Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 677b- Yemen War Mosaic 677b

Yemen Press Reader 677b: 4. September 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 677, cp8 - cp19 / September 4, 2020: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 677, cp8 - cp19

Bei diesem Beitrag handelt es sich um ein Blog aus der Freitag-Community.
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Eingebetteter Medieninhalt

Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 677, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 677, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-677-yemen-war-mosaic-677

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

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

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle

cp19 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B P)

Spurned by allies, Saudi rethinks chequebook diplomacy

From Pakistan to Lebanon, Saudi Arabia is scaling back its famed chequebook diplomacy, a longstanding policy of splashing petro-dollars in exchange for influence, which observers say has yielded few tangible gains.

For decades, the wealthy kingdom funnelled billions in aid to its allies -- and to its enemies' enemies -- in a bid to bolster its position as an Arab powerhouse and leader of the Muslim world.

But as plummeting demand has sapped its oil revenues, the kingdom is rethinking old alliances that Saudi observers say have swallowed their cash while offering little in return, at a time when its quest for regional supremacy is increasingly challenged by rivals Iran, Turkey and Qatar.

A swathe of regional countries, from Jordan and Lebanon to Egypt, Palestine and Pakistan, have been the top recipients of Saudi aid over the past decade, said Middle East expert Yasmine Farouk.

"The dual economic impact of the coronavirus and low oil prices, however, may lead Saudi Arabia to restructure and rationalise its aid," said Farouk, from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/afp/2020/09/saudi-diplomacy-politics.html = https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/saudi-arabia-middle-east-chequebook-diplomacy-influence-13074632

(A P)

Saudi Arabia grants approval for UAE-Israel flights to use its airspace

Flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will be able to fly over Saudi Arabia after the kingdom on Wednesday said all services to and from the UAE can cross its airspace.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-saudi-airlines/saudi-arabia-grants-approval-for-uae-israel-flights-to-use-its-airspace-idUSKBN25T1OI

and also https://apnews.com/4973a233f3dc8bcda1918f70a20cb20d

(* B P)

'Blood And Oil' Traces Mohammed Bin Salman's Rise As A Ruthless Saudi Leader

The crown prince's dangerous miscalculation in Yemen appears early in Blood and Oil, an engrossing new book about the meteoric rise of Mohammed bin Salman and his ruthless pursuit of money and power. The authors — Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck, both reporters with The Wall Street Journal — deliver a vivid portrait of treachery and power grabs in the Saudi royal court, and attempt to uncover what drives some of the young royal's often reckless decision-making.

Using their reporting skills, Hope and Scheck gleaned information from confidential government documents, financial filings and the largely unsuccessful business pursuits of the crown prince, colloquially known as MBS. The authors interviewed people who have interacted with the crown prince, although they are largely unnamed sources because people are simply too frightened to talk openly about him. As Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman's Ruthless Quest for Global Power unfolds, you can clearly understand their fear.

Hope and Scheck chart MBS' evolution from an unfocused, overweight kid with a taste for McDonald's to an increasingly brutish young man with his eye on the throne. Shortly after his father, Salman, became king, MBS began ousting or locking up rival royals, including the then-crown prince, Mohammed bin Nayef. With breathtaking speed, MBS — not quite yet 30 — amassed enormous power, effectively in charge of defense, the economy and ultimately heading up Aramco, one of the world's largest and most profitable companies.

In 2017, his father, King Salman, tossed aside tradition, reshuffled hierarchy and made MBS, his favorite son, crown prince.

MBS may have sold his indulgent father on his vision for Saudi Arabia, which involves weaning its population off what he calls its "dependency on oil" and allowing a more open society for a burgeoning young population. To be fair, the crown prince recognized the insular kingdom was in desperate need of modernization and, equally important, foreign investment. MBS pulled in expensive Western consultants, paying as McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group tens of millions of dollars for a wealth of charts and some good suggestions, including finally allowing women to drive.

That helped burnish the crown prince's reputation as a reformer — a young and dynamic royal impatient to drag Saudi Arabia into the 21st century. MBS was feted by high-profile columnists and Western politicians, including President Trump. The book has particularly amusing accounts of White House chaos trying to organize Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia shortly after he took office. International bankers, entertainment moguls and business leaders jetted into Riyadh in October 2017 to attend a glittery investment conference dubbed Davos in the Desert to try to get in on the action in the kingdom awash with oil money. The highly successful conference seemed to say MBS had arrived.

But as Hope and Scheck unveil, below the veneer of a reformer lay the heart of an autocrat. Within days of the Davos in the Desert, MBS began rounding up hundreds of wealthy Saudis — powerful businessmen, senior royals and religious figures, who he claimed had gained their money illegally. Now the crown prince, with his own extravagant and expensive tastes, wanted the money back. Much has been written on this almost bizarre episode, but the authors provide good detail — such as in-house tailors sewing up hundreds of white robes for the detainees — and context about what led to the so-called Sheikhdown that brought in tens of billions of dollars in cash and assets. All the settlements were settled in private.

This was followed by other erratic moves by the crown prince

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/01/906645954/blood-and-oil-traces-mohammed-bin-salmans-rise-as-a-ruthless-saudi-leader?t=1598988837352

(* B P)

Turkey Challenges Saudi Leadership in the Muslim World

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and the wider Muslim world in general, have undergone massive changes in recent decades. The rise and fall of numerous secular, Arab nationalist and religious movements has shifted the balance of power more than once since the Western colonial powers were forced to end direct rule over Muslim lands.

For much of the last century, one country— Saudi Arabia—has played a pivotal role in the region. Founded by an unlikely alliance of an absolute monarchy of Najdi Bedouins, and Wahhabi extremists, they were brought together to serve the strategic interests of British colonialists.

The Saudi kingdom was, and remains a dagger planted in the heart of the Islamic world. The monarchy, a corrupt clique that is unabashedly subservient to the United States, uses its control over the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah as collateral for its influence over much of the Ummah. To further its own soft power, the monarchy has always tried to obfuscate the difference between traditional Sunni Islam and the teachings of Wahhabism, and in fact has tried hard to lay claim to the position of “leadership” of the entire Sunni world.

That is not to say that there has not been resistance against this Saudi-Wahhabi coup. Most famous perhaps are the words of Egyptian President Jamal Abdel Nasser: “To liberate all of Jerusalem, the Arabs must first liberate Riyadh”.

Starting with the success of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, a new wave of religiously-inspired anti-imperialist zeal swept the Muslim world.

The Sunni world itself saw a similar evolution, with organisations such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad emerging. Gradually, the Muslim Brotherhood (also known as al-Ikhwān al-Muslimūn or Ikhwan for short), a more orthodox Sunni Islamic organisation that emerged in 1928, came to the forefront in the Sunni world.

The Muslim Brotherhood is an enigmatic group that throughout history has played both the role of opponent to Western imperialism as well as key ally to Western hegemonic designs. While it is hard to place the organisation as squarely in support or opposition to the Islamic Resistance in general, there are a few key elements that can be stated with certainty.

https://uprising.today/turkey-challenges-saudi-leadership-in-the-muslim-world/

(* B P)

Film: What's behind the latest sackings in Saudi Arabia's royal family?

Commander of Saudi-led war in Yemen and son dismissed after being accused of corruption

Many royal family members in Saudi Arabia have been sacked or arrested since Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was appointed crown prince three years ago.

Fahd bin Turki, the commander of the Saudi-led war in Yemen, was sacked by Prince Mohammed while bin Turki's son is no longer deputy governor of a region in the northwest.

Both are under investigation for alleged suspicious transactions at the defence ministry.

Critics say MBS's anti-corruption campaign is really an excuse for the 35-year-old to remove anyone blocking his path to becoming king.

So what is really behind the sackings?

Presenter: Imran Khan; Guests: Abdulaziz Almoayyad - Saudi human rights activist and founding member of the Saudi Diaspora Party; Bill Law - editor, Arab Digest newsletter; Ali Al-Ahmed - director, Institute for Gulf Affairs

https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2020/09/latest-sackings-saudi-arabia-royal-family-200902173341729.html = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXoAEFoSRVY

(* B P)

War in Yemen: accusing royal commander of corruption to save crown prince

A storm of Saudi royal decisions has ended the service of senior military and civilian chiefs and referred them for investigation for corruption, raising questions about real reasons for the decisions which came a week after similar orders.
All decisions included the phrase "involvement in corruption cases".

Why was the commander of the joint forces of Saudi-led coalition Lt. Gen. Fahad bin Turki bin Abdulaziz fired? Was that really for his involvement in corruption, or because of the coalition's defeat in Yemen and an attempt to hold him accountable for that?

If his dismissal had nothing to do with settling accounts as Saudi crown prince is poised to be installed as the new king, replacing his ill father, why is not the truth of corruption charges against a royal military chief and other senior military officers at the Saudi defence ministry revealed? At least for Mohammed bin Salman to convince the public opinion that his sudden decisions were right?

Questions have been raised by observers, most of whom argued that firing the commander of the coalition's joint forces was because of the military losses in Yemen and his links to senior Yemeni military chiefs. Observers also said the commander had been involved in large weapons deals and buying allegiances that never served the objectives of the coalition but led to catastrophes in the poorest country in the Arab world, Yemen.

"Ending the service of the commander of the joint forces was because of his links with senior Yemeni military leaders that Saudi Arabia believes have helped him prolong the war through fake battles ending with handover of Saudi arms to the Houthis," an official in the Riyadh-based Yemeni government said.

An interesting thing is that corruption accusations of officers in charge of the military file in Yemen have been repeated for three years. But the Saudi regime, particularly Saudi crown prince and defence minister Mohammed bin Salman and his deputy who is responsible for the Yemen file, his brother prince Khalid, has not made decisions earlier.

Observers said the military operations in Yemen are overseen by the crown prince and his brother and the two must have known about corruption of officers.
On the other hand, observers said firing the commander of the joint forces was a proactive move to prevent foes of the crown prince from taking advantage of the corruption scandals.

Under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Fahad, large Saudi funds have been used to buy allegiances of military commanders, tribal elders and political leaders, away from the government and at the expense of the military operations against the Houthis, observers said.

Debriefer obtained documents that showed Mohammed bin Salman has been flooding Yemen with arms through government forces in order to prolong the war. The documents were provided by a senior official in the Yemeni defence ministry.

Most of the weapons transferred for the government forces since the war began have ended in the hands of a third party through local brokers, a thing that was confirmed by an investigative report titled, the end user, which was done by ARJI and DW.

The Saudi defence ministry has sent many military vehicles and weapons to Yemen through a Ukrainian company owned by Israeli diplomats and under direct supervision of Saudi crown prince when he was deputy defence minister in 2016, the documents showed.

Saudis also knew about military operations that targeted camps of government forces killing and wounding hundreds of soldiers and attacks on residential areas that killed many children and women and displaced many families.

Sources close to the Saudi royal family said the crown prince prepares decisions and the king signs and approves them without discussion; that is how the Saudi kingdom is being run at the moment.

MBS is settling accounts with anyone he thinks will be a nuisance and has removed all his foes, according to the sources.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19584.html

(A P)

Riyadh appoints new commander of Yemen forces

Lt. Gen. Mutlaq bin Salim replaces Prince Fahd bin Turki, who has been removed over 'corruption'

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/riyadh-appoints-new-commander-of-yemen-forces/1959830

(A P)

Saudi-Arabien setzt Kommandeur ab

Saudi-Arabien hat den Kommandeur der im benachbarten Bürgerkriegsland Jemen aktiven internationalen Militärkoalition abgesetzt.

Gegen den General seien in Verbindung mit Korruptionsfällen im Verteidigungsministerium in Riad Ermittlungen eingeleitet worden, heißt es in einem Dekret von König Salman. Auch der Sohn des Kommandeurs sei von seiner Aufgabe als stellvertretender Gouverneur der Region Al-Dschuf entbunden worden. Darüberhinaus seien im Zusammenhang mit verdächtigen Finanztranskationen gegen vier weitere Militärangehörige Untersuchungen eingeleitet worden.

https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/krieg-im-jemen-saudi-arabien-setzt-kommandeur-ab.1939.de.html

und auch: https://de.sputniknews.com/panorama/20200901327857691-korruptionsverdacht-kommandeur-militaerallianz-Jemen/

(* B P)

Saudi Military Chief Accused of Corruption

The general’s firing will prompt speculation about changes in Yemen policy and royal family opposition to the crown prince.

As for internal royal family politics, General Fahd is a full cousin of MbS—like King Salman, his father was one of the coterie of influential full brothers known as the Sudairi Seven, which also included King Fahd, Crown Prince Sultan, and Crown Prince Nayef. Another full brother is Prince Ahmad, whom MbS has apparently detained on suspicion of working against his future succession. Former crown prince Muhammad bin Nayef is also reportedly confined for similar reasons.

Although already de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, MbS often appears to fear plots that may prevent him from formally succeeding his ailing, elderly father. The corruption allegation against General Fahd will only enliven rumors that there are other issues in play besides dissatisfaction with the Yemen campaign. Senior princes are rarely sacked from government positions, and when they are, succession-related politics are likely a factor (e.g., Mitab bin Abdullah, son of King Salman’s predecessor, was fired as national guard minister in 2017). For Washington, the change in military leadership could be an opportunity to engage Riyadh on changing its Yemen policy and resolving the protracted crisis once and for all.

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/saudi-military-chief-accused-of-corruption

and

(A P)

Saudi king sacks two royals under defence corruption probe

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sacked two royals and referred them along with four military officers for investigation into corruption at the defence ministry in a royal decree issued early on Tuesday and carried by state media.

The decree said Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud would be removed as commander of joint forces in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, and his son Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd relieved of his post as deputy governor of al-Jouf region.

It said the decision was based on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s missive to the anti-corruption committee to investigate “suspicious financial transactions at the defence ministry”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-king-defense/saudi-king-sacks-two-royals-under-defence-corruption-probe-idUSKBN25R2Y1

and also https://apnews.com/f13d133cfcdc5e97eebf2dcc99fc8431

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/saudi-king-dismisses-yemen-war-general-on-corruption-suspicions-1.1487731

https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/13061-riyadh-to-probe-chief-of-saudi-forces-in-yemen-for-graft

and

(A P)

Saudi whistle-blower reveals details on sudden sacking of military commander

Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, commander of invasion forces on Yemen, suddenly forced to retire

The anonymous Saudi activist and whistleblower known only as Mujtahid, has revealed details of the arrest of Lieutenant General Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, commander of the Joint Forces, as well as the referral of a number of senior officers to the investigation.

The arrest of Fahd bin Turki (…) in addition to the arrest of his son, Deputy Emir al-Jawf and a group of senior officers, will not be the last. New arrests are expected among the al-Saud family and the military,” Mujtahid wrote in a tweet.

https://uprising.today/saudi-whistle-blower-reveals-details-on-sudden-sacking-of-military-commander/

and

(A P)

Mohammed al-Houthi comments on dismissal of Saudi supreme commander in Yemen

Sudden dismissal of Lieutenant General Fahd bin Turki result of his failures in Yemen, al-Houthi says

https://uprising.today/mohammed-al-houthi-comments-on-dismissal-of-saudi-supreme-commander-in-yemen/

and

(A P)

Firing commander of coalition joint forces good if intended to end war, says Houthi leader

Senior Houthi leader, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, on Tuesday said firing the commander of the joint forces of the Saudi-led coalition is good if it was intended to end the war on Yemen.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19569.html

(* B P)

Investigation: African migrants 'left to die' in Saudi Arabia’s hellish Covid detention centres

'The guards just throw the bodies out back as if it was trash,' said one

Saudi Arabia, one of the wealthiest countries on earth, is keeping hundreds if not thousands of African migrants locked in heinous conditions reminiscent of Libya’s slave camps as part of a drive to stop the spread of Covid-19, an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph has found.
Graphic mobile phone images sent to the newspaper by migrants held inside the detention centres show dozens of emaciated men crippled by the Arabian heat lying shirtless in tightly packed rows in small rooms with barred windows.
One photo shows what appears to be a corpse swathed in a purple and white blanket in their midst. They say it is the body of a migrant who had died of heatstroke and that others are barely getting enough food and water to survive.
Another image, too graphic to publish, shows a young African man hanged from a window grate in an internal tiled wall. The adolescent killed himself after losing hope, say his friends, many of whom have been held in detention since April.
The migrants, several displaying scars on their backs, claim they are beaten by guards who hurl racial abuse at them. “It’s hell in here. We are treated like animals and beaten every day,” said Abebe, an Ethiopian who has been held at one of the centres for more than four months.

“If I see that there is no escape, I will take my own life. Others have already,” he added via an intermediary who was able to communicate on a smuggled phone.
“My only crime is leaving my country in search of a better life. But they beat us with whips and electric cords as if we were murderers.”

The images and testimony have sparked outrage among human rights activists, and have particular resonance in light of the global Black Lives Matter protests.
"Photos emerging from detention centres in southern Saudi Arabia show that authorities there are subjecting Horn of Africa migrants to squalid, crowded, and dehumanising conditions with no regard for their safety or dignity,” said Adam Coogle, deputy director of Human Rights Watch in the Middle East, after being shown the images by The Sunday Telegraph.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/investigation-african-migrants-left-die-saudi-arabias-hellish/

and also https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/african-migrants-locked-saudi-coronavirus-centres-report-200831110843189.html

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200901-hundreds-of-african-migrants-left-to-die-in-hellish-saudi-deportation-centres/

(B E P)

China gives up Saudi oil

According to a report by the US Oil Price website, China has imported record quantities of crude oil in recent months, taking advantage of the lowest crude prices in two decades in April’s cheap oil stockpile.

In the context of their search for deals to obtain low-price oil, Chinese oil traders – both state-owned and independent refineries alike – snapped up cheap US cargoes last April, which were loaded in May and began arriving in China in June, and set records in July.

The report added that Chinese refineries stopped their crude oil demands from Saudi Arabia last March and April, due to the short time of tankers ’journey between the Middle East and China compared to the road between the United States and China

https://www.saudi24news.com/2020/09/china-gives-up-saudi-oil.html

(* B P)

King Salman's legacy: The world has lost faith in Saudi Arabia

In the third of three columns assessing King Salman bin Abdulaziz's legacy, Madawi al-Rasheed argues that his successor will struggle to secure international allies

Since the discovery of oil in the country in the 1930s, Saudi Arabia has been an important hub for western interests in the Middle East region.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz will leave the throne almost a century later. His successor will no doubt see this pivotal role gradually being eroded under a changing global energy market. As the US is no longer dependent on Saudi oil, or that of the Middle East in general, the kingdom’s special relationship with the US will be demoted, leaving the country exposed to regional and international hazards.

The US media, civil society and Congress have proven to be less accommodating [than the Trump administration] towards a prince whose crime shocked the world. The US judiciary is now taking on the case of an alleged Saudi assassination attempt that failed to eliminate another critical voice in exile, Saad al-Jabri, a key former intelligence official alongside the deposed Mohammed bin Nayef. Jabri was allegedly targeted by the crown prince’s death squad in Canada.

After King Salman, Saudi Arabia may not be able to take for granted the unconditional support of a future US president. Nor can the kingdom turn to Europe, another western bloc that historically indulged the kingdom and did not challenge its excesses, both domestic and regional.

The public mood in Europe remains sceptical of continuing to offer the young crown prince its full support, with the exception of Britain. Both France and Germany remain on guard, as their constituencies may succeed in halting the historical silence over the kingdom’s violations of human rights and international law. Both countries remain hesitant to support the kingdom’s brutal adventure in Yemen or to fully endorse a confrontational position against Tehran, Riyadh’s archenemy.

Saudi Arabia will find itself forced to nourish closer ties with China and Russia. But there is less hope that the kingdom will find stronger and more loyal allies in either country than its own historical ones in the West. Its military capabilities remain tied to western, and above all US, manufacturers and training schemes.

Despite the fact that Salman’s kingdom can purchase the odd missiles and surveillance technology from China, it would be difficult to switch fully to a Chinese military apparatus.

There is equally no hope that Russia will replace the US as the ultimate Saudi protector. Riyadh’s dispute with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of the year over oil prices and production set the scene for a troubled relationship.

With fewer dollars in Saudi coffers, a battered economy during the coronavirus pandemic, a hostile environment for Muslim workers, and regular deportations of Asian and African immigrants, Muslims around the world are increasingly sceptical of the Saudi leadership.

Since 2011, the kingdom has earned new enemies among pro-democracy Arab activists, feminists and Islamists. But its western apostles and apologists turned a blind eye until they were confronted with the brutal murder of Khashoggi.

Both the war in Yemen and the prevalent domestic repression remained a minor embarrassment dismissed by an aggressive public relations campaign aided by many western corporations, global media and partners of the regime.

This comfortable position may not last after the king’s death, when his son takes over the throne and becomes the dangerous man of Riyadh – by Madawi al-Rasheed

https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/king-salmans-legacy-world-has-lost-faith-saudi-arabia

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp9a

(* B P)

Joe Biden Promises a Moral Renewal for the U.S. Here’s Where He Can Start.

To take seriously Biden’s claim to moral leadership in foreign policy, he should apologize to the victims of the post-9/11 wars.

IF THERE HAS been a silver lining to Donald Trump’s presidency, it’s that it’s been an impetus for some form of national self-reflection in the liberal establishment. That urge has manifested itself in Joe Biden’s campaign, which has gone to great lengths to portray itself as one of moral renewal after the degradation of the Trump years. Promising a return to a more familiar style of U.S. foreign policy, Biden’s platform claims that under his leadership, the United States can “reclaim our longstanding position as the moral and economic leader of the world.”

It is no defense of Trump to say that a straightforward “return to normal” is in no one’s interest. A major legacy of the governing establishment of which Biden is a champion are the post-9/11 wars that have killed hundreds of thousands of people in the Greater Middle East, wrecked entire societies, and caused great trauma to the minority of Americans who have sacrificed their lives, family members, or mental and physical well-being in combat.

Biden himself has played a role in this dismal history.

There is not much to gain by dwelling forever on the wounds of the past. But in order to take seriously Biden’s claim to moral leadership in foreign policy, there is a minimum debt that he — and other U.S. political leaders responsible for the post-9/11 wars — owes to those who have paid the price for their destructive fantasies: an apology.

https://theintercept.com/2020/09/02/biden-foreign-policy-war/

My comment: An „apology“ is very cheap. Just stop all these wars and pull US military out of the region. But this will not happen: Biden was a warmonger during his whole life. The military and security industrial complex is so influent that it will prevent any downsizing of the US military policy to happen. – Biden’s „claims that under his leadership, the United States can “reclaim our longstanding position as the moral and economic leader of the world” are absurd. The US never was a „moral leader of the world“ – this claim is a strange example of the total blindness caused by the belief in any „American exceptionalism“, which is BS propaganda from the roots.

(* B P)

Pompeo carves out new US alliance system in Middle East

Following the historic agreement between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the region to ensure the stability of U.S. interests. In addition to the UAE, he visited Israel, Sudan, Bahrain and Oman. During the trip, the U.S. also criticized Turkey for hosting Hamas leaders, whom the U.S. and Israel view as terrorists. The U.S. message appears to be that a new alliance system is forming in the region, with the UAE and Israel at its core and Washington’s backing.

This may be part of a wider U.S. strategy to shore up allies in the Middle East and confront China and Russia in the long term.

For decades, the U.S. system of alliances in the Middle East was generally rooted in support for Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, the Islamic Republic has been a major adversary of America’s foreign policy. More recently, Israel achieved unique status as the sole country in the region to receive the advanced F-35 aircraft from the U.S., and it has received unparalleled support from the Trump administration.

All this may seem complicated, but the end result is relatively simple: There are now three alliance systems in the Middle East. One consists of Iran and militias and states in which it operates, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, militias in Iraq and the embattled Syrian government in Damascus. Turkey and Qatar represent a second alliance system, rooted in support for groups such as Hamas and the Government of the National Accord in Libya. The third alliance is the one Pompeo helped to push by meeting with Israel, the UAE and Bahrain during his recent trip.

Since Israel historically didn’t even have relations with Abu Dhabi, one might wonder, “How can this be an alliance?” The answer is, “Because of growing shared interests.”

One shared interest is confronting Turkey at sea.

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/514475-pompeo-carves-out-new-us-alliance-system-in-middle-east

(* B K P)

Tactical Report: US President Trump Looking Forward Military Deals with Saudi Arabia

"Tactical Report" website stated that US President Trump is looking forward to concluding military deals with Saudi Arabia, before the presidential elections that will be held next November. However, the lawsuit of “Al-Jabri” raises major problems in this regard.

The sources explained that "Trump" believes that this issue represents a "big public relations problem," which is "the last thing he needs in the presidential elections period."

He added that the former Saudi intelligence officer "Saad Al-Jabri" case makes efforts by the US Department of State to promote Foreign Military Sales more difficult, in light of growing opposition in Congress from both parties (Republican and Democratic).

While Trump says that although he appreciates his relationship with the Saudi crown prince, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, he believes that bypassing Congress in promoting or imposing arms sales is costing him a great deal of his political capital, even inside the Republican Party.

Nevertheless, "Trump" remains open to an arms deal he concludes with "bin Salman" if it represents a "big offer" that he is able to promote by saying that it creates many jobs.

According to the sources, "a big announcement of a big deal" is only what will make "Trump" risk facing criticism over the "Jabri" case.

"Trump" believes that the Saudis need to conclude arms deals with the United States now, especially since Democratic presidential candidate "Joe Biden" will not sell them anything if he becomes president, according to the sources.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14725

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

(A P)

President Trump urges Iran to spare life of popular wrestler

President Donald Trump has urged Iran not to execute a popular wrestler who authorities say killed a man during 2018 anti-government rallies.

https://apnews.com/a27aec8d283a33b73a88a4311a494ae9

(A P)

Rouhani: US making ‘ridiculous, childish’ efforts to trigger sanctions snapback on Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed as ridiculous the US push to trigger a mechanism in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that would snap back international sanctions on Tehran.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/02/633158/Iran-dismisses-US-efforts-to-snap-back-sanctions

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

(A P)

Britain releases funding assistances to Yemen, developing countries

The United Kingdom on Wednesday decided to release a package of funding assistances to developing countries facing Covid-19 and famine risks, including Yemen and Sudan.
The decision included an amendment raising fears about the British foreign assistances in process.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19600.html

My comment: Stop fueling the Yemen war. – Playing the big donor does not fit to:

(* A K P)

UK defense secretary promises to protect Saudi security against Houthis

The United Kingdom contributes to protecting Saudi Arabia against any Houthi assaults, the UK Defense Secretary said Thursday.
Britain will grant Saudi Arabia "new defensive licenses" and modern, advanced arms to enhance its military capacity in the face of potential attacks carried out by Houthis on its land and national security, Ben Wallace added.
The Saudi-British relations are not restricted to selling weapons, but a strong defense partnership, the UK official told Al-Arabiya in an interview.
Wallace blamed Tehran for supporting terror through the Houthi militia in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19613.html

My comment: ?????????????? Answer: Britain is a warring party in the Yemen War.

and

(*B K P)

UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia may have increased after they were ruled unlawful

In the year the court of appeal ruled UK sales unlawful, sales through opaque 'open licences' were 18% above average

Arms sales to Saudi Arabia may have continued - and even increased - even after they were ruled unlawful, MPs have been told.

More than 5,000 deliveries of weapons to Saudi Arabia were made under ‘open licences’ in 2019.

The Government agreed to pause new export licences to Saudi Arabia in June 2019, after the Court of Appeal declared ministers had not properly assessed whether the weapons could be used in the bloody civil war in Yemen.

Sales were resumed earlier this year, prompting outcry from campaign groups.

But even while they were stopped, firms with existing ‘open licences’ continued to sell weapons to the Kingdom.

Roy Isbister of campaign group Saferworld told the International Trade Committee: “In 2019 - and half of that year was after the decision following the court of appeal - there were 5,152 deliveries against open licences to Saudi Arabia, which is an 18% increase on the average of the last four years."

Unlike normal export licences, which are usually valid for a single shipment, open licences allow firms to sell to other countries over an extended period.

A total of £82 billion worth of arms export contracts were approved between 2009 and 2018 - with at least half under open licences.

And the UK licenced some £6.3 billion worth of arms to Saudi-led forces in Yemen from the start of the war in 2015 to the pause in 2019.

Dr Perlo-Freeman said the UK's export control system "seems to be designed to allow exports to proceed in almost any circumstances the government, for political or economic reasons, wishes it to do so."

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-22620657

and also https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-22620657

Activists claim UK arms sale to Saudi increased after court ruling it unlawful

Arms sales to Saudi Arabia may have continued – and even increased – after they were ruled unlawful, MPs have been told, reported the Mirror. More than 5,000 deliveries of weapons to Saudi Arabia were made under “open licences” in 2019, despite the UK government agreeing to pause new export licences to the kingdom just over a year ago following a court of appeal ruling that UK arms export to Riyadh was unlawful.

Details of the continued sale of arms to the Saudis following the court of appeals decision was mentioned by Roy Isbister of campaign group Saferworld. Isbister, who leads Saferworld’s Arms Units, who told the International Trade Committee that “In 2019 – and half of that year was after the decision following the court of appeal – there were 5,152 deliveries against open licences to Saudi Arabia, which is an 18% increase on the average of the last four years.”

Exposing what are thought to be legal loopholes, Dr Perlo-Freeman is reported in the Mirror saying that the UK’s export control system “seems to be designed to allow exports to proceed in almost any circumstances the government, for political or economic reasons, wishes it to do so.”

He added: “We’ve seen repeated instances of hospitals, schools, market places, residential areas, agricultural land and production facilities being bombed. Very often the same facilities being bombed repeated times.”

“And against this forest of a huge humanitarian catastrophe, the government has chosen to see a few isolated trees.”

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200903-activists-claim-uk-arms-sale-to-saudi-increased-after-court-ruling-it-unlawful/

(A P)

Bradford on Avon Oxfam Group call on UK Government to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and call for a ceasefire in Yemen

https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/18694702.bradford-avon-oxfam-group-call-uk-government-stop-arms-sales-saudi-arabia-call-ceasefire-yemen/

(A P)

Boris Johnson discusses Yemen civil war with Saudi Crown Prince Mohmmad bin Salman and 'stresses importance' of UK's relationship with desert kingdom

Mr Johnson stressed the importance of UK relationship with the desert kingdom

PM 'stressed our commitment to strengthening UK-KSA trade and investment'

Comes as the Crown Prince sacked country's top military commander in Yemen

'He reiterated the importance of the UK's close relationship with Saudi Arabia and stressed our commitment to strengthening UK-KSA trade and investment.

'They also discussed the crisis in Yemen and support for the work of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths.

'The Prime Minister thanked Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership at the G20 on the global response to coronavirus, and looked forward to the upcoming G20 leaders' summit.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8691249/Boris-Johnson-discusses-Yemen-civil-war-Saudi-Crown-Prince-Mohmmad-bin-Salman.html

and by SPA: https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2129452

My comment: Johnson again shows what a BS policy he’s promoting.

(* B P)

Continuity and change in British foreign policy toward Yemen

After the new Saudi leadership launched its military intervention on March 26, 2015, forming a coalition at the request of President Hadi, then British Prime Minister David Cameron endorsed the operation to reinstate “President Hadi and his legitimate government” and called for “non-military pressure” to bring the Houthis to the table. On April 14, 2015, the U.K. and members of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 2216, rejecting the Houthi-Saleh armed rebellion, endorsing the military intervention, and repeating demands listed in Resolution 2201. The U.K. has clearly maintained, both before and after the coup d’état, that the only way to resolve Yemen’s drawn-out conflict is through a peaceful settlement. Although London has been consistent on this point, its strong support for the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG), most notably during Edmund Fitton-Brown’s tenure as ambassador, seems to have waned in recent years, especially as the realities of the conflict have evolved, and it has demonstrated greater openness to dealing with armed groups.

The U.K.’s foreign policy toward Yemen is driven and shaped by a number of issues. First is London’s broader strategy and interests in the Arabian Peninsula, most notably its strong ties with Yemen’s immediate neighbors, Saudi Arabia and Oman, and unhindered access to energy supplies; second is its colonial legacy in the country’s south (1837-1967); and third is Yemen’s geostrategic location and proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Bab el-Mandeb is a global maritime chokepoint through which an estimated 6.2 million barrels of oil per day passed in 2018, and it accounted for around 9 percent of total sea-borne petroleum shipments in 2017.

the U.K., much like the U.S., has counterterrorism and counter-violent-extremism interests in Yemen as well, whether against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS, or other affiliates. This is mainly with an eye to reducing risk at home

British strategic support for the Arab coalition

Since the conflict intensified in March 2015, the U.K. — alongside the U.S. — has provided technical, logistical, and intelligence support to the Arab coalition. Neither country is a member of the coalition, but both offer indispensable support.

The U.K. has been a major donor to humanitarian efforts in Yemen, but has also benefited from arms sales to its long-standing strategic partner, Saudi Arabia.

A proactive, controversial role

Politically, the U.K. has long played an important and controversial role in Yemen, having supported intra-Yemeni peace talks in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprising, as well as after the armed rebellion and subsequent military intervention. British officials also went so far as to pressure the Saudis to engage in direct and indirect talks with the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, as did the Americans. Aside from a temporary, unannounced de-escalation in late 2019, the success of such efforts remains to be seen.

Moving forward

Overall, it’s clear that British policy toward Yemen has largely gone unchanged since the outbreak of the conflict. Its wartime engagement suggests that Yemen remains peripheral to the U.K. and is often viewed through the lens of its strategic partners’ interests, despite its geographical importance and potential. The U.K.’s dwindling support for the ROYG might be a reflection of evolving realities and British pragmatism, crucial to navigating its interests in post-war Yemen. More than five years after Marriott left, the U.K.’s two conditions for returning to Sanaa remain unrealized, and as London looks to chart a new course after Brexit and in a post-pandemic world, its foreign policy in Yemen seems unlikely to change in the near term. – by Ibrahim Jalal

https://www.mei.edu/publications/continuity-and-change-british-foreign-policy-toward-yemen

(A P)

Albukhaiti to his brother: British Ambassador to Yemen is a “demon” of peace

Mr. Ali Albukhaiti said in a series of tweets, in response to his older brother, that Britain and its Ambassador to Yemen are the ones who sought to stop the battle in Hodeidah, which Houthis were about to lose, and that he himself and others severely criticized the British ambassador at the time.

“Now this demon seeks to stop the war in Marib and across Yemen. No wonder he is being lashed out by the warring parties,” Mr. Ali Albukhaiti said. ” hats off to the demon of peace, Ambassador Michael Aron.”

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25275

(A H)

Urgent aid plea in Bradford to help the people of war-torn Yemen

PEOPLE are being urged to donate items to help the people of Yemen.

A container has been set up at the Bombay Stores car park on Shearbridge Road to fill with items to send to the war-torn country.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18688036.urgent-aid-plea-bradford-help-people-war-torn-yemen/

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

Emirates: Look at cp1

(A P)

Ethiopia thanks Saudi Arabia over migrants despite treatment

Ethiopia’s government says it is “thankful” to Saudi Arabia for accepting Ethiopian migrants entering the country, but it is barely commenting on the squalid conditions they face in some Saudi detention centers, after a media report showed migrants crowded in bare rooms pleading for assistance.

The statement Thursday is Ethiopia’s first public comment after a report in a British newspaper, The Sunday Telegraph, sparked outrage among some governments and human rights groups. The report, with photos showing dozens of African migrants sprawled close together in the desert heat, said hundreds are locked up. Most are Ethiopian men, it said.

https://apnews.com/f7f4b5787e3d8258173267f762476828

My comment: ???????????????????? Money tells why.

(* B P)

Pakistan ties with Saudi Arabia suggest a marriage where divorce is not possible

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always shared close ties, primarily because of religious affinity. They also share decades-long strategic ties and have on numerous occasions supported each other both diplomatically and economically. Examples of their synergisms can be seen in Pakistan troop deployment in the Kingdom, with up to 4,000 troops there at any one time; joint military exercises; Saudi’s provision of oil amidst sanctions on Pakistan due to its nuclear tests; and Saudi’s benign economic assistance, the most recent of which was bestowed during Bin Salman’s visit in 2019, when he pledged investment deals amounting to $20 billion.

As with every relationship there have been complications which have required compromise, albeit asymmetric. There were reprisals following Pakistan’s refusal to send troops within the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemen war in 2015. In a decision that prompted many raised eyebrows, former Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Army, General Raheel Sharif, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Military Alliance.

Do the countries need their relationship to work? The short answer is yes. Saudi Arabia is home to more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates whose remittances contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy. Indeed, overseas remittances make up around 86 per cent of Islamabad’s foreign reserves. Out of these, approximately 30 per cent are inflows from the Kingdom. Furthermore, Pakistan imports roughly a quarter of its oil from Saudi Arabia. In 2019, 74 per cent of the bilateral trade totalling $1.7 billion was due to oil imports.

Not only that, but Saudi Arabia is home to the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which are revered by Muslims all over the world. In 2019, almost 500,000 pilgrims from Pakistan performed the “small pilgrimage” of Umrah and each year (this year excepted, for obvious reasons), an estimated 200,000 Pakistanis go to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

For Saudi Arabia, Pakistan is important because it provides troops as well as security advisors under their 1980s security pact. Moreover, even though it is keen to pursue its own nuclear programme, for the time being Saudi Arabia pins its hopes on Pakistan’s nuclear capability to ensure a degree of deterrence against its enemies.

Riyadh cannot afford the relationship to splinter, because of its arch-rival and Pakistan’s neighbour, Iran.

The fact of the matter is that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia rely on each other and cannot afford to damage or cut ties.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200901-pakistan-ties-with-saudi-arabia-suggest-a-marriage-where-divorce-is-not-possible/

(B P)

The alliance between the UAE and Israel is a poisoned dagger in the Arabs’ back

Following the public announcement of the Zionist-Emirati love affair, a US-Israel-UAE deal was signed to supply F-35 aircraft to the Gulf State. This was viewed as controversial within decision-making circles in Washington and Tel Aviv, prompting US President Donald Trump to defend the agreement with a businessman’s mentality: “They have the money and they would like to order quite a few F-35s.”

In response to accusations directed at the US that the deal would undermine the commitment to maintain Israel’s overwhelming military superiority over its Arab neighbours, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “The United States has a legal requirement with respect to qualitative military edge, and we will continue to honour that.”

This confirms what I have said before about the so-called peace agreement between the UAE and Israel going beyond normalisation and reaching the level of a strategic alliance on every level. It will allow it to join Israel in any war against the Palestinians or any Muslim state, such as Turkey or Iran, for example. This is basically why agreement was made; it creates an Israeli-Emirati military axis, and therein lies its danger.

Despite what was said about Israeli anger at the UAE’s purchase of F-35 aircraft and the secret signing of the deal away from the prying eyes of the Israeli defence and foreign ministers, Benjamin Netanyahu wanted it to be prepared without any controversy prior to the main agreement. This is because it marks the first time that the Israeli leader has applied the principle of “peace for peace” rather than “land for peace”.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200831-the-alliance-between-the-uae-and-israel-is-a-poisoned-dagger-in-the-arabs-back/

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

(A P)

UAE: UN court doesn’t have jurisdiction in Qatar dispute

The United Arab Emirates asserted Monday that the U.N.’s highest court does not have jurisdiction in a case brought by Qatar alleging “discrimination against Qatar and Qatari citizens” amid a boycott by four Arab nations.

Lawyers for the UAE want the International Court of Justice’s judges to throw out the case for lack of jurisdiction. Lawyers for Qatar are due to respond on Wednesday.

https://apnews.com/4db93e2c62bd1eedef1d7c34f58c6665

cp12b Sudan

(A H P)

UN says new polio outbreak in Sudan caused by oral vaccine

The World Health Organization says a new polio outbreak in Sudan is linked to an ongoing vaccine-sparked epidemic in Chad — a week after the U.N. health agency declared the African continent free of the wild polio virus.

In a statement this week, WHO said two children in Sudan — one from South Darfur state and the other from Gedarif state, close to the border with Ethiopia and Eritrea — were paralyzed in March and April. Both had been recently vaccinated against polio. WHO said initial outbreak investigations show the cases are linked to an ongoing vaccine-derived outbreak in Chad that was first detected last year and is now spreading in Chad and Cameroon.

https://apnews.com/619efb65b9eeec5650f011b960a152e9

(A P)

Sudan’s Omar Bashir’s trial adjourned to Sept. 15

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1728211/middle-east

(A P)

Sudan, rebel alliance reach deal in ongoing peace efforts

Sudan’s transitional authorities and a rebel alliance signed a peace deal on Monday following months of tortuous negotiations aimed at ending the country’s decades-long civil wars, but other powerful armed groups have thus far declined to join them.

The deal was reached between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front, a coalition of several armed groups. Leaders signed the agreement in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, where talks have been held since late last year.

https://apnews.com/99b683f91d2df30f226af2bc456729f3

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms sales

Siehe / Look at cp10

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

(* B K)

The speaker of the Libyan army Col. Mohammed Qonono said in a tweet that Yemeni mercenaries are in his country among other mercenaries from other states to fight alongside rebel leader Khalifah Haftar against his UN-recognized government. The remarks confirm news of Yemeni media last week that the UAE was recruiting south Yemen separatists and flying them at its expense to Libya.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41698

cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy

(* B E)

Observers warn of further depreciation of Yemen currency

Economists and bankers on Thursday warned of further depreciation of the Yemeni currency in coming days in regions controlled by the internationally recognized government.
The Yemeni rial has fallen to its lowest level ever against the US dollar in these regions, losing 34% of its value so far this year. One US dollar is buying 802 rials in the south.
Observers expect it would trade 1.000 per US dollar by the end of this month.
The exchange rates are somehow stable in Houthi-region, where one US dollar is buying 600 rials.
Banking expert, Nashwan Salam, said the Aden-based central bank of Yemen is no longer able to control the exchange market and monetary policy after it has lost tax and customs revenues. The southern transitional council captured Aden last year and now is collecting all revenues.
Public funds are stolen in order to drain the bank's budget and weaken its role as it is continuing to lose reserves of foreign currencies, Salam told the New Arab.
Meanwhile, observers argued the chaos in the south is providing profitters with the opportunity to rise and expand the black market.
Reports have recently suggested that the shadow economy accounts for 90% of Yemen's GDP at the moment. Such estimates depended on the way

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19611.html

(* B E P)

[Sanaa gov.] Oil Minister: Hundreds of Millions, Riyals, Looted daily from Marib Refineries

The mercenaries of the US-Saudi-led aggression coalition loots daily over 600 million Yemen Riyals from Marib refineries' revenues, Minister of Oil and Minerals in the Salvation Government Ahmed Dares said. “We do not recognize any agreement that the mercenaries conclude with any country to control oil resources,” he stressed.

Marib refineries produce between 84 to 90 locomotives of gas per day and 9,200 barrels of benzene, diesel and mazut per day. Their revenues, exceeding 600 million Yemeni riyals, go to the mercenaries, Dares pointed out.

The aggression mercenaries daily loot a cargo of seven to ten locomotives of oil from Safer Refinery, at a value of 60 million riyals, and sell them to specific persons in Marib, he added.

They looted 18 million barrels of oil in 2018 and deposited the value in Saudi banks and their personal accounts, he indicated. They plundered 29 million barrels of oil in 2019, estimated at over 300 billion Yemeni riyals, he noted.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14754

(* B E H)

Yemen Monthly Economic Update July 2020

In late July, the Yemeni Government resumed salary payments to public sector workers in the southern governorates. While calm returned to the parallel exchange rate markets, supported by the global weakening of the US dollar and a lower local demand for dollars, suffocating fuel supply shortages continued in the northern governorates, jeopardizing COVID-19 responses and delivery of humanitarian assistance, further compounding Yemen’s dire economic and humanitarian conditions; food security remains fragile and requires close monitoring.

It remains unclear if the Government has recovered public revenue diverted to the STC’s “self-rule” accounts with Al Ahli Bank. During the period of “self-management”, the STC collected revenue from several revenue-collecting government agencies through its “self-rule” accounts. While these accounts were officially closed on July 29, it is not clear how much revenue had been collected and expended by the STC, and if the Government hassubsequently received unused funds, if any. The status ofthe unissued new banknotes confiscated in June by the STC on route to the Central Bank of Yemen (CBY) Aden is also unclear.

In the northern governorates, half-month salaries were paid to all public workers in late July. 5 Reportedly, the de facto authorities withdrew some YR 8.5 billion from the CBY Hodeidah branch’s special account overseen by the UN for public salary payments. Since November 2019, taxes and customs levied on commercial importation of fuel through the Hodeidah port had been set aside in a special account with the CBY’s branch in Hodeidah under UN supervision in accordance with the Stockholm Agreement. The pooled resources, supplemented by transfer from the Government, were to be used for salary payments to all public employees nationwide, but implementation of the agreement has suffered considerable delays. Since December 2019, the Government has not made any salary payments to public workers in the north governorates. In late July, the de facto authorities in Sana’a also disbursed half-month pensions to recipients in the northern governorates.

During July, the rial remained broadly stable nation-wide, supported by the global weakening of the US dollar, tightened controls on the cash market for dollars, and a lower demand for dollars due to difficulty in executing imports

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/yemen/publication/yemen-monthly-economic-update-july-2020

(* A E)

Flash Update: YER Exchange Rate Volatility (29 August 2020)

The exchange rate in Yemen continues to fluctuate, having reached an average of approximately 794.3 YER per 1 USD in the fourth week of August in IRG controlled areas. Compared to July average exchange rates in which we witnessed a 3-week stability in between W2 and W4 of July, the exchange rates have started to increase again with an increase of 37 YER per USD witnessed in August alone. Field visits to several exchange companies in IRG controlled locations indicated the following

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/flash-update-yer-exchange-rate-volatility-29-august-2020

(* A E)

Aden:

the purchase:

Saudi: 210, Dollar: 800

Sale:

Saudi: 212, Dollar: 806

- Sana'a:

the purchase:

Saudi: 159, Dollar: 602

Sale:

Saudi: 160, Dollar: 605

Prices are not fixed and vary from one city to another

https://twitter.com/Alhadath_Ymn/status/1300367447997001733

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

A senior al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) official, Ibrahim Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi, gave a speech on August 28 discussing the normalization of UAE-Israeli relations. Qosi suggested that Bahrain, Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia may be next in normalizing relations with Israel. He paralleled the decision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi to that of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat’s signing of the Camp David Accords. Qosi remarked that Sadat’s decision led to his assassination. He then called for the assassination of Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.[i]

https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/gulf-of-aden-security-review/gulf-of-aden-security-review-september-2-2020

(A T)

#Yemen #jihad: Fascinating to read pro-#AQAP & pro-#ISIS slog it out on encrypted media over who let Houthis take Qayfa. Rivalry seems more about control/smuggling than religion. IS complains AQ blocked supply routes, made deals with gov, had easy access to Marib & better funding

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1301135286957637632

(A T)

This week's #ISIS bulletin finally rounds off its version of recent battles in Qayfa #Yemen:

Houthis triumphed

Gov retreated

#AQAP capitulated

Tribes negotiated

ISIS battled on heroically to paradise Sounds suspiciously like #propaganda win-win for both Houthis & ISIS

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1300850975046074368

(* B T)

Indonesische Militante auf freiem Fuß im Jemen, Süd-Philippinen

Indonesiens Chef für Terrorismusbekämpfung sagte am Montag, dass das Erscheinen eines indonesischen Personalausweises in einem Video, das angeblich einen Houthi-Überfall auf eine Hochburg der islamischen Militanten im Jemen zeigt, darauf hindeutet, dass indonesische Kämpfer möglicherweise aus Syrien in den Jemen gezogen sind.

Das Filmmaterial mit dem Personalausweis und den indonesischen Banknoten wurde in den sozialen Medien viral, nachdem es am Samstag von Faran Jeffery, dem stellvertretenden Direktor der in Großbritannien ansässigen Denkfabrik Islamische Theologie der Terrorismusbekämpfung, auf Twitter veröffentlicht wurde.

„Das Video über die Entdeckung der Rupiah-Banknoten und des indonesischen Personalausweises zeigt, dass indonesische FTFs [foreign terrorist fighters] zwischen Kriegsgebieten wechseln “, sagte Boy Rafli Amar, Chef der National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), am Montag in einer schriftlichen Erklärung.

Das Filmmaterial stammt von einem “offiziellen Houthi Media” -Konto bei Telegram und wurde wahrscheinlich in den letzten Wochen gedreht, sagte Jeffery in einer Nachricht gegenüber BenarNews.

https://www.nach-welt.com/indonesische-militante-auf-freiem-fus-im-jemen-sud-philippinen/

(* B T)

Indonesian Militants at Large in Yemen, Southern Philippines

Indonesia’s counterterrorism chief said Monday that the appearance of an Indonesian identity card in a video purportedly showing a Houthi raid on an Islamic militants’ stronghold in Yemen indicated that Indonesian fighters may have relocated to Yemen from Syria.

Footage showing the ID card and Indonesian banknotes went viral on social media after being posted on Twitter on Saturday by Faran Jeffery, deputy director of the U.K.-based counter-terrorism think-tank Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism.

“The video on the discovery of the rupiah notes and the Indonesian ID card shows that Indonesian FTFs [foreign terrorist fighters] move between war zones,” National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Boy Rafli Amar said in a written statement on Monday.

The ID card in the name of Syamsul Hadi Anwar of Mojokerto, Central Java was found at an al-Qaeda or Islamic State stronghold in Yemen’s al-Bayda province, according to Jeffery, who shared videos via his Twitter account @Natsecjeff.

The footage came from an “official Houthi media” account on Telegram and was likely shot in recent weeks, Jeffery told BenarNews in a message.

Footage of fighters going through belongings in the captured camp shows Indonesian rupiah notes in denominations of 10,000, 5,000 and 2,000, as well as the ID card.

“The emergence of ISIS in the region cannot be separated from the protracted civil war in Yemen. The defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq has caused a number of fighters to relocate,” he said, using another acronym for the so-called Islamic State group.

Boy also said that lax border security had allowed militants to travel from Syria to Yemen.

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/indonesian/Indonesians-Islamic-militants-08312020183502.html

(*A T)

Facing defeat, al-Qaeda in Yemen resorts to mass killings of civilians

Six Yemeni civilians murdered by Saudi-backed terrorists

Al-Qaeda terrorist elements have executed six citizens in Bayda province, Yemen Press Agency reported security based on local sources on Friday.

According to the sources, al-Qaeda terrorists had kidnapped six citizens from Al-Arsas while crossing from Sayla Tayab in the Maswara district, and executed them on charges of providing information to [Sanaa gov.] Yemeni military forces.

https://uprising.today/facing-defeat-al-qaeda-in-yemen-resorts-to-mass-killings-of-civilians/

(A T)

Yemen army troops arrest one Qaeda organization member fighting alongside Houthis militia

In the middle of August 2020, Yemen army troops managed to captivate one member of Al Qaeda terrorist organization fighting in the ranks of Houthis militia in battlefronts Eastern Alhazm, the key city of Aljawf province.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41717

My comment: Each side objects to all other side to be affiliated with Al Qaeda (another example. https://en.smanews.org/southern-forces-monitor-terrorist-elements-with-the-brotherhoods-militia-in-abyan). For the Houthis and also for the STC, it’s rather improbable. For the Hadi government and the Saudi coalition it’s more or less proofed.

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Yemeni vice president slams Houthis for blocking international peace efforts

Mohsen highlighted the Houthis’ continued escalation across the country, including the launch of ballistic missiles and drones against Yemeni and Saudi cities and the obstruction of initiatives to resolve the Safer oil tanker issue

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1729371/middle-east

(A P)

Yemen: Religion, Rebellion And Reality

The Shia rebels are going broke because it costs a lot of money to maintain a force of several thousand armed men and also pay for the staff of the temporary government the rebels have established in the north. The rebels control access to over a third of the Yemeni population, and foreign aid groups as well as Yemeni suppliers have to pay higher and higher “taxes” to transport anything (food, fuel, medical supplies) to these populations. The money demanded to get past roadblocks is outright bribery, or extortion if you take into account the guns often pointed at travelers to speed up payment. These fees are now a major source of income for the rebels, who now get less cash from Iran, which is also broke. The cash shortage is a major problem for the rebels.

August 31, 2020: While the Shia rebels no longer control the Red Sea port of Hodeida their forces are still close enough to the port to fire on and hit ships trying to enter the port. Today the rebels threatened to fire on a ship carrying refined petroleum products and thus prevented the ship from delivering its cargo. The rebels are using this veto power over port access to try and extract more money from the UN, which now runs the port. Ships entering the port pay user fees and before the rebels were forced to withdraw from the port in May 2019, they considered the port user fees part of their income.

https://www.strategypage.com/qnd/yemen/articles/20200902.aspx

My comment: This must be a parallel universe. The Houthis control 70 % of the Yemeni population, and they control Hodeidah harbour.

(A P)

Wie Katar den Krieg im Jemen anheizt

Ein Geheimdienstdossier zeigt: Das reiche Emirat Katar finanziert die schiitischen Houthi-Rebellen im Jemen und damit auch Angriffe auf Saudiarabien (nur Abo)

https://www.diepresse.com/5861615/wie-katar-den-krieg-im-jemen-anheizt

Mein Kommentar: Hier wird wohl saudische Propaganda nachgeplappert. Selbst wenn Katar das macht: Gegen die saudische Kriegführung im Jemenkrieg (sowohl was die militärischen Eingriffe, vor allem die Luftangriffe, die saudischen Waffenimporte und die von den Saudis für den Krieg aufgewendeten Mittel angeht), wäre das kaum mehr als ein Fliegenschiss.

(A P)

Austrian newspaper Die Presse quoted former agent Jason G. (a pseudonym) as saying that Qatar "is financing the Houthis directly, which means that it is also financing missile attacks on Saudi Arabia," in addition to its funding of Hezbollah and the Brotherhood<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word'>.

The newspaper added, according to the same former agent who provided the German newspaper Die Tzayt with information about Qatar's funding for Hezbollah last month, as saying that a week before the attacks on Najran and Abha Airport, he provided information (he did not say to whom) he helped address those attacks and "avoid the fall of civilians<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;overflow-wrap: break-word'>." ".

Jason also indicated that there is information indicating that more attacks are being prepared,

https://www.hawarnews.com/en/haber/austrian-newspaper-qatar-directly-supports-houthis-brotherhood-in-yemen-h18956.html

My comment: This obviously is propaganda BS by who ever is behind this anonymous agent. Next week, Qatar will fund Lukashenko, the Pope or whom ever.

(A P)

Diplomacy Across Borders

Yemen Affairs Unit forges connections among Yemeni youth

One of the challenges for public diplomacy officers who must work outside of their host countries due to conflict and crises is walking those “last 3 feet” when it is hard to find an audience at the end of them. In the case of the Yemen Affairs Unit (YAU)—located in Saudi Arabia since Embassy Sana’a closed in 2015 due to the conflict—the public affairs section (PAS) looked to the Yemeni youth diaspora to find and forge connections inside Yemen. Many youth temporarily live and work in Saudi Arabia, maintaining ties with family and friends by traveling back and forth for brief visits to their country. YAU harnessed this dynamic population’s potential, envisioning them as envoys who could traverse borders to help reach out to a Yemeni population anxious to maintain U.S.-Yemen people-to-people ties.

In the fall of 2019, PAS designed an outreach initiative focused on 28 Riyadh-based youth—journalists, activists, news anchors, and aspiring writers—who were living “mobile lives.” The group was diverse, with members from different regions of Yemen, ranging in age from their teens to their mid-thirties, about 40 percent of which were women. PAS engaged the youth through the framework of civil society youth activism, dubbing the initiative “MAP: Make a Placefor Yemeni Youth”—a three-phased program comprising focus group work, a symposium, and interactive workshops.

https://statemag.state.gov/2020/09/0920FEAT03/

My comment: US propaganda crusade abroad.

(A P)

[Hadi gov.] Information minister: Houthis deliberately attack civilian objects in Saudi Arabia

Yemen's internationally recognised government on Monday called on the internationally recognised government to designate the Houthi Group as a terrorist organisation.
Information minister, Muammar Al-Eryani, said Houthi military escalation in all warfronts, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, threats to the regional security and violations of the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law require urgent international response to terrorist actions of the group.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19560.html

(A P)

Yemen’s agony enters 6th year as a result of terrorist Houthi militia’s power seizure

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi said Yemen’s agony has entered its sixth year as a result of the terrorist Houthi militia’s seizure of power and cities.

In an address to the nation on Thursday on the eve of Eidh al-Adheha festivity, Hadi said the Iranian militia are trying to turn Yemen into a “hotbed for Iranian-style extremist and terrorism” which threatens the security of the region and the broader world.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/07/31/yemens-agony-enters-6th-year-as-a-result-of-terrorist-houthi-militias-power-seizure/

(A P)

Houthi Explosives, Attacks Squander Griffiths’ Peace Efforts

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2481321/houthi-explosives-attacks-squander-griffiths%E2%80%99-peace-efforts

(A P)

Houthis to blame if ‘leaking’ FSO Safer tanker sinks, says government

Officials blame Houthi rebels for failing to maintain the tanker and blocking UN engineers, warning it could sink and release more than a million barrels of oil into the sea

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/houthis-to-blame-if-leaking-fso-safer-tanker-sinks-says-government-1.1072131

My comment: The hadi government itself is part of the problem – as it claims “legitimacy” and revenue from Houthi-held territory.

(A P)

UN should hold Iran responsible for fate of Safer tanker

After years of futile negotiations with the Houthis to save the Safer, the UN may need to consider new ways to salvage the vessel and avert the approaching catastrophe. So far, the focus has been on the Houthis, but the UN, as a first step, also needs to hold Iran responsible for the fate of the ship and any damage that it could cause.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1727461/world

My comment: Iran?? This is building a new propaganda story onto another…

(A P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20200904_OTS0002/sdrpy-in-neuer-partnerschaft-zur-wirtschaftlichen-staerkung-jemenitischer-frauen = https://deutschland-news24.de/2020/09/04/sdrpy-in-neuer-partnerschaft-zur-wirtschaftlichen-staerkung-jemenitischer-frauen/ (Deutsch) / https://apnews.com/PR%20Newswire/09c54983089e3f8cc0e0c2e3f9df95ff (English)

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2129793

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/saudi-arabia-to-send-yemen-60m-worth-of-aid-every-month-1.757649

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2129316

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2127515

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

Sep. 1: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1777241302426227/

Aug. 31: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1776442929172731/

Aug. 30: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1775461129270911/

Aug. 29: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1775460302604327/

(* B K pS)

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ‘aimed at stopping coalition airstrikes’

A surge in drone, missile and explosive-laden boat attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Houthi militia is seeking to pressure the Kingdom into stopping airstrikes that have killed dozens of their senior commanders in Yemen, Yemeni military officials and experts said on Tuesday.

The Arab coalition has announced intercepting explosive-laden drones and boats and ballistic missiles fired by the rebels at Saudi civilian and military targets in the Kingdom and Yemen.

Airstrikes by coalition warplanes have targeted senior Houthi commanders mainly in the central provinces of Marib and Al-Bayda, and in the northern province of Jawf. The Houthis also want to force the Kingdom to stop its massive military logistics with the Yemeni army, the experts said.

“The coalition (warplanes) targeted their fortifications, military equipment, trenches, gatherings, command rooms as well as military reinforcements,” Brig. Gen. Abdu Abdullah Majili, a Yemeni army spokesman, told Arab News.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1728216/middle-east

My comment: Remarkable, by a Saudi news site. The Saudi side exactly knows how from one day to the other they could stop all Houthi attacks against Saudi Terriotory – by stopping their own air raids against Yemen. But, by continuing the air raids they show that all lamenting on these Houthi attacks is propaganda BS. – Of course they do not mention the air raids targeting at civilian targets.

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14770 Several prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107772.htm Marib .

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107769.htm Bayda p.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14734 Several prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107669.htm 3 prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107518.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14721 4 prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107510.htm Marib p., Jawf p.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14713 Various p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107422.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14706 3 prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107420.htm and https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107419.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107413.htm Bayda p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp18

Im Jemen herrscht ein militärisches Patt. Eine größere offensive mit größeren Erfolgen und Geländegewinnen für eine Seite bleiben seit der Offensive der saudischen Koalition gegen Hodeidah im Jahr 2018 aus. Kleinere Offensiven, ständige gegenseitige Angriffe und Gefechte mit Toten auf beiden Seiten und Opfern unter der Zivilbevölkerung gibt es aber ständig. Besonders betroffen sind die Provinzen Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, der Bezirk Nehm in der Provinz Sanaa, die Provinzen Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah und Saada.

There is a military stalemate in Yemen. A larger offensive with greater successes and territorial gains for one side has been absent since the Saudi coalition's offensive against Hodeidah in 2018. Smaller offensives, constant mutual attacks and skirmishes killing fighters of both sides and causing victims among the civilian population are constant. The provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, the district of Nehm in the province of Sanaa, the provinces of Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah and Saada are particularly affected.

(B K pS)

Around-the-clock Houthi attempts on Marib, despite P5 ceasefire calls

Houthi militants have been pressing ahead for more than a month with an around-the-clock attempt to march on the Yemeni government’s stronghold of Marib despite a call last week by the ambassadors of the P5 countries on the militia to cease the attack.

The push southeast by the Shia theocratic guerilla who control north of Yemen aims to deal a final blow to the government and take control of the remaining state revenues, oil fields in Marib.

The guerilla apparently adopts what one would call “Endless Attack Attempts, Countless Fighters” strategy to press forward on the government’s territories. Its attempts on Marib alone have recurred several dozens of times since 2015 involving thousands of fighters each attempt.

Government and independent sources estimate the Houthi sacrifices in Marib as more than “700” militants killed by the city’s military and tribal defenders over the past two weeks and more than that number injured and arrested. The ongoing offensive, along province’s borderline with Houthi held Sana’a and Beidha parts has been raging day and night for two weeks, as Houthis keep replenishing their fighters constantly.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-41745

(* B K)

Wikipedia: Ma'rib Campaign

The Ma'rib campaign is a campaign for control of the Ma'rib Governorate of Yemen, between the Houthi fighters and Yemeni Army units loyal to Supreme Political Council on one side, and pro-Hadi militiamen and Yemeni Army units loyal to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on the other side.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27rib_Campaign

(A K)

Leading Houthi member in Yemen's Dhalea killed by gov't forces

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/04/c_139340977.htm

(B K pS)

Saudi project saves Yemenis from Houthi landmines

The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) in Yemen has cleared mines from across the country to allow displaced people to return home, according to the project director.

Osama Al-Gosaibi said that the Iran-backed Houthis had put down tens of thousands of mines in Yemen since taking over Sanaa in late 2014.

He added that the project’s demining engineers were working as hard as they could to clean land before civilians were hit. “We are racing against time,” Al-Gosaibi told Arab News.

Masam, which was established in mid-2018 by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), aims to clear Yemen of landmines and unexploded ordnances. It trains local demining engineers, equips them with state-of-the-art machines and also helps landmine victims.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1729161/saudi-arabia

(A K pS)

Dozens of Houthi militias killed during battles in Marib

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/09/03/dozens-of-houthi-militias-killed-during-battles-in-marib/

(A K pS)

Three citizens killed, injured in Houthi mine explosion west of Al-Bayda

A landmine planted by the Iran-backed Houthi militia killed and injured three civilians in Al-Bayda province, central Yemen, on Tuesday.

Local sources told September Net that a landmine planted by a Houthi militia exploded with citizens in the village of Al-Nahsrin, in al-Zaher district, west of the province.

According to the sources, the blast killed two citizens

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/09/02/three-citizens-killed-injured-in-houthi-mine-explosion-west-of-al-bayda/

(A K pS)

Sheikh Rabish al-Alayai killed today in the fight against Houthis in al-Makhdarah front, northwest #Marib. Rabish is a representative of Al-Islah Party in the parliament and one of most prominent tribal sheikhs in al-Haymatin tribes, western the capital #Sanaa. (photos)

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1301267515608367106

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1301245372279463936

and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-19602.html

(A K pS)

Houthi mine claims two civilian lives

Two civilians were killed and another wounded in a mine explosion laid by Houthis on Monday west of Al Bayda province, central Yemen.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25293

(A K)

Houthis claim to have advanced in Marib, capturing Mahiliya district

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19559.html

(A K pS)

Tribesmen from Murad along govt forces led by brgdr Dhyab al-Qabli ,com. of 143 brigade,& sheikh al-Ajai al-Talibi al-Muradi drove Houthis back, regained many sites in Mahyliah south #Marib 2day. 3 tribesmen dead & over 40 Houthis killed, injured & captured, tribal sources said (photos)

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1300451977978089472

(A K pS)

Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Interception, Destruction of Bomb-Laden UAV Launched by Terrorist, Iran-Backed Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2127639

(A K pS)

The #Houthi group bombed with rockets the only water well of the internally displaced people and the citizens of Madghal district in #Marib governorate.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1300458826345320452

(A K pS)

KSrelief Masam Project Dismantles 1,273 Mines in Yemen during 4th Week of August 2020

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center's project for clearing mines in Yemen (Masam) demined 1,273 mines during the fourth week of August 2020, including 24 antipersonnel mines, 231 anti-tank, 1,014 unexploded ordnance and four explosive devices.
Since the beginning of the project, as many as 182,228 mines, planted by the Houthi militias, have been dismantled.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2127514

cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle

Seit dem Abkommen von Stockholm vom 13. Dezember 2018 gibt es einen Waffenstillstand für Hodeidah. Zwar bleiben größere Offensiven aus, kleinere Gefechte gibt es aber laufend, und beide Seiten werfen sich ständig Verstöße gegen den Waffenstillstand vor.

Since the Stockholm Agreement of December 13, 2018, a ceasefire has been in place for Hodeidah. There are no major offensives, but smaller battles are continuing and both sides constantly are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

(A K P)

Daily violations

Sept. 3: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14770

Sept. 2: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14755

Sept. 1: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14734

Aug. 31: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14721

Aug. 30: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14706

(A K pH)

Woman Injured by Forces of Aggression’s Fire in Hodeidah

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14756

(B K P)

3395 Recorded Violations by US-Saudi Aggression in Hodeidah

The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room, which monitors violations of the Stockholm Agreement and Ceasefire in Hodeidah, reported 3395 violations staged by US-Saudi forces and mercenaries during the last August.

The source pointed out that the violations included the flying of 176 spy drones, the flying of 53 warplanes, developing 37 new fortifications and 6 infiltration attempts.

He also confirmed that the violations included 3 airstrikes that were launched by warplanes and 64 airstrikes by spy warplanes, staging 111 attacks with artillery shells and 2490 attacks with live bullets.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14728

And also https://www.saba.ye/en/news3107673.htm

My remark: There will be as many violations by the Houthi side as well.

(* A K P)

UN: Saudi Arabia, UAE used cluster bombs in Yemen

UN reports revealed that the Saudi-UAE coalition has recently used internationally banned weapons in its military operations in the Hudaydah Governorate, western Yemen.

The United Nations report expressed the organisation’s “concern” after it revealed the use of cluster bombs by the Saudi-Emirati coalition in Yemen in one of the air strikes that targeted the Hudaydah Governorate.

The head of the United Nations mission to support the Hudaydah agreement, Abhijit Guha, said in a statement that he is concerned about the repeated air strikes in the Al-Arj area between the city of Hudaydah and the port of Salif between 16-23 August, according to the Yemeni Al-Mahrah Post website.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200901-un-saudi-arabia-uae-used-cluster-bombs-in-yemen/

(A K pS)

Film: Houthi mines: death awaits its victims by the side of the road that destroys the life of the citizen (Nayef) and destroys his bus .

Naif's dreams quickly evaporated, when he passed his small bus on a landmine planted by the Houthi terrorist militia on the road located in the Mushaj area, and it was only a few seconds until his body parts were scattered, the bus was destroyed, and at that time some passengers were injured, blood flowed on the ground, terror spread, and spread Chaos, paramedics rushed to save what could be saved from the lives, and soon Nayef's soul flooded to her innocent, after hours of fatal pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaBmR8Ku_Vk

(A K P)

[Sanaa gov.] Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Coalition of Aggression, Its Mercenaries Determined to Withdraw from Stockholm Agreement

The coalition of aggression and its mercenaries are determined to withdraw from the Stockholm Agreement, in light of the neglect of the UN envoy Martin Griffiths, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said, stressing that the coalition continues to detain vessels and prevent their entry to the port of Hodeidah.

“This criminal act is not surprising for a coalition that has practiced brutal aggression and an unjust blockade on the Yemeni people since March 26, 2015,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14711

(A K pH)

Citizen Wounded by Forces of US-Saudi Aggression in Hodeidah

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14710

cp19 Sonstiges / Other

(* A)

Yemeni internet service stops by 60 percent

Yemen's internet service on Monday went out of order due to a technical botch.
60 percent of the internet international capacities stopped operating due to a technical failure in an international path outside Yemen, the Houthi-run public telecom company and TeleYemen said in a statement seen by Debriefer.
The flaw in international internet connectors affected the internet traffic in most of the Yemeni governorates, the statement added.
International providers are now contacted to find out alternatives through interim paths until the technical deficit is fixed and international capacities are restored.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19549.html

and also (Arabic): https://www.saba.ye/ar/news3107438.htm

(* B P)

TIKTOK ACTIVISM FIGHTS THE YEMEN CRISIS

In recent months, young adults and teens have used apps like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram for more than status updates. Instead, they’ve cleverly utilized the apps’ algorithms to spread the word of issues that are important to them, one of which is the crisis in Yemen. According to research done by Pew Research Center, 44 percent of people aged 18-29 “encouraged others to take action on issues that are important to them.” This is exemplified in the way these young adults are advocating and rallying to end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Jinan, who currently has 53.3K followers on TikTok, started using her account for activism because she felt stuck offline.

“I initially posted content on the Yemen crisis because I wished to help however I could,” she wrote via Instagram direct messages. Since she was a teenager, she felt there wasn’t much she could do. “I tried to sign as many petitions as I could, and I thought that using my voice and raising awareness is a crucial way for me to do my part.”

TikTok has been essential in how she’s advocated for other teenagers to do what they can to help the Yemen crisis. She reposts content she finds helpful on Twitter and Instagram, and her TikTok is where she puts content into her own words.

https://borgenproject.org/tiktok-activism-fights-the-yemen-crisis/

(-)

Socotra photos

https://www.pinterest.de/helmssteinhorst/sokotra/

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-676-yemen-war-mosaic-676

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-676 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-676:

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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