Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 481B- Yemen War Mosaic 481B

Yemen Press Reader 481B: 18. November 2018: Zivile Opfer von US-Drohnen – Kulturerbe im Krieg zerstört – Jemeniten, die neutral bleiben wollen – Foltergefängnis in Südjemen ...

Bei diesem Beitrag handelt es sich um ein Blog aus der Freitag-Community.
Ihre Freitag-Redaktion

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

... CIA: Kronprinz Salman befahl Khashoggi-Mord; NYT: Rekonstruktion der Ereignisse; Türkei: Audiomitschnitte werden veröffentlicht – Hodeidah: Kämpfe flauen ab, Luftangriffe, Zivilbevölkerung in Gefahr – UNO: Friedensbemühungen – und mehr

November 18, 2018: Civilian victims of US drones – Cultural heritage destroyed by the war – Yemenis who want to stay neutral – Torture prison in Southern Yemen – CIA: Crown prince Salman ordered Khashoggi murder; NYT: reconstruction of events; Turkey: Intercepted audio recordings will be published – Hodeida: Fighting lulls, air raids, civilians in danger – UN: Peace efforts – 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-481-yemen-war-mosaic-481

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

(Teil 1: kursiv / Part 1: in italics)

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 Saudische Blockade / 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

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = 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

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

(* A P)

UNO-Sondergesandter plant Friedensgespräche für den Jemen

Unter UNO-Vermittlung sollen die Konfliktparteien im Jemen in Kürze Friedensgespräche in Schweden führen. Er habe sowohl von der von Saudi-Arabien unterstützten jemenitischen Regierung als auch von den Houthi-Rebellen die Zusicherung erhalten, dass sie zu Gesprächen bereit seien, sagte der UNO-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, am Freitag dem UNO-Sicherheitsrat in New York.

Daher plane er, die Konfliktparteien "in Kürze zu versammeln und dies in Schweden zu tun"

https://www.sn.at/politik/weltpolitik/uno-sondergesandter-plant-friedensgespraeche-fuer-den-jemen-61034239

(* A P)

Uno-Sondergesandter plant baldige Friedensgespräche für den Jemen

Der Uno-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, sieht Chancen für Gespräche über die Beendigung des Bürgerkriegs in Jemen. Die Gespräche sollen "in Kürze" in Schweden beginnen. Für die hungernde Zivilbevölkerung können die Gespräche nicht schnell genug stattfinden.

Er habe sowohl von der jemenitischen Regierung als auch von den Huthi-Rebellen erneut die Zusicherung erhalten, dass sie zu Gesprächen über eine Beendigung des Bürgerkriegs bereit seien, sagte der Uno-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, am Freitag dem Sicherheitsrat in New York.

Kommende Woche will Griffiths in die von den Huthi-Rebellen kontrollierte Hauptstadt Sanaa reisen, um die Friedensgespräche abschliessend zu vereinbaren. Er bot überdies an, gemeinsam mit der Huthi-Delegation nach Schweden zu reisen, «wenn das erforderlich ist».

Die jemenitische Regierung hat sich laut Griffiths zu Zugeständnissen bereit erklärt, um die Friedensgespräche zu ermöglichen, darunter Ausreiseerlaubnisse für Verletzte aus Sanaa. Ausserdem stehe die Vereinbarung eines Gefangenenaustauschs zwischen den Konfliktparteien kurz bevor.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/uno-sondergesandter-plant-baldige-friedensgespraeche-fuer-den-jemen-ld.1437408 = https://www.24matins.de/topnews/pol/un-sondergesandter-plant-baldige-friedensgespraeche-fuer-den-jemen-in-schweden-133832 = https://www.dw.com/de/neue-jemen-friedensgespr%C3%A4che-noch-in-diesem-jahr/a-46336829

(* A P)

Ausser Griffiths war in der vergangenen Woche auch der britische Aussenminister Jeremy Hunt in die Region gereist, um die Kriegsparteien zu einem Kompromiss zu bewegen

Grossbritannien hat angekündigt, am Montag eine Resolution in den Uno-Sicherheitsrat einzubringen, um die Uno-Bemühungen zu stärken. Der saudische Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman wollte dies laut Medienberichten während seines Treffens mit Hunt mit allen Mitteln verhindern.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/prekaere-feuerpause-in-hudeida-ld.1437549

(* A P)

Nach außen versucht das Weiße Haus indes, Entschlossenheit zu zeigen und so dem Eindruck entgegen zu wirken, man habe sich von den Saudis allzu abhängig gemacht.

Mit dieser Haltung im Fall Khashoggi handelt sich Trump einmal mehr Kritik ein - auch aus dem Ausland.

https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Bin-Salman-wird-zur-Last-fuer-Trump-article20726848.html

(* B P)

Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen: Yemeni women on the front-lines of war and peace

“It is the women of Yemen who pay the highest price of the war, the voice of women is crucial to build peace”, says Somaya, a member of the women technical advisory group which convened earlier this month in Amman.

In general, women’s inclusion brings different understanding to the conflict, expands the range of domestic constituencies and increases the legitimacy of the peace process. The Yemeni National Dialogue Conference adopted in its outcome document a 30% inclusion quota for women in all government positions, as well as delegations and committees.

In this context, and in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 which address the importance of the inclusion of women in peace and security, as well as the outcome document of the Yemeni National Dialogue Conference, the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen (OSESGY) formed the Yemeni women’s technical advisory group, to ensure the inclusion of a variety of Yemeni women’s voices. The members of the group offer advice, in their independent capacities, directly to the Special Envoy and his team, based on the principles of neutrality, independence, and professionalism.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemeni-women-front-lines-war-and-peace

and

(* A P)

RASHA JARHUM STATEMENT AT THE UNSC

Rasha Jarhum - the Founder and Director of the Peace Track Initiative, founding member of the Women Solidarity Network in Yemen - was invited by the current president of the UN Security Council, the Republic of China, to provide a civil society perspective and recommendations when the Council met to discuss the situation in Yemen on 16 November 2018.

As we prepare for the upcoming international day for the elimination of violence against women. I would like to remind you that Yemeni women were already suffering from legal, institutional and social violence. As a result, they now bear the burden of the multidimensional insecurities of this war. Documented cases of gender-based violence, including rape, rose by 70%iv in the first five months of the war. Child marriages increased by 66%v

On the situation of the south, we echo the voices of the southern Yemeni women on the importance of reaching a just solution to the southern cause, and realize their right to self-determination. Today, the three-decade Southern grievances still have not been addressed.

We, as women, have the highest stake in peace.

We are particularly proud to share that the Association of the Mothers of Abductees Sons -- who regularly demonstrate and call for the release of their sons, while enduring risks and abuse -- were able to release 336 detainees. This is compared to zero detainees released through the UN-sponsored process.

Although women continue to play a leading role in peacebuilding, and the Council’s Presidential Statement in 2017xi explicitly calls for women’s meaningful inclusion, women are still largely excluded from the peace negotiation process.

https://www.peacewomen.org/sites/default/files/UNSC%20statement%20Rasha%20Jarhum%20Nov16_clean.pdf

https://www.peacewomen.org/resource/rasha-jarhum-statement-unsc and full statement https://www.peacewomen.org/sites/default/files/UNSC%20statement%20Rasha%20Jarhum%20Nov16_clean.pdf

(* A P)

Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen: Security Council briefing of the Special Envoy for Yemen, 16 November 2018, Text As Delivered

Yemen has long been referred to as the forgotten war. I am grateful that this is no longer the case. Never has so much international attention and energy been given to this crisis, and rightly so. Yemen remains the largest humanitarian disaster in the world as we will hear from Mark Lowcock and David Beasley. The fight against famine is ongoing. Women, children and men are dying from preventable diseases. The economy remains on the verge of collapse.

This requires urgent action from all of us.

Public opinion and leaders have called urgently to remove the prospect of famine. This is a clear example of the international conscience. For this reason, I personally encourage the Council to support the five requests presented by Mark Lowcock in this very Chamber late October. It provides a very clear roadmap that we must all support.

I am extremely grateful to all leaders and others who have called for a cessation of hostilities. There must be no temptation to restart that battle. As the mediator in this conflict, I strongly believe that nothing should be allowed to impede the chance of dialogue and negotiation.

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/security-council-briefing-special-envoy-yemen-16-november-2018-text-delivered

(* A P)

UN Security Council: Yemen at ‘Crucial Moment’, Says Special Envoy, Stressing Need for Political Approach to Ending Conflict

Country’s Delegate Details Government’s Actions to Relieve Humanitarian Situation

Delivering impassioned pleas on behalf of 14 million civilians teetering on the edge of famine in Yemen, senior United Nations and civil society leaders today briefed a largely unified Security Council on political and humanitarian steps forward, emphasizing that a new “window of hope” has now opened in that country’s devastating and overlooked war.

“Never has so much international attention and energy been given to this crisis, and rightly so,” said Martin Griffiths, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen. Welcoming the light recently shed on the situation, he reminded Council that the situation nevertheless remains the world’s largest humanitarian disaster with an ongoing fight against famine, civilians dying from preventable diseases and an economy on the verge of collapse. “This is a crucial moment,” he said, noting that he has spent the last two months seeking support from the warring parties for an updated version of a framework for negotiations.

Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, recalled his October warning to the Council that a grave economic crisis and escalating conflict had pushed Yemen closer to famine than ever before. Shortly afterwards, an alert was issued that the world’s largest food security emergency faces a “catastrophic deterioration”

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) Executive Director, David Beasley, emphasized that the words “heart breaking” and “tragic” do not do the conflict in Yemen justice. Describing his recent trip to the country, he said “soft words” cannot properly illustrate what is happening to civilians there — the stuff of nightmares, horror, deprivation and misery.

VERÓNICA CORDOVA SORIA (Bolivia), reaffirming her support to the Special Envoy’s efforts to bring about a political solution in Yemen, said that the international community should be ashamed of what is happening in the country as it is an example of an extreme malfunction of the multilateral system. If action is not taken today, individuals on the Council should feel an extra dose of shame. Consideration of where the missiles and bombs that cut apart civilians come from must also be undertaken. The supply of weapons must be halted. The placing of mines, in addition, must stop, particularly since they obstruct humanitarian access.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-crucial-moment-says-special-envoy-stressing-need-political-approach-ending

and also https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/crucial-moment-yemen-warring-sides-attend-peace-talks-181117084755454.html

film: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/yemen-peace-talks-sides-attend-discussions-181118080230825.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9ckEFtc9RA

My comment: The Yemen Hadi government delegate spits his government’s well-known propaganda, Western delegates demonstrate their hypocrisy, just Bolivia is quoted here…

(A P)

The government says it's about to reach an agreement to exchange prisoners and abductees with the Houthis

The Yemeni government on Friday evening renewed its support for the efforts of the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring peace through his intention to hold a new round of consultations, citing an upcoming agreement to exchange prisoners and abductees.

Bin Mubarak stressed the three agreed on terms of reference, namely the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the resolutions of the Security Council, particularly resolution 2216, to reach peace.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161093

My comment: And again, the Hadi government’s “terms of reference”: limiting politics to pre-war status, but the war cannot be made undone; insiting on res. 2216, which is totally biased as it had been formulated by Saudi Arabia (yes, it’s hard to believe), insisting in Houthis must capitulate. This is fixing all peace efforts to Square One.

(A P)

Swedish statement at the UN Security Council Briefing on Yemen

https://www.government.se/statements/2018/11/swedish-statement-at-the-un-security-council-briefing-on-yemen/

(*A H K P)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, Briefing to the Security Council on the Humanitarian Situation in Yemen, 16 November 2018

FEWSNet characterized the food security situation in Yemen as facing a “catastrophic deterioration” and they warned that many of the millions of severely food-insecure people in Yemen “face food consumption gaps large enough to lead to increases in human mortality.”

So is it a famine?

With respect, Mr. President, I fear this is the wrong question.

From the two famines declared this century – in Somalia in 2011 and in South Sudan in 2017 – a very painful lesson is that most fatalities occur before the famine is declared. So to be clear, I am not saying that widespread famine has already taken hold in Yemen. But that is what we are trying to prevent.

It is abundantly clear that Yemen is already facing mass hunger and severe food insecurity

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/under-secretary-general-humanitarian-affairs-and-emergency-relief-coordinator-mr-mark-5

My comment: What is “famine”? Who in Yemen should be asked this question? It seems that mainly political reasons (thoughtfulness in favor of Saudi Arabia) still prevent the UN to declare “famine” in Yemen.

(A H P)

UNICEF Executive Director: Growing calls for ceasefire in Yemen a welcome sign, but country’s children need an end to war

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unicef-executive-director-growing-calls-ceasefire-yemen-welcome-sign-country-s-children

(* A K P)

Britain to push U.N. Security Council to back humanitarian truce in Yemen

Britain said on Friday it will push the United Nations Security Council to back a humanitarian truce in Yemen as the U.N. Yemen envoy said the warring parties had given “firm assurances” they were committed to attending peace talks shortly in Sweden.

British U.N. Ambassador Karen Pierce said she would give the 15-member council a draft resolution on Monday that would enshrine five requests made by U.N. aid chief Mark Lowcock, one of which was for a truce around infrastructure and facilities on which the aid operation and commercial importers rely.

Pierce said the aim of the resolution would be to put Lowcock’s call “into practice.” She gave no timeline for when the draft resolution could be put to a vote.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un/firm-assurances-yemens-warring-parties-will-attend-talks-un-idUSKCN1NL2HA

and https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6399313/Britain-present-Security-Council-measure-Yemen-Monday.html

and keep in mind:

“All states, including permanent members of the Security Council like the USA, UK and France, should halt the flow of arms for use in the conflict and do everything in their power to prevent further violations - otherwise they are just part of the problem. And they should make clear that those responsible for war crimes in Yemen will be held to account.”

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/yemen-un-must-ensure-civilians-hodeidah-are-protected

and

(** A P)

Saudi crown prince's 'fit' delays UN resolution on war in Yemen

Multiple sources tell CNN that a much-anticipated United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities in Yemen and for Saudi Arabia to allow humanitarian aid to reach millions of starving people was "stalled" this week after the resolution's sponsor, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, met face-to-face with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Two sources said the crown prince "threw a fit" about the resolution. Two other sources with knowledge of the discussion didn't go so far as to describe the crown prince as angry, though they didn't deny he was annoyed.

Putting it into more carefully diplomatic terms, one said, "He didn't like the idea." According to the other source, the Saudis "have their reservations," but the source said it remained a courteous discussion.

Sources say Hunt took the draft with him and discussed it with the crown prince, who wanted changes or better yet, no resolution at all. Bin Salman, known in diplomatic circles by his initials, MBS, viewed the pending resolution as weakening the Saudi position in the conflict over Yemen and emboldening its Houthi rebel rivals.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/16/politics/hunt-crown-prince-saudi-un-resolution/index.html

My comment: Whow. For which reason ever this resolution is discussed with the Saudis? How much Saudi influence and thoughtfulness in favor of the Saudis the British draft will show? – Britanin is a close ally to Saudi Arabia, will thie be a Saudi resolution again, as 2216 had been in 2015??

Comment: UK delayed the UN Security Council resolution because that despot MBS had a tantrum - how low can Jeremy Hunt stoop. He didn't care about saving lives when he was in charge of health and he doesn't care about the destruction of life in Yemen. This government behaves in a despicable manner.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157153566003641

And

(* A P)

MBS refused British-proposed ceasefire with Yemen: Analyst

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has refused to accept a British-proposed ceasefire to be discussed in the upcoming meeting with Yemen in Sweden, says a commentator.

Britain on Monday will present a draft resolution to the Security Council to address the ongoing war in Yemen, Ambassador Karen Pierce said.

The draft resolution is aimed at shoring up the UN push for peace talks and ensuring access to humanitarian aid for millions in Yemen facing famine.

Riaz Karim, the head of Veritas Center for Strategic Studies, told Press TV on Saturday

MBS actually threw a fit about it and he actually refused [it]. He didn’t like the idea.”

“It is very volatile at this point as to what MBS is going to say about this (negotiations),” Karim noted, adding that the Riyadh regime expects Britain to change the draft resolution to be desirable for the crown prince.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/11/17/580258/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Ceasefire-Britain

(* A P)

Amid continued suffering in Yemen, UN envoy welcomes reports of reduced violence

Addressing the UN Security Council on Friday, Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, said that although conflict continues to rage, he welcomed recent reports of reduced violence in the country.

Mr. Griffiths was addressing the Council alongside Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, and World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, David Beasley.

The Special Envoy announced that the Yemeni Government and the Ansar Allah Houthi militants, are both committed to working on a political solution, and that he has received firm assurances from both sides, of a renewed commitment to attend talks.

The UN, said Mr. Griffiths, is about to conclude an agreement between the parties on the exchange of prisoners and detainees, which he described as an important humanitarian gesture and “a timely message of hope to the Yemeni people.”

Mr. Beasley and Mr. Lowcock both provided new details of the unfolding humanitarian crisis - the largest food security emergency in the world.

Mr. Lowcock revealed that, despite calls for the violence to stop, UN sources have observed nearly 800 separate incidents of shelling, armed clashes, or air strikes across Yemen; often with devastating consequences for civilians and, due to the fighting, humanitarian programmes have been scaled back in the port of Hudaydah, a crucial gateway for aid efforts.

Mr. Beasley, fresh from a three-day visit to Yemen this week, said that he had witnessed a country on the brink of catastrophe: “What I have seen in Yemen this week is the stuff of nightmares, of horror, of deprivation, of misery. And we - all of humanity -- have only ourselves to blame.”

https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1025991

film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9eB1XyNqZo

and

(* A P)

Yemen warring parties agree to UN talks in Sweden

The warring parties in Yemen have agreed to take part in talks aimed at ending their three-year conflict. The world's worst humanitarian crisis has millions facing famine in the region's poorest state.

The UN envoy for Yemen said the country's internationally recognized government and rival Houthi Shiite rebels have agreed to attend talks aimed at ending their three-year war.

Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council that he planned to bring the warring parties together "soon" in Sweden.

He also said the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government were about to conclude an agreement on exchanging prisoners and detainees.

Griffiths said he was determined to take advantage of "the international attention and energy" focussed on Saudi Arabia since the killing of a journalist in Turkey.

https://www.dw.com/en/yemen-warring-parties-agree-to-un-talks-in-sweden/a-46336960

and https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201811171069884049-un-yemen-imf-usa/

https://news.sky.com/story/yemen-war-can-end-if-world-acts-now-but-consequences-of-failure-could-be-dire-says-un-envoy-11556068

and

(* A P)

UN to convene Yemen talks in Sweden soon

The Saudi-backed government and the Huthi rebels have shown a "renewed commitment" to work on a political solution and have given "firm assurances" that they will attend the talks, Martin Griffiths told the Security Council.

"With this in mind, I intend to reconvene the parties shortly and to do so in Sweden," he said. "I believe we are close to resolving issues to make this happen."

The Saudi-led coalition has agreed to "logistical arrangements" to pave the way for talks including medical evacuations out of rebel-held Sanaa, he added.

Griffiths announced he was close to reaching a deal on an exchange of prisoners and detainees, in a further sign that confidence-building measures were being taken ahead of planned talks.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6399267/UN-convene-Yemen-talks-Sweden-soon.html

and

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/11/17/580239/Yemen-peace-talks-sweden-prisoner-swap

Comment: Even in event of deal between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, there's the inertia of war that will continue as an internal fighting between the various factions that have been created & empowered throughout current conflict. Holistic & inclusive solutions needed.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1063603956453203969

(A K P)

Oxfam reaction to announcement of halt to hostilities in Hudaydah, Yemen

"This break in fighting should be the first step towards a nationwide ceasefire for Yemen. Sadly airstrikes and ground level fighting are continuing across the rest of the country. Only by ending the war can we end the suffering of millions of Yemeni people."

https://www.oxfam.org.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2018/11/oxfam-reaction-to-announcement-of-halt-to-hostilities-in-hudaydah-yemen

(* A P)

UN envoy expected to confirm Yemen peace talks in Sweden

Martin Griffiths will tell Security Council obstacles to rebel participation cleared, diplomatic source says

The United Nations special envoy to Yemen will on Friday unveil plans for peace talks to be held in Stockholm at the end of the month as he updates the Security Council on his work to find a political solution to almost four years of war.

Martin Griffiths is expected to tell the UN’s Security Council that he has made progress on stumbling blocks that scuppered talks in September.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/un-envoy-expected-to-confirm-yemen-peace-talks-in-sweden-1.792421

(A P)

Al-Jubeir: Saudi-led coalition ‘working with UN to end Yemen conflict’

The Saudi-led coalition is working with UN envoy Martin Griffith to reach a political solution to the conflict in Yemen based on UN Security Council resolution 2216, the Gulf Initiative and the outcomes of Yemeni national dialogue, the Saudi foreign minister said on Thursday.

“Since day one, we said that the solution… is a political solution, and the solution should lead to the restoration of legitimacy in Yemen,” said Adel Al-Jubeir.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1405641/saudi-arabia

My comment: LOL. – O fcourse, Jubeir connects this to the Saudi coalition’s “three references”, which are either outdated or totally biased in favor of the coalition (UN Res. 2216), thus fixing the whole matter at Square One.

(A P)

Yemen president backs UN peace talks but vows to 'liberate' key port

Yemen's president has backed UN-proposed talks to end fighting in his war-torn country but vowed to "liberate" the battleground rebel-held port city of Hodeida regardless of the peace process.

Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi "has issued directives to back all efforts that guarantee the interests of Yemen in reaching sustainable peace" based on UN resolutions, a spokesman for the president said via the official Saba news agency.

"The battle of the Yemeni people to liberate Hodeida is inevitable, whether through peace or war," the statement said.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6392329/Yemen-president-backs-UN-peace-talks-vows-liberate-key-port.html

My comment: Both claims contradict each other. What he really wants: Victory and sole rule. Whether by political – or, if this does not work – by military means, does not matter.

(A P)

UAE supports 'early convening' of UN Yemen talks

The United Arab Emirates, a leading member of a pro-government coalition fighting in Yemen, said Wednesday it supports a UN plan for peace talks to be held in Sweden by the year's end.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6389139/UAE-supports-early-convening-UN-Yemen-talks.html

(A P)

Sweden keen to host Yemen peace meeting: Minister

Sweden is ready to host peace talks as soon as possible to try and negotiate an end to the war in Yemen, Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom said on Tuesday.

http://gulftoday.ae/portal/ffbe9c38-550d-4001-9cbc-2d6e56bb5afb.aspx

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp8a

(* B P)

Arab Turnaround: Saudi Crown Prince Tilts At Windmills, Assad Secure

The ghoulish murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi has set into motion a new dynamic in the Syrian, Yemeni, Palestinian and other incipient conflicts in West Asia. Popular perception globally has traced the macabre plot to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, even though the Saudi propaganda machine is deflecting guilt.

That the embattled Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has come out quite unambiguously in favour of MBS (as the Crown Prince is popularly known) without making any pretense to cover up his guilt, shows the tight embrace in which Tel Aviv and Riyadh arc. The jam in which MBS found himself he could only turn to his closest friends – President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Netanyahu

There is no reason why David Hearst, the London Guardian’s former specialist on West Asia, should not be given credence. In his new investigative forum, the Middle East Eye, he concludes that to deflect an avalanche of allegations linking MBS to the Khashoggi murder, the Crown Prince implored the Israeli Prime Minister “to go to war in Gaza”. This would deflect attention. The diversionary move is the brainchild of a new Emergency Task Force set up by the Royal Palace in Riyadh to counter facts that President Erdogan’s office is leaking drip by drip.

MBS has made brashness and a crude assertion of money power his style. Little wonder, his statement before an American Jewish audience stunned the more reasonable Arabs. “For the past 40 years the Palestinian leadership has rejected all the offers it was given. It is about time that the Palestinians accept the offers …….or they should shut up,” he had said.

And now MBS is on notice from the Americans to end the Yemen operations in weeks. Meanwhile the much touted “Deal of the Century” for Palestine remains something of a pipe dream

http://www.milligazette.com/news/16476-arab-turnaround-saudi-crown-prince-tilts-at-windmills-assad-secure

(A E P)

Upset by Trump's Iran waivers, Saudis push for deep oil output cut

But Saudi Arabia did not receive advance warning when Trump made a U-turn by offering generous waivers that are keeping more Iranian crude in the market instead of driving exports from Riyadh’s arch-rival down to zero, OPEC and industry sources say.Angered by the U.S. move that has raised worries about over supply, Saudi Arabia is now considering cutting output with OPEC and its allies by about 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) or 1.5 percent of global supply, sources told Reuters this week.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-opec-saudi/upset-by-trumps-iran-waivers-saudis-push-for-deep-oil-output-cut-idUSKCN1NK20S

(A P)

Saudi Rulers Rally Support on Home Front as U.S. Pressure Mounts

King on national tour for the first time since assuming throne

Saudis are facing a global outcry over Jamal Khashoggi’s death

As a global outcry over the killing of a government critic morphs into a U.S. demand for Saudi Arabia to end its war in Yemen, King Salman has turned to traditional means of building domestic loyalty. Greeted by throngs of well-wishers, the 82-year-old monarch embarked on his first tour of the country since assuming the throne in 2015. He ordered the release of indebted prisoners and unveiled billions of dollars worth of projects in far-flung areas that have sometimes felt forgotten by Riyadh.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-15/saudi-rulers-rally-support-on-home-front-as-u-s-pressure-mounts

(A E P)

Exclusive: Saudi Arabia's PIF eyes stake in U.S. movie studio Legendary

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF is exploring the acquisition of up to a $700 million stake in Legendary Entertainment, the U.S. movie studio behind films such as “Jurassic World” and “Interstellar”, according to people familiar with the matter.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-investment-saudi-lendary-exclusiv/exclusive-saudi-arabias-pif-eyes-stake-in-u-s-movie-studio-legendary-sources-idUSKCN1NJ2NB

My comment: The Saudis would not need “Jurassic Parc” – they have created this in Yemen.

(B P)

Saudi Bodyguard , Book of Mark Young

This book gives you a glimpse into the lives of the Saudi royal family. Expect the unexpected! This book is very interesting and it gives you a different view of The royal family than the view that they're trying to show to the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpwZoRHx3RY

(* B P)

Bin Salman 'tried to persuade Netanyahu to go to war in Gaza' say sources

War was among scenarios suggested by damage-limitation task force established to advise Saudi crown prince in aftermath of Khashoggi killing

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attempted to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to start a conflict with Hamas in Gaza as part of a plan to divert attention from the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, sources inside Saudi Arabia have told Middle East Eye.

A war in Gaza was among a range of measures and scenarios proposed by an emergency task force set up to counter increasingly damaging leaks about Khashoggi's murder coming from Turkish authorities, according to sources with knowledge of the group's activities.

The task force, which is composed of officials from the royal court, the foreign and defence ministries, and the intelligence service, briefs the the crown prince every six hours, MEE was told.

It advised bin Salman that a war in Gaza would distract Trump's attention and refocus Washington’s attention on the role Saudi Arabia plays in bolstering Israeli strategic interests.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-israel-gaza-khashoggi-1952586885

(* B P)

Want To Know What Saudis Really Think About Khashoggi? You Won’t Find Out On Twitter.

A month after Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance, the climate in Saudi Arabia has kept Twitter users silent.

it’s still incredibly difficult to figure out the views of ordinary Saudis — other than those who live outside the country.

Using rules punishing the spread of “fake news” online as well as the specter of activists who have been intimidated and arrested for statements made on social media, analysts and social media observers say, the government has chilled discourse on a wide array of politically sensitive issues.

Repression of online speech has been a hallmark of the rule of Mohammed bin Salman.

“I think the critical voices within the country have been pretty much silenced at this point” on public platforms like Twitter

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/jamal-khashoggi-saudi-arabia-twitter

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest developments in the Khashoggi case

In consultation with the 28 Foreign Ministers of the European Union, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini issued the following declaration on behalf of the European Union today (17 November):

The European Union has been clear since the beginning on its call for a thorough, credible and transparent investigation into the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The EU took note of the announcement by Saudi authorities on 15 November on the latest developments in their investigation, yet the need remains to shed full clarity on the circumstances surrounding this horrendous crime as well as to ensure accountability for all those responsible for it.

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/eu-declaration-recent-developments-khashoggi/2161844

(* A P)

Mordfall Khashoggi: Trump will bis Dienstag Schuldige finden

Die US-Regierung will laut Präsident Trump in den kommenden Tagen die Verantwortlichen für den Tod des saudischen Journalisten Khashoggi identifizieren. Erkenntnisse der CIA hatten ihn zuvor unter Zugzwang gebracht.

Nach Medienberichten über CIA-Erkenntnisse im Fall Jamal Khashoggi hat US-Präsident Donald Trump einen "sehr umfassenden Report" angekündigt. Er werde bis Dienstag an die Öffentlichkeit gehen und auch festhalten, "wer es getan hat", sagte Trump. Die Einschätzung aus den gestern bekannt gewordenen Berichten nannte er "verfrüht".

Die jüngsten Berichte, wonach die US-Regierung eine finale Schlussfolgerung gezogen hat, sind falsch", sagte die Sprecherin des US-Außenministeriums, Heather Nauert, zu den Medienberichten über die Erkenntnisse der CIA. Es gebe in Bezug auf die Ermordung des Journalisten noch "zahlreiche unbeantwortete Fragen". Man sei aber entschlossen, alle Beteiligten zur Verantwortung zu ziehen.

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/khashoggi-249.html

und auch http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/khashoggi-mord-trump-will-umfassenden-bericht-abwarten-15896599.html

(* A P)

Kronprinz außer Kontrolle: Bin Salman wird zur Last für Trump

Der Khashoggi-Mord und sein radikales Vorgehen im Jemen-Krieg bringen Saudi-Arabiens Kronprinz Bin Salman in Erklärungsnot. Doch sein wichtigster Verbündeter, US-Präsident Trump, zeigt sich loyal - und macht sich damit selbst angreifbar.

Nach dem Mord an dem saudischen Journalisten und Dissidenten Jamal Khashoggi wächst der Druck auf das Weiße Haus, wirksame Sanktionen gegen das Königshaus zu erlassen. Doch Trump sträubt sich - und das, obwohl selbst der US-Auslandsgeheimdienst CIA laut "New York Times" mittlerweile ausreichend Hinweise für die Verwicklung Bin Salmans in den Fall sieht. Wie die Zeitung berichtet, soll ein Mitglied des Mordkommandos einem Vorgesetzten nach der Tat gesagt haben, er möge "seinen Chef" - den Kronprinzen - informieren.

Für Trump ist das unangenehm. Bis zuletzt konnte sich Washington lediglich zu Sanktionen gegen die 17 früheren saudischen Regierungsmitarbeiter durchringen, die auch von der Staatsanwaltschaft in Riad für das Verbrechen verantwortlich gemacht werden. Geht es aber um die Rolle des Kronprinzen in dem Fall, hält sich der Präsident mit Schuldzuweisungen weiterhin zurück. US-Medien sehen darin einen Versuch, Bin Salman aus der Schusslinie zu halten.

Wie weit diese Loyalität für den wichtigsten Partner in der arabischen Welt offenbar geht, will der US-Nachrichtensender NBC in dieser Woche aus Regierungskreisen erfahren haben. Demnach habe Trump mit dem Gedanken gespielt, den im US-Exil lebenden islamischen Prediger Fethullah Gülen an die Türkei auszuliefern, um auf diese Weise den türkischen Präsidenten im Fall Khashoggi zu besänftigen.

Nach außen versucht das Weiße Haus indes, Entschlossenheit zu zeigen und so dem Eindruck entgegen zu wirken, man habe sich von den Saudis allzu abhängig gemacht.

Mit dieser Haltung im Fall Khashoggi handelt sich Trump einmal mehr Kritik ein - auch aus dem Ausland.

https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Bin-Salman-wird-zur-Last-fuer-Trump-article20726848.html

(* A P)

CIA-Erkenntnisse setzen Trump unter Druck

Die USA - und auch die Trump-Familie persönlich - unterhalten engste Beziehungen zu Saudi-Arabien.

An dieser Linie scheint der US-Präsident festzuhalten. Trump sagte am Samstagabend vor seinem Abflug nach Kalifornien, er sei noch nicht von der CIA über die Einschätzung zur Ermordung Khashoggis unterrichtet worden. Bislang sei ihm gesagt worden, dass der saudische Kronprinz keine Rolle bei der Tötung gespielt habe.

Seine Sprecherin Sarah Sanders sagte später, Trump habe während des Flugs mit CIA-Chefin Gina Haspel und Außenminister Mike Pompeo telefoniert.

Auf die Frage, ob es Konsequenzen haben werde, sollte "MbS" verantwortlich sein, hatte Trump am Morgen gesagt, er werde sich das anschauen.

Der Republikaner bezeichnete Saudi-Arabien aber erneut als "großartigen Verbündeten" und pries die wirtschaftlichen Beziehungen zu dem Königreich.

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jamal-khashoggi-cia-erkenntnisse-setzen-donald-trump-unter-druck-a-1239043.html

und auch https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Trump-verspricht-baldigen-Khashoggi-Bericht-article20727155.html

(* A P)

Trump is defending Mohammed bin Salman’s lies. Congress must insist on the truth.

SAUDI ARABIA’S crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is brazenly seeking to lie his way out of accountability for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — and the Trump administration is helping him do so. On Thursday, a state prosecutor in Riyadh advanced an account of the killing blatantly at odds with established facts, excusing the crown prince from all blame. Rather than reject this contemptible coverup, President Trump, who had pledged to “get to the bottom” of the case, went along with it.

Now we learn that Mr. Trump backed the Saudi leader despite a conclusion by the CIA that the prince was, in fact, responsible for ordering Khashoggi’s assassination.

As in the case of Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, Mr. Trump is rejecting a firm conclusion by the U.S. intelligence community that he finds politically inconvenient. And as in that instance, Congress should move to base U.S. foreign policy on truth rather than lies.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trump-is-defending-mohammed-bin-salmans-lies-congress-must-insist-on-the-truth/2018/11/17/70a9a43c-ea7b-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html

(* A P)

Trump administration has reached no 'final conclusion' on Khashoggi killing

State Department seems to contradict reports CIA implicated Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince in Khashoggi slaying

The Trump administration on Saturday said it had not reached a final conclusion on who was involved in the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi despite a Central Intelligence Agency assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing.

"Recent reports indicating that the US government has made a final conclusion are inaccurate," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement cited by AFP.

"We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those accountable who planned, led and were connected to the murder. And, we will do that while maintaining the important strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia."

"There remain numerous unanswered questions with respect to the murder of Mr Khashoggi. The State Department will continue to seek all relevant facts," she said.

"In the meantime, we will continue to consult Congress, and work with other nations to hold accountable those involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-has-reached-no-final-conclusion-khashoggi-killing-state-department-says-592125238

https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/us-make-final-conclusions-saudi-killing-days-trump-doc-1ax67t3 = https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2018/11/18/us-to-make-final-conclusions-on-saudi-killing-in-days-says-trump/

(* A P)

Trump says US to make final conclusions on Khashoggi killing in days

Trump discusses CIA assessment by phone with agency's director and secretary of state while flying to California

The United States will make final conclusions by early next week over the slaying of Jamal Khashoggi, President Donald Trump said on Saturday, following reports that the CIA had held Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible.

Still, ahead of the briefing by his secretary of state and CIA director, Trump demurred when asked about possible retaliation against Riyadh.

"They have been a truly spectacular ally in terms of jobs and economic development," Trump told reporters.

"And I also take that - you know, I'm president - I have to take a lot of things into consideration."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/trump-says-us-make-final-conclusions-khashoggi-killing-days-765850756

(* A P)

It is too late .. Members of Congress demand Trump to move towards Mohammed bin Salman

US senators have called on President Donald Trump to accept the findings of the CIA about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal said Trump should accept the undisputed conclusion of the intelligence agency that the Saudi crown prince was guilty of the brutal killing of Khashoggi.

"There should be consequences for the killing of Khashoggi," Blumenthal said in a tweet on Twitter. He called for sanctions, a trial and the removal of Mohammed bin Salman instead of continuing to cover up Trump, the senator said.

For his part, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Korker that everything indicates that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman is the order to kill Jamal Khashoggi.

He added that the Trump administration should arrive at a credible determination of responsibility before Mohammed bin Salman executed those who appeared to have carried out his orders.

http://www.tellerreport.com/news/--it-is-too-late----members-of-congress-demand-trump-to-move-towards-mohammed-bin-salman-.H1CHeyRp7.html

(* A P)

Blumenthal accuses Saudi prince in murder of journalist

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., pointed an accusing finger Tuesday directly at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia in the alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

He also dismissed theories that Khashoggi was killed during an interrogation that went wrong, or that rogue killers murdered the 60-year-old Saudi citizen inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey, as President Donald Trump suggested on Monday.

“Anyone who lends credibility to claims that there was a botched interrogation, or rogue killers is, in effect, aiding and abetting the Saudis in their complicity for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” Blumenthal said during a news conference at the state Capitol.

http://www.rep-am.com/local/capitol-report/2018/10/16/blumenthal-accuses-saudi-prince-in-murder-of-journalist/

(A P)

Erdogan, Trump Discuss Syria, Khashoggi Murder In Phone Talks

According to the statement, Erdogan and Trump agreed that all aspects of Khashoggi’s murder must be uncovered.

http://www.newnewss.net/erdogan-trump-discuss-syria-khashoggi-murder-in-phone-talks/

(* A P)

Amnesty: SAUDI ARABIA: WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMAL KHASHOGGI?

The world needs to know what happened to Khashoggi – together we need to demand answers. With enough pressure we can get the Secretary General of the UN António Guterres to set up an independent investigation.

Write to the UN Secretary General António Guterres and demand an independent investigation now.

Without an independent investigation, we may never get the full truth about what happened to Jamal. Take action now.

https://takeaction.amnesty.ca/page/32379/action/1

(A P)

Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington on Saturday denied that he had spoken with Jamal Khashoggi by telephone or that he had suggested he go to Turkey “for any reason,” after the Washington Post reported that he had done so, citing people familiar with U.S. intelligence.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-cia-denial/saudi-ambassador-denies-telling-khashoggi-to-go-to-turkey-idUSKCN1NM00J

My comment: Khashoggi’s fiancée will know. - Oh, and the CIA does (look at cp1).

Comment: Saudi Ambassador Khalid Bin Salman needs to be declared persona non grata, and formally expelled from Washington.

https://twitter.com/KarenAttiah/status/1063592419021783045

(* B P)

“THERE ARE SIGHS OF RELIEF IN RIYADH”: THE WHITE HOUSE IS STILL WALKING ON EGGSHELLS SO AS NOT TO ANGER M.B.S.

New Saudi sanctions under the Magnitsky Act are the bare minimum. Will a newly appointed ambassador be able to recalibrate the relationship?

Six weeks after the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and U.S. resident, the White House appears as committed as ever to absolving Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince widely believed to have ordered Khashoggi’s death.

Among longtime Saudi observers, however, approval for the sanctions was tempered by a sense that it was all just an attempt to save face.

Indeed, the sanctions list appears to reflect a mutual understanding between Washington and Riyadh.

But the notable absence of Ahmed al-Assiri, the deputy former head of the kingdom’s intelligence services and close confidant of Mohammed bin Salman, a reported architect of the murder plot, softened the message.

Within the State Department, there was already pervasive skepticism that Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would take substantive action against Saudi Arabia and M.B.S

The White House’s credibility on human rights was further thrust into question Thursday after it was reported that administration officials had considered an outrageous plot to muffle criticism by Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, Turke

According to NBC News, Trump officials had discussed extraditing Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen, an enemy of President Recep Erdoğan.

The possibility that the Trump administration had considered trading the life of one dissident to help cover up the murder of another, if true, should put an end to hopes that the White House will take meaningful action on Saudi Arabia.

There are positive signs that the U.S.-Saudi relationship, though unbroken, has at least been reconfigured.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/11/magnitsky-sanctions-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi

(* A P)

Intel: Why Congress isn’t satisfied with Trump’s latest Saudi sanctions

Several Democratic senators — and at least one Republican — who first launched the federal probe into Khashoggi’s murder have called for sanctions on higher level officials, implying that Prince Mohammed himself is liable.

“It is difficult for any reasonable person with knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s government to believe such high-level officials would conduct a plot of this significance without the direction of the crown prince,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the architect of the human rights law used as the basis for the sanctions. Cardin called for “accountability at the highest levels of the Saudi government.”

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., accused the Trump administration of “following the Saudi playbook of blaming mid-level officials and exonerating its leadership.” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said the list is clearly “not comprehensive.”

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/intel-congress-not-satisfied-trump-saudi-sanctions.html

(* A P)

Loved ones mourn Khashoggi after Riyadh seeks to execute five suspects

Family and friends of Jamal Khashoggi said funeral prayers in Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday for the Saudi journalist killed by agents of his own government, in a case that has sparked a global outcry and mired the kingdom in crisis.

Tens of thousands of worshippers at Mecca’s Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Khashoggi’s hometown, joined in prayers for the deceased, though the imams did not name him.

In Istanbul, mourners raised their hands in prayer outside Fatih Mosque. An imam recited Koranic verses under a tent set up to protect against the rain, and Khashoggi’s friends eulogized him.

“What we heard yesterday from the Saudi public prosecutor is not the justice we were expecting or waiting for, but represents injustice itself,” said Ayman Nour, a liberal Egyptian politician.

The decision to hold prayer services in the absence of a body suggests the family does not expect it to be recovered.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-funeral/loved-ones-mourn-khashoggi-after-riyadh-seeks-to-execute-five-suspects-idUSKCN1NL1QA

(B P)

Khashoggi, Saudi-Arabien, Jemen: Ein Mord als Machtspiel

Islamwissenschaftler Stefan Weidner: „Ich glaube, er ist dann darüber gestürzt, dass er durchaus eine gewisse Sympathie für den Arabischen Frühling hatte. Für die Rolle der Muslimbrüder eventuell auch. Und für Demokratisierung. Und das hat dann dem Prinz Mohammed bin Salman nicht mehr gefallen. Die wollten es autoritär haben. Khashoggi hat für demokratische Reformen und ein wenig Mitsprache von unten plädiert, wofür die Muslimbrüder stehen und er hat auch zum Beispiel etwas gegen den Salafismus geschrieben

https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/khashoggi-saudi-arabien-jemen-ein-mord-als-machtspiel.979.de.html

(* B P)

Factbox: Who are the Saudis under the spotlight over Khashoggi's killing?

Saudi Arabia is seeking the death penalty against five out of 21 people under investigation in connection with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Five senior government officials have also been dismissed.

SAUD AL-QAHTANI

Saud al-Qahtani, seen as the right-hand man to Prince Mohammed, was removed as a royal court adviser and is the highest-profile figure implicated in the incident.

MAHER MUTREB

General Maher Mutreb, an aide to Qahtani for information security, was the lead negotiator inside the consulate, according to the senior Saudi official. Without naming him, the public prosecutor said the lead negotiator was the person who decided to kill Khashoggi rather than repatriate him.

SALAH TUBAIGY

Salah Tubaigy is a forensic expert at the Saudi interior ministry’s criminal evidence department, according to a biography posted online by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.

AHMED AL-ASIRI

Ahmed al-Asiri, former deputy head of General Intelligence, was among those sacked by King Salman. The public prosecutor said he was the one who ordered the operation to repatriate - but not kill - Khashoggi.

MOUSTAFA AL-MADANI

Moustafa al-Madani led the intelligence efforts for the 15-man team in Istanbul, the senior Saudi official said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi/u-s-imposes-sanctions-for-khashoggi-killing-saudis-seek-death-penalty-idUSKCN1NK2VB

(* A P)

Trump says not considering extraditing Erdogan foe

President Donald Trump said Saturday he was not considering extraditing a U.S.-based Muslim cleric to Turkey as part of an effort to ease pressure on Saudi Arabia.

“No, it’s not under consideration,” Trump told reporters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-gulen/trump-says-not-considering-extraditing-erdogan-foe-idUSKCN1NM0GO

My comment: Well, this would no more work – after the clear CIA statement (cp1).

(* A P)

U.S. eyes ways to remove Erdogan foe to appease Turkey: NBC

The Trump administration is exploring possible ways to remove U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, a foe of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, to convince Turkey to ease pressure on Saudi Arabia over the killing of a Saudi journalist, NBC News reported on Thursday.

NBC, citing four sources, said Trump administration officials asked federal law enforcement agencies to look into whether Gulen, accused by Erdogan of instigating a failed 2016 coup, could legally be forced out of the United States.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-gulen/u-s-eyes-ways-to-remove-erdogan-foe-to-appease-turkey-nbc-idUSKCN1NK2T4

My comment: What a dirty deal this would be. And what for? “to convince Turkey to ease pressure on Saudi Arabia”.

(* A P)

U.S. sanctions 17 Saudis over killing of journalist Khashoggi

The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on 17 Saudi officials on Thursday for their role in the killing last month of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, the first concrete response by the Trump administration to the journalist’s death.

Among those sanctioned were Saud al-Qahtani, who has been removed from his position as a top aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Saudi Consul General Mohammed Alotaibi and members of a 15-person team Turkey has identified as being involved in Khashoggi’s death.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-sanctions/u-s-sanctions-17-saudis-over-killing-of-journalist-khashoggi-idUSKCN1NK27H

and https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi/u-s-imposes-sanctions-for-khashoggi-killing-saudis-seek-death-penalty-idUSKCN1NK2VB

My comment: Fall guys. Sanctioning individuals really is worth nothing.

Comment by Rep. Ro Khanna: The sanctions against 17 Saudis for their actions in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are insufficient and an attempt to deflect blame from their leader, MbS. Between this murder and his crimes against humanity in Yemen, he is the one that should should be sanctioned.

https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna/status/1063480064057200641

(* B P)

CIA had intelligence that the the Saudis had a plot to lure and capture #Khashoggi. A plan that went all the way to MBS. If the Trump administration allows the masterminds behind Jamal’s murder to go free, history will record this as a moral (blood) stain on this presidency.

“The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure Washington Post columnist Jamal #Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan.”

For all those who want to claim that the crown prince is innocent of any wrongdoing— CIA intercepted plans from the Crown Prince to lure and kidnap Jamal #Khashoggi from his home in Virgina:

https://twitter.com/KarenAttiah/status/1063029102167425024

(** A P)

Saudi prosecutor exonerates crown prince in Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia Thursday called for the death penalty against five people accused of murdering journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate, but absolved the crown prince of any blame.

But spokesman Shaalan al-Shaalan denied Prince Mohammed had any knowledge of the killing.

The prosecutor has requested the death penalty for the five who "are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals", Shaalan said.

Implicated in the murder are the once-powerful deputy chief of Saudi Arabia's intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, who gave the order to repatriate Khashoggi, and an unnamed "head of the negotiating team" who flew to the Istanbul consulate had ordered his murder, Shaalan said.

The prosecution said it now has 21 people in custody, 11 of whom have been indicted with investigations to continue into the others.

"This is clearly an attempt to display to the world that a semblance of accountability is being applied in Riyadh, but the question that has been asked will continue to be asked," said H.A. Hellyer, senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and the Royal United Services Institute in London.

"Who gave the actual order to these senior officials?"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6393125/Five-Saudi-officials-face-death-penalty-Khashoggi-murder.html

and also https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/saudi-top-prosecutor-seeks-death-penalty-khashoggi-murder-181115103958916.html

and

(* A P)

Saudi prosecutors call on the court to execute five defendants in the murder of journalist Khashoggi

The Saudi Public Prosecutor's Office has referred the case of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the court, accusing 11 defendants and instituting criminal proceedings against them, and demanding the execution of five of the defendants.

The Saudi Press Agency quoted the Public Prosecutor's Office as reporting that the action was carried out on the basis of the Saudi-Turkish joint working Group, and the investigations conducted by the Public Prosecutor's Office with the detainees, in this case, 21 of whom were arrested after calling the Public Prosecutor's Office for three persons. others.

The prosecution said that investigations were continuing with the rest of the detainees to get to the truth of their situation and their roles, demanding the killing of an order and initiating the murder of them and the number of (5) persons and the punishment of the legitimate penalties due to the rest.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161048

My comment: The fall guys get executed, to save the Crown Prince.

Comment: It is important to read the details of #Saudi prosecutors charges in #Jamalkhashoggi murder. It will tell us if it included heraba or not. Seeking death penalty under certain codes means killers can walk away with a pardon

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1063029991934439424

(* B P)

Recordings of Khashoggi a "smoking gun" for top level Saudi involvement

Evidence provided by the Turkish government strongly indicates that the murder was well plotted at the "highest levels" of the Saudi Kingdom, which could mean the order may even have come straight from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

“Tell your boss,” said Mutreb, a security official known to have close links to the crown prince, “the deed is done.”

The Saudis even refused to acknowledge that the recordings consisted of the “tell your boss” phrase. In a blunt denial, the government said: “At no moment was there any reference to the mentioned phrase in the recordings.”

“A phone call like that is about as close to a smoking gun as you are going to get. It is pretty incriminating evidence,” Bruce O. Riedel, a former CIA officer, told the New York Times,

Despite the existence of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, Schabas said: “That’s a case [where] a state is killing somebody without a trial and without apparently committing an offense justified the death penalty in any case.”

Another disturbing detail is about the Saudi Consul General in Istanbul, Mohammad al Otaibi, who left Turkey on October 16, one day after the Turkish government began its probe into Khashoggi's disappearance. Ever since, Otaibi has been keeping a low profile.

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/recordings-of-khashoggi-a-smoking-gun-for-top-level-saudi-involvement-21639/amp

(* B P)

The ruthless campaign to save Mohammed bin Salman

With every passing day, the Saudi prince looks more likely to survive the Khashoggi scandal

Since Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi columnist, was strangled and his body dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month, the propaganda campaign designed to insulate Prince Mohammed from a crime supposedly committed by rogue aides has gone into overdrive. Enlisting friends is not sufficient; victims too must join in the whitewashing. It is a charade that can be well captured by a popular Arab saying: “You kill and walk in the victim’s funeral procession.”

None of this fake admiration will salvage the reputation of Prince Mohammed abroad, where observers and politicians assume the killing could not have been committed without his consent. But with every passing day, he looks more likely to survive the scandal. His western allies, led by the US, appear unwilling to connect him directly to the Khashoggi execution. Instead, they hope his ailing father, King Salman, will rein him in. They are using his vulnerability to wrest concessions: a halt to Saudi Arabia’s disastrous military campaign in Yemen and an end to its ill-judged blockade of its neighbour Qatar. Back home, the Saudis have crafted a message that is now spreading, online and in interviews, through officials and loyalists. The narrative holds up Saudi Arabia as a “beacon” of stability in the face of an expansionist Iran.

https://www.ft.com/content/bf9e9556-e725-11e8-8a85-04b8afea6ea3?segmentid=acee4131-99c2-09d3-a635-873e61754ec6&fbclid=IwAR0vKXmBlaoWXH3HQxsd3geyThCBiGE--kMcHZKCuMGoouBGz-fPRntB4rQ

Comment: I've been in "a fight and a quarrel" many times, in many places in the world. Never once did I think of bringing along a sedative and a bone saw to chop bodies. That'd be intent to murder, not 'a fight and a quarrel'.

In my world, the man who is truly ignorant that his men killed someone : He is not the boss. Worse, if he knew and denies knowing : Then he is a cowed coward, and not a real leader.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1063040561853198342

(A P)

Saudi crown prince has 'absolutely nothing to do' with Khashoggi murder: foreign minister

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Thursday Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had “absolutely nothing to do” with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after the public prosecutor said he would seek the death penalty for five suspects.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-sanctions/saudi-crown-prince-has-absolutely-nothing-to-do-with-khashoggi-murder-foreign-minister-idUSKCN1NK22S

My comment: LOL.

(* A P)

Turkey Calls for International Inquiry in Khashoggi Killing

Turkey’s foreign minister on Wednesday called for an international investigation into the killing of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi.

“An international investigation is absolutely essential,” the foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, told Parliament in remarks reported by the semiofficial Anadolu news agency. “We will do whatever it takes to bring the murder to light.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/world/europe/turkey-khashoggi-saudi-mohammed.html

(* A P)

Turkey not satisfied by Saudi prosecutor comments on Khashoggi: minister

Turkey is not satisfied with remarks from Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Ankara’s foreign minister said on Thursday, adding the journalist was targeted in a premeditated killing.

“I don’t find some comments satisfying. They say this person was killed because he resisted, whereas this murder was premeditated,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters.

“Again, they say he was dismembered... but this isn’t a spontaneous thing. The necessary equipment and people were previously brought in to kill and later dismember him.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-turkey/turkey-not-satisfied-by-saudi-prosecutor-comments-on-khashoggi-minister-idUSKCN1NK1LP

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-prosecutor-turkey/saudi-prosecutors-measures-over-khashoggi-positive-but-insufficient-turkey-minister-idUSKCN1NK1O3

(* A P)

Adviser to Turkey's Erdogan says Saudi Arabia trying to cover up Khashoggi murder

An adviser to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that comments from Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor were aimed at covering up the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, adding the Saudi probe was unlikely to find the perpetrators.

Yasin Aktay, who advises Erdogan in his AK Party, made the comments after Saudi’s public prosecutor said the journalist was killed after “negotiations” to convince him to return to the kingdom failed. Turkish officials have said they believe the killing was premeditated.

“They expect us to believe the killers carried this out on their own. This isn’t very credible. Everything is clear as day, but there is an effort to cover it up a bit,” Aktay said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-turkey-adviser/adviser-to-turkeys-erdogan-says-saudi-arabia-trying-to-cover-up-khashoggi-murder-idUSKCN1NK1X9

(* B P)

Did the US and Britain collude in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?

With Khashoggi’s murder, many secrets that both the Kingdom and its western allies wanted buried, will stay that way.

The liberal press has painted Khashoggi as a pioneering reformer and uncompromising dissident who was killed for cutting too close to the bone in his criticisms of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In response, some US right-wing outlets have described Khashoggi as an Islamist, an al-Qaeda sympathiser and a secret Muslim Brotherhood operative, killed because MBS saw him as an extremist threat. The characterisation fits neatly into the Saudi Kingdom’s own narrative. In a phone call with the White House, Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman described Khashoggi as a dangerous Islamist and Brotherhood member.

Meanwhile, the US and UK governments have engaged in the obligatory moral denunciations while also hang-wringing about what to do. The Saudi war on Yemen continues apace with US and British-backing, and despite some hot rhetoric, no steps have been taken to “punish” the Saudi regime.

Both sides are wrong. The conservative media has cherry-picked Khashoggi’s background to depict him as a militant Islamist, a picture which simply goes too far. But equally, the liberal portrait of him as a reformist democrat is one-sided, misleading and self-serving.

The truth about Khashoggi is more complex.

Could his discovery of evidence for Saudi Arabia’s use of chemical weapons in Yemen be the straw that broke the camel’s back? And did US and British intelligence do nothing because they worried that Khashoggi posed not just an unprecedented threat to the Kingdom, but to their own interests in the Kingdom as well?

We may never know. But one thing is clear. With Khashoggi’s murder, many secrets that both the Kingdom and its western allies wanted buried, will stay that way.

https://www.opendemocracy.net/north-africa-west-asia/nafeez-ahmed/did-us-and-britain-collude-in-murder-of-jamal-khashoggi

(* A P)

Turkish Foreign Minister says an international investigation on Khashoggi murder has become a necessity

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1062762192657924096

(A P)

#Saudi Monarchy to issue first “findings of its investigation” into its agents’ murder of @washingtonpost columnist #JamalKhashoggi early next week, sources tell me.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1062850751201005568

My comment: This is not ““findings of its investigation”, but whitewashing propaganda to deflect fallout from Crown prince to fall guys.

(A P)

Turkey aims to improve ties with Saudi Arabia: minister's speech text

Turkey aims to deepen ties with Saudi Arabia in all aspects, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said according to a prepared text of his speech to parliament on Wednesday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-saudi/turkey-aims-to-improve-ties-with-saudi-arabia-ministers-speech-text-idUSKCN1NJ172

My comment: Oupps.

(* B P)

Saudi royals rally support at home as pressure mounts

Under siege by Turkey, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are trying to ensure their base at home. An unprecedented royal tour, pardons and bonuses for workers are parts of a program to protect the embattled crown prince from the fallout from the Istanbul caper. The United States, especially when it comes to Congress, is a wild card in the still-evolving situation.

The Saudis are in damage control. The king last week embarked on his first-ever tour of the kingdom to rally support behind the monarchy and his son.

The king’s generosity is clearly designed to ensure that the kingdom is still behind its leadership.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/saudi-mbs-rally-support-pressure-yemen-turkey-khashoggi.html

(* B P)

Trump Administration Eases Pressure on Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi’s Murder

More evidence regarding the Saudi government’s murder of journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi has emerged over the past two weeks, but as the apparent responsibility for the operation has crept closer to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Trump administration officials have backed away from some of the stronger comments they have made about holding the Saudi government to account.

If the call was to Qahtani, there is little doubt that the boss he was supposed to tell was MBS. “A phone call like that is about as close to a smoking gun as you are going to get,” Bruce Riedel told the Times.

U.S. officials have tried to avoid that conclusion.

https://www.lawfareblog.com/us-shifts-support-saudi-intervention-yemen-gaza-clashes-spark-political-crisis-israel-trump

(* A P)

Khashoggi Tape Doesn’t Implicate Saudi Prince, Bolton Says

People who’ve heard a recording of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder don’t believe it implicates Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said, weighing in on a controversy that has sharply raised international pressure on the top oil exporter.

Speaking in Singapore, where he’s attending a regional summit, Bolton said he hadn’t heard the recording himself. Asked if the audio links Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the killing, Bolton said: “That’s not the conclusion I think that the people who heard it have come to, and that’s certainly not the position of the Saudi government.”

“The president has made it clear he wants to get to the bottom of this,” Bolton told reporters Tuesday.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/politics/khashoggi-tape-not-seen-implicating-saudi-prince-bolton-says#gs.XCzzUTM

My comment: The US wants to continue as before. Thus, exactly this reaction was to be expected.

(* B K)

Great Britain is a Serial Political Murderer

An interception of encrypted transmissions of the General Intelligence Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by the British General Intelligence Directorate (GCHQ) is said to reveal that the order to assassinate Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist working for a number of Western media sources, came from the Saudi royal family. This claim was made by The Daily Express with a reference to its unnamed sources.

This publication has essentially revealed that British intelligence services, namely MI6, was well aware of the preparations made by the Saudi special services to silence a major nuisance for Saudi authorities, namely Jamal Hashoggi, forever. The absence of any visible or reported steps made by London to prevent this despicable crime serves as a direct indication that there was at least some form of involvement by British intelligence agencies in the assassination of the Saudi journalist.

However, this revelation could hardly surprise anyone even remotely familiar with the way British authorities support the Saudi regime,

As we find new clues that London has been complicit with Saudi Arabia in this political assassination, it essentially means that the UK itself is also engaged in political terrorism.

https://journal-neo.org/2018/11/09/great-britain-a-serial-political-murderer/

(* B P)

Khashoggi murder- The hypocrisy of using it for geopolitical games

In a analysis (https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2018/10/khashoggi-us-contradictions-iran ) yesterday, Mark Fitzpatrick (Executive Director of IISS–America) wrote that “Why does Trump accept Saudi Arabia’s ludicrous story about Khashoggi’s murder? It’s not because of strategic partnership, oil, arms sales or MBS’s bullshit. It’s about squeezing Iran. Undermining Iran’s economy tops Trump’s foreign-policy agenda. He needs KSA oilfields to make up for the Iranian oil removed from the market.”

There is no doubt that incidents like the Khashoggi case spark discussions drowned in geopolitical rivalry. But for the sake of supporting a genuinely truth-finding investigation the geopolitical dimensions should not be allowed to disturb reporting, commentary and analysis. More than ever, sober minds are needed to navigate the public through such horrific incidents. Yes, there is geopolitics: Between Riyadh and Ankara, between Riyadh and Doha, between Ankara and Washington, etc. etc. But we won‘t do justice to the Khashoggi family if we discussed their tragic loss through the lens of these big political questions. Let us instead focus on getting a criminal act resolved.

https://medium.com/@aveeksen/khashoggi-murder-the-hypocrisy-of-using-it-for-geopolitical-games-abbc14f17888

(* B P)

Saudi-Arabien: Was ist eigentlich so besonders am Fall Khashoggi?

Weshalb diese Aufregung im Fall des Mordes an Jamal Khashoggi? Die Saudis haben gute Gründe, sich verwundert diese Frage zu stellen. Schließlich sind Folter, Enthauptungen, Entführungen im Ausland und spurloses Verschwinden für die saudische Monarchie gängige Praxis.

Der Fall Khashoggi verdeutlicht einmal mehr das beachtliche Ausmaß westlicher Heuchelei und Doppelstandards. Nicht nur im Vergleich zur Affäre Skripal bzw. dem politischen und medialen Umgang mit diesem Fall

Doch Saudi-Arabien mit all seinen finsteren Machenschaften, über die die NachDenkSeiten kürzlich einen guten Überblick gegeben haben, steht letztlich für die finsteren Machenschaften und die "Realpolitik" des Westens und seiner selbsterklärten Führungsmacht USA insgesamt. Ist der Fall Khashoggi für Saudi-Arabien nichts anderes als gängige Praxis, und letztlich keine wirkliche Aufregung, sondern bei den Saudis aus gutem Grund Verwunderung über ebensolche wert, so ist der Fall Saudi-Arabien für die westliche Realpolitik ebenfalls nichts anderes als gängige Praxis, über die es im Westen kein wirkliches Aufregen mehr gibt.

Zwar kündigen die USA mittlerweile die Möglichkeiten von Sanktionen gegen Saudi-Arabien an und drängen auf Friedensverhandlungen bzw. Einstellungen der saudischen Bombardements auf bevölkerte Gebiete Jemens. Doch geben sie andererseits ebenfalls unmissverständlich zu verstehen, wie wichtig Saudi-Arabien für die Vereinigten Staaten sind. Zudem gelten Ankündigungen von Waffenstillständen oftmals als Auslöser von besonders intensivierter Kriegsführung.

Auch die USA haben ihre sehr eigenen, besonderen Interessen, für die dieser Mordfall Khashoggi nichts Besonderes bedeutet. Denn dafür seien zu viele bilaterale Interessen zwischen den Saudis, Europa und den USA und zu viel Geld im Spiel:

Dies alles zusammengenommen seien echte US-amerikanische Interessen, so dass die Vereinigten Staaten nach einem Ausweg für den Mordfall Khashoggi suchen werden, der den Saudis – und damit den USA selbst – nicht wirklich schadet. Mit der abnehmenden medialen Präsenz des Falls Khashoggi zeichnet sich daher bereits ab, dass es in den einschlägigen politischen Zirkeln in absehbarer Zeit heißen wird: "Khashoggi wer?" Business as usual.

https://deutsch.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/79055-saudi-arabien-was-ist-eigentlich-so-besonders-am-fall-khashoggi/

Mein Kommentar: Der Beitrag ist vom 12. November. Die neuesten Enthüllungen haben den Fall Khashoggi wieder nach vorne gebracht. So leicht wird es vielleicht doch nicht, mit Business as usual weiterzumachen.

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp8a

(B K P)

Washingtons militärische Unterstützung von Saudi Arabien und den VAE im Jemen-Konflikt ist auf eine humanitäre Katastrophe ohne jegliches strategisches Ziel hinausgelaufen, schreibt der Journalist Daniel R. DePetris in einem Beitrag für das US-Magazin „The National Interest“ (NI).

Damit kommentierte DePetris einen offenen Brief von hochrangigen Beamten aus der Administration des ehemaligen US-Präsidenten Barack Obama. Die Beamten haben US-Staatchef Donald Trump am 11. November zur völligen Beendigung der Unterstützung für eine von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärkoalition in Jemen aufgerufen.

Die Autoren des Briefes hätten aber vernachlässigt, die ursprüngliche Verantwortung für das Einschlagen des politischen Kurses zu übernehmen, mit dessen Neubewertung die Vereinigten Staaten endlich begonnen hätten.

Die Politik Washingtons im Jemen sei seit langer Zeit eine „Farce“. Der Bürgerkrieg in dem Land werde von keiner beteiligten Seite militärisch gewonnen. Die USA „heizen jedoch weiter den Krieg an, indem sie eine Seite in einem internen Konflikt in einem anderen Land wählen“.

https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20181117322992653-usa-jemen-saudi-arabien-vae/

(* A P)

Trump doesn’t want to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi. His new sanctions prove it.

“This was both the least they could have done and the most we should have expected,” an expert said.

The US placed sanctions on 17 Saudis on Thursday as punishment for their alleged involvement in the murder of Saudi journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi.

It’s the strongest response yet by the Trump administration, which for weeks has resisted further weakening Washington-Riyadh ties. But according to experts, the move doesn’t go far enough to reprimand the kingdom.

But do the sanctions go far enough? Sean Kane, a former sanctions official at the Treasury Department, isn’t so sure.

“This was both the least they could have done and the most we should have expected,” he said. “The Global Magnitsky authority exists to target precisely this sort of behavior by state actors, so it would have been too conspicuous not to use it in this context.”

However, he added, “it won’t seriously impact the behavior of the Saudi regime unless it’s followed up by additional actions.”

Trump, it seems, just doesn’t want to risk losing incoming Saudi cash.

https://www.vox.com/world/2018/11/15/18096902/trump-saudi-arabia-sanctions-khashoggi-magnitsky

(* B P)

Rand Paul: Saudi Arabia is Number One at Spreading Terror

Speaking at TAC's annual conference, the senator called out MbS, Iran sanctions, and 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.'

Senator Rand Paul took sharp aim at Saudi Arabia in his keynote speech at The American Conservative’s fifth annual foreign policy conference Thursday, in particular blaming the Kingdom for the destruction of Yemen, for spreading extremist ideology across the globe, and for the grisly murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In his speech, Paul discussed his efforts to rein in the Saudi war campaign in Yemen, which he called “a particular tragedy because they’re one of the poorest countries on the planet.”

Paul noted that Saudi Arabia’s role in the Middle East was overall a destructive one. Riyadh, he noted, has spent $100 billion exporting extreme Wahabbist Islam to places as far away as Indonesia and funding madrassas that teach hatred in nations like Pakistan and India.

“So if you ask me who’s the worst at spreading hatred and trying to engender terrorism around the world, it’s Saudi Arabia hands down,” Paul said.

Paul refuted a popular talking point on America’s relationship with the Saudis.

“People say if you don’t sell them arms, Russia and China will,” he said. “They have all American planes. If they want to fly American planes and fix them with Russian parts, let them do it. It will be a quicker end to their air force than we ever could have imagined.”

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/rand-paul-saudi-arabia-is-number-one-at-spreading-terror-yemen-iran-russia/

(* A K P)

Sen. Chris Murphy, Film: MUST WATCH: "This humanitarian catastrophe... is being caused in part by actions of the United States of America."

https://www.facebook.com/YemenNotAlone/videos/2374460692596065

(A P)

Rep. McGovern on Yemen: 'I don't believe the Saudis have any intention of stopping this war'

“I don't believe the Saudis have any intention of stopping this war,” says Jim McGovern, Democratic congressman from Massachusetts. “I don't believe [the Saudis] have any intention of stopping the killing. I think ... they're waiting us out … giving this administration some little crumbs to be able to say ‘Oh things are moving in a different direction.’

https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-11-16/rep-mcgovern-yemen-i-dont-believe-saudis-have-any-intention-stopping-war

(* B P)

A New Beginning for Yemen?

The strategic role of the United States—and others—in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.

Although there is no evidence to suggest a direct linkage between the shift in the administration’s approach and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, it is clear that the fallout from this incident provides the immediate impetus for the change. The international and domestic outcry from the Khashoggi affair has turned into a domestic liability for the Trump administration, and has called into question Washington’s continued support for the Saudi military intervention in Yemen.

However, after three years since the onset of Operation Decisive Storm launched by Saudi Arabia in March 2015, Washington is today confronted with the reality that its continued support for the Saudi-led intervention implicates the United States in a regional conflict that has delivered few strategic gains.

However, it is far from clear whether the shift in Washington’s approach will result in a successful resumption of the mediation effort by Martin Griffith

It is far from clear how Washington intends to manage these many conflicting priorities. Although clearly driven by a desire to bring about an end to the civil war in Yemen, the immediate imperative will be to scale back its own involvement in the conflict, without a clear approach that would support a negotiated settlement, or even a resumption of negotiations between the parties

http://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/a-new-beginning-for-yemen/ = https://www.thecairoreview.com/tahrir-forum/a-new-beginning-for-yemen/

(* B P)

The American-Saudi strategic relationship, which began in the 1940s after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt met with the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud, has reached a critical juncture and should be reset.

This relationship has evolved over time as regional threats and challenges became more ominous, more complex, and more vexing. Saudi leadership succession and an intermittent power struggle among different factions of the Al Saud ruling family, which is currently happening regarding Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), has thrust the United States into the uncomfortable position of taking sides among the competing factions.

As MbS’s hold on power has become more precarious and his regional status shakier because of the murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, it is time to take another look at this special relationship. Such a review would raise several questions. If the United States no longer relies significantly on Saudi oil, should Washington continue to cling to the old oil-for-security formula? Where does Saudi Arabia really fit in Washington’s grand strategy for the Middle East? Are Washington’s regional interests served by the rash and deadly actions of the Saudi crown prince? As the international community demands that Khashoggi’s Saudi murderers be brought to justice, can the United States afford to be linked to MbS and the “premeditated cri

MbS has become a liability for U.S.-Saudi relations. Any cost-benefits analysis would conclude that the country is significantly more critical than any one person who has ascended to the apex of the Saudi power structure by intimidation and imprisonment of potential family challengers. If the Saudi royal family wants to maintain the special relationship with the United States, King Salman should work with the Al Saud family council to devise a new succession plan for the kingdom, which would replace MbS with another royal acceptable to the family – by Dr. Emile Nakhleh, who was a Senior Intelligence Service officer and Director of the Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program at the Central Intelligence Agency.

https://lobelog.com/american-saudi-strategic-partnership-time-to-reset/

(* B K P)

US Has Spent $5,900,000,000,000 On War Since 2001

A new report from Brown University is aiming to provide a close estimate of the cost of the overall cost to the US government of its myriad post-9/11 wars and assorted global wars on terror. The estimate is that $5.933 trillion has been spent through fiscal year 2019.

This is, of course, vastly higher than official figures, owing to the Pentagon trying to oversimplify the costs into simply overseas contingency operations. It is only when one considers the cost of medical and disability care for soldiers, and future such costs, along with things like the interest on the extra money borrowed for the wars, that the true cost becomes clear.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-11-15/us-has-spent-5900000000000-war-2001

full report: https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2018/Crawford_Costs%20of%20War%20Estimates%20Through%20FY2019%20.pdf

(A P)

Film by Rep. Mark Pocan: While millions of Yemenis starve to death, @SpeakerRyan & @HouseGOP are using every trick possible to prevent us from ending this genocide. My colleagues & I will not be silent as they allow the U.S. to remain complicit in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

https://twitter.com/repmarkpocan/status/1063109997012439041

(* A P)

U.S. senators seek clampdown on Saudis over Yemen, journalist's murder

Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday seeking to strike back at Saudi Arabia over the death of a Saudi journalist at a consulate in Turkey and for its role in Yemen’s devastating civil war.

If it were to become law, the bill would suspend weapon sales to Saudi Arabia and prohibit U.S. refueling of Saudi coalition aircraft for Riyadh’s campaign in Yemen against the Houthis, Shi’ite Muslim fighters that Yemen’s neighbors view as agents of Iran, the lawmakers said.

It also would impose sanctions on anyone blocking humanitarian access in Yemen and anyone supporting the Houthis in Yemen.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-usa-senate/u-s-senators-seek-clampdown-on-saudis-over-yemen-journalists-murder-idUSKCN1NK347

and also https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/with-sanctions-and-banned-arms-sales-bipartisan-senate-group-tries-to-bring-an-end-to-yemen-war-1.556832

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/senate-bill-targets-saudi-arabia-khashoggi-murder-yemen-181115190143285.html

and

(* A P)

Young and Menendez Introduce Comprehensive Yemen and Saudi Arabia Legislation

https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-and-menendez-introduce-comprehensive-yemen-and-saudi-arabia-legislation

and

(* A P)

Symbolic outrage? US senators seek to stop arms sales to Saudis… after killing similar Bahrain bill

A newly proposed bill in the US Senate would suspend the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia and block refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen, as punishment for the death of a Washington Post columnist.

“This legislation is an important way to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for various acts in Yemen as well as the death of Jamal Khashoggi,”said Graham.

“We are putting teeth behind these demands with regular oversight, sanctions and suspension of weapons sales and refueling support,”Menendez said.

https://www.rt.com/usa/444128-saudi-arms-ban-bill/

and the bill: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/11-15-18%20Saudi%20Arabia%20Bill.pdf

My comment: The doubt of the headline is really justified. How does this new bill fit to the Bahrain vote (see below?). It does not.

(* B P)

Commentary: How Congress can force Saudi Arabia’s hand on Yemen

But ending the mid-air refueling of Saudi aircraft is not enough to stop the conflict. In addition to refueling warplanes and providing intelligence assistance, the United States has rushed billions of dollars’ worth of missiles, bombs and spare parts to help the Saudi military continue its bombing campaign, starting under President Barack Obama.

Saudi leaders think they can withstand the international backlash against Khashoggi’s murder and their war in Yemen. And the Trump administration is trying to contain the furor by limiting some elements of U.S. military assistance but maintaining weapons sales and allowing the war to continue. The kingdom and its allies are more likely to accept a ceasefire and peace talks if Washington makes it clear that it will no longer support an open-ended war in Yemen. If Trump continues to avoid tough actions against the crown prince, Congress will have to take the lead instead.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-bazzi-saudi-commentary/commentary-how-congress-can-force-saudi-arabias-hand-on-yemen-idUKKCN1NK2WX?rpc=401& = https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181116-how-congress-can-push-saudi-arabia-on-yemen/

(* B P)

Graham Calls Saudi Prince ‘Unstable’ and Sees Sanctions Ahead

Senator Lindsey Graham called Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “unstable and unreliable” and said he and other senators were discussing sanctions against the longtime U.S. ally in the wake of a Saudi columnist’s murder.

An influential policy hawk in Congress who frequently advises President Donald Trump, Graham said he and other like-minded colleagues don’t yet have a plan of action, but lambasted the leadership of Saudi Arabia’s 33-year-old de facto ruler, widely known as MBS.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-14/graham-calls-saudi-prince-unstable-and-sees-sanctions-ahead

(* A K P)

MacDill crews, like others from U.S., stop refueling Saudi-led bombing in Yemen

Air Force refueling crews, including those from MacDill Air Force Base, will no longer participate in a Saudi-led airstrike campaign in Yemen that has drawn international condemnation for contributing to a humanitarian crisis.

MacDill is home to 24 KC-135 Stratotanker jets that provide in-flight refueling to U.S. and allied aircraft throughout the Middle East and Southwest Asia, an area that includes Yemen. Neither officials from MacDill nor U.S. Central Command, the MacDill-based headquarters overseeing U.S. military efforts in the region, provided information on how often local crews aided the Saudi-led coalition.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill-crews-like-others-from-us-stop-refueling-saudi-led-fight-in-yemen-20181115/

(* A K P)

Senate refuses to stop arms sale to Bahrain, rejecting proxy effort to end war in Yemen

The Senate on Thursday voted against an effort to block an arms sale to Bahrain - pitched by backers as a means of forcing the island nation to stop participating in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

It was shot down by a majority of senators over concerns it would expose the United States to greater dangers in the Persian Gulf region.

Only 21 senators voted in support of the effort to end the arms sale, suggesting that while lawmakers are increasingly eager to punish Saudi Arabia over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist, most are not prepared to risk the United States' relations with other Saudi allies over the conflict.

https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/senate-refuses-to-stop-arms-sale-to-bahrain-rejecting-proxy-effort-to-end-war-in-yemen-1.556745

(* A K P)

Senate rejects Rand Paul’s bid to chip away at Yemen war support

The Senate on Thursday voted down a resolution from Sen. Rand Paul aimed at blocking a weapons sale to Bahrain to potentially stymie the Mideast ally from waging war in Yemen.

The chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee both opposed the move and the chamber voted to block the resolution that was designed to thwart the $300 million sale of Lockheed Martin missiles and launchers.

It was the latest defeat on Capitol Hill for lawmakers who want to limit U.S. support for Bahrain amid growing concern over the conflict in Yemen

“I think that the war in Yemen is counterproductive. I think that our involvement there is leading to more chaos, I think the Senate has abdicated their duty and their role,” said Paul, R-Ky.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/senate-rejects-rand-pauls-bid-to-chip-away-at-yemen-war-support

and

(* A K P)

Senate lets Bahrain weapon sale proceed; Yemen unease grows

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., forced the vote to send a message to President Donald Trump that the United States is "done with the war in Yemen." Facing a veto threat from the White House, the resolution failed 77-21.

Paul's effort followed his pledge to block a pending U.S. arm sales to Saudi Arabia, saying he has the votes to stop it.

On Thursday, the White House issued a veto threat against the Bahrain resolution, saying the sales of 120 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System pods and 110 Army Tactical Missile System pods are intended for the defense of Bahrain, which is home to various U.S. military forces.

"The utilization of this ground-based system would enhance Bahrain's ability to protect itself against threats to territorial sovereignty, particularly from Iran," the White House wrote.

Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee largely sided with the administration even as they expressed concern over the Yemen conflict.

https://www.aspendailynews.com/associated_press/senate-lets-bahrain-arms-sale-proceed-yemen-unease-grows/article_35ade52f-07fd-584b-b2f8-d102dee0dafc.html

and also https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-rand-paul-bahrain-arms-sale.html

and

(* A K P)

Dr. Rand Paul Secures Senate Vote on Sale of Weapons to Bahrain

Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) announced he has secured a vote to proceed to S.J. Res. 65, his resolution of disapproval to block the sale of offensive weapons and support to Bahrain, a member of the Saudi-led coalition waging a devastating war in Yemen that has killed thousands of innocent civilians and left millions of Yemenis on the edge of famine.
The Senate is expected to vote early Thursday afternoon.
"This vote is about more than yet another arms sale. The Senate has a chance to stand up for innocent life, speak out against a humanitarian tragedy that is getting worse by the day, and demonstrate it will not support further destruction in Yemen,” said Dr. Paul.

https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-secures-senate-vote-sale-weapons-bahrain

(* A K P)

Trump Admin Rejects Rand Paul’s Effort to Get U.S. Out of Iranian-Backed Conflict in Yemen

Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) is encouraging the Senate to suspend U.S. arms sales to Bahrain, an American ally, as it serves on behalf of a Saudi military coalition battling against Iranian-backed militias in Yemen

"Tomorrow the Senate will vote to proceed… [with] a resolution of disapproval that would block the sale of offensive weapons to Bahrain, a member of the Saudi-led coalition that has devastated Yemen," Paul wrote in a letter to Senate colleagues delivered to offices on Tuesday. "This vote is about more than weapons; this is a vote against the war in Yemen.

A U.S. State Department official, speaking to the Free Beacon on background, rejected Paul's maneuver, explaining that Bahrain is an important strategic partner aiding the Trump administration's efforts to counter Iranian extremism.

https://freebeacon.com/national-security/trump-admin-rejects-rand-pauls-effort-get-u-s-yemen/

My comment: Odd propaganda warning: “In addition to its military support on behalf of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Iranian forces have caused massive civilian casualties and sparked a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.” Is this happening on another planet??

(* B K P)

Kathy Kelly: Trump Sides with Saudis & U.S. Defense Contractors While Yemeni Children Face Famine

We interview Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, a campaign to end U.S. military and economic warfare.

Talk about what it would mean if the Trump administration designated the Houthis a terrorist organization, Kathy.

KATHYKELLY: Well, I think, certainly, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would get the impression that the Trump administration really isn’t all that serious in calling for a cessation of hostilities, that in fact the Trump administration would want to show an alignment with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Never yet has a U.N. resolution in the Security Council designated the Saudis or the Emiratis, the leaders of this coalition, as even warring parties in Yemen. So if you single out the Houthis and you say that they are the terrorists, then there are all kinds of laws in terms of the United States “war on terror” that further enable United States attacks and United States alliances.

And it could also complicate, terribly, desperately needed distribution of food and of medicines and of fuel. And already the Saudis have caused a trickle of imports through that very, very vital port, whenever they want to say, “Oh, there’s a threat to us, and so we have to do more inspections of the ships.”

And so, why is the president making that suggestion? I mean, would his base really know who the Houthis are or what the Houthi history has been in Yemen? I doubt that. I think that maybe he wants to show to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman we’re essentially still on the same side,

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/14/kathy_kelly_trump_sides_with_saudis

(* B P)

It’s time to move the US Embassy to Yemen out of Saudi Arabia

It is unfortunate that as the White House and international community are increasingly inclined toward a diplomatic settlement, the State Department undercuts the U.S. position by locating its embassy to Yemen in Saudi Arabia.

Locating the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia (currently in Jeddah, but it will soon move to Riyadh), however, undercuts U.S. diplomatic effectiveness. It gives Saudi authorities veto power over Yemeni access to U.S. diplomats, and it associates the United States too much Riyadh at a time when Saudi efforts in Yemen do more harm than good.

At the very least, locating the embassy in Saudi Arabia undercuts any pretense of neutrality at a time when peace talks require it.

There are better options: Perhaps the best would be the Sultanate of Oman.

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/416498-its-time-to-move-the-us-embassy-to-yemen-out-of-saudi-arabia

(* B P)

A New Beginning for Yemen?

The October 30th statements by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis calling for an end to the conflict in Yemen portend a marked shift in US strategy towards the intervention by the Saudi-led Arab coalition – now in its third year, with significant implications for the course of the Yemen civil war itself. The Administration outlined a sequenced approach by which the Houthi rebels were to first halt their missile strikes against Saudi territory, followed by a cessation of Saudi and Emirati airstrikes against Houthi positions, and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations within 30 days under UN auspices.

However, the change in strategy announced by the Administration is the result of a reassessment that predates the crisis precipitated by the Khashoggi affair. Most significant in this regard is the growing misgivings in Washington regarding the strategic rationale of Saudi Arabia’s intervention intervention in Yemen.

However, after three years since the onset of “Operation Decisive Storm” launched by Saudi Arabia in March 2015, Washington is today confronted with the reality that its continued support for the Saudi-led intervention implicates the United States in a regional conflict that has delivered few strategic gains.

First, it is not clear the degree to which Washington can pressure Saudi-led Arab coalition to halt its air campaign in Yemen.

Secondly, what was noticeably absent from the Administration’s announcement was a call for a comprehensive ceasefire. In limiting its call for a cessation of missile strikes by the Houthis, and air strikes by Saudi and Emirati forces, the Administration has left the door open for a continuation of military operations

Third, beyond pressuring the Arab coalition to halt its airstrikes in Yemen, laying the groundwork for a successful mediation effort may require convincing Riyadh to reconsider its broader war aims that prompted its military intervention in the first place.

Finally, Washington’s bid to wind down the war in Yemen comes in the context of escalating tensions with Iran

It is far from clear how Washington intends to manage these many conflicting priorities.

http://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/a-new-beginning-for-yemen/

(* B P)

Der Prinz des Präsidenten

Operation Regime Change: Trump braucht Saudi-Arabien für seinen Kampf gegen Teheran

Altruismus ist die Sache dieses US-Präsidenten nicht. Seine wahren Motive dafür, in die Khashoggi-Affäre einzugreifen und unbeholfen zu versuchen, den Eingeständnissen der saudischen Autokratie Absolution zu erteilen, stehen außer Zweifel. Er will an einem möglichst unbelasteten Verhältnis zu Riad festhalten. Was ist der Grund für ein solches Begehren? Trump hat den Royals in Riad von Anbeginn seiner Amtszeit an den Hof gemacht.

Die Antwort kann man in vier Buchstaben zusammenfassen: Iran. Donald Trump hat realisiert, wenn auch verspätet, dass sein von langer Hand vorbereiteter Konfrontationskurs gegenüber Teheran, der mit der Kündigung des Atomabkommens begann und am 5. November in einem umfassenden globalen Embargo gegen iranisches Öl kulminieren soll, ohne die Unterstützung der Saudis nicht funktionieren kann.

Angezogen von dem diktatorischen Regierungsstil, den er offenkundig bewundert, hängt damit im Prinzip Trumps gesamte Nahostpolitik von der Kollaboration mit Riad ab.

Er hat Iran als den Erzfeind dämonisiert – die aktuelle Konsequenz des in den USA verbreiteten Bedürfnisses nach Gegnern, die einer aggressiven Politik Legitimation verschaffen. Doch für die Welt, die all dies mit ansehen muss, ist das tatsächliche Problem nicht Iran, sondern Saudi-Arabien – von Simon Tisdall

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/the-guardian/der-prinz-des-praesidenten

(* A B P)

When will America stop participating in Yemen's genocidal war?

Sooner or later, the Trump administration will be forced to withdraw from this war. But how many people will die before it happens?

The Republicans had hijacked the “Manage our Wolves Act” – a bad but unrelated piece of legislation – to pass a rule that would prohibit the House from debating H Res 138

What the Republicans did on Wednesday was illegal and unconstitutional. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Khanna’s resolution must be allowed a debate and vote.

The War Powers Resolution was a response to the prolonged tragedy of the Vietnam war.

Fortunately, this battle in Congress is far from over, and the proponents of war are losing.

The new House in January, with a Democratic majority and solid supportfrom the leadership, should have no trouble passing the resolution. But the human costs of delay are enormous.

Sooner or later, the Trump administration will be forced to withdraw from this genocidal war. The only question is how many people will die before it happens.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/15/america-stop-participating-yemen-war

(* A P)

Republikaner lehnen Ende der US-Intervention im Jemen ab

In einem beispiellosen Schritt im Repräsentantenhaus haben die Republikaner mittels eines irrelevanten Gesetzentwurfs die Verabschiedung eines Plans zur Beendigung der US-Intervention im Jemen-Krieg verhindert.

Die Republikaner haben sich somit am Mittwoch offiziell gegen einen Resolutionsentwurf gestellt, der die militärische Unterstützung der USA für die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Aggressor-Koalition im Jemen-Krieg beenden sollte.

Bei dem Gesetzesentwurf der Republikaner handelt es sich um ein Umweltprojekt, bei dem graue Wölfe von der Liste bedrohter Tierarten gestrichen werden sollen. Durch dessen Einbringung wurde das Vorbringen des demokratischen Plans auf der öffentlichen Kongresssitzung verhindert.

Ro Khanna bezeichnete diese Maßnahme als beispiellos in der US-Geschichte

http://parstoday.com/de/news/world-i44599-republikaner_lehnen_ende_der_us_intervention_im_jemen_ab

(* A B P)

Ending the War in Yemen- Congressional Resolution is Not Enough!

On November 14, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives blocked a resolution that its supporters say would end U.S. participation in the war and famine in Yemen. It is unclear, however, what effect this resolution would have on the ground even if it were passed into law. It imposes no limits on arms sales to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. It does not propose any oversight or limitation of activities CIA or of private contractors from the U.S. in Yemen. The resolution is based on a time table that does not reflect the dire urgency to end the war in Yemen.

In the current political reality, there is no room in Congress to resist U.S. participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen without at the same time endorsing the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, a blank check that has allowed for the destruction of whole nations and a manifold increase in the threat of terrorism. The Authorization was a disgraceful obfuscation by Congress when it was passed in 2001 and it has no place in a plea for peace in Yemen in 2018.

It is especially shameful that a resolution as weak as H.Con.Res.138 is having trouble even being brought to the floor for discussion. Getting this resolution passed may be a step along the way, but it cannot be the goal.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/11/16/ending-the-war-in-yemen-congressional-resolution-is-not-enough/ = https://countercurrents.org/2018/11/16/ending-the-war-in-yemen-congressional-resolution-is-not-enough/

(* A P)

Republicans’ First Big Post-Midterms Move: Keep U.S. In Yemen’s Vicious Civil War

Speaker Paul Ryan used the first vote of his last months in Congress to defend American military assistance to Saudi Arabia.

With less than two months left at the helm of the House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday won his first vote since the midterm elections ― on behalf of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Almost all Republicans and a handful of Democrats voted with Ryan to strip privilege from a bill endorsed by top Democrats that would have ended U.S. support for the Saudis and their allies in the four-year civil war in Yemen. Without privilege, the House leadership can ignore the bill. In other words, it’s now almost certain that the House won’t deal with the legislation ― and, more broadly, the conflict itself ― until Democrats take charge next year.

Wednesday’s vote is the best possible outcome for the Saudis and their friends in the Trump administration.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-yemen-saudi-arabia_us_5bec8ce1e4b03af8926629aa

and

(* A P)

REPUBLICANS USED A BILL ABOUT WOLVES TO AVOID A VOTE ON YEMEN WAR

REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN the House of Representatives undercut a bipartisan effort to end U.S. involvement in Yemen by sneaking a measure that would kill an anti-war resolution into a vote about wolves.

On Tuesday night, the Republican-led House Rules Committee voted to advance the “Manage Our Wolves Act,” which will remove gray wolves from the endangered species list. The Rules Committee waived all points of order against the bill and voted to advance it to the floor.

The catch: Republicans inserted language that would block a floor vote on whether to direct President Donald Trump to end U.S. involvement in the Saudi- and UAE-led intervention in Yemen.

On Wednesday evening, the House approved the rule 201-187, largely on party lines, successfully blocking a vote on the Yemen resolution.

https://theintercept.com/2018/11/14/yemen-war-wolves-bill-congress/

and also https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/14/republicans-yemen-war-powers-saudi-arabia

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/11/republicans-quash-democrats-bid-force-us-out-yemen-war.html

https://www.axios.com/house-extends-us-support-for-saudis-in-yemen-as-concerns-mount-d0dbe006-29eb-46ea-a8fe-d2bd78507b53.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-yemen-saudi-arabia_us_5bec8ce1e4b03af8926629aa

and

(* A P)

House GOP Leadership Moves to Torpedo H.Con.Res. 138

House Republicans lost their majority, but they are going to make sure to do what they can to derail opposition to the war on Yemen on their way out. Akbar Shahid Ahmed reports.

The Republican leadership torpedoed the previous House resolution against the war (H.Con.Res. 81), and it seems that they are going to do so again. It was a disgraceful stunt when they did it last year, and it’s even more so now that conditions in Yemen have significantly worsened. Supporters of the war on Yemen can’t defend the policy publicly, and so they do everything they can to delay or prevent debates and votes on it.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/house-gop-leadership-moves-to-torpedo-h-con-res-138/

referring to

(* A P)

Republicans Launch Surprise Bid To Prevent Debate On U.S. Support For Bloody Saudi War

Their two-pronged effort relies on votes Tuesday and Wednesday. The first went their way, but opponents feel energized.

Republican leadership in the House of Representatives will move Tuesday evening to quash a bill that would end U.S. support for the brutal Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, a Democratic aide and an activist in touch with multiple Capitol Hill offices told HuffPost.

Coming on the first day of a lame-duck session — the GOP’s final few weeks controlling the lower chamber — the bid surprised anti-war advocates and top Democrats who have been rallying opposition to the controversial Yemen war for months and made clear they wanted a serious debate on the matter soon after the midterms.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-us-support-saudi-war-yemen_us_5beb3200e4b044bbb1a9c203

and

(* A P)

House Republicans are trying to block a vote on the Yemen War

It’s a surprise effort that has caught Democrats totally off-guard.

“When Democrats assume the majority they will have the opportunity to hold hearings, markups, and take votes on this matter,” a Republican congressional aide told me. “Forcing this type of vote on members in the remainder of this Congress is purely political and simply unnecessary.”

But with the imminent rule change, it looks like Democrats will need a new plan to vote on the matter before next year.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/13/18093236/yemen-war-republicans-khanna-vote-rules

and

(* A P)

House GOP moves to block resolution that would end US military involvement in Yemen civil war

House Republicans are moving to block a vote on a resolution that would end all U.S. military support to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen’s civil war.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), backed by top Democrats, introduced the War Powers resolution in September. Because the resolution invoked the War Powers Act, it was privileged, meaning Democrats could theoretically have forced a vote on it.

But on Tuesday night, the House Rules Committee adopted, in a 6-2 vote on party lines, a rule for floor debate for an unrelated bill that includes a provision stripping Khanna’s resolution of its privileged status.

The full House is expected to consider the rule, for the “Manage our Wolves Act,” later Wednesday.

Khanna on Tuesday lashed out at the Republican's move on Twitter.

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/416599-house-gop-moves-to-block-resolution-that-would-end-us-military-involvement-in

and also https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/republicans-block-democratic-bill-to-end-us-role-in-yemen-war

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-usa-congress/u-s-lawmakers-expect-votes-on-steps-to-crack-down-on-saudi-arabia-idUSKCN1NJ06F

https://therealnews.com/stories/as-campaign-to-end-us-saudi-war-on-yemen-grows-republicans-derail-it-with-bizarre-wolves-bill and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_PQdI6NXz8

and

(* A P)

Rep. Ro Khanna: Film: It’s shameful that @SpeakerRyan and House Republicans denied Congress the chance to do our constitutional duty while millions of lives are at stake in Yemen. History will remember this abdication of duty.

https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna/status/1062842143369244672

Rep. Ro Khanna: The Republicans tomorrow are trying to bury my Yemen War Powers Resolution in a rule that would prevent an up or down vote. This is unprecedented and would undermine the very purpose of the War Powers Act. Anyone who cares about Article I of the Constitution should be outraged.

https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/1062504475351384064

Comment: This is absolutely sickening. Destroying a poor country, killing 57,000 people, and starving 14 million more is apparently not enough. House Republicans are too concerned about their relationship with the war criminal MbS to stop the US/Saudi war on #Yemen

https://twitter.com/shireen818/status/1062551315644059648

and

(* A P)

Rep. Ro Khanna: By Blocking Yemen Resolution, House GOP Is Abdicating Its Duty to Decide War & Peace

REP. RO KHANNA: This is unprecedented. In American history, never, never has the speaker of the House and the majority denied a member of Congress a vote on matters of war and peace. This is basically rendering ineffectual the War Powers Act. … And what the majority is saying, that if the president of the United States and the speaker believe we should be in war, we should be in war; it doesn’t matter what members of Congress think.

It was really an outrage. In American history, the precedent is that any member of Congress can bring a war powers resolution to force a vote on matters of war and peace. And the Congress has to allow for a vote within 15 days. We brought a resolution to stop our refueling and logistical support of the Saudis in their bombing campaign in Yemen. Under the rules, under the statute, we were entitled to a vote within 15 days. The Republicans didn’t allow us to have that vote, because they fear that they would have Republican defections.

And this is what people hate about Congress. What the Republicans did, they wanted to have a resolution that would allow for hunting of wolves and not have wolves be listed on the Endangered Species Act. And they knew many Republicans would want to vote for that, and so they linked a vote on my resolution to the vote on wolves so that Republicans would vote against my resolution coming to the floor, if they agreed with the position on wolves. It was a parliamentary maneuver. And we’ve never seen those kind of shenanigans with a war powers resolution.

https://www.democracynow.org/2018/11/15/rep_ro_khanna_by_blocking_yemen = https://truthout.org/video/house-gop-is-abdicating-its-duty-by-blocking-yemen-resolution/

and also https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/15/denouncing-gop-efforts-block-war-powers-vote-outrage-khanna-vows-keep-fighting-end

and

(* A B P)

US House shelves Yemen vote, but there’s another right behind it, and maybe two after that

House Republicans voted Tuesday to scuttle a war powers resolution to end U.S. military involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, but the matter will likely get a vote under Democrats next year — with likeminded measures already percolating in the Senate.

Hours before the House voted 201-187 to shut down debate on the resolution, from Rep. Ro Khanna, R-Calif., Rep. Adam Smith — who is the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee and likely its chairman under Democratic control in January — said the matter would get a new look next year.

https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2018/11/15/us-house-shelves-yemen-vote-but-theres-another-right-behind-it-and-maybe-two-after-that/

and

(* B P)

House Members Block Resolution to End Yemen War

Khanna’s alleged concern about what’s going on in Yemen rings disturbingly hollow.

What about the starving, suffering people in all other nations Washington continues to rape and destroy!

What about long-suffering Palestinians, especially terror-bombed Gazan, longstanding victims of Israeli apartheid viciousness!

What about lawless US sanctions on Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, Syria and other countries!

What about bipartisan congressional support for wanting virtually all sovereign independent governments forcefully replaced by pro-Western puppet rule!

What about undeclared homeland war against unwanted aliens, Muslims, and America’s most vulnerable citizens by punishing neoliberal harshness and raging inner city battlegrounds – claiming over 100,000 lives annually.

America’s agenda in Yemen is one similar others in many other countries.

The key issue virtually no one in Congress will touch is ending all US wars of aggression, not one alone, even figures like Khanna have no credibility urging because of his support for Washington’s imperial agenda – by Stephen Lendman

https://www.globalresearch.ca/house-members-block-resolution-to-end-yemen-war/5660100

and

(A P)

House Republicans Condemn Thousands of Children to Cruel Death

Demonstrating his exquisite sensitivity to the 140+ Yemeni children dying a horrible death each day, Newhouse first told the giant lie that the US is not involved in Yemen, then complained that is was unfair to minimize the importance of managing wolf populations by bringing up genocide and it was unnecessary to "force" this issue on the nearly idle House Republicans when the Dems could just wait until January to deal with it.
Highlights of the floor debate are a dark absurdist theater featuring desperately concerned Democrats imploring their colleagues to stop killing innocent children answered by disconnected Republicans imploring their colleagues to save innocent livestock.

https://www.opednews.com/articles/House-Republicans-Condemn-by-Dana-Bruce-Thibaul-Arming-Saudi-Arabia_Bombing_Cruelty_Death-Civilians-181117-910.html

(* A P)

We need a bipartisan issue to unite us. Saudi Arabia is that issue

After a heated and divisive midterm campaign season, now is the perfect time to work together on an issue that has real bipartisan support: immediately stop future arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

A war, by any other name, is still a war regardless of the politically correct niceties and labels that may be put on it elsewhere in the media. The Constitution explicitly requires that our involvement be authorized by Congress, which has not done so with Yemen.

This is America’s rallying point - an issue every Republican, Democrat and independent can stand behind. It is time we stand up for our values and cut off assistance to this barbaric regime to help force a change in their practices – by Sen. Rand Paul

https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/416509-we-need-a-bipartisan-issue-to-unite-us-saudi-arabia-is

and also https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/14/despite-famine-khashoggi-and-school-bus-massacre-house-gop-moves-swiftly-keep-us

and

(A P)

Ryan’s Republicans Are Abdicating Their Moral and Constitutional Duty on Yemen

No speaker of the House in the history of the republic has so shamefully disregarded the system of checks and balances as has Paul Ryan in his steady service to the presidency of Donald Trump. And now, even as Ryan prepares to flee the chamber, having given up his seat rather than face the voters on November 6, the speaker continues to defer to Trump rather than the Constitution.

https://www.thenation.com/article/paul-ryan-ro-khanna-yemen-saudi-arabia-republicans/

and

(* A P)

Paul Ryan Secures His Legacy by Supporting a Brutal War on Yemen

Already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the war in Yemen was further flamed by Ryan’s most recent move.

Give Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan credit for consistency. Ryan, who has made a career railing against assistance for society’s most vulnerable, clearly is no more capable of empathizing with his fellow citizens than he is with millions of Yemeni civilians who today find themselves, through no fault of their own, under a savage siege by the militaries of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In spiking Khanna’s bipartisan bill to end American support for the war, House Republicans have put the interests of defense contractors and our dubious Gulf state “allies” ahead of millions of suffering and vulnerable Yemenis.

https://www.thenation.com/article/paul-ryan-yemen-congress/

(* A P)

Trump to nominate retired Army general as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated a retired Army general to be the country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as Washington faces pressure to respond to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The White House said Trump has chosen John Abizaid, who as a four-star Army general led the U.S. Central Command during the Iraq war, to be Washington’s ambassador in Riyadh.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-saudi/trump-to-nominate-retired-army-general-as-u-s-ambassador-to-saudi-arabia-idUSKCN1NJ03O

(* B K P)

This classified operation supports the Saudi military campaign in Yemen

One of three new, classified operations initiated by the Pentagon earlier this year was launched to support Saudi Arabia and other partner nations operating in Yemen, recent reports and documents have revealed.

Operation Yukon Journey was named in a recent quarterly report by the Department of Defense Inspector General’s Office. But the initial note, only a few paragraphs in a 130-page document, referred to three named operations that were classified, two in Africa and one in the Middle East.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/11/13/this-classified-operation-supports-the-saudi-military-campaign-in-yemen/

Remark: Op. Yukon again, as already reported earlier: https://www.yahoo.com/news/pentagon-launched-new-classified-operation-support-saudi-coalition-yemen-221305500.html

(* B P)

A $2bn Saudi Plan To Assassinate Iran's Leaders Involved Erik Prince And The Trump Transition Team

So maybe the Iranians do have much to be paranoid about. An explosive New York Timesstory citing multiple unnamed sources familiar with the matter details how top Saudi intelligence officials conspired to assassinate Iranian leaders including Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) Quds force commander Qassim Suleimani— in a plot wherein the Saudis mulled using private contractors, and even approached Erik Prince, the former head of Blackwater and at the time adviser to the Trump transition team.

We can imagine that even if Nader and Zamel's plan never materialized as was originally envisioned, the moment Washington pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) it was likely at that point open season in terms of these types of covert dirty tricks operations against the Islamic Republic.

We can also only imagine what Iran's president and his generals must be thinking this morning as they open up the pages of the New York Times to find such a far ranging plan that had the intimate involvement of an Israeli businessman and top Saudi leaders to assassinate themselves detailed for all the world to see.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-11-12/2bn-saudi-plan-assassinate-iranian-officials-involved-erik-prince-and-trump

Remark: NYT article already linked earlier.

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

Siehe / Look at cp7

(* B P)

“All states, including permanent members of the Security Council like the USA, UK and France, should halt the flow of arms for use in the conflict and do everything in their power to prevent further violations - otherwise they are just part of the problem. And they should make clear that those responsible for war crimes in Yemen will be held to account.”

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/yemen-un-must-ensure-civilians-hodeidah-are-protected

(* A P)

Revealed: 366 alleged war crimes but only 79 investigations. Pressure builds on ministers over UK-backed Saudi bombing in Yemen

THERE have been 366 alleged war crimes in Yemen but only 79 investigations by the Saudi-led coalition, we can reveal.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence has conducted no inquiries of its own despite the UK backing the coalition’s strikes on the shattered country.

British civil servants admit they do not know how many investigations into alleged war crimes are still ongoing or whether any incidents involved smart bombs part-built in Scotland.

The MoD said the number of alleged violations of international humanitarian law listed on an official database was 381.

Of these, 15 were duplicate entries, which means some alleged incidents were recorded on more than one occasion.

They also said they do not have access to all the information required to assess whether war crimes have been committed, pointing out that investigations are conducted by the Saudi-led coalition’s Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT).

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP said the Saudi-led coalition’s assessment team “does not carry any legitimacy”.

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/alleged-war-crimes-366official-investigations-79pressure-builds-on-ministers-over-uk-backed-saudi-bombing-in-yemen/

My comment: There are much, much more than just 366 “alleged” Saudi coalition war crimes. – The Saudi coalition’s own investigations are a bad joke: The intention is not investigation, but whitewashing. New examples in cp15 below.

(A P)

Michael Aron, British Ambassador to Yemen: Excellent discussions with Saudi, Emirati and US colleagues about how we can best support the Yemeni economy and alleviate the humanitarian situation (images)

https://twitter.com/HMAMichaelAron/status/1063133808415911942

My comment: These four parties – two who bomb Yemen into ruins, and two who furnish the air planes and bombs – discuss “about how we can best support the Yemeni economy and alleviate the humanitarian situation”???????????????????ßß

(B P)

Film: Welsh Government has contributed approx £400,000 to US defence firm #Raytheon whose weapons have been used in bombing of #Yemen civilians by Saudi Arabia. @Adamprice asks @fmwales not to commit more funding to a company that supplies weapons to barbaric Saudi Arabia regime

https://twitter.com/Plaid_Cymru/status/1062368940750487558

(* B P)

Rapper Lowkey just gave the must-watch interview of the week

British rap legend Lowkey exposes some uncomfortable truths about World War 1 after Armistice Day 2018, the poppy appeal and British arms sales to Israel. Also discussed is the burning of the Grenfell effigy, the Yemen war.

Yet it seems these people – these charlatans and sycophants – are merely mercenaries for the 1%. They want to direct people’s Islamophobia in a horizontal direction rather than in a vertical direction.

https://www.thecanary.co/trending/2018/11/13/rapper-lowkey-just-gave-the-must-watch-interview-of-the-week/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-drNCI0aUk (film)

(B P)

Government accused of ‘giving up’ on British family abandoned in war-ravaged Yemen

The Government has been accused of “giving up” on a British family abandoned in war-ravaged Yemen as the country faces the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in 50 years.

“We’re desperate,” relatives in Cardiff revealed, saying the family arestuck in Yemen through no fault of their own.”

“We’d urge the Government to reconsider – they’ll have blood on their hands if anything happens to Safia and those children.”

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/government-accused-of-giving-up-on-british-family-abandoned-in-war-ravaged-yemen/13/11/

(* B P)

Film, Oct. 17: Ex-Saudi Princess Janan Harb Exposes Alleged Saudi Influence over UK Courts

Ex-Saudi Princess Janan Harb and alleged wife of the late King Fahd discusses her allegations of Saudi Influence over UK Courts and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJuOI3oOoQc

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(B K P)

Rapporto Opal. Esportiamo ancora armi verso i Paesi in guerra

Calano le vendite, ma non ad Arabia Saudita e nazioni africani

Per il terzo anno consecutivo calano le esportazioni di armi da guerra italiane. Ma non è detto che sia una buona notizia, perché le consegne ai Paesi in guerra continuano, specie nelle aree dalle quali si registra la partenza del maggior numero di migranti e profughi

I diagrammi rivelano il permanere di consistenti forniture militari a Paesi in guerra (come l’Arabia Saudita e gli Emirati Arabi Uniti, attivi nel conflitto in Yemen)

https://www.avvenire.it/attualita/pagine/lexport-di-armi-resta-diretto-ai-paesi-in-guerra

(* A K P)

Netherlands pledges to support UN arms embargo on Saudi Arabia

The Netherlands has announced its intention to defend a ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia in the UN Security Council.

Dutch Foreign Secretary Stef Blok made the announcement in a speech at the House of Representatives of the Netherlands on Thursday, in which he discussed a law which had been passed to ban arms exports to Riyadh against the backdrop of the war in Yemen.

Blok explained that the country’s ratification of the law requires that it also work accordingly in the United Nations.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20181117-netherlands-pledges-to-support-un-arms-embargo-on-saudi-arabia/

(A P)

Secretary General of al-Nujaba:

Plans of arrogant against Yemeni fighters’ determination failure

According to the report of AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA), a groups of delegates dispatched by Ansar Allah, headed by “Muhammad al-Qebli” attended the headquarters of al-Nujaba in Baghdad and met the Secretary of al-Nujaba.
During the visit, the parties exchanged views on the latest developments in Yemen.

http://en.abna24.com/news//plans-of-arrogant-against-yemeni-fighters%E2%80%99-determination-failure_916937.html

(* B P)

France Should Step Up on Yemen Conflict

Talk of Peace in Paris, Brutal War in Hodeida

As President Emmanuel Macron kicked off the Paris Peace Forum on Sunday, fighting spiraled in the Yemeni city of Hodeida.

The forum, attended by dozens of world leaders, emphasized cooperation among nations. But how will Macron demonstrate these principles when it comes to Yemen?

Europe’s governments have yet to unite to push for an end to attacks on civilians and the denial of humanitarian aid – and to impose consequences on those responsible. Cooperation among countries that prioritizes rights could make a real difference for Yemeni civilians.

But when it comes to the arms sales that fuel abuses in Yemen, France is becoming an outlier.

While Macron urges addressing the humanitarian crisis, he and others ignore that continuing arms sales only encourages Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners in their potential war crimes.

In a recent poll in France, 75 percent of people who responded said they want Macron to suspend sales to Saudi Arabia, while at least 63 percent of Britons polled oppose sales. Europe’s governments should forge a common position ending these sales

https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/11/16/france-should-step-yemen-conflict

Comment: Exactly. They all wring their hands whilst rejoicing when they receive Saudi money in exchange for nasty weapons.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157151159078641

(* B P)

Ottawa, Yemen and Guardian

One has to admire the Canadian government’s manipulation of the media regarding its relationship with Saudi Arabia. Despite being partners with the Kingdom’s international crimes, the Liberals have managed to convince some gullible folks they are challenging Riyadh’s rights abuses.

By downplaying Ottawa’s support for violence in Yemen while amplifying Saudi reaction to an innocuous tweet the dominant media has wildly distorted the Trudeau government’s relationship to the monarchy.

In a story headlined “Trudeau says Canada has heard Turkish tape of Khashoggi murder”, Guardian diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour affirmed that “Canada has taken a tough line on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record for months.” Hogwash. Justin Trudeau’s government has okayed massive arms sales to the monarchy and largely ignored the Saudi’s devastating war in Yemen.

Training and arming the monarchy’s military while refusing to condemn its brutal war in Yemen shouldn’t be called a “tough line on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.” Rather, Canada’s role should be understood for what it is: War profiteer and enabler of massive human rights abuses.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/11/16/ottawa-yemen-and-guardian/ = https://dissidentvoice.org/2018/11/canadas-liberal-government-is-enabling-saudi-arabia-war-crimes-in-yemen/

(A P)

Turkey: The policies of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to siege everyone in Yemen are not correct

This came in a speech Wednesday, in the Turkish parliament.

"For the time being, we do not see that the policies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to siege everyone in Yemen are true, so many people are dying of hunger and disease, and we are not silent about it," Çavuşoğlusaid.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161024

(* A K P)

Militärischen Wahnsinn stoppen: EU-Parlament fordert schärfere Kontrolle von Rüstungsexporten

Die Abgeordneten des EU-Parlaments haben sich am Mittwoch in Strasbourg für eine schärfere Kontrolle von Waffenexporten ausgesprochen. Zudem sollen Staaten, die sich nicht an die »Gemeinsamen Standpunkte« der EU in dieser Frage halten, künftig bestraft werden. Dieser 2008 verabschiedete Verhaltenskodex untersagt Rüstungslieferungen unter anderem an Staaten, die Menschenrechte verletzen, oder wenn die Exporte Kriege auslösen oder verlängern könnten.

Mit 427 Stimmen gegen 150 Stimmen bei 97 Enthaltungen stimmten die Parlamentarier einem entsprechenden Bericht der linken EU-Abgeordneten Sabine Lösing zu.

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/343562.r%C3%BCstungsexporte-militärischen-wahnsinn-stoppen.html = https://www.sabine-loesing.de/de/article/746.junge-welt-milit%C3%A4rischen-wahnsinn-stoppen.html

(* A P T)

HOW DID ISIS GET ITS WEAPONS? EUROPE WANTS TO LIMIT U.S. AND SAUDI ARABIA ARMS SALES BECAUSE GUNS WENT TO MILITANT GROUP

The European Union's top legislative body has issued a call to control arms exports in order to avoid perpetuating human rights abuses and allowing weapons to fall into the wrong hands.

The European Parliament warned that "member states have systematically failed to apply" EU rules when selling arms abroad, and called for "a mechanism to enforce sanctions on EU members that break the rules," according to a press release issued Wednesday. The document cited specific examples of taking measures to cut weapons exports to Saudi Arabia and the United States in order to ensure they were not acquired by banned organizations such as the Islamic State militant group, commonly known as ISIS or Daesh.

The document quoted parliamentarians as saying they were "shocked at the amount of EU-made weapons and ammunition found in the hands of Da’esh, in Syria and Iraq

https://www.newsweek.com/europe-limit-us-saudi-weapons-sales-went-isis-1215758

and

(* A P)

EU arms fuelling Yemen conflict, tougher checks needed: parliament

Tougher checks on European Union arms exports are needed and sanctions should be imposed on those countries that flout the bloc’s rules, the European Parliament said on Wednesday.

EU lawmakers said European arms were stoking the conflict in Yemen

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-arms-saudi/eu-arms-fuelling-yemen-conflict-tougher-checks-needed-parliament-idUKKCN1NJ2C8?rpc=401&

(A P)

Bahrain: 70 Citizens Arrested in 16 Days and 17 Protests in Week

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3755&cat_id=2

(A P)

Bahraini Prosecution Orders Arrest of Former Parliamentarian for Al-Wefaq Association

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3778&cat_id=2

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(* A B P)

Saudi Arabia defies U.S. pressure to end Qatar row after Khashoggi killing

Saudi Arabia is defying U.S. calls to mend ties with Qatar despite signs that pressure to end another regional crisis, the Yemen war, has had an impact on Riyadh since the killing of a prominent journalist.

Since the death of Khashoggi, a Saudi national and U.S. resident who was critical of the Crown Prince, U.S. officials have also sought to sway Riyadh over its row with Qatar.

Gulf unity, which Washington considers a bulwark against Iran, was shattered when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed trade and transport ties in June 2017, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism and Iran — charges Doha denies.

“They are seizing the opportunity to try to end the Qatar dispute,” a source with knowledge of U.S. policy said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-usa-gulf/saudi-arabia-defies-u-s-pressure-to-end-qatar-row-after-khashoggi-killing-idUSKCN1NL1XM

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

(A K P)

Jemen / Waffenembargo: Außenministerrat muss Montag Farbe bekennen

Am kommenden Montag wird sich der Außenministerrat der Europäischen Union mit dem Krieg in Jemen befassen.

Barbara Lochbihler, Vizepräsidentin des Menschenrechtsausschuss im Europäischen Parlament sowie außen- und menschenrechtspolitische Sprecherin der Fraktion DieGrünen/EFA stellt dazu fest:

"Die Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union sind mitverantwortlich für das Leiden der Zivilbevölkerung und machen sich zu Komplizen von Kriegsverbrechern, wenn sie nicht umgehend ein Waffenembargo gegen alle am Krieg beteiligten Parteien verhängen und einhalten. Das Europäische Parlament hat wiederholt ein Waffenembargo gegen Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate gefordert - zuletzt am 14. November in seinem Jahresbericht über Waffenexporte. Der Außenministerrat muss nun endlich Farbe bekennen und ein Waffenembargo gegen alle Konfliktparteien vorbereiten."

https://www.lebenshaus-alb.de/magazin/011863.html

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

(* B K P)

Wie US-Söldner im Jemen als Killerkommando fungierten

Amerikanische Söldner haben im Jemen als Killerkommando fungiert.

Klingt reißerisch, ist aber in dieser Reportage gut dokumentiert.

Die Söldner? Sie nannten sich „Spear Operations Group“. Ein von ehemaligen US-Spezialeinheiten angeführtes Kommando, das sich Unterstützung von ehemaligen Fremdenlegionären besorgte. Amerikaner erhielten 25.000$ monatlich, Fremdenlegionäre rund 10.000$.

Der Auftraggeber? Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate (VAE), die im Jemen auf der Seite Saudi Arabiens kämpfen.

Die Ziele? Hauptsächlich politische Widersacher der VAE. Da wäre zum Beispiel die Islah-Partei, die der Muslimbruderschaft zugerechnet wird. Saudi Arabien und die VAE verfolgen die Bruderschaft, die ihren Herrschaftsanspruch herausfordert.

https://www.piqd.de/reportagen/wie-us-soldner-im-jemen-als-killerkommando-fungierten

and full English report (had already been linked here): https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/aramroston/mercenaries-assassination-us-yemen-uae-spear-golan-dahlan

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A)

Security checkpoint in Abyan province seizes pre-Islamic Sabaean artifacts from smugglers attempting to bring the Yemeni antiquities overseas for sale (photos)

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1063058263057555456

more: https://en.smanews.org/dofes-point-exhaust-smuggling-ancient-monuments

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

(A E)

Notable improvement in the value of Yemeni Riyal. Yesterday 1$ wa 630 YR, today it dropped to 610. It was almost 850 about a few weeks ago.

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1064163675089657856

(A E P)

USD = 580 Yr. A significant improvement of the riyal against foreign exchange

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161137

(A E P)

Analysis of bids for T-bills worth more than YR 84 milliards in Yemen's Central Bank

The analysis of bids for T-bills worth YR 84,972,180,000 on Thursday was carried out in the Central Bank of Yemen (CBY) on Thursday.
The bills, sold through auction no. 1075, have varying maturities 91, 182 and 364 days.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515024.htm

Remark: Central Bank at Sanaa.

(* B E P)

How does the West use money to pressure the Yemeni government?

The governor of the central Bank of Yemen, Mohamed Zammam, spoke of a number of obstacles facing the bank, accusing in remarks quoted by media sources earlier this week that Britain was behind the attempt to inject politics into Yemen's economic crisis.

"The Central bank of Britain has surprised its Yemeni counterpart with political requirements in exchange for the reopening of the frozen Yemen account," he said, adding that what had been requested was "unrelated to the banking business, and only to prevent Yemen from using its funds to buy the food needed by the Yemeni people."

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161006

Remark: Central Bank at Aden. Earlier reporting Yemen WarMosaic 480, cp13d.

(* B E P)

Yemen economic catastrophe swallows banks

United Nations special envoy Martin Griffiths has underscored the scope of “economic warfare” accompanying hunger for an estimated half of the country’s 30 million people.

He cited “income famine” with years of unpaid civil-servant salaries as officials and central banks in charge in Aden and Sanaa clash over spending and banking and currency policies.

The Aden regime, headed by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi operating from Riyadh, authorized fuel access to only licensed importers in September, while Sanaa spurned the decree and threatened retaliation against complying businesses, banks and money changers.

The actions further reinforced fuel and-exchange rate squeezes.

In the view of experts on the ground such as the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, the established financial system and currency are at risk of outright collapse to add to the humanitarian catastrophe, without practical steps and policy reforms coordinated by international development institutions and private partners.

With the currency literally under the gun, the system may be unsustainable and abolition of the two-tier system, which breeds corruption under the official rate, and a shift to a pegged regime as in the rest of Gulf region is likely another unplanned war legacy.

http://www.atimes.com/yemen-economic-catastrophe-swallows-banks/

(* B E)

Doing business – Yemen

http://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/country/y/yemen/YEM.pdf

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(* B T)

Terrorism, Tactics, and Transformation: The West vs The Salafi-Jihadi Movement

For other US partners such as Yemen, Salafi-jihadi leaders decided that the current government was, in fact, better for their movement than what might replace it. Discussion about Yemen focused on two aspects: (1) The country was a critical support zone for al Qaeda and disrupting this in order to establish an emirate imposed costs elsewhere,[46]and (2) the Yemeni government, even though it was a US counterterrorism partner, was weak and better than an alternative.[47] A suggestion to overthrow Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime received strong pushback, noting that the replacement regime would eliminate all Islamic factions and therefore that preserving Saleh’s regime protected the Salafi-jihadi movement’s interests.[48]Moreover, an al Qaeda leader (most likely Osama bin Laden) wrote that al Qaeda should “consider not attacking America inside Yemen” because it would cause “increasing pressure on the government by America to intensify the military operations against them, which will also accelerate the replacement of [Ali Abdullah Saleh].”[49] – by Katherine Zimmerman

https://www.criticalthreats.org/reports/terrorism-tactics-and-transformation-the-west-vs-the-salafi-jihadi-movement

(* B T)

Will al Qaeda be the great winner of Yemen’s collapse?

Amid the chaos and suffering of Yemen’s ongoing, and quickly internationalizing, civil war, one clear winner seems to have emerged: al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the al Qaeda affiliate with the closest relationship to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The group, which U.S. officials have long labeled the most dangerous offshoot of the core al Qaeda organization, could be set to find an even more comfortable operations base from which to launch terrorist attacks and claim territory.

On the other hand, maybe not. AQAP is in flux. The Yemeni civil war and Saudi Arabia’s intervention in it offer AQAP many opportunities, but they also pose many pitfalls and could dramatically reorient the organization in ways it has long sought to avoid.

What separates AQAP from other al Qaeda affiliates is the group’s willingness to strike outside Yemen and the Middle East, even making attempts inside the United States and Europe.

How AQAP is prioritizing its enemy list is unclear. It has condemned the Islamic State’s mosque bombing, but not the Saudi intervention. Trying to sit out the civil war is likely to prove impossible for AQAP, but entering the fray is both politically and militarily risky. It will certainly seek to exploit the civil war to expand its influence and control on the ground, but AQAP is likely to find that opportunity and danger go hand-in-hand.

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/will-al-qaeda-be-the-great-winner-of-yemens-collapse/

(A T)

Amaq News Agency released a video of ISIS Wilayat al Bayda attack on al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in al Bayda governorate, central Yemen, on November 14. The short clip shows a November 11 attack on AQAP in the Za’j area of Wald Rabia district in al Bayda governorate. ISIS Wilayat al Bayda claimed to kill 10 AQAP fighters in the attack.[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-november-15-2018

(A T)

#AQAP media continues offensive against #IslamicState in #Yemen. New video "Testimonies from the [Islamic] State Group's Dungeons" features 2 #ISIS defectors recounting horrors of being declared apostate for asking questions. Starvation, violations, chains, cramped hot cells... (photos)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1062743910621970433

(A T)

Pro-#AQAP wires have posted several martyr photos since yday's clashes with #IslamicState in al-Bayda', #Yemen. Only 1 (Abu 'Umar al-Baydani) is specifically attributed to "al-Baghdadi's gang" Plus #AQAP official wire claims it blew up 2 Houthis yday 8.30am in al-Taffa, al-Bayda'

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1062729810831532032

(A T)

#Poetry & #Jihad: New poem by #alQaeda in #Yemen vows to avenge attacks by #IslamicState on #AQAP in al-Bayda'.

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1062458358051962880

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

KT edit: Can Houthis be trusted to end bloodshed in Yemen?

The Arab intervention to reinstate the Yemeni government has been a success in the south of the country. Gains have been made in the north and the strategic port city of Hodeidah is within sight. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pushing back against Iranian interference in the region with their military and humanitarian campaign in Yemen. What the Iranians have been trying to do is to change the very Arab nature of the country through the Houthis which is unacceptable to the coalition. What the Houthis have done is a crime against humanity.

What's left of civil life has been shredded by this sickening war wrought upon the people by the Houthis and Tehran

Yemen now resembles a wasteland, and the Houthis have a chance to be redeem themselves by joining talks to end this ghastly war. If they miss this opportunity, they risk being branded demons for life.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/editorials-columns/kt-edit-can-houthis-be-trusted-to-end-bloodshed-in-yemen

My comment: ???????? What do you think why “Yemen now resembles a wasteland”. The guilt of Iran? Russia? Mexico?

(A P)

ERC provides 35 tonnes of food aid to residents of Yemen’s Red Sea Coast

The Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has continued distributing humanitarian and relief aid to the residents of the Red Sea coast of Yemen

https://www.sharjah24.ae/en/uae/371469-erc-provides-35-tonnes-of-food-aid-to-residents-of-yemen-s-red-sea-coast

(A P)

ERC organises 9th group wedding in Yemen

The Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has organised the ninth group wedding in Yemen. The function was held in Mocha, making it the second group wedding to occur in the Red Sea Coast region of the country.

https://www.sharjah24.ae/en/uae/371097-erc-organises-9th-group-wedding-in-yemen

My comment: What a strange way to spread the propaganda image of benefactor. How many wedding parties already had been bombed by the Saudi coalition?

(A P)

Houthi Militia Systematically Destroys Hodeidah

The Houthi militia has set fire to the “Ikhwan Thabet” Group in Hodeidah, planted large quantities of landmines on the main roads inside the city, and booby-trapped citizens houses as well as state facilities in continuation of its crimes and subversive acts in a grave violation of international norms and laws that criminalise targeting of civilian installations during a war.

Hodeidah is on the boil because of the terrorist practices of the Houthi and for targeting innocent civilians and infrastructure in the city.

The criminal practices have been rejected by the population in Hodeidah and there is a threat of a popular uprising against the militia, which could see an increase in the frequency of Houthi violations against the people.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/12326

My comment: Planting land mines in the city clearly is unacceptable. – But this article nevertheless puts upside down: It’s rather the UAE-backed assault against the city and the Saudi coalition air raids which destroy Hodeidah.

(A P)

Dissident Minister of Media: Joint Cooperation Between Al-Jazeera and Al-Maseera to Attack the Arab Coalition. We get Our Information from Owners of Common sitting places in the South

Abd Al-Salam Gaber, dissident minister of Media in Al-Houthis government in Sanaa uncovered the existence of thousand of electronic commissions loyal to Al-Houthis and are dedicated to attack Arab Coalition countries, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE, on social media.
In his interview with “In Short” (Belmukhtasar) talk show, presented on MBC, Gaber asserted close cooperation between Al-Jazeera and Al-Maseera TV channels concerning this electronic attack.

https://en.smanews.org/dissident-minister-of-media-joint-cooperation-between-al-jazeera-and-al-maseera-to-attack-the-arab-coalition-we-get-our-information-from-owners-of-common-sitting-places-in-the-south

My comment: He had defected from the Houthis, now seems to be spreading conspiration theories.

(A P)

Arab Coalition throws its weight behind Yemen peace talks

The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash has affirmed the Arab Coalition's support for Yemen peace talks, which were announced by the UN special envoy on Friday as the Houthi rebels resumed attacks in the port city of Hodeidah.

Meanwhile, Dr Gargash lauded the UN envoy for his progress.

"Strongly supportive of the mission of Martin Griffiths and progress he is making. Political solution key to addressing humanitarian situation on the ground. Hope that all parties will participate in good faith in the next round of talks in Sweden," Dr Gargash said on Twitter.

"In the meantime, the Arab Coalition will continue to assist the government of Yemen in keeping humanitarian supplies flowing, stabilising the currency, and in planning for post-conflict development."

The two coalition members are also the biggest donors to the UN Yemen's Humanitarian Response Plan in 2018

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/arab-coalition-throws-its-weight-behind-yemen-peace-talks-1.792950

My comment: making the report on the UN efforts a propaganda piece. UAE minister “laudes” UN envoy”. What a farce.

(A P)

Oil Company: In one week, the first installment of the "Saudi oil grant " will arrive in Hadramawt

The CEO of Yemen's oil company, Najib Mansour al-Awog, said the company expects to send the first shipments of the HADRAMAWT share of electricity fuel from the Saudi grant within a week through the Aden refineries.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161094

My comment: the Saudi playing benefactors, while they are said to have stolen up to 65 % of Yemen’s oil production.

(A P)

Will a turn to diplomacy prove successful in Yemen?

For Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their regional and international partners, there is a strong commitment to a political solution.

Diplomacy is the cheapest, most effective way to solve disagreements and avoid conflicts, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a keynote speech at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Diplomacy Conference.

Over the last two decades, the United Arab Emirates has used soft power to expand its footprint across the world. The dividends are there to see. The UAE is one of the world’s leaders in construction, smart cities, knowledge-based economy, digital banking and other sectors. Th

Nowhere has diplomatic failure been more costly than in Yemen.

As for Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their regional and international partners, there is a strong commitment to a political solution.

https://thearabweekly.com/will-turn-diplomacy-prove-successful-yemen

(A P)

Knee-jerk Isolationist Morons Make Things Worse

Miniature senator Rand Paul has written a totally dishonest "Dear Colleague" letter.

I learned of the miniature senator's dishonest letter from a dishonest pundit who got famous by displaying her giant knockers. She repeats the lie that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has killed thousands of civilians and brought the country to the brink of famine. There's no evidence of either claim. Unlike the lying pundit with giant knockers, I've thoroughly researched the war in Yemen. All you have to do is look at photos of hospital patients.

Over 90 percent of the patients are military aged males, and their injuries are consistent with combat-related wounds. As for the famine, we've been hearing this warning for almost four years.

Where's the famine? Why is it taking so long to get here? Is it on foot, walking across the Sahara?

Would the US allow the Islamic State to take over Canada and fire 250 ballistic missiles at our cities?

https://quodverum.com/2018/11/318/knee-jerk-isolationist-morons-make-things-worse.html

(A P)

Yemen: Coalition Accuses Houthis of Violating International Laws

The Coalition confirmed that Iran-backed Houthi militias are violating international laws by deliberately hindering the work of relief organizations.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1466636/yemen-coalition-accuses-houthis-violating-international-laws

Remark: This claim is odd, looking at the Saudi blockade. – The following text only is speaking of military successes.

(A P)

KSRelief General Supervisor Showcases Saudi Aid to Yemen

The number of projects provided by the center to Yemen amounted to 294 projects valued at $1.659.271 billion, in partnership with 80 local and international partners, Rabeeah stated.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1466601/ksrelief-general-supervisor-showcases-saudi-aid-yemen

(A P)

Film: KSRelief and UAE Aid Support to the Yemen Crisis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Vk1AkWiYE&t=2s

My comment: How WHO can spread such Saudi coalition propaganda?

(A P)

Arab coalition in Yemen facilitates UN and aid agencies access

The Arab coalition fighting the Houthi militia in Yemen said on Friday it is continuing to provide facilities and permits for UN and aid agencies operating in the country.

The coalition said 24 permits had been issued to the Red Cross, five to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and three to King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief).

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1405871/middle-east

(A P)

Don’t Let Yemen Become a Proxy of Iran

Knee-jerk opposition to the Saudi intervention is dangerous to the U.S.

Yet while the Yemen war is a human catastrophe, it is often misunderstood as merely a civil war, or an exercise in Saudi adventurism.

It fact, Yemen is the latest theater of the decades-old conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which has been intensifying since Iraq fell into the Iranian orbit in the wake of the 2003 regime change in Baghdad – by Kamran Bokhari (subscribers only)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/dont-let-yemen-become-a-proxy-of-iran-1542411619

My comment: if you are not able to read it, you certainly already know how this article will continue. The old propaganda story retold again and again.

(A P)

Houthis Assaults Rock Hodeidah, Yemeni Army Confirms Active Operations

Despite reports claiming calm returning to Hodeidah and Yemen’s national army pausing military advances, clashes persisted in light of Houthi militants continued assaults and leading of oppressive activities against civilians.
Not only have Houthis regrouped on battlefronts, they are actively spotted digging trenches and reinforcing militia barracks and sniper outposts.
News agencies quoted unnamed sources the Yemeni national army and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition halting all military operations in Hodeidah in response to international demands.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1465446/houthis-assaults-rock-hodeidah-yemeni-army-confirms-active-operations

My comment: This sounds like propaganda – in prepraration to blame the Houthis when the Saudi coalition continues its assaults.

(A P)

Everyone is talking peace but not the Houthis

Almost all government officials in all events have been talking peace with Houthis these days. They dedicate events for peace and include peace in every conversation and conference and workshop regardless of the event’s topic. Most of the time they are renewing the government’s “commitment” to peace.

Ironically one of the warring sides, the Houthis, never ever speak that word. The leaders, warlords and media outlets of the terrorist religious organization don’t bother to speak “peace”, at least to conceal their aversion to it.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25309

My comment: This is an odd propaganda peace. The Hadi government, the pro-Hadi military and speakers for the Saudi coalition clearly show that when speaking of “peace” they really mean “victory”. – There is a plenty of statements by the Houthi side at least claiming their commitment to peace; the last one had been the WaPo statement of the Houthi leader.

(A P)

Cutting off support from the West is the only way to stop Yemen’s terrorists

The Houthi threat has not been given due attention in Western capitals. They are not proscribed as a terrorist group by the US State Department, NATO or the EU. This means it is perfectly legal to support or even fundraise for them.

But where the Sunni Jihadists failed, their Shi'ite Jihadist counterparts are succeeding. Hezbollah has de facto control of large swathes of Lebanon and Syria, and Iran-backed groups of their ilk have almost total control of the Arab areas of Iraq.

But the greatest threat is undoubtedly the Houthis, who some call the "Yemeni Hezbollah"

From their base in Sana'a, the Yemeni capital, Houthi militias have become the architects of a terrorist state and they have used their control of Yemen to provoke not only the country's civilian population but Iran's arch-enemy Saudi Arabia, firing ballistic missiles at Riyadh airport and more recently Dubai.

And through all this, the Houthi threat has not been given due attention in Western capitals. They are not proscribed as a terrorist group by the US State Department, NATO or the EU. This means it is perfectly legal to support or even fundraise for them.

And not content with simply allowing their fundraising to continue, some of the media and political class have shifted to outright indulgence, or even advocacy, for the Houthis. Many mainstream and otherwise credible newspapers afford them column inches for what is essentially terrorist propaganda.

I saw the Houthis’ shameless blockade of ports and roads, leading to one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our generation – by Nathalie Goulet, French Eenate

https://www.euronews.com/2018/11/15/cutting-off-support-from-the-west-is-the-only-way-to-stop-yemen-s-terrorists-view = https://thehill.com/opinion/international/416994-yemens-war-is-a-dangerous-proxy-in-irans-global-battle

My comment: This is an odd piece of propaganda. The Houthis even might be a disgusting militia – they are no “terrorists” in the proper meaning of this word. If they should be, then the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and some Western states should be labeled as “terrorists” as well. – Western support for the Houthis should be a danger? It’s absolutely neglectible compared to Western support for the Saudi coalition. – “the Houthis’ shameless blockade of ports and roads”: this must happen on another planet. – Saudi coalition air raids? Seem not to exist; the only trans-border horror are Houthi missiles against Saudi Arabia? This is grotesquw.

(A P)

WaPo Publishes Piece Promoting Iranian-Backed Terrorists

The Washington Post recently published an opinion piece in which Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of the Houthis, argued that his group is seeking an “honorable peace” in Yemen’s civil war and simply wants Saudi Arabia to stop airstrikes in the country.

However, far from being a normal political, military, or state organization, the Houthis are actually an Iranian and Hezbollah-backed Shiite Islamist terrorist group that has been fighting to take over Yemen for more than a decade.

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/chrisreeves/2018/11/14/wapo-publishes-piece-promoting-iranianbacked-terrorists-that-tried-to-blow-up-us-navy-ship-n2535932

My comment: Well, according to your definition of “terrorist”, there are no-“non-terrorists” in charge in Yemen and beyond. Looking at WaPo’s articles over the last 3 ½ years, you could have headlined again and again: WaPo Publishes Piece Promoting US-Backed Terrorists (referring to Saudis, UAE, Hadi government…)

(A P)

US must be careful not to hand Yemen to Iran

In the wake of the Khashoggi affair, a growing chorus in DC is pushing the idea of ending support to the Saudis for the war in Yemen. Lousy idea.

Emboldened by its advances in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere, and encouraged by Obama-era “rebalancing,” Iran smelled an opportunity. It hooked up with the Houthis, a long-oppressed Shiite-like Yemeni minority. Armed, trained and backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the Houthis captured Sana’a and some of Yemen’s top strategic sites.

Their once-ragtag militia soon became an army, modeled after Lebanon’s Hezbollah

Yet the Saudis had legitimate reasons to intervene in Yemen: A Houthi victory there places a militant Iran proxy at their border.

https://nypost.com/2018/11/14/us-must-be-careful-not-to-hand-yemen-to-iran/ = https://www.nysun.com/foreign/growing-chorus-seeks-to-end-war-in-yemen/90464/

My comment: Odd propaganda. The author really means the US is the one who has the right to hand any countries in these world to others – or to refuse it. Otherwise, we get the well-known odd hawkish propaganda putting US anti-Iranian paranoia in the center of almost everything. – And, let it sack: The author emphasizes that a greater state would have “legitimate reasons” to intervene in a weaker neighbouring state if an unpleasant regime is installed there – and this even including a 3 ½ years war totally destroying this country. OK, would the author also agree to this scenariao in the case of Russia and Ukraine, China and Vietnam, Germany, and Austria?? At least, Canadians and Mexicans: Be on your alert!!

(A P)

Yemen Accuses Iran of Threatening Red Sea Fishermen

Yemeni Minister of Fisheries Fahd Kafayen accused on Tuesday Iranian ships of harassing and threatening fishermen in the Yemeni waters in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
The international community must assume its responsibilities in halting the Iranian violations and its meddling in Yemeni affairs, he said while overseeing the delivery of 100 fishing boats in the Shabwa region.
He listed the violations committed by the Iran-backed Houthis against Yemeni fishermen, such as kidnappings and preventing them from carrying out their jobs.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1462186/yemen-accuses-iran-threatening-red-sea-fishermen

My comment: This is absurd propaganda, as fishermen had been threatened by Saudi coalition air raids (and shelling by war ships) at fishing boats in the sea and ashore, at the coastline, at islands, by threats against fishermen at the Houthi-held west coast and even in “liberated” areas not to go to the sea or that they must keep out of great parts of the sea. Just the latest incident: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514742.htm

(A P)

VP: Resolution 2216 is key for Yemen peace

Vice President Ali Muhsin has affirmed that the implementation of the UN Resolution 2216 is the key for reaching peace between in Yemen.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25255

My comment: This resolution had been formulated by Saudi Arabia. It has fixed all peace efforts to Square One since 3 ½ years now, because it is totally biased in favor of the Saudi coalition and the Hadi government, requiring that the Houthis must capitulate.

(A P)

Counselor Al-Mansour: The process of assessing incidents is based on established norms and standards in the international humanitarian law system

Official Spokesman for the Joint Incident Assessment Team (JIAT) in Yemen, Counselor Mansour Al-Mansour, confirmed that the team, through the Operations Department and its legal Counselors, follows a legal methodology in the evaluation process based on the principles and standards adopted in the international humanitarian law system.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1841100

My comment: The Saudis investigating their own air raids. Look here:

(A K P)

JIAT Underscores Methodology of its Operations

In relation to the house in Aldhihar Directorate, Ibb Regarding the letter of The National Commission To Investigate Alleged Violations To Human Rights on Yemen stated that on August 28, 2015 […], JIAT found that the Coalition did not target the claimed house.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1462036/jiat-underscores-methodology-its-operations

and

(* A K P)

Coalition publishes the results of the investigation into 7 allegations and confirms «We did not target Mount Rabi»

http://nabd.cc/jump_android.php?id=56274530&f=0

Texts and my comments:

The results of the assessment in the first case, which was number 101, and included in the report of the National Commission to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Yemen (government), and included the exposure of the home of a citizen in the neighborhood of Montazah, (08/2015) to the bombing of a missile that led to the destruction of the house in full, and killed (7) of the occupants and the injury of one person seriously, without the area in which they were targeted any military objective.

He stated that it was found to the joint team that the "house" was in the northern part of the city of Ibb, that there had been no air mission, and that the closest target of the coalition mission on 28/08/08 was for A military base in the city of Ibb, a compound of the terrorist Houthi militia and 2.5 kilometers north of the site

Facts

film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlvZbbFRD8k = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlvZbbFRD8k = https://twitter.com/HussamSanabani/status/1062747232326311937

another film: https://twitter.com/MohammedHojily/status/1063118182012063746

Al-Mansour said that the case of No. 105, which was reported by the German Press Agency (ADA) by (Adham Tawabah), director of security of the Directorate (Al-Khokha), on the killing of (17) civilians and wounding ten others in the bombing of Arab coalition fighters on ( 10/03/2017 AD) on (popular market) in the district of the city (Alkhokha).
[…] After the date of the claim of one day, it showed that the coalition forces carried out an air mission on a military target, located 1.6 kilometers from the city of al-Khokha.

Facts:

Report: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-led-air-strike-kills-dozens-yemen-1124287347

photos: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=787557664727934&id=551288185021551

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1648731078756213

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/photos/pcb.1648729452089709/1648728998756421

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/840253573548146688

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1649335802029074

films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1wNihWKJUM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMonMg8jIyw

and videos by AlMasirah on youtube; removed, saved by me

Al Mansour spoke about the findings of the evaluation regarding Status 107 […] The old administration building (for a desalination company belonging to the group of companies of Hail Said Anam) was exposed in the city of (Mukha) in Taiz province for a rocket attack, which led to the demolition of the building and killing 2 and injuring (15) other employees of the company.
"The joint team found that, based on intelligence from within Yemen, it responded to the tactical air control that the presence of (armed groups and mechanisms belonging to the Huthi armed militia) inside the building (the Yemeni Desalination Company) in the city (Mukha) (3) of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, and thus became a legitimate military objective whose destruction would result in a military advantage based on article 52 (2) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, Geneva, as well The degree of verification mechanisms and the presence of communities belonging to the Houthi armed militia inside the building of the company based on the customary rule number (16). "
In the light of this, coalition forces carried out an air mission at 09:39 on Thursday, 03/11/2016, using a guided bomb that hit the target. The coalition forces took the necessary precautions to avoid causing damage or accidental damage to the objects.
Facts:

Report: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news445662.htm and photos here: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1598899187072736

https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/794596335680819204

https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/794596335680819204

Film: Almasirah; removed from youtube and facebook, saved by me

„presence of (armed groups and mechanisms belonging to the Huthi armed militia”: unproved claim. Just bomb, claim this, and it’s ok???

For the other cases, I could not verify any photos, films.

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids day by day:

November 16: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1542474816./1179106882239675

November 15: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1542474816./1179104242239939

November 14: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1542474816./1179103018906728

November 13: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1542206034./1176988405784856

(* A K)

Film: Saudi-led coalition resumes Hodeidah air raids after 2-day lull

After a pause in fighting in the besieged port city of Hodeidah, air raids by the Saudi-Emirati coalition against Houthi rebels resume

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/saudi-led-coalition-resumes-air-raids-hodeidah-2-day-lull-181118113328597.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7O_LcXxO2A

(* A K pH)

In Hodiedah, 6 civilians were killed by targeting hem with US-Saudi airstrikes on village between Attohayta and Zabid. 3 women were killed and 3 others were injured by targeting a house in Al-Hale district

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3810&cat_id=1

and

(* A K pH)

6 Yemeni women were hit now by US-Saudi airstrike! 3 killed, 3 seriously injured, when the airstrike destroyed their house to rubbles in the western coast city of Hodeida on the Red Sea.

https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1063465764550832128

3of his daughters were killed ystrday The other 3 daughters injured Today, Maajed Alwaheddi 4th daughter died aftr badly injrd by #Saudi #UAE strike on their home n Alhaali n #Hodeidah W #Yemen

ystrday 1 pic of him trying2find out who was killed 2nd pic He was happy2see she survived

https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/1063883241562800128

film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef4b1j8u2yY

death toll rised to 4: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3815&cat_id=1

while the other side claims the Houthis would have shelled their own territory https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25351

(* A K pH)

6 civilians were killed on Friday, by US-Saudi Airstrikes on a residential village in Zabid and Tahita districts in Hodeidah governorate.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3805&cat_id=1

(A K)

#Saudi airstrike hits #Yemen capital Sanaa, at Al Dailami airbase which is located in Sanaa International Airport.

https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1063133797502410753

My comment: This is air raid 136 or 137 at this site now?

(* A K pH)

Four civilians were killed and two others were injured in Hodiedah by US-Saudi airstrikes that targeted a bus in Al-Marawa'ah district

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3792&cat_id=1

(* A K pH)

3 citizens killed in Saudi-led air strike on Saada

At least three civilians were killed and two others wounded on Thursday in Saudi-led coalition’s airstrike which hit Saada province, a security official told Saba.
The strike hit a citizen’s car in Kutaf district.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515003.htm

photos: http://www.newnewss.net/us-saudi-airstrike-targeted-a-citizens-car-killing-and-injuring-five-civilians-in-yemens-saada/

film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYd5AnSNasQ

(A K pH)

Coalition launches dozens air strikes on Hodeidah

The warplanes of US-backed Saudi-led coalition on Wednesday launched air strikes on Hodeidah province, a security official told Saba on Thursday.
An airstrike hit a road linking Zabid and Tuhaita districts and dozens of raids on Kilo 16 area

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514905.htm

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514906.htm

(A K pH)

2 civilians injured in airstrikes on Hodeida

airstrikes led to injuring a man an women in Kord village of Duraihimy district

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514721.htm

(* A K pH)

Update: Death toll from coalition airstrikes on Hodeidah’s passengers rises to 9

The Health Ministry said in a statement that the death toll from a US-backed Saudi-led coalition airstrike on passengers escaping battles in Hodeidah port city on Tuesday increased to nine, .
Earlier, an air strike targeted the passengers’ bus on the highway near al-Jarrahi district and led to injure two others.
The statement added that an ambulance rushed to the scene to rescue was hit by an airstrike few meters before it reached the site.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514674.htm

photos: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1929047497391235

http://www.newnewss.net/fresh-us-saudi-airstrike-killed-injured-travelers-in-yemens-hodeida/

and

(* A K pH)

5 rescuers were killed when they rush to rescue casualties of #Saudi #UAE strike on a car in a road in Aljirahi area S #Hodeidah #Hodeida yesterday that killed 4 civilians in total 9 civilians killed 7 injurd in this double tap strikes

https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/1062750394605060096

Remark: First reporting already in Yemen War Mosaic 480.

(A K pH)

Film: Crimes of aggression in the province of Hodeidah 13-11-2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6VCuQubZ7E

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

Nov. 18: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515317.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515326.htm Saada p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515320.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515447.htm Hodeidah p.

Nov. 17: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515263.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515275.htm Saada p.

Nov. 16: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515106.htm Hajjah p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515097.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515079.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515086.htm Hodeidah p.

Nov. 15: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515019.htm Hajjah p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515044.htm and http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515018.htm Hodeidah p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514883.htm Saada p.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514840.htm Jizan

Nov. 14: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514708.htm Najran

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(* A K pS)

Four civilians killed and two injured, including a child, by shelling of Houthis on Hayran in Hajjah

Four civilians were killed and a child and a woman were injured Sunday in a bombing attack on a house in the Hayran district of Hajjah Province, a local source said.

The source told Al-Masdar online that the Houthis launched artillery shelling on the village of al-back, south of Hayran District, and that one of the shells targeted the house of Ali Khamis Hayrani, killing him with his wife and two daughters.

He added that the only eight-month-old Hayrani child was badly injured after several fragments were scattered in his body, and another woman from the nearby family was wounded.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161134

(A K pH)

US-Saudi aggression coalition shells border areas in Saada

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515444.htm

(A K pH)

Civilian Killed, 2 wounded in Saudi shelling on border areas in Saada

The shelling which hit residential areas of Hidan and Dhahear districts led to damage in the citizens’ properties

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515338.htm

(* A K pH)

Yemeni Forces Hit Saudi Targets with 4 Missiles

The Yemeni army and Ansarullah popular forces carried out a joint missile attack on Saudi positions in the kingdom’s Southwestern border region of Jizan on Sunday.

The Yemeni army and Ansarullah popular forces also staged missile and artillery fire at the positions of the Saudi-led coalition at the border passage of Alab and Majazeh region in Asir province of Saudi Arabia.

A Yemeni military official said the army and Ansarullah popular forces unleashed a barrage of at least four Zelzal-2 missiles at the Saudi forces' positions in Jizan region.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970827000861

(* A K pS)

Yemen's Houthis launch missile attack hours after agreeing to peace talks

Residents shaken by a string of 'tremendous explosions'

The Arab coalition intercepted four ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group on the western city of Marib in Yemen, a representative for the government's armed forces confirmed on Sunday.

"Tremendous explosions repeated four times between nine and 10pm last night," Yaqoob Al Barakani told The National. "They were Houthi ballistic missiles fired from rural areas in northern Sanaa to target military bases including the Sahen Al Jen base and the headquarter of the 3rd military base in Marib, but they were all intercepted."

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-s-houthis-launch-missile-attack-hours-after-agreeing-to-peace-talks-1.793158

and

(* A K pS)

Coalition defenses in Marib intercept three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161127

photos: https://twitter.com/Yemen24/status/1064049925091192833

(B K pS)

For the 1st time since 1991, #Saudi Air Force F-15 pilots have successfully marked 4x A/A kills against #Iranian-made drones approaching the kingdom’s southern airspace: 10/28/2018 — F-15S/AIM-120 11/02/2018 — F-15S/AIM-120 11/07/2018 — F-15S/AIM-120 11/16/2018 — F-15C/AIM-120

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1063500984784171013

(A K pS)

Saudi-led coalition naval forces intercepted and destroyed an al Houthi remote-controlled explosive boat in the Red Sea on November 16. The boat was reportedly en route to Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.[3]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-november-16-2018

(A K pH)

Saudi-led mercenaries fire rockets on border area in Saada

Several cattle were killed when the coalition’s rockets hit various areas of Hidan district

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515077.htm

Saudi-led mercenaries shell populated border areas in Saada

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515094.htm

(A K pH)

US-Saudi aggression coalition hit border populated areas in Saada

The US-backed Saudi-led coalition on Thursday (Nov. 15) fired missile and artillery shells at Saada province

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515013.htm

(A K pS)

Al-Houthi attack on village in Hayran kills a citizen and injures three women from his family

A citizen was killed and all members of his family were injured after the Houthis bombed a village in Hayran district north of Hajjah Province Wednesday evening.

A local source said that the Houthi militia rained the village of Deir, which is under the control of the government forces, on Wednesday evening with more than 30 mortar shells, one of which landed on the home of Mohammed Humaid al-Rassaee

which led to his death and injured all members of his family

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161034

(A K pH)

Army shoots down two coalition spy planes in Jizan

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news514867.htm

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(A)

Freundschaftsspiel Saudi-Arabien gegen Jemen, Halbzeit 1:=

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/nationalelf/startseite/fussball-nationalteams-freundschaftsspiele/2018/7/4552431/livematch_saudi-arabien_jemen.html

Mein Kommentar: Ach, Fussball…

(* B D)

Yemen Has Been Ruined By War, But Its Soccer Program Is Still Kicking

The country’s national side continue to participate in international qualifiers and competitions seemingly without a hitch, most recently in the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait. They didn’t produce anything too memorable there, suffering resounding defeats to Qatar and Iraq. That the team was there at all was an accomplishment, though, especially given the ongoing plight of Yemen’s footballers and clubs.

https://deadspin.com/yemen-has-been-ruined-by-war-but-its-soccer-program-is-1830038876

(* B)

For Jewish Israelis of Yemenite Heritage, Reviving a Past

Prewedding henna ceremonies have regained popularity in Israel’s Jewish Yemenite community, an expression of ethnic pride in their heritage and traditions.

At a recent henna celebration at the Yemeni Heritage Center in Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel, the bride had three ensemble changes, each representing a city or region in Yemen. Although both the bride and groom were raised in Israel, honoring their Yemeni heritage was something important to them.

“I am Yemenite on both sides, and it’s a celebration of my wedding,” the bride, Meyrav Yehud, 24, said. “These are my roots.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/17/style/bride-wedding-jewish-yemen.html

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-480-yemen-war-mosaic-480

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-480 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-480:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:

(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)

http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

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

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

Dieser Beitrag gibt die Meinung des Autors wieder, nicht notwendigerweise die der Redaktion des Freitag.
Geschrieben von

Dietrich Klose

Vielfältig interessiert am aktuellen Geschehen, zur Zeit besonders: Ukraine, Russland, Jemen, Rolle der USA, Neoliberalismus, Ausbeutung der 3. Welt

Dietrich Klose

Was ist Ihre Meinung?
Diskutieren Sie mit.

Kommentare einblenden