Aden Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Security, Basic Services a Priority

 Yemeni boys play in the Crater district of the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on September 4, 2015. Saleh Al Obeidi/AFP Photo
Yemeni boys play in the Crater district of the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on September 4, 2015. Saleh Al Obeidi/AFP Photo
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Aden Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Security, Basic Services a Priority

 Yemeni boys play in the Crater district of the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on September 4, 2015. Saleh Al Obeidi/AFP Photo
Yemeni boys play in the Crater district of the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on September 4, 2015. Saleh Al Obeidi/AFP Photo

Ahmed Salim Rubea, the new governor of Yemen's temporary capital, Aden, said Thursday that services and security should be tackled in the next phase.

In a telephone conversation with Asharq Al-Awsat, Rubea stressed that basic services in the temporary capital of Aden require urgent intervention and quick solutions.

“Basic services include electricity, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health,” the governor said, adding that he had already tackled those issues during a meeting held Thursday with Aden’s governorate employees.

Yemen's Internationally-backed President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had appointed Rubea Thursday in a new presidential decree, according to state-run Saba news agency.

Rubea said he plans to place an extended action plan to find means for achieving results in best ways possible and based on a scheduled timetable.

“Aden’s immediate needs were already presented to the cabinet to have them quickly implemented,” he said.

Although the governor explained that currently, the Cabinet would not be ready to treat all services-related issues, he said the government would still be capable to contribute in offering those facilities in a better way.

Concerning security and what Aden needs during the current phase, the new governor uncovered the presence of a new plan already proposed by the Prime Minister in this regard.

There are also ongoing efforts to establish a new electricity plant in with a capacity of producing 264 megawatts.

“This will help stimulate many basic services,” Rubea said, adding that treating problems that residents face in their day-to-day lives would very much reflect on the general normative. However, the governor said, “during this phase, big strategic projects in Aden overpass our financial capacities.”



Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
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Moscow Open to Dialogue with Trump on Syria

The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)
The Russian Foreign Minister during a meeting last week in the Kazakh capital, Astana (Reuters)

Russia, Iran, and Türkiye have called for an end to Israel’s military escalation in the Middle East, expressing concern over the worsening regional situation and warning of negative impacts on Syria.
At the conclusion of the 22nd round of Syria talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to a political solution, focused on restarting the work of the Constitutional Committee.
The escalation in the region, combined with the uncertainty following US President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, was a major topic of discussion in Astana, both during bilateral talks and in broader sessions.
The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Lavrentiev, Special Representative for Syria, while Iran’s delegation was headed by Ali Asghar Haji, Senior Political Advisor to the Foreign Minister. Türkiye’s delegation was led by Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Director-General for Syrian Affairs at the Foreign Ministry.
The Syrian government delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Riad, and the opposition delegation, led by Ahmad Tohme, were also present.
Representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with observers from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, attended the talks.
UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen was also present.
Sources at the meetings told Asharq Al-Awsat that much of the discussion focused on the impact of ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon and their effects on Syria, particularly amid Israel’s efforts to expand the conflict.
There was a strong emphasis on preventing Syria from becoming further embroiled in the growing conflict. Additionally, the impact of Trump’s election on US policy towards the region and Syria was widely discussed, with increasing speculation that Trump might follow through on promises to withdraw US troops from Syria.
This issue was highlighted by Russia’s envoy, Lavrentiev, at the close of the talks.
Lavrentiev stated that Russia is open to talks with the new US administration once it is in place to discuss issues related to Syria.
“If there are proposals, Russia is open and ready to continue communication with the US,” he added.
According to Lavrentiev, “Some compromises can only be reached through negotiations.”
A source from the Syrian opposition, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, said there is a shared view that a US withdrawal from Syria is “not inevitable, even if Trump has mentioned it.”
The source noted that Trump has become more pragmatic and responsive to the "deep state," with a better understanding of foreign policy.
The source also pointed out that Türkiye shares this view. While Ankara wants the US to leave, it does not want a unilateral withdrawal without coordination, especially since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are open to talks with both the Syrian government and Russia.

The discussions also highlighted that, despite Israel's efforts to reduce Iranian influence in the region, it is unlikely that Trump will push for a withdrawal under the current situation.