Hadi Meets with UN, US Envoys and Stresses Need to End Houthi Terrorism

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Reuters
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Reuters
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Hadi Meets with UN, US Envoys and Stresses Need to End Houthi Terrorism

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Reuters
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Reuters

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi stressed on Tuesday the need to stop the terrorism of Iranian-backed Houthi militias and affirmed his country’s commitment to reaching a sustainable peace solution based on the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanism, outcomes of the national dialogue and relevant UN resolutions, mainly resolution 2216.

Hadi’s remarks came during his reception of the US Envoy for Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, and UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

His meeting with Lenderking and Grundberg followed the UN Security Council passing a resolution that imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis as an entity.

Hadi affirmed to the envoys Yemen’s keenness on peace in line with the three references that are inevitable to achieve a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace.

The president reiterated his full support for Grundberg and his efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire.

The UN envoy to Yemen and Lenderking had returned to the region again in the context of efforts to find a UN plan to bring peace.

For his part, Hadi clarified that the militias are waging their war against the Yemeni people, who are defending their country against hostile acts that affect innocent people and the displaced in cities and camps.

Houthi attacks often target civilian sites in Yemen and neighboring countries.

The Yemeni president highly praised the envoys’ efforts to achieve peace the Yemeni people are desperately waiting for.

“We’re peace-seekers. We have made huge sacrifices and offered significant concessions to stop the bloodshed, establish security and stability that maintain Yemen’s unity, security and stability,” Hadi said.

Hadi pointed out to the miserable humanitarian situation Yemen has been experiencing due to the war and its disastrous consequences. He squarely put the blame on the militias for prolonging the conflict and worsening the Yemeni peoples’ suffering.



US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
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US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)

American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group.

Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead.

He told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Bashar al-Assad. He added that US President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive.

Zakka said Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating.

Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip.

Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, though he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status.