UAE: Hodeidah Operation Aims to Break Political Deadlock

A soldier walks at Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad/File Photo
A soldier walks at Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad/File Photo
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UAE: Hodeidah Operation Aims to Break Political Deadlock

A soldier walks at Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad/File Photo
A soldier walks at Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad/File Photo

The UAE said that the operation to liberate Yemen’s Hodeidah port aimed to “end the deadlock in the political process”, due to the Houthis’ continuous violations of UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

UAE State Minister for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashemi addressed a letter to the current president of the Security Council, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia, saying that the operation to liberate Hodeidah, carried out by the Coalition for the Support of Legitimacy in Yemen and the legitimate Yemeni government, was aimed at ending the stalemate in the political process resulting from three years of intransigence and obstruction by the Houthis, and their continued violations of Security Council Resolution 2216.

She added that the UAE “is committed to international humanitarian law and affirms its humanitarian commitment to the Yemeni people, regardless of their location or affiliation.”

The minister noted that the current humanitarian situation in the area was stable, explaining that as the result of collective efforts by UN entities and the Arab coalition, 120 thousand metric tons of food have been stored in Hodeidah.

“This is enough to cover the food needs of 6.6 million people for at least one month,” Hashemi said, quoting the World Food Program (WFP).



Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Arab League has warned against “strife” in Syria, saying it was “following with concern the events taking place in several Syrian cities and areas with the aim of igniting the sparks of conflict.”

It said Thursday that it “rejects the Iranian statements aimed at fueling strife among the Syrian people,” according to a statement from the secretariat.

It did not specify which statements it was referring to.

Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, said on Tuesday that Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and Syria's sovereignty and security.

"We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and we hold them accountable for the repercussions of the latest remarks," he said.

Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei lashed out on Thursday against unspecified media reports on Iran “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs” as “baseless.”

Iran was committed to “supporting the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria and the formation of an inclusive political system,” he said in a statement.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Syrian youth to "stand with firm determination against those who have orchestrated and brought about this insecurity.”

Khamenei forecast "that a strong and honorable group will also emerge in Syria because today Syrian youth have nothing to lose,” calling the country unsafe.