Yemen Houthis Will Meet With Gulf Council To Discuss Stopping War, But Want Neutral State, Not Saudi Arabia
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Any war conference between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Yemen's rebel Houthis is likely to be in Kuwait or Oman. Both states are seen as more neutral than Saudi Arabia, a leading participant in the war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel soon to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The trip would mark his first visit to the countries since becoming secretary and likely would include another effort to get higher oil production. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in both states this week on the same oil mission, with no positive results announced.
Ukraine says those mercenaries recruited from Syria to fight for Russia haven't made an appearance so far. Turkish-made armed drones have appeared, however, fired by Ukraine forces apparently with the help of Turkish technicians.
Donor nations fail to meet a United Nations goal for additional humanitarian aid for Yemen, and the United Nations warned that Libya may be on the road to having two parallel governments.
The Iranian missile attack on Iraq last weekend puzzled analysts because Iran said it was aimed at an Israeli target. Now it's disclosed that the strike was in retaliation for a previously-secret attack on an Iranian drone factory by Israeli operatives working out of Iraq.
And news from Saudi Arabia and the king's pacemaker, from Lebanon and a new electricity plan, and from Iran where two British-Iranian citizens were freed after years in prison. More.
Yemen's Houthis says they will go to a war conference with the Gulf Cooperation Council, but want to meet in a neutral state. The GCC is headquartered in Saudi Arabia, which is the main backer of Yemen government forces opposing the rebel Houthis. "It is neither logical nor fair that the host of the talks is also the sponsor of war and blockade," a Houthi statement said.
The Houthis said their priority in talks would be removal of restrictions on Yemen's Red Sea ports and on the airport at Sanaa, the Yemen capital. Oman and Kuwait, both members of the GCC, are considered to be the most neutral grounds for a meeting. Some Houthi officials are based in Oman, which hosted previous peace talks in 2015.
Reuters, Yemen Houthis welcome talks with Saudi-led coalition, but in a neutral country.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to go to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The trip, planned for later this month, would be Blinken's first to the Gulf countries as secretary of state. The visit, which is also expected to include the occupied West Bank in Israel, would come at a time when the U.S. is trying to get more oil production from the Saudis and the Emirates as U.S. relations with both countries have undergone strains. Saudi Arabia's crown prince was called a "pariah" by U.S. President Joe Biden in his campaign for the presidency , and the UAE has been displeased with a limited response from the U.S. when Abu Dhabi was struck by missiles fired by Houthi forces in Yemen.
Axios, Blinken planning trip to Saudi Arabia and UAE
The British prime minister held talks in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates but failed to get any public pledge of more oil production. Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with the de facto leaders of both countries. When asked if the Saudis might raise their oil output, Johnson said: "I think you'd need to talk to the Saudis about that. But I think there was an understanding of the need to ensure stability in global oil markets and gas markets." Johnson met with Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Reuters, UK's Johnson fails to secure public oil rise pledges after talks with Saudi, UAE.
Associated Press, UK's Johnson in UAE, Saudi Arabia to press for more oil.
The British prime minister said he raised human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia's crown prince. "I always raise human rights issues, as British prime ministers before me have done time after time," Boris Johnson said. "It's best if the details of those conversations are kept private, they're more effective that way. But I think you can also see that...things are changing in Saudi Arabia. We want to see them continue to change."
Sky News, PM doesn't say whether he reached oil deal on Saudi trip - and insists human rights talks will remain 'private.'
The United Arab Emirates remains committed to the OPEC+ agreement for limited increases in oil production. Before British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited on a trip designed to get more oil, sources said the UAE is sticking with the OPEC+ plan, which calls for adding 400,000 barrels a day of oil each month, an amount considered insufficient to help curb rising prices and shortages caused by the Russian war on Ukraine.
Reuters, UAE remains committed to OPEC+ deal - source
A huge UAE-flagged cargo ship sank in stormy seas off Iran's coast, and rescuers from Iran were reported saving 29 of the 30 crew members aboard. The Al Salmy 6, longer than a soccer field, encountered treacherous weather, and choppy waters forced it to list at a precarious angle. Within hours, the ship was fully submerged. An operation was continuing to find the missing sailor.
BBC News, Iran rescues dozens as cargo ship sinks in Gulf.
CBS News, Emirati-flagged cargo ship sinks in Persian Gulf off Iran with 30 on board.
Ukraine says mercenaries from the Middle East that Russia is recruiting are no-shows. After reports that as many as 40,000 Syrians had registered to fight for Russia, and others in Libya, an adviser to Ukraine's president said of Russia: "Its attempts to redeploy mercenaries from Syria and Libya and their units in the Far East have been unsuccessful so far." Earlier reports from Syria said none had left.
UkrinForm, Russia's attempts to redeploy mercenaries from Syria and Libya to Ukraine unsuccessful so far
Turkey appears to directing armed drones for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. A video shared by the commander of Ukraine's army revealed a background conversation in Turkish, most likely coming from Turkish operators directing the armed drone from a base station to hit a Russian artillery point. The weapons are Turkish-made Bayraktar armed drones, and a report said: "It is not surprising to see Turkish operators taking the lead in the use of Bayraktar drones... " as Ukraine's military doesn't yet have all the skills needed and requires technical assistance from Turkey.
Nordic Monitor, Turkey deployed personnel to operate armed drones in targeting Russian military in Ukraine.
The United Nations raised less than a third of the $4.27 billion it sought for aid to Yemen. "We hoped for more and it is a disappointment that we weren't able as yet to get pledges from some we thought we might hear from," Martin Griffiths, the UN aid chief, said after a pledging event co-hosted by Sweden and Switzerland. Thirty-six pledges were received, and Griffiths said a second drive for funds may be considered in a few months.
Reuters, U.N. raises less than a third of $4.27 bln sought for Yemen to avoid starvation.
The United States pledged almost $585 million in new humanitarian aid to Yemen. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new U.S. assistance before a conference that sought an additional nearly $4.3 billion for the war-torn country.
Reuters, U.S. pledges $585 mln in new aid for Yemen in 2022- Blinken.
Iran's attack on an Iraq site near a U.S. consulate was retaliation for a previously-secret airstrike on an Iranian drone factory last month. Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at Iraq's Kurdish Erbil area last weekend, then puzzled analysts by saying the attack was against an Israeli target. Now, officials say, Iran's action was retaliation for the drone factory attack, where an airstrike was launched by Israeli intelligence operatives who were based in Iraq.
New York Times, Iran's attack was response to secret Israeli attack on drone site.
The United States says the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna are "close to a possible deal, but we're not there yet." State Department spokesman Ned Price said "We do think the remaining issues can be bridged."
AFP, US, Iran 'close' to deal on reviving nuclear pact: State Dept.
Two British-Iranians were freed and left Iran after years of detention. Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe was arrested in Tehran in 2016 and Anousheh Ashouri was sentenced to 10 years in jail i 2019. Their release came after Britain paid a debt owed to Iran related to military equipment.
Reuters, Two British-Iranians leave Iran after years of detention - source
The United Kingdom released $530 million of its debt to Iran ahead of the release of two British-Iranian prisoners. Iran confirmed the payment but said it had nothing to do with release of two British-Iranian prisoners.
Reuters, Iran's foreign minister confirms debt payment by UK, denies link to prisoner release.
Lebanon asked the United Nations for food aid because of the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Najib Mikati asked UN deputy secretary general Amina Mohammed to assist Lebanon as it faced food insecurity challenges resulting from "the presence of huge numbers of displaced Syrians in the country." Makati also asked for help to recover fuds transferred abroad and for Lebanon's fight against corruption.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Lebanon's PM asks UN for food aid.
Lebanon's cabinet approved a plan to restructure the country's crippled electricity sector. Western donors and the World Bank had insisted on the plan before providing financing for deals to increase the country's power supply. The plan approved by the cabinet includes creating an electricity regulatory authority in 2022 instead of 2023, a step demanded by donors.
Al Arabiya, Lebanon cabinet approves electricity reform plan.
The Sudan military leader who visited Russia says he didn't sign any agreement for a Russian naval base on Sudan's Red Sea coastline. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, denied rumors of a deal. Last year, Russian ships docked at Sudan's Flamingo naval base and raised the Russian flag and lowered the Sudanese flags. The act sparked intense controversy.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Sudan: Hemedti denies signing any deal on Red Sea ports.
Arab states are reported trying to arrange the return in Sudan of former prime minister Abdalla Hamdok. Hamdok was elected and then deposed and placed under house arrest in October after a military coup.
Axios, Reports: Arab nations pus for Hamdok to return to Sudan politics.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman left a Riyadh hospital after medical tests and a replacement of his heart pacemaker battery. The Royal Court said in a statement that a treatment plan calls for the king to "rest for several days." A video clip showed the 86-year-old monarch walking and using a cane, with his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, close by.
Reuters, Saudi king receives new pacemaker battery, leaves hospital - royal court.
A senior United Nations official warns that Libya could have two parallel governments if a political standoff doesn't end. UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said "This could lead to instability and possibly unrest and deal a severe blow to the prospect of elections." She said the situation on the ground has remained relatively calm, but there has been an increase in threatening rhetoric and political tensions.
Voice of America, UN: Dueling governments in Libya could lead to more instability.
Tunisian police said they broke up a militant cell linked to the Islamic State. Tunisia's interior ministry said the cell was in the city of Tataouine, where it planned attacks with explosives and tried to recruit young people.
Reuters, Police break up militant cell in Tunisia's Tataouine, ministry says.
MORE: Israel, Egypt agree to expand flights with new direct routes, Reuters... Gulf central banks follow Fed to raise tax rates b 25 bps, Reuters... UAE central bank increases base rate by 25 basis points, Reuters... Qatar could gain as EU diversifies from Russian gas: S&P, Qatar Tribune... Egypt in IMF talks on possible funding amid war pressures, looks at several options, Al Arabiya... Jordan's King Abdulla discusses Middle East peace with Israeli foreign minister, The National... UAE, Australia plan to begin bilateral trade talks - officials.
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