With Isaias Afwerki turning 79 this year, the question of succession in Eritrea has resurfaced once again. Who will be his heir? Will it be Yemane Gebreab, the Head of Political Affairs and Presidential Adviser, a senior figure in the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), and one of Afwerki’s closest confidants? Or could General Filipos Woldeyohannes, the Chief of Staff of the Eritrean Defense Forces, take the helm, especially given that Eritrea currently lacks a formal Minister of Defense? Alternatively, will power shift to Abraham Isaias Afwerki, the President’s son, who has deliberately maintained a low public profile, fueling speculation about his potential role? Or could it be Osman Saleh Mohammed, the highly visible Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has played a central role in Eritrea’s diplomatic affairs on the global stage? As Eritrea remains a tightly controlled one-party state, the question of succession remains shrouded in secrecy, leaving the future of the country’s leadership uncertain.

No change for now in Red Sea high-risk areas, say insurers Threat of renewed Houthi attacks means shipowners remain wary of any return @tradewindsnews

For my paid @SubstackInc subscribers, and in light of the Yemen's Houthis' renewed vocal attacks on Saudi Arabia, I have updated the Houthi Order of Battle and included the Sa’dah-based Jizan Brigades.

RT @BashaReport: In Riyadh, Yemen’s Minister of International Cooperation and Acting Minister of Telecommunications, @DR_WAED_BADHIB, was s…

RT @BashaReport: 🧵#THREAD Who’s Who -The Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Mahmoud Makkiya, has announced the formation of Leb…

Houthis are giving Australia’s @timand2037 the red carpet treatment. Today he toured the Galaxy Leader in Saleef, Hudaydah. #Yemen

Will the infighting in the Presidential Leadership Council revive former Vice President @alimohsnalahmar?

Nasr Amir, the Houthi Vice-Chairman of the Ansarullah Media Authority, announced a shift in media strategy, stating that the Houthis have decided to intensify their focus on the failures and challenges in areas controlled by the internationally recognized Yemeni government. For years, they avoided highlighting these issues to prevent individuals from being labeled as Houthi sympathizers, but now, he asserts, they have nothing to lose and are fully committed to exposing government shortcomings. Amir suggested that rather than dismissing Houthi criticisms, people should use them as leverage to demand better services from the government. He also explained that traders often complain about the strict price controls and heavy regulations in Houthi-controlled areas, while remaining silent about government areas due to the lack of such measures. This marks a more aggressive campaign by the Houthis to undermine the government’s legitimacy by capitalizing on governance failures.

More on Sudan: In addition to Shield Force’s General Kikal, and the General Intelligence Services (GIS) Operation Corps, a key figure in the effort to recapture Khartoum from the RSF is Abdul Munim Madawi Taha. Known as the Emir of the Mujahideen, he leads the pro-Islamist forces backing the SAF in their campaign to expel the RSF and reclaim control of the capital.

From the southeastern axis of Khartoum, only Giad and Al-Bagir remain before the SAF link up with the Sudan Shield Forces, pushing toward Soba Bridge after successfully crossing from its eastern to western side. New footage from Sunday shows SAF troops inside Batri, Khartoum State, marking a significant advance: 🚩Soba Bridge is now just 9 km from Batri. 🚩Sixty Street lies 13 km away. With this progress, the next stage of the SAF offensive is a direct push toward East Khartoum and South Khartoum, bringing them closer to fully reclaiming the capital from the RSF.

One of the key figures in the Sudan War is a duo known as the RSF Gog and Magog, names referenced in both the Holy Quran and the Bible. In Arabic, they are called Yajuj and Majuj. These SAF commanders continue to speak resiliently from the Khartoum city center, reaffirming that the presidential palace remains under their control or that of the RSF, emphasizing that the war is far from over.

Sudan Updates: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) successfully seized control of Al Masoudeyah from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) today. They are now advancing northwards along Madani Street, approximately 50 km from Khartoum, moving parallel to the Blue Nile River. If their current momentum continues, the SAF is on track to potentially recapture all of Khartoum by Ramadan.

Houthi sniper shot Ms Nour Ghaleb while she was nearby her home in Usayfirah, Taiz in Yemen.

The readout of the meeting between @STCSouthArabia’s @AidrosAlzubidi and @AmrAlBidh and the @USEmbassyYemen highlighted the “government’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities amid the worsening economic crisis.” The discussion focused on the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in the country, emphasizing the urgent need for the Presidential Leadership Council and the government to take decisive action in providing essential services, ensuring salary payments, and implementing sustainable solutions to revive the nation’s economy. Both sides underscored the importance of “mobilizing regional and international support to assist the Presidential Leadership Council in stabilizing the economy and normalizing life in liberated areas.” Additionally, they stressed the necessity of comprehensive reforms within government structures and institutions, including activating revenue-generating entities, enforcing financial regulations, and enhancing the effectiveness of oversight bodies to achieve long-term economic stability.

RT @VleckieHond: Past time for my January 2025 #Yemen UAV roundup. As always claimed means no visual evidence. 1st - Houthis claim downing…

RT @EUinYemen: EU Ambassadors from all over the world finished a week long seminar in Brussels. Ambassador Munuera took part and discussed…

Senator @SenJohnKennedy criticizes USAID programs and U.S. assistance to Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan in his floor speech, highlighting concerns over wasteful spending of taxpayer money.

RT @livefist: Sensational picture here by @severerocket of Su-57 crew with their cameras out filming the arrival of the American fighter pa…

RT @KSAmofaEN: #Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciates the condemnation, disapproval and total rejection announced by the brot…

Reading @WeTheBrandon, “President Trump Must Keep America Out of Yemen.” The Trump administration campaigned on no new foreign entanglements—especially in the Middle East. The White House must keep this promise. Blockade or Annex Hudaydah? How About Neither?