Al-Aradah Calls for Moving Beyond Past Mistakes, Confronting the Houthis

Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
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Al-Aradah Calls for Moving Beyond Past Mistakes, Confronting the Houthis

Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 
Major General Sultan Al-Aradah during his meeting with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties (SABA) 

Yemeni Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Major General Sultan Al-Aradah, has called on Yemeni parties and factions to heal internal divisions, move beyond the mistakes of the past, and support the armed forces in their critical battle against the terrorist Houthi militia.

Al-Aradah stressed that the responsibility of ending the Houthi militia’s rebellion and restoring the state’s hijacked institutions is a major national duty that requires unity from all parties.

Since March 15, the United States has carried out more than 800 strikes on positions held by the Iran-backed group, targeting weapon depots and leaders. The campaign is believed to have killed hundreds of militants and weakened the group’s offensive capabilities by nearly half.

The US military has pledged to continue escalating pressure and dismantling the Houthis’ capabilities as long as they continue to disrupt freedom of navigation. It confirmed conducting 800 strikes since the launch of its operation.

Al-Aradah emphasized that this phase requires collective action to strengthen national unity and to support the armed forces in their decisive battle against the Iran-backed Houthi militia, until the rebellion is ended and the state is restored.

During a meeting on Wednesday evening with the head and members of the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components, the Vice President stressed the need to heal internal divisions, move past yesterday’s mistakes, avoid dwelling on the past, focus on the present and future, reinforce the internal front, strengthen national cohesion, and rise above disputes and rivalries among all national forces and groups.

He also called for amplifying the republican voice in confronting the Houthi rhetoric and its sectarian project, which threatens the state’s existence and tears apart the national fabric. This, he said, must be countered with a unified and responsible political, media, and public discourse that represents the voices and will of all Yemenis and reflects their aspirations to restore their desired state—a homeland that embraces all its people regardless of their affiliations and orientations.

For his part, the head of the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components, Dr. Ahmed bin Dagher, expressed his appreciation for Aradah’s efforts to communicate with political groups, unify their positions, and strengthen national cohesion, while upholding the national principles shared by all Yemenis.

In the same context, the head and members of the National Bloc confirmed during their meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin that the Houthis refuse to engage in any serious political process. They pointed out that the Houthis have shown no willingness to abandon their coup or implement international resolutions, especially Resolution 2216, which hinders progress toward a comprehensive peaceful solution.

Meanwhile, Fagin stated that the Houthi militia’s repeated targeting of shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean poses a serious threat to regional and international security.

 

 



Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)

The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Gaza on Wednesday, but a security source said the death appeared to have been caused by "friendly fire".

"Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A security source, however, told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been "killed by friendly fire", without providing further details.

"The incident is still under investigation," the source added.

The death brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.


Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.


Israeli Far-Right Minister to Push for ‘Migration’ of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians 

A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
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Israeli Far-Right Minister to Push for ‘Migration’ of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians 

A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would pursue a policy of "encouraging the migration" of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Wednesday.

"We will eliminate the idea of an Arab terror state," said Smotrich, speaking at an event organized by his Religious Zionism Party late on Tuesday.

"We will finally, formally, and in practical terms nullify the cursed Oslo Accords and embark on a path toward sovereignty, while encouraging emigration from both Gaza and Judea and Samaria.

"There is no other long-term solution," added Smotrich, who himself lives in a settlement in the West Bank.

Since last week, Israel has approved a series of measures backed by far-right ministers to tighten control over the West Bank, including in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords, in place since the 1990s.

The measures include a process to register land in the West Bank as "state property" and facilitate direct purchases of land by Jewish Israelis.

The measures have triggered widespread international outrage.

On Tuesday, the UN missions of 85 countries condemned the measures, which critics say amount to de facto annexation of the Palestinian territory.

"We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," they said in a statement.

"Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed.

"We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on Israel to reverse its land registration policy, calling it "destabilizing" and "unlawful".

The West Bank would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state. Many on Israel's religious right view it as Israeli land.

Israeli NGOs have also raised the alarm over a settlement plan signed by the government which they say would mark the first expansion of Jerusalem's borders into the occupied West Bank since 1967.

The planned development, announced by Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing, is formally a westward expansion of the Geva Binyamin, or Adam, settlement situated northeast of Jerusalem in the West Bank.

The current Israeli government has fast-tracked settlement expansion, approving a record 52 settlements in 2025.

Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law.