Yemen’s Hadi Says Riyadh Agreement Would Unite Front against Coup Militias

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, AFP
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, AFP
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Yemen’s Hadi Says Riyadh Agreement Would Unite Front against Coup Militias

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, AFP
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, AFP

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi stressed the need to expedite the process of implementing the Riyadh Agreement, signed between the internationally recognized government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Hadi argued that implementing the Riyadh Agreement would unite Yemeni parties and efforts to confront the Houthi coupist militias.

In his address on the 57th anniversary of the 14th October revolution on Tuesday, Hadi revealed that work is underway on a strategy for resuming the activities of all public institutions.

“Despite the woes of the war, work is underway to implement an integrated strategy aimed at restoring state agencies and institutions by implementing the Riyadh Agreement,” Hadi said.

The president also praised Saudi Arabia for spending great efforts to sponsor and ensure the implementation of the deal.

In July, Saudi Arabia presented a mechanism to accelerate the implementation of the agreement between the government and the STC. The two sides had agreed to form a power-sharing government and pull forces out of main cities.

Hadi said he hoped that the terms of the Riyadh Agreement are swiftly implemented to better focus and unite efforts against Houthi insurgent militias.

Implementing the agreement, according to Hadi, would also give state institutions the opportunity to carry out their responsibilities in serving Yemenis.

“The suffering of the people requires that everyone rises to the level of responsibility,” he noted.

Ever since he assumed office, Hadi has worked to consolidate the bonds of national unity and overcome the repercussions of the country’s political crisis.

“Everyone's dream was embodied in leaving conflict in the past and building a just federal state,” he affirmed.

Hadi accused Iran-backed Houthis of seeking to abort the national project through rebelling against the state and popular consensus in the country.

Houthis have gone far in waging war against multiple Yemeni governorates in hopes of emboldening Iran-inspired Houthi dynasty rule.



Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.