Islamic World News

1. US Airstrikes in Yemen Leave 31 Dead Amid Rising Tensions

According to Yemeni media, the targets of these attacks included the following areas:

1. Sanaa: Residential neighborhoods in the Shu'ub district and the Atan and Jarban areas in the Sanhan district.
2. Saada: The Qahza area in northern Saada, Izlat al-Sha'af in the Saqin district, and the areas of al-Talh, al-Saba', and al-Alaaf in the Sahar district, as well as the power plant in the city of Dhahan.
3. Dhamar: Surroundings of the city of Dhamar, Anas district, and a stone quarry.
4. Al-Bayda: The Mukayras and al-Qurayshiyyah districts.
5. Hajjah: Mubin district.
6. Marib: East of the Majzar district.

As of now, accurate information regarding the extent of the attacks and details of the US air operations against Yemen have not been fully disclosed. However, US warships and fighter jets, with the support of British refueling aircraft and operations from bases in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Cyprus, have conducted a large-scale attack on Yemen. Also, the US reportedly carried out 40 airstrikes against Yemen from the Saudi airspace.

According to the latest statistics from the Yemeni Ministry of Health, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of 31 people and injuries to 101 civilians, with many of the casualties being women and children.

Mahdi Al-Mashat, Chairman of the Supreme Political Council, Mohammed Abdul Salam, spokesman for the Ansar Allah movement, and representatives from the Yemeni Foreign Ministry along with several other official Yemeni institutions condemned these attacks. They emphasized that the US aggression will not go unanswered and that Yemen will continue to support its people and the Palestinian resistance.

Palestinian groups, particularly Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as the Iraqi resistance and the Iranian Foreign Ministry, issued statements condemning the US attacks and expressing solidarity with the Yemeni people.

In his remarks about the operation, US President Donald Trump described Ansar Allah as engaged in an alleged continuous campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism, blaming them for obstructing shipping in one of the world's most important waterways, the Red Sea. Trump also issued a direct warning to Iran, stating that the era of the Houthis is over, and called for an end to support for Yemen and their attacks. He also threatened that if these attacks do not cease, Yemenis would experience unimaginable suffering.

2. Israel’s Advancements in Quneitra Province, Syria (Map)

Last night, Israeli forces, supported by Merkava tanks and military vehicles, entered the village of Ain Aisha and positioned their tanks on the northern outskirts of Jabha.

In another operation along the Ain Nourieh axis, the Israeli forces, after passing through Ain Nourieh, shelled Kawm Muhairis and established a presence in the surrounding fields.

As a result of these actions, the Israeli army has effectively surrounded the cities of Khan Arnabeh and Al-Baath, although they have not yet deployed forces within these cities.

If Khan Arnabeh, Al-Baath, and the towns of Jabha, Kawm along with several surrounding villages, fall under Israeli control, Quneitra province will become the first Syrian province to be completely occupied by Israel.

Israel's objective in taking control of Quneitra province is to support the Syrian Druze and to directly challenge the leaders of Tahrir al-Sham. This move aims to threaten the leaders of Tahrir al-Sham, to divide the southern provinces of Syria and weaken them militarily to prevent possible attacks on Israeli positions.

3. Israeli Warplanes Strike Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a renewed warning to the new Syrian president, Abu Muhammad al-Julani. Katz stated, "Wherever terrorist activity is organized against Israel, al-Julani will see our air force fighter jets flying overhead and attacking terrorist targets. We will not allow Syria to become a threat to Israel."

His comments suggest that Israel holds the Julani government accountable for any actions against Israeli interests in southern Syria. With these threats, Israel aims to compel the Syrian government to take stronger intelligence and security measures against Palestinian groups as well as remnants of the Syrian army.

The Israeli army classified the attack as an intelligence operation, claiming it struck a command center of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. According to the military, this headquarters was responsible for commanding, planning, and directing activities against Israel.

An Israeli security source told local media that the Islamic Jihad forces were involved in shaping and planning attacks on Israeli positions in southern Syria.

The ongoing Israeli attacks in Syria indicate the strengthening of Israel's intelligence and security network within the country. Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad government, this network continues to operate, conducting intelligence operations against Palestinian groups and Syrian cells that support the resistance axis.

4. Israeli Food Aid to Druze in Southern Syria

While Israeli terrorist regime helps the Druze in Syria, it has closed all humanitarian aid routes to the Gaza Strip, placing immense hardship on the people of Gaza after months of devastating conflict.

These days, the Zionist regime has been counting on the Druze in Syria in particular, supporting them and trying to advance its sinister separatist goals through them. Israeli authorities have openly declared their intention to occupy southern Syria indefinitely, with the Druze being identified as their principal allies in southern Syria.

5. Kyrgyzstan Alerts Arab Nations: Surge of Extremist Fighters Enter Syria

Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, Turkey has actively facilitated the transfer of terrorists and extremist fighters into Syria. This transfer process has continued even after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government. This issue can be examined from at least two perspectives:

Firstly, foreign extremist fighters have historically played a crucial role in breaking front lines and advancing military objectives for Tahrir al-Sham, and indirectly for Turkey. Numerous videos from the conflict with the previous government support this assertion. Currently, it appears that Turkey and the Jolani government require more foreign extremist forces to achieve their security goals in Syria and to suppress opposition while establishing order in various regions.

Secondly, Syria has become an attractive destination for extremists. With the ascent of a new government predominantly composed of radical Islamists, a platform has been created for these individuals, who face systemic and ideological challenges in their home countries, to congregate in Syria. In fact, Syria has transformed into a sanctuary for extremists, drawing them from around the world along with their families. This situation poses a significant security risk for both Syria and the broader region and could lead to disastrous consequences in the long run.

6. Former Syrian Government Dissident Assassinated in Southern Syria

Noureddine al-Labbad was born in al-Sanamayn in 1962. He held a doctorate in French literature from Damascus University, a higher diploma in translation, and a master's degree in international relations from Sorbonne University in Paris. He had previously served in Syrian embassies in Sanaa, Paris, Baghdad, Ankara, and Benghazi.

Al-Labbad defected from the Syrian government during the Syrian war in 2013 and moved to France, where he became an anti-regime dissident. He was one of the first Syrian diplomats to defect from the government during that period.

Two weeks ago, he returned to his hometown of al-Sanamayn but was assassinated by unknown assailants shortly after his arrival. His assassination marks the first killing of a former government dissident under the new Syrian government.

7. Yemeni Army Resumed Naval Blockade Against Israel

Just four days ago, the leader of Yemen's Ansar Allah set a four-day deadline for lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip. However, as Israel did not comply, naval actions against Israeli ships have now resumed.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree emphasized support for the oppressed people and Palestinian fighters, noting that the deadline set by the leader of Ansar Allah for mediation to pressure Israel into reopening the crossings and allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has ended. He outlined the details of Yemen's restrictions against Israel, which include the following:

1. Resuming the ban on the movement of all Israeli-affiliated ships in the designated operational area, including the Red and Arabian Seas, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
2. This ban will take effect immediately from the date of this statement.
3. Any vessel attempting to violate this ban will be targeted within the declared operational area.
4. This ban will remain in effect until the crossings into the Gaza Strip are reopened and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is allowed to enter.

8. Israeli Airstrikes Target Multiple Sites in Southern Syria

The Israeli army conducted bombings on various targets in southern regions of Syria last night. Among the sites targeted were the headquarters of the 175th and 12th brigades on the outskirts of Izra, the 89th regiment headquarters near the town of Jabbab in Daraa province, and the command center of the 90th brigade in Quneitra province. Additionally, areas such as Al-Kiswa, Tal Al-Mana, and Zakiya in the suburbs of Damascus were also affected by the Israeli airstrikes.

The Israeli army reported that the attacks focused on radar systems, entelligence equipment, military bases, and ammunition depots belonging to the Syrian regime in southern Syria. These assets were deemed a threat to the regime's security.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government and the rise of the Jolani government, the Israeli military has launched extensive and heavy attacks against Syrian military positions and infrastructure. Furthermore, the Israeli forces have advanced deep into Syrian territory without encountering resistance, occupying areas in the provinces of Quneitra, Damascus countryside, and Daraa.

In spite of the ongoing Israeli aggression, both the Jolani government and officials from the Syrian interim government have remained silent and have not responded to these attacks. This silence from the Syrian government is interpreted as a tacit approval for further Israeli actions and attacks.

9. Ansar Allah Repel Islah Party Attack in Marib

The Al-Balaq heights, known for the intense clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi coalition forces in 2021, are located to the west and south of Marib city. These heights play a crucial role in defending Saudi coalition positions. Its strategic location and dominance over the surrounding fronts have prevented Ansar Allah from advancing into Marib city, despite their land superiority over the years.

10. Israel’s Incomplete Withdrawal: Israeli Military Presence Continues with Five Points Established in Southern Lebanon (Map)

This continued presence by Israeli forces is in direct violation of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates that all occupying forces were supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanese lands. Furthermore, the Lebanese army lacks the power to exert significant pressure on the Israelis.

The five locations where Israeli troops are stationed in Lebanese territory are as follows: Tel al-Hamamis south of the town of Khiam, Jabal al-Dawawir between Marbakah and Houla, Jabal al-Dair south of Aitaroun, Jabal al-Balat between Ramieh and Marwaheen, and a base located in the forests of Labuneh and Ulama al-Shaab.

It is also noteworthy that the Israeli army regularly operates along all Lebanese border lines. They enter Lebanese territory at will—undeterred by the ceasefire and without regard for the Lebanese army—conducting bulldozing operations. For instance, in recent days, Israeli bulldozers entered Lebanese territory to destroy and clear areas around Blida.

The evidence suggests that, in addition to remaining at the five military points, the Israeli army is attempting to establish a shallow buffer zone along the border between Lebanon and occupied Palestine. All signs indicate that the Israeli army intends to maintain its presence in the occupied areas of southern Lebanon, potentially for an indefinite period.