Houthi rebels intensify attacks on ships in the Red Sea

The United States launched a new air offensive against Iran early this Monday, the ninth consecutive night of bombing. Washington confirmed the death of another American soldier in Iraq, while Tehran responded by attacking Bahrain and Kuwait, key US allies in the region.

Objectives and implications

The US Central Command reported that the attacks targeted command centers, air defense, coastal surveillance, missile and drone bases, as well as Iranian communication networks. Official Iranian media reported at least one death near Tabriz, an area where there are allegedly underground bases of the Revolutionary Guard. Attacks were also recorded in other strategic provinces.

The escalation reached the Strait of Hormuz: a merchant ship caught fire after being hit by a projectile near the coast of Oman, forcing the crew to evacuate it. The Revolutionary Guard claimed to have attacked oil tankers in the area. Bahrain activated anti-missile sirens and Kuwait confirmed that its air defenses intercepted Iranian projectiles.

Oil impact and diplomacy

The price of Brent oil exceeded $90 per barrel due to the interruption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s crude oil transited before the conflict. Washington maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports to stop its exports.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the US remains open to negotiating, although he acknowledged that there are still no conditions for an agreement. Iranian authorities confirmed proposals through mediators, while former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif insisted that only diplomacy will prevent further escalation. Since the start of the war on February 28, 17 US service members have died; According to Tehran, the recent bombings left at least 50 dead and 517 injured in Iranian territory.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo now has 930 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. Between Friday and Saturday alone, 37 new losses were recorded, one of the highest daily figures since May 15, when the emergency began.

The challenge of a strain without a vaccine

The authorities report 2,344 confirmed cases as of Saturday. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo variant of the virus, considered the fastest growing known. Unlike other strains, there is no vaccine or approved treatment yet.

Insecurity in the province of Ituri, the most affected, complicates the response. Attacks on medical facilities—fueled by rumors and mistrust—along with lack of payment to healthcare workers are hampering the containment of the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that 80% of new infections come from unknown transmission chains. The disease is spreading faster than teams can track. In addition, 36 health workers have died after becoming infected while providing care.

Despite the panorama, the Ministry of Health assures that it is strengthening the response. Currently 724 patients remain hospitalized or in isolation. In the last 24 hours, 22 new recoveries were reported, although authorities recognize that controlling the outbreak continues to be one of the country’s biggest health challenges.

The Philippine Army reported this Monday that the Chinese Coast Guard injured one of its sailors during an incident on the Second Thomas sandbar in the South China Sea. According to authorities, Chinese personnel hit the crew member with a wooden stick and caused damage to his boat.

Details of the altercation

A Chinese boat with eight crew members approached the BRP Sierra Madre ship, an old stranded ship that the Philippines uses as an outpost in the area. Filipino sailors recorded the incident and assured that their action was defensive, without causing an escalation.

Philippine authorities have requested an investigation. The incident adds tension to already complicated bilateral relations, marked by territorial disputes in the strategic South China Sea. China, for its part, continues to strengthen its presence in the region, while the Philippines seeks to balance positions.