On July 4 the China Coast Guard conducted law-enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan, using the term 'routine' in its report for the first time compared with last month. Marine expert Yang Xiao said 'routine' denotes continuous enforcement operations intended to assert sovereignty. The coast guard has implemented regular patrols of the Diaoyu Islands and affiliated islets and routine enforcement around Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal). The agency said it logged 357 days of patrols aroun

Houthi military spokesman Yahya said on July 3 at 05:20 local time a formation of Saudi warplanes entered Yemeni airspace attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian airliner from landing at Sanaa International Airport. He said Houthi air defenses launched multiple surface-to-air missiles to intercept, forcing the warplanes to leave Yemeni airspace. The group warned that further Saudi airspace incursions or military action against Houthi forces would prompt retaliatory strikes on Saudi airports and key infrastructure. It said it will not accept a blockade of Sanaa airport or Yemen, will take measures to lift any blockade, and will continue to maintain flights between Sanaa and Tehran, welcoming Iran’s efforts to restore those services. Saudi authorities had no immediate comment.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on July 4 that more than 200 Ukrainian military drones attacked the Moscow region in the past 24 hours. Most were intercepted at range and 62 were destroyed as they approached Moscow city. Russia called it one of the largest drone attacks on the Moscow region in roughly two years. Ukraine had no immediate comment.