... Wiederaufbau im Jemen – Trump, Khashoggi und Jemen – Opfer der US-Kriege ab 2001 – Hodeidah: Neue Kämpfe, Luftangriffe – UN: Friedensbemühungen, britischer Resolutionsentwurf – und mehr
Nov. 21, 2018: The Iran Nuclear Deal, Europe and peace in Yemen – 85,000 children under five starved to death – Water problem: Digging wells again – Reconstruction in Yemen – Trump, Khashoggi and Yemen – Toll of US post 9/11 wars – Hodeidah: Fighting starts again, air raids – UN: Peace efforts, new British resolution draft –and more
Dieses Jemenkrieg-Mosaik besteht aus zwei Teilen / This Yemen War Mosaic is divided in two parts
Teil 2 / Part 2
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-482b-yemen-war-mosaic-482b
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Teil 2: Kursiv / Part 2: In Italics
Klassifizierung / Classification
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
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
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade
cp13b Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating
A = Aktuell / Current news
B = Hintergrund / Background
C = Chronik / Chronicle
D = Details
E = Wirtschaft / Economy
H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions
K = Krieg / War
P = Politik / Politics
pH = Pro-Houthi
pS = Pro-Saudi
T = Terrorismus / Terrorism
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
Einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:
Yemen War: Introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
(** B P)
The Iran Nuclear Deal and Yemen’s War: An Opportunity for EU Statecraft
As the foreign military intervention in Yemen approaches its fourth year, world events have come together to create a rare window of opportunity to bring the conflict to an end. This, however, will require a powerful global actor to sheppard the process, and the European Union is currently the most well-positioned to take up the role.
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October has brought global attention to focus on the conduct of Riyadh’s rulers, and in particular the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
Despite this apparent reticence to engage in efforts to find a political solution, the parties to this seemingly intractable conflict are in fact all seeking a route out. They cannot do so however, without a means to save face. The United States’ exit from the Iran nuclear deal this year has offered the opportunity for exactly this. With Washington’s withdrawal and reimposition of economic sanctions, Saudi Arabia – desperate to walk away from a war that is proving increasingly costly in both reputation and treasure – can claim a victory over its archrival Iran, at a time when its forces also have an upper hand militarily in Yemen. On the other side, Tehran is seeking to forge closer ties with Europe to counterbalance to its souring relationship with Washington. While their ties are often mischaracterized, Iran is the only state actor with the ear of Houthis and can be expected to calculate – given the peripheral importance of Yemen’s war for its national interests – that collaboration with Europe to end the war could be an astute move.
The European Union appears to be the only actor that can capitalise on this brief alignment of interests. The US has lost any remaining semblance of an impartial actor in the region and the United Nations’ Security Council is hamstrung by fault lines over the war. EU action would need to be complementary to the ongoing mediation efforts by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, lending its clout, legitimacy and resources in a guarantor-type role.
The Iran Deal for the Yemen War
While the signing of the Iran nuclear framework in 2015 was a watershed moment for global diplomacy and a foreign policy legacy marker for United States President Barack Obama, little mentioned at the time was the price of the deal: the war in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia was incensed with the Obama administration for signing up to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
To placate these fears and to stop Riyadh from scuttling the JCPOA, Obama essentially wrote Saudi Arabia and its allies a blank cheque for a military intervention in Yemen.
While it has become fashionable today for US Democrats to berate Obama’s successor for the free hand he gives the Saudis, what they fail to mention is that the Obama administration was essential to starting and supporting this disastrous Saudi-led military adventure in Yemen.
If one can ever say there is a honeymoon period in a war, it is now definitively over in Yemen. From a conflict resolution standpoint, this means a window of opportunity
It is also little secret that both UAE and Saudi officials view President Hadi with contempt, seeing him as a corrupt statesman and an impotent leader with little natural constituency in Yemen – by Farea al-Muslimi
(** B H)
Hilfsorganisation: 85.000 Kinder im Jemen an Hunger und Krankheit gestorben
Im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen sind nach Schätzungen der Hilfsorganisation Save the Children zwischen April 2015 und Oktober 2018 rund 85.000 Kleinkinder an Hunger und Krankheit gestorben. Die Zahlen basierten auf Daten der Vereinten Nationen und stellten eine "vorsichtige Schätzung" dar, teilte die Organisation am Mittwoch mit. Die Angaben beziehen sich auf die Sterblichkeitsrate von Kindern unter fünf Jahren durch Unterernährung und Krankheiten.
Der Save-The-Children-Direktor für den Jemen, Tamer Kirolos, zeigte sich "schockiert" über die Zahlen. Der Hungertod könne verhindert werden, betonte er.
(**B H)
Save the Children: Yemen: 85,000 Children May Have Died from Starvation Since Start of War
An estimated 85,000 children under five may have died from extreme hunger or disease since the war in Yemen escalated, according to new analysis by Save the Children.
Using data compiled by the UN, Save the Children evaluated mortality rates for untreated cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children under five years. Using a conservative estimate, the humanitarian aid agency discovered that approximately 84,701 children with SAM may have died between April 2015 and October 2018.1
After almost four years since the brutal conflict in Yemen escalated the UN says that up to 14 million people are at risk of famine. That number has increased dramatically since the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition imposed a month-long blockade of Yemen just over a year ago.2
Since then, commercial imports of food through Hodeidah port have reduced by more than 55,000 metric tons a month. That’s enough to meet the needs of 4.4 million people, including 2.2 million children3 Any further decline in imports could likely lead directly to famine.4
“We are horrified that some 85,000 children in Yemen may have died because of extreme hunger since the war began. For every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death and it’s entirely preventable,” Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Country Director in Yemen, said.5
“Children who die in this way suffer immensely as their vital organ functions slow down and eventually stop. Their immune systems are so weak they are more prone to infections with some too frail to even cry. Parents are having to witness their children wasting away, unable to do anything about it.
(** B H)
Almost 85,000 children under five may have starved to death in Yemen, charity warns as fighting flares in Hodeidah
Save the Children has called for an immediate ceasefire to pull back the country from the brink of famine as civilians report soaring food prices amid renewed fighting
As many as 85,000 children have starved to death in Yemen, according to Save the Children with the charity warning that up to 14 million people are at risk of famine if a ruinous war does not end soon.
Since 2015, when the fighting first broke out the group has estimated that at least 84,700 children under the age of five may have died from malnutrition. That is the equivalent of every child in Birmingham, Britain’s second biggest city, the group added.
The devastating statistic came as fighting flared in the Red Sea city of Hodeidah, the frontline of the latest battle, where food prices had soared by at least 400 per cent, according to local residents.
Only two hospitals are now working in the port town, both of which are dangerously close to the front line.
“For every child killed by bombs and bullets, dozens are starving to death and it’s entirely preventable,” said Tamer Kirolos, Save the Children’s Yemen director.
“Because of the fighting parents are delaying taking their children in for treatment of malnutrition, when their internal organs are not working, and they have multiple infections due to the wasting," he added.
Mr Kirolos said at that point medics can do nothing to save them.
The charity warned that the number of cases has dramatically increased since a Saudi Arabia led coalition imposed a month-long blockade on the impoverished country a year ago.
and also https://us.cnn.com/2018/11/20/middleeast/yemen-children-starvation-death-intl/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-46261983
My comment: It’s certainly even more. What about the children who died of different diseases just because they had been weakened by hunger, malnutrition, famine, which would not have been deadly otherwise?
(** B H)
Going back to the well: Yemen’s water crisis sees a revival of old methods
War and fuel prices have jeopardised access to water for millions, prompting a return to digging wells
Before Yemen’s three-year-old war, water used to arrive to homes at little cost, Mufleh said.
But with expensive fuel prices and damaged infrastructure, more than 12 million Yemenis are currently without access to clean water, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In urban areas, many Yemenis now rely on NGOs and charities that supply water in barrels and bottles, but in the countryside, the distance to clean water may be a lot further.
“This could not come at a worse time for the children of Yemen reeling from violence, malnutrition and an outbreak of diseases including acute watery diarrhea and cholera,” said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
"For over two thirds of Yemenis living in extreme poverty, safe water is now completely unaffordable.”
So residents are increasingly asking people like Mufleh to help them dig their own wells, something he’s more than happy to do.
"I learned this job from my work when I was young,” he says. “Also the repeated attempts to dig wells helped me to have a deep experience in this field.”
"I do not hesitate to help anyone, even for free, because I must help people overcome the water crisis.”
When he begins a search for water, Mufleh inspects the soil in an area, looking at its colour and the kinds of grass and trees that grow on it.
For the past three years, Rafat Yassin and his family of six, who live in a rural area south of the city of Taiz, have struggled to maintain regular access to water after the state-run Water Cooperation halted operations due to the rising cost of fuel.
Yassin, the family breadwinner, makes windows and doors for a living, but cannot afford the $25 necessary to purchase water from a truck vendor to supply the family for a month.
Yassin watched as his neighbours dug wells, finding clean water, and started striking into the ground to find his own.
"I decided to imitate them as I believe this is the best solution nowadays,” Yassin tells MEE.
But about eight metres into the ground, Yassin decided to consult al-Zumaini, an elderly man in his eighties with a wealth of experience finding wells.
(** B E H P)
The geoeconomics of reconstruction in Yemen
Examining the interests of the external parties to Yemen's conflict and evaluating the implications for reconstruction.
Executive Summary
The ongoing conflict in Yemen has exacted a disastrous toll on the country’s people, economy, infrastructure, and institutions, as well as the ties that bind them. The effort to rebuild both the tangible and intangible aspects of Yemeni society will be complicated by not only the fragmentation among Yemen’s political and military factions, but also by the multitude of foreign actors and interests that, directly and indirectly, have come to exert an influence over the conflict, or could do so in the future.
This paper seeks to elucidate who these outside forces are, what the nature is of their involvement, and what their converging and conflicting interests mean for Yemen’s future reconstruction effort. For example, it is clear that direct intervention by the two main foreign actors, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, has made these regional states deeply committed to the outcome in Yemen. Yet that very investment may incline each state to try and shape the postconflict environment in a manner that privileges the interests of allies, to the detriment of others perceived as adversaries. This substantially complicates the reconstruction process by potentially hindering the equal distribution of reconstruction resources. Moreover, Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s regional adversary, Iran, could advance its own strategic goals by prolonging the conflict through the continued provision of, or significant upgrades to, material support to the Houthi rebels.
Recommendations
A coordinated and unified GCC response to postconflict reconstruction in Yemen will be essential to meeting the country’s political and economic requirements.
Yemen’s long-term economic viability will be greatly enhanced if the GCC extends some of its membership privileges, such as tariff relief for exports from Yemen and labor concessions.
Yemen’s political culture of patronage, especially from foreign influence, is likely to persist. To reduce the tendency to play one foreign patron against another, patron-client relationships between foreign states and local governorates and armed groups must be centralized into state agencies or federal units, to bring legitimacy to government, not warlords, militias, or sectarian actors.
One effective mechanism to restore legitimacy to local governments and limit discrepancies in regional access to relief, including the disbursement of salaries, is an effort to increase transparency in the amount and distribution of aid funds by region and local governments at the municipal level.
A central tenet of any reconstruction program should be setting realistic goals. While the temptation may be to aim for major infrastructure projects like ports, airports, and free zones, small-scale projects like sanitation rehabilitation, localized solar power grids, infrastructure or public building repair, and small roads projects of the kind the World Bank is engaged in are far more likely to provide tangible benefits.
Local needs assessments should be conducted in conjunction with local communities to ensure maximum possible buy-in.
https://www.aei.org/publication/the-geoeconomics-of-reconstruction-in-yemen/
Remark: By The Arab Gulf States Institute (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Arab_Gulf_States_Institute ). This think tanks seems to be somewhat linked to the Emirates.
(** A P)
READ: Trump's statement on Saudi crown prince and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi
Statement from President Donald J. Trump on Standing with Saudi Arabia
America First!
The world is a very dangerous place!
The country of Iran, as an example, is responsible for a bloody proxy war against Saudi Arabia in Yemen, trying to destabilize Iraq's fragile attempt at democracy, supporting the terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, propping up dictator Bashar Assad in Syria (who has killed millions of his own citizens), and much more. Likewise, the Iranians have killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East. Iran states openly, and with great force, "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!" Iran is considered "the world's leading sponsor of terror."
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave. They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.
After my heavily negotiated trip to Saudi Arabia last year, the Kingdom agreed to spend and invest $450 billion in the United States. This is a record amount of money. It will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, tremendous economic development, and much additional wealth for the United States. Of the $450 billion, $110 billion will be spent on the purchase of military equipment from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and many other great U.S. defense contractors. If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries - and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!
The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body.
Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an "enemy of the state" and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that -- this is an unacceptable and horrible crime. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event -- maybe he did and maybe he didn't!
That being said, we may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!
I understand there are members of Congress who, for political or other reasons, would like to go in a different direction - and they are free to do so. I will consider whatever ideas are presented to me, but only if they are consistent with the absolute security and safety of America. After the United States, Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producing nation in the world. They have worked closely with us and have been very responsive to my requests to keeping oil prices at reasonable levels -- so important for the world. As President of the United States I intend to ensure that, in a very dangerous world, America is pursuing its national interests and vigorously contesting countries that wish to do us harm. Very simply it is called America First!
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-standing-saudi-arabia/ = https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/20/politics/trump-statement-saudi-khashoggi/index.html
My comment: This statement shows Trump’s ignorance, his anti-Iranian paranoia for which he always thinks of Iran first, his relentlessness in keeping the alliance with saudi Arabia, whatever is going to happen.
Comment by Ai AlAhmed: I wanted to thank @realDonaldTrump for his brutally honest description of decade-long #American policy towards my country. Other presidents had same policy but sugarcoated it with flowery language.
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1065067560926945282
Comment by Sen. Bob Corker: I never thought I’d see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/1065006401272143873
Comment by Sen. Chris Murphy: Oh my god. Catastrophic. This is written by the Saudis - word for word. It’s now 100% clear the Saudis own our President - and the new House Dem majority needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP.
https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1064985763392180225
Re Saudi weapons sales: If your neighbor asked to buy your gun to shoot his wife, you’d say no. And if he said that he could just buy one from a store so you might as well sell him yours, you’d still say no. And then call the cops. Because, uh...sometimes it’s not about the $$
https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1064988599211429888
Remark: Rep. Rand Paul: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/11/senator-rand-paul-releases-scathing-statement-about-saudi-arabia/ (below at cp9). And as a reminder fromNov. 17: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/a-truly-spectacular-ally-trumps-saudi-first-foreign-policy/
Comment: This was expected, Trump will not give up his Milking Cow
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2016039578449062
Comment: This must be the most idiotic White House statement ever in recent history.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1064940934889127936
Comment by Scott Paul, Oxfam: President Trump reminded us today that, to him, America First means that no one else matters. Yemen is now the largest humanitarian crisis in decades.
Millions of Yemenis are now collateral damage in the Trump administration's misinformed and self-serving policy, which amounts to “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
It’s now up to Congress to reassure the people of #Yemen and the international community that the United States still stands for something more than a dollar sign.
https://twitter.com/ScottTPaul/status/1064945055205605377
Comment: So now it's confirmed, we have no rules. By giving the #Saudi's a pass on #Kashoggi's brutal murder, the US loses any standing it had left to speak out about human rights. A tragic day for the US, the world & international law. What do we teach our kids?
https://twitter.com/Sophiemcneill/status/1064949922468777984
Remark: "It's a mean, nasty world out there" @SecPompeo says in explanation of the Khashoggi statement
https://twitter.com/agearan/status/1064957878421913600
Comment by Philipp Rucker, WaPo: A signal to dictators everywhere that they will face no consequences for brutally murdering journalists or critics because it’s simply “a mean, nasty world”
https://twitter.com/PhilipRucker/status/1064964645541330945
and
(** A P)
Trump stands by Saudi prince despite journalist Khashoggi's murder
President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a “steadfast partner” of Saudi Arabia despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi last month.
Defying intense pressure from U.S. lawmakers to impose tougher sanctions on Saudi Arabia, Trump also said he would not cancel military contracts with the kingdom. He said it would be a “foolish” move that would only benefit Russia and China, competitors of the United States in the arms market.
Trump said U.S. intelligence agencies were still studying the evidence around Khashoggi’s killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and who planned it. Since the murder, Trump has taken varying positions on how to react, including possible sanctions.
But on Tuesday, Trump stressed Saudi Arabia’s weapons purchases and its role in keeping world oil prices low as influencing his decision.
“It’s all about, for me, very simple. It’s America first,” Trump said, adding: “I’m not going to destroy the world economy and I’m not going to destroy the economy for our country by being foolish with Saudi Arabia.”
Speaking at the White House to reporters before departing for Florida, Trump said of the possibility that the Saudi crown prince had a hand in the murder: “Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t” and argued that the CIA had not made a definitive determination.
His comments contradicted the CIA
(** A P)
Trump 'stands with' Saudi Arabia and defends crown prince over Khashoggi
Trump’s statement, titled “standing with Saudi Arabia” sought to portray the kingdom as an essential US ally in a struggle against Iran, and an irreplaceable customer for US arms sales.
The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, when asked about the Saudi monarchy’s complicity in Khashoggi’s death, said: “It’s a mean, nasty world out there.”
Pompeo declined to comment on intelligence assessments of the murder, but said: “Facts will obviously still continue to come to light. I’m confident of that. It’s the way the world works.”
Nicholas Burns, the under-secretary of state for political affairs in the George W Bush administration, said: “This Trump statement on the Khashoggi murder is beyond embarrassing. It is shameful.He is silent on our most important interest – justice.”
Trump’s enthusiastic support for Riyadh coincides with a drive by the crown prince to rehabilitate himself on the world stage. The Argentinian government confirmed to the Guardian on Tuesday that he is on the list of attendees at the G20 summit at the end of the month in Buenos Aires.
Also on the guest list is Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whose government has put out a steady stream of leaks from the investigation, pointing towards Saudi government culpability at the highest levels.
In the latest of those leaks, the influential pro-government outlet Habertürk published excerpts of a purported transcript of an audio recording of the murder.
According to its account, the Saudi hitman chosen as a lookalike among Jamal Khashoggi’s assassins was apparently recorded saying: “It’s creepy to wear the clothes of a man we killed 20 minutes ago.” He then he stepped from the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in a failed bid to prove the murdered dissident had left the building.
Other details include Khashoggi demanding, “Release my arm, what do you think you’re doing?” moments after entering the diplomatic mission.
A listening device inside the consulate apparently captured Maher Mutreb, a trusted aide of Prince Mohammed, replying: “Traitor, you will be brought to account.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/20/trump-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-crown-prince
(** A P)
Trump Defends the Indefensible in Yemen
In a rush to stand with the Saudis after the Khashoggi killing, the president whitewashes a war.
Even at the height of recent American interventionism, one bit of realism prevailed: as bad as the government of Saudi Arabia is, whatever would replace it would likely be worse.
Such was the dilemma President Trump faced in weighing a response to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a crime for which the Saudi regime itself bears culpability. That our options were limited, however, does not mean the president chose wisely. Trump on Tuesday pleaded with us to think of the defense contractors—“Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon”—before punishing the government of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in an exclamation point-laden statement that bizarrely juxtaposed “Standing with Saudi Arabia” with “America First.”
Trump has deservedly elicited widespread criticism for his treatment of the Khashoggi killing.
But the apologia for the Saudi and United Arab Emirates war in Yemen, backed by our own government, should not escape reproach. Trump opens with some whataboutism and saber-rattling against Iran before lavishing praise on Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia would gladly withdraw from Yemen if the Iranians would agree to leave,” Trump said in the statement. “They would immediately provide desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has agreed to spend billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism.”
“I’m pretty sure this statement is Saudi Arabia First, not America First,” tweeted Sen. Rand Paul, echoing sentiments the Kentucky Republican expressed at the TAC foreign policy conference. “I’m also pretty sure John Bolton wrote it.”
TAC editor-at-large Daniel McCarthy wisely asked of our choosing sides between Iran and Saudi Arabia, “[D]oes the cause of liberal democracy really require supporting one pack of blood-splattered theocrats over another?”
The answer is obviously no -by W. James Antle III
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/trump-defends-the-indefensible-in-yemen/
(** B K P)
IT’S TIME FOR AMERICA TO RECKON WITH THE STAGGERING DEATH TOLL OF THE POST-9/11 WARS
HOW MANY PEOPLE have been killed in the post-9/11 war on terror? The question is a contentious one, as there has been no formal accounting for the deadly cost of the initial U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention the secondary conflicts that continue to wreak havoc across the Middle East and the opaque, covert war still expanding across Asia and Africa.
But even as the U.S. government evades responsibility for the human cost of its overseas endeavors, some researchers are determined to keep count.
Brown University’s Costs of War Project this month released a new estimate of the total death toll from the U.S. wars in three countries: Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The numbers, while conservatively estimated, are staggering. Brown’s researchers estimate that at least 480,000 people have been directly killed by violence over the course of these conflicts, more than 244,000 of them civilians. In addition to those killed by direct acts violence, the number of indirect deaths — those resulting from disease, displacement, and the loss of critical infrastructure — is believed to be several times higher, running into the millions.
The report, which uses data spanning from October 2001 to October 2018, compiles previous analysis from nongovernmental organizations, U.S. and foreign government data, and media reports. The study also focuses on only the three countries where the United States launched its so-called war on terror. If the conflicts in Libya, Yemen, Somalia, or Syria — where the U.S. has conducted major military operations in recent years — had been included, the death toll would likely be significantly higher.
“The major challenge in tracking the full costs of these wars is that the U.S. military doesn’t even meaningfully investigate civilian death tolls. Generally, they know it’s not good to have civilian casualties, but their focus is mainly on fighting, and there is little pressure to make protecting civilians a key priority,” said Daphne Eviatar, director of the Security With Human Rights program at Amnesty International.
Despite all these deaths, it remains highly questionable what exactly the United States has gained from these wars. The initial confrontation with Al Qaeda, a clandestine organization numbering perhaps a few hundred people at the time of the 9/11 attacks, has somehow metamorphosed into an endless war against an expanding universe of even more extreme terrorist groups, many of which did not even exist on September 11, 2001.
“There is a perverse dynamic at play, in which we’re killing more people, creating adverse consequences like mass displacement and refugees, and then banning those very people from our shores,” said Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project. “We really need to question both the fairness and necessity of these policies, which are inflicting devastating human costs abroad while harming our own civil rights at home.” – by Murtaza Hussain
https://theintercept.com/2018/11/19/civilian-casualties-us-war-on-terror/
cp1b1 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Deutsch/ Most important: Hodeidah battle: German
(* A K)
Neue Kämpfe im Jemen
Im Jemen dämpfen neue Kämpfe die Hoffnungen auf einen Waffenstillstand. Die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärallianz attackierte gestern Abend mit mehr als zehn Luftschlägen Stellungen der vom Iran unterstützten Huthi-Rebellen in der Hafenstadt Hudaida, wie Einwohner und Einwohnerinnen berichteten.
https://orf.at/stories/3101352/
cp1b2 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Englisch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: English
(* A H K)
Islamic Relief: Thousands showing up at food distribution points as desperation grows in Hodeida
Salem Jaffer Baobaid, Islamic Relief’s Project Coordinator in Hodeida, said on Friday 16 November:
“There is an increasing desperation among the people of Hodeida, especially in Al Hali and Al Hawak districts on the frontline of the conflict. In the past few days we have seen thousands of people turning up at our food distribution points, where previously there would be hundreds. And fights have almost broken out where people are desperate not to miss out on the food packages. The numbers of people now in these areas is immense; many of them have come out of hiding as the fighting has subsided to stockpile on food rations and then go back to their homes. The signs of the conflict are etched on their faces and it breaks my heart to see so many weak women, children and the elderly suffering from malnutrition, cholera and respiratory diseases. We’re supporting 30 health centres in Hodeida but they are struggling to cope.
“Living standards have dropped dramatically for the citizens of Hodeida, more support is urgently needed; it’s up to everyone in the international community to work hard and extend a hand to assist the people of Hodeida.
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UN prepares ground for Yemen peace talks as battles flare
Military officials said the battles were the worst since loyalists halted an offensive last week, and were concentrated in the eastern part of the city where rebels fired artillery.
Pro-government forces struck back, supported by warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition which launched a dozen raids, the sources said.
According to Huthi-run media, clashes lasted up to four hours and resulted in fatalities.
Comment: I saw on a Yemeni news channel that more tanks were being brought into the region by the Saudi-led coalition last night. It doesn't look hopeful, especially as the draft for the peace deal seems to be relying on Resolution 2216, the draft of which was written by the GCC countries and therefore was hopelessly biased. It has been a hindrance to peace since it was written.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157161293193641
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3 civilians killed in 2 Saudi-led airstrikes on western coast
At least three civilians were killed when the warplanes of US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition launched on Tuesday night two air strikes on Hodeidah province, a security official told Saba.
The air strikes hit a citizen’s home in Kolib village in the south of kilo 16 area.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515744.htm
(A K pH)
2 Saudi-led air strikes hit Hodeidah
The warplanes of US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition on Tuesday launched two air strikes on Hodeidah province, a security official told Saba.
The air strikes targeted the village of Zaffran south of Kilo 16 area and the west areas of Tuhita district causing damages in citizens’ properties.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515719.htm
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Houthi rebels resume attacks in Hodeidah
As a peace drive to end years of war in Yemen gains pace, Houthi rebels resumed attacks around the country’s main port city, undermining attempts to secure a lasting ceasefire ahead of negotiations.
Houthi rebels also shelled positions of pro-government forces in Al Khamseen street, Sanaa street and Al Saleh city, Colonel Mamoon Al Mahjami, spokesperson of the pro-government Al Amalikah forces told The National. Those forces responded, he said.
"It was clear from the beginning that the Houthi militia doesn't have a real intention to halt attacks. We are familiar with how they work. The truce for them means gaining more time to reorganise their ranks and mobilise more fighters to replace those who died or escaped the frontline,” he added.
Meanwhile, residents of Hodeidah said rebels continued to fortify their defences in anticipation of more fighting.
Speaking to The National on the condition of anonymity, one resident said rebels were digging trenches and building barricades in and around Hodeidah's port.
They also leveraged the temporary halt in operations by the Saudi-led coalition to transfer heavy weapons into houses in densely-populated parts of the city, in an attempt to shield their arsenal from coalition airstrikes, the resident said.
Simultaneously, rebels stormed houses and rounded up suspects they accuse of cooperating with the Arab coalition, residents said.
"On Sunday, the Houthis stormed the house of my neighbour who works in a university in Hodeidahh because he refused to fight with them,” a resident who asked not to be named told The National.
“They took him to their many detentions in the city centre,” the resident said.
https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/houthi-rebels-resume-attacks-in-hodeidah-1.793968
My comment: This is by Emirati media. It’s impossible to separate propaganda from reality here. The claim that the Houthis had “resumed attacks” at Hodeidah more sounds like a claim they are alleged to committing suicide. – Another point: It’s objected to the Houthis that they would have planed to draw reinforcements to Hodeidah. While the UAE-backed forces themselves exactly had done this (see below).
This will be closer to reality:
Emirati-backed Yemeni forces resumed an offensive on the outskirts of al Hudaydah city, western Yemen, on November 18. The Southern Giants Brigades, under the command of General Commander of the West Coast Front Abu Zaraa al Mahrami, attempted to seize al Saleh town on the eastern outskirts of al Hudaydah city on November 18 and 19. Giants Brigades deployed additional reinforcements in preparation for the offensive on November 16.[1]
https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-november-20-2018 referring to https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/20/yemen-hodeidah-fighting-resumes-saudi-led-coalition-houthis-airstrikes and https://twitter.com/sahel_almakha/status/1063479022334689280
(A K pS)
Houthi militia bombed 22 May school using booby-traps in Bait Alfaqeh district, Hodeidah governorate.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1064648095147929600
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A couple of #fishermen were killed in a sea mine that was planted by the #Houthi militia onshore in #Hodeidah, according to informed local sources.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1064590088590557186
(A K pS)
Fierce battles in the port city of #Hodeidah have renewed between the Joint Resistance Forces and Houthi militia fighters, as the militia is currently transferring its fighters to the city under the pretext of Celebrating the Prophet's Birthday.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1064613214196023296
My comment: For this Twitter account: If Houthis brinbg reinforcments to Hodeidah, this is bad, if the coalition does, it’s a good thing:
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#UAE-backed Yemeni forces reported last Friday they are deploying reinforcements to seize an area on the outskirts of al Hudaydah city, western #Yemen. Several reports now that clashes have resumed. Failure to enforce a ceasefire around the city poses a risk to planed peace talks
https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1064664809734586368
refering to film: https://twitter.com/sahel_almakha/status/1063479022334689280
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UN's @WFPChief tells @BBCWorldatOne that Houthis are the greatest impediment to delivery of aid on the ground in Yemen. Says Houthi fighters have taken up fighting positions/snipers in food warehouses and laid mines in the Red Sea Flour Mill (Hodeidah).
https://twitter.com/ionacraig/status/1064515005809344517
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Clashes, air strikes resume in Yemen's Hodeidah: residents
Saudi-led warplanes bombed positions held by Houthi rebels in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah late on Monday as clashes raged in the suburbs, shattering a lull in fighting that had raised hopes for a ceasefire, residents said.
They said the Saudi-led coalition carried out more than 10 air strikes and that fierce battles could be heard on the edges of the Houthi-held city, four km (2.5 miles) away from its port. One resident said a medium-range missile had been fired from the city center toward the “July 7” district where ground fighting was raging.
and
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Clashes resume in Yemen's Hodeidah after Houthis say open to truce
Intense fighting broke out in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah late on Monday, shattering a lull in violence that had raised hopes for a ceasefire between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi insurgents as the United Nations tried to resume peace talks.
Coalition warplanes conducted more than 10 air strikes on Houthi positions and battles could be heard in the “July 7” district, four km (2.5 miles) away from the port, residents said. One resident said a medium-range missile had been fired from the city center toward the district in the suburbs.
It was not immediately clear whether the renewed fighting in Hodeidah would derail efforts by U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths to salvage peace talks that collapsed in September when the Houthi delegation failed to show up.
“The fighting is escalating and we can clearly hear machine guns and mortar fire. This is one of the worst nights we have experienced,” said Hodeidah resident Mustafa Abdo.
When asked about the fighting, a pro-coalition Yemeni military source told Reuters late on Monday that a ceasefire in Hodeidah would only start after the U.N. Security Council passes a British-drafted resolution on Yemen.
My comment: “Saudi-led warplanes bombed positions held by Houthi rebels in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah”, this simply does not work in a city. In a city, they actually MUST bomb residential homes, civilian infreastructure, civilians. And anti-Houthi propaganda adopts this report, but changes the headline to: “Houthis Breach Truce, Battles Rage Again in Hodeidah“. – Why the „Houthis break ceasefire“ (which never was at Hodeidah) when „Coalition warplanes conducted more than 10 air strikes“ will stay a mystery.
(A K pH)
4 civilians injured in Saudi-led air strike on Hodeidah
More than civilians were injured on Monday when the warplanes of US-backed Saudi-led coalition waged an air strike on Hodeidah province, a security official told Saba.
The air strike hit a citizen’s car in Maghars area of Tuhiata district in the western coast
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515585.htm
and
(A K pH)
US-Saudi Aggression Jets Targeted Yemenis Cars And Farms Killing ,Injuring Many
A civilian killed and injured four when the warplanes of the US-Saudi aggression targeted a citizen’s car on Monday at the public road at Almaghris area , Atuhita district of Yemen’s Hodeida .
Local source clarified that the wounded were in dangerous as they were taken to a near hospital , in addition, the shrapnel fragments have reached into wide areas ,causing serious damages at the citizens’ car (photos)
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Pro-government forces announced a pause in their offensive last week as international pressure grew for a ceasefire.
But the coalition insisted Monday that their operations were still ongoing, with spokesman Turki al-Maliki saying they were targeting rebel reinforcements even as he voiced support for the talks.
An AFP correspondent in Hodeida said Monday the city remained calm, although the rebel-run Al-Masirah TV said the coalition had carried out seven air strikes in the surrounding province and one inside Hodeida city.
https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/yemen-peace-push-gathers-pace-ahead-un-envoys-visit-doc-1ay4dh4
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Houthi militias use mosques to make mines, says Yemeni Resistance
The Yemeni Resistance has said that its engineering teams have found a mine-making factory belonging to the Iran-backed Houthi militia inside a mosque in the western city of Hodeidah.
The Yemeni Resistance said that the factory was discovered inside a mosque under construction during the clearing and dismantling of Houthi mines networks from the streets, neighbourhoods and facilities liberated inside the city of Hodeidah. The teams said that the Houthi mines will not deter them from clearing all of Hodeidah from mines and from expelling the militias who are carrying out subversive activities in civilian facilities, as part of their attempts to adopt a scorched earth policy in Hodeidah after the successive defeats inflicted upon them.
http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302721481
Remark: By UAE news agency. “Use mosques” or “use mosque”? The articles tells the latter.
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Houthis abduct 18 fishermen, put them in private prisons
Houthi militias abducted on Sunday 18 fishermen from the port city of Hodeida and put them in private prisons.
Local sources said that the Houthis accused the fishermen of cooperating with the Yemeni army and the Arab Coalition, pointing out that the Houthis often charge anyone opposing them with the accusation of the collaboration with the Yemeni army and the Arab Coalition.
Local sources said that the fishermen were arrested because they previously refused to allow the Houthis to use them in carrying out attacks against the Arab Coalition’s marine forces.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25376
Remark: As claimed by anti-Houthi Islah Party news site.
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Using ISIL style, Houthis bomb captives in Hodeidah
The terrorist militia of Houthis fighting to repel the advance of government forces in the western city have bombed more than 10 government soldiers in their captivity, a reminiscence of the tactics followed by ISIL in Iraq.
The militia’s TV “Al-Masira” aired on Thursday a footage of soldiers walking in a line wearing only back bags but no arms before they exploded into pieces. Al-Masira claimed the Houthi fighters shelled the soldiers in the battle scene.
Military experts, however, told al-Hattami news network those soldiers were captives and they crammed in a bomb-laced fenced place and blown up.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25375
Remark: As claimed by anti-Houthi Islah Party news site.
cp2 Allgemein / General
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The Interactive Map of Yemen War
(* B P)
Desinformation über den Krieg in Jemen
Viele Medien beschönigen die Rolle der USA und übertreiben den Einfluss des Irans.
In jüngster Zeit hört und liest man in vielen Medien immer wieder die beiden fragwürdige Informationen:
«In Jemen kämpft eine von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Koalition gegen Huthi-Rebellen, die vom Iran unterstützt werden.» Häufig ist auch von einem «Stellvertreterkrieg» zwischen Iran und Saudi-Arabien die Rede.
Damit entsteht der falsche Eindruck, der Iran hätte auf den grausamen Krieg bisher einen vergleichbaren Einfluss gehabt wie Saudi-Arabien.
Tatsächlich aber kann der Iran die Huthis wenig unterstützen: Auf dem Landweg überhaupt nicht, mit Flugzeugen ebenfalls nicht, und den Zugang zu den Häfen haben die Saudis vom Meer her blockiert. Selbstverständlich ist der Schmuggel ein gutes Geschäft. Die Huthis konnten sogar vereinzelte Raketen auf Saudi-Arabien abfeuern.
«Die USA üben jetzt Druck auf Saudi-Arabien aus, die Bombardierung Jemens zu beenden und Friedensgespräche aufzunehmen.»
Hier kann gleich zweifach eine falsche Wahrnehmung entstehen:
Der Eindruck, die USA seien schon lange gegen Bombardierungen in Jemen gewesen und würden jetzt zusätzlichen Druck ausüben.
Der Eindruck, die Saudis hätten den Krieg in Jemen ohne aktive Unterstützung der USA geführt.
Tatsächlich aber konnten die Saudis die intensiven Angriffe in Jemen nur durchführen, weil ihnen die USA logistische Hilfe boten
https://www.infosperber.ch/Medien/USA-Iran-Desinformation-uber-den-Krieg-in-Jemen
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"Yemen Crisis: Looking for the Peace Under the Wreckage"
While the world focuses on the crises in the center of the Middle East, it is possible to say that the Gulf of Aden will be discussed more in the coming years. Yet, it is necessary to underline that China, Japan, France, the USA, and the UK have built military bases in the region as well as regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. All strategies of aforementioned states should be regarded as important data for the future of the region.
The geostrategic importance of Yemen
Considering the international trade flow, most of the goods produced in Asian countries such as China and India, are transported from Europe to Yemen. Yemen also holds the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, where approximately 5% of the world's oil trade flows. In this context, the country plays a vital role in the transfer of Middle Eastern oil
On the other hand, the militarization of the Gulf of Aden and the race for foreign forces to form a base are only one side of the new power struggles that have begun to occur in Yemen. Although the international community is focusing on the crises in the center of the Middle East, the Gulf of Aden will probably begin to talk more in the future than in the other crisis regions.
Because in the Gulf of Aden there are not only regional actors such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, but also global actors such as China, Japan, France, USA, and the United Kingdom are building military bases. In the context of Yemen, it is clear that in the coming years we will talk about the Gulf of Aden because of the power struggle among global actors, which are trying to dominate the region. That means the crisis in Yemen will continue to be discussed for a long time because of the ‘domination passion’ in the region.
http://insamer.com/en/yemen-crisis-looking-for-the-peace-under-the-wreckage_1793.html
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Elisabeth Kendall speaking; films, audio:
People in #Yemen look on as their country is destroyed around them. Why is peace so hard? What do the Houthis want? Can the UN Special Envoy & his team pull it off? Here's my attempt to answer that in 1 minute for the BBC World Service News Update.
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1065000757768986624
Elisabeth Kendall on France 24 (19 Nov 2018)
Yemen peace talks; looming famine; why has it taken so long for the world to pay attention?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnJFCFFAzFs
Is there a link between the murder of #Saudi journalist Jamal #Khashoggi & the reinvigorated drive for peace in #Yemen? Here's my take for BBC World Service Newshour.
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1064852224029937665
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w172w25hhcpyvdw
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Why no global outcry over Saudi war in Yemen?
Why has the world chosen to be silent even as warnings of famine have assumed alarming proportions? Akshaya Kumar, a senior Human Rights Watch official, says it’s because of the “sway” Saudi has over some members of the UN Security Council, which has prevented the UN in naming and shaming the regime in Riyadh. “At this point, vague appeals to ‘all parties’ to improve their behavior won’t work; Any resolution that doesn’t specifically mention the Saudi-led coalition by name and call it out for its role in the carnage in Yemen won’t have the required effect in Riyadh,” he said in an interview.
The patronage of world powers like the United States and United Kingdom has ensured that Saudi rulers escape culpability for their war crimes in Yemen. Their support for the Saudi-led coalition in the form of arms, training, intelligence, and refueling of bombers has compounded the misery of Yemenis. The two countries continue to sell billions of dollars in arms to the Saudi regime, thus are directly complicit in the war crimes being committed against the Yemenis.
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/139783/Why-no-global-outcry-over-Saudi-war-in-Yemen
My comment: From Iran – but this simply is the truth. The same can be said of the following:
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US Blocks Vote Ending Yemen War: When International Law Fails, Civilians Suffer
The Saudi-led invaders have also said they support talks, and ordered their own ceasefire.
But this was only in words. Saudi Arabia and its allies are now launching new offensives in the Northwest, which suggests their previously announced ceasefire was overstated. Saudi Arabia’s so-called ceasefire in the vital Yemeni aid port of Hodeida has also come to an end after a brief lull in fighting. Now, Saudi warplanes are again pounding the city, and Saudi-backed forces are again carrying out offensives in and around the suburbs.
This is unfortunate. The ceasefire didn’t last up to the peace talks, and the Saudis and their American-British weapons suppliers are not willing to end the unnecessary conflict – Ansarullah truce and ceasefire announcement notwithstanding. This is not a good sign for the upcoming peace talks, though they may also represent an attempt to secure some last-minute gains before coming to the negotiating table. Either way, renewed Saudi airstrikes in Hodeida is doubtless to mean another upswing in civilian casualties, further blockade of the vital port city, and worsened humanitarian crisis that has affected at least 12 million people.
Also don’t believe it when the US military claims it has discontinued refueling Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen. The Congress has just voted to continue the conflict while the US military continues to play a pivotal role in the war, providing arms and logistical support to UAE and Saudi forces occupying Yemen, blockading the country’s ports, and bombing its civilians.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970829001114
(B H K P)
Yemen crisis: Why is there a war?
Yemen, one of the Arab world's poorest countries, has been devastated by a civil war. Here we explain what is fuelling the fighting, and who is involved.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423
My comment: This is by the BBC – but it’s quite biased and is omitting main points.
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‘We Are Willing to Die Here’: The Fight for Women’s Rights in Yemen
The territory formerly known as North Yemen, which includes the capital, has always been repressive, according to women’s rights activists on the ground, while the region that was once South Yemen, a sovereign country between 1967 and 1990, was a bastion of women’s rights in the Arabian Peninsula. The years following South Yemen’s independence from British rule in 1967 were a golden age for women, who were educated, employed and empowered alongside men.
Things began to change in 1990, when North and South Yemen unified into one country, and the balance of power tipped to favor northern politics, culture and customs.
The Saudis were intent on spreading Wahhabism, a puritanical branch of Sunni Islam that drastically limits women’s rights and role in society, across the region, and hundreds of thousands of Yemeni men returned from Saudi Arabia, bringing with them this ideology, learned in Saudi mosques and madrasas.
“This ‘hide your women’ thing happened only after unification,” she said. “Now you can barely see a woman that is not covering her face. Everyone is more conservative.
She believes that Yemen will never achieve stability or security if women are not included. As an engineer, Mansoor also wants the reconstruction of Yemen to include gender-sensitive projects, like building wells closer to remote villages so women do not have to walk as far and risk their safety to collect water and complete their daily tasks – by Neha Wadekar
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/magazine/yemen-war-women.html
(* B H K)
What you need to know about the conflict in Yemen
How did it start?
Who's involved?
What is America's role?
What's the toll?
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/conflict-yemen/story?id=59224692
(* B H K P)
L'article à lire pour comprendre la guerre au Yémen, "pire crise humanitaire au monde"
La guerre au Yémen est entrée dans sa quatrième année. Elle oppose le gouvernement central, soutenu par une coalition arabe menée par l'Arabie saoudite et appuyée par Washington, aux rebelles houthis, des chiites zaydistes, dans ce pays à majorité sunnite. Les deux camps sont soupçonnés de "crimes de guerre" par l'ONU. Désastreuse, la situation humanitaire a été qualifiée de "pire crise au monde" par les Nations unies : plus de 22 millions de Yéménites ont besoin d'aide alimentaire, soit trois habitants sur quatre, dans un pays où les infrastructures, déjà fragiles, ont été largement détruites.
Début octobre, l'affaire Jamal Khashoggi, du nom de ce journaliste saoudien assassiné dans le consulat saoudien à Istanbul, a un peu plus terni l'image de l'Arabie saoudite. Changera-t-elle la donne ?
(* B H K)
Podcast: Why US bombs are falling in Yemen
The killing of Jamal Khashoggi has renewed criticism of Saudi Arabia more broadly, including the kingdom’s role in the war in Yemen. It’s a war that has created what has been called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world — and one that the United States has backed from the beginning.
On today’s episode: Robert F. Worth, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/podcasts/the-daily/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-united-states.html
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«Das ist eine Schande für die Menschheit»
Die jemenitische Menschenrechtlerin Antelak Al Mutawakel erlebt die Not in der Hauptstadt Sanaa hautnah.
Antelak Al Mutawakel schildert eindringlich, wie dreieinhalb Jahre Krieg das Leben für Millionen Menschen in Jemen zum Überlebenskampf reduziert haben. «Jeder Tag bringt neue Katastrophen.»
Ein Volk von Bettlerinnen
«Viele betteln, die meisten von ihnen sind Frauen und Kinder», sagt Mutawakel. Sie bettelten zu Hunderten in den Strassen der jemenitischen Hauptstadt, wühlten in den Abfällen nach etwas Essbarem. Achtzig Prozent der jemenitischen Bevölkerung sind angewiesen auf humanitäre Hilfe in der einen oder anderen Form, schätzt die UNO.
Die Hilfe mache die Bevölkerung zu Almosenempfängern. Antelak Al Mutawakel schmerzt das. Als Menschenrechtlerin habe sie über Jahrzehnte versucht, Aufbauarbeit zu leisten: Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, eine jemenitische Zivilgesellschaft heranwachsen zu lassen, die Rolle der Frauen darin zu stärken.
Der Krieg zerschlägt die Früchte auch dieser Arbeit. Gleichzeitig zersetzt er die Gesellschaft. Auf beiden Seiten bestärkten sich fundamentalistische Kräfte gegenseitig. Obwohl religiöser Extremismus eigentlich quer zur jemenitischen Tradition stehe.
Antelak Al Mutawakel unterstellt Absicht: «Die Radikalisierung ist ein Instrument der Kriegsführung», sagt sie. «Das Problem in Jemen ist nicht Schiiten gegen Sunniten. Doch sie versuchen uns auseinanderzutreiben in einem absurden Kampf um Macht und Pfründen.»
Der Krieg habe auch Profiteure hervorgebracht, vor allem dank der Korruption. Währenddessen hat die grosse Mehrheit gar nichts, so die Universitätsdozentin aus Sanaa: «Die meisten haben nichts. Gar nichts.»
https://www.srf.ch/news/international/buergerkrieg-in-jemen-das-ist-eine-schande-fuer-die-menschheit
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„Meine Mutter hat jeden Tag Angst“
Die Kriegsparteien im Jemen wollen Friedensgespräche führen. Zumindest ein guter Schritt, sagt die aus Jemen stammende Analystin Ghaida Al-Rashidy.
Frau Al-Rashidy, die UNO bezeichnet die Situation im Jemen als schlimmste humanitäre Katastrophe der Welt. Dennoch wird wenig über den Krieg berichtet. Warum?
Ghaida Al-Rashidy: Wir haben keine Grenze mit Israel und wenig Öl. Und aus dem Jemen kommen keine Flüchtlinge nach Europa. Deswegen ist das Interesse am Jemen gering.
Ich bin sehr traurig darüber, was mit Khashoggi passiert ist. Doch der Fall hat mehr Aufmerksamkeit generiert, als es der Krieg im Jemen je getan hat. Ich wünschte mir, die Regierungen würden Waffenlieferungen nach Saudi-Arabien wirklich aussetzen. Aber ich befürchte, das Schicksal der Jemeniten interessiert sie nicht wirklich.
Mittlerweile dauert der Krieg über drei Jahre. Warum macht Saudi-Arabien weiter?
Erstens wegen des Irans. Den Krieg in Syrien haben die Saudis verloren – den im Jemen können sie nicht auch noch verlieren. Zweitens haben sie Angst, weil sie eine lange Grenze mit Jemen teilen. Das Gebiet dort ist schiitisch. Und nicht zuletzt ist der Krieg das Projekt des saudischen Kronprinzen Mohammed bin Salman. Für ihn und seine Karriere wäre eine Niederlage im Jemen eine Katastrophe.
(* B H K P)
Audio: Blood on American Hands: The Yemen Civil War
Professor Shireen Al-Adeimi of the MSU College of Education discusses the Civil War in Yemen. Al-Adeimi addresses America's role in perpetuating the conflict, the differences (or lack thereof) in the Obama-era and Trump-era responses to the war, and what Americans can do to help end the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DxNvw47GsdzcU5bcQRYAY?si=IXX8v8BISVipvu6hruhznw
(* B H K)
„Das ist auch ein Wirtschaftskrieg“
Günter Meyer im Gespräch mit Dieter Kassel. Millionen Menschen im Jemen sind vom Hungertod bedroht: Warum ist es so schwierig, Hilfe für sie zu organisieren? Schuld sind Saudi-Arabiens Militäraktionen, aber auch die Geldpolitik der jemenitischen Zentralbank, sagt der Geograf Günter Meyer.
Kassel: Sehen Sie denn überhaupt eine Möglichkeit, diesen Krieg mit Verhandlungen zu beenden?
Meyer: In der aktuellen Situation und angesichts des massiven Drucks, der von den USA ausgeübt wird gerade auf Saudi-Arabien, ist die Chance wirklich sehr groß, dass wir jetzt zu einem Frieden kommen könnten. Denn die Amerikaner liefern nicht nur Waffen, sondern sie sitzen auch überall in den entscheidenden Kommandostäben, sowohl in Riad, als auch im Jemen. Wenn die Amerikaner ihre militärische Expertise nicht mehr zur Verfügung stellen, dann ist dieser Krieg beendet. Und an diesem Punkt sind wir mittlerweile angekommen.
Kassel: Warum ist es so schwierig, diesen Menschen in irgendeiner Form zu helfen? Ich höre immer wieder, dass internationale Organisationen da gar nicht hinkommen.
Meyer: Das liegt daran, weil die Saudis nicht nur den wichtigen Flughafen der Hauptstadt Sanaa zerstört haben, sondern vor allem den Nachschub über die strategisch ungeheuer wichtige Hafenstadt al-Hudaida blockieren. Das ist ein entscheidender Punkt, der zweite entscheidende Punkt ist, die Zentralbank ist von der Hauptstadt Sanaa in den Süden nach Aden verlegt worden und die druckt auf Anordnung der Saudis so viel Geld, dass der jemenitische Rial seinen Wert verloren hat. Das bedeutet nicht nur Verlust der Ersparnisse für die Bevölkerung, sondern die Inflation ist so hoch, dass sich die Jemeniten keine Lebensmittel mehr kaufen können, selbst wenn diese auf den Märkten noch verfügbar sind. Das heißt, es ist nicht nur ein militärischer Krieg, es ist auch ein Wirtschaftskrieg, der noch ungleich größere Auswirkungen auf die humanitäre Katastrophe im Jemen hat.
(* B K P)
Saudis have no political independence, await US order to stop Yemen war: Analyst
William Spring told Press TV on Monday that Ansarullah’s recent expression of readiness for a ceasefire comes at a time when Riyadh is suffering a “diplomatic isolation” on the world stage over the brutal murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which is blamed on the highest ranks of authorities in the kingdom.
Asked about whether Riyadh would do the same thing as the Houthis, Spring said Riyadh’s rulers have “no policy” in their campaign against Yemen and remain obedient to the US in that regard. The Saudis, he added, know nothing but torturing or killing dissidents at home and abroad.
They “would do what the Americans tell them. They have never been in any way capable of making their own decisions anyway. If the Americans say stop the war in Yemen, the Saudis will stop the war in Yemen,” he said. “The Saudis are totally under the thumb of the United States of America.”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/11/19/580470/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-War
My comment: I would not agree.
(* B K P)
Will Yemen Continue to Be Thrown to the Wolves?
Some Republicans argue that blocking the resolution is not as consequential as it seemsgiven that Democrats will gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives come January. While the issue will certainly be revisited in just a few months, Yemeni civilians will continue to pay the price in death, famine, disease, injury, and misery for the sake of political games in the U.S. Congress.
It is almost impossible to put into words the level of destruction and devastation Yemen and Yemenis are experiencing. Much needs to be done politically to stop the atrocities. Unfortunately, however, certain members of Congress have decided to prioritize their own partisan interests over the lives of countless human beings in Yemen.
https://muftah.org/will-yemen-continue-to-be-thrown-to-the-wolves/#.W_LS6-hKiUk
(* B P)
How temporary cessation of conflict can turn into peace in Yemen
Temporary cessation of conflict would be significant in view of keeping people supplied with essentials like food and medicines and to combat diseases like cholera.
However, this does not mean an era of peace will ensue in Yemen. Peace does not mean mere absence of conflicts and making basic necessities available; rather, it indicates presence of healthy socio-economic and political conditions that would enable people to develop their personalities and add meaning to their lives.
In countries seriously impacted by long-drawn-out civil wars such as Yemen, this means long-term engagement of the international community in dealing with the humanitarian crisis by instituting effective leadership, democratizing the distribution of resources, and socio-economic restructuring of society. If all these conditions for sustainable human life were created, there would be less chance for Yemen to spring back to a civil-war situation again.
External powers so far have played a part in taking sides and escalating Yemeni conflict rather than preventing it. As signs of a lasting ceasefire become more clearly visible, efforts must be undertaken by the international community to take the country out of the socio-economic and political morass it has been undergoing.
This may amount to rebuilding the Yemeni society. Long-term solutions will require addressing people’s grievances against political leaders, their misuse of power and misappropriation of public funds. Attempts at addressing the grievances of the people of the country’s southern part must be part any peace plan for the country.
To facilitate and keep supplying food and other necessities to handle the famine may be effective for the short term, but the real challenge will be turning this food-importing country into a food-producing one. Children currently facing hunger and malnutrition need to be able to afford education and healthy lives.
http://www.atimes.com/how-temporary-cessation-of-conflict-can-turn-into-peace-in-yemen/
(* B H K P)
The Dying Children of Yemen
Reuters reported last week on one of the many tens of thousands of preventable deaths in Yemen.
A Yemeni child dies from preventable causes every ten minutes. Opponents of the war cite this statistic frequently to convey how desperate the situation is, but it fails to capture just how horrific the conditions are for more than eleven million children and millions of adults in Yemen who are hanging on by a thread. These eleven million children in Yemen represent 80% of the country’s under-18 population, and according to UNICEF they are “facing the threat of food shortages, disease, displacement and acute lack of access to basic social services.” This is a generation that has been ravaged by war, pestilence, and famine, and the health and development of the vast majority of Yemen’s children will be seriously compromised long after the fighting stops. As large and staggering as the numbers of malnourished and starving people in Yemen are, they are inadequate measures of the harm that has been done to an entire people during three and a half years of senseless, unnecessary war.
Yemen is often called the “forgotten war,” but the truth is much worse. Yemen has not been forgotten by foreign governments. Instead, many foreign governments, including ours, have aided the Saudi coalition in its attempt to obliterate it. They have paid just enough attention to Yemen to help the Saudi coalition destroy the country, but not nearly enough to forestall the entirely predictable and predicted humanitarian disaster that has been unfolding in front of all of us for years – by Daniel Larison
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-dying-children-of-yemen-2/
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp1b
(*B H)
Film: Jemen: Schwere Hungersnot
Seit Monaten toben im Jemen schwerste Gefechte, Hunderte Menschen sind umgekommen. Hoffnungen auf eine baldige Waffenruhe haben sich zerschlagen. Die Hälfte der Bevölkerung ist von einer akuten Hungersnot bedroht.
https://www.dw.com/de/jemen-schwere-hungersnot/av-46303811
(* B H)
Film: Yemen: Where children rummage through rubbish for food
The BBC’s Nawal Al-Maghafi reports from a camp for displaced people, where children hunt desperately for something to eat.
Comment: Actually this report is incorrect. Although there were air attacks by the Saudi led coalition on strategic assets in Hodeida since 2015, the city itself has been stable and relatively free of conflict until the invasion this year. What is true though is that this is one area where famine took hold early in the war, as fishermen were killed, the port was destroyed, farms and water plant were attacked as were the supply routes from Hodeida to the capital. Additionally there were several food factories in Hodeida that have been attacked, such as a fruit drinks factory and a yoghurt and milk processing plant. So the economic life of the area quickly ground to a standstill.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157161308053641
(* B H)
Film: Jemen - Wo Kinder zu Geistern werden
Im Jemen herrscht seit Jahren Krieg. Doch nicht die Kämpfe sind das schlimmste - es ist der Hunger, unter dem die Menschen leiden. Am meisten betroffen sind die Schwächsten. Mehr als sieben Millionen Kinder drohen nach Angaben des UN-Kinderhilfswerks Unicef im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen zu verhungern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkdrEiLcCh0
(* B H)
Starvation leaves Yemeni boy Ghazi too weak to cry
Skin and bones, 10-year-old Ghazi Saleh lies on a hospital bed in the southwestern Yemeni city of Taez barely breathing. He only weighs eight kilogrammes.
Starving and too weak to move or even cry, Ghazi can only look down at his emaciated body as he struggles to keep his eyes open.
Some 14 million Yemenis are at risk of famine, more than four years into the country's war.
At Al-Mudhafar Hospital where Ghazi is being treated, medics go from one bed to another to check on malnourished children -- including infants.
Eman Ali, a nurse at the hospital, said that Ghazi suffers from acute malnutrition.
"He has not eaten properly for a while now, and he ultimately reached this situation," she told AFP.
While some doctors and nurses weighed children, others tried to feed the young patients through syringes as they have become too weak to swallow.
Cases of malnourished children have become a reflection of the health system in Yemen, where children bear the brunt of the war between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels.
(* B H)
Film: The people of yemen are not starving. They are being starved.
Continuing conflict, airstrikes and restrictions on imports have left 14 million people facing famine in Yemen. Nearly half of all children aged between six months and five years are chronically malnourished.
Food supplies and distribution networks have been bombed and attacked.
The currency has collapsed and the price of essential food items has doubled.
Sickness and disease are killing people already weak through starvation.
https://oxfamapps.org/yemen/?cid=psc_tw_brand_yemen_video&dclid=CN6p6c_O4t4CFVewewodh20PUg = https://twitter.com/oxfamgb/status/1064465505975746561
(* B H)
Film: Life In Yemen: Death, Destruction And Hunger
The conflict in Yemen has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Those are words we have heard over and over again. But what exactly do those words mean? In a camp for displaced persons, mothers struggle to provide their families with food. Often the daily meal is a single flat bread, shared between four people. On another day, perhaps the meal will only be boiled leaves. The fact that millions of Yemenis are displaced, that food is scarce, that children are close to famine, all this is a consequence of the war.
“We have no shelter, we have nothing” says Hamoud al-Muqadhi., who is himself displaced. “We don’t even have water. Our children are sick.”
“Thousands of families have no shelter,” adds Ali Saleh Thiyah. “They suffer from shortage of food, medicine and lack of healthcare in addition to lack of water. These people are eating leaves.“
In Yemen’s cities, the infrastructure which supports normal life has collapsed. Rubbish piles up in the streets, the water supply services are not functioning, the hospitals are not only short of vital life-saving medicines and equipment, they have suffered massive destruction. All this, too, is a direct consequence of war.
And all the while the conflict continues, driving more and more Yemenis from their homes, or sending them, injured, or with desperately malnourished children, to hospitals which struggle to help them.
http://www.icrcnewsroom.org/open.asp?ID=2678&title=Life_In_Yemen__Death__Destruction_And_Hunger
(A H)
Film by Ahmad Alghobary: I am going from #Sanaa to Aslam area, #Hajjah governorate now to help 7 malnourished children. Special thanks to all donors and @LayaBehbahani for helping children.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1064494603443859457
(* B H)
World Food Program Director Urges The U.S. To 'End This War' In Yemen
NPR's Lakshmi Singh speaks with David Beasley of the World Food Program about the effort to curtail famine in Yemen.
BEASLEY: I was in a hospital, seeing children literally starving to death. In fact, one little boy, I just was told, that I saw yesterday died this morning. And a 4-month-old little girl - she weighs 2 kilograms, literally, about five pounds. She should be weighing 15 pounds. And I could give you example after example. Because of malnutrition, the immunity system's down. They're getting diarrhea. There are complications. And it's like this among 1.8 million children. We're feeding about - or assisting about 8 million people as we speak on any given day. And what we're looking at - because of the collapse of the economy, food prices that are available are skyrocketing. And the value of the currency, the rial, is collapsing, couple that with no jobs, no pay and a war on top of that.
Well, last year, it was a challenge just getting food into the country because of the blockade. But we were able to work through that problem. And, now, we're dealing with issues within the country, dealing with access (with audio)
and
(* B H)
Film: "There were children dying before my very own eyes." @WFPChief David Beasley just returned from Yemen and gave me this harrowing report.
https://twitter.com/camanpour/status/1064583183465775105
(* B H)
Jemen: UNHCR appelliert an Konfliktparteien
Angesicht der andauernden Kämpfe um die Hafenstadt Hudaydah, appelliert das UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerk, UNHCR, an die Weltgemeinschaft, alles zu tun, um den Konflikt beizulegen und damit auch die Gefährdung der Bevölkerung und der humanitären Hilfe zu beenden.
Siham Abduallah floh vor vier Monaten mit ihren beiden Kindern, dem Bruder und seinem Kind aus der Hafenstadt Hudayda. Jetzt leben sie in einer vorläufigen Unterkunft in Sanaa. "Alle Geschäfte sind geschlossen und meine Kinder schrien vor Hunger", erzählt die 27jährige. "Wir mussten weg. Die Bombardierungen und Luftangriffe trafen unsere Nachbarschaft. Sogar unser Haus wurde von einer Rakete beschädigt."
"Ich habe ein behindertes Kind, das behandelt werden muss. Es ist kalt in Sanaa und er wird krank", sagt Siham. "Wir haben nichts mehr zu Essen. Ich werde das Geld nehmen, um Essen zu kaufen und die Miete bezahlen. Meine Nachbarn geben uns manchmal ein Stück Brot, weil wir keine Lebensmittel mehr haben."
Wie viele Menschen in Hudaydah von den Kämpfen eingeschlossen sind, kann nur geschätzt werden. Die Kämpfe schneiden immer wieder Flucht- und Versorgungsrouten ab.
https://www.uno-fluechtlingshilfe.de/news/jemen-unhcr-appelliert-an-konfliktparteien-807/
(B H)
Jemen: Helfer kämpfen um Leben - jeden Tag
Es ist der blanke Horror: Im Jemen-Krieg sind allein in den vergangenen vier Jahren mindestens 10.000 Menschen getötet worden, über zwei Millionen sind auf der Flucht. Die UNO warnt zudem, dass die verheerende Hungersnot in dem Land die Lage weiter verschärfen könnte. Bettina Lüscher vom "World Food Programme" spricht von der "schwierigsten humanitären Situation, die es momentan auf der Welt gibt."
Bettina Lüscher, Sprecherin des Berliner Büros, bringt ihre Arbeit auf eine simple Formel: "Leben retten, jeden Tag - unter schwierigsten Bedingungen. Wir versorgen schon jetzt acht Millionen Menschen im Jemen. Wir werden 12 bis 14 Millionen versorgen müssen. Es kommen jeden Tag mehr dazu, weil dieser Krieg so brutal weiter geht."
Die Bedingungen, unter denen die Helfer arbeiten, sind äußerst schwierig, so Lüscher
Die Lösung kann für Bettina Lüscher nur Frieden heißen
https://www.inforadio.de/programm/schema/sendungen/int/201811/19/288114.html
(* B H)
The world’s worst humanitarian crisis
Humanity & Inclusion (which operates under the name Handicap International in Yemen) works in eight health centers and hospitals in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, where we povide rehabilitation care and psychological support, and distribute mobility aids such as crutches anrd wheelchairs. The conflict and the blockade imposed in November 2017 by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition has had a devastating impact on the population. Maud Bellon, the director of HI's programs in Yemen, describes the situation.
The wounded come from the different front lines and arrive in waves, depending on how fierce the fighting is. Most are injured in explosions, by gunfire, etc. We also treat large numbers of road accident victims and amputees. Because hospitals are so crowded, medical staff send patients back immediately after surgery, unless the patient has enough money to stay. The main problem is also the great difficulty in transporting injured people from the front lines to hospitals, the cost of transport and medical expenses.
https://www.hi-us.org/yemen_the_worlds_worst_humanitarian_crisis
Deutsche Version: https://handicap-international.de/de/neuigkeiten/jemen-die-schwerste-humanitaere-krise-der-welt
(* A H)
Mona relief in Aslam area, Oct. 18 (photos9
https://www.550-families-in--1.monareliefye.org/page
(B H)
European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations: Yemen | DG ECHO humanitarian support to Yemen in 2018 – Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) – DG ECHO Daily Map | 19/11/2018
(B H)
Yemen: Education Cluster Humanitarian Response Dashboard (January - October 2018)
Yemen: Education Cluster Partners Achievement (as of October 2018)
https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-education-cluster-partners-achievement-october-2018-enar
Yemen: Education Cluster Activities - Partners Mapping as of 30 October 2018
(B H)
Film: The lengths a parent will go to keep their child healthy in Yemen. This man heard our mobile health team was nearby. He carried his newborn son in his arms, crossing a river, to ensure his baby was vaccinated. Today millions of Yemenis have little access to basic health care.
https://twitter.com/ICRC/status/1064559494934470657
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
(* B H)
Yemen: Al Hudaydah, Al Mahwit, Hajjah, Sana’a - IDP Hosting Site Profiles, July 2018
Introduction
The IDP Hosting Site Baseline Assessment aims to support targeting and response planning by humanitarian stakeholders, including authorities, UN agencies, and local and international nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). It provides a baseline of key multi-sectoral indicators across IDP hosting sites in 20 governorates, based on data collected through interviews with key informants in each site. The baseline assessment will help to inform the site management support which will be offered to the local authorities and humanitarian actors in charge of IDP hosting sites, as well as the support which will be offered to IDPs to establish self-governance, community participation, and communication processes within IDP hosting sites.
For the purposes of this assessment, REACH supports the Shelter / NFI / CCCM Cluster in data analysis and output production. The core outputs for this assessment include:
Summary report: Overview of key indicators and comparative analysis of sites to identify those in most urgent need;
Site Profiles: Produced for each site with relevant sectoral information;
Site Maps: Maps showing site location and characteristics.
This report presents findings from four governorates - Al Hudaydah, Al Mahwit, Hajjah, and Sana’a - based on data collected in July 2018 by IOM during the fourth phase of the baseline assessment.
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
(* B P)
Kidnapping of foreigners. "Houthis goose that lays dollars” (special report)
Kidnappings have become structured and well-thought-out process, which the State Department confirmed in a statement in May 2017, saying that the rebel group in Sana'a--the Houthis--"systematically detained American citizens", and yet America has not classified them a terrorist group until the moment!
According to Al-Masdar online for the group's kidnappings, al-Houthi group began to carry out abductions of foreigners early in its armed rebellion against the previous regime, specifically in June 2009, when nine foreigners working in a hospital in Sa'dah governorate were abducted.
According to Al-Masdar online for the group's kidnappings, al-Houthi group began to carry out abductions of foreigners early in its armed rebellion against the previous regime, specifically in June 2009, when nine foreigners working in a hospital in Sa'dah governorate were abducted.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161231
My comment: by a anti-Houthi news site. Time for a closer approach is lacking.
(A P)
In 5 huge squares across Yemen, Millions of Yemenis celebrate today the birthday of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed ( PBUH), While US-backed Saudis continue to kill them. Prophet was born in Saudi Arabia, but Saudi Wahabis hate such celebrations! (photos)
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1064795806086164482
more photos:
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1064884741093158912
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2015901848462835
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/1065023013622636547
https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1064817277642645505
(A P)
Jawf province commemorates Prophet’s birth anniversary
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515757.htm
Taiz celebrates anniversary of Prophet’s birth
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515758.htm
Mass celebration in Hodeida to mark Prophet’s birth anniversary
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515754.htm
Saada, photos: https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/1065025345710157824
(A P)
Leader of Revolution: We Affirm Our Commitment to Our Right to Freedom and Independence
The leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, renewed the Yemeni People's commitment to defend itself and land in the face of the US-Saudi aggression. It is the Yemeni People undeniable right to seek freedom and independence as an important part of its religious identity.
Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi spoke this afternoon addressing large mass celebrations held in the capital Sana'a, Hodeidah, Ibb, Dhamar, Saadah, Taiz and al-Jawf provinces on the occasion of Prophet Mohammed's birthday. Calling upon the Yemeni People to use this occasion as a good opportunity to strengthen their stand against the US-Saudi aggression, he said that "this is an important and decisive stage. We face an unjust aggression aimed at our dignity, our identity and our belonging."
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3871
and
(A P)
Film: Yemen at critical juncture in its fight against Saudi-led aggression: Houthi
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement says his country is now at an “important and decisive stage” in the fight against Saudi-led military aggression as the “unjust onslaught is targeting the national dignity, identity and sovereignty” of the conflict-ridden Arab country.
Addressing his supporters via a televised speech broadcast live from the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a on Tuesday evening, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the Yemeni people reserve the right of self-defense in the face of the Saudi-led aggression besides the right to freedom and independence.
He described the young Yemeni people as the country’s treasure, emphasizing that enemies are seeking to undermine their faith, awareness, honor and morale.
He warned the Yemeni youths that the United States, its regional allies and corrupt officials aim to strike their values in order to assert control over them.
(* B K P)
Who are the Houthis fighting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen?
Amid the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, the Houthis show no sign of giving up
ut who are the coalition fighting, and why has the war descended into a stalemate? Yemen’s Houthi rebels are a decades-old resistance movement, opposed to Saudi Arabia’s religious influence. Although they cannot hold out forever against the coalition’s air power and blockades, they show no sign of giving up.
Yemen’s Houthi movement was founded in the 1990s by Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, a member of the country’s Zaidi Shia minority, which makes up about one-third of the population. Hussein was killed by Yemeni soldiers in 2004, and the group is now led by his brother Abdul Malik.
My comment: Any arms supply from Iran is largely blocked by the Saudi blockade. Exagerating this supply is a means of anti-Houthi propaganda.
(B P)
@EshraqAlmaqtari:Restrictions increased to the point of banning any activities!Any organization has 2 obtain 3 licenses from various Houthi-run agencies.Venues now refuse 2 grant license for fear of cancellation&storming.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1064544445427826688
(A P)
Security releases 63 coalition collaborators in Sanaa
The Yemeni security forces on Monday released 63 Saudi-led coalition's collaborators in the capital Sanaa, a security official told Yemen Press Agency.
The collaborators, caught in several security checkpoint, were trying to join the coalition's camp.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515660.htm
(A E P)
Gas Company distributes 189 cars of gas cylinders in Sanaa
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news515490.htm
(B P)
Houthis dismiss 800 academics from Sana’a University
The Houthi Movement has fired 800 Yemeni academics and replaced them by proponent ones.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-25374
Remark: As claimed by anti-Houthi Islah Party news site.
My comment: There are missing more details. When they did it? Now? Where should they have got the proponent ones from? Or since their takeover in 2014?
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
(A P)
Pro-UAE forces stops oil minister deputy at one of its points south of Shabwah
Local officials in the southeastern province of Shabwah said that the UAE-backed elite forces arrested on Tuesday the deputy minister of oil at one of their points in the province's southern District of Habban.
The source added to the Al-Masdar online, that the elite forces prevented the passage of Saeed Al Shamassi, vice-Minister of oil and Minerals at Alramdha Point for more than an hour while he was going to” Balhaf” facility.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161263
Remark: Separatist militia blocking Hadi government officials, as it happens quite often.
(A T)
President of Taiz University survives assassination attempt
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161229
(* A P)
Al-Gaadi to Der Spiegel: The Council Has Practical Vision to Improve the South and is with Stopping War and
Der Spiegel, the famous German newspaper, interviewed Mr. Fadl Al-Gaadi, deputy secretary general of the Southern Transitional Council and member of the council’s presidency. The interview discussed several issues relevant to the political situation, the economic file and the military role of the Arab Coalition and the Southern Transitional Council.
Al-Gaadi indicated that the Southern Transitional Council is a national entity with a political leadership that carries the expectations of the southern people who are struggling since July 7th, 1994 to restore their state on the borders of May 21st, 1990 as this will restore their full rights and preserve the sacrifices of martyrs.
He said: “In this respect, we have several vision to improve the southern economy that will be declared during an economic conference that puts a clear road map to run southern resources and activate the role of southern investors and clear their road off all barriers”.
Al-Gaadi described the role of the Arab coalition as completely positive through their support to liberate the south in a relatively short time and this role will always be remembered in the south
He added that the brothers in Saudi Arabia and UAE are preparing to restore hope through reconstructing what destroyed by war, especially in restoring security under the principles of good governance.
(A P)
Islah Party Calls for Firm Stance Against Iran-backed Militia in Yemen
Leading figure of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform (the Islah party) Mohammed al-Yadomi has met Tuesday with the US Ambassador to Yemen Mathew Tueller, discussing Yemen’s updates as well as ways for supporting peace negotiations and ending the Houthi coup.
Al-Yadomi further said that Islah is keen for reaching peace and terminating suffering of Yemenis.
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/12418
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/161238
(* B P)
UAE and Yemen's Al-Islah: An alliance of convenience only
Yemen's Al-Islah party has good reason to treat the rapprochement with longtime enemy the UAE with caution
Last week's meeting of UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed with the leadership of Yemen's Al-Islah party was a startling development in Yemen's political affairs.
But their relationship has been fraught, laden with mistrust. The two sides have remained at loggerheads due to their differing political and ideological convictions.
While their apparent rapprochement last week looked headed for reconciliation, it would be wise to avoid thinking their differences will vanish for good, for the schism between UAE and Al-Islah party runs deep.
Founded in 1990, Al-Islah gained popular support in Yemen, becoming the country's second biggest political party in 2014. Its political wing is seen as the Yemeni branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the party was blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by Saudi Arabia in 2014 because of this.
In the past few years, relations with Saudi Arabia have warmed, due to Al-Islah's role in fighting the Houthis.
Now, its relationship with the Emirati camp may also be changing, but will it pledge allegiance to the Emirati agenda, and harmony with UAE's policy in Yemen?
Obviously, Al-Islah's zeal for rapprochement with the UAE stems from its desire to fend off further evils. The party's leadership is well aware of the hate and assassination campaign against its members, but are still desperate to put an end to the conflict with the UAE and its militias in the south. Consequently, they have been forced to team up with a regional bully.
While Adnan Al-Odaini, an eminent member of Al-Islah, said the party had no problem with the UAE, such a statement is far from the truth.
Comment by Judith Brown:
This is an interesting article on a subject rarely tackled in the media - Islah. Islah has support throughout Yemen, and also has many enemies, and it has a militia that is fighting especially in Taiz. This has created problems and suffering, as UAE has backed the Salafist (now called Terrorist in USA) Abu Abbas Brigades, and Saudi has backed Al Islah, and these two militias (and other militias) have focussed their fighting in Taiz, which is between Aden and Sanaa. At times these two groups have been involved in conflict and struggle, and in Hadramaut and Aden many Islah leaders and Islah religious leaders have been assassinated and it has been said that UAE backed militias were responsible.
It has also been one of the factors that has handicapped the Saudi-led coalition forces, and has caused resentment by not only Islah leaders but also Hadi's government ministers and supporters, who have called UAE and Saudi forces invaders and military occupiers. Islah has a strong anti-Houthi position, the Islah militias are very active there and have been since the start of the war, Taiz is one of the most difficult areas, there has been so much suffering of the civilian population there, and so much destruction. Without a settlement in Taiz, I can't see that Yemen can have peace, yet Islah have not been included in the peace talks. So understanding Islah is important to understand the conflict better.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157161285613641
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
Siehe / Look at cp1
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Entspannungssignal in Südarabien
Bekenntnisse aller Kriegsparteien zu einem politischen Prozess in Jemen
Wann gab es je eine Friedensinitiative Großbritanniens in der arabischen Welt - eine, die diese Bezeichnung auch verdient? Gemeinhin steht Londoner Nahostpolitik für das Gegenteil.
Jetzt aber legte Großbritannien einen Entwurf für eine UN-Resolution zur Befriedung Jemens vor. Es geht darin zunächst um einen Waffenstillstand bei den Kämpfen um Hodeida.
Die britische Regierung bemüht sich offenbar ernsthaft darum, auf internationaler Ebene den Druck auf die Kriegsparteien dahingehend zu erhöhen. Der Londoner Resolutionsentwurf sieht eine sofortige Waffenruhe in und um Hodeida vor. Die Kriegsparteien werden außerdem dazu aufgerufen, binnen zwei Wochen die Hürden für humanitäre Lieferungen zu beseitigen.
und auch https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute/neue-friedenshoffnung-im-jemen-100.html
Mein Kommentar: So positive st es leider nicht, s. englischsprachige Artikel im Folgenden.
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UN envoy Martin Griffiths arrives in Sanaa to lay groundwork for peace talks
The UN Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths arrived in Sanaa on Wednesday to lay the groundwork for peace talks in Sweden amid renewed fighting in the port city of Hodeidah.
“Mr Griffiths is scheduled to meet the two sides – the Iranian backed Houthi militias in an attempt to persuade them to begin negotiations in Sweden by next month,” a source close to the envoy told The National.
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UN Envoy Prepares for Peace Talks in Yemen Amid Renewed Fighting
U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths visits war-torn Yemen Wednesday to prepare for peace talks after fresh fighting erupted in the key port of Hodeida.
Griffiths is scheduled to meet with Iran-aligned Houthi officials in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a in an attempt to persuade them and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government to begin negotiations in Sweden by year's end.
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British Ambassador to Yemen: Resolution 2216 is Basis for Peace
British Ambassador to Yemen Michael Aron […] did, however, hail the undeclared truce that was announced in Yemen, saying it will lay the foundation for the upcoming peace consultations that are scheduled for Sweden before the end of the month.
Aron told Asharq Al-Awsat that United Nations Security Council resolution 2216 is the main basis for a solution and negotiations in Yemen. The draft resolution that was presented by the UK to the Security Council does not substitute resolution 2216.
The draft tackles humanitarian aspects of the conflict, not political ones, he clarified.
My comment: This is tricky: declaring the new draft is only “humanitarian”, but that politically nothing will change. But by still staying based on Res. 2216, which is totally biased as it had been formulated by the Saudis, actually means to furtheron block all ways to peace. For this, a new unbiased resolution on political topics would be needed. Of course, Britain denies that this is necessary: Britain is not neutral, it is a wariing party in Yemen.
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Reviving Peace Talks in Yemen: What Comes Next
With the high and ever-growing civilian death toll of Yemen’s civil war, the acute need for peace contrasts sharply with the sparse hopes of a peace process.
Amidst Yemen’s stalled peace talks, deadly missile strikes, and ongoing humanitarian crisis, it is crucial to remember that this is not the first global conflict to feature these dismal signs. In Yemen, the warring parties are in a stalemate that comes with an extremely high cost for both sides, as well as civilians. The question is: can a peace process begin nudging the parties toward an arrangement where small changes in the balance of power will not plunge the country back into conflict? Fortunately, the last quarter-century of peace negotiations and comparative state practice has provided practitioners with lessons learned and best practices for confidence-building measures, security assurances, and track II diplomacy strategies that can—and do—help guide efforts to bring Yemen’s warring parties to the table.
To begin, the UN envoy could make greater use of shuttle diplomacy
UN negotiators can also open additional lines of communication, either by establishing safe zones where the negotiating team can securely operate in-country, or by garnering the support of respected, non-combatant elders from factions not directly involved in the conflict who can function as proxies during talks.
The likelihood of successful negotiations would also increase substantially with the implementation of confidence-building measures designed to establish trust between the warring parties and the UN envoy.
As trust is built, it will be easier to establish a cessation of hostilities, which in turn can be leveraged into a partial ceasefire.
Achieving a comprehensive agreement is a daunting task, but there are two framing principles that can help warring parties visualize the zone of agreement: the best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA) and the delineation of each parties’ points of no compromise (red lines).
However, security arrangements in Yemen will not be durable without the creation and acceptance of a new political order in which power is shared – BY JESSICA LEVY AND PAUL R. WILLIAMS
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/reviving-peace-talks-in-yemen-what-comes-next
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Yemen's Long Road to Peace
The United States can do more to support negotiation efforts in Yemen and help the parties find a workable, sustainable solution to the conflict.
Even with added U.S. pressure on the coalition, and even if the Houthis agree to participate in person, peace negotiations will likely remain an uphill climb.
The current framework for talks, UN Security Council Resolution 2216, is largely unworkable because it calls for the Houthis to unilaterally disarm and withdraw from the territories that they have gained. It also fails to reflect current, on-the-ground dynamics of the conflict and does not account for the array of Yemeni stakeholders who could act as spoilers to any agreement. Likewise, while Pompeo’s October 30 statement was an important step forward, it also called for the Houthis to cease missile and drone strikes before “Coalition air strikes…cease.”
Additionally, the parties remain divided on critical issues
The Long Road to Peace
What can the United States and its partners and allies do to help overcome these obstacles? Peace talks, now slated for the end of the year, could take several months, if not longer. In the interim, multilateral negotiating efforts should focus on confidence-building measures among the parties. As access to Hodeidah port, an important point of entry for food and humanitarian aid, is critical in the short-term for relieving the humanitarian crisis and looming famine situation, discussions on governance of the city could help build confidence in the lead-up to more comprehensive talks.
The road to a comprehensive solution to decades of conflict in Yemen is long and fraught with potential obstacles. However, the international interest in the region following the Khashoggi murder has created a critical window for renewed attempts at peace talks. The steps outlined here will help the United States and international community take maximal advantage of this opportunity for peace. – by Alexandra Stark
https://www.cfr.org/blog/yemens-long-road-peace
My comment: I disagree that the US should play a role which allows it to “take maximal advantage of this opportunity for peace”.
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Time "running out" for war-torn Yemen as Saudis delay
Efforts are underway to halt the "worst famine in 100 years," but the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is mired in global politics. With as many as 14 million at risk of starvation amid a gruelling war between Yemeni rebels and a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia, the Saudis and their partners have delayed a British plan to forge a peace deal.
The Saudis, backed by ally Kuwait, have stalled plans by the U.K. to start forging a ceasefire agreement which would allow desperately needed humanitarian aid into the country.
"Saudi Arabia is actively lobbying against the U.N. resolution," a Security Council diplomat involved in the negotiations told CBS News on Monday.
The U.K.'s Ambassador to the U.N., Karen Pierce, circulated a U.N. draft resolution earlier Monday to the 10 elected members of the Security Council, after the five permanent members (U.S., Britain, France, Russia, and China) negotiated the draft.
The deadlines imposed by the draft resolution are intended to quickly alleviate the severe hunger in Yemen by having all parties to the conflict, "facilitate the unhindered flow of commercial and humanitarian food, water, fuel, medicine and other essential imports across the country, including by fully removing within two weeks of the adoption of this resolution, any bureaucratic impediments that could restrict such flow."
Remark: For the resolution draft, look below.
And
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Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UN Mansour al Atibi said on November 20 that Kuwait will propose amendments to the resolution. Al Atibi criticized the draft resolution and asserted that it does not include language from UN Security Council Resolution 2201, which requires al Houthi forces to withdraw from seized institutions.
https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-november-20-2018 referrin to https://www.almashhad-alyemeni.com/122340
My comment: The new draft is less biased in favor of the Saudi coalition (it still is), and the coalition is lobbying against it, using Kuwait as it is a temporary UNSC member.
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Yemen Gov't Concerned Houthis Will Not Adhere to Proposed Ceasefire – Adviser
The Ansar Allah movement's proposal for a ceasefire in Yemen is mired by concerns over its ability to uphold it, Mukhtar al-Rahbi, an adviser to the Yemeni minister of information and former press secretary to Yemen’s president, told Sputnik.
"The problem is not in the declaration of a ceasefire by the Houthis but in their adherence to this because the Houthis did not previously adhere to [the ceasefire]," Al-Rahbi said.
Yemeni Government Prioritizes Implementation of Existing UN Resolutions Over New Ones
The government of Yemen considers it a priority to implement existing UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions that promote the country’s peace process before adopting new ones, Hamza Alkamaly, a member of the Yemeni government delegation to the UN-backed talks in Geneva and to the upcoming round of consultations in Sweden, told Sputnik.
"It is not about supporting the [UK draft] resolution; there are still discussions on the final draft. We believe that the implementation of [UNSC Resolution] 2216 is the most important thing right now. We don't want any new resolution as much as we want to implement the previous resolutions," Alkamaly, who is also deputy youth and sports minister, said.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201811201069967604-yemen-houthi-ceasefire/
My comment: This is somewhat a joke as no side in this conflict is adhered to any ceasefire proposals – the Saudi coalition even less than the Houthis, as on the coalition side they believe that they are militarily in advantage and thus could turn this to good account. – Of course, the Hadi government does not appreciate any new UN resolution and insists on resolution 2216 from 2015. This resolution had been formulated by the Saudis – giving maximum advantage to the Saudi coalition and the Hadi government.
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Ansarullah Rejects Britain's Draft UN Resolution on Yemen as Disappointing
"Preliminary information shows that the resolution is disappointing and shows irresponsibility of its sponsors and their lack of understanding of the current situation of Yemeni people who are suffering from siege, violation of human rights and international laws," al-Houthi wrote on his twitter page on Tuesday.
He added that the proposed draft is in line with the Saudis' interests and is an attempt to justify their crimes against the Yemeni civilians.
Al-Houthi expressed the hope that the freedom-seeking members of the UNSC would disapprove of this and any other resolution which legitimizes continued aggression against Yemen.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970829000902
Remark: For the resolution draft, look below.
My comment: He seems to be right.
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UN prepares ground for Yemen peace talks as battles flare
UN envoy Martin Griffiths was preparing Tuesday to head to war-torn Yemen to lay the groundwork for peace talks in Sweden, after fresh fighting shook the flashpoint city of Hodeida.
Griffiths -- whose efforts at kickstarting peace talks collapsed in September -- is again trying to get the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government to the negotiating table by the end of the year.
He is expected to meet with Huthi officials in the capital Sanaa on Wednesday.
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Hoffnung für die Elenden
In den festgefahrenen Krieg kommt Bewegung, beide Seiten scheinen zu Verhandlungen bereit zu sein. Offenbar wirkt der Druck der USA auf Riad.
Dass in den zuletzt so festgefahrenen Konflikt nun Bewegung kommt, hat mit dem stärker werdenden Druck der USA auf Saudi-Arabien zu tun. Während US-Präsident Donald Trump nach dem Mord an dem regimekritischen Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi im Istanbuler Konsulat des Königreichs weiter öffentlich zum Thronfolger Mohammed bin Salman steht, der am Hof von Riad die Tagesgeschäfte führt, regte sich vor allem im Kongress Widerstand gegen die Unterstützung Saudi-Arabiens. Abgeordnete beider Parteien forderten wiederholt eine Einstellungen von Waffenlieferungen. Wohl um diesen Kritikern entgegenzukommen, stellten die USA vergangene Woche ihren Tankservice für saudische Kampfjets ein. Und bereits Ende Oktober hatte Außenminister Mike Pompeo einen baldigen Waffenstillstand und Friedensgespräche angemahnt - für die Pentagonchef James Mattis einen engen Zeitrahmen vorgab: "Binnen 30Tagen wollen wir alle am Verhandlungstisch sehen", sagte er.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/jemen-hoffnung-fuer-die-elenden-1.4217372
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Signale für Friedensgespräche-Neue Hoffnung im Jemen
Nach dreieinhalb Jahren Bürgerkrieg mit Tausenden Toten signalisieren Rebellen und Regierung Verhandlungswillen. Aber es wäre nicht der erste Anlauf.
In die Friedensbemühungen für den Jemen kommt Bewegung: Die Regierung des Bürgerkriegslandes und die Huthi-Rebellen haben am Montag ihre Unterstützung für neue Friedensgespräche unter UN-Vermittlung signalisiert. Während das jemenitische Außenministerium ankündigte, eine Delegation zu den geplanten Verhandlungen nach Stockholm zu schicken, stellten die Rebellen einen Waffenstillstand in Aussicht.
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute/neue-friedenshoffnung-im-jemen-100.html = https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news1/article184099848/Konflikte-Neue-Hoffnung-fuer-den-Jemen.html
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Legitimate Yemen Govt. Agrees to Sweden Consultations
The Yemeni legitimate government agreed on Monday to participate in the upcoming peace consultations, scheduled for Sweden before the end of the month.
Dammaj added to Asharq Al-Awsat that Yemen rejects western attempts that are trying to transform the country into an arena to “appease Iran” at the expense of the Yemeni people and their national interest.
He added that western powers are showing interest in the Yemen conflict because they want to exploit it to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia and achieve their interests.
He condemned such motives, saying they are part of a greater agenda to “divide Arabs along sectarian and tribal lines.”
“Such an agenda will cripple the Arab nation and lead it to constantly remain dependent on the West and major powers,” he explained.
Moreover, Dammaj rejected attempts to exploit the humanitarian file in Yemen for political purposes, criticizing western double standards in implementing UN Security Council resolutions.
It hoped that the solution will be based on the Gulf initiative, national dialogue outcomes and UN Security Council resolution 2216.
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1470416/legitimate-yemen-govt-agrees-sweden-consultations
My comment: A statement full of propaganda. The minister still seems not to realise that at least the Khashoggi murder has changed something. Of course Wewstern powers are eager to “cripple the Arab nation and lead it to constantly remain dependent on the West and major powers“, but the best way to reach this exactly is by supporting Saudi Arabia and the Hadi government. – „rejected attempts to exploit the humanitarian file in Yemen for political purposes“ means: The humanitarian situation and the guilt of those who are responsible still should not be taken into account. – And the last sentence quoted here means to fix the UN at ist 3 ½ years lasting pro-Saudi coalition bias, which had blocked peace again and again.
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Peace in Yemen? Amid fierce clashes, Houthis & Saudis raise hopes with conciliatory statements
Factions from both sides fighting in Yemen's civil war made overtures towards peace on Monday, with the Saudi king voicing support for a peaceful solution after Houthi rebels pledged to end their rocket and drone attacks.
However, the ageing Saudi monarch justified Saudi involvement in Yemen as "not an option but a duty to support the Yemeni people"from Houthi aggression that is supported by Saudi Arabia's bitter regional rival, Iran.
However, it is a long way from words to deeds and the fighting on the ground has so far shown no signs of waning. Late on Monday, fierce fighting broke out in the suburbs of the Houthi-held port-city of Hodeidah. The Saudis, who declared their commitment to peace earlier the same day, carried out more than ten air strikes against targets in the city, according to Reuters
Pointing to potential barriers to peace, Jamal Wakeem, professor of history and international relations at the Lebanese University in Beirut, told RT that he believes the Saudis have always had a "desire to win the conflict purely by military means," something they could resort to if talks stall.
US geopolitical directives could also get in the way, with Wakeem pointing to Washington's desire to have friendly entities in Yemen, due to its strategic location to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The waterway links the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, and through it tankers carry 43 million barrels of oil per day.
"This declaration is a starting point towards establishing a peaceful solution," he said. "But we still have a long process ahead of us."
The main factor that has prompted both sides to seek reconciliation is that they are locked in a stalemate on the ground, Ammar Waqqaf, Director of the Gnosos think tank, which focuses on Syria and the Middle East, told RT.
“Both parties realize that if they wish to make further military gains on the ground it will come at a very heavy loss,” he said, noting that Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the subsequent general outrage became the ultimate trigger.
https://www.rt.com/news/444403-is-peace-looming-in-yemen/
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Feature: Yemenis hope for UN-backed peace initiatives to end four-year war
On Monday evening in downtown Sanaa, the Yemeni capital under rebels' control, everyone appeared busy with his mobile phone, checking news of peace initiatives declared a few hours ago by warring parties to end Yemen's war.
"This is the best news I have ever heard," said Ali Ahsan, a local resident who works as a translator with a media company.
However, many Yemenis appeared cautious about the new push for peace.
"I hope this is the real start of peace process to end the war, epidemics and hungry," said Bashir al-Salwi, a journalist.
"We need real peace that leads to a complete end of all forms of the conflict, including the social regionalism, sects, economy, unity, federalism, and politics," al-Salwi noted.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/20/c_137618317.htm
and
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Feature: Yemenis pin hope on upcoming peace talks to end four-year suffering from war, violence
In response to the ongoing efforts to hold a new round of peace talks, Yemenis hope that they will finally succeed in ending their four-year suffering from war, violence and poverty.
The Yemeni citizens in the southern port city of Aden consider the negotiations as a golden opportunity, as they are fed up with the miserable life resulting from the protracted military conflict and violence.
Khaled Fahim, a youth political activist in Aden, said that the ordinary Yemenis "highly aspire to end the conflict as soon as possible because their lives became more miserable."
Mohamed Abdul-Qawi, an soldier with the pro-government Giants Brigades who was wounded while fighting the Houthis in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, urged the two warring sides "to stop the fighting that brings about more catastrophes."
"I realized that the ongoing military operations don't solve the problem but only create more complicated things every day," he told Xinhua.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/21/c_137620378.htm
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Yemen peace talk odds helped by pressure on Saudis and support at UN
Details: The UNSC resolution also calls for emergency measures to stave off the massive famine in Yemen, including:
A cease fire in the port city of Hodeidah, the gateway for food and other relief
A two-week deadline for parties to remove all obstacles to humanitarian aid
A rapid injection of donations into the Central Bank of Yemen to allow for pensioners and civil servants to be paid
Where it stands: While it is too early for optimism, external pressure may be creating an opportunity to end the war.
The bottom line: The Trump administration must be ready to rachet up pressure for compliance, perhaps by threatening to withhold intelligence and logistical support for coalition forces. They have so far resisted these steps
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US, Britain Push Yemen Ceasefire as Tactic to Defeat Houthis
But a more nuanced reading of their exhortations suggest that the real concern is to burnish the blood-soaked image
Therefore, the appropriate legal and moral course of action now is not merely a ceasefire or talks. It is for the Western-backed Saudi, Emirati coalition to immediately halt its criminal aggression against Yemen. In short, stop the foreign interference in Yemen’s sovereign affairs.
US Secretary of State James Mattis and Britain’s Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt appear to be impelled by humanitarian concern for the massive human suffering in Yemen with their recent calls for cessation of hostilities.
But a more nuanced reading of their exhortations suggest that the real concern is to burnish the blood-soaked image of the Saudi coalition that their governments support, and, secondly, to inveigle the Houthis into a negotiations framework that will result in undue foreign influence over Yemen’s politics.
American, British and French military support for the murderous operations in Yemen should have stopped months, even years ago, if official humanitarian concerns were genuine.
The question is: why the sudden effort by Washington and London, as well as Paris, to call for a ceasefire and follow-on political talks?
One factor, no doubt, is the barbaric murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi
It seems significant that the acute disgrace over the appalling Khashoggi affair and the association of the US, British and French governments with such a despotic Saudi regime has in turn prompted these Western powers to mount a damage-limitation exercise in public relations.
This is where the Yemen war provides an opportunity for the Western powers and their Saudi clients to salvage their tarnished public image.
By pushing for a ceasefire in Yemen, Washington, London and Paris can claim to be “getting tough” with the Saudis for the sake of alleviating “humanitarian suffering”. By appearing to respond to the Western calls for a ceasefire, the Saudis can then also claim they are relenting out of humane concern.
However, such pleas have not stopped Saudi and Emirati-backed militia on the ground besieging the Yemeni port city of Hodeida on the Red Sea
So, what the Americans, British and French are striving for is, firstly, a respite from the sordid publicity over the Khashoggi killing. If the “humanitarian appeal” over Yemen succeeds to placate Western public outrage, then these governments will be able to continue business-as-usual selling the Saudi regime lucrative weapons contracts.
Secondly, by drawing the Houthi rebels into “peace negotiations” that will also burnish the Western and Saudi public image, as well as – equally importantly – forcing the rebels into accepting a compromise on their revolutionary government. By entering negotiations with the Saudi-backed remnants of the exiled Yemeni leader Mansour Hadi, the Houthis will inevitably have to accept making concessions and allowing an accommodation with the ousted, discredited regime.
If Washington, London and Paris were really serious about ending the suffering in Yemen, they would simply demand that the aggression stops immediately – by Finian Cunningham
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2018/11/16/us-britain-push-yemen-ceasefire-as-tactic-defeat-houthis.html = https://www.mintpressnews.com/why-the-us-and-uk-are-suddenly-concerned-for-civilians-in-yemen/251992
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British FM describes Iran’s role in solving Yemen crisis as crucial
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt described Iran’s role in solving Yemeni crisis as significant saying he held talks with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif about Iran’s use of its influence for constructive interaction with the Houthis in Yemen.
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/83105935
Remark: As stated by Iran.
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Film: Martin Griffiths to Sky News: We must act now
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths said that he believed it was possible to resolve the conflict in Yemen, but warned of dire consequences if such efforts fail. “If famine takes hold in Yemen then the enormity of the humanitarian task to try and keep people alive is mindboggling.” Griffiths stressed that “we have to act now. If we have the stoppage of the war, if we can resolve that largest conflict, it gives us a chance to start building peace.”
Griffiths said that a complete ceasefire was not a pre-condition for convening the talks, but stressed that “it’s war that takes peace off the table”, and that an increase in fighting, for example in Hudaydah, would make meaningful dialogue difficult. Griffiths concluded that “Yemen is still on the right side of the line in terms of whether it can be resolved.” He added that “If we don’t address this quickly we will lose it.” He voiced for everyone to hold their breaths and get this conflict into a discussion rather into violence.
https://news.sky.com/video/failure-in-yemen-would-be-quite-appalling-11556257 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75VxQ7r48Fc
https://osesgy.unmissions.org/martin-griffiths-sky-news-we-must-act-now
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Film: Inner City Press asks if #Yemen draft has been circulated. #Kazakhstan and #Sweden politely say no; no answer from US Ambassador @NikkiHaley
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/1064546984080666624
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UN Security Council to consider draft resolution on Yemen
Dutch ambassador to the United Nations Karel van Oosterom said he hoped the draft resolution, which calls for a cease-fire around the key Red Sea port of Hudaydah, humanitarian access and injection of foreign currency into the economy, could be adopted as soon as possible "because that's what the Yemeni people need."
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/20/c_137618651.htm
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UNSC Draft Resolution on Yemen Raises Certain Concerns - Kuwaiti Envoy to UN
Mansour Otaibi, Kuwaiti permanent representative to the United Nations, told reporters on Tuesday that the UN Security Council draft resolution on Yemen will be discussed at the level of experts later on Tuesday.
"By the way, this is already the second version of the draft resolution, as changes have been introduced to the first version," he said. According to Otaibi, the second version of the draft document raises certain questions.
"We must discuss the draft resolution, we have concerns, and the others have as well," he said.
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Kuwait’s U.N. Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi told reporters he would propose amendments to the draft resolution as Kuwait was unhappy with “many things”. He also said some council members didn’t think it was the right time for a resolution.
My comment: The resolution still is very biased in favor of the Saudi coalition; of course, for Saudi eyes, this still is not enough. Saudi crown prince Salman did not want any new resolution at all; 2015 resolution 2216 had been formulated by the Saudis and is fully biased in favor of them. – Now they send Kuwait (as UNSC member)to fight against the new draft?
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Hilal Khashan, a political science professor at the American University of Beirut, believes a cease-fire will eventually take hold in Yemen, but says each side wants to fire the final shot before it takes effect.
"Usually, before a cease-fire goes into effect, we normally witness an escalation of hostilities and it appears to me that since the fighting continues in Hodeida and the claim that they fired a rocket or a missile into Saudi Arabia that did not reach its target tells us that the Houthis are keen on telling everybody that the last shot was theirs before the cease-fire," Khashan told VOA.
https://www.voanews.com/a/fighting-breaks-out-in-yemen-port-despite-pledges-to-stop/4665830.html
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Proposed UN resolution urges Yemen's warring parties to talk
A proposed U.N. resolution circulated Monday urges Yemen's warring parties to relaunch negotiations to end the three-year conflict and take urgent steps to tackle the world's worst humanitarian crisis, which has pushed the country to the brink of famine.
The Security Council resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, also calls on Yemen's internationally recognized government and rival Houthi Shiite rebels to agree to a cease-fire around the key port of Hodeida.
The British-drafted resolution also calls on the parties "to cease all attacks on densely populated civilian areas across Yemen" - and to halt missile and drone attacks "against regional countries and maritime areas."
Security Council diplomats said negotiations on the draft are scheduled on Tuesday.
The draft resolution condemns the targeting of civilians and civilian buildings, "the unlawful military use of civilian infrastructure" and drone and missile attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It also expresses concern at reports of civilians being used as human shields.
It welcomes the coalition's recent de-escalation in Hodeida and calls on the Houthis "to respond in kind in order to allow urgent deliveries of assistance and flows of lifesaving commercial imports." It also welcomes "the renewed commitment from the Yemeni parties to work on a political solution" under Griffiths' leadership.
The draft resolution calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Hodeida governorate and to missile and drone attacks and for all bureaucratic roadblocks to the delivery of humanitarian aid to be removed within two weeks.
The draft resolution calls on Yemen's government with support of the international community "to deliver a larger and faster injection of foreign currency into the economy" and to expedite credit for traders and payments to pensioners and civil servants within one month. It asks Griffiths to explore ways for the government and the Houthis to cooperate on channeling revenue, including from Hodeida, to the Central Bank of Yemen.
My comment: This draft is not politically neutral, but biased in favor of the Saudi coalition. Britain is no neutral mediator at all, it is warring party in Yemen.
and
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UN draft resolution calls for Yemen truce, two weeks to unblock aid
A UN draft resolution on Yemen presented to the Security Council on Monday calls for an immediate truce in the port city of Hodeida and sets a two-week deadline for the warring sides to remove all barriers to humanitarian aid, according to the draft seen by AFP.
Britain circulated the draft to the 14 other council members after hearing a report on Friday from a UN envoy working to arrange peace talks in Sweden to end the nearly four-year war.
A vote on the measure has yet to be scheduled.
The proposed resolution would significantly ratchet up the pressure on the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Huthi rebels to seek a negotiated settlement in Yemen, where millions are on the brink of starvation.
The draft text calls "on the parties to introduce a cessation of hostilities in Hodeida governorate, to end all attacks on densely populated civilian areas across Yemen and to cease all missile and UAV attacks against regional countries and maritime areas."
The Red Sea port of Hodeida, which is controlled by the Huthis and is a key point of entry for aid and imports to Yemen, has seen heavy fighting over the past weeks.
The text calls on warring sides to "facilitate the unhindered flow of commercial and humanitarian food, water, fuel, medicine and other essential imports across the country, including by removing within two weeks of the adoption of this resolution, any bureaucratic impediments that could restrict such flows."
The council said it was ready to "consider further measures" to support a political solution the war, the draft said.
The measure calls for a large injection of foreign currency into the economy through the central back to support the collapsing currency and for salaries of civil servants, teachers and health workers to be paid within one month.
It supports a series of confidence-building measures aimed at paving the way to peace talks including the release of prisoners, the re-opening of the airport in the rebel-held capital Sanaa to commercial flights and strengthening the central bank.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/un-draft-resolution-calls-yemen-truce-two-weeks-144930239.html = http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/un-draft-resolution-calls-for-yemen-truce-two-weeks-to-unblock-aid/article/537219
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Film by Aljazeera: Is peace in Yemen within reach now? l Inside Story
Houthi rebels in Yemen have announced a pause in their drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies. And they say they're ready for a broader ceasefire if the Saudi-UAE coalition is prepared for peace. For its part, the Saudi-UAE coalition briefly paused its air strikes on the vital port city of Hodeidah, but then resumed them on Sunday in an apparent bid to gain more military advantage, before peace talks which are due to be held in Sweden by the end of the year.. The UN is confident that all parties to the conflict will take part in those talks, probably because now the US has stepped up its engagement and demanded that, in the words of defence Secretary James Mattis, 'conflict be replaced by compromise'. All this comes at a time of international outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Guests: Nabeel Khoury - former US deputy chief of mission in Yemen; Helen Lackner - associate researcher at London Middle East School, SOAS, University of London; Elisabeth Kendall - senior research fellow at Pembroke College, University of Oxford
https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2018/11/peace-yemen-reach-181119200519852.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHVTkV3Ko28
and snipet:
Elisabeth Kendall: Here's my very quick take on the role of #Iran.
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1064636294834384896
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Film, Elosabeth Kendall: #Yemen: The Houthis have now indicated a willingness to stop launching missiles & #drones at #Saudi. Does this make peace talks in #Sweden more likely? Here's a short extract from my interview on BBC Radio 4's "PM" programme today.
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1064612492561793024
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Yemen peace prospects rise as government, Houthis closer to talks
Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow, reporting from neighbouring Djibouti, said it was now "apparent that the parties in Yemen's conflict are inching closer and closer to peace negotiations".
"But whether that will result in what the UN is looking for - some sort of transitional government and a peaceful Yemen - is something else," he said.
Our correspondent added that despite the Houthi decision to halt drone and missile attacks, its fighters were continuing to clash with government forces around Hodeidah.
Yemenis cautiously welcomed Monday's developments.
Meanwhile, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported on Monday that Houthi forces fired overnight a ballistic missile on Saudi-backed forces in the desert of Midi, bordering Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi defence ministry said while it supported halting missile launches it also reserved the right to respond to attacks.
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Briefing: Yemen peace talks
Why do new talks suddenly seem possible, who would be involved, and could they really lead to peace?
What’s the latest progress?
But Yemen’s war is complicated, with splinters even within the warring sides. Getting delegations to the negotiating table is likely to be an organisational and diplomatic juggling act that Griffiths’ team will have to perform right up until the last minute. Attendance, let alone progress towards peace, is anything but guaranteed.
What’s happening on the ground?
Perversely, the previous uptick in fighting may also have signalled the coalition’s willingness to explore negotiations – an attempt perhaps to gain more of an advantage going in. “Before every round of talks to date there has been heavy fighting,” pointed out Peter Salisbury, a Yemen analyst for both Chatham House and the International Crisis Group.
Who is invited?
Technically, the talks wouldn’t be peace talks. They would be “consultations”, and only the main “parties to the conflict”, to use the UN’s language, are expected to be involved.
That means two delegations: the Houthis and Hadi’s government.
If they make it to Sweden, Griffiths hopes to get both sides to agree to a “framework” that “establishes the principles and parameters for UN-led, inclusive Yemeni negotiations to end the war, and restart a political transition.”
In short, the warring parties would talk about starting official peace talks.
Who is left out?
Who is not brought into the peace process may be just as important as who is at the table, analysts say.
One powerful group expected to be left out of the talks is the southern secessionists – by Annie Slemrod
http://www.irinnews.org/analysis/2018/11/19/briefing-yemen-peace-talks
Comment: This is a very well written and a rare all around informative article. A MUST read briefing on the Yemen peace talks. Kudos to @annieslem's excellent analysis and capturing the many facets and complexities of the current conflict in #Yemen, and with a wide array of insights.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1064512290970578944
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If Britain truly wants peace in Yemen it needs to hold Saudi Arabia accountable
[and later, the headline was changed, why?: “If Britain wants peace in Yemen, Saudis must face investigation as well as Houthis“]
Our presentation of a draft resolution to the UN security council on a truce in Yemen could be monumental, but only if the government proactively condemns Saudi Arabia’s role in fuelling the humanitarian crisis
But let us be clear: if one word of the UK’s resolution is changed as a result of the crown prince’s objections, or if the overall content is watered down to appease him, it will be a national disgrace.
Indeed, there are only four ways in which the UK’s original 2016 resolution should be updated.
First, the situation in Hodeidah must be specifically and urgently addressed.
Second, with the civic infrastructure in Yemen in a near state of collapse, the resolution must – as the UN’s humanitarian coordinator has demanded – call for the restoration of the banking system, and the payment of pensions and civil service wages.
Third, the demand in the 2016 resolution that the parties to the conflict must investigate their own alleged war crimes has been exposed as utterly inadequate
Finally, where the 2016 resolution was silent on the issue, the new resolution must contain proper accountability mechanisms
That is what a comprehensive, robust, and effective resolution would look like – by Emily Thornberrry , Labour
My comment: This will not be enough. The bias in favor of the Saudi coalition and the Hadi government should be replaced by a neutral position, urging to install a new all-party government as soon as possible. There is no more “legitimate” government in Yemen, get it!
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The Latest: Saudi king says Yemen priority in policy speech
Saudi Arabia's King Salman says that his country supports a political solution to end the war in Yemen.
The king made the remarks delivered on Monday in his annual policy speech to the kingdom's most senior officials, military officers, clerics and princes.
He says Saudi Arabia supports a political solution in line with a U.N. resolution that calls on Yemen's rebel Houthis to withdraw from all major cities which the Shiite rebels have seized during the three-year war.
My comment: He claims the Houthis must capitulate – this is nothing new, no step to peace at all.
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Push for Yemen peace talks ahead of UN envoy's visit
Yemen's internationally-recognised government Monday said it will take part in proposed peace talks, hours after a high-ranking Yemeni rebel official urged his leadership to freeze military operations.
The moves come ahead of a visit in the next few days to the war-torn country by UN envoy Martin Griffiths, who is once again trying to get all sides around the negotiating table.
"The government has informed the UN envoy to Yemen... that it will send a government delegation to the talks with the aim of reaching a political solution," Yemen's foreign ministry said, quoted by the official Saba news agency.
https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/yemen-peace-push-gathers-pace-ahead-un-envoys-visit-doc-1ay4dh4 = https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6405913/Push-Yemen-peace-talks-ahead-UN-envoys-visit.html
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U.N. envoy to Yemen welcomes Houthis' decision to halt missile attacks
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Huthi-Rebellen setzen Angriffe aus
Die vom Iran unterstützen Huthi-Rebellen haben angekündigt, zunächst auf Raketenangriffe zu verzichten. Der Schritt soll Friedensgespräche ermöglichen.
Im Jemen-Krieg wollen die Huthi-Rebellen zunächst von weiteren Raketen- und Drohnenangriffen absehen, um eine Waffenruhe zu ermöglichen. Das teile Mohammed al-Huthi, Anführer der mit Iran verbündeten Rebellen, auf Twitter mit.
Der Schritt sei ein Akt des Guten Willens, so al-Huthi weiter. Er solle den Feinden jeden Vorwand nehmen, keine Friedensgespräche zu führen und ihre "Belagerung" des Jemens fortzusetzen. Sollte die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Militärkoalition zum Frieden bereit sein, so seien es die Rebellen ebenfalls.
https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/huthi-jemen-waffenruhe-101.html
Filme der Tagesschau:
Bürgerkrieg im Jemen: Rebellen erklären sich zu Waffenruhe bereit
https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video-473209.html
Konflikt im Jemen: Hoffnung durch Waffenruhe
http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video-473313.html
Erste Schritte zu Friedensgesprächen im Jemen
https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video-473315.html
Bürgerkrieg im Jemen: Hoffnung auf Friedensgespräche
https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/video/video-473355.html
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Jemen: Huthis stoppen Raketenangriffe auf saudi-arabische Allianz
Die Rebellen reagieren auf den UN-Aufruf und stellen ihre Drohnen- und Raketenangriffe vorerst ein – Regierung kommt zu Friedensgesprächen Sanaa – Der internationale Druck auf die Bürgerkriegsparteien im Jemen zeigt zunehmend Wirkung. Die Huthi-Rebellen teilten am Montag mit, die Drohnen- und Raketenangriffe auf die Regierung sowie deren Verbündete Saudi-Arabien und Vereinigte Arabische Emirate zu stoppen. Damit reagieren sie auf einen entsprechenden Aufruf der Vereinten Nationen, hieß es in einer Erklärung ihres Obersten Revolutionskomitees. Aich die jemenitische Regierung hat am Montag ihre Teilnahme an Friedensgesprächen mit den Rebellen zugesagt. Es werde eine Delegation zu den Gesprächen nach Stockholm entsandt, teilte das Außenministerium mit. Dort soll eine politische Lösung für ein Ende des blutigen Konflikts gefunden werden. Die vom Iran unterstützten Huthis zeigten sich zudem bereit für einen umfassenderen Waffenstillstand, sollte die von Saudi-Arabien angeführte feindliche Militärallianz den Frieden wollen
weitere deutschsprachige Meldungen: http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jemen-krieg-huthis-stellen-waffenruhe-in-aussicht-a-1239126.html
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Yemen’s Houthis halt missile attacks on Saudi coalition
Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Monday it was halting drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their Yemeni allies, responding to a demand from the United Nations.
The move from the Houthi group came after the Saudi-led coalition ordered a halt in its offensive against Yemen’s main port city Hodeidah, which has become the focus of the war.
“After our contacts with the U.N. envoy and his request to stop drone and missile strikes ... We announce our initiative ... to halt missile and drone strikes on the countries of aggression,” Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Houthis’ Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said in a statement.
film: https://uk.reuters.com/video/2018/11/19/yemens-houthis-halt-missile-attacks-on-s
Comment: Curb your enthusiasm y'all. The Houthis did not halt missile and drone attacks nor fighting. A senior Houthi leader, one of many, "called for" the halting of attacks IF Saudi Co reciprocates and as an expression of goodwill towards peace process.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1064426445466935296
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Head of Supreme Revolutionary Presents Initiative, Strengthening UN-Peace Efforts in Yemen
The head of the Supreme Revolution Committee, Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi, presented an initiative to stop firing missiles and fly drones targeting the forces of aggression as a way to show good intentions towards any peace calls. The head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee said in a statement on Thursday evening that the UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffith, asked for the stop of our missiles and drones to strengthen his efforts to bring peace.
"In this context, we announce an initiative and call on the official authorities to stop firing missiles and flying drones targeting the forces of the aggression, which will help eliminate any justification for this continued aggression and siege," Al-Huthi said. Pointing out that "the ballistic missiles and drones were used only to deter the aggression, its crimes and the destruction of our infrastructure," he added.
"If the coalition of aggression wants peace, we are ready to freeze and stop military operations on all fronts," the statement explained. Al-Houthi reminded the world in his statesmen that Yemen suffers from the largest humanitarian crisis in the world as a result of US-Saudi aggression and siege.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=3836&cat_id=1
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Houthi leader: Ready for Yemen ceasefire if Saudi-led coalition wants peace
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a leader of the Houthi movement, announced on Sunday that he is ready to institute a ceasefire, so long as the Saudi-led coalition battling his militia in Yemen is prepared to do the same.
"We are willing to freeze and stop military operations on all fronts to reach a just and honorable peace if they really want peace for the Yemeni people," al-Houthi, head of Yemen's Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said in a statement.
Al-Houthi also said that his forces would stop launching missiles and drone attacks on "US-Saudi aggression countries and their allies in Yemen." The United States has backed the Saudi-led coalition in its fight to expel Iranian-aligned Houthis from the Gulf country.
In a gesture of goodwill, al-Houthi called on Houthi forces to refrain from attacks.
"We announce our initiative and call on the official Yemeni (Houthi) authorities to stop the firing of missiles and unmanned aircrafts on the US-Saudi aggression countries and their allies in Yemen to drop any justification for their continued aggression or siege," he said.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/18/middleeast/yemen-houthi-ceasefire/index.html
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Make Yemen peace process successful
There is no denying the fact that peace in Yemen has become imperative to save the Middle Eastern region from plunging into deeper chaos
Some elements that do not want peace prevailing in the Muslim country will try their best to sabotage the process of negotiations. Here will be the test of acumen on part of both the sides as to how they take the political process forward and attain some logical conclusion despite all odds
Success of Yemen peace talks could prove to be a harbinger of change for addressing other conflicts being faced by the Muslim world.
https://pakobserver.net/make-yemen-peace-process-successful/
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Film: Prof Stacey Philbrick Yadav speaking about the importance of bringing in the voices of civil society organizations and noncombatant groups into the political process and highlighting the testimony of @RashaJarhum to the UN SC as an important step in the right direction.
https://twitter.com/Hlashuel/status/1064659376244428800
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UN Special Envoy Attends ORG Yemen Workshop
From November 04 to 07, Oxford Research Group (ORG) and its local partner Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies held a workshop on building collective strategic capacity for 27 high-level local representatives from the Yemeni governorates of Hadhramaut and Marib. Convened in Amman, Jordan, the workshop provided training in the ORG-pioneered collective strategic thinking model. ORG Senior Fellow Professor Oliver Ramsbotham presented on the methodology and helped participants to amend and develop it according to their needs.
https://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/news/un-special-envoy-attends-org-yemen-workshop
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WFP welcomes new funding pledge for humanitarian needs in Yemen from United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The United Nations World Food programme (WFP) welcomes a pledge of US$500 million from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for humanitarian food assistance to Yemen. The funds, which will partially go to WFP, will cover shortfalls in the current humanitarian response.
My comment: This kowtaw to the greatest perpetrtors in Yemen giving some blood money is shameful.
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-481-yemen-war-mosaic-481
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-481b-yemen-war-mosaic-481b
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-481 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-481:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:
(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)
http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/
und alle Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:
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