Israel attacks Yemen attempting to assassinate senior Houthi figure: Reports
The Iran-backed Houthis, who control parts of Yemen, have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships plying the Red Sea since November 2023, in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.
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Asharq Al-Awsat
8 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Edges Toward Divergence with Hezbollah Over US Arms Proposal
Tensions are surfacing between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state over a US-backed proposal that calls for exclusive control of weapons by Lebanon's official security institutions. While the government is reportedly open to constructive dialogue with Washington's envoy, Thomas Barrack, Hezbollah has set new preconditions that effectively stall any immediate progress. In a speech Friday evening, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem framed the US initiative as an 'existential threat,' declaring that the group would not engage in discussions on national defense until such a threat is 'removed.' Qassem cited three dangers facing Lebanon: Israel along the southern border, extremist factions in the east, and what he called American efforts to 'control' Lebanon politically and militarily. His remarks come just days before Barrack is expected to return to Beirut for a third visit. US officials are awaiting a formal response to a proposal delivered last week, which urges Lebanon to adopt a clear timetable, ending by December, for implementing exclusive state control of all armed forces. Government sources say a committee representing President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has made significant progress in drafting Lebanon's reply. That response is expected to reflect a more flexible stance than Hezbollah's, possibly committing to a phased process to bring all arms under state control, without directly confronting the group. While Hezbollah has previously hinted at a willingness to hand over its heavy weapons - such as precision missiles and drones - it now insists that Israel must first meet a series of demands. These include withdrawal from five contested points in southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese detainees, an end to airspace violations, and the start of reconstruction efforts in war-hit areas. Meanwhile, opposition figures, particularly from the Lebanese Forces party, say Hezbollah is using the rhetoric of 'resistance' to maintain its military grip. A party source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah's real aim is to keep its weapons while offering limited gestures, such as withdrawing from areas south of the Litani River - an approach rejected by both the Lebanese government and Washington. The source warned that failure to engage with the current diplomatic opening could expose Lebanon to renewed violence, noting that Hezbollah has already missed previous opportunities for de-escalation. 'The risk isn't just political, it's national,' the source said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
8 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Calm Reported in Syria's Sweida as Tribal Fighters Said to Withdraw
Residents reported calm in the Syrian city of Sweida on Sunday after the government declared that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and the United States stepped up calls for an end to fighting. There was no sound of gunfire on Sunday morning, according to a resident speaking from the city outskirts, while a Druze source in the region said there was calm in most areas. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. The Syrian presidency had announced a new ceasefire early on Saturday but it quickly collapsed into renewed fighting.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Weighs US Deadline, Seeks Guarantees for Disarmament
Lebanese officials have been racing to formulate a response to a letter delivered by US envoy Tom Barrack during his visit to Beirut last week, in which Washington pressed Lebanon to take concrete steps towards implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including the disarmament of Hezbollah. According to information obtained by Asharq al-Awsat, the Lebanese presidential committee assigned to handle the matter held a meeting at the presidential palace on Tuesday to review the American letter. The aim, sources said, was to reach a unified Lebanese position that upholds national interests and affirms the state's exclusive right to bear arms. A senior Lebanese official familiar with the committee's work told the newspaper that President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had all received a copy of the US reply through an American embassy official. The urgency of the matter prompted an emergency meeting of the three-way presidential committee to coordinate a unified national response ahead of Barrack's expected return to Beirut later this month. 'The US message was polite in tone but firm in substance,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'The Americans want Lebanon to set a clear timeline for the removal of all illegal weapons across the country. They expect the disarmament process to be completed by the end of the year, with the Lebanese army and security forces asserting full control over all national territory.' While the US side appeared to acknowledge Lebanon's complex internal dynamics and the need for national dialogue, the official said Washington viewed the six-month grace period already granted as sufficient. 'The Lebanese government is obligated to uphold the commitments made in the president's oath of office and the ministerial statement that affirm the state's monopoly over arms,' the source added. 'However, Lebanon will seek guarantees in return – including a full Israeli withdrawal from five occupied points in southern Lebanon, border demarcation with Israel, the release of Lebanese prisoners, a reconstruction plan for war-damaged areas, and an end to Israeli violations by land, air, and sea.' The official also said Lebanon would demand an end to targeted assassinations of Hezbollah members, which Israel justifies as preemptive strikes. Sending the US reply ahead of Barrack's return, the official said, underscores Washington's pressure on Lebanon to deliver a clear position on the future of Hezbollah's weapons. A Lebanese cabinet source told Asharq al-Awsat that the preemptive American move was intended to give Beirut time to study and respond to the proposal, allowing space for amendments or objections. 'The US message is focused on securing a decisive Lebanese stance on a timeline for disarming Hezbollah and Palestinian factions, as well as the removal of all illegal arms,' the source said. 'Washington also wants a concrete implementation mechanism to prevent any backtracking, as happened after Resolution 1701 was adopted in 2006 – when Hezbollah sidestepped its obligations and rebuilt its arsenal.' The source acknowledged that any final decision will require dialogue with key domestic players, particularly Hezbollah, but stressed that the official stance must ultimately come from the president and the government.
