Yemen Reiterates Security, Military Preparedness to Confront Houthis

Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik (Saba)
Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik (Saba)
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Yemen Reiterates Security, Military Preparedness to Confront Houthis

Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik (Saba)
Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik (Saba)

The Yemeni government asserted the need to raise security and military readiness and called for popular support, hinting at resorting to "difficult choices" in response to Houthi terrorism.

Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik affirmed that the government would continue to take practical and firm measures to combat corruption, activate the rule of law, and reform state institutions within the comprehensive reform program.

Abdulmalik was speaking during a reception with the governors of the liberated governorates, where they discussed the coordination and integration of central and local measures to implement the National Defense Council's decision to classify the Houthi militia as a "terrorist group."

Saba news agency reported that the meeting was held via videoconferencing, with the participation of a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, the governor of Marib, Sultan al-Arada.

The meeting asserted the need to increase security and military readiness and effective communication with political forces and social figures to support "difficult choices" that the leadership and the government may resort to in dealing with Houthi threats.

They indicated that restoring the state and ending the Iranian-backed Houthi coup has become the inevitable option to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, protect international navigation, and regional and global stability.

The meeting held the "terrorist Houthi militia" responsible for the dire consequences of its devastating escalation, including the repercussions on peace efforts.

According to official sources, the Prime Minister stressed that executive offices should adhere to the ministries' directives regarding the executive procedures for classifying the Houthi militia as a "terrorist group," following up on the implementation and submission of periodic reports.

The meeting reviewed the challenges and difficulties in Aden and the liberated governorates.

They agreed on a set of decisions, according to available priorities and capabilities, namely electricity and water, and taking firm measures to combat corruption.

The sources stated that Abdulmalik affirmed the government's full support to the local authorities and provided all possible support for the success of their efforts in improving services.

The state established a set of measures and options to deal with the repeated Houthi terrorist attacks on oil facilities, stressing the need to end the coup and ensure the restoration of the state.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the priority of the state and government, which will determine all political, diplomatic, economic, military, and security tracks, is securing oil exports, meeting the needs of the citizens, and maintaining the minimum level of rights and services.

He described the Houthi attacks on oil ports as a "declaration of open war," warning that this would impact the national economic institutions and the lives and livelihood of citizens.

Abdulmalik renewed his government's commitment to defending national sovereign interests and facilities, securing essential services and livelihoods, and limiting the repercussions of the systematic terrorist targeting of the oil sector and civilian facilities.

He praised the "pivotal role" of the local authorities. He noted the need to rebuild the state institutions and activate their work, considering that a critical factor in limiting corruption.

The Yemeni National Defense Council approved the classification of Houthi militia as a terrorist group following its escalation by targeting the oil export ports in Hadramout and Shabwa through booby-trapped drones.

The approved Yemeni measures include punishing Houthi leaders and individuals involved in a suspicious financing network to provide financial and service support to the Iran-backed group.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.