Bin Mubarak Affirms Yemeni Support for Egypt’s Water Security

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Bin Mubarak Affirms Yemeni Support for Egypt’s Water Security

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received on Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak and discussed a number of bilateral and regional files.

The Yemeni minister's visit to Cairo came days after Bin Mubarak had visited Ethiopia, from where he delivered statements that drove controversy between Egypt and Yemen.

In Addis Ababa last month, the Yemeni Minister affirmed “the solidarity of Yemen and its support for all the steps taken by the Ethiopian government in order to move the wheel of development.”

His statements may have led to the imposition of new restrictions for the entry of Yemenis to Egypt, including obtaining visas in advance and reducing the length of stay.

During his meeting with Shoukry on Thursday, the Yemeni Minister stressed his country’s full support for Egypt in the face of challenges, topped by the water security issue, which is part of the Arab national security.

Bin Mubarak also commended Egypt's firm supportive stance towards Yemen's legitimate government and its endeavors to reach a political settlement that restores security and stability to the country and alleviates the acute humanitarian crises.

The Yemeni top diplomat also conveyed a message, from President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi to President Abdel Fattah Sisi, on ways of advancing bilateral relations in different fields, said Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The spokesman stated that Shoukry voiced appreciation for Yemen's keenness to coordinate with Cairo and keep it informed of the latest developments on the crisis there.

He then emphasized Egypt's backing of the legitimate Yemeni government and the endeavors to extend the UN truce in Yemen, as well as Cairo's encouragement for all efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive and sustainable political solution that is agreed upon by various Yemeni parties.

The two foreign ministers also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, including the convening of the joint committee between the two countries and upgrading the level of bilateral relations through the political consultation mechanism at the level of the Egyptian and Yemeni ministries of foreign affairs.

Shoukry then affirmed the care and good hospitality enjoyed by the Yemeni community in Egypt, their second country. He added that Egyptian citizens are receiving the same treatment in many service sectors such as education and health as part of the historical ties and firm bonds that bind the two brotherly countries and peoples.

Caption: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received Thursday his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)



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.