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Houthi Group Forcibly Recruits African Migrants into Military Camps

Migrants face abuse in Houthi-controlled areas (UN)
Migrants face abuse in Houthi-controlled areas (UN)
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Houthi Group Forcibly Recruits African Migrants into Military Camps

Migrants face abuse in Houthi-controlled areas (UN)
Migrants face abuse in Houthi-controlled areas (UN)

The Houthi group has forced hundreds of African migrants in Sana’a to join their military training camps as part of a recruitment campaign for what they call the so-called “sacred jihad” to free Palestine.
In recent days, more than 220 African migrants, including children and the elderly, were sent to secret military training sessions in Sana’a and nearby areas. These sessions are known as Al-Aqsa Flood, according to Yemeni sources.
The Houthi group is expanding its forces by using tactics like abduction, recruitment, brainwashing, and forcing people into sectarian and military training.
Sources say hundreds of African migrants targeted in the latest recruitment drive were captured earlier and moved from the Houthi stronghold of Saada to remote training camps, away from international oversight.
The Houthis reportedly gave migrants the choice to join their forces or be forcibly sent to areas controlled by the Yemeni government. This follows orders from the group's leader to create recruitment camps for migrants.
The group also confirmed recent efforts to track and arrest African migrants in Saada.
In one month, 1,694 migrants were arrested and sent to detention centers, some operated by the Houthi-run “Immigration Authority,” according to the Houthi security media.
The Houthi group has acknowledged, through reports from its security agencies in Sana’a, that since the beginning of this year, it has carried out tracking, pursuit, and abduction operations, resulting in the arrest of over 3,480 migrants in Saada, who were then transferred to Sana’a.
The Houthi group's targeting of African migrants continues, with reports of abuse and extortion, according to human rights sources and international reports.
The Houthis justify their actions by claiming the migrants pose a threat to society. They move them from their stronghold in Saada and other cities to centers in Sana’a, where they are sent to military camps for espionage and smuggling.

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Arab World

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.