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Djibouti’s Defense Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Welcome Saudi Military Base

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Djibouti Minister of Defense Ali Hasan Bahdon in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Djibouti Minister of Defense Ali Hasan Bahdon in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
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Djibouti’s Defense Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Welcome Saudi Military Base

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Djibouti Minister of Defense Ali Hasan Bahdon in Riyadh in April. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Djibouti Minister of Defense Ali Hasan Bahdon in Riyadh in April. (SPA)

Djibouti’s defense minister, Ali Bahdon, welcomed the presence of a Saudi military base in his country, pointing out that the relationship with Riyadh exceeded military cooperation, to reach historical, ideological and cultural ties.

He added that the military agreement between the two sides has many aspects of cooperation, including the Joint Military Commission, which meets every few months, as well as supporting and strengthening the military forces in Djibouti.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Bahdon said that Saudi experts had arrived in Djibouti to assess military cooperation, and that trainees and students from Djibouti were studying in military colleges in the Kingdom.

“There are historical, ideological and cultural relations with the Kingdom, and we are one people who share the same values, and we have the same issues and problems; relations are much greater now, as we are in a new phase of geopolitical changes in the region,” he stated.

Asked about the building of a Saudi military base in Djibouti, Bahdon replied: “As you know, in terms of cooperation, there is a military agreement signed between the two sides. This agreement has many aspects, including the Joint Military Commission.”

He noted in this regard that the military base was part of comprehensive cooperation and the “relationship between the two countries is not limited to the base, but it is even greater.”

On whether the establishment of the Saudi military base would contribute to combating smuggling across the sea, the defense minister stressed that it would not be the solution to this matter, as “it has limits in which it operates and powers that serve specific goals.”

“Therefore, when we talk about military cooperation, it is a comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries in various military aspects, not in a specific sector and role,” he explained.

He blamed the economic, social and security situation for the migration outflow in the countries neighboring Djibouti, noting that these factors had affected migrants in various nearby countries.

“We believe that the development of countries suffering from migration would be the cornerstone for curbing this problem,” Bahdon stated, underlining a common vision between the Kingdom and Djibouti and a determination to work together and achieve security and stability in the region.

On whether Djibouti was exchanging information with Yemen to prevent arms smuggling to Bab al-Mandab, the minister said: “Djibouti is a member of the Arab alliance, and it is coordinating with the different concerned parties. It is also a country that has received many refugees from regional states, especially from Yemen. The country has incurred major losses due to migration.”

Commenting on the outcome of the first meeting of the Islamic Alliance to Counter Terrorism, Bahdon replied: “The next phase will see further development and improvement of this strategy, which was launched with the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism, and here we congratulate Saudi Arabia on this meeting and the important initiative” launched in this regard.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.