Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 618b- Yemen War Mosaic 618b

Yemen Press Reader 618b: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 618: cp8–18 / Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 618: cp8–18

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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 618, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 618, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-618-yemen-war-mosaic-618

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Siehe Teil 1 / In Italics: Look in 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

cp1c Angriff auf Marib tötet 116 Soldaten und andere / Attack at Marib kills 116 soldiers and others

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 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

cp9 USA

cp9a1 USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf: Deutsch / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf: German

cp9a2 USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf: Englisch / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf: English

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

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

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(* B P)

FROM BEZOS TO KHASHOGGI TO YEMEN, SAUDI ARABIA AND MBS REVEL IN THEIR IMPUNITY

It's hard not to be astonished by Saudi Arabia's arrogant belief that it can do whatever it likes. It comes from being disgustingly rich and having everyone suck up to you, I suppose.

But this week it's the desert kingdom's hypocrisy which I'm more appalled by. Its sheer brass neck, if you like.

Consider the bombshell claim that the Amazon boss, Jeff Bezos, had his phone hacked in 2018 by a WhatsApp message sent from the personal account of the country's de-facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

Mr Bezos is also the owner of The Washington Post, whose opinion pieces by one Jamal Khashoggi were proving to be particularly irksome to the Saudi high command at the time.

The extraction of "large amounts of data" shows the arrogance of the Saudis who, in the words of the former National Security Council staffer, Andrew Miller, "have no real boundaries or limits in terms of what they are prepared to do in order to protect and advance MBS."

In other words, they don't believe the rules about how to behave which apply to the international community are something they need bother about.

Like locking up people for expressing views peacefully, such as the women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul or the liberal blogger, Raif Badawi.

Or putting to death pro-democracy protestors, who as teenagers used WhatsApp to organize demonstrations in a part of the country where a minority felt oppressed.

Or ambushing a dissident journalist as he arrives at one of your consulates, killing him and chopping up his body—while his fiancé waits outside for him to emerge with a piece of paper allowing them to wed.

Or bombing one of the poorest countries in the world back to the Dark Ages, leaving 100,000 dead and 85,000 infants on the brink of starvation.

I could go on, of course, but it brings me onto the hypocrisy of the Saudi foreign minister when confronted with his country's crimes and misdemeanors by the European Parliament on Tuesday.

"Stop lecturing us," said Adel al-Jubeir, who seems to embody the kingdom's arrogance and entitlement.

The MEPs were concerned about the country's legal system after it let go free those who ordered the killing of the Washington Post journalist, Khashoggi.

Al-Jubeir stormed: "We are a sovereign country, we are not a banana republic, and we will respect the decisions of our court system."

Note the sanctimonious reference to corrupt and unstable Central American plutocracies—as if this could never possibly be applied to Riyadh – by Anthony Harwood

https://www.newsweek.com/saudi-arabia-bezos-mbs-hacking-impunity-1483515

(A P)

UN expert recommends Kushner change his phone after suspected Saudi hack

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/23/politics/jared-kushner-saudi-arabia-jeff-bezos-phone-hack/index.html

(A P)

Questions linger over investigation into Jeff Bezos’ hacking

Cybersecurity experts said Thursday there were still many unanswered questions from an investigation commissioned by Jeff Bezos that concluded the billionaire’s cellphone was hacked, apparently after receiving a video file with malicious spyware from the WhatsApp account of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince.

https://apnews.com/e3cf702ac669dc9b3d1497a1157bd0b0

(A P)

What we know, and don’t, about the alleged Bezos phone hack

https://apnews.com/2a3bf37ac45d9c8693a84ead9cb95ac3

(A P)

Saudischer Kronprinz soll Jeff Bezos per Whatsapp-Nachricht gehackt haben

Unbekannt war jedoch bislang, wer das Telefon des reichsten Mannes der Welt gehackt haben könnte. Der Guardian berichtet jetzt, dass es der saudische Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman persönlich gewesen sein soll, der die Nachricht schickte, die Bezos' Telefon mit "hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit" kompromittierte.

Die Zeitung beruft sich auf Zeugen, die mit der Untersuchung von Bezos' Telefon vertraut sind, ohne jedoch deren Namen zu nennen. Demnach habe ein Whatsapp-Account, der mit dem saudischen Kronprinz assoziiert wird, zwei Nachrichten an Bezos geschickt. Eine sei harmlos gewesen, die zweite jedoch sei eine Videodatei gewesen, in der Code versteckt war, der schließlich zum Hack des Telefons führte.

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bezos-handy-1.4766821

und

(A P)

UN fordern Untersuchung: Prinz bin Salman unter Spionageverdacht

Laut dem "Guardian" soll Saudi-Arabien das Handy von Amazon-Chef Bezos gehackt haben. Das Land streitet das ab, doch UN-Experten halten die Vorwürfe für glaubwürdig. Sie fordern eine sofortige Untersuchung.

"Die Information, die wir bekommen haben, deutet auf die mögliche Beteiligung des Kronprinzen an der Überwachung von Bezos hin", schrieben Callamard und Kaye. Diese Hinweise seien für die Ermittlungen zum Tod des saudischen Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi relevant.

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/bezos-binsalman-103.html

und auch https://www.frankenpost.de/deutschlandwelt/brennpunkte/Saudischer-Hacker-Angriff-auf-Jeff-Bezos-UN-Experten-empoert;art2801,7098792

und

(A P)

Spionagekrimi um Jeff Bezos

Wie könnte der Angriff auf den Amazon-Boss abgelaufen sein?

Es klingt wie ein Spionagekrimi – der Amazon-Chef wird monatelang von Hackern aus dem Nahen Osten ausspioniert. Im Mittelpunkt steht eine berüchtigte Softwarefirma aus Israel, ein Kronprinz und der Messengerdienst WhatsApp.

Der Chef von Amazon, Jeff Bezos, soll monatelang über sein Smartphone ausspioniert worden sein. Hinter dem Angriff stecke der saudische Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman. Er soll Bezos, der gleichzeitig auch Inhaber der Tageszeitung „Washington Post“ ist, eine Videonachricht über WhatsApp geschickt haben. Die Meldung der britischen Zeitung "The Guardian" klingt abenteuerlich. UN-Experten fordern eine dringende Untersuchung.

https://www.t-online.de/digital/sicherheit/id_87200988/amazon-chef-gehackt-so-laesst-sich-whatsapp-hacken.html

(A P)

Saudi Officials Close to MBS Knew of Plan to Hack Jeff Bezos’ Phone: WSJ

Saudi Arabian officials close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told The Wall Street Journal they were aware of an alleged plan to hack Amazon CEO and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’ phone. The officials told the newspaper that the crown prince’s media adviser, Saud al-Qahtani, was involved in the Bezos hacking—which they say was part of a larger intimidation campaign against Jamal Khashoggi.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/saudi-officials-close-to-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-knew-of-alleged-plan-to-hack-jeff-bezos-phone-wsj

(A P)

Saudi involved in hacking of Amazon boss Bezos' phone, U.N. report will say

Two U.N. officials will report on Wednesday that there is enough evidence suggesting that Saudi Arabia had hacked Amazon.com Inc founder Jeff Bezos’ phone and both the kingdom and the United States should investigate, a person familiar with the matter said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-bezos-saudi/saudi-involved-in-hacking-of-amazon-boss-bezos-phone-u-n-report-will-say-idUSKBN1ZL0C9

Comment: In a normal country, and in a normal diplomatic relationship, the Secretary of State would summon the Saudi ambassador for a stern talk and a firm message back to Riyadh. But nah

https://twitter.com/shaifranklin/status/1220468612500201473

My comment: It's quite perverse how intensive a spied cellphone is reported compared to scores slaughtered and starved by the same very same saudis in Yemen, hardly getting any attention.

and

(A P)

Saudi Crown Prince Appeared to Taunt Jeff Bezos Over Secret Affair Before Enquirer Exposé

Mohammed bin Salman flaunted private info stolen from Jeff Bezos’ phone just a month after his Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi had been murdered, according to the UN.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent Jeff Bezos a photograph of a woman loosely resembling the one he was having an affair with months before the National Enquirer published a report exposing the liaison, according to a United Nations investigation.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/mbs-taunted-jeff-bezos-over-affair-before-national-enquirer-story-broke?ref=home

(A P)

UN experts: Jeff Bezos phone hack shows link to Saudi prince

The phone of Amazon billionaire and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos was hacked after receiving a file sent from an account used by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, United Nations experts alleged Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/a490f73620f267ac3c96c6cd25348f6b

and the UN report: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25488&LangID=E

and

(A P)

Saudi foreign minister calls claim that Crown Prince hacked Bezos phone 'absurd'

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-davos-meeting-saudi-arabia/saudi-foreign-minister-calls-claim-that-crown-prince-hacked-bezos-phone-absurd-idUSKBN1ZL1ED

and

(A P)

Saudi dismisses reports it is behind hacking of Amazon boss Bezos' phone

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that a media report that the Kingdom is behind the hacking of Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) founder Jeff Bezos’ phone was “absurd.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-bezos-saudi/saudi-dismisses-reports-it-is-behind-hacking-of-amazon-boss-bezos-phone-idUSKBN1ZL0C9

and

(A P)

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos's phone 'hacked by Saudi crown prince'

Exclusive: investigation suggests Washington Post owner was targeted five months before murder of Jamal Khashoggi

The Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos had his mobile phone “hacked” in 2018 after receiving a WhatsApp message that had apparently been sent from the personal account of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, sources have told the Guardian.

The encrypted message from the number used by Mohammed bin Salman is believed to have included a malicious file that infiltrated the phone of the world’s richest man, according to the results of a digital forensic analysis.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/21/amazon-boss-jeff-bezoss-phone-hacked-by-saudi-crown-prince

and also https://www.ft.com/content/83dcdf74-3c9b-11ea-a01a-bae547046735

and

(* B P)

Revealed: the Saudi heir and the alleged plot to undermine Jeff Bezos

Apparent targeting of Amazon billionaire’s phone fits into broader pattern of behaviour by Saudi Arabia

But this apparent targeting of Bezos’s phone appears to fit into a broader pattern of behaviour by Saudi Arabia.

The crown prince and his inner circle have been criticised for attempting to undermine real and perceived critics of his regime all over the world.

Was Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post, the paper that employed the eloquent Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, considered one of them?

At nearly the same time, the crown prince was developing a relationship with a different American publisher who would print a far more flattering portrait of the Saudi heir.

According to the New York Times, in September 2017, MBS met David Pecker, the chief executive of American Media Inc (AMI), the owner of the National Enquirer supermarket tabloid, in Saudi Arabia.

When MBS flew to the US for his maiden trip as crown prince in March of the following year, it was Pecker’s company that published a glossy magazine hailing him as a great leader who would transform the world.

Pecker, Grine, and MBS met for a second time during the crown prince’s stay in New York.

A few weeks after the alleged Bezos hack, another suspected cyber attack was launched. The target was an influential Saudi dissident who was living in Canada and was a close friend of Khashoggi.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/21/revealed-the-saudi-heir-and-the-alleged-plot-to-undermine-jeff-bezos

(A P)

Aramco IPO proceeds to fund Saudi industry, including defense: finance minister

Saudi Arabia will pump the proceeds from last month’s listing of oil giant Saudi Aramco into the local economy over several years, including building up the domestic defense industry amid tensions with Iran, its finance minister said on Tuesday.

“If you look at history, we in this region have managed to weather through worse geopolitical situations, including actual, real wars,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

“We in Saudi have to focus on the economy and reform ... We firmly believe the disputes can only be resolved by dialogue.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-davos-meeting-saudi/aramco-ipo-proceeds-to-fund-saudi-industry-including-defense-finance-minister-idUSKBN1ZK1RC

My comment: Bombing Yemen = the Saudi way of dialogue?

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

(A P)

On Dec 20, Trump signed the 2020 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), which required the Director of National Intelligence to produce a report within 30 days detailing who was responsible for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. It’s now Jan 21 — where is that report? (text in image)

https://twitter.com/BazziNYU/status/1219504965254885376

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp9a1, cp9a2

(A E P)

CEOs should still do work with Saudi Arabia despite report: Mnuchin

American business executives should still do business with Saudi Arabia, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday after a report on the kingdom’s possible involvement in the hacking of Amazon CEO and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos’ phone.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-bezos-saudi-mnuchin/ceos-should-still-do-work-with-saudi-arabia-despite-report-mnuchin-idUSKBN1ZM21V

My comment: LOL.

(* B K P)

The Members of Congress Who Profit From War

Here are the senators and representatives who own stock in Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and other top defense contractors.

According to a Sludge review of financial disclosures, 51 members of Congress and their spouses own between $2.3 and $5.8 million worth of stocks in companies that are among the top 30 defense contractors in the world. Members of Congress generally report the values of their investments in ranges, so it’s not possible to know exactly how much their stocks are worth. As Congress debates whether to limit President Trump’s power to take military action against Iran, the complete list of senators and representatives who own defense stocks are displayed below in this article.

Eighteen members of Congress, combined, own as much as $760,000 worth of stock of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor in terms of overall defense revenues. The value of Lockheed Martin stock surged by 4.3% on the day after Soleimani’s assassination—a da

Since Dec. 27, 2019, the day an American contractor was killed by a rocket in Iraq, the aerospace and defense sector has outperformed all other sectors in the S&P 500, according to a Jan. 8 Marketwatch write-up of research from Bespoke Investment Group.

https://readsludge.com/2020/01/13/the-members-of-congress-who-profit-from-war/

(B P)

Sen. Chris Murphy: On the 3 year anniversary of Trump's inauguration, time for a look back at 3 years of foreign policy disaster. In nearly every corner of the world, he's left us isolated, weaker and less safe. Our next president has a ton of repair work to do. (thread)

https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1219343273732513792

(* B P)

US-Debatte nach Soleimani-Tod: Gezielte Tötungen sind Programm

Die Tötung von General Soleimani durch die USA hat für Empörung und Diskussionen gesorgt. Doch gehören gezielte Angriffe auf mutmaßliche Terroristen zur Praxis der USA.

Die Frage der Rechtmäßigkeit von gezielten Tötungen, wie im Fall des iranischen Generals Kassem Soleimani, ist kein neuer Konflikt für die US-Außenpolitik. Der republikanische Abgeordnete Scott Perry hat den Demokraten vorgeworfen, sie hätten früher nur nichts davon wissen wollen.

"Ich bin erstaunt. Es gab 526 gezielte Tötungen bei Antiterror-Einsätzen während der Obama-Administration. Und wieviel haben wir in diesem Ausschuss darüber gehört? Über das menschliche Leid, über die Vollmachten des Präsidenten? Nichts haben wir gehört."

Bezüglich der Zahlen hat Perry recht. Aus der Zeit von US-Präsident Barack Obama sind sogar 542 Drohnen-Einsätze gegen mutmaßliche Terroristen bekannt. Dabei kamen offenbar 3797 Menschen ums Leben, 324 von ihnen waren Zivilisten. Die Zahlen hatte der Politologe Micah Zenko in einer Notiz 2017 auf der Seite des Rats für Auswärtige Beziehungen veröffentlicht.

Viele Nicht-Regierungsorganisationen fürchten, die Zahl ziviler Opfer aus dieser Zeit sei noch viel höher.

https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/gezielte-toetung-soleimani-101.html

Mein Kommentar: der Frage nach der Rechtmäßigkeit solcher Einsätze wird hier gezielt umgangen. Es wird hier so getan, als läge die Entscheidungsbefugnis hier bei den USA: „Obama unternahm am Ende seiner Amtszeit den Versuch, den Einsätzen zumindest einen rechtlichen und administrativen Rahmen zu geben - mit einem Entscheidungsprozess, an dem das Weiße Haus und zunehmend das Pentagon beteiligt waren“. Das ist bullshit, einen solchen „rechtlichen Rahmen“ kann es seitens Obama gar nicht geben. Das Völkerrecht kann auch die USA nicht ändern (auch wenn sie es laufend missachtet. Ebenfalls umgangen wird die Frage, wer denn eigentlich und auf Grund welcher Kriterien „Terroristen“ definiert. Soleimani war nun Funktionsträger eines Staates.

cp9a1 USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf: Deutsch / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf: German

(* B P)

Das Gewaltmonopol der USA. Drohungen, Erpressung, Sanktionen. Ein Kommentar von Wolfgang Bittner

Die gegenwärtige deutsche Politik ist kaum mehr zu ertragen, rational nachzuvollziehen schon gar nicht. Gerade „verwarnen“ Deutschland, Frankreich und Großbritannien den Iran wegen der Nichteinhaltung des Atomabkommens.[1] Aber wenn deswegen jemand verwarnt werden müsste, dann wären es die USA, die das Atomabkommen einseitig gekündigt und damit den Bau einer iranischen Atombombe heraufbeschworen haben. Stattdessen wurde auf Druck der US-Regierung ein Schlichtungsverfahren eingeleitet, das von vornherein zum Scheitern verurteilt ist und zwangsläufig zu einer Verschärfung der Sanktionen im Sinne der USA führen wird.

Wie bekannt wurde, drohten die USA damit, Zölle auf europäische Autos zu erheben (im Gespräch waren 25 Prozent), wenn die Europäer nicht spuren würden.[2] Die Erpressung zeigte umgehend Wirkung: Am 14. Januar verkündete der deutsche Außenminister Heiko Maas zusammen mit seinem französischen und dem britischen Kollegen die Auslösung des Schlichtungsmechanismus‘ – ein „strategischer Fehler“, wie der iranische Außenminister Javad Zarif erklärte. Denn der Iran ist nach dem Ausstieg der USA aus dem Atomabkommen und den gescheiterten Verhandlungen über eine Aufhebung der laufenden Sanktionen nicht mehr bereit, die ursprünglich vereinbarten Verpflichtungen zu erfüllen.

https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=57859

(B P)

Die Gründe für die Krise im Nahen Osten sind vielschichtig

Nein, der Nahe Osten steht nicht in Flammen, weil Donald Trump mit der Tötung des iranischen Generals Soleimani eine Brandbombe in ein Pulverfass geschmissen hat. Die Gründe für die dauerhafte Krise sind vielschichtiger.

https://www.theeuropean.de/dietmar-bartsch/bitte-vernunft-und-keinen-krieg-im-nahen-osten/

(* B P)

Saudi-Arabien und Iran gesprächsbereit

Sie gelten als Erzrivalen und Antipoden in Stellvertreterkriegen wie in Syrien und dem Jemen. Nun zeigen sich der Iran und Saudi-Arabien offen für bessere Beziehungen.

Die iranische Regierung hat nach den Worten von Außenminister Mohammed Dschawad Sarif Interesse an Gesprächen mit Saudi-Arabien über eine Entspannung zwischen den zerstrittenen Nachbarstaaten. "Wir heißen jeden Schritt willkommen, der den Menschen der Region wieder Hoffnung auf Stabilität und Aufschwung bringt", sagte Sarif laut Außenamtssprecher Abbas Mussawi. Zuvor hatte es entsprechende Signale der Gegenseite gegeben: Der saudische Außenminister Faisal bin Farhan hatte am Mittwoch angekündigt, sein Land sei bereit für Verhandlungen mit dem Iran.

https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2020-01/saudi-arabien-iran-naher-osten-gespraeche-konflikt-syrien-jemen

(A P)

Präsident Rouhani bekennt sich zu Atom-Abkommen

"Die Europäer sollten allerdings nicht denselben Fehler begehen wie die USA", betonte der iranische Präsident Hassan Rouhani.

https://www.kleinezeitung.at/politik/aussenpolitik/5756325/Iran_Praesident-Rouhani-bekennt-sich-zu-AtomAbkommen

(* A K P)

Acht EU-Länder für Marineeinsatz im Persischen Golf

Die Regierungen Belgiens, Dänemarks, Frankreichs, Deutschlands, Griechenlands, Italiens, der Niederlande und Portugals haben ihre politische Unterstützung für die Einrichtung einer europäischen Seeüberwachungsmission in der Straße von Hormus zugesagt.

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/371404.acht-eu-l%C3%A4nder-f%C3%BCr-marineeinsatz-im-persischen-golf.html

(* B K P)

Blut für Öl!?

(…) Deeskalation per Kriegsschiff?
Schon als die Debatte um europäische Kriegsschiffe letzten Sommer Fahrt aufnahm, wurde an allen Ecken und Ecken versucht, einen solchen Schritt als “deeskalierende Maßnahme” zu verkaufen.

Der nun beschlossene Einsatz soll zwar nicht-exekutiver Natur sein, also zur Mandatsdurchsetzung nicht auf Gewalt zurückgreifen dürfen. Dass dies allerdings so bleibt, sollte es zu einer weiteren Eskalation kommen, darf getrost bezweifelt werden. Ob mit oder ohne exekutives Mandat, die deutschen Reeder hatten jedenfalls bereits letzten Sommer unmissverständlich unterstrichen, dass sie die Entsendung zusätzlicher Kriegsschiffe keineswegs als einen Beitrag zur Deeskalation einstufen
(…) Militärischer Fuß in der Tür
Angesichts der fragwürdigen “deeskalierenden” Wirkung einer europäischen Militärpräsenz dürfte es plausibler sein, dass es darum geht, hier einen militärischen Fuß in die Tür zu bekommen, um die Geschicke ein wenig mehr im eigenen Sinne beeinflussen zu können…

https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Blut-fuer-Oel-4642974.html?seite=all

(* A K P)

Iran-Konflikt: Zwei Raketen schlagen nahe der US-Botschaft in Bagdad ein

Ein iranischer Abgeordneter hat eine Belohnung in Höhe von drei Millionen Dollar (rund 2,7 Millionen Euro) für die Ermordung von US-Präsident Donald Trump als Vergeltung für den Tod des iranischen Generals Kassem Soleimani angeboten.

Zwei Raketen sollen in der Nähe der US-Botschaft in Bagdad eingeschlagen sein.

https://www.merkur.de/politik/iran-irak-konflikt-protest-usa-donald-trump-flugzeug-teheran-abschuss-video-zr-13436696.html

cp9a2 USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf: Englisch / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf: English

(* A K P)

US general says troop surge in Middle East may not end soon

Over the past eight months, the United States has poured more than 20,000 additional troops into the Middle East to counter the escalating threat from Iran that peaked with the recent missile attack on American forces in Iraq.

Despite President Donald Trump’s pledge to bring troops home, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East on Thursday said the most recent forces to enter the region could be there for “quite a while.”

The Bataan and two other U.S. warships moved into the Middle East on Jan. 11. By Thursday, they were in the north Red Sea, roughly 50 miles south of the Sinai Peninsula. They are the latest additions to America’s troop presence in the region. Since May, their numbers have grown from about 60,000 to more than 80,000. In making its case for troops in the Middle East, the U.S. military points to Iran’s Jan. 8 launch of as many as two dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases where U.S. troops were stationed. The attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top general.

“Iran continues to pose a very real threat,” McKenzie told reporters

https://apnews.com/2208d8645ac0437024ac71c06fcfb8e1

My comment: “Iran continues to pose a very real threat,” Us military, politicians and media take this for granted. But be serious, this is bullshit: A “threat”, for whom? Actually, not for the US, which is 7,000 miles away. For the world’s oil supply? As the US blocks Iran from selling oil, the US itself would be a greater threat for the oil supply. For US hegemony in the region? This might be. What the hell there should be any US hegemony 7,000 miles away from the US?

(A K P)

Canada’s TSB says Iran has invited it to examine black boxes

https://apnews.com/9b32cfa88332ab4df5e08d8d48eff838

(A P)

KLM Resumes Flights Through Iranian and Iraqi Routes

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/23/616900/Iran-airspace-flights-resumption-KLM-statement

(A P)

Iran stands ready to counter any threat with quality defensive arms: Hatami

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/23/616896/Iran-Defense-minister-Hatami-theat-US-Soleimani

(A P)

Zarif: Iran open to dialogue with neighbors

https://en.irna.ir/news/83645167/Zarif-Iran-open-to-dialogue-with-neighbors

(* B P)

Five books that explain Iran’s distrust of the west

Here’s what to read to understand the roots of the crisis between Iran and the US

Patriot of Persia by @BellaigueC, Black Wave by @KimGhattas , Then They Came for Me by @maziarbahari, Iran by M Axworthy, Mantle of the Prophet by R Mottahedeh

https://www.ft.com/content/895acb5a-3c50-11ea-a01a-bae547046735

(* A K P)

Salih, Trump discuss American troop drawdown from Iraq

Iraqi President Barham Salim and his US counterpart Donald Trump have exchanged viewpoints about a reduction in the number of American military forces in the war-ravaged Arab country, weeks after a parliamentary bill demanded the withdrawal of all US-led foreign troops.

“We've had a very good relationship. And we're down to a very low number. We're down to 5,000. So we're down to a very low number, historically low, and we'll see what happens,” Trump told journalists following a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos on Wednesday with the Iraqi leader.

Salih and Trump also discussed the importance of respecting the demands of the Iraqi people to preserve the country’s sovereignty.

“We have a lot of common interests, the fight against extremism, stability in the neighborhood, and [a] sovereign Iraq that is stable, friends of the neighbors and friends of the United States,” the Iraqi president commented.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/22/616835/Salih,-Trump-discuss-possible-American-troop-drawdown-from-Iraq

and

(A K P)

Iraq happy with U.S. troops, Trump says at talks over mission's future

Iraq likes what U.S. troops are doing there, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday at talks with the Iraqi president about the future of the mission, which has been in doubt since a U.S. drone strike killed an Iranian commander in Baghdad.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-davos-meeting-trump-iraq/iraq-happy-with-us-troops-trump-says-at-talks-over-missions-future-idUSKBN1ZL1L0

My comment: LOL.

(* A K P)

US 'likely' to deploy anti-missile system to protect American troops in Iraq

The Pentagon is likely deploying a missile-defense system to Iraq in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on an Iraqi base housing American troops earlier this month, U.S. defense officials tell Fox News.

The move comes after U.S. troops were sent to a medical facility in Germany after complaining of head injuries following the Iranian missile attack.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-deploy-anti-missile-system-protect-american-troops-iraq

My comment: They are obliged to leave, not to send new troops.

(* B P)

Iran uses violence, politics to try to push US out of Iraq

Iran has long sought the withdrawal of American forces from neighboring Iraq, but the U.S. killing of an Iranian general and an Iraqi militia commander in Baghdad has added new impetus to the effort, stoking anti-American feelings that Tehran hopes to exploit to help realize the goal.

A withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq would be a victory for Iran, and Tehran has long pursued a two-pronged strategy of supporting anti-U.S. militias that carry out attacks, as well as exerting political pressure on Iraqi lawmakers sympathetic to its cause.

https://apnews.com/6a6cf1d35f314242e616d95ea6c012ba

My comment: This seems to be a typical biased DU (propaganda) article. „US uses violence, politics to try to push Iran out of Iraq“ would make even more sense. And, keep in mind: If Iraq asks the US troops to leave, according to imnternational law they must leave, whether there is Iran ot not. Period.

(A P)

Iran slams South Korea for misnaming, militarizing Persian Gulf

Tehran has censured South Korea for misnaming the Persian Gulf and sending a military mission to the waters south of Iran under pressure from the United States.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/22/616797/Iran-South-Korea-Persian-Gulf

(A P)

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to work together to resolve issues: IRNA

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-saudi/iran-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-work-together-to-resolve-issues-irna-idUSKBN1ZL190

(A K P)

Masked gunmen kill local commander of Iran’s security forces

Masked gunmen on Wednesday ambushed and killed the local commander of a paramilitary security force in southwestern Iran, an associate of Iran’s top general recently killed in an American drone strike in Baghdad, the official IRNA news agency reported.

https://apnews.com/69d8e05012d477aa282d3b5837113968

(A P)

US’ illegal sanctions against independent states crime against humanity: Rouhani

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/154798/US-illegal-sanctions-against-independent-states-crime-against

(A P)

Iraqi parliament urges officials to boycott US officials during Davos

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/154812/Iraqi-parliament-urges-officials-to-boycott-US-officials-during

(A K P)

More US troops under medical evaluation after missile attack

https://apnews.com/f2d6b4c3a9d496e58d528834b65748fd

(A P)

Iran Nuclear Chief Slams EU3’s Subservience to US

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi slammed a decision by Britain, France and Germany to trigger the so-called snapback provisions of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as a testimony to their submissiveness to the US.

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/22/2187084/iran-nuclear-chief-slams-eu3-s-subservience-to-us

(* A P)

US Misleading World on Iran’s Right to Enrichment: Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned recent remarks by US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook about Tehran’s nuclear activities, saying that Washington is misleading the international community on the Islamic Republic’s right to enrich uranium.

It said the US claim accuses the UN Security Council of contradicting the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

"Unfortunately, such myth-making has long been part of the US approach toward nuclear non-proliferation ... In this case, we have, essentially, an accusation against the UN Security Council of making decisions contradicting the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)," the ministry added.

The statement also recalled that the aforementioned treaty allows the signatories to develop nuclear energy for non-military purposes.

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/21/2186307/us-misleading-world-on-iran-s-right-to-enrichment-russia

(A P)

Iran Has Proven Its Power to Counter Any Threats, Defense Minister Says

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/21/2186445/iran-has-proven-its-power-to-counter-any-threats-defense-minister-says

(A P)

Our enemies only understand language of force: IRGC commander

The Islamic Republic must stand steadfast in the face of its enemies as they only understand the language of force, says the new commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

https://parstoday.com/en/news/iran-i115773-our_enemies_only_understand_language_of_force_irgc_commander

(A P)

New Head of IRGC Quds Force Calls US Source of Wickedness, Mischief

https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/01/21/2186392/new-head-of-irgc-quds-force-calls-us-source-of-wickedness-mischief

(A K P)

Three Rockets Hit Near US Embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone

Three rockets fall near US embassy in Iraq

Baghdad police said three Katyusha rockets were launched from the Zafaraniyah district just outside the city

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/20/three-rockets-fall-us-embassy-iraq-baghdad

(* B K P)

Iran Could Still Strike Back at the U.S.

Iran’s January 8 rocket attack on U.S. military bases in Iraq clearly constituted part of its response, but Iranian leaders quickly made clear that more retaliation is forthcoming.

Doing so, however, is likely to prove difficult for Iran. As a recent analysis by CNBC notes, sanctions leveled by the Trump administration over the past two years have inflicted extensive damage on the Iranian economy.

All of this, according to CNBC’s analysis, profoundly limits Iran’s ability “to fund a war” against the United States. But that doesn’t mean the threat from Iran is nonexistent. Iran still has the ability to “ramp up its aggression against the U.S.” through the use of its network of proxy forces in the region.

https://news.yahoo.com/iran-could-still-strike-back-181847496.html

(? B K P)

Film: The Killing of Soleimani and the Future of the Middle East

Donald Trump’s assassination of Iranian major general Qassem Soleimani has sent shockwaves through Iran and the Middle East. What impact will his death have? And what will it mean for U.S. interests in the region?

https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/01/22/killing-of-soleimani-and-future-of-middle-east-event-7257

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

(B K P)

Iran acknowledges Russian-made missiles targeted Ukraine jet

https://apnews.com/8319e1bfbebb66bf2f814fb8c1d31690

(* B K P)

Iran’s Reserve of Last Resort: Uncovering the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Forces Order of Battle

https://www.criticalthreats.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200121-Report-Iran%E2%80%99s-Reserve-of-Last-Resort.pdf

(* B K P)

From 2019: Beyond Sectarian Identity Politics within the Middle East: the Case of Rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Iran-Saudi Arabia's rivalry is the main reason behind the conflicts and instabilities in the region. However, the political nature of this rivalry is often oversimplified by mainstream media outlets. Similarly, a significant part of literature on identity politics on rivalry between Iran-Saudi Arabia, has mainly provided a comprehensive and descriptive account of their history as well as current conditions with ethnic and sectarian identities as roots and origins of regional instabilities; or focused mainly on the politicization and manipulation of Sunni and Shia Islam by actors in their struggles for power. Synthesizing the theories on identity politics already in existence, namely Primordialism, instrumentalism, and social constructivism, this research constructed an integrated theoretical model. In this model, sectarian identity-one essence intrinsic to Middle Eastern societies and been built alongside regional history-is not only measured by its tremendous influences on political processes; but also compared in the usage of political actors of all levels in political practices – by Yildirim Turan

https://www.academia.edu/41232403/Beyond_Sectarian_Identity_Politics_within_the_Middle_East_the_Case_of_Rivalry_between_Iran_and_Saudi_Arabia_Ortado%C4%9Fuda_Mezhepsel_Kimlik_Politikalar%C4%B1n%C4%B1n_%C3%96tesinde_%C4%B0ran-Suudi_Arabistan%C4%B1n_Rekabeti_%C3%96rne%C4%9Fi_?auto=bookmark

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(* B K P)

From Nigeria to Yemen, UK support for genocide remains the same

More than 50 years now since the Biafran/Nigerian civil war, Britain is again backing a genocidal force against a national liberation movement. Showing that the British policy of endorsing weaponized man-made famine and indiscriminate bombings of civilians has remained exactly the same. Sending a strong message to the world that the UK government willingly participates in what many consider to be genocidal military adventurism.

What makes all of this worse, of course, is that since the Biafran war, Britain has not changed its mentality toward the global south. Allowing millions more to perish as Britain has stood behind illegal wars in all corners of the globe. Most notably now is Britain’s role in the ongoing Saudi-led coalition war on Yemen.

Over one hundred thousand people have been killed in the illegal, indiscriminate and targeted bombardments of civilians in Yemen. The UK has not only been implicated in this slaughter via their weapon sales and diplomatic support for Saudi Arabia, but has also admitted to directly playing a role in the coordination of strikes against the people of Yemen.

What is perhaps most disgraceful, on the part of the UK government, is the role they have played in justifying Saudi Arabia’s brutal blockade of Yemen, which has led to famine and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/22/616791/UK-genocide-Nigeria-Yemen

(A K P)

Politicians cosy up with profiteers of Yemen destruction at arms dealer dinner

ARMS dealers who profit from the destruction of Yemen cosy up with politicians tonight at a black-tie dinner in central London.

The annual event, which is hosted by arms-industry trade body ADS Group and costs up to £470 a head, was met by anti-war protesters opposing “the carnival of violence.”

Protest organisers Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) highlighted the involvement of companies attending the dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel with the devastating war in Yemen.

These include event sponsor and ADS member BAE Systems, which supplies parts for Typhoon aircraft used by the Saudi-led coalition in its bombardment of Yemen.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/politicians-cosy-profiteers-yemen-destruction-arms-dealer-dinner

(B K P)

Scottish school children targeted by arms firm allegedly complicit in war crimes

An Italian arms firm accused of complicity in alleged war crimes in Yemen and the “ethnic cleansing” of Kurds in Syria is trying to recruit school pupils in Edinburgh.

Leonardo is the ninth largest arms company in the world and employs nearly 2,000 people just outside Edinburgh.

The firm is a major contributor to the local economy and is now targeting school leavers to work on Typhoon jets which have been used by the Saudis in Yemen’s conflict, prompting critics to voice concerns over increasing links between the arms industry and Scottish schools.

https://theferret.scot/leonardo-arms-firm-war-crimes-recruit-school-children/

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

Siehe / Look at cp1 (Rheinmetall)

(A P)

German embassy in Saudi Arabia. On their second they in #Riyadh our cultural delegation met @MiskKSA, @RCU_SA, @KFCRIS with H. R.H. Prince Turki Al Faisal, @GEA_SA and

@DGDA_SA

https://twitter.com/GermanyinKSA/status/1219961110188654592

#German government delegation meet with #Saudi organization implicated in spying

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1219963588883906561

(* A P)

Das Auswärtige Amt in Berlin scheint eine Art Wurmfortsatz des StateDepartments, des Pentagon und des CIA zusammen zu sein

Der NachDenkSeiten-Leser Marco Dette wollte vom Auswärtigen Amt, genauer: vom deutschen Außenminister, wissen, ob er die Auffassung des Wissenschaftlichen Dienstes des Deutschen Bundestages teilt, wonach die Tötung des iranischen Generals Soleimani eine völkerrechtswidrige Handlung war. Er hat eine Antwort des Auswärtigen Amtes erhalten. Wir dokumentieren beide Mails und zuvor seinen Kommentar zum Vorgang.

https://www.nachdenkseiten.de/?p=57879

(A)

Ex-Zahnarzt Dr. Heiner Stehn und Amazon-Mitarbeiter Arafat Al-hammadi zeigen ihre Kunst

https://www.shz.de/lokales/landeszeitung/ex-zahnarzt-dr-heiner-stehn-und-amazon-mitarbeiter-arafat-al-hammadi-zeigen-ihre-kunst-id27093332.html

(A)

Jugendgruppe begeht mehrere Straftaten am Hauptbahnhof

Hannover. Den Jungen aus Deutschland (16), dem Jemen (16) und dem Iran (14) konnten nach umfangreicher Videoauswertung mehrere Straftaten im Verlauf des Tages zugeordnet werden

https://news.feed-reader.net/ots/4499366/bpol-h-jugendgruppe-begeht-mehrere/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(A P)

UAE remains least corrupt country in Mena region

The UAE has been rated least corrupt country, yet again, in the Middle East and North Africa by the Berlin-based Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2019.

Globally also, the country retained its 21st ranking, scoring 71 points.

At the bottom of the region, Syria scores 13, followed by Yemen with a score of 15. Both countries are significant decliners on the CPI, with Yemen dropping eight points since 2012 and Syria dropping 13 points during the same period.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/government/uae-remains-least-corrupt-country-in-mena-region

My remark: By an UAE news site.

(* B P)

Nationalism and National Identity in Gulf States

Nationalism and national identity are two key concepts in the shaping of the contemporary world since the 19th century.

Despite some constructive research, many reports and analyses have a reductionist approach and oriental undertones to understanding nationalism and national identity in the Gulf states. Moreover, ‘hot button’ issues, such as the Yemen conflict and blockade of Qatar, merely add to the complexity underpinning nationalism and national identity across the region. There is no time like the present to understand ‘how’ and ‘why’, not to mention the possible shape and trajectory of both concepts, over the years ahead.

The Concept of ‘State’ in the Middle East

In order to understand this, we have to first deconstruct certain concepts built around this topic.

Multi-layered Identities

Multi-layered identities are not exclusive to the Gulf region, or to the broader Middle East region. Each layer of identity was used as a tool for political agenda, either internally or regionally. Amidst this melting pot of numerous strong layers of identities, the political elite is still configuring a formula that goes beyond state survival, towards creating a sense of loyalty and solidarity amongst the citizens, and to the ruling elite.

These multiple layers of identities based on religion, ethnicity and tribal affiliations have emerged as alternate forms of solidarity, and sometimes considered as a threat to the centralised state power. Prior to independence, tribes were independent organisations, each equivalent to a nation with a particular lifestyle, which contributed to a common identity between people of certain tribes.

Demographics and the ‘Other’

Adding to this layer of complexity, is the demographics of the region. The Gulf states are the only states with minority citizens and majority expatriates; both permanent residents and temporary migrants.

Moving Forward

The present literature and studies that these attempts to understand these states, through the theoretical lenses of the Western state system, may be the biggest obstacle in understanding and analysing national identity in the Gulf states. There is a need to theorise the contemporary Arab states and to draft new theories

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200122-nationalism-and-national-identity-in-gulf-states/

(* B K P)

Shadowy UAE Base in Libya Hosts Attack Aircraft and Chinese Drones

A quiet but bloody war is raging on in Libya, and players from around the hemisphere continue to attempt a stabilization of what continues to be a very unstable situation. Some of these nations even have their own forward operating bases in Libya, including a secretive remote airfield operated by the United Arab Emirates and located about 50 miles southeast of Benghazi. Here, the UAE has deployed a pocket air force of heavily armed and armored agricultural planes developed into surveillance and light attack platforms–the AT-802U Border Patrol variant of the Air Tractor and the more capable IOMAX Archangel–in addition to S-70 Blackhawks, and Chinese Wing Loong unmanned aircraft, which are loosely analogous the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator.

The base is austere, with satellite images showing no facilities there until early this year. Over the last few months there have been reports of AT-802Us being flown from somewhere in the country, likely by the UAE, one of the type’s major customers. There have even been reports of these aircraft orbiting over key locales, and flying low along certain roadways in the eastern part of the country. Now, with the base identified by IHS Janes, there is no doubt where these mysterious aircraft are coming from.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/5726/shadowy-uae-base-in-libya-hosts-attack-aircraft-and-chinese-drones

(* B P)

Foreign policy and commercial interests drive closer UAE-Syria ties

The UAE’s departure from Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s entrenched opposition to Assad can be explained by three factors. First, Emirati officials were concerned that an opposition takeover of Syria would empower Islamist movements. Although the UAE relayed armed assistance to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and suspended diplomatic links with Assad’s government, Emirati policymakers downplayed their arms transfers to Syrian rebel forces and showcased the UAE’s humanitarian efforts. This ensured that the UAE largely avoided the accusations of sponsoring Islamic extremism that sullied Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait’s interventions on behalf of the Syrian opposition.

Second, the UAE believes that providing diplomatic recognition to Assad could convince Syria to scale back its alliance with Iran.

Third, the UAE-Syria relationship has strengthened due to Damascus and Abu Dhabi’s shared opposition to Ankara’s military adventurism in northern Syria.

https://www.mei.edu/publications/foreign-policy-and-commercial-interests-drive-closer-uae-syria-ties

(* B P)

Can Oman Survive Its Own Neighborhood After The Death Of Sultan Qaboos? – Analysis

Oman is not neutral, exactly, because it is deeply invested in peace between the powers around it. As a result, its relations with each side can be counted upon to be genuine, but limited in scope. In the aftermath of the United States’ assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Oman was seen as a natural country to enable quiet diplomacy because it is one of the only players that both the United States and Iran were likely to trust and that could likely convince both parties to come to the table.

The new Sultan, Qaboos’ first cousin Haitham bin Tariq, has promised to stay the course on Oman’s foreign relations, following a policy of “peaceful coexistence . . . good neighborly relations . . . and cooperation with everyone.”

The UAE has been trying for years to exert control over Oman, with which it has not always had the warmest political relationship: Oman publicly uncovered Emirati spy rings in 2010 and again in 2019, and there is some ongoing tension in border areas, where there is concern that the UAE is trying to take more land (and resources) for itself. Should the Emiratis manage to bring Muscat into their fold, it could compromise Oman’s access to the Iranian regime.

The Omanis have shown themselves to be trustworthy and confidential, even as it felt pressure from its Arab Gulf neighbors to be less conciliatory to Iran. That could change if Oman sways too close to the UAE.

Saudi Arabia and Oman, meanwhile, have butted heads over Iran, the Gulf Cooperation Council split over Qatar, and Yemen, the latter two on which Oman has refused to take sides. A less visible but more pressing point of tension between Oman and the Kingdom is in the Mahra governorate in Yemen, which has been protesting an increasing Saudi presence since 2017.

In addition to self-interested neighbors, there is a risk that the United States will try to persuade Haitham to side with Washington on Iran. While Oman’s neutrality can be frustrating, any plan to draw Muscat further into the U.S. orbit is likely to backfire. Oman is no more likely to do Iran’s bidding against the United States or its partners as it is to do the United States’ bidding against Iran – by Louisa Keeler

https://www.fpri.org/article/2020/01/can-oman-survive-its-own-neighborhood-after-the-death-of-sultan-qaboos/ = https://www.eurasiareview.com/22012020-can-oman-survive-its-own-neighborhood-after-the-death-of-sultan-qaboos-analysis/

(* B P)

The 'Oman File': Inside the Mossad's Alliance With Muscat, Israel's Window Into Iran

For more than half a century, a powerful convergence of interests has united Israel and Oman, the third Arab country after Lebanon and Jordan to maintain secret ties with the Mossad

Those relations, forged in war, were cultivated in great secrecy and managed for decades by Israel's spy agency Mossad. Qaboos had good reason to value those ties: Israeli forces had helped save his place on the throne.

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-the-oman-file-inside-the-mossad-s-alliance-with-muscat-israel-s-window-into-iran-1.8414861

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(A P)

Adel Al-Jubeir: We hope Qatar will change its behavior and stop its support for terrorism

Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir told the European Parliament on Tuesday that the Kingdom hopes Qatar will "change its behavior" and stop its support for terrorism.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1616246/middle-east

Comment: I told a friend just yesterday that the #Saudi Monarchy was set to start a major campaign against #Qatar. I was too busy to write about it here then this happened

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1219747664331407360

cp12b Sudan

(* B K P)

Yemeni residents welcome withdrawal of Sudanese troops from port city Mocha

Sudanese fighters have been gradually withdrawing over the past three months, with UAE-backed Yemeni troops replacing them

Saudi-backed Sudanese troops have finally withdrawn from the southwestern Yemeni port city of Mocha after years of fighting on the frontlines, residents told Middle East Eye.

The withdrawal comes one month after Sudan’s new civilian prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, pledged to withdraw his country’s troops from Yemen, as the Saudi-led military intervention in the country fast approaches five years.

Hamdok is leading a transitional government in a power-sharing agreement with Sudan's military.

Prior to the Sudanese forces' withdrawal, residents of the west coast of Yemen had often expressed anger over their presence, accusing the troops of a range of abuses, including rape and looting.

“They were a nightmare in Mocha,” one resident of the city, Akram Hamid, told Middle East Eye.

“When the Sudanese forces entered our village in the outskirts of Mocha, they looted the whole village and stole my motorcycle, wrongly accusing us of being Houthis,” he said.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemenis-replace-sudanese-soldiers-yemen

(* B K P)

THE KILLERS OF DARFUR ARE CASHING IN ON FOREIGN CONFLICTS

Once known as the Janjaweed — a group of state-sponsored Arab militias that spearheaded the genocide in Darfur and traditionally operated near the Sudan-Chad border — the RSF is dramatically expanding its geographic footprint. Under al-Bashir, the group was deployed to crush protests in Khartoum and to wage a brutal counterinsurgency in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains. The RSF is also increasingly doing the dirty work of foreign governments.

Over the past five years, the group has deployed 40,000 fighters into Yemen and Libya to fight alongside forces loyal to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Some experts estimate that each fighter gets paid up to $10,000 a month — which amounts to a total annual wage bill of nearly $5 billion. Until recently, the RSF was patrolling Sudan’s borders as part of a European Union initiative — known as the Khartoum Process — to crack down on migration.

The EU denies ever funding the militia. But a month after the June massacre in Khartoum, the bloc suspended its border cooperation with Sudan, an arrangement that experts and human rights groups believe emboldened the RSF.

“The EU’s decision to suspend cooperation with Sudan was basically an admission of guilt,” says Alex de Waal, an expert on Sudan and a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The Saudis and Emiratis have been more upfront about their cooperation with the RSF. In 2015, the two Gulf nations paid al-Bashir to send RSF forces to fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen from front-line positions, while their own forces were used for defensive purposes.

After al-Bashir was overthrown, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi began dealing directly with RSF commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti. Just last month, Hemedti finally handed over gold mining operations the RSF previously controlled to the government. Yet he continues to profit from making his fighters available for hire.

“The Saudis and Emiratis prefer dealing with Hemedti over al-Bashir,” says Suliman Baldo, an expert on the RSF from Darfur, where the group has been accused of carrying out mass rapes. “They know Hemedti doesn’t have ideological ambitions nor a political project. He just has material interests.”

That’s comforting for the Saudis and Emiratis who were uneasy about al-Bashir’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, a franchise that the two Gulf powers consider a primary nemesis.

But with al-Bashir gone, Hemedti is cashing in. And the money he can offer is allowing the RSF to recruit thousands of destitute young men from Sudan’s peripheries. Baldo says that many recruits come from communities in Darfur and South Kordofan once terrorized by the group. With his swelling ranks, Hemedti hopes to transform the RSF into a national fighting force, experts say. If he succeeds, his force could undermine the power of the military, which pays pittances compared with the RSF.

“The kind of money the RSF pays is life-changing and people want to get in on it,” says Jonas Horner, an analyst for the nonprofit International Crisis Group.

Still, recruits often pay the ultimate price – by Mat Nashed

https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/the-killers-of-darfur-cashing-in-on-foreign-conflicts/252678/

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B K P)

Weapons made in Western countries Used against Yemeni Civilians

Weapons made in Western countries have been extensively used in Saudi-led combat operations in Yemen, including in civilian areas, according to secret French military documents revealed by a French-led team .

France’s military intelligence agency, the DRM, submitted documents detailing French-made military equipment deployed in the Yemen conflict in a 15-page report to the French executive .

The documents contain lists of French-manufactured tanks, armoured vehicles, fighter jets, helicopters, howitzers, ammunition and radar systems sold to Saudi Arabia and its coalition partner, the United Arab Emirates, which are supporting military operations against Yemeni Civilians.

US investigative site says the report highlights the Saudi coalition’s dependence on weapons systems provided by Nato members, citing the deployment of weapons, aircraft and ships from the United States, Britain, Germany as well as France.

France, the United States and other Western countries have faced criticism over arms sales to Saudi Arabia and its partners over consequences for a conflict that has affected 28 million people and caused what the United Nations calls “one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world”.

In addition to weapons from France, Britain and the US, the report mentions military equipment from Sweden, Austria, South Korea, Italy and Brazil.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3085508.htm

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

Siehe / Look at cp12b

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

(* B E)

Promising signs for Yemen's oil industry, but civil war rages

Output up to 55,000 b/d, fraction of pre-war levels

Sectarian tensions keep IOCs wary of returning

Government needs oil revenue to rebuild

Nearly five years into a devastating civil war that has spiraled into a humanitarian crisis, Yemen continues to pump a trickle of oil.

In fact, its crude output has increased some 40% in the last year, averaging around 55,000 b/d, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics, as state-owned Safer Exploration & Production restarted pumping at two blocks in the Marib field in October.

Further growth, however, will be a challenge, with international oil companies largely wary and stability still elusive. A tenuous peace deal between the competing Yemeni factions that are part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels has raised hopes. But analysts say much more needs to be done to attract investment.

"Overall the security risk remains high in Yemen and for many companies it is still premature to place the country on their radar screen, especially at a time when there are many more lucrative opportunities and safer bets elsewhere," said Carole Nakhle, an energy economist who heads the consultancy Crystol Energy.

https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/012320-promising-signs-for-yemens-oil-industry-but-civil-war-rages

(B E P)

Der Hafen von Aden verzeichnete 2019 ein Rekordjahr und sah die größte Steigerung des Volumens entladener Fracht seiner Geschichte.

Saudische Unterstützung steigert Aktivität des Hafens von Aden. Die saudischen Kräne für den Hafen trugen signifikant zu diesem höheren Volumen bei Hilfsgütern und Importen bei.

https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wirtschaft/aden-jemen-der-hafen-von-aden-verzeichnete-2019-ein-rekordjahr-und-sah/59718448 = https://www.firmenpresse.de/pressinfo1787482.html

Mein Kommentar: „Saudische Unterstützung“: Die Saudis werden den Hafen dauerhaft für eigene Zwecke nutzen wollen.

(B E P)

Saudi Support Increases Aden Port Activity

The port of Aden set an all-time record in 2019, witnessing the largest increase in the volume of offloaded cargo in its history. The Saudi cranes grant to the port contributed significantly to the higher volumes, both in relief aid and commercial imports.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saudi-support-increases-aden-port-activity-300992379.html

and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/17294

My comment: Evidently, the Saudis will use this port for their own interests in the region.

(A E P)

Außenminister [der Sanaa-Regiering] spricht vor der internationalen Gemeinschaft über die Irrtümer der Söldnerregierung [Hadi-Regierung]

Außenminister Hisham Sharaf Abdullah wies die Behauptungen der Hotelregierung [Hadi-Regierung] hinsichtlich der Durchführbarkeit seiner Entscheidung Nr. 49 von 2019 über die Lieferung von Zöllen und Steuern auf Lieferungen von Erdölderivaten zurück.

Minister Sharaf erörterte in Briefen an den Generalsekretär der Vereinten Nationen, den Präsidenten und die Mitglieder des Sicherheitsrates, den Direktor der Weltbank, den Direktor des Internationalen Währungsfonds und den UN-Gesandten, dass dieser Beschluss eine Erweiterung der Resolution Nr. 75 von 2018 darstellt, die Ölderivathändlern und -importeuren mehr Komplikationen und willkürliche Maßnahmen auferlegt, um sie zu entmutigen Beim Import durch den Hafen von Hodeidah.

Er wies darauf hin, dass die Entscheidung ein weiteres Mittel des Wirtschaftskrieges und der Verhungerungspolitik sei

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3085578.htm

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

#ISIS bulletin devotes entire page to this week's ops in #Yemen (see my other tweets). Of most interest is its "Message to Tribes of al-Zahra" -Assures them it's fighting Houthis not Sunni tribes -Urges tribes to renounce Houthis -Attributes its success to Allah distracting #AQAP (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1220455056895619074

(A T)

More #ISIS ops in #Yemen. All target Houthis in Qayfa 1/19 IED destroyed vehicle on Hammat Baqar hill 1/20 Attack in Hammat Baqar. 2 vehicles burnt, huts razed, weapons seized 1/20 IEDs on al-Qarw hill killed 2 Houthis Plus new video shows booty & captives from raid below (images>)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1219951416493690880

and

(A T)

#ISIS claims first new attack in #Yemen for 2 weeks: assault on Houthi positions in al-Qahwah & al-Jarw areas of Qayfa on Sunday. Seized weapons & ammo, razed barracks, took 2 Houthis captive. Meanwhile ISIS Naba' bulletins 215 & 216 (not 217) were still double counting Yemen ops

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1219574636524064768

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

[Hadi gov.] Yemen Envoy Sees Path to End World’s Worst Humanitarian Disaster

Yemen’s government wants to resume direct peace talks with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to end a brutal five-year conflict, but getting the insurgents back to the negotiating table will require both military pressure and international diplomacy, the nation’s U.S. envoy said.

“We want peace and want to end this war,” Ambassador Ahmed Bin Mubarak said in an interview in Washington on Wednesday. “Ending the war for us doesn’t mean just stopping the airstrikes. The Houthis, when they ensure there is no military pressure on them, will never come to the table.”

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/yemen-envoy-sees-path-to-end-world-s-worst-humanitarian-disaster-1.1379052

My comment: LOL.

(A P)

Film: Full @CNBC Interview with #Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs @AdelAljubeir

https://twitter.com/SaudiEmbassyUSA/status/1220396815658422274

Comments: She was justifiably praised for her line of questioning with Bassil (excellent work). But this was just disgraceful. He might as well have been interviewed by Saudi state media.

https://twitter.com/_Ali__B/status/1220495507031822339

Compare how #UEA -linked @_HadleyGamble of #UEA-based @CNBC treat #Lebanon ex FM & #Saudi FM https://twitter.com/itslleeaa/status/1220341580407570432?s=20… That's #FakeNews

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1220443574849896448

and

(A P)

Film: I have been saying this for years. #Saudi #FM @AdelAljubeir is a liar but #US media give him a podium without much challenge.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1220147055559049222

(A P)

Alarmists Were Wrong about the Soleimani Strike

Tehran’s response to it shows that the current U.S. policy toward Iran is working

Two weeks ago, the United States seemed on the brink of starting another war in the Middle East after a drone strike killed Iran’s most notorious spymaster, Qasem Soleimani, as he departed an international airport in Baghdad. The shadowy general, in charge of the Iranian equivalent of the CIA, was one of the most effective operatives in the Middle East’s history. He built a sprawling army of proxy militias throughout the region and helped expand Tehran’s dominance in nearby countries.

But the dust has now settled, and none of the doomsday scenarios that so many in the media warned about has come to pass.

Indeed, none of the doomsday scenarios were plausible to begin with. Iran has a narrow menu of options in terms of escalation against the U.S. It is not interested in a direct war with the U.S., nor are any of its proxies or allies in the region. The regime faces increasingly crippling sanctions imposed by Washington, and domestic unrest is building up with occasional street protests.

In the panic that followed the news of Soleimani’s killing, that essential context was overlooked.

In reality, the alarmism was never warranted. The circumstances around Soleimani’s killing exposed not just Iran’s many vulnerabilities and limited options for escalation against the U.S. but also serious myths that shape much of the American perception of the Iranian regime. Specifically, the idea that Iran can inflict damage on the U.S. is an outdated view about the situation in the region.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/us-iran-tensions-soleimani-strike-alarmists-were-wrong-about-strike/

My comment: What a propaganda. The question can’t be, whether „current U.S. policy toward Iran is working“, but that it violates international law. If Soleimani’s acts. The fact that „he built a sprawling army of proxy militias throughout the region and helped expand Tehran’s dominance in nearby countries“ should justify killing him, how many US officers and politicians should be killed as well for having „built a sprawling army of proxy militias throughout the region and helped expand Washington’s dominance in nearby [oh no, around the whole world] countries“? In both cases, it’s the same story.

(A P)

Saudi Arabia rejects foreign interference in Libya

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday affirmed its rejection of foreign interference in the Libyan issue in the United Nations.
Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah Bin Yahya Al-Muallami delivered this rejection during the open debate of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue.

Al-Muallami said that foreign interference in the Libyan issue led to the movement of extremist fighters to Libya and the violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions, the intensification of the military escalation, the prolongation of the conflict and the deepening of suffering of the brotherly Libyan people.

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/587494

My comment: LOL. What about Saudi interference espevcially in Syria and Yemen? In both cases, Saudi interference exactly „led to the movement of extremist fighters to Syria / Yemen […], the intensification of the military escalation, the prolongation of the conflict and the deepening of suffering of the brotherly Syrian / Yemeni people“.

(A P)

Al-Jubeir: Kingdom did not start the war, it provided $14 billion to Yemen

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Council of Ministers Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir addressed the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, which devoted a special session on this occasion to a general discussion on relations between the Kingdom and the European Union, Saudi Press Agency said.
Al-Jubeir told the European Parliament on Tuesday that his country did not start the war, laying blame instead on the Iran-backed Houthi militias that have “committed crimes against the Yemeni people, launched 300 missiles and drones against Saudi Arabia.
Al-Jubeir added that the Kingdom has provided $14 billion to help develop Yemen.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/17299

and also https://www.arabnews.com/node/1616246/middle-east

(A P)

Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

http://en.adenpress.news/news/17304

http://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302818288

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2024923

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

Jan. 21: http://www.lcrdye.org/language/en/22940/

Jan. 20: http://www.lcrdye.org/language/en/22939/

(* A K)

Saudi-led coalition resumes airstrikes near Yemeni capital

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen stepped up its bombing campaign Tuesday, launching airstrikes near the rebel-held capital in clashes that killed at least 35 people, Yemeni security officials said.

It was the first time in months that coalition airstrikes hit Houthi targets in the district of Nehm, some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of the capital Sanaa, said Houthi officials.

Meanwhile, coalition warplanes also bombed rebel targets west of the Marib province, killing several Houthi fighters

Magli said the wave of bombings comes in retaliation for a Houthi missile attack on a mosque in Marib that killed at least 116 Yemeni government troops

https://apnews.com/83b6b703f209fc9ab8ebfc755884a6a5 = https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-7913063/Saudi-led-coalition-resumes-airstrikes-near-Yemeni-capital.html

(A K pH)

Two Children Injured by Bomb, Remnants of US-Saudi Aggression, in Hodeidah

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=10859

More Saudi coalition air raids:

Jan. 22: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=10873 Sanaa p., Jawf p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b, cp1c

(* A K pS)

Suspected Houthi Missile Strikes House of Parliament Member, Family Members Killed

Four women and children were killed on Wednesday evening in a Katusha rocket suspected to be fired by Houthi insurgents that targeted the house of Sheikh Hussein Al Sawadi, a Parliament Member, in Marib province.

Sheikh Al Sawadi was injured and some of his family members were killed in the attack, including his daughter-in-law and his grandchild, state-owned Saba Net cited Director of Criminal Investigation Col. Housein Alhalisi.

Houthis did not immediately comment on the attack despite all indications that it was carried out by the militia.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/22675

Photos: https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1220351446245421056

And

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Parliament, Human Rights ministry denounce Houthi rocket attack on civilians

Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani and the Ministry of Human Rights denounced the missile attack launched by Iran-backed Houthi militia on the house of the Parliament Member Sheikh Hussein al-Sawadi in Marib City killing a woman and female child and seriously injured other family members.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/01/23/parliament-human-rights-ministry-denounce-houthi-rocket-attack-on-civilians/

(A K pH)

In Sa'adah, Saudi missiles and artillery shells targeted populated villages in Razih district.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=10873

(A K pS)

Houthi Missile Attack Kills a Woman, Wounds Six Others in Marib

A rocket launched by Iran-allied Houthi rebels killed a woman and wounded six others on Wednesday in the Yemeni province of Marib, a medical source said on condition of anonymity.

Local sources say the rocket landed at a residential area, killing a woman and wounding six others, most of them children and women.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/22662

(A K pH)

Kampfflugzeuge der Aggression fliegen vier Luftangriffe auf die Bezirke Nehm und Al-Metoon an

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3085632.htm

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Yemen army forces retreat from Nihm front as Houthis seize strategic Al-Manara mountain

The Nihm front, which consists of a 40-kilometer-long series of mountains, has been the scene of violent clashes since Saturday

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/278

(* A K pS)

Dozens killed near Sanaa as [Hadi gov.] army targets rebel supply lines

Dozens of Houthi militia fighters and loyalist soldiers have been killed in heavy fighting outside the rebel-controlled Yemeni city of Sanaa, local army commanders said.

Brig. Gen. Abdu Abdullah Majili, a Yemeni army spokesperson, told Arab News on Thursday that a large number of Houthis were killed after army troops resumed an offensive aimed at cutting supply lines and expelling rebel fighters from the city.

“The national army is making major territorial gains on the battlefield. Dozens of Houthi militia fighters have been killed and the national army soldiers are counting the dead,” Majili said by telephone from the city of Marib.

A number of loyalist troops had died in fighting to seize control of several mountain locations in Nehim, he added.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1617441/middle-east

(* A K)

Saudi-led coalition resumes airstrikes near Yemeni capital

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen stepped up its bombing campaign Tuesday, launching airstrikes near the rebel-held capital in clashes that killed at least 35 people, Yemeni security officials said.

It was the first time in months that coalition airstrikes hit Houthi targets in the district of Nehm, some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of the capital Sanaa, said Houthi officials.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations..

Throughout the day, both sides fired rockets and pounded the area with artillery. The heavy fighting killed and wounded dozens, and forced scores of families to flee. The number of civilian casualties was not immediately known. Video provided by Yemen's defense ministry showed large plumes of smoke rising over the mountains after the airstrikes.

Abdu Abdullah Magli, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said the army made major progress on the ground, seizing several strategic roads and Houthi sites. The Houthis reinforced their outposts and deployed new troops to the front.

Meanwhile, coalition warplanes also bombed rebel targets west of the Marib province, killing several Houthi fighters and capturing over 25, according to Yemeni military officials. The Houthi faction declined to comment.

Magli said the wave of bombings comes in retaliation for a Houthi missile attack on a mosque in Marib that killed at least 116 Yemeni government troops

https://apnews.com/83b6b703f209fc9ab8ebfc755884a6a5 = https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-7913063/Saudi-led-coalition-resumes-airstrikes-near-Yemeni-capital.html

and by a Saudi news site: https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/01/22/Yemeni-Army-advances-toward-Sanaa-as-Houthis-suffer-losses.html

and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXNqTk8CHjc

and

(* A K pS)

80 Houthi fighters killed, over 100 held captive in Naham

At least 80 Houthis combatants have been killed and over a hundred fighters held captive in intense clashes that flared up between Iran-backed rebels and forces of the internationally recognized government in Naham, located to the east of Houthi-held Sana’a.

Spokesperson of the Yemeni Army Abdo Mughali said that the militias suffered heavy losses, as 80 died and 100 were imprisoned the past few days.

A military source reiterated that the army forces launched assaults on Houthis and seized strategic sites, including Al Bayda mountain, south of Sana’a.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/22642

and also

(* A K pS)

Yemen army captures more than 30 Houthis after losing ground in renewed fighting along Nihm front

The clashes are part a rekindled battle for territory northeast of Yemen's capital Sana'a

Yemeni army forces retook strategic positions, killed and captured more than 30 Houthis in the third day of intense fighting along Nihm front northeast of the capital Sana’a on Tuesday, according to military officials in the internationally recognized government’s combat operations room in Marib governorate.

Amid heavy fighting with the army, Houthi fighters reached the area of Al-Wagherah Majzar from Jarshab mountain, before advancing towards the Al-Jawf-Marib road and Majzar district in Marib, a government field commander said.

The army forces eventually countered the rebel attacks, closed roads and repelled the Houthis

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/275

and

(* A K)

Civilian casualties and displacement have been reported amid raging battles between pro-government forces and Houthis in east Sanaa and Marib.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1219707528700989442

(A K)

Yemen: One soldier killed in attack on military camp

Ballistic missile hits government-held camp in Marib city

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/yemen-one-soldier-killed-in-attack-on-military-camp/1709794

(A K pS)

KSrelief Project "Masam" Dismantles 1286 Mines in 3rd Week of January

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's project for clearing mines (Masam) in Yemen demined 1286 mines during the third week of January 2020, including 11 antipersonnel mines, 354 anti-tank, 908 unexploded ordnance and 13 explosive devices.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2024843

(A K pS)

Yemeni Soldiers Kill Dozens of Houthis Following Missile Attack on Army Camp – Military

Yemeni government soldiers pushed the Houthis out of a mountain range in the Nihm district of the central Sanaa province on Tuesday and killed dozens of rebels during the offensive, the Yemeni Armed Forces said.

"Army troops liberated a mountain range from Iran-aliened Houthi coup militia in Nihm battlefront, eastern the capital #Sanaa, keep advancing amid ongoing clashes. Dozens of Houthi rebels were killed or wounded during the clashes," the statement on the official Twitter page of Yemeni Armed Forces’ Media Center said.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001211078090498-yemeni-soldiers-kill-dozens-of-houthis-following-missile-attack-on-army-camp---military/

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(* A)

Locusts are invading Yemen's #Taiz. Locals said on Thursday large swarms of locusts were covering the sky of the city

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1220348051057004544

(* B P)

Undeterred by war, Yemen’s football league is witnessing a revival

At a match in Taiz, hundreds of spectators gathered in Martyr’s Stadium, less than 2 Km from the frontline, and well within range of artillery shells.

Yet between neighborhoods, and even across frontlines, small acts of unity and peace are helping to counter the social destruction caused by the war.

“When Yemen’s national team plays a match you will find all the rivals and adversaries supporting them, and following and praying for them – even the soldiers in the battlefronts – despite their different convictions and affiliations,” said Nayef Al-Bakri, minister of youth and sport in Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The national team has remained active abroad, despite severe difficulties faced in-country. In late 2019, a string of impressive showings by Yemen’s Doha-based national youth team was met with jubilation across the country.

Yet although the conflict continues to rage, a degree of normalcy has returned and many local teams have resumed playing. In January 2020, footballers from around the country travelled to Seiyun, Hadhramout, to take part in a nationwide tournament organized by the Yemeni Football Association. Held at Seiyun’s picturesque Olympic Stadium from Jan. 12 to 24, teams from across the country are competing–including several clubs that have crossed the frontlines from Houthi-controlled territory.

It’s the first time in four years the tournament has been held, according to Al-Bakri, whose ministry provided support to all the participating teams. A total of 34 teams in Yemen’s premier football league competed to take part in the tournament, with eight qualifying, he told Almasdar Online. The eight teams playing in Seiyun include two from the capital Sana’a, two from the interim capital Aden, and one team from each of the governorates of Hadhramout, Taiz, Ibb, and Hodeidah.

More broadly, the Ministry of Youth and Sport supported 97 Yemeni clubs throughout 2019–not only in major government-controlled cities but in rural areas on both sides of the Houthi-government frontlines. “The clubs are from various governorates of Yemen, from Sa’ada to Al-Mahrah, and from Hodeidah to Hadramout,” he said.

“Given the Yemeni Football Association still remains present in Sana’a, we deal with them and all Yemeni sports federations and the Olympic Commission,” said Al-Bakri, who is based in Riyadh. His counterpart in the Houthi-controlled government, Hassan Zaid, is based in Sana’a but his authority is not recognized by international authorities. “We try to distance sports from politics,” Al-Bakri said.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/276

(A D)

Film: Shabwah Heritage and Arts Festival continues

In celebration of the folk and cultural heritage, the activities of "Shabwah Heritage and Arts Festival" were launched yesterday in Ataq, the capital of Shabwah Governorate, southeast of Yemen, In its second annual session, which is held over a period of three days, the festival includes many pillars and activities including the heritage village, ancient traditional handicrafts, folk dances and live plays, In addition to the corner of honey, silver, pictures, women's galleries, arts, and other traditional and artistic works that mimic the originality and history of the province.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FbIoTthqLU

(B D)

Ferienunterkünfte Jemen

Entdecken Sie die besten Jemen Unterkünfte bei HomeToGo

https://www.hometogo.de/search/53d6569b9ab21?adword=google%2Fde%2Fkwd-340482327%2Fct%3Dls%3Bd%3Dd%3Btc%3DDE%3Bln%3Dde%3Bdc%3DYE%3Bmt%3De%3Bcid%3D930e36cc35ca7057%2Fye%2Fn-a%2F53d6569b9ab21%2F262560434584%2Fjemen&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0KqYtJiZ5wIVgbHtCh0RDgsPEAMYASAAEgLXtPD_BwE&hl=de_DE

(B D)

Hotels in Sokotra

https://www.skyscanner.de/hotels-in/jemen/sokotra-hotels/ci-81975540

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-616-yemen-war-mosaic-616

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-616 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-616:

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/

Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

Untersuchung ausgewählter Luftangriffe durch Bellingcat / Bellingcat investigations of selected air raids:

https://yemen.bellingcat.com/

Untersuchungen von Angriffen, hunderte von Filmen / Investigations of attacks, hundreds of films:

https://yemeniarchive.org/en

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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