Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 315 - Yemen War Mosaic 315

Yemen Press Reader 315: Frauen im Jemen – Kranke Kinder im Jemen – USA, Emirate und Foltergefängnisse im Jemen – Kriegsgefangene in die Emirate gebracht – Saud. Kronprinz Salman - Cholera - u.a.

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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Women in Yemen – Ill children in Yemen – US, Emirates and Yemeni torture prisons – Prisoners of War brought to the Emirates – Saudi Crown Price Salman – Cholera – and more

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Klassifizierung / Classification

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Cholera

cp2 Allgemein / General

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

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

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche/ UN and peace talks

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

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

23.6.2017 – Safer World (** B H)

“Women nowadays do anything.” Women’s role in conflict, peace and security in Yemen

Summary

With the conflict in Yemen entering its third year, women across the country continue to play an active role in shaping their country’s future, in diverse and often undocumented ways.

This report brings to the fore the voices of women in the two governorates of Ibb and Aden, to better understand their lived experiences of the conflict. It also highlights different ways through which women are contributing to community cohesion, and highlights opportunities to support their role in peacebuilding. Conducted in collaboration with the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO) and the Yemen Polling Center (YPC), with the support of the National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (NFDHR) and Wogood for Human Security, this report, which is based on qualitative field research, presents women’s stories of the conflict, highlights the strength of their actions and outlines ways to enhance their roles as peacebuilders.

This study brings together the findings of qualitative research conducted in Ibb and Aden by the Yemen Polling Center (YPC) in cooperation with the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO) and Saferworld. It looks at the impact of the war on women and their families in these two regions, particularly in terms of security-related issues, and the roles women play or have played in the conflict as well as in the building of security and peace.

Our research reveals that the war has had many complex consequences for Yemeni women, who have been severely affected by the violence that has spread through the country, including in gender-based forms. It has had a socioeconomic impact, as many women have been left responsible for running households and taking care of children by themselves. Displacement, the absence of income and basic services, the impact of the conflict on overall family health, the security and education of their children, and the proliferation of small arms are only some of the issues that have put women under psychological strain and at physical risk.

At the same time, women have been active agents in the political, conflict and security dynamics in both governorates. While only rarely engaged in direct combat, many women have contributed to the ‘war effort’ in other ways, including preparing and delivering food and water to fighters, nursing the wounded, manning checkpoints, fundraising and encouraging their husbands and sons to fight. On the other hand, women have led and participated in peacebuilding initiatives. They have contributed greatly to humanitarian efforts, particularly through first aid, child protection and psychosocial support within the community. Throughout the conflict, women have also been integral in developing strategies to secure their safety and that of their families, to provide for their children’s needs, and to contribute to the well-being of the wider community – by Marie-Christine Heinze and Marwa Baabbad

http://www.saferworld.org.uk/resources/view-resource/1118-awomen-nowadaysdo-anythinga-womenas-role-in-conflict-peace-and-security-in-yemen and on Safer World in Yemen: http://www.saferworld.org.uk/where/yemen

24.6.2017 – UNICEF (** A H)

Falling through the cracks: Yemen’s forgotten children in a cholera crisis

Worried parents wait outside the cramped paediatric emergency ward in Ma’abar hospital, 100 kilometers south of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Helpless and unsure how to save their suffering children, they look expectantly at the few doctors and nurses on duty who hurriedly move in and out of the ward, wearing scrubs and masks.

A narrow aisle leads to the neonatal ward, where infants lie in incubators. Some were prematurely delivered while others suffer from medical complications. These children are lucky to receive treatment. There are only ten functional incubators in the entire district.

According to Dr. Ghaylan, the mortality rate among children in Ma’aber district is high. He estimates that two out of every ten infants that are admitted in the hospital die. The doctor explains that the hospital is far from many districts and parents only bring their children when the child’s situation is already complicated, and often when it’s too late.

The situation is the same across all governorates of Yemen. With over 50 per cent of health facilities not fully functional due to the conflict, the health system is hanging by a thread. The health facilities that do function, such as this hospital, are overwhelmed and cannot accommodate the increasing numbers of patients. To make matters worse, doctors have not been paid their salaries for many months. Dr. Ghalyan tells us that many doctors have left the hospital and either joined private hospitals or clinics in neighbouring cities, or left the country in search of a better living. Some of his acquaintances have lost their lives on the roads out of Yemen.

In Sana’a, Al-Thawrah is a leading referral hospital. People from across the country come here, desperate to receive treatment and equally desperate for their loved ones to make it out alive. But this hospital faces the same challenges.

“I feel that I am participating in the death of patients every time I admit them. How do I treat them? I have no medicines, no supplies and no staff. Even the equipment is not working and needs repair,” says Dr. Eman Alsheree, a gynaecologist at the hospital. “We only accept very serious complications where pregnant women or mothers are on the verge of death. I have seen women deliver children on the road, in a car or on the streets. There is no way I can provide them with treatment.”

At the paediatric emergency room, children are sprawled across an un-sanitized open hall. Their attendants huddle by their sides. Children admitted here suffer from all sorts of illnesses, most of them are severe. We see a mother running to other families in the room, begging for money. Her son is in a critical stage and the doctors have asked for a specific medicine. The medicine is only available at one pharmacy, at a price she cannot afford.

The stories are countless, the suffering is unparalleled. Whether it is children dying of preventable diseases or pregnant women dying at the gates of hospitals. Yemen is suffering the worst humanitarian disaster in its modern history. Its children, the most vulnerable of the population, are the biggest victims. They are paying the cost for a conflict not of their making.

In 2015, over 10,000 children died from preventable diseases because of the crumbling health system. UNICEF estimates similar figures for the following years. Those who do survive are prone to malnutrition as the country is staring at a famine - By Rajat Madhok and Suad AlMarani

https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/yemen_96536.html

23.6.2017 – Telepolis (** B P)

US-Soldaten verhören Gefangene in Geheimgefängnissen im Jemen

USA kooperieren mit den von den UAE finanzierten Söldnermilizen und verhören Gefangene, sollen aber mit der dort praktizierten Folter nichts zu tun haben.

Human Rights Watch hat nun einen Bericht vorgelegt, der auf Kriegsverbrechen seitens der UAE verweist. Die Organisation hat die Fälle von 49 Menschen, darunter auch Kinder, dokumentiert, die letztes Jahr von jemenitischen Sicherheitskräften, die von den UAE finanziert und daher Söldner-Milizen darstellen, in Aden und Hadramawt willkürlich eingesperrt oder ins Ausland, u.a. nach Eritrea, verschleppt worden sind.

Nach vielen Informanten und Berichten von Menschenrechtsorganisationen gebe es auf dem Gebiet, das von der international anerkannten Regierung und von der saudischen Koalition unterstützten Regierung von Präsident Hadi zahlreiche Geheimgefängnisse in Aden und Hadramawt, darunter eben auch zwei von den UAE betriebene Geheimgefängnisse. Überdies gebe es ein Gefängnis, das von den UAE selbst betrieben wird. Dort würden Gefangene misshandelt und auch gefoltert. Die UAE unterstützen vornehmlich die Milizen des "Sicherheitsgurts" und der "Hadrami Elitestreitkräfte", Saudi-Arabien finanziert andere. Mitunter konkurrieren diese auch miteinander.

Angeblich kämpfen die Milizen gegen al-Qaida (AQAP) und den Islamischen Staat

Nach HRW gehen beide Milizen gegen die Bevölkerung mit exzessiver Gewalt vor, auch gegen Familienangehörigen und Kinder von Verdächtigen, Dutzende von Menschen seien "verschwunden".

Interessant an den von den UAE unterstützten Aktivitäten ist allerdings, dass sie auch in Zusammenarbeit mit den USA stattfinden.

So sollen manche Verdächtige nach Eritrea verschleppt worden sein. Dort haben die UAE in der Hafenstadt Assab einen Stützpunkt aufgebaut, wo Kämpfer für den Einsatz im Jemen trainiert und die Verschleppten festgehalten werden. Gleichzeitig ist ein AP-Bericht (Video) über ein Netzwerk an von den UAE oder deren Milizen betriebene Geheimgefängnisse im Jemen erschienen, in die Hunderte von Männern verschleppt worden und dort gefoltert worden seien. In einem Gefängnis scheint die Methode ein buchstäblicher Grill gewesen zu sein. Die Gefangenen wurden an ein Gitter gebunden, das von Feuer umgeben war.

Auch hier wird auf die Zusammenarbeit mit den USA hingewiesen. Nach AP hätten Pentagon-Mitarbeiter bestätigt, dass US-Soldaten an Verhören beteiligt gewesen sind. Sie würden aber abstreiten, an Menschenrechtsverletzungen beteiligt gewesen zu sein oder von diesen erfahren zu haben. Auch hier heißt es, dass Gefangene auf den Stützpunkt in Eritrea verschleppt worden seien.

Die UAE bestreiten die Vorwürfe und wissen angeblich nichts von Geheimgefängnissen, das Pentagon reagiert wie gewohnt: "Wir befolgen die höchsten Maßstäbe des persönlichen und professionalen Verhaltens", erklärte Pentagon-Sprecherin Dana White – von Florian Rötzer

https://www.heise.de/tp/features/US-Soldaten-verhoeren-Gefangene-in-Geheimgefaengnissen-im-Jemen-3753568.html

Mein Kommentar: Das war bis fast zwei Tage nach dem Erscheinen der englischsprachigen Berichte (HRW: 22.6., 7.25 Uhr MEZ und AP: 22.6., 18.02 Uhr MEZ der einzige mir bekannte Bericht zum Thema auf Deutsch. Die „Mainstream“-Medien sind bei diesem für die USA und ihre Verbündeten vor Ort schändlichen Thema vollständig abgetaucht und berichteten überhaupt nichts. Und dann kam (Stand: 24.6., 9:00) als einziges vom Mainstream das, am 24.6. um 5.27 Uhr:

24.6.2017 – Die Zeit (* A P)

US-Verteidigungsminister soll Foltervorwürfe prüfen

Haben US-Soldaten in Geheimgefängnissen im Jemen Menschen gefoltert?

Zwei hochrangige Mitglieder des Senats haben Verteidigungsminister James Mattis um eine Untersuchung der Rolle des US-Militärs bei mutmaßlicher Folter in jemenitischen Gefängnissen gebeten. Damit reagierten John McCain, der republikanische Vorsitzende des Streitkräfte-Ausschusses, und der Demokrat Jack Reed auf Berichte über eine mögliche Zusammenarbeit zwischen Vernehmungsbeamten des US-Militärs und Kräften der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate, denen vorgeworfen wird, Gefängnisinsassen im Jemen gefoltert zu haben.

Die Nachrichtenagentur AP berichtete diese Woche über mögliche Misshandlungen in 18 Geheimgefängnissen, wo im Zusammenhang mit der Jagd nach Al-Kaida-Extremisten Hunderte eingesperrt sind. Die Gefängnisse werden von den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten und deren jemenitischen Vebündeten betrieben, berichteten frühere Insassen, Familienangehörige von Gefangenen, Bürgerrechtsanwälte und jemenitische Militärs.

Insider in Washington bestätigten den Berichten zufolge, dass US-Dienststellen in die Verhöre von Gefangenen im Jemen involviert seien. Sie dementierten jedoch, dass diese Mitarbeiter von Menschenrechtsverletzungen wüssten oder direkt daran beteiligt seien.

http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2017-06/usa-james-mattis-folter-jemen

Mein Kommentar: Das war's. Das hier kann man ja kaum einen Bericht über diese Foltergefängnisse nennen.Thema umschifft, liebe Zeit. Aber doch erreicht, dass euch niemand vorwerfen kann, ihr hättet nicht berichtet. - Die Amerikaner hätten bei den Verhören nichts von Folter mitbekommen? - Wie der Plan der Gefängnisanlage laut AP zeigt, fanden die Folterungen auf einem offenen Hof direkt vor dem Verhörraum statt: https://twitter.com/AP/status/877828530901585920 . Wer blind und taub ist, kriegt dann vielleicht nichts mit. Solche Leute werden die Amerikaner aber kaum zur Durchführung von Verhören schicken.

Aus den Leserkommentaren:

H: dass ausgerechnet ein Herr John McCain ausgerechnet den amerikanischen Verteidigungsminister um Aufklärung der Foltervorwürfe bittet, das verleiht dem Ganzen zusätzlich eine ganz besondere Note.

M: Hier bekommen Sie weitere Informationen zu US-Geheimgefängnissen, wobei es sich, wie man befürchten muss und wie das Beispiel Jemen bestätigt, nur um eine kleine (?) Auswahl handelt: https://de.wikipedia.org/...Warum die offensichtlich nicht bestrittene Beteilung des BND die Gemüter in Deutschland nicht mehr erregt, ist für mich besonders unverständlich: "Der BND, das BKA und das BfV sollen nach Medienberichten auf diversen Ebenen an dem System der Geheimgefängnisse beteiligt gewesen sein. Die Behörden sollen Namen mutmaßlicher Terroristen und weiteres durch Abhörmaßnahmen gewonnenes Material an die CIA weitergegeben haben. Des Weiteren habe das BKA nicht nur Kenntnis von Geheimgefängnissen, sondern habe in ihnen auch Befragungen durchgeführt

N: Es wäre ein erneuter Beweis für die Heuchelei, mit welcher die USA ihre aggressive Außenpolitik begründen.
Zuerst lassen sie beim autokratischen Präsidenten Assad in Syrien foltern, und später muss der "Schlächter" Assad angeblich weg, weil er ja ein so böser Kerl ist.

Wenn sich herausstellt, dass die USA auch im Jemen foltern lassen/ließen, sollte auch dem letzten klar werden, dass die USA im Nahen Osten keineswegs aus humanitären Gründen agieren, sondern aus eiskalter Machtpolitik heraus

R: Oh Geheimgefängnisse, Folter....Bruch der Menschenrechte ......

Das kann doch nicht die USA gewesen sein. Ich bin mir sicher das war Putin.
Aber sowas von sicher .
Wir ( der Westen ) halten uns an Menschen und Völkerrecht. Lediglich die Barbaren , Massenschlächter , Völkermörder und kriminellen Mafiosi aus dem Osten tun so etwas !!
Punkt aus Basta.

C: Lächerlich.
Die Existenz von Geheimgefängnissen und Folter unter Aufsicht von US-Personen - den Folteropfern wird egal sein, ob Militär oder CIA - ist seit langem bekannt und belegt, und zwar bis hin nach Polen, immerhin inzwischen Mitglied der Europäischen Union (die Zeit vom 12.12.2014 berichtet bspw., "dass die CIA ein solches Lager eingerichtet hatte – mit Zustimmung der Warschauer Regierung").
Republikanische Senatoren finden jetzt solche Berichte "äußerst beunruhigend"? Dann sollten sie mal dafür sorgen, dass sich der damals dafür verantwortliche Präsident für solche Menschenrechtsverletzungen vor Gericht verantworten muss. Das hätte im Übrigen auch eine gewisse erzieherische Wirkung auf den heutigen Präsidenten...

23.6.2017 – Aljazeera (** B P)

Film: UAE denies Human Rights Watch report on secret prisons in Yemen

Amnesty International has called on the UN for an investigation into allegations that the UAE and its allied Yemeni security forces detained and tortured hundreds of people.

Human Rights Watch said it documented the use of electric shock and beatings inside secret prisons in Yemen.

Al Jazeera’s Paul Chaderjian reports

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/06/uae-denies-human-rights-watch-report-secret-prisons-yemen-170623104956519.html and at youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXY_oKzMXvE . For this denial, see cp15 below.

Comment by Kate Kizer: UAE denial here false: UAE has direct control over at least 5 brigades of #Yemensec. forces, backs other militias.

https://twitter.com/KateKizer/status/878419155594207237

24.6.2017 – Josephjo1221 (* A P)

Photo: Letter from the leader of the resistance in Lahj to the leader of the mercenaries in Taiz confirms the existence of secret prisons of the UAE demanding the release of one of the detainees.

https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/878693734463963136

23.6.2017 – Reuters (** A P)

Senators demand investigation of reports of torture in Yemen

The U.S. officials denied any participation in or knowledge of human rights abuses, but obtaining intelligence that may have been extracted by torture inflicted by another party would violate the International Convention Against Torture.

Senators John McCain, the Senate committee's Republican chairman, and Jack Reed, its ranking Democrat, asked Mattis to conduct an immediate review of the alleged abuses, including of U.S. support to the forces involved.

The leaders of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee asked Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday to investigate any involvement of U.S. interrogators at secret prisons in Yemen where inmates have reportedly been tortured.

McCain, who was tortured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, has been a leader of anti-torture efforts in Congress. In the letter, he and Reed argued that any suggestion the United States is complicit in torture hurts national security.

They also asked Mattis to assess what, if anything, U.S. forces knew about the alleged abuses and to provide a briefing to the committee as soon as possible.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-prisons-usa-congress-idUSKBN19E2GZ and by CNN: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960401000674

My comment: “The U.S. officials denied any participation in or knowledge of human rights abuses “: Look at the reconstruction of the prison – the torture area was directly in front of the interrogation room, in an open court: https://twitter.com/AP/status/877828530901585920

22.6.2017 – Human Rights Watch (** A P)

US Ignores Allies’ Torture in Yemen

Evidence of US Complicity in Abuses by UAE and Yemeni Forces

In this case, the US is trying to wash its hands of responsibility.

The US has officially denied knowledge of the torture and ill-treatment in the Yemeni centers. But that claim doesn’t fly, as the article says several US Defense Department officials confirmed that senior US military leaders knew about torture allegations. Those officials, however, worked to minimize US responsibility, saying military leaders looked into the allegations and were satisfied there had been no abuse “when US forces [were] present.”

Again, no pass. If US forces are interrogating individuals when there is a credible belief they may have been tortured, they risk complicity in the abuse.

The alleged US involvement would violate international law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Convention against Torture, both of which the US has ratified. If there is one thing the US should have learned from its post 9/11 history, it’s that engaging in torture, or cooperating with forces that torture, is counterproductive, helps militant group recruitment, and fosters instability and abuse. Information derived from torture is also inherently unreliable, generating false leads and wasted resources.

By ignoring these lessons, the Trump administration is also putting its military personnel at risk of future prosecution for complicity in torture – by Laura Pitter

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/22/us-ignores-allies-torture-yemen

22.6.2017 – Amnesty International (** B P)

YEMEN: URGENT INVESTIGATION NEEDED INTO UAE TORTURE NETWORK AND POSSIBLE U.S. ROLE

Following anAssociated Press investigationalleging that United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its allied Yemeni security forces are arbitrarily detaining and torturing detainees, who are also being interrogated by U.S. forces in a network of secret prisons across Southern Yemen, Lynn Maalouf, Director of Research at Amnesty International in the Middle East said:

“A UN-led investigation must immediately be launched into the UAE’s and other parties’ role in setting up this horrific network of torture. Thousands of Yemeni men have disappeared in those networks. Enforced disappearance and torture are crimes under international law. They must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.”

“Allegations about U.S. forces taking part in interrogations of detainees or receiving information that may have been obtained through torture must also be immediately investigated, as the U.S. may be complicit in crimes under international law. Also, given the UAE’s practice of torture domestically, which Amnesty International has consistently documented in the past, it would be a stretch to believe the U.S. did not know or could not have known that there was a real risk of torture.”

“The UAE is obliged to uphold the UN convention against torture which it became a state party to in 2012. As a signatory to the global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the UAE must also refrain from acts that defeat the Treaty’s purpose, which includes reducing human suffering.”

“Furthermore, the USA as well as European countries must immediately halt arms transfers to the UAE given the high likelihood those arms could be used to facilitate enforced disappearances, torture or serious violations of international humanitarian law. Otherwise, arms suppliers could be complicit in war crimes.”

https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/yemen-urgent-investigation-needed-uae-torture-network-possible-u-s-role/ and same demand by ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/blog/speak-freely/were-demanding-answers-us-involvement-torture-secret-uae-prison-network referring to AP report: https://apnews.com/4925f7f0fa654853bd6f2f57174179fe and HRW report: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/22/yemen-uae-backs-abusive-local-forces

Comment by Edward Snowden: Biggest @APscoop in a long time: US government behind UAE torture in Yemen, with some reportedly grilled alive.

https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/877902775136337920

and an abriged article by Stephen Snyder at PRI:

24.6.2017 – PRI (* A P)

[Final paragraph:]

We asked for comment from the US State Department for this article. A spokesperson replied via email, "We have seen this report. I would refer you to DoD for further comment." A Department of Defense spokesman replied, "As a matter of policy we do not discuss the details of bilateral intelligence arrangements with partner nations. This is no exception."

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-06-23/top-us-ally-runs-secret-torture-prisons-yemen

and article by The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/22/us-interrogates-detainees-yemen-black-sites-rife-torture/

and article by Claire Bernish at Free Thought Project:

22.6.2017 – The Free Thought Project (** B P)

They Were ‘Grilled Alive’: US Govt Exposed Running Nazi-Like Torture Program

As in the first revelations on the renewed use of the gross physical and psychological abuses comprising torture, human rights advocates admonished such practices cannot be carried out without the broad knowledge of military and intelligence officials at the scene — particularly not for the duration described.

It would be a stretch to believe the US did not know or could not have known that there was a real risk of torture,” Amnesty International Director of Research in the Middle East, Lynn Maalouf, told the Associated Press. Amnesty called for a swift investigation by the United Nations into the torture allegations against the UAE and other possible participants or knowledgeable parties.

Torture has been championed as acceptable by the president and other U.S. officials, despite its illegality internationally — almost exclusively as a tool of the War on Terror to extract information from prisoners — but torture has been proven repeatedly to be ineffective for that very purpose.

At least 2,000 people have vanished in Yemen — their families left agonizing over their fate, tragically wondering whether a torturous interrogation took their lives.

Wives, mothers, and daughters in the north and south of Yemen want to know whether their husbands, sons, and brothers are all right, if they are even alive,”noted Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, after issuance of a similar report on torture in Yemen by her organization, on Thursday.

Despite denial of allegations by the United States military and government of the United Arab Emirates, the report from the Associated Press most likely will be remembered as the beginning of yet another torture scandal embroiling perpetually-ethicless entities during a complex and violent conflict — one, again, involving the U.S., which fights for freedom and against terror by, apparently, eviscerating freedom and waging terror.

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/us-torture-grilled-alive/ = http://www.globalresearch.ca/they-were-grilled-alive-us-government-exposed-running-nazi-like-torture-program-in-yemen/5596019

and also Qatar is now reporting from a new perspective and critical to its former ally UAE: http://www.gulf-times.com/story/554487/UAE-runs-at-least-18-secret-torture-prisons-in-Yem

And, this story already was told earlier before, and did not make great headlines at that time...

8.6.2017 – Bureau of Investigative Journalism (** B P)

Kidnapped and never seen again: UAE accused offorced disappearances in Yemen

An armed force run by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has kidnapped hundreds of men in Yemen, according to relatives and local human rights activists, fueling concerns about the United States’ choice of partners in its war against Islamic extremism.

Yemenis say that over the past year, men in uniform have been coming to people’s homes and taking them away, in many cases never to be seen again. Desperate parents have told the Bureau they have virtually no information on their sons’ fate and nowhere they can turn for help.

The uniformed men are thought to belong to a militia called the Elite Forces, which is under UAE control. The Elite Forces have been accused of taking the men to a secret prison compound at al Riyyan airport in southeastern Yemen, where one human rights activist said they are packed into metal shipping containers then left in temperatures of 50 degrees plus.

The activist likened the conditions at the airbase to Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, the notorious US-run prison in Iraq. “We don’t know whether they’re alive or dead,” said one parent. “Is that human rights?”

The Bureau spent weeks investigating reports of disappearances and tracing families of the detained. Many were afraid to talk. The handful who did agree to be interviewed described the time and circumstances of their sons’ arrests in detail, but asked us not to publish anything that might identify them or their children.

It’s presumed that the Elite Force arrests are an attempt to round up al Qaeda suspects. Extremist organisations remain a serious threat in Yemen, and some local residents have expressed support for the Elite Forces’ attempts to bring security.

But activists and relatives say that many of those arrested are guilty of nothing more than doing ordinary jobs in Mukalla at a time when al Qaeda was in charge. Many people living in Mukalla technically worked for the group at some point, because it was the de facto government.

The UN investigated six forced disappearances by the Elite Forces in Mukalla that took place between April and November last year. Five of the men taken had no links to al Qaeda, it said, while one was a professional tradesperson who did some work for the group.

There are also reports that people are being apprehended for being members of Islah – a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated political movement.

There are many different armed actors operating in Yemen, and parents don’t know who to go to for help when their sons are taken away. People the Bureau spoke to were shaken and frightened, and said Yemeni government officials were powerless.

Another man, who like the other parents asked for his name not to be used, said that his son vanished a few months ago after the Elite Forces came to look for him. He has been trying frantically to find out about his son’s fate ever since, but has failed to get any answers from Yemeni officials.

“We have knocked on all the doors of the authorities, but sadly the Emiratis rule and have the final word,” he said.

Human rights activists estimate the total number of the disappeared to be in the hundreds.

Airbase facility likened to Abu Ghraib

It is very hard to find out information about conditions in al Riyyan but human rights activists say that serious abuses are taking place there.

One man who has been following the situation in al Riyyan closely, and asked to remain anonymous, said that the abuses start with a “welcoming ceremony” in which prisoners are subjected to violence and insults. They are crowded into metal containers, whose temperatures can reach 53 degrees at midday, he said. One prisoner who was released had blood oozing out from the soles of his feet from all the beatings, according to the activist.

Prisoners are allegedly stripped for interrogation, the activist continued, likening the situation to “Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.”

The Bureau downloaded two satellite images of an area inside the al Riyyan airport perimeter; the first taken in January 2016, before the Emirati intervention in Mukalla, and the second in July 2016, after the UAE took control of the city. The second image appears to show metal containers fitting the description given by one activist of where prisoners were held.

Widespread anger

Nadwa al Dawsari, a senior non-resident fellow at the US-based Project on Middle Eastern Democracy said that the forced disappearances could backfire on the US, draining local support for the counterterrorism mission - by Abigail Fielding-Smith

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2017-06-08/disappearance-and-torture-uae-forces-accused-of-widespread-abuse-in-yemen

22.6.2017 – Moon of Alabama (** B P)

U.S. Torture, A Saudi Coup And ISIS Crimes - "By, With And Through Allies"

The U.S. military and/or the CIA outsourced parts of their ongoing torture campaign in Yemen to the United Arab Emirates, reports AP. Some "interrogations" are done in the presence of U.S. personal and on U.S. ships:

There have long been rumors in Yemen that detainees were transported to U.S. ships off the coast for intense "interrogations":

@BaFana3 - 3:42am · 6 May 2016
All on #Yemen now : US aircraft carrier, 2 naval destroyers, amphibious ready group & Marine expeditionary unit. That's near 15,000 troops
Now I know whose ships the captured AQAP militants are being ferried to from Al Mukalla, Hadhramaut.

The UAE had been part of the CIA's "black sites" torture apparatus. Its agents are thereby well trained. The U.S. military and/or the CIA now seem to have outsourced (vid) most of the "dirty" stuff to them. That does not make them less culpable.

The Obama administration has called this acting "by, with and through" allies. The Trump administration continues with the scheme.

The tortured "militants" were most likely not al-Qaeda chaps. Al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula held the harbor city of Mukalla in Yemen. The UAE "liberated" the city in April 2016 by making a deal with AQAP and letting them go. It is allied with the group while fighting the Yemeni Houthi. If the U.S. torture crews believe that they are "interrogating" real "al-Qaeda" they are hoodwinked by the UAE operators.

The U.S. military is, of course, denying all torture accusations and the CIA is, of course, not commenting, but denigrating the accusers. We have heard such denials before.

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/06/more-us-torture-a-saudi-coup-and-isis-crimes-but-progressives-are-militant.html

24.6.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy: Extrajudicial detention, torture & forcible disappearance neither new nor exclusive to #Yemengov't; Houthis/Saleh, other groups guilty too.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/878702584420331525 referring to Mwatana report: http://mwatana.org/en/2462017637

24.6.2017 – Reuters (* A P)

Yemen government says to investigate allegations of abuse in secret prisons

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government said on Saturday it was investigating reports that forces backed by the United Arab Emirates were running secret prisons in southern Yemen where detainees are subjected to torture and abuse.

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed bin Daghr said he had set up a six-member committee headed by the justice minister to investigate "human rights allegations in liberated areas".

"The committee starts work from today and sends its report to the prime minister within 15 days," the order, dated June 22, said. The committee's duties were to investigate the abuse allegations, ways to respond to them and to put forth mechanisms to deal with any such issues in the future.

On Friday, the UAE Foreign Ministry denied running any secret prisons in Yemen and called the accusations "an attempt to sully the reputation of the alliance that had intervened to save the Yemeni people".

"This issue is in the hands of the legitimate Yemeni authorities, while the coalition forces provide the necessary training for Yemeni cadres in line with the best legal practices," the ministry said in a statement.

- by Sylvia Westall and Mohamed El Sherif

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-abuse-idUSKBN19F08D and as reported by Aljazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/yemen-orders-probe-alleged-torture-uae-170624160933567.html

My comment: LOL. Self-investigation.

Comment by Haykal Bafana: Knife stuck deep in UAE. Now, Saudi twists it. | "Yemen govt" to investigate allegations of abuse in secret prisons.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878557878365417472

24.6.2017 – New News (** B K P)

The UAE and Saudi Arabia Obstruct the Prisoners’ File in Yemen by Transferring Large Numbers of them to Abu Dhabi and Abha

The National Committee for Detainees’ and Prisoners’ Affairs confirmed that the file of prisoners and detainees is subject to many obstacles, despite the submission of various statements to local and international institutions , in the hope that the other parties will meet this by presenting their serious and sincere approach to this humanitarian file and making them a painstaking effort to overcome them .

The National Committee in a press statement issued on Friday evening that all its efforts collided with direct intervention by the authorities of the occupied UAE, which controls large parts of the south and control of dozens of secret prisons in Mukalla, Aden and Yemen Islands.

The statement revealed that the United Arab Emirates transferred the largest number of prisoners and detainees from the army and the popular committees to Abu Dhabi, preventing any contacting with them.

The statement of the National Committee clarified that a large part of the prisoners from the Marib Front were in the hands of Saudi Arabia and were transferred to the prisons of Abha.

The National Committee said that the other parties’ refusal to respond – as was hoped – during the holy month of Ramadan are fully responsible for their continued obstruction of the humanitarian file, which remains subject to politicization, selection and manipulation of time by the hostile party who is rejecting this step.

The National Committee noted that it has successfully conducted some exchanges of prisoners and detainees through local authorities but unfortunately remains limited, yet our efforts will continue to be carried out at various local and international levels and through human rights organizations.

http://newnewss.net/?p=6915

My comment: This is referring to prisoners of the Yemen war (Houthi fighters and the army loyal to ex-president Saleh fighting alongside the Houthis), and not to the inmates of the UAE's / Hadi government's torture prisons.

24.6.2017 – Forbes (* *A P)

With New Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia Doubles Down On Political Repression And Regional Aggression

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an anachronism, an absolute monarchy in a democratic age. A few thousand princes sit atop a society of roughly 32 million, treating the nation’s wealth as their family’s piggy bank. The royals live a generally licentious lifestyle outside of public view, but buy off the KSA’s fundamentalist Muslim clergy by promoting the intolerant Islamic sect of Wahhabism worldwide. The kingdom’s population long has been a generous source of people and money for radical and terrorist groups, including those attacking the West.

What amounts to a totalitarian state—there is no religious or political liberty and only limited social freedom, at least in public—has no popular appeal other than its open checkbook.

However, his [Prince Salman] highly-touted liberalism does not extend to religion or politics.

As for politics, the reigning prince has demonstrated no inclination to allow those not of royal blood to have any say in their own government. Freedom House ranks the KSA as “Not Free,” with the lowest possible rating for both political freedom and civil liberties.

Indeed, the kingdom’s hated enemy, Iran, looks like a democratic paragon compared to Riyadh.

Of greater concern to the U.S. is the crown prince’s international aggression. He is pushing a quasi-war against Iran, pledging to “work so that the battle for them is in Iran.” Antagonism toward Tehran sparked Riyadh’s destabilizing support for radical jihadists in an attempt to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The Saudi royals were angered by Qatar’s friendly relations with Iran, growing naturally out of their shared natural gas field. These ties also encourage the world’s most populous Shia nation’s more responsible participation in the international system. The Saudis criticized Qatar for backing the Muslim Brotherhood, the world’s most important exponent of political Islam, a diverse activist (not terrorist) group whose members serve in at least two governments and are well integrated into other Arab nations. Riyadh’s war on the Brotherhood threatens to drive its activities underground and radicalize even more young Muslims, who find no appeal in a discreditable corrupt monarchy.

Even Riyadh’s Sunni neighbors are not entirely comfortable with MBS’s outsized ambitions. Warned Chas Freeman, George H.W. Bush’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia: “Some of the neighbors regard it as a drive for Saudi hegemony in the region.” Which could be as unpleasant as Iranian domination.

Despite the good press received by MBS as a dynamic new ruler, so far he has demonstrated an unerring ability to fail upward.

The new Saudi crown prince’s pleasant countenance cannot disguise the brutal character of the system he represents. Even assuming the royal family is truly united—and there likely is greater disquiet than publicly known—anointing a younger, more vibrant ruler in Saudi Arabia is like putting lipstick on a pig. The essential problem remains the dictatorial theocracy’s lack of public legitimacy and appeal. The only question is when the Saudi people will finally free themselves. – by Doug Bandow

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2017/06/24/with-new-crown-prince-saudi-arabia-doubles-down-on-political-repression-and-regional-aggression/#70dc675c4dd3

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Cholera / Most important: Cholera

25.6.2017 – Deutschlandfunk (** A H)

Mehr als 200.000 Cholera-Verdachtsfälle

Im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen ist die Zahl vermuteter Fälle von Cholera auf über 200.000 gestiegen. Unter ihnen seien viele Kinder, teilten Unicef und die Weltgesundheitsorganisation gemeinsam mit. Täglich kämen etwa 5.000 neue Fälle hinzu.

Mehr als 1.300 Menschen seien bereits an der Krankheit gestorben. Es sei zu erwarten, dass die Zahl der Todesopfer weiter steige.

http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/jemen-mehr-als-200-000-cholera-verdachtsfaelle.1939.de.html?drn:news_id=760996 und von Tagesschau https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/jemen-cholera-107.html

24.6.2017 – UN News Centre (** A H)

Yemen hit by world's worst cholera outbreak as cases reach 200,000 – UN

Yemen is now facing the worst cholera outbreak in the world, with suspected cases exceeding 200,000 and the number increasing at an average of 5,000 a day, the United Nations warned today.

In a joint statement, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan said that in just two months, cholera has spread to almost every governorate of this war-torn country.

Already more than 1,300 people have died – one quarter of them children – and the death toll is expected to rise.

“UNICEF, WHO and our partners are racing to stop the acceleration of this deadly outbreak,” they said, also calling on authorities in Yemen to strengthen their internal efforts to stop the outbreak from spreading further.

“This deadly cholera outbreak is the direct consequence of two years of heavy conflict,” the UN officials said, noting that collapsing health, water and sanitation systems have cut off 14.5 million people from regular access to clean water and sanitation, increasing the ability of the disease to spread.

The UN officials also said that rising rates of malnutrition have weakened children's health and made them more vulnerable to disease.

An estimated 30,000 dedicated local health workers who play the largest role in ending this outbreak have not been paid their salaries for nearly 10 months.

“We urge all authorities inside the country to pay these salaries and, above all, we call on all parties to end this devastating conflict,” they said.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57059#.WU8zK2jyi01 and UNICEF statement: https://www.unicef.org/media/media_96544.html and O'Brien statement: http://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/statement-and-speech/USG%20ERC%20Statement%20on%20Yemen%20-%2024June2017.pdf

My comment: The main reason for the fact that the health workers had not been paid for 10 months now are „president“ Hadi's maneuvres for getting full influence on the Central Bank of Yemen – and the full western support for this harakiri policy.

24.6.2017 – Middle East Monitor (** A H)

WHO: Cholera outbreak kills 1,310 Yemenis since April

A cholera epidemic has killed some 1,310 people in war-torn Yemen since late April, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In a Saturday statement, WHO’s Yemen office said over 200,000 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in the country since April 27.

On Friday, the UN agency said 1,256 people had died of the outbreak with the northwestern Hajjah province registering the highest number of deaths.

The WHO earlier warned that the three-year fighting in Yemen had destroyed the country’s health sector, making it difficult to deal with the epidemic.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170624-who-cholera-outbreak-kills-1310-yemenis-since-april/

25.6.2017 – BBC (** A H)

Yemen faces world's worst cholera outbreak - UN

Yemen is now facing the worst cholera outbreak anywhere in the world, the United Nations has warned.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40395522

Comment by Judith Brown: The worst cholera epidemic anywhere, and the worst in the world for decades. Mostly ignored by the world's uncaring media and uncaring leaders.
Note well the area marked by the BBC as 'under Hadi control' is definitely not under Hadi control. There is a very small part of Aden where the control is by troops paid for Saudi Arabia and Saud to be loyal to Hadi, but even there in the past few weeks there have been disputes as UAE would not allow a pan carrying Hadi to land in Yemen. Hadi is not safe anywhere is Yemen. The area to the east and south is held by a variety of UAE troops and tribal leaders. There is fighting in some other areas by 'pro-Hadi' forces in the mix of fighters but definitely Hadi is not in control of anything.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155658469588641

24.6.2017 – Tagesschau (** A H)

Film: Cholera-Epidemie im Jemen

https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video-301831.html

24.6.2017 – Euronews (* A H)

Film: Unicef befürchtet 300 000 Cholera-Fälle im Jemen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0a7XpsuQJM

24.6.2017 – Infosperber (* A H)

Jemen: Unicef bezahlt Ärzte, um Kinder zu retten

Im Kampf gegen Cholera greift das UN-Kinderhilfswerk zu einem ungewöhnlichen Schritt und finanziert Gesundheitspersonal in Jemen.

Diese Art der Finanzierung ist in diesem Umfang einmalig und sei «keine gängige Praxis», sagte Cappelaere. Und auch keine, die er so beibehalten wolle. Mehrere Millionen haben die «Stipendien» an Ärzte und Pflegende, die etwa 70 Prozent des normalen Lohns ausmachen, bereits gekostet. Das Unicef griff dafür auf einen Notfallfond zurück. Die meisten Ärzte und Pflegenden hatten zuvor seit Monaten keine Bezahlung mehr bekommen.

Cappelaere hat mit beiden Kriegsparteien gesprochen. «So lange ihr Geld habt zu kämpfen, solltet ihr Geld haben, eure Ärzte und das Pflegepersonal zu zahlen», sagte er. Beide Parteien meinten, dass «eine Lösung gefunden werden müsse».

https://www.infosperber.ch/Politik/Jemen-UNICEF-bezahlt-Arzte-um-Kinder-zu-retten

Mein Kommentar: Auf Englisch wurde darüber schon längst berichtet, für den deutschsprachigen Mainstream war das kein Thema. - was hier unklar bleibt: Hauptgrund dafür, dass das medizinische Personal jetzt schon seit Monaten nicht mehr bezahlt wird, waren die politischen Winkelzüge von „Präsident“ Hadi, mit denen er die volle Kontrolle über die Zentralbank erlangen wollte.

23.6.2017 – NTV (** A H)

Cholera-Erkrankungen im JemenUnicef geht von 300.000 Infektionen aus

Im Jemen wird sich die Cholera-Epidemie nach Angaben des UN-Kinderhilfswerks Unicef noch deutlich verschlimmern. Bis Ende August sei von 300.000 Fällen auszugehen, sagte eine Unicef-Expertin. "Die Zahl der Fälle steigt." Aktuell litten 190.000 Menschen an der Infektionskrankheit. 1265 Patienten seien gestorben.

In dem seit drei Jahren von einem Bürgerkrieg erschütterten Land herrscht Mangel an sauberem Wasser und sanitären Einrichtungen. Die Hygienemängel begünstigen den Ausbruch der Krankheit erheblich.

http://www.n-tv.de/ticker/Unicef-geht-von-300-000-Infektionen-aus-article19903956.html

23.6.2017 – AFP (** A H)

A cholera outbreak in war-ravaged Yemen could infect more than 300,000 people by the end of August, up from nearly 193,000 cases today, the United Nations said Friday.

"Probably at the end of August we will reach 300,000" cases, UN children's agency spokeswoman Meritxell Relano told reporters in Geneva during a conference call.

Since the outbreak was declared in April, an estimated 1,265 people have died, she said.

"The number of cases continue to increase," Relano said, adding that all of Yemen's 21 governorates have been affected.

She said that children had been hit hard by the outbreak, accounting for half of the registered cases to date.

But only a quarter of the people who have died so far were children, she said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4632460/Yemen-cholera-cases-pass-300-000-September-UN.html

23.6.2017 – Haney Yahya (** A H)

Almarawaa hospital in hodedah ran out of ORS and other medications to treat Cholera. They can buy it if needed. Do u know where to buy it

https://twitter.com/YmNBoY/status/878346555601715200

23.6.2017 – Al Arabiya (* A H)

Saudi Arabia gives $66.7 million in aid for cholera outbreak in Yemen

Saudi Arabia has announced a donation of $66.7 million to The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners to respond to the outbreak of cholera in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency has reported.

The figure of $66.7 million has been requested by UNICEF and WHO as the total funding needed to respond effectively to the cholera situation in Yemen, through a combination of water, sanitation and healthcare activities, a statement by the agency said.

King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid will work with UNICEF, WHO and their partners to activate the new initiative, starting immediately.

The donation is an initiative of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense to accelerate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s substantial humanitarian efforts in Yemen.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/06/23/Saudi-Arabia-gives-66-7-million-in-aid-for-cholera-outbreak-in-Yemen.html and as by CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/23/middleeast/yemen-saudis-cholera/index.html and Reuters even headlines: Saudi crown prince donates $66 million to fight Yemen cholera epidemic, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-cholera-saudi-idUSKBN19E221 . That's hardly his private money. In 2015, he had bought a yacht for himself in France. (US $ 500 million).

My comment: Saudi propaganda presents Saudi Arabia as humanitarian benefactor. – The sum mentioned here is a greater one; anyway, compared to the Saudi aerial war, it’s not even 6 hours of Saudi bombing at Yemen.

Comment by beatrice De Filippis: Donates to WHO+UN who will feel obliged to white wash siege, crimes, 'collater damage' and the inferno of over 800 days of aggression

https://twitter.com/Bilquis66/status/878379321076977664

23.6.2017 – Vice News (** A H P)

Saudi Arabia donates to end Yemen cholera outbreak it helped start

Health officials attempting to control Yemen’s outbreak believe the crisis could have been preventable, but was exacerbated by limited access to aid, crippled medical facilities, and damaged transport infrastructure that prevented sick people from seeking treatment abroad.

“This is because of conflict, it’s man-made, it’s very severe, the numbers are absolutely staggering, it’s getting worse,” said the U.N.’s humanitarian aid chief, Stephen O’Brien, “[A]nd the cholera element in addition to the lack of food, the lack of medical supplies… Primarily one has to put that at the door of all the parties to the conflict,” O’Brien said.

The spread of cholera is one of many man-made catastrophes contributing to the world’s largest single-nation humanitarian crisis in the world.

Though both warring parties share in the blame, the Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes have contributed to a “disproportionate amount” of civilian casualties. Coalition strikes have also destroyed critical civilian infrastructure, like medical facilities, schools and markets.

Most detrimental, however, has been the Saudi-led coalition’s ongoing blockades on critical port cities and airports.

The naval blockade on the Hodeidah port as well as the closure of the capital airport in Sanaa has severely restricted the flow of medical supplies, fuel, and the ability for sick or injured people to be flown out for treatment, according to a report by Save the Children. Before the war, 90 percent of supplies came through the Hodeidah port in western Yemen. But Saudi-led coalition airstrikes all but destroyed the port in February, badly slowing down deliveries into the country, including vital medicine and aid.

With the right medicines, these [diseases] are all completely treatable — but the Saudi Arabia-led coalition is stopping them from getting in,” Save the Children’s interim country director for Yemen Grant Pritchard said in April - By Alexa Liautaud

https://news.vice.com/story/saudi-arabia-donates-to-end-yemen-cholera-outbreak-it-helped-start

23.6.2017 - World Health Organization (A H P)

WHO expresses thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, for his generous initiative to fund cholera response activities in Yemen

"On behalf of the WHO Regional Office I extend deep thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for his nobel initiative in the humanitarian field, to support efforts which aim to alleviate suffering, provide relief through working to contain cholera and prevent its complications in Yemen," Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said.

http://www.emro.who.int/media/news/who-expresses-thanks-and-appreciation-to-his-royal-highness-crown-prince-of-saudi-arabia-for-his-generous-initiative-to-fund-the-cholera-response-activities-in-yemen.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/who-expresses-thanks-and-appreciation-his-royal-highness-crown-prince-saudi-arabia-his

My comment: Being dependent on Saudi money, the UN praises exactly the one person who more than anybody else is responsible for all the death, destruction and despair. Disgusting. - And these $66 million are well spent, also UNICEF is making its kowtow:

23.6.2017 – UNICEF (A P)

UNICEF statement on Saudi contribution to Yemen cholera response

UNICEF welcomes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a contribution to the cholera response in Yemen by WHO and UNICEF.

“Children make up half of the suspected cholera cases and one quarter of related deaths.

“We look forward to discussing this contribution with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

“Such generosity will make a great difference to thousands of children at risk of contracting this rapidly spreading disease.”

https://www.unicef.org/media/media_96542.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unicef-statement-saudi-contribution-yemen-cholera-response

My comment: Let sack the headline and be aware that the “ Saudi contribution to Yemen cholera” is bombing the country into ruins especially water wells, medical institutions, transport system, the destruction of its economy, the blockade causing famine and the lack of medical supply.

23.6.2017 - European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (A H)

EU increases aid to tackle cholera outbreak in Yemen

The European Commission is scaling up its response to an unprecedented cholera outbreak in Yemen with an additional €5 million, bringing total EU support for efforts to tackle the disease to €8.8 million.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/eu-increases-aid-tackle-cholera-outbreak-yemen

My comment: If let's say Montenegro or Fiji would have given that sums, I would have been impressed. If Island or Uruguay would haven given them, I would have been pleased. If Finland or Sweden would have given them, I would have said: OK then.

cp2 Allgemein / General

24.6.2017 – Sabanew.net ( A P)

Gov't says journalists welcome to visit Yemen and report what they see

The Yemeni government said Friday said it wants the whole world to know what is happening in Yemen so foreign journalists are welcome to visit Yemen and report what they see.

A statement from Yemen's permanent mission to the UN read: "The Yemeni Government wants the whole world to know what is happening in Yemen. We want local journalists to be free to report what they see. And we want foreign journalists to visit all parts of Yemen and report what they see. The Houthi-Saleh rebels do not want this – for the obvious reason that it would expose them to international condemnation.
So the Houthis prevent local journalists from reporting, by harassing and imprisoning them (the number of Journalist detainees in the Houthi controlled areas are staggering). And when foreign journalists have in the past flown into rebel-controlled Sana’a, the Houthis have not allowed them to move around freely, instead taking them on carefully curated programs, the sole purpose of which has been to support rebel propaganda efforts."
The statement said that if foreign journalists want to visit Yemen, they need simply to apply for a visa at a Yemeni embassy. It said: "We will allow them full access to the 80% of the country controlled by the legitimate government, and we will not prevent them from traveling into rebel-occupied areas should they wish to do so, and as long as they are willing to accept the risks of traveling into the lawless territory. They will see the grievous damage the rebels have done and continue to do to Yemen and the suffering they are causing to the Yemeni people.
However, we know from experience that journalists flying directly into Sana’a and placing themselves under the control of the rebels for short and tightly-managed visits do not see what is really happening and are not able to report fully and accurately."
The permanent mission's statement re-informed the world of the basic facts of what is happening in Yemen and why is it happening, in response to recent reports covering Yemen in the international media.

http://www.sabanew.net/viewstory.php?id=18987

Remark: Hadi government news agency. - The whole statement is rather odd for several reasons, look at following comments:

Comment by Hisham Al-Omeisy: We welcome foreign journalists to #Yemen¹ _____ ¹ We don't. If anyone visits & writes bad report, we will defame using visa info/passport. (photos)

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/878691650016555009

Fyi, #Yemengov't blocks journos from visiting. @K_Beckerlevisited as @hrwresearcher and exposed torture camps run by UAE-backed forces.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/878695299883184128

Here's Kristine's report led to #Yemengov't et affiliates' convoluted reaction; ie falsely declaring reporters welcome, while defaming Kris

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/878698693070925824

Comment by Omar al Yemeni: Hahah government doesn't even control its new capital in Aden #yemencontrolling 80% what a farce such lies from a Yemeni account

https://twitter.com/Yemenisheikh/status/878476379175649281 referring to HRW report on torture prisons: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/22/yemen-uae-backs-abusive-local-forces

23.6.2017 – Lew Rockwell (* B P)

Adjustments in the Middle East

As the Middle Eastern States split between the partisans and adversaries of clericalism, Washington, Moscow and Beijing are negotiating a new deal. Thierry Meyssan evaluates the impact of this earthquake on the Palestinian, Iraqi-Syrian and Yemeni conflicts.

The diplomatic crisis around Qatar has frozen several regional conflicts and disguised the attempts at resolution by others. No-one knows when the curtain will rise, but it should reveal a region which has been profoundly transformed.

3— The Yemeni conflict

The Yemenis could be the ones who pay for this current evolution. While it is apparent that Saudi Arabia entered the war in order to set up a government favourable to the joint exploitation of the oil fields of the « Empty Quarter », and for the personal glory of Prince Mohamed Ben Salman, it seems that the help given by Iran to the Houthis and to ex-President Saleh diverts the gaze of the Arab countries and the « international community » from the crimes for which they are responsible.

It’s a time for taking sides, and almost everyone has opted for Saudi Arabia and against Qatar and its Turkish and Iranian allies. What was positive in Palestine, Iraq and Syria proves to be negative in Yemen.

Conclusion

Since 5 June and the rupture of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Doha, the chancelleries are all preparing for a possible war, even if Germany is the only country to have spoken of this publicly. This situation is all the more surprising because Qatar – and not Saudi Arabia – is the observer for NATO [11].

Resignations come one after the other in Doha, from the US ambassador Dana Shell Smith to the selector of the national football team Jorge Fossati. Not only have the states aligned with Riyadh broken off their commercial relationships with the emirate, but numerous companies without any particular links with the Gulf have done the same in the face of the risk of war. This is, for example, the case of COSCO, the largest Chinese maritime company.

In any case, and despite justified historical claims, it would seem impossible for Saudi Arabia to annex Qatar when it was opposed to the annexation of Kuwaït by Iraq for the same reasons. One rule has been imposed on the world since British decolonisation – no-one has the right to touch boundaries laid by London. The unique aim of this rule is to maintain the insoluble problems for the new independent states. In this way, London maintains de facto the perpetual dependency of these states on British rule. Indeed, the pending arrival of 43,000 Pakistani and Turkish soldiers to defend Qatar should reinforce its position – By Thierry Meyssan

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/06/thierry-meyssan/adjustments-middle-east/

22.6.2017 – Democracy Now (* B K)

From War to Cholera, Yemen Is Facing World's Largest Humanitarian Crisis

We speak to Kristine Beckerle of Human Rights Watch.

KRISTINEBECKERLE:It’s hard to describe in words how devastating it is, to be totally frank. So what you’ve got is what the U.N. describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

So, we’ve been calling for an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, in particular, given the sort of strength of the evidence that has mounted against Saudi Arabia.

AMYGOODMAN:And the major winners here—since Trump talks about winners and losers—the weapons manufacturers here in the United States?

KRISTINEBECKERLE:Basically, right? So, it’s one of those things where you’re seeing, in a very gross way, the prioritization of profit over civilian lives. And it’s sort of—at what point do you sort of take the step and say it’s not worth it to sell another weapons deal, when it not only means that, first, the message you’re sending to Yemeni civilians is that you don’t care, and, second, that what you’re saying to U.S. officials who are involved in these deals, that "Don’t worry. Just take the risk of potential legal liability and move forward, and things will be fine"? And I think that that’s quite problematic, again, because this isn’t a new war. These allegations aren’t hidden or secret. Nothing is unknown. So the U.S. and other arms manufacturers and arms sellers can’t say they don’t know. So the question is: OK, now you know; when are you actually going to take the action you need to take? (with interview on film)

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/6/22/from_war_to_cholera_yemen_is

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Siehe / Look at cp1; Cholera: cp1a

24.6.2017 – MONA Relief (A H)

Monareliefye.org delivers kids in Sana’a Eid al-fitr clothes and toys

June 24, 2017

Monareliefye.org delivered kids in the capital Sana’a of Yemen Eid al-Fitr clothes and toys funded by an anonymous Kuwaiti donor (photos)

https://www.monareliefye.org/single-post/2017/06/25/Monareliefyeorg-delivers-kids-in-Sana%E2%80%99a-Eid-al-Fitr-clothes-and-toys

and also

https://twitter.com/monareliefye/status/878715354129854464

https://twitter.com/monareliefye/status/878713120197410816

https://twitter.com/monareliefye/status/878712387565694977

23.6.2017 – Your Abilities (A H)

Photos: Your Abilities Org distributed 50 food baskets for the poorest and desperate families in Al-Aura area in Hamadan distric.

https://twitter.com/Yourabilities_o/status/878224468996501504

23.6.2017 – The Borgen Project (B)

Poverty in Yemen: An Exploration of Why the Country is So Poor

[Short overview]

The main reason for poverty in Yemen is a lack of basic resources, such as water, healthcare and education. Rural and remote areas make it physically, intellectually, economically and socially isolated from rest of the region.

Beyond this, Yemen faces may other problems as well. Most of the population does not have access to clean water and proper sanitation. Ten million people–nearly half of the population–go without enough food to eat. Child malnutrition rates are the highest in the world. (with film)

https://borgenproject.org/poverty-yemen-country-poor/

23.6.2017 – Anas Shahari (A H)

Medic Dr @MohAlzubairy: "Basic #dialysissupplies are unavailable in war-torn #Yemen; patients die as a result." #Saudirestricts imports.

https://twitter.com/Anas_Shahari/status/878344085219794945

Dr. @MohAlzubairy: I see people dying in the hospital's ICU where I work due to lack of basic medic supplies; I feel helpless!

https://twitter.com/Anas_Shahari/status/878335953613590528

and

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1412001838852842/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1412006485519044/?type=3&theater

23.6.2017 - World Food Programme (A H)

Yemen: Emergency Dashboard, June 2017

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-emergency-dashboard-june-2017 and in full: http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ep/wfp292401.pdf

23.6.2017 – London School of Economics and Political Science (* B H)

Community Responses to Conflict in Taiz

This memo was presented at a workshop on ‘Yemen’s Urban–Rural Divide and the Ultra-Localisation of the Civil War‘ organised by the LSE Middle East Centre on 29 March 2017.

The governorate of Taiz has been one of the main frontlines of conflict in Yemen over the past two years. Both the city and rural areas within the governorate have experienced exceptionally high levels of violence, including intense ground-fighting between the Houthi–Saleh militias and local resistance forces, airstrikes, indiscriminate shelling in civilian areas, and targeted sniper attacks on citizens seeking medical care, safety and food.

It is estimated that 2.3 million people – almost 80 percent of Taiz’s total population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. A Houthi blockade on goods entering the city has put a stranglehold on the highly populated urban areas, and the price of essentials, including food and water, have rocketed, leaving much of the population malnourished. With very little medicine coming through, and hospitals being attacked, the healthcare system is on the verge of collapse.

Unsurprisingly, Taiz has also seen extremely high levels of displacement. In a reversal of the previous trend of young people moving to the city from rural areas for work, many people are fleeing their homes in the city to seek respite in their ancestral villages. However, many rural areas are also affected by the conflict, and large numbers of people are fleeing to neighbouring governorates of Hodeidah and Ibb. In February 2017 alone, over 50,000 Taizis are thought to have been displaced in the latest rounds of fighting.

Looking at some of these underlying issues, it is not difficult to see that the advent of conflict could quickly create a state of severe crisis. The already huge gaps in basic service provision have become cavernous. The existing issues around garbage collection and sewers in the old city, for example, have multiplied and have led to fatal levels of disease outbreaks.

Similarly, in the last two years private companies and factories in Taiz have been forced to close, while government employees have not received salaries since August 2016, driving the already faltering economy of Taiz further into the ground. An assessment by Save the Children in Taiz shows that over 30% of Taiz citizens have lost work opportunities, and almost 10% of households reporting sending their children to look for work. Taizis are joining the resistance effort as a source of income; some youth are paying their university fees by being part-time fighters. The number of child marriages appears to be rising, and emerging reports suggest that women, particularly those in IDP camps, are being sexually exploited for income.

Rule of law has all but collapsed, leaving Taiz as a patchwork of power bases, with different groups controlling different areas and even more subject to the whims of local personalities.

Although trust in authorities has been low for some years, civilians in Taiz still overwhelmingly want to see an end to the presence of armed groups and the return of some form of formal order, with professional police forces and elected councils that can work to restore basic services. The role of local governance – and its relationship to local citizens – remains essential to any future peacebuilding process, and the groundwork for this is being laid now by community activists across Yemen – by Kate Nevens

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2017/06/21/community-responses-to-conflict-in-taiz/

23.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (* A H)

Taiz largest government hospital closes due to lack of potentials

The largest government hospital in Taiz declared it has stopped providing health services due to the lack of the minimal operational potentials, and held Taiz governor and the health minister responsible for that.

The Board of Directors of Al-Thawra Hospital in Taiz said in a statement that “the hospital has stopped providing its medical services in all sections except in the MSF-supported ambulance department, due to the lack of the minimal operational potentials, despite all the medical facilities the hospital has and the vital health services it provides.”

The hospital Board of Directors also held Taiz Governor Ali al-Maamari and Health Minister Nasser Baoum fully responsible for the hospital’s going out of service.

The hospital and its administration absolve themselves from the consequences resulting from the hospital going out of service.” Added the statement.

The hospital Board of Directors also apologized for declaring closing the hospital, and called on all human rights organizations and opinion leaders to seriously take up the hospital issue as a matter of humanitarian impact.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92208

22.6.2017 – Qasim Al-Shawea (A H)

Thanks alot @Yourabilities_o 4 giving hope & happiness to 200 kid with Eid Al-Fiter's clothes, clothes distribution will be by paid cards (photos)

https://twitter.com/Living_Yemen/status/878043476604010496

21.6.2017 – International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) (A H)

Yemen Social Worker’s Provide Support for Children Affected by War

Earlier this year IFSW was able to provide US$1000.00 to the General Union of Yemeni Social and Psychosocial Workers to provide training for social workers that would enable support to the children affected by the war in Yemen.

With these funds, and drawing from their own resources, the General Union of Yemeni Social and Psychosocial Workers took action in the most war-affected districts. They have subsequently held psychosocial interventions for children involving 90 social workers working in 10 mobile field teams to provide assistance to more than 1200 affected children.

To read the full report form The General Union of Yemeni Social and Psychosocial Workers click here.

http://ifsw.org/news/yemen-social-workers-provide-support-for-children-affected-by-war/ and full report: http://cdn.ifsw.org/assets/ifsw_125941-5.pdf

31.5./20.6.2017 – Mona Relief (A H)

Monareliefye.org delivering for the 3rd time food aid baskets to Jewish community’s members in Sana’a (Photos)

https://www.monareliefye.org/single-post/2017/05/31/Monareliefyeorg-delivering-for-the-3rd-time-food-aid-baskets-to-Jewish-community%E2%80%99s-members-in-Sana%E2%80%99a

Monareliefye.org provided 100 families in old Sana’a food aid baskets (Photos)

https://www.monareliefye.org/single-post/2017/06/20/Monareliefyeorg-provided-100-families-in-old-Sana%E2%80%99a-food-aid-baskets

30.4.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (* A H)

Yemen Periodic Monitoring Review, January - April 2017

This Periodic Monitoring Report (PMR) presents information on the evolving humanitarian situation in Yemen and the accomplishments by the humanitarian community against 2017 humanitarian targets and objectives for the January to April 2017 period. It builds on information that is collected monthly to monitor progress against agreed upon objectives and targets. It also presents key conclusions and recommendations for the humanitarian community and partners to consider.
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), the Inter-Cluster Coordination Mechanism (ICCM), the Regional Coordination Teams (Al Hudaydah, Ibb, Saa’da, Sana’a), and the Area Humanitarian Country Team in Aden have contributed to this effort. Complementary information can be found online: Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan (http://ochayemen.org/hrp-2017/en/home), 3W (http://ochayemen.org/hrp-2017/en/3w) and Response Monitoring Dashboards (http://ochayemen.org/hrp-2017/en/response).

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-periodic-monitoring-review-january-april-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2017_PMR_YEMEN_final_EN.pdf

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

25.6.2017 – Yamanyoon (A P)

Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi Congrats the Islamic Nation and Yemen on the Arrival of Eid Al-Fitr Al-Houthi urged that everyone must sympathize with the poor and the needy and take out charity as Yemen endures an intense situation of suffering. Sayyed Abdulmalik also conveyed special congrats for those currently on the battlefield confronting the Saudi forces and their paid militia away from their families. Moreover, he stressed on the necessity of supplying and funding various frontlines constantly and assist in defending their homeland against Saudi tyranny.

http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78209&lang=en

23.6.2017 – Ruptly (A P)

Film: Yemen: Thousands rally in Sanaa on Al-Quds Day

Thousands of protesters gathered in Sanaa, Friday, to mark the annual international Al-Quds Day, to show their solidarity with Palestine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjdA6PoFbio

and photos http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78001&lang=en and

23.6.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A P)

Rallies in Sana'a, like today's to support Palestine, are exceedingly irritating given growing discontent w/ organizers & officials (photos)

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/878345228763119616

23.6.2017 – Al Sahwa (*A P)

Houthi Movement issues fatwa of murdering Yemeni comedian

The Houthi Movement on Thursday issued a fatwa of murdering a Yemeni comedian Mohammed al-Droae.

A religious scholar of the Houthi Movement Abdul-Kareem Mohammed al-Shara'e said that al-Adroae deliberately insults " family members of Prophet Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him".

Al-Sharae incited against al-Adroa'e, urging any Muslim, who faces al-Adroae in Yemen or Saudi Arabia, to kill al-Adroae.

Al-Adroae is a well-known comedian Yemeni and the key character of a TV comedian epoxide which is being broadcasted by Suhail TV.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-7978

23.6.2017 – Fars News (A P)

Yemen's Ansarullah Leader Urges United Front against Israel

In a live televised speech to the Yemeni people on the occasion of International Quds Day on Friday, he slammed the ongoing efforts to divert attention from Israel’s hostile policies by inciting Iranophobia among regional countries, Al Waght reported.

The Ansarullah leader also hailed Iran and Syria for supporting the regional resistance movements.

Millions of people on Friday are set to attend the International Quds Day rallies in various parts of the world to show their solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people and condemn Israeli atrocities.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960402001132 and http://newnewss.net/?p=6875

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

25.6.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)

President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Vice President Ali Muhsin al-Ahmar on Friday met members of Yemen Parliament in the Saudi city of Jeddah

Hadi highly appreciated sacrifices of the lawmakers, urging them to align the attitudes of Yemenis from different political affiliations to get them stand united in the face of the Houthi-Saleh coup militias.

Meanwhile, MPs have revealed that preparations are ongoing to hold sessions of Parliament in the port city of Aden with one month.

Heads of eight parliamentary blocs have declared their support to the shift of Parliament's sessions to the temporary capital of Aden.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-8017

My comment: This is “president” Hadi's attempt to get the Yemeni parliament under his control. - The very greatest part of the parliament members however stay at Sanaa and thus loyal to the Houthi / Saleh government at Sanaa. There will not be many of the members who had followed Hadi's call to come to Aden. - And now they meet him in – Saudi Arabia!!

24.6.2017 – Haykal Bafana (A K P)

Taiz city, #Yemen: Heavy clashes between UAE-paid and Saudi-paid forces.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878542377857822721

23.6.2017 – Amnesty International (A P)

URGENT ACTION

YEMENI ACADEMIC HELD INCOMMUNICADO FOR 57 DAYS

Professor and political figure Mustafa al-Mutawakel has been held incommunicado by the internationally recognized Yemeni government forces in an unknown location for almost two months. He is in urgent need of medical care and at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

Mustafa al-Mutawakel, 61-year-old father of five, professor of Economics at Sana’a University and Chairman of the General Authority for Investment in Sana’a, has been held incommunicado since 27 April. He was arrested that day at around 8am at al-Falaj checkpoint in the governorate of Ma’rib, north-east of the capital Sana’a, as he was on a bus heading back to Sana’a from Sey’oun airport, after having attended a conference in Morocco.

Mustafa al-Mutawakel was appointed in November 2016 as the Chairman of the General Authority for Investment, which is controlled by the de-facto Huthi-Saleh authorities. The reason for his arrest remains unclear. However, his family believes that his arrest might have been triggered by his perceived association with the Huthi-Saleh authorities by the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Please write immediately in English, Arabic or your own language:

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 3 AUGUST 2017 TO:

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde31/6561/2017/en/

23.6.2017 – Critical Threats (A K PS)

Yemen Security Brief

Yemeni security forces foiled an assassination attempt targeting the Deputy Interior Minister, Major General Ali Nasser Lakhsha’, in Khormaksar district, Aden city on June 22. Security personnel dismantled an improvised explosive device (IED) near the minister’s home. [5]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-23-2017

My comment: relying on pro-Saudi forces claims.

22.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

The Yemeni Islah party is scheduled to meet inAdencity on June 22, marking its first official activity in two years. The diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and Qatar threatens to split the Islah party, which receives support from Qatar. Islah party leaders support Saudi Arabia, but many party members remain loyal to Qatar. Islah party members expressed concern that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will take a harder line against Islamist political parties in Yemen. Bin Salman reportedly played a key role in orchestrating Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic break with Qatar.[6]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-22-2017

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

23.6.2017 – UN (A H P)

Civilian casualties continue to rise in Yemen, warns UN human rights office

The United Nations Human Rights Office in Yemen continues to document reports of civilian casualties in the conflict and had verified 49 civilian deaths over the past month, a UN spokesperson said today.

All incidents resulting in civilian casualties […] must be thoroughly investigated to ensure accountability when breaches of international law have been found to have taken place,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, told a news briefing in Geneva.

Since March 2015, OHCHR has recorded a total of 13,504 civilian casualties, including 4,971 killed and 8,533 injured.

“We recall that indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, or attacks targeting civilian objects such as markets, are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” Ms. Shamdasani said, reminding all parties to the conflict of their obligation to ensure full respect for international human rights and humanitarian laws.

On cholera, she said the outbreak of disease has affected eight prisons and detention centres in six governorates. Some 50 prisoners have contracted cholera and there are 72 other suspected cases. “In the best of circumstances, prisoners are among the most vulnerable members of society,” she said.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=57052#.WU3eV2jyjIV

and by AP:

23.6.2017 – AP (A P)

UN RIGHTS OFFICE: NEARLY 5,000 KILLED IN YEMEN CONFLICT

The U.N. human rights office says it estimates that more than two years of intensified conflict in Yemen has killed nearly 5,000 civilians.

Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said the office's count of civilian deaths since fighting increased in Yemen in March 2015 was "conservative" It has recorded 4,971 civilians killed and 8,533 injured based on on-site verifications.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_UNITED_NATIONS_YEMEN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-23-12-06-30

My comment: Spreading such a figure is a bad joke – and whitewashing of war crimes. Even the UN itself was telling of 10.000 killed civilians – a figure they already had nearly one year ago and which they never had updated since.

Comment: This is an insult to the over 60.000 children killed by preventable diseases who could not have access to cures, food, medications.
This is an insult to the over 11.000 people killed under the bombs.
This is an insult to the over 1000 killed by the cholera which is exacerbated by the siege and lack of aid.
The is outrageous. Simply OUTRAGEOUS.
SHAME ON THE UN.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1411974738855552/?type=3

cp7a Saudi-Arabien und Iran / Saudi Arabia and Iran

24.6.2017 – PT / DPA (* A P)

Iran bezeichnet neuen saudischen Kronprinzen als "unreifen Teenager"

Ein iranischer Ajatollah hat den neuen saudi-arabischen Kronprinzen Mohammed bin Salman als einen "unreifen Teenager" bezeichnet. Dieser plane "sogar einen Krieg gegen den Iran … dafür bist Du Kindchen (Salman) aber noch zu klein", sagte Ahmad Chatami beim Freitagsgebet in Teheran.

Der ehemalige irakische Diktator Saddam Hussein habe das (im Golfkrieg 1980-88) mit saudischer Unterstützung auch versucht und sei kläglich gescheitert, so Chatami.

Präsident Hassan Ruhani sowie das Außenministerium haben bewusst auf die Ernennung des neuen Kronprinzen nicht direkt reagiert.

http://www.huffingtonpost.de/2017/06/24/iran-bezeichnet-neuen-saudischen-kronprinzen-als-unreifen-teenager_n_17279560.html

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1

24.6.2017 – Torial (* B P)

Nein, Frauen in Saudi Arabien haben jetzt nicht mehr Rechte

n Deutschland informierte unter anderem der Spiegel Online-Ableger Bentodarüber, dass "Saudi-Arabien überraschend seine Frauengesetze gelockert hat." Und selbst die Frauenzeitschrift Brigittefreute sich über einen "kleinen Schritt in die richtige Richtung!". Dort wie in dutzenden anderen Artikeln erfährt der Leser dann Folgendes:

Frauen dürfen in Zukunft in Krankenhäuser gehen und staatliche Angebote wie Sozialleistungen nutzen, ohne die Vormundschaft zu fragen. Schon bald wird es saudi-arabischen Frauen möglich sein, Universitäten ohne Erlaubnis des Mannes zu besuchen. Eine weitere wichtige Errungenschaft: Frauen dürfen zukünftig arbeiten gehen - ebenfalls ohne Genehmigung des Mannes.

Das Problem daran: Die Geschichte von der staatlich erlaubten saudischen Frauenemanzipation ist sehr wahrscheinlich falsch, im besten Fall grundlos optimistisch. Denn Anlass für die Jubel-Meldungen war nicht der Bericht einer Menschenrechtsorganisation oder anderer unabhängiger Beobachter. Stattdessen geht sie zurück auf eine Mitteilung der "Saudischen Menschenrechtskommission" und damit einer Einrichtung des saudischen Herrschaftsapparats.

Diese berichte Anfang Mai über ein Dekret des saudischen Despoten König Salman vom 17. April. Dieser hatte tatsächlich Behörden angewiesen, Frauen nicht mehr ihre Dienste zu verweigern, wenn diese nicht die Zustimmung ihres Vormundes vorweisen können. Doch schon auf dem Papier hatte die Anweisung eine gewaltige Einschränkung: "Es sei denn, es gibt dafür eine rechtliche Grundlage." Von dieser Einschränkung ist in vielen Presseberichten allerdings keine Rede.

Im Schatten dieser gesetzlich vorgeschrieben Frauendiskriminierung hat sich in Saudi Arabien noch eine Art informelles Vormundschaftssystem etabliert: Behörden, aber auch private Arbeitgeber, treffen willkürlich eigene Festlegungen, nach denen sie die Zustimmung des Vormunds von Frauen verlangen. So verlangen Arbeitgeber in der Regel das Einverständnis des Vormunds, bevor sie Frauen einstellen, obwohl das Gesetz dies formell nicht vorsieht.

Vom Dekret Königs Salmans betroffen ist bestenfalls dieser informelle Sektor. Und selbst in diesem sieht der König nicht zwingend die Abschaffung aller Anweisungen vor, die Frauen von der Zustimmung ihres Vormunds abhängig machen. Stattdessen sind Behörden dazu aufgerufen, ihre informellen Regeln zu formalisieren: Drei Monate haben sie dem Dekret zufolge Zeit, alle Fälle aufzulisten, in denen sie weiterhin die Zustimmung eines Vormunds verlangen wollen.

Für Medien, die von einer Lockerung der Vormundschaft berichten, bedeutet das wiederum: Sie haben nicht nur unkritisch eine Meldung aus dem PR-Apparat des saudischen Herrschaftsapparats als ernstzunehmende Nachricht verkauft, sie haben sie auch noch zu dessen Gunsten verfälscht. - von Fabian Köhler

https://www.torial.com/fabian.koehler/portfolio/226905

24.6.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)

Saddened by the death of my former student Ameen AlHani at the hands of #Saudi@MOISaudiArabiawho shot his car with incendiary RPG (photo)

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/878754272271355904

Remark: MOI Minstry of Interior.

23.6.2017 – Behind the News (A T)

Saudi security forces foiled a terror attack targeting worshipers at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

https://twitter.com/Behind__News/status/878341228953296896 and film: https://twitter.com/SaudiNews508/status/878335850718810112

22.6.2017 – TAZ (* A P)

Der Neue wird für Turbulenzen sorgen

Mohammed bin Salman verkörpert den brutalen Machtanspruch der Dynastie. Er ist bei der Jugend beliebt, gilt aber regional als Scharfmacher.

Sein bisheriges politisches Erscheinungsbild ist widersprüchlich. Während er innenpolitisch als Reformer auftritt und besonders bei der saudischen Jugend beliebt ist, gilt er regional als einer der großen Scharfmacher.

Der Jugend gefällt vor allem, dass erstmals Konzerte zugelassen sind, demnächst sollen sogar Kinos aufmachen.

Doch wenn er sich innenpolitisch als dynamischer Erneuerer gibt, tritt er regional eher als ein unberechenbarer Hitzkopf auf, der davon träumt, Saudi-Arabien von einer potenten finanziellen Regionalmacht zu einer großen Militärmacht zu machen. Sein Debüt feierte er dabei als Verteidigungsminister, indem er einen Krieg im benachbarten Jemen begann.

Auch in der derzeitigen Eskalation mit dem Golfemirat Katar ist MBS federführend.

Dabei sind vor allem die Beziehungen Katars zum Iran den jungen Prinzen am Golf ein Dorn im Auge. Denn vom Kampf um die Vorherrschaft in der Region und der Rivalität mit dem Iran scheint MBS geradezu besessen zu sein.

Die Wahrscheinlichkeit ist hoch, dass MBS mit einer re­gio­nalen Eskalation, gepaart mit der Unberechenbarkeit aus Washington, in der explosive Nahostregion für große Unruhe sorgen wird – von Karim El-Gawhary

http://www.taz.de/!5424342/

25.6.2017 – SCMP (* A P)

SUPPORTING WOMEN’S DRIVING AND BOMBING YEMEN, WHAT’S THE NEXT SAUDI LEADER REALLY LIKE?

The kingdom’s newly promoted leader-in-waiting Mohammed bin Salman has a modern vision that includes film screenings and female drivers, but there are many economic and geopolitical hurdles in his way

However, the prince’s more liberal vision comes with a heavy price tag. Forced to restructure the kingdom’s rentier economy at a time of reduced energy prices and upgrade the country’s autocracy, his measures have sparked criticism not only from the kingdom’s Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatives, but also ordinary Saudis who have felt the cost of change in their wallet.

The significant revamp set out in Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 plan for the future involves a unilateral rewriting of the kingdom’s social contract that offered a cradle-to-grave welfare state in exchange for political fealty and acceptance of Sunni ultra-conservatism’s austere moral and social codes.

Prince Mohammed, since first coming to office in 2015, has embroiled Saudi Arabia in two major international entanglements without an exit strategy, forcing the kingdom to grope for a face-saving way out. - by James M. Dorsey

http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2099472/supporting-womens-driving-and-bombing-yemen-whats-next-saudi

24.6.2017 – New News (* A P)

Arab Daily Reveals Secret Meetings between New Saudi Crown Prince, Israeli Officials

Al-Qods al-Arabi newspaper reported that the Israeli media have all voiced pleasure in Mohammed bin Salman’s appointment as the crown prince, adding that this development has long been wished by the Israelis.

The Arab daily quoted the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot as reporting that the intelligence sources have confirmed that bin Salman has held meetings with the Israeli officials under a secret name, Walad, in the past two years.

The Israeli daily didn’t reveal the venues and time for the meetings, but wrote that Israel and Saudi Arabia have common foes, friends and interests.

It predicted that bin Salman will not reveal his cooperation with Israel rapidly and will continue his ties secretly.

Late April, media source disclosed that Mohammad bin Salman has literally bribed the new US administration by paying $56m to Donald Trump.

According to reports, bin Salman is paying off the US to buy its support for finding a grip over the crown.

“Since Uncle Sam’s satisfaction is the first step for the Saudi princes to get on the crown, paying off Washington seems to be a taken-for-granted fact,” Rami Khalil, a reporter of Naba’ news website affiliated to the Saudi dissidents wrote.

He added that since the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) is like a sword over the head of the al-Saud, they have no way out but to bribe the US, noting that the Yemen quagmire is also another reason for Riyadh to seek Washington’s support.

Also, a prominent Yemeni analyst said earlier this month that the US has been paid several trillion dollars by Saudi Arabia to protect its crown, adding that Riyadh has recently bribed Washington’s support for the Yemen war with $200bln.

“Washington has asked for more money to defend the Saudi regime and Riyadh has recently paid $200bln to the US for the costs of its support for the war in Yemen,” Saleh al-Qarshi told FNA.

“This is apart from the huge amounts of money that Saudi Arabia pays to the US treasury for protecting its crown,” he added.

http://newnewss.net/?p=6912

24.6.2017 – Hussam Sanabani on Prince Salman, Thread (* A P)

https://twitter.com/2flamesburning1/status/878738010937995264

22.6.2017 – RT (* A P)

Hired gun: Is war with Iran now inevitable under new Saudi crown prince?

Israel and Washington seem to have been instrumental in the rise of Riyadh's new leader, a hot-headed young royal who leaves a trail of havoc behind him. But can they control him?

Ruthlessly ambitious and an outsider, this makes him dangerous and unpredictable, yet for Donald Trump’s purposes the perfect partner to spearhead his ill-conceived campaign against Iran. Slowly, Trump’s pieces are falling into place in the Middle East, and it is no surprise that the first media in the region to praise Mohammed’s swift takeover of the cherished post was that of Israel.

Mohammed bin Salman has inherited a country not only at a crossroads in its contemporary history, as it struggles to unshackle itself from oil dependency, but one which appears to be suffocating under its own insecurities, foibles and paranoia. Indeed, the more the House of Saud moves, it seems, the more it appears to be in a permanent state of geopolitical dysfunction.

Salman has a reputation as being anti-establishment and desperate to be seen as a reformer. But his haste was his downfall in the past. Despite being hugely popular and very much seen at home as a modernist – who we should remember took away key powers from the religious police and is throwing his weight behind a modernization plan to drag the country into the 21st century – Mohammed’s bold idea to thunder ahead with a military campaign in Yemen was a great error which his adversaries are only too keen to cautiously point out.

et it was Prince Mohammed who led a multi-nation effort to quarantine Qatar over its ties with Iran and support for Islamist groups that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have opposed for years.

Was the Qatar crisis, which is really backfiring on the Saudis, a catalyst for the crown prince to swoop in and take the most powerful job in government or were there other factors?

It’s not clear at this stage what role the Qatar fiasco played. But what is clearer is that Mohammed bin Salman, who didn’t study in the West like so many of his contemporaries and speaks little English, will take a much harder line both on Qatar and more importantly Iran.

Consequently, we are almost certainly witnessing both Saudi Arabia and Iran approaching the abyss of a crisis which appears to be almost entirely crafted by Israel, Saudi Arabia and of course America. Indeed, as far as hard-liners go in Riyadh, Trump couldn’t have dreamt up a Saudi leader more suited to his plans to marginalize Iran. Even if it means through military efforts in an all-out war.

What we are witnessing in Saudi Arabia is not only a cataclysm of rules of dynasty and power, but an intense polarization of the Middle East which is only heading in one direction – by Martin Jay

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/393614-saudi-crown-prince-iran-war/

21.6.2017 – Huffington Post (* A P)

Here’s What Saudi Arabia Promoting A New Top Prince Really Means

That posture, which has worried some observers in the U.S., could spur greater escalation with regional rival Iran and presents challenges to traditional U.S. policies in the region

experts noted the future king’s deep involvement in three controversial Saudi foreign policy moves: the recentpushagainst U.S. partner nation Qatar; the brutal campaign against Iran-backed militantsin Yemen; and efforts since 2016 to slash even limited engagement with Iran.

The prince’s independent, aggressive view of foreign policy has earned Saudi Arabia reprimands from traditional friends in the U.S. Congress. But it’s been hugely influential in the region because historic counterweights to the Saudis, such as Egypt and Syria, have been preoccupied with their own problems, and because of his ties to the wealthy, well-connected government of the United Arab Emirates. In an April email to prominent Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, UAE ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba emphasized the importance to his government of the prince: “Our job now [is to do] everything possible to ensure MBS [Muhammed bin Salman] succeeds.”

The UAE relationship was critical to Muhammed bin Salman’s involvement in the attempt to isolate Qatar. It suggests that he will take a hard line on Qatar-friendly Islamist movements around the region, even if they have no connection to violence. Such a policy could cause increased tension in countries including Turkey and Egypt.

The prince is also known for backing a proposal to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its reliance on revenue from oil exports.

But its implementation has been spotty and painful.

Despite some grumbling within the sprawling Saudi royal family that may intensify with the replacement of the widely respected former crown prince, Muhammed bin Salman’s nationalism and youth have kept him popular among the kingdom’s citizens.

The Trump administration appeared to welcome the developments. PresidentDonald Trumpcalled Muhammed bin Salman to congratulate him, and the young prince is known to have developed a good relationship with Trump’s son-in-law, White House aide Jared Kushner – By Akbar Shahid Ahmed

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/saudi-arabia-muhammed-bin-salman-crown-prince_us_594a6116e4b00cdb99cb98e5

and more articles on Price Salman:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/why-the-new-saudi-arabian-heir-is-a-dangerous-man/articleshow/59271229.cms

https://www.juancole.com/2017/06/prince-israeli-alliance.html

https://deutsch.rt.com/international/52887-mohammed-bin-salman-modernisierer-vor-dem-geheimdienst-warnte/

21.6.2017 – Al Monitor (* A P)

The long-term cost of Saudi succession shake-up

King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud's decision to remove Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and promote his favorite son, Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, has been long anticipated. It raises profound questions about the future stability of America's oldest ally in the Middle East.

Mohammed bin Salman is Saudi-educated, ambitious and popular with young Saudis. He enjoys public attention and cultivates his image in the Western media. He has positioned himself as a reformer who wants to reduce the kingdom's dependence on oil income.

Mohammed bin Salman's signature policy initiative is the 2½-year-old war in Yemen, as its architect. The war is a disaster for the kingdom, the region and especially the Yemeni people.

The war has undercut the kingdom's traditional alliances.

Saudi diplomacy also created a crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council by trying to isolate Qatar after the Riyadh summit. The move has ruptured the traditional Saudi alliance structure.

The king has complete authority and control. His choice of his favorite son is likely to provoke quiet muttering and complaining in the family and the clerical establishment, but not a challenge. The longer-term costs of upsetting the legitimacy of the line of succession in the midst of low oil prices and regional tensions are much more worrisome. The young prince is poised to inherit a kingdom under stress at home and abroad – by Bruce Riedel

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/06/saudi-arabia-crown-prince-king-muhammad-bin-salman-cost.html

21.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (‘ A P)

The rise of Mohammed bin Salman: Alarm bells should be ringing

The aggressive move elevating Mohammed bin Salman as the next in line to the Saudi throne should send warning signs to Washington and London over a prince who wages wars on a whim

A former PM's predictions

He spoke of a young prince hell-bent on becoming king, and outlined some of the conditions that would make the plot succeed. A scheme that was hatched by the rulers of the United Arab Emirates who were desperate to regain their foothold in the Saudi Royal Court after they had so swiftly lost it following the death of King Abdullah in 2014.

A key element to the plot was gaining the blessings of US intelligence and security institutions, but to do that, the Emiratis and their ambitious young ally would have to convince the Americans to ditch Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, a man nicknamed as “Washington’s favourite Saudi”.

“For the Americans to abandon Mohammed bin Nayef and choose this young prince, he has to offer them something no one has managed or even dared to offer before,” said the former prime minister.

Not being the cryptic type, he then proceeded to spell it out: “He has to recognise Israel. If he does that then the Americans will support him, they’ll even crown him themselves."

“There’s no way he’d be willing to do that, plus Saudi society wouldn’t accept it, they’d view it as betrayal,” I said.

“This guy is willing to betray his own father for the crown,” responded the former prime minister.

The Qatari connection

Fast-forward to today and you now have reports of economic ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv and tweets by senior Israeli officials praising their Arab friends are being posted almost on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, Saudi and the UAE, who have been blockading Qatar for more than two weeks now, have attempted to justify their siege by accusing Doha of supporting Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Last week, I wrote an article explaining that a large part of the GCC crisis is to do with the struggle for the Saudi throne. My assessment and the predictions made by the former prime minister at that gathering late last year appear to be accurate.

More importantly, they should be cause for alarm because it seems that MBS’s obsession with becoming king, coupled with the UAE’s relentless interference in the internal politics of other countries, could very well throw the Gulf into turmoil.

This aggressive push to force change could very well upset the balance of power in the kingdom, which is why alarm bells should be ringing loud and clear in Washington and London.

MBS has already demonstrated his erratic nature through his ill-conceived war in Yemen – by Jamal Elshayyal, senior correspondent for Al Jazeera English

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/something-rotten-state-saudi-1943008007

and more articles:

https://intpolicydigest.org/2017/06/23/the-rise-of-mohammed-bin-salman-a-mixed-blessing/

22.6.2017 – Fars News (A P)

18 Israeli Fighter Jets Deployed in S. Arabia to Prevent Coup

18 Israeli fighter jets along with two Gulfstream aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to prevent any hostile or military moves by former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz who was replaced with Saudi King Salman's son.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960401000674

Remark: Claimed by Iranian media.

20.6.2017 – Aljazeera (* B P)

Blockading Qatar, targeting Iran

The Saudi-Israeli alliance is out of the closet.

The almost simultaneous blockade of Qatar spearheaded by Saudi Arabia and joined by a few of its sidekick states and two pernicious, violent attacks on two symbolic sites in Tehran may have taken the world by surprise but the mad logic and the mischievous rhetoric of them are anything but surprising.

The organic link between the regional, decidedly anti-Palestinian, ambitions of Israel and the sectarian designs of Saudi Arabia for the Arab and Muslim world at large have been known for quite some time now. The question is what has triggered that alliance between the Israeli settler colony and the Saudi garrison state suddenly to up the ante and come out with such ferocious intensity, throwing all pretences of "Arab brotherhood" or "Muslim unity" under the speeding Zionist bus.

As reported by Al Jazeera, there is now an active lobbying putsch in Washington, DC, coordinated among Israel, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, simultaneously targeting Qatar and Iran, with the future of Palestineand the fate of millions of Palestinians in and out of their homeland as the focal points of this treacherous alliance to sabotage and destroy the cause of Palestinian self-determination.

If we put the blockade of Qatar by its Arab neighbours and the unprecedented attack on Iran analytically together, a number of crucial consequences emerge to redefine the geostrategic map of the region - By Hamid Dabashi

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/06/blockading-qatar-targeting-iran-170618070407788.html

23.6.2017 ff – Awamiya siege in social media:

https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/878114345061761024

cp9 USA

23.6.2017 – Bangor Daily News (* B K P)

Containing ‘Iranian mischief’ is no excuse for letting Yemen’s humanitarian crisis fester

Collins [Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who voted in favour of Saudi arm sales] belongs to a dominant foreign policy bloc in the Senate that thinks any action is justified if it helps us “contain Iranian mischief.” In opposing the nuclear deal in 2015, she described how Tehran sows chaos in the Middle East: “Whether it is Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Shiite militias in Iraq, or the Houthis in Yemen, Iran’s proxies are terrorizing innocent civilians, forcing families to flee their homes, and causing death and destruction.”

The senator is right that the Houthis have victimized civilians by shelling residential neighborhoods, kidnapping and executing critics, and obstructing movement of aid. But why is she so indifferent to the massive suffering caused by our Saudi allies, who have done the most to push Yemen into a humanitarian catastrophe? Is her outrage over human rights violations reserved for instances when it intersects with America’s cold-blooded regional interests?

Collins’ blinkered view of the conflict is best summed up by her colleague U.S. Sen. John McCain. When asked last week whether he had human rights concerns about Saudi conduct in Yemen, McCain said, “I’m very worried about Iranian conduct in Yemen.” When asked again, McCain responded, “I’ve answered all your questions.”

Furthermore, characterization of the Houthis as simple proxies for Iran is misguided. Tehran has sent small arms and possibly military advisers to the Houthis, and supports them rhetorically. But this assistance is a tiny fractionof their support for Shiite militias in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, and it is much less important than the fact that much of the Yemeni army crossed over to the Houthi side. Washington and Riyadh are confronting Iran most forcefully in the one place it is engaged the least — perhaps because they know the risk of inciting an actual war is limited. But millions of Yemeni civilians are paying the price for this symbolic posturing. - By Brian Milakovsky,

https://bangordailynews.com/2017/06/23/the-point/containing-iranian-mischief-is-no-excuse-for-letting-yemens-humanitarian-crisis-fester/

22.6.2017 – Juan Cole (* B P)

All Signs from Trump Point to a Coming Conflict with Iran

Behind all of Trump’s boneheaded policies in the Middle East is an unmistakable urge for confrontation with Iran.

The Saudi war in Yemen is really directed at…Iran. Donald Trump’s first overseas visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel was specifically targeted at…Iran. The Saudi-led isolation of Qatar is actually about…Iran.

The escalation of U.S. military actions against the Syria government is… well, do I really need to spell this out any further?

Donald Trump has identified several number-one enemies to target. Throughout the campaign, he emphasized the importance of throwing the full weight of the Pentagon against the Islamic State. More recently, his secretary of defense, Jim Mattis, identified North Korea as “the most urgent and dangerous threat to peace and security.”

Other threats that have appeared at one time or another in the administration’s rotation include China, Cuba, the mainstream media, former FBI director James Comey, and Shakespeare (for writing Julius Caesar and then somehow, from the grave, persuading the Public Theater to run a scandalous version of it).

Through it all, however, Iran has loomed as the primary bogeyman of the Trump crowd. Fear of Iranian influence has prompted the administration to all but cancel the 2015 nuclear deal, intensify a number of proxy wars, consider pushing for regime change in Tehran, and even intervene in the mother of all battles between the Shia and Sunni variants of Islam.

You’re worried about Trump and the nuclear football? The prospect of blowback from an all-out U.S. assault on the Islamic State keeps you up at night? A preemptive strike against North Korea, which Mattis acknowledges would be disastrous, has you rethinking that upcoming trip to Seoul?

Sure, those are all dystopian possibilities. But if I had to choose a more likely catastrophe, it would be a direct confrontation between the United States and Iran. After all, everything seems to be pointing in that direction – By John Feffer

https://www.juancole.com/2017/06/signs-coming-conflict.html

21.6.2017 – The Telegraph (* A P)

UAE warned US it could end intelligence cooperation over 9/11 victims claims

The United Arab Emiratessuggested it might withdraw intelligence cooperation with the US in an attempt to block legislation allowing families of September 11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia and UAE for compensation.

Leaked emails seen by the Telegraph show how Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador to Washington DC, privately warned senators that countries at risk of being sued in US courts would be "less likely to share crucial information and intelligence".

The communications reveal how UAE joined Saudi Arabia's work to lobby against theJustice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act(Jasta), with Mr Al Otaiba coordinating his efforts with Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister.

Two of the 19 hijackers who flew planes into the World Trade Center towers in 2001 came from the UAE while 15 others were Saudi.

Court documents filed in New York show that after Jasta was passed, a legal claim was launched against UAE's Dubai Islamic Bank, in which it was alleged that the Bank "knowingly and purposefully provided financial services and other forms of material support to al Qaeda ... including the transfer of financial resources to al Qaeda operatives who participated in the planning and execution of the September 11th attacks."

The case naming Dubai Islamic Bank as a defendant was flagged up with Mr Al Otaiba on December 15, as "the first Jasta complaint involving a UAE party as a defendant". – by Edward Malnick and Luke Heighton

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/21/uae-warned-us-could-end-intelligence-cooperation-911-victims/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

23.6.2017 – Reuters (A P)

Emirati princesses convicted in Belgium for human trafficking

Eight Emirati princesses were convicted of human trafficking by a Belgian court on Friday and were given suspended jail terms and fines in a case stemming from their treatment of servants at a Brussels luxury hotel nearly 10 years ago, their lawyer said.

The Brussels criminal court handed the eight women from Abu Dhabi's ruling al-Nahyan family 15-month suspended sentences for human trafficking and degrading treatment, the lawyer, Stephen Monod, said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-princesses-belgium-slavery-idUSKBN19E1DV

23.6.2017 – T-Online (A P)

Sklaverei-Prozess

Gericht verurteilt arabische Prinzessinnen

Die Prinzessinnen sind zu jeweils 15 Monaten Gefängnis auf Bewährung verurteilt worden. Zudem legten die Richter in Brüssel eine Geldstrafe von jeweils 165.000 Euro für die Frauen fest. Angeklagt waren die Witwe eines Scheichs aus den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten und sieben ihrer Töchter, weil sie ihre mehr als 20 Angestellten während eines Aufenthalts in einem Brüsseler Luxushotel 2007 und 2008 fast wie Sklaven behandelt hatten.

http://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/panorama/justiz/id_81497924/sklaverei-prozess-gericht-verurteilt-arabische-prinzessinnen.html

22.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (* A P)

Israeli minister calls for full Saudi ties and official Riyadh visit

Intelligence minister Yisrael Katz has also invited King Salman to send new crown prince to Israel to establish mutual ties

Senior Israeli ministers have called on Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Speaking at the Herzliya conference on Thursday, Israel’s intelligence and transportation minister Yisrael Katz asked King Salman to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to Riyadh and to send newly appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Tel Aviv in return.

"I call upon Salman, the King of Saudi, to invite the prime minister of Israel Netanyahu to visit Saudi Arabia," Katz said, at the annual gathering of Israeli political leaders and strategists.

"We saw what a wonderful host you can be ... when President Trump was there. You can also send your heir, the new one, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He's a dynamic person. He is an initiator. And he wants to break through.

"Exactly this way ... they know who Iran is. They know we have to create an access vis-a-vis Iran. You can send him for a meeting in Israel and I promise you, he's going to be a very welcome guest."

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's defence minister, also called for "full diplomatic and economic relations" at the conference.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-ministers-saudi-king-invite-netanyahu-riyadh-1340877182 and by Antimedia: http://theantimedia.org/israeli-intelligence-king-salman-netanyahu-saudi-arabia/

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

25.6.2017 – Reuters (* A P)

UAE sees 'parting of ways' if Qatar does not accept Arab demands

"The alternative is not escalation, the alternative is parting of ways, because it is very difficult for us to maintain a collective grouping," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told reporters.

He said diplomacy with Qatar remained a priority, but added that mediation efforts to resolve the dispute had been undermined by the public disclosure of the demands.

"The mediators' ability to shuttle between the parties and try and reach a common ground has been compromised by this leak," he said. "Their success is very dependent on their ability to move but not in the public space."

Gargash said that if Qatar fails to comply within the 10-day timeline set out in the ultimatum, it will be isolated. But he did not make clear what more could be done since the four Arab nations have already cut diplomatic relations with Doha and severed most commercial ties - By Aziz El Yaakoubi

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-idUSKBN19F0B4

24.6.2017 – Sputnik News (* A P)

„Unzulässig und unerfüllbar: Katar zu Ultimatum von Golfstaaten

Doha hat die Ultimatums-Forderungen der Golfstaaten an Katar als unrealistisch verurteilt und zu deren Revision aufgerufen. Dies berichtet die Zeitung Al Watan unter Berufung auf die Erklärung des Regierungssprechers Katars Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani.

Der Sprecher bezeichnete die gegen Doha verhängten Sanktionen zudem als „illegal“. Sie würden die Souveränität des Landes verletzen.

https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20170624316306944-katar-ultimatum-unzulaessig-unerfuellbar/

24.6.2017 – Tagesspiegel (* A P)

"Wir unterstützen keine radikalen Islamisten"

Katars Botschafter Saoud bin Abdulrahman al Thani über die Terrorvorwürfe gegen das Emirat, das Verhältnis zum schiitischen Nachbarn Iran und Streit unter Freunden.

http://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/katars-botschafter-im-interview-wir-unterstuetzen-keine-radikalen-islamisten/19975240.html

24.6.2017 – Aljazeera (* A P)

Qatar-Gulf crisis: All the latest updates

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatar-diplomatic-crisis-latest-updates-170605105550769.html

24.6.2017 – Salam Qatar (* A P)

Qatar Says Neighbors’ Demands Have Nothing To Do With Terror

Qatar’s ambassador to the U.S. told HuffPost on Friday that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries’ demands on his nation are about suppressing press freedom and Qatari sovereignty, rather than the country’s alleged support for terror.

http://www.salamqatar.com/2017/06/24/qatar-says-neighbors-demands-have-nothing-to-do-with-terror/

24.6.2017 – Salam Qatar (* A P)

Qatar Seen Rejecting List of Severe Demands to End Gulf Crisis

http://www.salamqatar.com/2017/06/24/qatar-seen-rejecting-list-of-severe-demands-to-end-gulf-crisis/

24.6.2017 – Salam Qatar (* A P)

World shocked at unrealistic demands by Arab States

The list of demands presented to State of Qatar by three Gulf countries and Egypt yesterday to end current blockade became a source of shock and sorrow for the whole world as different countries and global institutions expressed their dismay over demands’ unrealistic nature.

The UAE and Saudi demand that Qatar shut down Al Jazeera does not just punish Qatar; it punishes the millions of Arabs in the region from important news coverage,” Human Rights Watch said. This is just an attempted expansion of the cowardly censorship they have inflicted on their own citizens, but it will fail,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director of Human Rights Watch.

Al Jazeera Network termed the demand as an attempt of suppression of people’s right to information.

We assert our right to practice our journalism professionally without bowing to pressure from any government or authority and we demand that governments respect the freedom of media to allow journalists to continue to do their jobs free of intimidation, threats, and fear-mongering.”

http://www.salamqatar.com/2017/06/24/world-shocked-at-unrealistic-demands-by-arab-states/

24.6.2017 – The Guardian (* A P)

Al-Jazeera: the Qatar broadcaster at centre of diplomatic crisis

Arab world’s leading TV channel is used to controversy – but now it fears for its future as Saudi Arabia wants it shut down

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jun/24/al-jazeera-the-qatar-broadcaster-at-centre-of-diplomatic-crisis

23.6.2017 - Washington Post(* A P)

Why Saudi Arabia hates Al Jazeera so much

These qualities have made it the most popular network in the Middle East. It’s also attracted a lot of enemies. Rulers in places such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt resent the station’s broad reach and its willingness to rile up opposition. They don’t like its Islamist bent, and they’re angry that their populations are exposed to reporting critical of their regimes (and supportive of the Qatari agenda).

For years, they’ve called on the station to evolve, or go away. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have kicked Al Jazeera bureaus out of their countries. Saudi Arabia has also banned hotels from offering the channel. And now Qatar is embroiled in a diplomatic war with a group of Arab states, and shuttering Al Jazeera appears to be one key demand.

In the 1990s, the Saudi royal family began buying Arabic newspapers and sharing them across the region. They also developed a satellite station, MBC, intended for a broad audience. That never quite caught on, but it did show would-be moguls the potential of pan-Arabic media.

It taught the region’s leaders something else, too: that they might well lose their death grip on the information their populations were able to consume. As Shibley Telhami, who wrote a book on Arab media, explained, “this simultaneous sense of inspiration and threat is likely what inspired the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, to start Al Jazeera . . . in 1996.” Since then, the country has poured billions into the network - by Amanda Erickson

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/23/why-saudi-arabia-hates-al-jazeera-so-much/

24.6.2017 – Gulf Times (* A P)

Al Jazeera deplores call for closure

Al Jazeera said yesterday any move to shut it down was an attack on media freedom, following demands by Gulf neighbours for the channel to be taken off air.
The closure of the broadcaster is said to be one of 13 wide-ranging demands placed on Doha by Saudi Arabia and its allies as the price for lifting an almost three-week long blockade on Qatar.
“We in the network believe that any call for closing down Al Jazeera is nothing but an attempt to silence the freedom of expression in the region and to suppress people’s right to information,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
Al Jazeera added that it “deplores” calls for its closure.
Turkey rejected a call from four Arab states yesterday to shut down its military base in Qatar, saying the base was a guarantor of security in the Gulf and demands for its closure represented interference in its ties with Doha.

http://www.gulf-times.com/story/554390/Al-Jazeera-deplores-call-for-closure

24.6.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (* A P)

Film: Egyptian govt-backed TV calls for launching terror attacks inside #Qatar

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/878735920685559810

23.6.2017 – Sarah Lea Whitson, HRW (A P)

.@HRWon absurd demand to close @AJArabic (see in image)

https://twitter.com/sarahleah1/status/878294316975669248

23.6.2017 – International Policy Digest (*A P)

The Gulf Crisis: Grappling for a Face Saving Solution

A two-week old conflict in the Gulf goes to the core of key issues in international relations that hampers the fight against political violence and diplomatic relations The absence of an agreed definition of terrorism allows autocrats to abuse efforts to counter extremism by repressing non-violent critics and the ability of small states to chart their own course.

Proponents of maintaining the term terrorism as a multi-interpretable catchall phrase argue that one man’s terrorist is another’s liberation fighter.

Authoritarian leaders like the Gulf ruling families, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Egyptian-general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al Sisi have a vested interest in either imposing their definition of terrorism on the international community or preventing it from adopting a definition. The absence of a definition has allowed them to brutally suppress basic human rights, including freedoms of expression and the media, and to put tens of thousands of non-violent critics behind bars.

There is little doubt that Qatar maintains ties to jihadist militants as does Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, there is also little doubt that the Saudi-UAE effort to force Qatar to adopt their sweeping definition of terrorism would undermine US-backed efforts to maintain a back channel to militants.

In one such instance, the US State Department, in a letter to US Republican Congressman Peter J. Roskam during the 2014 Gaza war, noted that Qatar was important in efforts to get Hamas, the Islamist group that traces its roots to the Muslim Brotherhood and controls Gaza, to accept a ceasefire with Israel. The department further pointed out that Qatar was also funding the internationally recognized Palestine Authority headed by President Mahmoud Abbas.

“We need countries that have leverage over the leaders of Hamas to help put a ceasefire in place. Qatar may be able to play that role as it has done in the past,” Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Julia Frifield said in the letter – by James M. Dorsey.

https://intpolicydigest.org/2017/06/23/gulf-crisis-grappling-face-saving-solution/

23.6.2017 – Telepolis (* A P)

Machtkampf im Nahen Osten: Katar soll sich gefügig zeigen
Über Medien wird ein Forderungskatalog von Saudi-Arabien, VAE, Bahrein und Ägypten übermittelt, der einer Unterwerfung des Landes gleichkommt
Zehn Tage hat Katar Zeit, um in seine Unterwerfung einzuwilligen. Der Nachrichtenagentur AP ist nach eigenen Angaben eine Liste der Forderungen zugespielt worden, welche Saudi-Arabien, die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate, Bahrain und Ägypten an den Sündenbock Katar stellen, um den Konflikt (siehe: Katar als Schurkenstaat isoliert) zu beenden.
Die Forderungen sind teilweise „bigger than life“, surreal. Sie dokumentieren einen Machtkampf, der Katar in die Knie zwingen will – von Thomas Pany

https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Machtkampf-im-Nahen-Osten-Katar-soll-sich-gefuegig-zeigen-3754624.html

23.6.2017 – Sputnik (* A P)

Golfstaaten stellen Katar Ultimatum

Die komplette Liste der Forderungen, die die diplomatische Krise zwischen Katar und Saudi-Arabien, Ägypten, den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten sowie dem Bahrain beenden soll, besteht demnach aus 13 Punkten: Darunter werde auch gefordert, dass Katar alle Verbindungen zur Muslimbruderschaft, der Hisbollah, Al-Qaida und allen mit der Terrormiliz IS (auch Islamischer Staat, Daesh) verbundenen Gruppen abbrechen soll. Zudem solle es Kompensationszahlungen in bislang unbekannter Höhe leisten.

Schließlich soll Katar Staatsbürgern aus Saudi-Arabien, Ägypten, den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten und dem Bahrain die Einbürgerung verweigern und all diejenigen ausweisen, die sich derzeit im Land befinden. Doha solle auch alle Menschen überstellen, die von den vier Ländern wegen terroristischer Aktivitäten gesucht werden.

Die Liste habe Kuwait als Vermittler übergegeben. Katar habe zehn Tage Zeit, die Forderungen umzusetzen.

Die Forderungsliste enthalte auch Punkte, die Katar bereits zuvor klar abgelehnt hatte – beispielweise die Schließung von Al-Jazeera. Die katarische Regierung wolle auch nicht verhandeln, solange die Blockade nicht aufgehoben werde. Sollte Katar dennoch auf die Forderungen eingehen, müsste das Land auch einer bis zu zehn Jahre dauernden Überprüfung der Maßnahmen zustimmen.

https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20170623316290546-golfstaaten-katar-ultimatum/ und von Daily Sabah (türkisch): https://www.dailysabah.com/deutsch/politik/2017/06/23/golfstaaten-verlangen-von-katar-tuerkische-militaerbasis-und-medien-zu-schliessen

24.6.2017 – Aljazeera (* A P)

Saudi-led demands not 'reasonable or actionable': Qatar

Qatar reviewing a document issued by Saudi-led bloc of Arab countries and preparing 'an appropriate response'.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/qatar-confirms-receipt-saudi-led-bloc-demands-170623214047175.html and by CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2017/06/23/qatar-says-demands-made-by-four-arab-states-not-realistic.html

23.6.2017 – The Independent from AP (** A P)

Saudi Arabia insists Qatar close Al-Jazeera as Arab states present list of 13 demands to end feud

A copy of the list was obtained by The Associated Press and translated from Arabic.

A look at the demands:

  • Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard from Qatar and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran. Only trade and commerce with Iran that complies with U.S. and international sanctions will be permitted.

  • Sever all ties to “terrorist organisations,” specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, Isis, al-Qaeda, and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.

  • Shut down Al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations.

  • Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye.

  • Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence currently in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar.

  • Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the United States and other countries.

  • Hand over “terrorist figures” and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.

  • End interference in sovereign countries' internal affairs. Stop granting citizenship to wanted nationals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Revoke Qatari citizenship for existing nationals where such citizenship violates those countries' laws.

  • Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over all files detailing Qatar's prior contacts with and support for those opposition groups.

  • Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar's policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.

  • Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically, as well as on economic matters, in line with an agreement reached with Saudi Arabia in 2014.

  • Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid. The document doesn't specify what the countries will do if Qatar refuses to comply.

  • Consent to monthly audits for the first year after agreeing to the demands, then once per quarter during the second year. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-qatar-diplomatic-feud-latest-al-jazeera-demands-list-uae-egypt-bahrain-a7803981.html

and other articles:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/23/close-al-jazeera-saudi-arabia-issues-qatar-with-13-demands-to-end-blockade

https://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/here-are-the-13-things-saudi-arabia-has-demanded-from-qatar-to-resolve-the-gulf-crisis/

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878172510486921216

https://apnews.com/9ea596a18e5d4650b0d96cd8ce143be5/Qatar's-neighbors-issue-steep-list-of-demands-to-end-crisis

My comment: Blackmailing – that’s Saudi foreign policy. Saudi Arabia wants to press all smaller neighbouring states to the rank of Saudi vassals.

Comment by Haykal Bafana: Point 10 is 9/11 JASTA.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878172510486921216

Remark by Haykal Bafana: Qatar & Turkey have already replied : The Turkish military base will stay.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878175174260015104

23.6.2017 – RT (* A P)

Saudi Arabia & allies demand Qatar close Turkish base, shut Al Jazeera & more within 10 days

The Arab states which have imposed an economic blockade on Qatar over its alleged financing of terrorism have issued a severe list of demands, which includes giving Doha 10 days to cut ties with Iran, shutting down Al Jazeera, closing a Turkish military base and paying a fine.

The countries led by Saudi Arabia also demands Doha to cut all ties with terrorist organizations, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Al-Qaeda. The list also demands that the monarchy stop funding all extremist groups designated as “terrorist” by the US.

The Gulf nations are also seeking detailed information about “opposition figures that Qatar has funded,” AP said. In addition, Qatar must surrender all nationals who are wanted on terrorism charges by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt.

https://www.rt.com/news/393663-qatar-gulf-demands-ultimatum/

23.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (* A P)

'An attack on free thought': Middle East Eye responds to Saudi demands

Saudi Arabia and its allies have demanded the closure of a range of media outlets as part of their campaign against Qatar

A Saudi coalition of states has placed 13 demands on Qatar to lift their blockade, including the closure of Al Jazeera and what it states are publications and websites "directly or indirectly supported by Qatar".

The list from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt also calls for Qatar to cut all ties with Iran, pay compensation to the petitioning states for "victims and losses" due to Qatari foreign policy and a 10-year "mechanism" to ensure Qatar sticks to the deal.

The media organisations the petition claims are "supported" by Qatar include Arabi21, al-Araby al-Jadeed, Sharq, and the London-based Middle East Eye.

Qatar has 10 days to accept the demands, it said.

David Hearst, Middle East Eye's editor-in-chief, said his organisation was not funded by Qatar - or any other state or group - and was here to stay.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/attack-free-thought-middle-east-eye-responds-saudi-demands-1572259574

23.6.2017 – Middle East Eye (* A P)

Bonfire of vanities: Saudi demands expose fear and loathing of Qatar

Saudi-led alliance has list of 13 demands to end blockade on Qatar. Middle East Eye sifts their content

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bonfire-vanities-saudi-demands-expose-fear-and-loathing-qatar-382011438

23.6.2017 – Ali AlAhmed (A P)

Film: Did #Trump slipp & used the word WAR in reference to Saudi-led campaign against #Qatar

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/878224323353300992

23.6.2017 – Rania Khalek (A P)

Saudi/UAE and Qatar proxy war has expanded to include think tankers and propaganda journalists. This is very entertaining

https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/878176864996610048

22.6.2017 – South Front (* A P)

Qatar Crisis: Origins and Consequences

https://southfront.org/qatar-crisis-consequences/

22.6.2017 – MbKS15 (A P)

What a deployment! 23 #Turkish army personnel & 5 APCs. Looks more like a rotation of the existing unit of 13 APCs in #Qatar. (photos)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/877978980674019329

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

24.6.2017 – MbKS15 (A K P)

Photos: #RSAFF-15SA training program for Instructor Pilots & Instructor WSOs conducted at #BoeingSt. Louis

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/878655318804373508

My comment: US-Saudi complicity in photos.

15.6.2017 – Yemeni Cruel (* B K P)

Film: Saudi war on Yemen pt 4. Weapon sales

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fepSy8UIDps

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

24.6.2017 – Sudan Tribune (A K P)

Al-Bashir visits grave of Sudanese troops killed in Yemen

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir has praised sacrifices of the Sudanese troops in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, said the official news agency SUNA on Friday

On Wednesday, 17 Sudanese troops who were killed in Yemen have been buried at Al-Baqi in Medina, Saudi Arabia

According to SUNA, al-Bashir on Friday visited graves of “martyrs of duty and the homeland” who were killed in Yemen and buried in Saudi Arabia.

He hailed the role of the Sudanese army in achieving security, stability and peace in Yemen, hailing the army, security services, police and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for defending Sudan’s stability and security.

Al-Bashir is in Saudi Arabia since last Monday. He met with King Salman and the newly appointed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the ongoing split with Qatar.

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article62821

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

24.6.2017 – Terror Monitor (A T)

Al-Qaeda published a video of the attack on the point of a bite in Wadi Doan in Hadramout province in eastern Yemen. (photos)

https://twitter.com/TerrorMonitorAR/status/878729318670770178

24.6.2017 – Terror Monitor (A T)

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attack on the village of "Trans Salum" in the southern province of Lahj. (document)

https://twitter.com/TerrorMonitorAR/status/878730670981492737

23.6.2017 – Elisabeth Kendall (A T)

#AQAP issues Batarfi lecture 5. Uses prophet Hud story to show how locals must stay focused on Allah's blessings. Implies waning enthusiasm? (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/878175304346329088

Comment by Haykal Bafana: No, this deluded camel c**t implies he is Prophet Hud, and that Hadhramis who don't believe in him will be destroyed by God. Again.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878175948952158208

22.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

Tribal militias and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula(AQAP) militants tactically cooperated to retake al Houthi-Salehpositions in southernal Baydagovernorate on June 22. Tribal forces previously withdrew from a battle against the al Houthi-Saleh faction in southern al Bayda governorate on June 20 to protest a terror watch list released by Saudi Arabia on June 8. AQAP militants also claimed to kill three al Houthi-Saleh fighters at Hope Hospital in Rada’a, al Bayda governorate on June 21.[3]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-22-2017

22.6.2017 – Critical Threats (* A T)

Yemen Security Brief

AQAP spokesman Khaled Batarfi released the fourth episode of his series “Stories of the Prophets” on June 21. Batarfi stressed the need to educate children about Islam at an early age. Batarfi has released four theological videos in the past week. The intent of the series is to market al Qaeda’s ideology to Yemen’s Sunni tribes.[4]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-22-2017

21.6.2017 – US State Department (* A T P)

State Department Amendments to the Terrorist Designations of Hizballah and al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula

The Department of State has also amended the designation of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) as an SDGT under section 1(b) of E.O. 13224 and as an FTO under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to add the aliases Sons of Abyan, Sons of Hadramawt, Sons of Hadramawt Committee, Civil Council of Hadramawt, and National Hadramawt Council.

Sons of Abyan, Sons of Hadramawt, Sons of Hadramawt Committee, Civil Council of Hadramawt, and National Hadramawt Council all serve as proxies or cover organizations for AQAP, which was designated as an FTO in 2010. AQAP uses these proxies to help govern the territories it controls, and to manage issues such as administration, economics, security, and building relationships with citizens.

Today's actions notify the U.S. public and the international community that the terrorist organizations Hizballah and AQAP operate under and/or are known by a variety of other names. Terrorism designations expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in denial of access to the U.S. financial system. Moreover, designations can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and other governments.

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/06/272090.htm

20.6.2017 – US Central Command (* A T)

Strike Against AQAP and Abu Khattab al Awlaqi in Yemen

Release No: 17-238 June 22, 2017U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against three al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula militants in Shabwah Governorate, Yemen, June 16, to disrupt terrorist compounds, and attack networks in Yemen. Abu Khattab al Awlaqi, the emir for AQAP’s terrorist stronghold in Shabwah Governorate, was killed in the strike along with two of his AQAP associates.

Al Awlaqi was a senior leader responsible for planning and conducting terrorist attacks against civilians. He had significant influence throughout AQAP’s terrorist stronghold, had ties and access to the group’s other senior leaders, and was implicated in planning and leading efforts to exacerbate instability in Southern Yemen.

In coordination with the government of Yemen, U.S. forces are conducting a series of sustained counterterrorism operations in Yemen against AQAP to degrade the group’s ability to hold territory and coordinate external terror attacks. Senior AQAP leaders seek safe haven in places like Shabwah Governorate to plot attacks against the U.S., our interests, and our friends and allies across the world. Al Awlaqi’s death removes a trusted and experienced terrorist leader from AQAP’s ranks.

http://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/1225928/strike-against-aqap-and-abu-khattab-al-awlaqi-in-yemen/

Comment by Haykal Bafana: You killed very dead the brother of the AQAP sub-chief in Yemen. And the dead man : He's not Al Qaeda.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878282659973267456

cp15 Propaganda

25.6.2017 – Riyadh Vision (A P)

Yemen launches investigation into human rights abuses in liberated areas

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dajar issued a decision to form a joint committee to investigate allegations regarding violations of human rights in liberated areas.

The committee will include six members: Judge Gamal Omar, Minister of Justice as its chairman, Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Deputy Assistant of the Ministry of Interior for the Public Security Sector.

The committee also includes representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the National Security and Political Security Departments.

The Commission will inspect the allegations about the violations of human rights and establish a mechanism to deal with any future problems in this regard and it is set to submit its report to the prime minister within 15 days.

http://www.riyadhvision.com.sa/2017/06/25/yemen-launches-investigation-into-human-rights-abuses-in-liberated-areas/

My comment: LOL. This activity started after reports of Emirati / Hadi government torture prisons have been published (look at cp1). - As you can see from looking at the persons of this commission, this hardly will be an independent investigation... So let's wait for a whitewashing programme within these 15 days. - And this story reveals even more: The Hadi government's propaganda „Human Rights“ organisations' „reports“ of „investigations“ of Human Rights abuses in Yemen just blaming the Houthis are propaganda in a media war – overlooking the abuses next door, committed by the own government and its allies.

23.6.2017 – Gulf News (A P)

UAE denies running secret prisons in Yemen

UAE 'has limited its involvement in Yemen to providing training and logistical support to Yemeni troops'

The UAE has rejected a recent report by the Associated Press claiming the existence of UAE-run secret prisons in southern Yemen.

“What has been mentioned in the report is completely untrue and is just a political manoeuvre by Al Houthi militias to defame the Arab coalition in Yemen, which intervened to save the Yemeni people,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement issued on Friday

The ministry reaffirmed that only the Yemeni government was involved in running and managing the jails in Yemen, and the UAE had no role whatsoever.

The UAE’s role, and that of the coalition forces, are just in Yemen to train Yemeni soldiers, the statement added.

The statement pointed out that the UAE had played a pivotal role in helping Yemeni forces expel Al Qaida from southern Yemen.

“Groups affiliated to Al Qaida are responsible for the cruel deaths of hundreds of Yemeni officials, police and civilians.”

In addition to training Yemeni forces, the UAE has provided billions of dollars in support to stabilise south Yemen and provide citizens with water, electricity and repair schools and hospitals.

UAE armed forced deployed in Yemen are complying with international conventions with regard to wars and conflicts, the statement said.

Since April 2015, the UAE has provided more than $2 billion to support humanitarian operations, development and reconstruction in various sectors, including infrastructure, health care and housing across Yemen. The aid had benefited 10 million Yemenis of whom four million were children, Al Shamsi said.

The aid included 172,000 tonnes of food supplies to address severe food shortages, polio vaccines for 488,000 children, medicines, medical supplies and ambulances for Aden, Taiz and Hodeida.

http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/uae-denies-running-secret-prisons-in-yemen-1.2048392

My comment: LOL. For these secret prisons, look at cp1. - That's the propaganda line: Denying and whitewashing all own crimes, permanently emphasizing real or alleged humanitarian help (which in every case is peanuts compared what is spent on warfare and destruction of Yemen), always blaming the Houthis.

Comment by Kate Kizer: UAE denial here false: UAE has direct control over at least 5 brigades of #Yemensec. forces, backs other militias.

https://twitter.com/KateKizer/status/878419155594207237

24.6.2017 – Gulf Today (A P)

UAE assistance to Yemen exemplary

The UAE generously backs legitimacy and humanitarian operations in Yemen and has been extending continuous support to reduce the suffering of Yemenis and strengthen their resilience in the face of the difficult circumstances due to the ongoing crisis in that country.
The Emirates Red Crescent’s (ERC) sponsoring of the treatment of injured Yemenis at Indian hospitals is the latest in a series of various benevolent activities the UAE has initiated.
The idea is to alleviate the suffering of the Yemenis and stand by them in the face of several gross Houthi violations.
The humanitarian and health situation in Yemen has reached catastrophic levels primarily due to the intransigence of the Houthi militias who prevent the entry of relief aid and medicines to the various Yemeni regions.
Just recently, the Houthi militia and forces loyal to the now-ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh brazenly seized 200 relief aid trucks of the World Food Programme in several Yemeni governorates to provide food supplies to their troops and to transport their militants.

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/2a3d24b0-a08b-4429-8da4-196c243cecde.aspx

My comment: That's odd propaganda. - The greatest “achievement” of the UAE in Yemen are secret torture prisons (look at cp1 and YPR 314, cp1). - And lamenting the “Houthi violations” while not speaking of the Saudi / UAE coalition air raids – which are causing much more death and destruction – is an odd propaganda bias too. - And more: The same with lamenting “the intransigence of the Houthi militias who prevent the entry of relief aid and medicines” while the Saudi coalition is blocking ¾ of the country (look at cp1a, VICE article). - These 200 trucks blocked by the Houthis had been released later, as was told somewhere in the internet.

Comment by Haykal Bafana: Go fuck a Qatari camel, boy. The UAE was spit-roasting southern Yemenis over a fire.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/878209061895815168 referring to same propaganda: https://twitter.com/bu3oof_ae/status/842780594413191169

23.6.2017 – Mohammed Razzi (A P)

This Saudi TV network says Mosul's Al-Nuri mosque was destroyed by "rafidi hatred" (Shiites). The mosque was demolished by ISIS

https://twitter.com/BazziNYU/status/878273553069596672 referring to https://twitter.com/Wesal_TV/status/878210911743365121

23.6.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)

Vice President praises victories of Yemen's army

He highly valued victories and great sacrifices made by the Yemeni army, and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition's roles and support for the Yemeni legitimate government.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-7980

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

24.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by #Saudi_Arabia and its alliance in #Yemen 23 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/847571572059876/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

23.6.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by #Saudi_Arabia and its alliance in #Yemen 22 June 2017 (full list):

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/847005005449866/?type=3

24.6.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)

Alliance Causing Martyrs and Wounding The brutal US_Saudi alliance warplanes launched more than 10 raids in Saada province ,the raids targeting many areas at the province, and causing martyrs. A local source said, the alliance warplanes waged three raids in Kataf area and killed citizens, also, the warplanes waged more than 12 raids in Taiz province.

http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78184&lang=en

24.6.2017 – Sanaa in the morning (A K)

Just now: massive explosion in Sanaa #Yemen. Jet still roaring.

https://twitter.com/Anas_Shahari/status/878467509137149952

The capital Sanaa now is under heavy bombardment by Saudi regime's jets. Huge explosion was loudly heard seconds ago.

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/878467722279038977

7.15 local time: Nuqum mountain in #Sanaawas bombed

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1412360712150288

Sana'a bombed now by saudi coalition 7:30am again places that been bombed 1000's time before, and planes coming back for more.Why??

https://twitter.com/maddllock/status/878469771116806144

23/24.6.2017 – Sanaa at night (A K)

Intense Saudi jets flying now over the sky of the capital Sanaa

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/878330923963392000

23.6.2017 – Midoaa (A K PH)

For the second once this week #Saudijets targeted local market Al-Mashnouq in sada'a #Yemenprovince which caused 5killed (photo; belonging to this raid?)

https://twitter.com/midoaaaaa/status/878404467615510529

23.6.2017 – Ahmad Alghobary (A K)

We want to celebrate #Eidal_Fitrafter tomorrow ,now #Saudijets are over my city Dhamar #YemenPeople want to feel safe in #Eid

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/878381053626462208

23.6.2017 – Critical Threats (A K PS)

Yemen Security Brief

Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck al Houthi-Saleh forces in western al Jawfgovernorate on June 23, killing 12 al Houthi-Saleh fighters. [4]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-23-2017

My comment: relying on pro-Saudi forces claims.

23.6.2017 – Sanaa at noon (A K)

2 airstrikes on #Sanaa

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1411384118914614

22.6.2017 – Ahmed Jahaf (A K PH)

22 Jun 2017 #Hajjah: 14 airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition jets with U.S & UK bombs on Harid & Maydi during the past hours (map)

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/877996625481801728

24.6.2017 – Almasirah TV (A K PH)

Film (Arabic): Story narrated by the survivor of the # Massacre __market _ Almashnq Directorate # Shada # Saada

https://www.facebook.com/Hona.Almasirah/videos/1557830454248013/ = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1692441141051873

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

25.6.2017 – South Front (A K)

Map: Military Situation In Moha Area In Western Yemen (Map Update)

In January 2017, Saudi-led forces launched the operation “Golden Arrow” aiming to capture the entire western Yemeni coast from the Houthi-Saleh alliance.

So far Saudi-led forces have manged to capture the strategic port of Mocha but failed to advance further to the north. They have repeatedly tried to capture the Khaled military camp but also failed to do this. The Khaled military camp is a strategic military base located on the road between Taiz city and Mocha.

Recently, Houthi-Saleh forces have repelled a Saudi-backed attack in the al Kadha area.

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-moha-area-in-western-yemen-map-update/

24.6.2017 – Almasirah TV (A K PH)

Film: Documents of a dead mercenary Sudanese army in the desert of Midi

Yemeni war media distributed scenes of the documents of one of the dead mercenaries of the Sudanese army in the desert of Medi.(Arabic)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd0qfzOAQxc

24.6.2017 – Yamanyoon (A K PH)

Alliance Causing Martyrs and Wounding the border Saudi soldiers waged dozens of artillery shells at the citizens, and causing martyrs and wounded.

http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78184&lang=en

24.6.2017 – Middle East Monitor (A K)

Houthis attack targets inside Saudi Arabia

Yemen’s Houthi militias announced on Thursday that they attacked targets inside Saudi Arabia during clashes that took place with Saudi forces on the border, Saba news agency has reported. The agency is controlled by the Houthi rebels.

The attack targeted Saudi forces deployed near Al-Khadraa border crossing and the heights of Rajla, in the south of the city of Najran.

A Civil Defence spokesman in Najran, Abdel Khaliq Al-Kahtani, told the official Saudi news agency WAS that a projectile launched from Yemen landed in a residential area in the city. He pointed out that although it caused severe damage, no casualties were reported.

Saudi media reported that clashes erupted on the border after the Houthi attack. It was claimed that the Houthis sustained serious damage.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170624-houthis-attack-targets-inside-saudi-arabia-2/

23.6.2017 – Small Arms Defense Journal (B K)

North American Anti-Materiel Rifles with Houthi Forces in Yemen

Some observers have suggested that the presence of the M82A1 in Yemen could be explained through battlefield capture from Gulf coalition members who are known to employ them, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, the M82A1 is not new in Yemen, with documents obtained through FOIA requests indicating the supply of military materiel from the United States to Yemen in 2012, which included a number of M82A1 rifles. With significant materiel known to have been captured by Houthi fighters from Yemeni government forces and the defection of a substantial number of Yemeni armed forces personnel, these rifles are perhaps more likely to have undergone a similar transition (photos)

http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=4000

23.6.2017 – Almasdar Online (A K PS)

A girl killed, three civilians injured by Houthis shelling and sniper fire on al Maqatra and Karesh

A girl was killed and three civilians were wounded Wednesday by sniper fire and bombardment of the Houthis-Saleh militants in Wadi al-Maqatra and Karesh areas in Lahj province in southern Yemen. A 13-year-old girl, Huda Najib Ibrahim, was killed in the al-Jadida area in Wadi al-Maqatra after being targeted by a Houthi sniper in the Al-Haqom mountains of Heifan district south of Taiz, a field source told Almasdaronline.

Three civilians were also wounded by artillery shelling of the Houthis-Saleh forces on the villages of Karesh area, north of Lahj province, according to a local source. The source said that the Houthi-Saleh militants in al Sharijah and al Hwaimi areas bombed the villages of Karesh, wounding three civilians, one of them was in a serious condition.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92211

22.6.2017 – Ahmed Jahaf (A K PH)

Eight civilian casualties by Houthis shelling western Taiz

Two civilians were killed and six others wounded early Wednesday by an artillery shelling launched by the Houthis-Saleh forces in Bir Basha region western Taiz city, southwestern Yemen.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92207

Pro Houthi / Pro Saleh reports:

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/06/25/1446130/yemeni-retaliatory-attacks-leave-over-6-saudi-soldiers-dead

http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78211&lang=en

http://www.yamanyoon.com/?p=78195&lang=en

http://newnewss.net/?p=6876

Pro-Hadi / pro-Saudi reports:

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-23-2017 (Yemen, last paragraph)

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-7979 and http://almasdaronline.com/article/92209

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92206

http://almasdaronline.com/article/92210

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

22.6.2017 – Mag.com (* C)

One of Israel's most painful chapters comes to life in Jerusalem

After 60 years of covering up the disappearance of hundreds of Yemeni babies in the early years of the state, the time has come for justice and accountability.

https://972mag.com/one-of-israels-most-painful-chapters-comes-to-life-in-jerusalem/128314/

Remark: Earlier reporting YPR 314, cp18.

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-314-yemen-war-mosaic-314

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-314 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-314:

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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