Yemeni Insurgents Acknowledge Deterioration of Education Sector in Their Areas

The Houthi militia acknowledged the deterioration of the education sector in the areas under its control.

The militia admitted that about 6.1 million male and female students in the areas under its control suffer from the collapse of the education system.

In a recent report, the group's "Entisaf" organization indicated that 2.4 million children out of the 10.6 million children of school age are out of school.

According to the Houthi report, 3,500 schools were destroyed or damaged, with about 27 percent closed in Yemen and 66 percent damaged due to the war.

The Houthi report ignored the group's deliberate looting of the salaries of more than 130,000 educators in the cities under its control.

Houthi commander Sumaya al-Taifi was named head of the Entisaf group. She is also head of the Zainabiyyat Brigades, Houthi's armed women's wing, and was named the director of the Women and Children Department in the Houthi Ministry of Information.

Activists in Sanaa believe that despite the militias' comp
The Houthi militia acknowledged the deterioration of the education sector in the areas under its control. The militia admitted that about 6.1 million male and female students in the areas under its control suffer from the collapse of the education system. In a recent report, the group's "Entisaf" organization indicated that 2.4 million children out of the 10.6 million children of school age are out of school. According to the Houthi report, 3,500 schools were destroyed or damaged, with about 27 percent closed in Yemen and 66 percent damaged due to the war. The Houthi report ignored the group's deliberate looting of the salaries of more than 130,000 educators in the cities under its control. Houthi commander Sumaya al-Taifi was named head of the Entisaf group. She is also head of the Zainabiyyat Brigades, Houthi's armed women's wing, and was named the director of the Women and Children Department in the Houthi Ministry of Information. Activists in Sanaa believe that despite the militias' comp
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Yemeni Insurgents Acknowledge Deterioration of Education Sector in Their Areas

The Houthi militia acknowledged the deterioration of the education sector in the areas under its control.

The militia admitted that about 6.1 million male and female students in the areas under its control suffer from the collapse of the education system.

In a recent report, the group's "Entisaf" organization indicated that 2.4 million children out of the 10.6 million children of school age are out of school.

According to the Houthi report, 3,500 schools were destroyed or damaged, with about 27 percent closed in Yemen and 66 percent damaged due to the war.

The Houthi report ignored the group's deliberate looting of the salaries of more than 130,000 educators in the cities under its control.

Houthi commander Sumaya al-Taifi was named head of the Entisaf group. She is also head of the Zainabiyyat Brigades, Houthi's armed women's wing, and was named the director of the Women and Children Department in the Houthi Ministry of Information.

Activists in Sanaa believe that despite the militias' comp
The Houthi militia acknowledged the deterioration of the education sector in the areas under its control. The militia admitted that about 6.1 million male and female students in the areas under its control suffer from the collapse of the education system. In a recent report, the group's "Entisaf" organization indicated that 2.4 million children out of the 10.6 million children of school age are out of school. According to the Houthi report, 3,500 schools were destroyed or damaged, with about 27 percent closed in Yemen and 66 percent damaged due to the war. The Houthi report ignored the group's deliberate looting of the salaries of more than 130,000 educators in the cities under its control. Houthi commander Sumaya al-Taifi was named head of the Entisaf group. She is also head of the Zainabiyyat Brigades, Houthi's armed women's wing, and was named the director of the Women and Children Department in the Houthi Ministry of Information. Activists in Sanaa believe that despite the militias' comp

The Houthi militia acknowledged the deterioration of the education sector in the areas under its control. The militia admitted that about 6.1 million male and female students in the areas they run suffer from the collapse of the educational system.

In a recent report, the group's "Entisaf" organization indicated that 2.4 million children out of the 10.6 million children of school age are out of school.

According to the Houthi report, 3,500 schools were destroyed or damaged, with about 27 percent closed in Yemen and 66 percent damaged due to the war.

The Houthi report ignored the group's deliberate looting of the salaries of more than 130,000 educators in their cities.

Houthi commander Sumaya al-Taifi was named head of the Entisaf group. She is also head of the Zainabiyyat Brigades, Houthi's armed women's wing, and was named the director of the Women and Children Department in the Houthi Ministry of Information.

Activists in Sanaa believe that despite the militias' comprehensive destruction of the Yemeni state and its systems and laws in various sectors, their crimes and violations against the educational process remain the most dangerous.

Recent international reports indicated that 80 percent of students in Yemen are in dire need of educational aid, revealing that more than 2.7 percent of students have dropped out of school.

Official government and international reports reported that about 4.5 million Yemeni children have dropped out and been deprived of education since the coup because of the group's destruction of schools and their conversion into military barracks.

They also accused the group of disrupting the educational process, recruiting children, and developing curricula that promoted sectarianism and hatred.

Save the Children Organization confirmed that 80 percent of students in Yemen need educational aid, revealing that more than 2.7 million Yemeni children have dropped out of education.

The organization tweeted on World Education Day on Jan. 24 that "currently, 8.6 million children (80 percent of all school-aged children) are in need of education assistance."

It indicated that over 2,783 schools were damaged or destroyed, "teachers being unpaid for nearly eight years now, and access to education is becoming increasingly difficult."

The organization described education as a "lifeline for children during emergencies. It provides stability, safety, and hope for a better future. In Yemen, however, students are dropping out of school at an alarming rate."

It warned that without education, these children are at risk of abuse and neglect, economic and sexual exploitation, recruitment, sexual and gender-based violence, trafficking, and child marriage.

The UN estimated that more than 2,900 schools had been destroyed, partially damaged, or used for non-educational purposes since the outbreak of the conflict in Yemen.

Meanwhile, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported that a fifth of school-age children in the Middle East and North Africa region do not currently attend school.

The Monitor stated that 2022 statistics indicate that many children were deprived of their fundamental right to education.



Will STC Keep its Gains in Yemen or Prepare for a Major Confrontation?

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
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Will STC Keep its Gains in Yemen or Prepare for a Major Confrontation?

A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)
A supporter of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) stands in the back of a pickup truck in the Khor Maksar district of the second city of Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP file)

Yemen's eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra are passing through a critical phase amid the unprecedented unilateral military escalation carried out by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) that has been met with widespread regional and international condemnation.

Observers have said the STC cannot be allowed to impose a new status quo through the use of force no matter its justifications or claims.

They said the situation is not a passing development that can be ignored by the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen and its supporters. Rather, this is a multifaceted political and security test where southern interests, the war against the Houthis and regional peace collide.

At the moment, the STC is opting to maneuver under pressure instead of leading the challenge head-on. In its recent statements, the council has resorted to political claims to justify its actions on the ground, speaking of "coordination" and "understanding concerns", reflecting a growing realization that its room to maneuver is shrinking and that it must take the right decision.

Saudi Arabia has made clear warnings over the situation, starting with a political warning, followed by an airstrike on Hadhramaut. The stern response means that a firm decision has been taken to prevent Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra from being dragged into an internal conflict or becoming an arena where agendas are imposed by force.

The STC is aware that ignoring the warnings puts it in a direct confrontation with a regional heavyweight - Saudi Arabia. The council does not have the political or military means to come out on top, so it has been advised to seriously deal with the warnings and avoid resorting to stalling tactics if it is considering taking the option of minimal losses to the gains it has amassed over the years.

Failing to heed the warning will mean it will have to come to heel through force, which will end in its major defeat.

The observers said the STC has landed itself in an unprecedented crisis. The council has justified its unilateral military actions as aimed at "protecting the southern cause" and that it was meeting the demands of the people. It also claimed that it sought to block Houthi smuggling routes and fight terrorist groups.

Despite everything, it is not too late for the STC to salvage the situation, as stated by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Saturday. The STC can still end the crisis while taking minimal losses by immediately withdrawing its forces from Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra.

Should it stand its ground, the STC does not have the means to consolidate its presence in the two provinces, especially amid wide popular opposition, notably in Hadhramaut. Moreover, the STC lacks regional cover and international support that is a main condition for creating any security changes in critical areas.

So, it would seem that the best and easiest scenario would be for the STC to withdraw its forces, under such pretexts of "redeployment" or "security arrangements", to minimize its political losses, said the observers.

Should it ignore the warnings and choose to continue to escalate the situation, then the STC will lose its partnership with the legitimate Yemeni authorities, transforming into an obstacle in efforts to restore stability in the country. International sanctions may even be imposed on its leaders.

On the military level, the Arab coalition was clear in stating that it will not allow a new status quo to be imposed by force in eastern Yemen. Any escalation may be met with direct deterrence, meaning casualties on the ground that the STC cannot justify.

On the ground, the STC does not enjoy the support of the people in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra and the continued escalation will deepen opposition to it in the south. The southern cause will transform from an issue that enjoys consensus to one that causes division.


Syrian Army Enters Latakia, Tartus after Attacks by Regime Remnants

Syrian Security forces stand atop a military vehicle in the city of Latakia, Syria, 28 December 2025. (EPA)
Syrian Security forces stand atop a military vehicle in the city of Latakia, Syria, 28 December 2025. (EPA)
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Syrian Army Enters Latakia, Tartus after Attacks by Regime Remnants

Syrian Security forces stand atop a military vehicle in the city of Latakia, Syria, 28 December 2025. (EPA)
Syrian Security forces stand atop a military vehicle in the city of Latakia, Syria, 28 December 2025. (EPA)

The Syrian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday the deployment of military forces in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus in wake of an armed attack against security forces and civilians during recent protests.

Syrian television said the deployment was happening after "outlawed groups" carried out attacks against security forces and the people.

The military will work on preserving security and restoring calm in cooperation with the internal security forces, it added.

Earlier, local media reported that three people were killed and 48 wounded when gunmen affiliated with the ousted regime opened fire at civilians and security forces during protests in Latakia and Tartus.

State television said a member of the security forces was killed and others were injured while they were protecting protests in Latakia.

Head of the security forces in the Latakia province Abdulaziz al-Ahmed said the attack was carried out by terrorist members of the former regime.

The protests in Latakia were called for by Ghazal Ghazal.

Al-Ahmed added that masked gunmen were spotted at the protests and they were identified as members of Coastal Shield Brigade and Al-Jawad Brigade terrorist groups, reported the official SANA news agency.

The groups were responsible for bombings on the M1 highway and extrajudicial killings, it added.

A member of the groups was arrested in the Jableh countryside during a security operation, announced the Interior Ministry. Three other members were killed, while explosives and various weapons and ammunition were seized during the operation.

The Al-Jawad Brigade is affiliated with Suheil al-Hassan, a notorious former Syrian military officer.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the group was involved in assassinations, bombings and attacks against the Interior Ministry forces and the army.

It was planning attacks on New Year celebrations, it revealed. The detainee also revealed the locations of weapons caches used by the group.


Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
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Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Sunday said moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan,” accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.

It will then tackle disarming the Iran-backed movement in the rest of the country.

"Disarmament is an Israeli-American plan," Qassem said.

"To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression and America is imposing its will on Lebanon, stripping it of its power, means that you are not working in Lebanon's interest, but rather in the interest of what Israel wants."

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon and has maintained troops in five areas it deems strategic.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

Israel has questioned the Lebanese military's effectiveness and has accused Hezbollah of rearming, while the group itself has rejected calls to surrender its weapons.

"The deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River was required only if Israel had adhered to its commitments... to halting the aggression, withdrawing, releasing prisoners, and having reconstruction commence," Qassem said in a televised address.

"With the Israeli enemy not implementing any of the steps of the agreement... Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israelis commit to what they are obligated to do."

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal told a military meeting on Tuesday "the army is in the process of finishing the first phase of its plan.”

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.