Houthi Attacks in Taiz Undermine Yemen Truce

A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
TT

Houthi Attacks in Taiz Undermine Yemen Truce

A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)
A displaced Yemeni passes makeshift shelters at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, 29 April 2022. (EPA)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias carried out on Wednesday attacks in the Taiz province in a move that undermines the two-month nationwide truce.

The Houthis shelled Taiz neighborhoods and launched attacks using armed drones, drawing government condemnation and warnings that the UN-sponsored truce was at risk.

Witnesses said a drone attack in eastern Taiz city left at least 10 people wounded and caused panic among locals, who were celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The shelling targeted a police building in the city.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak slammed the attacks as a "flagrant violation of international and humanitarian laws and the UN truce."

In a tweet, he warned the Houthis against squandering the opportunity for peace presented by the truce, saying they will be held accountable if it failed.

Wednesday's attack sparked outrage among the people because it targeted civilian locations. The attack struck areas that are located close to a local park, cancer patients hospital, sports club and university faculty.

The Mayyun rights organization condemned the deadly attack that it said was carried out by armed drones and targeted a busy street.

It warned that the truce was being threatened by the Houthis' "blatant violation".

It noted that this was not the first violation to take place in Taiz, saying the Houthis had carried out mortar attacks against neighborhoods, leaving civilian casualties.

The latest attack raised questions about the Houthis' commitment to the truce, added the organization.

It underlined the need for the UN to maintain its firm efforts with the Houthis, warning the militia leaders of the humanitarian consequences should they lead to the truce' failure.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
TT

Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.