News - Middle East: Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem praised Yemen in a speech delivered Sunday, describing it as “a torch of jihad and dignity” and a “unique model that has succeeded in humiliating both America and Israel.”

Speaking during a massive Ashura procession in Beirut’s southern suburb, Sheikh Qassem addressed the Lebanese resistance, stating: “Defense will continue because we believe that liberation is a duty, no matter how long it takes or how great the sacrifices. The Israeli enemy still occupies the five points, and we will never accept this aggression.”

He affirmed that the flame of resistance would remain burning for future generations, saying: “We will protect what so many sacrificed for. This resistance is the resistance of Imam Musa al-Sadr and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the master of the martyrs of this Ummah. We are faithful to the covenant, and we are continuing.”

He added: “We insist on continuing the resistance and safeguarding the cause. We will never be part of legitimizing the occupation in Lebanon, nor will we accept humiliating normalization. Our path is the path of Imam Hussein—this roaring people will never accept disgrace or surrender.”

Sheikh Qassem noted that the Israeli aggression had breached the ceasefire agreement thousands of times and that any new agreement would not lead to surrender.
“The aggression must be told to stop,” he said, “because resistance is a solution, and the continued existence of the Zionist entity, ‘Israel,’ is a crisis that must be confronted.”

He stressed that the first step should be for the Zionist enemy to implement the ceasefire agreement by withdrawing from occupied lands, ending its aggression, and beginning reconstruction. “Only then,” he stated, “will we be ready to discuss national security and a defensive strategy that ensures Lebanon’s strength. We have enough flexibility to reach consensus.”

Responding to American-Israeli threats, Sheikh Qassem declared: “America’s equation of ‘kill or surrender’ does not concern us. We stand firm on our rights and dignity. We are men of the field—and between the basket and humiliation, we say: never to humiliation!”

He continued: “On behalf of Hezbollah, we are ready for both options—peace and rebuilding the country with maximum cooperation for progress and stability, as well as confrontation and defense if necessary. We are a people who do not surrender and will never abandon our rights and honor.”

Sheikh Qassem warned the enemy and its allies:
“Do not think we are a people without power or effectiveness. It is enough that Hezbollah and Amal are united in every confrontation.” He also rejected demands to hand over missiles, calling them “the foundation of our defensive capability.”

In a related context, he praised Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, saying: “He has guided us with his courage, faith, and wisdom,” and he saluted the Iranian people for “their resilience that thwarted the Zionist enemy’s goals.”

He also commended the Palestinian resistance and people in Gaza, telling them: “With your resistance, you are among the most honorable people in the world and the best of humanity. Palestine will remain yours, and we will always stand by your side.”

Yemen has emerged as a pivotal player in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, particularly since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. In response to the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Yemen—through its Armed Forces and popular support—has taken an assertive role in the regional axis of resistance, aligning itself with other nations and movements opposing Israeli and American influence.