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Yemeni Politicians Accuse Houthis of Evading Saudi Peace Plan

Yemeni Presidential Advisor Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi, AFP
Yemeni Presidential Advisor Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi, AFP
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Yemeni Politicians Accuse Houthis of Evading Saudi Peace Plan

Yemeni Presidential Advisor Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi, AFP
Yemeni Presidential Advisor Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi, AFP

Houthis are being evasive when addressing the new Saudi peace plan for Yemen, government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the militia is following Iranian instructions on trying to break the initiative into pieces.

“They (Houthis) are looking to separate the initiative’s humanitarian and economic parts from the military and political ones,” said Yemeni government sources, noting that the Iran-aligned group’s intentions have left the UN and US envoys to the war-torn country disappointed.

For the time being, analysts and observers remain skeptic on the current political atmosphere in Yemen yielding any positive engagement with international efforts seeking a settlement to the country’s ongoing crisis.

Houthis have demanded arranging unchecked direct flights to Iran, Syria and Lebanon, halting Arab coalition airstrikes, and easing restrictions on traffic to and from the seaport as preconditions for agreeing to a truce.

The government has rejected the Houthi demands as it remains greatly concerned that the militia might ferry fighters and weapons on direct flights and through seaports.

On March 22, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced a new peace initiative for achieving a broad political solution for the battle-weary country.

The initiative includes a comprehensive ceasefire across the country under the supervision of the UN and depositing taxes and custom revenues for ships carrying oil derivatives to the port of Hodeidah in the joint account of the Central Bank of Yemen in Hodeidah, in accordance with the Stockholm Agreement on Hodeidah.

More so, the Saudi plan approved reopening the Sanaa International Airport to a number of direct regional and international destinations and backed the relaunching of consultations between the Yemeni parties to reach a political resolution to the Yemeni crisis under the auspices of the UN based on the references of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and its implementation mechanism, and the outcomes of the Yemeni national dialogue.

Nevertheless, the Yemeni government has accused Houthis of not being serious about striking a peace deal, citing the militia’s continued military operations across the country, mainly in the oil-rich governorate of Marib.

Last Thursday, the advisor to Yemen's president, Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi, accused Iran of mobilizing its axis of sectarian destruction to support Houthis in seizing Marib and obstructing the Saudi peace initiative.

At a time when the world awaits the UN and US efforts to cease hostilities and bring peace to Yemen, the Iranian sectarian axis of destruction is being mobilized behind the Houthis to occupy Marib, he wrote on Twitter.

The small Marib city, which has become the shelter of two million IDPs who fled Houthi carnage, is resisting with the determination of the Yemeni people and a history dating back to thousands of years, he said.

In addition, Iran has instructed the Houthis to obstruct the Saudi peace initiative like it instructed them not to sign what had been agreed upon at the peace negotiations in Kuwait years ago, he added.

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Arab World

Hospital Says 5 People Killed in Gaza

Palestinians walk amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
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Hospital Says 5 People Killed in Gaza

Palestinians walk amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians walk amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Israeli strikes overnight in Gaza killed five people, according to al-Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. Four women were among the dead. A mother and daughter among them were Christians, a minority in Gaza, the hospital said,

A large fire burned at the site, where the strikes tore a gaping hole in the ground floor of a multistory building. The hospital said people were still reported missing beneath the debris.

Israel's military did not immediately comment, saying it was checking for information.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,439 Palestinians in Gaza since a ceasefire was reached with the Hamas militant group nearly a year ago, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Its figures are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. It does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Israel says it is targeting Hamas and other militants who pose a threat, and in response to ceasefire violations, including occasional attacks.

Arab World

Aoun: Army, Security Forces Sole Authorities Responsible for Lebanese Security

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the southern town of Deir Mimas (National News Agency). 
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the southern town of Deir Mimas (National News Agency). 
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Aoun: Army, Security Forces Sole Authorities Responsible for Lebanese Security

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the southern town of Deir Mimas (National News Agency). 
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with a delegation from the southern town of Deir Mimas (National News Agency). 

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the army and state security forces alone were responsible for citizens’ security, as Israeli attacks continued across southern Lebanon and Maronite bishops called for all weapons to be brought under state control.

Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Deir Mimas, a predominantly Christian town south of the Litani River, where he reaffirmed the state’s commitment to residents facing Israeli attacks and displacement.

He described the determination of southern residents to remain on their land as the strongest response to Israeli displacement and intimidation, pledging continued support for those who stayed in their villages and those forced to flee.

Municipal chief Tania Bernaba welcomed Aoun’s insistence that weapons remain exclusively in state hands and that decisions on war and peace rest with its legitimate institutions, particularly the army and security forces.

She outlined the town’s difficult security, economic and humanitarian conditions, stressing that residents wanted to remain connected to state institutions and services rather than feel abandoned or isolated.

In response, Aoun expressed solidarity with residents affected by Israeli attacks and pledged that the state would provide protection and support wherever security conditions permitted.

“The Lebanese army and legitimate security forces will be the sole authorities responsible for citizens’ security,” he said, describing the state’s responsibility toward southern residents as a non-negotiable national priority.

He added that political, diplomatic and negotiating efforts were continuing to halt Israeli attacks, secure a complete withdrawal from occupied territory and deploy the army to the internationally recognized southern border.

Maronite bishops back negotiations

Aoun’s position was echoed by the Council of Maronite Bishops, which condemned continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon following its monthly meeting in Bkerke.

The bishops urged the international community to help displaced residents return to their homes, support ongoing negotiations and back efforts to place all weapons under state control.

Meanwhile, several residents of Nabatieh al-Fawqa entered their town on foot despite Israeli threats, coinciding with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit to Nabatieh.

Their return underscored the determination of southern residents to reclaim their homes, while highlighting the gap between government efforts to restore normal life and conditions on the ground, where Israeli threats and military operations continue.

Israeli attacks continue across southern Lebanon

The political statements came amid continued Israeli military operations across several southern towns, including artillery shelling, airstrikes and demolitions.

Field reports indicated that Israeli artillery targeted Mays al-Jabal, while troops fired machine guns toward the outskirts of Baraachit and carried out major demolitions in Beit Lif and Aitaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district.

Israeli aircraft also launched two rounds of strikes on Mansouri, south of Tyre, where a powerful explosion sent tremors through Tyre and neighboring towns.

In Majdal Zoun, Israeli forces carried out two successive demolitions after artillery struck Beit Yahoun, Mansouri, Wadi Zibqin and Wadi al-Slouqi at dawn. Machine-gun fire was also reported toward Hadatha and the outskirts of Baraachit.

Arab World

Sudanese Army Expands Control in North Kordofan

Sudanese army soldiers take part in a military parade in Gedaref on August 17 (AFP). 
Sudanese army soldiers take part in a military parade in Gedaref on August 17 (AFP). 
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Sudanese Army Expands Control in North Kordofan

Sudanese army soldiers take part in a military parade in Gedaref on August 17 (AFP). 
Sudanese army soldiers take part in a military parade in Gedaref on August 17 (AFP). 

The Sudanese army said Friday it had recaptured the strategic town of Al-Mazroub in North Kordofan, a week after retaking Sodari, as a deadly drone strike on student housing in the state capital, El-Obeid, highlighted the growing use of unmanned aircraft in the conflict.

The developments come as the UN Security Council prepares for fresh negotiations over a US proposal to extend the arms embargo on Darfur to all of Sudan.

In a statement, the army’s General Command said its troops and allied forces had retaken Al-Mazroub after “fierce battles,” inflicting heavy casualties and vehicle losses on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army pledged to continue operations on all fronts, protect civilians and secure property, urging residents of recaptured areas to resume their normal lives.

Mohamed Deidan, spokesman for the Special Operations Forces in North Kordofan, announced on Facebook that army troops had entered Al-Mazroub at 9 a.m. Friday, a development corroborated by field sources.

Located about 130 kilometers northwest of El-Obeid, Al-Mazroub is an important livestock market that has also served as a military supply route during the war. It had long been under RSF control.

Witnesses reported that RSF fighters withdrew from the town in September but returned after the army captured Sodari, before retreating again as government forces advanced Friday morning.

Holding Al-Mazroub strengthens the army’s ability to monitor movements west of Bara and restrict the town’s use as a transit and supply hub. Consolidating the gain, however, depends on securing surrounding roads and rural areas.

The advance follows recent army gains in Sodari, Um Sharo, Bara, Jabra al-Sheikh and Um Sayala. Field reports indicated that RSF units had retreated toward Um Badr, Hamrat al-Sheikh and the state’s far west, although their current positions remain independently unverified.

Kordofan’s strategic importance stems from its location linking central Sudan to Darfur, making control of its towns and roads critical to troop movements and supply lines.

Meanwhile, the Sudan Doctors Network reported that five people were killed and 47 wounded in a drone strike on University of Kordofan student housing in El-Obeid.

The network blamed the RSF, describing the attack as an escalation in strikes against civilian and educational facilities.

The paramilitary group made no immediate comment, and responsibility for the strike could not be independently established.

El-Obeid has faced repeated drone attacks in recent weeks, reflecting the weapon’s growing use alongside ground operations.

Burhan addresses military recruits

In Khartoum, Sudan’s Sovereignty Council chairman and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan told newly admitted military academy recruits that the armed forces must safeguard the country’s security and unity, with loyalty transcending political, tribal and regional affiliations.

He described the army as a national institution serving all Sudanese and urged recruits to develop their military and technical skills to keep pace with advances in weaponry and equipment.

The Security Council is expected to revisit Sudan sanctions before the current temporary extension expires on October 9.

In September, disagreements over a US proposal to expand the Darfur arms embargo nationwide forced the council to extend the existing measures by just one month.

Washington also seeks tighter restrictions on weapons, drones, related technology and foreign fighters, while Russia and China have expressed reservations about widening the embargo.

Sudan’s government opposes a nationwide ban, arguing it could undermine the army’s ability to defend the country. Instead, it wants tougher measures to prevent weapons and foreign support from reaching the RSF.

The latest escalation in Kordofan adds significance to the Security Council debate, as military operations and drone warfare have spread beyond Darfur, for which the embargo was established more than two decades ago.