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Sisi Stresses Egypt’s Interest in Developing Partnership with Europe

President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
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Sisi Stresses Egypt’s Interest in Developing Partnership with Europe

President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi and President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen hold talks in Brussels. (Egyptian presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks on Thursday with President of the European Commission Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, on the sidelines of his visit to Brussels.

Sisi headed to Brussels to participate in the sixth European Union-African Union Summit, held on Feb. 17 and 18, under the theme "Africa and Europe: Two Continents with a Shared Vision until 2030."

He underscored the importance of developing and deepening the traditional partnership between Cairo and the European Union.

Egypt and the EU share the Mediterranean region, which had a major impact in extending bridges of civilizational, cultural, commercial and political communication between Egypt and the European continent throughout the history, Sisi said.

Presidential spokesman Ambassador Bassam Rady said Von der Leyen welcomed Sisi’s visit to the EU headquarters.

She stressed keenness to communicate regularly with the Egyptian president, describing Egypt as an EU key strategic partner.

She said the EU looks forward to bolstering cooperation with Cairo at various levels, in light of in light of its regional and international political influence.

According to Rady, the meeting focused on following up on the developments of bilateral ties, especially in the fields of new and renewable energy, infrastructure and green transformation.

Both sides agreed to cooperate in the fight against illegal migration, extremist ideology and terrorism.

Rady said they discussed the most important political issues of common interest in the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa regions.

Von der Leyen underlined the great importance the EU attaches to Egypt’s pivotal role in achieving balance in all regional issues.

Sisi also held extended summit talks with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Brussels, in the presence of the delegations of the two countries.

Rady said the meeting touched on various issues of common interests, especially the development and management of ports and logistics, as well as clean and renewable energy and the green transformation.

De Croo lauded Egypt’s remarkable efforts, led by Sisi, in combating extremist ideology and consolidating the principles of freedom of belief, tolerance and acceptance of others, as well as efforts to empower women and launch the National Human Rights Strategy.

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Arab World

Houthi Charges of Espionage: A Tool to Intimidate, Control the Population

Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
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Houthi Charges of Espionage: A Tool to Intimidate, Control the Population

Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)
Houthis demonstrate in the center of the capital Sanaa against American and British strikes on their positions. (AP)

The Houthi militia has recently released several individuals it had abducted for celebrating Yemen’s September Revolution. However, over the past few days, it has detained hundreds of residents in its stronghold of Saada, accusing them of espionage.

The campaign coincides with the airing of alleged confessions from a purported spy cell and the abduction of a former employee of the US Embassy in Yemen.

Local sources in Saada province, approximately 242 kilometers north of Sanaa, report that the Houthis have launched a widespread campaign of arrests targeting civilians. These individuals have been taken from their homes, workplaces, and businesses under allegations of collaborating with Western nations and Israel. Families of those detained have been warned to remain silent and refrain from discussing the arrests with the media or on social media platforms.

According to the sources, more than 300 individuals, including dozens of women, have been abducted across various districts in Saada. The arrests have also targeted relatives and associates of Othman Mujalli, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, who hails from the region.

The sources suggest that the Houthis are detaining women as hostages to pressure their relatives, who may either be out of the militia’s reach or living outside Houthi-controlled areas. They also appear to be using the women to coerce confessions from male relatives. Last month, the Houthis accused Hamid Mujalli, Othman Mujalli’s brother, of engaging in espionage for Arab and Western nations for nearly two decades.

In a separate incident, the Houthis abducted a former employee of the US Embassy in Sanaa from his home on Monday without providing any explanation for their actions.

Release of Detainees

The Houthis recently released Sheikh Amin Rajeh, a tribal leader from Ibb province, after detaining him for four months. Several other individuals were also freed, none of whom had been formally charged during their detention. Rajeh, a member of the General People’s Congress Party, was one of many political activists, students, workers, and public employees abducted in September for celebrating Yemen’s September 26, 1962, revolution.

One of the released individuals, a shop owner, told Asharq Al-Awsat that he was unaware of the reason for his detention. He had been abducted in November, two months after the Houthis initiated a crackdown on those commemorating the revolution.

Alleged Spy Cell

Houthi-controlled media recently broadcast confessions from what they claimed was a newly uncovered spy cell. The group linked the cell to its broader narrative of “promised conquest and sacred jihad” against the West and Israel.

According to Houthi security officials, the alleged spy cell was working to compile a “target database,” monitor sites linked to missile forces and drones, and track specific military and security locations. They also claimed the cell had been observing the residences and movements of Houthi leaders.

In response, the Houthis issued warnings to residents, forbidding them from discussing or sharing information about militia-controlled sites, facilities, or the whereabouts of their leaders.

The Houthis’ actions reflect mounting concerns over potential strikes targeting their senior leadership, similar to the recent attacks on Hezbollah figures in Lebanon. Those fears come amid ongoing tensions with Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom, following the Houthis’ assaults on international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and missile attacks on Israel.