Tens of thousands protested in Iran and Yemen on September 27, 2024, against Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. The protests were fueled by calls from Iranian officials to support Hezbollah and condemn Israeli actions. Simultaneously, demonstrations in Bahrain highlighted objection to the war and normalization ties with Israel. The unrest follows significant military exchanges between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, leading to the deadliest violence seen since the Lebanese civil war.
On September 27, 2024, widespread protests erupted in Iran and Yemen in response to Israeli military actions against Lebanon and Gaza. The protests followed a call from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity with Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militant group with strong support within the region. Thousands converged in Tehran, engaging in vocal demonstrations around key locations such as Enghelab Square, where they carried flags and images of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah while chanting slogans condemning Israel. In Yemen, tens of thousands rallied in the capital, Sanaa, organized by the Huthi rebels, who also expressed their unwavering support for Lebanon amidst ongoing tensions with Israel. These protests occurred following a recent missile strike by the Huthis aimed at Israel, reflecting the escalating regional conflict. Despite being an ally of Israel, Bahrain saw protests against the Israeli offensive in Gaza, where demonstrators voiced their discontent regarding normalization with Israel. The situation has intensified since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which sparked retaliatory strikes from Israel and subsequent responses from Hezbollah, leading to the deadliest escalations in the region since the Lebanese civil war. Analysts suggest that Iran faces challenges as it seeks to support its allies without becoming heavily embroiled in the conflict itself.
The protests are part of a larger context involving the rising tensions and hostilities between Israel and various armed groups aligned with Iran across the Middle East, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthi rebels in Yemen. Following the onset of violence on October 7, 2024, which saw Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, the region has witnessed escalated military actions, prompting widespread demonstrations against Israeli military measures perceived as unjust. Hezbollah’s involvement as a key player in the conflict, coupled with Iran’s strategic support for such groups, positions these protests as part of a broader resistance movement against Israeli actions.
The demonstrations in both Iran and Yemen signify a deepening solidarity with Hezbollah and the Palestinian people, as well as a widespread rejection of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza. This reflects the growing geopolitical tensions in the region and indicates that these allied groups may continue to mobilize public sentiment and military response in opposition to Israel’s actions. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability as Iran attempts to balance its support for these factions amidst the risk of escalating conflict.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
