Yemen: Legitimate Army Advances in Saada, Considers Taiz a Priority

Pro-Houthi fighters. AFP Mohammed Huwais
Pro-Houthi fighters. AFP Mohammed Huwais
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Yemen: Legitimate Army Advances in Saada, Considers Taiz a Priority

Pro-Houthi fighters. AFP Mohammed Huwais
Pro-Houthi fighters. AFP Mohammed Huwais

Yemen’s Armed Forces on Tuesday advanced in the province of Saada, tightening their grip on rebel militias’ main stronghold.

The Yemeni army, supported by Arab coalition jets, surprised militias by opening a new front in Saada and by succeeding for the first time in liberating strategic positions in several areas in Razeh district.

Military sources said that government forces were able to liberate a mountain range and positions located in Razeh after fierce confrontations with Houthi rebels.

The sources added that the Yemeni forces are now four kilometers away from the district’s center.

At the political level, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher met on Tuesday with the new governor of Taiz, Amin Mahmoud.

They discussed the security, administrative and humanitarian situation in Taiz, in addition to the operation aimed at completing the liberation of remaining areas in the governorate, official government sources said.

Bin Dagher condemned the immense violations committed by “Iranian rebel militias” against the people of Taiz.

The Prime Minister said the insurgents were using their war on Yemen to destroy the country’s infrastructure, kill its children and women and target public and private businesses.

“The complete liberation of Taiz remains an utmost priority,” he added.

Separately, Houthi militias on Tuesday anticipated the Yemeni parliament session to be held in the city of Aden next month, by announcing that the rebel’s “council” in Sana’a will resume holding its sessions on Saturday under the chairmanship of Yahya al-Rai.

The council meeting is part of the militias’ continuous attempts to impose pro-Houthi versions of Yemeni legitimate institutions.

Last Sunday, bin Daghr said that the Yemeni Parliament would hold a session next month in Aden to approve the budget and reorganize the legislative branch in the country.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.