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.”



Sinwar Says Hamas Ready for 'Long War of Attrition'

FILE PHOTO: A billboard with a picture of newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is displayed on a building in a street in Tehran, Iran, August 12, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: A billboard with a picture of newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is displayed on a building in a street in Tehran, Iran, August 12, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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Sinwar Says Hamas Ready for 'Long War of Attrition'

FILE PHOTO: A billboard with a picture of newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is displayed on a building in a street in Tehran, Iran, August 12, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: A billboard with a picture of newly appointed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is displayed on a building in a street in Tehran, Iran, August 12, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said on Monday the Palestinian group was prepared for prolonged fighting against Israel, in a message to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias nearly a year into the Gaza war.

"We have prepared ourselves to fight a long war of attrition that will break the enemy's political will," the Hamas leader said, according to Agence France Presse.

He asserted that the militants in Gaza and allied Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen would defeat Israel.

The message followed a rare missile attack on central Israel on Sunday claimed by the Houthis.

The attack caused no casualties but sparked vows of retaliation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sinwar said in the message addressed to Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi: "I congratulate you on your success in sending your missiles deep into the enemy entity, bypassing all layers and defense and interception systems."

The Houthis said they had "penetrated" Israel's air defenses, while Israel said the missile likely fragmented mid-air but was not destroyed.

"Our combined efforts with you" and with groups in Lebanon and Iraq "will break this enemy and inflict defeat on it," Sinwar added.