Israeli Drone Strike Near South Lebanon Kills 2

Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese border village of Chihine on July 28, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)
Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese border village of Chihine on July 28, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)
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Israeli Drone Strike Near South Lebanon Kills 2

Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese border village of Chihine on July 28, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)
Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese border village of Chihine on July 28, 2024. (Photo by KAWNAT HAJU / AFP)

An Israeli drone strike outside the southern Lebanese town of Shaqra on Monday killed two people and wounded three, including a child, Lebanese civil defense said.
The rescue service did not say whether the dead were fighters or civilians.
This was the first deadly Israeli strike on Lebanon since what Israel said was a Hezbollah rocket attack on Saturday that killed 12 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Hezbollah has denied involvement in that strike.
Saturday's rocket strike killed 12 teenagers and children in the Golan Heights adding to concerns that Israel and the Iran-backed group could engage in a full-scale war.
As armed tensions escalate between the two, flights at Beirut airport were canceled or delayed on Monday with Lebanon's Middle East Airlines (MEA) saying disruptions to its schedule were related to insurance risks.
Hezbollah and the Israeli military have increased cross-border exchanges of fire since the Gaza war began. The conflict has disrupted flights and shipping across the region, including during reciprocal drone and missile attacks between Israel and Iran in April.



Yemen Fears Influx of Iran-Backed Militias into Sanaa

Houthis are seen during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthis are seen during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
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Yemen Fears Influx of Iran-Backed Militias into Sanaa

Houthis are seen during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthis are seen during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)

The Yemeni government is worried about Iranian-backed foreign militias crossing into Houthi-run areas, especially after Pakistani fighters were seen in Sanaa, joining Houthi protests under claims of jihad.

Information Minister Moamar al-Eryani raised these fears in an official statement as the Houthis continue to threaten shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Al-Eryani accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of sending thousands of Pakistani and Afghan militia members to Houthi areas in recent months.

He also pointed to reports of collaboration between the Houthis and terrorist groups, like ISIS and al-Qaeda, with support from Iran.

He described this as a dangerous development amid escalating piracy and terrorist attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden, which threaten international shipping and global trade.

The minister also referenced interviews broadcasted by the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV, featuring Pakistani nationals who participated in Houthi demonstrations in the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa.

These individuals revealed their intention to join what they called “jihad” in support of Gaza.

Al-Eryani accused the Houthis of using the Palestinian cause as a cover for their own expansionist agenda. He said the Houthis use this pretext to destabilize Arab countries, spread chaos, and threaten international interests.

He called for a united global response to what he termed “systematic terrorism” by Iran, which affects many countries.

The minister urged the international community to enforce UN principles, including non-intervention and respect for sovereignty, and to thwart smuggling arms and fighters to the Houthis in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

Al-Eryani also called for the Houthis to be designated as a “global terrorist organization,” with sanctions imposed, assets frozen, and travel bans for their leaders.

He emphasized the need for better international cooperation on intelligence sharing, and efforts to counter funding and recruitment for the militia.