Collapsing economy – Collapsing health system – Saudi royals and economy – Saudi economy and war – Wahabism – Saudis and Islamic State – Yemen: Bad news – and more
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Klassifizierung / Classification
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche/ UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13 Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
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
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
27.12.2016 – Washington Post (** B E K)
The latest casualty of Yemen’s war? A small but vital middle class.
In Yemen, it’s not just the impoverished who are suffering. The war is also decimating the small but essential middle class, eroding the backbone of an economy that was already the region’s poorest and most dysfunctional before the violence erupted 21 months ago.
The airstrikes have targeted nearly every industry, erasing countless jobs and dreams. An air, sea and land blockade by neighboring Saudi Arabia has made fuel and food more scarce, causing prices to skyrocket in a nation that imports 90 percent of its food and medicine. A banking crisis has added to the turmoil, leaving government workers unpaid and harming businesses.
A military spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said in an email that all potential targets are scrutinized to ensure they are “genuine.” Asked specifically about the Amran plant, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Asiri replied that in many cases, the Houthi rebels the coalition is fighting are “using former civilian sites for weapons and ammunition storage, as command and control centers, and for other military purposes.”
Christopher Sherwood, a U.S. military spokesman, said the United States does not “participate in targeting, target selection or target engagement in support of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.”
More than 200 businesses have been damaged or destroyed by airstrikes since the war began, including dozens of factories and warehouses, according to the Sanaa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“These are not military facilities,” said Abdul-Hakeem Al-Manj, a legal adviser for the chamber, whose headquarters was obliterated by an airstrike in January.
In some cases, he said, factories have been destroyed during clashes but it was difficult to determine which side was responsible.
But the impact is clear. Yemen’s economy shrank by 34.6 percent last year, according to U.N. estimates, and is expected to contract an additional 11 percent this year.
Anwar Jarrallah understands why.
His factories are running at a quarter of their capabilities, he said, and some months are shut down altogether. With airstrikes hitting power plants, electricity is scarce or nonexistent. Fuel-driven generators are essential but expensive to run.
The seaport in Hodeidah, where much of what northwestern Yemen imports and humanitarian aid arrives, was also attacked, disabling giant cranes and other equipment.
The damage, coupled with the blockade, delays shipments
Meanwhile, the banking crisis has made business transactions nearly impossible. Western banks are unwilling to extend credit, and the central bank stopped providing guarantees to importers, leaving them to self-finance shipments.
The situation worsened in September when President Hadi, to prevent the Houthis from accessing money, ordered the transfer of the central bank to the southern port city of Aden, where he governs in exile. Importers are now unable to readily acquire foreign currency that was already scarce, and 1.2 million public employees are no longer being paid.
“The airstrikes, de facto blockade and collapse of the Central Bank have together precipitated the near-total collapse of Yemen’s economy,” said Scott Paul, a senior humanitarian policy adviser for the aid agency Oxfam America. “These steps show that all of the main parties are willing to wage economic warfare and risk tremendous suffering by ordinary people in order to advance their positions.”
Across the country, the attacks have set off a chain reaction of misfortune.
In Amran, the cement factory’s closure affected hundreds of truck drivers and distributors as well. The plant contributed funds to help provide sanitation services, support local schools and aid the disabled.
Like other employees interviewed, he said the plant was never used as a military base or to store weapons. “It was targeted for political reasons,” Sadi said. “They want people to go hungry and then turn against the Houthis.”
Earlier this year, an airstrike pummeled the only cooking-gas distributor supplying the northwestern city of Hajjah and surrounding areas, more than doubling the black market prices.
“The attack increased the cost of living for 700,000 people,” said the owner’s son, Yasser Yahya Selba – By Sudarsan Raghavan
Comment by Judith Brown: This is a really thoughtful article that ties with what I am hearing from friends in Yemen. Week after week I hear from previously comfortable families of their struggles to avoid starvation. And if they struggle, then it is clear that the poor are faring even worse as they relied on charitable handouts and doing simple jobs for the wealthier in their society. Now they are all near the end of their resources. As a friend said to me the other day, people are losing their minds because they can no longer cope. Someone is quoted in this article saying 'if we had died it would have been better' showing the depths if Yemeni despair.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155061236548641
26.12.2016 – Save The Children (** B H)
Struggling to survive: Stories from Yemen’s collapsing health system
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Yemen's children are at the heart of the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Ten million children are in urgent need of assistance, over two million are malnourished — and the number is rising. War, economic collapse and the failure of the international community to act have all contributed to this crisis.
Child mortality rates — already unacceptably high before conflict broke out — have increased. An additional 10,000 preventable deaths per year are now occurring. These children are the invisible causalities of Yemen's war. Another 1,219 children have died as a direct result of the fighting. The country's fragile health system is collapsing. A fiscal crisis and the country's failing economy have led to chronic shortages of essential drugs and equipment. Health workers and doctors have gone unpaid since August 2016.
Every ten minutes, one Yemeni child dies from preventable killers like diarrhoea, malnutrition and respiratory tract infection. These figures will rise unless the international community acts decisively to fund humanitarian action that will require at least half a billion dollars to support often lifesaving Health and Nutrition activities in 2017.
The conflict has also been characterised by an almost complete disregard for the protection of civilians, and multiple violations of international law have been documented by the UN and human rights organisations. Hospitals and health facilities have been damaged and destroyed by airstrikes and ground fighting and the import and distribution of life-saving medical supplies delayed by bureaucratic impediments and restricted access for humanitarian organizations to reach people in need of aid.
I INTRODUCTION
Yemen is in the grip of the largest humanitarian catastrophe in the world right now. 18.7 million people — including 10 million children — are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance or protections — that's more than one third of the entire population. Since conflict broke out in March 2015, children have paid the heaviest price for a brutal escalation in fighting which has brought the country to the brink of famine and the health system to its knees. 14.8 million people (55% of which are children) are currently deprived of access to even the most basic health care. For many, illnesses that should be easily treatable are now life threatening, often leading to death.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/struggling-survive-stories-yemen-s-collapsing-health-system and full report: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/YEM-cx-15-StrugglingToSurvive-H%26NBrief-19December2016.pdf
and a short review:
27.12.2016 – ANSAMED (* B H)
The report shows that infant mortality is rising in Yemen and that at least 1,219 children have died as a direct result of the war and that 10,000 others have lost their lives due to indirect causes linked to the conflict, such as the chronic lack of medical supplies and personnel. The healthcare More than 270 health facilities have been damaged as a result of the conflict and recent estimates suggest that more than half of 3,500 assessed health facilities are now closed or only partially functioning, while there is a lack of qualified personnel as many have been forced to flee their homes. Hilel Mohammed al-Bahri, Deputy Manager of Al-Sabeen Hospital in Sana'a, has seen a 300 percent increase in the price of most medicines since the war began in March 2015 making treatment unaffordable to the hospitals and most families. ''We have a lack of medicine and salary for doctors and employees,'' Al-Bahri said. ''We count on income from the patients who pay small fees. But if we need maintenance or a spare part for our hospital equipment, we don't have the money.
We don't have parts for devices because of the blockade. We can only put babies younger than nine months old in the ICU. We don't have room for the older babies. We have only 20 beds for ICU units yet we are the only children's hospital in the area.''
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2016/12/27/yemen-8-mln-children-lack-healthcare-save-the-children_402b6b71-11a0-4aec-a710-ddb50c621b04.html and look also at (containing quite a lot of links): http://defence.pk/threads/yemenis-%E2%80%98slowly-starving%E2%80%99-to-death-as-world-%E2%80%98turns-blind-eye%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-aid-charity.469240/
My comment: The figures of the direct and indirect victims of war are much too low anyway. Just “10,000 others [children] have lost their lives due to indirect causes linked to the conflict”. According to UNICEF, every 10 minutes in Yemen a child is dying because of avoidable reasons like lack of healthcare, infections, starvation. That would be about 54.000 a year.
27.12.2016 – Freie Welt (* B E P)
Saudische Königsfamilie hält auch in Krisenzeiten am Protz-Luxus fest
Krieg im Jemen, Finanzprobleme, Budgetkürzungen des Staates: Doch die Königsfamilie der Saudis wälzt sich in einem obszönen Reichtum.
Der Widerspruch ist so groß, dass sogar die New York Times einen Sonderartikel diesem Thema gewidmet hat. Der saudische Staat ist auf Sparmaßnahmen angewiesen. Die Bevölkerung muss die Gürtel enger schnallen. Der Krieg im Jemen zerrt am Staatshaushalt. Doch die königliche Familie Saudi-Arabiens lebt in einem Traum aus 1001 Nacht. Der Luxus wirkt fast surreal. Trotz aller Austeritätspolitik hält der königliche Clan am verschwenderischen Lebensstil fest.
Es gebe viele Staatsgelder die vom Staatsbudget ausgeschlossen und nur für den König reserviert seien. Der saudische Staat musste staatliche Ausgaben für die Bevölkerung kürzen. In einem Land, in dem große Teile der Bevölkerung von Subventionen und Unterstützungen aus den Erdöleinnahmen des Staates abhängig sind, sorgen solche Maßnahmen für Unmut.
27.12.2016 – New York Times (** B E P)
Saudi Royal Family Is Still Spending in an Age of Austerity
King Salman serves as chairman of the family business unofficially known as “Al Saud Inc.” Sustained low oil prices have strained the economy and forced questions about whether the family — with thousands of members and still growing — can simultaneously maintain its lavish lifestyle and its unchallenged grip on the country.
“The people have less money than before, but the royal family have the same,” said Prince Khalid bin Farhan al-Saud, a dissident member of the extended family living in Germany. “There is a lot of state money which is concealed from the budget, which is determined by the king alone.”
While there are serious problems beyond the borders — a costly war in Yemen, violence in Iraq and Syria, an emboldened Iran — it is the country’s economic troubles that risk roiling ordinary citizens, if their own cradle-to-grave benefits are cut too much. Many royals are wary of any disclosures about their wealth that could provoke public criticism.
Revenues from the national oil company, Saudi Aramco, have long been the lifeblood of government spending.
Facing huge budget gaps, the government has cut public-sector pay along with subsidies, sending gasoline, electricity and even water bills higher.
“Under Salman, princes again appear to enjoy a lot more material privileges, and the core allowance system has not been changed,” said Steffen Hertog, an associate professor at the London School of Economics
Some Saudi royals are still spending big.
Predictions that divisions within the House of Saud could jeopardize its grip on power have come and gone for decades. Despite his advancing age, King Salman emerged this month for a tour of the Persian Gulf states, a reminder of who is in charge.
“This family has been figuring these things out amongst themselves for 30 years,” said Ford M. Fraker, a former United States ambassador to Saudi Arabia and now president of the Middle East Policy Council.
“Swim together or sink together,” he said, “is ingrained in their DNA.” – By NICHOLAS KULISH and MARK MAZZETTI
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/world/middleeast/saudi-royal-family-money.html
27.12.2016 – The Hill (** B E K P)
Why the Saudis may be preparing for a real war
Energy consumption has outstripped economic growth in the Kingdom by over 2X. With the result being that the Kingdom is now being forced to take increasingly drastic measures to keep its position as a leader in the world and maintain domestic stability.
Even though Mr. Aluwaisheg suggested that Saudi's consumption problem could, hopefully, be resolved through strong economic reforms, the Kingdom's buildup of arms over the last six years, and lack of specifics regarding its touted "Vision 2030", suggests that more hawkish portions of the Saudi political establishment may be preparing for war as a hedge against state failure.
To understand why Mr. Aluwaisheg was so concerned about Saudi energy consumption, or why hawks within the Saudi political establishment may be preparing for war, it's important to understand just how badly the Saudi economy is doing right now.
The last time that exports were this low was during Saudi's financial crisis in 2009.
This downward trend in Saudi's economy is not part of some normal or temporary cycle. It's endemic of a much larger issue that threatens the Saudi state. Namely, energy consumption.
The Saudi economy isn't at risk because it is running out of oil, it is at risk because the Saudi domestic consumption of energy (i.e. oil) will soon exceed their export of energy (i.e. they will soon consume over 50 percent of the energy they produce).
Saudi's increase in energy consumption is not the result of producing more value-added goods for sale abroad. Rather, it is the unfortunate result of decades of government-subsidized consumption. The consequence of people moving from the desert into A/C controlled houses, with big fridges and cars.
Saudi has tried, multiple times, to diversity & fix its economy (particularly to deal with their youth bulge) but has failed partially due to religious restrictions that keep half the country's workforce (i.e. women) stuck at home.
The result is that Saudi is starting to fail economically.
For the country to save itself, it should have started diversifying its economy 10 years ago. Not now
In short, the idea is that people get upset when they expect life to get better, but life gets worse instead. Which is exactly what is happening in Saudi. People have gotten used to growth, and now exports are dropping to a quarter of what they were a mere four years ago.
Moreover, the country faces a huge problem from its youth bulge.
Regardless, of the strategies listed above, it is Option D (war) which is the most concerning. Invading or attacking other countries is, generally, bad for "regional stability." Especially since the Saudis currently lead the world in arms expenditures on a per capita basis. Specifically, Saudi spends nearly 4X more than the United States, Israel, or Russia does per capita. Unleashing their armaments on another country would be devastating for regional peace.
Some may assume that Saudi has no offensive ambitions and build-up is purely due to a sense of paranoia about Iran. This assumption involves a basic misunderstanding of Middle East politics.
Additionally, Saudi military spending moves independently of Iranian military spending. The Saudis are not responding to the Iranians either in form or amount in their buildup. And there is simply no reason to spend 4X more than the US per capita on weapons in the middle of severe economic contraction, unless you are preparing to go to war to stave off domestic discontent - BY RYAN RIEGG
26.12.2016 – Maytham (** A P)
This thread is on #Saudi, #Wahhabism and #terrorism.
This thread will show you that #Saudi is the #Kingdom_of_Terrorism.
#Saudi Wahhibi Grand Mufti of #Saudi Abd Al-Aziz Ibn Baz issued a Fatwa authorizing a wealth tax to support Mujahideen in #Afghanistan
#Saudi Wahhabi scholar Muhammad Ibn AlUthaymeen issued a fatwa that Muslim women should not use pain-relieving medication during labour
#Saudi Wahhabi scholar Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen issued a fatwa claimed that someone who abandons the prayer leaves #Islam!!
#Saudi Wahhabi scholar Saleh Al-Fawzan said that taking photos is prohibited!
One fatwa allows sodomy to widen anus for Jihad purposes i.e. to insert explosive capsules into the anus!!
#Saudi Wahhabi cleric Sheikh Mohamad al-Arefe issued a fatwa for Jihad Nikah or sexual Jihad
#Saudi Wahhabi cleric Mohamad al-Arefe has been excluded from #UK because he "represents a threat to #UK society”
Adnan Mohammed Al-Aroor appears regularly on TV stations in #Saudi, he favors arming Syrian opposition & foreign military intervention
Adnan Mohammed Al-Aroor supported #ISIS saying: “They are our brothers and 99.9% of them are true Muslims”
Adnan Mohammed Al-Aroor praised #AlNusra saying: “AlNusra is one of the battalions of the Syrian Revolution”
Adnan Mohammed Al-Aroor, on his TV show, used to teach the “rebels” how to make explosives.
Wahhabis consider all those who are none Muslims as Kafirs (infidel) even Muslim Sunnis who disagree with them are called Kafirs!
https://twitter.com/maytham956/status/813469549295267840 and https://twitter.com/maytham956/status/813471686012129280
My comment: To read more, look at original threat. A good introduction to Wahabism.
What is not mentioned here is the Saudi attempt to spread Wahabism in the whole Muslim word, using Saudi oil money to pay for it. Saudi Arabia had spent an estimated US $ 100 billion for that purpose. The effect is a radicalization of many – visible from Britain to Indonesia. And many of those who were radicalized (or “wahabized”) are tending further to terrorism. For instance, from former religiously quite moderate Kosovo with its tiny population of about 3 million now several hundred went to Syria to fight for the IS (where they are armed and payed also with Saudi money counting to billions). And in Yemen, Saudi wahabization led sectarian strife and to resistance by the Zaidites who founded the Houthi movement for that purpose.
25.12.2016 – Middle East Eye (** B P T)
ANALYSIS: Shadow of Islamic State hangs over Saudi Arabia
Militant attacks in the Gulf have been rare, but the rollback of IS in Iraq and Syria, and economic and social issues, point to uncertain future
Many in the Gulf might fear: Saudi and GCC support for rebels fighting Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, has prolonged the war and will have unintended consequences; and that the Gulf faces an influx of militants as groups such as the Islamic State and the Nusra Front are defeated on the battlegrounds of Iraq and Syria.
According to the Soufan Group, there are 2,500 Saudis fighting for such groups, the highest total of the Gulf states. In contrast, there are only an estimated 70 Kuwaitis doing the same.
But there is already a threat within the Gulf states' own borders, with IS claiming, and being blamed for, a string of attacks in Saudi Arabia and beyond. According to counter-terrorism expert Dr Mustapha Alani from the Gulf Research Centre, Saudi Arabia has arrested 500 people with links to IS since 2014, but attacks still get through.
IS may now be able to play on deep-rooted issues dividing Gulf countries, including the sectarianism that has torn apart countries such as Iraq and Syria - the organisation has targeted Shia sites in Qatif in Saudi Arabia's oil-rich Eastern Province, where the majority of the country’s Shia population reside.
Kuwait faces a similar threat as up to 30 per cent of its population are Shia Muslims, who up until now have maintained relatively good relations with the country's majority Sunnis.
Militant networks in the Gulf are, however, unsophisticated: Alani said that while IS lacked a "real structure" in Saudi Arabia, small cells and individuals were still operating inside the country.
Recruitment numbers have been low, despite the prominence of Saudi militant figures in Syria
"This may be explained by the fact that contrary to al-Qaeda, which was dominated by Saudis, IS is ruled by Iraqis and Jordanians," said Alani.
IS's infamous social media presence has also dropped significantly in recent months, as the IS "caliphate" has shrunk in Syria and Iraq and its enemies press a new "cyber war" against the group.
Abdlukhaliq Abdulla, an Emirati researcher who specialises in Gulf affairs, said that may account for the organisation's continuing low profile in Gulf countries.
And what of the Saudi money?
Saudi Arabia also finds itself in a dilemma as IS is inspired by a brand of wahabism, which prevails in the kingdom.
None of the analysts spoken to by MEE wished to discuss the claim. Saudi Arabia and its allies have repeatedly denied directly funding and supporting IS and similar groups, and US officials state that what money is funnelled to the battleground comes from private "angel investors".
IS has repeatedly rejected the legitimacy of the House of Saud, and considers it an agent of the United States.
"The organisation argues that Saudi Arabia is pro-Western and does not represent true Sunni Islam," says Jordanian expert Hassan Abu Haniya, who focuses on the activities of violent Salafi dogmatists.
Indeed, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-styled khalifa of IS, has threatened Saudi Arabia in several speeches, the latest in November, and IS has declared several wilayat, or provinces, there - such as Najd and Hijaz.
Baghadi told his followers to launch “attack after attack” in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudis "siding with the infidel nations in the war on Islam and the Sunna [Sunni Muslims] in Iraq and Syria".
Another trend in the Gulf may also embolden IS recruitment: the region is facing this year a debilitating economic crisis.
Security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, underlined that Saudi Arabia was witnessing an unprecedented capital outflow, with royals and large merchant families taking their money out of the country – by Mona Alami
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/islamic-state-and-gulf-144600412
16.12.2016 – The Scott Horton Show (** B H)
Audio: Scott Paul on the latest bad news in Yemen
Scott Paul, Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor for Oxfam America, discusses how the Saudi coalition blockade and Yemen’s central bank failure have created a dangerous shortage of food and money for Yemenis.
http://scotthorton.org/interviews/121616-scott-paul-on-the-latest-bad-news-in-yemen/
cp2 Allgemein / General
27.12.2016 – Critical Threat (* A K T)
Gulf of Aden Security Review - December 27, 2016
AQAP and ISIS target al Houthi-Saleh forces in central Yemen; AQAP militants attack Emirati-backed counterterrorism forces in southern Yemen; Hadi government forces seize territory in Shabwah governorate; Hadi government and popular resistance forces clash with al Houthi-Saleh forces in Nihm district, Sana’a governorate.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed multiple attacks on al Houthi-Saleh forces in central Yemen on December 25-27. AQAP militants fired artillery at al Houthi-Saleh forces near Qifa village, Rada’a district, western al Bayda and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) that killed an al Houthi-Saleh field commander in Rada’a on December 26. AQAP militants claimed to seize territory in Rada’a district and conduct multiple attacks on al Houthi-Saleh forces in western al Bayda on December 27. AQAP and the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) Wilayat al Bayda both claimed to destroy an al Houthi-Saleh truck on December 27 near Qifa village. ISIS Wilayat al Bayda claimed to launch mortars targeting al Houthi-Saleh forces near Qifa village on December 25.[1]
Forces loyal to President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government seized territory in Usaylan and Bayhan districts, northern Shabwah governorate on December 27.
Hadi government and popular resistance forces continued an offensive against al Houthi-Saleh positions in Nihm district, roughly 100 kilometers northeast of Sana’a city, on December 24-27. Saudi-led coalition warplanes provided air support. Hadi government forces claimed to seize several new positions on December 24.
http://www.criticalthreats.org/gulf-aden-security-review/gulf-aden-security-review-december-27-2016
27.12.2016 – Fars News (AB K)
Rights Activist: S. Arabia Deliberately Killing Civilians in Yemen
The international human rights organizations' reports on Saudi Arabia's crimes in Yemen merely display the tip of an iceberg, an activist said, adding that Riyadh is killing civilians deliberately.
"The International Human Rights Watch has released just a little part of Saudi Arabia's use of cluster bombs in Yemen," Head of the Legal Center for Yemen's Development Taha Abu Taleb said.
He said that Saudi Arabia's crime of using the US and British cluster bombs is much more horrible than what has been released by the HRW.
"Saudi Arabia is violating all international laws and regulations by deliberately killing the civilians and destroying Yemen's infrastructures," Abu Taleb said.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951007001105
My comment: Telling something actually everybody knows or could know (unless he/she is member of the UK government).
26.12.2016 – Xinhua (* B K P)
Spotlight: Not much hope for peace as Yemen leaves tragic year of war
Yemen is receiving the new year with not much hope about peace or an end to the catastrophic humanitarian situation.
Adil Al-Shuja'a, a politics professor at Sanaa University, said the talks supposed to be held in Amman means that one of the roadblocks to the peace process in Yemen -- the Houthi-Saleh alliance's refusal to go to Riyadh for talks -- has been removed.
"But there are two problems with these talks -- the first is that the quartet is saying the Yemeni factions will seek a deal for de-escalation, not an end, to the conflict; And the other is that it seems Saudi Arabia and its international backers are concerned about security on the Saudi border, not the war and its horrible consequences in Yemen," he said.
Still, the most likely scenario in Yemen during the next year is that problems will continue.
Ahmed Noman, an expert at the Red Sea and East Africa Research Center, expects the first six months of the new year will see a military escalation as all signs and developments indicate Saudi Arabia is determined to achieve a military victory.
Noman also sees that the international community is now seeking to change the situation on the ground in favor of the coalition.
"The final statement of the latest meeting of the quartet on Yemen in Riyadh affirmed that Saudi Arabia's security is the U.S. security and that was a clear message about the main concern of the international community."
"Thus, the most likely scenario which I expect in Yemen next year is this: the government forces with support from the coalition will seek to take over the capital Sanaa, surround the Houthi stronghold and birthplace of Saada, and then liberate key cities where battles are continuing such as Taiz," Noman said.
Since the civil war erupted, Yemen has almost ended up as a completely failed state – by Fuad Rajah
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-12/27/c_135934193.htm
My comment: With an overview on 2016. Containing some odd views.
25.12.2016 – RFI (* B K)
The UAE expands military presence in the Horn of Africa
The United Arab Emirates is proving to be a powerful actor in the Northeast Africa peninsula which is home to eight nations. It has secured two military bases, one in Eritrea and the other one in Somaliland, strategic for the fight in Yemen. Countries with limited resources like Puntland, Somaliland and Somalia enjoy the UAE's generosity in providing military equipment as well as extensive funding and training for its security and intelligence units.
Last year - in 2015 - the UAE signed a 30-year lease agreement for military use of the port of Assab in Eritrea.
When it comes to security cooperation, the UAE train and equip counterterrorism and security unites in Somalia. And in Puntland, it paid to establish a maritime police force by providing training and equipment.
Alex Mello is the lead security analyst at Horizon Client Access, a security consultancy group based in New York. He says that the war in Yemen is the main reason why the UAE is fast expanding its military presence and influence in the Horn of Africa. The United Arab Emirates is fighting, since early 2015, alongside other Middle-Eastern nations against Houthi militias backed by Iran.
“The UAE has been building influence in the Horn since the mid-2000s," Mello said.
"The military bases are just the latest phase. For years, the UAE has invested in the Horn of Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands supporting tourism, port infrastructure, natural gas, food security and development aid.”
The port and air base in Eritrea’s port city of Assab is their main logistics hub for all their operations in Yemen. “This year, they’ve also begun developing it into what’s going to be a long-term, permanent base that will allow them to monitor naval traffic”, adds Mello.
The UAE’s military investment in the Horn of Africa seems to pay off. Alex Mello says it graduated from a local power into regional force that has the capacity to do power projection far from the UAE homeland.
A win-win situation
To what extent are countries like Eritrea, Somaliland, Puntland and Somalia benefitting from an Emirati military presence and influence? – By Zeenat Hansrod
http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20161224-uae-discreet-yet-powerful-player-horn-africa
25.12.2016 – Fars News (A P)
Ansarullah Leader: Mediators to Settle Crisis in Yemen Assassinated by Riyadh
A senior Ansarullah leader disclosed that many prominent Yemeni figures who have been trying to establish peace in the country are assassinated by Saudi Arabia.
"The houses of many of the national and prominent figures who were trying to end the war in Ta'iz and other provinces were pounded by the Saudi warplanes directly," Ali al-Asemi told FNA on Sunday.
Noting that Saudi Arabia fears any understanding and agreement among the Yemenis to stop the internal conflicts, he said, "Riyadh seeks to further flare up the flames of war and differences in Yemen."
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951005000544 = https://www.islamicinvitationturkey.com/2016/12/25/ansarullah-leader-mediators-to-settle-crisis-in-yemen-assassinated-by-riyadh/
24.12.2016 – Living in Yemen on the Edge
Let them enjoy. Merry Christmas
‘I know, mine are aggressive words. I don't like to attack people who have nothing to do with their politicians' dirty games in the war against Yemen, our Yemen. Let those politicians have a Merry Christmas and enjoy drinking Yemeni children's blood. Let them enjoy earning money by selling bombs that destroyed our homes, schools, hospitals; bombs which killed thousands and thousands and injured tens of thousands more, mainly women and children. Let them enjoy watching our children's bodies after we found them in pieces. Let them enjoy and cheer Merry Christmas when watching on TV millions of Yemeni living in the streets. My fellow people have no more homes now and became displaced after airstrikes destroyed their homes. Let them celebrate their ‘Merry Christmas’ watching millions of children dying of starvation and diseases. Let them enjoy watching the bodies of death over streets and the blood covering them. This is what our beloved Yemen faced and continues to face while you are celebrating. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time. Justice will never, ever, let us suffer more.’
17.12.2016 – BBC (not rated B K)
Our World-The Funeral Bombing
Nawal al-Maghafi investigates the Saudi-led coalition campaign in Yemen.
BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues. Available for 26 days
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0872zds/our-world-the-funeral-bombing
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Siehe / Look at cp1
27.12.2016 – International Organization of Migration (A H)
Distribute 100 Hygiene kits to children with disabilities through our implementing counterpart @monarelief wonderful smiles (photos)
https://twitter.com/iom_yemen/status/813819711746174979
https://twitter.com/iom_yemen/status/813819959323332608
https://twitter.com/iom_yemen/status/813823682783145984
https://twitter.com/iom_yemen/status/813823196348739584
27.12.2016 – Ahmad Alghobary (A H)
Yesterday,I was in Aldraehmi area of #Hodeidah city during food distribution #Yemen I did this with my friend's help & I am happy now (photo)
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/813834429755953153
27.12.2016 – Anadolu Arabic (* A H)
Film: Un report predicts that the humanitarian situation in Yemen will get worse.
https://www.facebook.com/AnadoluAgency.AR/videos/1233083406812795/
27.12.2016 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (A H)
Infographics, maps, figures: Yemen: Organizations 3W Operational Presence (as of 30 November 2016)
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-organizations-3w-operational-presence-30-november-2016-enar and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/yemen_3w_nov_13_2016_en.pdf
27.12.2016 – United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (* B H)
Global Humanitarian Overview
Yemen
With armed conflict ongoing, a stalled peace process and an economic blockade, Yemen is in the grip of a protracted political, humanitarian and developmental crisis. There is an expectation of recurring emergencies. Violence against civilians and civilian objects is causing untold suffering. Health facilities have reported 7,070 conflict-related deaths and 36,818 injuries. At least 18.7 million people, including 2.1 million displaced persons, require humanitarian assistance. Currently, 14.1 million people are food insecure or malnourished. Of these, 7 million are acutely food insecure. About 3.3 million children and pregnant or lactating women are acutely malnourished. With only 45 per cent of health centres functional due to the conflict, and limited availability of medicine, the capacity of the health system to respond to an outbreak of cholera is dangerously compromised.
The 2017 response plan will prioritize 10.3 million people in acute need across all sectors.
http://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-humanitarian-overview-2017 and full report: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/GHO_2017_publication.pdf
25.12.2016 – UNOCHA (* A H)
Infographic: Humanitarian needs at a glance
26.12.2016 – Almasirah TV (A H)
Film: Watch how patients are suffering of drugs shortage in #Renal dialysis center #Yemen . #Saudi blockade is a war crime .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INwM_V-AEM = https://twitter.com/Hona_Almasirah/status/813153986916323328 =
26.12.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A H)
http://monarelief.org/ We r preparing4 a bigger food distribution in Hodeidah with the support of @AKF_Social
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/813438963847467009
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A H)
WHO grants medical supplies to Hodeida
World Health Organization (WHO) granted medical supplies of over YR 2.8 million to al-Thawrah Hospital in Hodeida province.
The medical supplies will help partly to cover the acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies in the province because of the blockade imposed by US-backed Saudi aggression war, hospital director Dr. Khalid Suhail said.
He hailed the organization's assistance, calling on other international organizations to give more aid to the hospital to improve the health care services provided to the patients in the province.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450760.htm
25.12.2016 – Hussam Almolaiki (A H)
My mom back to teach in #Taiz university , fighting the war by learning (photo)
https://twitter.com/hussam25173474/status/813090191275659264
25.12.2016 – Rora 72 (B H)
Slideshow. No Water Millions in #Yemen have no access to drinking water
https://twitter.com/rasa171a/status/813169756979109888
24.12.2016 – The Health Mobilisation (* B H)
First: #Airstrikes
(1) Airstrikes destroyed the hospitals & health centers
(2) Overloading the remaining acting health centers and hospitals
(3) Airstrikes resulted in thousands of #injured and wounded patients
(4) Airstrikes resulted in huge numbers of #displaced people
(5) Which affects water sources and #sanitation
(6) Airstrikes even targeted the central water tanks at some provinces
(7) Airstrikes targeted the oil and #fuel sources
Second: #Seige
(1) Resulted in #malnutrition
(2) Thus, affecting the 'immunity' of children and render them more liable to be affected by disease
(3) Reduces the #medication supply and availability
(4) Affects #vaccine availability
(5) Affect the availability of #disinfectants and water sterilization chemicals (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/The.H.Mobilization/posts/1827227677562633
25.12.2016 – Mohammed Al-Qadhi (A H)
Film: Taiz residents insist on education, even on the ruins of destroyed schools
Taiz province ranked first in the percentage of the demand for education at the level of Yemen before the war. So keen population there, despite the difficulties, the education of their children, though the rubble of destroyed schools or schools located on the fire lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRoccPr8ESI
30.11.2016 – UN Children's Fund (* A H)
UNICEF Yemen Humanitarian Situation Report (November 2016)
The Yemen Humanitarian Country Team has launched the Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview for 2017, estimating that 18.8 million people – some 70 per cent of the population - are in need for humanitarian assistance, including 10.3 million people with acute needs. As a consequence of the crisis, 14.8 million people will need health assistance in 2017 and 4.5 million will need nutrition services, a significant increase in comparison to 2016.
At least 51 cholera cases were confirmed in November, with a total of 122 cases in 14 governorates since the beginning of outbreak in October. At least 82 deaths have been reported. UNICEF and partners continue putting in place integrated response and prevention activities in 17 prioritized governorates. Recent tests confirmed the decrease of Acute Watery Diarrhoea cases in locations where water sources were chlorinated.
A third round of Integrated Outreach activities was conducted reaching all governorates in Yemen. Some 11,300 teams provided health and nutrition services, including over 620,000 doses against 11 childhood vaccine preventable diseases throughout the country.
A situation assessment was conducted by UNICEF in At Tuhayat district (Al Hudaydah governorate), where coastal villages are severely affected by malnutrition. In a joint effort, UNICEF plans to reach 6,000 of the most affected families with a 3-month humanitarian cash transfer project.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unicef-yemen-humanitarian-situation-report-november-2016 and full report: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNICEF%20Yemen%20Humanitarian%20Situation%20Report%20%20November%202016.pdf
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
27.12.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A P)
Yemen Prime Minister Bin Habtoor: Tribesmen played great role in defeating US-backed Saudi aggression (photo)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/813960066760118272
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
FM, Interior minister meet UNDP country director
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hesham Sharaf and minister of Interior Mohammed Al-Qawsi met on Tuesday in Sana'a with the United Nations Development Programme Country Director Auke Lootsma.
At the meeting, the ministers discussed with the UN official the difficult humanitarian situations experienced by Yemen.
Foreign minister said that the Supreme political Council and the National Salvation Government came to serve the Yemeni people and to lift its suffering as well as normalize the situations in order to serve the citizen from different sides.
The minister reiterated that the government follow up the peace path and fair and honor political settlement.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450952.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Parliament Speaker meets WHO representative in Yemen
Speaker of the Parliament Yahya Ali al-Raei met on Tuesday with head of the World Health organization's ( WHO) representative in Yemen Ahmed Chadol.
At the meeting, al-Raei listened to a detailed explanation about the tasks and activities of the WHO and the role played by the organization in our country.
Al-Raei hailed the medial role played by the WHO in order to perform its mission in the health sector.
Speaker of the parliament also listened to some difficulties and challenges faced by the WHO that hinder its performance in a timely manner.
He affirmed the importance of communicating between the parliament and the organization to discuss any recent issues and to enhance cooperation between the two.
The speaker expressed his readiness to overcome any difficulties or challenges stand in front of the organization to enable it to do its humanitarian objectives in the right way.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450944.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
FM, HR minister to solve problems of Yemeni students abroad
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hisham Sharaf met on Tuesday with Minister of Human Rights, Alia Faisal Abdul Latif, to discuss quick solutions to the problems and cases of the Yemeni students who are studying abroad.
www.sabanews.net/en/news450890.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Mahweet calls Int'l humanitarian organizations to provide emergency aid to Bani Saad
Deputy governor of al-Mahweet province, Faruq Mutaher al-Rawhani, reviewed at a meeting with local council officials, the humanitarian and health situations in Bani Saad district, calling for international humanitarian organization to provide emergency aid to the district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450887.htm
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Yemen Prime Minister Bin Habtoor: Saudi Arabia&UAE occupy South Yemen. We r determined2liberate it &cleanse it from terror&protect unity
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/813615248603287552
My comment: This concept simply will not work. It would mean an endless prolongation of war and suffering, as no side will achieve a total victory giving it the opportunity to “liberate” and “cleanse” the whole country. And the southerners would not like to be “liberated” in this way.
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Human Rights Minister calls international organizations to visit Yemen
The Human Rights Minister Alya Faisal Abdul Latif called on Monday international and regional organizations to visit Yemen to see what crimes that committed by the US- Saudi aggression against the Yemeni people.
The minister demanded the human rights, media, regional and international organizations to visit Yemen to investigate the crimes that committed by the aggression countries led by Saudi Arabia as it uses prohibited weapons such as cluster bombs across the country.
She also demanded the Security Council, United Nations organizations and international organizations to speed up to stop the aggression and to lift the siege imposed by the aggression countries on Yemen as well as to form an independent international commission to carry out a fact-finding and to investigate various violations and crimes committed against the people of Yemen.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450851.htm
26.12.2016 – Al Sahwa (* A P)
Houthis abduct activists, journalists in Ibb
Militias of the Houthis and ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Sunday carried out a wave of abductions in the city of Ibb.
Local sources in Ibb told Alshwah Net that the militias are still pursing two activists; Haitham al-Ezzi and Ali al-Sayaghi.
Al-Syaghi posted on his facebook page that the militias abducted ten activists in the city of Ibb.
They also stormed into internet cafes and kidnapped a number of activists including the outstanding activist Ahmed al-Qafal.
In al-Kadea district of governorate, militias of the Houthis abducted two persons and took them into an unknown destination.
They also kidnapped on Friday ten students of Ibb University and four civilians from al-Nadheriah district of Ibb.
Yemen's delegate to the United Nations Khaled al-Yamani cited, in a letter sent to the United Nations, mentioned that militias of the Houthis and Saleh have been seizing 871 civilians from Ibb governorate alone.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-1943
My comment: Yes, there are many crimes like these committed by the Houthis - as by the anti-Houthi militia as well. These reports really have the propaganda bias to blame the Houthis – it’s not possible to distinguish fact and fiction. Figures given by Hadi government’s representatives certainly belong to the latter, anyway.
26.12.2016 – Aljazeera (A P)
Houthi fighters storm Al Jazeera bureau in Sanaa
Raid comes just hours after Doha-based media network airs documentary on looting of heavy weaponry by group.
Yemen's Houthi fighters have stormed the closed Al Jazeera Network bureau in the capital Sanaa and stolen the remaining equipment.
Sunday's raid came just hours after the Arabic channel broadcast a documentary film titled Stolen Weapons in Yemen, discussing the group's looting of arms.
"Eye witnesses said that two cars carrying more than 10 fighters raided the office and began looting what has been left of furniture, desks and TV screens," Saeed Thabit, head of Al Jazeera's office in Yemen, said in an Arabic statement on his Facebook page.
The film investigates how Houthi rebels managed to obtain heavy weaponry, where they store the arms as well as the quantity and types of arms they have been using.
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
HR Ministry discusses its 2017 plan
Ministry of Human Rights held a meeting, chaired by minister Alia Faisal, to discuss the ministry's plan for 2017.
The meeting took place on Sunday.
The plan included the procedures to complete the ratification on the national strategic of human rights, improvement of prison and prisoners conditions, cases of human trafficking and refugees, and the ministry's national reports on the human rights situations under the continuation of the US-Saudi aggression war on the Yemeni People.
The plan also included enhancing the cooperation and coordination between the ministry and non-governmental humanitarian organizations.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450762.htm
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
PM receives Yemen's youth government
Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Habtoor met on Sunday with Yemen’s youth government members, who briefed him on their vision in the service, economic and political areas.
In the meeting, the youth government's members handed over to Dr. bin Habtoor a copy of its program and its political vision to end the aggression and bring peace in Yemen.
Head and members of the youth government reviewed activities and tasks of their government since its declaration in 2013 according to its program.
The prime minister welcomed the youth government and affirmed that the future is for youth.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450730.htm
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Parliament condemn aggression’s continuous crimes on Yemen
The Parliament’s Speaker and its members strongly condemned on Sunday the continuing crimes of the Saudi aggression and its mercenaries against citizens in a number of the provinces.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450701.htm
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A P)
Parliament’s Speaker hails MSF’s humanitarian efforts
The Parliament’s Speaker Yahya Ali al-Raei praised on Sunday the humanitarian efforts exerted by the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and all workers in the organization.
During his meeting with heads of the Spanish, Dutch, Swiss and French missions of MSF, al-Raei pointed to the hardships suffered by the organization’s workers, who continue their work despite the unjustified bombing of the Saudi-led aggression warplanes on the country.
The parliament speaker demanded the MSF’s heads to convey to the world what they see on the ground from effects and results of the unjust aggression on Yemen.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450679.htm
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
27.12.2016 – Josephjo1221 (A P)
Aden: the camp, which was next to the presidential palace in Aden: Camp Iron Mountain raises flag against the entire legitimacy (photo)
https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/813859243438784512
Remark: Soldiers of “president” Hadi at Aden rising former South Yemen flag.
26.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A P)
Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces arrest southern movement activist in Aden
The Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces arrested on Thursday one of the Southern Movement activists in Aden city, southern Yemen, without any charges, while his family are calling for releasing him.
Abdullah Al-Ghanim, father of the activist, appealed to the governor of Aden, Aidroos al-Zubaidi, , and Aden Security Director, Shalal Shayia, to intervene for the release of his only son Maysaloon, who is detained by the security services in the Coalition Camp.
Last Thursday, the security services stormed the house of the human rights activist Maysaloon Ghanem, 38 year-old, in al Mimdarah neighborhood, and took him to a detention center in the Coalition headquarters in Bir Ahmed area, western Aden city.
Maysaloon's father said that he didn't know where his son was detained, until Monday morning when the commander of the Security Belt Forces, Nabil al Mashwashi, gave information about his son's detention.
The father added that the reasons behind his son's crude arrest were still unknown.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87488
25.12.2016 – AFP (A P)
Yemen president visits former Qaeda bastion
Yemen's President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi visited Mukalla on the southeast coast on Sunday, an official said, his first trip there since loyalist forces retook it from Al-Qaeda in April.
Hadi and Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher met political and military officials from across Mukalla's Hadramawt province, the official said.
The president praised efforts in the province to "eradicate the forces of evil and terrorism" and bring "security and stability" back to Mukalla.
Quoted by the official news agency Saba, Hadi stressed the need to "tighten our ranks to meet the challenges we face", a reference to Al-Qaeda fighters still active across the vast province.
Retaking Mukalla was facilitated by the intervention of Emirati special forces, members of a Saudi-led coalition that backs Hadi's government.
http://www.france24.com/en/20161225-yemen-president-visits-former-qaeda-bastion
25.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A P)
Hadi in Mukalla for the first time since appointed president in 2012, instructs flights resumption in al Rayyan airport
According to the Yemeni news agency "Saba", President Hadi "instructed the government and the ministers concerned to consider all proposals and come up with urgent practical solutions for all the needs, topped by the resumption of the air flights in al Rayyan International Airport, in Mukalla".
President Hadi also issued instructions for the recruitment of the security elements who are still members of the popular resistance in Hadhramout governorate, southeastern Yemen, and include them as members of the Ministry of Interior.
Hadi, who is visiting Hadramout for the first time since his appointment as president in 2012, said that "Hadhramout today is recovering and rising again thanks to the sacrifices of its people and the role of the coalition countries, led by the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates".
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87456
Comment by Judith Brown: The so called president visited Mukalla the Hadramauti port city which Saudi Arabia organised to be occupied by al Qaeda in the early part of the war - and then allowed them to leave with all their weapons in tact - claiming they had 'driven them out' and '800 killed'. Lies. As usual in war.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155052869918641?pnref=story
My comment: The music for Hadi’s rhetoric bubbles was played by Al Qaida & Co.:
25.12.2016 – AFP (A T)
A local official survived an assassination attempt on Sunday in Shibam, around 100 kilometres (65 miles) north of Mukalla, in an attack security sources blamed on Al-Qaeda.
They said Faraj Neji survived an ambush but two of his guards were killed.
http://www.france24.com/en/20161225-yemen-president-visits-former-qaeda-bastion
and
26.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A T)
Local official escaped assassination attempt and two guards killed in Shibam Hadramout
Unidentified gunmen opened the fire on the car of the General Director of Shibam district, Faraj Naji Bin Taleb, before they flee the area.
The incident resulted in the injury of Bin Taleb, but his brother and a security guard were immediately killed.
So far, no part has claimed responsibility for the attac
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87481
25.12.2016 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P T)
Yemen: Movements to Introduce Tribal Charter of Honor to Combat Terrorism
Following the increase in the number of suicide operations carried out lately in Aden and some other liberated Yemeni governorates, a number of Radfan tribes from Lahej province started working on unifying efforts to support security forces and aid them in keeping track of terrorist cells, conclude tribal agreements to reject and resist the presence of terrorist militants in their areas and repudiate from whoever is linked to any terrorist organization.
Many scholars and villagers said in a statement that the sons of al-Alawi tribes condemn terrorism and support any official or popular efforts to eradicate it and fight its elements wherever they are.
Sheikh Tawfeeq Saleh bin Sael al-Alawi called southern tribes in general and Radfan and Lahej in precise to conclude a charter of honor to combat terrorism in its different forms.
He noted that terrorism is a sword targeted at those who use religion for political purposes.
My comment: “Those who use religion for political purposes”: That’s who? The Wahabists and Saudis, I presume. Just look at https://www.facebook.com/100013099545142/videos/219498805163436/
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
27.12.2016 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A P)
Hadi & Saudi backed #Yemen gov't reject UN peace plan & Kerry's, accuse both of colluding w/ Houthis & exacerbating suffering of ppl! REALLY (look at image)
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813735139591258112
26.12.2016 – Bloomberg (A P)
Yemen President Warns of No Peace Without Houthis’ Withdrawal
Yemen President Abdurabuh Mansur Hadi said the country’s future may be reduced to “endless rounds of conflicts and wars” unless a peace deal requires Houthi rebels to withdraw from the cities they seized and hand over weapons to the government.
Accusing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry of encouraging the Houthis to evade surrender, Hadi said he won’t accept any peace agreement that doesn’t also include a power transition deal from the Gulf Cooperation Council and national reconciliation talks, the government-controlled state Saba news agency reported.
In a message to the Yemeni people, Hadi vowed that he would not betray “the blood of free martyrs and give Yemen in to Iran and its tools, and we will not allow the sectarians and terrorists to mess up with the present and future of our Yemeni people,” according to Saba.
My comment: This is nothing new. He tells this since quite a long time. Hadi rejects the UN peace plan. His idea of “peace” is simple: My foes must surrender, I get sole control, this is it. Peace agreements never work this way, anyway.
Comment by Hisham Al-Omeisy: Explains why #Yemen gov't & Saudi ridiculing UN & Kerry's peace plan; they're adamant on taking Sana'a & any peace deal would hinder.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813873244251897856
24.–26.12.2016 – Voice of America (A P)
A Path to Stop the War in Yemen
The UN proposal outlines a comprehensive agreement including a sequence of political and security steps to lower tensions and build confidence, temporary appointments to facilitate the period of government transition, and the formation of a national unity government – Editorial
http://editorials.voa.gov/a/a-path-to-stop-the-war/3649947.html
My comment: Overview. Well, it’s the US having fueled this war by its assistance to Saudi Arabia.
Yemeni People Need Help
There is only one way to ease the suffering of the people of Yemen, and that is to bring the war to an end by following the plan put forward by the United Nations.
http://editorials.voa.gov/a/yemeni-people-need-help/3651646.html
My comment: The US as the greatest peace broker – those who have fuelled this war by the most. And why the UN plan which is badly one-sided (asking just one side of the conflict to retreat and to disarm) should be the only “way to ease the suffering of the people of Yemen” ?? This is propaganda.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
Siehe / Look at cp1
27.12.2016 – Fars News (* B P)
Tens of Princes, Princesses Fleeing Saudi Arabia in Anticipation of Death
Dozens of Saudi princes and princesses have left the country for the fear of their lives after the empowerment of King Salman and his son Muhammad bin Salman as deputy crown prince.
The Palestinian daily, al-Manar, quoted informed sources as saying that many members of the royal family have fled Saudi Arabia to other countries after increased internal differences and rivalries in the House of Saud and their policies in the region.
A large number of the royal family members believe that their lives are at stake and could be assassinated any moment.
According to the report, a number of these princes and princesses aren’t allowed to leave the country and are still in Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the security bodies.
Meantime, the fear is not confined to Saudi Arabia and certain Qatari and UAE princes and princesses have also left their countries.
The report came after a US-based think-tank raised the possibility that Saudi King Salman may leave the power in favor of his son Muhammad bin Salman who is now the deputy crown prince and defense minister.
"Increasingly, the kingdom's crucial decisionmaker is seen as thirty-one-year-old Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (aka MbS) rather than eighty-year-old King Salman or fifty-seven-year-old Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef (aka MbN). The king, described by the New York Times as suffering from "memory lapses," is believed to favor MbS, the eldest son of his favorite wife, as his successor," the Washington Institute for Near East Policy wrote in November.
"Making that happen anytime soon would be a challenge, however. For one thing, Saudi kings traditionally keep going until they drop -- King Abdullah died in 2015 at ninety-two, and King Fahd was eighty-four when he eventually passed away in 2005, ten years after suffering a debilitating stroke. Palace politics and rivalries may pose a formidable obstacle as well," it added.
"King Salman has already exercised his royal authority to change the crown prince, naming MbN three months after taking the throne, so he could do so again at any time. Yet whether MbN and the wider royal family would accept MbS being made crown prince or the king abdicating in his favor is debatable, since support for the young prince's forceful policies as defense minister and economic 'visionary' is hardly universal," the Washington Institute concluded.
Mohammed bin Salman's ascension has been surrounded by a great deal of palace intrigue, including the grumbling protestations of royals angry about the prince skipping the lines of succession.
The 30-year-old bin Salman, who also serves as the Saudi defense minister, has been granted increasing power since he was named the third in line to the throne last April.
He is heading up the country’s economic reforms plan, the kingdom's policy towards Syria and its deadly aggression against Yemen.
The young prince’s meteoric rise, however, has sparked tensions within the Saudi royal family.
According to the report, bin Salman would seek to fundamentally change the role of religion in the kingdom on bin Zayed's advice.
One of the two Saudi sources said that bin Salman plans to cancel the Council of Senior Scholars, which is the kingdom's highest religious body, and stop all activities that serve Wahhabism.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951007000769
27.12.2016 – MbKS15 (A K)
Taqnia (#Saudi Co.) and Aselsan (#Turkish Co.) form a $6 million joint venture to manufacture/develop radars & EW equipment in the #KSA
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/813810556805246976
Separately the Military Industries Corporation (MIC) this week opened a new military comunecations factory, also in cooperation with Turkey
https://twitter.com/FaisalbinFarhan/status/813802106503184384
27.12.2016 – APA (A P)
Saudi-Araber wegen Kampf für Frauenrechte im Gefängnis
Weil er gegen die männliche Vormundschaft über Frauen in Saudi-Arabien kämpft, ist ein Mann zu einem Jahr Gefängnis verurteilt worden. Ein Gericht im östlichen Dammam entschied zudem, dass der Angeklagte umgerechnet rund 7.650 Euro Strafe zahlen muss, wie die Tageszeitung "Okas" am Dienstag berichtete.
Der Saudi-Araber wurde demnach wegen "Anstachelung zur Beendigung der Vormundschaft über Frauen" schuldig gesprochen. Er hatte im Kurzbotschaftendienst Twitter eine Kampagne geführt sowie Plakate in Moscheen geklebt.
26.12.2016 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)
@BarackObama backed #Saudi Monarchy throws an activist for 1 year in prison 4 tweeting about women rights
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/813632828818812928 referring to: http://okaz.com.sa/article/1517255
26.12.2016 – Noto Wahabism (A P)
Film: Saudi Wahhabis celebrate assassination of #Russia's ambassador to #Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/1070871926374722/
6.12.2016 – Henri Wolf Berg (* B P)
Film: Saudi schoolbooks and teaching.
https://www.facebook.com/100013099545142/videos/219498805163436/
15.7.2016 – Hindi Wolf Berg (* B P)
Film: #SaudiWahabia - Little girls "we will drink-rejectionists - Shia blood" A disturbing and hateful poem recited by a #SaudiWahabian girl at a Saudi government sponsored festival.
https://www.facebook.com/751613524/videos/10153835437908525/
27.11.2016 – Sydney Wolf (* B P)
Slide show: Saudi Arabia and Wahabism
http://www.slideshare.net/sydneywolf/saudi-arabia-and-wahhabism
cp9 USA
27.12.2016 – Heise.de (* B K)
33C3: Drohnenkrieg als Politik des ausgestreckten Mittelfingers
Der Ex-US-Militär Cian Westmoreland hat auf dem Hamburger Hackerkongress davor gewarnt, mit dem verteilten, strukturelle Probleme aufweisenden System unbemannter Luftschläge die Büchse der Pandora zu öffnen.
Derlei ausgefeilte Waffen, die ohne direkte menschliche Steuerung Ziele bis hin zu Tötungsmissionen auswählen und dann nur noch das Plazet einer Führungsperson brauchen, sind laut Westmoreland für den "Krieg gegen den Terror" in Ländern wie Afghanistan oder Jemen nicht nötig
Der Fachmann beschrieb das Drohnensystem als "eine Plattform, die Hellfire-Raketen ausliefert".
Der Fachmann beschrieb das Drohnensystem als "eine Plattform, die Hellfire-Raketen ausliefert". Das "Gehirn" davon bilde eine eigene Aufklärungsinfrastruktur in Form sogenannter Distributed Ground Systems. Daran angeschlossen seien die Analysten für Kommunikations- und Videodaten sowie Verbindungs- und Standortinformationen nebst Dolmetschern, Rechtsexperten, die Piloten, die den Knopf drückten, und die Zuständigen für die Raketenzielsteuerung. Es handle sich insgesamt um ein weit "verteiltes System", mit dem auch die Verantwortung auf die Schultern vieler verteilt werde, was typisch sei für Tötungsmaschinerien.
Zu den "strukturellen Problemen" des Apparats zählt Westmoreland auch die Tatsache, dass die ganze eingesetzte Technik ein "falsches Vertrauen vermittelt, die Situation am Boden zu verstehen". Es fielen riesige Datenmengen an, die nur noch mithilfe von Algorithmen durchforstet werden könnten. Die Maschinen würden dabei etwa auf Männer mit violetten Hüten ausgerichtet, doch es gebe immer Situationen, in denen solche Merkmale nicht sonderlich aussagekräftig seien. Die militärischen Führer,
denen all die tollen Gadgets zur Verfügung stünden, könnten zudem häufig nicht mal richtig mit ihrer E-Mail umgehen.
Die Analysten wiederum führten ihre Arbeit in einer Art "Kill Box" in Militärstationen irgendwo im Mittleren Westen der USA, berichtete der Ex-Militär. Sie schliefen oft wenig und hätten während ihrer Schichten "fünfminütige Essenspausen". Zuhause schauten sie möglicherweise Nachrichten rechtslastiger Sender wie Fox News, die ihre Weltsicht bestätigten und ihnen den Eindruck vermittelten, über ihre Systeme vor allem Leute zu beobachten, die zumindest "kurz vor der Radikalisierung" stünden. Die einzige Verbindung zu diesen bestehe über ein paar Pixel auf dem Bildschirm anhand verwaschener Aufnahmen. Selbst ein Pilot könne aus der Luft heraus in direktem Sichtkontakt ein viel besseres Gespür für die Lage entwickeln.
Linguistische Besonderheiten wie der Umgang mit all den Akronymen, Abkürzungen und abwertenden Bezeichnungen etwa für nicht sofort Getroffene entmenschlichen laut Westmoreland den Tötungsprozess weiter. Potenzielle zivile Opfer würden dadurch genauso heruntergespielt wie der eigentliche Akt des "Meuchelmords", als den der einstige Beteiligte Drohnenschläge heute charakterisiert. Für viele Leute vor Ort, die Getötete in der Regel nicht als "Radikale" oder "Gefährder" wahrnähmen, werde die Hellfire von oben als "das ultimative Zeichen" interpretiert: "Fuck you, du hast es verdient zu sterben".
Gegenüber den US-Beteiligten heiße es von oben dagegen immer, es gehe darum, das Leben von US-Soldaten und Alliierten zu retten, weiß der Aussteiger. Drohnen seien letztlich Waffen, deren Einsatz sehr leicht falle, da er auf der eigenen Seite zunächst keine Menschenleben koste – von Stefan Krempl
26.12.2016 – MbKS15 (A K)
#RSAF F-15SA 12-1016 passing over the Rainbow Canyon, California — by: Isaac Lebowitz (photos)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/812864256580395008
My comment: US-Saudi complicity in pictures.
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
25.12.2016 – South Wales Argus (A P)
Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith urges help for Yemen
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14985833.Valleys_MP_urges_help_for_Yemen/
My comment: Minister Fallon is a hypocrite, as his answer shows. Hodeida port has not been “damaged in the fighting“, but was bombed to disfunction by the Saudis. There is not getting enough food and other support into the country mainly because of the BRITISH-BACKED Saudi blockade. And Fallon might look at that: https://twitter.com/RSKarim1/status/813156688077488128
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
27.12.2016 – TAZ (* B E K)
Deutsche Rüstungsindustrie: Ein stummes Idyll
Auch wenn Saudi-Arabien den Jemen bombardiert, liefert Deutschland weiter Waffen dorthin. Dort, wo sie gebaut werden, scheint der Krieg fern.
Am 12. April 2015, blockiert die saudi-arabische Armee mit Schiffen den Zugang zu allen jeminitischen Häfen. Neben dem Import von Lebensmitteln verhindert die Seeblockade den Zugang zu Treibstoff, der im Jemen Pumpen antreibt, um die Bevölkerung mit Trinkwasser zu versorgen. Nach einem Bericht der Hilfsorganisation Oxfam hungern in der Folge 13 Millionen Jemeniten. Auch die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate kämpfen an der Seite der Saudis und töten zahlreiche Zivilisten.
Was der Krieg im Jemen mit dem Bodensee zu tun hat? In elf saudischen Kriegsschiffen brummen die Motoren der MTU, 33 weitere sind auf dem Weg. Von 1994 bis 2006 lieferte Frankreich 390 Panzer des Typs „Leclerc“ in die Emirate – ausgerüstet mit MTU-Motoren.
Der Bodensee ist die Region mit der höchsten Dichte an Rüstungsbetrieben in Deutschland. Kaum ein Dorf, in dem nicht Raketen, Motoren oder Getriebe gebaut werden, wo nicht militärische Satellitentechnik oder Software für Panzerfahrzeuge entwickelt wird. Nur gesprochen wird darüber nicht.
Nicht allein Gewerbesteuern oder das Argument sicherer Arbeitsplätze verleiten zum Schweigen. „Durch den Aufschwung in der Rüstungsindustrie wuchs Friedrichshafen zu einer Industriestadt“ – so bringt eine Tafel im Zeppelin-Museum den Identitätskonflikt auf den Punkt.
http://www.taz.de/Deutsche-Ruestungsindustrie/!5365041/
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
25.12.2016 – Press TV Iran (A P)
UN urges Bahrain to release top activist
Calls are growing on the Bahraini regime to end a campaign of harassment against prominent rights defender Nabeel Rajab.
Several rights groups including the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the World Organization Against Torture have joined the chorus against Rajab’s imprisonment and interrogation. The groups have condemned what they call a long-standing pattern of harassment against Nabeel Rajab. They want the Al Khalifah regime to respect the legitimate human rights activities by Nabeel Rajab who is the founder of Bahrain’s rights center. On Thursday, Bahrain interrogated Rajab, who is already in jail, over the publication of a critical article in a French magazine. The Manama regime accuses him of spreading false information and harming the interests of Persian Gulf Arab states. Interviewy: Catherine Shakdam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMJmbw_sUE
cp13 Waffenhandel / Arms trade
Siehe cp11
27.12.2016 – MbKS15 (A K P)
It's highly expected that #Qatar Air Force will only sign for (36) F-15QA out of the (72) Advanced Eagles approved by the U.S. State Dept.
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/813733501329702912
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
Siehe / Look at cp1
26.12.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A T)
Yemeni woman Amat Al Aleem Al Asbahi was killed by Qaeda/ISIS gunmen riding a motor cycle in Taiz central where the groups try to control women
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/813443638046887936
My comment: Hadi’s Brave New World? At taiz, Qaeda/ISIS fight alongside Hadi and so-called “popular resistance” militia against the Houthis and have great influency in the so-called “liberated areas” – as seen by events like this.
26.12.2016 – Deutschlandfunk (A T)
Mehr als 2.000 Kämpfer stammen aus Saudi-Arabien
Über 2.000 Staatsbürger Saudi-Arabiens kämpfen nach Regierungsangaben für dschihadistische Gruppen im Ausland.
Etwa Dreiviertel von ihnen seien in Syrien im Einsatz, sagte ein Sprecher des Innenministeriums der Tageszeitung "Al-Hajat". Dort hatte die Terrormiliz IS zunächst große Gebiete unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht, aus denen sie aber inzwischen zum Teil wieder zurückgedrängt wird. Aber auch im Jemen, Irak, Afghanistan und Pakistan seien saudiarabische Kämpfer aktiv, erklärte der Sprecher weiter. Das Königreich vertritt eine besonders konservative Auslegung des Islam.
26.12.2016 – AFP (A T)
Mehr als 2000 Dschihadisten aus Saudi-Arabien kämpfen in anderen Ländern
Mehr als 2000 Staatsbürger Saudi-Arabiens kämpfen nach Regierungsangaben für dschihadistische Gruppen im Ausland. Etwa 70 Prozent von ihnen seien in Syrien im Einsatz, sagte ein Sprecher des Innenministeriums der Tageszeitung "Al-Hajat" (Montagsausgabe).
"Die Zahl der Saudi-Araber, die nachweislich in Konfliktgebieten sind, liegt bei 2093", sagte der Sprecher. Davon seien 1540 in Syrien, wo der Islamische Staat (IS) Mitte 2014 weite Gebiete des Landes unter seine Kontrolle brachte, inzwischen aber teilweise zurückgedrängt wurde. Auch im Jemen, Afghanistan und Pakistan und im Irak seien saudiarabische Kämpfer aktiv.
Mein Kommentar: Diese Zahlen sind zu niedrige, siehe folgenden Artikel:
26.12.2016 – Alalam (* A T)
Only 2000 Saudi Terrorists Fighting Abroad! Interior Ministry Says
More than 2,000 Saudis are fighting abroad with terrorist groups, with over 70 percent of them in Syria, the kingdom's interior ministry announced Monday.
While Saudi arabia put number of its citizen fighting in rank of terrorist group only at 2,000 people, many clerics and school of thoughts dominated by Wahhabism publicly invite extremist to go fighting in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and … as a high precious religious duty.
"The number of Saudis proven to be in conflict areas is 2,093," interior ministry spokesman General Mansour al-Turki told daily newspaper Al-Hayat. He said that 1,540 of them were in Syria, where “jihadists” have flocked since the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL and Daesh) Terror group seized control of vast areas in mid-2014.
Another 147 were in Yemen, which is the base of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), considered by Washington as the most dangerous affiliate of the global terror network. Another 31 were believed to be in Afghanistan or Pakistan, Turki said.
Only five were believed to be in neighbouring Iraq, where ISIS also seized significant territory in 2014.
Turki said 73 Saudis had also been detained abroad "on charges related to acts of terrorism."
Many experts studding terrorists activity in middle east say that figure is not correct and right number is much bigger than what kingdom ministry reported. Also in these figures is not cleared how much Saudi terrorist killed in mentioned countries and how much turned back to Saudi Arabia.
Some figures in these report is very funny and unrealistic.
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1902866 und zur Erinnerung: https://deutsch.rt.com/15669/international/iran-saudi-arabien-hat-5-000-dschihadisten-in-den-jemen-entsandt-huthi-rebellen-drohen-mit-anschlaegen-in-saudi-arabien/
27.12.2016 – Katholisches Info (A T)
Seit Monaten in der Hand der Dschihadisten: Salesianer P. Thomas Uzhunnalil bittet in Video um Hilfe
Am 4. März 2016 war der indische Salesianerpater von Terroristen des Islamischen Staates (IS) entführt worden. Seither befindet er sich in der Hand der Dschihadisten. Gestern veröffentlichten seine Entführer nach Monaten der Funkstille ein Video, in dem Pater Thomas Uzhunnalil SDB Papst Franziskus, die indische Regierung und die katholische Welt um Hilfe bittet.
Das Video wurde auf Facebook und Youtube veröffentlicht. Pater Uzhunnalil sagt im Video, seine Entführer hätten mehrfach die indischen Regierung kontaktiert, um über seine Freilassung zu verhandeln. Eine Angabe, die vom indischen Außenminister bestätigt wurde. Laut diesem gebe es regelmäßigen Kontakt mit den örtlichen jemenitischen Behörden mit dem Ziel, die Freilassung des Priesters zu erreichen.
26.12.2016 – Times of India (A T)
India taps Saudi Arabia for release of priest abducted in Yemen
n the absence of any government in Yemen, India says it is reaching out to other regional countries like Saudi Arabia and local Yemeni authorities to reach Indian Catholic priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil, held captive by Islamists in Yemen since early 2016.
After a new video of Father Tom surfaced, which appealed to the Indian government and the Church for help to secure his release, an MEA spokesperson said India was continuing with efforts to secure his release. "With regard to the safe release of Father Tom who was abducted some months ago, we have been in regular touch with countries in the region, especially Saudi Arabia as also the local Yemeni authorities." –by Indrani Bagchi
26.12.2016 – Outlook India (A T)
Watch: 'Please Save My Life,' Indian Priest Appeals From Captivity In Yemen
Kidnapped in March, Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, in a new video, says the Indian government has done nothing for his release.
Months after he was kidnapped by terrorists in Yemen, Keralite priest Fr. Tomy Geroge, also known as Fr. Tomu Uzhunnalil, made a heart-wrenching appeal to Indian govenment and the Pope from captivity to save his life.
In a new video that surfaced, the priest looked tired and said the Indian government has done nothing even though his kidnappers contacted the government several times.
Fr. Uzhunnalil was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden.
http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/watch-please-save-my-life-indian-priest-appeals-from-captivity-in-yemen/297547 and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSecFyfX5bs
cp15 Propaganda
27.12.2016 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P)
Yemen : Insurgents’ War Efforts Leads to Bankruptcy
Banks under control of insurgent militias are on the brink of bankruptcy, according to financial experts.
Economical and financial experts stressed that the deposits that were supposed to be in the banks, are now in danger shall the government not intervene rapidly to secure the funds. This comes after signs revealed that a number of banks are about to declare their bankruptcy.
Economic expert Dr. Mohammed Halboub considers that Houthis’ insurgency will have serious economic and financial ramifications in Yemen.
Halboub stressed that the insurgency is the main reason for the deteriorating economic situation in the country which has caused the foreclosure of commercial banks. He added that Houthis’ large spending on military efforts as well as their lack of comprehension of financial issues, had led the public to lose faith in the Yemeni banking system.
The expert said that the banks under Houthis’ control are in worse condition than those in the liberated areas due to the economic decisions they made.
In case of bankruptcy, Halboub explained that the government will grant each depositor an amount of two million Yemeni riyals.
The economic expert predicted an increased number of withdrawals in the upcoming days, calling the legitimacy to support the banks and financial institutions to prevent their economic failure.
Chairman of the Yemeni Studies and Economic Media Center Mustafa Nasr said that the lack of liquidity in Yemeni banks is due to the financial crisis that resulted of the outflow of funds. He pointed out that this has alarmed the people especially now that banks under insurgents’ control are at risk.
Concerning the role of the legitimacy amid this crisis, Nasr believed that it should continue to operate the central bank in Aden. He added that they should prepare for the move of main branches of commercial and Islamic banks to Aden to promote the economic cycle – by Asma Al-Ghabiri
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/12/article55364531/yemen-insurgents-war-efforts-leads-bankruptcy
My comment: Really odd propaganda. “the insurgency is the main reason for the deteriorating economic situation in the country”: as if there is no war, no devastation of the economy and infrastructure by Saudi air raids, no Saudi blockade strangling economy. What does the author think how stupid his readers are??
26.12.2016 – The National UAE (A H P)
Schoolbags for Yemeni pupils
The Emirates Red Crescent completed a schoolbag distribution project in the Lahij region of Yemen.
The programme was part of the authority’s plan to support education in the Aden, Abyan, Lahij and Dhale governorates.
Volunteers from the ERC distributed 300 schoolbags in Al Shaheed Jandour and Omar bin Abdelaziz schools.
The charity was focused on education and meeting the needs of the pupils, said the ERC, adding that several pupils needed school uniforms.
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/schoolbags-for-yemeni-pupils
My comment: While they have bombed and destroyed hundreds of schools. Compare this to MONA Relief who manage to distribute lots of school bags, hygiene kits, clothing, blankets and food just by donations and being forced to bring all this through the Saudi blockade of Northern Yemen: http://monarelief.org/
25.12.2016 – Emirati News Agency WAM (A H P)
ERC delivers food assistance to Perim island, Yemen
The Emirates Red Crescent has delivered food assistance to the people of Perim Island as part of its relief programme to support areas liberated from the Houthi militia and forces loyal to defunct president Ali Saleh.
Salem Al Aini, a notable from Perim, a volcanic island in the Strait of Bab el Mandeb at the south entrance into the Red Sea, thanked the ERC for rebuilding services utilities, which were destroyed by the Houthi-Saleh militias when they took control of the island.
''The UAE has played a significant role in liberating the island and it is now rebuilding services utilities and providing relief materials to the islanders,'' he added.
http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international-aid/1395305115883.html
My comment: The Emirates use humanitarian relief for making propaganda. This island in Bab El Mandab Street – where the Saudi coalition is bombing fishing boats so that these people do not have any food and income – has 221 inhabitants.
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
27.12.2016 – Legal Center (*A K PH)
26/12/2016
Targeting and bombing civilians by the warplanes of Saudi Arabia and its alliance
Casualties and damages (full list):
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=748193368664364&id=551288185021551
26.12.2016 – Legal Center (*A K PH)
25/12/2016
Targeting and bombing civilians by the warplanes of Saudi Arabia and its alliance
Casualties and damages (full list):
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=747713165379051&id=551288185021551 and by Yamanyoon: http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58787&lang=en
27.–28.12.2016 – Sanaa at night (A K)
Saudi backed forces launched major op pushing towards Sana'a from Nihm. Coalition providing air cover & also bombing Sana'a now (1AM)
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813872782043922432
Fourth massive bomb dropped on Sana'a by Saudi now. City of 2 million civilians. So many mothers can't do anything but pray.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813875332663148545
Saudi jets just dropped 6th bomb. Windows rattling like crazy from both pressure wave and ground shaking from explosion
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813876473857789952
Make that 7 bombs. Airstrikes frenzy tonight. I bet Saudi wouldn't drop bombs so carefree if not assured would be resupplied pronto.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813876765814902784
8th #explosion on the same spot we will all be killed by dawn pray for our terrified children
https://twitter.com/SaifOliby/status/813876746558775296
More than 8 airstrikes that took place! We're still counting
https://twitter.com/SamADam24/status/813876616141094912
The capital #Sanaa is under heavy Airstrikes by #Saudi fighter jets. I hate the sound of the explosions it's very terrifying.
https://twitter.com/AmalAlYarisi/status/813877606097584128
10th #explosion caused by #Saudi airstrikes. fuck fuck fuck we need #Peace
https://twitter.com/SaifOliby/status/813877674653470720
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression warplanes strike Mareb
The Saudi aggression warplanes launched two rides on Serwah district of Mareb province overnight, a military official told Saba on Tuesday.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450875.htm
27.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Sana’a : warplanes of the Saudi American aggression waged three raids on Al Sama and Thafir mountains in Bna_matar and Arhab.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58931&lang=en
27.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saada: Aviation Saudi American aggression waged four raids on Al Masoud area in the directorate of Sohar
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58927&lang=en
27.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Shabwa: Aviation Saudi American aggression waged a series of raids on different areas in Bayhan and Asilan
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58925&lang=en
27.12.2016 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K)
Saudi airstrikes on Sana'a now shaking whole city while our kids at school. It's 11:10AM
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813658533640212480
More Saudi jets in sky. Sorry, gotta go get my two kids out of school ASAP before next bomb drops.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/813659037577465856
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
US-Saudi aggression launches raids on Serwah
The US-Saudi aggression warplanes waged on Monday two raids on Serwah district of Mareb province, a local official told Saba.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450841.htm
26.12.2016 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
#Saudi air strike on Majez area #Sadaa city #Yemen .
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/813373743309484032
26.12.2016 – Almasirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Engineering team destroying US cluster bombs dropped at Razeh in Saada province, which had killed two girls on Dec., 21.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyRdPklmwHc
26.12.2016 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
5 hours ago , 2 #Saudi air strikes targeted a military facility next to a neighborhood in #Amran province #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/813372964846575618
and
26.12.2016 – Almasirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Saudi air raid at ninth brigade headquarters city of Amran which lies in a densely populated area, injuring two women.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WpcA7hZY0Y = https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/813829563792891905
26.12.2016 – Press TV Iran (A K PH)
Saudi jets intensify airstrikes on Yemen, use cluster bombs
Saudi fighter jets have intensified their airstrikes against Yemeni provinces, using more internationally-banned arms in their latest raids.
According to Yemen’s al-Masirah television, Saudi Arabia dropped cluster bombs on Harad district in Hajjah Province on Monday.
Saudi fighter jets also launched two airstrikes against residential areas in Amran Province and another two on Dhahir district in the province of Sa’ada on Monday.
The kingdom’s warplanes further pounded a residential building in Asilan district in Shabwah Province.
Three other air raids hit the Madfoun area and Asrat valley in Nihm district, northwest of the Yemeni capital, Sana’a.
There were no immediate reports of possible casualties.
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/26/503523/Saudi-airstrikes-Yemen
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
The US-Saudi aggression war jets waged on Sunday four raids on Nehm district in Sana’a province.
The hostile raids targeted several areas in the district, causing large damages to citizens’ houses and properties, a local official told Saba.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450718.htm
26.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Hajja: warplanes of the Saudi American aggression dropped a cluster bomb on district of Harad
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58793&lang=en
26.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
AL Hodeidah: fighter jets of Saudi aggression waged two raids on Al Mtina Coast district of Al Tuhayat
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58785&lang=en
26.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Niham : Fighter jets of Saudi aggression waged three raids on Al Asirat Valley and Al Madfon area.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58791&lang=en
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Fighter jets of the US-backed Saudi coalition launched two raids yesterday on civilian farms in Mahdida region, Baqm district, Saada. As a result, one citizen was killed and farms were damaged
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58697&lang=en
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
27.12.2016 – Press TV Iran (A K PH)
Film: Saudi-backed forces fail to advance toward Sana’a
In Yemen, heavy fighting continues between forces loyal to former President Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi and Ansarullah fighters. Hadi loyalists recently tried to advance toward the capital Sana’a but Ansarullah and allied military forces repelled the offensive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_m0HcylMx0
27.12.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee / Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Yemen fighters Seizing US-made advanced weapons after Saudi army fled NThis strategic position (Safeena) of Asir Dec27.Bradley vehicles etc (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/813962590015594496 and https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/813962256354594816 and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNBj0iBs9tk = https://twitter.com/yamen091_m/status/813813451495772162
27.12.2016 – AFP (A K)
40 killed in Yemen anti-rebel offensive: army
At least 28 Houthi insurgents and 12 Yemeni soldiers were killed Tuesday in the southern province of Shabwa as government forces pushed to capture a rebel enclave, military officials said.
The fighting flared when forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi attacked rebels in Bayhan district, on the border between Shabwa and Marib provinces.
Bayhan is the only part of Shabwa province still controlled by the Iran-backed rebels after government forces supported by the Saudi-led Arab coalition last year expelled them from five southern provinces.
Military officials said government forces backed by coalition warplanes drove the rebels out of several positions in the area, adding that 14 insurgents were also captured.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/40-killed-yemen-anti-rebel-offensive-army-165330619.html My comment: AFP relies only on pro-Saudi sources, here: the army of “president” Hadi. AFP even adopts the Saudi / Hadi wording labeling as “army” what is just one of at least two Yemeni “armies”.
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
The Saudi-paid mercenaries fired artillery shells on residents' houses and farms in Habab valley in Serwah, Marib province
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450875.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kills two Saudi soldiers in Jizan, Aser
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450950.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army repulses Saudi-paid mercenaries to advance towards Osailan in Shabwa
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450922.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kills 15 Saudi-paid mercenaries in Mareb
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450879.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi-paid mercenaries kill citizen in Mareb
Saudi-paid mercenaries shot dead a citizen in Mareb province, an official told Saba on Tuesday.
The citizen, Salem AL-Marrie was murdered after the Saudi-paid mercenaries opened fire at him, and looted his pick-up car.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450886.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army, popular forces shell mercenaries' groups in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450863.htm
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army hits mercenary gatherings in Baidha
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450862.htm
27.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
At Least 18 Saudi Mercenaries Killed and Injured in Asylan, Shabwa governorate
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58950&lang=en
27.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Mercenaries' shelling kills two children in Taiz
Two children were martyred when Saudi-paid mercenaries' artillery hit residential quarters of Taiz province on Tuesday, an official told Saba.
The shelling targeted the areas next to the old airport west of the province.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450881.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58922&lang=en (with image; not verified)
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Roundup: Army, popular forces win victory over Saudi
The army and popular forces advanced in several battle fronts over the past 24 hours, achieving great victory in border fronts against enemy Saudi , military officials told Saba on Monday.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450755.htm and by Yamanyoon: http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58783&lang=en and by Press TV Iran: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/26/503523/Saudi-airstrikes-Yemen
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kills 15 Saudi-paid mercenaries in Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450800.htm
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army repulses mercenaries advance in Nehm, kills dozens
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450797.htm
and from the other side:
27.12.2016 – MbKS15 (A K PS)
Film: Series of ATGM (Air to Ground Missiles) hits against #Houthi vehicles & operatives as the legitimate #Yemeni Government forces continue to advance towards #Sanaa
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/813769860887040001
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army shots dead two Saudi soldiers in Najran
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450835.htm
26.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Katyusha Missiles Target Saudi Mercenaries in Najran
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58841&lang=en
26.12.2016 – Ruptly TV (A K)
Film: Yemen: Intense battles break out between Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in Marib
Houthi fighters and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh fought intense battles against Saudi-backed forces in the valley of Rebiya Besruah, in the western province of Marib on Monday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE2OetuVAWE
27.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Government forces bomb Houthi sites in Marib
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87484
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Mercenary military vehicle blasted in Mareb
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450754.htm
27.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
9 Houthis, 4 government forces killed in confrontation, 2 young girls killed in bombing
The popular resistance have said that nine militants of the Houthi and Saleh forces were killed and dozens others wounded in the battles flaring for the control the al Tashrifat military camp, east of Taiz city, southwest of Yemen.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87486
and from the other side:
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army's mortars hit mercenaries in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450753.htm
26.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Tens of Saudi-paid mercenaries, including top commanders, killed in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450761.htm
25.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Battles between government forces and Houthis intensify in Lahj, and exchanged attacks eastern Taiz
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87455
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Killed and Wounded Saudi Mercenaries When Targeted in Taiz
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58726&lang=en
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Seven Saudi-Paid Mercenaries Killed in Taiz Governorate
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58703&lang=en
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army, popular forces bombard Saudi enemy’s sites in Jizan
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450714.htm
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saudi Missile and Artillery Bombardment Targets Civilian Homes in Saada
Saudi missile and artillery bombardment targeted Manbh and Qmr districts in the governorate of Saada.
The Saudi army waged missiles and shells aiming at Al Maqna region and Al Sheikh in Manbh district, as well as different areas in Qmr district located in Saada governorate, security source confirmed.
Civilian homes and properties of citizens have been targeted, resulting in serious damage.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58697&lang=en
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saudi Sites and Soldiers Targeted in Border Region of Jizan
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58708&lang=en
25.12.2016 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
US-Backed Saudi Mercenaries Continue Targeting Civilian Houses
Mercenaries of the US-backed Saudi coalition continued targeting civilian houses today in Marib governorate.
Saudi mercenaries used a Katyusha missile aiming at a citizen’s house in the region of Al Tadlss in Serwah district, military source reported.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=58723&lang=en and Saba Net: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450841.htm
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kills dozen Saudi mercenaries in Mareb
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450642.htm
25.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Islah leader killed in battles in Mareb
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87454
25.12.2016 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Government forces advance eastern Sana'a
http://almasdaronline.com/article/87457
My comment: “Government forces” = pro-Saudi Hadi government. And the total contrast by the other side:
25.12.2016 – Fars News (A K PH)
Yemeni Army Advances in Sana'a, Kills 7 Senior Pro-Hadi Commanders, 90 Militias
The Yemeni army and popular forces continued their advances in the capital city of Sana'a, killing tens of pro-Saudi mercenaries, including senior commanders, loyal to former fugitive president Mansour Hadi in fierce clashes.
"At least 90 pro-Hadi militias were killed in tough battle with the Yemeni army and popular forces in Sana'a's Ninth district in Eastern Yemen on Sunday," the Arabic-language media quoted an unnamed military source as saying on Sunday.
The source noted that seven senior pro-Hadi commanders were also killed in Sana'a, and said, "Commander of pro-Hadi Militias' Brigade 72 Mohammad al-Azri and commander of the Brigade's First Battalion were among 18 militias injured in Sana'a battle."
He also said that 30 other mercenaries were also injured in three bases close to al-Qatab military base.
Meantime, tens of other pro-Hadi militias were killed and injured in missile attacks in Melh region.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951005000714
My comment: “Yemen army” is the army loyal to ex-president Saleh, affiliated to the Houthis. “Sanaa” is Sanaa province, east of Sanaa, Nehm region.
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Roadside bomb Kills 13 Saudi mercenaries in Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450644.htm
25.12.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kills 17 mercenaries in Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news450645.htm
25.12.2016 – Hussam Al-Sanabani (A K PH)
150 Saudi air raid on Nahm in the last 36 hrs. Another failure desperate attempt to open path to their mercenaries toward Sana'a.
https://twitter.com/HussamSanabani/status/812989291353796608
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-244-yemen-war-mosaic-244
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-244: / Yemen War Mosaic 1-244:
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 und / and http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/
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