Category: Azer News

The Iran-backed Houthi movement is reportedly preparing to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, AzerNEWS reports via the Telegraph.

The report says the group has not yet taken action and is waiting for what it considers the right moment as part of a broader Iranian campaign to increase pressure on the United States and its allies.

If the Bab al-Mandab Strait were to be closed, commercial vessels would be forced to take a much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, significantly increasing shipping times and transportation costs.

The reported strategy mirrors concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, another critical global energy chokepoint, where disruptions have repeatedly raised fears over global oil supplies and international trade.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, serving as a vital gateway for cargo and energy shipments traveling between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. Any prolonged disruption to traffic through the strait could have significant implications for global supply chains and maritime commerce.

According to The Telegraph, the Houthis are holding off on implementing the move for now while monitoring regional developments as part of Iran’s wider strategic pressure campaign.

The Houthi Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that “the Saudi regime has declared war and must bear full responsibility for it” following strikes on Sanaa International Airport, AzerNEWS reports.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out the attack, calling it “blatant and unjust aggression.”

Yemen’s internationally recognized government, however, has claimed responsibility for targeting the airport’s runway, saying it launched the strike to stop an Iranian delegation’s plane from landing.

Air strikes have hit the international airport in Sanaa, the Houthi-held capital of Yemen, said the rebels and the country’s exiled government.

The Ministry of Defence of Yemen’s internationally recognised government said it attacked the runway to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing on Yemeni soil, SABA reports.

The Iran-backed Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, prompting intervention by a Saudi-led coalition the following year, at the request of the internationally recognised government.

“The Houthi terrorist militias, supported by the Iranian regime, prevented Yemeni national aircraft from landing at the capital’s airport, Sanaa, and insisted that the Iranian aircraft violate Yemeni airspace. Therefore, the airport runway was targeted,” the ministry said in a statement.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree, in a statement, accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out July 13 strikes.

China said on Wednesday it “firmly opposes” a sanctions bill proposed by United States senators and supported by President Donald Trump that targets countries buying Russian energy, AzerNEWS reports, citing Tribune.

The bipartisan legislation could potentially clear the way for the US to exert stronger pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine. US senators spearheading the bill said in a joint statement last week that they expected to unveil the updated legislation “very soon”.

China, among the biggest buyers of Russian oil, hit back on Wednesday, accusing Washington of using “double standards and coercion”.

“China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorised by the UN Security Council,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises and citizens,” he said.

The legislation would give the president authority to impose tariffs and sanctions on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy, a crucial source of revenue for Moscow’s war effort.

The US Senators have not released details of the latest version of the bill, which they said on Friday had been agreed with Trump.

An earlier proposal envisioned tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products.

The agreement follows signs that Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow’s failure to negotiate an end to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But administration support could remove the most significant political obstacle to a bill that has been under negotiation for months and has attracted backing from lawmakers in both parties – though its swift passage is not guaranteed.

Among the bills supporters, was the late Lindsey Graham, who was a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, as well as Republican Roger Wicker and Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Shaheen.

The White House did not immediately comment publicly on the agreement.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture Adil Karimli has visited the archaeological fieldwork being carried out at a newly discovered ancient settlement in the village of Urakaran, Yardimli district, which is considered to be of great significance for Azerbaijan’s history, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the Ministry of Culture, the visit was attended by Ayaz Asgarov, Head of the Yardimli District Executive Authority; Sabina Hajiyeva, Head of the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture; historian Hasan Hasanov; and representatives of the local community.

Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), Associate Professor Farhad Guliyev, PhD in History, briefed participants on the ongoing research. He noted that excavations at the nearby Bilga Necropolis uncovered megalith-covered stone cist graves and jar burials, while the presence of earth graves was also confirmed. Covering an area of more than one hectare, the necropolis dates from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD.

It was also reported that approximately 250 meters southwest of the Bilga Necropolis, archaeologists identified the remains of a large settlement with substantial building structures extending in several directions.

The ministry stated that archaeological investigations will continue on a larger scale in the coming years, using modern technologies to determine the full layout and structure of the ancient settlement.

The archaeological fieldwork is being conducted by a joint Azerbaijani-American expedition led by Jeyhun Eminli, PhD in History and a researcher at the ANAS Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology. The American side of the expedition is headed by Professor Lara Fabian of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

The expedition’s primary objective is to study settlements and burial monuments dating to the Atropatene period, which played an important role in the history of Azerbaijani statehood.

Particular emphasis is being placed on examining the process of urbanization in mountainous regions, the lifestyle of ancient populations, and archaeological evidence of cultural and economic links between different regions.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent a message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, paying tribute to those who lost their lives while defending Trkiye during the failed coup attempt and reaffirming the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries.

In his message, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his profound respect for all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defense of their homeland during the coup attempt orchestrated by the FETÖ terrorist organization. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the brotherly people of Trkiye.

President Ilham Aliyev described July 15 as one of the most tragic, yet at the same time one of the most honorable chapters in Trkiye’s modern history. He stressed that the treacherous coup attempt, which sought to overthrow the constitutional order, undermine the institutions of the state, suppress the national will, and destroy the country’s democratic foundations, was decisively defeated thanks to the unwavering determination, courage, and patriotism of the Turkish people.

The Azerbaijani president noted that the sight of thousands of citizens taking to the streets to defend their state, national flag, and fundamental values has become a timeless symbol of heroism that will remain engraved in the collective memory of the Turkish nation.

Addressing President Erdogan directly, President Ilham Aliyev said:

“Your resolute and far-sighted leadership, together with the unwavering unity of the Turkish people around you and their immediate and unquestioning response to your calls, became one of the decisive factors that saved your country from a major catastrophe on that fateful night. Under your leadership, Trkiye emerged from this ordeal even stronger and once again demonstrated to the world the strength of its national will and the resilience of its statehood traditions.”

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the events of July 15 clearly demonstrated that no treacherous plot or destructive force can succeed when confronted by the unity of a nation and its state. He added that Democracy and National Unity Day, commemorated annually, has become a powerful symbol of the Turkish people’s national solidarity, fighting spirit, long-standing state traditions, and unwavering commitment to freedom.

The Azerbaijani leader also underscored that, guided by the principle of “One Nation, Two States,” Azerbaijan stood firmly alongside its brotherly nation throughout the coup attempt, just as it always has. He said this solidarity once again proved the exceptional strength and unbreakable nature of the fraternal ties binding the peoples of Azerbaijan and Trkiye.

President Ilham Aliyev further stated that the friendship and brotherhood between the two nations constitute a lasting legacy that will be passed on to future generations. He expressed confidence that the strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Trkiye will continue to deepen through joint efforts, gaining new dimensions and becoming even stronger in the years ahead.

Concluding his message, President Ilham Aliyev wished President Erdogan good health and continued success in his duties, while extending his sincere wishes for lasting peace, prosperity, and well-being to the brotherly Republic of Trkiye.

Heavy rainfall in Russia’s Sverdlovsk Region has caused flooding that submerged another 130 residential houses and 185 household plots over the past 24 hours, AzerNEWS reports.

The information was released by the press service of the Main Directorate of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) for the Sverdlovsk Region.

The city of Irbit was the hardest hit, with 124 homes flooded. Meanwhile, the largest number of flooded household plots was recorded in the city of Nevyansk, where 84 yards were affected.

According to EMERCOM, a total of 443 residential houses and 1,792 household plots across the region remain under water.

Earlier, around 200 children and several dozen adults were evacuated to safe areas from the Irbit municipality due to the flooding.

As of the evening update, the water level in the Nitsa River in Irbit had reached 805 centimeters, exceeding the levels recorded during almost all previous floods in the city.

In accordance with the military cooperation plan between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye, the main planning conference for the “Eternity-2026” computer-assisted command-and-staff exercise to be held in Azerbaijan took place, AzerNEWS reports.

The exercise, scheduled for November,2026, will involve military personnel from the three participating countries, as well as representatives of the State Agency for Protection of Strategic Facilities of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Railways.

It should be noted that the exercise is based on a scenario involving the tactical-level protection and defense of strategic facilities and communication lines across the territories of the participating countries.

During the conference, the exercise theme and objectives, the composition of the joint headquarters, the conduct of field tactical episodes, as well as other organizational matters were discussed.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating has fallen to 55%, according to the latest National Barometer Survey conducted from Monday to Wednesday, AzerNEWS reports.

The survey shows that positive evaluations of Lee’s performance declined by 3 percentage points compared to the previous poll, while his disapproval rating edged down by 1 percentage point to 34%.

Support for the ruling Democratic Party also slipped, falling 4 percentage points to 38%. Meanwhile, backing for the main opposition People Power Party rose by 2 percentage points to 22%, suggesting a modest shift in the political landscape.

The poll also examined public opinion on the government’s proposal to establish a joint military academy for the army, navy, and air force. The initiative was opposed by 55% of respondents, while only 34% expressed support.

Critics, including representatives from several military branches and the People’s Progressive Party (NPP), argue that merging the training systems could weaken the specialized expertise of each service and ultimately reduce the overall combat effectiveness of South Korea’s armed forces. Supporters, however, believe the reform could improve inter-service coordination and prepare officers for the increasingly complex nature of modern warfare.

The survey was conducted by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research among 1,000 South Korean adults aged 18 and older, making it one of the country’s most closely watched public opinion polls.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, on July 16, AzerNEWS reports.

The head of state expressed confidence that Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa’s visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to further strengthening the fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Palestine.

President Ilham Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Expressing his pleasure at meeting with the head of state, Mohammad Mustafa conveyed the greetings of Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, to President Ilham Aliyev.

The Azerbaijani President thanked him for the greetings and asked the Prime Minister to convey his own greetings to President Mahmoud Abbas. President Ilham Aliyev fondly recalled Mahmoud Abbas’s visits to Azerbaijan and their meetings on the sidelines of international events.

Noting the difficult situation currently facing Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa expressed hope that, with the support of friendly countries, Palestine would be able to overcome the current challenges. He thanked President Ilham Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s continued support, including the decision to build a secondary school in Palestine as part of the country’s humanitarian assistance.

During the meeting, the opening of Azerbaijan’s Representative Office in Ramallah, as well as Azerbaijan’s coverage of the operational expenses of the Palestinian Embassy in Baku, was described as a testament to the high level of bilateral relations.

The sides also recalled that Azerbaijan had allocated $5 million in financial assistance to Palestine following the Conference on the Establishment of the Islamic Financial Safety Net and the Donors’ Conference to Finance the Strategic Plan for the Development of the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, held in Azerbaijan in 2013. It was noted that Azerbaijan continues to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The meeting also highly appreciated the fact that 23 Palestinian students are currently studying in Azerbaijan under the Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant, bringing the total number of Palestinian students in the country to 37.

Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani President for this support.

The sides also discussed the export of selected Palestinian agricultural products to Azerbaijan under preferential terms and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his official visit to the United States that had been scheduled for next week, AzerNEWS reports, citing Israel’s Ynet news portal.

According to the report, Netanyahu had planned to travel to the US to attend the farewell ceremony for US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11.

The visit was postponed after Graham’s funeral was delayed and is now expected to take place later this month.

Earlier, The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu had also planned to meet with US President Donald Trump during the trip. According to the newspaper, Israeli officials had been discussing the possibility of arranging such a meeting with the White House in the coming weeks, even before Graham’s death.

No new date for Netanyahu’s visit has been officially announced.

Discussions are underway with several airlines over expanding international flights to Gabala International Airport, with one carrier assessing the possibility of developing the airport into a regional aviation hub similar to Georgia’s Kutaisi Airport, AzerNEWS reports.

The announcement was made by Rashad Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau (ATB) under the State Tourism Agency.

According to Aliyev, activating regional airports and expanding international air connectivity are among the key priorities of Azerbaijan’s new state tourism development program.

“Negotiations are currently being held with several airlines regarding the launch of flights to Gabala. One airline is even evaluating the possibility of using Gabala Airport as a regional hub based on the Kutaisi model in Georgia,” he said.

Aliyev noted that the initiative is aimed at boosting tourist arrivals to Azerbaijan’s regions and making greater use of the country’s tourism potential.

He added that the resumption of international flights from regional airports is one of the program’s main objectives.

“One of our primary goals is to activate regional airports and restore international flights. Joint work in this direction is being carried out with relevant state institutions and airlines,” he said.

According to the ATB official, increasing the number of international flights to regional airports would enable foreign visitors to travel directly to different parts of Azerbaijan, contributing to the further development of regional tourism.