Reports Discuss Abdul-Mahdi's Role in Mediation in Yemen
March 20, 2025, 11:16 am

Reports Discuss Abdul-Mahdi's Role in Mediation in Yemen

عادل عبد المهدي

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi conducted a visit to Sanaa amid escalating U.S. military action targeting the Iran-backed Houthi group.

According to consistent sources, Abdul-Mahdi arrived in Sanaa as part of international mediation efforts aimed at easing the rising tensions in the Red Sea. The visit carries mutual messages between the United States and Iran, against the backdrop of intense American military operations targeting Yemen since the beginning of the week, along with Washington's threats to Tehran if it continues to support the Houthis.

Houthi leader Abdul Rahman al-Ahnomi published a video showing Abdul-Mahdi in Sanaa, while Houthi-affiliated media remained silent about the visit, enhancing the likelihood of undisclosed negotiations among the concerned parties.

Reports added that Reuters revealed the existence of an oral Iranian message to the Houthis, conveyed through the group's envoy in Tehran, which includes proposals for de-escalation in the Red Sea.

In a statement on Thursday morning, the Houthis confirmed that they "continue to prevent Israeli navigation until the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted."

Iran fears being drawn into a direct confrontation with the United States, especially with the increasing military pressure on its regional arms since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023.

These developments come in the context of a new escalation from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has reactivated the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran since returning to the White House in January.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”