Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 636c- Yemen War Mosaic 636c

Yemen Press Reader 636c: 27. März 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 636 und 636b, cp5 - cp18 / March 27, 2020: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 636 and 636b, cp5 - cp18

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Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 636, Teil 1 und 2 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 636, part 1 and 2:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-636-yemen-war-mosaic-636

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-636b-yemen-war-mosaic-636b

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Siehe Teil 1 und 2 / In Italics: Look in part 1 and 2

Klassifizierung / Classification

Teil 1 / Part 1

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

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important: Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte 1-3, 2020: Jemen

cp1 Am wichtigsten : Fünf Jahre Jemenkrieg / Most important: Five years of Yemen War

Teil 2 / Part 2

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Seuchen / Most important: Epidemics

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

cp2 Allgemein / General

cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

cp9 USA

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

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

(A K P)

Military Expert: Saudi Arabia Has been Defeated and will be Held Accountable for Its Crimes in Yeme

Military and strategic expert, Brigadier General Abed Mohammed Al-Thaor, said that the sixth year of the aggression against Yemen will be more extensive and dangerous for the US-Saudi coalition. "There are deterrent and strong options in the 6th year that will start from today

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11949

(A H P)

Ibb court annuls marriage between 10-year-old girl and predatory lawyer

The Yemeni Women's Union, which helped publicize the case, has since faced retaliation from local authorities

A Houthi-run civil court in central Yemen's Ibb governorate has annulled the marriage of a 10-year-old girl to a lawyer handling her previous marriage to a 40-year-old man after pressure from human rights groups and media activists.

Court documents viewed by Almasdar Online show that the court forced lawyer Abdulbasit Yahya Al-Sada to divorce the child, Maram. Her father, Ali Ali Ahmed Al-Arabi, had previously arranged to marry her to the 40-year-old man in the same governorate. Al-Sada intervened and canceled that marriage, but then he married Maram himself.

Maram’s mother, Hayat Abdo Mohammed Awadh, filed a complaint with the local Houthi authorities in Ibb on Sunday, demanding the arrest of her husband, Al-Arabi.

In the complaint, Awadh accused Al-Arabi of authorizing the marriage of 10-year-old Maram, while seeking to do the same with their younger daughter Nidhal, 9, for money.

https://al-masdaronline.net/local/534

(* A P)

Yemen's Houthis offer to release Saudi prisoners in exchange for Hamas detainees

Leader of Shia movement offers to release Saudi pilot and four officers in exchange for alleged Hamas operatives detained in kingdom

The leader of Yemen's Houthi rebels offered to release a Saudi pilot and four officers in exchange for alleged Hamas operatives detained in the kingdom.

Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the Saudi-led war in Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi denounced the kingdom for detaining Palestinians and Jordanians linked to Hamas, and offered to release a pilot abducted in the downing of a Saudi warplane last month, along with four other soldiers and officers.

"Unfortunately, the regimes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have presented [themselves] as worse than Israel," he said on Thursday, adding his "complete readiness" to release the detainees.

Al-Houthi also said the rebels were "ready for peace and stopping the war if the aggressor [Saudi-led coalition] is serious in stopping the aggression and siege," the pro-rebel Al Masirah TV network reported.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/houthis-offer-release-saudi-exchange-hamas-linked-detainees-kingdom

and also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-8158037/Yemen-rebel-leader-ready-free-Saudi-captives-Hamas.html

Comment by Hannah Porter: Abdelmalek al-Houthi proposed a deal with Saudi Arabia--they release Hamas prisoners in exchange for the Houthis releasing Saudi prisoners. Yemenis don't benefit, but it does help reinforce the Houthi narrative: We side with Palestine, Saudi Arabia sides with Israel.

https://twitter.com/hannaheporter/status/1243389093876092930

Comment by Maher Farukh: People have been quick to emphasize how the Houthi proposal to exchange a captured Saudi pilot for a Hamas prisoner highlights Iran's reach, but there is a key narrative for the Houthi's war against the Saudis that this plays into that @hannaheporter Surfaced

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1243392545373081604

(* B P)

Female ex-detainee accuses Houthi authorities of sexual abuses in and outside detention centers

Samira Abdullah Al-Hori said she was told to lure Houthi government officials with sex and film it to use as blackmail against the officials in case they tried to defect

Houthi officials have gone quiet days after a video of a Yemeni woman detailing her three-month abduction has gone viral on social media, where she appears to accuse the group of using "immoral means" with the detainees.

Samira Abdullah Al-Hori said in a video that was broadcast on Mar. 21 on Egyptian-run Al-Bawabah news that she was subjected to psychological and physical torture during her detention in the immigration building and Dar Al-Hilal, a building where girls and women are held in Sana’a.

Before her appearance on Al-Bawabah news, she was featured as a human rights and community activist on Sana'a-based Al-Haweya TV discussing the situation of children in Yemen's war.

Houthi forces raided her apartment in Faj Atan area of Sana’a while she was in pajamas with her 10-year-old daughter, and took her to a detention facility called Dar Al-Hilal, where they began investigating her and subjected her to psychological and physical torture, Al-Hori said.

She said that the storming of her apartment came after she rejected the earlier demands of two Houthi officials working in the immigration authority, Abdullah Al-Sarari and Mohammed Al-Ghashm.

When the Houthi leaders investigated her the first time, they asked her to lure the group's government officials with sex and film it to use as blackmail against the officials in case they tried to defect, she said, adding that she refused and returned home.

Al-Hori said she had been sexually harassed and revealed that female prisoners were sexually assaulted and raped; some were pregnant and have not been released for fear of a scandal.

Al-Hori said that senior Houthi intelligence officers had blackmailed her in exchange for protection.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/532

(* B P)

Hisham Al-Omeisy, a Yemeni activist living in exile in Egypt, spoke with The World's host Marco Werman about the war and the threat of the pandemic spreading in Yemen.

Marco Werman: Hisham, thank you very much for being with us again. Remind us why you were taken prisoner three years ago.

Hisham Al-Omeisy: Well, I was taken because I was becoming critical of the Houthis. Previously I was critical of everybody — all the sides in the war — but I focused mostly on the Houthis just before my abduction because of the policies implemented locally, especially in the capital, Sana'a. They weren't too happy about that. So they took me and they forcibly disappeared me for almost six months.

And during that six months, you were in detention. Can you describe that?

I was kept there pretty much in a basement, in a solitary cell, for most of that time. The cell was very small, and it was underground — so that there's no light source — and it's a psychological torture. You lose track of time and you start talking to yourself. And I'll be quite honest with you, there was a time when I contemplated even suicide. Basically, your inner demons attacked you the whole time. It was hell. You basically feel you're being buried alive.

Hisham, you said you had been critical of the Houthis. Remind us who they are, and were you their prisoner, essentially?

Well, the Houthis — they are a marginalized group that a lot of people in Yemen sympathized with. And I did myself. The government waged unfair wars against them. Six wars. And they had a lack of services, lack of health care, lack of government support in their areas, which is why a lot of people sympathized with them. And we welcome them in Sana'a. And then even after what happened to me, after what they did to me — the imprisonment and forcible disappearance, I still hold no grudge against them.

How is your family coping? I mean, you were in detention.

Well, yes, I was in detention. But fortunately we have a very nice social fabric in Yemen and the community basically comes together.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-03-26/it-braces-coronavirus-yemen-offers-lessons-survival-world

(A P)

Yemeni people are coming in sixth year with surprises that did not count coalition of aggression: leader of revolution

The leader of the revolution, Mr. Abdul Malik Badreddin al-Houthi, confirmed that the Yemeni people are coming in the sixth year of steadfastness with surprises that did not count the coalition of aggression and with advanced military capabilities and great victories.

In his speech on the occasion of The National Resilience Day, Mr. Abdul Malik al-Houthi also stressed the readiness for the option of peace and the cessation of war if the aggression is made with a serious decision to stop the aggression and lift the blockade.

"Yemen has witnessed five years of the most violent war on earth and the fiercest aggression on the face of the world, targeting the Yemeni people under the supervision of the United States and the implementation of Saudi Arabia and its allies, met with legendary steadfastness and stability unprecedented in the history of our people," he said.

He praised the sacrifices of the Yemeni people in all the courses of action to defeat the aggression and confront it.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3092151.htm

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11940

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11944

and

(A P)

Houthi official claims Saudi-led aggression has ‘failed’ in Yemen

The Head of the National Delegation of the Sanaa-based government has made a statement on the fifth anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition’s war on Yemen. Mohamed Abdulsalam declared the intervention to be a failure with the coalition and its mercenaries torn apart. The war’s anniversary has been named the “National Day of Steadfastness” by the Houthi authorities.

“In those early days of the aggression, the enemy and its tails were in a transcendent surge of vanity, expressions of crushing and eradication, and the hypocrites jumped to the enemy’s side,” added Abdulsalam. “The enemies believed that the end they envisioned was that close, relying on an alliance of several states, international legitimacy, funds, material and media capabilities, and vast supremacy in military force.”

He thanked the “wisdom of leadership” and steadfastness of the Yemeni people in their resistance against the foreign acts of aggression.

Sayyid Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, leader of the Ansar Allah movement, also issued a statement: “The aggression of the coalition has failed, thanks to Allah and to the awareness of our people and to the firm and decisive stance of the free people.” He claimed that the “aggressor” coalition’s practices in Yemen exposed it as an occupier.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-houthi-official-claims-saudi-led-aggression-has-failed-in-yemen/

and

(A P)

US only humiliating, blackmailing Saudi Arabia, UAE: Ansarullah leader

The leader of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement has warned Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against continuation of their military aggression against Yemen, saying the United States is simply blackmailing and humiliating the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi regimes to pursue its own agenda.

“The general evaluation and studies confirm that economic losses inflicted on the Saudi regime have been huge and its ambitions have not been realized. The Saudi and UAE economies are suffering from economic crises, and continue to decline,” Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said in a televised speech broadcast live from the capital Sana’a on Thursday afternoon, which marked the anniversary of Saudi aggression against its southern neighbor.

He added, “The Saudi military’s failure is a plain fact despite US protection.”

The Ansarullah chief noted that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have unfortunately presented an image of themselves, which is much worse than the Israeli regime.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/26/621664/US-only-humiliating,-blackmailing-Saudi-Arabia,-UAE:-Houthi

(A P)

Der Präsident Al-Mashat hält anlässlich des fünften Jahrestages der Standhaftigkeit eine wichtige Rede

Sein Exzellenz Feldmarschall Mahdi Al-Mashat, Präsident des Obersten Politischen Rates, hielt am Mittwochabend eine wichtige Rede zum fünften Jahrestag der Widerstandsfähigkeit des jemenitischen Volkes angesichts der amerikanisch-saudischen Aggression.

Al-Mashat kündigte das Ende der ersten Phase des „großen Schmerzen“ an, die erzwungen wurden, und ein Hilfsfaktor, um die Aggressionscoalition abzuschrecken und ihre Fortsetzung in ihren Plänen und Feindseligkeiten zu stoppen.

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092073.htm

(A P)

President Al-Mashat Calls For More Vigilance And Responsibility in Sixth Year Facing US-Saudi Aggression

President Mahdi Al-Mashat stressed that steadfastness during the past period protected the people, society and institutions from suffering what would have been greater and more dangerous than what is happening today. In a televised speech on the occasion of the National Day of Resilience, Al-Mashat said that the 26th of March marks an important turning point in the history of Yemen. He clarified that failure will continue to devour all hostile goals and ambitions until the end of all illegal foreign presence on the land and waters of Yemen.

A major strategic battle is taking place between an external alliance that wants a subordinate Yemen and the Yemeni people who demand freedom and independence.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11918

(B K P)

Film: Rasd Coalition documented in 2019 that #Houthis militia recruited (346)#children,in 14 #Yemen-i cities. In the video,a child who was recruited by #Houthis is captured by Government forces describes how he joined a training done by #Houthis for month,then was sent to fight.

https://twitter.com/ycmhrv/status/1242842077156835331

(* A P)

Huthi-Führung im Jemen kündigt Freilassung der Bahai an

Im Jemen lässt die politische Führung inhaftierte Bahai frei und begnadigt den wegen Spionage für Israel angeklagten Hamed bin Haydara. Die Glaubensgemeinschaft der Bahai in Deutschland begrüßte die Freilassung.

Die politische Führung im Jemen hat nach Angaben von Menschenrechtlern die Freilassung aller im Jemen inhaftierten Bahai angekündigt. Dies habe der Präsident des Obersten Politischen Huthi-Rates, Mahdi al-Maschat, in einer Fernsehansprache bekanntgegeben, teilte der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahai in Deutschland am Mittwochabend in Berlin mit.

Auch der wegen Spionage für Israel angeklagte Hamed bin Haydara werde begnadigt. Sein Todesurteil war erst am Sonntag bestätigt worden. Insgesamt sechs Bahai seien im Jemen zu Unrecht wegen ihrer religiösen Überzeugung inhaftiert. Die religiöse Gemeinschaft forderte, die Anklagen gegen 20 Angehörige der Glaubensgemeinschaft müssten nun auch fallengelassen werden.

https://www.welt-sichten.org/artikel/37552/huthi-fuehrung-im-jemen-kuendigt-freilassung-der-bahai = https://chrismon.evangelisch.de/nachrichten/48984/huthi-fuehrung-im-jemen-kuendigt-freilassung-der-bahai

und auch https://www.gfbv.de/de/news/bahai-i-im-jemen-9973/

(* A P)

Baha’i prisoners in Yemen to be released by Houthi government

The Houthi-led government in Yemen has ordered the release of all prisoners who follow the Baha’i faith, the President of the Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, announced on TV yesterday. Furthermore, there is a pardon for prisoner of conscience Hamed Bin Haydara.

On Sunday, the Court of Appeal in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, upheld the death sentence imposed on Haydara in January 2018, following what Amnesty International described as a “grossly unfair trial” that lasted almost five years after which he was found guilty of spying. He was not in court at the weekend.

“This decision, taken in Hamid Haydara’s absence, is only the latest development in what has been a flagrantly-flawed trial and indicates the lengths to which the Houthis are willing to go to consolidate their control,” said Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-bahai-prisoners-in-yemen-to-be-released-by-houthi-government/

Film: https://twitter.com/alimahmood19844/status/1242903749879881734

and

(* A P)

Houthi authorities order the release of all Baha’i prisoners in Yemen

In a general television address today in Yemen, Mr. Mahdi al-Mashat, President of the Supreme Political Council in Sana’a, ordered the release of all Baha’i prisoners as well as a pardon for Hamed bin Haydara, whose death sentence was upheld three days ago by an appeals court in Sana’a.

The Baha’i International Community welcomes this announcement and calls for its immediate implementation.

https://www.bic.org/news/houthi-authorities-order-release-all-bahai-prisoners-yemen

and also https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/03/25/2006541/0/en/Baha-i-prisoners-in-Yemen-to-be-released-say-Houthi-authorities.html

and

(A P)

Yemen: Huthi authorities’ decision to release Baha’i prisoners is ‘positive signal’

Responding to the announcement by Mahdi al-Mashat, leader of the Huthi authorities in Yemen, that all Baha’i “political prisoners” are to be released, Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director, said:

“The Huthis’ decision to release all Baha’i prisoners is a positive signal, and must be the first step in ending the years of suffering for those who should never have been detained in the first place.

“The pardoning of Hamid Haydara, a prisoner of conscience whose death sentence was upheld a mere three days ago, is particularly welcome.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/03/yemen-huthi-authorities-decision-to-release-bahai-prisoners-is-positive-signal/

(A K P)

Head of National Delegation: US-Saudi Aggression, Siege in its 6th Year as Dangours as Corona Virus

The Head of National Delegation, Mohamed Abdulsalam, said that the US-Suadi aggression and siege is going into its sixth year with based on a decision from the US. Abdulsalam added in his tweet, "Corona may have been produced by the US then It went out of control and it is back in the US. This is hypothesis, yet, to be proven. The US-Saudi aggression and siege don't need to be proven, they are reality"

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11897

(* A P)

Houthi court sentences dozens of military commanders to death, including one who’s already dead

The Houthi-run Specialized Criminal Court in Sana'a on Monday ordered the execution of Brig. Gen. Adnan Al-Hammadi, who was assassinated last year, on charges of high treason.

Attorney Abdulbasit Ghazi described the verdict as "the strangest of its kind in the history of trials throughout the ages." In a secret hearing, which the defense team only learned about by coincidence, the court sentenced a dead man to death, he said.

"We told the judge not to sentence a dead guy to death,” Ghazi said, adding, "the prosecution responded by making it obligatory for us to bring the death certificate."

The court sentenced to death more than 30 people, mostly in the military, including commanders serving outside Houthi-controlled areas.

Ghazi pointed out that the Houthi court sentenced all of them to death and asked to confiscate their property and money, as well as hand over 12 million Yemeni riyals (about $20,000)*

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/523

(A P)

Todesstrafe aus Glaubensgründen im Jemen

Trotz einer erheblichen humanitären Krise und wachsender gesundheitlicher Herausforderungen im Jemen, bestätigte ein Berufungsgericht in Sanaa kürzlich das religiös motivierte Todesurteil gegen Hamed bin Haydara, einen Bahá'í, der seit 2013 inhaftiert ist.

https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20200325_OTS0078/todesstrafe-aus-glaubensgruenden-im-jemen

Meine Bemerkung: Mittlerweile wurde er begnadigt.

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

(A P)

Houthis force public teachers attend sectarian courses

The Houthis militia has forced scores of public teachers to attend sectarian courses despite suspension of education over risks of the coronavirus which is known as the COVID-19.

Sources in Sana’a said that during the last three days, the Houthis forced over 80 teachers to attend sectarian courses in closed rooms of basements.

The Houthis chose particularly teachers of the Holy Quran and the Islamic education to the forcibly- attendance of the two-week sectarian courses.

The Houthis look for change of the pupils’ ideology through the change of teachers minds when the latter adopt the Houthis’ extreme ideology.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38632

(* A H P)

Yemen: UAE-backed forces decide to curfew in Aden

Yemeni forces backed by the UAE decided to impose a curfew in the governorate of Aden, in southern Yemen, starting Thursday evening, for fear of the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The support and backstopping forces and security belts of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) said in a statement that they had decided to impose a curfew, close shops and crafts, and stop transportation from ten in the evening until six in the morning for two weeks.

It warned violators of taking legal measures that amount to imprisonment and payment of fines.

The forces loyal to the Emirates that control the governorate of Aden last Monday closed wedding halls, hotels, gardens, parks, commercial centers and Qat markets for two weeks as a precautionary measure to prevent the arrival of the Corona epidemic.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-15957.html

and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/19712

My comment: It’s obviously the separatists who rule at Aden, not the Hadi government.

(A P)

Yemen government calls on Bahais to prosecute Houthi rebels for human rights violations

Bahai community calls for the immediate release of members held in Houthi captivity

Yemen’s internationally recognised government called on the Bahais on Thursday to prosecute the Houthi rebels for wrongfully imprisoning members of its religious community.

It comes a day after Mahdi Al Mashat, head of the Houthi political council, ordered the release of all Bahai prisoners, including leader Hamed bin Haydara, whose death sentence was upheld earlier this week by a court in Sanaa.

“The Bahai community must legally prosecute the Iranian-backed militia for the crimes they committed against members of their community,” Mohammed Askar, Yemen’s Human Rights Minister, told The National.

The rebels have used their suffering to advance their political gains, he said.

“After years of international and regional pressures, the Houthis decide overnight to release the members, this is their vicious tactic,” Mr Askar said.

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-government-calls-on-bahais-to-prosecute-houthi-rebels-for-human-rights-violations-1.997802

My comment: In the moment, this would not make sense at all. The hadi government tries to draw political benefit from the Bahais’ suffering. – The Bahai should ask the Sanaa government to fulfill its president’s promises.

(* A H P)

Coronavirus aid shipment stalled in Aden port amid Yemen government, STC power struggle

The shipment was held up due to an ongoing dispute between the STC and the internationally recognized government in Aden over control of the coronavirus response

Security Belt Forces (SBF), the elite military wing of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), held back a shipment of medical equipment at Aden’s port in Tawahi district on Tuesday to restrict the spread of coronavirus, an official at Aden port told Almasdar Online.

SBF soldiers detained about 81 ambulances, 15 mobile medical clinics and 65 ventilators sent by the World Health Organization without providing justification.

The official said the shipment was detained due to an ongoing dispute between the deputy director of the Health Bureau in Aden, Dr. Mohammed Rubaid, and STC leaders Dr. Abdul Nasser Al-Wali and Mohsen Al-Wali over control of the coronavirus response.

STC leaders are refusing to pass on aid support from international organizations to the government without being included in the process, the official said.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/529

and also https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-uae-backed-forces-block-medical-equipment-sent-to-fight-covid-19-in-yemen/

(A P)

Playground dispute spirals into tribal battle in Al-Baydha capital

After tribesmen from the Aal Al-Jawf Qaifa and Sadat Ryam tribes intervened in a scuffle between children, the ensuing clashes spread throughout the city

Violent clashes broke out on Monday between the tribes of Aal Al-Jawf Qaifa and Sadat Ryam in Rada’a city in central Yemen’s Al-Baydha governorate, after two opposing tribal members intervened in a scuffle between local children.

Ryami gunmen shot and killed the Qaifa tribesman who had intervened in the children’s dispute, according to a resident.

The violence escalated further when members of the Qaifa tribe retaliated by killing the Ryami gunman at his home, triggering widening clashes

https://al-masdaronline.net/local/530

(A)

Deadly floods drown pending fears of coronavirus in Yemen’s Aden

Severe flooding caused by heavy rains in Yemen’s Aden killed two with predictions of continued rainfall on Thursday as the city begins testing for coronavirus infections.

Medical sources told local daily Aden Al-Ghad on Wednesday that a man and a woman were caught by the floods. They were pulled from the water and transported to hospital, but died before receiving treatment.

Aden had also encountered a power outage after the rainfall. Officials in the electricity corporation said the stations had stopped operating.

Meanwhile Yemeni weather expert Nabil Aboud said Aden is expected to witness further, heavier, rainfall on Thursday coming from the Arabian Sea.

Doctors warned the government to take quick action to resolve the issue of flooding as stagnant water could cause a large number of mosquitos that may carry infectious diseases.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1647146/middle-east

and also http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2020-03/25/content_75859250.htm

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19704

and more http://en.adenpress.news/news/19706

Photos: https://twitter.com/majedyafa/status/1242820598272843776

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1242869483242491904

https://twitter.com/ghurab77/status/1242865716581355521

https://twitter.com/ToEducate/status/1242812708006871047

Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox5XSbOLtdM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlz2uY6vg7I

https://twitter.com/AhmedBinFareed1/status/1242762324404027393

https://twitter.com/h_alsarare/status/1242849662652092417

https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/1243134063835336707

https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/1242843870242705409

and

(A)

A rare photo of Shibam tonight .. after rains and flood water infront of its gate and buildings Shibam is a world famous desert town in Wadi Hadhramaut

https://twitter.com/saadtalib/status/1242879963851657217

(* B P)

Human Rights Watch: Yemen: Saudi Forces Torture, ‘Disappear’ Yemenis

At Least 5 Detainees from al-Mahrah Illegally Transferred to Saudi Arabia

Saudi military forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have carried out serious abuses against Yemenis since June 2019 in al-Mahrah, Yemen’s far eastern governorate, Human Rights Watch said today. The abuses include arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and illegal transfer of detainees to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi and Saudi-backed forces have arbitrarily arrested demonstrators protesting the presence of Saudi forces, as well as other local residents not connected with the protests, in al-Mahrah’s capital al-Ghaydah, residents told Human Rights Watch. Former detainees said that they were accused of supporting opponents of Saudi Arabia, interrogated, and tortured at an informal detention facility at the city’s airport in which Saudi officers supervise pro-Saudi Yemeni forces. Detainees’ families said that Saudi forces forcibly disappeared at least five detainees for three to five months while illegally transferring them to Saudi Arabia and not providing information on their whereabouts.

“Saudi forces and their Yemeni allies’ serious abuses against local-Mahra residents is another horror to add to the list of the Saudi-led coalition’s unlawful conduct in Yemen,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Saudi Arabia is severely harming its reputation with Yemenis when it carries out these abusive practices and holds no one accountable for them.”

Human Rights Watch documented the cases of 16 people whom Saudi and allied Yemeni forces arbitrarily detained in al-Mahrah governorate between June 2019 and February 2020. Saudi security forces moved 11 of the 16 to Saudi Arabia. Five of them were moved in June to a prison in Abha, the capital of Asir province, after which families learned their whereabouts, their family members said.

Four officials of the internationally recognized Yemeni government of President Abd Rabbo Mansur Hadi, former detainees and activists told Human Rights Watch that Saudi officers and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are running an informal detention facility in al-Ghaydah airport in al-Mahrah. A document bearing a stamp of President Hadi’s office, dated April 2019, and reviewed by Human Rights Watch, refers to the detention there of a person arrested by the “central apparatus for political security,” Yemen’s domestic intelligence service.

Four former detainees said that Saudi officers were present during their detention and interrogation at the airport facility. Three said Yemeni officers tortured them, in the presence of Saudi officers, to compel them to sign pledges to cease protests against the activities of Saudi forces and their Yemeni allies in al-Mahrah and stop cooperating with Saudi Arabia’s opponents - by Afrah Nasser

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/25/yemen-saudi-forces-torture-disappear-yemenis = http://afrahnasser.blogspot.com/2020/03/yemen-saudi-forces-torture-disappear.html

and reports by the media: https://apnews.com/125e600cc3a3e06fe5b17c101397b64a

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/hrw-saudi-forces-torture-disappear-yemeni-civilians-200324170557149.html

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-allies-accused-torture-abuse-yemen-al-mahrah-hrw

(A K P)

Government army officer survives two ambushes in south Yemen

The government blamed the two incidents on the Southern Transitional Council (STC) militants.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38598

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

(A P)

Corona: UN begrüßen Bereitschaft zu Waffenstillstand im Jemen

Die Vereinten Nationen haben die Zustimmung der Kriegsparteien im Jemen zu einem Waffenstillstand begrüßt. Angesichts der Corona-Pandemie müsse der Konflikt zwischen der Regierung und den Huthi-Rebellen beendet werden, erklärte der UN-Sondergesandte für den Jemen, Martin Griffiths, laut einer am Freitag in Genf verbreiteten Erklärung. Alle Menschen im Jemen müssten sich jetzt auf den Kampf gegen die Ausbreitung der Atemwegserkrankung Covid-19 konzentrieren. Die Parteien sollten die praktische Umsetzung eines Waffenstillsandes klären.

https://www.evangelisch.de/inhalte/167841/27-03-2020/corona-un-begruessen-bereitschaft-zu-waffenstillstand-im-jemen

(A P)

Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, 26 March 202

I was heartened to see the positive responses to the Secretary-General's call for a ceasefire from both the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah. I expect the parties to adhere to their words and put the interest of the Yemeni people above all.

Over the past few days, I have been inspired by the outpouring of calls for peace by Yemenis from across the political and social spectrum including Yemeni women, youth and tribal leaders. The message to the political leaderships is clear: stop the war now and fight the common enemy, COVID19.

They demand military confrontations to stop as an instant measure to protect Yemenis from the spreading of the virus. They demand that leaders across Yemen come together to prevent and respond to any major outbreak.

I am calling the parties to an urgent meeting to discuss how to translate their stated commitments to the Yemeni people into practice. I expect the parties to heed Yemenis’ desire for peace and immediately cease all military hostilities.

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/statement-un-special-envoy-yemen-0

(A K P)

Save the Children: As deadly coronavirus threatens war-torn Yemen, peace is needed more than ever

Today marks the five-year anniversary of the escalation of violence in Yemen. With COVID-19 rapidly spreading across the globe, how long before it reaches Yemen?

As the largest independent NGO in Yemen, Save the Children has reached more than 3 million children with crucial support since the escalation of the conflict in 2015 and has seen first-hand the devastating impact of the conflict.

For at least three years now, Yemen has been referred to as the “world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe”. How long can a country be in this state before its reserves are exhausted and its resilience sapped?

This war urgently needs to come to an end. The country has already seen a surge in child mortality, driven by disease and chronic malnutrition. More than half of all health facilities are fully or partially closed.

In these already desperate conditions, it’s not hard to imagine how COVID-19 would be utterly devasting.

There’s only one way to begin to turn this tide and avoid disaster, and that is through peace.

https://blogs.savethechildren.org.uk/2020/03/as-deadly-coronavirus-threatens-war-torn-yemen-peace-is-needed-more-than-ever/ = https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/as-deadly-coronavirus-threatens-wartorn-yemen-peace-is-needed-more-than-ever

(* B H K P)

Film, Elisabeth Kendall: 2-minute clip from my contribution to "Inside Story" on Al Jazeera earlier today. If ever there were a time to lay down weapons in #Yemen & start talking, it is now.

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1243292974957682690

(* B H K P)

A Coronavirus Cease-Fire Could Work in Yemen

keep your eyes on Yemen, where his intervention could open a window for a settlement of its so far intractable conflict.

But if Guterres were to concentrate on Yemen, he might have better luck. There, the belligerents might — just might — be sufficiently exhausted from years of fighting, to the point where he could bring enough pressure on the warring parties and their sponsors to halt the hostilities long enough for a humanitarian intervention to work.

It is now five years since a coalition of Arab countries launched a bombing campaign in Yemen, the opening salvo in a war that has turned one of the world’s poorest nations into a humanitarian catastrophe.

Yemen’s heath system was poor before the war began; now, it is barely functional. Add to that widespread malnutrition and water scarcity in much of the country, and you have the perfect setting for an epidemic.

As yet, Yemen has no “official” cases of coronavirus, but that means very little. The country is too poorly administered — whether by the Houthis from Sanaa or the internationally-recognized government in the south — for any reliable estimates

Even so, relief agencies working in the country reckon that the spread of the epidemic is only a matter of time. Given their experience in dealing with the cholera crisis, they know the challenges coronavirus will bring.

The secretary-general would better serve his relief staff, and Yemenis, if he spent the next few days pressing the protagonists of the war to put down their weapons and instead prepare for the crisis to come. This would require trips to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Tehran.

To expect the Iranians, Saudis and Emiratis to do the right thing out of sympathy for the Yemenis would be too much. After all, they were not greatly moved by the cholera outbreak. But Guterres will likely find the leadership of the Arab coalition sympathetic for other reasons. Over the past year, the Saudis and Emiratis have shown a growing desire to exit their expensive, embarrassing Yemeni quagmire. The rebels, too, may welcome a break: Last fall, the Houthis and Saudis both signaled interest in a cease-fire. The UAE began to draw down its troop presence – by Bobby Ghosh

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/a-coronavirus-cease-fire-could-work-in-yemen-1.1412543

My comment: Serious article, but the role of Iran is overestimated. Iran would not be an obstacle to any ceasefire in Yemen.

(* A K P)

Waffenruhe wegen Corona-Krise im Jemen?

Die Konfliktparteien im Jemen haben einem Aufruf zu einer Waffenruhe zugestimmt, um die Zivilbevölkerung vor der Corona-Pandemie zu schützen. Die jemenitische Regierung, die Huthi-Rebellen und Saudi-Arabien begrüßten am Donnerstag einen entsprechenden Aufruf von UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres. Dieser hatte am Montag zu einer „sofortigen weltweiten Waffenruhe“ aufgerufen, um Zivilisten in Konfliktgebieten vor den verheerenden Auswirkungen der Pandemie zu schützen.

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/waffenruhe-im-jemen-angst-vor-der-corona-krise-16697659.html = http://www.dtoday.de/startseite/politik_artikel,-Konfliktparteien-im-Jemen-unterstuetzen-Aufruf-zu-Waffenruhe-wegen-Corona-Krise-_arid,717867.html

(* A K P)

Yemen's warring parties back U.N. call for truce

Yemen’s warring parties welcomed a United Nations call for an immediate truce on Thursday as the country entered its sixth year of a conflict that has unleashed a humanitarian crisis, rendering it more vulnerable to any coronavirus outbreak.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/yemens-warring-parties-back-u-n-call-for-truce-idUSKBN21D0KN

and also https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/coronavirus-all-sides-back-calls-for-ceasefire-in-war-torn-yemen-1.997632

and

(* A K P)

Saudi-led coalition supports Yemeni government acceptance of U.N. call for ceasefire - SPA

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Wednesday that it supports the Yemeni government decision to accept the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire in Yemen to combat the spread of coronavirus, state news agency SPA reported, citing the coalition’s spokesman.

Spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki added the coalition supports the UN envoy’s efforts for a ceasefire, de-escalation, and taking practical steps to build confidence between the two parties in the humanitarian and economic aspects, SPA said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-yemen-un/saudi-led-coalition-supports-yemeni-government-acceptance-of-u-n-call-for-ceasefire-spa-idUSKBN21C3II

and also https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200326-saudi-arabia-agrees-to-yemen-ceasefire-to-fight-coronavirus/

and Saudi statement: https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2051491

and

(* A K P)

Yemen's Houthi leader says Saudi-led coalition support for ceasefire is welcomed

A leader of the Iran-aligned Yemen’s Houthi movement said on Wednesday that the Saudi-led coalition announcing its support for a ceasefire is welcomed and they are waiting for it to be applied practically, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said in a tweet.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-yemen-un-houthi/yemens-houthi-leader-says-saudi-led-coalition-support-for-ceasefire-is-welcomed-idUSKBN21C3MH

and also https://www.rt.com/news/484112-saudi-un-ceasefire-yemen/

https://www.dw.com/en/yemen-houthis-welcome-saudi-support-for-ceasefire-amid-pandemic/a-52919921

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security/yemen-warring-parties-back-un-truce-call-as-u-s-starts-aid-reduction-idUSKBN21D0KN

and

(* A K P)

Yemeni [Hadi] Government welcomes UN Secretary General’s call for cease-fire to control coronavirus

The Yemeni Government has welcomed the call by the Secretary General of the UN Antonio Guterrs to a cease-fire in Yemen to cope with the outbreak of Coronavirus-COVID-19.

The Government also welcomed the call of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General Martin Griffiths to resume the truce and halt military escalation.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/03/26/yemeni-government-welcomes-un-secretary-generals-call-for-cease-fire-to-control-coronavrius/

and

(* A K P)

STC Welcomes UN Call for De-escalation

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) welcomed the cal launched by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for immediate cessation of hostilities and unifying efforts to combat a potential outbreak of coronavirus.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19708

(* A P)

Guterres: Aufruf zu einem Globalen Waffenstillstand

Unsere Welt steht vor einem gemeinsamen Feind: COVID-19.

Das Virus macht keinen Unterschied zwischen Nationalität oder ethnischer Zugehörigkeit, Gruppierung oder Glauben. Es greift alle an, unerbittlich.

Währenddessen wüten bewaffnete Konflikte auf der ganzen Welt.

Die Schwächsten – Frauen und Kinder, Menschen mit Behinderungen, Marginalisierte und Vertriebene – zahlen den höchsten Preis.

Sie sind auch am stärksten gefährdet, verheerende Verluste durch COVID-19 zu erleiden.

Wir dürfen nicht vergessen, dass in den vom Krieg verwüsteten Ländern die Gesundheitssysteme zusammengebrochen sind.

Die ohnehin schon wenigen Gesundheitsfachkräfte sind häufig betroffen.

Flüchtlinge und andere durch gewaltsame Konflikte vertriebene Personen sind doppelt gefährdet.

Die Wut des Virus veranschaulicht den Irrsinn des Krieges.

Deshalb rufe ich heute zu einem sofortigen globalen Waffenstillstand in allen Teilen der Welt auf.

https://unric.org/de/guterres-aufruf-zu-einem-globalen-waffenstillstand/

(* A P)

Secretary-General calls for urgent de-escalation in Yemen, efforts to combat possible COVID-19 outbreak

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Echoing his appeal yesterday to all warring parties across the globe for a ceasefire, the Secretary-General calls today on those fighting in Yemen to immediately cease hostilities, focus on reaching a negotiated political settlement and do everything possible to counter a potential outbreak of COVID‑19.

https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20020.doc.htm

and also https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200325-guterres-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-in-yemen/

(A K P)

Yemen [Sanaa gov.] calls on UN action to prevent Covid-19 spread into Yemen

Need for urgent cessation of hostilities, end to blockade and medical equipment

On Monday night, member of the Supreme Political Council Mohammed Ali al-Houthi urged the UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to address the new corona virus epidemic Covid-19.

“In an interview envoy Martin Griffiths, we discussed a variety of topics, including the corona virus, the payment of salaries [of state employees] and others,” al-Houthi said in a message.

“The corona epidemic is sweeping the world and threatening humanity,” he said, calling on the Security Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations to stop the Saudi-led aggression against the Yemeni people and lift the blockade, as the epidemic is spreading all over the world.

https://www.uprising.today/yemen-calls-on-un-action-to-prevent-covid-19-spread-into-yemen/

(A K P)

Ansarallah: Kein dauerhafter Frieden im Jemen ohne Ende des Saudi-Krieges

Die Ansarallah-Bewegung (Houthis) sagt, dass jede politische Lösung des Jemen-Konflikts mit einem Ende der von den USA gesponserten saudischen Militäraggression und der Blockade des verarmten Staates beginnen sollte.

«Wir erneuern unsere feste Position, dass eine umfassende, gerechte und dauerhafte politische Lösung praktisch nicht erreicht werden kann, bevor die Aggression beendet und die Belagerung aufgehoben wird», twitterte Ansarallah-Sprecher Mohammed Abdul-Salam am Donnerstag.

https://de.news-front.info/2020/03/26/ansarallah-kein-dauerhafter-frieden-im-jemen-ohne-ende-des-saudi-krieges/

(A K P)

Head of [Sanaa gov.] National Delegation: Any Political Solution has to Start by Stopping US-Saudi Aggression and Lifting Siege

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11924

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/26/621644/Yemen-Ansarullah-Saudi-War-Anniversary-COVID-19

(A K P)

Five prisoners of [Sanaa gov.] Yemeni army in exchange deal in Jawf

The National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs announced on Wednesday the release of five prisoners of the Yemeni army and the popular forces in en exchange deal in Jawf province.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3091978.htm

(A P)

Obersten Politischen Rates Mitglied, Al-Houthi, trifft den UN-Sonderbeautragten durch eine Fernsehschaltung

In der Sitzung bekräftigte Mohammed Al-Houthi, dass das jemenitische Volk und seine Führung auf der Grundlage des öffentlichen Interesses der Jemeniten nach Frieden streben und faire Ideen ohne Vorurteile präsentieren.

Er wies darauf hin, dass es nicht machbar sei, über einen Dialog zu sprechen, bevor die Aggression gestoppt, die Belagerung aufgehoben, die Gehälter verteilt, die vom UN-Gesandten zuvor versprochenen vertrauensbildenden Schritte umgesetzt und die Zusagen der Aggressorstaaten eingeholt würden, diese umzusetzen.

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3091977.htm

(A P)

Supreme Political Member Mohammad Al-Houthi Meets UN Envoy’s via Teleconference

Supreme Political Council member Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, on Tuesday, met via teleconference the Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Yemen Martin Griffiths.

In the meeting, the Supreme Political Member affirmed that the Yemeni People and their leadership aspire to peace and have presented fair ideas without any prejudice, based on the public interest.

He pointed out that talking about any dialogue before stopping the aggression, lifting the siege, distributing State employees salaries, implementing confidence-building steps promised by the UN envoy previously, and obtaining the commitments of the US-Saudi forces to implement them would not be feasible.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11900

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(A P)

Riyadh Police Arrests Group of Persons Walking around during Curfew

with reference to a video circulated in the social media showing that a number of persons (citizens and an Arab visitor) were walking around recklessly

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2051047

(A P)

Public Prosecution: 5 years imprisonment and fine of 3 million riyals for those who post pictures or clips of curfew violations

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2051125

(A P)

Saudi king to chair G20 leaders call on coronavirus on Thursday: statement

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-g20-saudi/saudi-king-to-chair-g20-leaders-call-on-coronavirus-on-thursday-statement-idUSKBN21B3CK

cp8a Jamal Khashoggi

(* A P)

Istanbul prosecutor indicts Saudi suspects for Khashoggi killing

Istanbul prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday it had prepared an indictment against 20 suspects over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, including the former deputy head of Saudi Arabia’s general intelligence and a former royal adviser.

The prosecutor’s office said the indictment accuses former deputy head of Saudi Arabia’s general intelligence Ahmed al-Asiri and former royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani as having “instigated premeditated murder with monstrous intent”.

It accuses 18 others of carrying out the killing of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and columnist for the Washington Post, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

The indictment was based on analysis of mobile phone records of the suspects, records of their entry and exit into Turkey and presence at the consulate, witness statements and analysis of Khashoggi’s phone, laptop and iPad, the statement said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-khashoggi-turkey/istanbul-prosecutor-indicts-saudi-suspects-for-khashoggi-killing-idUSKBN21C0YF

and also https://apnews.com/fa33666bd79135a7374fbb3429da5f4e

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp9a

(* B P)

Reflection on the Grassroots Movement to Stop the War in Yemen

Yet there are reasons for optimism. Grassroots peace activism by Yemeni Americans and others in the US has produced real results, both in Congress and on the ground in Yemen. Last year, those activists set a new high water mark for peace advocacy in Congress by securing passage of a historic War Powers Resolution on Yemen. As the war enters its sixth year, taking a deep dive into how that victory was produced can point a way forward for efforts to end the war in Yemen and stop other unconstitutional wars.

Back in 2017, Action Corps, the independent volunteer-led advocacy organization I lead that grew out of Oxfam, began meeting with organizations that were already involved in the effort to stop the Yemen war.

From this point an informal coalition began between activists around the country and organizations with a strong DC presence, such as Avaaz, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Oxfam, and Win Without War.

In the days ahead, grassroots activists and DC advocates should ensure that Congress continues to stand up for its constitutionally-mandated responsibility over matters of war. Congress should follow through on its opposition to the unconstitutional nature of US participation in the war in Yemen by passing a concurrent War Powers Resolution, suing the President over the war.

In the meantime, we must also ensure that USAID does not suspend COVID-19 prevention activities in Yemen.

Reflecting back over the past few years of advocacy for the Yemen War Powers Resolution, we should build upon the model of disperse, connected antiwar and humanitarian activists mobilizing to effect policy change.

https://fellowtravelersblog.com/2020/03/26/reflection-on-the-grassroots-movement-to-stop-the-war-in-yemen/

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

(* B P)

Im Westen keine Gnade

UN-Generalsekretär übt scharfe Kritik an Iran-Sanktionen, weil sie den Kampf gegen die Covid-19-Pandemie erschweren. Berlin schweigt.
Die US-Sanktionen gegen Iran, an die sich faktisch auch deutsche Unternehmen halten müssen, erschweren massiv den Kampf gegen die Covid-19-Pandemie. Dies erklärt UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres, der auf eine umgehende Aussetzung der Sanktionen dringt. Die Boykottmaßnahmen hatten Irans Gesundheitssystem schon vor dem Ausbruch der Pandemie aufs Schwerste geschädigt und beispielsweise Krebspatienten dringend benötigte Medikamente vorenthalten. Sie verhindern jetzt auch die Lieferung etwa von Covid-19-Testkits, die in Deutschland kostengünstig hergestellt werden. Iran ist eines der wohl am schwersten von der Pandemie getroffenen Länder.

Washington, weit davon entfernt, die Sanktionen zugunsten der Pandemiebekämpfung wenigstens auszusetzen, hat vor einigen Tagen sogar neue Strafmaßnahmen verhängt. Berlin bleibt untätig und schweigt.

https://www.german-foreign-policy.com/news/detail/8228/

(* B E P)

Iran – Die ökonomische Misere

Von Korruption, Misswirtschaft und Neoliberalismus

(…) Die seit langem anhaltende Wirtschaftskrise wurde noch durch die Wirtschaftssanktionen verschärft, die die USA nach ihrem Rückzug aus dem Iran-Atomabkommen verhängt haben: 2018 ist das BIP um 5 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahr geschrumpft, für 2019 wird eine weitere dramatische Senkung um 10 Prozent prognostiziert. Die katastrophale wirtschaftliche Verfassung der Islamischen Republik ist umso tragischer, als das Land über große natürliche Ressourcen, über gut ausgebildete Arbeitskräfte und über eine relativ entwickelte Infrastruktur verfügt.
Der heutige Zustand der iranischen Wirtschaft hat auch damit zu tun, dass die islamische Revolution vor 40 Jahren keine soziale, sondern im Kern eine ideologisch-kulturelle Revolution gewesen ist….

http://justicenow.de/2020-03-21/iran-die-oekonomische-misere/

(A P)

Zarif slams Pompeo for spreading ‘third-rate propaganda,’ hatred amid coronavirus pandemic

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has blasted his American counterpart Mike Pompeo for keeping up a “third-rate propaganda” barrage against Tehran even at a time when the world is busy fighting a deadly coronavirus pandemic.

“Even a pandemic won’t stop @SecPompeo from spouting 3rd-rate propaganda," Zarif tweeted on Wednesday after the top US diplomat claimed that the government of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani was “mishandling” the outbreak of the highly-contagious virus called COVID-19.

“One wonders whether he’s Sec of State or Secretary of Hate,” said Zarif

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/26/621631/www.presstv.tv

(A P)

We can help Americans fight coronavirus, don’t need their assistance: IRGC chief cmdr.

The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the Islamic Republic has enough healthcare capacities to help American people fight the outbreak of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, but does not need any assistance from the US administration.

Major General Hossein Salami made the remarks on the sidelines of Iran's biological defense drills on Thursday while reacting to claims by various American officials, including US President Donald Trump and his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, to the effect that Washington is ready to help Tehran contain the virus pandemic.

“When Americans say they want to help the Iranian nation under these conditions, it is nothing but demagogy,” the IRGC chief commander said.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/26/621672/Iran-United-States-IRGC-coronavirus

(* B P)

Film: Trump intensifies murderous Iran sanctions during COVID-19 crisis

Pushback with Aaron Maté

As Iran struggles to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration has imposed new sanctions that further weaken the Iranian economy and health system. Assal Rad of the National Iranian American Council discusses the sanctions’ toll on Iran and how the Trump administration’s regime change agenda could lead to bigger catastrophe.
Guest: Assal Rad, Research Fellow at the National Iranian American Council.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMJqC41UvdA

(A K P)

Second day in a row of rockets being fired into the Green Zone of Baghdad, Iraq

https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1243340383343476736

(A K P)

Iraqi military says 2 rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone

Iraq’s military on Thursday said at least two rockets hit inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq’s government and home to the American Embassy, in the first attack following a brief lull in violence from earlier this month.

The attack came as the U.S.-led coalition pulled out of a second base elsewhere in Iraq, in line with a planned drawdown.

Iraqi officials also said the U.S. renewed a sanctions waiver enabling Iraq to import crucial gas and electricity from Iran, but with a shorter deadline.

The two projectiles struck near the Baghdad Operations Command, which coordinates Iraq’s police and military forces, the military statement said. The command center is a few hundred meters (yards) away from the U.S. Embassy, which is a regular target of rocket attacks.

There were no casualties, according to an Iraqi security official

https://apnews.com/414a0f6f6862801efcb57b411921c84b

Films: https://twitter.com/NRT69237539/status/1242987865635782661

https://twitter.com/thestevennabil/status/1242978275158159360

(* A K P)

France is withdrawing its forces from Iraq: Report

Iraqi newspaper says French troops left Iraqi territory and international coalition against Islamic State withdrew from Iraqi airbase

France's armed forces in Iraq are withdrawing from the country after having spent half a decade there for counterterrorism missions, the Iraqi government reportedly said.

The Iraqi newspaper Wakalah reported on Wednesday that Major General Abdul-Karim Khalaf, spokesman for Iraq's General Commander of the Armed Forces, said that French troops had left Iraqi territory and the international coalition to fight the Islamic State group (IS) had exited the country's airbase at al-Qaim.

"The departure of the French forces comes according to agreements that took place with the Iraqi government," Khalaf said.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/france-armed-forces-withdraw-iraq-report

(* A P)

US told it’s time to lift Iran sanctions amid COVID-19 pandemic

Top diplomats and officials from all around the world are increasingly urging the United States to remove its unilateral sanctions against Iran amid the country’s battle against the novel coronavirus.

The United Nations leadership on Tuesday called for rolling back international sanctions regimes around the world, including the ones against Iran, amid an outbreak of the COVID-19.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the sanctions are heightening the health risks for millions of people and weakening the global effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

“I am encouraging the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, essential health supplies, and COVID-19 medical support. This is the time for solidarity not exclusion,” Guterres wrote in a letter to the G-20 economic powers.

“Let us remember that we are only as strong as the weakest health system in our interconnected world.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also reiterated his calls for the removal of US bans against Iran in a Tuesday phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/24/621541/World-pressing-US-to-lift-Iran-sanctions-amid-COVID19-pandemic

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(A P)

UK Foreign Office: Houthis must allow humanitarian access to needy people

Minister of the Middle East Affairs of the United Kingdom Foreign Office, James Cleverly, demanded on Monday the Houthis to comply with requirements of the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian NGOs to allow humanitarian access to the vulnerable people.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38633

My comment: of course, the Houthis should, but anyway, British officials are almost the very last to open their mouth on Yemen.

(* B K P)

British bombs continue to rain on the people of Yemen

BRITISH bombs and rockets continue to rain down on the people of Yemen for the fifth year despite a court ruling that their sale to Saudi Arabia is unlawful, Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) reported yesterday..

The group said that Britain’s government has not acted on a Court of Appeal ruling that it was unlawful to have licensed British-made arms to the Saudi regime in its offensive against Yemen without assessing whether their use breaches international humanitarian law.

CAAT’s Andrew Smith said: “It is a crisis that has been enabled by the political and military support that the UK and other arms-dealing governments have given the Saudi regime and its coalition partners.

“These arms sales are immoral and illegal. They have played a devastating role in prolonging the conflict and have intensified the suffering.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/british-bombs-continue-rain-people-yemen

British bombs continue to rain on the people of Yemen

(A P)

Fifth anniversary of the conflict in Yemen: joint statement

The Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary urge parties to work towards a political solution to end the world's worst humanitarian crisis

Dominic Raab and Anne-Marie Trevelyan urge all parties to engage with the UN-led peace process on the fifth anniversary of the Saudi-led Coalition’s military intervention in the conflict in Yemen.

The intervention came at the request of the internationally recognised Government of Yemen.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Yemen is now at a crossroads between a path to peace or yet more violence. The risk of further conflict as well as the threat of an outbreak of coronavirus could deepen what is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Now, more than ever, all parties must engage with the peace process

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fifth-anniversary-of-the-conflict-in-yemen-joint-statement

My comment: What a tremendous hypocrisy! Britain had fueled the war from its very beginning by reckless arms sales and support for Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

(A K P)

„Stoppt den Krieg im Jemen!“

Kathrin Voglers Stellungnahme dazu.

Am 26. März 2015 begann der von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Krieg im Jemen mit der „Operation Decisive Storm“. Seitdem fielen diesem Krieg 233.000 Menschen zum Opfer; alle 12 Minuten stirbt im Jemen ein Kind infolge der Kämpfe. Zwar setzt die Bundesregierung die Rüstungsexporte an Saudi-Arabien jetzt für weitere 9 Monate aus, aber das reicht nicht.

Dieser katastrophale Krieg muss beendet werden: Ein Drittel der jemenitischen Bevölkerung hungert, mehr als die Hälfte hat keinen Zugang zu sauberem Wasser, über drei Millionen Menschen sind akut mangelernährt. Die Cholera und jetzt COVID19 bedrohen das Leben von Hunderttausenden Frauen, Männern und Kindern.

Die deutsche Rüstungsindustrie jault angesichts des Rüstungsexport-Moratoriums auf und fordert finanzielle Kompensation: „Diese Industrie hat ein Anrecht darauf, in planbaren Verhältnissen zu leben.“ (Hauptgeschäftsführer des Bundesverbands der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie, Hans Christoph Atzpodien am 20.9.2019.) Es ist an der Zeit, dass sich die Verhältnisse für diese Kriegsgewinnler endgültig ändern!

Am fünften Jahrestag dieses mörderischen Kriegs im Jemen fordere ich ein Ende der Kämpfe und umfassende Hilfe für die Menschen sowie einen sofortigen und unbefristeten Waffenexport-Stopp in alle Kriegs- und Krisengebiete.

https://www.kathrin-vogler.de/start/aktuell/details/news/aktionstag-stoppt-den-krieg-im-jemen/

(A K P)

Pressemitteilung der Grünen: 5 Jahre Krieg: Der Jemen stirbt still

Zum fünften Jahrestag der Offensive der von Saudi-Arabien geführten Anti-Houthi-Koalition im Jemen, erklärt Omid Nouripour, Sprecher für Außenpolitik:

Vor fünf Jahren begann die von Saudi-Arabien geführte Anti-Houthi-Koalition ihre Luftangriffe im Jemen. Heute sieht die Situation dort düster aus: Die Vereinten Nationen (VN) sprechen von der größten humanitären Katastrophe weltweit, Friedensbemühungen blieben erfolglos und Mitte Januar brachen in einigen nördlichen Provinzen schwere Kämpfe zwischen den Houthis und der Koalition um Präsident Abd Rabu Mansur Hadi aus. Doch davon bekommen wir derzeit kaum etwas mit.

In Zeiten der Corona-Pandemie erhält der Jemenkrieg noch weniger Aufmerksamkeit als ohnehin schon. Das ist beschämend.

Umso wichtiger ist es, dass die Bundesregierung jetzt alles nur Erdenkliche unternimmt, um das jemenitische Gesundheitssystem gegen die rasant anrollende Pandemiewelle zu wappnen. Dazu muss sie auch Druck auf Saudi-Arabien ausüben, dass die von der Koalition verhängte Blockade schnellstmöglich gelockert wird, um die Einfuhr jetzt akut benötigter medizinischer Produkte zu beschleunigen. Außerdem muss die Bundesregierung endlich das gegen Saudi-Arabien verhängte Rüstungsexportverbot, wie stets versprochen, auch auf die anderen am Konflikt beteiligten Staaten wie die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate und Ägypten ausweiten.

https://www.gruene-bundestag.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/5-jahre-krieg-der-jemen-stirbt-still

(A K P)

Digitaler Aktionstag: War in Yemen – Made in Europe

Nachdem die ursprünglich geplanten Protestaktionen wegen der notwendigen Anti-Coronavirus-Maßnahmen abgesagt werden mussten, rufen die Organisationen nun zu breiten Online-Protesten auf. Menschen in ganz Europa werden aufgerufen Fotos von sich mit Forderungen wie „Keine Unterstützung der von Saudi-Arabien angeführten Kriegskoalition!“ oder „Stoppt die Waffenexporte in den Jemen-Krieg!“ zu machen und die Selfies mit gemeinsamen Hashtags und Infografiken in den sozialen Medien zu teilen.

Alle Details zum Online-Protest:

https://urgewald.org/Jemen

https://www.aufschrei-waffenhandel.de/mitmachen/aktuelle-aktionen/#c11772

https://urgewald.org/medien/digitaler-aktionstag-war-yemen-made-europe

https://www.jungewelt.de/artikel/375232.made-in-europe.html

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(A P)

European Union: Yemen: Statement by the Spokesperson on the calls for ceasefire

These are welcomed steps in the right direction. The war in Yemen has raged for more than five years and brought untold suffering and destruction to Yemen and its citizens. The additional imminent threat now posed by the spread of coronavirus makes it even more imperative for the parties to lay down arms and join forces for a common cause.

The European Union expects the parties to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy in setting up the appropriate confidence-building mechanisms to this end.

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/76626/yemen-statement-spokesperson-calls-ceasefire_en

My comment: The great arms suppliers’ union going hypocrite.

(A P)

Amid Italy lockdown, activists still manage to protest Saudi war on Yemen

In spite of the current lockdown in Italy amid the coronavirus pandemic, anti-war activists protesting the Saudi-led coalition’s war in Yemen have still managed to voice their opposition as the war enters its sixth year.

Some activists raised banners from their windows in solidarity with Yemen.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200325-amid-italy-lockdown-activists-still-manage-to-protest-saudi-war-on-yemen/

(A H K P)

Mousawi: Jemen steht am Rande der größten humanitären Katastrophe

Der Sprecher des iranischen Außenministeriums wies auf die militärischen Aggressionen ausländischer Streitkräfte auf den Jemen sowie die fünfjährige Blockade dieses Landes hin und sagte: "Der Jemen steht am Rande der größten humanitären Katastrophe."

Abbas Mousawi, der Sprecher des iranischen Außenministeriums hat am Donnerstag hinzugefügt, dass die ausländischen militärischen Aggressionen und die allseitige Blockade des Jemen in den vergangenen 5 Jahren, Hilfslieferungen für die Jemeniten blockiert hätten und nun durch die Ausbreitung des Coronavirus unter Umständen der Ermangelung mindester Möglichkeiten hätten sich die Besorgnisse über die humanitäre Katastrophe im Jemen verstärkt.

https://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i51340-mousawi_jemen_steht_am_rande_der_gr%C3%B6%C3%9Ften_humanit%C3%A4ren_katastrophe

(A K P)

Political option, only and best solution to end Yemen's crisis: Iran

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement over the 6th anniversary of Saudi-led aggression on Yemen, highlighting that the only solution for the Yemeni crisis would be the political option, not the military one.

The statement read that the Islamic Republic of Iran, while condemning the continuing military aggression of the so-called Coalition Forces in Yemen, emphasizes that this destructive and stupid war enters its sixth year with no result but the destruction and killing of innocent and oppressed people of Yemen. And through the destruction of infrastructure, it has made Yemen a ruinous country and life for its people as daily suffering.

"According to international organizations, 80% of Yemen's population, which means 25 million women and children in Yemen, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance," it added.

"This human tragedy is being committed under the shadow of the silence of the international community and with continually abusing of international law and human rights by transgressors," said the statement.

It added that the Cruel and inhuman sanctions and crimes have caused the catastrophic situation of the Yemeni people to be remembered as the world's greatest human tragedy of the century.

Elsewhere in the statement, it is said that the military aggression on Yemen continues as the US and some other countries not only have put a blind eye on the war crimes of the aggressive forces but also continue to sell arms and provide the aggressors with intelligence support and therefore they must be held accountable.

https://iranpress.com/en/iran-i145253-political_option_only_and_best_solution_to_end_yemen's_crisis_iran

and also https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/25/621568/Iran-Yemen-war-anniversary-statement-Saudi-Arabia-United-States

and full statement: https://en.mfa.ir/portal/newsview/578058/Statement-on-Anniversary-of-Onset-of-Saudi-War-on-Yemen

and also again https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/03/26/621682/Iran-Yemen-war-United-Nations-proposal-ceasefire

cp13 Wirtschaft / Economy

Siehe / Look at cp1, Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte 1-3, 2020: Jemen

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

Latest #ISIS #Yemen video suggests it may be sliding into #AQAP's role in Qayfa. 1st half shows attacks on Houthis (some footage is recycled). 2nd half shows #poetry & #song. This fits my sense that ISIS is striving to become increasingly "local". This trajectory began mid-2018 (photos)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1242759008752144386

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Houthis use Covid-19 pandemic as cover

The global Covid-19 pandemic poses a high risk to Yemen, even if cases still need to be confirmed. Although rhetorically politicizing information on the outbreak, operationally pro-Iran Houthis are using the pandemic as a cover to impose new measures of control, Jane's Information Group warned on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, instead of taking precautionary measures, the Houthi members and citizens from areas under its control seemingly continue to travel to Iran, where they have likely been exposed to the virus. This could severely curtail Houthis' capabilities and operational activities, as well as populations in northern Yemen, Jane's added.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19711

(A P)

Corona is a breeze compared to Houthi terrorists O

Corona is a breeze compared to Houthis, the Shia terrorist organization.

Corona may not kill a thousand Yemenis and may not enter the country to begin with.

Houthi have killed no less than 120,000 Yemenis and injured millions since 2004 and caused tens of thousands of other casualties. And are hell bent to continue fighting "until the Day of Judgment" as they pledged.

You hear a lot of Yemenis mocking the described magnitude of corona's danger compared to what they have experienced throughout six years of Houthi Jihadis fight to take the rest of the country by force and implement the organization's form of Islamic state.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-38617

(A P)

The Untold Story of How Iran Botched the Coronavirus Pandemic

The government learned early on about the outbreak—but, from a combination of cynicism and ideology, decided not to do anything about it.

But there’s every reason to believe the real figures are much higher. Last Thursday, Kianush Jahanpur, an Iranian health ministry spokesman, tweeted that 50 people on average contract the virus in Iran almost every hour, and the fatality rate is one person every 10 minutes or six people per hour.

That sobering comment reflected earlier warnings by other Iranian health officials that the real tally of coronavirus infections and deaths is “definitely” higher than the government admits.

It’s indisputable that Iran, a country of around 83 million people, is one of the pandemic’s epicenters. Why exactly the crisis acquired such massive proportions in Iran is more complicated to address, but responsibility mainly lies with Tehran’s botched response, details of which are only now starting to come to light. There are growing indications that the Iranian government knew about the outbreak even as it avoided doing anything to stop it—or even inform the public about it. Meanwhile, the government’s judgment continues to be marred by a combination of cynicism and religious ideology.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/03/24/how-iran-botched-coronavirus-pandemic-response/

My comment: This is US propaganda. The horrible effects of US sanctions are not even mentioned. And actually, we can look at the thousandfold told story of How the US botched the Coronavirus pandemic.

(A P)

Five years since the onset of Yemen's war, the tragedy continues

Houthis continue to inflict pain on their people, pushing the prospect of peace further out of reach

The danger of having a militia-run Yemen was too large for the country and the entire region. Yemen's neighbours came to the aid of its embattled government in March 2015, within the framework of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, which included the UAE. The war has been costly, particularly for Yemen's citizens, but the Houthis have refused to work towards its end. With international support, the government has been able to regain control of nearly 80 per cent of Yemeni territory.

https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/five-years-since-the-onset-of-yemen-s-war-the-tragedy-continues-1.996775

and also https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/yemen-war-five-years-on-and-the-houthis-refuse-a-political-settlement-1.996940

My remark: This is the anniversary of the war in UAE’s “The National”.

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

March 23: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1613345735482452/

March 22: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1613345142149178/

(A K pH)

US-Saudi Aerial Aggression Loses Control after Revealing Fate of Tornado Pilots

The Saudi-UAE-led aerial aggression apparently lost control, in less than an hour, by launching about 30 airstrikes in all directions, including control sites of the Yemeni Army and Committees in Najran and Jizan.

According to local and security sources, during the last hour, coalition warplanes launched 30 raids that were distributed north to Al-Jawf, Sa’adah, Amran and Najran governorates, and west to Hajjah and Jizan.

The sources indicated that coalition warplanes launched 7 raids on the Sufyan district and a raid on Khulan district in Sana’a governorate, as well as two raids on the Shada district in Sa’adah governorate.

"During the last hour, coalition warplanes launched 5 raids on the Haradh district in Hajjah governorate, 4 raids on Al-Hazm district and 3 raids on the Khub Wa Al-Sha’af district in Al-Jawf governorate," the sources added.

Coalition warplanes also launched 5 raids on the Wadi Jarah Valley in Jizan and two raids on the Al-Shorfa area in Najran.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11961

and

(A K P)

Mohammad Al-Houthi: US-Saudi Raids Increase After UN’s Call to Stop War in Yemen

Member of the Supreme Political Council, Mohammad Al-Houthi, condemned the continued efforts by the coalition forces to bomb Yemen, particularly Al-Jawf Governorate, despite the UN calls to stop fighting to confront the spread of the Coronavirus.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11951.

(A K pH)

Yemeni Air Defenses Intercept Hostile Warplanes in Marib

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11952

(A K pH)

Luftverteidigung abwehrt feindlische Kampfflugzeuge über Al-Marib

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092200.htm

(A K pH)

Film: Saada Electricity, the first target of the aggression 25-03-2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed2DptAstIY

My comment: When, where?

(A K pS)

Coalition strikes Houthi targets between Marib and Sana'a

The Arab Coalition fighter jets struck a number of Houthi positions between Marib governorate and Sana'a.
Military sources told the press that the Arab Coalition fighter jets launched several air raids on ammunition depots in Serwah district of Marib, northeast of Sanaa, adding that the strikes followed by heavy explosions and a huge plume of smoke into the air.
The Coalition airstrikes also hit Houthi gatherings and military equipment, including Katyusha rocket launcher in areas located between Marib and Sana'a.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19702

(A K pH)

March 26: https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092185.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3092093.htm Saada p.

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092199.htm Hajjah p.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11942 Saada p., Hajjah p., Jawf p., Sanaa p.

March 25: https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092071.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3092061.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3091999.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=11923 Jawf p.

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

March 24: https://www.saba.ye/de/news3091976.htm / https://www.saba.ye/de/news3091976.htm / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3091996.htm Hajjah p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe b/ Look at cp1b

(A K)

Saudi-Led coalition destroys drones launched by Yemen's Houthis towards Kingdom

Saudi-Led coalition intercepted and destroyed drones launched by Iran-aligned Yemen’s Houthis towards “civilian targets” in Saudi cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, state news agency spa said early Friday, citing the coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki.

In Yemen, Houthi air defences intercepted on Friday aircrafts affiliated with Saudi-led coalition forces over the Yemeni city of Marib and forced them to leave, the Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saria said in a Tweet.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-houthis-drones/saudi-led-coalition-destroys-drones-launched-by-yemens-houthis-towards-kingdom-idUSKBN21D3UG

and Saudi statement.

(A K pS)

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Joint Coalition Forces Intercept and Destroy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Launched by the Terrorist Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom

“This morning, Coalition forces were able to intercept and destroy UAVs launched by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militia toward civilian objects in (Abha) and (Khamis Mushait).”

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2051887

My comment: LOL. Khamis Mushait air base is a “civilian object”???

(* B K)

Air Defense: Practical Hacks

Yet the rebels probably had adapted the Russian missiles for ground use.

The Yemeni Air Force had plenty of Russian R-73 heat- seeking air-to-air missiles and the larger R-77 radar guided air-to-air missiles. These were captured by the Shia rebels when they overran most of northern Yemen in 2014 and many Yemeni military units sided with the rebels. Converting these two missiles is not difficult but does require engineers and skilled technicians to do it.

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20200326.aspx

(A K pH)

Eine Frau wurde in Taiz von Söldnern erschossen

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3092177.htm

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army downs 3 Houthi drones in Serwah and Al-Bayda

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/03/24/army-downs-3-houthi-drones-in-serwah-and-al-bayda/

(* B K)

Houthis: More than 1,000 ballistic missiles targeted Saudi Arabia and UAE

With the coming commemoration of Operation Decisive Storm, it emerges that the announcement of the Arab coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, regarding destroying 98 per cent of the air defences that the Houthis seized from the Yemeni army a few days after the launch of the offensive in March 2015, was nothing but empty propaganda. The kingdom’s statements were proven to be misleading after years of consecutive defeats.

Yahya Saria, Houthi military spokesperson, announced that over the past years the movement’s forces have fired more than 410 ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He pointed out that the Houthis’ missile force bombed vital military targets, installations and other facilities in the Saudi and Emirati depths, adding that over 630 ballistic missiles were fired at hostile military targets.

Saria noted that the missile defence systems employed were: “Qaher systems, volcano, Badr, Quds 1, Mojanah, Nakkal, Qasim and Zulfiqar,” explaining that the Houthi movement “has successfully conducted new experiments on missile systems that will be revealed soon.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200325-houthis-more-than-1000-ballistic-missiles-targeted-saudi-arabia-and-uae/

and

(B K)

“Ansar Allah” announces 66 offensive operations in Saudi Arabia

The spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces loyal to the “Ansar Allah group”, Brigadier Yahya Sari, announced that the group launched 66 attacks in the depth of Saudi Arabia this year.

A spokesman for the armed forces Of the group today, Wednesday, during a press conference in which it reviewed the statistics of five years of the Yemeni war:
“The Air Force conducted more than 160 operations this year, including 37 reconnaissance operations, 66 operations in the depth of the Saudi enemy, and 94 operations against hostile targets at home.”

https://www.mbs.news/a/2020/03/ansar-allah-announces-66-offensive-operations-in-saudi-arabia.html

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(* B C P)

Yemenis still want answers about Ibrahim al-Hamdi's assassination

The mystery surrounding the death of the former president continues to loom over Yemenis' collective political memory.

Al-Hamdi, viewed by many as a reformer and modernist, came to power in a bloodless coup in June 1974, when Yemen was divided into two countries

During his short tenure as head of state, al-Hamdi instituted several reforms to fight corruption and establish an egalitarian system, earning the public's support and respect. He also implemented policies aimed at reducing his country's dependence on Saudi Arabia and attempted to unify the North and the South.

In October 1977, just two days before a scheduled visit to South Yemen to negotiate unification, al-Hamdi was assassinated. The exact circumstances of his death remain a mystery to this day.

In April 2019, an investigative documentary by Al Jazeera, titled Yemen: The Last Lunch, traced the events leading up to al-Hamdi's murder using official documents, witness reports and expert testimonies. Beyond answering questions about who might have carried out the assassination, and how, the documentary also explored the possible motivations behind the crime.

Explaining how al-Hamdi's efforts to make his country a strong, independent actor in the southern Red Sea region by building a strong economy and uniting with South Yemen disturbed the Saudi leadership, the documentary added weight to Saleh's assertion that Riyadh was behind the assassination. The film also presented several other reasons why Saudi Arabia opposed the presidency of al-Hamdi

Al Jazeera's documentary clearly showed that Saudi Arabia had strong motivations for eliminating al-Hamdi at the time. But no one has yet provided indisputable proof that Riyadh was behind the assassination. Moreover, it is widely believed that it was impossible for Saudi Arabia to carry out a plot to assassinate the president of Yemen inside his own territory without assistance from powerful local players.

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/yemenis-answers-ibrahim-al-hamdi-assassination-200326075713957.html

(* B H)

On Facebook: Disclosure, or Life Laid Bare in Shades of Blue

In a previous article, I wrote that the lives of Yemenis revolve around social media platforms, especially Facebook.[1] There are many reasons for this, including the speed of interaction, as well as the political and social circumstances that accompanied the surge of Facebook use, at least since 2011.

In this article, we will also focus on Facebook, since it allows for a greater maximum character limit compared with other social media platforms, and the majority of posts are public.

First, we will take a closer look at Facebook posts in terms of style. The aim is to provide a brief analysis that allows us to examine the freedom of expression facilitated by social media and the consequences of this expression on social life. Since the individual is the focus of the examination, our analysis will be limited to personal posts that do not include content related to public affairs, political activism or human rights advocacy.

This study arises from a group of Facebook accounts that I have been following for a long time. These accounts are unique because they bring new people to the social media scene and are publicly available. They rely on words more than images in their posts, which is a point of interest, and the reason behind this study.

Conclusion

Facebook users in Yemen write with boldness and are intoxicated by words to a degree of sheer exposure. It goes without saying that online behavior patterns are not free from the influence of the current situation and living conditions in Yemen. Prospects for economic and political reform are at a standstill, and the realization of ones identity in a country crushed by war seems impossible. Surrounded by a restricted public sphere and with limited possibilities of hope, both materially and morally, irony and satire become the last resort.

Facebook created a platform that made every user a writer and exceeded the limits of receiving and sending. In the long run, this could lead to a greater benefit because the desire to express could motivate users to improve their writing abilities. In the meantime, the current writing scene on social media favors diaristic informal writing at the expense of formal language and other genres. In many cases, it includes texts that are difficult to categorize into a specific genre.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2019/12/06/yemen-facebook/

(* B)

2019 in Photos: Insisting on Life and Embracing Eternity

As 2019 has ended, al-Madaniya presents a look back at the year through a diverse selection of photographs.

What unites these images is that they reflect the people and places of Yemen. Despite the diversity of landscapes, from the coastline to mountains and from the countryside to cities, there is a common thread that runs through these scenes: the inherent insistence of people to continue life despite the raging war.

Life goes on with its joys and sorrows, challenging the warmongers who have lost their sense of humanity.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2019/12/20/2019-photos-yemen/

(* C)

The cultural legacy of the Neolithic in Yemen | Part Four

We are not completely cut off from the cultural legacy of our distant ancestors, who danced and painted and hunted thousands of years ago. Researchers in Yemen believe that some of our present day folk dances evolved from ritual practices that date back to the Neolithic period

https://almadaniyamag.com/2018/11/27/2018-11-27-the-cultural-legacy-of-the-neolithic-in-yemen-part-four/

(* B D)

A Thousand Smiles for One Country: Leaving and Returning to the Motherland

As the plane approached Aden, after a long journey full of delays because of my Yemeni passport, I saw the city’s beaches and coasts: this left me in tears as I reminisced about the times I had spent there. During touchdown, people started clapping and whistling, expressing their happiness about returning home safely. My journey inland to Sana’a, my first and only refuge, commenced, and seven hours and many check points later, the city’s lights started appearing and brightening for me. Because of all that had occurred during the past three years, I didn’t expect to see Sana’a in a normal state – especially after watching the news on certain channels. Evidently they lied and portrayed an ugly image, perpetuating fear and terror.

Sana’a is not what we see on these news outlets: it remains alive and is surviving. Never have I seen people adamantly attached to life despite all the despair and despicableness; only Yemenis, especially those residing in Sana’a, have this quality. The city’s inhabitants have lived through some of the most terrible times in its recent history, yet despite all this people refused to die, and instead continued to live life and hold on to continuity. From the first day, I used my cellphone camera to film videos portraying my life and other Yemenis’ daily lives in Sana’a, uploading them to social media websites such as Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2018/07/21/2018-7-21-a-thousand-smiles-for-one-country-leaving-and-returning-to-the-motherland/

(* B D)

Abdul Aziz al-Maqaleh: A Name Embedded in Yemen

Amid the exceptional circumstances facing the country, Abdul Aziz al-Maqaleh’s name appears as a symbol of the intellectuals role, and raises the question of the purpose of culture. Al-Maqaleh is a poet whose name has remained attached to his homeland throughout his life. The totality of what he has accomplished is a cultural discourse in its own right, worthy of close reading and in-depth analysis. It is crucial to understand the nature of his oeuvre, its development and its objectives. No matter how individual it seems, it reveals the dimensions of an important era of our cultural and social history.

Al-Maqaleh is a presence who is never absent from anything that has happened and is happening to Yemen. He describes this state as being in a Sufi union with Yemen, and illustrates this in one of his poems.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2017/10/13/2017-10-13-abdul-aziz-al-maqaleh-a-name-embedded-in-yemen/

(C)

Yemen’s lost Pre-Islam School of Medicine – Part II

Islamic history gives us a glimpse into early practices of Arabic and traditional medicine in Yemen, especially among Christian communities in the region such as Najran. In the year 10 A.H. the Prophet Mohammad had an encounter with a Christian delegation from Najran who mocked and disputed his vocation. They resisted and disagreed with his doctrine concerning the nature of god and Jesus, which posed a threat to their beliefs and missionary purpose. Islamic scholars attribute the descent of many of the pivotal Quranic verses that define Islam’s relationship with Christianity to this encounter and its controversies. The Prophet sensed the significance of this meeting, which is one of the reasons Najran was among the first conquered territories and where he later signed the Najran Pact.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2019/12/25/yemen-ancient-medicine-pre-islam-2/

(-)

Coronavirus: YouTube backpacker criticised for self-isolating on Yemen's Socotra Island

Social media influencer Eva Zu Beck refused last flight off disputed island despite fears over its ability to deal with virus

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/coronavirus-youtube-backpacker-criticised-isolation-yemens-socotra

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-635-yemen-war-mosaic-635

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-635 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-635:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:

(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)

http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

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

https://yemen.bellingcat.com/

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

https://yemeniarchive.org/en

Dieser Beitrag gibt die Meinung des Autors wieder, nicht notwendigerweise die der Redaktion des Freitag.
Geschrieben von

Dietrich Klose

Vielfältig interessiert am aktuellen Geschehen, zur Zeit besonders: Ukraine, Russland, Jemen, Rolle der USA, Neoliberalismus, Ausbeutung der 3. Welt

Dietrich Klose

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