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Jordan’s King Affirms Full Support for Lebanon in Safeguarding its Security, Sovereignty

King Abdullah II received Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday in Amman (NNA)
King Abdullah II received Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday in Amman (NNA)
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Jordan’s King Affirms Full Support for Lebanon in Safeguarding its Security, Sovereignty

King Abdullah II received Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday in Amman (NNA)
King Abdullah II received Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday in Amman (NNA)

Jordanian King Abdullah II, who received Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday, affirmed Jordan’s full support for Lebanon in safeguarding its security and maintaining its sovereignty.

During the meeting attended by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, King Abdullah highlighted Jordan’s readiness to expand cooperation with Lebanon across all fields, especially economic sectors.

The King called for maintaining coordination with Arab countries to work towards regional stability.

The Jordanian King also affirmed that Syria’s security and stability are a shared priority, expressing Jordan’s support for Syrian efforts to preserve its stability, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens.

Turning to regional developments, King Abdullah reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and increased aid to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.

He reaffirmed Jordan’s full rejection of Israeli plans to expand its control in the West Bank, and the region, according to Jordan’s news agency, Petra.

Later, Salam and his Jordanian counterpart, Hassan, agreed to hold the Jordanian-Lebanese Joint Higher Committee this year.

The two sides announced the committee will focus on the trade, transportation, and energy sectors to expand bilateral cooperation.

Hassan responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who openly declared his support for the vision of “Greater Israel.”

“The reality does not reflect the illusion of a so-called Greater Israel, but rather an outcast, isolated Israel besieged regionally and internationally as a result of its policies of brutality and extremism,” Hassan said.

During talks with Salam in Amman, Hassan warned against proposals and visions aimed at perpetuating the war indefinitely similar to delusions of a so-called Greater Israel promoted by extremist politicians in Israel, noting that reality points to policies that only fuel hatred due to the ongoing massacres.

He underlined that “the peoples of the region and the world will not forgive the massacres taking place.”

The PM reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, calling for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Hassan called for intensified efforts to end the war in Gaza, the escalating Israeli attacks in the West Bank, and the wider regional escalation.

He said Israel bears full legal and humanitarian responsibility for the collapse of the relief system in Gaza.

“We are facing a tragedy we witness daily in Gaza, where starvation, killing, and massacres are taking place. All crossings must be opened immediately to allow aid to reach our people and children in Gaza,” he added.

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Arab World

Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
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Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Removed from Yemen's PLC for Committing 'High Treason'

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)
Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi. (AP)

Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has been removed from Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) for high treason, announced PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi on Wednesday.

In a decree, Al-Alimi referred Al-Zubaidi to the general prosecutor for committing high treason and harming the unity and security of the state.

The move stems from keenness on the security of all civilians and sovereignty of the republic, said the decree.

Moreover, it accused Al-Zubaidi of "harming the just southern cause and exploiting it to commit grave violations against civilians in southern governorates."

He was also accused of "harming the republic's political and economic interests, violating the constitution and obstructing state efforts to confront the Houthi coup."

Other charges include forming an armed gang and killing officers and members of the armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said that Al-Zubaidi had fled to an unknown location after distributing weapons to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of stoking unrest in Aden in the coming hours.

Arab World

Arab Coalition: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location Amid Yemen Escalation

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
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Arab Coalition: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location Amid Yemen Escalation

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Wednesday that the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has fled to an unknown location.

On January 4, the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition informed Al-Zubaidi that he must travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet with Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and the Coalition Forces Command to address the reasons behind the escalation and attacks by forces affiliated with the STC on the governorates of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra.

On January 5, the Presidency of the STC reiterated its appreciation for the efforts led by Saudi Arabia in preparing for a comprehensive southern conference to discuss ways to resolve the southern issue, and confirmed its participation in ensuring the conference's success.

Al-Zubaidi informed the Kingdom of his intention to attend on January 6, and the delegation proceeded to the airport.

However, the departure of Yemenia Airways flight IYE 532, scheduled for 10:10 PM and carrying the delegation, was delayed for more than three hours. The legitimate government and the coalition received intelligence indicating that Al-Zubaidi had moved a large force, including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition, from the Jabal Hadid and Al-Solban camps towards Al-Dhaleh around midnight.

The aforementioned flight was allowed to depart, carrying a large number of STC leaders but excluding Al-Zubaidi, who fled to an unknown location.

He left the members and leaders of the STC without any details regarding his whereabouts. This occurred after he distributed weapons and ammunition to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of stoking unrest in Aden in the coming hours.

This prompted the National Shield Forces and the coalition to request Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, also known as Abu Zaraa, to impose security, prevent any clashes within Aden, spare its residents any disturbances, protect lives and property, and cooperate with the National Shield Forces.

The coalition forces monitored the movement of the military units as they emerged from the camps and took up positions in a building near Al-Zand camp in Al-Dhaleh Governorate. At 4:00 AM, coalition forces, in coordination with legitimate government forces and the National Shield Forces, launched limited preemptive strikes to disrupt these forces and thwart Al-Zubaidi's attempts to escalate the conflict and extend it into Al-Dhaleh.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen stress that it is working with the Yemeni government and the local authority in Aden to support and maintain security efforts and confront any military forces targeting cities and civilians.

The command urges all residents to stay away from camps in Aden and Al-Dhaleh, avoid any gatherings of military vehicles for their own safety, and provide information to security agencies regarding any suspicious military movements.

Arab World

Israel Clears Final Hurdle to Start Settlement Construction That Would Cut West Bank in Two

Construction cranes tower above a construction site in Givat HaMatos, an Israeli settlement suburb of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 2, 2026. (AFP)
Construction cranes tower above a construction site in Givat HaMatos, an Israeli settlement suburb of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 2, 2026. (AFP)
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Israel Clears Final Hurdle to Start Settlement Construction That Would Cut West Bank in Two

Construction cranes tower above a construction site in Givat HaMatos, an Israeli settlement suburb of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 2, 2026. (AFP)
Construction cranes tower above a construction site in Givat HaMatos, an Israeli settlement suburb of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on January 2, 2026. (AFP)

Israel has cleared the final hurdle before starting construction on a controversial settlement project near Jerusalem that would effectively cut the West Bank into two, according to a government tender. 

The tender, seeking bids from developers, would clear the way to begin construction of the E1 project. 

The anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now first reported the tender. Yoni Mizrahi, who runs the group’s settlement watch division, said initial work could begin within the month. 

Settlement development in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades, but was frozen due to US pressure during previous administrations. 

The international community overwhelmingly considers Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank to be illegal and an obstacle to peace. 

The E1 project is especially contentious because it runs from the outskirts of Jerusalem deep into the occupied West Bank. Critics say it would prevent the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state in the territory. 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right politician who oversees settlement policy, has long pushed for the plan to become a reality. 

“The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” he said in August, when Israel gave final approval to the plan. “Every settlement, every neighborhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.” 

The tender, publicly accessible on the website for Israel’s Land Authority, calls for proposals to develop 3,401 housing units. Peace Now says the publication of the tender “reflects an accelerated effort to advance construction in E1.”