Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 623b- Yemen War Mosaic 623b

Yemen Press Reader 623b: 11. Feb. 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 623: cp7 - cp18 / Feb. 11, 2020: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 623: cp 7 - cp18

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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 623 Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 623, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-623-yemen-war-mosaic-623

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

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 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

cp9 USA

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

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b 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

(* A P)

Yemen talks about prisoner exchange underway in Jordan

Yemen’s warring sides quietly began U.N.-backed talks about a prisoner swap on Monday, according to the United Nations.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said a third round of negotiations aimed at implementing an ambitious Yemeni prisoner exchange was underway in the Jordanian capital of Amman.

Although heavy clashes continue on the ground, the resumption of talks signals modest headway in diplomatic efforts to resolve a war that has killed over 100,000 people and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

The prisoner swap deal was seen as a breakthrough during 2018 peace talks in Sweden, where Yemen’s Shiite Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government agreed to several such confidence-building measures, including a cease-fire in the strategic port city of Hodeida.

Ongoing military offensives and deep-seated distrust have dogged implementation of the tentative peace plan.

https://apnews.com/bfd8e0d3c039a6753450dbbaa64da6ae

(A P)

Representatives of Yemen's government and Houthi militia starts PoW's, others, exchanges

The committee in charge of following-up the implementation of an arrangement reached between representatives of the Yemeni government and Iran-backed terrorist Houthi militias to repatriate prisoners of war, arrestees, the abducted and those forcibly kept out started deliberations among the parties in Amman today.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2032776

(A P)

Yemeni government urges UN to move offices to Aden

The internationally recognized Yemeni government on Saturday repeated its call for international aid organizations to move their offices from Houthi-held Sanaa to the southern port city of Aden.

Salem Al-Khanbashi, Yemen’s deputy prime minister, said Aden was much safer and that the government would facilitate the work of UN bodies if they agreed to relocate.
“We think that this time is ripe for them to move their offices to Aden,”

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1625001/middle-east

My comment: The Hadi government is claiming this once again. The main reason would be that such a move could be seen as even more recognizing the “legitimacy” of the Hadi government.

(A P)

Vier Gefangene der [Sanaa] Armee und der Volkskomitees wurden durch einen Austausch befreit

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3087142.htm

(A P)

Four Yemeni [Sanaa] army freed in exchange deal: Al-Mortada

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3087138.htm

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(B P)

Film: Saudi portrays Dammam's infamous General Intelligence Prison as a correctional rehabilitation facility, conveniently covering up the unsanitary conditions (footage) and the torture to death of 11 detainees from #Qatif alone since 2011!

https://twitter.com/PrintempsArabeS/status/1226972298357432321

(* B P)

Saudi Arabia Rebuffs Trump Administration's Requests to Stop Teaching Hate Speech in Schools

where millions of children go to school every day and read state-sanctioned hate speech in their text books.

Two new reviews of Saudi government textbooks show not much has changed, despite these efforts. In 2019, Saudi students were still being instructed to keep westerners at a distance, to consider Jews “monkeys” and “assassins” bent on harming Muslim holy places, and to punish gays by death. All those sentiments are included in text books that are required reading for Muslim children in Saudi Arabia from kindergarten through high school, according to a review by Jerusalem-based Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education, or IMPACT SE, a nonprofit whose research has been cited by the UN and the Anti-Defamation League.

A second organization highlighted similar disturbing material. “Students are being taught that Christians, Jews and other Muslims are ‘enemies’ of the true believer, and to befriend and show respect only to other true believers, specifically the Wahhabis,” the strict sect of Islam upon which Saudi Arabia was founded, says Ali Al-Ahmed of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Gulf Studies, in a preview for TIME of his own meticulous review of the 2019 textbooks due out in March. The two groups have shared their results with U.S. government officials.

Both reviews acknowledge there have been some changes to the Saudi curriculum, designed to appease the Kingdom’s western critics. Al-Ahmed notes that in one passage, the phrase “Christians and Jews” has been replaced with phrase “the enemies of Islam,” but says other parts of the same textbook make clear that Christians and Jews remain in the ‘enemies’ camp – by Kimberly Dozier

https://time.com/5780130/saudi-arabia-hate-speech-schools/

(A P)

One of the known members of the council of senior scholars says: "Opposing the governor is a big sin which deserves death even if the opposer be a Muslim." This well shows who is behind the aggressive oppression by #Saudi authority.

https://twitter.com/SalmaAlNafjan/status/1226891865955414017

referring to https://sabq.org/QkXF4x

(* B P)

Saudi authorities plan demographic massacre in Al-Qatif

What is the plan of the Saudi authorities in the province of Al-Qatif?

According to their bitter experience with injustice rooted in the kingdom, the inhabitants fear more destructive intentions for their neighborhoods, their streets and their symbolic sites.

After the Al-Massoura district and the property of Awamiyah, there are currently reports of systematic demolition operations in a large number of villages in Al-Qatif, in a clear and direct attempt to eradicate any image linked to the peaceful popular movement that has taken place in the region for nine years. The most serious result will be the forced displacement of thousands of citizens.

According to official information, the municipality of Al-Qatif has been working since last month to build streets in the north of Al-Nasra. This project involves the removal of all shackles and properties on the track, after the decision to take control of this land.

For this purpose, the municipality asked the owners of the properties located in the axial roads project in Awamiyah (plan 1434), to contact the local authorities to continue the procedures for paying compensation.

The municipality had approved the aforementioned plan, which according to the official announcement, aims to organize the entrance to the locality and the streets in the vicinity of the cemetery in order to link to the other streets of the province, noting that urban growth and of the population was behind these decisions, as part of the Kingdom 2030 vision, announced by Crown Prince Mohammad Ben Slaman.

The authorities want to convince public opinion of the feasibility and effectiveness of the plan, by the publication of press releases, aiming to give it legitimacy.

However, this project causes a massive forced displacement in the full sense of the term, in favor of the interests of the State. How? 'Or' What?

Twelve districts will be eliminated, four mosques, two Husseinias and the residence of a religious dignitary, after the confiscation of the properties, in the process of creating new districts in harmony with the policy of the kingdom, in particular in King Abdel Aziz street, in the center of Al-Qatif, until its end, in front of the complex of shattered courts. This street will be linked to another in the north of the Al-Nassra district, arriving at the village Awamiyah .

https://www.french.alahednews.com.lb/34136/323

(B P)

Of the 800 heads decapitated during the reign of Salman, 2019 had the highest share with 185 executions including 33 political prisoners, not to mention final death sentences that may be carried out any minute against prisoners of opinion who participated in peaceful protests (infographic)

https://twitter.com/nashetqatifi/status/1225818718573383681

(A P)

Netanyahu plans to meet with Saudi crown prince before March 2 elections: Report

Israeli authorities are reportedly working hard to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the kingdom, as the Tel Aviv regime is bringing out in the open its relations with several Arab countries after years of clandestine contacts.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/06/618042/Netanyahu-plans-to-meet-with-Saudi-crown-prince-before-March-2-elections-Report

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1

(B K P)

America’s Role in the Yemen Crisis

Abstract

In 2011 the US government strongly supported the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) diplomatic initiative in Yemen. Afterward President Barack Obama became an outspoken champion of the country’s political transition plan. Between 2012 and 2014, he and his staff often referred to Yemen’s version of the “Arab Spring” as an ideal model because it stood in sharp contrast to simultaneous events in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, and Syria. The GCC initiative was a major reason why Obama eagerly embraced the Yemen model. It suited his foreign policy preference of encouraging foreign allies to play more active roles, “leading from behind” as he once stated in a poor choice of words. This was especially true of his orientation toward allies in regional organizations like the GCC. Once Yemen’s transition collapsed in early 2015, and Saudi Arabia led a coalition to war, President Obama found himself in the awkward position of participating in a foreign agenda he neither chose nor supported. After President Trump entered the White House in January 2017, US policy became far more supportive of the coalition’s war effort. Trump accelerated the process of approving arms sales to the GCC coalition, including authorization of some weapon systems that Obama previously blocked (paywalled)

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-35578-4_4

(* B K P)

Ehemaliger Drohnenoperator der Luftwaffe spricht sich gegen US-Gräueltaten aus

Ein ehemaliger Dronenoperator der Luftwaffe, der sich zu einem Whistleblower gewandelt hat, spricht sich erneut gegen die Gräueltaten aus, die er während seines Dienstes in einem Militär begangen hat, das er als "schlimmer als die Nazis" bezeichnet.

Brandon Bryant war von 2006 bis 2011 Sensor-Operator von unbemannten Flugdrohnen der USAF. Seine Aufgabe war die gezielte Tötung - die Fernzündung von Raketen auf Ziele, die 7.000 Meilen (11.000 km) von einer klimatisierten Kommandozentrale in der Nähe von Las Vegas, Nevada, entfernt waren. Während seiner Amtszeit bei der Luftwaffe hat sein Geschwader laut Bryant 1.626 Ziele, darunter Frauen und Kinder, bekämpft. Er schätzt, dass er persönlich für den Tod von 13 Menschen verantwortlich ist.

Bryant sagte dem britischen Independent, dass er nach der versehentlichen Tötung eines Kindes in Afghanistan an seine Grenzen gestoßen sei. Er hatte gerade eine Hellfire-Rakete auf ein Gebäude mit einem feindlichen Ziel abgefeuert, als er sah, wie ein Kind das Gebäude verließ. Bryant meldete den Vorfall seinen Vorgesetzten. "Es war ein verdammter Hund", wurde ihm gesagt. " Vergiss es." Aber er konnte es nicht loswerden. "Als die Rakete einschlug, wusste ich in meiner Seele, dass ich zum Mörder geworden war", sagte er.

http://www.antikrieg.com/aktuell/2020_02_09_ehemaliger.htm

and English version:

(* B K P)

Former Air Force Drone Operator Speaks Out Against US Atrocities

A former Air Force drone operator-turned-whistleblower is once again speaking out against the atrocities he committed while serving in a military he describes as "worse than the Nazis."

Brandon Bryant was a sensor operator of USAF unmanned aerial drones from 2006 to 2011. His job was targeted killing – remotely firing missiles at targets 7,000 miles (11,000 km) away from an air-conditioned command center near Las Vegas, Nevada. During his Air Force tenure, Bryant says his squadron engaged 1,626 targets, including women and children. He estimates that he is personally responsible for the deaths of 13 people.

Bryant told Britain’s Independent that he reached his breaking point after accidentally killing a child in Afghanistan. He had just fired a Hellfire missile at a building containing an enemy target when he saw a child leave the building. Bryant reported the incident to his superiors. "It was a fucking dog," he was told. "Drop it." But he couldn’t drop it. "When the missile struck, I knew in my soul I had become a murderer," he said.

https://original.antiwar.com/Brett_Wilkins/2020/02/07/former-air-force-drone-operator-speaks-out-against-us-atrocities/

(A K P)

Photos: #USAF F-35A Lightning II jets land at PSAB [Prince Sultan Air Base], #SaudiArabia for the first time!

https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1226204485594341377

(A P)

Iranian-Canadian Artist Denied Entry to US for San Francisco Performance

Fahimi posted about the events on social media, writing, “Sharing this experience in case someone else has a similar situation.” She detailed the process of going through passport check and getting called into a security room filled with monitors showing her own image. During questioning by a U.S. official, Fahimi says she was asked if she is Muslim, why she immigrated to Canada, if she was happy with the Iranian government and why her husband’s family name is so long.

“Have you ever been asked what is your religion when crossing the border?” she wrote on Instagram. “Have you ever needed to explain your spiritual existence for your trip to the U.S.?”

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13874591/iranian-canadian-artist-denied-entry-to-us-for-san-francisco-performance

(* B K P)

Not Even the Military Thinks Landmines Are a ‘Vital Tool’

That is, until last week, when the Trump administration announced it was reversing Obama’s 2014 order. The decision would permit the U.S. to use the “Gator,” “Volcano,” and “M-131” mine systems currently stored in Korea anywhere in the world. More crucially, it would allow the deployment of more technically advanced landmine systems, currently under development, to Europe (and specifically, as a Pentagon official told me, to Eastern Europe) as a deterrent against a possible Russian tank attack.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/not-even-the-military-thinks-landmines-are-a-vital-tool/

(A P)

Shocking: #Saudi minister @AwwadSAlawwad who was in charge of hate media including @Wesal_TV that promoted #ISIS is @StateDept meeting #US offecials. I thought @SecPompeo was against this.

AlAwad ran the ministry if information that runs many TV channels & websites in multiple languages that promotes antisemitism, #Christian hated, #AkWeda & #ISIS. This is not Normal

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1225560465482428417

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

(* B P T)

Die iranischen Volksmudschahedin – Washingtons schmutzige Verbündete

Mit der Unterstützung der iranischen Volksmudschahedin unterstreicht Washington seine Regime-Change-Ambitionen gegenüber der Islamischen Republik. Die Protegierung dieser ehemaligen Terrorbande, die sich inzwischen zu einer totalitären Politsekte entwickelt hat, ist jedoch ein gefährlicher Irrweg.

In der Zwischenzeit hatten die USA ihre Haltung zur MEK geändert und versuchten die Gruppierung – wie zuvor Saddam Hussein – für ihre Ziele zu nutzen. Die Führung der Volksmudschahedin, inzwischen an ein Söldner-Dasein gewöhnt, anscheinend auch ohne politische Überzeugungen, ging darauf ein.

Ausgerechnet unter George W. Bush, während seines "Kriegs gegen den Terror", wurde die exil-iranische Terrorgruppe per Zauberhand zu einer "demokratischen Widerstandsgruppe" umdeklariert, zumindest im öffentlichen Bewusstsein – mit Hilfe der üblichen Methoden der PR, die man in Kriegszeiten auch als Propaganda zu bezeichnen pflegt.

https://deutsch.rt.com/meinung/97769-iranischen-volksmudschahedin-washingtons-schmutzige-verbundete/

(** B K P)

Did Washington use a false pretext for its bloody escalation in Iraq?

Iraqi officials indicate that ISIS – not Ketaib Hizbullah – attacked a US military base in Iraq, setting off the escalation that led to the US attacking the latter group and killing Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Were we lied to again?

In a key piece of actual extensive, on-the-ground reporting, the New York Times’sAlissa Rubin has raised serious questions about the official US account of who it was that attacked the K-1 base near Kirkuk, in eastern Iraq, on December 27. The United States almost immediately accused the Iran-backed Ketaib Hizbullah (KH) militia of responsibility. But Rubin quotes by name Brig. General Ahmed Adnan, the chief of intelligence for the Iraqi federal police at the same base, as saying, “All the indications are that it was Daesh” — that is, ISIS.

She also presents considerable further detailed reporting on the matter. And she notes that though U.S. investigators claim to have evidence about KH’s responsibility for the attack, they have presented none of it publicly. Nor have they shared it with the Iraqi government.

KH is a paramilitary organization that operates under the command of the Iraqi military and has been deeply involved in the anti-ISIS campaigns throughout the country.

The new evidence presented by Rubin makes it look as if Trump and his advisors had previously decided on a broad-scale plan to attack Iran’s very influential allies in Iraq and were waiting for a triggering event– any triggering event!– to use as a pretext to launch it. The attack against the K-1 base presented them with that trigger, even though they have not been able to present any evidence that it was KH that undertook it.

If, as now seems likely, the authors of the K-1 attack were indeed Da’esh, then they succeeded brilliantly in triggering a bitter fight between two substantial forces in the coalition that had been fighting against them in Iraq.

https://thegrayzone.com/2020/02/07/washington-false-pretext-escalation-iraq/

referring to

(** B K P)

Was U.S. Wrong About Attack That Nearly Started a War With Iran?

Iraqi military and intelligence officials have raised doubts about who fired the rockets that started a dangerous spiral of events.

The United States blamed an Iraqi militia with close ties to Iran and bombed five of the group’s bases. Angry Iraqis then stormed the American Embassy. The United States then killed Iran’s top general. Iran then fired missiles at American forces and mistakenly shot down a passenger jet, killing 176 people.

But Iraqi military and intelligence officials have raised doubts about who fired the rockets that started the spiral of events, saying they believe it is unlikely that the militia the United States blamed for the attack, Khataib Hezbollah, carried it out.

Iraqi officials acknowledge that they have no direct evidence tying the Dec. 27 rocket attack to one group or another. And elements of Iraq’s security forces have close ties to Iran, which might make them reluctant to blame an Iranian-linked force.

American officials insist that they have solid evidence that Khataib Hezbollah carried out the attack, though they have not made it public.

Iraqi officials say their doubts are based on circumstantial evidence and long experience in the area where the attack took place.

The rockets were launched from a Sunni Muslim part of Kirkuk Province notorious for attacks by the Islamic State, a Sunni terrorist group, which would have made the area hostile territory for a Shiite militia like Khataib Hezbollah.

Khataib Hezbollah has not had a presence in Kirkuk Province since 2014.

The Islamic State, however, had carried out three attacks relatively close to the base in the 10 days before the attack on K-1. Iraqi intelligence officials sent reports to the Americans in November and December warning that ISIS intended to target K-1, an Iraqi air base in Kirkuk Province that is also used by American forces.

“All the indications are that it was Daesh,” said Brig. General Ahmed Adnan, the Iraqi chief of intelligence for the federal police at K-1, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. “I told you about the three incidents in the days just before in the area — we know Daesh’s movements.

“We as Iraqi forces cannot even come to this area unless we have a large force because it is not secure. How could it be that someone who doesn’t know the area could come here and find that firing position and launch an attack?”

Khataib Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the attack, and no group has claimed it.

American officials, however, said they had multiple strands of intelligence indicating that Khataib Hezbollah carried it out.

The United States has not presented any of its intelligence publicly. Nor has it shared the intelligence with Iraq.

The director general of Iraqi Intelligence and Counterterrorism, Abu Ali al-Basri, said the United States did not consult Iraq before carrying out the Dec. 29 counterattacks on Khataib Hezbollah.

“They did not ask for my analysis of what happened in Kirkuk and neither did they share any of their information,” he said. “Usually, they would do both.”

Iraqi officials say many unanswered questions remain about who was responsible for the K-1 attack.

“The identity still has not been confirmed,” said Abdul Hussain al-Hunain, an aide to Mr. Abdul Mahdi who served as prime minister until Saturday. “There are certain suspicions and I do not claim to know everything, but it be could ISIS or the Baath Party,” he said, referring to disgruntled remnants of the Sunni establishment that held sway over Iraq before the American invasion of 2003. “The situation is complicated in Iraq.” – by Alissa J. Rubin

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/world/middleeast/iraq-iran-hezbollah-evidence.html

from the comments:

This is all about Trump and Pompeo desperately trying to justify their withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear deal, in spite of the criticism and warnings they received from all the other signatories!

After this fiasco I expect that Trump and Co will find WMDs in Iran. That information from "dependable sources," from Saudi Arabia is probably planned to be released close to the election.

So we find this whole exercise was a false flag after all.....Only Iranian restraint kept this from morphing into a real war. Nice to have a "stable genius" on the nuclear trigger, eh America?

Wow. This is shocking. We MUST get the facts (I thank God every day for the NYT!). Is it possible that Trump and Pompeo decided that it would look bad to admit ISIS attacks because it links to their abandonment of Syria, and that a better enemy who they can rally around is Iran? Maybe not, but we sure need to find out.

As this point, Iraqi Intelligence guys appear more logical, credible and probable than President Trump who is prone to shooting first and aiming later given his outrageous rantings, anger and narcissistic need to project power just because he can as American President. We are living a Franz Kafka nightmare in this Presidency.

(* B K P)

What it cost to kill Soleimani

For those who hoped 2020 would offer an opportunity to set a gentler course in U.S. foreign policy, it took just three days for President Trump to shatter those aspirations. The targeted killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassim Soleimani on January 3 injected global panic into the New Year, with actors on all sides scrambling to avert the prospect of a full-scale war.

Thankfully, more than a month on from the killing, the dust surrounding the affair has begun to settle, for now, allowing space for a sober assessment of the price the U.S. has paid for killing Soleimani that avoids the doomsday predictions or foolish chauvinism of those early days.

To the Trump administration’s credit, its assessment that Iran would elect a more muted response to the assassination of its most senior military commander proved accurate. Iranians are masters of escalation control.

But avoiding WWIII is a dismally low bar to pass, and the fact that the killing didn’t spark a wider conflict is a poor measure of the wisdom of the operation. Such generous appraisals fail to take into account the rippling consequences the strike has had on local developments that are undermining strategic advantages the U.S. once enjoyed, damaging the American position in the region and torpedoing what had been a series of promising steps towards deescalation.

With the benefit of patience, Iran is likely to resume the operational tempo it had maintained in the months leading up to the assassination. The immediate tactical benefits of Soleimani’s death, therefore, will be short-lived. The costs, however, will endure.

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/482187-what-it-cost-to-kill-soleimani

(A K P)

More than 100 U.S. troops diagnosed with brain injuries from Iran attack

The U.S. military on Monday disclosed a more than 50% jump in cases of traumatic brain injury stemming from Iran’s missile attack on a base in Iraq last month, with the number of service members diagnosed climbing to over 100.

The Pentagon, in a statement, confirmed that so far 109 U.S. service members had been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury. It added that 76 of them had returned to duty.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-pentagon-tbi-exclusive-idUSKBN2041ZK

(A P)

Iran does not consider Saudi Arabia as enemy: uni. professor

Dr. Foad Izadi, an associate professor of American Studies for a doctorate program at the University of Tehran, says Iran does not consider Saudi Arabia to be an enemy, and the country considers the US and Israel regimes as its enemies.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/155480/Iran-does-not-consider-Saudi-Arabia-as-enemy-uni-professor

(B P)

Fire sale: An Iran plant makes the US flags protesters burn

https://apnews.com/235580c14a77045fc7647562a2ac1d33

(* A P)

Iraqi officials: US will grant vital Iran sanctions waiver

The United States has signaled to Iraq its willingness to extend sanctions waivers enabling the country to continue importing vital Iranian gas and electricity imports, three Iraqi officials said this week, a move that would be a key test of Baghdad-Washington ties.

The decision comes amid strained U.S.-Iraqi ties following last month’s Washington-directed airstrike in Baghdad that killed a high-profile Iranian general and a senior Iraqi militia leader.

A previous waiver, granted in October, is set to expire on Feb. 13. The three officials said the U.S. State Department, which issues such waivers, has conveyed its readiness to extend the waiver for another three months — if Iraq is able to formulate a timeline by the end of the week, detailing a plan to wean itself off Iranian gas dependence.

“The American side has announced to us their readiness,” said one of the officials.

https://apnews.com/bd4e3e6e737344ccb6a0b12866790e01

My comment: This news clearly shows how the US claims to rule the world. Iraq and Iran are sovereign states, how should their trade depend on any US “waiver”?

(A P)

Britain's ambassador returns to Iran, urges bilateral talks on important issues

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/07/618103/Macaire-Iran-Britain-Ambassador-Instagram-JCPOA-dispute-mechansim-INSTEX

(A)

Iran again fails to put satellite into orbit amid US worries

An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program.

https://apnews.com/7c8247674c294c23d408b034e9d4ee5a

(A)

Iran to launch Zafar Satellite within hours: ICT Minister

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi in a message said that Zafar Satellite will be launched within hours.

https://en.irna.ir/news/83667450/Iran-to-launch-Zafar-Satellite-within-hours-ICT-Minister

(A K P)

Iran unveils new, more accurate ballistic missile technology

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has unveiled a new ballistic missile, the country’s state TV reported Sunday, amid heightened tensions with the U.S.

https://apnews.com/e8b89fb41c2fc10bc221a09b820b370d

(A P)

Iran to respond in kind to any US provocation in Persian Gulf: Judiciary chief

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/07/618088/Iran-US-provocation-Persian-Gulf

(A P)

Zarif: Iran will sue Trump for economic, military and cultural terrorism

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic will take legal action against US President Donald Trump on charges of committing economic, military and cultural terrorism against the country.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/06/618047/Iran-sue-Trump-terrorism-economic-military-cultural-Soleimani-sanctions-threats

(A K P)

Lt. Gen. Soleimani’s assassination sent US into downfall: Iranian Navy Commander

“The terrorist regime of America had no idea that its foolish assassination of Lt. Gen. Ghasem Soleimani would send the regime into a spiraling downfall,” he added.

https://iranpress.com/en/iran-i143572-lt._gen._soleimani%E2%80%99s_assassination_sent_us_into_downfall_iranian_navy_commander

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(B P)

Prince Andrew and his visit to Middle East torture hub

The Duke of York went to Bahrain to inaugurate a Huddersfield University course taught at a centre used for the torture of political dissidents, The Times can reveal.

The Royal Academy of Policing has served as a hub for the interrogation and coerced confessions of Bahraini opposition activists since 2015, according to accounts gathered from torture survivors. The victims include three former prisoners now seeking asylum in Britain and ten whose accounts of torture, including serious sexual assault, were smuggled from jail.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prince-andrew-and-his-visit-to-middle-east-torture-hub-2qgf0z5zc

(* B K P)

Saudi Arabia: Liz Truss cleared over breaches of ban on UK arms sales linked to Yemen war

Internal report blames ‘shortcomings’ in processes set up – and warns of ‘potential’ for further violations of court-ordered freeze

An internal inquiry into breaches of the ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia linked to the Yemen bloodbath – which triggered calls for Liz Truss to resign – has cleared ministers of personal responsibility.

Instead, the report blames “shortcomings in the processes” for overseeing weapons licences – while warning of the “potential” for further violations of the freeze, ordered by a court ruling last year.

The probe followed the revelation that the department for international trade granted three further export licences for military equipment that could be used to fuel the humanitarian crisis in neighbouring Yemen.

Last June, the Court of Appeal ruled it was unlawful for the UK to sanction arms exports without assessing whether the war being waged by a Saudi-led coalition had broken international law.

Three months later, Ms Truss, the trade secretary responsible for export controls, was forced into two embarrassing Commons appearances to admit the “inadvertent” blunders, triggering calls for her to quit.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/saudi-arabia-arms-liz-truss-cleared-yemen-war-a9323586.html

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(A P)

Trudeau gives Yemen $47 million in aid

Justin Trudeau has promised $47 million in aid for Yemen as a recent effort in foreign aid.

“Canada’s support in Yemen is driven by our desire to end a terrible situation that has caused the suffering of so many people — especially women and children who bear the brunt of the crisis,” Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of international development, said in a statement.

“The human cost of the ongoing conflict in Yemen is dire.”

https://www.thepostmillennial.com/trudeau-gives-yemen-47-million-in-aid/

My comment: What a hypocrisy. While the Trudeau government clinged to hold up a sale of Canadian armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia worth $ 13 billion.

(B K P)

The European Union’s Role in the Yemen Crisis

Abstract

Analyzing the European Union’s perspective on the crisis in Yemen means two different things: on the one hand, looking into the separate policies of 28 member states (minus the United Kingdom since a separate chapter is dedicated to that country’s policies in the book); on the other hand, focusing on the singular diplomacy of European institutions, elaborated and implemented by EU civil servants, EU leaders of the Commission, and politicians affiliated with the European Parliament. Both of these issues are dealt with in the course of this chapter, showing how the Yemen crisis sheds interesting light on the limitations and opportunities of European foreign policies in the contemporary Middle East, and how their fragmentation among member states can also become a resource. Yet, it also highlights how Yemen has primarily been viewed as a marginal issue by European decision-makers. EU institutions and member states acted as if they lacked proper information and understanding of Yemen and have let other powers take initiatives, while only acting as a secondary player (paywalled)

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-35578-4_5

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(A P)

U.A.E. Restores Qatar Postal Service After Years-Long Freeze

The United Arab Emirates has restored mail services to Qatar, frozen for more than two years amid a diplomatic rift, after a regional meeting attended by both Gulf states and the United Nations’ postal agency.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the move indicated a broader mending of ties between the countries mired in a diplomatic dispute that has hurt trade and split the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council at a time of heightened tension with Iran.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-10/u-a-e-restores-qatar-postal-service-after-years-long-suspension

cp12b Sudan

(* A K P)

Sudan Rethinks Participation in Yemen Conflict, Withdraws Troops, Information Minister Says

Sudan is reconsidering its participation in the armed conflict in Yemen and gradually reducing its forces there, Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Salih has said.

"Currently, there is a revision of the whole war in Yemen, even among the coalition's principal countries, and there is an opinion that military activities will not solve the problem, and will likely to compound it", Salih said on Sunday at the ongoing summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

According to the Minister, it was not easy for Khartoum to suddenly decide to withdraw its troops, so it is gradually reducing the number of its forces per an agreement with the coalition.

"We think that the current efforts will soon lead to a decrease in combat activities, which will be replaced by negotiations", he said.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202002091078269760-sudan-rethinks-participation-in-yemen-conflict-withdraws-troops-information-minister-says/

and also https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/10/618299/Yemen-war-Sudan-Saudi-Arabia-coalition

https://southfront.org/saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen-to-lose-even-more-of-its-sudanese-backbone/https://southfront.org/saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen-to-lose-even-more-of-its-sudanese-backbone/

(* B P)

Bittersüße Lehren

Vor einem Jahr gingen die Sudanesen auf die Straße: Über die menschliche Schönheit einer Revolution – und ihre Zerbrechlichkeit.

Unsere modische Begeisterung für Revolutionen und deren Ikonen zieht um ferne Ereignisse oft einen arg engen Rahmen, damit sie sich in unsere Begrifflichkeit fügen. Doch auch das flotte Etikett „arab rebellion“ mag auf den Sudan nicht recht passen. Wer Arabisch spricht, muss kein Araber sein, das war das Erste, was ich in Khartum lernte. In den Teerunden wurde über das Bekenntnis zum Afrikaner-Sein gesprochen, über die Diversität des Sudan und seine Identitätskrise.

Manche, die den Umsturz mit ins Werk setzten, verlassen das Land; dafür bedarf es nun keiner Genehmigung mehr. Einige Institutionen verlieren ihre besten Kräfte. Unvorstellbar lang muss der revolutionäre Atem sein, bis sich das Leben auf eine Weise verbessert haben wird, die mehr umfasst als die Freiheit der Meinung und die freie Wahl weiblicher Bekleidung.

Womöglich wird das Leben erst mal noch schlechter. Subventionen sollen gekürzt werden, um die Staatsverschuldung abzubauen; darauf werden Massenproteste die Antwort sein. Mehr Bitteres als Süßes steht in Aussicht.

https://taz.de/Ein-Jahr-Revolution-im-Sudan/!5658020/

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

(* A K P)

South Africa seeks to unlock stalled arms sales to Saudi, UAE

South Africa aims to free up over a billion dollars in stalled weapons sales, including to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, by amending a document at the heart of an export row, a senior arms control official told Reuters.

Local defense firms have lobbied the government for months to change a clause in the export document requiring foreign customers to allow South African officials to inspect their facilities to verify that weapons aren’t being transferred to third parties.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE buy at least a third of South Africa’s arms exports and have been engaged in a war in Yemen. They refused to agree to the inspections because they considered them a violation of their sovereignty, industry officials told Reuters in November.

A draft letter from Jele to a defense industry association obtained by Reuters and authenticated by two industry sources said the NCACC planned to replace a clause allowing for “on-site verification ... performed by an inspector designated by the (defense) minister.”

The new clause would state “on-site verification of the controlled items may be performed, through diplomatic process”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-defence-exclusive/exclusive-south-africa-seeks-to-unlock-stalled-arms-sales-to-saudi-uae-idUSKBN2020K9

and also https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/south-africa-seeks-unlock-stalled-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-uae

My comment: Disgusting.

(A K P)

Wallonie liefert keine Waffen mehr an saudische Luftwaffe

Die Wallonie will keine Waffen mehr an die Luftwaffe von Saudi Arabien liefern. Grund sei, dass das Land Luftschläge im Bürgerkrieg im Jemen fliege.

https://brf.be/national/1354036/

(A K P)

Belgium’s Wallonia region halts arms sales to Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry

The Belgian region of Wallonia, home to the FN Herstal and CMI arms plants, said on Thursday, February 6 that it had halted weapons sales to Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry because of the war in Yemen.

Confirming a report in the newspaper L’Echo, Wallonia said Minister-President Elio di Rupo had “the Yemen drama” in mind when refusing an export license to the Royal Saudi Air Force.

In a letter seen by AFP, it added “the minister-president refuses all licenses for the Saudi Defense Ministry.”

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Guard and National Guard, which French-speaking Wallonia sees as less implicated in the Yemeni conflict, will continue to receive Belgian weapons and ammunition.

https://thedefensepost.com/2020/02/06/belgium-saudi-arabia-arms-wallonia/

(A K P)

Eine Route voller Proteste und Aktionen quer durch Europa: Das saudische Waffenschiff findet kaum einen ruhigen Hafen

In mehreren europäischen Häfen sind Klagen, Proteste und andere Aktionen gegen die Bahri Yanbu geplant. Das saudische Frachtschiff hat in der Vergangenheit Waffen im Wert von zehn Millionen Dollar transportiert, die den Krieg im Jemen schüren und potentiell Kriegsverbrechen und Menschenrechtsverletzungen verursachen. Nun steuert es nach einem Zwischenstopp in den USA und Kanada fünf europäische Häfen an, bevor es seine Weiterreise nach Saudi-Arabien fortsetzt. Dazu gehören die Häfen in Bremerhaven (Deutschland), Antwerpen (Belgien), Tilbury (Großbritannien), Cherbourg (Frankreich) und Genua (Italien). „Aktivist*innen und Hafenarbeiter*innen sind in höchster Alarmbereitschaft. Denn Bahri Yanbu droht erneut, das Völkerrecht im Namen lukrativer Waffengeschäfte zu missachten”, sagt Patrick Wilcken, Experte für Waffenexporte bei Amnesty International. „Auf einer ähnlichen Reise im Mai 2019 verhinderten Proteste und Klagen, dass einige der Waffen, die im Konflikt im Jemen eingesetzt werden, auf die Bahri Yanbu verladen wurden. Trotzdem schlüpften Teile von Militärflugzeuge und andere Waffen im Wert von mehreren Millionen Dollar durch

https://www.amnesty.at/news-events/wachsender-widerstand-gegen-saudisches-waffenschiff/

https://www.labournet.de/internationales/frankreich/soziale_konflikte-frankreich/eine-route-voller-proteste-und-aktionen-quer-durch-europa-das-saudische-waffenschiff-findet-kaum-einen-ruhigen-hafen/

(A K P)

Protest in Nordfrankreich gegen Beladung von saudiarabischem Frachter

Im Hafen der nordfranzösischen Stadt Cherbourg ist ein saudiarabischer Frachter eingelaufen, der nach Informationen von Aktivisten mit Kriegswaffen für den Jemen-Konflikt beladen werden soll. "Wir können nicht akzeptieren, dass der Hafen von Cherbourg für diesen Konflikt genutzt werden soll", hieß es am Donnerstag in einer gemeinsamen Erklärung mehrerer Nichtregierungsorganisationen sowie linksgerichteter Parteien.

http://www.dtoday.de/startseite/politik_artikel,-Protest-in-Nordfrankreich-gegen-Beladung-von-saudiarabischem-Frachter-_arid,709268.html

https://www.labournet.de/internationales/frankreich/soziale_konflikte-frankreich/eine-route-voller-proteste-und-aktionen-quer-durch-europa-das-saudische-waffenschiff-findet-kaum-einen-ruhigen-hafen/

(A K P)

Film: Spain: Saudi ship accused of carrying weapons bound for Yemen docks in Bilbao

Footage shows the ship arriving into the port under escort. Protesters gathered at the port earlier in the day in an attempt to block it from docking. Authorities insist that the cargo is only going to be used for "defence purposes," according to local media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viNgOiy8oYw

(A K P)

French activists renew tussle with Saudi ship on suspected arms sales

For the third time in under a year, a Saudi cargo ship headed for a French port this week on a suspected mission to collect weapons, prompting protests from NGOs who say French arms are being used to kill civilians in the brutal Yemeni conflict.

The Bahri Yanbu docked in the port of Cherbourg on Thursday, on the coast of Normandy, where dozens of activists had gathered in protest at the sale of weapons to the Gulf state. It set sail again early the next morning after loading overnight, under cover of darkness and a heavy police presence.

https://www.france24.com/en/20200207-french-activists-renew-tussle-with-saudi-ship-on-suspected-weapons-voyage

and also http://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20200207-suspected-saudi-arms-ship-left-france-after-protest-ngo-s-heading-bilbao

http://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20200206-activists-try-block-saudi-ship-loading-french-arms-Yemen-conflict

(A K P)

Anti-war activists force Saudi ‘weapons’ ship to reroute again

An infamous Saudi cargo ship suspected of carrying weapons to be used in the war in Yemen has been forced to alter its route more than once, after facing protests by anti-war activists in several European ports. The Bahri Yanbu was previously accused of loading weapons destined for the UAE which were loaded whilst it made an unscheduled stop at Santander in northern Spain last year.

Having been prevented from docking in Antwerp by “citizen weapons inspectors”, the ship moved onto the UK, where it was due to dock in Tilbury on Wednesday. However protestors were awaiting its arrival.

The vessel arrived “under the cover of darkness” in a “cloak and dagger” stop

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200207-anti-war-activists-force-saudi-weapons-ship-to-rerouted-again/

(A K P)

Saudi ship ‘carrying weapons’ docks secretly in UK under cover of darkness

Human rights groups have voiced ‘serious concerns’ after a Saudi Arabian cargo ship, feared to be carrying weapons for the Yemen conflict, made a ‘cloak-and-dagger’ stop at a UK dock on Wednesday night. The state-owned owned Bahri Yanbu cargo ship stopped in Kent under the cover of darkness. Protesters had been awaiting the ships arrival at Tilbury Docks, Essex, but it made port in Sheerness instead. Amnesty International said the visit raised ‘serious concerns’ and asked what UK authorities knew about the Bahri Yanbu’s cargo. Oliver Sprague, Amnesty International UK’s arms control director, said: ‘This cloak-and-dagger docking raises a whole host of very serious concerns over the UK’s possible part in continuing to fuel the deadly conflict in Yemen. ‘The Bahri Yanbu, a known arms delivery ship, hastily switched ports and was in and out of Sheerness under cover of darkness in less than three hours.’

https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/06/saudi-ship-carrying-weapons-docks-secretly-uk-cover-darkness-12195834/

(A K P)

Row erupts over Saudi Arabian cargo ship that stopped at Kent port while carrying weapons as anti-war activists accuse it of heading for Yemen but authorities refuse to name destination of arms

State-owned Bahri Yanbu cargo ship stopped in Sheerness late last night

Protesters were at Tilbury Docks to demonstrate against planned arrival

But instead 738ft ship made port in Kent as visit raised 'serious concerns'

Campaigners want answers over 'shadowy docking operation' and cargo

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7974411/Fury-Saudi-Arabian-cargo-ship-stops-Kent-port-darkness.html

cp13b Wirtschaft / Economy

(B E)

Film: Video: Jemen: Kaffee anbauen im Bürgerkrieg

Im Jemen herrscht seit Jahren Krieg. Diese Kaffee-Bauern versuchen normal weiterzumachen. Doch das wird immer schwieriger.

https://www.daserste.de/information/politik-weltgeschehen/mittagsmagazin/videos/Jemen-Kaffee-anbauen-im-Buergerkrieg-ard-mittagsmagazin-video-100.html

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

ISIS in #Yemen's targeting has switched dramatically to Houthis from #AQAP. This year so far 85% of ISIS ops targeted Houthis, only15% AQAP. (The shift began in 10/2019) Latest below: Attack on Houthi position in al-Zahra, Qayfa yesterday. Houthi hut razed, weapon & ammo seized

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1226923015000272896

(* B T)

Killing of Terrorist Leader in Yemen Is Latest Blow to Qaeda Affiliate

The death of Qassim al-Rimi is part of a string of setbacks that have damaged the group’s ability to carry out operations against the West.

But the White House’s announcement last week that the United States had killed the group’s leader, Qassim al-Rimi — confirming what The New York Times first reported several days earlier — was the latest in a string of setbacks over the past few years that have damaged the group’s ability to orchestrate or carry out operations against the West, American and European counterterrorism specialists say.

A flurry of American drone strikes in Yemen in recent years has now killed two successive leaders of the group as well as Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, the affiliate’s notorious bomb maker. Clashes with rival Islamic State and Houthi rebel fighters in Yemen have also weakened the group, whose full name is Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. And its once formidable jihadi news media presence has been far surpassed by the Islamic State’s.

“AQAP doesn’t seem like the beast it once was,” Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British ambassador to Yemen who is now a top United Nations counterterrorism official, told a think-tank audience in Washington last week.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/us/politics/al-qaeda-yemen-qassim-al-rimi.html

(A T)

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) may appoint Sa'ad bin Atef al Awlaki as the successor to former AQAP leader Qasim al Raymi, according to a Yemeni journalist. Al Awlaki is AQAP’s regional leader for Shabwah governorate in southern Yemen. A US airstrike killed Raymi in northern Yemen in late January.[2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-february-10

(A T) #Yemen: Local sources report that militants thought to belong to #alQaeda have blown up the home of Rapid Reaction Forces Commander in al-Mahfad, Abyan No claim yet from #AQAP. But over past 2 years, southern forces in Abyan have been AQAP's 2nd target after #ISIS in al-Bayda' (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1226436136698073088

(A T)

US offers reward for information on Batarfi

The State Department announced that it is offering rewards of $5 million for information leading to the identification or location of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) leader Khaled Saeed Batarfi (Abu Miqdad al-Kindi).
In 2010, Batarfi joined AQAP in Yemen, led AQAP fighters in taking over Yemen’s Abyan Province, and was named AQAP’s emir of Abyan.

On 17 March 2011, Batarfi was captured by security forces in the Taiz Governorate. For four years, he was imprisoned in Mukalla. He was freed, along with about 300 other inmates, by al Qaeda fighters on 2 April 2015, during the Battle of Mukalla.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18386

(A T)

#ISIS document spills dynamite details of #AQAP splits in #Yemen. Note: *Biased & unverified* -Raymi is/was informer [internal AQ chat voiced this fear before] -Breakaway group led by Mansur al-Hadrami -AQ split mirrors Yemen gov split into pro & anti Islah -18 AQ defectors named

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1225540688823099398

(* A T)

Audio: Elisabeth Kendall on BBC Newshour (7 Feb 2020)

How significant is America's killing of the leader of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLvuEO8QBQM

(* A T)

Schlag gegen Al-Kaida im Jemen: USA töten Anführer Al-Rimi

Über seinen Tod gab es seit Tagen Spekulationen, jetzt bestätigt der US-Präsident: Die Operation gegen den Chef des mächtigsten Ablegers des Terrornetzwerks Al-Kaida ist gelungen.

Die USA haben bei einer Operation im Jemen den Anführer des dortigen Ablegers des islamistischen Terrornetzwerks Al-Kaida getötet. Der Angriff sei auf Befehl von US-Präsident Donald Trump erfolgt, erklärte das Weiße Haus.

Kassim Al-Rimi stand seit Juni 2015 an der Spitze der Terrorgruppe Al-Kaida auf der Arabischen Halbinsel (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula/AQAP).

https://www.fr.de/politik/usa-toeten-chef-von-al-kaida-ableger-im-jemen-zr-13527212.html

und

(* A T)

USA töten im Jemen Anführer von Al-Kaida

Washington: Das US-Militär hat nach Angaben von Präsident Trump den Anführer des Al-Kaida-Ablegers im Jemen getötet. Die Anti-Terror-Operation gegen Kassim al-Rimi sei auf seinen Befehl hin erfolgt, teilte Trump mit. Nach dessen Tod, so der US-Präsident, seien die USA und deren Verbündete nun sicherer als zuvor. Trump sagte wörtlich: "Wir werden das amerikanische Volk weiter schützen, indem wir Terroristen, die uns schaden wollen, aufspüren und eliminieren." Wann der Einsatz gegen al-Rimi ausgeführt wurde, sagte er indes nicht. Auch Details zur Operation blieben zunächst offen.

https://www.br.de/nachrichten/meldung/usa-toeten-im-jemen-anfuehrer-von-al-kaida,300294906

und

(* A T)

Schlag gegen die Kaida in Jemen: Die USA töten den Anführer Kassem al-Raimi

Der Jemenite war in den neunziger Jahren von Usama bin Ladin ausgebildet worden. Die USA hatten auf ihn ein Kopfgeld von zehn Millionen Dollar ausgesetzt

Die Amerikaner haben in den letzten sechs Jahren über hundert Drohnenangriffe auf Terrorverdächtige in Jemen ausgeführt. Auch Raimis Vorgänger war auf diese Weise ums Leben gekommen. Doch während dieser damals schnell ersetzt werden konnte und die Kaida kaum geschwächt wurde, dürfte der jüngste Verlust die Organisation laut Experten schwerer treffen.

Bevor der 1978 in Sanaa geborene Raimi an die Spitze des Kaida-Ablegers aufstieg, war er dessen militärischer Chef.

Die amerikanischen Geheimdienste machen Raimi für zahlreiche Anschläge verantwortlich, unter anderem auch für jenen auf ihre Botschaft in Jemen 2008.

Raimi war höchstwahrscheinlich bereits vor einigen Wochen getötet worden. Genauere Angaben zum Zeitpunkt machte das Weisse Haus aber nicht. Die «New York Times» hatte bereits Ende Januar berichtet, dass der gesuchte Terrorist bei einem Luftangriff getötet worden sein könnte. Trump hatte Meldungen darüber zudem auf Twitter verbreitet, eine offizielle Bestätigung hatte es zuvor aber nicht gegeben.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/schlag-gegen-al-kaida-im-jemen-usa-toeten-anfuehrer-al-rimi-ld.1539086

(* A T)

U.S. kills leader of al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula: Trump

President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States had killed Qassim al-Raymi, the leader of Islamist group al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), in a counterterrorism operation in Yemen.

“Under Rimi, AQAP committed unconscionable violence against civilians in Yemen and sought to conduct and inspire numerous attacks against the United States and our forces,” Trump said in a statement.

“His death further degrades AQAP and the global al-Qa’ida movement, and it brings us closer to eliminating the threats these groups pose to our national security,” the president said. He did not say when Raymi was killed.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-yemen/u-s-kills-leader-of-al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-trump-idUSKBN20032Q

and

(* A B T)

U.S. Kills Al-Qaida in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Leader in Yemen

The United States conducted a counterterrorism operation in Yemen that eliminated Qasim al-Raymi, the leader of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and a deputy to al-Qa’ida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The operation took place on January 29, 2020, as a kinetic strike, but al-Raymi’s death was only confirmed on February 7, 2020. His death further degrades AQAP, the global al-Qa’ida (AQ) movement and their ability to stage external attacks.

https://t-intell.com/2020/02/07/u-s-kills-al-qaida-in-arabian-peninsula-aqap-leader-in-yemen/

and also https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/06/qassim-al-rimi-killed-al-qaida-yemen-trump

https://apnews.com/874ec41e5b673841d5d98c7f74e4619a

https://www.foxnews.com/world/white-house-confirms-al-qaeda-leader-in-yemen-killed-by-airstrike

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/leader-al-qaida-affiliate-yemen-killed-us-operation/story?id=68811209

and

(* B T)

After US killing of chief, what's next for AQAP?

How significant was Qassim al-Rimi?

Al-Rimi was named AQAP leader after his predecessor, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, was killed in a US drone strike on Yemen in June 2015.

He was one of the group's founders in 2009 and its first military commander.

"Al-Rimi's death is significant," said Gregory Johnsen, a non-resident fellow at the Sana'a Center think tank.

"However, he was not a good leader for AQAP and since he took over in 2015, the group's international terrorist wing has atrophied badly."

How will this affect AQAP's operations in Yemen? -

AQAP, along with other jihadist groups, has flourished in the chaos of the war between the Yemeni government and the Huthi rebels.

But analysts say the group's abilities on the ground have dwindled over the years.

"Al-Rimi's skills as a military planner will be missed, but AQAP's ability to operate on the ground in Yemen had already diminished greatly," said Elisabeth Kendall, a researcher at the University of Oxford.

How will it affect AQAP's ability to strike abroad?

http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/after-us-killing-of-chief-what-s-next-for-aqap/article/566731 = https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-us-killing-of-leader-whats-next-for-al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula/

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Arab Women’s Committee Announces Riyadh as Capital of Arab Women 2020

The Arab Women’s Committee announced Riyadh as the capital of Arab Women for the year 2020 under the slogan "Woman is Homeland and Ambition".

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2032747

(A K P)

In pictures: UAE celebrates the return of its brave soldiers from Yemen

UAE rulers welcome the courageous soldiers in a special ceremony held in Abu Dhabi

https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/in-pictures-uae-celebrates-the-return-of-its-brave-soldiers-from-yemen-1.1581264456231

and

(A K P)

Look: UAE rulers celebrate return of brave soldiers from Yemen

'Hawks of Zayed' hailed for their rightfulness and sacrifice

The UAE on Sunday celebrated the return of its brave soldiers who were part of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen.

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces said in a statement that the “Hawks of Zayed” within the Arab coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, raised the banners of rightfulness, justice, redemption and sacrifice standing beside the brotherly Yemeni people.

“The achievements in the field of truth in the Yemeni governorates remains a testament to the biography and march of the heroes who emphasised their high preparedness and their ability to deal with various conditions in the field,” the statement released by Wam said.

The military added the UAE played a major role in securing the security and stability of the liberated areas. The role of its humanitarian arm, the Red Crescent Authority, also came in for praise as did the support for the sectors of education, health, infrastructure, energy, social support, humanitarian and other kinds of assistance.

https://gulfnews.com/uae/look-uae-rulers-celebrate-return-of-brave-soldiers-from-yemen-1.69598177

and

(A K P)

UAE Rulers celebrate Armed Forces' efforts in Yemen

Servicemen were honoured in an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi

Tribute was paid to members of the UAE Armed Forces as they were welcomed home from Yemen in an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Described as "faithful falcons", thousands of servicemen were honoured in an organised event attended by the country's leadership.

The UAE's Rulers gathered in a repurposed aircraft hanger in Al Dhafra Air Base for a presentation detailing the country's achievements during its five-year involvement in the Arab Coalition's efforts to restore the legitimate and internationally-recognised government in Yemen.

Lt Gen Issa Al Mazrouei, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, revealed that 15,000 Emirati soldiers were dispatched to Yemen to joint the coalition. More than 130,000 air operations were carried out, amounting to half a million flight hours.

Fifty naval ships carrying 3,000 marine soldiers completed more than 1,000 naval missions to transport aid and military equipment between the UAE and Yemen.

"I say this to record it in history; [the UAE Armed Forces] were fighting three enemies on one land: the rebel Houthis, the Muslim Brotherhood and the terrorist forces of ISIS and Al Qaeda,” said Lt Gen Al Mazrouei.

He said that, aside from protecting Yemeni's from the Houthi insurgency, the UAE - as part of the coalition - helped train 200,000 Yemeni soldiers. The UAE also established humanitarian initiatives that directly benefited 17 million Yemenis.

"All of our work resulted in impressive results," he said, revealing that between 85 to 90 per cent of Yemen had been liberated of rebel forces.

"The UAE Armed Forces learnt many lessons, during this mission, at a heavy cost.

"We gave sacrifices to protect Yemen as an Islamic and Arab country," he said, referring to the 108 Emirati soldiers who died in service over the past five years.

https://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-rulers-celebrate-armed-forces-efforts-in-yemen-1.976400

and

(A K P)

To UAE troops: thank you for protecting the nation

As part of the Arab coalition, Emirati soldiers have fought extremists, armed rebels and stood by the people of Yemen

Today is a day of national pride for everyone in the UAE, as the country celebrates the Emirati troops who served, and sometimes lost their lives, to support Yemen and its people.

For almost five years, the brave servicemen fought alongside our allies in the Saudi-led Arab coalition to help restore Yemen’s internationally recognised government against an Iran-backed insurrection, while also countering the spread of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Among their many achievements was the liberation of the war-torn country’s temporary capital of Aden in 2015.

This truly was a “mission to restore hope”, in the words of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. And indeed, Emirati soldiers can be proud of having lived up to their duties.

The UAE and Yemen have a historic bond, and the two Arab nations share the same language, culture and values. Given these long-standing ties, it comes as no surprise that Emirati soldiers and others in the Arab Coalition have stood by Yemenis in their time of need.

They have also protected us, in the Arabian peninsula and beyond, from the threat of extremist groups that thrive in times of war. Instability in Yemen has proved to be fertile ground for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, a dangerous branch of the terrorist group.

Emirati soldiers can pride themselves in having curbed the threat of extremism, which loomed not only over Yemen, but on the region and the world at large. The UAE government also helped civilians cope with the hardships of war in a conflict that has been decried by the UN as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/to-uae-troops-thank-you-for-protecting-the-nation-1.976323

and

(A K P)

UAE forces restored hope in Yemen

We salute the of achievements and courage of our returning heroes

The war in Yemen was a turning point in our region’s modern history. And history rewards those who step in at the time of need, despite all odds, to do the right thing.

Five years ago, foreign-backed rogue militias posed unprecedented threat to the region’s security and stability. Saudi Arabia and the UAE took a bold stand in the face of that threat to defend and restore the security of this part of the world, shortly after the Al Houthi militias overthrew the legitimate government and captured almost all of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa in the north and the Aden in the south.

The Saudi-led coalition goals were very clear — to restore the legitimate government, help the people of Yemen rebuild their country and alienate the existential threat to our region and countries. Saudi Arabia and the UAE sure paid dearly, with blood and sacrifices. But they are on the right side of history.

Today, as the UAE soldiers return home, and we have never been prouder. The entire world should also be grateful for the job they did in Yemen; restoring security and alleviating the suffering of millions of families in that country. The UAE forces fought and liberated most of Yemen but the same time they helped build roads, hospitals, schools and secured airports, ports and vital Yemeni resources. They ensured critical aid reached the impoverished population. They restored hope.

The UAE today feels proud and honoured. As we salute today the of achievements and courage of our returning heroes, we will always be grateful to our martyrs whose extraordinary sacrifices are immortalised in the nation’s history.

https://gulfnews.com/opinion/editorials/uae-forces-restored-hope-in-yemen-1.69594561

and also https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302822600 = https://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/local-press-uae-forces-restored-hope-in-yemen-2020-02-10-1.692209

and

(A K P)

UAE Armed Forces wrote history with blood: Ajman Ruler

"The UAE still supports rights and peace, and assists the needy. The principles of our valiant armed forces throughout its victorious national march have always been based on maintaining strength and pride, preserving human dignity, and protecting achievements and gains. These are the principles established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan," he said.

"Today, the UAE’s leadership and people appreciate our armed forces and their efforts in Yemen. Everyone who exerts efforts and blood deserves our appreciation, gratitude and praise. At the forefront are the righteous martyrs who Allah the Almighty has chosen and honoured with the martyrdom, which is a medal of honour on the chest of every Emirati and a source of pride and dignity,"

http://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302822574

My comment: The headline obviously is correct.

(A P)

Iran’s Proxy War in Yemen: the Information Warfare Landscape

Published by the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Intelligence

Executive Summary

The Yemeni conflict has been witnessing essential information warfare and propaganda front. Since the beginning of the conflict, the Houthi movement has been aware of the importance of the internet. Notably, they avoid adopting an aggressive sectarian lexicon on social media. Instead, following drone and missile strikes, the Houthi-associated accounts frequently emphasize IRGC-assisted game-changing military capabilities. This focus seems to follow Iranian priorities in Yemen, namely promoting the militarized political movement and portraying it in a less sectarian but more patriotic and battle-hardened fashion. This approach likely emanates from the different characteristics of the Shia faith in Yemen compared with the rest of the Middle East.

Houthi supporters on Twitter and Facebook post in both Arabic and English. It would be safe to assume that they have targeted two types of audiences: Arabic speakers (mainly Yemenis) and their sympathizers in the Middle East and English speakers in the international community. Iranian outlets focus on producing outputs in English.

Ansar Allah and their allies publish videos of almost any activity that shows their ballistic missile and drone capabilities. Successful hits on strategic sites and airports remain the most important propaganda items.

So-called indigenously manufactured ballistic missiles, such as Badr1-P, are portrayed as emblems of pride to mobilize supporters. This ‘missile vanity’ resembles the Iranian regime’s (and the IRGC’s in particular) military propaganda campaign revolving around hard power development efforts. So-called indigenously manufactured ballistic missiles, such as Badr1-P, are portrayed as emblems of pride to mobilize supporters. This ‘missile vanity’ resembles the Iranian regime’s (and the IRGC’s in particular) military propaganda campaign revolving around hard power development efforts.

[Quoted from] Introduction and geopolitical context

This report offers a detailed assessment of Iran’s political warfare and information operations revolving around Yemen against the backdrop of Tehran’s proxy war activities through the Houthi militancy. This study assesses game-changing tactical missile and drone operations and how these efforts have contributed to Iranian and Houthi signatures in the cyber-cognitive battlespace.

We believe the findings are significant for two reasons. First, this report explores the correlation between Iranian political warfare efforts and information operations in Yemen within the specific framework of missile and drone activities. Second, it details the differences between Iranian sources and Tehran’s proxy, the Houthi movement and Ansar Allah, in disseminating critical output.

Yemen remains a fierce arena for the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran’s proxy warfare campaign in Yemen remains crucial for containing Saudi Arabia on its fragile southern frontier – By Can Kasapoglu and Mariam Fekry

https://www.stratcomcoe.org/irans-proxy-war-yemen-information-warfare-landscape

My comment: It’s quite interesting what type of view NATO officially is publishing – even if this NATO body hides behind the authors: “This publication does not represent the opinions or policies of NATO or NATO StratCom COE.” – Propaganda starts from the very title: There is no “Iranian proxy war” in Yemen. The role of Iran in Yemen is a great deal lower than Saudi and US (and NATO) propaganda claim. And the Houthis are no Iranian proxies at all. By constant repetition, such propaganda claims does not come true. The whole report is based on this propaganda precondition. In all probability, you could label the Yemen war an US proxy war (using Saudi Arabia and the UAE as proxies, and them using various militia as a sort of sub-proxies. – Nevertheless, this report gives some interest insight and details of Houthi propaganda, mixed with conspiracy theory when claiming connections to Western alternative media.

(A P)

Houthis militia cooperates with assassins in Al-Dhala’

Cooperation between the Houthis militia and murder teams can be obviously seen in assassination crimes against anti-Houthis leaders in the government-held areas.

These assassinations are intended to divide the pro-government forces and silence any community leader that opposes mutiny schemes adopted armed groups.

Leadership of the Islah party, that took the lead in resistance against the Houthis’ military expansion says murder teams use the security vacuum to carry out their atrocities against the community leaders.

“However, they forget that they will be brought to justice once the state has been retrieved,” the Islah party said.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-37763

My remark: Investigations of political murders just brought to light hit squads hired by the UAE.

(A P)

[separarist activist] Al-Ghamdi: People of the south are like a thorn prickling in the throat of Qatar and Turkey

https://en.smanews.org/al-ghamdi-people-of-the-south-are-like-a-thorn-prickling-in-the-throat-of-qatar-and-turkey

(A P)

#UN special #envoy for #Yemen Martin Griffiths & #Houthis #cartoon

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1226315772001161217

(A P)

Vice President of Yemen lauds Saudi Arabia's continuing support for his country in the liberation process

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2031969

(A P)

Houthi attacks on civilians threaten peace efforts, says Yemeni vice president

Yemen: Yemen’s Vice President Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmer warned that escalating missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on areas under government control undermined peace efforts.

At a meeting with the UN’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, in Riyadh on Thursday, Al-Ahmer said the internationally recognized President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his government were serious and sincere about reaching a peace agreement that could end the war.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1624556/middle-east

My comment: What he actually claims: Only our side should be allowed to attack.

(A P)

Houthis' kill civilians who escaped their manhunt with missiles

Marib city to Yemen's east was too sparsely populated until 2015 when oppositionists to the Houthi coup moved with their families to the city in the thousands. Ever since, thousands others facing Houthi manhunt have continued to migrate and resettle in the government-held safe haven.

But the militia of Shia theocratic extremists continue to assert their ability to reach them in a gruesome way: missiles.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-37737

(A P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2020/2/10/10-02-2020-uae-yemen

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

Feb. 8: https://www.saba.ye/en/news3087198.htm Sanaa p.

Feb. 7: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11123 / https://www.saba.ye/de/news3087149.htm Saada p., Sanaa p., Hajjah p., Jawf p.

Feb. 6: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11111 / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11109 / https://www.saba.ye/de/news3087060.htm Marib p., Jawf p., Saada p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army forces thwart Houthi infiltration attempts in Taiz

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/10/army-forces-thwart-houthi-infiltration-attempts-in-taiz/

(A K pS)

Iranian-made drone downed in Saada

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18393

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army downs Houthi drone in Abyan

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/09/army-downs-houthi-drone-in-abyan/

(A K pH)

One Citizen Killed, Another Wounded by US-Saudi Mercenaries in Sa’adah

A citizen was killed and another wounded today, Saturday, by the Saudi border guard's fire in Ar-Raqou area Saadah province.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11136

(* A H K P)

UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen: Attacks on Marib hospitals limit medical services available to thousands of displaced people

Initial reports indicate that on 7 February, Al Jafra Hospital, and Al Saudi field hospital in Majzer District in Marib, were hit during clashes. The hospitals, which lie about 75 kilometres north west of Marib City, serve a population of about 15,000, many of them displaced people.

The facilities have been badly damaged, including the intensive care unit, occupational therapy unit, inpatients unit and the pharmacy at Al Jafra Hospital, which is the main hospital in the area. The nearby Al Saudi field hospital, a mobile clinic, was structurally damaged. In addition, a paramedic was injured. Given ongoing hostilities in the area, the hospitals were closed for the safety of staff and patients.

“This is a completely unacceptable breach of international humanitarian law”, said Ms. Lise Grande, Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen. “It’s terrible that facilities upon which thousands of people depend to survive have been badly damaged.”

“The health sector has been hit very hard during this war,” said Ms. Grande. “Preventing further damage and helping to rebuild it are some of our highest priorities.”

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/attacks-marib-hospitals-limit-medical-services-available-thousands-displaced-people

and

(* A H K P)

Hospitals in Yemen attacked, disrupting healthcare for thousands of vulnerable civilians

Attacks on health facilities in Yemen’s Marib province, East of the capital Sana’a, have left some 15,000 people – many of them displaced from other parts of the country – with severely limited options for medical care, the UN said on Monday.

In a statement, the office of Lise Grande, the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, stated that Al Jafra and Al Saudi hospitals in the Majzer District in Marib, around 75 kilometres north of Marib City, were hit during clashes. The health facilities have been badly damaged, including the intensive care unit, occupational therapy unit, in-patients unit and the pharmacy at Al Jafra, which is the main hospital in the area.

“This is a completely unacceptable breach of international humanitarian law”, said Ms. Grande. “It’s terrible that facilities upon which thousands of people depend to survive have been badly damaged. The health sector has been hit very hard during this war: preventing further damage and helping to rebuild it are some of our highest priorities”.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/02/1057101

and

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Yemen’s Health Ministry condemns Houthi attack on Marib hospital

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/09/yemens-health-ministry-condemns-houthi-attack-on-marib-hospital/

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Yemen’s army downs Iranian-made drone launched by Houthis

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/02/08/Yemen-s-army-downs-Iranian-made-drone-launched-by-Houthis-.html

(A K)

Film: Fighting in Yemen s northern Jawf province

Fighting on the northern front of Yemen's civil war has intensified in the past week. On Saturday, a militia loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government said that they had pushed back their rivals, the Houthi rebels, from positions in the area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0398lI21xe4

(A K pH)

Yemeni forces close to liberating Ma’rib city

Major victories bring Yemeni defenders close to major strategic city

Military media released on Friday released video footage showing the Yemeni Amy launching an offensive against Saudi-led coalition sites in in Ma’rib province.

These new footage is a part of the military Operation Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous.

The video shows the Yemeni storming the and securing the Salb and al-Adarm mountains and others sites overlooking on the major regional city of Ma’rib.

The video showed the army and Popular Committees storming the Saudi-led coalition’s sites from several sides.

https://www.uprising.today/yemeni-forces-close-to-liberating-marib-city/

referring to film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX5mFReKzhM

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Yemeni army, resistance forces repel latest Houthi push into Abyan

In recent weeks, Houthis have repeatedly tried to seize control of strategic Tharrah hill along the border of Al-Baydha and Abyan governorates

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/316

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(B H)

GROUPS IN YEMEN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Yemen is one of the countries most affected by climate change, culminating in everything from shifting seasons and unpredictable rainfall to soaring temperatures and fiercer, more frequent hurricanes.

Through its partnerships, Earth Day Network – Middle East mobilizes the region to face these environmental challenges. Earth Day Network’s partner, the Ibdaa Foundation for Environment and Sustainable Development, is one of these organizations fighting climate change in Yemen.

“As long as we live on this Earth, it is … our duty to fight climate change and save our planet,” said Yaser Baazab, president of the Ibdaa Foundation.

Last week, Ibdaa led a youth cleanup for Earth Day 2020, in connection with Earth Day Network’s Great Global Cleanup campaign. The initiative targeted beaches in and around the city of Aden. Ibdaa also recently arranged a workshop called “Gender and Climate Change” that discussed the role of women in sustainable development and environmental education.

Another workshop, titled “Climate Change and Its Effect on Environment,” emphasized environmental laws and policy reforms. The event, also held in Aden, was attended by environmental experts, educators, local officials, youth and college representatives.

https://www.earthday.org/yemen-fights-against-climate-change/

(* B H)

Aktuelle Plage: Heuschrecken vernichten Ernten

Es ist die schlimmste Plage von Wüstenheuschrecken seit Jahrzehnten: In mehreren ostafrikanischen Ländern sowie Pakistan und Indien fallen Schwärme seit Monaten über ganze Landstriche her. Experten befürchten große Ernteausfälle und die Vereinten Nationen warnen vor einer Hungersnot.

Bündnisorganisationen von Aktion Deutschland Hilft sind in den betroffenen Ländern im Einsatz. Hier halten wir Sie auf dem Laufenden!

In ostafrikanischen Ländern wie Äthiopien, Kenia und Somalia sowie Pakistan, Indien und im Jemen spitzt sich die Situation aufgrund der Heuschreckenplane weiter zu. Der Einfall der Insekten führt zu massiven Ernteausfällen – und das in einer Region, in der viele Menschen ohnehin hungern. Die kritische Ernährungslage ist Konflikten und Wetterextremen geschuldet. Experten befürchten, dass sich die Plage auf weitere Länder ausbreitet.

Den UN zufolge könnten sich die Schwärme ohne internationale Hilfe bis Juni um das Fünfhundertfache vermehren. Die Ernährungssicherheit der gesamten Region sei bedroht

https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/de/fachthemen/news/hunger-afrika-heuschrecken-vernichten-ernten/

(-)

Pictures from the 5th popular folklore festival in Usaylan district in southern #Yemen's #Shabwa province 2 days ago.

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1226343847132848128

(-)

And those amazing pics come from the amazing Raimah, who doesn't love Raimah?!! Maybe it is time for in country tourism

https://twitter.com/HanaalShowafi/status/1225784122485940224

(* B D)

War-torn, famine-hit Yemen still has a zoo at cost of starving animals

The main zoo in Sanaa, the capital seized in 2014 by Houthis, has lost many animals, including four lions, to starvation.

At the country's main zoo in Sanaa, the capital seized in 2014 by the Iran-backed Houthi militias who control much of the north, a man unloaded one of a dozen dead donkeys trucked in each day to feed 31 resident lions.

Lion keeper Amin al Majdi said some animals, including four lions that perished in 2017, have already starved to death.

"We import meat from all provinces of the country, but we are struggling with this because of the increase in the price of donkeys," he said.

"We used to slaughter three or four donkeys for six lions, now with 31, we have to slaughter 10 to 12 donkeys."

Like the rest of the country, where millions have been driven to the brink of famine after five years of conflict, the zoo's 1,159 animals, which include two critically endangered Arabian leopards, are at risk.

Among those fighting on behalf of the animals is Kim-Michelle Broderick, founder of One World Actors Animal Rescues, which raises funds to keep Yemen's zoo creatures alive.

Of the country's three main zoos, the one in Sanaa is in better condition than others in the cities of Taez and Ibb, she said, but added all are in poor condition.

"The public authorities are destitute because of the war," she said. "The animals are underfed or hardly fed, or not fed at all in the case of Ibb zoo."

https://www.trtworld.com/life/war-torn-famine-hit-yemen-still-has-a-zoo-at-cost-of-starving-animals-33577

and also: https://www.france24.com/en/20200207-in-war-torn-yemen-zoo-animals-face-daily-struggle = https://news.yahoo.com/war-torn-yemen-zoo-animals-face-daily-struggle-085535806.html

Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX510QJwSDo

(B D)

Books and bombs: How I healed myself through fiction

Writing has not only been cathartic for Atiaf Alwazir, it also transports her to Yemen every day - not to the Yemen we see on TV, but to the Yemen she remembers

https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/books-yemen-war-healing-writing-fiction

(A P)

Yemen Embassy in China disburses financial aid to scholars in Wuhan

The [Hadi gov.] Prime Minister’s office said it released the funds for 170 scholarship students and their families in Wuhan city, where coronavirus first appeared

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/324

(* A P)

The Director General of Aden Airport explains the fact that 95 passengers from China arrived in Aden

The Director General of Aden International Airport, Mr. Abdul Raqeeb Al-Omari, denied the news circulating about the arrival of 95 passengers from China to Aden Airport, which was published in some local sites.

Al-Omari stated that there are no direct flights from Aden to China, and that travelers pass through several countries and undergo several checks before they arrive in Aden.

He confirmed that he had issued a circular banning entry to any travelers from the countries where the epidemic had spread before being subjected to medical procedures

https://en.smanews.org/the-director-general-of-aden-airport-explains-the-fact-that-95-passengers-from-china-arrived-in-aden

[from Feb. 2019] Interregnum: The Regional Order in the Middle East and North Africa after 2011

The MENA region has entered a period in which the existing order is increasingly challenged while an alternative one is still to be framed. This report contends that the Middle East regional order since 2011 has changed in several ways. This is evidenced by the decline in US power and Russia’s comeback, the rise of sectarianism, the growing influence of non-state actors, the return of Arab state permeability, intensified rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the emergence of regional players such as Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the fluidity of alliances and shifting centres of gravity. However, these and other changes constitute a change within the order, rather than of order. The report also argues that the sovereign state system and territorial boundaries are more resilient than widely assumed and that explanations of regional politics based on notions of Sunni–Shia antagonism are overly simplistic and may even lead to dangerous policy prescriptions.

https://www.academia.edu/38519402/Interregnum_The_Regional_Order_in_the_Middle_East_and_North_Africa_after_2011?auto=bookmark

(B P)

Jemen: «Ich dachte, ich sei der einzige Christ im Land!»

«Als ich zum christlichen Glauben kam, dachte ich, ich sei der einzige Gläubige im Jemen. Lange Zeit kannte ich keine anderen jemenitischen Christen», sagt der 44-jährige Mohammed*. Doch er hat erlebt, wie Gott sich um die Kirche in seinem Land kümmert und wie er in diesem sehr streng islamischen Land wirkt.

http://www.opendoors.ch/news/jemen-ich-dachte-ich-sei-der-einzige-christ-im-land

(A)

Internet is the worst today. Nothing opens, nothing! I don't even know when will this tweet get posted :/

https://twitter.com/HanaalShowafi/status/1226573497100591110

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-622-yemen-war-mosaic-622

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-622 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-622:

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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