Yemen Defense Ministry Warns of Houthi Collusion with ISIS, Qaeda

Yemen's Defense Minister during his meeting with a delegation from the UN Special Envoy’s office for Yemen in the interim capital Aden. (Saba News Agency)
Yemen's Defense Minister during his meeting with a delegation from the UN Special Envoy’s office for Yemen in the interim capital Aden. (Saba News Agency)
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Yemen Defense Ministry Warns of Houthi Collusion with ISIS, Qaeda

Yemen's Defense Minister during his meeting with a delegation from the UN Special Envoy’s office for Yemen in the interim capital Aden. (Saba News Agency)
Yemen's Defense Minister during his meeting with a delegation from the UN Special Envoy’s office for Yemen in the interim capital Aden. (Saba News Agency)

Yemen’s Defense Ministry has issued a stern warning about the peril of the ongoing aggressive actions by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against the army. The ministry called upon the international community to exhibit greater firmness in addressing the unyielding Houthi obstinacy towards peace.

Yemeni Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mohsen Mohammed al-Daeri raised the alarm about the dangerous collusion between the terrorist Houthi militias and the Al-Qaeda and ISIS organizations with the aim to destabilized liberated regions.

He emphasized that the threat of these militias extends not only within Yemen but also to the wider region and the world.

He made his remarks during a meeting in the interim capital of Aden on Tuesday with the political division team of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen.

According to Saba news agency, Al-Daeri highlighted that the Houthi militias have disregarded all commitments or pacts aimed at establishing peace in Yemen.

He strongly underscored the imperative for the international community and the UN to assume a more resolute role in countering the arrogance and intransigence of the Houthis, who constantly reject peace efforts.

In turn, Yemeni Army Spokesman Brig. Gen. Abdo Majali affirmed the readiness of the military to battle the Houthis

He pointed out that all Houthi violations and attacks on the fronts have proven unsuccessful.

In statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, Majali stated that the army has become more prepared, capable, and well-trained.

“The militias are weak in the face of our well-prepared forces and are being shunned in areas under their control,” he noted.

“Soon, the people will rise against them, and a decisive military solution is the secure path to spare the Yemeni people from these acts of sabotage and terrorism,” added Majali.

Yemeni soldiers, according to Mijalli, have undergone numerous qualifying and specialized courses that have boosted morale and readiness to confront the militias.



Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The atrocities unleashed on El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region last October were a "preventable human rights catastrophe", the United Nations said Monday, warning they now risked being repeated in the neighbouring Kordofan region.

"My office sounded the alarm about the risk of mass atrocities in the besieged city of El-Fasher for more than a year ... but our warnings were ignored," UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He added that he was now "extremely concerned that these violations and abuses may be repeated in the Kordofan region".


Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

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 Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

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)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to impose fundamental changes on the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements, SPA reported.

In a statement, the Arab League said the measures include facilitating the confiscation of private Palestinian property and transferring planning and licensing authorities in the city of Hebron and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque to occupation authorities.

It warned of the serious repercussions of these actions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reaffirmed the Arab League’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.


UN: 53 Migrants Dead or Missing in Shipwreck Off Libya

(FILES) Migrants sit on board a RHIB (Rigid inflatable boat) after being evacuated by crew members of the “Ocean Viking” rescue ship from the oil tanker the 'Maridive 703' in the search-and-rescue zone of the international waters between Malta and Tunisia, on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)
(FILES) Migrants sit on board a RHIB (Rigid inflatable boat) after being evacuated by crew members of the “Ocean Viking” rescue ship from the oil tanker the 'Maridive 703' in the search-and-rescue zone of the international waters between Malta and Tunisia, on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)
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UN: 53 Migrants Dead or Missing in Shipwreck Off Libya

(FILES) Migrants sit on board a RHIB (Rigid inflatable boat) after being evacuated by crew members of the “Ocean Viking” rescue ship from the oil tanker the 'Maridive 703' in the search-and-rescue zone of the international waters between Malta and Tunisia, on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)
(FILES) Migrants sit on board a RHIB (Rigid inflatable boat) after being evacuated by crew members of the “Ocean Viking” rescue ship from the oil tanker the 'Maridive 703' in the search-and-rescue zone of the international waters between Malta and Tunisia, on December 31, 2025. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)

The UN migration agency on Monday said 53 people were dead or missing after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast. Only two survivors were rescued.

The International Organization for Migration said the boat overturned north of Zuwara on Friday.

"Only two Nigerian women were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation by Libyan authorities," the IOM said in a statement, adding that one of the survivors said she lost her husband and the other said "she lost her two babies in the tragedy.”

According to AFP, the IOM said its teams provided the two survivors with emergency medical care upon disembarkation.

"According to survivor accounts, the boat -- carrying migrants and refugees of African nationalities departed from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11:00 pm on February 5. Approximately six hours later, it capsized after taking on water," the agency said.

"IOM mourns the loss of life in yet another deadly incident along the Central Mediterranean route."

The Geneva-based agency said trafficking and smuggling networks were exploiting migrants along the route from north Africa to southern Europe, profiting from dangerous crossings in unseaworthy boats while exposing people to "severe abuse.”

It called for stronger international cooperation to tackle the networks, alongside safe and regular migration pathways to reduce risks and save lives.