Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis held pro-Palestinian rallies across the country, vowing revenge on Israel for the recent assassination of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials.
Demonstrations were held on Friday under the slogan “Loyalty to the blood of martyrs, with Gaza to victory.”
The demonstrations came days after an Israeli attack killed Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of the Hezbollah movement, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian movement Hamas.
The participants said in a statement that members of the regional Axis of Resistance, including Yemeni Houthi forces, “must prepare for an honorable response”, and that “Israel’s downfall is inevitable”.
Haniyeh, a key figure in Palestinian politics, was assassinated in Gaza under circumstances that have sparked widespread outrage throughout the Middle East. His death has intensified anti-Israel sentiments and has galvanized various factions and groups to unite in their calls for retaliation.
The massive demonstrations in Yemen, organized by the Houthi movement, saw protestors waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel and its allies. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi addressed the crowd via a televised speech, urging immediate action and pledging support for the Palestinian cause. “The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh will not go unpunished,” he declared. “The destruction of Israel is inevitable, and we stand ready to assist our Palestinian brothers in their struggle.”
The protestors echoed al-Houthi’s sentiments, carrying banners that read “Revenge for Haniyeh” and “End Zionist Aggression.” The demonstration highlighted the deep-seated animosity towards Israel within Yemen and underscored the Houthi movement’s alignment with Palestinian militant factions.
International reactions to the protests have been mixed. While some nations expressed concern over the escalating rhetoric and potential for violence, others highlighted the need for addressing the underlying issues driving the conflict. The United Nations has called for restraint and dialogue, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation to avoid further instability in the region.
Israeli authorities have condemned the calls for their destruction, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself. “We will not be intimidated by threats of violence,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel remains committed to ensuring the security and safety of its citizens.”
The assassination of Haniyeh has had far-reaching consequences, sparking protests not only in Yemen but also in other countries across the Middle East. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further unrest and conflict growing as various groups mobilize in response to Haniyeh’s death.
As the region braces for potential fallout, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging all parties to seek peaceful resolutions and to avoid actions that could lead to a broader escalation of violence.
Such a response “will remove what remains of the illusion of strength from Israel’s enemy,” they added.
Israel, the demonstrators said, must know that its days of lethal aggression without an adequate response are over.
“You know that the assassination of the resistance leaders will not save you from your inevitable fate, which is destruction,” the gathering said.
The Yemeni demonstrators pointed out that Israel resorted to killings as a means of “escaping the defeat” they claim it has been suffering since October 7.
“The Zionist enemy has become fully convinced that its power of deterrence has fallen and that its prestige has been trampled in the sands of Gaza,” the gathering said.
