GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia
TT

GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks against Civilians in Saudi Arabia

The general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned on Friday Yemen’s Houthi militias for targeting civilians in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones, saying they are actions that threaten the security and stability of the region.

It also reaffirmed support for all measures taken by the Kingdom in preserving the safety and security of its territory.

GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf welcomed the statement issued by the ministerial group that included the US, China, France, Russia, Germany, Kuwait, Sweden and the European Union.

The statement had voiced concern about Houthi attacks against Marib, which undermines UN-led international efforts to end the crisis and further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Al-Hajraf expressed his hope that the position of these countries would contribute to creating the appropriate conditions to implement the call of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen to discuss steps and mechanisms for a permanent ceasefire in Yemen, building confidence, and resuming the political process.

These mechanisms, according to Al-Hajraf, are achieved by entering into serious consultations to reach a comprehensive political solution based on the three references represented by the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and Security Council Resolution 2216.

Al-Hajraf also confirmed that the GCC supports UN efforts on ending the Yemeni crisis through a political solution based on the three references.

He called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, take resolute measures to stop the Houthi attacks on Marib and to pressure the Houthis into engaging in the political process without delay.

He also urged it along with the UN to work on resolving the problem of the rundown Safer oil tanker, which is docked 60km north of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah and suffers from poor maintenance.



Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar will reopen its embassy in Syria on Tuesday after it was closed for more than 13 years, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said on Sunday, a week after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.

Qatar's embassy in Damascus has been shut since July 2011 when it withdrew its ambassador from Damascus after a series of deadly crackdowns by Assad's regime on protesters - violence that led to the 13-year-long civil war.

Doha in recent years did not join efforts by several Arab countries to mend relations with Assad's government and re-establish diplomatic relations with Damascus.

A lightning advance by the opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led to the ouster of Assad on Dec. 8.

Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement its decision to reopen the embassy reflects its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life".