Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 422 - Yemen War Mosaic 422

Yemen Press Reader 422: 13.6.2018: Größte Offensive seit Kriegsbeginn: Angriff auf Hodeidah hat begonnen, Humanitäre Katastrophe befürchtet, UN versagt, USA gibt de facto Zustimmung und Support

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Angriff auf Hodeidah / Hodeidah assault

June 13, 2018: Greatest assault since the beginning of the war – Attack on Hodeidah begins, humanitarian catastrophe us expected, UN fails, USA de facto is giving consent and support

Klassifizierung / Classification

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(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

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

Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject

Einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:

Yemen War: Introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke

Angriff auf Hodeidah / Hodeidah assault

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Die Schlacht um Hodeida – Die letzte Lebensader des Jemen

Noch vor Aden – dessen weltberühmter Hafen im 19. Jahrhundert der zentrale Umschlagsort des British Empire auf dem Weg in die Kolonien war – ist Hodeida an der Rotmeerküste im Westen des Jemen die mit Abstand wichtigste Hafenstadt des Landes. Vor Kriegsbeginn im März 2015 importierte der Jemen 85 Prozent seiner Medikamente und 90 Prozent seiner Nahrungsmittel aus dem Ausland, wobei 80 Prozent aller Importe über den Hodeida Port abgewickelt werden. Die Saudi-Koalition wusste nur zu gut um die strategische Bedeutung des Hafens und bombardierte diesen bereits im August 2015, wobei die vier Hauptkräne zerstört wurden.

Und genau hier liegt die strategische Brisanz der Stadt und des Hodeida Ports: Er wird von der Saudi-Koalition als Kriegswaffe instrumentalisiert. Durch Lockerung oder Verschärfung der Seeblockade reagiert die Koalition auf aktuelle Kriegsentwicklungen oder provoziert diese aktiv. Mittels völkerrechtswidriger Kollektivbestrafung wird die jemenitische Bevölkerung vor Ort und in weiten Teilen des Landes somit als Faustpfand im Kampf gegen die Houthi-Rebellen missbraucht.

Der Angriff auf Hodeida beginnt

Nach Verstreichen einer von der Koalition gesetzten dreitägigen Frist an die Houthis, die Stadt bedingungslos zu verlassen, begann am Mittwochmorgen schließlich die Großoffensive.

Derzeit leben rund 600.000 Menschen in der Hodeida-Region. Menschenrechtsorganisationen warnten die Saudi-Koalition eindrücklich vor einer Offensive, da diese zur größten Vertreibungswelle seit Beginn des Krieges im März 2015 führen würde.

Neben den direkten Folgen militärischer Gewalt hätte eine Großoffensive verheerende Sekundäreffekte, die sich aus der strategischen Bedeutung des Hodeida Port ergeben, durch den rund 80 Prozent aller Hilfslieferungen ins Land kommen. „Jede Unterbrechung dieser kritischen Lebensader könnte für Millionen von Jemeniten ein Todesurteil bedeuten“, konstatiert Abdi Mohamud, Jemen-Direktor von Mercy Corps, einer weltweit aktiven Hilfsorganisation.

Kein politisches Bauernopfer

Das Narrativ der Saudi-Koalition lautet in etwa, dass eine Großoffensive auf Hodeida die Houthis zum Einlenken bringe und so dem Frieden im kriegszerrissenen Jemen diene. „Die Befreiung der Stadt und des Hafens würde eine neue Realität erschaffen und die Houthis an den Verhandlungstisch bringen“, prophezeit Anwar Gargash, der Außenminister der Emirate. Es handelt sich hier jedoch schlicht um weltfremdes Wunschdenken, da sowohl die ökonomisch-strategische Position der Houthis – sie halten noch immer das wirtschaftsstärkste Kernzentrum des Jemen, die Hauptstadt Sana‘a – als auch die Natur der Houthi-Rebellion generell dieses Narrativ dekonstruieren. Auch der neue Jemen-Sonderbeauftragte der UN, Martin Griffiths, warnt daher in einer Rede vor dem UN-Sicherheitsrat unmissverständlich, ein Angriff auf Hodeida würde „mit einem einzigen Handstreich den Frieden vom Tisch fegen“.

Die Vereinten Nationen arbeiten unablässig daran, den Sturm auf Hodeida abzuwenden und verfolgen dabei zwei Strategien

Dies wäre in der Tat die bestmögliche aller Optionen und muss auch nach Beginn der Großoffensive weiterhin das Ziel bleiben. Die größten Gewinner wären die Menschen in Hodeida und im Jemen insgesamt, da die Blockade des Hafens – der letzten Lebensader des Landes – unverzüglich aufgehoben würde. Denn die Saudi-Koalition kann die zermürbende Seeblockade gegen internationalen Druck zwar erzwingen, wenn der Hafen von den nicht unbedingt beliebten Houthi-Rebellen kontrolliert wird, wäre jedoch die UN in der Verantwortung des Hafenbetriebs, würde die Saudi-Koalition ein Fortbestehen der Blockade politisch schlicht nicht überleben. Hilfslieferungen sowie reguläre kommerzielle Importe könnten in einem Maße ins Land gelangen wie seit über drei Jahren nicht. Erstmals gäbe es einen tatsächlichen Hoffnungsschimmer zur Überwindung der „schlimmsten humanitären Katastrophe der Welt“.

Der einzige „Verlierer“ dieses Szenarios wäre die Saudi-Koalition. Denn so zynisch und menschenverachtend es auch klingen mag: Die Kontrolle über das bittere Elend der Zivilbevölkerung – die Macht über das Daumen-Hoch oder Daumen-Runter – ist das größte Faustpfand im Arsenal der Saudi-Koalition, die politisch sonst kaum etwas anderes anzubieten hat; ganz im Gegensatz zu den Houthi-Rebellen, die all die eroberten Territorien als „Verhandlungsmasse“ zu Friedensgesprächen mitbringen können, allen voran die Hauptstadt Sana’a.

Die Schlacht um Hodeida hat begonnen, obwohl außer der Saudi-Koalition sie niemand will – nicht einmal die normalerweise engsten und treuesten Komplizen in den Verbrechen der Saudi-Koalition: die Regierungen Trump und May.

„Hodeida ist kein politisches Bauernopfer, das verschachert und mit dem gehandelt werden kann“, so Abdi Mohamud von Mercy Corps zornig: „Es ist die Lebensader für Millionen gewöhnlicher Jemeniten, deren blankes Überleben davon abhängt.“ – von Jakob Reimann

https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=44389

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Jemenitische Regierungstruppen greifen mit saudischer Unterstützung Schlüsselhafen im Jemen an

Der lange erwartete Angriff auf die von Rebellen kontrollierte Hafenstadt Hudaida im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen hat einem Bericht zufolge begonnen. Unterstützt von einer saudisch geführten Militärkoalition habe die Armee der international anerkannten Regierung des Landes die Operation zur Rückeroberung des sehr wichtigen Seehafens begonnen, berichtete der arabische Nachrichtenkanal «Al-Arabiya» am Mittwoch. Über Hudaida laufen 70 Prozent der dringend benötigten Hilfslieferungen für den von den Huthi-Rebellen kontrollierten Norden des Landes. Eine Unterbrechung des Nachschubs durch das Nadelöhr könnte den humanitären Kollaps für die Krisenregion bedeuten.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/angriff-auf-schluesselhafen-im-jemen-hat-begonnen-ld.1394207

und ähnlich

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jemen-saudi-arabiens-militaerbuendnis-beginnt-sturm-auf-hafenstadt-hudeida-a-1212617.html

(** A K)

Militärallianz greift wichtige Hafenstadt im Jemen an

Die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Koalition hat ihren größten Angriff seit Beginn des Krieges im Jemen vor drei Jahren gestartet.

Kampfflugzeuge und Kriegsschiffe attackierten am Mittwoch die Hafenstadt Hudeida am Roten Meer, wie die international anerkannte jemenitische Exilregierung mitteilte. Sie unterstützen die jemenitischen Bodentruppen. Hudeida ist der größte Hafen des Jemen und Lebensader für die Bevölkerung im Norden des Landes, der von den vom Iran unterstützten Huthi-Rebellen gehaltenen wird.

Es ist das erste Mal seit ihrem Kriegseintritt 2015, dass die Militärallianz einen Angriff auf eine stark befestigte größere Stadt startet.

https://de.reuters.com/article/jemen-angriff-idDEKBN1J90JI

(** A K pS)

Yemen latest: Coalition forces launch Hodeidah operation — live updates

Yemen government forces — backed by the Arab coalition — launched on Wednesday morning an offensive on the rebel-held port city of Hodeidah.

08:40 - UAE navy shells Houthi positions

Ali Mahmood, The National correspodent in Yemen, says UAE navy ships are taking part in the offensive.

Residents tell him UAE ships have been shelling Houthi hideouts near the airport and around Hodaideh's harbour.

9:30 - Six coalition airstrikes target Houthi vehicles

Six airstrikes launched by the Arab coalition target Houthi militia vehicles as they they tried to enter the city of Bayt Al Faqih, located on the pilgrimage and trade route between Hodeidah and Taez.

The secretary of Hodeidah Waleed Al Qudaimi said that Houthi vehicles are patrolling the city streets, calling on residents to fight alongside them.

9:33 Aid workers in Hodeidah report the city is tense

9:56 - Houthi rebels attack adjoining city to ease fellow fighters in Hodeidah

Omar Saleh, an officer in Al Amalikah brigades told The National that Houthi rebels are carrying out a multipronged attack on Haiys, southeast of Hodeidah.

10:20 - The Norwegian Refugee Council releases a statement

NRC Country Director in Yemen Mohamed Abdi said: "Hodeidah port is no less than Yemen’s lifeline. Yemen is almost totally reliant on imported food, medicine and fuel, up to 80 per cent of which historically reached the country through Hodeida. An attack on the port would damage pivotal food and fuel pipeline for millions, risking deepening Yemen’s already acute food and health crisis.”

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-latest-coalition-forces-launch-hodeidah-operation-live-updates-1.739549

(** A K pS)

Arab coalition launches offensive on Yemen's rebel-held Hodeidah

Yemen government forces backed by the Arab coalition launched an offensive on the rebel-held port city of Al Hodeidah on Wednesday morning.

The attack, known as operation Golden Victory, is intended to liberate the city from the Iran-backed Houthi militia, but It was launched only after “exhausting all peaceful and political means”, said Yemen's government in a statement carried by the state-run Saba news agency.

"The liberation of Al Hodeidah port is a turning point in our struggle to recapture Yemen from the militias that hijacked it to serve foreign agendas.

"The liberation of the port is the start of the fall of the Houthi militia and will secure marine shipping in Bab Al Mandab strait and cut off the hands of Iran, which has long drowned Yemen in weapons that shed precious Yemeni blood."

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/arab-coalition-launches-offensive-on-yemen-s-rebel-held-hodeidah-1.739551 and also https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/13/yemen-saudi-led-coalition-begins-battle-for-vital-port

(** A K)

Saudi-led forces begin assault on Yemen port city of Hodeida

A Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's exiled government began an assault Wednesday morning on Yemen's port city of Hodeida, a crucial battle in the three-year-old conflict that aid agency warned could push the Arab world's poorest country into further chaos.

Before dawn Wednesday, convoys of vehicles appeared to be heading toward the rebel-held city on the Red Sea, according to videos posted on social media. The sound of heavy, sustained gunfire clearly could be heard in the background.

Saudi-owned satellite news channels and later state media announced the battle had begun, citing military sources. Houthi media did not immediately report the attack.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/saudi-led-forces-begin-assault-on-yemen-port-city-of-hodeida-1.4703768 = http://www.prpeak.com/saudi-led-forces-begin-assault-on-yemen-port-city-of-hodeida-1.23333997

(** A K pS)

Yemeni military begin operation on Hodeidah

According to a source at the Yemeni national resistance, a large number of troops had reached the outskirts of the Red Sea city of Hodeida.

The source had said: “Military tactics have been drawn to ensure civilian lives and infrastructure will be protected. Plans are underway to ensure the liberation of the city without civilian casualties.”

https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/yemeni-military-begin-operation-on-hodeidah-1.2236081

My comment: The last sentence is a blatant lie – in every war, and especially in the Yemen War looking at what had happened the last 3 years.

and official declaration of the Hadi government:

(** A K P)

The government stressed its intention to restore legitimacy to the entire national territory after exhausting all peaceful and political means to remove the Houthi militia from the port of Hodeidah and demanding more than once the international community to carry out its duty towards the humanitarian tragedy of the Yemeni people, especially the sons of Hodeidah. A corridor of destruction and destruction through the smuggling of Iranian weapons to kill our Yemeni people.
"The liberation of the port of Hodeidah is a milestone in our struggle to get Yemen back from the militias it has kidnapped to carry out foreign agendas," the statement said, adding that the liberation of the port marks the beginning of the fall of the Houthis and will secure maritime navigation in the strait. Bab al-Mandab and cut off the hands of Iran, which has long sunk Yemen with weapons that shed innocent Yemeni blood.
The legitimate government reiterated that it will support the Arab Alliance after the full liberation of the port of Hodeidah with its national duty towards the sons of Hodeidah and will work to alleviate their suffering and work to restore normal life to all the districts of the province after the purification of the Houthis coup.
The statement reads as follows:
We are witnessing today the sacrifices of our national army and valiant resistance and our brothers in the Arab coalition forces to preach to the Yemeni people that the liberation of the province of Hodeidah from the grip of the coupist militias will be the beginning of the complete victory for the liberation of all the Yemeni lands and the capital Sana'a to return to the homeland after the Iranian priests' And destruction.
The Yemeni government affirms its commitment to restoring legitimacy to the entire national territory, stressing that it has exhausted all peaceful and political means to remove the Huthi militia from the port of Hodeidah and has repeatedly called upon the international community to carry out its duty towards the humanitarian tragedy of the Yemeni people, especially Hodeidah, The port into a corridor of destruction and destruction through the smuggling of Iranian weapons to kill our Yemeni people.
That the promises of victory that we are living today would not have been achieved without the sacrifices made by the sons of the Yemeni army and the resistance and the Arab coalition forces who gave their lives to stand in front of the Houthi Iranian project, and from this point we call the sons of Hodeidah to close ranks to thwart the plans of the militia coup that introduced Yemen to a dark tunnel Burdens the Yemenis and deprives them of a decent life and live in stability and security.
Liberation of the port of Hodeidah is a milestone in our struggle to restore Yemen from the militias it has kidnapped to carry out foreign agendas. Liberation of the port is the beginning of the fall of the Huthi militias. It will secure navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and cut off the hands of Iran, which has long sank Yemen with weapons that shed innocent Yemeni blood.
That the legitimate government to confirm that it will support the Arab Alliance after the full liberation of the port of Hodeidah, its national duty towards the people of Hodeidah and will work to alleviate their suffering and work to restore normal life to all the districts of the province after the purge of the Houthis coup.
The Yemeni government will work to restore life to Hodeidah, after the priestly militias destroyed the infrastructure and public facilities by turning them into military barracks for killing and destruction. The schools, hospitals and government facilities where they were looted and destroyed were not removed.
O people of our Yemeni people: As we live in these blessed days, we will soon be pleased to win the victory of our Yemeni people by liberating Hodeidah and its return to the homeland.

http://sabanew.net/viewstory/34464 and translation https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ar&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsabanew.net%2Fviewstory%2F34464&edit-text=

My comment: Blood and propaganda.

And fighting starts:

(* A K)

Saudi militants and soldiers are 5 km far from Hodeidah's airport (photo, map)

https://yemen.liveuamap.com/en/2018/13-june-saudi-militants-and-soldiers-are-5-km-far-from-hodeidahs

(* A K)

Saudi-led coalition bombing al #Houthi locations on the outskirts of al #Hudaydah (Wadi Seham and Qazabah). Residents are also reporting seeing coalition ships approach #Yemen's west coast near al Darayhimi district, just south of #Hodeidah city. (map)

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1006712278304133122

(* A K)

Gunfire heard near Yemen port city as deadline expires

Gunfire has erupted near Yemen's port city of Hodeida as a Saudi-led coalition's deadline expired for Shiite rebels there to withdraw.

Social media users shared video of what appeared to be a convoy of vehicles approaching the crucial port city early Wednesday morning. The sound of heavy, sustained gunfire clearly could be heard.

https://www.businessinsider.de/ap-gunfire-heard-near-yemen-port-city-as-deadline-expires-2018-6?r=UK&IR=T

(** A K)

Breaking news: aide to commander of Giant Brigades has told me #Hodeida offensive would be begin on Wednesday morning, involving 3 GB brigades backed UAE airpower.

https://twitter.com/saeedalBatati/status/1006664249203154945

#Yemen, 0330hrs : Last minute UN diplomacy has failed. Naval artillery & air strikes begin to bombard multiple sites as close as 5 km from Hodeidah port & city's southern perimeter.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006695470469656576

#Yemen : Saudi coalition announcement – All maritime navigation to Hodeidah port has been banned, and the port is now classified as a zone of active military conflict.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006698484521750528

As of late night, the Houthis have made clear they will resist the UAE-led attack on #Yemen's Hodeidah port. Threats tonight to ballistic missile Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and to shut down all navigation in the Red Sea.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006699800807559168

Important: All civilians in Hodeidah port and city warned to stay in their homes for their own safety, as all movements detected on the streets will be targeted by UAE-led Yemeni military forces.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006701644757852162

p.s. I think there's a serious deep horror contained in the need for this warning. 'Bomb & shoot anything that moves'. I think the window for civilians to depart Hodeidah city has closed now.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006702797117689857

(* A K)

Norwegian Refugee Council: Update on the situation in #Hodeida, #Yemen: Fighting is closing-in on the port city of Hodeida. NRC staff report that the city is tense, amid media reports of airstrikes inside the city, most notably in the Al-Doraihimi District and the Southern part of Hodeida governorate

https://twitter.com/NRC_Norway/status/1006552540673118208

Urgent update from #Yemen war: Our staff in and around Hodeida report of intensified fighting that threatens supplies through the port.

https://twitter.com/NRC_Egeland/status/1006568829147844608

(* B K P)

Hodeidah in Yemen: A Powder Keg for Imperial Powers Nobody’s Talking About

For the past few weeks, however, mainstream media hasn’t shut up about the importance of Hodeidah port. It’s true that the humanitarian aspect deserves plenty of coverage, but the geopolitical importance of this strategic location cannot be stressed enough as well.

Saudi Arabia’s objectives in Yemen haven’t just failed — they’ve completely backfired. The Saudis absolutely need Hodeidah to work out in their favor if for no other reason but to save face from international embarrassment.

Anyone paying even half attention to Yemen knows that the Saudis definitely aren’t winning in any respect.

This war was supposed to be Saudi Arabia’s chance to exert its influence in Yemen — and possibly the region. What’s happened to Riyadh in Yemen is the colonialist equivalent of your wingman stealing the girl you’ve played up all night at the bar.

The United Arab Emirates has used the past three years to forge political alliances throughout Yemen’s southern provinces which has created a sore spot between the two Gulf kingdoms. Saudi Arabia’s puppet, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, currently resides in Riyadh while the Emiratis have thrown their weight behind various leaders across the south.

These disagreements haven’t passed without confrontation. Saudi and U.A.E.-backed mercenaries frequently fight each other in the southern provinces. Although reporting from the remote island is scarce, it appears that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi recently faced-off for control of Socotra with both countries surging troops and heavy artillery.

Abu Dhabi has used their invasion of Yemen as a springboard to expand their influence throughout the Arabian Penninsula and the broader region – by Randi Nord

http://geopoliticsalert.com/hodeidah-yemen-importance

(** A K P)

U.S. Deepens Role in Yemen Fight, Offers Gulf Allies Airstrike-Target Assistance

American military to provide information to fine-tune list of targets in important port

The U.S. military is providing its Gulf allies with intelligence to fine-tune their list of airstrike targets in Yemen’s most important port, one sign of the Trump administration’s deepening role in a looming assault that the United Nations says could trigger a massive humanitarian crisis.

While the U.N. is working furiously to broker a deal to avert a United Arab Emirates assault on a Red Sea port, the U.S. is helping the Gulf nation develop a list of targets meant to be off limits for airstrikes, American military...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-deepens-role-in-yemen-fight-offers-gulf-allies-airstrike-target-assistance-1528830371

My comment: Thus, the US is directly supporting the assault. The claim “the U.N. is working furiously to broker a deal to avert a United Arab Emirates assault” has been wrong from the very beginning.

(* A K P)

Zero hour nears in Hodeidah as Houthis refuse to withdraw

Yemen’s National Resistance Forces are reportedly massing around the city and are awaiting orders to attack

With the UAE deadline for the United Nations to convince the Houthis to withdraw from Hodeidah expiring on Tuesday night, the Yemeni city is bracing for a major military offensive against the Iran-backed militia.

A tense atmosphere was reported from inside the port city, as WAM news agency reported that Yemen’s National Resistance Forces are massing around the city and are on high alert awaiting the green light for what could be a weeks-long offensive.

Photos of southern forces moving into the city were shared on Twitter:

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/zero-hour-nears-in-hodeidah-as-houthis-refuse-to-withdraw-1.739545

My comment: By Emirati news agency. Beating the drum.

(* A K P)

Preparations in full swing for Hodeidah liberation battle

The Joint Yemeni Resistance Forces increased their readiness to the maximum in preparation for the liberation battle of Al Hodeidah city from the Iranian-backed Houthi militias.

A source from the Yemeni National Resistance said that a large number of forces from Brigades Al-Amalaqah and the Tihama Resistance Forces, armed with modern weapons and in high morale, have arrived at the outskirts of Al Hodeidah city to continue their build-up in the front lines in preparation for the battle of rolling back the Houthi militias and putting and end to the coup plot in Yemen.

He also added, "the Joint Yemeni Resistance Forces deployed large reinforcements in Al Hodeidah front and took positions in the outskirts of the city in preparation for the big liberation battle".

Our military tactics focus on saving the lives of the civilian people and the infrastructures to ensure the liberation of the city without any civilian causalities, he added.

The member countries of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition in Yemen are aiming to improve the humanitarian conditions across the areas to be liberated in Al Hodeidah city,

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694318

My comment: By Emirati news agency. The last sentence is a bad propaganda joke.

Comment: 'Full swing', 'Liberation'. Emirates media depicting a post D-Day celebratory narrative.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1774392935947062

(* A K P)

Saudi Coalition Set for Yemen Port Siege as UN Warns of Disaster

Yemeni forces and their Saudi-led allies are massing for an assault to retake the country’s aid lifeline, a siege that could dramatically exacerbate the humanitarian crisis without tipping the balance of the war.

As armored carriers ferried troops to the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, the entry point for 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and humanitarian assistance, international aid groups were advised to pull out. The United Nations warned on Monday that almost two thirds of the city’s 400,000 residents could die if the city is put under siege.

The Yemen government and its Gulf partners will likely claim a turning point in the three-year conflict if they defeat Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Yet a loss or even a drawn out conflict with an army of experienced street fighters that causes significant civilian casualties will deal another blow to Saudi efforts to win the war.

“Taking the port and the city could shut off supplies to major Houthi rebel groups and lead to a drive to the negotiating table,” said Paul Sullivan, a Middle East analyst at the National Defense University in Washington. “However, urban warfare in a city this size could prove to be costly and a lot longer than some may try to predict.”

Thousands of fighters in traditional clothing were being deployed to the front in preparation for the assault, which government commanders said could begin on Wednesday. The road heading north along the coast was crowded with personnel carriers, and coalition helicopters flew overhead. Checkpoints were being manned by Sudanese military forces hired by the coalition to secure areas wrested from the Houthis.

Rebel forces were building concrete bunkers, positioning snipers in buildings and calling in reinforcements from other areas, residents said by phone. From mosques and loudspeaker cars, they urged supporters to fight “the mercenaries of aggression,” residents said.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-12/saudi-coalition-set-for-yemen-port-siege-as-un-warns-of-disaster

(A K P)

FM: Aggression states escalation in west coast impedes peace efforts

Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf on Tuesday said the military escalation of Saudi-led aggression coalition states in Yemen's west coast hinders efforts of the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffith, to resume the peace negotiations.
During his meeting with Director of the Office of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Nicholas Davies, in Sanaa, Sharaf confirmed the keenness of the Supreme Political council and the National Salvation Government on achieving a peaceful political settlement.
He stressed at the same time on the right of Yemeni people in defending their country against any aggressive forces aiming to prejudice dignity and sovereignty of Yemen.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news498903.htm

Remark: Houthi government at Sanaa FM.

(A K P)

‘Catastrophe’ for Already-Starving Yemen if Saudi, UAE Coalition Takes Key Port

Independent political analyst Marwa Osman told Radio Sputnik's Loud & Clear that if the Saudi-led coalition closes in on the Houthi-held Hodeidah port, Yemen will be plunged even further into humanitarian disaster.

"The problem is not with an invasion happening, because it already happened about two weeks ago and it ended in disaster for the UAE militias. All over Arab media you could see the bodies of more than 120 UAE mercenaries that tried to invade Hodeidah,"

https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201806131065353310-catastrophe-for-yemen-saudi-uae-coalition-take-port/

My comment: This sounds to be propaganda. “ended in disaster for the UAE militias”, while they had reached Hodeidah now.

(* A H K P)

America’s Genocide in Yemen Starts Tuesday

The Houthis in Yemen are expected to start being slaughtered en-masse on June 12th. The U.S.-Saudi-UAE plan is to destroy the Yemenese port city of Al Hudaydah, which is the only entry-way by which food reaches approximately seven million Shiites, members of the Houthi tribe, who occupy the western third of Yemen, and who had recently ruled all of Yemen. The U.S. provides the weapons and the training, and the United Arab Emirates supplies the pilots for this operation, which is financed mainly by the Saudis. The objective is to establish a joint UAE-Saudi-run government of Yemen.

On Monday, June 11th, the New York Times bannered “U.N. Pulls Out of City in Yemen, Fearing Bloody Assault by Arab Coalition”. That report didn’t mention that this is America’s fundamentalist-Sunni coalition of Arab monarchies, using American weapons, in order to bomb and blockade, and now starve to death, approximately seven million Houthis, and that it’s part of a broader war in which the U.S. and Israel are allied with fundamentalist-Sunni monarchies, which are trying to conquer Shiite-run countries, especially Yemen, Syria, and ultimately Iran.

The reason the U.N. is pulling out is to avoid being killed by these American missiles and bombs, which are expected to produce, by means of these UAE and Saudi proxy-fighters, a rare American victory in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates are providing the U.S.-trained pilots, who will drop U.S. bombs from U.S. planes, so as to destroy Al Hudaydah, and thereby completely block any food from reaching the seven-to eight million food-stranded Houthi Shiites.

So, while the U.S. has approved this operation, the U.S. also has a “desire” to be “preserving the free flow of” food, and this suggests that the U.S. Government intends that the blame for the expected genocide will fall only upon America’s fundamentalist-Sunni royal partners, who are expected to be running Yemen afterward. Whatever “concerns” for “preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and lifesaving commercial imports” that the U.S. might have had, will, no doubt, show up during the starvation-operation, which will follow the bombardment of Al Hudaydah.

This mission is clearly important to the Trump Administration. The New York Times report closes: “American military officials do not want Congress to prevent military aid to the two nations [UAE and Saudi Arabia], both of which are crucial allies in counterterrorism, nor do they want a vacuum of power in Yemen to result in a new incubator for extremist groups like the Islamic State [which group is fundamentalist-Sunni, like America’s allies, the monarchs in UAE and Saudi Arabia, are] and Al Qaeda [which also is fundamentalist-Sunni]. Diplomats in the region say they believe that only more pressure from Washington will stop the planned assault.” The U.S. has instead given its allies the go-ahead to proceed – by Eric Zuesse

https://off-guardian.org/2018/06/12/americas-genocide-in-yemen-starts-tuesday/

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Assault on Yemen’s Al Hudaydah Would Be Catastrophic

An all-out assault by emirates-backed forces on Al Hudaydah, the primary gateway for getting food, medicines and other essential supplies to Yemen, is expected any moment. The attack on the port and the adjacent city is expected to lead to a protracted and bloody confrontation.

On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a telling, brief statement that spoke about the Trump administration’s willingness to address the “security concerns” of the emirates’ leaders while “preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports.” It was a yellow light to the emirates: Proceed but with caution.

Mr. Pompeo’s statement was a significant departure from earlier American policy of warning that such an attack could result in a humanitarian catastrophe and conveying that it would do little to end the war if the emirates-backed forces took the Al Hudaydah port from the Houthis. Last year, the United Nations’ Yemen Panel of Experts, on which I served, came to a similar conclusion and submitted our report to the Security Council.

United Arab Emirates and Yemeni troops are positioned around the city and are moving closer by the hour. The only remaining chance for peace rests on what the United Nations can achieve.

Mr. Griffiths has put together a framework for peace negotiations, which was leaked to the press last week. A key component of that framework is disarmament, which would require the Houthis to surrender all their weapons, including ballistic missiles and artillery, except for light arms. But in an environment of such profound distrust, where weapons are equated with power, no one side will voluntarily surrender them.

Instead, Mr. Griffiths should push for transitional arms control. Unlike disarmament, which is an all-or-nothing affair, transitional arms control is gradual and allows for the slow building of trust by getting the warring parties to step back from the brink while maintaining control of their weapons should they feel threatened.

In exchange for getting Saudi Arabia and the emirates to stop airstrikes, the Houthis would commit to placing their weapons under lock and key.

Since the United States has stepped aside and the United Nations Security Council remains divided, Mr. Griffiths is now the only person possible of pulling off a miracle. In Yemen, it is one minute to midnight – by Gregory D. Johnsen, a resident scholar at the Arabia Foundation, served on the Yemen Panel of Experts at the United Nations Security Council from 2016 to 2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/opinion/assault-on-yemens-al-hudaydah-would-be-catastrophic.html

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US gives 'yellow light' to UAE assault on Yemen port

Gargash said the coalition had given UN Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths a 48-hour ultimatumto persuade the Houthis to withdraw from Hodeidah that expires overnight Tuesday to Wednesday.

Gargash’s Twitter tirade followed a muted statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday that many diplomats and veteran Yemen experts interpreted as giving the UAE a de facto “yellow light” to proceed with the military operation that Washington had long opposed, fearing humanitarian catastrophe. The port of Hodeidah is the gateway for an estimated 80% of the humanitarian, food and commercial supplies for Yemen, including for Sanaa, the Yemeni capital of 2 million people.

“I have spoken with Emirati leaders and made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports,” Pompeo said in the statement on developments at Hodeidah issued by the State Department on Monday.

“We expect all parties to honor their commitments to work with the UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen on this issue, support a political process to resolve this conflict, ensure humanitarian access to the Yemeni people, and map a stable political future for Yemen,” Pompeo’s statement continued.

“The statement from Pompeo … is not a red line; it is a yellow light at best,” Jeremy Konyndyk, a former senior official with the US Agency for International Development and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, told Al-Monitor.

“I think the ambiguity in and of itself will be seen as a green light by the [UAE- and Saudi-led] coalition,” Konyndyk, now with the Center for Global Development, said. “This is an important dynamic."

Konyndyk continued, “Going back to when I was in government, we were constantly giving the red light on Hodeidah and other ill-advised things the Saudis and Emiratis wanted to do." He added, “It is not enough not to give the green. You have to actively give a red light.”

Former US Ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein told Al-Monitor, “I think we were telling the Emiratis it would be better not to, but we would support them if they went ahead.”

But former US Ambassador to the UAE Barbara Leaf said Pompeo’s statement was not the full-throated endorsement that the UAE may have wanted to hear to proceed.

“In the other direction, the Emiratis want to hear a full-throated yes,” Leaf said. “I do not think that is what they are getting.”

While Gargash suggested he saw military pressure on the Houthis as pushing them into peace negotiations, former US officials who worked on Yemen say it may be the Saudi side that is reluctant to return to UN-brokered talks now that their military prospects against the Houthis on the ground are improving.

"My impression is that Griffiths has been unable to get the Saudis to come to the table,” a former senior Obama administration official, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor.

"There are several credible reports that the Houthis are prepared to come to the table,” the former senior Obama administration official said. “That said, they have yet to demonstrate that they are reliable interlocutors who will live up to their commitments.”

"It would be quite troubling if there is an opportunity now to test Houthi willingness to reach a political/military resolution and the Saudis and Emiratis choose to leave that opportunity on the table,” the former senior US official said.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/06/us-yellow-light-attack-yemen-port-uae-saudi-arabia-hodeidah.html

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Attack on Humanitarian Aid Hub in Yemen Appears Imminent

The strategic Yemeni city of Hodeidah is bracing for a potential humanitarian disaster. Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates are closing in on the Houthi-occupied port and an attack now appears imminent, despite months of warnings that any disruption to the port could jeopardize the food aid on which thousands of Yemeni civilians rely. Hodeida is the point of entry for approximately 80 percent of the humanitarian aid to Yemen—a country on the brink of famine, where more than three out of four people receive food aid. Making a dire situation worse, aid groups and international organizations are increasingly poorly positioned to respond.

https://www.lawfareblog.com/attack-humanitarian-aid-hub-yemen-appears-imminent

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UAE says ultimatum on Yemen port of Hodeidah expires Tuesday night

A senior United Arab Emirates official said an ultimatum for the United Nations to convince the Iran-aligned Houthi movement to evacuate Yemen’s main port of Hodeidah expired on Tuesday night.

The Saudi-led coalition, which the UAE is part of, is gearing up for an assault on Hodeidah, preparing to launch by far the biggest battle of a three-year-old war between an alliance of Arab states and the Houthi movement that controls Yemen’s capital Sanaa.

Hodeidah, the only Yemeni port controlled by the Houthis, serves as a lifeline channeling food, medicines and other vital imports to the majority of Yemenis who live in Houthi-ruled territory.

“We gave U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths 48 hours to convince the Houthis to withdraw from the port and city of Hodeidah,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told France’s Le Figaro newspaper.

“We are awaiting his response. These 48 hours expire during the night of Tuesday and Wednesday.”

“If the Houthis don’t get out of Hodeidah city and the port, the UAE will start a military operation against the rebels in Hodeidah,” Gargash was quoted as saying by the French daily.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-emirates/uae-says-ultimatum-on-yemen-port-of-hodeidah-expires-tuesday-night-idUSKBN1J82BP?rpc=401&

Comment: And then what?
Will it be that 'a child dies every minute in #Yemen? Or that hundreds will be killed during the battle?'
That airstrikes will target civilians?
We know it.
The #UAE is consigning a death sentence to Yemen

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1774234955962860

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Gargash: UN has deadline to negotiate Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah

Diplomatic measures appear to have been exhausted and all signs point to a military battle for the city

The UN has just hours left to negotiate the withdrawal of Houthi rebels from the port city of Al Hodeidah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday.

"We gave U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths 48 hours to convince the Houthis to withdraw from the port and city of Al Hodeidah," Mr Gargash told France’s Le Figaro newspaper. "We are awaiting his response.” The deadline would reportedly expire overnight Tuesday.

The report comes as Mr Gargash on Tuesday said he was "deeply concerned" by reports that Houthi rebels in Al Hodeidah were forcing civil servants and civilians to pick up arms.

He said this was “the Houthi response to international calls for their peaceful retreat. Shows the real and ugly face of their policies.”

During a meeting with the new Yemeni foreign minister Khaled Alyemany in New York, Mr Guterres stressed that "everyone should redouble efforts to find a political solution and avoid a fierce, bloody battle for Al Hodeidah", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The UN pulled all of its international staff out of Al Hodeidah early on Monday morning.

Mr Griffiths held several rounds of talks last week in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, which is held by the rebels.

While Mr Gargash continued to call on the international community to “pressure the Houthis to evacuate Al Hodeidah and leave the port intact,” just hours before the UN’s deadline, he appeared to indicate the offensive was imminent. “He added that the Houthi’s “cannot hold Hodeida hostage to finance their war and divert the flow of humanitarian aid. Their assault on the Yemeni people has continued for too long.”

He added, “The current and illegal Houthi occupation of Hodeida is prolonging the Yemeni war. The liberation of the city and port will create a new reality and bring the Houthis to the negotiations”. However, he said that the UAE and other Gulf countries would make sure humanitarian aid reached all areas of the country.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/gargash-un-has-deadline-to-negotiate-houthi-withdrawal-from-hodeidah-1.739187

My comment: That’s a very twisted propaganda view on what is going to happen. The UN is blackmailed by the UAE, and the West is secretly backing all this. – The statement “The current and illegal Houthi occupation of Hodeida is prolonging the Yemeni war” is simply odd, it sounds like: “The enemy’s resistance is prolonging the war, he should let us take the victory, and the war is over”. – And one sentence obviously is a lie: “the UAE and other Gulf countries would make sure humanitarian aid reached all areas of the country”.

And more:

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UAE official calls on international community to pressure Yemen’s Houthi to evacuate Hodeidah

The UAE has called on the international community to pressure Iran-backed Houthi militias to withdraw peacefully from Hodeidah, and to leave its port intact.
Anwar Gargash, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said that his country is deeply concerned by reports coming out of Hodeidah.

“I am deeply concerned by reports coming out of Hodeida about the Houthi response to international calls for their peaceful retreat”, noting the Houthi militias reaction shows ‘the real and ugly face of their policy.”

“If the Houthis don’t get out of Hodeidah city and the port, the UAE will start a military operation against the rebels in Hodeidah,” Gargash was quoted as saying by the French daily.
“Thanks to them controlling the port of Hodeidah, they are getting financing, which allows them to get weapons, such as missiles that are then fired on Saudi Arabia.”

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1320446/middle-east

My comment: It’s simple propaganda. Even if the Houthis take US $ million 30 per month = $ 360 million a year from Hodeidah harbour and fully spend this sum on weapons, this would not even be the equivalent of the cost of 2 days Saudi aerial war against Yemen. Thus, these US $ 360 million should be nothing which by any means should impress anybody. – And only a very small part of these US $ 360 million could have been used fpr buying arms and missiles from Iran or abroad, because of the strict Saudi/US blockade.

(A K pH)

Yemeni Tribes Send Reinforcements To West Coast Front in Yemen’s Hodeida

The tribal coalition of the Ibb governorate has decided to send massive reinforcements to the West Coast front near Hodeidah province in order to join the fight against the Saudi-led invaders.

According to local sources, the Ibb tribes have send soldiers as well as food and financial support to the Yemeni Armed Forces and the Popular Committees at the front lines.

http://www.newnewss.net/yemeni-tribes-send-reinforcements-to-west-coast-front-in-yemens-hodeida/

Remark: From the Houthis’ side.

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Al-Khalaquy to BBC: Unprecedent Troops Near Al-Hodeida are not for Picnic… This is the Battel of Determination to Liberate it from Al-Houthis

On Tuesday June 12th, 2018, at 6:30 PM, BBC Arabic held an interview with Dr. Ali Al-Khalaquy, an academic and political analyst, to talk about recent events in Al-Hodeida. SMA News is publishing BBC questions and Dr. Al-Khalaquy’s responses.

Q: There are several mediations to avoid fighting inside the city that may lead to severe human loses. Do you expect that UN mediation may convince Al-Houthis to withdraw and abandon the city to avoid a military clash or not?
Dr. Al-Khalaquy: In my opinion, this is up to Al-Houthis and I think they will not risk the remains of their exhausted troops. We saw the same thing when they were forced to leave Adan. They announced it as a tactical withdrawal. Therefore, I can expect to hear their leaders this night or tomorrow announcing that they will withdraw tactically for the safety of civilians but they will come back to liberate it later.
Q: But, for Al-Houthis, Al-Hodeida is not Adan. It is their life support pipeline that provides them with aids and may be other things. Could Abd Al-Malek Al-Houthi withdraw from the city as if he is announcing a death sentence and creates a suffocating siege over himself?
Dr. Al-Khalaquy: He would remain in Adan if he could. Also, he would remain in Al-Hodeida if he could. But facts on the ground and this unprecedent advance of troops in the west coast is not for picnic. The decision is made and this is the battel of determination.

http://en.smanews.org/al-khalaquy-to-bbc-unprecedent-troops-near-al-hodeida-are-not-for-picnic-this-is-the-battel-of-determination-to-liberate-it-from-al-houthis

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Krieg in Jemen: UN evakuiert Mitarbeiter aus al-Hudaida

Die Vereinten Nationen evakuieren ihre internationalen Mitarbeiter aus der jemenitischen Hafenstadt al-Hudaida wegen der Gefahr, dass die Ortschaft bald erstürmt werden könnte.

Nach Angaben des Pressesprechers des UN-Hochkommissars für humanitäre Angelegenheiten Jens Lerke mussten rund zehn Mitarbeiter der Uno aus der Stat wegen einem drohenden Angriff abgezogen werden.

Die Mitarbeiter seien nach Sanaa, die Hauptstadt von Jemen, verlegt worden.

„Weniger als zehn internationale Mitarbeiter sind nach Sanaa verlegt worden. Etwa 41 einheimische Angestellte bleiben vor Ort in al-Hudaida“, sagte der Pressesprecher.

Gleichzeitig betonte Lerke, dass die UN sowie andere internationalen Organisationen weiterhin planen, ihre Hilfe in dem Land zu leisten.

https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20180612321128934-krieg-jemen-uno-abzug/

Mein Kommentar: Auch aus Ruanda war 1994 die UN ganz schnell abgehauen… Und auch diesmal lässt sie sich von den VAE vorführen… denn hinter den VAE stehen die USA.

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UN warnen vor Eskalation-Hunderte Tote bei Kämpfen im Jemen

Hodeida gilt als wichtigster Hafen für den kriegsgebeutelten Jemen. Der Großteil aller Waren und Hilfsgüter kommt dort an. Doch nun nähern sich die Gefechte der Stadt.

Mehr als 600 Kämpfer sollen bei Gefechten an der Westküste des Jemens ums Leben gekommen sein. Wie aus Sicherheitskreisen verlautete, gab es in den vergangenen Tagen sowohl bei den regierungsloyalen Kräften als auch auf Seiten der schiitischen Huthi-Rebellen heftige Verluste. Dutzende Familien wurden nach Angaben von Augenzeugen aus ihren Häusern in die Flucht getrieben.

UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres sagte am Montag, der UN-Gesandte Martin Griffiths stecke in Verhandlungen, um eine "militärische Konfrontation in Hodeida" zu vermeiden. Der bei den UN für humanitäre Angelegenheiten zuständige Mark Lowcock sagte nach einem Treffen mit den UN-Sicherheitsrat zu Reportern, es sei wichtig "eine Schlacht" um Hodeida zu verhindern. "90 Prozent von Lebensmitteln, Treibstoff und Arzneimitteln im Jemen werden importiert", sagte er. 70 Prozent gelangten über Hodeida ins Land, darunter dringend benötigte humanitäre Hilfe für mehr als sieben Millionen Menschen.

Die USA forderten alle Konfliktparteien auf, eine humanitäre Versorgung aller Jemeniten zu gewährleisten, wie US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo sagte. Die Vereinigten Staaten beobachteten die Entwicklungen in Hodeida genau, teilte er mit.

https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute/kaempfe-im-jemen-eskalieren-un-warnen-vor-schlacht-um-hodeida-100.html

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Jemen: Hilfsorganisationen ziehen sich aus wichtiger Hafenstadt zurück

Angesichts einer bevorstehenden Militäroffensive auf die Hafenstadt Hudaida im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen zeigen sich internationale Hilfsorganisationen sehr besorgt. Der Menschenrechtsorganisation Amnesty International zufolge mussten Zehntausende Menschen bereits aus der Stadt am Roten Meer unter Kontrolle der Huthi-Rebellen fliehen. Über den wichtigen Hafen Hudaida kommen 70 Prozent der spärlichen humanitären Hilfe in den Jemen.

UN-Nothilfekoordinator Mark Lowcock, äußerte sich am Mittwoch besorgt: "Die U.N. und andere humanitäre Organisationen richten ihre Präsenz gerade neu aus. Es ist aber unsere Absicht, vor Ort zu bleiben und weiter zu liefern. Wir haben immer noch Dutzende UN-Mitarbeiter in Hudaida."

Sollten die Hilfsorganisationen, von denen viele ihre Mitarbeiter vor Ort bereits abgezogen haben, nicht mehr über Hudaida Zugang zu dem Land bekommen, droht dem Norden der komplette Kollaps. Die aktuelle Nahrungskrise könnte sich im schlimmsten Fall zu einer Hungersnot ausweiten. (mit Film)

http://de.euronews.com/2018/06/12/jemen-hilfsorganisationen-ziehen-sich-aus-wichtiger-hafenstadt-zuruck und Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJaYcrmMMGc

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UN will Präsenz im Jemen ändern

Angesichts einer bevorstehenden Militäroffensive auf die jemenitische Hafenstadt Hodeida wollen die Vereinten Nationen ihre Präsenz in dem Bürgerkriegsland ändern. Derzeit seien noch dutzende UN-Mitarbeiter in Hodeida stationiert, sagte der UN-Nothilfekoordinator Mark Lowcock am Montag in New York dem UN-Sicherheitsrat bei einer von Großbritannien einberufenen Sondersitzung. Details zu den neuen Planungen nannte Lowock nicht, die Vereinten Nationen wollten aber grundsätzlich im Jemen bleiben, sagte er.

Der UN-Sondergesandte Martin Griffiths befinde sich in „angespannten Konsultationen“ mit Saudi-Arabien und den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten, um einen Angriff auf Hodeida doch noch zu verhindern, sagte UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres am Montag. Die USA verfolgten die Entwicklungen im Jemen genau, sagte US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo.

Mit Blick auf die Offensive auf Hodeida zeigte sich auch ein Bündnis internationaler Hilfsorganisationen besorgt.

http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/buergerkriegsland-un-will-praesenz-im-jemen-aendern/22674226.html

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Jemen: Hilfsorganisationen warnen vor militärischem Angriff auf die Hafenstadt Hodeidah Einfuhr von Nahrungsmitteln über den Hafen könnte zum Erliegen kommen

Ein Bündnis internationaler Hilfsorganisationen warnt in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung eindringlich vor den Folgen eines möglichen Militärschlags auf die jemenitische Hafenstadt Hodeidah für die Versorgung und Sicherheit der Zivilbevölkerung. Vertrauenswürdigen Berichten zufolge könnte ein

Ein solcher Angriff hätte katastrophale Auswirkungen auf die Zivilgesellschaft. Ein Großteil der jemenitischen Bevölkerung würde davon betroffen sein: eingeschlossen inmitten von Kampfhandlungen oder erneut vertrieben. Zudem würde sich die aktuelle Nahrungskrise im schlimmsten Fall zu einer Hungersnot ausweiten.

Wenn nun die Einfuhr von Nahrung über den Hafen von Hodeidah zum Erliegen käme, hätte das katastrophale Auswirkungen auf die Bevölkerung. Die UN befürchtet, dass ein solcher Angriff 250.000 Menschen vor Ort ihre Existenz und sogar ihr Leben kosten könnte.

CARE und die weiteren Hilfsorganisationen fordern deshalb dringend alle Konfliktparteien auf, sofort die Kampfhandlungen in Hodeidah sowie dem Hafen Saleef einzustellen. Nur so können eine massenhafte Vertreibung sowie eine Hungersnot noch vermieden werden. Zudem würde ein solcher Angriff die Bemühungen des UN-Sondergesandten, neue Friedensgespräche zu initiieren, zum Scheitern verurteilen.

https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/jemen-hilfsorganisationen-warnen-vor-militaerischem-angriff-auf-die-hafenstadt-hodeidah-einfuhr-von-nahrungsmitteln-ueber-den-hafen-koennte-zum-erliegen-kommen-6277224 und auch https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/333988.warnung-vor-angriff-auf-hudaida.html

(A K P)

US troops prepare to direct confrontation with Yemenis in west coast

US troops are preparing for a military landing from barges to implement a military operation in the west coast of Yemen, according to information obtained by Yemen Press Agency.

This came in the framework of the new plan of the United States of America for a direct military intervention by its Marines force to rescue Saudi-led coalition forces, which failed to progress militarily in the west coast and Hodeidah province.

The information revealed that the US direct intervention plan includes several targets in the Red Sea and the western coast of Yemen, including Kamran Island.

http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/us-troops-prepare-to-direct-confrontation-with-yemenis-in-west-coast_897237.html

My comment: Not otherwise recorded; sounds quite doubtful.

(A K P)

Saudi-led coalition to pay $5 billion for Israel to help attack on Yemen’s Hodeidah port

Saudi-led coalition is to pay five billion dollar for Israel for taking part in an imminent attack led by the coalition on Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, officials familiar with the issue said on Monday.
The move came after the Yemeni army defeated the coalition forces and their militias in fierce battles over the past days, killing hundreds and destroying dozens of military equipment in the western coast.
The officials said Israeli war planes carrying cargoes of modern weapons and Israeli fighter jets have landed at Saudi Khamis Mushayt military base over the past few days to take part in the assault.

http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/saudi-led-coalition-to-pay-5-billion-for-israel-to-help-attack-on-yemen%E2%80%99s-hodeidah-port_897238.html

My comment: Not otherwise recorded; sounds quite doubtful.

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NYT Editorial Board: On the Brink of Disaster in Yemen

Standing by. That’s about all the Trump administration is doing as America’s allies on the Arabian Peninsula prepare to intensify Yemen’s misery.

Over the course of this conflict, President Trump has emboldened Saudi and emirati leaders. He shares their antipathy for Iran and will sell them virtually any weapon they want.

Now, the Trump administration, which also supplies the coalition with intelligence, refueling capabilities and other assistance, is sending mixed signals. While the Pentagon urged the coalition not to attack, a statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday made no such explicit request. Instead, he made clear to the emirate leaders “our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and lifesaving commercial imports.” He mildly called for all sides to work with the United Nations on a political solution.

Although coalition leaders have argued that the offensive can be carried out quickly, they have repeatedly miscalculated over the years, trapping their countries in a quagmire. The result has been countless civilian deaths, many attributed to indiscriminate coalition bombing attacks. Under international law, these attacks may qualify as war crimes in which the United States and Britain, another arms supplier, are complicit. The Trump administration should speak with one voice to its Arab allies, making clear that an attack on Al Hudaydah would be a disaster and that even considering such action reveals how futile their policy in Yemen has been. Working with the Houthis and the United Nations on a cease-fire and a deal for neutral control of the port could be the first step to a political settlement that is the only hope for peace.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/opinion/yemen-saudi-attack-port-houthis.html

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Amid Warnings Saudi Attack Will Plunge Yemen Into Famine, Urgent Demand for US to End 'Complicity in This Atrocity'

Peace advocates and international observers are warning that a looming U.S.-backed assault on the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah could throw the war-torn country into the famine that human rights groups have warned about for months—and implored members of Congress on Tuesday to take immediate action to end the Saudi-led coalition's offensive.

"A prolonged battle over Hudaydah—whether the city or the port—will be the tipping point that plunges the millions of people suffering in Yemen into a full blown famine and an even greater humanitarian crisis," said Kate Kizer, policy director for Win Without War.

"For years we have watched American politicians proclaim their concern over the immense human suffering caused by the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, and now is the chance to turn that concern into action," said Kizer.

A small bipartisan group of lawmakers in Congress have taken a leadership role by circulating a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis urging him to stop the attack.

Mattis's fellow Trump cabinet member, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, showed no interest in stopping the UAE's impending attack on Hudaydah in a statement on Monday, saying the U.S. aimed to address the UAE's "security concerns" while allowing humanitarian aid and imports to flow freely into Yemen. The statement was read by critics as an implicit green light for the assault.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/12/amid-warnings-saudi-attack-will-plunge-yemen-famine-urgent-demand-us-end-complicity

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Yemen - U.S. Grants Approval For Genocide

The genocide in Yemen is going to start tomorrow. Eight million are already on the brink of starvation. Eighteen out of twenty-six million Yemenis live in the mountainous heartlands (green) which are under control of the Houthi and their allies. They are surrounded by Saudi and U.A.E. forces and their mercenaries. There is little agriculture. The only supply line from the outside world will soon be cut off. The people will starve.

[Der Völkermord im Jemen beginnt morgen. Acht Millionen befinden sich bereits am Rande des Abgrunds des Hungers. 18 von 26 Millionen Jemeniten leben im bergigen Hochland (auf der Karte grün eingezeichnet), das sich unter der Kontrolle der Houthi und ihrer Verbündeten befindet. Sie sind von Saudi- und VAE-Truppen sowie deren Söldnern umzingelt. Es gibt wenig Landwirtschaft. Die einzige Versorgungslinie zur Aussenwelt wird demnächst abgeschnitten werden. Dann werden Leute verhungern.]

The United Arab Emirates is leading local mercenaries and Islamist gangs against the Houthi and their allies. During the last months these forces moved from the south along the coast up to Hodeidah. The fighting is fierce.

Tomorrow, when the media will be busy with the Kim-Trump photo-op summit, the UAE forces will launch their attack on the city.

The UN, which oversees the aid distribution through Hodeidah, tried to negotiate between the parties:

The UN is now evacuating its staff:

The U.S., through its Secretary of State Pompeo, just gave a green light to the UAE to launch its attack.

Neither the Emirates nor the Saudis have any interest in letting humanitarian aid flow. They are absolutely ruthless.

Hodeidah, with 600,000 regular inhabitants and hundred thousands of refugees, will be difficult to conquer. No supplies will flow through the port while the fight is ongoing. Should the UAE forces be able to take the port they are unlikely to allow aid to pass towards the Houthi controlled areas. There will be a huge famine, hundred thousands if not millions will die.

It would be easy for the Trump administration to stop the UAE attack.

From its very beginning the Trump administration has been extremely close (long read) with the Israeli, Emirati and Saudi rulers. Their common aim is to counter Iran. But Iran is hardly involved in Yemen.

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/06/us-grants-approval-for-genocide-in-yemen.html

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Saudi-led alliance set for battle in biggest Yemeni port

A Saudi-led coalition geared up on Tuesday for an assault on Yemen’s main port, preparing to launch by far the biggest battle of a three-year-old war between an alliance of Arab states and the Houthi movement that controls Yemen’s capital.

The United Arab Emirates, one of the main members of the Western-backed alliance, has set a Tuesday deadline for the Iran-aligned Houthis to withdraw from the port of Hodeidah under U.N.-led negotiations or face an assault.

“These are the last and final hours to get unconditional guarantees that the Houthis will leave the port,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told Reuters, but declined to discuss military operations.

“If the current situation continues we will have a stalemate politically,” he said. “The last thing we want is to prolong the war in Yemen.”

It would be the first time since they joined the war on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government that the foreign armies have attempted to capture such a well-defended major city.

Local military sources said hundreds of Yemeni fighters as well as tanks and military supplies from the UAE arrived on Monday to reinforce troops, including Emiratis and Sudanese, in al-Durayhmi, a rural area 10 km (6.21 miles) south of Hodeidah.

The sources said Yemeni forces allied to the Saudi-led coalition — drawn from southern separatists, local units from the Red Sea coastal plain and a battalion led by a nephew of late former president Ali Abdullah Saleh — had advanced and were “at the doors” of Hodeidah airport.

“I think the Emiratis have done a good job in presenting compelling arguments about why an operation (on Hodeidah) could in the end tip the balance and apply enough pressure to bring the Houthis to the table,” a Western diplomat said on Monday.

“The Emiratis’ preparedness is crucial in this. This is possibly what we’re most concerned about.”

Saudi Arabia’s Western allies, under increasing scrutiny for selling arms to the states fighting in Yemen, have not publicly made clear whether they approve of an assault on Hodeidah.

The coalition says one of the main justifications for its intervention is to protect Red Sea shipping, which brings Middle East oil and Asian goods to Europe through the Suez Canal.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/saudi-led-alliance-set-for-battle-in-biggest-yemeni-port-idUSKBN1J818W

My comment: The Western diplomat’s statement is just repeating nonsense propaganda. The matter NEVER has been to “pressure to bring the Houthis to the table,” (as if they had been unwilling to), but ALWAYS it was to to “pressure to bring the Houthis to the table and accept all our preconditions, which in fact include that they must capitulate.” – „one of the main justifications for its intervention is to protect Red Sea shipping” is nonsense propaganda. Shipping NEVER was endangered by the fact that the Houthis held Hodeidah, but just by the fighting, air raids and assault by the Saudi coalition against the Houthi-held Yemeni coast, Hodeidah city, and Yemeni fisherboats in the sea.

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Anti-rebel forces prepare for Yemen port attack despite UN alarm

Pro-government forces fighting Yemen's Huthi rebels are sending reinforcements towards the port of Hodeida, military sources said Tuesday, amid UN warnings against a high-stakes battle for the key aid gateway.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said his envoy Martin Griffiths has been locked in "intense negotiations" with the Iran-backed Huthis, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to find a "way to avoid the military confrontation in Hodeida."

During a meeting with Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled Alyemany, Guterres stressed that "everyone should redouble efforts to find a political solution and avoid a fierce, bloody battle for Hodeida," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Loyalist Yemeni military sources said the UAE-backed pro-government forces were dispatching reinforcements towards the Red Sea port.

Anti-rebel forces made use of a break in fighting from Monday to send troops and equipment towards the front line, currently around 40 kilometres south of Hodeida, the sources said.

The countdown to take the port has started, Emirati newspaper The National declared on Tuesday as it warned "all signs... pointed to an imminent offensive".

The pro-government Yemeni forces are a mix of local fighters, those loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, and supporters of the ex-head of state, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was killed in December by his former Huthi allies.

They are backed on the ground by the UAE, while Saudi Arabia has been leading a campaign of air strikes.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5834765/Anti-rebel-forces-prepare-Yemen-port-attack-despite-UN-alarm.html and also adopted by Saudi news site http://www.arabnews.com/node/1320411/middle-east

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Countdown begins to Hodeidah offensive as UN efforts fail

Diplomatic measures appear to have been exhausted and all signs point to a military battle for the city

All signs early on Tuesday pointed to an imminent offensive on Yemen’s coastal city of Hodeidah, led by the national Yemeni forces and with support from the Arab coalition to end the Houthi militia control over the city.

On Monday, UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met in Saudi Arabia with Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to discuss the flow of humanitarian aid to the country according to the Emirates News Agency. In New York, a meeting at the United Nations Security Council failed to bring forth a diplomatic breakthrough to the stalemate.

UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths held several rounds of talks last week in Sanaa without being able to convince the Houthis to hand control over of the Hodeidah port to UN-supervised international forces. The Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE agreed to international supervision over the port, but this was also met by Houthis’ rejection .

Meanwhile, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the US “is closely following developments” and has “spoken with Emirati leaders and made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports.”

Maintaining open corridors for the aid and avoiding a humanitarian crisis in a city inhabited by half a million people is a key priority for Washington.

Militarily, one source predicted that “a wider campaign that involves serious coalition firepower ... makes it unlikely that the Houthis will be able to hold the city or its port for more than a few weeks.”

The coalition would need to sever the highway running north of the city, and also secure the port and airport to establish bases of operation close to the city.

Urban battles, however, will jeopardise civilian lives and risks bogging down assaulting forces.

The spokesperson of the Arab coalition Colonel Turki Maliki, stressed in a press conference on Monday the need to protect civilians and sustain the flow of aid. Yemen’s minister of human rights Mohamad Askar summed up the dilemma by tweeting:

“There is a humanitarian cost to liberate #Hodeidah, but if the city remains under the control of the Iranian-backed #Houthis militias that’s will result in a higher cost for sure.”

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/countdown-begins-to-hodeidah-offensive-as-un-efforts-fail-1.739187 and similar by the same source https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemeni-president-in-uae-amid-reports-of-imminent-hodeidah-offensive-1.739187

My comment: By Emirati media. What to comment on this? The least which can be said that the deliberately WANT to assault Hodeidah and that the whole matter is a public slap in the face of the UN. – The most horrible sentence might be the last one quoted here. It’s commented this way:

History Repeating with the #Yemen-i Minister of 'Human Rights' (government in exile) learning the lesson from Magdalene Albright in one of the lowest moments of humankind

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515.1073741828.961126490607048/1773711962681826/?type=3

Comment: What security concerns for UAE? They are the aggressors; they are the ones dropping bombs, they are the ones with US and UK and European made arsenals they are using to kill Yemeni and destroy #Yemen! Have people lost their souls?

https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1006196680885014528

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U.S.-Backed Catastrophe Brewing in Yemen

A Gulf-led coalition is preparing to assault a key Yemeni port, risking a fresh humanitarian crisis.

The Trump administration’s reaction dismayed former U.S. officials and aid groups who fear vulnerable civilians throughout Yemen will pay the price with bloody urban fighting and disrupted humanitarian supplies.

“The only thing that’s going to make a difference is a clear warning not to attack, with clear consequences,” said Scott Paul, a Yemen expert at Oxfam America, the aid group. In contrast, the lukewarm U.S. pushback, he said, makes the United States responsible for what happens.

Pompeo’s statement was “very tepid,” said Stephen Seche, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Yemen from 2007 to 2010. “For these types of statements, what you don’t say is as important as what you do say. [Pompeo] made no mention of any red flags or dangers of an assault on Hodeida,” he said. “By not mentioning that, it suggests there is a lessening of U.S. opposition to an offensive.”

The State Department declined to comment further on concerns about exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

The mild U.S. response highlights the tricky situation the Trump administration faces in Yemen and the wider region. The United States is carrying out military strikes in Yemen against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and sees the country as a key battleground for Iran’s growing influence in the Arabian Peninsula. It has also provided support for the Saudis and Emiratis to fight against Iran-backed rebels, while nudging the coalition toward a political resolution to the crisis.

And the Trump administration needs to keep Saudi Arabia and the Emirates on board for its broader policy of pushing back against Iranian influence throughout the Middle East, especially now that it has scuppered the Iran nuclear deal and is putting more economic pressure on Tehran. That adds up to leeway for the Saudis and Emiratis in Yemen.

“We are increasingly of a mind to let the Saudis and Emiratis prosecute their war in Yemen without us getting in their hair about how they do it,”said Seche, the former ambassador.

While U.S. defense officials have been vocal in cautioning coalition forces against the offensive, they’ve been loath to use what leverage they do have — threatening to stop fueling Saudi jets or providing intelligence, for example — because then Washington might have even less ability to shape how the Saudis and Emiratis fight the war, Dalton said.

But any attack on Hodeida could redouble congressional frustration with U.S. support for the war, Dalton said. Sen. Chris Murphy (D.-Conn.), a co-sponsor of that failed resolution this spring, sharply criticized U.S. support for a coalition air attack Monday on a Doctors Without Borders cholera treatment facility, warning “The Yemen War is spiraling out of control.”

Seche, the former U.S. ambassador, also suggested an assault on the port would be much more difficult than the Emiratis seem to think, portending a slog rather than a quick victory that could speed up the war’s conclusion.

“Houthis have had a lot of time to establish themselves in this city,” he said. “The Houthis are very good at one thing, and that’s fighting.” Houthi officials this spring told the International Crisis Group that they would make a defiant bloody stand in the city – BY KEITH JOHNSON, COLUM LYNCH, ROBBIE GRAMER

http://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/11/u-s-backed-catastrophe-brewing-in-yemen/

and another article covering all this by Press TV Iran: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/06/12/564720/Yemen-Hudaydah-UAE

Comment: The US feels it must maintain military support for the UAE-Saudi Coalition in Yemen in order to preserve influence over their operations -- the most dangerous and significant of which (attacking Hodeidah) it now suggests is out of its control to halt.

https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/1006328537958289408

Unless something has changed, US tankers will continue to refuel Gulf jets destined to bomb Hodeidah, an operation which Washington was sort of maybe against? Perhaps the best example of how the military support has been treated as an axiom, rather than a political decision.

https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/1006329208665145345

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If the US fails to stop the Hudaydah attack, it will own the consequences

The humanitarian community has been crystal clear about the consequences of the operation. Oxfam recently warned that this operation will result in many more families burying their loved ones. The UN has been bold enough to put a number on the worst case scenario: 250,000 dead, with hundreds of thousands more affected. Martin Griffiths, the UN peace envoy for Yemen, told the Security Council last month that the battle would “take peace off the table in a single stroke.” In the fallout, no one can claim to not have been warned.

That includes the US, which for a time considered actively supporting the UAE operation. The US appears to have decided against participating in the battle and hinted at its opposition to any military activity that will exacerbate the humanitarian situation. The US government wants to note its humanitarian concerns, but not oppose the offensive strongly enough to appear critical of or at odds with its ally, the UAE. To put it bluntly, US statements are being crafted to evade responsibility, not save lives.

With hundreds of thousands of Yemenis at risk, this is not the time for the US, or any state, to hide behind carefully crafted disavowals. The US could threaten to end its participation in the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition in Yemen if the offensive proceeds. It could threaten to end any broader Yemen-related defense cooperation, including arms sales to the UAE. It could threaten sanctions or other economic consequences – by Scott Paul, Oxfam America

https://politicsofpoverty.oxfamamerica.org/2018/06/if-the-us-fails-to-stop-the-hudaydah-attack-it-will-own-the-consequences/

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[11 international NGOs]: Letter to Foreign Secretary regarding rapidly deteriorating crisis in Yemen

We are writing to express our alarm at the rapidly deteriorating crisis in Yemen and to urge you to do more to press the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to ensure that the port city of Hodeidah is not attacked.

According to credible reports, including an email received by operational agencies from the UK’s Department for International Development, an attack of the city now looks imminent.

We are aware that the UK has worked hard to discourage an attack through private diplomatic channels. Given the imminence of the threat, we now appeal to you to send a clear public statement that the UK cannot continue to support any party that attacks the port of Hodeidah, and that all parties will be held accountable for any violations against civilians. We urge the UK to redouble its efforts, bilaterally and at the UN Security Council, to push all parties to engage with the UN Special Envoy’s peace process.

The UK, as a key ally of states in the Saudi Arabia-led Coalition, has a vital role to play in preventing this attack and working toward a ceasefire and lasting peace deal.

https://www.careinternational.org.uk/letter-foreign-secretary-regarding-rapidly-deteriorating-crisis-yemen

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Aid groups warn of 'catastrophic consequences' in Yemen's Hodeidah

Nadine Drummond, Save the Children's spokesperson in Yemen, explained how civilians will be caught in the crossfire: "The use of explosive weapons will have a devastating effect on civilians. The conflict could displace half a million people from Hodeidah. An estimated 100,000 people have been displaced already, many fled to Ibb and Taiz."

Families and children will be at risk of being trapped or displaced, and there is a severe risk of an increase in diseases and a worsening shortage of food, including possible famine, Save the Children warned.

"More families wanted to leave but could not afford to. This means they are the most vulnerable and the escalation in the violence will have severe consequences on them," said Drummond.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/aid-groups-warn-famine-consequences-yemens-hodeidah-1415193452

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Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore calling for the protection of children in Hodeida and throughout Yemen, 12 June 2018

“As Hodeida faces the threat of an assault, I am extremely concerned about the impact it will have on children in this port city and beyond.

“UNICEF estimates that at least 300,000 children currently live in and around Hodeidah city – boys and girls who have been suffering for so long already.

“Millions more children throughout Yemen depend on the humanitarian and commercial goods that come through that port every day for their very survival. Without food imports, one of the world’s worst malnutrition crises will only worsen. Without fuel imports, critical for water pumping, people’s access to drinking water will shrink further, leading to even more cases of acute watery diarrhea and cholera, both of which can be deadly for small children.

“There are 11 million children in need of humanitarian aid in this war-torn country. Choking off this lifeline will have devastating consequences for every one of them.

“Aid distribution should continue unimpeded and civilians wishing to move to safe areas should be allowed to do so

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/statement-unicef-executive-director-henrietta-h-fore-calling-protection-children and also https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/06/1012032

(A H)

O n Sunday we spent the night with our #Hodeidah team reviewing contingency & supply plans. Together with our partners,come what may, we continue serving 1000s of conflict affected children ensuring their access to lifesaving services. (photo)

https://twitter.com/EliasdDiab/status/1006640432254681088

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Norwegian Refugee Council: Update on the situation in Hodeida, Yemen, 12 June 2018

On-the-record update from the Norwegian Refugee Council on the situation in Hodeida, 12 June:

Fighting along Yemen's west coast is closing-in on the port city of Hodeida.

NRC staff in Hodeida report that the city is tense, amid media reports of airstrikes inside the city, most notably in the Al-Doraihimi District and the Southern part of Hodeida governorate.

UN OCHA reports that around 2,700 families have been displaced since the offensive started.

Initial estimates are that the most pressing needs in the city are food, clean water and hygiene kits to prevent the spread of cholera.

NRC operations in Hodeida:

NRC is present in Hodeida with lifesaving activities that include distributing food, water and hygiene items. NRC also provides unconditional cash transfers to families which allows them the freedom to buy what they need the most. NRC works with local authorities to provide solid waste management in order to prevent cholera.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/update-situation-hodeida-yemen-12-june-2018

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UK-built jets may join bombing of Yemen's ‘humanitarian lifeline’ port, warns CAAT

UK-manufactured fighter jets may be “central” to UAE air strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah which the UN has warned could result in hundreds of thousands of deaths if it is attacked.

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT ) said British Prime Minister Theresa May should use her influence to stop the gulf countries’ air bombing of Yemen.

Andrew Smith of Campaign Against Arms Trade said: "No matter how dire the situation in Yemen has become, the arms sales have continued unabated. If an assault on Hodeidah takes place then it is likely that UK fighter jets and missiles will play a central role in it.

https://www.rt.com/uk/429489-yemen-hodeidah-aid-bombing/

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U.N. and Red Cross Pull Out of Yemeni City, Fearing Assault by Arab Coalition

The United Nations and the International Committee for the Red Cross withdrew their staff members from the besieged Yemeni port city of Al Hudaydah, fearing that an attack by forces led by the United Arab Emirates was imminent, officials said Monday.

Frantic diplomacy to stave off an attack on the city of 600,000 people and avert a potential humanitarian disaster moved to the United Nations on Monday, where the Security Council held a closed-door briefing on the situation.

Although the Trump administration has developed close ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, many members of Congress and international diplomats blame the two countries for exacerbating what the United Nations says is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with indiscriminate attacks that have been responsible for thousands of civilian deaths.

Diplomats in the region said that only pressure from Washington, which sells tens of millions of dollars of weapons to the United Arab Emirates and to Saudi Arabia every year, could stop the assault.

The two Arab countries’ close relationships with the White House — and the deep divisions in Washington — have emboldened them to push ahead with their own agendas, including the war in Yemen.

Part of the Emirati calculation appears to be the desire to strike a huge blow against the Houthis, which the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia consider a proxy for their regional nemesis, Iran. That coalition has long sought to seize the city and deny the Houthis a vital piece of territory, while giving the Arab nations an upper hand in peace negotiations.

The United Nations special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has been working to forge an agreement with the Houthis to hand over control of the city and its port to the international body, depriving the Emiratis and Saudis of their rationale for an attack.

Diplomats familiar with the situation say that while he has made progress, it is unclear whether the Saudis and the Emiratis would back any such breakthrough. There was no immediate response from the Emirati government on Monday about the plan to attack Al Hudaydah.

Diplomats involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations say that the United Arab Emirates officially warned the British government on Friday that an attack on Al Hudaydah was imminent. The Emiratis said then that they would give three days for humanitarian workers and nongovernmental organizations to flee the city.

These officials say they believe that the Emiratis, who are leading the push for an attack, are looking to launch their planned assault while Washington’s attention is focused this week on the summit meeting between President Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/11/world/middleeast/yemen-attack-uae-saudi-arabia.html

and commenting on this and putting things straight:

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UN, Red Cross Evacuate Staff From Yemen Port City Ahead Of "Imminent" US-Saudi Coalition Assault

While acknowledging the US to be a major part of the coalition preparing for the attack on Al Hudaydah, the NYT has still managed to paint the US-Saudi-Emirati forces as benevolent-minded saviors bent on rescuing Yemeni civilians.

While first noting that "Yemen is already classified as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster" with "more than 75 percent of the population... dependent on food aid" and as "millions are on the brink of starvation" the NYT report absurdly emphasizes that only the Americans can stave off disaster: "Diplomats in the region say they believe that only more pressure from Washington will stop the planned assault."

Thus while the Pentagon has long been at the forefront of the war on Yemen which has caused the deaths of thousands of children, according to one leaked UN report from last summer, the NYT presents the US role as, in our words, 'reluctant humanitarian aggressors' of some sort.

So the NYT wants us to believe that American officials have constantly "warned" the Saudis against committing war crimes on a massive scale while simultaneously leading the very coalition committing the aggression with overwhelming firepower? It's really just par for the MSM course.

It bears continually repeating that the US itself has played a lead and integral part of the coalition (also including Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, and with the UK as a huge supplier of weapons) fighting Shia Houthi rebels, which overran the Yemen’s north in 2014. Saudi airstrikes on the impoverished country, which have killed many thousands of civilians and displaced tens of thousands, have involved the direct targetting assistance of US intelligence and use of American military hardware.

The NYT further reports that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "said in a statement that he had spoken to Emirati leaders to emphasize the American wish to keep humanitarian supply lines open and to preserve a political process between the opposing sides in Yemen." Pompeo emphasized the US “desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and lifesaving commercial imports,” according to the statement.

This appears code for we will keep bombing the hell out of Yemen but reserve the right to dress it up as 'humanitarian'.

The Houthis are not likely to trust such a scheme as the UN is seen as a Western and US-dominated institution that does the Saudis' bidding.

After all, it remains the case that Saudi Arabia sits on the UN Human Rights Council and within the past years has even held leadership positions within the body. Not only is Saudi Arabia currently massacring civilians in Yemen, but each year sets new record-breaking numbers of domestic sharia court ordered beheadings, including for non-violent offenses like drugs or bizarre accusations of "sorcery" (often a euphemism converting from Islam).

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-06-11/un-red-cross-evacuate-staff-yemen-port-city-ahead-imminent-us-saudi-coalition

Comment: What security concerns for UAE? They are the aggressors; they are the ones dropping bombs, they are the ones with US and UK and European made arsenals they are using to kill Yemeni and destroy #Yemen! Have people lost their souls?

https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1006196680885014528

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U.N. Withdraws From Yemeni Port City Amid Fears Of Devastating Attack

The United Nations has withdrawn its international aid workers from the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, amid intense negotiations to avert a devastating attack by pro-government forces backed by the United Arab Emirates.

"Even before the fighting has reached Hodeidah, the aid effort is already slowing down," Abdikadir Mohamud, the Yemen director of the aid group Mercy Corps said in a statement on Tuesday. "Many aid organizations are being forced to leave the city, drivers are refusing to take their trucks there, and banks are struggling to transfer funds."

His organization said more than one-quarter of Yemen's population is on the brink of starvation.

"Hodeidah is one of the only barriers keeping famine from Yemen's door," Mohamud said. "If this critical lifeline is lost, it could trigger a humanitarian crisis the likes of which has not been seen in decades."

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/12/619170067/u-n-withdraws-from-yemeni-port-city-amid-fears-of-devastating-attack

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U.N. shuttle diplomacy aims to avert assault on vital Yemen port

The United Nations is engaged in “intense” shuttle diplomacy between the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in a bid to avert an attack on Yemen’s Hodeidah port city, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

The U.N. Security Council met behind closed doors on Monday at the request of Britain to be briefed on the situation after heavy fighting erupted near Hodeidah on Friday and Saturday.

“We are, at the present moment, in intense consultation,” Guterres told reporters on Monday. “I hope that it will be possible to avoid a battle for Hodeidah.”

Correspondence sent from European donor governments to aid groups in Yemen on Saturday warned that “a military assault now looks imminent,” according to the text of the correspondence seen by Reuters.

“The Emiratis have informed us today that they will now give a 3-day grace period for the UN (and their partners) to leave the city,” it said.

A Western diplomat confirmed a “72 hour grace period where they (Emiratis) can guarantee they won’t move,” which began on Saturday.

When asked about the three-day deadline to NGOs, Saudi-led coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said at a news conference in Riyadh: “We are working through open and continuous channels with the U.N. envoy to give a chance for a political solution.”

He said past and present U.N. efforts had been met with “intransigence” by the Houthis who he said have refused a political solution to end the crisis.

The United Nations relocated members of its international staff from Hodeidah on Monday.

Guterres said U.N. Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths was shuttling between Sanaa and also the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-usa/u-n-shuttle-diplomacy-aims-to-avert-assault-on-vital-yemen-port-idUSKBN1J71K7

and also http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-security-council-backs-efforts-avert-uae-led-assault-yemens-hodeibah-39439611

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UN seeks urgent ceasefire to stop UAE assault on Yemeni port

The United Arab Emirates has given the UN less than 48 hours to try to negotiate a Houthi ceasefire at the strategic Red Sea port of Hodeidah before it mounts an attack on the port through which the bulk of food, medicine and gas to the rest of Yemen is distributed.

The United Arab Emirates has given the UN less than 48 hours to try to negotiate a Houthi ceasefire at the strategic Red Sea port of Hodeidah before it mounts an attack on the port through which the bulk of food, medicine and gas to the rest of Yemen is distributed.

The UN security council met behind closed doors on Monday at the request of Britain to be briefed on the situation after heavy fighting erupted near the city on Friday and Saturday. The UAE has vowed it will take the port saying it is being used by Houthi rebels to smuggle in arms including missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia itself.

“We are, at the present moment, in intense consultation,” the UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, told reporters. “I hope that it will be possible to avoid a battle for Hodeidah.”

He said the UN’s Yemen envoy, Martin Griffiths, was shuttling between the capital of Yemen Sanaa and also the UAE and Saudi Arabia. One proposal is for the UN to take control of the port or the city.

After briefing the security council on Monday, UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told reporters that “if for any period Hodeidah were not to operate effectively the consequences in humanitarian terms would be catastrophic”.

“While the UN and other humanitarian agencies are reconfiguring their presence it’s also our planned intention though to stay and deliver. We have dozens of UN staff still in Hodeidah,” Lowcock added.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/11/un-seeks-urgent-ceasefire-to-stop-uae-assault-on-yemeni-port

My comment: The UN is blackmailed by the UAE – thanks to US and UK influence. If they would give a red light to the Saudis and UAE and threaten to stop their support, this would be the end of the story.

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Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, Statement on Yemen to the Media at the Security Council Stakeout on Yemen, 11 June 2018

Martin Griffiths and I have just briefed the Council on the current situation in Yemen, especially around Hodeidah. The focus of the discussion has essentially been about how we prevent a battle for Hodeidah. We explained why Hodeidah matters for the whole of the humanitarian operation.

I said that while the UN and other humanitarian organizations are reconfiguring their presence, it is also our plan, intention and hope to stay and deliver. We have dozens of UN staff still in Hodeidah.

We are working with very large numbers of Yemeni organizations and individuals through whom we are reaching 7 million people a month, still, with food assistance - and a larger number than that with other forms of assistance. Those humanitarian operations continue. We plan for them to go on.

I said there are three things that I would like help with from the Council.

The first is to ensure that all stakeholders work together to ensure that Hodeida and Saleef ports remain open and operational without interruption so that we can ensure continued humanitarian relief and adequate levels of essential commercial imports, as well.

Related to that, we would like the Council to try to influence everybody with a stake to ensure that aid supplies and essential commercial imports are able, not just to enter the ports, but also to move from the ports to their final destinations and to the people who benefit from them without impediment.

Secondly

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-mark-7

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Houthi leader welcomes the international calls to stop Hodeida Attack

High Houthis militia official welcomed today the international calls to stop the attack of the government forces supported by Arabic coalition on Hodeida and decreasing the escalation at the west coast fronts.

Mohammed Ali al Houthi the head of what’s called “High revolutionary committee” “we welcome the repeated international calls to stop escalations at west coast”

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99524

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Film: Aid agencies have been warned to evacuate the Yemeni town of Hodeidah

U.N. Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock says, "While the U.N. and other humanitarian agencies are re-configuring their presence it's also our planned intention though to stay and deliver. We have dozens of UN. staff still in Hodeidah."

http://www.euronews.com/2018/06/12/aid-agencies-have-been-warned-to-evacuate-the-yemeni-town-of-hodeidah

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Fears grow of imminent attack on main humanitarian port in Yemen

[similar as articles above, and:]

Will the Houthis withdraw?

The offensive also risks plunging the country into further violence as the coalition tries to wrest control of the strategic city from the rebels. A coalition takeover would tip the conflict in favor of Saudi Arabia and its allies.

"This offensive represents a huge escalation in the conflict ... a lot of it depends on how Hodeidah falls. If the Houthis dig in, this could be a bloody street battle comparable to Aleppo," Baron, the analyst, said.

But "there is the opportunity for a Houthi withdrawal and for the coalition to force a Houthi retreat," Baron adds.

"This is something that could be extremely high-risk and could cause a lot of humanitarian disruption ... there's a reason why you're seeing so much opposition in some quarters."

https://us.cnn.com/2018/06/11/middleeast/un-hodeidah-yemen-intl/index.html

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Saudi-led assault on vital port city in Yemen will begin ‘within days’, say aid workers

UK warns aid agencies to evacuate Hodeidah as diplomatic avenues fail ahead of anticipated battle between Arab coalition and Houthi rebels

“The situation in Hodeidah is already devastating. An attack on the port would have dire, immediate humanitarian consequences,” Salem Jaffer Baobaid, Islamic Relief’s deputy country manager based in the port city, said in a statement.

“People are already literally dying of starvation. The port is the lifeline to much-needed supplies of food and other life-saving resources and any attack would jeopardise the ability of this country to feed itself. We should make no mistake, if the port is out of action, Yemeni citizens will die.”

“It appears the fight for Hodeidah is on,” Adam Baron, a visiting fellow with the European Council for Foreign Relations (ECFR), told The Independent.

“The key question remaining is whether last minute diplomacy by [UN special envoy to Yemen] Martin Griffith can lead to some sort of peaceful resolution.”

A southern district of the city has already seen clashes. Many believe the assault will begin in earnest on Tuesday, when the international community’s attention is focussed on the US-North Korea summit in Singapore.

The imminent offensive was raised as an urgent question in parliament on Monday, where foreign office minister Alistair Burt said the UK was doing its best to discourage UAE forces from the attack.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-civil-war-hodeidah-latest-uae-saudi-offensive-houthis-humanitarian-crisis-a8394096.html

And for others the assault should happen at once:

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Liberation of city enters decisive military phase; Houthi defences collapsing: Hodeidah Governor

Al Hassan Ali Taher, Governor of Hodeidah, has emphasised that the battle for liberating the city of Hodeidah has entered a decisive military phase after the success of the Yemeni Resistance Forces, backed by the Arab Coalition Forces, in securing the coastline stretching from Khokha to Duraihimi District and areas adjacent to Hodeidah, amid intense preparations for the major battle.

The military and the reinforcements have been trained for an incursion to the south of Hodeidah, according to the military plans developed for the collapse of the Houthi defences and fortifications.

In his remarks to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, Taher said that with the approach of zero hour to liberate Hodeidah, the Joint Yemeni Resistance forces continue to clean the areas adjacent to Hodeidah from Houthi militias and all lines of supply, which have failed to carry out infiltration in Al-Jah and Al Hussainiya districts, resulting in human and material loss.

The engineering teams of the Arab Coalition are working to clean up the liberated areas by removing mines planted by Houthis and their remnants, and to protect the Yemeni people and help them return to normal life.

Taher noted that Hodeidah is in the range of the Arab Coalition and the Joint Yemeni Resistance Forces, despite the desperate attempts of the Houthis to open new battlefronts along the coastline to delay the liberation operation and a failed attempt to lift the morale of their forces in the battlefront of Hodeidah.

He also stressed that these attempts will not dissuade the Arab Coalition and the Yemeni Resistance Forces from entering and liberating the city of Hodeidah from the Houthi militias, amid the collapse of their defences and fortifications in Hodeidah.

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694079

Remark: It’s the governor appointed by the Hadi government.

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US loses leverage to stop Yemen operation

Yet fierce fighting on the ground may be moving too fast for the United States to stop it. Over the weekend, as the UN’s top Yemen mediator Martin Griffiths tried to talk the Houthis into peacefully turning over the port, Saudi-backed troops clashed with the rebels just miles from the city, with most UN and nongovernmental organization workers quickly hustled out to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

By late today, key lawmakers had begun losing faith in US efforts to convince Saudi and UAE military officials to stop the assault, after The Wall Street Journal reported that the UN’s shuttle diplomacy failed to move UAE officials and that the Donald Trump administration had given the operation “a blinking yellow light.”

“More evidence the Yemen War is spiraling,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in a tweet. “The US has begged Saudi/UAE coalition not to attack the humanitarian aid port of Hudaydah. New reports suggest they have refused our plea, are readying an assault. Result could be catastrophic.”

Despite the uptick in US refueling, military experts say the UAE is less dependent on the Pentagon for operations in Hodeidah. Once envisioned as an Emirati-led amphibious assault needing advanced US boats to navigate Red Sea minefields laid by Iran, the 45,000-strong force of Yemeni troops has instead moved along the coast in a two-month offensive to reach Hodeidah with refueling support from new helicopter bases.

“It’s a waste of time to point blank stop this operation without offering an alternative,” said Michael Knights, a fellow at the Washington Institute. “If somebody told the US in 2003, don’t go to Baghdad, what would we have said?”

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/06/us-loses-leverage-stop-yemen-hodeidah-operation.html

My comment: The US is not unable but unwilling to stop it.

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Yemen officials: UN pulls staff from key port city Hodeida

Yemeni officials say the United Nations has pulled its international staff out of Hodeida on the Red Sea amid a widely expected assault by government forces to seize the strategic port city.

The officials said Tuesday the U.N.'s operations center there is still being manned by local staff.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/yemen-officials-pulls-staff-key-port-city-hodeida-55830980

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UN pulls staff from Yemen’s Hodeidah ahead of expected imminent assault

NRC says it will stay in key port town ahead of anticipated UAE-led attack

The U.N. decided to evacuate its staff after member states were told that an attack was imminent, the New York Times reported.

Despite a possible imminent attack, the Norwegian Refugee Council said on Monday that was not stopping operations, and is aiming to help 6,000 people.

“For now yes we can [assist people],” Mohamed Abdi, NRC country director for Yemen, told The Defense Post. “But if Hodeidah city is attacked it might difficult as we can’t risk to send our staff to the frontline.”

Currently NRC can still access some districts in the north of Hodeidah, he added.

https://thedefensepost.com/2018/06/11/ngos-evacuate-yemen-hodeidah/

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#Yemen update: Not good. US/UK have failed to stop UAE-led battle for Hodeidah port/city. UN & ICRC evacuate staff from city. Houthis have threatened that if Hodeidah is attacked, its forces will respond by attacks to shut down all Red Sea navigation for commercial ships.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1006221783723380737

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US State Department: Press Statement

Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State

Developments in Hudaydah

The United States is closely following developments in Hudaydah, Yemen. I have spoken with Emirati leaders and made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports. We expect all parties to honor their commitments to work with the UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen on this issue, support a political process to resolve this conflict, ensure humanitarian access to the Yemeni people, and map a stable political future for Yemen.

https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/06/283116.htm

Comment: As a UAE offensive against Hodeidah looks imminent, today's statement from the State Department fails to issue a red light to the attack. This comes after months of insisting it would firmly oppose any such offensive.

https://twitter.com/AlexEmmons/status/1006172403435737088

Comment: What security concerns for UAE? They are the aggressors; they are the ones dropping bombs, they are the ones with US and UK and European made arsenals they are using to kill Yemeni and destroy #Yemen! Have people lost their souls?

https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1006196680885014528

and

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U.S. urges U.N. cooperation as fighting flares in Yemen

Amid new clashes in Yemen, the United States on Monday called on factions to work with the United Nations to end the more than three-year-old conflict that has pitted Iran-aligned Houthis against other Yemeni forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement, said the United States was closely monitoring the situation near Yemen’s main port city of Hodeidah and that he had spoken with leaders of the neighboring United Arab Emirates.

Heavy fighting intensified in the area over the weekend even as the U.N. tries to negotiate a ceasefire, according to military sources. The port handles most of the country’s commercial imports and aid supplies to provide a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

“We expect all parties to honor their commitments to work with the U.N.,” Pompeo said, adding that they should also “support a political process to resolve this conflict, ensure humanitarian access to the Yemeni people, and map a stable political future for Yemen.”

In his call with Emirati leaders, Pompeo said he “made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-usa/u-s-urges-u-n-cooperation-as-fighting-flares-in-yemen-idUSKBN1J71K7?rpc=401& and also https://www.voanews.com/a/us-urges-yemen-to-work-with-un-toward-peace/4433739.html

Comment: What security concerns for UAE? They are the aggressors; they are the ones dropping bombs, they are the ones with US and UK and European made arsenals they are using to kill Yemeni and destroy #Yemen! Have people lost their souls?

https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1006196680885014528

and

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US warns UAE aid must flow through Yemen port

The United States warned Monday that aid must flow through the Yemeni port of Hodeida amid reports that Emirati forces plan to seize it from Huthi rebels.

The statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stopped short of warning the Saudi and UAE-led coalition against besieging the key city.

But he urged them to support United Nations peace efforts. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen has warned such an attack would be a "catastrophe."

Pompeo said the United States is "closely following developments" in Hodeida, home to 600,000 people and the point of entry of 70 percent of Yemen's imports.

"I have spoken with Emirati leaders and made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports," he said.

"We expect all parties to honor their commitments to work with the UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen on this issue, support a political process to resolve this conflict, ensure humanitarian access to the Yemeni people, and map a stable political future for Yemen."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5831309/US-warns-UAE-aid-flow-Yemen-port.html

My comment: Just empty words. The US no more rejects the assault against Hodeidah. This even is admitted here: “stopped short of warning the Saudi and UAE-led coalition against besieging the key city”. Yes, that’s it. – Even Britain is more strict here:

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Britain urges UAE not to press ahead with attack on Yemen's 'lifeline' port

Britain has urged the UAE not to press ahead with an assault on Yemen’s main port following UN warnings that the attack could leave hundreds of thousands dead in a country already on the brink of famine.

“We will continue to discourage any attack on Hodeidah port and will continue to use our influence to do so,” Alistair Burt, a foreign office minister, told the House of Commons.

The Department for International Development (Dfid) warned international aid groups on Saturday that diplomatic negotiations to avert the attack were failing.

“We are doing everything we can through diplomatic channels to discourage an assault on Hodeidah. However despite these actions, a military assault now looks imminent,” Dfid said in an email to aid groups.

By Monday evening, diplomatic efforts to dissuade the UAE were still underway and British officials said they had not lost hope of averting the attack. “It could still be that a negotiated solution is found,” said Mr Burt.

The UK sells weapons to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia and provides logistical support for their military coalition in Yemen. Mr Burt resisted calls from opposition MPs to halt arms supplies or to ensure that UK weapons were not used in the Hodeidah attack.

Several aid agency figures said they believed that the attack was likely to begin on Tuesday, when international attention was focused on the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un in Singapore.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/11/britain-urges-uae-not-press-ahead-attack-yemens-lifeline-port/

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UN scrambles to avert coalition attack on Yemen port

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors Monday to try to avert an attack by the Saudi-led coalition on a key port in Yemen that provides a lifeline for humanitarian aid.

Britain requested the urgent talks after telling aid agencies in the area of the rebel-held port of Hodeida that an attack was imminent by forces of the United Arab Emirates.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there were "intense negotiations" by his UN envoy Martin Griffiths on the fate of the port.

"I hope that there will be a way to avoid the military confrontation in Hodeida," Guterres told reporters.

During the closed session, Griffiths was to brief council members by video-conference from Amman along with UN aid chief Mark Lowcock.

"We recognize the UAE's security concerns and these need to be addressed," British Ambassador Karen Pierce told reporters ahead of the meeting. "But we are also worried about the humanitarian situation."

The coalition maintains that the Red Sea port is used by Yemen's Huthi rebels to smuggle weapons.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5831075/UN-scrambles-avert-coalition-attack-Yemen-port.html

and film, British Ambassador Karen Pierce: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFA9HGk57KI ööö

My comment: And again: This arms smuggle to the Houthis is a propaganda scam to justify any action against Hodeidah. And, also, it’s little convincing if spread by those states and warring parties which sell and buy arms for dozens of billions.

Comment: What security concerns for UAE? They are the aggressors; they are the ones dropping bombs, they are the ones with US and UK and European made arsenals they are using to kill Yemeni and destroy #Yemen! Have people lost their souls?

https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1006196680885014528

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Heavy fighting on Yemen's west coast kills hundreds

Yemeni officials say heavy fighting between pro-government forces and Shiite rebels has killed more than 600 people on both sides in recent days.

Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have been advancing along the western coast in recent weeks as they battle the rebels, known as Houthis.

The officials said Monday the fighting has escalated as government forces close in on the Red Sea port of Hodeidah

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/heavy-fighting-yemens-west-coast-kills-hundreds-55801315

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Yemen’s army advances towards Hodeidah

Yemen’s army, supported by Saudi-led Arab coalition, continued their advancement towards the center of Hodeidah province.

The website of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense, citing sources on the ground, said the army launched attacks on sites held by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in the area of Durahmi.

The sources said the fighting centered in the area of ​​Quba, located five kilometers south of the Hodeidah airport.

A Yemeni military source said the army had made progress on the ground in the Husseiniya area.

There were a number of civilian deaths and the Houthi militia suffered dozens of fatalities and many were injured.

Meanwhile Arab coalition Apache aircraft launched intensive air strikes hitting Houthi targets in several areas south of the province.

Sources said Apache raids targeted militia concentrations in the farm of Barzah and on the road linking the areas of Zabid and al-Haytha, leaving more than 80 dead and dozens injured.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1319596/middle-east

My comment: Saudi source, therefor “Yemen’s army” = anti-Houthi militia and army units.

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Yemen: Army Regains Control of Line Linking Taiz, Hodeidah

Yemeni legitimate forces have continued to advance on the west coast of Yemen towards the center of Hodeidah as the national army forces gained control over the line linking Taiz with the port city.
Taiz axis media center announced the army forces advanced on al-Anin front in Habashi mountain after heavy fighting with Houthi militias.

According to the statement, army troops took control of several areas west of Taiz, killing a number of Houthis, including a sniper, without specifying the toll.

Meanwhile, battles continued on the southern front of Hodeidah, west of Yemen, between the army forces backed by the Arab coalition and Houthi militants.

Qadhmi stressed that the joint forces have been able to neutralize several cities and villages, indicating that al-Garahi directorate and al-Husseiniya city were almost cleared of militias.
The deputy governor explained that the second stage aims to cut off the route of Baajal Directorate from Sanaa, which links Houthis with fighters from all regions.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1297096/yemen-army-regains-control-line-linking-taiz-hodeidah

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More than 250 Houthis killed in Yemen in past week, army says

More than 250 Houthi rebels were killed in battles south of Yemen’s port city of Al Hodeidah in the past week, the army said.

The military-run 26 September news site quoted a source as saying that among the dead were 20 field commanders.

“The forces detained during the battles no less than 143 members of the Houthi militia,” it reported.

On Sunday, the alliance and the Yemen army cut the Houthis’ supply route that links Taez province with Al Hodeidah.

Also, according to an Al Hodeidah-based reporter, dozens of families were forced to flee as battles between the Yemeni forces and the rebels raged.

“Clashes in the farms of Bayt Al Faqih forced dozens to evacuate to a camp for the displaced in Al Khawkhah, which has already been liberated,” he told The National.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/more-than-250-houthis-killed-in-yemen-in-past-week-army-says-1.738831

and

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Yemen's defence ministry says 250 Houthi rebels killed in Hodeidah battles

Yemen's Defense Ministry declared Monday that 250 fighters of the Shiite Houthi group were killed in battles with government forces in the country's western coast areas.

The ministry's official website reported that at least "250 Houthi militiamen were killed in battles with Yemeni nationalist forces in the south part of Hodeidah province during the past week."

The Defence Ministry said that more than 20 field commanders of the Houthi group were included in the death toll prepared by senior Saudi-backed Yemeni officials.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/11/c_137246961.htm

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Jemen: Hilfsorganisationen warnen vor militärischem Angriff auf die Hafenstadt Hodeidah Einfuhr von Nahrungsmitteln über den Hafen könnte zum Erliegen kommen

Ein Bündnis internationaler Hilfsorganisationen warnt in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung eindringlich vor den Folgen eines möglichen Militärschlags auf die jemenitische Hafenstadt Hodeidah für die Versorgung und Sicherheit der Zivilbevölkerung. Vertrauenswürdigen Berichten zufolge könnte ein Angriff unmittelbar bevorstehen. Das legen auch die Ereignisse der letzten Wochen vor Ort nah. Unterzeichner des Aufrufes sind unter anderem CARE, Save the Children, Handicap International und Aktion gegen den Hunger.
Ein solcher Angriff hätte katastrophale Auswirkungen auf die Zivilgesellschaft. Ein Großteil der jemenitischen Bevölkerung würde davon betroffen sein: eingeschlossen inmitten von Kampfhandlungen oder erneut vertrieben. Zudem würde sich die aktuelle Nahrungskrise im schlimmsten Fall zu einer Hungersnot ausweiten.
Wenn nun die Einfuhr von Nahrung über den Hafen von Hodeidah zum Erliegen käme, hätte das katastrophale Auswirkungen auf die Bevölkerung. Die UN befürchtet, dass ein solcher Angriff 250.000 Menschen vor Ort ihre Existenz und sogar ihr Leben kosten könnte.
CARE und die weiteren Hilfsorganisationen fordern deshalb dringend alle Konfliktparteien auf, sofort die Kampfhandlungen in Hodeidah sowie dem Hafen Saleef einzustellen. Nur so können eine massenhafte Vertreibung sowie eine Hungersnot noch vermieden werden.

https://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2018-06/44019581-jemen-hilfsorganisationen-warnen-vor-militaerischem-angriff-auf-die-hafenstadt-hodeidah-einfuhr-von-nahrungsmitteln-ueber-den-hafen-koennte-zum-erliegen-007.htm

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Joint INGO Proactive on the Escalation of Violence on Hodeidah

INGOs in Yemen today warned that any further escalation of violence around the port city Hodeidah could have catastrophic consequences. Humanitarian organizations fear an imminent attack on the city given developments on the ground over recent weeks.

If an attack does take place, it is likely to have a catastrophic impact on the civilian population as large parts of the Yemeni population will be at risk of displacement, disease and worsening food insecurity, including possible famine. Food imports have already reached the lowest levels since the conflict started and the price of basic commodities has risen by a third. Seventeen million people in Yemen are already food insecure, and Hodeidah governorate is already in crisis.[1] People’s coping mechanisms are exhausted.

We are gravely concerned that in the absence of commercial imports in case of an attack on the port for any length of time, parts of the population could experience famine.[2] As the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lise Grande said “as many as 250,000 people may lose everything— even their lives,”[3] if there is a military attack on Hodeidah port.

In order to prevent thousands of civilian casualties, mass displacement, and possible famine, as well as the breakdown of current peace efforts of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, we urge all parties to the conflict to refrain from any further military activities in and around Hodeidah city and the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef. Both ports provide the lifeline to around two thirds of the Yemeni population.

We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease violence, keep the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef open and fully functional, and uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to protect the civilian population from the worst impacts of the violence.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/joint-ingo-proactive-escalation-violence-hodeidah

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Aid groups in Yemen warned attack could endanger all supplies

Agencies told to make plans for imminent assault on Hodeidah described as ‘Yemen’s Aleppo’

The UK’s Department for International Development has told aid groups to make contingency plans for an imminent attack on the strategic port of Hodeidah, a move that could endanger humanitarian supplies for the entire famine-struck country.

The note to aid agencies reads: “We are doing everything we can through diplomatic channels to discourage an assault on Hodeidah. However despite these actions, a military assault now looks imminent.

“The Emiratis have informed us today that they will now give a 3-day grace period for the UN [and their partners] to leave the city. Please take all precautions necessary to prepare for this and let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you in any way. We are thinking of you and your staff at this very difficult time.”

The UK minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said in a tweet: “Extremely concerned that life-saving organizations are not getting the security guarantees they need to work safely in Yemen. All parties to the conflict must allow safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all parts of Yemen”.

It appears that pressure on the UAE to agree a ceasefire is not having much effect, and the US government is unwilling to go as far as damaging ties with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over an issue that is so important to Riyadh.

Reports on Saturday suggested the Lower Al-Jahah area, south of the city, had been captured in fierce fighting. Local experts have said an attack on Hodeidah would be “Yemen’s Aleppo”.

Bipartisan efforts in the US Senate are under way to tell the UAE and Saudi Arabia that proceeding may result in US assistance to the Saudi/UAE coalition in Yemen being severed.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, and Todd Young, a Republican, have already raised that threat.

Military planners have said an attack was not only likely to cause a humanitarian catastrophe, but that it would be a strategic mistake militarily. NGOs have flagged that any military assault that results in obstructions to humanitarian aid could make parties to the conflict liable for UN sanctions under resolution 2216 – by Patrick Wintour

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/10/aid-groups-in-yemen-warned-attack-could-endanger-all-supplies and by Save the Children UK: https://www.savethechildren.net/article/yemen-catastrophic-consequences-civilians-should-port-city-hodeidah-come-under-attack-warn

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International Crisis Group: Yemen: Averting a Destructive Battle for Hodeida - Middle East Briefing N°59

By mid-June it had become clear that the UAE intended to go ahead with the assault despite international pressure, including from the U.S., and despite having previously said it was willing to consider a UN-brokered deal for a handover of the port. This continues a clear trend in Yemen’s war: the warring factions are overconfident in their military prospects, almost always press for military advantage when there is an opportunity for negotiation, and are all too often starkly indifferent to the humanitarian impact of their actions and the plight of ordinary citizens.

It seems likely this trend will continue in Hodeida, and that the conflict will descend into a more devastating new phase. The most likely outcome of a battle for Hodeida is not a quick, clean victory for government forces followed by outright Huthi capitulation, as some hope, but prolonged and destructive fighting in Hodeida’s city, port and immediate environs, followed by a period of maximalist demands from all sides. Because the port is the principal lifeline for not just the Huthi-controlled highlands but also just under two thirds of Yemen’s population, the humanitarian crisis, already the worst in the world, will deepen.

Time to avert such a scenario is fast running out. Government officials and diplomats in the region report that the UAE has informed them the assault on Hodeida is imminent and has reportedly given humanitarian organisations until 12 June to pull staff out of the city. The U.S. government appears to have given the UAE a “yellow light” for the attack. B

Failing that, Yemen will slip further into humanitarian catastrophe. Policymakers need to work urgently and energetically to effect a course correction. But as the offensive looms, they also must accelerate preparations for the worst-case scenario: a bloody, destructive battle for the port and city.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-averting-destructive-battle-hodeida-middle-east-briefing-n-59

(A H K P)

Physicians for Human Rights: Yemeni Port of Hudeidah, a Civilian Lifeline, Must Remain Operational

“PHR condemns any military assault on Hudeidah and calls on the United States, France, and the UK – as well as regional players – to take swift action and leadership to give the international community a strong voice against this planned military assault, and to push for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. An assault on this vital port city, which serves as a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of civilians, would have a devastating humanitarian outcome, including famine, in a country where the civilian populations is already crippled by starvation and despair.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemeni-port-hudeidah-civilian-lifeline-must-remain-operational

(* A H K)

Oxfam: UK Government should intervene to prevent catastrophic attack on Yemen’s food, fuel, medicine ‘life-line’

Oxfam today called on the UK government to throw its full diplomatic weight behind efforts to help prevent an attack on Hodeida port in Yemen. The agency called for it to do this both directly and through the UN.
At the weekend, Oxfam and other aid agencies were alerted to a planned attack on the city by the United Arab Emirates and Yemen government forces and told to leave within three days.
Hodeida is a key port that handles key imports of food, fuel and medicine. With more than 22 million people reliant of humanitarian aid and more than 8 million people one step away from famine, aid agencies have long warned of the humanitarian fall out of such an attack.

Mark Goldring, Oxfam's Chief Executive said:

"The UK Government knows the humanitarian consequences of such an attack risks being catastrophic. It has warned against this action privately, and given the UK's strong links in the Middle East it has a chance to help stop this attack and avert a looming nightmare for Yemeni people.

"We appeal to the UK Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister to use their influence and publicly say they would reconsider their relations will any party that attacks or lays siege to the port Hodeida. They should also should call for a strong unequivocal UN Security Council resolution prohibiting an attack on the port backed by punitive sanctions for any party that does.

https://www.oxfam.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2018/06/yemen-hodeida-attack

(* A H K)

International Rescue Committee: Yemen: imminent attack on port city will lead to catastrophic humanitarian disaster

As the Saudi-led coalition (SLC) in Yemen moves in on Hodeidah, the IRC calls on the UAE and Saudi Arabia to refrain from any attack or besiegement of the port city.

Recent moves by the SLC in Yemen indicate an imminent attack on Yemen’s main port Hodeidah, where 90% of Yemen’s imports enter the country

Considered the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, an attack would worsen the already dire situation in Yemen, which faces a near-famine with 17 million people food insecure

400,000 innocent civilian residents of Hodeidah, including IRC staff on the ground implementing life-saving work, are in immediate danger.

More than 22 million innocent Yemeni civilians are in need of humanitarian aid and 17 million people are food insecure. The country relies on the port of Hodeidah for 90% of its imports and for critical, life-saving aid. An attack or besiegement of the port, and on its 400,000 civilian residents, would have catastrophic consequences. Immediate action is required from all parties to the conflict and the wider international community to deliver an inclusive political solution and put an end to the conflict.

“The port of Hodeidah is a humanitarian lifeline for the people of Yemen,” said David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. “It is imperative that humanitarian supplies are maintained. We repeat, again, that an assault on Hodeidah is a grave threat to life and livelihood. We urge the UN Security Council to meet today to demand immediate assurances to maintain this critical facility.”

https://www.rescue.org/press-release/yemen-imminent-attack-port-city-will-lead-catastrophic-humanitarian-disaster

(* A H K)

Save the Children: Film: Imminent assault on #Hodeidah described as ‘#Yemen ’s Aleppo’, 170,000 children face starvation, disease and horrific violence.

https://twitter.com/SaveUKNews/status/1006110111339892736

Statement: https://twitter.com/SaveUKNews/status/1005873001231986688

(* A H K)

Aljazeera: Film: .@UN warns 250,000 people could die in Yemen's port city of Hudaida.

https://twitter.com/AJEnglish/status/1005834474855149568

(** A K P)

The Trump Administration Is Backing the Saudi Coalition Attack on Hodeidah

As I feared, the U.S. won’t oppose an attack that the U.N. estimates could cause 250,000 deaths and lead to full-blown famine in Yemen that threatens the lives of millions more. Signing off on this offensive while pretending to care about the humanitarian consequences is a bad joke. If the administration didn’t want to make Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe worse, it would firmly oppose this attack and penalize the governments involved in it. As usual, the administration’s concern for Yemeni civilians is empty and counts for nothing.

U.S. support for the Saudis and Emiratis in their indefensible war on Yemen over the last three years has led to this moment. U.S. officials have claimed for months that an attack on Hodeidah was something the U.S. would not tolerate, but in practice military assistance to the coalition has continued and the administration was never going to cut it off. When push comes to shove, the Trump administration won’t oppose an attack that everyone acknowledges will be catastrophic for the civilian population of Yemen.

Both houses of Congress have had an opportunity to cut off U.S. backing for this war before now, and both times they have unsurprisingly failed to do the right thing. Members of Congress need to speak up and immediately condemn the coalition offensive on Hodeidah, and they need to insist that all U.S. support for the war end at once. Even if that happens, it will unfortunately be too late for countless Yemenis who will be condemned to death by this attack – by Daniel Larison

www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-trump-administration-is-backing-the-saudi-coalition-attack-on-hodeidah/

(* A H K)

U.N. Pushes to Avert ‘Catastrophic’ U.A.E. Attack on Yemen Port

International aid workers in Hodeidah race to get out after warnings that an attack is imminent

The United Nations launched an urgent diplomatic effort to head off an expected United Arab Emirates assault on Yemen’s most important port in the coming days, fearing an attack could create a humanitarian disaster and derail the most promising push in years to end the conflict, people familiar with the talks said.

Aid groups and U.N. officials working in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah are scrambling to get their international staff out after British officials warned them an attack on the city was imminent.

The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, traveled to the UAE capital over the weekend in an effort to forestall an attack. Griffiths had secured an agreement with Houthi rebels who control Hodeidah to allow the U.N. to operate the port jointly, the people said. But people briefed on the discussions said they were doubtful the UAE would accept the offer or delay the planned assault.

The Trump administration is now reluctantly getting behind the U.A.E.’s military moves, but top U.S. officials are encouraging their Emirati allies to do all that they can to prevent a humanitarian crisis and to limit the impact on U.N. diplomatic efforts, people familiar with the matter said.

One U.S. official characterized the administration as giving the U.A.E. a “blinking yellow light” for the operation, not a green or red one. (subscribers only)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-n-pushes-to-avert-catastrophic-uae-attack-on-yemen-port-1528668213 and abridged version https://www.marketwatch.com/story/un-worries-uae-attack-on-yemen-port-could-create-humanitarian-disaster-2018-06-10

(* A K P)

Houthi Arrests Target General People’s Congress Leaderships in Yemen’s Hodeidah

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen carried out a wave of arrests against members of the General People’s Congress (GPC) in the Hodeidah province.
Sources from the party said that its members were detained on charges of collaborating with the legitimate Yemeni forces, which are supported by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, to storm Hodeidah city.
The arrests are part of a wider campaign that targets all whom the Houthis suspect of contacting the legitimate forces, Arab coalition and nephew of slain former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Tariq Saleh.

Meanwhile, witnesses in Hodeidah said that the Houthis have continued to set up barricades in the city in anticipation of an impending guerrilla war with the advancing legitimate forces. They dug up trenches and tunnels along the southern and eastern outskirts of the city and deployed snipers on rooftops.
The militias also continued their oppressive practices on the ground, the latest of which was the confiscation of humanitarian food aid that was provided by international organizations. The Houthis seized the aid and hoarded them to their fighters and families, depriving the residents on the West coast of the much needed relief.
Furthermore, the Iran-backed group also forced the poor residents in this region to join its ranks so that it may seize its share of humanitarian aid.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1296941/houthi-arrests-target-general-people%E2%80%99s-congress-leaderships-yemen%E2%80%99s-hodeidah

Remark: By Saudi media, with propaganda bias.

(* B H K P)

The battle for Hodeida: Saudis plan to pull the plug on Yemen's life support

The British government should stop cosying up to the Saudis and deter a possible attack on Hodeida port

If the initial blockade of humanitarian aid wasn't enough to push the Houthi rebels into submission, starving the civilian population through the destruction of Hodeida won't force surrender either.

The harsh reality is that the Houthi rebels do not represent the millions of Yemenis starved by the famine, and therefore will not end the war with the Saudi-led coalition if the famine is furthered by the destruction of the Port of Hodeida, which is responsible for bringing over 80 percent of humanitarian aid into Yemen.

In typical Conservative government fashion, the British government is shying away from confronting Saudi Arabia over a possible attack on Hodeida, even though it is widely accepted by the international community that any attack on the port would cut off food and medical supplies to millions of innocent civilians.

While the United Nations can be as vocal as possible, major powers are still unwilling to explicitly oppose the potential Saudi offensive, leaving the Security Council limited in its ability to deter an attack.

The threat of starving civilians through an attack on the Houthi stronghold in Hodeida will not only do nothing to win the hearts and minds of Yemenis that are politically neutral, but is likely to put civilians, who live in places previously considered largely safe, at risk.

A catalogue of errors

In fact, British Prime Minister Theresa May's misleading suggestion that the war in Yemen had UN backing through Resolution 2216, which called for an end to the violence in Yemen, was somehow a tacit acceptance of a Saudi bombardment of the country until the Houthis capitulated. This is not only irresponsible, but also legitimises a campaign that has deliberately targeted civilians.

Welcoming the Saudi leaders who are responsible for much of the military campaign to Downing Street only adds to the catalogue of foreign policy errors that the British government has been involved in during the conflict.

In the face of a war of attrition in Yemen, there will only be one outcome. With the economic and military strength of the Saudi regime, the Houthis will eventually collapse.

But the fact that the Saudi-led coalition is more than willing to pull the plug on Yemen's life support, in a blatant show of contempt for international law, will be a huge blow to the perceived authority of the United Nations in the Middle East, where its unique powers of neutrality-based action is currently needed the most – by Tom Hinchcliffe

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/yemen-war-saudis-are-paving-way-largest-humanitarian-disaster-21-century-266834381

(* A K)

Kampf um Hafen im Jemen: Regierung rückt weiter vor

Im Kampf um die wichtige Hafenstadt Al-Hudaydah im Bürgerkriegsland Jemenmachen Truppen der international anerkannten Regierung eigenen Angaben zufolge weiter Fortschritte. Unterstützt von Luftangriffen einer von Saudi-Arabien geführten Militärkoalition rückten die Einheiten am Sonntag in das Gebiet Al-Hussaiyna weniger als 20 Kilometer von Al-Hudaydah entfernt vor, berichteten Regierungskreise.

Nach heftigen Kämpfen mit den Houthi-Rebellen sei auch eine Überlandstraße von Al-Hudaydah in die Stadt Tais unterbrochen worden.

https://kurier.at/politik/ausland/kampf-um-hafen-im-jemen-regierung-rueckt-weiter-vor/400048700

(A K pS)

Spokesperson of the National Resistance Colonel Sadiq Dwaid has announced the arrival of a recently-trained and armed battalion to the West Coast to participate in the battles against the #Houthi militia. (photo)

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1005926968846667782

(A K pS)

Film: Watch al-Amaleqah Forces take entire control over al-Jah and al-Husseiniyah junction, south of #Hodeidah following fierce battles, during which #Houthi attacks were rebelled after suffering great losses.

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1005926787572994048

(* A H K)

Increasing in displaced numbers at south Hodeida governorates and organizations calls to aid them

A human rights organization called a humanitarian call to aid the displaced from south Hodeida governorate suburbs because of the ongoing confrontations between government forces and Houthis militia.

According to the call issued by “Syaj” for child protection organization, the displaced from “Aljah , Tahita, Alnakheelah, Alshajeerah, and Altayef” are suffering from a difficult humanitarian and security situations due to the aerial and land targeting during their displacement from their villages.

the organization said in a statement published by its president Ahmed AlQershi, local estimations indicate that dozens of families who displaced from “Beet Alfaqeeh” and Al Drehmi is suffering from critical situations since some of them have been killed and others injured and lack of medical attention and aiding services”.

“the displaced needs shelters camps and drinking water for dozens of those families, those families displaced due to turning their villages to military zones by the conflicted parties,” the statement said.

According to the statement “ the displaced families were prevented from using the coastal road to escape since it’s a military zone, which forces them to use back roads to get to Bit Alfaqeeh” then Hodeida running away from death and this makes most of them susceptible to aerial and land targeting by missiles and increase their sufferance”.

The reporter of Almasdaronline said the government forces advanced behind “Aljah” and near “Alhussiniah” cross, and Houthis started to target the liberated areas by missiles.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99471

(* A K)

Heavy clashes near Yemen's Hodeidah as U.N. seeks ceasefire

Clashes between troops backed by a Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-aligned Houthis intensified near Yemen’s Hodeidah over the weekend as the United Nations tries to negotiate a ceasefire to avert a possible assault on the main port city, military sources said.

Heavy fighting erupted on Friday and Saturday in al-Durayhmi, a rural area where Emirati-led troops are now 10 km (6 miles) south of Hodeidah, and in Bayt al-Faqih, 35 km from the city, local military sources said. Coalition warplanes and warships launched strikes targeting the Houthis, they added.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/heavy-clashes-near-yemens-hodeidah-as-u-n-seeks-ceasefire-idUSKBN1J60C4

(* A K pS)

Yemeni forces seize positions south of Hodeidah city

More than 40 rebels killed in air strikes and fighting as coalition and government forces press campaign for vital port

The Yemen army's Al Amalikah Brigade seized two areas south of Hodeidah after fierce clashes on Saturday as it prepared for a push towards the rebel-held port city.

Dozens of Houthi fighters were killed and eight were captured in the battles at Al Shogaireh and Al Noukhaila, about 14 kilometres south of the port city, brigade spokesman Aseel Al Sakladi told The National.

As government forces backed by the Arab military coalition draw closer to the city, the brigade has summoned all its fighters on leave back to the Hodeidah front, Mr Al Sakladi said.

At least 43 rebels were killed in coalition air strikes and clashes with pro-government forces across Hodeidah province, the UAE state news agency Wam reported.

Coalition jets bombarded Houthi positions east of Hais, north of Zubaid, west of Bait Al Faqih and at Al Hosaynia, inflicting heavy damage on the Iran-backed rebels, Wam said.

Pro-government militias also foiled a rebel attempt to enter the Al Jah area west of Bait Al Faqih and scores of Houthis were arrested.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemeni-forces-seize-positions-south-of-hodeidah-city-1.738183

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1295951/clashes-erupt-south-hodeidah-pro-legitimacy-forces-inch-durayhemi-bait-al-faqih

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302693726

Remark: By Emirati media. „Yemeni army, Yemeni forces“ here: UAE-backed anti-Houthi militia and president Hadi Yemeni army.

Comment: Seems a lot of kinetic action last 24 hours but little in the way of major movement either way. But chances of a deal to avert a battle for the city seem to be deteriorating

https://twitter.com/peterjsalisbury/status/1005522692269924363

(B K)

As locals say Hodeidah offensive has begun, don't believe those saying 600K live in this province. Hodeidah is Yemen's 2nd most populous province with 3mn. It might receive more ppl from other cities devastated by war since it's remained stable until they decided to retake it

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1005307103093952512

Hodeidah: Yemen's poorest province with highest malnutrition rates & a vital lifeline to millions. Remember 2 things as US & UAE & Saudi proxies are pushing to retake it: 23mn Yemenis live in Houthi-run regions. Secondly, they liberated south, what have they done for ppl there?!

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1005311642974842882

(* A K pS)

“Giants” forces advancing toward Hodeida and Tariq Forces trying to regain lost positions

Confrontations at the west coast have been escalated, since the early hours of (Saturday) dawn between government forces and Houthis militia.

A reporter said to Almasdaronline according to a military source, Units of “Giants” forces follow government forces is battling around “Altayef” (24 km away from Hodeida) trying to progress toward the city and supported by coalition air forces, Apaches, and battleships.

Locals said to the almasdaronline reporter the sounds of booming and explosions are heard from the southern Hodeida areas, and a wave of displacement started from the “Aljah” at “Beet alfaqeeh” precinct until “Altayef” at “Aldrehmi” precinct, where people are running toward the areas east to the coast.

While a formation follows Colonel Tariq Saleh battling with Houthis since 3 am this morning (Saturday) supported by Apaches and battleships in an attempt to regain positions have been lost since (Thursday) evening after receiving it liberated by the “Giants” and “Tuhami resistance” forces.

Tariq Saleh forces retreated around 4 Km after a ferocious attack by Houthis militia on “Aljah” precinct.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99433

(A KpS)

West Coast Office for Injured Transfers 30 Injured to Egypt and India to be Treated at the Expense of UAE

West Coast Office for Injured, Martyres and Captives’ Affaires transferred 30 injured persons from the west coast front to be treated in Egypt and India at the expense of UAE government.

http://en.smanews.org/west-coast-office-for-injured-transfers-30-injured-to-egypt-and-india-to-be-treated-at-the-expense-of-uae

West Coast Office for Injured, Martyres and Captives’ Affaires transferred 15 injured persons from the west coast front to be treated in Egypt at the expense of UAE government on Sunday June 10th, 2018.

http://en.smanews.org/west-coast-office-for-injured-transfers-15-injured-to-egypt-for-treatment

My comment: That’s not humanitarian, but simply repairing military equipment.

(A K pS)

Al-Bukhaiti, over a hundred bodies of #Houthi fighters are in the morgues of the Military Hospital in #Hodeidah while the morgues of other hospitals are also full with bodies. #Children & young people are daily sent to meet their demise on the West Coast.

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1006301061223714817

(* A K P)

U.S. Dubious About U.A.E. Appeal for Military Help in Port Fight

The U.S. is unlikely to embrace an appeal from the United Arab Emirates for U.S. military help in seizing a key Yemeni port from Iran-backed fighters, as world leaders try to safeguard a new peace push by the United Nations, according to people familiar with the discussions.

In a series of meetings this week, Trump administration officials voiced strong reservations about the UAE’s efforts to take control of Hodeidah, according to people familiar with the matter. Hodeidah is the Red Sea port that serves as Yemen’s main gateway for humanitarian aid in the midst of the three-year-old civil war.

The U.A.E. has sought American intelligence and drone surveillance flights, but U.S. and international officials worry that a major battle for the port could deepen the humanitarian crisis there and derail peace efforts.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-dubious-about-u-a-e-appeal-for-military-help-in-port-fight-1528504480

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-421-yemen-war-mosaic-421

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-421 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-421:

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

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

und alle Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

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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