Houthi Vehicles Destroyed Off Saudi Borders

Armed Houthi militants shout slogans during a demonstration in support of the militia in Sanaa. Reuters
Armed Houthi militants shout slogans during a demonstration in support of the militia in Sanaa. Reuters
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Houthi Vehicles Destroyed Off Saudi Borders

Armed Houthi militants shout slogans during a demonstration in support of the militia in Sanaa. Reuters
Armed Houthi militants shout slogans during a demonstration in support of the militia in Sanaa. Reuters

Fighter jets of the Saudi-led Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen destroyed equipment and vehicles belonging to the Houthi coup militia off the Yemeni-Saudi border.

This came at a time when the fighters of the coalition continue to launch air raids, supporting the National Army, targeting the sites, gatherings and reinforcements of the coup in different parts of various Yemeni cities, where the elements of the coup are the target.

These cities and areas include Nahm, al-Jawf, Taiz, al-Baydah, western coast and Amran, where the coalition forces targeted Friday morning sites and gatherings of the insurgents in Jabal Suda Adan in Al Sarih Directorate, and similar locations in Huth, causing great casualties and materialistic losses.

According to an Al Arabiya correspondent, drone planes discovered three Houthi military vehicles carrying explosive mines and missiles.

The militia had attempted to transport the equipment towards the Saudi border, said the correspondent.

All three targets were destroyed and on-board militants were killed.

Meanwhile, the Arab coalition’s artillery destroyed 12 different targets including dens and barracks belonging to the militias within the Yemeni border.

As such, 15 militia members were killed, while ammunition, weapons and solar power sites used to generate their electricity were also destroyed.

On the other hand, a number of sites in the western front witnessed fierce fighting between the forces of the national army and Houthi militants, following the attempt from the coupers to infiltrate into the positions of the National Army.

Commander in the National Army Abdullah al-Sharabi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the forces of Brigade 22 Mika fought fierce battles against the Houthi militias east of the city.

He said that they thwarted schemes by the coup to achieve progress or recover lost sites while retaliating for the loss by shelling a number of residential neighborhoods from the positions stationed in the outskirts of the city.



Mina Camp Opens for Hajj Pilgrims ahead of Day of Arafat

A view of the Mina camp. (SPA)
A view of the Mina camp. (SPA)
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Mina Camp Opens for Hajj Pilgrims ahead of Day of Arafat

A view of the Mina camp. (SPA)
A view of the Mina camp. (SPA)

Pilgrims began streaming into the valley of Mina early Tuesday to mark the beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage, spending the Day of Tarwiyah on Wednesday in line with the traditions of the Prophet Mohammed.

White tents have been prepared to receive the faithful, as Saudi authorities roll out a wide range of services to ensure pilgrims can perform their rituals safely and smoothly.

Crowds will swell further on Thursday, when some 2.5 million worshippers are expected to converge on Mount Arafat – the pinnacle of the Hajj – for the most sacred rite of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims will listen to the Day of Arafat sermon and perform shortened noon and afternoon prayers before departing at sunset.

Strict measures

The Ministry of Interior reminded the public that access to the holy sites is restricted to those with official Hajj permits. Security forces, backed by aerial surveillance, are deployed across main highways, mountain paths, and rural roads to intercept unauthorized entrants and enforce regulations.

Authorities warned that transporting pilgrims without permits is a punishable offense. Entry points into Makkah and the holy sites are tightly monitored to prevent violations, with penalties in place for anyone attempting to bypass security measures.

Safety protocols in place

Regulations also prohibit raising political or sectarian flags and chanting slogans within the holy sites. Pilgrims are instructed not to block walkways or sit along designated pedestrian routes.

Worshippers are urged to carry personal identification, wear face masks within the Grand Mosque and holy sites, and avoid bringing sharp objects, oversized luggage, or extra garments such as blankets and spare Ihram clothes into the Haram.

Saudi Arabia, which has ramped up preparations to host one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, says these measures are vital to ensure the safety, security, and spiritual focus of the Hajj.

Tightened regulations

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, underscored the importance of compliance with official guidelines for movement within the holy sites, stressing that such measures are crucial to safeguarding pilgrims and ensuring a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience.

“This year, there will be strict enforcement to verify that every pilgrim holds a valid Hajj permit,” Al-Rabiah said, underscoring efforts to boost the overall quality and safety of the pilgrimage.

He also emphasized the significance of the Nusuk card, calling it a key tool in organizing pilgrim movements. “Anyone without the card will not be allowed entry into the Grand Mosque, the holy sites, or access to transportation,” he stressed.

Health conditions ‘reassuring’

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Ministry of Health spokesperson Eng. Khaled Al-Taleb announced that the overall health situation among pilgrims is stable and reassuring.

More than 50,000 medical and technical staff are deployed this season, supported by three mobile field hospitals and 71 emergency response stations. The ministry has also increased hospital bed capacity by 60% compared to last year, and has delivered over 98,000 healthcare services so far.