Member of Yemeni Presidential Leadership: The Battle is Existential with Houthis

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
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Member of Yemeni Presidential Leadership: The Battle is Existential with Houthis

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)
Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh (Saba)

Member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Tareq Saleh, described the battle with the Houthi militias as an existential battle on all levels, referring to the "banditry" of its leaders and their attempts to wipe out the Yemeni identity.

The official media quoted Saleh as confirming that the battle with the Houthi militia would continue at various levels.

During a meeting with residents in the Yakhtel area of the al-Makha district, Saleh said the battle with the Houthi militia is "an existential battle against ignorance, poverty, disease, and backwardness."

The official explained that all Yemenis meet on significant issues. Still, Houthis are attempting to erase them, noting that Sanaa streets became a copy of the streets of Iran with pictures of the leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Saleh, the nephew of the late Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, described the leaders of the Houthi militia as "a group of thieves" who sought to plunder people's lands and property.

Meanwhile, the UN and its envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, aim to reach permanent solutions to the Yemeni crisis based on regional momentum and relative calm.

Yemeni political circles believe the Houthi militia will not give up its coup and gains, including the heavy weapons they looted from the Yemeni army's warehouses.

However, observers do not rule out the return of a new round of fighting if the militia continues its intransigence and economic war against the Yemeni government.

During his last briefing to the Security Council, Grundberg urged the Yemeni parties to seize the regional momentum to reach a comprehensive political settlement, expressing his concern over the possibility of a return to violence after months of relative calm.

The envoy emphasized that "despite the dire economic and humanitarian situation, Yemen is still benefiting from the achievements of the Truce. But of course, all Yemenis I have talked to hope for a comprehensive resolution of the conflict."

He indicated that even though the overall military situation in Yemen remains relatively stable, "I am concerned by the uptick in the number and the intensity of clashes in several frontline areas, particularly the fronts in Marib and Taiz."

He called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint during this critical time, including refraining from escalatory public rhetoric, to avoid destabilizing the situation.

Grundberg urged the Yemeni parties to seize the opportunity of renewed regional momentum, referring to the Saudi-Iranian agreement, to maintain a conducive environment for discussions and to allow the time and space needed for the talks to bear fruit.

He warned: "Impatience at this juncture risks a return to a cycle of violence and risks unraveling what has been achieved so far."

Notably, the Yemeni government accuses Iran of supporting the Houthi coup and funding them to control the country by force. It also says they continue to wage military, economic, and cultural war, threatening international navigation and the global economy.

Despite the optimism in Yemen after the Saudi-Iranian agreement, some observers believe it would constitute a gateway to isolating the Houthis from Iran, leading to a settlement and ending the conflict.

However, others believe the Houthi militia will not stop its project to seize power in the country by force and further establish the coup.



Syria’s New Authorities: Syrian People Stand at Equal Distance from All Countries

This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on December 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, receiving the director of the Middle East and North Africa department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on December 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, receiving the director of the Middle East and North Africa department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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Syria’s New Authorities: Syrian People Stand at Equal Distance from All Countries

This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on December 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, receiving the director of the Middle East and North Africa department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on December 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, receiving the director of the Middle East and North Africa department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Damascus. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

Syria wants to contribute to "regional peace,” the country's new authorities said in a statement after a meeting between leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and a US diplomatic delegation.

"The Syrian side indicated that the Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region and that Syria rejects any polarization," the statement said.

In their first in-person meeting with the leaders of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham since it overthrew Syria's long-time President Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, al-Sharaa "came across as pragmatic,” Barbara Leaf, top Middle East diplomat at the State Department, told reporters.

"It was a good first meeting. We will judge by the deeds, not just by words," Leaf, who was the head of the US delegation, said in a briefing and added that the US officials reiterated that Syria's new government should be inclusive. It should also ensure that terrorist groups cannot pose a threat, she said.