Conflict and Peace

Yemen's Houthi movement chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said on Thursday (27 May) that he had met UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. The two had failed to meet earlier this month and Washington had strongly criticised the Houthis for their absence.

The EU sanctions were introduced in 2011 as a response to the violent repression in the country. Currently, 283 individuals and 70 organisations are on the sanctions list.

The United States announced Thursday (20 May) sanctions against two senior leaders of the Houthi group in Yemen due to their role in continuing offensive in Marib, exacerbating the humanitarian situation and paralysing peace talks.

A high-ranking member of Palestine's Hamas said on Wednesday (19 May) that he believes a ceasefire may be reached between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza within one to two days. The ceasefire would only involve the Gaza frontline and will not include clashes in the West bank and other fronts. 

Russia has in recent months already become deeply entangled in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, following the signing of the 10 November trilateral agreement that ended the 44 day Karabakh War. Russia has deployed thousands of soldiers, border guards, FSB officers, sappers, Ministry for Emergency Situations personnel and others to Nagorno-Karabakh and the southern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan since last November.

The town of Ceuta, together with its sister town Mellila a bit further down the Mediterranean coast, is an anachronism. Whilst situated on the African continent the towns are recognised as being fully part of Spain – a colonial hang-over that has taken a life of its own. The enclaves were once considered of strategic importance for the defence of Spain. They have now become springboards for illegal migration into Europe. Yesterday, 5,000 arrived, taking the authorities by surprise. They say the migrants either swam around the border fences that jut out into the sea or walked across at low tide.

Exhausted by a decade of conflict, Libyans have moved surprisingly fast to implement a peace deal that some thought impossible only a few months ago. Deep-rooted internal divisions, greed among leaders, and the shadow of external patrons, may yet frustrate the quest for peace. 

"The EU’s priority and message in this context remains clear: violence must end now. There is an urgent need to address the root causes of the conflict and to find a political pathway, which allows for a return to meaningful negotiations towards a two-state solution based on the internationally agreed parameters.  Both Israelis and Palestinians alike have the right to live in safety and security, freedom and democracy. These constant cycles of violence must be brought to an end."

The Israeli military have bombed and destroyed a tower block in Gaza which housed international media organisations such as Associated Press and Al Jazeera. This was the latest development in the dramatic escalation of conflict across the Holy Land which has already left hundreds dead and injured Palestinians and Israelis.