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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)
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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.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.