Latest news with #ConsultationandReconciliationCommission
Al Mawqea Post
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Mawqea Post
Three important meetings in Riyadh within a week
reports that Riyadh hosted three pivotal political gatherings this week: Saudi Consultations: The first session brought together the Saudi ambassador, the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and key Yemeni party leaders. Presidential Council Briefing: In the second, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, met with the same delegation. National Alliance Talks: The final meeting paired Al-Alimi with representatives from the National Alliance bloc. Key insights from Shalfi's Yemeni sources: 1 Growing popular demand urges a decisive end to Houthi rule—spurred by recent events in Lebanon and Syria—yet neither Yemeni leaders nor their external backers have committed to a clear course of action. 2 Riyadh signaled it won't back or join a ground offensive under current regional and global conditions, while also warning Yemeni factions to overcome their internal splits and restore unified military and political coordination. 3 Al-Alimi attended alone, underscoring deep fractures within the Presidential Council that hinder regular meetings and collective decision-making. 4 Rumors of impending action on Yemen's western coast and around Hudaydah were addressed, with Al-Alimi insisting any deployment must be a joint effort, not a single-front initiative. 5 Several attendees noted Donald Trump's planned May 13 regional trip—which could tip the balance toward either escalation or de-escalation in Yemen. 6 Discussions revealed significant cracks in Yemen's military and political coalitions, a major barrier to launching any broad, unified assault on the Houthis. 7 Despite official denials, reports of a UAE-backed ground push via prompted Saudi worries about Abu Dhabi carving out its own territorial influence along the western coast. 8 Saudi Arabia remains unwilling to entertain offensive plans until its territory is fully shielded from Houthi missiles and drones—a stance rooted in past experiences and stringent security calculations. 9 Proposed government changes, including replacing the prime minister, were also on the agenda—but no action was taken amid the prevailing political, military, and regional uncertainties.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemen: Al-Alimi Says Military Ready for Decisive Battle
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) chief Rashad al-Alimi said there are promising signs of a shift in the balance of power in the country's long-running conflict, citing growing unity among anti-Houthi factions. Al-Alimi praised what he described as 'broad national alignment,' highlighting the readiness of the armed forces, security units, and all military formations to wage what he called 'a battle for salvation' against the Iran-aligned Houthi group. He said the emerging consensus among Yemen's diverse political and military components to confront a common enemy was a key development on the ground. Al-Alimi met late Tuesday with the head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, his deputies, and senior figures from political parties and factions represented in the body, as efforts to unify anti-Houthi forces continue. The meeting came amid ongoing US airstrikes targeting Houthi positions across several provinces, including the capital Sanaa, as well as Saada, Hajjah, and Hodeidah. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has acknowledged that the group has been hit by over 1,000 air and naval strikes since the campaign began. US President Donald Trump launched the military campaign against the Houthis on March 15, vowing to use 'deadly force' to eliminate the group, which Washington accuses of threatening maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and launching attacks against Israel. The meeting attended by al-Alimi focused on the necessary actions to transform the trajectory of Yemen's pivotal battle, aiming to end the humanitarian suffering exacerbated by Houthi militia attacks on oil facilities and commercial shipping vessels. Al-Alimi highlighted a significant positive shift in the international community's stance, which he attributed to a united effort in countering misleading narratives about Yemen's crisis. He emphasized the government's role as a close partner to the international community, while exposing the Houthis not as a peace project, but as a constant threat to global security, according to the official Saba News Agency. 'We have presented the Yemeni people's vision and aspirations in the best possible light, promoting a discourse focused on security, peace, development, equality, and active partnership with the international community,' al-Alimi said. 'Today, we see promising elements that could shift the balance of power on the ground, with the key being the unity of all national components in their shared goal and common enemy,' he added. The PLC chief expressed his gratitude for the critical support provided by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting their economic, developmental, and humanitarian contributions as vital to the Yemeni state's continued fulfillment of its obligations. Al-Alimi also commended the efforts of Yemen's security forces in countering Houthi militia attempts to destabilize the internal front, accusing the group of colluding with terrorist organizations in its reckless plans.
Al Mawqea Post
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Mawqea Post
Riyadh Brings Together Yemen's Legitimacy Factions: Impending Battle or Messages of Peace and Position Sorting?
In a notable development following a series of mixed political and military signals, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted a meeting that brought together the presidency of Yemen's Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and the leaders of political factions and parties affiliated with it, along with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber. 'As part of the Kingdom's continued support for comprehensive peace efforts, national reconciliation, and the stabilization of Yemen, I met today with the leadership of the Yemeni Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the heads of political factions and parties in the commission. I stressed the importance of supporting all efforts toward security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.' Yemeni political figure and Commission member Abdelmalik Al-Mekhlafi echoed this sentiment, tweeting: 'Today's meeting in Riyadh between the leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and political party leaders with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber once again demonstrates the Kingdom's and its leadership's commitment to achieving reconciliation in Yemen, along with peace, stability, and development. It also reflects the strategic brotherly partnership between the Kingdom and Yemen toward achieving these noble goals.' These statements come at a charged regional moment, with reports circulating of possible preparations for a ground operation in Yemen, while indirect talks continue between Tehran and Washington. Notably, the recent visit by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, during which he met with Iran's Supreme Leader, was anything but routine. Within this broader regional and international context, Saudi Arabia has made two significant diplomatic moves related to the Yemen file. The first occurred in Washington, D.C., this past February, where Prince Khalid met with his American counterpart and other senior U.S. officials. That meeting reportedly focused on security coordination and regional issues, including Yemen and the Houthis. The second, more recent meeting took place in Tehran in April. It is worth noting that Ambassador Al Jaber was present at both meetings—an indication that the Yemen issue featured prominently in discussions, both in Washington and Tehran. These developments raise important questions: Is the Kingdom working to unify the political positions of Yemeni factions ahead of a potential escalation? Or is it seeking to reaffirm its role as a peace sponsor before the Houthis and the international community, especially amid speculation about a ground operation—one which Riyadh has officially denied any involvement in? A critical point to observe here is the duality of messaging emerging from Riyadh. While official diplomatic rhetoric, as reflected in the ambassador's meetings and statements, emphasizes de-escalation and support for peace efforts, Saudi media continues to broadcast messages about imminent military resolution and preparations for a decisive battle. This contrast may be the result of a deliberate distribution of roles or it might signal hesitation regarding the final course of action. Regardless, it keeps the overall situation shrouded in ambiguity—an ambiguity that warrants careful analysis.
