Arabic press review: UAE-backed Yemeni separatists press on to Taiz

Yemeni separatists seek to expand beyond Aden 

UAE-backed southern separatists in Yemen seek to take over parts of Taiz governorate after capturing key sites in Aden earlier this month, according to the London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi.

After UAE-backed fighters took control of the presidential palace and several military camps in the city on 10 August, Yemen's internationally-recognised government, based in the port city, has moved to close the headquarters of certain ministries.

Those closed in recent days include the interior, information, foreign affairs and transport ministries, al-Quds al-Arabi reported.

Meanwhile, the city of Turbah in the Taiz governorate has witnessed a rebellion of UAE-backed armed groups against state authorities, and an influx of gunmen coming in to help take control, the paper reported. 

A security source told al-Quds al-Arabi that "armed confrontations broke out in Turbah between state security forces, gunmen and outlawed militia".

“The clashes extended to many suburbs and areas around the main road leading to the city of Taiz," the source said.

The clashes aren't spontaneous, but rather are part of a wider strategy set in place a long time ago, he said. More than 300 fighters are part of a force commanded by Tareq Saleh, nephew of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Jordan calls on Israel to halt 'absurd actions' at Al-Aqsa

Jordan has called on Israel to immediately halt what it described as "absurd provocative actions" at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, Asharq al-Awsat reports.

Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufian al-Qudah said that the ministry had delivered “a strongly-worded letter" to the Israeli ambassador in Jordan for its immediate transfer to the Israeli government.

The letter includes a call for an "immediate halt to Israeli violations and all attempts aimed at changing the historical and legal status of the Temple Mount".

Jordan's King Abdullah II is the official custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque and its surrounding holy sites, one of the most important locations in Islam.

The letter comes days after a senior Israeli minister suggested that the custodianship and control of the Al-Aqsa compound should be revised.

Medicine 'in short supply' in Algeria

Medicines are disappearing from the shelves of Algerian pharmacies with a severe shortages of basic drugs as the cost of others rises significantly, the London-based newspaper al-Arabi al-Jadeed reports.

The list of medicines in short supply include anti-inflammatories and antibiotics as well as drugs for cancer, children and psychiatric and neurological problems, Karim Maraghmi, vice president of the Algerian Association of Pharmacists, told the paper.

Algeria has experienced frequent medicine scarcities for years, making it difficult for hospitals to provide minimal treatment, according to al-Arabi al-Jadeed.

Maraghmi said the current shortage is a result of "unethical and illegal practices of some importers and distributors who have monopolised the imported quantities and have not put them on the market".

The price of dozens of medicines, particularly those for chronic diseases, is also rising due to monopoly, speculation and the devaluation of the diner, al-Arabi al-Jadeed reported.

There is also a drinking water crisis in the country right now which has led to protests in several cities over the past week, on top of those which started several months ago and overthrew longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Some regions have been suffering from both a lack of water and electricity, the paper reported.

* Arabic press review is a digest of reports that are not independently verified as accurate by Middle East Eye.