Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 513 - Yemen War Mosaic 513

Yemen Press Reader 513: 16. Februar 2019: Nur zwei von Jemens hungernden Kindern – Überblick über die humanitären Bedürfnisse im Jemen – Bericht der UN-Berichterstatter – Vernichtungsfeldzug ...

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... Vernichtungsfeldzug der Saudis gegen jemenitische Fischer – Kämpfe an Jemens Nordgrenze – US-Kongress stimmt für Ende der Unterstützung für die saudis im Jemenkrieg – und mehr

February 16, 2019: Just two of Yemen’s starving children – 2019 Yemen Humanitarian needs overview – UN panel’s report on Yemen – Saudis exterminating Yemen’s fishermen – Fighting on Yemen’s northern border – US Congress votes to halt support for the Saudi war in Yemen – and more

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Klassifizierung / Classification

Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics

cp1b Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah / Most important: Hodeidah battle

cp2 Allgemein / General

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

cp9 USA

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject

Einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:

Yemen War: Introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

US Congress: cp9

(** B H)

How one baby made it against all odds

The face of famine

“I was looking at the face of famine,” says photojournalist Giles Clarke, recalling what he saw upon entering El Sadaqah hospital in Aden, Yemen, on 14 November 2018. “Children so deeply sick that they could hardly move and just groaned and writhed in pain.”

On that day, about 30 children were being treated at El Sadaqah hospital. Among them was Fawaz, 18 months old, 4.7 kg (a healthy newborn baby usually weighs between 3 kg and 4 kg at birth).

“The first picture I took of him shows his rib cage, the skin discoloration and the sadness on his face. I’ve been to many malnutrition wards, not only in Yemen but all over the world, and it’s always very difficult to see children in this state.

What struck me about Fawaz was that he seemed so stoic and defiant.”

Fawaz had already been in the hospital for a month. He was still suffering from acute watery diarrhoea and could barely hold the therapeutic milk he was being given.

Fawaz’s mother, Ruqaya, was at his bedside day and night.

“My son is dizzy most of the time,” says Ruqaya. “This morning the nurses tried to draw his blood, but they couldn’t even find his vein. They put in the needle so many times… It was so painful.”

Fleeing home and the impossible choices of war

Fawaz, his parents and his three siblings had fled raging conflict in the port city of Al Hudaydah a few months before, after their house was destroyed in the fighting. They rented an eight-person taxi for $40 (more than a week of the father’s earnings) and crossed the 450 km separating Al Hudaydah from Aden. This entailed a perilous journey across war zones, including negotiating passage through several checkpoints manned by warring parties from both sides. In Aden, the family took shelter in a school that hosts internally displaced persons (IDPs). Because of a lack of food and poor sanitary conditions, Fawaz’s health began to steadily decline and, after a month of diarrhoea and vomiting, he was admitted to El Sadaqah hospital.

An entire country sliding towards famine

Food prices have doubled since the beginning of the conflict. Restrictions and closures at key ports and airports delay the arrival of critical supplies, and the Yemeni rial lost nearly 50 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018. Because Yemen imports 90 per cent of its staple food and nearly all fuel and medicine, prices have soared. At a time when fewer and fewer Yemenis have any means to earn an income, the country is sliding towards famine.

As a child loses weight and gets weaker, his brain development, physical growth and learning ability get impacted. Like Fawaz, some 400,000 Yemeni children are suffering from a life-threatening form of severe acute malnutrition. In addition, according to UNICEF, half of Yemeni children under the age of 5 are stunted and will never develop to their full intellectual potential. Stunting is not reversible after 2 years of age.

Fawaz’s recovery

Fawaz had been on the brink of death several times over the previous two months. The hypoallergenic milk, combined with the anti-tuberculosis drugs and the albumin infusion, finally led to a real improvement in Fawaz’s condition, and he was released from the hospital on 20 December. He had been there for more than 60 days (photos)

Here is how you can help: Please consider donating to the Yemen Humanitarian Fund to save more children such as Fawaz.

DONATE TODAY

https://unocha.exposure.co/how-one-baby-made-it-against-all-odds

Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHdDQ9kO_fk

(** B H)

Starving girl shows impact of Yemen war, economic collapse

Displaced by war, starving and living under a tree, 12-year-old Fatima Qoba weighed just 10kg when she was carried into a Yemeni malnutrition clinic.

“All the fat reserves in her body have been used up, she is left only with bones,” Makiah al-Aslami, a doctor and head of the clinic in northwest Yemen. “She has the most extreme form of malnutrition.”

Qoba’s slide into starvation is typical of what is happening in much of Yemen, where war and economic collapse have driven around 10 million people to the brink of famine, according to the United Nations.

Aslami said she is expecting more and more malnutrition cases to come through her door. This month she is treating more than 40 pregnant women with severe malnutrition.

“So in the coming months I expect I will have 43 underweight children,” she said.

She said that since the end of 2018, 14 deaths from malnutrition had occurred at her clinic alone.

Qoba, her 10 siblings and father were forced from their home near the border with Saudi Arabia and forced to live under a tree, Qoba’s older sister, also called Fatima, told Reuters.

She said they were fleeing bombardment from the Saudi-led coalition.

“We don’t have money to get food. All we have is what our neighbors and relatives give us,” the sister said. Their father, in his 60s, is unemployed. “He sits under the tree and doesn’t move.”

“If we stayed here and starved no one would know about us. We don’t have a future,” she said (photo)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-hunger/starving-girl-shows-impact-of-yemen-war-economic-collapse-idUSKCN1Q323Z

with many photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6705209/Twelve-year-old-girl-weighs-just-22lbs-Yemens-war-drives-people-brink-famine.html

film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0pgGbmXd64

(** A B H)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Country Team in Yemen: Yemen: 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview

NEEDS AND KEY FIGURES

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world. Nearly four years of conflict and severe economic decline are driving the country to the brink of famine and exacerbating needs in all sectors. An estimated 80 per cent of the population – 24 million people – require some form of humanitarian or protection assistance, including 14.3 million who are in acute need. Severity of needs is deepening, with the number of people in acute need a staggering 27 per cent higher than last year. Two-thirds of all districts in the country are already pre-famine, and one-third face a convergence of multiple acute vulnerabilities. The escalation of the conflict since March 2015 has dramatically aggravated the protection crisis in which millions face risks to their safety and basic rights.

KEY HUMANITARIAN ISSUES

Basic survival needs

More than 20 million people across the country are food insecure, including nearly 10 million who are suffering from extreme levels of hunger. For the first time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed pockets of catastrophic hunger in some locations, with 238,000 people affected. An estimated 7.4 million people require services to treat or prevent malnutrition, including 3.2 million people who require treatment for acute malnutrition – 2 million children under 5 and more than one million pregnant and lactating women (PLW). A total of 17.8 million people lack access to safe water and sanitation, and 19.7 million people lack access to adequate healthcare. Poor sanitation and waterborne diseases, including cholera, left hundreds of thousands of people ill last year. In sum, needs have intensified across all sectors. Millions of Yemenis are hungrier, sicker and more vulnerable than a year ago, pushing an ever-greater number of people into reliance on humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian response is increasingly becoming the only lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

Protection of Civilians

Yemen is facing a severe protection crisis, and civilians face serious risks to their safety, well-being and basic rights. Tens of thousands of people have been killed or injured since 2015, and among them at least 17,700 civilians as verified by the UN. An estimated 3.3 million people remain displaced, up from 2.2 million last year. This includes 685,000 people who fled fighting in Al Hudaydah and on the west coast from June onwards. Escalating conflict is causing extensive damage to public and civilian infrastructure. Intensity of conflict is directly related to severity of needs. Humanitarian needs are most acute in governorates that have been most affected by conflict, including Taizz, Al Hudaydah and Sa’ada governorates. More than 60 per cent of people in these governorates are in acute need of humanitarian assistance.

Livelihoods and essential basic services

The Yemeni economy is on the verge of collapse. The economy has contracted by about 50 per cent since conflict escalated in March 2015. Employment and income opportunities have significantly diminished. Exchange rate volatility – including unprecedented depreciation of the Yemeni Rial (YER) between August and October 2018 – further undermined households’ purchasing power. Basic services and the institutions that provide them are collapsing, placing enormous pressure on the humanitarian response. The fiscal deficit since the last quarter of 2016 has led to major gaps in the operational budgets of basic services and erratic salary payments – severely compromising peoples’ access to basic services. Only 51 per cent of health facilities are fully functional. More than a quarter of all children are out of school, and civil servants and pensioners in northern Yemen have not been paid salaries and bursaries for years. Humanitarian partners have been increasingly stretching to fill some of these gaps to ensure continuity of essential services.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-2019-humanitarian-needs-overview

and full report: https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2019_Yemen_HNO_FINAL.pdf

and shorter

(*** A B H K P)

UN Security Council: Letter dated 25 January 2019 from the Panel of Experts on Yemen addressed to the President of the Security Council - Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen (S/2019/83)

The members of the Panel of Experts on Yemen have the honour to transmit herewith the final report of the Panel, prepared in accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 2402 (2018).

The report was provided to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) on 8 January 2019 and considered by the Committee on 18 January 2019.

Throughout the reporting period, Yemen continued its slide towards humanitarian and economic catastrophe. The country remains deeply fractured, with the growing presence of armed groups and deep-rooted corruption exacerbating the impact of the armed conflict for ordinary Yemenis within both Houthi-held areas and liberated governorates. Although there has been activity on some fronts, notably along the coast of the Red Sea, the ground war remains predominantly confined to relatively small areas. Most Yemenis therefore carry on with their lives within an economy broken by the distortions of conflict.

The Houthi leadership has continued to consolidate its hold over governmental and non-governmental institutions. In the first months of 2018, the General People’s Congress (GPC) leadership in Sana’a was reduced and co-opted, forced to realign under Houthi leadership. Despite that consolidation, Houthis have met with some dissent from communities within Sana’a and its periphery.

Gaining access has continued to be problematic for the Panel. The Panel regrets that the Houthis have thus far been unwilling to allow the Panel to visit Sana’a to meet with victims of air strikes and commodity traders. The coalition has given the Panel access to view captured weapons, but the granting of access frequently takes longer than is desirable.

The lack of common interests within the alliance against the Houthis continued to exacerbate the fragmentation of the country. Although the Government of the President of Yemen, Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi, and its coalition partners have made significant progress on the ground against Houthi forces, the aim of restoring the authority of the Government throughout Yemen is far from being realized. Strong parallel security forces continued to emerge in 2018, while local leaders posed significant challenges to the fulfilment of the duties and obligations held exclusively by government officials and security forces.

The southern transitional council remains the primary source of opposition to the Government of President Hadi throughout the southern governorates. Southern transitional council allies, such as the United Arab Emirates-supported units of the Security Belt Forces, the Hadrami Elite Forces, the Shabwani Elite Forces and local government officials, continue to advance so-called “southern political agendas” while advancing secessionist aspirations. Some of the southern groups regard al-Islah party as a terrorist organization.

During the reporting period, there have been widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by the various parties involved in the conflict. The coalition air strikes and the indiscriminate use of explosive ordnance by Houthi forces continued to disproportionately affect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The patterns of arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearances and the ill-treatment and torture of detainees continued to be widespread throughout Yemen.

The near absence of the rule of law and the pervasive climate of impunity across Yemen are contributing factors to the widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, in particular in the context of detention, and constitute a particular threat to journalists and human rights defenders.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/letter-dated-25-january-2019-panel-experts-yemen-addressed-president-security-council

and full report:

https://undocs.org/S/2019/83 = https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/S_2019_83_E.pdf

and a short survey:

(* B H K)

Humanitarian Catastrophe in Yemen Getting Even Worse: New UN Report

The situation in war-torn Yemen, already facing the most severe humanitarian crisis in the world, is getting even worse, the United Nations warned on Thursday.

“The humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in a statement.

“An estimated 80 percent of the population – 24 million – require some form of humanitarian or protection assistance, including 14.3 million who are in acute need.

“Severity of needs is deepening, with the number of people in acute need a staggering 27 percent higher than last year.”

The OCHA statement said that two-thirds of the country was “already pre-famine,” while one-third faces “acute vulnerabilities.”

https://theglobepost.com/2019/02/14/humanitarian-catastrophe-in-yemen/

and a larger survey:

(* B H K P)

Situation of human rights in Yemen :Report

KATE GILMORE, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, regretted that, despite international appeals and the unwavering efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, peace was yet to come to Yemen, and the tragic suffering of the people was continuing with pervasive human rights violations.

Ms. Gilmore presented a report containing the findings and conclusions of the Group of Eminent Experts established by the Council, which found unequivocally that individuals in the Government of Yemen, from among the coalition members, including Saudi Arabia and the United Emirates, and from the de facto authorities, had committed acts that subject to determination by a competent court may have amounted to international crimes.

The report notes that coalition air strikes have caused most direct civilian casualties, the airstrikes have hit residential areas, markets, funerals, weddings, detention facilities, civilian boats and even medical facilities.

Based on the incidents they examined, the Group of Experts have reasonable grounds to believe that individuals in the Government of Yemen and the coalition may have conducted attacks in violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution that may amount to war crimes.

There is little evidence of any attempt by parties to the conflict to minimize civilian casualties. I call on them to priorities human dignity in this forgotten conflict,” said Kamel Jendoubi, chairperson of the Group of International and Regional Eminent Experts on Yemen.

Investigations by the Group of Experts confirm widespread arbitrary detention throughout the country, and ill-treatment and torture in some facilities, in most cases, detainees were not informed of the reasons for their arrest, were not charged, were denied access to lawyers or a judge and were held incommunicado for prolonged or indefinite periods. Some remain missing.

Human rights defenders and journalists have faced relentless harassment, threats and smear campaigns by Hadi Government , coalition forces, including those of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and by the de facto authorities in blatant disregard of human rights law, the de facto authorities have also targeted Baha’is.

Victims and witnesses described to the Group of Experts persistent and pervasive aggressive behavior, including sexual violence perpetrated by the Security Belt Forces and United Arab Emirates personnel, examples include rape, of men and women, and sexual violence against displaced persons, migrants and other vulnerable groups.

The Group of Experts also found that many parties fighting in Ta’izz have been responsible for civilian casualties – by Mona Zaid

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news527012.htm

An overview on the UN panel’s report, published by Houthis‘ Saba News site – but labeling the Houthis as „de facto authorities“ and blaming them as well.

(** B H K)

As Yemeni Fishermen Risk Their Lives to Feed Their Nation, Saudis Use Them for Target Practice

With neither its farmers nor fishermen safe from Saudi coalition attacks, famine has become a massive crisis in Yemen, further exacerbated by the coalition’s blockade of the country which largely prevents food from being imported into the troubled nation.

“They told us that if we didn’t confess they would kill us and throw our bodies into the sea for the fish and birds to eat,” recalls Omar Ghalib, a Yemeni fisherman who was kidnapped by Saudi fighters and then tortured while out in his boat late one evening in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida.

We arrived to our usual fishing spot in the sea at 2 p.m., where we began deploying the nets. Moments later, an Apache attack chopper began hovering overhead and opened fire using its cannons. It targeted each and every fishing boat. We were terrified and didn’t know where to go or what to do. The Apache circled overhead as it continued to fire three to four rounds on each fishing boat.”

The fishermen all hung large white flags on the back of their boats signaling to the Saudi Coalition battleships that they are simply fishermen and mean no harm.

Despite making their mark clear, Omar told MintPress that six soldiers on board a gunboat approached them and began opening fire on them before all 10 fishermen surrendered.

The Apache pilot was standing right next to me as I was being tortured. He was right behind me and I recognized him from his uniform and the stars on his shoulder pads. When I screamed, ‘Have mercy on me, stop!’ he took an iron rod and struck my hand saying, ‘You’re nothing but a Yemeni hound, you are Houthis.’ I told him that we weren’t Houthis and that we were only fishermen.”

Ghalib’s horrific story is one that has been shared by many fishermen over the course of Yemen’s brutal war waged by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and funded in large part, if not entirely, by the United States against the Yemeni resistance group Ansar Allah after the latter took power in 2015.

For the past three-and-a-half years, the Saudi/UAE coalition -- with support from the United States and the United Kingdom -- has relentlessly bombed civilian targets, including schools, hospitals, clinics, water-treatment facilities, and even school buses. But little attention has been given to the devastating reality fishermen, who have become frequent targets, have to live each day.

And it’s no accident.

This is part of the U.S.-Saudi led coalition’s long-standing efforts to wage war against Yemen’s food supply.

In the first year of the war alone, the coalition bombed over 350 farms, factories, food storage sites, markets, and other agricultural infrastructure, resulting in heavy damage to Yemen’s small portion of arable land -- a lifeline for its people.

With neither farmers nor fishermen safe from coalition attacks, famine has become a massive crisis in Yemen, further exacerbated by the coalition’s blockade of the country since March 2015 when Saudi Arabia launched its war against Yemen.

This blockade prevented food from being imported into the troubled nation. The gravity of the situation is starkly revealed by recent warnings from the UN, which has cautioned that an estimated 18.4 million Yemenis -- two-thirds of the country’s entire population -- now risk starving to death.

However, thanks to the coalition’s naval blockade of Yemen, Yemen’s fishermen are arguably in an even more precarious situation, as they are targeted by coalition fighter jets and naval vessels alike.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/as-yemen-fishermen-risk-their-lives-to-feed-their-nation-saudi-arabia-use-them-for-target-practice/255162/

and film:

The Saudi plan to exterminate Yemen's fishermen | Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkWfZCDHo-c = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0eME8fC0o

= https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=307128100153306

(** B K)

Crisis Group Yemen Update #4

Trendline: The Overlooked Battle for Yemen’s Northern Border

Since the Hodeida ceasefire took effect in December, the battleground has partly shifted to the northern governorates around the Huthi rebels’ heartland of Saada. According to the Yemen Data Project, an independent data collection initiative that tracks airstrikes in Yemen, Saada governorate has faced more Saudi bombardments than any other part of Yemen since the war began in March 2015, with the majority of strikes taking place near the border.

In particular, fighting has escalated in Baqim and Al-Buqaa, towns located along a main highway to Saudi Arabia, and along the internal border separating Saada governorate from Al-Jawf to the east. Here, tribal fighters backed by Saudi Arabia are pushing westward along a highway that runs along the border from Al-Jawf to Al-Buqaa.

Further west, toward Yemen’s Red Sea coast, some of the fiercest fighting is taking place around the Saudi border in Hajja governorate, namely the port town of Midi and nearby Haradh, close to Al-Tuwal, the main border crossing. In recent weeks, tensions have grown between the Huthis and members of the previously neutral Al-Hajour tribe in the Kushar district of Hajja, just 25km east of Haradh. Hostilities started when the Hajour detained Huthi fighters who had entered tribal territory. This incident triggered a series of tit-for-tat detentions and skirmishes, which now reportedly involve Sawdah tribesmen from neighbouring Amran governorate.

The Huthis and the Yemeni government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi regularly claim major victories against one another in the north while little changes on the ground. But what momentum there is lies with Saudi-backed forces, which have gradually gained territory since late 2016.

Some of those fighting the Huthis on the border, and in Hajja and Al-Jawf, are former Dar al-Hadith students. Others come from tribal and military networks affiliated with Islah, Yemen’s main Sunni Islamist political party. Although these are not the only forces arrayed against the Huthis along the northern border, their presence has led the Huthis to paint these battles as a sectarian campaign sponsored by Saudi Arabia.

The Huthis are also defending their home turf that holds meaning for all sides: the Hadi government sees military success in Saada as a way to demoralise the Huthis if they manage to “raise the Yemeni flag in Marran”, as President Hadi has said his forces intend to do. Marran is the Huthi family’s hometown.

https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula/yemen/yemen = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/crisis-group-yemen-update-4

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics

(* A H)

In the eastern part of #Yemen, here in Al Mahara governorate, @UNICEF and @WHO reached the children to be vaccinated in the nationwide #Measles and #Rubella campaign. (photos)

Today is the last day of the #Measles and #Rubella #vaccination campaign in #Yemen. So far, health workers reached 9 million children, w/ @UNICEF and @WHO, community mobilizers continue to provide affected populations w/ lifesaving information. (photos)

https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Yemen/status/1095918354303459328

(* A H)

Authorities in Sanaa are struggling to contain swine flu. A woman died and 13 people were infected on Thursday. Earlier this week, health ministry said the disease has killed 132 and infected 600. Assistance should be provided as we know healthcare system in #Yemen is collapsing.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1096141661078519808

(* B H)

World Health Organization: Outbreak update – Cholera in Yemen, 14 February 2019

The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen reported 8639 suspected cases of cholera and 5 associated deaths during epidemiological week 3 (14 – 20 January) of 2019. Ten percent of cases are severe. The cumulative total number of suspected cholera cases from 1 January 2018 to 20 January 2019 is 396 507, with 531 associated deaths (CFR 0.13%). Children under five represent 32.0% of total suspected cases. The outbreak has affected 22 of 23 governorates and 312 of 333 districts in Yemen.

From week 52 in 2018 to week 3 in 2019, the trend of weekly reported suspected cholera cases was stable at the country level, although 225 districts have reported suspected cholera cases within the last three weeks. During this reporting period, the governorates reporting more than 1000 suspected cases were Al Hudaydah (1179), Amanat Al Asimah (1150), and Arman (1040).

Of a total 11 030 samples collected since January 2018, 3481 have been confirmed as cholera-positive by culture at the central public health laboratories in Al Hudaydah, Sana’a, Taizz, and Aden governorates.

http://www.emro.who.int/pandemic-epidemic-diseases/cholera/outbreak-update-cholera-in-yemen-14-february-2019.html = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/outbreak-update-cholera-yemen-14-february-2019

cp1b Am wichtigsten: Kampf um Hodeidah / Most important: Hodeidah battle

(A K pH)

Air Defenses Down Spy Drone, Hodeidah

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5438&cat_id=1

(A K pH)

US-Saudi mercenaries targeted several areas with machine guns and heavy arms in Ad durayhimi and Kilo 16. US-Saudi mercenaries also targeted with 25 Katyusha missiles in At tohaytadistrict.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5436&cat_id=1

(A K pH)

Feb. 14: US-Saudi mercenaries made new fortifications in Kilo 16 and targeted Ad Durahimi district, 7 July area and Al-Kue'e village with different arms.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5420&cat_id=1

(* A P)

[Aden Hadi] Government announces opening of al-Hodeidah southern port in front of aid flow

The government said Thursday it would reopen the southern port of Hodeidah, which is under its control for the convoys and humanitarian aid.

According to a note from the head of the government delegation to the Redeployment Committee, Maj. Gen. Sagheer bin Aziz, sent to the Chairman of the Commission and the leader of the International Observer Group, Danish General Michael Lolisgaard, government forces opened the corridors from Kilo 8 towards kilo 16.

It also reopened the road from Kilo 8 towards 60 Street and the coastal road.

The government also announced its readiness to facilitate access and to remove foodstuffs from its areas of control towards the coastal road, in case of Houthi militants continue to refuse to open the humanitarian corridors under their control.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164296

(* A P)

Commander of the Observer Group in Hodeidah: The Security Council will pressure for the implementation of the Sweden agreement

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting next Monday on Yemen, and "there will be great political pressure to implement the Sweden agreement," said Michael Lolisgaard, commander of the International Observer Group in Hodeidah, western Yemen.

The speech of Danish general Lolisgaard came during his meeting, Wednesday, with the leadership of the local authority in the city controlled by the Ansar Allah (Houthis), the Saba news “Houthi version” agency reported.

"The attention of the international community is moving toward Hodeidah, until the Sweden agreement is implemented at various stages and according to the schedules and time limit," he said.

"I am a mediator who will make the agreement work, by gaining the confidence of both parties without preference," he said.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164295

(A P)

Again, police save Hodeidah, arrest largest criminal US-Western-backed cell of muslim brotherhood

The security services on Wednesday arrested the largest criminal cell tracking the Islah Party" Yemen's Muslim Brotherhood" in the province of Hodeidah, a security official told Saba.
"That cell was on the verge of carrying out a criminal plot of sabotage," he said, adding that the cell plans was linked to the scenarios of international aggression targeting Hodeidah.
He pointed out that the so-called Islah Party had planned, in secret agreement with the countries of aggression, led by the United States of America and other international parties, to order their elements and their secrt cells in Hodeidah to create chaos, to help to spread criminal acts of murdering and other terrorist crimes in the province.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news526586.htm

Remark: From the Houthi side.

(A K pH)

Feb. 13: US-Saudi mercenaries targeted with heavy machine-guns Kilo-16. Artillery shells of the US-Saudi mercenaries also targeted Ad-durayhimi district by 19 missiles and shells.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5398&cat_id=1

(* A K pS)

Houthis indiscriminately bombard populated neighborhoods in Hodeida

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels indiscriminately on Wednesday bombarded populated neighborhoods in Hais district of Hodeida with mortars, leaving several children and women killed and wounded.

Military sources affirmed that the Houthis are trying to exploit the truce and send military reinforcements to Hodeida, pointing out that the Houthis started to plant landmines in different areas of Hodeida districts.

The sources said the Houthis intensified their bombardment against villages in the southern areas of Hodeida, forcing population to leave their homes.

They explained that a number of civilians’ houses were damaged and others were destroyed as a result of discriminate bombardment.

The sources affirmed that dozens of civilians were left killed and wounded during the past days, reiterating that many of the population started to look for safe shelters.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-27720

cp2 Allgemein / General

(* A K P)

Interactive Map of Yemen War

https://yemen.liveuamap.com/

(* A K)

MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2019 (MAP UPDATE)

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-february-14-2019-map-update/

(* B K P T)

Yemen war binds U.S., allies, al Qaeda

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ap-yemen-war-binds-u-s-allies-al-qaeda/

(* B K P)

Film: Hassan Al-Haifi war live.

https://www.facebook.com/hassan.alhaifi/videos/vb.100001109315667/2127893920590898/

(* B H K P)

Audio: What’s Happening in Yemen?

Jane Ferguson, Special Correspondent on PBS NewsHour joins Beverly Kirk to give a status update on the crisis in Yemen and the near-famine conditions plaguing the war-torn country. She also discusses her experience as a reporter in the region.

https://soundcloud.com/csis-57169780/whats-happening-in-yemen

(* B H K)

As A Direct Result Of Violence & Malnutrition, It’s Estimated That 165,000 Have Died In Yemen

According to a report from Save The Children, it’s estimated that 80,000 people have been killed in Yemen since the war started. Save The Children estimates that 85,000 children alone have died from starvation as a direct result from the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Meaning since the war started in 2014, 165,000 men, women, and children may have been killed in this continuing conflict that has displaced millions.

Data from the ACLED recorded 30,000 deaths stemming directly from the conflict just last year; that is an 82% increase in reported fatalities from 2017. Although Saudi Arabia is leading the Coalition in its campaign against Yemen, they are just one of the contributors to this ongoing humanitarian crisis. The United Arab Emirates and forces loyal to the Hadi Government, which Saudi Arabia backs, have clashed multiple times throughout southern Yemen begging the question as to how strong are the Saudi-led Coalition’s loyalties to one another?

There are three different battles being fought in Yemen.

An often overlooked aspect of the war in Yemen is the impact of the Southern Transitional Councilwhich advocates for the creation of an independent state in southern Yemen.

https://www.activistpost.com/2019/02/as-a-direct-result-of-violence-malnutrition-its-estimated-that-165000-have-died-in-yemen.html

(* B H K)

Film: Watch how the education in #Yemen has been devastated by 4 yrs of #Saudi backed by US brutal war and bloody conflicts

Estimated more than 2000 schools have destroyed partially & completely, most by Saudi jets raids.

Video shows children walking inside their destroyed school

https://twitter.com/ICRC_ar/status/1096052159496536065 = https://twitter.com/MohammedHojily/status/1096143318327742464

(* B H K P)

Audio: Prospects for Peace in Yemen

The civil war in Yemen has been going on since 2014. The war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. This seminar takes an overall look at what is going on in Yemen, not only from a political conflict point of view, but also takes an in-depth view at what is happening inside Yemen and the Yemeni society and to what extend when and how peace and reconciliation can be made possible.

Speakers:

Alia Eshaq, Political Analyst at Pitchn, previously at Berghof Foundation and International Crisis Group, with experience from peace negotiations in Yemen.

Laurent Bonnefoy, researcher at the The French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and author of the books ‘Yemen and the World’ (2018) and ‘Salafism in Yemen. Transnationalism and Religious Identity’ (2012).

Peter Semneby, Sweden's Special Envoy to Yemen, Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Rouzbeh Parsi, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI)moderated the seminar.

https://soundcloud.com/user-312634401/prospects-for-peace-in-yemen

(* B H K)

We can no longer turn our backs on the invisible war waged on the world's children

This weekend military commanders and defence ministers, including the UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, will gather in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, a self-styled "marketplace for ideas" on global security.

Yet the world’s most vicious and least reported war is not even a footnote on the agenda. That war is being waged with a brutal intensity every day against children like Saleh and millions of others across the world.

New research has revealed the scale of the invisible war on children. Based on data from conflict zones around the world, we estimate that some 175,000 children under the age of five die as a result of armed conflict every year.

In the next hour, another 20 children will be added to this body-count. The majority will be young babies who did not survive to their first birthday.

Being a child in a war zone is more dangerous than being an armed combatant. Our research shows that for every soldier or militia member who loses their lives, another five children are killed.

Most of the child deaths are a result of the malnutrition, poverty, diseases and collapse of health systems that come with wars waged in poor countries – by Kevon Watkins

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/can-no-longer-turn-backs-invisible-war-waged-worlds-children/

(* B)

Arabic-speaking AP team documents Yemen horrors

On Wednesday, the work of Michael, El-Mofty and al-Zikry was announced as a finalist for the Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics.

“It’s dangerous but worth every moment,” said Michael, an Egyptian who has covered Yemen since 2016. “The appreciation we receive from people for every story gives us more motivation to continue documenting this war, as the deeper we dig, the more we feel we get closer to the truth. We aim to find real answers to why this war is happening in the first place.”

The cross-format AP coverage is supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.

“Documenting the war in Yemen visually is like standing in the face of a storm,” added al-Zikry, who is Yemeni.

He said: “Every party in the conflict perceives my camera as the most dangerous weapon and they see the holder of the camera as a legitimate target. Sometimes it’s hard for outsiders to see the level of danger in being a journalist in Yemen because it’s a daily pattern of intimidation. I have colleagues who lost their lives for a picture.”

https://blog.ap.org/behind-the-news/arabic-speaking-ap-team-documents-yemen-horrors

(* B P)

In Arab world, a new alliance is on the rise

What impact does America’s inward gaze have on international problem-solving? That’s an issue we will return to regularly. Here, a look at how six US-friendly Arab nations are banding together.

Across the Middle East, from Iraq to North Africa, a new informal alignment of Sunni Arab countries is quietly influencing developments.

The alliance – comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt – is stepping up as a leading actor in the Arab world with a voice on issues ranging from postwar Syria and the thwarting of Iran to diplomatic overtures on the Yemen and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.

It’s doing so at a time when the United States is more inward-looking and less engaged in the region and when the Saudis themselves have experienced a public fall from grace in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The grouping has no official name – people refer to them verbally as “the six states” or the “big states” or the “six big states.” Let’s call them the Big 6. On the surface, it is the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, minus Qatar and Oman but with the addition of Jordan and Egypt.

What is behind this new alliance?

Chiefly Iran and its influence in Arab states. The Big 6 is first and foremost a Sunni Arab coalition that seeks to act as a bulwark against Iran, coordinate Arab foreign policy, and prevent the encroaching influence of non-Arab regional actors such as Turkey. All six states, to varying degrees, have been wary of increased Iranian influence in the Arab world since the 2003 Iraq war – a concern that became an alarm with Iran’s military presence in Syria following the outbreak of the 2011 civil war.

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2019/0213/In-Arab-world-a-new-alliance-is-on-the-rise

My comment: It’s evidently a group with Saudi Arabia at the helm.

(* A P)

Trump allies hijack Warsaw summit with calls for Iran war, regime change

An international conference US officials had insisted was not about demonizing Iran got off to an awkward start in Warsaw today thanks to two close allies of US President Donald Trump.

First, Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer in the Russia investigation, called for Iran regime change at a rally in Warsaw of the controversial Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), an Iranian opposition group until recently designated as a terrorist group by the United States, and widely reviled by Iranians both inside and outside of Iran as a cult that fought with Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war.

Then, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his spokesman tweeted comments whose English translation said the Warsaw meeting was important for bringing Israel together with Arab countries “to advance their common interest of war with Iran.” Those tweets were subsequently deleted and reposted with the translation of Israeli-Arab common interest being in “combatting” Iran, but not for over an hour from the Israeli prime minister’s official Twitter account.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/trump-allies-hijack-warsaw-conference-iran-war-regime-change.html

and on this summit, also https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/14/us-and-israel-say-confrontation-with-iran-needed-for-peace

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-02-14/netanyahu-accidentally-tells-the-truth-about-war-with-iran

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-clip-leaked-by-pmo-arab-ministers-seen-defending-israel-attacking-iran/

My comment: Exactly this was the only reason for this conference, exactly this had tob e expected from the very beginning. The US, Israel and Saudi Arabia want to lead a war against Iran, the only thing is no one of these rogue states wants to start such a war on its own.

(A P)

NETANYAHU SITS BESIDE YEMEN FOREIGN MINISTER AT WARSAW SUMMIT

It was a historic moment for the two countries, which do not have diplomatic relations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat next Yemen’s Foreign Minister Abdul-Malek al-Mekhlafi at the start of the formal talks at Thursday session of the Warsaw summit on the Middle East.
It was a historic moment for the two countries, which do not have formal diplomatic ties. Just one day earlier, Netanyahu met with the Omani Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-sits-beside-Yemen-foreign-minister-at-Warsaw-summit-580660

My comment: The whole summit is an US anti-Iranian fishing for a “coalition of the willing” vassals. Thus, they are sitting side by side.

And

(A P)

Yemen FM faces backlash for smiling, sitting next to Netanyahu

Houthis accuse the Yemeni government of attempting to normalise ties with Israel at an anti-Iran summit in Poland.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani has been widely criticised after he was pictured sitting next to, and smiling at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a conference aimed at isolating Iran.

Houthi rebels who are at war with the Yemeni government denounced Yamani for attending the summit, accusing him of attempting to normalise ties with Israel "at the expense of the Ummah's causes [Global Muslim community], including the Palestinian one".

Condemnation also came from other prominent voices in the Middle East

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/yemen-fm-faces-backlash-smiling-sitting-netanyahu-190215075452237.html

And

(A P)

Yemeni FM: Seat next to Netanyahu in Warsaw was ‘protocol error’ by organizers

After PM sits beside Muslim country’s top diplomat and the two share ‘lighthearted’ interaction, Alyemany says Yemen is ‘unwavering’ in its position on Palestinian people

https://www.timesofisrael.com/yemeni-fm-seat-next-to-netanyahu-in-warsaw-was-protocol-error-by-organizers/

and

(A P)

Foreign Minister Al-Yamani comments on his sitting next to Netanyahu. What did he say and did his statements convince the public?

Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani has been forced to clarify the issue that preoccupied Yemeni and Arab public opinion today, which was represented by his appearance seated in the chair adjacent to the head of Israeli occupation government Benjamin Netanyahu at the conference "Peace and security in the Middle East" held in the Polish capital Warsaw in the presence of foreign ministers and officials of several Arab countries and the world.

"The position of Yemen and President Hadi on the Palestinian issue and its people and leadership is unwavering and cannot be bid upon," he said in tweets on his account at the site "Twitter ".

The participation in Warsaw was not to discuss Palestine but to rally the international community to confront the Iranian expansionism in Yemen.

He added: Protocol errors are the responsibility of regulators, as is always the case in international conferences, and attempts to develop anti-factual dyes for political bidding will not deter us from defending Yemen.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164323

(A P)

US, allies accuse Iran of meddling in Yemen, ignore Saudi aggression

The Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the US, in a joint declaration on Wednesday, accused Iran of meddling in Yemen’s affairs and blocking the peace process while giving a pass on Saudis’ aggression in Yemen.

The four ministers met yesterday in an anti-Iran summit in Warsaw, which was held under the pretext of discussing peace in the Middle East but had a special focus on Iran.

Iran has strongly dismissed the claims on providing weapons to Houthis.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/142515/US-allies-accuse-Iran-of-meddling-in-Yemen-ignore-Saudi-aggression

(* A P)

Al-Houthi: Warsaw Conference Exposes Regimes’ Masks Claiming to Defend Arabism

Warsaw conference exposed the masks of regimes that claim to defend Arabism, the head of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee said Thursday.

Mohamed Ali al-Houthi said in a statement that those who rush to sell the basic issues under any allegations and justifications can not be accepted from the public.

"The picture of the mercenary, Khalid Al-Yamani, standing between American Pompeo and Israeli Netanyahu is reducing the distance among them."

Al-Houthi pointed out that the US-organized meeting does not mean more to the people than certain confirmation of alliances of destruction, bloodshed and starvation.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5427&cat_id=1

and also https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564/2141377405915278

(A P)

Britain: Houthi rebels could begin withdrawal from Hodeidah within days

UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt reveals progress after chairing Yemen talks in Warsaw

Yemen's Houthi rebels could start withdrawing from Hodeidah within the next few days, British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday, raising hopes that a long-delayed ceasefire around the vital port city will be implemented.

"The basic situation is that it's possible that Hodeidah could finally be cleared of Houthi troops in the next few days, and that will be an important step forward in the implementation of the Stockholm agreement," Mr Hunt said after chairing talks on Yemen between the UK, US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Hodeidah ceasefire, which calls for the withdrawal of all forces from the city and its ports, was agreed at UN-led talks between the government and rebels in Sweden in December.

"However if it that doesn't happen there is real frustration and impatience that it is taking so long. So this is really a crunch moment in the Yemen process," Mr Hunt said in a video posted on Twitter a day after the meeting in Warsaw.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/britain-houthi-rebels-could-begin-withdrawal-from-hodeidah-within-days-1.825763

My comment: Of course, he “forgets” that ALL sides must withdraw their troops from Hodeidah – oups, not forgotten, Britain is a warring party in Yemen and no peace broker.

(A P)

In Warsaw, UK builds support for Yemen ceasefire

British foreign secretary puts focus on Yemen

For some officials, the U.S.-sponsored conference on the Middle Eastis a risky junket – with the true purpose of the event unclear and potential outcomes unknown. U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt turned it into a serious business trip.

Hunt came to Warsaw on the condition that a meeting of the so-called Yemen Quad — the U.K., U.S., Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates — would be held on the sidelines in a bid to bolster a fragile U.N.-sponsored ceasefire in the war-torn nation.

By all accounts, Hunt got what he came for.

A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers in attendance, including U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, focused on highly practical and technical issues related to the continued implementation of the ceasefire as well as provision of humanitarian aid.

https://www.politico.eu/article/jeremy-hunt-warsaw-uk-builds-support-for-yemen-ceasefire/

My comment: Unfortunately, Britain is one of the main warring parties and no peace broker. And the whole so-called “Yemen Quad” is just this. This event is a scam. And this article is praising Hunt for being someone he really not is.

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B H)

SAVE THE CHILDREN-STUDIE:Fast jedes fünfte Kind wächst in Konfliktgebieten auf

420 Millionen Mädchen und Jungen wachsen momentan in Konfliktgebieten auf. Über 100.000 Babys sterben jährlich durch Krieg. Am schlimmsten ist es aktuell in Afghanistan, Jemen und dem Südsudan.

Mehr als 100.000 Babys sterben jedes Jahr durch Kriege und Konflikte in den zehn am schlimmsten betroffenen Ländern. Das geht aus einem Bericht hervor, den die Kinderrechtsorganisation Save the Children anlässlich der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz veröffentlicht hat.

Fast jedes fünfte Kind wächst demnach in einem Konfliktgebiet auf. «Das ist mehr als je zuvor in den vergangenen 20 Jahren», sagte die Leiterin von Save the Children International, Helle Thorning-Schmidt. 2017 waren das 420 Millionen Mädchen und Jungen, Anfang der 1990er Jahre noch etwa halb so viele.

Zu den zehn gefährlichsten Ländern für Kinder zählt die Organisation Afghanistan, Jemen, Südsudan, die Zentralafrikanische Republik, die Demokratische Republik Kongo, Syrien, Irak, Nigeria, Somalia und auch Mali. In diesen zehn Staaten seien zwischen 2013 und 2017 mindestens 550.000 Babys durch die Folgen der Konflikte ums Leben gekommen.

Die meisten von ihnen starben dem Report zufolge durch indirekte Konfliktfolgen wie Hunger, zerstörte Infrastruktur und mangelnden Zugang zur Gesundheitsversorgung. «Bezieht man die Kinder unter fünf Jahren mit ein, sind es sogar mindestens 868.000», teilte Save the Children mit.

https://www.svz.de/deutschland-welt/politik/fast-jedes-fuenfte-kind-waechst-in-konfliktgebieten-auf-id22641887.html = https://www.nrz.de/politik/fast-jedes-fuenfte-kind-waechst-in-konfliktgebieten-auf-id216446855.html

(* A H)

Japan provides 32.8 million USD humanitarian assistance package to Yemen Including additional food grant aid with 18 million USD

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/japan-provides-328-million-usd-humanitarian-assistance-package-yemen-including

(A H)

URGENT message received for a child in need in #Ibb:

'Peace be upon you
A child in #Yemen suffers from curvature of the hands. According to the medical report, he needs to grow a bone outside but it can be done only abroad.
He needs to travel to Egypt, Jordan or India.
If anyone is willing to look into the matter and help, please, contact via email Ali Alsoli at alsaholi.ali@gmail.com.
I am attaching the medical report and the pictures'

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2140830292636656

(* B H)

Streit um Jemen-Hilfe

Saudi-Arabien verlangt Kontrolle über Einfuhr und Verteilung der Lebensmittel

Betroffen sind vor allem die Menschen im von den Huthi-Milizen kontrollierten Norden des Landes; Jaya Sarea, Sprecher der Huthi, wirft Saudi-Arabiens Regierung deshalb vor, humanitäre Hilfe als Waffe einzusetzen.

Vehement fordert man in Riad von den Vereinten Nationen die Kontrolle über die Einfuhr und die Verteilung der Hilfsgüter; schon vor langer Zeit hat man dafür einen sehr komplizierten Mechanismus vorgestellt: Nur so könne sicher gestellt werden, dass die Hilfe auch dort ankommt, wo sie gebraucht wird, sagt ein Sprecher des saudischen Außenministeriums. Die Huthi-Milizen haben den Plan zurückgewiesen, wollen die Koordinierung in den Händen der Vereinten Nationen belassen.

https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1112296.krieg-im-jemen-streit-um-jemen-hilfe.html

Mein Kommentar: Das darf ja wohl nicht wahr sein.

(A H)

Meritxell Relano, UNICEF: This week I end my assignment in #Yemen. I leave sad because I have not seen Peace, but optimistic because I believe that those in power will be wise enough to stop fighting and start thinking about the children of Yemen. The future. Please stop the war, put children first! (photo)

https://twitter.com/RelanoMeritxell/status/1096264019588075520

and also here https://twitter.com/UNICEF_Yemen/status/1095270478795685888

You have done your best in one of the most complicated operations in the world. On behalf of #YemenChildren, I cordially thank you. Keep #Yemen in your heart and come back hopefully soon when we will enjoy the real beauty of the country and people.

https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/1096334016452665345

(B H)

Film: For the past few months, we have been showing you everything about Mercy bakery, it’s origins, it’s rise, and the Amazing work it does with its free bread distribution in Yemen every day. Now we would like to introduce Mercy kitchen#1 and Mercy Bakery#2

https://www.facebook.com/HumanityforReliefandDevelopment/videos/vb.150293075706374/564134164068190/

https://mercybakery.com/

(* A H)

MSF opens new emergency room in Ad Dahi hospital

In December 2018, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened a new emergency room in the Ad Dahi district hospital, which lies around 50 kilometres from the city of Hodeidah. The district strategically lies on the main road to Sanaa, and is surrounded by other districts where people have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict in this part of Yemen.

Fighting in, and around, the port of Hodeidah, and in the neighbouring governorates of Taiz, Hajjah and Amran has also caused many people to flee. Ad Dahi district currently hosts more than 3,600 displaced people, making the new emergency room even more needed in an area that is struggling to cope with the direct and indirect consequences of the war in Yemen.

The health system in Hodeidah, shattered by the ongoing war and blockade, has been unable to cope with the medical needs of people living in the districts outside Hodeidah city, particularly since the beginning of the battle for Hodeidah city and its port.

Our current project in Ad Dahi consists of an emergency room unit in the hospital, with the view of establishing a surgical room, an intensive care unit, and an in-patient department. MSF teams are working to finalise the renovation of the hospital to be fully operational very soon.

https://www.msf.org/msf-opens-new-emergency-room-ad-dahi-hospital-hodeidah-yemen = https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/msf-opens-new-emergency-room-ad-dahi-hospital

(A H)

Japan helps to protect women and girls in Hodeida with funding to UNFPA

The Government of Japan donates $607,142 in support of UNFPA’s drive to provide life-saving protection services to women and girls affected by the emergency in Hodeida

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/japan-helps-protect-women-and-girls-hodeida-funding-unfpa-enar

(A H)

Real time pictures @monarelief's team delivering now food aid baskets to the most vulnerable families & IDPs in the capital Sana'a. Our project will target 1000+ families. Please donate to help more families in #Yemen

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1095951067303604224

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-feed-and-shelter-yemen-s-people#/

(A H)

Thanks also to everyone who donated to help with my medical costs https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/ahmad I don't like to tweet a fundraiser for myself but @JamilaHanan asked me to tweet it, and it is a big help, thankyou!

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1095687357947351040 referring to

HELP SAVE AHMAD'S EYESIGHT

https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/ahmad

(A H)

These images are of a 32-ton shipment of wheat from the World Food Program ( #WFP ).
This huge amount of aid for the relief and survival of Yemeni people Expired while still on board, as shown in the pictures.
However, the program operators unloaded the expired wheat and tried to distribute it to the people, but the intervention of the #Sanaa government through the Yemeni Consumer Protection Association addressed the director of the World Food Program in Yemen as it shown In letter by Yemeni Consumer Protection Association.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2137792506273768

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

(* B H)

Film: "I have met a girl who has been displaced four times over the last four years; she was telling me how they go hungry at night not having eaten at all." Our regional media adviser @Karl_Schembri talks to @AJInsideStory about his last visit to #Yemen.

https://twitter.com/NRC_MiddleEast/status/1095359530177871873

(B H)

UNHCR Yemen Situation: 2019 Funding Update (as of 14 February 2019)

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unhcr-yemen-situation-2019-funding-update-14-february-2019

(B H)

GITARREN STATT KNARREN IN JEMEN

Firas Shamsan kämpfte in seinem Heimatland Jemen für mehr Kultur statt Waffen. Dann musste der Friedensaktivist, Blogger, Journalist und Autor flüchten. Statt in der Freiheit landete er 2014 in einem der berüchtigten ägyptischen Foltergefängnisse. Schwer gezeichnet ging er zurück nach Jemen. Doch bald wurde es wieder zu unsicher für ihn, weil er mit seinen kritischen Publikationen ständig aneckte. Als das Land in einen Bürgerkrieg rutschte, floh er erneut, zuerst nach Jordanien, später nach Malaysia. Auf seiner Flucht erlebte er erneut Gewalt, als er von jemenitischen Aktivisten erwischt und brutal zusammegeschlagen wurde. Trotzdem publizierte er laufend seine Geschichten und seine Kritik an der Gewaltverherrlichung in Jemen.
2019 erhielt er das erste ICORN-Stipendium der Stadt Bern.

https://rabe.ch/2019/02/14/gitarren_statt_knarren/

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

(* A P)

Houthis will execute activist Asma'a Al-Omeisy Monday, Yemen Org for combating human trafficking said. In Jan 2018, a Houthi court sentenced Asma'a, a 23-yr mother of 2, along with 2 others to death & her father to 15 yrs in prison for leading a spy ring for Saudi-led coalition.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1096614081467990016

(A P)

Gov’t Spokesman confirms Yemen’s rejection of normalization steps being taken by Hadi’s gov’t

The Spokesman of National Salvation Government, Minister of Information, Deifallah Al-Shami, affirmed Yemen’s rejection of the normalization steps being taken by Saudi-backed government of the exiled Hadi with the Zionist entity.

The official spokesman said the participation of Khaled al-Yamani, foreign minister of the Hadi’s government at the Warsaw conference, alongside the prime minister of the Zionist entity, is a disgrace and reflects the level of moral fall of the mercenaries and their coalition.

He pointed out that the participation of Hadi’s government in this conference does not represent the Yemeni people who known for his supportive positions for all issues of the Arab and Islamic nation and in the forefront of the Palestinian cause.

http://en.ypagency.net/88233/?fbclid=IwAR2oJAFQQpxNXs-cgb4ZWY8khtNcaFudtmcFU1Wy9XvlPQkDoXd93TblMEU

(* B P)

The UN expert team is talking about the murder of journalist Mohamed Absi. What does the Houthi spokesperson have to do with it?

In the economic and financial context of Yemen, the report spoke of potential external financing, in particular, financing through fuel imports, where the panel investigated the donation of fuel products exported to Yemen that could represent potential financial assistance to individuals on the sanctions list.

"A suspected murder on December 20, 2016, claimed the lives of Mohammed Abdo Absi, a journalist based in Sanaa, who was preparing an investigation into the involvement of Houthi leaders in the importation of fuel to finance the ongoing conflict," the report said.

The report noted that the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had called for an independent and thorough investigation into the death of Mr. Absi in a statement issued in implementation of the UNESCO report.

The report of the Group of Experts noted that, as reported by several media outlets, Absi had mentioned three companies involved in such activities owned by Mohamed Abdulsalam Salah Flitah, the spokesperson of the Houthis and the chairman of the Houthi television network, as well as Daghssan Daghssan, and Ali Qersha.

The Panel stated that, through its investigations, it identified three companies with names similar to those mentioned in the Absi investigations.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164334

(* A P)

Violent clashes in al-Houthi attack on ' Qaryat ' and killing of a tribal Sheikh

Fierce clashes erupted on Thursday evening and continue on Friday following an attack by Houthi fighters on the area "Qaryat " east of Kushar district of Hajjah Province in northwest Yemen.

Al-Masdar online correspondent said that the tribal militants repelled a violent attack by the Houthi militias on the mountain "Jarrah " and "al-Za’lah " of Kushar Directorate, which started the attack at midnight on Thursday and the confrontations continued until Friday morning.

The attack was carried out by the so-called "rapid reaction Forces", which the Houthis brought as reinforcements from Sanaa, and field sources indicated that there had been significant casualties among the Houthi attackers, while the fighters of the Hajur tribes were using their fortifications expertise in the area and being defended.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164324

and

(* A P)

Escalating Battles between Tribesmen and Houthis in Hajour North Yemen.

Hajour dstrict is witnessing escalating battles between Houthi rebels and tribesmen after Qafla Athar, part of Amran province, tribes joined the frontlines for the first time since the onset of the confrontations.

Tribesmen from Qafla Atha tribes, Souda and Tho Nahra tribes in particular, clashed with Houthi fighters after cutting off a supply line used for reinforcements by Houthis, tribal sources said.

Sources have confirmed that clashes expanded to Aladna Bilad Abdu Shaia in Qafla Atha and pointed out that Houthi fighters turned and fled the battleground after suffering heavy losses.

Following fierce clashes, Ather and Qafla tribes called for immediate mobilization to confront Houthis after seizing a tank, an armored vehicle and three personnel carriers, according to tribal sources.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/14414

and

(A P)

The Houthis are bombing the Hajur tribes in an attempt to advance and tribes in Amran clashing with them

Al-Houthi militants continue to launch an intensive attack on the positions of tribesmen in Kushar district of Hajjah Province on Wednesday, in an effort to make progress in the region amid defensive tribes.

A field source told Al-Masdar online that the Houthi attack focused on tribal sites in Jabal al-Shahi and Hoag since midnight, but they have made no progress.

He added that the Houthis ' failure to progress on the ground had made them rain al-Obaisa area indiscriminately with more than 50 artillery shells, which landed in scattered areas of the area, without causing casualties.

He noted that during these moments the Houthis attacked the tribes at the Qaryat site.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164291

Remark: For this conflict, earlier reporting in the last Yemen War Mosaics, cp5.

(A P)

Houthis kidnap owner of a library in Sanaa on charges of promoting books that do not serve the group's orientation

Al-Houthi gunmen confiscated books from the library of Khaled Ibn al-Walid, one of the largest libraries in the capital, Sanaa, and kidnapped the owner, on charges that he was promoting books that did not serve the group's orientation, according to the Yemeni novelist Al-Gharbi Omran.

"What Ahmed al-Hazmi, owner of Khalid ibn al-Walid Bookshop in Sanaa, has been subjected to is the confiscation of books that Ansar Allah believes are against their intellectual orientation is not to be repeated," Omran said in his blog post on Facebook on Wednesday.

The president of Al-Maqah short story Club added that the library is one of the few libraries that have not closed its doors, and maintained its activity in the light of the restrictions exerted by the Houthis for everything that violates them.

Omran, one of the prominent members of the Yemeni novelist and Writers ' Union, said that "al-Hazmi imprisonment for promoting books that do not serve the ideology of Ansar Allah is void."

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164293

Comment: They've changed school curricula.They've been indoctrinating children.And now they r abducting bookshop owners for selling books other than those endorsing hate & supremacy. After shutting political space, Houthis r now on a race to destroy social & religious diversity n #Yemen

Even the American International School (a private school) in Sana’a now has their kids chanting “Down down USA.”

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1096003286249951232

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1096027211952504838

(B)
Yemen's Houthi-run capital Sanaa is full of streets dogs that are snarling and attacking people. There are more than 80.000 stray dogs in the city, said a report published last week. The local authorities are turning a deaf ear to appeals by people to remove them (photo)

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1095754227639566338

(A K P)

Children Go Missing …. Houthis Suspected for Child Recruitment in Central Yemen

Three children disappeared from their schools the past two days in Ibb Governate in central Yemen, while Houthis are being accused of taking them to the fronts, local sources said.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/14411

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-27721

(* B H K)

Organization says the Houthis kidnapped 469 children and pushed them into combat

The militants of the al-Houthi group abducted 469 children and pushed them into combat against government forces, using hundreds of them as human shields, making them vulnerable to the attacks of the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia, a human rights organization said.

This came in a report by the Human rights organization "Rights Radar ", based in the Netherlands.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164294

cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government

(* B P)

International report accuses southern transitional leaders and armed formations of undermining legitimate government in southern Yemen

The final report of the UN panel of International experts confirmed that government officials are being subjected to hostile actions by forces allied with the Southern transitional council, led by the al-Zubaidi and Hani Ben Burik.

The challenges and threats to the legitimate authority in southern Yemen have escalated since the formation of what so-called in the Southern Transitional Council on May 11, 2017.

Rapid military movements and security formations have begun with the support and supervision of the United Arab Emirates, which is under the control of President Hadi's government.

The UAE has supported the formation of elite forces in the governorates of Shabwah and Hadramawt and has established security belts equivalent to or alternative to the legitimate government forces in Lahij, al-Dale, Abyan and Aden.

The report accused the "Southern Transitional Council " and its military forces of the practice of "armed hostilities" against the Yemeni government, causing it to not take effective control of the southern governorates.

The report, "the Southern Transitional Council " and its allied military forces, was seen as a challenge to the Yemeni government's authority and was the main source of opposition from President Hadi.

The report confirmed that the chairman of the Southern Transitional Council, Aydaroos Zubaidi spent most of his time residing in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and visited Aden on several occasions, accusing the transitional leaders of masterminding the attack against the Presidential protection forces in January last year, from within the headquarters of the Council located in Tawahi District.

The establishment of these military and security forces by the United Arab Emirates is a means for the arms of President Hadi and his Government and the imposition of its conditions, thus directly affecting the sovereignty of the State and its security and civil institutions.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164335

(A P)

Former foreign minister: Normalization with the Zionist enemy violates our principles and our Constitution

Former foreign minister Abdulmalik al-Mulkhafi said Thursday that normalization or suspicion of normalization with the Zionist enemy violates "the constants of our people, their history and their constitution."

It is clear that Al-Mikhlafi was hinting to the controversy alludes to the event that occupied the Yemeni public opinion today of the appearance of Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani in the chair adjacent to the President of the Israeli occupation government Benjamin Netanyahu at the conference Warsaw

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164321

Remark: For this conference, look at cp2.

(A P)

Al-Zubaidi and Ben Brik Open “Huna Aden Media” and “Huna Aden Radio Station”.

General Aidarous Kassem Al-Zubaidi, president of the Southern Transitional Council, and Sheikh Hany Ben Brik, vice president of the council, opened the first exclusive southern media foundation, “Huna Aden Media”, and “Huna Aden Radio Station”, the first southern radio station broadcasting from Aden, on Saturday February 9th, 2019

https://en.smanews.org/al-zubaidi-and-ben-brik-open-huna-aden-media-and-huna-aden-radio-station

Remark: Southern separatists are creating their own media network.

(A P)

National Assembly Discusses Final Arrangements of the Second Round to Be Held in Al-Makla

On Monday February 11th, 2019, the Southern National Assembly discussed final arrangements of the its second round to be held next week in Al-Makla – Hadhramaut.

https://en.smanews.org/national-assembly-discusses-final-arrangements-of-the-second-round-to-be-held-in-al-makla

Remark: This is the southern separatists’ assembly.

(A P)

Chairman of Aden Observatory: Holding the Second Round of the Southern National Assembly in Al-Makla Recognizes Hadhramaut’s Historic Status

As part of preparations for holding the second round of the Southern National Assembly, Kassem Daoud Al-Amoudi, Chairman of Aden Observatory for Studies and Research, indicating that holding this round in Al-Makla, capital of Hadhramaut, under these critical conditions is very significant.
He said: “This round is extraordinary as it is held in Al-Makla, capital of Hadhramaut. It is also very significant as it is held in Hadhramaut with all its history and prospective future.

This round is a message of appreciation and recognition of the historic and future status of Hadhramaut. It also appreciates the significant role of Hadhramauti citizens in the southern struggle for freedom and the desired future of full liberation and establishment of the southern state that fulfills expectations of the southern people and their right to run their affairs under a southern federal state”.

https://en.smanews.org/chairman-of-aden-observatory-holding-the-second-round-of-the-southern-national-assembly-in-al-makla-recognizes-hadhramauts-historic-status

(A P)

Activists in Hadramawt reject Southern transitional leaders ' presence in Mukalla

Activists in Hadramawt province (eastern Yemen) on Thursday launched an online campaign against the arrival of the leaders of the so-called Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the UAE, to the city of Mukalla, the province.

The main leaders of the southern transition to al-Mukalla arrived at Al-Rayyan Airport, noon on a private Emirati plane, while dozens of heavily armed military vehicles arrived on Wednesday amid a celebration by supporters of the Council.

The activists tweeted in a hashtag called “Hadramawt rejects the transitional” and voiced their rejection of the presence of the military buildup and transitional leadership, which could cause congestion in the province, which is witnessing a relatively stable presence.

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164322

(A K P)

Shabwa Elites Detonate and Dismantle Thousands of Land Mines, Rockets and Explosives

Shabwa Elites Troops detonated and dismantled thousands of land mines, rockets and explosives confiscated recently in Ataq and other districts during the operation of securing Ataq.
Colonel Wagdi Ba Oum Al-Khulaifi, commander of Al-Shuhada axis, supervised the operation personally as special explosives forces of Shabwa Elites initiated the detonation operation.
Colonel Al-Khulaifi indicated that Shabwa Elites Troops will continue its duties bravely to secure the security and safety of Shabwa and its citizens.

https://en.smanews.org/shabwa-elites-detonate-and-dismantle-thousands-of-land-mines-rockets-and-explosives

Remark: Separatists’ news agency praising separatists’ militia.

(* A P)

Emirati private jet carrying transitional leadership to Mukalla and armed processions arouse discontent of residents of the city

An Emirati private jet on Thursday morning carrying the so-called "Southern Transitional Council" to the city of Mukalla, capital of Hadramawt, east of Yemen.

Dozens of armed vehicles loaded with transitional gunmen preceded by Aydaroos Zubaidi, Hani Ben Brik and Ahmed Ben Brik to Hadramawt, which was seen scouring the streets of the city, raising widespread discontent among the city's residents.

The NTC, which adopts the option of secession in southern Yemen and receives support from the United Arab Emirates, announced that it is holding its second periodic session, next Saturday, in the city of Mukalla.

In the same vein, transitional leaders from Shabwah brought in military crowds accompanying them to the city of Mukalla. What made the city teeming with militants and wagons loaded with machine guns in an unprecedented way.

The signs of societal discontent with these appearances began in comments on social media sites where activist Mansour Bawadi commented on this incident with a post on his Facebook page by saying: "The entrance of them in this picture indicates their desire to break his nostrils and find prestige for themselves, but we We know that crows remain crows. "

He added: "Neither Aydaroos nor his people will dare to enter this way, if not the green light from the kingdom and the UAE, for something already prepared ".

"With these reckless behaviors, the alliance but itself in responsibility position, so people are not blamed if they raise their voices in protest and dissent," he said.

Media activist Tariq Baslum also commented: The military force in which the transitional delegation entered Al-Mukalla raises questions. At least (tens of) vehicles couldn't count them for their abundance-all filled with soldiers, guns and machine guns, including an anti-aircraft!

http://almasdaronline.com/articles/164310

and

(A P)

Aidarous Qasim Al Zubidi and other pro-independence Southern Transitional Council(STC) crew have touched down in #Mukalla for their General Assembly gathering (photos)

https://twitter.com/saeedalBatati/status/1096019997728669696

(* A T)

#AlQaeda in #Yemen claims it killed 4 Security Belt soldiers (including commander of Rapid Reaction Force), injured 5 & destroyed their vehicle by roadside bomb on convoy in al-Mahfad region of Abyan yesterday. It's #AQAP's 5th attack on #UAE-backed forces in Abyan this year (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1096002065313214464

(A T)

Unraveling what's fake & real in #Mahra #Yemen. Worrying film & photos allege 4000 #UAE-backed Mahra Elite Forces trained in #Hadramawt are en route to Mahra. Mahris dispute such a force of Mahris exists - yet. But they report active recruitment drive as STC tries to show muscle

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1095977412591009792

Remark: STC = Southern Transitional Council (Separatists)

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

(* B P)

Yemen Conflict and Russia

In addition to the ongoing risk of a military escalation in Yemen, the overwhelming focus of the UN-backed negotiations on Hodeidah risks sidestepping other flashpoints for conflict.

As inter-factional hostilities and the exclusion of the Southern Movement have reduced the prospects of an imminent UN-brokered resolution of the Yemen war, there is a growing need for parallel-track negotiations to facilitate dialogue between various factions in Yemen. These negotiations should emphasize crucial issues neglected by the UN peace talks, like the status of southern Yemen and power-sharing possibilities, and ameliorate distrust between various Yemeni factions, by encouraging dialogue without preconditions. Russia is ideally placed to lead a parallel-track mediation initiative in Yemen, as it is the only great power that maintains close relations with all major factions of the conflict, including the Southern Movement, and has a vested interest in stabilizing Yemen.

Although Russia continues to recognize the legitimacy of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s government, its abstention from UN Resolution 2216 in April 2015, which singled out the Houthis as “spoilers of peace,” and willingness to welcome Houthi representatives to Moscow for diplomatic negotiations, has allowed it to cultivate an image of impartiality in the Yemen conflict. Russia’s image of being an impartial, yet constructive, stakeholder has been further entrenched by its successful efforts to ameliorate tensions between rival south Yemeni factions, and recognition that Yemen is divided along both regional and sectarian lines.

The praise that Griffiths lavished on Russia’s mediation role in Yemen, in a recent interview with Sputnik, and calls from a senior Houthi representative in November to make Moscow a venue for intra-Yemeni peace talks, underscore Russia’s positive contributions to the Yemen conflict resolution process – by Samuel Ramani

http://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/yemen-conflict-and-russia/

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(A P)

Saudi Prince to Israeli Broadcaster: ‘We Can Go Far with Israeli Money, Saudi Brains’

A former Saudi intelligence chief and ex-ambassador to the US has given an unprecedented interview to an Israeli TV channel that was broadcast just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the Omani foreign minister in Poland to discuss “a new era for the Middle East.”

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 13 news, Saudi Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud said that Saudi Arabia and the Zionist entity have the funds and political means to work together provided that they reach a lasting peace first.

“With Israeli money and Saudi brains, we can go far. Yes, if there is peace. Unfortunately. Israel chooses to ignore all the efforts of Saudi Arabia to make peace, expects Saudi Arabia to put its hand on its hand and go forward on technology, on water desalination, on issues like that. It’s not going to happen”, Prince Turki, who served as ambassador to the United States, said.

He further stressed that the Israeli public should not be deceived into thinking that Israeli ties with Arab states could experience a thaw without the Palestinian issue being solved.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201902151072442218-saudi-prince-interview-israel/ = http://www.newnewss.net/saudi-prince-to-israeli-broadcaster-we-can-go-far-with-israeli-money-saudi-brains/

My comment: Well, Israel certainly does not need any money from others. But, what about Saudi brain?

(A E P)

Oil rises over 2 percent to 2019 highs on tightening supplies

Oil prices rose more than 2 percent to their highest this year on Friday after an outage at Saudi Arabia’s offshore oilfield boosted expectations for tightening supply, while progressing U.S.-Sino trade talks strengthened demand sentiment.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil/oil-rises-over-2-percent-to-2019-highs-on-tightening-supplies-idUSKCN1Q403J

(* B P)

Apple und Google: App erlaubt Männern in Saudi-Arabien, ihre Frauen zu tracken

Scharfe Kritik äußern Menschenrechtsaktivisten gegenüber Apple und Google. Eine App erlaubt es Männern in Saudi-Arabien, ihre Frauen zu tracken.

Eine App der saudi-arabischen Regierung wirft ein fragwürdiges Licht auf Google und Apple. Absher, wie die App heißt, erlaubt es Männern in Saudi-Arabien, die Reiseaktivitäten ihrer Frauen und Töchter zu überwachen. Das geht so weit, dass sie einen Alarm erhalten, wenn ihre Frauen mit Hilfe ihres Passes die Grenze passieren oder ein Flugzeug betreten wollen. Sie sind dann sogar dazu in der Lage, dieses zu verhindern.

Menschenrechts-Organisationen beobachten die Lage der Frauen in Saudi-Arabien, die sehr stark kontrolliert werden. Jede Frau steht unter der Verantwortung eines männlichen Angehörigen, der entscheidet, ob sie reisen und ob sie arbeiten darf, oder der sogar medizinische Eingriffe einschränken kann.

Absher vereinfacht diese Prozesse für Männer nun erheblich, wie Rotha Begum, Forscherin bei Human Right Watch, gegenüber dem NPR erklärt.

Nun setzt sich US-Senator Ron Wyden ineinem Brief an Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai dafür ein, das die "abscheuliche" App der vielfach stark kritisierten saudi-arabischen Regierung aus den App Stores entfernt wird.

Von Google erhielten verschiedene Medien auf Anfragen bisher keine Antwort. Im Play Store wurde die App bereits über eine Million Mal heruntergeladen, die Saudi-Arabische Regierung veröffentlichte Zahlen von elf Millionen Nutzern.

https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Apple-und-Google-App-erlaubt-Maennern-in-Saudi-Arabien-ihre-Frauen-zu-tracken-4307949.html

Und das ist die App im Google Playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sa.gov.moi&hl=en_US

Und das bei I-Tunes von Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%B1/id1004966456?mt=8

(* B P)

My Father Faces the Death Penalty. This Is Justice in Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom’s judiciary is being pushed far from any semblance of the rule of law and due process.

Despite the claims of Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his enablers, Saudi Arabia is not rolling back the hard-line religious establishment. Instead, the kingdom is curtailing the voices of moderation that have historically combated extremism. Numerous Saudi activists, scholars and thinkers who have sought reform and opposed the forces of extremism and patriarchy have been arrested. Many of them face the death penalty.

Salman Alodah, my father, is a 61-year-old scholar of Islamic law in Saudi Arabia, a reformist who argued for greater respect for human rights within Shariah, the legal code of Islam based on the Quran. His voice was heard widely, partly owing to his popularity as a public figure with 14 million followers on Twitter.

On Sept. 10, 2017, my father, who was disturbed by regional tensions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt imposed a blockade on Qatar, spoke obliquely about the conflict and expressed his desire for reconciliation. “May Allah mend their hearts for the best of their peoples,” he tweeted.

A few hours after his tweet, a team from the Saudi security services came to our house in Riyadh, searched the house, confiscated some laptops and took my father away.

The Saudi government was apparently angered and considered his tweet a criminal violation. His interrogators told my father that his assuming a neutral position on the Saudi-Qatar crisis and failing to stand with the Saudi government was a crime.

He is being held in solitary confinement in Dhahban prison in Jidda. He was chained and handcuffed for months inside his cell, deprived of sleep and medical help and repeatedly interrogated throughout the day and night. His deteriorating health — high blood pressure and cholesterol that he developed in prison — was ignored until he had to be hospitalized. Until the trial, about a year after his arrest, he was denied access to lawyers.

On Sept. 4, a specialized criminal court in Riyadh convened off-camera to consider the numerous charges against my father: stirring public discord and inciting people against the ruler, calling for change in government and supporting Arab revolutions by focusing on arbitrary detention and freedom of speech, possessing banned books and describing the Saudi government as a tyranny. The kingdom’s attorney general sought the death penalty for him – By Abdullah Alaoudh

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/13/opinion/saudi-arabia-judiciary.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5421&cat_id=2

audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4lsQpGkviM

(* A P)

EU lawmakers urge Saudi Arabia to end women's guardianship system

The European Parliament urged Saudi Arabia on Thursday to abolish its male guardianship system, under which women have to seek permission from their guardian on issues such as getting married, saying it and other rules reduce women to second-class citizens.

Parliamentarians also expressed concern over “government web services” that allow male guardians to track women when they cross borders. A Saudi application called Absher notifies men when women travel.

In their resolution, approved by more than two thirds of the assembly, EU lawmakers urged the Saudi government to immediately abolish the system. Current rules in the kingdom effectively make women “second-class citizens”, the document said.

EU states should continue pressuring Riyadh on improving women conditions and human rights, lawmakers said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-saudi-women/eu-lawmakers-urge-saudi-arabia-to-end-womens-guardianship-system-idUSKCN1Q327J

(* A P)

Häftlinge in Saudi-Arabien-EU-Parlament verlangt Freilassung

Das Europaparlament hat die "unverzügliche und bedingungslose Freilassung" von Menschenrechtsaktivisten, Rechtsanwälten, Journalisten und anderen politischen Häftlingen in Saudi-Arabien gefordert. Zugleich äußerte sich das Straßburger Parlament bestürzt über "glaubwürdige Berichte", nach denen Häftlinge im Gefängnis gefoltert und sexuell missbraucht wurden.

Anlass zu Besorgnis gebe auch ein Ende 2012 von der Regierung eingeführtes System zur Überwachung der Frauen durch ihre männlichen Vormunde.

Die Regierung in Riad müsse dieses System und andere für Frauen diskriminierende Gesetze "umgehend abschaffen".

https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute/haeftlinge-in-saudi-arabien-eu-parlament-verlangt-freilassung-100.html

(* A P)

U.S. lawmakers call on Saudi Arabia to free imprisoned women’s rights activists

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a resolution Wednesday calling on Saudi Arabia to “immediately and unconditionally” release women’s rights advocates imprisoned there, as Congress intensifies its criticism of the kingdom’s human rights record after the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The House resolution, introduced by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), is separate from pending legislation aimed at cutting off U.S. support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen and holding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the killing of Khashoggi.

It focuses more narrowly on the plight of the women’s rights advocates, notably on allegations that at least 10 of the women have been severely abused while in custody. The resolution calls on the U.S. government to “continue publicly and privately demanding the release of individuals wrongfully detained.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-lawmakers-call-on-saudi-arabia-to-free-imprisoned-womens-rights-activists/2019/02/13/11ad9e00-2fab-11e9-ac6c-14eea99d5e24_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.25c3a0b46024

(* A E P)

EU-Kommission setzt Saudi-Arabien auf Geldwäsche-Schwarzliste

Die EU-Kommission hat Saudi-Arabien, Panama und Nigeria auf ihre Schwarze Liste von Geldwäschesündern gesetzt. Darauf werden Länder aufgeführt, denen lasche Kontrollen im Kampf gegen Geldwäsche und Terrorfinanzierung vorgeworfen werden. Ingesamt werden hier nun 23 Staaten und Territorien aufgelistet, wie die EU-Kommission am Mittwoch mitteilte.

Aus anderen EU-Ländern kam dagegen Kritik. Sie sind um ihre Wirtschaftsbeziehungen zu den aufgeführten Staaten besorgt – insbesondere zu Saudi-Arabien. Neben dem Reputationsschaden, der mit einer Nennung verbunden ist, werden damit auch die Finanzbeziehungen komplizierter. So müssen Geldinstitute in der EUZahlungen an Geschäftspartner in solchen Ländern viel strenger kontrollieren.

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/eu-kommission-setzt-saudi-arabien-auf-geldwaesche-schwarzliste-16039167.html

(* A E P)

Saudi Arabia Makes The EU's "Dirty Money" Blacklist

The European Union maintains a list of countries that it considers a threat to the EU financial system. The EU either deems the laws and regulations of these countries as too lenient with regards to money laundering, suspects them of potentially financing terrorism or accuses them of providing too little transparency to EU regulators.

Now the EU is doubling this list of countries from 16 to 32, and including Saudi Arabia on the list.

"Dirty Money" status does not bar financial relations with business entities in the EU, but it does mean that banks in the EU will have to undertake extra checks when processing payments to financial institutions in these countries or territories.

This could also complicate matters for mutual funds in the EU. The Saudi stock exchange, Tadawul, was recently included in the MSCI and FTSE emerging market indexes. Blacklisting Saudi Arabia could complicate the anticipated flow of money.

For Saudi Arabia, this label comes at an especially difficult time. The kingdom is still trying to attract foreign businesses to Saudi Arabia as part of its economic diversification plans, and both Saudi Arabia and Aramco are looking to raise money through bond offerings. The "dirty money" label will make these goals more challenging in a Saudi business environment that is already suspect.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenrwald/2019/02/13/saudi-arabia-makes-the-eus-dirty-money-blacklist/?

cp9 USA

(* B K P)

Ohne Ende

6000 Milliarden Dollar – so viel kostet der „Krieg gegen den Terror“ von 2001 bis heute. Diese unvorstellbare Summe wurde für die Homeland Security in den USA und die Kriege weltweit ausgegeben. Die Streitkräfte der USA agieren in 40 Prozent der Länder der Welt, von den Dschungeln Kolumbiens bis zu den Dschungeln Thailands. In 80 Ländern trainieren die USA Truppen, fliegen Drohnen, werfen Bomben und kämpfen mit Sondereinheiten. Zur Überraschung selbst von Kongressabgeordneten kamen 2017 vier Soldaten einer Sondereinheit in einem Hinterhalt an der Grenze zwischen Mali und Niger um. Die Kongressabgeordneten hatten keine Ahnung, dass US-Soldaten auch an dieser Grenze im Einsatz waren.
Die US-Streitkräfte haben mit den Milliarden Dollar Länder zerstört und Städte dem Erdboden gleichgemacht. Die Zerstörung des Irak hat den IS erst möglich gemacht. Die Vernichtung von Mossul im Irak und Raqqa in Syrien, die endlose Bewaffnung sogenannter „gemäßigter Rebellen“, die die syrische Regierung bekämpfen sollten und sich am Ende immer beim IS und al-Kaida wiederfanden – das alles erhöht die Zahl dschihadistischer Kämpfer weltweit.
Der Krieg gegen den Terror ist nicht auf ein Ende hin angelegt. Homeland Security und Überwachung gedeihen. Es gibt Erfolge und Misserfolge im Krieg gegen den Terror – aber kein Ende. Je nach Interessen der „nationalen Sicherheit“ kann der Krieg verstärkt, abgeschwächt oder verlagert werden.
Der kommandierende General der „Operation Inherent Resolve“ in Syrien, Patrick Roberson, beschrieb, wie es gelang, den IS an jeglichen militärischen Erfolgen zu hindern. Trump beschreibt in seiner Rede zur Lage der Nation, wie seit Beginn seiner Amtszeit das Gebiet unter Kontrolle des IS auf nahezu null reduziert wurde. Doch ein Top-General warnte im Februar, dass der IS im Falle eines Abzugs der US-Truppen aus Syrien wie Phönix wieder auferstehen würde. Der Senat klatschte Beifall und untersagte seinerseits den Rückzug.
Trump wollte an einer einzigen von unzähligen Fronten im „Krieg gegen den Terror“ den Sieg erklären. Doch nicht, wenn es nach dem Sprecher der Senats-Mehrheit geht, der meint, der IS und al-Kaida müssen erst noch besiegt werden. Der Krieg wechselt die Schauplätze, aber er hat kein Ende. Der permanente Krieg verschlingt Länder – und gebiert Profite – von Manfred Ziegler

https://www.unsere-zeit.de/de/5107/positionen/10514/Ohne-Ende.htm

(B H K P)

Yemen’s Humanitarian Catastrophe Keeps Getting Worse

These are the horrors that U.S. support for the war on Yemen helps make possible. This is the humanitarian catastrophe that has continued to worsen as our government has enabled and covered for the Saudis and Emiratis for the last four years. Extricating the U.S. from the war is a necessary step towards ending the war on Yemen, but the only way to end Yemen’s enormous suffering is if opponents of the war keep working for a lasting peace.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/yemens-humanitarian-catastrophe-keeps-getting-worse/

(A P)

US State Department: Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani

The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino:

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani in Warsaw on the margins of the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East. The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for President Hadi’s continued cooperation on counterterrorism efforts between the United States and the Republic of Yemen Government. The Secretary emphasized the need for the Republic of Yemen Government and the Houthis to swiftly implement agreements made in Sweden and continue working with UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths on advancing the political process. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed efforts to help alleviate the dire humanitarian situation. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister agreed that now is the time to transition from conflict to compromise in order for all Yemenis to achieve a brighter future.

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2019/02/289479.htm

My comment: Bla bla.

(** A P)

Abgeordnete wollen Ende der Unterstützung für Saudi-Arabien im Jemenkrieg

Mit einem Gesetzentwurf will das von den Demokraten geführte Repräsentantenhaus die militärische Unterstützung für Saudi-Arabien im Jemenkrieg beenden. Das Weiße Haus droht mit einem Veto.

Abgeordnete im US-Repräsentantenhaus wollen Donald Trumps Unterstützung für Saudi-Arabien im Jemen beenden. In einem Gesetzentwurf forderten sie den US-Präsidenten dazu auf, innerhalb von 30 Tagen jegliche militärische Unterstützung der saudi-arabisch geführten Koalition im Jemen einzustellen.

Ohne einen entsprechenden Entwurf im Senat und einer Zustimmung Trumps wird die Forderung aber nicht bindend. Das Weiße Haus hat ein Veto Trumps gegen einen solchen Gesetzentwurf angedroht.

Nach den Zwischenwahlen im November haben die Demokraten die Mehrheit im Repräsentantenhaus. Doch nicht nur sie wollen die Zusammenarbeit mit Saudi-Arabien beschränken: Der von Trumps Republikanern kontrollierte Senat hatte Ende des vergangenen Jahres mit Stimmen beider Parteien einen ähnlichen Entwurf verabschiedet. Da im Januar eine neue Legislaturperiode begonnen hat, müsste der Senat nun erneut abstimmen.

http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jemen-abgeordnete-fordern-ende-der-us-unterstuetzung-saudi-arabiens-a-1253144.html

und

(** A P)

Erhöhter Druck auf Donald Trump: US-Abgeordnete wollen Unterstützung für Saudis im Jemen kippen

Das US-Abgeordnetenhaus hat ein Ende der militärischen Unterstützung für den Krieg der saudisch-geführten Koalition im Jemen gefordert. Damit stellte es sich gegen Donald Trumps Politik. Der Druck auf den US-Präsidenten wächst.

Das US-Repräsentantenhaus hat für ein Ende der militärischen Unterstützung für Saudi-Arabien im Jemen-Krieg gestimmt und damit den Druck auf Präsident Donald Trump erhöht. In der von den oppositionellen Demokraten kontrollierten Kongresskammer stimmten am Mittwoch 248 Abgeordnete für eine entsprechende Resolution - darunter 18 Republikaner. 177 Abgeordnete stimmten dagegen.

Der Text fordert von Trump, binnen 30 Tagen US-Truppen abzuziehen, die in irgendeiner Form am Jemen-Konflikt beteiligt sind. Ausgenommen sind Einsätze gegen das Terrornetzwerk Al-Kaida. Die Resolution muss nun noch den Senat passieren.

Seit Jahresanfang haben die Demokraten eine Mehrheit im Repräsentantenhaus.

Sollte der Senat nun für die Resolution stimmen, könnte Trump sich zu einem Veto genötigt sehen. Er wäre sein erstes Veto gegen den Kongress seit seinem Amtsantritt vor mehr als zwei Jahren.

https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/usa/id_85250038/druck-auf-trump-us-abgeordnete-wollen-unterstuetzung-fuer-saudis-im-jemen-kippen.html

und

(** A P)

US-Abgeordnete stimmen für Ende der Unterstützung Saudi-Arabiens im Jemen-Krieg

Mit der Verabschiedung der Resolution "stehen wir näher vor der Beendigung unserer Mittäterschaft in dieser humanitären Katastrophe als je zuvor", erklärte der demokratische Abgeordnete Ro Khanna im Kurzbotschaftendienst Twitter. Khanna hatte den Beschlussentwurf ins Repräsentantenhaus eingebracht.

Auch der demokratische Senator und ehemalige Präsidentschaftskandidat Bernie Sanders begrüßte das Abstimmungsergebnis. Der Senat müsse die Resolution nun schnell verabschieden "und endlich die verfassungsmäßige Zuständigkeit des Kongresses für kriegerische Auseinandersetzungen wiederherstellen". Das US-Parlament kann den Abzug von US-Militär anordnen, solange es keine offizielle Kriegserklärung gibt.

https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news1/article188791899/Praesident-US-Abgeordnete-stimmen-fuer-Ende-der-Unterstuetzung-Saudi-Arabiens-im-Jemen-Krieg.html

und auch https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/usa-jemen-103.html

(** A P)

U.S. House backs measure to end U.S. support for Saudis in Yemen war

The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a resolution that would end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen, as many lawmakers sought to push President Donald Trump to toughen his policy toward the kingdom.

The 248-177 vote would not be enough, however, to overcome Trump’s promised veto of the war powers resolution.

Democrats and Republicans reintroduced the war powers resolution two weeks ago as a way to send a strong message to Riyadh about the humanitarian disaster in Yemen and condemn the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The administration - and many of Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress - said the resolution was inappropriate because U.S. forces had provided aircraft refueling and other support in the Yemen conflict, not combat troops. It also said the measure would harm relationships in the region and hurt the U.S. ability to prevent the spread of violent extremism.

The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution within 30 days.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-exclusive/u-s-senators-to-try-again-to-pass-russia-sanctions-bill-idUSKCN1Q22J9?rpc=401&

(** A P)

House Votes to Halt Aid for Saudi Arabia’s War in Yemen

The House voted on Wednesday to end American military assistance for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, a defiant and rare move to curtail presidential war powers that underscored anger with President Trump’s unflagging support for Saudi Arabia even after the killing of a Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.

The 248-to-177 vote, condemning a nearly four-year conflict in Yementhat has killed thousands of civilians and inflicted a devastating famine, will pressure the Republican-controlled Senate to respond. Eighteen Republicans — almost all of them hard-line conservatives with the Freedom Caucus — voted with the Democratic majority.

Congress’s upper chamber in December passed a parallel resolution, 56 to 41, in a striking rebuke to the president and his administration’s defense of the kingdom. But that measure died with the last Congress after the House Republican leadership blocked a vote.

Dozens of Democrats, however, softened the blow when they defected to a Republican amendment to allow intelligence sharing with Saudi Arabia to continue when “appropriate in the national security interest of the United States.”

Senate passage of the Yemen resolution could prompt Mr. Trump to issue the first veto of his presidency

Democrats demanded Senate action.

The House resolution is a rare use of the 1973 War Powers Act, which gave Congress the ability to compel the removal of military forces absent a formal declaration of war. Those powers, created in the wake of the Vietnam War, have almost never been used, as lawmakers have demurred from intervening in politically sensitive matters of war, peace and support for the troops.

But the conflict in Yemen is proving to be different.

The White House pre-emptively threatened to block the resolution

Among other things, the War Powers Resolution says presidents may unilaterally deploy troops into combat situations only if the United States has been attacked, and it created a mechanism for Congress to direct a deployment’s immediate termination.

The Trump administration, however, has said that it can rely on congressional authority from other statutes, including one that permits the Pentagon to provide logistical assistance to allies, as a basis for its help to the Saudi-led coalition – By Catie Edmondson and Charlie Savage

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/13/us/politics/yemen-war-saudi-arabia.html

and a great lot of further reports by US media and others, just a few:

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-02-13/defiance-trump-house-votes-end-us-military-support-saudi-war-yemen

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/13/historic-house-approves-war-powers-resolution-end-us-complicity-yemen

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/429894-house-passes-bill-to-end-us-military-support-to-saudis-in-yemen

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/overnights/429935-overnight-defense-house-votes-to-end-us-support-for-saudis-in-yemen

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/13/house-foreign-policy-yemen-vote-1168760

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/02/13/should-us-forces-be-involved-in-the-yemen-civil-war/

https://www.france24.com/en/20190214-usa-yemen-congress-house-backs-measure-end-saudi-arabia-support-war-trump

http://time.com/5529332/lawmakers-vote-withdraw-us-troops-yemen/

https://www.thenation.com/article/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-house-vote-resolution-37-ro-khanna-paul-ryan/

Film, Seculat Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1n4t0xldjU

and more details also in the following reports:

(** A B P)

Will the U.S. Senate Let the People of Yemen Live?

As in other recent U.S. wars in the Middle East, a result of the U.S./Saudi war on Yemen (just like the result of the U.S. drone murders that helped create the wider war) has been increased terrorism. Along the way, the United States and its allies have in fact sometimes partnered with Al Qaeda. A primary U.S. ally in the region is, of course, Saudi Arabia, a government whose brutality and violence can match that of any entity on earth.

Congress has swallowed enough lies and empty promises from the White House and Pentagon. If this Congress is even the slightest bit more humanitarian than the last one, it will end the U.S. role in the war on Yemen immediately, an action which would make it difficult for Saudi Arabia to continue the war alone.

Let's look at what the language of the bill says:

". . . Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen . . . ."

And:

"For purposes of this resolution, in this section, the term 'hostilities' includes in-flight refueling, non-United States aircraft conducting missions as part of the ongoing civil war in Yemen."

This would seem to suggest that members of the U.S. military cannot participate in any way in the war on Yemen.

Then come the loopholes:

". . . except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at al-Qaeda or associated forces . . . ."

And:

"Nothing in this joint resolution may be construed to influence or disrupt any military operations and cooperation with Israel."

The bill lists current participants in the war, with no mention of Al Qaeda or Israel. These two loopholes are ridiculous or dangerous depending on what's done with them, and what Congress can reasonably be expected to do if they are abused. People who will claim that Venezuela harbors cells of Hezbollah intent on destroying your freedom, that Iran is building nuclear weapons, and that a wall is needed to save you from Mexican rapists might certainly be imagined claiming that the war on Yemen is against Al-Qaeda and/or that Israel has joined the war. Israel, for that matter, might actually join the war.

If the point of the loopholes is not to undo the law, what is the point of them? Are fighting Al-Qaeda and fighting for Israel such sacred ideals that they have to be meaninglessly added into random legislation?

Then there's the problem that Trump has threatened to veto.

Then there's the problem that weapons sales to Saudi Arabia could roll on, no more illegal than before, following passage of this bill.

Of course, either house of Congress alone could refuse to allow a dime to be spent on U.S. war-making in Yemen. But there isn't any mechanism, as far as I know, for a member of Congress to force either chamber, despite its "leadership," to hold a vote on doing that. This is why making the War Powers Resolution real by finally using it is so valuable – By David Swanson, Director, World BEYOND War

https://www.opednews.com/articles/2/Will-the-U-S-Senate-Let-t-by-David-Swanson-Al-Qaeda_Change_Congress_Israel-190214-135.html = http://www.eurasiareview.com/16022019-will-the-us-senate-let-the-people-of-yemen-live-oped/

(* B P)

Restoring a high threshold for war

In trying to end the US role in Yemen’s war, Congress may finally be returning authority for war – and the protection of liberty – to itself.

But wait, something historic may be happening anyway. Not since Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973 has it voted with a majority to cease United States involvement in a conflict. After decades of allowing presidents to decide when to initiate force and when to end it, the legislative branch could be indicating that it is gaining the courage to fully restore its sole authority under the Constitution to declare war.

That authority has been steadily given away to succeeding presidents over dozens of conflicts, large and small. The last time Congress officially declared a war was for World War II. The Founders “would probably be thunderstruck” at how much war power has been given to the executive branch, writes historian Michael Beschloss in a new book, “Presidents of War.”

Article I of the Constitution, which grants war-initiation power to Congress, was designed to help Americans decide, through their representatives, when a war is “just.” Equally important, it was meant to prevent a single person, the chief executive, from using war as an excuse for other purposes, such as oppressing domestic opponents or to seek glory or a diversion before an election.

The timing may now be ripe for Congress to no longer duck its duty to decide the course of war.

https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2019/0214/Restoring-a-high-threshold-for-war

(* A P)

Anti-War Democrats Still Lost After Voting to Stop Yemen War

The House passed Rep. Ro Khanna’s resolution to get the U.S. out of Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen, but it added an amendment giving Trump a major loophole to help the Saudis.

The House voted on Wednesday afternoon to end the U.S. contribution to the Yemen war—but what passed the House was still something of a debacle for the anti-war caucus.

“It’s a mess,” said Christopher Anders, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union, which had been pushing measures to ensure Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-CA) resolution really did get the U.S. out of the Saudi-led coalition devastating Yemen.

But then come all the caveats—caveats that call into question whether the resolution will actually stop U.S. involvement in one of the planet’s most urgent humanitarian catastrophes.

Fifty-seven House Democrats joined with Republicans to pass an amendment authored by Ken Buck (R-CO) that permits “the sharing of intelligence between the United States and any foreign country if the President determines that such sharing is appropriate.” It specifies that nothing in Khanna’s amendment prohibits “any intelligence” activities—which the anti-war side sees as a major carveout that will permit the U.S. military to continue giving the Saudis and Emiratis intelligence for selecting targets in Yemen to bomb.

“It showcases how too many Democrats are willing, at a time of the most erratic and deceitful administration, to cede constitutional war authorities over the use of an activity clearly...designating which targets to hit in a conflict not authorized by Congress,” said a House Democratic aide associated with the resolution.

The other aspect of the debacle concerns a vote that didn’t happen.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) was supposed to offer an amendment that would have clarified that the resolution was about ending U.S. support to hostilities “directed at Houthi forces,” rather than a separate U.S. counterterrorism campaign in Yemen against al-Qaeda’s local affiliate.

But the amendment never made it to a vote. At the last minute, legislators feared that it would jeopardize passage in either the House or the Senate, where the resolution must (again) pass—this time, in a chamber that’s become more Republican and against a veto threat from President Trump – by Spencer Ackerman

https://www.thedailybeast.com/anti-war-democrats-still-lost-after-voting-to-stop-yemen-war

(* A P)

Here Are the “Progressives” Who Watered Down the House Measure Ending Support for the Yemen War

A little-noticed amendment allows for continued U.S. intelligence sharing with Saudi Arabia, undermining the push to halt all U.S. participation in the war.

But the victory was partially undercut by a little-noticed amendment introduced by Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.)—passed with support from 57 Democrats—that allows for continued U.S. intelligence sharing with Saudi Arabia.

Remarkably, 12 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), voted to support the amendment, a position to the right of the hawkish Democratic Reps. Eliot Engel (N.Y.) and Steny Hoyer (N.Y.). They are:

The Buck Amendment states that the President is able to share intelligence with any foreign country provided that “the President determines such sharing is appropriate and in the national security interests of the United States.”

According to Robert Naiman, policy director for Just Foreign Policy, which has been agitating to end the Yemen War, “The Buck Amendment could be interpreted by the Trump Administration as Congressional permission to continue sharing intelligence with the Saudi regime that the Saudi regime uses to carry out airstrikes against civilian targets in Yemen in areas under the control of Houthi forces. This could undermine the intent of the bill to protect Yemeni civilians from U.S.-assisted Saudi bombing, and undermine the Constitution's prohibition against U.S. participation in wars that have not been authorized by Congress.”

On the House floor, Buck claimed that his amendment was needed because the sharing of intelligence has allowed Saudi Arabia to reduce civilian casualties.

http://inthesetimes.com/article/21744/congressional_progressive_caucus_war_powers_resolution_hoyer_engel_yemen/

and also:

(* A P)

Film: House Passes Yemen Bill w/ Quietly Added 'AntiSemitism Amendment' & Israeli UK Meddling AntiSemitic

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

(* A P)

In House's Yemen vote, Congress reasserts war-making powers

In the House, 18 Republicans, including members of the GOP's libertarian-leaning wing and Trump allies in the conservative Freedom Caucus, joined Democrats in passing the Yemen measure.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who drafted the legislation, said there's an emerging bipartisan alliance that's skeptical of military intervention without congressional oversight.

"It's not just about Yemen. It's about the Congress taking a stand and every future president having to think twice about whether to authorize a military intervention without congressional approval," Khanna said in an interview.

The House added another GOP amendment that would allow continued intelligence sharing, which drew fire from the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU warned it gives the president broad authority to provide the Saudis and others with U.S. intelligence information about Yemen, and the group said the package, overall, is now weaker than originally proposed.

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/in-house-s-yemen-vote-congress-reasserts-war-making-powers-1.568565

(* A P)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ORDERS DONALD TRUMP TO STOP BACKING SAUDI-LED WAR IN YEMEN, PAVING THE WAY FOR DECISIVE SENATE VOTE

A Republican-sponsored amendment, passed Wednesday, weakened the resolution slightly by allowing continued intelligence sharing with the coalition. The amendment, which passed by a vote of 252-177, allows the U.S. to continue sharing intelligence with foreign powers “if the President determines such sharing is appropriate.”

When the House first considered the measure in 2017, it was championed by progressives like Khanna but opposed by Democratic leadership.

On Wednesday, however, debate largely centered on whether it was appropriate for Congress to use the War Powers resolution to check the president’s power.

“The Congress has lost its grip on foreign policy, in my opinion, by giving too much deference to the executive branch,” Elliot Engel, D-N.Y., the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday on the House floor. “Our job is to keep that branch in check, not to shrug our shoulders when they tell us to mind our own business.”

Republicans opposing the bill argued that it would embolden Iran and expressed concern that it could open the door to Congress scrutinizing other U.S. military alliances.

“This overreach has dangerous implications far beyond Saudi Arabia,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “This approach will now allow any single member to use this privilege mechanism to second-guess U.S. security cooperation relationships with more than 100 countries throughout the world.”

Some progressive advocates welcomed that idea. “It’s no coincidence that progressives, both inside and outside Congress and across the country, drove the House of Representatives to invoke [the War Powers Resolution],” said Kate Kizer, policy director for the progressive group Win Without War. “This historic vote is just the opening salvo of building power behind progressive foreign policy.” – by Alex Emmons

https://theintercept.com/2019/02/13/yemen-war-us-involvement-congress/

(* A P)

House passes resolution calling for end to US military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen

In a rare move, Democrats agreed to a procedural step sought by Republicans to add language to the resolution. The language, pushed by Republicans, sharply condemns anti-Semitism, and Republicans used a motion to recommit to get the language added. Typically, Democrats do not agree to Republican pushes to recommit a bill.

Critics say the US is not directly involved in the hostilities in Yemen, and the resolution could be used to tie the government's hands in other hostile areas.

Engel, however, argued Wednesday the resolution is tailored specifically to address the situation in Yemen and would have no effect on other conflicts.

"This is not a broad, blanket policy," he said on the House floor.

Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that US forces are not engaged in the hostilities in Yemen and the resolution reinterprets US military assistance for Saudi Arabia as support for Saudi Arabia's actions in Yemen.

"This resolution is directing us to remove troops that simply ... are not there," McCaul said on the floor.

https://us.cnn.com/2019/02/13/politics/house-resolution-vote-saudi-led-war-in-yemen/index.html

(* A P)

House votes to end US role in Yemen war despite Trump veto threat

Still, today’s vote marks a significant victory for Win Without War, a coalition of anti-war activist groups that has lobbied Congress to end US involvement in the Yemen war for years. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which waded into the debate this week with a letter to lawmakers, did not fare as well.

The ACLU opposed an amendment offered by Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., clarifying that the Khanna bill does not include intelligence-sharing agreements. The House passed the Buck amendment 252-177.

“The Senate will now have to clean up the legislative mess passed by the House,” said Christopher Anders, the deputy director of the ACLU. “In a resolution that could have been used to shut down all American support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, the House instead caused more problems than it solved.”

The ACLU had voiced support for the Yemen resolution “if and only if” it included a separate amendment from Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass. That amendment would have further clarified that the resolution was neither an authorization for the use of military force nor a modification of existing authorities the Trump administration uses in operations against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

McGovern, who controls the House floor as chairman of the Rules Committee, had initially planned on offering the amendment. But he ultimately did not put it on the floor despite the ACLU’s efforts.

The anti-Semitism amendment notably contains language calling for “strong bipartisan support for Israel” and opposition to “restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by any foreign country against other countries friendly to the United States.” Omar is one of two lawmakers who supports the pro-Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/congress-house-vote-end-yemen-war-trump.html

(A P)

House Passes Bill To End U.S. Support for Saudi Involvement in Yemen; Rep. Justin Amash Votes 'Present'

The Trump White House disagrees. In a statement Monday, the administration claimed the resolution's premise is "flawed" because U.S. forces in the area have not been "introduced into hostilities." The resolution would also "harm bilateral relationships in the region, negatively affect our ability to prevent the spread of violent extremist organizations…and establish bad precedent for future legislation by defining 'hostilities' to include defense cooperation such as aerial refueling for purposes of this legislation," the statement reads.

But Khanna is bringing up valid points. Congress has indeed never voted to authorize U.S. involvement in Yemen. And Saudi aggression in the country has caused a horrific humanitarian crisis. According to one United Nations report, the Saudi-led coalition was responsible for 370 of 552 recorded child casualties in 2017. In total, more than 57,000 people have been killed in the conflict since the start of 2017, the Associated Press reported in November. When you include the casualties from the last nine months of 2015, that number will likely reach 70,000 or 80,000.

Members of Congress from both parties—including Sens. Mike Lee (R–Utah), Rand Paul (R–Ky.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—have called for an end to U.S. involvement in the conflict. But Amash, who's long been one of those critics, did not vote "yes" on Khanna's resolution. On Twitter, he explained why.

Amash pointed out that the legislation expands the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which gives the president power to take military action against any nation or person he believes to have been involved in the 9/11 terror attacks. "The legislation makes an exception for 'Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at al-Qaeda or associated forces,'" Amash wrote. "The notion of undefined 'associated forces' is not part of the 2001 AUMF and significantly expands it."

https://reason.com/blog/2019/02/14/house-bill-to-end-us-backing-for-saudi-a

(* A P)

The House Finally Acts on Yemen

The Senate should quickly follow suit and end United States complicity in the humanitarian horrors there.

Congress has long ignored its constitutional war-making responsibilities, evading difficult questions about military engagement and effectively giving presidents a blank check to decide when and how the military should be involved in hostilities.

That the House finally took up that duty on Wednesday and voted to end military support for Saudi Arabia in the catastrophic civil war in Yemen is a measure of growing bipartisan disgust with the Saudi regime and revulsion at the horrors of that war.

The Senate needs to approve the measure again, confirming its vote in December, to deliver a stunning rebuke to a president unyielding in his defense of Saudi Arabia – by Editorial Board, New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/opinion/yemen-congress-trump.html

(* A P)

Ending Support for the War in Yemen

For decades, Congress has enacted little-to-no oversight as it relates to U.S. military operations and the War Powers Act has never ended a conflict.

The war in Yemen and American support for Saudi Arabia is against the U.S. national interest and has further tarnished Washington’s image by association.

The Trump administration’s carte blanche support for Riyadh is fueled by Washington’s zero-sum approach of viewing all foreign policy-related issues in the Middle East through the lens of countering Iran, as well as through the transactional nature of the administration’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. This myopic approach to geopolitics has led the U.S. to lend support to the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has become a humanitarian disaster.

http://www.soufangroup.com/intelbrief-ending-support-for-the-war-in-yemen/ = https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column/soufan-center/ending-support-for-the-war-in-yemen

(* A P)

Will Yemen Be Trump’s First Veto?

Rep. Ted Lieu, now an inveterate anti-Trumpist, told me in 2016: “The war in Yemen and the magnitude of atrocities [have been] occurring under Secretary of State John Kerry.” But Lieu noted any clamor to oppose a Democratic White House on the issue was muted. Friedman notes the widely-held contention in U.S. policy circles that Barack Obama’s White House assented to the Yemen escapades as a means of assuaging Riyadh following signage of the Iran deal: “The Obama administration erred in 2015 when it agreed to support the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen's civil war. Their antagonists, the Houthis, do not threaten the United States.”

But Lieu and others’ isolation on the issue dissipated with the changing of the guard in 2017.

The question now, then, is essentially this: if the Senate does, indeed, back the resolution, then will Trump issue a veto—the first of his administration?

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The president has a full plate: does he want to expend significant political capital to provide cover to his friends in Riyadh? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sure hopes so.

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/will-yemen-be-trump%E2%80%99s-first-veto-44597

(* A P)

STATEMENT: REP. KHANNA ON HISTORIC VOTE, PASSAGE OF THE YEMEN WPR IN HOUSE

Today is historic. This is the culmination of several years of legislative efforts to end our involvement in the Saudi war in Yemen. I’m encouraged by the direction people are pushing our party to take on foreign policy, promoting restraint and human rights and with the sense they want Congress to play a much larger role.

I applaud all cosponsors for supporting this historic effort and thank my 248 colleagues who voted yes on passage today, especially Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer, HASC Chair Smith, HFAC Chair Engel, Rules Chair McGovern, CPC Co-Chair Pocan and nearly 100 cosponsors of my resolution. I’d also like to thank Senator Sanders for being my thought partner and co-lead on this work in the upper chamber.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/house-passes-h-j-res-37-248-177/

and some more short statements mostly from twitter:

https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/cnsnewscom-staff/nancy-pelosi-addresses-permanent-stain-conscience-world

https://twitter.com/USProgressives/status/1095869038197178369

https://twitter.com/RepLloydDoggett/status/1095819450333446144 (film)

https://twitter.com/RepRoKhanna/status/1095823432409739264

https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1095816425590136833

https://twitter.com/SenSanders/status/1095810333770432513

https://twitter.com/RepTedLieu/status/1095813474645671941

https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1095798730522021888

(B P)

Wonderful that the house voted to to end US support for the war in Yemen, but this could have passed two months ago, when it had passed in the Senate, if Paul Ryan hadn't added a provision to the Farm Bill blocking debate on the war in Yemen for that session. The death and suffering that's gone in over the past two months is partially his responsibility, and if the new Senate fails to pass it then even more blood will be on his hands

https://twitter.com/DantonGeri/status/1095809705610498049

remembering https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/paul-ryan-s-cowardly-act-on-yemen-1396586563917

(* A B P)

House Passes H.J.Res 37, 248-177

Like last year’s passage of S.J.Res. 54, the passage of this resolution is a significant assertion of Congressional authority in matters of war. While opponents of the measure desperately tried to deny that the U.S. was involved in hostilities in Yemen, the evidence of extensive U.S. involvement over the last four years made that an untenable claim. Despite years of lies from this administration and the Pentagon, most House members could recognize an unauthorized U.S. war when they saw one. Despite the constant fear-mongering of pro-Saudi hawks in both houses, most House members understood that the war serves no American interests and implicates us in war crimes and crimes against humanity. When the only argument that the war’s supporters had was to keep shouting “Iran!” at the other side, it was just a matter of time before they lost.

It is unfortunate that it has taken almost four years for Congress to act on U.S. involvement in the war, but it has not been for lack of effort on the part of the war’s opponents. In just the last two years, we have seen the war on Yemen go from being almost completely invisible and ignored to becoming the focus of the most important antiwar vote in modern U.S. history. The successful passage of H.J.Res. 37 has once again forced the issue to center stage, and it sets up an overdue fight with the executive over war powers and over our relationship with the Saudis and the rest of the coalition.

There is still much more to be done – by Daniel Larison

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/house-passes-h-j-res-37-248-177/

(A P)

Film, Rep. Ro Khanna in the House

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=402358310526912

(A P)

Film: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the House

https://twitter.com/TulsiPress/status/1095878748707143684

(* B P)

Walter Jones Made the Yemen Vote Happen

This victory reflects how many hearts and minds were influenced by the late Congressman's tireless efforts.

One Republican’s vote was noticeably and sadly absent—the late Rep. Walter Jones, who passed away on February 10th.

Sadly, Rep. Jones was not there to see the culmination of his most significant work on Capitol Hill—his tireless efforts to show the impact of war.

Following his vote for the Iraq War, a decision he came to regret deeply, he dedicated himself to building the case that Congress has not only the Constitutional responsibility to authorize and oversee war, but also the moral obligation to Americans to do so.

Being a deeply religious man, he had a full understanding of his responsibility to work tirelessly to end these misguided military adventures.

Rep. Jones was also passionate about the Constitution and about honoring our nation’s men and women in uniform. He fully understood Congress’ Constitutionally enumerated Article I war powers and for years he worked to bring attention to Congress’ cowardly shirking of that responsibility. Until this week, Congressional Leadership (his own Republican Party) blocked any of Walter Jones’ attempts to have a vote or even allow a debate on the floor.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/walter-jones-made-the-yemen-vote-happen/

(* A B P)

Trump blows off congressionally mandated Yemen certification

The Donald Trump administration won’t certify to Congress that the Saudi-led force fighting in Yemen is attempting to reduce civilian deaths in the conflict, Al-Monitor has learned, a move that would bar the Pentagon from resuming refueling to the coalition.

The decision, which had been due Feb. 9, is required by last year’s defense authorization bill but does not prevent the Pentagon from providing intelligence to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

This time around, the administration has blown through the Feb. 9 deadline to issue a follow-up certification detailing “demonstrable actions” taken by the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates to reduce harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure. In a letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week, the drafters of the certification language, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Todd Young, R-Ind., urged the administration to use the new deadline to “succinctly demonstrate” to the Saudis and their allies that Congress and the American people “will not stand for the continued disregard of the security and humanitarian interests of the US.”

Frustration on Capitol Hill over the White House’s support to Saudi Arabia in Yemen has only intensified following the October murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In lieu of a fresh certification, the US administration appears to be taking a personal approach to dealing with Congress. A US official told Al-Monitor that Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Peninsula Affairs Timothy Lenderking briefed the House Foreign Affairs Committee in a classified session on US involvement in the conflict last week.

Experts say the Trump administration’s silence on Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the year, after top US officials defended Riyadh despite Khashoggi’s killing, indicates that the White House is no longer willing to risk support within the Republican Party over the relationship.

“It’s been radio silence,” said Scott Anderson, a former State Department official during the Barack Obama administration. “My sense is that the administration is trying not to talk about their relationship with Saudi anymore. They don’t want to spend the political capital or risk upsetting members of their own party.”

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/trump-blows-off-congress-yemen-war-certification.html

(A P)

Sen. Ron Wyden Demands Google and Apple Remove Saudi Women-Tracker App

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) wrote an open letter to Google and Apple, Monday, demanding that the Big Tech Masters of the Universe stop hosting a Saudi Arabian app which allows men to track women’s movements and stop them from leaving the country.

Addressing his letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Wyden declared, “I write to ask that you immediately remove from your app stores the Saudi government’s Absher app, which enables Saudi men to track and control the movements of Saudi women.”

The text of the letter reads:

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2137852049601147

And here in Google Playstore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sa.gov.moi&hl=en_US

And here in I-Tunes by Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%B1/id1004966456?mt=8

(* B P)

Obama aide: how we got it wrong in Yemen

Former US president Barack Obama's key advisor on the Middle East Robert Malley told TRT World that Obama tried to "find a middle ground" of assisting the Saudi-led coalition militarily and simultaneously pursuing the nuclear deal with Iran.

The Obama administration gave Saudi Arabia too much backing to prosecute its war in Yemen and should have scaled back military support much earlier, a White House aide from that period told TRT World.

Comments from Robert Malley, then US President Barack Obama’s point man on the Middle East, come at a key moment in US politics, with lawmakers trying to end US military assistance for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen.

“The Obama administration didn’t cover itself in glory when it comes to Yemen. To a certain extent, and despite our best intentions, we covered ourselves in shame,” Malley, now president and CEO of the International Crisis Group, a think tank, told TRT World.

“This was not a case where the goal was to stop our enemies from doing what we didn’t want them to do. This was a case where we were working with partners whose actions led to the devastation that we see.”

According to Malley, Obama faced a tough choice back in March 2015, when ally Saudi Arabia launched its military operation in Yemen to push back the gains of the Houthi rebels, which it viewed as a proxy for arch-foe Iran.

At that time, Riyadh felt “betrayed” by Obama’s bid to strike a nuclear deal with Iran, he added.

Obama tried “to find a middle ground” of not formally joining Riyadh’s anti-Houthi coalition, but by providing “aerial refuelling, intelligence sharing and weapons assistance” so the Saudis could “protect their own territory”, said Malley.

But the plan was not realistic as the support was “fungible” said Malley, who served as Obama’s assistant and senior advisor on the anti-Daesh (ISIS) campaign, as well as the White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region.

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/obama-aide-how-we-got-it-wrong-in-yemen-24162

My comment: He certainly is right. What he actually tells us: Obama sacrified Northern Yemen, the life oft en thousands, the health, the well-being of millionds for political reasons which had nothing to do with Yemen and the Yemenis at all. Let’s clearly say it: A cynical political monster.

(* B H P)

Yemeni American Community Success Stories

https://www.yemenembassy.org/success/

Ali Saeed Algabyali was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He spent the first 13 years in New York and then moved to Sanaa, Yemen with his family. It was rough moving to a country where he knew little to no Arabic. For the next 4 years, He was able to learn the language, culture, and religion. He then returned to the United States to continue his education, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Law. Since 2013, he has been a Metropolitan Police Officer in Washington, D.C. During this time, he has been able to develop relationships in understanding how to better serve his community while performing his duties as a uniformed Police Officer.

Officer Ali has been able to build relationships within the community and develop long-lasting partnerships. Many relationships have been formed, and one important one has been with the Muslim community. He tries to interact with each person to form a connection and offer his assistance if needed for any important concern.

Officer Ali also has a forged a close working important relationship with the Islamic Center in Washington, D.C, where he can be seen on patrol on the premises during Friday prayer services

https://www.yemenembassy.org/news/2/

Summer Nasser, born in the Bronx borough and raised in New York City, is a Public Speaker and Analyst on Yemeni affairs and is the Chairperson of Yemen Aid, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization and an Internationally licensed organization in Yemen that was recently established in late 2016 as a response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Her latest experience was when she was stuck in the 2014 war where she endured life and death situations. Since then, she structured her career in dedicating all efforts to the people of Yemen and to do her best to voice the struggles of her nation and its people in different platforms across the international community and within the United States. Moreover, she believes that women play a crucial role in representing the Republic of Yemen by showcasing utmost respect and dignity of the average Yemeni citizen to the international community.

Summer has spoken alongside diplomats, officials and experts at different institutions across the United States and the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and appeared on different media platforms. Ms. Nasser has received multiple awards by associations and organizations and was recently awarded a Citation of Merit by the Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. for her commitment to the Bronx and the community she serves. Summer holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology from Concordia College of New York and is currently pursuing a Master in Public Administration with a specialization in Public Policy Analysis at Northeastern University of Boston, Massachusetts.

https://www.yemenembassy.org/news/3/

Remark: By the Hadi government’as US embassy.

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(* B K P)

Yemen war: UK 'on wrong side' of law over Saudi arms sales, British lords say

Almost £5bn in UK arms exports to Riyadh approved during war 'highly likely' to have caused major casualties, report finds

UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia since the start of the Yemen war are "highly likely" to have caused significant casualties and left Britain "narrowly on the wrong side" of international law, according to a new House of Lords report.

The government should give higher priority to resolving Yemen's "unconscionable" humanitarian situation "particularly in the light of the tension between its support for the Saudi-led coalition and its role as a major donor of humanitarian relief", members of the Lord's Select Committee on International Relations said in their report.

"The government must address the root causes of this suffering: the hostilities themselves," they said.

The committee further said it is "deeply concerned" that the coalition is misusing its weaponry, whether deliberately or accidentally, causing the loss of civilian life. It urged the UK government to immediately condemn any further coalition violations of humanitarian law.

"Relying on assurances by Saudi Arabia and Saudi-led review processes is not an adequate way of implementing the obligations for a risk-based assessment set out in the Arms Trade Treaty," the report states.

'Undermining diplomatic efforts'

The committee's 21-page report comes after testimony last month from government officials, including UK Middle East Minister Alistair Burt.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-war-uk-wrong-side-law-over-saudi-arms-sales-british-lords-say

and also https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/saudi-arabia-uk-arms-sales-weapons-yemen-civil-war-house-lords-report-a8781181.html (with film showing victims of war)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/16/uks-saudi-weapons-sales-unlawful-lords-committee-finds

and

(* B H K P)

Rethink arms licences to Saudi-coalition, Lords Committee says

The International Relations Committee believes that the Government is narrowly on the wrong side of international humanitarian law on arm sales to Saudi Arabia given the volume and type of arms being exported to the Saudi-led coalition, they are highly likely to be the cause of significant civilian casualties in Yemen.

Background

Following an evidence session with Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Minister of State at the Department for International Development, the House of Lords International Relations Committee has today published a report calling on the Government to address the root causes of the "unconscionable" humanitarian crisis in Yemen: the conflict itself.

The report expresses deep concern that the Saudi-led coalition’s misuse of their weaponry is causing—whether deliberately or accidentally—loss of civilian life. It finds that relying on assurances by Saudi Arabia and Saudi-led review processes is not an adequate way of implementing the obligations for a risk-based assessment set out in the Arms Trade Treaty. It calls on the Government to immediately condemn any further violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition, including the blocking of food and medical supplies, and to be prepared to suspend the licensing of some arms to the Saudi-led coalition.

Chairman's comments

Commenting on the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Howell of Guildford said:

"The humanitarian situation in Yemen is unconscionable. That the UK is the second-largest exporter of arms to Saudi-Arabia, and the fifth-largest donor of humanitarian aid in Yemen is a contradiction which the Government must address as a matter of urgency.

"It is always the case that export licensing decisions for the sale of arms require fine judgements, balancing legitimate security concerns against human rights implications. We do not agree with the Government’s assertion that it is narrowly on the right side of international humanitarian law in the case of licensing arms exports to the Saudi-led coalition. It is narrowly on the wrong side: given the volume and type of arms being exported to the Saudi-led coalition, we believe they are highly likely to be the cause of significant civilian casualties in Yemen, risking the violation of international humanitarian law. The Government must address the root causes of the suffering—the conflict itself—and be prepared to suspend some key export licences to Saudi-Arabia and members of the coalition"

Conclusions and recommendations

Drawing attention to the "tension" between the Government's support for the Saudi-led coalition and its role as a major donor of humanitarian relief to those affected by the conflict, the House of Lords International Relations Committee is calling on the Government to:

Give much higher priority to resolving – not just mitigating – the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Condemn any further violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition and be prepared to suspend some key export licences to members of the coalition. Relying on assurances by Saudi Arabia and Saudi-led review processes is not an adequate way of implementing the obligations for a risk based assessment set out in the Arms Trade Treaty.

Signal that failure by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or Iran to bac the Stockholm Agreement – resulting from the peace talks between the parties to the conflict in December 2018 – in deeds as well as words would have negative consequences for the UK's relations with them.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/international-relations-committee/news-parliament-2017/yemen-giving-peace-a-chance-report/

and

(* B H K P)

Yemen: giving peace a chance

Contents

Introduction

Background and UK policy

Figure 1: Control of Yemen by different forces (September 2018)

The UK view of the roots of the conflict

The parties to the conflict

Iran and Saudi Arabia

Box 1: Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia

The UK’s role in Yemen

UK military support for the Saudi-led coalition

UK diplomacy

UK humanitarian support

Box 2: The UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen

The Stockholm Agreement

Box 3: The Stockholm Agreement

Humanitarian impact

Next steps

Conclusions and recommendations

Appendix 1: List of Members and declarations of interest

Appendix 2: List of witnesses

The UK view of the roots of the conflict

7. The Minister said the government led by President Hadi “had the legitimacy of the offices of state that ensured that they continued to be recognised by the United Nations and others”. The UK’s position was that there was “no legitimacy whatever in the Houthi rebellion”. A “militant insurgent group with no elected authority seizing the reins of power” was “to be regarded with great concern”.

8. He said that while the government of President Hadi had not included the Houthis or the Southern Movement (a group seeking the secession of the southern region) in power-sharing arrangements, “a new system was absolutely anticipated” through the National Dialogue. This was a process supported by the UN to “empower Yemenis to lead their transition, to plan for it in a deliberate, considered and informed manner, and to learn from the experiences of other countries”. “It was that process which the Houthis disrupted by their activity to usurp the government of Yemen.”

9. When the government of President Hadi had “asked for help and assistance to be supplied by coalition forces led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, the UK Government had thought that it was entitled “to support that process in order to see a legitimate government restored.” The UK had shown “steadfastness in recognising what the coalition was designed to do in Yemen”, in spite of “media and political pressure”. Opponents of the Saudi-led coalition had used a “very easy narrative” that had “misunderstood the nature of this conflict”.

26. Since the war began, the UK has licensed £4.7 billion of arms exports to Saudi Arabia, and £860 million to its coalition partners.51According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Arms Transfer Database, between 2010 and 2017 the UK was the second-largest exporter of arms to Saudi Arabia (after the US), and accounted for around 25% of arms imports to Saudi Arabia. Typhoon combat aircraft and associated systems formed the majority of these exports.52

27. In August 2018 the Group of Regional and International Eminent Experts on Yemen found that “Coalition air strikes have caused most of the documented civilian casualties”.53It concluded there were reasonable grounds to believe that individuals in the government of Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition may have conducted attacks in violation of the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, which may amount to war crimes.54

28. InTheMiddle East: Time for new realism, we noted that the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) had launched a judicial review at the High Court of the UK’s licensing of arms sales to Saudi Arabia.55The case focused on Criterion 2c of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, which states that licences should not be granted “if there is a clear risk the items might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law”. The High Court found in favour of the Government in July 2017. The Court of Appeal has granted permission to the CAAT to appeal the judgment; the appeal will be heard in April 2019.56

72.We reiterate the conclusion of our report,The Middle East: Time for new realism, that the UK’s sales of arms to Saudi Arabia, which are usedagainst Yemeni civilians, are the source of considerable public disquiet. We are deeply concerned that the Saudi-led coalition’smisuse of their weaponry is causing—whether deliberately or accidentally—loss of civilian life. Relying on assurances by Saudi Arabiaand Saudi-led review processes is not an adequate wayof implementing the obligations for a risk-based assessment setout in the Arms Trade Treaty.

73.We recognise that thereare legitimate reasons for UK arms exports overseas. Export licensingdecisions for the sale of arms always require fine judgements, balancing legitimate security concerns against human rights implications, and eachsituation must be assessed individually. The Government asserts that, inits licensing of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, it isnarrowly on the right sideof international humanitarian law. Althoughconclusive evidence is not yet available, we assess that itis that it is narrowly on the wrong side: giventhe volume and type of arms being exported to theSaudi-led coalition, we believe they are highly likely tobe the cause of significant civilian casualties in Yemen, riskingthe contravention of international humanitarian law.

74.The UK should immediatelycondemn any further violations of international humanitarian law by theSaudi-led coalition, including the blocking of food and medicalsupplies, and be prepared to suspend some key export licencesto members of the coalition.

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldintrel/290/29002.htm

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldintrel/290/29003.htm

My comment: This report mostly gives Minister Burt’s (the UK government’s) twisted view of the Yemen War (“The Minister said”). In the paragraphs quoted here, he actually justifies the whole Yemen War by claiming that it was “to support that process in order to see a legitimate government restored.” 1. The "legitimacy" of this government had ended when the end of its (already prolonged) term had ended on Feb. 27, 2015. 2. Even if a (presumed) "legitimate" government in any country is ousted by any sort of a coup, this cannot justify foreign intervention in the scale of a war. 3. The British government is 100 % biased and double-dealing in this case, as it does not keep any distinct politics on coups in other countries. This just depends on Britain's own geopolitical interests (or on the interests of the US master) whether Britain itself pursues and supports a coup against a legitimate government (just from the last years: Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela) or supports a devastating war against coupists (as is the case for Yemen). We must conclude that foreign (British) interference in other countries internal politics - whether pro-coup or anti-coup - leads to war, killing, destruction and despair.

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

(* A K P)

German halt in Saudi arms sales causing serious problems: Airbus

Germany’s halt in exports to Saudi Arabia is preventing Britain from completing the sale of 48 Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes to Riyadh, and has delayed potential sales of other weapons such as the A400M military transport, a top Airbus official said Friday.

Germany in November said it would reject future export licenses to Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It has not formally banned previously approved deals, which would entitle companies to compensation, but has urged industry to refrain from such shipments for now.

Airbus Defence and Space chief Dirk Hoke told Reuters that uncertainty about the issue had undermined Germany’s credibility, and could threaten future Franco-German defense projects, including a planned Eurodrone that was heading for an initial contract by the end of the year.

“This is a serious problem,” Hoke said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbus-defence/german-halt-in-saudi-arms-sales-causing-serious-problems-airbus-idUSKCN1Q41VK

(* B K P)

Konzernklagen: Was Rheinmetall, Philip Morris, Deutschland und den Togo verbindet
Deutschland hat weltweit am meisten bilaterale Investitionsschutzabkommen abgeschlossen. Auch in immer mehr EU-Handelsabkommen werden Investorenklagerechte verankert. Die Rechnung bekommen vor allem Entwicklungsländer serviert.
Im Januar ging die Meldung über die Ticker, dass Rüstungsunternehmen Rheinmetall wolle den deutschen Staat auf Schadenersatz verklagen. Kanzlerin Angela Merkel hatte nach der Ermordung des saudi-arabischen Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi den Export von Rüstungsgütern nach Saudi-Arabien gestoppt. Nun droht Rheinmetall mit einer Klage, da die Exporte vor dem Mord genehmigt wurden. Der Spiegel berichtet, der Rüstungsexporteur fürchte seinerseits Klagen seiner Aktionäre, wenn er die Bundesregierung nicht verklagt. Der Fall könnte die zunehmende Macht der Konzerne nicht deutlicher illustrieren.

https://zebralogs.wordpress.com/2019/02/14/konzernklagen-was-rheinmetall-philip-morris-deutschland-und-den-togo-verbindet/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(* A P)

#Pakistan govt of Saudized @ImranKhanPTI launches a widespread crackdown on online activists critical of #Yemen war criminal Mohamed bin Salman. Hundreds of arrests reported.

Receiving a war criminal as VVIP does (image)

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1096516760205955076

(A B P)

Zionist Media Highlights Strength of Israeli-Bahraini Ties

As the Bahrainis mark the eighth anniversary of the popular movement against the repression exercised by the regime against the citizens, the Zionist media highlighted the strength of the ties between ‘Israel’ and the Gulf Kingdom.

http://www.newnewss.net/zionist-media-highlights-strength-of-israeli-bahraini-ties/

(* A K P)

Sudan adapts to Western allies over Yemen

Trying to get Sudan’s Su-24Ms to work with the rest of the Saudi-led coalition during the Yemen War has led to the Sudanese Air Force putting a Western transponder in the fighter-bomber.

The Sudan Air Force Commander, Lt Gen Pilot (PSC) Salah Eldin Abdelkhaliq Saeed told Shephard: ‘We have four Su-24Ms based at Khamis Mushayt in Saudi and after the fix we can work and communicate with all the foreign aircraft, even the AWACS during the allied effort.’

Sudan has been supporting the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis since the allied war effort commenced in March 2015. As well as deployed Su-24Ms, Sudan has also sent troops.

Saeed continued: ‘Our Su-24Ms are operating in the reconnaissance role and are flying up to ten hours every day to monitor one particular sector [he wouldn’t say which one]. The imagery is being downlinked using our own data link system used by all the SAF’s aircraft.’

To smooth out the rules of engagement and interoperability issues, the Sudan and Saudi Arabia air forces participated in the ‘Blue Shield’ joint exercise in April 2017.

The manoeuvres took place at Meroe Air Base, around 150 miles north of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/idex-2019-sudan-adapts-western-allies-over-yemen/

(A K P)

Stop alla vendita di armi italiane usate contro i bambini in Yemen. Firma la petizione.

Milioni di bambini stanno vivendo orrori indescrivibili a causa della guerra in Yemen. Colpiti per strada, bombardati mentre sono a scuola: sono bambini e bambine a cui è negata un’infanzia. Rimasti orfani, senza più una casa, senza più i propri cari. Tutto questo è inaccettabile.

Anche le bombe fabbricate in Italia e vendute alla Coalizione Saudita sono utilizzate in Yemen per colpire la popolazione, case, villaggi, aree civili. Ecco perché ti chiediamo di firmare ora per fermare immediatamente la vendita di armi italiane usate contro i bambini.

COSA STA SUCCEDENDO: IL CASO ITALIANO

L’Italia ripudia la guerra come strumento di offesa alla libertà degli altri popoli e come mezzo di risoluzione delle controversie internazionali (art. 11 della Costituzione Italiana).

Uccidere bambini in un conflitto è vietato dal diritto internazionale umanitario.

https://www.savethechildren.it/cosa-facciamo/campagne/stop-alla-guerra-sui-bambini/petizione-armi-yemen

(A P)

Roma ripudia la guerra

Con un voto unanime il Consiglio comunale di Roma ha approvato la “mozione Assisi” che chiede di fermare l’export di bombe italiane per la guerra in Yemen. La testimonianza di due cittadini della città “Caput mundi”

Di fronte alla carenza di risposte dei diversi governi alle richieste di fermare questi legami di soldi e armi, è nata da Assisi, ispirandosi a La Pira, la convinzione di ripartire dalle città come reti vitali di giustizia e pace tra i popoli. Prima di tutto con un appello del 27 gennaio 2018 rivolto al presidente Mattarella e condiviso da sindaco, vescovo e alcune associazioni, fino ad arrivare a una mozione, approvata con voto unanime dal Consiglio comunale del 18 novembre 2018.

https://www.cittanuova.it/roma-ripudia-la-guerra/

(A P)

Pakistan once again clarifies, not to join Yemen war

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has clarified that the country would not take part in Yemen war.

http://www.irna.ir/en/News/83209096

(A P)

Ali AlAhmed: My first interview with the Moroccan press to discuss #Saudi aggressive policy towards Morocco (image)

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1096435384224006145

My comment: Things seem to change…

(A P)

Morocco: The Foreign Ministry Shows Disdain for Domestic Press

The ongoing diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Saudi Arabia revealed the extent of the Moroccan government disdain for the domestic press. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita gave a key interview to Al-Jazeera news during which he expressed misgivings about the Saudi led war in Yemen. His statements led to a cooling of relations between Rabat and Riyadh

For the Moroccan public, the fact of the matter is, news of their country’s decision to leave the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen and to recall its ambassador to Saudi Arabia came from foreign news outlets, while domestic organizations were left out in the cold.

The choice to give news scoops to non-Moroccan entities struck a chord with a wide variety of political observers in Morocco. Several journalists went online to express their frustration and anger over the government’s poor and discriminatory treatment of local journalists.

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/02/265712/morocco-saudi-arabia-domestic-press/

(* A E P)

EU adds Saudi Arabia to dirty-money blacklist, upsets Britain

The move is part of a crackdown on money laundering after several scandals at EU banks but has been criticized by several EU countries including Britain worried about their economic relations with the listed states, notably Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government said it regretted the decision in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, adding: “Saudi Arabia’s commitment to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism is a strategic priority”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-saudi-moneylaundering/eu-adds-saudi-arabia-to-dirty-money-blacklist-upsets-britain-idUSKCN1Q215X

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

Siehe / Look at cp10, cp11, cp12

(* B K P)

Österreichische Rüstung für Regimes und Kriegsparteien

Die heimische Sicherheitsindustrie lieferte Kriegsmaterial und Militärgüter an Konfliktparteien des Jemen-Kriegs und an autoritäre Regimes. Wie kann das sein?

Militärische Fahrzeuge im Wert von 42 Millionen Euro für die Emirate. Handfeuerwaffen für 6,2 Millionen Euro nach Saudi-Arabien. Waffensysteme für 640.000 Euro nach Kuwait. Das ist ein kleiner Auszug aus den Exportberichten für österreichische Militärgüter seit 2015, die von der Europäischen Kommission veröffentlicht werden.

Das höchste Exportvolumen hatten heimische Rüstungshersteller mit den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten. Güter im Wert von 45,7 Millionen Euro gingen an den wichtigen Partner Saudi-Arabiens. An den Anführer der Koalition selbst sind Waren im Wert von 11,7 Millionen Euro geliefert worden. Den meisten Handel mit den beiden Konfliktstaaten gab es jedoch vor der Militärintervention.

Zusammenfassend hat Österreichs Rüstungsindustrie seit 2015 also

Länder beliefert, die an der Militärintervention im Jemen beteiligt sind

einschlägige Waren in jene beiden Länder exportiert, die als Hauptakteure im Jemen-Konflikt eingestuft werden

in autoritäre Regimes Landfahrzeuge, Handfeuerwaffen und Munition verkauft

Wie kann das sein?

https://www.addendum.org/waffen/regimes-und-kriegsparteien/

(* B K P)

UAE arms fair showcases Belgian weapon in use by Yemeni militias

A type of Belgian machine gun known to be wielded by a Yemeni militia in the Hodeidah offensive is among the weaponry set to be showcased this weekend at one of the Middle East’s largest arms fairs in Abu Dhabi, Amnesty International said today.
According to promotional materials for the UAE’s IDEX2019 arms fair, the Minimi will be among the thousands of types of weapons available for sale. Manufactured in Belgium’s Wallonia region by FN Herstal, it is among an array of arms transferred by the Belgian Walloon authorities to the Saudi Arabia/UAE-led coalition in recent years for use in the armed conflict in Yemen.
An Amnesty International investigation last week documented the same weapon type being used by “The Giants,” a Yemeni militia that is backed and supplied by the UAE but not accountable to any government.
“It’s a jarring sight to have FN Herstal hawking the Minimi in the UAE after we exposed how the Emiratis illicitly gave this weapon to an unaccountable militia in Yemen,” said Patrick Wilcken, Arms Control and Human Rights Researcher at Amnesty International.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/uae-arms-fair-showcases-belgian-weapon-in-use-by-yemeni-militias/

(* B K P)

One Tough Tank: Why France's Leclerc Is One of the Best on the Planet

Why "Little Sparta" loves these tanks in battle.

Emirati troops are experienced and battle-tested from the war in Yemen, and the oil-rich country has spent its riches on some of the most advanced military hardware in the world.

At the forefront is the UAE's armored corps of French-made Leclerc tanks, an innovative machine which for the past 26 years have been a more common sight at mock war games, peacekeeping missions and France's Bastille Day parade than on the battlefield. But the UAE first tested the Leclerc's mettle in Yemen -- and is adding upgrades to make its armor harder to crack.

The UAE has modified its Leclercs in a unique way. UAE Leclercs have been spotted wrapped with CLARA add-on armor packages designed by Germany's Dynamit Nobel Defense. CLARA is a type of explosive reactor armor that uses a combination of fibre plates that explode outward when impacted by a projectile, damaging the projectile and reducing its penetrating power. However, unlike conventional steel reactive armor plates, the fibres are potentially less lethal to infantry who may be standing nearby. Imagery of UAE tanks with CLARA plates shows bulky armor covering most of the turret's side and chassis.

The UAE also has Leclercs with AZUR up-armor kits spotted in combat in Yemen

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/one-tough-tank-why-frances-leclerc-one-best-planet-44577

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

(* B K P)

Yemen's War Is a Mercenary Heaven. Are Israelis Reaping the Profits?

The privatization of the war in Yemen has entered a new stage

Such a coalition had already been set up in 2015 by Saudi Arabia, who partnered with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Pakistan. Israel is also an unofficial partner. Israeli cyber companies, gun traders, terror-warfare instructors and even paid hitmen operated by an Israeli-owned company are partners to the war in Yemen.

In September, London-based Al-Khaleej Online published a long article about Israel’s involvement in training Colombian and Nepalese combatants, who were recruited by the UAE for the war in Yemen. The report cites sources in a U.S. House Intelligence Committee who said the foreign fighers’ recruiter was Mohammed Dahlan, who was a member of Fatah’s central committee and head of intelligence in Gaza. Dahlan was ousted from Fatah in 2011 and later moved to the UAE, where he became the advisor of the crown prince and the liaison and mediator between the UAE security forces and Israel.

The report also says that Israel set up special training bases in the Negev, where the mercenaries were trained by Israeli combatants. Dahlan occasionally visited those camps, in which the UAE flag was hoisted.

The mercenaries later took part in the war on the port town Hodeidah and other fighting zones in Yemen.

Another company, Spearhead Operations Group, which was set up by Israeli Avraham Golan and is registered in the United States, was responsible for assassinating Yemenite clergyman Anssaf Ali Mayo in December 2015

Israelis aren’t the only ones selling military services to the UAE and Saudi Arabia to go to the war in Yemen. Private American companies, senior officers and ex-CIA agents found their bonanza in these two states, just as private companies made a huge fortune out of “military” services they provided the Iraqi government after the occupation. These services include active warfare and intelligence gathering as well as commanding mercenary units or combatant units from Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Toumajan represents a new stage in the privatization of the war in Yemen and in other states in which the United States is involved but isn’t taking part in the battles.

The difference between sending combatants who serve in the armies of foreign countries, like Iranian and Russian forces in Syria, or forces of the Western coalition fighting in Afghanistan, and mercenaries who are recruited privately, is blurry. Regular forces acting in foreign states are subjected to the laws of the state that sends them, compared to mercenaries, who act at the instructions of the recruiting state. But this is also the problem with employing them.

The most expensive mercenaries are from elite American units like the Navy Seals, army rangers and the Marines.

Mercenaries may be private people or companies that don’t represent governments, but often the states they come from are suspected of initiating or at least turning a blind eye to their activity – by Zvi Bar‘el

https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-yemen-s-war-is-a-mercenary-heaven-are-israelis-reaping-the-profits-1.6938348

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Al-Houthi Militias Have Relations with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State in Yemen: UN Report

The report asserted that confirmed information is available about joint coordination among Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Al-Houthis in Yemen in pursuit of tactical harmony in some territories of joint interest.

https://en.smanews.org/al-houthi-militias-have-relations-with-al-qaeda-and-islamic-state-in-yemen-un-report

My comment: As claimed by this southern separatists’ new site. I checked the paragraphs on Al Qeda and IS and found nothing related to the Houthis.

(A P)

US slams Iran for prolonging Yemen war and blocking peace

The US on Thursday accused Iran of prolonging the war in Yemen with its support for the Houthis and called on Tehran to help make a ceasefire agreement a success.

Speaking to Arab News at the Middle East conference in Warsaw, Washington’s special represenative for Iran Brian Hook said there had been extensive discussion at the meeting of the war, which is now in its fifth year.

While Hook accused Tehran of being the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East, he urged the regime to play a positive role in the process that seeks to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen.

“This conference was a very useful opportunity for us to educate the world about the very dangerous role Iran has played and continues to play in Yemen,” Hook said.

“We have a very good agreement that came out of Sweden, Stockholm, but we now need the will of Iran and Houthis to implement the agreement. That is the diplomatic role that we need to take and we very much urge Iran and the Houthis to take that role.”

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1452396/middle-east

My comment: The main obstacle to peace in Yemen by no means is Iran, but the US.

(A P)

A Statement by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Regarding Hodeida Governorate

It is widely known that the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen’s states have responded to HE Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, the President of Yemen’s request under Article 51 of the UN Charter “the inherent right of self-defence”, the Charter of the Arab League and the Arab League’s Joint Defence Treaty, in order to save and protect the people of Yemen from the Iran-backed Houthi militia and restore legitimacy. The Coalition launched military operations to liberate an international vital area from the grasp of the “coup militia”. By doing so, the Coalition recognizes the global importance of the Red Sea maritime lanes, and the actual, direct threat against them due to the presence of the “coup militia” backed by Iran, the importance of Hodeida City to the “coup militia” as a crossing-point of illegal and lethal weapons, and the importance of the city as a vital access point for humanitarian aid to Yemen, which the “coup militia” continues to obstruct.
Coalition and Yemeni legitimacy forces have succeeded in liberating large areas in Yemen, up until reaching the outskirts of Hodeida City, which has exerted pressure on the “coup militia”, forcing it through the Stockholm Agreement to accept withdrawal from Hodeida city and ports under UN supervision.
It has been over (6) weeks since the Stockholm Agreement, to which the Coalition and legitimacy forces have fully committed themselves through all aspects of the ceasefire, and exhibited total discipline against the dangerous provocations that have exceeded (1400) violations by the coup militia, through which many martyrs and injured have fallen.
In addition, throughout the (6) weeks removed from the Sweden Agreement, no significant progress has been recorded in the implementation of said agreement. All signs indicate that the coup militia is not interested in implementing the articles of the Agreement. In fact, they are intentionally hindering the implementation to gain time to build their military capabilities in the city and governorate.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1885663

(A P)

Prince Khalid Bin Salman: The land of Arabs for Arabs; deeds in Yemen by honorable people and coalition more eloquent than speeches of illusion

Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the United States of America, said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today joined some 70 countries at the Warsaw Summit to take a position to face the challenges that threaten the future of security and peace in the region, especially the Iranian regime, the world's foremost sponsor of terrorism, which continues to undermine security and stability in the region, including rocket attacks on civilians in the Kingdom and Yemen.
"The regime of the mullahs has been in power in Iran for forty years, during which the Iranian people witnessed a decline in the standard of living and a complete cessation of economic and human development," he said in a series of tweets on his Twitter account. He added that this regime continues to waste the money of its people in supporting terrorism, extremism, sectarianism and instability in the region.
He stressed that the leadership of the Kingdom has always been aiming at working for human development and strive to improve the standard of living of citizens, so the per capita income in the Kingdom since 1979 has risen ten times, while declining in Iran by more than half, and the Kingdom's gross domestic product is double its counterpart in Iran after they were equal in 1979.

The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States of America stressed that the Iranian regime is the first threat to the security of the region, where they are still adhering to their expansionist dreams.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1885553

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/559164/SAUDI-ARABIA/Iranian-regime-is-worlds-foremost-sponsorof-terrorism-Prince-Khalid-Bin-Salman

My comment: Hear or read Noam Chomsky:

http://inthesetimes.com/article/18330/iran-is-not-the-gravest-threat-to-world-peace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdxxVxtHK2M

https://www.democracynow.org/2017/4/4/why_does_us_consider_iran_the

(A P)

Darker shadows of death in Yemen

Yemenis cannot access grain that could feed millions, now at risk of rotting. Will talks in Amman and Stockholm find common ground before it is too late

Yemeni Minister of Human Rights Majed Fadel, a member of the team negotiating the prisoners swap, said “the government rejected the Houthis’ proposal that the swap take place in phases, with 200 being exchanged in the first stage. It contradicts the agreements we had previously reached.”

Fadel explained the government was seeking the release of prisoners primarily because they are civilians that didn’t partake in fighting. “The militia is requesting the release of its fighters only, which we, as a government, don’t approve of.”

The Yemen government presented a roadmap for the release of the prisoners in line with the UN-backed Stockholm agreement, while the Houthis said they were ready to release only 10 per cent of the government’s prisoners. A source at the governmental delegation said they presented the final list of names of prisoners to Griffiths’ office and the ICRC.

Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Yamani had predicted that the Houthis would resort to stalling in order to prolong negotiations over the prisoner swap. The new deal, he said, stressed the consistency of terms in the statements presented by

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/News/26515.aspx

My comment: A larger overview of the ongoing peace process, with focus on blaming the Houthi side.

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

Feb. 15: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5436&cat_id=1 Saada p.

Feb. 14: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news526646.htm Amran p.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5420&cat_id=1 Amran p., Saada p.

Feb. 13: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=5398&cat_id=1 Marib p., Amran p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

(A K)

Al Houthi fighters claimed to target Saudi troops with a Zilzal 1 ballistic missile in al Ajashar desert in Najran region in southern Saudi Arabia on February 15. Al Houthi fighters also shelled Saudi troops in Sawah area in Najran region and al Rabwa in Asir region in southern Saudi Arabia. Al Houthi fighters attempted to raid Saudi positions in al Rabwa but failed, according to al Houthi media[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-15-2019

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(-)

Photos: Dar Al-Hajar: once upon time on the outskirts of Yemen's Sanaa.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1095897215422349312

(* C)

Wonderful video of old Yemen. There are signs of some bomb damage which I guess was due to the civil war at the time but nowhere near the extent of the damage caused in this war.

https://www.facebook.com/100003217731735/videos/2004245869692651/

(* C)

Remembering the thousands of children who disappeared in the “Yemenite Babies Affair”

Many accounts have been written about the large waves of immigration to the State of Israel following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, when Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa immigrated to the new state. Less known is the fact that during those early years, several thousand babies and young children went missing. Nearly all of these children were born to families of recent immigrants, living in the poorly maintained and isolated absorption camps where they were settled by state authorities upon their arrival.

Around two-thirds of the missing children were from the families of immigrants from Yemen, according to Amram, an organization dedicated to documenting and raising awareness of what has come to be known as the “Yemenite Babies Affair.” Every eighth child of a Yemenite family went missing, while “the remaining third of the children were from other Mizrahi families – Tunisian, Moroccan, Libyan, Iraqi and others – and a small number were children of families who immigrated from the Balkans.” A small number of missing children from Ashkenazi families have also been documented.

In many of these cases, a common pattern emerged. From Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber’s book “Israeli Media and the Framing of Internal Conflict: The Yemenite Babies Affair,” a “typical scenario was as follows: a baby was taken to the hospital despite parental assertions that the child was healthy. The baby was then taken to one of several institutions around the country, such as Wizo, an international women’s organization with centers in Safed, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv. The parents were told that their baby had died.” – by Vincent Calvetti-Wolf

https://jewishstudies.washington.edu/israel-hebrew/israel-kidnapped-children-activism-yemenite-babies-affair/

Vorige / Previous

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-512-yemen-war-mosaic-512

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-512 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-512:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:

(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)

http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

und alle Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

Dieser Beitrag gibt die Meinung des Autors wieder, nicht notwendigerweise die der Redaktion des Freitag.
Geschrieben von

Dietrich Klose

Vielfältig interessiert am aktuellen Geschehen, zur Zeit besonders: Ukraine, Russland, Jemen, Rolle der USA, Neoliberalismus, Ausbeutung der 3. Welt

Dietrich Klose

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