Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
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Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, affirmed his country's ongoing efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis through the Jordanian initiative.

Safadi explained that Jordan's efforts stem from the direct Arab role of engaging with Syria in a political dialogue to solve the crisis and its security and political ramifications.

The foreign minister met with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and affirmed Jordan's full coordination with the UN regarding the initiative and sharing its details with international organizations.

They also addressed coordinating efforts to provide humanitarian aid after the devastating earthquakes that struck Syria and Türkiye.

Safadi indicated that the meeting discussed the initiative based on direct Arab coordination and engagement and its launch date with the aim of serious Arab action to resolve the Syrian crisis.

The crisis in Syria must not continue, and the political solution is the key to ending it, said Safadi, adding that as Arab countries, they must be at the forefront of the dialogue, and the repercussions of the crisis affect all.

He reiterated Jordan's support for the efforts of the UN envoy to reach a political solution to the crisis under Security Council Resolution 2254.

Pedersen reviewed the UN efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria, stressing the importance of continued cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN.

He praised the great humanitarian role of the Kingdom in providing aid to Syria after the recent earthquakes, hosting Syrian refugees, and providing them with a decent life.

In a separate meeting, Safadi discussed with Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN Martin Griffiths the situation in Syria, the ongoing cooperation in helping Syrians following the recent earthquakes, and the challenges resulting from the decline in international support for Syrian refugees and the host countries.

Safadi stressed that Jordan continues to help Syria and Türkiye cope with the consequences of the recent earthquakes that struck the two countries last February, underscoring that Amman would continue to send aid to the two countries.

Griffiths commended the Kingdom's efforts in hosting refugees and assisting those affected by earthquakes.



Yemen's Houthis Say They Will Only Target Israeli-linked Vessels after Gaza Ceasefire

FILE PHOTO: A boat carrying people sails near the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis last month, off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A boat carrying people sails near the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis last month, off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo
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Yemen's Houthis Say They Will Only Target Israeli-linked Vessels after Gaza Ceasefire

FILE PHOTO: A boat carrying people sails near the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis last month, off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A boat carrying people sails near the Galaxy Leader commercial ship, seized by Yemen's Houthis last month, off the coast of al-Salif, Yemen, December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo

Yemen's Houthis will limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israeli-linked ships after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, according to the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.
The HOCC, which liaises between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said in an email sent to shipping industry officials dated Jan. 19 that it was stopping "sanctions" against vessels owned by US or British individuals or entities, as well as ships sailing under their flags.
"We affirm that, in the event of any aggression against the Republic of Yemen by the United States of America, the United Kingdom ... the sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor," the email said. "You will be promptly informed of such measures should they be implemented."
The HOCC said they would stop targeting Israeli-linked ships "upon the full implementation of all phases of the agreement".
Many of the world's biggest shipping companies have suspended shipping through the Red Sea and have diverted their vessels around southern Africa to avoid being attacked.
The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers. The Houthis have targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are joined by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Hamas released three Israeli hostages in Gaza and Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday, the first day of a ceasefire suspending a 15-month-old war that has laid waste to the Gaza Strip and inflamed the Middle East.