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Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
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Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami: PLC's Go-to Man in Handling Yemen's Challenging Files

Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)
Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami. (Saba)

Amid the tensions in Yemen's interim capital Aden rose the name of Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, also known as Abou Zaraa, as one of the main figures trying to restore calm in southern Yemen.

He was tasked with imposing security and preventing clashes in Aden, reflecting the confidence he enjoys inside the PLC and his rising role in handling sensitive military files.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was born in 1980 in the Yafaa region in the Abyan province.

He rose to prominence as a decisive field commander during the war in Yemen. In a short period of time, he managed to impose himself through the leadership of the southern Giants Brigades, which had turned into a mighty force in combating the Houthis.

In contrast to several military commanders, Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami was actually involved in ground operations that helped reclaim strategic regions. He consequently gained a military and popular reputation, consolidating his standing in Yemen.

He was named a member of the PLC in April 2022 during one of the most complicated phases of Yemen's recent history. Since then, he has maintained his image as a disciplined military commander who balances between political and security duties.

In May 2023, he was named Vice President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), placing him in a prominent position in both the PLC and on the southern scene. He remained committed to the work of the legitimate government and maintaining security.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has long held firm stances in combating terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons. These positions made him the go-to man for tackling sensitive security files.

He has been tasked with imposing security in Aden in wake of the latest tensions with the STC.

People familiar with his work said he is keen on protecting civilians and state institutions and preventing political disputes from turning into armed clashes - a challenging task in a city where weapons are everywhere and tensions are high.

Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami has also represented Yemen at important regional meetings. He recently met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss the security and political developments in Yemen, reflecting the trust he enjoys among regional partners.

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Arab World

Israeli Fire Kills Two in Gaza as Truce Deal Moves to Next Phase

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians who, according to medics, were killed by Israeli gunfire on Thursday, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians who, according to medics, were killed by Israeli gunfire on Thursday, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
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Israeli Fire Kills Two in Gaza as Truce Deal Moves to Next Phase

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians who, according to medics, were killed by Israeli gunfire on Thursday, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed
Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians who, according to medics, were killed by Israeli gunfire on Thursday, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed

Israeli fire killed at least two Palestinians in Gaza on Thursday, health officials said, in the latest violence rattling a fragile ceasefire as Hamas and Israel looked to implement the second phase of the US-brokered Gaza peace plan.

Medics said two men were killed by Israeli forces in eastern Khan Younis, in an area adjacent to where the army operates. The Israeli military told Reuters it wasn't aware of any casualties as a result of Israeli fire on Thursday.

The Gaza health ministry said Israeli airstrikes, tank shelling and gunfire have killed at least 490 people since the truce took effect in October after two years of war that widely demolished the Palestinian enclave.

Israel said four soldiers have been killed by Palestinian militants in the small coastal territory over the same period.

The two sides have traded blame over the truce violations.

By advancing to phase two, the US and mediator partners Egypt and Qatar must confront the more contentious issue of Hamas disarmament, which the group has long rejected. The plan also calls for deploying an international peacekeeping force.

Arab World

Lebanese Security Arrests Network Smuggling Drugs from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia

 A billboard on the road to Beirut International Airport promoting tourism in Lebanon. (AP) 
 A billboard on the road to Beirut International Airport promoting tourism in Lebanon. (AP) 
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Lebanese Security Arrests Network Smuggling Drugs from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia

 A billboard on the road to Beirut International Airport promoting tourism in Lebanon. (AP) 
 A billboard on the road to Beirut International Airport promoting tourism in Lebanon. (AP) 

Lebanese General Security has dismantled an organized network involved in smuggling drugs from Türkiye to Saudi Arabia, as authorities reiterated that Lebanon “will not be a platform or transit route for drug trafficking to sisterly or friendly countries.”

In a statement, the Media Affairs Office of Lebanon's General Security said that, as part of close monitoring of passenger movements at border crossings, officers at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport arrested four Turkish nationals, three men and one woman, while they were attempting to enter Lebanon on a flight arriving from Istanbul.

According to the statement, suspicions were raised by the suspects’ frequent travel patterns. Acting on instructions from the competent judiciary, the detainees were subjected to security interrogations that revealed they had established an organized network to smuggle narcotics from Türkiye to the Kingdom, in coordination with external parties and in exchange for financial payments.

Investigations also showed that they had carried out several previous operations using professional methods.

The statement added that investigations produced evidence confirming their direct involvement in smuggling activities. The suspects and seized materials were referred to the competent authorities under the supervision of the Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar praised “the significant efforts made by the security services, particularly the Directorate General of General Security, in combating drug-trafficking networks,” commending the “high-quality operation carried out at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport that led to the arrest of an organized network involved in smuggling narcotics.”

He stressed that Lebanon “will never be a platform or transit route for drug trafficking to sisterly or friendly countries, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” and will not allow its territory to be used to undermine the security of Arab and international societies.

 

 

 

 

Arab World

Political, Military Activity in Lebanon to Address Weapons, Ceasefire Mechanism Crisis

Lebanese army soldiers look toward the Israeli military position of Hanita (left) and the Labbouneh position, part of the five hills occupied by Israeli forces since last year (right), from a Lebanese military post in the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP) 
Lebanese army soldiers look toward the Israeli military position of Hanita (left) and the Labbouneh position, part of the five hills occupied by Israeli forces since last year (right), from a Lebanese military post in the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP) 
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Political, Military Activity in Lebanon to Address Weapons, Ceasefire Mechanism Crisis

Lebanese army soldiers look toward the Israeli military position of Hanita (left) and the Labbouneh position, part of the five hills occupied by Israeli forces since last year (right), from a Lebanese military post in the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP) 
Lebanese army soldiers look toward the Israeli military position of Hanita (left) and the Labbouneh position, part of the five hills occupied by Israeli forces since last year (right), from a Lebanese military post in the village of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP) 

Lebanon is preparing political and military conditions to ensure the success of an upcoming visit by Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal to the United States, consolidate stability at home, and pave the way for a Paris conference in March to support the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The effort involves coordinated steps, beginning with setting a date for the army to present its vision to the government for implementing the second phase of the “exclusive state control of weapons” plan, alongside intensified international contacts to reactivate the work of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

Lebanese sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the success of the Paris conference depends on US backing, while Washington is awaiting the army’s proposed approach for launching the second phase of the weapons plan.

Political and military initiatives aim to unlock multiple obstacles simultaneously, strengthen stability, and enable the army to carry out its government-mandated tasks.

Army Plan Presented to Cabinet

The Cabinet is scheduled to meet Friday afternoon at Baabda Palace under President Joseph Aoun. A key agenda item is the army’s plan for deployment and operations north of the Litani River, which Haykal is expected to present in detail.

The Central News Agency (Al-Markaziah) reported that the briefing will cover the operational framework, implementation stages, assigned missions, and logistical and security requirements, considering recent developments in the south and Lebanon’s state commitments.

Official sources said the plan will define geographic scope, types of weapons, implementation tools, and timelines, and will be reviewed pending approval by relevant parties, an implicit reference to US and Israeli consent.

They noted that exclusive state control of weapons is a government commitment, and that Hezbollah, as part of the government, is expected to adhere to the plan.

During the first phase south of the Litani, the army worked to prevent the transfer of weapons between governorates. Proposals to “contain weapons” north of the Litani — an initiative put forward by Egypt and previously approved by the United States — are also under discussion.

The “Mechanism” Impasse

The resumption of meetings of the ceasefire “mechanism” is seen as the most significant obstacle.

On the military level, a Lebanese army delegation traveled to the United States on Wednesday ahead of Haykal’s planned visit on Feb. 5. Senior officers are expected to meet Gen. Joseph Clairfield, head of the mechanism committee, with sources confirming that no changes have been made to the committee overseeing the ceasefire.

Politically, the Lebanese presidency announced that Aoun’s security and military adviser, retired Brig. Gen. Antoine Mansour, met US Col. David Leon Klingensmith, deputy head of the mechanism committee, in the presence of Defense Attaché Col. Jason Belknap at the US Embassy in Beirut. Discussions focused on the committee’s work, cooperation with the Lebanese side, and preparations for the next meeting.

The meeting also explored whether Israel had responded to Lebanese demands regarding the ceasefire, withdrawal, and prisoner releases. Ministerial sources stressed that the mechanism remains the sole framework for security, military, and political negotiations to implement the agreement.

Next Meeting and Growing Tensions

The next mechanism meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25. While the agenda has not been finalized, official estimates suggest it will focus on security issues rather than political ones, amid continued Israeli violations despite Lebanon’s fulfillment of its commitments.

Lebanese authorities maintain that Lebanon has extended state authority south of the Litani, removed weapons, refrained from firing toward Israel, and advanced phased implementation of exclusive state control of arms — steps taken unilaterally, while Israel has not halted attacks, withdrawn from occupied positions, or released detainees.

Sources stressed the need for international pressure on Israel to honor its obligations and demonstrate good faith in the ceasefire process.