Tens of thousands protested across Iranian cities and in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to condemn Israeli assaults on Lebanon and Gaza. The demonstrations reflected solidarity with Hezbollah and the broader “axis of resistance,” amidst escalating regional tensions following recent attacks by Hamas.
In cities across Iran and in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, tens of thousands took to the streets on Friday to denounce the recent Israeli assaults on Lebanon and Gaza. As reported by AFP journalists and Iranian state media, the protests followed a government call issued earlier in the week to rally in solidarity with Hezbollah and to condemn what they described as the “barbaric crimes of the Zionist regime in Palestine.” These demonstrations are part of a broader alignment with Iran-backed groups across the Middle East, including Hezbollah and the Huthi rebels in Yemen, who have both targeted Israel in support of Palestinian fighters. In Tehran, a significant protest occurred following Friday prayers at Enghelab Square, where demonstrators displayed portraits of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah alongside Palestinian and Hezbollah flags. Slogans such as “Israel is destroyed. Lebanon is victorious” echoed through the streets, as protesters expressed their outrage at the violence in Lebanon by burning Israeli and US flags. Similar protests were reported in cities such as Semnan, Qom, Kashan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas. In Yemen, Huthi rebels organized a massive rally in the capital, Sanaa, which has been under their control for a decade. Many supporters carried rifles and placards, with one demonstrator stating, “We say to our brothers in Lebanon that you will be victorious, God willing. This war is not the first nor the last with the Israeli enemy, but God willing it will be more painful for Israel than the 2006 war.” Another Yemeni supporter echoed sentiments of solidarity, emphasizing their unwavering support for Lebanon and Palestine regardless of the duration or scale of the conflict. Meanwhile, in Bahrain, a close ally of Israel, several hundred individuals participated in protests against the war in Gaza and the bombardment of Lebanon, expressing solidarity with both regions and a desire for the cessation of normalization with Israel. With the ongoing hostilities ignited by Hamas’s attacks on October 7, which have escalated into a significant confrontation involving cross-border fire from Hezbollah, analysts suggest that Iran is navigating a precarious path, attempting to bolster Hezbollah without being drawn into an all-encompassing conflict that could serve the interests of its adversaries.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah, has roots in complex historical grievances and territorial disputes. This recent wave of protests reflects a significant mobilization of support for Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah, which is considered part of the broader “axis of resistance” against Israel. The fallout from the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, has led to escalated military engagements and widespread regional instability. Such protests highlight the solidarity perceived among various factions in the region and their collective condemnation of Israeli military actions.
In conclusion, the widespread protests in Iran and Yemen against Israeli attacks highlight a significant alignment of regional factions in opposing Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. These events illustrate the tension between supporting militant groups and avoiding a broader conflict, a balance that Iran continues to navigate amid escalating violence and public outcry across the Middle East.
Original Source: www.france24.com
