Houthi violence in Yemen displaces thousands of students
More than 14,000 thousand Yemeni students relocated to Marib due to Houthi atrocities
Updated 14 September 2020
Arab News
DUBAI: Up to 14,000 Yemeni students have relocated to the Marib governorate, after being displaced due to the continuous atrocities committed by the Houthi militia, state news agency Saba reported.
The students had to flee their homes in the governorates of Al-Jawf, Al-Baidha, and Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Marib’s Director of Education Office Ali Al-Aubab said the students will need to be enrolled in schools in the governorate to continue their education, but warned of overburdening local authorities.
He appealed for regional and international organizations to offer help as the country enters a new academic year.
UN force says Israel fired near peacekeepers in south Lebanon
UNIFIL reports two incidents of gunfire hitting 50 meters away from its patrols
The force has been working with Lebanon’s army to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah
Updated 4 sec ago
BEIRUT: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said gunfire from an Israeli position hit close to its peacekeepers twice on Friday, reporting no casualties but decrying a “concerning trend.” UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli fire near or toward its personnel in recent months, and last week said an Israeli attack near one of its positions lightly wounded a peacekeeper. Personnel patrolling in south Lebanon on Friday “reported 15 rounds of small arms fire that struck no more than 50 meters away from them,” a UNIFIL statement said. Shortly afterwards, “peacekeepers in a second patrol in the same area reported approximately 100 rounds of machine-gun fire struck approximately 50 meters from them,” it added, reporting no damage or injuries. “Peacekeepers assessed that the fire came from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) position south of the Blue Line in both cases,” the statement said, referring to the de facto border, and “sent a ‘stop fire’ request through its liaison channels.” It said UNIFIL had informed the Israeli army about the peacekeepers’ activities in advance. “Incidents like these are happening on a too-regular basis, and becoming a concerning trend,” the statement said. “We reiterate our call to the IDF to cease aggressive behavior and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line.” UNIFIL has acted as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for decades, and recently has been working with Lebanon’s army to support a year-old ceasefire between Israel and militant group Hezbollah. The force on Friday noted that “attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations” of a 2006 UN Security Council resolution that formed the basis of the current ceasefire. Under the November 2024 truce, Israel was to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon, but it has kept them at five areas it deems strategic and carries out regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives. Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah, starting in the south near the frontier. Last August, the UN Security Council voted for the peacekeepers to leave Lebanon in 2027.
