... Trump stellt Waffenhandel über Leben – 12,000 US-Tankflüge seit 2015 – Huthis: Geiselnahme, Haft Folter – Huthi-Landminen – Huthis lenken humanitäre Hilfe um – Hintergründe der Inflation im Jemen – Ein Besuch im Jemen –Luftangriffe: Saudis waschen sich selbst weiß – und mehr
September 26, 2018: Mwatana: Record of Human rights violations – Photos from Yemen – Pompeo’s lie: In German, only RT reports – The greatest US weapons stash in Italy, and Yemen – Trump Puts Arms Sales Ahead of Yemeni Lives – 12,000 US refueling missions since 2015 – Houthis: Hostage taking, detention, torture – Houthi land mines – Houthis diverting humanitarian aid – Backgrounds of inflation in Yemen – A visit to Yemen – Air raids: Saudis whitewashing themselves – 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
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah / Most important: Hodeidah battle
cp1c JIAT : Saudis waschen sich wieder selbst weiß / JIAT: Saudi self-whitewashing again
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade
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
cp7a Saudi-Arabien und Iran / Saudi Arabia and Iran
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade
cp13b Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(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
(** B H K)
Mwatana Organization for Human Rights: A Worsening Tragedy
For the Human Rights Council to Renew the Mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts and to Enhance its Work
Mwatana for Human Rights stated that all parties to the conflict in Yemen continue to violate the international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Mwatana stressed that the Human Rights Council should renew and strengthen the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen by improving its reporting mechanism and strengthening the rhetoric on accountability, and should consider this issue as a priority for the current thirty-ninth session.
The armed conflict in Yemen erupted after the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) took over the capital, Sana’a, on September 21st, 2014. The conflict escalated in a rapid pace after a military campaign was launched on March 26th, 2015 to support President Abdu Rabbu Mansuor Hadi by the Arab Coalition that is comprised of nine countries, and led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Since May 2018, Hudaydah, far west of Yemen, has witnessed a fluctuating escalation of military operations, accompanied by an intensification of airstrikes and increased military supply of Joint-Forces loyal to Saudi/UAE led Coalition to the south and south-east of the city. In the same time, the city’s neighborhoods are witnessing a series of ground attacks, mine laying and observations of the construction of marshes and trenches by Ansar Allah ” Houthis” Which makes the battle in the residential neighborhoods an imminent danger. As a result, hundreds of thousands of civilians will be deprived of life essentials like food, health care and safe water.
During the period extending from September 1st, 2017 to August 31st, 2018, Mwatana for Human Rights documented human rights violations through field surveys. Mwatana’s field team conducted at least 1319 interviews, including observations of recruitment and use of children. These interviews were conducted with victims and relatives of victims, eyewitnesses and paramedics. .
“The Human Rights Council must stand firmly against the violations committed by all parties to the conflict in Yemen and not cave to the opposing voices to undermine the work of the group of eminent experts on Yemen,” said Radhya Almutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights. Almutawakel called on the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Group of eminent experts and to strengthen its work.
The Council had formed the Group of Eminent Experts during the 36th Session, in September 2017. The Group published its report on August 17th, 2018, which refers to the involvement of all parties to the conflict in Yemen in human rights violations.
- Air Strikes:
The air strikes launched by the coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have entered the second half of their fourth year in Yemen and continue to take civilian lives and destroy civilian targets. Since the beginning of the year 2018, civilians have been subjected to a series of bloody air strikes.
Mwatana for Human Rights documented at least 146 air strikes on civilians and civilian objects, during the period extending from September 1st, 2017 to August 31st, 2018. These attacks killed at least 477 civilians, including 231 children and 64 women, and wounded at least 524 civilians, including 235 children, and 51 women.
Arbitrary Ground Attacks:
Arbitrary ground attacks, using indiscriminate weapons, continue to cause civilian deaths and injuries in Yemen, particularly in the governorates of Taiz, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Abyan, Saada, Ma’rib and Lahj.
Mwatana has documented 84 incidents of arbitrary attacks since the beginning of September 2017 and until the end of August 2018. Most of these attacks were concentrated in the city of Taizz. At least 124 civilians, including 42 children and 16 women, were killed in these incidents, and at least 259 others, including 108 children and 13 women, were injured. Ansar Allah group (Houthis) bear the responsibility for most of these bloody attacks, while the Hadi Government and Coalition forces bear responsibility for 20 arbitrary ground attacks.
Use of Mines:
Mwatana documented at least 35 incidents of mines exploding in 9 Yemeni governorates: Al Hudaydah, Saada, Lahj, Abyan, Al Bayda, Hajjah, Taizz, Shabwah and Al Jawf, during the period between September 2017 and August 2018, during which 31 civilians were killed at least, including eight children and five women, and 48 civilians at least were injured, including 32 children and seven women. The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) planted 32 mines.
Recruiting and Using Children:
Between September 2017 and August 2018, Mwatana for Human Rights documented at least 601 cases of recruitment or use of children. The parties involved in the conflict were involved in the recruitment of 1,100 children. The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) recruited 54% of these children. This percentage was concentrated in the governorates of Saada, Taiz and Sana’a, while the forces of the security belt and the Hadrami and Shabwani Elite Forces backed by the UAE mobilized 26%. This percentage was concentrated in the governorates of Abyan and Lahj. The percentage of children recruited by the forces loyal to President Hadi and the Popular Resistance Committees reached 19%, and this percentage was concentrated in the governorates of Abyan and Al Bayda, while 1% of the documented recruitment cases were by jihadi groups or groups that were not identified.
Arbitrary Detention, Enforced Disappearance and Torture:
Mwatana for Human Rights documented at least 27 cases of arbitrary detention, 43 cases of enforced disappearance and five cases of torture during the period between September 2017 and August 2018. The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) bears the responsibility for all these incidents.
In the same period, Mwatana documented at least 23 cases of arbitrary detention, 12 cases of enforced disappearances and 21 cases of torture. Responsibility for these incidents falls upon the forces loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the security belt forces, the Hadrami and Shabwani Elite Forces and fighters from Salafist groups supported by the UAE.
Violations against the press
Mwatana documented no less than seven incidents of violations against journalists and media outlets in the period of September, 2017 to August, 2018; four of which were documented in areas controlled by Hadi government and the Saudi Emarati led coalition, and three were documented in areas controlled by Ansar Allah (Houthis).
The persecution of the Baha’i minority
In 2017, Mwatana documented seven cases of arbitrary detention against members of the Baha’i community; four of which are still forcibly disappeared.
Attacks against Schools and Use of Schools:
Schools in Yemen are subjected to a number of attacks, such as aerial bombardment, ground shelling, occupation and military use.
Mwatana for Human Rights investigated (39) incidents of attacks against schools and educational facilities, including (10) aerial attacks, (7) incidents of land attacks, and (26) cases of occupation or use for military purposes. The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) is responsible for 21 incidents, while forces loyal to President Hadi and forces supported by the United Arab Emirates are responsible for 14 incidents. The parties bear joint responsibility in four other cases.
Attacks against Hospitals and Medical Personnel:
Mwatana investigated at least 17 incidents of assault on hospitals. The coalition and the forces loyal to the UAE bear responsibility for 10 of these incidents, while Ansar Allah group (Houthis) bears responsibility for two cases. Popular resistance and forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi also bear responsibility for at least two incidents.
Denial of Humanitarian Aid Access:
The war has turned the humanitarian situation in Yemen into the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. On September 21st, 2018, Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the security council saying, “We are losing the fight against famine. The position has deteriorated in an alarming way in recent weeks. We may now be approaching a tipping point, beyond which it will be impossible to prevent massive loss of life as a result of widespread famine across the country. The escalation of military operations in Al Hudaydah governorate recently will not only impact the lives of civilians there, but it would also impact the arrival of food and humanitarian aid to the whole country through Al Hudaydah port.
The Saudi-Emirati-led Coalition’s imposition of strict measures on land and sea ports, which constitutes an obstacle to the flow of relief and basic items, has exacerbated this crisis. After the Coalition took full control over airspace in March 2015, it closed Sana’a International Airport for business flights starting from August 2016 until today, which makes it difficult for civilians to travel to the airports of Aden and Seiyun that are 350 – 860 kilometers away, interspersed with many checkpoints and front lines.
The recent surge in military operations in the Al Hudaydah Governorate could affect access to humanitarian aid and food supplies through the Al Hudaydah port, making millions of Yemenis vulnerable.
Mwatana for human rights investigated 33 cases of denial of humanitarian aid access, attacking or attempting to loot humanitarian aid in six Yemeni governorates: Saada, Taiz, Al Hudaydah, Al Mahwit, Amanat Al-Asemah and Dhamar. The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) is responsible for most of these incidents, while the coalition and forces loyal to Hadi bear responsibility in at least five incidents.
Almutawakel stated: “The number of human rights violations and of victims has increased in an alarming manner and the human rights council shouldn’t stand idly by in the face of this situation.”
http://mwatana.org/en/worsening-tragedy/ = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/worsening-tragedy
(* B H K P)
September 22, 2018
The Slaughter in Yemen
They are slaughtering children in Yemen
The weapons supplied by political demons
Dressed in expensive suits and dresses
These villains support these bloody excesses
Others in uniforms in a coalition of carnage
They are the ones that plot all the damage
They also guide the missiles into the victims
“Soldiers” of evil: and death is their dictum
The silence of the powerful on these war crimes
Is the silence of the guilty that need to do hard time
They are the ones that sell death and destruction
Profiteers from hell that get hellish satisfaction
Some have right honourable and honourable to their names
These “people” have no ethics, or morals, or any shame
They even dance with the buyers of the weapons they sell
While the country of Yemen becomes a living hell
Children still alive are dying of disease and Cholera
Others are starving and famine has become regular
Yemen is a monstrous crime against humanity
Can anyone stop this evil and terrible atrocities’?
The war perverts in power are accessories after the fact
They supply the weapons and the coalition attacks
They are all war criminals and this is their dirty mission
They are responsible for slaughtering children in Yemen…
[more info on this at link below]
http://graysinfo.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-slaughter-in-yemen.html
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/trump-puts-arms-sales-ahead-of-yemeni-lives/
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
(** B H K)
Yemen’s close-up: A photojournalist’s award-winning look at a nation’s forgotten sorrow
Véronique de Viguerie spent a month chronicling a Middle Eastern country’s struggle with civil war and a Saudi blockade. Now, she’s the first woman in 20 years to win the prestigious Visa d’Or prize. Here’s what she told The Globe and Mail’s Shelby Blackley about the experience.
Photojournalist Véronique de Viguerie’s month in Yemen with reporter Manon Quérouil-Bruneel put a spotlight on the country’s civil war and earned Ms. de Viguerie the Visa d’Or, the top prize at the Visa pour l’image: International Festival of Photojournalism, held annually in Perpignan, France. Her work for Time and Paris Match, called “Yemen, The Hidden War,” includes a body of photographs that provide a haunting window into the day-to-day struggles of civilians trapped in Yemen under Saudi Arabia’s blockade.
VdeV: I’m very pleased that Yemen is finally getting into the light of the world. I think that’s why we do this job in the first place, to enlighten situations we find unfair or need to be reported on. You can sometimes lose your purpose in your job thinking it’s not going to change anything, but at least, if at the end, you can say that people can say they know, it’s an accomplishment.
You put a human face on it, which is always more moving or more striking. We were thinking that we didn’t see anything about Yemen for a while in the news. We decided it was a good idea to work on that. It took us one year to get all of those [applications] to get there. Once we were there, after all of those obstacles, it got more complicated.
At some point we decided we couldn’t work like this and we need to escape from the Houthis' control. As soon as we escaped, they started getting really difficult with us. Following us, trying to arrest us, accusing us of being spies. And then we couldn’t really get out of the country for one month. But it gave us an opportunity to live like them for a little short while. The people in Yemen, they’re there forever. But us, only a month, we could understand a little bit how the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia affected the people there. How it is difficult to go somewhere, there are no doctors, teachers, everything there is so expensive and it’s a luxury to buy food (photos)
Comment: Either the photo-journalist changed her mind or the agenda is different.
When the Saudis claimed to have rescued Véronique de Viguerie and her colleague from the 'Houthis', the two journalists - in a press conference - claimed they had never been kidnapped and had no problem in #Yemen. Now the narrative has shifted, totally.
There are a number of excellent Yemeni journalists documenting the war, risking their lives, far from sensationalism. High time to acknowledge their work
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1936077029778651
and here more photos by de Viguerie:
(** B H K)
YEMEN, THE HIDDEN WAR
YEMEN, LA GUERRE QU’ON NOUS CACHE
En plus des bombardements de la Coalition menée par l’Arabie Saoudite presque quotidiens qui parfois ciblent des civils, les Yéménites du nord, assiégés depuis 3 ans, subissent une pénurie d’eau, de pétrole, de nourriture, de médicaments. Toutes les 10 minutes, un enfant meurt, la plupart du temps d’une maladie tout à fait bénigne. Piégée, la population survit sous le joug du régime autoritaire Houthi. Les enfants soldats servent de chair à canon sur les lignes de front. Le pétrole, les aides humanitaires, les médicaments sont surtaxés par des corrompus du pouvoir. Par contre, dans cette guerre, les femmes Yéménites s’émancipent, elles remplacent les hommes qui ont été tués ou blessés. Pas payées depuis plus d’un an, les infirmières restent fidèles au poste dans des hôpitaux en ruine, au secours de la population. Personne n’a vraiment intérêt à voir les médias rapporter la situation de l’intérieur comme de l’extérieur. Après avoir essayé pendant plus d’un an d’obtenir les autorisations et les visas nécessaires pour nous rendre dans le nord. Nous avons décidé en octobre de nous rendre dans le sud Yémen et de passer illégalement dans le nord, seule solution pour y pénétrer. Nous avons ensuite été coincées dans le nord pendant 1 mois, d’octobre à novembre 2017 à cause notamment du blocus de l’Arabie Saoudite. Pourchassées par les Houthis et sous la protection d’Amat et ses ministres, nous avons pû nous rendre à Saada, Hajjah, Ibb et Sanaa. (photos)
http://veroniquedeviguerie.com/yemen-the-hidden-war/#gallery
(** A K P)
Business über alles: Pompeo überstimmt eigene Experten wegen Jemenkrieg
Eine Gruppe von Experten im US-Außenministerium wollte zusammen mit überparteilichen Kongressabgeordneten die US-Regierung dazu bringen, die militärische Unterstützung für den Krieg im Jemen zu stoppen. Zwei Milliarden US-Dollar standen ihnen im Weg.
Es ist nicht so, dass es gar keine Stimmen der Vernunft in den US-Politik gäbe. Es gibt sie sehr wohl, nur werden sie oft überhört und noch öfter erfolgreich zum Schweigen gebracht. Die Außenwelt erfährt in der Regel nur durch Leaks etwas davon, was sich tatsächlich im Inneren der Macht in Washington abspielt. So auch in diesem Fall, in dem sich eine Gruppe von Experten im Außenministerium und eine überparteiliche Gruppe von Kongressabgeordneten zusammengetan hatten, um die US-Unterstützung für den von Saudi-Arabien geführten Krieg im Jemen zu stoppen.
Nun kam aber heraus, dass eine andere Überlegung dazu geführt hat, dass sie von Außenminister Mike Pompeo überstimmt wurden. Die gleichen Überlegungen übrigens, die auch Berlin dazu veranlasst haben, neue Waffenlieferungen zu genehmigen: Geld. Sehr viel Geld.
Pompeo sollte dem Kongress Bericht erstatten, ob die Regierungen von Saudi-Arabien und den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten genügend tun, um zivile Opfer und Beschädigung oder Zerstörung von ziviler Infrastruktur zu vermeiden. Angesichts der Tatsache, dass es jede Menge Berichte über Kriegsverbrechen der Saudis und der Emirate gibt und die UN immer wieder Presseerklärungen über zivile Opfer bei Angriffen abgibt, dann muss man sich fragen, wieso Pompeo dem Kongress einen Freifahrtschein für Riad und Abu Dhabi erteilt hat. Dort erklärte der US-Außenminister am 12. September:
… bestätigte ich dem Kongress gestern, dass die Regierungen von Saudi-Arabien und den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten nachweisbare Maßnahmen ergreifen, um das Risiko von Schäden an Zivilisten und ziviler Infrastruktur infolge militärischer Operationen dieser Regierungen zu minimieren.
Eine Antwort auf diese Frage lieferten die Gegner dieses Vorgehens in Form eines Leaks an das Wall Street Journal. Laut einem internen Memo des US-Außenministeriums wurde Pompeo darauf aufmerksam gemacht, dass ein "Ausbleiben der Zertifizierung sich negativ auf ausstehende Waffentransfers auswirken wird" und dass "die Nichteinhaltung der Zertifizierung sich auch negativ auf künftige ausländische Militärverkäufe und direkte kommerzielle Verkäufe in der Region auswirken kann".
Dieser Vorgang zeigt einmal mehr, wie wenig sich die US-Regierung in Wirklichkeit um Menschenrechte sorgt oder wie genau sie es mit der Verhinderung von humanitären Katastrophen nimmt. Das einzige, das zählt, ist die Gewinnmaximierung und Marktanteile.
Mein Kommentar: Die Geschichte ist ja hiermit noch nicht zu Ende. Denn ein Beratergremium in Pompeos Ministerium hatte sich gegen alle anderen für diese Zertifizierung ausgesprochen, das „Legislative Affairs Team“. Und dieses wird von Charles Faulkner geleitet, der Lobbyist für den betroffenen Rüstungskonzern Raytheon ist. – Pompeo hatte übrigens nachträglich noch zu Chuzpe, zu erklären, diese Rüstungsdeals hätten seine Entscheidung für die Zertifizierung gar nicht beeinflusst.
Ein weiterer Skandal: Dieser (unvollständige) Bericht von RT (!!!) ist der EINZIGE deutschsprachige Bericht, der im Internet überhaupt zu dieser Sache zu finden ist! Sie können sich durch Google leicht davon überzeugen. Der Bericht des Wall Street Journal hierzu datiert vom 20. September: https://www.wsj.com/articles/top-u-s-diplomat-backed-continuing-support-for-saudi-war-in-yemen-over-objections-of-staff-1537441200 . Und die Fortsetzung dazu von The Intercept ist vom 21. September: https://theintercept.com/2018/09/21/mike-pompeo-yemen-war-raytheon/ .
Auch bereits über diese am 12. September abgegebene Zertifizierung – da waren die Hintergründe noch nicht bekannt – haben deutschsprachige Medien im Internet (mit Ausnahme von zwei Sätzen bei der NZZ (https://www.nzz.ch/international/jemen-kriegsparteien-setzen-auf-eskalation-ld.1420016) nicht berichtet: https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/09/285861.htm. Das gesamte englischsprachige Material finden Sie in den Yemenkrieg Mosaiken 458, 459, 460, 461.
Deutschsprachige Medien versagen regelmäßig, wenn es für den USA-Imperialismus kritisch wird. Dabei wird sonst jeder Fliegenschiss, sofern er gegen Trump verwendet werden kann, gerne aufgegriffen. Gerade in Sachen US-Kriege sind die deutschen Mainstreammedien aber am nachsichtigsten (wie die US-Medien auch). Etwa das hier ist offensichtlich für den deutschen Mainstream viel schlimmer als Krieg und die größte humanitäre Krise der Gegenwart: https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/usa/id_84501654/brett-kavanaugh-neue-vorwuerfe-gegen-trumps-supreme-court-kandidaten-.html . Wenn Sie den Namen „Brett Kavanaugh“ googeln, einstellen auf Sprache Deutsch und letzte 24 Stunden (am 24.9. morgens), erhalten Sie 40 Treffer.
Als besonders alberne Propaganda erweist sich hier wieder einmal die einstimmige Kampagne des westlichen Mainstreams gegen RT, dem vorgeworfen wird, eine russische Propagandaschleuder zu sein. Nun, RT ist nicht mehr und nicht weniger Propaganda als der ganze deutsche „Mainstream“ selbst auch Propaganda ist. Gerade für Berichte aus ferneren Ländern ist RT immer wieder die ausführlichste, die ideologiefreieste, und eben oft genug auch die einzige deutschsprachige Quelle. So wie hier.
(** B K P)
Die größte US-Waffenkammer in Italien
Seit dem letzten Jahr, seit das Pentagon einen Weltkrieg gegen China und Russland plant, nutzt es zahlreiche Stützpunkte in Italien, um die Lagerhaltung seiner Waffen in Europa, einschließlich Atombomben, massiv zu erhöhen.
Der Hauptanlaufpunkt im Mittelmeer ist Leghorn, da es mit dem benachbarten US-Basis Camp Darby verbunden ist.
Die logistische Basis, die sich zwischen Pisa und Livorno befindet, ist das größte Waffenlager der USA außerhalb der Heimat. Der Colonel hat den Inhalt der 125 Bunker von Camp Darby nicht genau benannt. Er kann auf über eine Million Artilleriegeschosse, Flugbomben und Raketen sowie Tausende von Panzern, Fahrzeugen und andere militärische Gegenstände geschätzt werden. Es kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden, dass es in der Basis Atombomben gegeben hat, gibt oder geben wird.
Camp Darby - betonte der Oberst - spielt eine Schlüsselrolle: Es liefert Waffen an die US-Boden- und Luftstreitkräfte in viel kürzerer Zeit, als sie bei einer direkten Lieferung aus den USA erforderlich wäre. Die Basis lieferte die meisten der Waffen, die in den Kriegen gegen den Irak, Jugoslawien, Libyen und Afghanistan eingesetzt wurden.
Da die großen Schiffe seit März 2017 monatlich in Leghorn einlaufen, werden die Waffen von Camp Darby ständig zu den Häfen von Aqaba in Jordanien, Jeddah in Saudi-Arabien und anderen Häfen im Nahen Osten transportiert, die von den USA und den alliierten Streitkräften in den Kriegen in Syrien, Irak und Jemen genutzt werden.
Zu den Waffen, die jeden Monat auf dem Seeweg von Camp Darby nach Jeddah transportiert werden, gehören sicherlich auch US-Bomben, mit denen die saudische Luftwaffe (wie Fotobeweise zeigen) Zivilisten im Jemen tötet. Es gibt auch ernsthafte Hinweise darauf, dass die großen Schiffe in der monatlichen Verbindung zwischen Leghorn und Jeddah auch Fliegerbomben transportieren, die von RWM Italia von Domusnovas (Sardinien) aus nach Saudi-Arabien für den Krieg im Jemen geliefert wurden.
Durch den verstärkten Waffentransit durch das Camp Darby reicht die Kanal- und Straßenverbindung der Basis mit dem Hafen von Leghorn und dem Flughafen von Pisa nicht mehr aus. Daher wurde eine massive Reorganisation der Infrastruktur beschlossen – von Manlio Dinucci
http://www.voltairenet.org/article202939.html
(** B K P)
Trump Puts Arms Sales Ahead of Yemeni Lives
Nothing good can come out of aiding the Saudis in Yemen—nothing except enriching weapons dealers.
How much is a Yemeni child worth? Not much it seems: about $400 if one uses the Trump administration’s calculations. The U.K.-based charity Save the Children estimates that five million Yemeni children are at risk of starvation. That risk has increased markedly thanks to the Trump administration’s fear of endangering $2 billion worth of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the Emirates.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the continued sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia was a key factor behind Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision to certify to Congress that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are taking effective measures to safeguard civilian lives, which allowed the U.S. to continue to provide both countries with mid-air refueling and other military support.
All the while, food shipments will slow or be suspended altogether. But then this appears to be Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s strategy to defeat the Houthis: starve them out, even if it means the slow deaths of hundreds of thousands or even millions.
The loss of Hodeidah will be a significant strategic blow to the Houthis but it will do little to end the killing. In fact, it’s more likely to mark the beginning of a new and more deadly chapter in Yemen’s war, now in its fourth year.
Even if the militias backed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia manage to take the port, it will not significantly impede the Houthis’ ability to fight. They retain control of Yemen’s mountainous northwest, terrain that is ideal for protracted guerrilla warfare
And the mountains may be the least of Saudi Arabia’s and the UAE’s problems. The areas that they and their proxy forces nominally control are far from stable.
Areas in the south where Saudi Arabia and the UAE predominate have also been roiled by protests against both nations. Many Yemenis resent what they see as a neo-colonial land and resource grab. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have carved out spheres of influence.
If the Saudis and Emiratis cannot stabilize the areas they already have nominal control over, how are they going to ensure that the factional proxy forces they support are going to govern Hodeidah?
A significant percentage of the forces fighting the Houthis for control of Hodeidah are separatists who have legitimate and long-standing grievances against what was north Yemen. Some of them want to create an independent south Yemen. Rather than continuing to fight the Houthis after they gain control of the port, it is more likely that they will fight amongst themselves.
Militant Salafis—many of whom sympathize with or are covertly allied with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula—also make up a part of the forces opposing the Houthis.
This is almost certain to mean that far less food and aid will make it to those in Yemen who need it most.
All of this should force U.S. policymakers to ask: how does helping the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue this war aid Yemenis and how does it help advance regional stability or American national security interests? In short, it doesn’t. However, it does help American and foreign arms manufacturers – by Michael Horton
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/trump-puts-arms-sales-ahead-of-yemeni-lives/
(** B K)
US Tankers Resupplied Aircraft with 95 Million Pounds of Fuel Near Yemen
US Air Force tankers have unloaded 95 million pounds of fuel into the gas tanks of jets flying near the Horn of Africa, including Saudi coalition jets conducting bombing raids over Yemen, during more than 12,000 refueling missions since 2015, according to newly released data.
Military.com's Oriana Pawlyk reports that as of August 31, US tankers like the KC-135 Stratotanker had dropped off incredible sums of fuel to other aircraft, citing data from US Central Command officials. An unknown — but likely high — number of recipient aircraft have been Saudi coalition jets bombing the Houthi Shia militia for
As of January 1, 2018, the American air force had dropped off "88 million pounds of fuel in support of US missions and Saudi and Emirate operations against threats throughout the Horn of Africa, to include Yemen," US Air Force Central Command spokeswoman Capt. AnnMarie Annicelli said in the spring.
(** B P)
Menschenrechtler werfen Houthi-Rebellen im Jemen Folter vor
Human Rights Watch dokumentiert in Bericht Kriegsverbrechen
Die Menschenrechtsvereinigung Human Rights Watch hat den Houthi-Rebellen im Jemen Folter, Geiselnahme und andere Kriegsverbrechen vorgeworfen. In einem am Dienstag veröffentlichten Bericht legten die Experten den Rebellen, die über weite Teile des nördlichen Jemen herrschen, eine "brutale Behandlung ihrer Gefangenen" zur Last. Diese würden mit Eisenstangen, Holzknüppeln und Gewehrkolben verprügelt, "was oftmals der Folter gleichkommt", heißt es in dem Bericht, der sich auf Aussagen früherer Gefangener stützt. Human Rights Watch warf den vom Iran unterstützten Houthis vor, gezielt Menschen zu entführen, um Lösegeld zu erpressen oder eigene Kämpfer aus der Gefangenschaft der Gegner freizupressen. Zudem sei Gefangenen oder deren Angehörigen mit Vergewaltigung gedroht worden. Die Organisation dokumentierte in dem Bericht 16 Fälle illegaler Gefangennahmen mit dem Ziel der Erpressung.
https://derstandard.at/2000088022351/Menschenrechtler-werfen-Houthi-Rebellen-im-Jemen-Folter-vor
(** B P)
Yemen: Houthi Hostage-Taking
Arbitrary Detention, Torture, Enforced Disappearance Go Unpunished
The Houthi armed group in Yemen has frequently taken hostages and committed other serious abuses against people in their custody, Human Rights Watch said today. Houthi officials should stop taking hostages, free everyone arbitrarily detained, end torture and enforced disappearances, and punish those responsible for abuses.
Human Rights Watch documented 16 cases in which Houthi authorities held people unlawfully, in large part to extort money from relatives or to exchange them for people held by opposing forces. Hostage-taking is a serious violation of the laws of war and a war crime. The United Nations Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen, which has a mandate to investigate and identify those responsible for abuses.
“The Houthis have added profiteering to their long list of abuses and offenses against the people under their control in Yemen,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Rather than treat detainees humanely, some Houthi officials are exploiting their power to turn a profit through detention, torture, and murder.”
Since late 2014, when Houthi forces occupied the capital, Sanaa, and much of Yemen, Human Rights Watch has documented dozens of cases of the Houthis and forces loyal to the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh carrying out arbitrary and abusive detention, as well as forced disappearances and torture. Yemeni rights groups have documented hundreds more cases. Human Rights Watch recently interviewed 14 former detainees and relatives of two other men detained or disappeared.
Houthi officials have treated detainees brutally, often amounting to torture, Human Rights Watch said. Former detainees described Houthi officers beating them with iron rods, wooden sticks, and assault rifles. Guards whipped prisoners, shackled them to walls, caned their feet, and threatened to rape them or their family members, former detainees said. Several people described being hung from a wall by their arms shackled behind them as one of the most painful techniques. In many cases, Houthi officials tortured them to obtain information or confessions.
Former detainees said guards refused detainees medical assistance or treatment after abuse. Those released and their family members reported physical and psychological health complications from mistreatment.
Houthi officials regularly extort those detained and their relatives, said former detainees, family members, and Yemeni rights activists. In some cases, the Houthis ultimately released the detainee – often they have not.
Former detainees described terrible conditions in Houthi custody: poor hygiene; limited access to toilets, causing some to defecate on themselves; and lack of food and health care. Former detainees and family members said many formal and all informal detention facilities refused access to family members. Detainees had no defined process for challenging their detention or reporting mistreatment. In many cases documented, Houthi authorities moved detainees between facilities – both formal and informal – without notifying family members.
The Association of Mothers of Abductees, Yemeni women who advocate for their detained or disappeared civilian relatives, sent Human Rights Watch accounts from 10 cases in which Houthi officials had demanded money as a condition for release. Nine families paid. Houthi officials released only three of the men, including one in a prisoner exchange for Houthi fighters.
When committed in the context of an armed conflict, cruel treatment, torture, and humiliating or degrading treatment are war crimes. Taking hostages – seizing someone or detaining them and threatening to kill, injure, or continue to detain them to compel a third party to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release or for the person’s safety – is a war crime under the statute of the International Criminal Court.
In 2018, the UN Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen concluded the Houthis had “committed acts that may amount to war crimes, including cruel treatment and torture [and] outrages upon personal dignity.” The experts documented the Houthis detaining students, human rights defenders, journalists, perceived political opponents and members of the Baha’i community, and mistreating and torturing detainees, including at the National Security Bureau and Political Security Office.
Former detainees, their relatives, and their lawyers have identified a number of informal detention facilities where people are detained, disappeared, mistreated, and tortured, including sites where Human Rights Watch has documented abuse: in Sanaa, the National Security Bureau, the Political Security Office, and Zain al-Abideen mosque; and in Hodeida, the Political Security Office, the Officer’s Club, and the Citadel. Some of these have since been shut down. The exact number of facilities or people detained in them remains unknown.
Houthi prison directors and guards use noms-de-guerre, making identification difficult. Human Rights Watch has repeatedly documented abusive detention by the Political Security Office and National Security Bureau, Yemen’s primary intelligence agencies, both of which had poor human rights records prior to the current conflict. A former detainee and a Sanaa-based lawyer identified the head of the PSO prison in Sanaa as “Abu Aqeel.” In January, the Supreme Political Council appointed Abdul Qader al-Shami, who served as acting director of the agency since late 2015, as the director. A Sanaa-based lawyer and a former detainee said that detainees at the NSB are overseen by “Abu Emad.”
[following: cases of detention, hostage taking, torture]
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/25/yemen-houthi-hostage-taking
short thread: https://twitter.com/K_Beckerle/status/1044448732538966016
short film: https://twitter.com/maldhabyani/status/1044614969415921665
(** B K)
MINES AND IEDs EMPLOYED BY HOUTHI FORCES ON YEMEN’S WEST COAST
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, the Government of Germany, and the Government of the United Arab Emirates. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Conflict Armament Research and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the positions of the European Union, of the Government of Germany, or the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Background
Across every front line in the conflict in Yemen, Houthi forces have employed significant numbers of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against Arab Coalition forces. According to the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre, between 2016 and 2018, the Yemeni army removed some 300,000 landmines that Houthi forces had laid throughout Yemen.1 While Conflict Armament Research (CAR) has been unable to verify these figures, a growing body of information, compiled by CAR, suggests that the use of landmines and IEDs has been widespread and has increased as Houthi forces retreat from Coalition advances.
Since April 2017, CAR has conducted eight field missions to Yemen to document materiel seized from non-state armed groups, including Houthi forces. During its most recent field mission in July 2018, CAR documented a range of materiel recovered during Coalition advances along the west coast of Yemen, toward the port city of Hodeida. While
some of the recovered materiel consists of conventional landmines and naval mines, which probably originate from former Yemeni army stockpiles, the vast majority of landmines are improvised and mass-produced, domestically, by Houthi forces in Yemen.
Key Findings
Improvised mines, IEDs, IED main charges, and IED pressure plates are standardised and mass-produced by Houthi forces.
Basic printed instructions affixed to IED pressure plates, and other military materiel, suggest that they have been issued for use by low-skilled forces.
IED switches and electronics, including passive infrared (PIR) sensors, crush wires, transmitters, and corresponding receivers, originate in Iran.
Transmitters, used to arm radiocontrolled IEDs (RCIEDs), contain components with obliterated markings, which indicates attempts to obscure their provenance.
Conclusion
The use of landmines and IEDs is a growing threat in Yemen and one that will persist long after the current phase of the conflict concludes. Improvised mines, the primary type of landmine contamination in Yemen, are mass-produced by Houthi forces on a scale only previously achieved by Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.
IEDs and RCIEDs employed by Houthi forces continue to contain components that originate in Iran. The most recent seizures of IED electronics reveal attempts to conceal their provenance.
Moreover, Houthi forces distribute military materiel to low-skilled users, as evidenced by their use of printed instructions, which are affixed to IED pressure plates, improvised grenades, and MANPADS.
http://www.conflictarm.com/dispatches/mines-and-ieds-employed-by-houthi-forces-on-yemens-west-coast/
and an overview report:
(** B K)
Yemen Houthis mass-produced mines and IEDs using Iranian components, CAR report finds
A new report by Conflict Armament Research has found that Yemen’s Houthi rebels have standardized and mass-produced improvised explosive devices with components, some of which originate in Iran.
Evidence collected by the research organization suggests that the use of landmines and IEDs is widespread and has increased as Houthi forces retreat from coalition advances, and that Houthi forces used significant quantities of improvised mines, supplemented by a much smaller number of conventionally manufactured mines that likely originate from Yemeni army stockpiles.
It also documents an improvised naval mine and a MANPADS gripstock.
“This report reveals the extensive use of landmines and IEDs throughout Yemen,” James Bevan, Executive Director of Conflict Armament Research said. “The vast majority of landmines being recovered are improvised, standardized and mass-produced, domestically, by Houthi forces on a scale only previously achieved by Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria.”
U.K.-based Conflict Armament Research works on the ground in active armed conflicts and tracks the supply of weapons, ammunition, and military materiel, documenting weapons at the point of use and tracking their sources back through supply chains.
Improvised mines documented by CAR in Yemen are standardized and in some cases serialized, suggesting mass production. They are either identical in design to or closely resemble conventional mines. Houthis also standardize, serialize, and mass-produce IEDs, along with their main charges and switches.
CAR documented three types of improvised landmine
It concludes that Houthis manufactured the landmines in Yemen because they are clearly improvised, their use appears to be restricted to Houthi forces, and they have not been recovered from other parties to Yemen’s conflict. They have not been documented outside Yemen.
The conventional mines were manufactured in various countries including Belgium, Italy, China and the former German Democratic Republic. Some of the mine types are known to have been held by Yemeni forces before the civil war, and some have similar lot numbers and production dates to mines that coalition forces seized from an Islamic State in Yemen cell in Aden.
Electronic components used in remote control IEDs – including PIR sensors, transmitters, and receivers – were manufactured in 2008. Their design and construction are identical to materiel that CAR has previously documented, and which it has determined originated from Iran.
It found that some components had markings removed, indicating attempts to obscure their provenance.
CAR documented dozens of synthetic rock-concealed IEDs, which coalition forces have recovered throughout Taiz and Hodeida governorates.
In a March report that focused on explosively formed projectiles (EFP) in Yemen, CAR said that “multiple strands of information suggest that Iran orchestrated the transfer of technology and materiel to Houthi forces in Yemen to assist in the manufacture of [radio-controlled IEDs].”
That report found that the EFPs found in Yemen, which were camouflaged to resemble rocks, were similar to devices documented by CAR field investigation teams elsewhere in the Middle East, including some that the Israel Defense Forces recovered from Hezbollah, and more recovered by U.S. forces in Iraq – by Fergus Kelly
https://thedefensepost.com/2018/09/24/yemen-houthis-mass-produced-mines-iran-components-report/
(** A B H P)
UN rushes aid to hunger-stricken Yemeni district
The United Nations and individual donors are rushing food to a desperate corner of northern Yemen where starving villagers were found to be living off leaves. Aid officials are searching for ways to ensure aid reaches those in need amid alarm that the country's hunger crisis is worsening beyond the relief effort's already strained capabilities.
The aid push was directed at a district called Aslam where earlier this month The Associated Press found some families eating leaves. But in a sign of the difficulties in tracking Yemen's near-famine, conditions appeared to be as bad or worse in a neighboring district, Khayran al-Maharraq.
On a recent day, Shouib Sakaf buried his 3-year-old daughter, Zaifa, the fifth child known to have died in the district this year from malnutrition-related illness. Sakaf prayed over a grave marked by piles of stones and tangled, dry branches from the surrounding mountain shrubs.
"Death came at 2:30 p.m.," Sakaf said with a deep sigh. "Then we left."
Lowcock spoke after the AP alerted U.N. relief officials to the villagers in Aslam district, an isolated area in Hajjah province.
After the AP report, activists launched an online campaign called: "Rescue Aslam" with bank account details to collect donations. Some 30 food baskets financed by individual donors were distributed over the past days.
The U.N.'s World Food Program carried out an investigation in Aslam and found that aid hasn't been reaching all targeted beneficiaries. It has since sent trucks carrying 10,000 food packages to the district, each meant to feed one family for a month. Distribution of the aid is still pending the finalization of registration lists.
Getting relief to those in need has been complicated because international agencies are required to work from lists that are often compiled by local Houthi authorities. Critics accuse those authorities of favoritism in putting together the lists.
Stephen Anderson, the director of the WFP, said there is a "retargeting exercise" underway to make sure that "the poorest and hungriest and most marginalized people, wherever they are, are targeted first."
The agency is introducing a biometric registration to establish a database of beneficiaries, including their finger prints to avoid forgery and duplications.
Anderson said the system "will help give us an assurance" that situations like those in Hajjah are prevented or at least minimized.
A senior relief official said local authorities have resisted implementing biometric registration and the main Houthi-run aid body, known by the acronym NAMCHA, has sought to do registration and control the database. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of problems with authorities – by Maggie Michael
https://www.apnews.com/6c86bdc0ffdb4cd48378f938a6af8bf8 = https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/rushes-aid-hunger-stricken-yemeni-district-58059165
(** B E P)
The War of the Dollar … The story of Economic Monstrosity?
The simple Yemeni citizen has shed his dreams in the labyrinth of the riyal against the craziness of the dollar ,the markets have been caught in terms of the prices of consumer goods and basic commodities, and hunger in Yemeni homes has been settled due to a systematic economic war practiced by the US-backed Saudi-led coalition through printing the national currency without a cover , speculating in the cash market , floating riyal and corruption.
The value of the Yemeni currency (riyal) has deteriorated since the Central Bank was moved from Sana’a to Aden and its fall accelerated against the dollar’s rise since mid-August
The relationship between the level of prices and the value of money is an inverse relationship ,whenever the prices get higher , the purchasing power of money gets decreased and when the price curve is always on the rise. ,the confidence of individuals on the national currency weakens, which increases the expectations of the collapse of the national currency, known as purchasing power parity theory.
According to a local economic study, the trend of commodity prices is always rising at a rapid pace, which has always made domestic inflation rate much higher than the global inflation rate.The story of the rapid deterioration of the riyal and the cessation of economic stability began when the so-called “legitimate” government printed currencies without a foreign monetary cover , a cover of gold or GDP, which caused the rise of the demand for the dollar in the local market from traders and investors for fear of the erosion of their capital as a result of randomization which aimed at withdrawing the currency from the market for political purposes and raising the price of the dollar in order to drain the national economy.
According to a World Bank report, printing 400 billion riyals without a cover caused the market currency to rise to 1700 billion and a net decline of net foreign assets to 1.562 billion dollars, in addition to the circulation of a damaged currency of 45 billion riyals without a cover, which made the printed currency ,without the economic controls to print money , without a real value but only printed paper. According to the annual report of the Central Bank of Aden, the total price of the printed currency during the current year 2018 reached 600 billion riyals, 420 billion riyals of which reached to the bank in Aden , while 180 billion were expected to reach in November next year, according to the report..
Whereas 200 billion riyals of the category (1000) and (500) were printed in early February, followed by the arrival of new shipments of printed money in the Russian company «Gornak» of categories (100, 200 and 250), the bank started to print a trillion riyals during the year 2018, equivalent to 5 billion dollars, under the pretext of rplacing the damaged money, which represents 90% of the volume of cash rolling and face the liquidity crisis and pay salaries of state employees in areas of the so-called (legitimate government), loyal to the US-backed Saudi-led coalition.
While the Economic Committee, which consists of the professors of the economy in Yemeni universities , government departments and the private sector, which worked under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in a recent report , a copy of it obtained by (Saba) that the cash liquidity in Yemen reaches 1330 billion , but its circulation is used outside the banking system, which is equivalent to 5.2 billion dollars, confirming that it is one of the reasons of the crisis in the Yemeni banking system , while the estimated increase in cash circulation outside the banking system during the first half of 2016, reached 298 billion riyals.
He added that increasing of money supply through deficit financing (inflationary version) will have disastrous effects and erode the real income of citizens as a result of the deterioration of the purchasing power of the national currency
Salvation’s responses ……
The report of the Committee on Payments and Foreign Exchange under Prime Minister stated the reasons for the rise of the dollar because of printing large amounts of currency by of the so-called (legitimate government) in addition to the development of channels of buying and selling the difficult currency at a high difference, which opened access to speculation. The statement considered the rise in exchange rate due to the background of speculative speculation as part of the immoral economic war, indicating that the Committee would implement all options and possible alternatives to provide the needs of commercial movement and made foreign exchange sources at appropriate rates , which would reflect on the price of the riyal, whereas the Commission has an executive plan to legalize the import bill, which would decrease pressure on the market and encourage domestic production levels, calling on traders not to create monetary tension in the operations of the demand to buy the difficult currency without realizing the results.
http://www.yemenextra.net/2018/09/24/the-war-of-the-dollar-the-story-of-economic-monstrosity/
Remark: This is a rare pro-Houthi view of the currency problems. – “Prime Minister”, “Salvation government”: Houthi government at Sanaa.
(** B K P)
A Visit to the Killing Fields of Yemen
The forgotten war in Yemen has entered its fourth year and peace is nowhere in sight. With the healthcare system in shambles and bombs falling every day, it is the civilian population that suffers the most. A visit to North Yemen
Hussein Tayeb is telling his story to a foreign journalist for the first time. Only three weeks have passed since the bombing, but he nevertheless speaks calmly and quietly. A stonemason, much of his trade involves engraving gravestones. Business has been good.
On the morning his sons died, Tayeb drove them to the bus on his motorcycle for a school trip to the Saada mosque, which the boys had been looking forward to for days. One after the other, they kissed their father's forehead and climbed into the bus. Tayeb had just climbed back onto his motorcycle when a bomb fell without warning. Once he could see through the dust, Tayeb ran to the burning bus and pulled out the first body he could reach. It was Ahmed, his middle son. He was no longer breathing.
Tayeb tells his story while sitting on the floor of his mudbrick home -- in the same spot where he had laid out his sons' bodies so he and his wife could mourn them.
Two things about the war in Yemen can be learned in this living room. First, those who suffer most are the civilians, particularly children and women. Second, this story too, the story of a father who lost his sons, is used for the purposes of war propaganda.
The street is lined on both sides with centuries-old mudbrick buildings in all imaginable shades of ochre - all of which have fallen into themselves like houses of cards. The government quarter of the provincial capital of Saada, cradle of the Houthi movement that officially calls itself Ansar Allah, is little more than a pile of rubble. Only the great mosque is still standing, its minaret like a finger pointing to the heavens. Pictures of young martyrs are everywhere, young men who have lost their lives in the fight against the Saudis. Soon, photos of Hussein Tayeb's three boys will join them. Dozens of ragged refugee children from the embattled port city of Hudaida are hanging around in front of the two or three grill stands begging the few guests for leftovers. Ali is generous with handouts, but he won't tolerate any Coke of Pepsi cans. "That is how America finances its weapons," he says.
Vacant Eyes
The consequences of the war as described by Grande can be seen clearly in the town of Chamir, located about halfway between Saada and Saana. The town is where Salam, the Peace Hospital, is located. Ever since the healthcare system in North Yemen collapsed and, because of the trade blockade, even pain medication has become difficult to obtain, people have to embark on extended journeys to the hospitals where Doctors Without Borders and other non-governmental organizations are helping out.
The biggest problem, say doctors here, is that many patients arrive too late. By the time they show up, they are often in severe distress, even if they are only suffering from simple diarrhea. They have often been traveling on foot for days at a time because the state hasn't been able to pay public servant salaries for months and not even teachers, police officers or other officials are able to afford expensive gasoline.
The nursery in Salam is full of babies struggling to breathe due to lung infections, their weeping, fully veiled mothers bending over them. In the quarantine station for those thought to be suffering from cholera, emaciated girls are bent over plastic buckets. Girls like 10-year-old Asma. You can count her ribs, her eyes are as thin as parchment paper and her eyes are vacant.
The doctors and nurses in the Peace Hospital say that the last few months have been awful, with up to 700 patients per doctor - like an assembly line, with a never-ending stream of war victims landing on the operating table. And once they were patched back together, they would often have to be put in separate rooms to prevent supporters of the new regime and followers of the old from brawling in the hospital. Such a situation, they say, is too much even for doctors who have seen it all.
The medical workers come from different parts of Yemen and belong to different political camps, but they nevertheless work together in a team. One of the health care workers said that he sometimes wishes he could invent a medicine tha
'Five Million Dollars'
On Tahrir Square in the heart of Sanaa, there is a tent where Houthis show pictures and video clips of those killed and injured in the war. This is where they recruit new soldiers, angry fighters who have left their families to join the battle - like Ali from Saada.
Some believe that the days of the new rulers are numbered because they don't have a viable recipe for Yemen either. Others praise the security and relative peace under Houthi leadership. One is strictly opposed to any intervention from abroad. Without such intervention, he says, peace would long since have returned – By Fiona Ehlers
Comment: A good article but again reiterating the 10,000 dead mantra which the UN state is likely to be a serious underestimate.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157027952053641
Und hier noch zwei (sehr schlechte) deutsche Übersetzungen von zwei wichtigen Artikeln, die bereits im Yemen War Mosaic 461 verlinkt wurden:
(B P)
Während sie gefälschten Unsinn attackieren, unterstützt Trumps „Opposition“ seine ganzen üblen Pläne
https://www.theblogcat.de/uebersetzungen/caitlin-johnstone-21-09-2018/
English original: https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/trumps-opposition-supports-all-his-evil-agendas-while-attacking-fake-nonsense-fb0987722071 = https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-21/resistance-supports-trumps-evil-agendas-while-attacking-fake-nonsense
(B K P)
US-Kongressabgeordnete Tulsi Gabbard: Die USA unterstützen einen interventionistischen Genozid-Krieg im Jemen
English original: https://therealnews.com/stories/rep-tulsi-gabbard-it-is-outrageous-that-the-us-is-supporting-a-genocidal-war-in-yemen = https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2018/09/rep-tulsi-gabbard-outrageous-us-supporting-genocidal-war-yemen.html
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics
(* A H)
4 more Yemenis died from cholera on Tuesday, Houthi health ministry said. The epidemic has claimed the lives of 2.508 people since an outbreak began in April 2017, according to the ministry. Houthi authorities also reported that diphtheria has killed 126 people.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1044673498101223424
(* A H)
I still don't understand why the #US cannot air-drop #Chlorine_Packets, with simple #Arabic instructions that are printed on the packages, into areas that are affected by #Cholera. It is such an unnecessary disease.
https://twitter.com/WilliamSnowHume/status/1044683226306887680
My comment: Because they do not give a damn about cholera victims.
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah / Most important: Hodeidah battle
(** B H K)
The situation in #Yemen's vital port of #Hodeidah today in thread:
There is an increase in #Saudi airstrikes. -Terror and fear in residents.
Many people have been forced to flee. -Large-scale assault on the city.
The sounds of artillery fire never ceases.
25% of children in the are suffering from acute malnutrition.
The half of the health facilities are not functioning due to damage or a lack of operating budget and staff.
No access to safe water and sanitation.
The risk of diseases spreading is increasing.
Prices soared by 70 %.
Deterioration of living conditions.
Starvation and deprivation.
Thousands of women, men and children are without support or access to humanitarian aid.
People in different areas are eating tree leaves.
Drinking water distribution networks are damaged, in an area where temperatures will soon rise to extreme levels, and #cholera will re-emerge.
Damage for infrastructure and houses.
Humanitarian organizations have paused almost all operations.
Finally: This assault by #Saudi led coalition will cut off the lifeline of food imports and will push 10 million #Yemen-i people into famine.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1044684477216153600
(A K pH)
In Hodiedah, two civilians were killed and others were injured when the US-Saudi Aggression targeted a car on the road between Zabid and Al-Jarahi, the US-Saudi aerial aggression prevented the paramedics to rescue them.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2981&cat_id=1
(* B K P)
Irreversible war and humanitarian catastrophe grip Yemen's Hodeida
Hodeida is in the depth of war and waiting for further decisive battles between the Saudi-backed government forces and Iran-allied Houthis.
Amid the recent surge of fighting, there is little or no room for diplomacy to defuse the war in Hodeida. Both sides are desperate to have control over the port city irrespective of the human or material costs.
The Houthis consider losing Hodeida as a moral and economic defeat while the Saudi-led Arab coalition believes the recapture would prevent weapon smuggling to the Houthis, rid them of the revenues they generate from the port and ultimately compel them to engage in serious peace negotiations.
So far, the fighting has severed the main route connecting Sanaa to Hodeida following the government seizure of strategic positions including Kilo 16 area.
The ongoing military gains have emboldened the government contingents of soldiers in the battlefield in Hodeida and formed a blow to the Houthi fighters. But scoring a victory in one battle may not be the end of war.
Both parties have been claiming their zeal for peace and have been trading accusations of obstructing the Yemen peace process.
While the coalition said the Houthis did not show up because they do not want peace, the latter keep pointing the finger of blame at the coalition.
Horror and hunger
Presently, Hodeida is extremely perilous to live in or travel to.
It is unpredictable how long the Houthis will continue to stand the military operations of their opponents. Thus, the longevity of Hodeida war remains vague. It is also unclear if the coalition will abruptly purge the Houthis from the port city.
However, the sure matter is that a genuine tragedy has been unfolding in Hodeida and many more humanitarian catastrophes to come. The end of war in Hodeida will be preceded by horrendous suffering of civilians and enormous destruction of the city.
(* A K pS)
Yemeni Army Deploys Special Taskforces in Preparation for Final Battle for Hodeidah
Heavy Yemeni army special taskforce deployments along Hodeidah outskirts are missioned with pushing forward into the center of the coastal city and drive out coupist snipers.
Army concentrations rallied into designated posts after establishing control over multiple highly-strategic infrastructure linking Houthi stronghold, Sanaa, and the Red Sea port city.
Advances towards Hodeidah forced Houthi insurgents to evacuate some 29 senior leaders, remove about 20 Iranian experts and Hezbollah agents from the formerly assumed posts, army spokesman Brigadier Abdo Majli said.
According to Brig. Majli, all relocated coup officials are believed to have been moved to Hajjah and Saada.
My comment: “Yemen army” = anti-Houthi Yemeni fighters and various militia. – The propaganda narrative of Iranian experts and Hezbollah agents again.
(B H)
In a tourist hotel in the capital of #Yemen all rooms are fully booked. Not by tourists but refugees from the frontline in Hodeida. They live in the 47 rooms as hotel guests - but prefer to just return home (photo)
https://twitter.com/PukDamsgaard/status/1043855100186423301
(A H K)
"My little girls pee their pants out of fear every time they hear [coalition] planes hoovering."an IDP woman in Hodeidah.
https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1044529579560497152
(A K pH)
In Hodeidah province , six children from one family were injured when an airstrikes hit a village in al-Tahta district.
The coalition aircrafts also waged three raids on Poultry farm in Taribah area in Zabid district, killing two citizens and one other air raid Near off Thabit Industrial Complex in al-Hally district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news509287.htm
and
(A K pH)
Film: Two crimes of the Air Aggression in Zabid and Hita in Hodeidah 24-09-2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYNR5tUPS8
(* A K pH)
6 Citizens Killed in US-Saudi Aggression Strikes on Hodeidah
Al-Masirah Net correspondent pointed out that six citizens from the same family were killed Monday in a raid by the US-Saudi aerial aggression in Attohayata district, Hodeidah province.
Two citizens were killed and a third was wounded Monday in a raid by the US-Saudi aerial aggression in Hodeidah province.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2962&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
Downing Saudi Spy Drone in West Coast
Air Defense of the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees shot down Monday a Saudi spy drone in Ad Durayhimi, in West Coast.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2961&cat_id=1
(A H K)
Arabische Koalition kündigt Hilfskorridore im Jemen an
Die Hafenstaft Hudaida im Jemen ist schwer umkämpft. Die Militärkoalition unter Saudi-Arabien will jetzt Korridore für Hilfsgüter schaffen.
Die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärkoalition hat die Entschärfung der momentan größten humanitären Gefahr im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen angekündigt. „Das Bündnis hat mit dem UN-Nothilfebüro im Jemen daran gearbeitet, sichere Korridore für den Transport von Hilfsgütern und Menschen zwischen Sanaa und Hudaida zu schaffen“, sagte Sprecher Turki al-Malki am Montag.
Ein genaues Datum für die Eröffnung der drei angepeilten Routen nannte er aber nicht. Die Korridore würden „bald“ täglich von sechs Uhr morgens bis sechs Uhr abends geöffnet.
Über die Hafenstadt Hudaida laufen mehr als 70 Prozent der humanitären Hilfsgüter für den Norden des Landes
https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_84507440/jemen-arabische-koalition-kuendigt-hilfskorridore-an.html = https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/buergerkrieg-arabische-koalition-kuendigt-hilfskorridore-im-jemen-an/23108434.html
Mein Kommentar: Diese Ankündigung dürfte vor allem Propaganda sein. Der Angriff der Truppen und Milizen der saudischen Koalition auf Hodeidah hat die Versorgung des Nordjemen über Hodeidah so sehr gefährdet, wie es siet Kriegsbeginn nicht der Fall war. Die Koalitionstruppen zielen darauf ab, den Knotenpunkt zur Hauptverbindungsstraße von Hodeidah ins Landesinnere nach Sanaa in ihre Gewalt zu bekommen und zu unterbrechen. So ein „Hilfskorridor“ wäre nichts anderes, als die Straße dann für bestimmte Transporte zeitweise wieder zu öffnen. Und am Anfang stünde ohne Zweifel wieder eine genaue Kontrolle der Transporte durch die „Koalition“ – nachdem sie ja bereits die einlaufenden Güter zur See aufgehalten und „kontrolliert“ haben – was zu erheblichen verzögerungen und Rückgängen bei den Importen (sog. Blockade) führt. Dieser Effekt würde sich auf jeden Fall nun verdoppeln.
(A H K)
Arab coalition in Yemen sets up civilian safe corridors from Hodeidah to Sanaa
The Arab coalition fighting in support of the legitimate Yemeni government has established three safe corridors for civilians to travel between the cities of Sanaa and Hodeidah.
Spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said on Monday that the corridors between the former capital that was seized by the Houthi militia in 2014 and the country’s biggest port on the Red Sea have been set up in cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“The coalition is working with OCHA in Yemen to establish safe humanitarian corridors to help in the delivery of aid... between Hodeidah and Sanaa,” Al-Maliki told reporters.
The coalition aims to open three corridors on different routes between the cities for the transportation of humanitarian aid between 6 am and 6 p.m. daily, Al-Maliki said without specifying a date.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1377031/saudi-arabia
My comment: How should this work when there is fighting and the “coalition” tries to block the road to Sanaa. – In any case, such coalition-controlled “corridors” certainly would be under obstruction as is the import to Hodeidah harbour by the Saudi naval blockade – thus a second blockade, now on land.
And
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Al-Houthi: Coalition Announcement to Open Corridors for Humanitarian Purposes Confirms Obstacles to Relief Work
The head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, commented on the announcement of the coalition of aggression on Yemen to open safe corridors for humanitarian purposes between Sana’a and Hodeidah the western part of Yemen that can not save the Yemeni People from famine.
"The salaries do not need air bridges or safe corridors, so why do the US-Saudi-UAE aggression refuse to hand them over, even though they represent a relief provider for more than a million and two thousand families?" Al-Houthi said on his Twitter account.
Al-Houthi stressed that the Arab Alliance’s declaration is a confirmation of the obstacles to the relief work in Yemen during the past period.
“This announcement is only to improve its image and will not actually be implemented as we know its behavior during the three-years long of aggression,” he said, adding that all observers know that.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2986&cat_id=1
My comment: In this case, I agree.
(A K)
"We wake up to the sound of warplanes and go to bed to the sound of warplanes." My sister in Hodeidah tells me
https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1044098589520220160
(A K pS)
Three children were injured by anti-aircraft shrapnel from Houthis in Hodeidah
Three children were injured in the city of Hodeidah, western Yemen, on Sunday evening, with anti-aircraft shrapnel, which was launched by Houthi militants towards Arab coalition fighters led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(* B H K pS)
Yemeni civilians who fled Hodeidah tell of violence and sleepless nights
The fight for the Houthi-held city is causing another wave of human displacement
"We were living in a city haunted by death," Mr Futaini said, standing outside a petrol station. "Days and nights we didn't sleep, neither me nor my children, we were waiting to die at any time."
Mr Futaini told The National that Houthi fighters were using civilians as human shields by parking their vehicles in residential areas and avoid being targeted by air strikes.
"They fight in small groups and most of their artillery is deployed near people's homes," Mr Futaini said. "They usually carry out their attacks at night, causing fear, especially for the children."
"My children kept hiding indoors for weeks," added Mr Futaini's wife, asking not to be named.
"They don't dare to go to the streets even to bring us some water to cook, they are not used to seeing all the gunmen hiding among our residences."
The Houthi rebels "kept digging trenches in the streets and that caused the water supply to cut," she said.
"This was heartbreaking, water was the only thing available for us," she added. After the water supply was cut, the mother and children saw themselves forced to walk to the local mosque to collect water.
"I don't want to go to school anymore," said Mr Futaini's eldest son, Amin.
The 11-year-old said his school was being used as a makeshift arms depot by the Houthis and that students often saw fighters carrying supplies in and out of the building.
"They come in shouting, quarreling and sometimes they shoot at each other, this is really scary," said Amin.
As pro-government forces tighten their grip around Hodeidah city, rebel fighters have retaliated by increasing their aggressive treatment of civilians, Mr Futaini explained.
"They became more hostile as Al Amalikah brigades advanced south of the city, they carried out several roundups of innocent civilians because they refused to fight with them," he said.
"They also killed some young men because they suspected that they were working for the resistance. If they don't shoot them they keep watching them and assassinate them by car accidents, our neighbor's son was hit by a military car and the Houthis claimed that the accident was unintentional," said Mr Futaini.
My comment: By an Emirati news site. It’s really amazing how they succeed to turn the narrative to an anti-Houthi propaganda bias, deflecting from the fact that the real reason for all this stress at Hodeidah ist he UAE-backed assault. – „Houthi fighters were using civilians as human shields by parking their vehicles in residential areas“: Well, the Houthis are within the city, they rule it, they defend it; the claim quoted here is odd.
cp1c JIAT : Saudis waschen sich wieder selbst weiß / JIAT: Saudi self-whitewashing again
This is case 98
This is case 100
(* A K P)
Joint Incidents Assessment Team 'abides by transparency' in Yemen
The spokesman of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) in Yemen, legal consultant Mansour Bin Ahmed Al-Mansour, has stressed that the team abides by transparency in announcing the results of engagement in Yemen.
Al-Mansour was speaking on Tuesday at a press conference at King Salman Air Base in Riyadh assessing incidents.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1377926/saudi-arabia
(** A K P)
Spokesman of Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen reviews results of team assessment
Spokesman of the Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen, Mansour Al-Mansour, reviewed today the results of the 8 claims that were submitted by international organizations and the media regarding the mistakes made by the coalition forces to support legitimacy in Yemen during its military operations inside Yemen.
This came during a press conference held at King Salman Air Base in the central sector in Riyadh. The Legal Advisor addressed the cases according to the sequence adopted by the team, which is a continuation of cases that were previously evaluated and reported by the media, referring to the first cases with number 93, the letter of the national commission to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Yemen that included that on 18/02/2016 and during the intensification of confrontations in the directorate of Nahm, one of the families attempted to flee from the village of Milh. Coalition forces shelled the car they were traveling in. The car was destroyed killing 9 members of the family and their relatives and injuring 3 (N15 42 31.2 E044 35 30.6). According to the families of the victims and witnesses, the militias of Houthi and Saleh spread in the village of Milh directorate of Nahm which resulted in the escape of many residents, including those families who were bombed while trying to escape.
Mansour explained that the Joint Accident Assessment Team verified the incident and had access to all documents, including procedures and rules of engagement, a schedule of daily tasks, a post-mission report, and space imagery and based on the principles and provisions of international humanitarian law and customary rules, the evidence showed that on 18 February 2016, as members of the armed Huthi militia advanced to Nahm and at the request by the front air control to target an armed vehicle belonging to the armed Houthi militia where the verification levels and its destruction achieves a military advantage, according at (3:00 AM) on Thursday (18/02/2016), the coalition forces carried out an air mission on the armed vehicle using a guided bomb that hit the target. After reviewing the documents related to the air mission, it was found that the target is 1600 meters away from the coordinates by the national commission of (the house) under the claim and the review of the schedule of daily tasks for the day before the claim and the day after it (17-19 / 02/2016), the joint team found that there was no air missions on the village Milh.
In light of this, the Joint Team concluded that the coalition forces did not target the vehicle and the soundness of the actions taken by the Coalition Forces in dealing with the legitimate military objective (armed vehicle) in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules.
In the case of 94, the Spokesman of the Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen stated that with regard to the letter of the national commission of inquiry into allegations of human rights violations issued on 03/04/2018 including that the coalition air on 10112017 bombed the building of (Ministry of Defense) and the fall of a rocket on Al-Sa'adi neighborhood adjacent to the ministry, which led to the damage of a number of houses and their falling on their residents and wounding 23 civilians at the coordinates (N15.347551 E044.215448).
Al-Mansur reported that the joint accident assessment team verified the incident and had access to all the documents and the evidence revealed to the joint team that the building of the Ministry of Defense, the site of the claim, is in Sana'a directorate in the capital Sana'a and on the basis of intelligence information that a group of high-level Houthi leaders were located in a specific location inside the Ministry of Defense building, at 10:30 pm on Friday (10/11/2017), coalition forces carried out an aerial mission on the target, using two guided bombs, one hitting the target and the other deviated and accidentally landed on a house close to the Ministry of Defense because of a technical defect in aircraft systems.
In light of this, the Joint Accident Assessment Team has concluded the safety of the actions taken by the coalition air force in dealing with the legitimate military objective (Ministry of Defense) in accordance with international humanitarian law and its customary rules. The Joint Team believes it is appropriate that the coalition states provide assistance for the loss of human life and material damage caused by the accidental fall of the bomb on a home close to the Ministry of Defense due to a technical defect in the aircraft systems.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1818962
Spokesman of Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen reviews results of team assessment 2 Riyadh
In case No. 96, Mansour stated that with regard to the report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2140 of 22 January 2016, which alleges that the coalition forces, on the evening of Monday, 31 March 2015, Shelled the (National Cement Factory) in the province (Lahj), causing the deaths of at least (10) people, and wounding at least (13) others.
He noted that the incident assessment team had verified the incident and that the team had been informed of all the documents and found that the coalition forces had received intelligence from within Yemen that the armed Houthi militia had seized the National Cement Factory, 35 kilometers north of Lahj, in an elevated area isolated from the urban range and was used as stores (weapons and ammunition) and a point of supply to support military operations, which is considered a legitimate military target whose destruction achieves military advantage after the fall of legal protection for civilian objects. Then, the coalition forces conducted reconnaissance and surveillance of the site. On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, and during the Coalition Forces' reconnaissance and surveillance missions, an aerial formation came under fire of AAA (anti-aircraft) from inside the factory. The information was passed to Coalition Forces Command. The Coalition Forces at 0945 hours on Tuesday, 31 March 2015, carried out an air mission on targets (weapons stores, ammunition, anti-aircraft (AAA) and trucks) using guided bombs that hit their targets. On the basis of video recordings and post-mission reports of the targeting process (weapons and ammunition stores) minor explosions were observed, confirming the presence of munitions and weapons stored inside them. Referring to the aerial photographs, it became clear to the joint team that what was bombed inside (National Cement Factory) was 360 meters away from generators and equipment operating the factory, and the operational structure of the factory was not targeted.
In light of this, the Joint Accident Assessment Team verified the actions taken by coalition forces to target (ammunition and weapons depots at the National Cement Factory) were in accordance with international humanitarian law and customary rules.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1818976
Spokesman of Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen reviews results of team assessment 3 Riyadh
On the case of 98, Mansour explained that in relation to the annual report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 13 September 2017, on the Coalition Forces' two aerial attacks on an apartment building and a commercial building on 07/08/2016 in the village of (Almadid) in the Directorate of (Nahm) in Sana'a Governorate, killing 16 civilians, including 7 children and one woman, injuring 24 others, and damaging four houses and a pharmacy. At approximately 19:00, the first air strike hit two large houses consisting of two apartments. Twenty nine members of the same family were among the victims. Two hours later, a second air strike hit the ship for the sale of gas cylinders (cooking), causing a huge explosion that burned the pharmacy.
Mansour Al-Mansour confirmed that the joint accident assessment team verified the incident and after the team was informed of all the documents, the Joint Team found that on Sunday (07/08/08), during the armed confrontations with the armed militia of Houthi, the Popular Resistance and the National Army requested a support air operation on a vehicle carrying arms and ammunition in the village of Al-Madid in the directorate of (Nahm) in view of the military necessity that necessitated the targeting of the vehicle to prevent the delivery of weapons and ammunition to the Houthi armed elements who were in direct confrontation with the Coalition Forces in Nahm, which is considered a legitimate military target whose destruction is a military advantage based on article 52 (paragraph 2) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. The air coalition forces also verified the target where the reconnaissance and monitoring mission was carried out of the vehicle on the road as it stopped near two vehicles in the vicinity of armed elements, which is consistent with the customary rule No. (16). Accordingly, the coalition forces carried out an air mission on the target (a vehicle carrying weapons and ammunition) in the village (Almdid) in the Directorate of (Nahm) using one guided bomb which hit the target. The Joint Accident Assessment Team, through the video footage of the mission, found that a secondary explosion occurred after the targeting process, confirming that the vehicle was carrying ammunition. However, as a result of the targeting, the barn near the target area was damaged by the side effects of the bombing. In examining all the air operations carried out in the area under investigation, the team found that the allegation that the coalition forces carried out another raid on the same site two hours of the first raid was false.
In light of this, the Joint Accident Assessment Team concluded that the Coalition Forces did not target buildings in the village of Al-Madid on the date of the allegation. The Joint Team also verified the correctness of the actions taken by the Coalition Forces in targeting the vehicle and that it complied with international humanitarian law and customary rules. But the team considers that voluntary assistance should be provided for physical damage to the barn as a result of the vehicle being targeted.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1818987
Spokesman of Joint Accident Assessment Team in Yemen reviews results of team assessment 4 Riyadh
In case No. 99, Al-Mansour stated that with regard to the report of the Human Rights Watch, 11 July 2016, which alleges that at 06:01 am, 14 February 2016, the coalition forces shelled the (Middle East Tailoring and Embroidery Factory) in the city (Sana'a), causing the deaths of 1 labor, and wounding 3 others. There were 17 workers at the time of the attack, and the damage caused stop operating plant.
He noted that the incident assessment team had verified the incident and that the team had been informed of all the documents and found that the coalition forces had received urgent intelligence from within Yemen that there was a meeting of Houthi militia leaders in hangar in the city of Sana'a, that was used as embroidery factor before it has been seized by armed Houthi militia, which is considered a legitimate military target whose destruction achieves military advantage after the fall of legal protection for civilian objects. Then, the coalition forces conducted reconnaissance and surveillance of the site. On Sunday at 00:01 am, 14 February 2016, the Coalition Forces carried out an air mission on targets (meeting of Houthi militia leaders) using one guided bomb that hit its target. JIAT found that Coalition Forces had taken the necessary precautions to avoid incidental losses.
In light of this, the Joint Accident Assessment Team verified the actions taken by coalition forces to target (hangar) were in accordance with international humanitarian law and customary rules.
In case No. 100, Al-Mansour stated that with regard to the reports of international organizations and the various media, which allege that the coalition forces, 16 March 2017, attacked civilian boat, causing the deaths of (33) people, wounding (29), and missing (10) others. The report said that most of survivors were placed in Hodeidah prison by Houthi militia, and not allowed to leave.
He noted that the incident assessment team had verified the incident and that the team had been informed of all the documents and found that, at the time of allegation, the nearest vessel of the coalition was approximately 63 nautical miles from the port of Hodeidah, and it is the only vessel that attached by aircraft. After reviewing the operations and supplies records of the vessel for days 15, 16 and 17 March 2017, it was found that none of the ship's ammunition was used, including ammunition for the helicopter attached to it, and Coalition forces did not deal with any targets off the port of Hodeidah on 16 March 2017. The incident assessment team found that, at 10:07 pm, approximately one hour after the incident, an Apache helicopter spotted the boat at a distance of 38 nautical miles south-west of the port of Hodeidah, and recognized that the boat was civilian in civilian nature, and thus did not engage with it.
The incident assessment team was informed by the reports of the international organizations that the survivors of the refugee boat had been placed in Hodeidah prison, by the armed Houthi militia, and were not allowed to leave prison until November 2017. Some of the injured people left for Somalia, and some survivors requested asylum in areas controlled by the legitimate government.
In light of this, the Joint Accident Assessment Team verified that the Coalition forces did not targeted the refugee boat.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1819002
Comment: Well what do you expect when the Saudis are judge and jury on their own conduct.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157027828603641
My comment: The Saudi coalition self-whitewashing again. Perpetrator, investigator, prosecutor, judge in one person: What to expect? An international investigation is required.
What also really is eye-catching here: How the JIAT defines „military target“ and how „only a mistake, we did not target the civilians hit, they were hit by mistake, thus we acted according to international law“ scheme is kept. And there is nothing which actually would hinder JIAT just to invent any supposed „military target“ close to the civilian target which actually had been hit.
This is due to case 93. And, how advantageous, the claimed „military target“ should have been a vehicle, nothing which ever could have verified afterwards.
In case 94, an empty ruin had been targeted again and again, being no „military target“ any more (i fit ever has been, as it is a ministry building). This building is lying within residential aereas
Case 96: Claiming (inventing?) a „military target“ within a civilian factory which would have been essential for reconstruction after the war. Case 99 is similar.
Case 98: Claiming (inventing?) a „military target“. This „military target“ should have been a vehicle, that means nothing which ever could be verified afterwards. And, Saudi coalition logics, thus the buildings at this place were not „targeted“, well, if the buildings were hit nevertheless, „the actions taken by the Coalition Forces in targeting the vehicle and that it complied with international humanitarian law and customary rules”.
Case 100: Another preferred denial: We did not bomb at that place at that time. Well, just look at films and photos. Thus, I conclude, a meteor must have hit the boat, according to Saudi coalition. Disgusting.
Case 94
The Ministry had been bombed to ruins long before. Attacking these ruins again and again simply is an act of terror.
Reports: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5071947/Three-wounded-Saudi-air-strikes-homes-Yemen.html
https://www.rt.com/news/409520-saudi-led-strikes-yemeni-capital/
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1552228678163490
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/929122744851140608
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1742515482711105
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/929212243362963456
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/929126506982526977
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/929133120347082752
Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=MGDNbMpaDy4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADQqSXic4n
http://almasirah.net/gallery/preview.php?file_id=9650
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm7j9mU5Lhk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TKecJ0oItc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1sDAM-aifc
Case 96
Report: http://www.kitco.com/news/2015-04-02/Deadly-bombings-strike-private-cement-company-in-Lahj.html
Case 98
Reports:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_92068.html
Films: https://twitter.com/AnsarAllahMC/status/762773850455015424
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1569830693312919/
https://twitter.com/albukhitihamed/status/766343236763971585
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1079277888791907
https://twitter.com/shrffee/status/762754268948463616
https://twitter.com/shrffee/status/762760932707733505
https://twitter.com/shrffee/status/762753362941149184
https://twitter.com/shrffee/status/762752005244874752
https://twitter.com/JosephJo1221/status/762860246905724930
https://twitter.com/hamedalbukhiti/status/766341921346351104
Case 99
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1514627075499948
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=969382926448071&id=961126490607048
Films: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1515550865407569/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yD4DttnhOU
Case 100
Reports:
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/03/war-torn-us-slaughter-in-syria-somalia-and-yemen.html = www.informationclearinghouse.info/46681.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-refugees-idUSKBN16O0UI
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=791675470982820&id=551288185021551
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/17/world/middleeast/yemen-airstrike-somali-migrants.html?_r=0
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/843461216152489984
Berichte, deutsch: https://www.nzz.ch/international/jemen-mehr-als-30-tote-bei-angriff-auf-fluechtlinge-ld.152042
http://www.taz.de/Angriff-auf-Fluechtlingsboot/!5393259/
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1651033348525986
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1651031941859460
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1307754405944253
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=791675470982820&id=551288185021551
Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuvNrjoIRF4
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1651157321846922/
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1651859075110080/
cp2 Allgemein / General
(* A K P)
Interactive Map of Yemen War
(* B H K)
Un silence complet qui tue des enfants au Yémen
Le Yémen est en guerre, elle est laissée et de coté par ceux qui normalement et moralement devront prendre en charge le coté de la concorde ONG et médias interposés et, dans un autre sens ou l’ONU, cette célèbre gardienne de la paix, elle ne sait pas du tout jouer son véritable rôle ou plutôt celui qui détient la force et le veto l’oblige de ne pas se mêler de tout ce qui se rapporte à la stratégie de l’impérialisme et du sionisme.
Le Yémen est ravagé par une guerre que l’on lui a imposé pour d’autres fins bien calculés et le chaos destructif cette fois ci faisant partie de cette tactique, cette ruse ou ce nouveau plan machiavélique.
Cette guerre a déjà fait des milliers de victimes civiles innocentes et, en plus de l’embargo qui le jugule et provoque des calamités certaines.
https://www.legrandsoir.info/un-silence-complet-qui-tue-des-enfants-au-yemen.html
Remark: Overview in French.
(B K P)
West Countries Must Choose, Humanism or Trade of Arms
The French-language newspaper “Le monde-Arabe” said that the countries exporting in the West, such as France or Switzerland, must choose between humanism or the sale trade of arms.
Tony Fortin, director of the Obsarm Observatory with 15 other international organizations, wrote to Emmanuel Macaron, the French president, at the beginning of September, to review arms sales: France wants to follow in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to keep its place in Middle East or its influence. “
“France is afraid of losing its place if it starts to condemn Riyadh or Abu Dhabi and it fears losing all the contracts it signed with Saudi Arabia” the newspaper added .
“The game is blackmail, this makes political pressure stronger,” says Philippe Lamberts, co-leader of the Greens bloc in the European Parliament.” So, the director of Obsarm says, “how long will this continue although the serious humanitarian crisis in Yemen?”.
When we call ourselves a “country of human rights” or when the state is a sponsor of the Geneva Conventions, should not we ask about the “trade of death” in Yemen, as elsewhere? asked the newspaper.
(* B K P)
Civilian deaths in Yemen up by 164% as United States recertifies support for the war
The International Rescue Committee is appalled by reports published by the monitoring group Armed Location and Event Data (ACLED), which show the number of civilian deaths in Yemen’s four year civil war have increased by 164% since June. According to the group, average monthly civilian deaths have skyrocketed to 116 since the Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition launched an offensive to take Hodeidah city.
Frank Mc Manus, Yemen Country Director at International Rescue Committee, said:
"August was the most violent month of 2018 in Yemen with nearly 500 people killed in just 9 days. The impact of the war on civilians is difficult to comprehend but easy to quantify. Since 2015 the Coalition has undertaken 18,000 airstrikes - one every 99 minutes - one third of which have hit non-military targets.
The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is not a luxury; it is an essential provision of international law.
As we speak, fighting inside the critical port city of Hodeidah is increasing and the consequences are dire. A siege of the port city will effectively block humanitarian aid from reaching the 22 million people in need and could trigger famine.
International Rescue Committee staff have evacuated their homes in Hodeidah City and are now working from Bajil, a small town located 50km from the frontlines of the war, where they continue their life-saving work despite being displaced from their homes.
There is no military solution to the end of the war in Yemen. The IRC calls on all parties to immediately stop the fighting and allow room for a UN-led peace process
https://www.rescue.org/press-release/civilian-deaths-yemen-164-united-states-recertifies-support-war
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Airstrikes and starving children: It's time the US did something about the horrors in Yemen
But no global hotspot is currently hotter than Yemen.
But it is also clear that the military strategy of the Saudi-led coalition is not winning the war.
Yemen's morass is complex, but not insoluble. This man-made crisis has a man-made solution. Three elements are vital to provide a fresh start for Yemen and its people.
First, the UN Security Council should call for an immediate ceasefire. It is not just that UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths has said that an assault on Hodeidah would cut off the political process at the knees.
Second, the people of Yemen cannot wait for a political solution to receive life-saving humanitarian aid and support for their collapsing economy.
To halt further economic collapse, salaries must be paid to the 1.2 million civil servants that are providing life-saving assistance across the country. I met a representative of the labor unions in Sana'a who told me that teachers were not able to feed their own families.
Third, the rules of war must be reasserted. Air strikes conducted by the Saudi-led coalition -- frequently using US armaments recently re-authorized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- have caused 75% of the civilian casualties in the war, according to estimates by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
It is time for the US to block arms sales for external aggression and insist on credible steps for civilian protection, humanitarian access and a viable political settlement – by David Milliband
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Film by Nasser Arrabyee: Dear esteemed Congress members, Please stop US-Saudi war crimes on my country, Yemen. Your great founding fathers would not have agreed! George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and all others,would have stopped Saudis from killing Yemen children.
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1044613045803192320
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Joint NGO Statement on Yemen - 73rd UN General Assembly
Humanitarian Crisis in Free Fall
After almost four years of conflict, and despite all efforts to halt displacement, hunger and disease, Yemen remains the worst humanitarian crisis on earth. The suffering inflicted on Yemeni people is entirely manmade and will continue to deteriorate rapidly on all fronts without actions to end the violence.
Increased fighting risks pushing the country into utter devastation: The ongoing escalation around the port city of Hodeidah jeopardises the safety of civilians and threatens the channels for critical fuel, food and medical supplies to the rest of the country. It is crucial that this remains open. The lives of millions of Yemeni women, men and children hang on this lifeline.
Civilians continue to bear the brunt: Civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as markets, hospitals, school buses and mills continue to be hit by all parties with impunity, as reported by the UN Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen.
Attacks on schools and hospitals continue with over 1,800 schools directly impacted by the conflict, including more than 1,500 that have been damaged or destroyed1 and 21 used by armed groups.
A lost generation of Yemeni children: Two million children and young people remain out of school2 , depriving them of an education and exposing them to higher levels of violence and exploitation. Millions of displaced children cannot access education, and ongoing attacks on schools or their use by armed groups mean children’s safety at school cannot be guaranteed.
Populations on the brink of starvation: 17.8 million people, over 60 percent of the population, are food insecure and over 8.4 million of them stand on the brink of starvation; 4.2 million of them children and another million children at risk as food and fuel prices soar across the country. Malnutrition directly threatens lives but also weakens the immune system, leading to people dying from preventable diseases, including cholera and pneumonia. Breast-feeding mothers, children and the elderly remain particularly vulnerable. Half of all Yemeni children are stunted where these children are unable to access the nutrients their bodies need to grow, reducing their ability to learn and thrive.
A struggling economy continues to falter: A crippled economy continues to weaken, with the recent sharp devaluation of the Yemeni Riyal (YER) further constraining peoples’ ability to purchase food and medicine, with many having to make agonising choices between the two and many others left with too little to access either.
Protracted conflict and eroding safety nets has left millions of Yemeni without access to livelihoods or the ability to deal with economic shocks. An estimated 1.2 million public servants, especially in northern governorates, have not been paid their usual salaries in more than two years and a war economy has left millions with very few earning opportunities.
Barriers to access continue: Restrictions to land, sea and air trade routes have led to severely reduced supplies of vital commodities. In addition to uncertainty about the accessibility of Yemen’s ports, particularly Hodeidah, Sana’a’s airport has been closed to commercial flights since August 2016; further restricting the mobility of the Yemeni population. While the new ‘medical airbridge’ agreement is welcome, this is a small concession that continues to leave the majority of Yemeni people without freedom to seek medical treatment overseas.
In addition, 1.4 million people remain in hard-to-reach areas, unable to access vital assistance and support, an increase of 200,000 since February 2018. Escalation in fighting has exacerbated these challenges, with hundreds of thousands displaced in recent months, including close to half a million from Hodeidah since June 2018.
The international community must step up to pressure all parties to the conflict to:
Comply with their obligations under international law, and take immediate measures to prevent and end grave violations against children;
Ensure humanitarian and commercial access of essential goods and services; and
Engage all parties to the conflict to find a peaceful, sustainable and implementable political solution that involves women, youth, minority groups and civil society.
Only a political solution can bring the war to an end and reinstate peace in Yemen. All parties must immediately cease hostilities, agree to a comprehensive ceasefire, and cooperate in ‘good faith’ with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffith’s peace process.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/joint-ngo-statement-yemen-73rd-un-general-assembly
and
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International Committee of the Red Cross: ICRC President: Responsibility to stop malnutrition in Yemen lies with warring parties
At the United Nations General Assembly High-Level meeting on "Addressing Malnutrition in Yemen," International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer stressed the conflict roots of Yemen's current crisis of malnutrition. The meeting was hosted by the United Kingdom, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Food insecurity is the result of protracted conflict," Mr. Maurer said. "It is the result of broken health systems, damaged infrastructure, and shattered economies. It is the result of continued violations of international humanitarian law and the dignity of human life."
Today in Yemen, 22 million people – three-quarters of the population – need assistance; one million more since June last year. Two out of three Yemenis are food insecure.
"Humanitarian aid will not solve the crisis. Humanitarian agencies can neither feed millions of Yemenis nor provide for the healthcare needs of the entire country," Mr. Maurer added. "While some steps have been taken, if we are to help the many millions facing starvation, we simply must see greater action by all parties to allow humanitarian action, to find political solutions and to advance Yemen's economic recovery."
At the event, Mr. Maurer called upon parties involved in the conflict to take the following steps to ease the food crisis in Yemen
(B K P)
Film: ‘Saudi-led war on Yemen illegal in every sense of the word’
The Saudi Arabian-led war on Yemen is illegal from every aspect of international law, says a political commentator.
“This is an illegal war... a grotesque violation of all humanitarian norms, what the Saudi-led coalition is doing in Yemen is outrageous,” Colin Cavell, a former lecturer at the University of Bahrain, told Press TV on Tuesday.
He said the Saudi-led coalition waging war on Yemen not only did not have the mandate of the United Nations, but also it did not even have the official approval of the Congress of the United States — which itself is aiding the coalition in the war on Yemen.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/09/25/575153/Saudi-Arabia-Yemen-war-illegal
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Film: 'They have to stop this war and they have to stop supporting the Saudis' On Wednesday's @Underground_RT Founder of charity @hope_relief @AhmadAlgohbary tells us what UK U.S weapons have done to his country.
https://twitter.com/sebpacher/status/1044257137441087496
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Save the Children: Civilian casualties soar in Yemen's Hodeidah since devastating offensive that began in June
Save the Children is warning that the battle for the strategic port city is endangering the lives of thousands of children
There’s been a dramatic increase in the killing and maiming of hundreds of civilians, including children, in Yemen’s Hodeidah governorate as a direct result of the increased fighting in that part of the country over the past three months.
According to monitoring group ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data), Hodeidah accounted for 51 per cent of all civilian casualties in Yemen between June and August this year. During that three-month period there were at least 349 civilian deaths, with a national total of 685 civilians killed.
In the first five months of this year (January-May) there were an average of 44 civilian casualties every month in Hodeidah. The subsequent three months (June-August) saw the figure jump to a monthly average of 116 – an increase of 164 per cent. This is in line with a renewed offensive in June by the Saudi- & Emirati-led Coalition to retake Hodeidah and its port.
Our field teams are meeting children who have suffered severe and life-changing injuries caused by explosive weapons, from airstrikes to landmines. Treating these injuries is particularly challenging in Yemen, where the health system has all but collapsed, prosthetics are hard to come by and there are few surgeons trained to treat traumatic injuries.
As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, the international community has a unique window of opportunity to stand up for Yemeni children and indeed, children in conflict everywhere, who need protection.
Hodeidah and its vital port are currently controlled by the Houthis but the Saudi- and Emirati-led Coalition has been trying to wrestle back control over this strategic city over the past few months. This has led to a marked increase in attacks on civilians.
There has been more than a three-fold (342 per cent) increase in verified civilian casualties in Hodeidah over the past two years, with 129 recorded in 2016 to 571 in just the first eight months of this year (January-August). The actual civilian death toll is likely to be higher as many deaths go unreported and based on current trends many more civilians are likely to die before the end of the year. In July and August alone at least 100 children were killed across Yemen.
Speaking from Sanaa, Tamer Kirolos, Yemen Country Director, Save the Children, said:
“We know that children are particularly vulnerable when explosive weapons like missiles and mortars hit populated areas, including towns and cities, markets, schools and hospitals. Their smaller bodies mean they’re more likely to have injuries to the head and neck, shrapnel is more likely to hit their vital organs and they have less blood to lose than adults. It’s difficult for the world to hear but it’s the stark reality for a child living in Yemen right now.”
“Thousands of children have lost their arms or legs or the ability to speak or walk as a result of explosive weapons. Health facilities in Yemen just aren’t equipped to treat these kinds of injuries. These traumatic incidents can affect a child for the rest of their life. The warring parties must come to the negotiating table to help end the suffering of Yemeni children. They can start by ending the use of explosive weapons in populated areas so children aren’t at risk of death or injury as they go about their daily lives.”
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, CEO of Save the Children International has recently returned from a trip to Yemen, visiting children and families affected by the war there.
Speaking from the United Nations in New York, Ms Thorning-Schmidt said:
cp2a Saudische Blockade / Saudi blockade
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US-Saudi Battleships Preventing Oil Supply, Obstructing Entry to Hodeidah
A source in the port of Hodeidah said on Sunday that the battles of the US-Saudi aggression are holding a ship of oil derivatives and obstructing 3 others from entering the port.
The source in the port of Hodeidah reported that the aggression prevents the arrival of ships to the port of Hodeidah, despite the authorization from the United Nations.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2949&cat_id=1
and article with two films: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-hodeidah-civil-war-death-toll-civilians-un-general-assembly-saudi-arabia-houthis-a8552191.html
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Siehe / Look at cp1
(* B H)
Film von Save the Children: Jemen: Kinder brauchen unsere Hilfe / Save the Children
https://www.facebook.com/savethechildrenDE/videos/325249668281898/
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UNO: Alle 10 Minuten stirbt ein Kind im Jemen
Die UN-Nothilfe-Koordinatorin Lise Grande forderte zum Ende einer Sitzung hochrangiger Verantwortungsträger am Rande der 73. UN-Vollversammlung in New York, die Unterstützerländer und Institutionen auf, ihre Finanzhilfen für die Beseitigung der größten humanitären Krise im Jemen zu erhöhen.
Grande warnte, dass ohne entsprechende Maßnahmen bis Ende des Jahres, weitere 10 Millionen Kinder im Jemen von Hunger bedroht sein werden.
Drei Viertel der Bevölkerung benötigten irgendeine Art der Hilfe, um zu überleben, sagte sie weiter.
http://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i43703-uno_alle_10_minuten_stirbt_ein_kind_im_jemen
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Film: Yemen: Working around the clock to alleviate suffering for millions of people in need
Years of war have brought millions of Yemenis to the brink of starvation. So far in 2018, the UN and partners have provided direct assistance to 8.1 million people. Growing food insecurity and a lack of basic services are affecting millions of people, especially children.
“His illness is serious. First he had measles. After that he contracted diphtheria”, told us Nod Qaeed Abdulah, a displaced mother from Taizz who is looking after her little boy at the Al Sadakah Hospital in Aden. “I used to beg and borrow form my son’s medicine. I am a widow. I only have my two children, A’ala and Ayan”. With support from humanitarian partners, this hospital, like others across the country, is providing free treatment for malnutrition.
Watch how the UN and partners are working around the clock to bring life-saving assistance to millions of Yemenis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a0Z320eAbc
(* B H)
Film: Thousands have lost limbs as a result of the war in Yemen.
https://www.facebook.com/StopTheWarOnYemen/videos/332467467320492
(A H)
The health system in #Yemen is facing severe shortages in medicines, including intravenous (IV) fluids that are widely used by hospitals. With support from the @WorldBank, WHO is distributing around 1M bottles of IV fluids to all governorate hospitals to cover these dire needs (photo)
https://twitter.com/WHOYemen/status/1044616181355880448
(A H)
Trócaire contributes €250,000 to Yemen relief
Trócaire has contributed €250,000 to a project located in Sana’a Governorate. The project provides 1,500 families with safe drinking water and improved hygiene.
Access within Yemen is severely limited and the security situation is precarious. As such, Trócaire does not have a direct presence there, nor do any of our sister Caritas agencies. By partnering with Islamic Relief, we can still provide life-saving care to people in Yemen.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/tr-caire-contributes-250000-yemen-relief
(B H)
Film: Here are 4 ways humanitarians are having an impact in #Yemen
https://twitter.com/UNOCHA/status/1044287851376955393
(B H)
Film, Save the Children Deutschland: Im Jemen sind derzeit 22,2 Millionen Menschen hilfsbedürftig – mehr als Hälfte davon sind Kinder. Save the Children hilft den Menschen vor Ort mit Gesundheitseinrichtungen, Kinderschutz und Nahrung. Wir bitten euch: Vergesst die Menschen im Jemen nicht und unterstützt unsere Arbeit mit einer Spende, denn Hilfe wird weiterhin dringend benötigt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcJElHy3rfE
https://www.savethechildren.de/unterstuetzen/nothilfe/jemen/
(A H P)
(1230) Basket of food distributed by Bonyan on the most needy families in the al-Duha district of #Hodeidah province. (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/1935648116488209
Remark: Bonyan is linked to the Houthis.
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Trying to understand the humanitarian disaster in Yemen
A report from a UN delegation to Yemen found that atrocities on both sides of the Yemeni civil war continue to mount. But, as one member of the delegation found, it's hard to express the full measure of the tragedy.
“I don’t want to live any more,” said the man standing in the rubble of his destroyed home. His teenage daughter beside him burst into tears and her younger sister looked up at their father in confusion. The airstrike, in the UNESCO World heritage old city of Sana’a, had come without warning in the middle of the night, killing all other members of the family and leaving the surviving members homeless. They had no connection to any of the warring parties to the complex conflict in Yemen, but were among its tens of thousands of civilian victims.
“What is his name?” I asked a mother sitting on a bed at the hospital in Sana’a next to her emaciated child. “Her name is Amal,” the mother corrected softly. “It means hope.” Heartbreakingly, this tiny girl is among the eight and a half million Yemenis on the brink of famine arising from the severe naval and air restrictions placed on Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition.
Women and children in Yemen are particularly vulnerable, due to displacement, poverty and an atmosphere of indiscriminate violence. Children have been recruited by both sides to participate in the conflict.
The conflict in Yemen, now in its fourth year, is a man-made disaster that has devastated the country’s health and water infrastructure and resulted in the deaths and maiming of countless people. Yet, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis is also one of the world’s most neglected. The coalition’s air blockade of Sana’a international airport and the prohibition of international journalists and human rights organisations travelling on UN flights to Sana’a has contributed to the news vacuum.
At the end of August, the UN-appointed Group of Eminent Experts released the report of an investigation, which found that serious human rights violations and war crimes had been committed by all sides of the conflict in Yemen. The report noted little attempt by the parties to minimise civilian casualties – by Melissa Parke, member of the UN Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2018/09/25/humanitarian-disaster-in-yemen-ignored-by-the-west/
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Yemen: Tackling the world’s largest humanitarian crisis
With three-quarters of the population requiring some form of basic assistance to survive, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, now in its fourth year, has reached unprecedented levels of need. On Monday, ahead of the United Nation’s 73rd General Assembly high-level debate, a special event will focus on the humanitarian response across the country, its major achievements and its daily challenges, in an attempt to galvanize more international support.
The figures of the crisis are staggering and near-impossible to grasp: 22.2 million in need of assistance, 8.4 million people severely food insecure, and a further 10 million that could fall under the same category by the end of the year, if action is not urgently taken.“It is bleak”, UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told the Security Council on Friday. “We are losing the fight against famine”.
In addition, more than 1.1 million cases of acute watery diarrhoea or cholera have been reported since April 2017.
Since 1 June alone, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), half a million people have been forced to flee their homes in Hudaydah, an opposition-held governorate in western Yemen, bringing the total of internally displaced persons in the country to 2 million.
Hundreds of thousands of families no longer have a regular source of income – including teachers, health workers, water and sanitation workers and other public servants. They have not been paid a regular salary in two years.
Currently, over 150 relief organisations, including eight UN agencies, are working around the clock to provide food, shelter, nutritional assistance, protection services and much more to millions of Yemenis whose lives have been uprooted by the conflict.
Of the nearly US$ 3 billion required for this year’s response plan, $2 billion (65 per cent) have been mobilized, making it the world’s best funded humanitarian appeal. The humanitarian response reaches more than 7 million people every month across Yemen and the number of people reached has increased consistently across sectors during the year.
However, the needs continue to outpace the response capacity and humanitarian workers face critical challenges every day. According to OCHA, the organizer of the General Assembly high level event, these include impediments to humanitarian action such as movement restrictions, attempted interference and harassment, as well as fluctuating commercial import levels and collapsing basic health, education, water and sanitation services.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1020232
http://www.unocha.org/sites/unocha/files/Final%20Yemen%20Concept%20Note%2018%20Sept%202018.pdf
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Department for International Development: Helpdesk Report: K4D - Conflict and gender dynamics in Yemen
Question
What is the understanding of, and evidence base related to, the impact of the current conflict on gender dynamics in Yemen?
Overview
The current conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015, has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe.
As of March 2017, 18.8 million people are in need of humanitarian support, and 10.3 million are in acute need (Sikurajapathy and Al-Fotih, 2017). Women, men, boys and girls have been affected in different ways by the conflict. This rapid reviews looks at the impact of the conflict on gender dynamics in Yemen.
Most assessments conducted on the situation in Yemen since March 2015 have been ‘gender blind’ (Basharen, 2016: 1). However, a very small number of research studies and surveys have been carried out by a variety of UN organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs) working on the current response in Yemen, which have focused either on gender more broadly, or specifically on women and girls.
Yemen ranks last out of the 144 countries included in the 2016 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, a position it has held for the last 10 years. Even prior to the conflict, Yemeni women and girls experienced systematic discrimination and marginalisation. However, some progress was being made and the 2011 uprising challenged the norm of women’s limited participation in society with women actively participating in the protests, while women represented more than one-quarter of participants in the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in 2014. Conflict threatens to reverse the advances made in recent years to address gender equality in Yemen.
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/helpdesk-report-k4d-conflict-and-gender-dynamics-yemen
(A H)
@monarelief has launched today distributing school bags to orphan students in the capital Sana'a based on @monareliefye's online fundraising campaign. Our project will target 3000 students. Great think to all our donors. Please keep supporting our work in Yemen (photos)
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1044242391702605824
(A H)
The local authorities in Marib say that seven children were returned to their families after being recruited by Houthis
The seven children had been rehabilitated for a full month and belonged to Sa'dah, Ibb, Dhamar and Hodeidah governorates.
(A H)
@icrc_ye has provided Al-Jamhouriah Hospital in #Aden with 102,180 #insulin vials to cover huge need of the medication for diabetes patients. The ongoing conflict in #Yemen has impacted severely the country's health system to cope with ever increasing needs of medicines.
https://twitter.com/ICRC_ye/status/1043849064721330176
Comment: It remains a tragic mystery to me why the situation in Aden and in Sanaa are similarly disastrous. All the UAE "precision guided media" cannot whitewash the fact that Aden & the rest of southern Yemen are worsening catastrophes.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1044138188321816582
(* B H)
Film: Yemen cancer patients dying for lack of medicines
A new report says cancer patients in Yemen are dying due to lack of medicine. The report blames Saud Arabia and its allies for the tragedy. It adds more than 1000 Yemeni people with cancer have died over the last three years.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/09/23/575025/Yemen-cancer-patients
(* B H K)
Yemen’s food supplies might run out in two months, charity warns
Charity director predicts food supplies will last just another two to three months should the country's main port close following rise in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes
Yemen has only enough food to sustain its population for two to three months, CARE International has warned, as fears rise that the country's main port could close as a result of increased Saudi-led coalition airstrikes.
If Hodeidah's port is sealed off or put out of action, CARE's Yemen Director Johan Mooij calculates that Yemen's food supplies will last two to three months, taking into account the World Food Programme's (WFP) stockpiles and estimated levels of commercial foods sourced from traders.
"Once the harbour is blocked we are talking about millions and millions of people who will not have food," Mr Mooij told The Independent.
Mr Mooij gives a tragic insight into how decreased supplies could affect the population, saying "the Yemeni tell me 'we will all die together'. Because the Yemeni have a tradition of sharing, they will accommodate people who don't have as much as they can, so once we reach the point of starvation it will be terrible.”
The increased airstrikes and fighting are also causing residents to flee Hodeidah. Mr Mooij believes that nearly 300,000 people have already left since 2015, halving the city's population.
(A H P)
UAE and ICRC sign agreement worth AED40.4 million to support humanitarian efforts
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has signed a cooperation agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, to support the humanitarian response plan in Yemen, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in addition to support ICRC’s budget, totaling AED40.4 million (US$11 million).
http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302709728 = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/uae-and-icrc-sign-agreement-worth-aed404-million-support-humanitarian-efforts
(A H)
United Nations Population Fund: UNFPA Response in Yemen: Monthly Situation Report #8 - August 2018
Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Ongoing conflict in Al Hudaydah Governorate has displaced over 70,000 households since June 2018, with nearly 98 per cent of them receiving assistance including hygiene kits, transit kits and food rations. The rapid response mechanism is being led by UNFPA.
The number of suspected cholera cases is reported to have increased in Yemen during August
Between January and August 2018, UNFPA reached more than 400,000 women and girls with reproductive health and protection services .
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unfpa-response-yemen-monthly-situation-report-8-august-2018
(B H)
UN Children's Fund, Save the Children, Education Cluster: Yemen: Education Cluster Partners Presence (as of Aug 2018)
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-education-cluster-partners-presence-aug-2018
Yemen: Education Cluster Activities - Partners Mapping as of 31 Aug 2018
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-education-cluster-activities-partners-mapping-31-aug-2018
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-education-cluster-partners-achievement-aug-2018-ar
Yemen: Education Cluster Gap Analysis (January - Aug)
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-education-cluster-gap-analysis-january-aug
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
Siehe / Look at cp1b
(B P)
International Organization for Migration: IOM Yemen Hudaydah Response Bulletin: 23 September 2018, Situation Report: 9 - 15 September 2018
A total of 18,616 (4,896 men, 6,262 women, 3,729 boys, and 3,729 girls) IDPs and other conflict - affected Yemenis and 480 migrants (337 men, 62 women, 53 boys, and 28 girls) were provided with healthcare assistance across Yemen, including MHPSS and health promotion sessions.
A total of 1,044 migrants were provided direct assistance during the reporting week
(B H)
International Organization for Migration: Points de suivi des flux de populations Djibouti - Tableau de Bord - Période 1 - 31 Août 2018
L'OIM travaille en collaboration avec le Gouvernement afin de mieux appréhender les dynamiques migratoires à Djibouti et comprendre le profil des migrants qui transitent dans le pays. Pour ce faire, l’OIM met en œuvre le suivi des flux de population, activité qui consiste à collecter des données dans les localités par lesquelles transitent les migrants. Cette activité a débuté en mai 2017 danslocalités et n'a cessé de grandir, jusqu'à atteindrepoints.
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A P)
New Batch of Yemeni Army Forces Graduates
Military Media Documentation Unit of the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees, on September 24, released footage of the graduation of a new unit of the Yemeni military.
The unit, nicknamed Imam Hussein the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was shown in a military parade and armed exercises upon completion of their training.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2987&cat_id=1
(A P)
Head of GPC Party Calls for Strategic Bipartisan of all Political Components
The President of the General People's Congress, Sheikh Sadiq Amin Abu Ras, criticized calls against the unity of the People, describing them as mendicant, and stressed the strategy of partnership with Ansarullah and various national forces in the face of aggression.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2985&cat_id=1
Remark: Sanaa section of the GPC, allied to the Houthis. – The former ruling party is divided into several branches.
(A P)
Criminal Prosecution of 23 Individuals, Accused of Conspiracy with US-Saudi Aggression Countries
A judicial source said that the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in the capital Sana'a will begin next week to investigate 23 accused of being in relation with terrorist organization, Al Qaeda, ISIS and cooperating with the US-Saudi aggression to form a network for assassinations.
The source told "26 September Net" that the Specialized Criminal Prosecution received today 14 files while two days ago it had received 9 files accused of belonging to ISIS, al Qaeda and cooperating with the countries of aggression.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2980&cat_id=1
My comment: They are persecuted because of being Bahai. The objections are an evil pretense.
(A E H)
Film: It is beyond horrific. Awful tragedies and not nearly enough people care or speak out. The people of Yemen are suffering beyond belief...... No Gas no power no food that’s yemen right now...
This people are waiting for gas to be filled up!
https://www.facebook.com/nafisa.alharazi/videos/10156699747657790/
(A P)
One person killed and another injured in a run-over by Houthi vehicle in Ibb
A citizen was killed and another wounded in a run-off incident by a Houthi militia outfit on Tuesday in Ibb province, central Yemen.
Eyewitnesses told "AL Masdar online " that the Houthi vehicle was speeding, and ran over two people aboard a motorcycle, in the district of al-Mashneh in Ibb province.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158727
(A P)
Film: The #Houthi group continues terrifying opponents from civilians. Watch the story.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1044597026464452609
(A P)
Houthis prevent delivery of food, medicines to abductees
The Houthis have been preventing the delivery of food and medicines to detainees inside the Political Security prison in Sana’a.
For its part, the Abductees’ Mothers Association (AMA) has condemned what it called “the systemic violations committed against civilians inside the Political Security prison.
It said that the Houthis reduced meals and water provided to detainees, stressing that this recent action affected their the abductees health severely.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-23959
(A P)
Mothers of Abductees Association @abducteesmother: For the past 2 weeks Houthis did not alllow food and drinking water to our sons in Political Security prison in Sanaa.
https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1044297219514544129 referring to https://twitter.com/abducteesmother/status/1044294762386345984 (document)
(A P)
Parliament continues to discuss bill on public, private sectors partnership
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news509264.htm
(A E)
Photos: The fuel and domestic gas crisis in #Sanaa
https://twitter.com/yemen_updates/status/1044197541347282944
(A P)
Al-Houthi release the activist Kamal Shawesh more than a month after he was kidnapped
The al-Houthi group released human rights activist Kamal Shawesh more than a month after he was abducted from the city of Hodeidah (western Yemen).
on Aug. 14, Shawesh was attacked by militants of the al-Houthi group as he was on the ground to carry out field monitoring of violations against civilians working for a human rights organization.
During the past period and since the day of his abduction, Shawesh has been forcibly hidden and no one of his family or friends knows any information about the whereabouts and conditions of his detention.
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
(A P)
Opening of the First Headquarters of Local Leaderships of the Southern Transitional Council in the Valley of Hadhramaut
My comment: Southern separatists building parallel structures for their own state.
(* A P)
Al-Gaadi to New York Times: An Independent Southern State is of Major Importance to Reach Permanent Peace and Stability in the Region
Robert Routh of the New York Times had a prolonged interview with Mr. Fadl Al-Gaadi, acting secretary general and member of the presidency of the southern transitional council, that will be published soon in the New York Times.
The interview discussed several hot files including the southern cause and the role of the southern transitional council in unifying and including all southern powers in addition to the future of the south and the role of regional powers in Yemen. The interview also discussed the role of UN envoy, Martin Griffith, from the point of view of the council and the deteriorated security and economic conditions in the liberated zones.
In his response to a question about the continuation of the Yemeni union after the war, Al-Gaadi said that the southern were the ones who held the idea of the union as they embraced slogans of the union in schools and caps. In other words, they delivered the state with all its capabilities to the north. But unfortunately, they were betrayed as the other side, the north, started the elimination of southern figures. This included the assassination of nearly 155 southern leaders from 1990 to 1994 in addition to privatization of more than 100 factories and companies in favor of northern families in Sanaa, including Air Yemen. This means that there is no way that the union to continue.
(A P)
Hadi is looking with a US official to facilitate travel procedures for Yemenis
President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi met with US Deputy Secretary of State John Sylvain on Tuesday at his residence in New York.
According to the national news agency Saba , Hadi said: "The Yemeni people, who made great sacrifices in order to put an end to the transfer of the Iranian experience to Yemen, will not give up their convictions, their fate and their identity in favor of extraneous expansionist groups,".
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158724
My comment: hadi telling the usual propaganda horseshit. He hardly will achieve a change to Trump’s travel ban.
(A P)
Former minister, one of the most prominent figures in Shabwah attacks the coalition and accuses it of destroying the province
The politician and tribal leader Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mosa’ed Hussein, accused the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, of destroying the southeastern province of Shabwah, while mocking the Loyalists of the coalition, and the two countries of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
He made the remarks in front of the Forum of Shabwah (a gathering of Shabwah tribes) in the city of Ataq, the province's first appearance after arriving in Shabwah on Sept. 10, after his absence from the political scene for more than seven years.
Maj. Gen. is one of the leading militaries and political leaders in Shabwah, and has held prominent military and political positions since joining the public service for more than 20 years, most notably in the portfolio of the Ministry of Expatriates.
Mosa’ed said in his speech that the Arab Alliance pursues a destructive policy in Shabwah, and that it destroyed the public interests in the province, as well as the destruction of Yemen and its economy widely by the Arab coalition.
Mosa’ed expressed his rejection of the military and security formations outside the authority of the legitimate Government, referring to the forces of the pro-UAE elite, and mocked those who raise flags of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158725
(A P)
Film: Stop torture in Yemen!
To the President and Members of the Human Rights Council. To High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, who suffered the same pain and felt the same hope as we are now. With greetings and full respect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcAgohEgHx4 = https://twitter.com/abducteesmother/status/1044495953594585093
(A)
A new batch of Coast Guard troops is emerging in Mukalla, the capital of Hadramout, with the support and supervision of the Arab coalition forces. (photos)
https://twitter.com/Mukalla_Now_EN/status/1044576947454578689
(A P)
Taiz youth celebrate 56th anniversary of anti-theocracy revolution
The youth of Taiz, mainly young women, have celebrated the 56thanniversary of the national republican revolution against the Islamic theocracy of the Imams, the ancestors of the current Houthi insurgents who mounted a coup in September 2014 and have since embroiled Yemen in a seemingly endless war.
Dozens of women organized on Sunday a festivity sponsored by the local Culture Ministry office in the terraces of Al-Cairo, a historical castle that the Imam used as a jail for local freedom fighters.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-23961
(A P)
Besieged Taiz runs for recuperation and show of resilience
The youth of Yemen's central Taiz have opted for marathon running in the center of the city in search for a sense of recovery and enjoyment amidst a hellish life imposed by the armed Houthis.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-23950
(A P)
Demands to release enforcedly disappeared persons in Aden
Families of the enforcedly disappeared persons in Aden staged on Monday a protest before the house of the Interior Minister Ahmed al-Maysari, demanding to swiftly release their relative or refer them to courts.
Dozens of mothers protests last week in the city of Aden, demanding to unveil the fate of their sons and relatives who have been abducted and forcibly disappeared for more than two years.
The mothers demanded to release those persons who the general prosecution issued orders to release them and refer the others to the prosecution.
They appealed to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to intervene and put pressures on the authorities which still hold their relatives.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-23960
(A E P)
Oil company in Hadramawt approves new increase in the price of oil derivatives
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158682
(* B P)
Yemen tries gun control
A land where markets sell anything from pistols to bazookas
AS YOU would expect in a country at war, Yemen bristles with guns. The forces of the internationally recognised government carry Kalashnikovs. So do the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who toppled it in 2015. But it is not just the combatants who pack heat. The country has more privately owned guns per person than any except America, where prosperous gun-lovers can afford far more. Many Yemenis sling rifles over their shoulders or tuck handguns into their trousers before going out. Markets sell everything from pistols to bazookas. You cannot go far in most cities without seeing someone with a gun.
That is what makes Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province on the southern coast, so unusual. The only people carrying guns are in uniform. Banners warn civilians not to bear arms in public. Those wishing to enter Mukalla must hand over their weapons at one of several checkpoints. As if manning a cloakroom, soldiers hand out receipts so that owners can reclaim their guns when leaving. A storage container at the al-Solb checkpoint holds enough confiscated guns to equip a militia.
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2018/09/13/yemen-tries-gun-control
(A P)
Agreement between the Hadramawt Valley Authority and the Saper company on final solutions for gas and diesel crisis
The local authority in Wadi Hadramawt, and SAFER, has agreed to establish a plant belonging to Yemen gas company in the valley and desert to solve the gas crisis once and for all, in addition to providing diesel at the right price for the Wadi and desert Hadramawt.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158712
(* A P)
Yemeni government issues arrest warrant for outspoken ex-official
Ali bin Salem al-Huraizy has opposed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates coalition's presence in al-Mahra.
Yemen's government issued an arrest warrant for al-Mahra province's former deputy governor, saying he was destabilising the region with calls for protests against the Saudi-Emirati military coalition.
Ali bin Salem al-Huraizy allegedly used social media platforms to stir up tensions between Yemeni tribes and the coalition by claiming Saudi Arabia was occupying al-Mahra, according to the warrant seen by Al Jazeera on Tuesday.
Huraizy was accused of calling for demonstrations with the intention of "distorting the coalition's reputation", it said.
The warrant comes weeks after sources told Al Jazeera the kingdom is planning to build an oil port in al-Mahra.
photo: https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1044643767402336257
Remark: Coalition has issued a warrant for arrest of Ali Salem Haresi but #Yemen-i forces in #Mahra refuse to execute it. Any attempts to do so by Saudi troops will be resisted by the tribes. Peaceful protest against foreign occupation is only a crime in dictatorships.
https://twitter.com/JonHowarth/status/1044852500099207170
and
(A P)
Film, Arabic: Shaykh Ali Salem Haresi interviewed about Saudi occupation of al #Mahra by Al Jazeera. This is why the Coalition in #Yemen wants to arrest him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0T1jDO8J50
(* A P)
Latest from #Mahra, east #Yemen. Locals are saying · #UAE pulled its forces out of Mahra over w/e to leave it to Saudi · #Saudi has increased recruitment among tribes · Saudi has 3 military bases in coastal Mahra, 3 more underway + c.5 positions in Mahri desert
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1044232238148276224
and
(A P)
In Shehen area of Mahra province far east Yemen, at the border with Oman, Yemenis strongly refuse the Saudi occupation forces.
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1044451195472015360
Remark: Earlier recording: Yemen War Mosaic 461, cp6.
And
(A P)
Great to see Mahri #women so active in the new 10-day training session to deliver a peace-building program for #Mahra in east #Yemen. BIG thank you to #Oman for helping all 50 participants cross the border to meet the trainers in Salalah! And well done @MahraYouth for organizing! (photo)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1044575146223312897
Comment: And UAE has military bases in Aden, Mukalla, Socotra, a bunch of Yemeni Islands, and Red Sea soon. This what this war has come to: who grabs what. That simple
https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1044240343254913025
Comment: The aim of this war become vague, and the scene now become more and more clearer . The target of this war is to extend pipe to export the Saudi oil via mahra beaches and ports , and aim of UAE to control ports to prevent damage and negative affection of their ports (I.e Dubai..)
https://twitter.com/Dr_Falhoom/status/1044249125498302466
(A T)
Major firefight between #UAE-backed Shabwa Elite Forces & #alQaeda in #Yemen Saturday a'noon #AQAP claims it drove back Elite Forces, killing 3 & injuring 7 in 3 hour battle Elite Forces say they killed 7 #AQAP incl commander Abu al-Qa'qa' & destroyed AQ's Khawrah camp & vehicles
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1044181692158803968
(A P T)
Yemen government condemns assassinations after education official’s death
The Yemeni government condemned continued assassinations after gunmen shot dead an education ministry official at the southern port city of Aden on Sunday.
The government released a statement, quoted by the official news agency, condemning repeated crimes and assassinations in the temporary capital of Aden.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1376856
My comment: This government is unable to keep its capital city secure.
(A P)
Shabwa Elites Secure the City of Nesab – Shabwa
Shabwa Elites troops managed to secure the city of Nesab and establish military posts and inspection points on the exits of the city on Friday September 20th
https://en.smanews.org/shabwa-elites-secure-the-city-of-nesab-shabwa
Remark: UAE-backes separatists’ militia.
(B K P)
Yémen : Moukalla, de la tutelle d’Al-Qaida à celle des Emirats
L’organisation terroriste a basculé dans la clandestinité, après avoir administré le port yéménite.
Durant un an, jusqu’en avril 2016, Moukalla a été la capitale de la branche yéménite de l’organisation terroriste Al-Qaida dans la péninsule arabique (AQPA). Mais depuis, le groupe est pris dans une spirale descendante. Sous la pression des Emirats arabes unis, qui les ont chassés de la ville avec leurs alliés locaux, le nombre d’opérations revendiquées par AQPA à travers le Yémen n’a cessé de diminuer l’an dernier, et plus encore depuis février 2018, selon une étude publiée en juillet par Elisabeth Kendall, chercheuse à l’université d’Oxford, qui se rend régulièrement dans l’Est du Yémen.
La haute hiérarchie d’AQPA subit des frappes aériennes décuplées de l’armée américaine
My comment: This article is almost identical to an article by Adam Baron (https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/09/yemen-mukalla-uae-al-qaeda/570943/ and comment: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/09/yemen-mukalla-uae-al-qaeda/570943/). Is there another campaign of invitations to embedded Western journalists to write on how the UAE defeated Al Qaeda and the situation at Mukallah had improved? But, Yemen as headline on page 1, finally: https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1044213838252527616
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
(A P)
Today makes it 3 and 1/2 years of the #Saudi/#UAE war in #Yemen. Till now, the UN refuses to state with clarity how many civilians in #Yemen have been killed - the UN is simply too busy counting billions of Saudi & UAE cash contributions, you see.
Civilians who are already dead are ignored by UN agencies in #Yemen - for the dead cannot raise funds for the UN. But Yemenis who are hungry, on the verge of starvation - ahh, the UN loves talking about them. "8 million starving"... "12 million face famine"..."Give us funds."
My advice to civilians in #Yemen: Remain alive in a state of hunger & starvation, and the UN will help you, sort of. Do not die. Do not get killed by Saudi airstrikes. Once you die, you will be forgotten by the UN, and consigned to its eternal stats of "10,000 civilians killed".
Remember: Do not die.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1044849094190084098
(A P)
UAE will support U.N. proposals for new talks on Yemen: official
The United Arab Emirates will support United Nations proposals for new peace talks on Yemen, a senior Emiriati official said early on Wednesday after meeting with U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.
My comment: This really means: UAE will support IN proposals in case the UN proposes what we want – otherwise we will bully them.
(B P)
Al Hodeidah battles have it hindered Griffith's efforts to continue consultations?
The source told the Al Masdar online, preferring not to be identified because he is not authorized to talk to the media, that Griffiths «This time discusses two proposals and will focus on their achievement, the first relates to the reopening of Sana'a airport and the formation of a committee of the two parties for the release of prisoners, detainees and forcibly concealed, which is the case The main one that was supposed to be discussed in Geneva. "
"The other proposal is to restore the bridges of confidence and not to slip back into large-scale military confrontations, so as to invite the parties again to hold consultations in Geneva, mid-October," he said.
He noted that Griffiths was confident in his ability this time to achieve results, following the support of the Security Council, and that the parties had reacted positively to a political solution and to spare civilians from the consequences of the conflict.
A government source for al-Masdar online, preferring not to be named for the sensitivity of his post, said the Government regretted Griffith's position and had to speak openly about who was trying to derail Yemen's political process.
According to the government source, the government will reserve Griffith's endeavors and this will be a stumbling block to its new efforts, but it will be much less than the collision of those efforts with the escalation of the armed conflict in Hodeidah (western part of the country).
The fighting fever was felt by Griffiths in his latest briefing from Geneva to the Security Council, and he said, "I hope that we will not get what we fear, from the sliding of the conflict in Hodeidah City and its strategic port."
Rather than the efforts of the UN envoy to impose itself on the conflict situation in Yemen, it appears to be different this time, as the battles control the nature of the consultations.
The Yemeni government seems to have ignored Griffith's new role, and despite his stay in Riyadh a week ago, he did not hold an orphan meeting with Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, without elaborating on any details.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158722
My comment: By a pro-president-Hadi source, full of propaganda (which I try to omit in the quotation above).
(* A P)
UN Rights Council: Renew Yemen Inquiry
Both Sides Committing Abuses; No Justice for War Crimes
The United Nations Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen during its current session in Geneva, Human Rights Watch said today. The parties on both sides of Yemen’s armed conflict are committing laws-of-war violations and human rights abuses with impunity.
In their initial report published in August 2018, the experts found evidence that members of the Saudi-led coalition, the Yemeni government, and the Houthi armed group have been committing abuses, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians, arbitrary and abusive detention, and recruitment of children. The experts flagged several areas for further investigation, including unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid to civilians in Taizz, Yemen’s third largest city. They recommended the Human Rights Council renew their mandate, so investigations of the warring parties could continue. Saudi Arabia and other coalition members have pressed the council, at the current session, to discontinue the group’s mandate.
“The UN Human Rights Council should act to ensure that abuses against Yemeni civilians get continued international scrutiny and that steps are taken to hold violators accountable,” said John Fisher, Geneva director at Human Rights Watch. “Anything less would be an abdication of responsibility to the Yemeni people, who are caught between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi armed group amid the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.”
The United Nations Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen during its current session in Geneva, Human Rights Watch said today. The parties on both sides of Yemen’s armed conflict are committing laws-of-war violations and human rights abuses with impunity.
In their initial report published in August 2018, the experts found evidence that members of the Saudi-led coalition, the Yemeni government, and the Houthi armed group have been committing abuses, including indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians, arbitrary and abusive detention, and recruitment of children. The experts flagged several areas for further investigation, including unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid to civilians in Taizz, Yemen’s third largest city. They recommended the Human Rights Council renew their mandate, so investigations of the warring parties could continue. Saudi Arabia and other coalition members have pressed the council, at the current session, to discontinue the group’s mandate.
“The UN Human Rights Council should act to ensure that abuses against Yemeni civilians get continued international scrutiny and that steps are taken to hold violators accountable,” said John Fisher, Geneva director at Human Rights Watch. “Anything less would be an abdication of responsibility to the Yemeni people, who are caught between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi armed group amid the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.”
Despite mounting evidence of violations of international law by the warring parties, efforts toward accountability or providing redress to victims of abuses have been woefully inadequate, Human Rights Watch said.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/24/un-rights-council-renew-yemen-inquiry
Remark: Earlier recording: Yemen War Mosaic 461, cp7.
Update on Yemen under item 10
Statement by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore
39th session of the Human Rights Council
Despite international appeals, multiple representations to parties to the conflict and the unwavering efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, peace is yet to come to Yemen and the tragic suffering of the people continues with human rights violations pervasive.
Key aspects of these the horrendous circumstances - to which the population of Yemen is subjected – one of the youngest populations in the world today – are set out in the report before you which presents the findings and conclusions of the Group of Eminent Experts established by this Council.
The suffering of the Yemeni people has been further intensified by blockades and restrictions on imports and humanitarian assistance.
In this context of suffering and deprivation, the coalition’s ongoing offensive against the port and city of Hudaydah threatens only further suffering to millions of people including because of the massive disruption it will bring to humanitarian aid efforts. I draw this Council’s attention to the very strong probability that prolonged assault on Hudaydah will result in civilian casualties.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=23634&LangID=E
(A P)
UN Human Rights Council 39: UK Statement on Yemen
The UK expressed its concern with the humanitarian and human rights situation in Yemen and called for the renewal of the Group of Expert's mandate.
We note the recent report by the Group of Eminent Experts that underlines the concerning human rights situation. The Group of Experts need more time to fully examine the conflict ensuring their future conclusions fully reflect the conduct of all groups. The existing mandate renewal is therefore important.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/un-human-rights-council-39-uk-statement-on-yemen--2
My comment: At least, this.
(A P)
Hisham Al-Omeisy:
IHL violations continue to be committed by ALL warring parties in Yemen. In pursuing accountability, independent investigation and reporting is crucial, hence why it is imperative that the UN Human Rights Council renew the mandate of the #Yemen Group of Eminent Experts.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1044853183980425217
Jendoub now highlighting fact human rights defenders in #Yemen being detained and tortured, and systematically targeted with defamation campaigns by the various parties. Ps. Own experience, culprits force false confessions under threat of death and going after your family.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1044852207491985408
Meeting with donors this early to talk about money #Yemen is so Geneva. Apparently humanitarian funding goes almost exclusively through one local bank in #Yemen. So many issues with such monopoly, especially with current rapid devaluation of local currency.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1044841207560581120
Long and busy day in Geneva. Met diplomats, experts, and journalists. There's genuine interest in resolving conflict in #Yemen, but quite frankly, too much politics, parachute analysis, and superficial/overly simplistic approaches are hindering development of feasible solutions.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1044695776537051137
(B H P)
Film: The Humanitarian Response in Yemen
Yemen is now the largest humanitarian crisis in the world with 22.2 million people in need of assistance or protection services. More than three years of conflict has caused the humanitarian situation to rapidly deteriorate and drive major increases in needs across all sectors. This event will highlight what can be achieved when Member States allocate unearmarked funding to highly prioritised Humanitarian Response Plans, and will showcase effective strategies being used by the UN and its partners in Yemen to save millions of lives in a highly challenging operational environment.
My comment: A lot of propaganda and hypocrisy to be seen here.
cp7a Saudi-Arabien und Iran / Saudi Arabia and Iran
(* A P T)
Saudi Arabia rejects Iran's claim it backed parade attack
Saudi Arabia denied it had backed the gunmen who killed 25 people at a military parade in southwestern Iran over the weekend, almost half of them Revolutionary Guards, the Saudi state news agency reported on Tuesday.
“Saudi Arabia rejects and condemns the false accusations that Iranian officials have made about Saudi Arabia supporting the events that took place in Iran last Saturday,” SPA quoted a foreign ministry official as saying.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the attackers were paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and pledged that the Islamic Republic would “severely punish” those behind the assault.
My comment: be aware how Reuters (as most Western mainstram media) anxiously avoids to call this act “terrorism” and the perpetarors “terrorists”, instead we read “attack”, “gunmen”, “attackers”, “assault”.
(* A P T)
Iran's Khamenei says the attackers were paid by Saudis and UAE
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Monday that the attackers who killed 25 people at a military parade were paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and Iran would “severely punish” those behind the attack.
“Based on reports, this cowardly act was done by people who the Americans come to help when they are trapped in Syria and Iraq, and are paid by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” Khamenei was quoted as saying on his official website.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(A P)
Saudi Arabia drops statute of limitations from anti-corruption law
Saudi Arabia amended an anti-corruption law on Tuesday to remove a 60-day statute of limitations for investigating allegations against current or former ministers, as part of efforts to tackle graft and abuse of power in the world’s top oil exporter.
“This amendment will enable the (National Anti-Corruption) Commission and competent authorities to carry out their tasks effectively and efficiently to protect public money, the state’s interests and the national economy from corruption,” the commission’s chairman, Khalid bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Muhaisen, was quoted as saying by state news agency SPA.
(A E P)
Saudi Arabia opens high-speed train linking Islam's holiest cities
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Tuesday inaugurated a 6.7 billion euro ($7.87 billion) high-speed rail linking the two holiest cities in Islam, part of efforts to boost tourism revenues as the country seeks to shed dependence on oil exports.
The 450-km (280-mile) Haramain Railway connecting Mecca and Medina with the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah is one of the largest transport projects in the Middle East, targeting nearly 60 million passengers annually. Commercial operations are set to begin next week.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia: Authorities must release Yemeni Writer Marwan Al-Muraisy
ALQST for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, English PEN, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Index on Censorship, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) call on the authorities in Saudi Arabia to release Yemeni writer and online activist Marwan Al-Muraisy, who has been subject to enforced disappearance since June.
On 01 June 2018, security forces arrested Al-Muraisy from his home and transferred him to an unknown location. Reliable reports confirmed that he is being held incommunicado. To date, Al-Muraisy's family have been denied information about the charges against him, the location where he is being held and are unable to visit him.
Al-Muraisy, born in 1982, moved from Yemen to Saudi Arabia in 2003 and began his journalism career the following year. He has worked for several Saudi media outlets, including TV channels Al-Majd and Al-Resalah.
The arrest of Marwan Al-Muraisy is part of a string of arrests that included dozens of academics, writers, journalists and human rights defenders, including prominent women's rights activists, since 15 May 2018.
https://www.gc4hr.org/news/view/1954
(A P)
Saudi Arabia to offer visitor visa for special events from December
Saudi Arabia will offer an electronic visa for foreign visitors to attend sporting events and concerts from December, the kingdom said on Tuesday, as it tries to diversify its economy and open up its society.
(* A P)
Saudi's National Day celebrations trigger outrage as Yemen war continues
Fireworks and flags don't mask the horrors of war for many sharp-witted social media users
Social media users have criticised Saudi Arabia for holding extravagant festivities while atrocities are being carried out in Yemen.
On Sunday, the kingdom celebrated its 88th National Day, a holiday which commemorates its establishment by King Abdulaziz in 1937, with more than 900,000 fireworks, an air show by the Saudi Royal Air Force and a laser light show at a stadium in Jeddah.
As Saudi-based Arab News reported, "in a year of remarkable changes" the day "took on an exuberance like no other celebration before it, with enough fireworks to break a world record".
King Salman announced on Sunday that he would extend the holiday for an extra day of celebration.
But for some on social media, the contrast between the blowout that turned the nation green with flags, lasers and fireworks and the grim reality of the war in Yemen was too much.
“Saudi should at least be restrained in their revelry and show some respect for the dead," wrote one user, alongside photos of atrocities in Yemen. Critics of the celebrations posted their messages using the viral hashtags #KSAnationalday and #SaudiNationalDay that were intended to be used to share photos of the celebrations all over Saudi Arabia. Instead, the critics shared photos of victims in Yemen and chastised Saudi Arabia for human rights abuses in the country. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-national-day-celebrations-spark-criticism-467002212 * A P)
Right Livelihood Award honors practical fixes to global problems
Three human rights activists, two corruption fighters, a farmer and an agricultural scientist are the 2018 winners of the 'Alternative Nobel Prize.' They are tirelessly fighting the world over to make it a better place.
They are already famous in their home country: Abdullah al-Hamid, Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani and Waleed Abu al-Khair are among Saudi Arabia's most prominent human rights lawyers. The trio is closely associated with one of the country's few human rights organizations, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA). In a society where the ruling House of Saud exercises totalitarian rule in close alliance with the ultraconservative Wahhabi clergy, the three have relentlessly endeavored to bring about reform. Particularly noteworthy are their consistently peaceful demands for the observance of universal human rights, the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and the equality of women in Saudi society. Yet their actions have prompted consequences: All three have been sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in prison, where they are currently serving their sentences.
They were awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize "for their visionary and courageous efforts, based on the belief in universal human rights, to reform Saudi Arabia's totalitarian ruling system."
https://www.dw.com/en/right-livelihood-award-honors-practical-fixes-to-global-problems/a-45603287
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Saudi-Arabiens Kronprinz soll sich auf seiner Luxus-Yacht verstecken — aus „Angst um die eigene Sicherheit“
Mohammed bin Salman, der 32-jährige Kronprinz von Saudi-Arabien, wurde als Reformer angepriesen und zählt zu den engen strategischen Verbündeten von US-Präsident Donald Trump. Der Aufstieg des saudi-arabischen Prinzen im Jahr 2017 war der Ausgangspunkt für eine aggressive Politik: Trotzt Reformen wie der Erlaubnis für Frauen, Autofahren zu dürfen, geht bin Salman im Inland gegen Kritiker mit extrem harter Hand vor, und in der Region treibt der Kronprinz den Konflikt mit dem Iran und seinen Verbündeten auf eine neue Stufe. Zuletzt kam es auch zum diplomatischen Eklat mit Kanada.
Nach Einschätzung von Bruce Riedel, Direktor und Experte für Außenpolitik am Brookings Institut in Washington, gefährdet bin Salman mit seiner Politik die langjährige Stabilität des Königreichs. Bin Salman ist sich Berichten zufolge dieser wachsenden Feindschaft im eigenen Land bewusst.
„Der Kronprinz, der Angst um die eigene Sicherheit hat, soll viele Nächte auf seiner teuren Yacht in Jeddah verbringen“, schreibt Riedel in einer Kolumne für die arabisch-amerikanische Seite „Al-Monitor“.
Die wichtigsten außenpolitischen Fragen, für die bin Salman kritisiert wird, sind der jetzt vier Jahre andauernde Krieg im Jemen und die Blockade von Katar. Das Entsetzen über bin Salmans blutigen und katastrophalen Krieg im Jemen, der Millionen Jemeniten in Hungersnot und medizinische Unterversorgung gebracht hat, brodelt laut Riedel seit Monaten in Saudi-Arabien.
Auch prominente Saudis stellen sich öffentlich gegen bin Salmans Politik.
Salman bleibt dennoch der wahrscheinlichste Erbe, solange sein Vater lebt. Aber seine jüngsten Entscheidungen haben dazu beigetragen, dass das Königreich so instabil wie kaum zuvor in den vergangenen 50 Jahre war, schreibt Außenpolitik-Experte Riedel
https://www.businessinsider.de/saudi-arabien-prinz-bin-salman-fluechtet-auf-yacht-2018-9
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Saudi Arabia is at its least stable in 50 years
The stability of Saudi Arabia is becoming more fragile as the young crown prince’s judgment and competence are increasingly in doubt. Mohammed bin Salman has a track record of impulsive and reckless decisions at home and abroad that calls into question the kingdom’s future.
For the last half century the stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never been seriously in doubt.
The crown prince’s signature policy initiative is the war in Yemen.
The war is now in its fourth year with no end in sight.
The blockade of Qatar is another foreign policy debacle for the crown prince.
There is much speculation that the Saudis had a role in the Sept 22 attack in Ahvaz, Iran. The crown prince has publicly said he wants to fight Iran inside Iran. The Ahvaz attack is certain to fuel sectarian tensions throughout the region and inside the kingdom.
At home, the roundup of prominent Saudis last fall at the Ritz-Carlton has led to capital flight and much reduced foreign investment.
Fearing for his security, the crown prince is said to spend many nights on his half-billion-dollar yacht moored in Jeddah. It’s a floating palace longer than a football field and with many perks. It is also a potential escape hatch.
As long as his father is on the throne, the crown prince is probably the most likely heir. If the king dies suddenly and soon, the succession may be disputed and even violent.
The Trump administration has given Saudi Arabia a blank check and supports its war in Yemen. The crown prince has been touted by the White House. It’s a foolish and dangerous approach.
The Saudis need American and international support to end the war in Yemen that costs it $5 billion a month and is eroding the kingdom’s stability. The crown prince has staked his reputation on winning a quagmire at a horrific human cost. His American friend ought to be looking for an honorable but above all early end to the tragedy – by Bruce Riedel
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Saudi war in Yemen affects SAMI projects
The cost of the war in Yemen is said to be affecting some major military projects, including notably the projects of industrialization and localization of foreign technologies in the Kingdom.
Tactical Report has prepared a 454-word report to shed more light on the subject and tells what about the alternatives (payment only)
http://www.tacticalreport.com/view_news/Saudi-war-in-Yemen-affects-SAMI-projects/5889
Remark: SAMI = Saudi Arabian Military Industries.
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1
(B K P)
Trump team must do more to end the ongoing crisis in Yemen
The brutal, bloody war in Yemen is about to take a turn for the worse, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces ramp up an assault on the Red Sea port city of Hodeida.
The Trump administration should be doing everything in its power to stop the assault. Instead, through a series of wrongheaded steps and misguided signals (like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo overruling his own team on a congressionally mandated certification about coalition conduct), it has facilitated this humanitarian crisis. Congress can and should act.
Hodeida is a critical lifeline for the majority of Yemen’s population.
Frank warnings from aid agencies and the U.N. that a battle for Hodeida would spark a rapid deterioration in what is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis unnerved both the executive and legislative branches at the time.
What now? As a first step, the U.S. should rein in the coalition. Though the Houthis’ gamesmanship regarding the talks is inexcusable, it is the coalition that is pursuing an offensive against Hodeida.
They see the immense threat to a civilian population as a necessary cost of pursuing a goal — a Houthi defeat — that the campaign will almost certainly fail to achieve.
The Houthis can be expected to respond fiercely to an attack for control of the city and port, creating a military stalemate or fading away to fight another day. Washington, which still has more leverage with the coalition than it acknowledges, needs to deliver a simple message: enough.
As the administration has been unwilling to do this, the burden falls to Congress
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has proposed an effort to force a War Powers Resolution vote in the House to “withdraw U.S. armed forces from unconstitutional hostilities alongside Saudi Arabia in Yemen.”
The next step up the congressional ladder could well be resolutions of disapproval against future arms sales, similar to the one on PGMs that failed by a narrow margin in June 2017.
Such a public rebuke on a the sale of systems that the Saudis and UAE find critical to their military would send the strong message that the White House has been reluctant to deliver – by Daniel Schneiderman, deputy U.S. program director at the International Crisis Group
My comment: Still one of these many useless articles “The US could, the US should”. The US simply will not, and the Trump administration would be the last to do anything to stop this war. So many US establishment-affiliated writers still think US politics could do any good in this world. This will not happen, not until the US itself experiences a real regime change (not just an end to the Trump regime, but a system change terminating the rule of the industrial-military complex and the “neoliberal” / “neocon” elite. Period.
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Film: Watch Trump’s shockingly honest description of America’s foreign policy and his own intentions for the world:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE87JCcdK34
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Ruhani wirft USA Umsturzversuch vor
Irans Präsident Ruhani wirft der USA vor, die Sanktionen gegen den Iran zerstörten den Handel. Er reagiert damit auf Trump. Der hatte den Iran zuvor scharf kritisiert.
http://www.taz.de/Iran-bei-UN-Generalversammlung/!5538725/
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Trump, Iran's Rouhani exchange threats, insults on U.N.'s world stage
U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani exchanged taunts at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday with Trump vowing more sanctions against Tehran and Rouhani suggesting his American counterpart suffers from a “weakness of intellect.”
Trump used his annual address to the United Nations to attack Iran’s “corrupt dictatorship,”
Much of his 35-minute address was aimed squarely at Iran, which the United States accuses of harboring nuclear ambitions and fomenting instability in the Middle East through its support for militant groups in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
“Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction,” Trump told the gathering in the green-marbled hall. “They do not respect their neighbors or borders or the sovereign rights of nations.”
My comment: All this what Trump is objecting to Iran here the US is doing on a ver much larger scale. – Whatever to say on Iran, Rohani is right when speaking of Trump’s “weakness of intellect”.
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Fatima Alasrar: For the first time at #UNGA, the president of the US @realDonaldTrump mentioned #Yemen's crisis and said that the #KSA and #UAE are "pursuing multiple avenues" to end #Yemen's war.
https://twitter.com/YemeniFatima/status/1044600316220624896
Rania Khalek: Did the gulf monarchies write Trump’s #unga speech? He just praised Saudi Arabia, UAE & Qatar—the most backwards undemocratic and extremist countries in the Middle East—for helping Syria and Yemen, countries they are in reality responsible for destroying.
Here comes the “Iran is the source of all evil” part of Trump at the #unga
Trump’s #unga speech can be summarized as: Gulf monarchies, Israel and Poland and America are great. Iran, Russia, Syria, refugees, Venezuela and especially socialism are very very bad.
Trump gave an incredibly aggressive and bullying speech at the #unga full of threats to countries around the world. On CNN, the panel is complaining that his speech wasn’t aggressive enough towards Russia.
https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/1044599372829413376
(A P)
The United States appoints Christopher Hinzel as its ambassador to Yemen to replace Tollers
US President Donald Trump has issued a decision appointing Mr. Christopher Henzel as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Yemen to replace current ambassador Matthew Tollers.
According to the information published by the official website of the White House, Mr. Hinzel has worked in eight missions in the United States abroad, many in the Near East, as well as in senior leadership positions in the United States Department of State working on Near East issues.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158714
Remark: Correct name: Tueller. Ambassador Tueller is one of the most extreme backers of the Saudi coalition. He has a very great influence – much more than an ambassador to a failed 3. World government would have – and seems to be an important and horrible puppet master in the background: https://theintercept.com/2017/12/13/yemen-war-peace-talks-matthew-tueller/
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Destroying Yemen as Humanely as Possible
What a relief to learn that even though Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are bombing the crap out of Yemen, they are doing so humanely. On September 12, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, pursuant to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (“NDAA”), certified that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are “undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure” in their war on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
This was demonstrable horseshit.
No, following the Journal exposé, it looks an awful lot like the US is in Yemen simply to fatten the wallets of US arms dealers. “Saudi Arabia is a very wealthy nation,” President Trump said during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s visit to the White House in March, “and they’re going to give the United States some of that wealth, hopefully, in the form of jobs, in the form of the purchase of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world.”
The US must end this monstrously destructive and illegal war.
Peace activists must push Congress to invoke the War Powers Resolution as well as block arms sales to the Saudis. The left must insist on a Congressional ethics investigation and must also demand the resignations of Pompeo and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Charles Faulkner – by Charles Pierson
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/09/25/destroying-yemen-as-humanely-as-possible/
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Washington’s Farcical “Certifications” Enable the War Crimes of Allies
And violate U.S. law.
The latest certification preserves the pretense that Saudi and UAE forces are not committing war crimes and that the United States is not a willing accomplice in those war crimes.
The certification requirement for U.S. aid, especially military assistance, is, and usually has been, a cynical farce to neutralize or (at least dampen) potential public outrage at assisting odious regimes. For decades, U.S. administrations have certified compliance with human-rights standards by aid recipients when those recipients have not come even close to meeting that standard.
Just days before his action regarding Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Pompeo issued a certification allowing the release of $1.2 billion in U.S. military assistance to Egypt, despite human-rights concerns that had held up previous funding.
Brazen executive branch contempt for congressional efforts to restrict U.S. aid to allied regimes guilty of human-rights abuses is not confined to the Middle East. Nor is it a recent phenomenon.
The lament that the legislation had not served its purpose could be applied to most of the certification requirements over the decades. Pompeo has carried on a long and dishonorable tradition. Congress may have intended that the requirement for certifying compliance with human-rights standards by U.S. aid recipients would pressure those regimes to avoid egregious abuses. If that truly was the intent, and not just empty congressional posturing to placate constituents.
Congress needs to make a crucial decision.
My comment: This really makes doubtful that Congress ever had been serious on Yemen. They all knew that these “certificates” are nothing more than a sheet of paper, nothing more than a sham. As if this had been a collusion between Congress and administration.
And
(A P)
"Raytheon First" — the Trump regime motto. No time to drain the swamp, not when your sleazy cronies are wetting their beaks on the Yemeni extermination campaign
https://twitter.com/MarkAmesExiled/status/1043864606211534853
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INTELBRIEF: AMERICA’S MYOPIC MIDDLE EAST POLICY FAVORS PROFITS OVER PEOPLE
On September 12, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to avoid killing civilians for the U.S. to keep selling them weapons.
Reports surfaced on September 20 that suggested the certification was approved to protect an estimated $2 billion in arms sales to Gulf countries.
It is unclear if the reporting will have any meaningful impact on U.S. support for the catastrophe in Yemen.
The U.S. is the world’s largest arms dealer and increasing these sales continues to be a major factor in Washington’s approach to foreign policy, especially under the Trump administration.
As the world’s largest arms dealer—accounting for 34% of global arms sales in 2017 and likely to set new records in 2018—the U.S. has always maintained a complicated stance on peace through U.S. arms. Since 2001, global arms sales have consistently risen, following a dramatic drop in the decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. The Middle East is the largest growing sector for arms purchases and the U.S. is determined to increase its already dominant market share of sales to countries like Saudi Arabia. The pervasive and all-encompassing regional proxy conflict between the Saudis and Iran further fuel this cycle. Even muted criticism on the killing of civilians that could threaten future arms sales are anathema to current policy priorities.
Yemen is a clear-cut example of the U.S. prioritizing arms sales over conflict resolution.
http://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-americas-myopic-middle-east-policy-favors-profits-over-people/
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Mid-term triumph for Democrats could ease US-backed slaughter in Yemen
A win in November’s midterm elections would give Democrats an opportunity to check Trump’s previously unrestrained executive power
While there are a number of competing narratives on the conflict, it’s a fact that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are executing this war - but Washington is where responsibility for ending the carnage lies.
With US President Donald Trump and his Republican Party controlling all three branches of government, however, the appetite for bringing an end to the slaughter of Yemeni children remains elusive.
Senate Republicans recently voted against an amendment that would have “cut off United States’ support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition’s war in Yemen until the Secretary of Defense certified that the coalition’s air campaign is not violating international law and US policy related to the protection of civilians”, according to a press statement.
To this end, US midterm elections now loom large for Yemen’s besieged and aid-dependent population. A Democrat-controlled House, Senate or both could provide the impetus to at least “slam on the brakes” on US military operations in the Middle East’s most impoverished country.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/how-us-democrats-could-help-end-yemen-war-1733126156
(B H P)
A demonstration to show It's possible to save 75% from the costs of UN aid operations in #Yemen. The @UN must do this across the board. It would make available much more funds to feed the shockingly burgeoning numbers of hungry Yemenis I see each day.
Yemen : How the UN Can Save US$30 Million Annually
#Yemen aid funds: "UN Special Operation 200845" for the Yemen humanitarian air bridge
US$39 Million in 2018 on chartered private jets in & out of Yemen for 10,000 UN & INGO staff + est 200,000 kg of their personal luggage + a paltry 6,000 kg of emergency humanitarian supplies.
The ostensible reason given for $40M worth of private jet charters is - and I quote - "...there are no commercial airlines operating within Yemen that are cleared and approved by UNDSS (United Nations Department of Safety and Security) for UN staff travel".
I'm curious: Why does the UNDSS not approve for UN staff travel Yemenia's regular flights from Aden & Seiyun airports to Amman & other regional destinations? It would cost less than $10M, compared to $40M of private jets. Also aids Yemen's economy.
Most important, the US$30M saved would feed thousands of starving families in Yemen. Enough to feed tens of thousands of hungry Yemenis, in fact (text in image)
Source document - WFP-0000063627.pdf from the WFP website https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000063627/download/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1870425266370808&set=a.103653093048043&type=3&theater
and just a reminder:
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You must watch this and RT Trump exposed Saudi Arabia and he said that the Saudi regime is looking for #Yemen natural wealth and its Oil.
https://twitter.com/DrMahmoudRefaat/status/1043912164791193600
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(A P)
Film: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calls for an end to UK arms sale to the Saudi coalition bombing Yemen
https://www.facebook.com/presstvuk/videos/237000320300887/
(A P)
Department for International Development: UK leads action plan to help those hardest hit by Yemen’s nutrition crisis
At a side event at the United Nations General Assembly, the UK has brought together the international community to create an action plan to tackle malnutrition in Yemen
The UK is leading international efforts to develop an urgent action plan to tackle malnutrition in Yemen, Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt announced in New York today (Tuesday) at the United Nations General Assembly.
With 7.4 million Yemenis on the brink of malnutrition, a coordinated response is needed to prevent the food crisis worsening.
Today, Minister Burt chaired a ‘Call to Action’ event bringing together agencies from the United Nations, Non-Governmental Organisations and donors to make a series of commitments to help millions of malnourished Yemenis over the next three years.
These commitments include:
My comment: This is by the british government, one oft he worst perpetrators in Yemen – a typical sign of Western hypocrisy. And Minister Alistair Burt is one of the most heavy backers of further arming and supporting the Saudis = of a longer war, destruction, killing and despair.
(A P)
UK condemns Houthi Persecution of the Baha’i Community in Yemen
Lord Ahmad comments on the mass trial of members of the Baha'i community.
The UK is deeply concerned by reports that the Houthi authorities in Sana’a, Yemen, have held a mass trial of members of Yemen’s Baha’i community. 24 people – including eight women and a child – are facing charges that could result in death sentences.
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:
The persecution of members of the Baha’i community in areas of Yemen under Houthi control due to their religious beliefs is a serious violation of international human rights law. New cases of arbitrary detention and continuing reports of the abuse of detainees by the Houthis are deeply concerning, and we wholly condemn this mistreatment.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-condemns-houthi-persecution-of-the-bahai-community-in-yemen
My comment: Religious persecution by the Houthis is unacceptable. – But such statements like this one are totally devaluated by the selective accentuation of Human rights by Western governments, in accordance to their geopolitical ambitions. The UK is a warring party in Yemen.
(A K P)
The smiling face of a total hypocrite, complicit in the famine she laments. The role played by UK ambassadors at the UN to facilitate mass murder in Yemen is the most shameful episode of the decade. (see image9
https://twitter.com/markcurtis30/status/1044161130971779072
referring to
(A K P)
We may be losing the fight against famine in Yemen
Statement by Ambassador Karen Pierce, UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on Yemen.
Thank you to the Under-Secretary-General, and to pick up one of your points, Mark thank you very much for everything your work has to do on the ground but also all the other UN agencies. I was very struck by what you said about how large scale the relief effort is and also how it’s Yemenis helping Yemenis and I think that’s important. It was a very sobering briefing, coming on top of sobering briefings that we’ve had before. I was very struck by your phrases about lives on the line and how close we are to famine and that we may even be losing the fight. This is obviously extremely serious news. This is grave distress inflicted on the people of Yemen. We are following the escalation military fighting around Hodeidah city very closely.
I wanted to pick up on your statement and just highlight four areas.
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/we-may-be-losing-the-fight-against-famine-in-yemen
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
(A P)
Bundestag debattiert über Rüstungsexporte
terre des hommes: Kleinwaffenexporte stoppen - Rüstungsexportkontrollgesetz verabschieden
Weitere Aufrüstung Saudi-Arabiens verstößt gegen Koalitionsvertrag
Im Wirtschaftsausschuss des Deutschen Bundetags wird heute über das Thema Rüstungsexporte debattiert. Anlass sind zwei Anträge der Opposition, in denen bessere Kontrollen und ein Verbot bzw. Einschränkungen von Rüstungsexporten gefordert werden.
Anstatt dem Export von Kriegsgerät einen Riegel vorzuschieben, verstößt die Bundesregierung sogar gegen ihren Koalitionsvertrag. Dort heißt es, dass keine Waffen an Länder geliefert werden dürfen, die in Kriege oder bewaffnete Konflikte verwickelt sind. »Doch Papier ist offensichtlich geduldig. Erst letzte Woche genehmigte die Bundesregierung Rüstungsexporte nach Saudi-Arabien, obwohl die Saudis führende Kriegspartei im benachbarten Jemen sind«, kritisiert Recknagel.
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/9646/4071913
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Berlin und Riad legen diplomatische Krise bei
Deutschland und Saudi-Arabien wollen ihre Beziehungen nach einer diplomatischen Eiszeit wieder normalisieren - ein richtiger Schritt, sagt ein Experte.
Deutschland und Saudi-Arabien haben ihre diplomatische Krise nach zehn Monaten beigelegt. Außenminister Heiko Maas (SPD) und sein saudischer Amtskollege Adel al Dschubair verständigten sich am Dienstag bei einem Gespräch am Rande der UN-Vollversammlung in New York darauf, dass der im November 2017 abgezogene saudische Botschafter nach Deutschland zurückkehrt.
Saudi-Arabien hatte dafür zur Voraussetzung gemacht, dass Maas sein „ernsthaftes Bedauern“ über ein zurückliegendes „Missverständnis“ ausdrückt. Gemeint ist eine Äußerung des damaligen Außenministers Sigmar Gabriel(SPD), der Saudi-Arabien im November „Abenteurertum“ im Nahen Ostenvorgeworfen hatte. Maas sagte nun: „Wir hätten klarer in unserer Kommunikation und in unserem Engagement sein sollen, um solche Missverständnisse zwischen Deutschland und dem Königreich zu vermeiden.“
Mein Kommentar: Ein jämmerlicher Kotau. Aber das past ja gut zu den neuen Waffenlieferungen.
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Germany, Saudi Arabia agree to turn page on diplomatic dispute
Germany and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to enter a new phase in relations after a diplomatic dispute that had soured ties between the two countries.
The spat began in November when Germany’s foreign minister at the time, Sigmar Gabriel, condemned “adventurism” in the Middle East, comments that were perceived by some as an attack on increasingly assertive Saudi policies.
Riyadh dismissed the Gabriel’s comments as “shameful” and withdrew its ambassador to Germany. German exports to Saudi Arabia fell 5 percent in the first half of 2018.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been trying to ease tensions, speaking to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by telephone.
“In recent months, our relations have witnessed a misunderstanding which stand in sharp contrast to our otherwise strong and strategic ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and we sincerely regret this,” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said alongside his Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir, at the United Nations, where leaders are gathered for the annual General Assembly.
“We should have been clearer in our communication and engagement in order to avoid such misunderstandings between Germany and the kingdom,” he said.
Jubeir said he welcomed Maas’ statement and invited him to the kingdom to intensify their ties.
Earlier this month, Germany approved a delivery of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
“We’ll do our best to make this partnership with the Kingdom even stronger than before,” Maas said.
My comment: Gabriel had been right at that time. Now Germany bends the knees.
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
(* A P)
Spain secretly supported Yemen war with bomb sale to Saudi Arabia
The Defense Ministry may have to pay more than the €9.2 million it made on the sale in order to replace the 400 weapons
Spain secretly supported the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen through its controversial sale of 400 bombs to Riyadh.
The contract was signed in 2015, under the previous administration of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, of the Popular Party (PP). Under the terms of the contract, the Spanish army would sell 400 US-made laser-guided missiles to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has already paid the full sale price of €9.2 million.
But the Spanish Defense Ministry will have to replace those bombs, probably for more than the €9.2 million that Riyadh paid for them, because they were part of the army’s own reserves, which must be replenished to meet contingency plans.
If it does not sound like good business, that’s because it was never meant to be. “It was a political decision used by Spain to show support for the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war,” said a former high-ranking official with the PP government. The Rajoy administration kept this decision under wraps.
The PSOE government’s mishandling of the recent crisis has drawn attention away from the original fact: Spain entered into a secret and atypical arms sale contract that leaves many questions unanswered, such as: Why did Spain sell US-made bombs that were the property of the Spanish Defense Ministry, when typically the seller is the manufacturer? And why had Riyadh not yet bothered to collect a shipment bought in 2015, whose last installment was paid in January of this year?
Sources familiar with the transaction have told EL PAÍS that it was not merely an arms sale, but a way to provide logistical support to the Yemen intervention. It was something similar to Spain’s support for US air strikes in Syria, except that Riyadh does not need foreign bases to attack its neighbor to the south.
https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/09/26/inenglish/1537948466_727024.html
(* A P)
Prosecutors charge 169 over ‘Bahraini Hezbollah’ group
The 169 suspects in the case of formation of the so-called "Bahraini Hezbollah" terrorist group will be put on trial by the Fourth High Criminal Court on October 3, Chief of Terror Crime Prosecution Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi has said.
The suspects, including 111 in custody, were charged with forming and joining a terrorist group, detonating a bomb, attempting murder, training on the use of firearms and explosives and handling, possessing, making and using explosives and firearms and transfer.
Other charges included receiving and giving money allocated to the terrorist group, hiding ammunition and explosives and damaging public and private property.
My comment: By Saudi new site. Bahrain severely oppresses all opposition.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia thanks Bangladesh for support on Yemen crisis
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah HM Al-Mutairi has thanked Bangladesh for supporting the kingdom on the Yemen issue.
He also thanked Bangladesh for its “full condemnation” of ballistic missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia targeting the his country.
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
Siehe / Look at cp 11, cp12
cp13b Wirtschaft / Economy
Siehe / Look at cp1
(* A E)
Exchange rates today in #Taiz US$1 = buy 655 / sell 670 riyals. Economic collapse will undermine and bring all parties to their knees.
https://twitter.com/mohammedalqadhi/status/1044605042244964357
(* A E P)
Yemeni Riyal airs in front of currency and exchange shops closes in Aden
The Yemeni riyal is again at record levels in front of foreign exchange, and the dollar price reached 660 riyals Tuesday, while the Saudi riyal price reached 175 riyals, while the exchange shops in Aden were completely closed in protest against the collapse.
"The situation is catastrophic in terms of the real value of the riyal, and the riyal is expected to collapse to more levels in the next two days," said cashiers in Aden, the country's interim capital, for Al-Masdar online.
The price of the dollar two days ago was 640, the riyal would fall back 20 riyals against the dollar in a matter of days and hours only.
This comes at a time when the government and the central bank of Yemen failed to deal with the crisis and stop the collapse of the currency, despite the measures and workshops held to address the collapse of the economic situation, according to the cashiers.
On the one hand, the exchange shops were completely closed in Aden in an attempt by the cashiers to stop the collapse of the currency, according to a statement issued by the cashier's syndicate.
The statement called on Aden exchangers to stop all sales and purchases on Tuesday, while the total closure of all Exchange shops starts from Wednesday to next Saturday, due to the rapid collapse and low purchasing value of the riyal.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158715
(A E P)
Marib authorities and oil company confirm suspension of "oil derivatives" quotas for directorates and areas under Houthi control
The local authorities in Marib province and the Yemeni oil company approved the suspension of "oil derivatives " Quotas for directorates and areas under the control of the Houthis.
Marib authorities and the Yemeni oil company held a meeting on Monday to discuss issues related to enhancing the supply stability of the local market in oil derivatives conservation.
According to Saba, the meeting confirmed the suspension of the shares of the directorates and areas under the control of the Houthi militia, both affiliated to Marib Governorate on the Sanaa border or belonging to the governorates of Jawf and Al-Baydha, which are looted and traded by the Houthi militias at prices that are more than the weakening of the approved prices. Formally and in purchase invoices.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158700
(A E)
25 September 2018 exchange rates US$1 = buy 640 / sell 650 #Yemen riyals Recent Central Bank interventions to stabilize the currency not working.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1044508048369360898
(* B E H)
The fall of the local currency leaves tens of thousands destitute with each tick up in inflation. If falls to 1,000 rials to the dollar, "as many as 12 million Yemenis will be at risk of starvation," says humanitarian coordinator Lise Grande.
https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/1044279067237707776
(* B E H)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Brief Update on the impact of rapid depreciation of Local Currency (YER) against US dollar on the Prices of Essential Food and Fuel Commodities
Summary:
This update is a supplementary brief provided to serve as early warning to various stakeholders highlighting the latest impact of the ongoing fall in exchange rate of the local currency value against foreign currencies in particular to US dollar. Prices of imported and processed commodities such as sugar, wheat, rice, cooking oil and fuel, cooking gas continued with an upward trend at a much steeper rate in the past three weeks of September, following the fast depreciation, due to market factors including trader’s prices increase to match the YER value losses. For a country dependent for more than 90 % import requirements coupled with the fast depreciation of the currency will continue to worsen the livelihoods and food security of the population at famine risk.
The escalated conflict in the main port of Hodeidah which handle more than 60-70 % of the import will further constrain availability and escalate the prices of essential commodities coupled with the currency depreciation. It is also important to note that, the nominal wage and income of the Yemenis further deteriorated while the commodity prices in 2 nd week of September 2018 increased by 100% on average for the minimum food basket compared to pre-crisis prices in February 2015. Besides, the rapid depreciation of the currency, scarcity and the rise in nominal price of fuel will further push upward the prices of all commodities (imported and locally produced) through inflated transport costs.
Currency depreciation:
Over the years, the value of the Yemeni Rial (YER) has been on a downward trend against the foreign currencies. The unofficial exchange rate (buying rate) and prices of essential food commodities and fuel are collected from key markets within main capital cities and towns in 13 governorates (Abyan, Aden, Al Baidha, Ad-Dale, Al Hodeida, Dhamar, Hadramout, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahej, Shabwa, Sana’a City and Taiz). The exchange rate still continued showing increasing trend in the third week affecting the price fluctuations and increase on essential commodities compared to August 2018. At Governorate level, Aden, Hadramout (Mukalla), Ad-Dale and Hodeidah had the highest increase in exchange rate by 13%, and 12% respectively, followed by Sanaa City, Taiz, Lahej and Shabwah with an increase of 11% compared to the average exchange rates in August 2018. Hadramout and Aden are the most affected governorates during the third week of September 2018.
(* B E)
Infographics: Yemen: Exchange Rates and Inflation Trends (as of 23 September 2018)
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-exchange-rates-and-inflation-trends-23-september-2018
(* A E)
In coalition/government-Aden, Yemeni rial is trading at 645 to the US dollar. In Houthi-run Sanaa, it is trading at 635 to the dollar, news websites reported today. It has fallen by more than 200% since the war began in late 2014. Rival governments are just obsessed with war.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1044129205435412481
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
(* B T)
Al-Qaeda’s Future in a War-torn Yemen
The Saudi-led coalition’s focus on driving out the Houthis has given Al-Qaeda more room to regroup in Yemen.
Yet not only has its three-year long intervention been fruitless and come at the cost of civilian lives, its overwhelming focus on the Houthis has given Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) room to expand.
Moreover, the UAE’s claims of a successful campaign against AQAP over the past year are likely misleading, considering Emirati officials in August 2018 falsely claimed only 200 AQAP fighters remain in Yemen—in contrast to the Yemeni government’s estimates of 6000–7000 fighters. Rather, the group still continues its assaults in Yemen.
AQAP is currently focused more on controlling Yemen than on international attacks, owing its success to establishing financial networks, tailoring its ideology to attract disenfranchised Yemenis, and cooperating with local tribal factions. While it still upholds Al-Qaeda’s extremist Salafi ideology, including enforcing an Islamic penal code in Abyan and an inconsistently applied ban on the popular narcotic qat, AQAP has often moderated its image to gain Yemenis’ trust and support.
AQAP’s financial prowess helps it capitalize on Yemen’s destabilization. In 2015, it reportedly stole around $100 million from the central bank branch in Mukalla. It has used this money to pursue a “robin hood” strategy to win public support, for example by paying doctors’ salaries and repairing bridges and streets—leading some Yemenis to voice approval for AQAP’s presence.
AQAP has further benefited from even stronger ties with local tribes who also oppose the Houthis and seek AQAP’s protection.
To contain AQAP, the UAE has reportedly trained tens of thousands of Yemeni troops in a ground campaign against the faction, and claims credit for pushing it from Mukalla. Although these efforts, along with U.S. airstrikes, dealt a blow to some of AQAP’s financial links that relied on strategic control of ports and urban centers, the extent of the campaign’s success appears to have been exaggerated.
Even in Mukalla, AQAP fighters were given a safe retreat and have merely relocated. While this push forced the group to move further into the interior in the provinces of Hadramawt, Bayda, and Bayan, it still has freedom to operate, indicating the coalition has little determination to eliminate them while it is focused primarily on driving out the Houthis.
While the Yemeni state continues to disintegrate and warring factions focus on a military rather than a diplomatic solution, AQAP will likely continue to expand and capitalize on Yemenis’ frustrations – by JONATHAN FENTON-HARVEY
https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/77334
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Yemeni Politicians: Houthi Project Fails Without Weapons
Yemeni politicians and activists affirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Houthi group would never approve coexistence with the Yemeni community due to the Iranian intellectual organization that is controlling the group and the weaponry which it rejects to withdraw because it is the key factor to impose its intellectual agenda by force on the Yemeni components.
The Houthi group intended to foil the last round of negotiations sponsored by the UN in Geneva, in which its delegation absented itself under weak pretexts. This made the observers certain that the militias are not serious in the quest towards peace.
Faris Al-Beel, a political analyst and college professor, said that the Yemenis’ problem with Houthis is the difference between the project of death and the project of state. He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthi militias appeared with anti-sectarian coexistence ideas and imposed their approach by the power of weapons in favor of a foreign project.
Commenting on the core problem between Yemenis and Houthis, Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said that the main problem is represented in the group’s reliance on weapons. However, political researcher and writer Thabet Al Ahmadi considered that the historic problem of Houthis rests in its intellect.
My comment: How so often, it is propaganda that shows the “historic problem” of the authors’ “intellect”.
(A P)
Yemen monitor, UK condemn Houthi discrimination against other groups
Houthi militia elements discriminate against Yemeni people who do not belong to their tribe, Saudi state TV Al-Ekhbariya has reported, quoting a statement from the Yemeni Coalition for Monitoring Human Rights Violations.
“The Houthi militia considers discrimination a part of its religious heritage,” the human rights group said, explaining that the Iran-backed group practices violence against other sects and religions.
The statement stressed that the Houthi militias have become a threat to coexistence and social peace in Yemen.
The Houthis forced the displacement of many Yemeni families from their homes, which have been racially motivated, the group claimed.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1378121/middle-east
(A P)
The #UAE militia wing in Yemen mounts a frantic media campaign to paint the southern Yemeni Harak group - led by key Harak leader Hassan Baoum from Hadhramaut - as a Houthi, Iran/Qatar/Hezbollah-supported group (look at image)
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1044839279657136129
(A P)
Khalifa Ben Zaid Foundation for Humanitarian Works Deliver 8000 Disks and Chairs to Schools of Socotra
Khalifa Ben Zaid Foundation for Humanitarian Works delivered 8000 disks and chairs to schools of Socotra. This is part of UAE support to the educational sector in Socotra
My comment: By Southern separatists, who are flattering their Emirati supporters. – The Emirates want to keep boots on the ground at Socotra to exploit the island in various ways.
(A P)
Saudi Ambassador to UN: Yemen’s crisis is caused by the Houthis
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah al-Mouallimi said Monday that the crisis in Yemen is caused by the Houthis who decided to break international laws and violate the will of the Yemeni people.
The diplomat added: “Let us not forget that the crisis in Yemen is not man-made, but is the work of the Houthis. They decided to break international laws, they chose to topple the legitimate government and to oppose the will of the Yemeni people and the International community.”
For his part, Yemeni Foreign Minister Khalid al-Yamani said that the humanitarian file is being extorted for blackmail and called on the United Nations to release reports on the theft of humanitarian aid by the Houthi militias.
The Yemeni FM said that “Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait provided half of what Yemen needs and the gangs of the Houthi stole a large part of them.”
(A P)
Houthis storm World Food Program stores in Hodeidah for the second time
On Monday, the Houthi militia stormed the World Food Program (WFP) warehouses in Hamadi, in Hodeidah province, west of Yemen.
The Houthi militia also stormed the program administrative offices, searched the entire files and contents, and separated the surveillance cameras of the site.
According to local sources, the Houthi militia forced the security escorts of the program to permanently open the North gate of the site to take the place as a war barracks and as a refuge for militia fighters in order to avoid targeting their movements by the coalition.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158706
(A P)
Iranian Military Ship Operates Under Commercial Cover off Hodeidah
The Arab coalition fighting in support of the legitimate Yemeni government said on Monday it has spotted Iranian military using spying devices to monitor ships crossing the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb.
Spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the Coalition discovered that an Iranian-registered commercial ship was actually a military one named Safiz, monitoring ships passing through the Strait of Bab Al-Mandeb by using listening devices and sending military experts to Yemen.
"Our operations continue against suspicious ships that are threatening international shipping in the Red Sea," Maliki said.
Hodeidah port is a vital lifeline for aid shipments to Yemen.
Maliki accused the Iranian regime of continuing to violate international law and destabilize the security of the region and the world.
The ship is assisting Houthi militias in threatening the international navigation, he added.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/158710
(A P)
KSRelief launches project to distribute 10,500 food baskets in Marib, Yemen
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) launched today a project to distribute 10,500 food baskets in Marib governorate.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1818101
(A P)
Saudi Crown Prince: We Will Not Allow Any Attack on Our Sovereignty
Saudi Arabia is proud of its achievements and position on international, Islamic and Arab arenas and its influential role in achieving regional and international security and peace, stated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense.
Speaking on the 88th National Day, the Crown Prince took the opportunity to recall the achievements of the country’s founder King Abdul Aziz and his sons. He praised the growth and prosperity achieved under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
The Crown Prince stressed that the kingdom will remain steadfast in the principles of tolerant Islam, a religion of moderation, and in fighting extremism and terrorism.
Saudi Arabia will continue to “protect Islam’s principles of tolerance, and continue its war on terrorism,” he said.
The Prince warned that no one will be allowed to attack the sovereignty of the kingdom or tamper with its security.
My comment: The Saudi form of Islam is Wahabism, and this is the exact opposite to any “tolerant Islam, a religion of moderation”. – Sovereignty: Saudi Arabia does not care when attacking the sovereignty of Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Qatar…
(A P)
Why a political solution in Yemen remains elusive
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) last Friday organized a conference in New York on the challenges to finding a political solution in Yemen. The failure to reach an agreement can be easily blamed on Houthi intransigence, but some responsibility also lies with the UN, which has failed to press the militia into living up to its commitments, therefore unwittingly enabling its stonewalling.
The high-level gathering, held on the fourth anniversary of the Houthi seizure of Sanaa on Sept. 21, 2014, also explored how the slow pace of recovery and stabilization in areas under government control has hindered the political process.
Yemen represents that rare conflict where there is in fact a national, regional and international consensus on the shape of a political solution. That consensus is found in the GCC Initiative of 2011 and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference of 2013-2014, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015. Despite that consensus, a political solution has so far proved elusive.
So today, despite the efforts of three UN special envoys, we are no closer to a political solution than we were four years ago. We can identify at least five reasons why.
First, mediators have been rewarding bad behavior. As UN envoys tried in vain to bridge the gap between the government and the rebels, alternative channels were pursued by other well-intentioned mediators. New proposals were put on the table, making the Houthis believe that their intransigence was paying off.
The third reason why peace has been elusive is Iran, which is using the Houthis as a proxy in its efforts to expand its influence in the region
Finally, a lack of real knowledge in the West about the Houthis’ sectarian vision for Yemen has led some Western groups to support the rebels.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1377006
My comment: What this really means: The UN should only care for the Saudi coalition’s commitments and preconditions, which are named again. – Be aware that there is no “international consensus” on the so-called “three references” of the Saudi coalition. Only UN SC resolution 2216 is internationally acknowledged; and this resolution, which had been dictated by Saudi Arabia (!!!!) is totally biased, had been an obstruction to all peace efforts and must be replaced by a new and neutral approach. – the rest is blaming the Houthis and Iran and even Western critics of the Saudi coalition warfare.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia, UAE ‘lead way in fighting terror ideology’
Governments around the world need a coherent, global strategy to uproot the ideology of violent extremism, former British prime minister Tony Blair says. In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, they already knew that — and have been acting on it for years.
Organizations such as the Saudi-based Ideological Warfare Center and Muslim World League, and Hedayah and the Sawab Center in the UAE, are classic examples of the “prevention is better than cure” methods that Blair calls for on Thursday in a report by his Institute for Global Change.
“Extremism is a global challenge prevalent now in both developing and developed states, so the discourse has to be beyond fragile states only,” said Hassan Abbas, professor of international security studies at the National Defense University in Washington. “Enabling civil society workers to promote coexistence is a much-needed agenda item as it will lead to local capacity-building as well as acknowledgement of good work already being done — rather than misguided attempts to reinvent the wheel.”
Dr Majid Rafizadeh, Iranian-American pol- itical scientist, president of the International American Council and board member of the Harvard International Review. “The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been leading states in using soft power, security, setting up public and private institutions that raise awareness about extremist ideologies, initiating dialogues between different societies, as well as taking regional and global initiatives to uproot terrorism and extremist ideologies.”
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1371241/saudi-arabia
My comment: Saudi Wahabism IS the ideology of terrorism. „Coexistance“ is no Saudi-Wahabist value at all. Just remember that IS and Saudi schoolbooks were very much the same; just read Saudi schoolbooks on Jews, Christians, Shiites, „Takfiri“. What to say about „coexistance“ with liberal ideas and human rights when those propagating such values are jailed and flogged in Saudi Arabia?
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
Siehe / Look at cp1c
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids day by day:
September 24: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1537880531./1144460742370956/?type=3
September 23: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1537793654./1143777095772654/?type=3
(* B K pH)
Film: destruction in the port of Tawal in Hajjah 25-09-2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92nUvwPtw8I
(A K pH)
Aggression’s Daily Update for Tuesday, September 25th, 2018
In Hodiedah, two civilians were killed and others were injured when the US-Saudi Aggression targeted a car on the road between Zabid and Al-Jarahi, the US-Saudi aerial aggression prevented the paramedics to rescue them.
In Sa'ada, a child was killed by an airstrike in Adhdhaher district, two raids were launched on the same district later.
US-Saudi aggression launched 12 raids on Baqim district.
Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Munnabih border district.
In Taiz, the US-Saudi aggression launched a raid on Haifan district.
In Aseer frontline, the aggression launched 12 raids during an infiltrate trying of their mercenaries on Al-sood hills off Alab crossing.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2981&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
12 Saudi aggression air strikes hit Saada
The strikes hit various areas of Baqim district, leaving heavy losses the citizens' properties
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news509353.htm
(* A K pH)
3 civilians killed, 7 injured in Saudi airstrikes on Yemeni provinces
At least 3 citizens were killed and 7 others were wounded in Saudi-led coalition’s airstrikes on Hodeidah, Saada and Lahj province with a Saudi artillery and missile during the past 24 hours, a military official told Saba on Tuesday .
In Hodeidah province , six children from one family were injured when an airstrikes hit a village in al-Tahta district.
The coalition aircrafts also waged three raids on Poultry farm in Taribah area in Zabid district, killing two citizens and one other air raid Near off Thabit Industrial Complex in al-Hally district.
In Lahj province, pregnant woman, was killed when artillery shelling hit a citizens' houses in al-Haidain area.
In Saada province, a Saudi missile and artillery shelling targeted Razih district.
Moreover, four air raids targeted al-Daher and Kataf districts and three air raids on Takia area in Mjz district , while two others hit Baqim district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news509287.htm
and
(A K pH)
Film: Two crimes of the Air Aggression in Zabid and Hita in Hodeidah 24-09-2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYNR5tUPS8
(* A K pH)
6 Citizens Killed in US-Saudi Aggression Strikes on Hodeidah
Al-Masirah Net correspondent pointed out that six citizens from the same family were killed Monday in a raid by the US-Saudi aerial aggression in Attohayata district, Hodeidah province.
Two citizens were killed and a third was wounded Monday in a raid by the US-Saudi aerial aggression in Hodeidah province.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2962&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
This is just some of the remnants and containers of the cluster bombs that I saw in Saada last week. Some made in US, UK (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1044250559853858817
(A K pH)
Aggression’s Daily Update for Sunday, September 23rd, 2018
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2951&cat_id=1
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
(A K pH)
Pregnant Woman Killed by Saudi-Mercenaries Shells in Lahj
A pregnant woman was killed on Monday by the bombing of the US-Saudi aggression mercenaries on the southern province of Lahj.
A local source told Al-Masirah Net that the Saudi-mercenaries targeted homes of citizens in Al-Hadin area of Lahj.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=2959&cat_id=1
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-461-yemen-war-mosaic-461
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-461 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-461:
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/
und alle Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:
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