Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 424 - Yemen War Mosaic 424

Yemen Press Reader 424: 18.6.2018: Hodeida: Kämpfe um den Flughafen, Luftangriffe, Bevölkerung flieht, drohende humanitäre Katastrophe – Zählung von Opfern von Gewalt – Drohende Hungersnot ...

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... Posttraumatischer Stress bei Kindern – Saudischer Luftangriff auf Hochzeit, 23. April – Die Emirate, die USA und Jemen – Die USA, Jemen und Hodeidah – Journalisten im Jemen – und mehr

June 18, 2018: Hodeidah: Fighting for the airport, air raids, civilians fleeing, looming humanitarian catastrophe – Counting violent deaths in Yemen – Looming famine – Saudi air raid at wedding, April 23 – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Yemeni Children – The Emirates, the US and Yemen – The US, Yemen and Hodeidah – Yemeni journalists – and more

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Klassifizierung / Classification

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

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1b1 Kampf um Hodeidah: Deutsch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: German

cp1b2 Kampf um Hodeidah: Englisch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: English

cp2 Allgemein / General

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

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

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp9 USA

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

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

Neue Artikel / New articles

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It’s been called the forgotten war — and with good reason.

The war in Syria gets clicks and shares, and the fight to defeat Islamic State is never far from the headlines. But Yemen, a top contender in the devastation and suffering index, often goes unmentioned.

With more than enough global conflict and misery to go around, why should you care about Yemen, a country roughly the size of Texas and tens of thousands of miles away? Here’s why:

—It’s the world’s worst humanitarian disaster

It’s true. In a donor conference in April, Antonio Guterres, the U.N.’s secretary-general, described Yemen as “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”

To understand why, it’s worth knowing that Yemen was long a place where millions were never certain when and from where they would get their next meal or drink of clean water. And that was before the three-year civil war now raging through the country.

These days, Yemen’s woes sound like a modern-day biblical tale.

http://gazette.com/yemen-is-the-worlds-forgotten-war/article/feed/572909 = https://www.stripes.com/news/yemen-is-the-world-s-forgotten-war-1.533431

My comment: A well to read short introduction.

(* B K P)

Where did the #Yemen war spring from? And who's in power? Here are my answers in a 2 minute nutshell for BBC Radio today.

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1008334805002539009

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Factbox: Who is fighting in Yemen's messy civil war?

Each of the parties to Yemen’s messy civil war has its own agenda, making the conflict harder to resolve. This factbox looks at some of these groups and what they want.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-factbox/factbox-who-is-fighting-in-yemens-messy-civil-war-idUSKBN1JC09B

My comment: Quite serious, but two important parties are totally missing here: The US and the UK. This lack is almost whitewashing.

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Explainer: Why Yemen is at war?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-explainer/why-yemen-is-at-war-idUSKBN1JB1TE

My comment: Some basic information and backgrounds. This article is realistic as it does not put much attention to Iran. But, the role of US and UK is totally neglected.

(B H K P)

Timeline: Yemen's slide into political crisis and war

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-timeline/timeline-yemens-slide-into-political-crisis-and-war-idUSKBN1JD0BX

My comment: Search: “US”; “Obama”, “Trump”: 0 matches each. The role of the US is totally neglected.

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

(** B K)

[Victims of violence]

The @BBCNews published @WHO data on #Yemen war deaths (10.000 since 2015), but it's likely they are greatly undercounted: @ACLEDINFO and @YemenData have recorded 44.000 violent deaths since 2016 –more than 10.000 this year so far only, excluding victims of cholera and famine (infographic)

https://twitter.com/N_Scarpat/status/1007027461073309701

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Famine Early Warning Systems Network: Conflict in Al Hudaydah threatens ports; sustained imports needed to mitigate risk of Famine

The recent increase in conflict near Al Hudaydah raises high concern. However, as of June 14, initial reports indicate that no damage to port facilities or disruption of port activities has occurred at either Al Hudaydah or Salif ports. As a result, the scenario in which FEWS NET would be most concerned about Famine (IPC Phase 5) remains possible, but has not yet begun to develop. Severe damage to, or severe and persistent restrictions on commercial and humanitarian imports, and/or physical access to the ports from inside Yemen, would signal the beginning of that scenario.

Based on available information, FEWS NET believes current stock levels in Yemen are likely enough to satisfy approximately two months, but most likely no more than three months, of national need. Commercial stocks make up the large majority of in-country cereal availability, and in May 2018, staple food imports increased significantly compared to previous months. Humanitarian stocks are also contributing to national availability beyond current estimates of commercial stocks.

In a worst-case scenario, should humanitarian and commercial imports through Al Hudaydah and Salif stop or drastically decline for a prolonged period, FEWS NET estimates Famine (IPC Phase 5) would become likely in parts of Yemen within three to four months. Fuel prices would increase sharply, and as national cereal stocks start to become exhausted and/or market availability becomes extremely limited, staple food prices would increase sharply, beyond the ability for many households to purchase food. In addition, many of the more than 6 million people who receive humanitarian assistance each month live in areas served by assistance imported through the Red Sea ports. Populations most in need would begin to face more immediate and substantial food consumption gaps as stock shortages and increasing levels of insecurity in previously accessible areas begin to limit assistance delivery.

The inability to import sufficient levels of other essential commodities would also significantly impact human health.

The areas where Famine (IPC Phase 5) would be likely to develop most quickly include areas more highly dependent on imports through Al Hudaydah and Salif, particularly those with intensive conflict and high numbers of IDPs, such as Hajjah, Sa’dah, and Ta’izz. Even for areas that are able to access imports from Aden, a risk of Famine would persist given the already severe levels of acute food insecurity that would be exacerbated by the increased competition for goods imported through Aden and through overland trade

http://fews.net/east-africa/yemen/alert/june-15-2018

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“IT TOOK US OVER A WEEK TO FIND ALL THE BODY PARTS”

With the sound of the music, no one heard the warplane as it circled overhead.

“We were singing and dancing, everything was winding down. We were about to leave,” said Saleh Yahya, a 35-year-old villager. “Then, all the sudden, I was on the ground, I couldn’t hear anything. We totally lost control of our senses. There were body parts around me, I was just looking for my children.” He found one whole and alive; the other’s body was broken beyond repair.

The missile had struck around 11 p.m., killing 23 of the revelers, and wounding over 60, according to villagers who spoke with The Intercept. Most of the dead were in pieces.

“It took us over a week to find all the body parts,” Saleh Yahya said in an interview in Al-Raqah on May 6, two weeks after the strike.

The Saudis have provided no explanation for the strike on Al-Raqah (a request for comment to the Saudi embassy in Washington went unanswered.) The men in Al-Raqah say they do not carry weapons (I saw none during my visit), and fighters did not attend the wedding.

According to eyewitnesses I spoke with, when the strike hit in Al-Raqah, women poured out of their celebration, screaming, looking for their children and relatives. Rescuers who had arrived to help from nearby villages told the others to run, since planes were still circling overhead. Rendered temporarily deaf from the explosion, family members ignored them and continued to pull out the bodies of their loved ones from the rubble. It was hours before ambulances arrived from Hajjah, delayed by the difficult terrain.

As we spoke at the site of the strike, Othman Ali, 35, a thin man wearing a straw hat, held his son’s hand.

“This went from a very happy day to a catastrophe,” he said. “The women are terrified. Most of them won’t come out of the house to work, and some of them when they hear a loud noise, they wet themselves.”

More villagers appeared, all eager to describe what happened, all eager for answers. Everyone I spoke with still had trouble hearing, especially the groom, Ja’afar, who survived the strike. His brother, Ali, spoke close to his ear and motioned for him to come over. We went to his parents’ home, where he and Allam now live, since their home was damaged in the strike

“We won’t have weddings anymore. Even if someone wants to have one, no one will come. It is finished,” he sighed, and walked slowly back under a tree, taking shelter from the late-morning sun – by Alex Potter

https://theintercept.com/2018/06/16/yemen-wedding-airstrike/

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Yemeni Children as a Consequence of the Ongoing War

Executive Summary

Since the beginning of the war in Yemen, Yemeni citizens have been exposed to extraordinary physical, psychological and emotional challenges. This brief finds that school children have been experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD since the breakout of violent conflict and war. Of the 902 children surveyed in this study, 712 (79%) reported experiencing PTSD symptoms. This is a high rate compared to results from similar studies in other countries experiencing conflict.

Yemeni school children are thus in dire need of help to overcome the difficulties they might face in the future. On the individual level, psychological intervention programs should therefore be conducted to positively influence cognitive strategies in children who display symptoms. On the general level, strengthening communities, teaching people how to cope with trauma, and providing training in stress management would be good starting points of intervention.

Introduction

Beginning with the eruption of violent conflicts in Yemen in 2014, only to increase with the onset of the air raids of the Saudi-led coalition (SLC) in spring 2015, Yemeni citizens have been exposed to extraordinary physical, psychological and emotional challenges. Due to these challenges, the majority of Yemenis face and may suffer from varying aspects of a range of psychological disorders; but children, due to the neurological system, are even more sensitive and susceptible to shocks. Hence, this brief aims to illustrate the psychological impact of war on Yemeni school children.

This brief4 summarizes initial findings of the research that was based on the internationally recognized Child PTSD Symptoms Scale (CPSS). The author conducted the field work in spring 2016, when the children had been exposed to displacement, regular airstrikes, death and destruction for one year.5 The results display a severe prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms among the students.

https://carpo-bonn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/10_carpo_brief_final.pdf

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Hodeidah Bombardment Reveals UAE’s US-Backed Rise in Regional Power

The UAE’s rise to power is no accident, as it stems in large part from the UAE’s great success in wooing the United States prior to the war in Yemen.

Though the offensive will come at a tremendous human cost and put the lives of millions of Yemenis at risk, it also betrays who is the real power behind this war. While Saudi Arabia was responsible for planning the attack, its efforts in Yemen have largely backfired, with Yemen’s resistance groups occupying part of Saudi Arabia’s south and raiding Saudi military outposts with growing regularity. In contrast, however, the other main member of the Saudi-led coalition, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has seen its influence grow.

Indeed, as the war has dragged on, the UAE has forged political alliances in Yemen’s south and has taken over control of much of the territory the coalition holds, including the city of Aden – the seat of the government recognized by coalition forces. The UAE has also taken control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait in Yemen, a critical chokepoint for the flow of oil through the Red Sea; as well as the island of Socotra, where the UAE has conducted censuses – leading to speculation that it will soon make the island an official part of its territory.

The UAE’s creeping occupation of Yemen didn’t go unnoticed, either by the Saudis or by the Saudi-backed president of Yemen, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. Indeed, Hadi’s relationship with the UAEsoured considerably after February of last year, when he accused the UAE of acting as an occupier, not as a liberator, of Yemen. Saudi Arabia has also responded poorly to the UAE’s ambitions, with Saudi- and UAE-backed mercenaries frequently fighting amongst each other in Yemen’s south, and with disagreements over the control of Socotra.

However, the clearest indicator yet of the UAE’s leading role in determining the course of the war in Yemen is the offensive on Hodeidah. Prior to the launching of the offensive, Yemen’s “President” Hadi, who resides in Saudi Arabia and has become somewhat isolated by UAE politicking, was summoned to Abu Dhabi where he was “forced” to accept the battle plan at the behest of the UAE. According to sources in Yemen cited by Middle East Eye, Hadi’s approval essentially paved the way for the UAE’s occupation of the city after the offensive, thereby relinquishing future control over the crucial port.

The power of the UAE in the conflict was all but exposed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — who, in essentially green-lighting the offensive, made no mention of the Saudis, instead only mentioning having spoken to “Emirati leaders.” While Saudi Arabia has long been considered the “mastermind” behind the catastrophic war in Yemen, the UAE’s role in spearheading the offensive on Hodeidah betrays the fact that the UAE has now taken the leading role in the war.

The monster the U.S. helped create

The UAE’s rise to power is no accident, as it stems in large part from the UAE’s great success in wooing the United States prior to the war in Yemen — particularly during the Obama administration, which helped oversee the UAE’s subsequent military build-up and later turned a blind eye to the country’s “trigger happy” enthusiasm for war.

As Anthony Zinni, a former commander of all U.S. forces in the Middle East, told the Washington Post at the time: “The UAE has gone all-in […] It’s the strongest relationship that the United States has in the Arab world today.”

Though the U.S. under Trump has improved relations with Saudi Arabia and Israel through his hawkish stance on Iran, the UAE’s influence has continued to grow, largely thanks to its hosting of a U.S. Naval base in Jebel Ali, the Navy’s busiest overseas port, as well as a “secret” U.S. Air Force base that has been used for U.S. bombing campaigns in the region. The UAE has also sought the favor of the U.S. military by enthusiastically aiding the occupation of Afghanistan and via airstrikes in Syrian and Iraqi territory.

The U.S.-UAE relationship has allowed the UAE to expand its military presence well beyond the region, suggesting that its efforts to take over Yemeni territory are part of its larger ambitions to become an empire in its own right. Indeed, in recent years, the UAE has established military bases across the Horn of Africa, including in Eritrea, Djibouti, and Puntland.

This increasingly close relationship between the U.S. and the UAE ensures that, as the UAE seeks to start an “empire” of its own in Yemen and abroad, the U.S. will again turn a blind eye to the situation. Indeed, if the U.S. was willing to allow the UAE to launch the offensive on Hodeidah – which conservative estimates say is likely to result in the deaths of around 250,000 civilians – it raises the specter that the U.S. will turn a blind eye to even worse from its regional ally in the future – by Whitney Webb

[MintPress News is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License.]

https://www.mintpressnews.com/uae-yemen-hodeidah/243983/

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THE U.S. IS EXACERBATING THE WORLD’S WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS BY OUTSOURCING ITS YEMEN POLICY

The Intercept interviewed more than a dozen former White House and State Department officials, humanitarian leaders, and Yemen experts, many of whom characterized the offensive as a major failure by the U.S. to restrain its coalition partners, who are largely dependent on American weapons, intelligence, and logistical support. Those sources said the attack was a sign that the U.S. is allowing allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to drive American policy decisions in Yemen.

“The UAE’s assault on Hodeidah is just another example of the Trump administration outsourcing U.S. policy in Yemen — and really the region writ large — to the Gulf states,” said Kate Kizer, policy director at the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group Win Without War.

The Obama administration wholeheartedly backed the Saudi- and Emirati-led intervention and blockade, and provided the coalition with intelligence and tens of billions of dollars in weapons. Under Obama, the Pentagon also helped refuel coalition aircraft, continuing even after they bombed civilian targets like schools and hospitals.

But even as Obama administration officials watched a growing humanitarian crisis unfold in Yemen, the White House firmly opposed a coalition attack on Hodeidah. The coalition had long wanted to attack the crucial port; doing so would have aligned with the Emiratis’ broader strategy of seizing ports along Yemen’s southern and Red Sea coasts.

But the Trump administration has been less forceful in its opposition to the attack. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to various Emirati officials and cautioned against damaging the port infrastructure and hampering the flow of aid through Hodeidah, but did not pressure them to stop the offensive.

“Rather than preventing the offensive, which the U.S. has done twice before, Pompeo releases a weak statement giving the UAE the green light to potentially kill hundreds of thousands of people with no political strategy or end goal,” said Kizer of Win Without War.

POMPEO’S STATEMENT REPRESENTS a softening of the State Department’s public position against any offensive that posed a danger to the port. Compare it with what David Satterfield, the acting assistant secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April, as Emirati-backed forces gathered ominously in Mokha, which is just south of Hodeidah.

At the roundtable, Matthew Tueller, the current U.S. ambassador to Yemen and the State Department’s primary diplomatic liaison with the coalition, was asked what he’d heard about a coming offensive against Hodeidah and its potentially catastrophic impact, according to two people in the room.

According to those present, Tueller said that a direct attack would be a “roll of the dice” that might meet with popular support and expel the Houthis from the city, though whether the chances of success were “50-50” or “10-90,” Tueller couldn’t say. He added that Hodeidah’s importance for aid delivery was overstated, and suggested that an assault on the city would not have the catastrophic effect aid groups claimed, according to the people who were there.

Several who attended the briefing said they were surprised by the contrast between Tueller’s private comments and the State Department’s public statements. “It was an early sign that even the State Department wasn’t taking its own policy seriously,” said one person who was there but asked not to be named because speaking about what was said would violate the terms of the meeting.

According to CNN, the U.S. has rejected coalition appeals for direct military and intelligence support. However, on Friday, the U.S. voiced opposition to a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on the coalition to stop the assault.

The mixed messages from the U.S. are seen by humanitarian groups as signaling cautious approval for the operation. Earlier this week, one unnamed U.S. official described the message to the Wall Street Journal as a “blinking yellow light” of caution.

“I knew we were in trouble when an anonymous source described it that way,” the director of a U.S.-based humanitarian organization told me. “In Washington, blinking yellow lights mean, ‘Floor it and keep moving.'” – by Alex Emmons

https://theintercept.com/2018/06/16/yemen-foreign-policy-united-states/

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The Gates of Hell are Closing Behind us: US-Saudi Horror Show Heats up in Yemen

The Saudi attack has been a monstrous war crime since its beginning. It was approved and assisted at every step for two years by President Barack Obama; it simply could not have happened without him. Obama's policies of arming, funding, guiding and -- on occasion -- directly participating in the Saudi invasion have been carried on, and extended, by Donald Trump, who has launched more direct military incursions and bombings in Yemen.

Trump's involvement has bestirred a bit of criticism from Democrats who, with very few exceptions, did not raise the slightest objection to Obama joining extremist religious tyrants in invading a foreign country and driving its people into starvation and ruin. And you will search high and low in what is laughingly called the "liberal media" -- MSNBC, CNN, the NYT, the WP and the gaggle of comedy TV hosts whose smarmy, shallow "hot takes" have somehow become the vanguard of "Resistance" -- without finding any critique (or even acknowledgement) of the direct, personal complicity of Obama and the Democratic "foreign policy establishment" in this wanton act of mass murder.

The Saudis invaded Yemen to restore a puppet leader who had been "elected" in a vote in which only one candidate was allowed to run -- the candidate backed by the Saudis and the Obama administration. The Saudi-US-UK attack also saved Al Qaeda in Yemen. The terrorist group was nearing defeat at the hands of the Houthi rebels; the Saudi invasion battered and diverted the rebel effort, allowing Al Qaeda to thrive in the region once more. It also allowed ISIS to gain a foothold in Yemen for the first time.

The origins and context of the war -- much less the absolutely critical role played by the US and UK -- are almost never mentioned in the Anglo-American media. In fact, the war itself is rarely mentioned, despite it being what the UN calls "the largest humanitarian disaster in the world."

This remarkable myopia continues today. On Wednesday, the Guardian ran a story (linked aobon the new assault on Hodeidah. It is not a bad story, as such things go, for it does include extensive quotes from figures opposed to the attack, including this withering blast of truth from a former Conservative minister.

But the story perpetuates the idea that the US and Britain have little to do with the war -- in direct contradiction to the fact that the war would end tomorrow if the US and UK cut off the weapons and military assistance they are providing to the "Saudi-led coalition." The Guardian story speaks of frantic diplomatic efforts, "backed by Britain and the US," pleading with the Saudis to delay or call off the attack. Yet on the very same day, you could see this in the Wall Street Journal:

"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."

The Journal story details the "qualified support" Trump officials are giving to the assault on Hodeidah; i.e., go ahead and attack, but make sure you do some copious PR about "preserving the flow of humanitarian aid" and "commercial imports" while you're slaughtering people and cutting off the nation's lifeline.

Oddly enough, in a passage clearly intended to present US involvement in the most rosy light, the Journal tells us:

"The U.S. shares limited intelligence with the Saudi-led coalition, including information used to pinpoint hospitals, mosques, U.N. offices and other locations meant to be off-limits for airstrikes."

Yet we have seen story after story of the Saudis bombing hospitals, mosques, schools and other civilian targets with deadly, efficient accuracy. And this goes back to the halcyon days when the scandal-free Obama was in office.

The attack on Hodeidah did bring more media attention to the Yemen slaughter and even a few whispers about the US participation in this war crime. The initial NYT story on the port assault seemed a bit less like transcription and almost like real reporting. It quotes some of the Democrats who have finally begun speaking against the Yemen war now that it can be tied to the loathed Republican president. We also get this very telling juxtapositionWith stock prices of our death metal merchants temporary flagging in the wake of the Trump-Kim summit, the masters of war are not about to let the fountain of blood money they're getting from Yemen dry up. And we can be certain that the political courtesans who have served the death-feasters so faithfully over the years will not let them down.

But the wan, flickering hope of more rigorous coverages was already fading by week's end. Two days after the bombs began pounding the people of Hodeidah, the NYT was already relegating the story to a bit of wire copy rips in the inside pages.

Again, here we are. The worst humanitarian crisis in the world is about to descend into an ever deeper level of hell, with the indispensable support of the United States; and the political opposition is spending their time trying to give even more political power to the Pentagon – by Chris Floyd

https://www.opednews.com/articles/The-Gates-of-Hell-are-Clos-by-Chris-Floyd-Bombing_Famine_Hell_Pentagon-180616-751.html

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Viele Journalisten fliehen aus dem Jemen

Unter dem Krieg im Jemen leidet die ganze Bevölkerung. Doch eine zivile Berufsgruppe ist besonders gefährdet: Journalisten. Hunderte haben das Land aus Angst verlassen

Journalisten zählen wegen ihres Berufs in vielen Kriegen zu den Feindbildern der Konfliktparteien. So auch im Jemen: "30 Journalisten wurden seit 2015 getötet, drei von ihnen allein in den letzten zwei Monaten", sagt Mustafa Nasr, Vorsitzender des "Studies & Economic Media Center" (SEMC) mit Sitz in Taiz. Journalisten würden getötet, gekidnappt oder würden Opfer anderer Arten von Gewalt oder Gewaltandrohung.

Viele fliehen, die meisten ins Ausland

Hunderte Journalisten haben laut SEMC-Report seit Ausbruch des Konflikts 2014 ihre Heimat verlassen. Ihre genaue Zahl sei kaum zu ermitteln, so die Autoren, weil viele vertriebene Journalisten in den Wirren nicht erfasst werden könnten. So beschränke sich die Studie auf die 726 vertriebenen Journalisten, die 2014 im Jemen tätig waren, 86 Prozent von ihnen in der Hauptstadt Sana'a.

Demnach haben 30 Prozent von ihnen innerhalb des Jemen Schutz in weniger gefährlichen Regionen gesucht. Viele hätten ihren Beruf aufgegeben, um die Angst vor Festnahme und Verfolgung hinter sich zu lassen. Der weit größere Teil jedoch - 70 Prozent der erfassten Journalisten - hätten den Jemen ganz verlassen. "Diese traurige, ja tragische Realität ist ein schwerer Schlag gegen den Journalistenberuf im Jemen", schreiben die Autoren der Studie, "In dem rauen Umfeld droht jemenitischen Journalisten Gefangennahme, Tod oder der Sturz ins Ungewisse."

I nzwischen kontrollieren die Huthis große Teile des Landes. Es heißt, sie schafften eine Kultur der Angst und Einschüchterung. Immer wieder wird von Entführungen, Razzien und Drohungen berichtet. "Es gibt für Journalisten im Jemen keinen sicheren Ort zum Arbeiten", sagt SEMC-Chef Nasr. "Die Gewalt gegen Journalisten bedeutet, dass humanitäre oder wirtschaftliche Geschichten gar nicht erzählt werden. Die Jemeniten können nicht über ihr Leid sprechen."

http://www.dw.com/de/jemen-journalisten-drohungen-morde-verfolgung-entführung/a-44265690

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Yemeni journalists face death threats, kidnappings

Covering a war is never easy, but in Yemen local journalists are being displaced internally and externally as a result of the ongoing conflict. As Gouri Sharma reports, hundreds of journalists have left out of fear.

Mohammed al-Qadhi is lucky if he sees his family more than once a year. For the past three years, the war reporter has been living apart from his wife and four children, forced to flee the family home in the capital Sana'a as Saudi-led airstrikes hit the city. Today, as he tries to cover the war from the coastal city of Taiz, the 44-year old admits he isn't sure how much longer he will be able to continue working.

According to the report, which was published by the Yemen-based Studies & Economic Media Center (SEMC), "Yemeni journalists face the biggest wave of displacement in modern Yemeni history. Killings, kidnappings and various forms of abuse have forced journalists to search for less unsafe areas. While many journalists took the radical decision of giving up their profession altogether and keeping away for fear of prosecution and detention, Yemen saw large-scale forced displacement of journalists abroad. This sad, indeed tragic reality constitutes a severe blow to the profession in Yemen. In such a harsh environment, Yemeni journalists are restricted to arrest, death or plunging into the unknown."

Journalists — 'the most dangerous fighters in the field'

Research for the report was carried out between 2015 and the beginning of this year. While a large section of Yemeni journalists are excluded from the report due to difficulties reaching them, around 700 journalists — 89 women and 637 men — have been included. Of the overall figure, 30 percent of journalists have been internally displaced, while an alarming 70 percent have been forced out of their home country altogether. Egypt is the first choice for exiled reporters, followed by Saudi Arabia and then Turkey.

Internally, the majority of journalists fled the capital Sana'a, with many relocating to Aden in the east or Taiz.

Journalists say that the climate has become too dangerous for them to work in freely. Reporters have been among those killed in the ongoing Saudi-led airstrikes, while the Houthis, who control large parts of the country including the capital and parts of Taiz, have been accused of creating a culture of fear and intimidation, amid regular reports of kidnappings, office raids and threats.

"The environment for journalists in Yemen is so dangerous — there is no safe place in the country for them to work in. 30 journalists have been killed since 2015, three of them during the last two months alone. Except for a few organizations, this problem is ignored by the international press organizations," Mustafa Nasr, the chairman of SEMC, told DW.

As the war rages on and the humanitarian situation for the country's 25-million plus population continues to deteriorate, Yemeni journalists say the media industry's future looks bleak.

http://www.dw.com/en/yemeni-journalists-face-death-threats-kidnappings/a-44236034

referring to the report:

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Yemeni journalists – 3 years of displacement

Sana’a is the Centrifugal Governorate

A recent report confirmed that more than 400 Yemeni journalists at least displaced by the war and forced to move to other areas, both inside Yemen and abroad in order to preserve their lives and a flight of persecution and violations.
The report indicated that than 400 journalists relocated to other countries, nearly one-third of the total number of journalists officially affiliated to the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate.
The report aims at highlighting the issue of displacement of Yemeni journalists. The ongoing war in Yemen, and the concomitant suppressive measures imposed by the various conflict parties have occasioned a wave of internal and external displacement of Yemeni journalists, in search of safety and refuge.
The report covered 726 journalists distributed in nine Yemeni governorates, in addition to 26 journalists who worked abroad, before the outbreak of the war in 2014.
Report showed that the capital city of Sana’a witnessed the highest rate of outbound movement of journalists due to the heavy-handed suppression of Yemeni journalists’ freedoms in the city .
The report confirmed that Egypt represents the major host country of displaced Yemeni journalists after the outbreak of the war in 2014, hosting 32% of the total number of displaced journalists abroad. And Aden was the most attractive governorate, hosting 30% of total number of internally displaced journalists , according the report .
The report included some stories featuring cases of displacement involving Yemeni journalists

http://economicmedia.net/EN/?p=1747 and download in full http://economicmedia.net/ar/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Yemeni-Journalists-mapping-English.pdf

cp1b1 Kampf um Hodeidah: Deutsch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: German

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Iran & Huthis nur Vorwand: Handelsmonopol als Grund für VAE-Offensive auf Jemens Haupthafen Hodeida

Nun werden geopolitische Ambitionen der VAE sichtbar.

Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate haben bereits signalisiert, dass sie den Betrieb des Hafens von Hodeida übernehmen wollen. Reem al-Hashimy, der Staatsminister der VAE für internationale Zusammenarbeit, verteidigte das Ansinnen damit, dass die Koalition, sobald sie den Huthis den Hafen abgenommen hätte, leichter den Waffenfluss aus dem Iran kontrollieren und unterbinden könnte. Gleichzeitig wäre es möglich, den Waren- und Hilfsgüterfluss in die besonders stark in Mitleidenschaft gezogenen Gebiete des Jemen zu verbessern.

Auch der kanadische Professor aus Ottawa und ehemalige verteidigungspolitische Analyst Thomas Juneau hinterfragte auf dem Micro-Bloggingdienst Twitter die Argumentationskette der Anti-Huthi-Kräfte, wonach der Hodeida-Umschlaghafen für iranische Waffenlieferungen an die Huthis genutzt werde. Er argumentiert, dass der Hafen seit drei Jahren blockiert wird und für die Abwicklung militärischer Logistik kaum nutzbar ist. Auch spiele der Kampf gegen die Huthis in Realität eine sekundäre Rolle. Das eigentliche Ziel der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate sei die Ausweitung der Kontrolle über strategisch wichtige Häfen in der Region, dafür würden lokale Milizen aufgebaut.

Ins gleiche Horn stößt der Journalist des Nachrichtenportals Fort Russ News und Analyst am Zentrum für Synkretistische Studien, Paul Antonopoulos.

"Saudi-Arabien ist es nicht gelungen, seine ehrgeizigen Machtprojektionen gegen Syrien, den Libanon und Katar durchzusetzen und aus diesem Grund weigert es sich, den Jemen zu befrieden. Riad möchte einen weiteren Misserfolg vermeiden", äußerte Antonopoulos und fügte hinzu:

Zeitgleich befassen sich die Emirate in erster Linie mit der Monopolisierung von Schifffahrtswegen. Dies ist ein Rezept für erhebliche Spannungen und Gewalt, die in Hodeida überkochen wird.

Der US-amerikanische Nahost-Sicherheitsanalyst Nicholas A. Heras, der für das Washingtoner Zentrum für Neue Amerikanische Sicherheit arbeitet, kommentierte auf Anfrage von RT Deutsch die strategischen Erwägungen der Emirate:

Es ist kein Geheimnis, dass die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate im Jemen und der weiteren Region des Roten Meeres Schach spielen. Die Emirati sind ein maritimes Volk, und sie wissen, wie wichtig es ist, die Häfen zu kontrollieren, um die Macht und den Einfluss der VAE im gesamten Nahen Osten zu fördern.

Dabei fällt insbesondere auf das emiratische Unternehmen DP World ein bedeutsames Augenmerk. Dieses ist einer der weltweit größten Hafenbetreiber und unterhält in verschiedenen Ländern zusammen 78 Terminals. Etwa 80 Prozent des Geschäfts liegen im Bereich Containerhäfen. Haupteigentümer der sowohl an der Börse in Dubai als auch an der London Stock Exchange (LSE) notierten Gesellschaft ist Dubai World, die staatliche Investmentgruppe der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. In diesem Zusammenhang scheinen die Emirati den Jemen-Konflikt zu nutzen, um ihre eigene geopolitische Position in der weiteren Region auszubauen. Heras fügte hinzu:

Jemens Häfen sind besonders wertvoll, weil sie an einer der wichtigsten Seeschifffahrtsrouten der Welt liegen und den Welthandel stark beeinflussen. Aus der Sicht dieser Strategie gibt es im Jemen keinen größeren Preis als Hodeida. Nicht einmal Aden, das bereits unter der Kontrolle der Emirate steht, ist so wichtig. Die Einnahme des Hafens von Hodeida würde bedeuten, dass die Emirati ein Kronjuwel in ihrer regionalen Strategie gewonnen haben.

USA unterstützen saudischen und emiratischen Feldzug

Der US-amerikanische Verteidigungsminister Jim Mattis bestätigte am Montag, dass die USA die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Koalition weiterhin unterstützen.

Wir liefern jede mögliche Information oder alles, was wir geben können, um Feuerbereiche zu zeigen, in denen es Zivilisten gibt, in denen es Moscheen, Krankenhäuser gibt, also solche Sachen, und die Luftbetankung", sagte Mattis.

Eine jemenitischer Experte sagte RT Deutsch, dass die USA im Jemenkonflikt noch viel weiter gehen. Washington teile mit der Saudi-Koalition alle relevanten Geheimdienstinformationen, die im Kampf gegen die Huthis helfen könnten. Gemeinsam mit Australien setzt die US-Marine die See-Blockade des Jemen durch.

Paul Antonopoulos hält die humanitären Beteuerungen der USA für eine Verschleierungstaktik. Zu RT Deutsch sagte er:

Das ist die übliche Rhetorik, die von Washington ausgegeben wird, dass sie und ihre Verbündeten die Zivilinfrastruktur schützen. Wir müssen uns nur das nahe gelegene Syrien und den Irak ansehen, um zu sehen, wie weit die von den USA geführte Koalition gegangen ist, um Mossul im Irak zu befreien und Rakka in Syrien vom IS zu erobern. Es ist gut dokumentiert, dass die von den USA geführte Koalition wahllose Luftangriffe gegen ISIS durchgeführt hat.

Laut Antonopoulos unterstützen die USA die Angriffe der Arabischen Koalition auch mit entscheidenden Aufklärungsdaten – von Ali Özkök

https://deutsch.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/71443-iran-huthis-nur-vorwand-handelsmonopol-jemen-hodeida/

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UNO schlägt Bildung eines internationalen Jemen-Komitees vor

Der UN-Sondergesandte für den Jemen Martin Griffiths hat am Sonntag bei einem Treffen mit den Vertretern der Ansarollah-Bewegung in Sanaa vorgeschlagen, die Verwaltung der Stadt und des Hafens al-Hudaida einem Komitee unter UN-Aufsicht zu überlassen.

http://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i41646-uno_schlägt_bildung_eines_internationalen_jemen_komitees_vor

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Hudeida unter Feuer

Saudisches Militärbündnis greift jemenitische Hafenstadt an

Die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärallianz hat am Sonntag Luftangriffe auf den Flughafen im jemenitischen Hudeida geflogen, der gegenwärtig immer noch von der schiitischen Organisation Ansarollah kontrolliert wird. Das berichten sowohl saudische Medien als auch jene der Ansarollah. Zudem bestätigten deren offizielle Nachrichtenagentur SABA wie auch der saudische Sender Al-Arabija, dass die Flieger der Militärallianz fünf Angriffe auf den Hafen der Stadt geflogen hätten.

Noch am Sonnabend hatten die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate behauptet, der Internationale Flughafen am Südrand der Stadt sei eingenommen worden. Die neuesten Berichte scheinen dem zu widersprechen.

Gleichzeitig hatten die Emirate und Saudi-Arabien zugesichert, dass es nicht ihr Ziel sei, den Seehafen von Hudeida zu erobern, der im Norden der Stadt liegt. Überhaupt sei es nicht ihre Absicht, die für die Hilfslieferungen existentiell wichtigen Infrastrukturen zu beeinträchtigen oder gar zu zerstören. Die Aussagen der beiden Verbündeten scheinen der Rücksicht auf die »Weltmeinung« geschuldet. Zu Beginn ihrer Intervention im März 2015 flog die saudische Luftwaffe auch gezielte Angriffe gegen Hafenanlagen in Hudeida. Gegenwärtig ist indessen zu vermuten, dass die arabischen Kriegsmächte Straßenkämpfe in der Stadt vermeiden wollen, da diese für die Angreifer, vor allem aber für die Zivilbevölkerung, mit hohen Verlusten verbunden wären.

In diesem Zusammenhang führte der UN-Sonderbeauftragte Martin Griffiths am Wochenende Gespräche in der jemenitischen Hauptstadt Sanaa.

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/334297.hudeida-unter-feuer.html

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Entscheidende Schlacht um Hodeidah im Jemen

Durch den Wegfall von Hodeidah, dem letzten Versorgungshafen für die von Huthis kontrollierten Gebiete, wird eine humanitäre Katastrophe befürchtet

Wurde am Samstag bereits die Einnahme des Flughafens gemeldet, war am Sonntag wieder von Luftangriffen auf die wichtige, wenngleich stillgelegte Anlage die Rede. Die Kämpfe sollen nach unbestätigten Meldungen für beide Seiten sehr verlustreich sein. Ein paar Tausend Huthi-Kämpfern stehen etwa 25.000 regierungstreue Jemeniten aufseiten der Allianz entgegen, aber in der Großstadt mit einem Einzugsgebiet von etwa 600.000 Menschen wird die Schlacht auch Zivilisten betreffen. Eine Fluchtwelle hat bereits vor Tagen eingesetzt. –

Federführende Emirate Die Ausbreitung des emiratischen Einflusses durch Stützpunkte an beiden Seiten des Roten Meers läuft parallel zur Jemen-Intervention und wird auch durch eine relative Schwäche Saudi-Arabiens begünstigt. - Zu Hodeidah gibt es zwei sehr unterschiedliche Narrative – und beide haben ihre Berechtigung. Einerseits wird durch den Wegfall von Hodeidah, dem letzten Versorgungshafen für die von den Huthis kontrollierten Gebiete, eine weitere humanitäre Katastrophe befürchtet: in einem Land, in dem bereits Millionen Menschen von Hunger und Krankheiten wie Diphtherie und Cholera bedroht sind. Andererseits führen die Huthi-Gegner ebenso zu Recht an, dass die Huthis – deren Radikalität in der Berichterstattung oft unterschlagen wird – ein zynisches Geschäft mit ihrem Versorgungsmonopol treiben. – von Gudrun Harrer

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Großoffensive in Jemen

Im Fall Jemen muss man zur Einschätzung der Lage einen Blick auf die Verbindung der Huthi-Rebellen zum Iran und den zunehmenden Einfluss des Iran in der gesamten Region werfen. Außerdem muss man zum tieferen Verständnis des Konfliktes die Entwicklung der Fracking-Industrie in den USA berücksichtigen: Investoren haben jahrelang dreistellige Milliardensummen in diese Technologie investiert, ohne dabei Gewinne zu machen. Trotzdem werden in den USA immer neue Quellen erschlossen; in Texas, dem Eldorado der Fracking-Industrie, herrscht wegen des Booms bereits ein akuter Mangel an Arbeitskräften.

Das Fracking deckt die eigenen Kosten erst ab einem Ölpreis zwischen 60 und 70 US-Dollar und wird nur dann zu einer Goldgrube, wenn der gegenwärtige Ölpreis von etwa 66 Dollar wieder auf frühere Werte von über 100 Dollar pro Barrel klettert. Genau das aber wäre ein sicherer Nebeneffekt eines Krieges gegen Iran und würde die Fracking-Industrie nicht nur in die Gewinnzone katapultieren, sondern auch dafür sorgen, dass die USA vom Öl-Importeur zum Öl-Exporteur und damit auf dem Weltmarkt zum größten Konkurrenten Russlands würden.

Der Angriff auf die Großstadt al-Hudaida in Jemen ist also nicht nur ein regional begrenztes Kriegsverbrechen, er ist ganz offensichtlich Teil einer Strategie, mit der die USA versuchen, neue Märkte zu erobern, um so ihren Abstieg als Weltmacht aufzuhalten – um den Preis unendlichen menschlichen Leides unter einer Bevölkerung, die zu 48 Prozent aus Analphabeten und zu 50 Prozent aus Kindern besteht. – von Ernst Wolff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYhQyWiz4e4

Mein Kommentar: Das ist m. E. eine gedankliche Volte zuviel. Auch ohne das Fracking in betracht zu ziehen, ist der Jemenkrieg „Teil einer Strategie, mit der die USA versuchen, neue Märkte zu erobern, um so ihren Abstieg als Weltmacht aufzuhalten“.

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Jemen-Krieg: Kampf um die Hafenstadt Hudaida

Der Bürgerkrieg spitzt sich zu: Die Hafenstadt, kontrolliert von den Rebellen, hat bisher die Notversorgung der Jemeniten sichergestellt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-3lDNXtwrI = http://de.euronews.com/video/2018/06/17/jemen-krieg-kampf-um-die-hafenstadt-hudaida

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UN-Vermittler will Kämpfe in Jemen beenden

Angesichts der eskalierenden Gewalt im Jemen ruhen die Hoffnungen auf dem UN-Vermittler Martin Griffiths. Der Brite sollte am Sonntag Gespräche mit hochrangigen Vertretern der Huthi-Rebellen in der Hauptstadt Sanaa beginnen, wie Funktionäre der Deutschen Presse-Agentur berichteten. Berichten zufolge will Griffiths die Aufständischen dazu bringen, die heftig umkämpfte Stadt Hudaida mit ihrem strategisch wichtigen Seehafen unter UN-Verwaltung zu stellen, um so die Kämpfe zu beenden.

https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1091473.un-vermittler-will-kaempfe-in-jemen-beenden.html = https://www.nzz.ch/international/uno-vermittler-will-kaempfe-im-jemen-beenden-kaempfe-am-flughafen-ld.1395583

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Jemen: Heftige Kämpfe um Hodeida - UNO schickt Gesandten

Der UN-Gesandte Martin Griffiths ist zu Gesprächen über die für Hilfslieferungen wichtige Hafenstadt Hodeida im Jemen eingetroffen. Griffiths landete in der von Rebellen kontrollierten Hauptstadt Sanaa. Erwartet wurde, dass er den Rebellenführern eine Übergabe der Kontrolle über den Hafen am Roten Meer an ein von der UNO kontrolliertes Gremium vorschlägt, um weitere Kämpfe mit den Regierungstruppen zu vermeiden.

https://www.msn.com/de-de/muster/watch/jemen-heftige-k%C3%A4mpfe-um-hodeida-uno-schickt-gesandten/vp-AAyJvsY

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Französische Spezialeinheiten angeblich im Jemen in Einsatz

Am Kampf um die jemenitische Rebellenhochburg Hudeida sind einem Zeitungsbericht zufolge auch französische Spezialeinheiten beteiligt. Details zu dem Einsatz von Bodentruppen an der Seite der von Saudi-Arabien geführten Militärallianz nannte das Blatt "Le Figaro" nicht. Das Verteidigungsministerium in Paris war zunächst nicht für eine Stellungnahme zu erreichen.

Am Freitag hatte es aber erklärt, dass Frankreich einen Minenräumeinsatz nach dem Ende der Offensive in Erwägung ziehe, um den Zugang zum Hafen von Hudeida sicherzustellen. Zugleich betonte das Ministerium, dass Frankreich zurzeit keine Militäreinsätze in der Region durchführe und nicht zu dem Bündnis um Saudi-Arabien gehöre.

https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_83950184/franzoesische-spezialeinheiten-angeblich-im-jemen-in-einsatz.html und auch https://deutsch.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/71547-medien-franzoesische-spezialeinheiten-landen-im-jemen/

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Flughafen von Hudaida weiter umkämpft

In der jemenitischen Hafenstadt Hudaida kämpfen Huthi-Rebellen und die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärallianz offenbar weiter um den Flughafen.

Am Morgen hatte das jemenitische Militär erklärt, man habe die Rebellen vertrieben. Regierungsbeamte und Augenzeugen sprachen jedoch von weiter anhaltenden Gefechten. Außerdem hieß es, die Gegend werde belagert. Tausende Menschen seien eingeschlossen.

http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/jemen-flughafen-von-hudaida-weiter-umkaempft.1939.de.html?drn:news_id=893744

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Armee vertreibt Huthis

Die Regierungstruppen wollen den stillgelegten Flughafen der Hafenstadt Hodeidah erobert haben. Der eigentliche Knackpunkt der Schlacht bleibt jedoch die Kontrolle des wichtigen Seehafens am Roten Meer. Die UN will ihn unter internationale Kontrolle stellen.

Die jemenitischen Truppen, die aus drei rivalisierenden Milizen und sudanesischen Söldnern bestehen, stießen an mehreren Stellen auch auf die Verbindungsstraße in die Hauptstadt Sanaa vor. So wollen sie verhindern, dass die Huthis Verstärkung nach Hodeidah bringen. Zugleich ist diese Straße zentral für Hilfslieferungen nach Sanaa und in andere Gebiete im Norden des Landes. Der Hafen von Hodeidah blieb trotz der Kämpfe geöffnet, im Vergleich zum Mai verringerte sich aber die Zahl der zur Entladung im Hafen und der im Roten Meer auf Reede liegenden Schiffe um drei Viertel.

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/buergerkrieg-im-jemen-armee-vertreibt-huthis-1.4019189

Mein Kommentar: Nein, haben sie noch nicht zurückerobert, s. zu Artikel darunter. – In Teilen der Stadt in größerer Entfernung zum Flughafen sollen die Menschen noch zahlreich auf den Straßen gewesen sein.

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Militärallianz erobert Flughafen zurück

Die von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Militärallianz hat nach Angaben des jemenitischen Militärs den internationalen Flughafen von Hudaida eingenommen.Bodentruppen sollen auf das Gelände vorgedrungen seien. Das Hauptgebäude sei umzingelt, jedoch noch nicht erobert. "Wir brauchen etwas Zeit, um sicherzustellen, dass keine Bewaffneten, Minen oder Sprengstoff in dem Gebäude sind," hieß es aus jemenitischen Militärkreisen. Helfer vor Ort meldeten, dass angrenzende Gebiete belagert würden und Tausende Menschen die Gegend nicht verlassen könnten.

https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2018-06/jemen-hudaida-militaer-huthi-rebellen

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/jemen-huadeida-101.html

Mein Kommentar: Die Saudis selbst sind hier am Boden nicht beteiligt! – Und die Rückeroberung des Flughafens war offensichtlich eine Falschmeldung seitens der Anti-Houthi-Kräfte. Es wird weiter um den Flughafen gekämpft.

Weitere deutschsprachige (meist kürzere) Artikel u. a.

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jemen-die-schlacht-um-die-hafenstadt-hudeida-a-1213347.html

https://de.reuters.com/article/jemen-k-mpfe-idDEKBN1JC0GE

https://www.nzz.ch/international/arabische-jemen-allianz-meldet-erfolge-im-kampf-um-rebellenhochburg-hudaida-ld.1395381

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Militärallianz rückt in Jemen auf Flughafen von Rebellenstadt vor

Kampfflugzeuge bombardieren Küstengebiet

Die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärallianz steht im Jemen kurz vor der Eroberung des Flughafens der Rebellenhochburg Hodeidah. Die Truppen der Allianz hätten sich dem Airport bis auf wenige Meter genähert, berichtete der saudiarabische Fernsehsender Al-Arabiya unter Verweis auf das jemenitische Militär am Freitag.

Augenzeugen zufolge flogen Kampfflugzeuge in niedriger Höhe über die Stadt und bombardierten das Küstengebiet. D

https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000081629615/militaerallianz-rueckt-in-jemen-auf-flughafen-von-rebellenstadt-vor

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Die Schlacht um Al Hudaydah

In der Schlacht um die jemenitische Hafenstadt Al Hudaydah können die Aggressoren - Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate - auf eine Vielzahl an Waffen aus deutscher Produktion zurückgreifen. Beide Länder gehören seit 2008 zu den größten Empfängern deutschen Kriegsgeräts. Noch im vergangenen Jahr hat die Bundesregierung die Lieferung von Rüstungsgütern an die zwei Staaten im Wert von beinahe einer halben Milliarde Euro genehmigt. Trotz eines angeblichen Exportstopps werden bis heute ausgewählte Rüstungslieferungen durchgeführt, obwohl die saudisch-emiratische Kriegsallianz den Jemen laut Einschätzung der Vereinten Nationen in die größte humanitäre Krise der Gegenwart gestürzt hat. Der Angriff der Kriegskoalition auf Al Hudaydah droht die Lage noch zu verschlimmern: Über die Stadt wurden zuletzt beinahe 70 Prozent der Nahrungsmittel für die jemenitische Bevölkerung importiert. Die Lieferungen drohen komplett zum Erliegen zu kommen. Bereits jetzt vegetieren 8,4 Millionen Jemeniten am Rande einer Hungersnot dahin.

https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/news/detail/7639/

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Rotes Kreuz warnt vor Flüchtlingstragödie im Jemen

Angesichts der heftigen Kämpfe um die wichtige jemenitische Hafenstadt Hudaida hat das Internationale Komitee vom Roten Kreuz (IKRK) vor einer neuen Flüchtlingstragödie gewarnt. „Zehntausende Menschen werden wahrscheinlich in den nächsten Tagen aus der Stadt fliehen“, so das IKRK gestern in einer Serie von Nachrichten im Kurznachrichtendienst Twitter.

Kliniken könnten nicht richtig arbeiten, es gebe keinen Strom. Menschen ernährten sich von Brotresten, die sie im Müll fänden: „Die Zivilisten in der Stadt sind unter immensem Druck.“

http://orf.at/stories/2443033/

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Rotes Kreuz und UN leisten trotz Bomben Hilfe im Jemen

Ungeachtet der Militärangriffe auf die strategisch bedeutende Hafenstadt Hodeida im Jemen setzt das Rote Kreuz seine humanitäre Hilfe für die notleidenden Einwohner fort. Das Internationale Komitee vom Roten Kreuz verteile über seine lokalen Partner Lebensmittelpakete und stelle Medikamente und medizinische Geräte für Krankenhäuser in Hodeida und Nachbarorten bereit, sagte Rot-Kreuz-Sprecherin Marie Claire Feghali dem Evangelischen Pressedienst am Freitag in Genf. Auch die Vereinten Nationen lieferten weiter humanitäre Güter in die von Huthi-Rebellen kontrollierte Stadt, in der schätzungsweise 600 000 Zivilisten leben.

Trotz der Bombardements seien im Hafen Schiffe mit Hilfsgütern entladen worden, erklärte Lise Grande, die humanitäre Koordinatorin der Vereinten Nationen für Jemen. UN-Mitarbeiter verteilten in der Stadt Essensrationen, Wasser und andere Hilfsgüter.

https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1091372.rotes-kreuz-und-un-leisten-trotz-bomben-hilfe-im-jemen.html

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Angriff auf Hodeidah: "Wir müssen alternative Wege für Hilfsgüter in den Jemen finden."

Bündnisorganisationen von "Aktion Deutschland Hilft" helfen weiter

Der Hafen in Hodeidah gilt als Nadelöhr für Nahrungsmittel und Medikamente für Bedürftige im Jemen. Am Mittwoch wurde er angegriffen - damit könnte einer der wichtigsten Wege für Hilfsgüter versperrt sein.

"Das käme einem Super-Gau für Millionen Menschen gleich", sagt Manuela Roßbach, geschäftsführender Vorstand von "Aktion Deutschland Hilft". "Die Bevölkerung ist durch den jahrelangen Bürgerkrieg, Nahrungsmittelknappheit und einen immensen Choleraausbruch ohnehin schon extrem stark geschwächt."

Das vollständige Interview mit Nikolaus Kirchler von ADRA finden Sie hier: https://adh.ngo/kirchler-interview

https://www.presseportal.de/pm/50116/3971991

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Film: Hodeida-Schlacht bedroht Lebensgrundlage von 250.000 Menschen

Die Bewohner von Hodeida stehen stundenlang Schlange, um an Essen zu kommen. Seit Mittwoch wird ihre Stadt von Regierungstruppen angegriffen – unterstützt durch das von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärbündnis.

Die Offensive stößt international auf heftige Kritik. Der Hafen von Hodeida gilt als Nadelöhr für die Versorgung der Jemeniten. Nahrung, Medikamente, Kraftstoff: Rund 70 Prozent aller Hilfsgüter kommen über Hodeida ins Land.

http://de.euronews.com/2018/06/15/hodeida-schlacht-bedroht-lebensgrundlage-von-250-000-menschen

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Der Überfall Saudi Arabiens auf Hodeida im Jemen findet aus „humanitären Gründen“ statt – und wird (weiterhin) von bundesdeutschen Medien beschönigt

„Die Befreiung der Stadt sei daher notwendig geworden, erklärt der Bruder des saudi-arabischen Kronprinzen Muhammad Bin Salman, “auch aus humanitären Gründen”. Um eine nachhaltige und effektive humanitäre Situation zu schaffen, müsse al-Hudaida aus der Kontrolle der Huthi-Miizen befreit werden. Diese – und nicht etwa die Abriegelung Jemens durch die monateange Blockade Saudi-Arabiens und der Vereinigten Emirate! – seien, wie es der Prinz behauptet, die Verantwortlichen dafür, dass im Jemen der Fluss und die Verteilung von Lebensmitteln und Gütern unterbrochen werde. Der große Rest der aufgeklärten Welt hat hier freilich einen etwas anderen Eindruck. (…) Notwendig ist der enorme rhetorische Aufwand – der noch einmal vom Hinweis begleitet wird, dass Saudi-Arabien 1,5 Milliarden Dollar für UN-Hilfen im Jemen bereitgestellt hat (und damit Schmerzensgeld für Folgen der eigenen Kriegsführung bezahlt) – durch die Warnungen in der weltweiten Öffentlichkeit vor einer Katastrophe durch den Angriff auf Hudaida. Auch in den USA sind diese Befürchtungen durchaus präsent, wie etwa ein Brief von demokratischen und republikanischen Ausschuss-Mitgliedern, der noch einmal vor der Offensive warnte, bezeugt. Die VAE-Publikation The National meldet heute im Liveticker “intensive saudi-arabische Luftangriffe” in der Nähe des Hafens und in Küstenzonen des ad-Durayhimi-Distrikts. Dazu gibt es das Versprechen des saudi-arabischen Botschafter im Jemen zu lesen: “Al-Hudaida wird größer werden und besser.” Nach der Zerstörung?“ – aus dem Beitrag „Jemen: Der Angriff auf die Hafenstadt al-Hudeida hat begonnen“ von Thomas Pany am 13. Juni 2018 bei telepolis , aus dem sowohl die „moderne“ Sprache der saudischen Bomben-Terroristen deutlich wird, als auch ihre Unterstützer… Zur erneuten Verschärfung des saudischen Bombenterrors im Jemen drei aktuelle Beiträge, sowie zwei Beispiele (auch) medialer bundesdeutscher Hilfestellung und Hinweise auf einen Twitter-Kanal von Kriegsgegnern und unsere bisherigen Beiträge:

http://www.labournet.de/internationales/jemen/politik-jemen/der-ueberfall-saudi-arabiens-auf-hodeida-im-jemen-findet-aus-humanitaeren-gruenden-statt-und-wird-weiterhin-von-bundesdeutschen-medien-beschoenigt/

cp1b2 Kampf um Hodeidah: Englisch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: English

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Wikipedia:

Battle of Al Hudaydah

The Battle of Al Hudaydah (Arabic: Ma‘rakat al-Hudaydah) is a major Saudi-led coalition assault on the port city of Al Hudaydah in Yemen. Codenamed Operation Golden Victory and spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates, it has been described as the largest battle since the start of Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen in 2015.[11][16]

Beginning on 13 June 2018 and aiming to dislodge Houthi forces from the port, the objective of the assault is to recapture the city of Al Hudaydah and end the alleged supply of funds, weapons, and ballistic missiles to the Houthis through Al Hudaydah port.[17][18]

As the port plays the crucial role of delivering over 80 percent of food and aid to Yemen, several humanitarian agencies warned of catastrophic humanitarian consequences.[19] The United Nations warned that the battle could threaten the lives of 300,000 children in the populated area and prevent food delivery to millions more and has led continued attempted efforts to secure the port from Houthi control.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Al_Hudaydah

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Tonight in #Yemen: Battles in Hodeidah go on. The UN envoy still in Sanaa still trying to do whatever it is he's trying to do in Sanaa.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1008463259043811328

No constructive results achieved from ongoing talks of the UN envoy @OSE_Yemen with #Houthis in #Sanaa

https://twitter.com/MuradAbdu/status/1008388671828123648

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In Yemen's Hudaida, 'the sound of warplanes never ceases'

Fears of mass displacement grow as air raids by Saudi and Emirati-led coalition jets around Houthi-held city intensify.

Five days into the offensive, residents inside Houthi-held Hudaida pondered an uncertain future as thousands of other civilians were forced to abandon their towns and villages on the city's southern outskirts due to the escalating bombardment.

"The sound of the warplanes above never ceases, night and day," Manal Qaed, an independent journalist who works with a community centre for the displaced in Hudaida, told Al Jazeera over the phone on Sunday.

"The planes are low in the sky; we hear every explosion on the edges of the city," added the 34-year-old.

"Everyone is worried. We just don't know what it going to happen."

Scores of combatants have reportedly been killed since the launch of the military push, while the air strikes have mostly focused on Hudaida's airport to support forces attempting to seize it by Houthi fighters.

"The displacement is taking place from outside the city towards it," Qaed said. "Their situation is very difficult as they have no means of transportation other than by foot."

An estimated 400 displaced families from the village of al-Mandhar made their way to Hudaida on Saturday.

"That's 90 percent of what used to be the village's 5,000-strong population," Qaed said. "Another village, Taif, has been completely emptied of its residents."

She added that the humanitarian situation in the southern district of al-Dureihimi "is also dire", noting that 80 percent of the residents there were unable to leave.

"The Red Cross still hasn't managed to get access to the area because so far it has only succeeded in obtaining a permit from the Houthis but not from the coalition."

Speaking to Al Jazeera over the phone, Abdo Mohammed Haidar, a Hudaida resident, described the situation inside the city as "stable" but said that "people fear the shelling will reach them", as well.

"The main road connecting Hudaida to Sanaa has been blocked off," Haidar said.

Still, that has not stopped a small number of families from relocating to the city of Ibb, some 300km south, or to al-Mahwit, 150km to the north, Haidar said.

"We hear the sounds of gunfire and shelling clearly," he said. "There is little aid to give to the displaced people. Some organisations like UNICEF provided them with basic medical relief but it's not enough."

Haidar said the offensive might not have yet paralysed movement in the city, but has worsened the residents' day-to-day lives.

"Most of the people are poor and work hand-to-mouth," he said. "Every day that passes without them working means another day where they go hungry."

Mutawakkil said that on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, people were out celebrating in Shaab Garden and other public parks, to the background noise of air attacks.

"They watched the World Cup games in the parks to escape from the heat of their homes, even as the shelling went on," she said.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/yemen-hudaida-sound-warplanes-ceases-180617181845370.html

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UN in advanced talks to take over besieged Yemen port

Talks are at an advanced stage for the United Nations to take over the administration of the vital port of Hodeidah under siege from a Saudi-led coalition, the UN humanitarian coordinator Lise Grande said on Sunday.

The Red Sea port is the main distribution point for commercial and humanitarian supplies into Yemen.

Griffiths has been in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, to negotiate with the Houthis for their orderly withdrawal from the port. He is due to report to the UN security council on Monday.

Grande said a political solution to the crisis was required and that Griffiths’ talks to negotiate the handing over of the port by the Houthis and the United Arab Emirates to the UN had reached an advanced stage. In theory UN inspectors have boarded all ships entering Hodeidah to check commercial and humanitarian supplies do not contain weapons bound for the Houthis.

But there are doubts Griffiths will be able to broker a deal on the port’s administration given the Saudi-led coalition is determined to use its military advantage – and lack of active political opposition from the west – to press not just for a Houthi withdrawal from the port area, but from the entire region. Some members of the UN-backed Yemen government were making far wider demands of the Houthis than simple withdrawal from the port and town.

The UAE foreign affairs minister, Anwar Gargash, said the handover of the port needed to form part of a wider settlement.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/17/un-in-advanced-talks-to-take-over-yemen-port-hodeidah-under-saudi-led-siege

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BLOODY 4 DAYS: 470 killed from both sides (Saudi/UAE allies & Houthis) seeking control of strategic airport in #Yemen coast city

https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/1008379398494523392

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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Yemen: Al Hudaydah Update Situation Report No. 2, 17 June 2018

Heavy fighting continued in different parts of the governorate with the Saudi-led Coalition reaching Al Hudaydah airport. Airstrikes were reported in some locations in Al Hudaydah City including the University and in Ad Durayhimi District. Clashes were reported in multiple locations in Ad Durayhimi, At Tuhayat, Bayt Al Faqiah and Hays districts, with unverified casualties.

The Protection Cluster’s Civilian Impact Monitoring report for 7-13 June notes that the incidents with an impact on civilians in Hudaydah have increased compared to the previous week. Most incidents were in the frontline districts of Bait Al Faqih, Ad Durayhimi, Al Tuhayat and Al Garrahi. Some 36 households lost their livelihood after their farms were damaged, while the bombing of the main road in Bait Al Faqih had an indirect protection implication for as many as 51,400 households in the district On 16 June, IDPs arrived to Al Hudaydah City from Al Mandhar village, south of the airport. The estimated 400 displaced families were verified on 16 June and distribution of immediate assistance commenced on 17 June. The new IDP caseload is an addition to just over 4,000 households that have been verified as displaced since 1 June in six districts of Al Hudaydah Governorate and the city. An additional 800 displaced families who have been verified in Ad Durayhimi will also be receiving assistance.

Some civilians are reportedly stranded in areas of fighting without access to humanitarian assistance. The Yemen Red Crescent has evacuated 20 wounded civilians and the two bodies from Al Mandhar, with the wounded being taken to hospitals inside Hudaydah City.

The planned voluntary return of over 200 Ethiopian migrants has been postponed amid reports that many other migrants are stranded in or near the frontlines. The Al Hudaydah port remains open with a WFP- chartered vessel expected to complete off-loading grain on 17 June, and another vessel carrying humanitarian supplies expected to berth at the port on the same day. Five commercial vessels are at berth carrying food and fuel.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-al-hudaydah-update-situation-report-no-2-17-june-2018

and infographic:

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Armed conflict escalates in #Hudaydah #Yemen, UNICEF & Partners are scaling response efforts to help thousands of children . UNICEF Yemen dashboard on the situation.

https://twitter.com/EliasdDiab/status/1008224140388634625

and abridged

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Nearly 5,000 families displaced in Yemen's Hodeida: UN

Nearly 5,000 families have been displaced in Yemen's flashpoint Hodeida province this month, the UN said Sunday, as violence escalates in the rebel-held Red Sea region.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 4,458 households had been displaced from their homes in Hodeida since June 1, with 36 families losing their livelihood as their farms were damaged in the conflict.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5853553/Nearly-5-000-families-displaced-Yemens-Hodeida-UN.html

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Film: Yemen: Civilians flee as fighting intensifies in Hodeidah

Civilians were seen fleeing the area as Saudi-led forces closed in on the port city of Hodeidah on Saturday.

One of the locals fleeing from the fighting recounted what he saw.

"The air attacks were extremely heavy and violent back there, hitting humans, trees and houses, everything," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2B4FvkHndc

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Thousands of #civilians have been evacuating districts surrounding #Hodeidah's airport while hundreds of vehicles were seen lining up early Saturday as they headed to the northern part of the city, according to CNN. (photo)

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1008050209841205250

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Photo: In conjunction with the #Houthi militia collapse in the port city of #Hodeidah, the militia group begins blocking the streets in certain neighborhoods; in what seems to be a preparation for Street Fighting. This move has forces hundreds of families to flee.

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1008036955219726338

My comment: This move did it, really?? Stay serious.

And

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The #Houthis have blocked the road leading to Kilo 16, near the Facility of the Passports Authority in #Hodeidah, as they dig trenches on the main street (photo)

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1008398920484114432

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99635

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Yemen: Houthis threaten to blow up Hodeidah airport terminals

Lt Omar Saleh said the Houthis were planning to destroy the terminals if Yemen government forces pursued their offensive on Hodeidah

Houthi rebels are threatening to blow up the airport terminals of Yemen’s key port city of Hodeidah, said a spokesman with the government forces.

Lt Omar Saleh, spokesman for the Yemeni Army's former elite Al Amalikah brigades — rebuilt with the help of the United Arab Emirates — said two Houthis who had been detained during fighting had admitted that the Iran-backed group was planning to destroy the terminals if government forces pursued their offensive on Hodeidah.

“The two newly-recruited Houthis were arrested on Saturday during clashes near the airport, and they said that mines experts were planting explosives at the terminals,” he told The National. “They planted thousands of landmines in the airport.”

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-houthis-threaten-to-blow-up-hodeidah-airport-terminals-1.741024

Remark: As claimed by Emirati news site. – Whatever, why the anti-Houthi side – having bombed the air port the very same day – is emphasizing this??

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Yemeni army brings down "Iranian-made" spy plane belonging to the Houthi militia in Hodeidah

The Yemeni army brought down an Iranian-made drone belonging to the Houthi coup militia in the province of Hodeidah west of the country.
According to the official Yemeni news agency, the commander of the third brigade, Brigadier General Abdulrahman al-Lahji, said that the drone was loaded with explosive devices in the Nakhaila area north of the Durahmi district.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1777102

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Houthis to Tehran: Israeli fighter jets conduct air strikes over W. Yemen

Zaifullah al-Shami, a member of the Houthi Ansarullah movement’s political bureau claimed to the Al-Alam News on Sunday that Israeli warplanes had bombed the western coasts of Yemen, where the Houthi forces are fighting off a Saudi-led military coalition offensive to capture the strategic port of Hudaydah. He did not reveal how Tehran responded.

https://www.debka.com/mivzak/houthis-to-tehran-israeli-fighter-jets-conduct-air-strikes-over-w-yemen/

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The Yemeni army forces captured 160 Saudi-led coalition troops in the western coast until Saturday, Ali al-Emad, a member of Ansarullah political bureau, said on Sunday to Al-Mayadeen TV Channel.

“The prisoners were transferred to places out of Hudaydah city to protect them from the hostile air bombing,” al-Emad added.
The statement came after the Yemeni army forces announced that they still control Hudaydah city in full, and are imposing a siege on the Saudi-led coalition troops, which tried to attack several areas of the city.

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82945160

Remark: Here: pro-Houthi part of the army.

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Film: Smoke rises over Hodeidah Airport as Houthis, coalition forces keep fighting (video)

Houthis and Saudi-led forces continued to fight to gain full control of Hodeidah International Airport on Saturday.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/smoke-rises-over-hodeidah-airport-as-houthis-coalition-forces-keep-fighting-video/ = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ-rRgVhk34

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Saudi-led coalition conducts air strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah airport

A Saudi-led coalition conducted air strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah airport on Sunday to support forces trying to seize control from Iran-aligned Houthi fighters, who are facing their biggest challenge in the war, Saudi and Houthi-run media reported.

Warplanes carried out five strikes on the port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline to millions of Yemenis, according to SABA, the official Houthi news agency. Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya also reported strikes on the airport.

Ground troops, including United Arab Emiratis, Sudanese and Yemenis from various factions, surrounded the main airport compound on Saturday, said a source in the coalition-allied Yemeni military.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/saudi-led-coalition-conducts-air-strikes-on-yemens-hodeidah-airport-idUSKBN1JD08E

and by Iranian news site https://en.mehrnews.com/news/134866/Saudi-led-Coalition-s-warplanes-bombing-Hudaida-airport

and also, with film http://www.dw.com/en/battle-for-yemeni-lifeline-port-intensifies/a-44261809

and overview articles http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-gulf-coalition-air-strikes-houthi-hodeidah-airport-1757376983

https://www.rt.com/news/430050-yemen-port-civilians-saudi/

My comment: The anti-Houthi forces had claimed that they had captured the airport, Western agencies and media simply spread these news. They had been denied by the Houthi side. Obviously these reports of having taken the aiport were false – why there should be more air raids and more fighting?

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A journalist actually on the ground in Hudayda expresses exasperation at some of the crap reporting about the airport from yesterday

https://twitter.com/adammbaron/status/1008323227570130944

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How will now deal with the media of the National Army, and the location of "September Net" with the battle of Hodeidah, after they announced yesterday the fall of Hodeidah airport !!! You are an official source, and you must understand the meaning of that well, away from the arrogance !!!!

https://twitter.com/mohammedalqadhi/status/1008308522617098240

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Al-Houthi reveals name of foreign boat captured in Hodeidah / Coalition responsible for UN mission failure

Head of the Yemeni revolutionary committee Ali Muhammad al-Houthi on Sunday revealed the name of the foreign boat, which was seized by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
In a tweet, he said that “The operation carried out by the Yemeni Coast Guard in Hodeidah resulted in capturing a foreign boat, named (M / Y_jehol_ll).

The head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Al-Houthi, accused the coalition of aggression the responsibility for the failure of any political process.
In a tweet Al-Houthi said that "the role played by the former UN envoy did not exceed the profession of postman, and his initiative was rejected by the US-Saudi aggression as not compatible with their mercenaries who refuse to accept the choice of a consensual person to the presidency.”

http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/al-houthi-reveals-name-of-foreign-boat-captured-in-hodeidah-coalition-responsible-for-un-mission-failure_897841.html

Remark: Other reports claim that it’s a French boat.

And

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#French troops held hostage by Houthis, after surrender, while fighting in #Yemen coast of #Hudaydah, 2 Houthi military commanders tells me.

https://twitter.com/HakimAlmasmari/status/1008274433490980864

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Al Matahen Circle has been just captured by the #JointForces cutting a major access road for #Houthi militias supplies coming into #Hodeidah from both Sana’a and Taiz. (map)

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1008104750691377153

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A military source told Al-Nabaa Agency: Apache is flying heavily off the coastal strip of #Hodeidah after the #Yemen-i naval forces captured a foreign boat while carrying out hostile military tasks in Yemeni waters.
And, according to reports that the a foreign boat who has been captured belong to the French forces and carries name (M/ Y_jehol_ll).

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564.1073741829.961126490607048/1780410322011990/?type=3&theater

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Health condemns aggression targeting Health Bureau operations room in Hodeidah

The Ministry of Public Health and Population condemned the aggression targeting of operations room of the health office located on the General Thawra Hospital in Hodeidah with direct shelling, which caused severe damage, the ministry said in a statement received by the Saba news agency.
The ministry said the targeting of the operating room inside the hospital, a war crime which disregard all international conventions and laws that prohibit and criminalize the targeting of health facilities and ambulance units.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499257.htm

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UN envoy in Yemen for Hodeida crisis talks

The UN envoy for Yemen arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Saturday for emergency talks on the key aid port of Hodeida where rebel fighters are battling a regional coalition.

Martin Griffiths is expected to propose to rebel leaders that they cede control of the Red Sea port to a UN-supervised committee to avoid further fighting with advancing government troops which are backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He did not speak to reporters on his arrival at Sanaa international airport.

https://www.afp.com/en/news/205/un-envoy-yemen-hodeida-crisis-talks-doc-1617zf1 = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5851157/UN-envoy-Yemen-emergency-talks-Hodeida.html

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Security services arrest aggression collaborators cell in Hodeidah

The security services in the province of Hodeidah arrested the most serious monitoring cell working for Saudi-led coalition in the area of Tihama, a security official told Saba News Agency.
The cell members were monitoring targets and sending coordinates to the invasion and occupation forces, as well as misleading some citizens and recruiting them to join the coalition camps, according to the security official.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499266.htm

and

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Yemen party urges anti-Houthi ‘intifada’ in Al-Hudeidah

The Al-Islah Party on Saturday urged its members in Yemen’s coastal Al-Hudeidah province to stage an “intifada” (“uprising”) against Shia Houthi rebels.

In a statement, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated party called on “all the sons of Al-Hudeidah, especially Al-Islah members, to rise up against Houthi domination and welcome the [Yemeni] army as liberating heroes”.

Al-Islah, which is loyal to Yemen’s internationally-recognized government (currently based in the coastal city of Aden), also praised the “heroic role being played by our Arab allies led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates”.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-party-urges-anti-houthi-intifada-in-al-hudeidah/1176427

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Thousands evacuate as battle intensifies near Yemen airport

Thousands of civilians have been evacuating districts surrounding Hodeidah's airport Saturday as a Saudi-led coalition closes in on the Houthi-held city in Yemen, according to two sources.

CNN is unable to verify independently the exact number of people fleeing Hodeidah, but hundreds of vehicles were seen lining up early Saturday as they headed to the northern part of the city, said local activist Nofel Al Najjar and a local council official who does not want to be named for security reasons.

Clashes have been happening at the airport's gates as hundreds of coalition forces surround the area, three Houthi security officials said.

The Saudi Center of International Communication posted on its official Twitter account that the "Saudi-led coalition enters Hodeidah airport," but the Houthis claim the airport remains in their control, according to the three Houthi security officials in the area.

On Saturday, the Norwegian Refugee Council reported that "humanitarian agencies have had to pause almost all operations" in Hodeidah as clashes "approach highly populated residential areas."

The organization also said that "humanitarian agencies cannot currently access areas south of the city where people are most likely to have been injured, affected and displaced."

"I am deeply worried about people who fled to Hodeidah city because their homes were under attack in other areas, " Saleem Al-Shamiri, the council's office coordinator Hodeidah, said from Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

"Tens of thousands of people came with nothing and are now left to fend for themselves until we can get to them with food and clean water."

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/16/middleeast/yemen-battle-thousands-evacuate/index.html

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Update on the situation in Hodeida, Yemen, 16 June 2018

Clashes are continuing just south of Hodeidah city during the Eid al-Fitr festival, one of the most important religious holidays for Muslims. Many people in Hodeidah left their homes yesterday to go to Mosque or visit friends and family, but many are frightened to move far from their homes.

Fighting is ongoing in several locations near the city's southern outskirts, where Ansar Allah troops are holding a line close to Hodeidah airport. Frontlines elsewhere have shifted inland in response to heavy coalition airstrikes.

Many residents of Hodeidah with family elsewhere in the country, or the resources to leave, have done so for the Eid break and are very unlikely to return while the situation remains fragile. Humanitarian agencies cannot currently access areas south of the city where people are most likely to have been injured, affected and displaced, leaving us without a clear picture of needs.

Humanitarian agencies have had to pause almost all operations in Hodeidah city, where clashes along the border between the Ad Durayhimi and Al Hawak districts approach highly-populated residential areas.

NRC is delivering cholera prevention and response activities in Al Hawak district but movements to the area have stopped pending a break in the fighting.

Though humanitarian agencies are pre-positioning bulk supplies across nine service points across Hodeidah, unpredictable frontlines and a lack of safe access passages currently puts Yemeni people at risk when trying to move to access them.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/update-situation-hodeida-yemen-16-june-2018 and also https://www.voanews.com/a/aid-group-yemenis-who-left-hodeida-might-not-return/4442015.html

film: https://twitter.com/NRC_Norway/status/1007961274234351616

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Oxfam: The world needs a new strategy to protect the people of Hodeida and avoid catastrophe

The strategy to prevent this assault through quiet diplomacy – by the Coalition’s international partners including the US, UK and France – has failed. The UN Security Council has been largely silent, and has still not demanded an immediate end to the offensive. For the sake of millions of Yemenis, the time for a more effective strategy is now.

The attack is also likely to directly endanger the 600,000 people who live in and around the city – trapped, afraid, forced to flee, suffering shortages of food, water and supplies. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lise Grande said that ‘as many as 250,000 people may lose everything – even their lives.'

The conflict in Yemen is a complex one, which has deepened over the last three years.

Yemen’s neighbours have legitimate security concerns, but these can and should be accommodated through a political process instead of prolonged conflict and a battle likely to spark a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. This is a time to put the welfare and security of Yemenis, and the chance of peace, first.

Civilians will not be safe while the Saudi- and UAE-led Coalition's offensive on Hodeida and its battle with proHouthi forces there continues, regardless of any measures put in place to mitigate the risks. The only solution is for all Yemeni parties to return to a viable peace process, to negotiate a lasting, inclusive peace in good faith.

The international community should exert every possible pressure on all parties to stop the bloodshed and engage in that meaningful peace process, supported by the UN Special Envoy. As part of this pressure, now more than ever it is time for the international community to suspend arms supplies to the parties in conflict.

The international calls to uphold international humanitarian law and maintain aid supplies are not an adequate alternative to an immediate ceasefire. But if this terrible conflict continues, all the warring parties’ international partners should remember that – as parties to the Geneva Conventions – they have a duty to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including an obligation to ensure respect for the law by their security partners.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/world-needs-new-strategy-protect-people-hodeida-and-avoid-catastrophe

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For those of us in Yemen, Eid this year will be marred by fear and tragedy

Living through three years of conflict is exhausting, but as an aid worker here in Yemen, you have to have a big heart and a great sense of passion. If we give up, people will suffer even more

Last night I walked around the streets in the city centre of Hodeidah. The restaurants were open as normal and there was no displacement or evacuation. The city was bustling as people were shopping for their food and gifts for Eid until dawn.

But people are confused. One man said to me: “Is this a game? We are seeing accounts of bombing in the media but this is not the reality we are seeing.”

Unfortunately, we know this is not the case for our fellow citizens of Hodeidah in the south. We can hear the bombings. Yesterday there was an extraordinary amount of air traffic and fighter jets flying around. It’s a bit quieter today but there is a prevailing sense of fear around us.

People have no idea what’s going to happen and many are stockpiling vital supplies. People are asking me what they should do. Those who don’t have any means to go anywhere fear they will die.

Eid will be very different this year – by Salem Jaffer Baobaid, deputy country director in Yemen forIslamic Relief

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yemen-conflict-civil-war-eid-hodeidah-a8402006.html

photo: This photo was taken minutes ago from one of the public gardens in Hodeida city west of Yemen.

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1008007408755539968

film: This is the nightlife in #Hodeidah and now many people staying at the beach watching the sea and smoking Shisha

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1008047253347594240

(* A H K)

Yemen: MSF provides support to hospitals treating wounded from Hodeidah

In Hodeidah city, MSF teams are providing medical supplies to Al Thawrah hospital, the main public hospital serving Hodeidah governorate, whose capacity is already stretched thin. In Far Al Udayn district, west of Ibb, MSF is also donating supplies to a health facility receiving people wounded by the fighting in Hodeidah.

“The lack of humanitarian assistance, following suspension of aid programmes and with limited NGO staff on the ground while a military offensive is ongoing, will have severe consequences on a region already facing restrictions on the import and internal transportation of vital supplies, including medicines, food and fuel” explains Frederic Pelat, MSF head of mission in Yemen. Yemenis living in the northern parts of the country depend on vital supplies that pass through Hodeidah’s port. “It is crucial that warring parties ensure civilians are able to move freely as they look for safe locations to shelter,” added Pelat.

Every day since the clashes began in May, MSF teams in Aden have been receiving patients coming from Hodeidah in need of vital medical care. “The vast majority of Hodeidah residents that we have treated in MSF Aden hospital are vital emergencies. They are driving at least six hours to reach Aden, most of the time in critical conditions” explains Ghazali Babiker, project coordinator for MSF.

http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-msf-provides-support-hospitals-treating-wounded-hodeidah

(A H K)

Statement from WHO Director-General on the humanitarian situation in Yemen

With the intensification of fighting around Hodeida, I am deeply concerned about the impact it will have on the lives, health and welfare of the 1.6 million people living in the city and its environs, and on the people of Yemen more broadly.

In particular, the port of Hodeida is an essential lifeline for the country: more than 70% of all food, essential medicines and healthcare supplies are brought in through this port.

We stand with our UN partners to call on all parties to the conflict to protect the port, and allow its uninterrupted functioning. We also call on all parties to protect health workers and their facilities from harm, as well as to ensure unimpeded access for medical teams seeking to treat the wounded.”

http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/16-06-2018-statement-from-who-director-general-on-humanitarian-situation-in-yemen

(*A H K)

Most of my relatives are still living in #Hodeidah. They told me that they can not find safe places for them because they afraid to be killed if even they think to move from a place to another. Or be a target of fires from Houthis or Saudi airstrikes.

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1007705830874066944

Here is the real situation of most families in #Hodeidah. People are hungery. Children are sick. The weather is very hot. No water, power, or food. Most of them prefering to die inside their own houses rather than seeking safe places, because they are very poor to do so. (photos)

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1007702365175271427

(** A K P)

US providing intelligence sharing and refuelling for Hodeidah

White House official tells The National that US non-combat role is within laws set by Congress

The United States is providing the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen with logistical support as it wages an offensive to retake Hodeidah but is not involved in combat operations, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

"The United States is not involved in offensive operations in Hodeidah,” Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Galloway said, outlining the scope and role of Washington’s mission in Yemen including the battle for the port city launched on Wednesday.

“Our support to the coalition consists of aerial refuelling to coalition aircraft and intelligence support to assist our partners in securing their borders from cross-border attacks from the Houthis," Maj Galloway said.

While the Pentagon viewed the conflict in Yemen as one that “affects regional security across the Middle East and threatens US national security interests, including the free flow of commerce in the Red Sea", the US “does not command, accompany, or participate in counter-Houthi operations or any hostilities other than those authorised against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS," he said.

Instead, "our non-combat support focuses on improving coalition processes and procedures, especially regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and best practices for reducing the risk of civilian casualties".

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/us-providing-intelligence-sharing-and-refuelling-for-hodeidah-1.740279

My comment: Here is made clear by the Emiratis themselves what the US wants to stay almost uncertain.

(** A K P)

French special forces on the ground in Yemen: Le Figaro

French special forces are present on the ground in Yemen with forces from the United Arab Emirates, French newspaper Le Figaro reported on Saturday, citing two military sources.

The newspaper gave no further information about their activities. The Defence Ministry was not immediately available for comment, but its usual policy is not to comment on special forces’ operations.

A French parliamentary source recently told Reuters French special forces were in Yemen.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-france/french-special-forces-on-the-ground-in-yemen-le-figaro-idUSKBN1JC099

and also http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/06/16/565127/Yemen-Hudaydah-Houthi

and

(* A K P)

Des soldats français aux côtés des Émiriens au Yémen

Des éléments des forces spéciales françaises sont présents aux côtés de la coalition arabe qui tente de reprendre le port yéménite de Hodeïda aux rebelles houthis. Des militaires français l’affirment dans Le Figaro, ce samedi, malgré les dénégations du ministère des Armées vendredi.

Une source parlementaire avait récemment fait part de cette information que le ministère des Armées n’avait pas commenté samedi matin.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/monde/yemen/des-soldats-francais-aux-cotes-des-emiriens-au-yemen-5828410

(A K P)

US-UK supporting attacks on Al Hudaydah: Ansarullah spokesman

Yemeni Ansarullah spokesman Mohammad Abdol Salam said that strikes on Al Hudaydah Port have been organized by US and UK and Saudi Arabia and the UAE are not able to perform them alone.
'Conflicts in western coasts of Yemen are different from those in southern parts,' he said, adding that the aggressor coalitions is responsible for humanitarian crises.

http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/us-uk-supporting-attacks-on-al-hudaydah-ansarullah-spokesman_897751.html

(* A K)
Fuad Rajeh: Well, reports about capturing Hodeidah airport by government and coalition forces are untrue. Battles are still kilometers from it.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1008093795806777346

My comment: The Yemeni journalist Fuad Rajeh does not follow either side in this war and must be taken seriously. We cannot be really sure what actually has happened. Reports by the anti-Houthi side (which just are C+P adopted by western media) and by he Houthi side are linked here below.

(* A K pS)

Yemeni forces intensify efforts to retake port city from Houthi control

With battles raging at the southern side of Al-Hodeidah International Airport, the Yemeni military said it had entirely seized the facility, and that engineers were working to clear mines from nearby areas just south of the city of some 600,000 people on the Red Sea.

Sadek Dawad, a spokesman for the Republican Guards force allied with the coalition, said the government forces had battled onto the airport grounds.
Dawad also said the southern gate of Hodeidah city was captured by pro-coalition forces.
“The military operations to liberate the city of Hodeidah will not be stopped until we secure the city and its strategic port and that won’t last too long,” he told The Associated Press. Yemeni officials and witnesses said forces from the UAE-backed Amaleqa brigades, backed by air cover from the coalition forces, were heading to eastern Hodeidah province to attempt to cut off the main road that links it with the capital, Sanaa.
The officials said if government forces capture the Kilo 16 Road they would trap the Houthi militias in Hodeidah and the western coast and prevent them from receiving supplies from the capital. The Houthis are then expected to have no choice but to head to the northern province of Hajjah.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1322766/middle-east

(* A H K)

The Latest: Witnesses: Areas under siege in Hodeida battle

9:45 a.m. Yemeni rights advocates and relief workers say areas adjacent to the airport in Hodeida are under siege and thousands of people are unable to leave as roads are shut down amid intense fighting.

The United Nations says hundreds of people have fled Hodeida since Wednesday, when a Saudi-led coalition began an assault to take over the vital Red Sea port town, through which most of the country's food comes.

Saber Wasel, a relief worker in Hodeida, told The Associated Press early Saturday: "Families are trapped inside and there is difficulty leaving as they are coming under airstrikes and bombardment by both parties of the war." He said that at least 70 families tried to leave the area of al-Mandhar at night.

Eshraq al-Maqtari, a member of the National Council of Human Rights, said on her Twitter account that the entire population of Mandhar, around 3,000 people, are besieged.

https://www.businessinsider.de/ap-the-latest-witnesses-areas-under-siege-in-hodeida-battle-2018-6?r=UK&IR=T

(* B H K P)

World’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe may be about to get even worse

The streets of Hodeidah were said to be empty yesterday. For those who live in Yemen’s main port city, the Eid holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fast brings no festivities only a sense of foreboding.

It’s hard to imagine the humanitarian disaster in Yemen getting any worse than it already is, but most likely that is what is about to happen.

Just pause and consider these terrifying facts. Right now around 22 million people in Yemen, about three quarters of the population, are dependent on food aid and 8.4 million of these people remain on the brink of famine.

Over the past few days the United Nations (UN) Security Council struggled but failed to find a diplomatic path to head off the assault on the city by a coalition of forces from Arab states led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While Sweden introduced a proposal to the council calling for a ceasefire to be implemented both the UK and US as well as France voiced opposition to the move.

That opposition to a ceasefire one suspects is based on the notion that the UK, US and France, see the risk of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as one worth taking if the Saudi led coalition are able to oust the rebel Houthi forces who are currently in control of Hodeidah.

If that proves to be the case then it will only add to the clamour of accusations that the UK is happy to side with the Gulf states, not least too because of British business and commercial ties.

[overview]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16295075.World___s_biggest_humanitarian_catastrophe_may_be_about_to_get_even_worse/

another overview https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/16/coalition-ignores-famine-warnings-and-continues-assault-yemen-critics-question-us

(A K pH)

Hodeida airport’s officials deny aggression forces controlling Hodiedah airport

Yemeni officials denied the validity of the entry of the Saudi-paid mercenaries at Hodeidah International Airport.
Deputy of the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology of the Airports Sector Mohammed Al-Sharif said in a statement obtained by Saba News agency the images that were circulated in some news and social networking sites about Hodeidah airport were taken on 24 October 2016 When a report was submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO and the United Nations to clarify the violations committed by the aggression, which criminalize all attacks on civilian facilities of airports.
Al-Sharif added that the fence shown by the channels of aggression as the airport fence is incorrect, and it is a land belonging to one of the members of the House of Representatives located next to the Durahami roundabout.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499255.htm

and

(A K pH)

Film: This is Bukhaiti, senior Houthi official and a spokesman, speaking from Hodeida airport after noon Saturday June 16/2018.

https://twitter.com/aamalYemeni/status/1008093412518780929

(A K pH)

Yemeni Source Denies Arrival of Saudi-Backed Forces near Hodeidah Airport

A military source denied arrival of the Saudi coalition forces to the outskirts of Hodeidah airport, 2 kilometers from the airport.

The source confirmed the continuation of fierce clashes between the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees on the one hand and the Saudi coalition forces in various military formations on the other in the vicinity of the Nakhilah farms, Shujira and Samahi villages in Durahmi district South of the coastal province of Hodeidah in Western Yemen, Al-Mayadeen reported.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970326000292

Remark: Claims by the pro-Houthi side.

And

(* A K pH)

Houthis say Saudi-led forces bogged down outside Hudaydah

Yemen's Houthi fighters have dismissed reports that Saudi-led forces have seized the airport in the port city of Hudaydah, saying the aggressors are on the retreat on all front lines.

Militants and foreign mercenaries armed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are attempting to capture the well-defended city and push the Houthis out of their sole Red Sea port in the biggest battle of the war.

"A battle of attrition awaits the Saudi alliance which it cannot withstand. The Saudi coalition will not win the battle in Hudaydah," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen TV.

Mohammed al-Sharif, deputy head of Yemen's civil aviation, said images circulated online about the airport had been taken in October 2016.

A fence shown as proof of the airport's capture is actually situated near the al-Durayhimi district, on a piece of land belonging to a Yemeni lawmaker, the official Saba news agency quoted him as saying

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/06/17/565221/Yemen-Saudi-Hudaydah-UAE

(A K pH)

Photos taken today (June 16) from Hodeida port, lifeline of Yemen.

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1008014559070867456

(* A K)

Arab alliance close to capturing Hodeidah airport, Yemen military says

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement fought on Saturday to keep a Saudi-led coalition from taking full control of the airport in the port city of Hodeidah, in an offensive the U.N. says could trigger a famine imperiling millions of lives.

“Death and poverty are all around us. We are scared to leave our homes after the fighting reached the airport,” Abdelqader, who used to work at a cement plant, said by telephone from Hodeidah. “No work, no salary, we are just waiting for God’s mercy.”

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said Saudi-led forces had not entered Hodeidah airport and warned the assault on the city would undermine chances for a peaceful settlement.

“A battle of attrition awaits the Saudi alliance which it cannot withstand. The Saudi coalition will not win the battle in Hodeidah,” he told Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen TV.

Fighting closed off the city’s northern exit, blocking a key route east to Sanaa and making it harder to transport goods from Yemen’s biggest port to mountainous regions.

Aly Omar and his family spent three days trapped in the Manzar neighborhood abutting the airport as fighting raged.

“We didn’t have any food, or drink or anything, not even water,” Omar said, standing in a hospital on Friday night beside his wounded son.

“I treated him on a bus after he was injured in an air strike ... I call on the United Nations and the Red Cross to open a way for us to get out of the situation we’re in. Our kids, women and elderly are stuck.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-airport/arab-alliance-close-to-capturing-hodeidah-airport-yemen-military-says-idUSKBN1JC04L

and also

http://www.dw.com/en/saudi-led-forces-seize-rebel-held-airport-in-yemens-hodeida-military/a-44250169

http://www.france24.com/en/20180616-yemen-saudi-coalition-hodeidah-airport-houthi

(*A K)

Yemen war: Government troops 'capture Hudaydah airport'

The military said engineers were now checking the surrounding area for mines. The Houthis have not acknowledged losing the airport.

There has been no fighting in the city centre or port, seen as a lifeline for millions of Yemenis at risk of famine.

UN special envoy Martin Griffiths arrived in the capital Sanaa on Saturday for emergency talks on the situation at the port, AFP reported.

He is expected to propose to the Houthis, who control Sanaa, that they cede control of Hudaydah to a UN-supervised committee to avoid further fighting.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44505440

(* A K)

Saudi-led coalition enters Hodeidah airport: Yemen military media

Forces from an Arab alliance entered the airport in Yemen’s main port city of Hodeidah on Saturday, the media office of the Yemeni military allied with the Saudi- and United Arab Emirates-led coalition said.

Control of the airport would be an important early success for the coalition fighting to seize the country’s largest port from the Iran-aligned Houthis, in the biggest battle of a three-year war.

“Army forces backed by the resistance and the Arab alliance freed Hodeidah international airport from the grip of the Houthi militia,” the media office said on Twitter on Saturday.

A source with the coalition-backed Yemeni military said troops had surrounded the main airport building.

“We need some time to make sure there are no gunmen, mines or explosive in the building,” the source said.

The media office said technical teams were de-mining the surrounding area.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-airport/saudi-led-coalition-enters-hodeidah-airport-yemen-military-media-idUSKBN1JC04L

and also by Emirati news site: https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/arab-coalition-and-yemeni-forces-seize-hodeidah-airport-from-houthis-1.740596

and how the airport looks like: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1779657805420575

(* A K)

Yemen attack: hundreds killed as rebels' grip on Hodeidah airport loosens

Airport push marks third day of campaign to drive out rebels from vital Red Sea port as death toll rises

Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni fighters backing the country’s government moved closer to taking control of the airport of a crucial rebel-held port as fighting intensified, with pro-government forces within metres of the airport gates.

The death toll climbed to at least 280 on the third day of the campaign on Friday aimed at driving out the Iranian-backed Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah that is the main entry point for food and aid supplies in a country teetering on the brink of famine.

Yemeni officials said dozens of pro-government fighters have been killed since the assault began Wednesday, mainly from land mines and roadside bombs disguised as rocks or sacks of wheat. On the rebel side, bodies of Houthi fighters were strewn across the front lines.

Ahmed al-Kawkabani, a Yemeni who leads a pro-government militia known as the Tohama Brigade, told The Associated Press that his forces were positioned in Dawar al-Hodeidah, just two kilometres from the airport.

Another Yemeni commander, Abu Zarah al-Mahrami, told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya TV network that pro-government forces were “within meters” of the airport.

Military officials said preparations were under way for a final push to take the airport and that the ground battles had largely subsided by sunset Friday. They said the assault on the airport would start at dawn on Saturday.

Military commanders said the operation would be complicated because the aim is to protect airport facilities, buildings and nearby fighter jets. The Houthis will depend on snipers and land mines to slow down the multi-pronged advance.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/16/yemen-attack-hundreds-killed-as-rebels-grip-on-hodeidah-airport-loosens

(* A K)

Arab forces seize entrances to airport in Yemen's main port city

Forces from an alliance of Arab states seized two entrances to the airport in Yemen’s main port city on Friday, in an offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that the United Nations fears could trigger a famine imperiling millions of lives.

The swift advance was an important early success for the Saudi- and United Arab Emirates-led alliance, which launched the operation in Hodeidah three days ago and says it can seize the city quickly enough to avoid interrupting aid to the millions facing starvation.

“We saw the resistance forces in the square at the northwestern entrance to the airport,” said a Hodeidah resident, referring to Yemeni allies of the Saudi-led coalition. Two Yemeni military officials allied to the coalition confirmed this.

Alliance-backed Yemeni forces tweeted that they had also seized the airport’s southern entrance and were advancing down a main road toward the Hodeidah seaport.

The UAE state news agency said Houthi fighters at the airport were crumbling. However, local military sources said the Houthis have surrounded themselves with a large number of landmines, meaning that it would take some time for coalition forces to battle their way to the main airport buildings.

Residents said battles had been fought in the Manzar neighborhood abutting the wall around the airport. “There have been terrifying bombing runs since the morning when they struck Houthi positions near the airport,” said fish vendor Ammar Ahmed. “We live days of terror that we have never known before.”

In the evening, a first ambulance made it into the area and evacuated seven wounded civilians, but two of them died before reaching hospital, a medical source told Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/arab-forces-seize-entrances-to-airport-in-yemens-main-port-city-idUSKBN1JB0JW

Remark: That was Reuters' report. Yemen media reports, in comparison:

Anti-Houthi media: Hodeidah Airport has fallen under our control.

Pro-Houthi media: There are no battles going on in Hodeidah. It is all an Affashi media stunt.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1007642120054812672

and

(* A K pS)

With support of UAE Armed Forces, Joint Yemeni Resistance fire controls Hodeidah Airport, amid collapse in Houthi defences

With support of the UAE armed forces operating as part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, the Joint Yemeni Resistance forces have gained fire control over Hodeidah Airport, imposing a tight besiege on the Houthi militias fighters' collapsing defences within the airport perimeters and in the southern entries of the city.

The joint forces captured numbers of the Houthi terrorist fighters. Dozens of the Houthi militia fighters were also killed in confrontations with joint resistance forces and as result of the airstrikes, launched by the Arab Coalition against their entrenchments.

The joint resistance forces also took control of new strategic areas on the southern outskirts of Hodeidah, as well as the main roundabout leading to the airport. The resistance forces are currently tightening the noose on the remnants of the Houthi terrorist militias at Al Khamseen road and approaching the western gates of the airport.

The resistance's engineering units dismantled a network of Iranian-made land mines which was laid by the terrorist militias in a desperate attempt to delay the advancement of the resistance forces

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694782

Remark: By Emirati news agency.

And

(* A K pS)

Violent confrontations at “Mandhar” and Houthis prevent helping the wounded

He mentioned that Houthis stormed civilians houses on the main road at “Mandhar” village at Drihmi directorate from south and southwest and took their positions at houses roofs, and the government forces supported by the Arabic coalition led by Saudi Arabia engaged them and resulted in casualties among civilians. The residents of those houses sent calls to the international organizations to interfere and evacuate them especially after closing the area by Houthis and preventing them from leaving and using them as human shields, some of them killed or injured during the mutual shelling.

A medical source said to Almasdaronline the initial statics of casualties after they left “Mandhar” talks about two dead bodies one of them for an old woman 85 years old and 26 injured. He indicated that ambulances couldn’t reach the village after closing all the roads from the coast by Houthis. Madhar is separating the airport from the big triangle where Houthis placed a lot of landmines, cement barricades, and snipers at roofs.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99605

and

(A K pS)

Following the control of #Hodeidah Airport's entrance, the Joint Forces have also controlled the the southern part of the airport and continue to advance forward while the #Houthis militia fighters have suffered great causalities.

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1007678519428644864

but

(A K pH)

Film (Arabic): Photography of a friend from the roundabout in Hodeidah and behind the airport, which said the flags of the mercenaries that they arrived to refute the lies and falsification of the mercenaries knew of false victories and falsehood.

https://twitter.com/ebtisamdo/status/1007700064293326848

(* A K)

Film: Yemen's biggest battle is kept away from cameras

Warplanes and naval bombardments led by Saudi Arabia continue to pound the major Yemeni city of Hodeidah, the biggest battle of the war to date, but journalists are having difficulties observing the front lines.

https://uk.reuters.com/video/2018/06/15/yemens-biggest-battle-is-kept-away-from?videoId=436061957&videoChannel=117759 = http://www.reuters.tv/v/Lud/2018/06/15/yemen-s-biggest-battle-is-kept-away-from-cameras

(* A K P)

UAE reinforcements in Eritrea ready to join Hudaydah battle

Military sources here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have told the BBC that a major force of Yemeni, UAE and Sudanese troops is on standby in Eritrea to take part in a final push to retake Hudaydah port from Houthi rebels.

The military campaign to drive out the Iranian-backed rebel militia from the key Red Sea port is being directed, funded and led by the UAE.

[more overview information]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44500455

Some more articles, giving some overview information:

https://www.voanews.com/a/aid-group-fears-very-real-threat-to-hodeida-yemen-civilians/4440285.html

(* A H K)

Civilians in Yemen port city fear all-out battle as Saudi coalition closes in

The last CARE staffer remaining in the city said the mood is dire.

"Jets have been hovering over the city since 4 a.m. in the morning. The situation is very scary, scarier than it has ever been before. We can hear the fighting coming close, and the situation is really changing for the worse," the staffer said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said on Twitter that Yemenis "fear a siege" and "are under "immense pressure," with people scrambling for food and safe shelter.

"You can feel the tension in the streets. Instead of focusing on celebrating #Eid with their families, people are stocking up on food and fuel to survive," the ICRC said, referring to the Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan.

Outside the ICRC office is a dirt patch, "where children play football casually under the sound of gunfire and airstrikes."

The ICRC team said the signs of poverty are widespread, with people in slums "surviving on bread crumbs they find in the garbage."

"Beggars are everywhere," it said.

Hospitals are hampered by a lack of electricity, and generators do not have enough fuel. Tens of thousands are likely to flee Hodeidah in the coming days, the ICRC said.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/15/middleeast/yemen-hodeidah/index.html

and

(* A H K)

IOM Warns Offensive on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port Putting 600,000 at Risk

According to the statement, the IOM is taking action to evacuate to safety those willing to leave al Hodeidah, provide emergency shelter materials and living essentials to internally displaced persons, dispatch healthcare personnel to the facilities in the city, and stockpile key relief items to respond to the expected needs of civilians, affected by the violence.

"Nearly 60 IOM national staff are present in Hodeidah, with four performing critical programme functions and the rest currently on standby to join active duty, working from home for their own protection. In the coming days, IOM hopes to deploy an international presence to Hodeidah to support national staff in responding to the humanitarian needs of displaced and conflict-affected Yemenis and migrants," the statement pointed out.

"Tens of thousands of people are likely to flee the city in the coming days. The ICRC is concerned for those who were displaced already and might have to flee a second time," the health charity tweeted on Friday.

A once vibrant and densely populated city, the main gateway for imports to Yemen home to some 35,000 fishermen, Al Hudaydah is now plagued with poverty and famine.

"Now the signs of poverty are everywhere. People live in slums in the outskirts surviving on bread crumbs they find in the garbage. With the little money they do have, they buy cooking oil in plastic bags — just enough to cook 1 meal a day," the Red Cross said.

Those who have jobs feed several families at once, it said. Beggars help those even less fortunate. Families with stricken children come to the ICRC in search of medical help because hospitals have run out of fuel. There are more and more fighters in the streets, and children are getting used to the sounds of gunfire and airstrikes.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201806161065459005-un-warns-hodeidah-risks/

(* A B K P)

Film: Can diplomacy win in the fight for Yemen's Hudaida?

The biggest battle of the three-year Yemen war raises fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

Is there any hope of a diplomatic solution?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam; Guests: Lise Grande - the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen; Afrah Nasser - freelance journalist and Yemeni blogger; Hussain al-Bukhaiti - pro-Houthi journalist

https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2018/06/diplomacy-win-fight-yemen-hudaida-180615185348849.html

(A K P)

France Not Engaged in Military Actions in Yemeni Hodeidah – Reports

France is not engaged in any military actions in Yemeni Hodeidah port city but considers participation in the mine clearance operations after the military operation ended, the Ouest-France newspaper reported on Friday, citing a source in the country's defense ministry.

According to the media, a defense ministry representative stressed that France is not a party in the coalition and is not conducting military activities in the area. However, the country is discussing participation in clearance of the port of Hodeidah after the campaign, he reportedly added.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201806151065452479-france-yemen-hodeidah-operation/

(* B K P)

We Need to Reclaim UN's Radical Vision in Yemen

That people are dying daily from the US-backed, Saudi-led attack in Yemen’s Hodeidah, while the illegal blockade of the port city that continues apace is an affront to the very idea of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights that every nation has the right to peace and an adequate standard of living.

Sadly, the UN is yet to deliver on its own Declaration and the world needs to reclaim it. Earlier this week, a Swedish call at the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in Hodeidah was derailed during a closed session. The US and Britain both expressed opposition to the measure, designed to prevent the Saudi-led forces attacking the port responsible for feeding 8.4 million civilians.

This is indeed a failure by the UN to stop the attack and demand an end to Western military support for the Saudi-led coalition – even France has now joined the coalition. It has exacerbated hunger in an impoverished and war-torn nation already on the brink of famine.

There is indeed a simple explanation as to why the US and UK blocked the UN Security Council resolution that would have called on coalition forces - which are being led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - to immediately implement a ceasefire due to mounting fears that if the coalition takes control of Hodeidah, the majority of Yemenis will be cut off from humanitarian assistance:

Much to the dismay of the neoliberal establishment in the West, both the US and UK are complicit in the ongoing Saudi-Emirati attacks - who are largely dependent on American weapons, intelligence and logistical support - not just in Hodeidah but across the whole country.

This only suggests one thing. The attack is a sign that the US and UK are allowing allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE to drive their illicit policy decisions in Yemen and elsewhere in the region. Those who believe that this offensive will bring the Ansarullah resistance movement (Houthis) to the negotiating table are living in a fantasyland. It didn't happen after more than three years and it won’t happen now.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970327001000

and

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Battle of Hodeidah: US Facilitating Saudi Crimes in Yemen Port City

The Pentagon regime is taking us for fools denying any direct involvement in the Saudi-led attack on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.

The port is the source of food for 8.4 million Yemenis, the attack threatens to start a major famine across northern Yemen, and this makes the United States directly accountable for Saudi crimes against humanity under international law and international humanitarian law.

This should surprise no one. Throughout the illegal invasion, the US has offered in-air refuelling to Saudi warplanes that have killed thousands of civilians. Strange enough, they have also publicly criticized the naval blockade of Yemen, despite US warships having directly participated in that unlawful blockade as well.

Likewise, it should be unsurprising that the US spent the last week feigning opposition to the attack on Hodeidah, only to join it. It’s a little more surprising that they are going to the trouble to issue statements claiming they are not participating after making it clear just days before that they would be:

- The whole world is in the know that the US is deliberately commanding, accompanying, or participating in the ongoing operations. The US has even vetoed anti-Saudi resolutions at the UN Security Council related to the Yemen war. This is important, because Pentagon officials had previously affirmed US involvement in the attack. Besides, on Tuesday, June 12, they confirmed they were going to provide growing military intelligence and targeting lists for the city. They defended this by claiming it would reduce civilian casualties compared with just leaving the Saudis and the UAE to their own devices.

- The claim that the Pentagon regime isn’t involved is incredibly misleading given the initial opposition to the attack, and subsequent announcement that they are helping facilitate it. The Pentagon has in the past been caught lying to the international civil society and the United Nations about the scope of its illegal war on the poorest nation in the Middle East

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970325000686

My comment: From Iran, nevertheless it’s simply true. But in one point, it’s wrong: Hodeidah is the source of food for more than 20 millions.

(** A K)

The Latest on the battle for Hodeida in Yemen (all times local):

https://www.businessinsider.de/ap-the-latest-emerati-official-says-battle-for-hodeida-is-key-2018-6?r=UK&IR=T

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UN rejects plan to demand immediate ceasefire in Yemen port

UN impasse means Saudi-UAE coalition can continue direct attack on Hodeidah port

The UN security council has rejected a move to demand an immediate end to the fighting around the strategic Yemeni port of Hodeidah despite warnings from aid agencies that an attack could jeopardise vital aid to a country on the brink of famine.

The 15-strong body failed to agree to a statement calling on forces led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to implement a ceasefire, with the US and UK both voicing opposition to the text introduced by Sweden.

The council instead called for restraint and “urged all sides to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law” in fighting for the city currently held by rebel Houthi forces.

The Swedish ambassador to the UN, Carl Skau, said: “It is time for the security council to call for an immediate freeze of the military attack on Hodeidah to give the special envoy and United Nations-led efforts a chance to avert disaster and find a sustainable political solution to the conflict.”

The impasse at the UN keeps open the option of a direct attack on the port for the Saudi-led coalition, but it is aware this could lead to a massive backlash from western governments and aid agencies.

The security council’s refusal to call for a ceasefire suggests the UK, US and France have accepted the Saudi and UAE claim that jeopardising aid flows is a justifiable risk if Houthi forces can be ousted from the city.

It will fuel claims, led by the former Conservative international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, that Britain is not acting as an honest broker on Yemen at the UN, but siding with Saudi Arabia because of the UK’s strong commercial links with the Gulf states.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/15/un-rejects-plan-to-demand-immediate-ceasefire-saudi-uae-coalition-in-yemen-port

and also https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/uk-opposes-immediate-ceasefire-yemen-port-hodeidah-un-coalition/

My comment: It’s almost incredible. The Security Council had failed in ist main task – to prevent assaults like this one, in Yemen and anywhere else. The Swedish call was the minimum of common sense. It’s symptomatic that the Security Council brushed it away. This is a 100 % total failure of this Council, which is misused by Western forces to support all violations of their allies.

Comment: Well this government stoops so low to sell its obnoxious weapons

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10156766155723641

And

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UNSC Demands Peaceful Houthi Withdrawal from Hodeidah

The United Nations Security Council called for "full implementation" of UNSC resolutions concerning Yemen, particularly resolution 2216, which calls on the Iranian-backed Houthi group to exercise violence, withdraw troops from all cities, including Sanaa, and hand over its heavy arms.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1301746/unsc-demands-peaceful-houthi-withdrawal-hodeidah

My comment: The claim of the headline must be concluded from the Council’s call. – As the Saudi coalition is entering the city now, this call only can be interpreted as an obvious bias, as staying not neutral but as desperately taking sides in the Hodeidah disaster. The sides of those asaulting a city.

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Note to Correspondents: Statement by Adama Dieng, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the situation in Hudaydah, Yemen

The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, expressed grave concern at the potentially disastrous impact on civilians of the military offensive against the port of Hudaydah, launched on 13 June by pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE), against Houthi fighters who have been holding the port.

Yemen is currently considered to be the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 10.4 million people at risk of famine and Hudaydah is the entry point for seventy per cent of humanitarian aid. In addition to the destruction that the offensive is likely to cause – and the risk to the estimated 600,000 civilians who live in and around the port - closing the port for any length of time could have a disastrous impact on the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance to a population that desperately needs it.

“Starvation of civilians as a method of war is a war crime and was condemned by the Security Council in resolution 2417 of 24 May 2018. It seems that the first test of this resolution is Yemen: the Yemeni port of Hudaydah is a lifeline for the delivery of aid and the Coalition’s air strikes can kill many more people over time through famine and hunger when damaging such civilian infrastructure.”

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2018-06-14/note-correspondents-statement-adama-dieng-united-nations

My comment: „Genocide“: keep in mind.

(* A K)

#UAE-backed forces (Southern Giants and National Resistance Forces) broke through #Houthi defenses in Darahyimi district and reached the roundabout south of al #Hudaydah city. #Houthi forces withdrew inland in al Darayhimi district away from the coastal road. (map)

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1007437348940984320

That huge green zone to the east of the airport is thick with fighting positions and prepositioned caches, not that it does much to screen the city. That airport is ideal ground for UAE-backed forces.

https://twitter.com/Mikeknightsiraq/status/1007449778773471232

(* A K)

Arab forces seize entrance to airport in Yemen's main port city

Forces from an alliance of Arab states seized the entrance to the airport in Yemen’s main port city on Friday, in an offensive against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that the United Nations fears could trigger a famine imperiling millions of lives.

The swift advance was an important early success for the Saudi- and United Arab Emirates-led alliance, which launched the operation in Hodeidah three days ago and says it can seize the city quickly enough to avoid interrupting aid to the millions facing starvation.

“We saw the resistance forces in the square at the northwestern entrance to the airport,” said a Hodeidah resident, referring to Yemeni allies of the Saudi-led coalition. Two Yemeni military officials allied to the coalition confirmed this.

Alliance-backed Yemeni forces tweeted that they had also seized the airport’s southern entrance and were advancing down a main road toward the Hodeidah seaport.

Residents said battles had been fought in the Manzar neighborhood abutting the wall around the airport. “There have been terrifying bombing runs since the morning when they struck Houthi positions near the airport,” said fish vendor Ammar Ahmed. “We live days of terror that we have never known before.”

Apache attack helicopters hovered over Manzar, firing at Houthi snipers and fighters in schools and other buildings, said another resident, who asked not to be identified. Houthi forces had entered homes overlooking the main road to go onto the roofs. Dozens of Manzar residents fled to the city center on motorcycles, the resident said.

Streets elsewhere in the city were empty despite the Eid holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fast. Houthi fighters amassed in the city center where a hospital put out a call for blood donations, the resident said. Medical sources said 23 wounded civilians had arrived from Manzar.

Aid agency CARE International quoted its last staff member in Hodeidah as saying: “The situation is very scary, scarier than it has ever been before. We can hear the fighting coming close and the situation is really changing for the worse.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/arab-forces-seize-entrance-to-airport-in-yemens-main-port-city-idUSKBN1JB0JW

(* A K)

Saudi-led coalition poised to take airport of Yemen's main port city

Forces from a Saudi-led coalition were poised to enter the airport of Yemen’s main port, Hodeidah, on Friday as the Arab alliance prepared to seize the city in the biggest battle of a three-year war.

Coalition warplanes pounded coastal areas southeast of the Houthi-held city as residents marked the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan by gathering at dawn in an open area for Eid al-Fitr prayers.

“Many warplanes were flying low over the city during the prayers,” one resident of the heavily defended city said.

Forces of the western-backed coalition, led by Emirati troops, have advanced to within meters of the airport, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television quoted Yemeni military officials as saying.

Warplanes also struck the main road linking Hodeidah to the capital Sanaa to block reinforcements to the Houthis,

“My family left for Sanaa yesterday but I stayed behind alone to protect our home from looters,” said Mohammed Abdullah, an employee of the Houthi administration.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/saudi-led-coalition-poised-to-take-airport-of-yemens-main-port-city-idUSKBN1JB0JW

(* A K)

Yemen forces advance on key port city, sparking fears for aid

Yemeni pro-government forces closed in on a rebel-held airport Friday as they pressed a sweeping offensive on a key Red Sea port city, sparking UN fears for vital aid shipments.

Fighting has raged around Hodeida, the entry point for the vast majority of Yemen's imports, since the Wednesday launch of a sweeping Saudi and UAE-backed operation to seize it from Huthi rebels.

The battle has since killed at least 139 fighters, according to medical and military sources.

The assault has sparked fears for the area's 600,000 residents, with aid and rights groups warning it could spell disaster across Yemen, a country already teetering on the brink of famine.

Neither Saudi and Emirati-backed government forces nor the Huthi rebels show any signs of backing down in the fight for Hodeida.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5848367/Yemen-forces-advance-key-port-city-sparking-fears-aid.html

(* A K pS)

Military coalition confirms reaching boundary of Hodeidah's airport

Pro-government forces make rapid progress towards rebel-held city from the south

Yemeni pro-government forces led by Emirati troops advanced to the perimeter of Hodeidah airport on Friday, making rapid gains in offensive to retake Hodeidah city and its vital port from Houthi rebels.

"We are at the edges of the airport and are working to secure it now," the Arab military coalition said in a statement to Reuters. "We will soon enter the next phase of operations to press the Houthis on multiple fronts, including at coastal points, at other edges of the city and, with the local resistance, from within the city itself.

"Operational priority is to avoid civilian casualties, maintain the flow of humanitarian aid, and allow for the UN to press the Houthis to evacuate the city," it said.

Hodeidah residents reported fierce clashes in the Manzar neighbourhood, which abuts the wall surrounding the airport.

Apache attack helicopters hovered over Manzar, firing at Houthi snipers and fighters in schools and other buildings, said a resident who asked not to be identified. Houthi forces had entered homes overlooking the main road to go on to the roofs. Dozens of Manzar residents fled to the city centre on motorcycles, the resident said.

The rapid advance followed heavy overnight clashes with the Iran-backed rebels. Pro-government forces were two kilometres south of the rebel-held airport on Thursday.

Fighter jets from the Saudi-led coalition pounded coastal areas south-east of the city as residents gathered at dawn in an open area for Eid Al Fitr prayers, Reuters reported.

Coalition jets also struck the main road linking Hodeidah to the capital Sanaa to block reinforcements to the Houthis.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/military-coalition-confirms-reaching-boundary-of-hodeidah-s-airport-1.740357 and by Iranian media http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/06/15/565027/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-war-port-Hudaydah

My comment: By Emirati news site. Bombing people during prayer, how nice.

(* A K P)

Yemen war: Government forces 'not attacking' Hudaydah port

Yemen's government has said it will not attack a port critical to aid efforts in the country, as its forces advance on the rebel-held city of Hudaydah.

Foreign Minister Khaled Alyemany said troops and militiamen, who are backed by a Saudi-led coalition, would seek to preserve such key infrastructure.

The port is the principal lifeline for millions of Yemenis at risk of famine.

Key strategic goal

By Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent, Abu Dhabi

As ever, there are two conflicting versions of events on the ground on Hudaydah.

Upbeat statements here in the Gulf talk of the coalition reaching the airport and of relentless pounding of Houthi defensive positions south of the city. But the Houthi rebels appear to be digging in for a long haul and are calling for reinforcements to defend Hudaydah from the advancing pro-government troops.

Unless the Houthis capitulate and withdraw their forces from the city, the coalition will be forced to decide whether to risk going into the city and fighting street by street, or waiting it out on the outskirts with a prolonged siege. Either scenario is likely to see further suffering for Yemen's impoverished population.

But for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Yemeni government, Hudaydah is a prize they cannot afford to give up on. Their strategic goal is to force the Houthis out of it, thereby depriving them of their main source of revenue and compelling them to sue for peace.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44491710

My comment: “Not attacking”?? Odd. What are they doing just in the moment. There already had been air raids at the harbour and nearby – this should not be “attacking”???

(A K)

France weighing possible minesweeping operation at Yemen port - ministry

France is studying the possibility of carrying out a minesweeping operation to provide access to the Yemeni port of Hodeidah once an Arab-led coalition has completed its military operations, France’s Defence Ministry said on Friday.

An official of the United Arab Emirates, part of the coalition, told Reuters on Thursday that France had agreed to provide minesweeping support for the operation and that UAE intelligence indicated that the Houthi rebels, who control the city, had mined the port. The official also said the United States had rejected a request for such help.

https://www.reuters.com/article/yemen-security-france/update-1-france-weighing-possible-minesweeping-operation-at-yemen-port-ministry-idUSL8N1TH1Y3?rpc=401&

(* A H K)

Thomson Reuters Foundation: 'Catastrophic' risk of death for 300,000 Yemeni children trapped by attack

Some 300,000 children risk death, injury and starvation as they are trapped in Yemen's main port city which is under assault from Saudi-led Arab states, aid groups said on Wednesday.

The biggest battle in a three-year war, which has already created the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, centres on Hodeidah, the main route for food and aid to reach most Yemenis, 8.4 million of whom are on the verge of famine.

Jolien Veldwijk, acting country director for the charity CARE International called the attack "catastrophic, hopeless and devastating", worsening hunger as food will become harder to find and more expensive.

"If the port closed, even for a day, then the number of people at risk of famine will increase because no food will come into the country," she said by phone from the capital Sanaa.

"Kids are most vulnerable so they will die first ... Parents will have to make a decision of either feeding their children or treating them."

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/catastrophic-risk-death-300000-yemeni-children-trapped-attack

(* A H K)

Battle For Port Plunges Yemen Deeper Into Humanitarian Crisis

Choking off Yemen's port city of Al Hudaydah would deprive millions of urgently needed humanitarian aid

Millions of children throughout Yemen depend on the humanitarian and commercial goods that come through the port on the Red Sea. "Without food imports, one of the world's worst malnutrition crises will only worsen," Fore warns. "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."

If port activities are suspended in Al Hudaydah, Yemen's fourth largest city, the effects will be catastrophic for nearly 70 percent of the population in Yemen's northern provinces. Staffers in UNICEF's Sanaa office are coordinating emergency response plans with partners and prepositioning essential supplies to ensure continuous delivery of life-saving services. – by Sarah Ferguson, UNICEF USA

https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/2018/06/15/battle-for-port-plunges-yemen-deeper-into-humanitarian-crisis/#450416af777b

(* A H K)

Film: Yemen's Hudaida offensive: UN warns of a catastrophe

Many analysts agree that a battle for Hudaida will not draw Yemen’s 3-year war closer to an end.

The leader of Yemen's Houthi rebels has called on his supporters to fight back against Saudi and Emirati supported government forces, who are closing in on the port city of Hudaida.

The UN security council - which discussed the battle on Thursday - says the Hudaida port must remain open for humanitarian deliveries.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/yemens-hudaida-offensive-warns-catastrophe-180615102402195.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcm2yEe_Y5Q

(* A K pS)

Local fighters in Hodeidah seek to break Houthi yoke

Tihama Resistance was taking shape even before Arab coalition provided arms and training

Wearing the traditional Yemeni “futa” sarongs and sandals, the fighters of the Tihama Resistance play a key role in the battle to free Hodeidah province from Houthi rebels.

Although the focus now is on the offensive to retake Hodeidah city and its vital port, the resistance, named after the plains country along the Red Sea coast in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, are manning fronts across the province.

In Haiys district near the borders with Taez and Ibb provinces, Tihama fighters keep watch to prevent Houthi reinforcements entering Hodeidah.

Saddam Al Qadi, one of the commanders, said the Houthis get support from fellow fighters based in the mountains of Ibb, where air raids of the Arab coalition cannot reach them.

On fronts closer to the coast, members of the Tihama Resistance are fighting alongside the forces of Tariq Saleh, nephew of the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh who was killed by the Houthis in December after he broke off his alliance with the rebels.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/local-fighters-in-hodeidah-seek-to-break-houthi-yoke-1.740878

From June 11, already looks quite outdated:

(* B K P)

Yemen: Averting a Destructive Battle for Hodeida

More than three years into Yemen’s war, a bloody battle looms for the Huthi-held port city of Hodeida. International leaders should work for a UN-led negotiated settlement to stop the offensive and, if this fails, take steps to avoid deepening what is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

International political and humanitarian leaders should not be lulled into a false sense of security by military pauses or mediation attempts, even if these show initial signs of success. The warring sides’ patterns of behaviour are clear: the Huthis have a long track record of using negotiations to reposition militarily while the coalition regularly signals to diplomats that it is willing to discuss a political settlement before returning to a military path. Policymakers should start contingency planning for the worst.

Tens if not hundreds of thousands of Yemenis would be displaced as the hunger crisis worsens and large numbers of civilians are caught in the crossfire of a battle for Hodeida city. The fighting and the war over the narrative will only heighten rancour between the parties. Regardless of the battle’s outcome, the coalition, its Yemeni partners, and the Huthis are likely to return to maximalist positions once it is over, making ending the conflict an even more onerous task.

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/yemen/b59-yemen-averting-destructive-battle-hodeida

My comment: if you think this article is somewhat biased, learn why: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Crisis_Group

cp2 Allgemein / General

(* B K P)

The Guardian view on Yemen: our complicity lies bare

Even if the UK warned against attacking the vital port of Hodeidah, we bear responsibility for the horrors of this war

The US rejected a UAE request for a minesweeper for the operation, but as an Emirati official observed: “Not giving us military assistance is not the same as telling us not to do it.”

So they are doing it. They are conducting this war with British-, American- and French-made arms. They are conducting it with western military training and advice; British and US officers have been in the command roomfor airstrikes, and this weekend Le Figaro alleged that there are French special forces on the ground in Yemen. They are conducting it with diplomatic shelter from the west.

But which Saudi and Emirati officials will dare to tell their superiors that Tehran enmeshed them in a costly, apparently endless war at relatively little cost to itself? The entrenchment of a war economy is another significant obstacle to peace.

So it goes on, the suffering mounting, further unsettling this unstable region and breeding cynicism and rage towards the west and its talk of human rights and international law. If the complicity ever looked deniable, events of recent days have laid it bare.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/17/the-guardian-view-on-yemen-our-complicity-lies-bare

(* A K P)

Nasser Arrabyee: Video Message from Yemen for international media

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1008378946298228742

(A K P)

Ansarullah Denies Presence of Iranian Forces, Arms in Yemen

Spokesman of Ansarullah Movement Mohammad Abdulsalam rejected claims about deployment of Iranian forces and weapons in Yemen, saying that the US, Saudi, British and Sudanese troops are the foreign forces occupying his country.

"There is not even one single Iranian in Yemen but the Saudi, UAE and Sudanese occupying troops have occupied the country," Abdulsalam told the Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news channel on Sunday.

He dismissed earlier claims by UN Secretary-General António Guterres about the existence of Iranian weapons in Yemen, and said there is no evidence to corroborate such allegations.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970327000388

(* A B K P)

Catastrophic US-Saudi-UAE Attack on Yemen Port City Hodeida Could Trigger Mass Famine

BEN NORTON: Today I’m joined by Medea Benjamin, who is a peace activist from the women-led peace group Code Pink, and we’re talking about one of the most disastrous wars going on in the world today

MEDEA BENJAMIN: This is a disaster. And it is such a shame that the international community has not been able to stop this attack on the port, and that the U.S., despite protestations to the contrary, where Mike Pompeo acts as if the United States is not supporting this attack. The attack would never happen were it not for U.S. weapons, U.S. bombs, and U.S. diplomatic cover that’s been going on for the past three years.

It’s been very hard for reporters to get into Yemen. And this is precisely because the Saudis and their allies are controlling the airspace, controlling the waterways. And the reporters, some of them who get in are getting in because they are allowed in by the Saudis. And so they’re getting the Saudi perspective on this. So the reporting has been very difficult. It also, I think people have to put it in context of this has become one of the proxy wars that the U.S. is involved in, supporting the Saudis. The Iranians have gotten involved. They weren’t involved in the beginning, and now it’s always talked about as the Iranian-backed Houthis. They are now Iranian-backed precisely because the Saudis got involved in an internal conflict. But this is part of now the proxy wars that are happening in the Middle East.

And it’s one of the ways that the U.S. is attacking Iran, by keeping this war going and supporting the Saudis. So I think it’s time to turn the attention to Yemen.

https://therealnews.com/stories/catastrophic-us-saudi-uae-attack-on-yemen-port-city-hodeida-could-trigger-mass-famine v

(* B K P)

Film: Understanding the US-Saudi-UAE war on Yemen (Left Forum video)

Ben Norton: I spoke about the US-Saudi-UAE war on Yemen, the history of the conflict, the Houthi movement, the north-south divide, and the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world.

This was on a June 3 panel at the Left Forum 2018, with human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik, who discussed Iran.

I apologize for the technical issues in this video; I did not film it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6dlt_2gCO0

(* B H K)

UN Warns 10 Million More Yemenis Expected to Starve to Death by End of Year

According to the UN, the number of Yemenis in danger of starving to death would rise from the current figure of 8.4 million to 18.4 million by this December. That’s three times the estimated death toll of Jews killed during the Holocaust.

During a briefing last Friday, the UN warned that millions more Yemeni civilians are expected to starve to death before year’s end as a result of a blockade imposed on the country by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition. The Saudis’ unsuccessful bid to quash the Houthi-led resistance movement against Western and Saudi imperialism in Yemen has already claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and transformed the country into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis since the war began in 2015.

Mark Lowcock, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, expressed his concern regarding the “recent decline of commercial food imports through the Red Sea ports”

The UN’s dire warning regarding the situation in Yemen, undoubtedly the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, comes just as the Saudi-led coalition, with support from the United States and the United Kingdom, is preparing for an assault on the key Yemeni port of Hodeidah. On Monday, a coalition spokesman announced that its forces were within 20 km from the Houthi-held port, which has long been a key coalition target. The UN and other groups have long warned that any assault on Hodeidah would drastically worsen the crisis and greatly increase the number of Yemenis facing starvation.

While the blame for the brunt of the crisis has been placed on the coalition’s blockade on the imports of food, fuel and medicine, the coalition has also deliberately targeted the country’s food production and distribution infrastructure. In just the first year of the conflict, the coalition bombed over 350 farms, markets, and other agricultural infrastructure, which had a grave impact given that only 2.8 percent of Yemen’s land is arable. Fisherman have also been heavily targeted over the course of the conflict, with more than 250 fishing boats damaged or destroyed and 152 killed by coalition ships and helicopters as of last December.

The fact that the coalition continues to deliberately target civilian infrastructure, particularly its ability to produce food domestically amidst the blockade, suggests that the coalition is intentionally targeting Yemeni civilians in an attempt to gain an upper-hand against the Houthis. https://www.mintpressnews.com/un-10-million-more-yemenis-expected-to-starve-to-death-by-end-of-year/242906/

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Pure Evil: Preventing Food Being Delivered to Yemeni Civilians Is in British National Interest!

The universe runs on the principle that one who can exert the most evil on other creatures runs the show. This is so true at the United Nations Security Council where the evil influence of the United States and the United Kingdom runs supreme.

A Swedish call at the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen’s port of Hodeidah was derailed during a closed session Friday. The US and Britain both expressed opposition to the measure, designed to prevent Saudi-led forces attacking a port responsible for feeding 8.4 million civilians.

US officials did not publicly comment on why they are opposed to the ceasefire, but this likely is a reflection of the Saudis really wanting to attack the city. British Ambassador Karen Pierce, however, said their opposition was made purely based on “the British national interest.” On that note:

1) It is not clear exactly how preventing food being delivered to Yemeni civilians is in the British national interest. This is likely a shorthand way of saying they too are backing the Saudi interest in bombing and seizing the city, and that the interest is to keep selling weapons to the Saudis to keep bombing the Yemenis with.

4) Saudi Arabia says the blockade is preventing weapons from reaching the Ansarullah resistance fighters (Houthis). But it is also preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Yemenis. The ongoing fighting is making the problem even worse. Effectively, people are being strangled to death. Every day that passes they lose more and more of the essentials: food, water, shelter, fuel and health care.

5) Instead of trying to send in humanitarian aid, American and British militaries have helped Saudi coalition warplanes repeatedly drop weapons to the local militias fighting the Ansarullah fighters. They are using aid as a weapon and they are using the suffering of civilians as a political tool.

8) This isn’t just about Yemen; it’s about the very nature of Western foreign policy. Saudi Arabia is Britain’s biggest arms client. The same is true about the United States. They both helped crush protests for democracy in neighbouring Bahrain in 2011: both regimes are lucrative customers for British and American arms. They are not helping the Saudis to introduce democracy in Yemen. It’s in their “national interests” to ensure the illegal war continues apace. American and British weapons are playing a central role in the Hodeidah bombardment. The US and the UK must not be allowed to discreetly wash their hands of Yemeni blood. http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970326000527

My comment: From Iran, matching it, unfortunately.

(* B K P)

'As crimes pile up, they become invisible': Western complicity in Saudi Arabia's dirty war in Yemen

What we have in Yemen, as we can see, is a crisis that is complex even by Arab standards.

Yemen has long been buffeted by the stifling domination of the Arabian Peninsula by Saudi Arabia. This domination, in service to Riyadh's puritanical Wahhabi sectarian ideology, is partly fueling the rebellion of the country's Houthis, for whom President Hadi is a Saudi puppet.

This being said, that the insurgency enjoys the sympathy if not open support of the wider Yemeni population is measured in its success in taking control of the country's capital, Sanaa, along with other urban centers such as the port city of Hodeidah.

Taking a wider view, the conflict is considered part of an ongoing regional proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. From the rebellion's outset in 2015, Riyadh has claimed that the Houthis are an Iranian proxy, thus justifying their own involvement. However, in 2015, veteran Middle East correspondent Patrick Cockburn was writing that this claim was "widely seen as propaganda or an exaggeration."

Three years on and the Iranians are now certainly involved, supplying the Houthis with weapons and, according to some sources, also military advisers. Thus, Saudi Arabia's intervention in 2015 on the spurious claim of Iranian involvement has become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Returning to Western complicity in the carnage and suffering being meted out to the Yemeni people, never has there been a more naked example of hypocrisy masquerading as democracy. Indeed, the longstanding alliance between the US, UK and Saudi Arabia takes a scalpel to the oft-repeated boasts of Washington and London when it comes to their self-appointed role as champions and guardians of human rights and democracy.

Beginning with the Obama administration, and ramped up under Trump, US involvement in this brutal conflict has consisted of direct military airstrikes (carried out against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State targets, according to Washington), along with logistical, intelligence, and other non-combat support provided to the anti-Houthi Saudi-led coalition. This, of course, is not forgetting US arms sales to the Kingdom, consisting of over 50 percent of all US arms exports.

Meanwhile, in 2017, the Pentagon confirmed that US ground troops were also present in Yemen, again justified on the basis of being engaged in operations against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS).

As for London's role in supporting the Saudi war effort in Yemen, UK arms sales have also been key to the Wahhabi state's ability to project hard power in the region, amounting to £4.6bn (US$6bn) since 2015 alone. As with the US, Saudi Arabia is the biggest market for UK arms sales and has been for a number of years.

The war in Yemen is a dirty war, being waged by a Western-supported Saudi kleptocracy in the name of clerical fascism. Bertolt Brecht was right: "As crimes pile up, they become invisible." – by John Wight

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/429962-saudi-arabia-yemen-west/ = http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/49661.htm

(* A K P)

Interactive Map of Yemen

https://yemen.liveuamap.com/

(* B K P)

Liberation of Yemen’s Hudaydah – first objective of new US-backed Saudi-UAE Pact

It turns out that the scope of Iranian support for the Houthi movement was exaggerated. It boiled down mainly to supplying missiles, including ground-to sea weapons and technology for building and launching rockets. Tehran’s military assistance to the Houthis came nowhere near its investment in the Lebanese Hizballah group. At the same time, Houdaydah’s fall to Iran’s adversaries, Saudi-Emirati forces, would be a major military and strategic punch in the eye for Tehran, which had planned to set up its main Red Sea naval base at this Yemeni port.

https://www.debka.com/liberation-of-yemens-hudaydah-first-objective-of-new-us-backed-saudi-uae-pact/

My comment: From an Israeli site. Remarkable: “It turns out that the scope of Iranian support for the Houthi movement was exaggerated“, even if they still exaggerate it.

(* B H K)

Film: "The UN's called it a deliberate tactic of starvation by the Saudi-led coalition" says human rights campaigner @SamWalton as the UK calls for an urgent UNSC session over Yemen.

https://twitter.com/RTUKnews/status/1007641379105734656

(* B K T)

Assessment Capacities Project: Yemen: Conflict Developments: Latest update: 15/06/2018

[by provinces]

Aden: The security situation remains unstable following sporadic violence. On 24 February, at least 14 people were killed and 40 wounded when suicide bombers tried to storm the headquarters of a counter-terrorism unit. The attack was claimed by Islamic State.?. On 29 January, fighting erupted in Aden, Yemen's temporary capital, between Hadi and Southern forces after STC representatives asked Hadi to dismiss Prime Minister Dagher and his cabinet, accusing the government of corruption and discrimination, and Hadi did not comply. STC forces captured temporarily some government buildings and the prime minister called the STC attack a coup attempt.

Saada: The Saudi-Yemen border continues to be affected by conflict incidents, and particularly the central districts of Saada and Sahar remain as the main targets of [airstrikes]](https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.inf...). An escalation of fighting was reported in Saada at the end of March, which has affected humanitarian access.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-conflict-developments-latest-update-15062018

(C P)

"Houthi bandits sold Yemen and must be removed": Ex-president Saleh said before his death

In a speech thought to be his last prior to his assassination, the late Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh asked Yemeni people to rise against the Houthi whom he said have sold their nation and killed women children and elderly.
“Houthi militia have been liquidating Yemeni people, and stealing their fortune and the fortune of the country, they have become rich owning real estate and big cars after entering Sana’a bare foot.” Saleh said in a speech while his house was being bombed.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1322011/middle-east

My comment: He told this after his alliance with the Houthis had been broken. Before, he was allied to them. The Saudi coalition publishes this now, for propaganda purposes, hoping for an anti-Houthi uprising.

(* B K)

Map: Reported Ballistic Missile Attacks on #SaudiArabia since November 2017. - 43 incidents recorded in total (some involving multiple missiles) - Many alleged to be targeting #Aramco facilities - Majority concentrated in #Jazan and #Najran - #Riyadh also targeted (last 9 May)

https://twitter.com/IntellFusion/status/1007543368921108480

(A K) P)

Iran lieferte Waffenteile in den Jemen Der Iran hat Teile für Raketen an die jemenitischen Huthis geliefert. Das haben die UN nun bestätigt. Doch das Wann bleibt ungeklärt - und damit auch, ob der Iran gegen das Atomabkommen verstoßen hat.

Seit Monaten schwelt der Streit, ob der Iran Bauteile für Raketen in den Jemen geliefert und damit gegen das Atomabkommen verstoßen hat. Nun haben die Vereinten Nationen einen neuen Bericht vorgelegt - mit dem Ergebnis: Ja, der Iran habe Waffenteile exportiert, doch ein Verstoß sei damit noch nicht belegt.

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/iran-raketen-un-101.html

Mein Kommentar: Das ist nichts Neues, das Ergebis der Untersuchungskommission war schon bekannt. Der bericht hier ist trotzdem fehlerhaft. Waffenlieferungen in den Jemen wären kein Verstoß gegen das Atomabkommen, sondern gegen die UN-Resolution 2216, und das ja auch erst nach dem Erlass der Resolution 2015. – Wenn fraglich ist, wann die Bauteile geliefert wurden, ist auch fraglich, an wen: An die Huthis oder die jemenitische Armee?

Remark: English reporting YPR 423, cp2.

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A H)

Have the honor to share what we at Human Needs Development - HNDhave achieved during the holy month of #Ramadan.

- Distribute "417" food packages in various areas in #Yemen feeding most vulnerable and affected war groups,
- Help "50" further families with financial supporting in Dhamar governorate northern Yemen and
- Help "20" orphan children in #Sanaa with Eid clothes. (photos)

https://www.facebook.com/AdelHa11/posts/2108321162786791 = https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1781726095213746

(* B H)

Film: Schlimme Versorgungslage im Jemen

Wegen schwerer Gefechte im Jemen befürchten Hilfsorganisationen, dass sich die Lage für die Bevölkerung weiter verschlimmert. Viele Menschen in dem bitterarmen Land sind auf Hilfslieferungen angewiesen.

https://www.facebook.com/ZDFheute/videos/10156558608685680/

(* B H)

Nothilfe Jemen: "Wir wollen die Menschlichkeit bewahren“

Nikolaus Kirchler: Aufgrund der Sicherheitslage und wieder aufflammenden Gefechten ist es momentan sehr schwierig, im Jemen zu arbeiten. Als weltweites Netzwerk arbeiten wir mit der lokalen Vertretung ADRA Jemen zusammen. Das heißt, sie arbeiten dort möglichst selbständig und wir unterstützen mit allem was uns zur Verfügung steht. Mit über 1.400 Mitarbeitern ist ADRA die zweitgrößte Hilfsorganisation im Jemen und nahezu im ganzen Land tätig.

Eine besondere Schwierigkeit, die sich für uns im Jemen stellt, ist, dass zahlreiche Konfliktparteien und Gruppierungen an den Auseinandersetzungen beteiligt sind. Das erschwert es im konkreten Fall, Hilfslieferungen mit Cholera-Medikamenten durchzuführen. Wir müssen vorab mit vielen Parteien verhandeln und Umwege in Kauf nehmen, um die Lieferwege zu sichern.

Insbesondere bei kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen brauchen wir den sogenannten Humanitarian Space. Also sichere Bereiche, in denen sich unsere Mitarbeiter aufhalten und Zugang zu den Hilfebedürftigen erhalten. Wir arbeiten im Jemen mit der Gewissheit, jederzeit Opfer eines Luftangriffs werden zu können. Das muss man aushalten

Wir haben bereits viele Menschenleben gerettet. Dennoch sind wir als Hilfsorganisation nicht wirklich Teil der Lösung. Gemäß den humanitären Prinzipien sind wir neutral. Die eigentliche Lösung, nämlich die Beendigung der gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen, kann nur auf nationaler und internationaler politischer Ebene erreicht werden.

https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/de/hilfseinsaetze/hungerkatastrophe-jemen/nothilfe-jemen-wir-wollen-die-menschlichkeit-bewahren/

(A H)

Bonyan Development Foundation (B.D.F) today distributed meat to the poor and needy in the capital of Sana'a and a number of directorates of Sana'a province on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, in order to promote social solidarity among the members of society. (photos)

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1778899268829762

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

Siehe / Look at cp1b2

(* B H P)

Yemeni Refugees Languish on South Korea’s Holiday Island

To some Yemeni refugees, Jeju Island, one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations, seemed ideal.

During the first five months of 2018, some 500 Yemenis arrived on Jeju.

But it wasn’t long after landing that many realized Jeju was not as advertised.

Hamas’s problem stems from a travel ban announced by the Justice Ministry on Apr. 30. The ban means Yemeni asylum seekers can no longer leave the island. Around a month later on June 1, the ministry added Yemen to the list of countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Jeju, eliminating the visa-free program altogether for visitors with Yemeni nationality.

https://www.koreaexpose.com/yemeni-refugees-flee-civil-war-languish-jeju-korea-holiday-island/

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

(* A P)

Founder & CEO of #Yemen Organization for Combating Human Trafficking, Nabil Fadhel: Houthis ran over my son & shot him dead in Sanaa on Sunday. They took his body & are preventing me from seeing it. Fadhel has been working on human trafficking cases & helping victims since 2009.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1008531934111248384

They killed him in cold blood. Houthis are forcing families to send sons to front lines and threatening those who don't do that. Fadhel said a man, speaking Saada dialect, called him after his murdered son disappeared and asked him to send his other son to front line.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1008538196953780224

(A T)

Bayda security thwarts Mokiras security director assassination

The security services in Mokairas district of Bayda province discovered an explosive device, belonging to Al-Qaeda criminal elements, planted in security director’s car,

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499198.htm

(A K P)

Police arrests 10 militiamen in Baydha, Dhalea, Ibb

The police forces in Baydha, Dhaea and Ibb provinces on Thursday arrested ten pro-Saudi-led coalition force

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499177.htm

(* A K P)

In Yemen capital, fears over fighting cloud Eid holiday

Residents of Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa on Friday marked another Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday under the shadow of war, scared their city could be next in line for a military showdown.

At the start of the two-day festivities, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the mosques of the capital were packed with the faithful.

The spectre of that battle -- and anxiety Sanaa could be next in the firing line -- loomed large over the Eid holiday in the capital.

"We're really worried, with everything that's happening in Hodeida," one Sanaa resident, who requested anonymity, told AFP in the city's streets.

"We ask God to spare us war. Poverty is enough."

On one street, rebel fighters placed their machine guns on their prayer rugs before kneeling to pray.

Armed rebels also marched a coffin bearing a man's picture and wrapped in a green flag -- the colour of the Huthis -- through another Sanaa street.

The man, the rebels said, had been killed fighting the government.

In a public display of support for the rebels, a man in a bright blue jacket launched into an impromptu sermon on the importance of resisting the government -- echoing a call hours earlier by Yemen's rebel chief.On Friday, the streets of the capital were lined with armed rebels as worshippers brought their brightly coloured prayer rugs to mosques for prayers to celebrate Eid.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-5849217/In-Yemen-capital-fears-fighting-cloud-Eid-holiday.html

(A P)

Yemen main war is with US, Israel: Ansarullah leader

The main war of Yemen is against the Unites States and the Zionist regime of Israel; the others ate puppets, said the leader of Ansarullah Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi, according to Almasirah website.

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82943738

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

(A T)

#AlQaeda in #Yemen claims major suicide attack against #UAE-backed Security Belt Forces Thursday. Mujahidin attacked checkpoint & 'martyr' Islam al-Muhajir drove booby-trapped car into building. #AQAP describes the op as a response to soldiers' invading homes in al-Wadi', Abyan

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1007938905767899138

(A K pS)

Security Authorities kill three members of Houthi cell in Shabwa

Security Authorities kill three members of Houthi cell in Shabwa
Three armed Houthis have been killed and two others have been arrested after an armed confrontation with security forces in Shabwa governorate southeast Yemen.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99638

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

Siehe / Look at cp1b1-2

(A P)

UNITED NATIONS FOREIGN MISSION RETURN TO WORK IN #HODEIDAH
According to the Yemen Press Agency, the United Nations Foreign mission arrived in the city of Hodeidah on Sunday (18 june 2018) to open its office after a request by The UN Permanent

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564.1073741829.961126490607048/1781531145233241/?type=3

(A K P)

The United nations Envoy visit Sanaa Again in an attempt to stop Hodeida Attack

The United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffith starts a visit to Sanaa (Saturday) to meet Officials at Houthis militia.

According to Anadolu news agency and close sources to the UN envoy, Griffith will conduct meetings with Houthis leaders to present the Emirati conditions for stopping Hodeida battel which he came with in his visit to Abu Dhabi early this week.

According to the agency, its planned to present those conditions directly to the leader of Houthis militia Abdul Malik AL Houthi which he met before several times in unannounced occasions.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99604

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(A P)

Saudi Football Chief Names 3 Players Facing 'Penalties' After World Cup

Proceeding to lose 5-0, endearing few viewers with their apparent footballing ineptitude along the way, the Saudi Arabian football federation chief Adel Ezzat has expressed his dismay with a performance that did "not reflect the true level of our preparedness."

Unsatisfied with what he witnessed, Ezzat does not appear likely to put the result down to experience and move on.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Ezzat already has punishments in mind for three of the country's poorest performers; "Several players will face a penalty - goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi and defender Omar Hawsawi." https://www.balls.ie/football/saudi-arabia-penalties-391042

My comment: bad performance in soccer game: Jail? Flogging? Carlton Ritz?

(A B P)

As Saudis wilt on field, kingdom pursues soccer power grab

The Saudis have ambitions to seize control over parts of international soccer. Losing 5-0 by Russia in the World Cup opener shows they might have bigger problems at home.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had to endure the humiliation in the stadium on Thursday, with Saudi Arabia’s mauling in Moscow coming at the hands of a side just below the Saudis in the FIFA rankings.

Coach Juan Antonio Pizzi studiously sidestepped a question about whether his federation had been distracted lately. But it has.

Just when the Saudis had a first World Cup appearance in 12 years to prepare for, the federation has been mounting a power grab of soccer far beyond the kingdom.

What appears the creation of just another bureaucratic institution within the sport could actually have wider ramifications. On its face, the establishment of the South West Asian Football Federation by the Saudis, including the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, to help to develop the game appears a benevolent undertaking, especially when the existing regional governing body is so vast.

https://apnews.com/c0af96d371614d309553152b282d4134

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* A K P)

Film: Ron Paul Liberty report: Why Is Washington Backing Saudi Starvation Policy In Yemen?

As the Saudis attack the Yemeni port town of Hodeidah, the stated goal is to starve the residents into opposing the Houthi forces controlling the city. The US is actively participating in what is clearly a war crime against civilians. Why?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io85CtSr0n0

(A K P)

US senators urge Pentagon to fully disclose its role in Saudi-led war in Yemen

Three US senators have called on the Pentagon to immediately reveal the extent of US military support to the Saudi-led Arab coalition that launched an attack on Hodeidah, a key port city and last humanitarian lifeline in Yemen.

“We call on you to immediately disclose the full extent of the US military role in the Saudi-led war against Yemen’s Houthis, including the use of special operations forces; disclose any role that the Pentagon is currently performing, has been asked to perform, or is considering performing regarding an attack on the port of Hodeida,” says the letter sent to Defense Secretary James Mattis on Friday, and signed by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut)

Sanders, Lee and Murphy also asked Mattis to “issue a public declaration opposing this impending assault,” and restate the Trump administration’s position that Saudi Arabia and other participants in the conflict “should accept an immediate ceasefire and move toward a political settlement.”

https://www.rt.com/usa/429926-pentagon-war-yemen-sanders/

and

(A K P)

Bernie Sanders: Sens. Lee, Sanders Call on Sec. Mattis to Disclose Full U.S. Involvement in Yemen

Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis today asking for details on the United States’ involvement in the Saudi’s war in Yemen, and to do so before U.S. involvement in those hostilities intensifies. The letter expresses concern that Congress’s attempt to play their proper Constitutional oversight role may be impeded by Pentagon officials withholding information, leading to a violation of the War Powers Act of 1973.

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-lee-sanders-call-on-sec-mattis-to-disclose-full-us-involvement-in-yemen

(A K)

US Special Operation Command C146A Wolfhound MAGMA 13 heading South over #SaudiArabia (map, document)

https://twitter.com/GDarkconrad/status/1007252398925074432

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(A P)

Is it safe to travel to Dubai? Foreign Office warning over claims missiles could target UAE

The Foreign Office have issued a warning warned about claims the coastal spot could be targeted by missiles from Yemen

https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/6521870/safe-travel-dubai-foreign-office-warning-missiles/

My comment: This is more propaganda than realism. -The danger of being jailed because of sharing a room and not being married is much greater.

(* B K P)

Yemen: The UK government is complicit in a humanitarian catastrophe

This week saw the start of the Saudi-led coalition’s assault on the Yemeni port town of Hodeida. After three years of destruction, the war has reached its deadliest stage yet. Governments like the UK know this, yet continue to enable this suffering

It is a man-made crisis, and one that has been exacerbated by the complicity and support of arms companies and politicians across the world.

The UK government bears a particular responsibility, with UK fighter jets and bombs having played a central role in the bombardment. Since the conflict began the UK has licensed over £4.6 billion worth of arms to the Saudi regime. It is almost certain that these weapons are being used right now in Hodeida.

The arms sales have been complemented by unbending and uncritical political support. The depravity of the relationship was on full display in February, when the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) visited London.

Unsurprisingly, his visit ended with celebrations and cheering for BAE Systems and the other arms companies that have profited from the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen. As MBS flew out it was announced that the UK and the Saudi military were one step closer to a multi-billion pound arms deal.

The rampant hypocrisy and callous doublespeak of the government’s appalling position was made even clearer this week, when the Middle East Minister, Alistair Burt, stressed that “only a political solution can bring long-term stability to Yemen – there is no military solution.” It sounds like a fine sentiment, but one that is totally at odds with a foreign policy that has only fuelled and prolonged the war.

If Burt and his colleagues really believe that there is no military solution then why have they done so much to strengthen and support the Saudi military? Why have they continued to allow UK weapons to be exported and used in a military campaign which by their own admission cannot succeed?

Every major humanitarian organisation with people in Yemen has warned that the humanitarian situation is one of the most desperate in the world, and that it could be about to get a lot worse. The history books will show that Ministers like Burt, and governments like the UK, have enabled the suffering. Now they must do everything they can to stop it – by Andrew Smith, CAAT

https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/hodeidah-uk-government-complicit-humanitarian-catastrophe/

Comment: The British objected to the Hodeida assault but when the Saudis didn't listen to them the British just said something like 'oh well, never mind'. This government is quite useless when it comes to saving lives but quite good at killing people.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10156771398538641

(A K P)

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Saudi Arabia on the flow of humanitarian aid through Hodeidah port.

A (Minister Alistair Burt): We are in constant contact with the Coalition about the campaign in Yemen, as part of our diplomatic effort to find a solution which brings political stability to Yemen and ends cross-border threats to Yemen's neighbours. On Hodeidah, we have set out clearly international concerns on the importance of maintaining the flow of humanitarian supplies. I discussed this with my Saudi counterpart over the weekend. The Coalition have made clear that they recognise the humanitarian imperative and are prioritising the humanitarian response.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-06-11/152087/

My comment: What a weak C+ P answer.

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

(A P)

Wie die […] Kriegs­propaganda der ARD tagesschau den Massenmord im Jemen unterstützt

Wieder wird die militärische und logistische Beteiligung der USA, Großbritanniens, Frankreichs und Deutschlands komplett totgeschwiegen und auf der anderen Seite frei erfundene Kriegspropaganda Saudi-Arabiens verbreitet.

Was die tagesschau als erwiesene Fakten darstellt, Waffenlieferungen über den Hafen Hudaida an die Houthis, entbehrt jeglicher Faktengrundlage und ist bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt nichts anderes als saudische Kriegspropaganda, mit der der Angriff auf den lebenswichtigen Hafen gerechtfertigt werden soll.

https://propagandaschau.wordpress.com/2018/06/17/wie-die-verbrecherische-kriegspropaganda-der-ard-tagesschau-den-massenmord-im-jemen-unterstuetzt/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

Siehe / Look at cp1 (Emirates), cp1b1-2 (France)

(* A K)

Hodeidah city map showing airport, Sanaa road, Fish market, hospitals, port

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44512622

(A K P)

Papst Franziskus hat die internationale Gemeinschaft aufgerufen, alles zu unternehmen, dass die beteiligten Kriegsparteien im Jemen sich an den Verhandlungstisch setzen. Es müsse unbedingt verhindert werden, «dass sich die ohnehin tragische menschliche Lage dort weiter verschlechtert», sagte er beim traditionellen Mittagsgebet am Sonntag auf dem Petersplatz.

https://www.kath.ch/newsd/papst-ruft-zu-verhandlungen-im-jemen-konflikt-auf/

(A K P)

Pope makes an appeal for Yemen and Refugee Day, calls for trust in God’s meek but powerful action

During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on the international community to revive talks between the parties in Yemen, where a humanitarian catastrophe is underway due to war.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope-makes-an-appeal-for-Yemen-and-Refugee-Day,-calls-for-trust-in-Gods-meek-but-powerful-action-44191.html

(* A P)

Arab League's statement on Yemeni situation rejected by Lebanon, Iraq

The final communique issued on Thursday at the end of the emergency meeting of the Council of the Arab League on the situation in Yemen affirmed its support for the military operations in Hodeidah.
The statement stressed the continued support of exile Hadi government in accordance with the decisions of the Council of the Arab League and relevant Security Council resolutions.
Iraq and Lebanon on Friday rejected the contents of the statement, Lebanon rejects because it include positions that go beyond previous resolutions, especially the recent summit resolution, reiterating its previous positions in terms of support Yemen’s unity and legitimacy represented by Yemeni exile President Hadi.
Iraq also rejected any military intervention to resolve the conflict in Yemen, calling for political dialogue.

http://en.abna24.com/news/middle-east/arab-leagues-statement-on-yemeni-situation-rejected-by-lebanon-iraq_897850.html

(A K P)

Families of UAE martyrs condoled

His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, yesterday offered his condolences to the family of martyr Khalifa Saif Saeed Al Khatri in Ras al-Khaimah, who died while performing duties as part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition’s ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ in Yemen.

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/761b5ce9-a186-4e26-a04a-1e005d390d8a.aspx

(A K P)

Morocco says won't attend Saudi meeting on Yemen

Morocco's Minister of Culture and Communication Mohamed Laaraj will not take part in the meeting of communication ministers on Yemen crisis in Saudi Arabia, local media reported on Friday.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/16/c_137257121.htm

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(* A P)

International Court of Justice to hear Qatar case against UAE

UN's highest court to hear Qatar case over UAE 'rights violations'

The UN's highest court will hold public hearings this month in an urgent case between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, over "human rights violations and "discrimination".

Doha's lawyers will lay out their arguments before the International Court of Justice on June 27 at a three-day hearing in which Abu Dhabi will also be given the chance to respond, a court statement said.

In June last year Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism and Iran. Doha categorically denies the claims.

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/6/15/un-top-court-to-hear-qatar-case-against-uae

cp15 Propaganda

(A K P)

UN Envoy to Yemen in Failed Mission… the Peace efforts fades behind battles in west coast

Many statements came from Houthis leaders talking theoretically their well for peace while all indications assure that they are maneuvering and stalling to stop the military operation by the government forces supported by Arabic coalition led by Saudi Arabia which seems more serious and effective after crossing tens of kilometers in less than a month till the south of Hodeida.
Houthis propaganda is publishing victories news in an attempt to raise the morale of their fighters who find themselves in a lost battle since they are facing modern armies supported by Apaches which kills dozens of them daily in open areas unlike the previous battles at mountains and its difficult geography at the center and north areas.

It is most likely in the current circumstances Houthis will deploy at the city margins and then withdraw to the center where the can deploy snipers and Hodeida city will be a stage for a long street war and destruction the city never witnessed before, Houthis dose not care about the coasts of this war on the city or the citizens there and especially the destruction of vital Hodeida port which consider the most important cause of Houthis survivor and its ability to finance its battels since the port income recorded more than one hundred billion Yemen riyal, in addition, that it gave them the advantage of receiving the aid shipments and control the distribution which mostly converts to the military effort support by selling them in black markets or distributing them on their fighters and personnel.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99633

(A K P)

UAE welcomes efforts of UN envoy to Yemen to persuade Houthis to hand over Hodaidah to Yemeni gov't

The UAE welcomes the efforts exerted by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths to persuade the Houthis to hand over Hodaidah city to the legitimate Yemeni government, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said.

In a series of tweets on Twitter quoted by Al Arabiya channel, Gargash asserted that the UAE supports the efforts of Griffiths to facilitate handing over Hodaidah to the Yemeni government.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99628

My comment: The envoy tries to persuade the Houthi to hand over the harbour to a third party or the UN, but not to the Hadi government.

(A P)

The Legitimate Yemeni Government welcomes continued efforts for a solution based on UN Security Council Resolution 2216, The National Dialogue and the Gulf Initiative

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302695003

My comment: They repeat it again and again – because these three preconditions would fix the superiority of the Hadfi government and would be a capitulation of the Houthi BEFORE any peaceful solution had been reached. By this, peace simply is impossible.

(A P)

UAE briefs international ambassadors on the operation to liberate Hodeida from Houthi control

The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash today briefed members of the international diplomatic corps based in Abu Dhabi on the Arab coalition operation to liberate the Yemen port city of Hodeida from Houthi control.

Commenting on the latest political, military and humanitarian developments, Dr. Gargash noted that the coalition forces were intentionally moving in a deliberate and responsible way to protect civilians and ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance.

"This operation is intentionally calibrated to help UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths in his difficult task to persuade the Houthis to facilitate the peaceful and unconditional handover of Hodeida to the legitimate Yemeni government," said Dr. Gargash. "The military and humanitarian operation comes after three years of stalemate in which the previous Special Envoy was unfortunately unable to bring the Houthis back to the negotiating table. We believe Hodeida will be a turning point, because as long as the Houthis hold Hodeida, they will continue to impede the political process."

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694964

Comment: Govt & coalition: we need to rescue ppl of Hodeidah suffering for 3 yrs. Well, dudes: you've liberated 85% of Yemen including all seaports & oil & gas regions, why don't you build a state in these regions & help ppl? Look Yemenis, give us ports & islands if you want our real help

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1008323947459416064

and

(A P)

UAE Ambassador urges action to alleviate crisis in war-torn Yemen

UAE’s ambassador to Denmark, Fatima Khamis Al Mazrouei, emphasises that the Arab Coalition is committed to working with the international community to ensure the port’s liberation will have an immediate impact on increasing the volume of humanitarian aid.

“My government has already begun a substantial aid campaign,” said the ambassador.

http://cphpost.dk/news/uae-ambassador-urges-action-to-alleviate-crisis-in-war-torn-yemen.html

and

(A K P)

UAE to act against Daesh, AQAP in Yemen: Envoy

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to India Dr. Ahmed Al Banna said Friday that his country's government will take all measures necessary to help neighbouring Yemen free itself from the grip of terrorist groups like the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Daesh.

In a statement issued here, Dr. Al Banna said, "An Arab coalition has launched military and humanitarian operations in Western Yemen to facilitate uninterrupted supply of relief aid to the Yemeni people by liberating the Red Sea port city of Hodeida from terrorist control."

https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/uae-to-act-against-daesh-aqap-in-yemen-envoy/1330491

and

(A K P)

Arab coalition fighting Houthi rebels will give aid to Yemeni civilians: UAE Ambassador

The month-long humanitarian assistance plan will transport food to 1.6 million individuals, and benefit 235,000 families including almost a million children, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Singapore Mohammad Omar Abdullah Belfaqeeh told reporters on Monday (June 18).

He was giving an update on the coalition's efforts, which has been criticised for civilian casualties, to Singapore media at a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/arab-coalition-fighting-houthi-rebels-will-give-aid-to-yemeni-civilians-uae-ambassador

My comment: The Foreign Minister, and worldwide, the ambassadors are beating the propaganda drum.

(A P)

Yemeni Army Sweeps Hodeidah Airport, Provides Safe Passage to Civilians

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi hailed on Saturday the “major roles” played by the Arab coalition in ending the Houthi coup and recapturing territories they had seized.
Relief aid convoys, offered by the coalition, departed Aden towards Yemen’s west coast as military operations to liberate the rest of Hodeidah continued.
Operation Golden Victory to liberate the province and its strategic port was launched on Wednesday.
Director of the Yemeni military command’s media center Saleh al-Qotaibi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis fled the fighting “in droves”, revealing that the army has detained 20 of their members.
He underlined the importance of liberating Hodeidah city, saying it is a significant source of income for the Houthis that are abusing relief aid for their war effort.
This sparked famine among Hodeidah residents, he added. Moreover, the liberation of the region will cut off military supplies and Houthi smuggling operations.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1303241/yemeni-army-sweeps-hodeidah-airport-provides-safe-passage-civilians

(A P)

Saudi Ambassador: Hodeidah Port Will Revive Yemeni Lives

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber said on Saturday that the port of Hodeidah "will be a lifeline for all Yemenis once it is liberated,” instead of the exploited trafficking route pumping arms to Houthi militias it is today.
Following his meeting with UAE Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Nahyan Al-Nahyan and ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to Saudi Arabia, Al Jaber stressed that the Kingdom alongside Arab coalition countries back Yemen’s internationally-recognized government and national army in their mission to retake territory controlled by Iran-backed militias.
Al Jabr pointed out that the liberation of Hodeidah city and its strategic port will directly serve as “an act of relief and relief from the grip and terror of Houthi militias, which exploit the port to serve personal agendas and smuggle weapons from Iran, prolong the war and impoverish and starve the Yemeni people.”
He added in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that “the Arab coalition will work immediately after the liberation of the port to deliver relief and humanitarian aid.”

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1303271/saudi-ambassador-hodeidah-port-will-revive-yemeni-lives

My comment: Really twisted propaganda: Selling an assault as an act of relief. And all humanitiarian organizations had told the opposite.

And almost the same propaganda, gain:

Hodeidah… Cutting the Head of the Snake

The suffering of 700,000 Yemenis living in Hodeidah will end as soon as their city is liberated by the rapid advance of the legitimate Yemeni forces, supported by the Arab coalition.

Ending the militias’ hold on the port will restore valuable income to Yemen’s budget and ensure that employee salaries are paid after a 20-month halt. The capture of the port will also stop the smuggling of Iranian missiles, 130 of which were used to target Saudi territory.
Most importantly though, the liberation of the port will be a decisive step that forces the Houtihs to return to the negotiations table to discuss a political solution based on the Gulf initiative, national dialogue and Security Council resolution 2216.

The Arab coalition will seek to wage a lightening battle and it will emerge victorious in a short period of time. It will not allow false humanitarian claims made by the UN and its agencies to be politically exploited by the Houthis to prolong the crisis in Hodeidah and the suffering of the people.

The Arab coalition is following a humanitarian strategy alongside its military one in order to protect civilians and infrastructure in a manner that would liberate the city with minimal losses.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1303266/salman-al-dossary/hodeidah%E2%80%A6-cutting-head-snake

My comment: “false humanitarian claims made by the UN“: when finally the US will kick the Saudis in the ass?? – „ forces the Houtihs to return to the negotiations table“: The thing is not to get the Houthis tot he negotiation table (they alwayswere willing to) but to force them to accept the Saudi coalition’s preconditions, which are repeated here, and which would mean that the Houthis would have to capitulate before the beginning of negotiations.

(A P)

Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, Executive Director of Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations Center Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan met at the headquarters of Ministry of Foreign Affairs here today with ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council and a number of ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom.
During the meeting, they discussed latest developments in the Republic of Yemen, the Yemeni army's achievements and victories in Hodeidah, humanitarian efforts being exerted for the Yemeni people, and a number of issues of mutual interest.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1776825

My comment: The same propaganda is repeated again and again.

(A P)

Yemen's Houthi rebels committing war crimes in Hodeidah, human rights minister says

The Hadi government was 'forced into a war', says Mohammed Askar

The Houthi rebels are committing war crimes against civilians in the key port city of Hodeidah, said Yemen’s minister of human rights, as fighting between government forces — backed by an Arab coalition — and the militia intensified on Saturday.

“In the last three years, under Houthi rule, Hodeidah has been and continues to suffer a humanitarian catastrophe,” Mohammed Askar told The National in a phone interview.

“Their war crimes and violations of human rights laws include the arrest of activists, journalists and anyone who holds an opinion against them.

“They have also planted land and sea mines around the port of Hodeidah, which is considered a strategic harbour along the Red Sea coast.”

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-s-houthi-rebels-committing-war-crimes-in-hodeidah-human-rights-minister-says-1.740777

My comment: Claiming this during an assault, having Saudi coalition airstrikes and a Saudi/US blockade in the background, is a deviation from the mayor crimes of the own side. Now, it is used to justify the injustifyable.

(A P)

Gargash Says Hodeidah Battle is Key to Yemen Political Solution

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said Friday that the campaign to retake Yemen's port city of Hodeidah means the Iran-backed Houthi insurgents will fail in imposing their will “at the barrel of a gun.”
Yemeni forces and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition began Wednesday their assault on Hodeidah to retake it from the Houthis.
“For three years, the Houthis have resisted multiple opportunities to engage in serious peace talks,” Gargash said in a series of tweets.
“If they keep Hodeidah and its revenues and its strategic location, the war will last a long time."
“This deadlock must end. It is clear that for the UN-led political process to succeed, the situation on the ground must change,” he added.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1301721/gargash-says-hodeidah-battle-key-yemen-political-solution

My comment: Justifying the Hodeidah assault by the claim tht it should prevent anyone else from “imposing their will “at the barrel of a gun.” That’s bizarre, really. – ““For three years, the Houthis have resisted multiple opportunities to engage in serious peace talks,” is bzarre as well. The Houthis had refused to accept peace talks on the base of the UAE’s and its allies preconditions – which were claiming that in fact the Houthis would have to capitulate in advance. Therefor, it s odd to claim that the Hodeidah assault should be necessary “for the UN-led political process to succeed”, he should have added: “to fulfill all our preconditions and secure our final victory”. Otherwise, this is bullshit.

(A P)

President Hadi: Houthi came from history's dust as a curse, he'll go as a soil seen off with curses

His Excellency (HE) President of the Republic Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi described Houthi militia's emergence as a curse came back from old ages.
He said:" Houthi putschist militia which came from history's dust as a curse, will fade away like dust, escorted with curses'.
His statement came in his address to the nation on the eve of Eid Al-Fiter .
HE added:" We assure you that we'll save no efforts—alongside with our brethren of Saudi-led Arab Coalition—to alleviate our peoples' suffering, we're going to do our utmost to deal with the humanitarian situations and to preserve civilians' lives and properties as a high top priority in accordance with International and Humanitarian Law, and to ensure the continuation of humanitarian aids flow to our people".
The President reassured the Yemeni people that victory is clearly looming. He said:" Let me tell you with much confidence and certainty that victory is coming soon—with Allah's help—it is closer than many people may imagine".

HE reiterated his promise of establishing a Federal Yemeni State that will be an exit from the crisis the country has been experiencing.

http://almasdaronline.com/article/99606

My comment: This “exit” can be visited at Aden already.

(A P)

New York Times: Are You a Woman in Saudi Arabia? Tell Us How, or if, Your Country Is Changing

Following a series of reforms, and subsequent crackdowns, in recent years, women in Saudi Arabia are poised to gain the right to drive this month. We want to hear about women’s lives there.

Long known for its highly patriarchal laws that limit women’s freedom, Saudi Arabia may be turning a page. In a first, the ultraconservative kingdom issued driver’s licenses to 10 women in early June, several weeks before the authorities planned to officially end the ban on women driving.

The decision, championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, follows the relaxing of other restrictions imposed on Saudi women.

As we begin to understand what the new freedoms will mean for Saudi society, we want to hear from women living in the kingdom. How has your life changed, if at all? What are the biggest obstacles that women still face? Tell us below, and we will feature a selection of the responses in a coming piece.

We Want to Hear From You

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/reader-center/saudi-arabia-women-changes.html

My comment: New York Times starting anew pro-Saudi propaganda campaign.

Comment: Is this a covert Saudi operation?

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1007758535420252160

(A P)

Save your judgment until after Hodeidah’s liberation

The Arab coalition has accepted that, to help the Yemeni people after three years of suffering in the city and port of Hodeidah, it had to take action and move to stop the crisis.

A large province like Hodeidah needs urgent liberation to enable its people to resume the peaceful, normal lives they have been deprived of by the Houthi occupation. The Houthis use this port to smuggle weapons along the coastline.

They have imposed taxes on fishermen, prevented humanitarian relief from reaching those in need and looted it, then sold the aid to the citizens of the province. They stole everything and forced the people of Hodeidah to fight with them, using their families as human shields, and hiding weapons in their houses, among civilians.

If we really care about the Yemeni people, we have to liberate them from the Houthi clutches. If we want a future for Yemen and its people, let us get rid of terrorist militias and work together. People should save their judgments until after’s Hodeidah liberation.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1322236

My comment: A usual Houthi-blame game firework. And we are told to believe that assault and war are the means to “resume the peaceful, normal lives”. How thislooks like, could be seen in the streets of Saada and on cimeteries. And in “liberated” areas like Aden. “Save your judgment until after Hodeidah’s liberation” will have been too late for all those who will have been killed during the assault.

(A P)

Yemeni Citizens Say Hodeidah Battle Brings Sanaa Closer to Freedom

Sanaa residents are looking forward to military operations launched by national joint forces and pro-government Arab Coalition forces on Wednesday to liberate Hodeidah and its strategic ports.
An atmosphere of joy and relief was registered for most citizens, accompanied by a rise in panic among Houthi militia supporters.
Houthi leaders intensified their campaigns for recruitment and raising funds.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, a number of Sanaa residents expressed joy towards advances made by pro-government forces, stressing that the liberation of Hodeidah.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1301736/yemeni-citizens-say-hodeidah-battle-brings-sanaa-closer-freedom

My comment: What a bullshit, claiming „Yemeni citizens“ would repeat Saudi / UAE propaganda phrases in the C+P way.

(A P)

Yemeni forces reach surroundings of Hodeidah airport

The UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said the offensive was a "deliberate, carefully prepared and executed operation" and that coalition forces, under the direction of the Yemeni government, would advance in a "a calibrated, gradual" way.

"We are facing a small, fanatical group of hardened fighters armed by Iran," Ms Nusseibeh told a press briefing at the UN.

Ms Nusseibeh said the offensive to oust the Houthi rebels was "a critical step toward achieving a political solution to this conflict because we know there is no military solution".

"At every step along the way the Houthis will be given opportunities to retreat, to disarm and to come back to the negotiating process," she said.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemeni-forces-reach-surroundings-of-hodeidah-airport-1.740357

(A P)

Cabinet hails the courage of UAE forces

These operations come as per the request of the Yemeni legitimate government and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions

https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/cabinet-hails-the-courage-of-uae-forces-1.2237111

My comment: Hadi had been blackmailed to consent (YPR 423, cp1b2), these operations are not at all backed by any UN resolutions.

(A P)

UAE to act against Daesh, AQAP in Yemen: Envoy

https://www.aninews.in/news/world/middle-east/uae-to-act-against-daesh-aqap-in-yemen-envoy201806151535280001/

My comment: Copy and Paste propaganda on Hodeidah.

(* A P)

More Saudi / UAE „We are benefactors“ propaganda

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1323091/saudi-arabia

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694960

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302694784

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/erc-distributes-meals-somali-refugees-dhala-yemen

http://www.thenational.scot/news/16292019.Saudi_Arabia_aid_charity_pledges_to_protect_Yemen_s_civilians/

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids day by day

June 16: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1529290868./1047859312031100/?type=3

June 15: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1529290868./1047858812031150/?type=3

June 14: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1529290868./1047858185364546/?type=3

(* A K pH) (look at cp1b2 as well)

Aggression warplanes launch 20+ strikes on Hodeidah international airport

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499357.htm

Five Saudi-led air strikes hit Hodiedah

Saudi-led coalition warplane waged five air attacks on Hodiedah province, an official told Saba on Sunday.
The strikes hit the international airport and al-Halay district

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499282.htm

(A K pH)

Civilian killed in 2 Saudi-led airstrikes on Saada

A civilian was killed and another injured when the US-backed Saudi-led coalition aggression on Saturday launched two airstrikes on Saada province, a security official told Saba News Agency.
The airstrikes hit Anad area of Sehar district, damaging residents’ properties

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499250.htm

(* A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

June 17:

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499358.htm Hajjah p.

June 16:

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499250.htm Saada p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499201.htm Hodeidah p.

June 15:

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499181.htm Jawf p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499172.htm Hodeidah p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499170.htm Saada p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499103.htm Saada p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499100.htm Saada p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

(* A K)

Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Houthi ballistic missile launched from Yemen

Iran-backed Houthi rebels say missile targeted Saudi military camp in JizanSaudi air defences on Sunday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from rebel-held territory in neighbouring Yemen, state media reported, as a Riyadh-led military coalition pushes a major offensive to capture a strategic port.

The missile, which targeted southern Jizan city, left a Pakistani national wounded, the coalition said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels said via their news outlet Al-Masirah that the missile had targeted a military camp in Jizan.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-says-it-intercepted-houthi-ballistic-missile-launched-yemen-1024836386

(A K pH)

Saada prov.: Saudi artillery and missile shells were fired toward residential areas of Razih border district.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news499170.htm

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(A)

Tropical Cyclone Mekunu-18, Socotra Governorate, Yemen: Preliminary and Rapid Analysis of Abd al Kuri island, Socotra Governorate (Yemen), using satellite data acquired on 04 June 2018

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/tropical-cyclone-mekunu-18-socotra-governorate-yemen-preliminary-and-rapid-analysis-abd-al

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-423-yemen-war-mosaic-423

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-423 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-423:

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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