Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 311 - Yemen War Mosaic 311

Yemen Press Reader 311: Jemenkrise: Analyse–Emirate: Folter im Jemen–Landbevölkerung–USA u. Naher Osten–USA: Lobby für Saudis–Saudis u. Terrorismus–Lage der arab. Welt–US-Drohnentote–Cholera-uam

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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Analysis of Yemen crisis – Emirate-backed forces detain and torture in Yemen (German) – US Senate votes on Saudi arms deal – Yemen's rural population in the war – The US and the conflict in Middle East – US: Lobbying for the Saudis – Saudis and terrorism – The Arab world's sorry state – US drone programm – Cholera – and more

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Klassifizierung / Classification

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Cholera / Most important: Cholera

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

cp7a Saudi-Arabien und Iran / Saudi Arabia and Iran

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp9 USA

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

cp13b Söldner / Mercenaries

cp13c Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp13d Wirtschaft / Ecomomy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

PH = Pro-Houthi

PS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

12.6.2017 – ACAPS (** B H K P)

Yemen – Analysis of crisis

Overview – Stakeholders – Conflict Developments – Front lines – Humanitain access – Displacement – Food Security and livelihoods – Health – Nutrition – Wash – Shelter and NFIS – Education – Protection

Instability and violence have continued across the country following escalation of conflict in March 2015. The official death toll has now surpassed 12,000, with the number of civilian deaths standing at 4,773 at the end of March 2017, while a further 8,272 have been injured.??? All parties to the conflict have committed serious human rights and humanitarian law violations.?

A new round of peace talks led by the UN Special Envoy to Yementook place at the end of May, seeking to establish a humanitarian truce before Ramadan, but this objective was not met.? During the visit, the UN Special Envoy's convoy came under attack. Following an investigation into the incident, the Houthis accused the Special Envoy of abandoning his neutrality in the negotiations, and banned him from entering the country.?The terms of the negotiations included: the unification of the Yemeni Central Banks as a neutral institution, the withdrawal of al Houthi-Saleh forces from al Hudaydah port, and the removal of Saudi-led coalition blockade on Sana'a International Airport.??? However, at the same time former president Saleh has also sought support from Russia to end the Saudi-led coalition's embargo and planned advance on al Hudaydah. In April, Russia mediated separate negotiations between Saleh and Emirati leadership in pursuit of a political solution to the conflict.??On 5 June, a top official from the al Houthi-Saleh movement claimed that the UN Special Envoy to Yemen is banned from returning to the country and accused him of bias.?

Against this backdrop, the Yemeni state is fracturing further. On 27 April President Hadi dismissed two members of the Southern Movement - Aydarus al Zubaidi and Hani bin Brik - from his government, as a result of their close association with Emiratis who supported Russia in holding discussions with former president Saleh. This move sparked mass protests against the Hadi government by supporters of the Southern Movement, calling for al Zubaidi to lead an effort to establish a federal state.?On 11 May, Al Zubaidi announced his presidency of the 'Transitional Political Council of the South', effectively creating a third government seeking separation of the south from the rest of Yemen, in addition to the Houthi-Saleh government controlling territory in the north and west, and the internationally recognised US/Saudi-coalition backed Hadi government based in the south.? The Transitional Political Council has stated that it intends to continue to work against the al Houthi-Saleh block.?On 9 May, Saleh stated that he is willing to enter into negotiations with Saudi Arabia, in a possible attempt to exploit this fracture in the Hadi government.? The Hadi government and the al Houthi political wing have rejected the Transitional Political Council as an Emirati and US backed scheme to destroy the territorial integrity of the Yemeni state.?

Additionally, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has exploited the power vacuum to take control of large areas in southeastern Yemen, and Islamic State (IS) attacks also compound insecurity.? Hadi forces are thought to be cooperatingwith AQAP in the fight against al Houthi-Saleh forces.?

https://www.acaps.org/country/yemen/crisis-analysis

14.6.2017 – RT (** B H P)

Menschenrechtsorganisationen: US-Partner Emirate betreiben Foltergefängnisse im Jemen

Eine Elite-Einheit unter Kontrolle der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate (VAE) soll Hunderte jemenitischer Männer verschleppt und gefoltert haben. Dies berichten lokale Menschenrechtsgruppen. Investigativ-Journalisten und UN-Experten bestätigen die Vorwürfe.

Laut Aussagen von lokalen Menschenrechtsgruppen, gestützt von Recherchen des britischen Journalisten-Vereins The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), verschleppt eine von den Emiraten unterhaltene Miliz mit dem Namen "Elite Forces" seit Jahren jemenitische Männer im kampffähigen Alter in ein Geheimgefängnis auf dem Militär-Flughafen Riyyan im Südosten des Jemens.

Dort sollen die Verantwortlichen die Verschleppten in metallene Schiffscontainer packen, in denen Temperaturen von bis zu 50 Grad herrschen. Von TBIJ befrage Menschenrechtsaktivisten verweisen auf Guantanamo Bay und Abu Ghraib als Blaupause für das Geheimgefängnis auf der Luftwaffenbasis.

Ein Zeuge, der im Interview den Decknamen Abu Ali verwendet, berichtet, wie schwerbewaffnete Männer in beigen Uniformen sein Haus in Mukalla stürmten und seinen Sohn mitnahmen.

Menschenrechtsaktivisten schätzen, dass die Fälle gewaltsamen Verschwindenlassens in die Hunderte gehen. Während einige wenige Betroffene mittlerweile wieder frei sind, gilt die übergroße Mehrheit nach wie vor als vermisst.

Familienangehörigen von Verschwundenen verweisen darauf, dass viele der Verschleppten völlig normalen Tätigkeiten nachgingen. Streng genommen arbeiteten sie zu dieser Zeit jedoch für al-Kaida, denn diese stellte bis zu deren Rückeroberung unter Federführung von Militärs der VAE die De-facto-Regierung in der Region.

Menschenrechtsexperten kritisieren vor diesem Hintergrund die enge Zusammenarbeit der USA mit der Golfmonarchie und werfen dem US-Militär "Komplizenschaft" vor.

https://deutsch.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/52297-menschenrechtsorganisation-us-gestutzte-emirate-folter-jemen/ and the English original and abridged reports here: https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-06-08/disappearance-and-torture-uae-forces-accused-of-widespread-abuse-in-yemenand abridged by Aljazeera http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article62681and by Middle East Eye: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-backed-militia-responsible-kidnappings-southeast-yemen-report-1621081533

Mein Kommentar: Der englischsprachige Artikel des Bureau of Investigative Journalism erschien schon früher. Auf Deutsch berichtet – wer ntürlich? - RT.

14.6.2017 – The Intercept (** A P)

SENATE VOTES WITH RECORD OPPOSITION TO SAUDI ARMS SALE — BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PUT ON BRAKES

FOLLOWING A LAST-DITCH lobbying effort by the Trump administration, the Senate narrowly rejected a measure condemning a $500 million weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, which is engaged in a brutal bombing campaign in Yemen.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump praised the war in Yemen and signaled his intention to make a total $110 billion weapons package to the Persian Gulf kingdom. That prompted Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Al Franken, D-Minn., to introduce a resolution of disapproval against the sale of precision-guided weapons, pointing out that Saudi Arabia had used U.S. weapons to target civilians in Yemen. The resolution would have forced the Senate to vote on whether to block the transfer.

The measure, however, failed by a narrow margin of 47 to 53. The vote was much closer than a similar measure in September, which failed 71 to 27.

While the resolution went down in defeat, the increased vote total represents a shift in official Washington’s approach to the Middle East.

Some prominent Democrats who had voted against the September bill changed their tunes on Tuesday.

Cardin told The Intercept that many Democrats changed their vote because they didn’t see a commitment from Trump to end the conflict.

Paul spoke in moral terms about his opposition to the sale on the floor. “I think to myself, Is there ever anything important that can happen in Washington? Is there ever anything I can do to save some of the millions of children that are dying in Yemen?” he asked. “This is it.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also spoke on the floor in favor of the measure. “In addition to being morally indefensible and strategically shortsighted, the Trump administration’s unconditional support for the Saudi coalition — including billions of dollars in sales — risks dragging the United States into yet another war in the Middle East,” he said.

When asked whether he had human rights concerns about Saudi conduct in Yemen, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, “I’m very worried about Iranian conduct in Yemen.” When supplied with a follow-up, McCain responded, “I’ve answered all your questions.”

On Tuesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was among those pointing to Iran to defend Saudi Arabia’s conduct. When asked if Yemenis would be radicalized by being bombed by American weapons, he redirected his answer. “They should be mad at Iran who toppled their government, who wants to turn it into a satellite nation,” he said. (Independent Yemen experts have described this claim as untrue.)

Other Republicans told The Intercept that members of their party were concerned about jobs for the U.S. weapons industry – by Alex Emmons and Zaid Jilani

https://theintercept.com/2017/06/13/saudi-arms-sale-senate-opposition-rand-paul-chris-murphy/

12.6.2017 – London School of Economics and Political Science (** B H)

Yemen’s Rural Population: Ignored in an Already-Forgotten War

Nineteen million people live in Yemen’s rural areas. More than 12 million of them are poor, and food insecure, while more than 5 million are on the verge of starvation and don’t know where their next meal is coming from. What does this tell us about rural living conditions?

By the early 2000s, the main source of income of most rural households was men’s urban labour. Rain-fed agriculture suffered increasingly frequent droughts and floods, smallholders’ shallow wells dried up because of irregular rainfall and the lowering of the water table because of extraction by the few large landowners with boreholes.

By the early 2000s, the main source of income of most rural households was men’s urban labour. Rain-fed agriculture suffered increasingly frequent droughts and floods, smallholders’ shallow wells dried up because of irregular rainfall and the lowering of the water table because of extraction by the few large landowners with boreholes.

reas controlled by the Huthi–Saleh faction primarily suffer from air strikes on the various fronts.

In the ‘liberated’ areas, actual control is not with the internationally recognised government but with local groups. Insofar as there is any governance, justice or services, they are controlled by a range of groups including, in the best cases, pre-war councils and local administrations.

Throughout the country, rural life shares some common features. Reasonable rains in 2016 in some areas meant more food is available but average landholdings – of less than 1 hectare – leave people largely or entirely dependent on purchased food.

With famine looming, the rural poor will be the first to suffer and die of starvation due to absolute shortages, increased prices and the lack of cash to buy food. Those in the most remote and inaccessible areas will be worst affected.

The war is the prime cause of this disastrous situation and the leaders of the warring parties are responsible for it. The Saudi-led coalition and its supporters, including the US and UK, share responsibility for the political and military situation, while the world at large does so for the humanitarian crisis – by Helen Lackner

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2017/06/12/yemens-rural-population-ignored-in-an-already-forgotten-war/

Comment by Judith Brown: An article by the wonderful Helen Lackner, who lived in Yemen for many years and understands the country and its people better than most. This depressing read speaks out the problems in Yemen's countryside, both historical and today.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155620366428641

12.6.2017 – Foreign Policy (** B P)

The Saudi-Iran War Comes to Washington

In the battle for Middle East supremacy, Tehran and Riyadh are pulling out all the stops.

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is consuming the Middle East in proxy conflicts from Yemen to Syria — and now in a diplomatic spat with Qatar. But their struggle is also one of narratives, a war of words that has reached the shores of the United States and is raging in the nation’s capital.

The recent juxtaposition of images of Donald Trump in Riyadh — showered in Saudi ostentation, his hands on a glowing orb — and of jubilant Iranians on the streets of Tehran celebrating the re-election of President Hassan Rouhani provoked a flare-up of Twitter volleys and op-eds over a few days defending or attacking the Iranians and the Saudis.

There is, of course, much to criticize about both countries. But Gulf watchers in Washington are camped on their positions, with little room for nuance — mirroring the deep schism in the region itself.

Saudi friends and diplomats see media bias, fed by former President Barack Obama’s opening toward Iran and his perceived condescension toward the Saudis.

In response, the Saudis have started flooding the United States with money, officials, art, and pundits. In the last few months, Washington played host to a slew of events — from cultural talks with Saudi art curator Mona Khazindar, the first woman ever to head the Paris-based Arab World Institute, to a one-day conference titled “Saudi Arabia Transforming,” showcasing social and economic developments in the kingdom by the United Arab Emirates-funded Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

The debate about whether Saudi Arabia or Iran would be a better American ally has mostly centered on which country is better placed to lead the fight against extremism.

The Saudi message does have resonance among U.S. Policymakers.

The Saudis are also working hard to polish their own image. Their goal is to separate the understanding of Wahhabism — a word often used to describe the austere version of Salafism in the kingdom — from extremism. The kingdom’s advocates have recently pushed this line aggressively in op-eds and events like the one the Arabia Foundation hosted on June 7: “Wahhabism and terrorism: Is Saudi Arabia the arsonist or the fireman?” The debate slanted heavily in favor of Saudi Arabia as the fireman.

Beyond the fight against extremism, the question beneath the surface is: Which country holds the most promise in the long term? Which of Iran or Saudi Arabia can be the most “like us” in the West?

But no matter how dismal the situation in Iran may appear, until recently there was almost no effort to build a more liberal future in Saudi Arabia. - By Kim Ghattas

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/12/the-saudi-iran-war-comes-to-washington/

My comment: At the end of the article, the author falls into the Saudi propaganda trap – why??

12.6.2017 – Security Assistance (** B P)

Two U.S. Lobbying Firms Push Discredited Information on Yemen Conflict

According to documents available through the Justice Department, at least two U.S. lobbying firms distributed a reportin the past year that includes several facts on Saudi’s role in Yemen that have been refuted by human rights and humanitarian NGOs. The aim appears to be to downplay Saudi airstrikes on civilians and absolve some responsibility for the worsening humanitarian crisis.

The two U.S. lobbying firms that distributed the report areQorvis MSLGroupandBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP. In the past, Qorvis hasrepresentedother governments such as Equatorial Guinea, which has a poor human rights record. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck only recently began its work with the Kingdom, but staff named in the firm’scontractwith Saudi Arabia have previous government experience and include heavy hitters like Marc Lampkin, who worked as an aide to former Speaker of the House John Boehner and has connections within the Trump administration.

Between December 2014 and March 2017 Qorvis received over $16 million in fees from Saudi Arabia. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP signed a four-month contract with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September 2016 to represent Saudi interests “in connection with certain priority legislative issues of importance to the US-Saudi bilateral relationship.” The firm was to be paid $100,000 per month for its services.

The picture painted in the 57-page lobbyist reportportrays Saudi Arabia as the victim of a regional conflict and a responsible neighbor coming to the aid of the Yemeni government. The report claims that the Houthi rebels and not the Saudis are the ones blocking the delivery of aid to civilians through the port city of Hodeidah. It claims that “The [Saudi-led] Coalition has not imposed a blockade… and it continues to grant immediate and periodic permits in a record time for all relief and humanitarian ships”.

These assertions arerefutedby Save the Children, which argues that the Saudi Coalition prevented three shipments of medical aid from being delivered to Hodeidah.

The lobbyists’ report spends four pages discussing Saudi Coalition airstrikes that have indiscriminately targeted civilians, creating the impression that the Coalition has appropriately handled these incidents and reformed its practices. It uses investigations completed by Saudi Arabia’s own investigative body, the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT), to absolve itself of any systematic targeting of civilians and discredit other organizations’ investigations. However, all seven JIAT investigations in the lobbyists’ report include some information that is disputed by at least one NGO, creating questions regarding the veracity of the report andJIAT’s methodology.

Unfortunately, Qorvis MSLGroup and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP appear comfortable making claims that are widely discredited by reliable human rights and humanitarian NGOs. Lobbyist’s ties to the Trump Administration raise concerns that this alternative information could take precedence and could inappropriately inform U.S. government policy. Going forward, it’s important for Congress and the administration to critically examine information distributed by these lobbying firms. Failure to do so may mean Saudi interests trump U.S. values and long-term interests – by Hannah Ousterman

http://www.securityassistance.org/blog/two-us-lobbying-firms-push-discredited-information-yemen-conflict

13.6.2017 – Huffington Post (** B P T)

The Real Largest State Sponsor Of Terrorism

Saudi Arabia—not Iran—is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world today and Wahhabism remains the source of most radical Islamic extremism. For years Iran has borne the unenviable title of “world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism.” However, out of the 61 groups that are designated asterrorist organizationsby the U.S. State Department, the overwhelming majority are Wahhabi-inspired and Saudi-funded groups, with a focus on the West and Iranas their primary enemy. Only two are Shi’a—Hezbollah and Kataib Hezbollah, and only four have ever claimed to receive support from Iran. Nearly all of the Sunni militant groups listed receive significant support from either the Saudi government or Saudi citizens.

The Great Compromise

Wahhabism is an ideology of compromise between the ambitions of the zealot and the needs of the ruler. Wahhabism can be thought of as a religio-political subcategory of the Salafi approach to Islam.

Exporting Jihad And Buying Friends

Some contend that Wahhabism and Saudi Arabia are being used as scapegoats when in fact the real causes of Islamist terrorism are far more complex.

t is certainly true that not all Sunni extremist movements find their roots in Wahhabism. Al Qaeda was inspired by the anti-state Islamist literature of Muslim Brothers like Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb. But organizations and movements evolve. The al Qaeda we know today is very much a product of the more extreme elements of the Wahhabi movement that is tolerated and promoted by Riyadh. However, it is Pakistan rather than the Arab world, which is the true ground zero of Saudi Arabia’s export of extremism. An invasive strain of Saudi-sponsored Salafism, often referred to as the Ahl-e-Hadith movement, has spread throughout Pakistan, all the while the fundamentalist Deobandi movement is increasinglysupportedby Gulf donors.

In exchange for tolerating Gulf-sponsored terrorism Pakistani leaders get security.

Controlling The Message

The internet age rendered in-person missionary work by Saudi clerics less relevant. The radical messages of Saudi preachers and their protégés can be viewed on mobile phones across the world. Students filter into the seminaries in Mecca and Medina and return to teach at the hundreds of madrasas spread across the world. These representatives of the Kingdom do not always preach a militant message. Sometimes, and perhaps more dangerously, they preach an apologist one.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia spends millions on public relations firms in Washington D.C. every year in order to ensure it is not viewed as a state sponsor—or even enabler—of terrorism. The Kingdom attempts to contain the effects of its own hate preachers by campaigning to distance itself from the most egregious acts of terrorism in the Muslim world while still embracing a Salafi message. All the while in D.C. the Kingdom scrambles to disassociate itself not only from terrorism but from extremism altogether.

A Complicated Relationship One Terrorism Policy

The U.S. must stop treating implicit and explicit state sponsors of terrorism differently. Saudi Arabia’s compartmentalized efforts at containing rather than eradicating extremism should not be lauded as a genuine partnership. States that clandestinely sponsor terrorism, albeit sloppily, must be held to the same standards as those that openly provide support – by Adam Weinstein

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-real-largest-state-sponsor-of-terrorism_us_58cafc26e4b00705db4da8aa

13.6.2017 – Atlantic Council (** A P)

The Arab World’s Sorry State

The Arab world is in a sorry state. The spat between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Qatar is but the latest symptom of an enduring serious rot in governance and a destructive power struggle in the wake of the Arab Spring. This situation is compounded by a lack of constructive dialogue on addressing the challenges that face most countries of the region.

Qatar’s excommunication from the GCC is the latest schism to hit what has seemed, at least since 2011, to be a stable and unified bloc.

The rift within the GCC, or at least this latest manifestation of it, has more to do with power and leadership than terrorism. GCC members are mostly opposed to maintaining good relations with Iran, talking to the Houthis in Yemen, and supporting some Islamist factions in the region. Support for the Muslim Brotherhood, specifically, has been an issue of contention between Qatar, which supports the Brotherhood, and Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which generally do not. On this, too, Saudi Arabia has been at odds with the UAE over which groups to support inside Yemen. Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition in the fight against the Houthis, has itself accepted Yemen’s Islah party, which houses within its coalition the country’s Muslim Brotherhood. To boot, Riyadh continues to host and rely on Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a Yemeni Islamist general who has a long history of shady deals and alliances.
The point of variance on all these issues is not so much the principle behind the particular policy but the question of who strategizes and who leads.

In a perfect world, the region’s intellectual leaders would think collectively and the nations act in concert to ease the situation. Unfortunately, this is an age of intellectual decline in the Arab world. There are no literary giants or political philosophers to offer guidance, no benevolent rulers to persuade rather than coerce, and no solidarity among the big powers to help ease the pain—conditions which are likely to endure and fester for years to come – by Nabeel Khoury

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-arab-world-s-sorry-state

13.6.2017 – The Intercept (** B K)

U.S. HAS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGED A FIFTH OF LETHAL DRONE STRIKES, NEW STUDY FINDS

OVER THE PAST DECADE, the United States has claimed broad authority to carry out drone strikes across the world, even in places far from the battlefield. Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. acknowledged killing between 2,867 and 3,138 people in strikes that took place in countries like Somalia, Yemen, and Pakistan.

The authors of the new report say that the government’s failure to provide information or legal rationales for its strikes is making it impossible to understand the full scope of the government’s targeted killing program, as well as its impact on civilians.

“For years, the only way we knew anything about individual strikes was from media reports or individual statements about strikes from government officials,” said Alex Moorehead, of the Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute, highlighting the failure of the government to provide details about cases in which drones have been used for targeted killings. “When we talk about official acknowledgment, we are talking about specific information about individual strikes, which is what matters to people who have had loved ones killed.”

There is a difference in how Western civilians are treated versus non-Western civilians,” Moorehead said. “Of all the civilians who have been killed in these strikes, only the two Westerners who were killed in a 2016 strike have ever received any acknowledgement, apology, or compensation from the government.”

Locals in Yemen have alleged that, in recent months, drone strikes carried out by the Trump administration killed civilians on numerous occasions. - by Murtaza Hussain

https://theintercept.com/2017/06/13/drone-strikes-columbia-law-human-rights-yemen/

13.6.2017 – Just Security (** B K P)

U.S. Secrecy and Transparency in the Use of Lethal Force

As highlighted in a new report published today by Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Clinic and the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, the heightened prospect of abuse and civilian harm under the new administration makes transparency more important than ever.

The report is the first comprehensive review of the extent of U.S. secrecy and transparency about drone strikes and lethal operations and covers a 15-year period (2002-17), focusing on Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen, where, for many years, “targeted killings” and drone strikes have been carried out in great secrecy far from traditional battlefields. The report grades the U.S. government on its transparency record, marking the government according to a five-point scale ranging from “no/almost no transparency” to “complete transparency.”

Here we set out how transparent the U.S. government has been, present a new framework for transparency and our evaluation of U.S. practice between 2002-17, and run through the different reasons why transparency is important. We finish by looking ahead and providing some key data points that will aid in assessing the Trump Administration’s approach to this issue. We believe our model can also be applied to other countries, including U.S. allies and adversaries alike.

How Transparent is the U.S. Government?

Overall, we found that despite some important, if belated, steps toward greater transparency between 2010 and 2016, the U.S. government has been highly secretive. While the Bush era and the early part of the Obama presidency were marked by almost complete secrecy in this area, in the latter part of President Obama’s tenure the government made several key disclosures.

The U.S. government, however, is still secretive in a number of important areas. Nearly all past strikes and civilian casualties remain unexplained, and operations and strikes in Pakistan remain cloaked in secrecy. Our research reveals that the government has officially acknowledged just over 20 percent of the more than 700 reported strikes in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen since 2002. There is a dearth of information about accountability for wrongdoing and the legal basis for specific strikes, and the U.S. government has also failed to explain key legal and policy rules, the specific terms that are relevant to such an assessment, and how they apply.

Our key conclusions are:

Evaluating Government Transparency and Secrecy about the Use of Lethal Force

We analyzed U.S. practice in four key areas: transparency about applicable law and policy; transparency about actual strike practices; transparency about government decision-making processes; and transparency about accountability. With a focus on U.S. practice in Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen—where, for many years, strikes have been carried out far from traditional battlefields and in great secrecy—we graded the U.S. government’s record against a five-point color-coded scale ranging from “no/almost no transparency” to “complete transparency.”

In terms of legal and policy transparency, the U.S. government receives mostly low grades. Following years of almost complete secrecy, and following litigation and heavy domestic and international pressure, between 2010-2016 the U.S. government publicly explained important elements of its legal reasoning, the legal basis for strikes, and key policy standards. However, important details remain unclear:

Calls for transparency have been particularly vocal in relation to transparency about specific strikes and U.S. practices, where for many years there was almost complete secrecy. There have been changes. In 2014 in Somalia, and in 2016 in Yemen, the U.S. military began officially and regularly acknowledging strikes. However, for earlier strikes, and almost all strikes in Pakistan, there is almost no official acknowledgment at all.

Importantly, the U.S. government also began releasing civilian casualty data in 2016, and again in 2017. However, the U.S. government’s figures have been the subject of some debate, and criticized by a number of commentators. As the government has provided only very basic statistics, it is difficult to engage in a serious review or analysis of the U.S. government’s numbers. A more detailed breakdown is needed, including at least by country and location, and also by age and sex – by Alex Mooreheadand Waleed Alhariri

https://www.justsecurity.org/42059/u-s-secrecy-transparency-lethal-force/ and the full report: https://www.outoftheshadowsreport.com/ and in full PDF: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5931d79d9de4bb4c9cf61a25/t/593f49e11e5b6cb307698c68/1497319914374/Out+of+the+Shadows+FINAL.pdf

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Cholera / Most important: Cholera

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

14.6.2017 – UNICEF Yemen (** A H)

#Choleraoutbreak and acute watery diarrhea continue to escalate with 135,207 cases recorded as of 13 June and 974 associated deaths.

https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Yemen/status/875092442030256128

14.6.2017 – Save the Children (** A H)

Alle 35 Sekunden steckt sich ein Kind im Jemen mit Cholera an

Die Cholera-Epidemie im Jemen gerät außer Kontrolle, mindestens ein Kind wird jede Minute mit dem potenziell tödlichen Erreger angesteckt, warnt die Kinderrechtsorganisation Save the Children. Damit hat sich die Infektionsrate in den vergangenen zwei Wochen mehr als verdreifacht: Geschätzte 5.470 neue Verdachtsfälle treten täglich auf, davon 46% bei Kindern unter 15 Jahren.

"Das ärmste Land der Region steht kurz davor, zusammenzubrechen", warnt Grant Pritchard, Länderdirektor von Save the Children Jemen. "Kinder sterben, weil sie keine medizinische Grundversorgung erhalten. Die tödliche Epidemie kann nur aufgehalten werden, wenn wir medizinische Hilfe in den Jemen bringen können - was durch inakzeptable Auflagen und lange Verzögerungen, z.B. durch die Schließung des Flughafens von Sana'a, verhindert wird. Wir von Save the Children fordern, dass die finanziellen Mittel für die Nothilfe erheblich angehoben werden, bevor Tausende jemenitischer Jungen und Mädchen an einer gänzlich vermeidbaren Krankheit sterben."

Mehr als 2 Millionen Kinder Jemens sind akut mangelernährt und damit besonders gefährdet, weil ihre geschwächten Immunsysteme nicht gegen die Krankheit ankommen. Bereits jetzt sterben mehr als 30 Menschen täglich an Cholera/AWD (Acute Watery Diarrhoe). 300.000 neue Fälle werden für die kommenden Monate vorausgesagt. Jemens Gesundheitssystem kollabiert unter der großen Anzahl kranker Menschen, die Symptome wie Durchfall, Sich-übergeben und Austrocknen zeigen. Die Cholera breitet sich schnell aus.

Dabei ist Cholera einfach und günstig zu behandeln, vorausgesetzt Patienten haben Zugang zur entsprechenden Versorgung. Doch die angeschlagene logistische und soziale Infrastruktur des Landes, die Nahrungsmittelunsicherheit, das versagende Wirtschaftssystem und der andauernde Krieg verhindern, dass die Menschen rechtzeitig Hilfe finden können. Krankenhäuser sind überfüllt, gleichzeitig können sie nur eingeschränkt arbeiten, weil es an Medikamenten, Ausstattung und Personal mangelt. Einige wurden zu Zielen bewaffneter Angriffe im andauernden Konflikt. Besonders schwierig ist die Situation in den entlegeneren Gebieten des Landes. Die Cholera hat auch wegen des Mangels an sauberem Wasser leichtes Spiel.

Der 53-jährige Saleh erzählt Mitarbeitern von Save the Children von den Schwierigkeiten, seine kranken Kinder ins Krankenhaus zu bringen:

Weitere Zahlen und Statistiken finden Sie im unteren Teil dieser Pressemeldung.

http://www.presseportal.de/pm/106106/3659684 und für Abonennten: https://www.wort.lu/de/international/lage-im-jemen-eine-katastrophe-alles-verloren-ausser-unseren-glauben-an-gott-5940cf6da5e74263e13c2025

14.6.2017 – Save the Children (** A H)

YEMEN CHOLERA EPIDEMIC INFECTING ONE CHILD EVERY MINUTE

A deadly cholera epidemic sweeping Yemen is spiralling out of control, with at least one child infected every minute, warns Save the Children.

The rate of infection has more than tripled over the past two weeks, and 46% of the estimated 5,470 new daily cases of suspected cholera/acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) are children under 15 years.

This means an average of 105 children are contracting cholera/AWD every hour – or one every 35 seconds.

More than 30 people a day are already dying, many of them children, and thousands could perish with up to 300,000 cases predicted in the coming months.

More than 2 million Yemeni children are acutely malnourished and they are particularly vulnerable, as their weaker immune systems are unable to fend off the illness.

Yemen is in the grip of a full-blown epidemic. But treating cholera is easy and inexpensive, providing patients can get the treatment they need.

Yemen’s crippled infrastructure, food insecurity, failing economy and the ongoing war, mean many are unable to seek out help in time, with hospitals overwhelmed and short of supplies. The situation is particularly bad in more remote parts of the country with little or no access to health services. War, near-famine conditions and a complete breakdown in basic social services, including affordable transportation and access to clean water, are making the outbreak worse.

53-year-old Saleh told Save the Children of the difficulty getting his sick children to hospital:

Yemen’s health services can’t cope with the huge numbers of sick people presenting themselves with symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration. Cholera is contagious and is spreading quickly because hospitals are not operating at full capacity. Some have been targeted by parties to the conflict.

Grant Pritchard, Yemen Country Director, Save the Children, said:

Disease, starvation and war are causing a perfect storm of disaster for Yemen’s people. The region’s poorest country is on the verge of total collapse, and children are dying because they’re not able to access basic healthcare.

“Unacceptable restrictions on bringing aid and medical supplies into Yemen, including long delays accessing the main Hodeida port and the closure of Sana’a airport, make the fight to halt this deadly epidemic even harder.

“Save the Children is calling for a significant increase in emergency funding. It’s time for the world to take action before thousands of Yemeni boys and girls perish from an entirely preventable disease.

As of the 13th June, 129,185 suspected cholera/acute watery diarrhoea cases and 942 deaths have been registered in 20 of Yemen’s 22 governorates. More deaths are occurring in communities that cannot be reached due to insecurity. In the past week, there has been an average of about 5,470 new cases per day.

Age and gender distribution – 46% of suspected cholera cases are children under 15 while 54% of the suspected cases are girls/women.

https://yemen.savethechildren.net/news/yemen-cholera-epidemic-infecting-one-child-every-minute and by The Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/yemen-cholera-epidemic-contagious-infection-one-child-every-minute-save-children-research-a7789786.html

14.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (** A H)

One child infected every 35 seconds in Yemen cholera crisis

The infectious disease has now killed nearly 1,000 people, even though it is easily treatable

In Yemen, cholera is spreading so quickly that one child is infected nearly every 35 seconds, according to Save the Children.

The infectious disease, which is spread via contaminated food and water, can prove fatal if not treated quickly, and is already killing around 30 people each day.

Some 942 cholera-related deaths have been registered, and the rate of infection has more than tripled over the past two weeks.

Dr Mariam, a doctor working in Hodeida on Save the Children’s cholera response, said the situation was critical.

“You can see the fear in the eyes of the mothers, they are afraid to lose their children, their husbands, their relatives,” she told MEE.

Children have proved most susceptible she said, as most are already suffering from malnutrition, so their immunity is low.

And the infectious disease is spreading so quickly due to the lack of clean drinking water. “More than 60 percent of Yemeni people do not have access to clean water, what do you think the situation will be?”

While the treatment for cholera is simple, many patients do not manage to get help in time, she said.

“There are a lot of people you cannot support... sometimes I feel so angry and depressed that I cannot help these people. I am a medical doctor,” she said, sounding exasperated.

“The war needs to stop. We need peace. We need aid,” she added.

“Children did not cause this war.”

Many thousands more cholera-related deaths are expected, Save the Children says, with 300,000 new cases predicted in the coming months – by Olivia Alabaster

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/one-child-infected-every-35-seconds-yemen-cholera-outbreak-spreads-rapidly-402433101

14.6.2017 – Euronews (** A H)

Film: Alarm raised about cholera epidemic in Yemen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC64l5K0alk

14.6.2017 – Yemen Today (* A H)

Film: Yemen B and B distributes therapeutic aid to cholera patients in Mahweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_4TFgIAl80

14.6.2017 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (* A H)

Cholera outbreak spreading very fast n my city Zabid of Hodeidah.Ppl dying there as no immedite action taken yet2face the epidemic

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/875122627924434948

The lack of health services in the only hospital of Zabid in Hodeidah prevents 100s cholera suspected cases to be treated there.

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/875124245088567296

13.6.2017 – OCHA Yemen (** A H)

#Cholerais crippling #Yemeni youth as 26% of cholera cases reported are among 15-29 years old.

https://twitter.com/OCHAYemen/status/874612081579802628

13.6.2017 – Reuters (** H)

Cholera rages across Yemen, one child infected every minute: charity

A cholera epidemic raging across Yemen is spiraling out of control, with around one child falling sick every minute, an aid agency warned on Wednesday.

Thousands of people could die in the coming months with up to 300,000 cases predicted, Save the Children said, adding that the infection rate had tripled in a fortnight.

The country's health system - already on its knees - is reeling with hospitals overwhelmed and quickly running out of medicines and intravenous fluids.

The U.N. children's agency UNICEF said more than 920 people had died from the disease since late April and more than 124,000 cases had been recorded – almost half of them children.

Grant Pritchard, Save the Children's representative in Yemen, called for an increase in emergency funding to tackle the epidemic.

"It's time for the world to take action before thousands of Yemeni boys and girls perish from an entirely preventable disease," he said in a statement.

"Disease, starvation and war are causing a perfect storm of disaster for Yemen's people. The region's poorest country is on the verge of total collapse, and children are dying because they're not able to access basic healthcare."

Pritchard said restrictions on bringing aid and medical supplies into Yemen, including delays accessing Hodeidah port and the closure of Sanaa airport, were compounding difficulties in halting the epidemic.

Unaffordable transport is also making it hard for people to reach treatment.

One man told the charity he had been forced to seek help for his children in the capital Sanaa, more than 200 km (125 miles) from his home, because his local hospital was full. The trip had cost 35,000 Yemen rial ($140).

A nurse at a Sanaa cholera unit said there was one day when they had received more than 550 cases.

"Every hour we receive patients. We work here 24 hours. People come from all governorates across the country," the nurse added. "I have come across many sad stories." - by Emma Batha

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-cholera-idUSKBN19502N

13.6.2017 – AFP (** A H)

Cholera leaves Yemen hospitals in constant code black

At Yemen's Sabaeen Hospital, code black is an understatement: patients sleep three to a bed, on the bare floor or outside in tents as cholera brings a country torn by war to its knees.

Six weeks into the second outbreak of the deadly disease in less than a year, at least one patient checks in at Sabaeen every 60 seconds, leaving staff unable to cope.

"Over the past two weeks, we've been receiving patients at a rate of one or two, sometimes even three, per minute," said Ismail Mansuri, a doctor treating cholera patients at Sabaeen.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed, with cholera cases putting emergency rooms in constant code black -- when a hospital is unable to cope with the number of patients.

"The hike in contraction is beyond troubling," said Maher al-Hada of Yemen's Center to Fight Cholera.

"We have a good 300 patients come through our doors every day".

Like other medics, Hada struggles to secure access to electricity, clean water and basic medical supplies as Yemen's Saudi-backed government remains locked in a war with Huthi rebels allied with Iran.

Damage to sewage systems, the electricity grid and piping have left Yemen's main water supplies contaminated with the bacteria, and the crisis is only expected to escalate as the rain season approaches.

In the southern province of Aden, where the Yemeni government is based, foul-smelling stagnant water has turned black, attracting mosquitos and insects that experts warn are a potent means of transmitting contagious diseases.

Majid al-Daari, head of the cholera treatment centre at the Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aden, said his facility has seen more than 200 cases this week alone.

In the northern province of Lahj, Mazen al-Sayed said the privilege of having a car saved his mother's life.

"Honestly it's because I have a car that my mother is still alive. Others die on the spot," said Sayed.

The message from aid agencies is unequivocal: more aid is needed to stem the disease from turning into an all-out epidemic – by Jamil Nasser

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/cholera-leaves-yemen-hospitals-in-constant-code-black/article/494980 and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=_US4KgtKRYs

13.6.2017 – International Red Cross (** A H)

Yemen: Health system at breaking point as cholera spreads at unprecedented rate

As the number of suspected cholera cases in Yemen reaches unprecedented levels, with one in every 200 Yemenis suspected of having been infected with the disease, the ICRC is stepping up its response to the crisis. The Yemen public health system is under massive strain due to the ongoing conflict in the country and has no capacity to care for the population.

"More than 5,000 suspected new cases have been reported daily during the past week. The spread of the disease, which started just over a month ago, is accelerating," said the ICRC's health coordinator in Yemen, Maria del Pilar Bauza Moreno. " It's concerning that severe suspected cholera cases now account for about half of the total, which is more than double what we usually observe during such outbreaks," added Ms Bauza Moreno. According to the health authorities in the capital, Sana'a, the number of suspected cases nationwide exceeded 124,000 two days ago, with more than 900 people dead as a result of infection – by Rachel Thompson

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/yemen-health-system-breaking-point-cholera-spreads-unprecedented-rate

13.6.2017 – World Health Organisation (* A H)

Map: Yemen: Cholera Attack rate Per 10,000 Population (From 27 April - 13 June 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-cholera-attack-rate-10000-population-27-april-13-june-2017 and in full https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/map_130617_attackrate.pdf

13.6.2017 – Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (** A H)

Film: Jemen: Cholera-Ausbruch verschärft die humanitäre Lage

Nach zwei Jahren bewaffneten Konflikt mit über 7.600 Todesopfern, leiden im Jemen rund 3,3 Millionen Menschen an akuter Mangelernährung. Seit Mai 2015 ist erneut die Cholera ausgebrochen, was die Situation für die Bevölkerung weiter verschärft. Rund 800 Menschen sind bereits an der Durchfallerkrankung gestorben. Über 100.000 gelten als Verdachtsfälle. Das Deutsche Rote Kreuz hilft gemeinsam mit dem IKRK und dem Jemenitischen Roten Halbmond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXBweofsKNM

13.6.2017 – Chatham House (** A H)

Yemen’s Cholera Outbreak Can Be Stopped

There are a number of key response efforts ongoing. To prevent further contamination, hundreds of wells, as well as private tanks and sources in the public water network, have been chlorinated. Thousands of kits containing water purification tablets for people to treat water in their homes have been distributed. Cholera awareness campaigns are being broadcast daily across Yemen, with key hygiene messages around prevention. As well as supporting vital public services by improving access to water and sanitation, and collecting garbage, emergency responders are also providing access to healthcare. A network of temporary cholera treatments centres has been set up in affected areas.

However, scaling up such a decentralized and extensive response enough to keep up with the pace of this epidemic’s ‘unprecedented’ spread is challenging. Only 10 per cent of the smaller ‘oral rehydration’ corners have been set up, along with only 20 per cent of planned cholera centres. Waste management (vital for prevention) does not have enough resources.

Most of the treatment facilities are set up around Sana’a, meaning that while the outbreak is slowly being controlled in the capital, in other cities and in rural areas not enough help is present. Meanwhile, people continue to seek care at hospitals where they may be unnecessarily treated with intravenous fluid and antibiotics. For severe cases this is necessary, but given the country’s resource shortages, the preservation of precious medical supplies is critically important.

However, money and resources are only part of the solution; in addition, support to end this epidemic also means confronting the politics that have facilitated the rapid spread of the disease. This means, for example, working to lift the import restrictions that limit the availability of essential commodities such as fuel, compelling authorities to pay public sector salaries, and advocating for humanitarian interventions to be protected when warring parties are attacking or obstructing the provision of healthcare.

https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/yemen-s-cholera-outbreak-can-be-stopped

My comment: The last point certainly is the most important.

13.6.2017 – AlMasirah TV (** A H)

Film: Cholera epidemic hits the lives of citizens in the districts of Hajjah

The cholera epidemic strikes the lives of citizens in the Tihama district under pretext and sweeps the villages and the desert to the camps of displacement.
The cholera epidemic has spread alarmingly among displaced people in Abes district in Hajja in light of the low level of health services in the area.
About 4,000 suspected cases of the epidemic have been transferred to the health center in Bani Hassan for treatment, exacerbating the suffering and warning of a humanitarian disaster, prompting those concerned to make an urgent emergency call to support the health side to contain this ever-increasing disaster. (Arabic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa9KDjp7jQQ

13.6.2017 – UNICEF (** A H)

Children account for half of all suspected cholera cases in Yemen

Statement attributable to Meritxell Relaño, UNICEF Representative in Yemen

“The cholera outbreak in Yemen continues to spread at an alarming speed. Over 124,000 cases have been recorded – almost half of them are children.
“Children continue to bear the brunt of the war in Yemen. Many who have become ill or have died from cholera were suffering from malnutrition. At least 923 people have died from the disease since late April. Children account for one quarter of the deaths.
“The cholera outbreak is overwhelming what remains of Yemen’s conflict-battered health system. Hospitals and treatment centres are struggling to cope with the large number of patients coming in from across the country. Medicines and intravenous fluids are quickly running out.
“But despite these massive challenges, health workers have spared no effort in responding to the emergency - even when their salaries have not been paid for nearly nine months.
“Without an urgent solution to pay health workers, more children will die – no matter how much humanitarian aid is delivered to the country.
“With no end in sight to the conflict, the cholera outbreak – and potentially other disease will continue to stalk the lives of children.”

https://www.unicef.org/mena/media_12026.html

12.6.2017 - World Health Organization, UN Children's Fund, WASH Cluster, Health Cluster (** A H)

Yemen: Acute Watery Diarrhea / Cholera Outbreak - Situation Report #5 (12 June 2017)

• From 27 April to 12 June 2017, a total of 124,002 suspected cholera cases were reported from 20 governorates. Out of the total reported cases, 923 deaths were reported (0.7% case fatality rate).

• The number of deaths reported over the last four weeks is almost five times higher than deaths reported from October 2016 to March 2017.

• More than half of the suspected cholera cases have been reported from Sana’a City (21,538), Hudaydah (14,107), Hajjah (13,279) and Amran (13,148).

• Amanat Al Asimah has still been reporting the highest number of suspected cholera cases (21,538 cases) followed by Alhudeide governorate (14,107 cases) and Hajjah (13,279 cases). However, Al-Mahweet governorate accounted for the highest attack rate (93.7 per 10 000), followed by Sana’a governorate (87.6 per 10 000), Amran (85.9 per 10 000) and Amanat Al Asimah (65.1 per 10 000).

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-acute-watery-diarrhea-cholera-outbreak-situation-report-5-12-june-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Situation%20Report%20Cholera%20H%26WASH%2012%20June%202017...pdf

12.6.2017 - World Health Organization (* A H)

Map: Yemen: Cholera Attack rate Per 10,000 Population (From 27 April - 12 June 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-cholera-attack-rate-10000-population-27-april-12-june-2017 and in full: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/map_c_attack_rate_12-06-2017.pdf

11.6.2017 - World Health Organization (* A H)

Yemen: Cholera outbreak response situation report no 3 (27 April to 11 June 2017)

Highlights

  • From 27 April to 12 June 2017, 124,002 suspected cholera cases and 923 deaths (CFR: 0.7%)have been reported across the country from 275 districts in 20 out of the country’s 23 governorates.

  • The overall case fatality ratio (CFR) is 0.7%, while it is 3.2% among people aged over 60.

  • Of the total reported cases, 65 709 (53%) are women, while 22 448 (18 %) are children below the age of five.

  • More than half of the suspected cholera cases have been reported from four governorates: Amanat Al Asimah, Al Hudeideh, Hajjah and Amran.

  • A total of 391 stool samples from 20 governorates have tested positive for Vibrio Cholerae, serotype Ougawa.

  • The overall attack rate is 41.8 per 10 000 of population.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-cholera-outbreak-response-situation-report-no-3-27-april-11-june-2017 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/YEMEN%20SITREP_Final_11_June%20%20updated%20version%202%20%283%29.pdf

cp2 Allgemein / General

14.6.2017 – Democratic Arab Center (B K P)

The Structural Crisis in Yemen: The dialectical relationship between state and tribe

Historically, tribes were permanent actors in the political life in Islamic world as the condition of choosing the rulers of Islamic state – after the Prophet Muhammad’s era – was to be from (Qurish).

The Tribe retained its Political importance and religious influencein Yemen in a form of (Imamah) of the descendants – as claimed – of (Imam Zaid) who is the descendant of (Ali ibnAbi-Taleb)


The incorporation of tribal leaders into state structures blurs the distinction between tribal and state political system.

3-The state could stand synonymously for a politico-societal-economic-historical construct with a high degree of networking effects.

Yemen is in need of Strong regional and global support to enforce state existence and rebuild state institutions.

So,the argument about the structural crisis of Yemen raises the questions about the efforts that should be made in restoring state legitimacy ; Is it Nation-Building or State-Building?

Yemen needs to carry out Nation-building processes that could help in fulfilling state objectives to build a modern and more unified social base supported by the rule of law and social justice with a popular sense of common national identity, because “states are based on a kind of Mechanical solidarity to bind social groups and entities together”([28]).

It is also could be beneficial for Yemen to be a Federal state that could guardant a more democratic political climate and ending the role of hegemonic tribes or groups - by Diaa Nouh Abo Al-Ola

http://www.democraticac.de/?p=47148

14.6.2017 – Aljazeera (* A H K)

A recollection of Yemen's Ramadan spirit

The now besieged Yemeni city of Taiz once bustled with joyful vibes and plenty of food during the holy month.

In 2015, Taiz, a coastal governorate in southwest Yemen, known for its fertile valleys, was placed under siege as fighting escalated between rival groups. Supply routes were blocked and residents of Taiz took the brunt of the conflict. By March 2017, around 350,000 people were still in need of urgent medical aid.

For Bushra*, a Taiz resident who moved to Doha last year, Taiz will always be a city of generous people.The thirty-nine-year-old housewife muses that despite their dire economic conditions, the people of Taiz will always find something to give to others. Here, she recalls Ramadan in the city of her childhood.

I lived in Taiz during the siege. We could not even find wheat to cook. All we had was tea and bread, but that was not the worst part. How can I describe the fear? It encompassed every one of us. It would take hold every time a missile flew over the house. It is a fear that settles in your bones, and stays with you long after the sound of strikes has ceased – by Zineb Abdessadok

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/06/recollection-yemen-ramadan-spirit-170606112356122.html

14.6.2017 – New –York Times (* A K P)

Saudi Arabia Tries to Ease Concerns Over Civilian Deaths in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is engaging in a $750 million, multiyear training program through the American military to help prevent the accidental killing of civilians in the Saudi-led air campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The kingdom has also promised to take steps to ease American concerns about an air campaign that has killed more than 9,000 civilians in more than two years of conflict, according to a private letter that Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir wrote to Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson before President Trump’s visit to the kingdom last month, another tacit acknowledgment of the weaknesses of the Saudi armed forces.

The additional training and new safeguards effectively amount to important new conditions on the $110 billion in proposed arms deals that the United States is preparing to seal with Saudi Arabia, which Mr. Trump announced during his trip.

These conditions may also have played a role in the Senate’s narrow approval of the first installment of Mr. Trump’s weapons sales — more than $510 million in precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia.

But senior American officials who have worked closely with the Saudis in recent years to help them improve targeting procedures said that while the additional training was important, it would be effective only if Defense and State Department officials monitor the program closely.

“This training package sets an important precedent to focus on preventing civilian casualties,” said Larry L. Lewis, a former senior official at the State Department who visited Saudi Arabia five times in 2015 and 2016 to help the country’s air force improve its targeting procedures and investigations. “But the follow-through is critical. Those things are necessary but not sufficient to help them solve their problems.”

This training for the Royal Saudi Air Force and other Saudi forces, which American officials said has started, includes subjects like human rights, flight training and how to avoid civilian casualties.

In addition, Mr. Jubeir promised in his letter, which was viewed by The New York Times, that Saudi Arabia would adhere to the international Law of Armed Conflict and expand the list of targets in Yemen that are off-limits to airstrikes to about 33,000.

Two senior American officials said that in many Saudi strikes supporting troops under fire and targeting so-called pop-up targets, or militants on the move, Saudi military planners were not regularly consulting the no-strike list, which includes sites like mosques and marketplaces.

The Saudis also agreed to observe stricter rules of engagement and consider in their targeting procedures specific estimates about potential harm to civilians and civilian buildings — a practice not fully integrated in the Saudi-led air campaign, American officials said.

Finally, the Saudis will allow American military advisers to sit in the Saudi air operations control center in Riyadh; previously, a tiny American military team was permitted to operate only from another office to coordinate the limited American logistical assistance to the campaign.

“We feel we have truly reset the relationship as a result of his visit,” Timothy A. Lenderking, a deputy assistant secretary of state focusing on the region, said in an interview.

Congressional opponents of the arms sales strongly disagreed. - by Eric Schmitt

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-arms-training-yemen.html?_r=0

My comment: What a ridiculous propaganda shit is this???? Who really would bet just one penny for this???

14.6.2017 – Reuters (* B K)

Urban warfare takes heavy civilian toll in Syria, Iraq, Yemen - ICRC

Urban warfare is taking root in conflicts across the Middle East, with five times more civilians in Syria and Iraq killed in cities than in rural areas over the past three years, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of war-related fatalities among city dwellers accounted for 70 percent of civilian deaths in the two countries during the period, the agency said. The Yemeni cities of Taiz, Sadaa and Sanaa have also become deadly battlefields.

The phenomenon is not limited to the Middle East, Mardini said. "We see also that many other conflicts are taking place in urban areas in other places such as Somalia and Afghanistan and other countries."

Battles raging in cities, which are "today the new normal unfortunately", damage vital infrastructure and disrupt basic services including health care, Mardini said - By Stephanie Nebehay

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-redcross-idUKKBN1952R3?rpc=401&

13.6.2017 – Jeremy Konyndyk, Former US Foreign Disaster Assistance chief (* B H P)

Tillerson flat wrong to propose UN should control port b/c Houthis stealing aid. UN already controls aid flows. Really troubling claim.

https://twitter.com/JeremyKonyndyk/status/874681936442261504

100% guarantee he heard it on the trip to the Gulf. We were not getting credible reports of this when I was in Administration.

https://twitter.com/JeremyKonyndyk/status/874684702346686465

Commetn by Mark Leon Goldberg: Former top us humanitarian aid official re: Tillerson's claim that anti- Saudi rebels are steeling aid in Yemen.

https://twitter.com/MarkLGoldberg/status/874685717955231744

My comment: Important, revealing that at least most of the claims that the Houthis are stealing relief goods is odd Saudi / Hadi gov. / US propaganda

13.6.2017 – Fuad Rajeh (* A P)

#Yemen-i journalist Fuad Rajeh expressing the country's conviction.

''Aljazeera's report about UAE secret jails in Yemen has exposed how this media network is not professional.
Aljazeera did not report about UAE actions and Saudi-led coalition's crimes in Yemen before the Qatar crisis. Now it has started to talk about UAE secret jails in Yemen. It will talk more about the UAE violations and suspicious role as well as crimes of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in the future as long as the crisis with Qatar continues.
I am confident after their crisis is over, Aljazeera will return to its nature: covering up UAE, Saudi and US crimes and violations in Yemen and other regions.
Aljazeera, Alarabiya and Sky News Arabia are deeply manipulated by political agendas and ambitions of GCC states at the expense of their profession and the truth.''

https://www.facebook.com/fuad.rajeh/posts/10208817335182886

13.6.2017 – Al Araby (B K)

Ramadan in Yemen: The bloodshed continues

Yemen is at war, and Ramadan this year will not pass without bloodshed. For three consecutive years now, Yemeni citizens have endured a Ramadan devoid of joy or peace.

Since the beginning of this holy month, the fighting on numerous front lines has intensified, and the number of lives lost continues to accumulate.

Common sense appears to have vanished from the country's leaders, intolerance is engulfing society and the thirst for revenge is spreading like wildfire. The Ramadan atrocities stand as a solid proof. Last week, armed confrontations also killed dozens of fighters in Taiz from both sides – by Khalid Al-Karimi

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2017/6/13/ramadan-in-yemen-the-bloodshed-continues

Comment by Judith Brown: https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155620408383641

13.6.2017 – Politico (* B P)

Meet the Two Princes Reshaping the Middle East

But for good or ill?

The dramatic and sudden effort to isolate Qatar, like the fateful intervention before it in Yemen, sprang from the shared vision of two princes. Depending on your point of view, they may be the harbingers of a new and better Middle East—or reckless architects of disaster.

Indeed, the region’s most important relationship may be the dynamic duo of Muhammad bin Salman, the 31-year-old deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and Muhammad bin Zayed, the 56-year-old crown prince of Abu Dhabi, the lead sheikhdom of the United Arab Emirates. They share not only a desire to wage twin battles against Iran and Islamic radicalism, but also a deep appreciation for their conservative Gulf countries’ reliance on the United States. Together, they have shrewdly cultivated President Donald Trump, who is eager to show that he has a new strategy for defeating terrorism and confronting Tehran.

The reasons for the princes’ evident mutual regard can only be guessed at—Gulf monarchies are maddeningly opaque. Known to foreign diplomats and business executives as MBS and MBZ – by Simon Henderson

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/13/saudi-arabia-middle-east-donald-trump-215254

My comment: „But for good or ill?“ This question should be rhetoric. The ill can be seen in Yemen for more than 2 years now. - And they would beat a battle against „ Islamic radicalism“?? LOL. If they would, they would lead a battle against their own states.

Comment by Judith Brown: Not a critical analysis from someone who obviously has links with 'the establishment' but nonetheless it gives an insight into the rule and ambitions of the driving forces behind Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi - who are de facto rulers as the actual rulers are too frail to take on their responsibilities.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155622988598641

13.6.2017 – Tagesspiegel (B H K)

Kämpfe im Armenhaus der arabischen Welt

Bomben, Hunger, Cholera: Wie Millionen Jemeniten unter dem Dauer-Konflikt zwischen Saudi-Arabien und dem Iran leiden

http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krieg-im-jemen-kaempfe-im-armenhaus-der-arabischen-welt/19914614.html

Mein Kommentar: Eine eher schnell und stereotyp zusammengeschriebene Übersicht. Iran spielt im Jemen eben nur eine untergeordnete Rolle.

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

14.6.2017 – SRF (* A H)

Film: Unermessliches Elend in Jemen

http://www.watson.ch/u/videos/!16271

14.6.2017 – World Food Programme (* A H)

Infographic: UNHRD Operations Update - Response to the Crisis in Yemen, as of 14 June 2017

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unhrd-operations-update-response-crisis-yemen-14-june-2017 and in full http://unhrd.org/sites/default/files/unhrd_yemen_14.06.17.pdf

14.6.2017 - Inter-Agency Standing Committee (A H)

IASC Snapshot: Yemen’s New Way of Working

Under the leadership of the Secretary-General, and his call to ensure a coordinated approach between humanitarian and development actors in the four countries facing famine or at risk of famine (South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and North-East Nigeria) the UN in Yemen is further stepping up the cooperation between humanitarian and development agencies, to strengthen collaboration, coordination and alignment and working towards common goals.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/iasc-snapshot-yemen-s-new-way-working and in full http://interagencystandingcommittee.org/system/files/un_snapshot_yemen.pdf

14.6.2017 - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (* A H)

Infographic: Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan - Funding Status (As of 14 June 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-humanitarian-response-plan-funding-status-14-june-2017-enar and in full: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/yemen_funding_snapshot_20170614_en.pdf

14.6.2017 – AFP (* A H P)

UNO: Weniger als 30 Prozent der zugesagten Hilfen für den Jemen überwiesen

Ungeachtet der Not im Jemen sind erst weniger als 30 Prozent der zugesagten Hilfsgelder für das Land eingegangen. Im April hatten die Teilnehmer einer Geberkonferenz 1,1 Milliarden Dollar (gut 981 Millionen Euro) für Maßnahmen gegen die Hungersnot zugesagt. Aber "nur 25 Prozent der Zusagen für das UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerk (UNHCR) und 29 Prozent der Gelder für einen humanitären Aktionsplan der UNO sind bislang überwiesen worden", sagte die UNHCR-Sprecherin Shabia Mantoo am Mittwoch in Sanaa.

http://www.zeit.de/news/2017-06/14/uno-uno-weniger-als-30-prozent-der-zugesagten-hilfen-fuer-den-jemen-ueberwiesen-14172413

14.6.2017 – AFP (* A H P)

Less than 30% of pledged Yemen aid delivered: UN

Less than 30 percent of pledged international aid has been delivered to Yemen this year, a UN official said Wednesday, as millions across the country struggle to survive.

Donors in April pledged close to $1.1 billion (981,500 euros) in aid to war-torn Yemen, which the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs calls the "largest humanitarian crisis in the world".

But "only 25 percent of aid pledged to the UN refugee agency and 29 percent of aid pledged to the UN's humanitarian response plan have been delivered so far," UNHCR's Yemen spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told AFP.

http://www.france24.com/en/20170614-less-30-pledged-yemen-aid-delivered-un

13.6.2017 – Qasim Al-Shawea (A H)

@Yourabilities_ohas distributed 220 food packages during Ramadan, your support is really giving a hope 4 ppl 2 survive (photo)

https://twitter.com/Living_Yemen/status/874416019942645760/photo/1

13.6.2017 – Living in Yemen on the edge (* A H)

URGENT
More than 800 people with renal failure at the dialysis center in Hodeidah are threatened with death.
5 persons from the center of the center stopped their lives after the engine stopped working for 72 hours due to the depletion of solutions.
These patients appeal to the conscience of the living world to save their lives and work to provide solutions and washing tools where the value of one session for a person with a failure of about $ 40. (photos)

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1401698246549868

13.6.2017 – Fars News (* B H)

10,000 Yemeni Patients Died Due to Saudi Seige

Yemen’s Health Ministry announced that Saudi Arabia’s 2015-present aerial embargo against the impoverished country has led to the deaths of around 10,000 patients, who were prevented from travelling abroad for treatment.

Yemeni media quoted the Health Ministry’s Spokesman Abdul-Hakim al-Kuhlani as saying on Tuesday that the deaths were the result of the Saudi regime’s “continued aggression, siege and continued hostile restrictions on Sana’a International Airport.”

He added that some 75,000 patients are estimated to be in need of seeking treatment abroad each year, slamming Riyadh and its allies for targeting Yemeni civilians and, at the same time, preventing those injured from leaving the country to receive treatment.

The official stressed that the Saudi-led coalition also blocks the entry of medicine into the country, now hit by a cholera spread, which has killed hundreds of people.

Kuhlani underlined that the sanctions have prevented the specialist cardiac operation center at the Revolution Hospital, Sana’a’s biggest health facility, from accessing direly-needed and basic medicine and equipment.

Abu-Zaid al-Kindi, the director of the hospital’s cardiac operation center, meanwhile, underscored that “the children with congenital malformations are dying because of the blockade on Yemen and their incapability to travel abroad.”

The capital’s International Airport also announced that the Saudi embargo has left 100,000 Yemenis stranded abroad, while blocking the exit of 300,000 others, including patients.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960323001072 and Press TV Iran: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/06/13/525131/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Sanaa

My comment: These figures sound realistic or even conservative.

12.6.2017 - European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (A H)

Humanitarian Implementation Plan Yemen (ECHO/WWD/ BUD/2017/01000) - Last update: 27/04/2017 Version 2

The present Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) was prepared on the basis of financing decision ECHO/WWD/BUD/2017/01000 (Worldwide Decision) and the related General Guidelines for Operational Priorities on Humanitarian Aid (Operational Priorities). The purpose of the HIP and its annex is to serve as a communication tool for ECHO's partners and to assist in the preparation of their proposals.

In order to respond to these additional humanitarian needs in Yemen, the Commission, through its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), has mobilised an additional EUR 20 000 000. This amount will help responding to the funding requests received for Yemen under Assessment Round 1 for a total amount of EUR 46 000 000. As a result, there will be no new Assessment Round for this additional funding.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/humanitarian-implementation-plan-yemen-echowwd-bud201701000-last-update-27042017 and in full http://ec.europa.eu/echo/sites/echo-site/files/hip_yemen_2017_version2.pdf

31.5.2017 - UN Population Fund (* A H)

UNFPA Response in Yemen: Monthly Situation Report #05 - May 2017

Key Figures

  • 18.8 million People in need

  • 10.3 million People in acute need

  • 14.8 million People lack access to basic health services

  • 8.8 million People targeted for life-saving interventions with acute needs

  • 2.0 million People internally displaced

  • 2.2 million Women of girls of reproductive age

  • 352,000 Pregnant women

  • 52,285 Women of reproductive age at risk of sexual violence, including rape

Humanitarian partners have developed an integrated response plan to contain and prevent the further spread of cholera, seeking $66.7 million. As of 30 May, the 2017 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan is 23 per cent funded, with the Health Cluster funded at 13 per cent.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unfpa-response-yemen-monthly-situation-report-05-may-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNFPA_Yemen_Monthly_SitRep_05_May.pdf

cp4 Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

15.6.2017 – Arabian Aerospace Online (* B K)

Striking at the heart of the heritage dilemma

Current conflict in Yemen is putting important archaeological sites at risk. Jon Lake asks what can be done to preserve the ancient infrastructure.

Yemen something of an archaeological jewel.
Some of the sites that have been damaged are alleged to have been of no strategic importance, according to the UK Committee of the Blue Shield, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that seeks to protect cultural property in time of conflict.
It has been suggested that such damage was, thus, sometimes avoidable.

Experts working for the University of Oxford’s endangered archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project have now drawn up a further cultural heritage list. This may increase the legal pressure on the coalition. Experts hope that combatants will use it as a no-strike list when planning their attacks, thereby protecting Yemen’s heritage sites from damage.
EAMENA is documenting ancient sites across the region using Google Earth, which Oxford University’s Robert Bewley described as a “phenomenal source that is transforming how archaeologists do their work”, combined with conventional historical field records and a resource of about 40,000 aerial reconnaissance photographs taken by the British Royal Air Force between the 1950s and 1970s.
The pictures were taken during a period when the UK was the colonial power in Aden (later southern Yemen) and when Britain supported Oman in its long war against Yemen-based insurgents, and (with Saudi Arabia and Jordan) supported the royalist side in the North Yemen civil war.
It is estimated that 400-2,000 sites would make it on to the final cultural heritage list – by Jon Lake

http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/striking-at-the-heart-of-the-heritage-dilemma.html

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

14.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)

Houthi militias deny humanitarian aids access to al Masloub of al Jawf

The Houthi militias and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces denied on Monday access of humanitarian aids to the al Masloub district in al Jawf province in northeastern Yemen.

A local source from the district said that the Houthi militias at Malaha checkpoint western al Masloub had withheld trucks carrying relief materials while they were on their way to the citizens in the area.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91978

My comment: It happens daily that humanitarian aid transports are withheld at checkpoints, by all parties of the war, and by tribal authorities. Anti-Houthi propaganda lokes to use this topic for anti-Houthi propaganda. Of course, we are never told when the transoport is allowed to continue.

14.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K P)

Prime minister meets Russian acting ambassador

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466957.htm

13.6.2017 – World Politics Review (unrated B P)

Sanaa's Survivor: How Saleh is still calling the shots in Yemen

In March, to mark—and taunt—the two-year anniversary of the military intervention launched by Saudi Arabia in northern Yemen, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh marched down a major thoroughfare in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, surrounded by throngs of adoring supporters. Bodyguards cleared his path as a crowd of tens of thousands cheered him on. The Sanaanis, as the capital’s residents are called, were overjoyed to catch sight of the man they consider their leader—even though he was forced to step down as president five years prior. – by Laura Kasinof (paywalled)

http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/22437/sanaa-s-survivor-how-saleh-is-still-calling-the-shots-in-yemen

Comment by Judith Brown: That's about it. Saleh is wily, divisive, clever, manipulative, exploitative. He was replaced by his deputy, who was part of his old regime and hence had much of the same characteristics except take away wily and clever and put in dull and stupid. Oh and yes not that divisive either. Almost everyone in Yemen hates him now.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155623635578641

12.6.2017 – Haykal Bafana (A P)

Now - 0908hrs : Heavy & medium calibre gunfire reverberating in southern part of #Yemencapital Sanaa.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/874508859246870528

Heavy & medium calber gunfire still in southern part of #Yemencapital Sanaa - Armed standoff between a sheikh & Houthi militia

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/874517039171416064

13.6.2017 – New news (A T)

Dismantling an Explosive Device in Ibb Province

http://newnewss.net/?p=6413

cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government

15.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A)

Security campaign to secure al-Jawf-Marib road, one of the bandits killed

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91999

15.6.2017 – Al Sahwah (A T)

Al-Qaeda attack thwarted in Hadramout

the terrorist group targeted the military checkpoint of the Martyr Fada'aq, using mortars and other weapons.

The source said that armed forces of the region quickly responded to the attack, pointing out that a soldier, Naeem al-Saqaf was killed.

In a statement, the Second Military Region affirmed that it managed to arrest three terrorists who tried to attack the military checkpoint.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-7794

14.6.2017 – Critical Threats (A P)

Yemen Security Brief

Transitional Political Councilfor the South postponed its first meeting. The meeting was originally scheduled to take place on June 13 in al Mukallacity, Hadramawt governorate. The Council's media committee stated that about half of members of the council were unable to travel to the meeting. [3]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-14-2017

14.6.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A P)

Yemeni Intelligence Taskforce Arrests Top Houthi Leader in Marib

Yemeni security forces announced arresting a senior militia leader in Marib east of the country, said officials.

Military sources revealed that national army units were able to comb through remaining territory of the Nihm district, in the eastern region of rebel-held Sana’a.

Arrested while attempting to flee, Houthi militia leader code named by ‘Abu Hussain’ was detained in a police chase, security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

https://english.aawsat.com/theaawsat/news-middle-east/yemeni-intelligence-taskforce-arrests-top-houthi-leader-marib

13.6.2017 – Shuaib Almosawa (A P)

Ongoing confrontations in a military camp in Aden over cuts to payment

https://twitter.com/Shuaibalmosawa/status/874759948428857345 referring to

13.6.2017 – AdenLang (A P)

Violent clashes erupt inside military police camp open due to illegal salary deduction

https://twitter.com/AdenLang/status/874750244671696897

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A T)

Gunmen on motorcycles attack government forces’ site in Abyan province

A military source said that unknown gunmen attacked on Sunday a military site of the 115th Infantry Brigade forces in the northern outskirts of Lauder city in Abyan province, southeast of Yemen.

The source told Almasdaronline that gunmen riding motorcycles have opened fire from their automatic guns on a number of security personnel safeguarding the brigade’s oil station, before fleeing away.

The source noted that the government troops clashes with the gunmen, but no details about the casualties from both sides were reported.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91964

13.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

Emirati-backed al Hizam security forces detained several suspects on terrorism charges in Abyangovernorate, southern Yemen, on June 13. Al Hizam forces conducted arrests in Zinjibar and Ja’ar cities, southwestern Abyan. Demonstrators frequently protest against Emirati-backed forces for arbitrarily detaining young men on terrorism charges.[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-13-2017

cp7a Saudi-Arabien und Iran / Saudi Arabia and Iran

14.6.2017 – New News (A P T)

Iranian forces: Saudi Arabia, America Supported, Directed Terrorist Attacks against Tehran.

A spokesman of the Iranian armed forces, Brigadier Sayed “Masoud Jazairi” , said during press statements that ‘ISIS” is the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks on Tehran, which led to the death and wounding of a number of citizens, according to confessions made by a number of detainees.
He added: “Without a doubt, Saudi Arabia and America stand behind the administration ,guidance and support these operations and terrorist acts targeting the region. He pointed out that today we see the effects of terrorism supporting in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and other European countries.

http://newnewss.net/?p=6425

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1

13.6.2017 – US Senator Rand Paul (* B P)

We must stand up and tell Saudi Arabia ENOUGH. They are the biggest exporter of extremism and hatred in the world.

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/874635613496016897

13.6.2017 – Sahat Albalad (A)

Film: Al - Ahsa Gunmen attack an army convoy heading for the Salwa border with Qatar, followed by clashes and clashes between security forces and attackers.

https://twitter.com/SahatAlbalad/status/874812402277249029

13.6.2017 – European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (** A P)

Saudi Arabia: At least a dozen people injured in Qatif as security forces openly target civilians in latest round of indiscriminate and excessive force

Since early Monday morning, security forces stationed at the Awamiyah Police Station in the Qatif Governorate in the east of Saudi Arabia have been resorting to excessive and indiscriminate force by firing directly at civilian targets in the neighborhoods and on the streets adjacent to the Awamiyah Police Station.

According to information from eyewitnesses and local sources, the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) has learnt that at least 30 people, including women and children, have been wounded and a number of houses and cars damaged, as security forces and armored vehicles stationed at the Awamiyah Police Station have fired live ammunitionindiscriminately at people in their homes, or intentionally at passerby pedestrians and carson streets visible from the Police Station.

Local residents believe that the indiscriminateshooting and open targeting of civilians by security forces is a retaliation to the announced killing of Major Tariq bin Abdullatif Al-A’laqiby unknown assailants late on Sunday, 11 June.

Within less than an hour of the reported incident that killed Major al-`Alaqi and wounded two security personnel according to Ministry’s statement, reports emerged of civilian injuries resulting from indiscriminate shooting coming from thedirection of the Awamiyah Police Station that serves as the headquarters of the security forces in the area.

According to local sources, at around 5:50 pm on Monday, a bullet fired from the Police Station penetrated the hand of the four year-old boy Sajed Mohamed Abu Abdallah and scratched his waist while he and his parents were driving in their car. Among those injured is Eyat al-Muhsen, a local medical nurse, who was wounded in a car while passing by the Police Station. ESOHR has learnt that her medical condition has deteriorated significantly in the past hours.

Also among those shot and injured is Mohamed al-Nimr, the father of Ali al-Nimr, the young activist who is on death row after being arrested as a juvenile and sentenced to death based on confessions extracted under torture. Sources revealed that Mohamed al-Nimr – who is also the brother of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a highly popular cleric in Awamiyah who advocated for social justiceand whom the authorities executed in January 2016 – was shotin his left leg that resulted in a double fracture and is receiving treatment in a local hospital.

Residences close to the Awamiyah Police Station have also come under indiscriminateand even targeted fire. Local sources have told ESOHR that a number of bullets fired from the Station damaged the nearby house of a family and injured one of its female members. In another house, a bullet wounded Fatima al-Zaid, a Saudi Arabian woman who was preparing a meal in the kitchen.

http://www.esohr.org/en/?p=807

and

Awamia siege in social media:

https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/874977785697140737

https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/874974437031821317

https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/1248305321964714/

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1401560473230312/?type=3&theater

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1

14.6.2017 – AWD News (A P)

Protests against US/Saudi war crimes in Yemen flares up in US

Hundreds of people demonstrated in the US in protest against the United States financial and military support for Saudi Arabia.
The protesters believe these supports will lead to massacres in Yemen caused by the Saudi monarchy. The protesters who were from different cities of Minnesota state slammed Trump for his aggressive policies towards the war-stricken countries of the Middle East.

http://awdnews.com/political/protests-against-us-saudi-war-crimes-in-yemen-flares-up-in-us

14.6.2017 – Reuters (* A P)

Commentary: Inside Trump’s Middle East mess

President Donald Trump’s attempt to bring peace and stability to the Middle East has backfired. He has put a major U.S. ally, Qatar, in a geopolitical crisis and damaged his cabinet’s efforts to calm regional tensions. Trump’s recent trip to the area was intended to bring together like-minded Arab states and Israel to hold the line against Iran. That effort has instead divided longstanding American allies.

Qatar has reasons for taking a more pragmatic approach with Iran. The source of Qatari wealth is a shared gas field with its neighbor.

By not leaving diplomatic space for Iran and its Arab neighbors to manage their differences, Trump has set the United States alongside the House of Saud on a collision course with Iran’s Shi’ite regime. This is what the Obama administration tried to avoid (with little success) by concluding the nuclear deal with Tehran and trying to lighten Washington’s footprint in the Gulf. It seems lost on Trump that other Arab states like Oman and Kuwait also have pragmatic working relationships with Tehran that could prove as useful to this administration as they did for President Obama, who was able to consult with the Sultan of Oman at the start of Washington’s nuclear negotiations with Iran - By Amir Handjani

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-handjani-qatar-commentary-idUSKBN19521S

13.6.2017 – Anonymous (* A P)

As promised,list of Senators who voted NOT to save the starving people of #Yementoday. Is your Senator on the list? (image)

https://twitter.com/Anon_Emy/status/874792567640133632

and those who voted against the arms sale: https://twitter.com/PeaceAction/status/874724488935481344

13.6.2017 – Oxfam (A P)

Oxfam thanks senators who stood up for peace not famine in Yemen

By voting to block the sale of U.S. precision bombs that have been used by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen to destroy farms, factories, schools, hospitals and Yemen’s most important port, these senators took a stand for an American foreign policy that is rooted in our values – one that is visionary, not transactional. Selling weapons that put a U.S. stamp on a possible famine is never a good deal for the American people.

https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/oxfam-applauds-senators-stand-for-peace-not-famine-in-yemen/

13.6.2017 – Sen. Chris Murphy (A P)

MURPHY STATEMENT AFTER SENATE VOTE ON PROPOSED WEAPONS SALE TO SAUDI ARABIA

“A bipartisan coalition of Senators just sent a major message to the Saudis. Today’s vote total would’ve been unthinkable not long ago, but Congress is finally taking notice that Saudi Arabia is using U.S. munitions to deliberately hit civilian targets inside Yemen. They’re purposely creating a humanitarian crisis inside Yemen to bring the Houthis and Saleh to the negotiating table, and in the process the Saudis are making terrorist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS stronger. The United States has no business supporting a war that has only served to embolden our terrorist enemies, exacerbate a humanitarian crisis, and incite fear and anger among the Yemeni people toward the United States. This will come back to haunt us.”

https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-after-senate-vote-on-proposed-weapons-sale-to-saudi-arabia

13.6.2017 – Rep. Ted Lieu (* A P)

Film: By assisting #SaudiArabia, U.S is aiding & abetting what appears to be war crimes in #Yemen. Administration must stop enabling this madness!

https://twitter.com/RepTedLieu/status/874762294093381633

13.6.2017 – Common Dreams (* A P)

'Shameful': Senate Votes to Further Arm Saudi Arabia as Yemen Suffers

Bipartisan opposition to the bill nonetheless sent a "strong message" to the Saudis—and to President Trump

The Senate voted on Tuesdayto approve a widely criticized$500 million sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia, narrowly beating back a bipartisan effort to block the deal.

The final tally was 53-47 in favor of the sale, which is just part of a massive $100 billion arms package.

Among the sponsors of the resolution put forth to block the sale was Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who argued that despite the opposition's defeat, the effort nonetheless sent a "strong message" to Saudi Arabia.

"A bipartisan coalition of Senators just sent a major message to the Saudis," Murphy said in a statement. "Today's vote total would’ve been unthinkable not long ago, but Congress is finally taking notice that Saudi Arabia is using U.S. munitions to deliberately hit civilian targets inside Yemen."

Jodie Evans, co-founder of the anti-war group CODEPINK, had a sharp message for those who voted for the deal.

"Voting for the weapons sale," Evans said, "these Senators showed that they value the war profiteers more than lives of Yemenis and more than US national security."

If lawmakers really cared about national security, she asked, "would they vote to arm the regime most responsible for the spread of the Wahhabist ideology that forms the underpinnings of terrorist groups from Al Qaeda to ISIS? Would they vote to arm the regime that has funded and supported these terrorist groups?" - by Jake Johnson

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/06/13/shameful-senate-votes-further-arm-saudi-arabia-yemen-suffers

13.6.2017 – Foreign Policy (* A P)

Saudi Arms Sale Clears Contentious Senate Vote

Despite the defeat, several human rights and arms control groups celebrated the visibility and votes the issue has gained since the Senate last took up the issue.

Tuesday’s vote “sends an overwhelmingly clear message that it’s not going to be business as usual between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia,” Andrea Prasow of Human Rights Watch told Foreign Policy.

In a statement released after the vote, Murphy said that “A bipartisan coalition of senators just sent a major message to the Saudis,” that Washington is not in lockstep with Riyadh when it comes to the war in Yemen.

Just before the vote, Paul took part in a heated debate with Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) over the U.S.-Saudi alliance. “They are not a reliable ally,” Paul said. “They are the greatest purveyor of hatred for Christianity and Judaism in the world … we should not be selling arms to Saudi Arabia.”

Corker blamed the debate on the partisan divide in the country. “There are some, not all, who are using this to get a piece of the Trump administration’s hide,” he responded. “I would hope that we would rise above that and realize that Saudi Arabia, with their flaws, has been a reliable ally.” - by Paul McLeary

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/13/saudi-arms-sale-clears-contentious-senate-vote/

14.6.2017 – RT (* A K P)

US weapons sold to Saudis contribute to ‘astounding’ Yemen humanitarian crisis – Rand Paul

Senator Rand Paul urged lawmakers to reverse the transfer of weapons in the latest US-Saudi arms deal, saying Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in Yemen has led to an “astounding” humanitarian crisis. The resolution on the rejection of the deal failed in the Senate, however.

It’s astounding what’s going on there, and it’s being done without your permission, but with your weapons,” Senator Paul (R-Kentucky) said on Tuesday.

How bad is it in Yemen? Seventeen million people live on the edge of starvation, some … have already died,” he went on to say, standing by an image showing Mohannad Ali, a five-year-old Yemeni child who became a victim of starvation.

The senator also added that, according to some estimates, the “humanitarian crisis in Yemen may be worse than in Syria” and mentioned a refugee group warning of potentially “biblical proportions” of famine (with film)

https://www.rt.com/usa/392296-rand-paul-us-weapons-saudi/ and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7o1HIfXdc

13.6.2017 – Vice News (* B K P)

THE SENATE-APPROVED SAUDI ARMS DEAL IS A DISASTER FOR YEMEN

“This barbaric nation should not be getting our weapons,” Republican Sen. Rand Paul said on the Senate floor. “I am embarrassed that people are out here making money and making a buck, while 17 million are living on a starvation diet.”

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who has been a vocal critic of America’s involvement in Yemen, joined Paul in his condemnation. “The United States has no business supporting a war that has only served to embolden our terrorist enemies, exacerbate a humanitarian crisis, and incite fear and anger among the Yemeni people toward the United States,” Murphy said in a statementafter the vote.

“This will come back to haunt us.”

Democrats expressed stronger dissent over the weapons deal this time around than they did for a $1.15 billion dealmade last September under the Obama administration, when just 27 senators voted against the sale.

The arms deal will likely further embolden the Saudi coalition at a time when a cholera outbreak has swept Yemen; 100,000 cases have been recorded in fewer than three months.

The destruction of Yemen’s economic infrastructure is the “silent killer” in Yemen, said Scott Paul, Oxfam America’s senior humanitarian policy advisor – by Alexa Liautaud

https://news.vice.com/story/the-senate-approved-saudi-arms-deal-is-a-disaster-for-yemen

13.6.2017 – Los Angeles Times (* B K P)

U.S. arms sold to Saudis are killing civilians in Yemen. Now the Trump administration is set to sell them more

The decision has left many among Yemen’s increasingly desperate population feeling abandoned and betrayed.

The State Department says the arms package, announced during Trump’s recent visitto the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will help a key Middle East ally defend itself against “malign Iranian influence” and contribute to counter-terrorism operations across the region. In addition to replenishing the kingdom’s dwindling supply of precision-guided bombs, the administration is offering howitzer artillery pieces, Blackhawk helicopters and the antimissile system known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD.

The Saudis say they need the weaponry to defend themselves against Yemeni rebels, who they charge are being armed by Shiite Muslim Iran in a bid to increase its clout against the region’s Sunni monarchies.

We don’t want people to think we are purchasing weapons to have influence,” said a high-ranking Saudi defense official who was not authorized to discuss the deal publicly. “We respect the sovereignty of countries. But if there is a threat to our borders, we need to defend ourselves.” - by Alexandra Zavis and Zayd Ahmed

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-yemen-us-arms-2017-story.html

My comment: The lie of self-defence is repeated again and again. But the Saudi air raids against Northern Yemen started 10 weeks BEFORE the Houthis began to fire against Saudi border territories.

And more articles on the Senate vote: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senate-approves-first-portion-of-trumps-saudi-weapons-deal_us_59395477e4b0061054802abb?section=us_politics

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/13/dozens-us-senators-say-no-weapons-saudi-arabia

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/14/flicker-hope-out-washington

http://lobelog.com/senate-vote-fails-to-block-u-s-munitions-sales-to-saudi-arabia/

http://observer.com/2017/06/democrats-trump-administration-arms-sale-saudi-arabia-yemen/

https://www.conservativereview.com/articles/rand-paul-lays-down-gauntlet-to-block-saudi-arms-deal

13.6.2017 – Lobelog (* A P)

A Call to End U.S. Arms Sales To Saudi Arabia

The upcoming votes constitute “one of the most consequential war-and-peace votes to go through Congress this year,” said Kate Gould of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “This U.S.-backed Saudi war has to end.”

Activists are trying to encourage a grassroots campaign, urging constituents to contact their representatives by various means. These include direct email messages, phone calls via a toll-free number: 1-855-68-NO WAR, lobbying visits to congressional offices, and in-person attendance at town hall meetings with lawmakers—all to raise awareness about arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the effects of U.S. bombs and missiles dropped on Yemen.

Many lawmakers have yet to decide how to vote on the measures targeting arms sales to Saudi Arabia. “They haven’t made up their minds yet, and they don’t have firm positions yet on the bills,” said Gould. “Every constituent action can make a difference.”

In an interview with LobeLog, she affirmed the importance of exposing the high level of U.S. involvement in the Yemen conflict.

Just having this bill on the Senate floor shines a spotlight on a country so often ignored in the U.S.,” she said. “The Saudi-led coalition is dropping the bombs, but the US is making the bombs, refueling the planes, providing logistics support and otherwise enabling the coalition’s war crimes. As President Trump gives the Saudis a blank check for more war, every vote sends the message that it’s time for the Saudis to end this carnage and get to the negotiating table.”- by Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio

http://lobelog.com/a-call-to-end-u-s-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia/

11.6.2017 – RT (* B P T)

‘Strange, Trump slams Qatar for ‘supporting terrorism,’ yet gives Saudis a blank check’

President Trump seems to have married US policy to this very malignant power coming from Riyadh, Jim Jatras, former US diplomat, told RT. Sara Flounders, head of International Action Center, also joins the discussion.

Trump has attacked Qatar for "funding terrorism," while taking credit for the recent decision by Arab nations to cut off diplomatic relations with the country.

RT:What has pushed Trump to take such a hard stance against Qatar suddenly?

RT: Saudi Arabia's been accused of exporting extremist ideology and funding terrorism as well - why hasn't Trump pointed the finger at Riyadh?

JJ: I think that realignment took place in May when he went to Riyadh and gave what Crown Prince Muhammad [bin Nayef] took as a blank check of American support, and that’s why you can’t separate what’s going on with Qatar, to the terrorist attack in Tehran and to US actions to try to stop a link-up of the Syrian and Iraqi armies at their common border in order to preserve, if not an ISIS zone, then certainly a Sunni-jihadist zone on the border between those two countries. For whatever reason, President Trump seems to have completely married US policy to this very malignant power coming from Riyadh.

International cooperation against terrorism as was discussed in Riyadh a few weeks ago is a fiction anyway. You can’t have international cooperation against terrorism with the number-one supporter of terrorism, which is what Saudi Arabia is.

RT: Qatar's been viewed as an ally of the U.S. But in this diplomatic spat Trump has targeted Doha with some very harsh words. Why?

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/391796-terrorism-trump-saudi-qatar/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

13.6.2017 – Europaparlament (A P)

Film: Humanitäre Lage in Jemen (Aussprache)

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/de/plenary/video?debate=1497374995790

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A P)

Russian ambassador meets President Hadi, says Russia to provide humanitarian aids to Yemenis

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91931

13.6.2017 – New Internationalist (A P)

An interminable trial for tweeting – when will it end?

Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab was arrested 365 days ago for tweets against the war in Yemen, and his 13th hearing of his endless trial is tomorrow.

Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and father of two, faces up to 18 years in prison simply for two separate trials: one for some tweets about the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the other simply for speaking to journalists – a trial which has been postponed eight times, the last one in May. - by Sophie Baggott.

https://newint.org/blog/2017/06/13/an-interminable-trial-for-tweeting-when-will-it-end/

12.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (A P)

Nabeel Rajab: Held for a year on remand in Bahrain and does anybody care?

The US and UK have remained shamefully silent about Nabeel Rajab. All the while, he courageously reminds us from inside a police cell of the true meaning of democracy

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/nabeel-rajab-held-year-remand-and-does-anybody-care-661604504

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp13a

15.6.2017 – Newsfront (* A K P)

KRIEGSMARINE DER VEREINIGTEN STAATEN UND KATAR WERDEN GEMEINSAME ÜBUNGEN DURCHFÜHREN

Zwei US-amerikanische Schiffe sind am Mittwoch trotz der Terror-Vorwürfe des US-Präsidenten Donald Trump gegen Katar vor dem Emirat eingetroffen, um zusammen mit dessen Marine an einem Manöver teilzunehmen. Das Manöver wird vor dem Hintergrund der Katar-Blockade stattfinden.

https://de.news-front.info/2017/06/15/kriegsmarine-der-vereinigten-staaten-und-katar-werden-gemeinsame-ubungen-durchfuhren/

Mein Kommentar: das ist ein guter Witz, wenn die USA selbst zur selben Zeit Katar als Unterstützer des Terrorismus brandmarken. Aber sie verkaufen ihnen ja auch gleichzeitig Kampfflugzeuge (siehe cp13a)

13.6.2017 – Cicero (* B P)

GOLFREGION IN DER KRISE: Kampf um Stabilität, Macht und Hegemonie

Die Isolation Katars durch seine Nachbarstaaten wurde vielfach mit dem Konflikt zwischen dem schiitischen Iran und dem sunnitischen Saudi-Arabien erklärt. Doch weder das noch die Unterstützung terroristischer Gruppen sind das eigentliche Problem.

Letztendlich lässt sich der Konflikt aber besser als Kampf um Stabilität, Macht und Hegemonie in der Region verstehen.

Die Saudis betrachteten den 1981 gegründeten Golfkooperationsrat (GCC) als ein von ihnen angeführtes Bündnis. Dieses sollte die sechs Anrainer des Persischen Golfes zunächst vom Iran und später von einem aggressiven Irak abschirmen. Katars politischer Alleingang stellte die Führungsrolle Riads in Frage.

Zentral für die gegenwärtige Krise am Golf sind bei allen vier Staaten Katars Verbindungen zur Muslimbruderschaft. Sowohl Saudi-Arabien, Ägypten als auch die VAE sehen die diversen Abspaltungen der Muslimbrüderschaft als große, vielleicht die größte Gefahr für die innere Stabilität ihrer Staaten. Saudi-Arabien erklärte die Muslimbrüder 2014 sogar zur Terrororganisation.

Die Saudis definieren ihre Religion über den wahabitischen Klerus, der eng mit dem Königshaus verbunden ist. Die Muslimbrüder gründeten sich dagegen 1928 als eine Bewegung in Opposition zum ägyptischen König. Sie lehnen ein dynastisches Herrschaftsprinzip als unislamisch ab – und stellen damit die saudische Ordnung grundsätzlich in Frage. Die Furcht Riads vor einem Wiederaufleben eines Islam nach den Prinzipien der Muslimbruderschaft ist insofern wohl begründet - VON HOUSSAM HAMADEUND PARHAM KOULOUBANDI

http://cicero.de/aussenpolitik/golfregion-in-der-krise-kampf-um-stabilitaet-macht-und-hegemonie

12.6.2017 – Justice Now (* A P)

Die Katar-Krise: Saudi-Arabien, Trump und der Krieg gegen den Iran
Die massive Blockade Katars hat nichts mit der Unterstützung von Terroristen zu tun. Das selbstbewusst agierende Katar ist ein Bauernopfer im Kampf Saudi-Arabiens gegen den Erzfeind Iran. Die von US-Präsident Trump mitausgelöste Krise könnte sich zum nächsten Krieg im Nahen Osten ausweiten – was in jedem Fall verhindert werden muss.
Bereits im März 2014 beschuldigte der irakische Ministerpräsident al-Maliki Saudi-Arabien und Katar, den Islamischen Staat zu unterstützen. Mittlerweile ist es wohldokumentiert, dass „unsere“ arabischen Alliierten im „Kampf gegen den Terror“ die Terroristen finanzieren, die wir im Anschluss dann bekämpfen. Es erschien zunächst wie ein makabrer Witz, als vor wenigen Tagen der eine Terrorunterstützer – Saudi-Arabien – mit dem anderen Terrorunterstützer – Katar – einen diplomatischen Faustkampf vom Zaun brach, der Vorwurf: Terrorunterstützung. Ausgerechnet Saudi-Arabien – das Land also, das die renommierte Financial Action Task Force als das Land identifizierte, das die mit Abstand meisten Fälle von Terrorfinanzierung für sich verbuchen konnte (gefolgt übrigens von den NATO-Staaten USA und Türkei).
Bei der gegenwärtigen Katar-Krise geht es natürlich nicht um Terrorunterstützung, es geht – wie letztendlich jede saudische Außenpolitik – um die Bekämpfung des regionalen Erzfeinds der Saudis: den Iran. - von Jakob Reimann

http://justicenow.de/die-katar-krise-saudi-arabien-trump-und-der-krieg-gegen-den-iran/

14.6.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)

#Qatardaily @alraya_ncalls #SaudiWahhabi religious authority "hypocrites" in a sign of major escalation

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/875001489080627203

The significance of this is that #Saudi Wahhabi religious authority is highest authority for Qataris too. This may mean religious divorce.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/875028898404282369

14.6.2017 – Al Araby (A P)

UN human rights chief 'alarmed' by Gulf-led blockade against Qatar

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/6/14/un-rights-chief-alarmed-by-gulf-led-blockade-against-qatar

Comment by Judith Brown: Well why don't they just do something to stop it then? Although the whole situation is not as alarming as the blockade against Yemen but that's never mentioned.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155623640108641

14.6.2017 – Commentary Magazine (A P)

Could Qatar Disappear?

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/could-qatar-disappear/

14.6.2017 – Anadolu (A P)

Qatar can survive ongoing diplomatic crisis

Qatar has survived similar attacks in 2014 and came out stronger; this time too it is expected to show its resilience

http://aa.com.tr/en/analysis-news/qatar-can-survive-ongoing-diplomatic-crisis/841428

14.6.2017 – The Cairo Review (* A P)

Final Battle for the Arab World

It might be useful to step back from examining any one conflict and instead simply try to identify larger historical and political patterns that help us understand the players and the issues at stake.

https://www.thecairoreview.com/tahrir-forum/final-battle-for-the-arab-world/

13.6.2017 – Economic Times (* A P)

Qatar Crisis: Pot Calling Kettle Black

http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/serendipity/qatar-crisis-pot-calling-kettle-black/

13.6.2017 – Sabena Siddiqi (A P)

There is no possibility of #Pakistantaking a side in #QatarCrisisIt is the only country capable of mediating in the issue. (look at image)

https://twitter.com/sabena_siddiqi/status/874855856185233411

My comment: Blackmailing – typical Saudi foreign policy.

13.6.2017 – Reuters (A P)

Qatar 'extremely comfortable' despite sanctions, markets stabilise

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-gulf-qatar-idUKKBN1931Z1

13.6.2017 – AFP (* A P)

Saudis insist no blockade on Qatar as Gulf crisis simmers

Saudi Arabia insisted on Tuesday that its neighbour Qatar was not under blockade as a Gulf diplomatic dispute escalated amid increasing international concern over its effects on ordinary people.

The gas-rich emirate's only land border is with the Saudi kingdom, and the closure of both it and Saudi, Bahraini and Emirati airspace to Qatar Airways flights has caused major disruption.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, insisted that moves to isolate Qatar were reasonable.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/saudis-insist-no-blockade-qatar-gulf-crisis-simmers-165656695.html

and by Saudi media: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1114436/middle-east

My comment: LOL. Calling a blockade „no blockade“ is like calling night „day“ and day „night“. And all this is repeating the saudi policy against Yemen. And it also is simply repeating the same propaganda. Also in the case of Yemen, the Saudis claim there would be no blockade.

Comment by Iona Craig: Now where did I hear that line before? #Yemen

https://twitter.com/ionacraig/status/874760961860751360

13.6.2017 – New News (A P)

Qatar Crisis may Obstruct the Solutions in Syria : Vladimir Putin

http://newnewss.net/?p=6410

13.6.2017 – Reuters (A P)

Turkish president says Qatar isolation violates Islamic values

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-idUSKBN1931YW

13.6.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)

Multiple reports that #Saudiarmy, navy & airforce & national guard are at high alert & moved to Qatari borders.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/874834280618348545

13.6.2017 – MbKS15 (A P)

The General Authority of Civil Aviation from its first circular confirmed and guaranteed the right of innocent passage of any non-Qatari aircraft (document)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/874585259366547460

12.6.2017 – Charlie Rose (A P)

Film: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar, discusses Middle Eastern states' attempted political and economic isolation of Qatar for its alleged support of terrorism.

https://charlierose.com/videos/30589

and

13.6.2017 – IUVM (* B P)

Qatar's former prime minister: Qatar and Saudi Arabia plotted against Iran and Yemen

Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani:

“There was a time that Qatar has contributed to the conspiracies of the Gulf States against Iran and Yemen.”

We did not expect that our Saudi brothers have this unacceptable behavior with us.

“Saudi Arabia supports US-Israeli regional agenda to harass Iran and also spends a large sums of money for that.”

“We were partners in an inhumane aggression against our brotherly Arab country, Yemen. When we regretted this partnership and wanted to stop this politically and on ground lost war, we turned into enemy.”

“Qatar has not supported terrorism and is still a country that fights terrorism. But Saudi Arabia which is the center of Wahhabism has sheikhs whom are the leaders of sedition.”

“We do not answer the teenagers and the idiots in politics. The results of the war on Yemen and the misfortune of the alliance especially the Saudi forces were caused by the recklessness of this ignorant (Mohammed bin Salman).”

http://iuvmpress.com/10680

12.6.2017 – Middle East Monitor (A P)

Somalia turns down $80m to cut ties with Qatar

Somali President, Mohammed Abdullah Farmajo, has been offered $80 million in exchange for his agreement to sever diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar, the New Khalij news outlet reported a prominent journalist has revealed.

“After two hours of enticement, Farmajo rejected the tempting offer,” journalist Jaber Al-Harimi said.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170612-somalia-turns-down-80m-to-cut-ties-with-qatar/

My comment: A typical example how Saudi politics works – worldwide.

11.6.2017 – News.com (* A B P T)

Qatar crisis: Is Saudi Arabia supporting terror also?

While Qatar has no doubt supported Islamist and extremist groups, Saudi Arabia is far from innocent. Therein lies the hypocrisy.

Riyadh, the capital, has itself faced accusations of tolerating or even supporting extremists, in particular after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

And in some cases there’s evidence to suggest Saudi Arabia has supported or co-sponsored some of the same figures it has accused its own neighbour of supporting.

Middle East expert Dr Ben Rich said the Saudi terrorism excuse was wearing thin.

He also said there is fairly strong evidence that both Qatar and Saudi Arabia have backed jabhat al-Nusra/Sham as well as other Islamist opposition actors in the Syrian conflict, many of whom are consolidated under the wider Ahrar al-Sham coalition – by Debra Killalea

http://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/world-economy/qatar-crisis-is-saudi-arabia-supporting-terror-also/news-story/a58c4127caddf901b799fea2acaa9718

7.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (* A P)

Why the campaign against Qatar is doomed

Saudi Arabia and UAE bit off more than they can chew once they took on Qatar, a country with vast wealth and powerful allies – by David Hearst

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/why-campaign-against-qatar-doomed-1663040860

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp9

14.6.2017 – Malachy Browne (* A K P)

Monitors in Sardinia say this ship is carrying another cargo of bombs to Saudi from Sardinia. (photos)

https://twitter.com/malachybrowne/status/875126401690738690

Remark: The factory is belonging to German „Rheinmetall“.

14.6.2017 – DPA (* A K P)

Pentagon besiegelt Verkauf von F-15 Kampfjets an Katar

Ungeachtet der schweren diplomatischen Krise am Golf haben die USA den Verkauf von Kampfjets vom Typ F-15 an Katar besiegelt. Verteidigungsminister James Mattis unterzeichnete am Mittwoch eine entsprechende Vereinbarung mit seinem katarischen Kollegen Khalid al-Attiyah.

Katar zahlt dafür 12 Milliarden US-Dollar (10,69 Milliarden Euro). Der Verkauf war bereits seit längerem vorbereitet worden. Das Außenministerium in Washington gab im vergangenen November grünes Licht

https://www.dailysabah.com/deutsch/naher-osten/2017/06/15/pentagon-besiegelt-verkauf-von-f-15-kampfjets-an-katar

Mein Kommentar: Die USA (bzw. Präsident Trump) beschuldigen Katar, den Terrorismus zu unterstützen, und verkaufen ihnen gleichzeitig Kampfjets. US-Außenpolitik vom Feinsten.

14.6.2017 – CBS News (* A K P)

Trump sells Qatar $12 billion of U.S. weapons days after accusing it of funding terrorism

While President Trump berates Qatar for sponsoring terrorism at the highest levels, he is simultaneously authorizing the country to purchase over $21 billion of U.S. weapons.

One part of the deal was inked on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., when Qatar's Defense Minister met with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis.

"We are pleased to announce today the signing of the letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of the F-15QA fighter jets, with an initial cost of $12 billion dollars," read the Qatari Defense Minister's statement on Wednesday afternoon. "We believe that this agreement will propel Qatar's ability to provide for its own security while also reducing the burden placed upon the United States military in conducting operations against violent extremism."

In the face of the escalating tensions Qataris came to D.C. with a large entourage -- expecting to break ground on the escalating regional standoff. But there is no sign of progress. - ByMARGARET BRENNAN, KYLIE ATWOOD

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-sells-qatar-12-billion-arms-days-after-accusing-it-of-funding-terrorism/

My comment: LOL. That's US logic: Making business, making money everywhere, every time. The rest is mere propaganda.

7.6.2017 – Fox Business (* A K P)

Qatar's $21B deal to buy F-15s moving forward amid diplomatic battle

A plan to sell $21.1 billion worth of Boeing (BA)-made F-15 fighter jets to Qatar appears to be moving forward, despite several countries cutting diplomatic ties with the Middle Eastern nation this week.

A State Department official said the diplomatic battle and President Donald Trump’s criticism of Qatar, which is under fire for allegedly supporting terrorist groups, has not affected the pending deal to deliver 72 F-15QA multirole fighters, according to Fox News.

In a statement, Boeing said it’s “closely following recent developments.” - by Matthew Rocco

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/06/07/qatars-21b-deal-to-buy-f-15s-moving-forward-amid-diplomatic-battle.html

My comment: That's most important for the US. Business and money making continue. At least, these planes no more will bomb Yemen.

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

13.6.2017 – Al Araby (* A K)

More Sudanese troops will be sent to fight Houthi rebels in Yemen

More Sudanese soldiers will be sent to participate in the ongoing Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, Sudan's ministry of defence confirmed.

Sudan's state Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Ali Salim confirmed preparations are underway to send a new batch of troops to Yemen, according to local al-Saiha newspaper, to back the internationally-recognised government of Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi battle Houthi rebels.

Last month, Sudan's Defence Minister, Awad Bin Auf assured the coalition it was prepared to contribute more soldiers upon request.

"There are 6,000 fighters from special forces, ground forces and elite troops ready to participate when requested by the leadership of the coalition… Even if more troops and military contributions are needed, we are ready for any developments," Sudan's Defence Minister Awad Bin Auf assured last month.

Sudan's decision to provide more soldiers to Yemen could help cover the loss of Qatar's troops after Doha was expelled from the alliance.

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/6/13/sudan-to-deploy-more-troops-to-fight-yemen-war

cp13c Flüchtlinge / Refugees

8.6.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (* A H)

Yemen UNHCR Flash Update, 2 - 8 June 2017

Key Figures

  • 18.8 million people in need

  • 1,988,946 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

  • 81 Percentage of IDPs displaced for more than a year

  • 900,258 IDP returnees

  • 858,549 recipients of NFIs since March 2015

  • 280,096 registered refugees and asylum seekers

  • 21,698 new arrivals to Yemeni coast since 1 January 2017

Funding

USD 114.6 million requested for IDPs and refugees in Yemen for 2017

Despite an intensification of fighting throughout the country, with conflict continuing on all frontlines, UNHCR continues to provide emergency assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in some of the hardest to reach areas. Again this week, UNHCR, through partners, entered the highly contested governorate of Taizz, against a backdrop of insecurity and access challenges, to distribute much needed core relief items to displaced populations. More than half a million people have been displaced from Taizz since the beginning of the conflict in March 2015.

IDP Response

Responding to the needs of IDPs in central governorates, UNHCR has opened a new IDP centre run by partner Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). The shelter and protection activities have begun at the site in Dhamar City, which is located some 100km south of Sana’a, and also serves IDPs in the neighbouring governorates of Marib and Al-Bayda.

[and more activities]

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-flash-update-2-8-june-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Flash%20Update%20Yemen%20Situation%208%20June%202017%20%28Final%29.pdf

1.6.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (* A H)

Yemen UNHCR Flash Update, 1 June 2017

Operational Update

UNHCR is responding to the growing needs of displaced persons as the situation in Yemen continues to worsen, including a marked increase in protection and shelter needs across the country, with food as a priority for displaced and host communities alike.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-flash-update-1-june-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Flash%20Update%20Yemen%20Situation%201%20June%202017%20%28final%29.pdf

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

13.6.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (A H P)

Yemen: $500 Million Credit Facilities to Import Food, Medicines

The Yemeni government in cooperation with regional and international partners has allocated half a billion dollars as a guarantee of credit and trade facilities so that the Yemeni private sector imports food and medicine and overcomes logistic difficulties caused by Saleh and Houthi militias.

Yemeni Industry and Trade Minister Mohamed al-Maitami told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Yemeni government’s discussions with international and regional parties have resulted in trade facilities worth $500 million.

“As you know, there is a shortage in food and medicine caused by this cursed war and it will aggravate without any imports. The financial working group of MENA has classified Yemen as dangerous due to the war and it has become difficult for Yemeni businessmen and banking institutions to continue their dealings with the world banking network, transferring funds or acquiring banking guarantees,” said Maitami.

He added that during discussions with regional and international partners, an agreement was reached to allocate half a billion dollars as a guarantee for trade facilities – by Abdul Habi Habtoor

https://english.aawsat.com/abdul-hadi-habtoor/news-middle-east/yemen-500-million-credit-facilities-import-food-medicines

Comment by Judith Brown: The problems are caused in the main by the Saudi led embargo, not the Houthi-Saleh alliance as stated here. And I guess if this is being given to Hadi and his government, it won't get to the north where it is most needed.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155620520358641

My comment: This article of course should draw a positive picture of the Hadi government and it's backers from the Gulf, and, as Judith brown states: „The problems are caused in the main by the Saudi led embargo, not the Houthi-Saleh alliance as stated here.“

13.6.2017 – Almasdar News (* B E H P)

Norwegian oil company, DNO, refuses to pay workers in Yemen

DNO, founded in Oslo, Norway in the year 1991 is an oil and gas company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange that holds stakes in various oil and gas blocks in the Middle East including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the Republic of Yemen, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Tunisian Republic, and Somaliland.

DNO had been deliberating on whether or not to pull out of Yemen for quite some time, as the potential security risks in Yemen were (and still are) ever increasing, no doubt exacerbated by the Saudi-led siege on Yemen which has impeded every facet of life. This provided the primary legal argument by which DNO planned to cease its operations

With friends like these it is reasonable enough to assume that Mr. Dale and DNO have no reason to believe that an international body will hold them accountable for their treatment of their employees.

The DNO Yemen Union

In 2006, DNO’s local staff in Yemen had attempted to establish a labor union. However, DNO fought hard for 8 years to try and abort the union with the eventual creation of the DNO Yemen Union in 2014.

Not soon after DNO’s departure, the DNO Yemen Union had appointed an attorney and sued DNO in the Yemeni labor court. During a grueling 6 month long court battle, the court ruled in favor of the workers. It did not take long for DNO to claim that the judgement committee was unreliable; DNO appealed the decision of the labor court and lost once again. This time the court of appeals had ruled to seize DNO’s property and assets.

The court ruled that:

  1. There will be a continuity of contracts

  2. The company must pay 75% of salaries from June 2015, including the 2015 Ramadhan bonus. Medical fees are excluded.

  3. The company must pay 50,000 Yemeni Riyals (US $200) per employee in legal fees

DNO has around 260 workers in Yemen and a license to operate six oilfields. The company has extracted over 100 million barrels of oil since it began operation in Yemen in 2000. Norwegian unions, international unions, and the DNO Yemen Union launched a campaign through LabourStarton January 11th, 2017 to pressure DNO to follow the ruling of the court. To this day DNO has not made good on its commitments.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/dno-oil-company-abusing-yemeni-workers/

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp6

14.6.2017 – Critical Threats (A T)

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula(AQAP) released a short video about its June 12 attack on an Emirati-backed Hadhrami Elite Forces checkpoint and base in Daw’an area, eastern Hadramawt. An accompanying AQAP statement reported that militants killed 15 Hadhrami Elite troops, destroyed three military vehicles, and suffered one casualty. Initial reports from local security forces stated that Hadhrami Elite Forces killed over ten AQAP militants and suffered two casualties.[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-14-2017

13.6.2017 – Funker 530 (A T)

Film: AQAP Attack on a Houthi Checkpoint in Yemen

The video kicks off quickly, with an AQ pick-up loaded with several Jihadist’s rapidly approaching a haphazardly built checkpoint manned by several Houthis. With a couple men in the bed of the truck, they engage the Houthi guards at minimal distance and quickly begin dropping the stunned defenders. They eliminate the checkpoint and are back in their vehicle in just about 90 seconds.

https://www.funker530.com/aqap-attack-houthi-checkpoint-yemen-sc1/

13.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula(AQAP) militants attacked al Houthi-Salehforces in central Yemen on June 12. AQAP militants attacked al Houthi-Saleh forces in al Jamajim area, southern al Baydagovernorate. AQAP reported that its militants fought alongside local tribal forces in the attack. AQAP also distributed a photoset of its militants firing artillery pieces and heavy machine guns. AQAP militants last attacked al Houthi-Saleh forces in al Jamajim area on June 11 as part of an effort to control access to the main road through al Bayda into Abyan governorate, where AQAP also maintains a presence.[1]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-13-2017

cp15 Propaganda

Siehe / Look at cp1

15.6.2017 – Al Arabiya (A P)

Drowned in conflict, Yemenis miss the roar of Ramadan cannons

Mohammed al-Sanaani, 75, missed the sound of “Ramadan cannons,” one of the most natural practices in Yemen that Houthis and militias allied to ousted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has halted since 2014.

For the third year in a row, the holy month of Ramadan in Sanaa was not accompanied with Ramadan cannons, but with “death and destruction” that Militias brought, Sanaani told Al Arabiya.net.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2017/06/15/Yemen-Ramadan-cannons-did-not-survive-militias-.html

My comment: What an odd propaganda. At Sanaa, they hear Saudi fighter jets roaring in the sky and saudi bombings every day since 26 ½ months now.

14.6.2017 – MbKS15 (A P)

VIDEO: "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him"

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/875075569259565057

12.6.2017 – Saudi Press Agency (A P)

Coup Militias in Yemen blow up more than 300 Mosques and Centers for Holy Quran Memorization

Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Mohammed Askar said that coup militias have blown up more than 300 mosques and centers for Holy Quran memorization in Yemen since their coup against the legitimate authority.

He said during his participation in a regional seminar on the human rights discourse on confronting religious extremism in Cairo that the militias have arrested and killed more than 600 religious preachers, the official Yemen News Agency reported today.

http://sites.alriyadh.com/en/article/1159831/Coup-Militias-in-Yemen-blow-up-more-than-300-Mosques-and-Centers-for-Holy-Quran-Memorization

My comment: That really is bad propaganda, when looking at Saudi air raids.

Comment by Judith Brown: Well the Houthi-Saleh alliance is being blamed by Saudi Arabia - I'm sure they have destroyed quite a number - but from what I've seen the majority of mosques destroyed in this war has been by the Saudi led coalition bombing from the air, including the wonderful Al Hadi mosque from the time of the prophet, and many smaller shrines have been destroyed by extremist Sunni militias and described by them as 'unislamic'. Not surprising as Saudi Arabia has itself destroyed many of the ancient religious buildings in Mecca - Wahhabism followers don't like historical buildings to be revered. Yemen has been such an amazing curator of ancient sites from all religions but now so many destroyed, an act of vandalism that cannot be repaired.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155620504633641

12.6.2017 – The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (A P)

Saudi Arabia Transforming

On May 10, 2017, the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington brought together thought leaders from the Gulf Arab states, Europe, and the United States to discuss Saudi Arabia at a transformational moment in its history, as the country advances its ambitious reform program – Vision 2030. With a clarity of purpose crystalized by the oil shock of 2014, a year ago the Saudi government initiated wide scale economic and public sector reforms aimed at diversifying its economy, rationalizing its public sector, reducing subsidies, stimulating the private sector, and restructuring its legal and regulatory framework. It also began taking steps to promote a stronger sense of Saudi national identity based on the country’s place as the center of the Muslim world, its unique historical and religious sites and heritage, and multiple other social and cultural initiatives. All of this has been framed by immense regional challenges, a strategic rivalry with Iran, and a military engagement in Yemen that has sapped resources and required the ultimate sacrifice from the kingdom’s citizenry.

Click here for conference videos.

Key Findings and Recommendations:

http://www.agsiw.org/saudi-arabia-transforming-report/

Comment by Judith Brown: Well Saudi Arabia now has a very expensive PR firm and I guess these events are one of their suggestions - but Is the a fact or is it an illusion they want the world to believe ?

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155620463698641

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

15.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen14 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/842582295892137/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

14.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen13 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/842320982584935/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen12 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/841762965974070/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen11 June 2017 (full list):

https://twitter.com/LCRDye/status/874624749401509888

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen10 June 2017 (full list):

https://twitter.com/LCRDye/status/874623882971557889

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen 9 June 2017 (full list):

https://twitter.com/LCRDye/status/874623685776338944

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen 8 June 2017 (full list):

https://twitter.com/LCRDye/status/874623442422824960

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

13.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by#Saudi_Arabiaand its alliance in #Yemen 7 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/841747542642279/?type=3

15.6.2017 – Yemen Updates (A K)

Coalition's fighter jet in Taiz sky at low altitude, now (photo)

https://twitter.com/yemen_updates/status/875214662073188353

15.6.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)

From 12:10 am till now ,#Saudijets still over my city Dhamar , it is like a bus station. #YemenMy brothers woke up afraid of her sound

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/875111447960989697

Oh god, boom,huge explosion rocks thr house. #Saudijets s bombing my city Dhamar now .#YemenSounds of children crying n my neighborhood.

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/875112194341576706

15.6.2017 - Living In Yemen On The Edge (A K PH)

TWO airstrikes reported in Al Khawkha / #Hodeida1 hour ago

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1403099903076369

15.6.2017 - Living In Yemen On The Edge (A K PH)

A few hours ago: 3 raids on camp Khaled, and 1 raid on Mount Helan in the Directorate of Sarawah / #Maribprovince

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1403102016409491

15.6.2017 - Living In Yemen On The Edge (A K PH)

Airstrike in #Dhamar

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1403085983077761

14.6.2017 – Ahmed Jahaf (A K PH)

Few hours ago: 13 U.S & UK bombs by Saudi-led co. jets in #Yemen: 5 on Harid & Maydi #Hajjah6 on Dhibab & Mocka #Taiz2 on Sarawah #Marib

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/875085338707972096

15.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

Coalition aircrafts strike Houthis after announcing targeting warship in al Mocha coast

The aircrafts of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition launched on Wednesday intensive raids on sites of the Houthi militants and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh north of al Mocha and in Mozza districts on the Red Sea coast in western Yemen.

A military source told Almasdaronline that the aircrafts bombed the Houthis’ sites in Yakhtel area, north of al Mocha, destroying military equipment for them.

“The aircrafts also launched five air raids on Khaled ben al-Walid camp, west of Mozza.”

It is noteworthy that the coalition aerial bombardment came hours after the Houthis had announced targeting a warship of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces off the coast of al Mocha

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92000

15.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Aggression warplanes strike Taiz, Marib

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news467024.htm

14.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

Violent explosions in Saada in Coalition airstrike targeted Houthi ammunition depot – eyewitnesses

Eyewitnesses in the district of Majjez of Saada province, the stronghold of the Houthi group far north of Yemen, said they heard violent explosions following an air raid launched by an aircrafts of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition at dawn Tuesday.

The eyewitnesses told Almasdaronline that the explosions lasted for a long time in an ammunition depot belonging to the Houthi militants and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Majjez district, but no details of casualties were reported.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91979

13.-14.6.2017 – Sanaa at night (A K)

We are living on hell. Believe or not.I have been hearing the sounds of Saudi jets4almost 26months. And Saudi jets flying over Sanaa.

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/874821160403435520

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

Arab Coalition aircrafts kill 16 Houthi militants, wound 27 western Taiz

The Saudi-led Arab Coalition aircrafts renewed on Monday the aerial bombardment targeting the Houthis-Saleh militants in Mozza and al Mocha districts western Taiz city, central Yemen.

A military source told Almasdaronline that the aircrafts launched seven air raids on the militants gatherings northern al Moch, killing 9 and injuring 12 others, as well as destroying a military vehicle.

"The aircrafts also launched four air raids on the militants sites in the areas between Mozza and Thobab districts western the city."

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91968

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

Arab Coalition aircrafts destroy Houthis reinforcements, bomb military sites in Taiz

The Saudi-led Arab Coalition aircrafts launched on Monday eight air raids targeting Houthis-Saleh forces’ sites in Mozza and al Mocha districts west of Taiz province, in southwestern Yemen.

A source in the field told Almasdaronline that the aircrafts launched five air raids on sites in al ​​Hamili and Khalid military camp areas, which resulted in casualties.

The aircrafts also launched three air raids on Houthi reinforcements northern l Mocha, after arriving from al Khocha district southern Hodeida province, which led to the killing of seven Houthis and injuring 11 others, as well as the destruction of two military vehicles. According to the source.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91965

and who was really targeted and hit in Al Khokha district:

13.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

A Saudi-led coalition airstrike killed five civilians in al Hudaydahgovernorate, western Yemen, on June 13. Coalition warplanes struck a house in al Khokha district, near the al Hudaydah-Taiz governorate border. The strike killed a child and four other members of a family. The Saudi-led coalition is conducting an air campaign in southern al Hudaydah to weaken al Houthi-Saleh forces ahead of an offensive that aims to take control of Yemen’s western coast.[4]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-13-2017

and

13.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Pregnant woman, six children injured in Saudi air raid on Hodeida

Pregnant woman and six children were injured in Saudi air raid hit a house in al Khokhah district of Hodeida province, an official told Saba on Tuesday.
The strike hit the house in Moushaj area, wounding the woman and the six children

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466900.htm

and

13.6.2017 – AlMasirah TV (AK PH)

Film: In a new crime: aggression targeting the home of a citizen in al-Khokha in Hodeidah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXPTZ67Ay8 = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1687980148164639

and photos from film: https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/874779194923905026

and confirmed by the other side, even giving more information:

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

A child killed, four family members wounded in a coalition airstrike in al-Khokha

The Arab Coalition aircrafts had also targeted a mosque in the same district, which led to the destruction of the mosque but no casualties were reported.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91977

13.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Six US-Saudi air strikes hit Serwah, Marib prov.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466892.htm

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

15.6.2017 – Saudi Press Agency (* A K PS)

Command of Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen: UAE's ship was attacked by a missile from a boat off Yemeni coast

The Command of Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen announced yesterday that an Emirati ship was attacked upon its departure from the Yemeni port of Mukha by a guided missile fired by Houthi militias without causing damage to the ship and resulted in the injury of one member of its crew.
The Command confirmed in a statement that a thorough follow-up of the incident is being carried and tracking down its perpetrators.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1640250

14.6.2017 – Reuters (* A K)

One wounded in missile attack on UAE ship off Yemen coast: SPA

Houthi militants attacked a United Arab Emirates ship off the coast of Yemen, wounding one crew member, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.

"A UAE ship was attacked by a missile fired by the Houthi militias, causing no damage to the ship. ... One crew member was injured," SPA said, citing a statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen.

The ship was attacked upon its departure from the Yemeni port of Al-Mokha, SPA said. The Red Sea port of Al-Mokha is close to the Bab al-Mandab shipping lane through which much of the world's oil passes. - Reporting by Mostafa Hashem

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-ports-idUSKBN19604S and by AP: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_YEMEN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-14-22-31-46

14.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Navy targets Saudi-led coalition warship off Mokha

The Navy of the army and popular forces on Wednesday targeted a warship belonging to a Saudi-led aggression coalition while it was carrying out hostile acts off Mokha coast of Taiz province, a military official told Saba.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466966.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news467025.htm and by Fars News http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960324001284

14.6.2017 – Press TV Iran (A K PH)

Film: Naval forces target Saudi warship off southwestern Yemen: Video

The source added that the vessel had been carrying out acts of aggression within the territorial waters of Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition waging war on Yemen later confirmed the incident but claimed only five people had lost lives in the attack.

Yet, footage of the raid, provided by Yemeni forces, showed the enormity of the explosion and subsequent fire on the deck of the Saudi vessel.

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/06/14/525309/Yemeni-forces-target-Saudi-warship-waters-off-Mukha-Taizz and film at Al Masirah TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp4MajszA3k

Remark: No, Saudi Press Agency just had admitted one injured (see above)

13.6.2017 – AFP (A K)

Mine blast kills Saudi soldier on Yemen border

http://www.france24.com/en/20170613-mine-blast-kills-saudi-soldier-yemen-border

13.6.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Saudi-paid mercenaries waged an artillery shelling on houses of citizens in Al Hajlan area in Serwah, Marib prov.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466892.htm

13.6.2017 – Almasdar Online ( K PS)

Houthis launch ballistic missile on al Jawf province, no casualties

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91963

13.6.2017 – Fars News (A K PH)

Ansarullah Counterattack in Yemens' Taiz Leaves Dozen Saudi-Led Forces Dead

The counter-attack by the Yemeni popular forces came two days after the Saudi-funded militants loyal to ousted president Hadi managed to advance in the area capturing a number of sites, Al Masdar reported.

The counterattack, however, proved successful as the Yemeni Popolar Committees had recaptured all the points killing and injuring more than 20 enemy soldiers in the process.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960323000763 and also https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/06/14/1436610/yemeni-army-inflicts-losses-on-saudi-backed-militants-in-taiz

Pro-Houthi / Pro-Saleh reports:

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news467028.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news467023.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466961.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466956.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466955.htm

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/06/13/525168/Yemeni-forces-allies-retaliatory-attack-Saudi-troops-Alab-border-crossing-Asir

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466897.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news466894.htm

Pro Saudi / Pro Hadi reports:

http://almasdaronline.com/article/91982

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

13.6.2017 – London School of Economics and Political Science (B E H P)

Yemen’s Urban–Rural Divide and the Ultra-Localisation of the Civil War

On 29 March 2017, the LSE Middle East Centre convened a workshop to explore the scale of need of Yemen’s population, and to look at the extent to which rural and urban livelihoods were directly affected by the fighting as well as changing market conditions.

The workshop was split into four sessions. The first sought to provide an overview of macroeconomic conditions throughout the country. The second session explored the specific situation in Saada governorate, a predominantly Zaydi governorate in Yemen’s northern highlands, bordering Saudi Arabia. The third session focused on Taiz governorate, Yemen’s most populous governorate, located in the central highlands. The final session addressed micro-politics in Aden, Marib and Mukalla, three provincial capitals in governorates with majority Sunni populations.

Over the next week, we will publish short pieces by workshop participants on the different themes covered during the discussion – by Ginny Hill

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2017/06/13/yemens-urban-rural-divide-and-the-ultra-localisation-of-the-civil-war/

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-310-yemen-war-mosaic-310

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-310 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-310:

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/

Dieser Beitrag gibt die Meinung des Autors wieder, nicht notwendigerweise die der Redaktion des Freitag.
Geschrieben von

Dietrich Klose

Vielfältig interessiert am aktuellen Geschehen, zur Zeit besonders: Ukraine, Russland, Jemen, Rolle der USA, Neoliberalismus, Ausbeutung der 3. Welt

Dietrich Klose

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