Free Destourian Party Fights to Rid Tunisia of 'Political Islam'

The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
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Free Destourian Party Fights to Rid Tunisia of 'Political Islam'

The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)

The Free Destourian Party accused Tunisian opposition parties, namely the leftist movement, of abandoning their battle against “political Islam”, calling on the leaders to support the formation of a strong political front against parties that threaten the civil state.

In a letter to President Kais Saied, Leader of the Free Destourian Abir Moussi urged the National Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to take the necessary measures and protect the nation from the dangers of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and Muslim Brotherhood, who are active in Tunisia through Ennahda movement.

Moussi presented evidence supporting claims that IUMS violated the Tunisian constitution, the international agreements on women and family’s rights, and the Personal Status Law.

The government of Hichem Mechichi deliberately facilitated attacks by groups under its cover, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, against the Free Destourian's sit-in outside the Union headquarters in Tunis, according to Moussi.

Meanwhile, Mohsen Marzouk, the Head of Machrouu Tounes, announced forming a political alliance with Moussi, on the condition of refraining from giving statements that are against Ennahda or contribute to dividing Tunisians.

Marzouk accused Karama Coalition, which supports the Ennahda movement, of waging a proxy war on behalf of Rached Ghannouchi, who has become “the political arm of terrorism.”

Also, activist Olfa Youssef, who is a known opponent of political Islam, said that left-wing parties are backing Nidaa Tounes party and its late leader Beji Caid Essebsi, while they refrain from supporting the Free Destourian and its leader, even though both parties have the same political orientation.



Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis
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Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi militias in Yemen said Israeli airstrikes on Thursday targeted Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, following several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel.

The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports at Hodeidah, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib along with Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. It came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.”

Netanyahu monitored the new strikes along with military leaders, his government said. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. The US military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days.

Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeidah, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated as a terrorist organisation.
The UN Security Council is due to meet on Monday over Houthi attacks against Israel, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday.