DAILY SCOPE: Saudi Goals In Yemen Unfulfilled

Local Editor

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:

AL-AKHBAR

Saudi Aggression Did Not Stop, Battle with Iran on Relief Process
 
AS-SAFIR

Arab Generals in Cairo, Joint Force Not New Alliance

AL-LIWAA

Coalition Raids Target Taaz, Houthis Demand Halt of Attacks and Start of Dialogue
AL-BINAA
Muscut Preparing for Yemeni Talks...

Lebanese newspapers touched on some domestic issues, topped by the ongoing presidential void in the country. Also, for the second day, shed light on the Saudi war on Yemen, which did not stop but rather witnessed a shift, focusing on the Southern part including Aden in an attempt to achieve some goals that they have failed to accomplish so far. Meanwhile, the US, following its support to the Saudi military attack on Yemen, and providing logistic, military and intelligence support, said recently its influence on Saudi action is waned; a paradox in light of the imminent and strong support it has been providing. Also, a shift is seen in Turkish stance on ISIS, as Erdogan describes it as ‘virus', while Iran still seeks to help in finding a solution to the Yemeni crisis.

Arab Joint Force Faces Impediments --- AS-SAFIR

Arab military commanders have met in the Egyptian capital Cairo to discuss the formation of a joint military force, claiming the force is needed to fight the region's growing extremist threats.

Commenting on the matter, former Defense Minister Assistant Nabill Foad told As-Safir newspaper that "the meeting came to agree on the size and shape of the forces to be formed," but he noted that the problem lies in the action and performance of this force.

He stressed there is no consensus among most Arab countries on the goals and visions, especially as the last Arab summit had reflected the absence of any consent among these countries when it comes to matters related to the Arab world.

Foad also told the paper that "the Arab countries are also different in their nature, as some witness revolutions, others have republic systems and some are Kingdoms, not to mention that some favor the West, others the East..."
Adding to that, Military Expert Talat Muslim told As-Safir that such differences in policies and interests can hamper the formation of a joint force, adding that it is even difficult for them to have a united position on the Palestinian cause.

Erdogan Labels ISIS as ‘VIRUS' --- AL-AKHBAR 

Al-Akhbar newspaper said on Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Wednesday launched one of his strongest attacks yet against ISIS jihadis, saying the group was a "virus" working to destroy the Muslim community.

Quoting agencies, the paper stated that Ankara has been repeatedly criticized in recent months for not doing enough to halt the advance of ISIS to its borders, but Erdogan said after meeting Iraqi President Fuad Masum that the ultraradical group had to be confronted.

The ISIS group "is an important virus that is working to divide and destroy the Ummah," Erdogan told reporters in televized comments, using the term for the global community of Muslims.

He said other groups had followed the same path but that ISIS had proved more adept at using its resources.
"An international strategy is essential to drain this swamp. Even if Daesh [ISIS] is destroyed something will emerge under a different name," Erdogan said. "Where do its weapons and financing come from? We need to focus on this."

Berri Cancels Meeting on AIPU --- AL-JOMHOURIYA

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri has canceled the meeting of the Arab Inter-parliamentary Union (AIPU) that was set to be held in Beirut end of April after he was informed by Saudi Arabia that it would not attend the talks, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Thursday.

According to the paper, Berri informed Arab parliaments that "the conference has been canceled for non-Lebanese reasons,"

An Arab diplomat told the newspaper that the Saudi stance would have been followed by a similar announcement by other Gulf countries, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Since March 26, the Saudi-led coalition has been pounding the Yemen after the oust of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

US: Saudi Arabia Failed to Fulfil Goals in War ---- NY TIMES

Following the Saudi declaration to the end of its assault on Yemen, the New York Times said "It was unclear whether the Saudi strikes were a resumption of the original operation under a different name - the Saudis are now calling it "Renewal of Hope" - but it seemed clear on Wednesday that the fighting was not near an end.

The paper went on to say that "despite the shift in the Saudi air campaign, one of the country's principal goals remained unfulfilled: the return to power of the Yemeni president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was ousted by the Houthis and driven into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The paper also said that Saudi Arabia's resumption of airstrikes in Yemen on Wednesday, only hours after it abruptly declared a halt to most military operations, reflected the difficulty of finding a political solution to the crisis. It also showed the challenges facing the Obama administration as it increasingly relies on allies in the Middle East.

According to the paper, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, said the campaign was shifting to a new phase - one in which Saudi airstrikes would be more limited and come only in response to Houthi attacks, did not mention the intensifying international pressure to stop airstrikes that medical and relief organizations said were killing hundreds of civilians, and to lift an embargo on food, fuel, water and medicines that was contributing to a growing humanitarian catastrophe.

Source: al-Ahed news