Arab Parliament Blames Houthis For Yemen's Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

 Arab Parliament (SABA news agency)
Arab Parliament (SABA news agency)
TT

Arab Parliament Blames Houthis For Yemen's Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

 Arab Parliament (SABA news agency)
Arab Parliament (SABA news agency)

The Arab Parliament blamed Sunday the Iran-backed Houthi militias for the worsening Yemeni humanitarian crisis.

The Parliament said the militia group was blocking humanitarian efforts, closing seaports and obstructing access to humanitarian aid, foodstuffs, medical supplies and fuels.

In a statement following a meeting in Cairo, the Parliament called on the international community and human rights organizations to take practical steps to lift the severe blockade imposed on the Yemeni southwestern city of Taiz by the Iranian-backed Houthi group.

More so, it condemned the terrorist attacks that Houthis continue to carry out against civilians, accusing the militias of increasing the number of displaced persons and of attacking hospitals and medical units.

The Cairo-based legislative body condemned the militia group for blocking civilians from their rights of obtaining medical services, particularly amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic across the country, warning from a possible surge in COVID-19 infections.

It also welcomed Saudi Arabia's proposal to put an end to the Yemeni crisis, affirming its full support for the initiative that offers a chance to initiate comprehensive political dialogue.

In his briefing to the UNSC last month, UN Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths has warned of a “dramatic” deterioration in the country’s ongoing conflict.



EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
TT

EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday she hopes a political agreement on easing Syria sanctions can be reached at a gathering of European ministers next week.

EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Syria during a meeting in Brussels on Jan. 27.

European officials began rethinking their approach towards Syria after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president by opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which the United Nations designates as a terrorist group.

Some European capitals want to move quickly to suspend economic sanctions in a signal of support for the transition in Damascus. Others have sought to ensure that even if some sanctions are eased, Brussels retains leverage in its relationship with the new Syrian authorities.

“We are ready to do step-for-step approach and also to discuss what is the fallback position,” Kallas told Reuters in an interview.

“If we see that the developments are going in the wrong direction, then we are also willing to put them back,” she added.

Six EU member states called this month for the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking.

Current EU sanctions include a ban on Syrian oil imports and a freeze on any Syrian central bank assets in Europe.