Yemenis Launch Social Media Campaign to Support Marib

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemenis Launch Social Media Campaign to Support Marib

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek arriving in the eastern governorate of Hadhramout, Asharq Al-Awsat

Hundreds of Yemeni activists are campaigning on social media for backing army forces on battlefronts west of Yemen’s Marib governorate, where Iran-backed Houthi militias have been fighting pro-government forces fiercely for four months in a row.

In their social media posts, both civilians and politicians urged more reinforcement to army forces in Marib, arguing that the battle there is vital to defeating the Iranian project in Yemen.

They also called for a swift victory, deploying additional defense brigades to Marib and driving Houthi militias out of positions they hold in the governorate.

The campaign coincided with military reports reaffirming that the army, backed by the Arab Coalition air forces, is constantly repelling Houthi attacks west of Marib.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al-Eryani pointed out that government forces in Marib are not only fighting for the sake of preserving national interests but are also fighting against Iran’s expansionist ambitions and the terrorism of Houthi militias.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government accused the insurgents of following the Iranian agenda and blocking peace efforts.

According to the government, Houthis have insisted on the military escalation in Marib and failed to comply with the UN and international calls to end all attacks and to achieve peace.

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek visited the eastern governorate of Hadhramout on Sunday.

“Abdulmalek arrived in Mukalla on an inspection visit to the governorate of Hadhramout,” a tweet posted by the prime minister’s official account said.

Although he arrived in Mukalla, Hadhramout’s provincial capital, Abdulmalek’s several-day trip will include Mahara and Shabwa.

Abdulmalek intends to examine living conditions in the governorate and discuss concerns and needs in terms of projects and services needed by residents. He will also review local authority efforts in service and development, achieving security and stability and responding to urgent priorities.

The premier was received, at Ryan airport, by Hadhramout Governor Faraj al-Bohsoni and several officials.

This is the first visit paid by the Yemeni prime minister to the governorate since the government formation.



Red Cross: Israel's Aid Blockade to Gaza 'Unacceptable'

FILE PHOTO: A view shows humanitarian aid with the logo of World Central Kitchen (WCK) at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows humanitarian aid with the logo of World Central Kitchen (WCK) at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
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Red Cross: Israel's Aid Blockade to Gaza 'Unacceptable'

FILE PHOTO: A view shows humanitarian aid with the logo of World Central Kitchen (WCK) at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows humanitarian aid with the logo of World Central Kitchen (WCK) at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza, Israel, May 1, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/File Photo

The Red Cross on Thursday denounced the human cost of the war raging in Gaza, slamming Israel's "unacceptable" full blockade on aid into the besieged and conflict-ravaged Palestinian territory.

Aid agencies have repeatedly warned of a growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which they say has been exacerbated by an Israeli blockade on all aid since early March, reported AFP.

"It is unacceptable that humanitarian aid is not allowed into the Gaza Strip," Pierre Krahenbuhl, director general of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told reporters in Geneva.

"That's just fundamentally against anything that international humanitarian law provides."

The situation in Gaza is on a "razor's edge" and "the next few days are absolutely decisive", he added.

"There's a moment where we will also run out of anything that's left in terms of medical supplies and other" aid, he said.

Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18 after talks to prolong a ceasefire stalled.

The country denies a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Gaza Strip, where it plans to expand military operations to force Hamas to free hostages held there since the Iran-backed group's unprecedented October 2023 attack.

'We should all be terrified'

"What we would need is an immediate return to a ceasefire situation to ease the pressure," Krahenbuhl said.

"I think everybody should feel deep indignation about what is happening in Gaza. I can't reconcile myself with the human cost of this conflict," he said.

"Frankly, if this is the future of warfare, we should all be terrified, and we should all be aware that this questions the very foundations of our humanity."

Israel is reportedly aiming to shut down the existing UN-led aid distribution system in Gaza, forcing all deliveries to go through Israeli hubs.

Krahenbuhl stressed that "there is no monopoly among humanitarian organizations" to deliver aid. "States can undertake it."

But he insisted that any delivery of aid must respect humanitarian principles "such as the impartiality of aid, that it actually reaches people, that it's not politically motivated and directed".

Every effort to get aid to Gazans in need should be "taken seriously", Krahenbuhl said.

"But right now, the most effective way to get aid to people is to lift... actions or decisions that were taken to prevent aid from reaching" inside Gaza.

"There are huge quantities of aid that are on the borders of Gaza that can go in tomorrow," he insisted.