Yemeni Government Seeks to Raise Combat Forces Readiness

General view of Aden, Yemen, August 12, 2019. (Reuters)
General view of Aden, Yemen, August 12, 2019. (Reuters)
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Yemeni Government Seeks to Raise Combat Forces Readiness

General view of Aden, Yemen, August 12, 2019. (Reuters)
General view of Aden, Yemen, August 12, 2019. (Reuters)

The Yemeni government has announced that it was working to raise the readiness of armed forces to confront outlaws and pursue terrorist elements.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting in the city of Aden amid a campaign led by security and military forces in separate areas of Abyan and Shabwa to track down members of extremist organizations.

An official statement noted that the Council of Ministers “called on all the military and security services in the temporary capital and the liberated governorates, to raise their readiness to confront terrorist acts” and to implement proactive plans to maintain security and stability.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government welcomed the statement issued by the UN Security Council, and the international positions that clearly condemned the obstacles set by the Houthi militia to hinder the arrival of fuel ships at the ports of Hodeidah.

In the same context, the Yemeni cabinet renewed its commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable peace approach in accordance with locally agreed and supported regional and international references, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities regarding the Houthi militia’s violations of the humanitarian truce, its continued refusal to deal with all peaceful efforts, and its rejection to lift its siege on the city of Taiz and the opening of roads under the terms of the armistice.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Mohsen al-Daari held several meetings with Western military officials in Riyadh.

He also met with the Commander of the Joint Forces, Deputy Chief of the Saudi General Staff, Lieutenant-General Mutlaq bin Salem Al-Azima.

Yemeni official sources noted that Al-Daari discussed with Al-Azima the readiness of the combat forces, stressing that the next stage was crucial in the history of Yemen, its armed forces in particular, and the region in general.

The Yemeni Minister of Defense affirmed the commitment of the armed forces to the UN truce, despite the Houthi violations. He also accused the militia of coordinating “with elements of Al-Qaeda and ISIS to carry out terrorist operations in the liberated areas.”



Mikati Heads to Syria at Sharaa’s Invitation

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (Reuters)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (Reuters)
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Mikati Heads to Syria at Sharaa’s Invitation

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (Reuters)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. (Reuters)

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati led a delegation on Saturday heading to Syria on a one-day visit to meet with the new Syrian leadership, the Central News Agency said.
The visit comes at the invitation of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration.
The delegation includes caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Acting General Security chief Elias al-Baysari, Army Intelligence chief Brigadier General Tony Khawaji, and Deputy Director General of General Security Brigadier General Hassan Shukair.

The visit will be the first by a Lebanese premier to neighboring Syria in 15 years.

Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, said on Thursday there was a historic opportunity for "a serious and equal dialogue" with Syria, which had big sway over its neighbor during much of the Assad family's five decades in power, maintaining troops there for 29 years until 2005 - a role many Lebanese opposed.
Sharaa, leader of the opposition forces which toppled Assad on Dec. 8, pledged last month - during a meeting in Damascus with influential Lebanese Druze politician Walid Jumblatt - that Syria would not interfere in Lebanon's affairs.
Mikati last week received a phone invitation from Sharaa to visit Syria. 
Minister Bou Habib said during a Dec. 26 call with his Syrian counterpart that Beirut was looking forward to the best neighborly relations with Syria.