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Hadi Says it's Time for Houthis to Drop their Arms

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi at the parliamentary session. Photo courtesy of Yemen’s information ministry
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi at the parliamentary session. Photo courtesy of Yemen’s information ministry
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Hadi Says it's Time for Houthis to Drop their Arms

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi at the parliamentary session. Photo courtesy of Yemen’s information ministry
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi at the parliamentary session. Photo courtesy of Yemen’s information ministry

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who on Friday attended a rare session of parliament in the eastern city of Seiyun, urged Houthi militias to disarm and engage in the peace process.

Hadi accused the insurgents of obstructing peace efforts but told the parliament that Friday’s session was a sign of their “destructive scheme's failure.”

The Yemeni president thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for backing the legitimacy.

Defeating Houthis “remains our top priority,” he said.

“Isn’t it time (for Houthis) to drop their weapons and start the peace (process)?” Hadi asked while extending his hand for peace.

He also urged the Yemeni people to remain hopeful amid Houthi threats and violations.

Despite receiving death threats, being attacked by Houthi-flown drones and having their houses raided, around 141 lawmakers attended the session that was ordered by Hadi in Seiyun, the second largest city of Hadramaut.

At the session, the MPs elected Sultan al-Borkani as speaker, who expressed determination to defeat the militias that carried out their coup in 2014.

He also lauded the role played by the Arab Coalition in defending the legitimacy against the insurgents.

The session of the 301-member assembly was attended by international envoys and security personnel.

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Iraqi Kurdistan: Assailant of Assyrian Celebration Attack Affiliated with ISIS

 Akitu holiday celebrators carrying a flag for the Assyrians in Iraq (AP). 
 Akitu holiday celebrators carrying a flag for the Assyrians in Iraq (AP). 
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Iraqi Kurdistan: Assailant of Assyrian Celebration Attack Affiliated with ISIS

 Akitu holiday celebrators carrying a flag for the Assyrians in Iraq (AP). 
 Akitu holiday celebrators carrying a flag for the Assyrians in Iraq (AP). 

Authorities in Duhok, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, announced on Wednesday that the attack carried out by a Syrian national during a Christian celebration in the city was an “act of terrorism.”

On Tuesday, the attacker infiltrated a gathering of Syriac Christians celebrating the Akitu festival in central Duhok. He then pulled out an axe and attacked a young man, a 70-year-old woman, and a security officer.

Videos circulating on local media platforms showed a group of people apprehending the attacker, who was seen making hand gestures and shouting “Islamic State.” Shamon Shlimon, the deputy governor of Duhok, stated that initial investigations revealed the attacker was a Syrian national and that given the slogans he shouted, “it is clear that the attack was an act of terrorism.”

Later, security sources confirmed that the assailant admitted to police that he belonged to a terrorist organization.

The Kurdistan Regional Security Council later announced that the attacker was affiliated with an ISIS-linked group. In a press statement, the council said: “While the people of Duhok were celebrating Akitu, an individual holding extremist ISIS ideologies attacked citizens in the market with a sharp weapon.”

The Kurdistan Regional Presidency condemned the “criminal attack,” affirming that it would not tolerate any actions that undermine the culture of coexistence, acceptance, and tolerance.

In a statement on Wednesday, the presidency said it was “closely following” the investigation into the “criminal attack” in Duhok, assuring that the perpetrator will face legal consequences.

This is the first attack of its kind in Duhok. Chaldeans and Syriacs celebrate Babylonian-Assyrian New Year (Akitu) every April 1. During the recent attack, more than 8,000 people were present, half of whom were from outside the Kurdistan region, according to local reports.

The Akitu festival features celebrations, cultural and artistic events, and recreational activities, including traditional dances.