Saudi FM Blames Houthis for Escalation in Yemen

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
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Saudi FM Blames Houthis for Escalation in Yemen

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has blamed the Houthis for escalating the situation in Yemen, saying they continue to attack areas under government control.

The minister indicated that the militias reject peace, while Saudi Arabia is trying everything in its power to protect the Yemeni government's areas.

"We intervened in Marib more forcefully to ensure it is not invaded, and send a clear signal to the Houthis that violence does not help and dialogue is the only solution."

Prince Faisal said the Houthi attacks on Saudi and Emirati airports and facilities indicate the group has not yet decided to do what is in the interest of Yemen.

He hoped to cooperate with international partners and exert more pressure to ensure Houthis would accept a ceasefire and enter a political dialogue otherwise, there will be consequences.

The Saudi minister warned that the German move in limiting weapons exports sends a signal to the Houthis that the international community may not support the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.

He warned that the German arms embargo "sends a very wrong signal," explaining that it will allow the Houthis to believe that "our partners do not support us, which creates an impression that the international community may not support Saudi Arabia and its partners in the region."

"It is important that we have the resources to defend ourselves."

Saudi Arabia uses the weapons against the Houthis and needs them to protect itself against the attacks, said the minister.

"We don't need weapons to be aggressive, but to protect ourselves," he said.

The Saudi FM confirmed that Riyadh did not launch the war in Yemen, but "we are continuing our efforts to find a political path to solve the crisis."

The minister reiterated that his country proposed a ceasefire last March followed by a political process, noting that this is the second time the Kingdom has submitted this proposal.

However, the Houthis have not accepted any proposal and refused to hold any dialogue.

On cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Germany, Prince Faisal explained that Vision 2030 targets many economic, cultural, and social fields.

It provides a significant opportunity for cooperation with Germany in cultural exchange, professional training, and the environment.

The FM explained that transitioning to green energy is an important part of Vision 2030, saying Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in this field and expanding its capabilities in green hydrogen.

Saudi Arabia and Germany are historically associated with a close partnership and friendship based on industrial cooperation, and Riyadh is determined to expand this cooperation to include green energy.

On the nuclear deal with Iran, the minister said: "We have no confidence that the JCPOA in its current state can prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb."

"We understand the desire of our partners to return to talks, but we believe that these negotiations should be the beginning, not the end."

The nuclear talks are "just a step in the right direction," said the FM, warning that if Iran built a nuclear bomb it may push other countries to follow the same path.

"We adopt a strong principle against nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in general, and we adhere to this principle, but if Iran possesses these nuclear capabilities, it will destabilize the region."

The minister also addressed the peace agreements concluded between Arab countries and Israel, stressing the need to find a way for the Palestinians and Israelis to sit at the negotiating table.

"The priority now is to find an arrangement so that Israelis and Palestinians can sit together and have a peace process that can be worked on."

He indicated that this would make it easier for all countries that do not have relations with Israel.

Normalization with Israel will happen when a just solution is found, said the minister.



Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Several prominent figures from Yemen's Hadhramaut praised on Monday's Saudi Arabia's stance on the governorate that prevented it from sliding towards deeper unrest and instability.

The figures told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom's position was not limited to tackling the current crisis, but paves the way for a new phase of stability and development as parties prepare for a Riyadh conference on the southern issue.

The conference will mark a turning point in "rearranging" the political scene in the South, they remarked.

Hadhramaut is at a pivotal moment that demands united ranks that will come up with a unified vision that preserves the governorate's interests and allows it to play an effective role in any future political process, they added

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Arabia's "historic" stance and determination over the December 3 developments prevented the governorate from slipping into chaos.

Hadhramaut may have escaped the crisis, but it has embarked on a new path towards progress and development, he stated.

The call for intra-south dialogue is a sign that a secure and stable future is on the horizon, he noted.

"We are already seeing these signs with Saudi Arabia's brotherly support," he remarked.

Another member of the council, Al-Hakam Abdullah al-Nahdi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the support offered by Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, will be "etched in Hadhramaut's memory and relayed to generations to come."

"Hadhramaut represents a natural strategic depth to the Kingdom and its security is indivisible from Saudi Arabia's," he added.

"Were it not for Saudi Arabia's stance, we would have been mired in chaos," he went on to say.

He said he was optimistic about the future as long as Saudi Arabia was by Hadhramaut's side, calling on the people to "seize this opportunity by rallying together and shunning division."


Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
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Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added. 


Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
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Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)

At a highly sensitive regional juncture, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali issued a clear warning against any unilateral recognition of breakaway regions, describing such moves as unviable and politically irresponsible, with negative repercussions for bilateral relations and regional stability.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ali stressed the alignment between Mogadishu and Riyadh on the need to shield the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical rivalries.

He said his second visit to Saudi Arabia within two weeks reflects the depth of coordination with the Kingdom amid rapidly evolving regional developments, particularly those related to maritime security and the Horn of Africa.

Objectives of the Saudi visit

Ali said the primary aim of his visit was close consultation with Saudi Arabia on accelerating regional developments, notably those affecting the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and maritime navigation security.

He added that discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, security and development fields, while ensuring full coordination on issues touching on Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and stability.

He noted that the visit — his second to Riyadh in less than two weeks — underscored the intensity of engagement with the Kingdom at a delicate moment, saying that his previous meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan featured frank and constructive talks aimed at preventing escalation, maintaining regional balance and upholding international law.

Ali also highlighted the convening of an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address what he described as the “illegal violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” calling it further evidence of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting regional stability.

Historic relations

The foreign minister described relations between Somalia and Saudi Arabia as “strong, historic and strategic,” grounded in shared faith, longstanding people-to-people ties and converging regional interests.

He said Somalia views the Kingdom as a key partner in national recovery, security-sector reform, economic stabilization and regional diplomacy, adding that current discussions are focused on translating this partnership into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and reinforce wider regional stability.

Firm rejection of recognition of “Somaliland”

Ali stressed that the Somali federal government “categorically rejects” any declaration or action aimed at recognizing any part of Somalia as a separate entity. Such steps, he said, lack any legal basis, violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravene international law, the UN Charter, the OIC charter and African Union principles.

He expressed Somalia’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s principled stance in support of Somali unity, as well as for regional and international partners that have voiced solidarity with Mogadishu.

He warned that unilateral recognition would not merely be a political position but a “destabilizing precedent” threatening the regional order. He added that Somalia is addressing the issue through balanced diplomacy and close coordination with regional and international partners.

A pivotal and constructive Saudi role

Ali said Saudi Arabia plays a “pivotal and constructive” role in promoting stability and security in the Arab world, the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa, noting that its leadership in diplomacy, de-escalation and maritime security is widely recognized and appreciated.

Potential repercussions

The foreign minister warned that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland would be “legally and practically null and void,” further exacerbating fragility in a region already facing serious security, humanitarian and climate challenges. He said that such moves encourage fragmentation, fuel proxy conflicts and open the door to external interference, undermining the security of the Horn of Africa and international maritime navigation.

Militarization of the Red Sea

Ali said Mogadishu and Riyadh share a vital interest in protecting one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, stressing the need to keep the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden free from militarization and illegal activities.

“We agree on the necessity of keeping the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden away from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical brinkmanship,” he underlined.