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Yemeni National Army Seizes Khawkhah, Militias Recruit Reinforcements in Sana’a

A Houthi militiaman at a checkpoint in Sanaa (Reuters)
A Houthi militiaman at a checkpoint in Sanaa (Reuters)
    Riyadh, Sanaa - Abdulhadi Habtour, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemeni National Army Seizes Khawkhah, Militias Recruit Reinforcements in Sana’a

A Houthi militiaman at a checkpoint in Sanaa (Reuters)
A Houthi militiaman at a checkpoint in Sanaa (Reuters)

Yemeni government forces have confirmed the seizure of Al Khawkhah, in Hodeida, and regaining the control over Abu Musa Ashaari camp, following conflicts with Houthis.

The Yemeni National Army, supported by the Saudi-led Coalition, achieved a strategic victory in the western coastal front in its launched operation to restore Hodeida and its port from insurgent Houthis -- the operation falls under the legit government comprehensive battle to liberate Yemen from the Iran-allied groups.

Official Yemeni military spokesman Abdo Majali stated to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the legit forces, backed with the Saudi-led Coalition air-cover, accomplished decisive and significant victories in liberating Khawkhah, after al-Jahili, al-Ruwais and Moushej during the past days.

The seizure of Khawkhah, which entails Abu Musa Ashaari camp that can assimilate more than 40,000 fighters, paves the safe road towards Hodeida, according to military sources.

“The Yemeni National Army is rapidly advancing after fringing the Iranian militias that fled due to the army strikes and the coalition airstrikes on Hays and al-Jarahi. The operation will continue until fully liberating Hodeida and its strategic port,” declared Majali.

Yemeni news agency SABA reported that Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi carried out a phone call with Commander of Khawkhah Ahmed al-Kawkabani to be briefed on the updates and general condition in the battle field. Yemeni President commended efforts of soldiers and officers who are conducting a battle of dignity, backed by the Saudi-led Coalition.

In the same context, official in Houthis militia Radwan Salah along with four of his companions were reported killed, according to army sources in Taiz.

The legit government and pro-forces seek to expand the scope of military operations against Houthis, exploiting the rage against the militia after it turned against its ally former president Ali Saleh and executed him with dozens of officials from his party and from the Yemeni Republican Guard.

Eye witnesses reported that Houthis moved on with their military reinforcements in Sana’a, due to concerns from the rage following the death of Saleh along with other executions. For that, Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid bin Dagher urged governors of liberated provinces to receive displaced leaders and members of General People's Congress (GPC) who are part of the national revolution against the Houthis.

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Arab World

Attack on Iraqi Intelligence HQ Ends Opportunities for Dialogue between Govt, Armed Factions

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visits the intelligence HQ in Baghdad on Sunday after Saturday's attack. (Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visits the intelligence HQ in Baghdad on Sunday after Saturday's attack. (Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office)
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Attack on Iraqi Intelligence HQ Ends Opportunities for Dialogue between Govt, Armed Factions

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visits the intelligence HQ in Baghdad on Sunday after Saturday's attack. (Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visits the intelligence HQ in Baghdad on Sunday after Saturday's attack. (Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani slammed on Sunday the attack by a “cowardly” armed faction against an intelligence headquarters in Baghdad.

His position effectively puts an end to opportunities to hold dialogue between his government and the factions to stop their attacks on various US interests in Iraq and Kurdistan in solidarity with Iran in its war with Washington and Tel Aviv.

One officer was killed and other intelligence personnel were wounded in Saturday’s drone attack.

Sudani called on the political forces to take a “clear and frank” stance against the attacks on state institutions, a reference to some members of the pro-Iran Shiite Coordination Framework that have yet to make their position clear about the attacks.

The factions continue to target the US embassy in Baghdad and have struck a diplomatic logistics support base affiliated with the embassy at Baghdad airport and the US consulate in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil.

Sudani visited the intelligence headquarters on Sunday, urging the concerned agencies to investigate the “heinous terrorist” attack.

He called on them to not hesitate in exposing the truth and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“The perpetrators are a cowardly group that have violated Iraqi blood and state institutions. Whoever dares to do so does not represent Iraq. There can be no justification for this crime,” he added.

“The government is acting wisely and responsibly, but it will not stand idly as the country’s higher interests are violated,” he went on to say.

Sudani called on the political forces to “assume their responsibilities and issue clear and frank statements against the violations that are gambling with the future of the country.”

“Some party gave itself the right to control decisions of war and peace. We declare that this decision is the state’s alone. It alone sets and protects Iraq’s interests,” he stressed.

The national intelligence agency said outlaws had carried out Saturday's “terrorist” attack.

Sudani also denied reports that he had tasked national security advisor Qasim al-Araji to hold dialogue with the armed factions to make them stop attacks on US interests and residential neighborhoods in Baghdad.

Arab World

Army Chief: Israel to 'Advance Targeted Ground Operations' in Lebanon

People inspect a crater following an Israeli airstrike that hit the Qasmiyeh Bridge near the coastal city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
People inspect a crater following an Israeli airstrike that hit the Qasmiyeh Bridge near the coastal city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
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Army Chief: Israel to 'Advance Targeted Ground Operations' in Lebanon

People inspect a crater following an Israeli airstrike that hit the Qasmiyeh Bridge near the coastal city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)
People inspect a crater following an Israeli airstrike that hit the Qasmiyeh Bridge near the coastal city of Tyre, Lebanon, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zaatari)

Israel's military will expand its ground operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, its army chief said Sunday, warning that the offensive against the group was still in its early stages.

"The operation against the Hezbollah terrorist organization has only begun... This is a prolonged operation," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

"We are now preparing to advance the targeted ground operations and strikes according to an organized plan," he added.

Zamir's comments came as Israel struck more targets in south Lebanon on Sunday, including a key bridge, triggering a warning from the Lebanese president that it could be launching a full ground invasion.

Destroying bridges further isolates residents from the rest of Lebanon.

The destruction of bridges and homes marks a significant escalation in Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, which was pulled into the regional war on March 2 when Hezbollah fired into Israeli territory.

Sunday's strike damaged a crossing on Lebanon's coastal highway that runs through farmland and is one of the main routes linking southern and central Lebanon.

An Israeli military spokesperson had ‌announced the army would ‌strike the Qasmiyeh bridge earlier on Sunday.

Smoke and flames rise after an Israeli strike targeting the Qasmiyeh Bridge near Tyre, in southern Lebanon, 22 March 2026. EPA/STRINGER

Israel has sent troops into Lebanon and carried out extensive airstrikes, while Hezbollah has launched rocket barrages.

"In recent weeks, we have achieved significant accomplishments: we have struck more than 2,000 targets, dozens of weapons storage facilities, and struck and eliminated hundreds of terrorists," Zamir said.

"We will not stop until the threat is pushed away from the border and long term security is ensured for the residents of northern Israel," he added.

Lebanese authorities say Israel's strikes have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 1 million.

Arab World

Israel Probing if Own Forces Killed Civilian on Lebanon Border

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, March 22, 2026. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, March 22, 2026. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
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Israel Probing if Own Forces Killed Civilian on Lebanon Border

Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, March 22, 2026. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
Smoke rises after an Israeli strike, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Marjayoun, Lebanon, March 22, 2026. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher

Israel's military said it was investigating whether its own fire killed an Israeli civilian near the Lebanese border on Sunday, after Hezbollah claimed an attack in the same area.

Israeli emergency workers said earlier Sunday that a man was killed in a "direct hit" on his car by a rocket from Lebanon, making him the first fatality in the country's north since the latest round of fighting with Hezbollah broke out.

The Iran-backed militant group said after the incident that its fighters had attacked Israeli soldiers in the same area.

But the Israeli army later announced it was "conducting a comprehensive investigation" into the death, AFP reported.

"The possibility that the incident involved fire originating from IDF soldiers is being examined," the military said in a statement.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Israeli-US attacks.

Israel has sent troops into Lebanon and carried out extensive airstrikes in the country, while Hezbollah continues to fire rocket barrages across the border.