Thousands of Yemenis hold demonstrations in support of Palestinians

A wave of protests is sweeping across Yemen's capital Sanaa and other provinces, with thousands marching in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their ongoing suffering, voicing their support for military action.

Houthi officials have pledged a robust response following Israel's bombing of a port in Al Hudaydah, western Yemen, in July.

The Houthis announced plans to coordinate a retaliatory attack with the so-called "Axis of Resistance." The group is currently preparing a collective retaliation in response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukr.

In a weekly speech, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi group, has promised a definite military response to Israel, saying the Israeli government knows that a reaction is inevitable, and that Tel Aviv is currently preparing with U.S supervision and cooperation from western and Arab powers. He warned that Houthis will not be deterred by any pressure or threats.

"A definite response to the Israeli attack on fuel tanks at the Port of Al Hudaydah is inevitable and will come, God willing. The delayed response from the Axis is purely tactical, as it aims to ensure the response is effective against Israel's preparations," he said.

Many also support Hamas’ choice to replace Ismail Haniyeh, as Yahya Sinwar becomes the group’s new political leader. Many protesters say the move undermines Israel's plan to weaken the Palestinians and the Axis of Resistance.

On Thursday, the Al Hudaydah governorate was hit by five air raids in different areas. In response, protesters are calling for increased attacks on American and British ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

According to observers, the popular marches in Yemen, ongoing since October 2023, show the extent of solidarity with the Palestinian people. And demonstrators say they will not stop protesting until Israel ceases its war on the Gaza Strip.

Thousands of Yemenis hold demonstrations in support of Palestinians

Thousands of Yemenis hold mass demonstrations in support of Palestinians

The European Central Bank (ECB) announced on Thursday that it would slash key interest rates by 25 basis points in a bid to wind down the restrictive monetary policy.

Effective from March 12, the interest rates on the deposit facility, the main refinancing operations and the marginal lending facility will be decreased to 2.50 percent, 2.65 percent and 2.90 percent respectively, said the central bank in a statement.

The disinflation process is well on track, with headline inflation averaging 2.3 percent in 2025, 1.9 percent in 2026 and 2.0 percent in 2027, the ECB said.

The decision to keep on cutting rates came at a time when the economy in the eurozone is facing increasing uncertainties.

In its latest edition of the staff projections on Thursday, the ECB lowered its forecast for economic growth in the eurozone to 0.9 percent for 2025, 1.2 percent for 2026 and 1.3 percent for 2027.

This marks a downward revision from the ECB's forecast in December last year, which had projected 1.1 percent growth in 2025 and 1.4 percent in 2026, while the 2027 outlook remains unchanged.

The ECB attributed the weaker growth outlook for 2025 and 2026 to declining exports and sluggish investment, citing high trade policy uncertainty and broader economic instability as key factors.

ECB cuts interest rates by 25 basis points