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Jordanian King Warns of Dangers Posed by Israeli Offensive on Rafah

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
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Jordanian King Warns of Dangers Posed by Israeli Offensive on Rafah

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II pose for the media, at the start of their meeting inside 10 Downing Street, in London. (Reuters)

Jordanian King Abdullah II warned on Thursday of the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where so many displaced Palestinians have taken shelter.
“Military and security solutions will never bring peace,” he said, noting that the only way to achieve peace is through a political horizon on the basis of the two-state solution.
The King arrived on Thursday in London, the first stop of his European leg of foreign tour, which started in the United States and Canada.
In Washington, the King met with US President Joe Biden at the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In Canada, he held talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The King’s meetings all focused on the war in the Gaza Strip and the general situation in the Middle East. He stressed on the need to reach a ceasefire and to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Abdullah II also warned of the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah. He reiterated Jordan’s rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinians internally or externally, considering this an issue that must be rejected and condemned by the world.
In Paris, the Elysee Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron will host King Abdullah of Jordan on Friday to discuss ways to contribute to ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
The palace stated, “Following their meeting in Jordan in December, the two leaders will discuss the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, which ultimately ensures the protection of civilians and the entry of large quantities of humanitarian aid.”
They will also discuss ways to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
The French statement said that since the start of the conflict, Paris and Amman have joined hands to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by holding last November two conferences in this regard, the first in Paris and the second in Amman.
Macron’s meeting with the Jordanian King comes after a telephone conversation between the French President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Wednesday.
Macron’s office said the French President had expressed to Netanyahu his firm opposition to a possible Israeli military offensive in Rafah, southern Gaza.
“This could only lead to a humanitarian catastrophe of a new magnitude and to forced displacement of populations, which would constitute violations of international human rights and bring additional risk of regional escalation,” it said.
The French leader also stressed that a ceasefire agreement should be reached “without further delay,” adding that such a deal should “guarantee the protection of all civilians and the massive inflow of emergency aid.”
He told Netanyahu that the Gaza death toll was “intolerable” and Israel’s operations there “must cease,” the president’s office said.

 

 

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Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
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Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias have prevented their so-called prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahwi, from naming the head of his office.

The Houthis have instead forced him to appoint a person of their choosing against his wishes, revealed informed sources in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

The Houthis are attempting to strip al-Rahwi, who was named as head of the militias’ new government, of his powers, making his appointment simply a cover for imposing their agenda and favoring Houthis who are descended of the line of their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The sources revealed that al-Rahwi had headed to the government headquarters with Rabih al-Mehdi, the director of the office of his predecessor. Mehdi hails from the Abyan province that is held by the legitimate government.

Al-Rahwi was seeking to keep al-Mehdi in his post. However, a leading Houthi member, Mohammed Qassem al-Kabisi, who used to occupy the position of government secretary, barred him from making the appointment.

Kabisi even prevented al-Mehdi from entering his office, resulting in an argument with al-Rahwi.

Kabisi informed al-Rahwi that he had no authority in naming the head of his office, saying that he does instead.

Al-Rahwi turned to the Houthis’ so-called ruling high political council to resolve the dispute and was informed that he should accept Kabisi as head of his office despite his objection.

A decree was issued days later naming Kabisi to the post.

He will effectively hold absolute power in government, while al-Rahwi will simply play a figurative role and only be needed to approve decisions and procedures taken by the Houthi leadership, joining other ministers who have no real duties.

The Houthis have formed a new government that will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor in keeping actual power to the militias themselves.

The new lineup includes a pro-Houthi figure, with no diplomatic background or experience, who was named foreign minister, replacing leading General People's Congress member Hisham Sharaf.

The appointment only fueled claims that the Houthis were seeking to eliminate their partners from rule. Al-Rahwi himself had no say in the lineup.

The Houthis announced the formation of their government on August 12. It met on August 17 to discuss its program, referred it to parliament the same day and by the next morning, an announcement was made that it was approved with no amendments or objections.

The incident with al-Rahwi has fueled speculation that the coming period will witness more struggles for power among the Houthis and their partners, whom they are trying to keep out of rule.

Observers noted that Kabisi is the son of a top Houthi leader. Qassem al-Kabisi is one of the founders of the group and is close to their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The senior Houthi officials believe they have the right to represent the Houthis in rule since they are its founders and oldest members.