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Yemeni Defense Minister: ‘Excellent’ Coordination with Giants Brigades, Houthis Amassed 15 Brigades for Marib, Al Jawf

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemeni Defense Minister: ‘Excellent’ Coordination with Giants Brigades, Houthis Amassed 15 Brigades for Marib, Al Jawf

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi, Asharq Al-Awsat

The Yemeni army, backed by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, was able to defeat Houthis in the governorates of Shabwah and Marib, affirmed Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al-Maqdashi.

While the minister described coordination with the Giants Brigades as “excellent,” he explained that the Yemeni army is still in the process of liberating districts in Marib.

According to Maqdashi, the Yemeni army advanced more than 27 km in the direction of Safer and international lines.

“Our forces are around the corner from Umm al-Rish and Mala’a and have bypassed the eastern Balaq,” affirmed Maqdashi, adding that Yemeni Army forces were fighting defensive battles everywhere.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Maqdashi revealed that special forces had been deployed around 56 km away from Hajjah governorate’s Harad district.

“The Yemeni Army has not stopped working towards battlefield gains. The Giants Brigades forces have stopped, but they might have future plans,” said Maqdashi.

“Army forces are continuing on all fronts, whether in Marib, Taiz, Al-Jawf, or Harad,” he asserted.

He said that coming days would witness several victories, just like those established with the help of the Giants Brigades on the coast and in the southern governorate of Taiz.

“Our forces are still in Harad and Midi, which are close to Abs. Victory will be achieved with the continuation of the battles, especially if all fronts are opened,” said Maqdashi.

Currently, Yemeni Army forces are stationed 56 km away from Harad and are preparing to fight the battle for freeing the district.

As for future plans to settle battles, Maqdashi pointed out that Yemen is part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, which had played a significant role in destroying the Houthi enemy.

“We are confident that we will liberate our country, as we are part of the Arab coalition forces led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Maqdashi.

The minister also talked about the Happy Yemen Brigades, the participation of the first military zone in battles next to Hodeidah, and the challenges facing the Yemeni army.

“The biggest challenge facing us is having capabilities in all fields. Houthis took control of everything, and we started building the state again, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bore a large part in this matter,” said Maqdashi.

Maqdashi also revealed that when the Yemeni army was approaching Sanaa, Houthis were able to gather 15 brigades to attack the army’s positions in Marib and al-Jawf.

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Arab World

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.

Arab World

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.

Arab World

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.