Yemenis Demand Exposing Parties Obstructing Implementation of Riyadh Agreement

A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
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Yemenis Demand Exposing Parties Obstructing Implementation of Riyadh Agreement

A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, January 22, 2018. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber reaffirmed on Saturday that the Kingdom, leading the Arab coalition backing the official government in the war-torn country, continues to work with each party of the Riyadh Agreement.

The Riyadh Agreement is a Saudi-sponsored conflict settlement that was cosigned by the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

“We are counting on everyone to put the interest of our fellow Yemeni people above all else,” said Al-Jaber in a tweet that urged expediting the return of elected Yemeni government officials to the interim capital, Aden.

According to Al-Jaber, the return of ministers to the battle-weary country would better enable the government to perform its duties, especially on alleviating the suffering of Yemenis and completing the implementation of all aspects of the agreement.

Today, many Yemenis are raising their voices in demand for breaking the silence on who is standing in the way of realizing the Riyadh Agreement and exposing the parties blocking government efforts on ending the war, economic crisis and the Iran-backed Houthi coup in Yemen.

Inked in August 2019, the deal offers a political umbrella for bridging the gap between the government and the STC. It includes political, security, military, economic and development agreements.

As the result of extensive shuttle diplomacy by Saudi Arabia, the agreement was signed and followed by a mechanism for speeding up its implementation.

The deal was deemed a success after producing a technocratic government that represents all parties to the Yemeni political spectrum involved in the Riyadh Agreement.

However, implementing the military and security aspects of the understanding has fallen short of expectations. Some provisions were met, while others remain pending.

“There are some parties who insist on obstruction to achieve personal goals that do not serve Yemeni citizens, the government, or the political spectrum,” Yemeni activists who requested anonymity told Asharq Al-Awsat.

They warned of what they labeled as a “gamble” taken by those blocking the full application of the agreement at a time when living conditions are hitting new lows in Yemen.

The activists explained that Houthis stand to gain the most from the stalled implementation.

As for Al-Jaber’s remark on the need for state officials returning to Aden, activists noted that “shuffling the cards only serves enemies, and that those inhibiting the execution of the Riyadh Agreement must be exposed.”



Lebanese Authorities Uncover Hamas and Jamaa Islamiyya Training Camp in Aley

Lebanese soldiers deployed in downtown Beirut. (EPA file)
Lebanese soldiers deployed in downtown Beirut. (EPA file)
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Lebanese Authorities Uncover Hamas and Jamaa Islamiyya Training Camp in Aley

Lebanese soldiers deployed in downtown Beirut. (EPA file)
Lebanese soldiers deployed in downtown Beirut. (EPA file)

Lebanese security authorities have uncovered a covert military training camp in the Aley district, reportedly operated by members of the Palestinian Hamas movement and Lebanon’s al-Jamaa al-Islamiya.

The discovery comes amid a broader national crackdown on extremist cells, including ISIS affiliates, which have been attempting to reestablish a foothold in Lebanon.

According to a senior judicial source who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Lebanese Army dismantled the camp three weeks ago following the arrest of an armed group on the outskirts of the town of Tabbiyat in Mount Lebanon.

Although more than ten suspects have been detained, the military judiciary has yet to formally charge them.

The source revealed that the camp was fully equipped with weapons and training facilities and hosted Lebanese and foreign fighters. Among the detainees are individuals with significant militant experience, sons of former fighters who battled Israel in the south and were later assassinated. Most of the suspects are from Beirut, with some of Jordanian nationality.

Parallel to these discoveries, the army announced the arrest of a new ISIS cell. In a statement, the military said it had detained three Lebanese nationals involved in plotting attacks against army positions.

The suspects were reportedly acting under the direction of ISIS operatives based abroad.

Interrogations are ongoing, and authorities are working to apprehend additional members of the cell.

The arrest comes amid a resurgence of concern over extremist activity in Lebanon, especially following renewed instability in neighboring Syria.

However, another judicial source downplayed the threat, saying recent media reports about an alleged suicide bombing plot in Beirut’s southern suburbs were exaggerated.

The source confirmed the arrest of two Syrian nationals, Khaled al-Zoubi and Mohammed al-Ajlouni, who had illegally entered Lebanon after the collapse of Syrian government control in certain areas.

They had taken refuge in Sidon and were allegedly preparing to plant an explosive device on a motorcycle in a crowded area. However, no evidence was found that they possessed the necessary weapons or explosives to carry out such an attack.

The source emphasized that while many of the detainees show signs of radicalization, few possess the capabilities to act.

“ISIS does not activate cells without providing weapons and clearly defined targets. Most recent claims of plots have been overblown and possibly politically motivated, particularly after the unrest in Syria’s Sweida province,” he said.

Meanwhile, recent arrests of Syrians in the Beirut suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh and the Bekaa town of Shmestar were initially linked to ISIS, but later disproven.

Security sources clarified that the detainees were involved in human smuggling and were not connected to any militant group. Their arrests coincided with Ashoura commemorations, prompting suspicion.

“Security concerns are valid,” one official said, “but they must not be used to incite fear or mislead the public.”