Yemen's Alimi: Mahrah is No Longer Isolated

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, and the Governor of Al-Mahra in a meeting with the local authority (Saba)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, and the Governor of Al-Mahra in a meeting with the local authority (Saba)
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Yemen's Alimi: Mahrah is No Longer Isolated

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, and the Governor of Al-Mahra in a meeting with the local authority (Saba)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, and the Governor of Al-Mahra in a meeting with the local authority (Saba)

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi confirmed that the al-Mahrah governorate is no longer isolated and has become at the heart of the battle against the Houthi militias.

Alimi directed adopting the Mehri language and preserving it as one of the most critical aspects of the global heritage.

Speaking before the local authority, security, military leaders, and various figures in the governorate, Alimi praised the remarkable efforts of the local authority in the governorate and its security services in combating the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and organized crime.

Alimi, and the accompanying delegation, arrived in Mahrah on Wednesday on his first visit to the governorate bordering Oman since he assumed the presidential position in April last year.

According to the official Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Alimi will inaugurate during his visit and lay the foundation stone for several service and development projects.

The Chairman recalled the status of Mahrah in Yemeni history, the Mehri language throughout the ages, and its role in alleviating the humanitarian crisis, as it is an eastern gateway to Yemen.

He also described the governorate as a haven for tens of thousands of displaced people, pledging to make it a top priority and enable its people to manage their administrative affairs.

Alimi affirmed the commitment of the Leadership Council and the government to boosting the role of its local authorities, supporting its efforts to achieve security and stability, and improving essential services in its various directorates, as reported by Saba.

He called on the people of Mahrah to be vigilant in the face of the danger of terrorist organizations and groups.

- An invitation to invest

Alimi expressed happiness at visiting Mahrah and meeting with its local and community leaders to serve its citizens and alleviate their suffering exacerbated by the Houthi attacks on oil facilities and international shipping lines.

He acknowledged the difficult conditions that the governorate is going through, indicating that government interventions are required to alleviate the suffering of its citizens with the support of brotherly countries, namely Saudi Arabia and its humanitarian and development programs.

The President called on investors and businessmen to take advantage of the promising opportunities, noting the commitment of the Leadership Council and the government to boost the role of local authorities, support their efforts to achieve security and stability, and improve essential services.

He lauded the unique political, cultural, and social diversity in Mahrah, representing a living embodiment of coexistence and societal harmony.

Mahrah is strategically important, bordering Oman over 550 km with two border crossings, Sharifat and Shaheen, and Nishtun port, one of the essential Yemeni commercial ports.

Terrorist groups have used the governorate to smuggle weapons, drugs, and terrorist elements.

- Saudi support

Alimi sent a message of thanks and gratitude to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, for supporting the Yemeni people and their political leadership.

He expressed the gratitude and pride of Yemen, its leadership, government, and people for the Kingdom's fraternal stances in various stages and circumstances, leading to its urgent response to support the state's general budget.

He asserted that Saudi Arabia is committed to alleviating human suffering, developing Yemen, and defending the interests and identity of its people.

According to Saba, Alimi thanked the Saudi leadership for the royal directives to accelerate the new aid estimated at $1.2 billion and deposited the first batch.

He indicated that it sent a clear message that Yemen has loyal brothers, and that the Kingdom remains at the forefront of efforts to restore state institutions and achieve the just peace that the Yemeni people deserve.

Alimi also lauded the efforts of Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi team concerned with Yemeni-Saudi relations, and all development and humanitarian programs, namely the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).



Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Friday that Iraq has received explicit threats from Israel, adding that the country’s armed forces have been instructed by the prime minister to prevent any attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the armed forces to take action against anyone launching attacks from the country. The foreign minister emphasized that Iraq does not seek war and aims to avoid its dangers, noting that the region is “on fire” and facing “clear threats from Israel.”

The agency also reported that the Iraqi government has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council to address Israeli threats. Iraq’s permanent representative to the Arab League submitted a request for a session at the level of permanent representatives of member states to confront what was described as menaces from the “Zionist entity.”

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he had sent a message to the president of the UN Security Council urging immediate action against activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Sa’ar asserted that the Iraqi government bears responsibility for any actions occurring within or emanating from its territory.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have expressed pessimism about the outcome of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, they emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

Speaking at the American University Forum in Duhok on Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani highlighted that the challenges facing Iraq have fundamentally changed since October 7.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as a “second Nakba”, stressing that the challenges stem from the failure of the international system, which he described as “ambiguous.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that Iraq would play its role in promoting peace in the Middle East and expressed his full support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye.

Speaking at the Duhok Forum, Rashid said that Iraq and the region are facing circumstances that require all parties to closely monitor the situation and find appropriate solutions to ongoing problems, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and security.

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, called for Iraq to remain neutral in the conflict, saying: “The crises in the region and the scenes of war in Lebanon and Gaza are tragic. We hope this suffering will come to an end.”

“We are all awaiting changes following the US presidential election. All indications suggest that a Trump administration will adopt a different approach compared to President Biden’s policies,” he added.

The Iraqi government has stated that under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with the United States, Washington is responsible for “deterring and responding to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.”

According to media reports, the US has informed Baghdad that Israeli military strikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless Baghdad prevents Iran-backed factions from launching attacks against Israel.