Israeli President Holds Talks with Burhan, Hemedti

Israeli President Isaac Herzog receives a third dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine while his wife, Michal, reacts, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, July 30, 2021. Maya Alleruzzo/Pool via REUTERS
Israeli President Isaac Herzog receives a third dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine while his wife, Michal, reacts, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, July 30, 2021. Maya Alleruzzo/Pool via REUTERS
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Israeli President Holds Talks with Burhan, Hemedti

Israeli President Isaac Herzog receives a third dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine while his wife, Michal, reacts, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, July 30, 2021. Maya Alleruzzo/Pool via REUTERS
Israeli President Isaac Herzog receives a third dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine while his wife, Michal, reacts, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, July 30, 2021. Maya Alleruzzo/Pool via REUTERS

Israeli President Isaac Herzog phoned Wednesday Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, during which they discussed bilateral ties and obstacles hindering their progress.

Sources close to the Israeli president said that the talks were positive, noting that part of the discussions was in Arabic which Herzog is still learning.

The Sudanese officials expressed their wish to enhance bilateral ties with Israel after they stumbled in the past months.

Officials in Sudan congratulated Herzog for becoming a president, the sources said.

Israel and Sudan normalized ties in October of 2020 upon Trump’s initiative to arrange for a phone call between Burhan and then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

An agreement was supposed to be signed at the White House in the presence of high-rank officials. However, the loss of Trump in the elections and the opposition in Sudan hindered the process.

Relations between the two sides deteriorated two months ago when former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen held direct talks with Hemedti. Burhan expressed his objection and rage over these attempts to disregard him.

However, new Mossad chief David Barnea was quick to resolve this dispute with Burhan.



Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
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Yemeni Army Warns of Houthi Attempts to Reignite War

Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)
Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi (c) with the Marib governor and chief of staff during a past visit to the frontlines in Marib. (Saba news agency)

The Yemeni army has warned of the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ constant mobilization and readiness to reignite the war.

Yemen Armed Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdo Majali told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis have been firing artillery and drones at residential areas and military positions at various battlefronts.

He interpreted the actions as part of the militias’ preparations to return to war, accusing them of aborting “all regional and international efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and achieve peace.”

Defense Minister Mohsen Al-Daeri had told Asharq Al-Awsat previously that the war could erupt at any moment, stressing that the armed forces “were ready for all options.”

Observers interpreted the Houthi preparations and statements by its senior leaders as a reflection of their concern over the legitimate Yemeni army launching a military campaign - with international backing - to liberate Hodeidah and its ports.

The theory is backed by the Houthis’ mobilization of reinforcements to areas under their control in Hodeidah.

Majali stressed that the armed forces are at the “highest level of combat readiness and their morale is high.”

“Comprehensive strategies are in place to liberate the nation from the terrorist Houthi crimes and violations against our Yemeni people,” he declared.

The legitimate Yemeni government has for months since the Houthis started targeted international shipping in the Red Sear been calling on the international community to support its armed forces.

The end of the Houthi attacks on international shipping lies in backing the government, not western strikes against the militias, it has reiterated on numerous occasions.

Majali said the Houthis are continuing their violations against the people in various regions, notably in Taiz, Dhale and Marib.

The main goal for the armed forces is the liberation of the nation, starting with Sanaa, Hodeidah and Hajjah, he added, saying the Houthi “demise is near.”