Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 647b- Yemen War Mosaic 647b

Yemen Press Reader 647b: 1. Mai 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 647, cp5 - cp18 / May 1, 2020: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 647, cp5 - cp18

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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 647, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 647, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-647-yemen-war-mosaic-647

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Siehe Teil 1 / In Italics: Look in part 1

Klassifizierung / Classification

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

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavirus und Seuchen / Most important: Coronavirus and 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

cp9 USA

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

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp13 Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P T)

Iran-back Houthi militia release 43 al-Qaeda prisoners in Yemen: Report

Iran-backed Houthi militia have released 43 al-Qaeda prisoners in Yemen in order to carry out terrorist operations, Almashhad Alkhaleeji reported on Thursday.

According to the publication, the prisoners were directed to carry out terrorist operations targeting the Southern Transitional Council forces in Yemen’s southern city Aden.

The prisoners were tasked with suicide missions and the assassination of local figures, Almashhad Alkhaleeji reported.

The prisoners were released after al-Qaeda leaders met with Houthis in the capital Sana’a, according to the report citing unidentified sources.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/04/30/Iran-back-Houthi-militia-release-43-al-Qaeda-prisoners-in-Yemen-Report.html

My comment: This sounds like Saudi propaganda.

(A P)

Al Houthi militants reportedly clashed with each other in Hawban in Taiz governorate in southern Yemen on April 28, killing three civilians. Al Houthi militants from northern Yemen’s Sa’ada governorate clashed with al Houthi militants from Taiz in Taiz governorate in mid-March.[5]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-29-2020

(* B P)

Im Jemen inhaftierte Bahai warten weiter auf Freilassung

Die angekündigte Freilassung aller im Jemen inhaftierten Bahai verzögert sich nach Angaben von Menschenrechtlern seit mehr als einem Monat. Ungeachtet einer Anordnung zur Freilassung Ende März befänden sich Angehörige der Glaubensgemeinschaft noch immer in Haft, teilte der der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahai in Deutschland am Mittwochabend in Berlin mit. Dessen Menschenrechtbeauftragter Jascha Noltenius forderte die sofortige und bedingungslose Freilassung.

Im Fall von 19 weiteren wegen ihres religiösen Glaubens beschuldigten Bahai sei die Anklage nicht wie gefordert fallengelassen worden, sagte Noltenius dem Evangelischen Pressedienst (epd). Bei einer Anhörung sei die Verhandlung lediglich auf den 9. Juni vertagt worden.

Die Huthi-Führung im Jemen hatte der Bahai-Gemeinde in Deutschland zufolge am 25. März angekündigt, alle im Land inhaftierten Bahai freizulassen. Auch der wegen Spionage für Israel angeklagte Hamed bin Haydara werde begnadigt, sagte demnach der Präsident des Obersten Politischen Huthi-Rates.

https://www.evangelisch.de/inhalte/169540/30-04-2020/im-jemen-inhaftierte-bahai-warten-weiter-auf-freilassung = https://www.welt-sichten.org/artikel/37669/im-jemen-inhaftierte-bahai-warten-weiter-auf-freilassung

(* B P)

BAHA’I PRISONER IN YEMEN IS YET TO BE RELEASED AS PROMISED

IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE THE DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST HAMID BIN HAYDARA, A YEMENI BAHA’I LEADER AND PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE WAS PARDONED BUT HE IS YET TO BE RELEASED. HE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE.

’’’The decision of the Supreme Political Council to pardon Haydara and to release all Baha’i prisoners would be meaningless if it is not carried through. This delay clearly shows a lack of commitment from the Houthi authorities’’, expresses David Anderson, Former MP (Retired), Canada and Chair of IPPFoRB Steering Committee.

Echoing Anderson’s words, Kasthuri Patto, MP Malaysia and IPPFoRB Steering Committee member adds, ‘’We urgently call upon the Houthi authorities to swiftly and fully implement the order to pardon Haydara, drop the charges in the case of over 20 Baha’is and immediately release all of the six Baha’is in prison, and without further subjecting them to brutal physical abuse and mental torture. Justice delayed is justice denied’’’

After upholding Haydara’s death penalty during a hearing that was held a week earlier than planned in late March 2020, in a sudden turn of events, Mahdi Al-Mashat, head of the Supreme Political Council in Sana’a on March 25th publicly announced the release of Haydara together with other Baha’is.

This public announcement was widely applauded and appreciated by the human rights and faith-based community. However, with more than a month gone, there hasn’t been a direct implementation of the process.

https://www.ippforb.com/newsroom/2020/04/27-bahai-prisoner-in-yemen-is-yet-to-be-released-as-promised

(* B P)

Todesurteile nach grob unfairem Verfahren

Aktion für vier von der Hinrichtung bedrohte Journalisten im Jemen

Seit dem Sommer 2015 sind im Jemen zehn Journalisten im von den aufständischen Huthi-Truppen kontrollierten Gebiet inhaftiert. Erst im Dezember 2018 wurden sie angeklagt. Ein Jahr später begann der Prozess, der unter Missachtung aller internationalen Standards stattfand. Für vier der Angeklagten kam jetzt das bittere Urteil, das jedoch noch nicht rechtskräftig ist.

Im Dezember 2018 wurden die zehn Männer im Beisein ihrer Rechtsbeistände einer Reihe von Straftaten angeklagt – unter anderem der „Spionage für Saudi-Arabien“, des „Verbreitens von Gerüchten und Falschnachrichten, die den Feind Saudi-Arabien unterstützen“ sowie der „Erstellung mehrerer Webseiten für das Internet und die Sozialen Medien“. Nach Ansicht von Amnesty International sind sämtliche Vorwürfe gegen die Journalisten konstruiert, auch wenn einige von ihnen in ihren Artikeln die Huthi-Truppen kritisiert hatten. Die Organisation fordert deshalb ihre bedingungslose Freilassung.

Am 9. Dezember 2019 wurde das Verfahren mit der ersten Anhörung vor einem Gericht der Huthi eröffnet. Es war gleichzeitig der letzte Termin, an dem auch die Rechtsanwälte der Beschuldigten teilnehmen konnten. Zu allen weiteren Gerichtsterminen waren sie nicht mehr zugelassen – auch nicht bei der Verkündung des Todesurteils gegen Akram al-Walidi, Abdelkhaleq Amran, Hareth Hamid und Tawfiq al-Mansouri am 11. April 2020 durch das Sonderstrafgericht in Sana’a. Die Rechtsbeistände der vier von der Hinrichtung bedrohten Journalisten fechten die Todesurteile juristisch an. Ob und wann ein mögliches Berufungsverfahren stattfinden wird, ist bisher völlig unklar.

https://mmm.verdi.de/internationales/todesurteile-nach-grob-unfairem-verfahren-65993

(A P)

Woman shot to death by Houthi Militants

Militants affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have killed an unarmed woman in Yemen’s central province al-Bayda after they failed to arrest her father in law.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/24009

and

(A P)

GPC leader threatens to mobilize Al-Baydha in fight against Houthis

On Wednesday, one of the top leaders of the General People’s Congress (GPC) party, Yasser Al-Awadhi, called on the tribes and sheikhs of Al-Baydha governorate to ready themselves to fight the Houthis if the group does not withdraw their local representatives within three days. The threat comes after Houthi fighters killed a young woman while raiding the home of a resident of Al-Baydha on Monday.

Al-Awadhi, the Assistant Secretary-General of the GPC, posted a series of tweets denouncing Houthi “supervisors” in Al-Baydha for insulting and humiliating residents, violating their rights, taking their land and demolishing their homes. Supervisors, known locally as mushref, are senior Houthi loyalists assigned to particular areas or institutions to advance the group’s interests.

https://al-masdaronline.net/local/719

(A P)

South Yemen Movement rejects UAE-backed declaration of self-rule for the South

Organisation accuses Southern Transitional Council of fomenting corruption and exploiting suffering of southern Yemenis

https://www.uprising.today/south-yemen-movement-rejects-uae-backed-declaration-of-self-rule-for-the-south/

My comment: This is just a pro-Houthi puppet organization.

(B P)

Film, E. Kendall: How might #Yemen's Houthis view the #STC Declaration of self-rule in the south? (1 minute extract from Al Jazeera)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1255101787058700289

(A P)

Präsident Al-Mashat: Fortsetzung des Krieges liegt nicht im Interesse der Aggressionslände

Seine Exzellenz, Feldmarschall Mahdi Al-Mashat, Vorsitzender des Obersten Politischen Rates, betonte, dass Frieden die beste Option für alle sei und dass die Fortsetzung des Krieges nicht einmal mehr im Interesse der Angreiferländer selbst liege.

Der Präsident von Al-Mashat sagte in einem Interview mit der Zeitung "Al-Thaw

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095440.htm

(A P)

Continuation of war is no longer in interest of states of aggression: President al-Mashat

President of the Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat said that "peace is the best option for all and that the continuation of the war is no longer even in the interest of the states of aggression themselves"

This came in an interview with “Al-Thawra” newspaper, which was published in its issue Monday

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095451.htm https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095440.htm

(* A H P)

Yemen: Houthis force Sanaa merchants to pay zakat to them instead of the poor

The Houthis have forced traders and shop owners in the capital, Sanaa, to pay their zakat, the prescribed Islamic charity, to them instead of distributing it amongst the poor and needy.

Yemen ShababNet news site reported local residents of the capital saying that the Houthis have forced traders and owners of large, small and medium-sized shops to pay zakat to them, instead of the poor and needy despite the severe humanitarian conditions faced by people living in the war-torn city.

The Houthis had previously established a so-called General Authority of Zakat as part of what has been described as “plans to blackmail citizens and shop owners in the capital, Sanaa”.

The Houthis threatened to impose financial penalties on traders who fail to pay their zakat in order of the group’s war efforts.

Sanaa residents denounced the Houthis’ arbitrary steps that deprive the poor and needy, who are used to receiving humanitarian assistance to alleviate their suffering during the Muslims holy month of Ramadan.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200428-yemen-houthis-force-sanaa-merchants-to-pay-zakat-to-them-instead-of-the-poor/

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

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B K P)

Separatist Group’s Declaration Threatens to Stir New Conflict in Yemen

The call for emergency self-rule threatens Saudi-led alliance supporting the central government.

[Overview article]

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2020-04-30/separatist-group-threatens-new-conflict-in-yemen

(A P)

Aden in 3-day lockdown as Yemen reports new coronavirus cases, deaths

Yemen’s port city of Aden, where the country’s latest cluster of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was detected, was put into a 24-hour lockdown for three days as other Yemeni provinces approved fresh measures to curb the spread of the disease.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1667466/middle-east

(* A P)

STC meets to reaffirm and clarify call for self-administration

To justify their self-administration announcement, the statement said that four governorates – Marib, Al-Mahra, Shabwa and Socotra – were already largely self-administered

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) held a meeting and denounced the worldwide rejection of their self-administration declaration and reaffirmed their announcement, according to a statement on the group’s website.

Ahmed Saeed Bin Buraik, the acting head of the UAE-backed STC, met with a number of former ministers of defense and retired southern military leaders Wednesday to discuss events and development on southern Yemen.

The statement called the worldwide condemnation of its declaration “vicious,” noting that the declaration was made in the interests of the people of the south and not designed to harm any party. The statement welcomed proposals within the framework of preserving the south.

To justify their self-administration announcement, the statement said that four governorates – Marib, Al-Mahra, Shabwa and Socotra – were already largely self-administered, and that the STC sought to add Abyan, Aden, Lahj and Al-Dhale to the same model. Self-administration would only continue until the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, according to the statement.

"The meeting confirmed that the decision of self-administration by the leadership of the Council at the moment came in order to move the stagnant water in the process of the Riyadh agreement, which is stalled by the government," the statement said.

The council also discussed salaries and how itl would pay them during Ramadan and thereafter, including six months of back pay owed to soldiers.

The STC dismissed the recent protests in Aden who demanded basic services such as electricity and blamed the Islah party for inciting them.

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/722

(A P)

[Hadi] Gov’t official demands ICC investigate Houthis’ crimes against female detainees

The Minister of Information, Muammar Al-Eryani demanded the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate crimes committed in the Houthis-held areas against female detainees in secret prisons and bring perpetrators to justice.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-39454

my comment: A great ICC investigation on Yemen certainly would be a good idea. Saudi air raids and US arms exports certainly also would be very interesting topics.

(A P)

[Hadi] Gov’t welcomes UNSC statement on Yemen’s unity

A statement by the Yemeni Foreign Ministry welcomed positions of Saudi Arabia and other countries and international organizations that stated clearly the need to return to the previous status in Aden prior the recent STC’s declaration and to overturn all steps that violate the Al-Riyadh agreement.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-39453

(* B P)

Federalism Is the Answer to Peacebuilding in South Yemen

As such, the STC has used the popular demand for salaries and improved services in the southern region, which has long been suffering from mismanagement, to demand self-rule. The STC has presented itself as the entity most concerned with the wellbeing of the people, while accusing the Hadi government of corruption and misuse of resources, especially regarding allocating salaries for non-existing soldiers in the military sector.

Similarly, the points of the Riyadh agreement related to the military—such as withdrawing heavy weapons and removing signs of military entities from the cities under the Hadi government’s control—were rather too ambitious and vague. The agreement has failed in that it does not specify what weapons would be included under the designation and what would happen to the frontlines during this disarmament.

The agreement also does not take into account the on-the-ground realities: the Hadi government did not have a strong military presence in Aden to rival the STC’s army.

One of the crucial obstacles to the agreement’s implementation is the lack of economic and military guarantees that could have pushed the deal into reality.

Naturally, all sides are blaming others for the current tensions

Nevertheless, if tensions are to be eased and peace restored in the south, there must be a critical review of the agreement to address the weaknesses outlined above

The most important point is to establish a local competent government in Aden representing the various political factions of the region as per the National Dialogue Conference’s outcomes, whereby this local government has autonomy in running the larger Aden region. According to the 2013-2014 National Dialogue Conference (NDC), Aden should be allowed a large level of self-rule due to both political and economic considerations.

These actions would mark a shift towards achieving a full federal system in the Yemen, an outcome agreed upon by all the political factions and representatives of independents and civil society in the NDC. The original vision of this conference detailed a system of decentralized rule with shared resources, which would allow Aden region to establish an adequate infrastructure to tackle its development and economic challenges. Were such a transition to occur, President Hadi must include representatives of the STC in his advisory board and work on reforming Yemen’s extant legislative bodies: the parliament and the Shoura council. T

However, the following challenge is perhaps the most difficult — disarming the STC within Aden. The council sees that being targeted alone for disarmament in the city renders it vulnerable against other armed factions.

Political dialogue remains the basic principle in addressing the flaws in the Riyadh Agreement, which has so far been able to stop the armed conflict in the south. However, we must recognise that the root cause for the armed conflict in Yemen is the fight over power and wealth. Therefore, focusing on establishing a federal system is the best path forward to providing a strong entry point towards efficient implementation of the Riyadh Agreement. Only once these challenges have been addressed can we work to build peace in south Yemen and in the country as a whole – by Olfat Al-Dubai

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/fikraforum/view/federalism-is-the-answer-to-peacebuilding-in-south-yemen

My comment: Time for such ideas is over. The Hadi government no more can be the center of any peaceful solution whether in Southern Yemen or in Yemen as a whole. It’s time is over. Federalism certainly will be the best (and might-be the only) way to reach a loner peaceful solution keeping Yemen’s unity. But Hadi’s 2013 flawed concept of federalism will not do it.

(A P)

Saudi politician indicates the importance of southern independence and attacks legitimacy

Saudi political analyst Khaled Al-Za’tar hinted to the importance of the independence of the southern state, after corruption spread within the legitimate government.

He said via “Twitter” if Yemeni legitimacy is not freed from the state of rampant corruption that undermines its legitimacy and messes with the southern governorates, then it is first for Aden to govern itself by itself instead of being tampered with by the corruption of the Brotherhood, who are driven by a view of hatred towards the people of the Arab south.

https://en.smanews.org/saudi-politician-indicates-the-importance-of-southern-independence-and-attacks-legitimacy

(A P)

STC vice-chairman calls for Yemeni gov't not living on war

The Southern Transitional Council's (STC's) declared state of emergency and self-rule in south of Yemen should not cause concerns, the STC vice-chairman said Thursday in response to international criticisms against the STC's move.
"We welcome all the statements released by friend countries," Hani Bin Boraik added on Twitter, assuring that "saving our people from perdition should not be a source of worries."
The separatist leader called for helping the STC to apply the Riyadh Agreement, and accused the UN-backed government of evading the deal's implementation.
He also called for immediate deployment of all the Yemeni "forces in the face of Houthis, al-Qaeda and Daesh, and formation of a new pure government that doesn't live on war."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16858.html

and

(* A P)

STC to Asharq Al-Awsat: Our Position is Consistent with Saudi Efforts to Bring Peace

Yemen's Southern Transitional Council spokesman Nizar Haitham reaffirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the STC’s stance on implementing the Riyadh Agreement remains unchanged.

Haitham blamed the internationally recognized government for "unjustified procrastination" in implementing the Riyadh deal that would give the southerners a 50 percent representation in a new government.

"Firm decisions must be made to appoint a shared government, and a governor and head of security for Aden," Haitham said.

The STC spokesman welcomed the Saudi call to return to implementing the Riyadh Agreement which the Council signed with the legitimate government last November.

He called for the implementation of the provisions of the political part of the Agreement immediately and without delay.

“We support the Riyadh Agreement and hope that the Arab Coalition will pressure parties to implement the political part of it without delay,” Haitham said.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2260621/stc-asharq-al-awsat-our-position-consistent-saudi-efforts-bring-peace

and also https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/yemen-s-stc-says-implementing-power-sharing-deal-can-end-crisis-1.1012972

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19945

My comment: ???????????????? This is doing something while telling exactly the opposite. – While the separatists put more blame on the last Hadi government authority which had been left at Aden:

(A P)

Southern demands to dismiss governor of Aden “Ahmed Salmin” and refer him for investigation

Southern activists on social media called for the dismissal of the governor of Aden, Ahmed Salem Robai, and the speed of his referral for investigation and trial, after the deterioration of living conditions in the capital Aden, and the major disasters left by the floods of rain in the capital Aden without any move from the governor and the local authority to do anything towards the rain disaster and its torrents, which caused great damage to the property of the citizens, as if the matter does not mean him neither from near or far.!

The local authority in the capital, Aden, led by its governor, Ahmed Salem Robai, who came after the resignation of the former governor, Major General Abdulaziz al-Muflihi, represents a prominent title for practicing all kinds of corruption, which has become in full view of the public.

https://en.smanews.org/southern-demands-to-dismiss-governor-of-aden-ahmed-salmin-and-refer-him-for-investigation

and the separatists claim to be (and actually are) the sole rulers at Aden:

(A P)

COVID-19 update: STC orders curfew, qat ban in response to new coronavirus cases

STC is also closing mosques and banning congregational prayers for two weeks, and urging sheikhs and imams to help educate people about the need to abide by the prohibitions

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/720

and

(A P)

Nizar Haitham announces curfew suspension in Aden the capital for the next 48 hours

Official spokesman for the Southern Transitional Council, Eng. Nizar Haitham, announced that due to the given necessities of the public interest, and in appreciation of the exceptional circumstances that the capital Aden is going through due to the heavy rain left by the capital’s neighborhoods and turned it into a city of disaster, it was decided to suspend the decision to curfew in the capital Aden and allow movement within the next 48 hours, for the means of public service and relief for the afflicted families, raising the remnants of torrential rains and rain, and normalizing life,

https://en.smanews.org/nizar-haitham-announces-curfew-suspension-in-aden-the-capital-for-the-next-48-hours

and

(A P)

Southern Transitional Council declares state of emergency in the capital #Aden

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced a state of emergency in Aden in response to catastrophic floods in the city and surrounding areas. The situation on the ground is dire and requires an urgent international humanitarian response: the floods have already cost the lives of civilians, including many children.

https://en.smanews.org/southern-transitional-council-declares-state-of-emergency-in-the-capital-aden

and

(A P)

Al-Wali inspects damages of torrential rains in Aden the capital and directs quickly to relief those affected

https://en.smanews.org/al-wali-inspects-damages-of-torrential-rains-in-aden-the-capital-and-directs-quickly-to-relief-those-affected

and also https://en.smanews.org/aden-security-8-deaths-and-4-injuries-among-them-children-and-aden-security-director-directs-security-to-help-families-and-affected-by-torrential-rains

and

(A P)

STC intensifies COVID-19 and humanitarian response

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19943

and praise their militia as benefactors:

(A P)

Security belt forces contribute to open roads and help rain-affected citizens in Aden

https://en.smanews.org/security-belt-forces-contribute-to-open-roads-and-help-rain-affected-citizens-in-aden

and more of separatist propaganda blaming the Hadi government and Islah Party:

(A P)

Al-Jadi: The Legitimacy [Hadi gov.] is unable to save a drowned or open a street

He said via “Twitter”: for the second, third, and fourth time that the curses of the drowned people of Aden will chase the Legitimacy of the thieves and their local authorities who are unable to open a street or save a drowned or sheltering a family who their home demolished .. legitimacy gets its legitimacy from providing services and confronting disasters and when these are absent, legitimacy loses its legitimacy

https://en.smanews.org/al-jadi-the-legitimacy-is-unable-to-save-a-drowned-or-open-a-street

and

(A P)

Emirati military expert: Aden the capital is drowning and its resources go to corrupt legitimacy leaders

https://en.smanews.org/emirati-military-expert-aden-the-capital-is-drowning-and-its-resources-go-to-corrupt-legitimacy-leaders

and

(A P)

Ben Laghbar reveals malicious plot of Brotherhood and al-Qaeda militias in Abyan

https://en.smanews.org/ben-laghbar-reveals-malicious-plot-of-brotherhood-and-al-qaeda-militias-in-abyan

and

(A P)

Laqwar: Brotherhood is malicious tree that lives on people’s sufferings

https://en.smanews.org/laqwar-brotherhood-is-malicious-tree-that-lives-on-peoples-sufferings

(A P)

Brotherhood’s authority arrests the activist Rommana Khamis and Mubarak Abdhan in #Socotra

https://en.smanews.org/brotherhoods-authority-arrests-the-activist-rommana-khamis-and-mubarak-abdhan-in-socotra

(A P)

The truth about Brotherhood’s terrorist militia withdrew from Shokra

Sources said that the Brotherhood’s militia had not completely withdrawn from Shokra and that most of its forces were still stationed in the area.

The sources explained that the force that entered Shabwa governorate last night came from Shokra, approximately fifty-five different cars, including military crews, civilian trucks, armored vehicles, and large trucks, belong to Ataq axis and part of it belong to Behan axis.

It is the same force that went to Shokra district last week from Shabwa, and its members are from the governorate’s affiliated members of the legitimacy Brotherhood militia.

https://en.smanews.org/the-truth-about-brotherhoods-terrorist-militia-withdrew-from-shokra

(A P)

STC-aligned forces arrest employees of Aden money exchange shop

https://al-masdaronline.net/local/717

(A K P)

Yemen: STC forces seize weapons of 1st Infantry Major General in Socotra

Brigadier Nasser Qais, who was dismissed from the leadership of the 1st Brigade, Marine Corps, handed over the weapons of the brigade to the militants of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, according to military sources in the Yemeni province of Socotra.

Qais had rejected his decision to dismiss him, announced his revolt, defected from government forces, and joined the Southern transitional council (STC).

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16838.html

(A P)

Yemeni official: STC has chance to reverse self-rule announcement

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) has a chance to reverse it self-rule declaration that has met with national and international rejection and to allow for the legitimate government to assume responsibility in combating COVID-19, advisor to the Yemeni President said Wednesday.
"After confirmed cases of coronavirus have found to be there in Aden, the STC has a chance to retreat from its step," Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi added on Facebook.
"Caring for the citizens is the only evidence that you act for their sake," Mikhlafi, Yemeni former foreign minister, argued.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16832.html

(* A P)

Southern Yemeni political leaders condemn STC power grab

Former South Yemen president denounces separatist scheming by STC

A group of southern political figures, led by former Southern Yemeni President Ali Nasser Mohammed, expressed concern and fear that the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s declaration of self-governance in South Yemen will “cause division in the South and create a regional community conflict.”

The Southern Yemeni politicians stressed the need to stop the war, achieve peace, start a dialogue between all parties to the conflict and find a just solution to the southern issue which satisfies the people of the South.

The statement called on all parties to “avoid anything that would prolong the conflict, and to ensure that the interests of the people and all that contribute to the unity of society prevail.”

It pointed out that the solution today is to stop the war and return to dialogue to solve Yemen’s problems in a peaceful way, not by using force and imposing unilateral decisions.

One of the political leaders, Yahya Mohammed al-Shuaibi, stressed that Yemen’s unity and independence are fixed issues and are the subject of national, regional and international consensus and support.

https://www.uprising.today/southern-yemeni-political-leaders-condemn-stc-power-grab/

(A P)

Hadhramaut citizens protest against lack of basic services

Angry protesters have Tuesday blocked a number of streets in the city of Al-Mukalla, Hadhramaut province, in protest against the lack of essential and basic services.

Dozens of citizens marched to denounce the constant disruption of the service system, mainly electricity and water, which residents are suffering from.

The protesters used stones and burning rubber tires to cut off streets inside the city.

Protesters also took to the streets in the city of Ash-Shihr in conjunction with the Mukalla protests.

Military forces of the invading coalition fired live bullets to disperse the demonstrators.

https://www.uprising.today/hadhramaut-citizens-protest-against-lack-of-basic-services/

at Aden:

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Governor of #Hadhramaut directs quickly to prepare and send relief convoy to help citizens in Aden the capital

The governor of Hadhramaut, Major General Faraj Al-Bohsni, instructed aid convoy to be urgently equipped and run to Aden the capital to help citizens suffer from the floods that occurred in the governorate due to the atmospheric depression that hit the region.

https://en.smanews.org/governor-of-hadhramaut-directs-quickly-to-prepare-and-send-relief-convoy-to-help-citizens-in-aden-the-capital

(A H P)

Governor of #Hadhramaut directs quickly to prepare and send relief convoy to help citizens in Aden the capital

The governor of Hadhramaut, Major General Faraj Al-Bohsni, instructed aid convoy to be urgently equipped and run to Aden the capital to help citizens suffer from the floods that occurred in the governorate due to the atmospheric depression that hit the region.

https://en.smanews.org/governor-of-hadhramaut-directs-quickly-to-prepare-and-send-relief-convoy-to-help-citizens-in-aden-the-capital

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Im Jemen wächst die Angst vor einer weiteren Spaltung

Der "Südliche Übergangsrat" will die Kontrolle über Aden und weitere Provinzen übernommen haben. Zugleich geht das Bündnis auf Distanz zur saudischen Regierung. Der Jemen steht nun vor dem nächsten Stellvertreterkrieg

Vorwürfe gegen Saudi-Arabien

Die Erklärung zur Kontrolle über Aden sei nicht aus dem Nichts entstanden, begründete STC-Sprecher Alkhader Sulaiman die Entscheidung des Übergangsrats. "Sie ist das Ergebnis von Missmanagement und Misswirtschaft", erklärte er mit Blick auf Saudi-Arabien. Die humanitäre Situation habe sich verschlechtert. In den letzten Tagen seien die Strom-, Wasser- und Abwasserleitungen vollständig abgeschaltet worden.

Zudem erhob er schwere Vorwürfe gegen Saudi-Arabien. Das Königreich habe den Militär- und Sicherheitskräften des Rates keine Löhne gezahlt, auch seien seine Kämpfer nicht mit Waffen, Munition und Lebensmitteln versorgt worden. Auch beklagt der STC, dass die Familien der verwundeten und verstorbenen Kämpfer keine Unterstützung mehr erhielten.

Die Entscheidung des STC sei auch unter dem Eindruck der Corona-Pandemie gefallen, deutete Sulaiman an. "Wir fordern nach wie vor einen Waffenstillstand und eine Deeskalation an allen Fronten. Wir wollen Hilfe dabei leisten, diese Pandemie landesweit zu bekämpfen und die Situation einzudämmen."

Politische Korruption?

Tatsächlich habe der STC Gründe für sein Abrücken von Saudi-Arabien, heißt es in einer Analyse des als unabhängig geltenden "Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies" (SCSS). Das Königreich habe den Einfluss des STC zuletzt systematisch zu schwächen versucht. So habe es Kommandeure des STC durch Geldzahlungen unter seinen Einfluss bekommen wollen, um mit ihrer Hilfe neue Streitkräfte aufzubauen. Der Stopp der Überweisungen an die Kämpfer des STC habe diese zudem dazu bewegen sollen, zu den von den Saudis gelenkten Streitkräften überzulaufen.

Als es vor einigen Tagen im Jemen zu schweren Regenfällen gekommen war und in Aden mehrere Menschen in den Fluten ums Leben kamen, habe Saudi-Arabien zudem versucht, die notleidende Bevölkerung gegen den STC aufzuwiegeln, so das SCSS.

"Kein durchdachter Plan"

Insgesamt war es kein "unbedingt durchdachter" Plan, mit dem der STC am Wochenende an die Öffentlichkeit trat, heiß es in der Analyse des SCSS. Die Zukunft der von dem STC kontrollierten öffentlichen Einrichtungen sei offen. Dies gelte insbesondere für den Hafen von Aden sowie die Zentralbank, die den Import aller wichtigen Rohstoffe sowie die Ölkäufe über eine saudische Lagerstätte finanziere. Mache die Zentralbank dicht, sei offen, wie die Importe bezahlt werden sollten.

Zudem könnte es auch zu neuen Kämpfen kommen, warnt das SCSS. Es sei möglich, dass sich die Situation weiter verschlechtere und es zu einer militärischen Konfrontation zwischen der Regierung und der STC komme. "Allerdings ist unwahrscheinlich, dass Saudi-Arabien direkt in militärische Auseinandersetzungen zwischen der Regierung Hadi und dem STC verwickelt wird. Es ist unwahrscheinlich, dass Riad riskiert, dass eigene Soldaten getötet, verwundet oder als Geiseln gehalten werden", so der SCSS.

Dennoch sei die Lage für Saudi-Arabien schwierig – by Kersten Knipp

https://www.dw.com/de/im-jemen-wächst-die-angst-vor-einer-weiteren-spaltung/a-53271926

and English version:

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Fear of further fragmentation growing in Yemen

Yemen's Southern Transitional Council has announced it seeks to govern Aden and surrounding provinces, and has distanced itself from its former ally Saudi Arabia. A new proxy war could be on the horizon.

STC accuses Saudi Arabia of failings

STC spokesman Alkhader Sulaiman said his group's announcement to assume control over Aden and surrounding provinces was a reaction to Saudi mismanagement. Sulaiman said the Gulf monarchy's actions had exacerbated Yemen's humanitarian crisis, leading to a total shutdown of electricity, water and sewage infrastructure in recent days.

The spokesman accused Saudi Arabia of having withheld salaries earmarked for STC military and security forces, and of having failed to supply them with weapons, ammunition and food. According to Sulaiman, Saudi Arabia has also ceased supporting families of STC fighters wounded or killed in combat.

Sulaiman expressed that his group's announcement was also borne out of a need to tackle the coronavirus pandemic

Corruption?

The Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies (SCSS), an independent think tank, says the STC has good reason to distance itself from Saudi Arabia. It says the Gulf monarchy has attempted to systemically weaken the STC's influence by using its financial clout to try to build up a separate army with STC commanders. The think tank adds that Saudi Arabia has tried to lure STC fighters into its own forces by strategically withholding salaries.

The SCSS also says Saudi Arabia attempted to stir up anti-STC sentiment among locals after heavy rainfall several days ago caused numerous individuals to drown in Aden.

STC plan 'not well thought through'

Yemen's SCSS think tank says the STC plan to assume control over Aden and surrounding provinces was not well thought through. The think tank adds it is unclear how public institutions in the STC-controlled territory would operate. This, it said, applies especially to Aden's port as well as the central bank, which pays for key resources and oil acquired via a Saudi storage site to be imported to Yemen. The think tank says it will be unclear how these resources will be financed if the central bank shuts down.

The SCSS also warns that new fighting could break out, with the country's situation deteriorating further due to a possible military confrontation between STC forces and the government. It says that "it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will become directly involved in a military confrontation between the Hadi government and the STC." It thinks Saudi Arabia will not risk its own soldiers dying, getting wounded or being taken hostage.

In the think tank's view, Saudi Arabia finds itself in a delicate situation. "Saudi Arabia's presence in Aden will either make it accept the STC demand to govern, or it could risk being dragged into a military confrontation via a supposedly unofficial ally," it says.

New proxy war looming?

The US foreign policy think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, meanwhile, warns a grave proxy war might be looming. The organization expects in absence of an agreement, and given the reduced presence of coalition forces in Yemen, Saudi Arabia will have to rethink its role in the country. The think tank warns that "local actors, supported by foreign powers, are organizing themselves and increasingly readying themselves for war." – by Kersten Knipp

https://www.dw.com/en/fear-of-further-fragmentation-growing-in-yemen/a-53285964

(* B P)

Yemen's competition for Saudi patronage heats up as the STC declares self-rule

This seemingly climactic move is not, in fact, a full-blown secession announcement and will not radically change the existing dynamics in the South. More broadly though, the declaration demonstrates the region’s volatility, the limited reach of Yemen's government, and the difficulty of imposing a solution to the problem of secessionism. It is also sparking political competition for Saudi patronage, and all of this poses a major diplomatic challenge for the Saudis.

The timing of the STC's announcement was triggered by the catastrophic floods that struck Aden two days earlier.

Moreover, with the government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi based in Riyadh during the crisis, efforts by government officials to travel to Aden in the aftermath of the natural disaster were seen by the STC as political stunt. The government's absence meant Yemen's prime minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, and members of his cabinet were unable to depart from Riyadh to Aden due to the possibility that the STC might bar their entry at the airport.

This isn’t the first time

To date, this is the third time that the STC has made threats of self-governance aimed at weakening the government and establishing itself as a de facto authority.

Every time it has escalated, the STC has consolidated more gains than it expected — a tactic that the Iran-backed Houthi militia has used to great effect over the past six years of conflict. The key difference, however, is that STC is cooperating and engaging with the Saudis, as opposed to firing missiles at them. The STC has repeatedly welcomed Saudi Arabia back into Yemen's conflict to gain Riyadh’s approval and hasten the process of secession. The STC also regularly touts its success and commitment in fighting the Iran-backed Houthi forces, hoping to tempt the Saudis to stop backing Hadi and support them instead.

The Saudis and the Emiratis both issued statements of support for Hadi's government, emphasizing the importance of returning to the Riyadh Agreement, which requires cooperation between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Hadi, and the STC against the Iran-backed Houthis. The de-escalatory tone of the Saudi-led coalition was expected as any political or diplomatic rupture would have had severe consequences for operations against the Houthi militias on the ground.

However, coordination is easier said than done. There is a mutual trust deficit between Hadi's government and the STC, making the Riyadh Agreement's implementation painfully slow, if not outright impossible.

What are the implications?

What transpires in the South has huge implications not only for Hadi’s government, but also for the Islah party, which is currently being squeezed from all sides.

Although the STC is not the only player in the South, it is the single most potent one in terms of its political, military, and organizational capabilities, thanks to the UAE's backing and training of tens of thousands of southerners before its withdrawal from the South. Prior to the STC’s formation, most southern separatist movements, such as the former Hirak movement, died out or became part of the STC due to a lack of clear leadership and regional backing. The STC's strong relationship with the UAE and appreciation for the Saudi role in Yemen arguably make it the most significant threat facing the Hadi presidency at present, as its appeal makes it a more plausible actor for the Saudis to support.

Up until now, Hadi has kept a semblance of power by maintaining an exclusive relationship with Saudi Arabia. The possibility that the STC will share the same political or economic privileges will increase competition between the two and force Hadi to make uncomfortable changes. Given his desire to survive and maintain power, cooperation with the STC under the Saudi-led coalition umbrella rather than competition might best serve his interests. However, it might not sit well with other factions in the country.

Given the longevity of Yemen's war and the Houthis' increasing control over the North, the STC may present a face-saving alternative that the Saudis could begrudgingly endorse. If left with no option but a Houthi state south of its border, the Saudis might conclude that a clearly articulated southern Yemen that is a reliable and robust enemy of the Houthis in the North; has no ideological, religious, or tribal affiliations with them; and maintains control of the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a more appealing entity to endorse and protect – by Fatima Abo Alasrar

https://www.mei.edu/publications/yemens-competition-saudi-patronage-heats-stc-declares-self-rule

(* B P)

The Saudi and UAE cold war in Yemen will only intensify – even with the recent show of unity

Moves by Yemeni separatists in the south have pushed the pair onto the same page, but both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi crave influence in the country

Given its historic support for the group, the UAE’s opposition to the recent declaration of self-rule by Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) is mind-blowing – though was perhaps inevitable once the UAE decided to bring Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital, under its control.

Despite being part of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition on one side of Yemen’s civil war, the UAE and Riyadh disagree on the future for the STC – with the Saudi’s clear about backing President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi’s UN-recognised government.

This unilateral move is not the first standoff between the Saudi and Emirati surrogates in southern Yemen. There is much bad blood between the separatists and Hadi’s government.

The question now is: what happened between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to bring about their seemingly united front against the STC? We will likely never know. Perhaps the UAE realised that pushing the STC’s agenda now would be unwise, as backing self-rule in the south would mean blowing up the “Riyadh Agreement”.

However, cracks in the Saudi-Emirati marriage of convenience in south Yemen meant the Riyadh agreement had little chance to be fully implemented on the ground.

The UAE has always been keen on controlling the waterways south of Aden, including the strategic Port of Hudaydah and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, to push back against the increasing Iranian influence over maritime routes. It also wants to protect shipments of oil and other goods, especially from the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai. By dominating the most crucial sea corridors for oil exports, the UAE also sought to attach itself to Saudi Arabia at the hip.

“From the UAE viewpoint, this was a long term insurance policy for times when the relationship with Saudi Arabia comes to a halt,” Helen Lackner, the visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and expert on Yemen, told me.

However, Saudi Arabia too had its own arrangements. By establishing vast clout in the strategic province of al-Mahra, Riyadh could guarantee the flows of its oil to the Arabian Sea. Al-Mahra is one of the biggest Yemeni provinces. Its strategic location between the Saudi borders and the Gulf of Aden makes it a perfect passageway for a Saudi oil pipeline that could spare Saudi Arabia the perpetual uncertainty and instability around the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian domination over it.

Controlling Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital, through their proxies, is therefore crucial for both countries – by Ahmed Aboudouh

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yemen-war-aden-saudi-arabia-uae-separatists-government-stc-a9490546.html

(* B P)

Is Yemen going to split into two countries?

Regardless of the STC declaration, it will find it challenging to make self-rule in the south a reality. Working against it is the competition it faces from other groups in the south.

Opposition to the declaration of self-rule shows the nature of the challenge facing the STC. In particular, it will need to overcome a variety of high political and economic hurdles if it is to form a new South Yemen state, not least the current and ongoing challenge of civil war.

Politically, the STC will have to overcome the high degree of fragmentation that is present in Yemen today. As the reaction of those southern governors to STC's declaration shows, they do not speak for the whole of the south.

In fact, the STC is only one group among many which makes up the southern movement, known as the "Hirak." In terms of ideology, the southern movement is broad. While it includes separatists like the STC, it also includes others who are less committed to a new state-based in south Yemen. Instead, these groups want to see greater autonomy and power-sharing within the structure of the existing Yemeni state – much as the Houthis want the same in the northern part of the country.

Compared to others, the STC is arguably the most well-known southern-based groups. Its status was helped in part by receiving early foreign backing from the UAE soon after its formation in 2017 and active self-promotion abroad, including the establishment of offices in other capital cities.

Despite those efforts, STC's declaration hasn't yielded it much in the way of international support.

The STC may hope that control of Aden's port will provide some of the needed customs and other port-related revenue to turn this state of affairs around. But the sums won't be nearly enough. To get anywhere near making an impact, it would need to control the bulk of Yemen's oil fields in Hadramawt province and increase production substantially.

In addition to these problems is also the fact that the STC doesn't yet control Hadramawt. Its governor was one of the five which rejected the STC self-rule declaration.

In sum then, while the STC taps into many longstanding grievances and frustrations felt in Yemen's south, the various political and economic obstacles which it faces suggests that its prospects of forming a new South Yemen state for the first time since 1990 currently seem some way off – by Guy Burton

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-04-29/Is-Yemen-going-to-split-into-two-countries--Q4ZwUR1gdi/index.html

(* B P)

News Analysis: Self-rule declaration in southern Yemen hampers anti-Houthi military campaign

The announcement of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) to establish self-rule in areas under its control could hamper the years-long military campaign against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, experts said.

Some Yemeni experts believe that the self-governance declaration will pose serious consequences for the government's efforts aimed at ending the Houthi coup and restoring the country's state institutions.

Nabil al-Bukiri, director of the Arab Forum for Studies and Development, told Xinhua that "the announcement may be used by the STC just as a threat to expedite the implementation of the political provisions of the Riyadh deal and maybe for getting more political gains in the upcoming power-sharing government."

"Both the warring sides failed to implement the military and security provisions of the Riyadh deal and the self-rule declaration will lead to the formation of a new power-sharing government as soon as possible to avoid escalation in Aden," He said.

"Aden and neighboring southern provinces are already ruled by the STC and the self-governance declaration brought nothing new as it only came to divert the public's attention after the demonstrations staged against the deterioration of services," said Nabil.

The STC's statement stated that "the decision to control and self-govern the country's southern provinces came in light of the failure, mismanagement and rampant corruption of the Yemeni government, which practiced the policy of subjugation and starvation of the people."

Majed Aldaare, Aden-based expert and political analyst, told Xinhua that "the STC's self-governance announcement came as a result of the government's absence to manage the situation and provide services to the citizens living in the southern cities."

Aldaare said that "the STC dealt with the Saudi-brokered deal positively and offered many concessions to the government before declaring a self-rule in the southern provinces."

People living in Aden and other southern main cities reacted positively to the STC's self-governance announcement and considered it as a glimpse of hope to end their long-suffering, said Alaa Adel Hanash, political writer and observer.

"People waited for this moment for a long time, and some southern provinces witnessed major celebrations after this historic announcement," said Hanash.

The expert believes that "the STC will definitely succeed in managing the southern provinces for several factors including gaining massive public support that will help the council perform its duties more easily and improve the citizens' living conditions."

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/28/c_139016088.htm

(* B P)

Separatists and Yemen’s government are at it again

Still, the STC aligned itself with the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis enjoy little support in the south, where they are seen as interlopers from a different religious and tribal background. The United Arab Emirates (uae), which led the fighting in the south, put separatist fighters on its payroll. But last summer, tired of the long campaign, the uae withdrew most of its troops.

Officially Saudi Arabia still wants a united Yemen led by Mr Hadi. Quietly, though, some Saudis wonder if southern secession would be acceptable, given local hostility towards the Houthis. One problem is that the STC does not enjoy universal support outside Aden: local tribes might chafe at its rule, as might the Giants’ Brigade, a powerful Salafist-led militia.

Even if the STC could consolidate power, secession would further immiserate the north. The southern provinces hold Yemen’s modest oil reserves, its Arabian Sea coastline and much of its arable land. The north would keep its long, porous border with Saudi Arabia—and gain another reason for hostility towards the kingdom.

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/05/02/separatists-and-yemens-government-are-at-it-again

(B P)

Intel: US 'concerned' over separatists declaring self-rule in Yemen

[Overview]

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/yemen-stc-separatists-pompeo-saudi-coronavirus-riyadh-aden.html

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UAE-backed Yemen forces launch economic program to run south

The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen yesterday declared an economic program to manage southern governorates.

This came in a statement published on the council’s Twitter account, following the Arab coalition and the Yemeni government’s demands for the STC to abandon the decision on “self-rule” in southern Yemen.

The statement indicated that “the economic program includes 12 principles set by the economic team in the council.”

They include: “The continuation of work in economic, service and financial institutions on the basis of applicable laws, emphasising the supply and control of all state tax, customs revenues, and various fees.”

Making all resources available to secure public services for citizens such as water, electricity, health, and education. Encouraging national capital abroad to contribute to investment opportunities in the south.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200429-uae-backed-yemen-forces-launch-economic-program-to-run-south/

(B P)

The thread answering my question below on #STC intentions behind declaring "self-administration" in south #Yemen is worth reading. It's a pro-STC view, of course, but it's well articulated & certainly merits understanding

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1255209117741920256

referring to

If the STC gets its wish, is the ultimate result becoming a a client state of the UAE?

Without Saudia and UAE money the South cannot “ rule” anything hence the term used “ administration” .

(B P)

Yemen War: Why Did Separatists Declare Autonomous Rule In South? – OpEd

The aims, of the STC, which favors splitting Yemen’s south from its north, has long tangled with the Yemeni government, but the group and the UAE disapprove of Hadi’s alliance with al-Islah, an influential Islamist party. On the other hand, the Saudis view al-Islah as part of Yemen’s political fabric.

The UAE and the STC oppose any role for al-Islah because of its links to the Muslim Brotherhood, a regional political Islamist movement that the Emiratis and other Arab rulers have labeled as terrorists.

https://www.eurasiareview.com/29042020-yemen-war-why-did-separatists-declare-autonomous-rule-in-south-oped/

(A P)

Saudi cabinet urges southern Yemeni separatists to reverse self-rule decision

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1666666/saudi-arabia

(A P)

Film: Strict security measures in Aden

The temporary capital, Aden, in southern Yemen, is witnessing tight security measures; this comes after the Southern Transitional Council declared a state of emergency and self-management for the southern governorates and its control of government institutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ZEwOiBF_8

(A P)

Southern Yemeni academic accuses Islah Party of terrorism

Hussein Laqour condemns Islah and wider Muslim Brotherhood for spreading terrorism across Islamic world

The southern Yemeni academic Hussein Laqour has once again attacked the Islah Party (the Yemeni branch of the Muslim Brotherhood) and blamed them for the spread of terrorism in various parts of the Arab world.

“The Muslim Brotherhood recruits the demagogues and the teenagers and has plunged them into the strife of terrorism, while sending their children to study in London, Paris and Berlin,” Said Dr. Laqour, who is close to the Southern Transitional Council, in a tweet.

https://www.uprising.today/southern-yemeni-academic-accuses-islah-party-of-terrorism/

(A P)

Yemeni political parties reject STC’s self-administration of southern Yemen

Yemen’s National Alliance of Political Parties (NAPP), a group of parties loyal to the internationally recognized government, has condemned the declaration of self-administration in Yemen’s south by the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

In a statement released Monday, NAPP – which consists of 17 Yemeni political parties – called the announcement of self-administration of the south an “outright rebellion against the state and an infringement on the president's powers..."

The group said that by declaring self-administration amid intensifying attacks by the Houthis on several fronts, the STC has benefited the Houthis.

The national alliance called on Saudi Arabia to do more to support the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/708

(A P)

Saudi calls on Yemen's southern separatists to rescind emergency

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/saudi-calls-yemen-southern-separatists-rescind-emergency-200429062900667.html

(A P)

Regional and international power brokers reject STC declaration of self-administration

https://al-masdaronline.net/national/707

and

(A P)

Int'l Calls for Separatists to Draw Back From Unilateral Acts in Yemen

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2258436/intl-calls-separatists-draw-back-unilateral-acts-yemen

(* A K P)

Emirates deploys loyalist troops for last infighting in Socotra

The confrontations, which had been expected to pit forces of the Yemeni legitimate government against those of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), seem to have found Socotra archipelago as suitable fighting ground.

Hours after the Emirati-backed STC's chairman, Eidaroos al-Zobaidi, announced state of emergency and self-rule in south of Yemen, an official at the Yemeni government accused the United Arab Emirates of attempts to destabilize Socotra and ignite a bloody clash in coincidence with STC rebellion.

The same accusation was released by a minister in the internationally-recognized government in a phone call with the Debriefer, noting that Emirati hands steer the rebellion threads in the island on the Indian Ocean.

"Behind triviality – committed today by STC leaders – stands the UAE that seeks to thwart Saudi efforts aimed at confronting the Houthi expansion in Yemen," the minister added asking anonymity.

Media advisor to the Yemeni information minister sees that "the Emirati statelet's hungers go beyond mere seizure of Socotra, as they want Aden port, water passages, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and strategic areas.

"After it was expelled from Aden, the UAE has begun using its tools; namely STC militias whose leaders are living in Abu Dhabi," Mokhtar al-Rahabi added on Facebook.

The First Marine Infantry Brigade's chief-of-staff, Nasser Qais, "vows to overthrow all the State's institutions in Socotra," he claimed.

The UAE steers its STC pawns for its own benefit, while the STC itself –acting under Emirati orders – enjoys but noise that has given it magnified significance at southern level.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16781.html

(A P)

STC prepared for worst possibilities: Official

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is prepared for the worst possibilities, head of the STC local leadership in Dhalea said Monday, as the "decision of self-rule in southern provinces won't be reversed."

After taking the autonomy decision, "we have great responsibility to implementing it appropriately. We are prepared for the worst potentials," Abdullah Mahdi Saeed added in a statement.

"Today, we're facing many enemies, from many directions, and we have the duty for shouldering the responsibility to our people."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16782.html

(* A P)

Yemen's Aden sick of power games as southern separatists declare self-rule

UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council has declared state of emergency and self-rule. Aden's residents are far from convinced

Yemenis have expressed weariness with the latest declaration of self-rule from the southern secessionist movement that controls Yemen's port of Aden.

Residents in the port city of Aden say the declarations and statements from either the STC and its UAE-based leadership, or the government, will not improve conditions for ordinary people.

What they want, they say, is to see them improve the city and help to reduce people’s suffering.

“While the floods are destroying our houses and militias spread out everywhere, the STC is announcing a state of emergency and some other decisions,” Ahmed Alwan, an Aden resident in his 50s, told Middle East Eye.

“We are no longer happy to hear the mercenaries either in Saudi Arabia [the government] or in the UAE [STC] declaring new steps, we need them to work and improve the services instead of taking decisions.”

Yemen is also facing the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and its inability to detect and deal with a widespread outbreak.

Originally from Aden, Alwan added that he doesn’t believe in any statement unless there are changes on the ground, adding that anyone taking decisions from outside Yemen is a “traitor”.

“I’m asking the traitors who are fighting over the south, why do you not work from Aden? Why are you based in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates?” he said.

“They know very well that Aden is not safe, and it is not a good city to live in, so they want to sell it to invaders and spend their lives abroad.”

Revolution without the revolution

Alwan said his anger is directed toward both political sides controlling the south, after believing in their promises. Now, he says, he doesn’t believe the leaders are working toward alleviating the suffering of the people.

“The STC had previously announced the independence of the south under other names, like revolution and liberation, but they did not do anything on the ground,” Alwan added.

“If the STC was able to do anything on the ground it would have done so already, but the fact is it isn’t and it only waits for the Emiratis to guide them.”

People like Alwan say they want nothing more than peace and development, so some now hope that the UN will intervene and push both the government and the STC out of the port city.

“Personally, I do not trust Saudi Arabia or the UAE as both are involved in Yemen’s war and I’m only calling the UN to intervene and liberate us from them all.”

“We supported our leadership from the start, and we should keep supporting them until the end as they know how to work until they achieve independence of the south”, an STC member in Aden told MEE on condition of anonymity for security concerns.

He confirmed that Aden is under STC control and that they will push ahead with independence once the council’s leadership and the relevant Gulf countries have made that decision.

“The Saudi-led coalition intervened to help Yemen and we [STC] are part of this coalition so we cannot work alone, but in coordination with the coalition,” he said.

“The new step by the leadership is great and it sends a clear message to the government not to return to Aden until they reach an agreement with the countries of the coalition.”

The STC member said the Saudi-led coalition supports their aspirations to achieve a separatist state, noting the welcome given to the council’s leadership in the UAE as evidence.

“If the coalition was against our goals, the UAE would not have allowed our leadership in Abu Dhabi to go for this self-rule step,” he said.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/stc-declaration-autonomous-rule-not-enough-yemen-southerners

(* A P)

UAE-backed separatists: Two-state solution for Yemen should not be feared

Speaking to TRT World, London-based STC Spokesperson Saleh Alnoud said the Hadi government was not delivering on its promises and was therefore 'frustrating' the November agreement signed between the STC and the Hadi-led Yemeni regime in Riyadh.

“One of the provisions of the Riyadh agreement was to establish a joint cabinet but we can’t wait indefinitely. The Yemeni government is playing its games and trying to frustrate this process,” Alnoud said.

“We should not shy away from the possible solution of a two-state solution. That is not something people should fear whether in the north of Yemen or in the region or internationally,” Alnoud told TRT World, adding that a separate statehood has been a long-standing goal of the people in southern Yemen.

The declaration of self-rule, Alnoud said, provides an opportunity to all the stakeholders to think about what the "real issues".

“Two-state solution has to remain and should never ever be ruled out as it has been previously dismissed,” he said, adding that the STC is willing to work in a transitional manner, phase by phase, but at no point will it allow the southern cause to be undermined.

Alnoud, the STC spokesperson in London, told TRT World that there have been many reasons why the separatist group reneged on the peace agreement and the outbreak of Covid-19 made the split urgent.

He said the people loyal to the STC exerted pressure on the group to take a decision in light of the pandemic, as there were no public services visible on the ground and someone needed to take the charge and fill the power vacuum.

For many regional experts, the rivalry between the STC and the Hadi regime is a reflection of how seriously the UAE and Saudi Arabia differ on the future of Yemen, as the two sides are now in competition to have the upper hand in the conflict.

Alnoud, however, said that the STC is open to forging ties with whoever understands their needs. “If we can have a relationship with the UAE, which is positive, we will work with them. If we have a good relationship with the Saudis, we will work with them,” he said.

When asked if there was a major rift brewing between Saudi and the UAE over the question of Yemen, he said he cannot comment on the matter.

He stressed the UAE's role in strengthening the STC, though, saying the Gulf country helped them establish lead forces and security belt forces in order to "stabilise" Yemen's southern provinces.

“There is a mutual benefit. The UAE is assisting us, we are helping the Arab coalition to achieve their aim, so we think it is a constructive mutual relationship. And, the UAE will continue to have a role. We will continue to have a good relationship with UAE,” Alnoud said.

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/uae-backed-separatists-two-state-solution-for-yemen-should-not-be-feared-35829

(* A B P)

Yemeni separatists' backers disown self-rule declaration

A declaration of self-rule by the most influential Yemeni southern separatist group has triggered concerns that Yemen's conflict could escalate just as the United Nations is seeking a nationwide ceasefire to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

[Overview article]

https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/yemeni-separatists-backers-disown-self-rule-declaration-20200428-p54nzn.html

(* B P)

UAE in process of illegally colonising a second Yemeni island

Just like Socotra, Mayon island is the scene of violent and illegal colonisation by Emirati invaders

The UAE occupation forces have turned the Yemeni island of Mayon into a military base, a corridor for the entry and exit of its mercenaries and an entry for their support in Aden and the rest of the occupied areas in southern Yemen.

According to a report published by al-Arabi al-Jadeed newspaper, the UAE has rehabilitated the Mayon military airport, which it also uses to support its agents on the west coast, as well as those in Aden.

“The UAE continues to tamper with vital and strategic areas and parts of Yemen, with a focus on scattered islands, one of the most important buried wealth in the country,” the report said.

Yemeni military and security sources spoke of the violations on the island of Mayon, in the heart of the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait which links the Red Sea with the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, amid Abu Dhabi’s attempt to replicate what it had done in Socotra, the newspaper said.

“The UAE has isolated the 13-square-kilometer island, with a population of about 250 people, from its Yemeni surroundings, in an attempt to cut it off and deprive any Yemeni party of control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” the newspaper quoted the sources as saying.

According to the sources, the UAE has imposed numerous measures to prevent access to the island, with exception of a few mercenaries whom it absolutely trusts, including a number of journalists and media professionals, while others are prevented from reaching the island.

The newspaper quoted a senior source in the local authority in Aden province, and another in the Aden Ports Corporation. The sources confirmed that local Yemeni authorities are not even able to know the conditions of the people on the island, and no Yemeni official has been able to reach or visit the island since the UAE took control of it in October 2015.

Four of the residents of the island spoke to the newspaper, revealing the UAE occupation practices in Mayon, pointing out that the UAE forces deliberately harassed fishermen in the process of fishing, in addition to entering and breaking into citizens’ homes under flimsy pretexts, and preventing the arrival of humanitarian aid to the island.

According to the residents, only the UAE part of the Red Crescent is allowed to work on the island

The sources confirmed to the newspaper that the flag of Yemen has been forbidden to be raised on the island of Mayon, while the UAE flag is raised instead as well as the flag of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. This symbolic deed shows the blatant colonial attitude of the Emirati forces towards the island.

Emirati delegations arrive on the island on an almost daily basis, and Emirati officers have met with a number of their mercenaries on the island, they said.

The report also revealed that there is a illegal prison in Mayon, where dozens of detainees and abductees are believed to have been transferred from the southern provinces of mainland Yemen.

The report added that the “inhabitants of the Island of Mayon suffer from the difficulty of life, and the lack of services, especially health services.” There is no hospital on the island, only a four-room health centre that, according to islanders, is not fit “even to accommodate the pregnancy of one woman.”

https://www.uprising.today/uae-in-process-of-illegally-colonising-a-second-yemeni-island/

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

Security Council Press Statement on Instability in Southern Yemen

The members of the Security Council expressed their strong concern at the 25 April declaration of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). They reaffirmed their strong commitment to Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and called for expediting implementation of the Riyadh Agreement. They expressed concern that the STC actions could distract from the efforts of Special Envoy Martin Griffiths to secure a nationwide ceasefire, confidence-building measures, and the restart of a Yemeni-led and owned inclusive political process. They urged the Government of Yemen and the Houthis to reinforce their engagement with a view to reaching agreement on the Special Envoy’s proposals as soon as possible. They welcomed the announcement of the “Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen” of its extension of the unilateral ceasefire in support of the UN peace process and urged the Houthis to join the Government of Yemen in reciprocating immediately, in order to stop ongoing hostilities and counter the outbreak of COVID-19.

https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sc14176.doc.htm

(* A P)

UN, ICRC plan 'potential' prisoner swap in Yemen

Officials say the swap, involving approximately 1,000 prisoners, awaits green light from Yemen's warring parties.

A mass prisoner exchange between Yemen's warring parties could take place amid the coronavirus pandemic, United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officials have told Al Jazeera.

Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC Regional Director for Near and Middle East, told Al Jazeera that "almost everything is in place for the exchange to happen", while UN sources said approximately 1,000 prisoners were identified for the first stage of the transfer.

"We had to balance the interest of the people detained for years and the infection risk we were taking as well as the risk detainees were taking," Carboni said.

"All we need now is a final alignment of the parties involved. We need this button to be pressed," he said, adding that the exchange will "potentially" happen within days.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/icrc-plan-potential-prisoner-swap-yemen-200429145404017.html

(A P)

UN envoy Griffiths fails Yemen's kidnapped journalists

What I would like to focus on here is that Griffiths ignored the issue of the kidnapped journalists, including the Houthis’ decision to issue death sentences against four of them, which are political orders to kill journalists and not judicial decisions, because they were issued by a court that lost jurisdiction and is financially and administratively affiliated with the Houthis. The Specialized Criminal Court, as it is known, has issued death sentences against more than 170 journalists, parliamentarians, political and civil activists who oppose the Houthis, including women, according to a statement of the international campaign for the release of prisoners in Yemen.

There is no justification for Griffiths’ neglecting this issue except that he deliberately sacrificed it to please the Houthis so they would not refuse to deal with him, a position that is closer to the jailer than to impartiality, despite the fact that the issue is human, not political – by Mareb Al-Ward

https://al-masdaronline.net/opinion/16

(A P)

UN Chief expresses deep concern upon events in southern Yemen

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on the Yemeni (llgitimate) government and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) to implement the Riyadh agreement signed on November 5 and focus efforts on tackling the Corona virus that causes the disease (Covid 19).

"The Secretary-General is following with concern the developments on the ground in southern Yemen. He urges all relevant stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that would further escalate the situation.", said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16786.html

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

(* B P)

Der Unerbittliche

Corona, Ölpreis, Jemen: Saudi-Arabien kämpft mit vielen Krisen. Doch statt das Land politisch zu öffnen, setzt Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman auf harte Repressionen.

Saudi-Arabiens Kronprinz Mohammed bin Salman steht in diesen Wochen vor vielen Herausforderungen. Zum einen legt die Corona-Seuche das Land lahm und treibt den Staatshaushalt in Rekorddefizite. Gleichzeitig kämpft Saudi-Arabien mit einer selbstgemachten Multikrise: Ölpreispoker und Streit mit Donald Trump, Jemen-Krieg und Dauerkonflikt mit Iran, politische Hyperrepression im Inneren sowie ein beispielloser Machtkampf in der Herrscherfamilie. Und das alles könnte auch das Herzensprojekt des Thronfolgers bin Salman gefährden: die "Vision 2030".

Mit diesem ehrgeizigen Reformprogramm will bin Salman sein Land in die Moderne führen, die Abhängigkeit vom Öl beenden und die Wirtschaft auf neue Fundamente stellen

Diese Entkrampfung des Alltags macht bin Salman besonders bei den jungen Saudis beliebt. Umso unerbittlicher dagegen sind seine Reaktionen auf Forderungen nach politischen Lockerungen, mehr Bürgerrechten, Versammlungsfreiheit, echter Kontrolle von Polizei und Justiz sowie Beschneidung der Allmacht des Königshauses. Wer dazu auch nur einige Zeilen in sozialen Medien postet oder sich gar öffentlich dazu äußert, riskiert systematische Schikanen gegen sich und seine Angehörigen, eine Anklage als angeblicher Terrorist sowie lange Haftstrafen – wie es bereits Tausenden friedlichen Aktivistinnen und Aktivisten widerfuhr.

Gleichzeitig droht das Ölgeschäft in geradezu systemkritischer Weise einzubrechen. Die Nachfrage sinkt derzeit ins Bodenlose.

Einen Vorgeschmack auf die neuen Verwerfungen lieferte in den vergangenen Wochen bereits der von bin Salman provozierte Konflikt um den Ölpreis. Im Streit um künftige Fördermengen überwarf sich bin Salman nicht nur mit Russlands Präsident Wladimir Putin, sondern auch mit seinem amerikanischen Gönner Donald Trump.

Ähnlich kompliziert ist auch die Lage im Jemen-Krieg, den bin Salman im März 2015 begann und bei dem ihm nun ein schmählicher Rückzug bevorsteht.

Dass der Thronfolger auch jeden anderen, der seine Allmacht kritisiert, erbarmungslos verfolgt, ist seit dem Staatsmord an dem Journalisten Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul weithin bekannt. Kürzlich lenkte der Hafttod von Abdullah al-Hamid, dem Pionier der saudischen Menschenrechtsbewegung und wichtigsten Reformdenker des Königreiches, erneut die internationale Aufmerksamkeit auf die desolate Menschenrechtslage in Saudi-Arabien.

Seither versuchen bin Salmans PR-Strategen, der Kritik von Menschenrechtlern entgegenzusteuern. Sie präsentierten kurzerhand zwei Reformen: den Stopp von Hinrichtungen Minderjähriger sowie die Abschaffung der Schariaprügelstrafe. V

An den Missständen im Land ändern die beiden neuen Justizdekrete jedoch nichts. Mit der saudischen Rechtspraxis vertraute Menschenrechtler bewerten sie lediglich als "irreführende" Symbolgesten. So können Minderjährige, die von Antiterrorgerichten verurteilt wurden, nach wie vor hingerichtet werden

Auch bei schweren Verbrechen, wie Mord, Totschlag, bewaffnetem Raub oder Gotteslästerung, gelten weiterhin weder Prügelverbot noch Hinrichtungsstopp – von Martin Gehlen

https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2020-04/saudi-arabien-coronavirus-jemen-oelpreis-menschenrechte

(* B P)

Saudi Prince’s Year of Prestige Is Unraveling in Front of Him

MBS was supposed to show off the fruits of modernization in 2020—instead, he’s dealing with the costs of the coronavirus and oil shock.

This was supposed to be Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s year. For 2020 the plan was for Saudi Arabia to exhibit some of the first fruits of its great modernization project—from a record number of Muslim faithful visiting holy sites to new industries and entertainment that showed the society had become more open and could one day thrive without oil. Then in November, the 34-year-old prince, the kingdom’s de facto leader, would claim the spotlight on the world stage by hosting his fellow Group of 20 chiefs.

A combination of his own actions and calamitous world events is now throwing up some tough questions for the prince over whether his economic dream remains attainable in its current form.

For all Crown Prince Mohammed’s efforts to crush dissenters at home and silence his critics abroad, his role in escalating an oil war with Russia showed a rashness that’s marked some of his decisions—including a failed boycott of neighboring Qatar and a disastrous military campaign in Yemen. There was also the gruesome murder in 2018 of columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents on his watch. No leader, though, could have predicted the coronavirus crisis.

The hush of Mecca and Medina is now the most striking illustration of the challenges facing a prince who staked his leadership on bringing economic prosperity to a nation where two-thirds of the population is under the age of 35.

According to a blueprint Crown Prince Mohammed unveiled exactly four years ago, called Vision 2030, one of the aims was to increase income from religious visits to Islam’s holiest cities. Saudi Arabia planned to enable 15 million Muslims, mainly from abroad, to perform the minor pilgrimage called Umrah to Mecca this year, almost doubling 2019’s arrivals. This was to be achieved by increasing capacity and improving the quality of the services offered to visitors. But coronavirus restrictions prevent travel. Mecca remains in total lockdown with the country’s highest number of Covid-19 cases, even as the curfew has been eased elsewhere.

In truth, the grand transformation plan was already faltering before the pandemic spread across the world and oil prices crashed. Bringing in more pilgrims and opening to tourism weren’t the only ways Saudi Arabia intended to boost the private sector and diversify the economy away from oil. Its most eye-catching megaprojects include the futuristic city of Neom on the Red Sea and a 334-square-kilometer (129-square-mile) entertainment, arts, and nature site on the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh. All are dependent on a healthy budget, foreign investment, and attracting skilled labor from abroad.

“Although it was difficult before, now it’s close to impossible to deliver on all elements of the vision,”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-29/saudi-prince-mbs-s-vision-2030-confronts-coronavirus-oil-shock

(* B E P)

Saudi-Arabien in Geldnot: Devisenreserven des Landes schmelzen in Rekordtempo

Saudi-Arabien hat finanzielle Probleme, die Devisenreserven des Landes sind im ersten Quartal 2020 so stark eingebrochen, wie seit mindestens 20 Jahren nicht mehr.

Saudi-Arabien ist es gewöhnt, „im Geld zu schwimmen“ und hat derzeit aufgrund des niedrigen Ölpreises massive Probleme. Sein Haushalt, mit dem es seine völlig überhöhten Militärausgaben und die sozialen Wohltaten für das Volk finanziert, braucht einen Ölpreis von 80 Dollar. Davon sind die Preise derzeit weit entfernt.

Schon vor zwei Wochen habe ich berichtet, dass der von Saudi-Arabien verkündete Waffenstillstand im Jemenkrieg kaum etwas mit humanitären Gründen zu tun hat, wie die deutschen Medien gerne behaupten. Sie zitieren dabei kritiklos die saudischen Erklärungen, dabei dürfte der Grund banal sein: Saudi-Arabien kann sich den Krieg (zumindest derzeit) nicht mehr leisten.

Das bestätigen aktuelle Meldungen darüber, dass die saudischen Devisenreserven derzeit in Rekordtempo schmelzen. Die Meldung fand ich beim russischen Fernsehen, das Reuters als Quelle angegeben hat. Um mich nicht mit fremden Federn zu schmücken, habe ich die Meldung des russischen Fernsehens übersetzt und die Reuters-Meldung verlinkt.

https://www.anti-spiegel.ru/2020/saudi-arabien-in-geldnot-devisenreserven-des-landes-schmelzen-in-rekordtempo/

(A P)

Film: Here we go again. @SecPompeo-backed #Saudi Monarchy arrests this man for doing this. Is this even a crime unless you are #ISIS backed by a religious obsessed extremist

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1255841925820751873

(A P)

Saudi Arabia allows entry to and exit from Qatif province

Saudi Arabia will allow entry into and exit from Qatif province starting Thursday, the state news agency reported on Wednesday citing a source within the interior ministry.

The source added that this comes as the result of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Qatif, located in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, was under lockdown since March 8 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-saudi/saudi-arabia-allows-entry-to-and-exit-from-qatif-province-idUSKBN22B2WL

My comment: Coronavirus as a pretense to lock a mainly Shia rebel province.

(* A E)

Record Plunge in Saudi Reserves Only Prelude to Looming Drawdown

Saudi Arabia’s central bank depleted its net foreign assets in March at the fastest clip since at least 2000, showing the severity of the damage inflicted by the slump in oil prices even as the government is only starting to lean on the holdings to cover budget needs.

The drop of more than 100 billion riyals ($27 billion), or over 5% from the previous month, brought the stockpile to $464 billion, the lowest since 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In the first quarter, the government ran a budget deficit of 34.1 billion riyals, which was mostly covered by external and domestic borrowing, Finance Ministry data showed on Wednesday.

Economists say the world’s biggest oil exporter will have have to dig deeper into reserves despite scaling back spending and looking to rely more on debt to withstand the historic collapse in commodity markets. Crude sales account for the majority of the government’s revenue.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-28/saudi-central-bank-fx-reserves-plunge-27-billion-in-march?srnd=premium-middle-east

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp9a

(* B E P)

Vor Saudi-Arabiens überraschenden Einlenken im „Ölpreiskrieg“ hat Trump mit Abzug der US-Truppen gedroht

In den USA wurden Hintergründe über die Einigung im „Ölpreiskrieg“ bekannt. Demnach hat Trump den Saudis offen gedroht, sollten sie den Ölpreis weiter fallen lassen und einer weltweiten Einigung im Wege stehen, würden die US-Truppen aus dem Land abgezogen.

Der „Ölpreiskrieg“ hat die Schlagzeilen ab Anfang März beschäftigt

Da die US-Fracking-Industrie in den letzten Jahren auf Kosten der OPEC-Plus, die ihre Fördermengen zur Stabilisierung der Ölpreise gesenkt hatte, Marktanteile gewonnen hat, haben einige Analysten hinter dem saudischen Manöver einen direkten Angriff auf die US-Konkurrenz gewittert. Wenn die niedrigen Ölpreise der Fracking-Industrie das Genick gebrochen hätten, hätte Saudi-Arabien problemlos den US-Markt zurückerobern können, von dem es von der Fracking-Industrie fast vollständig verdrängt worden ist. Obwohl die niedrigen Ölpreise auch Saudi-Arabien derzeit sehr weh tun, hätte Saudi-Arabien auf lange Sicht als Sieger aus dem Kampf hervorgehen können.

Das wusste auch Trump. Reuters hat heute unter Berufung auf vier Quellen über ein Telefonat zwischen Trump und dem saudischen Kronprinzen berichtet. Demnach hat Trump während des „Ölpreiskrieges“ am 2. April mit dem saudischen Kronprinzen Mohammed bin Salman telefoniert und ihm ein Ultimatum gestellt. Wenn Saudi-Arabien den Ölpreiskrieg nicht beende, werde Trump „machtlos sein“, zu verhindern, die Abgeordneten davon abzuhalten, ein Gesetz über den Abzug der US-Truppen aus Saudi-Arabien zu verabschieden.

https://www.anti-spiegel.ru/2020/vor-saudi-arabiens-ueberraschenden-einlenken-im-oelpreiskrieg-hat-trump-mit-abzug-der-us-truppen-gedroht/

(A P)

Intel: House Middle East panel spotlights Yemen in first virtual briefing

The House Foreign Affairs Committee spotlighted Yemen in its first virtual briefing, which the Middle East subcommittee held today.

“During our subcommittee’s virtual event examining the crisis in Yemen, we heard first-hand accounts of the situation on the ground,” Middle East panel Chairman Ted Deutch, D-Fla., said in a statement. “Along with reduced US and international aid, the current conditions could exacerbate the spread of COVID-19 in Yemen and the region. The US must continue to help foster a political agreement to end the war, reduce human suffering and contain COVID-19 in Yemen.”

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/04/yemen-trump-houthi-who-coronavirus-covid-19-saudi.html

and

(A P)

Yemenis call on US Congress to help end the war in unprecedented virtual briefing

Mwatana for Human Rights Chair Radhya Almutawakel and Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies Senior Researcher Abdulghani Al-Iryani publicly briefed the US Congress today, the first time that Congress has invited multiple Yemeni speakers to an experts’ panel directly briefing members. The two discussed recent developments in Yemen, focusing on COVID-19’s impact on the country’s humanitarian crisis and the consequences of Saudi Arabia’s recent unilateral ceasefire announcement for the conflict.

The virtual briefing on Yemen is the first public event to be hosted by the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism since COVID-19’s interruption of normal congressional business in March.

Abdulghani Al-Iryani told subcommittee members that “the US and other powers should support a diplomatic approach that, while focusing on reuniting the country and its central institutions, recognizes Yemen’s many voices, and they should propose a highly decentralized national unity government.”

“The international community has failed Yemen”, Al-Iryani added.

Both Almutawakel and Al-Iryani urged the subcommittee to continue using the power of the US Congress to push Yemen’s warring parties to a political settlement and to stop fueling the war through arms sales and military aid.

https://mwatana.org/en/yemenis-call-on-us-congress/

and more https://mwatana.org/en/radhya-speech/

(A P)

The United States’ Concern With the Southern Transitional Council’s Announcement of “Self-Rule” in Southern Yemen

Press Statement by Sec. Pompeo

The United States is concerned with the recent actions of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), including what the STC calls an announcement of “self-rule.” Such unilateral actions only exacerbate instability in Yemen. They are especially unhelpful at a time when the country is threatened by COVID 19

https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-concern-with-the-southern-transitional-councils-announcement-of-self-rule-in-southern-yemen/

and

(A P)

US Ambassador: STC’s declaration will aggravate instability

Ambassador of the United States to Yemen, Christopher Henzel expressed on Tuesday his concern towards the recent actions taken by the Aden-based separatists known as the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-39410

My comment: The US enabled the Yemen war, for making billions and for securing their global empire.

(A P)

US official welcomes Arab Coalition Yemen ceasefire, calls on Houthis to reciprocate

A top US State Department official on Tuesday welcomed the Arab Coalition’s recent extension of its ceasefire in Yemen, saying it will give negotiations an opportunity to move forward.

Assistant State Department Secretary David Schenker said the US administration was pleased with the “Saudi-led coalition’s announcement of the unilateral ceasefire” in Yemen on Friday.

“We are very pleased once again with what the Saudis have done. We hope and expect that the Houthis will join in, will reciprocate, and start negotiating in earnest,” said Schenker in an interview with Al Arabiya

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/04/29/US-official-welcomes-Arab-Coalition-Yemen-ceasefire-calls-on-Houthis-to-reciprocate.html

My comment: Two rogue allies, giving credentials to each other.

(* A P)

Right-Wing Think Tanks Are Using Covid-19 To Push War with Iran

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies and American Enterprise Institute are aggressively campaigning for military escalation and a tightening of sanctions.

Since the global Covid-19 pandemic began, a cluster of U.S. think tanks has been aggressively lobbying the Trump administration to escalate militarily toward Iran and tighten U.S. sanctions. This push has come despite warnings that such sanctions are worsening the death toll of Iran’s outbreak, which is one of the worst in the world. The think tanks leading this effort—the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and American Enterprise Institute (AEI)—have cranked out non-stop statements, research documents, videos and media appearances since the crisis began. They are not shouting into the wind, but speaking directly to an administration that has proven willing to act upon their words.

In the 47 days since March 11, when the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, the FDD has posted 56 articles, podcast interviews and videos on its website which either demonize Iran as a uniquely bad actor or urge the United States to take a confrontational posture towards the country. While the steady stream of anti-Iran invectives is not new, the insistence that the Covid-19 crisis builds their case is. One piece from April 14, for example, argues that the crisis strengthens the case for “regime change,” because it will diminish “the regime’s credibility even further and add fuel to the outrage and anger that have been building for years.” The unproven theory that mass suffering will accelerate an uprising against the government has long been used to justify a host of punishing U.S. policies against the Iranian people, including sanctions—a form of collective punishment has only unleashed poverty and premature death upon ordinary people.

Yet, throughout the crisis, the FDD has published a flurry of materials arguing that the United States must not let up sanctions during the pandemic. The organization is funded by pro-Israel billionaires and started out in 2001 as an explicitly pro-Israel organization called EMET (Hebrew for truth).

http://inthesetimes.com/article/22487/think-tanks-fdd-aei-iran-sanctions-coronavirus-war-trump-pompeo-covid

My comment: Horrible. These lobby organisations (labeled “think tanks”) are as dangerous as any barbaric militia.

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

(A P)

Khamenei Orders Settlement Project in Occupied Emirati Islands

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Naval Force Commander Alireza Tangsiri revealed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has tasked the IRGC with making Arab Gulf islands "habitable."

Tangsiri warned that the IRGC would not allow "the presence of foreign warships in this region."

Revealing Khamenei's plans to develop the islands in a radio interview, Tangsiri did not elaborate on why and when he issued the order.

Tangsiri, however, revealed that settlements were a part of the plan.

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2260566/khamenei-orders-settlement-project-occupied-emirati-islands

(A K P)

Iran has key role in keeping security of Persian Gulf: Leader

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says Iran has a key role in keeping the security of the Persian Gulf, and the presence of extra-regional forces threatens any initiative that could benefit the people of the region.

In a series of tweets published on the Twitter page of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, the Leader also said that the Persian Gulf belongs to the nations living there, and those are the ones responsible for ensuring its security.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/04/30/624234/www.presstv.tv

(A K P)

Iran official dismisses US objection to JCPOA stipulation to end arms embargo on Iran

Secretary of Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei has dismissed the US objection to stipulation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to lift arms embargo on Iran as of October 2020.

Rezaei made the remarks in an interview with Aljazeera TV on Wednesday night in a reference to the US attempt to extend Iran’s arms embargo in contravention with the context of the JCPOA endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 on lifting arms embargo on Iran as of October 18, 2020.

The international arms sanctions on Iran will be over soon and no one would be able to prevent us from our legitimate rights, Rezaei said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has claimed the US would not allow Iran to buy arms even after the embargo is lifted.

Rezaei condemned certain Arab countries for bowing to the US extortion, rejecting de-escalation and insisting on their hostility to Iran.

https://en.irna.ir/news/83770438/Iran-official-dismisses-US-objection-to-JCPOA-stipulation-to

(A K P)

Any US provocation, illegal move against Iran will be dealt with firmly: Armed Forces

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says the presence of the United States and its allies in the West Asia region has been the source of insecurity for regional countries, warning that any provocative move by US forces will be met with Iranian Armed Forces’ categorical response.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/04/27/624052/www.presstv.tv

(A P)

Rouhani: US violates int’l health regulations

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the US has escalated sanctions against Iran, adding that Washington is violating World Health Organizations' regulations and is preventing dispatch of health and medical items to Iran.

https://en.irna.ir/news/83768263/Rouhani-US-violates-int-l-health-regulations

(* B K P)

Beginnt der Dritte Weltkrieg mit einem Tweet?

Indem er die Marine iranische Boote versenken lässt, greift Trumpf zu illegaler Kriegsmacht

Trotz der Coronavirus-Krise - oder vielleicht auch gerade deswegen - könnte Trump beschlossen haben, einen Krieg mit dem Iran zu provozieren, um seine Wiederwahl zu erleichtern. In den Jahren 2011 und 2012 hat er Präsident Obama wiederholt beschuldigt, dies zu versuchen.

Das würde die Aufmerksamkeit von den Vorwürfen der Korruption, der Täuschung und der Verpfuschung der Coronavirus-Krise ablenken. Trump hat Vorbilder: Präsident Clinton nutzte Kriegshandlungen, um seine eigene politische Position zu stärken und von seinen Skandalen abzulenken. George W. Bush wurde zitiert, er freue sich auf die politischen Vorteile, die ihm ein Angriff auf den Irak bringen würde.

Trump quält den Iran seit dem 8. Mai 2018, als er den Rückzug der USA aus dem multinationalen Atomabkommen mit dem Iran ankündigte, das seit 2015 in Kraft ist.

Trumps Tweet, der sich auf eine (imaginäre?) Anweisung an die Marine bezog, kam für die von Nachrichtenreportern befragten Pentagon-Beamten überraschend. Während sie den Tweet selbst als eine Art Befehl akzeptierten, schienen sie etwas unterschiedlicher Meinung darüber zu sein, ob er irgendetwas änderte.

"Der Präsident sprach eine wichtige Warnung an die Iraner aus." So interpretierte es der stellvertretende Verteidigungsminister David Norquist bei einem Pressegespräch am 22.

http://www.antikrieg.com/aktuell/2020_04_29_indem.htm

and English version:

(* B K P)

In Letting Navy Sink Iran Boats, Trump Grabs Illegal War Power

Wags have mocked Trump for wanting to “shoot down” boats, which don’t fly. Infinitely more important is the heightened risk of war with Iran – and thereupon with Russia – if the military carries out Trump’s intent.

Despite the coronavirus crisis – or possibly because of it – Trump may have decided to provoke a war with Iran to help his reelection. In 2011 and 2012 he repeatedly accused President Obama of trying to do that.

It would distract attention from allegations of corruption, deception, and bungling of the coronavirus crisis. Trump has role models: President Clinton used acts of war to enhance his own political position and distract from his scandals. George W. Bush was quoted as looking forward to the political benefits he would derive from attacking Iraq.

Trump has been tormenting Iran ever since May 8, 2018, when he announced U.S. withdrawal from the multinational Iran nuclear deal, in effect since 2015

Trump’s tweet, referring to an (imaginary?) instruction to the Navy, came as a surprise to Pentagon officials queried by news reporters. While accepting the tweet itself as sort of an order, they seemed to vary a bit on whether it changed anything.

https://original.antiwar.com/Paul_Lovinger/2020/04/28/in-letting-navy-sink-iran-boats-trump-grabs-illegal-war-power/

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(A E P)

Newcastle takeover nears as Saudi director named in paperwork

Bander bin Mogren listed on Companies House documents

Saudi Public Investment Fund close to £300m deal

The Saudi Arabia-funded £300m takeover of Newcastle United inched closer to completion on Tuesday as documentation lodged with Companies House revealing the name of a potential new club director became public.

On a day when lawyers representing Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of the murdered Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, formally petitioned the Premier League demanding they block the prospective sale, the emergence of the fresh paperwork indicated the deal could soon be done.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/28/newcastle-takeover-nears-as-saudi-director-named-in-paperwork

and

Khashoggi fiancee: stop Saudi takeover of Newcastle United or be complicit

Hatice Cengiz tells Premier League the proposed deal is incompatible with its charter

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/28/khashoggi-fiancee-stop-saudi-takeover-of-newcastle-or-be-complicit

(* B K P)

Yemen's health system has been wrecked by war, but Britain is still helping the Saudis bomb it – even during the Covid-19 pandemic

Britain’s role in fueling and sustaining Riyadh’s devastating bombing campaign in Yemen has always been despicable, but it becomes especially monstrous as the threat of Covid-19 looms over the war-torn country.

British arms giant BAE Systems has seized on the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity for self-promotion, branching out into manufacturing face shields and ventilators for the NHS in the UK. At the same time, Declassified UK found that flight data “appears to confirm” that BAE is still flying a cargo plane from its jet factory in England to the King Fahad Air Base in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia on a “weekly” basis, where its staff service a fleet of British Typhoon fighter jets used to indiscriminately bomb Yemen. While a 2019 court ruling forced the UK to pause any new export licenses to Riyadh, BAE said it continues to “support the UK government” in providing “equipment, support and training” to the Saudi military.

As Yemen desperately attempts to prepare for the worst with Covid-19, BAE has also advertised five vacancies for British expats to help support the Saudi air force, including for a “simulator instructor pilot” and an “armament technician supervisor,” the investigative website said.

Asked by Declassified UK how appropriate it was for the RAF to be supporting the Saudi air force during a pandemic, the Ministry of Defence provided no answer. Luckily for them, mainstream coverage of Britain’s role in fueling the Yemen conflict has been almost non-existent in recent weeks, so Britons are not left to ponder the same question. There have been a few exceptions, though.

A report in the Guardian noted that BAE has sold £15 billion worth of weapons to the Saudi military during the last five years. It quoted an expert who said the war had only been possible “because of arms companies and complicit governments willing to support it.” In fact, so great is British technical assistance to the Saudi air force, that if it were ceased “there wouldn’t be a jet in the sky” after seven to 14 days, one former BAE worker told Channel 4 in early April.

It’s an absurd situation that while the British military is promoting itself as playing “a leading role” in constructing temporary hospitals to tackle the coronavirus pandemic domestically, it has spent years playing a leading role in helping the Saudi air force flatten them in Yemen, killing children and health workers in the process. Adding to the irony, the UK this month announced $200 million in Covid-19 aid for developing nations, including Yemen.

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/487051-yemen-covid19-britain-saudis/

and

(* B K P)

UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia continue despite Yemen war

Weapons sales to Riyadh fuel British economy amid Brexit uncertainty, COVID-19 lockdown, says expert

Leading UK arms dealer BAE Systems has sold Saudi Arabia £15 billion ($18.7 billion) worth of arms and services as the kingdom continues to wage a crippling war in Yemen now in its fifth year.

The Campaign Against the Arms Trade, a London-based group aimed at abolishing the international arms trade, analyzed BAE Systems' latest annual report.

It found that the company made £2.5 billion from Saudi Arabia in 2019 alone and £15 billion between 2015 and 2019.

This makes the Saudi government BAE's third-largest client after the US and UK, racking up earnings of £6.5 billion and £3.9 billion in 2019, respectively.

Osamah Alfakih, advocacy and communications director at Mwatana for Human Rights, told Anadolu Agency that UK-made weapons had been used by the Saudi and UAE-led coalition in "unlawful strikes" in Yemen. Mwatana is an independent Yemeni human rights organization.

Instead of playing a "positive role" in Yemen, the UK is fueling "armed conflict" with arms sales, Alfakih explained.

"The UK should support efforts of accountability for human rights abuses committed by all parties to the conflict, including the coalition and the Ansar Allah group," he added, referring to both the Saudis and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who overthrew Yemen's government in 2015, plunging the country in civil war.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-arms-sales-to-saudi-arabia-continue-despite-yemen-war/1822687

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

(A P)

China: Riyadh pact only way to solve Yemen south issue

Riyadh pact is the only right way to solve the south issue in Yemen, China has said, calling for the deal's immediate application.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16801.html

(A P)

Russian official, separatist leader discuss Yemen south situation

The Russian President's special envoy for Middle East and Africa, Michael Bogadnove, on Tuesday discussed with chairman of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Eidaroos al-Zobaidi, the situation in south Yemen, following the STC announced self-rule, according to the Sputnik International.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16802.html

and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/19934

(A P)

Türkei sorgt sich um territoriale Einheit im Jemen

https://www.hurriyet.de/news_tuerkei-sorgt-sich-um-territoriale-einheit-im-jemen_143536376.html

(A P)

Turkey concerned about latest developments in Yemen

Turkey to continue supporting humanitarian activities, efforts to resolve crisis in Yemen through UN-led inclusive dialogue

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-concerned-about-latest-developments-in-yemen/1821454

(A P)

Iran unterstützt einen vereinten Jemen unter Wahrung der territorialen Integrität

Das iranische Außenministerium erklärte, dass die Stabilität und der Bestand von Jemen nur durch Einheit zwischen den jemenitischen Gruppen und umfassende politische Gespräche zwischen verschiedenen Gruppen erzielt werden. „Iran unterstützt einen vereinten Jemen unter Wahrung der territorialen Integrität.“

https://de.irna.ir/news/83769756/Iran-unterst%C3%BCtzt-einen-vereinten-Jemen-unter-Wahrung-der-territorialen

(A P)

Unity among Yemeni groups only way to establish stability in country: Mousavi

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi, on Wednesday, said that the unity among Yemeni groups and holding comprehensive political talks among different groups is the only way to establish stability in Yemen.

The spokesperson added that Iran supports a united Yemen.

https://en.mehrnews.com/news/158177/Unity-among-Yemeni-groups-only-way-to-establish-stability-in

(A P)

Spokesman: Iran Supports Integrated Yemen

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi referred to the recent developments in Southern Yemen, and stressed his country’s support for the Arab state's integrity and unity.

“Based on its principled policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran supports a united Yemen and its territorial integrity,” Mousavi said on Wednesday.

https://en.farsnews.ir/newstext.aspx?nn=13990210000875

(A P)

Iran welcomes Arab coalition extension of ceasefire in Yemen

The agency quoted government spokesman, Ali Rabiei, saying yesterday that Iran “welcomes the extension of the ceasefire in Yemen during the blessed month of Ramadan, and supports the establishment of peace in the region and considers the holy month of Ramadan a valuable opportunity to awaken the region.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200428-iran-welcomes-arab-coalition-extension-of-ceasefire-in-yemen/

(A P)

Egypt warns against deviating from Riyadh Agreement on Yemen

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed “the importance of adhering to the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement’s provisions regarding the settlement in Yemen,” and warned against “any steps which contradict the Agreement,” the ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200428-egypt-warns-against-deviating-from-riyadh-agreement-on-yemen/

(A P)

EU body rejects STC’s declaration of autonomy in south Yemen

The EU’s diplomatic service yesterday announced it does not recognise the declaration of self-rule made by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) on Sunday over the southern Yemeni provinces.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200428-eu-body-rejects-stcs-declaration-of-autonomy-in-south-yemen/

cp13 Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

(A P)

UNESCO im Jemen verurteilt Ereignisse, die das natürliche und kulturelle Erbe von Sokotra bedrohen

Die jemenitische Nationale Kommission für Bildung, Kultur und Wissenschaft (UNESCO) verurteilte am Mittwoch die Ereignisse auf der Insel Sokotra, die eine ernsthafte Bedrohung für das Natur- und Kulturerbe der Insel darstellen.

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095603.htm

(A P)

Yemen's UNESCO condemns events threatening Socotra's natural, cultural heritage

The Yemeni National Commission for Education, Culture and Science (UNESCO) on Wednesday condemned the events taking place in Socotra Island, which represent a serious threat to the island's natural and cultural heritage.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095594.htm

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12628

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

#ISIS #Yemen releases flashy new feature-length documentary (52 mins). Claims to expose #AQAP deviation since #ArabSpring. Much more pro than usual & note that the timing coincides with renewed high tension in Yemen's south. Rival political actors may be using AQ &ISIS as proxies (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1255581462319038464

(A K T)

Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State militants arrived in Qarn al Klassi and Arqub in al Bayda governorate in southern Yemen from Ma’rib governorate in northern Yemen, according to unidentified sources cited in Yemeni local media on April 29. The sources warned that the suspected militants may be preparing an attack.[1]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-29-2020

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

A kiss to Khomeini's cheek!

You do not know, may God protect you, that the Israeli newspaper "Yediot Aharonot" says: More than 30 billion dollars is the volume of Israeli investments inside Iranian lands, despite the official announcement of mutual hostilities. The number of Iranian Jews in Israel has exceeded 200,000, receiving their teachings from their reference in Iran, the Chief Rabbi Yedya Shovat. The churches of the Jews in Tehran alone exceeded 200 synagogues, while the people of the year in Tehran numbered 25 million, they do not have a mosque in the capital, Tehran, and the big cities. Iran is benefiting from its Jews in America through the Jewish lobby, by pressuring the American administration to prevent striking Iran. The number of American Jews in the United States is 12,000 Jews from Iran, and they are spearheads in the Jewish lobby, including many members of both houses of Congress

https://aawsat.com/home/article/2256126/

Comment: The author of this article in the London-based @aawsat_News (owned by a Saudi Arabia royal) couldn’t help but try to hit two birds with one stone: taking a shot at the #Jews & #Shia.

https://twitter.com/DrAbbasKadhim/status/1255233262022201345

(A P)

Fighting in Yemen continues despite cease-fire extension

On Friday the Saudi government announced it would be extending a two-week unilateral ceasefire in the north of the country by a month in response to calls for de-escalation due to the coronavirus pandemic, and to allow for "an opportunity to focus all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and permanent cease-fire."

The Houthis, however, who are fighting Yemen's internationally-backed government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, chose not to reciprocate. They have outright rejected the cease-fire and raised the bar of their demands, asking the Saudis to end their intervention and remove themselves from Yemen's military and political landscape.

The pro-Iran Houthi militia believes that a military de-escalation of the conflict at this time, whether with Saudi Arabia or its Yemeni allies, is not in its best interests or those of Iran, which seeks to increase its influence in the Middle East, not restrict it.

The Houthis are continuing their offensive strategy in the north and mobilizing troops unabated.

https://www.mei.edu/blog/fighting-yemen-continues-despite-cease-fire-extension

My comment: The saudis themselves do not care for their “ceasefire”. This article is an anti-Houthi / anti-Iran blame game by a pro-Saudi partisan.

(A P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19947

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19949

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2080749

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2080708

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2080502

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2080496

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19930

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2079929

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

April 28: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1648034545346904/?type=3&theater

April 27: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/pb.551288185021551.-2207520000../1648032515347107/

(A K pH)

Three women injured in Saudi aggression airstrike on Saada

Three women were injured on Wednesday when the Saudi-led aggression fighter jets a strike on Saada province, a security official told Saba.

The strike hit Razih district, causing also heavy damages citizens' houses and burring a civil car.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095587.htm

(A K pH)

Aggressionsluftwaffe fliegt 12 Luftangriffe auf den Provinzen Marib und Al-Dschouf an

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095569.htm

(A K pH)

Aggression fighter jets carry out 12 strikes on Jawf, Marib

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095589.htm

(A K pH)

Luftwaffe der Aggression, 16 Luftangriffe auf den Serwah District

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095502.htm

(A K pH)

Aggression fighter jets attack Marib

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095516.htm

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12598

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids recorded on:

April 30: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12634 Jizan

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp1b

(A K pS)

Two martyrs from southern forces and dozens of dead and wounded from Houthis in heaviest military confrontations in Haifan

https://en.smanews.org/two-martyrs-from-southern-forces-and-dozens-of-dead-and-wounded-from-houthis-in-heaviest-military-confrontations-in-haifan

(A K pS)

Troops from Giants forces arrive #Lawdar to support liberation of Mokiras

https://en.smanews.org/troops-from-giants-forces-arrive-lawdar-to-support-liberation-of-mokiras

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army repels Houthi attacks in Al-Dhale

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/05/01/army-repels-houthi-attacks-in-al-dhale/

(A K pH)

In Taiz, A child, 4 years old, was injured with US-Saudi mercenaries' gunshots in Al-Taizyah district

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

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12634

(A K pH)

Saree: Eskalation der Aggressionskräfte wird durch eine angemes

Der Sprecher der Streitkräfte, Brigadegeneral Yahya Sarey, bekräftigte die Fortsetzung der Aggressionstruppen in ihrer Eskalation an den verschiedenen Fronten innerhalb und an den Grenzen.

Brigadegeneral Saree sagte gegenüber der jemenitischen Nachrichtenagentur (Saba), dass die Offensivoperationen der Aggressionstruppen in der vergangenen Woche mehr als 13 Kriech- und Infiltrationsoperationen an den Fronten von Marib, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhalea, Al-Dschouf und den Grenzen betrugen.

Er wies darauf hin, dass der Krieg der Aggression 200 Luftangriffen auf verschiedenen Gouvernorate angeflogen hätte

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095639.htm

(A K pH)

Army spokesman vows painful response to Aggression forces' escalation

The Yemeni army's spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sarie on Thursday confirmed that the continuous air and land escalation of Saudi-led aggression coalition forces "will be met with an appropriate and painful response."

Brigadier-General Sarie said in a statement that the offensive operations of the aggression coalition forces during the past week amounted to more than 13 operations distributed on the fronts of Marib, Bayda, Dhalea, Jawf provinces and the borders.

He pointed out that the aggression coalition aircraft launched 200 air strikes on different provinces.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095664.htm

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12633

(* A K)

Yemen's Houthis declare their full control of Al-Jawf for 2nd time in less than 2 months

The Ansar Allah group (Houthis) announced Wednesday evening the end of the operation "so it was possible for them" through its control of the remaining 95% of Al-Jawf governorate.

The military spokesman of the Houthis, Yahya Sari, said, "The last stage of the operation (They able to be fighted" ) included the clearing of the Al-Labinat camp, Al-Aqsha'a, and Khusaf, and the surrounding areas in Al-Marzeeq and Al-Mahashima in Al-Jawf, which resulted in approximately 1,200 mercenary deaths."

According to the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, Saree said that the area recently seized by his group amounted to 3,500 square kilometers, that is, the entire desert of Al-Hazm in addition to the areas of Khob Washa'af.

Saree pointed out that "Al-Jawf Desert formed the most important den of the so-called" Al Qaeda "and" ISIS "supported by the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Saree said that the importance of the Al-Labinat camp is that it is the last stronghold for the forces of the Yemeni internationally recognized government, in the Al-Jawf border governorate with Saudi Arabia.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16840.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12625

(A K pS)

Southern forces liberate a number of strategic locations in Oud north of Dhalea

https://en.smanews.org/southern-forces-liberate-a-number-of-strategic-locations-in-oud-north-of-dhalea

(A K pS)

Prominent sheikh Yassr Alawadhi of Aal Awadh tribes calls upon sheikhs & tribes of Bayda to mobilize & ready themselves to fight after Houthi militants raided a home & killed a woman in cold blood.

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1255560045997314052

(A K pS)

Houthis Violate Ceasefire 151 Times in Two Days

https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2258566/houthis-violate-ceasefire-151-times-two-days

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army thwarts Houthi militia infiltration attempt in Taiz

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/04/29/army-thwarts-houthi-militia-infiltration-attempt-in-taiz/

(A K pH)

Film: Najran: ambushes for a number of Saudi military vehicles, 28-04-2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAVvAD7P1Hs = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oesPlG2yfE

(A K pH)

Saree: Abwehr 2 Angriffe in Marib und Dhalea und Dutzenden von Gefangenen

https://www.saba.ye/de/news3095515.htm

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Army repels aggression forces' attacks in Dhalea, Marib: Army Spokesman

The spokesman Yahya Sarie affirmed that the army inflicted the aggression mercenaries heavy casualties during the attack, which ended without making any progress.

Sarie also confirmed that dozens of aggressive forces were captured and great amounts of various weapons were seized during the operation.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3095520.htm

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=12597

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16807.html

(A K pS)

Southern Forces Liberate New Areas in Al-Dhale

http://en.adenpress.news/news/19937

(A K pS)

A civilian was killed and many houses were damaged after the Houthi group hit al-Sawma'ah district in al-Baydha governorate

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1255139356462870535

(A K pS)

Local sources: a woman was killed after being shot by the Houthi group in al-Tafa district in al-Baydha governorate.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1255139055827685385

(A K pS)

Arab coalition impends Houthis regarding ceasefire breaching

The Arab coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government led by Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it had detected 151 violations by the Ansar Allah group (Houthis) to extend the ceasefire within 48 hours.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-16784.html

(A K)

Al Houthi militants clashed with Yemeni southern resistance forces in al Fakhir in Dhaleh governorate in southern Yemen on April 27, according to local sources. [2]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-april-28-2020

cp18 Sonstiges / Other

(* B H)

Maps: Yemen - Flood Susceptibility, 16. April

Sana'a City Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-sanaa-city-governorate-16-april-2020

Sana'a Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-sanaa-governorate-16-april-2020-0

Aden Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-aden-governorate-16-april-2020

Al Bayda Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-al-bayda-governorate-16-april-2020

Ad Dali' Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-ad-dali-governorate-16-april-2020

Hadramawt Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-hadramawt-governorate-16-april-2020

Al Hodeidah Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-al-hodeidah-governorate-16-april-2020

Al Jawf Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-al-jawf-governorate-16-april-2020

Lahj Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-lahj-governorate-16-april-2020

Al Maharah Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-al-maharah-governorate-16-april-2020

Al Mahwit Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-al-mahwit-governorate-16-april-2020

Marib Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-marib-governorate-16-april-2019

Raymah Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-raymah-governorate-16-april-2020

Sa'dah Governorate

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-sadah-governorate-16-april-2020

Nationwide Susceptibility to Flooding - March 2020

https://reliefweb.int/map/yemen/yemen-flood-susceptibility-nationwide-susceptibility-flooding-march-2020

(-)

Film: A breathtaking view from Al-Mahweet, the Yemeni charming governorate to which I belong

https://twitter.com/HananAlsheikh7/status/1255069293567500288

(-)

Photos: Villages in #Mahwit #Yemen.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1255268421995986945

(-)

Photo: A sandstorm in Wadi Hadhramaut. The details are blurred. Look closer. When the dust settles, Shibam will shine as a jewel again. Full of beauty and glory

https://twitter.com/saadtalib/status/1255842659274420224

(-)

Photo: Al-Khuraiba, one of the villages of Isla Saif, Doan District, Hadramout Governorate

https://twitter.com/Qa_nbus/status/1255947006897422342

(AE)

Film (Arabic): The story of the steadfastness of the farmer, Ahmed Al-Salahi, from the Directorate of Al-Hasha, Al-Dhalea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBgH1xRLj3g

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-646-yemen-war-mosaic-646

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-646 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-646:

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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