... Bericht des Pentagon über Gefangenenmisshandlung im Jemen – Deutsche Waffenexporte nach Saudi-Arabien – Situation bei Infektionskrankheiten – Hodeidah: Brüchiger Waffenstillstand, gegenseitige Beschuldigungen, UN-Friedensprozess stockt – und mehr
January 10, 2019: Mark Lowcock on the humanitarian situation – Land mines – Forgotten Women in war – Peace: Focus on the Political – US wars: Destructive like an asteroid – Pentagon report on detainee abuse in Yemen – German arms exports to Saudi Arabia – Epidemiological Situation in Yemen in 2018 – Hodeidah: Shaky truce, mutual accusations, UN peace deal stalled – and more
Das 500. Jemenkrieg-Mosaik: Unglaublich, und so traurig
The 500th Yemen War Mosaic: Incredible and so sad
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Klassifizierung / Classification
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics
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
cp8b Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating
A = Aktuell / Current news
B = Hintergrund / Background
C = Chronik / Chronicle
D = Details
E = Wirtschaft / Economy
H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions
K = Krieg / War
P = Politik / Politics
pH = Pro-Houthi
pS = Pro-Saudi
T = Terrorismus / Terrorism
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
Einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:
Yemen War: Introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke
Neue Artikel / New articles
(* B H)
Film: Yemen's Humanitarian Nightmare Worsens
The war in Yemen has taken its toll far beyond what is reported in terms of military casualties. Guns and bombs are claiming lives, but hunger is another major threat to Yemenis. The World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization say 73,000 Yemeni civilians are facing famine and another 14 million are on the brink of starvation. Aid agencies say more than 1.8 million children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished. For VOA, Neha Wadekar reports from Aden in southern Yemen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Dsc_hEUrw = https://www.voanews.com/a/yemen-humanitarian-nightmare-worsens/4733609.html
(* B H)
Film: 2015-2018: In Yemen, 85.000 children have died of hunger
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/videos/291287988241500/
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
(** B H P)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen, New York, 09 January 2019
I cannot yet report to you that the wider humanitarian situation in Yemen is any better. It remains catastrophic. More than 24 million people now need humanitarian assistance – that’s 80 per cent of the population. They include 10 million people just a step away from famine. More than 3.3 million people have been displaced – over 600,000 of them in the last 12 months.
Only half of health facilities are fully functioning. Hundreds of thousands of people got sick last year because of poor sanitation and water-borne diseases, including cholera. Needs have intensified across all sectors. Millions of Yemenis are hungrier, sicker and more vulnerable now than they were a year ago.
Humanitarian agencies are scaling up to meet these needs.
Because we are committed to an effective response, we had already contracted independent third-party monitors last autumn. In their first report, they found that 95 per cent of intended food aid beneficiaries contacted across the country confirmed that they were indeed receiving food aid. In some cases, rations were not always complete. These gaps could potentially be due to funding or access constraints, or other problems. More detailed independent monitoring of this sort is currently under way. It would not surprise me, Mr. President, if problems where to emerge in other parts of the country. But we will always act to find solutions when that happens.
It is also important to know that the Sana’a problem itself was identified through existing monitoring mechanisms, and that WFP, with support from the Humanitarian Coordinator, has acted decisively. They and the de-facto authorities are having intensive, constructive discussions on the way forward, and we are optimistic that the right measures will be in place before the next round of distributions is slated to begin. Steps to improve targeting and delivery mechanisms are being taken as we speak.
Unfortunately, over the last six weeks, de-facto authorities have blocked humanitarian supplies travelling from areas under their control to Government-held areas. They have also recently informed humanitarian agencies that 72 hours’ notice is required ahead of any movements instead of the usual 48 hours. We are also concerned by administrative restrictions being imposed on international NGOs as they renew their operating agreements, as well as ongoing challenges with monitoring.
Restrictions are also being tightened on specific types of programming, including protection and support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Continuing delays and unacceptable pre-conditions for the planned medical air-bridge from Sana’a airport also mean that thousands of people with medical conditions for which treatment is unavailable in northern Yemen are condemned to suffer.
Taken together, these developments are delaying and interrupting critical humanitarian programmes. But solutions can be agreed. Just today, we received confirmation that 56 new visas will be granted to UN staff. That is an important step into the right direction.
Your resolution also calls for impediments to commercial imports to be lifted. In
The second humanitarian point in resolution 2451 relates to the economy.
in film: https://www.facebook.com/PRESSTV/videos/2261678247451160/
and also, in paraphrase, with audio: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/01/1030112
paraphrased also here: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/10/c_137731941.htm
(** B H K)
Médecins Sans Frontières: Yemen: Land mines take heavy toll on civilians
Thousands of land mines and improvised explosive devices are killing and maiming civilians in southwestern Yemen, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said today, calling on the Yemeni authorities and specialized demining organizations to clear explosive devices from civilian areas.
As fighting intensified between Ansar Allah troops and forces supported by the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition last year, thousands of mines and improvised explosive devices were planted across roads and fields south of Hodeidah, in an effort to prevent the advance of the coalition's ground troops.
"Specialized mine clearance organizations and the authorities must step up their efforts to demine the region in order to reduce the number of victims," said MSF head of mission Claire Ha-Duong.
MSF set up a hospital in the city of Mocha, in Taïz governorate, in August 2018, to perform emergency surgery for people suffering war wounds and women suffering complications during pregnancy. From August to December 2018, MSF teams in Mocha treated more than 150 people wounded by mines, improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance—one third of them children, who had been playing in fields.
Current mine clearance efforts in the area are managed by the military and are focused on roads and strategic infrastructure, paying little heed to civilian areas such as agricultural fields. Civilians are the principal victims of the mines and explosive devices in the area, as many are killed or maimed for life.
By creating generations of maimed people, mines have far-reaching repercussions—not only for individual families, but for society as a whole, as their victims are likely to be more dependent on others and more socially isolated.
Ali, an 18-year-old from a small village in a rural and very poor area near Mawza, was wounded two months ago when he stepped on a land mine in a field near his house. His right leg was amputated under his knee, compounding difficulties he had with a weak left leg due to polio in childhood. He now comes to MSF's hospital in Mocha for physiotherapy twice a week.
Not a day goes by without war-wounded people like Ali arriving at MSF's hospital from the front lines between Taïz and Hodeidah. It is the only facility in the region with an operating theater and the capacity to perform surgery.
"The war-wounded often get to Mocha very late and many are in a critical condition," said Husni Abdallah, a nurse in the operating theater. "They contract infections because on the front line they aren't always stabilized as well as they should be. Mines cause particularly severe injuries, so we see complex fractures that are difficult to operate on. Patients often have to have amputations and then require months and months of rehabilitation."
The area has become largely devoid of medical care because of the war, with the next closest medical facilities in Aden, six to eight hours' drive away. Many local people cannot afford transportation to Aden or the costs of treatment there.
"The coastal region between Hodeidah and Aden is rural and extremely poor," Abdallah said. "People have no access to medical treatment and our hospital is the only place they can go when they need surgery. . .Some don't manage to get to Mocha in time and die of wounds that could have been treated. Or they’re pregnant women who die during labor due to a lack of adequate medical care."
Thousands of explosive devices will endanger the lives of people in Yemen for decades to come. The UK-based organization Conflict Armament Research pointed in a recent report to Ansar Allah's mass production of mines and improvised explosive devices, as well as its use of anti-personnel, vehicle, and naval mines. According to the Yemen Executive Mine Action Center, the Yemeni army cleared 300,000 mines between 2016 and 2018.
Since MSF opened its hospital in Mocha, its staff have provided more than 2,000 emergency room consultations and performed about 1,000 surgical procedures. MSF works in a total of 12 hospitals and health centers across the country and provides support to more than 20 hospitals or health facilities across 11 governorates: Abyan, Aden, Amran, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Ibb, Lahj, Saada, Sana’a, Shabwah, and Taiz.
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/news-stories/story/yemen-land-mines-take-heavy-toll-civilians = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-land-mines-take-heavy-toll-civilians
(** B H)
Yemen: Forgotten Women Amid a Forgotten War
Yemen’s civil war has raged since 2015 but amid reporting on violence, disease and food insecurity, the impact of the conflict on women is often overlooked.
Mariam (a pseudonym) was 24 years old and seven months pregnant with her third child when she died.
The midwife was unable to maneuver it ready for birth. The hospital’s only obstetrician – the only one in the whole district – had just left, after working for two years without salary.
The only way to save Mariam and her child was to refer them to a private hospital. An ambulance made the transfer but Mariam was turned away at the hospital door, unable to pay for the treatment she needed. A cesarean section can cost up to US $300 in Yemen, with patients asked to pay in advance before being granted admission. Mariam was sent back to the rural hospital, where nothing could be done to save her and the baby.
Mariam’s story is not rare or unusual in Yemen, a country torn apart by a conflict that erupted in 2015 and still seems far from over. Hodeidah has been a focal point of the fighting since June 2018. In 2013, Yemen’s estimated ratio of women dying as a result of complications from pregnancy was 148 per every 100 000 live births according to Demographic Health Survey data. By the onset of the civil war in 2015, it had more than doubled to 365 deaths per 100 000 according to UNFPAestimates. Data collection has now become increasingly challenging.
In Italy, where I am from, this “maternal mortality ratio” is four deaths for every 100 000 live births.
The journey of a pregnant woman to give birth can be a dangerous one in Yemen. The steps of that journey are striking examples of how difficult things that we take for granted have become – like health care. Women in Yemen often need permission from the head of the household to seek health care services. They need money to afford journeys to health facilities – journeys that can take up to five hours. They need hope that they won’t be delayed at checkpoints. They need hope that the hospital is still standing, knowing that half of all primary health centres in Yemen are no longer fully functional and are the target of direct attacks. Even if the hospital remains standing, there is no guarantee that it has the necessary drugs or equipment to deal with the cases it receives. On the other hand, medicine and equipment are of little use if there are no skilled health professionals available – often the case given that most have not received their salary for the past two years or more.
Much has been written about Yemen and the dramatic cost of the ongoing conflict on its citizens. Yet few crises in the world have less evidence about the impact of conflict on women – by Claudia Truppa
http://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/yemen-forgotten-women-amid-a-forgotten-war/
(** B P)
Focus On The Political In Yemen
Despite meager progress in United Nations-led negotiations between the warring sides in Yemen, a cessation of hostilities, never mind a durable peace, is not likely to follow soon. After all, political barriers still stand. As Chatham House’s Peter Salisbury states, “What was agreed to in Sweden, then, does not constitute a major political breakthrough but, rather, ramped-up international pressure that is by no means guaranteed in the future, and a degree of pragmatism from the Yemeni parties and their international backers that may not last.”
A recent opinion piece from the Saudi ambassador to Yemen in The Wall Street Journaldoubles down on the kingdom’s maximalist demands in the Yemen conflict. Saudi Arabia will not cease its military operations without something it can advertise as a military victory.
Thus far, the UN-facilitated talks have understandably focused on the people with the guns. After all, the negotiations are structured to achieve a halt of military violence that could then facilitate a legitimate political process. But the two sides represented in Stockholm are ill-equipped for that next phase. The Houthis, a political-military movement representing the Shia minority, have limited national legitimacy, and the Yemeni government has no actual base of support inside the country and is largely beholden to its foreign military backers.
Experts have noted that the Yemeni President, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, has no practical legitimacy in Yemen, and press reports suggest that he is living under some form of “house arrest” in Saudi Arabia.
Eventually, success in military de-escalation is expected to give way to a negotiated process that could facilitate a political transition, the writing of a constitution, and the formation of an inclusive interim government. But as the famine threat becomes a terrifying reality and the UN-facilitated process gingerly takes “baby steps,” there is a growing imperative to employ some diplomatic creativity to alter the political realities around the conflict and pressure foreign influencers and hardliners in the warring sides. This can be achieved through amplifying the voices of the people of Yemen.
To that end, the political process needs to start now, in parallel with the military de-escalation talks. Leaders from the Zaidi Shia community, the tribal leadership, the southern secessionists, the different Salafi groups, civil society groups, women’s groups, NGOs. and other stakeholders need to be invited to hold national dialogue events to formulate the framework of a political path forward. Rather than hoping for military de-escalation to lead to political dialogue, dialogue among Yemeni parties needs to shift weight away from military means and change political realities underlying the effort to end hostilities.
Ideally, the UN special envoy would facilitate the talks. But since the dialogue’s legitimacy does not require an international mandate, any actor of high repute can volunteer to convene such a congress. It could be the high representative of the European Union or concerned governments who are not co-combatants such as Germany.
A national dialogue that could initiate dialog between the Zaidi and other major groups as well as produce a framework for future governance can also nurture confidence in that community.
This will certainly not be simple. The Saudis might oppose such a scheme because it might generate pressure on their military operations
But any progress in formulating a framework for political reconciliation can have a profound moral effect by shifting the focus to the Yemeni people, their hopes and aspirations, rather than fixating on the tactical interests of Kalashnikov-wielding militiamen, a president with no constituency, and geopolitically ambitious royals from afar – by Alireza Ahmadi
https://lobelog.com/focus-on-the-political-in-yemen/
(** B K P)
Is Donald Trump an Asteroid?
Sixty-six million years ago, so the scientists tell us, an asteroid slammed into this planet. Landing on what’s now Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, it gouged out a crater 150 kilometers wide and put so much soot and sulfur into the atmosphere that it created what was essentially a prolonged “nuclear winter.” During that time, among so many other species, large and small, the dinosaurs went down for the count.
Talking about accomplishments: as humanity has armed itself ever more lethally, it has also transformed itself into the local equivalent of so many asteroids. Think, for instance, of that moment in the spring of 2003 when George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and crew launched the invasion of Iraq with dreams of setting up a Pax Americana across the Greater Middle East and beyond. By the time U.S. troops entered Baghdad, the burning and looting of the Iraqi capital had already begun, leaving the National Museum of Iraq trashed (gone were the tablets on which Hammurabi first had a code of laws inscribed) and the National Library of Baghdad, with its tens of thousands of ancient manuscripts, in flames. (No such “asteroid” had hit that city since 1258, when Mongol warriors sacked it, destroying its many libraries and reputedly leaving the Tigris River running “black with ink” and red with blood.)
In truth, since 2003 the Greater Middle East has never stopped burning, as other militaries -- Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Russian, Saudi, Syrian, Turkish -- entered the fray, insurgent groups rose, terror movements spread, and the U.S. military never left. By now, the asteroidal nature of American acts in the region should be beyond question. Consider, for example, the sainted retired general and former secretary of defense, Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis, the man who classically said of an Iraqi wedding party (including musicians) that his troops took out in 2004, “How many people go to the middle of the desert... to hold a wedding 80 miles from the nearest civilization?” Or consider that, in the very same year, Mattis and the 1st Marine Division he commanded had just such an impact on the Iraqi city of Fallujah, leaving more than 75% of it in rubble.
Or focus for a moment on the destruction caused by some combination of U.S. air power, ISIS suicide bombers, artillery, and mortars that, in seven months of fighting in 2017, uprooted more than a million people from the still largely un-reconstructed Iraqi city of Mosul (where 10 million tons of rubble are estimated to remain). Or try to bring to mind the rubblized city of Ramadi. Or consider the destruction of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the former “capital” of ISIS’s caliphate, left more than 80% “uninhabitable” after the U.S. (and allied) air forces dropped 20,000 bombs on it. All are versions of the same phenomenon.
And yet when it comes to asteroids and the human future, one thing should be obvious. Such examples still represent relatively small-scale local impacts, given what’s to come.
The Wars From Hell
If you happened to be an Afghan, Iraqi, Libyan, Syrian, Somali, or Yemeni in the twenty-first century, can there be any question that life would have seemed asteroidal to you? What Osama bin Laden began with just 19 fanatic followers and four hijacked commercial airliners the U.S. military continued across the Greater Middle East and North Africa as if it were the force from outer space (which, in a sense, it was). It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking about cities turned to rubble, civilians slaughtered, wedding parties obliterated, populations uprooted and sent into various forms of exile, the transformation of former nations (however autocratic) into failed states, or the spread of terrorism. It’s been quite a story. More than 17 years and at least $5.6 trillion after the Bush administration launched its Global War on Terror, can there be any question that the wildest dreams of Osama bin Laden have been more than fulfilled? And it’s not faintly over yet.
More remarkable still, just about all of this has largely been ignored in the country that functionally made it so. If you asked most Americans, they would certainly know that almost 3,000 civilians were slaughtered in the terror attacks of 9/11, but how many (if any) would be aware of the several hundred civilians -- brides, grooms, revelers, you name it -- similarly slaughtered in what were, in essence, U.S. terror attacks against multiple wedding parties in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen? And that’s just to begin to mention the kinds of destruction that have gone on largely unnoticed here.
In the first 18 years of this century, tens of millions of people have been uprooted and displaced -- more than 13 million in Syria alone -- from what had been their homes, lives, and worlds. Many of them were sent fleeing into countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Sooner or later, more than one million Syrians made it to Europe and 21,000 even made it to the United States. In the process, Washington’s wars (and the conflicts that unfolded from them) unsettled ever more of the planet in much the way those particulates in the atmosphere did the world of 66 million years ago. So consider it an irony that, here in the U.S., so few connections have been made between such events and an unceasing series of American conflicts across the Greater Middle East and Africa -- or that the thought of even the mildest sorts of retreats from any of those battlegrounds instantly leaves political and national security elites in Washington (and the media that cover them) in an uproar of horror.
Consider this a tale of imperial power gone awry that -- were anyone here truly paying attention -- could hardly have been uglier. And no matter what happens from here on, it’s hard to imagine how things won’t, in fact, get uglier still. I’m not just thinking about Donald Trump’s Washington in 2019, where such ugliness is par for the course. I’m thinking about all of those lands affected by America’s unending post-9/11 wars (and the catastrophic American-backed Saudi one in Yemen that goes with them) -- about, that is, the region and the conflicts from which Donald Trump sorta, maybe, in the most limited of ways was threatening to begin pulling back as last year ended and about which official Washington promptly went nuts.
We’re talking, of course, about the conflicts from hell that have long been labeled “the war on terror” but -- given the spread of terror groups and the rise of the anti-immigrant right in Europe and the United States -- should probably have been called “the war for terror” or the “war from hell.” And it’s this that official Washington and much of the mainstream media can’t imagine getting rid of or out of – by Tom Engelhardt
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176512/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_living_on_a_quagmire_planet/ = https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/07/donald-trump-asteroid
(** B P)
Annotation of the Pentagon Report to Congress on Detainee Abuse by U.S. Partners in Yemen
A month ago, I wrote about a forthcoming congressionally mandated report on U.S. involvement in detention operations and the widely reported abuses committed by the United Arab Emirates in the counterterrorism fight in Yemen. The report was apparently submitted to Congress last month but only released publicly when The Intercept published a copy of it last night. I had written that the report would present an opportunity for the administration to introduce some much-needed transparency surrounding the ongoing U.S.-Emirati counterterrorism campaign in Yemen and to make conclusively clear that the United States is not returning to the morally and legally dodgy days after 9/11. It does none of that. In a mere two pages of carefully parsed prose, the Department of Defense (DoD) has provided what can only be described as a deliberately misleading and deceptively evasive account of U.S. and Emirati actions in Yemen that amounts to the ultimate non-denial denial.
DoD’s report comes more than 18 months after the initial allegations of abuse emerged via Associated Press reporting and after Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations all conducted their own research and concluded the same. Yet despite this growing mountain of evidence, compiled by highly reputable sources, the DoD report variously hops from claims that the Department did not actually witness these abuses to reaffirming that of course the Department has standards in place to address abuses, but it does not ever directly address the core question of whether it thinks such abuses occurred, how much U.S. forces knew, and when they knew it. It’s a lawyered-up document designed to obscure the truth and allow the administration to continue its increasingly problematic partnership with the Emiratis with no real oversight or pushback.
The report provides a master class in obfuscatory policy and legal writing and is worth unpacking in full.
The paragraph then states, “DoD personnel have neither observed, nor been complicit in” abuses. Note that it does not say that our partner did not commit abuses, only that DoD personnel had not observed such abuses, apparently resting the assessment of abuses on visually witnessing an abuse versus learning of it through other means. The sentence concludes by saying that DoD personnel have not “been complicit in” such abuses, in the process totally glossing over the many possible gradations between not observing abuses and actively enabling them.
The final section is where DoD descends into a full Khashoggi-like denial of the allegations.
DOD takes detainee abuse allegations and the investigation of detainee abuse very seriously, whether it occurs in U.S. or foreign partner custody. Based on information to-date, DOD has not developed any independent, credible information indicating that U.S. allies or partners have abused detainees in Yemen.
Moving to a discussion of human rights violations, the report again returns to procedural requirements rather than accounting of actions.
This report is a shame and the group of policy staffers and lawyers who worked on it, as well as the higher-ups who approved it should be embarrassed. But for better or worse, with the report submitted, the onus is now on Congress. Hard questions need to be asked, answers need to be provided to the public, and steps need to be taken to ensure that our partners are not committing abuses. Anything short of that only prolongs the moral compromises we have brought on ourselves by getting in deep with the Emiratis and turning a blind eye to their litany of misdeeds in Yemen – by Luke Hartig
and
(* B P)
A Deceptive Defense Department Report on Torture in Yemen
Luke Hartig dissects a Defense Department report that attempts to obfuscate the extent of U.S. knowledge of abuses committed in the UAE’s torture prisons in Yemen
The torture of Yemeni detainees in UAE-run prisons in south Yemen is one of the many abuses carried out under the umbrella of the Saudi coalition war. Like other horrible parts of that war, the U.S. has at best turned a blind eye to the abuses being committed by its partners. It is difficult to believe that no U.S. personnel knew about the torture and mistreatment of detainees in these facilities, and detainees interviewed in the AP investigation have stated that U.S. personnel must have known what was being done. The AP report in June said this
The DoD report simply ignores the credible reports of abuse from journalists and human rights organizations. The report goes on to claim that the department has no knowledge of detainee abuse committed by its partners.
The U.S. position on the UAE’s torture of detainees in Yemen is a disgraceful case of “see no evil, hear no evil.” Even though there is ample proof that the UAE and its proxies have been responsible for torturing Yemeni detainees, the Defense Department isn’t interested in the evidence – by Daniel Larison
and
(** B P)
SEE NO EVIL: PENTAGON ISSUES BLANKET DENIAL THAT IT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT DETAINEE ABUSE IN YEMEN
IN A PREVIOUSLY unpublished report to Congress, the Department of Defense said that it has found no evidence of detainee abuse by U.S. allies in Yemen, contradicting reports from journalists, human rights groups, and a U.N. panel of experts that documented torture by U.S.-backed forces.
The carefully worded report sent to the House and Senate Armed Services committees last month denied that U.S. forces had ever observed or reported detainee abuse by allies and partner forces fighting in Yemen. The report, which was required by an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for this fiscal year, contained a classified annex not seen by The Intercept.
“DoD takes detainee abuse allegations and the investigation of detainee abuse very seriously, whether it occurs in U.S. or foreign partner custody,” said the two-page report. “Based on information to-date, DoD has not developed any independent, credible information indicating that U.S. allies or partners have abused detainees in Yemen.
“Whether or not DoD personnel personally observed or participated in abusive conduct or disappearances, ongoing U.S. support for UAE forces, which the U.S. now has strong reason to believe are engaging in these abuses, could make the U.S. legally complicit,” Daphne Eviatar, director of Amnesty International USA’s Security with Human Rights Program, told The Intercept by email. “The U.S. has an obligation to ensure its partners are not ‘disappearing’ detainees or engaging in torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. DoD’s blanket denial is just a way of denying its own international and legal responsibilities.”
Civil liberties and human rights advocates said the Department of Defense was shirking its legal responsibilities by ignoring the results of the independent investigations.
“It is concerning that the only public information the military is releasing is a blanket denial of any knowledge of abuse,” said Dror Ladin, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union involved in litigation about the CIA’s now-defunct torture program. “There is no indication that the military even investigated the abuses reported by independent organizations, nor that it checked to make sure that any intelligence it received from partners in Yemen was not unlawfully obtained through abuse. The law requires that the military not whitewash or turn a blind eye to detainee abuse, including when committed by allies.” – by Alex Emmons
https://theintercept.com/2019/01/07/yemen-prison-torture-uae-dod/
and also https://apnews.com/af270eb455e140ffa1228ce8e80c6eb9
and this is the full DoD report: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5676973-Congress-Yemen-Report.html#document/p1
My comment: Greetings from Abu Ghraib.
(** B K P)
Die verschlungenen Pfade des Rüstungsexports: Über Südafrika nach Saudi-Arabien
Tatsächlich ist der offizielle Rückgang der deutschen Rüstungsexporte nicht nur auf diesjährige Besonderheiten zurückzuführen, sondern auch darauf, dass deutsche Waffenschmieden begonnen haben, ihre Produktionsstandorte zu diversifizieren und heikle Exporte über Werke im Ausland zu organisieren. So hat ein Vorstandsmitglied des Düsseldorfer Rüstungsproduzenten Rheinmetall Mitte November bestätigt, dass sein Unternehmen über Tochterfirmen im Ausland Kriegsgerät im Wert von über 100 Millionen Euro jährlich nach Saudi-Arabien liefert.[2] Dieser Betrag ist im Rüstungsexportbericht der Bundesregierung nicht enthalten. Abgewickelt werden die Lieferungen über Werke auf Sardinien (Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Italia, RWM Italia) und in Südafrika (Rheinmetall Denel Munition, RDM).[3] Die Bombenfabrik auf Sardinien wird ausgebaut; die Kooperation zwischen RDM und Saudi-Arabien wird intensiviert: Der noch recht junge saudische Rüstungskonzern SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries), der vom ehemaligen Rheinmetall-Manager Andreas Schwer geführt wird, will den südafrikanischen Denel-Konzern übernehmen. In diesem Zusammenhang strebt er auch die Übernahme der Denel-Anteile (49 Prozent) an RDM an (german-foreign-policy.com berichtete [4]). SAMI selbst hat rund ein Dutzend deutsche Bürger, darunter mindestens drei ehemalige Rheinmetall-Mitarbeiter, angestellt, die den Konzern beim Aufbau einer eigenen Waffenproduktion unterstützen.[5] Anders als beispielsweise in den USA ist in Deutschland die mündliche Weitergabe von Rüstungs-Know how erlaubt; diese Gesetzeslücke ermöglicht den informellen Export deutscher Waffentechnologie.
Partnernationen
Nach Saudi-Arabien gelangen Produkte deutscher Rüstungskonzerne auch über andere Staaten in Europa, wenn sie in gemeinsam betriebenen Unternehmen hergestellt worden sind. Dies gilt insbesondere für Kampfjets. So haben sich Großbritannien und Saudi-Arabien im März vergangenen Jahres auf die Lieferung von 48 Flugzeugen des Typs Eurofighter geeinigt. An deren Herstellung sind deutsche Waffenschmieden beteiligt. Wie die Bundesregierung in einem Bericht an den Wirtschaftsausschuss des Bundestags bestätigt, "unterbindet keine Partnernation den Verkauf oder die Genehmigung des Verkaufs von Produkten oder Systemen des Programms an Dritte".[6] Die Verantwortung für den Export von Kampfjets lässt sich damit leicht auf Großbritannien abschieben, das schon die bisher von Saudi-Arabien genutzten Eurofighter geliefert hat. Eurofighter und Tornados - ebenfalls aus deutscher Koproduktion - sind im Jemen-Krieg zum Einsatz gekommen; die dortigen Luftschläge saudischer Piloten haben zahlreiche Zivilisten umgebracht und werden von Menschenrechtlern scharf kritisiert.[7] Saudi-Arabien wird auch mit den notwendigen Ersatzteilen für die europäischen Kampfjets beliefert, ohne die der Jemen-Krieg nicht geführt werden könnte.
https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/news/detail/7823/
and English version:
(** B K P)
The winding paths of arms export: Via South Africa to Saudi Arabia
In fact, the official decline in German arms exports is not only due to this year's special features, but also to the fact that German armorers have begun to diversify their production sites and organize sensitive exports through factories abroad. In mid-November, for example, a member of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall, the Düsseldorf-based armaments manufacturer, confirmed that his company supplies Saudi Arabia with war equipment worth more than 100 million euros a year via foreign subsidiaries.[2] This amount is not included in the Federal Government's Arms Export Report. Deliveries are handled via plants in Sardinia (Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Italia, RWM Italia) and South Africa (Rheinmetall Denel Munition, RDM).[3] The bomb factory in Sardinia is being expanded; the cooperation between RDM and Saudi Arabia is being intensified: SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries), a relatively young Saudi defence group led by former Rheinmetall manager Andreas Schwer, acquires the South African Denel Group. In this context, he also aims to acquire Denel's 49 percent stake in RDM (german-foreign-policy.com reported [4]). SAMI itself has employed around a dozen German citizens, including at least three former Rheinmetall employees, to support the company in setting up its own weapons production facilities.[5] Unlike in the USA, for example, Germany allows the oral transfer of armaments know-how; this legal loophole enables the informal export of German weapons technology.
Partner nations
Products from German defence companies also reach Saudi Arabia via other European countries if they have been manufactured in jointly operated companies. This applies in particular to fighter jets. In March last year, Great Britain and Saudi Arabia agreed on the delivery of 48 Eurofighter aircraft. German armourers are involved in their manufacture. As the Federal Government confirms in a report to the Economic Committee of the Bundestag, "no partner nation prevents the sale or approval of the sale of products or systems of the programme to third parties"[6] The responsibility for the export of fighter jets can thus easily be shifted to Great Britain, which has already supplied the Eurofighters previously used by Saudi Arabia. Eurofighters and Tornados - also of German co-production - have been used in the Yemen war; the air strikes by Saudi pilots there have killed numerous civilians and are harshly criticised by human rights activists.[7] Saudi Arabia is also supplied with the necessary spare parts for the European fighter jets without which the Yemen war could not be waged.
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2086264581426561
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics
(** B H)
Ministry of Health Reveals Epidemiological Situation in Yemen in 2018
The Yemeni Ministry of Health revealed a report showing the epidemiological situation in Yemen in 2018 and the prevalence of diseases.
The Ministry reported that 2018 was a terrifying nightmare for people in Yemen who have been living in the throes of siege and aggression for 4 years. These epidemics have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people for several reasons, including the direct bombing of the US-Saudi aerial aggression or indirect (siege and health effects on them).
About 4,900,000 Yemeni people have suffered from these diseases, as follows:
- The Ministry of Health recorded 612742 cases of malaria during 2018, added to previous figures for previous years. The province of Hodeidah is in the forefront of the most affected provinces of malaria, then Hajjah province and then Taiz.
- A child dies every 10 minutes due to malnutrition or other diseases (according to a UN report issued in September 2018).
- Fifteen women die every day when giving birth for reasons caused by aggression and siege.
- About 44913 cases of Maltese fever, Thamar and then the capital are on the list of the most casualties.
- About 6,943 rabies cases, Thamar and Ibb are at the top of the list with a significant shortage of drugs for the disease.
- About 4742 have been infected by leishmaniasis during the past year.
- Schistosomiasis has infected 24871 people, Hajjah and then Sa’adah are on the list of injuries.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis has infected 4002 people in the past year.
- The spread of smallpox disease in 2018 more than it was previously, infecting about 36672 people.
- 32811 Yemenis suffered from mumps disease (parotiditis).
- 28031 cases of dengue fever in 2018.
- 2576 cases of meningitis.
- 361266 cases of diarrhea and related diseases such as cholera, of whom 493 died.
- 122 cases of neonatal tetanus
- 5091 cases of hepatitis B & C and 14231 cases of hepatitis A and E.
- 73654 cases of pertussis.
- 24132 measles cases.
- 240208 cases of Typhoid infection.
- 116269 seasonal flu cases.
- 2254714 diseases related to the upper respiratory tract.
- 940318 diseases related to the lower respiratory tract.
- 3,103 cases of diphtheria, of whom 178 died.
This statistic is only for those who have been treated to hospitals and health centers, where their condition has been monitored. There are numbers of infected people who have not seen hospitals for several reasons, the most of which the poor financial situation
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4759&cat_id=1
My comment: From the Sanaa ministry. These figures relate to all of Yemen, or only those parts under Sanaa government’s control?
(* B H)
Children should not be dying from preventable causes. In #Yemen, @UNICEF_Yemen sensitizes
communities on importance of vaccination against tetanus, through communication
for development school health clubs. 55 clubs established and 870 students
trained (photos)
https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Yemen/status/1083011638226239488
cp1b1 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Deutsch/ Most important: Hodeidah battle: German
(* A K P)
Jemen: Konfliktparteien werfen sich Bruch der Waffenruhe vor
Im Jemen werfen sich die beiden Konfliktparteien gegenseitig den Bruch der seit Wochen bestehenden Waffenruhe vor. Die jemenitische Regierung hielt den Huthi-Rebellen am Mittwoch vor, bei mehr als 400 Verstößen seien 33 Zivilisten getötet worden.
Die von den Huthis kontrollierte Nachrichtenagentur Saba wiederum meldete, die von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Koalition habe gegen die Waffenruhe verstoßen und einen Ort mit Mörsergranaten beschossen.
Aus UN-Kreisen hieß es, trotz Verstößen halte die Waffenruhe nach Einschätzung der Vereinten Nationen.
(* A K P)
UNO will Beobachter für Waffenstillstand in al-Hudaida entsenden
UN-Generalsekretär Antonio Guterres hat am Dienstagabend den UN-Sicherheitsrat aufgefordert, der Entsendung von 75 Beobachtern für die Überwachung des Waffenstillstandes in der jemenitischen Hafenstadt al-Hudaida, für einen Zeitraum von 6 Monaten, zuzustimmen.
Wie ausländische Diplomaten in der UNO berichteten, hat bisher noch keine Mitglied des UN-Sicherheitsrates seine Zustimmung zum Plan von Guterres geäußert. Der UN-Sicherheitsrat will am 20. Januar 2019 über den Antrag abstimmen.
cp1b2 Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah: Englisch / Most important: Hodeidah battle: English
Siehe / Look at cp7
(* B H K P)
Hodeidah sees ‘worst fighting yet' : Report
The significance of Hodeidah to Yemen is difficult to overstate, and dread is rising over the human cost of the battle to come, more pain for Yemeni civilians will follow, the characteristic of a war that has created indescribable human suffering, but if Hodeidah changes hands, analysts say, it could mark a turning point in the Yemen war, and possibly the beginning of the end.
Hodeidah is the second largest port in Yemen, and the only major port on the north-western coast. Yemen’s dependence on imported goods is extremely high, the country’s arid climate is unforgiving for crops – the total domestic production of cereal crops only meets 20% of the country’s needs. And given this need for imports, it is no exaggeration to say that whoever controls Hodeidah controls the country’s future. Moreover, any damage to the port during a fight would have devastating consequences.
Even before the current conflict Yemen was highly food insecure, importing close to 90 percent of the food the population eats. Hodeidah is the gateway for the majority of these imports and currently receives more than 70 percent of all the commercial and humanitarian goods arriving to the country — including food, fuel and medicine.
UN agencies, humanitarian groups, and many others have pointed out that there is no viable way to make up for Hodeidah’s import capacity if the port shuts down, given that it has the largest offloading and storage facilities in the country, and is the closest major port to Yemen’s largest population centres."
And it is not just damage to the port’s infrastructure that could spark starvation.
Even if the port itself is not attacked, a siege of the city will likely force the port to close and thus sever this lifeline, aid agencies have been clear that even a brief disruption in deliveries, or the inability to access their storage facilities in Hodeidah, will put the lives of hundreds of thousands of people at risk.
Similarly, if commercial food deliveries to Hodeidah are interrupted, shortages and price spikes will ensue on the local market. In a country enduring economic collapse because of war, this would leave huge swathes of the population unable to buy food."
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522233.htm?fbclid=IwAR1MevWfDU0Uqg3oM4ITYj-DYlMn_mK74qSu0okgmzi4PriykcwDiERWAHc = https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2087615654624787
Remark: From the Houthi side.
(* A K pH)
Armed Forces Spokesman: Mercenaries Escalate Violations in Hodeidah, Committing 276 Violations in 48 hours
The spokesman of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Sare'e, said that "the US-Saudi mercenaries have committed, 276 violations of the ceasefire agreement in Hodeidah, in the past 48 hours." He said in a statement to the Yemeni News Agency Saba that the US-Saudi mercenaries targeted by 164 missiles, artillery shells and various medium and light weapons residential neighborhoods, farms and Yemeni Army' sites in several districts. He explained that the fighter jets and reconnaissance continued to fly intensely over Hodiedah city and districts.
Yemeni Army monitored movements of trucks carrying supplies to US-Saudi mercenaries.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4782&cat_id=1
and the Houthi side’s interpretation of the Hodeidah situation:
(B K P)
Saving Sweden’s Ceasefire, in Hodeidah, Important to Avoid Worsening Humanitarian Situation, Depends on UN Taking Strong Action against Violations
The US-Saudi forces continue their violating of the ceasefire agreement in Hodeidah. The Yemeni parties has reached an agreement in the recent UN-supported talks in Sweden that led to a ceasefire in Hodeidah. The Yemeni Army and Popular Committees have honored the agreement since the moment it was announced. The other party, represented by the US-Saudi Aggression and its mercenaries, has committed every possible action to violate this agreement. They have increased attacks on civilians and their airstrikes and surveillance flights never stopped; a clear breach of a UN-brokered truce. Many observers have expressed their doubts about the US-Saudi Aggression seriousness and desire to commit to this ceasefire.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4789&cat_id=1
and from the other side:
(* B K pS)
Houthis Blatantly Breach Stockholm Ceasefire Agreement
The legitimate government has given the UN precise coordinates, times, and other details for numerous Houthi ceasefire violations. In all, the coalition has accused the rebels of launching 313 attacks between December 18 and January 2, according to a report by Washington Institute issued on 08.01.2018.
Only 59 of the Houthi violations (18.8%) took place in Hodeidah city versus 254 less visible attacks in rural areas south of the city. The rebels repeatedly struck the government’s main supply route near Tuhayta (62 attacks) and Duraymi (45 attacks), along with 80 attacks on coalition lines near al-Hays. While urban Houthi violations had dropped from 30 per day to 3 by January 2, rural violations increased from 8 per day to 24.
The Army Forces backed by the coalition forces stated stated that they had been struck with mortars (usually 120 mm heavy mortars) 95 times as of January 2, along with 21 Katyusha rocket attacks and 4 howitzer attacks. A pair of Badr-1 heavy artillery rockets were reportedly fired at a coalition headquarters on December 21, a violation that would require the complicity of high-level commanders in charge of this strategic weapons system. The Houthis also reportedly mounted 55 attacks with 14.5 mm and 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, 12 with rocket-propelled grenades, 8 with 23 mm antiaircraft cannons, 4 with B-10 recoilless rifles, and 76 with sniper weapons and other gunfire.
If the detailed coalition reports are accurate, the Houthis were violating the ceasefire with an average of 19.5 attacks per day as of January 2
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/13350
(* B P)
Status of implementation of Security Council resolution 2451 (2018) (S/2019/11)
Report of the Secretary-General
The present note is submitted pursuant to paragraph 7 of Security Council resolution 2451 (2018), in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to report on progress regarding the implementation of the resolution, including any breaches of commitments by the parties, on a weekly basis, as called for by the parties, until further notice. The present report covers the period from 29 December 2018 to 4 January 2019.
At the first meeting of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, the parties considered the terms of reference of the Committee and the modalities for the implementation of its mandate. The parties agreed that the Committee provided a forum in which to share relevant information, to build mutual trust and to de-escalate and prevent the recurrence of conflict in order to create a space in Hudaydah for the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement.
Given the stark humanitarian conditions that compelled the reaching of an agreement on Hudaydah, the Committee Chair worked to persuade the parties to consider humanitarian confidence-building measures as the first order of priority, alongside steps to uphold the ceasefire and the redeployment of forces. Discussions on a confidence-building measure to ease humanitarian access proved contentious and revealed the current lack of trust between the parties.
The confidence-building measure to open the Hudaydah-Sana’a road as a humanitarian corridor did not proceed as planned on 29 December 2018. While the Government of Yemen was purportedly ready to support the movement of a humanitarian convoy that day, the Houthis were not.
(B P)
Who Is Responsible for Any Failure in Hodeidah Agreement?
As the UN envoy Martin Griffith left Sana'a, the forces of the US-Saudi aggression began to send reinforcements to their posts in Hodeidah. The pro-aggression government is threatening not to go on a new round of peace talks under the pretext of demanding "implementation of Sweden's agreement" in order to evade any agreement may lead to a cease-fire.
With the vast amount of fallacies practiced by the pro-aggression government, there are facts that cannot be hidden. At the top of these facts is what UN envoy told the Security Council in his briefing on December 14, in which he said that the pro-aggression government side "reserved the general framework agreement for the following consultations."
In the midst of an escalating movement by the international community to end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the pro-aggression government side is trying to impede any movement in favor of the implementation of the Sweden agreement on Hodeidah. Everyone has already heard that the pro-aggression government argues in matters not included in the plan for the implementation of the Agreement on the opening of crossings and redeployment by both parties in Hodeidah.
In addition, the forces of the US-Saudi aggression have violated the ceasefire since its entry into force on December 18
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4776&cat_id=1
My comment: This is from the Houthi side. Of course, it’s not neutral.
(A K pH)
Child wounded by saudi-led mercenaries fires in Hodeidah
A child was wounded on Wednesday when the mercenaries of US-backed Saudi-led coalition opened fire in Hodeidah province, a security official Saba.
The militias injured the child in al-Shubailia area of Tuhayta district
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522250.htm
(A K pS)
At least two #children were injured in #Houthi militia's #sniping actions in the district of Al-Tuhita, south of the port city of #Hodeidah on Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1082750203420127232
(A P)
UN team meets with Yemen government over cease-fire
Yemeni officials say a U.N. team has met with representatives of the country's internationally recognized government over a cease-fire in a key port city.
They say the Shiite Houthi rebels did not attend Tuesday's meeting with the U.N. team, led by Dutch Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, which took place in a government-held area, east of Hodeida city.
The officials say Cammaert will meet with the rebels separately on Wednesday.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article224073815.html = https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/un-team-meets-with-yemen-government-over-cease-fire/
and
(A P)
Houthis Obstruct UN Committee Meeting, Describe Cammaert as ‘Weak’
Representatives of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen’s Hodeidah obstructed on Tuesday a meeting with the UN Redeployment Coordination Committee, chaired by Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert.
They said that they refused to attend the meeting because it was being held in a location that lies under control of the legitimate government, said government sources in Hodeidah.
The Houthis described Cammaert as “weak” as they continue to refuse to implement the Sweden ceasefire agreement that was reached with the government in December.
In a press conference in Sanaa, Houthi spokesman Yehya Saree attacked the Dutch general, hinting that the deal could be terminated and direct confrontation with government forces could resume.
and also http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162972
and
(A P)
[Sanaa government] Deputy Foreign Minister: Aggression Representatives Refuse to Continue Joint Meetings in Hodeidah
Deputy Foreign Minister, Hussein Al-Ezzi, said on Tuesday evening that the representatives of the forces of US-Saudi aggression had blocked the Stockholm agreement by refusing to continue joint meetings in the city of Hodeidah. They are asking to transfer them to a building which was looted by the forces of aggression in the occupied territories. The representatives of National Delegation in the Coordination Committee refused to meet the other party in a building looted by Sudanese and UAE individuals. The designated building belongs to a Yemeni Citizen, who has come out objecting to occupying his building by these forces.
Al-Ezzi explained that the meetings of the Coordination Committee were held from the beginning in Hodeidah in secure and safe situations which the proposed place lacks in the occupied territories. He pointed out that "the insisting to change the place of the meetings is intended to obstruct the committee's work."
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4766&cat_id=1
(A K P)
No Practical Step Taken to Establish Ceasefire in Hudaydeh : Ansarullah
“Practically, there has been no action taken in this regard yet,” Adnan Qassem Ali Qoflah, Ansarullah’s official in charge of foreign relations, told FNA on Tuesday.
He expressed the hope that the UN envoy to Yemen could take effective steps to implement the peace agreement in Hudaydeh.
http://www.newnewss.net/no-practical-step-taken-to-establish-ceasefire-in-hudaydeh-ansarullah/
(* A K pH)
Saree: Video and Aerial Photos Reveal Violations of US-Saudi Aggression in Hodeidah
The spokesman for the armed forces, Brig. Yahya Saree, said Tuesday that the total number of violations of the forces of the US-Saudi aggression since the declaration of the ceasefire in Hodeidah is 1924 multiple violation.
Saree made the remarks during a press conference held Tuesday in the capital Sana’a, where a video, showing violations of the aggression in Hodeidah, was presented including artillery shelling of a number of neighborhoods in the city, as well as the aggression’s development and construction of roads around the city.
The spokesman of the armed forces also displayed an aerial photograph of a site of the UAE invaders, in which huge guns were planted to bomb the neighborhoods of Hodeidah, Kilo-16 and Ad-Durayhimi city.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4761&cat_id=1
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522086.htm
My comment: Ungoing auction?
(* B P)
Falling apart? UN peace deal for Yemen 'too vague', Oxfam says
Lack of specific orders results in continued fighting around Red Sea port city of Hodeidah as 21-day deadline expires.
The UN's peace deal for Hodeidah, in war-ravaged Yemen, is unravelling because the text lacked specifics on how rebel forces should vacate the Red Sea port city, the British charity Oxfam says.
Dina el-Mamoun, the aid group's head of policy and advocacy in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, said the UN's Stockholm Agreement agreed last month between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government was "too vague".
"There is an issue with the actual agreement, which is actually quite vague," Mamoun told Al Jazeera.
"The UN should have made clear these basic issues that go to the heart of the agreement: who needs to hand over what and to whom."
Under the terms of the UN-brokered deal, the Houthis were expected to hand over control of the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Isa, to "local security forces in accordance with Yemeni law".
However, both sides have disagreed over the meaning of the text. The government says it means the ports should be handed over to the officials who ran the facility before the Houthis seized Hodeidah city in late 2014.
The Houthis, meanwhile, insist the deal refers to the officials currently running the port, who are their allies.
"How can the UN expect a vague agreement to translate, in reality, to what is intended without making it clear?" asked Mamoun – by James Reinl
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/falling-peace-deal-yemen-vague-oxfam-190108064334022.html
My comment: This exactly is the problem.
(A P)
Saudi Yemen Ambassador: We Won’t Allow Houthis to Become New Hezbollah
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber stressed on Monday that the Kingdom supports the political process in the war-torn country and will not allow it to become a “new Somalia.”
Speaking from Riyadh, he warned that the Iran-backed Houthi militias must not become a “new Hezbollah” on Saudi borders.
“We hope the political course will succeed and believe that it is the solution,” he added.
(A K pH)
Jan. 8: In Hodiedah, US-Saudi forces targeted with over 30 shells northern and eastern Hais district. US-Saudi mercenaries targeted with medium arms At-tohayta and Kilo-16 district and targeted Ad-durayhimi with machine-guns.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4762&cat_id=1
(A K pH)
Jan. 8: Saudi-led mercenaries bombard areas in Hodeidah
The bombardment targeted Duraihmy district using machine guns
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522085.htm
(A K pH)
Jan. 8: Coalition's mercenaries resume targeting several areas in western coast
The enemy bombarded Zaafran village in Kilo 16 area using medium and heavy machine guns, said the official.
Earlier, the militants bombed several areas in Tuhiah district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522013.htm
(A P)
SRC Head reveals proposal to forces' redeploy in Hodeidah
Head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee (SRC), Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, on Monday has revealed a new proposal made by the representatives of the national delegation to the Ceasefire Committee to the Chairman of the UN Monitoring committee Patrick Cammaert.
“The proposal of our delegation aims to facilitate the access of aid and”, al-Houthi said.
It aims to implement the Sweden agreement Sweden, in two phases, the Head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee said..
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522011.htm
cp2 Allgemein / General
(* A K P)
Interactive map of Yemen war
(B H P)
Charming thing about Aden port city : Electricity 24 hours a day, every day. Last time Sana’a had electricity was August 2015 (photo)
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/1083123156209029120
(* B P)
Why Yemen Needs UN Truce Monitors
The problem began when Saudi Arabia refused to stop all its air strikes. That’s why now the 15-member UN Security Council needs to take action on Guterres’ request by about Jan. 20, when a 30-day authorization for an advance monitoring team expires.
Stated differently, despite the truce, the United Nations still remains desperately focused on one of its equally daunting undertakings: how to send more humanitarian aid to the besieged city of Hodeida.
The horrific tally of the conflict’s devastation reflects only what we know. In reality, the situation is worse. UN agencies do not have full humanitarian access to some of the hardest hit communities - where there is no truce. In many, they cannot even assess their needs. All they say is that Yemen has passed the tipping point into a rapid decline from crisis to deepening catastrophe – all because the Saudis and their allies refuse to fully lift the illegal blockade everywhere.
It should be clear by now that if UN aid agencies cannot gain greater access and the Saudi airstrikes do not subside, the cost in lives will be incalculable, not just in the Hodeida province but across other regions. To be sure, the Saudi-led blockade has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis that aid groups are calling the most severe in decades.
At any rate, the truce still holds, Yemen needs truce monitors, and as per International Humanitarian Law, the UN Charter, and the laws of war: Saudi Arabia must respect the deal and open land, air and sea routes into Yemen.
For one thing, The Hague should also hold the United States government to account because the US is still providing support to the Saudi bombing campaign and blockade all because the people of Yemen would never consent to be ruled by Saudi Arabia and the US. The UN Security Council should pass a resolution that says the US military is not authorized to assist Saudi Arabia as long as the truce holds.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13971019001162
(* B P)
IT’S TIME FOR A SERIOUS SAUDI-HOUTHI BACK CHANNEL
Griffiths‘ […]goal — eventual peace negotiations that lay the foundation for a durable political settlement of Yemen’s catastrophic four-year civil war — are unlikely to meet the paramount objective that fueled the intervention by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the first place: ending Iranian influence in Yemen. Resolving that issue requires a peace settlement that reorients the Houthis toward an altogether different arrangement with their Saudi neighbor. The Houthi-Iranian relationship has steadily deepened over the course of the war, but it is vulnerable to reversal — as episodic Houthi signaling to Riyadh demonstrates. Riyadh has leverage to undermine Tehran’s project in Yemen.
While the Saudi decision to intervene in Yemen in 2015 ostensibly came in response to a plea from Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Riyadh made clear from the outset that its overriding aim was to scupper the burgeoning relationship between the Houthis and Tehran.
What the Houthis Want
The Houthis’ ultimate strategic goals remain murky.
Recognition
The Houthis want recognition that they are and will remain a marked part of Yemen’s political and religious universe. In U.N.-led peace talks, the Houthis are likely to present Ansar Allah as a national, non-sectarian movement with demands harking back to the National Dialogue outcomes, specifically for senior-level representation in a post-conflict transitional government and freedom of religion. In talks with Riyadh, they may also seek, at the minimum, an end to Saudi-funded Salafism in north Yemen, which began in the 1970s and became a source of mounting friction and eventual armed conflict in the 2000s.
Territorial Integrity and Security Assurances
Six wars in Sa’ada against the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government between 2004 and 2010 — with Riyadh joining in 2009 — has deepened a Houthi fixation on territorial security and integrity.
Economic Independence/Interdependence
While northern Yemen has been especially hard-hit by coalition airstrikes, the issue of Saudi reconstruction aid will be a sensitive one. As one Yemen specialist suggested to us, “Some people in the region will not ‘eat meat’ from Saudi hands however desperate they are.”
Guarantees of Foreign Non-Interference
Antipathy to foreign interference runs deep in the Yemeni body politic, and the Houthis are no exception.
What Iran Wants and Has to Offer
The Strategy and the Pitfalls
The radical worldview of the Houthis — who see Israel, Jews, and the United States as regional destabilizers, enemies of Islam, and the ultimate puppeteers of Arab regimes — is unlikely to change anytime soon. It is also this political ideology that creates a political — rather than religious — affinity for them with Iran. However, part of the movement and likely its leadership understands that a political accommodation with the great neighbor across the border is far more beneficial for the community’s ultimate survival than a relationship with a partner of convenience, physically distant and with few non-military resources to offer – by Barbara A. Leaf, Elana DeLozier
The Urgency of a Direct and Focused Back Channel
https://warontherocks.com/2019/01/its-time-for-a-serious-saudi-houthi-back-channel/?singlepage=1
My comment: As so often by US authors, the role of Iran is quite exaggerated. Just read this: https://truthout.org/articles/how-false-stories-of-iran-arming-the-houthis-were-used-to-justify-war-in-yemen/
Comment: Foreword: the writers cannot be deemed super partes.
Barbara A. Leaf is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former U.S. ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2014-2018.
Elana DeLozier is a research fellow in the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a specialist on #Yemen.
While there may be some fair points in the article, some are completely biased (ie, one for all: While the Saudi decision to intervene in #Yemen in 2015 ostensibly came in response to a plea from Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Riyadh made clear from the outset that its overriding aim was to scupper the burgeoning relationship between the Houthis and Tehran. The singularity of that issue for Saudi Arabia has only been reinforced by the Iranian transfer of advanced missile technology and training to the Houthis, enabling the rebel group to strike deep into Saudi territory and threaten international shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb).
Worth a read, with discerning eyes
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2099884410064578
(* B H P)
From Yemen to Saudi Arabia and back: The odyssey of Buthaina al-Raimi
A photo turned her into an icon after her parents and siblings were killed in an air strike - but that was only the start of the Yemeni girl's hardships
In her dreams, Buthaina al-Raimi still hears her parents tell her "we love you".
On New Year’s Day, the six-year-old girl was able to visit them for the first time in over a year - in the cemetery of Sanaa where her parents, along with Buthaina’s five siblings, are buried after being killed in a Saudi air strike.
Buthaina’s nearly year-and-a-half long journey before she was finally able to pray over her family’s graves was a long and complicated one.
Shortly after a photo of the young girl - her face bruised and swollen after being rescued from the rubble of her bombed home, prying one of her eyes open with her small fingers - went viral in 2017, earning her the nickname of “the eye of humanity”, Buthaina, her uncle Ali al-Raimi, aunt and cousins ended up in Saudi Arabia.
But, according to Waleed al-Raimi, another one of Buthaina’s uncles, "Buthaina was not in Riyadh for treatment. She was there under house arrest, and my brother was under arbitrary detention".
The return of the al-Raimis to Yemen last month, after negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Yemeni rebels, marked another chapter in a public relations battle that has often mirrored the war’s brutality.
Around a month after the photo of Buthaina struggling to open her eye made her a symbol of the devastation of the Yemen war, her uncle Ali told Middle East Eye that he, his family, and his traumatised niece were taken to Saudi Arabia against their will.
They spent more than a year under house arrest in Riyadh.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-saudi-arabia-and-back-odyssey-buthaina-al-raimi-1856656858
(* B K)
Film: Yemen's child soldiers | Turkey's state of economy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzNnsa96Ljg
(* A K)
MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON JANUARY 8, 2019 (MAP UPDATE)
Clashes between Ansar Allah (also known as the Houthis) and the Saudi-led coalition continued in several areas in northern Yemen, which are not covered by the UN-backed ceasefire. At the same time in the area of al-Hudaydah, the sitaution also remained tense. Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire regime. If the situation develops in this direction, it will be very unlikely that the conflict would be de-escalated in anytime in the near future.
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-january-8-2019-map-update/
(* B P)
226 cases of violations of press freedom during 2018
The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate monitored 226 cases of violations of press freedom during 2018. The infringements of rights affected journalists, photojournalists, dozens of newspapers, websites, media sites and journalists’ properties. Violations varied among kidnappings, arrests, blocking of websites, attacks, threats and incitement campaigns. Houthi militia committed 60% of the total violations with 136 cases; local, security and military bodies and legal government committed 30% with 68 violations; the Saudi-led coalition committed 5% with 11 cases; anonymous actors committed 4% with 9 cases; and the Southern Movement committed 1% with 2 cases.
http://belqeesrights.org/2019/01/06/226-cases-of-violations-of-press-freedom-during-2018/
(* B P)
Inheritance battle brewing for Yemeni political control
Despite failing peace agreements and continued fighting in Yemen, participants and observers are looking ahead and wondering who will ultimately control Yemen's most powerful political party, the General People's Congress (GPC).
But the question remains: Who holds the lion’s share of loyalty among members of the GPC, which Ali Abdullah Saleh established in 1982. He carefully worked on improving it until 2011. That's when the ruling GPC began crumbling little by little with the first calls to topple the regime as the Arab Spring spread across the region.
However, the party’s true foundation fell apart with Saleh’s killing in December 2017. In January 2018, Sadeq Amin Abu Rass was elected chairman of the party in Sanaa. But the results were contested, and a rival camp recognizes Hadi as the party's leader.
There is also an unofficial third branch within the GPC that Ahmed Saleh leads from the UAE.
Amid all of this, Yemen witnessed the largest political feast in its history among the various parties and religious groups. It could be said the Houthis hold the lion’s share of the GPC, as they dominate the party in Sanaa, led by Abu Rass. But that doesn't mean that all GPC members in Sanaa are loyal to the Houthis.
Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, the former GPC secretary-general, told Al-Monitor, “The party’s heirs are its popular bases, supporters and the Yemeni people. [Among Yemen's political parties] the GPC has the largest popular base of almost 4 million [people].”
He said, “Despite the pressure exerted by Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, and their refusal to allow the GPC to have political freedom, this popular party remains cohesive and steadfast.”
(* A K P)
With Ceasefire Faltering, Another Round of Yemen Peace Talks May Be on the Table
As long as the Saudi-led coalition refuses real negotiations and insists on unrealistic demands disconnected from the realities on the ground, there will be no negotiated peace.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/with-ceasefire-faltering-another-round-of-yemen-peace-possible/253588/
Remark: Overview.
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
Siehe / Look at cp1
(* B H)
Film: Yemen’s ongoing civil war creates a life of loss for children
As the civil war in Yemen enters its sixth year, tens of thousands have died in the fighting, while disease and hunger have killed thousands more. The many children who have lost or been abandoned by parents have suffered the most, both physically and emotionally. Special correspondent Jane Ferguson reports on the devastating effects of the war from inside the country’s oldest orphanage.
As the winter sun rises over Yemen's ancient capital, Sanaa, boys at this orphanage play soccer while they wait for their breakfast. When it comes, it's a humble meal, just lentils and bread. But it's hot, and they are happy to have it.
The littlest boys eat separately, one of them sent to collect the bread each morning. The children break the bread together before it gets cooked on an outside stove with milk. It's not much, but, in this city, many children have much less.
Dar Ri'ayat al-Aytam is the oldest orphanage in Yemen. It opened its doors to boys in 1925, and moved from Sanaa's ancient Old City to this spot in the 70s. Now around 400 boys call it home, some sent here by extended family, others abandoned by their destitute parents or taken in from the streets.
Little Mohsin Douma's father was killed in Yemen's current, brutal civil war. He is 12 years old and arrived with two older brothers.
Of all the different groups of people in Yemen, it is children who are by far the worst affected by this war.
In the chaos and cruelty of Yemen's war, boys are being recruited to fight in it. The Houthi rebels have child soldiers as young as 11 in their ranks, according to the United Nations. Airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition have hit children, too, like the 40 killed last August when a coalition bomb was dropped on a bus full of little boys.
And then there is the menace of starvation. Millions of Yemenis are on the brink of famine
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/yemens-ongoing-civil-war-creates-a-life-of-loss-for-children
(* B H)
OMANI CONTINUES CHARITY STREAK, COLLECTS ESSENTIAL GOODS FOR YEMEN
Along with food items, mattresses and blankets, other important items include maternity beds, 50 wheelchairs, 30 hospital beds and baby milk powder. These items will be used to furnish a hospital in Yemen so that people do not have to travel outside the country for treatment.
“I have been sending charity items to many countries for the past 11 years, however this is the first time I will be sending such a big consignment. Previously, I used to send clothes, dates and Q’uran. However, since 2017, I sent aid to Yemen five times and this is the third time I am sending medical assistance for them. We started on a very small-scale but gradually with time we have increased the number of items,” he said.
People from all walks of life contributed to the cause. “While some gave blankets and food items there were many who even offered their house as a godown for the things to be stored. The Ministry of Health in Yemen has given us a list of immediate necessities and we are working to get them ready. I am also thankful to my team and other volunteers working with me on this project,” he said.
Each truck will carry a load of 45 tonnes. It will take about three days to reach the country. Jadhami said he is also working with the Oman Charitable Organization to send the items.
Those interested in donating can contact Nasr al Jadhami at 96687441. For more information on Nasr al Jadhami’s work watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxMclZGvQmU
My comment: This man is great. He did this already several times. – Oman is different!
(* A B H)
[Yemen: The humanitarian situation in figures; updated daily]
https://data.humdata.org/group/yem
(B H)
Direct Relief Delivering Medical Aid to Yemen’s Nightmare Zone
22 Million of Yemen’s Population of 28 Million are Experien
Direct Relief International has dispatched 66 tons of medical supplies to Yemen over the past three years, now in the throes of a protracted humanitarian crisis spawned by an equally protracted civil war. The last shipment was sent in November and the next is set for the coming weeks. Complicating deliveries is the lack of an international airport in Yemen capable of accepting such shipments and the collapse of a viable medical infrastructure by which such supplies could be meaningfully distributed. “In the last four years, about half of Yemen’s health facilities have disappeared,” said Dan Hovey, a logistics and delivery specialist for Direct Relief.
https://www.independent.com/news/2019/jan/08/direct-relief-delivering-medical-aid-yemens-nightm/
(B H)
Yemen: Passengers Transport Overview - Djibouti - Aden - Djibouti, December 2018
(* B H)
Waiting For Peace: Yemen's Children Speak Out
What is it like to be a child in a country where more than 22 million people need humanitarian assistance?
Children in Yemen are growing up under impossible conditions: Homes are in ruins, schools have been destroyed and medical care is hard to come by. Landmines and unexploded ordinance are a constant threat. More than half the population wakes up hungry every day because spiraling inflation has pushed food prices sky-high. As Yemen's civil war nears its fourth anniversary, the humanitarian crisis has become the world's largest emergency.
All children deserve a healthy and happy childhood. Yemen's children did not start this war, but they are paying the highest price. The videos below were made by young Yemenis who picked up video cameras, determined to help other Yemeni children tell their powerful stories:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taXnJ3BvVKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwtP2HbhMo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX0A7Pmg9Ng
(B H)
It is so sad to find a humanitarian aid food in #Yemen are being sold in the Market where it should goes to poor people and those being starving (photo)
https://twitter.com/tareq_hassanye/status/1081993178398539776
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
(A P)
TwitterLand. Is there a lawyer who would be willing to take up the case of #savebasmah who I am hearing is a Yemeni woman without papers in #Turkey seeking asylum? Let’s help as much as we can and spread the word as we did with #SaveRahaf.
https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy/status/1082686812773068801
Film: For those who doubts my existance, Yes, I'm real and I'm stuck in Turkey. I have applied to many emabassies and organzitation and yet no response. revealing my identity wil put me in danger and may put those who helped me at risk too. #SaveBasmah
https://twitter.com/human_life8/status/1082734021753356289
(* B P)
Being An Anonymous Ex-Muslim Young Woman in Turkey and From Yemen
What does a woman who may have her life at risk for leaving a religion do in different parts of the world? Meet "Amy."
This is all based on a real, recent story. One that is ongoing for a 24-year-old young woman from Yemen, who currently lives in Turkey. Amy is an ex-Muslim. Like many ex-Muslims, her story is not uncommon and can be claimed as one sector of the non-religious population subjected to horrendous abuse and disownment by family and community simply for exercising for their fundamental human rights to freedom of belief and freedom of religion. It is within their rights and part of their conscience that they do not share the beliefs of their family and community, by and large, and consider themselves ex-Muslims: apostates.
The questions then arise about what this means for the people who do not have a mans by which to escape desperate circumstances based on religion.
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/anonymous-ex-muslim-sjbn/
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
(* B H P)
Film: UN, Saudis call on Yemen's rebels to end aid theft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh5guH1Ghrw
(A P)
Houthis threaten Qahtan family and ask them to leave their house
The militants of the al-Houthi group threatened the kidnapped politician’s, Mohamed Qahtan, family and asked them to leave their home in the capital, Sana'a, under their control since September 2014, on Wednesday.
The Houthi gunmen came to al-Nahdha neighborhood in Sana'a and asked the family to leave the house, without providing reasons and they wrote on the walls of the house, «reserved by the specialized criminal prosecution», according to eyewitnesses of Al-Masdar online.
Abdul Rahman, the son of Mohamed Qahtan, wrote on his Facebook page, that the "Houthi gunmen threaten to take the house forcibly ".
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162987
and
(A P)
Houthi group gives the family of the political detainee Mohammed Qahtan 3 days to leave their home in Sanaa and threatens to raid it. This comes after unconfirmed news of his release from the Houthi prison (>3 yrs) as part of the prisoner's exchange agreed in #Sweden talks.#Yemen
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1082966618907598848
photo of the house with Houthi graffito: https://twitter.com/fatma_qhtan/status/1082982819478077440
It has been> 3 yrs since the disappearance of the prominent opposition party member Mohammed Qahtan. Many human rights orgs inquired about his whereabouts since 2015& to date no progress has been made.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1082966618907598848
(* A P)
Houthi gunmen break into Dhamar central prison and assault prisoners
Houthi militants stormed the central prison in the central city of Dhamar late Monday and severely beat the prisoners, according to a human rights sources, who added that the gunmen led by the Dhamar security chief, Houthi Ali al-Harbi, the criminal investigation supervisor Abu Sakhr al-Khatib and prison supervisor Abu Zakaria al-Rasabi, who assaulted the prisoners with severe beatings with arms and batons
More than 20 prisoners had been taken to the hospital, including four in the intensive care room said the sources to Al-Masdar online.
According to the sources, the prisoners started a food strike in protest against the execution of prisoner Mohammed Abdallah al-Shatr, a member of the Anis Directorate, on Sunday.
According to the sources, the prisoners launched urgent appeals to local and international organizations to move to stop the attack on them, which is practiced on a daily basis by the Houthis.
Houthis, who tortured, and hanged Mohammed Al-Shatr (25 years), then they said he had committed suicide.
Houthis are holding hundreds of civilians and hiding others in the central prison of Dhamar province since the start of their coup in late 2014.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162943
photo: https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1082719556521680901
(A P)
The #Houthi militia has threatened Pro. Faten Abdu Mohammed - a faculty staff member at the #University of Sanaa - spilling her blood and depriving her of her humble house on the grounds of her going to the interim capital of #Aden to look for the salaries of her colleagues.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1082704680038400001
(A K P)
Spokesman of the Armed Forces Reveals New Developed Missile System
In a press conference, the spokesman of the Armed Forces, Brig. Yahya Sare'e, indicated the entry of newly developed missile system.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4764&cat_id=1
(A P)
‘Houthis agreed to Sweden peace deal over deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen’
A high-ranking Yemeni official says delegates from the Houthi Ansarullah movement agreed to sit at the negotiating table with representatives loyal to former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi during the latest round of UN-sponsored peace negotiations in Sweden, and struck a peace deal only because of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the crisis-hit Arab country.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Press TV television news network on Tuesday, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen, said despite some violations by Saudi Arabia and its allies, the peace deal continues to stand feebly.
He, however, underlined that Yemeni army forces and allied fighters from Popular Committees are fully prepared to respond to any act of aggression committed by Saudi Arabia.
Houthi then stressed the need for a political solution to the ongoing Yemen conflict, and an end to the atrocious Saudi-led bombardment campaign on the country.
He concluded that Saudi Arabia has failed to attain its goals in the war on Yemen, and that the oil-rich conservative kingdom will never reach
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
(A T)
Commander of Operations of the Security Belt in Modia: We Promise Our Martyrs to Clear the Southern Soil off Terrorists and Revenge is Approaching
indicated that the last terrorist attack at Al-Quoz was targeting the house of a security belt commander of the same sector but the heroic role of the security belt soldiers exhausted the attack and prevented terrorists from advancing to their target.
Muhallab asserted that the Security Belt troops in Modia sector are inspecting the whole sector searching for terrorists and their escape place in a massive security operation.
My comment: Separatists praising their militia.
(A P)
IFJ calls for the "immediate" release of a journalist detained in December in southern #Yemen
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has demanded on Wednesday the "immediate" release of Yemeni journalist Sabri Salmin bin Majashín, editor-in-chief of the newspaper 'Al Muharrir' and the portal of the same name, detained on December 3 in the province of Hadramut (south).
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515/2087704131282606/
(A T)
Military forces raid a house in Al-Qatan city a day after the arresting a terrorist cell
A military force raided a house in the Cotton district of Wadi Hadramawt in eastern Yemen on Wednesday, arresting a group of people in "Buroog" area and a violent explosion heard during the raid without knowing the source of the explosion according to residents.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162980
(B H P)
Garbage piles surround residents of Taiz city
Piles of garbage added another siege on the population of the southwestern city of Taiz beside the siege imposed by Houthi militants on the city since August 2015.
The waste has accumulated alarmingly in many streets, entrances, and pavements in the city of Taiz, in a scene that shows the absence of local authority and increases the state of anxiety among citizens for fear of epidemics and diseases that are rampant every now and then.
In the absence of the role of the Hygiene and Improvement Fund, some citizens in Taiz are burning waste due to their accumulation, causing chest diseases caused by inhalation of mixed air by fire
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162965
(B P)
Al Rayyan International Airport in Mukalla .. Open for Emiratis and closed to Yemenis
Three years after the closure of the Al Rayyan International Airport in Mukalla, since al-Qaeda controlled the city of Mukalla in early April 2015, the only airport for the districts of Hadramawt.
However, following the departure of the extremist organization from the city following a military operation launched by coalition-backed Yemeni forces, especially the UAE, on April 4, 2016, the airport has continued to be closed to air traffic to date.
Authorities in Al-Mukalla city say that al-Qaeda's destruction of airport installations and facilities is preventing its re-operation so far, but the airport's work in front of the flights of diplomats and senior officials raises many questions.
In addition to the aircraft of Yemeni and local officials allowed by the Emirates to travel through the airport, the UAE officer planes take off and land at the runway without any problems or impediments.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162945
(A P)
Photos: The effects of torture in the prisons of the #Emirates in Aden, Yemen
https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1959554554340529
(A P)
Yemeni Detainees in UAE Prisons Announce Their Hunger Strike :Video
Detainees in the prison of Bir Ahmed, supervised by the UAE occupation, in the city of Aden, announced their determination to continue their hunger strike until their demands are met.
New photos showed detainees holding banners saying they would continue their strike to death; if they did not respond to their demands to resolve their cases, bring them to fair trials, and immediately release those who had not been charged.
Prisoners who are on a hunger strike deliberately sutured their mouths in protest at their difficult situation and what they are exposed to, according to the images spread over social media.
http://www.newnewss.net/yemeni-detainees-in-uae-prisons-announce-their-hunger-strike-video/
(A T)
Military campaign arrests five of the most dangerous terrorist in Hadramawt
A joint force of the Arab coalition Forces and units from the first military area of the government forces on Monday raided a suspicious house in the Mankhar area of Al-Qatan directorate and arrested five terrorist operatives.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162941
(A T)
The commander of the military police in Taiz survived an assassination attempt
The commander of the military police of Taiz, Brigadier Jamal al-Shamiri, escaped Monday evening from an assassination attempt on the west of the city, carried out by unidentified gunmen who fired at al-Shamiri convoy
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162939
(A T)
Blast at Southern Yemen Market Claims 2 Lives, Injures 10
A blast at a market in the southern Yemeni province of Abyan killed two people on Tuesday, while 10 others were injured, a source in the local provincial government told Sputnik.
"As a result of the blast, two people from the [Security Belt militant] forces were killed, around 10 were injured, including civilians", the source said.
An improvised explosive device was detonated while the Security Belt patrol was passing through the local market in the centre of the town of Al Mahfad, according to the source.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201901081071296972-yemen-explosion-market/
and also http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162942
(A T)
Pro-gov't forces bust terrorist cell in SE Yemen
The pro-government Yemeni forces busted on Tuesday a five-member terrorist cell in the country's southeastern province of Hadramout, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The Defense Ministry's news website, 26th September, reported that the armed force coordinated with the Saudi-led Arab coalition and managed to bust a terror cell and seize five terrorists along with a large cache of arms and explosives in Hadramout.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/09/c_137729320.htm
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp1b
(* A P)
UN-Gesandter für Jemen fordert vor weiteren Gesprächen "deutlichen Fortschritt"
Der UN-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, hat vor einer Fortsetzung der Gespräche zwischen den Konfliktparteien "deutliche Fortschritte" bei den Friedensbemühungen angemahnt. Vor dem UN-Sicherheitsrat in New York bescheinigte Griffith beiden Seiten, sich "weitgehend" an den im Dezember vereinbarten Waffenstillstand in der Hafenstadt Hodeida zu halten. Über einen Abzug der Kämpfer aus der Stadt und der Einrichtung humanitärer Korridore aber werde weiter verhandelt.
https://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/un-gesandter-für-jemen-fordert-weiteren-gesprächen-deutlichen-175349499.html = https://www.zeit.de/news/2019-01/09/un-gesandter-fuer-jemen-fordert-vor-weiteren-gespraechen-deutlichen-fortschritt-20190109-doc-1c37yw
(* A P)
Griffiths erstattet Bericht zu Jemen vor UN-Sicherheitsrat
Der UN-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, wird sich nach Angaben von Diplomaten am Mittwoch vor dem UN-Sicherheitsrat über die Lage in dem Bürgerkriegsland äußern. Griffiths werde über die Einhaltung des Waffenstillstands in der Hafenstadt Hodeida und seine jüngsten Gespräche mit den Huthi-Rebellen und der Regierung berichten, sagten Diplomaten.
Der UN-Diplomat war am Wochenende in die von den schiitischen Rebellen gehaltene jemenitische Hauptstadt Sanaa gereist. Dort beriet er unter anderem über den geplanten Abzug der Truppen beider Konfliktparteien aus der umkämpften Hafenstadt Hodeida. Bei anschließenden Gesprächen mit jemenitischen Regierungsvertretern in der saudiarabischen Hauptstadt Riad verhandelte Griffiths über die Umsetzung des Friedensabkommens von Schweden.
https://de.nachrichten.yahoo.com/griffiths-erstattet-bericht-jemen-un-sicherheitsrat-074059200.html = https://www.24matins.de/topnews/pol/griffiths-erstattet-bericht-zu-jemen-vor-un-sicherheitsrat-143850
(*A P)
U.N struggles to implement deal over disputed Yemeni port city
The guns have mostly fallen silent around the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and the skies are clear of warplanes, but a U.N.-sponsored deal for the warring armies to quit the city has stalled, risking efforts to end a conflict that has pushed the country to the brink of famine.
But the agreement did not spell out who would control Hodeidah city, which is now held by the Houthis while thousands of Saudi-led coalition troops are massed on the outskirts. Both sides were to withdraw their troops by Jan. 7 under the deal.
Sporadic skirmishes have taken place but the ceasefire has put on hold an anticipated assault by the Saudi-led coalition that aid agencies feared would have terrible consequences for civilians.
The air strikes that had rained death and destruction on Hodeidah have also paused, although they have continued in other regions.
“I am afraid that agreement did not spell out how to build that authority nor who will control what,” a Western diplomat involved in the peace talks told Reuters.
The Houthis said late last month their fighters quit Hodeidah port and handed control to local coast guards units in place before the war. The Saudi-led coalition disputed the move, believing those units were loyal to the Houthis.
Disagreements over control of Hodeidah, the main entry point for the bulk of commercial imports and vital aid supplies to Yemen, have delayed the opening of humanitarian corridors needed to reach millions of Yemenis facing starvation.
It also throws into doubt the possibility of holding a second round of peace talks in January to discuss a wider truce across the country and a framework for political negotiations.
and also https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-struggling-boots-ground-yemen-hodeidah-1015632801
(* A P)
UN Security Council: Amid Humanitarian Crisis, Yemen Advancing towards Peace as Ceasefire in Hodeidah, Key Ports Holds, Special Envoy Tells Security Council
Amid a languishing humanitarian crisis in Yemen and many hurdles to overcome, gradual and tentative progress has moved the nation along on a path towards peace, officials told the Security Council today, providing updates on fresh achievements in reducing hostilities.
Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, speaking via video-teleconference from Amman, Jordan, provided an update on implementing Security Council resolution 2451 (2018), adopted in December 2018 to express support for recent talks between the Government and the Houthis that culminated in the Stockholm Agreement on security concerns in the city of Hodeidah and key ports, a prisoner exchange and the situation in Taiz. By its provisions, the Council also authorized the Secretary-General to dispatch a monitoring mission to ensure prompt implementation of the Stockholm Agreement. (See Press Release SC/13643).
Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, summarizing the current situation, said the Stockholm Agreement and resolution 2451 (2018) have already had an impact on the ground. Reports from aid agencies in Hodeidah indicate that civilians are “a little less afraid” of air strikes or getting caught in the crossfire as they go about their daily lives.
[with briefings by Griffiths and Lowcock in full, and statements by delegates [usual blab la from Western countries and propaganda from Yemen hadi government]
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sc13659.doc.htm = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/amid-humanitarian-crisis-yemen-advancing-towards-peace-ceasefire-hodeidah-key-ports.
and full text of Griffiths’ briefing also here:
(* A P)
BRIEFING OF THE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR YEMEN TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
I am pleased to report that both sides have largely adhered to the ceasefire we agreed in Stockholm, in Hudaydah governorate that entered into force on the 18th of December, and that there has been a significant decrease in hostilities since then. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, there has been some violence, including in Hudaydah city, and in the southern districts of the governorate. However, this is remarkably limited compared to what we saw in the weeks before the Stockholm consultations.
I am grateful for the commitment and patience that both parties have shown since Stockholm. Progress on some of the issues has been gradual and indeed somewhat tentative, but there is a tangible contribution to peace. There are, no doubt, many hurdles to be overcome in the days, weeks and months ahead, but I would say here that the parties must not be diverted from their commitments, through issues of delays or difficulties which were unexpected.
I am under no illusion that these are very sensitive and challenging days for both parties and for Yemen as a whole. The war continues in other parts of the country, which is why we need to make progress quickly.
I call on the Parties to recognize that these first steps need to be protected so that we can reach those other parts of the country in due course.
It was unfortunate that we were unable to reach consensus on a way forward on the Central Bank of Yemen while we were together in Sweden and on the opening of Sana’a airport during those consultations in December. Both of these issues, if resolved, would make a significant contribution to relieving humanitarian suffering
I should mention that as ever; the demands of southern groups are also a key part of the solution to the Yemeni equation. I am grateful for the effort exerted by key Yemeni stakeholders and the international community to improve stability in the southern governorates in recent months, which has been a remarkable achievement.
To conclude, the message that I have been receiving particularly from the parties but also from key member states and those with interest in peace in Yemen, has been consistent in these past days and it is this: it is that we must implement what was agreed in Sweden and show substantial progress in those commitments if we are to build the confidence that we have hoped to create from them. There is a sense of tangible hope.
https://osesgy.unmissions.org/briefing-special-envoy-yemen-security-council
film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9PtvYR3ibM
and also, in paraphrase, with film and audio, of Griffiths’ statement and also Marl Lowcock’s statement on the humanitarian situation: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/01/1030112 and excerpts from Lowcock above, cp1)
and
(* A P)
Both sides largely sticking to Yemen ceasefire, more progress needed: U.N.
Both sides in the conflict in Yemen have largely stuck to a ceasefire agreed last month, but substantial progress would be needed before more talks can be held on ending the war, the U.N. special representative to the country said on Wednesday.
Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council he had met the leaders of both sides in the conflict in recent days and both had expressed determination to find a way forward.
He said while there had been some violence, it had been remarkably limited compared with in the lead-up to Stockholm.
However, while there was a sense of tangible hope and optimism, there was also concern, Griffiths said, adding that he and the leaders of both parties shared the view that “substantial progress, particularly on Hodeidah, is something we would like to see before we reconvene the next consultations.”
“I am still hopeful that we can proceed to a next round of consultations within the near future and I am working with both parties to make sure that that will happen at the earliest possible date,” he said.
and also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6573995/UN-seeks-substantial-progress-Yemen-talks.html
and
(* A P)
Yemen peace deal: envoy upbeat despite UN-recognised government’s claims
The envoy’s optimism was balanced by a call for greater momentum in implementing the agreement and an admission that substantial progress is needed for the next stage of the peace talks to proceed. He said that overall the violence was remarkably limited compared with before the Stockholm talks.
His view jars with claims by the UN-recognised government of Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi
(A P)
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Yemen
Ambassador Jonathan Cohen, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Mr. President, we – and indeed, this Council – have long held that only a political solution will lead to a sustained and stable peace that the people of Yemen deserve, and in this regard the United States will continue to strongly support the efforts of Special Envoy Griffiths. Finally, we express our appreciation to the United Kingdom for its leadership in crafting the resolutions needed to affirm this Council’s support for the Agreement reached in Sweden and now to establish a UN Mission in Hudaydah. The United States will do its utmost to ensure that all UN efforts, including those to oversee the ceasefire, are successful and contribute to a peaceful solution so long overdue.
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8884
My comment: Word bubbles by the side which had made this long war possible and had fired it.
(* A P)
UN Security Council to discuss new Yemen mission
The UN Security Council will on Wednesday discuss a proposal for a new observer mission to Yemen to monitor a ceasefire and oversee a pullback of forces, diplomats said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined the proposal in a letter to the council seen by AFP after the Saudi-backed government and Huthi rebels agreed to a truce during talks in Sweden last month.
The new mission would provide for the initial deployment of up to 75 monitors to the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Isa, backed by additional administrative and security staff, according to the proposal.
The international observers would "monitor the compliance of the parties to the ceasefire in Hodeida governorate and the mutual redeployment of forces from the city of Hodeida and the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Isa," according to the document.
UN envoy Martin Griffiths will brief the council on Wednesday on his latest efforts to end the war following a new round of shuttle diplomacy in rebel-held Sanaa and in Riyadh.
(* A P)
U.N. chief wants to deploy up to 75 truce monitors to Yemen
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked the Security Council to approve the deployment of up to 75 observers to Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah for six months to monitor a ceasefire and redeployment of forces by the warring parties.
The 15-member U.N. Security Council will need to take action on Guterres’ request by about Jan. 20, when a 30-day authorization for an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert expires.
It was not immediately clear how many monitors were currently on the ground with Cammaert. The United Nations has said the monitors are not uniformed or armed.
The Security Council had asked Guterres to recommend - by the end of last month - a larger monitoring team. Diplomats said Britain was working on a draft resolution to approve Guterres’ proposal, but had not yet circulated it to council members.
In his Dec. 31 proposal to the council, seen by Reuters, Guterres described the proposed 75-strong team as “a nimble presence” to monitor compliance of the deal and establish and assess facts and conditions on the ground.
“Appropriate resources and assets will also be required to ensure the safety and security of U.N. personnel, including armored vehicles, communications infrastructure, aircraft and appropriate medical support,” Guterres wrote.
(* A P)
Houthis Obstruct UN Committee Meeting, Describe Cammaert as ‘Weak’
Representatives of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen’s Hodeidah obstructed on Tuesday a meeting with the UN Redeployment Coordination Committee, chaired by Retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert.
They said that they refused to attend the meeting because it was being held in a location that lies under control of the legitimate government, said government sources in Hodeidah.
The Houthis described Cammaert as “weak” as they continue to refuse to implement the Sweden ceasefire agreement that was reached with the government in December.
In a press conference in Sanaa, Houthi spokesman Yehya Saree attacked the Dutch general, hinting that the deal could be terminated and direct confrontation with government forces could resume.
My comment: This is how obstruction really looks like.
(A P)
GCC urges UN envoy to pressure Houthis to exit Hudaydah
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths to play a “more active” role in persuading Houthi rebels to withdraw from Yemen’s strategic port city of Al-Hudaydah, Anadolu Agency reports.
The council chief Abdel-Latif al-Zayani met Griffiths on Tuesday in the Saudi capital Riyadh where they discussed political, security and humanitarian developments in Yemen.
According to a GCC statement, al-Zayani stressed the need for stepped-up UN efforts to force the Houthis to abide by the terms of a truce — hammered out last month in Stockholm — and withdraw from the port city.
He also called for greater international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the war-weary people of Yemen.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190108-gcc-urges-un-envoy-to-pressure-houthis-to-exit-hudaydah/
(A P)
UAE says UN must hold Houthis to peace commitments in Yemen
The UN must take a firm stance against the Houthi rebels and their commitment to implementing the provisions of a historic peace deal reached in Sweden, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Wednesday.
“The Houthi's manipulation of the deal threatens the next steps of Yemen's political process and jeopardises the opportunity for peace in Yemen,” Dr Gargash said.
(* A P)
The United Nations envoy for Yemen held talks Tuesday with the war-torn country's president in Riyadh, as he sought to shore up a shaky truce in key port Hodeida.
Diplomat Martin Griffiths met with the Yemeni authorities after seeing Huthi rebels in their stronghold Sanaa on a tour aimed at ensuring both sides make good on a ceasefire deal agreed in Sweden last month.
Yemen's internationally recognised leader Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi expressed his "support for the efforts and work" of Griffiths at the talks in the Saudi capital, the Saba news agency reported.
The head of the president's office Abdullah al-Alimi wrote on Twitter that Hadi remained committed to the Sweden accord and stood ready to open up "all humanitarian access".
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6570211/UN-envoy-meets-Yemen-president-Riyadh.html
and
(A P)
Hadi: Our concessions are responded with Houthi arrogance and intransigence
President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi has said that the government’s concessions were always responded by Houthi arrogance and intransigence.
In a meeting with the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths Tuesday in Riyadh, Hadi affirmed that Houthis always disavowed all agreements.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-26726
My comment: Griffith really must listen to a lot of bullshit all the time.
And
(A P)
Foreign Minister: The Stockholm agreement implementation has been stalled
Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani said Tuesday that the Stockholm agreement between the Yemeni parties has stalled its implementation so far, relying on the ambassadors of the group of 18 sponsors of the political process in Yemen, to pressure Houthis to implement the agreement.
He stressed the need to implement the Stockholm accords through a clear and stated time frame before proceeding to a new round of consultations.
The stalled implementation of the Hodeidah agreement will be reflected in the Government's stance on the upcoming consultations, he said.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162970
And
(A P)
MPs demand UN Envoy to take clear stance towards Houthis circumvention
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Shadadi and heads of parliamentary blocks have demanded the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths to take clear position towards the Houthi circumvention of the Stockholm agreement.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-26728
My comment: The MPs who had sided with “president” Hadi. They are staying at Riyadh.
(* B P)
Keith Vaz MP: There is a rare opportunity to bring peace to Yemen - will we grasp it?
A New Year’s resolution to which we can all aspire in 2019 is peace in Yemen, but what needs to occur to make that happen?
However, we start the New Year with a rare opportunity to bring peace to Yemen.
Discussion is the key to making sure this peace happens. The work of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths has been invaluable in bringing together the various actors
The UK has been part of this process in recent weeks.
There are immense challenges to the peace process that cannot be overlooked
Away from events on the ground, regional geopolitics continue to fuel this local conflict.
Growing international attention for what has long been described as the ‘forgotten war’ may force the various sides to a political settlement.
A New Year’s resolution to which we can all aspire in 2019 is peace in Yemen.
Peace in Yemen can only be achieved if there is a permanent settlement guarantee by the UN and cosponsored by the Saudi-led Coalition
(B P)
Yemen – What Each Party to the Conflict Has to Do Now
Ending this catastrophe as quickly as possible is therefore imperative.
If one contemplates necessary steps of the parties to the conflict, the nature of this war must be kept in mind. It started as a UN supported intervention by a Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-supported Houthi rebellion opposing the Hadi government. The domestic struggle for supremacy is inextricably linked to its international ramifications: Given the potentially enormous geopolitical consequences the prevention of an Iranian foothold on the Southern tip of the Arabian peninsula is by no means a goal of only Saudi Arabia.
The US should encourage such an outcome and exert pressure on the Saudi-led coalition by using America’s leverage as the supplier of ammunition, intelligence and air-refueling. In the past Europeans have regretted the Trump Administration’s one-sided support of Saudi Arabia but in this case they hope that the US will use its special leverage for a cause that the international community endorses – by Karl Kaiser
https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/yemen-what-each-party-conflict-has-do-now
My comment: Yes, the US should do this. – No, Iran is no important player in this game.
(A P)
Why the UN Is Awful: Part Eleventy Billion
Via the inestimable Hillel Neuer, I learned that the UN elected Yemen to the vice-presidency of the organization that promotes gender equity.
You should read his whole tweet-storm. Yemen is not a woman-friendly place.
But this is yet another example of how the worst actors flock to the organizations charged with “fixing” various problems. Human-rights abusers race like moths to a flame to sit on human-rights bodies, precisely because that is the best way to protect themselves from international condemnation
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/why-the-un-is-awful-party-eleventy-billion/
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
Siehe / Look at cp8b
(* B P)
Where is King Salman?
The Saudi king isn't traveling like he used to
What changed? King Salman is believed to be in the early stages of dementia, and as time goes on, his condition surely worsens. Though Saudi officials continue to deny that the king’s health is in decline, recent episodes contribute to continued speculation regarding his mental state. King Salman’s speeches have become significantly shorter; his latest address to the kingdom lasted a mere eight minutes. Meetings with foreign dignitaries have also become more brief and less substantive.
Perhaps the reason for the king’s lack of travel is more political in nature. King Salman’s last foreign trip was in October 2017, one month before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) led a shakedown of Saudi Arabia’s elites in the name of ending corruption. Given the fact that this move made enemies out of many of the kingdom’s most powerful, it may be that King Salman recognizes that should he leave the state, other members of the royal family may mobilize in an effort to remove the crown prince from the line of succession.
The king’s presence also adds legitimacy to MBS’s policy decisions, both domestic and foreign. Conversely, perhaps the king chooses to remain in the kingdom in an effort to reign in the crown prince and keep him in check. For all of the attention MBS has received as the face of the kingdom’s recent reforms and policy decisions, it is clear that King Salman continues to have final say. This has been made evident time and again
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2019/01/09/where-is-king-salman/
(* A B H P)
Saudis blast 'guardianship' laws after woman's escape
A Saudi teen's live-tweeted asylum plea has cast a renewed spotlight on women's rights just months after women won the right to drive, and sparked rare criticism of restrictive "guardianship" laws - from men.
Qunun's impassioned cry for help set off a media frenzy, prompting angry denunciations and death threats from many in a kingdom where guardianship laws are still widely supported.
But the incident sparked a rare online debate as several young Saudis - including men - implored authorities to dismantle the guardianship system.
Seen as a form of gender apartheid, the system means Saudi women are often only as free as their male "guardians" - husband, father and other male relatives - allow them to be. The men in their lives have to give formal permission for the women to study, get married or even renew their passports.
"Guardianship gives men the ultimate authority over women," a young Saudi medical student named Bandar said in a video monologue posted on Twitter.
"He can control her, slap her, beat her, do whatever he wants and no (government) agency can stop him.
"This is causing women to dream about living elsewhere, away from where they were born and raised. Why? Because living here suffocates them."
As tweets by Qunun, now in the care of a UN refugee agency in Thailand, went viral, a new hashtag gained traction in Saudi Arabia: "Drop guardianship or all of us will migrate".
"Saudi society, in general, has utterly failed to come to terms with the reality that women have an equal desire for self actualization," tweeted another Saudi man, Ahmad Nasser al-Shathri.
The backlash follows a wide-ranging liberalisation drive spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that is aimed at transforming the conservative petro-state, long criticised for its treatment of women.
"The social reforms in Saudi Arabia are very much real and they will improve the everyday lives of women," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP.
"But the guardianship system remains repressive and hinders women's rights and mobility."
(* A B P)
Film: Why has @rahaf84427714 been dubbed a “revolutionary” in #SaudiArabia? Here’s @monaeltahawy’s take on @MEastMatters.
https://twitter.com/FRANCE24/status/1083039570810339328
(A B P)
Rahaf’s plight is the microcosm of something that is bigger: the status of women in #Saudi Arabia under guardianship laws. She has forced that onto global consciousness, forced the world to see #EndGuardianship
Rahaf has forced #Saudi Arabia’s controlling guardianship system onto global consciousness. Demand the release of #Saudi feminists tortured - waterboarded, electric shock, rape threat - for fighting to dismantle that system.
https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy/status/1083041334892605440
(* B H P)
Radha Stirling: "Rahaf's asylum bid shows Saudi's need to protect women from abuse".
For obvious reason, the immediate concern in the case of Rahaf Alqunun bas been for her safety; but this incident must develop into a discussion about reform in Saudi Arabia.
In some ways, it is more disturbing that Rahaf’s claims of abuse may have prompted her escape, and that these claims would be taken less seriously as a reason for granting her asylum. First of all, if a young woman who has been abused feels the need to seek asylum, becoming a refugee in a foreign country; it can only mean that the legal institutions in her own country provide insufficient support for female victims of domestic abuse. She could not, in other words, go to the police; she could not turn to social workers; she had no recourse whatsoever for protection with her own government. Domestic violence is a global issue; it occurs in every society in the world; but where else do women feel so devalued that the only way they can escape their abuser is to literally appeal to the United Nations for refugee status?
While there have been PR campaigns in Saudi Arabia recently discouraging domestic abuse, there are absolutely no laws in the penal code that criminalise violence against women. Rahaf’s claims of abuse, then, should have been sufficient to prevent her deportation. Certainly, her declared renunciation of Islam puts her at risk of death and gives her a convincing argument for asylum; but as a woman in Saudi Arabia, it is legal for her family to abuse her, and the government could offer no guarantees of her safety.
It is important to talk about the kingdom’s dismal position on religious freedom; everyone should have the right to choose their faith or choose not to have one. But it is fair to assume that the laws on apostasy impact far fewer people than the absence of laws protecting women from domestic violence – by Radha Stirling
(B E P)
Saudi private jet industry stalls after corruption crackdown
A crackdown on corruption in Saudi Arabia has severely dented the kingdom’s private jet industry in a sign of the impact the campaign has had on private enterprise and the wealthy elite.
Dozens of planes, owned by individuals and charter companies and worth hundreds of millions of dollars, are stranded at airports across the kingdom including Riyadh and Jeddah, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Some were handed over to the state in settlements reached after the crackdown was launched in late 2017, when dozens of princes, businessmen and government officials were detained, they said.
Others belong to Saudis who either face travel bans or are reluctant to fly the planes because they are wary of displays of wealth that might be seen as taunting the government over the anti-corruption campaign, two of the sources said.
(* A P)
Six killed and one arrested in security operation in Saudi Arabia's al-Qatif region
Six people were killed and one arrested in a security operation in Saudi Arabia’s eastern Al-Qatif region on Monday, the state news agency reported on Wednesday.
and
(A P)
Saudi Arabia says 6 suspects killed in raid on Shiite stronghold
https://news.yahoo.com/saudi-arabia-says-six-suspects-killed-raid-shiite-133013287.html
Comment: Imagine media reporting that “US police killed 6 in raid on African American stronghold.” Or “6 killed in German raid on Jewish stronghold.” I think they mean to say a Shiite neighborhood, though I’m sure the saudis prefer you describe it as a “stronghold”
https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/1082991732982194176
and
(* A P)
Al Saud Forces Commit Massacre against Civilians in Al-Qatif
The Saudi regime forces attacked on Tuesday Um Al-Hamam village in Al-Qatif in eastern the country for allegedly searching about ‘wanted’ people.
The assailants’ gun fire and shells killed seven civilians and injured a number of others, according to media reports.
The Saudi soldiers were reported to burglar and loot the civilians’ properties.
http://www.newnewss.net/al-saud-forces-commit-massacre-against-civilians-in-al-qatif/
and as described by Reuters:
(* A P)
Saudi security operation kills two in Shi'ite town: TV
Two people were killed and others arrested in a “preemptive” security operation in Saudi Arabia’s eastern Qatif province, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Tuesday.
Violence in the area has become more rare since security forces largely flushed out Shi’ite Muslim gunmen in a 2017 campaign that left much of the town’s old quarter flattened.
The people killed on Monday had refused to surrender and then opened fire on security forces, Al-Arabiya reported, citing unnamed security sources. They had been wanted over alleged disruptions to security and development projects in the area, it added.
Unverified photographs shared earlier on social media showed a bloodied body carried in a tarp by men dressed in fatigues, and homes pockmarked with bullet holes. An online video appeared to show a military vehicle firing in a residential area.
Shi’ite protests and deadly militant attacks on security forces have escalated since Nimr al-Nimr, a Shi’ite cleric critical of Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, was executed two years ago on charges of inciting violence.
(* B P)
Der Untergang des Prinzen. Ein folgenschwerer Mordanschlag
Das „neue“ Saudi-Arabien
Der saudische Kronprinz MbS konnte mit einigen sozialen Reformen das Leben im Königreich deutlich verbessern – insbesondere das der saudischen Frauen –, während seine ambitionierte Vision 2030 das Land auch ökonomisch moderniseren soll. Diese hochgradig an seine Person gebundene Top-Down-Revolution steht und fällt mit dem Image des Prinzen, welches durh den brutalen Mord am Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi zerstört wurde und ultimativ wohl den Untergang des MbS eingeläutet hat.
Ungeachtet seiner extremen Machtbündelung im Innern und der katastrophalen Konfrontationspolitik nach Außen gilt MbS gemeinhin als großer Reformer – der er zweifelsohne ist. Er repräsentiert eine Kaste junger kosmopolitischer Prinzen – und darüber hinaus junger Saudis im Allgemeinen –, die im Ausland studiert haben, dort lebten oder viel reisen und mit den verschiedensten kulturellen Eindrücken im Gepäck mit dem Ultrakonservatismus der saudischen Heimat nicht mehr allzu viel anfangen können. Ernten MbS‘ Vorstöße in älteren Bevölkerungsschichten zuweilen Unverständnis, ist er bei jungen Saudis – knapp 60 Prozent der saudischen Bevölkerung ist unter 30 Jahre alt – in der Tat sehr beliebt. Vor allem scheint mit MbS erstmals ein saudischer Führer tatsächlich ein gewisses Interesse an der Gunst seines Volkes zu haben.
Neben diesen Verbesserungen kam es unter MbS andererseits zu einem massiven Anstieg willkürlicher Verhaftungen ohne Anklage, sowie zu Vorbeugehaft potentieller Aktivisten und Einschränkungen der ohnehin spärlichen Rede- und Meinungsfreiheit.
Ein weiterer zentraler Pfeiler dieser Top-Down-Revolution ist MbS‘ sogenannte Vision 2030 – ein äußerst ambitioniertes Programm, nach dem sich die saudische Ökonomie langfristig von ihrer Ölabhängigkeit emanzipieren soll
„Die wohl größte Herausforderung für Riad besteht darin“, analysiert die Financial Times nüchtern, „das Amerika der Konzerne davon zu überzeugen, in Saudi-Arabien zu investieren und dringend benötigte Finanzmittel und technisches Know-how bereitzustellen, um die ehrgeizigen Pläne des jungen Prinzen zur Modernisierung seiner Nation zu unterstützen.“ Zu diesem Ziele brach MbS im vergangenen März zu einer dreiwöchigen Charmeoffensive in die USA auf und traf sich in den Metropolen des Landes mit dem Who is Who der US-amerikanischen Eliten aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Öl-Business, Entertainment, Technologie und Medien.
Insbesondere die US-Flaggschiffe der liberal media ließen sich seit jeher vom Charisma des MbS verzaubern – und hinters Licht führen –, sahen sie doch seit Beginn seines Aufstiegs krampfhaft in ihm nur das, was sie so gerne sehen wollten.
Die Causa Khashoggi
Und auch in Saudi-Arabien ist der Kampf gegen Kritiker seit Jahrzehnten fest in Historie und Struktur des Königreichs verankert. Was den Mord an Jamal Khashoggi über Wochen in die weltweiten Schlagzeilen manövrieren konnte, sind neben der splatterhaften Brutalität – die Leiche wurde anscheinend zersägt und in Säure aufgelöst – vor allem zwei Dinge.
Einerseits der Dilettantismus im Kontext der Schadensbegrenzung der saudischen Regierung, hervorgerufen durch das höchst geschickte Ausspielen der Affäre durch die Erdoğan-Regierung.
Der Untergang des Prinzen
Es gibt drei mögliche Szenarien, wie sich die Khashoggi-Affäre auflösen kann, die das Potential haben, das Königreich, den Nahen Osten oder gar die weltpolitische Lage auf den Kopf zu stellen.
Erstens könnte die (westliche) Welt, Politiker und Konzerne gleichermaßen, die Trump-Taktik des Unter-den-Teppich-Kehrens fahren und Opportunismus über ihre „Werte“ stellen: Enge wirtschaftliche, politische, diplomatische und militärische Verflechtungen dürften nicht wegen der Missetaten einer Einzelperson geopfert werden, so jenes Narrativ.
Die Szenarien zwei und drei basieren auf der Prämisse, dass sich die westliche Staatengemeinschaft tatsächlich kategorisch und dauerhaft weigern sollte, MbS zurück in ihre Reihen aufzunehmen.
Im zweiten möglichen Szenario würde sich MbS gegen westliche Opposition an der Macht halten, woraufhin die Beziehungen zum Westen schwer beschädigt würden und sich Saudi-Arabien mittelfristig nach anderen Partnern umsehen würde.
Das dritte Szenario würde eintreten, sollte sich die Erkenntnis, dass MbS seit dem Khashoggi-Mord „toxisch“ ist, auch in Riad durchsetzen – und zwar in jenen massiv geschwächten, jedoch durchaus noch vorhandenen parallelen Machtstrukturen, die die Palastrevolution des MbS nicht vollständig unterminieren konnte.
Der rasante Aufstieg des Mohammed bin Salman ist einmalig in der Geschichte des Königreichs. Seit Jahrzehnten gab es keine derartige Machtkonzentration in den Händen eines saudischen Herrschers. Am Ende könnte es tatsächlich der brutale Mord an einem Journalisten sein, der den Untergang des Prinzen einläutete – von Jakob Reimann
http://justicenow.de/2019-01-06/der-untergang-des-prinzen/
(* B P)
Ein paar Alte zur Beruhigung
Nach dem Desaster wegen des Khashoggi-Mordes bekommt Saudi-Arabiens Kronprinz etablierte Führungskräfte an die Seite gestellt. Doch seine Macht bleibt weiter ungebrochen.
Der 33-Jährige stilisiert sich als Sprachrohr der Jugend, der er versprochen hat, ein "neues Saudi-Arabien" zu schaffen, in dem die Alten ausgedient haben. Seit er an der Macht ist, ist er zum De-facto-Herrscher aufgestiegen, hat einen radikalen Generationenwechsel eingeleitet und enge Vertraute und Günstlinge um sich geschart. Doch die Affäre Khashoggi hat traditionelle Fraktionen innerhalb der Königsfamilie aufgeschreckt, die fürchten, dieser jungen, überambitionierten Clique um MbS könnte ihre neu gewonnene Macht zu Kopf gestiegen sein.
Deswegen ist die aktuelle Kabinettsumbildung von König Salman, dem Vater des Kronprinzen, ein Signal an internationale Partner und die eigene Bevölkerung, politische Exzesse einzudämmen, ohne dabei dieMachtposition des Kronprinzen zu schwächen: MbS behält all seine Ämter. Wichtigste Personalie ist die Berufung des ehemaligen Finanzministers Ibrahim al-Assaf zum neuen Außenminister.
Die Kabinettsumbildung soll auch innerhalb der eigenen Bevölkerung Vertrauen wiederherstellen. Für viele war der Mord an Khashoggi ein Schock – von Sebastian Sons
(* B P)
Kotau von Netflix
Kritische Satiresendung aus dem Programm in Saudi-Arabien genommen: US-Streamingriese kommt staatlichem Zensurbegehren nach
Es braucht nicht viel Phantasie, um sich vorzustellen, was im Königspalast von Riad los war, als die Herrscherfamilie von der Sendung Wind bekamen. Im eigenen Land verschwinden Kritiker schon für deutlich weniger Widerspruch im Gefängnis. Der saudische Wunsch nach Zensur der Commedyshow sei deshalb nicht verwunderlich, kommentierte die New York Times (NYT) am Montag online: »Der Schock ist die gleichgültige Unterwürfigkeit von Netflix.«
Der Streamingdienst rechtfertigte sich in der Financial Times mit einem Verweis auf die eindeutige Rechtslage in Saudi-Arabien. Dort sei so etwas verboten, das Ansinnen also berechtigt. Selbst wenn das Unternehmen mit den rigorosen Bestimmungen dort nicht übereinstimme. Wer international agiere, müsse Kompromisse machen.
https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/346904.kotau-von-netflix.html
(* B P)
Der Mann, den Netflix aus dem Programm nahm
Der Comedian Hasan Minhaj spricht als Amerikaner, Einwandererkind und Muslim. Vielleicht hatte seine Satire gegen den saudischen Kronprinzen deshalb ein so großes Echo.
Das Königreich Saudi-Arabien hatte sich bei Netflix beschwert, eine Folge von Minhajs Sendung Patriot Act habe gegen einen obskuren Paragrafen der saudischen Strafordnung verstoßen. Es geht anscheinend um die Verunglimpfung des Kronprinzen Mohammed bin Salman (oder, wie Minhaj ihn nennt: MBS), dessen Charmeoffensive 2018 über den Mord an dem Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi ins Stocken geraten war.
Minhaj hatte in seiner Show satirisch auf den Fall Khashoggi sowie den saudi-arabischen Militäreinsatz im Jemen angespielt. Netflix entfernte die Folge in seinem Programm für Saudi-Arabien – oder, wie der Comedian scherzte, habe sie mal schnell im Ritz Carlton Riad eingesperrt, in dem MBS gern unliebsame Familienmitgliedern interniere. Seitdem muss sich der Streamingdienst mit Vorwürfen auseinandersetzen, er beuge sich dem Willen autoritärer Machthaber.
(* B P)
Hau drauf: Saudiarabien übt Zensur aus. Aber weshalb wird Netflix dafür angeprangert?
Es ist eine wichtige Frage, wie digitale Giganten mit den Forderungen von undemokratischen Regimen umgehen. Aber ein kommerzielles Unternehmen wie Netflix kann keine Politik der Welt ändern – aber Kritik üben. Nur wie geschieht das am Besten?
Hier werde in Wahrheit nichts als die Diktatur modernisiert, prangerte der amerikanisch-indische Comedian Hasan Minhaj in seiner Netflix-Show «Patriot Act» an
Das war zu viel. Auf Druck von Riad entfernte Netflix zum Jahreswechsel auf seiner Plattform die Episode für Saudiarabien.
Natürlich stellt sich die wichtige Frage, wie digitale Giganten mit solchen Herausforderungen umgehen
Netflix kann die politischen Missstände nicht aus der Welt schaffen. Aber in Saudiarabien können Abonnenten derzeit immerhin noch die anderen Folgen der Serie und vieles mehr sehen. «Saudi Arabia» war einen Versuch wert. Hat nicht funktioniert. Aber Netflix will Grenzen überschreiten.
(? B E P)
Auf Öl gebaut
Saudi-Arabiens Führung wollte die weltgrößte Energiefirma privatisieren und ist spektakulär gescheitert. Was bedeutet das für das Land? – Von Michael Thumann
https://www.zeit.de/2019/02/saudi-arabien-energie-oel-privatisierung
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
Siehe / Look at cp8
(* A P)
Open Society Justice Initiative Sues U.S. Government for Khashoggi Records
The Open Society Justice Initiative has filed a lawsuit today under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act seeking the immediate release of government records relating to the killing of U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
The suit seeks the release of all records “including but not limited to the CIA’s findings on and/or assessment of the circumstances under which he was killed and/or the identities of those responsible.”
The filing of the lawsuit before a federal court in the Southern District of New York follows the government’s failure to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests filed in early December by the Justice Initiative, targeting the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the National Security Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The Justice Initiative argues that disclosure of the records is essential “for a public evaluation of the federal government’s efforts to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for Khashoggi’s killing.” It also asserts that “the American public has a right to know what its government is doing to uphold human rights and the rule of law” in the context of the murder.
(* A P)
Saudi probe into Khashoggi murder lacks credibility, US official says
Pompeo will get update on Saudi investigation when he visits Riyadh later this month, State Department says
A senior US official expressed scepticism about Riyadh's handling of the investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, despite President Donald Trump's persistent backing of Saudi rulers.
The official, who chose not to be identified, said Saudi Arabia's probe still lacks full credibility and accountability.
The comments came on Friday, as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a Middle East tour including a visit to Riyadh, where his office said he will seek an update on the Saudi Arabia's investigation into Khashoggi's murder later this month.
The US official said Pompeo intends to "continue to push for accountability and credibility from the Saudi leadership as they move through the legal process that began earlier this week".
"I don’t think from our point of view that the narrative emerging from the Saudis or the legal process is yet hit that threshold of credibility and accountability," the official said. "So we have continued to work this issue with the Saudis, underscoring that it’s in their interest to pursue this as aggressively as they can to get this albatross off their backs and to get out from under the shadow of this incident which has caused such an outcry."
(* B P)
A Memorial for Jamal Khashoggi
I met Jamal sixteen years ago, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was the deputy editor of the Arab News; I was mentoring young reporters at that newspaper’s English-language competitor, the Saudi Gazette.
By the time I met Jamal, in 2003, he had denounced bin Laden and written a column in the Arab News, placing the responsibility for 9/11 on the cultural failures of Saudi Arabia, especially Wahhabism, the kingdom’s unyielding state religion.
He spoke of the “schizophrenia” that many Saudis experience, by which he meant the contradiction between what he called the “real” and the “virtual” kingdom. He gave the example of satellite dishes, which were nominally against the law. “In reality, we are the biggest consumers of satellite television in the Middle East,” he said.
Jamal was the only Saudi I met who was in favor of the war in Iraq. I think this was because he had developed a strong belief in the example of American democracy and in the nation’s ability to spread this ideal around the world. As it happens, he misjudged both our intentions and our abilities.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/a-memorial-for-jamal-khashoggi
cp8b Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun
Earlier reporting: Yemen War Mosaic 499, cp8b
My comment: The case of Rahaf almost is something like a Khashoggi case “en miniature”. Again, Saudi Arabia tried to seize a Saudi citizen in a foreign country, and badly failed. Yes, the Saudis also had failed in the Khashoggi case, even though they had succeeded in seizing him. As for Rahaf, luckily there seems to be a “Happy End” now. In both cases, the PR debacle for Saudi Arabia was catastrophic, and this debacle largely predominated any achieved or just anticipated success. What did the Saudis really learn from the Khashoggi case? It seems that they did not learn very much, as the case of Rahaf is showing.
Still, the Saudis think, they could chase and seize Saudi citizens in all countries on this globe. But it seems whether the world is going to change (partly thanks to social media as well), and the people affected, those in connection to them and worldwide public opinion simply will care more and more and will make their fate public.
The Saudis seem still to act as being inebriated by the feeling of omnipotence, by the idea they would be able to bribe, or blackmail and bully states, organizations, media and individuals all around the world, so that they would stay either silent or would fulfill any Saudi wishes or would serve as Saudi mouthpieces. Thus, other cases like those of Khashoggi and Rahaf will happen, and other Saudi PR disasters are going to come. This is “Learning by doing”, when “Learning by brainpower” is rejected. A good advice: Simply let people go and let them alone, when they have succeeded in leaving the country.
Well, in leaving a country, which is a kind of prison for at least half the population, with private guard(ian)s in every family. Every woman having escaped from this dystopic country must be accepted as a refugee. Certainly only by more cases like the Khashoggi and the Rafa cases coming under full public attention and scrutiny and by growing international pressure, any progress could be achieved.
(* A P)
Eine Frau twittert sich in die Freiheit
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun flüchtete vor ihrer Familie in Saudi-Arabien, doch thailändische Behörden setzten sie im Flughafen fest. Die 18-Jährige siegte - weil sie sich auf geschickte Weise Hilfe holte.
Den Tweet, der sie vor der eigenen Familie und den thailändischen Behörden schützen sollte, schickte sie um 3.30 Uhr morgens aus dem Transitbereich des internationalen Flughafens Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok in die Welt.
"Ich bin das Mädchen, das es von Kuwait nach Thailand geschafft hat", schrieb die 18-jährige Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun. "Mein Leben ist in echter Gefahr, wenn ich gezwungen werde, nach Saudi-Arabien zurückzukehren".
Die junge Frau erklärte später, sie habe sich vom Islam losgesagt und deshalb Angst, ihre Familie könne ihr etwas antun.
Bei einem Familienausflug in Kuwait sei sie geflüchtet, wollte eigentlich nach Australien, doch im Transitbereich in Thailand war plötzlich Schluss. Nach Angaben von Qunun nahmen ihr Beamte dort ihren Pass ab und drohten, sie in ihre Heimat abzuschieben. Qunun verschanzte sich daraufhin in einem Zimmer eines Transithotels, bis der Abschiebeflug ohne sie abhob.
Die saudischen Behörden bestreiten die Angaben der 18-Jährigen.
So schilderte es auch der Chef der thailändischen Migrationsbehörde, der nach eigenen Angaben vor dem Eintreffen Qununs keinen Kontakt zu saudischen Behörden hatte. Welche Version am Ende stimmt, die der Behörde oder die der jungen Frau, ist nicht klar.
Saudi-arabische Frauen dürfen nicht ohne die Zustimmung ihres männlichen Vormundes reisen oder andere wichtige Lebensentscheidungen zu treffen. Im Fall von Qunun ist das ihr Vater, der kurz nach Bekanntwerden ihrer Flucht nach Bangkok reiste, um mit seiner Tochter zu sprechen. Die lehnte ein Treffen aber ab.
(* A P)
Australien erwägt Visum für geflüchtete Saudi-Araberin
Der Fall der vor ihrer Familie geflüchteten Saudi-Araberin Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun ist von den Vereinten Nationen geprüft worden.
Das UNHCR hat den Fall an Australien überwiesen. Dort wird ein mögliches Visum für die 18-Jährige geprüft, deren Flucht vor ihrer Familie auf Twitter für Anteilnahme gesorgt hatte.
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/rahaf-mohammed-al-qunun-australien-umsiedlung-1.4280356
(* B P)
Why has Rahaf al-Qunun captured the world's attention while Hakeem al-Araibi is left in jail?
A ustralia, Thailand and the Gulf states have been inextricably linked in two global news stories lately, when two young people faced being forcibly returned to the places and people they fled simply because they happened to step foot in Bangkok.
Both Al-Araibi and Qunun have captured international headlines – far more than many others in similarly dire situations. But there is no denying Qunun’s case has drawn more support, including, crucially, from the government of Thailand.
So why the difference?
‘My life will end if I go to Bahrain’
Bahraini national, now Australian resident, Hakeem al-Araibi, was a member of the Bahrain national football team. Al-Araibi claims he was imprisoned and tortured by Bahraini authorities amid a crackdown on athletes taking part in pro-democracy rallies during the Arab Spring, and he fled to Australia and sought asylum in 2011.
In 2014 he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years’ jail at a Bahraini trial beset by claims of coerced confessions, ignored evidence and bias. The conviction related to an act of vandalism which occurred at the same time – or at least not long after – al-Araibi was playing in a televised football match.
In 2017 he was given formal refugee status by Australia.
The reasons are varied but likely include the age-old non-science of what makes news and what doesn’t.
Al-Araibi’s case is also much more complicated based on the known facts, and being subject to an Interpol red notice might have suggested Al-Araibi’s arrest was legitimate.
Qunun was able to get on social media with videos and urgent personal pleas immediately and prolifically. An army of loud and committed online supporters rose up after Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy translated and shared her posts.
(A P)
AMNESTY BEGRÜSST FLÜCHTLINGSSCHUTZ FÜR JUNGE FRAU AUS SAUDI-ARABIEN
Das Uno-Flüchtlingshilfswerk UNHCR hat Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun als Flüchtling anerkannt und überprüft nun, ob sie Aufnahme in Australien findet. Amnesty begrüsst es, dass die junge Frau aus Saudi Arabien Flüchtlingsschutz geniesst.
(* A P)
Saudi teen Rahaf Alqunun reacts to Australian resettlement option with smile, dancing emojis
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that the United Nations refugee agency had referred Ms Alqunun's case to Australia for consideration.
Ms Alqunun's asylum application was fast-tracked, partly because of security concerns, after the young woman's father and brother arrived in Bangkok and asked Thai police to see her.
The UNHCR has since assessed her case and found she is a refugee.
Thailand's immigration police chief Lieutenant General Surachate Hakparn told media on Wednesday Ms Alqunun's father and brother arrived together in Bangkok on Tuesday but Ms Alqunun refused to meet them.
He said her father denied physically abusing Ms Alqunun or trying to force her into an arranged marriage, two of the reasons she gave for her flight.
(* A P)
UNHCR stuft geflohene saudische Frau als Flüchtling ein
Das Hilfswerk der Vereinten Nationen hat der aus Saudi-Arabien geflohenen Rahaf Mohammed al-Kunun den Flüchtlingsstatus zugesprochen. Australien prüft nun ihre Aufnahme.
Die aus Angst vor ihrer Familie geflohene Saudi-Araberin Rahaf Mohammed al-Kunun ist vom UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerk UNHCR als Flüchtling eingestuft worden. Das UNHCR habe Australien um "Prüfung einer Flüchtlingsaufnahme" im Fall von al-Kunun gebeten, teilte das australische Innenministerium mit. Dies geschehe nun "auf dem üblichen Weg" wie in anderen Asylfällen auch.
Gesundheitsminister Greg Hunt hatte zuvor gesagt, dass ein Visum aus humanitären Gründen für die 18-Jährige "sehr, sehr, sehr ernsthaft" geprüft werde, wenn sie den Flüchtlingsstatus des UNHCR erhalte.
(* A P)
Nach Thailand geflüchtete Saudi-Araberin wird nicht in ihre Heimat abgeschoben
Die aus ihrer Heimat geflohene 18-jährige Saudi-Araberin, die seit Sonntag am Flughafen in Bangkok festsaß, darf unter dem Schutz des UN-Flüchtlingshilfswerks UNHCR vorerst in Thailand bleiben. Rahaf Mohammed al-Kunun verließ am Montag den Airport der thailändischen Hauptstadt, wie die Behörden mitteilten. Al-Kunun erklärte, unter dem Schutz des UNHCR fühle sie sich nun sicher vor ihrer Familie.
Nach Angaben der Menschenrechtsorganisation Human Rights Watch und ihrer eigenen Aussage war die 18-Jährige am Sonntag auf der Flucht vor ihrer Familie an Bangkoks internationalem Flughafen von saudiarabischen und kuwaitischen Botschaftsvertretern gestoppt worden, die ihr den Pass wegnahmen. Sie sei während einer Kuwait-Reise vor ihrer Familie wegen körperlicher und seelischer Misshandlungen geflüchtet, sagte al-Kunun.
Die 18-Jährige wollte nach eigenen Angaben in Australien Asyl beantragen. Sie fürchtet, im Falle einer Abschiebung in ihr erzkonservatives Heimatland getötet zu werden.
Thailands Einwanderungschef Surachate Hakparn hatte am Sonntag gesagt, al-Kunun sei die Einreise verweigert worden, weil sie nicht die notwendigen Dokumente bei sich gehabt habe. Nach vielfacher Kritik und Twitter-Appellen der jungen Frau an verschiedene Länder vollzog die Behörde am Montag eine Kehrtwende. "Wenn sie nicht ausreisen will, werden wir sie nicht zwingen", sagte Surachate zunächst.
Nach einem Treffen mit UNHCR-Vertretern sagte der Behördenchef schließlich, die 18-Jährige dürfe bleiben.
Das saudiarabische Außenministerium widersprach in einer über seine Botschaft in Bangkok veröffentlichten Erklärung der Angabe, dass der Pass der jungen Frau beschlagnahmt worden sei. Sie solle nach Kuwait gebracht werden, wo ihre Familie lebe. Der Vater habe die Botschaft kontaktiert und um "Hilfe" bei der Rückführung seiner Tochter gebeten.
Al-Kunun sagte der Nachrichtenagentur AFP, ihre Familie sei streng und habe sie "sechs Monate lang in einem Zimmer eingesperrt, nur weil ich meine Haare abgeschnitten habe". Sie sei "zu 100 Prozent" sicher, dass ihre Familie sie nach ihrer Flucht töten wolle.
(* A P)
Rahaf al-Kunun kann vorerst in Thailand bleiben
Die saudische Führung fordert wohl nicht die Rückkehr der geflohenen Rahaf Mohammed al-Kunun. Die 18-Jährige saß aus Angst vor ihrer Familie am Flughafen Bangkok fest.
Eine junge Frau aus Saudi-Arabien, die auf der Flucht nach Australien in Thailand am Flughafen in Bangkok festsaß, steht nun unter Schutz des Flüchtlingshilfswerks der Vereinten Nationen. Das berichtete der Guardian. Thailand erteilte ihr eine vorübergehende Aufenthaltsgenehmigung.
Nach Informationen der thailändischen Einwanderungsbehörde fordert die Führung in Saudi-Arabien zudem keine Rückführung der 18-Jährigen. Polizeichef Surachate Hakparn sagte, er habe sich mit Vertretern der saudischen Botschaft in Bangkok getroffen. Die saudischen Botschaftsmitarbeiter hätten gesagt, dass sie mit dem Fall nichts zu tun hätten und keine Rückkehr al-Kununs forderten. Es handele sich in der Sache um eine reine Familienangelegenheit.
Bemerkung: Viele Kommentare!
(* A P)
Saudische Frau flieht vor Familie und bittet um internationale Hilfe
Die 18-jährige Rahaf Mohammed will nach Australien, sitzt aber in Bangkok fest. Laut den thailändischen Behörden muss sie vorerst nicht nach Saudi-Arabien zurück.
(* B P)
Film: Saudi 'guardianship' laws reduce women to perpetual minors: Mona Eltahawy
Rahaf Alqunun's plight appears to be the direct result of Saudi Arabia's 'guardianship' laws that apply to women from cradle to grave.
Egyptian born feminist writer Mona Eltahawy describes these laws as gender apartheid that reduce women to perpetual minors.
She said Rahaf's plight is informed by many oppressions suffered by women in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East generally.
(* A P)
Australian government reporting that the UNHCR has assessed Rahaf’s case and found she is a refugee. In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs says it will consider the referral from the UN in the usual way
https://twitter.com/Sophiemcneill/status/1082876069798043648
(A P)
Saudi teen's father arrives in Thailand, Australia says it will consider asylum
The Australian Government says it will carefully consider any claim for asylum made by a young Saudi woman stopped by officials in Thailand at the weekend, apparently en route to Australia.
Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun is now in the care of the UN refugee agency while her case is assessed.
(A P)
Australia will offer Saudi teen asylum if she’s found to be a genuine refugee
The Saudi teenager who barricaded herself in a Bangkok airport hotel and begged for asylum from Australia could have her wish granted.
Australia confirmed on Tuesday night that it was deeply concerned about the plight of Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun, 18, and confirmed it would likely grant her a humanitarian visa – if the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) determined her claims are genuine.
However, her case has also raised questions over why Australia has moved so swiftly to open the door for refugee protection for the social media-savvy teenager as thousands of other asylum seekers languish without resettlement.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/01/08/rahaf-alqunun-visa-saudi/
(* A P)
Canada helped pressure Thailand to protect Saudi woman, says Human Rights Watch
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, has left the Bangkok airport and is in talks with the UNHCR
Canada played a role in convincing the Thai government not to send an asylum-seeking woman back to Saudi Arabia against her wishes, says Human Rights Watch.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, is now in talks with the United Nations refugee agency after spending the weekend barricading herself in a Bangkok airport hotel over fears the Thai government would send her home, where she says she would face violence from her family.
She told reporters she fled Kuwait while her family was visiting the Gulf country and had planned to travel from Thailand to Australia to seek asylum, but was detained on a stopover in Bangkok.
Stefano Maron, spokesperson for Global Affairs, said Canada is "very concerned by and watching closely the situation of Ms. Rahaf al-Qunun.
Phil Robertson, the Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director who has been in contact with Qunun, spoke to As It Happens host Carol Off about this unfolding situation. Here is part of their conversation.
PR: She was fleeing psychological and physical abuse by her male relatives, in particular her father and her brother.
She had cut her hair and then been confined to her room for almost six months. She very clearly stated that she was unhappy with Islam. She was unhappy having to wear the hijab and being forced to pray. She was very unhappy being told that she couldn't study the things she wanted to study or she wouldn't be able to work in the way she want to work.
She was having her life interfered in every possible way by conservative men who were telling her that she could do this and couldn't do that, and when she tried to defy them and showed any independence, you know, she suffered abuse.
She was remarkably consistent in talking to us and talking to others in saying that she thought she would be killed if she was sent back to Saudi Arabia.
Her father is a senior government official in a provincial administration. This is someone, I think, who would be able to treat his family any way he wants and would basically benefit from impunity because of his position, his stature, his influence.
What we have found in Saudi Arabia is a complete failure by Saudi Arabia to effectively investigate and prosecute honour-related violence, i.e. violence against women and girls when they do something that the men believe brings the family's honour into disrepute.
(A P)
Film: SA charge d'affaires in Bangkok Mr. Al-Shuaibi in a meeting with Thai officials: "She opened a Twitter account and her followers grew to 45000 within one day. It would have been better if they confiscated her cell phone instead of her passport because Twitter changed everything"
https://twitter.com/DrTalebJawad/status/1082600848256049152
My comment: LOL, LOL, LOL. And by this statement, he directly admits that the Saudis had planned to seize her and he contradicts to this lie following here:
(A P)
Saudi Arabia denies requesting extradition of woman in Thailand: embassy
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Thailand has denied reports that Riyadh had requested the extradition of a young Saudi women seeking asylum in Thailand, the embassy said on Twitter.
Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, who fled from her family and barricaded herself inside a Bangkok airport hotel to prevent Thai authorities expelling her, was allowed to leave the airport after talks with the United Nations refugee agency late on Monday.
She arrived in Bangkok on Saturday from Kuwait, saying she feared her family would kill her if she was forced to go home.
My comment: LOL. What a lie. Just to force her back the Saudis started all this action. And after they failed, they declare this. Anyway: When they admit she could go where she wants to, then they should simply let her go where she wants to. Period.
And let us not forget another case from Thailand:
(A P)
Refugee footballer to feature in Foreign Minister's Thailand trip
[Australian] Foreign Minister Marise Payne will lobby for the release of a Melbourne-based refugee soccer player held in Thailand when she makes an official visit to the Southeast Asian country.
Hakeem al-Araibi is being held in detention in Bangkok after being arrested over an Interpol Red Notice warrant issued by his native Bahrain.
and
(A B P)
About to go on @abcnews AM program to talk about my visit yesterday to Australian resident & Bahraini refugee Hakeem Al Araibi who’s currently being held in #Bangkok remand prison & facing possible extradition to #Bahrain FM @MarisePayne will raise his plight with Thais today (thread)
https://twitter.com/Sophiemcneill/status/1083106694974959618
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1
(* B P)
THE PRO-WAR CONSENSUS ON YEMEN UNRAVELS
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman could once count on bipartisan support in the U.S. for his agenda, but that’s changing fast.
In the latter half of 2018, however, the situation has begun to change.
Today, however, the lovefest between the Saudi autocrat and Western elites has receded.
Without exactly apologizing, Friedman had to retract some of his earlier praise. Former Obama officials scrambled to downplay their own legacy of backing the Saudis. Even perpetual warmonger Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed outrage and called on MBS to step down. While Trump and his administration continue to stand by bin Salman, it’s clear that a large section of the U.S. ruling class no longer sees him as a desirable partner.
THIS IS the context of the potentially historic vote that took place in Congress last month.
https://socialistworker.org/2019/01/10/the-pro-war-consensus-on-yemen-unravels
(* A P)
Außenminister: USA weichen den Kampf gegen Iran nicht auf
„Eines der häufigsten Argumente gegen die Entscheidung von Präsident Donald Trump, die US-Streitkräfte aus Syrien abzuziehen, ist die Stärkung des Iran. Außenminister Mike Pompeo, der am 8. Januar zu einer einwöchigen Tour durch den Nahen Osten aufbrach, widersprach und sagte, dass dem nicht so sei.
In einem Interview, zwei Tage nach diesem Treffen, betonte Pompeo, dass die USA sich weiterhin verpflichtet fühlen, den Iran und seine Stellvertreter aus Syrien zu verteiben – und eine umfassendere Strategie gegen den Iran in der gesamten Region zu entwickeln. ‚Diese Kampagne hat sich nicht geändert,‘ sagte er mir.
Pompeo wies darauf hin, dass die Kampagne gegen den Iran in Syrien und in der gesamten Region viele Komponenten umfasst, von denen einige öffentlich sind
https://www.mena-watch.com/aussenminister-usa-weichen-den-kampf-gegen-iran-nicht-auf/
(* A P)
America Isn’t Abandoning the Fight Against Iran
Withdrawing from Syria, says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, won’t affect U.S. efforts to counter Iranian influence there.
One of the most common arguments against President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria is that it will strengthen Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who leaves tomorrow for a weeklong tour of the Middle East, makes an interesting case for why that isn’t so.
“That campaign hasn’t changed one lick,” he told me. “A component of that is being altered, the reduction of the forces in Syria is being changed, but the mission set hasn’t changed a bit.” The U.S., he said, will continue to work to reduce Iranian influence in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.
Pompeo noted that the campaign against Iran in Syria and the broader region has many components, some of which are public
(A P)
US Central Command reports 36 US air strikes in #Yemen in 2018 "in Abyan, al Bayda, Hadramawt, Shabwah & Zamakh governorates". Come on @Centcom, we pointed out there is no such governorate as Zamakh after your 5/16/2018 statement. Precision bombing requires precision all-round (image)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1082970339536191488
My comment: LOL.
(* A P)
US Senate Failing to Pass Legislation Strengthening US Security in Middle East
The US Senate failed to pass the first legislation reaffirming US support for its allies in the Middle East. Fifty-six members voted against 44 for the "Strengthening of US Security in the Middle East," but less than 60 votes needed to pass.
Most Senate Democrats have vowed to block all legislation in the House until a bill to end the government closure is voted on.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4777&cat_id=3
My comment: This really would have been a warmongering legislation.
(* B P)
Sen. Young: Progress in Yemen requires American leadership
I have studied the situation in Yemen as closely as anyone on Capitol Hill, and the best way to oppose Iran in Yemen and stop ballistic missile attacks on our partners is to bring all parties to the negotiating table, end the civil war, and address the humanitarian crisis.
Famine and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians will only push more Yemenis toward Iran and its proxies.
Those who question this should ask themselves whether Iran has gained or lost influence in Yemen since the civil war started.
Solely from an anti-Iran perspective, an objective assessment of those questions demonstrates the need to end the civil war and pursue an inclusive political solution that seeks to reduce Tehran’s influence in Yemen.
Even a cursory review of events over the last year and a half demonstrates why continued U.S. pressure is necessary—including from Congress.
For too long, Saudi Arabia demonstrated that it would not lift humanitarian impediments or come to the negotiating table in good faith absent strong and sustained U.S. diplomatic pressure.
Consider three examples.
While the situation in Yemen is daunting, the good news is that the United States is not helpless in the face of this man-made crisis.
If Congress and the administration will utilize all available leverage, we can effectively encourage Riyadh to eliminate humanitarian obstacles, negotiate in good faith, and support a sustainable political solution.
That is what I have tried to do since March 2017, and that is what I intend to keep doing.
Our national security interests and our humanitarian principles demand nothing less – by Sen. Todd Young
My comment: This is a somewhat twidted statement. Of course, the Yemen war must be brought to an end, and the Saudis should be pressed to scale back their war in Yemen, and the US could help achieving this. But, what an US-centered, hawkish statement this really is! Does Young really believe this or does he speak this way because he tries to convince a largely hawkish audience? We had heard enough of any “American leadership” and do not want to hear anything else of the “American exceptionalism” bullshit. “American leadership” had brought chaos, destruction, permanent war, despair and killing to the Middle East (look at cp1 for instance), to Libya, to Vietnam and to Latin America. America just could help in Yemen by retreating: By retreating from any further interference, by retreating from any arms and spareparts supply to Saudi Arabia, by calling back all it’s technical staff from Saudi Arabia, by retreating from further political support. – And, again: The Iran narrative in a story related to Yemen simply is bullshit.
(* B P)
Concil on Foreign Relations: The Top Conflicts to Watch in 2019: Yemen
This year, a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen was included as a top tier priority in the Center for Preventive Action’s annual Preventive Priorities Survey.
Of the thirty contingencies included in this year’s Preventive Priorities Survey, a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, exacerbated by ongoing foreign intervention in the civil war, was assessed as a top tier priority for the United States in 2019. The contingency was deemed highly likely to occur and, if it does, of having a moderate impact on U.S. interests.
Although the United States has invested heavily in counterterrorism operations in Yemen since the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000, recent events have prompted a shift in U.S. policy.
The Preventive Priorities Survey was conducted in November 2018, and reflects the expert opinion of respondents at that time. As such, it should be viewed as a snapshot assessment. Recognizing this, CPA tracks ongoing conflicts, including the war in Yemen, with our Global Conflict Tracker.
View the full Preventive Priorities Survey to see which other contingencies were deemed top tier priorities for 2019.
https://www.cfr.org/blog/top-conflicts-watch-2019-yemen
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(B P)
Italian arms firm linked to ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Syria has visited Scots schools 17 times
An Italian arms firm linked to ethnic cleansing in Syria has visited Scottish schools at least 17 times over the last two years, fuelling concerns over the arms industry’s creeping influence on children’s education.
Leonardo MW is the ninth largest arms firm in the world, with a factory in Edinburgh which produces systems for F16 fighter jets.
https://theferret.scot/italian-arms-firm-ethnic-cleansing-syria-scots-schools/
(* A K P)
New video highlights UK's 'moral hypocrisy' on arms sales to Saudi Arabia
‘2019 needs to be the year the UK finally does the right thing and ends its shameful Saudi arms shipments’
Amnesty International has renewed its longstanding call on the UK Government to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the risk that UK weapons will be used to commit war crimes in conflict-ravaged Yemen.
The call comes as Amnesty releases a hard-hitting animated videohighlighting the UK’s failure to abide by its own arms exports control systems.
While ministers have repeatedly claimed the UK has among the world’s “toughest” or “most rigorous” arms controls, Amnesty’s one-minute video highlights a pattern of continued UK arms exports despite numerous Saudi-led coalition attacks in Yemen resulting in large numbers of civilian deaths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1DmbpEwU_Q
and these are many other videos, going back 3 months to 3 years, showing the ruthlessness of the British government never stopping this:
2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph8d7WGdWvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BbQK3fgy2k
2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR6ZJsnMDyE
2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtksdtQG0Mk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfrg-j_miI0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttdd5jbbASo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVNtLG-X28E
2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prCkjLTIoYk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etWKjt0o41s
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A P)
15.000 Euro für ein Transparent gegen Rheinmetall
Weil sie ein Transparent vor der Jahreshauptversammlung des Rüstungskonzerns Rheinmetall in Berlin zeigen wollten, haben zwei Menschen aus Frankfurt Strafbefehle in Höhe von 15.000 Euro erhalten.
15.000 Euro sollen zwei Menschen aus Frankfurt/M. zahlen, weil sie während der Jahreshauptversammlung von Rheinmetall am 8. Mai 2018 im Berliner Maritim-Hotel vor dem Haupteingang ein Transparent mit der Aufschrift „8. Mai 1945 – damals wie heute, war starts here, let's stop it here“ zeigen wollten.
Ende November 2018 ist bereits ein Friedensaktivist aus Celle, der vor den Rheinmetallwerken in Unterlüß mit Flugblättern gegen deren illegale Waffenexporte protestierte und die Beschäftigten zur Veröffentlichung solcher Machenschaften aufrief, wegen „Aufruf zum Whistleblowing“ zu einer Geldstrafe von 1800 Euro verurteilt. Das Urteil wird von dem Aktivisten nicht akzeptiert.
Ebenso wenig werden die beiden Personen aus Frankfurt die Strafbefehle über insgesamt 15.000 Euro akzeptieren und sie weisen die Vorwürfe der Staatsanwaltschaft zurück. Es wird voraussichtlich im Frühjahr 2019 zu einer Gerichtsverhandlung vor dem Amtsgericht Berlin-Tiergarten kommen.
https://anfdeutsch.com/aktuelles/15-000-euro-fuer-ein-transparent-gegen-rheinmetall-8817
Mein Kommentar: Was ist das denn?? Das ist politische Zensur zur Abschreckung und passt nicht in einen demokratischen Rechtsstaat. Mehr als 300 Euro wäre kaum angemessen gewesen.
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
(A P)
Mogherini: Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate sind ein starker Verbündeter der Europäischen Union
Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Sprecherin des Parlaments der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate, hat eine hochrangige Delegation zu einem Besuch beim Europäischen Parlament in Brüssel angeführt und erörterte bei einem Zusammentreffen mit Federica Mogherini, der Hohen Vertreterin der Europäischen Union für auswärtige Angelegenheiten, die Beziehungen zwischen den VAE und der EU.
Mogherini betonte die Bedeutung und Tiefe der Zusammenarbeit und Partnerschaft und wies darauf hin, dass die EU die Zusammenarbeit mit den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten stärken möchte, einem wertvollen Verbündeten bei der Bekämpfung des Terrorismus und der Erreichung von Sicherheit und Stabilität. Sie begrüßte den von den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten verfolgten Ansatz sowie die progressive Denkweise der Emirate in Bezug auf die Stärkung von Frauen, die Gleichstellung der Geschlechter, Toleranz und Koexistenz.
Mogherini brachte die Wertschätzung der EU für die Bemühungen der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate um Stabilität im Jemen zum Ausdruck. Sie stellte fest, dass die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate maßgeblich dazu beitragen würden, eine politische Lösung zu finden, die im Einklang mit dem Bestreben der EU stünde, eine friedliche Einigung herbeizuführen
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190109005541/de
Mein Kommentar: LOL. Wie die „Bemühungen der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate um Stabilität im Jemen“ aussehen, ist hinlänglich bekannt. Wer solche Statements abgibt, rechtfertigt Krieg, Massenmord, flächenweise Zerstörungen und Folter von Gefangenen.
(A K P)
EDA verschärft Verfahren gegen Pilatus
Im Saudi-Arabien-Deal könnten die Pilatus-Werke das Gesetz gebrochen haben. Das EDA hat ein Prüfverfahren eingeleitet.
Zwölf Pilatus-Mitarbeiter helfen in der saudischen Hauptstadt Riad beim Unterhalt der dortigen Pilatus-Trainingsflugzeuge.
Schweizer Firmen müssen solche Geschäfte mit fremden Armeen dem Bund melden, da sie aussenpolitisch heikel sein können. Im Fall Saudi-Arabien zum Beispiel deshalb, weil der Golfstaat im Jemen Krieg führt.
Möglicherweise hat sich der Flugzeughersteller Pilatus im Saudi-Arabien-Geschäft nicht an seine gesetzlichen Pflichten gehalten. Bereits im Oktober leitete das Eidgenössische Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA) ein Meldeverfahren ein.
Recherchen von Radio SRF zeigen nun: Das EDA hat das Verfahren ausgeweitet zu einem sogenannten Prüfverfahren.
https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/flugzeuge-in-saudi-arabien-eda-verschaerft-verfahren-gegen-pilatus
(B P)
Merwe aus dem Jemen
Die Gefahren, denen Merwe in ihrer Heimat ausgesetzt war.
Eine Bewertung von Prof. Dr. Kudret Bülbül, dem Dekan der Fakultät für Politikwissenschaften der Yıldırım Beyazıt Universität.
In diesem Zusammenhang möchte ich die Geschichte der jemenitischen Studentin aus dem Jemen mit ihnen teilen, um zu zeigen, welche Gefühle die Menschen für die Türkei haben, und mit welchen Gefühlen und Hoffnungen sie leben. Aber Merwe ist nur einer dieser Studenten.
Merwe ist eine Studentin, die aus Sana, der Hauptstadt des Jemen stammt. Im jungen Alter von Merwe, wo sie ihre Zukunft bestimmen will, brach in 2014 in ihrem Land ein Bürgerkrieg aus. Während eines Putsches denkt man weder an die Jugendlichen noch an ihre Zukunft.
Als Merwe in 2015 sich Gedanken über ihre Zukunft machte, erhält sie von der türkischen Behörde für Auslandstürken und Verwandte Volksgruppen YTB die Bestätigung für ihr Studium in der Türkei.
http://www.trt.net.tr/deutsch/unsere-programme/2019/01/09/merwe-aus-dem-jemen-1122184
(A P)
U.N Seeks Release of Relatives of Bahraini Activist
A United Nations human rights watchdog has called on Bahrain to release three relatives of a prominent exiled activist, describing their detention as an unlawful act of reprisal over their family connection.
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4787&cat_id=2
(A P)
Film by Ahmad Algohbary: I have Keratoconus and I want to go to @imobarcelona for treatment. I have prepared everything needed for the visa but the Spanish embassy in Amman @EmbEspJordania refused to give me a visa today.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1082598487815086080
Comment: It is v difficult for Yemenis to travel out of the country at all, and then when they do they struggle to travel globally for medical treatment.
The medical system in Yemen has collapsed, due to the war which is being waged by various countries none of which take in Yemeni refugees in reasonable numbers. Yemenis are in fact often denied visas to the countries fighting in, or supporting, the war in their own country
https://twitter.com/JaneFerguson5/status/1082662954020098049
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp12
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
(A)
Police arrest gang to smuggle antiquities in Ibb
The Police in Ibb province arrested on Tuesday a band to smuggle and sell the antiquities, a security official said.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522115.htm
Remark: In the Houthi-held part of Yemen.
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
(* A T)
The criminal Takfiri elements called "#Daesh", executed four children after abducting them from the Yekla area of Al-Baida Province. Has been known one of them, his name is "Zayed Qaid Al-Shuja'a," a worker in a restaurant in the province.
A video of the execution was posted in YouTube by Daesh, we apologize for not publishing it because it contains painful scenes (photos)
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2087554201297599
film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAzQbEvUgbo
#ISIS releasedYesterday of the execution of4 #Yemen-is they were arrested n a checkpoint in Yaklaa in Qaifa area in Albayda province This area is Under control of #Saudi #UAE CO Brother of1of THE victims post in FB saying:victims were on way2 #Marib 2join army fighting #Houthis (photos)
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/1083040635593084935
and
Al-Qaida execute four men work for a restaurant in Al-Baiydha province, three of them are children, no reliable source has confirmed so far, but the pictures of the victims were widely circulated via the social media (photo)
https://twitter.com/alimahmood19844/status/1082969471592075265
Gruesome footage circulating currently of 4-man execution squad is being attributed to both #AQAP & #IslamicState in #Yemen (ISY) as a recent event. It comes from a Sept 2018 video (purportedly) by ISY Aden-Abyan which describes the victims as "individuals from the Yemeni army"
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1083005173381894144
Remark: Al Qaeda? ISIS?
(A T)
Spat between those calling themselves #IslamicState and #alQaeda in #Yemen rolls on. Yesterday, #AQAP claimed it shot "a Kharijite" by sniper in Qayfa, al-Bayda'. Likely true as shortly afterwards #ISIS in al-Bayda' announced a new martyr, Mukhtar al-Ansari, just a boy.. (images)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1082776595285331968
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Saudi ambassador to US: We continue to support Yemen until it is rid of militias
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Washington Prince Khalid bin Salman has said that the Arab coalition will continue working to support Yemen until the country is rid of militias.
My comment: LOL: By “militias”, he just means the Houthis. Thus he wants to tell us: “Make war, nozt peace”. – Anyway, the greatest part of all anti-Houthi fighters in Yemen are militia as well – well, help Yemen to get rid of all of them!!
(A H P)
Saudi Arabia’s KSRelief signs six agreements to boost aid to Yemen
Saudi Arabia and the UAE pledged $500 million that will help around 13 million Yemenis in the coming months
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1433106/saudi-arabia
(A H P)
KSrelief Distributes Food Baskets in Lahij Governorate, Yemen
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1872668
(A P)
The forgotten women of Yemen
Violence and threats of rape are but some of the sufferings Yemeni women have to endure with no end in sight
Yemeni women experiencing the horrors of war have been scarred for life. How do they survive and raise their children? What kinds of terror have they seen? Why did organisations defending women’s rights disappear from the scene? How many women in Yemen have seen their child die in their arms?
Women are the most affected by the war in Yemen. They fight and strive but they are the first victims of war. It is Yemeni women whose husbands and children are killed, and they are left alone to bear the consequences of war amid health, economic and humanitarian crises.
Yemeni women were always respected and appreciated in their country. They are in shock after they have been violated by the Houthis. Local and international organisations’ reports said there were more than 20,000 cases of violations against Yemeni women. The Rights Radar organisation for human rights in the Arab world released a report stating that Yemeni women were subjected to killing, physical assault and violence at the hands of Houthi militias during more than three years of war.
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/26249.aspx
My comment: Yes, the situation of Yemeni women has become very bad during the war, for several reasons. But when using this subject for an anti-anti-Houthi blame game, the result is propaganda. Instead, read article in cp1.
(A P)
36 Yemeni organizations demand the reveal of corruption of international humanitarian action
A number of Yemeni civil society organizations have called on the World Food Programme (WFP) to disclose all manifestations of corruption in its programmes and humanitarian interventions that impede an effective and rapid humanitarian response.
In a joint statement issued by, 36 Yemeni organizations welcomed the announcement by World Food Program (WFP) of its intention to suspend part of its humanitarian programs in the areas controlled by the Houthis following the discovery of manipulation and theft by the Houthis.
The statement said the program was silent on many manifestations of corruption in its humanitarian interventions and programs so far colluding with the authorities to loot food from the mouths of the hungry in Yemen, especially welcoming the announcement of the program the Houthis loot for more than 60% of relief assistance.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162986
My comment: This sounds like a statement of government propaganda mouthpieces: “welcomed the announcement by World Food Program (WFP) of its intention to suspend part of its humanitarian programs in the areas controlled by the Houthis“ is somewhat too heavy.
(A P)
After looting aids, Houthis try to acquire 70 million dollars offered by Saudi Arabia as a grant to teachers
Yemeni teachers have been working in the areas of control of the Houthi rebels for more than two years without pay, and the humanitarian and living conditions of large groups of Yemeni society are deteriorating due to the interruption of salaries and the disruption of business as a legacy of the long war in Yemen.
In an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and in response to UNICEF's endeavors, Saudi Arabia announced more than three months ago that a $70 million grant would be disbursed as incentives to Yemeni teachers working in the Houthi rebel-run areas.
The Houthis today are pressuring UNICEF to deposit the amount of the grant provided as incentives for teachers through the central bank in Sana'a and thus disburse them through the Houthis for new lists in which they have excluded thousands of teachers who have not become part of their system.
In this way, it can be said that the $70 million provided by Saudi Arabia to teachers through UNICEF is on its way to becoming part of the military effort that the Houthis are making to finance the battle they have been waging for more than four years
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162985
(A P)
Media bias: Seeing the Yemeni war from Sana'a-based vantage point
For nearly four years, most of the English language media outlets, mainly western ones, have been covering Yemen's conflict largely from the vantage point of the Houthis.
One of the aspects of the bias is seeing this war between the government and the Houthis from the Sana'a-based vantage point, particularly that of city's de facto Houthi authority, while ignoring the vast rest of Yemen.
The capital city is 390 sq kilometers out of Yemen's area of 527,970 sq kilometers. Its inhabitants at the most are 3,937,500 of Yemen's 28.25 million people. Most of them are silently suffering under the organization's repression.
Where the war and its concomitant miseries have been playing out for years is very far from Sana'a, mostly hundreds of kilometers away.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-26729
My comment: LOL.
(A H P)
Child soldiers recruited by Houthis rehabilitated in Marib
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) on Tuesday concluded a new round of rehabilitating child soldiers recruited by the Houthis.
KSrelief rehabilitated 26 child soldiers who were captured by the Yemeni army in different fighting fronts.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-26727
(A P)
Protecting Yemen’s Peace Process from Houthi Ceasefire Violations
Amid mounting evidence that the rebels are trying to collapse the ceasefire, Washington should rally a multinational demarche to accelerate their withdrawal from key ports and urban areas.
A few days after the December 13 Stockholm Agreement, a ceasefire went into effect in Yemen’s Hodeida governorate. But well-evidenced claims from the Yemeni government and Saudi-led coalition now suggest that Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have racked up many ceasefire violations, including over 300 unprovoked attacks, the large-scale prohibited fortification of urban areas, and a failure to meet UN withdrawal deadlines. While the government and its allies have not retaliated, their patience is wearing thin.
To save the fragile ceasefire, the United States should quickly investigate the coalition claims and, if substantiated, push the UN to send a stronger message to the Houthis—namely, that time is short, and the international community will view them as the defaulters on peace should the agreement collapse. Congress should then take note of all proven violations and signal that Washington may reassess its opposition to the Yemeni government’s forcible liberation of Red Sea ports.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
Convincing evidence presented to the UN indicates that the Houthis are flagrantly violating UN Resolution 2451, the Stockholm Agreement, and its subordinate Hodeida agreement. This is not a case of giving a ceasefire time to work: according to well-supported coalition claims, there were as many Houthi violations on January 1 as on December 22, and 7 times as many Houthi-caused casualties after the new year. This cavalier disregard for Resolution 2451 likely stems from the fact that the international community and the U.S. Congress have held the Houthis to a far lower standard of conduct than the Yemeni government and Gulf coalition. The initial days of the ceasefire seem to show that this double standard is harmful to the prospects for peace, and that while the coalition may be trusted to maintain the ceasefire, the Houthis seemingly cannot.
The United States needs to work as an honest broker – by Michael Knights
My comment: Both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations (look at cp1b). Just taking the one side’s claims serious and not even mentioning those from the other side, is biased, the following will be propaganda. Claiming “that the international community and the U.S. Congress have held the Houthis to a far lower standard of conduct than the Yemeni government and Gulf coalition” is even more than grotesque, when looking at the facts of this whole war. – “The United States needs to work as an honest broker “: The US is warring party in Yemen and thus never can “work as an honest broker “.
(* A P)
The Strategy Washington Is Pursuing in the Middle East Is the Only Strategy Worth Pursuing
America needs to back up its allies (Israel, Saudi Arabia, and potentially Turkey), and isolate its adversaries (Iran, Russia, China, Islamic State). Everything else is secondary.
The United States may lately have grown deeply skeptical of military action, but it retains a vital interest in building a stable order in the Middle East, if for no other reason than to keep the region’s worst pathologies at bay. In the Trump administration’s conception, three key obstacles stand in the way of an order amenable to American interests and to the interests of peace.
The first is what might be called jihadistans, zones of chaos defined by failed states like Syria and Yemen. Offering no easy or immediate path to a better future, the jihadistans are problems that must nevertheless be somehow managed. The second is the problem posed by Sunni terror groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which take root and prosper in the jihadistans. The third is the rise of Iran, which, abetted by Russia, is training and equipping Shiite militias based on the Hizballah model; these it deploys to project its power into at least four different Arab countries: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
The administration seeks to contain both the Sunni terror groups and Iran simultaneously. If the deployment of American forces on the ground is the tool of last resort, and therefore to be avoided if at all possible, then the next best option—indeed, the only sensible option—is to work through allies.
Last March, when the Senate first addressed the question of whether to punish the Saudis over Yemen, Lindsey Graham, who had not yet fallen victim to the moral panic, spoke judiciously. “The flaws of the Saudi government are real,” he said. “But my [Republican] friends on the other side . . . constantly put Saudi Arabia and Iran on the same footing. I think that is a very unwise analysis—to suggest that Saudi Arabia is just as bad as Iran is just missing the point big time.”
The “big-time” point is this: an ally is a state that supports the American security system. Two questions should thus decide whether America treats a state as a friend or as a foe. Will the state actively help to defend that system against those—Russia, China, and Iran—who seek to weaken or destroy it? If it won’t take action, will it at least deny its territory and resources to America’s enemies?
In the Middle East, if not in the world, these questions should take precedence. When an ally stumbles, we should help it to its feet. When our enemy stumbles, we should help keep it down and on the ground. Any consideration that subverts this elementary logic, no matter how “moral” it may appear on the surface, is fundamentally unsound. The choices in the Middle East are stark: either the United States will build a security system with its own military or with its allies’ militaries, or it won’t have one at all. In the absence of a viable security system, its moral influence in the world will decline significantly – by Michael Doran, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, former deputy assistant secretary of defense and a former senior director of the National Security Council.
My comment: This is a quite horrible example of “American exceptionalism”.
“The Strategy Washington Is Pursuing in the Middle East Is the Only Strategy Worth Pursuing”: ???? A strategy bringing 70 years of regime changes, wars, killing, destruction, despair, dictatorships, terrorism and chaos should be “the Only Strategy Worth Pursuing”???
What matters is just America and its interests and absolutely nothing else, as already is told in the headline: “Everything else is secondary”: Scores are being killed, everything is ruined, devastated, pushed into chaos. Doesn’t matter. The same to Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan… Doesn’t matter. US allies just are allies because they are useful to US interests. How horrific they might be: Doesn’t matter. But, remember: What is “US interests”? It’s not the interest of the jobless mother and the black nurse and the professor of archaeology and the bus driver and the dentist and the schoolboy and the pizza driver and the clergyman… it’s just the interest of the 0.1 % elite.
What is the “American security system” which for the author is a value by itself? It’s a world order in which the US is controlling everything – in which the neoliberal capitalist order is secured, providing maximum profits to the US 0.1 % elite by exploiting labor forces and resources all over the world. Anyone who wants to change this would disturb this “American security system” and must be eliminated.
Why anyone – apart from US 0.1 % oligarchs (350.000 people) = less than 0.05 % of the world population should think the author’s ideas to be reasonable? 99.95 % should not.
For background, on the author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scott_Doran; on Hudson Institute: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Institute
(A P)
Saudi Arabia hosts 895,175 Yemeni, Syrian refugees as guests: KSRelief chief
Royal Court Adviser and General Supervisor of the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, underscored the Kingdom’s leading role in humanitarian work and its commitment to the international humanitarian law, which corresponds to the teachings of Islam that call for the preservation of human dignity and sparing mankind suffering.
He said the Kingdom has been showing utmost concern for the humanitarian situation in Yemen, sending aid to all Yemeni provinces, including areas controlled by the Houthi militia, through KSRelief programs.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1095621/saudi-arabia
My comment: Foreign workers are labeled as refugees here.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia Condemns Ongoing Houthi Violations against Sweden Deal
Saudi Arabia stressed on Tuesday its efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East, while condemning the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ ongoing violations in Yemen, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired a cabinet session in Riyadh that reviewed the latest regional developments.
Information Minister Turki al-Shabanah told SPA that the ministers condemned the Houthis for stalling in implementing the Sweden ceasefire agreement that was reached in December.
This is blatant defiance of the international community, said the cabinet.
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids day by day
Jan. 8: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1547054637./1217464071737289/
Jan. 7: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1546948533./1216739628476400/
(* A K pS)
Five government soldiers killed in a "wrong” airstrike by Arab Coalition in Al-Jawf
Five government soldiers were killed late Monday in an airstrike carried out by Saudi Arabia led coalition fighters in the northern province of al-Jawf.
In his blog post on Facebook, al-Jouf governor councilor Saeed al-Mozaffari said that the air raid targeted their military site by mistake in the Alka'eef area in Khab Al-Sh’af directorate.
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162940
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:
Jan. 9: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522142.htm Saada p.
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Siehe / Look at cp1b
(* A K)
Yemen's Houthi drones strike government military parade, several killed
Houthi drones on Thursday attacked a Yemeni government military parade in Lahaj province, killing several people, Saudi and Houthi media reported.
The parade was taking place inside a military base in al-Anad district when a loud explosion rocked the area, eyewitnesses said, adding high-ranked officials including Yemen’s deputy chief of staff were wounded in the attack.
Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV said five were killed and several were injured. The Houthi’s Al-Masirah TV said the attack targeted “the leadership of the invaders.”
(* A K)
Yemen officials: Deadly rebels strike hits base near Aden
Yemeni officials say a rebel airstrike has hit a military parade outside the southern port city of Aden, killing several troops from the Saudi-led coalition.
The pro-rebel news website al-Masirah said Thursday’s strike was carried out by a drone that targeted “invaders and mercenaries” at Al-Anad Air Base in the southern province of Lahj, leaving “dozens of dead and wounded.”
Military officials say the dead and wounded include “officers and senior leaders,” which in southern Yemen contain a strong contingent from the United Arab Emirates. Saudi satellite broadcaster Al-Hadath put the death toll at five.
(A K pH)
Saudi enemy bombards border district in Saada
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522248.htm
(A K pS)
A child was killed and three others wounded, including an elderly man, in a #Houthi militia shelling that targeted a popular market in the district of Hyran in the province of Hajjah, northwest of Yemen on Wednesday, official sources reported.
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1083049394444951552
(A K pH)
Citizen Dies of Saudi Border Guards Gunfire in Sa’adah
A citizen was shot dead Wednesday by Saudi border guards in Munabbaih border district of Sa’adah Governorate
https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=4775&cat_id=1
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news522156.htm
(A K)
Saudi says 15 rebels killed in botched missile attack in north Yemen
At least 15 Houthi rebels were killed early Wednesday when attempting to launch a ballistic missile towards Saudi Arabia from northern Yemen, the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported.
Missile experts were among those killed in the botched missile attack in the al-Tayyar area of Majaz district in Saada province, it said.
However, a Houthi official at the rebel media denied the report, telling Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity that Saudi-led coalition warplanes targeted the Kahlan military base in Saada overnight and killed two.
http://www.bernama.com/en/world/news.php?id=1683140
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162970
(A K pS)
The Special Forces Brigade in the province of al-Dhale has confirmed that its affiliates have downed a #Houthi militia #reconnaissance_drone that was hovering over the Brigade's camp in the district of Qatabah early morning on Tuesday. (photos)
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1082721830325157889
http://almasdaronline.com/articles/162966
(A K pH)
Video of Houthis missile hitting Khalid army base, UAE main base in Yemen west coast
Its been reported that some UAE high commanders were killed in this attack that targeted the base HQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLdHhBachFM = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV4fNVMl24
(* A K pS)
8,683 landmines cleared in Yemen in December
Through their continued efforts of demining Yemen, King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) was able to remove 167 anti-personal landmines, 4,840 anti-tank landmines, 322 explosive devices and 3,543 unexploded ordnance during the fourth week of December, according to Saudi state-news channel Al-Ekhbariya.
The new operations brought the total number of mines cleared in December to 8,683.
Authorities have removed 31,635 landmines, planted by the Houthi militia in schools, houses and civilian areas across Yemen, since the project started in June 2018.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1432316/middle-east
Vorige / Previous
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-499-yemen-war-mosaic-499
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-499 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-499:
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:
Was ist Ihre Meinung?
Kommentare einblendenDiskutieren Sie mit.