Clashes erupt in South Yemen as Houthis announce mobilisation
Aden, June 23
Fierce clashes erupted Tuesday between Houthi militants and troops affiliated with the pro-secession Yemen's Southern Transitional Council in the southern province of Al-Dhalea.
The fighting began after Houthi militants launched coordinated attacks on STC positions in the Battar and Tabat Othman areas northwest of Al-Dhalea, prompting STC troops to respond with medium and heavy weapons, a military official told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.
The attacks were "repelled after hours of intense armed confrontations," he said.
The official added that the clashes resulted in casualties on both sides, though no official figures were immediately available.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthi group on the reported clashes.
The escalation came a day after the Houthis' newly-formed General Mobilisation Forces in Yemen's capital Sanaa announced their readiness to reinforce frontline units across battle zones, Xinhua news agency reported.
Yemen has been gripped by conflict since late 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally-recognized government.
A UN-mediated truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, which began in April 2022 and was renewed twice, held for six months before expiring. Both sides have largely maintained a "de facto ceasefire" since then, despite sporadic clashes in multiple contested regions.
On Friday, Houthis warned Israel against expanding its military operations in Lebanon, saying it was prepared to respond to "any further escalation in the region."
In a statement aired by the group's Al-Masirah television channel, the Houthis accused Israel of violating an Iran-US ceasefire Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering multiple fronts, including Lebanon, saying that continued Israeli military actions risked undermining regional de-escalation efforts.
The group warned that the axis of resistance would not remain passive in the face of what it described as ongoing Israeli aggression and reiterated its readiness to confront any developments involving the United States and Israel.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The Houthis are just pawns in a bigger game involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Every time there's tension in Gaza or Lebanon, the Houthis jump in to create diversions. India needs a balanced foreign policy here—don't take sides but ensure our energy security and citizens are protected. Also, why is the media always silent on how much civilian suffering this causes? 😔
Interesting how the Houthis are threatening Israel from Yemen while fighting the STC on the ground. This is classic asymmetric warfare—keeping multiple fronts active. From an Indian perspective, this is a reminder that the Middle East powder keg can explode anytime. We need to diversify our oil imports and strengthen ties with Central Asia as a backup plan.
Honestly, this conflict has been going on for nearly a decade now. Both sides need to realize that more fighting only leads to more destruction. The UN-brokered truce was a good step but it's expired. India can play a role in pushing for dialogue—we have good relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Gulf states. Peace in Yemen means stability for the whole region and lower oil prices for us!
The Houthis warning Israel about Lebanon is just grandstanding. They can't even hold their own against the STC in Al-Dhalea, how are they going to threaten Israel? This whole "axis of resistance" rhetoric is getting old. India should focus on practical outcomes—protecting our shipping lanes in the Red Sea and ensuring our embassy in Yemen remains safe. 💪
N Nisha Z