Yemen Complains to UN, Lebanon over Hezbollah’s Hostile Stances, Houthi Support

Houthi militias in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthi militias in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
TT
20

Yemen Complains to UN, Lebanon over Hezbollah’s Hostile Stances, Houthi Support

Houthi militias in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthi militias in Sanaa, Yemen. (Reuters)

The Yemeni government filed on Wednesday a complaint to the Lebanese government protesting the “Hezbollah” party’s support for the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

“Hezbollah”, which is also backed by Iran, has been accused by the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen of providing arms to the Houthis.

The Yemeni government condemned “Hezbollah” chief Hassan Nasrallah for recently calling on the Lebanese people to support the Houthis against the legitimate government of President Abdrabbou Mansour Hadi.

The message was sent by Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani to his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil.

Yamani lamented that “Hezbollah” had harmed Lebanon’s strong ties with Yemen through its training, plotting, incitement and support of the Houthi militia that had staged a coup against the legitimate Yemeni authorities in 2014 in pursuit of an Iranian expansionist agenda.

“Hezbollah’s” support for the Houthis was evident during a speech by Nasrallah on June 29 in which he expressed his party’s readiness and desire to fight in Yemen alongside the Houthis against the internationally-recognized legitimate government, continued the minister.

Yamani condemned this “unjustified hostile” stance as blatant violation in Yemen’s internal affairs that will only lead to “major damage to its higher interest and national security, fan the flames of war and prolong its crisis.”

He stressed that the Yemeni government reserves its right to raise this issue at the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and United Nations Security Council, all of which call for respecting the sovereignty of states.

Yamani had informed Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the complaint would be referred to the Security Council.

Yemen’s Ambassador to the United States and UN Dr. Ahmed Awadh bin Mubarak later confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the complaint was indeed sent to the Council.

Meanwhile, an official from the Lebanese foreign ministry told Asharq Al-Awsat that it had not yet received the formal complaint.

It added that Bassil was abroad and could not comment on the development, “which we only heard about from the media.”

“We will make a stance when we receive it through official channels,” he added.



US Sends Beirut ‘Warning’ and ‘Incentive’ Over Hezbollah Arms

US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
TT
20

US Sends Beirut ‘Warning’ and ‘Incentive’ Over Hezbollah Arms

US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)
US special envoy Tom Barrack (Reuters)

US special envoy Tom Barrack delivered a dual message of “incentive” and “warning” to the Lebanese capital this week, urging swift action on the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons.

“You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn’t move, it’s going to be Bilad Al Sham again,” he said, using the historical name for the Syria region.

The remarks sparked alarm within Lebanon’s political establishment, with some interpreting the comments as a blunt warning of “existential danger.”

Government sources told Asharq al-Awsat that Barrack, who also serves as Washington’s ambassador to Türkiye and was previously tasked with Syria policy, appears to be approaching the Lebanon and Syria files through a unified lens.

“Barrack believes that Lebanon should follow the same diplomatic path as Syria,” one official said, referring to Damascus' recent re-engagement with regional and international actors. “But he also understands Lebanon’s complex political terrain.”

Barrack’s comments about Lebanon potentially “returning to Bilad Al Sham” provoked criticism across the political spectrum, prompting him to clarify his position in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“My comments yesterday praised Syria’s impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon,” wrote Barrack.

“I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by President Donald Trump lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,” he added.

He said Syria’s leadership is “seeking coexistence and shared prosperity with Lebanon based on sovereign equality,” and stressed that the United States supports a bilateral relationship that promotes “peace, prosperity, and mutual respect” between the two nations.

“I can assure that Syria’s leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,” said Barrack.

Barrack, in the context of disarming Hezbollah, had stated that a successful approach requires a combination of "carrots and sticks". This means using both positive incentives (carrots) and negative consequences (sticks) to achieve the desired outcome.

Barrack’s recent warning to Lebanon reflects the “stick” Washington is wielding, while his unprecedented acknowledgment of Hezbollah’s dual structure signals the “carrot” being offered.

“This is the first time a US official publicly distinguishes between Hezbollah’s political and military wings,” one source told Asharq al-Awsat.

“It’s a message of inducement aimed directly at Hezbollah, despite the fact that Washington has long treated both branches as inseparable and placed them under the same sanctions regime,” they explained.

In remarks to the press, Barrack reiterated the US designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, but added nuance rarely heard from senior American officials.