Syrian Air Defenses Confront Israeli Attack in Damascus

Syrian air defenses confronted an Israeli aggression in the Damascus countryside on Thursday. (Reuters file photo)
Syrian air defenses confronted an Israeli aggression in the Damascus countryside on Thursday. (Reuters file photo)
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Syrian Air Defenses Confront Israeli Attack in Damascus

Syrian air defenses confronted an Israeli aggression in the Damascus countryside on Thursday. (Reuters file photo)
Syrian air defenses confronted an Israeli aggression in the Damascus countryside on Thursday. (Reuters file photo)

Syrian air defenses confronted an "Israeli aggression" in the Damascus countryside on Thursday, Syrian state-owned Ekhbariya TV and state news agency SANA said.

A Syrian military source said in a statement "the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression this evening with bursts of missiles from the direction of southeast Beirut" in Lebanon and "targeting some points in the vicinity of the city of Damascus and the vicinity of the city of Homs".

The Israeli military declined comment on the reported strike in Syria.

The sound of aircraft could be heard in and around Beirut.

Lebanon's defense minister Zeina Akar condemned the attack, saying that it "blatantly violated Lebanon's airspace at low altitude, causing a state of panic among citizens."

She said the attack violated UN Security Council resolution 1701 to resolve the 2006 Lebanon war and she called on the UN to deter Israel from carrying out airstrikes on Syria using Lebanese airspace.

Akar said she had sent a complaint to the United Nations.

The Syrian statement said its air defenses "confronted the aggression's missiles and shot down most of them, and the results of the aggression are now being audited."

During the air strike, a plane belonging to Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines coming from Abu Dhabi had to hold in Syrian airspace for about 10 minutes before landing in Beirut, as did a plane from Turkey's Pegasus airlines, said Fadi Alhassan, acting general manager for Lebanon's civil aviation authority.



Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
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Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, chaired by President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the latest security and military developments in the southern governorates,

The meeting was attended by members Sultan Al-Aradah, Tariq Saleh, Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, and Othman Majali.

According to the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), the meeting reviewed the developments following a statement from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, which highlighted a serious escalation by some rebel leaders and their obstruction of de-escalation efforts.

The council was briefed on the consequences of one member’s failure to respond to an invitation from Saudi Arabia, as well as unilateral actions and movements that clearly deviated from the agreed framework for the transitional phase, undermining efforts to protect civilians and prevent the spread of violence.

In response, the council decided to expel Aidrous Al-Zubaidi from his position and refer him to the Attorney General on charges of high treason, harming the political and economic standing of Yemen, obstructing state efforts to confront the Houthi coup, and inciting internal strife.

The meeting also approved the dismissal of Minister of Transport Abdulsalam Hamid and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Waed Badhib, referring both for investigation.

It further ordered the pursuit and arrest of individuals involved in distributing weapons and threatening civil peace, ensuring they face justice. The council emphasized that the state will act firmly against all violations to uphold the rule of law and protect public rights and freedoms.

The PLC reaffirmed that unity in military and security decision-making and respect for the chain of command are inviolable principles, stressing that any serious breach of these duties will be met with accountability under the constitution and the law.

Accordingly, the council approved a series of urgent measures, including instructing the relevant authorities to take all necessary steps to protect civilians and public facilities in the interim capital, Aden, and the liberated governorates, unify command and control over all military and security formations, and prevent any movements or mobilizations outside the framework of the state.

The council expressed its gratitude for Saudi Arabia's efforts and the leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen in de-escalating tensions, protecting civilians, maintaining security and stability, and preventing a return to internal conflict. It underscored the state’s commitment to implementing its sovereign decisions and upholding its legal authority.

The council commended the national stance of the people of Aden and the liberated governorates in defending the republican system and legitimate state institutions during this critical stage. It renewed its call for citizens to cooperate with security and military agencies fully and report any actions or movements that could disrupt security or endanger civilian lives.


Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
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Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)

Amid the tensions in Yemen's interim capital Aden rose the name of Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, also known as Abou Zaraa, as one of the main figures trying to restore calm in southern Yemen.

He was tasked with imposing security and preventing clashes in Aden, reflecting the confidence he enjoys inside the PLC and his rising role in handling sensitive military files.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was born in 1980 in the Yafaa region in the Abyan province.

He rose to prominence as a decisive field commander during the war in Yemen. In a short period of time, he managed to impose himself through the leadership of the southern Giants Brigades, which had turned into a mighty force in combating the Houthis.

In contrast to several military commanders, Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was actually involved in ground operations that helped reclaim strategic regions. He consequently gained a military and popular reputation, consolidating his standing in Yemen.

He was named a member of the PLC in April 2022 during one of the most complicated phases of Yemen's recent history. Since then, he has maintained his image as a disciplined military commander who balances between political and security duties.

In May 2023, he was named Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), placing him in a prominent position in both the PLC and on the southern scene. He remained committed to the work of the legitimate government and maintaining security.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has long held firm stances in combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons. These positions made him the go-to man for tackling sensitive security files.

He has been tasked with imposing security in Aden in wake of the latest tensions with the STC.

People familiar with his work said he is keen on protecting civilians and state institutions and preventing political disputes from turning into armed clashes - a challenging task in a city where weapons are everywhere and tensions are high.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has also represented Yemen at important regional meetings. He recently met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the security and political developments in Yemen, reflecting the trust he enjoys among regional partners.


Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
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Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has been removed from Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) for high treason, announced PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi on Wednesday.

In a decree, Al-Alimi referred Al-Zubaidi to the general prosecutor for committing high treason and harming the unity and security of the state.

The move stems from keenness on the security of all civilians and sovereignty of the republic, said the decree.

Moreover, it accused Al-Zubaidi of "harming the just southern cause and exploiting it to commit grave violations against civilians in southern governorates."

He was also accused of "harming the republic's political and economic interests, violating the constitution and obstructing state efforts to confront the Houthi coup."

Other charges include forming an armed gang and killing officers and members of the armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said that Al-Zubaidi had fled to an unknown location after distributing weapons to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of stoking unrest in Aden in the coming hours.