Humanitarian crisis – UN: Attacking Hodeida threatens food supply – Trump’s Yemen policy aggravates hunger – Students as fighters – Cultural heritage threatened by war – War invalids – Arms trade is flourishing – and more
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Klassifizierung / Classification
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp4 Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche/ UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17a Kriegsereignisse: Mokha / Theater of War: Mokha
cp17b Kriegsereignisse: Sonstige / Theater of War: Other
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
Eingebetteter Medieninhalt21.2.2017 – Deutsche Welle (** A H)
Film: Jemen Hungerkrise bedroht Millionen Kinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksEqGysTxhQ
and English version:
Film: A humanitarian crisis in Yemen
After two years of war in Yemen, hundreds of thousands of children are severely malnourished as famine looms.
http://www.dw.com/en/a-humanitarian-crisis-in-yemen/av-37647157
19.2.2017 – Phoenix (*** B H K P)
Film: Jemen am Abgrund
Die humanitäre Krise im Jemen ist mindestens genauso schlimm wie die in Syrien, so Torben Due, Landesdirektor des UN-Ernährungsprogramms. Das Problem sei, dass kaum jemand darüber berichte. Es ist schwer, in den Jemen zu kommen, seit auch dort Krieg herrscht. Auf der einen Seite stehen die Houthi-Rebellen, verbündet mit den Resten der jemenitischen Armee, die noch immer loyal zu Alt-Herrscher Ali Abdallah Saleh stehen. Auf der anderen Seite Salehs gewählter Nachfolger und eine arabische Militärkoalition unter saudischer Führung. Saudi-Arabien kontrolliert die Grenzen des Jemen und blockiert den Flughafen in der Hauptstadt Sanaa. Bis vor kurzem konnten Journalisten noch mit den Vereinten Nationen ins Land reisen, aber auch da gibt es inzwischen Probleme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC6xdCuDR8Q = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stulIo0eYTg
21.2.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (** A H K)
Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, on the Impact of the Conflict and Ongoing Food Crisis
I am deeply concerned with the escalation of conflict and militarization of Yemen’s Western Coast. It is coming at a great cost to civilians.
Increased fighting along the Western Coast which is effectively limiting the flow of life-saving commodities, including food staples, into Al Hudaydah Port is aggravating an already terrible humanitarian situation in Yemen. Over 17 million people are currently unable to adequately feed themselves and are frequently forced to skip meals - women and girls eat the least and last. Seven million Yeminis do not know where their next meal will come from and are ever closer to starvation.
For almost two months, conflict has escalated from the ground, air and sea in the Dhubab and Al Mukha areas in Taizz Governorate. Scores of civilians have been either killed or forced to flee from their homes. Airstrikes have destroyed or damaged critical roads and bridges across Al Hudaydah Governorate. Unexploded rockets have also landed inside the Al Hudaydah Port, reducing even further the number of ships and imports. Only a limited number of shipping companies now use the port, with vessels being forced to redirect their shipments, including humanitarian supplies, to Aden.
Yet, the Aden Port does not have the required capacity or infrastructure to accommodate Yemen’s import demands. Furthermore, the transport of goods from Aden to the rest of the country is not guaranteed given the additional costs, blocked or damaged roads, lack of fuel, and ongoing conflict.
The availability of food in markets and the food pipeline are at imminent risk. We are witnessing food shortages, rising food and fuel prices, disruptions to agricultural production, and plummeting purchasing power, especially brought about by the lack of salary payments in the public sector for over six months. Given that the country is 80-90 per cent dependent on imported food staples; I am compelled to raise the alarm. If left unabated, these factors combined could accelerate the onset of famine.
The inhumanity of using the economy or food as a means to wage war is unacceptable and is against international humanitarian law. I urgently call on all parties to the conflict and on those that have influence over the parties to facilitate the rapid entry of critical life-saving food staples into all Yemeni ports; to refrain from or not contribute to the damage and destruction of critical infrastructure required to transport food staples throughout the country; and to find or support a way to pay public sector salaries so that the needy can purchase what is available.
The best means to prevent famine in Yemen is for weapons to fall silent across the country and for the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table.
https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/hc_statement_western_coast_food_crisis_-_english.pdf = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/statement-humanitarian-coordinator-yemen-jamie-mcgoldrick-impact-conflict-and-ongoing = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/hc_statement_western_coast_food_crisis_-_english.pdf
20.2.2017 – Huffington Post (** A H K P)
Donald Trump’s Shift On Yemen Risks Plunging The Country Into Famine
A Saudi-led coalition appears set to attack the port in Yemen where nearly all the country’s food comes in.
President Donald Trump may be on the brink of sparking a full-blown famine in Yemen ― all because of a subtle shift in messaging that risks effectively cutting off humanitarian relief to the war-torn nation.
For more than a year, former President Barack Obama’s administration urged a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates not to attack or seize the critical port of Hodeidah on Yemen’s west coast. The bulk of humanitarian supplies that enter Yemen flow through Hodeidah, and attacking the port, which is controlled by the Houthi rebels, would likely put it out of commission, the Obama administration warned.
But now the coalition, allied with the nominal Yemeni government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, has been redirecting humanitarian and commercial ships carrying food away from the Hodeidah port, relief workers told The Huffington Post. That redirection is itself a major blow to relief efforts. But it could also signal an attack is imminent.
For the past several weeks, the coalition has sent ships instead to the smaller port in Aden, about 250 miles away, said Jamie McGoldrick, a humanitarian coordinator for the United Nations. Humanitarian workers in Yemen have observed a “drastic decrease” in the number of ships reaching the port of Hodeidah,” said Christophe Morard, a logistics officer at the U.N. World Food Program, which heads a group of nonprofits working together in Yemen.
The rerouting of ships coincides with coalition airstrikes over Hodeidah and a military offensive by the Saudi-led forces to retake Mokha, another port city about 100 miles to the south. That confluence of events has led aid workers to develop a contingency plan in case the coalition moves on from Mokha and closes Hodeidah in an attempt to retake it from the Houthis, Morard said.
“Clearly they have some plans militarily for the port,” McGoldrick said of the coalition. “It’s part and parcel of an attempt to try and weaponize the economy.”
An effort by the Hadi-aligned coalition to retake Hodeidah would likely shut the port down for an extended period of time, former U.S. government officials and current aid workers say. Even a short-term halt of the flow of goods through Hodeidah would cut off life-saving food aid to Yemenis on the brink of starvation.
The Obama administration, which faced criticism from human rights groups for its military support to the Saudi-led coalition, took a hardline stance against the coalition attacking the Red Sea ports ― especially Hodeidah, four current and former administration officials told HuffPost. Obama specifically pressed the issue when Saudi Arabia’s King Salman visited the White House in 2015.
Even in a best-case scenario in which the coalition successfully retook the port from the Houthis, the battle would create front lines around Hodeidah, and there’s ample reason to believe the Houthis would make repeated attempts to reclaim it. “The passage of food through those lines would be as difficult as the passage through any other battles lines,” one former senior administration official who worked on the region said, pointing to the southern port city of Aden as an example. When the coalition retook Aden in 2015, the port was inaccessible to humanitarian aid for four months, the BBC reported at the time.
Because the Houthis control major population centers in the western part of the country, it’s unclear whether the coalition would be able or willing to distribute humanitarian aid throughout Yemen if it succeeded in taking over Hodeidah. “If we see a scenario where the bulk of the population is under the control of one side ― regardless of which side ― and the main channel for bringing in aid and commercial food is controlled by the other side, that’s a recipe for disaster,” said a second former administration official.
“If there were a serious disruption to that port, that would, I think, be sufficient to tip the country into famine,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, who was the director of foreign disaster assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development until last month. “If they were to cut off Hodeidah, you could see several governorates in Yemen possibly tip into famine,” echoed the first former official.
McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator, described Hodeidah as the “lifeline we use to supply 80 percent of the humanitarian needs in the country.” The other 20 percent comes in through Aden, he said. But Aden, which wasn’t built to serve the entire country, is smaller in size than Hodeidah and geographically removed from most of Yemen’s population –– By Jessica Schulberg , Ryan Grim
19.2.2017 – Middle East Eye (** B H K)
Fighting for a university degree in Yemen's Taiz - street by street
Students in embattled Taiz have to find ways to pay for their courses. Fighting Houthi rebels is one of few available options
The main goal of 21-year-old Ibrahim, youngest of five siblings and the only one to reach university, is to complete his degree and secure a better future.
That, and staying alive.
To pay for his university studies, Ibrahim, who asked that his real name not be revealed, must brave the sniper-infested streets of Taiz city as a part-time soldier in Yemen's bitter civil war.
Ibrahim is a computer science student at Taiz University.
He used to depend on his father to pay for his studies, but that support ended when the war prevented his cattle-trader father from moving between fought-over provinces.
That left Ibrahim with a tough choice - join the battlefield as a paid fighter, or become a building labourer, like two of his brothers.
"My father does not work nowadays and my family depends on charitable people for food, so it is difficult to complete my studies at college.
"I don't want to stop studying and work as a labourer, so I tried to think of a practical solution," Ibrahim told Middle East Eye.
"Some of my friends had already joined the battlefield as fighters and they were paid 60,000 rials [$200] per month, so they encouraged me to join up."
Ibrahim's father didn't like the idea, but when he found himself unable to help his son, he allowed him to go.
Ibrahim received a month's basic training before he was given a Kalashnikov and sent with other pro-government fighters to the Haifan front, some 70km from Taiz. There, some of his colleagues were killed as they stopped a Houthi advance towards the main road that connects with Lahj and the key southern port city of Aden. Ibrahim was lucky.
Ibrahim is one of numerous students from Taiz who have joined the battlefield for the sake of money.
Mohammed Abdulwadood, a computer science professor at Taiz University, confirmed that many university students have joined up as fighters, and that some have been killed.
Abdulwadood said the difficult economic situation played a main role in encouraging the students to leave the university for the battlefield, adding that some had left the university forever.
Abdullah, 23, who also asked that his real name not be revealed, an Arabic language student also at Taiz University, was hit in the right hand by a Houthi sniper last December, when he was fighting on the al-Silo front, about 15km south of Taiz city.
His classmates were shocked to discover he was a fighter. Until his injury he had managed to keep up attendance at his lectures by fighting three days a week, like Ibrahim.
"I am not proud to be a fighter, but I am an orphan and the oldest of four siblings. I have to study and eke out my money to look after my family.
The student-turned-fighter Ibrahim said he knows hundreds of university students who are fighting with the Popular Resistance.
And while Ibrahim is a fighter, he says he has not yet killed anyone. "It is not easy to kill a man. Allah may forgive me for any sin, but not killing people. I hope the war will end soon and we can resume our safe lives." – by Nasser al-Sakkaf
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/fighting-degree-yemens-taiz-street-street-180021840
21.2.2017 – Los Angeles Review of Books (** B K)
Tearing the Historic Fabric: The Destruction of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage
THE GREAT DAM OF MARIB was one of the first archaeological sites in Yemen that Saudi Arabia destroyed. In May 2015, barely two months after the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen began, the dam — considered the oldest in the world and an engineering wonder of antiquity built in the eighth century BCE by the ancient Sabaeans — was badly damaged in nighttime airstrikes. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the entire Arabian Peninsula.
While the Islamic State’s cultural vandalism in Syria and Iraq has made headlines, damage to the rich cultural patrimony in Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest country, receives far less attention. Saudi jets have bombed the Old City of Sanaa several times, most recently last fall, destroying several mud-brick tower houses, which date back a thousand years. The city has been inhabited for even longer, going back some 2,500 years; UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site in 1986.
The destruction in Yemen, the vast majority of it by Saudi forces, fits a pattern of culture being targeted throughout the Middle East. A report last year by the Antiquities Coalition, the Asia Society, and the Middle East Institute recognized that “culture has become a weapon of war,” and the Islamic State “is not alone.” The report further noted that, across the region, “cultural crimes have proliferated in the vacuum of political instability and breakdown of security following the 2011 Arab Spring.”
“More than 95 percent of sites have been destroyed by the Saudi-led coalition,” said Abdulhakim al-Sayaghi, an architect and senior consultant with the Cultural Heritage Unit of the Social Fund for Development, a Yemeni NGO. The rest of the damage has been caused by the Houthis
Weaponizing culture might conjure images of looting and the black market trade of antiquities
As the fighting continues, with brief cease-fires brokered and soon broken, the cultural costs keep rising in a country with perhaps the best preserved traditional urban fabric and vernacular architecture in the Middle East.
More than 80 historical sites and monuments have been destroyed in airstrikes and other attacks, according to Nabil Monassar, the vice director of the General Organization for the Preservation of the Historic Cities of Yemen, a government agency. But, Monassar explains, that number counts Sanaa’s entire Old City as “one site wholesale,” as well as the Old City of Saada, which is also recognized by UNESCO and has endured heavy Saudi bombing. “If we instead considered individual historic buildings in both Sanaa and Saada, which is still being bombed now, the number of destroyed historic sites are in the hundreds,” he said.
The growing list of damaged and destroyed sites now includes the historic centers of Saada, Marib, al-Jawf, and the early medieval city of Zabid — another UNESCO World Heritage site — as well as monuments like al-Muqah temple in the ancient Sabaean city of Sirwah and the 12th-century al-Qahira citadel in Taiz, which was recently restored by UNESCO. The Saudis have steadily shelled Saada, the capital of the northern province on the Saudi border that Riyadh declared a military zone.
“Yemen is an incredibly poor county, but it is one of the richest, and certainly the richest in the Arabian Gulf region, in terms of just historic fabric that’s been preserved,” said Michele Lamprakos, an architectural historian at the University of Maryland
Yemen’s unrivaled patrimony in the Gulf region, if not the wider Middle East, is in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia, where the Saudi state and Wahhabi authorities have tried to erase much of the past – b By Frederick Deknatel
6.2.2017 – Wael rebel (*** B H K)
Film: "Half body"
a documentary on civilians who lost limbs in conflict with #Houthis in #Taiz produced by activists [Arabic; English subs]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMz87aTrHlw
cp2 Allgemein / General
21.2.2017 – Oxfam (* B H P)
Being bold: what Oxfam’s campaign on Yemen can teach us all about change
How do you convince people to care about a place no one has heard of? When we first started our campaign on Yemen almost two years ago, it wasn’t simply a ‘forgotten crisis’. As one of my media colleagues said to me at the time, a crisis needs to be known first before it can be forgottenHow to turn that around? Our campaign on Yemen has highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a ceasefire. It has sought to give a platform to Yemeni civil society and described how Yemeni women are striving for peace.
The most controversial aspect has been our campaign calling on the UK and US governments to suspend their arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
We knew that by challenging vast and lucrative arms sales, we would be butting up against powerful geo-political and business interests. But a small group of us felt we had to go for it.
But calling out the Saudi coalition and its backers posed security and funding risks for Oxfam. I was involved in many difficult conversations as to whether we could afford to take on this level of risk.
We did so because ultimately even reticent colleagues were won over by both the moral and pragmatic argument: the best and probably the only way to get desperately needed attention to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen was to focus on the scandal of arms sales.
This hasn’t been a straight-forward linear process. We’ve had to dial our campaigning up and down, depending on the risks to our programme.
It all began with TV.
So we got media coverage combined with excellent reports from Amnesty and Human Rights Watch.
But so far, there is little cause for celebration. The Trump administration has revoked the arms sale suspension. UK arms sales continue as the government digs in its heels.
And worst of all, the people of Yemen continue to suffer – by Duncan Green
http://oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/being-bold-what-oxfams-campaign-on-yemen-can-teach-us-all-about-change/
21.2.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy
Film: interviewed by Aljazzera
#Yemen gov't & Saudi still going with "we have retaken control of 80% of country from Houthis". God's sake stop lying. Enough.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/834011375756247043
21.2.2017 – Haykal Bafana (A P)
I miss the #Yemen that existed under Ali Abdullah Saleh, when no one was armed in cities, and no schools, hospitals or funerals got bombed.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/833982541975674881
20.2.2017 – World Food Programme (* A H)
Map: Yemen: Access Constraints as of 20 February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-access-constraints-20-february-2017 and in full: http://www.logcluster.org/map/yemen-access-constraints-map-20-february-2017 = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/yem_op_accessconstraints_a3l_20170220.pdf
20.2.2017 – Whatsupic (* A K P)
U.S. company breaks rule to sell KSA live imagery of Yemen war zones
The American aerospace company will provide the ministry with live satellite imagery of Yemen war zones.
An agreement has been signed by Saudi Minister of Defense, Mohammad bin Salman, and the CEO of Lockheed Martin, Marillyn Hewson, on 31 Jan. in Riyadh, under which the American aerospace company will provide the ministry with live satellite imagery of Yemen war zones, set to begin from March 2017, a Defense Ministry official said.
The company agreed to give Saudi Defense Ministry access to high-resolution aerial images taken by World View-3 satellite which features state-of-the-art cameras with shortwave infrared sensors to see through mist, haze, smoke, dust and other airborne particulates for photographing the Earth’s surface, Twitter account @PSJCommunity reported.
Interestingly, according to the company’s internal regulations, the company has only allowed itself to sell several-month old high-resolution images, but Saudi Arabia once again managed to lure an organization into circumventing a law and sell live images in exchange for big Saudi money.
Protraction of the Yemen war has cost Saudi Arabia billions of dollars, so the country is trying to find a way to save itself from the whirlpool of the war.
http://whatsupic.com/news-politics-usa/break-rule-live-yemen.html
20.2.2017 – Yemen Press (B K P)
South Yemen fertile ground for terrorism .. Who has the largest share? (details)
The competition over the control and influence in the important strategic areas has led to intensification of the conflict in recent days between Emiratis and Saudis in the southern Yemen.
Observers believe that these are the sources and the root cause of the war in Yemen, and due to that there is an escalation of the conflict of the Saudi Emirati because of the influence and power in the southern regions.
The UAE's involvement in the war in Yemen stuck on the undesirable steps because it was benefiting economically before the revolution under the previous regimes, where it taken concrete steps towards the occupation of Yemen.
My comment: There are differences between the Saudis and the Emirates about Yemen, but to my opinion here is a lot of conspiracy theory.
20.2.2017 – IUVM Press (A K)
A number of Bahraini troops return from Yemen
According to Al-Youm Alsab news website, a number of military officers and their relatives attended the welcoming ceremony for these soldiers that was held in Manama, Bahrain’s capital.
20.2.2017 – Al Araby (* B P)
How Yemen's 2011 peaceful uprising dissolved into all-out war
The power handover resulting from Yemen's Arab Spring was once touted as a model for transition. On the sixth anniversary of the protests, Khalid Al-Karimi asks what went wrong?
Let us face this reality. How can a peaceful power transfer happen in a country awash with unlicensed weapons? How can this take place in a nation struggling with mounting levels of illiteracy and unemployment - both issues that Yemen's rivals turn to their own agendas?
In addition, allegiance to the Yemeni nation as a whole is has disintegrated in Yemen. The people pledge allegiance to their parties, groups and tribes more than they do to Yemen as a nation. This makes for an environment conducive to festering conflict and fighting over power.
Today, Yemen is torn apart by fierce war, and its rivals believe that relying on weapons - not dialogue - is the route to peace and settlement.
The February 2011 uprising in Yemen was therefore a national peaceful awakening; a serious call for a better Yemen. But it led down the path of all-out civil war, and Yemenis have reaped only pain, hunger, displacement and bloodshed as a result.
Most worryingly, the scourge of war is ever greater, and prospects for peace remain faint. Yemen is no longer Yemen; it has been reduced to an arena for battles between Saudi and Iranian-backed forces, and a field for these two powers to test their military prowess and vent their mutual contempt.
Despite these tragedies, there is still room for peace. The time has come for a renewed uprising; one of tolerance, respect, patriotism and acceptance, that could defuse the ongoing war. Without such an uprising, lasting peace will remain illusive – by Khalid Al-Karimi
My comment: Well, this view on today’s Yemen is true. That what sounds quite dubious is the author’s look back to the transitional process from 2011 to 2014. No, the first three years of discussion were no success story at all. – The details of the transition had been imposed by foreign powers. The new president Hadi had no great support in the country. Important groups of the population had been excluded from the talks. Hadi and his entourage soon proved to be corrupt. Hadi tried to cement his position by twisting the idea of a federate state. It’s much too simple to blame the Houthis for the beginning of civil strife.
Comment: A missed chance to explain what really happened in #Yemen.
First part of the article is a great diary of the days of the revolution, the subsequent National Dialogue (after Hadi took power) and then the article does not explain the corruption, the foreign powers mingling in the nation's politics, the international agenda not matching the Yemenis outlooks.
Yemen is still a peaceful country and this is not an all-out war: this is fundamentally an aggression.
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1283911651661862
20.2.2017 – CARE and other Humanitarian agencies (* A K)
Yemen: Humanitarian agencies condemn continued attacks on civilians
Humanitarian agencies working in Yemen strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilians in the country after six women and a girl were reportedly killed and 15 others injured in an attack on a funeral in the district of Arhab, north of Sana’a, on the 17th of February 2017.
Wael Ibrahim, the CARE International Country Director in Yemen said:
We are deeply saddened at the news of this attack and are gravely concerned that parties to the conflict continue to blatantly disregard their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
It is devastating that civilian women, children and men continue to bear the brunt of the bloody conflict in Yemen as the bombing of schools, hospitals, factories, public infrastructure and private gatherings continues.
These tragic deaths and disturbing patterns of destruction are a further demonstration that an independent, international mechanism to investigate violations of IHL is desperately needed. To ensure civilians are protected, perpetrators of this and previous violations of the rules of war must be held to account.
The attack comes as the people of Yemen are experiencing one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises
The deteriorating conflict and humanitarian situation in Yemen is coming at an increasingly high cost to Yemen’s civilian population. The recent escalation in fighting on the west coast of the country has also disrupted access to much needed food, fuel and medical supplies threatening the survival of millions of Yemenis.
http://www.careinternational.org.uk/yemen-humanitarian-agencies-condemn-continued-attacks-civilians
Comment: Why humanitarian agencies refuse explicitly point the fingers on those carrying out airstrikes?
https://twitter.com/Living_Yemen/status/833715743304908802
20.2.2017 – Sputnik News (* A K)
Steckt Drohnenboot hinter Huthi-Attacke auf saudische Fregatte?
Der Angriff auf die saudische Fregatte „Al Madinah“ durch Huthi-Rebellen Ende Januar ist von einem unbemannten ferngesteuerten Boot ausgeführt worden, wie die Onlinezeitung „Defense News“ unter Berufung auf einen Kommandeur der US-Marine im Nahen Osten berichtet. Zuvor war von einer Art „Selbstmord-Booten“ die Rede gewesen.
„Unserer Beurteilung nach war es ein unbemanntes, ferngesteuertes Boot irgendeines Typs“, so Vizeadmiral Kevin Donegan im Interview mit der Onlinezeitung. Ihm zufolge birgt diese Art von Waffe sogar eine größere Bedrohung als Attacken durch Boote mit Selbstmord-Attentätern.
Darüber hinaus zeuge der Vorfall davon, dass die Huthi von irgendeiner Seite unterstützt würden. „Es ist keine leicht zu entwickelnde Sache“, so Donegan. „Es ist offensichtlich, dass es hier Unterstützung von anderen Seiten gibt.“ Es sei wahrscheinlich, dass das ferngesteuerte Boot vom Iran zur Verfügung gestellt worden sei. „Ich weiß nicht, ob es im Iran hergestellt wurde, aber ich denke, dass seine Produktion auf gewisse Weise vom Iran unterstützt wurde.“
https://de.sputniknews.com/panorama/20170220314613015-attacke-saudische-fregatte-drohnenboot/
Mein Kommentar: Englischer Bericht, mein Kommentar: YPR 269.
20.2.2017 – Radio Vatikan (* B K P)
Jemen: „Die Weltöffentlichkeit interessiert sich nicht"
„Das Land wird zerstört, es ist praktisch ein Chaos“, sagt Paul Hinder, Apostolischer Vikar für Südarabien, unseren italienischen Radio Vatikan-Kollegen. Der geborene Schweizer spricht von Hunger, hoher Kindersterblichkeit und davon, dass ganze Regionen im Zentrum des Landes nicht erreichbar sind.
„Die Weltöffentlichkeit interessiert sich nicht sehr für diesen Konflikt, obwohl es einer der gefährlichsten in dieser Region ist und Auswirkungen auf andere Regionen der Welt hat“, sagt Bischof Hinder. Aber auch trotz dieser Gefahr müsse der erste Blick nicht der Weltlage gelten, sondern den betroffenen Menschen.
Ein Problem sei das Denken in Stämmen und Gruppen, die ihre Einzelinteressen vor eine Lösung stellten, hier brauche es eine „Bekehrung der Herzen“. Er wünsche sich auch, dass der islamische Teil der Bevölkerung wirklich einen authentischen Islam lebe, weit weg von den Extremismen, die im Jemen jetzt Fuß fassten. Es brauche wieder „ein Gleichgewicht, auch innerlich, und einen gegenseitigen Respekt im Volk.“ (mit Interview in Audio)
20.2.2017 – Norwegian Refugee Council (* A P)
NRC staff detained in Yemen
Following a relief aid distribution on the 14th of February in Al Hudaydah, Yemen, local authorities detained 6 Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) national staff and a contracted driver.
The detention seems to be based on the fact that when the NRC staff opened the hygiene kit boxes at the distribution, they came to learn that the boxes which had no markings on the outside, had a text written on the inside of the boxes which said “The campaign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for emergency response.” The boxes were dated January 2015, before the conflict escalated in March 2015, and the boxes were originally used for food. The boxes had been reused by the contracted vender as hygiene kits packaging. Recycling like this is common in the country.
NRC does not take any funding from sources in Saudi Arabia due to the nature of the specific context and conflict. NRC is neutral and impartial and does not take sides.
NRC takes this issue extremely seriously, and we are currently investigating the matter.
"Our highest priorities now are to safeguard the safety and security of our staff, and investigate this matter fully. We are in contact with the local authorities, and we request that the authorities guarantee the safety, security and well-being of our staff in Al-Hudaydah, which has been assured.
We reiterate that NRC is a neutral organisation and does not have any Saudi funded projects in Yemen," said NRC Head of Communications, Tuva Raanes Bogsnes.
Due to the safety and security of our staff, we cannot comment any further on this matter at this time.
https://www.nrc.no/news/2017/february/statement-yemen/ = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/nrc-staff-detained-yemen
and
19.2.2017 – AFP, Tribune (* A P)
Yemen minister claims rebels abducted Norwegian Refugee Council staff, NRC denies
Yemeni rebels have abducted a dozen local staff working for the Norwegian Refugee Council in the Red Sea district of Hodeida, a minister and local sources said on Monday. However, the council has denied this claim.
Local sources told AFP the employees, all Yemeni citizens, were taken in a Thursday raid over accusations they had accepted and distributed aid from a Saudi-led coalition, which has been battling the Huthi rebels since March 2015.
The 12 employees were taken hostage from the aid group’s offices in the Hali district of rebel-held Hodeida late last week, Local Affairs Minister Abdul Raqib Fattah said in a statement carried by the pro-government sabanew.net news website.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has denied the news in a press release. [see above]
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1332921/norwegian-refugee-council-staff-abducted-yemen-minister/ and similar Al Araby: https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/2/20/yemen-aid-workers-not-abducted-ngo-rejects-ministers-claims
My comment: Denied? Well, they were “detained”, not “abduced”, and they are not 12 but only 7 persons who had been detained. What a craziness such a detainment should be? It’s a sign how Houthi authorities block humanitarian aid.
21.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)
Yemen government: Detention of NRC's staff is a terrorist act
The Yemeni government has denounced the detention of 12 employees of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) from al-Hudeidah city.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4250
My comment: Hadi government. That this is an easy prey for the Hadi government’s propaganda. The local Houthi commander must be a perfect example of a combination missing humanity and superb dullness.
19.2.2017 – Arab News (* A P)
Our enemy’s enemy remains the enemy
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an astonishing leap of logic last week when they concluded that Arab states were ready to jump into bed with Israel because of their concerns over Iran. The Arab League and numerous other parties rapidly disabused them of this error.
The only factor that distinguishes Netanyahu from the fascists and fundamentalists of Israel’s extreme-right is his understanding of the need to keep sweet-talking the US while he comprehensively sabotages its half-hearted overtures toward peace. Meanwhile, Netanyahu, through relentless illegal construction and a thousand other tactics, renders Palestinian statehood impossible – by Baria Alamuddin
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1056816
My comment: Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states seem to reject Trump’s idea of an US-Israel-Gulf-States military alliance against Iran (reporting at https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-middle-east-allies-explore-arab-military-coalition-1487154600 and http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-u-s-should-have-nothing-to-do-with-an-arab-anti-iran-coalition/ ): At least, they reject on the stage – what they will do behind the curtain, might be another thing.
19.2.2017 – Defense News (* A K P)
New Houthi weapon emerges: a drone boat
US admiral fears Yemen civil war widening into the Red Sea
The Houthi boat that attacked and hit a Saudi frigate Jan. 30 in the Red Sea, reported earlier as a suicide boat, was instead carried out by an unmanned, remote-controlled craft filled with explosives, the US Navy’s top officer in the Mideast said.
“Our assessment is that it was an unmanned, remote-controlled boat of some kind,” Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet and head of US Naval Forces Central Command, told Defense News in an interview here Saturday.
The attack on the frigate Al Madinah appears to be the first confirmed use of the weapon which, Donegan said, represents a wider threat than that posed by suicide boats and shows foreign interests are aiding the Houthis.
Donegin is concerned “first that it is in the hands of someone like the Houthis. That’s not an easy thing to develop. There have been many terrorist groups that have tried to develop that, it’s not something that was just invented by the Houthis. There’s clearly support there coming from others, so that’s problematic.
The unmanned boat was likely supplied by Iran, Donegan said.
“I don’t know that it’s Iranian-built, but I believe that it’s production in some way was supported by Iran,” Donegan said.
“We allowed the United Nations access to all the weapons we got from one of the interdictions, and they published quite an extensive report,” Donegan said. “They said specifically that the weapons came from Iran and were destined for Yemen in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. That’s not my assessment, that’s the United Nations assessment.
“What we have now is that non-nation-states get access to nation-state-like weapon systems, and that impacts the flow of commerce. You saw that in the attack on the motor vessel Swift on the 1 st of October, and you saw that again with this explosive boat that was used against the Saudi frigate Al-Madinah. My fear is they move to use that [weapon] against any kind of commerce that flows through [the southern Red Sea]. And even if they don’t intend to, my fear is that it becomes a collateral damage, because they’re not so good at identifying targets and things like that.
Donegan was also asked about the US commitment to the Gulf region, a perennial concern among the US partners here, particularly after the “America first” language in President Trump’s inaugural address.
“We’re absolutely committed to stay here,” Donegan declared. “There’s been no change in that in any way, shape or form, in my mind. We’re battling the readiness issues of our service, because we’ve used them pretty hard. But my headquarters is not going away. We’ll have our ships out here in the region. We’ll have the carrier strike group in and out. We still have permanently-homeported ships based here in the region. So we’re not stepping in any way away from the region.
And America first means we’re here because it’s in America’s interests. It doesn’t mean we’re going to run back home and protect in a defensive way. It means we’re going to be out and engaged so we can have influence in places, and where our interests are at stake we can be there when and where we’re needed. That is not changing. I’ve gotten zero indications of that.” – By: Christopher P. Cavas
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/new-houthi-weapon-emerges-a-drone-boat
My comment: Interesting. Of course, this US admiral is spreading the well-known US propaganda. Let’s make clear: Iranian arms shipments to Yemen still are marginal b) the Houthis as part of a Yemeni government since 2 ½ years and fighting alongside the greater part of the Yemeni army are no non-state actor any more c) That’s the Saudis and the Saudi coalition who had made the Red Sea a fighting zone by pouding the coast, by bombing Yemeni harbours, by bombing fishing boats and refugee boats.
Comment by Samuel Oakford: Interesting wording here, from head of US Fifth Fleet: "you don't need suicide attackers to do a suicide-like attack."
https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/833713286277369856
19.2.2017 – Sputnik News (* A P)
The 'Forgotten War' in Middle East That Mainstream Media Chooses to Overlook
The lack of mainstream media coverage on Yemen was discussed during a meeting between the deputy of the Council Committee of the Federation on International Affairs, Vladimir Lukin, with one of the leaders of the party of “General National Congress of the Republic of Yemen,” Abu Bakr al Kirbi, according to the Parliamentary newspaper.
In an interview with Sputnik, Abu Bakr al-Kirbi said that the main purpose of the visit was to break the information blockade about what is actually happening in Yemen.
As for the statements of the representatives of the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia in particular the statements by Saudi General Ahmed al Asiri, the respondent told Sputnik that that “military always tries to present the situation somewhat different from the reality.” According to al-Kirbi, Russian Foreign Ministry has well understood their position and together they agreed that the only way to resolve the conflict is through political means.
“The Security Council should develop a roadmap with the initiative of John Kerry. Five permanent members should come to some common decision to support this agreement,” al-Kirbi concluded.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702191050840913-yemen-war-media-not-reporting/
19.2.2017 – Reuters (* A P)
Saudi-Arabien lehnt Annäherung an den Iran vorerst ab
"Der Iran ist Teil des Problems, nicht der Lösung", kritisierte der saudische Außenminister Adel al-Dschubeir am Sonntag auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz. Solange das Land sein Verhalten nicht ändere, werde es für alle schwierig sein, mit ihm umzugehen. Der Iran sei mit seinem Raketenprogramm, der militärischen Unterstützung für den syrischen Präsidenten Baschar al-Assad und seinem Vorgehen im Jemen die größte Bedrohung in der Region.
Saudi-Arabien befürchtet, dass der schiitische Iran die Gemeinschaft der sunnitischen Staaten spalten und seine Einflusssphäre im Nahen Osten ausweiten möchte. Die beiden Regionalmächte konkurrieren um die Vorherrschaft in der Region. Der Iran betrachtet sich als Schutzmacht der Schiiten, Saudi-Arabien als Schutzmacht der Sunniten.
Israel wirft dem Iran vor, letztendlich die Stabilität Saudi-Arabiens untergraben zu wollen. "Die echte Spaltung ist nicht zwischen Juden und Moslems ... sondern zwischen radikalen und gemäßigten Kräften", sagte der israelische Verteidigungsminister Avigdor Lieberman in München.
http://de.reuters.com/article/iran-saudi-arabien-ann-herung-idDEKBN15Y0HD
Bemerkung: Unsägliche Propaganda; mein Kommentar unter der englischen Version.
19.2.2017 – Reuters (* A P)
SAUDI ARABIA, ISRAEL PRESENT DE FACTO UNITED FRONT AGAINST IRAN
While Saudi Arabia remains historically at odds with Israel, their ministers demanded that Tehran be punished for action in Syria, Yemen and developing ballistic missiles.
Saudi Arabia and Israel both called on Sunday for a new push against Iran, signaling a growing alignment in their interests, while US lawmakers promised to seek new sanctions on the Shi'ite Muslim power.
Turkey also joined the de facto united front against Tehran as Saudi and Israeli ministers rejected an appeal from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for Sunni Gulf Arab states to work with Tehran to reduce violence across the region.
While Saudi Arabia remains historically at odds with Israel, their ministers demanded at the Munich Security Conference that Tehran be punished for propping up the Syrian government, developing ballistic missiles and funding separatists in Yemen.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called Tehran the main sponsor of global terrorism and a destabilizing force in the Middle East.
He sidestepped a question about Israel's call for concerted action with Sunni Arab states amid growing speculation that the two countries could normalize relations and join forces to oppose Tehran, much as Turkey has done.
Al-Jubeir said Iran was propping up the government of President Bashar Assad in the Syrian civil war, funding the Houthi movement in Yemen and fomenting violence across the region.
The international community needed to set clear "red lines" to halt Iran's actions, he said, calling for banking, travel and trade restrictions aimed at changing Tehran's behavior.
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Iran's ultimate objective was to undermine Riyadh, and called for a dialog with Sunni Arab countries to defeat "radical" elements in the region.
"The real division is not Jews, Muslims ... but moderate people versus radical people," Lieberman told delegates.
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Saudi-Arabia-Israel-present-de-facto-united-front-against-Iran-481996 and report by Euronews http://www.euronews.com/2017/02/19/iran-shrugs-off-attacks-from-saudi-arabia-israel-and-trump and by Aljazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/iran-accused-undermining-middle-east-security-170219175742394.html
My comment: That all together is odd. – Syria: The legitimate president has required Iranian help, that’s the same situation the Saudis (wrongly) claim for Yemen, so what?? The Iranian assistance for Houthis in Yemen is marginal, the rest is Saudi propaganda. The main sponsor of terrorism worldwide is Saudi Arabia. And Lieberman is speaking of the “real division” as “moderate people versus radical people”: be aware: the Saudis are radicals, Lieberman is a radical.
Comment by Ben Norton: Not satire: Far-right Israeli minister says extremist Saudi regime is in "moderate" coalition against "radical" Iran
https://twitter.com/BenjaminNorton/status/833418819544743936
Comment by Hazel McDonald: Emm I'd prefer Saudi Arabia was punished for the genocide happening in #Yemen amongst other crimes against humanity
https://twitter.com/hazelglasgow/status/833410328952238081
19.2.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K P)
Hilarious how all sides shying away from citing this report [UN panel report, look at YPR 269, cp1] to condemn other party bcz equally condemns them. Zero mention in media.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833285690330865664
16.2.2017 – Save the Children (A H K)
Save the Children statement on reports of an airstrike on a funeral in Yemen
Following reports of an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on a funeral in Sana’a, Grant Pritchard, Save the Children’s Deputy Country Director for Yemen, said:
“This attack was horrific. We’ve heard at least one child was killed, and our teams have just visited a hospital where they saw two infants who had been seriously injured, including a one-year-old girl with shrapnel wounds to her stomach and burns right across her face. The little girl’s aunt told us her mother had been killed in the attack and there are still two children missing in the rubble.
“Attacks like this have been carried out by all sides with impunity for nearly two years, and all too often it is children and their families that are paying the price. Nearly 1,500 children have been killed and thousands maimed. The bombs are landing on homes, they are landing on schools, and they are landing on hospitals. These are crimes, pure and simple. It is unforgivable.”
https://yemen.savethechildren.net/news/save-children-statement-reports-airstrike-funeral-yemen
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Eingebetteter MedieninhaltSiehe / Look at cp1
21.2.2017 – International Organization for Migration (A H)
IOM Supports Key Health Facility in Sana’a, Yemen
IOM has donated two water tanks with a total capacity of 60,000 litres to Al-Thawra General Modern Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen.
Al-Thawra General Modern Hospital is the biggest public hospital in Yemen, providing services to the whole community, including migrants and refugees, who receive the same care and pay the same minimum charges as local people.
The hospital is suffering from a desperate lack of resources, while facing a large influx of patients due to the ongoing conflict. Prolonged air, sea and land blockades are contributing to an acute shortage of medicines, medical supplies and equipment. Water, sanitation and health personnel are also in short supply.
Currently, only 45 percent of health facilities are functioning in Yemen. Around 274 facilities have been damaged or destroyed due to the conflict, and the facilities that are still functioning have limited capacity.
http://www.iom.int/news/iom-supports-key-health-facility-sanaa-yemen
21.2.2017 – UNCHR (* A H P)
UNHCR's Representative in Yemen, Ayman Gharaibeh, highlights impact of funding shortfall
UNHCR’s Representative in Yemen Ayman Gharaibeh talks about the deteriorating conditions in a country devastated by war, with signs of famine and a looming humanitarian catastrophe in the making.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQfzTcoWSmY
20.2.2017 – ORF (* A H)
Millionen Menschen betroffen
Nicht nur im Südsudan, auch in den Krisenländern Jemen und Somalia droht eine Hungersnot. Allein im Jemen seien mehr als zwei Millionen Kinder und gut eine Million Erwachsene schon akut unterernährt, sagte Stephen O’Brien, Nothilfekoordinator der Vereinten Nationen (UNO), in Genf.
Mehr als zwei Drittel der rund 27 Millionen Einwohner seien auf Hilfe angewiesen. Die UNO brauchte 2,1 Milliarden Dollar (knapp zwei Mrd. Euro), um zwölf Millionen besonders gefährdeten Menschen zu helfen. „Zwei Jahre Krieg haben den Jemen verwüstet, und Millionen Kinder, Frauen und Männer brauchen dringend Hilfe“, sagte O’Brien. „Ohne internationale Hilfe droht 2017 eine Hungersnot.“
http://orf.at/stories/2380111/2380128/
Mein Kommentar: Es wird immer wieder wiederholt, dringt aber nicht wirklich durch. Und oft bleibt es auch bei einer Internetmeldung mit wenigen Zeilen. Ebenso warnt UNICEF, die Meldungen bleiben aber kurz wie hier: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/dramatische-lage-in-afrika-unicef-1-4-millionen-kinder-von-hungertod-bedroht/19420424.html
20.2.2017 – UNICEF (* A H)
Nearly 1.4 million children at imminent risk of death as famine looms in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen – UNICEF
Almost 1.4 million children are at imminent risk of death from severe acute malnutrition this year, as famine looms in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UNICEF said today.
“Time is running out for more than a million children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “We can still save many lives. The severe malnutrition and looming famine are largely man-made. Our common humanity demands faster action. We must not repeat the tragedy of the 2011 famine in the Horn of Africa.”
And in Yemen, where a conflict has been raging for the past two years, 462,000 children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition – a nearly 200 per cent increase since 2014.
This year, UNICEF is working with partners to provide therapeutic treatment to 220,000 severely malnourished children in Nigeria, over 200,000 severely malnourished children in South Sudan, more than 200,000 severely malnourished children in Somalia, and 320,000 children in Yemen.
https://www.unicef.org/media/media_94893.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/nearly-14-million-children-imminent-risk-death-famine-looms-nigeria-somalia-south-sudan
20.2.2017 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A H)
The Catastrphe on Teachers Rights in #Yemen #Support_Education #Teachers_First Please read and Share RT to help our teachers in #Yemen (text in image)
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/833797508212088833
20.2.2017 – World Health Organization (* A H)
National polio immunization campaign launched in Yemen
A nationwide polio immunization campaign was launched today in Yemen by national health authorities with support from WHO and UNICEF, aiming to immunize 5 019 648 children under the age of 5.
More than 40 000 health workers are taking part in the 3-day campaign. In addition, religious and local council’s officials, as well as health educators are also mobilizing support for the campaign. High-risk groups, such as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, will also be reached.
“WHO is working closely with UNICEF and health authorities to keep Yemen polio-free. The threat of virus importation is serious and this campaign aims to curb any possible return of the virus to Yemen,” said Dr Nevio Zagaria, WHO Acting Representative in Yemen.
“WHO and its partners will continue to support the health authorities in increasing the vaccination coverage across Yemen.”
This is the first polio immunization campaign since April 2016. The security situation in Yemen has limited accessibility of many parts of the country, leaving many children at risk of vaccine preventable diseases.
http://www.emro.who.int/yem/yemen-news/national-polio-immunization-campaign-launched-in-yemen.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/national-polio-immunization-campaign-launched-yemen-0
21.2.2017 - Reuters (* A H)
Yemen launches polio vaccination drive amid fears disease could reappear
"The threat of (polio) virus importation is serious and this campaign aims to curb any possible return of the virus to Yemen," WHO's representative in Yemen, Nevio Zagaria, said in a statement.
Polio, which spreads quickly among children and can cause irreversible paralysis within hours, remains endemic in only three countries - Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Yemen was declared polio-free in 2009, but experts say conflict-affected countries are particularly at risk of outbreaks because of disruption to their health systems.
WHO's spokesman on polio eradication, Sona Bari, said both Syria and Iraq saw polio outbreaks a few years ago.
"This is why the (Yemen) campaign at this time is extremely important," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Geneva.
"We have been very lucky that polio hasn't shown up in Yemen, but it is a virus that travels very easily and is very good at finding unprotected children."
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-polio-idUSKBN16026M
20.2.2017 – Voice of America (* A H)
Millions of Yemen Children Still Not Immunized Against Polio
The World Health Organization is spearheading a nationwide polio vaccination drive in conflict-ridden Yemen to immunize more than five million children under age five against this crippling disease.
Yemen has been polio free since 2006. Efforts are underway to try to make sure children in this war-torn country remain free of this potentially deadly disease.
But it will not be easy. WHO spokeswoman, Fadela Chaib, says thousands of local volunteers are putting their lives on the line as they go door to door to reach and immunize more than five million young children against polio.
She told VOA there are no so-called “days of tranquility.” She says the guns will not fall silent during this nationwide vaccination campaign.
Chaib agrees the challenges ahead are daunting, but says they can be overcome. She notes two polio vaccination campaigns took place last year and the expectation is that this one also will be successful.
She says it is critical for Yemeni children to be vaccinated as many are weakened by malnutrition and lack safe water and sanitation. She adds such children are particularly susceptible to becoming paralyzed by polio – by Lisa Schlein
http://www.voanews.com/a/millions-of-yemen-children-still-not-immunized-against-polio/3731823.html
and
20.2.2017 – Adengad (A H)
Aden: National campaign to immunize against polio
https://twitter.com/adenalghad/status/833633834965016576
Remark: Photo with Aden prime minister Dagher. Look above: It’s being realized by WHO. And in Sanaa, the prime minister of the Sanaa government does the same:
20.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A H)
Yemen PM Bin Habtoor Kicks off today in Sanaa a nation-wide vaccination campaign against poli.Over 5 million children under 5 are targeted
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833670197001216000
20.2.2017 – Huffington Post (* A H)
The Tweet That Fed Eight Million People In War-Torn Yemen
Mona Relief is an organisation which started from a single tweet and for the past two years has fed almost 8 million people in Yemen. Mona is the name of the lady who donated the very first $1000 for the organisation to make their first delivery of food to internally displaced people in the area of Harf Sufiyan in Yemen. Mona’s generosity and spirit for humanity was infectious; she conveyed a message of positivity and compassion. Upon recognising and appreciating her spirit, the organisation was named after her.
I spoke to Dr R S Karim, the co-founder of Mona Relief, he has worked for the UN for a number of years, and his team are currently on the ground in Yemen – by Khadija Ahmed
Here’s how you can help: Donate at http://monarelief.org/ or at https://www.gofundme.com/savealifeinyemen
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/khadija-ahmed/yemen_b_14705228.html
19.2.2017 – Your Abilities (A H)
Film: Your Abilities For Development Organization hosted a displaced family and provided accommodation and food for it. The Org. did the initial medical examination for the patient Mohammed whom suffering of kidney disease and needs a kidney implants.
It was arranged with Alsahat media channel to deliver the displaced message.
Mr. Mohammed Alharethe talked deeply to deliver the displaced and patients suffering because of circumstances and the siege that Yemen is passing through and asks everybody to cooperate with patient Mohammed to save his life and all other patients because of the lack of medicines and the bad life situation which make many families search and struggle to rescue their lives.
https://www.facebook.com/your.abilities.or/videos/280868682331476/ = https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1283227881730239
17.2.2017 – RadioVaticana (* B H)
Yemen war causing world's worst food crisis amid widespread indifference
Linda Bordoni spoke to Alvhild Stromme, media advisor for the Norwegian Refugee Council that has teams in the country providing assistance to those in need:
Alvhild Stromme says that since the beginning of the conflict the humanitarian situation has precipitated month by month: “what we see now is almost the complete collapse of the economy”.
She explains that it has become practically impossible for the private sector to get anything into the country and while the airport is closed, it is difficult for people to get out, even for medical reasons.
“This is a country that even before the conflict escalated in March 2015, it was the poorest country in the region. Already then, there were millions of people depending on some kind of assistance and 90% of the food that people needed was imported from outside” she said.
Stromme notes that when you have a disruption of the imports, in addition to damage to the infrastructure within the country – for example to hospitals, schools, roads, ports, and bridges “you can just imagine the impact that this has on an already very poor population”.
Asked whether the people who are at such a point of food insecurity they possibly fear hunger more than they fear bombs, Stromme says it is difficult to ascertain.
“Of course dying from hunger is a slow, painful and quiet death; while you can count the victims that are killed by bombs or airstrikes. It’s more difficult to count the number of people who die from illnesses or starvation” she said.
She pointed out that children, who are the most vulnerable, are bearing the brunt of the situation with hundreds of thousands dying of starvation, a predicament also connected to the fact that there are limited medical facilities and huge difficulties in getting medical supplies into the country.
“The scale of this crisis is enormous. In this country where you have 27 million people, there are 17 million who need more food, and for many of these, the situation is very severe” she said.
Stromme says the Norwegian Refugee Council is on the ground trying to get support to where it is most needed, and although it is very challenging it is not a completely hopeless situation.
“Just last year NRC reached 1.2 million people in Yemen with some kind of humanitarian assistance, including water, food and education” she said.
“Keep remembering the plight of the people in Yemen, she said, research what is going on, get information, and together we can try to raise awareness about the suffering of people in Yemen which is the worst humanitarian crisis unfolding at this time in the world” (with audio: interview)
cp4 Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
See / Look at cp1
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
21.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A P)
Yemen ex-president Saleh met today NSanaa regional chief of ICRC Robert Mardini on worsening humanitarian situation due Saudi aggression (photo)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/834038768554369030
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A P)
President meets a number of notables, Sheikhs of Amran
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456928.htm
Urgent: ballistic missile hits Mustahdath camp on al-Mawsem in Jizan
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456917.htm
21.2.2017 – ABNA (A P)
Yemeni scholar: Our missiles can hit Arab capitals, the war is Zionist-Yemeni
Alwaght has arranged an interview with the economist and advisor of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council Professor Abdulaziz al-Tarb, covering a set of cases including the impacts of the economic blockade on Yemen, the potential role of the international and regional organizations in breaking the blockade to help the Yemeni people, and also discussing the countries taking part in the aggression against Yemen.
Al-Tarb: In fact, we have wheat reserves enough for some time, but we demanded from the international and regional organizations to pass our voice to the international community to help lift the siege and open the Yemen’s airports. On the strength of the resistance of the Yemeni people we can weather the crisis until the upcoming Ramadan and we can be determined to reduce our consumption and eat only one meal every day but we will never bow to the aggression, and with God’s help we will beat it. God is with the oppressed against the oppressors. We are facing two blockades, one by the Saudi-led aggressors and the other by Abedd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's factions who promised that they will pay the government employees, including the army and security forces, and that never happened since relocation of the county's central bank to Aden.
Why did Saudi-led coalition impose siege on your country along with its military campaign?
Al-Tarb: They think that we are getting support from a couple of known governments, but the hostile countries are recreant and liars, and have no evidences for such claims.
The UN has warned that the Yemenis' living conditions are deteriorating. Why did not it present any final solution for the crisis? What were the results of this inaction?
Al-Tarb: The UN is showing a kind of negligence in the performance of duties and Saudi Arabia by its money has managed to buy voices of chiefs of economic, international, and regional organizations but we are resisting in front of them.
Do you back a peaceful solution in Yemen? Are you ready to sit with Saudi Arabia on the negotiating table?
Al-Tarb: Nobody rejects peace of course, but first we announce that we demand that the Security Council and the US stop intervention and the brutal hostility on Yemen first. We through an intra-Yemeni dialogue can achieve common points. At the same time we will not go to future negotiations unless the blockade is lifted and airports are unlocked.
My comment: “we can be determined to reduce our consumption and eat only one meal every day”: please stay serious. Already now, there is famine and children are dying from hunger.
21.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)
Houthis prevent UN official from entering Sana'a
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4251
My comment: We do not know the background. There is no report how long he was hindered and what happened afterwards. – A joke is the sentence: “The UN official had a permission from Yemen Foreign Minister to visit Sana'a”: actually the Aden government foreign minister was meant here; what’s his authority at Sanaa? Zero.
21.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)
YJS: Detained journalists suffer from illnesses inside Houthis jails
The Yemeni journalists detained by militias of the Houthis and ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a are suffering from several illnesses, a member of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Nabil al-Osaidi tweeted.
He said that a number of journalists are suffering from illnesses and that they are deprived from being taken to hospitals.
He also spelt out that the journalist Tayseer al-Sama'e is being subjected to torture in the capital Sana'a and that his health is continuously deteriorating.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4249
Remark: By Islah Party media.
20.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee and others (A K P)
Yemen tribesmen of Khawlan Sent 2day1000s of fighters2fight US-backed Saudi invaders after attack on their chief Mohammed Ghader.East Sanaa (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833745950040539136
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833745736793722881
and films:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTYIHAOJjzA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usGWG49ahas
https://twitter.com/UUnionNews/status/833037493499002882
20.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee and others (A K P)
After 21 women killed [or wounded] in funeral, Their tribes of Arhab call other tribes of Yemen to go now fight US-backed Saudi invaders. Revenge now (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833741727727022085
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833741378869919745
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833740205395943429
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833962226520293376
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833962050338553857
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833961732389343232
https://twitter.com/ali_alshami_ye/status/833710983797469186
and films:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa5Wxzy-fMs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwUz-4heEfs
20.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)
Houthi militias kidnap Socialist party’s leader in Dhamar, storm houses in Ibb
A local source in Dhamar city told Almasdaronline that Houthi militants stormed on Saturday evening the house of Ayedh Saleh al Sayadi, member of the Yemeni Socialist Party Central Committee in Dhamar, and took him to an unknown destination.
In al Qaeda city of Ibb governorate, a local source had said that the Houthi-Saleh militias also stormed on Saturday a number of houses of civilian people and looted them on the pledge of searching for wanted persons.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89004
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A P)
President meets head of Supreme Judiciary Council
President of the Supreme Political Council (SPC) Saleh al-Sammad received on Monday head of the Supreme Judiciary Council Abdul-Malik Al-Aghbari, Justice Minister Ahmed Aqabat, Attorney General AbdulAziz al-Baghdadi and Chief of the Supreme Court Essam al-Samawi.
The meeting dealt with the general conditions of courts and services provided to citizens in all provinces of the Republic, in addition to the problems that hamper the operations of the courts and prosecutors in the light of the Saudi-American aggression against Yemen.
The President heard a detailed explanation from the head of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary on what is being done by the Yemeni judges and cadres in the light of the ongoing aggression against the country.
The meeting discussed a set of ideas and perceptions aimed at strengthening the role of justice and improving its work in the present circumstances.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456807.htm
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (* A K)
Rocketry ballistic technology beats US -Saudi defense system: Yemen Army
The army says third generation of modern Yemeni Rocketry ballistic missiles cannot be intercepted by US-provided enemy Saudi anti-missile system, in a statement obtained by Saba on Sunday.
The army said the new Yemeni ballistic technology is another war against US -Saudi anti-missiles system in which the Yemeni technology of the third generation of ballistic missiles beats enemy system and always hit the targets directly and accurately.
The army confirmed that the missile forces have managed in a short time and in very difficult conditions to change the military equation into their favor.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456736.htm
and
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (* A K)
Yemen army announces restoring balance of missile deterrence
The missile force of the army and popular forces said it managed to restore the balance of deterrence in its favor after it was in favor of the US-Saudi aggression.
"In a short time and very complicated circumstances, the missile force managed to neutralize the Patriot PAC-3 batteries, the latest US anti-ballistic missile system, which was provided to Saudi Arabia last year," a statement issued on Sunday read.
The missile force confirmed such achievement was made only by national brains.
The missile force has proved its competence in deterring the enemy through developing locally several missiles beating the enemy anti-missile system and always hit the targets directly and accurately.
The last announced missile was Burkan 2 which hit the Saudi capital of Riyadh on February 6. The Developing and Research Center of the army's Rocketry Forces did not mention the specifications of Burkan 2 missile and only said it was modified from Burkan 1. The latter is regarded as a Scud missile which has been retrofitted to increase the range to reach much further than 800 kilometers.
The launch of Burkan 1 came in less than two months after the Developing and Research Center announced the type Zilzal 3 missile, which is a Yemeni-made 100%.
The 6-meter-long missile carries 10,000 fragments with range reaches 65 km.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456757.htm
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A H P)
PM meets UN official in Yemen
Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz Saleh Bin Habtoor, met on Sunday in the capital Sana'a, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick.
At the meeting, they stressed on the importance to exert all efforts to alleviate suffering of the Yemeni people due to the Saudi aggression and its all-out siege that have hit the humanitarian, health and economic sectors.
The premier stressed on the importance of the UN role of and the international community to pressure on Saudi-led aggression coalition to stop the war against the Yemeni people, lift the siege and re-open Sana'a International Airport.
Bin Habtoor affirmed on the need to increase the amount of aid to cover the growing needs in the relief and humanitarian and medical sectors to cover all provinces' needs.
He renewed the government's willingness to provide all necessary support for the success of the work and activities of the UN Office and all humanitarian organizations working in Yemen.
For his part, the UN official explained the efforts of the United Nations to fund humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people and to alleviate their suffering.
The UN official expressed his appreciation for the National Salvation Government's efforts to overcome the difficulties and facilitate the activity of the humanitarian organizations operating in the country to enhance joint efforts in all humanitarian areas.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456721.htm
20.2.2017 –Saba Net (A H P)
PM receives ICRC regional director
[Similar to previous]
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456811.htm
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A H P)
President receives ICRC regional director
The meeting reviewed the activities and work of the ICRC in Yemen and its efforts to support the health sector, including hospitals affected by the Saudi-American aggression against Yemen and the unjust blockade on the country for two years.
The President stressed the importance of concerted efforts to address the humanitarian and health catastrophe issue due to the US - Saudi aggression against Yemen, affirming the need to address the two problems ,Yemeni prisoners and detainees outside the war zones, who are exposed to serious violations.
He confirmed that it should be opened an investigation about violations committed by elements of al-Qaeda and Daesh against the prisoners in Aden during the period of occupying Aden by the aggression.
The ICRC regional director said that the committee would expand its activities in Yemen to provide Yemeni humanitarian and health needs, stressing that the ICRC has made efforts to address the situation of prisoners and what can be done by the future .
The regional director expressed his appreciation for the attention of international humanitarian law, affirming that everyone works should to be respected and implemented in different conditions and environments.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456833.htm
20.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A)
Seven Houthis were killed in Otomah district, Dhamar governorate, during violent confrontations between the Houthis and tribesmen.
Local sources said that tribesmen succeeded to install an ambush in the area of Tabat al-Khazan.
Meanwhile, militias of the Houthis on Sunday abducted five civilians while they were going to their farms.
Seven Houthis were killed in Otomah district, Dhamar governorate, during violent confrontations between the Houthis and tribesmen.
Local sources said that tribesmen succeeded to install an ambush in the area of Tabat al-Khazan.
Meanwhile, militias of the Houthis on Sunday abducted five civilians while they were going to their farms.
Militias of the Houthis and ousted President Saleh indiscriminately bombed during the past few dayshouses of civilians in the district of Otomah, Dhamar governorate, local sources affirmed.
The sources told Alsahwa Net that the militias used mortars, tanks and other heavy weapons against civilians.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4213
Remark: By Islah Party media.
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
21.2.2017 – Naji Alkaladi / Farouk Hasmza (A P)
Now demonstrations in Mansoura #Aden The situation is very bad in South #Yemen there's NO water, electricity, oil or salaries ! (photos)
https://twitter.com/NajTV/status/833947920986669056 and https://twitter.com/FaroukHamzaAden/status/834012561167228928 and https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/834018722432053248
20.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)
Hadi arrives in Aden after one-week visit to Saudi Arabia
Saba said that Hadi's visit to Riyadh was successful, pointing out that Hadi discussed with the leadership of the Arab Coalition the liberation of the western coast of Yemen, al-Hudeidah governorate and Midi in Hajjah governorate.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4212
and
20.2.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P)
Hadi Returns to Aden…Aden Airport Resumes Work Normally
Hadi’s return to Aden coincided with the resumption of civil aviation movement in Aden International Airport Sunday after a several days’ halt due to security breaches in its surroundings.
Director General of Aden Airport said the airport will receive flights from several Arab capitals after they were suspended for several days.
Armed clashes took place between the presidential security guards and the security troops of the airport last week.
19.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A T)
Mukalla: security forces foil bombing al Rayan Hospital, dismantle four explosive devices
The security forces foiled on Saturday an attempt to bomb al Rayan Hospital in Mukalla city of Hadramout governorate, southeastern Yemen, according to a statement issued by the Hadhramout Coast Security Services in the city.
The statement added that the explosive devices experts have dismantled four explosive devices planted behind the hospital.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88975
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
19.2.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A P)
With UNSC sanctions (2140) up for renewal, just a kind reminder that it was #Yemen gov't officially rejected roadmap proposed by UN
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833280581685346304
Oh and it's the other side, not #Yemen gov, being sanctioned. Gov & Saudi using UNSC 2216 to indefinitely extend war & blockade.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833281564419166209
16.2.2017 – UN Department of Public Information (A K P)
Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, on the recent events in Sana'a, 16 February 2017
Six women and a girl were killed and dozens of people were wounded as a result of an alleged airstrike, which hit a funeral in the Arhab district of Sana’a Governorate yesterday afternoon.
Every day, across Yemen, civilians are killed by indiscriminate attacks by all parties to the conflict on residential areas in complete disregard of the rules of international humanitarian law. Attacks on civilians are unjustifiable, regardless of the circumstances. Women and children in particular have been subjected to unspeakable suffering in this brutal conflict. This should stop immediately.
I call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and respect the sanctity of civilian life.
The ongoing military clashes on the Red Sea coast is also aggravating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. Tens of thousands of civilians have been caught in the war zone without access to humanitarian assistance and unable to flee to safety. The military activities in the region threaten to disrupt the import of commercial and humanitarian supplies which could have a terrible impact on the food security for large parts of the population. I urge all parties to ensure the unhindered movement of commercial and humanitarian supplies, without which millions of Yemenis are at risk of death and famine.
This deterioration of the humanitarian situation again underscores the need to end the violence and to achieve a sustainable cessation of hostilities and enduring solution to the Yemeni conflict through an inclusive political process.
http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/AA83DCB62381122CC12580C900744533?OpenDocument = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/statement-un-special-envoy-yemen-mr-ismail-ould-cheikh-ahmed-recent-events-sanaa-16
My comment: “Alleged” airstrike!! Imagine what a wimpy statement that is. It simply was an airstrike (double tap according to most observers). The people heard the sound of air planes before. Remnants of the bombs were found. And, as so often, the one who conducted this airstrike is not mentioned at all. Is not blamed at all. Instead, “all parties” are called. Well, who conducted this “alleged” airstrike? The Houthi / Saleh side? They do not have air planes? The US? Russia? Iran? China? The Philippines? Might be. Saudi Arabia is not mentioned, if ever possible shall not be blamed, might-be the Philippines then.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
21.2.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)
#Saudi weird: @uqu_edu university expels 27 female students for not being feminin enough, & having wide shoulders
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/834041546815184896 referring to https://twitter.com/judiciary_news/status/833976893997199360
21.2.2017 – Al Araby (A E P)
Saudi Arabia starts hunt for solar, wind firms
The world's biggest oil exporter on Monday took the first step towards a goal of generating 9.5 GW of energy through solar and other renewable means.
It invited local and international firms to try to qualify for bidding on two projects.
One is for 300 MW of solar energy to be built in Al-Jouf province, in the kingdom's north.
The second is for a 400 MW wind power development in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia, the energy ministry said in a statement.
Government estimates say Saudi peak energy demand is expected to exceed 120 gigawatts by 2032.
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/2/21/saudi-arabia-starts-hunt-for-solar-wind-firms
20.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A K)
Next airshow for the @SaudiHawks88 team is at Al Jawf Province over Dumat Al-Jandal Lake for two days starting from today at 4:00PM
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833641283340161026
20.2.2017 – Human Rights Watch (* A P)
Saudi Arabia: Imprisoned Activist Earns Human Rights Award
Waleed Abu al-Khair Serving 15 Years for Peaceful Activism
The Law Society of Upper Canada’s selection of the imprisoned Saudi human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair for its 2016 Human Rights Award highlights Saudi Arabia’s brutal repression of peaceful activists and dissidents, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Abu al-Khair, who was sentenced in 2014 to 15 years in prison for his peaceful human rights advocacy, so that he can attend the award ceremony in Toronto on February 22, 2017.
Saudi courts have convicted at least 20 prominent peaceful activists and dissidents since 2011. Many, like Abu al-Khair, have faced sentences as long as 10 or 15 years on broad, catch-all charges – such as “breaking allegiance with the ruler” or “participating in protests” – that do not constitute recognizable crimes.
“Every day Waleed Abu al-Khair spends in prison compounds the injustice Saudi Arabia has imposed on him and his family,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Continued recognition of Abu al-Khair’s human rights work demonstrates that Saudi Arabia’s repression of peaceful activists and dissidents generates wide notice and criticism.”
Abu al-Khair has been one of Saudi Arabia’s leading human rights advocates for years. In July 2014, the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), Saudi Arabia’s terrorism tribunal, convicted him on a number of broad and vaguely worded charges, including for comments to news outlets and on Twitter criticizing Saudi human rights violations. In addition to sentencing him to prison, the court banned him from traveling abroad for another 15 years and fined him 200,000 Saudi riyals (US$53,000).
Abu al-Khair played no active part in his trial. He refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court or to defend himself. He also refused to sign a copy of the trial judgment or to appeal either his conviction or sentence.
“Saudi Arabia repeatedly demonstrates its complete intolerance toward citizens who speak out for human rights and reform,” Whitson said.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/20/saudi-arabia-imprisoned-activist-earns-human-rights-award
19.2.2017 – DPA (A P)
Saudi Arabia "very optimistic" about cooperation with Trump
Saudi Arabia is "very optimistic" about its cooperation with the administration of US President Donald Trump, the Saudi foreign minister said Sunday at the Munich Security Conference.
Trump is "pragmatic, a business man and not an ideologue," who wants his country to have a role on the global stage, Adel al-Jubeir said.
His administration is made up of "highly skilled and highly capable individuals," the minister said.
"When America disengages it creates a great danger," he said, adding that his country and the Trump White House have many shared goals including destroying the Islamic State terrorist group, containing Iran and working with traditional allies.
https://eblnews.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-very-optimistic-about-cooperation-trump-56771
My comment: Germany giving a great stage to this war crimes propagandist.
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp2
20.2.2017 – Reason.com (* A P)
Bipartisan Group Wants Congressional War Votes on ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Yemen
In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and a group of 19 members of Congress from both parties, including Reps. Walter Jones (R-NC), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), and Justin Amash (R-Mich.), urged an immediate vote on authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs) against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda, as well as a separate one for participation in Yemen's civil war.
Many of the representatives signing the letter led efforts to get an AUMF vote for the last four years, as they noted. "We believe that the failure of Congress to address these issues with a debate and vote on an AUMF during the final three years of the Obama Administration established a dangerous precedent for the presidency," McGovern wrote in the letter, "one where the President of the United States may deploy or threaten deployment of U.S. troops to any region for any purpose without the consent and explicit authorization of Congress."
The letter specifically expressed alarm about the Pentagon considering deploying ground troops to northern Syria to engage with ISIS. It also brought up the ground operation in Yemen last month, the first in that country since December 2014 and comments President Trump and Michael Flynn, the former national security advisor, made about "deploying U.S. troops in Yemen to confront Iranian forces." The state-controlled press in Yemen has accused the Houthi rebels who knocked the U.S.-backed Yemen government out of the capital of Aden of being backed by Iranians, a view the Trump administration appears to support. The letter says Trump and Flynn's comments "added urgency to the need for action on the part of the Congress." – by Ed Krayewski
http://reason.com/blog/2017/02/20/bipartisan-group-wants-congressional-war
19.2.2017 – Telepolis (* A P)
CIA-Chef Pompeo zeichnet Saudi-Arabien aus
Unterstützung von islamistischen Extremisten in Syrien und Afghanistan
Seit den Veröffentlichungen der Clinton-Mails im US-Wahlkampf ist es buchstäblich ein „offenes Geheimnis“, dass die US-Regierung unter Obama über die Unterstützung Saudi-Arabiens und anderer Golfstaaten von syrischen Milizen, die bis zu ausgewiesen terroristischen Gruppen wie der al-Nusra-Front reichte, Bescheid wusste. Dazu kommen Vorwürfe der ideologischen Unterstützung des Dschihadismus.
In Afghanistan unterstützt Saudi-Arabien die Taliban, die das US-Militär dort bekämpft, undercover mit Millionenbeträgen. Nun sind die tatsächlichen Aktivitäten etwas komplizierter als eben grob skizziert. Saudi-Arabien unterstützt auch die afghanische Regierung – offiziell und mit geringeren Summen -, um nach außen zu bekunden, dass das Königreich im Kampf gegen den Terrorismus auf der richtigen Seite steht.
In Saudi-Arabien wird die Bedrohung durch den IS oder al-Qaida sehr ernst genommen. Der Kampf gegen Personen, die der Mitgliedschaft in einer der beiden Terrororganisationen verdächtig werden, wird laut Nachrichten aus KSA mit Entschlossenheit geführt, die Thronfolger und das Königshaus dürfte daran auch großes Interesse haben. Vielleicht wurde so der ein andere Name oder Plan an US-Geheimdienste weitergegeben. […]
Selbst wenn man annimmt, dass Waffen und Gelder aus Saudi-Arabien nur über einen Umweg an die Extremisten gelangten, sie also nicht direkt unterstützt wurden, so wäre es Aufgabe „exzellenter Geheimdienstarbeit im Kampf gegen al-Qaida“ gewesen, solche Unterstützung zu verhindern, es sei denn der politische Wille ist anders orientiert.
Offensichtlich ist der neuen Trump-Administration der Partner Saudi-Arabien, mit dem man wirtschaftlich mit der Deregulierung von Fracking rivalisiert, in einem Ziel wichtig, das in der Hierarchie der US-Nah-Ost-Politik weit oben steht: der gemeinsame Kampf gegen Iran, der für den IS nicht unbedingt nachteilig ist – von Thomas Pany
https://www.heise.de/tp/features/CIA-Chef-Pompeo-zeichnet-Saudi-Arabien-aus-3630534.html
Bemerkung: Grotesk. Die englischsprachige Berichterstattung war wesentlich früher, dort AUCH Kommentare. Und der deutsche Mainstream schweigt dazu weiter.
19.2.2017 – Fars News (* A P)
Debunking the Myth of Mike Pence: Who Is Destabilizing the Middle East?
What is unfolding in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya is “constructive chaos” in the view of and supported by the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Israel in a bid to redraw the Middle East map, change the balance of power that is now tilting in Iran's favor, and exploit its resources.
This destabilization project consists in creating an arc of instability, chaos, and violence as part of a larger policy to expand US and NATO as a means of containing Iran, Russia and China as well as their regional allies.
The “New Middle East” project was introduced publicly by Washington and Tel Aviv with the expectation that Syria would be the pressure point for realigning the whole region and thereby unleashing the forces of “constructive chaos.” This “constructive chaos” - which generates conditions of violence, terrorism and sectarian warfare - would in turn be used so that the US, Britain, and Israel could redraw the Mideast map with their geo-strategic needs and objectives.
To this end, the United States and NATO garrisoned and divided Afghanistan. They then inseminated animosity in the Levant by creating the terrorist group of ISIL, where a Syrian war is being supported and divisions in Iraq continue to agitate. The Eastern Mediterranean has been successfully militarized by NATO as well. Syria, Iran and Yemen continue to be demonized by the Western media and politicians, with a view to justifying a military agenda. In turn, the Western media has fed, on a daily basis, fake news that the populations of Iraq, Syria and Yemen cannot co-exist and that the conflict is not a war of occupation but a “civil war”.
Attempts at intentionally creating animosity among the different ethno-cultural and religious groups of this particular region are systematic and goal-oriented too. They are part of a carefully designed covert intelligence agenda. Even more ominous, many Arab regimes, such as that of Saudi Arabia, are assisting Washington in fomenting terrorism and divisions between local populations. The ultimate objective is to fuel sectarian warfare and weaken the resistance movement against foreign occupation through a “divide and conquer strategy” which serves Anglo-American and Israeli-Wahhabi interests in the broader region.
Silly how amid all these undisputable facts and figures, some out-of-touch politicians and “pundits” in the West are still trying to claim otherwise. They blame Iran for the current chaos and present the concept of a redrawn Middle East as a “humanitarian” and “righteous” arrangement that would benefit the peoples of the Muslim world!
For instance, addressing the 53rd session of the Munich Security Conference in Germany this week, US Vice President Mike Pence claimed the nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers has given Iran “additional resources” to “destabilize” the region.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951201001562
My comment: This is from an Iranian source. But it is no Iranian propaganda. These thoughts already have been expressed since years, and they fit to the facts: “constructive chaos” made by US.
19.2.2017 – Komo News (A H P)
Yemeni students studying in Wash. face uncertain future
A dozen exchange students from Yemen are stuck in limbo in Lynnwood.
Their situation doesn't have anything to do with President Trump's immigration order or his travel ban on seven Muslim majority countries.
Their uncertain future in the U.S. has to do with a civil war in Yemen and their exchange student visas running out.
They are part of a group of 24 students that came from the country as high school foreign exchange students three years ago. Now, a dozen of those students are at Edmonds Community College. Their support from the State Department runs out in June.
“What's going to happen to us after the scholarship ends is really scary. we're going to have to be by our own,” AL-Fardi said.
The current political climate isn't making them feel any better about their situation.
“We're just trying to maintain our legal status here. It's not safe for us to go back,” Muthana said – by Suzanne Phan
http://komonews.com/news/local/yemeni-students-studying-in-washington-state-face-uncertain-future
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
21.2.2017 – Glasgow South and Eastend (A P)
MP says peace has to come before arms.
Kirsten Oswald MP, SNP spokesperson on armed forces, has said the UK government needs to take a ‘long hard look‘ at the way it is dealing with the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and that it should put ‘peace deals ahead of arms deals.’
Kirsten Oswald was commenting in response to parliamentary answers she received confirming that the UK had not raised the crisis in Yemen at any key meetings of EU foreign ministers for two years. In addition foreign secretary Boris Johnson has backed continued arms sales to Saudi Arabia even after Saudi air strikes on a funeral in Yemen left 140 people dead and hundreds more injured
The situation in Yemen is dire and the UK government has consistently failed the Yemeni people as they focus on their overwhelming priority of a Hard Brexit.
Kirsten Oswald MP commented: “It is increasingly clear that the UK government are presiding over a long catalogue of strategic and ethical failures in Yemen – which include the failure even to raise the issue in EU forums - while still selling arms, equipment and expertise to the Saudis.
“Boris Johnson and the whole UK government need to take a long hard look at their role in this humanitarian tragedy - but they are so bogged down in their Hard Brexit plans – it just carries on and gets worse and worse – by John A. MacInnes
http://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/mp-says-peace-has-to-come-before-arms-1-4372169
20.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A K)
Photo: Feb. 20:
Starting a new batch of training Hawk T-165 planes to # Arabia, number: 7906 / ZB115 and 7908 / ZB117. Imaging: @GClaridgeking
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833878885641101312
My comment: British-Saudi complicity in pictures.
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A P)
Eritrea frees 10 Yemeni fishermen
Eritrean authorities released ten Yemeni fishermen, who had been detained by the Eritrean Navy along with their boats on Feb. 13, a Yemeni naval official told Saba on Tuesday.
The fishermen arrived in Bab al-Mandab strait on Monday.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456880.htm
21.2.2017 – Hufington Post (* A P)
Whither the Muslim World’s NATO?
Controversy and uncertainty over the possible appointment of a Pakistani general as commander of a 40-nation, Saudi-led, anti-Iranian military alliance dubbed the Muslim world’s NATO goes to the core of a struggle for Pakistan’s soul as the country reels from a week of stepped up political violence.
It also constitutes a defining moment in Saudi relations with Pakistan, historically one of the Gulf state’s staunchest allies and a country where the kingdom is as much part of the problem as it is part of the solution. Finally, whether the general accepts the post or not is likely to be a bellwether of the Muslim world’s ability to free itself of the devastating impact of Saudi-like Sunni ultra-conservatism and bridge rather than exasperate sectarian divides.
Yet, accepting the command would put Pakistan more firmly than ever in the camp of Saudi-led confrontation with Iran that Saudi political and religious leaders as well as their militant Pakistani allies often frame not only in geopolitical but also sectarian terms. Ultimately, it was that step that the Pakistani parliament rejected in 2015 when it refused to send troops to Yemen. Acceptance of the command by General Raheel would fly in the face of parliament’s decision.
Pakistani Shiite leaders as well as some Sunni politicians have warned that General Raheel’s appointment would put an end to Pakistan’s ability to walk a fine line between Saudi Arabia and Iran – by James M. Dorsey
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/whither-the-muslim-worlds-nato_us_58abe211e4b0417c4066c264 = http://thedailyjournalist.com/world-national/whither-the-muslim-worlds-nato/
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
20.2.2017 – TASS (* A E K P)
Russia and UAE to start working on 5th generation fighter 2018
Future plane will be created on the basis of Russia’s Mig-29
Russia and the United Arab Emirates will get down to joint work on a future light 5th generation jet on the basis of MiG-29 as of 2018, the chief of Russia’s Rostec corporation, Sergey Chemezov, told the media on Feb. 20.
"We believe we shall start working on this plane as of next year. It will take seven to eight years to develop," Chemezov said on the sidelines of the international weapons show IDEX-2017.
"A future fifth generation plane will be created on the basis of Russia’s Mig-29," he added.
Earlier, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said that Russia and the UAE had concluded an agreement on industrial cooperation in military engineering, which enabled them to launch a fifth generation fighter project.
The head of the United Aircraft Corporation Yuri Slyusar said the work on the plane was at the initial phase and Russia was in the process of drafting proposals. The UAC would participate in the project as the leader organization, and Sukhoi and MiG as co-contributors.
My comment: The next generation of fighter jets to bomb Yemen? Thanks to Russia! And these will be ready to start earlier already:
19.2.2017 – TASS (* A E K P)
Russian MIG corporation plans to sell MIG-35 fighter jets to Middle East
Russia’s MiG corporation, incorporated into United Aircraft Corporation, or UAC, plans to sell its new-generation MiG-35 fighter jets on the Middle Eastern markets, MiG’s Director General Ilya Tarasenko said on Feb. 19.
"MiG plans to promote its MiG-35 fighter jets in the Middle East. These aircraft may satisfy the region’s demand in terms of both the flying range and other characteristics. We plan to market the Mig-35 in the Middle East," he told TASS on the sidelines of the IDEX 2017 international defense exhibition.
MiG-35 is the latest Russian multipurpose fighter jet of generation 4+++. It is a development of the serial combat MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29M/M2 aircraft.
http://rbth.com/news/2017/02/19/mig_705443
And also on the ground, Russia wants to be present with the Saudi coalition in Yemen?:
20.2.2017 – TASS (* A E K P)
Russia holds talks on sales of T-90-MS tanks to Middle East states
Deputy director of the federal military-technical watchdog noted that Middle Eastern countries rank among the top three buyers of Russian arms and military equipment
"We are discussing the matter with a number of states in the Middle East. However, it is too early to talk about the actual results," said Frolkin at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference IDEX-2017 in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier, Uralvagonzavod’s General Director Oleg Sienko said that the T-90 MS had some excellent opportunities on the Middle Eastern arms market. According to him, the armored vehicle had been successfully tested in Kuwait and had performed well in "dusty conditions".
Frolkin also said that Middle Eastern countries rank among the top three buyers of Russian arms and military equipment.
"The level of military-technical cooperation between Russia and the Middle East has remained high throughout history. Virtually every year the region occupies slots as a top-three importer of Russian military products," Frolkin stated.
He added that the customers were interested in almost the entire product range available for export. "The items highest in demand are air defense equipment, armored vehicles, aircraft and highly reliable Russian small arms," the deputy director said.
http://tass.com/defense/931884
20.2.2017 – TASS (* A E K P)
Russia signs large contract on delivery of T-90MS main battle tanks to Middle East
Another contract on this type of military output is expected to be signed soon, according to Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov
Russia has signed a large contact on the delivery of T-90MS main battle tanks to a Middle East country and plans to close a deal with another foreign customer soon, Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Monday.
http://tass.com/defense/931917
20.2.2017 – TASS (* A E K P)
Russia and UAE to discuss upgrade of Pantsyr-S antiaircraft missile/gun systems
Russia and the United Arab Emirates plan to discuss the upgrade of Pantsyr-S short to medium range antiaircraft missile/gun systems earlier supplied to UAE, Russia’s Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Monday.
"We’ll be holding talks on modernizing this type of combat hardware and I hope that colleagues will increase the volume of orders for new modifications. So far, we’re talking about modernization with an option of deliveries," the minister said at the IDEX-2017 international defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
Russia signed the contract on the delivery of 50 Pantsyr-S1 antiaircraft missile/gun complexes mounted on MAN military vehicles to the UAE in 2000.
http://tass.com/defense/931928
20.2.2017 – Junge Welt / AFP (* A K P)
Krieg belebt das Geschäft
Sipri: USA vorn. Weltweite Rüstungsverkäufe seit 2004 kontinuierlich gestiegen
Das Volumen der Rüstungsverkäufe weltweit ist seit 2004 kontinuierlich gestiegen. Grund dafür sei vor allem die verstärkte Nachfrage aus Nahost und Asien, teilte das internationale Friedensforschungsinstitut Sipri am Montag in Stockholm mit. Demnach erreichten die Geschäfte mit Waffen und sonstigem Kriegsgerät von 2012 bis 2016 das höchste Volumen einer Fünfjahresperiode seit dem Ende des Kalten Krieges. Die fünf größten Exporteure – USA, Russland, China, Frankreich und Deutschland – standen für insgesamt 74 Prozent des Gesamtvolumens.
Ein verstärkter »Bedarf« (hier wohl als kaufkräftige Nachfrage gemeint) Asiens, Ozeaniens und des Nahen Ostens sei sowohl von 2007 bis 2011 als auch von 2012 bis 2016 zu verzeichnen gewesen, teilten die Stockholmer Wissenschaftler mit. Dies machte zwischen 2012 und 2016 insgesamt 43 Prozent der globalen Importe aus. Größter Waffeneinkäufer war dabei die Atommacht Indien mit 13 Prozent. In den beiden Zeiträumen sei die Nachfrage aus Europa, Amerika und Afrika hingegen zurückgegangen.
Zweitgrößter Importeur zwischen 2012 und 2016 sei Saudi-Arabien gewesen – mit einer Zuwachs von 212 Prozent im Vergleich zum vorherigen Fünfjahreszeitraum. Bei Katar war eine Erhöhung von 245 Prozent zu verzeichnen.
https://www.jungewelt.de/2017/02-21/044.php und von Neues Deutschland: https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1042404.sipri-ruestungsverkaeufe-wie-am-ende-des-kalten-krieges.html und Telepolis https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Das-Waffengeschaeft-brummt-weltweit-3631080.html und Euractiv https://www.euractiv.de/section/eu-aussenpolitik/news/weltweiter-waffenhandel-dramatisch-gestiegen-deutschland-auf-platz-5/
20.2.2ß17 – SIPRI (* A K P)
Increase in arms transfers driven by demand in the Middle East and Asia, says SIPRI
The volume of international transfers of major weapons has grown continuously since 2004 and increased by 8.4 per cent between 2007–11 and 2012–16, according to new data on arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Notably, transfers of major weapons in 2012–16 reached their highest volume for any five-year period since the end of the cold war.
The flow of arms increased to Asia and Oceania and the Middle East between 2007–11 and 2012–16, while there was a decrease in the flow to Europe, the Americas and Africa. The five biggest exporters—the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany—together accounted for 74 per cent of the total volume of arms exports.
Between 2007–11 and 2012–16 arms imports by states in the Middle East rose by 86 per cent and accounted for 29 per cent of global imports in 2012–16.
Saudi Arabia was the world’s second largest arms importer in 2012-16, with an increase of 212 per cent compared with 2007–11. Arms imports by Qatar went up by 245 per cent. Although at lower rates, the majority of other states in the region also increased arms imports. ‘Over the past five years, most states in the Middle East have turned primarily to the USA and Europe in their accelerated pursuit of advanced military capabilities’, said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. ‘Despite low oil prices, countries in the region continued to order more weapons in 2016, perceiving them as crucial tools for dealing with conflicts and regional tensions.’
With a one-third share of global arms exports, the USA was the top arms exporter in 2012– 16. Its arms exports increased by 21 per cent compared with 2007–11. Almost half of its arms exports went to the Middle East.
‘The USA supplies major arms to at least 100 countries around the world—significantly more than any other supplier state’, said Dr Aude Fleurant, Director of the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. ‘Both advanced strike aircraft with cruise missiles and other precision-guided munitions and the latest generation air and missile defence systems account for a significant share of US arms exports.’
Russia accounted for a 23 per cent share of global exports in the period 2012–16. 70 per cent of its arms exports went to four countries: India, Viet Nam, China and Algeria.
20.2.2017 – RT (* A K P)
Saudi arms imports triple amid Yemen campaign, US & Europe top suppliers to Mid East – report
Saudi Arabia, which is leading a military intervention in Yemen, is the world’s second-largest arms importer, according to a new report. Riyadh’s arms imports increased 212 percent compared with 2007–11, with the US remaining the world’s top weapons exporter.
Between 2007–2011 and 2012–2016 arms imports by states in the Middle East rose by 86 percent, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said on Monday.
“Over the past five years, most states in the Middle East have turned primarily to the USA and Europe in their accelerated pursuit of advanced military capabilities,” Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Program, said.
“Despite low oil prices, countries in the region continued to order more weapons in 2016, perceiving them as crucial tools for dealing with conflicts and regional tensions,” he added.
With a one-third share of global arms exports, the USA was the top arms exporter in 2012– 16. Its arms exports increased by 21 percent compared with 2007–2011.
Almost half of US arms exports went to the Middle East, SIPRI said, adding that arms imports by Qatar went up by 245 percent.
Saudi Arabia’s defense expenditure grew by 5.7 percent to $87.2 billion in 2015, making it the world’s third-largest spender at the time, according to a SIPRI report from April.
https://www.rt.com/news/377945-saudi-arms-import-yemen/
19.2.2017 – AP (* A E K P)
UAE arms show comes as Yemen war, suspicions of Iran linger
The Emirates announced over $1.2 billion in arms deals at the opening of the biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference, known by the acronym IDEX. It and other Gulf nations, buoyed by rising oil prices and suspicious of nearby Iran, are likely to spend even more in the weeks and months ahead.
"The need for new equipment for modernized systems is still there and it is increasing," said Charles Forrester, a senior defense industry analyst at IHS Jane's. "Countries are beginning to deploy their own operations in ... Iraq and Yemen and so they need to find ways to deploy and protect their people, as well as achieve their missions."
Two of the UAE's most-powerful rulers, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, attended the event Sunday. During the military demonstration, they flanked Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the world's the only sitting head of state facing genocide charges at the International Criminal Court.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who was also in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, was not seen at the demonstration.
"In Yemen, ... it's a conventional war, of course, but it is one where you have to deal with armored vehicles and airpower as well," Forrester said. "With the Iranian threat, it is the case of missile defense systems, radars to help track these situations." – by Jon Gambrell
http://www.fox14tv.com/story/34541922/uae-arms-show-comes-as-yemen-war-suspicions-of-iran-linger = http://www.nbc12.com/story/34541922/uae-arms-show-comes-as-yemen-war-suspicions-of-iran-linger
19.2.2017 – AFP (* A E K P)
UAE signs $1.2 bn in deals as arms fair opens
The four-day International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) kicked off Sunday in Abu Dhabi with the United Arab Emirates announcing 21 deals worth more than $1.2 billion.
IDEX spokesman Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi told reporters the Emirates struck deals with 15 local companies and six international firms to bolster its land and naval forces.
International contracts announced on Sunday included one with French firm Thales Underwater Systems SAS to buy sonars for the navy worth more than $23 million, and another with Britain's HESCO Group for defensive fortifications worth more than $24 million.
A statement also listed deals with Emirati companies, including one with International Golden Group for ammunition worth around $107 million.
The UAE also signed contracts with local firms to supply and instal electronic communications systems for the navy, armour mechanisms and monitoring equipment.
IDEX, which runs to Thursday, is one of the largest arms fairs in the Middle East and is held biannually to showcase the latest in defence technologies and innovations.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/uae-signs-1-2-bn-deals-arms-fair-193141309.html
19.–20.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A E K)
Photos from the IDEX arms show, Dubai
Last attend the General Organization for Military Industries in # IDEX2017 as reviewed in the wing tanks # Arabia "Twaiq -2" and "Cub -2" and an updated version of which
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833286278892421121
The Foundation presented in # IDEX2017 two UAV namely: "Luna," which provided a camera TASE400, and "atmosphere guard" of the Prince Sultan PSATRI Institute aircraft
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833293291638632448
the Military Industries General Corporation # IDEX2017 Pavilion on several products of ammunition and weapons factories and circuit boards and other
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833293858951806983
@AECSaudiArabia manufactures interior systems for these vehicles, which can be equipped with weapons-oriented, and used in support functions and Rescue # IDEX2017
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833294863068192768
the signing of a memorandum of joint cooperation between the @AECSaudiArabia company, and Prince Sultan Institute for advanced research in the field of military regimes
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833632219885400065
Film by AEC Saudi Arabia
https://twitter.com/AECSaudiArabia/status/833373195893866496
18.2.2017 – Defense News (* A E K P)
Underwater drones, border sensors are growth areas for Gulf nations
As the global defense industry swarms to the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, analysts are predicting that local threats from Iran and Yemen will keep the defense dollars flowing in 2017.
Since the Oct. 1 start date of fiscal year 2017, countries in the region have had 14 foreign weapon sales cases cleared by the US State Department, worth an estimated $42.1 billion.
Aleksandar Jovovic, an analyst with D.C.-based Avascent, expects to continue in the near term due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which represents the first real, protracted campaign Saudi Arabia and the UAE have had to be involved in.
“When you’re in a contingency situation like Yemen you need to re-route the money and focus on consumables -- ordnance and material – that you don’t expand as much in peacetime because you’re mostly engaged in training,” he said, adding that sustainment will be vital for the same reason.
Adds Douglas Barrie, senior air analyst at the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, “Those air forces involved significantly in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen will need to replenish air-to-surface weapon stocks.
“Operational experience may also drive the purchase of different classes of air-to-surface weapons. Requirements for additional ISR platforms and capabilities may result from operational analysis,” Barrie noted.
Both men agree the biggest factor for large-scale procurements in the future will remain Iran, with Barrie noting that “the scale of the ambition of Iran's recapitalization of its military inventory, post-embargo, will influence GCC acquisition plans. Air and missile defense will remain a focus as will the need to better integrate existing capabilities.”
Like Barrie, Jovovic expects a strong focus on missile defense due to Iran. But at the lower levels, he sees new areas emerging. The first is undersea autonomous vehicles, which Jovovic says could be used to protect vital undersea infrastructure at a fraction of the cost needed to train and equip a professional submarine force – By: Aaron Mehta
My comment: it is not even hidden that a great part of the weapons bought here are used to bomb Yemen, to destroy and to kill there. Earlier reporting about IDEX: YPR 269, cp1, 13a; 267, cp13a)
21.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A E K P)
Photos from IDEX arms fair, Dubai (earlier reporting last YPRs).
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/834010067825483777
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/834014185315000320
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/834020020124577792
cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
19.2.2017 – UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)
Yemen: Factsheet, February 2017
HIGHLIGHTS
763,363 IDPs provided with NFIs since March 2015 to February 2017
134,149 Refugees and asylum seekers provided with health services since January 2016
63,712 IDPs provided with shelter assistance since January 2016
63,067 Refugee children enrolled in education since January 2016
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-factsheet-february-2017 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNHCR%20Yemen%20-%20Fact%20Sheet%20February%202017.pdf
31.1.2017 – World Food Programme (A H)
WFP Djibouti Country Brief, January 2017
Djibouti is currently hosting 21,119 refugees from Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea and Ethiopia. According to UNHCR and ONARS, a total of 6,063 Ethiopian asylum seekers have arrived in Djibouti in the last five months. WFP continues to provide food assistance to all registered refugees and asylum seekers living in Ali Addeh, Holl Holl and Markazi camps, in the form of general distributions, nutrition interventions and take home rations for school girls to encourage school attendance. The general distributions include a cash component to diversify refugees’ diet, increase their purchase power and boost the local markets.
http://reliefweb.int/report/djibouti/wfp-djibouti-country-brief-january-2017 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Djibouti%20Country%20Brief%20January%202017%20OIM.pdf
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
21.2.2017 – Fars News (* A E P)
Economic Expert: S. Arabia Stealing Yemen's Oil in Collaboration with Total
A Yemeni economic expert disclosed that Saudi Arabia is stealing his country's crude reserves in bordering regions in collaboration with the French energy giant, Total.
"63% of Yemen's crude production is being stolen by Saudi Arabia in cooperation with Mansour Hadi, the fugitive Yemeni president, and his mercenaries," Mohammad Abdolrahman Sharafeddin told FNA on Tuesday.
"Saudi Arabia has set up an oil base in collaboration with the French Total company in the Southern parts of Kharkhir region near the Saudi border province of Najran and is exploiting oil from the wells in the region," he added.
Sharafeddin said that Riyadh is purchasing arms and weapons with the petro dollars stolen from the Yemeni people and supplies them to its mercenaries to kill the Yemenis.
Late in last year, another economic expert said Washington and Riyadh had bribed the former Yemeni government to refrain from oil drilling and exploration activities, adding that Yemen has more oil reserves than the entire Persian Gulf region.
"Saudi Arabia has signed a secret agreement with the US to prevent Yemen from utilizing its oil reserves over the past 30 years," Hassan Ali al-Sanaeri told FNA.
"The scientific research and assessments conducted by international drilling companies show that Yemen's oil reserves are more than the combined reserves of all the Persian Gulf states," he added.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951203001190
19.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A E P)
SA to give Yemen $2 billion as deposit
Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Yemen $2 billion as a deposit to support Yemen's financial stability and strengthen confidence in the national economy.
This came during the visit President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi to Saudi Arabia which last week.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4211
19.2.2017 – Fuad Rajeh (A E P)
Reports, one by govt-run Saba agency, said on Sunday SaudiArabia has agreed to deposit $2 billion in central bank of Yemen to stabilize Rial
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/833451527964594176
cp15 Propaganda
21.2.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P)
Yemeni Leader: Houthis Target Army Leaders with Iranian-Made Bombs
Deputy Chief of General Staff of Yemeni Armed Forces Major General Ahmed Saif said that the army detected Iranian-made bombs, used earlier by Lebanese “Hezbollah” and currently by Houthi militias to target leaders in the Yemeni national army.
These bombs are made of fiberglass and look like rocks, so that they can be easily concealed on roadsides. They even have cameras that send images and information for the militias, Saif told Asharq Al-Awsat in a statement.
He explained that as army leaders’ vehicles pass by the main roads in Yemen, these rock-like bombs explode.
Saif said that the army did not arrest any Iranian figures, yet during the recent clashes many Yemenis who studied and graduated from Iranian academies died, in addition to a large number of field commanders of the militias, especially in Mokha.
My comment: “the army did not arrest any Iranian figures”: but they already had claimed so often!! – “many Yemenis who studied and graduated from Iranian academies died”: they seem to carry their university degrees with them when going to fight?
20.2.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)
Saudi FM: Iran sends military experts to Yemen
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has said that Iran send military experts to Yemen.
In a press conference held in Munich, Germany, al-Jubair stressed that Iran intervenes in affairs of other states and sending arms and fighters to them.
He said that Iran's behaviors in Yemen make it a part of the problem, not a part of the solution, making reference that the Yemeni crisis would be ended this year.
He further emphasized that there is a deal stricken between Iran and ISIS and al-Qaeda, wondering why Iran is the only country in the region which is not attacked by these terrorist groups.
He made reference that the Houthis have not committed to any agreement and that they refuse any deals.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-4210 and more of Jubeirs anti-Iranian propaganda you find here: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1056826
My comment: These military experts are stressed again and again; experts think there are a few (mainly from Lebanon) playing no great role at all. – “al-Jubair stressed that Iran intervenes in affairs of other states and sending arms and fighters to them”: LOL: That’s what Saudi Arabia is doing to a very great scale, for instance in Yemen and in Syria. And be aware, in Syria the Iranians are supporting the legitimate government – that’s something the Saudis should know what that means?? (With the main difference, that the legitimacy of the Yemeni Hadi government already had ended in February 2015) – “a deal stricken between Iran and ISIS and al-Qaeda”: That’s “post-truth” or “alternative facts”; Shiites are the greatest enemies of these terrorist groups, which are heavily sponsored from Saudi Arabia.
20.2.2017 – Arab News (A P)
Tehran provoking war, Yemen complains to UN
The Yemeni government on Saturday filed a complaint with the UN over Iran’s continuous incitement of war and attacking of neighboring countries.
Ambassador Khaled Al-Yamani, Yemen’s permanent representative to the UN, said Iran is continuing to incite war in Yemen and conflict in corridors of the southern Red Sea and the strategic Bab Al-Mandab.
In a letter sent by his country’s legitimate government to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the ambassador said Iran continues to fund Houthis in Yemen. Iran, he added, supports Houthi groups militarily and strategically through funding, training of fighters, and provision of shipments of weapons and ammunition, a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
The complaint, which was published on Sunday by the Yemeni Press Agency, also reveals that shipments containing smuggled Iranian weapons have been intercepted on several occasions by member countries and joint naval forces. Meanwhile, Houthis sent 7,000 Yemeni students on scholarships to Qom, Iran, to study. But the Yemeni Ministry of Education, belonging to the legitimate government, stopped the efforts and said it will not accept any foreign curriculum contradictory to the nature and creed of Yemeni society, said Abdullah Lamlas, Yemen’s minister of education.
Lamlas said the government will amend the education curriculum changed by the Houthis.
The Yemeni education curriculum is one of several major challenges faced by the government. Education is considered one of the most important means to establish a new Yemen under the legitimate government following the coup carried out by the Houthis and the ousted Saleh supporters.
The circumstances created by the coup militias created a deep rift in the educational infrastructure at the physical and intellectual levels, notably the changes to the curriculum, and the introduction of sectarian and revolutionary tendencies. Al-Yamani also said that Houthi militias are still receiving training from elements linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, namely Hezbollah, on how to use modern weapons looted from Yemeni armed forces’ warehouses, as well as Iranian weapons. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1056926/saudi-arabia and similar by Asharq Al-Awsat: http://english.aawsat.com/2017/02/article55367762/yemen-sends-letter-united-nations-chief-iranian-transgressions
My comment: the propaganda spread by the Saudi foreign minister is continued here by the Hadi government. Complaining about “Iran’s continuous incitement of war and attacking of neighboring countries” is a silly joke when looking at what Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen and Syria especially, and what the spreading of Saudi Wahabism has done so far in the Islamic world, from Nigeria to Indonesia. – Iran inciting “conflict in corridors of the southern Red Sea and the strategic Bab Al-Mandab”? Iran actually does nothing there, it’s the Houthis and the Yemeni army (Saleh wing) acting there. – “ Houthis sent 7,000 Yemeni students on scholarships to Qom, Iran, to study.” How this? Traveling out of Yemen is blocked, how this should work? – The Houthis changed the school curricula: I do not know them; let’s have a look at Saudi curricula which are almost 1:1 adopted by the IS “caliphate”: https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/774689402517938181 . For more, see comment above.
19.2.2017 – Aljazeera (A P)
Film: Preview: Mehdi Hasan speaks to Abdallah al-Mouallimi, Saudi ambassador to the UN
https://twitter.com/atwaniyat/status/737757558824423424
Comment: Saudi: We love to spread democracy everywhere but saudi people are happy without democracy ....Lol
https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/833423562929221632
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
Eingebetteter Medieninhalt21.2.2017 – Legal Center (* A K H)
The violations and crimes that are committed by Saudi Arabia and its alliance in Yemen 20/2/2017 (full list)
https://www.facebook.com/551288185021551/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/778011782349189/?type=3 and http://lcrdye.org/lcrd/Eng/PageDetails?id=651 (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/20-Feb-2017.pdf).
Eingebetteter Medieninhalt20.2.2017 – Legal Center (* A K H)
The violations and crimes that are committed by Saudi Arabia and its alliance in Yemen 19/2/2017 (full list)
https://www.facebook.com/551288185021551/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/777510089066025/?type=3 and http://lcrdye.org/lcrd/Eng/PageDetails?id=649 (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/19-Feb-2017.pdf) and in parts by Saba Net: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456701.htm
21.2.2017 – MbKS15 (A K PS)
#Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18C Hornets taxi & take-off from King Khalid AB in support of the #Saudi-led Coalition's Opr Restore Hope in #Yemen (photo)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/833905422931210241
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Enemy Saudi warplanes launch 5 strikes on capital
The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets launched five strikes on Ma'en district of the capital Sana'a, an official told Saba on Tuesday.
The war planes hit the Aviation Faculty five times, causing heavy damage to nearby citizens' houses and public properties, as well as the faculty, the official added.
The fighters jets broke the sound barrier during the attack on the civilian properties.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456887.htm
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression warplanes launch 2 airstrikes on Nehm
US-Saudi aggression warplanes launched two airstrikes on Nehm district in Sana’a province overnight, an official told Saba on Tuesday.
The raids hit aL-Maena and aL-Najed aL- Ahkdar areas, causing heavy damage to agricultural lands and properties of citizens .
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456885.htm
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Two citizens killed by Saudi air raids in Sa'ada
Two citizens were killed on Tuesday by Saudi aggression airstrikes on Baqim district of Sa'ada province, a security official told Saba.
The two citizens were killed in Mora'a Mountain area, which was hit twice. Several people were wounded and two cars destroyed in the airstrikes, the official added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456883.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65229&lang=en
21.2.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
#Saudi dropped cluster bombs today on Takhia area #Saada
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/834030791428562944
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Official killed in Saudi airstrike in Taiz
A local official was killed when Saudi aggression fighter jets launched a strike on his car in Maqbana district southern Mokha city of Taiz province, an official said Tuesday.
The strike hit the car of Maqbana district Director General Mohammed Ha'el Sinan in the road linking between al-Barah and Mokha districts.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456864.htm
21.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Marib: warplanes of the Saudi American aggression waged raids on Serwah
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65227&lang=en
21.2.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
#Saudi jets still hovering low over my city [Dhamar] now for 15 minutes #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/834016724018196484
20.2.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
#Saudi jets dropped 3 cluster bombs today on Monabeh #Saada #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/833671763401768964
20.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Saada: US-Backed Saudi Warplanes Strike Mara Mountain in Baqim Twice
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65185&lang=en
21.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Feb. 20: Brutal aggression killing Citizens in Taiz and Hajjah
The warplanes of the aggression targeted Saada province by 8 raids and dropped cluster bomb in Munabiah district .
In Taiz province , the fighters jets launched 5 raids and killed a citizen , also in Marib waged 5 raids .
In Hajjah , the warplanes of the aggression waged 6 raids in Harth district and killed two citizens . The fighters jets targeted Al Hodiedah province by 9 raids.
Yemen is bleedi
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65221&lang=en
and film:
20.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Air raid at Hajja province
Two people killed and wounded four in a heinous crime committed aggression against the citizen's family, "Ahmed Ali Theeb" in Hajjah province
aviation aggression raid targeted the family of Ali Ahmed Theeb in alshshaeab zone Directorate in Hajjah which led to his death with his wife and wounding four of his children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kcf0xgAkXY
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
US- Saudi fighter jets launch 3 air strikes on Mareb
The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets on Monday waged three air strikes on citizens' houses in Serwah district of Mareb province, a local official told Saba.
The air strikes hit the house of Ali Mohammed al-Hussaini and a number of neighboring houses in Habab valley area three times, causing heavy damage to the houses
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456765.htm
20.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Apache Warplane Launch 27 Raids in Midi
In Taiz , the warplanes of the aggression launched 5 raids in the areas of the province.
In Sana’a , the warplanes waged 5 raids in Ataan area and dropped cluster bomb.
In Midi, the warplanes waged several raids in the district , and the Apache warplane launched 27 raids in different areas in the district
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65144&lang=en
20.2.2017 – Sanaa at daytime (A K)
Film. Video captures Sanaa's fireworks store explosion #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/833679979875545088
19.2.2017 – Sanaa in the evening (A K)
Great. After aimlessly criss crossing Sana'a sky for past hour or so, fighter jets bored and dropping massive bombs now.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833371230988279809
Buckle up, more jets in sky now and flying low altitude. Guess going for maximum terror effect. As if bombing not scary/bad enough.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833372127801794561
The second bombing it's very close .. I've heard the sound of missile before the explosion
https://twitter.com/MahaNagi/status/833370908446322688
WTF...3 bombs on less than 10 min Sana'a is shaking violently now ,,,,frenzy bombardments all over the capital! !!
https://twitter.com/Hali_300/status/833371878865637376
Fighter jets emboldened by lack of anti aircraft guns swooping at very low altitude. An amusing airshow, if wasn't for bombs dropped.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833377484674576386
I lost counting after the fifth explosion, the explosions are so massive tonight!! What the hell is that?
https://twitter.com/ManalAlthurairi/status/833376824134623232
This is what I could capture from my house in #Sanaa, it shows something burning from air college side.. (photos)
https://twitter.com/MahaNagi/status/833378339318616065
Referring to last tweet: Get away from window. I hear they hit weapons store, which means after explosions & munitions wildly shooting out in every direction.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833379705550147584
Huge, medium and small explosions of ammunition continue for over 20 minutes after being targeted by 4 airstrikes. #Sanaa (photo)
https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/833378814457737220
8:36 pm #Sanaa time, seems #Saudi-led coalition warplanes are busily hovering this evening; hope no casualties would fall in a strike
https://twitter.com/osamahfakih/status/833370355456684033
I could see the fire from the roof it's horrible! horrible! (photo)
https://twitter.com/Heehesham_Su/status/833383623910891522
Rockets & shells are flying all over the area. Dozens of families are trapped by ongoing explosions. A state of horror in #Sanaa (photo)
https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/833383140727074816
#Sanaa now. #Saudi hit an ammo warehouse with ROCKETS! Bullets with ROCKETS!! Many bullets & light ammo flying in all directions. (film)
https://twitter.com/SultanetZman/status/833384725863682054
Even the jets sound different tonight over #Yemen capital Sanaa. Were these airstrikes by US jet fighters, sent by Donald Trump?
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/833380209428688897
So 4 jets & 6 bombs to blow a cashe of AK47s & RPGs! Overkill? And disregard for aftermath when civilians in immediate neighborhood.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833387361488797698
I am hearing lots of ambulances and fire trucks outside! They are SO LOUD! Hope no one got hurts!
https://twitter.com/ManalAlthurairi/status/833390426589655045
Same here & I'm several kilometers out from airstrikes/explosions zone! Guess being rushed from all over city to that area. Sana'a
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/833393374405201920
Happening now 100meter from my house : huge explosions due Saudi coalition raids Roar of saudi jets close Sana'a (photo)
https://twitter.com/midoaaaaa/status/833384577204879361
Photo of today's bombardment on the capital #Sanaa by #Saudi jets #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/833398343191625728
Sanaa NOW #PrayForYemen (photo)
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/833377199860359168
The sun is rising in the night in #Sanaa city , Photo of a saudi airstrike few mins ago in Sanaa
https://twitter.com/hussam25173474/status/833388622250438656
10 minute ago in sanaa after Saudi airstrikes (photos)
https://twitter.com/akram1_1/status/833387040976670720
videos show the violent explosions of weapons stores on the Faculty of Aviation sixty Street
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1641231272839527/ = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1641229336173054 and another video https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1641229189506402 and a third https://twitter.com/akram1_1/status/833392735046426624
19.2.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)
Breaking : for 30 minutes, #Saudi jets are over my city Dhamar now #Yemen
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/833309952596910082
19.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi fighter jets launch strike on Nehm
The Saudi aggression warplanes on Sunday launched a raid on Nehm district of Sana'a province, a security official told Saba.
The strike hit al-Ashrah area southern Zatr area, causing heavy damage to citizens' properties and farms
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456714.htm
19.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)
Film: Alliance air aggression aimed at agriculture and industry cardboard factory in Hodeidah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aDtGJBibM0 = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1641591326136855/
19.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi fighter jets launch 5 strikes on Mareb
The Saudi aggression fighter jets waged on Sunday five strikes on Serwah district of Mareb province, a military official told Saba.
The strikes hit citizens' houses and farms, leaving heavy damage to them.
21.2.2017 – New News (* A K PH)
Film: Yemen: The Bloody masscre of Arhab Women funeral committed by US-KSA Aggression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2zpUXBO8Ms
Remark: Reports on the air raid (Feb. 15) at YPR 268, cp1a
cp17a Kriegsereignisse: Mokha / Theater of War: Mokha
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Mercenaries killed in Taiz
Several Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed when the army and popular forces shelled al-Dhabab area of Taiz province, a military official told Saba on Tuesday.
Tens of mercenaries were wounded in the shilling.
The national forces carried out an operation in Osaifarah area in the same province. The operation ended up with smashing a military vehicle, the official added.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456871.htm
20.2.2017 – Yem Confl Maps (A K)
Map: Front Mokha - West Coast, Yellow zone areas are currently clashes
Last updated on: Monday, Corresponding to: February 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/YemConfMaps/status/833773567124832257
20.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
The media war of the Yemeni army and popular committees distribute yesterday scenes of snipe operations overnight were they targeted mercenaries aggression in Mokha directorate during the past few days.
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65218&lang=en and films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uOSOnk-VaY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD8pN912X9c
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Katyusha hits Saudi-paid mercenaries in Taiz
Rocketry forces of the Army and popular forces fired Katyusha rockets on a gathering of US-Saudi-paid aggression mercenaries in south of Red Sea coast city of Mokha in Taiz province, a military official told Saba on Monday.
Also, the national forces destroyed a military vehicle belonging to the mercenaries also in southern Mokha.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456763.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65162&lang=en
cp17b Kriegsereignisse: Sonstige / Theater of War: Others
21.2.2017 – Haberler (A K)
3 Saudis İnjured By Cross-Border Fire From Yemen
http://en.haberler.com/3-saudis-injured-by-cross-border-fire-from-yemen-1026733/
21.2.2017 – Fars News (A K PH)
[Claimed Houthi / Saleh successes]
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951203001098
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951203000319
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951203001392
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Artillery hits mercenaries in Jawf
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456868.htm
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Army foils Infiltration attempt of mercenaries in Taiz
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456886.htm
21.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Urgent: ballistic missile hits Mustahdath camp on al-Mawsem in Jizan
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456917.htm
21.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Snipe Saudi Soldiers in Najran and Many victories in Jizan
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65225&lang=en
20.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (* A K PS)
Taiz: Houthis bomb seven houses, displace hundreds of citizens
The militants of the Houthi-Saleh forces bombed on Sunday seven houses and displaced about one hundred families from their houses in Tabisha'a area in northern Jabal Habashi district, western Taiz city, southwestern Yemen.
The source added that nearly one hundred families were displaced from their houses, fifty of whom were distributed on the villages of the district, while the rest were displaced to Taiz city.
Meanwhile, the Houthis and Saleh militants have been imposing a siege on the villages of Mawliah, al Anin, Qashibah, Bani Khailah, al Mahsha, and al Qahafah in Bilad al Wafi district and blocking al Ramadah road since two months,.
Imposing the blockade on Bilad al Wafi area, northern Jabal Habashi district, was due to being close to the road that links between Taiz and Hodeida governorates, and came also after violent clashes with the pro-government forces.
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89005 and photo: http://aa.com.tr/en/pg/photo-gallery/people-leave-their-village-in-yemen/0
20.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
7Houthis killed after renewed fighting in Dhamar
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89003
20.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Jizan: Yemeni Forces Shell Saudi Fortifications and Emplacements Behind the Site Kariss Jawbh, Alan Camp and Ramadia Region
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65181&lang=en
20.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
At least 3 Saudi-paid mercenaries killed in Lahj
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456760.htm and http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65178&lang=en
19.2.2017 – Press TV Iran (A K PH)
Film: Watch video of Saudi base hit by Yemeni rockets
Amid no letup in Saudi carnage of Yemen’s civilians, counter-strikes by Yemeni forces have hit a military base inside Saudi Arabia close to the common border.
They targeted the outpost in the ‘Asir region in the kingdom’s extreme southwest with an unknown number of projectiles on Sunday, Yemen’s War Media outlet reported.
It also carried extended footage of the counter-raid after Saudi officials denied that such retaliatory attack had ever taken place.
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/02/19/511174/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Asir
19.2.2017 – Al Masirah TV, Yemen Today TV (A K PH)
Films: One child killed and six people wounded in a rocket attack on the Saudi aggression Haydan district Talan area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-cw_1cPPBI and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZScq2qaaZTQ
and photos: https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/833590405191106560
19.2.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi-paid mercenaries' artillery and missiles fired indiscriminately on al-Raba'eh, Serwah Souk and al-Mater areas in Serwah district of Mareb province
19.2.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)
Pro-government forces bomb Houthis sites, destroy explosive depots in Harad
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88973
and that is what really happened on the ground:
20.2.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A K PH)
Yemeni Ali Daib,wife killed,leaving only son&daughter seriously injured2daybyUS-backed Saudi war criminals bombing their house/Harad west (photo, graphic)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/833737479886868481
20.2.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)
Jizan: Saudi Bradley Destroyed Behind Kariss Jawbh Site
http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=65183&lang=en
and
19.2.2017 – Noto Wahabism (A K PH)
Films:
A #US-supplied #Saudi "army" M2 Bradley IFV hit
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/1135692143226033/#
Watch as the Saudi "army" flees as Yemeni forces advanced on them in Najran in southern #Saudi.
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/1135709466557634/
cp18 Sonstiges / Other
20.2.2017 – Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (A H)
Yemen - Conflict: ETC User Feedback Survey results - Survey period 20/11/16 to 7/12/16
Following the Level 3 emergency declaration by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) was activated in Yemen in April 2015 to provide vital security telecommunications and internet connectivity services to the humanitarian community.
The ETC conducted a User Feedback Survey in November 2016 to assess the satisfaction of users in the five common operational areas where the ETC provides its services: Sana’a, Sa’ada, Aden, Ibb and Al Hudaydah.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-conflict-etc-user-feedback-survey-results-survey-period-201116-71216 and in full: https://www.etcluster.org/document/etc-yemen-user-satisfaction-survey-december-2016 = http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/ETC%20Yemen%20user%20satisfaction%20survey%20report_0.pdf
18.2.2017 – Business Tech (* B)
These maps show which countries have the best and worst air quality in the world
A series of maps from The Eco Experts shows the most and least toxic countries in the world.
Kenya was named the world’s least toxic country, while Saudi Arabia is the most toxic country in the world, having the highest recorded air pollution – surpassing India and even China.
Neighbouring oil-rich countries, including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), dominate the top 10 most toxic countries in the world, and have some of the lowest renewable energy production despite having an ideal climate – low rainfall and prolonged daylight hours – for solar energy.
7.1.2016 – Mondo Weiss (** C P)
How Zionism helped create the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
However, as this author has previously written, one must return to the 1920’s to fully appreciate the origins of this informal and indirect alliance between Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity. An illuminating study by Dr. Askar H. al-Enazy, titled, The Creation of Saudi Arabia: Ibn Saud and British Imperial Policy, 1914-1927, has further and uniquely provided any student of British Imperialism primary sourced evidence on the origins of this alliance. This study by Dr. Enazy influences the following piece. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire by British imperialism in World War One, left three distinct authorities in the Arabian peninsula: Sharif of Hijaz: Hussain bin Ali of Hijaz (in the west), Ibn Rashid of Ha’il (in the north) and Emir Ibn Saud of Najd (in the east) and his religiously fanatical followers, the Wahhabis.
In March 1924, a year after the British awarded the ‘grant’ to Ibn Saud, the Empire announced that it had terminated all discussions with Sharif Hussain to reach an agreement.[15] Within weeks the forces of Ibn Saud and his Wahhabi followers began to administer what the British foreign secretary, Lord Curzon called the “final kick” to Sharif Hussain and attacked Hijazi territory.[16] By September 1924, Ibn Saud had overrun the summer capital of Sharif Hussain, Ta’if. The Empire then wrote to Sharif’s sons, who had been awarded kingdoms in Iraq and Transjordan not to provide any assistance to their besieged father or in diplomatic terms they were informed “to give no countenance to interference in the Hedjaz”.[17] In Ta’if, Ibn Saud’s Wahhabis committed their customary massacres, slaughtering women and children as well as going into mosques and killing traditional Islamic scholars.[18] They captured the holiest place in Islam, Mecca, in mid-October 1924. Sharif Hussain was forced to abdicate and went to exile to the Hijazi port of Akaba.
Ibn Saud had begun his siege of Jeddah in January 1925 and the city finally surrendered in December 1925 bringing to an end over 1000 years of rule by the Prophet Muhammad’s descendants. The British officially recognised Ibn Saud as the new King of Hijaz in February 1926 with other European powers following suit within weeks. The new unified Wahhabi state was rebranded by the Empire in 1932 as the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” (KSA). A certain George Rendel, an officer working at the Middle East desk at the Foreign Office in London, claimed credit for the new name.
The covert alliance between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity of Israel should be no surprise to any student of British imperialism. The problem is the study of British imperialism has very few students. Indeed, one can peruse any undergraduate or post-graduate British university prospectus and rarely find a module in a Politics degree on the British Empire let alone a dedicated degree or Masters degree. Of course if the European led imperialist carnage in the four years between 1914 – 1918 tickles your cerebral cells then it’s not too difficult to find an appropriate institution to teach this subject, but if you would like to delve into how and why the British Empire waged war on mankind for almost four hundred years you’re practically on your own in this endeavour. One must admit, that from the British establishment’s perspective, this is a formidable and remarkable achievement.
In late 2014, according to the American journal, Foreign Affairs, the Saudi petroleum Minister, Ali al-Naimi is reported to have said “His Majesty King Abdullah has always been a model for good relations between Saudi Arabia and other states and the Jewish state is no exception.” Recently, Abdullah’s successor, King Salman expressed similar concerns to those of Israel’s to the growing agreement between the United States and Iran over the latter’s nuclear programme. This led some to report that Israel and KSA presented a “united front” in their opposition to the nuclear deal. This was not the first time the Zionists and Saudis have found themselves in the same corner in dealing with a perceived common foe. In North Yemen in the 1960’s, the Saudis were financing a British imperialist led mercenary army campaign against revolutionary republicans who had assumed authority after overthrowing the authoritarian, Imam. Gamal Abdul-Nasser’s Egypt militarily backed the republicans, while the British induced the Saudis to finance and arm the remaining remnants of the Imam’s supporters. Furthermore, the British organised the Israelis to drop arms for the British proxies in North Yemen, 14 times. The British, in effect, militarily but covertly, brought the Zionists and Saudis together in 1960’s North Yemen against their common foe.
However, as this author has previously written, one must return to the 1920’s to fully appreciate the origins of this informal and indirect alliance between Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity. An illuminating study by Dr. Askar H. al-Enazy, titled, The Creation of Saudi Arabia: Ibn Saud and British Imperial Policy, 1914-1927, has further and uniquely provided any student of British Imperialism primary sourced evidence on the origins of this alliance. This study by Dr. Enazy influences the following piece. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire by British imperialism in World War One, left three distinct authorities in the Arabian peninsula: Sharif of Hijaz: Hussain bin Ali of Hijaz (in the west), Ibn Rashid of Ha’il (in the north) and Emir Ibn Saud of Najd (in the east) and his religiously fanatical followers, the Wahhabis.
Ibn Saud had entered the war early in January 1915 on the side of the British, but was quickly defeated and his British handler, William Shakespear was killed by the Ottoman Empire’s ally Ibn Rashid. This defeat greatly hampered Ibn Saud’s utility to the Empire and left him militarily hamstrung for a year.[1] The Sharif contributed the most to the Ottoman Empire’s defeat by switching allegiances and leading the so-called ‘Arab Revolt’ in June 1916 which removed the Turkish presence from Arabia. He was convinced to totally alter his position because the British had strongly led him to believe, via correspondence with Henry McMahon, the British High Commissioner in Egypt, that a unified Arab country from Gaza to the Persian Gulf will be established with the defeat of the Turks. The letters exchanged between Sharif Hussain and Henry McMahon are known as the McMahon-Hussain Correspondence.
Understandably, the Sharif as soon as the war ended wanted to hold the British to their war time promises, or what he perceived to be their war time promises, as expressed in the aforementioned correspondence. The British, on the other hand, wanted the Sharif to accept the Empire’s new reality which was a division of the Arab world between them and the French (Sykes-Picot agreement) and the implementation of the Balfour Declaration, which guaranteed ‘a national for the Jewish people’ in Palestine by colonisation with European Jews. This new reality was contained in the British written, Anglo-Hijaz Treaty, which the Sharif was profoundly averse to signing.[2] After all, the revolt of 1916 against the Turks was dubbed the ‘Arab Revolt’ not the ‘Hijazi Revolt’.
Actually, the Sharif let it be known that he will never sell out Palestine to the Empire’s Balfour Declaration; he will never acquiescence to the establishment of Zionism in Palestine or accept the new random borders drawn across Arabia by British and French imperialists. For their part the British began referring to him as an ‘obstructionist’, a ‘nuisance’ and of having a ‘recalcitrant’ attitude.
The British let it be known to the Sharif that they were prepared to take drastic measures to bring about his approval of the new reality regardless of the service that he had rendered them during the War. After the Cairo Conference in March 1921, where the new Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill met with all the British operatives in the Middle East, T.E. Lawrence (i.e. of Arabia) was dispatched to meet the Sharif to bribe and bully him to accept Britain’s Zionist colonial project in Palestine. Initially, Lawrence and the Empire offered 80,000 rupees.[3] The Sharif rejected it outright. Lawrence then offered him an annual payment of £100,000.[4] The Sharif refused to compromise and sell Palestine to British Zionism.
When financial bribery failed to persuade the Sharif, Lawrence threatened him with an Ibn Saud takeover. Lawrence claimed that “politically and militarily, the survival of Hijaz as a viable independent Hashemite kingdom was wholly dependent on the political will of Britain, who had the means to protect and maintain his rule in the region.” [5] In between negotiating with the Sharif, Lawrence made the time to visit other leaders in the Arabian peninsula and informed them that they if they don’t tow the British line and avoid entering into an alliance with the Sharif, the Empire will unleash Ibn Saud and his Wahhabis who after all is at Britain’s ‘beck and call’.[6]
Simultaneously, after the Conference, Churchill travelled to Jerusalem and met with the Sharif’s son, Abdullah, who had been made the ruler, “Emir”, of a new territory called “Transjordan.” Churchill informed Abdullah that he should persuade “his father to accept the Palestine mandate and sign a treaty to such effect,” if not “the British would unleash Ibn Saud against Hijaz.”[7] In the meantime the British were planning to unleash Ibn Saud on the ruler of Ha’il, Ibn Rashid.
Ibn Rashid had rejected all overtures from the British Empire made to him via Ibn Saud, to be another of its puppets.[8] More so, Ibn Rashid expanded his territory north to the new mandated Palestinian border as well as to the borders of Iraq in the summer of 1920. The British became concerned that an alliance maybe brewing between Ibn Rashid who controlled the northern part of the peninsula and the Sharif who controlled the western part. More so, the Empire wanted the land routes between the Palestinian ports on the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf under the rule of a friendly party. At the Cairo Conference, Churchill agreed with an imperial officer, Sir Percy Cox that “Ibn Saud should be ‘given the opportunity to occupy Hail.’”[9] By the end of 1920, the British were showering Ibn Saud with “a monthly ‘grant’ of £10,000 in gold, on top of his monthly subsidy. He also received abundant arms supplies, totalling more than 10,000 rifles, in addition to the critical siege and four field guns” with British-Indian instructors.[10] Finally, in September 1921, the British unleashed Ibn Saud on Ha’il which officially surrendered in November 1921. It was after this victory the British bestowed a new title on Ibn Saud. He was no longer to be “Emir of Najd and Chief of its Tribes” but “Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies”. Ha’il had dissolved into a dependency of the Empire’s Sultan of Najd.
If the Empire thought that the Sharif, with Ibn Saud now on his border and armed to the teeth by the British, would finally become more amenable to the division of Arabia and the British Zionist colonial project in Palestine they were short lived. A new round of talks between Abdulla’s son, acting on behalf of his father in Transjordan and the Empire resulted in a draft treaty accepting Zionism. When it was delivered to the Sharif with an accompanying letter from his son requesting that he “accept reality”, he didn’t even bother to read the treaty and instead composed a draft treaty himself rejecting the new divisions of Arabia as well as the Balfour Declaration and sent it to London to be ratified![11]
Ever since 1919 the British had gradually decreased Hussain’s subsidy to the extent that by the early 1920’s they had suspended it, while at the same time continued subsidising Ibn Saud right through the early 1920’s.[12] After a further three rounds of negotiations in Amman and London, it dawned on the Empire that Hussain will never relinquish Palestine to Great Britain’s Zionist project or accept the new divisions in Arab lands.[13]In March 1923, the British informed Ibn Saud that it will cease his subsidy but not without awarding him an advance ‘grant’ of £50,000 upfront, which amounted to a year’s subsidy.[14]
In March 1924, a year after the British awarded the ‘grant’ to Ibn Saud, the Empire announced that it had terminated all discussions with Sharif Hussain to reach an agreement.[15] Within weeks the forces of Ibn Saud and his Wahhabi followers began to administer what the British foreign secretary, Lord Curzon called the “final kick” to Sharif Hussain and attacked Hijazi territory.[16] By September 1924, Ibn Saud had overrun the summer capital of Sharif Hussain, Ta’if. The Empire then wrote to Sharif’s sons, who had been awarded kingdoms in Iraq and Transjordan not to provide any assistance to their besieged father or in diplomatic terms they were informed “to give no countenance to interference in the Hedjaz”.[17] In Ta’if, Ibn Saud’s Wahhabis committed their customary massacres, slaughtering women and children as well as going into mosques and killing traditional Islamic scholars.[18] They captured the holiest place in Islam, Mecca, in mid-October 1924. Sharif Hussain was forced to abdicate and went to exile to the Hijazi port of Akaba. He was replaced as monarch by his son Ali who made Jeddah his governmental base. As Ibn Saud moved to lay siege to the rest of Hijaz, the British found the time to begin incorporating the northern Hijazi port of Akaba into Transjordan. Fearing that Sharif Hussain may use Akaba as a base to rally Arabs against the Empire’s Ibn Saud, the Empire let it be known that in no uncertain terms that he must leave Akaba or Ibn Saud will attack the port. For his part, Sharif Hussain responded that he had “never acknowledged the mandates on Arab countries and still protest against the British Government which has made Palestine a national home for the Jews.”[19]
Sharif Hussain was forced out of Akaba, a port he had liberated from the Ottoman Empire during the ‘Arab Revolt’, on the 18th June 1925 on HMS Cornflower.
Ibn Saud had begun his siege of Jeddah in January 1925 and the city finally surrendered in December 1925 bringing to an end over 1000 years of rule by the Prophet Muhammad’s descendants. The British officially recognised Ibn Saud as the new King of Hijaz in February 1926 with other European powers following suit within weeks. The new unified Wahhabi state was rebranded by the Empire in 1932 as the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” (KSA). A certain George Rendel, an officer working at the Middle East desk at the Foreign Office in London, claimed credit for the new name.
On the propaganda level, the British served the Wahhabi takeover of Hijaz on three fronts. Firstly, they portrayed and argued that Ibn Saud’s invasion of Hijaz was motivated by religious fanaticism rather than by British imperialism’s geo-political considerations.[20]
Secondly, the British portrayed Ibn Saud’s Wahhabi fanatics as a benign and misunderstood force who only wanted to bring Islam back to its purest form.[22] To this day, these Islamist jihadis are portrayed in the most benign manner when their armed insurrections is supported by Britain and the West such as 1980’s Afghanistan or in today’s Syria, where they are referred to in the western media as “moderate rebels.” Thirdly, British historians portray Ibn Saud as an independent force and not as a British instrument used to horn away anyone perceived to be surplus to imperial requirements – by Nu'man Abd al-Wahid
http://mondoweiss.net/2016/01/zionism-kingdom-arabia/
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-269-yemen-war-mosaic-269
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-269 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-269:
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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