Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 332 - Yemen War Mosaic 332

Yemen Press Reader 332: Huthis beschießen Taiz – Blutbank vor dem Aus – Saudis blockieren Flughafen und humanitäre Hilfe – Gewalt und Gegengewalt – Salafisten, Jihadisten – US-Truppen im Jemen

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Houthi shellings at Taiz – Yemen blood bank might be forces to shut – Saudi blockade of Sanaa airport – Saudis block humanitarian aid for Yemen – Yemen: A history of violence and anti-violence – The Salafi-Jihadi movement – US boots on the ground in Yemen – Mekka – Awamiya siege 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

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp9 USA

cp10 Großbritnnien / Grest Britain

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp13a Söldner / Mercenaries

cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

PH = Pro-Houthi

PS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

9.8.2017 – Human Rights Watch (** B K)

Yemen: Artillery Attacks Kill Civilians in Taizz

Houthi-Saleh Shelling of Neighborhoods Harms Dozens

Houthi-Saleh forces have repeatedly fired artillery indiscriminately into populated neighborhoods of Taizz, Yemen’sthird largest city, in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. Over a 10-day period in May 2017, shelling of the city by the Houthi armed group and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh resulted in the deaths of at least 30 civilians and wounded more than 160 others, according to doctors at two local hospitals. The opposing government-affiliated forces of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi also appear to have fired artillery indiscriminately into populated areas outside the city.

Human Rights Watch documented seven attacks between ween May 21 and 23 that killed at least 12 civilians, including four children, and wounded 29, including 10 children. Houthi-Saleh forces apparently carried out six artillery attacks on Taizz city, which is controlled by forces affiliated with the Yemeni government. On May 22, government-affiliated forces appear to have shelled al-Hawban district, under Houthi-Saleh control, northeast of Taizz, and killed three civilians, including two children, and wounded two others.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/08/09/yemen-artillery-attacks-kill-civilians-taizz

8.8.2017 – Reuters (** A H)

Yemen blood bank may be forced to shut by lack of funds: director

Yemen's national blood bank may be forced to close due to a lack of money after an international medical charity decided to end two years of support, the director of the blood bank said.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was trying to help by sending further supplies.

The National Blood Transfusion Centre director, Dr. Adnan al-Hakimi, said the crisis emerged after French medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) informed the bank it was suspending its aid after more than two years of work.

"The center suffers from a complete shortage of supplies, including medical solutions, blood bags and medical needs," Hakimi said.

The WHO confirmed the bank was at risk of closing.

"WHO is looking into ways to support the National Blood Transfusion Centre," said Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesman. "Supplies were ordered but have not reached Yemen as of now," he added without elaborating.

Officials said patients suffering various diseases, including thalassaemia, cancer and kidney failures, as well as victims of the conflict stand to suffer if the bank closed down.

"If the center stops, a catastrophe will hit the whole country," said Munir al-Zubaidi, a spokesman for the bank said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-bloodbank-idUSKBN1AO1PP

and

7.8.2017 – RT (** A H)

Film: Yemen: Yemeni National Center for blood calls on worldwide community for support

Patients were seen being treated at the Yemeni National Center for blood transfusion in Sana'a on Monday where the facility has launched a worldwide call out for support as a result of dwindling blood supplies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88g1TOIlRS0

and

7.8.2017 – A MTRZ (A H)

Film: Yemen blood main center! Threatened with complete halt! Because of US-backed Saudi blockade for 3 years now.

https://twitter.com/A_mtrz/status/894574603842056192

9.8.2017 – ABC News (** A H P)

Yemen: UN calls for Saudi-led coalition to ease blockade of main airport to allow aid in

It doesn't matter how sick you are, how much money you have or who you know — you cannot get a commercial flight out of Yemen's main airport.

Access to Yemen, classified as the world's worst humanitarian disaster, is heavily restricted and for the past year it's main airport has been forced shut by a Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the country.

That has slowed down aid, trapped millions of people and stopped commercial activity.

The United Nations has called for the Saudi-led coalition to ease its 12-month blockade of Yemen's main airport so the sick and injured can get out and aid can get in.

Care International's Wael Ibrahim, the country director in the Yemen capital Sanaa, described the blockade as "collective punishment for people in Yemen".

"There is absolutely no justification for the airport to continue to close," he said.

The Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing Yemen shut down the Sanaa airport a year ago because it was in a territory controlled by its opponents, the Houthi rebels, claiming it needed to be closed due to security concerns.

Since then the only flights the Saudis have allowed in and out of the airport are UN, Red Cross or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) humanitarian flights.

But the airport's closure does not just trap millions of people, Mr Ibrahim said it also prevents the free movement of commercial and humanitarian goods.

"The commercial sector is unable to bring in goods, unable to bring in medical supplies, bring in money," he said.

Crucial aid now has to go through several diversions before it can get to where it needs to go.

"Each flight takes lots of logistics and additional cost, because we have to charter planes rather than be able to use the commercial flights that used to come regularly to Yemen," Mr Ibrahim said.

amie McGoldrick, the UN's top aid official in Yemen, said the UN had been lobbying the Saudi-led Coalition and Yemen's exiled Government in Aden to reopen the airport.

"We continue to advocate to all the parties involved in this and the people who control the airspace, the people in Riyadh, the people in Aden, to help alleviate the suffering," he said.

"It's like being caught up in a fortress mentality that you can't escape from.

"This has become a tactic of the war in itself and I think [it] is really unfair. - by Sophie McNeill

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-09/un-calls-for-easing-of-blockade-on-yemens-main-airport/8788202

6.8.2017 – ABC News (** A H)

Yemen humanitarian crisis prompts calls for Saudi Arabia to allow more aid

There are urgent calls for Saudi Arabia to allow more aid into Yemen as children across the country continue to starve to death.

Despite repeated UN warnings and ongoing pleas from aid agencies, aid to Yemen is still heavily restricted by the Saudi-led coalition that is blockading the war-torn country.

Caroline Anning, a senior conflict and humanitarian advocacy adviser for Save The Children, said there were steps the coalition could take that would save lives tomorrow in Yemen.

"If they reopened the main airport in [Yemen's capital] Sanaa to commercial traffic, that would massively ease the amount of goods coming in, put food on people's tables," Ms Anning said.

"If they stopped blockading humanitarian goods coming in by ship that would make a big difference. If there was a temporary ceasefire that would make a huge difference."

At the malnutrition ward of al-Sabheen hospital in Sanaa, mothers wait for their emaciated babies and toddlers to receive urgent treatment.

"He cannot stand on his feet or raise his head for long," Om Mujahed says sadly, sitting next to her desperately skinny son Mujahed.

"He is so exhausted, so we brought him to here."

Before the war began, Yemen was already the Middle East's poorest country, importing 90 per cent of its food.

Now, after two years of relentless airstrikes and a blockade that has partially closed the country's main port and completely closed the main airport, there is just not enough food to feed Yemen's 28 million people.

"If we compare the situation of the hospital and the patients a year ago to now, we notice that the number of malnutrition cases is increasing," al-Sabheen hospital's Dr Najila told the ABC.

Amnesty International accuses US, UK of covering for Saudis – by Sophie McNeill and Moohialdin Fuad

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-06/yemen-urgent-calls-for-saudi-arabia-to-allow-more-aid/8779646

6.8.2017 – Sophie McNeil (** A H)

Film: Its one year since we were in #Yemen

we revisit the malnutrition ward at Sabeen hospital Sanaa: it's only getting worse

https://twitter.com/Sophiemcneill/status/894155023269199872

My comment: Evident: Saudi Arabia blocking humanitarian aid.

25.7.2017 – Viewpoint Magazine (** B C P)

The Yemen Primer: A History of Violence for Anti-Violence

Far too often, Yemen is crudely discussed as a backwater nation, notable only for the presence of AQAP and Islamic State. In such a rendering the presence of Islamic militants explains US military operations in Yemen, and its current “lawlessness” is seen to be a laboratory for new imperialist counter-insurgency tactics. These are important and not without some truth, but Yemen is also a country that boasts a remarkable legacy of revolutionary leftist movements.

Unlike the oriental tropes, Yemeni politics is a remarkable spectrum of different actors, including Marxist-Leninists, Nasserists, liberal reformers that seek greater economic development, tribal confederations that comprise a host of regional and sectarian identities, dictatorial generals that work with Saudi Arabia and the United States, and terrorist groups like AQAP, who, at different times, will either seek to work with or overthrow any of the above. A full view of the nation’s history and politics challenges easy narratives of what a poor Muslim-majority postcolonial state is “supposed to look like.”

Such a study is not merely academic or even local in its application. Yemen is a window into the combined elite strategies of balkanization and militarization of social struggle in the Mideast, North Africa, and South Asia, imparting lessons with a more general purchase. What’s more, recalling this recent history can impart key lessons from the failure of Yemen’s recent democratic movements to fill the power vacuum that emerged in their wake, while the demobilization of emancipatory movements highlights the practices that might comprise an effective anti-imperialist and anti-war movement in the United States today.

Trump would simply have to develop Saudi Arabia’s already successful arguments that the war is one of self-defense and exaggerate stories about alleged Iranian support for the Houthis. Of course, as the present coalition appears to be learning, such an approach could easily go the way of the North Yemeni Civil War, and Aden Emergency, when hopes of a quick and decisive win were swept away. It is also possible that the United States continues with its current role, to ensure that it is not the public face of the conflict, and force its allies to take official responsibility for the conflict’s bloody excesses. The US would simply be doing on a much larger scale what it already does through proxy detention in Yemen, which is offloading maintenance tasks, along with the worst torture of prisoners, on foreign security forces like UAE Special Operations, while achieving its own objectives by interrogating terrorism suspects. Essentially, the detention is a joint project between the US and its allies, but the former claims that it is “Emirati-led” or “Saudi-led” or “coalition-led” in order to gain cover as it pursues its main foreign policy objectives in Yemen, which are neutralizing the Houthis and other threats to its allies and “fighting terrorists.”

Regardless of what happens, there are multiple strategies going forward to resist the war’s possible expansion, and starve the Saudi Arabian war machine. It is easy to lose hope when Trump brands the Houthis as part of “the foot soldiers of evil,” but anti-war campaigners, media specialists, and the left more broadly have multiple options when it comes to raising awareness, pressuring governments, and targeting arms companies as part of a wider strategy of disrupting supply lines into Saudi Arabia, ending Yemen’s naval blockade, and forcing coalition forces to withdraw from the country - By Bilal Zenab Ahmed

https://www.viewpointmag.com/2017/07/25/the-yemen-primer-a-history-of-violence-for-anti-violence/

18.7.2017 – American Enterprise Institute (** B P T)

America’s Real Enemy: The Salafi-Jihadi Movement

The United States is losing the war on terror because it has misdefined the enemy.The Trump administration is continuing and accelerating the flawed strategy of the Obama administration, which defined the enemy too narrowly. An effective strategy should not focus on retaking Mosul and Raqqa and killing ISIS and al Qaeda leaders plotting attacks against the United States.

The Salafi-jihadi movement is the real enemy of the United States. While this movement is inherently global and includes both ISIS and al Qaeda, it does not encompass all Muslims or Islam. Its goal is to destroy current Muslim societies as they are today and replace them with an Islamic caliphate through force. It also aims to attack and either subjugate or destroy the US and the West.

Popular uprisings during the Arab Spring and ongoing conflicts in the Muslim world have mobilized Sunni populations. Vulnerable Sunni populations have been forced to take action to defend their livelihoods and very lives as governments and governance have collapsed. By defending these communities and providing basic services, justice, security, and military support, al Qaeda, ISIS, and other groups have filled these governance gaps. The post-Arab Spring chaos achieved what members of the Salafi-jihadi movement had failed to do for decades: mobilize the Sunni community.

The Salafi-jihadi movement’s power lies in its relationship with Sunni populations. It draws strength from its ties to Sunni communities much more than from its ideology, which the majority of Muslims ultimately reject. US alignment with Russia, Iran, and Assad in Syria have advanced a narrative of Western oppression of the Sunnis, whereas the Salafi-jihadi base is viewed as a defender of local populations against aggressors. As a result, some Sunni communities are willing to support Salafi-jihadi groups in exchange for security even if they reject the Salafi-jihadi ideology.

The United States must reorient its strategy from killing ISIS and al Qaeda members to providing Sunni communities with an alternative that is better than what the Salafi-jihadis offer. The movement focuses on securing local communities and redressing their grievances, and so must the US and its partners. A strategy to defeat the groups will ultimately fail in the long-term if the grievances that feed insurgencies persist. Simply continuing current US policies will ensure that the Salafi-jihadi movement amasses the resources and capabilities to conduct truly devastating attacks against the US and its allies in the years to come.

And on Yemen: The 2014 collapse of the Yemeni political transition process and the arrival of full-fledged civil war in 2015 gave AQAP a second opportunity to gain popular support in Yemen. It did not repeat mistakes from 2011, but rather operated through newly established hyper-local proxy groups. It took over Yemen’s third largest port city, which it held for a year, and used its local militia force to provide security. AQAP’s proxy then facilitated the negotiations for a Salafi-dominated local administration to provide governance.98 The group had reestablished itself in the territory it controlled in 2011 before an Emirati-led counterterrorism operation reversed its gains.99

The entanglement of the Yemeni civil war in sectarian and regional conflicts sets conditions for AQAP to grow strength on the ground. AQAP ceded control of much of its territory after the Emirati-led offensive, but it remains embedded with tribal militias in central Yemen fighting in the civil war. It gains popular support by providing weapons, training, and capabilities to local militias fighting on the front lines, especially to local forces that are not receiving support from the Arab coalition that intervened in Yemen.

The regional conflicts playing out in Yemen are changing the nature of the fight, and sectarianism is creeping into Yemeni identities.100 Iranian and Saudi support for opposing sides furthers the polarization within Yemen. Salafi militias, some of which include Salafi-jihadi fighters, are some of the more effective forces on the ground in key flashpoints and therefore receive additional support. Sustained US and Emirati counterterrorism operations against AQAP risk creating a narrative similar to al Qaeda’s narrative in Syria that the US is aligned against the Sunni. A surge in US airstrikes targeting AQAP in central Yemen shifted momentum to the opposing side in March 2017.101 – by Katherine Zimmerman

https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/americas-real-enemy-the-salafi-jihadi-movement

and

http://www.aei.org/publication/in-brief-americas-real-enemy-the-salafi-jihadi-movement/

and full report:

https://www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/RPT-FP-Zimmerman_Americas-Real-Enemy-online.pdf

My comment: This is an interesting and profound report, but: How can it be possible just not to mention the crucial role Saudi Wahabism is playing for the ideology of terrorism?? And Saudi money spreading this Wahabism worldwide?? And Saudi financial and other support for terrorists in various countries, from Afghanistan over Syria to Lybia???

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Cholera / Most important: Cholera

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

8.8.2017 – WHO (*A H)

Yemen: Cholera Response Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin: W31 2017 (Jul 31-Aug 06)

In W31 2017 (31 July-6 August) a total of 29,786 cholera cases and 25 deaths (CFR 0.1%) were reported in Yemen. The cumulative total from 27 April 2017 to 6 August 2017 is 473,701 cases and 1,953 deaths (CFR 0.4%).

In total, 22/23 (96%) governorates and 297/333 districts (89%) are affected by the outbreak.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-cholera-response-weekly-epidemiological-bulletin-w31-2017-jul-31-aug-06-enar and in full http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/yemen/Yemen_Cholera_Response_-_Weekly_Epidemiological_Bulletin_-_W31_2017_Jul_31-Aug_06.pdf

7.8.2017 – Science News (* A H)

To combat cholera in Yemen, one scientist goes back to basics

Rowa Mohammed Assayaghi teaches people how to wash their hands. In Yemen, that’s life-saving work.

The war ... greatly affected all service sectors such as the health sector, water supply, sanitation, electricity, transportation and roads, hygiene services and so on,” says Assayaghi, a medical microbiologist at Yemen’s Sana’a University.

It’s possible that people are also contracting E. colifrom “charity water” being brought in to help. “We found high count of E. coliin samples of the water, she says. That one-two punch could be making the cholera outbreak more severe, says Nagi Alhaj, a microbiologist and Assayaghi’s former colleague. Alhaj fled to Malaysia when his toddler son was injured in an air strike soon after the war began. “My country has been destroyed by war and microbe,” he says.

Assayaghi, age 40, travels to cholera-affected regions, teaching people how to avoid contracting or spreading the disease. “Focusing on health awareness is one of the most important measures to follow,” she says.

She shows people how to sterilize what water they have via filters, chlorine tablets and boiling. She distributes soap and instructs people on what to do if family members start showing symptoms: Wear gloves, wash hands after contact, give the person oral rehydration solution the moment diarrhea appears and go to the nearest health center – by Cassie Martin

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/combat-cholera-yemen-one-scientist-goes-back-basics

5.8.2017 – Yemen Press (** A H)

World Health organization (WHO): New cholera cases in Mukalla

The cholera epidemic has begun to decline dramatically, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. Only two cases of death were recorded on Wednesday, after the first weeks of about 30 deaths a day.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded an increase in the number of cholera victims in Yemen to 1923 deaths in 14 weeks of outbreaks since April 27.

The World Health Organization said in a report that it recorded 1923 deaths in 21 Yemeni provinces where the disease is spreading out of 22 provinces, up 34 times from the figures recorded at the end of the thirteenth week.

Hajjah is still the most affected area, with 363 deaths, followed by Ibb governorate with 243 deaths, and Hodeidah governorate with 231 deaths.

As for the cumulative number of cholera and acute diarrhea, the report indicated that the toll rose to 448,603 cases, of which 690 were laboratory confirmed.

Bringing the number of cases to 34 thousand and 55 cases, as the organization, the end of last week, infected 414 thousand and 548 cases, since the beginning of the spread of the epidemic.

Six new cases of the epidemic were recorded during the past week in the city of Mukalla in Hadramout, which also recorded one death, the recent of the areas reached by the disease.

The Socotra archipelago remains the only region in Yemen where there has been no outbreak of the epidemic.

Despite the marked decline in the epidemic, UN agencies are concerned about increased casualties during the rainy season that began in the country and is expected to continue until Sept

http://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/world-health-organization-who-new-cholera-cases-in-mukalla.html = http://newnewss.net/?p=9646

3.8.2017 – World Health Organization (* A H)

Yemen: Cholera Outbreak Daily Epidemiology Update (3 August 2017)

From 27 April to 3 August 2017, 453,175 suspected cholera cases and 1,930 deaths (CFR: 0.4%) have been reported in 95.6% (22/23) of Yemen governorates, and 89.2% (297/333) of the districts.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-cholera-outbreak-daily-epidemiology-update-3-august-2017

and in full

http://www.emro.who.int/images/stories/yemen/Yemen_daily_epi_update_20170804.pdf

4.8.2017 – Press TV Iran (* A H)

Film: Yemen cholera crisis direct result of Saudi blockade: Activist

The cholera epidemic in Yemen is the direct result of the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies, including the United States and Britain, says an activist.

“This whole crisis has been created by the activities and the war that has been unleashed by the Saudis and its allies which includes the United States, Britain and the West, and they are systematically attacking civilians, they have destroyed all infrastructure,” Massoud Shadjareh, head of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, told Press TV in an interview on Friday.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/08/04/530710/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-cholera-crisis-war-US-Britain

5.8.2017 – Public Tableau (* A H)

Yemen: Cholera Outbreak Epidemiology Tracker - Governorate Profiles

https://public.tableau.com/profile/spatials#!/vizhome/001CholeraYemenTracker/CholeraYemenTracker

6.8.2017 – Protection Cluster (* A H)

Protection Guidance for Cholera Response in Yemen – August 2017

Not only are the vulnerable at greater risk of death from cholera, but those with specific needs may also face serious challenges if the cholera response is not delivered in a protection-sensitive manner, as well as the fact that cholera may have consequences on households that result in additional protection concerns. For example, children are not only at risk of becoming separated from their families either due to death of their parents or lack of care arrangements during treatment, but are equally exposed to the psychosocial effects of witnessing their parents dying or undergoing treatment. The domestic roles of women and girls in taking care of sick family members, cleaning latrines, fetching and handling untreated water, and preparing food, means that women and girls are at heightened risk. Behavior change campaigns at the community level have been undertaken in the affected communities but require significant time. Cholera awareness materials and treatment facilities may not be accessible for persons with disabilities, including those without visible impairments. Adding the hardship of cholera to household coping mechanisms that are overstretched may expose women and children to risks of abuse and exploitation, and recourse to negative copying mechanisms such as child marriage, recruitment into hazardous forms of labor and family separation. With some 53% of reported cholera cases being women, the long term impact on child care and psychosocial wellbeing in most communities will be enormous.

The Protection Cluster, including the Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence Sub-Clusters, are providing the following guidance to humanitarian agencies involved in the cholera response to assist them during the planning and implementation of the cholera response. This guidance includes two key principle messages:

Address Specific Needs of Particularly Vulnerable Groups:

Adopt Protection-Sensitive Responses:

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/protection-guidance-cholera-response-yemen-august-2017

amd in full

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/protection_cluster_guidance_-_cholera_response_august_2017.pdf

cp2 Allgemein / General

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

8.8.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)

Yemen Security Brief

AQAP SVBIED strikes Yemeni military camp in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen; ISIS militants attack al Houthi-Saleh forces in al Bayda governorate, central Yemen; Saudi-led coalition allows fuel shipments to UN planes in Sana’a city; al Houthi-Saleh fighters fire ballistic missiles to counter Hadi government offensives in Taiz and Ma’rib governorates

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-8-2017

7.8.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)

Yemen Security Brief

U.S.-supported Yemeni forces secure oil infrastructure in Shabwah governorate, southern Yemen; al Houthi-Saleh delegation negotiates in Oman; EU delegation travels to Sana’a; AQAP militants attack security forces in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen; al Houthi-Saleh forces fire ballistic missiles at Saudi-led coalition forces; UN condemns killing of Yemeni civilians in Sa’ada governorate, northern Yemen

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-7-2017

8.8.2017 – International Red Cross (* B K)

Yemen: Airstrikes against civilians are an alarming trend

The ICRC is extremely alarmed at a pattern of recent airstrikes that have killed and injured dozens of civilians in the Sa'ada and Taiz governorates in Yemen. In the latest such incident, nine members of one family were killed and three critically injured. The casualties were between 3 and 80 years old.

According to international humanitarian law, civilians must not be attacked and warring parties must do everything feasible to verify that targets are military objectives. The ICRC is calling on all parties to ensure that constant care is taken to spare civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of military operations.

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/yemen-airstrikes-against-civilians-are-alarming-trend

My comment: This is no „trend“. It's happening with all its brutality from thr very first day of air raids (March 26, 2015) on. - And why not naming the ones who are committing this????

8.8.2017 – Yemen Press (* B P)

The silence of humanitarian disaster; Yemen

If the dimensions of Saudi war operations in the north-east are accurately and fully covered on a global scale, all countries and even Riyadh’s arms suppliers will hate and call for end to warfare. But why the world is silent about it? The answer is clear. Saudi Arabia has prevented the coverage of the bitter and unfortunate events in al-Awamiyah at the regional and international level by creating a closed military zone and press censorship. Even some leaked reports and news hasn’t much reaction.

Because Trump administration and its allies are attempting to let Riyadh free in suppressions and military operation. So they can attract Riyadh’s favorable opinion for economic-oil and military cooperation.

The situation in Yemen is much worse. When Saudi Arabia does not have mercy on its own citizens, it shall not be expect that it has flexibility in military operations abroad.

http://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/the-silence-of-humanitarian-disaster-yemen.html

7.8.2017 – Yemen Polling Center (A P)

Infographics:

34% said tribes are active in their area in positive ways; most positive in Amran, Hajja & al-Jawf; most negative in Shabwa.

https://twitter.com/yemenpolling/status/894528366048673792

35% said tribal leaders r active in positive ways; most postive: al-Jawf, Amran & Hajja; most negative: Shabwa, Taiz & Rayma

https://twitter.com/yemenpolling/status/894529118922002432

14% said local councils r active in their areas in positive ways; most positive in Hajja; most negative: al-Dhali' & Rayma.

https://twitter.com/yemenpolling/status/894908087659892737

17.5.2017 – Yemen Polling Center (* A P)

#YEMENBAROMETER: YPC RELEASES MAJOR FINDINGS OF NATION-WIDE SURVEY ON LIVING CONDITIONS AND SECURITY-RELATED ISSUES

The Yemen Polling Center (YPC) has just released the major findings of the largest nation-wide survey on living conditions and security-related issues ever implemented in Yemen. The survey, which was conducted in February and March of this year, targeted 4,000 respondents (50% women) in all governorates of Yemen except Sa’da and Socotra and can thus be considered representative. It is part of a wider YPC project that aims to contribute to ‘Re-building Peace and Security in Yemen’, which is funded by the European Union through its Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP).

The objectives of this survey were to understand the impact of the war on the living conditions of Yemenis; the nature of (in)security on the local level; the nature of security provision on the local level; the necessities and opportunities for peace-making and stabilization on the local level; the role of „the“ security sector on the local level; and the attitudes of the public towards gender-related security issues. The #YemenBarometer, of which this survey can be considered the starting point, will assess conditions and perceptions in Yemen relevant to policy-making on a regular basis.

Hafez Albukari, President of YPC, emphasized that the most important lesson to take away from the survey findings was the diversity of the results when broken down to the governorate level

http://www.yemenpolling.org/advocacy/news.php?id=19#.WYnp2YjyjIV and full report: http://www.yemenpolling.org/advocacy/upfiles/YPCPublications_YPC-Data---Perceptions-of-the-Yemeni-public-on-living-conditions-and-security-related-issues---May-2017.pdf

7.8.2017 – AFP (* A H P)

Saudi-led coalition agrees to allow fuel for UN aid planes

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen will lift hurdles hampering deliveries of jet fuel for UN planes bringing humanitarian aid to the rebel-held capital Sanaa, the UN spokesman said Monday.

The UN Development Program last week said it was having trouble operating two humanitarian flights into Sanaa from Amman, Jordan because there was no fuel available in the Yemeni capital for the planes to make the return trip.

Auke Lootsma, the UNDP's country director, said the coalition and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government were denying permission to transport the fuel to Sanaa from the government-controlled port of Aden.

"The fuel will be moving this week from Aden to Sanaa," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He added that the United Nations is seeking a concrete arrangement for fuel deliveries to allow the UN flights to provide regular deliveries of aid.

"We ask authorities for a mechanism to help ensure regular delivery of aviation fuel for UN operations," he said.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4768902/Saudi-led-coalition-agrees-allow-fuel-UN-aid-planes.html

Remark: That is only one aspect of Saudi Arabia blocking humanitarian aid for Houthi-held Yemen (look at cp1). - For the Saudis blocking of fuel for UN flights to Sanaa, look at YPR 330, cp1.

7.8.2017 – Huffington Post (* B H K P)

How Two Years Of Civil War Have Pushed Yemen To The Edge

As Parliament falls silent during recess and the rest of the Europe enjoys their summer holiday, in Yemen the ‘forgotten war’ rumbles on

Yemen is a stain on the collective morality of the United Kingdom, the US, the EU and ultimately on the UN itself. It will remain so until we take action to end this man made catastrophe.

What happens in Yemen matters to the security of the United Kingdom. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) now own large swathes of territory in Southern Yemen.

There are five action points that must be taken to address the conflict as a matter of urgency:

We must generate more coverage of Yemen by consistently raising the issue.

The people of Yemen are counting on us and we must answer their cries. Whenever we look back on historic humanitarian catastrophes the first question we ask ourselves is why? We can stop the suffering of the Yemeni people if we act now. Anything other than urgent action will be deemed by future generations as a catastrophic failure – by Keith Vaz, MP

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/keith-vaz/yemen-civil-war_b_17676040.html

My comment: The first thing the West must do is stopping support for Saudi Arabia and its allies, that means the West must stop being a party of war in Yemen. The West cannot play any positive role before having done so. V<z simply forgets that. „The people of Yemen are counting on us“ ??? yeah, the West is not nad has never been the Saviour of the world.

7.8.2017 – Al Araby (A P)

Portraits of UAE royals at military camp in Yemen spark angry reactions

A photograph showing the portraits of the rulers of the UAE hung on the walls of a military camp in Yemen'ssouthern city of Mokha, Taiz provincehas caused angry reactions among Yemenis on social media.

The picture was taken during a visit of the Aden-based Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr to the city, where he met with the commanders of the UAE forces which control the area.

Yemenis on social media were insulted by the portraits, which they said were a sign of the UAE's "de-facto occupation" of that part of Yemen.

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/8/7/anger-at-uae-royals-portraits-at-yemen-military-base

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A P)

Launch of campaign to open Sana'a airport

Wahj Al-Hayah Foundation has launched, in coordination with the World Avaaz Organization, a campaign to open the vital airport of Sana 'a in front of the navigation movement to save patients live and provide important aids.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471258.htm

7.8.2017 – New News (* A P)

Information Confirms a US-Emirati Joint Project in Southern Yemen

here is no longer any doubt that there is direct US-Emirati coordination on how to deal with the southern regions, particularly vital and sensitive areas.

In the past and present events, it is clear that the UAE is leading a campaign to impose control on the most strategically important areas in the south, including Aden, its port, Socotra Island, Bab al-Mandab and Hadramout. All this was under American direction and encouragement.

Therefore, the military operations that have brought together both the UAE and US forces in Shabwah province recently, are only proof of the existence of a joint project that brings together the two parties. This project may not depart from dividing the south into mini-states and federal regions by controlling the vital areas and oil and the most important strategic area.

It should be noted that this rise in the field project between the UAE and the United States is a major step towards the extension of US’s direct control of the most sensitive areas in southern Yemen.

And what happened today from the American Forces from the Mariz to Hadramout, came frequently with the increase of these levels and the proportion of the presence of US troops in the surrounding of these files.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9674

Remark: More at cp6.

6.8.2017 – Wallstreet Journal (* B P)

Saudi Crown Prince and U.A.E. Heir Forge Pivotal Ties

A desert camping trip helped cement a friendship seen as central to a shift in Saudi policies

Mohammed bin Salman, left, met with Mohammed bin Zayed in April in Riyadh. The heir to the Saudi throne and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates have forged a relationship that is shaping the Middle East

burgeoning friendship between Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of the Saudi king, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Emirati crown prince, according to people familiar with the excursion.

Oil-rich and ultraconservative Saudi Arabia is aligning its policies with its smaller and more liberal and economically-diverse neighbor. And the relationship between the two princes, widely known by their initials as MBS and MBZ, is being seen as central to the Saudi shift.

The Saudis are taking bolder steps to

curb religious extremism at home

and toughening their stance toward Islamist groups abroad, something the U.A.E. has long advocated.

Saudi Arabia is also embracing a more aggressive foreign policy, most recently by leading efforts with the U.A.E. to impose an embargo on

Qatar, another small Gulf neighbor

. Qatar has supported Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and maintained ties to extremist groups, drawing the U.A.E.’s ire.

“MBS and MBZ have created this situation,” Andreas Krieg, a former adviser to Qatar’s government and a Gulf expert at King’s College, London, said of the embargo crisis.

Until recently, he said, the Saudi prince got on well with Qatar’s ruling emir. “But because Qatar and the U.A.E. are 180 degrees apart from each other, Saudi Arabia had to make a choice,” Mr. Krieg said.

The Saudi leadership was divided over how to handle Qatar, according to several people close to the royal court. Saudi and U.A.E. officials said the decision on Qatar was made jointly. The Saudi royal court didn’t respond to a request for comment – By Margherita Stancati

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/saudi-crown-prince-and-u-a-e-heir-forge-pivotal-ties-1502017202

28.7.2017 – Christian Science Monitor (* B H P)

How a 20-million-person crisis goes unseen

Shining a spotlight on far-away problems is always a challenge for aid groups – even amid drought and famine in Africa, which is being called the worst humanitarian crisis in decades. But when they succeed, public awareness often translates into action.

The world is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since World War II, with 20 million people on the brink of famine, and hardly anybody knows about it.

Out of the media spotlight, the droughts and civil conflicts that are pushing the Horn of Africa, Yemen, and Nigeria into starvation are going unnoticed. And the humanitarian agencies trying to help are struggling to collect the money they need to help.

Publishers hesitate to spend resources on a story they fear won’t feel fresh to far-away readers. Essentially, editors are asking, “‘How much deader are the camels going to be than the last time we covered this story?’ ” Bray adds.

Programs designed to build up long-term resilience against famine, from waterholes to nutrition education, also face an uphill battle for airtime. And on-the-ground reporting is costly.

And in the United States, aid agencies face a particular problem: Donald Trump’s presidency has absorbed an unusual amount of media bandwidth.

The agencies’ critical need for media coverage of the crises they are battling makes them especially frustrated by journalists’ difficulty getting into Yemen, where 7 million people are on the verge of famine. The Saudi government, angered by past reports of wide-scale civilian deaths at the hands of the Yemeni government it is supporting, has prevented the UN from bringing journalists on its flights. The UN is the only organization operating flights into the capital, Sanaa.

But even absent such political pressure, “it is a constant, constant challenge” to generate interest when “rich, powerful people have high news value, and poor powerless people thousands of miles away have low news value,” rues Bray – by Peter Ford

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2017/0728/How-a-20-million-person-crisis-goes-unseen

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

8.8.2017 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A H9

Funded by an anonymous Kuwaiti donor Mona Relief provides a 12-member family, 8 of them are blind food baskets and a rent 4 a year. (film, photos)

@monareliefye

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/894967318735990787

https://twitter.com/monareliefye/status/894964202913312774

https://twitter.com/monareliefye/status/894959996148043776

8.8.2017 – Westfälische Nachrichten (A H)

Humanity Care Stiftung und Rotary Clubs stellen Reinigungsanlagen zur Verfügung

Die Humanity Care Stiftung (HCS) und einige Rotary Clubs haben sich deshalb entschlossen, zunächst versuchsweise fünf Trinkwasserreinigungsanlagen in den Jemen zu schaffen und an ausgewählten Stellen für sauberes Wasser zu sorgen.

In Pakistan hatten sich die Geräte so bewährt, dass in den 174 durch die HCS mit diesen Geräten ausgestatteten Dörfern, wasserbedingte Krankheiten fast völlig zurückgedrängt werden konnten, heißt es in einer Pressemitteilung.

http://www.wn.de/Muenster/2936274-Wasser-fuer-den-Jemen-Humanity-Care-Stiftung-und-Rotary-Clubs-stellen-Reinigungsanlagen-zur-Verfuegung

7.8.2017 – World Food Programme (* A H)

Yemen: Zwischen Tapferkeit und Verzweiflung

Wir haben kaum noch Essbares, aber wir wissen, dass Hilfe unterwegs ist.”

Walid Abdel Malek ist ein junger, freundlicher und zuvorkommender Mensch. Trotz der letzten, sehr harten Jahre im Jemen, hat sich der Familienvater tapfer geschlagen. Allein um seiner Frau und der drei Töchter Willen, die stolz zu ihm hochschauen, obwohl er die Miete nicht bezahlen und kaum Essen für sie beschaffen kann.

Bereits zwei Mal musste der Jura-Absolvent mit seiner Familie die Wohnung räumen, da er die Miete nicht bezahlen konnte. Jetzt leben sie in einer schlichten Unterkunft im Bani-al-Harith-Distrikt, nördlich der Hauptstadt Sanaa. Der Vermieter lässt sie umsonst wohnen.

Walid ist bei der Regierung angestellt, hat aber seit zehn Monaten kein Gehalt bekommen.

Walids Familie lebt von den kargen Einkünften seines Jobs als Taxifahrer mit einem Mietfahrzeug, dass er ebenfalls bezahlen muss.

„Wir haben harte Monate hinter uns. Wir haben gar nichts in unserem Haus. Keine Möbel, kein Essen, kein Geld. Manchmal bin ich lange bei der Arbeit und wenn ich nach Hause komme, hoffe ich, die Kinder schlafen durch. Ich wecke meine Kinder nicht. Sie würden sofort nach einer Mahlzeit fragen“, sagt Walid. „Morgens bringen uns die Nachbarn Brot oder irgendetwas vorbei.“

Walids Familie ist fast vollständig von der Ernährungshilfe des UN World Food Programme abhängig. Seitdem sie vertrieben wurden, erhalten sie Weizenmehl, Hülsenfrüchte und Speiseöl, wovon sie gut einen Monat lang leben können. (Fotos)

Helfen auch Sie mit Ihrer Spende, Leben zu retten und weiteres Leid im Jemen zu mildern.

https://medium.com/@WFP_DE/jemen-zwischen-tapferkeit-und-verzweiflung-c483e5abfec7

7.8.2017 – Doctors Without Borders (* A H)

In the operating room in Yemen: All that you can’t leave behind

Earlier this year, Kariantti travelled to Yemen for his first posting with MSF - four weeks in the operating theatre in Khameer, where the team performs everything from emergency C-sections to treatment for gunshot wounds. This blog post is based on notes Kariantti wrote in May, just before he returned home to Finland...

My mission is drawing to an end soon, and in a couple of days I will start my long way home, first to Sana’a and then Djibouti and from there to Paris and eventually back home to Helsinki. I know I’ve only been four weeks in Yemen, but already Finland seems just a distant memory which I sometimes read about on social media and this here is the reality I know and recognise now.

So, it would be an understatement to say a part of me doesn’t feel like leaving. Luckily, I’m leaving the hospital, the OT and the ICU in very good hands, with both the international and the Yemeni staff.

I wish I could leave you with a happy ending and tell you all the patients recovered, but they didn’t, not all. Many of them did and we were able to discharge them and send them back home with their families. However, some of them will stay in the wards when leave, for example the two year old girl who was shot in the abdomen – by Kariantti Kallio

http://blogs.msf.org/en/staff/blogs/msf-in-yemen/in-the-operating-room-in-yemen-all-that-you-cant-leave-behind

7.8.2017 -

World Food Programme

(A H)

Infographic: UNHRD Operations Update - Response to the Crisis in Yemen, as of 07 Aug 2017

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unhrd-operations-update-response-crisis-yemen-07-aug-2017

6.8.2017 – Fox News (A H)

Yemen's devastating hunger, cholera outbreak revealed

Peter Mauer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) returned from a trip across war-torn Yemen last month, telling Fox News he is "profoundly concerned for the plight of its people."

"This outbreak is manmade. It is a direct consequence of more than two years of warfare. People are dying from easily treatable chronic diseases," he said. "Key services like garbage disposal have ceased to function." (with photo show)

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/08/06/yemens-devastating-hunger-cholera-outbreak-revealed.html

6.8.2017 – New News (* A H)

Siege on Yemen .. Slow death that threatens patients with renal failure

The four-year-old Ryan is constantly suffering from the renal failure she has been in since she was born.

The doctor, who is following up on her condition, confirmed that the girl Ryan is being treated for a long time but she has been hospitalized for about a month and needs three dialysis a week, her condition being small, and for healing, she must be closely watched.

Another girl patiently waits for one of the beds and chairs filled with kidney failure patients to be able to wash for her illness, which was caused by fear in her home.

More than 5500 patients with renal failure at the General Hospital in Sanaa only treat about 300 patients a day. Doctors talk about the suffering of patients and the difficulty of their tragedy in the most congestive kidney failure, not to mention the cost of aggression and the blockade that hinders the entry of materials necessary to operate the section which most of its equipment has been completely disrupted and stopped.

A doctor who told the March reporter that they suffer from lack of materials and supplies necessary for dialysis, about 4 or 5 months and doctors suffer from the ability to provide solutions and dialysis supplies.

Another doctor said the renal failure department was about to stop completely after less than a week.

Where the patients of kidney failure appealed to the so-called international community and good people to save their lives after the doctors sounded the alarm by announcing the cessation of a number of hospitals in the Republic of Yemen.

One of the patients said that this brutal Saudi-American aggression affected the patients 100% in access to medicines because of the land, air and sea blockade, and said that the United Nations is largely complicit with the aggression.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9609

and film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr9ef4dObFo

=

https://www.facebook.com/Hona.Almasirah/videos/vb.1127621230602273/1605096442854747/?type=2&theater

6.8.2017 – World Food Programme, Logistics Cluster (A H)

Map: Yemen: Concept of Operations Map, August 2017

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-concept-operations-map-august-2017

and in full

http://www.logcluster.org/map/yemen-concept-operations-map-august-2017

6.8.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (* A H)

Yemen: Humanitarian Dashboard (January - June 2017)

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to inflict suffering upon the country’s population. Cholera and food insecurity are on the rise while humanitarian funding levels remains low. Only 44 per cent of the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan is funded. Nonetheless, some 128 national and international humanitarian partners are actively coordinating to assist people with the most acute needs in priority districts across Yemen’s 22 governorates. Together they have assisted over 5.9 million people with some form of humanitarian assistance since January 2017. For more district level information please visit

http://ochayemen.org/hrp-2017/en/response#districts

.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-humanitarian-dashboard-january-june-2017

and in full

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/20170806%20humanitarian_dashboard_Jan%20to%20June%20-%20Final.pdf

4.8.2017 - World Health Organization (* A H)

Yemen and joint mission with UNICEF and World Food Programme: WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros's statement at the Member States briefing

It was not by chance that my first mission to a WHO country programme was to Yemen. The dire situation in Yemen explains my leadership priorities: we must strive to provide universal health care in the most fragile and complex settings, we must ensure health systems have the capacity to detect and respond to unplanned events and circumstances—particularly from infectious hazards, we must ensure that our WHO country offices have the capacities and skills to lead and to be accountable, predictable and professional.

Of particular concern is the fragility of the health system. The ongoing cholera outbreak is a symptom of this weakened system. And cholera flourishes in a weakened health system.

Together with UNICEF, we have set up more than 1000 diarrhoea treatment centres and oral rehydration corners. The delivery of food supplements, intravenous fluids and other medical supplies, including ambulances, is ongoing, as is the rebuilding of critical infrastructure – the rehabilitation of hospitals, district health centres and the water and sanitation network. WHO and UNICEF are also partnering to roll out a public awareness campaign –engaging 16,000 volunteers going door-to-door to explain to people how they can protect themselves, and how cholera is treatable. We are also working to attack cholera at its source and to significantly scale up the availability of clean water. Together we are achieving results: more than 99 per cent of people who are sick with suspected cholera and who can access health services are now surviving.

At the same time, Yemen suffers from a shortage of doctors and nurses to help treat and care for those who are ill.

Our joint mission resulted in our four main priorities for joint action and dialogue:

http://www.who.int/dg/speeches/2017/yemen-joint-mission/en/ = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-and-joint-mission-unicef-and-world-food-programme-who-director-general-dr-tedross

31.7.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (A H)

Infographic: Yemen: Aden Hub Overview of the humanitarian situation (as of July 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-aden-hub-overview-humanitarian-situation-july-2017-enar

and in full

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Governorate%20Dashboard-%20July%202017-Final_EN-%20Final.pdf

31.7.2017 – World Food Programme (A H)

Yemen: Passengers Transport Overview - Djibouti – Aden - Djibouti, July 2017

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-passengers-transport-overview-djibouti-aden-djibouti-july-2017

31.7.2017 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (A H)

Infographic: Yemen: Aden Hub Overview of the humanitarian situation (as of July 2017) [EN/AR]

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-aden-hub-overview-humanitarian-situation-july-2017-enar

and in full

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Governorate%20Dashboard-%20July%202017-Final_EN-%20Final.pdf

28.6.2017 – UN Children's Fund, WASH Cluster (A H)

Map: Yemen: WASH Response and the Number of DTC and ORC Supported by Health Cluster Partners (28 Jun 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-wash-response-and-number-dtc-and-orc-supported-health-cluster-partners-28-jun-2017

and in full

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/system/files/documents/files/yem_all-governorate_wash-cluster_benefi-dtc-orp_a4_en_converted_1.pdf

9.11.2016 – Mercy Corps (* B H)

IN THE FACE OF HUNGER, A DOCTOR'S KNOWLEDGE GOES VIRAL

We’re also tackling the hunger problem by promoting breastfeeding — a natural practice that conflicts with the traditional thinking in Yemen about newborn nutrition.

“No one was teaching these mothers that they should breastfeed after they gave birth,” explains Dr. Murad Dahan, Mercy Corps’ nutrition adviser in Yemen. Dahan spent his early days practicing medicine in Taiz, in southwestern Yemen, after graduating medical school.

Even as a qualified Yemeni medical professional, he was not aware of the value of breastfeeding. But in a country that has long experienced troubling rates of child malnutrition — and now faces massive food shortages — teaching mothers about breastfeeding has never been more crucial.

“In Yemen, we have these traditions that say newborn babies must drink water, especially right after birth,” Dahan says. “Most of the women in the rural areas believe that during the first three days after giving birth they should not breastfeed because the breast milk is discolored and is bad for the baby. No one knows that coloring is normal and that infants need their mother’s milk right away. Even I didn’t know this.”

Dahan says he first learned about the global standards for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), which include exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life, when he joined Mercy Corps’ nutrition program in Taiz in 2012.

When he realized thousands of babies were missing out on nutritional benefits of breastfeeding, he became determined to spread these messages throughout communities in Yemen.

But Dahan could not yet fully understand the challenges that come with trying to convince women in Yemen that changing feeding habits will actually benefit their babies. New mothers here are influenced by years of tradition and dozens of passionate female family members that tell them the opposite.

Then Dahan’s wife became pregnant – by Maia Baldauf

https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/yemen/face-hunger-doctors-knowledge-goes-viral

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

8.8.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A P)

Yemeni independent member of House of Representatives, Ahmed Hashed decided to go on hunger strike until salaries of public servants r paid

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894977296687407104

The MP Hashed said he would continue hunger strike to death if salaries of all public servants are not paid.

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894978016304128000

8.8.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A K P)

Thousands of Yemeni tribal fighters,including10of his brothers,join battles after UAE invaders buried a war prisoner ALIVE NMocha southwest (photos)

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894815756893999104

8.8.2017 – New News (A P)

In Response to the Aggression Massacres ,Sahar District’s Sons Presents Food Convoy for the Yemeni Popular Committees

http://newnewss.net/?p=9767

7.8.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (* A P)

The Parliament (lower,upper)holds sessions in Sanaa with 154 members (16 more than quorum 138). Saudi puppet Hadi does not like this! (photo)

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894490178458443776

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A P)

FM meets visiting EU envoy

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hisham Sharaf has met with visiting head of the European Union delegation Antonia Calvo Puerta.
In a press statement to Saba, Mr. Sharaf said the EU has recently become more connected to the situation in Yemen, especial in economic, humanitarian aspects and the Yemeni people's suffering caused by the Saudi aggression war.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471235.htm

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K P)

More painful surprises to come to Saudi aggression: Defense Minister

Defense Minister Gen. Mohammad al-Atifee said there are many military and economic surprises that will be more painful to the Saudi-led aggression coalition to come and they will not be able to black out the news, in a statement to Saba on Monday.
The minister stressed that the Yemeni military strategies against the aggression coalition will move towards a new stage that will be more comprehensive in line with the challenges and requirements to defend the sovereignty, unity and independence of Yemen.
He said the most priorities at this important and sensitive stage is to consolidate and strengthen the internal and borders frontlines by all means, material, human and logistical.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471230.htm

7.8.2017 – Suhf Net (A P)

Corruption Huthi's behavior affects state institutions (documents)

Day after day Yemenis discover that their state and institutions are being looted by the coup group that entered Sana'a under the pretext of dropping a dose.

In two years, the militia turned the country into a scene of blatant mischief and looting, which smelled of various state institutions in the capital Sanaa and the provinces it controls.

Several documents obtained by the Post Post show the extent of the corruption that engulfs the group, its leaders, and how the public office has exploited and profited through the acquisition of public funds and state property.

Those documents are basically the tip of the iceberg, and are traded by activists in one way or another in social media.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/261052

My comment: All other ruling forces in Yemen, whether north or south, are not any better at all.

6.8.2017 – Saba New Net (A P)

Rebel militia assault mothers of prisoners in Sana'a

Armed members of the Saleh-Houthi coup militia assaulted several women who were staging a rally before the ICRC premises in Sana'a on Sunday to protest at the militias' violations against their children in prison cells.
The Houthi militants dispersed the rally of by force, chased the women and tried violently to snatch the mobile phones from them to prevent them from taking footages of their rally.

http://www.sabanew.net/viewstory.php?id=20783 and also https://www.suhf.net/yemen/261056

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

8.8.2017 – Reuters (* A T)

Four soldiers, six al Qaeda militants die in Yemen attack: official

Four soldiers and six suspected al Qaeda attackers were killed and 10 soldiers wounded on Tuesday when a suicide bomber and gunmen tried to storm an army camp in southern Yemen, a local security official said.

"This was a terrorist attack and it has been foiled," the official said of the attack in Juhayn, Abyan province.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1AO1KW and photos: https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/894910607664787456 and https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/894893926389354496 and https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894910636269989888

Remark: UAE supported “Security Belt” forces were hit. There are reported different figures for thr killed, from 3 to more.

8.8.2017 – Haykal Bafana (A T)

Al Qaeda suicide car bomb in Abyan today : Final tally – 5 dead, 33 injured. Soldiers say they have no weapons, mortared daily by AQ. (photo)

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/895012001554083845

7.8.2017 – Saba New Net (A P)

Yemen appreciates Italian political support

Yemen's ambassador to Rome Asmahan Atawqi has expressed Yemen's appreciation of support to Italy for its political support to the restoration of the Yemeni state back from the Saleh-Houthi coup militias.

http://www.sabanew.net/viewstory.php?id=20771

7.8.2017 – New News (A)

Security Chaos Continue in South…Gunmen Loot Money Exchange in Hadramout

http://newnewss.net/?p=9704

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K P)

US, Emirates occupying troops raid house in Yemen's Shabwa, arrest family

The US and UAE occupying forces raided the home of a citizen in Shabwa province and arrested the owner and his family members, an official told Saba on Monday.
The official said the Americans searched the family's women and took them along with the owner to a place called "al-Alam", while returned the children without their parents.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471228.htm

7.8.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)

Yemen Security Brief

AQAP militants attacked Yemeni government and Emirati-backed forces in Abyangovernorate, southern Yemen on August 6 and 7. AQAP militants shelled the 103rd Infantry Brigade camp in Jahhayn town, southern Lawder district, northern Abyan on August 6 and the Yemeni Coast Guard camp near Shaqra city, southern Abyan on August 7. [4]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-7-2017

6.8.2017 Suhf Net (* A P)

Saudi Crown Prince cancels meeting of Yemeni parliamentarians on Monday

The Saudi Crown Prince's office canceled a scheduled meeting on Monday, according to a local Yemeni website, according to the Yemeni deputies present in Jeddah before Friday.

And the transfer of Aden tomorrow for parliamentary sources, the reason for canceling the meeting because of the lack of a quorum for members, as promised by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed al-Shaddadi, especially after the rejection of Sheikh Sultan al-Barqani, head of the Conference bloc to attend the meeting and stay in Cairo, although a number of delegations were sent to him to convince him The last of whom was a delegate from the

Saudi Special Committee and Osman Majali, the minister of state for parliament and shura affairs.

According to the site, the Crown Prince stipulated that the quorum is full to meet and the deputies to hold a consultative meeting of deputies to discuss tomorrow to get a full quorum, which is supposed to number 137 members.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/259816

My comment: It was to be expected that “president” Hadi’s attempt to pull a larger part of the MPs to his side would fail.

and more:

7.8.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (* A P)

The Parliament (lower,upper) holds sessions in Sanaa with 154 members (16 more than quorum 138). Saudi puppet Hadi does not like this! (photo)

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894490178458443776

Yemen's parliamentary majority chief, Sultan Barakani,foiled Saudi-UAE deal to buy Yemeni MPs,300,000 SR for each.

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894487270694191104

My comment: Whouww! That's the way Hadi wanted to get “his” parliament and the quorum.

8.8.2017 – Gulf News (* A P T)

Yemen deploys elite forces to cleanse Abyan of Al Qaida

Authorities ask residents for the cooperation in alerting the on about the movements and locations of the militants

Elite counter-terrorism forces have been deployed in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan to clear out Al Qaida hideouts.

Security authorities have urged residents to alert them about movements of Al Qaida and Daesh militants who have been sneaking back into main cities to stage attacks against government and military facilities.

Help on a grassroots level will be a huge help to our efforts of eliminating those rogue elements,” the committee said in a statement.

The elite forces were trained in the coastal town of Shougra by military experts from the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Aden.

Major General Fadhel Hassan, the commander of Aden-based 4th Military Region, who attended the security committee’s meeting, told Gulf News on Monday that local authorities are determined to expel Al Qaida militants from their hiding places in Abyan including a chain of rough mountains that extends to Baydha and Shabwa provinces – by Saeed Al-Batati

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/yemen-deploys-elite-forces-to-cleanse-abyan-of-al-qaida-1.2066726

Comment by Haykal Bafana: This is the Yemen 103rd Brigade, the UAE-trained "elite anti-AQ force" in Abyan province. What a deadly joke.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/895035338653126657

7.8.2017 – Middle East Eye (* A K T)

Al-Qaeda forced out of oil-rich Yemen province, says army

The assault, which was backed by the UAE and US, aimed to check AQAP's growing influence in country's south

Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch has retreated from an oil-rich southern province in the face of an assault by a US-backed elite government force, a senior military official said on Monday.

The group staged a "tactical retreat" from the province with no major clashes, the military official said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the press.

The jihadists appear to have moved even further south into neighbouring Abyan province.

Residents of an Abyan town near the Shabwa border said they counted at least 45 cars carrying armed AQAP militants through their district.

The Shabwa operation marked the first time in years that government-backed forces had controlled all districts in the province, where Yemen's biggest gas project, a $4.5 billion Total-led plant, is based.

The terminal stopped operating after foreign experts were evacuated in 2015 but the government says it plans to get the facility working again.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/al-qaeda-forced-retreat-yemen-government-elite-squad-attack-2063143791

Comments by Judith Brown: Well they retreated but they were not destroyed...left to fight another day. And the people of Yemen still suffer from the effects of this war including the growth of militias.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155814281358641

Al Qaeda vehicles full of weapons moved into adjacent areas. So it seems more likely than a military defeat as described - that it was a negotiated arrangement for Al Qaeda militants to move on, just as when they moved from Mukalla.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155819044478641

My comment: Judith, exactly that's it. „Forced out“, „retreated“: AQAP was left unharmed. The same twisted wording also in other reports, headlines: „dislodged“ (That's the greatest!! Of course it is Asharq Al-Awsat: https://english.aawsat.com/asharq-al-awsat-english/news-middle-east/qaeda-militias-dislodged-yemens-oil-rich-southern-province) or „ousted“ (http://jordantimes.com/news/region/al-qaeda-ousted-oil-rich-yemen-province-%E2%80%94-army). See more reports and comments following.

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

U.S. troops invade Yemen's Shabwa, steal gas, oil fields

Large numbers of U.S. troops and UAE soldiers have overran a wide swaths of the Yemeni southeastern province of Shabwa and seized control over gas and oil fields, Shabwa deputy governor said.
The governor, Mohammad Ahmed Abu Harbah told Saba that the foreign troops have invaded the province under the pretext of fighting terrorism and established the so-called "Shabwani elite forces."

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471232.htm and also http://newnewss.net/?p=9746

and

6.8.2017 – Fars News (* A P)

UAE Attempting to Fully Control Yemen's Oil, Gas Fields in Shabwa Province

The UAE government is attempting to gain full control over the oil and gas fields in Yemen's Shabwa province by sending more forces and mercenaries to the region.

"The UAE has occupied the two towns of Azan and Haban in Shabwa in Eastern Yemen and has dispatched 3,000 forces to Dahar region in the province to take full control over Shabwa oil and gas," Saudi social media activists revealed on Sunday.

Noting that the UAE sends mobs to Yemen to stir chaos in the regions that it wants to occupy, they said the UAE mercenaries don’t dare to approach regions that are controlled by Ansarollah movement like Assilan and Bayhan and they are more active in regions under the control of the tribal and Sunni groups.

In February, a Yemeni economic expert disclosed that Saudi Arabia is stealing his country's crude reserves in bordering regions in collaboration with the French energy giant, Total.

"63% of Yemen's crude production is being stolen by Saudi Arabia in cooperation with Mansour Hadi, the fugitive Yemeni president, and his mercenaries," Mohammad Abdolrahman Sharafeddin told FNA.

"Saudi Arabia has set up an oil base in collaboration with the French Total company in the Southern parts of Kharkhir region near the Saudi border province of Najran and is exploiting oil from the wells in the region," he added.

Sharafeddin said that Riyadh is purchasing arms and weapons with the petro dollars stolen from the Yemeni people and supplies them to its mercenaries to kill the Yemenis.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960515001447

and

6.8.2017 – New News (* A P)

US Forces with Participation of UAE Forces Control Oil and Gas Fields in Shabwah

US forces with UAE forces took control of oil and gas fields in the province of Shabwa on Friday, August 5, 2017.

Military source: US forces with the participation of UAE forces took control of oil and gas fields in Shabwa province yesterday.

The source added that the US forces and the United Arab Emirates expelled the elements of paid troops, who controlled the oil and gas fields and replaced by its own elements.

The UAE troops were sent by US troops to Shabwa on the pretext of fighting al-Qaeda.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9596

My comment: Might-be this was the real reason of the alleged “anti-terror” operation, reported YPR 331, cp14.

and

6.8.2017 – Naji Alkaladi (A P T)

Film: #Video spread in Social media for #US forces arrive to #Shabwa province in South #Yemen to fight #AQAP !

https://twitter.com/NajTV/status/894190248569303041

6.8.2017 – New York Times (* A K T)

Thousands of Yemeni Forces Target Qaeda Stronghold

housands of Yemeni troops are conducting a clearing operation aimed at driving Qaeda militants from one of their major strongholds in southern Yeme, according to Arab and American security officials.

The offensive in Shabwa Province started last week and includes about 2,000 Yemeni forces backed by dozens of advisers from the United Arab Emirates, and a handful of United States Special Operations commandos providing intelligence and planning assistance, American officials said.

The continuing operation is the latest phase of an increased campaign against the Yemeni militants since President Trump took office.

The current operation began overnight Wednesday with Yemeni fighters traveling from Hadramawt Province, where they had been receiving training from Emirati advisers, toward oil and gas facilities in northeast Shabwa Province The Yemeni forces, called the Shabwani Elite, are in the process of securing major cities in the province — such as Azzan, Ataq and Jardan — from Qaeda militants and are also conducting clearing operations in the surrounding areas, officials said.

Images on social media showed the armed Yemeni units rolling through villages in pickup trucks and armored vehicles flying the South Yemen flag.

Shortly before the arrival of the Yemeni forces in Azzan, a Qaeda stronghold, residents reported seeing drones, helicopters and warplanes over the area firing some kind of preliminary warning shots.

They were firing sound bombs on targets inside and outside the town, as if to tell Al Qaeda to go before the arrival of the new forces,” Abdul Sallam, a resident who preferred to be identified by his first names, said on Saturday.

The militants apparently got the message and began fleeing the town and other neighboring villages, and by Friday night Yemeni forces had reclaimed the town, officials said.

A local government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters, said the military operation was explicitly designed to secure oil and gas facilities in Shabwa Province.

Around the Balhaf liquefied natural gas plant in Shabwa, Khalid Al Adhami, a local army commander responsible for security of the facility, said that Sudanese, Emirati and Yemeni soldiers were protecting it. “The plant is secured from Al Qaeda attacks,” he said - By SAEED AL-BATATI and ERIC SCHMITT

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/world/middleeast/yemen-qaeda-shabwa-province.html

My comment: This article closely follows the official propaganda. Please read the following:

6.8.2017 – Haykal Bafana and others (A K P)

Now in

#Yemen

: Unconfirmed, major surprise – US troops have arrived in Seiyun town, Wadi Hadhramaut.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894288995873632257

In Shabwah, south #Yemen: Heliborne arrival of US soldiers, or UAE Colombians, or UAE Chileans, or Erik Prince's XE, or UK Hart mercs.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894203029871886336

Confirmed: US & UAE soldiers seem to have set up shop in oil & gas block 10 on the plateau overlooking Seiyun town, Wadi Hadhramaut.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894478830450212864

For this operation, also Hisham Al-Omeisy. He remembers a 2016 UAE anti-terror operation in Southern Yemen, when a great victory was proclaimed, but just AQAP was given the possibility to retreat unharmed, as also had happened now:

24.4.2016– Hisham Al-Omeisy (A P T)

In 12hrs AQAP's few hundred leave city & no real battle. Coalition capitalize, claim huge battle killed 800.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/724383745495687168

6.8.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy, Nasser Arrabyee, Elisabeth Kendall (A P T)

Kind reminder that Saudi-led coalition & #Yemen

gov't claimed killed 800 AQAP in Mukalla Op, when in reality AQ relocated safely & with ease

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894174119784263682

Massive ops & lots of troops, up against hundreds of vicious & well armed AQAP, but very few casualties in either side. Weird, no?

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894171188360097792

Qaeda/ISIs just moved comfortably from Shabwah to Mareb&AlJawf.They would receive more money/guns from their leaders in Riyadh

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894175225566437377

I wouldn't be surprised. Many who left Mukalla turned up in alBayda and Marib last time around.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894176129120182273

Locals say #AQAP arrived in mountains betw al-Mahfad & Mudiya yday, fleeing military ops in Shabwa says #Yemen press

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/894162746937421824

Counter Terrorism Ops in #Yemen: Op announced, hundreds of AQAP "flee" (relocate), victory declared, AQAP resurface, repeat..

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894169787152125952

How to defeat Al Qaeda in #Yemen : Sound bombs. It apparently works (image: New York Times)

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894477448246636544

and

Utterly annoying the narrative created for a farce show.
It is hilarious how even the New York Times has lowered its standards and is no longer credible

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1460930577293301/?type=3&theater

And suspected Al Qaeda men show up at Aden now:

7.8.2017 – Haykal Bafana, Saleh Khalid Saleh, Hussam Al-Sanabani (A T)

The guy in da back reported to be foreign in #Aden asking about da way to join the fronts.Fears grow as he possibly fled from Iraq or Syria.

https://twitter.com/SalehAlBatati1/status/894591620905025536

How did he get the visa? Journalists who want to visit #Yemen can't easily obtain a visa.

https://twitter.com/HussamSanabani/status/894630627072462848

Aden city in #Yemen now sees walk-in Al Qaeda or ISIS jihadis possibly from Iraq or Syria.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894615715604553728

#Yemen: Fear in Aden city due to increasing influx of foreigners arriving suspected to be Al Qaeda or ISIS fighters.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894634541108920320

No need to ask how they got to Aden. ALL flights into Aden city & other parts of southern #Yemen are controlled fully by Saudi Arabia & UAE.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894699515864915968

6.8.2017 – New News (* A P)

Saudi-Emirati Polarization in Southern Governorate and Supporting US Control on Yemeni Coasts and Ports

violent clashes between armed groups in the district of Qahirah city and Omar Mukhtar locality resulted in wounding five civilians and a number of recruits in addition to the burning of a military vehicle.

The information indicates that the clashes broke out after the deployment of armed elements at the entrances of Sheikh Osman before they spread to different neighborhoods and the damages of property and houses of citizens living in a tragic reality and the inevitable and silently await the explosion of the situation between groups loyal to the Hadi and the so-called Transitional Council on the back of overthrowing the most prominent leaders of this Council Supported by the UAE Eidros Zubaidi and Ben Brik and others.

In the face of this disintegration, the parties to the conflict are keen to keep quiet and to conceal, revealing regional agendas that do not hesitate to make the southern cities an arena for bargaining and a theater for settling accounts.

In the midst of this atmosphere of labor and dependence, reports show that Saudi Arabia is working to strengthen its military presence in Aden in the coming months and to find its own administration, which is being prepared by a special committee which recently arrived in the south of the country in coordination with the ministers of Hadi. Training and recruitment to be loyal and obedient soldiers as the UAE operates.

In the absence of what is happening, the forces of aggression seek US guidance to strengthen its control over all Yemeni coasts and airspace and land access even to those far from the lines of confrontation as the international shipping port with Oman after the fabrication and exploitation of the struggle of the skilled tribes, which controlled by the force of arms, and then left behind in everything and rejected all solutions in order to withdraw from it, rather than agreeing to the removal of a committee from the coalition of aggression to resolve this issue, which appears to be an introduction to the aggression to manage and supervise it and thus pressure on the Sultanate of Oman and the fears of the policy of neutrality adopted by the Sultanate towards what is happening in Yemen.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9595

6.8.2017 – SABG Saudi 40 (A)

Film: Explosion of live ammunition stores belonging to Saudi coalition mercenaries in #Yemen

# https://twitter.com/sabg_saudi_40/status/893955053832347648

7.8.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)

President Hadi directs to implement strategic projects in Marib

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-9170

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

8.8.2017 – Nasser Arrabyee (A P)Mehr

We are ready for any peace deal but without that of UN envoy, Yemen president Samad told EC chief Antonia Calvo today in Sanaa (photo)

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894974830948343809

8.8.2017 – Fars News (* A P)

Condemnation Is Not Enough – UN Must End Saudi Brutality in Yemen

Tragically, the only thing the UN has done thus far is to condemn these repeated killings – even though the world body is fully in the know that the unprovoked aggression against Yemen is for all the wrong reasons. The unprovoked conflict is in fact a smokescreen. The alliance between Saudi, American and Israeli interests gives the false story about the alleged Iranian takeover of Yemen additional legs, passed on to “fakestream” media from Tel Aviv. Fanning a bogus Shiite-Sunni conflict seems to be a great idea for Riyadh, enthusiastically seconded by its protector and close ally, Israel.

The UN should also realize that condemnation per se is not enough. There is an urgent need to a halt in the war. The UN should call for an end to the criminal strikes against civilians. It’s the only way to ensure no more lives are lost in the blockaded country.

For all the Saudi diplomatic posturing, the massacre of defenseless civilians is state-sponsored murder in its most perfect form. The International Law is clear: Saudi Arabia and its allies have no right to drop bombs over civilians. The airstrikes are lawless and unaccountable to the United Nations. The war benefits terrorist groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda. In fact, it is compounding rather than diminishing the threat of international terrorism.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960517001155 = http://newnewss.net/?p=9773

7.8.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)

Yemen Security Brief

Representatives of the al Houthi-Salehfaction reportedly engaged in political negotiations in Muscat, Oman on August 6. Oman has acted as a mediator between the belligerents in Yemen’s civil war. [2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-7-2017

7.8.2017 – Al Araby (A P)

EU envoy arrives in Yemen to discuss UN Hodeidah plan with Houthi rebels

The head of the European Union delegation to Yemen arrived in Sanaa on Sunday to discuss a UN proposal for Hodeidah port to be run by a third neutral party.

Hodeidah, a key transit point for desperately-needed imports, is controlled by Houthi rebels fighting the Saudi-backed government.

In June, the internationally-recognised government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi accepted the proposed UN plan for Hodeidah to be under the control of a "neutral party".

EU Ambassador Antonia Calvo Puerta is visiting the country to discuss the UN proposal with Houthi rebels.

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/8/7/eu-envoy-meets-houthis-to-discuss-un-hodeidah-plan

7.8.2017 – Living in Yemen etc. (* A P)

CAN THE EUROPEAN UNION HELP #YEMEN?

A senior European official arrives in Sanaa suddenly .. Indicators of peace process after her visit

The head of an EU mission, "Maria Antonia Calvo", arrived yesterday at Sana'a International Airport for a first visit to the European Union since the start of the aggression on #Yemen, which has not been announced in advance.

The sources stressed that an European official, in her first visit to Yemen, will hold meetings with the Supreme Political Council, the National Salvation Government and national parties represented by the General People's Congress and supporters
.

Diplomats pointed out that there were pressures from the EU ambassadors to Yemen to reach a settlement, and that the Ambassador of the European Union was fully aware of what was going on in those consultations.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1461025783950447/?type=3&theater

My comment: Wait and see. The EU is warrying party in Yemen, supplying arms (and more) to Saudi Arabia: UK, France, germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Bulgaria...

7.8.2017 – Anadolu (A K P

More than 200 children killed in Yemen in 2017: UN

UNICEF says at least 1,546 children have been killed in three-year conflict in Yemen

More than 200 children have been killed in war-battered Yemen this year, a UN official said Monday.

In 2017, 201 children killed in Yemen: 152 boys and 49 girls,” Meritxell Relano, UNICEF Resident Representative in Yemen, said on Twitter.

She said 347 Yemeni children were maimed, including 113 girls, and that 377 boys were recruited in the ongoing fighting in Yemen this year.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/more-than-200-children-killed-in-yemen-in-2017-un/877857

My comment: These figures lamost are whitewashing the warring parties, the Saudi coalition for the most. And they ommit all the children who died because of avoidable illnesses and because of the consequences of famine and blockade. Every 10 minutes, a child dies because of such reasons in Yemen. 200 children are reached in less than 2 days.

7.8.2017 – New News (* A P)

What does Ouldu –Sheikh mean? Why in the Sultanate of Oman? What is the status of Yemenis in humanitarian disaster?

The UN envoy, Ismael Ould Cheikh, announced on Saturday, 5 August 2017, that there are signs of hosting the Sultanate of Oman to meet the parties to the war in Yemen.

The Sultanate has provided all facilities and tangible assistance to Yemen through the hosting of its citizens and the provision of treatment,” Ould Cheikh said in remarks carried by Oman News Agency.

During his frequent visits to the Sultanate, he found sufficient support for the efforts of the international organization to find a satisfactory solution to the Yemeni crisis.

He pointed out that Oman was able to host the first positive meeting between the parties to the Yemeni crisis in August 2015, after the failure of the Geneva Conference, which confirms that the Sultanate is supportive of the efforts of the United Nations.

He said that his current visit to Amman came in coordination with the UN Secretary-General to undertake a new tour in the region to find a way to resolve the Yemeni issue. He pointed out that the crisis has worsened and that the situation is intolerable especially with the current cholera epidemic in Yemen.

He pointed out that among the ideas currently put forward is the introduction of humanitarian aid through the port of Hodeidah, stressing that there is support for new meetings and consultations between the Houthi group and its allies from the General People’s Congress and the United Nations.

This comes in light of the mobilization of invading forces from Sudan and the shipment of military parts to Yemen with the aim of launching a large military tour in conjunction with the movements of Ould Sheikh, which is playing a role in diluting crimes and siege and military escalation of the enemy, as observers see.

According to observers, the choice of the Sultanate of Oman stems from giving good intentions of the aggression to lure the national delegation to the peace signals imaginary and the power of barges and aircraft, pointing out that peace begins to lift the economic blockade if the sincere intentions.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9675

My comment: This report connects two developments in the way of a conspiration theory. This is rather improbable.

6.8.2017 – AP (A P)

EU ENVOY IN YEMEN FOR TALKS OVER UN PLAN TO RUN KEY PORT

The head of the European Union delegation to Yemen is visiting the country for talks with Shiite Houthi rebels over a U.N. plan regarding a disputed key port.

Houthi officials say Ambassador Antonia Calvo Puerta arrived in Sanaa on Sunday to discuss the U.N. proposal for Hodeida port to be run by a third neutral party under U.N. supervision.

The Red Sea port of Hodeida, currently under Houthi control, is a vital lifeline for most of the country's population.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_YEMEN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-08-06-12-17-19

6.8.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat (* A P)

Ould Cheick: No Direct Talks at Present

UN special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed described the new UN roadmap in Hodeidah as the “prelude and not the target,” and said that it was the start of a comprehensive solution to the Yemeni crisis.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Ould Cheikh asserted that “at present, there are no direct talks between the Yemeni parties,” despite speaking of “signs” of upcoming meetings hosted by Oman based on reports published by the Omani official news agency.

The UN envoy called for finding a solution to the issue of the port of Hodeidah, where there is a need to prevent the occurrence of a military confrontation.

“We do not ask the warring parties to hand over Hodeidah to the legitimate government, but only to place the port in the hands of a third party from the UN that could manage it,” he said.

Ould Cheikh also asserted that any comprehensive solution to the crisis is to terminate the war in Yemen. “However, we currently speak about solving certain issues, such as the issue of the salaries, the airport of Sana’a, still stressing on the need to find a comprehensive solution,” he said – by Badr Al-Qahtani

https://english.aawsat.com/badr-al-qahtani/news-middle-east/ould-cheick-no-direct-talks-present

6.8.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (* A P)

Film: Here's @UNDPYEMEN resident rep @AukeLootsma on UN Envoy proposal rejected and central bank not paying salaries despite move to Aden.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894155940156641280

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

5.8.2017 – RT (** B P)

Mecca ruled by House of Saud should belong to all Muslims

How fair is it that Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, are controlled by Saudi Arabia, with the wealthy kingdom often using them as a political tool to increase its already huge influence in the Muslim world?

Perhaps, it’s time to find a solution to the dilemma of ruling the Islamic holy sites by a small fraction of Muslims.

In many ways, the monarchy of Saudi Arabia – known for its violations of human rights and supporting extremism - stains the reputation of Islam. However, the House of Saud controls Mecca, the direction of Muslim prayer and location of the Hajj pilgrimage, and Medina, where the Prophet Mohammed built the first Muslim society, died and is buried.

Saudi Arabia has often been politicizing the holy site in Mecca, so it is vital to find an immediate solution. Politicizing has included issuing visa bans and threats against countries that don’t share its regional political views. The KSA is accused of making threats to African countries that have refused to support the blockade against Qatar, including an attempt to resort to coercion and blackmail.

Over the years of his rule, the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi called for the foundation of what he referred to as the “Islamic Vatican” in Mecca and Medina, so the Islamic holy lands in Hijaz are under the tutelage of an Islamic body that becomes the supervisor and preacher of the holy sites.

Between the desire of the Libyan leader and that of Imam Khomeini about an Islamic Vatican project, many questions arise and the most important of these issues is: how legitimate is the Saudi guardianship over the holy sites in Mecca and Medina?

In the context of the modern nation-state, the centrality of Mecca to all Muslims has been the cause of immense trouble. It means that whether Muslims like it or not, the House of Saud is now the presumptive leader of Islam. Why? Because they have power over Mecca. Out of respect, the balance of Muslims in the world cannot decry the House of Saud, for they are the self-appointed “Guardians of The Two Holy Mosques”.

The deep-seated respect for Mecca provides the House of Saud with religious legitimacy in the entire Muslim world, such that everything that comes from Saudi Arabia is considered to be the truest expression of Islam even if it is clearly the Wahhabi teachings are anti-Islamic and usually the source of Islamist terrorism. It is not Saudi oil which sells Wahhabi theology. It is the weight of Mecca which gives it gravity. Calls have been escalating lately to free Mecca from the grip of the House of Saud - take away Mecca, and the theology of regression follows suit.

Many opponents of Saudi tutelage see Saudi Arabia's rule as a direct result of the British strategy of colonial divide and rule, and reliance on Muslim forces to promote imperial interests. This colonial divide reached its apogee in the Middle East during and after the First World War. It is based on sectarian strife that publicly divided Muslims and turned their lives

Before 1932, and the establishment of what is now known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the territory of the Hejaz was under the rule and supervision of the Sharifs and specifically Hussain the Sharif of Mecca.

In 1924-25, Ibn Saud and his Wahhabi fighters drove Sharif Hussein ibn Ali, the father of the Hashemite brothers in Iraq and Transjordan, from the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

For the Saudis, the holy shrines are sacred cows, or better yet, cash cows. In addition to massive amounts of money the Saudis collect from pilgrimages, and religious tourism, control of the sites grants the monarchy priceless prestige within the Islamic world.

There might be one problem with internationalizing Mecca though. Mecca would remain functionally dependent upon Saudi Arabia, which would have an internationalized Mecca surrounded and would thus have de facto control over who and what enters or leaves Mecca. Meaning they could continue to squeeze any manner and number of concessions from Mecca simply through restrictive travel policies aimed at Mecca. To fix this, Mecca and Medina should become and remain a visa-free zone for all Muslims seeking pilgrimage – by Marwa Osman

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/398713-mecca-muslims-saudi-religion/

6.8.2017 – Fars News (A P)

Arab Media Reveal Failed Assassination Attempt against Saudi Crown Prince

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has escaped an assassination attempt at one of the royal family palaces in Jeddah, Arab media reported.

Arabic language Mer'at al-Jazeera quoted sources close to the royal family as saying on Sunday that bin Salman was targeted by an assassination attempt in Jeddah by one of the Saudi princes.

Also, a western diplomat in Riyadh said that the Saudi crown prince wasn’t harmed in the failed attempt and the prince who made the move was arrested.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960515000429

5.8.2017 – Washington Post (* A P)

Saudi Arabia must do something about its barbaric human rights practices

But in one important respect Saudi Arabia remains mired in the dark ages: Human rights are trampled upon, and free expression crushed. This is entirely out of sync with ambitions to create a thriving and modern state.

The latest sign of this backwardness is the fate of 14 Saudi men, all from the country’s Shiite minority, who are facing execution for allegedly staging protests in the kingdom.

If only this were an isolated case. Another travesty surrounds the fate of blogger Raif Badawi, who has been jailed since 2012following his online appeal for a more liberal and secular society.

President Trump steered clearof human rights in his May visit to Saudi Arabia, but the kingdom’s horrors have not vanished. If Saudi leaders really want to embrace modernism, they could start by reversing the barbaric death sentences imposed on 14 Shiite men for taking part in demonstrations – by Editorial Board

https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/opinions/saudi-arabia-must-do-something-about-its-barbaric-human-rights-practices/2017/08/05/4cdeb14e-794f-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html

My comment: This appeal is right of course. But, by the Washington Post, it ids mere hypocrisy. The WP is a backer of US imperialist foreign policy – a close US-Saudi alliance always has been a part of it. - And it has been Trump who clearly declared that Human Rights do not play any role for his politics.

5.8.2017 – The Independent (** A P)

Saudi Arabia is to execute 14 young men for protesting – where is Theresa May’s condemnation?

There are 14 pro-democracy demonstrators who face execution after being caught up in protests against the royal family which turned violent. What’s even more disturbing is the fact that British police may have directly helped arrest them

In most countries organising an illegal demonstration on Facebook might get you a fine or, if you’re unlucky, a short jail sentence.

But there is one place where it can actually help get you the death penalty.

In Saudi Arabia today there are 14 pro-democracy demonstrators who face execution after being caught up in protests against the royal family which turned violent.

One of them, Mujtaba al Sweikat, was on his way to take up a place at the University of Western Michigan when he was arrested at one of the country’s airports.

On his charge sheet the teenager, who was just 17 at the time, was accused of “supervising” a group on Facebook and “photographing the demonstrations, which is punishable according to the cybercrime bill”.

Another death row juvenile, Ali al Nimr, was convicted of: “Setting up a page on his Blackberry with over 800 people, naming it ‘The Liberals’, with the goal of inciting demonstrations by way of sending pictures of the demonstrations , their time/locations and inviting people to participate.”

Offences include “wearing a loud shirt in a built-up area”, “walking on the cracks in the pavement” and “loitering with intent to use a pedestrian crossing”.

Funny if, as in this case, it wasn’t so serious.

For not only were these men’s, sorry children’s, confessions of violence made after prolonged torture but they were also denied access to lawyers and a fair trial.

What’s even more disturbing is the fact that British police may have directly helped arrest them.

The human rights group, Reprieve, has warned that training from British officers was equipping Saudi police with skills that could be used to “identify individuals who later go on to be tortured or subjected to other human rights abuses”.

Britain’s secretive training of foreign regimes with dubious human rights records was heavily criticised in a parliamentary report last year – by Anthony Harwood

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/saudi-arabia-protests-execution-uk-police-training-saudi-forces-torture-theresa-may-a7878361.html

5.8.2017 – Washington Post (* A P)

Saudi Arabia defends decision to execute 14 Saudi Shiites

Saudi Arabia is defending its decision to execute 14 minority Shiites — whose verdicts sparked criticism in the United States and Europe — declaring in a rare public statement that their trials were conducted fairly. The men were arrested for their involvement in demonstrations in 2011 and 2012 during the Arab Spring revolts and were later sentenced to death in a secretive counterterrorism court, according to human rights activists and the men’s relatives, who also say that some of the men were tortured and forced into making false confessions.

The group included a teenager who was arrested at the airport before boarding a flight to visit a university in Michigan, and a youth who is half-deaf and nearly blind, activists said.

Shiites in the Sunni-majority kingdom have long complained of discrimination and harassment by authorities.

Last month, the kingdom’s highest court upheld the death sentences, clearing the way for the executions to take place any day now.

A spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Justice, Mansour al-Ghafari, said in a statement released Friday that the trials met international standards for fairness and due process and that the “defendants enjoy full legal rights.” All of them had access to lawyers and all court hearings were in the presence of the media and human rights observers, Ghafari said.

In a response Saturday, a prominent human rights group said the Saudi government’s statement made several false claims and was “at odds with assessments by the U.N. and rights groups.”

“Saudi Arabia’s attempts to justify these 14 unlawful executions are appalling,” said Maya Foa, director of Reprieve, an advocacy group based in Britain. “This statement is a serious mischaracterization of the trial process against the 14 men.” – by Sudarsan Raghavan

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/saudi-arabia-defends-decision-to-execute-14-saudi-shiites/2017/08/05/0954163e-79ff-11e7-8c17-533c52b2f014_story.html

7.8.2017 – Middle East Eye (** A P)

'This is not Aleppo': Shock at extent of destruction of Saudi Shia town

At least 12 people are thought to have died since operations began to demolish the historic Almosara district of Awamiya

Fears are growing of an escalation of the Saudi offensive on Awamiya, as shocking images from local activists and satellite photos reveal the extent of destruction in the Shia town in a months-long siege that has killed at least 12 people.

Satellite imagery reveals whole districts of the city, particularly the historic Almosara district, reduced to rubble, as Saudi soldiers clash with Shia militants in the narrow streets.

There have also been requisition notices attached to houses in the district of al-Shweikah, about 6km south of Almosara, issued by the Alibrahim private property development company, which is also responsible for the renovation of Almosara.

Ameen Nemer, a former resident of the town, told Middle East Eye he feared the Saudi government was preparing to widen its offensive on the Shia-majority region, saying "they don't want a living thing in Awamiya".

Tensions have flared up in the city over reported plans to demolish and renovate Almosara, which the government also claims is being used by armed gunmen, and at least a dozen people are so far thought to have been killed in the violence.

Local residents told Reuters that three policemen and nine civilians had been killed in the clashes. Though the death toll is hard to verify, this would appear to indicate that as many as 24 people have been killed.

Awamiya has long been a flashpoint for protests by Saudi's Shia minority

Local activists accuse security forces of driving residents out of Awamiya by firing randomly towards homes and cars as they confront armed men in the area, charges Saudi Arabia denies.

They said several houses and shops have been burned or damaged by the fighting. Electricity has been shut down in much of the city and private generators have been damaged, while water, fire services and waste collection have been cut off.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated or forcible evicted from houses around the area, including outside of Awamiya in the wider Qatif area.

Andrew Hammond, a consultant on Middle East politics, said that the emptying of Awamiya could be part of a strategy to enact demographic change in the disruptive Shia region of Saudi Arabia.

"It fits that pattern," he told MEE. "It's something that's happened in the Gulf, in Bahrain, it's something that's happened outside the Gulf in Israel-Palestine.

He added that the fighting also worked as a "useful diversion" from the political unrest in the Saudi palace following the supplanting of former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef with the current king's youthful son Mohammed bin Salman – by Alex MacDonald

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/awamiya-rubble-49215058 and film https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/894557343807135745

8.8.2017 – Institute of Gulf Affairs (* A P)

Video Exposes Saudi Special Forces’ Sectarian Doctrine

A video of Saudi Special Forces have exposed the western trained and equipped forces’ sectarian doctrine.

The video taken today by a Saudi soldier inside the besieged Shia city of Awamya showed him hurling secretin insults at Shia inhabitants and their faith inside a bombed out historical Shia mosque.

In one of the many videos that circulated on social media accounts, a Saudi solider enters the centuries-old AlFotya Shia mosque and says. “These are the Shia’s Hussainiyat, the Rafidi’s (rejectionists), the sons of dogs, thank you Allah, thank you Allah .. The monster forces.”

Rejectionist is a common slur used against the Shia by Wahhabis, especially in Saudi Arabia. It is the most common names used by ISIS for Shia Muslims. This is not the first video where Saudi soldiers attacking Awamya have recorded themselves using vulgar and sectarian language against Shia Arabs.

Hussainiyah is a community hall used by Shia Arabs for various social and religious gatherings. There are no licensed Hussainiyat in Saudi Arabia as the government refuse to register them, and are usually registered as homes.

Malik AlSaeed, a German-based activist from Awamya, commented on the video by saying; “Saudi security forces entered Awamya with sectarian motives as this security member showing in the video uses offensive & sectarian language against not only people of Awamya but against all Shia’s.”

Local activists accused and residence reported that Saudi soldiers of SSF have stolen millions of dollars in cash, jewelry, computers and other expensive properties during the 90 day campaign.

https://www.gulfinstitute.org/video-exposes-saudi-special-forcess-sectarian-doctrine/

6.8.2017 ff – Various (A P)

Awamiya siege in social media (look at YPR 331, cp8):

https://twitter.com/Machetetheboss/status/894057185428287488/photo/1

https://twitter.com/QatifRev/status/893930021341016069/video/1

https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/894401471931928576

https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/894133488923836416

https://twitter.com/Temimi_Yusra/status/893983520464531456

https://twitter.com/stevenchase/status/895050342668398594

8.8.2017 – Gulf Business (A P)

Saudi prince passes away

Saudi Arabian royal Prince Salman bin Saad bin Abdullah bin Turki Al Saud has passed away, according to a statement issued by the Royal Court.

A funeral prayer for the deceased will be held after afternoon prayer on Tuesday at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh.

No further details were disclosed.

http://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-prince-passes-away/

6.8.2017 – Ali Adubisi (A P)

Saudi journalist work in Saudi official news @spagov & @alhayat_ksa newspaper scorn & insult Jews, & Shia which inform millions in Saudi (images)

https://twitter.com/ali_adubisi/status/894294746709073921

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp6

8.8.2017 – Common Dreams (* B H K P)

The United States and the Crucifixion of Yemen

The United States has killed, maimed, displaced and otherwise harmed an astonishing number of people in its 241-year record of murder and mayhemincluding more than 20 million killed in 37 nationssince 1945.

Yemen has been a significant target of direct U.S. military attack in America’s terrorist “global war on terror.”

Mainly, though, it’s been a case of indirect U.S. assault. As Jesse Mechanic noted on Huffington Postin February, “For the almost two years since the war began, the U.S. has been a vital ally to Saudi forces. Like many of our conflicts over the decades, it’s mostly a proxy war we’re fighting here. Most of our influence in this conflict isn’t direct exactly, but we are certainly a party to this destruction.” The U.S. supplies surveillance, targeting and other intelligence data to the Saudis. It refuels Saudi planes and sells the Saudis weapons, including more than $20 billion worth of arms in 2016 alone. The ordnance sold includes cluster bombs, which are banned by 119 countries because they are wildly inaccurate and kill and maim civilians for years after military conflicts end.

Hopefully, “Frontline” will go deeper in its forthcoming extended documentary. If it is serious about fleshing out the full U.S. role in the crucifixion of Yemen (skepticism is warranted when one peruses the names of the power elite foundations—Ford, MacArthur, Park, John and Helen Glessner and Henry Luce—listed at the end of its report), then it will do at least six things. - by Paul Street

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/08/united-states-and-crucifixion-yemen

8.8.2017 – New York Magazine (* B H K P)

The United States Is Complicit in the Destruction of Yemen

The United States has had a dismal track record managing conflicts in the Middle East in recent years, but in Yemen, it is currently abetting a humanitarian disaster that could ultimately rival Syria and Iraq in its destabilizing impact on the region and the world.

oth of these crises are entirely man-made. The famine in Yemen is not a consequence of drought or crop failure — indeed, in recent decades Yemen has shifted most of its agricultural land to growing the stimulant drug qat and other cash crops, and imports almost 90 percent of its food. Rather, the famine is the intentional result of a two-year blockadeimposed on the country by Saudi Arabia, with the help of its allies, including the U.S., in a deliberate effort to starve the rebel-held areas into submission. The ruthless siege tactics of the Saudi-led coalition are also directly to blamefor the cholera outbreak. Saudi Arabia has targeted civilian areas with its bombs, destroying vital infrastructure like hospitals and water systems. Dr. Homer Venters, director of programs at Physicians for Human Rights, sayswe are witnessing the “weaponization of disease” in Yemen, as well as in Syria.

The U.S. cannot sidestep its own complicity in this carnage.

Part of what allows the United States to be an accessory to these atrocities is the fact that though Yemen bleeds, it doesn’t lead. Coverage of Yemen in the Western media, where it exists at all, tends to be one-dimensionalparachute journalism,” produced by non-expert reporters and focusing solely on the Sunni-Shiite, Saudi-Iranian proxy war dimension of the conflict. - by Jonah Shepp

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/08/the-united-states-is-complicit-in-the-destruction-of-yemen.html

8.8.2017 – Mint Press News (* A K P)

U.S. Troop Deployment To Yemen Has Little To Do With Al-Qaeda

The U.S., which has all but ignored the catastrophic humanitarian aspects of the Yemeni conflict, is now stepping up its involvement by sending troops to the war-torn nation. Masked as an extension of the fight against al-Qaeda, the deployment is about the Saudis, Iran, and building U.S. regional power.

Despite facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in decades in the Middle East, the U.S. has remained decidedly silent on the critical situation in Yemen. Washington’s silence, however, is hardly surprising, given that the United States has supported the Saudi-led war against the Yemeni Houthi movement since it began in early 2015, offering logistical support and reconnaissance, along withweapon shipments worth billions, to the Saudi-led coalition.

Now, U.S. involvement in Yemen is set to increase drastically.

The Pentagon announced last Friday that, for the first time, U.S. boots are officially on the ground on Yemen.

Though the stated purpose of the U.S. troop deployment is to fight al-Qaeda, such a claim is dubious, given not only the U.S.’ involvement in the Saudi-led war but also the U.S.’ geopolitical goals in the region.

Suite of U.S. actions consistent with “secret war”

Other U.S. actions also suggest the existence of a secret war against the Houthis: the Pentagon has bombed Houthi-held locations in Yemen, claiming it was retaliation for an attack that never happened; U.S. military officers were discovered aiding forces of the United Arab Emirates, a Saudi-led coalition member, in the running of secret torture prisons throughout the Yemeni countryside; and the U.S., this year alone, has conducted an estimated 80 airstrikes in Yemen and carried out counter-terrorism operations that were later found to have claimed numerous civilian lives.

Fighting al-Qaeda, aiding al-Qaeda, as it suits U.S. agenda

Also suspect are the U.S.’ claims that it is committed to rooting out al-Qaeda at the behest of the Hadi-led and Saudi-backed government.

The U.S., though it has named al-Qaeda an enemy for decades, has nonetheless aided and abetted al-Qaeda in other countries in the Middle East in recent years

It makes much more sense that the U.S. is involved in Yemen to target the groups that the Saudis don’t support. Much like the game plan in Syria, the presence of AQAP in Yemen is likely being used to justify a slow build-up of U.S. military assets and troops in Yemen that will later be used to aid the Saudi-led coalition, all in the name of “fighting terrorism.” Defense Secretary James Mattis alluded to this in April when he stated the U.S. was considering ramping up its involvement in the Saudi-led war. According to Mattis, the main reason for wanting to increase involvement in the war was not countering terrorist groups but instead targeting Iran.

Though Iran is minimally involved in Yemen’s conflict, Mattis’ words speak to the U.S.’ broader geopolitical goals in the region — goals which have much more to do with regime change, and weakening Iran’s and other nations’ resistance to U.S. meddling, than with fighting terrorism – by Whitney Webb

http://www.mintpressnews.com/u-s-troop-deployment-to-yemen-has-little-to-do-with-al-qaeda/230620/

7.8.2017 – MbKS15 (A K P)

# Saudi F-15SA (12-1035) makes a fuel stop at Amarillo, #TX, on its way from STL to #Plant42via: Rodney Bastow (photos)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/894756013965955079

#RSAF F-15SA (12-1035) on final as it completes it's 4th flight. Arriving from St. Louis to #Plant42via: Jim Mumaw (photo)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/894751106898710529

8x #RSAF Typhoon jets arrive at #Nellis AFB for Red/Green Flag exercises. Each jet covered over 9000 miles en route to Nevada (film)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/894914104464429056

3x #Saudi MRTTs provided aerial refueling for the Typhoons, showing the #RSAF's true global reach & ability to project air power worldwide (photos)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/894915740993826817

VIDEO: RSAF EF-2000s arrival at Nellis

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/895108840806658048

My comment: US kinship with killers.

7.8.2017 – Geopolitics Alert (* A K P)

U.S. Troops Flow Into Yemen And More Are Probably On The Way

More U.S. troops entered Yemen this week escalating ground operations against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). And according to the Pentagon, additional troops are likely to follow.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis has not ruled out sending additional troops to Yemen shortly, possibly even in a matter of weeks.

Emirate officials greeted U.S. forces at an airport in Hadramaut province on Friday as they entered Yemen. Mainstream media is wishy-washy describing the role that the troops will play which indicates that their activity is likely much more involved than officials would like to admit. BBC even whitewashed over the presence, using the term “US-backed troops” instead. Yemeni media, on the other hand, has been crystal clear in their reporting, insisting that the fields are directly under control of U.A.E. and U.S. troops.

According to Yemen’s Saba News Agency, U.S. and Emirate forces swiftly expelled AQAP from oil and gas fields in Shabwah province. This operation led many Yemeni’s to worry about the U.S. and their allies’ intentions and possible looting of Yemen’s resources; especially so considering that the United Arab Emirates relies heavily on Qatar for gas.

As of now, the Pentagon states that their objective in Yemen is to fight AQAP– not Ansarullah (aka “the Houthis”). And the public should feel compelled to believe them at this point. The U.S. has not expressed any interest in sending troops to help Saudi forces fight Yemen’s resistance. In fact, they’ve adamantly stated that this is the Saudi’s war, not the United States’. No, the U.S. is more concerned with money.

The Saudi war against Yemen is profitable because the Saudis and all of their allies buy weapons from the United States. Defense officials must know that waging war– themselves– against Yemen’s resistance would just create a money pit. And it’s a war they certainly won’t win easily – by Randi Nord

http://geopoliticsalert.com/us-troops-yemen-2017 = https://medium.com/@GeopoliticsAlert/u-s-troops-flow-into-yemen-and-more-are-probably-on-the-way-9f0e5ee45285

and by Fars News: http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960516000733

Remark: More above at cp6 and YPR 331, cp14.

and also:

7.8.2017 – Task and Purpose (* A K P)

The DoD Is Turning Up The Heat On Al Qaeda In Yemen

A “small number” of U.S. military personnel backed by American warplanes are assisting thousands of Yemeni government troopsin a major offensive to expel militants associated with the country’s Al Qaeda offshoot from their de-facto capital, the Department of Defense toldMilitary Times on August 4 — the largest military operations conducted against the terror network in more than a year.

The assault, backed by United Arab Emirates personnel and U.S. special operations forces, aims to finally eliminate fighters for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula from the central Yemeni city of Al Mukalla, the New York Times
reports.

U.S. forces are supporting regional CT partners in ongoing operations in Yemen against AQAP to degrade the group’s ability to coordinate external terrorist operations and use Yemeni territory as a safe space for terror plotting,” a Pentagon spokesman told Task & Purpose. “Eliminating AQAP, as well as Islamic State influence from the region, will significantly degrade extremist activity in the area to set conditions for stabilization efforts in Yemen.” - by Jared Keller

http://taskandpurpose.com/us-troops-al-qaeda-yemen/

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

8.8.2017 – Mark Curtis (A P)

You just have to laugh. The false term 'News' is material ideologically manufactured to suit the propaganda requirements of the media outlet

https://twitter.com/markcurtis30/status/894837212369616896

Imagine being a UK news editor and deciding to cover left below, not right. You're right at the centre of a disinformation system (images)

https://twitter.com/markcurtis30/status/894836593181282304

Remark: Look at comment by Cath Booth, makes things even worse for mainstream media.

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

8.8.2017 – RT (A P)

Film: Bahraini faces 15 years in prison for tweeting about Yemen War

The co-founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights​, Nabeel Rajab​, is facing up to 15 years in prison for tweeting about the war in Yemen, with charges including "spreading false rumours in a time of war".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpyQBdjtz-M

4.8.2017 – Avvenire (B E P)

La guerra in Yemen fa grande una piccola banca

In pochi anni Valsabbina ha quadruplicato le operazioni: «Ma niente prestiiti».Ecco come l’istituto ha spodestato tanti big del credito grazie alle transazioni internazionali della Rwm

https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/yemen-la-guerra-passa-da-una-piccola-banca

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

7.8.2017 – Press TV Iran (A P)

Turkey, Qatar wrap up joint military drill

The Turkish and Qatari militaries have wrapped up a joint exercise, flaunting the two sides’ alliance in the face of a Saudi-led onslaught targeting Doha.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/08/07/530988/Turkey-Qatar-Saudi-Arabia-Bahrain-Egypt-UAE and Reuters: https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN1AN0TE-OCATP

6.8.2017 – Newsweek (* A P)

QATAR'S SUPPORT OF THE WORST OF THE WORST IN LIBYA MUST END

Libya’s eastern-based government joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt in cutting ties with Qatar in June, with Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Deri asserting that Doha was “harboring terrorism.” The move reflected longstanding grievances expressed by Libya’s non-Islamist forces about Qatar’s sponsorship of extremists in the war-torn country. And while the meddling in Libya doesn’t get a lot of coverage, it remains one of the key grievances of Qatar’s foes in the current diplomatic crisis – by Jonathan Schanzer

http://www.newsweek.com/qatar-support-worst-worst-libya-must-end-646280

Comment by Haykal Bafana: Does this logical Libya demand also apply to other Gucci Arabs (for e.g., the UAE & Saudi Arabia)? Or just against Qatar?

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894262214386999298

cp13a Söldner / Mercenaries

7.8.2017 – New News (* B K P)

London Newspaper: Sudan pushes Forces into a Country, Described as the Invaders’ Cemetery

The decision of Sudanese government to send units of rapid intervention forces to fight in Yemen has provoked a welcome reaction among Arab coalition, and angry with some of Sudanese popular circles, the daily Rai Al-Youm reported.

The newspaper said that the unofficial reports confirm that a number of Sudanese troops participating in the war in Yemen up to 8220 soldiers and officers, before arrival of rapid intervention units.

Pointing out at the same time that Sudanese government is keeping silent on number of dead and wounded in their ranks of its forces in Yemen, in order to avoid rising public discontent and anger.

According to the newspaper, adoption of President al-Bashir neutral position in Gulf crisis intensified between Qatar on the one hand, and Saudi Arabia and UAE on the other, threatening to blow up the “benefits” of his initiative to participate in war in Yemen, and it is believed that his supposed visit to Tangier to meet with Saudi monarch, , May be working to restore relations between Sudan and Saudi Arabia quasi-collapsed because of the lack of standing Sudanese President in camp boycotted countries of Qatar

The increase in number of Sudanese troops in war in Yemen means increasing the number of dead and wounded, increasing public anger and sharp criticism of the ruling government of Salvation. If reports say that Sudanese Arab Janjawid tribes refused to send their sons to fight in Yemen, The fighting, its refusal to fight with the required vigor, demand for numbers to return to Sudan are all indications of the difficulties faced by President al-Bashir.

http://newnewss.net/?p=9731

cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

7.8.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)

Yemen Situation - 2017 Funding Update as of 7 August 2017

79.8 M required for 2017

42.0 M contributions received, representing 53% of requirements

37.8 M funding gap for the Yemen situation

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-situation-2017-funding-update-7-august-2017 and in full http://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/Yemen%20Situation%20Funding%20Update%2007%20August%202017.pdf

7.8.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)

Infographic: Yemen: Shelter/NFI/CCCM Cluster Planned Activities for August 2017 onward

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-shelternficccm-cluster-planned-activities-august-2017-onward and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/shelter_nfi_cccm_cluster-_planned_distributions_for_august_2017-_07082017.pdf

6.8.2017 – Aljazeera (* A H)

Film: UN: Aid desperately needed to help two million displaced in Yemen

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has told Al Jazeera it desperately needs aid to help more than two million people internally displaced in Yemen, which has seen years of conflict devastate the country.

The war-torn country is also facing a severe cholera outbreak and major food shortages.

Al Jazeera's Duncan Crawford reports.

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/08/un-aid-desperately-needed-million-displaced-yemen-170806173017995.html

Comment: It is actually over 3 million. The 1 million discrepancy lies in the 1 million who have been relocated somewhere else. But they lost their homes and where they currently are is not where they should be.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1460825217303837

6.8.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A H)

Film: The suffering of the displaced in the city of Jawi in Mazaz in Sa'ada by the aggression

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_ap3X1VqdM

31.7.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)

Somalia: Refugees and Asylum-seekers Statistical Report with UNHCR - 31 July 2017

Yemen: 9,548

http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/refugees-and-asylum-seekers-statistical-report-unhcr-31-july-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/58695.pdf

27.7.2017 - UN High Commissioner for Refugees (A H)

Yemen UNHCR Flash Update, 21 - 27 July 2017

KEY FIGURES

  • 20.7 million people in need

  • 1,980,510 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

  • 81 Percentage of IDPs displaced for more than a year

  • 946,044 IDP returnees

  • 865,121 recipients of NFIs since March 2015

  • 280,096 refugees and asylum seekers

FUNDING

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

Efforts to combat cholera are ongoing, as the latest UN figures indicate that over 425,000 suspected cases and 1,895 deaths are associated with the most recent outbreak. Since 27 April, UNHCR has worked to confront the cholera epidemic in areas with a high concentration of refugees, through prevention and awareness activities in supported health and community centres, dissemination of translated materials to refugees and surrounding host communities, early case detection / surveillance and referral services.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-flash-update-21-27-july-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Update%20Yemen%2027%20July%202017%20%28Final%29.pdf

30.6.2017 – UNICEF (A H)

UNICEF Djibouti Humanitarian Situation Report, June 2017

Refugees have been at the center of humanitarian interventions in Djibouti for the past two decades. As of 31 May 2017, there are 27,011 refugees and asylum seekers in the three existing refugee camps and in Djibouti city, of whom 47 per cent are children (49 per cent female). The majority consists of a protracted Somali caseload (49 per cent), followed by Ethiopians (31 per cent), Yemenis (16 per cent), Eritreans (4 per cent) and other nationalities.

http://reliefweb.int/report/djibouti/unicef-djibouti-humanitarian-situation-report-june-2017 and in full http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/UNICEF%20Djibouti%20Humanitarian%20SitRep%20-%20June%202017.pdf

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp6

8.8.2017 – Critical Threats (* A K P)

Yemen Security Brief

The Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham attacked al Houthi-Saleh forces in al Zaharaharea, northwestern al Bayda governorate in central Yemen. ISIS militants shelled al Houthi-Saleh positions on August 6 and attacked al Houthi-Saleh forces with small arms on August 8. These attacks are part of ongoing clashes between al Houthi-Saleh forces and local tribal forces, backed by ISIS and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which began in late July.[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-august-8-2017

7.8.2017 – Living in Yemen etc. (A T)

#AQAP today in Abyan claims it fired Grad rocket at the military campaign based in Khufr al-Sawahil near Shuqra city at 2am. #Yemen

via local sources, confirmed by Dr. Elisabeth Kendall, closely monitoring AQAP

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1461034363949589

6.8.2017 – Terror Monitor (A T)

Islamic State published photos targeting the sites of the Houthis in the area of Dahra in the province of Al Bayda

https://twitter.com/TerrorMonitorAR/status/894218284924588033

cp15 Propaganda

8.8.2017 – The National UAE (A P)

UAE works quietly and effectively in Yemen

Yemeni forces working alongside their UAE trainers are eradicating Al Qaida terrorists from their strongholds

Yemeni forces working alongside their UAE trainers are eradicating Al Qaida terrorists from their strongholds

And while all that work is being done, our Arab brothers and sisters there need to be cared and provided for, ensuring that they have a nation with enough water, proper food sources, a modern infrastructure and health and education services to care for all.

On all fronts, the UAE is playing its role, proud to be a part of a Saudi Arabia-led international mission that is acting on United Nations Security Council resolutions.

http://gulfnews.com/opinion/editorials/uae-works-quietly-and-effectively-in-yemen-1.2070951

My comment: LOL. For this glorious campaign, look at cp6 above and at YPR 331, cp14. - The rest is whitewashing bombings and killings.

8.8.2017 – Suhf Net (A P)

President Hadi praises America's role and renews its commitment to a just peace

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi met Monday with US Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Toler in the Saudicapital Riyadh.

President Hadi discussed with Ambassador Toller the latest developments in Yemen, particularly the peace process and the government's efforts in combating terrorism. He also praised the role of the United States in supporting Yemen and legitimacy.

The President also renewed his keenness to achieve peace based on a practical vision and on the bases and references represented by the Gulf Initiative and the outputs of the national dialogue and relevant UN resolutions, in particular resolution 2216.

The US ambassador, according to official news agency Saba, congratulated President Hadi on the achievements of Yemeni forces in support of Saudi and UAE forces and US logistical support in the fight against terrorism in the province of Shabwa during the past days.

Ambassador Matthew Toler also affirmed his country's firm position on the legitimacy of Yemen and the need for a solution in accordance with the three terms of reference.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/262614

My comment: LOL.

8.8.2017 – Suhf Net (A P)

Saudi ambassador to Washington: Huthis should be part of Yemen, not Iran

The Saudi ambassador to Washington, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, said that the Houthis should surrender their weapons and be part of Yemen, not Iran.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Bin Salman said his country had pushed all parties in Yemen to the dialogue table.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/262608

My comment: LOL. “ the Houthis should surrender their weapons and be part of Yemen, not Iran”. The Houthis are a part of Yemen, whether they keep their weapons or not. Iran never is a part of Yemen, nor is Portugal, Uruguay or Fiji Islands. A rel nonsense statement, Your Excellency.

8.8.2017 – Saudi Gazette (C )

Houthi minister confesses conspiring to murder Hadi

Hassan Zaid, a minister of youth and sports working with the unrecognized coup government, revealed that he advised Saleh Al-Samad (a senior Houthi militia leader who currently heads the so-called Supreme Political Council formed jointly with Yemen’s ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh) when a confrontation with Hadi's guard erupted in 2014. He ordered for Hadi to either be killed or captured alive and placed under house arrest.
"The picture was clear to me that his departure would cause disasters, and this is what is happening," said Zaid, who is described by some "the greatest writers of the Houthi militias" in a post published on his Facebook page on Monday.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/514719/World/Mena/Houthi and https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-9172

My comment: Well, they did not.

7.8.2017 – Al Sahwa (A P)

Houthi-Saleh militias commit 151 crimes in Raymah

A report issued by the Media Center of Raymah Media Center has revealed that the Houthi- Saleh militias committed 151 violations in Raymah during July 2017.

According to the center, the violations included torture, storming of houses, threats with killing and blowing up houses of civilians, beatings and bringing mines and explosive devices to some districts of Raymah, robbing cars and other assets, and using private properties as military barracks.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-9169

My comment: The Houthis are committing many crimes of all type; anyway, the propaganda bias of this report is evident.

7.8.2017 – Iran Front Page (A H P)

Saudi Arabia Using Biological Bombs in Yemen: Sources

Saudi Arabia is using biological bombs in its attacks on Yemen, causing large numbers of Yemenis to contract cholera and meningitis, according to hospital sources in the war-torn state.

http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/saudi-arabia-use-biological-bomb-yemen/

My comment: There are lots of natural reasons why there is cholera and meningitis at Yemen. The real story also is not at all favorable for Saudi Arabia. There really is no need for conspiracy theories like this one here, which had been reported already several times before.

7.8.2017 - Government of the United Arab Emirates (A H P)

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to cover costs of treating 90 injured Yemenis in Indian hospitals.

http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/his-highness-sheikh-khalifa-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-foundation-cover-costs-treating-90

My comment: At first maiming them, then botching them. And claiming to be a benefactor.

7.8.2017 – Asharq Al-Awsat ( P)

The people of Mokha described the reopening of fish restaurants and the end of electricity outages as predictors of happiness and the return to a normal life in the recently liberated historic port city on the Red Sea cost of Yemen.

In a visit to the city, where legitimacy forces regained control a few months ago, Asharq Al-Awsat documented some scenes in the areas visited on Sunday by Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr for the first time since its liberation from Houthi militias.

During his trip to the port city, Daghr promised to return Mokha to a normal life and improve its services.

While Daghr toured the city on Sunday, the very high temperature did not prevent the young Yemeni Hamdi Ibrahim from arriving early to his work at a popular restaurant in downtown.

Ibrahim said the fish restaurant is once again packed with customers, a sign that life has returned to normal in the city, which was world famous for the production of a mocha variety of coffee beans.

Since the liberation of Mokha, the port city witnessed the reestablishment of electricity supplies 24 hours a day, with the presence of a surplus,” said Haidara Mahyoub, another man in his thirties.

The popular markets of Mokha also saw renewed trade, despite a slight rise in the prices of fish, bread and vegetables. However, those high prices were still better than those of goods in Yemen’s temporary capital of Aden – by Bassam Al-Qadhi

https://english.aawsat.com/bassam-al-qadi/news-middle-east/life-returns-normal-yemens-mokha

Comment by Judith Brown: Well this is truly rubbishy propaganda. If you believe this biased account in this Saudi news outlet you are very gullible indeed. Life in Yemen - all of it - is anything but normal. Sadly.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10155814296588641

My comment: Nothing to add to Judith Brown.

7.8.2017 – Al Arabiya (* A P)

The great war in the Middle East

The great ongoing and upcoming war in the Middle East is against the governance of the jurist in Iran. The Iranian regime has followed a strategy of destruction, chaos and support for terrorism to serve larger aims such as imposing influence and domination on Arab countries in particular.

The two major Arab countries confronting Iran’s projects are Saudi Arabia and Egypt – in addition to their allies. Iran has targeted their security and stability. In Saudi Arabia, Iran supported al-Qaeda and ISIS to carry out terrorist attacks and supported terrorism in the eastern region. It also supported terrorism in Bahrain, Kuwait and in Yemen via al-Qaeda and the Houthi militias with the sole purpose of destabilizing Saudi Arabia.

In Egypt, Iran supported all terrorist groups either directly or through Hezbollah and the Hamas Movement.

This great war requires calm preparations and patience.

Before winning major wars, purging the domestic front, uniting the ranks and guaranteeing wide international support are a must. The three Riyadh summits thus paved way for major changes in the region and the world, and Qatar’s crisis marks the first step in this new direction. - by Abdullah bin Bijad al-Otaibi

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2017/08/07/The-great-war-in-the-Middle-East.html

My comment: This article is odd propaganda, the Saudis crying out their anti-Iranian paranoia. - They seem to WANT the great war against Iran, doesn't matter whether Saudi Arabia will be smashed by that war or not (it will). - World's greatest terror sponsor Saudi Arabia claims that Iran supports all terror organisations in the Muslim world, even Al Qaeda and IS who want to kill all Shiits. The Iranians certainly will not support those who want to kill them all. - Dear Mr. Otaibi, there are still more terror organizations in the world you could claim that the Iranians support them too: Shining Path (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shining_Path), Rote Armee Fraction (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Army_Faction), PKK and and...

Comment by Haykal Bafana: Fascinating peek into #Saudi thinking

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/894535374114103298

6.8.2017 – Suhf Net (A P)

The real horror of the coupists: So began the Houthi militia prepare for the battle of Hodeidah .. Transfer of funds and military equipment outside the city

Yemeni sources confirmed that the militia of al-Houthi coup began transferring funds and equipment from the city of Hodeidah, west of the country, in anticipation of the advance of Yemeni army forces to restore the province.According to the sources, the Houthis began to transfer cash and heavy military equipment outside the city, towards the capital Sana'a and the province of Saada, stronghold of the Houthis, in anticipation of the progress of the National Army and the Arab Alliance towards the city and the province of Hodeidah in general.The sources added that "the coupists live a real horror, after the great defeat and loss of control of the strategic camp Khaled, which paves the way down to Hodeidah.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/258565 and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-9138

My comment: Exactly the same story we got presented several months ago. Now we are served it again. Propaganda.

5.8.2017 – Medium (A P)

Liberating Shabwa From AQAP

Thanks to the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, now the United States is working with local forces to combat AQAP.

On Thursday Shabwa Elite Forces supported by UAE and US Counterterrorism forces launched an operation to liberate Shabwa from AQAP.

The UAE has been training the Shabwa Elite Forceswho are composed of young men from different tribes in Shabwa for the past nine months. The Shabwa Elite Forces arrived in Shabwa to cheers from residents raising the victory sign and the former South Yemen flag.

While residents of Shabwa are out in the streets celebrating the arrival of the Shabwa Elite forces to cleanse it from AQAP fighters who've terrorized the province for over two decadesHouthi-Saleh and Islah media are out in full force criticizing and demonizing the Shabwa Elite Forces.

We understand why Houthi-Saleh supporters are against liberating Shabwa

As for Islah (The Muslim Brotherhood) they’re angry about liberating Shabwa because they themselves are Al Qaeda and they also don’t like the fact that UAE armed and trained the Shabwa Elite Forces.

Both Houthi-Saleh militia and the Islah Party were also very critical of the Hadhrami Elite Forces during the operations to liberate Mukalla the capital of Hadramout province, and Hadhramout coastal region from AQAP last year – by Summer Ahmed

https://medium.com/@samwrax/liberating-shabwa-from-aqap-4e63dc86dcf3

My comment: This is odd pro-Emirati propaganda. For this strange anti-terror operation look at YPR 330, cp14.

5.8.2017 – Suhf Net (A P)

Ben Dagher: The desperate attempts of the coup militias to target the port of Makhka and the threat of international navigation indicate the hatred of the militias and their destructive approach

Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid bin Dajar arrived in the city of Al-Mukha in Taiz on Sunday to inspect the security and service situation in the city and address the needs and concerns of the citizens.

The Prime Minister's visit to the city of Mukha in the context of the government's interest in the liberated provinces and normalization of life and the return of state institutions to normal work in accordance with the directives of His Excellency President Abd Rabo Mansour Hadi, President of the Republic.

He stressed the government's intention to re-operate the port of Al-Mukha and restore its activity better than it was and to rebuild the city and normalize life in it and provide services to its people and residents who stood up and defended and repelled the aggression of Houthi and Saleh on this historic and important city and rejected slavery and overthrow the Republic and insisted on the legitimacy of His Excellency President Abd Rabo Mansour Hadi The state, pointing out that the city has suffered systematic destruction of its infrastructure and damaged the lives and interests of citizens.

The Prime Minister hailed the great sacrifices recorded by history in the clearest possible pages of the Arab alliance led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the active contribution of the United Arab Emirates and the other countries of the Alliance who have not hesitated for a moment in defending Yemen and its constitutional legitimacy and ending the aggression of Houthi and Saleh.

"The crisis of firmness and the restoration of hope is worthy of being written in history books and studied in the schools and universities because it stopped the expansion and danger of Iran in our Arab and Islamic region and united the Arabs in one word and one position and with them all the world stood in a historic decision and courageous, No. 2216, which stressed the basic references to the solution in Yemen and the completion of the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanisms and implementation of the outputs of the national dialogue and the UN Security Council.

https://www.suhf.net/yemen/258583 and also https://www.suhf.net/yemen/258575

and http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302626293

My comment: This man’s statements seem to be very odd and curious propaganda failures. He laments “ the aggression of Houthi and Saleh on this historic and important city” (Mokhah) already having forgotten that his government only is ruling there because of the aggression of his army and its allies at Mokha a few months ago. And he also does not see the parallel of any lamented aggression against Mokha while his own government is preparing a much greater aggression against an even much more important city at the coast, that’s Hodeidah. This attack at Hodeidah would be a much larger “threat of international navigation” as any attack at smaller Mokha ever could have been. – Hailing and praising the bombing killers of the Saudi coalition is one of the main “tasks” of the Hadi government. – Describing this bombing and killing as “restoration of hope” which “is worthy of being written in history books and studied in the schools and universities” is simply absurd, or better: it is whitewashing the killing of many thousands.

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

6.-8.8.2017 – Legal Center (* A K PH)

The Violations and Crimes that are committed by #Saudi_Arabia and its alliance in #Yemen 5, 6, 7 August 2017 (full list):

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/872128529604180/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/872623519554681/?type=3

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/873132302837136/?type=3

8.-9.8.2017 – Sanaa at night (A K PH)

AIRSTRIKES AT THE ENTRANCE OF SANAA, in Hetarish and Raymat Homed on Kholan road. 5 bombs, (not confirmed)

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1710469305915723

Now : Saudifighter jets screaming very low over capital Sanaa. No airstrikes yet. This is the "Yemeni civil war".

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/895007448188149760

Woow First BIG BOOOOM rocked the capital Sanaa now

https://twitter.com/SaifOliby/status/895029281172189184

I think the Saudi jet pilot is trying to break into my room through the window. So low

https://twitter.com/Amjad_khatabi/status/895028614357495808

Bugger. First airstrike now. Massive explosion to culminate over hour long of intimidating low altitude flying in Sana'a night sky.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/895029497245949952

8.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Saudi fighter jets hit Nehm, Marib prov.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471314.htm

8.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

US-Saudi warplanes attack Saada province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471334.htm

8.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Two US-Saudi airstrikes hit Hodeida province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471337.htm

7.8.2017 – Living in Yemen (A K PH)

Hajjah: 9 airstrikes on Harid and Maydi during the afternoon

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1710158995946754

2 airstrikes on Abu Zaher area in Al-#Khohadirectorate https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1710158885946765

7.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Saudi warplanes attack Saada province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471209.htm

6.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

U.S.-Saudi warplanes launch four raids on Serwah, Marib prov.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471177.htm

6.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

US, Saudi air strikes hit Hodeida

The US-backed Saudi fighter jets launched on Sunday two strikes on Bajal district of Hodeida province, an official told Saba.
The warplanes hit the main road in Bab al-Naqah area twice, which led to cut off the road linking Sanaa and Hodeida, the official added.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471151.htm

and also https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894430865459220481 (photo)

6.8.2017 – Saudi Arabia war crimes (A K PH)

Al-Hodeidah Governorate:Pictures of the destruction of the house of a citizen targeted by two raids of the Saudi air aggression and the destruction of the house and wounding one of the children in the Directorate of Al-Khoukhah in the province of Hodeidah

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1709771459318841

This air strike happened Aug. 5:

https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141.1073741828.551288185021551/872128529604180/?type=3

6.8.2017 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K)

Saudi jets in Sana'a sky since morning. Worried bcz Saudis yesterday said Houthis stationing near UN buildings (prelude to bomb UN?)

#Yemen

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/894097509991297024

6.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Three Saudi airstrikes hit Sanaa province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471139.htm

6.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

Saudi airstrikes hit Taiz province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471135.htm

6.8.2017 – Saba Net (A K PH)

US-Saudi warplanes attack Saada province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471116.htm

7.8.2017 – Al Masirah TV (A K PH)

Film: The tragedy of the sight with one of the survivors of the massacre

Painful details told by one of the three survivors of the family of al-Dharafi, which spent the aggression of Saudi Arabia on its members and destroyed its home in the area of ​​Mahdat Directorate of the province of Saada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgNSTEfds7k

Remark: Earlier reporting: YPR 331, cp16.

And the Saudi coalition denies!!

8.8.2017 – Saudi Press Agency (* A K P)

The Coalition to restore Legitimacy in Yemen deny targeting a house in the Mahdah area of Saada

Spokesperson of the Coalition to restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Col. Turki al-Malki, said that the coalition forces reviewed and rejects allegations by some media outlets that one of the houses in the area of Mahdah in the south-west of Sa'ada province was targeted, which caused loss of life for women, children, and injuring others.
Colonel Al-Malki confirmed that the joint command has completed after-action review for operations have been conducted last Friday and reviewed all operational tasks that conducted in Saada province, revealing that there is no proof of the false allegation.
Colonel Al-Malki said the coalition forces followed with regret the statements of the office of the Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, which were based on personal estimates rather than a fair and systematic investigation. The statements were apparently issued upon unconfirmed field reports which could have been more accurate if they had patience, credibility and evidence.
Colonel Al-Malki explained that the joint forces command of the coalition is investigating through its available means, as well as coordinating with the legitimate government of Yemen, its international partners and friends to exchange information on this unfortunate incident, considering the methodology of the Houthi militia in storing weapons and explosives inside houses and civilian objects.
Col Turki expressed profound regret for the occurrence of civilian casualties among Yemeni people due to hostile acts committed by Houthi militias through futile and deliberate attacks against innocents and by using civilian homes and civilian objects to conceal all forms of weapons, which is a flagrant violation of the international law.
The Spokesman for the Coalition To restore Legitimacy in Yemen stressed the Coalition's commitment to the highest standards of targeting measures and its implementation of the provisions of law of armed conflict (LOAC) contained in the Geneva conventions and its Additional Protocols, including Article 51 and Article 52 in particular, concerning the protection of civilians and civilian objects
Col Turki commanded the humanitarian organizations, the media outlets to be careful and accurate, for not blaming the coalition forces without accurate information, data and the results of a final investigation.

http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1654722

My comment: Speechless. Simply look at the photos and the films again to understand the nefariousness of such a statement. https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1709134776049176 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxkkYYGPgmo and more at YPR 331, cp16.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look cp1

7.8.2017 – Nasser Arabyee (A K PH)

UAE-hired Salafi commander of UAE invadersNMocha southwest Yemen,Hamdi Subaihi was killed along with4guards by missile attack 2day in Mocha (photos)

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/894556155254640645

but

8.7.2017 – Al Sahwa (A K PS)

Senior commander escapes assassination attempt in Mocha

A senior commander of the Yemeni national army Hamdi al-Subaihi on Monday escaped an assassination attempt in the western coast of Yemen near the town of Mocha.

Well-informed sources told Alsahwa Net that the Houthi-Saleh militias targeted a vehicle of al-Amaliqah Brigade, Hamdi al-Subaihi, with a thermal missile, wounding him with medium injuries, pointing out that one of his guards was killed and four others were wounded.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-9171

6.8.2017 – Xinhua (* A K)

At least 48 killed in clashes near Yemen-Saudi border

At least 17 Yemeni soldiers and 31 Houthi rebels were killed during clashes and airstrikes over the past three days near the Yemeni-Saudi western border, a government military source told Xinhua on Sunday.

The casualties took place when the government troops backed by warplanes from a Saudi-led military coalition launched a major offensive against Houthi positions in the Red Sea port city of Medi and nearby Haradh district off Saudi southwestern border region of Jizan.

The attack, began Thursday, was launched by the Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi border artillery forces and more than 20 air strikes against Houthi positions in al-Kadif areas in southern Medi and in al-Hajawirah area and al-Majbar area in southern Haradh, according to the source.

"Bodies of Houthis were still lying on some of the targeted positions, while several other injured were taken as war prisoners," the source said on condition of anonymity as he declined to identify the numbers of Houthi prisoners.

He said the attack aimed to recapture Houthi-held areas and advance towards the coasts north of the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

"The government troops reached and seized control over some Houthi-held positions, but slowed their advances because of heavily mined desert," he said, adding that many Houthi weapons depots were bombed by the warplanes.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-08/06/c_136503701.htm

Remark: Relying on Saudi-backed Hadi army sources.

Pro-Houthi / Pro-Saleh reports:

https://sputniknews.com/military/201708091056303187-houthi-rebels-saudi-mercenaries-killed/

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471340.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471333.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471321.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471319.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471316.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471313.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471312.htm

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/08/08/1486534/yemeni-troops-shell-saudi-bases-in-najran-jizan

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471288.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471289.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471291.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471221.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471218.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471216.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471211.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471210.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471225.htm

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960516000607

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960516000459

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471114.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471118.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471122.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471124.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471133.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471137.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471138.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471141.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news471150.htm

Pro Hadi / Pro Saudi reports:

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/514783/SAUDI-ARABIA/Houthi

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302626293

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170804-saudi-thwarts-2-houthi-attacks-on-its-border/

http://almasdaronline.com/article/93181

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

7.8.2017 – UNOSAT (A)

Yemen - Rainy Season Monitoring - Accumulated Rainfall (Week 31: 31 July - 06 August 2017) and Forecast Rainfall (Week 32: 06 - 11 August 2017)

http://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-rainy-season-monitoring-accumulated-rainfall-week-31-31-july-06-august-2017-and

7.8.2017 – Living in Yemen / Molly Jamil

From #Amman, #Jordan:
Yesterday was the first film night in the 'Yemeni Film Days' where people from diverse backgrounds got together to watch Sara Ishaq's Karama Has No Walls and The Mulberry House.
Each movie gave the audience a different truth about Yemen. Karama Has No Walls highlighted a time of instability and a turning point in Yemen's history. The Mulberry House gave an intimate behind-the-scenes of Sara's family and how the dealt with the revolution and post-revolution challenges.
Join us today for the second film night.
Here is the Q and A session after the movies.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1460939597292399 and

https://www.facebook.com/molly.jamil/videos/vb.100002905894492/1404065663033617/?type=2

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-331-yemen-war-mosaic-331

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-331 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-331:

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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