Aug. 16, 2020: Submission by Mwatana and Columbia Law School – Tribes in Yemen – Kuwait’s Yemen foreign policy – Houthis kill, expel Ethiopian migrants – Rain and flash floods – and more
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Kursiv: Siehe Teil 2 / In Italics: Look in part 2: https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-673b-yemen-war-mosaic-673b
Klassifizierung / Classification
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavitrus und Seuchen / Most important: Coronavirus and epidemics
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Regen und Überschwemmungen / Most important: Rain and flash floods
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp12b Sudan
cp13a Mercenaries / Söldner
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating
A = Aktuell / Current news
B = Hintergrund / Background
C = Chronik / Chronicle
D = Details
E = Wirtschaft / Economy
H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions
K = Krieg / War
P = Politik / Politics
pH = Pro-Houthi
pS = Pro-Saudi
T = Terrorismus / Terrorism
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
Ältere einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:
Yemen War: Older introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke
Neue Artikel / New articles
(* B H K P)
Spare a thought for the people of Yemen
https://www.newsintervention.com/spare-a-thought-for-the-people-of-yemen/
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
(** B H K P)
Mwatana for Human Rights and Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic Joint Submission to UNCESCR
Yemeni authorities must take swift action to protect economic, social, and cultural rights, and to end violations in the face of the country’s dire humanitarian situation, said Mwatana for Human Rights and the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic today in their joint submission to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. Millions of Yemenis face a food crisis with many at risk of starvation. Too many lack access to clean water, cannot reach or afford adequate health care, and have been deprived of even basic education. With the COVID-19 pandemic now spreading in Yemen, abuses threaten to take an even greater toll.
The Yemeni government has not only failed to take steps to respect and protect these essential rights, but has helped block humanitarian aid and essential commercial goods, and allowed allies to attack sites and infrastructure essential to providing food, water, and health care. Government and allied forces have recruited child soldiers and occupied schools. The Ansar Allah (Houthi) armed group has also committed economic, social, and cultural rights abuses in areas under their control, obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid, emplacing landmines near water sources, recruiting child soldiers, and attacking medical facilities.
“Yemenis have been trapped between Ansar Allah (the Houthis) on the one hand and the Yemeni government and its allies, on the other. For Yemenis, day to day life has become a constant struggle, yet the government and its allies have failed to protect essential rights to food, water, health care, and education, even in areas under their control,” said Radhya Almutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights. “It’s long past time we had answers on how the internationally recognized government plans to better protect these rights, including by finally pressing their partners for an end to abuses, and for accountability.”
The joint submission aims to inform the Committee about the most egregious patterns of violations, based on field research and supporting data. These include how parties have impeded humanitarian aid and essential goods; attacked hospitals, food storage and transport, water facilities, and schools; as well as the recruitment of child soldiers and occupation of schools. Authorities have also failed to pay civil servant salaries, impacting their right to an adequate standard of living.
“While economic, social, and cultural rights abuses have often received less attention than armed violence in Yemen’s conflict, these abuses affect the daily lives of every person living in Yemen, and their most basic right to survival,” said Priyanka Motaparthy, director of Columbia Law School’s Project on Armed Conflict, Counterterrorism, and Human Rights.
The joint submission will inform the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights’ review of Yemen, before the Committee’s Pre-Sessional Working Group meeting, which is expected to begin on October 19, 2020.
From Introduction
This submission covers the impacts of the current conflict, and acts attributable to the government of Yemen, its allies, or other parties to the conflict, on the rights to food, water, sanitation, health, and education as protected by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).[1] For years, humanitarian agencies have described Yemen as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with millions facing malnutrition and potential famine, lacking access to clean water, suffering preventable diseases and outbreaks, being denied access to education, and struggling to get access to health care in a system on the verge of collapse—all amidst a failing economy. In July 2020, UN agencies warned that economic shocks, conflict, floods, desert locusts, and now COVID-19 were creating “a perfect storm” that could “reverse hard-earned food security gains in Yemen,” forecasting an “alarming increase” in people facing acute food insecurity.[2] The submission aims to inform the Committee about violations of economic, social, and cultural rights contributing to this acute crisis, based on original research and supporting data.
The Government of Yemen has international legal obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil the human rights of those within its territory.[3] The obligation to respect requires that states refrain from interfering, directly or indirectly, with the enjoyment of socioeconomic rights. The obligation to protect requires that states prevent third parties from interfering “in any way” with these rights. The obligation to fulfil requires states to take positive steps to ensure the population’s socioeconomic rights. Human rights law provides for progressive realization of socioeconomic rights where a state lacks resources, but immediate action must be taken to eliminate discrimination, to “take steps,” ensure non-retrogression, and to ensure minimum core obligations.
The obligation to protect is particularly important in Yemen because other states, including Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)-led Coalition forces, are militarily active in Yemen. International law requires Yemen to protect against abuses by these states. Yemen cannot consent to acts on its territory that would be unlawful if Yemen itself carried out such acts. Yemen also cannot provide aid or assistance to other states, including to the Saudi/UAE-led Coalition, where such assistance contributes to breaches of human rights law.[4] Yemen must take appropriate measures to protect individuals against violations by other states or non-state actors operating in Yemen, including by making adequate inquiries and putting in place sufficient safeguards to ensure that such acts on Yemeni territory comply with human rights law.[5]
Accordingly, this submission focuses on violations carried out by the government of Yemen, armed forces and groups under its control, and its allies, including Coalition forces. While the Committee’s review will focus on the Government’s treaty obligations, our submission also includes some examples of how the Ansar Allah (Houthi) armed group, which exercises de facto control and government-like functions in large swathes of Yemeni territory, has failed to respect and protect the human rights of people living in Yemen.
It is important to recognize that economic, social, and cultural rights are inextricably linked, and that violations of any one set of rights will impact others.
https://mwatana.org/en/joint-submission-to-uncescr/
and full text here: https://mwatana.org/en/submission-to-uncescr/
(** B P)
ACAPS Thematic Report: Tribes in Yemen - An introduction to the tribal system (August 2020)
Yemen has been customarily described as one of the most “tribal” countries in the Middle East, if not the world. This statement reflects the fact that the vast majority of the Yemeni population, at least nominally, identifies as belonging to a tribal group. For a lot of Yemenis tribal identity is inextricably linked with Yemeni national identity. However, there are different ways in which tribal identity manifests itself in practice. Being Yemeni does not automatically mean you will follow the same tribal conventions across the country, or to apply the same importance to that identity above all else.
The aim of this report is to provide an introduction to Yemeni tribes and their place within Yemeni society. It explains what it means for an individual to belong to a tribe and the tribal structures that determine certain aspects of their life and behaviour. Understanding how tribes are organised in Yemen is fundamental to avoid improper comparisons with other Middle Eastern contexts.
Tribes matter to humanitarian operators in Yemen because they exercise some direct or indirect control over geographical territory and because they have become increasingly relevant and influential in parts of the country where state institutions are weakened or absent. Furthermore, tribespeople make up the majority of beneficiaries of local projects and are likely to be part of locally employed staff.
The report gives an overview of the ways Yemeni tribes have engaged with the current conflict and how they have been affected by it. This includes potential intersections between tribal actors and humanitarian and other NGOs that operate in areas under tribal influence or control.
It is a tool for humanitarian actors who need a comprehensive backgrounder on the social, political, and cultural norms that characterise Yemeni tribes and their adherents.
From Key messages
Tribesmen make up 70-80% of Yemeni society. Historically, Yemenis would often rely on tribal traditions and tribal law to regulate conflict and provide security. Tribal structure, ideology, and law shape conflict dynamics and affect humanitarian operations. Given that a large number of humanitarian projects in Yemen are based in areas under some form of tribal control and that the majority of people in need of humanitarian assistance are bound to be tribespeople, interactions between Yemeni tribes and the humanitarian community present a number of challenges as well as opportunities for INGOs.
Local tribal structures and community leaders can help maintain communications between humanitarians and local stakeholders, and enhance humanitarian access and accountability to communities. Tribal leaders can often provide unrivalled access to state institutions either through personal contacts, or their status. Their traditional role as intermediaries between the local community and the state puts them in a privileged position to help outsiders navigate state bureaucracy and solve potential problems. However, it is important for ‘outsiders’ to remember the breadth and limitations of tribal hospitality, the implicit obligation of the guest to reciprocate in some form, and to be explicit about the aims of their project in the area.
Although they often intersect, key humanitarian principles such as impartiality and neutrality are not congruent with tribal traditions. Core humanitarian principles such as neutrality and impartiality have different meanings in the tribal context and their application does not necessarily extend to those outside of what is considered the tribal group. Shaykhs are in a good position to understand local needs and identify required interventions in their communities. But they are also liable to privilege their own constituencies over others.
Tribal actors are often likely to overlook the needs of vulnerable communities that belong to what are perceived as lower social groups. Reports of shaykhs diverting aid distributions away from vulnerable people, often those who are considered at the bottom of Yemen’s social order, such as the Muhammashin are a characteristic example of the limitations of humanitarian engagement with the tribal system.
Yemen’s ‘tribal culture’ has often been blamed for the country’s ills. It is important for humanitarians to be mindful of stereotypes and misconceptions, such as the general mistrust that characterises the attitudes of urban populations towards tribespeople
The tribal map of Yemen is dotted by a multitude of tribal entities of varying degrees of influence, significance, and demographic size. Yemeni tribes are for the most part settled in towns and villages within a well-defined territory. Due to the scarcity of resources and aridity of their environment, in some parts in the east of the country, tribes lead a seminomadic existence, albeit still near their major settlements.
(** B P)
Kuwait’s Yemen foreign policy
As has become clear, each of the Arab Gulf sheikdoms has its own national interests and unique history of relations with Yemen and Yemeni factions, and these have shaped their changing perceptions of the war over the past five and a half years. Kuwait’s role in Yemen’s multidimensional conflict is a case in point.
Since 2015 Kuwait’s Yemen foreign policy has evolved. When Riyadh began waging “Operation Decisive Storm,” Kuwait was an original participant in the Arab coalition. At that juncture, Kuwait City and Riyadh were closely aligned, with both believing that GCC members needed to counter Houthi power in Yemen through military means.
According to Tyler B. Parker, a doctoral student researcher at Boston College, Kuwait had two main reasons for joining the Arab coalition in 2015. First, the Kuwaiti leadership was determined to reaffirm its allegiance to Saudi Arabia. Second, Kuwait was demonstrating its “strong commitment to the norm of sovereignty in international relations” after President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s invocation of Article 51 of the UN Charter “added necessary legitimacy to the intervention on the part of Kuwait,”
In Kuwait and other Arab Gulf monarchies, the common view was that the Houthi takeover of Sana‘a represented a dangerous assertion of Iranian influence in the Arabian Peninsula that needed to be countered.
Nonetheless, as the war dragged on without the Saudis achieving their objectives in Yemen, Kuwait’s role in the conflict became more diplomatic and less militaristic. Rather than focusing on helping the Saudis secure a military victory, the prospects for which have dimmed considerably over the years, Kuwait instead chose, as Dr. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen put it, to serve as a force for “de-escalation, dialogue, trust-building, and diplomacy” in Yemen.
A major sign of this shift came in 2016 when the Kuwaiti government, with UN support, hosted inclusive talks for resolving the Yemeni crisis with the participation of Houthi representatives.
In Yemen’s current crisis, Kuwaiti officials have stressed that the solution to the conflict can only come through a political process, not military means.
Since 2015, Kuwait’s Yemen foreign policy has moved into far greater alignment with Oman’s. Similar to Muscat, Kuwait City has come to strike a “careful balancing act” vis-à-vis Yemen as Dr. Dania Thafer, director of the Gulf International Forum, explained.
The road ahead
Ultimately, of all the Arab League members, Kuwait and Oman are in the strongest positions to facilitate lasting peace in Yemen. In general, most parties in Yemen view Kuwait as a trustworthy mediator, even though the country initially joined the Saudi-led coalition and remains, at least officially, a member of it.
Nonetheless, it will be not be easy for Kuwaiti diplomats to overcome the major obstacles that thwarted the country’s mediation efforts from succeeding in 2016.
It remains to be seen whether the next Kuwaiti emir will keep the country’s military forces nominally involved in the coalition and its diplomats working on negotiations with the Hadi government, Saudi officials, and Houthi representatives – by Giorgio Cafiero
https://www.mei.edu/publications/kuwaits-yemen-foreign-policy
(** B H P)
Yemen: Houthis Kill, Expel Ethiopian Migrants
Saudis Fire on Survivors, Detain Hundreds in Appalling Conditions
Houthi forces in April 2020 forcibly expelled thousands of Ethiopian migrants from northern Yemen using Covid-19 as a pretext, killing dozens and forcing them to the Saudi border, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi border guards then fired on the fleeing migrants, killing dozens more, while hundreds of survivors escaped to a mountainous border area.
Ethiopian migrants told Human Rights Watch that after they spent days stranded without food or water, Saudi officials allowed hundreds to enter the country, but then arbitrarily detained them in unsanitary and abusive facilities without the ability to legally challenge their detention or eventual deportation to Ethiopia. Hundreds of others, including children, may still be stranded in the mountainous border region.
“The lethal disregard Houthi and Saudi forces have shown civilians during Yemen’s armed conflict was replayed in April with Ethiopian migrants at the Yemen-Saudi border,” said Nadia Hardman, refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “United Nations agencies need to step in to address the immediate threats to the Ethiopian migrants and press for accountability for those responsible for the killings and other abuses.”
In June and July, Human Rights Watch interviewed 19 Ethiopian migrants, including 13 men, 4 women, and 2 girls, currently in Saudi Arabia or Ethiopia. The Houthi armed group, which took over the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014 in an armed conflict that a Saudi-led coalition joined in March 2015, have for many years controlled Yemen’s northwest border areas.
Migrants told Human Rights Watch that on or about April 16, Houthi fighters in green military uniforms brutally rounded up thousands of Ethiopians in al-Ghar, an unofficial migrant settlement area in Saada governorate. The Houthi forces, who were regularly seen patrolling the area, forced the migrants into pickup trucks and drove them to the Saudi border, firing small arms and light weapons anyone who tried to flee.
Witnesses said that Houthi fighters screamed that the migrants were “coronavirus carriers” and had to leave al-Ghar within hours. “They [Houthi forces] created chaos,” said an Ethiopian woman. “It was early in the morning [on April 16] and they told us to leave in two hours. Most people left, but I stayed. But after two hours, they started firing bullets and rockets – I saw two people killed.”
Twelve of the migrants interviewed witnessed killings of migrants or saw their bodies, but the number killed could not be determined. Migrants who managed to return to al-Ghar found their tent settlement and surroundings destroyed. Human Rights Watch reviewed satellite imagery recorded immediately before, during, and after the alleged attack, and observed widespread destruction of over 300 tents and houses consistent with witness accounts.
Once migrants approached within one to two hundred meters of the border, Saudi border guards in gray and tan uniforms started firing at them with what witnesses described as mortar shells and rocket launchers. They said that Houthi forces responded by firing at the Saudi border guards and at any migrants who tried to escape from the chaos of the fighting back into Yemen.
Many migrants managed to escape to a riverbed near the mountains where they sheltered for up to five nights. People interviewed described hearing gunshots for at least two days. Eventually they either surrendered or Saudi border guards found them. The border guards took them to what the migrants described as a “military camp” 15 minutes travel from the Saudi border where they were held for several hours. Human Rights Watch used satellite imagery to identify several possible Saudi military compounds positioned on hilltops overlooking the Yemeni border, consistent with location(s) described by witnesses from which Saudi forces fired at them.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/13/yemen-houthis-kill-expel-ethiopian-migrants
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tO1R-hHCCc
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavirus und Seuchen / Most important: Coronavirus and epidemics
(A H)
No new coronavirus cases or deaths on Saturday
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23833
(B H)
Film: „Jetzt helfe ich mit und bringe anderen bei, sich richtig die Hände zu waschen!" Wir lieben das bewegende Video von Amaal aus dem Jemen
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=995000387560976
(A H)
Covid-19 infects additional 11 Yemenis, 60 infected recover
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19152.html
(A H)
6 new case of coronavirus reported, 1,847 in total
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23820
(A H)
10 new cases of coronavirus reported, 1,841 in total
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23813
(B H)
UNICEF: As part of the #COVID_19 response in #Yemen, more than 1,100 front line health workers have received a comprehensive training on infection prevention & control inside health facilities & identification and referral of suspected cases to isolation centres. #ForEveryChild, health
https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Yemen/status/1293852750770511872
(* B H)
IOM Yemen COVID-19 Response Update (26 July - 08 August 2020)
Conflict affected communities and migrants are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen. Access to health services continues to be significantly limited during this critical time: health facilities (only 50 per cent of them are fully functional) are facing severe equipment, medicine and fuel shortages. Many health facilities are either full, closing or turning away suspected COVID-19 cases, while reports indicate that people continue to delay seeking care for fear of stigma, safety concerns and limited access to testing. The economic impacts of COVID-19 also threaten to destabilize communities, as Yemen’s currency depreciates (16% since January 2020) and remittances drop. With interrupted food, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood assistance, the New Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analysis for southern governorates warns of a looming food security crisis, affecting up to 40 per cent of the population in the south.
IOM teams continue to monitor countrywide COVID-19 movement restrictions.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/iom-yemen-covid-19-response-update-26-july-08-august-2020
(* B H)
Yemen: COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Monthly Report (July 2020)
In July, 570 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 181 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Yemen to 1,732 with 494 deaths and 864 recoveries compared with the 1,162 cases reported by the end of June with 313 deaths and 490 recoveries. Although fewer cases and deaths were reported than in June, when 835 confirmed cases were reported and 232 deaths, health partners remain concerned that that underreporting continues for various reasons including a shortage of testing facilities, difficulties in accessing health care, fear of stigma, the perceived risks of seeking treatment, and a lack of official reporting, particularly in northern governorates. Preventative measures have been eased even though indicators demonstrate that the virus continues to spread and people are dying with COVID-like symptoms. While there have recently been fewer indications of severe and critical cases, health partners are concerned that people who are asymptomatic continue to transmit the virus and urge communities to observe precautionary measures. During July, the COVID-19 strategy was refreshed in line with the phase the pandemic has reached in Yemen and the response now focuses on testing, surveillance and case management.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-covid-19-preparedness-and-response-monthly-report-july-2020
(A H)
5 new case of coronavirus reported, 1,831 in total
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23803
(* B H)
Predicting Cholera Risk in Yemen
A team of NASA-funded researchers has been using satellite and ground-based data to forecast the risk of cholera in Yemen and other countries. The map above shows the forecasted risk of cholera in Yemen from August 10 to September 6, 2020. It was created with the Cholera Prediction Modeling System, which incorporates NASA precipitation data, air temperature data from NASA’s MERRA-2 reanalysis product, and population data. The number of cholera cases could increase in coming weeks, influenced by heavy rains that usually fall in August, though researchers predict the outbreaks should be limited to a few hotspots unless there is a large population displacement.
Led by hydrologist Antar Jutla of the University of Florida, the Cholera Prediction Modeling System got its first real-world test in 2017. Observing heavy rain and warm temperatures, Jutla and colleagues predicted that a cholera outbreak could occur in Yemen that summer. However, the team had concerns about the accuracy of their model because they could not get reliable health data from the war-torn country. They made their prediction privately, but were not able to share it with Yemeni officials.
Yemen proceeded to have a devastating cholera outbreak that June. Jutla’s model achieved 92 percent accuracy in predicting areas where cholera appeared that year. It even identified outbreaks in inland areas that are not usually susceptible to the disease.
Yemen never fully recovered from its 2017 cholera outbreak, which introduced Vibrio cholerae bacteria back into the region. Since then, poor sanitation systems have allowed the bacteria to persist in drinking water. There are more occurrences of cholera now, particularly in coastal regions where salty rivers create conditions for the bacteria to thrive.
For Yemen, the team noted that if water sanitation systems are not improved, the number of cases may become so high that cholera may occur seasonally for years. Colwell and Jutla have recently been working with the UK’s Meteorological Office and its Department for International Development to develop protocols to better educate people on how to interpret the model’s results and to reassess prevention and education methods.
“Ultimately, cholera can only be controlled if all the relevant humanitarian agencies work in tandem and synchrony so that we can make this disease a thing of past,” said Jutla.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147101/predicting-cholera-risk-in-yemen
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Regen und Überschwemmungen / Most important: Rain and flash floods
Siehe / Look at cp13c
(A H)
Timothy Sykes: Here are the "before" photos from some of the families being helped by the $1 million donation my charity @karmagawa has given to people in need in Yemen w/great partners like @PartnersRelief & @monarelief & I'm proud to donate ALL my trading profits to URGENT causes like this!
https://twitter.com/timothysykes/status/1294726940612530177
(* A H)
Jemen: Heftige Überschwemmungen mit mehr als 170 Toten und zerstörter Infrastruktur
Neben jahrelangem Krieg, Hunger und Krankheiten trifft die Menschen im Jemen in diesem Jahr noch besonders starker Regen, dem weitere Menschenleben sowie UNESCO-Welterbestätten zum Opfer gefallen sind.
Viele Notbehelfsunterkünfte der zahlreichen Binnenflüchtlinge im Land wurden teils samt dem Wenigen, was die Menschen besitzen, weggeschwemmt, wie Betroffene dem Sender Al Jazeera schildern.
Die Verwüstung trifft vor allem Kinder und Kranke.
Die unwiderbringliche Zerstörung des alten Unesco-Welterbe-Gebäudes führen Experten auch auf die Vernachlässigung durch den Krieg zurück. Mehrere Jemeniten verweisen zudem auf Luftangriffe, wie in den nahe gelegenen Orten Nuqum und Faj Attan, die in den vergangenen Jahren auch den Weltkulturstätten zugesetzt haben, mit tragischem Schaden, für einen der "ältesten Juwelen der islamischen Stadtlandschaft der Welt", wie Unesco-Generaldirektorin Irina Bokowa sagte.
https://deutsch.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/105573-jemen-heftige-ueberschwemmungen-mit-mehr/
(* A H)
Yemen: Flash Floods Flash Update No. 4 (As of 11 August 2020)
In July and August, for the third time this year, torrential rains and flooding hit Yemen, damaging infrastructure, destroying homes and shelters and causing deaths and injuries. Devastating rains and flooding first hit the country in April, and rains followed again in June, concentrated in southern and eastern governorates. Tens of thousands of families were affected, many of them already displaced. Heavy rains continued sporadically into July, intensifying at the end of the month and the start of August. Governorates across the country were again affected, with Marib, Hajjah, Raymah, Al Mahwit and Al Hudaydah governorates particularly badly hit. Dams have overflowed, roads were damaged and blocked, houses collapsed or were damaged, and shelters and possessions were destroyed, damaged or washed away. In addition, people were drowned and injured, and livestock was similarly affected. Older buildings, including some in Old Sana’a City, have been badly damaged or destroyed.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-flash-floods-flash-update-no-4-11-august-2020
(* A H)
Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, 13 August 2020
Ongoing rain and flash floods continue to cause high casualties, including more than 170 deaths and damage in the northern governorates, as well as the destruction of UNESCO heritage sites. Preliminary reports from the local authorities estimate more than 21,000 families (131,600 individuals) to be affected in the last two months, and requested UN agencies to carry out rapid interventions. The most impacted areas were in Sana’a (86,310 individuals) and Hajjah (31,000 individuals). In the south, the GoY reported some 2,050 families affected in Abyan, Hudaydah and Al Dhale’e in the last week. IOM will respond as the Shelter Cluster partner primarily responsible for natural disasters, while UNHCR will provide support where required.
IDPs continue to be severely affected by both conflict and natural disasters as a result of heavy rains and flooding in the north. The Al Rawna dam located in Amran governorate, neighbouring Sana’a, sustained severe damage which led to the evacuation of 165 IDP families to schools by UNHCR partner YRC, followed by distributing basic household items to all families. UNHCR’s partner SDF responded to other 193 flood-affected IDP families in various governorates in the north of Yemen with basic household items and emergency shelter kits as a provider of last resort for NFI/shelter. I
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-operational-update-13-august-2020
(** A H)
Mehr als 170 Tote bei Sturzfluten im Jemen seit Mitte Juli
Bei Sturzfluten im Jemen sind in den vergangenen vier Wochen mindestens 172 Menschen ums Leben gekommen, darunter auch zahlreiche Kinder. Sintflutartige Regenfälle hätten zudem landesweit Wohnhäuser und Unesco-Welterbestätten beschädigt, teilten die Behörden in Sanaa am Mittwoch mit.
Allein in der östlich der Hauptstadt Sanaa gelegenen Provinz Marib seien 30 Menschen durch Sturzfluten getötet worden, darunter 19 Kinder, sagte ein Regierungsbeamter. Nach Angaben einer Hilfsorganisation wurde auch ein Lager für Binnenvertriebene in der Provinz überschwemmt.
Im von den Huthi-Rebellen kontrollierten Norden des Landes kamen nach Angaben des Gesundheitsministeriums der Huthi seit Mitte Juli 131 Menschen durch die starken Regenfälle ums Leben. 124 weitere Menschen wurden demnach verletzt. 106 Häuser seien komplett zerstört worden, 156 weitere stark beschädigt.
Die Unesco berichtete von Schäden an Welterbestätten in den Städten Sanaa, Sabid und Schibam.
http://www.dtoday.de/startseite/panorama_artikel,-Mehr-als-170-Tote-bei-Sturzfluten-im-Jemen-seit-Mitte-Juli-_arid,739837.html = https://www.sn.at/panorama/international/mehr-als-170-tote-bei-sturzfluten-im-jemen-seit-mitte-juli-91410700 = https://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/mehr-170-tote-sturzfluten-jemen-115245314.html
(** A H)
At least 172 killed in Yemen flash floods this month
Torrential rain has also damaged homes and UNESCO-listed world heritage sites across the country.
Flash floods in Yemen, triggered by torrential rains, have killed at least 172 people, and damaged homes and UNESCO-listed world heritage sites across the country, officials said.
In the mainly-government-held province of Maarib east of the capital Sanaa, 19 children were among 30 people killed by the floods, a government official said.
In the province's displaced persons camps, 1,340 families saw their tents and belongings swept away.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/172-killed-yemen-flash-floods-month-200812112022171.html
and also https://www.france24.com/en/20200812-more-than-170-dead-in-yemen-floods
(* A H)
IOM: nearly 600 Yemeni families displaced by floods in one week
Nearly 600 families have been displaced by heavy rains and flooding in one week across Yemen, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said.
The IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) found that at least 596 families – or 3,567 individuals – had been forced out of their homes once during the period from 2-8 August, noting that the city of Hudaydah recorded the largest displacement figures with 568 families affected.
(A H)
Film: One of residents of the old city of Sana'a is crying for help after the #Flood destroyed his house, "Be merciful unto us, we don't have a relative or friend."
https://twitter.com/BelqeesTV/status/1292807916051890178
(* A H)
Films, Photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXdFA8EvIBY Hodeidah
https://twitter.com/Hodey_m/status/1293284649553158144 Sanaa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsSed7fXCY
https://twitter.com/WHOYemen/status/1293613234520576000
(* A H)
Floods in Abyan kill 10 people, destroy IDP shelters
The acting governor of Abyan province, Mahdi Al-Hamed said that the recent flash floods that hit the governorate killed ten people and washed away many tents of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who lived in Abyan.
In his statement to Huna Aden Radio, Al-Hamed indicated that the IDPs were the more affected by the floods, adding that more than 35,000 displaced persons are in Abyan, in particular in the districts of Zinjibar and Khanfar.
The acting governor of Abyan affirmed that he called "in vain" for a response from many international organizations.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23804
cp2 Allgemein / General
(* A K P)
Interactive Map of Yemen War
(* A K)
MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON AUGUST 15, 2020 (MAP UPDATE)
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-august-15-2020-map-update/
MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON AUGUST 13, 2020 (MAP UPDATE)
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-august-13-2020-map-update/
ANSAR ALLAH FORCES AVDANCE ON POSITIONS OF SAUDI-LED FORCES IN NAJRAN, MARIB, BAYDA (VIDEO, MAP)
(* B K P)
Film (Dec. 2018): Shireen Al-Adeimi: Ending the US-Saudi War in Yemen
Professor Shireen Al-Adeimi explains the US-Saudi war on the Yemen people including why it’s happening, who is responsible and how we can stop it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaKMsMJFuWE
(B P)
I'm saddened by how difficult it is to get attention on Yemen, I get that there are multiple factors for this (compassion fatigue, complicated war, lack of international journos out there, problematic allies) but yesterday I came to the conclusion that Yemen just isn't sexy &
https://twitter.com/LittleMsFossil/status/1293509846743027712
(* A P)
UNO warnt vor Gefahr einer Ölpest vor Küste des Jemen
Unstimmigkeiten zwischen den Houthi-Rebellen und UNO-Vertretern im Jemen verhindern die Inspektion und Reparatur eines mit 1,1 Millionen Barrel Rohöl beladenen Tankers, der seit fünf Jahren vor dem jemenitischen Hafen Hodeidah liegt. Der Zustand des Schiffes verschlechtere sich, weshalb das Risiko einer Ölpest, einer Explosion oder eines Feuers bestehe, warnte die UNO am Freitag.
Der Sprecher von UNO-Generalsekretär Antonio Guterres verwies auf die „tragische Explosion vom 4. August in Beirut und die alarmierende Ölpest vor der Insel Mauritius“. Beide Ereignisse verlangten „die Wachsamkeit der ganzen Welt“.
Das 45 Jahre alte Schiff „Safer“ ankert seit dem Jahr 2015 vor dem Hafen Hodeidah, rund 60 Kilometer von bewohnten Gebieten in dem Bürgerkriegsland entfernt.
https://orf.at/stories/3177638/ = https://www.focus.de/finanzen/boerse/risiko-einer-oelpest-einer-explosion-oder-eines-feuers-oeltanker-vor-kueste-des-jemen-uno-warnt-vor-moeglichen-gefahren_id_12324675.html
(* A P)
NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL. YEMEN: SAFER OIL TANKER
The United Nations stresses the urgency of resolving the ongoing threat posed by the Safer oil tanker, an aging floating storage and offloading vessel moored off Yemen’s west coast, 60 kilometres north of Hudaydah.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen in 2015, the tanker has received almost no maintenance or upkeep while holding some 1.1 million barrels of crude oil. Safer’s structure, equipment and operating systems are deteriorating, leaving the tanker at risk of leaking, exploding or catching fire.
On 27 May, seawater leaked into the engine room, threatening to destabilize and sink the entire vessel, and potentially releasing all the oil into the sea. A temporary fix succeeded in containing the leak, but it is unlikely to hold for very long. A spill would have catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences, including destroying livelihoods and shutting down Hudaydah port, a vital lifeline for millions of Yemenis who depend on commercial imports and humanitarian aid.
Responding to requests by the Yemeni parties to the conflict, the United Nations remains ready and eager to assist with Safer with two priorities in mind: (i) to conduct a technical assessment that will provide the hard data required to determine the best course of action to neutralize the threat posed by the tanker; and (ii) to make any feasible repairs while on site during the assessment. The mission is ready to deploy pending authorization by the Houthi movement (also known as Ansar Allah) who control the territory where the Safer is moored.
Research by independent experts indicates that an oil spill could destroy Red Sea ecosystems on which almost 30 million people depend, including 1.6 million Yemenis.
Overall, the impact of an oil spill from the Safer tanker would cost an estimated $1.5 billion over 25 years.
Planning and executing a sustainable solution will not be possible without independent experts first assessing the damage. And the assessment cannot be completed if the experts are not granted the required visas and permits to deploy to the tanker.
Averting this calamity should not be politicized. It is about people’s lives and futures. The Yemeni people are already facing impossible odds: a war, a free-falling economy, diseases, shattered public institutions, unreliable infrastructure, hunger, and uncertain futures. Safer is a solvable problem and does not need to be added to their many other burdens.
and
(A P)
Houthis Want to Seize Oil on Safer Tanker in Exchange for Repairing it
The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen required from UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths that they keep the oil stored on board the Safer oil tanker in exchange for allowing a team of experts to perform maintenance work on the derelict vessel, well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Regional and international concerns have been expressed over the erosion of the tanker and the ensuing environmental disaster that could take place if left neglected off the coast of Ras Issa.
Sources, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, said that Houthis informed Griffiths that they might allow a team of UN experts to visit the FSO Safer in case the UN approves to keep the oil on board the vessel.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23826
My comment: Who really is interested in the environment just would accept this Houthi claim.
And
(* A P)
Houthis accuse UN of slowness to repair aging Yemen oil tanker
The Houthi Group on Saturday accused the United Nations of slowness to inspect and repair the decaying FSO Safer oil tanker which is threatening an environmental and humanitarian disaster.
The tanker, moored off Yemen's western coast, has been left unmaintained for five years, with the warring parties trading accusations over blocking access to it.
We have again demanded an expert team be sent to repair the tanker in order to avert a disaster but the reply and agendas of the UN have shocked us, vice foreign minister in the Houthi salvation government, Hussein Al-Ezzi, said, according to a statement carried by Almasirah TV.
The UN replied that it was not concerned about conducting repairs to the tanker and insisted on a formality visit of experts to prepare a report that will not even include real assessment of the condition of the tanker, he said.
"More recently the UN suggested separating the assessment mission from the repair mission," he said, adding that his group has demanded urgent repairs to protect the ecosystem in the Red Sea and to send necessary equipment coinciding with the assessment mission.
The world should know that the slowness to save the tanker should not be blamed on the authorities in Sanaa, he said, adding that his group has talked to China, Sweden and Russia over the issue amidst the UN slowness and postponement.
The three countries have responded positively but put a condition that the UN should be part of any effort to aboard and repair the tanker, he continued.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19179.html
(*A P)
United Nations Program, Evaluation, Maintenance Ignored Important Parts, Systems Damaged in Footing Oil Tanker, Safer
Sources explained, in a statement to Almasirah newspaper, that the United Nations allocated only one day and two people to evaluate the body of the oil tanker, Safer Ship.
They added that "the United Nations assigned the task of evaluating the body of the oil tanker to an unnamed company and unknown experts."
The sources revealed the violation of the United Nations in its memoirs, which talks about "another mission", which is contrary to what was agreed upon. They confirmed that the United Nations Office is dealing with the issue with some procrastination and very slow pace.
They indicated that the competent authorities in Sana'a have addressed Sweden and Germany to send technical teams to assess and maintain Safer Ship.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14392
and
(A P)
Houthis accuse Yemen government of blocking access to decaying oil tanker
Prime minister in the Houthi salvation government, Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, on Tuesday accused the internationally recognised government of preventing expert teams from accessing the FSO Safer oil tanker which is threatening an environmental and humanitarian disaster in Yemen and the region.
At a meeting with the UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, he said the Houthi government is exerting efforts to address the tanker issue, according to a statement carried by the Sanaa-based Saba news agency.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19098.html
(* B P)
Yemen’s Red Sea 'time bomb’ is a Beirut-like disaster in waiting
An abandoned oil tanker is a looming catastrophe off the coast of Yemen’s most vital port, threatening the livelihoods and health of vast numbers of people.
“We are running out of time for the slow, deliberate, step-by-step approach the UN has repeatedly attempted,” said Ian Ralby, CEO of I.R. Consilium, a global consultancy on maritime and resource security.
The priority must be extraction of the oil, Ralby said, calling the cargo a threat that needs to be neutralized “as quickly and safely as possible.” After the cargo is off-loaded, the vessel will need to be salvaged and the submarine pipeline that fed the ship drained of additional oil, he said.
Experts say it’s not a matter of if the Safer ruptures, but when. Seawater leaked into the vessel’s engine room in May, risking an explosion. A team of divers was able to patch the leak, but without an independent assessment, the UN says it’s impossible to know what caused it. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently referred to the ship as a "ticking time bomb."
The United Nations estimates that in a worst-case scenario, a spill would force a six-month closure of the Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port and cause a 200% spike in fuel costs.
Holm Akhdar, an independent Yemen-based environmental group whose name means Green Dream, said the Safer risks the loss of the biodiversity and natural habitats on more than 115 Yemeni islands.
The group estimates 300 species of coral reefs would disappear from Yemeni waters because the thick film of oil would prevent oxygen and sunlight from reaching them. A spill would also put at risk roughly 1.5 million migratory birds who cross Yemen’s Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Africa each year.
It would deal a massive blow to Yemen’s fishing industry, the country's second-largest export. Holm Akhdar estimates some 67,800 fishermen in Hodeidah alone would lose their entire livelihoods if the Safer leaks.
“It will become a global problem,” al-Hakimi said, noting the potential to disrupt globally important shipping routes in the Red Sea through which millions of barrels of oil flow each day.
In addition to impacting some 20,000 ships that pass through the waterway every year, the United Nations warns other Red Sea countries, including Djibouti, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia, would experience the fallout from a spill.
Even if Houthi estimates are correct, Soud points out the cost of any salvage operation would exceed the oil’s value.
“Is that amount of money worth risking a disaster that could kill millions? ... Is it worth long-term damage to the Red Sea?" Soud asked. He wondered whether Beirut "will help the Houthis to answer these questions.” – by Elizabeth Hagedorn
(* B K P)
[from 2018] Understanding the War in Yemen
https://www.academia.edu/35600992/Understanding_the_War_in_Yemen
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
(B H)
Film: Water for Yemen (Emergency relief)
Despite the multiple humanitarian crises that our brothers and sisters in Yemen face every day, the water problem remains the most severe. As the statistics of international organizations of the United Nations indicate that 80% of the population suffers from the water problem. As a result of the war that has been going on for more than 5 years, another suffering has arisen at camps for the displaced people, as these camps suffer from a severe need for drinking and the water that should be used for other daily needs. Hence, we must alleviate the suffering of the needy and the displaced people and provide what we can of help in terms of drinking water to their homes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3nxDfRUJs8
(* B E H)
Yemen Socio-Economic Update, Issue 49 - June, 2020
Social protection becomes of paramount importance during pandemics, including the current coronavirus crisis because their consequences overshadow the various social perceptions i.e. livelihood and humanitarian dimensions. Decent life is an existential and inherent right bestowed to humans who deserve to be protected adequately as civilization makers/developers and consumers of what the planet tolerates. As the coronavirus pandemic spirals put of control, social protection is widely seen as the preferred sanctuary and the most effective means by which countries manage to address protection and security issues, mainly the groups most affected by the pandemic, as well as other routine beneficiaries. To realize that, appropriate financial resources for planned social interventions and economic stimulus packages have to be allocated to prevent the economy from slipping into deep recession.
This issue of the YSEU Bulletin comes as a follow up to the previous one. It highlights developments pertaining to Covid-19 at the global and national levels, including the role assumed by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) in mobilizing support by donors and international organizations and how to channel their interventions and responses towards strengthening the capacity of relevant national institutions to better respond to the growing social protection needs, on the one hand, and provide direct support to the poor and the most affected groups on the other. It also underlines the role by international donors and agencies as part of social protection programs and response measures to combat Covid-19 crisis and the need to link them to relevant programs.
It also provides an evaluation of the extent to which efforts and interventions introduced by the social protection system are affective and how capable they are in containing further spread of the pandemic.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-socio-economic-update-issue-49-june-2020-enar
(* B H)
Yemen’s superheroes: community health workers
UNICEF is working through the CHW Project to maintain the country's health system in order to ensure better health care for every child
To improve health outcomes in these communities the European Union and UNICEF have supported a network of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and primary health care facilities cross the country. The programme strengthens the ability of rural communities to access quality health and nutrition services aiming to reach nearly one million children and 240,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Here are the stories of some of the hero community health workers working across Yemen:
Fatima Khatem, works in Hamadan District, Sana'a Governorate:
“I feel proud of what I do in providing health services to children and women in the community and in the internally displaced person camp in Dharawan Area. The services that I provide to the local community and the displaced in Dharawan Camp include awareness-raising and sensitization and child and prenatal care,” she says.
In Hasban Sub-district of Manakhah District, Sana'a Governorate, community health worker, Hajar Al-Jidawi, has started delivering services after completing a UNICEF- supported training programme. Hajar lives in the village of Jidaw, three hours away from the district centre. Although she faces daily challenges, navigating rugged terrain, she is devoted to her house-to-house visits. She conducts malnutrition and health assessments and promotes community awareness about the importance of hygiene and the prevention of diseases.
https://www.unicef.org/yemen/stories/yemens-superheroes-community-health-workers
(B H)
USAID: Yemen ‑ USG Response to the Complex Emergency (Last Updated 08/14/20)
https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-usg-response-complex-emergency-last-updated-081420
(* B H)
USAID: Yemen - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #10, Fiscal Year (FY) 2020
IPC Analysis Projects Deteriorating Food Security in Southern Yemen
Food security conditions are projected to worsen in southern Yemen between July and December due to escalated conflict, deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, economic shocks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural hazards, according to the latest IPC analysis. An estimated 3.2 million people—40 percent of the total population in areas controlled by the Republic of Yemen Government (RoYG)—are projected to face Crisis—IPC 3—or Emergency—IPC 4—levels of acute food insecurity during the period, representing an increase of 1.2 million people experiencing Crisis or Emergency conditions compared with the February–April period. While the analysis did not identify any households facing Catastrophe—IPC 5—levels of acute food insecurity, the IPC reports any disruptions to current levels of food assistance in the coming months could increase the number of people facing Crisis or worse conditions.
Food Prices Continue to Rise, Further Exacerbating Food Insecurity
Deteriorating macroeconomic conditions—including the continued depreciation of the Yemeni riyal (YER) and the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—have resulted in increased food prices and exacerbated food insecurity throughout Yemen, the UN World Food Program (WFP) reports. From January to June, the average prices of essential food commodities—such as beans, sugar, vegetable oil, and wheat—increased by more than 16 percent across Yemen and 22 percent in RoYG-controlled areas, according to WFP. Price increases are primarily due to the YER’s continued depreciation
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-complex-emergency-fact-sheet-10-fiscal-year-fy-2020
(* B H)
WFP: 7 factors risk Yemen sliding into famine
Yemen risks sliding into famine, the World Food Programme has warned, due to lingering disruptions in food supplies to the war-torn country.
In a series of tweets, Yemen WFP defined seven factors as the gravest threats faced by Yemeni people in their search for food enough to stay alive.
The conflict escalating for weeks in the country has left tens of civilians killed, mostly children, the program added, noting that its teams - actively present in frontlines - provided urgent response portions of canned foods for families who fled their homes following battles.
Yemen is facing an economic problem, as third of the population can no longer buy enough food due to the national currency's collapse, increase in food prices and decline in foreign remittances, it said.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19150.html
and thread: https://twitter.com/WFPYemen/status/1294211172980469760
(B H)
Film: We’re facing heavy rains today. we, with our partner @WFPYemen are HAPPY to see our previous support to #Shibam infrastructure paid off
1600+ ppl (local community) including #youth rebuilt their own roads & ensured the village will be safer in such weather.
(B H)
Film: 13-year-old Abdullah and his brother headed to the beach to play where they fell victim to a landmine laid by #Houthis. The explosion killed his brother and caused him to lose his hand, foot, and eye.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1293652713956352006
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_I1lai6uzo
(* B H)
SMEPS: Cash Grants for Livelihoods Sustainability
Markets systems development projects are designed to addresses the underlying causes of poor performance in markets that matter to people living in poverty and unemployment, in order to create lasting changes that have a large-scale impact. They are designed to work in areas where markets are distorted but functioning with gaps and complexities that can be ‘fixed’ to ensure the poor have access to these markets.
What happens then when a layer of complexity is added to the markets? Can projects be designed to attempt to work around failing/ non-existing market systems? In the case of conflict-affected Yemen, does integrating the systemic approach into livelihoods strategies contribute to better recovery and development for the poor? In concrete terms, what is, for example the value of providing the poor and most vulnerable with skills development and assets in conflict while creating inclusive markets? Can sustainability be achieved for this category of the population?
This brief report highlights the experience of the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS) in driving systemic changes to support vulnerable and affected smallholder producers in vital economic sectors to restore their livelihoods in a sustainable manner, allowing for scalability and visualizing the impacts in the context of conflict.
Link here: https://twitter.com/SMEPSYEMEN/status/1293961590430212096
(* B H)
COVID-19 in a Country at War: How YECRP Helps Yemenis Maintain Resilience and Prepare for Recovery
Despite the devastation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been successful in using its ongoing programmes and projects, particularly the Yemen Emergency Crisis Response Project (YECRP), to help people prepare for the pandemic and survive the ensuing crisis.
UNDP’s ongoing partnership with the World Bank through the USD $400 million YECRP – locally implemented by the Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the Public Works Project (PWP) – has been contributing to the revival of the Yemen economy and alleviating famine and food shortages since 2016. This has been possible through large-scale cash-for-work and wage employment projects, support to small businesses, and repairs to socio-economic infrastructure.
YECRP’s impact has been vast. Reaching 300 of Yemen’s 333 districts and working across all 22 governorates, nearly 400,000 Yemenis have been provided with work opportunities and cash to purchase food and provide a decent living for their families. An additional 5 million people have gained access to critical services such as water, food, health, education, and roads.
To enable a faster response to COVID-19, YECRP is strengthening social protection by extending the coverage of existing programmes including food aid, direct cash transfers, cash-for-work, and public work schemes. YECRP’s COVID-19 response is being implemented by SFD and PWP, in partnership with UNDP and in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
YECRP targets COVID-affected small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with emergency financing, in-kind grants, grassroots awareness, hygiene kits, and is also facilitating mobile banking services.
(A H)
Two cargo planes arrive at Sanaa International Airport
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3105358.htm
(B H)
WFP: Yemen Monthly Overview July 2020
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-monthly-overview-july-2020
(B H)
Yemen: Organizations Monthly Presence (June 2020) [EN/AR]
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-organizations-monthly-presence-june-2020-enar
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
Siehe / Look at p1
(B H)
Yemen – Displacement (DG ECHO, UN, NGOs) (ECHO Daily Flash of 14 August 2020)
Humanitarian partners report that conflict and natural disasters are creating new displacement patterns in Yemen. According to an estimation of IOM’s Rapid Displacement Tracking Update, published on 10 August, over 110 730 individuals have been displaced at least once between January and 8 August, particularly in Marib, Hodeida, Dale and Taizz. Between 2 and 8 August alone, 596 households have been displaced.
Most displacements caused by the escalation of the conflict took place in Aden and Dale, and most displacements as a result of floods and heavy rains happened in Hodeida, Taizz and also Dale.
(A H)
Fears of a coronavirus outbreak at crowded migrant camp in Greece as asylum seeker from Yemen tests positive for virus
(* B H)
Yemen – Displacement (DG ECHO, UN, NGOs) (ECHO Daily Flash of 14 August 2020)
According to an estimation of IOM’s Rapid Displacement Tracking Update, published on 10 August, over 110 730 individuals have been displaced at least once between January and 8 August, particularly in Marib, Hodeida, Dale and Taizz. Between 2 and 8 August alone, 596 households have been displaced.
Most displacements caused by the escalation of the conflict took place in Aden and Dale, and most displacements as a result of floods and heavy rains happened in Hodeida, Taizz and also Dale.
Preliminary assessments by partners indicate that over 34 000 households have been affected by the recent floods, but this number is expected to increase further.
(B H)
Film: Amoun Ibrahim ... one of the victims of the Houthi bombing in Al Jabaliya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeRETqUAS3s
(B H)
Film: Mohammed was living in Sa'ada province before the war & then he displaced with his family to Hajjah leaving behind everything. The rainfall nowadays in #Yemen affected him badly. He has no place to go. His dream is only a tent to protect him & his family. Pain is everywhere.
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1293641166940975104
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A P)
Leader of the Houthi militia, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, has won an Islamic Human Rights and Human Dignity Award which is presented by the Islamic republic of Iran to militants who defend human rights in the Islamic world.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1294888310691770368
referring to https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162285/6th-Islamic-Human-Rights-awards-presented
and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14454
(A P)
A young man by the name Ali Abdulghani Emad was mysteriously killed by Houthi militants in a checkpoint in Sana'a today.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41327
(A K P)
Missing boy’s death exposes Houthi child recruitment
When 15-year-old Abdul Aziz Ali Al-Dharhani went missing, his family visited the local Houthi officials of their small village in Yemen’s Dhale province to ask for information. The Iranian-backed rebels said they knew nothing about their son’s whereabouts.
The family were certain the officials were lying, because their son had attended Houthi religious sessions at a local mosque before he went missing. Family members circulated Al-Dharhani’s image on social media and asked people to help find him.
A local Houthi figure, despite claiming to not know about the child, called the family 10 days later to congratulate them on the “martyrdom” of their son.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23830
(* A P)
Houthis issue circular to separate male from female students at universities
Like Daesh and other extremist organisations, the Houthi Group is seeking to impose new regulations in regions under its control that many say are unveiling the ugly face of an extremist militia seeking to introduce itself as a progressive group.
Days ago, the group issued a circular calling for separating male students from female students at public and private universities as students went back to classrooms following coronavirus.
Many say the circular exposed the group, also known as the Ansar Allah, which has been trying to convince the people it is different from extremist and ideological organisations.
Iman Mohammed, a third grade student at Sanaa University, said such practices are exposing Houthi extremism and intentions to turn the university into a new Kabul.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19180.html
My comment: Not just „Like Daesh and other extremist organisations“, but like the Saudis, not just a „new Kabul“, but a new Riyadh.
(A P)
Government Spokesman: Joint American-Zionist-Emirati Statement A Show of Defiance Shown to All Muslims
Salvation Government spokesman and Minister of Information Dhaifallah Al-Shami said that the declaration of full normalization of diplomatic relations between the Emirates and the Zionist entity is a stigma that every free Arabic person condemned.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14419
(A P)
Elderly slaughtered by Houthi killer in Dhamar
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23799
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
Aden verbleibt in der Hand der Separatisten im Süden. Ihre medien verbreiten eine große Menge von parteiischen Berichten, die das Narrativ der Separatisten überihren Hauptgegner, die Islah Partei (genannt "Muslim-Bruderschaft"), über die Kämpfe in Abyan und Shabwa, ihre Herrschaft in Aden und den von ihnen kontrollierten Gebieten verbreiten. Der Versuch der Saudis, die Hadi-Regierung und die Separatisten zur Umsetzung des Abkommens von Riad zu zwingen, ist wohl zum Scheitern verurteilt.
Aden remains in the hands of southern separatists. Their media are spreading a bulk of biased reports, showing their narrative of their foes from Islah Party (labeled “Muslim Brotherhood”), the fighting at Abyan and Shabwa, their self-rule at Aden and the areas under their control. The Saudi attempt to force the Hadi government and the separatists to implement the Riyadh agreement, seems to fail.
(* B P)
Riyadh agreement advances in Yemen as UN pursues comprehensive formula
Regarding the delay that the absence of the Yemeni president might cause to the process of implementing the Riyadh Agreement, a source close to the Yemeni presidency told The Arab Weekly that the time frame set by the Saudi government’s mechanism to accelerate the formation of a new government and implement the military and security component at the same time is thirty days from the date of the start of the consultations to form the government, and it is expected that President Hadi will return from his medical trip before the end of this period.
Yemeni political sources suggested that the deadline for forming the government and implementing the military and security part of the Riyadh Agreement would be extended, given the complications that still hinder the progress in the timetable for implementing the terms of the agreement, and the expected disagreements about which ministerial portfolios will go to which component, followed by discussions of the candidates nominated for the ministerial positions, in addition to the complexities of implementing the security and military side of the agreement, in light of the lack of trust reigning between the two signatories and the emergence of a Qatari-backed current opposing the Riyadh agreement from within the Yemeni government.
Wanting to overcome the difficulties that may hinder the implementation of the agreement, Riyadh has, in the past few days, invited to the consultations various Yemeni political figures and party leaders, including leaders in the Yemeni government who have openly rejected any rapprochement with the Southern Transitional Council and hinted at resorting to the option of political and military escalation.
http://en.adenpress.news/art/62
(A P)
Instructions to arrest the Acting Director of Aden Water Corporation Fathi Al-Saqqaf
(A K P)
Brotherhood’s militia reinforcements arrived in Shokra from Marib coinciding with outbreak of battles
Large military reinforcements arrived for the Brotherhood militia from Marib, as they advanced from the city of Shokra towards the Al-Tarya front and Wadi Sala, coincided with the intensification of the battles and violent bombing between the southern forces and the militias.
(A T K)
AQAP redeployed in Shabwa after withdrawal from al-Baidha
Fighters of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) withdrew from their main stronghold of Yakla in al-Baidha governorate to redeploy a number of its terrorist groups in Shabwa governorate in coordination with the Islah party, the military wing of Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23832
My remark: As claimed by the separatists.
And
(A T K)
STC claims government forces have handed their positions to Qaeda, Daesh
The southern transitional council on Saturday accused the government forces of handing their positions in Abyan province to Al-Qaeda and Daesh to undermine the efforts of a Saudi committee which arrived in Yemen to oversee the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.
The committee arrived in the interim capital of Aden on Thursday to oversee the implementation of the military and security part of the agreement which was signed by the council and the internationally recognised government late last year.
Military spokesperson for the council's fourth military command, Mohammed Al-Naqib, wrote on Twitter that the government forces have handed the command of their positions to emirs from Al-Qaeda and Daesh.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19186.html
And
(A K P)
Discovery of a plan to hand over Abyan governorate to Al-Qaeda members
Hani Al-Beidh, son of Southern President Ali Salem Al-Beidh, revealed a large scheme that is being prepared to hand over Abyan governorate to Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, with the support of the Islah Party and forces in the legitimacy.
Hani Al-Beidh said on “Twitter”: The conspiracy against Abyan continues and it is part of the plot against the south.
https://en.smanews.org/discovery-of-a-plan-to-hand-over-abyan-governorate-to-al-qaeda-members
My remark: As claimed by the separatists.
(A P)
Major roads are blocked in Mukalla due to protest against power blackouts
https://en.smanews.org/major-roads-are-blocked-in-mukalla-due-to-protest-against-power-blackouts
(A P)
Saudi Arabia summons Al-Jabwani to its lands
https://en.smanews.org/saudi-arabia-summons-al-jabwani-to-its-lands
(A T)
Bombenexplosion am Straßenrand tötet 3 Soldaten im SW-Jemen
Mindestens drei regierungsnahe jemenitische Soldaten wurden am Mittwoch bei einer Explosion durch eine Bombe am Straßenrand in der südwestlichen Provinz Taiz getötet, sagte ein Regierungsbeamter gegenüber Xinhua.
https://twittersmash.com/meldungen/bombenexplosion-am-strasenrand-totet-3-soldaten-im-sw-jemen/
(A)
A security campaign in #Taiz succeeded in arresting Ghazwan Al-Mikhlafi and other wanted individuals over their involvement in violent armed clashes in Taiz that resulted in the death of a number of civilians, and for the killing of 10-year-old child Ayham.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1293990133696520192
(* A K P)
Saudi committee starts redeploying STC forces out of Aden
A Saudi military committee on Friday started redeploying the Southern Transitional Council's (STC's) forces out of camps based in the Yemeni interim capital, Aden.
Chaired by Gen Mohamed al-Rabeie, the Saudi coordination and liaison team initiated sending military troops outside the southern governorate of Aden, the Saudi ambassador for Yemen tweeted, without naming where the forces would be stationed.
The team will also "disengage forces in Abyan and redeploy them into their previous sites, as part of the Riyadh Agreement's accelerating mechanism, Mohamed al-Jaber added.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19175.html
(* A K P)
STC Forces Start Withdrawing from Aden
Overseen by the Saudi Coordination Team, forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) started withdrawing from the port city of Aden, Yemen’s interim capital.
The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohamed AlJabir, said in a Twitter post that the Saudi coordination team started supervising the process of transporting military forces from Aden to Abyan, where they will be redeployed.
The military withdrawal is part of the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement which stipulates that the STC remove its forces from Aden and redeploy in Abyan, following which a new government would be formed.
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25143
My comment: This really would be great news – if it really is going to happen.
(A K P)
Brotherhood's militias bring more reinforcements to Abyan
The pro-government Muslim Brotherhood's militias (Islah Party) pushed up massive military reinforcements, mostly from Yemen's Marin towards the southern regions in the governorate of Abyan.
The spokesman for the Abyan axis, Captain Muhammad al-Naqib said that the terrorist Brotherhood's militias continued to breach the ceasefire in the province by using different types of weapons to target the locations under the control of the southern armed forces.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23827
My remark: As claimed by the separatists.
(A P)
Advisor to Yemen president criticises UAE-Israel normalisation agreement
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19159.html
(A P)
STC vice president praises UAE-Israeli agreement
Vice president of the southern transitional council, Hani bin Breik, has praised a diplomatic agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which was reached on Thursday.
"With Israel's suspension of the annexation of the Palestinian territories, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has made history," he wrote on Twitter.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19157.html
My comment: The separatists praise everything the UAE does.
And
(A P)
UAE-backed Yemeni leader intends to visit Israel
Bin Breik says he intends to visit Israel after the signing of deal with UAE to normalize relations
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/uae-backed-yemeni-leader-intends-to-visit-israel/1942939
And
(A P)
Bin Boraik under attack for supporting Emirati-Israeli normalization
Southern activists and journalists on social media have criticized the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council's (STC's) vice-chairman for hailing the Emirati-Israeli normalization deal.
Hani Bin Boraik shamefully flatters and fawns on Emirati officials, activists tweeted
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19177.html
(A T)
Yemeni journalist Nabil al-Quaety killed outside his home in Aden
Yesterday morning, a group of men in military uniforms attempted to hit al-Quaety with their car as he exited his home in the Dar Saad neighborhood in the southern port city of Aden
(A K P)
Saudi military committee arrives in southern Yemen as tension escalates
A military committee of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition arrived on Thursday in Yemen's southern port city of Aden as tension escalated between local Yemeni military factions, a government official told Xinhua.
The local government official said on condition of anonymity that "a number of military officials of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition arrived as a team to closely watch the situation and prevent any attempts of military escalation in southern Yemen."
"Tension escalated recently between the government forces and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) troops in Abyan and both sides dispatched reinforcements to the fighting areas," the source noted.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-08/14/c_139288796.htm
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-19148.html
(A P)
A security campaign in #Taiz succeeded in arresting Ghazwan Al-Mikhlafi and other wanted individuals over their involvement in violent armed clashes in Taiz that resulted in the death of a number of civilians, and for the killing of 10-year-old child Ayham.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1293990133696520192
(A P)
Yemen caretaker premier meets STC representatives in Riyadh over government formation
Yemen's caretaker prime minister, Maeen Abdulmalik, on Thursday held a consultative meeting with representatives of the UAE-backed southern transitional council in the Saudi capital of Riyadh over the formation of a power-sharing government in accordance with a Saudi-proposed mechanism agreed late last month.
The council will hold four ministerial portfolios, out of 12 portfolios for south Yemen, in the government which will be formed with 50/50 representation from the north and the south.
The meeting thrashed out priorities of the new government and current military, security, political and economic challenges, the government-run Saba news agency reported.
It stressed the importance of making rigorous and sustainable reforms to dry the sources of corruption, activate the public institutions, finalise the consultations to form the new government as stated in the Saudi-proposed mechanism and implement the military and security parts of the mechanism, according to the agency.
The mechanism was presented by Saudi Arabia to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement which the two sides signed in November.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19140.html
(A P)
Today marks half-way to the 30-day deadline agreed between the #Yemen government & #STC for implementing steps to revive the 2019 #RiyadhAgreement. Much remains outstanding.
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1293924598350741507
For a reminder of the considerable challenges, read
(* B P)
[from July 30] Riyadh Agreement Redux: Political Gains Still Dogged by Implementation Concerns
Reactivating the 2019 accord is a promising step that could ease tensions in south Yemen and advance wider national negotiations, but only if coalition members are able to put its detailed requirements into effect.
Saudi Arabia has once again breathed life into the Riyadh Agreement, the accord signed nine months ago to bring Yemen’s national government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) into a power-sharing arrangement. The deal was originally intended to mend coalition divisions that threatened to hinder the fight against the Houthis, but it slowly unraveled amid persistent tensions between the STC and President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi’s government. In the early hours of July 29, Saudi Arabia announced a new plan to get the process back on track, which Hadi and the STC accepted publicly.
Although the move will allow the parties to lock in the political gains they achieved when the agreement was originally signed, the proof will once again lie in whether they can overcome the tall obstacles to implementation. The latest plan focuses on sequencing, a crucial detail lacking in the original agreement. It also provides some immediate political wins—perhaps Riyadh’s way of incentivizing the parties to take on the harder task of drawing back their military forces.
THE NEW PLAN
In response to these confrontations, Saudi officials have led negotiations to reset the Riyadh Agreement since late May. The resultant plan is not a new agreement, but rather a mechanism to facilitate and sequence initial implementation of the original accord.
Under the new plan, the STC agreed to end its self-administration of the south, while Hadi agreed to appoint a new governor and head of security in Aden province. Thereafter, forces on both sides must move back to their previous locations, which largely means redeploying out of Aden and Abyan provinces. Once these moves are complete, Prime Minister Abdulmalik must form a new cabinet evenly split between northerners and southerners, with the STC guaranteed several of the southern seats.
All of this is supposed to happen within a tight thirty-day window. The parties will then be expected to implement the rest of the Riyadh Agreement under similarly tight timelines—namely, collecting all medium and heavy weapons for storage in Aden; integrating the STC’s political, security, and military forces under a single, national command; and restoring government control over seized facilities and institutions.
POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS
All parties stand to gain politically from the reactivated Riyadh Agreement. President Hadi benefits because the STC is upholding an agreement that explicitly recognizes his side as Yemen’s only internationally legitimate government. And although the STC must step away from self-administration, it gets to place one of its own in the Aden governor’s seat and will join Hadi’s side in final UN-led negotiations with the Houthis. This is probably the best that both sides can hope for, since neither was able to defeat the other on the southern battlefield.
Yet the STC’s secessionist goals are unlikely to dissipate—in fact, the council may hope that joining Hadi’s government will give it sufficient legitimacy to pursue a secession bid down the road. The official STC statement on the reactivated agreement affirms that the council will not back down from its ultimate goal of statehood.
Other deep disagreements persist as well—for instance, the STC’s July 29 statement does not even mention the Hadi government, whose own official statements on the matter have pointedly emphasized the “unity” of Yemen. Yet the mechanism could still constitute a major win just by unlocking some aspects of the long-stalled Riyadh Agreement, such as forming a joint government and preventing further intra-coalition military clashes. It could also allow coalition members to refocus on their common adversary, perhaps via more concerted efforts to push back against Houthi attempts to take more territory. Finally, successful implementation would bless Saudi Arabia with a much-needed diplomatic accomplishment, allowing its leadership to pivot to talking with the Houthis and buttressing UN negotiations aimed at ending the overall Yemen war – by Elana DeLozier
(A P)
Major General Bin Brik: Reality has proven truth and rightness of Transitional Council’s vision in preserving gains of southerners
Major General Ahmed Saeed bin Braik, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Southern Transitional Council, stressed that the southerners need to be united and stand together to achieve the aspirations and hopes of the southern people, away from narrow personal interests.
(* A K P)
Massive Saudi deployment in response to mercenary protests over payment
Observers fear Saudi crackdown against their own mercenary forces
The Yemeni city of al-Buraiqeh has been witnessing a massive deployment of Saudi occupation forces since Wednesday morning, taking place before the planned return of the governor as agreed in the Riyadh Agreement.
Saudi forces in Aden have on Wednesday deployed hundreds of their troops and dozens of armoured vehicles in the vicinity of the coalition headquarters in al-Buraiqeh district, local sources said.
https://uprising.today/massive-saudi-deployment-in-response-to-mercenary-protests-over-payment/
and
(* A K P)
Saudi Arabia accused of detaining, torturing Yemenis
SAM organization for human rights on Wednesday accused the Saudi authorities of detaining hundreds of Yemenis in Jizan-based air force-run jail that lacks the lest resources needed for detention facilities.
"Yemeni detainees are tortured by Saudi officers and soldiers using electric equipment," the group tweeted, citing information it obtained. "Other detainees are separated for up to months, where they are denied contact with others and deprived from health care."
Among the detainees were more than 500 soldiers who fought Houthis at Saudi southern borders, SAM manager said.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19135.html
(A P)
Al-Jaadi: Brotherhood seeks to thwart Riyadh Agreement
Member of the presidency of the Southern Transitional Council, Fadl al-Jaadi said that the terrorist militias of the Muslim Brotherhood within the Yemeni legitimacy persist in committing their violations in Shuqra in order to disclaim the Riyadh Agreement.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23816
My remark: The separatists blame their enemies for the failure of the Riyadh agreement.
(A K P)
Ben Brik Receives Saudi Military Committee in Aden
The acting President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), President of the National Assembly Major General Ahmed Said Ben Brik, Commander of the Fourth Military Region Major General Fadl Hassan Al-Omari and high-ranking military officials received at Aden International Airport on Thursday, the Saudi Military Committee headed by Major General Mohammed al-Rubaie.
The Committee is tasked with observing the comprehensive ceasefire and separation of forces in Abyan, in particular the fronts of al-Sheikh Salem area and Shuqra city as part of the Saudi mechanism to implement the military side of the Riyadh Agreement signed between the STC and the Yemeni government.
Ben Brik affirmed in a statement that the STC will do what it takes to make the mission of the Committee possible and to guarantee the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23815
(A P)
Sheikh Hani hails Al-Jaber's role in Yemen
Vice president of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), sheikh Hani Ben Brik highly commended the efforts exerted by the Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Yemen and supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) Mohammed Al-Jaber.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23822
(A P)
Islah Party Chief expresses optimism towards implementation of Al-Riyadh agreement
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41302
(A K P)
PM, STC discuss formation of new government
Prime Minister Ma'een Abdulmalik met Thursday with representatives of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and discussed with them consultations of forming new government and priorities of its tasks led by reforms, unifying national front for ending Houthi coup, rescuing economy and normalizing conditions in liberated provinces.
The meeting stressed forming the new government from competent officials to be able to tackle current political, military, security, service and economic challenges in addition to drying up corruption sources and activating the state's institutions.
The meeting confirmed significance of forming the new government on the defined time included in the mechanism of speeding up implementation of Riyadh Agreement and implementing the military and security agreement.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23818
and also https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719286/middle-east
(A K P)
Yemen's PM, Aden Governor Hold 1st Meeting
Prime Minister Ma'een Abdulamlik has stressed significance of having new approach to local authority in Aden in consistence with aspirations of implementing Riyadh Agreement and able to deal with problems and challenges accumulated for a year and to meet people's aspirations of improving livelihoods and basic services.
In a meeting with Aden's new Governor Hamed Lamlas on Wednesday, the two parties discussed swift priorities of duties of the new governor for alleviating suffering of people's conditions over deterioration of basic services and realizing security and stability.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23811
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41287
My remark: At Riyadh. On the ground in Yemen, cooperation does not work:
(* A K P)
Riyadh Agreement a stone's throw from artillery shell amid military escalation in Abyan
No progress has been made on a Saudi-proposed mechanism to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement between the internationally recognised government of Yemen and the UAE-backed southern transitional council.
But there is not a guarantee for a cessation of hostilities or commitment to deescalation, and it seems that will not happen unless one side makes an upright military victory.
The two sides have sent more military reinforcements into Abyan province in the south coinciding with fierce clashes between their forces in the areas of Al-Tariyah, Al-Sheikh Salim and Wadi Sala east of the province's capital city of Zinjibar. Military escalation makes the Saudi-proposed mechanism a stone's throw away from collapse.
The mechanism called for ceasing fire, deescalation, taking forces of both sides out of Aden and Abyan and forming a power-sharing government in 30 days.
The government reinforcements came from Shabwa province and the STC reinforcements came from Aden, a local source told Debriefer, adding that the battles in the past two days were fierce with both sides using heavy weapons and many fighters from both sides killed and injured.
No numbers of casualties have been provided.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19125.html
(* A K P)
UAE raises alert level on Yemen’s easy coast
Fears for Islah Party attacks in oil-rich province cause extensive Emirati reinforcement deployment
The United Arab Emirates occupation (UAE) has Sunday raised its alert level on Yemen’s east coast, coinciding with a possible escalation by the Muslim Brotherhood in Shabwah, the most important oil and gas source in the country.
Tribal sources said that a state of maximum military alert was enacted by the Balhaf facility, from which the UAE forces are based in Shabwah, explaining that the UAE forces reinforced their guard of Sudanese soldiers on the surroundings of the oil facility.
The sources pointed to the arrival of senior Emirati leaders, one of them from the Al-Nahyan ruling family in Abu Dhabi, along with the chief of staff of the United Arab Emirates.
The moves come at the same time as the Islah party, the Yemeni branch of Muslims Brotherhood, planned demonstrations amid UAE fears that the Turkish-Qatari-backed faction will succeed in overtaking the province
https://uprising.today/uae-raises-alert-level-on-yemens-easy-coast/
(A K P)
Yemen pro-gov’t forces clash with UAE-backed southern separatists
Renewed clashes have erupted between forces loyal to the internationally-recognised Yemeni government and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Abyan Governorate, south-east of Yemen.
(A T)
Military pickup blast kills, injures five in Yemeni Taiz
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19107.html
(A K P)
Clashes between Islah militants and Salafist escalate
Salafist leader severely injured in Ma'rib city
Prominent Salafist leader Yahya al-Hijjour has been seriously injured in an assassination attempt in Ma’rib city, amid signs of an escalation of the conflict between the Islah Party and a local Salafist movement which is accused of working with the UAE, local sources said.
According to the local sources, gunmen in a car intercepted the vehicle of al-Hajjouri in Ma’rib city and shot him, seriously injuring him.
https://uprising.today/clashes-between-islah-militants-and-salafist-escalate/
(* A P)
Islah leader calls Saudis 'mice' and says he will liberate Yemen's Mocha from UAE
In leaked video, head of party's military wing in Taiz also claims Turkey will provide weapons for the offensive
A leaked video has thrown into sharp relief the divisions between Yemen's Islah and Saudi Arabia, even if the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated party has yet to make a formal announcement of the split.
In the video, leaked on 1 August, the leader of Islah's military wing in Taiz province mocks the Saudis as "mice" and says that Islah is planning to launch attacks against UAE-backed force in Mocha.
Coupled with recent statements by other Islah leaders, it reflects the reality that the party's one-time alliance with Riyadh is over, and that Saudi Arabia is now considered an enemy whose actions have failed to lead Yemen to peace.
Discussing the planned attack in the video, Abdu Farhan Salem says: “Mocha is ours. They said ‘Turkey will provide us with weapons and those [Saudi-led coalition forces] will become mice’.”
In the leaked video, Salem is also seen talking about possible Turkish intervention in Yemen, with Ankara supplying Islah with weapons, a rumour that has been floated in various media outlets.
Salem also mocks Saudi Arabia inability to defeat the Houthis, saying: “Saudi couldn’t confront a group of Houthis and they entered deep into Saudi Arabia.
"If advanced countries intervened, I swear they [the Saudi-led coalition] will be defeated,” he adds, in reference to a possible Turkish intervention.
Salem's comments on Turkey have given fodder to anti-Islah people who accuse the party of working with Ankara to fight the Saudi-led coalition.
Abdulghafour Muharam, a teacher who participated in the fighting against the Houthis and is a supporter of coalition, told MEE: “Salem confirmed that they work with another country to fight the coalition, which is a kind of mercenary action as Turkey isn’t involved in the Saudi-led coalition.
Muharam said he was also angered that Salem had announced he would launch a new front against the Saudi-led coalition in Mocha.
“Mocha is under the control of the Yemeni government and it was liberated by Yemeni forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition, so we should thank the coalition for this support," he said.
“It seems that Islah has stopped fighting the Houthis and they are planning to open new fronts against the coalition, which supported them to liberate several areas.”
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/islah-leader-yemen-saudi-arabia-mice-liberate-mocha-uae
(A P)
Mass demonstration in Socotra in support of Yemen government
A mass demonstration was staged in Yemen's Socotra governorate on Tuesday in support of the internationally recognised government and the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement. It was organised by the southern national alliance.
Demonstrators carried placards with slogans expressing support to the government, demanding the return of the local authorities and rejecting division, violence and the use of force projects.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19097.html
(A P)
Thousands march in Socotra, demand implementation of Al-Riyadh agreement and disband of militias
Thousands of people marched on Tuesday in Hadibo, capital city of Socotra archipelago and demanded prompt implementation of Al-Riydah agreement, return of the local authority, and disbanding of armed groups.
Participants of the march managed to proceed the march despite obstruction attempts by militants of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) who blocked the road and encircled the assembly points.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41254
and
(A P)
Islah media official calls for more care to Socotra
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41253
(A P)
Taiz: thousands rally in support of the legitimate government
Thousands of people poured into the streets of Taiz to show support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia, demanding an end to the internal chaos in the five-year besieged city of Taiz.
The crowds repeated anti-Houthi chants, showed support for Yemen’s government and its backer Saudi Arabia, and called for capturing those outlaws who caused insecurity in the city.
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25131
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41303
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200814-yemenis-protest-against-houthi-control-over-taiz/
and
(A P)
Yemen: Thousands rally in Taiz against Houthis
Protesters demand the Yemeni government restore peace, extend its writ
Thousands of Yemenis Thursday took out a rally in southern the country, demanding the government liberate the Taiz governorate from the Houthi group and restore security to the city.
The rally was organized by a non-governmental association “Families of Martyrs” in Taiz city where protesters raised slogans calling on the government to confront the Houthi rebels.
A statement read by the rally’s organizers called on the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led Arab coalition to support the liberation of Taiz governorate from the Houthis and confront, what it described as, the "Persian ambitions" in Yemen.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-thousands-rally-in-taiz-against-houthis/1940584
and
(A K P)
13 human rights organizations condemn insecurity in Taiz
13 human rights organizations said on Tuesday that they followed up with deep concern bloody incidents took place on Sunday which led to death of civilians and intimidation of residents including women and children.
The organizations said that such acts by the armed groups violate flagrantly the international humanitarian law and threaten the public security.
They indicated that the Sunday’s armed clashes initially erupted between militants affiliated to Ghazwan Al-Mekhlafi and others affiliated to Abdurrahman Al-Shar’abi at Sinan Roundabout in Usifra area, north Taiz city.
Then, the clashes extended to the Expats street in the same area.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41255
My remark: This is from a pro-Islah news site. And this from anti-Islah separatists:
(A P)
Dozens protest against Muslim Brotherhood in Taiz
http://en.adenpress.news/news/23802
(A P)
Prominent southern political group calls for mass demonstrations in support of Yemen Gov't
The southern national alliance on Monday called for mass demonstrations in Yemen's southern provinces on Tuesday in support of the internationally recognised government.
The demonstrations should express support to the government's efforts to impose the rule of law in regions liberated from the Houthi Group, it said.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19069.html
(A P)
Shatara: Southerners hand in hand to activate Riyadh deal
The president and the governor are both Southerners and they will go hand in hand to activate the Riyadh Agreement and to practically work on the ground for Aden and the model we all want, the member of the Presidency of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Vice-President of the National Assembly for Control and Inspection, Mr. Lufti Shatara said.
My comment: LOL. Nice separatist propaganda.
(A P)
Yemen president Hadi to head to U.S. for medical treatment, sources say
(* A P)
Aden new governor sworn in in Riyadh
Aden newly-appointed governor, Ahmed Hamid Lamlas, was sworn in on Tuesday before the Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
Caring for Aden people, normalizing life and establishing security in the interim capital are urgent necessary, the Riyadh-based Saba quoted Hadi as saying at the swearing-in.
The move comes as part of Saudi pressures on the official government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to proceed with applying the Riyadh Agreement, say observers.
"Swearing-in in Riyadh, but not in Aden, suggests a gap continues to be between the government, which is still unable to return home, and the Emirati-backed STC seeking for separation," they added in remarks to Debriefer.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19088.html
and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/23796
(* A K P)
Government forces suffer huge losses renewed clashes in Abyan, STC says
Clashes renewed on Tuesday between the forces of the internationally recognised government and the UAE-backed southern transitional council in Abyan province in south Yemen.
The two sides used heavy and medium weapons in the fighting in the areas of Al-Tariyah and Wadi Sala east of Zinjibar, the province's capital, local sources said.
The government forces suffered huge losses, spokesperson for the STC's fourth military command and Abyan warfront, Mohammed Al-Naqib, said on Twitter
https://debriefer.net/en/news-19085.html
(A P)
Film: DemonstrProtesters set fire to tyres as they gathered outside the headquarters of the local water supplier in Aden on Wednesday, as the port city grapples with water shortages. "We went out for the third day in a row in vigils to demand water service, which has been troubling us for five years," a protester complained. "We sacrificed five martyrs because of the electricity that explodes constantly." The demonstrators also blocked all roads leading to the building as they demanded a quick return of water supplies to the area. "We are tired, families don't have any water," another protester saidators burn tyres at Aden water shortage protest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgomCOHrOs
(* B K P)
The Asifah Brigade
This piece provides a deep dive into an actor that is not yet covered in much detail by traditional media; as such, it draws on OSINT, including new media sources, more than traditional ACLED analysis. Some of these sources are not used in ACLED’s data collection, but the information garnered from them for this piece has been either triangulated or presented with the appropriate caveats.
The Asifah Brigade, also known by its English translation as the “Storm Brigade,” is a brigade that is advancing the goals of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Aden. Although it has operated in Yemen for some time, the Asifah Brigade remains little-known. It did not gain prominence until April 2020, when it secured most of Aden’s strategic infrastructure following the STC’s call for self-administration across southern Yemen (Twitter, 26 April 2020).
The Asifah Brigade was founded in early 2018 and is led by Awssan Fadl Al Anshali, who was the commander of the personal guard of STC President Aidarus Al Zubaidi back when he was governor of Aden. An extremely close relationship seems to have developed between the two men, with some reports suggesting that Al Zubaidi is Al Anshali’s father-in-law (News Line, 22 May 2020). In January 2016, Al Anshali drove his armored vehicle into a car carrying a suicide bomber to protect Al Zubaidi’s convoy, with photos showing Al Zubaidi by his hospital bed (Twitter, 6 January 2016; Twitter, 8 January 2016).1 As a result of this relationship, the Asifah Brigade is sometimes described as answering directly to STC President Al Zubaidi (Al Masdar Online, 6 June 2020), while most other pro-STC armed groups are understood as answering to STC Vice President Hani bin Braik. In the past, Al Anshali has been described as Al Zubaidi’s right-hand-man in Aden (Twitter, 11 November 2017; Twitter, 19 December 2017); today, he can be considered his closest ally in the city.
While the brigade was first mentioned on social media in March 2018, with some referring to them as “Storm Belt forces” (Twitter; 6 March 2018), the first batch of Asifah Brigade troops appears to have completed its training in June 2018 (Twitter, 21 June 2018). However, very few reports mentioned the brigade until 2020. ACLED records the first event involving the Asifah Brigade in January 2020, almost two years after its creation (see graph below).2 On 1 January 2020, Al Anshali’s forces reportedly looted 18 billion Yemeni riyals (approximately 70 million US dollars) belonging to the Central Bank in the container port of Aden and stored them in the STC-controlled Jabal Hadid military camp, before handing them back two days later (Twitter; 2 January 2020; Al Masdar Online, 2 January 2020; Al Masdar Online, 3 January 2020; Al Masdar Online, 3 January 2020).
https://acleddata.com/2020/08/13/the-asifah-brigade/
Fortsetzung / Sequel: cp7 – cp19
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-673b-yemen-war-mosaic-673b
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-672-yemen-war-mosaic-672
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-672 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-672:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:
(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)
http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/
Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:
http://yemendataproject.org/data/
Untersuchung ausgewählter Luftangriffe durch Bellingcat / Bellingcat investigations of selected air raids:
Untersuchungen von Angriffen, hunderte von Filmen / Investigations of attacks, hundreds of films:
Was ist Ihre Meinung?
Kommentare einblendenDiskutieren Sie mit.