Much of southern Yemen flooded by heavy rainfall; 6 dead

A Yemeni man crosses a flooded street following heavy rainfall in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on May 26, 2019. (File/AFP)
Updated 27 July 2019
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Much of southern Yemen flooded by heavy rainfall; 6 dead

  • The officials said Saturday that at least three people are still missing in the Abyan and Shabwa
  • The officials say rushing muddy water flooded dozens of farms, cutting off roads and sweeping away cars and cattle in parts of both provinces

SANAA: Yemeni officials say at least six people were killed when floods swept through much of the country’s south following heavy rainfall.

The officials said Saturday that at least three people are still missing in the Abyan and Shabwa provinces hit by heavy rains over the past 24 hours.

The officials say rushing muddy water flooded dozens of farms, cutting off roads and sweeping away cars and cattle in parts of both provinces.

They added that power outages have also engulfed entire areas in Abyan and Shabwa. They officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.

Yemen is located at the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, overlooking the Red and the Arabian Sea. Its rainy season is in the spring and summer.


Jordan begins implementing Royal directives to modernize Arab Army

Updated 11 sec ago
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Jordan begins implementing Royal directives to modernize Arab Army

  • On Saturday, it was reported that King Abdullah had announced the strategy

AMMAN: Jordan’s Armed Forces have begun implementing royal directives from King Abdullah II aimed at restructuring and modernizing the Arab Army to strengthen its operational readiness and ability to meet evolving security challenges, it was announced on Sunday.

The overhaul is designed to sharpen combat capabilities and establish a streamlined, flexible force equipped to operate across varied environments, while adapting to the demands of modern and unconventional warfare, the Jordan News Agency reported.

The directives called for closer alignment between organizational structures and operational needs, alongside upgrades to command, control and communications systems. 

They also urged stronger integration across military branches and units, as well as expanded use of advanced technologies, including unmanned systems and cyber capabilities.

Plans also include reinforcing reserve forces, improving logistics to ensure reliable supply chains, and supporting Jordan’s defense industries to enhance self-sufficiency and efficiency.

In a statement, the Jordanian Armed Forces said they were fully committed to carrying out the royal directives as part of a broader strategic vision to raise professionalism and preparedness.

On Saturday, it was reported that King Abdullah had announced a strategy “to achieve a structural transformation in the armed forces over the course of the next three years,” Petra said.

In a letter to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the King wrote: “Our Arab Army is a national institution that every Jordanian is proud of.”

“We must examine the requirements for modernizing and developing our Armed Forces, while restructuring them to keep pace with combat demands within various environments of operation,” the king wrote. 

The king also said the army must have sufficient reserve forces reinforced with the necessary capabilities.

“Our Armed Forces must have sufficient reserve forces, equipped with the various needed capabilities to execute their operations efficiently.”