Rabiah to Asharq Al-Awsat: ‘YCHO Plan Focuses on Sustainability’

Rabiah to Asharq Al-Awsat: ‘YCHO Plan Focuses on Sustainability’
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Rabiah to Asharq Al-Awsat: ‘YCHO Plan Focuses on Sustainability’

Rabiah to Asharq Al-Awsat: ‘YCHO Plan Focuses on Sustainability’

Advisor to the Royal Court and General Supervisor of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) Dr. Abdullah al-Rabiah said that the center has many ways to ensure that Yemeni citizens, living in areas under Houthi militias’ control, can benefit from the aid provided by the center.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday that these ways can be revealed and that he is reserving some of them to ensure the safety of workers on ground.

Rabiah said that Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations (YCHO) Plan focuses on sustainable projects and are also characterized by flexibility, effectiveness, rapid response and continuous development in line with the needs of Yemeni people as an individual and community and with the conditions on the ground.

Therefore, Rabiah said, the comprehensive operations are subject to periodic and continuous review in terms of requirements and conditions and the development of mechanisms to ensure their effectiveness and achieve their immediate and strategic objectives and positive effects.

The methods announced are the cooperation with local charitable societies and foundations in Yemen, which are official and reliable institutions, as well as the cooperation with the United Nations organizations and international humanitarian organizations, he added.

“It is not a secret when I say that in order to deliver our aids to the beneficiaries, we remove the slogan of the center and put instead slogans of UN and local organizations to ensure unimpeded access and in order not to be looted or confiscated brutally,” Rabiah further noted.

KSRelief’s General Supervisor said that in some cases the center bought food from traders within the provinces controlled by the coup militias to distribute them to the needy within the province.

“I affirm that the center will not hesitate to provide all means to deliver aid to the brothers in Yemen in compliance with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown the Prince to stand with brothers in their plight and alleviate their suffering.”

He also stressed that the long history and strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Yemen are not affected by the futility of the Iranian terrorist militias, adding that Saudi Arabia's humanitarian approach stems from the teachings of the Islamic religion and is not discouraged by such desperate defeatist acts.



Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
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Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country is close to signing military agreements with Saudi Arabia. These deals will include joint training, capacity-building programs, counterterrorism training, and intelligence sharing.

He said Nigeria is working to strengthen its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. “My visit focused on boosting military cooperation and ties with the Saudi Armed Forces,” he added after meeting Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Matawalle said his country believes in Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting regional stability and global security. He noted that his visit aimed to explore new opportunities, share ideas, and strengthen cooperation to address common security threats.

Matawalle said the talks focused on boosting security ties, including counterterrorism training and intelligence sharing.

“We aim to solidify Nigeria’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and finalize agreements on joint training programs and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen our armed forces,” he said.

He also visited the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) headquarters in Riyadh, where he met Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi to discuss enhancing cooperation in security and counterterrorism with Saudi Arabia and other member states.

Counterterrorism Efforts

Nigeria has made strong progress in fighting terrorism, thanks to multi-faceted strategies, according to Matawalle. He pointed to the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which has significantly reduced banditry in the northwest.

In the northeast, groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have been largely defeated through Operation HADIN KAI, he said, crediting military action and international partnerships, including with Saudi Arabia, for improved intelligence and training.

Matawalle also praised a recent counterterrorism conference in Nigeria, calling it a vital step.

“It highlighted the importance of working together to tackle terrorism and strengthen regional security,” he said.

Matawalle said that the recent counterterrorism conference helped countries share strategies, intelligence, and best practices. He stressed the need for a united front against terrorist networks and highlighted the event’s role in boosting collaboration between African nations and global partners.

Matawalle added that the conference reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in regional security and the importance of partnerships like the one with the IMCTC.

Nigeria Calls for Stronger Arab-African Role in Regional Crises

Matawalle urged Arab-African nations to work together to stop the wars in Palestine and Lebanon. He called for collective action to push for a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid to those affected.

He emphasized the need for Arab-African countries to use their influence in organizations like the UN and African Union to seek a fair resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Sudan’s crisis, Matawalle reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for peaceful solutions through inclusive dialogue. He stressed that clear mandates, logistical support, and collaboration with local stakeholders are essential for success.

“Nigeria is ready to work with regional and international partners to ensure peace initiatives succeed,” he said, highlighting Nigeria’s leadership roles in ECOWAS and the African Union. He also backed deploying mediators to secure ceasefires and deliver humanitarian aid.

Matawalle said deploying African forces in Sudan could succeed if efforts are well-coordinated, properly funded, and internationally supported.

He expressed optimism, pointing to growing agreement among African nations on the importance of African-led solutions. With backing from the African Union and global partners, he believes such initiatives could protect civilians and promote lasting stability.