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Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
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Arab World Supports King Abdullah’s Efforts to Preserve Jordan’s Security

In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)
In this photo released by the Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan's King Abdullah II gives a speech during the inauguration of the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, Amman, Jordan, Dec. 10, 2020. (AP)

The Arab world threw its support behind King Abdullah II and the measures taken to preserve Jordan’s security and stability.

King Abdullah’s half-brother and former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein was told to halt actions used to target the country’s “security and stability”, the military said on Saturday.

In a statement published by the state news agency, it said the action was part of a broader security investigation in which a former minister, a member of the royal family and some other unidentified individuals were detained.

Egypt voiced support for King Abdullah and his efforts “to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom against any attempts to undermine it,” its presidency spokesman wrote on Facebook.

Oman completely stands by Jordan under the leadership of King Abdullah and firmly supports anything that preserves Jordan's security, sovereignty and stability, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa affirmed full support to the decisions and measures taken by HM King Abdulla II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan to maintain his country’s security and stability and defuse all disruptive attempts,” state news agency BNA said.

In a statement on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) website, Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf said the grouping “affirmed the full support of the Cooperation Council for all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, to preserve the security and stability of brotherly Jordan, wishing brotherly Jordan continued security and stability under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness, the faithful Crown Prince.”

“Jordan’s security and safety is a fundamental basis for the security and safety of the Arab world,” Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad al-Hariri said on Twitter.

“All the solidarity with the Jordanian leadership and King Abdullah in defending the gains of the Jordanian people, protecting their stability, and refusing interference in their affairs.”

Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed its “support to all the measures taken by Jordan’s King Abdullah and his Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom”, adding “The security and stability of the kingdom are that of Kuwait”.

“The Iraqi government affirms that it stands with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in any steps taken to preserve the security and stability of the country and take care of the interests of the brotherly people of Jordan, in a way that boosts their presence, by relying on measures that aim to extend the respect of the state,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Qatar expressed its full solidarity with the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and its full support to the decisions and measures issued by His Majesty King Abdullah to preserve the security, stability, and boost the process of progress and prosperity in the country,” state news agency QNA said.

“Qatar affirmed that the security and stability of Jordan is an integral part of its security and stability, and stressed that the developed strategic relations between the two brotherly countries will remain an honest and strong guard against any attempts to undermine the security and stability in the two countries and the region.”

Yemen’s legitimate government “affirms its absolute support and its complete stand with all measures aimed at preserving Jordan’s security”, state news agency Saba said.

“Yemen affirms its absolute support and totally stands with all decisions and measures taken by His Majesty King Abdullah aimed at maintaining security and ending any attempts to destabilize the sisterly Kingdom of Jordan.”

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that we stand by the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the king, the government, and the people,” official Palestinian news agency WAFA said in a statement.

“We support the decisions taken by King Abdullah II to preserve Jordan’s security and ensure its stability and unity.

“We support the steps taken by King Abdullah to maintain Jordanian national security, stressing that Jordan’s security and stability is a supreme Palestinian interest.”

Morocco's King Mohammed VI held a phone call with King Abdullah on Sunday to express solidarity and support for security measures taken by Jordanian's authorities, Morocco's royal palace said on Sunday.

“The secretary-general of the Arab League expressed full solidarity with the measures taken by the Jordanian leadership to maintain the security of the kingdom and maintain the stability,” the Arab League said in a statement on its Facebook page, citing Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“He also stressed his confidence in the leadership’s wisdom and its keenness to secure the country’s stability in parallel with the respect for the constitution and the law.

“Ahmed Aboul Gheit added that King Abdullah II has a high and appreciated position, whether among the Jordanian people or on the Arab level in general, and that everyone knows his sincerity and his great role in serving Arab causes.”

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Arab World

Houthis Target Sanaa Bakeries to Fund War Effort

Houthis shut dozens of bakeries to extort money from owners. (Facebook)
Houthis shut dozens of bakeries to extort money from owners. (Facebook)
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Houthis Target Sanaa Bakeries to Fund War Effort

Houthis shut dozens of bakeries to extort money from owners. (Facebook)
Houthis shut dozens of bakeries to extort money from owners. (Facebook)

Yemen's capital Sanaa is facing a looming bread shortage after the terrorist Houthi militia shut dozens of bakeries in a campaign to extract illegal payments from owners, targeting even charitable bakeries that feed poor families while forcing others to use low-quality flour.

Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi-controlled industry and trade authorities had deployed about 12 inspection teams since the middle of last week to raid, shut down and extort money from some 78 bakeries in the Maeen and Al-Wahda districts, citing alleged violations of bread weight regulations.

Bakery owners said the inspections were a pretext to impose more levies and force them to fund the Houthi war effort under threat of closure.

Only 25 of the 78 shuttered bakeries have reopened, after their owners were forced to pay. The rest remain closed and subject to restrictions, fueling fears that the crackdown could spread to other neighborhoods, further disrupting bread production and deepening residents' hardship.

Although Houthi inspection teams said the campaign was aimed at enforcing weight regulations, they also targeted charitable establishments known as "bakeries for the poor," demanding zakat payments despite having no authority to collect the Islamic charitable levy.

The crackdown on charitable bakeries has deprived hundreds of poor and displaced families of bread they once received free or at discounted prices.

Bakery owners in Sanaa told Asharq Al-Awsat that harassment and extortion had intensified, accusing the Houthis of turning bread production into a source of revenue.

The demands include contributions to the war effort under the banner of "supporting the front lines," as well as funding mobilization and recruitment campaigns.

Owners said the mounting costs threatened their ability to stay in business.

Residents reported dwindling bread supplies and visible shortages in several neighborhoods, warning that prolonged closures would hurt more than bakery owners.

The Houthis also face accusations of increasingly exploiting regulatory bodies under their control to squeeze money from the remaining businesses, imposing ever-higher levies instead of policing markets, protecting consumers, improving product quality and keeping prices stable.

The practices threaten one of the most essential staples in Yemeni households, adding to the strain on residents.

Beyond the closures, bakery owners in Sanaa said the Houthis had forced them in recent weeks to buy poor-quality wheat flour, some of it stored for years in warehouses belonging to the Houthi-run Zakat Authority, and mix it with the white flour used to make bread and pastries.

Bakers condemned the orders, saying they showed disregard for potential health risks to consumers.

The measures coincided with a surge in white flour prices, with bags now costing several times their previous prices.

Bakery owners said the mounting levies and restrictions, which threatened to bankrupt them, had left them with little choice but to accept and use the poor-quality flour.

With product quality deteriorating and customer demand falling, workers in the bread industry fear their businesses could collapse.

Arab World

Debate Intensifies in Syria Over Stalled Kurdish Integration Process

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands, after Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout released on March 10, 2025. (SANA/Handout via Reuters)
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands, after Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout released on March 10, 2025. (SANA/Handout via Reuters)
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Debate Intensifies in Syria Over Stalled Kurdish Integration Process

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands, after Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout released on March 10, 2025. (SANA/Handout via Reuters)
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands, after Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout released on March 10, 2025. (SANA/Handout via Reuters)

A row over Syria's agreement to integrate Kurdish-led civilian and military institutions into the state has intensified after presidential adviser Mazloum Abdi accused unnamed parties of trying to derail the process.

Abdi's remarks drew a sharp response from local Arab media outlets, which portrayed them as part of an "escalation campaign" by former commanders of the disbanded Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to unravel existing agreements.

The Hasakah Media Center and Hasakah Observatory were among outlets that branded his comments "provocative."

Stoking Kurdish sentiment

Political researcher and Arab tribal elder Mudar Hammad al-Asaad accused some former SDF commanders of exploiting Kurdish sentiment to win over hardliners opposed to integration.

Al-Asaad told Asharq Al-Awsat that the commanders were making statements detached from reality and outside the terms of the agreement, particularly to appeal to the Kurdish Revolutionary Youth.

"Some leaders in Hasakah and Afrin remain affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and take orders from foreign parties," he said.

Al-Asaad said the Arab community supported integration and an end to divisions in Hasakah and Afrin, noting that most Afrin residents were Arab.

"No one wants the region to descend into tribal or ethnic conflict," he added.

Obstacles to integration

Mohammed Ibish, an official in the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), acknowledged that obstacles were inevitable but said his party remained committed to integration.

"Some see no benefit in completing the process, but our party is working to see it through and bring the autonomous administration's institutions into state structures," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said some parties failed to grasp the importance of integration and contributing to rebuilding the country, while certain regional players sought to keep Syria unstable.

The PYD recently warned at a general council meeting that some parties were seeking to obstruct integration, while rising hate speech and incitement threatened civil peace.

Afrin force fuels controversy

The dispute intensified after Abdi told Kurdish broadcaster Nuçe TV on Monday evening that a special force for Afrin was undergoing training and would soon formally begin operations.

He also said the Syrian government had agreed to accept the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) as two special counterterrorism forces in the Jazira and Kobani regions.

But how either arrangement would work remains unclear.

Asharq Al-Awsat sought clarification from Syria's Interior Ministry and the presidential team overseeing the agreement, particularly on the YPJ's integration, but received no response.

Al-Asaad said Abdi's remarks about the Afrin force appeared to reinforce a system of ethnic or sectarian quotas.

He said that military or security formations based on ethnic or sectarian identity were unacceptable because the agreement required volunteers from all communities to enlist individually, without discrimination.

Arab World

UN Peacekeepers Say Came Under Fire in Southern Lebanon

United Nations Spanish UNIFIL forces inspect chalets after the Israeli army booby-trapped and blew them up at dawn, on the outskirts of the town of al-Khiam, southern Lebanon, Jan. 31, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations Spanish UNIFIL forces inspect chalets after the Israeli army booby-trapped and blew them up at dawn, on the outskirts of the town of al-Khiam, southern Lebanon, Jan. 31, 2026. (AFP)
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UN Peacekeepers Say Came Under Fire in Southern Lebanon

United Nations Spanish UNIFIL forces inspect chalets after the Israeli army booby-trapped and blew them up at dawn, on the outskirts of the town of al-Khiam, southern Lebanon, Jan. 31, 2026. (AFP)
United Nations Spanish UNIFIL forces inspect chalets after the Israeli army booby-trapped and blew them up at dawn, on the outskirts of the town of al-Khiam, southern Lebanon, Jan. 31, 2026. (AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Tuesday that one of its patrols came under fire in the country's south, without saying who was responsible.

The force, whose mandate in Lebanon expires at the end of this year, said the patrol "was fired upon with about a dozen rounds" near Wadi Jilu and returned fire, after which the shooting stopped.

It reported no casualties and called for an investigation.

"We reiterate the obligation under international law for all actors to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times," it said.

UNIFIL has served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978, but its presence has been unable to prevent several rounds of conflict, including the latest between Israel and Hezbollah, which broke out in March amid the wider Middle East war.

Despite a patchy ceasefire and recent direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah still refuses to disarm and Israeli troops continue to occupy parts of the south.

Under US pressure, the UN Security Council last year voted to end UNIFIL's mandate on December 31, 2026.

Lebanese officials have called for it to be extended.

At a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, G7 foreign ministers agreed on "the need to avoid a security void" in Lebanon after UNIFIL withdraws, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

But he acknowledged there had been no breakthrough on what should replace the force, which numbers around 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries.