Demonstrations in Yemen Show Solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon
On November 8, 2024, tens of thousands of Yemenis participated in demonstrations across 14 governorates, including the capital Sanaa, to express their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The protests were organized by the Al-Aqsa Support Committee, associated with the Houthi movement, and saw participants waving flags of Yemen, Palestine, and Lebanon, alongside images of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.
The demonstrators chanted anti-Israel and anti-U.S. slogans, emphasizing their unwavering support for Gaza, which has been under severe military assault since October 7, 2023. Protesters filled major squares, such as Al-Sab'een Square in Sanaa, showcasing their determination to stand by Gaza and Lebanon regardless of the consequences.
In a show of military defiance, the Houthis announced their intention to target Israeli or related cargo ships using missiles and drones, alongside missile strikes on occupied Palestinian territories. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that their forces will continue to support Palestine and Lebanon, reinforcing a naval blockade against what they refer to as the Israeli enemy.
This escalation of regional tensions was underscored by the Houthis claiming responsibility for targeting the Nevatim air base in southern Israel with a hypersonic ballistic missile. Additionally, they reported the downing of an American MQ-9 drone in Al-Jawf Governorate, further complicating the already volatile situation in the region. The Israeli army confirmed the interception of a missile launched from Yemen, highlighting the ongoing conflict's broader implications across the Middle East.
