Imminent Fall of Remaining Key Houthi Pockets West of Taiz

Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
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Imminent Fall of Remaining Key Houthi Pockets West of Taiz

Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
Yemeni government forces. AP file photo

Yemeni Joint Forces backed by the Arab Coalition succeeded on Sunday to secure al-Hayma seaport of At-Tuhayata on the Red Sea and to liberate al-Qataba region south of the Hodeida governorate.

Meanwhile, Houthis were dealt a severe blow west of Taiz, where Yemeni forces tightened their grip on the remaining rebel pockets in the town of al-Burh.

The military development came two days after the Tehami resistance, the Giant Brigades and the National Resistance led by Tariq Mohammad Abdullah Saleh mounted a largescale military operation to liberate Hodeida from the grips of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias.

The forces terminated the presence of rebels in areas west and southwest of Taiz, including al-Waziya directorate, Mozza and Al-Omari military camp.

Yemeni forces also regained control of Kahboub mountainous area, as the Iran-backed Houthis fled to neighboring villages.

Field sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that battles to regain territory north of Hodeida from the directorates of al-Khawkha and Habas intensified on Sunday after Yemeni Joint Forces deployed in the districts of al-Jarahi and Tahita, controlling the local al-Hayma seaport.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Tariq Saleh’s military media said: “The Giant Brigades have liberated al-Hayma seaport.”

This victory coincided with the complete clearing of the nearby al-Qataba area from Houthi militias.

Yemen’s National Army also advanced Sunday in al-Burh area, and surrounded the city from three directions, as Coalition forces fiercely shelled remaining Houthi positions in the city.

Military observers told Asharq Al-Awsat they expect that Houthi forces would collapse in al-Burh town and other pockets located 40 kilometers away from the east of Taiz city.

“By liberating the town of al-Burh, Yemeni forces would have taken from Houthis their most important pocket west of Taiz,” the observers said.



Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian Official and Bodyguard in East Lebanon

Lebanese soldiers and civilians inspect the wreckage of a car following an Israeli drone strike along the international highway between Sidon and Tyre, in the town of Ansariyeh, southern Lebanon, 08 August 2025. EPA/STRINGER
Lebanese soldiers and civilians inspect the wreckage of a car following an Israeli drone strike along the international highway between Sidon and Tyre, in the town of Ansariyeh, southern Lebanon, 08 August 2025. EPA/STRINGER
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Israeli Airstrike Kills Palestinian Official and Bodyguard in East Lebanon

Lebanese soldiers and civilians inspect the wreckage of a car following an Israeli drone strike along the international highway between Sidon and Tyre, in the town of Ansariyeh, southern Lebanon, 08 August 2025. EPA/STRINGER
Lebanese soldiers and civilians inspect the wreckage of a car following an Israeli drone strike along the international highway between Sidon and Tyre, in the town of Ansariyeh, southern Lebanon, 08 August 2025. EPA/STRINGER

An Israeli airstrike on eastern Lebanon killed a number of people, including a senior member of a Palestinian group and his bodyguard as they were on their way to Syria, news reports and his group said Friday.

The Thursday afternoon airstrike near the Lebanese border crossing of Masnaa killed Mohammed Wishah, a member of the central committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the group said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

Senior PFLP official Marwan Abdel-Al mourned in a post on social media the death of Wishah and his bodyguard, Mufid Hussein. “We have lost two of the most loyal comrades who gave their precious souls to freedom,” Abdel-Al wrote, according to The Associated Press.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said the airstrike on east Lebanon killed six people and wounded 10, without identifying the victims.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, Israel has targeted Palestinian officials in Lebanon, including PFLP members. Three FPLP members were killed in an airstrike on a Beirut apartment last September.

A FPLP official said Wishah had been in Lebanon to meet with other officials with the group and was on his way back to Syria when the airstrike happened. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to the media.

The PFLP statement said Wishah was born in the Gaza Strip in 1954 and spent five years in Israeli jails shortly after he joined the Palestinian group in 1973.

On Friday morning, an Israeli drone strike hit a car in a coastal highway in south Lebanon killing citizen journalist Mohammed Shehadeh, NNA said.

Since the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war ended, Israel has carried out scores of airstrikes on Lebanon mainly targeting Hezbollah members.