As the United States and Israel prepare to launch a comprehensive operation against the Houthis, the Arab coalition, backed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has initiated a military offensive in the city of Taiz, located in southwestern Yemen.

In a statement issued by the Taiz Military Unit affiliated with the Arab coalition, it was reported that eight Houthi fighters were killed during an attack on a position held by army forces in the air defense front, northwest of the city center. Additionally, the statement noted that 15 Houthi personnel were wounded, while no details were provided regarding casualties on the side of the army units.

A subsequent statement released by the army yesterday claimed that the Houthi attack on the same front had been successfully repelled.

The city of Taiz holds strategic importance due to its location along a key road connecting it to the southern provinces, including Aden. The Houthis have maintained control over the capital Sanaa and several other regions since September 2014. In response, the Saudi Arabia-led coalition has supported the Yemeni government against the Houthis since March 2015.

With the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the conflict following a ceasefire, the overthrow of the Assad administration in Syria, and the decision by Iraqi militia forces to cease attacks on Israel, the Houthis remain the only group actively targeting Israel as a response to the violence in Gaza. In this context, both Israel and the United States are reportedly preparing for a large-scale operation against the Houthis, targeting their positions intermittently.

The Houthis, in turn, have escalated their threats, warning of potential strikes on U.S. targets in the Middle East if military operations in Yemen persist. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the group’s Supreme Political Council, declared in a video posted on his X account (formerly Twitter):

“We warn the Americans not to target Yemen. Otherwise, we will attack American interests in the Middle East regardless of any red lines.”

He further stated:

“Either Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Yemen will stop, or we will target sensitive American targets that can ‘convey our message.’”

In response to a statement by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the newly established government in Damascus under the leadership of HTS issued a strong warning. Khamenei had commented, “Syrian youth have nothing left to lose. We foresee the emergence of a strong movement in Syria.” In his first public message since taking office, Asaad Hassan Shaybani, Foreign Minister of the Syrian interim government, emphasized Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Posting on his official X account, Shaybani called on Iran to respect the sovereignty and the will of the Syrian people. He stated, “Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people, the sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country. We warn Iran to refrain from spreading chaos in Syria and hold it responsible for the consequences of recent statements.”

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking in Tehran, described the ongoing crisis in Syria as the result of foreign intervention. “A rebel group in Syria, with the planning and help of foreign powers, has used the weaknesses within the Syrian state to plunge it into chaos,” Khamenei remarked. Drawing parallels with Lebanon, he added, “Noting that Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese civil war, we predict that a strong and honorable movement will emerge in Syria. Syrian youth, having nothing left to lose—their schools, universities, homes, and streets being unsafe—must mobilize with determination, stand against the architects of insecurity, and prevail over them.”

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Julani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the architect behind the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, is hosting representatives from Arab countries following visits by delegations from the United States and Europe.

A high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the Undersecretary of the Royal Court, held talks in Damascus. According to Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya television, the delegation met with Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s new administration. The report highlighted Sharaa’s comments on the shared interests between Syria and Saudi Arabia. However, Saudi authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the visit.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi met with Sharaa in Damascus. A written statement noted that Safadi is engaging in “wide-ranging talks” with Sharaa, reflecting Jordan’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate its approach to Syrian relations.

Qatar recently reopened its embassy in Damascus after 13 years and dispatched its Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khalifi, to the Syrian capital. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari announced on social media platform X that a Qatar Airways plane carrying a high-level delegation landed in Damascus. This marked the first Qatari flight to Syria since the Assad government was overthrown.

In his statement, al-Ansari emphasized Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Syrian people. The delegation is expected to hold talks with Syrian officials to further develop bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Beghai clarified during a press conference in Tehran that Iran does not maintain direct ties with the current Syrian administration.

Beghai stated, “We have engaged with some groups in the past; however, we have no direct connection with the new leadership in Syria.” He also noted ongoing exchanges of ideas with Türkiye regarding Syria, adding, “Each party involved in the region has its narrative, but we are not obliged to accept all perspectives.”

The spokesperson revealed that Iran has withdrawn its diplomats and military counselors from Syria and advised its citizens against traveling to the country due to ongoing uncertainties. “I don’t believe there are any Iranian citizens in Syria at present,” he concluded.