Massive Protests Erupt Across Iran and Yemen Against Israeli Actions in Lebanon and Gaza
On September 27, 2024, tens of thousands protested in Iran and Yemen against Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, following official calls for support for Hezbollah. Protesters expressed solidarity and condemned violence, as demonstrations spread to regions including Bahrain. The rising violence in the area continues to evoke strong reactions and may influence regional dynamics.
On September 27, 2024, massive protests erupted in various Iranian cities and Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, in response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. The demonstrations, which were reported by AFP journalists and state media, were initiated following a call by Iranian officials for a show of support for the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, condemning what they termed the “barbaric crimes of the Zionist regime in Palestine,” according to the official IRNA news agency. Hezbollah, a key faction within the so-called “axis of resistance” comprising Iran-aligned militant groups throughout the Middle East, has aligned with Palestinian forces against Israel and often targets U.S. military interests as well. In the aftermath of Friday prayers in Tehran, demonstrators congregated around Enghelab Square, waving Hezbollah flags and carrying portraits of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Protesters voiced their sentiments with chants including, “Israel is destroyed. Lebanon is victorious,” while expressing their disapproval of what they described as a bloodbath in Lebanon. There were also instances of protesters burning Israeli and U.S. flags during these demonstrations. Similar protests unfolded across other Iranian cities, including Semnan, Qom, Kashan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas, as state television broadcast reports of these events. Meanwhile, in Sanaa, where the Iran-supported Huthis have maintained control for a decade, tens of thousands participated in a rally, many armed and displaying placards. A Huthi supporter, Mortada al-Mutawkil, remarked, “We say to our brothers in Lebanon that you will be victorious, God willing.” Another protester, Mohammed Mushki, asserted, “No matter how long the war lasts and no matter how big it is, we are on their side, all the Yemeni people, on the side of the Lebanese and Palestinian people until victory, God willing.” In Bahrain, marked by a strict approach to demonstrations, smaller protests occurred in solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon, where hundreds called for an end to normalization with Israel, chanting, “The people demand an end to normalization.” The escalating conflict, ignited by Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant escalation between Hezbollah and Israel since the mid-September dates, leading to numerous casualties, especially following Israeli raids that have claimed hundreds of lives. Analysts have observed that Iran faces the challenge of supporting Hezbollah amid fears of a broader regional conflict which could ultimately play into the hands of its adversaries.
The ongoing tensions between Israel and militant groups in the region have led to significant military confrontations, notably involving Hezbollah and Hamas. The proxy alliances, particularly Iran’s backing of Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, have shaped the current landscape of conflict in the Middle East. Demonstrations throughout this region typically serve as expressions of solidarity with those engaged in conflict against Israel and signal the potential for further escalation in already volatile situations. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, exacerbated by various regional actors, poses a complex situation that continually invokes strong responses across the Middle East.
In summary, the protests across Iran and Yemen represent a significant display of solidarity for Hezbollah and against Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza. With a backdrop of escalating military exchanges, these demonstrations reflect the regional tensions that imbue the ongoing conflict. The implications of these movements may affect the broader geopolitical landscape as Iran navigates its relationships with its allies amid fears of increased military confrontation.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
