Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 563A- Yemen War Mosaic 563A

Yemen Press Reader 563A: 8. Aug. 2019: US-Iran-Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf, Diskussionen um US- und EU-Missionen im Golf – und mehr

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Aug. 8, 2019: US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf, discussions on US and EU missions in the Gulf – 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-563-yemen-war-mosaic-563

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Teil 1 / In Italics: Part 1

Klassifizierung / Classification

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

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics

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

cp2 Allgemein / General

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

cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp3

(A P)

Statement by the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, on the escalations in Aden

Escalations of violence will contribute to instability and suffering in Aden and will deepen Yemen’s political and social divisions.

I call on the parties involved to abandon violence and engage in dialogue to resolve differences.

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/statement-special-envoy-secretary-general-yemen-martin-griffiths-escalations-aden

(A P)

Al-Zubaidi meets Griffiths in Abu Dhabi

The president of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidroos al-Zubaidi met in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, with the UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths.
The meeting focused on the security situation in Aden and the South, latest peace efforts and means to engage the Southerners in the U.N.-mediated peace process for a comprehensive political settlement in Yemen.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/11965

My remark: The UN talking with separatists as well.

(B P)

The UN envoy Martin Griffiths always visits the United Arab Emirates. These days, he is on a visit to Abu Dhabi. Well, why does not he talk to the UAE regime about UAE officials calling for separation of south Yemen and inciting attacks on northern Yemenis who live in the south?

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1158864179945717763

(A H P)

WHO statement on Yemen

WHO has a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of corruption. WHO’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (IOS) conducted an audit of the Yemen Country Office during the period July to October 2018. This audit was initiated by the organization. IOS rated the effectiveness of controls in the administration and finance areas as unsatisfactory. A summary of these findings was formally reported to WHO’s Governing Bodies in May 2019 by the Director of IOS.
WHO will continue to report on the progress in addressing the audit recommendations and the outcome of the continuing investigations as appropriate, including through meetings of our Governing Bodies.

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/07-08-2019-who-statement-on-yemen

(B P)

UN must show Yemenis it can still be trusted

Staff at global organisations should live up to the high standards they set for others

While most officials are innocent of such accusation, these rogue elements in respected institutions could crush confidence-building efforts that the UN has sought to achieve and risks impeding the peace process at a delicate time.

The alleged wrongdoers are also deflecting attention from the good work undertaken by the vast majority of aid workers who put their lives at risk for the sake of the needy every day. Last year, 126 aid workers were killed worldwide. The UN also has a responsibility to maintain transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigations, which will be crucial to show the people of Yemen that they can still count on such institutions to bring peace and relief.

https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/un-must-show-yemenis-it-can-still-be-trusted-1.895674

(A H P)

Yemen government demands UN transparency after allegations of corruption

Yemen’s internationally recognised government on Tuesday urged the United Nations to disclose the full details of an internal investigation it has launched into allegations of corruption by its staff in the country.

“The AP report revealed shocking information, the UN must disclose full details of what the report found and punish the culprits,” Mr Al Kamali said.

The official questioned how a humanitarian agency can become “more brutal and corrupt” than the rebels.

“The Yemeni government m

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-government-demands-un-transparency-after-allegations-of-corruption-1.895119

and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-32491

(A K P)

Press briefing note on Yemen

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani

Over the past 10 days, we have documented a number of deeply worrying developments in Yemen that have had a serious impact on civilians across the country, including in Aden, Taiz, San’a, Sa’daa, Al Dhale and other areas. Armed groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and ISIS also appear to have intensified their activities in the country.

Since 27 July, the UN Human Rights Office has verified 19 civilian deaths in Taiz, Sa’ada and Aden and 42 civilians injured. The majority of the civilian deaths resulted from an attack in the Al Thabet market area of Sa’ada Governorate on 29 July, when 14 civilians were killed and 26 injured. There are conflicting reports about which party to the conflict carried out the attacks.

We urge all parties to the conflict to seek to de-escalate the situation, and to ensure that any attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are meaningfully investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24871&LangID=E

and also https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1043801

My comment: Hmmmm.

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(* B P)

Das Kreuz mit dem Hadsch: Die Pilgerfahrt wird zur «Sünde»

Zahlreiche muslimische Verbände raten wegen der saudischen Beteiligung am Jemen-Krieg von Pilgerreisen nach Mekka ab. Doch die Saudis machen mit den Gläubigen weiter gute Geschäfte – sehr gute sogar.

Erstmals riefen daher in diesem Jahr religiöse Autoritäten in Australien, Kanada, den USA, Tunesien, Libyen und Qatar zu einem Hadsch-Boykott auf. Auch im Internet wird unter dem Hashtag #BoycottHajj heftig diskutiert.

Der Grossmufti von Libyen, Sadiq Al-Ghariani, beklagte, die Einnahmen aus dem Hadsch würden «saudischen Führern helfen, Verbrechen gegen Muslime zu begehen». Die Gelder würden für Massaker im Jemen, in Sudan, Libyen, Tunesien und Algerien verwendet. Er appellierte an seine Mitgläubigen, es bei einem Mekka-Besuch im Leben zu belassen. Wer sich auf eine zweite Pilgerfahrt mache, begehe «eher eine Sünde als eine gute Tat».

Einen Schritt weiter ging der Rat der Imame in Tunesien, der den Grossmufti des Landes aufforderte, den Hadsch ganz auszusetzen. Als dies nicht geschah, appellierte der Rat an die Bevölkerung, die Wallfahrt zu boykottieren.

Für Saudi-Arabien ist die Herrschaft über Mekka und Medina tatsächlich ein lukratives Geschäft. Jedes Jahr spült der Pilgerstrom Einnahmen von über zehn Milliarden Euro in die Kassen der Wüstenmonarchie.

https://www.bzbasel.ch/ausland/das-kreuz-mit-dem-hadsch-die-pilgerfahrt-wird-zur-suende-135366099

(A P)

Yemen slams Saudi Arabia for politicizing Hajj pilgrimage

Yemen’s top cleric and minister of endowments have condemned the restrictions imposed by the Saudi regime on the Yemeni pilgrims.

According to the Arabic-language al-Masirah television network, Yemen’s Minister of Endowments Najib al-Aji said Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah refused to respond to Yemeni correspondence regarding coordinating efforts to facilitate the pilgrimage or conducting flights to carry Yemeni pilgrims planning to carry out the religious duty this year.

He added that the National Salvation Government denounces the restrictions imposed by the Saudi regime on the Yemeni pilgrims.

According to Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Endowments Fuad Naji, the Saudi restrictions includes refusing to recognize passports issued in the capital Sana’a, closing Sana’a International Airport and opening only one crossing to Yemenis.

Yemen’s Mufti Sham al-Din Sharaf al-Din said politicizing Hajj is used by the Saudi regime against its opponents in Yemen, Palestine, Iraq and Libya.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/08/07/602943/Yemen-Saudi-politicizing-Hajj

(B P)

What’s going on between Lindsay Lohan and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia?

What the heck is going on with Lindsay Lohan and Mohammad bin Salman?

A wild rumor hit town that Lohan and the bloodthirsty crown prince of Saudi Arabia have gotten close, and that he’s been flying her around in his jets and showering her with presents — including a gift-wrapped credit card. And when we started asking around, a source in her inner circle acknowledged that they “know each other.”

Now a rep for Lohan tells us that the pair met just once — around a year ago at a Formula One Grand Prix race. The rep also denied that bin Salman — who has been accused of ordering the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — gave Lohan a credit card.

https://pagesix.com/2019/08/05/whats-going-on-between-lindsay-lohan-and-the-crown-prince-of-saudi-arabia/

(B P)

Films by Press TV Iran: Saudi Arabia Unreported

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2313722438845612

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=476810546435095

(* B P)

EXCLUSIVE: Saudi Arabia’s ‘strategic plan’ to take Turkey down

In a confidential Emirati document seen by MEE, Mohammed bin Salman's scheme to confront Erdogan's government is outlined in full

Saudi Arabia has begun implementing a “strategic plan” to confront the Turkish government, after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman decided he was being “too patient” with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the wake of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.

The plan is detailed in a confidential report based on open- and closed-source intelligence prepared by the kingdom’s ally, the United Arab Emirates.

The intelligence report is one of a monthly series written by the Emirates Policy Centre, a think tank with close links to the Emirati government and security services.

Entitled “Monthly Report on Saudi Arabia, Issue 24, May 2019”, the report is of limited circulation and intended for the top Emirati leadership. It does not appear on the think tank’s website. A copy has been obtained by Middle East Eye.

It reveals that in Riyadh in May, orders were given to implement the strategic plan to confront the Turkish government.

The aim of the plan was to use “all possible tools to pressure Erdogan’s government, weaken him, and keep him busy with domestic issues in the hope that he will be brought down by the opposition, or occupy him with confronting crisis after crisis, and push him to slip up and make mistakes which the media would surely pick up on”.

Riyadh’s aim is to restrict Erdogan and Turkey’s regional influence.

“The kingdom would start to target the Turkish economy and press towards the gradual termination of Saudi investment in Turkey, the gradual decrease of Saudi tourists visiting Turkey while creating alternative destinations for them, decreasing Saudi import of Turkish goods, and most importantly minimising Turkish regional role in Islamic matters,” the report says.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-saudi-arabias-strategic-plan-take-turkey-down

(* B P)

Mohammad Bin Salman’s Waning Influence

The United Arab Emirates’ recent decision to withdraw from the Yemen war has left Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammad bin Salman (MbS) the sole key driver of that disastrous conflict. MbS’s friend, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and de facto UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed (MbZ), has left him to pick up the pieces. In the aftermath of MbZ’s action, MbS’s star seems to be dimming and his influence on the international scene is waning.

Frequent attempts by the United States Congress to halt American arms sales to Saudi Arabia and to hold MbS accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi have severely tarnished the Saudi leader’s reputation and standing.

The traditional bi-partisan support has all but faded, leaving the Saudi crown prince dependent on the goodwill and quid-pro-quo support of the Trump administration. MbS’s actions have, in effect, undermined long-term Saudi interests and whatever goodwill the kingdom used to have with the U.S. public.

The failure of Jared Kushner’s Israel-Palestine “Deal of the Century” plan at a Bahrain workshop in late June was another blow to the MbS brand.

Iran

The potential for restarting talks with Iran—through diplomatic efforts involving Oman and possibly the UAE—is another blow to MbS’s regional ambitions and hubris.

Of course, peacefully resolving regional political tensions with Iran is the best guarantee for safe commerce in the Persian Gulf. Dubai, the most commercially driven emirate within the UAE, has traded with Iran for decades.

Repression

In recent months, many U.S. senators have publicly admonished MbS for his repressive human rights record. The growing number of dissidents being executed in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain—where the Saudis have tremendous sway—has tarnished MbS’s reputation and standing – by Emile Nakhleh

https://lobelog.com/mohammad-bin-salmans-waning-influence/

(A P)

Film: In unusual move, #Saudi minister of Islamic affairs & a descendant of #Wahhabism founder hugs a woman piligram on TV

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1158069123533934594

(* B P)

Don’t ask, Don’t tel: The “Right” to Drive for Women in Saudi Villages

Sunday, June 24, 2018, was a historic moment in Saudi Arabia, as women drove their cars for the first time following the end of the driving ban. However, for some of them, the decision to lift the ban in the kingdom was less relevant, not because they are ultraconservatives or anti–women driving activists but because they have been driving for years in Saudi villages, remote areas, and across agricultural cities without facing major reprisals.

There have never been actual provisions in the Saudi traffic rules that explicitly prevent women from driving. Instead, the ban on women driving was culturally and socially constructed, enforced by the traffic police and the Ministry of Interior and morally supported by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Pre- vention of Vice (commonly referred to as the “religious police”).

The different treatment of women driving in villages and cities shows that the Saudi regime continues to reserve for itself the absolute right to interpret women’s needs and priorities. It also demonstrates the totalitarian nature of the system, where individual narratives and demands outside the state’s interests and agenda are not tolerated. Now the major challenge for Saudi women is to safeguard these limited positive steps, such as the right to drive; work to challenge patriarchal norms; and push forward for further holistic and sustainable gender reforms.

https://hanaalkhamri.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-right-to-drive-for-women-in-saudi.html

(*A P)

Der Kronprinz lockert einen Zügel

Der Grundsatz, dass saudische Frauen ohne männliche Erlaubnis nicht geschäftsfähig sind, wird abgeschwächt. Die Reaktionen sind unterschiedlich.

Nun hat der saudische Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman vor wenigen Tagen ein Dekret erlassen, in dem er die männliche Vormundschaft nicht zur Gänze abschafft, aber einige seiner Regeln. Frauen dürfen nun allein einen Pass beantragen und ab dem Alter von 21 Jahren ohne die Zustimmung eines männlichen Verwandten verreisen. Sie können allein die Geburt ihrer Kinder registrieren und eine Scheidung beantragen. Im Dekret M.134 sind auch neue Regeln gegen Diskriminierung am Arbeitsplatz enthalten.

Die Reaktionen fielen unterschiedlich aus. Einige konservative Männer wettern auf den sozialen Medien dagegen.

Viele Frauenrechtlerinnen sind begeistert.

Einige der Frauen, die für eine Änderung der Regeln gekämpft haben, wie Lujain al-Hathoul oder Samar Badawi, können die Neuerungen allerdings nur im Gefängnis feiern.

Die Botschaft ist klar: Neuerungen dürfen in Saudi-Arabien nur von oben gewährt und nicht von unten erkämpft werden. Manche werfen dem Kronprinzen auch vor, dass er diese Neuerungen zugelassen hat, um internationales Lob zu erheischen.

https://taz.de/Gleichstellung-in-Saudi-Arabien/!5615294/

(* B P)

THE INCREDIBLE PETTINESS OF SAUDI 'PROGRESS' ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS | OPINION

It's a sign of the schizophrenic rule in Saudi Arabia.

In a bid to normalize society and attract foreign investment, the authorities announced last Fridaythat women over 21 would be allowed to travel abroad without the permission of their male guardian.

Too many negative stories about daughters doing runners while on holiday with their families.

It followed the much–publicized decision a year ago to let women drive.

Both long overdue but laudable, nevertheless, you might say.

Except when you consider that five women who campaigned for these very reforms have been locked up in jail for more than a year, subjected to the worst kind of torture and mistreatment you can imagine.

But there is method in the split personality madness.

Imprisonment has meant an activist, like Loujain al-Hathloul, an erstwhile friend of Meghan Markle, hasn't been able to contact her 307,000 Twitter followers since March 2018—three months before the driving ban which she had filmed herself breaking was lifted.

If freed, she would no doubt expose the reforms as a cynical PR exercise designed to throw a cloak of respectability around the country when much deeper abuses exist.

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS,) has touted himself as a reformer prepared to defy the conservative Wahhabist forces in his country and change society for the good.

But instead all around him is a constant drip of negative publicity over the murder of the Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi war in Yemen and stories of women who flee the country being hunted down using the IMEI numbers on their cellphones.

Hence Friday's announcement on women being allowed to travel abroad with getting anyone's permission, to somehow seize back the initiative.

But Loujain and her friends want the male guardianship system done away with in its entirety, not just little bits here and there – by Anthony Harwood

https://www.newsweek.com/saudi-arabia-womens-rights-pettiness-1452783

(A P)

Saudi Arabia: Women’s rights reforms must be followed by release of detained activists

Saudi Arabia must follow up on crucial reforms announced today to address women’s rights by ending its persecution of women’s rights defenders and immediately and unconditionally releasing those who are currently detained for their peaceful activism, said Amnesty International.

“The reforms announced today are a significant but long overdue step forward for women’s rights. These changes are a clear testament to the tireless campaigning of women’s rights activists who have battled against rampant discrimination in Saudi Arabia for decades,” said Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director.

Many of these activists are currently detained, on trial or facing travel bans for their peaceful activism. Several women’s rights activists detained during a wave of arrests last year endured torture, sexual abuse and other forms of ill-treatment during the first three months of their detention. They were detained incommunicado with no access to their families or lawyers.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/08/saudi-arabia-womens-rights-reforms-must-be-followed-by-release-of-detained-activists/

(* B P)

Saudi Arabia women's rights reforms may still be thwarted by custom

Saudi officials have hailed as “historic” new rights granted to women in Saudi Arabia that further dismantle its heavily criticized guardianship system, but male relatives could still find ways to thwart these freedoms.

Thousands of Saudi women took to social media to celebrate royal decrees on Friday that allow women above 21 to travel without permission as of the end of August. Women also now have the right to register births, marriages and divorces, to be issued official family documents and be guardians to minors.

Experts, however, say male relatives can still obstruct women defying their wishes through legal avenues or informal routes in the ultra-conservative kingdom, where it will take time to change views on gender and social customs.

“We need enforcement of these laws and the establishment of reporting mechanisms when these policies are not being upheld, as well as watchdog organizations,” said Hala al-Dosari, a U.S.-based Saudi women’s rights expert.

Male guardians can still file cases of disobedience and absence from home against women, Dosari said. The government recognizes filial disobedience as a crime.

“These two cases, punishable by imprisonment and flogging, are representative of the wider legal control of women’s autonomy by men that still needs to be dismantled,” she added.

It would be especially important to see how Saudi courts deal with challenges by male

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-women-guardianship/saudi-arabia-womens-rights-reforms-may-still-be-thwarted-by-custom-idUSKCN1UV1Q4

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

Siehe / Look at cp1

cp9 USA

(B P)

America Should Talk to the Houthis

In the fifth year of a pitiless war between Ansar Allah, the Iranian-supported movement known as the Houthis, and the Saudi Arabia-led and United States-backed coalition, Sana, the capital of Yemen, doesn’t see many American visitors. For good reason. The Houthis control Sana and about a fifth of

The Houthi leadership knows all this — the popular hostility toward the Saudi-led coalition; the remarkable control the movement has achieved — and finds other justifications for self-confidence. Time, they feel, is on their side. Despite formidable military disparities, they have stood up to a coalition of wealthy, powerful states backed and armed by the West."

"Despite their confidence, the Houthis don’t know how or when this war will end. Their singular refrain is that they are ready to talk. Not with Mr. Hadi or his allies, whom they dismiss as “mercenaries” — but with the Saudis, who they claim pull Mr. Hadi’s strings, or with the United States, which they believe pulls the strings of the Saudis – by Robert Mally, CEO of CSIS (access restricted)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/opinion/yemen-war-houthis-sana.html

(* B P)

Trump Is Doubling Down On Saudi Arabia And The UAE, But Congress Won’t Give Up

A bipartisan majority in Congress is fed up with Trump’s deference to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which has allowed those countries to act with impunity under his administration’s watch.We should expect Congress to continue to try to counter his approach and provide needed oversight of how U.S. policy toward these countries damages long-term U.S. security interests, undermines human rights, perpetuates the suffering and destruction in Yemen, and could lead to war with Iran.

Congress’s next move will come in September, when the House and Senate conference their versions of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

given the House and Senate have several times now passed bills to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition, in the form of aerial refueling of coalition aircraft, it would not be hard to imagine this language be included in a final NDAA.

Even in a world where most of these provisions can’t overcome an intractable Republican Senate and a Trump veto threat, we now live in a world where Congress won’t just give up.

Does Congress Matter?

With Trump digging in, and the death toll and humanitarian crisis in Yemen increasing, one has to ask whether all of this congressional action really matters. The answer is that as long as the United States under Trump continues to put its thumb on the scale in the region, a congressional counterweight is vital—for its constitutional duties both in matters of war and peace and oversight of U.S. laws and policies – by Erica Fein

https://lobelog.com/trump-is-doubling-down-on-saudi-arabia-and-the-uae-but-congress-wont-give-up/

(A P)

This lawsuit brought against @ArabiaFdn and founder @aliShihabi explains why Arabia Foundation lost its funding - Ali Shihabi is described as 'abusive', 'sexist' & 'racist' (text in images)

https://twitter.com/andreas_krieg/status/1157593518606565376

(* B P)

INTELBRIEF: WASHINGTON AND RIYADH IN LOCKSTEP ON FOREIGN POLICY

The Trump administration is so firmly aligned with Saudi Arabia, even bipartisan measures in Congress to curtail U.S. arms sales to Riyadh have failed.

The deployment of 500 American troops to Saudi Arabia is intended to demonstrate a united front against the prospect of growing Iranian aggression.

The presence of U.S. troops on Saudi soil will once again become a rallying cry for al-Qaeda, with the terrorist group using the American presence in the ‘Land of the Two Holy Mosques’ in its propaganda.

With its veto to rein in U.S. arms sales to Riyadh, the Trump administration has made clear that Saudi Arabia can continue pursuing the disastrous war in Yemen.

https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-washington-and-riyadh-in-lockstep-on-foreign-policy/

cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf

(A P)

@CENTCOM : "Vessels have reported GPS interference, bridge-to-bridge communications spoofing, and/or other communications jamming with little to no warning. The U.S. remains committed to working with allies and regional partners to safeguard the freedom of navigation"

https://twitter.com/rabrowne75/status/1159239901713506305

A US official told @barbarastarrcnn that Iran has placed GPS jammers on Iran-controlled Abu Musa Island, which lies close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, hoping the jammers will cause ships to mistakenly wander into Iranian waters, giving Iran a pretext to seize them

https://twitter.com/rabrowne75/status/1159242816121425922

My comment: And a new US claim.

(A P)

Iran urges nuke partners to help restore Tehran's int'l banking ties, oil exports

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has urged for implementation of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal which, he said, stipulated Iranian rights of oil exports and free banking ties with the world, official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

"Restoration of Iran's banking ties with the world and regular flow of its oil trade with the global countries are the basic demands of Iran under the nuclear agreement," Rouhani said in a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday night.

With reference to Iran's curtail of parts of its JCPOA commitments, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Rouhani said that Iran has cut its commitments to make other parties to the deal honor Iran's economic interests enshrined by the accord.

In the meantime, Iran welcomes any proposal which could be instrumental for a solution to current issues pertaining to the JCPOA.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/07/c_138290801.htm

(* B P)

The UAE And Iran’s Maritime Talks

Despite such friction, two Emirati delegations went to Tehran last month. On July 26, an Emirati “peace delegation” (as the Iranian government described it to the media) visited Tehran for discussions, the topics of which remain unknown to the general public.

During the second delegation’s visit, officials from the two countries discussed maritime security against the backdrop of dangerous developments that have made the Persian Gulf’s security environment increasingly tense.

What drove the UAE’s decision to send these delegations to Iran? If Abu Dhabi was extremely supportive of the Trump administration’s efforts to isolate Tehran to the full extent possible, wouldn’t such public engagement with Iranian officials, especially in Iran’s capital, undermine this agenda?

Various analysts have attempted to explain the UAE’s motives.

For starters, in early 2016, the UAE (unlike Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Sudan) did not completely sever relations with Iran but instead merely downgraded them. By striking this balance, the UAE has kept open its embassy in Tehran while Dubai has continued welcoming Iranian tourists over the past three and a half years.

Dubai’s leaders look at their relationship with Iran through a commercial lens, prioritizing business relations above politics.

Despite Abu Dhabi’s close alignment with Riyadh against Tehran, the Emiratis and Iranians have maintained a “quiet intelligence backchannel” between their two countries

Indeed, this meeting in Iran’s capital took place against the backdrop of numerous developments in the region that have concerned Abu Dhabi. The Emirati delegation’s visit to Tehran must be viewed in the context of the UAE’s much reported partial pullout from Yemen

While supportive of the Trump administration’s ramped-up pressure on Tehran, officials in Abu Dhabi do not want to see a new war break out in the Persian Gulf.

It will be important to see to what extent the UAE and Iran’s recent maritime talks can build into something greater and, if they do, how Washington and Riyadh will react

In terms of Saudi Arabia, it is not clear how the Kingdom’s leadership views Abu Dhabi’s outreach to the Iranian government.

In the interest of cooling tensions in the Persian Gulf and across the Middle East, there is some reason to view these recent meetings in Tehran optimistically. But it would be misguided to make too much of them

Ultimately, the UAE’s modest outreach to Tehran is not about any Emirati plans for a rapprochement. Rather, the decision to dispatch two delegations to Iran was driven by a realization of the ways in the UAE stands to gain by reevaluating its strategies for dealing with regional crises that involve Iran – by Giorgio Cafiero and Dr. Khalid al-Jaber

https://lobelog.com/the-uae-and-irans-maritime-talks/

(* A P)

Wie Berlin um eine Beteiligung an der Hormus-Mission ringt

Der Druck wächst: Die Bundesregierung prüft eine deutsche Beteiligung zum Schutz der Schiffe in der Golfregion.

Nach einem weiteren Zwischenfall in der Straße von Hormus wächst der Druck auf Deutschland, sich am Schutz der Schiffe in der Golfregion zu beteiligen. Grundsätzlich sehe die Bundesregierung den Vorschlag einer Schutzmission europäischer Staaten „weiterhin als erwägenswert“ an, sagte Vize-Regierungssprecherin Ulrike Demmer am Montag in Berlin.

Abgelehnt wurde von der Bundesregierung eine deutsche Beteiligung an der US-geführten Mission „Sentinel“. Die Bundesregierung fürchtet, bei einer Eskalation der Lage in eine militärische Konfrontation mit dem Iran hineingezogen zu werden.

Der außenpolitische Sprecher der SPD-Fraktion, Nils Schmid, sagte dem Tagesspiegel, eine eigene EU-Mission sei bisher eine Phantomdebatte. „Ohne Großbritannien ist das ein bisschen schwierig.“

Der Transatlantik-Koordinator der Bundesregierung, Peter Beyer (CDU), warb dafür, dass Deutschland bei einer EU-Mission vor der iranischen Küste eine Führungsrolle übernimmt.

Nach Angaben des Auswärtigen Amts wird es noch in dieser Woche auf hoher Beamtenebene Gespräche mit Frankreich geben

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krise-am-persischen-golf-wie-berlin-um-eine-beteiligung-an-der-hormus-mission-ringt/24873098.html

Mein Kommentar: Was ist um Himmels Willen ein „Transatlantik-Koordinator der Bundesregierung“?? Ein Transmissionsriemen zur Übermittlung der US-Anweisungen an die Bundesregierung?

(A P)

Film: BPK: Zukünftiger deutscher Einsatz im Persischen Golf mit US-Beteiligung doch nicht ausgeschlossen

Bei der heutigen Bundespressekonferenz bestätigte die Regierungssprecherin erneut die Absage an einer deutschen Mission in der Straße von Hormus unter US-Führung. Allerdings gelte diese Absage nur für den Augenblick und für die derzeitige Situation, hieß es auf Nachfrage von RT.
Ein “Nein” muss nicht immer ein “Nein” bleiben, scheint die Devise der Bundesregierung in der Frage um einen deutschen Einsatz in der Straße von Hormus zu sein. Die Absage von Außenminister Heiko Maas einer deutschen Beteiligung an einer US-geführten Mission stieß in Deutschland – und natürlich beim US-Botschafter in Berlin – auf einigen Widerstand. Vor allem einige Medienvertreter und Politiker kritisierten die Haltung der Bundesregierung scharf und begannen umgehend eine neue Debatte über einen deutschen Einsatz.

Nun scheint die Bundesregierung diesem Druck nachzugeben und zeigt sich längst nicht mehr so kategorisch, wie es noch vergangene Woche der Fall war.

https://deutsch.rt.com/inland/90932-bpk-kuenftiger-deutscher-einsatz-im/

(* B P)

Film: Der Rote Platz #53: Auf der Straße von Hormus in den Krieg?
USA – EU: Getrennt marschieren, gemeinsam schlagen
Die Kündigung des Atomabkommens mit dem Iran durch die USA war ein Spiel mit dem Feuer. Jetzt bricht das Feuer aus und es kann einen Flächenbrand auslösen. Ein dritter Weltkrieg ist nicht ausgeschlossen. Deutschland und Frankreich – die sind immer gemeint, wenn von „Europa“ die Rede ist – wollen zwar nicht als Knappen Trumps in den Krieg ziehen, aber sie schließen Gewalt und Militär nicht aus. Jetzt macht die Wahnsinnsidee von einem deutsch-französischen Flugzeugträger Sinn. Und unter all denen, die im Krieg eine „ultima ratio“ sehen, ist auch der Kanzler im Wartestand, der Grüne Robert Habeck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjguH9rKKU

(* A P)

Großbritannien nimmt an US-Mission teil

Großbritannien wird an der US-Mission „Sentinel“ zum Schutz der internationalen Schifffahrt im Persischen Golf teilnehmen.

Großbritannien wird an der US-Mission „Sentinel“ (Wache) zum Schutz der internationalen Schifffahrt im Persischen Golf teilnehmen. Das teilte das britische Verteidigungsministerium am Montag in London mit.

Die Briten sind der Meinung, dass der Schutz der Schiffe im Persischen Golf ohne die USA nicht machbar ist.

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/krise-am-persischen-golf-grossbritannien-nimmt-an-us-mission-teil/24873590.html

(* A P)

UK government: UK joins international maritime security mission in the Gulf

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of navigation and safe passage through the Gulf.

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of navigation and safe passage through the Gulf by playing a leading role in a new international maritime security mission, announced today. The mission will see the Royal Navy working alongside the US navy to assure the security of merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Events in the Gulf over the last four months, including attacks on four tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and the illegal seizure of the British-flagged oil tanker Stena Impero, have seen the threat to commercial shipping rise. The Strait of Hormuz is the busiest narrow shipping passage in the world and a vital transit zone with 20% of the world’s oil passing through it every year.

Following constructive discussions at an international conference in Bahrain last week (31st July), the UK has agreed to join an international mission which will largely draw on assets already in the region to increase inter-state maritime cooperation. The UK has also offered to lead one of the mission’s Maritime Task Groups.

While exact operational details are being determined, the mission is intended to improve coordination between different countries’ militaries and commercial shipping. Both the UK and US are committed to working with allies and partners to encourage others to join and broaden the response to this truly international problem.

The UK has dedicated to doing all it can do defend freedom of navigation, which is crucial for the global trading system and world economy.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-joins-international-maritime-security-mission-in-the-gulf

My comment: The last sentence quoted here is a bad propaganda joke: The British themselves endangered freedom of navigation by seizing an Iranian tanker. – And now the British fleet will operate under US leadership in the Golf. LOL! What would the British government think of a Russian-Chinese-Iranian “maritime security mission” in the Street of Gibraltar?

(* B P)

Robert Habeck und der Schutz der Handelswege – von welchen deutschen Schiffen ist hier eigentlich die Rede?

Am Wochenende stimmte nun auch der Grünen-Vorsitzende Robert Habeck in den bellizistischen Katzenjammer ein, dass Deutschland die Handelswege „seiner“ Schiffe im Persischen Golf im Zweifel auch militärisch sichern müsse. Ähnlich lautende Forderungen gab es zuvor auch vom BDI. Dies ist problematisch, da das internationale Seerecht eine solche „Schutzmission“ ohne völkerrechtliches Mandat gar nicht vorsieht. Hinzu kommt ein Punkt, den vor allem die deutschen Reeder gerne bagatellisieren – die „deutsche Schiffe“, um die es hier geht, sind völkerrechtlich gar nicht „deutsch“. Dies ist eine Folge der Ausflaggungspraxis. Wer die Flagge wechselt, um Steuern zu sparen und seine Mitarbeiter besser ausbeuten zu können, hat auch das Recht verspielt, diplomatischen oder gar militärischen Schutz zu verlangen. Robert Habeck scheint dies anders zu sehen.

Besonders interessant wird die Ausflaggung völkerrechtlich, wenn es zu Problemen kommt. Dies wurde abermals deutlich, als zwei Tanker vor wenigen Wochen im Golf von Oman unter dubiosen Umständen angegriffen wurden. Zwar sprachen die Medien gleich von einem deutschen und einem norwegischen Schiff. Doch so einfach stellt sich die Situation keinesfalls dar.

Ähnlich ist die Gemengelage bei der aktuellen Debatte um „deutsche Handelsschiffe“, die durch eine „Schutzmission“ im Persischen Golf geschützt werden sollen. Aus Regierungskreisen werden hier vor allem die Schiffe der Hapag-Lloyd genannt

Eigentlich müssten die deutschen Lobbyisten daher auch in Liberia, Antigua, den Marshallinseln oder Malta vorsprechen. Aber warum in die Ferne schweifen, wenn der Grüne liegt so nah?

https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=53981

(*A P)

German minister: We will not join U.S.-led naval mission in Strait of Hormuz

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Monday reiterated that Germany would not join a U.S.-led naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Berlin favored a European mission but warned it was rather difficult to make progress on that.

“At the moment the Britons would rather join an American mission. We won’t do that,” Maas told reporters.

“We want a European mission,” he said, adding that the issue was not off the agenda but it would take time to convince the European Union to carry out such a mission.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-germany-maas/german-minister-we-will-not-join-u-s-led-naval-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz-idUSKCN1UV187

(* A P)

UK sole country to join US anti-Iran coalition in Strait of Hormuz: report

The UK Ministry of Defence said Monday that the Royal Navy would be working with the United States Navy to assure the security of merchant shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

British officials stressed that there was no change to London’s policy on Iran but joining the United States is the most significant non-Brexit foreign policy move to date of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s 12-day-old government, according to Reuters.

Just two weeks ago, Britain was calling for a European-led naval mission. Now, it has joined what it said was a US-led “international maritime security mission”. No other nations are yet involved.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/148514/UK-sole-country-to-join-US-anti-Iran-coalition-in-Strait-of-Hormuz

(* B P)

Squaring the Iranians' Hormuz circle

In response to Iran’s seizure of the UK flagged merchant vessel Stena Bulk, the Royal Navy deployed a destroyer, HMS Duncan, to the Arabian Gulf to protect UK-flagged ships against further boarding by the Iranian military. The world breathed a sigh of relief, but should it?

Iran takes the view that large ocean-going warships represent a priority sinking opportunity for its adversaries. It therefore utilizes a low-tech fleet of nearly 400 “green water” vessels as fast, missile and gun-boats.
Operating in swarms of craft, the Iranians seek to harass, confuse and out-maneuver the likes of singular British guard-ships by forcing them to be in more than one place at a time. Their continued aggression has forced UK merchant vessels to adopt inconvenient and commercially costly convoy protocols.

The swarms of Iranian fast craft have had global repercussions in terms of conflict tension and price volatility in oil and financial markets.
Such pressures now reverberate into the UK’s Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBRA) and must surely pose some searching questions in terms of the Royal Navy’s fleet planning and cost effectiveness.
Today’s Royal Navy has just one aircraft carrier (with no aircraft), two seaworthy destroyers, seven operational frigates and ten submarines – by Howard Leedham

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1536616

(A P)

Iranian Commander: No Room for Acquisitive Powers in Persian Gulf

Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that there is no place in the Persian Gulf for powers which seek to establish a modern version of colonialism.

“Elements of power’s dependence on waters and unquestioning relation between global economy and maritime security have led acquisitive states to establish modern colonialism through initiating maritime terrorism, displaying insecurity in waters and expanding their power over other nations’ responsibilities by the use of force,”

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8143

(B P)

[Vorsicht: Propaganda!]

Im Persischen Golf geht es nicht um Krieg oder Frieden

Die iranischen Provokationen in der Straße von Hormus sind vor allem Akte der Kommunikation. Deutschland muss wohl oder übel mitreden.

Geht es bei der geplanten Marinemission der USA und Großbritanniens am Golf um Krieg und Frieden? Stehen die USA und der Iran kurz davor, sich in einen großen gewaltsamen Konflikt zu werfen?

Den Eindruck konnte man bekommen, besonders wenn man in der vergangenen Woche Politikern der SPD zuhörte.

Die Gegenüberstellung von Krieg auf der einen und Diplomatie auf der anderen Seite verzerren allerdings den Blick auf die Lage. Das Bild von amerikanischen Bodentruppen im Irak 2003 heraufzubeschwören, vermittelt einen falschen Eindruck des Charakters der derzeitigen Situation. In der lassen sich nämlich militärische Mittel und Diplomatie nicht so klar trennen, wie es Heiko Maas und andere suggerieren.

Weder der Iran noch Donald Trump haben Interesse an einem offenen Krieg in der Region.

Was in der Straße von Hormus zu beobachten ist, sind also weniger die Vorbereitungen zu einem offenen Krieg, als vielmehr Akte der Kommunikation. Die Drohnen, Schiffe, Kampfflugzeuge und Haftminen sind Gesten, eine düstere Form der Diplomatie, um die eigene Haltung zu unterstreichen und die Drohkulisse realer wirken zu lassen.

Die Deutschen möchten bei dieser Brüll-Diplomatie nicht mitmachen

Dennoch wird Deutschland auf die Dauer nicht darum herumkommen, sich diese Art der internationalen Kommunikation ein Stück weit anzueignen.

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/eine-duestere-form-der-diplomatie-im-persischen-golf-geht-es-nicht-um-krieg-oder-frieden/24867894.html

Mein Kommentar: Und was will uns der Autor damit nun sagen? Wie soll Deutschlands Beteiligung an der „Brüll-Diplomatie“ nun aussehen? Wozu sollte sie überhaupt gut sein? Was der Autor völlig unter den Tisch kehrt, ist die Tatsache, dass eben eine solche „Brüll-Diplomatie“ jederzeit auch in einen heißen Krieg münden kann, ohne dass einer der Beteiligten es tatsächlich wollte. – Offensichtlich soll auch hier einer deutschen Beteiligung an einer Marinemission im Golf das Wort geredet werden.

(B P)

[Vorsicht: Propaganda!]

Das Zögern des Heiko Maas ist eine Gefahr für Europa

Durch die Krise am Persischen Golf offenbart sich, wie sehr es der deutschen Außenpolitik an einem Gesamtkonzept fehlt. Das bedeutet auch eine Gefahr für Europa.

Außenminister Heiko Maas und seine SPD tun so, als ginge sie die Eskalation in der Straße von Hormus gar nichts an. Dabei gibt es im Persischen Golf ein gewaltiges Problem, das Deutschland als Exportnation ganz besonders betrifft.

Der Konflikt zwischen den USA und Großbritannien auf der einen und dem Iran auf der anderen Seite gefährdet unmittelbar deutsche Interessen. Der freie Welthandel steht auf dem Spiel. Zudem geht es mittelbar auch um die deutsche Glaubwürdigkeit auf internationalem Parkett.

Das totalitäre Regime in Teheran fördert den Terror in den Palästinenserregionen, im Jemen und in Syrien. Das Atomabkommen hatte auch nicht, wie erhofft, für mehr Menschenrechte oder Demokratie in dem Land gesorgt, das weltweit mit am meisten Menschen hinrichtet.

Ein defensiver, aber entschlossener europäischer Geleitschutz-Einsatz hätte eben gerade nicht den Kurs von US-Präsident Donald Trump gestützt, der auf größtmögliche Härte setzt. Berlin hätte London zudem zeigen können, dass der Brexit nicht das Ende der Freundschaft bedeutet.

Es verwundert nicht, dass die Briten jetzt zu einer US-geführten Mission neigen.

Während Trump alte Beistandsgarantien infrage stellt, ist Deutschland weit davon entfernt, seiner Verantwortung für ein künftiges europäisches Sicherheitssystem gerecht zu werden.

https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/meinung/Das-Zoegern-des-Heiko-Maas-ist-eine-Gefahr-fuer-Europa-id55098181.html

Mein Kommentar: Propaganda für einen Militäreinsatz, mit den Standardphrasen und -versatzstücken: Zögern (schlecht; Weichei); Gesamtkonzept (das ist immer: mehr Militär); „Problem, das Deutschland als Exportnation ganz besonders betrifft“ und „gefährdet unmittelbar deutsche Interessen. Der freie Welthandel steht auf dem Spiel“: das alles sind keine Gründe für militärisches Eingreifen, kein Verteidigungsfall, militärisches Eingreifen aus diesen Gründen ist verfassungswidrig; Glaubwürdigkeit (gewinnt man komischerweise immer nur durch mehr Militärpräsenz). Und überhaupt, der böse Iran!. – „Das Atomabkommen hatte auch nicht, wie erhofft, für mehr Menschenrechte oder Demokratie in dem Land gesorgt“: das war auch nie Absicht dieses Abkommens. Usw.

(* A B P)

Iran setzt irakischen Tanker fest

Viele Europäer wollen die US-Politik des maximalen Drucks auf Teheran nicht mitmachen. Kann der Konflikt eskalieren? Die Haltung der Deutschen zu einem Militäreinsatz ist klar.

Mitten im Konflikt um die Blockade eines britischen Öltankers hat der Iran ein weiteres ausländisches Schiff im Persischen Golf beschlagnahmt.

Der Öltanker kommt der staatlichen iranischen Nachrichtenagentur IRNA zufolge aus dem Irak. Nach den Angaben vom Sonntagabend handelt es sich um den irakischen Tanker «Hita», der 700.000 Liter illegales Dieselöl an Bord hatte.

Die iranischen Revolutionsgarden (IRGC) hatten den Tanker nach eigenen Angaben am Mittwochabend vor der Insel Farsi in der Buschehr Provinz gestoppt und die sieben Besatzungsmitglieder verhaftet. Der Kraftstoff an Bord sollte demnach in die arabischen Golfstaaten geschmuggelt werden. Die IRGC-Truppen im Persischen Golf werden öfter auch für Operationen gegen Öl- und Dieselschmuggel in Booten und Schiffen eingesetzt.

Der Vorfall fällt mitten in die Debatte über einen Militäreinsatz zum Schutz der Handelsschifffahrt im Persischen Golf. A

Die Zwischenfälle befeuern die Debatte über den Schutz der Seewege. Deutschland lehnt eine Beteiligung an einem US-geführten Militäreinsatz im Persischen Golf ab, doch gehen die Meinungen über eine Beteiligung an einem europäischen Einsatz auseinander.

https://www.insuedthueringen.de/deutschlandwelt/brennpunkte/Iran-setzt-irakischen-Tanker-fest;art2801,6844369 = https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/angeblicher-schmuggel-von-kraftstoff-iran-haelt-erneut-auslaendischen-tanker-fest/24869166.html

(* A P)

Iran to scale back more nuclear commitments as permitted under JCPOA: Zarif

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the country will go ahead with the third phase of scaling back its nuclear deal commitments under the “current circumstances”.

“We have said that if the JCPOA is not fully upheld by other signatories, we will also reciprocally scale back our commitments and this is, indeed, all within the JCPOA framework,” Zarif said on Saturday, Press TV reported.

Tehran has rowed back on its nuclear commitments twice in compliance with articles 26 and 36 of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Zarif underscored that it is only up to Iran to decide whether or not to keep reducing its obligations.

http://parstoday.com/en/news/iran-i107872-iran_to_scale_back_more_nuclear_commitments_as_permitted_under_jcpoa_zarif

(A P)

Deutsche Industrie wünscht sich europäische Schutzmission

Die Schifffahrt solle gesichert werden: Der Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie fordert eine europäische Schutzmission am Persischen Golf – gegen einen US-geführten Einsatz spricht sich auch der BDI aber aus.
Eine funktionierende Handelsschifffahrt sei für die Exportnation und das Industrieland Deutschland von herausragender Bedeutung: Die deutsche Industrie hat sich für einen europäischen Schutzeinsatz zur Sicherung der Schifffahrt im Persischen Golf ausgesprochen.
“Eine defensive, europäisch geführte Schutzmission wäre nach wie vor ein starkes und wichtiges Signal”, sagte Stefan Mair vom Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI) dem “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”.

https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/strasse-von-hormus-deutsche-industrie-fordert-europaeische-schutzmission-a-1280081.html

(A P)

USA verhängen Sanktionen gegen Irans Außenminister

Die USA setzen den als moderat geltenden iranischen Außenminister auf ihre Strafliste. Sarif nennt das wirkungslos und äußert sich bei Twitter sarkastisch.

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/internationales-gesicht-dieses-regimes-usa-verhaengen-sanktionen-gegen-irans-aussenminister/24859378.html

(B P)

Trump invited Zarif to White House, was snubbed: Report

Shortly before the United States placed sanctions on Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, US President Donald Trump invited him for a meeting at the White House through an intermediary while he was in the US, a report says.

According to the report, written by Robin Wright for American magazine The New Yorker, Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, and reportedly tapped by Trump as a go-between with Iran, extended the invitation to Zarif during a meeting at the residence of Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in New York on July 15.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/08/04/602625/Iran-Zarif-Trump-invite-White-House-meeting-Rand-Paul

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(* B K P)

Boris Johnson backed plan to send British troops to Yemen

PM supported deploying troops when he was foreign secretary – and is keeping the option ‘on the table’, The Independent understands

Boris Johnson supported sending British troops to Yemen while he was foreign secretary in a mission aimed at controlling a port which had become a strategic prize in the bitter conflict, The Independent has learnt.

The operation was proposed at a period of particularly vicious strife, with mounting civilian casualties. It envisaged royal marines taking over Hodeidah, which had become the only effective lifeline for aid going into the country, with airspace shut off due to a Saudi-led blockade.

Now that Mr Johnson is in Downing Street that option “remains very much on the table”, according to government officials.

Officials stressed that with Mr Johnson now in Downing Street the possibility of British forces being sent on a similar operation remains an option.

One Whitehall official said: “We are prepared to help with humanitarian missions if we can and if they are necessary, that certainly remains very much on the table.”

“The Hodeidah operation would have probably been worthwhile trying, but one can understand the apprehension about things going wrong. It would have needed a force package with other assets, including special forces.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-yemen-royal-marines-hodeidah-port-saudi-arabia-houthis-a9046021.html

My comment: Odd.

(A P)

Trigger warning: Guerrilla Girls among artists protesting against London arms fair with parallel show

The Yemeni artist and political cartoonist Ahmed Jahaf will be showing works that criticise the UK government's involvement in providing weapons to Saudi Arabia used in airstrikes in Yemen.

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/amp/news/guerilla-girls-artists-protest-london-arms-fair-exhibition

(* B K P)

WARTON LANCS PART OF ‘THE AXIS OF EVIL’ WITH RONALDSWAY AND VALLEY
One of the things the RAF were anxious to reassure us in the recent correspondence to the League was that they don’t train the Saudis of their allies on operation of ‘command and control’ facilities. The reason to put it bluntly is that the Saudis are to incompentent to operate the systems so the RAF and BAE do it for them.
Of course it's hard to underscore the BAE role and that of its ghastly factory in Warton Lancs whose work force ought to be ashamed of themselves. Warton is of course part of the ‘axis of evil' with Ronaldsway and RAF Valley.

Even a tenuous link to war crimes is a bad thing and that's why the Manx government decision to stay ‘in bed’ with the Saudi war criminals is so reprehensible indeed evil.

https://www.facebook.com/805941286121301/photos/a.806379472744149/2307248475990567/

(* B K P)

UK arms sales condemned after 12,000 children killed or maimed

The UK government has been condemned for arming states named and shamed in a new United Nations (UN) report revealing that more than 12,000 children were killed or maimed last year in armed conflicts.

Innocent children across the world were shot, bombed, raped, recruited as child soldiers, imprisoned and had limbs amputated after being targeted by warring parties, the UN said.

A Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting in Yemen, and Israel – both major buyers of UK arms – are among a number of nations and terror groups criticised in a disturbing report.

https://theferret.scot/un-report-arms-sales-12000-children/

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

(* B K P)

Film: Jemenkrieg - warum Deutschland eine Mitschuld trägt - Norbert Fleischer vor den Vereinten Nationen

Auf Einladung der jemenitischen Nichtregierungsorganisation „Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture“ und in Kooperation mit der Initiative „Stop the war in Yemen“, reiste unser Redakteur Norbert Fleischer vom 4. bis 6. Juli 2019 in die Schweizer Diplomatenmetropole Genf, um im Palast der Vereinten Nationen vor Vertretern der gesamten Welt einen Kurzvortrag über Deutschlands Rolle bei den US-Kriegen zu halten, veranschaulicht am Beispiel des Krieges der US-/Saudi-Koalition gegen den Jemen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sKFExChaK4

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(A P)

#Bahrain: According to his family, detainee Mohamed AlSingace looks "exhausted" on Day 45 of his hunger strike. AlSingace, who is protesting torture & demanding a retrial, was thrown in solitary confinement despite his failing health for asking to meet w/ the #JawPrison director! (photos)

https://twitter.com/PrintempsArabeS/status/1159218839252611076

(A P)

Fears for former #Bahrain MP Omar Al Tamimi, a critic of the regime, who was arrested again yesterday & is believed to be held at CID in Al Adliya, & at risk of physical abuse. He asked the US embassy in Manama for protection two months ago

https://twitter.com/dooley_dooley/status/1159141459242704902

(A P)

[Aden gov.] Deputy FM Highlights Russian Efforts for Peace in Yemen

Yemen''s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Mansour Bagash, highlighted on Tuesday Russia''s efforts to maintain peace in Yemen amid an armed conflict that began in 2014, as diplomatic sources informed after a meeting held in Riyadh with the Russian Ambassador to Yemen, Vladimir Didoshkin.

https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=45272&SEO=deputy-fm-highlights-russian-efforts-for-peace-in-yemen

(* A K P)

Waffenembargo auf italienisch

Rheinmetall-Tochter »RWM Italia« darf keine Bomben mehr an Saudi Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate liefern

Am 30. Juli musste Fabio Sgarzi, Geschäftsführer der Rheinmetall-Tochter »RWM Italia«, in einem Schreiben an seine Mitarbeiter bekanntgeben, dass alle Exportlizenzen für Flugzeugbomben sowie deren Komponenten mit dem Ziel Saudi-Arabien und Vereinigte Arabische Emirate (VAE) einen Tag zuvor aufgehoben worden seien (siehe jW online vom 1.8.19). Bei dem Beschluss, der mit sofortiger Wirkung und für 18 Monate gültig sei, handle es sich um keine Firmenentscheidung, er sei vielmehr »Ausdruck des politischen Willens des Parlaments und der Regierung« und müsse darum akzeptiert werden. Die Mehrheit des italienischen Parlaments hatte bereits am 26. Juni einen entsprechenden Antrag angenommen. Weitergehende Initiativen, die auf einen umfassenden Rüstungsexportstopp sowie eine Konversion der Rüstungsindustrie zielten, fanden im Parlament keine Mehrheit.

Das politisch verordnete »Aus« für die Exporte gilt zunächst für 18 Monate und für alle – auch bereits genehmigte – Lieferungen nach Saudi-Arabien und in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. Begründet wird es mit der Beteiligung beider Länder am Krieg im Jemen

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/360121.waffenembargo-auf-italienisch.html

(* B P)

Gastkommentar: Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate - Vom Vorzeigeland zum Problem

Kein Konflikt in der Region, in dem die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate nicht engagiert sind. Doch mit nur mäßigem Erfolg. Das wird auf Dauer nicht gut gehen

Es läuft derzeit nicht gut für die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. In zu vielen Konflikten hat sich das kleine, aber schwerreiche Land am Persischen Golf verzettelt.

Das Engagement wird teuer und hat auch einen politischen Preis: Im inneren durch eine zunehmende Repression, und nach außen durch einen Rückgang der Popularität der Emirate.

Dabei waren die 1971 gegründeten Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate bei vielen im Nahen und Mittleren Osten - und darüber hinaus - lange der Ort gewesen, an dem sie leben wollten. Denn unter Staatsgründer Zayed, der 2004 starb, boten die Emirate jedem Einzelnen Chancen, die sie zu Hause nicht hatten. Sie waren weit und breit die liberalste Gesellschaft - im Inneren wie im Äußeren auf Ausgleich bedacht. Heute jedoch will ihre Führungsriege, mit Kronprinz Muhammad Bin Zayed an der Spitze, in der Region Ordnungsmacht sein. Und im Inneren drängt die neue Repression die frühere Offenheit an die Seite

Drei Faktoren haben zu dieser Änderung beigetragen, die langsam und über Jahrzehnte erfolgte. Die Herrscherfamilien sahen eine erste existenzielle Gefahr im irakischen Einmarsch in Kuwait. Von da an rüsteten die Emirate massiv auf.

Zweitens begann die Verfolgung der lange geduldeten Muslimbrüder, die die dynastische Herrschaft in den Emiraten in Frage stellten.

Schließlich jagten die Proteste des Jahres 2011 und der Sturz verbündeter, autoritärer Herrscher den Regierenden in Abu Dhabi einen gewaltigen Schrecken ein.

Eine erste Folge war, dass die Emirate an der Seite Saudi-Arabiens seither als neue Ordnungsmacht für den Erhalt des Status quo kämpfen.

Der Jemen, Libyen, Sudan, Ägypten und Katar sind nur die wichtigsten Konflikte, in denen die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate heute maßgeblich ihre Hand im Spiel haben. Gefährlich würde es für die Emirate dann, sollte der Misserfolg in einem oder mehrerer Länder auf die Führung in Abu Dhabi zurückschlagen – von Rainer Hermann

https://www.dw.com/de/gastkommentar-die-vereinigten-arabischen-emirate-vom-vorzeigeland-zum-problem/a-49864319

(B E P)

Emirati Businessman Warns, Investors Escaping UAE, Calls for Economic Measures

UAE businessman and billionaire, Khalaf Al Habtoor, has warned the UAE government against investors' escape due to what he called the current economic measures and offered a set of advice on developing the country's economy. "Our region is undergoing political conditions that affect the economic climate in the region in general, which is reflected in the fear of investors in the UAE and Dubai," Al Habtoor wrote on Twitter. "In light of this, I urge officials in our country to reconsider some of the laws, practices and fees imposed, which if we consider them, will positively affect the economy," he added.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8150

(B P)

Runaway UAE Princess Latifa’s confidante reveals worrying details about sister Shamsa’s fate

Australian website News.com.au has published a report by Daniela Elser about Sheikha Shamsa Al-Maktoum, who tried to escape from her father Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum’s UK palace when she was 18-years-old. Shamsa was found in nearby Cambridge and forcibly returned to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where no news has since been heard about her and where she is said to have been imprisoned and beaten.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190803-runaway-uae-princess-latifas-confidante-reveals-worrying-details-about-sister-shamsas-fate/

(B P)

Film: Princess Haya bint Hussein, the wife of Dubai’s leader, is hiding in London. She has also asked the UK court for custody of her children and a forced marriage protection order. The princess is the third reported female member of Sheikh Maktoum’s court to run away

https://twitter.com/middleeasteye/status/1157990852779794432

cp12b Sudan

(A P)

Saudi Arabia deposits $250 million in Sudan central bank

Saudi Arabia has deposited $250 million into the central bank of Sudan to support its financial position, the Saudi Finance Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

The deposit is part of a package with the United Arab Emirates worth $500 million announced in April. Both countries pledged an overall $3 billion in aid, with the rest going toward fuel, wheat and medicine.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-politics-saudi/saudi-arabia-deposits-250-million-in-sudan-central-bank-idUSKCN1UW1RL

My comment: Saudi Arabia is “embracing” Sudan. Look as well:

(A P)

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Delivers 50,000 tons of Fertilizers and Agricultural Nutrients

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955148

and

(A P)

ADFD: Der Sudan erhält 540.000 Tonnen Weizen

Die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate und Saudi-Arabien haben der sudanesischen Bevölkerung 540.000 Tonnen Weizen zugeteilt, um den Grundnahrungsmittelbedarf der Bevölkerung für drei Monate zu decken, teilte der Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, ADFD am Mittwoch mit.

http://www.wam.ae/de/details/1395302779429

(A P)

UAE, Saudi Arabia Support Sudan with 540,000 Tonnes of Wheat

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955448

(A P)

Arrival in Makkah of 380 Sudanese pilgrims as part of the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955066

(* A P)

Sudanese military and protesters reach full agreement on power-sharing deal

Constitutional declaration follows the arrest of nine paramilitaries for killing four schoolchildren

Sudan’s ruling generals and protest leaders have reached an agreement to usher in a new period of transitional government, the African Union said.

The agreement came after prolonged negotiations between Sudan’s ruling military council and the Alliance for Freedom and Change, which has been leading the protest movement across Sudan for months.

“I am announcing to the Sudanese, African and international public opinion that the two delegations have fully agreed on the constitutional declaration,” AU mediator Mohamed El Hacen Lebatt told reporters.

Lebatt said meetings will be held to discuss a formal signing ceremony.

The document, which outlines the powers and the relationships between the branches of the transitional government, comes after weeks of protracted negotiations brokered by the African Union and neighbouring Ethiopia amid sporadic bouts of violence in the capital Khartoum and other cities.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/03/sudanese-military-and-protesters-reach-full-agreement-on-power-sharing-deal

Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60IeM7EplGg

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2019/07/05/sudan-celebrates-power-sharing-agreement-lon-orig-na.cnn

https://twitter.com/TRTWorldNow/status/1157957536756240384

(A P)

KSA Welcomes Agreement on Constitutional Document and its Signing between Transitional Military Council and Forces of Freedom and Change in Sudan

An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the agreement on the constitutional document and its initial signing between the Transitional Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change in Sudan.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1954002

(* A P)

Haftar, Hemeti, and a Canadian lobbyist's Libyan connection

Middle East Eye looked through public documents showing how a former Israeli intelligence officer lobbying for Sudan's military council became a major player in war-torn Libya

Last week, around 1,000 members of Sudan's notorious Rapid Support Forces(RSF) were reported to have arrived in eastern Libya, joining the ranks of Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) which is waging war against the country's UN-recognised government in Tripoli.

Their arrival, which was reported by Radio Dabanga, a Dutch-based broadcaster run by Sudanese exiles, coincided with Haftar's declaration of an imminent "victory" as his forces amass on the outskirts of the Libyan capital.

According to Radio Dabanga, the RSF members will be deployed to protect oil facilities in Haftar-controlled eastern Libya in order to allow him to concentrate his fighters for an assault on Tripoli. It said the number of RSF fighters in Libya could rise to 4,000 in the next few months.

Al Jazeera also reported that documents from Haftar's backers in the United Arab Emirates showed orders to transport Sudanese fighters to Libya through Eritrea.

The RSF is a paramilitary force led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagolo, the deputy head of Sudan's ruling military council commonly known as Hemeti, and has played a leading role, according to opposition activists, in a deadly crackdown on protesters in Sudan since the beginning of June.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/haftar-hemeti-and-lobbyists-libya-connection

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

(* B P)

Film: #SaudiArabia has spent billions on weapons from the #US, #UK and other European countries to strike Yemen

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=362004191134967

(* B K P)

How Dockworkers Are Fighting the Arms Trade

Across Europe, a series of coordinated actions at shipping ports have challenged Saudi violence against the Yemeni people.

Meanwhile, a series of actions by trade unions and community organizations in European ports has been blockading arms shipments on the ground. In a political landscape overwhelmed by increasing militarism and right-wing nationalism, the actions in Europe remind us of the possibilities available to us to build another kind of world through working-class internationalism and solidarity. Government involvement is crucial—but these blockades show that grassroots organizers also have an important role to play.

It started in 2017 at the Port of Bilbao in Spain’s Basque Country.

Today, Bahri ships might usefully be targeted in North America as well. The company’s vessels call regularly at the ports of Pensacola, Corpus Christi, Houston, New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington (North Carolina), Sunny Point military terminal (North Carolina), Baltimore, Wilmington (Delware), and Saint John (New Brunswick).

Community-based activists and dockworker trade unionists around the world should take note: Direct action can create significant momentum for the growing international movement in the ports begun in Spain, France, and Italy. It also sends a strong message both to policy-makers in the United States and the Saudi government that workers and activists are willing to do whatever they can to prevent further disaster in Yemen.

https://www.thenation.com/article/dockworkers-saudi-yemen-strike/

cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

(* B D)

Al-Komani Records: The Largest Collection of Folk Poetry in the Arab World

Folk poetry holds great importance for people. In fact, the closer people are to Bedouinism, the nomadic Bedouin form of life, the more attached they are to folk poetry. Folk poetry is popular in every Yemeni village and city and is of great importance to Yemeni people. It shares the sadness and happiness of the Yemeni people throughout time.

Unlike standard Arabic poetry, popular folk poetry is often verbally composed and recited, so it is rarely written down, and therefore it is difficult to determine which poems are the oldest. For example, a very famous poet from Dhamar is Ghazalah al-Maqdashi, who lived during the 19th century. Despite the fact that there were hundreds of poets in the same era, she was the only folk poet from the period that we still know about. Since the second half of the 20th century, many countries have given more attention to folk poetry, preserving folk poems by writing them down or recording them. These efforts, however, were limited.

We have been fortunate in Yemen to have a small cultural organization that has assumed a key role in the preservation of folk poetry and heritage. Al-Komani Records has, for more than 40 years, recorded tens of thousands of popular and folk poems, saving them from being forgotten. It has exerted greater effort than the Ministry of Culture in Yemen and carried out an unprecedented role in the Arabian Peninsula.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2019/07/31/al-komani-records-the-largest-collection-of-folk-poetry-in-the-arab-world/

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A E P)

Sabafon shareholders condemn the company's invasion and takeover by the Houthis

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170443

(A E P)

Private telecom company relocates to Aden

A private telecom company said on Saturday that it relocated its headquarters from Sana’a to Aden city following forcible change of its management personnel by the Houthi-affiliated militants last Wednesday.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-32447

(A E P)

[Aden] Central Bank seeks to fight speculators by linking exchange facilities electronically

Yemen's central bank on Sunday unveiled a project to reduce currency speculation and exchange rate manipulation, which is to connect banking companies and facilities operating across the country to an electronic network.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170334

and also https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-s-central-bank-launches-initiative-to-protect-currency-1.894727

(* A E P)

YEMENI RIYAL CONTINUES TO STABILIZE AGAINST FOREIGN CURRENCIES

The Yemeni riyal continued on Saturday to stabilize against foreign exchange rates in the local financial markets to stop at 589.5 riyals per dollar, influenced by differences of leaders of the central bank of Aden and flooding the markets with the printed currency in Russia.

Banking sources attributed that to arbitrary measures taken recently by governor of the central bank of Aden Hafedh Maydad to address the international financial remittance companies to stop dealing with institutions and exchange companies licensed from the Central Bank in Sanaa. This has further aggravated the economic situation and caused the collapse of the currency.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/yemeni-riyal-continues-to-stabilize-against-foreign-currencies/

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

On Saturday #alQaeda #Yemen's audio production arm released a new lament #nashid for 2 martyrs: Abu Suhayb al-Hadrami & Abu Bahr al-Muradi This came the day after #AQAP's major attack on #UAE-backed forces in Abyan. So it suggests not all the jihadists withdrew safely as claimed (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1158752477220605953

(A T)

All but 1 of #AQAP's attacks in JUL & AUG targeted #UAE-backed forces in Bayda & Abyan, #Yemen after a period of almost exclusively targeting #ISIS (images)

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1158697154199871494

Reiterating though it is unclear what "Elite" forces AQAP claims to attack in Bayda, no confirmation or reporting of establishing an Elite force in Bayda or the Shabwani Elite entering Bayda. Might be misinformation, might be the coalition finally going after AQAP there.

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1158698320497451008

(A T)

#IslamicState in #Yemen released 2 photosets yesterday from Qayfa. What's interesting is that both sets claim to target Houthis. Not seen this since February So, while #AQAP is shifting target focus from ISIS to #UAE-backed forces, #ISIS *may* be shifting from AQAP to Houthis (photos)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1158716401970012160

(A T)

#AlQaeda has just claimed a 4th attack on #UAE-backed Security Belt forces in al-Mahfad #Yemen in a 2-day period: #AQAP claims it killed 1 soldier, injured several, seized weapon & destroyed vehicle by IED yday Since start June, 75% of AQAP ops have targeted UAE-backed forces

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1157986473955778561

‘Like an elder sister’: Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, rescued from ISIS captivity, remembers Sushma Swaraj

In September, 2017, then-foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had announced on Twitter that the priest had been released from ISIS captivity and will return to India shortly.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/like-an-elder-sister-fr-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued-from-isis-captivity-remembers-sushma-swaraj-5885499/

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Sudanese Pilgrim: We Sacrifice Our Souls for the Land of the Two Holy Mosques

Mustafa Kamon, a Sudanese pilgrim of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah whose his brother martyred in the Decisive Storm [Yemen war], affirmed that they sacrifice their souls for the land of the Two Holy Mosques, saying that he is ready to confront whoever intends to harm the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is the heart of the Islamic nation.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955684

(A P)

Yemen: Suicidal Stubbornness

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the core of the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemen government against the Iranian backed Shia rebels from the north. The Saudis are mainly concerned about eliminating an Iranian ally operating on the southwestern border of Saudi Arabia and posing a threat to maritime traffic in the Red Sea. This is also of major concern for Egypt, which depends on Suez Canal transit fees for a major portion of its foreign currency income. Persian Gulf oil states depend on the Suez Canal to ship oil to Europe and receive exports from Europe. Since the Coalition arrived in 2015 the Saudis have concentrated on air operations and defending their northern border and the Red Sea. The UAE concentrated on the south, the Islamic terrorist threat there and rebuilding the Yemen armed forces. The UAE feels most of its work is done and it does face an increasingly aggressive Iran in the Persian Gulf.

Yemen was a mess before the current war and four years of fighting have made things worse. Over 90,000 Yemenis have died and most are dependent on foreign aid to survive. The Shia rebels are losing but their Iranian patrons have convinced enough of the rebel leadership to hold out for terms the Saudis cannot tolerate; autonomy for the Shia tribes who have always controlled much of the northwest border with Saudi Arabia. The longer the Shia tribes refuse to make peace the worse the retribution will be. It is unclear to what degree Iranian support is sustaining this suicidal stubbornness. Whatever the case, this will not end well for the Yemeni Shia nor Yemen in general.

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/yemen/articles/20190807.aspx

(A P)

Fraternalising with terrorists in Yemen

UN humanitarian mission is deeply compromised by its cosy ties with Al Houthis

revelations also point to a very close and cosy relationship with Al Houthi terrorists.

These are indeed worrying since the UN is involved in Yemen on foot of Security Council (UNSC) resolutions calling for the legitimate government there to be returned following its overthrow by Al Houthis. Now it transpires that an element of those engaged in badly-needed humanitarian work there — work necessitated by the actions of the terrorists in preventing aid and relief reaching those in need — seem to be hand-in-glove with the terrorists.

https://gulfnews.com/opinion/editorials/fraternalising-with-terrorists-in-yemen-1.65682327

(A P)

Saudi Arabia Must Win in Yemen, Not Iran

But with all this said, President Trump is quite right to continue to sell arms to Saudi Arabia. Because it is not all about Saudi Arabia; any national interest calculus by the U.S. must also address the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The fact is the Saudis are only in Yemen because of Iran. The Shia Islamist Iranian regime has been sending advanced weapons and military advisers to supply and train Yemen’s rebel Houthi movement.

Under Iranian tutelage — and sometimes under direct orders — the Houthis have attacked plenty of Saudi targets, and more concerning for the U.S., oil shipping in the area through the Bab al-Mandab strait and in the Red Sea.

What is worse, the Iranian regime is also in Yemen in the hopes that it can threaten Saudi Arabia, a huge world producer of oil. Yemen has alwaysbeen the soft underbelly of Saudi Arabia.

Needless to say, although the U.S. no longer relies on oil from the Middle East, the U.S. still has a national interest in preventing the Iranian regime from disrupting the oil flow throughout the world and creating economic chaos.

And that is not all.

Iran is at war with the U.S. Over the years, the Iranian regime has seized hostages from our Embassy in Tehran, sponsored and directed the attacks that murdered and maimed hundreds of Americans by foreign designated terror group Hezbollah, and supplied and trained Iraqi rebel terror groups who killed over 600 U.S. soldiers in Iraq – by Adam Turner, General Counsel and Legislative Affairs Director for the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET).

https://www.newsmax.com/adamturner/saudi-arabia-yemen-iran-united-states/2019/08/06/id/927503/

My comment: Yawn. All the old propaganda stuff by the sledgehammer approach again. On this organization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endowment_for_Middle_East_Truth

(A P)

Between two wars: Yemen and Afghanistan

But why the comparison between Yemen and Afghanistan? Well, the two wars, though different in historical roots and political motives, are similar in geography, circumstances and ongoing challenges.
Has the war in Yemen been going on for too long? Yes, but wars do not have a specific duration.

The alternative options for both wars are very limited too.

But for Saudi Arabia, withdrawal is dangerous because Yemen may become a satellite state loyal to Iran on the Kingdom’s southern border, which would pose a direct threat. A Saudi withdrawal may also lead to the destruction of what remains of Yemen, and drive the country into a wider tribal civil war, causing greater hardships for the Yemeni people.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1536496 = https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1847336/abdulrahman-al-rashed/between-two-wars-yemen-and-afghanistan

(A P)

Yemen: Rival terror groups cooperate, not fight

In Yemen, the ultra Sunni al-Qaeda and ultra Shia Houthis cooperate.

On Thursday the two groups struck Yemen's temporary capital in a simultaneous terror attack. The former used a car bomb and the latter used a ballistic missile.

They both celebrated the attacks. Houthis have boasted that they have collaborators in the temporary capital city who helped facilitate the attack.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-32460

my comment: Odd propaganda. Houthis and Al Qaeda are archenemies, while pro-Saudi forces often had cooperated with Al Qaeda.

(A P)

To the Yemeni government: Discard ointments, excise cancer against any advice

Can anybody treat cancer by just applying some ointments on their body?!

The Yemeni government is under constant international advices and pressures to not prosecute the war and rather wait for Houthis to sue for peace. Tumors are excised, the only way to get rid of it. Trying otherwise with Houthis, I swear, is like trying to treat cancer with ointments.

Here are more detailed reasons why the government should not heed the advices for open-ended patience with Houthis until they decide to sue for peace

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-32461

(A P)

Prime Minister: Houthi escalation reflects rejection of peace

Prime Minister Ma’een Abdulmalik has confirmed that Houthi rebel militia’s recent escalation is a clear position of rejecting peace and an Iranian fail attempt for facing international isolation by moving their terrorist tools in the region to tell international community they can affect vital interests in the region and the world.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/05/prime-minister-houthi-escalation-reflects-rejection-of-peace/

(A P)

Iran’s Threat to Saudi Critical Infrastructure: The Implications of U.S.-Iranian Escalation

Tensions between Iran and the United States have heightened concerns about the threat to critical infrastructure in the Persian Gulf, including in Saudi Arabia. This report argues that while Saudi Arabia has vulnerabilities in its oil, desalination, electricity, SCADA, shipping, and other systems, Iran has thus far adopted a calibrated approach. Tehran has conducted irregular attacks to infrastructure using offensive cyber weapons, naval ships to impede oil tankers, and partners like the Houthis in Yemen. The United States should focus on deterring further Iranian escalation, refraining from actions that threaten the regime’s survival, and providing a political “off ramp” for Iran to de-escalate.

One challenge with the current U.S. approach is that it is too reliant on economic sanctions, which may severely weaken Iran’s economy but are unlikely to dissuade Iran from developing its missile program or aiding partner forces in countries like Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. In fact, escalating sanctions—without clear and achievable U.S. political objectives—will likely increase Iran’s efforts to strengthen these capabilities. The United States needs to clearly signal to Tehran a way out of the current conflict. Iran is unlikely to give up its missile program. But it may eventually agree to a nuclear deal in exchange for sanctions relief, which it already agreed to under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In addition, Tehran will not end its support to partner forces like Lebanese Hezbollah in the region, but it may be willing to help seek a political solution to the Yemen conflict and curb its support to the Houthis.
In the end, U.S. policymakers would be wise to heed Schelling’s advice on latent violence. The best way to protect critical infrastructure in countries like Saudi Arabia may be to develop a robust deterrent strategy that credibly signals to Iran—through words and actions—that it will be punished if it moves up the escalatory ladder, as well as offers a political exit ramp to the current conflict.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/irans-threat-saudi-critical-infrastructure-implications-us-iranian-escalation

My comment: The bad Iranians, and the US is the brave policeman of the world.

(A P)

Maliki Reviews Crimes, Violations Committed by the Houthi Militias, in Yemen

The official spokesman for the Coalition Forces (Coalition to Support Legitimacy, in Yemen) Col. Turki Al-Maliki condemned and disapproved, in the strongest terms, the vicious crime and massacre committed by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias, as they targeted unarmed and innocent civilians, in Al-Thabit market.
Al-Maliki said during a press conference of the coalition joint forces command, held here tonight, that the coalition forces responded immediately to a distress from Al Thabit tribes following the criminal attack, whereas the wounded were evacuated to hospitals inside Saudi Arabia.
He cast light on the continuous coordination with the social components and border tribes adjacent to Saudi Arabia, for providing treatment for the wounded and assistance to alleviate the pains of victims of the terrorist crime committed by the Houthi militias, in order to incite public opinion and try to attach the crime to coalition countries.
Therefore, these repeated acts by the Houthi militias are forms used to pressure the coalition forces to support the legitimacy, but those violations are exposed, monitored and documented by the joint command of the coalition forces, he said.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1954602

My comment: In Al-Thabit market, Saudi coalition had committed an air raid.

(A P)

Houthis Turn to Women Indoctrination Campaign

Houthi militias have resorted to the indoctrination of women, mainly teachers, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and other areas falling under their control since the start of the summer break.

A Sanaa school principal revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthi education ministry has forced school directors to provide it with data on the number of female teachers working in their institutions to force them into their so-called “cultural programs.”

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1841861/houthis-turn-women-indoctrination-campaign = https://republicanyemen.net/archives/20152

My comment: by a Saudi news site, I label this as mainly propaganda.

(A P)

Saudi Arabia has achieved another milestone for women’s rights. Only a year after the historic decision to allow them to drive, it was announced on Friday that women will be allowed to travel abroad and obtain a passport without requiring permission from a male guardian, thus bringing down another wall of male dominance and control.

With this, Saudi Arabia has made momentous progress in its record on women’s rights, bypassing some other Arab and Islamic states, and maybe others. It is a sign of the Saudi leadership’s determination and will to move forward with national goals and objectives, and to change what needed to be changed a long time ago. Thank you, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1535396

(A P)

Houthi Purge A Reflection Of Group’s True Nature – OpEd

Incredible as it may seem, many individuals — in Yemen and abroad — delude themselves about the Houthis’ nature. Let’s look at some of their betrayals. T

Such delusion falls into two camps: The ignorant supporters of the supposedly oppressed; and the willful support of evil in defense of an imagined greater good. The latter have a similar mindset (and are in many cases the very same people) who used to defend the Soviet Bloc for its crimes on the basis that they were committed in defense against the imperial hegemonic West – by Peter Welby

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1535371 = https://www.eurasiareview.com/05082019-houthi-purge-a-reflection-of-groups-true-nature-oped/

(A K P)

Saudi Press: Houthis resort to lies and fabrications

Al-Riyadh newspaper in its editorial on Houthis wrote that it seems that Houthis have found themselves in a great predicament and become desperate and frustrated, so they resorted to lies and fabrications, claiming that they hit the city of Dammam with a ballistic missile and took control of Saudi military positions in Najran and Jazan during the past few days.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1953901

(A H P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955629

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955623

http://www.wam.ae/de/details/1395302779004

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1955164 and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/11967

http://en.adenpress.news/news/11963

http://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302778803

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302778765

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1954148

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

Aug. 6. https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1565183896./1378017582348603/

Aug. 5: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1565183896./1378016729015355/

Aug. 4: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1565020241./1376292995854395/

Aug. 3: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000.1565020241./1376307442519617/

(A K pS)

Coalition air strikes target Houthi militia in Baqam, Sa’ada

The air strikes targeted Houthi militia sites and gatherings, east of Baqim district.

The coalition’s strikes resulted in the killing and wounding of a number of militia elements, as well as the destruction of a number of militia’s combat vehicles.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/07/coalition-air-strikes-target-houthi-militia-in-baqam-saada/

(A K pH)

Citizens Injured by Raids of US-Saudi Mercenaries in Amran City

A number of citizens were wounded, some of them seriously, on Monday, by raids of the US-Saudi mercenaries on Amran city.

The correspondent of Al-Masirah told that the US-Saudi aggression launched four raids on Amran city, injurying of a number of citizens were injured in addition to material damage to houses and property of citizens in the city.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8149

and also https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/new-war-crime-against-citizens-in-amran/

(A K pH)

Saada: 13-year-old child Ali Mohsen Abdu Saadane died of his wounds in the massacre of Al-Thabet Market (photo)

https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/photos/a.1434086430220680/2080481412247842/?type=3&theater

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

Aug. 7: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8182 Sanaa, Saada, Hajjah provinces

Aug. 6: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8164 Saada p.

Aug. 5: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8151 Saada p.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/three-air-raids-hit-amran-province/ Amran p.

Aug. 4: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8142 Saada p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(* B K)

Militiamen dig in at a front line of Yemen’s deadlocked war

Yemen’s civil war, nearly five years long, has been locked into an exhausted stalemate. Little ground is gained or lost between the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels, who hold the north, and forces backed by the U.S.-allied, Saudi-led coalition, who control the south. The war’s bloody grind has killed tens of thousands, destroyed the country’s economy and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

This area in the southern province of Dhale is one of the few front lines that still sees frequent fighting. The fighters battling the Houthis here belong to a number of militias, particularly one known as the Security Belt, which are funded and armed by the United Arab Emirates.

Their equipment is bare-bones.

At one militia position, in an area called Moreys, around 40 fighters touting assault rifles had a single tank — used as an artillery piece — along with a few mortar launchers and a pick-up truck mounted with a heavy machine gun. One of the men at the mortar had bare feet.

During the day, when it is calm, many of them sleep, hidden in shelters they have dug into hillsides and barricaded with stones. Nearby is a field of qat, the stimulant leaf that Yemenis addictively chew; even with a war nearby, workers never stop tending the plants.

The militias and the Houthis have battled over this patch of Dhale for years, advancing and retreating back and forth along the same stretch of highway, no longer than 30 kilometers (18 miles) – by Nariman El-Mofty

https://apnews.com/d533dceaf23943e98c4d84fcfb675c53

(A K pS)

3 children injured by Houthi projectile north of Hajjah

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170430

(A K pS)

Houthi shelling seriously injures child in Al-Jawf

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/07/houthi-shelling-seriously-injures-child-in-al-jawf/

(A K pH)

In Al-Dhalee, US-Saudi mercenaries targeted civilians' houses in Qa'tabah district

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8182

(* A K PH)

” ZILZAL-1″ MISSILES HIT GATHERINGS OF MERCENARIES IN ASIR

The missile force of the army and popular committees on Tuesday released 3 missiles of ” Zilzal-1″ on the gatherings of the Saudi army’s mercenaries in Asir province.

A military source said that the missile force of the army and popular committees released 3 missiles of ” Zilzal-1″ on the gatherings of the mercenaries, causing direct casualties.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/zilzal-1-missiles-hit-gatherings-of-mercenaries-in-asir/

My remark: On Saudi territory.

(* B K)

Drohnen – die neue Allzweckwaffe von Aufständischen und Extremisten

Einst hatten reguläre Streitkräfte das Monopol auf Drohnen. Das hat sich radikal geändert. Insbesondere die Huthi-Rebellen in Jemen setzen zunehmend auf diese Waffe – und gefährden damit den Schiffsverkehr am Golf.

Lange Zeit hatten reguläre Streitkräfte das Monopol auf Drohnen. Das hat sich in den letzten Jahren jedoch radikal geändert. Inzwischen gehört die Waffe auch zum Arsenal von Aufständischen und Extremisten aller Couleur. Sowohl die palästinensische Hamas wie der libanesische Hizbullah besitzen sie, aber auch die Rebellen und Extremisten in Syrien und im Irak oder die Drogenkartelle in Südamerika. In den meisten Fällen verwenden die nichtstaatlichen Akteure Drohnen, die für zivile Zwecke hergestellt werden und die sie mit Sprengsätzen zu Minibomben umbauen.

Nach Erkenntnissen von Militärexperten war der Angriff auf die Militärparade in al-Anad, den die Huthi als grossen Triumph feierten, die erste gezielte Tötung mit einer Drohne durch Aufständische. Die Huthi sind auch die erste Rebellengruppe, die zu Drohnenangriffen weit ausserhalb des eigentlichen Kampfgebiets auf gegnerisches Territorium in der Lage ist.

Und selbst die besten Drohnentypen der Rebellen lassen sich nicht mit der hochentwickelten Technologie aus amerikanischer und chinesischer Produktion vergleichen, über die Riad und Abu Dhabi verfügen.

Lange Zeit waren ballistische Raketen die wichtigste Waffe der Huthi für Angriffe in Saudiarabien und den Emiraten sowie auf den Schiffsverkehr in den Gewässern am Golf. Vor rund zwei Jahren setzten sie aber sowohl auf See wie auf Land erstmals auch Drohnen ein. Im vergangenen Monat intensivierten sie diese Art der Angriffe.

Während die Drohneneinsätze auf dem jemenitischen Schlachtfeld für Angst unter den Gegnern sorgen, haben sie wegen ihrer kurzen Reichweite kaum Einfluss auf den eigentlichen Kriegsverlauf. Die Angriffe auf saudische Erdöleinrichtungen markieren dagegen einen Wendepunkt. Haben die Huthi ihre Drohnen und ballistischen Raketen bis vor drei Jahren noch aus dem Ausland ins Land geschmuggelt, insbesondere aus Iran, stellen sie diese inzwischen selbst her. Nach Erkenntnissen von Uno-Waffenexperten importieren sie zunehmend hochwertige Komponenten wie Motoren und Leitsysteme, um Drohnen mit grösserer Reichweite zu produzieren. Dabei wies die Uno ebenfalls auf die Ähnlichkeiten zwischen der «Kasef-1» und der iranischen «Ababil-2» beziehungsweise «Ababil-T» hin – von Inga Rogg

https://www.nzz.ch/international/drohnen-neue-allzweckwaffe-von-aufstaendischen-und-extremisten-ld.1487757

Mein Kommentar: Dieser Artikel hat ein gewisses Propagandapotential. Man muss schon von westlichem Propagandasprech benebelt sein, um die Huthis nicht nur immer noch als „Rebellen“ zu bezeichnen, sondern das auch ernst zu nehmen. Tatsächlich tragen sie seit 2014 die Regierung im Nordjemen, und der größere Teil der regulären Armee des Landes kämpft auf Seiten dieser Regierung. Und das sind nun mal reguläre Streitkräfte. – Warum die Huthis mit ihren Drohnen den Schiffsverkehr am Golf gefährden sollen, bleibt geheimnisvoll. Immerhin liegt jemen nicht am Golf, sondern am Roten Meer. – Und Iran als Herkunft der Waffenkomponenten bleibt angesichts der saudischen Seeblockade zweifelhaft.

(* B K P)

Analysis: Houthi drone strikes in Saudi Arabia and Yemen

Following analysis of the Houthi ballistic and cruise missiles on the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, in Part II of this three-part series, FDD’s Long War Journal has also mapped out drone strikes claimed by the insurgent group.

The Houthi drone capabilities represent a new phase in Yemen’s conflict wherein the insurgent group is able to utilize drones not only for reconnaissance purposes, but to also penetrate deeper into the territory of Saudi Arabia.

While insurgent groups using drones in warfare is no longer novel, as seen from the usage by a myriad of substate actors across the Middle East and North Africa, the state backing of the Houthis drone program sets it apart from the vast majority.

In addition to its missile program, military experts and UN officials have linked the Houthi drone apparatus to Iran. For instance, its Qasef-2k drone, which is used in most strikes, is nearly identical to the Iranian Ababil drone.

Newer models showcased by the Houthis are also strikingly similar to other Iranian military drones. And much like the drones utilized by Hezbollah in Israel, Lebanon, and Syria, it is clear that Iran has also invested in Houthi drone capabilities.

Data on Houthi drone strikes

According to the data compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal, the Houthis have launched 58 drone strikes in Saudi Arabia and a further eight inside Yemen. A disputed strike has also been claimed inside the United Arab Emirates.

These numbers are generated from each individual report of a drone strike and does not represent the total number of individual drones used.

From the data, it is clear that Houthi drone program is largely centralized on utilizing drones to strike inside Saudi territory. However, this focus could change as the war progresses.

That said, Houthi drone strikes are a relatively new phenomenon having only began in early 2018.

Strikes on Saudi troop positions inside Saudi Arabia’s Jizan and Najran provinces have also been claimed seven times. While Saudi and coalition troops have been hit by Houthi drone strikes, the insurgents’ main focus appears to be on civilian infrastructure – by Caleb Weiss

https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2019/08/analysis-houthi-drone-strikes-in-saudi-arabia-and-yemen.php

My comment: Apart from statistics, a high propaganda level – the author simply adopts many tales of Saudi and US propaganda claims. It’s the Iran story and, even more obvious, the claim in the last sentence quoted here: “, the insurgents’ main focus appears to be on civilian infrastructure”. _ And, also this: The Houthis are a governing body since 2014, the greater part of Yemen’s regular army is loyal to the Houthi-dominated Sanaa government: The Houthis no more are an “insurgent group”. False conclusions drawn from years of bizarre Western propaganda wording does not make things better.

(* A K)

Yemen rebels claim missile attack on Saudi camp

Houthi rebels say ballistic missile attack targeted military camp in Najran

Yemen's Houthi rebel group claimed a ballistic missile attack on a military camp in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

In a statement, rebel spokesman Yehia Sarie said the attack targeted the camp in Najran province and the missile “perfectly struck its target”.

He said scores of Saudi soldiers and “mercenaries” were killed and injured in the attack.

https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/yemen-rebels-claim-missile-attack-on-saudi-camp-3497615

and

(* A K pH)

Yemeni missile strike kills dozens of Saudi mercenaries in kingdom’s Najran

Dozens of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, have been killed and scores of others sustained injuries when Yemeni army forces and their allies fired a domestically-manufactured ballistic missile at their camp in Saudi Arabia’s southern province of Najran.

The spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said on Wednesday afternoon that Yemeni missile defense units launched a Badr-F missile at a position of Saudi mercenaries in Rajla area of the region, located 844 kilometers (524 miles) south of the capital Riyadh.

He added that the missile hit the designated target with great precision, leaving dozens of Saudi-paid militiamen killed and injured.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/08/07/602925/Yemeni-missile-strike-najran

(A K pS)

Dozens Houthi militiamen killed and injured northern Al-Dhale

At least 20 Houthi rebels were killed and 30 others were injured in clashes with the Yemeni national army in the southern province of Al-Dhale on Tuesday.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/07/dozens-houthi-militiamen-killed-and-injured-northern-al-dhale/

(A K pS)

3 children injured by Houthi projectile north of Hajjah

Three children from one family were injured when a Houthi rocket hit the village of Al-Danani in Hayran district in northern Hajjah province.

According to a medical source, the children, aged about 15, were taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia after being hit by shrapnel in their bodies

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170430

(A K pS)

Four siblings injured by Houthi shelling in Al-Dhale

Three little brothers and their young sister sustained life-threatening injuries on Tuesday by indiscriminate shelling of the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Qatabah district north of Al-Dhale province, southern Yemen.

Local sources said to September Net that the rebel militia stationed in Salim area eastern Fakhir city launched heavy and random artillery shelling on civilians’ houses in the village of Qaflah, wounding critically three little boys along with their sister. (photo)

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/06/four-siblings-injured-by-houthi-shelling-in-al-dhale/

(A K pH)

Over 70 Saudi forces captured by Yemeni army in recent days

The number of the Saudi-led aggression coalition’s prisoners, who were captured by the Yemeni army in Asir during the last few days, has increased to more than 70.

https://www.uprising.today/over-70-saudi-forces-captured-by-yemeni-army-in-recent-days/

Film: https://www.facebook.com/100036633947189/videos/vb.100036633947189/131980948033036/?type=2&theater

(A K pS)

KSrelief's Masam Project Dismantles 1,673 mines in the Last Week of July

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's project for clearing mines (Masam) in Yemen demined 1,673 items during the last week of July 2019, including four antipersonnel mines, 1,350 anti-tank, 305 unexploded ordnance and 14 explosive devices.
Since the start of the project, 79,986 landmines have been dismantled after they had been planted by Houthi militias

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1954575

(* A K pH)

Erneut jemenitische Drohnenangriffe auf saudische Flughäfen

Jemenitische Drohnen haben am Montagmorgen die Flughäfen Abha und Najran sowie die Luftbasis King Khalid im Süden Saudi-Arabiens angegriffen.

"Für die Operation hat man Drohnen vom Typ „Qasef-2“ genutzt", schrieb der Sprecher der jemenitischen Streitkräfte Brigadegeneral Yahya Saree auf Twitter. Durch die erfolgreichen Angriffe sei das Versprechen des Führers der jemenitischen Revolution Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi von gestern, auf die Verbrechen des Feindes, die Blockade gegen den Jemen und die Ausplünderung der Bevölkerung eine harte Antwort zu geben, realisiert worden.

http://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i48389-erneut_jemenitische_drohnenangriffe_auf_saudische_flughäfen

(* A K pH)

Yemeni Air Force Carries Out Broad Attacks on Saudi Airports, Air Base

The Air Force of the Yemeni Army and Popular Committees carried out, Monday morning, broad attacks with Qasef-2K drones targeting Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base and Najran Airport in the depth of Saudi Arabia.

"The first operation targeted Saudi UAV hangars at Najran airport," spokesman of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Sare'e said in a statement, stressing that the hit was direct and led to the disruption of air traffic at the airport.

Sare'e said that the second operation targeted important and sensitive military sites at the King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, Asir, "The drone strikes had accurately hit the targets," he added.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8140

and

(* A K pS)

Arab Coalition intercepts Houthi drones targeting Saudi airports

The Royal Saudi Air Force on Monday, shot down bomb-laden drones launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel militia, targeting civilian airports in Kingdom Saudi Arabia.

The coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said that, the Royal Saudi Air Force on Monday, intercepted and downed unmanned aircrafts launched by the Iran-backed Houthi militia towards civilian airports in the Kingdom.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2019/08/05/arab-coalition-intercepts-houthi-drones-targeting-saudi-airports/

My comment: These airports are not as “civilian” as he claims.

(* A K)

Yemeni Houthis launch drone attacks on Saudi aiports, airbase

Yemeni Houthi forces launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid airbase and Abha and Najran airports, the Houthis’ military spokesman said on Monday.

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen said later that Houthi drones had been intercepted and downed heading in the direction of civilian airports.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said the attack on Abha airport “hit its targets” and air traffic was disrupted at both Abha and Najran. All three locations are in southwest Saudi, near the border with Yemen.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi/yemeni-houthis-launch-drone-attacks-on-saudi-aiports-airbase-idUSKCN1UV0EX

and also https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2019/08/05/602706/Yemen-launches-drone-attacks-Saudi-Arabia

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/saudi-arabia-intercepts-houthi-drones-launched-at-southern-airports-1.894755

(A K pH)

Aug. 4: In Sa'adah, a civilian was killed and another was injured with Saudi artillery missiles and artillery shells in Qitabir district. Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated areas in Haidan and Munabbih districts.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8142

(A K pS)

A child killed and another man injured by Houthi shells targeted their home in Hajjah

A child was killed and a man from one family was injured when a Houthi projectile landed on the family's home in the village of Al-Dair in Hayran district in northern Hajjah, northwest Yemen.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170338

(B K)

Houthi leader: Al-Qaeda's attack coincided with the attack we carried out on Aden was purely coincidental

Al-Houthi group leader Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said that the al-Qaeda attack coincided with the attack carried out by his group's militias with the drone and missiles in Aden was purely coincidental.

https://almasdaronline.com/articles/170313

(B K pH)

The rise of Yemeni long-range missiles

Yemen army and public groups attacked the furthest eastern part of East Saudi Arabia, in Dammam, for the very first time with a long-range ballistic missile.

Most importantly, the operation showed that Yemeni forces can now attack targets that are thousands of kilometers away.

The operations come after the attacks on Saudi airport and prove that Sanaa can expand its military reach to central or eastern part of Saudi Arabia and target all its critical bases. Surely, in the future, the resistant forces will launch more extensive and advanced operations against Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Now, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have realized that the war is in favor of Yemen and the longer it takes, the more victims there will be in Yemen, but Saudi Arabia and UAE will also suffer its consequences.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/148454/The-rise-of-Yemeni-long-range-missiles

(* A K pH)

23 SUDANESE MERCENARIES TARGETED BY MISSILE SHELLING OFF JIZAN

The armed forces spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Sarea, said that the missile unit shelled 23 Sudanese mercenaries, killing 14 and wounding 9 of them in a new camp in al-Tenah western Hayran off Jizan.

Sarea said that the operation of targeting the Sudanese mercenaries was done after a precise intelligence, carried out with a number of Katyusha and Zilzal missiles.

https://www.yemenpress.org/yemen/23-sudanese-mercenaries-targeted-by-missile-shelling-off-jizan/

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(A)

Film: Another massive waves of Locusts invaded the capital Sana'a today. Yemen. People were so scared and they haven't seen like this huge waves of locusts.

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1158764082524315649

(* A)

12 Citizens Die, 27 Water Barriers Collapse after Rains and Floods in Al-Mahweet

Heavy rains and floods in in Al-Mahwit governorate continued since yesterday.

The floods caused the collapse of five houses and the death and loss of 12 citizens, including children, women and the elderly in the isolation of Bani Wahb, Milhan district in an initial toll, Saba News Agency cited a local source in al-Mahwit.

The source pointed out that the floods also caused the collapse of 27 water barriers in the isolation of Al-Rodha, Al-Shamsana and Beni Wahb.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=8166

and

(A)

Heavy rains cause flooding in the capital Sana'a. Yemen. (photos)

https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1158761261607337984

(B E H)

Farmers turn to wastewater for irrigation in al-Rahba area in the north of Sana’a. Al-Rahba area is one of the largest areas, producing 80% of vegetables, but they become contaminated. (photo)

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1158067619389497344

(B D)

Al-Nasieh Club in Aden: A Civil Breeze in the Face of the Artillery of War and Intolerance

At the cultural end of the city’s life, people have not had the opportunity to resume or initiate cultural activities that would restore the city, once a cultural capital for Yemenis, to its former multicultural spirit and character. As one of the most important cities in the Arabian Peninsula, over the years Aden witnessed the emergence of an open civil society accompanied by many cultural and literary clubs, cinemas, theaters and more.

a group of educated youth experiencing the trauma in the city attempted to find a solution, albeit a simple one. It began in November 2015, when young peace advocates came together and agreed that one of the city’s main strengths lay in its cultural clubs. There was no better place to strengthen civil society and promote peace in the city, and so they embarked on setting up a new cultural club.

The aim of this initiative was to contribute to the restoration of prewar conditions and the revival of civic culture in the city, and to send a message that Aden is still a beacon of science and culture.

Al-Nasieh Club continued to breathe new life into the city through cultural, artistic and awareness activities. In May 2016, the club held an evening of art and poetry at Muswat Library, one of the oldest libraries in the city, in memory of the poet Lutfi Jafar Aman and in celebration of his birthday. Later during the month, the members organized a cultural evening at the Minaret Square on the legacy of Mohammed Ali Luqman, a leading Adeni figure and poet. During Ramadan, the club maintained its activities through artistic and cultural evenings, and also held a Ramadan party at Al-Bara’im Park.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2017/07/26/2017-7-25-al-nasieh-club-in-aden-a-civil-breeze-in-the-face-of-the-artillery-of-war-and-intolerance/

(A H)

Film: Despite the ongoing war and siege ... TU graduates celebrate their achievements

The students of the twenty-first class of accounting graduated at the Taiz University in southern Yemen. The ongoing war did not deter 125 young men and women from achieving their goal to graduate after completing their bachelor’s degrees

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEHlHF85X-o

My comment: Not a single female student among them??????????

(* B D)

Countries With The Highest Rate Of Gun Ownership

Top 3 Countries by Gun Ownership Rates

United States

Serbia

Yemen

Yemen has the third highest gun ownership rate in the world with a rate of 54.8 guns per a hundred people. In Yemen, the law permits individuals to own handguns, semiautomatic, and automatic weapons. The prime minister regulates guns in Yemen and anyone with a genuine reason provided he/she is over eighteen years old can get a license to carry a weapon. Before acquiring a firearm, each person must pass a background check which considers addictions, mental health, and criminal histor

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-highest-rate-of-gun-ownership.html

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-563 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-563:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-563-yemen-war-mosaic-563

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-562-yemen-war-mosaic-562

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-562 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-562:

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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