... Leid alter Menschen im Krieg – Schwangere Frauen in Gefahr – Eine neue UN-Resolution muss her –Warum sich nichts ändern wird – US-Aufruf zu Waffenstillstand ist Täuschung – Kampf zwischen Al Kaida und IS – MSF beendet Arbeit in Al Dhale – Wie man ein guter Mainstream-Journalist wird – Hodeidah: Vormarsch der Koalitionstruppen, heftige Luftangriffe, Krankenhäuser bedroht, Zivilisten eingeschlossen – und mehr
Nov. 10, 2018: Figures of victims – 34 NGO’s call – Yemen War is genocide – Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Backgrounds (in German) – Famine looming – The photo of girl Amal – The suffering of old people in the war – Pregnant women in danger – A new UN resolution is required –Why nothing will change – US calls for ceasefire a scam – US anti-Iranian paranoia – Strife between Al Qaeda and IS – MSF finishes work in Al Dhale – How to be a good mainstream journalist – Hodeidah: Coalition troops advancing, fierce air raids, hospitals in danger, civilians trapped – and more
Dieses Jemenkrieg-Mosaik besteht aus zwei Teilen / This Yemen War Mosaic is divided in two parts
Teil 1 / Part 1:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-478-yemen-war-mosaic-478
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Kursiv: Teil 2 / Italics: Part 2
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
cp1b1 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Deutsch/ Most important: Hodeidah battle: German
cp1b2 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Englisch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: English
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
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp13c 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
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
Siehe / Look at cp7
(* A K P)
Dozens of killed, wounded child soldiers brought to Hajjah
Over 100 killed and wounded persons, most of them are children who fought with Houthis in Hodeida, were brought to hospitals of Hajjah.
Houthi militias are increasing their recruitment of children as they are facing mounting resistance in different Yemeni areas.
Chief of General Staff Tahir al-Aqili has called the international community and human rights organization to shoulder their responsibilities and pressuring the Houths to end their constant recruitment of children.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25108
Remark: As claimed by an anti-Houthi website.
(A P)
Parliament discusses citizens' living conditions
The Parliament on Wednesday discussed the difficult living conditions of citizens and their suffering due to high prices of goods and services and the instability of the national currency value against foreign currencies.
The parliament urged the concerned authorities to activate their role in monitoring the exchange rates and markets.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513872.htm
for Parliament, also: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513845.htm
(* A P)
Attacks on Yemen increased after US demand for ceasefire: Houthi
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement says the extent of Saudi-led military aggression on his conflict-ridden country has intensified ever since US President Donald Trump’s administration demanded a ceasefire and the launch of UN-led political talks to end the ongoing war there.
“The US role in the military operations against our nation is pivotal. All fiendish plots against Yemen are hatched by the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Traitors just struggle to carry them out on the ground. Washington is speaking of peace at the same time that it is directing the Yemen war. Traitors are operating under the auspices of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and executing their orders,” Houthi pointed out.
“The United States has managed to reap tremendous financial gains, including arms deals, from the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen. Washington is supporting the Riyadh regime to be able to stand its feet. It is also managing the violent and criminal role of Saudi Arabia. The recent uptick in attacks on Yemen comes as a number of (Persian) Gulf littoral states, notably Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are warming their relations with the Zionist regime (of Israel),” the Ansarullah leader commented.
“No matter what ammunition and military hardware the enemies might have at their disposal, we should reserve any worries. No matter what meaningless and baseless remarks they would make, they have no right and legitimacy to attack Yemen as an independent and sovereign country,” Houthi said
“Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not launched the war on Yemen for the sake of any specific Yemeni group. They view their loyal Yemeni groups as pawns to attain their objectives. Saudi Arabia has suffered substantial losses in its border regions. It has paid huge sums of money to scores of Yemenis in a bid to use them as cannon fodder. Emiratis are also using their Yemeni mercenaries as human shields. Emirati officers are taking orders from their American, Israeli and British masters,” the Ansarullah chief pointed out (with film)
and shorter: https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/11/7/yemen-houthi-chief-vows-no-surrender-amid-hodeida-battle
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3655&cat_id=1
(A P)
The sports journalist Abbad Aljaradi was released by #Houthi militia after abducting him months ago for writing for one of the Gulf sports websites. Aljaradi was the media officer in the Sana'a unit team. More than 15 journalists have been held in militia prisons since 2014
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1059876705345695745
(A P)
Inter- al Houthi clashes escalated after some al Houthi forces withdrew from Haradh district, Hajjah governorate, northern Yemen on November 6, according to Saudi and Emirati news sources. Strikes by Saudi-led coalition aircraft ended the clashes.[4]
(A K P)
Abdulsalam Reveals False Allegations of US-Saudi Aggression
Spokesman for Ansarallah and head of the National Delegation, Mohamed Abdelsalam, on Tuesday commented on the allegations of the coalition of aggression on defeating the Army and the Popular Committees, describing these allegations lies.
"The psychologically defeated and their militarily, politically and morally failure of those who are involved in such lies is what make them promote these lies," Abdulsalam said in a tweet on Twitter.
"The US-Saudi aggression against Yemen has been mad of mercenaries, ISIS, Qaada, US, Israel, Britain, and countless funding it. Only the Yemeni People, who his trust in God, make them appear defeated like this," he added.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3627&cat_id=1
(A K P)
Head of Supreme Revolutionary to US-Saudi Aggression: The Only Way to Escape The Predicament is Dialogue
The head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammad Ali Al-Houthi, stressed that the only solution for the US-Saudi forces to escape their predicament is dialogue, pointing out that the recent escalation of the forces will be confronted by the Army and Popular Committees and will be encountered by them.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3631&cat_id=1
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
(* B P)
Yemen’s Second-in-Command May Have a Second Coming
Gen. Ali Mohsen could wind up as interim president despite his unpalatability to various parties, so Washington should prepare accordingly to avoid derailing peace talks.
Another factor merits more scrutiny, however: the declining health of Yemeni president Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi
Some observers suggest that Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who represented the government at the recent IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, is in charge as his boss recovers.
Appointed as vice president in April 2016, Ali Mohsen was the preeminent military commander during the three-decade rule of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. As such, he supported Yemeni mujahedin in Afghanistan in the 1980s, then recruited many of them back home to fight a civil war against the south in 1994. In the process, he cultivated relationships with extremist clerics and militants who would later be tied to terrorist activity inside Yemen. He also led a war against the Houthis in 2004-2010.
Given his affinity for Islamists and his commanding role in past wars against the south and the Houthi movement, Ali Mohsen is reviled across much of Yemen and objectionable to both the United States and the United Arab Emirates. His rise to power—even temporarily—could deepen existing divisions in Yemen, spark a crisis within the coalition, and potentially disrupt future peace talks.
ALI MOHSEN AND THE SOUTH
If Ali Mohsen becomes president, it would deepen secessionist sentiment among southerners, who see him as the face of the 1994 north-south civil war that resulted in their defeat and the country’s continued unification.
THREATENING COALITION COHESION
Ali Mohsen’s track record also makes him unpalatable to the United States and the UAE, so his ascension could create issues within the coalition if not aptly anticipated. For Washington, he represents a part of the Yemeni establishment that has long been too close to al-Qaeda elements
ENDANGERING PEACE TALKS
If history is any guide, a peace delegation led by Ali Mohsen would be a point of contention with the Houthis. Hadi promoted him to vice president a week before Kuwait was scheduled to host a previous round of negotiations in 2016—a move that stunted the talks, which ultimately failed.
Notably, the general detests the Houthis just as much as they detest him.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
The United States should anticipate that Ali Mohsen may become Yemen’s de facto leader during peace negotiations, even if only on a temporary basis.
My comment: The author is obviously right. – But, as she refers to the Yemeni constitution, just as a reminder: “President” Hadi had been elected as an interim president only. His term (with extension already) definitely ended on February 25, 2015. His “presidency” (as all “vice presidencies”) after this date are illegitimate.
(* B P)
The Fate of Yemen’s Baha’is
But it is not common to learn that the Houthis, the Islamic extremist group who are fighting the Saudis, are persecuting the minority of Baha’is currently living and working in Yemen.
The Houthi regime believes that Baha’is are fighting a “Satanic war” against Muslim Yemenis. In the last five years, in particular, spiteful rhetoric has intensified.
Since December 3, 2013 Hamed bin Haydara, a Baha’i leader, has been imprisoned, indicted for apostasy and accused of “being a destroyer of Islam.”
The National Security Office raided his home and seized laptops and documents. Reports indicate that he has been tortured (beaten and electrocuted).
He has also been denied legal and medical assistance.
In October 2014, Hamed was transferred to the Central Prison under the jurisdiction of the Prosecution Service. But the process of prosecution has been delayed. He was accused of being a spy for Israel; medical requests were repeatedly blocked; his prosecutor was extremely prejudiced against Hamed; he had been forced to sign several documents while blindfolded and repeated torture.
By mid-September of 2016, it was plainly evident that a faction within the Houthi political movement was under the influence of Iran. Hatred of Baha’is runs deep in Iran, and they pushed the Houthi faction to persecute the Yemeni Baha’is.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/11/09/the-fate-of-yemens-bahais/
Comment: Well the author of this article has a position that I guess is close to the position of Israel and US on Iran. The Baha'i have been treated appallingly by all warring groups in Yemen, from the Houthis to Al Qaeda, but more of them are in the area under Houthi control. But I would hardly say that oppression is confined to the Houthis in Yemen. Most of the government officials in Hadi's government say that they are contained and controlled by the coalition forces.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157135889393641
(A T)
Military Source: The package that killed two soldiers in Shabam Hadramawt was remotely detonated by telephone
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160794
(A E P)
Maeen: Government will provide foreign currency to all traders alike
Prime Minister Maeen Abdul Malik said Thursday that the government will provide the foreign currency for all traders alike, in order to import foodstuffs, and that the central Bank of Yemen's mechanism to benefit from the Saudi deposit is easy and convenient.
This came during a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hadramawt province
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160771
(A T)
Security Belt of Lahj Arrests a Prominent Terrorist of ISIS
https://en.smanews.org/security-belt-of-lahj-arrests-a-prominent-terrorist-of-isis
Remark: UAE-backed separatist militia.
(B P)
#Aden: drugs, bootleg drinks, assassinations, outlaws, militias and terrorists in police and military uniforms and a puppet and incompetent government. Come on guys, salute the UAE!
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1060686906005037056
(A P)
Head of government: We focus our efforts on the oil and gas sectors
Prime Minister Maeen Abdul Malik said on Wednesday that the government is concentrating its efforts on reducing spending, increasing the volume of income, and that interest in the oil and gas sectors is a priority.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160747
(A P)
Wounded of Taiz close the province's headquarters to demand the payment of the wounded outside the country
Dozens of war-wounded protesters marched in the southwestern city of Taiz on Wednesday to demand the payment of financial benefits to the wounded outside the country, who are receiving treatment at hospitals in India, Egypt and Sudan.
According to the Al-masdar online, the demonstrators sealed off the gate of the oil company's headquarters, which was temporarily based in the province, and raised angry slogans and cheers in front of the Headquarters gate.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160751
(A E)
Marib's security foils smuggling 2 million and 610 thousand dollars and 9 million Saudi riyals
The security services in Marib province, east of the capital Sana'a, foiled Wednesday the smuggling of 2 million and 610 thousand US dollars and 9 million Saudi riyals in two different operations.
According to the state news agency Saba, director general of the province's police Abdul-malik al-Madani, security forces in the al-Jubah district seized two million and 610 thousand dollars in a car (hyluxe) and the defendants were arrested.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160752
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25109
(A)
Refusing to grant them financial royalties. A civilian killed by gunmen in Aden
A civilian was killed Wednesday in a commercial town in the southern city of Aden by gunmen who tried to force him to pay financial royalties.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160754
(A T)
The Emirati-backed Shabwani Elite Forces arrested multiple AQAP militants in Khaurah district, Shabwah governorate, eastern Yemen, on November 6.[2]
(A K P)
Yemen defense minister appointed after 3-year vacancy
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi has appointed a new defense minister, filling a post that had remained vacant for more than three years.
According to a presidential decree issued Wednesday evening and carried by Yemen’s SABA news agency, the position was given to Lieutenant-General Mohamed Ali al-Maqdashi.
The same decree also announced the appointment of Major-General Abdullah Salem al-Nakhei as army chief-of-staff and Major-General Taher al-Aqili as military adviser to the president.
The post of defense minister has remained vacant since March of 2015, when the last defense minister, Mahmoud al-Subaihi, was captured by Houthi rebels in Yemen’s southern Lahj province.
According to SABA, a second decree was issued late Wednesday appointing Ahmed Salem Rabie as governor of Aden (which has served as the government’s interim headquarters since 2015), replacing outgoing governor Abdulaziz al-Muflehi.
Al-Muflehi, who currently resides in Saudi Arabia, announced his resignation last year, blaming the Yemeni government for Aden’s deteriorating security situation
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-defense-minister-appointed-after-3-year-vacancy/1305970
and
(A K P)
Hadi Reorders Army in Preparation for Field Escalation Against Militias
A number of military observers suggested that Hadi has finally been convinced that the post of defense minister should not stay vacant after all attempts by the Houthi militias to release former defense minister Mahmoud al-Subaihi have failed.
Commenting on Hadi's decision to appoint a new defense minister, Yemeni activists said they believe the move would facilitate regional efforts and mediation by the Houthi group to release Subaihi since he is no longer a defense minister.
and
(B P)
Yemen's new defence minister and notoriously corrupt official, Mohammed Al-Makdishi, with his sons, including the groom wearing all this gold. Photo circulated by social media activists (photo)
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1060884263409721344
(A P T)
Pro-AQAP wires claim 2 soldiers were killed & 2 injured yesterday in Hadramawt's Shibam province defusing land mines sown by #AQAP. Local media says that the #Yemen military responded by rounding up c.20 men in Shibam. Their families deny any link & are demanding their release
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1059954880998244353
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
Siehe / Look at cp1
(* A K P)
Bachelet urges States with the power and influence to end starvation, killing of civilians in Yemen
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Saturday expressed outrage at the “unconscionable toll” that the escalation of hostilities in Al Hodeidah was taking on an already “deeply frightened and starving” population in Yemen. Bachelet urged the Saudi-led Coalition, the Houthi forces and all those supplying arms to the parties to the conflict to take immediate steps to end the suffering of civilians in Yemen.
“The Saudi-led Coalition and pro-Hadi forces, the Houthi forces – and those who supply arms or other support to the parties to the conflict – all have the power or the influence to stop the starvation and killing of civilians, to give some reprieve to the people of Yemen,” Bachelet said.
“Violations by one party to the conflict do not give carte blanche to the others to fight back at all costs. Even wars are regulated by law – all parties to the conflict are bound to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law as applicable.”
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=23855&LangID=E
(* A P)
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi
November 9, 2018:
’We want peace for Yemen, but Saudi airstrikes must stop’
[Mohammed Ali al-Houthi is the head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee]
The continued escalation of attacks against the port city of Hodeida in Yemen by the U.S.-Saudi-Emirati coalition confirms that the American calls for a cease-fire are nothing but empty talk. The recent statements are trying to mislead the world. Saudi leaders are reckless and have no interest in diplomacy. The United States has the clout to bring an end to the conflict — but it has decided to protect a corrupt ally.
Any observer of the crimes committed in Yemen by Saudi Arabia — a campaign that has been accompanied by disinformation and a blockade of journalists trying to cover the war — can offer an account of the indiscriminate killing thousands of civilians, mostly through airstrikes.
Their attacks have led to the greatest humanitarian crisis on earth.
The brutality of the Saudi regime was reflected in the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And it can be seen in the military escalation and airstrikes in Hodeida and other cities, in defiance of all international warnings.
The blockade of the port city is meant to bring the Yemeni people to their knees.
The coalition is using famine and cholera as weapons of war. It is also extorting the United Nations by threatening to cut their funds, as if it were a charity and not a responsibility required under international law and Security Council resolutions.
The United States wants to be viewed as an honest mediator — but it is in fact participating and sometimes leading the aggression on Yemen.
We are defending ourselves — but we don’t have warplanes like the ones that bomb Yemenis with banned ammunition. We can’t lift the blockade imposed on Yemeni imports and exports. We cannot cancel the air embargo and allow daily flights, or end the ban of importing basic commodities, medicines and medical equipment from any place other than the United Arab Emirates, as it is imposing on Yemeni business executives.
And the list goes on.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/11/09/houthi-leader-we-want-peace-for-yemen-but-saudi-airstrikes-must-stop = https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2001637186555968
My comment: Of course biased propaganda language, but still more reasonable compared to Saudi coalition and Hadi government propaganda. But of course he turns a blind eye at own perpetrations:
Comment by Hisham Al-Omeisy: Hold up. You're quoting folks notorious for silencing dissent? Pot calling kettle black doesn't even begin to decribe how convoluted this is, and no amount of mental gymnastics can justify it. Wow, just Wow!
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1061005075089367040
Comment by ex-ambassador Feierstein: It is shameful that the WaPo ran this piece of Houthi agit-prop full of ridiculous assertions and outright lies. I understand their desire to slam the Saudis over Jamal’s murder but this post makes the Post look foolish and incredibly naive.
https://twitter.com/j_feierstein/status/1061027250529804288
My comment to comment: This is not true. At least, you should concede that the WaPo gives space to both sides of the war, as it did now. Up to now, only pro-Saudi propaganda was given space by the WaPo.
Comment: Way off the yellow brick road, now. Death to America (except the Washington Post)!!
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1061108702818775041
Comment by Kristine Beckerle, HRW: 1. Left out of Mohammed al-Houthi's @washingtonpost piece: Houthi use of landmines--antipersonnel and other types indiscriminately. Houthi arbitrary detention, disappearance, torture and hostage-taking. Recruitment of kids. The list goes on.
#Saudi #UAE coalition has done awful things, but that doesn't whitewash crimes of the Houthi armed group. Still waiting to see Houthis take real steps to stop abuses against Yemenis, steps entirely within Houthi reach to take, within Mohammed al-Houthi's power to push for.
https://twitter.com/K_Beckerle/status/1061141485750571008
Comment: I'm used to reading Houthi propaganda lines like "the US is leading aggression" and "US’ calling to stop the war on Yemen is to save face after the humiliation caused by Saudi Arabia" in places like al Masirah and Saba News but never though I would see this in the Washington Post
https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1060997093580509184
(* A P)
Situation in Yemen shows US reluctance to end conflict — Russian foreign ministry
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "so far, everything indicates that the US side is not planning to change its policy in Yemen".
The escalation of the conflict in Yemen makes one question the sincerity of the United States’ statements on the necessity to finish the active phase of the conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
"Notably, such a negative development is taking place against the backdrop of recent calls of the US administration on all parties to the Yemeni conflict to cease hostilities in a span of one month and begin peace talks with mediation by United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths. Taking into account that Washington is offering direct military support to the coalition units fighting in Yemen, the sincerity of the United States’ statements in favor of the soonest end of the active phase of the Yemeni conflict is called to question," the ministry said.
"So far, everything indicates that the US side is not planning to change its policy in Yemen and the parties to the armed confrontation in that country are still staking on settling the conflict by force," the ministry stressed.
The ministry noted the increased intensity of hostilities around the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida which is used to deliver food, medicines and other daily essentials to Yemen. "It is yet another attempt of the coalition to storm and seize the city, which will inevitably entail numerous casualties not only among the warring parties but also among civilians. We have repeatedly warned about catastrophic consequences of such an operation," the ministry said.
The ministry emphasized that there is no military solution to the Yemeni conflict
http://tass.com/politics/1030197
(* A P)
Audio: Elisabeth Kendall: #Yemen peace talks in #Sweden would be greatly helped by a new UN Security Council resolution. The current one enshrines Hadi as President & implies Houthis must disarm & withdraw 1st. UN must call on all sides to cease hostilities & allow aid in. Here's my take for BBC Newshour
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1060884033083662336
(* A P)
Sweden joins calls for stronger action to end Yemen war
Sweden, the Netherlands and Peru rejected the draft text proposed by China, which chairs the council this month, and drafted by Britain, saying it did not address their concerns about the dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
"We feel that the current situation above all else warrants a resolution that gives both the special envoy and OCHA the support they need to take a step towards ending the conflict in Yemen and the suffering of the Yemeni people," the trio said in an email to the council seen by AFP.
https://www.thelocal.se/20181108/sweden-joins-calls-for-stronger-action-to-end-yemen-war
(* A P)
UN Security Council divided on how hard to press Saudis over Yemen
A debate over how hard to pressure Saudi Arabia to take the lead in halting the war in Yemen is dividing Western allies on the UN Security Council as they seek to draft a resolution addressing what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.
With the toll of the three-year civil war and the threat of a widening famine growing, there is a consensus among the 15 members of the Security Council that they should step up pressure to end the fighting, according to four diplomats familiar with the discussions.
But the Security Council members are divided over how strongly to condemn the role of the Saudi-led coalition versus the Houthi rebels, who are believed to be backed by Iran. The U.K. has taken the lead on drafting a statement, but on Wednesday the Netherlands, Sweden, Peru, and Poland rejected a draft text on the issue because they felt it wasn’t strong enough in addressing Saudi Arabia’s role in the crisis as well as other Yemeni forces, diplomats said.
As international pressure builds, the five permanent and 10 rotating members of the council are now back in talks aimed at eventually drafting a resolution, according to the diplomats. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that Yemen is on the precipice of "imminent catastrophe.” – by David Wainer, Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-08/how-hard-to-press-saudis-over-yemen-divides-un-security-council = https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/08/11/2018/UN-Security-Council-divided-on-how-hard-to-press-Saudis-over-Yemen
(* A P)
At the UN, diplomats were working frantically to get agreement on a draft resolution by next Friday that would demand a ceasefire and the free flow of humanitarian aid. But there is concern that the US is demanding the draft include passages criticising Iran’s role in Yemen that might be sufficient to prompt a Russian veto. Sweden is leading calls for a full resolution and believes it now has the support of the British.
China has been pushing for a political declaration passed by consensus, something that has less legal force. The UN special envoy Martin Griffiths is due to brief the security council next Friday and on Thursday called on Saudi Arabia to end the violence.
He said: “Any military escalation does not help efforts to launch the political process. No one wants to see a catastrophe in Hodeidah.”
My comment: It’s unbearable that the US tries to misuse the urgent need for UN action on Yemen for it’s anti-Iranian paranoia policy.
(* A B P)
UN pushes back Yemen peace talks
The recent statements by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis expressing support for Griffiths’ Yemen peace efforts are good, but senior US government officials, in particular Pompeo, need to give Yemen more sustained, high-level attention, for the UN efforts to succeed, former US Ambassador to Yemen Gerald Feierstein said.
“When John Kerry was still there, he made it one of his priorities, and he spent a fair amount of time trying personally to advance negotiations,” Feierstein, now with the Middle East Institute, told Al-Monitor. “My view has always been that Pompeo needs to do the same thing.”
Feierstein proposed that Pompeo work with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to revive the Friends of Yemen group to give strong international backing to Griffiths’ peace efforts, and which can also offer inducements to the parties in the talks.
“What you want to do is provide strong, international support for what Martin Griffiths is doing,” Feierstein said. “You want to empower Griffiths.”
The British have generally taken the lead in international efforts on Yemen, including at the UN Security Council and through the Friends of Yemen. But when Pompeo and Mattis issued statements last week calling for a Yemen cease-fire and throwing their support to Griffiths, it did not seem that Britain had been consulted, though British officials soon after echoed support for the cease-fire calls.
The apparent lack of consultation could be a sign that the US statements were made primarily because of US domestic political pressure in the wake of the Saudi killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, not a substantive shift in US policy on Yemen, Feierstein said.
The Yemen conflict is exceedingly complicated and the international community is not in a position to address all of its drivers, some of them long-standing, at once, Feierstein said at a conference hosted by the Middle East Institute today.
What is needed is to address it in phases, and to move to address the most immediate conflict, the war between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis, first, he said.
“We do need more senior level, sustained US engagement to provide effective support for Griffiths’ efforts,” Feierstein said.
“A special envoy for Yemen would give the war the attention it needs,” Bruce Riedel, a veteran National Security Council and CIA official and contributor to Al-Monitor’s Gulf Pulse, told Al-Monitor. “It could also open the door for an American dialogue with the Houthis, which is needed.”
“Of course, we should also send an ambassador to Riyadh,” Riedel added – by Laura Rozen
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/un-yemen-talks-delay-pompeo.html
My comment: All this will not work. The US and the UK as well are no serious peace brokrs, but they are a biased warring party by themselves.
(* A P)
U.N. aims for Yemen talks by year-end, not end of month
United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths is aiming to convene the country’s warring parties for peace talks by the end of the year, a U.N. spokesman said on Thursday, after last week saying he would try to bring them together by the end of the month.
However, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said on Thursday the goal was for political consultations before the end of the year.
“There’s always different challenges to bringing the parties together,” Haq told reporters. “What we’re trying to do is clear up any issues so that we can get a successful round of talks as soon as possible.”
An aide to Griffiths said work to re-launch the political process was proceeding as planned.
“We are in constant consultation with the parties to finalize the logistical arrangements for holding the talks. We are committed to convening the talks as soon as those arrangements are finalized,” said the aide.
Comment: It looks like the UN-led #Yemen peace consultations will be pushed back to end of year or even further. This is bad for Hodeidah and other areas - fighting factions have more time to escalate and bat it out in an attempt to make military gains on ground before meaningful talks.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1060807435462557696
(* A P)
Sweden emerging as focus of Yemen peace efforts
Stockholm says it could host Yemen's warring sides for talks
Sweden is emerging as a key player in resolving Yemen's war and the resulting humanitarian crisis after signalling its willingness to host the next round of UN-led peace talks.
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said her country has been asked if it “could be a place for the UN envoy Martin Griffiths to gather the parties in this conflict” — the internationally recognised government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, backed by the Arab Coalition, and the Iran-backed rebels known as Houthis.
“At this stage we take a positive view of this request and of the efforts of the UN envoy in bringing the parties together,” a spokeswoman for the Swedish foreign ministry told The National on Thursday.
https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/sweden-emerging-as-focus-of-yemen-peace-efforts-1.789651
(* B P)
Is a Ceasefire Possible in Yemen?
Washington is launching a seemingly determined effort to end the war, but are Iran and its Houthi allies ready to compromise with their enemies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?
It is worth reading Mattis’ and Pompeo’s statements in full because they contain revealing details that reflect background policy discussions within the U.S. government and with UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.
Pompeo’s announcement envisages a multi-stage process, including:
Immediate de-escalation steps. Both Pompeo and Mattis noted that the Houthis would first cease cross-border attacks, with Pompeo specifying “missile and [unmanned aerial vehicle] strikes from Houthi-controlled areas into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.” Then, “subsequently, Coalition airstrikes must cease in all populated areas of Yemen,” Pompeo added. The aim of these steps is to prevent potential spoiler events that could give either side a pretext to not attend Griffiths’ next round of peace talks.
Negotiation over mid-term confidence-building measures. Both Mattis and Pompeo signaled that the November talks would tackle “substantive” issues (in Pompeo’s words), including “confidence-building measures...the demilitarization of borders, and the concentration of all large weapons under international observation.” (Mattis specified that such weapons included “all the missiles that Iran has provided to the Houthis”).
Cessation of hostilities and multi-party national dialogue. The U.S. seems to envisage a deeper set of talks to follow
According to Mattis, who has excellent relations with the leaders of the Gulf states, both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are on-board with the program. Mattis noted: “I believe that the Saudis and the Emiratis are ready, and, in fact, had the Houthis not walked out of the last effort that Martin Griffiths had going, we would probably be on our way there right now.”
It makes a lot of sense that Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Washington would work together at this moment to reduce tensions around Yemen, an issue that fixates the U.S. Congress. After the U.S. midterm elections on November 6, there is likely to be a swing in Congress that sees majorities in both houses for censuring Saudi Arabia over the crisis surrounding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the Yemen war. The Trump administration is trying to get ahead of this curve.
If the Gulf states play ball, the Houthis and Iran will be under an intense spotlight.
International sympathy for the Houthis could be reduced if the rebels drop out of a second subsequent round of peace talks, even after Griffiths bends over backward to meet all their logistical demands and preconditions. As a result, the coming peace talks are a test but also a trap if the Houthis misstep again.
The absence of any mention of internationalizing the Red Sea coast ports of Hodeida and Saleef suggests that those import locations may continue to be disrupted. Placing the ports under international supervision and demilitarizing their environs, and bringing pressure on the Yemeni government to pay civil servants across the country, are at least as important as the measures discussed by the U.S. thus far, and hopefully they will be added into Washington’s program in the near future – by Michael Knights
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/is-a-ceasefire-possible-in-yemen
My comment: This article is highly biased – even reaching the level of propaganda – as the other one by this author listed below in cp15 Propaganda. The author evidently sides with the Saudi coalition in this war – as he is a clear promoter of the US as the overlord of this world, and of US [elite’s] geopolitical interests. Evidently, he tries to persuade the US leadership to further back the Saudi coalition in the Yemen War, adding just a few small limitations for a somewhat better PR. – Might-be he did not intend this, but he clearly shows here how biased, hypocritical and dishonest the recent US calls by Pompeo and Mattis for a ceasefire in Yemen really are. Let us look at several special points.
“Both Pompeo and Mattis noted that the Houthis would first cease cross-border attacks“ and “Then, “subsequently, Coalition airstrikes must cease in all populated areas of Yemen,” Pompeo added”. Why the Houthis should stop their (in comparison: very few) cross-border attacks first and the Saudis should stop their (daily) air raids “subsequently” only? Why this difference? The pro-Saudi bias is different. Only a claim for both sides to stop at the same moment would be unbiased. – Another point: Why the stop of Saudi coalition air raids should be limited to “unpopulated areas”? Thus, Pompeo thinks that Saudi fighter jets should further bomb streets, bridges, air ports, busses, trucks, cars on streets, water wells, water drills, farms, refugee tents, lifestock, factories, archaeological sites???? What an “appeal for ceasefire should this be????
“The concentration of all large weapons under international observation.” (Mattis specified that such weapons included “all the missiles that Iran has provided to the Houthis”)”: The concentration of all largeweapons under international observation” would really make sense, but why this just should be imitied to the large weapons of one side? If this proposal would be unbiased, then this should have been required for large (cross-border) weapons of ALL sides. It would include all fighter jets and bombs of the Saudi coalition bombing Northern Yemen. Well, these aircrafts and bombs had been supplied by the US, the UK and their Western allies – asking for such a concentration of course would also blame those who supplied them. – Thus, tricky biased Mattis thinks he just could blame the Iranians. But, for putting things strait: Let the Houthis deliver all the 5 (or so) missiles they really got from Iran and let them keep the other 295 or so???
“both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are on-board with the program”: This simply is a propaganda lie. They clearly showed that the are f…ing on this peace initiative, by intensifying air raids and the assault against Hodeidah.
“in fact, had the Houthis not walked out of the last effort that Martin Griffiths had going”: This is adopting a Saudi/Western propaganda story. The Houthis did not come to Geneva because the Saudis insisted on controlling theitr flight and refused to guarantee a safe return to the Houthi delegation.
“It makes a lot of sense that Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Washington would work together at this moment to reduce tensions around Yemen, an issue that fixates the U.S. Congress”. Exactly, this is it. It’s the impending resolution in Congress which matters, nothing else. The Trump administration by no meands really cares for Yemen and the suffering of its people. Congress should be prevented from pass this resolution – and the best means to achieve this is to dazzle at least enough representatives by such a fake appeal for peace. To dazzle them not to agree to such a resolution, as the government itsdelf now pretends to do something. “The Trump administration is trying to get ahead of this curve.” Oh yes, this is it. Thus, the main reason for this fake peace plan is simply this: to weaken and to neutralize Congress, by this to achieve that the government’s policy of further supporting the Saudi coalition in this war, by arms sales, by military and political assistance, the alliance with the Saudis against Iran, stay unharmed by Congress. This is it, and just this!!!
With the last paragraph quoted above, the author is certainly right. But, if we should take his words seriously (“demilitarizing their environs”!!), then he should have asked for an immediate stop of the Saudi coalition aussault against Hodeidah. He did not. Thus, it’s simply bulls…
(A P)
UN envoy says he intends to visit Marib and Hadramawt governorates
The UN Secretary-General's envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, disclosed on Tuesday his intention to visit Marib and Hadramawt provinces (central and eastern Yemen) in the coming period.
The UN envoy gathered with official and political leaders and representatives of Marib's civil society organizations on the side-lines of a workshop on the prospects for peace in Yemen, Jordan's capital Amman, the official website of Marib province said.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160700
https://twitter.com/sanaacenter/status/1059817746186285057
(A P)
Yemen FM, UN Envoy Discuss Peace Efforts
Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani held talks in Aden on Wednesday with United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1453161/yemen-fm-un-envoy-discuss-peace-efforts
Remark: Hadi government FM.
(* A B P)
Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen: Martin Griffiths: Track II efforts complement official negotiations, and lay the foundation for peace building in Yemen
The Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, stressed the importance of ongoing Track II efforts, as complementary to official negotiations in Yemen, indicating that it is crucial to work on peace-building in Yemen, in parallel to official diplomatic efforts, known as Track I, to end the war. He added that “the real work in Yemen starts the day after we reach a political deal. We should all work to prepare for that day.”
Griffiths met Tuesday morning with a group of tribal leaders and civil society workers, from Hadhramaut and Marib, on the sidelines of a workshop organized by Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies and Oxford Research Group, in Amman.
At the same time, the office of the Special Envoy hosted a meeting with a group of international and local partners who work on Track II initiatives in Yemen. This meeting comes in the same context of supporting the complementary role of such initiatives to the track of official negotiations. Track II partners also shared perspectives on the political process, based on the consultation exercises which they conducted with a broad range of Yemeni stakeholders
Track II refers to unofficial, informal peacemaking efforts and initiatives carried out by mediators with various societal groups, including civil society organizations, women’s organizations, political groups, youth movements, religious groups, professional organizations and trade unions. Such efforts and activities run parallel to and in support of Track I. Since mid-2015, the Office of the Special Envoy has collaborated with a number of international partners on a wide-range of Track II efforts.
(* A P)
UN delegates praise Saudi Arabia’s rights record
Saudi Arabia today won widespread praise for its human rights record as the fundamentalist regime was examined in a routine UN review, prompting strong protests from human rights activists.
“Sadly, 75 out of 96 country delegations who took the floor at the UN Human Rights Council today expressed praise for the brutal and misogynistic Saudi regime,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based UN Watch, a non-governmental monitoring group.
“It’s a betrayal of jailed Saudi human rights activists like pro-democracy blogger Raif Badawi, who has been wrongfully imprisoned since June 2012. Despite our appeals to Canada, and to Germany, Britain, Sweden, France and others, no one spoke up for Raif Badawi.”
Despite today’s mandatory review of Saudi Arabia, in a standard exercise that all countries undergo every five years, the 47-nation UNHRC has never produced a single resolution, special session or commission of inquiry to condemn Saudi Arabia’s human rights record — not even for their confessed killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“On the contrary,” said Neuer, “Saudi Arabia is an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council.”
In today’s meeting, China praised Saudi Arabia for “its adoption and implementation of the Saudi Vision 2030,” for its “efforts in the area of economic, social development and poverty elimination” and its “judicial reform and fight against corruption.”
And in exchange, said Neuer, “tomorrow when China has its own turn to be examined, I predict that Saudi Arabia will take the floor to hail Beijing’s human rights record.”
Likewise, in today’s session, Venezuela commended Saudi Arabia “for empowering women.” Pakistan praised Riyadh’s alleged efforts to “empower women and promote gender equality.” United Arab Emirates paid tribute to Saudi Arabia “for mainstreaming human rights.”
Yemen applauded Saudi “support provided all levels to the people of Yemen.” Bahrain hailed Saudi Arabia’s “positive steps to protect human rights.” Jordan said that “the Saudi government has made human rights one of its main priorities.”
Malaysia said Saudi “efforts in advancing women’s rights are commendable.” Mauritania said “we applaud progress by Saudi Arabia in the fields of women’s rights.” Eritrea commended “steps taken to ensure equality.”
“We believe that Saudi Arabia places great importance on human rights,” said the Palestinian delegation. “We welcome its efforts in promoting human rights, protecting development and ensuring accountability.”
Only a minority of countries applied real scrutiny, with UN Watch noting statements by Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Neuer called the exercise of dictatorships falsely praising each other a “mutual praise society.”
https://www.unwatch.org/un-delegates-praise-saudi-arabias-rights-record/
My comment: What a farce.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(* B P)
From Rafael Nadal to Neymar: How Saudi Arabia is using the cover of sport to conceal its crimes
It was around two years ago that Saudi Arabia began seriously throwing its weight behind sport, with the creation of the Sports Development Fund, whose objective was to direct some of the country’s immense oil wealth towards building an entire new sporting infrastructure: sporting clubs, grassroots facilities, elite arenas and the attraction and promotion of big international sporting events.
The need to shift Saudi Arabia’s popular image as a brutal, conservative and deeply repressive place - although it remains virtually all of these things - has seen sport deployed as a sort of keyboard shortcut for fun-loving good times. Yes, women are still kept under the abhorrent ‘guardianship’ system where male relatives decide whether they can travel, study or even access healthcare. But look, they can go to football stadiums now! Smile, indentured female chattel, you’re on the big screen!
And so, as Saudi warplanes are busy blitzing Yemen into dust, Fifa president Gianni Infantino is criss-crossing the world trying to sell his new Saudi-funded Club World Cup competition.
(* A P)
Saudi Arabia bars nearly 3 million Palestinians from Hajj and Umrah
Riyadh is denying visas to Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, East Jerusalem and Israel who wish to perform pilgrimages
Saudi Arabia is barring more than one and a half million Palestinian citizens of Israel from travelling on temporary Jordanian passports to perform the Islamic pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah in the holy city of Mecca, Middle East Eye can reveal.
The measure is part of Saudi Arabia's new policy to stop issuing visas for Hajj and Umrah to Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, East Jerusalem, and, most recently, to Palestinians living in Israel, who hold temporary travel documents issued by Jordan or Lebanon - a policy that became effective on 12 September.
This Saudi move affects 2.94 million Palestinians in total across these states, who have no access to any other form of travel document allowing them to go to Saudi Arabia, where millions of Muslims travel each year on pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Several travel agents spoken to by MEE in Israel, East Jerusalem and Jordan said that they were informed by Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs that the Saudi embassy in Amman told them to not apply for visas for anyone seeking to travel to Mecca on a temporary Jordanian passport.
A Jordanian source, with an inside knowledge of his country's diplomatic affairs, told MEE that the Saudi decision is part of a bilateral agreement with Israel to put an end to the "Palestinian identity and the right of return for refugees".
"Saudi Arabia is pressuring Jordan to naturalise the Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Palestinians in East Jerusalem, and now Palestinians in Israel. The same could happen in Lebanon. Then, you will not have a Palestinian refugees problem," the source said.
"It is all part of a bilateral agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. But Jordan is refusing to naturalise Palestinians."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/saudi-arabia-barring-Palestinians-hajj-umrah-passport-ban
(* A P)
Saudi Arabia: Families of twelve men fear imminent execution
Responding to the news that the cases of twelve men from Saudi Arabia’s Shi’a minority who were sentenced to death last year have been transferred to the ‘Presidency of State Security’, a body under the King’s direct authority mandated to address all state security matters, Heba Morayef, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director, said:
“The families of the men are terrified by this development and the lack of information provided to them on the status of the cases of their loved ones. Given the secrecy surrounding Saudi Arabia’s judicial proceedings, we fear that this development signals the imminent execution of the twelve men
“The Saudi Arabian authorities sentenced these men to death in 2016 for spying for Iran after a grossly unfair mass trial. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most prolific executioners and regularly uses the death penalty as a political tool to crush dissent from the country’s Shi’a minority, demonstrating its total contempt for the value of human life.
“It is not too late to save the lives of these men. We are urging the Saudi Arabian authorities to immediately quash these sentences and establish an official moratorium on executions, as a first step towards abolishing the death penalty completely”.
Background
(* A P)
UN human rights watchdog orders Saudi Arabia to stop stoning children
People over 15-years-old in the Kingdom are tried as adults and can be executed
The United Nations has called on Saudi Arabia to repeal laws that allow stoning, amputation, flogging and execution of children.
Children over 15 years are tried as adults and can be executed, "after trials falling short of guarantees of due process and a fair trial", according to the report by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The committee's 18 independent experts analysed the kingdom's compliance record with a UN treaty protecting the rights of citizens under the age of 18.
Experts voiced concern that the Saudi government "still does not recognise girls as full subjects of rights and continues to severely discriminate (against) them in law and practice and to impose on them a system of male guardianship".
The committee said violations of young girls' right to equality should not justified using traditional, religious or cultural attitudes.
Children from the minority Shi'ite community and other religious minorities are continually discriminated against in their access to schools and justice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, they said.
According to the UN committee, out of 47 people executed on 2 January for security offences, four were under 18.
Responding to the committee's findings, the Saudi Human Rights Commission told the body that Islamic Sharia law, was above all laws and treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
My comment: Thus, people over the age of 18 might be stoned, flogged, amputated according to the UN? – The Saudi statement in the last paragraph quoted here is a clear advice: Throw us out of the UN Human Rights Council at once.
(* B P)
Confirmed: The life sentence of #Bahrain top elected political leader Ali Salman was requested by Saudi Crown Prince #MBS from AlKhalifa CP Salman bin Hamad at the @FIIKSA meeting. #MBS has demanded similar action against people in #Kuwait.
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1060338382579077120
(* A P)
Saudi king shows support for heir on public tour despite Khashoggi crisis
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has embarked on a domestic tour this week with his favorite son, demonstrating his support for his chosen heir despite the crisis spawned by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“There is a lot of tension, fear and apprehension among Saudis in the aftermath of the Khashoggi affair. So it’s a trip that reassures the various regions that the king is still in his place and he’s the highest authority,” said Madawi al-Rasheed, a London-based Saudi author critical of the Al Saud.
King Salman stepped in to defuse the situation. He sent a trusted aide to Turkey last month, then fired five senior officials, including his son’s most trusted adviser.
After weeks of lying low, the prince has now returned to the public stage. He visited troops near the border with Yemen
Greg Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said the domestic tour with his father did not indicate that the royal family is in the clear yet, only that “the king is confident that nothing is afoot right now.”
Diplomats say the ruling family is “circling the wagons”. But there is no indication King Salman is considering elevating another prince, either to replace his son or balance his authority by serving as his deputy.
“MbS is not going anywhere. The family is meeting and they will unite stronger behind him,” said a senior Arab diplomat. “There is no way back” after the king cleared MbS’s path to the throne by sidelining potential rivals last year.
The king’s decision to put MbS in charge of restructuring the intelligence apparatus - a move aimed at addressing a purported cause of the Khashoggi crisis - indicates that the crown prince remains “untouchable”, the diplomat added.
On Tuesday evening, as King Salman and MbS arrived in Qassim, north of Riyadh, to a stadium of cheering residents, online photos emerged showing Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd with his brothers and daughters in a residential setting.
“I believe the Saudi crown prince will be 100 percent vindicated and exonerated,” Alwaleed said of his cousin. Alwaleed’s own detention was “forgiven and forgotten,” he said.
(A E P)
Bin Salman Launches Nuclear Plant Project Amid Khashoggi Drama
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has laid the foundation stone for the kingdom’s first nuclear research reactor as calls grow in the US for a halt to nuclear talks with the Riyadh regime, which has been rattled by a scandal over the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that the project had been launched during bin Salman’s visit to King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Riyadh on Monday.
The reactor was among seven projects launched by the prince during the visit, said the report.
It did not provide details on when the reactor – which is said to serve research and development purposes – would be constructed
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/11/06/579216/Saudi-Arabia-nuclear-reactor
(* B P)
Saudi campaign to abduct and silence rivals abroad goes back decades
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last month by a team of Saudi agents dispatched from Riyadh has prompted fresh scrutiny of the kingdom’s pursuit of Saudi nationals abroad, from ordinary dissidents to defectors from the tight ranks of the royal family.
The effort to silence Saudi critics abroad stretches back decades and over the tenure of several monarchs. But Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, has pursued the practice with an especially ruthless zeal since gaining his position last year, analysts said, even making the return of dissenters abroad a formal policy of the state, according to a Saudi official, who insisted such returns were to be negotiated rather than coerced.
To repatriate its critics, the Saudi government has tried to lure them back or enlisted friendly regional governments to arrest them or even carried out brazen kidnappings in Europe.
Saudi nationals have vanished from hotel rooms, been snatched from cars or had planes they were flying on diverted. One Saudi dissident prince said in a court filing that he was injected in the neck and spirited away on a private jet from Geneva to Saudi Arabia. Years later, after he managed to leave the kingdom, he disappeared again and has not been heard from since.
“We know they can kill you; they can destroy your family or use them against you,” said one Saudi women’s rights activist who applied for political asylum in the United States last year. “It’s always been like this,” she said, adding that Mohammed’s aggressive pursuit of critics had further rattled an already paranoid community of Saudi expatriates.
While many who vanish are not heard from again, one victim, Prince Sultan bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, a grandson of Saudi Arabia’s founder, was able to make his kidnapping public, lodging a criminal case against senior Saudi officials in a Geneva court in 2014.
The complaint laid out details of an audacious abduction in 2003, during the reign of King Fahd, and named the king’s son, Abdulaziz bin Fahd, and the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, as participants in the plot.
Like Khashoggi, who lived in Virginia, many self-exiled dissidents flee as far as they can from the Middle East, fearing that Saudi Arabia’s allies could extradite them.
In an interview with The Washington Post several months before his death, Khashoggi discussed the case of Loujain al-Hathloul, a Saudi women’s rights activist who was stopped in March while driving in Abu Dhabi, where she had been studying, and subsequently returned to Saudi Arabia and told to stop posting on social media. A few months later, she was arrested, imprisoned and branded as a traitor in the state-run media.
As Hathloul was accosted in Abu Dhabi, her husband, Fahad Albutairi, a stand-up comedian, was kidnapped from his hotel room in Jordan and returned to Saudi Arabia, according to two people with knowledge of the incident.
“It is intimidation,” Khashoggi said. “Teaching these people a lesson, making people fearful.” – By Kareem Fahim and Loveday Morris
(* B P)
Is the search on for a country to give Bin Salman refuge?
Is the search on for a country to give Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman refuge with international guarantees? That is the gist of a news report circulating in the West, which explains a lot of information in the international arena regarding the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.
According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, an anonymous Western source suggests that there are ongoing efforts to find a country willing to grant Bin Salman asylum and protect him from possible prosecution over the Khashoggi killing and several other crimes, including the detention of Saudi princes and businessmen last year and the war in Yemen. Eastern Europe or Asia appear to be the likely locations of such a country.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181106-is-the-search-on-for-a-country-to-give-bin-salman-refuge/
Comment: I wonder if there is any truth in this or whether it is just speculation.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157129625343641
My comment: This sounds like speculation only. There are no hints at all that Salman would lose power – or even would have to leave the country.
(A P)
Under international criticism for murdering #jamalkhashoogi , #MBS appears to loosen his grip on his cousins. Here is first pic of Abdulaziz bin Fahd @afaaa73 18 momths after his house arrest with his older brother & daughter few hours ago (photo)
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1059941394591162374
(A H)
Sisters found in Hudson River would have rather died than return to Saudi Arabia, police say
Two Saudi sisters found dead along the banks of the Hudson River had made statements they would rather kill themselves than return to Saudi Arabia, the New York Police Department said its detectives had learned.
But so far, investigators have uncovered no credible evidence that Rotana Farea, 23, and Tala Farea, 16, were victims of foul play, Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea told reporters at a news conference Friday afternoon. Police earlier said Rotana was 22 years old.
"At this point in time we have no credible information that a crime took place in New York City," Shea said, "but it is still under investigation."
The sisters were last seen by their family in Virginia on November 30, 2017, Shea said.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/02/us/saudi-sisters-new-york-hudson-river-friday/index.html
(* B P)
Khashoggi murder: Is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed finished?
"He's toast". "He's toxic". "He's my hero". "We love him". Opinions are clearly divided on the man they call MBS - Saudi Arabia's controversial Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
For Saudi Arabia, a nation only formally united in 1932, this represents a watershed moment.
Do the senior princes temper this all-powerful figure by removing just enough of his powers to appease the US Congress and other Western bodies, some of which are now calling for an arms boycott?
Do they "dethrone" him altogether, giving him some titular promotion to a meaningless sinecure?
Or do they try to weather the storm, as they tried to do, unsuccessfully, after this story broke a month ago?
In fact, there are extremely serious discussions going on right now behind closed doors in Saudi royal circles.
The gravity of the crisis facing the ruling al-Saud family can be gauged by the sudden return to Riyadh on Tuesday of Prince Ahmed bin Abdelaziz, the last surviving full brother of the 82-year old King Salman.
No obvious challengers
So what are the factors they are now considering when it comes to MBS's future?
First of all, he has no obvious challengers, he saw to that some time ago.
At just 33 years old, his rise to power has been meteoric.
To millions of young Saudis, MBS is still their hope for the future: a bold, charismatic leader and visionary reformer who has rolled back the powers of the conservative clergy, given women the right to drive and reintroduced entertainment into the kingdom's sterile public life.
His plans to reform the oil-based economy, embodied in his Vision 2030 programme, have given Saudis an ambitious glimpse of a hi-tech future with meaningful jobs for everyone.
To diplomats and policy-makers in Washington, London and Paris removing - or at least restraining - MBS may seem like the obvious thing to do.
But for Saudi Arabia's conservative, risk-averse ruling family this is a decision it would far rather not have to take.
So is he finished? It is hard to say at this stage.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46078961
(* B P)
How Israel helped murder Jamal Khashoggi
The sad reality is that Khashoggi is the tip of the iceberg – true Saudi dissents are locked up, murdered, tortured, or forced to flee into exile abroad.
Much was made by corporate media in the west about the young Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s supposed “reforms” in the kingdom of horrors. Women were finally granted permission to drive!
But the reality is that the Saudi regime still enforces the male “guardianship” system, which requires women to have the permission of a close male relative to travel, seek employment, marry or enrol in higher education.
People like President Trump and like former vice president Joe Biden. In one recent speech, Biden called the way the Saudis murdered Khashoggi “embarrassing” – what a telling comment.
In other words, he was effectively saying, carry on murdering students, protestors and critics, but do it quietly so we can keep selling your arms and you can keep supporting our key regional attack dog Israel.
It remains to be seen whether the mainstream backlash against bin Salman will result in any change. It seems highly unlikely, as long as western governments continue to sell Saudi Arabia arms and continue to prop the regime upon the diplomatic stage.
The worst-case scenario for the regime is that bin Salman – who is effectively ruler of the kingdom – is replaced by another despot from among the thousands of Saudi princes.
Lebanese-American professor and analyst As`ad AbuKhalil has recently been predicting that, should bin Salman start to feel enough pressure from the western establishment
to step down as Crown Prince, to save himself he will embark on a “peace” mission to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament.
Saudi Arabia’s ongoing alliance has been evident for some years now. The two regimes are so deeply in bed with each other that the only measure left which the Saudis have not taken is formal diplomatic recognition and exchange of ambassadors.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-how-israel-helped-murder-jamal-khashoggi
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In online ruse, fake journalists tried to hack Saudi critic
Hackers impersonating journalists tried to intercept the communications of a prominent Saudi opposition figure in Washington, The Associated Press has found.
One attempt involved the fabrication of a fake BBC secretary and an elaborate television interview request; the other involved the impersonation of slain Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to deliver a malicious link.
Media rights defenders denounced the hacking effort, which they said would make it harder for genuine reporters to do their jobs.
“It’s incredibly dangerous to employ this kind of tactic,” said Elodie Vialle, who heads the technology desk at Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. “The chilling effect is that people are deterred from speaking to journalists. In the end, it undermines the freedom of information.”
The most involved masquerade took place in February of this year, when someone posing as a BBC journalist called “Tanya Stalin” emailed Washington-based Saudi dissident Ali AlAhmed inviting him to a live broadcast about Saudi Arabia. Stalin engaged with AlAhmed over several days, sending him a list of proposed topics and talking him through the logistics of his purported television appearance.
AlAhmed said he knew from the beginning that something was up.
https://apnews.com/cee0e8a5338e4b51b3cdcae9301ec479
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Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges all journalists to sharpen their cyber-security reflexes after a dissident Saudi reporter repeatedly received emails in which a variety of journalists were impersonated in a bid to lure him into clicking on malicious links.
This kind of attack, mixing phishing and the theft of journalists’ identities, undermines trust in the media and at the same time endangers the sources of those who are targeted, RSF said.
The Saudi target of these hacking attempts is Ali Al-Ahmed, a Washington-based expert in terrorism and the Gulf states. The emails he has been getting for months have included many “interview requests” from people posing as BBC or Washington Post journalists, including Jamal Khashoggi a few months before his murder.
https://rsf.org/en/news/hackers-posing-journalists-target-dissident-saudi-reporter
and thread https://twitter.com/razhael/status/1060861683453870081
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Hey @AndrewLiptak! I saw that you're investigating a Saudi Twitter employee spying on dissents. I will tweet you 3 articles by @thenewkhaleej and they may help you investigate more about this matter and involvement of Dubai's Twitter office. They're written in Arabic.
Article 1 https://goo.gl/KDc8C1 Here's 2 https://goo.gl/nazUxp And 3 https://goo.gl/SKDMS1 They're written in Arabic so they'd need translation. Let me know if you've any questions. Thank you.
https://twitter.com/AngryQatifi/status/1061117418125361152
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
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Hatice Cengiz at Remembering Jamal Khashoggi Memorial
In association with the Al Sharq Forum, Middle East Monitor hosted an international memorial in honour of Jamal Khashoggi on 29 October, 2018
Address by Hatice Cengiz, Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée, speaking at ‘Remembering Jamal‘, a memorial service held in London on 29 October 2018 to honour Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Who was Jamal Khashoggi?
Jamal Khashoggi was one of the most experienced and accomplished journalists of his generation. His professional interest extended far beyond that of his native Saudi Arabia, from Sudan and Algeria to Afghanistan and Palestine.
On a personal level, he was humble and passionate. He was affable and a pleasure to work with. Middle East Monitor is proud to have hosted Jamal Khashoggi at our event in London just one month ago.
Jamal’s deep and passionate love for his country and the people of the region was exemplified through his writing. Freedom of expression, integrity in public office, good governance, accountability and transparency were all issues close to his heart. He had a desire to see the region’s wealth fairly distributed and equal opportunity for all its peoples.
Jamal Khashoggi may have been silenced physically but his memory and his thoughts will have a lasting and enlightened impact on young people in the region and journalists across the world.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-hatice-cengiz-at-remembering-jamal-khashoggi-memorial/
and also https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181109-wadah-khanfar-at-remembering-jamal-khashoggi-memorial/
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Khashoggi crisis may tip Middle East power balance towards Turkey
The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi could alter the power dynamic in the Middle East by strengthening Turkey's influence at Saudi Arabia's expense as they compete for leadership of the Islamic world, analysts say.
This certainly appears to be the goal of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the main regional supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, which Saudi Arabia and its allies Egypt and the United Arab Emirates consider a terrorist group.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/khashoggi-crisis-may-tip-middle-east-power-balance-014232152.html
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How the Saudis may have spied on Jamal Khashoggi
What neither man knew at the time: Abdulaziz's phone had likely been attacked by the Saudi government, using a piece of spyware known as Pegasus, one of the world's most advanced cyber weapons, sold by the Israeli spyware company NSO Group. The attack, according to the Canadian digital rights organization Citizen Lab, would have given the Saudi government complete access to the contents of their calls, encrypted messages they exchanged, and the documents they shared. Citizen Lab published a detailed forensic report on October 1, where they established with a "high degree of confidence" that Abdulaziz was successfully targeted, and that the attack was linked to a Saudi Arabian operator. On October 2, Saudi operatives murdered Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
In the months prior, Khashoggi and Abdulaziz were exchanging views on Saudi affairs via Abdulaziz's cell phone. Saying anything controversial inside the Kingdom could lead to a prison sentence
This fall, Abdulaziz told CPJ, Khashoggi was planning to visit him in Canada to solidify some of their plans. But first, he visited Turkey where he walked into the Saudi consulate to secure paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancée, Hatice Cengiz.
Through their attack on Abdulaziz's phone, the Saudi government would have had access to hours of unvarnished conversations between the two men. "Jamal was very polite in public," recalled Abdulaziz. "But in private, he spoke more freely--he was very very critical of the crown prince."
Pegasus is one of the most advanced spyware tools available.
"That's how you try to go after ideas--it's through surveillance," Karen Attiah, Jamal Khashoggi's editor at The Washington Post, told CPJ in a recent call. The notion that the Saudi government can buy this capability from a private company, Attiah reflected, "is astounding." She added: "People are losing their lives over this."
https://cpj.org/blog/2018/10/how-the-saudis-may-have-spied-on-jamal-khashoggi.php
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Snowden: Israeli Firm's Spyware Was Used to Track Khashoggi
Former U.S. intel staffer claims one of the dissident's contacts was bugged with NSO's Pegasus spyware, blasts Israeli tech industry ■ In response, NSO denies selling its products
Edward Snowden said on Tuesday that software from the Israeli firm NSO Group Technologies was used to help track the dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed last month at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
The assertion that Israeli spyware has been used against Saudi dissidents was first reported by the Canadian research institute Citizen Lab in October. According to the report, NSO's Pegasus spyware had been installed on the phone of Omar Abdulaziz, another exiled Saudi dissident and a friend of Khashoggi's.
"Some of you may have heard about the Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi," Snowden said. "He went into the [Saudi] consulate and he was immediately strangled… how did this get planned, how did this come together…?”
The Saudis, he continued, “knew he was going to come to the consulate because he had made an appointment… but how did they know what his plans and intentions were, how did they decide that he was someone they needed to ask against, who was worth the risk?"
Snowden then suggested that the Saudis were able to gain information on Khashoggi by spiying on "his friend, who was also in exile in Canada." (with film)
and film by RT: https://www.facebook.com/RTvids/videos/991307947742482
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp7, cp13a
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Keine Luftbetankung mehr: USA stoppen Unterstützung für saudi-arabische Kampfjets im Jemen
Saudi-Arabien führt im Jemen Krieg - bislang mit US-Hilfe. Nun werden die Jets des Königshauses nicht mehr in der Luft betankt. Die Begründung aus Riad: eine angebliche Steigerung der eigenen Fähigkeiten.
Nun wurde bekannt: Die von Saudi-Arabien im Jemen geführte Militärkoalition will künftig auf US-Hilfe bei der Betankung ihrer Flugzeuge "verzichten".
Die staatliche Nachrichtenagentur berichtete unter Berufung auf eine Mitteilung der Regierung, die Koalition habe ihre eigenen Fähigkeiten bei der Luftbetankung in dem Bürgerkriegsland gesteigert und in Abstimmung mit den USA die Beendigung von deren Unterstützung beantragt. Die USA liefern Saudi-Arabien zudem Waffen und militärische Geheimdiensterkenntnisse.
Die Vereinigten Staaten bestätigten die Angaben aus Saudi-Arabien. US-Verteidigungsminister James Mattis erklärte, die USA unterstützten die - mutmaßlich nicht freiwillig getroffene - "Entscheidung" Riads, die Kooperation bei der Luftbetankung ihrer Kampfflugzeuge zu beenden. Die Koalition habe entschieden, "ihre eigenen militärischen Kapazitäten zu nutzen".
Die USA waren bislang für die Betankung von rund einem Fünftel der Koalitionsflugzeuge, die im Jemen im Einsatz waren, zuständig.
und auch: https://www.n-tv.de/politik/USA-beenden-Kooperation-bei-Luftbetankung-article20714747.html
Mein Kommentar: Eine weitere Sicht auf die Hintergründe, an der ich doch Zweifel habe.
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Ultimatum für Waffenruhe im Jemen
30 Tage: Washington ruft zur Beendigung des Blutvergießens im Jemen auf.
Gemeinsam riefen der amerikanische Verteidigungsminister James Mattis und US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo die Konfliktparteien zu einem Waffenstillstand innerhalb von dreißig Tagen auf.
Besonders Hilfsorganisationen begrüßen die neuerliche Strategie Washingtons.
https://www.die-tagespost.de/politik/pl/Ultimatum-fuer-Waffenruhe-im-Jemen;art315,193287
Mein Kommentar: Die angebliche Initative der USA wird hier zu einem Friedensakt aufgeblasen, was den tatsächlichen Hintergründen überhaupt nicht gerecht wird. Der wirkliche Zweck ist, angesichts des Drucks nach dem Khashoggi-Mord Aktionismus zu zeigen und damit den Druck zu lindern, und den Kongress auszubremsen, der die Unterstützung für die Saudis beschneiden will. Mehr unten, auf Englisch.
Und
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Nur eine Woche vor dieser Kriegseskalation [Hodeidah] hatten die US-Medien ausführlich darüber berichtet, dass US-Außenminister Mike Pompeo und US-Verteidigungsminister General James Mattis einen „Waffenstillstand“ im Jemen fordern und eine Frist von 30 Tagen für die Wiederaufnahme der Friedensgespräche angekündigt haben.
Am 5. November, während die Belagerung von al-Hudaida schon vorbereitet wurde, veröffentlichte die New York Times einen scheinheiligen Leitartikel mit dem Titel „Beendet das Leid im Jemen“. Darin werden Pompeo und Mattis gelobt, weil sie „alle Seiten aufgefordert haben, das Morden zu beenden“. Damit hätten „die Minister einen ersten Schritt getan“.
Wie die Ereignisse vor Ort deutlich zeigen, ist das blanker Unsinn und dient lediglich als Deckmantel für die Fortsetzung und Intensivierung der Kriegsverbrechen, die immer mehr das Ausmaß eines Völkermords anzunehmen drohen.
Die Aufforderung an „alle Seiten, das Morden zu beenden“, soll nur ein Alibi für neue Kriegsverbrechen schaffen. Als ob die von den USA unterstützte und von Saudi-Arabien geführte Koalition auf der einen und die jemenitischen Opfer auf der anderen Seite gleichermaßen für den Massenmord verantwortlich wären!
https://www.wsws.org/de/articles/2018/11/08/jeme-n08.html
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Ties That Bind
American universities' ties with Saudi Arabia -- always controversial -- are coming under more scrutiny. A look at the multimillion-dollar connections between Saudi Arabia and leading American universities -- and the questions being raised about what the Saudis are getting.
Ties between American colleges and the Saudi Arabian government or universities are under more scrutiny than ever following the killing of Washington Post journalist and Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey last month.
Several institutions, most notably the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have said that they’re reviewing their Saudi ties in the wake of the killing, which many observers believe would not have been carried out without the approval of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
At the same time, some in higher education have defended their partnerships with Saudi counterparts as something to be encouraged, and cautioned against pressure to withdraw from collaborations involving the kingdom.
American university ties with Saudi Arabia take a variety of forms. They include lucrative research collaborations with Saudi universities or companies, fee-for-service consulting relationships in which American colleges assist in the development of new Saudi higher education institutions or programs, and multimillion-dollar gifts to U.S. universities from individual Saudi donors, including members of the royal family.
In addition, U.S. universities accept money from the Saudi government to pay the tuition and fees of government-sponsored students on their campuses.
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U.S. halting refueling of Saudi-led coalition aircraft in Yemen's war
The United States is halting refueling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen, the United States and Saudi Arabia said on Friday, ending one of the most divisive aspects of U.S. assistance to the Saudi war effort.
Saudi Arabia, in a statement released by its embassy in Washington, said it had decided to request an end to U.S. aerial refueling for its operations in Yemen because it could now handle it by itself.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis backed the decision and said the U.S. government was consulted.
The move comes at a time of international outrage over the murder of U.S.-based
“I’ve been calling for this for over three years,” said Representative Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California.
He also suggested plans to build up Yemeni troops.
“The U.S. and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure their country’s borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the region,” Mattis said in a statement.
Still, a halt to refueling could by itself have little practical effect on the war. U.S. officials told Reuters only a fifth of Saudi-led coalition aircraft require in-air refueling from the United States.
My comment: Well, within 3 ½ years of war the Saudis will have bought enough tanker planes now – certainly sold by the US. Thus, the placques at the planes are changed from the star spangled banner to green with sword and “There is no god but God” etc., and Saudi pilots now had been trained (by the US presumably) and that’s it. – And Mattis announces further US interference by establishing US proxy troops.
Comment: My question: Who exactly will still be refueled by the US in Yemen/Horn of Africa region, and for what purposes? This does not appear to end all US refueling, and as I have reported, most US refueling in Yemen has in the past gone to the UAE, including for anti-AQAP ops.
https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/1061056068279787520
and
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US to stop refueling of Saudi aircraft in Yemen war
As a result, the decision to halt the U.S. refueling will likely have little impact on the fight, but will allow the Trump administration to say it has taken action against the Saudis for the devastation in Yemen.
The Saudi statement said it had “increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling,” and therefore “requested cessation of inflight refueling support for its operations in Yemen.”
The action comes amid growing congressional anger against Saudi Arabia, a key ally and the country where President Donald Trump made his first visit abroad after taking office.
The refueling decision, which was first reported by The Washington Post, has been under discussion for a few weeks. U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Senate staffers were asked about the issue Thursday and whether their bosses would support it.
Mattis acknowledged “continued bipartisan interest from Congress,” and said the Trump administration is “appreciative of the continued dialogue we have had with key members on this issue.”
Saudi Arabia has been paying the U.S. for the refueling, but there were no details on how much that cost.
Anti-war groups hailed the decision as a victory and called for the U.S. to go further in halting support for the campaign.
https://apnews.com/e399e552a1e04e3aaa0b553574380145
and also https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/09/saudi-arabia-yemen-bombing-pentagon-refueling-982924
My comment: This looks like a put-up affair.
And
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Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen Issues Statement
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the member countries of the Coalition to Support legitimacy in Yemen, continually pursue improvements to military professionalism and self-sufficiency. Recently the Kingdom and the Coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the Coalition has requested cessation of inflight refueling support for it's operations in Yemen.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1839657#1839657
Comment: When it comes to aerial refueling, the #Saudi-led Coalition has been always self-sufficient: 9 RSAF KC-130H/J 7 RSAF B707 K-3 6 RSAF A330 MRTT 3 UAEAF A330 MRTT 3 KAF KC-130J The role of the #US A/A refueling support was mainly to allow for more logistical flexibility.
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1061154698739224576
And
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Trump administration to end refueling for Saudi coalition aircraft in Yemen
"This marks the first time that the United States has taken a concrete measure to rein in the Saudi war effort," said Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and scholar at the Brookings Institution. "Two administrations have basically given the Saudis a blank check to do whatever they wanted. Now it will be harder for the Saudis to carry out airstrikes deep into Yemeni territory, going after the capital for instance."
It wasn't immediately clear whether the move was initiated by Washington or Riyadh, both of which are anticipating a tougher congressional stance on the war. Several of the individuals, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a decision that had not been made public, said the move was prompted at least in part by the Saudi military's increased aerial refueling capability.
The decision is not expected to have a significant effect on air operations by the United Arab Emirates, a member of the coalition, which are flown from just across the Red Sea in Eritrea and primarily target al-Qaeda militants rather than the Houthi rebels.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-to-end-refueling-for-saudi-coalition-aircraft-in-yemen/2018/11/09/d08ff6c3-babd-4958-bcca-cdb1caa9d5b4_story.html = https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/trump-administration-to-end-refueling-for-saudi-coalition-aircraft-in-yemen-1.556057
My comment: No. Riedel is certainly wrong. This is a put-up affair. As we could read here: It could be a simple trick to weaken Congress – to further weaken support for bills to stop the US support for the Saudi coalition in the Yemen War in both chambers.
And look how quickly mainstream media start to tell this as a pro-US propaganda story:
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Trump Administration to Punish Saudis in Moves That Could Stop Tougher Acts by Congress
The steps appear calibrated to respond to international outrage over the death of Mr. Khashoggi and to thousands of civilian deaths in the Yemen war, but avoid directly punishing the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and could head off tougher congressional action.
On Friday night, hours after The New York Times and The Washington Post reported on the Trump administration’s decision to end the air refueling flights, the Saudi-led coalition waging war on Houthi rebels in Yemen announced that it would do the refueling on its own. This came after “consultation with the United States,” it said.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said afterward that the United States supported the decision.
The administration has faced growing bipartisan criticism over the American military’s support for the Saudi campaign. On Friday, Senator Todd Young, Republican of Indiana, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, called for an end to the air refueling mission.
“If the administration does not take immediate steps, including ending U.S. refueling of Saudi coalition aircraft, we are prepared to take additional action when the Senate comes back into session,” the senators said in a statement.
Officials said the ending of the refueling was not directly related to the killing of Mr. Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. But some current and former officials said the rising pressure by the United States for Saudi Arabia to de-escalate the war was unlikely to have been as strong except for the outrage over Mr. Khashoggi’s death.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/09/us/politics/trump-saudi-sanctions-refueling.html
My comment: No, this is no “punishment”. It’s a put-up affair by the US government AND the Saudis to “stop tougher acts by Congress”, as the headline correctly states. Unfortunately, the article itself does not deal with this crucial point anymore.
(A K P)
Trump administration to curtail military support for Saudi-led war in Yemen
Under increasing pressure from Congress, the Trump administration will curb its assistance to Saudi Arabia's deadly military campaign in Yemen, officials confirmed Friday.
The Defense and State departments said Friday that the U.S. would stop refueling Saudi fighter planes as the regime undertakes bombing campaigns that have resulted in thousands of civilian casualties.
The New York Times first reported the decision, casting it as a move by the administration to punish Saudi Arabia for its role in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
“By finally ending refueling missions for Saudi bombers, the Trump administration is admitting our joint operation in Yemen has been a disaster," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in a statement.
and
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THE U.S. WILL STOP REFUELING SAUDI-LED COALITION JETS IN YEMEN, BUT PROGRESSIVES IN CONGRESS WANT MORE
But progressives in Congress are pushing for more, aiming to cut off weapons sales and pass a measure in both chambers that would force the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Yemen. The measure, which was introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D.-Calif) in the House and by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Mike Lee (R.-Utah) in the Senate, relies on the legal theory that intelligence and logistical support amount to “hostilities” under the 1973 War Powers Act, and therefore must be authorized by Congress, which has not approved U.S. involvement in the war between the coalition and a rebel group known as the Houthis in Yemen.
In a phone interview on Friday, Khanna told The Intercept he was “cautiously optimistic” about the news, but wants to pass the measure to ensure the Trump administration follows through on its decision.
“This is a major change. It could avert a humanitarian crisis,” Khanna said. “From everything that I’ve understood, from activists on the ground, from people who are briefed on policy, the war could not continue without the assistance of U.S. refueling.”
It is not clear whether that is the case, however.
My comment: And even those opposing the Yemen war are wrong. The Trump administration does not “admit” anything, not is this “a major change”. The government simply gets positive PR even from its opponents, and of course from the mainstream media– worldwide:
And
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US stops refuelling Saudi aircraft in Yemen after atrocities
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Congresswoman-elect Rashida Tlaib & Peace Activist Kathy Kelly Condemn Saudi Cruelty in Yemen
We speak to newly elected Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, a campaign to end U.S. military and economic warfare. She took part in Thursday’s protest.
KATHYKELLY: Well, we certainly want to see an immediate end to the fighting and an immediate lifting of any of the blockades of ports or or roadways. And we want to see the children focused on as the most important issue right now, not political maneuvering in order, before a ceasefire, to try and make the biggest grabs that any group can. As you say, it’s a very dire situation. And the United Nations people who have sounded the alarm have said that a complete collapse could happen, leading to the famine that could cause starvation of 14 million people.
REP.-ELECTRASHIDATLAIB: We send a lot of money—I don’t know, I think it’s in billions—of money to the Saudi government. We have so much tremendous leverage as the United States of America, but we seem to choose to look away when there’s other interests at play. And it really is disturbing to me, because we need to be the leaders out there in pushing back against these kind of starvations and these kinds of, to me, inhumane cruelty towards children, but even just fellow human beings. This is a generation, these children. We can’t get the years back for them. This is really something that’s going to reflect on us and our policy for years to come. That Yemeni child is going to grow up and look to us and say we didn’t do anything.
We are a leader in the nation. And people say, “Well, you know, we can’t save everyone.” But, boy, our public dollars are being sent to a lot of these governments that play a leadership role in some of these actions. And we need to use that as leverage to say, “No, enough. We’re not going to use our public dollars,” taxes that my neighbors pay into a system that does this.
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/9/congresswoman_elect_rashida_tlaib_peace_activist = https://truthout.org/video/saudi-led-coalition-escalates-assault-on-yemen-prompting-condemnation/
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How Might a Democratic Congress Improve Counterterrorism and Middle East Policy
Yemen, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, has gotten increasing attention since the Saudi government murder of journalist of Jamal Khashoggi spotlighted the Kingdom’s policy recklessness, including the disastrous war in Yemen. The United States can press two key allies, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to end their intervention. They depend on logistical support from the U.S. in particular, and if the United States ends its support these countries will find it extremely difficult to sustain their overt interventions. Congress might also try to diminish arms sales to the Kingdom in general and cut off those that might be used in Yemen. America, along with its allies, should also dramatically increase its humanitarian aid. Through hearings and its budget power, Congress can drive a change in U.S. policy.
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Middle East upheaval casts a shadow over ‘Arab NATO’
The Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), Washington’s name for a repeatedly delayed military consortium first floated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remains slated for a delayedJanuary rollout but could face another postponement. A US official told Al-Monitor that the Donald Trump administration hopes to see a resolution to the diplomatic row between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors before the alliance is formalized.
“The US is correct that a regional grouping should include the entire GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council],” said Zack Gold, an analyst at CNA, a Washington-based defense think tank. “If [the Americans] are sending the message of not joining an organization that doesn’t include Qatar, it’s an important message to send.” Doha said it would spend more than $1.8 billion this summer to upgrade al-Udeid Air Base, which hosts 10,000 US troops.
Gold added that US military cooperation with Gulf countries hasn’t been completely derailed by the Qatar crisis. In August, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that 800 American troops participated in Operation Bright Star, another Egypt-based exercise that brought together 16 nations.
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/middle-east-upheaval-arab-nato-egypt.html
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Voices Rising For Yemen: Final Day – OpEd
We started our NYC activities this past Tuesday in soggy style, but yesterday, under brilliant sunny skies, the action became a moving procession. About 70 people formed a single file to carry backpacks, placards, signs bearing the names of children, and various banners, past the U.S. Mission to the UN, past the Saudi Mission, and over to the consulate. Today we did the same, anticipating that those who stood in front of the consulate would be arrested.
http://www.eurasiareview.com/09112018-voices-rising-for-yemen-final-day-oped/
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Another Bad Idea on Yemen from the Trump Administration
The Trump administration’s Yemen policy is already indefensible, and they may be about to make it even worse:
Labeling the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) is what the government would do if it wants to ensure that the war continues and escalates further. For one thing, the designation wouldn’t have much merit and it would be widely perceived as part of the administration’s obsession with Iran. The Houthis are guilty of war crimes, recruitment of child soldiers, torture, arbitrary detention, and other abuses against Yemeni civilians in the territory they control, but to call them terrorists stretches that term to mean nothing more than “armed people we don’t like.” Terrorist designations have always been politically motivated, but there is usually some legitimate basis for including a group on the FTO list. There wouldn’t be on in this case. Designating the Houthis as terrorists would have no real effect on their finances, since they aren’t relying on any institutions that the U.S. can sanction, but it would adversely affect humanitarian relief efforts in Houthi-controlled territory.
Labeling the Houthis as terrorists might be satisfying to the Saudis and Emiratis, who are desperate to cast their unjust war as something other than an indefensible attack on their poor neighbor, but it would be a mistake that would likely have harmful effects on Yemen’s civilian population. If the administration were genuinely interested in helping peace negotiations in Yemen, they would be spending much more time pressuring the Saudi coalition members to halt their Hodeidah offensive and they would stop trying to blame Iran for everything – by Daniel Larison
referring to
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Trump administration considers naming Yemen’s Houthi rebels a terrorist group
The Trump administration is considering designating Yemen’s Houthi rebels a terrorist organization, people familiar with the discussions said, as part of a campaign to end that country’s civil war and put pressure on the Houthis’ ally Iran.
The terrorist designation, which would inject an unpredictable new element into fragile diplomatic efforts to initiate peace talks, has been discussed periodically since at least 2016, according to several of the individuals. But the matter has received renewed examination in recent months as the White House seeks to stake out a tough stance on Iranian-linked groups across the Middle East, they said.
A formal terrorist designation by the State Department could further isolate the rebels, members of a minority Shiite Muslim sect who seized control of Yemen’s capital in late 2014, but critics warn that such a move might also worsen already dire humanitarian conditions without pushing the conflict closer to a conclusion.
Some U.S. officials, particularly at the State Department, have resisted moves to designate the Houthis a terrorist group, believing that such a designation might complicate U.N. negotiators’ efforts to get peace discussions off the ground. A terrorist designation would be seen as a major escalation of U.S. pressure against the group.
Aid groups fear a designation could worsen suffering among Yemeni civilians because it could require groups to obtain licenses from the U.S. government before they were able to continue their work in Houthi-controlled areas.
Comment: Bad move. How on earth is alienating Houthis supposed to end current conflict when years of marginalizing and 6 wars to crush partly brought us here! And once designated as terror org, how exactly is UN or anyone to negotiate/officialy deal with!?
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1060738029604782081
and
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Intel: Why the US thinks designating Houthis as terrorists could help peace in Yemen
The Donald Trump administration is considering designating Yemen’s Houthis a terrorist organization, the Washington Post reported Thursday,
Strategic differences: Even as the United States debates designating the Houthis, it has long taken a different approach in Afghanistan, opting not to label the Taliban as a terror group in order to salvage peace talks.
Some experts thought the move signals a continued US willingness to go along with Saudi policy in Yemen. “I think it’s just [a] reflexive anti-Houthi/Iran approach, or more accurately just a copy-paste of Saudi [talking points],” one former US official told Al-Monitor. “It has huge humanitarian consequences if true.”
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House Democrats must end US support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen
When Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in January, they must make ending US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen a priority, writes CJ Werleman.
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US Special Operation Command C146A Wolfhound tracking oer #SaudiArabia heading #Yemen ? (map)
https://twitter.com/GDarkconrad/status/1060490865012039680
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USA: Rationale Politik stand nicht zur Wahl
Die Zwischenwahlen in den USA haben erneut gezeigt: Das politische Elend ist dort momentan überparteilich und darum nicht abwählbar – keins der politischen Lager kann einen echten moralischen Vorsprung reklamieren. Derweil läuft die Mythenbildung des „guten Amerika“ auf Hochtouren – vor den Wahlen erreichte die Distanzierung von den eigenen Kriegsverbrechen nochmals ungeahnte Ausmaße: Nach dieser dominanten Lesart kam das Böse erst mit US-Präsident Donald Trump in die Welt.
Die aktuellen US-Kriege sind nicht zuerst Trumps Werk
Über diese wichtige Kritik am US-Präsidenten sollte aber eines nicht vergessen werden: Nicht zuerst Donald Trump hat die aktuelle Welt mit ihren Kriegen und Flüchtlingsströmen „gebaut“. Der zerbrechliche Zustand des Planeten ist viel eher unter der dominanten Führung jener Kräfte entstanden, die von den großen deutschen Medien aktuell als das „gute Amerika“ verkauft werden. Auch wenn er mutmaßlich nicht vor solchen Kriegen zurückschrecken würde: Die Zerstörung Afghanistans, Libyens, des Iraks, des Jemens oder Syriens ist nicht zuerst das Werk Donald Trumps. Aber die Horror-Fratze Trump eignet sich für die US-Demokraten gut, um dahinter die eigenen Kriegsverbrechen zu verstecken. Diese Praxis der US-Demokraten ist vergleichbar mit der Instrumentalisierung der AfD durch deutsche Altparteien: Auch hierzulande soll jenes „populistische“ Monster die eigene Existenz rechtfertigen und die eigene Verantwortung am Rechtsruck überdecken. Dass in dieser Betrachtung Ursache (die neoliberale Politik) und Wirkung (der Rechtsruck) auf den Kopf gestellt werden, dringt medial nicht mehr durch.
Die Zwischenwahlen und das unentschiedene Ergebnis verdeutlichen einmal mehr das zentrale Problem der „Demokratie“ in den USA: Es gibt ein parteiübergreifendes Kriegs- und Finanzmarktlager, das scheinbar nicht abgewählt werden kann. Dieses Phänomen ist durch die überparteiliche Zustimmung zu den US-Kriegen der Vergangenheit lange belegt, aktuell bestätigte es am Dienstag ausgerechnet der mutmaßliche transatlantische Lobbyist Norbert Röttgen im „Deutschlandfunk“ am Beispiel der Drangsalierung des Iran:„Beim Thema Iran hat Trump auch immer eine überparteiliche Zustimmung gehabt.“
Die „New York Times“ und Putins Komplott gegen Amerika
https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=46932
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The Midterms and the War on Yemen
After two years reckless and irresponsible Trump administration foreign policy, the new Democratic House majority is in a position to provide greater oversight and scrutiny of the president’s policies.
The change in control of the House may have the greatest impact on U.S. support for the war on Yemen. Dozens of Democratic House members have already co-sponsored H.Con.Res. 138, including members of the party leadership and the ranking members of relevant committees, and those numbers seem certain to grow with the influx of new members in January. Thanks to the efforts of Reps. Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan, H.Con.Res. 138 will come up for a vote later this month, and if for some reason it doesn’t pass in this Congress there is a much better chance that it will pass in the new Congress next year.
The House Democrats aren’t going to be able to stop or reverse all of Trump’s destructive foreign policy decisions, but on Yemen they have an opportunity to force real changes in U.S. policy.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-midterms-and-the-war-on-yemen/
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Midterms revamp Middle East policymaking in Congress
Here’s how the elections will affect the panels most relevant to the Middle East.
House Foreign Affairs Committee: Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., will likely use his new position as incoming chairman to push for greater oversight into Trump’s Middle East policies, particularly his relationship with the Saudis.
House Armed Services Committee: Incoming chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., is keenly interested in reining in what he views as excessive US military intervention abroad. Smith led the charge among Democratic leaders in backing a resolution that would force the United States to stop midair refueling support for the Saudi coalition’s war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, is likely to replace Bob Corker, R-Tenn., as head of the Foreign Relations Committee following Corker’s retirement. Risch, an Iran hard-liner, has been less vocal in pushing back against Trump’s Middle East policies than Corker, who has become increasingly outspoken against Saudi Arabia in recent months
Senate Armed Services Committee:Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., an Iran hawk supportive of Trump’s Middle East policies, will remain in control of the Armed Services Committee following the death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., earlier this year. But top Democrat Jack Reed of Rhode Island has taken an increasingly tough line on Saudi Arabia in recent weeks following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Reed has gone so far as to call for an arms sales ban to Riyadh – by Giorgio Cafiero
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/midterms-revamp-mideast-policy-congress.html
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Will House Democrats End U.S. Involvement In Yemen War?
The success of congressional Democrats, who took back control of the House of Representatives in yesterday’s midterm elections, poses new challenges for the White House.
Although Democratic lawmakers will have limited means to change the administration’s foreign policy in the Middle East, especially with the Senate remaining in GOP hands, congressional pressure may impact Trump’s handling of the Yemen war.
In the lead-up to this month’s elections, congressional opposition to the U.S. role in Yemen’s civil war steadily mounted.
Given the anger in Washington over the Jamal Khashoggi murder case, there is a real possibility that the Democrat-controlled House will be able to garner the votes to achieve what scores of lawmakers unsuccessfully sought to accomplish in March. The stakes are high regarding weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Any effort to cancel, delay, or freeze arms deals could undermine the White House’s “special relationships” with Crown Princes Mohammed bin Salman and Mohammed bin Zayed, the de facto rulers in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi who are at the helm of Saudi and Emirati foreign policy. At risk are pending Saudi and UAE purchases of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile defense system, the F-35 fifth generation fighter jets, and precision guided munitions.
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) is driving efforts among House Democrats to push a War Powers Resolution that would require the U.S. military to cut off support to Riyadh’s coalition in Yemen. With Democrats to take control of the House of Representatives, Khanna and his congressional allies may well force a vote on the resolution next year.
From the standpoint of many Democrats, Trump’s foreign policy has become too transactional. As Trump’s congressional opponents speak out about the president’s close ties with Saudi Arabia’s leadership amid the Khashoggi case’s fallout, the Washington-Riyadh relationship has become more of a domestic issue in the United States. In stark contrast to 2016, the issue of Yemen and Washington’s (partial) responsibility for the humanitarian disaster became an electoral talking point this year for Democratic candidates.
If the White House moves forward with lucrative arms deals to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi without the Arab Persian Gulf states first ending their bombing campaigns in Yemen, next year’s debates about the conflict are likely to be heated. Odds are good that the new House of Representatives will highlight the calamity in Yemen to put pressure on the administration to change course. Unquestionably, the outcome of yesterday’s election is unwelcome news in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Congress will be less willing to give the Saudis and Emiratis a blank check in Yemen. Indeed, led by newly emboldened Democrats, critics of Trump administration policy will be scrutinizing Saudi and UAE conduct more generally.
https://lobelog.com/will-house-democrats-end-u-s-involvement-in-yemen-war/
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Rep. Ro Khanna: With the time remaining this Congress, we must pass my War Powers Resolution and end the Saudi-led war in Yemen. 14 million people are at risk of famine. This bill cannot wait, we must pass it and end the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna/status/1060199195141984256
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A friendly reminder that @CAIRNational has been silent on Saudi’s war in Yemen for 3 years, 7 months, 12 days. The length of the war. In that time, it has accused Assad of genocide while hosting town halls & issuing statements on ALL other conflicts involving Muslim populations.
https://twitter.com/amelscript/status/1059892011791147008
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Map shows where President Barack Obama dropped his 20,000 bombs
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
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Films: When asked about the concerns of arming Saudi Arabia After The #Bus_Massacre, #UK Hypocrite Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt explains the importance of UK weapons being sold to #Saudi_Arabia and believes that part of the relationship between the UK and Saudis is fighting terrorism, what a joke.
[Video On Left] Commentary by Jeremy Hunt Three Months Ago, About The Bus Massacre After Saudi Arabia Stated, “It Was A Legitimate Target”
[Video On Right] Jeremy Hunt With His Foot In His Mouth About “Fighting Terrorism” After Saudis Get Exposed For #Khashoggi Brutal Murder Which Couldn’t Be Covered Up, Yet Still No Justice For The Families Of The Victims Of The Bus Massacre.
https://www.facebook.com/ryafei/posts/2408753859141968
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“We must condemn the British government and the UN Security Council” – Thornberry on Yemen war
Emily Thornberry today called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen, a new UN Security Council resolution on the crisis, humanitarian relief to Yemeni civilians and an investigation into alleged war crimes.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary praised Labour MP Keith Vaz for his work on the issue and encouraged all parliamentarians, NGOs and journalists to “condemn” the British government and the UN Security Council “for not taking action immediately […] to bring this war to an end”.
Below is the full text of Emily Thornberry’s speech at the International Parliamentary Conference for Peace in Yemen at The National Assembly in Paris.
And when it comes to parliamentarians and NGOs like us, the children of Yemen have a right to demand more than sorrow and sympathy and tears. They are calling out for action. And we must listen to those voices. We must demand action. And we must all stand up and condemn governments like Britain’s, governments all around the world, and the UN Security Council as a group, for not listening to the Expert Panel, for not taking action immediately, for not doing everything they can – for not even trying! – to bring this war to an end, and get relief to the children who need it.
Because wherever we are in the world, for all of us who have been involved in these debates for the last three years, the true questions we must all start to ask are these: how bad do things need to get before our governments will take action? And what does the Saudi coalition need to do before our governments will say ‘enough’.
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Parliament: Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia:Written question - 184868
MP Keith Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the total value was of UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia in financial year 2017-2018.
Graham Stuart: The Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) of licences granted and refused for military exports on GOV.UK, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data
The total value of military rated items, licensed between 1 April 2017 and 31st March 2018, was £894,505,658.
The value of exports licensed in a given period is not necessarily a measure of actual exports shipped in that period.
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UK arms to Saudi Arabia: Amnesty to intervene in fresh legal challenge
Here are the 29 Tory MPs who have accepted lavish free trips from the murderous Saudi Arabian regime since 2015
The claim that Saudi Arabia and its golden Prince, Mohammed Bin-Salman (MSB), may have significant influence over the UK government has always been brushed off as a non-story by the Tories. However, this week a list has emerged detailing a staggering number of MPs who have accepted lavish all expenses paid trips to the head-chopping Arab Gulf state.
Since 2015, the government of Saudi Arabia has spent at least £222,000 jetting UK MPs out to the oil rich middle eastern country.
Details of these trips are listed on the website of The Register of Members Financial Interests. The purpose of the register is to provide information of any financial interests or benefits an MP receives which could be seen as influential on their work as a Member of Parliament.
A staggering 34 MPs have taken all expenses paid trips to Saudi Arabia courtesy of MBS since March 2015. Of these 34, 29 are Conservative MPs, whilst 3 are from the Labour Party, and 1 now sits as an Independent MP.
Whilst visiting other nations may simply be part of being an MP, the rise in visits since the start of the Saudi-led military action in Yemen is a major cause for concern.
The 33 MPs who have accepted free trips from the Saudi regime since March 2015 are:
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A supine Welsh Government can’t turn a blind eye to training Saudi pilots at RAF Valley
we are disgusted, horrified and ashamed that pilots from Saudi Arabia are being trained on Welsh soil and using Welsh airspace, and that the RAF is being cynically used by the UK Government to support the massive sales of arms to the Saudi regime.
This is a regime which has been carrying out a horrendous war in Yemen, with thousands of innocent casualties.
And because we are incandescent with rage at the supine and unquestioning support given by the Welsh Government to the UK military machine and arms companies.
Ken Skates, our Economy and Transport Secretary, is scheduled to be a “keynote speaker” at the Arms Fair in Cardiff next March.
And throw in the proposed development of Llanbedr Airfield to enable arms companies such as BAE and Qinetiq to develop and test their destructive wares – incidentally supported by Plaid Cymru led Gwynedd Council, and part of the North Wales Growth Bid.
We are truly fed up to the back teeth with the abandonment of large tracts of Wales to the military – little has changed since the community at Epynt was cleared away to build a military training range.
And we are kept in the dark about so many of these issues.
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Saudi pilots trained by the RAF as more than 100 learn how to fly in the UK
Some 102 Saudi pilots have trained in the UK over the last decade - leading to claims the government has "blood on its hands"
Tory ministers have been accused of having "blood on their hands" after admitting the RAF has trained more than 100 Saudi pilots in the UK.
Royal Saudi Air Force chiefs enjoyed the honour despite allegations their regime is breaching human rights in Yemen's brutal civil war.
Yet now the government has confirmed 102 Saudi pilots were trained at RAF bases over the last decade.
The figure - disclosed by defence minister Mark Lancaster to Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards - prompted fresh calls for the UK to halt arms sales and military help to Saudi Arabia.
Amnesty International UK arms expert Oliver Sprague said: "Thousands of Yemeni civilians have already been killed by the Saudi coalition’s disastrously mistargeted bombing campaign.
"So you have to ask - what has this training been achieving?
"With Saudi bomber pilots time and time again hitting hospitals, homes and even school buses in Yemen the MoD ought to fully review these training programmes to establish whether they’re in any way fit for purpose."
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry added: "With millions of children in Yemen facing starvation, and with residential areas, food markets, hospitals and even school buses being routinely hit by Saudi air strikes, the Tory government needs to come clean about our role in this war.
"When they are not just selling Saudi Arabia the planes and bombs it is using to kill civilians in Yemen, but training the pilots who are flying those planes and dropping those bombs, the government needs to be asked: is the blood of Yemen's children on your hands?"
Training is ongoing at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/saudi-pilots-trained-raf-more-13537652
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
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Sevim Dagdelen, Die Linke: Unterstützung für den Krieg im Jemen beenden!
Plenarrede am 9. November 2018 anlässlich der Debatte im Bundestag zum Export von Rüstungsgütern.
Diese humanitäre Katastrophe ist nicht vom Himmel gefallen; sie ist keine Naturgewalt. Diese Katastrophe im Jemen ist menschengemacht. Mitverantwortlich für das massenhafte Leid im Jemen ist diese Bundesregierung, die skrupellos Waffenlieferungen an die Jemen-Kriegsallianz genehmigt hat.
Das ist unerträglich. Es ist unerträglich, dass Sie dafür mitverantwortlich sind und das wissentlich und willentlich weiter betreiben. Deshalb fordern wir: Hören Sie endlich auf damit!
Statt, wie im Koalitionsvertrag vereinbart, die Rüstungsexporte an diese Allianz im Jemen einzustellen, werden von Kanzlerin Merkel, Vizekanzler Scholz und Außenminister Maas munter immer weitere Mordwerkzeuge geliefert.
Darunter sind ebendiese Patrouillenboote, die laut Medienberichten für die Durchsetzung der barbarischen Hungerblockade im Jemen zum Einsatz kommen.
Ohne Unterstützung aus dem Westen könnten Saudi-Arabien und die gesamte Kriegsallianz den Krieg gegen den Jemen nicht länger führen. Hören Sie endlich auf mit dieser Unterstützung des Krieges im Jemen!
https://www.sevimdagdelen.de/unterstuetzung-fuer-den-krieg-im-jemen-beenden/
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
Siehe / Look at cp13a
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50 EU-Parlamentarier fordern Stopp des Jemen-Krieges
50 EU-Parlamentarier haben den Stopp des Jemen-Krieges sowie den Stopp des Waffenverkaufs an die am Krieg beteiligten Seiten gefordert.
Wie al-Jazeera am heutigen Freitag schrieb, haben diese Abgeordneten zum Abschluss einer Jemen-Friedenskonferenz in Paris von den Kriegsseiten im Jemen gefordert, sich zur Herstellung von Frieden im Jemen, an den Verhandlungstisch zu setzen.
Weiter hieß es bei al-Jazeera, dass auf dem Kongress in Paris Gesetzesvertreter und Abgeordnete vieler europäischer Länder wie Frankreich, Großbritannien, Italien, Deutschland und die Niederlande ein Dokument mit dem Titel "Pariser Aufruf für Frieden im Jemen" unterzeichnet hätten.
An der Pariser Konferenz, die am Mittwoch vom französischen Parlament veranstaltet wurde, nahmen zahlreiche europäische Vertreter und Vertreter von Menschenrechtsorganisationen teil.
http://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i44501-50_eu_parlamentarier_fordern_stopp_des_jemen_krieges
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A day of mobilization for peace in Yemen
International Parliamentary Conference for Peace in Yemen
In the French Parliament in the presence of parliamentarians from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, as well as a videoconference with the Yemeni Parliament
followed by a rally in front of the parliament with a dozen organizations gathered forming a Solidarity collective with Yemen (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1926932990936019
Communique:
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1061032592584175616
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Iran blames US for crimes against humanity in Yemen
The U.S. is responsible for crimes against humanity regarding Iran and Yemen, Iran’s Foreign Minister said Thursday, Anadolu reports.
“You know what @SecPompeo? It’s the Yemenis themselves who’re responsible for famine they’re facing. They should’ve simply allowed your butcher clients—who spend billions on bombing school buses & “millions to mitigate this risk”–to annihilate them w/o resisting. #HaveYouNoShame,” Javad Zarif said on Twitter.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181108-iran-blames-us-for-crimes-against-humanity-in-yemen/
https://us.cnn.com/2018/11/09/politics/zarif-pompeo-tweet-yemen-iran/index.html
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Kuwait to Resolve Dispute with Saudi Over Oil Fields
Kuwait expressed on Tuesday its willing to resolve the dispute with Saudi Arabia, so it can resume production, which was suspended because of the row between the two countries three years ago.
Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah was quoted as saying that his country was working with Saudi Arabia to resolve the dispute between the two sides over the joint oil wells between the two countries in order to resume production, pointing out that research and consultation with the Saudis on the issue of dispute is still underway.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3637&cat_id=2
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Pakistan can mediate in Yemen war if stakeholders agree, PM tells envoy
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that Pakistan was ready to mediate in the Yemen conflict if all parties involved gave their approval.
Talking to Yemeni Ambassador Mohammed Mohatar Alashabi, Khan emphasised Pakistan’s desire to see a peaceful resolution to the war in Yemen.
The premier had previously said that the country would mediate in the conflict between the Saudi-led alliance and Houthi rebels.
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'The image of a victim is not what I want'
A Yemeni journalist and activist seeking asylum in Sweden has been asked to move to the Czech Republic to have her case heard there, despite having family resident in Sweden.
Journalist Hind Aleryani wants to work and volunteer in Sweden and give back to the community, and chose the Scandinavian country because her mother and sister both have residence here. This means Sweden offers much-needed stability for her 16-year-old daughter, whose health has deteriorated due to anxiety over the threats the family received at home and the uncertainty regarding their living situation.
The family moved after Aleryani and her daughter received threats of violence while living in Turkey.
After claims on Yemen's state TV that Aleryani was funded by international organizations with the aim of ruining Islam's reputation, both she and her daughter were contacted over the phone and on social media by people threatening violence and naming Aleryani's daughter's school.
"I had received threats before, but this shocked me because I never mention my daughter on social media; most people don't even know I have a daughter. But they knew her school. I will do anything to protect her," the journalist says.
She and her daughter were able to move to Sweden quickly, leaving most of their possessions behind, because Aleryani had a valid Schengen visa from visiting the Czech Republic for a work conference in 2017 and this allowed her daughter to get a visa for Sweden.
https://www.thelocal.se/20181105/the-image-of-a-victim-is-not-what-i-want
Comment: .@HindAleryani a promènent public figure & social change leader from #Yemen has applied for asylum in @swedense. We need support from a leading country in feminist foreign policy to support protection of HRDs from #Yemen.
https://twitter.com/RashaJarhum/status/1059859729319522304
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
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US Dep. of State: U.S. Arms Transfers Rise 13 Percent in 2018, Highlighting Administration's Success Strengthening Security Partners While Growing American Jobs
Over the last fiscal year, authorized arms exports rose by a total of 13 percent to $192.3 billion, adding thousands of jobs to the U.S. economy and sustaining many thousands more. These increases in both government-to-government and commercial sales of defense equipment by U.S. companies have coincided with efforts by the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and its interagency partners to comprehensively reform and modernize the arms transfer process.
Central to these efforts is the President’s new Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy, released in April 2018, which aligned U.S. policy on conventional arms transfers with our national and economic security interests. As an element of the CAT Policy, the President directed that the Secretary of State submit a CAT Policy Implementation Plan and make updates to the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Export Policy. Building on this guidance, the U.S. Government, led by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, is undertaking comprehensive efforts to reform the arms transfer process and to work with allies and partners to ensure they have prompt access to U.S. defense materiel.
After consultation with industry, Congress, and non-governmental organizations, the CAT Policy Implementation Plan was submitted to the President in July 2018 and implementation is underway. The Departments of State, Commerce, and Defense are working closely with industry to improve U.S. policies and processes, including through reforms of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that will remove outdated regulations and make them easier to use, while ensuring our arms transfers advance the objectives laid out in the President’s National Security Strategy.
The new UAS Export Policy was approved in April and expands opportunities for the export of UAS systems, including via Direct Commercial Sales, while maintaining the requirement for partners to agree to certain Principles of Use for such systems.
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/11/287214.htm
My comment: This simply is perverse.
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Norway suspends arms export licenses to Saudi Arabia
Norway announced on Friday that it was suspending new licenses for arms exports to Saudi Arabia following recent developments in the Gulf kingdom and the situation in Yemen.
A foreign ministry spokesman declined to say whether the decision was partly motivated by the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.
“We have decided that in the present situation we will not give new licenses for the export of defense material or multipurpose goods for military use to Saudi Arabia,” Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide said in a statement.
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BAE Systems eyes a brighter fighter jet future
Company is hunting for more orders as it develops successor to its Typhoon aircraft
The UK’s combat air sector generates annual sales of £6bn, and has provided more than 80 per cent of British defence industry exports over the past decade, including through a landmark contract with Saudi Arabia for 72 Typhoon jets. But the job losses BAE announced last October raised fears over Britain’s ability to retain design and development capability in combat aircraft. “One of my focus points”, said Mr Brown, has been “the need to retain capability”. This requires Typhoon sales in the medium-term, and Chris Boardman, group managing director of BAE Systems’ air division, is optimistic about potential contracts. A big boost for Typhoon and the UK would be a new order from Saudi Arabia: the kingdom signed a memorandum of intent with the UK for 48 jets in March. But this fell short of a full order for the aircraft, and there are concerns this has now been delayed indefinitely following the international outcry over the death of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Boardman insisted any fallout is “a government issue” and BAE’s day-to-day work with the Saudis on the kingdom’s existing Typhoon jets was “carrying on as usual”.
My comment: Mad.
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Saudi makes $1 billion bid for partnership with South Africa defense group Denel
Saudi Arabia has made a $1 billion bid for a broad partnership with South African state-owned defense group Denel that would include acquisition of a minority stake in a joint venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), a source familiar with the offer said.
Currently heavily dependent on imports, Saudi Arabia, the world’s third-largest defense spender, is seeking partnerships to develop its own domestic defense industry with the goal of localizing half of its military spending by 2030.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the kingdom’s state defense company, told Reuters last month that it was in discussions with all major South African firms and aimed to conclude the first deals by the end of this year.
According to the source, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks, Saudi Arabia was targeting Denel’s 49 percent stake in Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM).
RDM is a South African-based joint venture formed in 2008 between Denel and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, which holds the remaining 51 percent stake. It specializes in the development, design and manufacture of medium and large-caliber ammunition including artillery shells.
Industry sources said RDM operates independently and is subject to South African law, which means exports from the unit are not subject to German government oversight. The sources said they did not expect that a change in the ownership of the venture would require a German government review.
My comment: Shameless and disgusting, as the following:
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Saudi Arabia in joint venture with Spain's Navantia to build navy vessels
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) tweeted on Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly manufacture five corvettes for the Saudi navy.
The deal, announced earlier this year, is the first military contract signed by the kingdom with a foreign country since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which caused a global outcry.
The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday in Riyadh, said the state-run Saudi Press Agency, which carried photographs of the event.
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
(A)
Yemeni security forces in Marib thwart attempts to smuggle ancient statues
Yemeni security forces foiled a Houthi attempt to smuggle rare antiquities out of the Marib province, arresting those involved, Saudi state-news channel Al-Ekhbariya reported.
The Yemeni news agency reported that security forces seized gold statues and gemstones at a military checkpoints outside the capital.
The police chief in the province said the suspects arrested for the smuggling attempt were monitored for more than a month before they were arrested. The gang confessed to selling the relics to Arab merchants who acted as brokers.
The general director also said those arrested were part of a larger smuggling gang. He said the investigation revealed that many antiquities and gold bullion were smuggled out, and several archaeological sites have been destroyed.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1400596/middle-east
My comment: The following sentence is odd propaganda: “He said the aim of the Houthi militia was to destroy all national capabilities, including the cultural heritage, where artifacts were seized in the Yemeni museums and official stores of the state“. Just keep in mind Saudi coalition air raids at all sorts of historical sites, one raid deliberately targeted Dhammar Archaeological Museum. – And: At least the metal staue in the photo must be a forgery.
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
(* B E P)
Salvation Government: Yemeni Currency Victim of Irresponsible Decisions of Pro US-Saudi Aggression- Government
An official source in the National Salvation Government said, on Thursday, that fluctuation in the exchange rate of the national currency at high rates, is a natural result of the state of confusion, irresponsible and criminal decisions taken by - pro US-Saudi aggression - government and the Bank of Aden in managing the economic file and monetary and financial policies in particular.
The source pointed out that this confusion and the decisions adopted by the aggression have exacerbated the fear among citizens, confused the general economic scene and negatively affected the attempt to revive the monetary cycle of the banking sector. The source stressed that what the market is witnessing of randomness, disorder and collapse of the strength of the national currency is due to the disastrous decision to transfer the Central Bank to Aden, and the subsequent suspension of the bank from carrying out its functions in monetary policy.
The source pointed out that the mismanagement of new cash printed in Russia in large quantities and pumped to the market in irresponsible and systematic way was and still the most important reasons that led to the deterioration of the value of the Yemeni riyal against other foreign currencies. The international community also was held the moral responsible in this regard because of the direct impact on the lives of Yemeni citizens and their food security.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3662&cat_id=1
Remark: This claim by the Houthi government is confirmed otherwise: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/famine-grows-worse-in-yemen-threatening-millions-a-1237466.html
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A T)
#AlQaeda & #IslamicState are allegedly still at each other's throats in #Yemen. The group identifying itself as #ISIS in Yemen claims it killed & injured multiple #AQAP members in a 6 hour battle yday to repel AQAP's assault on 3 positions in Qayfa, al-Bayda'. No word yet from AQ
We now have #alQaeda's version of clashes last night with #IslamicState in #Yemen (ISY). #AQAP attacked ISY positions in Qayfa from midnight to 6am. 12 ISY fighters & 2 AQAP were killed. AQAP was avenging ISY rockets launched at Lower Dhi Kalib village, heedless of women & kids
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1060586219283697664
(A T)
ISIS Wilayat al Bayda claimed to repel an attack by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Qayfa area, al Bayda governorate, central Yemen on November 8.[1]
(A T)
#AQAP #Yemen media releases infographic on internal spies. Of most interest are spy tasks identified. 1st 4 all relate to fragmentation. 1 Lead Astray 2 Discourage, postpone 3 Sow discord 4 Create & fuel problems 5 Gather info 6 Plant trackers 7 Identify recruits 8 Advise enemy (image)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1060212993298882560
(A T)
Is the overall leader of #alQaeda in #Yemen, Qasim al-Raymi [Rimi], seriously ill? This #poem circulating today on pro-#AQAP wires with his photo implies that he is. This also accords with a passing reference to Raymi's ill-health in AQAP's 30th October spy video at 11 minutes in (image)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1060220845677666304
(B T)
Yemen strikes wane, but AQAP still poses “a significant threat”
The number of US airstrikes that target al Qaeda’s network in Yemen has decreased significantly from 2017 to 2018, but the terror group remains “a significant threat,” a spokesman for US Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) said. CENTCOM made the statement about AQAP’s viability while announcing two previously undisclosed strikes which took place in September.
AQAP has remained a viable and lethal branch of al Qaeda’s global network, despite a concerted US air campaign that has killed several top leaders and operatives, and has targeted AQAP’s military capacity.
While CENTCOM did not provide a reason for the reduction in strikes against AQAP, it is possible that the ongoing civil war and the Arab coalition has impacted the air campaign against the terror group. The US is supporting the Arab coalition in its fight against the Houthis, and this may be diverting resources that can be used to target AQAP.
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/11/yemen-strikes.php
(A T)
US Forces Hit Al-Qaeda in Yemen With 2 Unreported Airstrikes in September
US armed forces carried out two previously unreported air strikes against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) targets in Yemen in September, Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release on Tuesday, raising its tally of strikes for the month to 36.
“US Central Command conducted two counter-terrorism air strikes targeting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen in September, bringing the total number of air strikes to 36,” the CENTCOM release said. “In October, there were zero air strikes.”
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201811071069576596-usa-yemen-centcom-al-qaeda-airstrikes/
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Intensified Yemen Attacks Complicate U.S. Peace Plans
Saudi-led coalition pounds the area around an important Red Sea port
https://www.wsj.com/articles/intensified-yemen-attacks-complicate-u-s-peace-plans-1541767017
Comment: Mission accomplished: in a piece about the UAE-led assault Hodeidah, the UAE isn't mentioned once. The benefits of ("Saudi-led") Coalitions.
https://twitter.com/samueloakford/status/1060918404591296516
(A P)
The administration is studying naming Alhouthis as a terrorist group! Better late than never! But here are 7 reasons why: #terrorism (Thread)
https://twitter.com/icHamza/status/1060839026448613376
My comment: These 7 reasons all might refer to real and horrible crimes – but this has little or nothing to do with “terrorism”. If crimes like these should value for defining a “terrorist” organization, then the Saudi government, the US government, thr UK government also should be declared “terrorists”.
(A P)
Saudi/UA-led SpxMan “Calmed that Houthis try to trap #Hodeidah port & detonate floating tank (SAFER) these claims based on accurate infos." This nonsense reminds me of his nonsense after the School Bus war crime. In One Word These villains are determined to destroy the port SOON (images)
https://twitter.com/I4Yemen/status/1061017826738212865
(A P)
[US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in] Interview With Hadi Nili of BBC Persian
Pompeo: This is a fundamental difference in the humanitarian nature of these two nations. Iran causes death and destruction inside of Yemen and does nothing to prevent the starvation [bold mine-DL], and the Saudis provide millions and millions of dollars – as do the Emiratis – to mitigate this risk and this harm. And so it’s a complicated problem; I made a statement last week. I’m very hopeful that every side will lay down their weapons in Yemen, and that Martin Griffiths, the UN special representative tasked with finding a political solution in Yemen – but that can’t happen unless the Iranians decide that the Houthis will no longer engage in violence there
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2018/11/287210.htm
Remark: A reply is here: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-iran-obsession-poisons-everything/
And Iranian reply http://www.irna.ir/en/News/83092948
(A P)
Will Houthis Respond to the US Call?
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threw a stone in the stagnant waters of the Yemeni crisis, after calling on all parties to agree on a ceasefire and enter into negotiations in the next 30 days.
The Yemeni government welcomed the call for a ceasefire and a solution based on the three references, namely the Gulf Initiative, the outcome of national dialogue and UN Security Council Resolution 2216. However, will this important and necessary invitation to dialogue, which was received sportively by the Yemeni legitimacy, be faced with positivity by the Houthis?
Unfortunately, all the previous attempts to reach a peaceful solution did not work, in the absence of a practical move by the Houthis to enter into serious negotiations to end the war. In fact, in all past negotiations over the Yemeni crisis, the Houthis were a stumbling block to any peaceful solution.
In order for any new US vision not to be a clone of the previous initiative by former US Secretary of State John Kerry - which was doomed to failure because it did not take into account the relevant international resolutions – it should reject the status quo and insist on bringing back the situation in Yemen to its previous state, before the Houthi coup in September 2014.
However, until now, the US invitation is nothing more than mere statements, it’s not yet a plan nor a program. Any peace plan must pass through the UN Security Council and be in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, mainly Resolution 2216. Here, we should not overlook the new wave of US sanctions on Iran; the Iranian regime finds in the Houthi coup and the continuation of the war a golden opportunity to respond indirectly to the US and to maintain instability in the region.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1454481/salman-al-dossary/will-houthis-respond-us-call
My comment: Nice propaganda. UN resolution 2216 was mainly formulated by Saudi Arabia – and it guarantees full advantage for the Saudi side and its Yemeni puppets, claiming the Houthis must capitulate. This resolution blocked any peace for 3 ½ years now. – Most ridiculous: “insist on bringing back the situation in Yemen to its previous state, before the Houthi coup in September 2014”: Nobody can drive history back. For doing so, Saudi Arabia at first should undo its air raids: The reconstruction of the damage will cost about US $ 200 billion. Pay, Saudi, pay.
(A P)
VP: Coup, terrorism are enemies of Yemenis
Vice President Ali Mohsin Saleh has said that the Houthi coup and terrorism are the two enemies of the Yemeni people, calling to unify all efforts to fight them.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25107
My comment: The great elder AQAP supporter is speaking.
(A P)
Government warns Houthis against blowing up “Safer” tanks and booby-trapping government buildings
Government spokesman Rajeh Badi on Wednesday warned al-Houthi group against blowing up “Safer” tanks in Ras Isa port on the Red Sea, north of Hodeidah Province (western part of the country).
In remarks quoted by the state news agency Saba, he said that the Houthis started destroying government facilities as a result of their heavy losses and took civilians as human shields.
"The militia began to carry out its terrorist plans as a result of the heavy losses by detonating the RAS Issa floating tank, which contains nearly 1 million barrels of crude oil that could cause environmental and economic catastrophe for Yemen and the countries of the region," he added.
Rajeh Badi said the Houthis started to bomb government buildings and the port of Hodeidah, and there are terrorist intentions to target international shipping lines and global trade in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160753
My comment: This simply sounds like propaganda.
(A P)
Yemen-bombing Saudi Arabia says it ‘stands with' suffering Yemeni children in govt poster
Who do you think cares about Yemeni children facing starvation amid the Saudi-led armed intervention? Rights groups, relief agencies? Saudi Arabia insists it’s them.
Three years into the Yemen war, Saudi Arabia, which spearheaded the 2015 military intervention, says it “stands” with Yemenis. “Your children – our children,” reads a really questionable poster released in a tweet by the ministry.
To support their claim, the post, bearing the 'We Stand with Yemen' hashtag, features smiling faces of children along with emblems of Saudi government agencies, such as Communication and Media Center and the Foreign Ministry itself.
The Saudi message may indeed be questioned by anyone following updates on the humanitarian crisis raging across Yemen.
https://www.rt.com/news/443422-saudi-tweet-support-yemen/
and here is the source: https://twitter.com/KSAmofaEN/status/1059500096977600512
My comment: If you would not see it, you would not believe it. Look at the comments.
And
(* A P)
New Saudi Propaganda Blitz Targets Western Audience
Behold the absurd new heights of Saudi propaganda. A poster and series of new infographics created by the Saudi Foreign Ministry and now being promoted through official Saudi media accounts depicts Yemeni children and reads "we stand with the Yemeni people" .
A series of propaganda graphics released by the ministry this week claim further that since its 2015 air campaign over Yemen, the Saudi coalition has been "careful in avoiding civilians, women and children, civilian objects and infrastructure from effects of the conflict."
On Twitter the images of a smiling faces of children along with emblems of Saudi government agencies are accompanied with a 'We Stand with Yemen' hashtag.
The Saudi propaganda blitz comes a week after The Guardian published select contents of a leaked internal United Nations document detailing a "pay to play" scheme orchestrated by Saudi Arabia in which the Saudis demanded that aid groups operating in Yemen provide favorable publicity for Saudi Arabia in return for Riyadh providing close to a billion dollars to fund their efforts.
The leaked document explicitly states for example that Riyadh expects the aid "recipient agency to publish articles in recognized daily newspapers such as the New York Times or the Guardian, highlighting our contribution.”
But with this prior propaganda effort now exposed it appears the Saudi government is going to the more direct and less subtle route of appealing to the Western English speaking public.
Of course, it goes without saying that nothing could be further from the truth (images)
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-11-08/absurd-new-heights-saudi-propaganda
(A P)
For its part, the Yemeni government warned from Houthi plots to bomb government buildings and national institutions like the Port of Hodeidah, and terrorist plans of targeting international maritime trade navigation at Bab al-Mandab and the south of the Red Sea, and bombing Safer Oil Tank at Ras Isa Port, which contains nearly a million barrel of crude oil and can cause environment and economic catastrophe to Yemen and the regional countries.
Government spokesperson Rajeh Badi said Houthis have placed heavy weapons in populated areas and damaged highways to hamper the delivery of humanitarian aid.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1453951/houthi-leader-pleads-deserters-return
(A P)
From Pakistan: Saudi-Yemen mediation or Pak military support
I think it is right to say that Saudi Arabia at present does not need Pak political or diplomatic support but rather it has dire need of our unmatched abilities of Pakistan Army which was earlier declined because of our internal unrest caused by terrorism.
I think this is high time that Pakistan should fully support Saudi Arabia to counter their internal and external threats. We should help our Saudi brothers unconditionally without anything in return.
In other words, Mr Prime Minister, I suppose that it is not mediation which is required between Saudi Arabia & Yemen but the military and political support of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia is needed to resolve and to protect their interests. Moreover, it is our duty to protect our holy places at any cost making it an opportunity for Pakistan to create peace and harmony in Middle East – by Senator Rehman Malik
https://nation.com.pk/08-Nov-2018/saudi-yemen-mediation-or-pak-military-support
(* A P)
Iran & Saudi Arabia, Thelma & Louise
We made two bets, and the Iranians and the Saudis responded with their worst impulses.
Iran denuclearized, but the Revolutionary Guards used the release of pressure and fresh cash and investments from the West to further project their power into the Sunni Arab world, consolidating the grip of Iran’s proxies over four Arab capitals: Baghdad, Damascus, Sana and Beirut.
Worse, Iran and its Lebanese Shiite mercenary army, Hezbollah, joined with Syria’s pro-Shiite regime in suppressing any chance of power-sharing with Syrian rebels and helped that regime ethnically cleanse Sunnis from key districts in Syria.
Iran’s imperial overstretch was halted only by the Israeli Air Force dealing a heavy blow to Iranian units in Syria when Iran sent missiles there to attack Israel.
I thought the Iran deal was a bet worth making. No regrets.
Then came President Trump.
He tore up the Iran deal, reimposed sanctions on Tehran and vowed to advance U.S. interests in the region by selling $110 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and betting on the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, M.B.S., who had removed the religious police from the streets in Saudi Arabia — a big deal — granted women the right to drive and brought cinema and Western-style concerts to the desert kingdom, all while snuffing out any dissent – by Thomas L. Friedman
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/06/opinion/iran-saudi-arabia-thelma-louise.html
My comment: What a shameless propaganda.
Comment: Shorter Friedman: "Watch me as I try to equate a reasonable policy with an indefensible one while using unnecessary pop culture references that make no sense."
https://twitter.com/DanielLarison/status/1059886368627875840
Comment. I think that @tomfriedman should stop writing about #Yemen. He calls the killing and starving millions in Yemen at MBS's hands an "intervention". He also missed reading Worth's article on Sunday at NYT that dispelled Saudi narrative of meaningful Iran influence in Yemen.
https://twitter.com/AishaJumaan/status/1059895715315339264
(* A P)
U.S.-Saudi Security Cooperation (Part 2): Restricting Operational Support in Yemen
The United States should keep training and advising Saudi forces if they meet certain conditions, but it should end refueling support to Saudi aircraft operating near Yemen.
Washington will likely intensify its scrutiny of U.S. operational support to the Saudi war effort. Since the conflict began in 2015, Congress has debated whether to end support activities such as refueling coalition aircraft and providing advise/assist functions in Saudi Arabia. Yet discussion of these missions often loses sight of their limited scale and, in the case of advisory support, their crucial defensive and diplomatic value.
U.S. TRAINING SUPPORT
Saudi operations in Yemen are evolving. The air war is slowing down and becoming more selective, with air-dropped weapon releases declining from nearly 200 per day in the early weeks of the war to less than 10 per day in 2018. On the ground, however, the Saudi military presence inside Yemen has expanded from well under 1,000 troops at the beginning of this year to around 3,000 today, comprising elements of six brigades from the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) and Royal Saudi Land Forces.
Although the U.S. military plays a very minor role in directly supporting operations in Yemen, the Saudi war effort draws indirectly on the large U.S. training missions and contractor support services that keep the kingdom’s armed forces operating. These programs, which are fully funded by the Saudi government, include:
OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
On June 8, the Trump administration acknowledged that U.S. forces “have continued to provide military advice and limited information, logistics, and other support to regional forces combating the Houthi insurgency in Yemen,” though he made clear that this was “a non-combat role.” This support includes:
REFUELING SUPPORT
The latest statistics from U.S. Central Command suggest that American forces are supporting the Saudi air campaign in Yemen with an average of 101 refueling sorties per month, or around 3 per day. In military terminology, this means that approximately 400,000 pounds of daily “offload” is available to Saudi aircraft involved in fighter missions, command and control, intelligence, and reconnaissance. The kingdom pays for the fuel and can call for deliveries as part of the bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, which gives the United States various logistical and access rights as well.
In total, fuel deliveries to Saudi aircraft amount to less than 5 percent of the U.S. Air Force’s daily deliveries in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan
POLICY OPTIONS
If the latest push for peace talks falls apart, U.S. officials may seek to distance America even further from the Yemen war via punitive measures against Riyadh. Yet while some of these potential measures are reversible options that offer a good means of signaling displeasure, others would damage Saudi Arabia’s legitimate defensive efforts and may prove difficult to reverse. Policymakers should be realistic about the minimal role that U.S. forces actually play in directly supporting the war. Going forward, Washington should limit itself to the following steps:
Continue military training missions.
Continue advise-and-assist support to defensive missions. According to Washington Institute data obtained from research along the Saudi-Yemeni frontier, the kingdom has suffered hundreds of fatalities each year from attacks on its Border Guards and missile strikes on southern Saudi towns. The United States should continue helping the Saudis defend their territory, including through increased defensive aid to hard-hit border units.
Keep advising Saudi forces on lawful targeting. Critics correctly argue that Saudi Arabia is not amending its targeting policies fast enough despite U.S. advice, but that does not mean giving up is the correct solution. Preventing additional civilian casualties is the most important contribution Washington can make, and this effort should not be politicized. To put more pressure on Riyadh without rescinding advisory support on targeting policy, the United States should condition future training and advise/assist efforts on Saudi forces halting their airstrikesagainst Houthi leadership targets and high-risk populated areas.
Stop refueling aircraft near Yemen – by Michael Knights and Lt. Col. August Pfluger, USAF
My comment: This is a typical US neocon imperialism propaganda. It downplays and whitewashes the US support for the Saudi war in Yemen. – It downplays the Yemen War and the Saudi role and war crimes in this war. It puts upside down declaring the Saudi war on Houthi Yemen as a matter of “defense” which it never had been. By this, it puts facts upside down. It keeps up the US fairy tales of US “advice on lawful targeting” which had been a scam for 3 ½ years now. It advices the US to keep up supporting the Saudi war in Yemen, just on a let’s say 90 % scale compared to before. This article does not mention nor the Saudi war crimes in Yemen nor the Khashoggi murder by any word. The reason for publishing it now seems to keep the US straight und downsize the consequences of these crimes. Business as usual is reclaimed.
(A P)
The Yemen war in Western media
The extent of the Western - especially liberal and European - media’s misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the Saudi involvement in the Yemen conflict is disheartening and baffling. To them, it looks like a war of choice not of necessity. They seem to believe that 10 Arab and Muslim countries decided one day that it was a good idea to bombard Yemeni towns and villages for no good reason. They seem to think that these countries could end hostilities anytime they wished, but somehow have continued on for three years and counting, and that the only way to stop them is to cease the sale of weapons and ammunition to the coalition leader, Saudi Arabia. They believe that if this happens, then peace will prevail the next day, and Yemenis will return to their pre-war “normal lives” and be happy ever after!
Except for some American, British and French leaders, who have clearly and continuously pointed out to their media and the world who is at fault in this tragic war, the rest seem to enjoy playing along with the crowd and falling over themselves to sell us more arms.
Some, like German leaders, have announced that they will cease arms sales and have called on other European nations to do the same. The hypocrisy is such that Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel Al-Jubeir, pointed out that Germany has had no military business with Saudi Arabia for a decade! French President, Emmanuel Macron, called on German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to stop her demagogue politics, and if she was serious, then to cease real German exports to Saudi Arabia, such as automobiles.
Like the Germans, many European politicians go along with this media narrative, or refrain from putting the record straight. Therefore, it feels good to listen to those who have had the courage to explain and correct.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/547356/Opinion/OP-ED/The-Yemen-war-in-Western-media
(A P)
More Saudi coalition “We are benefactors” propaganda
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/ksrelief-distributes-aid-yemen-kenya-and-indonesia
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids day by day
Nov. 6: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1541599037./1172012116282485
(A K pH)
Film: Saudi Air Force Targets a Market in Razih in Saada
Saudi-Led Coalition Air Force targeted Al-Ali market in the Directorate of Razih in Saada Governorate, as part of its escalation in the war waged at the Yemeni people.
The targeting, which marks the of its kind, resulted in considerable damage to shops and other properties.
- Scenes of the targeted shops
- Scenes of the destruction resulting from the targeting
(* A K pH)
30 Saudi-led airstrikes hit Hodeida
The US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition’s fighter jets waged on Friday 30 strikes on several areas in Hodeidah province, a security official told SABA.
The raids hit areas near 22 May hospital, al-Khamseen street and other surrounding areas , the official added.
Meanwhile, Saudi-led coalition’s mercenaries targeted "Yamani factory" by several airstrikes and artillery shells in al-Hali district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514065.htm
and
(* A K pH)
US-Saudi Aggression’s Daily Update for Friday, November 9th, 2018
In Hodiedah, a civilian was killed and three others were injured by targeting residential areas by five US-Saudi airstrikes in Attohayta. A child was killed and 9 others were injured, including a child, in the city. Over 30 raids were launched nearby May 22nd, hospital and a raid northern Hodiedah port. The US-Saudi aggression targeted Yamany Factory with a number of raids and artillery shells, damaging the factory.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3686&cat_id=1
(A K pS)
Killed and wounded in raids targeting Houthis camp south of Sanaa
Fighters from the Arab coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, launched three raids on a camp in the southern city of Sanaa on Thursday, killing and wounding militants, witnesses said.
The witnesses told Al-Masdar online that the raids targeted a camp for Houthis in Jarban camp in the district of Sanhan.
No further details were provided by the witnesses.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160770
(* B K pH)
New War Crime, US-Saudi Aggression Targets Hospitals in Hodiedah
US-Saudi Forces targeted The 22-May Hospital by three airstrikes and 12 artillery shells, damaging the hospital. No further information about the extent of the damage has been reported, yet.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3663&cat_id=1
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564/1999721406747546
Remark: Houthi snipers had installed themselves on the rooftop.
(* A K pH)
6 family members killed in Saudi-led airstrikes on Hodeida
Six family members were killed on Thursday when the US-backed Saudi-led coalition's warplanes launched strikes on Yemen’s Red Sea Port City of Hodeida, an official told Saba.
A father and five of his children were killed when the airstrikes hit their home in Jabaliah area of Tuhayta district
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513993.htm
and
(* A K pH)
US-KSA Airstrike Killed A Father , His Five Children In Yemen’s Hodeida
At least six civilians have been killed when Saudi military aircraft carried out airstrikes against a residential area in Yemen’s strategic western province of Hudaydah as the Riyadh regime presses ahead with its atrocious bombardment campaign against its southern neighbor.
Local source said , Saudi fighter jets conducted aerial assaults against al-Jabaliyah area in al-Tuhayat district on Thursday afternoon, the airstrikes claimed the lives of a father and his five children.
Earlier, two air strikes were launched on Hardh district by the US-KSA coalition drones. Seven civilians including children killed and women and two women injured. (photos)
http://www.newnewss.net/us-ksa-airstrike-killed-a-father-with-his-five-children-in-yemens-hodeida/
more photos https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1060746680285491202
film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiSfAL2hg78 = https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/videos/1800949536701017/
(* A K pH)
6 civilians killed in 2 Saudi-led airstrikes on Hajjah
Six civilians were killed and three others injured when the US-backed Saudi-led coalition on Wednesday launched two airstrikes on Hajjah province, an official told Saba.
The airstrikes hit the civilians’ homes in Ram area of Mostaba district
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513807.htm
and
(* A K pH)
New War Crime: 6 Martyrs, 3 Wounded by US-Saudi Raids on Hajjah
Six people were killed and 3 others were injured on Wednesday as a result of the US-Saudi aerial targeting of citizens’ homes in the northern province of Hajjah.
A military source told Al-Masirah Net that the aerial aggression launched two raids on a citizen home in the area of Ram in Mustaba district, causing the death of 6 citizens and wounding 3 others, in addition to the destruction of the house and material damage in the surrounding area.
On Tuesday, a civilian was killed and others injured after a bombardment of the US-Saudi aggression on Aor village of Mustaba district.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3643&cat_id=1
film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjXO1w5TQ7U
and reporting 8 killed
(* A K pH)
In Hajja, 8 citizens were killed and two citizens were injured following the targeting of the US-Saudi Aggression to their house in two areas in Mastba district.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3650&cat_id=1
and
Yemeni family massacred in Saudi-led airstrike
Eight members of a Yemeni family were killed in an airstrike late Wednesday by the Saudi-led coalition.
Saudi-led coalition’s fighters bombed Hassan Mohammad Yamani al-Amri’s house in Herz city, Hajjah province, west of Yemen.
Parents of the family along with six children aged 2-12 lost their lives during the bombardment. Two other Yemenis were also wounded in the airstrike.
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/83092476
(A K pH)
Child injured in cluster bomb earlier dropped by coalition in Saada
A child was seriously injured on Wednesday when a cluster bomb, earlier dropped by Saudi-led warplanes, exploded in Saada province, a security official told Saba on Thursday.
The bomb exploded in Ibn-Huaidi area of Razih district
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3650&cat_id=1
(* A K pH)
Aggression’s Daily Update for Tuesday, November 7th, 2018
In Hodiedah, the hysterical raids of the US-Saudi aggression and artillery shelling of the civilians' houses in Hodeidah resulted in the killing of 4 civilians and damaging a number of properties. US-Saudi aggression also destroyed a civilian's house in Al-Hale district and the Red Sea Mills also was targeted by several airstrikes.
In Hajja, a civilian was killed and others were injured in Mustaba district. Sa'ada got the most of the US-Saudi aggression brutal raids and bombing during the past 24 hours. 3 civilians were killed and 2 children were injured in Haidan district. The US-Saudi aggression launched four raids on Razih district, two raids on Al-Qed a raid on AL-Ali market and five other raids on Adhdhaher district.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3634&cat_id=1
(* A K pH)
US-Saudi Aggression Destroys The Red Sea Mills in Hodeidah, Extensive Condemnation of The Crime
Red Sea Mills in Hodeidah were completely destroyed, on Tuesday, by dozens of the US-Saudi airstrikes. These were the only mills operating in Yemen, which millions of people relied on. Targeting them is a collective punishment to starve all Yemeni People.
The Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Social Affairs and a number of organizations condemned the US-Saudi targeting of the Red Sea Mills in Hodeidah, which stores tens of thousands of tons of wheat and flour for humanitarian assistance. The statement condemned the international silence on these terrible crimes that targeted the citizens' subsistence committed by the aggression following the military escalation in the province.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3632&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:
Nov. 8: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513958.htm Sanaa
Nov. 7: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513788.htm Saada p.
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
(A K pH)
Woman killed, 2 injured in Saudi-led coalition shelling on Saada
A woman was killed and two injured when the US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition on Friday fired artillery and missile on populated border areas in Saada province, a security official told Saba.
The shelling targeted Razih district
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514054.htm
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3680&cat_id=1
(* A K pS)
Heavy shelling of Houthis targeting Dhamt villages killed one civilian and injured others
A local source said the militants of the al-Houthi group on Monday shelled a number of areas and villages south of the town of Dhamt in the southern province of Al-Dale.
The source told al-Masdar online that the shelling of civilian homes resulted in deaths and injuries, amid a surge of displacement from villages around the city of Dhamt.
The incident followed the killing and wounding of 10 civilians, including a woman, during the past two days in AL-Haqab area, who were subjected to indiscriminate shelling from al-Houthi positions south of the city of Dam.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/160795
(* A K pH)
#Hajja province: The US-Saudi aggression boats and warplanes attacked the fishermen on the Beheis Island off the coast of Midi, and some of them were taken to unknown destinations.
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564/1999738740079146
(A K pH)
More than 100 Saudi missiles and artillery hit Saada
More than one Hundred missiles and artillery shelling targeted populated villages and general road in many places in Razah directorates in Saada provinces when the US-Saudi aggression coalition hit Saada provinces, an official told Saba on Friday.
The Saudi' attacked, damaged citizens houses and properties
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news513969.htm
(* B K)
Bellingcat: Investigating Houthi Claims of Drone Attacks on UAE Airports
Any news suggesting a Houthi “drone strike” or “ballistic missile” attack should not be downplayed by any of the parties involved in the conflict in Yemen. The last two years have seen the rise of the Houthi’s asymmetric capabilities, especially against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Houthi sources, however, should not be used exclusively as evidence when investigating claims of drone attacks.
The asymmetric warfare strategy of using ballistic missiles and drones was announced by Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi group, last year.
Drone Capability
Open source investigation on the Houthi group’s official Telegram channel surfaces one claimed attack on Abu Dhabi Airport and six on internal fronts in Yemen such as Mockha, Marib and Al-Baydah. Ten other drone attacks were claimed to have been executed in the west coast against Yemen forces battling for Hodeidah governorate.
Since July 26, the Houthis have claimed they have executed 21 drone related attacks and incursions. The Houthis claim to possess five different drone models according to the infographic disseminated on their official Telegram channel — if real, all should be capable of posing asymmetric security threats.
According to the Conflict Armament Research (CAR), the Qasef-1 drone is not indigenously designed or constructed. CAR found that the drone was Iranian-manufactured in design and construction, based on one of their field investigations. This appears to support the claim by the Saudi-led coalition that Iran is providing material support to the Houthis.
Claims of Abu Dhabi Airport Attack
On July 26, the Houthi group claimed to have attacked Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a drone dubbed Sammad-3, possessing a range of more than 1400 km, according to the Houthis. There is no verification, however, on whether the range stated by the Houthis is operationally factual. The Houthi group have not published any form of evidence to this day to support their claim of an attack at AUH. Instead, there are only infographics and statements to persuade the world of such an attack.
The UAE government denied that an attack occurred, Abu Dhabi Airport appeared to deny an attack had taken place, and tweeted about an “incident” involving a supply vehicle which had impacted the service of operations
Currently, there is no open source proof that any damage was inflicted at AUH, which calls into question whether an attack took place.
Houthi propaganda images were shared on open source networks, including a screen grab of disrupted flights in Abu Dhabi
Claims of Dubai Airport Attack
On August 27, the Houthis claimed they had attacked Dubai International Airport (DBX) in the UAE with a Sammad-3 drone.
The following screen grab was shared on Houthi official and pro-Houthi open source platforms, claiming that disruption to flights in Dubai occurred as a result of the attack
Although a disruption of some kind clearly took place, no evidence of an attack besides Houthi claims exists
Analysis & Conclusion
Based on the open sources available, it is highly likely that a Houthi-led drone attack did not take place in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Propaganda usage in the form of infographics, pictures and statements by Houthi leaders were pronounced following each claim, following a propaganda pattern. Yet parties to the conflict should not ignore the potential threat, and here is why:
On April 11 of this year, Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems downed two Houthi drones in Abha International Airport and Jizan, southwest of Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi group’s stated asymmetric strategy is to disrupt the Saudi- led coalition’s economy versus large scale attacks in comparison to other non-state armed groups in Yemen. It could be reasonable to assume that Houthi drones are thus used for DBIED attacks, which wealthy Gulf states would be reluctant to admit intruded upon their airspace — especially when it comes to threats to international airport terminals — hence making it difficult to access available open source evidence for interrogation and verification.
(A K pH)
Nov. 7: Dozens of Saudi missiles and artillery shells hit different areas of Razih, Munabih, Baqim, Shida, Alzaher and Haidan border districts during the past hours.
In Dhalee, two citizens were killed and a third was seriously injured by indiscriminate artillery bombardment southeast of Damt
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3650&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
Nov. 6, Saada prov.: Dozens of Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Razih and Munabbih districts, damaging civilians' properties.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3634&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
More Than 300 Missiles, Artillery Shells on Two Districts in Sa’ada
The residential areas of Adh Dhahir and Haidan borders have been subjected to intensive US-Saudi shelling in the past 24 hours, which has exceeded more than 300 rockets and shells.
According to a local source for Al-Masirah, the shells directly targeted the houses and farms of the citizens and the roads linking the villages, causing heavy damage.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3629&cat_id=1
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-477-yemen-war-mosaic-477
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-477 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-477:
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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