.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Yemeni men in an electronics store watch a television statement by Houthis spokesman Yahya Saree after the Houthis attacked the ship in the Red Sea. Yemen's Houthi group declared that they had launched 'a significant number' of drones and missiles towards a U.S. navy vessel in the Red Sea, which they claimed was supporting Israel.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Horse riders carry Palestinian flags as fans attend the reception of the Yemen winning team of the West Asian Junior Soccer Championship at al-Thawra stadium in Sana'a. Their victory is particularly impressive as the Yemeni football league has been suspended since 2014, making it difficult for players to train and develop their skills in a structured environment. Despite these obstacles, the players showcased their talent and dedication, bringing home the 2023 championship title.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Children play soccer in Sana'a during school vacation at a field in their neighborhood.The ongoing conflict since 2015 has led to the closure of many local clubs and the suspension of the national football league in war-torn Yemen.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

A female Yemeni artist wearing a traditional black niqab, creates a piece of artwork to show support for the Palestinian community at an exhibition dedicated to standing in solidarity with Palestine.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Houthi military spokesman YAHYA SAREE speaks during the mass demonstration in support of Palestine. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi claimed they fired missiles at two ships in the Red Sea, as part of their campaign to pressure Israel over its war with Hamas..'Container ships MSC PALATIUM and MSC ALANYA were targeted by two naval missiles as they were heading toward the Israeli entity,' Houthi military spokesman Yahya told the crowd.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Thousands of Yemeni's in Sanaa wave Palestinian flags and chant slogans during a mass demonstration to commemorate ten Houthi fighters killed by the U.S. Navy in the Red Sea, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. An armed unmanned vessel launched from Houthi-controlled areas and approached U.S. Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea before exploding. This incident occurred just hours after 12 countries, led by the US, issued a stern final warning to the Iran-backed Houthis group, threatening potential military action if the attacks continued.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire

Newly recruited Houthi rebels hold up AK47 rifles during a parade to support people of Gaza. Houthis in Yemen have enlisted thousands of tribal fighters to form a popular army in preparation for potential conflict with Israel. This move comes amid concerns of a broader regional conflict following the Israel-Hamas war.
© Osamah Yahya/ZUMA Press Wire