Transcription
China, Russia, and Iran launched joint naval exercises with South Africa off the coast of Cape Town under the umbrella of the BRICS bloc. The South African armed forces stated that the exercises would include training on maritime safety, anti-piracy operations, and deepening cooperation. They also estimated that the drills would last a full week.
**Headlines:**
The Syrian army is combing over 90% of the area of Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo in preparation for the entry of internal security forces.
The Yemeni Civil Aviation Authority announces the resumption of operations at Seiyun International Airport starting tomorrow morning.
Washington denies fueling protests in Iran, and the European Union calls for the release of detained Iranians.
European rejection of Washington's plans to annex Greenland, and Trump asserts, "We will take care of the island, whether by soft or hard means."
Until next time, welcome, viewers, to a broadcast of the most important news. We begin with the headlines. Kurdish militants are gathering in Qamishli to head to Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, and the army confirms that the only option for the QSD militants is to surrender themselves.
The Yemeni Civil Aviation Authority announces the resumption of operations at Seiyun Airport.
Security and service stability in Shabwah after organizational measures.
The US Secretary of State describes the Iranian people as brave and announces his support, while Washington denies fueling Iran's protests.
Greenlandic parties announce their rejection of joining the United States amid European rejection of Washington's plans to annex the island.
Venezuela's interim president discusses the arrest of her predecessor, Maduro, with leaders from Brazil, Colombia, and Spain.
Welcome, viewers. We begin this news hour with the latest from the Syrian army, which states that QSD and PKK elements are hiding among civilians in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. The army also confirms and announces the complete combing of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo, following the large-scale military operation launched by the army. The Syrian army's operation in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo began gradually with combing the neighborhood, leading to the complete conclusion of the operation.
We will follow further developments from Syria, where a Syrian military source confirmed to the Syrian News Agency that army forces have finished combing the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in Aleppo. He also added that the forces dismantled dozens of mines in the neighborhood's streets and that work is underway to arrange the entry of internal security forces following the completion of combing operations. The Syrian army emphasized that the only remaining option for the armed elements in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood is to surrender themselves and their weapons immediately at the nearest military point, in exchange for guaranteeing their lives and personal safety.
In contrast, Kurdish militants gathered in the Syrian city of Qamishli in response to a general call for mobilization to support the Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo, especially Sheikh Maqsoud.
"Sheikh Maqsoud, Aleppo is happy, oh Mariniya."
"Aleppo is happy, oh Mariniya."
"Next to Sheikh Maqsoud."
"Next to my brother Sheikh Maqsoud."
Amid these field developments, the Syrian Civil Defense reported the displacement of approximately 159,000 people from Aleppo's neighborhoods, announcing the preparation of 15 centers to shelter them. The Director of Civil Defense stated that the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, along with several organizations, formed an operations room to provide the necessary needs for the displaced. The Syrian official also accused QSD of targeting Civil Defense teams in the past few days.
In parallel with these developments, the Syrian Foreign Minister, Faisal Mekdad, discussed the latest developments in Aleppo with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. A statement from the Syrian Foreign Ministry clarified that Mekdad emphasized Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation with Turkey to combat common threats.
Regarding all developments in Aleppo, Syrian security and military affairs researcher Ammar Farhoud joins us from there. Welcome. So, according to the Syrian army's announcement, the situation in Aleppo, specifically in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, is almost over. However, there is mobilization from Qamishli. What does that mean?
Good morning. Greetings to you and to the esteemed viewers. The truth is that the operations are still ongoing. Let me say that the military operations are still ongoing, and we hear sounds of clashes in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. I believe the Syrian army needs a short period of time to finish combing these two neighborhoods, then to push the forces present there, who refuse any agreement, towards east of the Euphrates. The mobilization announced in Qamishli and the demonstrations we saw, in my opinion, do not exceed being an media phenomenon or a vocal phenomenon, nothing more. This is because it contradicts the political narrative of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The official statement of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the official statements of its officials indicate that those present in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods do not belong to the Syrian Democratic Forces, but are local groups defending these two neighborhoods. Therefore, the existence of a mobilization based on a specific national identity undermines, in the first place, the narrative of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which speaks of a national identity and a national cause through its political proposals. It also threatens the national narrative upon which the Syrian Democratic Forces are based, that the forces...
But also, in light of QSD's denial that the elements in Sheikh Maqsoud are affiliated with them, there is evidence on the ground that indicates a different scene. What does this indicate at the level of QSD, at the level of what QSD announces at this stage and at this time?
I have mentioned on Al Arabiya Al Hadath more than once that the forces present in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods are forces directly affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces, and there is no such thing as local groups fighting only to protect these two neighborhoods. They are forces officially affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces. However, the forces used to deny this and say that these two neighborhoods are managed by their residents. Therefore, I believe, dear lady, that what has happened truly exposes the narrative that the Syrian Democratic Forces are telling, that their project is national and that they want a project or a political solution for all of Syria. What these forces are doing now in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, by continuing the fighting among civilians and attempting to use groups of residents as human shields in the military confrontation between them and the government in Damascus, I believe clearly indicates that QSD's project uses the national umbrella, not just the national umbrella, but the national umbrella clearly for very narrow partisan goals.
I see. And the American envoy, Tom Barac, says that the March 10 agreement between Damascus and QSD must be implemented immediately, in light of the repeated American position on the necessity of reviving this agreement. Do you see this as likely in the current stage, or could things move towards further escalation, given what is being observed now? You mentioned that this mobilization is considered a vocal phenomenon, but we do not know what the coming days will bring with the wide presence of QSD in other areas of northeastern Syria.
I believe that QSD will use the events in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh as leverage to evade and renege on the implementation of the March 10 agreement, or at least to extend it. They want to say that the events in Aleppo have ended the March 10 agreement, and therefore they are no longer concerned with implementing any of the provisions of this agreement. They will mobilize and gather significantly east of the Euphrates, and they will also impose a very strict security grip on that region and prevent any form of societal movement that seeks to benefit from the events in Aleppo to expel the Syrian Democratic Forces from their areas, because, as I mentioned, they do not possess...
In light of the American support for the steps of the Syrian authorities and government, the American envoy Tom Barac now says, "We support the Syrian government's efforts to ensure Syria's security and unity." He also called for the immediate implementation of the March 10 agreement between Damascus and QSD. Thank you very much. Syrian security and military affairs researcher Ammar Farhoud from Aleppo.
The Saudi Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, affirmed that the issue of the South has now taken a real path that the Kingdom is paving and that the international community supports and endorses through the Riyadh conference. He added that the conference will seek to gather brothers from the sons of the South and to find a comprehensive vision for just solutions that meet their will and aspirations. He also indicated that the Kingdom will form a preparatory committee in consultation with southern figures to prepare for the conference, which will be attended by southern figures from all southern governorates without exclusion or discrimination. Prince Khalid bin Salman said that the Kingdom will support the conference's outcomes to be presented at the table of comprehensive political solution dialogue in Yemen. The Saudi Minister of Defense described the decision taken by the southern figures and leaders to dissolve the Transitional Council as a brave decision keen on the future of the southern issue and encouraging the participation of other sons of the South in the Riyadh conference in service of their cause.
Members of the Transitional Council and its affiliated bodies had agreed to dissolve the council. This decision comes in preparation for participation in the Southern Dialogue Conference in Riyadh. Members of the Transitional Council affirmed that the council had not achieved the desired goals. The statement stated that the Transitional Council did not participate in military operations in Hadramout and Mahra, emphasizing that these operations harmed the southern cause. The council called on active figures and leaders to engage in the dialogue process to formulate a vision and plan for resolving the southern issue. The council also thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the Southern Dialogue Conference.
In a related context, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciated the efforts made by Saudi Arabia in sponsoring the real path for a just resolution of the southern issue through the Riyadh conference. Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak affirmed that the Saudi Minister of Defense's statement reflects concern and awareness of the southern issue. Bin Mubarak also described the decision taken by the leaders of the Transitional Council as brave, placing the interest of the southern cause above any consideration. The Yemeni Foreign Minister also indicated that the file of Southern Yemen has entered a different phase, and its construction is based on Saudi sponsorship, calling on all southerners to adopt dialogue as the sole approach to formulate their agreements and build the desired future in Yemen.
In field developments, the Yemeni Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority announced the resumption of operations at Seiyun International Airport for air travel starting tomorrow, Sunday morning. According to the authority, this resumption comes after the completion of all technical work related to the rehabilitation of several airport facilities, ensuring operational readiness and raising the level of safety and services provided to passengers and airlines.
To that end, the curfew in Aden was canceled after the situation stabilized there. Prior to that, Al Arabiya's correspondent reported the entry of the "Shield of the Nation" forces into Aden to enhance security and stability and to reorganize military security arrangements. The "Shield of the Nation" forces indeed arrived in Aden in the past few days, including the Military Police Brigade, the Command Brigade, a brigade from the First Division, the Fourth Brigade, and the Fifth Brigade.
Meanwhile, Shabwah Governorate is experiencing security and service stability these days, in light of recent security and organizational measures, amidst efforts to maintain this stability. The local authorities in Shabwah had announced a supportive stance towards the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy, affirming their commitment to national constants and the necessity of unifying ranks in the face of existing challenges. The local authorities also welcomed the recent statement by the Coalition to Support Legitimacy regarding Shabwah, considering it strengthens the path of joint coordination and contributes to supporting the security and stability of the governorate and Yemen in general, within the framework of the existing security and military partnership.
We are now joined from Ateq, the capital of Shabwah Governorate, by Al Arabiya correspondent Ahmed Bajato. Welcome, Ahmed. First, what is the situation in Shabwah, and also about the resumption of flights at Seiyun Airport?
Yes, good morning to you and the viewers. The situation in Shabwah is completely secure. Shabwah is one of the governorates that has not been affected at all by any security breaches or any negative incidents or looting, especially since the security units deployed there have been directly under the governor's authority, in addition to the Shabwah Defense Forces that were present during the past period, and all vital institutions were protected. We are talking about the port of Balhaf, this port which is guarded by the Second Marine Brigade, a brigade that has succeeded in keeping away any saboteurs who might try to enter the port to cause chaos. The port of Balhaf is operating normally, an important economic port not only for Shabwah but for all Yemeni governorates. The security situation here is completely stable. Dozens of checkpoints are located on the road from Hadramout, where we came from to Shabwah. These checkpoints inspect cars and verify the identity documents of the drivers. Cars that are suspected are sometimes stopped, passengers are disembarked, and cars are thoroughly searched. In Shabwah, there is a special characteristic because it is adjacent to many Houthi areas, such as Ain, Bayhan, Marqah Al-Ulya, and Qora. All these areas are adjacent to the Houthis. Therefore, the Giants Brigades and Shabwah Defense Forces are present in these areas and defend them so that the Houthi militia does not exploit this situation and infiltrate the governorate. Regarding the operation of Seiyun Airport, this airport is one of two important airports in the governorate. The first is Seiyun Airport, which will resume operations on Sunday, after all navigation and communication equipment and other systems have been confirmed to be safe. It will begin operating on Sunday, God willing. The second airport is Al-Rayan Airport in Mukalla, the governorate's capital. This airport needs more time because it was subjected to theft and looting by many individuals after the Transitional Council forces left it. Therefore, the airport will operate on Sunday, and the governor of Hadramout Governorate is personally following up on this matter and emphasizing the airport's readiness to operate again to transport... Before I conclude with you, we note what you have repeatedly mentioned or confirm that Seiyun Airport has not yet begun operations, and that flights will resume from Seiyun International Airport next Sunday. Thank you very much. From Ateq, the capital of Shabwah Governorate, Al Arabiya correspondent Ahmed Bajato. Thank you.
We are also joined from Riyadh by Yemeni political researcher Yasser Al-Sui'i. Welcome. So, the situation is stabilizing on the ground in Aden and the rest of the governorates. We also had this report from Shabwah with our correspondent there. An anticipated dialogue in Riyadh, South-South. What do the people of the South want now at this stage, with the start of a path towards resolving the issue of Southern Yemen, and what is required of them?
Welcome, dear lady.
Today, the people of Aden, after the period they have endured for ten years, have been subjected to political decision-making within one entity, the Transitional Council, which dominated the southern scene. They have not found sufficient services that should be present and serving the southern citizen in Aden and all southern governorates, especially since the legitimate state is present on the liberated southern lands. There should have been positive and ideal services from the present state. However, the deliberate obstruction by the Transitional Council's policy in Aden during this period has deprived them of these services and deprived the legitimacy of its ideal presence before the international community and before the governorates that are still under Houthi control. Today, we need the ideal presence of the state with the desired services for the citizen. This is regarding the southern citizen in the liberated areas. As for what is required today from the Southern-Southern dialogue, it is to frame the southern issue within outcomes that rise to the level of the legitimate demands of the southerners, which have been defined by their mechanisms.
Throughout the upcoming dialogues, the Comprehensive National Dialogue in Sana'a in 2013, the Riyadh Conference dialogue, the southern consultations, and the Yemeni consultations also in Riyadh, there were outcomes that addressed the southern issue and political and organizational demands that have not been implemented by the Transitional Council. Today, they need...
And now, with the dissolution of the Transitional Council and what you have just mentioned, what is the vision for what these southern figures and leaders who will be in this dialogue will do? How will the path be corrected, and how will they all move towards a joint decision and outcomes that the people of the South look forward to?
Political outcomes that unify the southern vision around the core of the southern issue and its interim and strategic goals. Formulate a comprehensive southern political stance that will be presented as a reference document in any national, regional, or international consultations. To determine the form of the desired state, whether federal or otherwise, within an internal southern consensus, not a unilateral decision. They will also redefine the relationship with Yemeni legitimacy on the basis of clear political partnership, without guardianship or subservience, and outcomes. There are organizational outcomes, such as restructuring the southern house, ending the fragmentation and conflict among components, and establishing a consensual southern coordination framework or council that includes various political and social forces without monopoly. Also, establish a mechanism for southern decision-making away from exclusivity or reliance on external parties. And legal outcomes as well, such as acknowledging the injustice against the South as a political and human rights issue resulting from the 1994 war and its aftermath, and affirming the political and economic rights of southerners in wealth, power, and administration. This is a legitimate cause, according to what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia always announces, and perhaps the next phase will open new horizons for resolving this issue. Thank you very much. From Riyadh, Yemeni political researcher Yasser Al-Sui'i. We continue with you, and shortly we will have the American-Palestinian mediator, Bashar Al-Bahbah, who says that the announcement of the Peace Council in Gaza may occur next week.