Yemeni Official: The Situation in Iran Will Negatively Affect Houthis

Ambassadors and military attaches from the countries of the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimacy in Yemen pose for a group photo following their meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Ambassadors and military attaches from the countries of the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimacy in Yemen pose for a group photo following their meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Yemeni Official: The Situation in Iran Will Negatively Affect Houthis

Ambassadors and military attaches from the countries of the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimacy in Yemen pose for a group photo following their meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Ambassadors and military attaches from the countries of the Arab Coalition supporting the legitimacy in Yemen pose for a group photo following their meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

The current situation inside Iran will undoubtedly reflect negatively on Houthi militias in Yemen, with the Iranian regime being their main supporter, according to Yemeni ambassador to Saudi Arabia Shaya al-Zindani.

The legitimate government counts on the Yemeni people, said the ambassador, adding: "It is only natural that we count on our people and their will of living, and certainly the unrest inside Iran will negatively reflect on the militias situation since Iran is their main backer.”

Zindani was speaking after the meeting of the Arab ambassadors and military attaches who reviewed the latest developments in Yemen and the ongoing efforts of the Arab Coalition supporting legitimacy.

Zindani explained that the Arab alliance was established upon the request of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi to help Yemen and its people, highlighting the crucial role of Saudi Arabia.

"Certainly war was not a demand, and it came as the result of a coup against the legitimate authority in Yemen. We believe that the main task of the coalition is to support the restoration of the legitimate government in Yemen," said the ambassador adding that the government appreciates the efforts of the coalition.

"It is not the responsibility of individual countries, but a collective responsibility for each of the countries in the coalition," confirmed Zindani.

The Yemeni ambassador pointed out that all the indicators confirm that victory is near. "Yemen’s stability and security represent the stability of the region. Experience has shown that there is an expansion project targeting all countries of the region," said the ambassador.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Saudi ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber stated that the ambassadors discussed military, political and humanitarian aspects, as well as the Iranian support for Houthi militias and their ongoing aggression against Yemeni people and Saudi Arabia.

He added that Iran continues to supply Houthis with ballistic missiles ranging from 600 km to 1000 km, as a result of Iran's smuggling missile parts through Hodeidah port. Afterwards, Iranian and Hezbollah experts assemble the missiles in Saada and Sanaa.

Jaber pointed out that the participants stressed the importance of a political solution based on the three references: the Gulf initiative, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue and Security Council Resolution 2216.

The Saudi ambassador stated that the meeting also discussed certain Houthi organizations that work with the United Nations in Sanaa and some Yemeni regions and report false information in a way that "appears to be correct and UN organizations take this information seriously."

Spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki also spoke after the meeting and reported the achievements of the coalition on all axes and fronts, adding that al-Shabwa was completely liberated last week.

He reported that the leadership of the coalition contacted many leaders in the Republican Guard for military and security purposes, but refused to give further details.

“We renew the invitation to all members of the General People's Congress or those of the Republican Guard who wish to join the legitimacy and we will secure their movement inside or outside Yemen," he concluded.



Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
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Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Sunday said moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan,” accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.

It will then tackle disarming the Iran-backed movement in the rest of the country.

"Disarmament is an Israeli-American plan," Qassem said.

"To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression and America is imposing its will on Lebanon, stripping it of its power, means that you are not working in Lebanon's interest, but rather in the interest of what Israel wants."

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon and has maintained troops in five areas it deems strategic.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

Israel has questioned the Lebanese military's effectiveness and has accused Hezbollah of rearming, while the group itself has rejected calls to surrender its weapons.

"The deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River was required only if Israel had adhered to its commitments... to halting the aggression, withdrawing, releasing prisoners, and having reconstruction commence," Qassem said in a televised address.

"With the Israeli enemy not implementing any of the steps of the agreement... Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israelis commit to what they are obligated to do."

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal told a military meeting on Tuesday "the army is in the process of finishing the first phase of its plan.”

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.


Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
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Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP

The Israeli military said on Sunday it had ended its operation in a town in the occupied West Bank that it had sealed off after a Palestinian from the area killed two Israelis.

Around 50 residents of Qabatiya were briefly detained during the two-day operation, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, quoting the town's mayor Ahmed Zakarneh.

The attacker's father and two brothers remained in custody, it added.

The military launched the operation on Friday, shortly after a 34-year-old Palestinian fatally stabbed an 18-year-old Israeli woman and ran over a man in his sixties with his vehicle.

When contacted by AFP on Sunday morning, the military confirmed the end of its operation in the area.

Defense Minister Israel Katz previously said the army had completely sealed off the town.

Wafa also reported that Israeli troops had withdrawn from Qabatiya, near the city of Jenin.

Zakarneh said the town had been in a state of "total paralysis" during the military activity.

Israeli army bulldozers tore up pavement on several streets and erected roadblocks to halt traffic, he said, adding that around 50 houses were searched.

Wafa reported that a school had been turned into a detention and interrogation center.

AFPTV footage filmed on Saturday showed Israeli soldiers carrying automatic rifles and patrolling the streets, where several armoured vehicles were deployed.

Shops were closed, though men and children were seen walking through the village.

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had sealed off the assailant's home and was finalising "the procedures required for its demolition".

Israeli authorities argue that demolishing the homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks against Israelis has a deterrent effect.

Critics, however, condemn the practice as collective punishment that leaves families homeless.


Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

At the request of the Federal Republic of Somalia and with the support of Arab League member states, the Arab League Council on Sunday began its extraordinary session at the league’s General Secretariat, at the level of permanent representatives and under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss developments regarding the Israeli occupation authorities’ declaration on mutual recognition with the Somaliland region.

The Kingdom’s delegation to the meeting was headed by its Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar, SPA reported.

The meeting is discussing ways to strengthen the unified Arab position in addressing this step, to affirm full solidarity with Somalia, and to support its legitimate institutions in a manner that contributes to preserving security and stability in the region.

The meeting also aims to reaffirm the Arab League’s categorical rejection of any unilateral measures or decisions that could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to emphasize commitment to the principles of international law and the relevant resolutions of the Arab League and the African Union.