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)
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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.



King of Bahrain: Iran Must Cease Meddling in Our Internal Affairs

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (BNA file)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (BNA file)
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King of Bahrain: Iran Must Cease Meddling in Our Internal Affairs

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (BNA file)
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. (BNA file)

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa called on Thursday Iran to cease interfering in the internal affairs of his country and Arab Gulf nations, stressing that the “nation comes above all and that Bahrain is a trust borne by all its citizens.”

In remarks to the media, he said the recent Iranian attacks against Bahrain’s “security, stability, and the safety of its people exposed those who betrayed the nation and aligned themselves with the enemy.”

“In times when nations face mounting challenges and when people are test, true positions are revealed,” he added, noting: “While the Bahrain Defense Force remained highly vigilant in defense of the kingdom, a small group of individuals chose to collaborate with the enemy and cooperated with those who violated national sovereignty.”

“This was a grave act of treason and an unforgivable crime,” he declared in remarks carried by Bahrain’s state news agency BNA.

King Hamad stressed that Iran must cease meddling in the internal affairs of Bahrain and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, expressing his “deep anger” over the recent developments and adding that the people of Bahrain share this sentiment.

He questioned “how one could not feel anger when those entrusted with the nation’s interests have betrayed it, and when those elected to represent the people stood with traitors who were rejected by public.”

“Public opinion stands united in rejecting such actions and called for the expulsion of those who cooperated” with Iran’s aggression, he went on to say.

“Those who betray the nation do not deserve the honor of belonging to it or the privilege of living on its land. Citizenship is not merely granted, but a binding covenant, and those who break it forfeit their right to it,” announced King Hamad.

Moreover, he expressed regret over the positions of some lawmakers “who sided with traitors instead of upholding their responsibility to protect national interests.”

He underscored the importance of maintaining unity and integrity within the Council of Representatives, adding: “Those who chose to align themselves with those who attacked the nation should go to them, as there is no place among the people for those who side with the country’s enemies.”

“The peoples of the GCC fully support the rulings against those found guilty of betrayal, including imprisonment and the revocation and withdrawal of nationality, and have called for further measures,” he went on to say.

“These deterrent measures are not acts of retribution, but a safeguard for the majority of loyal citizens, and a necessary step to prevent circumstances that could require the armed forces to assume control under military provisions in defense of Bahrain,” said King Hamad.

“Those lawmakers face two options: either to issue a clear apology to the people of Bahrain that restores trust, or to join those they chose to align with, who have left the country or been expelled under final court rulings for acts of betrayal,” he warned.

He stressed that parliamentary membership “is a trust and representation is an honor not deserved by those whose actions are tainted by betrayal. There is no place for them among the people, nor any honor in representing them going forward.”

Furthermore, King Hamad said that stability will not be restored, nor will normal life resume, “until ranks are cleansed of every traitor and accomplice.”

He reiterated that “the nation stands above all and that Bahrain is a trust borne by all.”


UAE Announces Travel Ban on Nationals to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq

The flag of the UAE. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of the UAE. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Announces Travel Ban on Nationals to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq

The flag of the UAE. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of the UAE. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry on Thursday announced a travel ban on Emirati nationals going to Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, citing regional developments including the Middle East war.

Iran has targeted the Gulf nation throughout the Middle East conflict sparked by a US-Israeli attack before a fragile ceasefire was announced, including missiles fired at civilian and energy infrastructure.

"In light of current regional developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announces a travel ban on UAE nationals travelling to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Lebanese Republic, and the Republic of Iraq," state news agency WAM reported.

It said the ministry called on "all UAE nationals currently in these countries to expedite their immediate return" to the UAE.


Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with French Counterpart in Riyadh

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister Meets with French Counterpart in Riyadh

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met Thursday in Riyadh French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, SPA reported.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations and discussed regional and international developments and their implications for security and stability.