Houthis organizes massive rallies across Yemen to show solidarity with Iran

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Houthis organizes massive rallies across Yemen to show solidarity with Iran

2025-06-21 16:11 Last Updated At：21:27

Yemen's Houthis on Friday organized massive rallies in Sanaa and over 400 other locations to show solidarity with Iran and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, denouncing the recent Israeli strikes on Iran.

Carrying the slogan "Steadfast with Gaza and Iran against Israeli and American crimes," the demonstrators expressed support for Gaza and Tehran amid the escalating regional tensions.

"Our participation in today's march, 'Steadfast with Gaza and Iran against the Zionist-American aggression,' is an expression of support, solidarity, and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the brutal and unjust aggression. It is subjected to an aggression that contradicts all laws, charters, and international norms," said Adnan Ghaithan, a protester.

"We are here in Al-Sabeen Square, in the land of faith and wisdom --Yemen-- standing firm and steadfast with Gaza and with Iran against Zionist-American crimes. We support the Iranian strikes and salute the Iranian armed forces for carrying them out. We stand with them and by their side," said Khaled Al-Mutairi, another protester.

Participants raised Palestinian and Iranian flags while chanting slogans condemning Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas and infrastructure in Iran.

They called for international actions to stop what they described as violations and to end U.S. military assistance for Israel.

"This aggression poses a serious threat to international peace and security, as the attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran endanger maritime routes, global economic projects," said Mohammed Muftah, first deputy prime minister of Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah.

The marches came just hours after a televised speech by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the Ansar Allah group.

In his speech, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi declared full solidarity for Iran's actions, noting that Yemen's position will remain aligned with Tehran and Gaza, and against what he called "American and Israeli aggression."

The rallies were the first since the direct military confrontation broke out between Israel and Iran.

On June 13, Israeli airstrikes inside Iran killed several senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets, causing casualties and significant damage. Israel and Iran are trading air attacks as the conflict enters second week.

Israel to advance 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Hamas open to peace talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in Jerusalem on Sunday that Israel will soon advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, while Hamas said it is ready to lay down its arms as part of its ceasefire with Israel. At a press conference after meeting visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Netanyahu said that the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement has been largely completed. Israel will ensure the return of the last hostage's remains and is set to move forward to the second phase.

Netanyahu noted that later this month, he plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the progress of the second phase. He reiterated Israel's stance that it will not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Merz said Germany supports Israel's right to exist and its security. He called for the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and stated that Hamas cannot have a role in Gaza's postwar governance. However, Merz also indicated Germany's open attitude towards the establishment of a Palestinian state while opposing any annexation of the West Bank by Israel.

Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' decision-making political bureau, said on the same day that Hamas is very open minded to negotiations regarding its weapons, and Hamas is ready to discuss "freezing or storing" its arsenal of weapons as part of its ceasefire with Israel.

Naim said Hamas retains its "right to resist", but stressed that the group is ready to lay down its arms "with the Palestinian guarantees", and not to use them at all during the ceasefire time as part of a process aimed at leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state. He also suggested a long-term truce of five or 10 years for negotiations.

Naim also criticized Israel for not fulfilling its commitments, particularly concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the promised reopening of the Rafah Crossing. He called on the United States, the UN Security Council, mediators, and other relevant parties to exert pressure on Israel to meet its obligations.