A new United Nations report has confirmed what many in the Arab world have long known – that branches of regional instability trace their roots back to Tehran. How else can one explain the capacity of a ragtag militia to drive Yemen's legitimate government out of Sanaa? It is no secret that the Houthis, together with Hezbollah in Lebanon and fringe militant elements in Syria, are proxies of Iran. Now the UN panel of experts has confirmed those weapon supply lines between Tehran and the Houthis stretch back years.
The UN report validates the need for the Saudi-led coalition's efforts to restore Yemen's rightful government and comes in the wake of America's ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, supplying evidence in December last year that a Houthi missile fired at Riyadh international airport was Iranian-made – one of dozens of rockets launched at Saudi Arabia in recent years. Since the Houthis took control in 2014 and imposed their tyrannical rule, they have ushered in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, where civilians are used as human shields and peace is illusory. Today the country is dotted with landmines, tens of thousands of which have been destroyed by Saudi-led coalition forces. The Houthi grip on the vital port city of Hodeidah has hindered the supply of critical food and aid. The coalition has exercised great restraint in upholding a month-long ceasefire to aid negotiations. But as Khaled Al Yemany, Yemen's foreign minister, said, the rebels have chosen instead to stall for time. A window for a peaceful solution is rapidly closing.
Behind their malevolence is the scourge of Iranian expansionism. Shipments of smuggled Iranian weapons, from ballistic missiles to drones, have lengthened a grim war and deepened the crisis befalling ordinary Yemenis. Contrast that with Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, who today arrived in Al Mahrah with the Saudi ambassador to inaugurate development projects. It is clear the war will not end until Tehran’s economic and military supply lines to the Houthis are severed. This was part of the reasoning that prompted US President Donald Trump to tear up the flawed Iran nuclear deal and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take the regime to task. The sanctions relief afforded by the nuclear deal freed up millions of dollars for Iran’s regional adventurism while Iranian citizens – starved of resources and utilities – have been taking to the streets for months to protest the regime's failure to provide for them. Sanctions should change the regime's behaviour despite the pain for its people.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
UAE athletes heading to Paris 2024
Equestrian
Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Abdullah Al Marri, Omar Al Marzooqi, Salem Al Suwaidi, and Ali Al Karbi (four to be selected).
Judo
Men: Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (66kg), Nugzari Tatalashvili (81kg), Aram Grigorian (90kg), Dzhafar Kostoev (100kg), Magomedomar Magomedomarov (+100kg); women's Khorloodoi Bishrelt (52kg).
Cycling
Safia Al Sayegh (women's road race).
Swimming
Men: Yousef Rashid Al Matroushi (100m freestyle); women: Maha Abdullah Al Shehi (200m freestyle).
Athletics
Maryam Mohammed Al Farsi (women's 100 metres).
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 2.5/5
F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
The Roundup : No Way Out
Director: Lee Sang-yong
Stars: Don Lee, Lee Jun-hyuk, Munetaka Aoki
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Bangla Tigers 108-5 (10 ovs)
Ingram 37, Rossouw 26, Pretorius 2-10
Deccan Gladiators 109-4 (9.5 ovs)
Watson 41, Devcich 27, Wiese 2-15
Gladiators win by six wickets
Dengue fever symptoms
- High fever
- Intense pain behind your eyes
- Severe headache
- Muscle and joint pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Rash
If symptoms occur, they usually last for two-seven days
The Emperor and the Elephant
Author: Sam Ottewill-Soulsby
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Pages: 392
Available: July 11
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)