Famine in Yemen – US raid at Yakla village – US, Trump and Yemen quagmire – Saudis, Hadi and Al Qaida – Situation at Yemen’s western coast – The Yemeni missile against Riyadh – Fighting for Mokha – 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
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner
cp13c Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp18 Sonstiges / Other
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
8.2.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (** A H K)
Yemen: Humanitarian Response Plan January-December 2017
THE HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN AT A GLANCE
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1
Save lives, prioritizing the most vulnerable
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2
Integrate protection and gender-related concerns across the response
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3
Support maintenance of basic services and institutions
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4
Strengthen coordination, accountability and advocacy
IMPACT OF THE CRISIS
Almost two years of war have devastated Yemen, leaving 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian and protection assistance – including 10.3 million who are in acute need. The conflict is rapidly pushing the country towards social, economic and institutional collapse.
Conflict and chronic vulnerabilities
Even before the current conflict escalated in mid-March 2015, Yemen faced enormous levels of humanitarian needs stemming from years of poverty, under-development, environmental decline, intermittent conflict, and weak rule of law. Nearly two years of war have exacerbated these chronic vulnerabilities, leaving an estimated 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian or protection assistance – a nearly 20 per cent increase since late 2014. This includes 10.3 million people in acute need who urgently require immediate, lifesaving assistance in at least one sector. This chapter briefly summarizes the overall impact of the crisis. More details and sector-specific needs analyses appear in the 2017 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview.
Protection of civilians
The conduct of hostilities has been brutal. As of 31 December 2016, health facilities had reported nearly 48,000 casualties (including nearly 7,500 deaths) as a result of the conflict. These figures significantly undercount the true extent of casualties given diminished reporting capacity of health facilities and people’s difficulties accessing healthcare. Serious concerns have been raised regarding the conduct of the conflict, in which all parties appear to have committed violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Ongoing air strikes and fighting continue to inflict heavy casualties, damage public and private infrastructure, and impede delivery of humanitarian assistance. After nearly two years of war, parties to the conflict and their supporters have created a vast protection crisis in which millions of people face tremendous threats to their safety and well-being, and the most vulnerable struggle to survive.
Forced displacement and returns
Economic decline, commodity shortages and rising prices
Collapse of basic services and institutions
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-humanitarian-response-plan-january-december-2017 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2017_HRP_YEMEN.pdf
and
8.2.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (** AH K)
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien Remarks at the launch of the 2017 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan
In late 2016, I travelled from the capital Sana’a to the coastal port city of Al Hudaydah. I saw countless homes destroyed, people hungry and scurried along in small, rural and remote mountain communities affected by a conflict that is not theirs. Bridges, key roads, neighbourhoods and a port demolished by airstrikes. A provincial capital that almost entirely lacked safe water, electricity or food. Hospitals with no power, a handful of medical staff and only the most basic of medical supplies. Stunted, severely malnourished children and youth, reduced to skin on their bones, barely holding on to their lives.
This was five months ago. Since then, the situation in Yemen has become worse and further deteriorated. Over 18.8 million people – two-thirds of the population – are now affected. Immense human suffering is unfolding in front of our eyes, caused by an ongoing conflict compounded by a collapsing economy and key public and social institutions in disarray. All of this was preventable two years ago; and it would be preventable today.
As we meet here, a military offensive is underway along the coastal areas of the Red Sea. I am particularly concerned about the ports. Attacking them would have serious effects on supplies for the civilian population and could contribute to pushing the population to starvation or forcing them to move away. Already, since the intensification of hostilities in Taizz governorate in late January, at least an additional 34,000 people have been displaced. As people flee the fighting we must not lose sight of the continued and vital need to protect the civilian population. This is the responsibility of all parties – to protect civilians from harm in times of conflict – and to also protect civilian infrastructure. The destruction of a school, or a market place, or a port facility, a hospital, a water treatment plant, a grain facility, a humanitarian warehouse – none of these are abstract concept – it is an act causing more hardship, suffering and death.
Yemen is one of the most food insecure countries in the world – this means that more than 17.1 million are food insecure and a staggering 7.3 million people do not know where their next meal will come from. The latest report even paint a possibly grimmer picture. If there is no immediate action – and despite the ongoing herculean humanitarian efforts - famine is now a possibility in 2017. Malnutrition is rife and is rising at an alarming rate.
Over 14 million people need access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation. As a result, since October there is a cholera outbreak, a disease that has spread rapidly. At the end of January, we were hopeful of having stemmed the outbreak, but the likelihood of cholera spreading in Hudaydah rose significantly just the other day on 1 February when a sewage treatment plant servicing 6,000 people was bombed.
As always, children are suffering the most under man’s inhumanity to man. Every 10 minutes a young child dies of preventable causes. Parents face impossible choices.
Imagine choosing between buying food for one of your children or medicine for her sick sibling. Imagine watching your child die slowly of hunger. You have no money left to arrange transport to a barely functioning or destroyed health facility. Imagine being in Sa’ada, Taizz or along the Red Sea coast tonight. The sound of airstrikes and indiscriminate shelling – chilling as you go to bed. Your children don’t sleep and if they finally nod off – exhausted and terrified – they have nightmares and wet their beds. They are listless and tired. Their schools bombed, no longer a safe place for learning. Children across Yemen now consider shelters with other displaced people their “home”. Imagine being able to trust no one, as all fighting parties violate international humanitarian law and erect other impediments for people to survive and live in dignity.
So to the parties in this conflict, I remind you that granting rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access is a key obligation under International Humanitarian Law. Only neutral and impartial humanitarian action will be able to provide life-saving assistance and protection to all people in Yemen.
Though humanitarian access is severely limited due to ongoing fighting, bureaucratic impediments and lack of funding, humanitarian organizations deliver assistance, save lives and protect people in every governorate of the country. 120 humanitarian entities, including the UN as well as national and international NGO partners, are currently operating in the country.
Lastly, let me remind you that only a political solution and peace will end the human suffering. Let me be clear, there will be no military solution. Humanitarians are not a solution [either].
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-12 and http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/USG%20OBrien%20remarks%20on%20Yemen_08.01.17.pdf
7.2.2017 – Reuters (** A H P)
U.N. seeks $2.1 billion to avert famine in Yemen
The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $2.1 billion to provide food and other life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen who face the threat of famine after two years of war.
"The situation in Yemen is catastrophic and rapidly deteriorating," Jamie McGoldrick, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said in the appeal document.
"Nearly 3.3 million people - including 2.1 million children - are acutely malnourished."
Yemen has been divided by nearly two years of civil war that pits the Iran-allied Houthi group against a Sunni Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia. At least 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting, which has unleashed a humanitarian crisis in the desperately poor Arabian Peninsula country.
In all, nearly 19 million Yemenis - more than two-thirds of the population - need assistance and protection, the U.N. said.
"Ongoing air strikes and fighting continue to inflict heavy casualties, damage public and private infrastructure, and impede delivery of humanitarian assistance," it said.
"The Yemeni economy is being wilfully destroyed," it added, saying that ports, roads, bridges, factories and markets have been hit.
An estimated 63,000 Yemeni children died last year of preventable causes often linked to malnutrition, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said last week.
“In Yemen, if bombs don’t kill you, a slow and painful death by starvation is now an increasing threat,” Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said in a separate statement as the U.N. plan was launched – By Stephanie Nebehay
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-idUSKBN15N14Q and the UN appeal here: http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-un-and-partners-appeal-21-bln-provide-life-saving-assistance-12-million-people and http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Press%20release%20Yemen%20launch%20Geneva%20080117.pdf and film:
8.2.2017 – UN (* B H K)
Yemen humanitarian crisis: two years in two minutes
Without urgent action, Yemen faces a very real possibility of famine. More than half of health facilities are not functioning. Over 2 million people remain displaced from their homes.
https://twitter.com/UN/status/829285169324453888
My comment: This sum certainly is not too high. Nevertheless, it equals just 10 ½ days of Saudi aerial war – which now already lasts for 60 days. – But just money not does it – all the food needed for Yemen must come into the country, and there it must come to all places. And the Saudis block most imports to the north and destruct the whole infrastructure which is needed for distribution: cranes in the harbor, roads, bridges, trucks. Being a truck driver in Yemen, today is an extremely dangerous job, as trucks often are directly targeted by Saudi coalition fighter jets.
And: What did and does the UN actually to stop this? A new Security Council resolution to stop blockade and air raids? No. A new approach for a peace deal which only will succeed if the UN will treat both Yemeni sides (represented by the Sanaa and Aden governments) equally, no more preferring one side? No. And by excluding all foreign interference? No.
7.2.2017 – Norwegian Refugee Council (** A H)
Yemen war causing world’s worst food crisis
Two years since the conflict escalated in Yemen, more than 17 million Yemenis do not know if they will be able to put food on the table to feed their families, the Norwegian Refugee Council warned today at the start of a donor conference for Yemen.
“In Yemen, if bombs don’t kill you, a slow and painful death by starvation is now an increasing threat,” said NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland.
Risk of famine
“Yemen’s downward spiral means that we will see more shocking scenes of despair, with famine possibly spreading across the country, unless the conflict is ended and the deep economic crisis and aid shortage is reversed,” Egeland said.
A total of 462,000 children are at immediate risk of death from severe malnutrition. Among the 2.2 million displaced Yemenis, 75 per cent identified food as their top priority. Displaced people face a number of hardships, including lack of access to water, healthcare, shelter, education and a basic income. Still, 75 percent identify food as their top priority among all these, illustrating the immediate and desperate need, a daily struggle for survival.
“Since the conflict started, all the warring parties have impeded our ability to reach people who were in most need of humanitarian assistance,” Egeland said. “It is crucial that all restrictions on aid are lifted so that we are able to deliver life-saving services throughout Yemen. All parties to the conflict in Yemen should allow free and clear access to humanitarian agencies, as is required under International Humanitarian Law.”
Devastated economy
A de-facto blockade on imports, imposed by the Saudi-led coalition, has had a devastating impact on the Yemeni economy. Public sector health workers and teachers do not get their salaries. The private sector is collapsing in a country dependent on imports for 90 per cent of its food. The blockade, the violence and restrictions to humanitarian access on the ground, as well as the continued destruction of civilian infrastructure in violation of humanitarian law, is turning Yemen into a country where an entire population soon will be dependent on assistance.
“Over the last years we have shown that we can respond rapidly to needs on the ground, but unless the financial commitments match the response, we will not be able to reach the most vulnerable,” Egeland said. “Last year’s appeal was only 58 per cent funded, limiting our overall response substantially. We appeal today to international donors to step up the funding, but also to apply all the pressure possible on the involved parties to secure peace and a revival of Yemen’s economy.”
Facts
18.8 million people – over two thirds of the total Yemeni population – require some form of humanitarian assistance or protection to meet their basic needs.
Over 2 million people remain displaced in Yemen; 84% of all displaced people have been displaced for more than a year.
An estimated 17.1 million people suffer from food insecurity, while 462,000 children face immediate risk of death from malnutrition.
Achieving all targets in the Humanitarian Response Plan will cost an estimated USD2bn. In order to prevent further needless suffering, the international community must significantly scale up aid contributions, focusing on key gaps and underfunded sectors.
NRC in Yemen
In 2016, NRC reached a total of 1,214,898 people with humanitarian assistance, including 619,598 women and 595,300 men.
In 2016, NRC reached 614,387 Yemenis in need with food, cash or voucher assistance.
Through our shelter programme, in 2016 NRC reached 26,292 displaced Yemenis in Amran, Hajja, Taiz and Al Dhale, in mostly hard to reach areas, improving their residences in the community.
NRC reached 572,420 Yemenis through our water, sanitation and hygiene work in 2016, constructing and rehabilitating latrines, water tanks, and raising community awareness.
NRC reached 1,800 people in Yemen in 2016 through our work with education.
https://www.nrc.no/yemen-war-causing-worlds-worst-food-crisis = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-war-causing-world-s-worst-food-crisis
8.2.2017 – The Guardian (** A H)
Yemen's food crisis: 'We are broken, we die either from bombing or hunger'
Conflict has driven Yemen to the brink of famine. Few areas have been hit harder than al-Hudaydah, where many people are now bereft of hope
Broom-maker Taie al-Nahari is kneeling on the sand, shirtless, outside his thatched hut in al-Qaza village in Yemen’s al-Hudaydah governorate. His bones show through his skin.
Before the conflict began in 2015, the 53-year-old was a fisherman. Now he makes two brooms a day, which earns him a daily income of $1. “The boats that we were working on were bombed [by Saudi jets]. Now my family and I don’t have enough to eat,” he says.
The conflict is the primary driver of a hunger crisis that the UN has warned could turn to famine this year if nothing is done.
Al-Nahari lives in the area of Yemen worst hit by the crisis. He says even those fishermen whose boats have remained intact do not dare to sail for fear of being bombed by the Saudi jets that frequently bomb targets within the country.
“The war killed our only income, which was [me] working as a fisherman, and now we are jobless and hopeless,” he says.
Al-Nahari did not earn much as a fisherman, but it was enough to buy flour and some basic food. “We are broken, we don’t have enough money, no food, nothing to eat, nothing to work with,” he says.
Fatima takes care of her two grandsons in al-Hudaydah’s al-Mujelis village. Ali is 11 and Mohammed four. They both suffer from thalassemia and their condition has been exacerbated by the lack of rich food. “We have no money to treat my grandsons or to feed ourselves. Since we lost our jobs, we have no income and we have nothing to eat,” she says.
The children’s family used to worked in a Mango farm before the bombings. “These days, we sell brooms and buy ourselves some flour and then eat it with water,” she says. “Either we die from the bombing or from the hunger. My grandson needs treatment and also on the top of all that he needs to eat a healthy food, my grandson doesn’t know what the milk tastes like.”
She says the world was turning a blind eye to the Saudi bombings, which have prompted criticism of the UK, which exports weapons to Saudi Arabia. “I also blame the whole world for watching us dying and for their silence against [the] Saudi-led coalition,” she says.
Ashwaq Ahmad Moharram, an obstetrician and gynaecologist volunteering in al-Hudaydah, says the humanitarian situation there is believed to be the worst among Yemen’s 22 governorates.
“The situation in al-Hudaydah was bad before and now it has become even worse; if they were poor before, now they are poorer,” she says.
“When I visit homes here, I have not found even the simplest daily life supports: there is no daily food, most of people eat only fish and sell what is left, but now after fishing boats are targeted by Saudi-led coalition, they have nothing left to make income from.” – by Saeed Kamali Dehghan and Ahmad Algohbary
7.2.2017 – UN Children's Fund, Government of Yemen (** B H)
Nutritional Status in Hodeidah Lowland: A comparative analysis between August 2015 and March 2016
Executive Summary
Due to the ongoing conflict, decades of food insecurity and multiple aggravating factors, the nutritional situation in Yemen remains dire. A SMART survey was implemented in Hodeidah lowlands to assess: 1) levels of acute malnutrition, stunting and underweight a month children aged 6-59 months; 2) child morbidity including suspected measles, diarrhoea, fever and acute respiratory infections; ARI); 3) measles and polio vaccination coverage among children; 4) determine food security status of households; 5) income status of household heads; 6) crude and under-five mortality rates; and 7) prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among children under 6 months and complementary feeding among children 6 to 23 months.
In March 2016, a three-staged cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted. The survey methodology replicated the methodology used in August 2015 to ensure comparability. A comparative analysis was conducted between the 2015 survey and 2016 survey to assess whether indicators in Hodeideh were improving or deteriorating. The sample size was calculated to be representative at a Hodeidah lowlands level. The nutritional status of children was analysed using the WHO Child Growth.
In total, data were collected from a total of 549 households. From these households, data was obtained from 82 infants 0-6 months old, and 606 children 6 to 59 months (inclusive of 440 children 6-23 months).
Main findings from this survey, and the comparative analysis with 2015 survey data identified significant decreases for SAM (weight for height z-score: 8.9% to 3.3%) and GAM (31% to 21.7%), severe underweight (21.7% to 15.9%) and total loss of income (P = 0.000). However, significant increases were observed for partial loss of income (P = 0.002).
Overall, these findings will contribute towards shaping existing nutrition programmes in Hodeidah.
Further, findings will be used to advocate for continuation and adequate funding to support nutritional programmes as required.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/nutritional-status-hodeidah-lowland-comparative-analysis-between-august-2015-and-march and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Hodeidah%20Lowland%20Survey%20Mar%202016%20Report.pdf
7.2.2017 – Middle East Eye (** A P T)
'A night of evil': US attack in Yemen leaves scars, fear and hatred
Resident in Yakla describes massacre as US drones and commandos swooped on village hunting for al-Qaeda leader
Rimi said afterwards that 14 members of his group had died in the attack - apparently confirming the village's link to AQAP - but villagers deny any association, and say what happened on Sunday was simply a massacre.
Whatever the facts, an account of the raid obtained by Middle East Eye presents a night of terror and confusion in a war already clouded by shifting front lines, loyalties and objectives.
Yakla is in Yemen’s remote and dangerous al-Bayda province, and interviews were obtained through a third party who visited last week.
"At 2.30am we heard the buzz of the drones," one villager told the intermediary on condition of anonymity, fearing he could be targeted in future action.
"That is nothing new for us - we woke up and waited for our destiny. That was the beginning of the evil night."
"After the drones, we heard helicopters overhead – that was when the tribesmen decided to take up arms and went out to face the forces."
According to the villager, tribesmen grabbed "personal' firearms" which in Yemen, one of the world's most weaponised countries, include machine guns and assault rifles, to confront the US forces.
He said US forces had deliberately targeted civilians - a charge denied by the US and that could not be independently verified by Middle East Eye.
"At 3am dozens of commandos dropped from the helicopters and started to storm civilian houses, killing those inside - including women and children."
Two of the US aircraft were destroyed in the firefight, the villager claims - although again, this cannot be verified. The US admitted that one of its aircraft, a tilt-rotor V22 Osprey, suffered engine failure during the raid and had to be destroyed.
After US forces stormed the houses in Yakla, drone strikes destroyed three building and damaged others, the resident said.
"We all thought we would die that night," the villager said. "I'm so lucky that no one in my family was killed – but it’s so sad to see my neighbours killed without sin."
Residents told MEE they had been left wondering when, not if, another raid would hit the village. "Now the residents of Yakla are just waiting for the next raid to kill the rest of the civilians," the villager added.
US sources say intelligence showed the village was defended by prepared emplacements and machinegun nests, and ringed by minefields - one of the many factors in a decision by the former US president, Barack Obama, to leave the operation on the shelf.
What is certain is Yakla has been used by fighting men at a time of civil war - many tribesmen are members of the Popular Resistance, a loose coalition of groups fighting against the Houthi rebel movement
An official for the local Radaa district, Nasser al-Sanne, said three of these prominent tribal figures were killed in the attack: Saif al-Jawfi, and Abdulraouf and Sultan al-Thahab, who the US say were members of al-Qaeda. Residents and authorities said they were tribal sheikhs and had nothing to do with the group.
Sanne listed several children he said were killed: Ahmed Abulellah al-Thahab, 11; Nasser Abdullah al-Thahab, 13; Mirsal Abdu Rabo al-Ameri, six; Asma Fahd al-Ameri, a three-month-old baby; Abdullah Ahmed al-Zoobah, 16; and Nawar Anwar al-Awlaqi, six.
He said he believed this was evidence the raid targeted several families, not just the Thahabs.
The Thahabs had two other brothers who were indeed linked to al-Qaeda and were killed in drone attacks in recent years.
Abdulraouf however was fighting for the Popular Resistance to liberate al-Bayda province from the Houthi rebels, according to other members.
Abdulraouf had, four years ago, also denied the US accusations against him, saying in a video: "I am a sheikh as any another Yemeni sheikh, and all accusations that say I am a member of al-Qaeda or field commander are lies."
Thahab had recently worked with pro-government forces in Marib province - a source said he had been supplied with weapons to liberate his home province from the Houthis.
"Thahab was a main ally of the pro-government forces in al-Bayda and it is not in the interest of the government for him to be killed - as he is one of the bravest fighters in al-Bayda," the source said.
For the people of Yakla, talk of who was and wasn't on the American hit list were secondary to what they believe were the true objectives: making Trump look strong.
One villager said: "The new US president thinks himself to be the strongest in this world, but I say our prayers to Allah are stronger than him, and Allah will help the weak people like us." – by Nasser al-Sakkaf
Remark: For more reports about this US raid look at cp14.
8.2.2017 – Truthout (** A K P)
Trump's Hard Line on Iran Will Give Saudis Free Hand in Yemen
The Trump administration's truculent warning last week that it was putting Iran "on notice" over its recent missile test and a missile strike on a Saudi warship off the coast of Yemen appears calculated to convince the American public that the current administration is going to be tougher on Iran than the Obama administration was.
However, despite the tough talk from National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and other senior officials, the new administration appears to be focused primarily on aligning US policy more closely with that of Saudi Arabia -- especially in its war in Yemen and its broader conflict with Iran.
An unidentified senior administration official speaking at a February 1 press briefing, a transcript of which Truthout has obtained, indicated that, apart from economic sanctions, the administration was considering options "related to support for those that are challenging and opposing Iranian malign activity in the region" -- meaning the Saudis and Israel.
During the briefing, the senior officials signaled clearly that the Trump administration will unconditionally support the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen. In response to the question of whether the administration was "reassessing" US support for the Saudi war in Yemen, the unnamed senior official answered with one word: "No."
The Trump administration's lack of public reservation about the indiscriminate Saudi-led bombing campaign, as well as its lack of interest in exerting pressure on the Saudis to end the war by accepting a compromise with the Houthis and the forces of former Yemeni president Saleh, significantly increases the likelihood that the Saudi bombing will continue indefinitely. That means that the food shortage that is killing thousands of Yemeni children will probably become far worse in the coming months.
The Obama administration tried to persuade the Saudis to negotiate seriously with the Houthis but refused to force the issue of ending the war. Now, the Trump administration appears to be encouraging the Saudis to impose a military solution, regardless of the mass starvation it will continue to cause.
The Trump administration's threatening posture toward Iran is also related primarily to a decision to tighten the US relationship with Saudi Arabia. Senior officials indicated in the February 1 briefing that the Trump administration will continue to confront Iran not only on its missile testing but also on its plans for a new stage of missile production.
These remarks indicate that the Trump administration intends to mount a public campaign of pressure on Iran over its production and testing of new, more accurate missiles.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is not facing Iran's ballistic missile force empty-handed. It had already purchased dozens of Chinese missiles.
The Trump administration's accusation that Iran is responsible for the Houthi attack on a Saudi warship on January 31 is primarily a show of toughness for domestic consumption and a show of support for the Saudi war of destruction in Yemen. Administration officials are treating a military action by the Houthis against the Saudis as "destabilizing" -- as though the Houthis were either a terrorist organization or the aggressors, rather than the victims of external aggression.
That propaganda line reflects the fact that the United States refused to accept the 2014 overthrow by the Houthis of the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.
In fact, the Houthis did not depend on Iranian arms to gain control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in September 2014.
The Houthis did apparently get guided missiles from Iran after the Saudis began the bombing campaign to allow the Houthis to have some means of retaliation.
The Trump national security team consists of some of the most extreme anti-Iran figures from the military (National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and Secretary of Defense James Mattis) and from Congress (former Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo, who is now serving as CIA director). These officials share visceral, antagonistic feelings about the Iranian regime and its role in the region. But for the time being at least, the practical effect of those views is not to move the administration toward a military confrontation. The effect is mainly to double down on the US support of Saudi Arabia's war and to inflict ever-worsening agony on the population of Yemen – By Gareth Porter
7.2.2017 – Lawfareblog (** A K P)
U.S. Sanctions Iran after Missile Test, U.S. Escalating Fight in Yemen
U.S.-Iran Tensions Escalate with Tit-for-Tat Missile Tests and Sanctions
So far, the diplomatic sparring has been limited to the long-running dispute over Iran’s ballistic missile development; the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program remains separate and safe—for now, at least. Iran’s missile program is not part of the JCPOA, but Iran is banned from developing missiles capable of carrying a nuclear warhead under a U.N. Security Council resolution. That hasn’t stopped Iran from conducting tests every few months, to which the United States has responded with punitive sanctions. This was also true under the Obama administration.
This is standard operating procedure by now. The Trump administration, though, could take additional steps -- that’s what National Security Advisor Michael Flynn suggested last week, telling the New York Times, “The ritual of convening a United Nations Security Council in an emergency meeting and issuing a strong statement is not enough. The Trump administration will no longer tolerate Iran’s provocations that threaten our interests.” Iranian officials are not helping the situation by sending mixed messages.
U.S. Escalating Role in Yemen on Two Fronts
While the United States remains engaged in the fight against AQAP in Yemen’s east and south, U.S. defense planners told Foreign Policy last week that they are also looking to step up the U.S. role in Yemen’s civil war. The United States has been providing intelligence and logistical support to the Saudi-led coalition that intervened on behalf of Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi for more than a year, but U.S. officials say they’re looking to “become more directly involved.” Last week, a U.S. Navy destroyer was diverted to the Yemeni coast to tighten up the blockade designed to prevent Iranian weapons from reaching Houthi rebels, and the Pentagon is reportedly considering further steps, including drone strikes and embedding U.S. troops with local forces.
Yemen is an unforgiving battlefield; the United States has taken out a succession of senior AQAP leaders since the group was reconstituted in 2009, but this has mostly been an exercise in “mowing the grass” -- the group has thrived as the already-ineffective central government collapsed in recent years.
Maintaining the fight against AQAP is consistent with U.S. counterterrorism policy, but the reasons for escalating the U.S. role in the war against the Houthis are more questionable. Trump administration officials have suggested it would be a good way to hit back at Iran, but while Iran has backed the Houthis with weapons and training, it's unclear whether Tehran has enough influence to call any shots. After all, the Houthis would be fighting this war with or without Tehran, and they are just one faction in a broader coalition that includes powerful military figures aligned with Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Yemeni president ousted by the Arab Spring.
The Gulf states often complained toward the end of the Obama administration that they needed “reassurance” about the U.S. commitment to protect the Saudi sphere of influence from Iranian incursion. U.S. escalation in the war in Yemen would provide that reassurance, but on Saudi Arabia’s distorted terms. Then again, the Trump administration seems to have a hard time differentiating between Iran and the Houthis.
As Brian Whitaker notes on his site, Al-Bab, the conflation of the Houthis and Iran is “familiar propaganda.” – By J. Dana Stuster
7.2.2017 – Reuters (** B K P)
Trump risks deeper entanglement in Yemen's murky war
Yemen is emerging as a test ground for U.S. President Donald Trump's forceful approach to al Qaeda and Iran, but his first actions there risk drawing his administration further into its convoluted two-year-old war.
Washington has long supported the exiled Yemeni government against its Houthi and al Qaeda foes, who are also fighting each other. But Trump's more muscular approach may have unintended consequences, analysts and Yemeni officials warn, reversing efforts by Obama to achieve a peace deal and firing up two organizations hostile to U.S. interests.
"Rather than advancing a political solution that almost everyone agrees is the only way to solve the conflict, it seems the Trump administration's actions are just adding fuel to the fire," said Adam Baron, a Yemen expert at the European Council on Foreign relation.
Reacting to the Navy SEAL raid, a Yemeni tribal leader said: "If they had just bombed the place it would have been much easier and less risky, but it looks like Trump is trying to say 'I'm a man of action'."
"It looks like the new President has watched a lot of Steven Seagal movies," he added, referring to the action film star.
The Shi'ite Islamist [Houthis] movement, which denies receiving any military aid from Iran, portrays Washington as an aggressor in the war. The latest U.S. actions risk fuelling that narrative.
After the Houthis attacked a Saudi frigate off the Red Sea coast last week, U.S. officials said the destroyer USS Cole - the same vessel that was attacked by al Qaeda off Yemen in 2000, with the loss of 17 sailors - had arrived at the nearby Bab al-Mandab Strait to protect international waterways.
Trump's new national security adviser Michael Flynn then accused the Houthis of being one of Iran's "proxy terrorist groups" - a label the last administration and even Saudi Arabia had avoided in hopes of reviving stalled Yemeni peace talks.
Ahmed Hamed, information minister for the pro-Houthi authorities in Sanaa, fired back that the deployment was part of an Israeli-American plot to weaken Yemen's patriotic resistance and empower militant groups.
"America and Israel are seeking to enable al Qaeda and Islamic State in the Bab al-Mandab," he said, dismissing what he called a "public relations tempest about Iranian meddling."
While former Secretary of State John Kerry repeatedly visited the Gulf to try to seal an elusive deal between the Houthis and their government foes, the lack of any explicit commitment by Trump to those efforts could bode ill.
"The Iranians would love to see the Americans caught in a quagmire in Yemen, and vague talk of imposing red lines - in this case on Iranian behavior - may not end well," said Baron.
Though al Qaeda claimed one of the dead, Abdulraoof al-Dhahab, as one of their "martyrs", some officials on the government side denied that and said he was an important partner with local tribes in battles against the Houthis.
"Trump must have launched the raid without enough information - Abdulraoof was a good, honest man, not with al Qaeda. He fought the Houthis," a local tribal leader and security official told Reuters.
Some see a risk that the armed incursion could alienate local opinion and even encourage al Qaeda recruitment – By Noah Browning
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-trump-idUSKBN15M1HP
Comment by Judith Brown: Well fools step in...
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155195861958641
7.2.2017 – Stratfor (** B K P)
In Yemen, a Ready-Made Quagmire Awaits
As President Donald Trump's administration sets its foreign policy priorities, it is looking for ways to quickly differentiate itself from the previous administration and project its strength globally. The Yemen conflict seems to offer an opportunity to accomplish both goals at once, in the administration's view. Having explicitly linked Iran's actions to the Houthi insurgency, Flynn broke new ground in U.S. foreign policy and paved the way for Washington to turn the conflict in Yemen into a theater for its efforts against Tehran. But the Yemen conflict will not yield the easy victory that the Trump administration might be hoping for. By increasing the United States' involvement in Yemen, Washington risks embroiling itself in a complex battle of which Iran is only one small part.
Though most of Washington's activity in Yemen centers on combating al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the United States has also been working indirectly against the Houthi insurgency.
But the Houthis are not simply Iran's proxy. Though the insurgent group has been around only for a matter of decades, and it has occupied Yemen's capital, Sanaa, only since 2015, its Zaidi Shiite roots in the vast and mountainous country's highlands date back centuries. Its rivalries against Yemen's other tribal groups are similarly enduring.
If the United States gets more involved in the conflict against the Houthis, it will expose itself to a host of dangers, not least of all the risk of mission creep. The conflict in Yemen is a ready-made quagmire: For the past two years, the Houthis and the Yemeni government have stayed at a stalemate through numerous attempts at political negotiations.
Furthermore, in joining the fray, the United States risks getting in the middle of disagreements among the other members of the coalition.
Perhaps more important, the United States' attempts to counter Iran in Yemen could interfere with its efforts against the Islamic State elsewhere in the Middle East. In Iraq, for example, U.S.-backed militias are fighting side by side with Iranian-backed militias to take down the extremist group. Since the Trump administration has named the fight against the Islamic State as its main counterterrorism and foreign policy priority, Washington will be careful not to jeopardize the success of the operations against the group.
After spending two years conducting airstrikes against the Houthi rebels to little visible effect, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have learned the hard way that Yemen is no place for quick, easy military victories. If Washington is looking for a fast way to demonstrate its strength against Tehran, it is unlikely to find one in Yemen if it goes too far.
https://www.stratfor.com/geopolitical-diary/yemen-ready-made-quagmire-awaits b
6.2.2017 – Business Insider (** B K P)
Everyone is missing the big picture in Trump's Yemen raid
Americans’ new attention to US intervention in Yemen is rightly focused on these details, especially the tragic and preventable deaths. But if we only notice the particulars of this strike, we run the risk of missing an alarming bigger picture: This raid marked the first time the United States has put boots on the ground in combat in the Yemeni civil war, and those SEALs were sent into the line of fire without constitutionally-required authorization from Congress.
If that seems like a pedantic consideration, I assure you it is not. This is a major new development in a military intervention launched by the Obama White House without public discussion or a declaration of war. Obama started US involvement in Yemen secretly and illegally, and to escalate to ground war—to putting US troops in harm’s way—without so much as a go-ahead from Congress would be a serious mistake.
While it is true that AQAP is clearly linked to the Al Qaeda organization responsible for 9/11, and thus targeting them under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) is more plausible than most of the uses the AUMF sees these days, remember that Obama’s intervention in Yemen extends well beyond Al Qaeda.
Our primary focus is the Yemeni civil war, which has no real connection to the terms of 16-year-old AUMF.
The American public deserves the opportunity to debate whether we want a new war waged in our name and funded by our money; and our military at the very least deserves a commander-in-chief who follows basic guidelines from our Constitution before risking their lives on another country’s behalf.
Congressional authorization is not too much to ask, and it is not a frivolous request. It can serve as a valuable check on executive power.
That note of caution is especially important in Yemen, where there are no direct US interests at stake. On the contrary, what we find in Yemen is a convoluted mess, in which Washington is supporting a Saudi-led coalition that is credibly accused of war crimes, whose cause the United States aids more to mollify an increasingly inconvenient ally than to gain any clear advantage for ourselves.
The war, and thus that vacuum, is unquestionably prolonged by Saudi interference, which in turn is made possible by US support.
Now that Americans are paying attention to Yemen, this should be our demand: If the White House wants to maintain this odious Obama project with no apparent value to US security, it must make its case to Congress and the nation.
And if Congress will not declare war, then President Trump can and must extract American troops and end our military support for Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen before this recent raid becomes one in a litany of unnecessary risks offering much to lose and little to gain – by Editorial Board
http://www.businessinsider.de/big-picture-trump-yemen-raid-2017-2?r=US&IR=T
My comment: This is all true so far. But, be honest: Congress agreeing to this war, would this make things better, would this reduce killing and destruction?
7.2.2017 – Haykal Bafana (** A K T)
Shocker : #Yemen ambassador says use of Al Qaeda militants in the resistance was explained & all info given to "highest levels" of US govt. (see Arabic text in image)
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/829019416746663937
Comment by Hussam Al-Sanabani: It has been published more than once, but what was said about the efforts 2 fight terrorism does not ring true in (reffering to Wall Street Journal from July 16, 2015, see in image
https://twitter.com/HussamSanabani/status/829068957445398530
Comment by Ayad: Always been part of Saudi coaltion &Hadi world collected mercenaeris giving it fancy name as #Yemen national army
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/829059979546091522
7.2.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (** A H K)
Yemen: Escalating Conflict - Yemen's Western Coast Flash Update | 07 February 2017
Key messages
Escalating conflict in recent weeks has forced over 34,000 people to flee their homes inTaizz Governorate. Fighting and displacement have mainly been concentrated in Al Mukha and Al Dhubab districts.
The parties to the conflict must ensure the protection of an estimated 3,500 to 7,000 people still residing in the town of Al Mukha.
Humanitarian partners are mobilizing assistance in areas affected by fighting or hosting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Situation overview
Armed hostilities have increased substantially along Yemen’s western coast in recent weeks, including fierce fighting in the districts of Dhubab and Al Mukha in Taizz Governorate. Partners estimatethat more than 34,000 individuals (as of 5 February) have been forced to flee their homes across Taizz in search of safety and protection. About 60 per cent ofrecent Taizz IDPs have fled affected areas of Al Mukha and Al Dhubab districts, including most residents of Dhubab town and an estimated two-thirds of residents of Al Mukha town.
The vast majority of recent Taizz IDPs (84 per cent) have fled to safer areas within Taizz Governorate.
This includes 40 per cent of IDPs who remain within Dhubab and Al Mukha districts and 30 per cent who are sheltering in neighbouring Maqbanah or Mawza districts. Smaller numbers of recent Taizz IDPs have also been reported in southern Al Hudaydah (8 per cent of total) and Ibb, Lahj, Aden and Al Dhale’e (together accounting for another 8 per cent). The actual number of people displaced is likely to be higher, particularly in Al Hudaydah, as current figures are those that have been verified.
Many of the displaced were already vulnerable, with access to livelihoods in the area, especiallyfishing, severely affected by the conflict. For some, this is the second time they have been forced to flee their homes. Most are currently being hosted by relatives and friends, while others with the means to do so, are staying in rented accommodations. The most vulnerable have taken refuge in public or empty buildings, or are out in the open.
Between 3,500 and 7,000 people are still residing in Al Mukha town, which is experiencing heavy ground clashes, air strikes and sniperfire. Health facilities are not functioning, shops and markets are open for limited hours, and the water network operates sporadically due to lack of fuel and damage sustained to the main pumping station. Partners report that some residents would leave the town if they could, but either lack the financial means to do so, or have concerns over their safety, especially with reports ofsniper fire at exit points and the presence of landmines.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-escalating-conflict-yemens-western-coast-flash-update-07-february-2017 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ocha_flash_update_07022017-_final.pdf
and
2.2.2017 – World Health Organization (** A H)
Special situation report no. 1, 27 January – 2 February 2017: Conflict in Al-Mokha City, Taizz Governorate, Yemen
Highlights:
22,000 people are affected by intense fighting in Al-Mokha City in Taizz Governorate. More than 8,000 people have fled to Al-Hudaydah and Taizz Governorate to escape, while thousands more remain trapped and caught in the crossfire.
WHO has deployed a rapid response team to districts receiving internally displaced persons from Al-Mokha City to identify the most urgent health needs.
WHO has dispatched a mobile medical team to deliver primary health services in affected districts in Al-Hudaydah Governorate and delivered three trauma kits sufficient for 300 surgical interventions to the main hospitals in Bait Al-Fakeeh, Zebeed and Hays districts.
Situation update:
Fighting in Al-Mokha City, Taizz Governorate has forced almost 1,231 households (more than 8,000 people) to flee to neighboring districts in Al-Hudaydah governorate and Taizz governorate. The majority of internally displaced persons have settled in Jabal Ra’s, Hays, Al-Jarrahi, Al-Khawkha and Attuhayta districts (see table below).
More than 5,000 people remain trapped in Al-Mokha City and are unable to leave due to the insecurity.
The influx and movement of internally displaced persons is expected to continue as violence continues and people flee to safer areas.
According to local health authorities, five civilians have died, and 16 people, including 8 children and 1 woman have been injured and referred to health facilities in Al-Khawkha district.
Newly displaced people are an additional burden for host communities, who are themselves already vulnerable and living in poverty. Many displaced families are hosted in cramped accommodation among host communities, while many of the new IDPs are living in empty buildings and open spaces.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/special-situation-report-no-1-27-january-2-february-2017-conflict-al-mokha-city-taizz and in full: http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/yemen/WHO_special_SitRep_on_IDPs_fleeing_Al_Mokha_City_FINAL.pdf = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/WHO_special_SitRep_on_IDPs_fleeing_Al_Mokha_City_FINAL.pdf
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (** A K)
Army reveals details on ballistic missile that hit Saudi capital
The Yemeni army said the ballistic missile that hit the Saudi capital of Riyadh was a locally developed Scud-type missile, Burkan 2 (Volcano 2).
The Army said in a statement received by Saba late on Monday that the long-range Burkan 2 was locally modified from Burkan 1 by national military experts at the Developing and Research Center of the army's Rocketry Forces.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455455.htm
and
7.2.2017 – Hamed Ghaleb (A K)
I know da experts who upgraded the missiles thy r Yemenis studied n Russia not Iranians or hizbuallah
https://twitter.com/HamedGhaleb/status/828997805746319362
and
6.2.2017 – Geopolitics Alert (** A K)
Yemen Promises Saudi Arabia More Missiles To Come
In the early hours of Monday morning, Yemeni Popular Resistance Forces successfully hit a Riyadh military base with a long range surface to surface Scud missile.
Saudi authorities have yet to comment on the incident. In fact local Saudi sources are denying the event even happened; claiming what appeared to be a missile strike was actually a gas explosion caused by an earthquake. As a result it is not 100% clear at this point whether or not any Saudi soldiers have been killed. Yemeni sources say at least four Saudi soldiers have been killed.
Either way, the missile launch was a success for Popular Resistance Forces. Why? Because they now know– without a doubt– that they can hit Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh. And they’ve made it clear there will be more to come.
Ansarullah and the General People’s Congress released a statement shortly after the launch explaining that this missile strike was carried out in retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s relentless attacks on the Yemeni people. The Saudis and their allies (including other Gulf Kingdoms and the Atlantic powers) have caused devastation throughout Yemen, thousands of civilian casualties, starvation, and a humanitarian disaster.
http://geopoliticsalert.com/yemen-promises-saudi-arabia-missiles-come
cp2 Allgemein / General
8.2.2017 – BBC (* B H K P)
Audio: Strong @BBCNews report today on #Yemen war & looming famine, need for new approach to peace. Listen from 25.30 mins:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08cqqmq
7.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (* A P)
International moves to designate Houthis as terrorist grop
The Yemeni Ambassador to the United Nations Khalid al-Yamani has said that there is international moves aiming to designate the Houthis as a terrorist group.
Al-Yamani stressed that the Yemeni government will provide a legal memo to the United Nations to ask it to take measures against Iran and its proxies the region, pointing out that they commit crimes against the Yemeni people and jeopardize the international navigation.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are discussing the inclusion of the Houthi group groups on the council’s joint list of terror, GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs Hazza’a Al-Hajri told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
While media outlines reported that Oman might have reservations on parts of this suggestion, an official with the Omani delegation participating in the preparatory meeting for the undersecretaries of GCC interior ministers refused to confirm or deny the report.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-3785
My comment: Labeling the Houthis as a “terrorist organization” would be odd and little more than a matter of propaganda. The Houthi movement is a religious, social, political, tribal movement with its own militia – quite different and anarchic in its structure and different parts. – There are several other militia in Yemen – fighting for the Hadi government – which do not generally differ from the Houthi militia.– If the Houthis really should be labeled as “terrorists”, then you must take a much broader approach to what and who is “terrorist”: and, even before labeling the Houthis as such, you were obliged to label the Saudis and their air force, the US governments of the last decades, the CIA from its very beginning as “terrorists”.
7.2.2017 – Shabia Mantoo (* B K)
Film: This is Sa'ada, a city on the front lines of conflict in #Yemen. This is what almost two years of war looks like:
https://twitter.com/shabia_m/status/829007853293813764 = https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155196769758641
7.2.2017 – Critical Threats (* B K P)
Pushing Back on Iran: Policy Options in Yemen
U.S. Policy Recommendations
Prevent the al Houthis from moving further into Iran’s sphere of influence. A significant faction within the al Houthi movement does not support Iranian control. The isolation of the al Houthis from other sources of support drives them toward Tehran. Breaking the al Houthis’ reliance on Iranian support may also reverse the Iranian absorption of factions within the al Houthi movement. An aggressive policy against the al Houthis in Yemen risks aligning the full group with Iran and strengthening the partnership.
Prevent Iran from establishing strategic weapons systems or basing in Yemen.
Transform how the Saudi-led coalition is operating in Yemen. The US must sustain support for the Saudi-led coalition in order to have leverage over Riyadh. The US should use that leverage to pursue a negotiated political solution at the regional, national, and sub-state level. The final resolution of the conflict must allow Saudi defense minister Mohamed bin Salman to cast it as a win for Saudi Arabia, yet must ensure that the al Houthis are not marginalized, isolated, and dependent on Iran. The US must not out-source its Yemen policy to Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Neither will act to secure US interests in full in Yemen and their divergence on key questions may prolong instability.
Al Houthi movement’s relationship to Iran
Isolation drives the movement into the Iranian network. The incorporation of the leading elements of the al Houthi movement into the Iranian orbit may facilitate the transfer of asymmetrical capabilities from Iran to Yemen and permit these elements to consolidate power within the al Houthi movement.
A small faction of the al Houthi leadership was within the Iranian network going into 2014.
The al Houthi-led government became isolated by December 2014 and into early 2015, particularly after it blocked passage of a constitution seen as illegitimate among Yemeni opposition groups. This isolation prompted the al Houthi leadership to turn to Iran, China, and Russia for assistance. Iran quickly cut deals, establishing direct flights between Tehran and Sana’a February 28, 2015, and announcing plans for economic cooperation by March 12.
The al Houthi relationship with Hezbollah became public over the course of 2015
The al Houthis are building relations with groups in the Iranian network, likely to access unique capabilities, possibly including bomb-making expertise
The al Houthi movement is not an Iranian proxy, however. Iranian officials generate the narrative that the al Houthis are part of the “Axis of Resistance.” The al Houthis probably mean more to Iran than Iran does to the al Houthis.
The strength of the al Houthi movement itself is overplayed in media reporting. Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, not the al Houthis, commands the bulk of the fighting force, high-end capabilities, and resources in northern Yemen. The al Houthi movement could not sustain current levels of control without the continued support of Saleh. Saleh is not an Iranian proxy, nor is he likely to become one.
Al Houthi leadership retains its decision-making power and has not subordinated the group to Iranian objectives. Leaders publicly reject Iranian offers of support. It is very likely the al Houthi leadership privately rejected Iranian warnings in August-September 2014 not to press farther than Sana’a, Yemen’s capital.
Iran provides limited support to the al Houthis in Yemen through Lebanese Hezbollah and a small IRGC advisory team. Imported capabilities include the modification of Yemen’s ballistic missiles to extend their range to target sites in Saudi Arabia. They may also include more advanced missiles for high-profile attacks, like those used against Emirati and US vessels in October 2016. Iranian aid moves by sea and across a land route through Oman.
Lebanese Hezbollah is not the al Houthi model. Iranian officials draw comparisons between the al Houthis and Hezbollah, but the al Houthi movement does not fit the model and is very unlikely to be able to replicate it in Yemen.
The al Houthi movement is highly factionalized. It is not organized hierarchically under a single leader. Powerful families outside of the al Houthi family and independent from Iranian influence comprise the leading ranks of the al Houthi movement, though they have been partially marginalized over time.
The Zaydi Shia community in Yemen does not monolithically support the al Houthi movement. The al Houthi movement represents a minority political interest among Zaydi, many of whom back former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The al Houthi movement has historically been contained within the areas in northern Yemen from which it emerged. Its current wider footprint results from the likely temporary alliance it has formed with Saleh,
7.2.2017 – WDR ( B K)
Fotos: Der vergessene Krieg im Jemen
Seit 2015 führt Saudi-Arabien Krieg gegen den Jemen – weitgehend unbemerkt von der Weltöffentlichkeit. Eine humanitäre, aber auch eine kulturelle Katastrophe. Denn die Bomben treffen Menschen und Weltkulturerbe gleichermaßen
http://www1.wdr.de/wissen/krieg-im-jemen-100.html
7.2.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)
Gulf of Aden Security Review
[Events day by day backwards from Feb. 6]
http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/gulf-aden-security-review
6.2.2017 – Caucus 99 Percent (* B K)
It's 1964 again in Yemen
Last week Trump's White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer accused Iran of attacking a U.S. naval vessel. There were just two problem's with that statement: 1) no U.S. naval vessel was attacked, and 2) no Iranian vessel did any attacking.
Some of you might be thinking, "Hmmm. That sounds familiar."
That's because it is familiar. The Obama Administration made a similar accusation last October.
This "mistake" happened just weeks after the Houthis sank a Saudi-led coalition ship.
To an American this might sound like the Gulf of Tonkin, but if you want a Vietnam metaphor you don't need to go nearly so far abroad, or even change the year.
One interesting element of the Saudi-led quagmire is the participation by Egypt.
The reason why that is interesting is because of any nation out there, they should know better.
In the 1960s, Egypt entered into a long, costly quagmire in Yemen. The Egyptian president at the time, Gamal Abdel Nasser, a secular autocrat and a champion of pan-Arabism, chose to intervene in Yemen in support of a republican coup led by military officers seeking to oust the country's monarchy in 1962.
Like 1964, the Saudis are seeking to restore a corrupt, but obedient leader to power in Yemen.
Like 1964, it's a bloody stalemate.
At the peak of deployments, Nasser committed as many as 70,000 Egyptian soldiers to Yemen. After the war's end in 1970, Yemen remained a republic, but Egypt had paid a terrible price: More than 10,000 Egyptian soldiers died and the country ran up massive war debts. The conflict has been dubbed "Egypt's Vietnam," and is cited as one of the reasons why the Egyptian military suffered such a withering defeat in the Six-Day War with Israel in 1967.
Now, it serves as a cautionary tale more for the Saudis than the Egyptians, whose participation in "Operation Decisive Storm," writes Egyptian blogger Nervana Mahhmoud, "is more a simple acknowledgment that the leadership in Cairo cannot afford to say no to Saudi Arabia." The kingdom has doled out billions of dollars in aid to the government of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, a military officer who threw out the country's elected Islamists in 2013 – by gjohnsit
http://caucus99percent.com/content/its-1964-again-yemen
30.4.2015 – RT (* A K)
Saudi Arabia training tribal ground force in Yemen – report
Keen not to get their own hands directly dirty in their war in Yemen, Saudi Arabia are now arming Sunni tribesman and terrorists in Yemen in an all-out effort to both destabilize and manufacture a long-term sectarian disaster there.
The Saudis have decided that they are going to intensify the unstable situation by providing arms to an oppositional group,” and there is NO guarantee that these militants will not turn to jihad, join al Qaeda/AQAP later on (if they haven’t already), or become absorbed into ISIS.
Once again, Saudi Arabia is not only playing with fire – it’s igniting one, this time in Yemen. It does this with the full backing and approval of the US State Department – are creating a repeat of the sectarian disasters both Iraq and Syria…
In order to break the stalemate in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has reportedly started training hundreds of Yemeni tribesmen to fight the Houthis on the ground, while Riyadh continues its bombardment campaign.
https://www.rt.com/news/254369-saudi-training-yemen-tribes/ = http://whatsupic.com/news-politics-world/repeat-syria-saudi-arabia-yemen.html
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Siehe / Look at cp1
8.2.2017 – Save the Children (* A H)
The moment a 13-year-old boy was hit by an airstrike
As a legal challenge begins on Tuesday seeking to ban UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia, Save the Children is calling for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes by all parties in Yemen’s bitter civil war.
Nearly 1,400 children have been killed and thousands injured in attacks on civilian homes, schools and hospitals since the conflict escalated in March 2015.
Our team in Sana’a spoke to a 13-year-old boy who was severely burned in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on a funeral last October. 140 people died in the attack.
The boy, Zuhair, put out the flames that engulfed his clothes with his bare hands – and even now wakes in the night, screaming.
Save the Children is helping Zuhair and other children like him with psychological support.
"I saw people scattered on the floor. They were dead. I saw only half bodies" Zuhair tells our field staff in the interview. "My clothes were burnt, my hands, my legs, and my face. I was completely burnt."
Zuhair’s mother talks of her family’s attempt to treat his burns and says they were so impoverished by two years of war that they were initially forced to turn to creams and homemade remedies rather than seek medical care.
Edward Santiago, Save the Children's Yemen Country Director said:
“There have been clear violations of international law by all parties in this conflict, which is why Save the Children is calling for an immediate and independent UN mandated investigation into abuses. Since the conflict began we have seen schools and hospitals bombed. Nearly 1,400 children have now been killed, and more than 2,140 injured since the conflict escalated in March. This is utterly unacceptable.
“The UK, and all other countries still exporting arms to Saudi-led coalition, must immediately suspend arms sales and take action to ensure that they stop fuelling the brutal conflict.
“The UK and the international community at large must put the defence of children before the commercial interests of arms exporters.”
New raw & social videos, stills and testimony available here (http://storycentral.savethechildren.org.uk/pages/search.php?search=%21collection44161&k=47ececb5f0 )
https://www.savethechildren.net/article/moment-13-year-old-boy-was-hit-airstrike = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/moment-13-year-old-boy-was-hit-airstrike
7.2.2017 – Your Abilities (A H)
#Yemen A displaced person from Tehamah is suffering from kidney failure. He needs a kidney implant. For money donation from yemen through The Yemen International Bank, account no. 0008-527188-004
Or you can contact us through: 771179973
Or through our accounts on..
https://www.facebook.com/your.abilities.or/photos/a.203177856767226.1073741828.202623430156002/275159212902423/?type=3&theater = https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1272353626150998
7.2.2017 – Press TV Iran (* A H)
Film: Yemen health system on brink of collapse
Nearly three years of war on Yemen has brought the country ever closer to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. There’s a severe shortage of medicines due to a Saudi blockade of the country, and health workers are struggling to provide essential health care.
Our correspondent Mohamed al-Attab has traveled to the southern city of al-Hudaydah on Red Sea to document the hardship of people in receiving medical care.
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/02/07/509452/Yemen-health-system--Saudi-Arabia-
7.2.2017 – Huffington Post (* A H)
We Can't Ignore The Hell That's Been Created In Yemen
Yemen -- a nation whose descent into hell has largely been ignored by the world.
There's a traditional saying in Yemen, where hardship is no stranger, that 'no one dies of hunger'. But this is no longer the case.
Nearly two years into the conflict, the number of children under five who are severely malnourished -- and who could die if they do not receive treatment urgently -- has nearly tripled, and now stands at 462,000. A further 1.7 million children under five are moderately malnourished and could rapidly slide into life-threatening severe malnutrition if not treated in time.
It's hard to miss the direct impact of the war on children. So far, the fighting has killed almost 1,400 children and wounded 2,140 others -- many have had limbs amputated or suffered other horrific injuries.
But the conflict also has less visible consequences, with the decimated health system, collapsed economy and food crisis leading to a significant increase in child mortality -- roughly 10,000 more children in Yemen are dying annually from totally preventable causes such as malnutrition, respiratory infections and diarrhea. That's in addition to the nearly 40,000 who were dying unnecessarily each year before the conflict escalated.
The already fragile health system simply cannot cope and is on the brink of collapse.
This conflict shows no signs of abating and there's no political solution on the horizon. So it's imperative we take action now to make sure thousands of children do not die unnecessarily in 2017, be it from preventable causes or the fighting – by Anas Shahari
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/anas-shahari/we-cant-ignore-the-hell-thats-been-created-in-yemen/
31.1.2017 – World Food Programme (A H)
Passengers Transport Overview - Djibouti – Aden - Djibouti, January 2017
Due to the lack of access by air to the city of Aden, Yemen, the Logistics Cluster coordinates and facilitates passenger movement via sea on a WFP-chartered vessel, which also serves as an emergency rescue and evacuation vessel.
Additionally, the Logistics Cluster shares space availability on the vessel to facilitate cargo transportation to Aden.
Since May 2016, a regular schedule and booking system has been in place, with weekly rotations between Djibouti and Aden. The schedule has been designed so as to allow passengers to easily connect with UNHAS flights on Djibouti route to and from Sana’a.
From May to January 2017, 39 voyagestook place between Djibouti and Aden, transporting a total of 786 passengers on behalf of 25 agencies.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/passengers-transport-overview-djibouti-aden-djibouti-january-2017 and in full: www.logcluster.org/sites/default/files/logistics_cluster_yemen_passengers_overview_january_2017_0.pdf = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/logistics_cluster_yemen_passengers_overview_january_2017_0.pdf
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (* A P)
FM meets UN acting Resident Coordinator
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hisham Sharaf met on Wednesday with the acting Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Oek Lushta in Sana'a.
Foreign affairs minister handed over the Supreme Political Council President's letter, Saleh al-Sammad, to the UN Secretary General António Guterres.
The minster reviewed the latest briefing results at the Security Council, in particular opening Sana'a International Airport.
Foreign Minister also inquired about a new currency amounts that have been printed in Russia that was agreed and disbursed it by the United Nations, the UN envoy, and a group of 18 states sponsoring a political settlement.
Mechanism of the state employees' salaries should have distributed for the northern and southern provinces, the minister said, adding that the pro-Riyadh government did not fulfill its obligation in this regard.
He hoped that the United Nations would answer about these two issues as soon as possible.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455611.htm
My comment: The currency and the payment of salaries is still a problem – all the hadi government at Aden did up to now is propaganda.
7.2.2017 – Al-Sahwa (A P)
Houthis kidnap 50 civilians in al-Hudeidah
Militias of the Houthis and Saleh in the governorate al-Hudeidah on Tuesday abducted 50 civilians, local sources told Alsahwah Net.
They affirmed that the militias stormed into scores of houses on charges of opposing the Houthis.
The sources cited that these abductions came after a meeting held by Houthi leaders in al-Hudeidah.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-3786
Remark: From a strictly anti-Houthi media affiliated to Islah Party.
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A P)
Yemen, FAO sign cooperation agreements
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Tuesday signed cooperation agreements with Water Users' Associations in the Sana'a Basin.
The agreements aim to contribute to the activities of the project for managing use of water and the improvement of the life in rural environment implemented by the FAO and financed by the Dutch government.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455514.htm
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A P)
Yemen, UNDP discuss humanitarian and developmental cooperation fields
Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz Saleh Bin Habtoor discussed on Tuesday with the UNDP Country Director in Yemen Mr. Auke Lootsma the cooperation relations in humanitarian and developmental fields in line with priorities of the current situation the Yemeni people suffer because of the aggression and the blockade .
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455521.htm
7.2.2016 – Oilprice (* A P)
Yemeni Journalist Allegedly Poisoned After Oil Company Probe
An autopsy has reportedly shown that top Yemeni investigative journalist Mohammed al-Absi, who died under mysterious circumstances in December, was poisoned.
The journalist died in the Yemeni capital Sana’a after having dinner with a cousin. He was said to have been investigating oil companies and had recently published a series of reports on government corruption.
His death had sparked suspicions from his family and the Yemeni journalists’ union who are now demanding an investigation into his death.
Al-Absi was a prominent Yemeni investigative journalist said to have been investigating oil companies owned by Houthi leadership. He had published a series of reports over the past years, focused on corruption, particularly in the energy industry and in relation to arms deals.
Human rights activists are responsible for the claims that Al-Absi was investigating oil and gas companies allegedly operating on the black market. Activists published several documents that were in the journalist’s possession after his death.
One of the published documents concerns Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, alleging that he owns an oil company that sells on the black market in Houthi-controlled areas – By Damir Kaletovic
6.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)
Eyewitnesses: Houthi militiamen bomb opponent’s house in Qaifah, central al Bayda
Eyewitnesses told Almasdaronline that the Houthi and allied militants had stormed Hammat Serar village of Qaifah district, surrounded the house of Ali Hezam al Hanabi, and bombed it with TNT.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88643
6.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)
Houthis mourn leading figure after one year of his killing
Houthi activists and field leaders were trading condolences for the death of the leading figure, Taha Al Madani, over one year and a half of his killing while fighting against popular resistance forces.
Abdul Malek Al Wadie, a Houthi leading member who was close to Al Madani, wrote on his Facebook page: "Yes Sir, as if war was only to perpetuate heroes like you ... More than a year of your departure, yet we long you!"
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88645
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
7.2.2017 – Josephjo1221 (A)
Spoils of mercenaries in Mokha! They entered the house and took pictures with the remnants of clothes after they destroyed the flight home! (photos)
https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/829123567195406339
7.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A T)
Residents: Al-Qaeda executes a Presidential Guard officer shortly after his abduction
Militants from al-Qaeda group in Abyan province, in southeastern Yemen, executed an officer from the Presidential Guards of Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi, hours after they kidnapped him.
Local residents told Almasdaronline they found the body of Major Abdullah Al Khader with bullet holes in it, near an intersection on a road that leads to Al Wadea', the hometown of President Hadi.
They added that the officer, who was close to Hadi and the chief of the Military Logistics & Supplies Department, was stopped by al-Qaeda militants at a checkpoint in al-Khadeera area, outside Lawder District, before they took him to unknown destination.
The local residents also said that they found the body on Sunday evening, with marks indicating that the officer was executed right after he was abducted in the morning of the same day.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88650
6.2.2017 – The National UAE (* B H)
Child marriages on the rise amid Yemeni conflict
At only 16 years old, Suha had not thought about marriage until her father told her she would become the second wife to a man 20 years her senior.
Suha’s father Abdulbari Al Maqtari, 41, said he had no choice but to marry off the eldest of his four daughters and two sons last May to help support the family.
A national demographic and health survey in 2013 found that nearly 32 per cent of girls in Yemen were married before the age of 18, including 9.4 per cent who were wed before they were 15. Of these, 8.1 per cent had given birth before they turned 19.
A survey by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on child marriages in Yemen, released in November, found that a trend that was previously on the decline was rising again as families tried to cope with the hardships of war.
Mr Al Maqtari saw nothing wrong with marrying off his daughter off at an early age.
"We are Muslims and Islam does not prevent us from marrying off our daughters under 18.
"I felt shy to tell my father that I did not want to marry," she said, "and now I am facing the bad consequences of my marriage. My husband returned to his first wife and now I am working as a servant to survive."
"I am pregnant now and I am suffering so much," she said. "No one knows about my suffering and no one helps. I used to live in a poor family, but now I live in a poor family with suffering."
"I stopped going to school in the ninth grade and got married. Now I hope to return to school because studying is the most important thing," Suha said. – by Mohammed Al Qalisi
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/child-marriages-on-the-rise-amid-yemeni-conflict
Comment by Judith Brown: So sad how children have been robbed of their future by this disgusting war. Without education as more schools are destroyed the boys turn to militancy and the girls are married off. Sad sad sad.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155193738928641
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
7.2.2017 – Saudi Gazette (* A P)
Saudis travel to Yemen defying ban; punitive action awaits them: Official
Many Saudis have reportedly visited Yemen ignoring a government warning banning them from traveling to the neighboring country by land, air and sea. The ban was slapped on Saudi citizens following the war on Houthi rebels to ensure their own safety and security.
They visited Yemen from other countries to circumvent the ban, said Al-Watan Arabic daily. At the same time, Saudi authorities have intensified their efforts to impose the ban after Operation Decisive Storm, which was launched to restore legitimacy of Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Saudis use various tricks to reach Yemen violating the ban, because of family relations. Young Saudis have reportedly gone to Yemen to join terrorist and extremist groups.
The travel ban was first imposed in April 2015 when 29-year-old Ahmed Bin Mubarak Al-Hamami came under gun attack in Shabwa from Houthi rebels, who have allied with forces of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Al-Hamami sustained deep injuries in the attack. Following the attack, Saudi Arabia urged its citizens not to travel to Yemen as a precautionary measure fearing Houthi saboteurs would target them.
A security source in Mukla, Yemen told Al-Watan that a number of Saudi families and individuals have violated the travel ban. These people usually go to places that come under the purview of the legitimate government in Hadramout and other southern cities to visit their relatives.
“Security agencies in Yemen have noticed that a number of Saudis aged between 20 and 30 come to Yemen violating the travel ban to join terrorist organizations as they subscribe to extremist thoughts and ideologies,” the source told Al-Watan.
Yemeni security forces monitor the movement of such young Saudis to prevent them from falling into the traps of extremist and terrorist groups, the source added.
6.2.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)
#Saudi monarchyexecutes a child offender (photo)
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/828820305552502784 referring to http://okaz.com.sa/article/1525720
6.2.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (B P)
#Saudi monarchy stole hundreds of billions from oir people forcing female student to go to school this way (photo)
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/828824907601551364
22.1.2017 – In the Now (D)
Film: In Saudi Arabia, the grass is always greener… when VIPs arrive!
Saudi province prepares for governor visit by painting lawns GREEN
https://twitter.com/IntheNow_tweet/status/823274061757194241
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp14
7.2.2017 – Washington Times (* A K P)
Trump to approve weapons packages to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain blocked by Obama
The Trump administration is poised to move quickly to approve major weapons packages for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain that President Obama blocked during his final months in office over human rights concerns in both nations, U.S. officials and congressional sources say.
While the White House declined to discuss its plans, one U.S. official directly involved in the transfers told The Washington Times that a roughly $300 million precision-guided missile technology package for Riyadh and a multibillion-dollar F-16 deal for Bahrain are now in the pipeline ready for clearance from the new administration.
The deals, if approved, would send a significant signal about the priorities of the new administration, where the security challenge posed by forces such as Islamist jihadi groups and Iran is taking a much greater precedence in setting foreign policy.
“These are significant sales for key allies in the Gulf who are facing the threat from Iran and who can contribute to the fight against the Islamic State,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Whereas the Obama administration held back on these, they’re now in the new administration’s court for a decision — and I would anticipate the decision will be to move forward.”
The Pentagon also declined to comment.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/7/trump-ready-to-approve-weapons-packages-to-saudi-a/
My comment: Bombs and fighter jets – the perfect combination for more killings and destructions in Yemen.
7.2.2017 – Common Dreams (* A P)
In Trump’s World Where Money Talks, Saudi Arabia Gets a Free Pass
President Trump’s Muslim ban is not only mean-spirited and, hopefully, unconstitutional, but it is irrational because it doesn’t even include the country most responsible for spreading terrorism around the world: Saudi Arabia.
Protecting Saudi Arabia is not new; it has been US policy since the discovery of oil in the desert nation in the 1930s. Despite evidence that the Saudi government was supporting ISIS and Al Qaeda affiliates, President Obama continued the cozy Saudi relationship.
Trump is certainly well aware of the Saudi terrorist connection and the irony of the US-Saudi relationship. Back in 2011 he called the Saudi regime the world's biggest funder of terrorism and said the Saudi government uses “our petro dollars, our very own money, to fund the terrorists that seek to destroy our people while the Saudis rely on us to protect them.” In a 2016 Fox News interview during the campaign, Trump said, “Who blew up the World Trade Center? It wasn’t the Iraqis, it was Saudi [Arabia].” He also repeatedly criticized Hillary Clinton for taking Saudi money for the Clinton Foundation and challenged her to return the money.
Saudi Arabia’s omittance from the ban does not seem so irrational when the dots are connected between the Kingdom and Donald Trump’s bank account. While Trump was on the campaign trail, his business ties in Saudi Arabia were blooming with the opening of eight different enterprises – by Medea Benjamin
7.2.2017 – Spiegel Online (* A P)
Streit um Einreise-Dekret: Berufungsgericht setzt Anhörung an
Der Rechtsstreit um Trumps umstrittenes Einreiseverbot geht weiter. Das Justizministerium verteidigte das Dekret als "rechtmäßig". Ein Gericht in San Francisco will beide Seiten am Dienstag anhören.
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/donald-trumps-einreiseverbot-berufungsgericht-setzt-anhoerung-an-a-1133443.html und auch http://www.zeit.de/news/2017-02/07/regierung-zaeher-kampf-um-us-einreiseverbot---gericht-setzt-anhoerung-an-07085202
7.2.2017 – The Independent (* A P)
Donald Trump threatens to take 'Muslim ban' to Supreme Court
President Donald Trump has threatened to take his appeal to reinstate his executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries to the US Supreme Court, following a major defeat over the weekend by a federal judge.
The new administration has struggled to get the temporary travel ban to stick, as the country and other parts of the globe have erupted in mass protests against the order. The order, signed at the end of January, only lasted a week when a George W Bush-appointed judge decided to block it.
But Mr Trump remains steadfast to keep one of his biggest – and most controversial – campaign promises, despite major outcry and the check from the judicial system – by Feliks Garcia
6.2.2017 – Fair (* B P)
How Corporate Media Paved the Way for Trump’s Muslim Ban
President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations justifiably led to much outcry from activists, politicians and foreign leaders. The list – currently struck down by a federal judge in Seattle – was arbitrary, motivated by disjointed racist panic and was reportedly causing deaths worldwide. But while it’s important to lay primary blame for the ban at the feet of the man who signed it, years of Islamophobic coverage in corporate media – right-wing, centrist and “liberal” – laid the propaganda groundwork to get us here – By Adam Johnson
http://fair.org/home/how-corporate-media-paved-the-way-for-trumps-muslim-ban/
7.2.2017 – ABC 7 News (* A H P)
Yemeni girl reunited with family at SFO after four years apart
A young girl separated from her family for several years is now reunited with her loved ones after arriving in San Francisco Sunday.
Eman Ali is a little girl whose parents are both U.S. citizens. Her siblings already live in California, but because of convoluted immigration laws, further complicated by last week's travel ban, she was stranded in Yemen--a dangerous, war-torn country. She was stranded there for four years without her immediate family.
After all that time apart, Salma Ali waited anxiously for her little sister Eman to arrive at SFO, stepping on U.S. soil for the first time.
With a grin across her face, 12-yearo-old Ali walked out of customs and into Salma's arms – by Kate Larsen (with film)
6.2.2017 – Daily Comet /A P (* A H P)
Travelers arrive in US to hugs and tears after ban is lifted [videos]
Travelers from the seven predominantly Muslim countries targeted by President Donald Trump enjoyed tearful reunions with loved ones in the U.S. on Sunday after a federal judge swept the ban aside.
Airlines around the world allowed people to board flights as usual to the United States. One lawyer waiting at New York's Kennedy Airport said visa and green-card holders from Iraq and Iran were encountering no problems as they arrived.
"It's business as usual," said Camille Mackler, of the New York Immigration Coalition – By Denise Lavoie, William Mathis
6.2.2017 – Living in Yemen on the edge from Washington Post (A P)
Film: Yemeni brothers Ammar and Tareq Aquel Mohammad Aziz reunite with their father in the United States on February 6th. The brothers had been stranded in Addis Ababa and Djibouti after their visas were revoked when President Trump signed an executive order temporarily banning visa-holders from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1271423229577371
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
8.2.2017 – The Guardian (* A P)
Halting UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia would have risks, court hears
Government case is laid out at judicial review of decision to allow arms exports to country involved in Yemen offensive
Halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia over concerns that British-made weapons could be used to break humanitarian laws in Yemen would have “serious political ramifications”, a London court has heard.
James Eadie QC laid out the government’s case on the second day of a judicial review into the government’s decision to continue licensing exports of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
The government should not have to “set themselves up as auditors of armed conflict by friendly governments” when deciding whether there was a risk those governments might use British weapons to break the laws of war in the future, Eadie said.
“If you refuse to allow exports you interfere with the interests – if not rights – of those who wish to export their goods,” Eadie said. Such a decision would also “create some risk that you may affect diplomatic relations with that country” – by Alice Ross
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/08/halting-uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-risks-court-yemen
My comment: This statement is so odd and crazy that it’s difficult to seriously comment it. – “The government should not have to “set themselves up as auditors of armed conflict by friendly governments”: Why Saudis are a “friendly government” at all? Are they really this “friendly”?? But Eadie has no objections that the government by selling these arms “set themselves up as handyman of killers. – The best: “If you refuse to allow exports you interfere with the interests – if not rights – of those who wish to export their goods,” please also speak of drug dealers, human trafficking, slave sales…
8.2.2017 – RT (* A P)
‘Continued UK arms sales to Saudis is outrageous act’
Despite thousands of civilians killed in Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition, the UK is continuing to supply the Saudis with arms – a fundamentally wrong policy that the British people will not benefit from, says Bahraini political activist Saeed al-Shehabi.
Saeed al-Shehabi: The media, especially the Western media, has not given it enough exposure. Now that the case against the British government has come to the court, I’m not sure whether the court will rule in favor of CAAT which brought the case. It is an outrageous act by the British government to continue supplying the Saudis with those weapons.
CAAT has taken the case about a year ago, but of course there is a lot of delay in that. Even the UN last year said that crimes against humanity or war crimes have been committed. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch – all these organizations have gone to the field and established beyond any reasonable doubt that war crimes were committed at the largest scale.
Yet, the British government continues to supply it, and they have insisted, come forward. Even when Theresa May went to Manama [in December] to attend the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] Summit she was not repentant about supplying the Saudis with arms. It is likely that she will continue to do so. Unfortunately the British government is adopting the wrong policy, at the wrong time, in the wrong place. I don’t think that British people are going to benefit from this policy.
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/376735-yemen-uk-weapons-court/
8.2.2017 – Oxfam (* A P)
UK Government’s ‘calculated complicity’ risks Yemen slipping into famine
Oxfam today issued a stinging condemnation of widespread political complicity in the Yemen conflict as the UN launches its latest plan to help millions of people caught up in the crisis.
Mark Goldring, Chief Executive of Oxfam GB, said:
"The UK Government's calculated complicity risks accelerating Yemen towards a famine, putting millions of lives at risk and making a mockery of their global obligations to those in peril.
"The UK is not alone. Many governments have weighed their narrow national interests in the Middle East against humanity, and humanity has lost. Backers of both sides of a war, that has created one of the world's worse humanitarian crises, need to stop fuelling the conflict and instead help find a peaceful settlement.
"But there is still time to avert a famine, to save lives and to help put lives back together. That means swiftly and fully funding the latest UN plan for Yemen.
"Aid will help enormously but an 'aid-alone' approach is insufficient. What is also needed is an end to the fighting, the bombing, and the reckless use of force where civilians are living. Diplomatic efforts must be intensified to bring about an immediate ceasefire."
7.2.2017 – Amnesty International (* A P)
STOP UK-MADE WEAPONS CLAIMING YEMENI LIVES
The UK is breaking the law
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is tracking over 200 possible cases of human rights violations by the Saudia Arabia-led coalition in Yemen, yet the UK government still believes this isn't reason enough to end arms transfers. Instead they are waiting for Saudi Arabia to carry out its own investigation.
We believe, by continuing to supply arms to Saudi Arabia the UK is breaking its own laws, as well as international law. The Arms Trade Treaty is one such law. It was put in place to prevent human suffering because of reckless arms sales.
Not only has the UK failed to uphold a historic agreement championed by the UK government and with cross-party support, it has failed the people of Yemen.
Legal action
Our government must no longer ignore images of women, men and children devastated by the atrocities they’ve witnessed, knowing it is the UK fuelling this bloody conflict.
The UK government is in breach of the Arms Trade Treaty as well as domestic and EU law, and is, therefore, being taken to court.
Now is the time to act. We need you to write to your MP to demand an immediate end to UK arms transfers to Saudi Arabia.
It works. Your MP is your voice in Parliament and we really need your voice to get this issue raised in Parliament – as much as possible.
What we’re calling for
The UK must end its transfers of arms to members of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition which is carrying out unlawful and indiscriminate airstrikes in Yemen.
They must not supply weapons that could be used to commit human rights violations or war crimes.
They must urge Saudi Arabia and the coalition to destroy any remaining cluster munitions.
There must also be an independent enquiry into the supply of arms to Saudi Arabia and all parties currently involved in the Yemen conflict.
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/stop-uk-made-weapons-claiming-yemeni-lives
7.2.2017 – The Mirror (* A P)
Government accused of failing to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite evidence of human rights abuses
The Campaign Against Arms Trade says UK fighter jets and bombs sent to the Gulf state have been used in the conflict in Yemen in which thousands have died
The Government has been accused in the High Court of unlawfully failing to suspend the sale of UK arms to Saudi Arabia, despite evidence that the Gulf state is guilty of “repeated and serious breaches” of international humanitarian law.
The accusation is being made before two judges in London by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT.
The group is attacking the Government’s refusal to suspend export licences for the sale or transfer of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia and its decisions to continue granting new licences.
The case is being seen as potentially having a wide impact on the multibillion-pound arms trade generally, which could become even more important to the economy in post- Brexit Britain.
But the UK has continued to allow sales, with over £3.3 billion worth of arms having been licensed since the bombing began in March 2015.
The Government is arguing there is no “clear risk” that UK licensed items might be used to commit a serious violation of humanitarian law.
Although the hearing has started in open court, a large part of the three-day CAAT application for judicial review will take place behind closed doors so that secret evidence backing the Government’s claims can be put to the judges.
Lord Justice Burnett and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave were told the Secretary of State for International Trade , who is defending the Government stance, is “relying considerably on sensitive material” the disclosure of which in open court “would be damaging to national security”.
But Martin Chamberlain QC, appearing for CAAT, said the evidence to be presented in open court was enough on its own to show that “no reasonable decision maker” could have allowed the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia to continue.
Mr Chamberlain said the evidence included a large number of authoritative reports and findings from bodies including Amnesty International , Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and Rights Watch (UK) who were making submissions to the court.
The QC said the findings of those bodies “establish an overwhelming case that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-led (KSA) coalition has committed repeated and serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Yemen”. – by John Aston
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/government-accused-failing-suspend-arms-9775909
My comment: All these reports of Saudi war crimes in Yemen are obvious and no news at all – they had been consequently and ruthlessly neglected by the British government for almost 2 years now.
7.2.2017 – The Independent (* A P)
Ministers refused to stop bomb sales to Saudi Arabia despite being told to do so by own export control chief
The Government refused to stop the sale of bombs to Saudi Arabia after it was privately advised to do so by the top civil servant in charge of weapons exports control, a court has heard.
Edward Bell, head of the Government’s Export Control Organisation, told the Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, that it would be “prudent and cautious” to stop selling to the Saudi regime amid widespread reports of war crimes by its military in Yemen.
Campaigners today began a legal challenge against the Government in a bid to force ministers to stop issuing export licences for weapons to the autocratic state.
In an email from February 2016 presented to the High Court in London, Mr Bell said: “To be honest – and I was very directly and honest with the Secretary of State – my gut tells me we should suspend.”
“This would be prudent and cautious given the acknowledged gaps in knowledge about Saudi operations. I put this directly to the Secretary of State in these terms.”
Ministers have also publicly been advised to stop sales by MPs on the International Development Committee, the Business Committee, as well as by the European Parliament.
The meeting with Mr Javid was said in the email to have taken place on 10 February 2016 and the email was dated the day after, the court saw.
In separate evidence presented to the court, the head of policy at the Export Control Organisation is quoted as saying the organisation has “significant concerns regarding the acknowledged gaps in knowledge about Saudi targeting processes and about the military objectives of some of the strikes”.
The Ministry of Defence were not able to identify a “valid military target” for all the air strikes Saudi Arabian forces had carried out, the head of policy says – only a majority – by Jon Stone
7.2.2017 – Susie Symes (A P)
@CAATUK court case against #UK government over arms sales to #SaudiArabia, is live tweeted @cliveabaldwin @rachelrlogan.
https://twitter.com/susiesymes1/status/828943698759135232
7.2.2017 – Reuters (* A P)
Campaigners start UK court case to stop Saudi arms sales
Campaigners began a legal challenge on Tuesday to halt Britain's multi-billion-pound arms sales to its ally Saudi Arabia, arguing the weapons could be used in Yemen in violation of international humanitarian law.
The Campaign Against The Arms Trade (CAAT) is seeking an order at London's High Court to block export licences for British-made bombs, fighter jets and other munitions which it says the Saudi-led Arab coalition are using in a campaign against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen's civil war.
Since the start of the conflict, Britain has approved export licences to Saudi Arabia for more than 3.3 billion pounds worth of aircraft, weapons and munitions, CAAT says.
However, May's government has come under increasing pressure from MPs in parliament over its policy on the arms sales and CAAT is seeking a judicial review over the decision to allow the exports to continue.
Martin Chamberlain, the lawyer representing CAAT, told the High Court the evidence showed the government could not be sure British weapons were not being used in breach of IHL. He said no military target could be identified in about 90 of 122 incidents where there was concern of IHL violations.
"There is only one conclusion that can properly be drawn. The Secretary of State did not and does not have any basis in law for saying the clear risk test had not been met," Chamberlain said.
The case is due to last three days, with much of the government's argument being heard in closed hearings, and the ruling is not expected for some weeks – By Michael Holden
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-saudi-arms-idUKKBN15M1F9
7.2.2017 – The Guardian (* A P)
Judicial review aiming to stop UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia to begin
Campaigners will claim that British weapons could be used in strikes in Yemen that break international humanitarian law
A judicial review that aims to halt UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia because they could be used to illegally kill civilians in Yemen is set to begin on Tuesday.
The Campaign Against the Arms Trade will claim that the indiscriminate nature of the airstrikes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen means there is a significant risk that British arms are being used in strikes that break international humanitarian law.
Saudi Arabia is the UK’s most important arms client: since the start of the Yemen campaign government ministers have granted export licences for more than £3.3bn of aircraft, munitions and other equipment.
Under UK and EU arms sales rules, export licences must not be granted if there is a “clear risk” that the equipment could be used to break international humanitarian law – by Alice Ross
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/07/review-halt-uks--campaign-against-arms-trade-saudi-arabia-begin-yemen and by Middle East Eye: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-high-court-review-saudi-arms-sales-during-yemen-conflict-597910394 and by Sputnik: https://sputniknews.com/europe/201702071050429587-uk-saudi-arms-sales/
7.2.2017 – Kate Nevens / Hisham Al-Omeisy (B K)
BREAKING: official advice from head of export control org to SoS: "my gut tells me we should suspend”
https://twitter.com/katenevens/status/828953964842455040
We now have a situation where the UK MOD itself cannot identify a military target in ¾ of the cases they are analysing #Yemen
https://twitter.com/katenevens/status/828941909150277633
So much for the "we trust Saudis are taking proper measures" and "we cannot find solid proof of IHL violation" bombing #Yemen for TWO YEARS.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/828949971487559684
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
8.2.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)
#Qatar ruling clan bans former justice minister & lawyer from travel
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/829318831189458944 referring to https://twitter.com/alnauimi/status/829272781804154880
8.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A P)
The #GCC Land Forces Cdrs visiting "Wahat Al Karama" (Oasis of Dignity) memorial, which was built in Abu Dhabi to honour the #UAE martyrs (photos)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/829341144433688576
My comment: What about the memorials for killed Yemeni civilians?
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
Siehe auch / look also at cp9, cp10
7.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A K)
#Boeing has been awarded a $18.2M modification to contract for #RSAF AN/APG-63(V)3 radar. Work is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017 (photos)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/828988822750973952
My comment: For better killing in Yemen.
cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner
7.2.2017 – Sudan Tribune (A K P)
Sudan, Bahrain agree to strengthen bilateral consultations
Sudan and Bahrain Tuesday have agreed to increase bilateral coordination and consultations at the level of regional and international organizations .
The tiny kingdom of Bahrain has joined the other Gulf monarchies which are engaged in agricultural projects in the Sudan.
Manama implements " Bahrain’s bounties " project, which represents one of the largest Arab investments in Sudan. The agricultural projectwhich occupies an areas of one hundred thousand acres, is located in the Northern State.
On a related development, the meeting coincided with a visit to Khartoum by a high ranking military official from the Gulf region.
The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, concluded Tuesday a two-day visit to Khartoum where he met with the President Omer al-Bashir and his defence minister Awad Ibn Ouf.
The content of the military talks was not disclosed.
Sudan and the UAE are part of a Saudi-led regional coalition fighting the Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen.
President Bashir recently announced that Khartoum is preparing to dispatch more troops to the Saudi Arabia from where they will move to Yemen .
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?iframe&page=imprimable&id_article=61599
7.2.2017 – Xinhua (A K P)
Sudan renews support for restoration of legitimacy in Yemen
The Sudanese government renewed on Monday its support for the restoration of legitimacy in Yemen.
The remarks came at a meeting between Sudanese Oil Minister Mohamed Zayed Awad and his Yemeni counterpart visiting Saif Al-Sharif.
"Sudan has renewed its stand with Yemen and support for the restoration of legitimacy," al-Sharif told reporters after the meeting.
He also commended Sudan's continued support for Yemen in all political, military and diplomatic fields.
Sudan is taking part in the operations of a Saudi-led Arab coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-02/07/c_136036338.htm
cp13c Flüchtlinge / Refugees
7.2.2017 – UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)
Somalia Factsheet December 2016
Returnees: During December UNHCR assisted 3,349 Somali returnees, including 3,075 from Kenya, 206 from Yemen and 68 from Djibouti, to return to Somalia.
Arrivals from Yemen: During December, three boats carrying 272 arrivals from Yemen, including 204 Somalis, 62 Yemenis and six third country nationals arrived in Bossaso. There were no arrivals from Yemen through Berbera in December as the Somaliland government placed a suspension on vessels arriving due to a cholera outbreak in Yemen. In 2016, UNHCR assisted 4,558 arrivals, including 2,963 Somali returnees and 1,526 Yemenis. This brings the total of arrivals from Yemen to 34,760 since the crisis began.
http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/somalia-factsheet-december-2016 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/12.FactsheetSomaliaDecember2016.pdf
7.2.2017 – NTV (A H)
Schleusung in das Bürgerkriegsland: Schlepper bringen Zehntausende Migranten in den Jemen
Schmuggler schleppen Zehntausende Migranten und Flüchtlinge in den Jemen, obwohl in dem Land auf der arabischen Halbinsel seit zwei Jahren Bürgerkrieg herrscht. An den Küsten seien im vergangenen Jahr 117.000 Menschen aus Afrika angekommen, in der irrigen Annahme dort ein besseres Auskommen zu finden, berichtete das UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerk (UNHCR).
Es startete eine Aufklärungskampagne mit populären Musikern aus Somalia, Äthiopien und Ägypten, um die Menschen aufzuklären. "Im Jemen spielt sich eine humanitäre Katastrophe ab", sagte der UNHCR-Direktor für die Region, Amid Awad. Vielen Flüchtenden sei das offenbar nicht bewusst.
http://www.n-tv.de/ticker/Schlepper-bringen-Zehntausende-Migranten-in-den-Jemen-article19691751.html und http://www.salzburg.com/nachrichten/dossier/fluechtlinge/sn/artikel/unhcr-alarmiert-wegen-fluechtlingsstroms-richtung-jemen-233504/
7.2.2017 – UN High Commissioner for Refugees (* A H)
UNHCR campaign spreads awareness about dangers of Yemen sea crossings
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today launched a major campaign to spread awareness about the dangers of crossing the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea from Africa to war-stricken Yemen and highlighting the horrendous conditions and rising risks in Yemen.
More than 117,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Yemen in 2016. Many were lured by smugglers to take the perilous boat journey across the high seas in search of protection or better livelihood prospects. UNHCR is alarmed that so many people are heading to a country where the conflict is worsening, displacement is growing, and arrivals face a very uncertain future.
“It’s a humanitarian catastrophe inside Yemen,” said Amin Awad, UNHCR Middle East and North Africa Director. “We have to speak out. UNHCR cannot sit by while so many people, mainly young, board smugglers’ boats after making uninformed decisions about Yemen and the desperate and dangerous situation there.”
UNHCR has launched the campaign with the help of prominent musicians from the region – led by singing star and former refugee Maryam Mursal – who have created a song with key messages to make people think very carefully before deciding to cross to Yemen. The country has been torn by war since March 2015 and an estimated 7,100 people have been killed, 44,000 injured, and more than 2 million displaced.
UNHCR has long been warning against the risk of crossings to Yemen. Prolonged conflict and insecurity facilitate the proliferation of criminal networks targeting new arrivals. Women and children are also at particular risk of sexual violence and trafficking. UNHCR has received reports of physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of food and water, abduction, extortion and forced labour by smugglers and criminal networks as well as arbitrary arrest, detention and deportation.
For new arrivals seeking international protection, access to asylum systems in Yemen is extremely challenging and individuals may be unable to register their asylum applications or have their presence documented by the authorities, particularly in the north of the country. Prevailing insecurity and war seriously restrict the ability of UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations to reach out to the population in need of humanitarian assistance.
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/press/2017/2/5899ccae13/unhcr-campaign-spreads-awareness-dangers-yemen-sea-crossings.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unhcr-campaign-spreads-awareness-about-dangers-yemen-sea-crossings
and
7.2.2017 – UN High Commissioner for Refugees (* A H)
Insecurity in Yemen threatens incoming refugees and migrants
More than 117,000 reckoned to have travelled across the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea into this place of insecurity last year alone.
Since 2013, nearly 290,000 refugees and migrants have landed on the Yemeni coast. Nearly 80 per cent of these were Ethiopians, and most of the rest Somalis. Most journey to Yemen in the hope of using it as a transit point, while others look to stay in Yemen, often unaware of the dangers
The most recent figures represent a steady increase in irregular movements from Africa to Yemen – up from 65,000 in 2013, 91,600 in 2014 and 92,500 in 2015 respectively. And this notwithstanding a worsening environment in Yemen, where a full-scale war has been ongoing since 2015.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched a campaign today to raise awareness of the dangers faced by those crossing to and through Yemen.
UNHCR has received reports of physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of food and water, abduction, extortion, torture and forced labour by smugglers and criminal networks. There has also been an increase in arrests, detention and forced returns.
Women – who account for roughly a third of the refugees and migrants from Somalia and 13 per cent of those from Ethiopia – are particularly at risk, as they may be targets of sexual violence and at risk of being trafficked. Figures from partner agencies monitoring the Yemeni shoreline suggest that around a quarter of those travelling to Yemen are children.
Smugglers frequently cast passengers out to sea short of the coast. A total of 446 people were reckoned to have been killed or gone missing over the previous three years out of the thousands of refugees and migrants making the journey. It is only reasonable to suppose these figures understate the actual number of deaths, since it is difficult for UNHCR and its partners to operate in what is a war zone.
“There is nothing here for me and life is very dangerous,” says an Ethiopian woman who made the trip. “I was beaten up badly last month by other people who were looking for money and they accused me of stealing. They injured me so badly and I couldn’t even get any medical treatment. I just had to wait for the wounds to heal by themselves and they still haven’t healed. I am sick, hungry and miserable here.”
The core of the problem is that it is very difficult to provide assistance to those who need it in a place that is as dangerous as Yemen.
Reports suggest that while the journey may cost somewhere between US$300 and US$500, the reality is that people on the move stand to lose much more from extortion, with stories abounding of refugees and migrants being kidnapped and ransoms demanded of their families.
It is clear that a great number of those who undertake the journey to Yemen are not aware of the dangers they face. Smuggling networks downplay the perils and threats that people moving irregularly face and those who survive the ordeal frequently fail to feed back home the full picture of what they went through. UNHCR is committed to encouraging greater awareness of these risks.
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2017/2/5899a1524/insecurity-yemen-threatens-incoming-refugees-migrants.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/insecurity-yemen-threatens-incoming-refugees-and-migrants
7.2.2017 – UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)
News comment by UNHCR’s Spokesperson, William Spindler, on the death of eight Somali refugees off Yemen
Text read by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom it may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Our partners in Yemen reported last Friday the deaths of eight Somali refugees who fell into the sea while boarding a smugglers’ boat near the locality of Al-Sudaf in Lahj governorate, in southern Yemen. The refugees, seven men and a woman, fell overboard when the smugglers abruptly started the engine and tried to flee an approaching vessel of the Yemeni coastguard. The woman was apparently hit in the head by the ship’s propeller and died as a result. The others drowned. The boat, which was carrying over 100 Somali refugees, was intercepted and taken into custody by the Yemeni coastguard. Its final destination was reportedly the Sudanese coast.
This latest incident highlights the dangers of crossing the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea from Africa to Yemen, a route taken by more than 117,000 refugees and migrants last year.
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/press/2017/2/5899dd694/news-comment-unhcrs-spokesperson-william-spindler-death-eight-somali-refugees.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/news-comment-unhcr-s-spokesperson-william-spindler-death-eight-somali-refugees-yemen
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
US-Angriff auch cp1 / US raid also at cp1
8.2.2017 – Terror Monitor (A K T)
#YEMEN #IslamicState Releases Pictures Shows Attacks Against #Houthis In #Qayfat.
https://twitter.com/Terror_Monitor/status/829329504396996609
8.2.2017 – NTV (* A P T)
Jemen untersagt USA weitere Militäreinsätze
Der Jemen hat offenbar aus Verärgerung über die fehlgeschlagene Militäroperation eines US-Spezialkommandos gegen Al-Kaida in der vergangenen Woche seine Zustimmung zu weiteren Anti-Terror-Einsätzen der Vereinigten Staaten auf jemenitischem Boden zurückgezogen. Das berichten mehrere US-Medien unter Berufung auf US-Militärkreise.
Weder vom Weißen Haus noch von der jemenitischen Regierung war bisher eine offizielle Bestätigung in der Sache zu erhalten. Auch das Pentagon äußerte sich zunächst nicht. Laut "NY Times" ist das Verbot für US-geführte Operationen im Jemen aber von mehreren inoffiziellen Stellen bestätigt worden. Womöglich hängt die Entscheidung aber auch mit der Tatsache zusammen, dass der Jemen eines jener sieben mehrheitlich muslimischen Länder ist, die von Trumps Einreiseverbot betroffen sind.
Der jemenitische Botschafter, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, sagte in einem Interview mit dem Sender Al Jazeera, der Jemen sei weiterhin ein wichtiger Partner im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus. Allerdings dürfe die Zusammenarbeit nicht "auf Kosten des jemenitischen Volkes oder der Souveränität des Landes" gehen. Der fehlgeschlagene Einsatz in Al-Baida hatte im Jemen heftige Reaktionen ausgelöst. Aus Regierungskreisen hieß es, die Operation sei nicht ausreichend mit dem Land abgestimmt worden. Jemens Außenminister, Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi, hatte die Aktion via Twitter als "außergerichtliche Tötungen" bezeichnet.
http://www.n-tv.de/politik/Jemen-untersagt-USA-weitere-Militaereinsaetze-article19692709.html
Bemerkung: Nach den neueren Meldungen hat die Hadi-Regierung dieses verbot doch nicht ausgesprochen:
8.2.2017 – Washington Post (* A P T)
Yemen reviews deadly U.S. raid on al-Qaeda, but stops short of issuing ban
“It’s not true what’s being said,” said a senior Yemeni official in Aden, referring to the reports of a Yemeni ban on U.S. commando operations. The official spoke by phone from Aden where the internationally recognized government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is based.
“We and the international community are working side-by-side to fight terrorism,” he said
The potential ban was first reported by the New York Times.
“We are aware of reports indicating the Yemeni government requested a suspension of U.S. ground operations,” said acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner in a statement. “We note that the Yemeni foreign minister has denied these reports.”
“The United States conducts operations consistent with international law and in coordination with the government of Yemen,” Toner said – by Thomas Gibbons-Neff
8.2.2017 – Press TV Iran (* A P T)
Saudi-backed Yemeni officials deny they banned US commando raids
Saudi-backed Yemeni officials have denied reports that they suspended permission for US special operations forces to run missions in the country, despite a US raid last month that killed up to 30 civilians.
“It’s not true what’s being said,” a Saudi-backed Yemeni official said Wednesday in Aden, where the ousted government of former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is based.
Abdel Malek al-Mekhlafi, Hadi’s foreign minister, also denied reports that the US military had been allowed to carry out ground operations in Yemen.
The statement by Mekhlafi, according to the Associated Press, followed a report in The New York Times that Saudi-backed Yemeni officials had revoked permissions for the Pentagon to continue special operations in the country.
The Times report said that the permission was withdrawn after dozens of Yemeni civilian were killed during a US commando raid on January 29 that was authorized by President Donald Trump.
Mekhalafi told the AP that “Yemen continues to cooperate with the United States and continues to abide by all the agreements.” He added, however, that the ousted Yemeni government “is involved in talks with the US administration on the latest raid.”
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/02/08/509687/US-Yemen-raid-special-operations
and that are reports about this Yemen ban, the first by NYT:
7.2.2017 – New York Times (* A P T)
Yemen Withdraws Permission for U.S. Antiterror Ground Missions
Angry at the civilian casualties incurred last month in the first commando raid authorized by President Trump, Yemen has withdrawn permission for the United States to run Special Operations ground missions against suspected terrorist groups in the country, according to American officials.
The raid, in which just about everything went wrong, was an early test of Mr. Trump’s national security decision-making — and his willingness to rely on the assurances of his military advisers. His aides say that even though the decision was made over a dinner, it had been fully vetted, and had the requisite legal approvals.
Mr. Trump will soon have to make a decision about the more general request by the Pentagon to allow more of such operations in Yemen without detailed, and often time-consuming, White House review. It is unclear whether Mr. Trump will allow that, or how the series of mishaps that marked his first approval of such an operation may have altered his thinking about the human and political risks of similar operations.
The Pentagon has said that the main objective of the raid was to recover laptop computers, cellphones and other information that could help fill gaps in its understanding of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, whose leaders have tried to carry out at least three attacks on the United States. But it is unclear whether the information the commandos recovered will prove valuable.
The White House continued its defense of the raid on Tuesday, making no reference to the Yemeni reaction.
Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, denied reports that the purpose of the attack was to capture or kill any specific Qaeda leader. “The raid that was conducted in Yemen was an intelligence-gathering raid,” he said. “That’s what it was. It was highly successful. It achieved the purpose it was going to get, save the loss of life that we suffered and the injuries that occurred.”
Neither the White House nor the Yemenis have publicly announced the suspension. Pentagon spokesmen declined to comment, but other military and civilian officials confirmed that Yemen’s reaction had been strong.
It was unclear if Yemen’s decision to halt the ground attacks was also influenced by Mr. Trump’s inclusion of the country on his list of nations from which he wants to temporarily suspend all immigration, an executive order that is now being challenged in the federal courts.
According to American civilian and military officials, the Yemeni ban on operations does not extend to military drone attacks, and does not affect the handful of American military advisers who are providing intelligence support to the Yemenis and forces from the United Arab Emirates.
In an interview with Al Jazeera this week, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Yemen’s ambassador to the United States, said that President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi raised concerns about the raid in a meeting with the American ambassador to Yemen in Riyadh on Feb. 2.
“Yemen’s government is a key partner in the war against terrorism,” Mr. Mubarak said in the interview, adding that Yemen’s cooperation should not come “at the expense of the Yemeni citizens and the country’s sovereignty.” – By DAVID E. SANGER and ERIC SCHMITT
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/world/middleeast/yemen-special-operations-missions.html?_r=0
8.2.2017 – CNN (* A P T)
Yemen requests no US ground missions without approval after raid
Yemen's government has requested the United States stop ground operations in the country unless they have the government's full approval after an anti-terror raid authorized by US President Donald Trump killed civilians, two senior Yemeni defense officials told CNN on Wednesday.
The Yemeni officials said the government had sent a firm message to the US administration condemning the January 29 operation that left one US Navy Seal dead along with Yemeni women and children, complaining of a lack of coordination with its officials.
One of the Yemeni officials told CNN on Wednesday that "the green light the US had for conducting ground missions is now red."
"That's what happens when a mission goes wrong," said the official on condition of anonymity, adding that military leaders were unaware of the operation.
"From the intelligence we have, conducting a raid was the wrong option and failure was written all over it. The only side that gained is al Qaeda."
The two Yemeni officials are loyal to the internationally-recognized government of President resident Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi – By Hakim Al Masmari and Angela Dewan
http://us.cnn.com/2017/02/08/middleeast/yemen-raid-us-ground-missions/index.html
8.2.2017 – Christian Science Monitor (* A P T)
Why did Yemen ask the US to slow down its ground troop activity?
Beyond the death of this leader, the raid could discredit Mr. Hadi’s government to the benefit of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, also known as AQAP. "The use of US soldiers, high civilian casualties and disregard for local tribal and political dynamics," explains a report from the International Crisis Group, "plays into AQAP's narrative of defending Muslims against the West and could increase anti-US sentiment and with it AQAP's pool of recruits."
Together, these factors gave Yemen’s government a strong incentive to demand a final say over US ground operations in the country.
What this development means for the future of US intelligence remains unclear. One Yemeni official acknowledged that the US could press ahead with operations on its own. "The Americans have their own sources of intelligence among local informants and lower level officials so would not necessarily need the help of the government for its attacks," he told Reuters – by Patrick Reilly
8.2.2017 – Mother Jones (* A P T)
Yemen Shuts Down Further Ground Raids
Our adventure in Yemen last week failed to kill its target; caused the death of numerous Yemeni civilians; resulted in one dead American sailor; and ended with the loss of a $70 million helicopter. Now comes another blow:
Angry at the civilian casualties incurred last month in the first commando raid authorized by President Trump, Yemen has withdrawn permission for the United States to run Special Operations ground missions against suspected terrorist groups in the country, according to American officials.
....The raid stirred immediate outrage among Yemeni government officials, some of whom accused the Trump administration of not fully consulting with them before the mission. Within 24 hours of the assault on a cluster of houses in a tiny village in mountainous central Yemen, the country’s foreign minister, Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi, condemned the raid in a post on his official Twitter account as “extrajudicial killings.”
This is why decisions about risky operations normally come only after "the kind of rigorous review in the Situation Room that became fairly routine under President George W. Bush and Mr. Obama"—not over dinner, as this one was: – by Kevin Drum
http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2017/02/yemen-shuts-down-further-ground-raids
Various comments:
Saudi allegedly withdrawing US clearance to conduct CT ops in #Yemen bcz of "civilian casualties" in last raid. Me: *internal scream* then..
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/829291307256385537
A) Saudi & #Yemen gov't neither can nor will even dare attempt. B) Both upset about loss of assets in raid. C) Riding public backlash.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/829293269494427648
All while killing tons of civilians themselves like they really give a shit...
https://twitter.com/RaisingHopeAust/status/829292243118866432
Hadi wants to tell the AlQaeda that he was not aware of the US attack.
https://twitter.com/HussamSanabani/status/829223535700746242
Remark: “Yemen” is just the Hadi government.
7.2.2017 – Buzzfeed (A P T)
John McCain Says The Recent Yemen Raid Was A "Failure"
Sen. John McCain, chair of the Armed Services Committee, called the recent US raid in Yemen a “failure” following a classified briefing Tuesday morning on the operation, which ended in the death of a Navy SEAL and an unconfirmed number of civilians.
McCain told reporters on Capitol Hill that the military’s decision, as has been publicly reported, to continue the mission despite “significant opposition” and the enemy being tipped off “was one of the aspects of this that made it — turned it into a failure.”
McCain’s characterization of the raid, which also reportedly claimed the lives of 14 members of Al-Qaeda and an unconfirmed number of civilians — including an 8-year-old girl, according to NBC — stands in stark contrast to that of the White House, which is calling the operation a success – by Emma Loop
https://www.buzzfeed.com/emmaloop/john-mccain-says-the-recent-yemen-raid-was-a-failure and in film by NBC: http://www.nbcnews.com/video/mccain-explains-why-he-wouldn-t-label-yemen-raid-a-success-872825923542
Comment: Sen. John McCain makes things even worse: Last week raid on #Yemen was not a success because of Navy Seal killed and helicopter worth 75 million USD.
AGAIN: THE YEMENI CIVILIANS KILLED?
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1273346149385079
My comment to comment: That's what counts for US elite politicians (from all parties) - Yemeni lives do not matter.
7.2.2017 – Haykal Bafana (A P T)
Obama KNEW Al Qaeda is part of the '"moderate rebels" in Syria. We're now told Obama also KNEW that AQAP is part of the Yemen "resistance".
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/829034000962428932
So : Which senior officials in Obama's admin, or Trump's, knew Yemen's "government" was using Al Qaeda terrorists as resistance fighters?
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/829029708704653316
It's becoming more rational by the day to decide that Russia is the only solution to defeat Al Qaeda in Yemen
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/829041970098094080
7.2.2017 – NBC (A P T)
Film: WH: Yemen Raid A Success Because Goal Was Intelligence Gathering
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer pushes back on claims that the mission of last week’s Yemen raid was to capture a wanted Al Qaeda leader. Spicer explains the goal was intelligence gathering, “and that’s what we received… that’s why we can deem it a success.”
7.2.2017 – MSNBC (A P T)
Film: GOP Rep: Yemen raid was worth the risk
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Il., speaks to Kate Snow about whether the U.S. raid in Yemen was green-lit for the right reasons and if terror attacks have been under-covered by the media.
www.msnbc.com/kate-snow/watch/gop-rep-yemen-raid-was-worth-the-risk-871999043528
My comment: LOL.
Comment: Risk of killing children, women, civilians?
The narrative is becoming abnormously distant from reality.
The war on #Yemen is played well by the lies of the media giving voice to war mongers.
Since when has America made the world 'safe'?
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1272349119484782
7.2.2017 – Hornberger’s Blog (A P)
YEMEN AND AT THE BAY OF PIGS
The Pentagon’s attack in Yemen brings to mind the attack on Cuba at the Bay of Pigs more than 50 years ago. Just as the Pentagon presented the Yemen attack proposal to President Trump immediately after he assumed office, the CIA did the same thing to President Kennedy immediately after he took office.
The goal of the Bay of Pigs attack was to oust Cuban President Fidel Castro from power and reinstall a pro-U.S. regime, one that could be controlled and managed by the U.S. government. Like the Yemen raid, the mission failed, with the invaders being killed or captured by Castro’s forces.
Like many others, CIA officials were quite surprised when the U.S. senator from Massachusetts defeated the vice-president of the United States in the 1960 presidential election.
When Kennedy asked the CIA whether the invasion could succeed in the absence of U.S. air support or other direct U.S. military intervention, the CIA said yes — that no U.S. air support would be necessary.
But the CIA lied, which certainly wouldn’t surprise anyone today given that lying is part of the job description of every CIA agent.
Why would the CIA lie about the need for air support? Because the experienced hands at the CIA were setting up the neophyte president.
While he took public responsibility for the debacle, he understood fully that he had been set up by the CIA,
Kennedy knew better. While he took public responsibility for the debacle, he understood fully that he had been set up by the CIA, and he was livid about it – by Jacob G. Hornberger
http://www.fff.org/2017/02/07/yemen-bay-pigs/
7.2.2017 – Sputnik News (* A T)
US Navy enthüllt Geheimziel ihrer Jemen-Operation
Der Al-Qaida-Führer auf der Arabischen Halbinsel, Qassim Al-Rimi, ist das geheime Ziel einer Operation der amerikanischen Spezialeinheit Navy SEAL Ende Januar im Jemen gewesen, wie der amerikanische TV-Sender NBC unter Verweis auf Militärangaben berichtet.
Demnach soll es jedoch noch immer nicht gelungen sein, Al-Rimi, den in der Welt drittgefährlichsten Terroristen und Anwerber, wie es hieß, zu fassen oder zu liquidieren, wie Vertreter der Militäraufklärung gegenüber dem TV-Sender mitteilten. Al-Rimi halte sich allem Anschein nach weiterhin im Jemen auf.
Am Sonntag soll Al-Rimi ein Video im Internet veröffentlicht haben, in dem er erklärte, der neue US-Präsident habe „am Anfang seines Weges eine Ohrfeige bekommen“. NBC vermutet, dass sich dieses Video auf den von den amerikanischen Navy SEALs am 29. Januar unternommenen Einsatz bezieht.
Dabei sei aber noch unklar, ob sich Al-Rimi während dieser Operation im Al-Qaida-Lager befunden hätte und geflohen sei, oder ob man ihn gewarnt habe, und er sich an einem anderen Ort aufgehalten habe.
https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20170207314421136-us-navy-seals-al-qaida-chef-jemen/
7.2.2017 – Libertarian Institute (* A P T)
Audio: 2/6/17 Nasser Arrabyee on the US/Saudi war against the Houthi government in Yemen
Nasser Arrabyee, a Yemeni journalist based in Sanaa, discusses President Trump’s first authorized special forces raid in Yemen that resulted in the death of a Navy SEAL, many Yemeni civilians, and Anwar al-Awlaki’s daughter – continuing the nearly two-year war in Yemen where the US alternates between helping and attacking AQAP.
7.2.2017 – The Independent (* A P T)
Donald Trump's staff get him to agree to policies by saying 'Obama wouldn't have done it'
President only agreed to botched Yemen raid because military officials said predecessor would never do it, intelligence sources say
Military officials got Donald Trump to agree to the botched Yemen raid by suggesting Barack Obama would never have had the courage to do it, it has been reported.
The raid, which had been planned for two months before Mr Trump’s arrival in the Oval Office, killed 30 civilians and one US Navy SEAL but failed to kill its alleged target, al Qaeda leader Qassim al Rimi. – by Caroline Mortimer
7.2.2017 – Aljazeera (* A T)
Yakla residents speak of US raid that killed civilians
Residents of Yakla, an impoverished Yemeni town that was targeted last month in the first US military raid in the country authorised by President Donald Trump, have said more than a dozen civilians were killed in the botched operation.
Locals told Al Jazeera that at least 16 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the raid in Bayda province that also resulted in the death of one US commando and injured three others.
The Pentagon said the raid, which included helicopter gunships and armed Reaper drones, targeted al-Qaeda leaders.
But local journalist Mujahid al-Selalee said Abdulraouf al-Dhahab, a tribal leader whose house was attacked in the raid, had repeatedly denied being a member of the armed group.
"He [Dhahab] made clear on numerous occasions that he has no ties with al-Qaeda. He denied that over and over and we know that based on those living with him," Selalee told Al Jazeera.
"One of his brothers was associated with al-Qaeda, but he was killed by a drone a while back."
Al-Qaeda mourned Dhahab's death, calling him a "holy warrior", and vowed to avenge him and other slain fighters.
Residents of the town said that several children were orphaned as a result of the attack.
"These kids, they lost their parents for no reason," a resident who requested not to be named told Al Jazeera.
"Their mother was killed and now I am taking care of these boys and girls."
Another resident said "whole families were wiped out" by the raid.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/yemen-yakla-civilians-killed-170207043727800.html
6.2.2017 – NBC (* A T)
Yemen Raid Had Secret Target: Al Qaeda Leader Qassim Al-Rimi
The Navy SEAL raid in Yemen last week had a secret objective — the head of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who survived and is now taunting President Donald Trump in an audio message.
Military and intelligence officials told NBC News the goal of the massive operation was to capture or kill Qassim al-Rimi, considered the third most dangerous terrorist in the world and a master recruiter.
But while one SEAL, 14 al Qaeda fighters and some civilians, including an 8-year-old girl, were killed during a firefight, al-Rimi is still alive and in Yemen, multiple military officials said.
n Sunday, al-Rimi — who landed on the United States' most-wanted terrorist list after taking over al Qaeda's Yemen affiliate in 2015 — released an audio recording that military sources said is authentic.
"The fool of the White House got slapped at the beginning of his road in your lands," he said in an apparent reference to the Jan. 29 raid – by CYNTHIA MCFADDEN, WILLIAM M. ARKIN and TRACY CONNOR
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/yemen-raid-had-secret-target-al-qaeda-leader-qassim-al-n717616
and
6.2.2017 – CNN (* A T)
Source: A target of Yemen raid was al Qaeda chief
A senior US military official told CNN Monday that intelligence collection wasn't the only objective of the recent military raid in Yemen but the leader of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula had also been targeted.
If the leader, Qassim al-Rimi, wasn't there, the US military believed it would find intelligence that would help lead to him, the official said.
But US Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, strongly disputed that al-Rimi was the objective of the raid just over a week ago.
"It wasn't a high-value target mission," Col. John Thomas told CNN, referring to operations aimed at killing or capturing terrorist leaders.
Thomas added that there was no hard intelligence indicating a "high possibility" al-Rimi was at the compound on the night of the raid, saying that the Navy SEALs would have captured AQAP leaders, including al-Rimi, as part of the intelligence-gathering operation.
"Anyone found on site would have been taken," Thomas said.
Al-Rimi was not captured or killed and has since released an audio message mentioning the raid and taunting President Donald Trump.
NBC first reported that al-Rimi was a target of the raid.
The chance to take out such a pivotal member of al Qaeda may explain the large allocation of resources used in the mission – By Jim Sciutto, Eli Watkins and Ryan Browne
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/06/politics/yemen-raid-al-qaeda/ and CNN again on the botched raid: http://us.cnn.com/2017/02/08/opinions/trump-yemen-raid-geopolitics-vinjamuri-opinion/index.html
cp15 Propaganda
7.2.2017 – Saudi Press Agency (A P)
Yemeni President: We Will Build New Federal Yemen
Yemeni President Abd Rabuh Mansur Hadi reiterated his thanks to and appreciation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States and King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works for all aid provided to the people in Socotra in all fields.
In a speech transmitted by the Yemeni News Agency, the Yemeni president said that his project is new Federal Yemen, Yemen of justice, equality and citizenship.
"The blood of our martyrs will not be lost. We will build new federal Yemen and raise our dear flag over the mountains of Amran. Iran will not have any role in Yemen," the Yemeni president added.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1589822
7.2.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P)
Saudi Cabinet: Frigate Incident Does not Deter Coalition from Backing Legitimacy in Yemen
The Council of Ministers stressed on Monday that the terrorist attack by Houthi militias’ suicide boats on a Saudi frigate off Hodeida port will not deter the Coalition Forces supporting legitimacy in Yemen from continuing their military operations until the objective of helping the Yemeni people is achieved and the legitimate government is restored.
The cabinet was chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz who informed the council about the content of the letter sent by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to him.
The cabinet described the terrorist attack as a dangerous development threatening international navigation in the Red Sea and impacting the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid.
Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Turaifi said the Cabinet thanked the King for patronizing the opening ceremony of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture (Janadriya 31).
Furthermore, the cabinet praised the King for his interest in serving the Islamic culture and encouraging scientists, scholars, thinkers, writers, intellectuals, and media personnel—it also commended the efforts of the Ministry of National Guard in organizing the Janadriya festival showcasing the diversity of heritage and arts of the Kingdom’s various regions.
My comment: The attack at the Saudi frigate was no “terrorist attack” but an act of warfare (targeting a military target). – The Saudi monarchy have done a lot to flatten Islamic culture (demolition of buildings not fitting to Wahabism; inspiring IS demolitions of cultural heritage; demolishing historical buildings at Mecca; bombing heritage sites at Yemen).
6.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)
KSA says its determined to help Yemenis restore state, end coup
The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has said it will continue to lead the Arab Coalition military operations to restore the legitimate state in Yemen and put an end to the coup carried out by the Houthi group and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Saudi Council of Ministers stressed that the attack by Houthi suicide boats on a Saudi frigate western port of Hodeida, last week, pushes for the continuation of the military operations, according to the Saudi news agency “SPA”.
“The Arab Coalition forces will continue its military operations until the achievement of its main goal, help the Yemeni people and the legitimate government restore the state, and protect the country from the coup militias”.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88644
Comment by Danaducessa: DOES #YEMEN NEED HELP FROM #SAUD ? YES..PLEASE #STOPBOMBINGYEMEN
https://twitter.com/danaducessa/status/828934372904443904
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
8.2.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)
The violations and crimes that are committed by Saudi Arabia and its alliance in Yemen 7 /2/2017 (full list)
https://www.facebook.com/551288185021551/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/770884513061916/?type=3 and http://lcrdye.org/lcrd/Eng/PageDetails?id=633 (Arabic)
7.2.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)
The violations and crimes that are committed by Saudi Arabia and its alliance in Yemen 6 /2/2017 (full list)
https://www.facebook.com/551288185021551/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/770320953118272/?type=3 and http://lcrdye.org/lcrd/Eng/PageDetails?id=632 (http://lcrdye.org/userfiles/files/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D9%8A/Reports%20center/Daily%20reports/2017/Feb/6-Feb-2017.pdf)
7.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Film: crimes Saudi American aggression against the people of Saada during the month of 02/04/2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKSGViOfs8c&t=1173s
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
US-Saudi aggression kills three children in Sa'ada
Three children were killed on Wednesday in an initial toll and some others injured in the US-Saudi aggression warplanes airstrikes in Sa'ada province.
A security official told Saba that the aggression warplanes targeted a house in Baqem district led the martyrdom of three children and injured others.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455632.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63689&lang=en
8.2.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
#Saudi air strikes targeted fishermen boats in Al Khawkhah district Al-Hudaydah Governorate #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/829340850702393345
My comment: Hey, US hypocrites on board of USS Cole, is this no menace to shipping in the Red Sea? Why did you not shoot down the Saudi jet if you care for security of the shipping route??
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression warplanes hit several areas in Sa'ada
The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets launched a series of raids, targeting a number of areas in Sa'ada province overnight, a security official told Saba on Wednesday.
The hostile warplanes waged six raids on al-Aqiq, Jifan, Rashaha and al-Ushash areas in Kutaf district, leaving damage in citizens' property, the official explained.
The aggression fighter jets also launched an air strike on Baqem district and flew intensively over some districts of the province, he added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455543.htm
7.2.2017 – Yemen Post (A K PH)
ATTACKING family homes: 8 civilians killed & 16 injured today by Saudi airstrikes on civilian homes in #Yemen regions Jawf, Hajjah & Saada (photos)
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/828977110651899905
7.2.2.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K)
With relentless airstrikes on infrastructure (Saudi bombed more bridges in Hudaydah yesterday), who's footing reconstruction bill? (see image)
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/828929758566158336
8.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Fighters Jets of the Aggression waged raids in Taiz and Marib
In Taiz: warplanes of the aggression launched several on Al Omari district in the Directorate of Dubab and a raid on the Azzan area in Allowazeih directorate. Also, the aggression targeted the center market in Mokah district, and the raids cause dozens of dead an wounded .
Marib: the drone strikes of the aggression waged a raid on Sirwah district.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63658&lang=en
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi airstrikes kill civilians in souk in Taiz
A numbers of citizens were killed and others wounded when the US-Saudi aggression fighter jets waged heinous raids on a popular souk in Mocha district of Taiz province overnight, an official told Saba on Wednesday.
The warplanes waged a strike on the Souk, killing a numbers of the citizens and injuring others, as well as destroying ten of cars, the official added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455561.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63655&lang=en
and
7.2.2017 – Yemen Daily News (A K)
#Mokha' market was destroyed by #US_Saudi airstrikes today afternoon ... (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=627513204099415&id=409848745865863
My comment: Overnight (Saba), afternoon (Yemen Daily News). By mortar shells, seems to be wrong, here: https://twitter.com/I4Yemen/status/829026391735795712
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
US-Saudi aggression launches raids on Dhamar
The US-Saudi aggression warplanes waged on Tuesday raids on Wusab al-Safel district of Dhamar province.
A local official told Saba that the aggression warplanes targeted al-Mesrafah area in Wusab-al-Safel with three raids.
The US-Saudi aggression warplanes targeted construction company working at Dhamar al-Husaineyah road project.
The company was destroyed by the raids.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455493.htm
US-Saudi aggression kills man, injures another in Dhamar
A civilian was killed and another wounded in a US-Saudi aggression bombing in Wusab-al-Safel district of Dhamar province.
A local official told Saba that the US-Saudi aggression targeted al-Mesrafah area in Wusab-al-Safel with three raids.
The aggression targeted construction company working at Dhamar al-Husaineyah road project, the official said.
The company was destroyed by the raids.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455497.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63591&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi drops 3 cluster bombs on UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zabid
Saudi Aggression fighter jets dropped three cluster bombs overnight on the historic city of Zabid, the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, an official told Saba on Tuesday.
The international-banned cluster bombs spread over large swaths of residential and agricultural areas, posing great threat to the lives of civilians.
The aggression warplanes waged two airstrikes on a livestock farm in Nafhan area of Bait al-Faqaih district. Hodeida port and al-Salif district were also struck three times each.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455468.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63585&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Ayad (A K PH)
Today 3 air strikes by saudi coalition on just one poultry farms in #Dharwan Is the chickens part of the iranian influence in #yemen ??????
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/828333227316224000
Comment: I have read this story at least hundred times ! Why bombing chicken ? Where is the fucking threat?! #yemen does not have enough food FFS!
https://twitter.com/2flamesburning1/status/829055343393116161
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression fighter jets commits war crimes in Taiz
Saudi aggression fighter jets and their mercenaries continued committing crimes against civilians in Taiz province over the past hours, a military official told Saba on Tuesday.
Woman was killed and her two children were wounded when Saudi-paid mercenaries' artillery shelled al-Haud village in al-Salu district.
Meanwhile, the Saudi aggression war planes waged a series of strikes on Mocha district, eight of the raids targeted Yakhtal area, other four strikes hit al-Nar Mountain and four other raids struck the communications network in Mocha junction road.
Also ten strikes hit other various areas in the same district.
Moreover, the aggression fighter jets hit al-Shabakah Mountain five times in Mawza district, a raid targeted Maqbana district and other strike raided al-Rawai Mountain in al-Ma'efer area, the official added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455465.htm
8.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K)
One man killed, another injured in Saudi-led airstrikes on a construction company in Wesab
Local residents and eyewitnesses told Almasdaronline that the fighter jets of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition launched, Tuesday, three airstrikes in Wesab Al Asfal District in western Dhamar province, in central Yemen.
They said the airstrikes hit the building of Saba Company for Constructions in Mishrafa area, killing one guard and injuring another.
The local residents and eyewitnesses added that the airstrikes targeted the gate and the warehouses of the company's building.
It's believed that the airstrikes targeted the dynamite warehouses, but locals said there was nothing in the repositories, especially after the company's works on paving the road, from Husseiniah town (Hodeida) to Dhamar city, came to a halt.
The airstrikes were the first attack in the district of Wesab Al Asfal, which came to take place in line with ground battles off Yemen's western coast. Mishrafa area lies on the border between the provinces of Hodeida and Dhamar.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88671
My comment: A reasonable report on a Saudi air raid in this pro-Saudi Yemeni media!
and
7.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A K PH)
2 Yemenis killed today by US-backed Saudi war criminals bombing equipments of making roads in Wesab area south west of Capital Sanaa (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/829019848852303872
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saada: warplanes of the Saudi American aggression waged two raids on the Jeevan region in directorate of Kitaf
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63564&lang=en
6.2.2017 – AlMasirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Aggression aimed at citizens and tanker laden with gas in the Valley of the AlMaksil Directorate Saada
Gas Delivery truck was targeted in Majz area #Sadaa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB_ft8g9Ahk = https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/829355866067496960
6.2.2017 – Ayad (A K PH)
Bombing more chicken farms today by saudi coalition #Yemen hodaidah a place hit hard by famine due 2 blockade/chickens targets too from day1
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/828724341823127552
and film:
6.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Aggression targeting the Saudi farm citizen "Izzi Jacob" in Althita Hodeidah 06/02/2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSelLnwdHD4 = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1636018546694133
6.2.2017 – Ayad (A K PH)
"TODAY SAUDI COALTION BOMBED MY ENTIRE FAMILY" AFATHER FROM #YEMEN ALJAWF WHILE HOLDING HIS YOUNGEST MURDERED CHILD (photos)
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/828715896176783361
4.2.2017 – Ayad (A K PH)
Todays new victime targeted by saudi coaltion in #AlJawf as he was walking home. #Yemen Childrens are targets (photos)
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/827987465852055552 and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Z_8gZ3yDQ
Remark: by air raid.
cp17a Kriegsereignisse: Mokha / Theater of War: Mokha
The reports of both sides are quite contradictory.
8.2.2017 – AFP (A K)
32 killed in Yemen western port clashes
Thirty-two combatants were killed Wednesday in the battle for a key coastal town in western Yemen between government forces and Shiite Huthi rebels, officials said.
The deaths occurred as forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Masnour Hadi advanced into neighbourhoods of Mokha and Huthis retreated to northern and western parts of the town, military sources said.
Loyalists backed by the firepower of a Saudi-led Arab coalition entered the strategic port town in late January as part of their efforts to drive the rebels away from the Red Sea coast.
The clashes on Wednesday left dead 24 rebel fighters, including 12 whose bodies were taken a hospital in Mokha, medical officials said.
The other 12 were rebels whose remains were found by advancing troops and later buried in Mokha, a loyalist military official said.
Eight soldiers were killed, military and medical officials said.
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/02/2017/32-killed-in-Yemen-western-port-clashes
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (* A K PH)
Army repulses Saudi aggression forces in Mocha
The army and popular forces repelled an attempt by the Saudi aggression forces to move towards east Mocha city of Taiz province overnight, a military official told Saba on Wednesday.
Dozens of the invaders and their mercenaries, including elements of al-Qaeda and Daesh and Sudanese soldiers, were killed and 11 military vehicles were destroyed during the confrontations, the official said.
The botched attempt lasted from Tuesday morning to evening under intensive sorties of the aggression warplanes, which exceeded 60 raids, in addition to the bombardment of Apache helicopters and battleships.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455559.htm
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Ballistic missile hits mercenaries in Mocha
The army and popular forces fired a ballistic missile of Zelzal-2 type on gatherings of Saudi-paid mercenaries in Mocha district of Taiz province overnight, a military official told Saba on Wednesday.
The missile hit al-Mizan area, causing heavy losses in life and gear to the mercenaries, the official added.
The missile forces also targeted groupings of the aggression forces in east of Mocha city, leaving a number of dead and wounded among the enemy troops, in addition to destroying two military vehicles.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455548.htm
7.2.2017 – Almasdar News (* A K PH)
Saudi-backed forces enter strategic coastal city in Yemen
The Saudi-backed “Southern Resistance” and Hadi loyalists stormed Mocha in southwest Yemen on Tuesday, reportedly entering this strategic coastal city after a fierce battle with the Houthi forces.
Despite claims that they have captured the city, the Saudi-backed forces only control a small part of Mocha city.
Houthi sources confirmed that the Saudi-backed forces did in fact enter Mocha, but they denied all rumors claiming the latter seized the city – by Leith Fadel
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-backed-forces-enter-strategic-coastal-city-yemen/
contradicting the reports by the pro-Hadi / pro-Saudi side:
8.2.2017 – Al Arabiya (A K PS)
Yemeni army and resistance gain control of Al-Mokha
Yemeni national forces and popular resistance have captured the city of Al-Mokha from the hands of Houthi militiamen, the Arab coalition leadership in Yemen confirmed.
With the intensive support of coalition fighters and Apache helicopters, Yemeni resistance forces managed to seize control of most of the city’s neighborhoods. The national army and resistance are still fighting remnants of the Houthi militias and Ali Abdullah Saleh’s forces, that withdrew to the outskirts of the city from the northern and western fronts.
Meanwhile, Arab Coalition military ships and Apache helicopters bombed the regions of Taif, Nakhila and Zabid in the southern city of Hodeida on the Yemeni west coast.
Aircrafts also launched raids on militia sites near the port of Mokha and Khaled camp in the east. According to a military source, intermittent clashes took place in the vicinity of Mokha.
Arab Coalition aircrafts similarly targeted militia sites in Hodeidah, near the south of Hajjah governorate.
7.2.2017 – Reuters (* A K)
Gulf-backed Yemeni forces capture Red Sea coast city: agency
Yemeni government forces backed by Gulf Arab troops have secured the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, United Arab Emirates news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, in a push that paves the way for an advance on the country's main port city of Hodeidah.
Supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have been fighting for weeks to capture the small town, which once served as a main port for exporting coffee, from the Iran-aligned Houthi that has held it since early 2015.
WAM said that local fighters, known as the Yemeni Resistance, stormed the city from the south, east and north. The UAE contingent in the Saudi-led Arab alliance played the main role in liberating al-Mokha through the participation of ground forces and by providing fire power from both the air and the ground as well as intelligence, the agency said.
It said that a large number of Houthi fighters were either killed or taken prisoner.
Residents in the city confirmed the city had been captured but gave no figures on casualties.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN15M2FI
My comment: WAM is the Emirati news agency. This could be propaganda only – the Hadi side already several times had claimed they had occupied Mokha now. We will see.
8.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (* A K PS)
Pro-government forces advance towards central al Mocha city from three directions
The pro-government forces started on Tuesday completing the liberation of the al Mocha city, western Taiz governorate, southwest of Yemen, backed by the fighter jets of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.
A military source told Almasdaronline that the pro-government forces launched a violent raid on the positions of the Houthi group militants and the forces loyal to ex-president Saleh, and fought fierce battles with the snipers stationing in dozens of buildings downtown the city, including the government complex eastern the city.
The source added that the attack was launched from three directions: from the southern direction towards the gate of al Mocha port, from the city’s eastern entrance, and through al Dayri road towards the city’s downtown.
“It is expected that new positions will be secured within the coming hours”. He added.
The pro-government armored forces also began to deploy in the neighborhoods nearby al Mocha port, while the Houhtis and allied forces were retreating to the city’s center and towards the residential city, according to the source.
“On the other hand, the Arab Coalition fighter jets launched on Tuesday morning six air raids on the Houhtis positions in al Nar Mount, eastern al Mocha, and four raids on their positions in Yakhtal area, northern the city.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88672
7.2.2017 – Anadolu (* A K)
Pro-govt forces take Yemen’s port city of Mocha: Source
Pro-government forces on Tuesday captured several parts of the strategic city of Mocha on Yemen’s western Red Sea coast following pitched battles with Shia Houthi militiamen, according to a pro-government source.
"Pro-government forces attacked the Houthis and their allies [in Mocha] from different directions towards the city center," pro-government field commander Bilal al-Saqqaf told Anadolu Agency.
"Our forces managed to capture the city’s port, the Old City, a public road, and several residential districts," he said, adding: "The city is now under our control."
"At least 30 Houthi fighters surrendered, while dozens of others were killed or injured in the fighting," al-Saqqaf asserted.
The Houthi leadership, for its part, has yet to comment on the commander’s assertions.
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/pro-govt-forces-take-yemen-s-port-city-of-mocha-source/743490
Comment by Judith Brown: What they mean of course are forces that a nominally under the control of the government in Saudi Arabia headed by Hadi - actually under control of the USA and UK methinks The government in Sanaa Yemen is under the control of the Saleh-Houthi alliance. They have not made comments yet apparently
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155196741423641
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi airstrikes kill civilians in souk in Taiz
A numbers of citizens were killed and others wounded when the US-Saudi aggression fighter jets waged heinous raids on a popular souk in Mocha district of Taiz province overnight, an official told Saba on Wednesday.
The warplanes waged a strike on the Souk, killing a numbers of the citizens and injuring others, as well as destroying ten of cars, the official added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455561.htm
and
7.2.2017 – Yemen Daily News (A K)
#Mokha' market was destroyed by #US_Saudi airstrikes today afternoon ... (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=627513204099415&id=409848745865863
My comment: Overnight (Saba), afternoon (Yemen Daily News). By mortar shells, seems to be wrong, here: https://twitter.com/I4Yemen/status/829026391735795712
7.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Sporadic fighting drags on in Mocha, as coalition fighter jets strike Houthi positions
Sporadic clashes between government forces, backed by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, and pro-Houthi/Saleh forces have been taking place in the coastal city of Al Mocha, in western Taiz, a military source told Almasdaronline on Monday.
The source said clashes erupted in the neighborhoods near the Mocha Seaport and the Ring Road, north of the city.
On the other hand, the coalition's fighter jets launched six airstrikes on pro-Houthi positions near the seaport, and another four in Yakhtol area.
Moreover, the fighter jets launched five airstrikes on positions in Al Shabakah mountain, near the Khaled Ben Al Waleed military camp, in Mowza' Intersection. The airstrikes left the telecommunications network in Mocha out of service.
Earlier, over the past three days, the fighter jets have launched more than 120 airstrikes on pro-Houthi positions in both districts of Mocha and Mowza', and destroyed a number of arms depots.
In a related development, pro-Houthi forces launched artillery shells from the positions in Al Sharaf area, targetong Al Selw area, southeastern of Taiz city.
Moreover, a civilian, identified as Mohammed Khaled Mohammed Moqbil, was shot dead by a Houthi sniper, while passing by near Al Sha'eriyyah Cemetery in Al Ma'baran Village, north of Al Selw.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88646
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Battleships of the Aggression Targeting Al Hodeidah province
The battleships of the aggression targted Nekhaila coast in Al Durayhimi district of Al Hodeidah. The batleships targted the different areas in Al Hodidah and Taiz provinces and killed doznes of citizens .
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63575&lang=en
My comment: Hey, US hypocrites who send warships to this region pretending to protect the security of shipping in this region, is this no reason to interfere here and to force these warships to stop these bombings??
cp17b Kriegsereignisse: Sonstige / Theater of War: Other
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army kill dozens of Saudi-paid mercenaries in Mareb
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455568.htm
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Artillery hits Saudi-paid mercenaries in Makbana, Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455566.htm
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army's artillery bombards mercenaries in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455552.htm
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi military vehicles destroyed in Jizan, Najran, Asir
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455554.htm
8.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Five mercenaries killed in Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455545.htm
8.2.2017 – Press TV Iran (A K PH)
Film: Yemeni forces mobilizing to attack Saudi mercenaries
Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its all-out war on the kigndom’s southern neighbor Yemen. While carrying out relentless airstrikes on innocent Yemenis, Riyadh has hired foreign mercenaries from countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Somalia to help in the devastating military campaign.
Our correspondent in Yemen Mohammad al-Attab has sent us a report.
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/02/08/509589/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-UAE
7.2.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A K PS)
Houthis Caused the Death of 142 People in January, Most of Which Are Children
A humanitarian relief coalition based in Yemeni governorate, Taiz, issued a report citing over 142 Houthi-linked deaths and some 477 injuries caused by Iran-aligned coup militias. Incidents affected both women and children.
Published, last January, the report said that the atrocities were a result of indiscriminate shelling carried out by coup militants against residential areas.
Made available on Yemen state-owned news agency (SABA), the published document said that at least 23 children were killed and 62 others injured, in addition to the killing of 8 women, and the wounding of 18 others. A total of 111 men were killed by militia activity, and 397 injured. Notably, most accounts of injuries were severe.
The report also pointed out that 23 homes and private properties were subject to grand scale damage by shelling over the past month.
Water and power stations were brutally destroyed by coup-launched mortars, causing major deficiency in humanitarian services in Taiz.
Health care was consequently affected. Access of relief organizations and aid donors to Taiz is close to null, as a result of the western gateway being partly open against a Houthi-imposed deadlock.
The paper highlighted that at least 226 families have been forcibly displaced from their homes in each of Hayfan, Al Wazi’iyah and At Ta’iziyah districts. Yemeni families were compelled to resort to school premises, turned into makeshift camps, escaping heavy clashes in conflict hotspots.
http://english.aawsat.com/2017/02/article55367051/houthis-caused-death-142-people-january-children
Comment by Judith Brown: News from Saudi news agency - one that has been notoriously unreliable
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155195870218641
My comment: It stays unclear what that “humanitarian relief coalition” actually is, no names or details are given. Yes, Houthi shelling at Taiz has a terrible effect. The other side, when shelling against the Houthis (or groups among each other) they do not hit civilians? Certainly they will do. – And it is specially strange that the Saudis are crying for any civilian victims in Yemen – the greatest part of victims is due to Saudi air raids – which target also Taiz this Saudi media is lamenting about.
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army thwarts infiltration attempt of Saudi-paid mercenaries in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455485.htm
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Dozens of Dead and Wounded of Hypocrites in Taiz
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63578&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saudi Mercenaries Killed, Military Vehicles Destroyed in Makha
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63606&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Najran: army artillery and popular committees targeting gatherings of mercenaries in the Saudi army Al Kthrah
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63581&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Army and Popular Committees Targeting Gatherings of Mercenaries and Burning tank
Sberan area directorate of Al Sha’af in Al Jouf
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63567&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Continue hypocrites aggression targeting schools and homes and farms of citizens in Marib
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2q9Ouvf4Qk
Remark: Means: Pro-Hadi forces shelling schools and homes and farms.
8.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Government forces repel Houthi attacks in Sirwah, western Marib
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88674
and the other side totally contradictionary:
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army purges sites in Serwah, Marib prov.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455490.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63599&lang=en
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Three mercenaries killed in Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455447.htm
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi soldiers killed in Jizan
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455449.htm
7.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
National forces shell Saudi military bases in Jizan, Asir
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news455454.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=63550&lang=en
6.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
UAE announces a soldier killed fighting along with Arab coalition forces in Yemen
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88640
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-263-yemen-war-mosaic-263
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-263: / Yemen War Mosaic 1-263:
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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