On Thursday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel will pull out of its free trade agreement with Turkey. Earlier this month, Turkey decided to halt all trade with Israel over its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Smotrich said Turkey’s move represents a “declaration of an economic boycott and a serious violation of international trade agreements.” Smotrich said Israel will also impose a 100% tariff on imports from Turkey while President Erdogan is in power. He added that Israel will have to diversify its imports to reduce its dependence on Turkish products but that it could restore trade relations with Ankara if Turkish citizens elect a leader who is “sane and not a hater of Israel.” NN: War is coming. The question is what players will get suckered into the fray. And when they will get around to attacking oil transport systems.
Houthis claim downing of US MQ-9 aircraft
Yemen’s Houthi rebel group said on Friday that its forces shot down an American MQ-9 aircraft last night, the group’s spokesperson Ameen Hayyan said in the statement. The unmanned aerial vehicle was downed “while it was carrying out hostile actions in the airspace of Ma’rib Governorate,” the spokesperson said. “It is the fourth aircraft that was shot down during the Battle of the Promised Conquest and the Holy Jihad in support of Gaza,” he added. Earlier this week, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed four drones that are believed to belong to the rebel group.
US destroys 4 Houthi drones in Red Sea
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the US forces in the Red Sea destroyed four drones on the territory of Yemen. They said the drones were located in an area controlled by the Houthis.
CENTCOM added it decided to act after it determined the drones represented a threat. “These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels,” it said in a statement.