President of Djibouti: Challenges are Great, Jeddah Summit Strengthens Arab Action

Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti
Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti
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President of Djibouti: Challenges are Great, Jeddah Summit Strengthens Arab Action

Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti
Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti

While all eyes will turn to Jeddah on Friday, when the Arab Summit will convene amid complex geopolitical conditions and multiple Arab crises, topped by the armed conflict in Sudan, Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti stressed that the Arab peoples were counting on the summit to come out with decisions that contain the crises and strengthen joint Arab action.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Guelleh said that the Arab Summit was being held in light of multiple and complex geopolitical changes and critical circumstances in some Arab countries.

“The most important thorny files in the Arab world will top the agenda of the summit, as well as the various geopolitical developments in the region,” he stated.

Emphasizing the centrality of Saudi Arabia in strengthening the Arab decision and unifying the ranks, the president of Djibouti noted that challenges in the Arab world were many and complex.

“Many of the brotherly countries are going through critical conditions, such as Sudan, which is witnessing a very deteriorating and dangerous situation, as well as Yemen”, he said, expressing “great optimism” for the Saudi efforts to solve the crisis, put an end to the suffering of the Yemenis, and restore security and stability in the country.

Guelleh also pointed to the continuous Israeli violations of Islamic and Christian sanctities in occupied Jerusalem, denouncing “the Israeli occupation police storming and desecrating the Gate of Mercy chapel, which is an integral part of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as raising the Israeli occupation flag on the roof and walls of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron.”

“This is a flagrant violation of international law, the Geneva Conventions, and the resolutions of international legitimacy, and a provocation to the feelings of the Islamic nation”, the president underlined.

He added: “We hope that the current Arab summit will come out with recommendations and decisions that would contribute to resolving the crisis and the critical conditions that the Arab world is going through.”

Asked about the means to address the Sudanese file, as Djibouti is member of IGAD, Guelleh said that his country was following with great concern the developments in Sudan.

The president stressed that the IGAD group has put forward a mediation initiative to resolve the crisis, and assigned the presidents of Djibouti, Kenya and South Sudan to go to Sudan. But he added that the movement of the three presidents towards Khartoum depended on a cease-fire and the commitment to the truce.

“We are ready to start effective mediation, and we hope that the IGAD initiative will contribute to finding an urgent solution to the worsening crisis since mid-April. We also salute the current mediation by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States in the Jeddah Dialogue to reach a cease-fire,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Commenting on Syria’s return to the Arab League, the president of Djibouti expressed his country’s commitment to a political solution in Syria that meets the aspirations of the people and ends their sufferings.

“Based on this, we welcome the progress towards ending the Syrian crisis, which lifts the political isolation of brotherly Syria, ends the suffering of its dear people, and fulfills their aspirations for security, stability, development and prosperity,” he stated.

Commenting on global geopolitical changes and the formation of new blocs, Guelleh said that the Arab world cannot be isolated from these developments.

“It is normal for any Arab country to cooperate with any bloc... if it sees its interest, in a manner that does not contradict joint Arab action and the constants of the international community”, he stated.

Guelleh added that his country welcomed any US-Chinese competition in Africa that falls in the interest of development.

Touching on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing, the president of Djibouti warned that the negative effects of the war were not limited to a specific geographical area, but cast a shadow over the entire world and impeded economic growth.

He said in this regard: “We renew our support for international efforts aimed at ending the crisis politically, and we also hope that the parties to the conflict will accept negotiation.”

As for the recent agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran on the revival of bilateral ties, Guelleh expressed his belief that it would reflect positively on the development of the two countries, as well as the region as a whole.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Any rapprochement and cooperation between two countries of the weight and size of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran will undoubtedly contribute to laying the foundations for stability and development in the entire region, and will enhance joint Islamic action.”

Guelleh stressed that Saudi Arabia has always supported Djibouti’s development on various levels, pointing to the presence of several joint committees that seek to promote economic, security and military cooperation between the two countries.

“Based on the tremendous development that we have achieved during the past two decades in the field of ports in terms of quantity and quality, we look forward to strengthening cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the field of maritime transport, logistics services and ports”, he remarked.

He added that work was underway to launch joint projects in the field of sea and air transport, and to establish a free zone and warehouses dedicated for Saudi exports and products within the international free trade zone in Djibouti.

 



Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen Defense Minister: Houthi Attacks May Persist Even After Gaza War Ends

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yemen’s Defense Minister, Lt. Gen. Mohsen al-Daeri, does not expect Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to stop even if the Gaza war ends. He also warns of rising tensions in the region, which could lead to a major conflict.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Daeri affirmed close coordination between Yemeni forces and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition. He praised Saudi Arabia’s key role in the coalition, highlighting its continuous support for Yemen.

Al-Daeri said there has been significant progress in unifying government-aligned military forces, with committees set up by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) establishing a joint operations authority.

Despite challenges, he remains optimistic that these efforts will help unify the military command against the common enemy — Yemen’s Houthi militias.

Al-Daeri warned that Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea are a serious threat to Yemen and the region. He noted that the Houthis are using these attacks to distract from their internal problems and are trying to capitalize on Yemeni sympathy for Palestine by claiming support for Gaza.

He added that the Houthis are unlikely to stop targeting international shipping, even if the Gaza war ends, and are constantly seeking new alliances with terrorist groups to strengthen their position.

Al-Daeri, accused Iran of fueling instability in Yemen by supporting Houthi militias for years, smuggling weapons and military experts to spread chaos without regard for regional stability.

On US relations, Al-Daeri said ties are good but military cooperation remains limited. He noted that US military aid, suspended in 2014, has not yet returned to previous levels.

Al-Daeri said his visit to Saudi Arabia was part of ongoing coordination with the Joint Operations Command and the Saudi Ministry of Defense to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

During his “productive” visit, Al-Daeri met with several military leaders, congratulated the new commander of the Joint Operations, Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Salman, and held talks with officials from the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.

Al-Daeri emphasized the strong defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly during Yemen’s war in recent years.

He noted that the high level of coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab Coalition members has significantly improved regional military readiness.

Al-Daeri said relations with Saudi Arabia are growing stronger, with both countries working closely together to fulfill their missions in the region.

He described defense cooperation as being at its peak, praising Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Arab Coalition.

“Saudi Arabia has always provided full support—military, financial, and moral. As the region’s strongest power, they have supported Yemen not just with resources, but also with strategic expertise and by fighting alongside us, even sacrificing their lives for our cause,” Al-Daeri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Houthi militias have taken advantage of the ceasefire and the Saudi-led initiative, which later became a UN effort, to conduct hostile activities and assert their presence.

He referred to the Houthis’ actions as creating a “massive prison” for millions of Yemenis who do not want to live in their controlled areas.

Al-Daeri, described the situation in the region as dangerous, pointing to recent events in Gaza and Lebanon as signs of increasing tensions. He warned of the risk of an unprecedented regional war due to the rising violence and conflicts.

“What is happening is very alarming, especially with the recent events, including terrorist militias in Yemen, the unacceptable violence in Gaza over the past year, and the situation in southern Lebanon. This all signals the risk of an unusual war,” said al-Daeri.

Regarding potential outcomes, al-Daeri noted that Yemeni forces are ready for both war and peace. He acknowledged significant efforts to achieve peace but warned that renewed conflict could occur at any moment. He also pointed out ongoing provocations from Houthis, which continue to lead to casualties.

"We are ready for all options and have comprehensive strategic plans for deploying our forces. The past two years have seen a ceasefire, and the Arab Coalition is making significant efforts to achieve peace rather than resorting to war. However, this does not mean that conflict won’t resume; it could restart at any time,” explained al-Daeri.

“Despite the ceasefire and the presence of our forces, the legitimate troops have not fired back, yet the militias provoke us daily, resulting in casualties,” he added.

“Patience is a key quality of the legitimate authority in Yemen, led by Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and his colleagues in the Presidential Leadership Council. This patience reflects our readiness for the moment of truth, whether for peace or war—we are prepared,” asserted al-Daeri.