The Yemeni government has warned of impending escalatory steps that the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group intends to take in the Taiz province in the coming days. Minister of Information Moamar Al-Eryani said on X, "We warn the Houthi militias against taking escalatory steps in the Taiz province. This comes in light of information regarding the mobilization of their elements, weapons, and ammunition towards the frontlines of the province and their continuous targeting of residential neighborhoods and citizens' homes in the city. The Houthis are exploiting the ongoing events in the region." Two days back, the Houthi-appointed president Mahdi Al-Mashat, declared a peace initiative in Taiz. However, Al-Eryani said this initiative could be a prelude to dangerous escalation by the Houthi group. Taiz has been divided into two parts, one under the Yemeni government's control and the other part controlled by the Houthi group.
Rashad Al-Alimi, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, held Wednesday meetings with the United Nations envoy, Hans Grundberg, and the United States representative, Tim Lenderking. The state-run Saba News Agency said Al-Alimi presented the UN envoy with information regarding the developments in Yemen, including the Houthi mobilization of forces. Al-Alimi said the Yemeni government is committed to supporting the Unled peace efforts to reach lasting peace in Yemen. He added that the Houthi group should be pressured to opt for peace and abandon the use of violence.
Thousands of Yemenis gathered in several provinces, denouncing the massacre carried out by Israel against Al Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip. The attack resulted in over 500 Palestinian civilian deaths, the majority of whom were women and children. Over 3400 civilians have been killed. The attack on Al Ahli Hospital was the deadliest. The protestors in several Yemeni cities called an end to the Israeli siege and bombardment, which began on October 8.
Israel said Wednesday that it will allow Egypt to deliver limited quantities of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip after ten days of siege and bombardment. The announcement to allow water, food and other supplies came as rage over Tuesday night's blast at al-Ahli Hospital spread across the Middle East. Nearly 500 people were killed in the attack on the hospital. Hamas and Israel blamed each other for the attack. Israel shut off all supplies to Gaza soon after Hamas militants rampaged across communities in southern Israel on Oct. 7.
A meeting on relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was held on Wednesday at the Al-Faisaliah Hotel ahead of a summit involving the two blocs on Friday. Organized by the Gulf Research Center, the meeting was attended by GCC and ASEAN representatives, members of the business community, and journalists.Among the topics discussed were political, security, and economic cooperation. Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Uwaisheg, GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiations, said: "The timing of this participation is crucial, especially in terms of the events and circumstances the region is going through."
