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.”



Assad and Shoigu Meet in Damascus, Discuss Security Issues

File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
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Assad and Shoigu Meet in Damascus, Discuss Security Issues

File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA
File photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Sergei Shoigu. EPA

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on Monday and discussed with him strengthening bilateral relations, as well as international and regional security, the Syrian presidency announced.

"Assad received Shoigu and discussed with him a number of issues of international and national security, as well as bilateral relations between Syria and Russia and prospects for strengthening them in order to serve the interests of both countries," it said in a statement.

This was Shoigu’s first visit to Damascus since his appointment as Security Council Secretary in May. He had visited the Syrian capital on several occasions as Russian Defense Minister, the last of which was in February.

According to observers in Damascus, Shoigu’s meeting with Assad comes as part of Russian efforts to organize meetings between Syrian and Turkish officials to improve relations.