Member of Yemeni Presidential Leadership: The Battle is Existential with Houthis

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
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Member of Yemeni Presidential Leadership: The Battle is Existential with Houthis

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh, described the battle with the Houthi militias as an existential battle on all levels, referring to the "banditry" of its leaders and their attempts to wipe out the Yemeni identity.

The official media quoted Saleh as confirming that the battle with the Houthi militia would continue at various levels.

During a meeting with residents in the Yakhtel area of the al-Makha district, Saleh said the battle with the Houthi militia is "an existential battle against ignorance, poverty, disease, and backwardness."

The official explained that all Yemenis meet on significant issues. Still, Houthis are attempting to erase them, noting that Sanaa streets became a copy of the streets of Iran with pictures of the leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Saleh, the nephew of the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, described the leaders of the Houthi militia as "a group of thieves" who sought to plunder people's lands and property.

Meanwhile, the UN and its envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, aim to reach permanent solutions to the Yemeni crisis based on regional momentum and relative calm.

Yemeni political circles believe the Houthi militia will not give up its coup and gains, including the heavy weapons they looted from the Yemeni army's warehouses.

However, observers do not rule out the return of a new round of fighting if the militia continues its intransigence and economic war against the Yemeni government.

During his last briefing to the Security Council, Grundberg urged the Yemeni parties to seize the regional momentum to reach a comprehensive political settlement, expressing his concern over the possibility of a return to violence after months of relative calm.

The envoy emphasized that "despite the dire economic and humanitarian situation, Yemen is still benefiting from the achievements of the Truce. But of course, all Yemenis I have talked to hope for a comprehensive resolution of the conflict."

He indicated that even though the overall military situation in Yemen remains relatively stable, "I am concerned by the uptick in the number and the intensity of clashes in several frontline areas, particularly the fronts in Marib and Taiz."

He called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint during this critical time, including refraining from escalatory public rhetoric, to avoid destabilizing the situation.

Grundberg urged the Yemeni parties to seize the opportunity of renewed regional momentum, referring to the Saudi-Iranian agreement, to maintain a conducive environment for discussions and to allow the time and space needed for the talks to bear fruit.

He warned: "Impatience at this juncture risks a return to a cycle of violence and risks unraveling what has been achieved so far."

Notably, the Yemeni government accuses Iran of supporting the Houthi coup and funding them to control the country by force. It also says they continue to wage military, economic, and cultural war, threatening international navigation and the global economy.

Despite the optimism in Yemen after the Saudi-Iranian agreement, some observers believe it would constitute a gateway to isolating the Houthis from Iran, leading to a settlement and ending the conflict.

However, others believe the Houthi militia will not stop its project to seize power in the country by force and further establish the coup.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.