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Yemen Govt Says Positively Approaching UN Envoy, Keen on Political Solution

Prince Khalid bin Salman meets with Yemeni ministers in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Prince Khalid bin Salman meets with Yemeni ministers in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
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Yemen Govt Says Positively Approaching UN Envoy, Keen on Political Solution

Prince Khalid bin Salman meets with Yemeni ministers in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)
Prince Khalid bin Salman meets with Yemeni ministers in Riyadh on Sunday. (SPA)

The legitimate Yemeni government is optimistic that the two-month truce declared in the war-torn country would lead to the lifting of the siege imposed by the Iran-backed Houthi militias on the Taiz province.

The ceasefire was declared by United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg at the intra-Yemeni consultations in Riyadh on Friday.

The terms of the two-months truce include facilitating the entry of 18 fuel ships into the ports of Hodeidah and allowing two commercial flights a week to and from Sanaa airport. The terms also include convening a meeting between the parties to agree on opening roads in Taiz and elsewhere to improve civilians' freedom of movement inside Yemen.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman stressed on Sunday the Saudi-led Arab coalition's keenness on restoring security, peace and stability in Yemen.

He held talks in Riyadh with Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik and several of his ministers.

Prince Khalid highlighted Riyadh's welcoming of the two-month ceasefire. He noted that it is in line with Saudi initiative that was announced in March 2021 with the aim of ending the crisis in Yemen and reaching lasting comprehensive political solution.

For his part, Abdulmalik said hailed Saudi Arabia's constant support to the Yemeni people, the legitimate government and the security and stability of Yemen.

He remarked that the intra-Yemeni consultations give hope to the people and are a major support of the government's efforts to achieve security, stability and prosperity.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said the government was positively dealing with Grundberg's efforts based on its belief in the peaceful solution to the crisis and commitment to the people.

He underscored the need for setting a timetable for implementing commitments demanded from the warring parties, noting that the Houthis have a long record in shirking pledges and creating excuses to renege on them.

Eryani said the government has made "concession after concession" to ensure the success of truce efforts and ease the humanitarian suffering of the people. This included reopening Sanaa airport and the Hodeidah port.

In contrast, the Houthis have obstructed international peace initiatives and efforts for the past seven years. They have been intransigent and sought to deepen the humanitarian suffering of the people.

In Riyadh, the officials at the consultations have made palpable progress in reaching radical solutions that could end the war and achieve peace. All Yemeni parties, except the Houthis, have made it to the talks.

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and General Supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) Mohammed Al-Jaber remarked that the consultations have succeeded in bringing together all Yemeni parties and groups in pursuit of peace and security.

In a tweet, he said the consultations have offered the participants the opportunity to review their stances and achieve rapprochement to draw up together a roadmap that can move Yemen from war and destruction to peace and development.

In spite of the optimism, some observers continue to question the Houthis' commitment to the ceasefire, especially in the Marib province where they continue to amass fighters and launch attacks.

Khalid bin Salman Stresses Saudi Arabia Keenness on Yemen's Security, Stability

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman stressed on Sunday the Saudi-led Arab coalition's keenness on restoring security, peace and stability in Yemen.

He held talks in Riyadh with Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik and several of his ministers.

Prince Khalid highlighted Riyadh's welcoming of the two-month ceasefire in Yemen that was declared United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg on Friday. He noted that it is in line with Saudi initiative that was announced in March 2021 with the aim of ending the crisis in Yemen and reaching lasting comprehensive political solution.

He said the Kingdom hopes the latest truce would push forward political efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement at the intra-Yemeni consultations that are being hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh.

The talks had kicked off last week and will conclude on April 7.

For his part, Abdulmalik said hailed Saudi Arabia's constant support to the Yemeni people, the legitimate government and the security and stability of Yemen.

He remarked that the intra-Yemeni consultations give hope to the people and are a major support of the government's efforts to achieve security, stability and prosperity.

He hoped the consultations will lead to proposals that serve the people.

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Arab World

Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.

Arab World

Israeli Far-Right Minister to Push for ‘Migration’ of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians 

A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
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Israeli Far-Right Minister to Push for ‘Migration’ of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians 

A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man checks leather belts as people prepare for Ramadan, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 17,2026. (Reuters)

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would pursue a policy of "encouraging the migration" of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Wednesday.

"We will eliminate the idea of an Arab terror state," said Smotrich, speaking at an event organized by his Religious Zionism Party late on Tuesday.

"We will finally, formally, and in practical terms nullify the cursed Oslo Accords and embark on a path toward sovereignty, while encouraging emigration from both Gaza and Judea and Samaria.

"There is no other long-term solution," added Smotrich, who himself lives in a settlement in the West Bank.

Since last week, Israel has approved a series of measures backed by far-right ministers to tighten control over the West Bank, including in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords, in place since the 1990s.

The measures include a process to register land in the West Bank as "state property" and facilitate direct purchases of land by Jewish Israelis.

The measures have triggered widespread international outrage.

On Tuesday, the UN missions of 85 countries condemned the measures, which critics say amount to de facto annexation of the Palestinian territory.

"We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," they said in a statement.

"Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed.

"We underline in this regard our strong opposition to any form of annexation."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on Israel to reverse its land registration policy, calling it "destabilizing" and "unlawful".

The West Bank would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state. Many on Israel's religious right view it as Israeli land.

Israeli NGOs have also raised the alarm over a settlement plan signed by the government which they say would mark the first expansion of Jerusalem's borders into the occupied West Bank since 1967.

The planned development, announced by Israel's Ministry of Construction and Housing, is formally a westward expansion of the Geva Binyamin, or Adam, settlement situated northeast of Jerusalem in the West Bank.

The current Israeli government has fast-tracked settlement expansion, approving a record 52 settlements in 2025.

Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law.

Arab World

Maliki Can Withdraw as Candidacy as Iraq PM the Easy or Hard Way

Members of the Coordination Framework hold a meeting. (Iraqi News Agency)
Members of the Coordination Framework hold a meeting. (Iraqi News Agency)
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Maliki Can Withdraw as Candidacy as Iraq PM the Easy or Hard Way

Members of the Coordination Framework hold a meeting. (Iraqi News Agency)
Members of the Coordination Framework hold a meeting. (Iraqi News Agency)

Iraqi Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declined at the last minute to attend a meeting of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework on Monday night that was aimed at settling the crisis over his nomination as prime minister.

Instead of declaring that he was pulling out as candidate, as had been expected, Maliki informed his close circle that he is “following through with his nomination to the end,” trusted sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Iraq has come under intense pressure from the US to withdraw the nomination. In January, President Donald Trump warned Baghdad against picking Maliki as its PM, saying the United States would no longer help the country.

“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again. Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Maliki also dismissed as “extortion and intimidation” talks of renewed US sanctions on Iraq, added the sources.

However, circles within the Coordination Framework have started to “despair” with the impasse over naming a new prime minister and are weighing the possibility of taking “difficult” choices, they revealed. Maliki has become a prisoner of his own nomination.

The Sunni Progress Party (Takadum) had voiced its reservations over Maliki’s nomination before Trump made his position clear and which has since weighed heavily on Iraq.

‘Indefinitely’

Maliki’s decision to skip the Framework’s meeting on Monday forced the coalition to postpone it “indefinitely”, exposing more differences inside the alliance that have been festering for months. The dispute over the post of prime minister is threatening to evolve into one that threatens the unity of the coalition itself.

Several sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Maliki had sent the Framework a written message on Monday night informing them that he will not attend the meeting because “he was aware that discussions will seek to pressure him to withdraw his candidacy.”

Maliki was the one to call for the meeting to convene in the first place, they revealed.

Reports have been rife in Iraq that Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political leaderships have all received warnings that the US would take measure against Iraq if Maliki continued to insist on his nomination.

Former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told Dijlah TV that “Shiite parties” had received two new American messages reiterating the rejection of Maliki’s nomination.

Necessary choice

Maliki and the Framework are now at an impasse, with the latter hoping the former PM would take it upon himself to withdraw his candidacy in what a leading Shiite figure said would help protect the unity of the coalition.

Leading members of the coalition were hoping to give Maliki enough time to decide himself to withdraw, but as time stretches on, the coalition may take matters into its own hands and take “necessary” choices, said the figure.

Other sources revealed, however, that Maliki refuses to voluntarily withdraw from the race believing that this is a responsibility that should be shouldered by the Framework. This has effectively left the alliance with complex and limited choices to end the crisis.

Sources close to Maliki said he has made light of US threats to impose sanctions, saying that if they were to happen, Iraq will emerge on the other side stronger, citing other countries that came out stronger after enduring years of pressure.

Moreover, he is banking on an American change in position, saying mediators have volunteered to “polish his image before Trump and his team.” Members of Maliki’s State of Law coalition declined to comment on this information.

Sources inside the Framework said the coalition may “ultimately withdraw Maliki’s nomination if he becomes too much of a burden on an already weary alliance.”

Doing so may cost them a strong ally in Maliki and force the Framework to yield to Washington’s will, said the Shiite figure. “Maliki may come off as stubborn and strong, but he is wasting his realistic options at this critical political juncture,” it added.

The Framework is divided between a team that is banking on waiting to see how the US-Iran tensions will play out to resolve the crisis and on Maliki voluntarily withdrawing his nomination. The other team is calling for the coalition to resolve the crisis through an internal vote.

Leading Shiite figures told Asharq Al-Awsat that opponents of Maliki’s nomination in the coalition have no choice but to apply internal pressure inside the Framework, which is on the verge of collapse.