Yemen Underlines Need for Counterterrorism Efforts after Hadramout Attack

The site of a car bomb explosion targeting a convoy of officials in the city of Aden last Sunday (EPA)
The site of a car bomb explosion targeting a convoy of officials in the city of Aden last Sunday (EPA)
TT

Yemen Underlines Need for Counterterrorism Efforts after Hadramout Attack

The site of a car bomb explosion targeting a convoy of officials in the city of Aden last Sunday (EPA)
The site of a car bomb explosion targeting a convoy of officials in the city of Aden last Sunday (EPA)

Yemen’s official state has underlined the need for security and military apparatuses hunting down terrorist cells across the war-torn nation. The emphasis came after three interior ministry officers were killed in a blast that targeted their convoy in the eastern governorate of Hadramout .

Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, who is on an official visit to Egypt, directed the military and security bodies to strengthen safety measures and take necessary steps to track down terror cells seeking to disrupt security and stability in government-run governorates, official sources reported.

Abdulmalik reaffirmed the need to raise public awareness about the need to help state agencies expose terror cells colluding with Houthi insurgents.

It is worth noting that Abdulmalik’s remarks were made during a phone conversation he had with Hadramout Governorate Undersecretary for Valley and Desert Affairs Essam al-Kithiri.

The two discussed fall-out from a recent terrorist attack that saw the targeting of an officer’s vehicle with an explosive device. The assault killed three security personnel, according to the state-owned Saba News Agency.

Abdulmalik underlined the importance of steadfastness in deterring and pursuing terrorist cells. He also urged setting effective mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of security breaches.

Hadramout's attack follows an earlier episode in which an attempt was made on the lives of the Yemeni agriculture minister and governor of the interim capital, Aden.

The uptick in terrorist attacks happening in liberated governorates comes when Houthis are scaling up their military escalation, highlighted Abdulmalik, adding that pro-government forces must work to foil such attacks.

Abdulmalik confirmed that his government would spare no effort to implement all deterrent procedures to eradicate terrorism and extremism in all shapes and forms.

More so, the head of government vowed undying support to military and security forces fulfilling their duties. He revealed there would be cooperation with Yemen’s partners to end the scourge of terrorism.



Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
TT

Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.