Houthis Detain Yemeni Vice President’s Son

Yemen's late former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Reuters
Yemen's late former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Reuters
TT

Houthis Detain Yemeni Vice President’s Son

Yemen's late former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Reuters
Yemen's late former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Reuters

Houthi militia stormed on Friday the home of Yemeni Vice President General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar and kidnapped his son Mohsen Ali Mohsen along with dozens of house guards, sources in Sana’a said.

Ahmar’s office and Houthis did not confirm or deny the news that were reported by Arabiya. Net.

On the other hand, Houthi militia released Saturday two prominent tribal leaders with a number of their followers, who were arrested on charges of participating in the uprising called for by former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on December 2, that ended up with Saleh’s death and his relatives’ injury along with hundreds of his supporters.

Observers said that Houthis might have taken this step to please “Hashid” tribe since the first leader was a communications minister in the unrecognized coup government and a leader in the Popular Congress Party; he was overthrown by Houthis after Saleh’s death and was held in one of their detention camps after being accused of supporting the uprising.

The other detainee was a tribal leader with a close relationship with the former president, and the militias blew up his house after looting it and arresting a number of his followers.

According to the Houthi version of Saba News Agency, Head of the coup Houthi Supreme Political Council Saleh al-Samad received Saturday in Amran Governorate’s elders and Hashid tribe’s sheikhs and praised their roles in standing with the group in the face of what he called “aggression.”

Samad ordered the release of Sheikh Glidan Mahmoud Glidan and Sheikh Mabkhouth al-Mashreqi.

Meanwhile, and after forty days of killing former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Houthi militia suppressed in Sana’a Saturday protests carried out by women to denounce the coup militia.

The protest, which reached to Tahrir Square in central Sana’a, called for "civil disobedience" in response to the Houthi violations.

The participants demanded that the Houthi militias hand over the corps of Saleh, of whom the houthis spread rumors that they have buried it in his hometown earlier this month.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
TT

Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.