On September 27, 2024, tens of thousands protested in Iranian cities and Sanaa, Yemen, condemning Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. The demonstrations were sparked by government calls for support of Hezbollah, leading to mass gatherings and expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The violence has surged following Hamas’s attacks on Israel, with analysts noting Iran’s careful approach to supporting Hezbollah amid escalating tensions.
On September 27, 2024, tens of thousands of individuals gathered in various Iranian cities and the rebel-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa to express their condemnation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza. These demonstrations were organized following an official appeal by Iranian authorities earlier in the week, which urged support for Hezbollah and denounced the actions of the Israeli government. Reports from AFP and Iranian state media highlighted that the protests in Tehran and other locales featured demonstrators displaying portraits of Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, alongside Palestinian and Hezbollah flags. Protesters vocally declared, “Israel is destroyed. Lebanon is victorious,” while condemning the ongoing violence referred to as a “bloodbath in Lebanon.” In addition to Tehran, protests unfolded in several cities including Semnan, Qom, Kashan, Kermanshah, Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas, with demonstrators burning flags of Israel and the United States. In Sanaa, the Huthi movement, which is backed by Iran, mobilized a significant demonstration, also attended by tens of thousands of supporters who carried firearms and banners. A notable statement by Huthi supporter Mortada al-Mutawkil asserted, “We say to our brothers in Lebanon that you will be victorious, God willing,” highlighting the rallying cry for unity in the face of conflict. Similarly, Mohammed Mushki expressed unwavering support for the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples, asserting, “No matter how long the war lasts and no matter how big it is, we are on their side, all the Yemeni people, on the side of the Lebanese and Palestinian people until victory, God willing.” In Bahrain, two protests also occurred despite the government’s stringent control over public demonstrations. Protesters in a village near Manama voiced solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon and called for an end to normalization with Israel. The backdrop of these protests is the escalating violence that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which has sparked ongoing military confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah. Since late September, Israeli incursions into Lebanon have resulted in a high number of casualties, marking the most severe conflict since Lebanon’s civil war. Analysts suggest that Iran is cautiously supporting Hezbollah while simultaneously attempting to avoid direct involvement in the conflict, which could potentially serve the interests of its adversaries.
The protests in Iran and Yemen are manifestations of the broader tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning the conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Following a significant attack by Hamas on Israel, the subsequent military response has resulted in serious violence, particularly impacting Lebanon. The protests are not only a display of solidarity with Hezbollah but also reflect a regional alignment of Iran-backed factions that view the conflict with Israel as a fight against imperialism and a struggle for Palestinian rights. The demonstrations symbolize an expression of mutual support among various groups within the ‘axis of resistance’ against perceived external threats.
In conclusion, the large-scale protests in Iran and Yemen represent a significant expression of solidarity with Hezbollah and a condemnation of Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza. The outpouring of support underlines the deep regional tensions and the unyielding stance of Iran-aligned groups against Israel. As violence escalates in the region, the dynamics of support and opposition highlight the delicate balance Iran seeks to maintain amidst the ongoing conflict, aiming to bolster its allies while avoiding direct confrontation that could destabilize the region further.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
