US Ambassador in Yemen Voices Concern to Asharq Al-Awsat over Sana’a Unrest

Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
TT

US Ambassador in Yemen Voices Concern to Asharq Al-Awsat over Sana’a Unrest

Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)

US Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller welcomed on Saturday calls for reaching a peaceful resolution to the country’s conflict, while voicing concern over the fighting in the capital Sana’a.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington was very concerned with the reports on the unrest in Sana’a and the possibility of the fall of civilian casualties.

He therefore urged calm and welcomed the calls for a peaceful resolution.

Fighting as been raging in Sana’a between once allies the Houthi militias and supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The violence in the capital and the desperate humanitarian situation confirm the need for an immediate halt in fighting and for all sides to make concessions to end the war, added Tueller.

In wake of the clashes in Sana’a, Saleh announced on Saturday his readiness to open a new chapter of ties with the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, thereby ending his alliance with the Houthis.

He said in a televised address that Yemen has had enough violence, calling on all the people to defend the revolt against forces that have for three years wreaked havoc in the country.

He also called on the armed forces to ignore the commands of the Houthis militias.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
TT

US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.