Despite US Might in the Red Sea, Yemen Stands Firm Against Support for “Israel”
By Mounir Shehadeh
Lebanon — Warts and all, this is what has developed in the Red Sea. Unexpectedly, and under the full view of the media, while the White House was receiving the Canadian Prime Minister, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had reached an agreement with Yemen: a halt to Yemeni strikes on vessels in the Red Sea in exchange for an end to US and British airstrikes on Yemeni territory. Trump even went so far as to claim that “they surrendered”.
We’ve grown accustomed to Trump’s reckless and often inaccurate remarks, like his previous statement in Netanyahu’s presence that the US would begin direct talks with Iran in Oman—only for it to later emerge that the talks were indirect.
Clarifications from US officials soon followed, explaining that the agreement is strictly between Washington and Yemen. Meanwhile, Yemeni strikes on “Israel” would continue—making it clear that Yemen has not, in fact, surrendered.
In the meantime, Netanyahu and the “Israeli” media expressed dismay at the American move. The US ambassador in “Tel Aviv” responded curtly: the US does not need “Israel’s” permission to make agreements, and Yemeni strikes on “Israel” are not America’s concern.
US media outlets later reported that President Trump had severed contact with Netanyahu, blaming him for manipulation. Trump subsequently stated he would soon make a “very important” announcement in the interest of the region and that he planned to visit several Arab countries—excluding the “Israeli” entity.
The “Jerusalem” Post speculated that Trump’s upcoming announcement could involve the recognition of a Palestinian state as part of his regional tour. If true, this would not have been possible without the impact of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the resilience and sacrifices of the Palestinian people, and the support of the entire Axis of Resistance—from Yemen, now a major headache for “Israel”, to Lebanon and Iraq.
These developments suggest that the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has dramatically deteriorated, as Trump sees Netanyahu as obstructing American initiatives that advance US interests in the region.
In Lebanon, “Israel” launched unprecedented intensive airstrikes in the Nabatieh area and surrounding highlands, under the pretext of targeting resistance infrastructure. The assault violated the ceasefire agreement and occurred during a visit by the US delegation from the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire. Accompanied by UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, the delegation was touring valleys near the bombarded site, only to suspend their mission due to the ongoing “Israeli” airstrikes—becoming passive witnesses to “Israel’s” aggression in Lebanese airspace.
President Joseph Aoun’s talks with the US administration led to the visit of General Jeffers, head of the Quintet Committee, and his deputy, General Michael Lenny. They pledged to remain in Lebanon and hold meetings more frequently—though none have taken place so far. These talks also prompted reports that the American envoy Morgan will visit Lebanon in the near future.
US policy toward Lebanon has been straightforward so far: granting “Israel” a green light to continue its aggression in the hopes of achieving the unlikely goals of normalization and the disarmament of the resistance. Will this policy now shift, given Trump’s severed ties with Netanyahu?
Meanwhile, Syrian transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s trip to Paris, following Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s own visit, resulted in the arrival of a French envoy in Lebanon. This delegation handed the Lebanese Foreign Minister official documents and copies of Lebanon-Syria border maps. These maps aim to mark the 376-kilometer border—from Shebaa Farms to Arida at the northern tip—where 27 points of dispute currently exist. The accord reflects a genuine desire on all sides to resolve frontier issues and reduce tensions related to border claims and smuggling.
Steadfastness, tenacity, courage and sacrifice are what make miracles possible—they are what allow blood to triumph over the sword. These are not values anyone can understand; they are known only to those who were raised upon them, who drank them in with their mother’s milk.
