Palestinian Factions Declare ‘Popular Resistance’ in Rejection of Normalization

Palestinians take part in a protest against the United Arab Emirates' deal with Israel to normalize relations, in Nablus, West Bank, August 14, 2020. (Reuters)
Palestinians take part in a protest against the United Arab Emirates' deal with Israel to normalize relations, in Nablus, West Bank, August 14, 2020. (Reuters)
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Palestinian Factions Declare ‘Popular Resistance’ in Rejection of Normalization

Palestinians take part in a protest against the United Arab Emirates' deal with Israel to normalize relations, in Nablus, West Bank, August 14, 2020. (Reuters)
Palestinians take part in a protest against the United Arab Emirates' deal with Israel to normalize relations, in Nablus, West Bank, August 14, 2020. (Reuters)

Fatah deputy chief Mahmoud al-Aloul revealed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was under great pressure to change his stance on regional developments.

This pressure will not change the current Palestinian rejection of agreements between Arab countries and Israel to normalize relations, he added.

“We derive our position from the people and their ability to persevere,” he stressed.

The Palestinians have vehemently rejected agreements reached between Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel and have decided to counter such moves by uniting their ranks after years of divisions and disputes.

These efforts led to the establishment on Saturday of the Unified National Command of the Popular Resistance.

In a founding statement, it called for activating popular resistance, under the Palestinian flag. It said Tuesday will be a day of “a popular uprising that rejects” the normalization.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel are expected on Tuesday to sign an agreement that normalizes their relations.

“The popular struggle will only end with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” continued the statement.

It also called on Palestinians in the diaspora, as well as people in Arab and Islamic countries, to stage rallies in front of American, Israeli and Arab embassies to reject the normalization.

The general secretaries of various Palestinian factions had reached an agreement on September 4 to activate “comprehensive popular resistance” against Israel in wake of the agreements with Arab countries.

The Unified National Command of the Popular Resistance is formed of factions from the West Bank and Gaza, as well as from abroad.

Factions that reject the Oslo Accords have taken advantage of the escalation, with the Hamas movement saying that “comprehensive resistance was the only way to defeat Israel, thwart its plans and liberate the occupied territories.”



Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
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Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)

The Yemeni army has warned of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ constant mobilization and readiness to reignite the war.

Yemen Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdo Majali told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis have been firing artillery and drones at residential areas and military positions at various battlefronts.

He interpreted the actions as part of the militias’ preparations to return to war, accusing them of aborting “all regional and international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and achieve peace.”

Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Daeri had told Asharq Al-Awsat previously that the war could erupt at any moment, stressing that the armed forces “were ready for all options.”

Observers interpreted the Houthi preparations and statements by its senior leaders as a reflection of their concern over the legitimate Yemeni army launching a military campaign - with international backing - to liberate Hodeidah and its ports.

The theory is backed by the Houthis’ mobilization of reinforcements to areas under their control in Hodeidah.

Majali stressed that the armed forces are at the “highest level of combat readiness and their morale is high.”

“Comprehensive strategies are in place to liberate the nation from the terrorist Houthi crimes and violations against our Yemeni people,” he declared.

The legitimate Yemeni government has for months since the Houthis started targeted international shipping in the Red Sear been calling on the international community to support its armed forces.

The end of the Houthi attacks on international shipping lies in backing the government, not western strikes against the militias, it has reiterated on numerous occasions.

Majali said the Houthis are continuing their violations against the people in various regions, notably in Taiz, Dhale and Marib.

The main goal for the armed forces is the liberation of the nation, starting with Sanaa, Hodeidah and Hajjah, he added, saying the Houthi “demise is near.”