Saada Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Advances Being Made on All Fronts

Houthi militants in Saada, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthi militants in Saada, Yemen. (Reuters)
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Saada Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Military Advances Being Made on All Fronts

Houthi militants in Saada, Yemen. (Reuters)
Houthi militants in Saada, Yemen. (Reuters)

The governor of Yemen’s Saada province stressed that positive developments are in store for the Alab region leading to the Baqim area.

Hadi Tarshan al-Waily told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Ktaf and al-Baq areas are also witnessing an advance by the national Yemeni army, backed by the Arab Coalition.

The al-Fara and Diqat al-Khzam area have been cleared of Houthi mines and stability has been restored there.

“Advances are being made on all fronts,” he stressed.

“Arrangements are being made to advance in the Razeh area in Saada in northern Yemen. The advance will continue there until the forces reach the center of the province,” stressed Waily.

In addition, he hailed a recent statement by the Saada tribes in which they rebelled against the Houthi actions and their hostile behavior towards Saudi Arabia.

“This is a major development that brought together all Saada residents. They have all voiced their support for the legitimacy forces and Arab Coalition and rejection of the alien Iranian ideology,” he said.

“The sons of Saada are eager for the Yemeni army to enter their regions,” he stated.

These tribes were the first to confront the Iran-backed Houthis over seven years ago. The militias only succeeded in capturing Saada after seizing the weapons of the former military, explained Waily.

On the firing of ballistic missiles from Saada towards Saudi Arabia, he said that they are being intercepted because the locals oppose the Houthi actions towards the Kingdom.

The tribes distanced themselves from the ballistic attacks, saying that they are being fired by the Houthis. They also revealed that they will form a political council to hold meetings with the envoys of Arab Coalition members.



Brazil’s Foreign Minister: Relations with Saudi Arabia Have Grown Stronger

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Brazil’s Foreign Minister: Relations with Saudi Arabia Have Grown Stronger

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi-Brazilian relations have strengthened, particularly in political and economic cooperation, since Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office as Brazil’s president in January 2023, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira affirmed.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Brazil’s top diplomat noted that the economies of Saudi Arabia and his country complement each other well, and that they are just starting to unlock their full potential.

According to Vieira, there are many opportunities for growth in areas like trade, investment, logistics, food security, and renewable energy.

Vieira also mentioned that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, alongside the Gulf-Brazil ministerial meeting, he held talks with Saudi officials, including Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.

Investment is an area where the Kingdom and Brazil are just starting to explore significant untapped potential.

Vieira also emphasized the importance of Al-Falih’s visit to Brazil last year, where he led a large Saudi trade delegation.

The Brazilian minister described his recent meeting with Al-Falih in Riyadh as “very productive,” adding that both sides are optimistic about the future of ties between Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.

Discussing the Gulf-Brazil ministerial meetings in Riyadh, Vieira reaffirmed that his country was honored to join a high-level dialogue with Gulf countries this year, marking a historic step in its relationship with the GCC.

During the meetings, Vieira held talks with the foreign ministers of Bahrain and Kuwait, and also visited Oman to meet its foreign minister to discuss common interests.

On Brazil-GCC ties, Vieira noted that there is strong political will to build strategic cooperation, as shown by the outcomes of recent meetings.

Vieira emphasized the growing partnership between Brazil and the GCC, saying that Brazil’s special invitation this year reflects the commitment to deepen relations, with the private sector playing an increasing role in finding new opportunities.