UN: Conflict in Palestine, Maritime Tension Threaten Yemeni Peace

Yemenis look forward to the end of the war and the establishment of peace (United Nations)
Yemenis look forward to the end of the war and the establishment of peace (United Nations)
TT

UN: Conflict in Palestine, Maritime Tension Threaten Yemeni Peace

Yemenis look forward to the end of the war and the establishment of peace (United Nations)
Yemenis look forward to the end of the war and the establishment of peace (United Nations)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that Yemen is facing an uncertain security and political situation, and added that multiple sources, including the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen, reported that the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) and Houthi authorities remain committed to a new ceasefire and had agreed to engage in a UN-led peace process to end the war.

However, the IOM said that the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territories and resulting tension in the Red Sea continue to pose a threat to the peace process and to the wider security and political stability of the country.

“As the situation unfolds, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to provide assistance to vulnerable migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host community members across Yemen,” the organization said in its situation report on Yemen.

It added that tensions in Maarib over a rise in the price of fuel led to a series of protests and clashes, with multiple reports of injuries, deaths, and increased conflict between tribal groups.

“These clashes resulted in intermittent movement restrictions in the area and contributed towards the displacement of additional people throughout the district. In December, IOM continued to operate in other areas of Maarib and closely monitor the situation in Marib Al-Wadi with the intent to restart full-scale operations,” the report underlined.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) stated that, in partnership with local authorities and civil society organizations, it helped form six community mediation committees in six of Aden governorate’s districts.

These committees, which work as part of the project to enhance comprehensive access to justice in Yemen, aim to resolve issues such as financial disputes and civil problems. The members of these committees have received training to become mediators, and work in cooperation with the police to speed up the resolution of problems and reduce pressure on security services.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
TT

Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.