WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV Newsroom's headlines from 0900 GMT to 1700 GMT, May 11, 2019.

UN Yemen deal

Reports from Yemen say Ansarullah forces have begun a unilateral withdrawal from Salif port in Hudaydah governorate. The pullout follows an announcement by the Ansarullah movement that it will withdraw troops from three key ports in Hudaydah governorate. The two other ports are Ras-Issa and Hudaydah. Ansarullah says the pullout is an effort to kick-start the implementation of a UN-brokered ceasefire deal reached in December. The deal, among other things, called for the redeployment of Ansarullah forces and Saudi-backed former government loyalists to help allow humanitarian aid into Yemen. That’s because the country is dependent on aid imports via its western ports including Hudaydah.

Idlib fighting

The Syrian army has made fresh gains against foreign-backed militants amid ongoing fighting in the country’s northwest. Syrian media say government forces have destroyed the headquarters of the Nusra Front terror group in the town of Hass in Idlib province. On another battleground in neighboring Hama province, Syrian troops took out a number of militant vehicles and equipment in two towns. The attacks come in repose to frequent ambushes by terrorists on army bases and residential areas in the two provinces. Damascus accuses the militants of repeated violations of a ceasefire agreement signed last September for Idlib and Hama.

UK-Bahrain ties  

A British royal invitation to the Bahraini king has prompted criticisms amid continued crackdown on dissent in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah received an invitation to attend the Windsor horse show this weekend. Human rights activists have slammed the move arguing that the UK should not provide a public relations opportunity to a repressive regime. Campaigners are also plan to demonstrate outside the event to condemn the Bahraini regime’s crackdown against the opposition. The United Kingdom supported the Manama regime in silencing the 2011 popular uprising that led to the killing of dozens of activists and the jailing of hundreds of others.

Saudi crackdown

Saudi security forces have reportedly killed several people in an operation in the kingdom’s Eastern Province. Saudi media say the operation was carried out on Tarout Island, just off the city of Qatif. They say the people killed were on a wanted list by the Saudi authorities. Eastern Province has been a flash point for years. It has seen anti-government protests since 2011. Saudi Arabia treats protesters and the opposition with a heavy-handed crackdown. In a recent instance, the kingdom executed 37 of its citizens on terrorism charges. Amnesty International slammed the executions as callous disregard for human life. It said the killings show that the kingdom uses the death penalty as a political tool to crush dissent.

Pakistan attack

Unidentified gunmen have attacked a hotel in Pakistan’s province of Balochistan. Pakistani officials say at least three men attacked the 5-star hotel in the port city of Gwadar. The gunmen are battling with security forces inside the building. Attackers have reportedly reached the first floor. Most guests have been evacuated from the hotel. The area has been cordoned off by security forces. The hotel is said to be used by foreign tourists. No casualties have been reported so far. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

France protests

French police have clashed with yellow vest protesters in the city of Lyon. Police used tear gas and baton to disperse the protesters. In return, the demonstrators threw rocks at security forces. Several people were injured. It’s the 26th consecutive Saturday of the anti-government rallies across France. In the capital, Paris, the demonstrators held banners calling for social and economic reforms. Two weeks ago President Emmanuel Macron issued a series of concessions in the face of persisting protests. The demonstrators, however, say the concessions lack details and do not go far enough. The Yellow Vest protests started in mid-November.

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