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EU Engaging with Partners to Confront Houthi Threats

Houthi supporters ride a vehicle carrying the coffin of a Houthi fighter, who was killed in recent fighting, during a funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, 16 January 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters ride a vehicle carrying the coffin of a Houthi fighter, who was killed in recent fighting, during a funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, 16 January 2024. (EPA)
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EU Engaging with Partners to Confront Houthi Threats

Houthi supporters ride a vehicle carrying the coffin of a Houthi fighter, who was killed in recent fighting, during a funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, 16 January 2024. (EPA)
Houthi supporters ride a vehicle carrying the coffin of a Houthi fighter, who was killed in recent fighting, during a funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, 16 January 2024. (EPA)

The European Union is actively working with its partners to tackle the security threats posed by the Houthi militias in the Red Sea, aiming to find effective solutions to address these challenges.

Luis Miguel Bueno, the EU’s regional media officer for the Middle East and North Africa, stated that EU countries are closely watching the situation in the Red Sea, especially the recent US and British strikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization early on Tuesday received a report of an incident in the Red Sea about 57 nautical miles northwest of Eritrea’s Assab.

Vessel and crew were reported safe and are proceeding to their next port after security personnel on the ship “fired warning shots and small craft departed,” UKMTO said in an advisory note according to Reuters.

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza. Various shipping lines have suspended operations, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

In exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Bueno stressed that the EU is closely monitoring developments in the Red Sea (Operation Prosperity Guardian), stating that the Houthi attacks are a violation of international law.

Bueno underscored the urgent need to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2722.

He strongly condemned Houthi assaults on commercial ships and crews, stating they pose unacceptable threats to regional maritime security and peace, requiring an international solution.

The diplomat disclosed the EU’s active engagement with partners to counter Houthi threats and find effective solutions.

Ongoing discussions within the EU focus on a coordinated European mission in the Red Sea.

The EU spokesperson declined to provide more details about the planned mission in the Red Sea, saying the information will be shared at the appropriate time.

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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.