Yemen, UAE Coordinate to Deter Houthi Attacks against Economic Facilities

The UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi (Wam)
The UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi (Wam)
TT

Yemen, UAE Coordinate to Deter Houthi Attacks against Economic Facilities

The UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi (Wam)
The UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi (Wam)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi, coordinating efforts to deter Houthi terrorist attacks on oil export ports and economic facilities, according to Yemeni sources.

Saba news agency stated that Alimi and the accompanying delegation discussed recent developments in the Yemeni situation with the President and prospects of advancing ties.

Saba reported that the meeting touched on discussions about Yemeni developments and bilateral relations, including presidential and governmental reforms, and coordinated measures to deter the terrorist Houthi attacks on national economic facilities.

Alimi congratulated Sheikh Mohammed, the Emirati government, and the people on the 51st UAE National day, expressing his appreciation for UAE's support to Yemen and the legitimate leadership.

The Yemeni leader arrived in Abu Dhabi from the Jordanian capital, Amman. Alimi is leading the Council's movements in the region to support economic and political reforms and confront Houthi escalation.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Finance Minister Salem Saleh bin Brik met in Riyadh with US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking and Ambassador Stephen Fagin. They discussed recent economic developments and regional and international efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.

Yemeni sources stated that the meeting addressed Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Hadramout and Shabwa and their impact on the overall humanitarian, living, economic, and public aspects.

The meeting also addressed the government procedures and options to deal with these repeated attacks and measures taken regarding the port of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the Houthi militia.

According to the Saba agency, the Yemeni Minister discussed his country's needs and technical and material support to build state institutions and infrastructure destroyed by the Houthi war.

Bin Brik reviewed state and government efforts to carry out the necessary economic and financial reforms during the last period and their positive impact on supporting and stabilizing the national economy.

They also addressed the required measures to develop oil and non-oil resources, control expenditures, and enhance transparency and accountability.

The Minister touched on the government's financial priorities and efforts to confront the challenges, given the adverse effects of the Houthi military escalation on the humanitarian and economic aspects.

Bin Brik reaffirmed the importance of the comprehensive economic, financial, and monetary reform program signed by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) and the Yemeni government under Saudi sponsorship.

The $1 billion program aims to establish the foundations of economic, financial, and monetary stability in Yemen, strengthen its public finances and external position, rebuild its institutions and enhance its governance and transparency.

Yemeni media reported that the US envoy reaffirmed his country's support to Yemen, aiming to alleviate human and living suffering, improve the economy, and support international efforts to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace.



Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Govt Rejects Any Attempts to Undermine Somalia’s Sovereignty

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s rejection of any attempts “to create parallel entities that undermine Somalia's unity, territorial integrity, or national sovereignty.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's extraordinary meeting on Somalia in Jeddah that stressed the Kingdom’s stance on Somalia.

The Cabinet reviewed recent high-level discussions between the Kingdom and various countries, focusing on regional developments, ongoing efforts to anchor security and peace, and the Kingdom's commitment to multilateral initiatives that drive global stability and foster collective responses to shared challenges.

The Cabinet reiterated the centrality of the Palestinian cause, stressing the Kingdom's unwavering support for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These efforts aim to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their right to self-determination and to establish an independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Cabinet commended the successful conclusion of the Gulf Shield 2026 joint military exercise, hosted by Saudi Arabia. Featuring the air and air defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the GCC Unified Military Command, the exercise underscored the commitment to boosting regional defense cooperation and strengthening collective military readiness.

The Cabinet reviewed several high-profile economic events hosted by the Kingdom, specifically highlighting the Saudi-Japan Ministerial Investment Forum and the Saudi-Canadian Business and Investment Forum. The summits resulted in numerous memoranda of understanding across strategic sectors, including space, cybersecurity, ICT, manufacturing, education, finance, water, and agriculture.


Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Hadhramaut Figures: Saudi Arabia's Historic Stance Paves Way for New Phase of Stability

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Several prominent figures from Yemen's Hadhramaut praised on Monday's Saudi Arabia's stance on the governorate that prevented it from sliding towards deeper unrest and instability.

The figures told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom's position was not limited to tackling the current crisis, but paves the way for a new phase of stability and development as parties prepare for a Riyadh conference on the southern issue.

The conference will mark a turning point in "rearranging" the political scene in the South, they remarked.

Hadhramaut is at a pivotal moment that demands united ranks that will come up with a unified vision that preserves the governorate's interests and allows it to play an effective role in any future political process, they added

Sheikh Essam Al-Kathiri, Secretary-General of the Hadhramaut National Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Arabia's "historic" stance and determination over the December 3 developments prevented the governorate from slipping into chaos.

Hadhramaut may have escaped the crisis, but it has embarked on a new path towards progress and development, he stated.

The call for intra-south dialogue is a sign that a secure and stable future is on the horizon, he noted.

"We are already seeing these signs with Saudi Arabia's brotherly support," he remarked.

Another member of the council, Al-Hakam Abdullah al-Nahdi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the support offered by Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, will be "etched in Hadhramaut's memory and relayed to generations to come."

"Hadhramaut represents a natural strategic depth to the Kingdom and its security is indivisible from Saudi Arabia's," he added.

"Were it not for Saudi Arabia's stance, we would have been mired in chaos," he went on to say.

He said he was optimistic about the future as long as Saudi Arabia was by Hadhramaut's side, calling on the people to "seize this opportunity by rallying together and shunning division."


Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
TT

Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added.