Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 545a- Yemen War Mosaic 545a

Yemen Press Reader 545a: 16. Juni 2019: Spannungen im Mittleren Osten nehmen zu: Houthi-Angriffe auf saudische Flughäfen; Angriffe auf Öltanker; USA bereiten Krieg gegen Iran vor – und mehr

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June 16, 2019: Mounting tensions in the Middle East: Houthis attack Saudi airports, attacks against oil vessels; US preparing war against Iran – and more

Dieses Jemenkrieg-Mosaik ist in zwei Teile geteilt / This Yemen War Mosaic is divided in two parts.

Teil 1 / Part 1: https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-545-yemen-war-mosaic-545/

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Teil 1 / In Italics: Part 1

Klassifizierung / Classification

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

cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

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

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

cp9 USA

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Sudan

cp13 Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

cp19a USA bereitet Krieg gegen Iran vor / The US is preparing war against Iran

cp19b Weitere Spannungen im Mittleren Osten / More tensions in the Middle East

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

cp12a Sudan

(B P)

Film: "A bullet doesn't kill, rather silence does". Please hear us out. #IAmTheSudanRevolution #SudanUprising #Internet_Blackout_In_Sudan

https://twitter.com/pinesane_/status/1139007816289538048

(* B P)

Dozens of Sudanese officers 'arrested for refusing to use violence against protesters'

Security source tells MEE that reports that the men had been detained for attempting to carry out a coup are untrue

Dozens of Sudanese officers from the police and military have been arrested according to Arabic media reports and a security source, who told Middle East Eye they had refused orders to use violence against protesters.

The source disputed a report on Wednesday by al-Arabiya, the state broadcaster of Saudi Arabia, a close supporter of the ruling military council, that the officers were supporters of ousted president Omar al-Bashir and had been detained for attempting to carry out a coup.

"Most of these officers refused to participate in the massacre and dispersal of the sit-in,"

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-sudanese-officers-arrested-military-council

(* B P)

Sudan: The names of 100 people killed in a week of deadly violence

At least 112 Sudanese have been killed since the military's deadly crackdown on a sit-in protest, doctors say

Most of the people on the list died from gunfire, but 15 people were stabbed to death, the syndicate said. Others on the list died from burns, crushed skulls or after being run over by pick-up trucks.

Here are the names of the 100 people who were killed since 3 June, as well as their ages wherever available:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-names-100-killed-deadly-week

(* B P)

Sudan: Behind the Massacre in Khartoum

The Backstory, the Perpetrators, the Movement

In December 2018, massive protests and unrest organized by labor organizations and neighborhood committees across Sudan toppled the dictator Omar Al-Bashir. Utilizing ancient Nubian imagery and mythology, as well as contemporary slogans and tactics, the revolutionaries expressed a diverse groundswell of rage in their efforts to escape the ethnic and religious conflicts of the past two decades. After Al-Bashir fled office, riots, blockades, and protests continued against the Transitional Military Council that seized control of the government, promising to coordinate elections in 2020. In early 2019, paramilitary groups associated with the Council began to carry out fierce attacks on student protests in Khartoum, culminating in a massacre on June 3 when they brutally evicted an occupation from Al-Qyada Square. At the time of publication, a general strike has gripped much of Sudan

https://de.crimethinc.com/2019/06/14/sudan-behind-the-massacre-in-khartoum-the-perpetrators-and-the-backstory

(* B P)

Robert Fisk: Sudan Protesters Were Right to Fear the Arrival of Saudi and UAE Money

The US has found itself in an even more embarrassing situation than it did in Egypt.

The Sudanese democracy demonstrators were the first to protest at Saudi Arabia’s interference in their revolution. We all knew that the Saudis and the Emiratis had been funnelling millions of dollars into the regime of Omar al-Bashir, wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court and now chucked out of power by a Sisi-like military cabal. But it was the sit-in protesters who first thought up the slogan: “We do not want Saudi aid even if we have to eat beans and falafel!”

It was shouted, of course, along with the more familiar chants of ‘revolution of the people”.

Few noticed this little development – save, to give it credit, The Washington Post– but the dozens of waterlogged bodies being dragged from the Nile should focus our attention on the support which the Emiratis and especially the Saudis are now lavishing upon the pseudo-transitional military government in Sudan – by Robert Fisk

https://www.mintpressnews.com/sudan-protesters-fear-saudi-uae-money/259193/

(B P)

Film: Protesters in Sudan have vowed not to give up. We stand with them.

https://twitter.com/amnesty/status/1139482563230208000

(A P)

Sudan: all the agreements reached with the protest organizations and has suspended the negotiations.
The protesters are also pointing the finger at the interference of #UAE and #SaudiArabia,

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515/2327356230650727/

(A P)

Sudan’s military rulers said on Thursday that #Ethiopia’s prime minister had suggested negotiations between rulers and the Sudanese opposition on a transition to democracy move to #AddisAbaba.
The Transitional Military Council rejected the proposal.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.961595153893515/2326232000763150/

(* B P)

After a trial run in Egypt, Arab despots come for Khartoum

In Sudan, anti-democratic regional powers apply a military crackdown method tried and tested in Egypt

Sudan posed a serious dilemma for this alliance, dubbed by many the "Arab Axis of Evil", rattled by the Arab revolutions of 2011.
However, as pro-democracy Islamists emerged as the lead beneficiaries of uprisings, this became a great source of worry for the Saudi-Emirati axis.

Indeed, pro-democracy moderate Islamists have been the leading proponents of reform in the Gulf since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Encouraged by the new Arab revolutionary tide, they began to agitate reform again.

The lesson the regimes derived was that while democracy calls were a major threat, Islamists, especially democracy supporting moderate, were even more so. Not only did they represent the bulk of reform advocates, but they were more influential than their secular and liberal counterparts in the predominantly conservative Gulf.

A strategy was thus devised to crack down on Islamists, using alliances of convenience with secular forces, but not inside the countries involved, where liberal activists received equal, if not harsher, punishment in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

An experiment was conducted in Egypt, where "secular" opponents to the democratically elected president of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi, were encouraged to rebel, paving the ground for the July 2013 coup by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

With the 2016 election of Donal Trump to the US presidency, this anti-democratic activism felt even more emboldened, the reckless blockade and siege of Qatar.

In this context, Sudan presented both an opportunity and a challenge.

None of the three countries has yet condemned the crackdown - suspiciously a copy-act of the assault on the Muslim Brotherhood protest in Rabaa Square in August 2013 - merely expressing "worry" and calling for negotiations to resume.

However, their official and semi-official media remains supportive of the crackdown,

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/Comment/2019/6/11/Arab-despots-come-for-Khartoum

(* A P)

#BlueforSudan: Why is social media turning blue for Sudan?

Social media users are changing their profile pictures to blue to express solidarity with protesters in Sudan in the wake of a brutal crackdown that killed dozens of people in the capital, Khartoum.

The blue wave has spread across various platforms via the #BlueForSudan hashtag, as Twitter and Instagram users attempt to honour the memory of one of the victims: Mohamed Mattar, whose favourite colour was reportedly blue.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/blueforsudan-social-media-turning-blue-sudan-190613132528243.html

(* A P)

Sudan protests: Children killed and sexually assaulted in violent clashes, say rights groups

At least 19 children are among the dozens killed in this month’s violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Sudan’s capital, the U.N. said, in acts of violence condemned by rights groups as 'barbaric".

Meanwhile, the military and opposition groups agreed to restart talks, as strikes were called off.

Despite a telecommunications blackout in much of the country, there have been reports of excessive violence against protesters at the hands of security forces, including the detention and sexual abuse of children.

Unicef’s executive director Henrietta Fore said in a statement she was “gravely concerned” at the impact of the ongoing violence on the Sudanese children.

She said since June 3 at least 19 children had been reportedly killed and another 49 injured, with many more still in danger amidst the violent clashes.

“We have received information that children are being detained, recruited to join the fighting and sexually abused.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/sudan-protests-death-toll-children-sexual-abuse-khartoum-omar-bashir-a8954851.html

(* A P)

Sudanese doctors say dozens of people raped during sit-in attack

Hospitals in Khartoum record more than 70 cases of rape in aftermath of attack on protest

Doctors believe paramilitaries carried out more than 70 rapes during an attack on a protest camp in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, a week ago.

Harrowing details of rapes by the RSF have emerged in recent days despite restrictions on communications in Sudan, but the extent of the sexual violence has remained unknown.

One doctor with access to data compiled by the central committee of doctors, a pro-reform group, said hospitals in Khartoum had recorded more than 70 cases of rape in the attack and its immediate aftermath.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/11/sudan-troops-protesters-attack-sit-in-rape-khartoum-doctors-report

and

(* A P)

Rape and Sudan's revolution: 'They were crying and screaming'

A feared unit of Sudan's security forces raped women as they dispersed pro-democracy protesters camped outside the military's headquarters 12 days ago, witnesses have told the BBC.

The military authorities deny the allegations, but Khalid, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, told the BBC about the sexual assaults he saw on the day of the brutal crackdown.

When the shooting began shortly after the morning Muslim prayers he ran for cover with another protester to a nearby building. But as the two terrified young men hid in a room on an upper floor from the chaos outside, they heard screaming and crept out to peer down the stairwell to see what was going on.

"We saw six soldiers that were raping two girls," he told the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48634150

(* A P)

Sudan military admits it ordered brutal crackdown on protesters

Military council 'regrets that some mistakes happened' during crackdown on Khartoum sit-in, which left dozens dead.

Sudan's ruling military council has, for the first time, admitted it ordered the dispersal of a sit-in in capital Khartoum, which left scores dead, as diplomats from the United States and African nations step up efforts for a solution to the country's political crisis.

The Transitional Military Council (TMC) "decided to disperse the sit-in", said spokesman Shams al-Din Kabashi on Thursday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/sudan-military-admits-ordered-brutal-crackdown-protesters-190614042623354.html

(* B P)

The princes who want to destroy any hope for Arab democracy

Why Saudi Arabia and the UAE are backing military leaders who are killing demonstrators

Since the Arab uprisings of 2011, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have used their considerable resources to promote authoritarian governments run by military strongmen in the region. They helped crush Bahrain’s uprising, bankrolled a return to military dictatorship in Egypt, armed a rogue military leader in Libya and mismanaged a democratic transition in Yemen before launching a destructive war there.

A ghastly new chapter in the Saudi and the Emirati counterrevolution against democratic movements in the region is unfolding in Sudan

General al-Burhan and General Hamdan have had a close working relationship with the Saudi and Emirati leadership since at least 2015, having been directly involved in the Saudi-led war on Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates claim that their interventions have been aimed at staving off Islamist extremism and promoting regional stability. But Sudan’s uprising against al-Bashir is an uprising against political Islamists; the protest leaders who have been negotiating with the military council are not Islamists. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are instead driven by their own fear that should a major Arab country transition to democracy, it would lead to upheavals at home.

But as long as the military junta has political and financial support from the Saudis and the Emiratis, it have little reason to back down. The protest leaders continue to be committed to nonviolence despite another round of attacks by the Sudanese forces on Sunday to thwart a general strike. Sudan’s opposition is embattled, hurting but defiant – by Iyad el-Baghdadi

https://www.gulf-times.com/story/633869/The-princes-who-want-to-destroy-any-hope-for-Arab-

(* B P)

How Saudi Arabia outmanoeuvred Turkey in Sudan

Turkey’s long silence after the coup against Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir speaks volumes. Ankara welcomed Bashir’s close associates who managed to escape to Turkey, and at the same time, cherished the Sudanese people’s street protests for a democratic transition.

Although supporting the regime against protestors before the coup and supporting the protestors after the coup may seem contradictory, Turkey’s understanding that the Sudanese generals had shifted toward the Saudi axis is accurate, which makes Ankara’s support for a civilian government against the Sudanese military strategically apt.

https://ahvalnews.com/geopolitics/how-saudi-arabia-outmanoeuvred-turkey-sudan

(B P)

Viral ‘Nubian queen’ rally leader says women key to Sudan protests

A Sudanese woman propelled to internet fame earlier this week after leading powerful protest chants in the capital told AFP that women are key to the uprising against President Omar al-Bashir’s rule.

“Sudanese women have always participated in revolutions in this country,” Alaa Salah said after footage went viral of her standing on a car, singing and conducting crowds outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.

“If you see Sudan’s history, all our queens have led the state. It’s part of our heritage.”

In the clips, the elegant Salah stands atop a car wearing a long white headscarf and skirt as she sings and works the crowd

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2019/04/11/Viral-Nubian-queen-rally-leader-says-women-key-to-Sudan-protests.html

My comment: By a Saudi news site!

(* A P)

Film: Sudanese survivors speak out about military abuse

https://www.middleeasteye.net/video/sudanese-survivors-speak-out-about-military-abuse

cp13 Waffenhandel / Arms trade

Siehe / Look at cp9, cp11, cp12

(* B K P)

Fears US weapons are falling into the 'wrong hands' during chaotic Yemeni war

As the smoke settles in the Gulf of Oman following an attack on two Japanese-operated oil tankers – which President Trump firmly blamed on Iran Friday after assessing intelligence – there is growing alarm over tensions between Iran and its arch-nemesis Saudi Arabia inside Yemen, with U.S. weaponry at the center.

“This is an evolving topic; these weapons are getting handed off to a vast range of militias,” Philippe Nassif, Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, told Fox News. “There are a lot of weapons floating in Yemen, and this isn’t a new issue. We have seen this happen for years in parts of the world.”

“Every type of weapon is being bought and sold as well as body armor, drugs. These are out in the open markets and not hidden away and it's profoundly concerning,” Nassif said. “Can we trust weapons not to be handed over and sold? These weapons could then end up in other areas, like Chad or Niger.”

The United States is the largest arms supplier to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and between 2013 and 2017 alone Saudi purchased $112 billion in weapons. While there are distinct Pentagon rules that arms transfers cannot be moved to a third party without authorization, critics argue that monitoring or enforcing such regulations are not comprehensive enough.

“When these weapons leave U.S. hands, we ultimately have little ability to control where they go,” said Defense Priorities fellow and former Marine Captain Gil Barndollar.

An additional cause for concern, Barndollar pointed out, are weapons sliding into the hands of al-Qaeda affiliates and other hardline Salafi groups.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-weapons-wrong-hands-iran-saudi-arabia-yemen-proxy-war

Comment by Judith Brown: This is not new. Yemeni soldiers and militias have a tradition of selling their weapons to arms fairs in Yemen. This phenomenon was reported in a Chatham House article early in the war. The arms market in Yemen sells to the highest bidder. Weapons prices in Yemen are now lower than at the start of the war, demonstrating that the supply is plentiful.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157656171868641

(* B K P)

Rüstungsexporte und Gemeinschaftsprojekte

Innerhalb der Europäischen Union ist es bisher nicht gelungen, sich auf eine einheitliche Linie zu verständigen. Wichtige europäische Partner – insbesondere Frankreich und Großbritannien – haben sich diesem Exportstopp nicht angeschlossen.

Bei den europäischen Partnern löst die Haltung der Bundesregierung Irritationen aus. So setzen französische Unternehmen bereits auf eine „German-free“-Strategie, also darauf, Rüstungsgüter ohne deutsche Komponenten herzustellen. Sie wollen damit den Einfluss der deutschen Außenwirtschaftspolitik auf die Produktion verringern.

https://www.exportmanager-online.de/nachrichten/ruestungsexporte-und-gemeinschaftsprojekte-11646/

(* B K P)

Die Skandalfrachter aus Saudi-Arabien und ihre tödliche Fracht

Frachter der saudischen Schifffahrtslinie Bahri transportieren Waffen für das Königreich. Ihre Hafenanläufe lösten eine Serie von Protesten in Frankreich und Italien aus. Jetzt sollte ein Bahri-Frachter in Bremerhaven anlegen – änderte aber mitten im Atlantik den Kurs.

Nach Berichten über die geplante Verschiffung von Waffen für Saudi-Arabien protestierten in Frankreich wie Italien nicht nur Menschenrechtsorganisationen, sondern auch Hafenarbeiter gegen die Verladung von Rüstungsgütern.

Ein Roro-Schiff der Gesellschaft – die "Bahri Jazan" – sollte am Samstag, dem 15. Juni, erstmals seit Beginn der Debatte in Deutschland anlegen. Genauer: in Bremerhaven.

Zuvor hatten Journalisten und Aktivisten auf Twitter den geplanten Besuch in Bremerhaven vermeldet. Die Protestwelle gegen die Bahri-Frachter begann bereits Anfang Mai

Auf den üblichen Routen der Bahri-Frachter liegen überdies Häfen an der Ostküste der USA. Die italienische Zeitunge "La Reppublica" veröffentlichte im Mai Fotos der Laderäume, die angeblich bei früheren Touren der Bahri-Schiffe entstanden waren. Dort sah man zum Beispiel gepanzerte Fahrzeuge des Typs Maxxpro des US-Herstellers Navistar, den die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate bezogen hatten. Fahrzeuge dieses Typs sollen bereits in die Hände bewaffneter Milizen im Jemen gelangt sein.

https://www.stern.de/politik/frachtschiffe-aus-saudi-arabien-transportieren-waffen-fuer-den-jemen-krieg-8748756.html

und

(A K P)

#TráficoDeArmas
#Seguimiento
El #BahriJazan proveniente de Canadá y que se dirigía inicialmente a Alemania y Bélgica, ha cambiado su programación de ruta y ahora se dirige a Génova.

(with map; ships with arms cargo)

https://www.facebook.com/luis.arbide/posts/10217508826465261

(* B K P)

Yemen is our disaster

By providing weapons to parties in conflict in Yemen, Europeans have a responsibility in the war that has claimed more than 10,000 lives in four years. In this sense, it is also our disaster, explains H-alter.

European and Croatian arms sales to Saudi Arabia

Croatian politicians, female and male alike, have not been asked about the ethical implications of arms trade with countries involved in wars in the Middle East, systematically ignoring or violating international law.

Croatia has traditionally exported most of its weapons to the United States, but in 2016, another large importer of Croatian weapons emerged immediately after the United States, where weapons worth more than EUR 110 million were exported. This year, Croatia exported armaments and military equipment (so-called supplies from the Homeland War) to Saudi Arabia, which is worth as much as 78.5 million Euros

A common practice followed by Saudi Arabia is to sell field combatants "non-standard" weapons (old Soviet weapons) instead of their own weapons. Saudi Arabia, therefore, exports its weapons to other countries in its surroundings, which are mostly purchased in countries of the (South) Eastern Europe, and Croatia is among those countries.

Part of those weapons has certainly ended up in Yemen.

Media "etiquettes" and public silence

The “etiquettes” tagged by the Croatian media on the war in Yemen were pretty bad. The war reports on Yemen by the media in Croatia, especially by the mainstream media, were accompanied by the context of reporting, i.e. transmitting agency news about the sufferings, attempts of peace negotiations, humanitarian crises and hunger of the population.

In the context of arms sales, mainstream media wrote much more after the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

https://www.europeandatajournalism.eu/eng/News/Data-news/Yemen-is-our-disaster

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

Jihadists continue their punch up in al-Bayda' #Yemen. #IslamicState claims it fired mortars at #AQAP in Lower Dhi Kalib on Tuesday (despite #alQaeda claims in 2 recent films to have expelled #ISIS-Y from there). Still, AQAP appears to have the upper hand over ISIS-Y

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1139486781425016832

(A T)

Easter attack major suspect’s arrest due to Interpol’s “red notice”

AFP news agency reports that according police and Interpol soutces Five Sri Lankans wanted in connection with the Easter bombings that killed 258 people were arrested in Saudi Arabia and extradited Friday.“One of the alleged ringleaders in the April 21 bomb attacks in Sri Lanka has been arrested following the publication of an Interpol Red Notice,” the international police organisation, based in the French city of Lyon, said in a statement

https://www.news.lk/news/political-current-affairs/item/26007-easter-attack-major-suspect-s-arrest-due-to-interpol-s-red-notice

(A T)

Sri Lanka police bring five Easter bomb suspects back from Saudi Arabia

Five Sri Lankans suspected of having links to Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people were brought home in police custody on Friday after being deported from Saudi Arabia, police said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-blasts-arrests/sri-lanka-police-bring-five-easter-bomb-suspects-back-from-saudi-arabia-idUSKCN1TF0VB

(* B T)

Recent study provides details on the map of ISIS's presence in Yemen and its strengths

A recent study of Abaad Center for Studies and Research said that the number of ISIS operatives in Yemen ranges from 400 to 700, mostly Yemeni and Saudi nationals, as well as other nationalities.

According to the study, read by Al-Masdar online that the organization took the regions of Yakla and Bilad Dhahrrah in Qaifa, al-Baydha province (central Yemen) as its center, to take advantage of the difficult geographical terrain over an area of more than 200 square kilometers.

On the objectives of the Organization, the study confirmed that the early objectives of the organization are to urge al-Qaeda in Yemen to allegiance al-Baghdadi, fighting the regime of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the forces of the Arab coalition and the Popular Resistance in support of the President and the Government (recognized).

The study indicated that the organization possessed medium weapons, mortar artillery, an RPG, and experience in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices, car bombs and a squad of suicide bombers.

https://almasdaronline.com/article/recent-study-provides-details-on-the-map-of-isiss-presence-in-yemen-and-its-strengths

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

UN’s Double Standards in Dealing with Houthi Rebels

The Houthis only assign management positions to Hashemites, like them, within the Agricultural Bank of Yemen, the largest public bank in Yemen. This is a depiction of the ideology of supremacy represented in this bank.
This is just a sample, the same goes for the governmental institutions, the newly born private sector with the new Hashemite wealth dominating the private sector. These stories show how deeply ingrained supremacy is, socially, politically and economically, and which Yemenis fear and fight against.

The world knew them as the rebels who took over the capital and the state, then they were polished and labeled “Ansar Allah”, but during the Stockholm Consultations they were upgraded and called the “Sanaa delegation”, when they were the “delegation” that planted Yemen with land and sea mines, and destroying the fabric of society.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/18468

Comment by Judith Brown: Well this is from a very anti-Houthi source asking why the Houthis are dealt with so leniently by the UN - WHAT!!! I'm not pro-Houthi nor do I back any side in this disgusting war but... the UN resolution 2216 that was adopted in April 2015 was written by the GCC representatives, who were already party to the fighting and had already been accused of war crimes, such as bombing a civilian camp for displaced persons.

And look at the condemnation of the bombing of one airport in Saudi (I don't agree with attacks on any civilian infrastructure) but ignore the closure of Sanaa airport and the constant attacks on that airport. The list of pro-Saudi bias goes on and on and is it linked to the fact that the 5 permanent members of the UNSC ALL supply weapons to Saudi Arabia in large quantities. If this bias was not present then there would be more chance of peace. What Yemen needs is an arms embargo for all fighting parties in this disgusting war where there are no good guys fighting for Yemenis.

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157663269748641

(A P)

#Houthis are just a pawn used by #Iran !!! Caricature: Samer Alshameri

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1139935265877835776

(A P)

Yemen’s Houthis lay bare role in confrontation with Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is not the only country the Houthis have placed in the crosshairs.

“The Houthis confirm day after day that they implement Iran’s agenda by sacrificing the need of the Yemeni people for the benefit of Iran,” Jubeir said on Twitter.

An investigation by the Arab coalition said the IRGC supplied the cruise missile used in the attack.

“This attack… proves this terrorist militia’s acquisition of new special weapons,” said a statement by the Arab coalition, and “the continuation of the Iranian regime’s support and practice of cross-border terrorism.”

Malki said the attack amounted to “a war crime” and proved that the “Houthis have obtained advanced weapons from Iran.”

Analysts said attacks by Iran-backed militias show that tensions are escalating and could spell danger for the region.

https://thearabweekly.com/yemens-houthis-lay-bare-role-confrontation-saudi-arabia

(A P)

As Houthis are busy boasting terror attack videos, western media advance victim narrative on their behalf!

While the Houthi media have nothing to be busy with other than boasting the organization's videos of daily terror attacks against civilians, the western media seem to have undertaken advancing the victim narrative on the Shia Islamic militant's behalf.

CNN, the Washington Post, the New York Times Reuters and the Guardian to the fledgling imitators at the Antiwar and the Common Dreams website are involved in a biased mission to show things the other way around.

They are advancing the Saudi-led "bombing campaign" and the "Yemeni suffering" rhetoric.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-30330

My comment: Oupps – Yemeni civilians do not suffer from Saudi air raids and blockade. Thank you for telling us that reports telling this are „biased“.

(A P)

'Difficult to be optimistic about Iran,' Saudi former intelligence chief tells FRANCE 24

The former head of Saudi intelligence, Prince Turki al-Faisal, told FRANCE 24 in The Hague that he was pessimistic about the prospects for a successful negotiation between the US and Iran, calling Iran "a disruptive force" in the region. He also accused Tehran of being behind this week's attack by Houthi rebels on a Saudi airport and said he saw no chance for a peaceful solution in Yemen in the near future.

"The Iranians are using the Houthis to do their dirty job". "The Houthis are the ones that are not adhering to the conditions of the negotiations.'..."Saudia Arabia has never been for war in Yemen, this is the Houthis and the Iranians who upset the peace efforts made by Saudia Arabia".

https://www.france24.com/en/20190613-interview-prince-turki-al-faisal-saudi-arabia-iran-houthi-rebels-qatar-jamal-khashoggi

Film: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20190614-saudi-arabia-has-never-been-war-yemen-former-head-saudi-intelligence

My comment: A Saudi propaganda show, again. - On the war in #Yemen, he said he saw no chance for a peaceful solution in the near future; this is certainly true.

(A K P)

Yemen: Another Dispute Waiting To Be Escalated

In Yemen, even the UN agreed that the missiles and UAVs being used by the rebels were Iranian. Since May Iran has apparently responded to setbacks in Yemen with undeclared attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf. The Shia rebel attacks targets inside Saudi Arabia were trying to do the same using Iranian UAVs and cruise missiles.

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/yemen/20190614.aspx

(A P)

Tanker-Angriffe: Teil iranischer Einschüchterungsstrategie?

https://www.mena-watch.com/tanker-angriffe-teil-iranischer-einschuechterungsstrategie/

(A P)

One could argue that Iran has adopted an effective policy of maximum pressure.

When an adversary (Iran)correctly gambles that the superior power will not risk direct military confrontation for a regional ally, it has asymmetric escalation dominance and can succeed in eroding trust in the primacy of American power as a guarantor for regional security

https://twitter.com/aaronstein1/status/1139148432868880384

(A P)

Iran thinks it can pressure the US. It can’t

Despite their expected denials, there is little doubt that Iran lies behind the attack, either directly or through the sponsorship of its Houthi militia allies, fighting Saudi forces for control of Yemen.
Simply put, Tehran had the motive, means, and opportunity to perpetrate the crime. And the Iranians always act for a reason.
From Tehran’s perspective, there are reasons a-plenty for staging the attacks, as Iran’s fragile economy becomes ever-more constrained by American sanctions and the “maximum pressure” the Trump administration is bringing to bear on the republic.

However, while Tehran may think counter-pressure will work with the anti-Iran hawks in the Trump administration, more likely their folly will merely confirm the administration in its thinking that Tehran is a revolutionary power that must be destroyed.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1510541

(A P)

The terrorism of Iran and its militias must be confronted

The Houthis’ targeting of Abha Airport with a missile, injuring 26 civilians, is clear and explicit evidence of the group’s terrorism. This targeting of a civilian airport makes us re-evaluate the comprehensive Yemeni peace process at all levels. First is the mechanism for dealing with the Houthis — the rules of engagement should now be expanded, making the military option the only option.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1510411

My comment: Targeting civilian targets is „terrorism“. That’s great, dear Saudi air raiders. – „the military option the only option“: The Saudi opinion: Make war, not peace.

(A P)

Iran's hand seems nearby in latest Saudi missile attack

Moral questions aside, this is an impressive attack that evidences advanced capabilities. Iran's Revolutionary Guard likely provided those capabilities.

There's also the strategic measure of the airport targeting. While the Houthis have repeatedly targeted high-value facilities in Saudi Arabia, they have rarely directly struck a major civilian facility such as an airport. And Abha airport serves as a major transit hub for Saudi tourists. Houthi targeting of the airport would thus have very likely required a prior sign off by Revolutionary Guard liaison officers.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/irans-hand-seems-nearby-in-latest-saudi-missile-attack

My comment: And the Iran propaganda consoiracy theory again. – In the moment, spreading such a propaganda is equivalent to beating the war drums.

(A P)

UAE Minister Gargash: The split nature of the Houthi militias is evident; playing a local role when negotiating a political process in Yemen & puppets & proxies when targeting Saudi civilians. A position complicating the Yemen crisis & impeding the march to peace.

https://twitter.com/AnwarGargash/status/1139066248531042305

(A P)

„Mit Geduld und Weisheit kann Gutes bewirkt werden“

Der Staatsminister der Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate ruft zur De-Eskalation in der Iran-Krise auf. Und er erklärt, worin sein Land und die Bundesrepublik sich ähneln

Sultan Al Jaber: Deutschland steht sehr hoch auf unserer Agenda. Für uns ist Berlin ein natürlicher Partner. Es gibt viele Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen unseren Ländern.

Das Atomabkommen ist unserer Meinung nach gescheitert. Der Iran setzt seine Bemühungen fort, den Irak, Syrien, den Libanon sowie den Jemen zu destabilisieren.

https://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/politik/article195179159/Mit-Geduld-und-Weisheit-kann-Gutes-bewirkt-werden.html

(A P)

Western media can't see this type of terror in Yemen

US and European news websites see Yemen only through the Houthi prism.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-30313

My comment: LOL.

(A P)

Wenn Trump mal recht hat

Der Atomdeal hat Irans Expansionsstreben nicht gemäßigt. Europa sollte deshalb statt des Regimes lieber die iranische Opposition unterstützen.
(…) Die Aufkündigung des Atomabkommens war notwendig, weil es nicht zur Beendigung der iranischen Nuklear- und Raketenrüstung geführt hat, sondern zu ihrer Institutionalisierung. Das Raketenprogramm der Ajatollahs, das ein entscheidender Bestandteil des Strebens nach der Technologie der Massenvernichtung ist, wurde in der Vereinbarung ausgeklammert. Die gesamte Infrastruktur des Atomprogramms ist intakt geblieben: Die Atomeinrichtungen wurden zwar modifiziert und mit Auflagen versehen, die Anlagen selbst bestehen aber fort.

http://www.taz.de/Debatte-Iranpolitik-der-USA-und-der-EU/!5599086/

Anmerkung Marco Wenzel:Wieder einmal so ein haarsträubender und kriegstreiberischer Artikel der taz, der zudem von Halb-und Unwahrheiten nur so strotzt. Es wird behauptet, der Iran versuche weiterhin Atombomben zu bauen und die Kontrollen der internationalen Atomenergie-Organisation seien nicht effektiv gewesen.

Wir verweisen hier auf den Bericht der IAEA vom 6. März 2019, der diese Behauptungen klar widerlegt: hier sowie hier. Und auch: hier.

https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=52461#h02

(B K P)

Film: Yemen Civil War: Why Is the US Involved? | America Uncovered

US President Donald Trump vetoed a bipartisan resolution based on the War Powers Act to end American involvement in the Yemen Civil War. So why is the US continuing to back the effort led by Saudi Arabia to combat the Iran backed Houthis in Yemen? You might be surprised to find out Donald Trump and Barack Obama have very similar views...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ptgoQnFvBc

My comment: Very superficial, biased, and simply mistakes. Starting with showing Yemen on the map… it’s Oman! – Or: The international war did not start with Houthi missiles to Saudi Arabia, but by Saudi air raids on Yemen; and Iran is not involved etc.

(A P)

Yemen’s humanitarian crisis a product of Houthi militia’s coup, says Ambassador Mujallia

Ambassador of Republic of Yemen to Warsaw, Poland, Dr Mirfat Mujalli contributed to the opening session of the Conference on Humanitarian Aids which kicked off its discussion on Tuesday.

She described Yemen’s humanitarian crisis as a result of Houthi militia’s coup and war, ” Humanitarian crisis in Yemen won’t be ended but by eliminating the Houthi militia’ coup as it is the grass-root of the Yemeni crisis”,

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/11/yemens-humanitarian-crisis-a-product-of-houthi-militias-coup-says-ambassador-mujallia/

(A P)

On the 4th memory of Houthis defeat in Aden

Four years have passed since the liberation of Aden city from Houthi militias, in a historic battle, which considered by many to be the most important battle that toppled the Iranian project in southern Yemen.

On July 17, 2015, the southern port city of Aden, was completely retaken from the control of the Iran-backed Houthi rebel militia, during one of the most important battles that defeated Iran’s sabotage project in Yemen.

“September Net” met Brig. Abu Bakr Al-Jaboli the commander of Fourth Infantry Brigade, who briefed about Aden, provided the details of the city Liberation Battle from the beginning.

Four years ago, the Arab coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came to support the restoration of the legitimacy in Yemen after the Iran-backed Houthi militia conducted a coup against the legitimate government headed by President Hadi.

This was a turning point in the ongoing war and defeated the Iran’s project in Yemen and the region

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/11/on-the-4th-memory-of-houthi-defeat-in-aden/

(A P)

SAM: Eid al-Fitr a terrifying nightmare for children in Houthi hold areas

The Iranian-backed Houthi coup militia has turned Eid al-Fitr into a nightmare for Yemen’s children, SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties said.

In a report, Sam Organization stated that Eid al-Fitr has become a terrifying nightmare for the Yemeni children, especially those living in the city of Taiz, where they lived difficult days because their neighborhoods were bombarded with indiscriminate artillery shells and snipers. Children lost their lives during Eid, turning Eid festivals into funerals.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/11/sam-eid-al-fitr-a-terrifying-nightmare-for-children-in-houthi-hold-areas/

(A P)

More Saudi coalition “We are benefactors” propaganda

http://en.adenpress.news/news/8464

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302767572

https://www.saudiembassy.net/news/arab-coalition-launches-emergency-relief-campaign-following-floods-yemeni-cities

http://en.adenpress.news/news/7465

http://en.adenpress.news/news/7451

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

June 15: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1560676284./1335393263277702/

June 14: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1560676284./1335392186611143/

June 13: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1560613368./1334478546702507/

June 12: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1560613368./1334476180036077/

June 11: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1560613368./1334475076702854/

June 10: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334473863369642/

June 9 (wrong date in infographic): https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334472856703076/

June 8: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334472010036494/

June 7: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334469680036727/

June 6: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334467333370295/

June 5: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334466153370413/

June 4: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334465303370498/

June 3: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334463606704001/

June 2: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334462910037404/

June 1: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1334458546704507/

(A K pH)

THREE AIR STRIKES HIT THE CAPITAL SANA’A

According to the source, the aggression waged three air strikes targeting Dailami airbase, 60th street, and maintenance camp in Thawrah district.

The source indicated that the coalition’s warplanes kept fly intensively for hours over the sky of the capital.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/three-air-strikes-hit-the-capital-sanaa/

and eye witnesses:

(A K)

#Saudi led coalition warplanes are bombing the capital #Sanaa and still flying over the city now. #Yemen. The world will not condemn this bombing. But any attack on Saudi is forbidden.

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1140027512170459137

huge explosion shake my house and the Saudi-led coalition jets still hovering! Sanaa 2:05AM

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1140033708893835266

A massive blast just heard in Yemen capital Sana'a, the fourth in less than half an hour

https://twitter.com/Shuaibalmosawa/status/1140033656913899526

(* A K pH)

US-Saudi Aggression Commits New Massacre in Hajjah

Three children and a woman were killed and a woman were injured Sunday, in a new war crime by the US-Saudi aerial aggression in the northern province of Hajjah.

Almasirah Net correspondent reported that the aerial aggression has targeted a house in the Al- Jarr area in Abss district, killing and injuring 5 residents as an initial toll.

The reporter pointed out that the rescue operations and pulling out the victims from under the rubble of the targeted house are still continuing.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7393

Film by AlMasirah TV: https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/at-least-three-children-one-woman-killed-another-woman-injured-by-aggression-air-strikes-hit-their-home-in-hajjah/

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/2049742621988388

(A K pS)

Air raids kill Houthis in Mastaba and destroy mine depot in Abbs

A military source told Al-Masdar online that Houthi militants were killed and others injured in Saturday morning by an air raid by Arab coalition fighters in Abbs.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/168575

(A K pS)

Coalition airstrikes hit Houthi targets in Sa’ada

Several elements in the Houthi militia were killed and injured on Friday in airstrikes carried out by Arab coalition in Ketaf district eastern Sa’ada province, the Yemeni Ministry of Defense's official website 'September Net' reported.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/8460

and this is what really has been hit:

(A K pH)

# Saada # Pictures of the effects of the destruction of a school building located in the area of Qotainat Directorate # Baqam bombing by the air forces of the alliance of aggression.

15/6/2019

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/2048341548795162

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/2048345455461438

(A K pS)

Saudi-led coalition in Yemen strikes Houthi positions in Sanaa: Saudi state TV

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has targeted military positions in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, including air-defense systems, Saudi state TV said on Saturday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-sanaa/saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen-strikes-houthi-positions-in-sanaa-saudi-state-tv-idUSKCN1TG00G?rpc=401&

and

(A K)

Saudi-Led Coalition Targets Houthi Positions in Sana'a, Striking Air Defense Systems - State TV

The Saudi-led coalition struck Houthi air-defense systems in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a early Saturday morning, according to reports from a Saudi state television outlet.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition announced that the group had set specific targets in Sana'a in an attempt to destroy Houthi military capabilities in the area and protect civilians, according to Saudi outlet Al Arabiya.

The coalition spokesperson stressed that civilians should avoid said target areas in Sana'a.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201906151075881466-saudi-coalition-targets-houthi-sanaa/

(* B K)

Coalition denies responsibility for civilian deaths in Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition backing legitimacy in Yemen denied on Thursday accusations, by UN and other agencies, of war crimes committed by its aircraft as striking areas in Yemen for more than four years.

Spokesman for coalition-run Yemen's accident assessment joint team (AAJT) declined the "four allegations" issued by international and local groups on mistakes made coalition forces at military operations in Yemen.

For the first case(on which a report dated 13 September 2017 by the UN human commissioner said four fishermen were killed on 5 April 2017 when their boat was hit by helicopteroff Hodeida), documents and data have shown that coalition forces did not any target fishing boat in that place,Mansour al-Mansour added at press conference in Riyadh.

On 20 September 2015, security department of Qaeda District in Ibb Governorate was hit by coalition warplanes, and 7 civilians were killed and 3 others injured in another strike one hour later as trying to rescue people.

But the AAJT spokesman claimed that the coalition aircraft attacked the building in one occasion with two successive bombs that directly hit their target, and the coalition did not re-attack the department.

In the third case, the coalition is accused of striking a building in Haddah of Sana'a City, leaving 7 civilians wounded. Here, Mansour said, the coalition had taken the right measures in dealing with the legitimate military target.

A statement by Save the Children says a rocket on 26 March 2019 hit an oil station adjacent to the rural Kitaf hospital. The AAJT admitted, attributing the event to an error that diverted the bomb, leaving the station destroyed and the hospital partly damaged.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-9013.html

My comment: The only task of this fake self-„investigation“ team is whitewashing the Saudi coalition. – First case, April 5, 2017: Report: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news461123.htm and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWaOlL37Ixw. – 4. Case, March 26, 2019: Reports. https://www.savethechildren.net/article/seven-killed-bombing-save-children-supported-hospital-yemen and https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47711413 and https://www.sbs.com.au/news/children-among-dead-after-yemen-air-strike-according-to-aid-agency; Photos: https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/1110529947456753670 and https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1110519696393191424 and https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/photos/pcb.2000262373603080/2000262086936442 and http://www.newnewss.net/us-saudi-jets-kill-and-injure-15-civilians-as-the-aggression-enters-5th-year/. This is a meagre excuse. If they have no other idea, it’s an “error”.

(A K pS)

Saudisches Militärbündnis greift Waffenlager im Jemen an

Das von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Militärbündnis hat im Jemen Waffenlager der vom Iran unterstützten Huthi-Rebellen angegriffen. Darunter seien auch Standorte gewesen, an denen sich «ausländische Experten von Terrororganisation» aufgehalten hätten, berichtete das saudische Staatsfernsehen.

https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/saudisches-militaerbuendnis-greift-waffenlager-im-jemen-an-16235744.html = https://www.zeit.de/news/2019-06/13/saudisches-militaerbuendnis-greift-waffenlager-im-jemen-an-190613-99-637740

Mein Kommentar: DPA übernimmt die Meldung der Saudis, alle deutschen Medien übernehmen die DPA-Meldung per C und P, und das nennt sich dann „Berichterstattung“ und „Journalismus“.

(A K pH)

Tens of aggression' airstrikes hit Sanaa

two airstrikes on in al-Thoura district, and six air raids in the aggression wage, Special Forces Camp in Sabahah area and other two airstrikes on Dabab mount in Bani Hashish district in Sanaa.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538967.htm

(A K)

Air strikes hit around Yemen's capital: TV, residents

Planes from the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen bombed areas around the capital Sanaa on Thursday, residents and the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV said.

Masirah said there had been raids on three sites, including military targets belonging to Houthi forces, on the outskirts of Sanaa.

Residents told Reuters the strikes had targeted military camps west and north of the city.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/air-strikes-hit-around-yemens-capital-tv-residents-idUSKCN1TE0RB

and also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7136443/Saudi-air-strikes-hit-near-Yemen-capital-day-missile-attack-Saudi-Arabian-airport.html

(A K pS)

Coalition airstrikes target militia gatherings in Ketaf, Sa’ada

Arab Coalition to support the legitimacy in Yemen, launched on Wednesday several airstrikes on Houthi militia in the east of Sa’ada province in the north of the country.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/12/coalition-airstrikes-targets-militia-gatherings-in-ketaf-saada/

(A K pS)

Coalition airstrikes target Hothi militia gatherings in Hajja

Arab coalition for the support of legitimacy on Monday, intensified its air strikes on the reinforcements and rallies of the Houthi militia in Abes and Haradh districts, north of Hajjah province, in the north of the country.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/11/coalition-airstrikes-target-hothi-militia-gatherings-in-hajja/

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

June 15: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7387 Saada p., Hajjah p.

June 14: https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-june-14-2019 Dhamar p., Jawf p.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7371 Hajjah p., Asir

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/two-air-raids-hit-asir-sector/ Asir

June 13: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538968.htm Dhamar p.

June 12: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7340 Saada p., Asir, and what pro-Saudi media make of it: http://en.adenpress.news/news/7470

June 11: https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/three-air-raids-hit-saada-province-2/ Saada p.

June 10: http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538756.htm and https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/other-seven-air-raids-target-saada-province/ Saada p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(* A K)

Huthi-Rebellen griffen laut Bericht saudische Flughäfen an

Die jemenitischen Huthi-Rebellen haben einem Medienbericht zufolge mit Drohnen Anschläge auf zwei Flughäfen in Saudi-Arabien verübt. Die beiden Flughäfen hätten daraufhin ihren Betrieb einstellen müssen, teilten die Rebellen über ihren Fernsehsender Al-Masirah gestern mit. Über Verletzte wurde zunächst nichts bekannt.

Laut dem saudi-arabischen Fernsehsender Al-Arabiya wurde eine Rakete vom saudi-arabischen Militär über der Stadt Abha im Südwesten des Landes abgefangen.

https://orf.at/stories/3126950/

(* A K pH)

Yemeni drones targets Abha ,Jazan airports

The Yemeni army and Popular Committees have on Saturday launched fresh drone attacks on areas south of Saudi Arabia, a military official told Saba.

The Air Force launched drone strikes, using several number of Qasif-K2 combat drones, targeted airports in Jizan and Abha regions, which hit its target with high accuracy.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news539223.htm

and

(* A K pH)

Abha and Jizan airports out of service: Yahya Sare’e

Brigadier Yahya Sare’e, army spokesman said its drone air force led to putt airports of Abha and Jizan out of service.

Saree said that “the first attack targeted Saudi unmanned aerial vehicles’ control and control rooms at Jizan airport, which hit its target with high accuracy.

“The second attack targeted the fuel stations at Abha International Airport with a number of Qasif-2K combat drones,” he added.

Army' spokesman vowed that even more painful strikes will be directed at the Saudi-led coalitio

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news539231.htm

and

(* A K)

Yemen's Houthis target two Saudi airports with multiple drone attacks

Yemen’s Houthi movement launched fresh drone attacks targeting Jizan and Abha airports in southern Saudi Arabia, the group’s Al-Masirah TV said on Saturday, adding the installations were out of service.

The Saudi-led coalition said in a statement that it had intercepted and downed a Houthi drone targeting the southwestern city of Abha.

The Iran-aligned group said multiple drone strike targeted control rooms at Jizan airport and a fuel station at Abha airport.

“The two airports are now out of service. We promise the Saudi regime more painful days as long as the aggression and siege continue on our country,” the group’s armed forces spokesman said in a tweet published by Al-Masirah TV’s account.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-drone/yemens-houthis-target-two-saudi-airports-with-multiple-drone-attacks-idUSKCN1TG0M3

Image: https://twitter.com/B4Zaman/status/1139978088488587264

Comment: #Reuters coverage of the latest attacks from #Yemen.
For the first time in these 4 + years of war, the news agency admittedly refers to the Coalition as 'western backed'.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2328316083888075

and

(* A K pH)

Spokesman of the Yemeni Armed Forces: The first operation of the Air Force targeted the control rooms for drones at #Jizan Airport, and the second operation targeted the fuel station at #Abha Airport with a number of Qasif-2K drones, both operations accurately destroyed their targets, and both airports are out of service.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/photos/a.963391330380564/2328213150565035

but

(* A K pS)

Saudi forces intercept Al Houthi drone from Yemen: coalition

Saudi forces on Saturday intercepted a Yemeni militant drone targeting the southern city of Abha, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, the latest in a series of assaults this week.

The unmanned drone was downed with no casualties or damage reported in a coalition statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/yemen/saudi-forces-intercept-al-houthi-drone-from-yemen-coalition-1.64638589

and

(A K pS)

Egypt condemns Yemen's Houthis drone attacks on two Saudi airports

A statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday strongly condemned the Houthi militias drone attacks that targeted Jizan and Abha airports in southern Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening. The statement also condemned the ballistic missile attack on Saudi territories intercepted by Saudi air defense forces.

“Egypt reaffirms its full support for the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against such brutal attacks and attempts to undermine its security and stability. The targeting of civilians and civilian establishments constitutes blatant violation of international laws and norms', the statement said.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/336239/Egypt/Egypt-condemns-Yemens-Houthis-drone-attacks-on-two.aspx

My comment: It’s war and not “terrorism”. Furthermore, what is lamented here is a good description of Saudi coalition warfare in Yemen.

(A K pS)

Houthi shelling kills woman injures another in Al-Dhale

A woman was killed and another injured on Saturday after a mortar shell fired by Houthi militia landed at their house in Qataba district in Al-Dhale province.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/06/15/houthi-shelling-kills-woman-injures-another-in-al-dhale/

(A K pH)

Saada p.: Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Razeh district.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7387

(A K pH)

Yemeni Retaliation Attacks End with Controlling Saudi Bases in Najran

Yemeni army and their allies from popular committees have controlled on Friday several military bases of Saudi troops in Najran in retaliation of the war led by Saudi Arabia on their country .

http://www.newnewss.net/yemeni-retaliation-attacks-end-with-controlling-saudi-bases-in-najran/

My remark: Najran is Saudi territory.

(A K pS)

Government forces recover weapons and mechanisms during battles in northwest Yemen

in the province of Hajjah, northwest Yemen, have recovered large quantities of weapons, machinery and military equipment from the Houthi militias during battles in which they have progressed and took control of several areas on the Abbs and east of the city of Haradh.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/168592

(A K pH)

Yemeni retaliation expected after Saudi jets bomb Sana'a

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/15/598547/Saudi-Arabia-airstrikes-Yemen-capital

(B K)

Disabled Yemeni fighters return to front line to protect home from Houthi rebels

Fadhel Al Sawlani lost his leg in a landmine blast in 2015 while fighting Houthis. Now he is back on the front line, trying to protect his home province from invasion

He is not the only one fighting the odds as well as the enemy in Al Dhalea.

“God granted me and Fadhel a huge hidden power. We take part in any attack alongside our comrades; we run, climb mountains, carry our Kalashnikovs normally. We have the right to fight this aggressive enemy.”

https://www.thenational.ae/world/disabled-yemeni-fighters-return-to-front-line-to-protect-home-from-houthi-rebels-1.874225

My comment: By Emirati news site. Propaganda level: high.

(A K P)

Yemen warns Saudi and Emirati civilians to avoid airports and military locations

Activists for Yemen have launched an awareness campaign on social network sites, aimed at inhabitants of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates under the name “For Your safety: Stay away from airports and military locations.”

The campaigners aim to reach the civilian inhabitants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as vistors and tourists there, in order to maintain their safety. The activists stressed the need to heed the warnings of the Yemeni army and to take them very seriously.

The campaigners called on all users of social network sites and the internet to participa

https://www.uprising.today/12334-2/

(* B K pS)

Abha missile..Is it the same Russian "Sumar "developed by Iranian?

Over the years of the war, the Houthis did not declare the development of any missile system under the name of "Cruise", or launch the rocket on Gulf targets, with the exception of a single rocket late 2017, they said in their announcement then that it was launched on a UAE nuclear facility, after a successful missile test in late August in the same year.

"Al-Masdar Online" have tracked the news sites and group leaders pages, we used the Google Custom Search feature, but the result was different from what the Houthis claimed. They did not announce any attack or missile experiment in the name of "Cruise", but they announced--then--by a letter to the group's leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi in mid-August that they had launched a missile in the direction of the UAE, without mentioning any further details of the attack.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/168513

(* A K)

Militärkoalition: Saudi-Arabien fängt Drohnen der Huthi-Rebellen ab

Saudi-Arabien hat am Freitag nach Militärangaben fünf Drohnen der mit dem Iran verbündeten jemenitischen Huthi-Rebellen abgefangen. Die unbemannten Drohnen seien auf dem Weg zum Flughafen von Abha und zur nahegelegenen Stadt Chamis Muschait im Südwesten Saudi-Arabiens abgefangen und zerstört worden, teilte die von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Militärkoalition mit, die im Jemen gegen die Huthi-Rebellen kämpft. Opfer wurden nicht gemeldet. Der Flughafenbetrieb laufe normal, hieß es.

http://www.dtoday.de/startseite/politik_artikel,-Militaerkoalition-Saudi-Arabien-faengt-Drohnen-der-Huthi-Rebellen-ab-_arid,670918.html

und auch https://www.vol.at/saudi-arabien-fing-drohnen-der-houthi-rebellen-ab/6250018

(* A K pH)

Army fires drones "Kasf -2 " on Abha International Airport

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news539091.htm

and

(A K pH)

Army targeting air navigation radars at Abha airport: Army' spokesman

The spokesman of the armed forces Brigadier- General Yahya Sarie on Friday considered the attacked operations on Abha International Airports hit air navigation radars in Abah' airports.

The spokesman denied in statement to Saba news agency, The claims of the Saudi regime to intercept drones airplanes which the army carried out attacked in Abha airport ,but the Army' spokesman considered that the shelling hit the targets directly

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news539112.htm

and also https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/armed-forces-spokesman-reveals-details-of-the-second-offensive-on-abha-airport/

(* A K)

Yemen's Houthis, in tit-for-tat, launch fresh attacks against Saudi Abha airport

Yemen’s Houthi group carried out new drone strikes on a Saudi airport on Friday after a series of air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition against the capital Sanaa, residents and both sides of Yemen’s war said.

The Iran-aligned group said it has launched several drone strikes against Abha regional airport in southern Saudi Arabia, the Houthi television channel reported, two days after it claimed responsibility for a missile attack against the same airport.

It was unclear if there were any casualties following Friday’s drone strikes.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/yemens-houthis-in-tit-for-tat-launch-fresh-attacks-against-saudi-abha-airport-idUSKCN1TE0RB

and

(* A K)

Saudi air defense intercepts five Houthi drones: SPA

Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces intercepted five drones launched by Yemen’s Houthis at Abha airport and the city of Khamis Mushait, a Saudi-led coalition spokesman said in a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency early on Friday.

The air traffic and air space at Abha airport were operating normally, the statement added.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-drone/saudi-air-defense-intercepts-five-houthi-drones-spa-idUSKCN1TF052

and also, with Saudicoalition statement quoted: http://www.arabnews.com/node/1510641/saudi-arabia

and

(A K pH)

Sare’e: Qasef-2K Drones Targeted Air Traffic Control Radar at Abha Airport

Qasef-2K drones, that hit Abha International Airport early Friday, successfully targeted air traffic control radar, Armed Forces Spokesman Brigadier General Yahia Sare’e has revealed, pointing out that the Yemeni response operations are continuing as long as the aggression siege continued on Yemen.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7366

and

(A K pH)

MOHAMMED ABDEL SALAM COMMENTS ON MISSILE ATTACK ON SAUDI ABHA AIRPORT

“The continued aggression, blockade, the closure of Sanaa Airport, rejection of a political solution and the peaceful choice make it imperative for our people to defend themselves,” Mohamed Abdel Salam said on Twitter.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/mohammed-abdel-salam-comments-on-missile-attack-on-saudi-abha-airport/

(A K P)

Saudi Arabia/UAE: Join Landmine Ban Treaty

Mine Clearance in Yemen is Just Step One

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should go beyond supporting mine clearance efforts in Yemen and renounce all use of these indiscriminate weapons by joining the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, Human Rights Watch said today ahead of a June 13, 2019 seminar on the humanitarian impact of landmines in Yemen.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition conducting military operations in Yemen has used ground-fired and air-dropped cluster munitions there since 2015, killing and wounding civilians.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/13/saudi-arabia/uae-join-landmine-ban-treaty

(A K pH)

Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Razih border district

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7340

(A K pS)

Another Non-Human Crime of Al-Houthis in Al-Dalia

In Owaish and Hobail Al-Tirma, south west of Kataba, Al-Houthis randomly bombarded civilian districts with 23 mm artillery and mortar shells causing serious to mild injuries among civilians.

https://en.smanews.org/another-non-human-crime-of-al-houthis-in-al-dalia

(A K pS)

New Military Units of the Southern Transitional Council Join the Southern Armed Forces in Al-Dalia

https://en.smanews.org/new-military-units-of-the-southern-transitional-council-join-the-southern-armed-forces-in-al-dalia

(* B K pS)

TIMELINE: Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen have attacked Saudi Arabia's territory, killing and injuring civilians in the process, often to international condemnation.

Here is a look at other incidents of terror perpetrated by the Houthis against the Kingdom.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1510206/saudi-arabia

My comment: By a Saudi news site. Well, this is quite a backfiring argument: The first incident noted here is May 5, 2015 – while Saudi Arabia had started bombing Northern Yemen on March 26, 2015.

(* A K P)

Targeting Abha airport comes within framework of self-defense, legitimate response to aggression: Army' spokesman

The spokesman of the armed forces Brigadier- General Yahya Sarie on Wednesdayconsidered targeting Abha Airport with a cruise missile, comes within framework of self-defense , legitimate response to aggression and siege, the targeting and closure of Yemeni airports for nearly five years without any response to all political and humanitarian attempts.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538959.htm

and

(A K pH P)

[Sanaa gov.] Transport Ministry: When it Comes to Saudi Airports, Saudis Recognize, Targeting Airports Is War Crime

An official source in the Ministry of Transport said that the Yemeni army's targeting of Abha airport is the only solution to help open the Sana'a International Airport, which was closed by the Saudi-led aggression since 9 August 2016 and to stop the aggression against the Yemeni people.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7359

(* A K)

Huthi-Rebellen greifen saudischen Flughafen an

Die schiitischen Aufständischen im Jemen haben eine Rakete auf den internationalen Airport von Abha in Saudi-Arabien abgefeuert. Mindestens 26 Zivilisten, darunter Frauen und Kinder, werden verletzt.

Das Geschoss schlug in der Ankunftshalle des Flughafens ein, der im Südwesten Saudi-Arabiens etwa 120 Kilometer von der Grenze zum Bürgerkriegsland Jemen liegt. Acht der Verletzten mussten ins Krankenhaus gebracht werden, wie der Sprecher der von Saudi-Arabien angeführten Militärkoalition, Turki al-Malki, mitteilte. Er kündigte eine "entschlossene Antwort" an. Auch der Sender der Huthi-Rebellen, Masirah TV, meldete den Angriff.

https://www.dw.com/de/huthi-rebellen-greifen-saudischen-flughafen-an/a-49150442

und auch https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/saudi-arabien-26-verletzte-bei-raketenangriff-auf-flughafen-a-1272043.html

https://www.nzz.ch/international/huthi-rebellen-im-jemen-greifen-flughafen-in-saudiarabien-an-ld.1488401

und

(* A K)

Rebellen-Rakete trifft Saudi-Flughafen

Die Saudis teilten hingegen mit, mittlerweile laufe am Airport wieder alles normal. Sechs der acht ins Krankenhaus eingelieferten Verletzten seien schon wieder entlassen worden.

https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/saudi-arabien-huthi-rakete-trifft-flughafen-von-abha-26-verletzte-62571648.bild.html

(* A K pH)

Army shells Cruise missile at Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538862.htm

and

(* A K pH)

Sare’e: Cruise Missile Destroys Control Tower at Abha Airport

Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahia Sare’e on Wednesday confirmed that the cruise missile, which was launched today at Abha airport, targeted the control tower and hit its target with high accuracy.

"Cruise missile hit the control tower directly, destroying it and getting it out of service," he said, pointing to the halting of the air traffic around the airport.

"The latest American systems could not intercept the missile. This strike spread panic and fear among enemies and caused a great confusion in their side,” Sare’e added.

Brigadier Sare'e explained that this targeting is part of the legitimate response to the aggression's crimes and its unjust siege on the Yemeni people

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7333

and

(* A K pS)

Command of the Joint Forces of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: A terrorist act targets Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport

Colonel Turki Almalki, the official spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said that at (02:21 am) Wednesday morning a hostile projectile fired by Houthi militia hit the arrivals hall at Abha International Airport in Asir Province in southwestern Saudi Arabia, through which thousands of civilian passengers of different nationalities pass daily.

A total of 26 civilian passengers of different nationalities were injured by the projectile, including three (3) women (Yemeni, Indian, Saudi) and two (2) Saudi children, Colonel al-Maliki said, citing the tally up to the time of preparation of this statement.
Eight cases were transferred to hospital for treatment for moderate injuries, while 18 were treated at the site for minor injuries. There was also some physical damage to the airport lounge.

Colonel Almalki said that the military and security forces are working to determine the type of projectile used in the terrorist attack, at a time when the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia, claimed through its media full responsibility for this terrorist attack saying it used a cruise missile, which constitutes a clear recognition and full responsibility for targeting civilians and civilian objects that are subject to special protection under international humanitarian law, and thus could amount to a war crime of targeting civilians and civilian objects in a systematic manner.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1933698

and reports by Western media:

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/06/12/yemen-houthis-attack-abha-airport-saudi-arabia/

and also https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48608213

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-airport/houthi-missile-attack-on-saudi-airport-wounds-26-saudi-led-coalition-idUSKCN1TD0WS

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-airport/yemens-houthis-strike-saudi-airport-coalition-vows-to-retaliate-idUSKCN1TD0WS

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/12/yemen-houthi-rebel-missile-attack-injures-26-saudi-airport

and by Saudi media:

http://alriyadhdaily.com/article/f7da2539bc134995ba63c84a58b87fe7

Satellite imaginary: https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1138596998481940483

Film: https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/video-the-yemeni-missile-force-hits-abha-international-airport/ = https://twitter.com/almortadha_/status/1138604559566364674

more photos, film: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7136443/Saudi-air-strikes-hit-near-Yemen-capital-day-missile-attack-Saudi-Arabian-airport.html

Film by Reuters: http://www.reuters.tv/v/PQ6q/2019/06/14/yemen-s-houthis-strike-saudi-airport-again

My comment: Why this should be a “terrorist act”? If, then all Saudi coalition air raids in Yemen will be “terrorist acts” also… Well, in all cases when targeting civilian targets, they actually are. And if the Houthis are a “terrorist militia”, the Saudi army is the same.

And

(* A K P)

Saudis Release Dramatic Video Of "Iran-Ordered" Houthi Missile Attack On Airport Terminal

Saudi Arabia has released CCTV footage of this week's previously reported Yemeni Houthi missile attack on a civilian airport terminal in the southern part of the kingdom.

The Houthi airport attack now takes on even bigger significance given Thursday morning's dramatic tanker incident. Likely it will be used by Saudi and US officials to build a case against Iran, ultimately to pin responsibility for the tanker incident on Tehran's leadership as well.

The shocking CCTV footage from Abha International Airport was published by the Saudi/UAE outlet Al-Arabiya. (links to films)

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-06-13/saudis-release-dramatic-video-iran-ordered-houthi-missile-attack-airport-terminal

And

(* A K)

Shrapnel, fire in Saudi airport passenger hall after missile strike

When media visited the airport on Thursday, it smelled of fresh paint. The flat bitumen roof of the arrivals hall had been patched up, but scorch marks could be seen.

“While we were sitting we heard a noise and then saw fire and the blast threw me far,” said Assiri, a 33-year-old Saudi.

Um Karim’s son-in-law said that the explosion shook the car as the family came to pick her up. “I was scared there would be a second blast,”

“The fact that civilians have been injured (in Abha) puts additional pressure on the Saudis to respond to this attack. This just adds more fuel to the fire,” said Jean-Marc Rickli, a defence expert at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-saudi-airport/shrapnel-fire-in-saudi-airport-passenger-hall-after-missile-strike-idUKKCN1TE2GV

And

(A)

#Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation says aviation at Abha International Airport was normal (photos)

https://twitter.com/aawsat_eng/status/1138754484044218369

and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LbsQqtwLu4

My comment: Exact dates of footage?

And

(A K P)

UAE condemns attack

The UAE has condemned the Houthi missile attack targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport

The UAE strongly denounced such terrorist act, which is a new proof of Houthi’s hostile and terrorist approaches that seek to undermine the regional security and stability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation renewed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia

https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/coalition-condemns-yemens-al-houthi-attack-on-saudi-airport-injuring-26-1.1560332330002

and

(* A K P)

HRW: Yemen: Attack on Saudi Airport Apparent War Crime

Houthis Strike Civilian Infrastructure, Reportedly Injuring 26

Houthi forces in Yemen attacked a Saudi civilian airport on June 12, 2019, in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. Commanders who order deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on civilian objects are responsible for war crimes.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/06/14/yemen-attack-saudi-airport-apparent-war-crime

Comment: Will #Yemen-is be allowed to investigate their own alleged crimes like the Saudis?

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2326291624090521

Comment by Judith Brown: All sides in this war are committing war crimes and not just the Houthis but the media definitely are more likely to report war crimes committed by the Houthis than those by the Saudi led coalition and other Yemeni militias

https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10157658650508641

(A K P)

International condemnation of Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport

UAE said the act was proof of the Houthi militia’s attempts to undermine regional security

US Embassy in Saudi Arabia condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi militia attack which 'targeted innocent civilians'

Leaders from around the Arab world have condemned a Houthi missile attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1509916/saudi-arabia

My comment:While Saudi coalition air raids against Yemen are more horrible and are backed by those who are lamenting now.

And

(B K P)

Missile attack on Abha airport could be game changer for Yemen’s army: Analyst

A recent retaliatory missile attack by Yemeni armed forces on a Saudi airport could be a “game changer” in the ongoing Saudi-led war against the impoverished Arab country, says an American analyst.

“What the missile strike on the airport shows is that Yemen has been able to successfully defend itself against the ongoing attacks that are being waged by the coalition,” Keith Preston, director of Attackthesystem.com, told Press TV on Wednesday.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/12/598350/Yemen-Abha-missile-

My comment: Wait and see; this is somewhat too early.

And

(* B K)

Yemen's Houthi Rebels Are Now Striking Saudi Arabia With Cruise Missiles

The weapon is only the latest relatively advanced addition to the Iranian-backed rebel group's already extensive missile and drone arsenal.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for an apparent cruise missile strike on an airport in neighboring Saudi Arabia. The group has released video showing its fighters launching a missile that is visually similar to Iran's Soumar ground-launched cruise missile. The footage offers additional evidence that the Yemeni militants' arsenal, which already contains suicide drones and short-range ballistic missiles, has expanded to include another relatively advanced weapon system.

The Houthis do not appear to have ascribed a name to the weapon in question, but externally it looks like Iran's Soumar, which itself appears to be a ground-launched derivative of the Soviet-era Kh-55 air-launched cruise missile

It is unclear if the Yemeni missile is a locally assembled clone of the Iranian missile or a direct import straight from Iran

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/28500/yemens-houthi-rebels-are-now-striking-saudi-arabia-with-cruise-missiles

(A K pH)

In Sa'ada, Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Razih and Munabbih border districts.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7325

(A K pH)

Army launches 3 Zilzal-1 missiles on Saudi-paid mercenaries' gatherings in Asir

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538856.htm

My remark: On Saudi territory.

(A K pH)

Army kills, injures dozens of mercenaries, a military vehicle destroys in Najran

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538855.htm

My remark: On Saudi territory.

(A K pH)

NEW CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN IN DHALEA PROVINCE

Two children were killed on Monday and another one injured in US-backed Saudi-led coalition’s bombing on Dhalea province, a military source said.

The mercenaries shelled the victims’ home in al-Jabjab village of Qaataba district, the source added.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/new-crime-against-children-in-dhalea-province/

A K pH)

Army fires drone on base of King Khalid in Asir

The army fired a number of aircraft Qasaf K2 tarageted the King Khaled Air Base at Khamis Mushait. [Saudi Arabia]

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news538759.htm

and more https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=7318

and

(A K)

Saudi Arabia Repels 2 Drones Launched By Houthi Rebels at Military Air Base in South

Saudi Arabia's air defense forces intercepted two drones launched by insurgents from the Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, on its military air base on the southern border, the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman said.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201906111075786764-saudi-arabia-repels-houthi-drones-military-air-base/

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(-)

Five Years in Yemen: A Discounted Religion / Spirituality eBook

Five Years in Yemen (A Titus Ray Thriller Series Book 5)($0.99) by Luana Ehrlich: CIA covert operative Titus Ray discovers Jacob Levin, a missing American military scientist, has been working for the Saudis in Yemen. Is he a traitor or a patriot? It hardly matters. Titus is ordered to find him and bring him home before he gives away America’s secrets. “I recommend these books for all who enjoy good clean fiction” – Reviewer.

https://www.bargainbooksy.com/2019/06/15/five-years-in-yemen-a-discounted-religion-spirituality-ebook/

My comment: propaganda by fiction.

(A)

Desert Locust situation update 13 June 2019

High risk of migration from spring to summer breeding areas where early rains have started

In Yemen, adult groups are laying eggs in the interior south of Marib. Mature swarms were seen in the past few days in the highlands near Sana'a and there was one report of mature swarm nearly reaching Suq Abs on the northern Red Sea coast. Control operations are not possible. Some adult groups and swarms are likely to remain in the interior and perhaps on the Red Sea coast and breed while others could move to the Indo-Pakistan border.

http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/info/info/index.html

(-)

Culture of Yemen photos

https://www.shutterstock.com/de/search/culture+of+yemen

(B D)

The West knows Yemen’s war and famine. A daughter of immigrants is spreading the word about the country’s cuisine.

“Yemeni cuisine is such a foreign thing to people,” Amjaad Al-Hussain says one Sunday afternoon in February. She’s just finished cooking a batch of adas, a hearty breakfast stew of red lentils, onions and tomatoes, spiced with cumin and coriander.

Al-Hussain, 28, has never actually been to Yemen, which her family fled in the early 1960s for political reasons. “It’s known for its culture, its coffee,” she says. “But today the first thing everyone talks about is the war and famine.”

She knows there’s so much more, especially when it comes to the cuisine.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/The-West-knows-Yemen-s-war-and-famine-A-daughter-13989134.php = https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/nation-and-world/the-west-knows-yemens-war-and-famine-a-daughter-of-immigrants-is-spreading-the-word-about-its-cuisine-20190614 = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/06/13/the-west-knows-yemens-war-and-famine-a-daughter-of-immigrants-is-spreading-the-word-about-its-cuisine/

(B D)

Symposium Yemen and Syria: making art today, British Museum_Shubbak Festival 2019

In this symposium, artists, curators and scholars investigate the current status and future of art and culture from the point of view of artists working inside these countries as well as those who are presently living elsewhere

https://www.academia.edu/39530210/Symposium_Yemen_and_Syria_making_art_today_British_Museum_Shubbak_Festival_2019?email_work_card=thumbnail

(-)

Photos from Socotra here.

https://www.instagram.com/socotra_fans/?igshid=107fxr5v9ooey

(-)

Photos: I was so annoyed when someone today told me they thought #Yemen was some arid, dry, Sahara (thanks to Disney romanticism of Arabia). Dude, my country is breathtakingly gorgeous with its green mountains, lush valleys, and pearly beaches.

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1138484808311607296

(-)

Photo: And this greeny morning comes from Ibb with peace. Who loves the green?!

https://twitter.com/HanaalShowafi/status/1138320634553888768

(A)

Cyclone Vayu Expected to Hit Coast of Aden in the Coming Hours

The National Meteorological centre in Aden announced that cyclone Vayu which formed in the southeast of the Arabian Sea is likely to develop into a tropical storm within the next few hours.

The cyclone which is expected to slam along the western Indian coasts and north-west towards Pakistan, as well as the Omani coast, will carry damaging winds and flood rain.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/7457

cp19a USA bereitet Krieg gegen Iran vor / The US is preparing war against Iran

Siehe / Look at cp9, cp19b

(** B K P)

Attacking Iran Would Unleash Chaos on the Middle East

There is little doubt that Osama bin Laden would have loved to see the United States attack and overthrow another of Al Qaeda's enemies, this time the Shia mullahs of Iran.

Undeterred by decades of carnage and the disastrous outcomes of prior conflicts, ideologues within the Trump administration are clamoring for military action against Iran. The exact basis for this escalation varies. Common among the allegations are concerns over Iran’s civilian nuclear program, in spite of Iranian compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the Iran nuclear deal) and their Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. Other pro-intervention voices decry Iran’s alleged sponsorship of terror organizations or cite a general concern for U.S. interests in the region as a pretext for action. This view of the Iranian regime is overly narrow and ahistorical. Iran is a conservative state in a region otherwise awash in radicalism. Any military action undertaken by the United States or its allies against the regime in Tehran will represent a grave error.

Sponsorship of terror organizations or extremist groups is a hallmark of nearly all Middle Eastern states

Despite being rebuffed by George W. Bush’s “Axis of Evil” speech, the Iranians nevertheless doubled down on their commitment to positive bilateral relations with the United States.

From the cache of documents removed from the Abbottabad residence of al Qaeda’s slain leader, Osama bin Laden, it is known through translated correspondence that many members of the terror group who attempted to flee into Iran after the United States invaded Afghanistan were arrested by Iranian military and intelligence services

Figures such as former CIA director and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and organizations like the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), still insist that an operational relationship exists between Iran and Al Qaeda. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as claims like these are a staple in pre-war propaganda campaigns. In reality, as the detailed analysis of the records from Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound by West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) shows, relations between al Qaeda and Iran have been consistently antagonistic.

An American military campaign against Iran would only succeed at great cost. The Iranian military is better organized and equipped than many countries in the region.

The Trump administration can recognize Iran for its potential in stabilizing the Middle East or can replicate past U.S. mistakes, solidifying this nation’s role as the foremost agent of global chaos – by Robert Gaines

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/attacking-iran-would-unleash-chaos-middle-east-62582

(* B K P)

Film: US - IRAN Crisis Enemies change, rhetoric stays the same

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1140014756876705792

(A K P)

US Sends New US Destroyer to Gulf, Pentagon Says ’No interest’ in New War

The US has dispatched another warship to the Gulf of Oman, but says it has “no interest” in engaging in a new Middle East conflict.

Guided missile destroyer USS Mason will join the destroyer USS Bainbridge on station near the Kokuka Courageous, a damaged tanker just outside the Gulf, the US Central Command [CENTCOM] said on Thursday, adding that “Iranian small boats” were spotted in the area.

The Florida-based combat command called the attacks on tankers “a clear threat to international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce.”

“We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East,” CENTCOM added.

https://www.english.almanar.com.lb/759167

(* B K P)

Audio: War with Iran? A Closer Look at US Strategy

Today they focus on the Middle East oil tanker attack and escalation between the US and Iran

Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran, joins the show.

https://sputniknews.com/radio_loud_and_clear/201906151075880003-war-with-iran-a-closer-look-at-us-strategy/

(** A B P)

The Maximum Pressure Campaign Presses Toward War

The statement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the latest incident involving tankers in the Gulf of Oman is questionable on multiple counts, beginning with his immediate, semi-automatic attribution of responsibility to Iran.

Pompeo’s listing of the reasons behind what he labeled as the “assessment of the United States Government” regarding Iranian responsibility is curious in other respects. One of Pompeo’s reasons is “recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping”—an apparent reference to an incident in May in which four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates sustained mysterious minor damage. The reasoning is circular. That incident is still shrouded in uncertainty as well, despite immediate blaming of Iran by the U.S. administration.

Pompeo gave as another reason “the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication.” Why just “proxy groups”? Why not states, especially given that there are other states in the region that would be only too happy to stoke tensions between the United States and Iran?

Despite the continued uncertainty, Iran may well have been the perpetrator. Assume for the moment what the administration wants everyone to assume, which is that the Iranian regime attacked the ships. It is in asking why Iran might have done so that Pompeo’s statement is most questionable.

Twice Pompeo applied the term unprovoked to Iranian actions (“40 years of unprovoked aggression against freedom-loving nations” and “these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security”).

“Unprovoked”? The Trump administration reneged completely over a year ago on U.S. commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the multilateral agreement that has restricted Iran’s nuclear program and closed all possible paths to a nuclear weapon. Since then the administration has waged economic warfare on Iran, despite Iran continuing for a whole year to observe its obligations under the JCPOA.

The current spike in tensions, including incidents involving oil tankers, is a direct and unsurprising result of the Trump administration’s failed “maximum pressure” campaign. There is no reason to believe, and nothing in the record of the last couple of decades to suggest, that Iran would be doing anything like sabotaging someone else’s oil tankers if the United States had abided by its commitments and used diplomacy over the last couple of years to address any issues it has with Iran. No one in the United States likes to agree with observations by Iranian leaders, but when those leaders point out that Iran has not used its armed forces to commit acts of aggression against its regional neighbors, it is hard to refute their observation. The same cannot be said of certain other regional states.

If Iran sabotaged those tankers in the Gulf of Oman in response to the economic assault, it would be just as reactive as other Iranian actions in the region.

Pompeo asserted in his statement, “On April 22nd, Iran promised the world that it would interrupt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.” No, Iran didn’t promise that. What an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander actually said was that Iran would block the Strait of Hormuz if Iran was not able to use the waterway to export its own oil.

Again, the Iranians were reactive, in this case to U.S. escalation of hostility and infliction of major material harm to Iran.

If President Trump really doesn’t want a war with Iran, he must recognize that diplomacy doesn’t just mean one side demanding and the other side complying. He also needs to recognize that the maximum pressure campaign has failed to bring about a “better deal,” to change Iranian behavior for the better, or to hurt the Iranian regime beyond the ordinary Iranians the administration claims to want to help. The campaign instead is destroying one of the more effective nuclear nonproliferation achievements in recent years and is now provoking reactions that, in places like the Gulf of Oman, make a new war more likely than before – by Paul R. Pillar

https://lobelog.com/the-maximum-pressure-campaign-presses-toward-war/

(** A B P)

Seven Reasons To Be Highly Skeptical Of The Gulf Of Oman Incident

In a move that surprised exactly zero people, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has wasted no time scrambling to blame Iran for damage done to two sea vessels in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, citing exactly zero evidence.

“This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high-degree of sophistication,” Pompeo told the press in a statement.

“The United States will defend its forces, interests, and stand with our partners and allies to safeguard global commerce and regional stability. And we call upon all nations threatened by Iran’s provocative acts to join us in that endeavor,” Pompeo concluded before hastily shambling off, taking exactly zero questions.

Here are seven reasons to be extremely skeptical of everything Pompeo said:

  1. Pompeo is a known liar, especially when it comes to Iran.
  2. The US empire is known to use lies and false flags to start wars.
  3. John Bolton has openly endorsed lying to advance military agendas.
  4. Using false flags to start a war with Iran is already an established idea in the DC swamp.

Back in 2012 at a forum for the Washington Institute Of Near East Policy think tank, the group’s Director of Research Patrick Clawson openly talked about the possibility of using a false flag to provoke a war with Iran, citing the various ways the US has done exactly that with its previous wars.

5. The US State Department has already been running psyops to manipulate the public Iran narrative.

6. The Gulf of Oman narrative makes no sense.

One of the ships damaged in the attacks was Japanese-owned, and the other was bound for Japan. This happened just as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Tehran attempting to negotiate a de-escalation between the US and Iran with Trump’s blessing , and just after Iran had released a prisoneraccused of conducting espionage for the US in what many took to be a gesture of good faith.

Iran has been conducting itself with remarkable restraint in the face of relentless sanctions and provocations from the US and its allies; it wouldn’t make much sense for it to suddenly abandon that restraint with attacks on sea vessels, then rescue their crew, then deny perpetrating the attacks, during a time of diplomatic exchanges and while trying to preserve the nuclear dealwith Europe.

7. Even if Iran did perpetrate the attack, Pompeo would still be lying -by Caitlin Johnstone

https://medium.com/@caityjohnstone/seven-reasons-to-be-highly-skeptical-of-the-gulf-of-oman-incident-48958389f53e?fbclid=IwAR3T5sT_6yTd81srzifk5rLJSoiCqfui4pWUgehaO4_UH474kEdst4Bl1B4

(* A P)

Trump news: President lashes out at ‘nation of terror’ Iran over oil tanker attacks and questions ex-adviser’s Mueller evidence

Donald Trump has insisted that Iran is responsible for an attack on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, after the Pentagon released night-vision footage of what it says is an Iranian navy boat retrieving an unexploded mine from the hull of one of the targets.

Phoning in to Fox and Friends for an interview on his 73rd birthday, the president said: ”Iran did do it. You know they did it because you saw the boat.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-news-live-iran-tanker-attack-impeachment-mueller-sarah-sanders-leaving-a8958331.html

My comment: This man simply is an idiot.

(A P)

KSA to Security Council: We and ‏Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen will Take Urgent Measures to Deter and Hold Accountable those Responsible for Planning and Execution of Terrorist Attack on Abha Airport

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has confirmed that it and coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen will take urgent and timely measures to deter such the terrorist attack of the Iran-backed Houthi militia on Abha International Airport in Asir province.
This came in a letter sent by the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Moallemi, Thursday, to the UN Security Council following the attack.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1934374

(A P)

US envoy: Iran must stop using Syria to threaten regional neighbors

Speaking to Al Arabiya English from Jordan’s Dead Sea region, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn said there was a consensus between Washington, the European Union and the Arab world on pressuring Iran to stop using Syria as a platform to threaten regional neighbors.

“The Iranian regime is absolutely isolated on this question, that idea that the Iranian regime would use Syria in order to establish power projection platforms that it can use to threaten Syria’s neighbors in an unprecedentedly destabilizing way,” Rayburn said.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2019/04/08/US-envoy-Iran-must-stop-using-Syria-to-threaten-regional-neighbors.html

My comment: Nice propaganda. In Syria, Iran acts on request of the legitimate government.

(* B P)

Wie es im Iran-Konflikt weitergehen könnte

Deutschlands Versuch, zwischen dem Iran und den USA zu vermitteln, ist gescheitert. Alle Optionen liegen wieder auf dem Tisch – drei Szenarien.

Nach den Titelseiten der iranischen Presse vom Dienstag zu urteilen, war die Vermittlungsmission von Außenminister Heiko Maas im Streit zwischen Teheran und Washington ein Fehlschlag.

Eine weitere Eskalation ist deshalb denkbar, auch wenn keine der beiden Seiten einen Krieg wirklich will.

Ein Konflikt würde sich wahrscheinlich rasch ausbreiten

IRANS KAPITULATION

Diese Variante wäre den Amerikanern am liebsten. Unter dem Druck der US-Sanktionen könnte die iranische Führung über Vermittler wie den japanischen Ministerpräsidenten Shinzo Abe, der an diesem Mittwoch in Teheran erwartet wird, ihre Zustimmung zu amerikanischen Forderungen signalisieren.

DEESKALATION

In dieser Situation könnte es beiden Seiten am klügsten erscheinen, den Streit abkühlen zu lassen und auf Zeit zu spielen.

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/eskalation-deeskalation-kapitulation-wie-es-im-iran-konflikt-weitergehen-koennte/24445586.html

Mein Kommentar: Maas ist ein politisches Fliegengewicht; wer hätte ernsthaft an Maas als „Vermittler“ im Nahen Osten glauben können?

Siehe auch https://www.sn-online.de/Nachrichten/Politik/Deutschland-Weltweit/Nach-Maas-Nahost-Mission-Die-Rettung-des-Weltfriedens-ist-vertagt

(* B P)

Sanktionskrieg um Iran

Außenminister Heiko Maas (SPD) droht Teheran mit internationaler Isolierung. Maas war am gestrigen Montag in der iranischen Hauptstadt mit Außenminister Mohammad Javad Zarif und mit Staatspräsident Hassan Rohani zusammengetroffen, um über Optionen zur Bewahrung des Atomabkommens zu sprechen. Zarif, dessen Land den Vertrag bislang einhält, fordert, der Westen müsse dasselbe tun und die Sanktionen beenden: "Der einzige Weg zu einer Entspannung und Deeskalation ist der Stopp dieses Wirtschaftskrieges". Tatsächlich bricht die iranische Wirtschaft unter dem Druck der US-Sanktionen immer stärker ein; die Bevölkerung leidet unter dramatisch gestiegenen Lebensmittelpreisen und unter deutlich spürbarem Mangel an Medikamenten. Berlin geht es im Kampf um die Rettung des Nuklearabkommens vor allem darum, Expansionsinteressen der deutschen Wirtschaft zu bedienen und sich gegenüber den USA weltpolitisch zu profilieren. Maas hat gestern eingeräumt, das von Berlin mitgegründete Finanzvehikel INSTEX werde keinen adäquaten Ersatz für die Sanktionsverluste schaffen, und geht nun zu Drohungen über.

https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/news/detail/7962/

cp19b Weitere Spannungen im Mittleren Osten / More tensions in the Middle East

For the US statement, Sec. Pompeo: Also look at cp19a

(* B P)

Film, Text: Sunniten vs. Schiiten: Ein Glaubenskrieg im Nahen Osten?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oev--Pw9dvA

(* A K P)

The United Kingdom will send elite forces to the Gulf of Oman to protect its warships amid rising tensions with Iran, according to The Sunday Times.

One hundred Royal Marines are expected to be deployed “within weeks” to join naval ships operating from the U.K.'s new naval base in Bahrain, The Sunday Times reported, citing unnamed military sources.

The Marines will police the strait from helicopters and smaller boats, in a “force protection” mission that has been planned for several weeks due to rising tensions with Iran, according to the newspaper.

Yet the British defense ministry sought to downplay the move, telling The Sunday Times: “This is a pre-planned training deployment and is in no way related to the ongoing situation in the Gulf of Oman."

https://www.politico.eu/article/britain-marines-persian-gulf-iran-tensions-oil-tanker-attacks

(B P)

IRAN’S LEADER OF THE REVOLUTION RECOMMENDS FOUR STEPS FOR CONFRONTING THE US

In a private meeting with the Iranian leadership, the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, recommended a four-step plan to confront US sanctions and US threats to Iran.

The first step suggested by Sayyed Ali Khamenei is for Iran to develop its resources and reduce imports to a minimum level in the years to come. I

The second recommendation is for Iran to behave on the premise that it has no loyal and established friends. The Leader of the revolution indicated that relationships with countries should be based on mutual interest rather than strategically established

The third recommendation would be to ease domestic pressure on all political parties, including reformers (Mehdi karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard).

https://ejmagnier.com/2019/06/13/irans-leader-of-the-revolution-recommends-four-steps-for-confronting-the-us/

(* B P)

How Iran and Saudi Arab could bring peace in Middle East

Iran and Saudi Arab, the two major Middle Eastern powers, could stabilize the volatile region if they unite their collective efforts for the same cause.

Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran have rarely been worse, regarding the attacks on the oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman – for which both sides blame each other. Nevertheless, in the history of relations between the two countries, there have been regular shifts between tension and rapprochement – and things can change for the better once again.

As an Iranian and a Saudi, working as research fellows for peace studies, we believe it is time that our two countries seek to manage the conflict, improve their dialogue and begin the peace building process. And we are hopeful that this could happen.

But how? Peace cannot be achieved overnight; it requires a range of factors to strengthen diplomatic ties and decrease the level of enmity between the two states. First, we suggest both states’ politicians soften the language in their speeches, altering the hostile rhetoric to a more moderate one. This would open new paths towards a direct and constructive dialogue, reducing the tensions that are affecting the two countries, the region and, potentially, the world.

Direct dialogue between the two regional actors could launch negotiations that may lead to more stability in the region. The existing regional turmoil has had a detrimental impact on relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran over Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Yemen. The [Yemen war], which has caused a [dramatic humanitarian crisis], remains one of the main areas of conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, but it also offers ground for talks between the two states.

Both Saudi Arabia and Iran agree that the conflicts in Yemen and Syria can only be ended through the implementation of political, rather than military, solutions. If Saudi Arabia and Iran can take steps toward political compromises in Syria and Yemen, this subsequently will reflect positively on the trust building process.

https://theconversation.com/saudi-and-iran-how-our-two-countries-could-make-peace-and-bring-stability-to-the-middle-east-118696 = https://www.globalvillagespace.com/how-iran-and-saudi-arab-could-bring-peace-in-middle-east/

(B P)

When it comes to Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates insist they don't want a war in the region. Mohammed bin Salman said this in his latest interview. The question remains: why are they fighting in #Yemen and destabilising other Arab states including Libya and Sudan?

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1140158722737627136

(* A P)

The Latest: Yemen's Houthi rebels launch Saudi drone attack

The Latest on developments in the Persian Gulf (all times local):

https://www.aspendailynews.com/associated_press/the-latest-yemen-s-houthi-rebels-launch-saudi-drone-attack/article_50b95164-0359-5956-a0b5-0ae4caaad2fb.html

(* B K P)

Die Allianzen und Feindschaften in der Iran-Krise

Iran

Im Iran ringen Hardliner und Pragmatiker immer noch um den richtigen Kurs im Atomstreit. Die als pragmatisch geltende Regierung rund um Präsident Hassan Ruhani will vor allem Europa mit diplomatischen Mitteln dazu bewegen, Teheran dabei zu helfen, die neuen schweren US-Sanktionen zu umgehen.

Doch diemilitärisch und wirtschaftlich einflussreichen Revolutionsgarden, eine paramilitärische Organisation,sind dagegen. Sie unterstehen dem Religionsführer Khamenei, der im Iran die mächtigste Instanz ist.

[und alle anderen Länder]

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article195309631/Krise-im-Golf-Die-Allianzen-und-Feindschaften-in-der-Iran-Krise.html

(* B K P)

USA-Experte warnt nach Angriff auf Öltanker vor Krieg: „Könnte zu Anschlägen im Westen führen“

Nach den Angriffen auf zwei Öltanker vor dem Oman scheint der Konflikt zwischen den USA und dem Iran zu eskalieren. Wir haben mit dem Amerika-Experten Dr. Andreas Etges über die Hintergründe und Auswirkungen gesprochen.

Der Experte glaubt, dass wahrscheinlich die iranische Revolutionsgarde oder Teile der iranischen Regierung hinter den Angriffen stecken. „Man muss die Angriffe auch in einen größeren Zusammenhang stellen“, sagt er und verweist auf die Kündigung des Atomabkommens durch die USA. „Trump hält es für eins der schlechtesten Abkommen, das je geschlossen wurde. Das liegt auch daran, dass es von seinem Vorgänger (Barack Obama, Anm. d. Red.) gemacht wurde. Er will einen besseren Deal mit dem Iran.“

Wohin kann der Konflikt jedoch führen? Dr. Etges ist sich sicher, dass keine der beiden Seiten einen großen Krieg will. „

In der Regierung Trumps gebe es aber auch Personen, die an einem Konflikt interessiert seien, allen voran Trumps Sicherheitsberater John R. Bolton

Für Dr. Etges gibt es auf beiden Seiten ein Glaubwürdigkeitsproblem: „Wenn sich die iranische Führung unter Druck gesetzt fühlt, muss sie handeln, um ihrer Bevölkerung zu zeigen, dass die USA nicht alles mit ihnen machen kann. Die USA fühlen dann auch den Druck, glaubwürdig zu sein.“ Sie könnten nicht jedes Mal bei internationalen Konflikten schlimme Drohungen aussprechen und dann letztendlich doch nichts machen. „Das ist eine ganz gefährliche Spirale, bei der beide Seiten sich mehr und mehr unter Glaubwürdigkeitsdruck setzen. Das könnte dann auch die Konsequenzen eines eigentlich nicht gewollten Krieges in der Region haben“

Es stellt sich die Frage, aus welchen Gründen die USA überhaupt einen Regimewechsel provozieren wollen. Für den Amerika-Experten liegen die Gründe darin, dass der Iran Terrorgruppen in verschiedenen Teilen des Nahen Ostens finanziert und immer noch ein erklärter Gegner Israels ist.

USA: Bei Iran und Saudi-Arabien wird mit „zweierlei Maß gemessen“

„Da wird mit zweierlei Maß gemessen“, erklärt Etges. Er sieht keine rationale Erklärung für die Interessen an einem Regimewechsel: „Da stecken politische und ideologische Motive dahinter. Da kommen Leute wie Bolton, die immer noch glauben, die USA könnte mit Regierungswechseln Dinge zum Positiven wenden.“

https://www.merkur.de/politik/iran-usa-experte-warnt-nach-angriff-auf-oeltanker-vor-krieg-und-anschlaegen-zr-12469188.html

(** A B K P)

Mutmaßliche Tanker-Angriffe: Was geschah wirklich im Golf von Oman?

Die mysteriösen Zwischenfälle mit zwei Tankern im Golf von Oman haben die Spannungen in der Region weiter verschärft. Die USA machen den Iran verantwortlich, Teheran keilt zurück. Wo sind Beweise?

Nach den mutmaßlichen Attacken auf zwei Tanker im Golf von Oman geht das Rätselraten über die Hintergründe weiter. US-Präsident Donald Trump untermauerte am Freitag (Ortszeit) die US-Sichtweise und sagte in einem Interview mit dem Sender Fox News: "Der Iran hat es getan." Der geschäftsführende US-Verteidigungsminister Patrick Shanahan stellte in Aussicht, die US-Regierung wolle bald weitere Belege für ihre Einschätzung veröffentlichen, um international Konsens in der Frage herzustellen.

Mehrere andere Staaten und internationale Organisationen hielten sich dagegen mit Schuldzuweisungen ausdrücklich zurück und forderten eine genaue Untersuchung der Vorfälle. Der Iran wies jede Schuld von sich.

Saudi-Arabien sprach von "Terroroperationen". Das sunnitische Königshaus sieht im schiitischen Iran einen Erzfeind und Rivalen in der Region und verschärft seit Wochen den Ton gegenüber Teheran. Der Vorwurf lautet, dass der Iran sich in die Angelegenheiten arabischer Länder einmischt und die Region destabilisiert.

Der Iran wies die Anschuldigungen scharf zurück und sprach von grundlosen Unterstellungen. Irans Außenminister Mohammed Dschawad Sarif warf den USAwiederum vor, die Vorfälle als Vorwand zu nehmen. Schon zuvor hatte der Iran angedeutet, dass die USA und ihre Alliierten selbst für die Angriffe verantwortlich sein könnten und sie Teheran in die Schuhe schieben wollten, um einen militärischen Konflikt zu provozieren und einen Regimewechsel im Iran zu erreichen.

Video soll iranisches Schnellboot zeigen

Die US-Regierung hatte kurz nach den Zwischenfällen zur Untermauerung der Vorwürfe gegen den Iran ein Video präsentiert, das nach der Explosion aufgenommen wurde.

Die EU gab sich in Sachen Schuldzuweisungen vorsichtig.

Die britische Regierung stellte sich dagegen an die Seite der USA

Der Fernsehsender CNN meldete am Freitag unter Berufung auf nicht näher genannte Kreise, in den Stunden vor den mutmaßlichen Attacken hätten sich iranische Boote laut Aufnahmen einer amerikanischen Drohne den Tankern genähert. Offizielle Angaben gab es dazu nicht.

https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_85933276/mutmassliche-tanker-angriffe-was-geschah-wirklich-im-golf-von-oman-.html

(* B P)

Demolition Derby in The Gulf

Who is attacking oil tankers in the Gulf between Oman and Iran? So far, the answer is still a mystery.

One thing appears certain. President Donald and his coterie of neocon advisors have been pressing for a major conflict with Iran for months. The US is literally trying to strangle Iran economically and strategically. By now, Israel’s hard right wing dominates US Mideast policy and appears to often call the shots at the White House and Congress.

However, this latest Iran `crisis’ is totally contrived by the Trump administration to punish the Islamic Republic for refusing to follow American tutelage, supporting the Palestinians, and menacing Saudi Arabia.

Many Americans love small wars. They serve as an alternative to football.

A good way to end this growing mess is to fire war-lover and Iran-hater John Bolton, send Mike Pompeo back to bible school, and tell Iran and Saudi Arabia to bury the hatchet now. Instead, the White House is talking about providing nuclear capability to Saudi Arabia – by Eric S. Margolis

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2019/06/eric-margolis/demolition-derby-in-the-gulf/

(A P)

U.N. chief calls for independent probe into Gulf tanker attacks

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for an independent investigation to establish the facts and who was responsible for attacks on two oil tankers this week in the Gulf of Oman.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-un/un-chief-calls-for-independent-probe-into-gulf-tanker-attacks-idUSKCN1TF24W

(A P)

Iran summons UK envoy over ‘unfounded’ accusations in oil tanker attacks

British ambassador is asked for explanation and correction after UK is only nation to echo US accusations against Tehran

Iran on Saturday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran after London blamed it for attacks on two oil tankers earlier this week in the Gulf of Oman, the semi-official Students News Agency ISNA reported.

"During the meeting with Iran's foreign ministry officials, Iran strongly condemned the unfounded allegations and criticised Britain's unacceptable stance regarding the attacks in the Gulf of Oman," ISNA said, as quoted by Reuters.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iran-summons-uk-envoy-over-unfounded-accusations-oil-tanker-attacks

(* A P)

Saudi Arabia blames Iran for tanker attacks but doesn't want war

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and called on the international community to take a “decisive stand” but said in an interview published on Sunday that the kingdom does not want a war in the region.

“The Iranian regime did not respect the Japanese prime minister’s visit to Tehran and while he was there replied to his efforts by attacking two tankers, one of which was Japanese,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was quoted as saying in an interview with the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

“The kingdom does not want a war in the region but it will not hesitate to deal with any threats to its people, its sovereignty, or its vital interests,” he said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-crown-prince/saudi-arabia-blames-iran-for-tanker-attacks-but-doesnt-want-war-idUSKCN1TG0NS

and also https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-crown-prince/saudi-crown-prince-calls-for-decisive-stand-on-tanker-attacks-idUSKCN1TG0OU

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-saudi/saudi-crown-prince-blames-iran-for-tanker-attacks-newspaper-idUSKCN1TG0O8

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-crown-prince-accuses-iran-twin-tanker-attacks

My comment: It’s certainly not true that the Saudis do not want war against Iran. It’s just that they hope others (the US, Israel) will do this job.

(* A P)

Saudi seeks oil supply protection as U.S. and Iran face off

Saudi Arabia called for swift action to secure Gulf energy supplies and joined the United States in blaming Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in a vital shipping route that have raised fears of broader confrontation in the region.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said there must be “a rapid and decisive response to the threat” to energy supplies, market stability and consumer confidence, his ministry said on Twitter.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in an interview with Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, blamed Iran and called on the international community to take a “decisive stand” against the attacks.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks/saudi-seeks-oil-supply-protection-as-u-s-and-iran-face-off-idUSKCN1TG0FJ

(A E P)

Saudi urges swift response to secure Gulf energy supplies: ministry

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday there must be a quick response to the threat to energy supplies, market stability and consumer confidence, the energy ministry tweeted, two days after attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-saudi-energy/saudi-urges-swift-response-to-secure-gulf-energy-supplies-ministry-idUSKCN1TG0A7

My comment: He certainly is right, but certainly in a different way than he thinks: Simply let all Gulf countries peacefully export oil (which would include Iran), and finish.

(* A P)

Iranians fired missile at US drone prior to tanker attack, US official says

In the hours before the attack on the two tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, the Iranians spotted a US drone flying overhead and launched a surface-to-air missile at the unmanned aircraft, a US official told CNN.

The missile missed the drone and fell into the water, the official said.

Prior to taking fire, the American MQ-9 Reaper drone observed Iranian vessels closing in on the tankers, the official added, though the source did not say whether the unmanned aircraft saw the boats conducting an actual attack.

Still, it is the first claim that the US has information of Iranian movements prior to the attack.

CNN has not seen any imagery from the US drones.

The same official also said in the days prior to the attack, a US Reaper drone was shot down in the Red Sea by what is believed to be an Iranian missile fired by Houthi rebels.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/14/politics/us-drone-tracked-iranian-boats/index.html

and also https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/06/14/iran-fired-missile-us-drone-prior-tanker-attacks-defense-official.html

and also: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Drone-wars-over-Yemen-and-Gulf-of-Oman-revealed-592638

My comment: What the hell is the job of US fighter drones in these regions??

Comment: Pay attention to how the narrative is changing these days. According to the #JP, 'Iranian air defenses fired at a #US drone that was apparently over international waters off the coast of Iran. Iran may have learned how to confront US drones from their Houthi allies'.

https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/2328334847219532

(B P)

Und die EU ist wie gelähmt

René Heilig über die Brandregion am Golf von Oman

Es gibt keine Beweise, wer hinter den Angriffen auf die Tanker vor Irans Küste steckt. Bislang bleibt also nur die Frage: Wem nützt die Zuspitzung? Wer könnte ein Interesse daran haben, dass die USA und Iran gegeneinander Krieg führen? Schließen wir einmal alle total Durchgeknallten aus, die es in Teheran wie Washington gibt, bleibt die Antwort: Niemand!

Ein Akteur hat jedoch schon jetzt gewonnen: Saudi-Arabien. Der Ölpreis steigt und die USA werden sich eilen, ihren getreuen Verbündeten mit noch mehr Waffen zu unterstützen.

https://www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/1120918.oman-und-die-eu-ist-wie-gelaehmt.html

(? B P)

Seit Jahren bereiten sich Iran und USA auf genau dieses Szenario vor

(Die Welt; nur im Abo). Unten frei, Film:

Washington ist davon überzeugt, dass der Angriff im Golf von Oman unter Anweisung aus Teheran passiert ist. Das US-Zentralkommando hat deutlich gemacht, dass man im Falle eines Angriffs „heftig zurückschlagen“ werde, sagt WELT-Reporter Steffen Schwarzkopf.

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/plus195210771/Brennende-Tanker-im-Golf-Das-Szenario-das-USA-und-Iran-seit-Jahren-vorbereiten.html

(* A B P)

Ein Krieg kann einen Flächenbrand auslösen"

Der Konflikt zwischen den USA und Iran droht zu eskalieren. Im Interview erklärt Politologe Sascha Lohmann, was die Eskalation für die Region bedeutet und wie wahrscheinlich ein Krieg ist.

Sascha Lohmann: Durch die Attacken auf die Öltanker zeigt sich ein Fall, der abzusehen war: Nämlich, dass der Iran und die USA sich in einer Eskalationsspirale befinden. Wer für den Angriff verantwortlich ist, weiß derzeit aber keiner. Die USA haben zwar den Iran beschuldigt, die vorgelegten Beweise – beispielsweise das Video – sind bisher nicht eindeutig. Letztendlich wird der Fall vielleicht nie geklärt werden.

Grundsätzlich hat keine Seite Interesse an einem Krieg. Präsident Trump selbst hatte betont, dass er keinen Krieg will und seinen Nationalen Sicherheitsberater mäßigt. Dass ein US-Flugzeugträger an in den Persischen Golf verlegt wurde, ist eher business as usual. Dennoch können unvorhergesehene Ereignisse jederzeit dazu führen, dass es doch zu einer unkontrollierbaren Eskalation kommt, indem Entscheidungen unter Zeitdruck und auf Grundlage mangelnden Informationen getroffen werden müssten. Zudem gibt es auf beiden Seiten ein tiefes Misstrauen. Es fehlen direkte diplomatische Kanäle, die im Fall einer Eskalationsspirale deeskalierend wirken. Es gibt nur Vermittlungsbemühungen von Dritten wie Japan. Aber die scheinen auch nicht weit gediehen zu sein.

https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_85927036/experte-zu-iran-und-usa-ein-krieg-kann-einen-flaechenbrand-ausloesen-.html

(** A K P)

Iran weist Amerikas Vorwürfe nach den mutmasslichen Öltanker-Angriffen zurück

Schwere Zwischenfälle mit Öltankern im Golf von Oman haben die Spannungen in der Region angeheizt. Für die USA ist kurz danach klar, wer für die mutmasslichen Angriffe auf die Schiffe verantwortlich ist. Dazu legt das amerikanische Militär auch ein «Beweis-Video» vor.

Nach dem mutmasslichen Angriff auf zwei Öltanker im Golf von Oman wächst weltweit die Sorge vor einer Eskalation im Konflikt zwischen den USA und Iran. Der amerikanische Aussenminister Mike Pompeo beschuldigte am Donnerstag Teheran, hinter den Attacken zu stecken.

Iran wies die «haltlose Behauptung» der USA kategorisch zurück. In einer Mitteilung der Vertretung Irans bei den Vereinten Nationen hiess es: «Der ökonomische Krieg und Terrorismus der USA gegen das iranische Volk sowie ihre massive Militärpräsenz in der Region sind weiterhin die Hauptursachen für Unsicherheit und Instabilität in der weiteren Persischen Golfregion.»

Das amerikanische Militär veröffentlichte ein Video, das die iranischen Revolutionsgarden belasten soll. Das amerikanische Zentralkommando Centcom, das die amerikanischen Truppen im Nahen Osten führt, teilte am Donnerstag (Ortszeit) mit, das Video zeige, wie ein Boot der Revolutionsgarden auf den Tanker «Kokuka Courageous» zufahre. Die Personen an Bord des iranischen Schnellbootes vom Typ «Gaschti» seien dabei «beobachtet und aufgenommen» worden, wie sie eine nicht explodierte Haftmine wieder vom Schiffskörper entfernten.

Falls es sich tatsächlich um iranische Angriffe gehandelt haben sollte, könnte dies die Spannungen am Persischen Golf im Zuge der harten amerikanischen Sanktionen gegen Iran weiter eskalieren lassen. Ein weiterer Brennpunkt dabei ist nicht nur die Strasse von Hormuz, sondern auch der Jemen-Krieg.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/medien-berichten-von-angriffen-auf-tanker-im-golf-von-oman-ld.1488671

(* A K P)

Were the Gulf Tanker Strikes a Saudi-Run Operation?

So navigating off the Reuters report below, and others like it in the mainstream media today, there are some obvious takeaways and some big questions.

Right now, the U.S. and the Saudis are pointing fingers at the Iranians. Perhaps but it begs the question, why? Tensions in the region, thanks to the highly inflammatory rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, are already dangerously high.

National Security Adviser and longtime proponent of war with Iran John Bolton is predictably pushing Donald Trump to, for lack of a better phrase, make war on Iran.

The Saudis, who view Iran as a bitter regional rival, are pushing for the same thing. They would love for the U.S. to use its military against its enemy.

Oddly, Trump seems somewhat reluctant to engage Iran militarily. He seems to think he can create the conditions and set the stage for war with Iran and control the factors that might lead to war without going to war. It is a dangerous game that could lead to catastrophic consequences.

The facts as reported below would seem to indicate fairly sophisticated military capabilities, ones normally associated with a nation-state. Based on the economic and military realities of the region, the three most likely suspects are Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

Israel gets thrown in only because they do have the military technology, they are in the region, and they do share the Saudis' fear and contempt of Iran. However, striking Japanese or Norwegian shipping vessels is not the type of thing the Israelis are likely to engage in.

Iran too has the necessary military technology but stands to gain little by damaging or destroying Japanese or Norwegian ships. There is no economic or military logic to support that.

Saudi Arabia does, however, seem to see its strategy of a U.S. war on Iran furthered by these events. Would the Saudis coordinate these strikes? It bears noting that none of their assets were damaged. Of the most likely suspects, the Saudis to seem to have the most to gain.

Right now the U.S. and the Saudis are pointing fingers at the Iranians and the Iranians are pointing fingers at the U.S. and the Saudis. The odds are that the Iranian argument may be stronger – by Marc Ash

https://www.opednews.com/articles/Were-the-Gulf-Tanker-Strik-by-Marc-Ash-Gulf-War-Syndrome_Houthis_Iran_Sanctions-190615-275.html

My comment: This article misses real arguments for the headline’s claim, it’s a quite long sum-up of the whole story.

(* A K P)

Does Not Make Sense’: Fallout From Oil Tanker Attack Benefits Emiratis, Saudis, Not Tehran

In an interview with Radio Sputnik’s Loud and Clear, Mohammed Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran, dismissed the US accusation that Iran was responsible for the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman Thursday, saying Tehran had nothing to gain from such a move.

“There is obviously a great deal of skepticism [in Iran], because the first attack that was carried out about a month ago on a number of ships near the port off the UAE [United Arab Emirates] coast happened almost immediately after [US National Security Adviser John] Bolton said that he had received intelligence from the Israelis that Iran wants to carry out attacks on US interests,” Marandi told hosts John Kiriakou and Brian Becker.

https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201906151075881728-does-not-make-sense-fallout-from-oil-tanker-attack-benefits-emiratis-saudis-not-tehran/

(* A K P)

Audio: Who’s Blowing Up Oil Tankers in the Middle East?

Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Ambassador Peter Ford, the former UK Ambassador to Syria

https://sputniknews.com/radio_loud_and_clear/201906131075853622-whos-blowing-up-oil-tankers-in-the-middle-east/

(** A B K P)

Was Iran Behind the Oman Tanker Attacks? A Look at the Evidence

Internet databases confirm much about the incident, but the Trump administration hasn’t provided convincing evidence of Tehran’s culpability.

There has been considerable cynicism worldwide about American claims that the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday were conducted by Iran.

Could the Gulf of Oman attack be the 21st century version of the Gulf of Tonkin incident?

Thanks to the internet and the range of publicly available information, confirming or denying such an attack has become far easier since the 1960s. A distance of several thousand miles does not mean much today.

With the incident confirmed, the next question was, what happened to the vessels? The United States Central Command gave one answer, publishing a statement

Along with the statement and image a video was published showing what was claimed to be an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Gashti class patrol boat removing the unexploded limpet mine from the hull of the Kokuka Courageous, the implication being it was Iran that placed the mine there and was recovering evidence of its involvement.

Given the political import and the source of the statement, it is necessary to check the claims made. What can we actually see in the American evidence from the Gulf of Oman?

Yet what the videos and photographs published by the United States don’t show us is more important. While the object on the side of the Kokuka Courageous is described as a “likely limpet mine” the images presented aren’t clear enough to verify that.

Nothing presented as evidence proves that the object was placed there by the Iranians. The video shows only that the Iranians chose to remove it for an as yet unknown reason.

This is especially important in light of a statement by Yukata Katada, the president of the operator of the Kokuka Courageous, that the crew had reported that the ship was attacked by a “flying object.” Mr. Katada added, “I do not think there was a time bomb or an object attached to the side of the ship.”

While we cannot be sure whether this is a Gulf of Tonkin-style incident, we can say for certain this is not the slam-dunk evidence that some would like to claim it is. In the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran we have to work on all the information available, not just what one side presents - By Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/opinion/iran-tanker-attacks.html

(* A P)

Whoever Hit the Gulf Tankers, Pompeo was Wrong to Finger Iran before Evidence Was In

Despite the confident pronouncements of “Benghazi Mike” Pompeo at his brief news conference, the fact is that US intelligence hasn’t had time or access to come to a firm conclusion about the author of the mine attack.

Pompeo’s people put out grainy video of some sort of small ship coming alongside one of the tankers and then leaving peacefully. Since this doesn’t look very much like an attack, they are alleging that the Iranians were taking away an unexploded mine. That doesn’t make any sense at all, and the video again needs to be carefully analyzed.

Pompeo alleged that only the Iranians had the expertise to deploy these mines.

We heard this crock for 8.5 years in Iraq– all shaped charges had to be Iran-backed, even those of al-Qaeda, because Iraqis didn’t have the expertise. Shaped charges are a simple WWII technology and the US invaded Iraq out of fears it was so sophisticated that it could construct an atomic bomb.

Despite what the Saudis and blowhards like Benghazi Mike keep alleging, the Houthis don’t take orders from Iran and don’t have that much to do with one another.

https://www.juancole.com/2019/06/whatever-certainty-tankers.html

(* A K P)

Pompeo Gulf of Oman Narrative Torpedoed by Vessel’s Japanese Owner

The Japanese owner of the vessel maintains that there were no mines — or torpedos — involved, denying that such could have been the case because the damage to the ship was above the waterline. He went so far as to call the whole U.S.-pedaled notion of mines being responsible “false.”

Just a day before the Trump administration blamed Iran for an attack on two oil tankers connected to Japan in the Gulf of Oman, without offering a shred of evidence, members of Congress revealed that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had privately briefed them on possible justifications for a war on Iran.

The two oil tankers were targeted as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Iran, the first time a Japanese leader had gone to the country since its revolution 40 years ago. Abe was to act as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. This followed threats from the United States to sanction Japan, the world’s fourth-largest consumer of oil, for trading with Iran.

Reuters reports: “Japan was one of the main buyers of Iranian oil until last month, when Washington ordered all countries to halt all Iranian oil imports or face sanctions of their own.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. government’s contention that the oil tankers were attacked with mines appears to be falling apart just one day later. The owner of one of the tankers said on Friday that “flying objects” were observed just before the fire broke out. The U.S., meanwhile, released video on Friday which they say shows Iranian vessels removing an unexploded mine.

https://www.mintpressnews.com/pompeo-gulf-oman-narrative/259210/

(* A P)

HARDLINERS, ‘FALSE FLAGS’ AND REVENGE: THE IRANIAN TANKER ATTACK'S NARRATIVE

What follow is a list of the most common explanations as well as excuses used to explain or obfuscate about Iran’s alleged involvement in the attack.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hardliners-false-flags-and-revenge-The-Iranian-tanker-attacks-narrative-592552

My comment: from Jerusalem Post . And, well? This seems to be a propaganda article trying to label (and, from an Israeli viewpoint, blame) all these arguments as "Iranian" - and therefore as false as Israel popaganda had blamed Iran as „liar“ for decades.

(*A P)

Britain 'almost certain' Iran was behind tanker attacks: foreign minister Hunt

Foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said on Sunday Britain is “almost certain” Iran was behind attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, adding that London did not believe anyone else could have done it.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-attacks-britain/britain-almost-certain-iran-was-behind-tanker-attacks-foreign-minister-hunt-idUSKCN1TH0AR

(* A P)

UK joins US in accusing Iran of tanker attacks as crew held

On Friday night the UK formally joined the US in attributing the attacks to Iran. After carrying out its own assessment – the product of an internal UK intelligence discussion – the Foreign Office issued a statement saying: “It is almost certain that a branch of the Iranian military – the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – attacked the two tankers on 13 June. No other state or non-state actor could plausibly have been responsible.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/14/us-accuses-iran-of-detaining-crew-after-oil-tanker-attack

(A P)

Zarif Points to Lack of Evidence in US Allegations Against Iran on Gulf of Oman Attacks

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday noted that the United States made allegations against Iran in relation to the recent attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Oman without presenting any evidence to substantiate its claims.

“That the US immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran—w/o a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence—only makes it abundantly clear that the #B_Team is moving to a #PlanB: Sabotage diplomacy—including by [Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe]—and cover up its #EconomicTerrorism against Iran,” Zarif wrote on Twitter.

“I warned of exactly this scenario a few months ago“

http://english.almanar.com.lb/758826

(A P)

Rouhani tells SCO summit: US poses 'serious threat' to world

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the Trump administration is a serious threat to the stability of the Middle East and the world, urging the international community to stand up to US unilateralism.

"For the past two years, the US government has used its economic, financial and military power through an aggressive approach to disrupt all international structures and regulations," Rouhani said Friday.

This has turned the US administration "into a serious threat for the stability of the region and the world", he noted.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/14/598490/Iran-Rouhani-world-stability-trump-SCO-Summit

(* A B P)

Film by Aljazeera: Can tension in the Gulf be contained?

Two ships were damaged in the Gulf of Oman, a day after Yemen's Houthi rebel group claims an attack on Saudi airport.

Presenter: Adrian Finighan; Guests: Nasser Arrabyee - Yemeni journalist; Simon Mabon - Senior lecturer in international studies at Lancaster University; Imadaldin al-Jubouri - Political analyst and author

https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2019/06/tension-gulf-contained-190613172024061.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NmYpaOwSIM

(** A P)

Angriffe auf Schiffe am Golf

Zwei Öltanker stehen in Flammen – droht nun Krieg?

Seit Wochen wachsen die Spannungen zwischen Saudi-Arabien und dem Iran. Jetzt kommen in der Region zum zweiten Mal innerhalb nur eines Monats Handelsschiffe zu Schaden. Wieder sind die Umstände nebulös.

Die Sorgen vor einem bewaffneten Konflikt wachsen, die Ölmärkte reagieren nervös.

Was sich genau am Donnerstag am Golf von Oman abspielte, blieb zunächst völlig nebulös. Im Morgengrauen gehen bei der US-Marine zwei Notrufe ein, wie Washingtons 5. Flotte, die im Golf-Königreich Bahrain stationiert ist, meldet. Betroffen sind zwei Tanker einer deutschen und einer norwegischen Reederei.

Die "Front Altair" des Unternehmens Frontline aus Norwegen war unterwegs nach Fernost, als am frühen Morgen an Bord Feuer ausbricht. Die Reederei spricht von einer Explosion, will aber einen Angriff nicht bestätigen, von dem das norwegische Seefahrtsamt gesprochen hatte. Bilder der iranischen Agentur Isna zeigen Flammen und eine dicke Rauchsäule.

Auch die japanische Firma Kokuka Sangyo erklärt, ihr Tanker "Kokuka Courageous" sei in die Vorfälle verwickelt. Das von der deutschen Reederei Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) gemanagte Schiff – unterwegs Richtung Singapur – wird beschädigt und setzt einen Notruf ab. 21 Seeleute, alle aus den Philippinen, werden von Bord des Tankers unter panamesischer Flagge gebracht.

Noch am selben Tag machen die USA den Iran für die mutmaßlichen Angriffe verantwortlich. "Es ist die Einschätzung der US-Regierung, dass die Islamische Republik Iran verantwortlich für die Angriffe ist, zu denen es heute im Golf von Oman kam", sagt Außenminister Mike Pompeo bei einer kurzfristig anberaumten Pressekonferenz. Diese Einschätzung basiere unter anderem auf Geheimdienstinformationen.

Doch sind die beiden Schiffe angegriffen worden? Und wenn ja: Von wem?

https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/ausland/krisen/id_85923896/vor-irans-kueste-kriegsgefahr-wer-steckt-hinter-den-tanker-explosionen-.html

(* B P)

A Tanker War in the Middle East—Again?

In Tehran, the Islamic Republic denied responsibility. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, “Suspicious doesn’t begin to describe what likely transpired this morning.”

Some experts suggested that both countries share some blame, with the world shouldering the costs.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is fretting. “We are just about as close to a conflict without there being an actual armed conflict, so the tensions are very high,”

European governments issued urgent warnings about the dangers of conflict in the Gulf region.

But the Trump Administration charged that Thursday’s twin tanker attacks reflect a broader pattern of recent provocations by Iran that “should be understood in the context of forty years of unprovoked aggression against freedom-loving nations,” Pompeo said.

Tensions in the Gulf are an eerie echo of the tanker war that erupted in the late eighties during the eight-year conflict between Iraq and Iran – by Robin Wright

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/a-tanker-war-in-the-middle-eastagain

(* A B P)

The World Is Getting Sucked Into U.S.-Iran Tensions

There will doubtless be a partisan battle over whether the latest suspected attacks are proof that the threat was real all along, or proof that the administration’s purportedly deterrent and defensive moves could provoke a wider conflict. Defense officials, including acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, have said that the recent deployments have deterred Iranian attacks, raising the question of whether the new attacks mean that deterrence has failed.

Caught in the middle of all that are tankers, sailors, and commuters who have nothing to do with the “maximum pressure” campaign the U.S. is waging against Iran.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/06/tanker-attack-gulf/591631/

(* A P)

SMOKING GUN? FALSE FLAG? U.S. RELEASES VIDEO ALLEGEDLY SHOWING IRAN’S MINE ON TANKER HULL

Just hours after remarks blaiming Iran for the recent incident in the Gulf of Oman by US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, Central Command issued a statement claiming that it has evidence confirming these accusations. The statement claimed that Iranian forces were spotted removing “a probable unexploded limpet mine” from the M/T Kokuka Courageous.

The video released by Central Command shows a boat coming up to the side of the tanker. An individual stands up on the bow of the boat and removes some object from

While the statement seems to be pretty anti-Iranian, in fact, the US appears to be have no evidence to confirm that the supposed “mine” was Iranian. Bloomberg:

The US and its allies have just got a fresh formal pretext for further economic and maybe even military agression against Iran. Who may have been interested in this? 8with footage)

https://southfront.org/smoking-gun-false-flag-u-s-releases-video-allegedly-showing-irans-mine-on-tanker-hull/

and, as a reminder: US Naval False Flags: A Brief History: https://steemit.com/news/@corbettreport/us-naval-false-flags-a-brief-history

(* A KP)

US releases video it claims shows Iran removing mine from tanker

Iran denies US allegations of Revolutionary Guard involvement in suspected attacks on two ships in the Gulf of Oman.

The United States has released a video that it claims shows Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) removing an unexploded mine from one of the two tankers hit by explosions in the Gulf of Oman.

Washington believes the images clearly show members of the Iranian elite force approaching the Japanese vessel and removing what the US claims is a limpet mine.

However, on Friday, the Japanese operator of one of the tankers said crew members saw "flying objects" before the explosion.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/releases-video-claims-shows-iran-removing-tanker-190614021100937.html

(* A K P)

Statement

U.S. Central Command Statement on June 13 Limpet Mine Attack in the Gulf of Oman

At 8:09 a.m. local time a U.S. aircraft observed an IRGC Hendijan class patrol boat and multiple IRGC fast attack craft/fast inshore attack craft (FAC/FIAC) in the vicinity of the M/T Altair.
At 9:12 a.m. local time a U.S. aircraft observes the FAC/FIAC pull a raft from the M/T Altair from the water.
At 9:26 a.m. local time the Iranians requested that the motor vessel Hyundai Dubai, which had rescued the sailors from the M/T Altair, to turn the crew over to the Iranian FIACs. The motor vessel Hyundai Dubai complied with the request and transferred the crew of the M/T Altair to the Iranian FIACs.

The U.S. and our partners in the region will take all necessary measures to defend ourselves and our interests. Today's attacks are a clear threat to international freedom of navigation and freedom of commerce.
The U.S. and the international community, stand ready to defend our interests, including the freedom of navigation.
The United States has no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. However, we will defend our interests.

https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/STATEMENTS/Statements-View/Article/1875666/us-central-command-statement-on-june-13-limpet-mine-attack-in-the-gulf-of-oman/utm_source/hootsuite/

My comment: defending one’s own „Interests“ is no reason for warfare at all.

(* A K P)

Tanker owner seems to dispute U.S. account of Gulf of Oman attack

The Japanese owner of the Kokuka Courageous, one of two oil tankers targeted near the Strait of Hormuz, said Friday that sailors on board saw "flying objects" just before it was hit, suggesting the vessel wasn't damaged by mines.

That account contradicts what the U.S. military said as it released a video Friday it said shows Iranian forces removing an unexploded limpet mine from one of the two ships that were hit.

the flying objects seen by the sailors could have been bullets. He denied any possibility of mines or torpedoes because the damage was above the ship's waterline. He called reports of a mine attack "false."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oil-tanker-attacks-gulf-of-oman-tanker-owner-seems-to-dispute-us-account-of-gulf-of-oman-attack-today-2019-06-14/?fbclid=IwAR27o7SHI34lgJiSsoAWxsFd_4iBgD5gaOwBElBJoQ8nW4qWw8Zq0KyCsdo

(* A P)

The Gulf of Credibility

I really cannot begin to fathom how stupid you would have to be to believe that Iran would attack a Japanese oil tanker at the very moment that the Japanese Prime Minister was sitting down to friendly, US-disapproved talks in Tehran on economic cooperation that can help Iran survive the effects of US economic sanctions.

That Iran would target a Japanese ship and a friendly Russian crewed ship is a ludicrous allegation. They are however very much the targets that the USA allies in the region – the Saudis, their Gulf Cooperation Council colleagues, and Israel – would target for a false flag – by Craig Murray

https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2019/06/the-gulf-of-credibility/

(*A P)

Iran Urges US, Allies to Stop False Flag Ops in Mideast After Gulf of Oman Tanker Sabotage

The warning comes on the heels of US accusations that Iran was behind the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on 13 June - just one month after a similar incident near Fujairah was likewise blamed on the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations has urged the United States and its allies in the Middle East to "stop warmongering" and false flag operations in the region following attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on 13 June that were blamed on Tehran.

"Neither fabrications and disinformation campaigns nor shamelessly blaming others can change the realities. The US and its regional allies must stop warmongering and put an end to mischievous plots as well as false flag operations in the region. Warning, once again, about all of the US coercion, intimidation, and malign behavior, Iran expresses concern over suspicious incidents for the oil tankers that occurred today",

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201906141075859308-iran-urges-us-allies-stop-false-flag-ops/

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Gulf of Oman attacks: Only those who want escalation will benefit

Ever since, a range of diplomatic initiatives led by Qatar, Japan and Oman have aimed to de-escalate tensions. Thursday’s incident was evidently committed by a spoiler not interested in mediation and de-escalation, but in confrontation.

From a rational cui bono point of view, few would seem to benefit from a disruption of trade on these strategic waterways.

Nonetheless, ideological spoilers on the fringes of rational decision-making may still believe that military escalation is not just inevitable, but potentially limited in nature.

On one side of the divide, ideological anti-Iran hawks such as Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are leading a crusade against Iran as the “anti-Christ” to the US-led status quo in the region – a crusade that the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi have endorsed, alongside Israel. Some in Washington and the Gulf have suggested these crusaders might go so far as to stage a false flag to create a pretext for striking Iran.

On the other side of the divide is Iran’s deep state, the massive IRGC networks that operate independently of the government in Tehran.

Hence, while a clear casus belli has not been established, efforts to open backchannels for de-escalation have already come under fire.

For the ideologues in Washington, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv and Tehran, a limited military escalation not only supports their antagonistic narratives, but gives legitimacy to their very raison d’etre – all while risking setting the entire region aflame – by Andreas Krieg

https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/gulf-oman-attacks-attempt-snuff-out-us-iran-mediation-efforts

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U.S. Sees State Actor Behind Oil Tanker Attacks in Gulf Region

An attack on two oil tankers near the entrance to the Persian Gulf was likely done by a state actor, according to a U.S. official, heightening tensions over a potential military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. Oil prices surged.

The incidents on Thursday, including an assault on a Japanese-operated vessel, were the second in a month to hit ships near the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint

A U.S. official said the government is confident it knows which country is responsible but declined to give more details. U.S. and Saudi officials have suggested they think Iran was behind a previous attack last month on ships in the region.

“Even in the absence of ironclad evidence, the U.S. and its allies will point the finger at Iran,” said Fawaz A. Gerges,

The Trump administration said it was evaluating reports of an attack on ships in the Gulf of Oman and will “continue to assess the situation,”

The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said it received two separate distress signals at 6:12 a.m. and about 7:00 a.m. local time. “U.S. Navy ships are in the area and are rendering assistance,” Commander Josh Frey, a spokesman, said. He couldn’t confirm reports that one of the vessels was struck by a torpedo. Iran said it has rescued 44 sailors.

Iran distanced itself from any attack.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-13/oil-tanker-on-fire-in-sea-of-oman-u-k-body-starts-probe

and also, with footage: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/13/oil-tankers-blasts-reports-gulf-of-oman-us-navy

and

(* A P)

U.S. Says Tehran Is to Blame for Attacks on Fuel Tankers

The U.S. blamed Iran for attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, saying the assaults were the latest in a series of hostile actions meant to disrupt the flow of oil.

“Taken as a whole, these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable campaign of escalating tension by Iran,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, vowing the U.S. would defend itself and its partners.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/reports-of-incident-in-gulf-of-oman-send-oil-prices-up-11560410373

(A P)

Saudi Arabia agrees Iran was behind tanker attacks: Saudi minister

Saudi Arabia agrees with the United States that Iran was behind the suspected attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said on Thursday.

“Iran has a history of doing this.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-tankers-saudi/saudi-arabia-agrees-iran-was-behind-tanker-attacks-saudi-minister-idUSKCN1TE36X

(A P)

A month of escalation: how two tanker attacks in the Gulf unfolded

An apparent attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday was the culmination of weeks of escalation in the region.

How the US and Iranian governments react to the event will be key.

For now, there will be fears for shipping companies and the crews transporting their goods through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman after attacks on at least six vessels in just over a month.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/a-month-of-escalation-how-two-tanker-attacks-in-the-gulf-unfolded-1.874123

and

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Saudi-led coalition calls tanker attacks in Gulf a major escalation

The attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday are a “major escalation”, the spokesman for a Saudi-led military coalition battling the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen said.

“From my perspective ... we can connect it to the Houthi attacks at Bab al-Mandeb,” Colonel Turki al-Malki told reporters in Riyadh, referring to attacks in July 2018 on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea strait blamed on the Houthi movement.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-tanker-saudi-coalition/saudi-led-coalition-calls-tanker-attacks-in-gulf-a-major-escalation-idUKKCN1TE2EW

My comment: More beating of war drums. – The Houthis do ot hav anything to do with the Gulf attacks, and the 2018 Bab al-Mandeb attacks had been more than doubtful. The Houthis may be ruthlress, but they are not interested in suicide.

(A P)

Militarized Iranian fast-boats prevented tug boats from salvaging damaged oil tanker, US officials say

In the wake of an attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, Iranian military fast-boats prevented privately owned tug boats from salvaging one of the damaged vessels, two U.S. officials aware of the situation told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/14/oil-tanker-attack-iranian-fast-boats-stopped-tug-boat-salvage-mission.html = https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/militarized-iranian-fast-boats-prevented-tug-boats-from-salvaging-damaged-oil-tanker/ar-AACTuhO

My remark: As claimed by the US. – Any more evidence? – For USofficials and media, it seems to be an ugly idea that iranian warships are patroling in the waters close to the Iranian coast.

(* A P)

The Washington Post: Tankers Targeted Near Strait Of Hormuz Amid Iran-US Tensions

evacuated from both vessels and the U.S. Navy rushed to assist amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The Navy and the ship’s owners offered no immediate explanation on what weapon caused the damage to the MT Front Altair and the Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Iran, though all believed the ships had been targeted in an attack. It marks the latest mysterious incident to target the region’s oil tankers. The U.S. alleged that Iran used limpet mines to attack four oil tankers off the nearby Emirati port of Fujairah last month. Iran has denied being involved, but it comes as Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen also have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.”

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US Navy assisting 2 tankers targeted in Gulf of Oman

The U.S. Navy rushed to assist amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

A spokesman for the U.S. Central Command said 21 crew members rescued from the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous are now on board the Navy’s guided-missile destroyer Bainbridge following an explosion. Army Lt. Col. Earl Brown says the U.S. Navy ship was in international waters in the Gulf of Oman near the Courageous when it received a distress call at about 6 a.m. local time.

Brown says the Bainbridge provided “immediate assistance” to the Courageous and its crew members after they abandoned ship.

The U.S. Navy is providing support to the damaged vessels.

Both vessels were outbound from the Persian Gulf on June 12 before being attacked in the Gulf of Oman, outside the straits, according to data on the commercial shipping tracking website Marine Traffic.

The reported attack occurred in sea lanes that U.S. officials say have been heavily mined by the Iranian military.

The CENTCOM spokesman said it was too early to speculate about what caused the incident or who may have been behind it. “We are just rendering aid at this point," Brown said.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2019/06/13/us-navy-assisting-2-tankers-targeted-in-gulf-of-oman/

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Two oil tankers still on fire after attacks in Gulf of Oman - I can see fireworks coming up in the Middle East and in that case, oil price going crazy. I don't report on the Middle East, but this will affect the worldwide economy, worldwide recession.

[thread, links to sources]

https://twitter.com/IndoPac_Info/status/1139070103545233409

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Two tankers struck in suspected attacks in Gulf of Oman: sources

Two tankers were hit in suspected attacks in the Gulf of Oman and the crew have been evacuated, shipping sources said on Thursday

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-tanker/two-tankers-struck-in-suspected-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-sources-idUSKCN1TE0OI

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Explosions hit two large oil tankers in Sea of Oman: Reports

Media reports say two large oil tankers have been hit by explosions in the Sea of Oman.

Iran’s Al-Alam television network cited local sources in Oman as saying that two successive explosions were heard in the Sea of Oman — also called the Gulf of Oman — on Thursday morning.

The sources said the blasts were caused by attacks on the tankers, according to the report.

Local Pakistani sources also said the tankers had sent distress calls to the sea’s littoral states, the report added.

Reuters, citing four shipping and trade sources, said two tankers — identified as the Marshal Islands-flagged Front Altair and the Panama-flagged Kokuka — had been hit in suspected attacks in the Gulf of Oman, and that the crew had been evacuated from the vessels.

The crew were safe, the sources added.

Iranian rescue workers have rushed to the assistance of two oil tankers hit by yet unspecified accidents in the Sea of Oman, transferring all of their 44 crew members to its southern shores, IRNA reported.

The US Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet told Reuters that its naval forces are assisting tankers in the Gulf of Oman after receiving two distress calls.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/13/598390/Oil-tankers-Sea-of-Oman

Film: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2072439613060603

and also by UAE media, with film: https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-raise-risk-of-miscalculation-1.874279

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Riyadh warns Iran of 'grave consequences' after Houthi attack

Prince Khalid, the brother of notorious Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has warned Iran over recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

A leading Saudi prince warned Iran of "grave consequences" after alleging that Tehran was behind a Yemeni rebel missile strike which wounded 26 people at a Saudi airport.

Prince Khalid, a son of King Salman and the brother of notorious Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unleashed a war-of-words with the Houthis in the aftermath of the attack, which he blamed on the Yemen rebels' "patrons" Iran.

"We will confront the Houthi militia's crimes with unwavering resolve. Their targeting of a civilian airport exposes to the world the recklessness of Iran's escalation and the danger it poses to regional security and stability," he tweeted.

"The continuation of the Iranian regime’s aggression and reckless escalation, whether directly or through its militias will result in grave consequences. The international community must carry out its responsibility to avoid this outcome."

Prince Khalid, the kingdom's deputy defence minister, slammed the Iranian regime for 40 years of "chaos, death and destruction, by sponsoring and financing terrorist organisations including the Houthis".

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/amp/news/2019/6/13/riyadh-warns-iran-of-grave-consequences-after-houthi-attack

and also https://en.radiofarda.com/a/saudi-warns-iran-over-yemeni-rebel-airport-attack/29996874.html

My comment: Just again: Attention propaganda: This is no attack by Iran; the Houthis act by their own agenda.

(A P)

Iran says UAE Trying to Become Second Israel in Middle East

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is trying to "turn into another Israel" by spending billions of dollars on importing weapons.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/06/12/598303/Iran-Zarif-arms-race-UAE-Israel-military

(* B P)

Why Israel wants Iran destroyed

Much worried commentary is being written these days about the possibility of a US-led war on Iran.

The truth, of course, is there is already a war on Iran. And it is one that very much serves Israeli interests.

The US government is prosecuting an economic war on Iran while intensifying its military posture against the country, increasing land, sea, and air positions on the basis of unsubstantiated claims that Iran might someday develop nuclear weapons, is the engine of violence in the Middle East, and is likely to initiate attacks against US “interests” or those of its proxies.

Such maneuvers must be understood in the context of the ways that Iran has functioned as an obstacle to US ruling class goals in the Middle East, a view shared by the Israeli ruling class for its own interests.

US and Israeli planners despise Iran principally because it is an independent regional power. It has a strong military and a foreign policy that includes providing material support for armed Palestinian resistance to Israel and for Hizballah’s defense of Lebanon from US-Israeli aggressions, including the joint invasion in 1982 and the US-backed Israeli assault in 2006.

https://electronicintifada.net/content/why-israel-wants-iran-destroyed/27531

(A P)

Iran Presses Japan to Break With U.S. Sanctions on Tehran

Rouhani says Japanese purchases of Iranian oil could ease military tensions in region

Iran’s president pressed Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, to break with U.S. economic sanctions on Tehran, highlighting the challenge Mr. Abe faces in trying to help ease a military standoff between the U.S. and Iran.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/japans-abe-looks-to-mediate-between-u-s-iran-11560340410

My comment: WSJ is strictly pro-US, anti all US enemies. The word “presses” shows this here.

(A P)

The Latest: Abe calls for 'patience' amid Iran-US standoff

9:05 p.m.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is calling for "more patience" amid tensions between Iran and the U.S.

Abe made the comments Wednesday night beside President Hassan Rouhani after closed-door talks during his visit to Tehran.

Abe says he and Rouhani "bluntly discussed" the crisis.

https://news.yahoo.com/latest-yemen-rebels-target-saudi-091536476.html

(* A P)

Japan’s Abe warns an ‘accidental conflict’ could be sparked amid tensions between Iran, U.S.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travelled to Tehran on Wednesday to warn that an “accidental conflict” could be sparked amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S., a message that came hours after Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels attacked a Saudi airport, wounding 26 people.

Abe's trip is the highest-level effort yet to de-escalate the crisis as Tehran appears poised to break the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, an accord that the Trump administration pulled out of last year. It's also the first visit of a sitting Japanese premier in the 40 years since the Islamic Revolution.

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-japans-abe-warns-an-accidental-conflict-could-be-sparked-amid/

and also https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/13/oil-tankers-blasts-reports-gulf-of-oman-us-navy

My comment: What does this visit have to do with the Houthi attack at the airport? AP draws a connection where there is none. – And Iran cannot be “poised to break the nuclear deal”, as the deal had been killed already – by the US.

Vorige / Previous

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-544-yemen-war-mosaic-544

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-544 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-544:

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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