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.



Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Siddiq al-Mahdi, Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Sudanese citizens suffering from the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Addis Ababa, al-Mahdi criticized the National Congress Party for manipulating its alliance with the military to advance its political goals.

Al-Mahdi said he would only engage in the political process if the party ends its connection with the military and security forces.

He highlighted a growing recognition of the need to end the war, noting a shift away from military solutions as a positive sign of Sudanese public opinion converging on the need for peace.

The Taqaddum official said this change has reduced support for the war and increased regional and international calls for its end.

Al-Mahdi warned that the war has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and poses threats to the region, neighboring countries, the Horn of Africa, and Red Sea security.

“The need to stop the war is now urgent, and we must act on this,” he said.

He praised international efforts, including the Paris and Cairo conferences and the UN's attempts to bring the warring sides together in Geneva for aid and protection.

Al-Mahdi also revealed that his coalition had proposed a plan to the military and Rapid Support Forces, focusing on humanitarian aid, political arrangements to end the war, and a transition to civilian democracy.

He stressed that the humanitarian situation cannot wait for the war to end.

“Providing aid and protecting citizens are urgent priorities. We need to act now to deliver aid, even before the war ends,” he said.

He noted that the best approach involves coordinating initiatives from various platforms, including Jeddah, IGAD, and its key member states Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.

Al-Mahdi emphasized that all these entities are working on humanitarian and peace efforts.

He stated that any alignment among mediators, conflict parties, and civil components is viewed by Taqaddum as a comprehensive process for achieving peace.