Top Yemeni Official Escapes an Armed Ambush

A boy walks on a street littered with cooking gas cylinders after a fire and explosions destroyed a nearby gas storage in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz July 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer/Files
A boy walks on a street littered with cooking gas cylinders after a fire and explosions destroyed a nearby gas storage in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz July 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer/Files
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Top Yemeni Official Escapes an Armed Ambush

A boy walks on a street littered with cooking gas cylinders after a fire and explosions destroyed a nearby gas storage in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz July 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer/Files
A boy walks on a street littered with cooking gas cylinders after a fire and explosions destroyed a nearby gas storage in Yemen's southwestern city of Taiz July 19, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer/Files

Yemeni Deputy Premier and Minister of Civil Service Abdulaziz Jubari and his accompanying delegation survived an armed ambush in Tur al-Bahah district of Lahij governorate on their way back from Taiz where they spent two weeks.

A few days ago, Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Dagher's convoy was ambushed as well in the same area. Al-Sabiha tribes residing in the area denounced this act and apologized to the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, legitimate government consolidated its presence in several liberated and semi-liberated areas, especially in providing services, salaries and solving other issues.

Observers believed that these incidents may be linked to the insurgents who are trying to create chaos in the liberated districts.

Yemeni political observer Baleegh al-Mekhlafi told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that recent measures taken by the governmental envoy in Taiz had inconvenienced these forces and people of personal agendas and that is why there had been several attempts against Jubari.

In latest field developments, a number of Saleh and Houthi militants were killed during army military operations backed by the popular resistance in al-Baydaa district in the center of Yemen.

Tribal sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that intense clashes erupted between the army backed by the resistance and militias in az-Zahir district, following a failed infiltrating attempt.

Army commander, Sheikh Ali Taher stated that the military operations of the resistance resulted in the death and injury of several militants.

Taher explained to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the army and popular resistance are rearranging and reorganizing troops in areas within their control. He added that the areas witnessed several clashes between the army and the militias who are trying to advance and infiltrate into Al Hmyqan sites, however, they are met with fierce resistance.

Taher also stated that every now and then, Houthis raid on residential areas and civilians.

In Hajjah district, on border with Saudi Arabia, Saudi-led coalition intensified its air raids on militias sites and clusters in Harad.

Local residents told Asharq Al-Awsat that the coalition launched about 15 air raids over several areas in Bani Haddad, al-Mazrak, and center of Harad.

Sources reported that the national army thwarted militias infiltrations towards several areas in Midi city and forced the attackers to retreat after several militants were killed and injured.

Also, National Army forces raided on several militia clusters in al-Akda area of Usaylan district in Shabwah governorate, south Yemen.

Military sources reported that the raids came few hours after a fire exchange between both sides in al-Khaydar area.



Turkish President and Hamas Officials Hold First Meeting Since Gaza Ceasefire

 In this handout photo released by Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, sits next to members of the Hamas leadership council, left, including senior leader Mohammed Darwish, center left, and Turkish Foreign Minster Hakan Fidan, center right, at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Turkish Presidency via AP)
In this handout photo released by Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, sits next to members of the Hamas leadership council, left, including senior leader Mohammed Darwish, center left, and Turkish Foreign Minster Hakan Fidan, center right, at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Turkish Presidency via AP)
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Turkish President and Hamas Officials Hold First Meeting Since Gaza Ceasefire

 In this handout photo released by Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, sits next to members of the Hamas leadership council, left, including senior leader Mohammed Darwish, center left, and Turkish Foreign Minster Hakan Fidan, center right, at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Turkish Presidency via AP)
In this handout photo released by Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, sits next to members of the Hamas leadership council, left, including senior leader Mohammed Darwish, center left, and Turkish Foreign Minster Hakan Fidan, center right, at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Turkish Presidency via AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Wednesday with a high-ranking Hamas delegation, marking his first encounter with the group since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Unlike many of its NATO allies, Türkiye does not consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization and Erdogan has maintained a close relationship with the group, regularly hosting its leaders.

A brief statement from the president’s office said Erdogan met with the delegation, which includes senior leader Mohammed Darwish and other members of the Hamas leadership council, in the Turkish capital Ankara.

The statement did not provide further details but a photograph of the meeting showed that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, were present.