Yemeni-Iraqi Talks in Baghdad Seek to Bolster Relations

Yemeni Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak (L) attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (R) after their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Baghdad, Iraq, 23 July 2023. (EPA)
Yemeni Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak (L) attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (R) after their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Baghdad, Iraq, 23 July 2023. (EPA)
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Yemeni-Iraqi Talks in Baghdad Seek to Bolster Relations

Yemeni Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak (L) attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (R) after their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Baghdad, Iraq, 23 July 2023. (EPA)
Yemeni Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak (L) attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein (R) after their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Baghdad, Iraq, 23 July 2023. (EPA)

Iraq welcomed Saudi efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen, including the efforts that led to the declaration of the Riyadh Agreement in 2019.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held talks with his Yemeni counterpart Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak in Baghdad on Sunday.

During a joint press conference, Hussein said Baghdad was keen on reopening its embassy in Yemen as soon as stability is restored in the country.

Iraq backs efforts to achieve calm and kick off dialogue between all Yemeni parties, he added.

Moreover, he hoped that the undeclared nationwide truce in Yemen would be translated into political calm and dialogue, adding that Baghdad was willing to cooperate to that end.

“We enjoy good relations with Yemen that we can utilize to help achieve its stability and security,” stressed the official.

“We can work on the regional level in this regard and if there is a need, we are prepared to be part of the solution,” Hussein stated.

Furthermore, he underlined the need to improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen and facilitate the delivery of food.

For his part, bin Mubarak hailed the positive role Iraq plays in Yemen and its role in achieving the truce.

“We are committed to the truce. Now is the time to end the war in Yemen and we are ready to implement a peace agreement,” he declared.

He said his country was suffering from an economic war due to the destruction of oil export ports and difficulty in delivering relief aid.

He also welcomed any Iraqi consular delegation that would be appointed to Yemen.

The FMs held talks on bolstering bilateral relations between their countries. They covered the latest economic and political developments in Yemen, reported Yemen’s state news agency Saba.

Bin Mubarak cited the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ intransigence in extending the truce and ending the conflict. He criticized them for refusing to seriously deal with United Nations and regional peace efforts.

Rather, they have opted to continue their violations against the Yemeni people, he added.

Bin Mubarak spoke of the economic war the Houthis are waging, including their siege of Taiz city and shelling of oil export ports.

The Iraqi and Yemeni foreign ministries signed a political consultations agreement. The officials agreed to bolster relations through the resumption of the meetings of their joint ministerial committee.



Israel Orders More Evacuations in Central Gaza

A Palestinian boy plays among the rubble of a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 04 October 2024. (EPA)
A Palestinian boy plays among the rubble of a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 04 October 2024. (EPA)
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Israel Orders More Evacuations in Central Gaza

A Palestinian boy plays among the rubble of a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 04 October 2024. (EPA)
A Palestinian boy plays among the rubble of a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 04 October 2024. (EPA)

The Israeli military on Saturday warned residents in parts of central Gaza to evacuate, saying its forces will soon operate there in response to Palestinian fighters.

The warnings cover areas along a strategic corridor in central Gaza, which was at the heart of obstacles to a ceasefire deal earlier this summer.

The military warned Palestinians in areas of Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps, located along the Netzarim corridor, to evacuate to the area the military designated a humanitarian zone, an area called Muwasi along Gaza’s shore.

It’s unclear how many Palestinians are currently living in this area, parts of which were evacuated previously.

Israeli forces have repeatedly returned to heavily destroyed areas of Gaza where they had fought earlier battles against Hamas and other fighters since the start of war one year ago.

The vast majority of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people has been displaced in the war, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps.

Others have remained in their homes despite being ordered to leave, saying nowhere in the isolated coastal territory feels safe.

At least 41,825 Palestinians have been killed and 96,910 wounded in Israel's military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, the enclave's health authorities said on Saturday.