Taiz Governor Survives Houthi Drone Attack

 Part of an official nYemeni meeting in the city of Mocha (Saba News Agency)
Part of an official nYemeni meeting in the city of Mocha (Saba News Agency)
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Taiz Governor Survives Houthi Drone Attack

 Part of an official nYemeni meeting in the city of Mocha (Saba News Agency)
Part of an official nYemeni meeting in the city of Mocha (Saba News Agency)

The governor of Yemen’s southwestern province of Taiz, Nabil Shamsan, escaped a Houthi drone attack that targeted his convoy upon his return from a visit to the port city of Mocha on Saturday. At the same time, Houthis have been expanding their efforts to take over the Hareb district of Marib province.

According to observers, the assassination attempt coupled with the escalation in Marib suggest that the Houthis will be returning to wider military hostilities to secure new gains in Yemen.

The Houthi drone attack killed one of Shamsan’s bodyguards and injured two others. Observers warned that this murder attempt could derail a new prisoner exchange agreement brewing in Switzerland.

Muammar Al-Eryani, Yemen’s information minister, condemned the Houthis for targeting the convoy while it was travelling from the Red Sea town of Mocha to Taiz.

Eryani noted that the drone used in the attack was made in Iran.

“This sinful targeting, which comes in the wake of the terrorist Houthi militia’s continuous escalation on multiple fronts, confirms its insistence on sabotaging efforts to restore the ceasefire and calm the situation,” the minister said on Twitter.

EHe ryani had earlier warned that large-scale military operations would resume throughout the nation if the Houthis continued their assaults on government soldiers, particularly in the central province of Marib.

“Besides the targeting of the governor of Taiz being a cowardly terrorist attack, it proves that Houthis have no consideration for Islam’s holy month of fasting, Ramadan,” said the minister, insisting that Houthis are the sole beneficiary of the protracted war in Yemen.

Eryani called on the UN, the permanent members of the UN Security Council and the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, to break their silence on recent Houthi escalation and condemn the Iran-backed group for its terror activities.

He also urged pressuring Houthi militias and listing the group and its leadership in international terrorism blacklists.



Türkiye Intensifies Steps to Establish Air Base East of Homs

Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
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Türkiye Intensifies Steps to Establish Air Base East of Homs

Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 

Türkiye is accelerating preparations to establish an airbase in the city of Palmyra, east of Homs, following an announcement by its Ministry of Defense last week that it is considering a request from the Syrian administration in Damascus to set up a base for training purposes.

Reports indicate that Turkish military convoys carrying equipment entered northern Syria overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, likely transporting logistical supplies and gear to the “T4” airbase in Palmyra.

The pro-government Turkish newspaper “Türkiye” reported on Wednesday that the country has taken official steps to take control of the Tiyas Military Airbase—also known as Tiyas Airport, T4 Airbase —located near the village of Tiyas, about 60 kilometers east of Palmyra in Homs province.

According to the report, Türkiye plans to establish a multi-layered air defense system at the base, incorporating domestically produced weapons. Additionally, Ankara intends to deploy reconnaissance drones and armed UAVs with advanced strike capabilities. The goal is to enhance the country’s counterterrorism efforts against ISIS while also deterring potential Israeli airstrikes in the region.

Some sources suggest that Türkiye may also consider deploying the Russian S-400 air defense system, which it acquired in the summer of 2019.

Retired Turkish Brigadier General Fahri Erenel stated that Ankara plans to take significant steps in Syria in April. He mentioned that after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a defense agreement was negotiated with the Syrian interim government. Under this agreement, Türkiye would provide air support and military protection to the new Syrian administration.

Israeli Concerns

Israel is deeply concerned about Türkiye’s growing cooperation with Damascus and its efforts to expand its military presence in Syria.

An Israeli security official, speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, described the potential establishment of a Turkish military base in Syria as a “possible threat” to Israel. The official, whose name was not disclosed, warned that a Turkish airbase in Syria would undermine Israel’s operational freedom and was therefore something Tel Aviv opposed.

On Friday, the Israeli military announced that it had targeted what it described as “strategic military capabilities” at Syrian army bases in Palmyra and the T4 airbase. The Israeli official indicated that the strike on T4 was a message that Israel would not tolerate any obstacles to its air operations in Syria.