Pro-Bouteflika Parties Criticized Over Demanding Referendum

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
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Pro-Bouteflika Parties Criticized Over Demanding Referendum

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

The Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) – an opposition party in Algeria, has expressed frustration over pro-former Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika parties calling for a referendum on amending the constitution.

Minister of Communication Ammar Belhimer, for his part, convened with official media to discuss the promotion plan for the constitution draft that will be submitted to a referendum in weeks.

Abdul Razzaq Muqri, the Head of the MSP, criticized Sunday pro-Bouteflika parties expressing support to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, saying that the quota system in the parliament has disrupted political work.

in addition, he noted that the figures and loyalists of Bouteflika were returning to the political scene in the country.

Muqri was hinting at a meeting that was held by a leader from the Democratic National Alliance and attended by several activists who were urging Bouteflika to run for a fifth candidacy. During the meeting, the constitution bill was discussed in addition to the promotion plan and the mobilization of university students, women, and farmers.

Notably, the Assembly was led by former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia who was sentenced 15 years in prison for corruption. A month ago, Tayeb Zitouni who showed support to Tebboune’s policies became in charge.

In a related context, the Minister of Communication met on Saturday directors of the government newspapers to provide them with a thorough explanation of the key axes of the constitution amendment bill.

Belhimer affirmed that the ministry’s role in publicity was restricted to providing logistics.



US Military Carries Out Airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters hold their weapons up during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 03 January 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold their weapons up during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 03 January 2025. (EPA)
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US Military Carries Out Airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi supporters hold their weapons up during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 03 January 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters hold their weapons up during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 03 January 2025. (EPA)

The US military says it carried out a wave of strikes against what it said were underground arms facilities of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militias.

The US Central Command said in a statement that Wednesday’s strikes targeted weapons used by the Houthis to attack ships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis said seven strikes targeted sites in the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, and the northern Amran province, without providing further details. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The United States and its allies have carried out repeated strikes on the Houthis, who have continued to target shipping.

The militias say they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.