Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 628b- Yemen War Mosaic 628b

Yemen Press Reader 628b: 1. März 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 628 – cp5 - cp18 / Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 628 – cp5 - cp18

Bei diesem Beitrag handelt es sich um ein Blog aus der Freitag-Community.
Ihre Freitag-Redaktion

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 628, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 628, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-628-yemen-war-mosaic-628

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

cp2 Allgemein / General

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: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

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

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B P)

Yemen: a set of tribal-military fiefdoms

The final report of the UN panel of experts, published in late January, opens a rare window on the reality of the "quasi-state" of the Huthi in the north-west of the country.

The Huthi police "state"

In fact, like a police state, the Huthi have an articulated apparatus of territorial repression: preventive security operates outside the structures of the "quasi-state" and prevents infiltrations, subversions of officers and defections among the fighters, reporting directly to the leader Abdel Malek Al Huthi. The security and intelligence bureau, created in 2019 by the merger of two Saleh-era apparatuses, focuses on threats external to the movement; Finally, the zainabiyat turn to the Yemeni with indoctrination, control and intimidation activities against activists or those who have demonstrated publicly. Also according to the UN report, the latter group mentioned is responsible for arrests, arbitrary detentions and torture. A machine of repression that also affects the now tiny ethnic and religious minorities present in the northern territories, as in the case of Jews and Baha'is.

https://www.affarinternazionali.it/2020/03/yemen-un-insieme-di-feudi-su-base-tribale-militare/

(A P)

The brother of Badr Sultan:"My brother, Badr, traveled to Sana’a to attend a training course, and a picture was taken with a leading figure in the GPC. From that picture, security officers belonging to the Houthis saw my brother and captured him

They have transferred him to a number of detention centers in Sana’a. 2 months ago, he was transferred to the #Al_Saleh_Prison. He was brutally tortured in the detention centers that he was held in, but the torture increased by a large amount in the Al Saleh Prison.

https://twitter.com/SAM4rights/status/1234063108504555522

(A K P)

Houthis officials obligate military recruitment in Dhamar

The Houthis militia has obliged community leaders and principals of schools to recruit new fighters for the Houthis side, local sources said.

Community leaders and schools’ principals in Dhamar were invited to a compulsory meeting with the Houthis officials on Saturday’s morning, the local sources said.

The Houthis official in Dhamar, Abbas Al-Amdi, who chaired the meeting has obliged every community leader to recruit five new fighters.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38132

(A P)

Houthi militia kidnaps 40 civilians and forces them to attend sectarian courses in Sana’a

Local sources in Hamadan District said the Houthi militia kidnapped about 40 citizens from al-Hawri area and forced them to attend a sectarian courses.

The Houthi militia raided a number of citizens’ homes and farms and kidnapped about 40 people including five elders, and took them to Darwan area of the same district, according to the sources.

The sources stated that the Houthi leader who was appointed by the militia as Governor of Sana’a known as Abd al-Basit al-Hadi ordered to release the abducted civilians, provided that they all must attended a sectarian course organized by the militia for a week

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/29/houthi-militia-kidnaps-40-civilians-and-forces-them-to-attend-sectarian-courses-in-sanaa/ = http://en.adenpress.news/news/18531

and also https://al-masdaronline.net/national/406

(A P)

Bunyan-Stiftung bestreitet Wahrheit, was von Associated Press veröffentlicht wurde

Die Bunyan Development Stiftung bestritt die Gültigkeit dessen, was die US Associated Press in ihrem Bericht vom 19. Februar berichtete, dass die sogenannten Houthis die Vereinten Nationen gezwungen hätten, mit der Bunyan Foundation zusammenzuarbeiten, um die von Organisationen der Vereinten Nationen geleistete Hilfe zu verteilen.

In einer Erklärung - die jemenitische Nachrichtenagentur (Saba) erhielt eine Kopie davon - bestätigte die Stiftung, dass das, was im Bericht der amerikanischen Agentur angegeben wurde, völlig falsch und völlig aus der Realität heraus war.

Sie wies darauf hin, dass Bunyan in der letzten Zeit keine Mitteilungen oder Anfragen der Regierungsseite erhalten habe, sich mit den Organisationen der Vereinten Nationen an der Verteilung der von ihr geleisteten Hilfe zu beteiligen.

In der Erklärung wurde darauf hingewiesen, dass die Bunyan-Stiftung im Rahmen der lokalen Gemeinschaft in Partnerschaft mit lokalen Organisationen arbeitet

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089340.htm

(A P)

Bonyan Foundation denies associated press report

The Bonyan Development Foundation(B.D.F) denied a report by the Associated Press on February 19th that the Houthis were forcing the United Nations to work with the Bonyan Foundation to distribute aid from UN organizations.

In a statement received by Saba, the Foundation confirmed that the report of the United States Agency was completely untrue and far from reality.

And noted that during the past period, Bonyan has not received any contacts or requests from the government side to participate with United Nations organizations in the distribution of their assistance.

The statement explained that Bonyan Foundation works in the local community framework in partnership with local organizations

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089337.htm

My remark: Bonyan is linked to the Houthis.

(A P)

Yemeni unity is a major national, historical achievement: PM

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089342.htmhttps://www.saba.ye/en/news3089342.htm

(A P)

Sayyed Abdulmalik: Revolution vom 21. September hat die Amerikaner daran gehindert, ballistische Raketen zu zerstören

Führer der Revolution Abdulmalik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi bekräftigte, dass die Revolution vom 21. September die Amerikaner daran hinderte, ballistische Raketen zu zerstören und den langen Weg zur Schwächung des Jemen und zum Raub seiner Streitkräfte zu vollenden.

Herr Abdulmalik Badr Al-Din Al-Houthi sagte heute Abend in einer Rede zum Jahrestag des Freitags Rajab: "Die größte Gefahr für das jemenitische Volk in seiner treuen Identität bestand in der Unterordnung unter Amerika."

Er warnte vor dem dringenden Bedürfnis der Nation nach Bewusstsein angesichts der Versuchungen, die sie umgeben ... Er fügte hinzu: "Wenn der Feind unsere Gedanken, Konzepte und Bräuche kontrolliert und dann in die Realität unseres Lebens eindringt, wird er uns vollständig kontrollieren können."

Er fuhr fort: "Unsere Unabhängigkeit ist völlige Unabhängigkeit, in der wir in keiner Form in Abhängigkeit leben. Der Feind kämpft gegen uns, um eine vollständige und umfassende Kontrolle über uns zu gewährleisten, und hier kommt die Rolle der Glaubenszugehörigkeit als Notwendigkeit bei der Konfrontation mit Feinden."

Und Herr Abdulmalik Al-Houthi betrachtete die Glaubensidentität als einen Bildungs- und Bildungsprozess

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089243.htm

(A P)

Sayyid Abdul-Malik al-Houthi speaks on faith, resistance and fight for independence

Leader of the Revolution speaks on occasion of anniversary of Yemen's conversion to Islam

The Leader of the Revolution Sayyid Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi on Friday asserted that the September 21 Revolution in 2014 has prevented the US from destroying ballistic missiles and further weakening Yemen and its forces.

The statements came in his televised speech aired by Al-Masirah TV Channel on Friday evening on the first Friday of the month of Rajab, which marks he anniversary of the conversion of Yemen to Islam. The Leader expressed his congratulations to the Yemeni people on this great occasion.

Sayyid al-Houthi renewed the principled position of Yemen’s people in support of Palestine.

He called for an “economic rising” of Yemen, calling one of the pillars of the faith’s identity, in order to achieve self-sufficiency and liberation from the need for others in all economic requirements.

In his speech, the Leader called for the continuation of the struggle for liberation, advising the Emirati and Saudi regimes to stop their aggression on Yemen.

He stressed that Yemen must be independent, no matter how many sacrifices have to be made.

“Yemeni people with their faith are able to achieve complete independence,” Sayyid al-Houthi said.

Sayyid Abdul-Malik al-Houthi referred to the negative role played by the US

https://www.uprising.today/sayyid-abdul-malik-al-houthi-speaks-on-faith-resistance-and-fight-for-independence/

and

(A P)

Ansarullah leader advises Saudi, Emirati regimes to end their war on Yemen

Asarullah's leader, Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi has advised the Saudi and Emirati regimes to end their war on Yemen and leave Yemen alone.
The advice came after his talk about the Yemeni military industrialization of ballistic missiles, Air defense and Air forces, which was considered a direct warning.
In a televised speech, on Friday evening on the occasion of "the 1st Friday of Rajab" which is associated with the Yemeni declaration to be muslims, Sayyed Abdulmalik Al-Houthi said: "We advise Saudi and UAE regimes to stop this aggression, to leave our country alone."
Sayyed Abdulmalik also talked about the destructive role of the Ameicans on Yemen

https://en.abna24.com/news//ansarullah-leader-advises-saudi-emirati-regimes-to-end-their-war-on-yemen_1013941.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11463

(A P)

Yemen's Houthis belittle UNSC extended sanctions' impact

The UN Security Council's resolution extending sanctions imposed on Yemeni bodies proves lack of political vision for way out of Yemen's impasse, the Houthi group said Friday, belittling the resolution's impact.
"The continuation of sanctions is a negative evidence that they are far away from peace, a proof of the crime against the Yemeni republic and of the military solution's failure for 5 years," member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council tweeted.
The extended sanctions suggests "lack of political vision for way out of the Yemeni impasse," Mohamed Ali al-Houthi added.
"The renewal of sanctions doesn't bother us, because of the lack of personal impact on those named" in the resolution.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-15282.html

(* B P)

Abductees’ Mothers: 168 sick abductees in Houthis prisons denied health care

The Abductees’ Mothers Association revealed that 168 sick abductees inside prisons of Houthi militia were subjected to psychological and physical torture and deliberate health neglect.

The Association said in a statement issued during Thursday’s protest in Sana’a that abductees whose lives at risk were not allowed to receive necessary medical treatment, nor their families were allowed to provide medicine for them by the Houthi militia.

The statement confirmed death of 14 detained abductees due to denial of medical care inside the militia’s prisons.

The Houthi militia has continued to deprive 100 abductees inside their prisons in capital Sana’a of medical care, the statement went on.

It said the militia administrations of prisons refrain from transferring the sick abductees to hospitals to be examined by specialized doctors, and they don’t respond to doctors’ demands to release the abductees.

The statement explained that a number of abductees were paralyzed due to spine injuries they suffered while being tortured by the Houthi militia.

While some abductees have suffered strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure and chronic diseases, causing cases of fainting and psychological disorder among abductees, according to the statement.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/28/abductees-mothers-168-sick-abductees-in-houthis-prisons-denied-health-care/

(A H P)

Erörterung den gemeinsamen Arbeitsmechanismus zwischen Rat für humanitäre Angelegenheiten und OCHA

Das Mitglied des Obersten Politischen Rates, Muhammed Ali Al Houthi, traf mit dem Regionaldirektor des Büros der Vereinten Nationen für die Koordinierung humanitärer Angelegenheiten im Nahen Osten und in Nordafrika (OCHA) George Khoury zusammen.

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089193.htm

(A H P)

Al-Houthi discusses with OCHA’s Regional Director joint working mechanism

Member of the Supreme Political Council Mohammed Ali al-Houthi on Friday in Sanaa met with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)'s Director for the Middle East and North Africa George Khoury.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089200.htm

(* B P)

Houthi Campaigns to Indoctrinate Yemeni Students

Houthi militias have recently launched several campaigns in insurgent-run areas to indoctrinate students, raising objections among teachers and parents.

The Houthi campaigns took place mainly in Saada, Ibb, Dhamar and Sanaa, where the militias changed the names of several public schools and introduced courses to teach students the rhetoric of their leader and fighting techniques.

In Sanaa, Houthis renamed Rabaa El Adaweya School to become Fatima al-Zahra.

Sources said that militia leaders plan such changes in dozens of schools in the capital by giving them the names of religious figures or officials who have died in clashes with the legitimacy.

In Ibb, Houthis changed the name of Al-Thawrah Public School for girls to Fatima Al-Zahra. Al-Saleh School for boys was also renamed Martyrs’ school.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2153716/houthi-campaigns-indoctrinate-yemeni-students = http://en.adenpress.news/news/18523

My remark: By a Saudi news site. It seems they forget Saudi’s own indoctrination of pupils: hatred against Jews, Christians and Shiites.

(A P)

Houthi soldier opens fire at secondary school, killing and injuring students and teachers

A Houthi soldier stormed Jihad secondary school near the border of Taiz and Ibb governorates in central Yemen on Tuesday and started firing indiscriminately, killing one student and injuring two others and a teacher.

The terrified boys and girls, aged between six and 18, were in lockdown for 30 minutes after the shooting started. Nearby residents rushed to the scene after hearing the children screaming, while the gunman continued to shoot at the classrooms, sources in the area said.

Houthi gunmen at a nearby security checkpoint, led by Houthi mushref (supervisor) Talal al-Majidi, did not intervene to stop the shooting by their colleague until a half an hour later. Majidi forced students and parents to leave the school after the attacker left the premises, sources said.

The Houthis promised to hold their colleague accountable, but at the same time threatened parents and students from escalating the situation

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/400

(A P)

Houthis impose more restrictions on citizens

The Houthis militia continues imposing more restrictions on citizens to exercise more intimidations.

Personal freedoms in the Houthis-held areas are now more vulnerable to tighten security measures.

The Houthis-affiliated Security and Intelligence Service has recently instructed all the Houthis-run state departments to provide database copy of all their departments, the Military Mouthpiece 26 September Net reported.

A copy of the memo sent by the Houthis-run security service to the state-run departments, has requested attachment of personal photos of the public personnel and any task related to the department.

Human rights activists say that the step represents a serious human rights violation and indicates more restrictions on personal freedoms.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38117

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

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

Islah abducts a number of people in Shabwa

The Islah militias (Yemen's Muslim Brotherhood) conducted raids on several houses and the old market in Ataq district of Shabwa governorate in the early hours of Sunday.
Local residents and news websites said that the Muslim Brotherhood-linked militias abducted Ali Hussein, Lakwar bin Idan Al-Khalifi and Abdul Qadir Muhammad Lakwar bin Idan Al-Khalifi from the old market of Ataq and Salem bin Ali Swaban Al-Khalifi and Awad bin Saleh Swaban Al-Khalifi from al-Barsa village.
The Islah militias also launched an abduction campaign in al-Keribiya village where five persons forcibly taken to unknown location.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18537

(A P)

Sweden's minister receives reports on violations committed against Southerners

The head of the Human Rights Department of the Southern Transitional Council, Dekra Matooq along with a number of southern women met in Aden with the Sweden's minister for foreign affairs, Ann Linde.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18530

(A P)

Jemen: Bewaffnete halten Treibstofftanker vom Löschen der Ladung in Aden ab – Reuters

Jemenitische Schützen haben am Samstag in Jemens Hafenstadt Aden einen Tanker daran gehindert, seine Dieselkraftstoff-Ladung zu löschen. Dies meldet die Nachrichtenagentur Reuters unter Berufung auf ihren Kameramann.

Die Militantengruppe gehörte demnach dem separatistischen „Südlichen Übergangsrat“, der Anführer der Bewaffneten soll das preisgegeben haben. Eigenen Angaben zufolge heiße er Abu Hammam, so die Agentur.

Der Mann warf dem Präsidenten der international anerkannte Regierung, Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi, vor, er schließe andere Importeure aus und profitiere davon. Auch anderen Schiffe sollte man demnach erlauben, Treibstoff-Ladungen im Hafen von Aden zu löschen.

https://de.sputniknews.com/ausland/20200229326527257-jemen-aden-hafen/

(A P)

South Yemen gunmen prevent ship from offloading fuel in Aden

Yemeni gunmen entered on Saturday a port in the southern city of Aden and prevented a tanker from offloading a diesel cargo because the importing company is affiliated with the government, a Reuters cameraman reported.

The gunmen belong to the separatist Southern Transitional Council, according to comments made in the port by their leader, who identified himself as Abu Hammam.

He accused the Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi of profiteering from the fuel trade by excluding other importers and demanded that another ship be allowed to offload fuel in Aden.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-south-fuel/south-yemen-gunmen-prevent-ship-from-offloading-fuel-in-aden-idUSKBN20N0N4

(A P)

STC reviews violations against people in Shabwa

The Arab Committee for Human Rights organized a symposium at the United Nations Office in Geneva, during which the representative of the Southern Transitional Council, Abdul-Rahman Al-Mussebli reviewed a number of issues related to the violations committed by the securitry and military forces against the people in Shabwa province, south Yemen.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18529

My remark: And even more of blaming the enemies of the separatists.

(A K P)

Large quantities of shells and explosives sent by Islah forces in Taiz seized on the way to Aden the capital

Security checkpoint belongs to 9th Thenderbolt Brigade, which is led by Brigadier Farouq Al-Kaalouli Al-Subaihi, affiliated to the Southern Forces, located in Tor Al-Baha district of Lahj governorate, managed to seize a vehicle loaded with large quantities of mortar shells and explosives, which was coming from the city of Al-Torba in Taiz governorate, and heading to the capital Aden

coming from Al-Torba of Taiz, which controlled by the Islah forces and heading to the capital Aden .

https://en.smanews.org/large-quantities-of-shells-and-explosives-sent-by-islah-forces-in-taiz-seized-on-the-way-to-aden-the-capital

https://en.smanews.org/siezing-large-quantities-of-mortar-ammunition-coming-from-al-torba-of-taiz-heading-towards-the-capital-aden

(A K P)

Prominent Foe of Houthis Appointed Yemen Chief of Staff

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi appointed on Friday Commander of the Joint Operations General Sagheer bin Aziz as Chief of Staff, promoting him to Lieutenant General.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2155276/prominent-foe-houthis-appointed-yemen-chief-staff

(A P)

Yemeni guidance ministry cancels pilgrimage visas

Yemen's internationally-recognized government on Thursday decided to cancel all visas for religious visit to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as a precaution against the coronavirus spread.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-15258.html

(A T)

Unidentified gunmen kill student, shop owner and soldier in Wadi Hadhramout

Government security and military officials have been the main targets of assassinations and killings in Wadi Hadhramout in recent years

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/404

(A P)

Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate refuses summons to Aden court for criticizing deceased army general

Saeed Thabet, deputy chairman of the YJS, rejected the idea that journalists should have to appear before courts to defend their opinions

The Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate (YJS) has rejected summonses from Aden’s Specialized Criminal Court, demanding the appearance of journalist Abdulaziz Al-Majidi and eight other journalists and activists for criticizing Brig. Gen. Adnan Al-Hamadi, who was assassinated in December.

Calling it an attack on press freedom, Saeed Thabet, deputy chairman of the YJS, rejected the idea that journalists should have to appear before courts to defend their opinions.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/405

(A P)

Rights organizations demand HCHR to exist in all provinces

The Information and Human Rights Qualification Center, the Regional Network for Human Rights Activists and My Right for Supporting Rights and Freedoms demanded Friday the High Commission for Human Rights to exist in different Yemeni provinces to do its job neutrally.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/28/rights-organizations-demand-hchr-to-exist-in-all-provinces/

My comment: Now the Hadi government uses HR organizations to push its claim that UN orgs should work in Aden instead of Sanaa.

(A P)

Teachers in al-Mukha in #Taiz governorate call for rapid intervention in order to be paid their salaries, which have not been paid for three months.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1233398884946370564

(A K P)

Shabwa .. Armed confrontations between the Muslim Brotherhood militia and tribal groups in Ataq

Violent confrontations took place between the terrorist militia of the Muslim Brotherhood and tribal groups

https://en.smanews.org/shabwa-armed-confrontations-between-the-muslim-brotherhood-militia-and-tribal-groups-in-ataq

and

(A K P)

Shabwa .. Brotherhood’s militia reinforces its elements as confrontations continue by the Planning Office

The terrorist Brotherhood militia has sent significant military reinforcements, as clashes continue with tribal militants by the Planning Office of Ataq city in Shabwa

https://en.smanews.org/shabwa-brotherhoods-militia-reinforces-its-elements-as-confrontations-continue-by-the-planning-office

and

(A K P)

Wounded members of Brotherhood’s militia arrive at hospital after ongoing confrontations in #Attaq

https://en.smanews.org/wounded-members-of-brotherhoods-militia-arrive-at-hospital-after-ongoing-confrontations-in-attaq

(* A K P)

Second army regiment rebels against Yemen government in Socotra

A regiment in the Yemen Army has pledging allegiance to the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Socotra, renouncing the UN-backed government of Abd rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

An adviser to the Yemeni Minister of Information, Mukhtar Al-Rahbi, said that a second army regiment in Socotra has rebelled against the state, pledging allegiance to the so-called transitional council.

Al-Rahbi confirmed, in two posts on Twitter yesterday, that the new development comes as the coast guard regiment continues its rebellion against Hadi’s government.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200228-second-army-regiment-rebels-against-yemen-government-in-socotra/

and also https://www.uprising.today/more-defections-to-uae-in-socotra/

and

(* A K P)

New military rebellion hits Socotra and derives it from legitimacy

There appears to be a plan to dismantle the largest, most armed, and most qualified military brigade, located in the governorate of Socotra Archipelago, and is being implemented in steps, by declaring a military rebellion more than once in a short period.

And again on Thursday, a military battalion announced its rebellion against the (legitimate) Yemeni government inside the governorate of Socotra Archipelago and is raising the flags of separation.

Local sources told "Debriefer" on Thursday that "The 3rd Battalion of the brigade, the first marine infantry in the Governorate of Socotra Archipelago, declared its rebellion against the (legitimate) Yemeni government and raised separatist flags inside the brigade."

According to the sources, "military points were established on the Hadibo-Airport road, in which the brigade command is located, after the revolt of the third battalion, under the direction of the Chargé d'Affaires of Major General Nasser Qais."

The sources indicated that the commander of the third battalion, Abdullah Ahmad Daman Kanazher, had announced earlier that all members of the battalion had joined forces loyal to the UAE.

The sources pointed out that the declaration of the rebellion will not be confined to the third battalion in the 1st Marine Brigade, because there are two battalions in the same brigade preparing for the declaration of the rebellion, namely the "Tank Brigade and the" Nojed" battalion.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-15264.html

(* B P T)

Mohammed Dahlan 'arranged Yemen assassinations' on UAE’s behalf

London-based law firm say they have evidence linking the UAE to murders in the war-stricken country.

The UAE and its middleman Mohammed Dahlan were behind a series of murders in Yemen targeting civilians and politicians, according to a London-based law firm, which says it has evidence.

Turkish news outlet, Anadolu Agency, first reported the opening of a case against the UAE and Dahlan on February 12.

Lawyers from Stoke and White, which is representing victims, American mercenaries were given Emirati ranks and uniforms and were under the command of the UAE Ministry of Defence.

One Yemeni represented by the firm, Abdullah Suliman Abdullah Daubalah, said that a 2015 bomb attack at the Al Islah (Reform) party headquarters in Aden was ordered by Mohammed Dahlan, a Palestinian who serves as the enforcer for the Abu Dhabi royal family.

Another victim alleged suffered torture at the hands of Emirati officials operating in Yemen.

The firm says these incidents constitute war crimes and should be prosecuted under universal jurisdiction laws in the UK, the US, and Turkey.

Dahlan is a former Fatah official who was accused of engineering a coup attempt in Gaza against the Hamas government in 2007. When that failed he fled to the West Bank and from there established a close working relationship with the Emiratis.

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/mohammed-dahlan-arranged-yemen-assassinations-on-uae-s-behalf-34157

(A P)

Abu Dhabi pursues Bakri over Emirati officer's murder

While four years have passed since the Emirati Captain Hadif Hamid Al-Shamisi was killed in the Yemeni southern port city of Aden, the United Arab Emirates is still determined to pursue Naeif al-Bakri, Aden former governor and current minister of youth and sports in the internationally-recognized government, whom Abu Dhabi believes to be mainly accused of killing its army's officer.

Abu Dhabi has decided to reopen the file of Al-Shamisi murder, by making the officer's family bring a criminal lawsuit personally at Emirati courts, UAE private sources told Debriefer without further details on causes behind re-activating the case.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-14996.html

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

(* A P)

Houthi cease-fire initiative in Yemen`s Marib Governorate

The Houthi group (Ansar Allah) said on Friday it had presented an initiative to cease fire in the Marib Governorate in northern Yemen, according to the Houthi-run Yemeni news agency "Saba" in its version in Sana`a, which is run by the Houthis.

And Saba reported that the prominent leader of the group, Muhammad Nasser Al-Bokhiti, presented" to the authority in Marib, an initiative to stop the fire, spare civilians from fighting, and establish peace and reconciliation."

The initiative included four points that include "opening the main Sana`a Marib Road, allowing transit cars, expatriates, trucks, and tankers to pass, without hurting or targeting, stopping the deliberate cutting of electricity to Yemeni cities, whether Sana'a or elsewhere, and restarting it, refraining from obstructing the delivery of gas to Yemeni cities, and allowing the flow of Oil derivatives continuously.

Until now, the local authority in Marib, an internationally recognized government, has not commented on the Houthi announcement.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-15298.html

(A P)

Film by UNOCHA: In Yemen, over 24 million people, including 3.3 million displaced persons, needed humanitarian aid in 2019. We count on continued donor support to reach people in need.

https://twitter.com/UNOCHA/status/1233312145401663488

Comment: Death, destruction and unimaginable suffering come from one hand, humanitarian aid and cover-up from the other. Instead of thanking "the top donors who gave generously" let's ensure they are held to account for warcrimes and complicity in causing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

https://twitter.com/YemenSource/status/1233442130997268480

My comment: The main war criminals and perpetrators are praised as “top donors”. (Except Japan and Denmark). The main things they “donate” are bombs, death, destruction and despair.

(A P)

PRESS STATEMENT ON ESCALATION IN NORTHERN YEMEN

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, strongly condemns the recent military escalation in Al Jawf governorate in northern Yemen. He calls on all involved in the conflict to freeze all military activity in Al Jawf, Ma’rib and Nihm areas and to work with his office to achieve that goal.

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/press-statement-escalation-northern-yemen

(A P)

Opening remarks by the UN Special Envoy at a consultative meeting with Yemeni public and political figures, Amman, Jordan, 27 February 2020

Yemen experienced one of the quietest periods of the conflict particularly in the air war.

But recent military escalations since then have demonstrated the exceptional vulnerability of such gains that were made in the absence, in our view, of a political process to give them meaning and direction.

Over the past month and a half, in particular, the military situation has grown more dire.

Both sides have announced expansive military goals and exchanged fierce rhetoric.

Frontlines which had been quiet for several months have been drawn into the escalation and reports of airstrikes and cross-border aerial attacks have increased considerably.

And I am particularly concerned, deeply concerned, that the escalations that we have seen east of Sana’a may threaten progress, limited though as may be in Hudaydah, where the situation is exceptionally vulnerable to renewed violence and we fear this is an imminent threat.

Despite this bleak season, there have been signs that the confidence the parties worked so hard to build has not gone to waste.

We are here to engage with you. We want to hear your insights on the biggest challenges facing the resumption of the political process and your recommendations how to overcome those challenges.

You represent, as I said last night, a diverse group of Yemenis with a wealth of experience and expertise to contribute to this discussion. You are more than that. You are also their leaders. I am grateful particularly to see that a third of the participants here are women, because of the significant role women play across Yemen in peacemaking, which you are the leaders and to a degree that is more than might be imagined, the future is clearly in your hands

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/opening-remarks-un-special-envoy-consultative-meeting-yemeni-public-and-political

(A P)

PRESS RELEASE ON THE CLOSING OF THE TWO-DAY CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH YEMENI PUBLIC AND POLITICAL FIGURES

The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY) concluded a two-day consultative meeting with Yemeni public and political figures today, Thursday, in Amman, Jordan.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of Yemeni stakeholders, men and women, to discuss the prospects of resuming the official political process. Discussions included challenges against the resumption of the peace process and opportunities that could be utilized to push the process forward.

“It was encouraging hearing from the participants that we share the same vision for peace in Yemen. We all agree that sustainable peace is only possible through an inclusive, comprehensive and negotiated solution. We all agree that confidence-building measures cannot survive without a political process to give them direction and meaning,”

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/press-release-closing-two-day-consultative-meeting-yemeni-public-and-political-figures

(* A P)

Mothers condemn ignoring their calls to release ill abductees

Abductees' Mothers Association condemned ignoring mothers' calls and pleas, by Yemeni parties in Amman, to release ill abductees who had been illegally detained and disappeared for five years at Houthi prisons.
The condemnation was announced on Thursday morning at a protesting rally by OHCHR's building in Sana'a, calling upon the UN and peace-fostering countries to create the necessary pressure to release ill abductees.
The demands were made after last week meeting of the negotiation teams from both parties in Amman, Jordan. The teams agreed to release only specific few abductees

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18526

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(A H P)

Saudi Arabia prepares 25 hospitals to handle coronavirus cases: health ministry

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-saudi/saudi-arabia-prepares-25-hospitals-to-handle-coronavirus-cases-health-ministry-idUSKBN20O1RG

(A P)

KSA Free of Corona Virus -Follow-up Committee Report Confirms

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2040901

Saudi Arabia lied about Jamal Khashoggi; it is surely lying about the coronavirus cases in KSA. No credibility.

https://twitter.com/joseph_preville/status/1233915271804526593

(A P)

Saudi Arabia welcomes peace agreement between U.S. and Taliban

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-taliban-saudi/saudi-arabia-welcomes-peace-agreement-between-u-s-and-taliban-idUSKBN20N0NJ

(* B P)

New Petro‐aggression in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia in the Spotlight

Abstract

That hydrocarbon abundance may lead to more violence is an established truism in the literature on the resource curse. Looking at the Middle East, however, the literature relates bellicose state behaviour entirely to oil‐producing revolutionary republics. Instead, dynastic monarchies are claimed to be the more peacefully behaving actors. Current developments turn this conclusion upside down, however. Since 2015 at the latest, the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia, the leading monarchy in the Middle East, has transformed from multi‐dependence to petro‐aggression. By discussing this striking transformation, the paper puts forward a framework looking at the interaction of three crucial dimensions: first, the decreasing power projection towards the Middle East by the United States, the decade‐long hegemon, due to gradual changes in world energy markets and war fatigue at home; second, the lasting fiscal potency of the Saudi regime; and, third, the personalization of the Saudi monarchy under King Salman as a historically contingent result of transferring power to the generation of Ibn Saud's grandsons.

Policy Implications

Prepare sanctions for immediate reaction targeting those decision‐makers from Saudi Arabia or other highly personalized political regimes being responsible for the emergence of new petro‐aggressions.

Consider a global moratorium on all arms exports to every party in the Persian Gulf being involved in war‐like events as a mid‐term containment of new petro‐aggressions.

Establish a robust regional security organization which should enclose all countries located in the broader Middle East as a long‐term strategy to contain new petro‐aggressions.

Improve policy coordination by creating regular policy consultations between those Asian and European actors, who would suffer most from the looming consequences of military escalation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al‐Mandab.

On a more personal note, Prince Muhammed – quite in contrast to the vast majority of the other male descendants of Ibn Saud – seems to be an outstanding example of a risk‐taker. ‘His aides say he consistently opts for action over caution.

As has been rightly pointed out by leading experts on Saudi Arabia, one major consequence of the personalization of the Saudi decision‐making system under the dominance of now crown prince Mohammad bin Salman is the expectation of a more assertive foreign policy (Kinninmont, 2015) and a generally ‘larger appetite for risk than the consensus‐oriented previous leadership had’ (Hertog, 2018, p. 89). However, an understanding of the necessary and therefore enabling conditions of the current shift in Saudi foreign policy behaviour would be incomplete without taking into consideration two additional elements. First, the nature of the contemporary Middle East policy of the US – which for more than three decades represented the hegemonic power in the region, but who, as noted, has begun to redefine and adjust its role permanently therefore creating opportunities as well as necessity for single state action. Second, the legacies and opportunities of the Saudi rentier state, which makes available the enormous hydrocarbon revenues to be freely spent at the discretion of the ruler and his son. This is done by little in the way of additional institutional and social constraints to decision‐making existing, especially in the realm of foreign policy. How these elements interact with each other, forming a historically unique constellation which has led to the emergence of Saudi petro‐aggression, will now be discussed – by Thomas Richter

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1758-5899.12780

(A P)

Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends entry of GCC citizens to Mecca and Medina: foreign ministry

The statement added it will exclude from that decision the citizens of the GCC who had been in Saudi Arabia for more than 14 continuous days and didn’t show any symptoms of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-china-saudi/saudi-arabia-temporarily-suspends-entry-of-gcc-citizens-to-mecca-and-medina-foreign-ministry-idUSKCN20M31T

(A P)

U.N.'s Bachelet urges Saudi to release women activists, uphold rights

U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet urged Saudi Arabia on Thursday to uphold freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly and review convictions of activists, religious leaders and journalists as it prepares to host a G20 summit this year.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-rights-un/uns-bachelet-urges-saudi-to-release-women-activists-uphold-rights-idUSKCN20L177

(A P)

Saudi human rights defender gets backing for Nobel Peace Prize

A Canadian parliament member has put Loujain al-Hathloul's name in the running for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, a move that was welcomed by supporters and friends of the detained Saudi human rights activist.

Hathloul, who attended the University of British Columbia (UBC), has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia since May amid a sweeping government crackdown on human rights activists. She has also been subjected to torture and other inhumane treatment while in detention, rights groups and her family have said.

"We were very excited," said Narissa Diwan, a member of Friends of Loujain who met Hathloul at UBC in 2011, about her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-human-rights-defender-gets-backing-nobel-peace-prize

(A H P)

WHO praised measures taken by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent spread of new Corona virus

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2040488

(A H P)

Halt of Muslim pilgrimage over virus brings worldwide dismay

The decision could eventually force millions of Muslims around the world to postpone or cancel a journey that many have eagerly awaited for years. The outbreak could potentially affect the much larger annual hajj pilgrimage, set to begin in late July.

https://apnews.com/ec38e76474ad5512c18cfcfa116552c8

(B P)

For 24 years Nine Forgotten Detainees have been imprisoned behind bars. The long years of their torture and deprivation of all prisoner rights began upon their arrest in the prime of their youth. They have grown old, and their now-grown children impatiently await their return.

https://twitter.com/nashetqatifi/status/1231987038066499590

(A H)

A shocking video from a #Saudi hospital #Medina few days ago reveals the horrific danger facing the country with increasing cases of #COVID2019

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1233014364908769280

(A P)

The Supreme Court has upheld a death sentence against detainee Mustafa Al-Khayyat for his participation in the pro-reform movement in #Qatif. The final death sentence was upheld following a sham trial that relied on coerced confessions under torture.

https://twitter.com/nashetqatifi/status/1233027143669616643

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

The Air Force Has Updated its Song to Be Gender-Neutral

The U.S. Air Force is changing its song to be gender-neutral as the service grows more diverse and adds more women across its ranks.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/27/air-force-has-updated-its-song-be-gender-neutral.html

The children of the Middle East can sleep more soundly knowing the pilots of the angels of death dropping bombs on them are woke intersectionalists

https://twitter.com/RealAlexRubi/status/1233463556605169664

(* A P)

US Democrats grill Pompeo over Iran, coronavirus

US secretary of state defends Trump's decision to order the killing of Iran's Solemani in a tense House panel hearing.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was grilled on Friday by Democrats on a House panel over the United States killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and the US response to the coronavirus.

Appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for two hours, Pompeo defended President Donald Trump's decision to order the assassination of Soleimani, claiming Americans in the Middle East are safer now because Iran has been deterred from aggression.

"We made clear that we are willing and able to impose costs on our adversaries if they threaten or attack us," Pompeo told the committee in the long-awaited hearing that also included a number of questions on the coronavirus.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/democrats-grill-pompeo-iran-coronavirus-200228153307559.html

(A P)

Last night @lordhobobrewinghosted war profiteer @Raytheon for a “Star Wars themed trivia night and hiring event.” Don’t fool yourselves. You’re not making the world a better place. You’re designing the Death Star. Don’t work for Raytheon (photo)

https://twitter.com/masspeaceaction/status/1233406852760731649

(A P)

Yemen [Hadi gov.] calls on the US Congress to support two draft bills against Houthis’ crimes

The [Hadi gov.] Yemeni Parliamentary delegation headed by Deputy Speaker Abdulaziz Jubari called on the US Congressional to support two draft bills proposed by the two Congressmen Will Hurd and Senator Tom Cotton.

The two bills condemn the Iran-allied Houthi militia for the grave violations of human rights and violence the militiamen committed against the civilians in Yemen.

The Yemeni Parliamentary delegation separately met with the Republican Senator Teid Young and the Congress member Ronald Wright.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/02/28/yemen-calls-on-the-us-congress-to-support-two-draft-bills-against-houthis-crimes/

My comment: There is no to be found on such a bill.

(A K)

U.S. asks its military in Saudi Arabia to avoid crowded venues as coronavirus spreads in neighboring countries

The United States asked its military in Saudi Arabia to avoid crowded venues including malls and cinemas as coronavirus was reported spreading in neighboring countries, according to a document from the U.S. embassy seen by Reuters on Friday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-saudi-usa/u-s-asks-its-military-in-saudi-arabia-to-avoid-crowded-venues-as-coronavirus-spreads-in-neighboring-countries-idUSKCN20M1M4

(A H P)

High School Students Raise $18k for Yemen Crisis

https://6abc.com/5808186/

(* B P)

Being Honest About U.S. Foreign Policy

Bloomberg praised the Saudi crown prince and his Vision 2030 plan last year without qualification.

This wasn’t just a case of Bloomberg letting optimism get the better of him. By the time he said these things, the increasingly repressive nature of the Saudi government under Mohammed bin Salman was well-known. The many war crimes and atrocities committed by his government in Yemen had been in the news for years (and they continue to happen), Khashoggi’s murder had happened almost a year earlier, and he could not have missed the stories about the ongoing detentions and torture of political activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul, who is still imprisoned to this day. As far as political rights are concerned, Saudi Arabia has clearly been moving in the wrong direction, but Bloomberg chose to ignore all of that.

It would be fair to acknowledge that there have been some positive changes in Saudi Arabia over the last few years at the same time that the crown prince has been cracking down on dissent, killing critics, and consolidating power, but if you’re going to talk about those changes it would be important to state opposition and condemnation of the Saudi government’s myriad abuses. On that occasion, Bloomberg only offered praise, and there is no evidence that he expressed any concern about Saudi government crimes and abuses until he was starting to run for president.

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/being-honest-about-u-s-foreign-policy/

cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf

(* B P)

US Tries to Break Up Iraq Via “Sunni State” in Anbar

As the occupiers scramble to contain the fallout from their ill-starred assassinations, they are mounting a new divide-and-conquer operation aimed at breaking up Iraq via the creation of an American-occupied “Sunni State” in Anbar Province. By occupying Anbar, the Americans would cut the “land bridge” between Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, putting a roadblock in the path of the Axis of Resistance. Additionally, unconfirmed reports of major new oil discoveries in Anbar Province and its neighboring Syrian province of Deir ez-Zur suggest that Trump’s stated intention to stay in the region to “keep the oil” may also be a factor.

https://crescent.icit-digital.org/articles/us-tries-to-break-up-iraq-via-sunni-state-in-anbar

(* B H P)

A prominent and well-respected Iranian doctor, Minoo Mohraz, says US sanctions prevent European companies from selling #Coronavirus test kits to Iran. She says Iran is behind on detecting cases due to a shortage of test kits. Says @WHO had to send them kits.

https://twitter.com/NegarMortazavi/status/123341434950880

(* B H P)

Did U.S. Sanctions on Iran Help Coronavirus Spread Undetected?

The U.S. Treasury is now allowing some humanitarian trade but it may not be enough—and the damage is already done.

The Trump administration is partially reversing course on economic sanctions that have slowed down Iran from importing coronavirus test kits as the country faces down the most deadly COVID-19 outbreak outside of East Asia.

Iranian authorities have confirmed 388 cases of the new coronavirus disease as of Friday afternoon. U.S. sanctions, the Iranian government’s record of dishonesty, and the elusive nature of the virus itself have made it difficult to understand the true extent of the epidemic.

The U.S. Treasury announced on Thursday morning that it was lifting some terrorism-related sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, which re-opens a channel for humanitarian trade that had been closed since September 2019. The announcement does not lift the restrictions on humanitarian trade with other Iranian banks under terrorism-related sanctions.

Iran’s healthcare sector has blamed the banking sanctions for a lack of testing equipment to diagnose COVID-19. Thirty-four people have reportedly died from the virus in Iran, suggesting a large number of undiagnosed cases of COVID-19, which scientists believe has a two percent mortality rate. In fact, independent researchers estimate that eighteen thousand Iranians may have been infected already.

China, Turkey, and the World Health Organization (WHO) had promised to provide virus test kits to make up for any shortages. So far, the WHO has delivered two thousand test kits, and China will be delivering five thousand more by Friday. It is unclear if this is enough to cope with the growing number of possible cases.

U.S. sanctions on Iran technically exclude “humanitarian items” like food, medicine, and medical devices but the Trump administration had used counterterrorism laws to severely restrict this trade.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/did-us-sanctions-iran-help-coronavirus-spread-undetected-128112

(A P)

BBC Spreading Fake News on Iran Coronavirus Toll for Ignoble Political Goals: Iran Health Ministry

A senior Health Ministry official categorically rejects the BBC Persian’s allegation that at least 210 people have died from coronavirus in Iran, saying the channel is seeking to take political advantage of the viral outbreak.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11460

(A P)

Iran dismisses US offer to help fight coronavirus as 'hypocritical'

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's claim about an offer to help Tehran fight the outbreak of coronavirus as "hypocritical" and politically-motivated, aimed at distracting the world public opinion.

"The claim on helping Iran fight the coronavirus by a country that led to extensive pressure on the Iranian people through its economic terrorism and even blocked the way to the purchase of medicine and medical equipment is a ridiculous claim and a political and psychological play," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Friday.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/156125/Iran-dismisses-US-offer-to-help-fight-coronavirus-as-hypocritical

(B P)

The Aggravated Struggle for Regional Power in the Middle East: American Allies Saudi Arabia and Israel versus Iran

Abstract

The present contribution first describes the aggravated Middle Eastern power competition in the 21st century, thereby emphasizing two aspects: the concentration of participants in the regional power game to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Iran, including shifts in regional power distribution; and the recent trend of entanglement of the Israeli–Iranian conflict with that between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Second, it contributes to an explanation of these developments by discussing the explanatory power of approaches based on three paradigms: primordialism, rationalism, and social constructivism (paywalled)

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1758-5899.12778

(* A H P)

Virus response in Mideast tainted by political views of Iran

In the Middle East, even virus outbreaks are political.

The coronavirus has killed 26 people in Iran -- the highest toll outside of China where it originated. Many of the over 240 confirmed cases in the region have links to Iran, including dozens in Kuwait and Bahrain, six in Iraq and two in Lebanon.

That spread has put renewed scrutiny on Tehran, with many of its regional foes blaming it for mishandling the outbreak.

In sharp contrast to Europe, were countries kept borders with Italy open despite a cluster of virus cases there, Iran’s neighbors have all announced measures to cut links with the country, either completely closing their borders and suspending air traffic or limiting travel.

As the virus spreads, so has the criticism directed at Iran. But it has fallen along familiar political fault lines, with regional politics shaping the accusations.

In the Gulf countries where anti-Iran sentiment runs high, Saudi-funded media was quick to blame Iran.

“Something is rotten in the state of Persia: the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaging in a large-scale cover-up of the coronavirus epidemic that could wreak misery on the lives of millions,” wrote Mohammed Alyahya, the editor-in-chief of Al-Arabiya English outlet based in Dubai.

He added: “This is not a government that can be trusted to tell the truth, even when lives are at stake.”

One Dubai-based newspaper wrongly claimed in a front-page headline that all cases of the new coronavirus in the region came from the Islamic Republic.

Blaming Iran for the outbreak increases Iran’s isolation and also comes as both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have encouraged the harder line against Tehran that has been taken by U.S. President Donald Trump.

https://apnews.com/40a57a17ae66afbc7ce99494fd71a618

My comment: It’s just shameful how even the virus is misused for odd propaganda.

(* B P)

Film: Mohssen Massarat: Qassem Suleimani – Hintergründe eines Mordes

Im Gespräch mit Sabine Kebir erläutert Prof. Mohssen Massarat die Rolle des iranischen Generals im asymmetrischen Krieg gegen die Hegemonialpolitik der USA im Nahen Osten. Ausführlich geht er auf den historischen Bruch zwischen der Geopolitik Englands und der USA ein.

Für den Erhalt der territorialen Integrität des Iran und der benachbarten Staaten spielte Suleimani eine wichtige Rolle. Er führte die außerhalb Irans agierenden AL-Kuds-Brigaden, die nicht immer gegen die Interessen der USA agierten, sondern eine wichtige Rolle spielten z. B. im Kampf gegen die Taliban in Afghanistan und gegen den Islamischen Staat im Irak und Syrien. Massarat erläutert, ob die seit dem Drohnenangriff auf die Aramco-Basis in Saudi Arabien erfolgte vorsichtige Annäherung zwischen Riad und Teheran bei dem Mord eine Rolle gespielt haben könnte

https://weltnetz.tv/video/2284-qassem-suleimani-hintergruende-eines-mordes

(A P)

U.S. Holds Joint Military Exercises in Saudi Arabia as Yemen War Escalates

In Saudi Arabia, U.S. marines held joint military exercises Wednesday with their Saudi counterparts on the King Abdulaziz Naval Base. The wargames along the Persian Gulf were widely seen as a warning to Iran.

https://www.democracynow.org/2020/2/27/headlines/us_holds_joint_military_exercises_in_saudi_arabia_as_yemen_war_escalates

Jan. 12, 2020: Opinion: Your Government Doesn't Care About Middle Eastern Lives

The people of the Middle East live in a world where no one in power cares if they live or die. That's why they're angry.

Many breathed a sigh of relief this week when it became clear there were no casualties caused by Iranian missile strikes on Iraqi military bases housing US troops. Some applauded Donald Trump’s "success" in carrying out the targeted killing of a key Iranian military leader without experiencing immediate deadly retaliation. Pundit, professor, and president of the Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer tweeted it is “impossible not to call this a win” for Trump. In Iran, state media boasted of what it described as the stunning success of the country’s retaliation against America.

But the 176 people killed on Ukraine Airlines flight 752 that took off from Tehran on the night of the attacks — shot down by an Iranian missile — are casualties of these reckless escalations. These “wins.” A debate has been raging about who is more responsible.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/timothykaldas/your-government-care-middle-eastern-iran-lives

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

(* A K P)

Große Mehrheit für verbindliches Rüstungsexportgesetz

Für ein Gesetz gegen Waffenlieferungen an Krieg führende Staaten, in Krisengebiete sowie an Länder außerhalb von EU und Nato sprechen sich einer Umfrage zufolge 70 Prozent der Bürger hierzulande aus.

Dagegen sind 26 Prozent, wie eine repräsentativen Umfrage ergeben hat, die das Meinungsforschungsinstitut Kantar im Auftrag von Greenpeace durchgeführt hat. Die Friedens- und Umweltschutzorganisation stellte die Ergebnisse am Donnerstag vor.

«Eine überwältigende Mehrheit der Bevölkerung hat klare Vorstellungen, an denen sich die Bundesregierung nun orientieren sollte. In Krisen- und Kriegsgebieten weltweit sollen keine deutschen Waffen mehr zum Einsatz kommen. Dafür braucht es ein Rüstungsexportgesetz mit klaren Verboten», sagte Alexander Lurz, Abrüstungsexperte von Greenpeace.

https://www.radiodresden.de/beitrag/grosse-mehrheit-fuer-verbindliches-ruestungsexportgesetz-628095/ = https://www.sonnenseite.com/de/politik/groe-mehrheit-will-scharfes-rstungsexportgesetz.html

(A P)

Rüstungsexporte - (K)eine Frage der Abwägung!?

Protest- und Kunstaktion der "Aktion Aufschrei - Stoppt den Waffenhandel!"

Friedensaktivist*innen protestierten am 26.02.2020 vor dem Deutschen Bundestag gegen die Rüstungsexportpolitik der Bundesregierung. Sie fordern, dass die Erteilung von Ausfuhrgenehmigungen "Keine Frage der Abwägung!" zwischen Menschenrechten und außen- und sicherheitspolitischen Interessen mehr sein darf. Stattdessen müsse die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte immer das entscheidungsrelevante Kriterium sein.

https://www.lebenshaus-alb.de/magazin/012804.html

(A K P)

Beihilfe zum Mord

Abgeordnete der Linken stellten Strafanzeige gegen die Bundesregierung wegen Beteiligung am Drohnenkrieg der USA.

Mitglieder der Bundesregierung sollten Hüter der Rechtsordnung sein. Lässigkeit bei der Anwendung der Gesetze beschädigt ihre Glaubwürdigkeit schwer. Die Airbase Ramstein für Drohnenangriffe der USA zur Verfügung zu stellen, ist nicht nur völkerrechtswidrig, sondern widerspicht auch einem Urteil des Oberverwaltungsgerichts NRW vom März 2019. Angela Merkel, Heiko Maas, Horst Seehofer und andere Regierungspolitiker haben sich im Fall des Iraners Qassem Soleimani sowie weiterer Personen somit der Beihilfe zum Mord schuldig gemacht. Wer behütet uns vor solchen Gesetzeshütern? Der Autor hat mit anderen Abgeordneten der Linken im Bundestag Strafanzeige gestellt.

https://www.rubikon.news/artikel/beihilfe-zum-mord

und auch https://deutsch.rt.com/inland/98561-beihilfe-zum-mord-an-soleimani-strafanzeige/

https://diefreiheitsliebe.de/politik/drohnenmorde-brutal-feige-und-illegal-strafanzeige-von-abgeordneten-der-linken-gegen-die-bundesregierung/

und

(A K P)

Strafanzeige gegen Mitglieder der Bundesregierung und weitere Beteiligte wegen Beihilfe durch Unterlassen zur Tötung von Qassem Soleimani und weiteren Personen

Einbindung der US-Militärbasis Ramstein für den Drohnenangriff

Eine Steuerung von US-Kampfdrohnen unmittelbar aus den Einsatzgebieten im Nahen und Mittleren Osten heraus erfolgt nicht. Es ist stattdessen davon auszugehen, dass die Steuerbefehle für den US-Drohnenangriff über eine Satelliten-Relaisstation auf deutschem Staatsgebiet – auf der US-Airbase Ramstein in Rheinland-Pfalz – weitergeleitet wurden

https://neu-alexander.de/files/2020/02/27.2.2020-Strafanzeige-1.pdf

und

(A K P)

Audio: Strafanzeige gegen Merkel nach Tötung Soleimanis – Interview mit Alexander Neu (Die Linke)

https://de.sputniknews.com/politik/20200227326518543-soleimani-mord-strafanzeige-merkel/

und

(A K P)

Deutsches Recht: Abgeordnete stellen Strafanzeige gegen Merkel – Warum das keinerlei Folgen haben wird

Die Strafanzeige wird keinerlei Folgen haben.

Der Grund ist schnell erklärt: In Deutschland gibt es das Gerichtsverfassungsgesetz (GVG) und dort den Paragrafen 146. Er lautet:

„Die Beamten der Staatsanwaltschaft haben den dienstlichen Anweisungen ihres Vorgesetzten nachzukommen.“

Und wer der Vorgesetzte des Staatsanwaltes ist, regelt Paragraf 147 GVG: Es sind die jeweiligen Justizminister.

Von diesem Recht, dem Staatsanwalt Ermittlungen oder die Eröffnung eines Strafverfahrens zu untersagen, machen die Justizminister reichlich Gebrauch.

https://www.anti-spiegel.ru/2020/deutsches-recht-abgeordnete-stellen-strafanzeige-gegen-merkel-warum-das-keinerlei-folgen-haben-wird/

(A K P)

Rechtspolitisch gefährlicher Unsinn

Ich halte die Strafanzeige einiger Politiker*innen der LINKEN für politisch falsch. Sie wird das eigentlich Ziel, die Schließung der Militärbasis in Rammstein nicht erreichen. Die Strafanzeige wird nicht zu einer Anklage führen, den Generalbundesanwalt aber mit Arbeit belasten. Insofern wird hier Recht instrumentalisiert. Aber immerhin gab es ordentlich PR – das wohl eigentliche Ziel.

https://blog.wawzyniak.de/rechtspolitisch-gefaehrlicher-unsinn/

(A K P)

„Bundesregierung leistet Beihilfe zu Mord“ – Rüstungsexporte 2019 nahezu verdoppelt

Die Bundesregierung hat im letzten Jahr fast doppelt so viele Rüstungsexporte genehmigt wie im Vorjahr. Das geht aus der Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Anfrage der Linksfraktion im Bundestag hervor. Dagegen protestierten am Mittwoch Friedensaktivisten von „Aktion Aufschrei – Stoppt den Waffenhandel“ vor dem Bundestag.

„Die Vorstellung, dass im Jemen, in Libyen oder anderswo auf der Welt mit deutschen Waffen und deutscher Munition aus Bayern, Baden-Württemberg, Niedersachsen und Nordrhein-Westfalen gemordet wird, ist unerträglich. Diese Mordwerkzeuge sind vielfach die Ursache für Flucht und Vertreibung“, beklagt die stellvertretende Vorsitzende der Linksfraktion im Bundestag, Sevim Dagdelen.

https://de.sputniknews.com/gesellschaft/20200227326516665-bundesregierung-leistet-beihilfe-zu-mord--ruestungsexporte-2019-nahezu-verdoppelt/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(* B K P)

Defense: Greek Missiles Defend Arabia

Greece is sending one of its six Patriot Air Defense batteries to Saudi Arabia, as is the United States, which is also sending four Sentinel radar systems that can detect low flying cruise missiles and UAVs. While the Saudis already have 24 Patriot batteries that has proved insufficient to protect it from the growing number of Iranian attacks. Greece has been using Patriot since 2003, about as long as the Saudis. Most of the Saudi batteries are used in the south, along the Yemen border. Many other nations in the region also use Patriot, including Egypt, Israel and most Arab Persian Gulf nations. Patriot batteries have been used in the Persian Gulf since 1991 and have had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate they work, especially against ballistic missiles.

Greece had earlier been asked to send a Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia but declined to do so because their eastern neighbor, Turkey, had become more threatening. But two months after Iranian UAVs and cruise missiles attacked Saudi Arabia, Greece found itself involved with another Turkish threat. The Turks were claiming control of waters off the Greek coast that are recognized as Greek and many control large natural gas deposits. Turkey, Greece and the U.S. are all NATO members but the U.S. and other NATO members all oppose Turkish threats against fellow NATO member Greece as well as the Turkish troops in Libya.

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20200228.aspx

My comment: If this isn’t odd, what really is??

(A P)

Film: This is a section of the hour-long conversation I had with Peter Florence at Hay Festival Arabic:

"…I speak of people who cannot take part in the Festival, who have lost their liberty simply because of their insistence on their right to freedom of expression and their support for the principles of human rights .. I came here from Egypt where we have an unprecedented attack on human rights – on everything really that makes civil life ..

https://www.facebook.com/ahdafsoueif/videos/2594810087314901/ = https://twitter.com/asoueif/status/1233354573903007744

(A P)

Moroccan jurist Ahmed Raissouni slams UAE’s involvement in the Yemen war

Moroccan Islamist jurist Ahmed Raissouni, who also head the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), has lashed out at the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing the country of spreading «hatred» and being behind «wars and plots» around the world.

https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/89861/moroccan-jurist-ahmed-raissouni-slams.html

(A P)

Dubai's ruler loses appeal to stop publication of judgments in UK court battle with ex-wife

London’s Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that two judgments in the legal battle between Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and his former wife over the wardship of their two children should be made public.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-dubai-court/uk-court-says-judgments-in-case-between-dubai-ruler-and-ex-wife-should-be-published-idUSKCN20M1SE

(A P)

Marokko-Saudi-Arabien wollen Beziehungen verbessern

https://www.maghreb-post.de/politik/marokko-saudi-arabien-und-marokko-wollen-beziehungen-verbessern/

(A P)

Zarifs Berater: Iran unterstützt immer Gespräche zur Beendigung des Krieges im Jemen

https://de.irna.ir/news/83693635/Zarifs-Berater-Iran-unterstützt-immer-Gespräche-zur-Beendigung

(A P)

Iran always supported talks to end Yemen war

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said on Wednesday that Islamic Republic of Iran has always backed dialogues to end Yemen war.

https://en.irna.ir/news/83692856/Iran-always-supported-talks-to-end-Yemen-war

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(* B P)

The Enemy of My Enemy: Security Dilemma Dynamics Between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar in the Gulf Region

This analysis shall begin by employing the ‘Security Dilemma’ concept in order to categorise the deep-seated animosity and geopolitical machinations at play between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Having established the presence of a tense regional security paradox and provided a brief historical overview of the main sources of instability and conflict in the region, this analysis shall explore the dynamics of Doha’s attempt to capitalise upon the power vacuum created by the revolutions and counter-revolutions of the Arab Spring (2011-2012) that threw the existing security architecture in the region into disarray, toppling two of the three main centres of power in the region (Iraq, Egypt) and continue to devastate the third (Syria).

Within this rapidly fluctuating regional security environment which has seen the emergence of a number of non-state and trans-state actors pursuing contradictory agendas, the emboldened regional activism emanating from Doha is placing tremendous strain upon the pre-existing Security Dilemma dynamics at play, stoking misperception and instability and accentuating the pre-existing geopolitical rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Additionally, the widespread anger generated by some of Doha’s Arab Spring policies across the Middle East and North Africa have also had the unintended consequences of alienating the countries traditional Arab allies and leaving the tiny state increasingly isolated in a volatile region.

https://www.academia.edu/35197886/The_Enemy_of_My_Enemy_Security_Dilemma_Dynamics_Between_Saudi_Arabia_Iran_and_Qatar_in_the_Gulf_Region?auto=bookmark

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

(A K P)

Saudi vessel bound for Spain under suspicious secrecy

Fears that Spain may be delivering weapons to Saudi-led coalition invading Yemen

Saudi ships carrying weapons have intensified their stops in Spanish ports.

Spanish online newspaper “Diario Público” has reported that the Saudi vess Bahri Jazan is heading towards Sagunto, after passing through the United States and Germany.

It is expected that it will arrive at the Valencia maritime terminal on March 3.

According to the newspaper, it is the fourth Saudi flag vessel that docks in Spain in less than three months. The Government remains silent.

On December 10, another vessel of the Saudi regime, the Bahri Abha, made port in Spain.

There is no information available on what happens with the ships of the Bahri shipping company in their “visits” to Spain.

https://www.uprising.today/saudi-vessel-bound-for-spain-under-suspicious-secrecy/

cp13b Wirtschaft / Economy

(* B E P)

Yemen’s Civil War Shows the Dangers of Crypto

Half of the country is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militant group, which has developed its own cryptocurrency.

People from Yemen are often wary of being associated with cryptocurrency, in part because of the Houthis’ crypto efforts.

Despite the potential advantages of a trans-national, censorship-resistant cryptocurrency in the country, connectivity issues make it very hard to get bitcoin into this war zone.

“It’s too soon for bitcoin,” one researcher said.

So far, it appears using bitcoin (BTC) in a war zone may be riskier than cash, especially when illicit actors use cryptocurrency as well as civilians.

For most people in Yemen, purchasing bitcoin is nearly impossible. Most international companies avoid doing business in Yemen due to concerns over U.S. sanctions, which aren’t comprehensive like the sanctions against Iran but nonetheless raise compliance questions.

Crypto wars

Cryptocurrency has itself become a weapon in Yemen’s civil war.

By issuing a digital currency, the Houthis strived to establish a circular economy with less dependence on banks hostile to their cause. The group even banned the possession of new Yemeni rial bills.

“They are denying the government the most basic function, printing money,” Alshargabi said. “At least in Iran there is a lot of wealth and oil, commerce they can build around. … In Yemen, there’s nothing to sell.”

This isn’t the Houthi’s first crypto venture. The group has been mining decentralized cryptocurrencies since 2017, according to the cybersecurity company Recorded Future, which declined to comment for this article. It is not clear which currencies the Houthis mined. However, some Iranian military leaders are looking to create cryptocurrency tools in order to circumnavigate sanctions. And, according to the Brookings Institute, “Iran’s influence with the Houthis is growing.”

Perhaps this is, in part, why the Houthis tested a payments pilot in April 2019, using the Houthi-run Yemen Petroleum Company and other public institutions, like the Yemeni Telecommunications Corporation. But the employees protested and refused to accept e-Rial salaries.

“Nine months on, the e-Rial can still only be used to pay limited expenses, such as water and electricity utility bills and mobile phone services,” the recent SCSS report noted. “There is currently no mechanism for using the e-Rial for normal daily economic activities.”

One SCSS researcher, who requested anonymity for safety, said the Houthis started these cryptocurrency experiments to deal with a local cash shortage. He added bitcoin may be caught in a paradigm where, socially, people mostly trust sources a friend or relative personally vouched for. Yet, talking about bitcoin on social media or local phone networks could get that person “targeted.” – by Leigh Cuen

https://www.coindesk.com/yemens-civil-war-shows-the-dangers-of-crypto = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/yemen-civil-war-shows-dangers-210006196.html = https://asiatimes.com/2020/03/yemens-civil-war-highlights-dangers-of-crypto/

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(* B T)

Spotlight: Fears of revenge attacks in Yemen grow following killing of senior al-Qaida leader

Officials of the newly-recruited southern security forces have warned that "terror groups" are plotting to launch attacks against key military facilities in the Yemeni port city of Aden following the killing of a senior al-Qaida leader.

An official of Aden's security department told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that AQAP might plan to carry out armed attacks in revenge for the killing of its leader in the northern part of the war-torn Arab country.

"AQAP received a big blow after killing of its top commander and may carry out local armed attacks against key military facilities to prove its presence and strength despite losing its leader," the official said.

He said that "the terrorist group sees the newly-recruited southern security forces as a strong ally for the international community in combating terrorism in Yemen and may target our locations."

The security forces have been directed to remain vigilant and intensify presence around the main entrances of Aden and neighboring provinces to abort any imminent terror attacks, according to the official.

Another security official based in the southern province of Lahj told Xinhua that the newly-recruited troops seized a large truck loaded with quantities of ammunition and weapons.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/28/c_138828305.htm = http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-02/28/content_75756544.htm

(A T)

#ISIS claimed 2 more ops against Houthis: -Attack on Houthi barracks/huts in Dahhan 2/25 -IED on Houthi vehicle in al-Qahwa 2/25 + this week's ISIS bulletin lauded #Yemen branch photosets from earlier in week

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1233402724961734658

(A T)

AQAP members appear to confess spying for US in new video

The accused spies are a mix of Saudi and Yemeni nationals, who say they were recruited to act against the terrorist group

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a video on Tuesday that claims to show confessions of spies within their ranks, including Saudi members.

In the video released by AQAP’s media outlet, Al-Malahim, some members in the organization appear to confess to spying for the "crusaders," referring to the United States, which has been pursuing Al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen for nearly two decades.

The accused spies are a mix of Saudi and Yemeni nationals, who say they were recruited to act against the organization.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/402

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Houthi Slams Saleh, Disregards His Own Militias’ Crimes

Houthi leader Abdulmalek al-Houthi disregarded in his speech on Friday the corruption of his militias reflected in the crimes committed against Yemenis from looting humanitarian aid and kidnapping individuals. He rather focused on the importance of recruiting people to become part of his group and ideology.

The 100-minute speech didn’t give Yemenis any hope that the group would let go of the Iranian project. Once again, he slammed the Yemeni state during the term of late President Ali Abdullah Saleh and accused it of treason.

Houthi preferred to remain silent towards the disasters caused by his insurgence, in which thousands of Yemenis were injured or killed

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2157121/houthi-slams-saleh-disregards-his-own-militias%E2%80%99-crimes

My remark: By a Saudi news site.

(A P)

Saudi Arabia’s development program delivers change in Yemen

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) has launched more than 100 development projects and initiatives throughout Yemen since 2018.
This continues a legacy of Saudi support that includes $14 billion provided for development in Yemen between 2009-2019.
SDRPY focuses on seven key sectors: agriculture and fisheries, health, water, education, energy, transportation, and government and public-sector infrastructure.
“The program reflects the passion and determination that the Saudi people have always had for helping their Yemeni brothers and sisters,” said Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jabir, Saudi ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY’s general supervisor.
“SDRPY projects have real value in terms of sustainability and capacity-building, as reflected in the three sustainable development pillars: community, economy and environment,” he said.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1635016/saudi-arabia

(A P)

US Foreign Policy in the Middle East: The Logic of Hegemonic Retreat

Abstract

The Trump administration's foreign policy is often perceived as an isolationist ideology that has radically reversed American global leadership in a matter of years. In the Middle East, critics have harangued the Trump Doctrine as an even hastier surrender of the US hegemony that has defined regional order since the 1980s. In reality, American interest in this region has been declining for a decade as expressed by its rising reluctance to leverage its economic and military supremacy to constrain, regulate, and destroy perceived foes as it once did. This waning interventionism precedes the Trump Doctrine. It stems not from any ideological turn, or the financial and military exhaustion of a cresting superpower, but rather a structural dynamic: the Middle East no longer generates credible threats against the US. (paywalled)

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1758-5899.12777

My comment: There really is no end to US interventionalism in the Middle East, as it’s claimed here.

(A P)

Film: Did iran intentionally covered up the actual of #coronavirus number of cases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7HVpk9u_f8

(A P)

Yemen Besieged by Houthis in North and Brotherhood in South

The turmoil occurring in Yemen politically and militarily confirms Qatar’s continued support for the Yemeni Brotherhood, represented by the Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Islah) party, in order to threaten the Arab coalition forces in Mahra governorate and to combat all who threaten the presence of Qatar's arms in the Yemeni governorate. The most recent development came with the dismissal of Mahra’s governor, Rajeh Bakrit, on February 23, as the Brotherhood within the legitimate Yemeni government sought to appoint the last of their loyalists in light of the continued Iranian-Qatari support for the Houthi militia by giving them weapons and money to prolong the war as long as possible.

Yemeni activists responded to the decision to dismiss Mahra’s governor, viewing the change as a Brotherhood decision issued by Qatar, especially since Al-Jazeera published the news before Yemeni media. They pointed out that Qatar’s primary aim is to bring the governorate into chaos and to target Saudi forces, adding that the Qatari regime and Brotherhood organization have infiltrated the legitimate government and are seeking to disrupt the Ar coalition in Mahra by appointing mercenary officers affiliated with Doha. Some activists stressed that it is clear the frenzied campaign launched by the Qatari-Brotherhood media against Bakrit was never normal and indicated that the dismissed governor was a strong thorn in the throats of the forces of corruption and terrorism.
In his televised interview with Al-Mahra TV, Amjad Taha, regional head of the British Middle East Center for Studies and Research (BMCSR), explained that what is happening in Mahra governorate confirms the existence of Turkish-Qatari-Iranian cooperation that uses the Brotherhood to strike at the legitimate government and threaten the southern governorates and Yemen's security in general.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18522

My comment: This is southern separatist propaganda against Islah Party / Muslim Brotherhood, and it sounds like conspiracy theory.

(A P)

Iran’s proxies could become a vector for coronavirus: Experts

With coronavirus cases rising sharply in Iran, analysts warn that some countries with close ties to the Islamic Republic could create a dangerous vector for the disease to spread across the Middle East.
Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen – where Iran funds and supports militia groups tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force – have dilapidated health care systems, weak institutions, and high refugee populations. This vulnerability, combined with their open borders with Iran, puts them extra at risk from coronavirus, warn experts.
“Iran is the corona bomb of the Middle East,” said Saeed Ghasseminejad, senior Iran and financial economics adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).

http://en.adenpress.news/news/18524

My comment: Misusing coronavirus for anti-Iranian propaganda – by “experts” of a hawkish, neoconservative US think tank. LOL. For FDD, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_for_Defense_of_Democracies

(A P)

ARCO Chief Hails Saudi Arabia's Humanitarian Role Towards Yemen

The Secretary General of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO) Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Tuwaijri has appreciated the humanitarian role being adopted in Yemen by the coalition's member states under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2040718

(A P)

Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Yemen: why do these four wars matter?

In Yemen the US and Russia are waging war against each other by proxy (Saudi Arabia for the US and Iran for Russia). There is little prospect of a durable peace agreement.

https://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=429130226&Country=Yemen&topic=Politics&subtopic=Recent+developments

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

Feb. 28: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1588628824620810/

Feb. 27: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1588619404621752/

Feb. 26: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1588611687955857/

Feb. 25: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1588606194623073/

Feb. 24: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1588604234623269/

Feb. 23: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1588602961290063/

(A K pH)

Al-Jawf : 2 air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition with U.S & UK bombs on the Al-Hazm compound and a strike on the Political Security building in Al-Hazm district, the capital of Al-Jawf governorate

https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1234116868434210816

(* B K)

Film: Hundreds of dead and injured as a result of Saudi-Emirati coalition intervention in #Yemen ... A report by the UN Panel of Experts.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1233073442666295296

(* B K)

YEMEN DATA PROJECT AIR RAIDS SUMMARY FEBRUARY 2020

Surge in Air Raids for First Month of 2020

Last week of January saw highest rate of Saudi-coalition air raids in a year following a three-month lull
The trend of declining coalition air raids* since October 2019 ended in mid-January with the highest number of bombings recorded in a single day since June last year. Air raids in the month increased by almost fourfold on the all-time low of 18 bombings in December 2019 to 71 in January.
In the last week of January, Yemen Data Project recorded 45 air raids, the highest rate of bombings seen in a week since January 2019. Three civilians were killed in the month and one civilian injured. All four casualties were the result of a single air raid in Sihar district of Sa'ada on 3 January. One woman was amoungst the dead and one child was injured in the air raid on a civilian house in a residential area.

The sudden uptick in the air war reflected a reported escalation in the ground conflict on several frontlines in northern Yemen. The rise in fighting followed a deadly missile strike, reportedly on a mosque at a military camp on 18 January that killed at least 79 anti-Houthi soldiers in Marib.
80% of all bombings in January targeted Sana'a, Al-Jawf and Marib governorates. The most heavily bombed district in the month was Nihm in Sana'a governorate where 22 air raids were recorded - the highest number in a single month in the district since December 2017 - amid reported heavy fighting between pro and anti-Houthi forces. Marib and Al-Jawf also saw higher rates of air raids. Majzar in Marib was the second most heavily bombed district with 11 air raids, a level not seen in Majzar for 4 years. No civilian casualties were recorded in the air raids in the three governorates.

https://mailchi.mp/34d8329f48f3/february2020-yemen-data-project-update-629099

(* B K pH)

310 airstrikes waged by aggression coalition aircraft hit Marib, Jawf, Nehim in February

The US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition stepped up its airstrikes on Marib, Jawf provinces and Nehim district in Sanaa province during February by launching 310 raids, which left over 50 dead and wounded and damage to citizens' homes and farms.

The aggression coalition warplanes waged more than 70 raids on Majzar and Serwah districts in Marib, destroying dozens of homes, farms and roads, according to Statistics prepared by the office of the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) in Marib.

Saba statistics indicated that the enemy aircraft launched 94 raids on separate areas of Nehim district, which left widespread damage to public and private property.

In Jawf province, the statistics confirmed that the aggression coalition's aircraft intensified their hysterical airstrikes on public installations, civilian objects and citizen farms in the province by launching more than 147 raids on the districts of al-Ghail, al-Mooon, al-Masloub and Khab Washaf.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089133.htm

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

March 1: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11476 Jawf p., Saada p.

Feb. 29: https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089371.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089375.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3089295.htm / https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089304.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11466 / https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089347.htm Jawf p., Marib p., Sanaa p., Saada p.

And by a pro-separatist news site: http://en.adenpress.news/news/18535

Feb. 28: https://www.saba.ye/de/news3089220.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11462 Jawf p., Marib p.

Feb. 27: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11449 Jawf p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1b

(A K pS)

Film: Saudi rocket launcher, Astros 2, while supporting #Yemeni govt forces by targeting Houthi sites in Nihm front, eastern the capital #Sana'a 2days ago.

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1233958621777727488

(* A K)

Officials say Yemen’s rebels seize strategic northern city

Yemen’s Houthi rebels wrested control of a strategic city in the country’s north, officials said on Sunday, in a major blow to the internationally recognized government and the Saudi-led coalition that backs it.

The officials said the Shiite fighters took control of Hazm, the capital of the province of Jawf, following weeks of fighting between the Iran-backed group and government forces aided their the Saudi-led allies.

The fall of Hazm would pave the way for the rebels to come closer to the central province of Marib, the only safe spot in Yemen for those opposing the Houthis. The rebels earlier this year seized a key supply line linking Marib with Jawf, located along the border with Saudi Arabia.

A Houthi official said they pushed the government forces out of the city, and are “now chasing them in its outskirts.” Two government officials confirmed the fall of Hazm.

https://apnews.com/c568bd815012b541e1e7d57eba8010d9

(A K P)

Huthi-Rebellen nehmen Stadt Hasm ein

Schiitische Huthi-Rebellen haben die jeminitische Stadt Hasm im Norden des Bürgerkriegslandes erobert.

Dies teilte ein Vertreter der Huthis mit. Ein Behördensprecher bestätigte die Niederlage der Regierungstruppen und kündigte einen Gegenangriff an. Hasm gilt als strategisch wichtiger Knotenpunkt. Mit der Eroberung beherrschen die Huthis die gesamte Provinz Jauf an der Grenze zu Saudi-Arabien. Zudem können die Rebellen nun ungehindert in die Region Marib vorstoßen, die bislang als Zufluchtsort der Huthi-Gegner galt.

https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/jemen-huthi-rebellen-nehmen-stadt-hasm-ein.1939.de.html

(A K pH)

[pro-Houthi] Yemenis encircle strategic city in al-Jawf as Saudi countermeasures fail: Report

Yemen's armed forces have encircled the strategic city of al-Hazm - the capital city of the northern al-Jawf province - as Saudi attempts to break Yemeni advances failed, a report says.

The Beirut-based al-Akhbar newspaper reported Saturday that the advances by Yemeni forces, led by the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement, continue towards the strategic city and that major Saudi positions surrounding al-Hazm have fallen.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/02/29/619763/Yemeni-forces-encircle-strategic-city

Comment: Millions of Yemenis including myself feel betrayed by Yemeni government & coalition. Incompetence, lack of a strategy, divergent agendas, pitting anti-Houthi forces against each other, & reluctance to provide sufficient support. That is how Saudi-led coalition served Houthis!

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1234067328117223426

My comment: Stop the war.

(A K pH)

6 Women Injured by US-Saudi Bombing in Al-Dhalea

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11456

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(A H)

Film: Locusts invade areas in Saudi Arabia and Yemen – Likely to threaten Kuwait

Swarms of desert locusts invaded Horn of Africa to Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s agricultural areas in four Saudi regions, namely Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and the Eastern region in past few days.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/locusts-invade-areas-in-saudi-arabia-and-yemen-likely-to-threaten-kuwait/

(* A H)

Running out of time: East Africa faces new locust threat

Countries in East Africa are racing against time to prevent new swarms of locusts wreaking havoc with crops and livelihoods after the worst infestation in generations.

A lack of expertise in controlling the pests is not their only problem: Kenya temporarily ran out of pesticides, Ethiopia needs more planes and Somalia and Yemen, torn by civil war, can't guarantee exterminators' safety.

Locust swarms have been recorded in the region since biblical times, but unusual weather patterns exacerbated by climate change have created ideal conditions for insect numbers to surge, scientists say.

Locusts hatched in Yemen, largely ignored in the chaos of the civil war. They migrated across the Red Sea to the Horn of Africa, then spread to Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Now they have been spotted in Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

The rains awoke the dormant eggs then stronger and more numerous cyclones scattered the insects.

https://news.trust.org/item/20200227122340-3t5r8/

(* A H)

Swarms of locusts attack crops across Saudi Arabia

Locusts have invaded every region across the Kingdom. The insects arrived from nearby countries, which have struggled to limit the spread of the vast swarms.
Saudi authorities have doubled the daily aerial sprayings to combat the locusts.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1629941/saudi-arabia

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-627-yemen-war-mosaic-627

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-627 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-627:

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

Was ist Ihre Meinung?
Diskutieren Sie mit.

Kommentare einblenden