Yemen Calls for Collective International Action to Deter Houthi Terrorism

 A Houthi drone was brought down a few days ago in the Khokha area, south of Hodeidah (Yemeni Military Media)
A Houthi drone was brought down a few days ago in the Khokha area, south of Hodeidah (Yemeni Military Media)
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Yemen Calls for Collective International Action to Deter Houthi Terrorism

 A Houthi drone was brought down a few days ago in the Khokha area, south of Hodeidah (Yemeni Military Media)
A Houthi drone was brought down a few days ago in the Khokha area, south of Hodeidah (Yemeni Military Media)

The Yemeni government urged the international community to take collective action to deter the Houthi militia terrorism, saying condemnation statements shouldn't be enough. This came following a Houthi attack using drone against an oil terminal in eastern Yemen.

The attack targeted Al Dabba oil terminal, near the port city of Mukalla in Hadhramaut governorate. On Monday, the Yemeni army announced that it had intercepted Houthi drones targeting Al Dabba while a ship was present to transport a shipment of oil.

Nevertheless, the army confirmed that one of the drones had hit the cargo platform in the oil terminal and caused material damage.

The terminal was the target of another assault by the Houthis last month as the Iran-backed militia continues to extort the internationally recognized government for sharing crude oil revenues from liberated areas in Hadhramaut and Shabwah.

“Continued targeting of civilian objects and national economic facilities by terrorist Houthi militias represents a dangerous escalation that would exacerbate the humanitarian situation and threaten energy supplies, freedom and safety of navigation and international trade,” the government warned in a statement.

The government described the Houthi attack as “criminal,” stressing that they represent a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.

“Houthi attacks are carried out in blatant disregard for the catastrophic humanitarian, environmental and economic repercussions that ensue,” the government’s statement added.

The Yemeni government also renewed its call for the international community to move from condemning the terrorist acts of the Houthis to collective action to curb the group’s destabilizing activities.

The Yemeni government also demanded Houthis be designated as a terrorist organization, demanding more pressure on the Iranian regime to stop its destabilizing interference in the region.



Israeli Airstrikes in South Lebanon Signal Shift with Use of Bunker-Busting Bombs

Thick smoke rises over Nabatieh as a result of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the area (EPA). 
Thick smoke rises over Nabatieh as a result of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the area (EPA). 
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Israeli Airstrikes in South Lebanon Signal Shift with Use of Bunker-Busting Bombs

Thick smoke rises over Nabatieh as a result of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the area (EPA). 
Thick smoke rises over Nabatieh as a result of intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the area (EPA). 

In a sharp escalation of military activity, Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon in recent days have carried significant military and political signals—most notably the unprecedented use of bunker-busting bombs in the area.

According to defense analysts, the deployment of such high-impact munitions marks a turning point in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, targeting suspected underground infrastructure in the mountainous regions near the city of Nabatieh. These types of bombs had previously only been used in high-profile assassinations of Hezbollah figures, including former secretaries-general Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddin.

The Israeli military claimed the strikes destroyed Hezbollah tunnels, though the announcement has sparked debate over the accuracy and intent of the operation. The area struck is densely populated, and while Hezbollah is known to construct tunnels in remote areas such as valleys and hills, some experts argue that mountainous terrain is ideal for such activities.

“Tunnels are often built into mountains due to the ease of excavation and movement, as well as the ability to conceal entrances and exits,” said Brig. Gen. Khalil Helou, a retired military strategist. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he noted that the intensification of Israeli operations in the south is not only militarily significant but also sends a strategic message to Tehran and to US-Iran nuclear negotiators.

“This could be part of a broader preparation for a major military confrontation with Iran,” Helou said, referencing recent remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that Iran would face the same fate as its regional proxies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.

The Israeli claims appear to align with Hezbollah’s own disclosures. In a video released in the summer of 2024 titled “Our Mountains Are Our Storehouses,” Hezbollah showcased vast tunnel systems in southern Lebanon capable of accommodating vehicles and fighters. One such network, dubbed “Imad 4,” was named after Hezbollah’s former military chief Imad Mughniyeh, who was assassinated by Israel in Damascus in 2008.

Brig. Gen. Hassan Jouni, a defense and security expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s use of deep-penetrating munitions signals a new phase in its targeting strategy. “These are no longer symbolic strikes,” he said. “They reflect a belief that Hezbollah has built strategic underground infrastructure, weapons depots, and possibly command centers in these areas.”

Analysts say Israel is seeking to reshape the strategic landscape in Lebanon ahead of—or in defiance of—a possible nuclear deal between the US and Iran. Helou believes the strikes are intended to deliver a strong message that Israel will not be bound by any diplomatic agreement between Washington and Tehran.

He also said the military pressure is designed to raise public dissatisfaction within Hezbollah’s support base and increase pressure on Lebanese leaders to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the extension of state authority north of the Litani River.

“Israel wants to keep the initiative and maintain the upper hand,” Helou said. “Its goal is to force Hezbollah into a defensive posture and dictate the terms of engagement.”