The Local Government Inspector (LGI) of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) office in Eti-Osa, Lagos, Mrs Veronica Abella was absent yesterday when Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member, who used her TikTok handle to express frustration over the deteriorating economic conditions in Nigeria, honoured her invitation.

Uguamaye got a message from the NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI), instructing her to report to the Eti Osa 3 local government office by 10:00a.m. on Monday without fail.

However, human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, alongside lawyers – Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi and Ojienoh Justice accompanied her to the LGI office in Eti-Osa, Lagos but Mrs Abella didn’t show up.

Speaking, Sowore said: “The journey with Uguamaye commenced in Lagos. She is scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we accompanied her to their office.

“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI office of the National Youth Service Corps with the Corps member. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys, Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi and Ojienoh Justice, but LGI officials failed to show up throughout our stay. We will be back.”

Uguamaye has been trending on social media platforms after a video she posted on her TikTok account on March 15, 2025 went viral. In the video, she decried Nigeria’s economic hardship and inflation, expressing frustration that hard work no longer translates into financial stability.

She criticised President Bola Tinubu, labelling him a “terrible president” and questioning what the government was doing to ease citizens’ suffering.

Shortly after the video gained attention, she said she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the post. She took to her Instagram page to express her disappointment at what she described as an attempt to stifle her voice, insisting that she had only spoken the truth about the country’s reality.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has defended the right of the young NYSC Corper to voice strong criticisms regarding Tinubu’s administration.

HURIWA affirmed that every citizen has the right to express their opinions and concerns about governmental performance without fear of intimidation or retribution.

The rights group said the provisions of fundamental human rights including freedom of expression encapsulated in chapter 4 of the Nigerian constitution is higher and far more superior than the NYSC bylaw.

According to the group, the extant NYSC bylaw does not negate the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of citizens including youth corpers. HURIWA in a statement by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko yesterday kicked against any attempt to harass, intimidate or threaten the corps member.

The group stated that the loyalty of corps members is to Nigeria and not to any specific holder of the office of the President of Nigeria. “In accordance with Section 39(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, it is stipulated that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

“This fundamental right is the cornerstone of our democracy, allowing citizens to hold their leaders accountable and advocate for positive change,” it stated.

HURIWA urged the NYSC leadership to reconsider any measures taken against this brave individual and to encourage a culture of free speech among all corps members, stressing that it is crucial for our democracy that young voices, especially those of future leaders, are not stifled but rather nurtured and empowered to contribute to national discourse.

Ceasefire over as Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas refused to release hostages, officials say

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is over as Israeli fighter jets began striking the Gaza Strip after Hamas refused repeated hostage deal offers, officials said. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began striking Hamas terrorist targets across Gaza "in order to achieve the war objectives set by the political leadership, including the release of all our hostages—both the living and the fallen," the office of Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a letter. 

"This decision comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all proposals presented by U.S. President’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as the mediators," the letter states. 

Israel will intensify its military actions against Hamas moving forward, authorities said.

"Under the direction of the political echelon, the IDF and Shin Bet are widely attacking terrorist targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip, more details below," the IDF and Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, said in a joint statement. 

Strikes were reported in multiple locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City and the Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah in central and southern Gaza Strip

The Israeli military, which said it hit dozens of targets, said the strikes would continue for as long as necessary and would extend beyond air strikes, raising the prospect that Israeli ground troops could resume fighting.

The attacks were far wider in scale than the regular series of drone strikes the Israeli military has said it has conducted against individuals or small groups of suspected militants and follows weeks of failed efforts to agree an extension to the truce agreed on January 19.

In Washington, a White House spokesperson said Israel had consulted the U.S. administration before it carried out the strikes, which the military said targeted mid-level Hamas commanders and leadership officials as well as infrastructure belonging to the militant group.

"Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war," White House spokesperson Brian Hughes said.

Fox News/Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Trump and Putin to discuss power plants, land in talks to end Ukraine war

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russia's Vladimir Putin on Tuesday morning about ending the Ukraine war, with territorial concessions by Kyiv and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant likely to feature prominently in the talks.

"What's happening in Ukraine is not good, but we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace, and I think we'll be able to do it," Trump told reporters in Washington on Monday.

Trump has been trying to win Putin's support for a 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine accepted last week, as both sides traded heavy aerial strikes early on Monday and Russia moved closer to ejecting Ukrainian forces from their months-old foothold in the western Russian region of Kursk.

Trump said Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region were "in deep trouble," surrounded by Russian soldiers.

He said his freeze on military aid to Ukraine earlier this month and his contentious Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy may have helped persuade Kyiv.

"A lot of people are being killed over there, and we had to get Ukraine to do the right thing," he said. "But I think they're doing the right thing right now."

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, accused Putin of prolonging the war, saying that when the Russian leader speaks to Trump, he will have been aware of the ceasefire proposal for a week.

"This proposal could have been implemented long ago," he said. "Every day in wartime means human lives," he said.

Asked late on Sunday what concessions were being considered in ceasefire negotiations, Trump said: "We'll be talking about land. We'll be talking about power plants ... We're already talking about that, dividing up certain assets."

He gave no details, but appeared to be referring to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia facility in Ukraine, Europe's largest nuclear plant. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of risking an accident at the plant with their actions.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told a regular briefing on Monday that Trump and Putin would discuss a power plant "on the border" of Russia and Ukraine.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Trump's remarks about land and power plants.

The Kremlin said on Friday Putin had sent Trump a message about his ceasefire plan via U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who held talks in Moscow, expressing "cautious optimism" that a deal could be reached to end the three-year conflict.

On Sunday, Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump's National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, emphasized there were still challenges to be worked out before Russia agrees to a ceasefire, much less a final peaceful resolution to the war.

Waltz was asked in an ABC interview whether the U.S. would accept a peace deal in which Russia was allowed to keep Ukrainian territory it has seized, and replied: "We have to ask ourselves, is it in our national interest? Is it realistic? ... Are we going to drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil?

'IRONCLAD' GUARANTEES

Zelenskiy has not responded publicly to Waltz's remarks.

He has said he sees a good chance to end the war after Kyiv accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal, but has also consistently said Ukraine's sovereignty is not negotiable and that Russia must surrender the territory it has seized.

Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and controls most of four eastern Ukrainian regions after it invaded the country in 2022.

Russia will seek "ironclad" guarantees in any peace deal that NATO nations exclude Kyiv from membership and that Ukraine will remain neutral, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Russian media outlet Izvestia in remarks published on Monday that made no reference to the ceasefire proposal.

"We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement," Izvestia cited Grushko as saying.

Moscow has also demanded that it keep control of all Ukrainian territory seized, and that the size of the Ukrainian army be limited. It also wants Western sanctions eased and a presidential election in Ukraine, which Kyiv says is premature while martial law is in force.

Putin says his actions in Ukraine are aimed at protecting Russia's national security against what he casts as an aggressive and hostile West, in particular NATO's eastward expansion. Ukraine and its Western partners say Russia is waging an unprovoked war of aggression and an imperial-style land grab.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said on Monday the conditions demanded by Russia to agree to a ceasefire showed Moscow does not really want peace.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "a significant number" of nations - including Britain and France - were willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. Defence chiefs will meet this week to firm up plans.

Russia has ruled out peacekeepers until the war has ended.

"If they appear there, it means that they are deployed in the conflict zone with all the consequences for these contingents as parties to the conflict," Russia's Grushko said.

"We can talk about unarmed observers, a civilian mission that would monitor the implementation of individual aspects of this agreement, or guarantee mechanisms. In the meantime, it's just hot air."

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Kiev has come to terms with ceding territory – Independent

Kiev is reportedly prepared to cede territory as part of a ceasefire agreement with Moscow, The Independent reported on Sunday, citing high-level Ukrainian sources briefed on the ongoing negotiations.

Kiev claims sovereignty over Russia’s Crimea, Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR, LPR), and the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye. The territories became part of Russia following referendums in 2014 and 2022, and Moscow has insisted that their status is non-negotiable.

Nevertheless, Ukraine has refused to rescind its claims, and has repeatedly suggested that it will take them back by force. Russia currently controls around 75% of the DPR, Zaporozhye, and Kherson, and nearly 99% of the LPR, according to a report by the Russian General Staff last month.

Meanwhile, amid its ongoing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire in the conflict, the administration of US President Donald Trump has suggested that Kiev’s ambitions are “unrealistic.”

According to Politico, Ukrainian officials are now saying they have “come to terms with the current battle lines freezing, with Russia holding on to some territory for now for a ceasefire to work.”

The anonymous officials told the outlet, however, that ceding additional territory would be a “red line” for Kiev. “It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporozhye and Kherson be fully handed over,”the Ukrainian sources said.

Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, also reiterated that Kiev must be prepared to give up certain territories as part of any peace negotiations with Russia in order to receive security guarantees.

He stressed that any attempts to “drive every Russian off of every inch of Ukrainian soil, including Crimea” would be unrealistic and suggested that diplomatic efforts should focus on the “realities of the situation on the ground.”

Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that territorial concessions were one of the issues discussed by Washington and Kiev in Saudi Arabia last week. He added that neither Russia nor Ukraine are likely to “militarily achieve their maximalist goals.”

Following the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Kiev announced that it would agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Since then, Washington has been in contact with Moscow to negotiate a settlement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has since stated that he is open to the idea of a ceasefire, but stressed that several issues must first be addressed – including the fate of Ukraine’s incursion forces who have been encircled in Russia’s Kursk Region, as well as guarantees that Kiev won’t use the truce to rearm and replenish its ranks.

Reuters/RT

It is safe to assume that many are concerned with the diminishing power of the United States of America (US) to keep things together on the international landscape beyond the blustering from President Donald Trump which would be more about pretending that things have not significantly changed.

The truth however is that the structures holding the international system together since the end of the Second World War under the supervision and direction of the US are not only becoming less effective, the strains on them over time and the ponderous nature they are made to work now rather than seamlessly are perhaps signs that they have to be transcended for more meaningful and effective practice going forward. Gone were the day when the US would lay out a plan as solution to any international problem, and all would fall in line as a matter of course and without much ado.

Not any more.

It would seem as if we are coming to the era where some countries do not just shun plans and proposals at the international level by the US, but are openly and actively opposing such without bothering about how the US would react. The US has seen its proposals and plans at the international level being increasingly defeated and left for other plans by lesser powers. Imagine for instance that the proposal by the US on the Russian invasion of Ukraine which did not want to specifically mention and condemn the invasion was roundly defeated at the United Nations General Assembly at the expense of the proposal by other nations explicitly calling out the invasion.

Furthermore, all the sanctions imposed on Russia by the US for its invasion of Ukraine were not only shunned by China and India and Brazil, they all argued that the demands of their national interest would not allow them to go along with the sanctions with the US unable to do anything about their refusal to implement the sanctions. And when the US boisterously announced that it had the magic wand for the problem of Gaza, asking Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians while it would take over Gaza and rebuild it, it soon found out that it did not have the power or influence to make Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians as the two countries flatly and categorically rejected the idea, even as there was no greenlight about its taking over for rebuilding, such that it had to finally concede that it would have to wait for the Arabs to come up with an agreed plan as basis for further talks and discussion. The same way that Russia, perhaps thinking that the US would want to summarily impose the agreement between the two of them as solution to the Russian-Ukrainian war, could rather flippantly dismiss the idea of inviting Europeans into the talks or countenancing the participation of Ukraine, arguing that they could not be trusted as they had been unreliable partners in their earlier intervention and contribution, until reason prevailed for the realization that the peace process would need the consent of the Europeans and the participation of Ukraine to have a viable and workable solution.

Yet, in spite of its diminishing streak, the US still remains the biggest sheriff in town. While some scholars are busy speculating about a nascent multipolarity at the international level, the truth is that no country as yet could compete with the US as the biggest power on the landscape, and no country has the valid wherewithal with which to compete or aspire. Whereas we could indeed be witnessing a gradual transition from American worldpowership and dominance, it is also the case that supplanting and replacing a world power is and does not happen in a hurry nor is it a tea party.

America continues to maintain a hegemony that is difficult to rival on the international landscape. Which would explain why it should be understandable when we see Trump blustering and pretending that he could do anything and everything, it is because he is still the in most powerful person in the world today, on account of American hegemonic power backing him and which he represents, and from where he stands, it would not change anything nor would it matter much for the person representing such hegemonic power to be susceptible sometimes to bouts of exaggeration.

The situation tells us about the complexity of human history, sensitizing us to the fact that changes are often complicated and not straightforward. Going forward, with a declining America still as the hegemonic power in the world, it would mean that really transiting away from and supplanting its worldpowership would still be decades away, if it ever would come!

** Olaitan, Professor of Political Science, was Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

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Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, has become a symbol of the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Her viral TikTok video, in which she openly criticized the government for its handling of the country’s economic crisis, has sparked a wave of sympathy and outrage after she alleged receiving threats from NYSC officials and the Lagos State government.

In her emotional video, Rita expressed her frustration with the rising cost of living, which has made it nearly impossible for her to survive on her meager NYSC allowance. She described her struggles with soaring prices of food, transportation, and utilities, lamenting that her monthly stipend is insufficient to cover her basic needs. “Every single week, prices increase. I want to know if the government is doing something about this. Is the increment going to stop? I’m so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’m living independently,” she said.

Rita did not mince words in her criticism of President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning his administration’s efforts to address the economic crisis. She also criticized the poor living conditions in Lagos, describing the state as “smelling” and unfit for residents. “Lagos stinks. You can’t even take a walk because the place smells. Being a corps member, there is nothing beneficial. The money I spend on transportation is more than the allowance the government pays,” she added.

Her video quickly went viral, resonating with millions of Nigerians who are grappling with the same economic hardships. However, Rita’s courage to speak out came at a cost. Shortly after her video gained traction, she alleged that NYSC officials began pressuring her to take it down. In a follow-up post, she shared a conversation with a woman she claimed was an NYSC official, who demanded that she delete the video, calling it “rubbish.” Rita also claimed that the official threatened her, accusing her of insulting the government.

Fearing for her safety, Rita took to social media to alert the public about the threats she was receiving. “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government starting with the NYSC board!” she wrote. She urged Nigerians to hold the NYSC accountable if anything happened to her, adding, “In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong; I just asked that they work on the inflation.”

Rita’s ordeal has drawn widespread attention, with many Nigerians questioning whether the NYSC is suppressing free speech among corps members. Her story has also highlighted the broader struggles of Nigerians under the Tinubu administration, which has been criticized for its handling of the economy. The removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira have led to skyrocketing prices, pushing many families to the brink of survival.

But Rita’s story is not just about economic hardship; it is also a deeply personal one. As journalist Agba Jalingo revealed, Rita is a victim of Nigeria’s systemic failures in more ways than one. Her father, Raphael A. Ushie, a Chief Inspector with the Nigeria Immigration Service, died in 2019 after participating in a protest against the demolition of his palm plantation for the construction of the Obudu International Airport. The plantation, which represented his life savings, was destroyed without compensation, leaving Rita’s family in financial ruin. At just 19 years old, Rita lost her father to a system that showed no regard for his rights or livelihood.

Now, at 24, Rita is facing another battle with the same system. Her decision to speak out against the government’s economic policies has made her a target, with officials allegedly using the NYSC as a tool to silence her. “If you were in her shoes, you live in a country where the system killed your dad for no reason, when you are only 19, your mother suffers to see you through school, and when you try to express your frustrations publicly, the same nation that killed your father threatens to kill you too? So where is the freedom of expression?” Jalingo wrote.

Rita’s story is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by millions of Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of bad governance and economic mismanagement. Her courage to speak out, despite the risks, has made her a voice for the voiceless. Instead of being hounded by government officials, she deserves empathy and support from well-meaning Nigerians who understand the pain of losing a loved one to systemic injustice and the frustration of living in a country where the cost of survival keeps rising.

As the debate over her case continues, one thing is clear: Rita’s plight is a reflection of the collective suffering of Nigerians under the Tinubu administration. Her story is a call to action for the government to listen to its citizens, address their grievances, and work towards creating a better future for all. Until then, Rita’s voice—and the voices of countless others like her—will continue to echo the pain and frustration of a nation in crisis.

Stakeholders, including the National Judicial Council (NJC), UNICEF, and the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, have called for urgent reforms to prioritize the rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders over their imprisonment in correctional facilities. This appeal was made during the second public hearing of the Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and inhumane treatment within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), held on Friday in Abuja.

UNICEF representative Nkiru Maduechesi revealed alarming statistics, stating that an average of 26,000 children and young persons under the age of 21 are placed in correctional facilities annually, with 74% of them awaiting trial. She emphasized the devastating impact of incarceration on young lives, noting that children in custody are often denied access to education and healthcare, which are critical for their development.

“The unique thing about children is that their lives cannot wait. As they grow, they miss out on education, health, and opportunities. If we don’t help them, they risk being left behind permanently,” Maduechesi said. She called for a multisectoral approach to address the issue, involving collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant agencies.

Maduechesi also highlighted systemic challenges, such as the misrepresentation of children’s ages by law enforcement, which often leads to underage individuals being wrongfully detained. She urged a review of outdated laws, such as the 1962 Foster Institutions Act, to ensure better policies and practices for juvenile justice.

The panel’s chairperson, Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior, acknowledged the progress made in educating inmates through partnerships with institutions like the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). She urged the NCoS to recruit more teachers to provide skills training and education to inmates, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation.

Uju Agomoh, Secretary of the panel and founder of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), stressed the need to implement Sections 33 and 34 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, which address the treatment of vulnerable persons, including women, the mentally ill, and those with disabilities in custodial centers. She called for urgent action to ensure these provisions are enforced.

Representing the Acting Controller General of the NCoS, Ibrahim Idris, assured stakeholders of the service’s commitment to addressing the issues raised and collaborating with relevant organizations to implement the provisions of the NCoS Act 2019.

The hearing underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect the rights and futures of young offenders, ensuring they are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society rather than being trapped in a cycle of incarceration. The call for action reflects a growing recognition of the need to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency and provide support systems that enable young people to thrive.

Nigeria imported N237.3 billion worth of solar panels in the last quarter of 2024, underscoring the country’s growing shift towards renewable energy amid a worsening public power supply crisis.

According to data from the Foreign Trade Statistics report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the bulk of these imports—N228.9 billion worth—came from China. The category listed as “Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels” reflects Nigeria’s increasing reliance on alternative energy sources as the national grid remains unreliable.

A Response to a Failing Grid

The surge in solar panel imports highlights the persistent failure of Nigeria’s public power supply, which has long been plagued by inadequate generation, frequent grid collapses, and aging infrastructure. Despite government efforts to improve the electricity sector, millions of households and businesses continue to experience erratic power supply, forcing them to seek alternative solutions.

For years, Nigerians have relied on diesel and petrol generators, but soaring fuel costs—driven by the removal of subsidies and forex volatility—have made solar power a more attractive option. The growing affordability of Chinese-manufactured solar panels has further accelerated adoption, as more homes and businesses look for stable and cost-effective energy solutions.

Solar Energy: A Growing Industry

With worsening grid failures, the demand for solar energy systems has surged, creating a booming market for solar technology in Nigeria. Private companies, startups, and foreign investors are increasingly entering the space, offering off-grid and mini-grid solutions to rural and urban communities alike.

However, while the rise in solar adoption is a positive step toward energy diversification, it also exposes the government’s failure to provide a stable electricity supply. Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, still struggles with an electricity access rate of around 55%, leaving nearly half of its population without reliable power.

The Way Forward

The increasing reliance on solar power should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to accelerate reforms in the electricity sector. Investment in grid expansion, transmission infrastructure, and renewable energy incentives could help reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Nigeria’s domestic energy production.

Until then, Nigerians will continue to turn to solar solutions—not by choice, but out of necessity—reflecting the harsh reality of a nation still battling one of its most critical infrastructure failures.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has reported that soldiers entered their substation and took two staff members into custody early Friday morning, allegedly due to power supply concerns.

Speaking to TheCable on Sunday, Babatunde Lasaki, EKEDC's general manager of corporate communications and strategy, confirmed that military personnel from the 15th Field Engineer Regiment, Topo Barracks, Badagry forcibly accessed the substation premises around 1:00 AM on March 14th.

According to Lasaki, the soldiers detained both a distribution substation operator and a security guard who were on duty. The staff reportedly sustained injuries after being physically assaulted, though they were released later that same morning.

Lasaki explained that the power outage prompting the incident was caused by an ongoing upgrade project at the Transmission Company of Nigeria's Agbara facility. He noted that this information had previously been communicated to "Lt. Col. S.L. Lawn," the commanding officer of the barracks.

While no infrastructure was damaged during the incident, EKEDC has filed a police report and submitted a formal complaint to military leadership in Abuja.

This follows a similar occurrence on March 6th, when Nigerian Air Force personnel reportedly entered Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company premises following an electricity disconnection at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base. In that incident, IKEDC reported office vandalism, staff assault, and theft of company property.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Yemen's al-Houthi leads defiant force under US attack

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen's Houthi fighters whose Red Sea attacks have drawn U.S. strikes, has emerged as Iran's most prominent Arab ally and an enduring thorn in Israel's side after many of its enemies were killed in the last year.

Al-Houthi, who is in his 40s, had already led his group through a decade of war against a powerful Saudi-led coalition when it waded into conflict with Israel, declaring solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks.

After weeks of relative calm in Red Sea shipping lanes following a Gaza ceasefire in January, the Houthis warned on March 12 they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels in response to Israel's closure of Gaza's crossings.

Appearing in a broadcast speech with a traditional Yemeni dagger in his belt, al-Houthi called Israel's blockade a crime against humanity that could not be ignored and accused Arab states of inaction.

An enigmatic figure with a reputation as a fierce commander, al-Houthi has remained defiant despite U.S. military retaliation for his group's attacks on shipping and Israeli blows to his Iran-backed allies.

These included the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in last year's Lebanon war, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and the elimination in Gaza of Yahya Sinwar, an architect of Hamas' October 7 cross-border raids.

"The Houthi movement is now the leading Arab member of the Iran-led axis, following Hezbollah's defeat. They're filling Nasrallah's position in defending Gaza," said Mohanad Hage Ali of the Carnegie Middle East Center.

"Supporting Gaza is a popular act inside Yemen. They have been bombed for many months now by the U.S., and before that for years by Saudi Arabia, so they are very resilient."

In February, al-Houthi threatened military action if the United States and Israel sought to displace Palestinians from Gaza and called U.S. President Donald Trump a criminal.

A series of U.S. strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday included the town of Dahyan in Saada, where al-Houthi often meets visitors. However, the battlefield commander rarely stays long in one place, never meets the media, and is known for an extreme reluctance to appear in public.

Under al-Houthi's direction, his movement of mountain fighters has grown to number tens of thousands and has built an increasingly sophisticated arsenal, including drones and ballistic missiles.

SHI'ITE INFLUENCE

Yemen's civil war erupted in late 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa. Worried by the growing influence of Shi'ite Iran along its border, Saudi Arabia led a Western-backed coalition in March 2015 to support the Saudi-backed government.

The Houthis established control over much of the north and other large population centres, while the internationally recognised government based itself in the port city of Aden.

The war, which has abated since a ceasefire in 2022, has killed tens of thousands, devastated Yemen's economy and left millions hungry.

During its most intense phase, the conflict featured Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. In January 2022, they also launched a missile attack on Gulf commercial hub the United Arab Emirates, like Saudi Arabia a key U.S. ally.

In a speech in 2022, al-Houthi said his goal was to be able to strike any target in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, both major OPEC oil producers who view Iran and its proxies as major security threats to the Middle East and beyond.

The Houthis have stopped such attacks since the ceasefire. But the Yemen peace process has been stalled amid the Gaza war and Red Sea attacks.

Since the start of the war - widely seen as a proxy conflict between Riyadh and Tehran - foreign officials who dealt with al-Houthi have never met him in person, said a source familiar with the matter.

Many seeking meetings were asked to travel to the Houthi stronghold Sanaa, where a security convoy would take them to safe houses and conduct security checks before leading them to an upstairs room where al-Houthi would only appear on a screen.

His Houthi movement was formed to fight for the interests of the Zaydi Shi'ites, a minority sect that ruled a 1,000-year-old kingdom in Yemen until 1962 but felt marginalised during the 1990-2012 rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the first president of a unified Yemen.

The Houthis deny being puppets of Tehran and say they are fighting a corrupt system and regional aggression. Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse Iran of arming and training them, which Tehran denies.

In late 2017, the Houthis assassinated ex-president Saleh in a roadside ambush after he switched sides in the war and the movement now controls most of Yemen in a military state.

In pre-recorded speeches and sermons, al-Houthi, who traces his lineage to the Prophet Mohammad, asserts that his movement is under siege because of its religion.

"We must focus on preserving the authenticity of our Islamic affiliation and identity," he once said, "Today we are facing the most dangerous war."

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

NATO ‘peacekeepers’ in Ukraine mean war – Medvedev

The deployment of “peacekeepers” from NATO member states to Ukraine would trigger an all-out war between the military bloc and Moscow, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned.

In recent weeks, the leaders of the UK and France have ramped up discussions about such a mission.

In a post on X on Sunday, Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, stated that French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer “are playing dumb.”

“Time and again they are told that peacekeepers must be from non-NATO states. No, we will send tens of thousands – just lay it out – you want to give military aid to the neo-Nazis in Kiev,” Medvedev charged.

“That means war with NATO. Consult with [US President Donald]Trump, scumbags,” he concluded.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously similarly argued that the deployment of NATO military personnel to Ukraine, even under the guise of peacekeepers, would be tantamount to the “direct, official, undisguised involvement of NATO countries in the war against Russia.”

Earlier this month, Starmer announced that Britain and France were ready to lead a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Kiev, including the deployment of troops and aircraft. Speaking following an emergency summit in London, he said that “not every nation will feel able to contribute, but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency.”

“The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others,” Starmer further clarified.

Macron said Western troops would arrive in Ukraine only if and when the situation on the ground was safe for them.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the meeting along with several other leaders, stressed that “the presence of Italian troops in Ukraine has never been on the agenda.”

In contrast, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that Ottawa was considering all possible options and was not ruling out sending troops to Ukraine.

Reiterating his readiness to deploy British military personnel to the conflict zone, Starmer told Parliament earlier this month that this effort would be contingent on securing US backing.

On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told DR radio that “if it comes to the point where a European presence is needed for a ceasefire or peace agreement to be reached, then Denmark is in principle prepared for that.”

Commenting on the prospect of NATO troops arriving in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that such a development would be “completely unacceptable to us,” citing the ramifications it would have for Russia’s national security.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russian troops battle last Ukrainian forces in Kursk region

Russia battled on Sunday to drive the last Ukrainian soldiers from western Russia, Russian officials said, after a seven-month incursion by Ukraine that aimed to distract Moscow's forces, gain a bargaining chip and rile President Vladimir Putin.

In one of the most striking battles of the three-year-old Ukraine war, Ukrainian forces smashed their way across Russia's western border in Kursk last August, marking the biggest attack on sovereign Russian territory since the Nazi invasion of 1941.

But a lightning offensive this month has reduced the area under Ukrainian control to about 110 square km (42 square miles), down from the more than 1,368 square km (528 square miles) claimed by Kyiv last year, according to open source maps.

Yuri Podolyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said Russia had pushed back Ukrainian forces to the border in some areas, though intense battles were underway and that Ukrainian forces were fighting back as they retreated.

Battlefield maps from both Ukraine and Russia showed two joined pockets of Ukrainian forces on the Russian side of the border in Kursk. Russia said it was clearing large numbers of mines in the area.

After a public appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump last week to spare "surrounded" Ukrainian troops, Putin said on Friday that Russia would guarantee the lives of Ukrainian troops in the region if they surrendered.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday his troops were not surrounded but sounded the alarm over what he said could be a new Russian attack on Ukraine's northeast Sumy region, which borders Kursk.

The influential Two Majors pro-Russian military blogger said the battlefield gains of Russian forces had allowed Russia to threaten Sumy, but cautioned that Ukrainian forces had been bolstering defences there for some time.

Putin has accused Ukrainian troops of carrying out crimes against civilians in Kursk, something Kyiv denies. Ukraine says as many as 11,000 North Korean troops are fighting with Russia in Kursk, though Russia and North Korea have refused to give any details on North Korean troops there.

The fierce battle for the Kursk region has framed efforts by Trump to end what he says is a "bloodbath" war that could escalate into World War Three.

CEASEFIRE?

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left hundreds of thousands of people dead and injured, displaced millions, reduced towns to rubble and triggered the sharpest confrontation for decades between Moscow and the West.

The U.S. agreed on Tuesday to resume military aid and intelligence sharingwith Ukraine after Kyiv said it was ready to support Washington's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

Putin said on Thursday Russia supported the truce proposal in principle, but that fighting could not be paused until a number of crucial conditions were worked out or clarified.

Putin has repeatedly said that he is ready to talk about peace though Ukraine will have to declare it will not seek NATO membership and Russia will keep all of the land that it claims in Ukraine, including some it does not control.

Russia has paid a heavy price for the invasion.

U.S. intelligence estimates say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured, according to a 2023 assessment, while the economy has been heavily distorted by record defence spending and the toughest Western sanctions ever imposed.

Ukraine has also seen more than 100,000 troopskilled or injured, according to leaked U.S. intelligence estimates. Its economy has been shattered. One-fifth of its territory is under Russian control, and Kyiv has been unable to defeat Russia's forces despite receiving more than $260 billion in Western aid.