First Batch of Yemeni Evacuees from Sudan Arrive in Aden

A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
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First Batch of Yemeni Evacuees from Sudan Arrive in Aden

A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
A Saudi soldier distributes flowers to Yemeni evacuees as they disembark the Saudi HMS Abha ship, traveling from Port Sudan, after docking at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

The first group of Yemeni evacuees from Sudan arrived in Aden on Monday, having been evacuated by Saudi ships from Port Sudan to Jeddah, before boarding al-Yemenia Airways to their destination.

According to Yemeni sources, 180 people arrived at Aden International Airport, with plans in place to transport hundreds of others still stranded in Sudan.

The commercial director of al-Yemenia, Mohsen Haydara, said the airlines operated two flights from Jeddah to Aden in the first stage of the evacuation process, with the first carrying 180 and the second 270 passengers.

Haydara explained that the evacuation effort follows the directives of the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, who is keen to follow up on the conditions of Yemeni citizens and ensure their safe return.

He lauded the efforts of Saudi Arabia in facilitating the evacuation process of Yemenis and other nationals who were stranded in Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.

The Yemeni Foreign Ministry announced that arrangements were underway to receive nationals from Sudan and bring them to Jeddah as part of the evacuation flights in coordination with Saudi Arabia.

In an official statement, the Ministry said that under the directives of the political leadership, two flights of al-Yemenia would depart from Jeddah to the interim capital, Aden, with the first flight carrying 180 passengers and the second flight 273 passengers.

The statement asserted that evacuations would continue until all citizens safely return home.

The Ministry stated that families and female students were given priority in the ongoing evacuations and coordination with all concerned authorities until the evacuation of all nationals.

A total of 2,423 Yemeni citizens in Sudan have expressed their desire to return home, considering the recent developments and the ongoing clashes.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Guarantor of Israeli Stance, Negotiations Are Good

19 November 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: US special envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. (Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa)
19 November 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: US special envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. (Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Guarantor of Israeli Stance, Negotiations Are Good

19 November 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: US special envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. (Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa)
19 November 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: US special envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut. (Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa)

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that the situation was "good in principle" following two hours of talks with US envoy Amos Hochstein to discuss the US proposal for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

Some details of the proposal still needed to be hashed out, including technical details, he added.

He said Hochstein would settle those details before travelling on to Israel, and that Lebanon saw the United States as the guarantor of the Israeli stance.

On whether the draft under discussion was also addressed with the Israelis, he said Hochstein "is coordinating with them over it."

"This wouldn’t be the first time the Israelis renege on their pledges," he added.

Hochstein had arrived in Beirut on Tuesday and kicked off his talks with Berri, who has been tasked by Hezbollah in negotiating on its behalf.

Hochstein said he held "very constructive talks" with Berri and that there was a "real opportunity" to bring the conflict between the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah and Israel to an end.

"This is a moment of decision-making. I am here in Beirut to facilitate that decision but it's ultimately up to the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict. It is now within our grasp," he told reporters after the meeting.