Houthis claim Aramco strike in Saudi Arabia; 6 killed in Mokha attack | LIVE

Yemen: 6 killed in Houthi attack on Mokha, a Yemeni port controlled by the internationally recognized government, according to an AFP military source

Houthis say they targeted Aramco in Saudi Arabia's Najran with drone

The Houthis said they targeted an Aramco facility in the Saudi city of Najran with a drone, the group-controlled SABA news agency reported Friday, citing a military source, according to Reuters.

According to the source, the attack was carried out in response to what the Houthis described as a violation of Yemen’s sovereignty by Saudi military aircraft, which allegedly entered the airspace over northeastern Saada governorate.

Neither Saudi authorities nor Aramco immediately confirmed the reports. The statement did not immediately make clear whether the facility had actually been hit.

Qassem lashes out at the state: 'Stop piling up failures'

Naim Qassem concluded his speech by lashing out at the state and calling on it to “stop piling up failures.”

“This accumulation is destroying the country and harming the country and its future,” he said. “What is happening is a surrender. We do not accept surrender, and we will remain standing and steadfast. We will not accept either the violation of our country’s sovereignty or the blood of the martyrs having been shed in vain,” he added, without elaborating, while his movement has halted attacks on the Israeli army since a de facto cease-fire took effect in mid-June.

“This Resistance is in a defensive posture. Wars have been imposed on us and we are defending ourselves,” he added.

According to the Hezbollah chief, “it was the Islamabad agreement [signed between Iran and the United States in mid-June and providing, in its first article, for a cease-fire in Lebanon] that allowed residents to return, and it was the Islamabad agreement that brought an end to large-scale fighting.”

“Some claim that 300,000 people returned thanks to the ‘framework agreement.’ That is laughable,” he added.

Qassem calls on state to begin reconstruction and assist displaced people

Qassem then held the state “responsible before anyone else” for rebuilding south Lebanon and assisting displaced people.

“Of course, we are assuming our role by providing aid, cooperating and making every possible effort, but it is first and foremost the state’s duty to do its part, and that is what we will work toward. Accommodation and aid must be provided, and the damage must be repaired,” he said.

He went on to accuse the authorities: “Where are the solutions you promised in the ministerial statement? And where are those set out in the inaugural speech? You have failed to meet the economic and social challenges, to ensure equal opportunities and in appointments, which are being made behind closed doors,” Qassem said.

“Sources of waste and corruption are widespread across public administrations, and the electricity sector is facing all the difficulties we know about. Who is demanding accountability and holding those responsible to account? Where is the depositors’ money?” he asked.

Qassem: 'How can you accept this permanent humiliation inflicted on the Lebanese Army?'

Qassem once again criticized the “pilot zones,” which, under the framework agreement, are intended to allow for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces in exchange for the disarmament of the party-militia in designated areas.

“What is this invention you have called ‘pilot zones’? Zawtar Gharbieh, which was not occupied, has now become a pilot zone where Israel is supposed to give you permission to enter?” he said.

“Yet Israel is preventing the Lebanese Army from deploying throughout Zawtar Gharbieh, preventing residents from entering and imposing restrictions,” he continued. “How can you accept this permanent humiliation inflicted on the Lebanese Army instead of protecting it?”

Zawtar Gharbieh was the first “pilot zone” where Israeli troops had been stationed. The Lebanese Army began deploying there in late July, following Israel’s purported withdrawal from the area, where its forces had carried out incursions before the process began. Israeli forces were nevertheless spotted again in the village earlier this week.

Qassem calls on Lebanese authorities to 'take a position' after Katz and Netanyahu say they 'will not withdraw'

“Don’t you hear what [Defense Minister Israel] Katz and [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu say every day, namely that they will not withdraw [from South Lebanon]?” Naim Qassem asked Lebanese authorities. “At the very least, respond to Katz and Netanyahu by taking a position,” he continued.

“We know that the Americans tell you behind the scenes that they cannot do anything against the Israeli enemy because they support its actions,” he said.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun spoke with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, in late July, notably urging him to pressure Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon.

“Everyone who observed the scene in Washington saw only one camp: the American-Israeli camp. As for the Lebanese camp, it was subordinate and carried out what the United States dictated to it,” Qassem said.

Qassem: 'Give us a single example of a result achieved during the seven rounds of negotiations' between Lebanon and Israel

Naim Qassem once again attacked the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, saying they had produced “no results.” “Give us a single example of a result achieved during the seven rounds of negotiations,” he said.

According to Qassem, the negotiations “give Israel what it wants in advance” and bring “nothing but shame and disgrace.”

“The authorities must acknowledge that they have failed and turn back to their people to achieve the strength that comes from a unified and guarantor position, and use the sources of strength at our disposal to confront this arrogant Israeli enemy,” he said.

Qassem criticizes Lebanese authorities for targeting 'Hezbollah’s weapons' instead of condemning Israeli attacks

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem began his speech by criticizing the Lebanese state for having “found no target other than Hezbollah’s weapons instead of condemning the fact that the Israeli enemy is not honoring its commitments.”

“Lebanese authorities did not cooperate with the Resistance, even though it provided, for 15 months [the period of the cease-fire between November 2024 and March 2026], a remarkable example of respecting its commitments and cooperating with the political authorities,” the Shiite cleric said.

He accused the authorities of making their “own calculations” in opposing Hezbollah because of foreign “tutelage,” in an apparent reference to Israel and the United States.

Qassem is delivering a speech to mark the Aug. 14 “anniversary” of the end of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, after 33 days of fighting. The Israeli army withdrew from the South following the war, which killed more than 1,000 people.

Qassem says Lebanese authorities 'controlled by the United States' turned to 'framework agreement,' which he calls an Israeli diktat

Naim Qassem attacked the “framework agreement” signed by Beirut and Tel Aviv on June 26 under U.S. mediation, which he described as an “Israeli diktat.”

The framework agreement consists of “Israeli diktats, written in Israeli ink, to which the Lebanese authorities affix their signatures, giving Israel everything it wants and relinquishing sovereignty,” he said.

According to Qassem, it is “as if the Lebanese authorities, which receive their orders from the United States, wanted to restore their image and honor the commitments they made when they came to power, even if this came at Lebanon’s expense.”

South Lebanon: Israeli army drone again targets Ali Taher

An Israeli army drone again dropped explosive materials on the heights of Ali Taher, in the Nabatieh area, our south Lebanon correspondent reports. This is the fourth time today that the Ali Taher hill has been targeted, according to our count.

Tel Aviv may be preparing to launch a military operation to seize the hill, which overlooks the city of Nabatieh, according to some observers.

Hezbollah secretary-general to address the public this evening

Hezbollah’s media office announced that the party’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem, will deliver a speech at 6:30 p.m. to mark the anniversary of “victory,” which the group considers to be the entry into force, on Aug. 14, 2006, of the cease-fire called for under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

In his speech, the Hezbollah chief “will address the latest developments.” It will be broadcast on al-Manar TV and al-Nour radio.

South Lebanon: Israeli army tank fires shots in Ibl al-Saqi before withdrawing

An Israeli army tank advanced to the outskirts of Ibl al-Saqi, specifically the Sharqi area, where it entered for several minutes before firing sweeping shots, our south Lebanon correspondent reports. It then turned back toward Khiam, just to the south and the main town it occupies in the area.

Ibl al-Saqi, located at Lebanon’s southeastern tip, is a non-Shiite village where around 450 Christian and Druze families normally live side by side.

Meanwhile, Israeli artillery fired two shells at the al-Shammis area on the outskirts of Kfar Shuba, east of Khiam.

Two controlled explosions carried out in Kounin

The Israeli army carried out two controlled explosions in Kounin, in the Bint Jbeil district, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Washington criticizes Katz over pledge to keep Israeli troops in south Lebanon

The United States criticized Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s statement that Israeli forces would not withdraw from occupied areas in south Lebanon. The remarks come amid continued Israeli attacks and demolitions across the south.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem to address latest developments this evening

Hezbollah’s media office announced that Secretary-General Naim Qassem will deliver a speech at 6:30 p.m. to mark the anniversary of what the group calls the “victory,” commemorating the Aug. 14, 2006 cease-fire under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.

Qassem is expected to address the latest developments. The speech will be broadcast on Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV and al-Nour radio.

Explosives dropped again on Ali Taher

Israeli quadcopter drones again dropped explosive materials toward the Ali Taher heights in the Nabatieh area, according to our correspondent.

Ali Taher remains under Israeli fire

Israeli artillery targeted the Ali Taher heights in the Nabatieh district on Friday afternoon, while an Israeli drone dropped explosives on the hill, according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Israeli military vehicles were also spotted near Aita al-Jabal in the Bint Jbeil district. In the Sour district, an Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade over Mansouri.

France calls on Israel to arrest settlers besieging Qusra homes

France called on Israel to arrest and prosecute settlers who have been besieging Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra and to protect Palestinian civilians, AFP reported.

The French foreign ministry condemned the settlers’ occupation of several Palestinian homes and violence against civilians, saying Israel has an obligation under international law to protect them.

General Security reopens Qana office in south Lebanon

Lebanon’s General Security Directorate will resume operations and citizen services at its Qana regional center in the Sour district on Aug. 17 at 8 a.m.

The office had suspended activities amid repeated Israeli strikes that forced residents to flee and disrupted local institutions.

US ambassador says south Lebanon demolitions will stop when Hezbollah hands over its weapons

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa told reporters that Israeli demolitions in south Lebanon will stop when Hezbollah hands over its weapons.

“Tell Hezbollah that as soon as it hands over its weapons, everything will stop,” Issa said after meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to revive Lebanon-Israel negotiations.

Issa also said no agreement has been reached on which country will verify the Lebanese Army’s work in the pilot zones, adding that a shortlist of countries is being considered.

Asked whether the U.S. supports a potential Israeli attack on Ali Taher, Issa said he did not know. He also said no date had been set for the next Lebanon-Israel negotiating session, but that talks would continue.

Michel Issa: 'No agreement has yet been reached on who will oversee verification'

U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa said no agreement has yet been reached on which party will oversee verification of the Lebanese Army’s deployment in the pilot zones in south Lebanon and Hezbollah’s disarmament.

“We have a shortlist that includes certain countries, and we are consulting with them before deciding which country will be selected,” Issa said.

Berri and Salam meet cease-fire mechanism chief Joseph Clearfield and U.S. ambassador Michel Issa

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri received US Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, who heads the U.S.-led cease-fire monitoring mechanism, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa at Ain al-Tineh.

The two U.S. officials then met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail.

The talks focused on the military component of the negotiation framework and developments in south Lebanon, according to the Grand Serail. Salam stressed the need to halt Israeli destruction operations in the south, expand the pilot zones outlined in the framework agreement and set a clear timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

Clearfield also met President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Army commander Rodolphe Haykal on Wednesday to discuss the situation in south Lebanon.

US aircraft carrier George Washington heads to Middle East

The Pacific-based USS George Washington has begun heading toward the Middle East, according to the Associated Press (AP), citing a Navy statement and a U.S. official, amid reports of mental health and supply issues aboard the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln.

The move comes as extended carrier deployments during the war with Iran have raised concerns over the impact on service members and increasing strain on ships and equipment.

The George Washington left Da Nang, Vietnam, last week and has since been spotted with a cruiser and destroyer crossing the Singapore Strait. A Navy official told AP that the carrier was in the Strait of Malacca, which links the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The deployment would leave the Pacific without a US aircraft carrier for an unknown period, AP reported.

New Israeli raid on Mansouri in south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out a fourth raid on Mansouri in the Sour district at around 9 a.m., according to our correspondent in south Lebanon.

Washington threatens Iran with 'economic isolation the world has never seen'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday threatened to impose on Iran “economic isolation the world has never seen,” with new measures expected next week.

Bessent said the measures would come alongside the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which he said would prevent goods from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

Ali Taher battle: Israel tightens the noose as Berri mediation emerges as last resort

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s visit to south Lebanon, where he instructed the army to remain for an extended period, signals that Israel may be preparing for a new military operation.

The main targets would be the Ali Taher, al-Dabsheh and al-Tahra hills, according to an analysis by Mounir Rabih.

Israeli escalation at dawn in south Lebanon: Mansouri and Ali Taher targeted

Israeli attacks intensified overnight and at dawn across south Lebanon, focusing mainly on Mansouri in the Sour district and the Ali Taher area near Nabatiyeh.

Haddatha, Zibqin, the Slouki valley and areas around Mayfadon were also hit by Israeli artillery and machine-gun fire.

UAE condemns Iranian attack on two vessels in Strait of Hormuz

The UAE on Friday condemned an Iranian attack on two vessels affiliated with state oil company ADNOC as they crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

No injuries were reported. The incident came as maritime traffic through the strategic waterway remained below the monthly average amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions.

Israeli attacks continue in south Lebanon amid regional tensions

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of developments in south Lebanon, where the Israeli army continues to occupy more than 600 square kilometers along the border and carry out demolitions across the region.

We will also follow developments across the Middle East, as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high.