Houthis Intensify Campaign of Arrests in Sanaa

Protesters demonstrate in Taiz (Reuters)
Protesters demonstrate in Taiz (Reuters)
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Houthis Intensify Campaign of Arrests in Sanaa

Protesters demonstrate in Taiz (Reuters)
Protesters demonstrate in Taiz (Reuters)

In an unprecedented security deployment, Houthi security forces have spread throughout Sanaa, intensifying a campaign of arrests against individuals suspected of participating in celebrations marking the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

The group threatened opposition figures while its supporters continued their campaign against Yemeni women, accusing them of being agents.

Local sources and residents in Sanaa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis had closed the Sabeen Square, which is one of Sanaa's largest squares and a significant place for youth and military displays.

The Houthi forces have deployed armed units throughout various districts of the capital and pursued young individuals accused of participating in the September 26 Revolution anniversary celebrations. They arrested numerous individuals, including teenagers.

According to sources, Houthis promised to release detainees under fourteen years of age after detaining them for several days. However, the rest of the prisoners will be referred to intelligence agencies for investigation, sparking fears of torture.

Houthi media continues its campaign against celebration participants, particularly in Sanaa and Ibb.

Local sources reported that opposition figures received death threats for calling for the release of detainees.

- The government denounces

Yemen's Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Moammar al-Eryani condemned the Houthi smear campaign against Yemeni women who took to Sanaa streets, raising flags and chanting national slogans, in celebration of the 61st anniversary of the September 26 Revolution.

Eryani said the campaign revealed the "true and ugly face of the militia and its disavowal of all values ​​and customs."

The Minister noted that Yemeni women suffered unprecedented pains since the Houthi militia's coup in 2015, as thousands of women were abducted from their homes, workplaces, public streets, and checkpoints.

The Yemeni Minister warned of Houthi "brainwashing" attempts through media, platforms, and cultural policies implemented in schools and universities.

The attempts aim to "limit the role of women to be a reproductive role driven by the idea of ​​jihad and providing child soldiers who use them as fuel for their endless wars, and pushes women to retreat to home."

The Minister characterized Houthi group policies as "destructive policies for the society that extend to future generations, and with which they lead Yemen in the footsteps of the Taliban and other terrorist groups to threaten not only the peace of Yemen but the security and peace of the entire world."

Eryani criticized restricting women's movement and freedom by preventing their movement between governorates and their travel through Sanaa airport without a mahram, a male relative escort.

He stated that the Houthis prohibited them from working with organizations, using telephones and cosmetics, and going to restaurants without showing the marriage contract, and sitting in public places.

- Diverse violations

The Minister highlighted Houthi practices against women, stating that they mobilized and recruited hundreds of women, blackmailed them for their livelihoods, and integrated them into their security apparatus known as al-Zainabiyat.

He called on the international community, the UN, its special envoy to Yemen, and human and women's rights organizations to assume their part in stopping ongoing Houthi violations against Yemeni women.

According to him, they constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity and a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination against Women.

Eryani emphasized the need to work immediately to release all abducted and forcibly disappeared women, prosecute those involved in crimes and violations against Yemeni women, and include the militia and its leaders on terrorist lists.



Aoun Says Hezbollah Has Shown ‘Flexibility’ in Discussing its Weapons

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with members of the National Moderation bloc at the Presidential Palace (Lebanese Presidency).
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with members of the National Moderation bloc at the Presidential Palace (Lebanese Presidency).
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Aoun Says Hezbollah Has Shown ‘Flexibility’ in Discussing its Weapons

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with members of the National Moderation bloc at the Presidential Palace (Lebanese Presidency).
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with members of the National Moderation bloc at the Presidential Palace (Lebanese Presidency).

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced that Hezbollah has demonstrated significant “flexibility and willingness to cooperate” in addressing the issue of its weapons under a certain timetable.

Aoun’s statement on Thursday came in the wake of US envoy Morgan Ortagus’ visit and increased American pressure to ensure that all weapons on Lebanese territory are under the control of legitimate state authorities.

Following a meeting between the National Moderation Bloc and Aoun at Baabda Palace, MP Sajih Attieh stated that the discussion touched on the disarmament of Hezbollah.

He emphasized that the president is handling the matter with great wisdom and confirmed Hezbollah’s openness to a phased and cooperative approach.

Aoun expressed optimism, suggesting that the party’s positive stance should be met with understanding and a realistic outlook, given the current situation in the country.

Earlier, Asharq Al-Awsat reported exclusively that Aoun, in coordination with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, would lead direct talks with Hezbollah. These talks would explore not only the transfer of arms to state control but also strategies to integrate Hezbollah’s military assets and address its political concerns.

This week, media reports citing unnamed Hezbollah sources claimed the group was willing to hand over its heavy weapons north of the Litani River - including drones, missiles, and anti-tank systems - if Israel withdraws from occupied Lebanese territories.

However, Hezbollah later issued a statement denying the reports and asserting that only official spokespeople represent the party’s position.

Resolution 1701 as a Benchmark

Hezbollah has not officially engaged in disarmament talks but frames the weapons discussion within the context of “defense and national protection.” Its lawmakers have expressed conditional openness to negotiations - only after full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and an end to violations of the ceasefire.

MP Raed Berro told local station LBCI that any future conversation about the group’s arms must occur within the framework of a national defense strategy and broader strategic security goals.

In a press conference held at the Lebanese Parliament on Thursday, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah reiterated that the Lebanese government is responsible for taking formal steps to end Israeli aggression and upholding the national policy statement. He insisted that stopping Israel’s violations of Lebanese sovereignty should be a priority for the government.

Fadlallah urged a “serious national dialogue” focused on addressing the Israeli threat and achieving a collective defense strategy.

He accused the Israeli army of committing war crimes against unarmed civilians, actions he claimed occurred under the watch of the United Nations and the ceasefire monitoring committee.

He also denied claims about arms smuggling through the Port of Beirut, calling such allegations unfounded.