PLC Head Overhauls Yemeni Security, Intelligence Apparatus

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Saba News Agency)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Saba News Agency)
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PLC Head Overhauls Yemeni Security, Intelligence Apparatus

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Saba News Agency)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Saba News Agency)

The head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi issued republican decisions on Friday to establish a State Security Council and reorganize the security and intelligence apparatus.

The new State Security Council’s headquarters will be located in the interim capital, Aden, with the possibility of establishing branches across Yemen’s provinces.

The decrees, issued following a meeting in Riyadh with PLC members, entail the merging of the National Security and Political Security agencies into a single entity.

Additionally, the decrees involve the establishment of an independent counter-terrorism agency, with the appointment of its leader.

Reporting directly to the head of the PLC, the State Security Council is tasked with executing all duties and responsibilities outlined in the republican decision.

The organizational regulations specify the competencies of the Council’s leadership, sectors, divisions, and branches, as well as the general administrations overseen by each sector.

The presidential decision mandates that the heads of “Political Security” and “National Security,” along with the integration team formed by the PLC, develop a comprehensive implementation plan to conclude and finalize the integration process within a maximum period of six months from the issuance date of the decision.

Alimi’s decision obliges the novel Council to exercise its jurisdiction and carry out its tasks in a manner that upholds the principles of political pluralism, public freedoms, and human rights, and does not contradict the provisions of the constitution and applicable laws.

Furthermore, the organizational regulations for the Council will be issued based on recommendations and proposals from the integration committee formed by the PLC.

The head of the Council will issue organizational regulations for the administrative units and security force units, as well as permanent orders regarding duties, prohibitions for Council members, and the security of its elements and premises.

In addition, Alimi issued another decree outlining the establishment of a specialized counter-terrorism agency, headquartered in the interim capital of Aden and linked to the head of the Supreme Security Committee.

The decision defines the tasks, responsibilities, and organizational structure of the agency, specifying that its organizational regulations will be issued by a decision from the head of the PLC.

The agency will have an independent budget and financial system, supervised by the Supreme Security Committee.

The presidential decision obligates the agency to promptly refer cases involving suspects, seized items, and all related priorities to the State Security Council or relevant judicial authoritie



Hamas Hands Over Four Hostage Bodies to Red Cross as Palestinians Leave Israeli Prison

Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack - AFP
Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack - AFP
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Hamas Hands Over Four Hostage Bodies to Red Cross as Palestinians Leave Israeli Prison

Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack - AFP
Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack - AFP

An Israeli security official told AFP on Thursday that Hamas had handed over four bodies to the Red Cross, while a senior leader from the Palestinian movement said the bodies belonged to Israeli hostages.

"Four bodies transferred to the Red Cross from Hamas," the official said.

"The four bodies were handed over a short while ago and we are waiting for the release of Palestinian prisoners," the Hamas official said, referring to the remains of the hostages.

According to Reuters, a Red Cross convoy carrying dozens of released Palestinian prisoners left Israel’s Ofer prison. Crowds of cheering families, friends and supporters of Palestinian prisoners were gathered in Beitunia jostling for a glimpse of the bus that was on its way.
Israel had delayed the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners since Saturday to protest what it called the cruel treatment of hostages during their handover by Hamas. The militant group has called the delay a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and said talks on a second phase aren’t possible until the Palestinians are freed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office had said Wednesday that the release of the bodies would be carried out without a ceremony, as opposed to past Hamas releases with stage-managed events in front of crowds. Israel, along with the Red Cross and UN officials, have called the ceremonies humiliating for the hostages.
Among those leaving Israel early Thursday were hundreds of detainees arrested from Gaza, held on suspicion of militancy after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, without charge for months. They include 445 men, 21 teenagers and one woman who were all arrested after the Hamas attack, according to lists shared by Palestinian officials that did not specify their ages.
Only around 50 Palestinians were being released into the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem in this round. Dozens sentenced to life over deadly attacks against Israelis will be exiled out of the Palestinian territories, taken to Egypt at least temporarily until other countries accept them.
The handover will complete both sides’ obligations under the ceasefire’s first phase, during which Hamas returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.