Following the United States' airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthis) declared full support for Tehran and went beyond condemnation, hinting at possible military actions that could once again put U.S. interests in the region at risk.
The United States conducted attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on Saturday.
Yemen's Houthi group called the strikes a serious escalation that threatens regional stability. The group also said that U.S. ships and warships in the Red Sea are now considered possible military targets.
"We strongly condemn the U.S. aggression against Iran. We see it as part of the West's historic crimes, rooted in colonial thinking. And we have declared our full support for Iran. If the U.S. attacks again, we will take direct military action in the Red Sea and target American warships," said Mohammad Taher Anam, advisor of Yemen's Houthi supreme political council.
Many Yemenis have expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East. They warn that expanding the Israel-Iran war could have disastrous consequences for the whole region, especially with ongoing humanitarian crises and conflicts in Gaza and the Red Sea.
"We, as citizens and people of the Arab and Islamic nations, condemn the U.S. attack on Iran. These strikes aim to widen the conflict in the region," said Issa al-Sayani, a Yemeni resident of Sanaa.
Yemen's Houthis hint at possible military actions after US strikes on Iranian
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), announced on Friday that an independent committee will have nine months to investigate the Wang Fuk Court fire that occurred in late November.
The fire, which erupted on November 26 in Tai Po, has claimed 160 lives as of 16:00 Tuesday, with six people still reported missing, according to authorities.
At a press conference, Lee said the committee will be led by Judge David Lok, chairman of the Electoral Affairs Commission, and will also include Legislative Council Finance Committee Chairman Chan Kin-por and outgoing MTR Corporation Chairman Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen.
"Nine months is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. So I want to give what I regard as a time frame -- realistic -- provided the independent committee is given sufficient means to maneuver, while ensuring the examination is just. They can streamline procedure and be given more flexibility so that they can finish their work within the nine months. And I also have given them a reserve power. That is, if the independent committee considers, by examining all these complicated issues, there may be one which they think, by exercising the powers that is given to a statutory commissioner of inquiry, will help them complete their work, then I'm very willing to consider a recommendation by the independent commission to seek appointing them as the commission of inquiry," Lee said.
Lee noted that the committee's investigation will focus on the causes and circumstances of the fire, and whether systemic issues exist in large-scale building management and renovation projects.
The committee will also examine whether the current regulations and penalties are sufficient in these two areas and will make relevant recommendations. The investigation reports are expected to be made public.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, David Lok stressed the need for fairness and impartiality in the investigation, saying that he would refrain from commenting on the investigation until the committee completes its work.
"During this period, I hope everyone understands that although this is a committee, I am leading this work in my capacity as a judge. Judges must also adhere to certain professional principles, including being fair and impartial. We need to conduct rational analysis based on facts before making any factual judgments or recommendations; we cannot be emotional. Furthermore, we cannot have a pre-established position. In fact, before every judge hears a case, we should ideally start with a blank slate and cannot have a predetermined stance," said Lok.
"So today, if you ask me for my views on certain matters or how we will conduct the investigation, I’m afraid I won't be able to answer as freely as I could when I was at the Electoral Affairs Commission. But I hope all media friends and residents understand that I do not wish to evade questions; it is simply that some questions at this stage are inappropriate for the committee chair to answer. Therefore, during the investigation, I do not expect to speak with you again until our work is completed," he said.
Investigation into Tai Po fire to conclude within nine months: HKSAR chief executive
