Yemen’s separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) abandoned its claim of self-rule today, ending the country’s “conflict within a conflict” and paving the way for implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, a deal to unite Yemeni forces in opposition to the Houthi rebels (BBC).
Australia agreed to pursue “increased and regularized maritime cooperation” in the South China, including combating disinformation, with United States. The pledge follows mounting Australian pressure against China’s claims to the South China Sea, though Canberra is likely to stop short of any action that could injure its relationship with Beijing (Guardian).
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) unveiled a plan to resolve Mali’s political crisis, calling for respect for the country’s constitution, the resignations of over thirty lawmakers, and an investigation into recent protester deaths. The group called for the plan to be implemented within ten days and could sanction those who oppose resolving the crisis (Al Jazeera).
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi demanded an investigation into the deaths of two protesters killed over the weekend during demonstrations in Baghdad over electricity shortages (Al-Monitor). Security forces reportedly fired live ammunition during the protests. Kadhimi demanded that the inquiry’s findings be released within seventy-two hours (Reuters).
Leader Kim Jong-un called North Korea’s nuclear weapons a “reliable, effective” way to prevent future wars, signaling that Pyongyang is unlikely to resume nuclear talks with Washington anytime soon (Associated Press).
Israel’s military accused Lebanon’s Hezbollah of launching a raid across the countries’ shared border, prompting Israeli forces to open fire (Al Jazeera). Hezbollah denied the infiltration, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the group is “playing with fire” (Washington Post).The conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah erupted after the group said it would avenge one of its fighters allegedly killed by an Israeli air strike last week. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon is working to de-escalate tensions (Times of Israel).
The Swiss government announced the completion of the first transaction under the Swiss Humanitarian Trade Arrangement (SHTA), a mechanism for delivering food and medicine to Iran without violating U.S. sanctions. More shipments are forthcoming, a Swiss official said (Reuters).
The country implemented a “maximum emergency system” after someone who had previously defected to South Korea returned with coronavirus symptoms, according to state media. North Korea, which has not reported any coronavirus cases, implemented strict measures, including border closures, earlier this year to control the virus (Yonhap).
The U.S. military has once again accused Russia of sending military equipment to Libya despite an arms embargo. The accusation comes as the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), showed satellite photos showcasing “broad scope of Russian involvement,” with cargo planes and other military supplies going to Libya through a private Russian military contractor the Wagner Group (Al Jazeera).
Anti-government protests in Iraq resurfaced over the weekend for the first time since they began in October. At least two protests were killed in Baghdad as dozens rallied against corruption, lack of service, and unemployment (Al Jazeera).