Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 681b- Yemen War Mosaic 681b

Yemen Press Reader 681b: 23. September 2020: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 681, cp6 - cp19 / September 23, 2020: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 681, cp6 - cp19

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Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 681, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 681, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-681-yemen-war-mosaic-681

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

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms Trade

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp13d 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

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

Aden verbleibt in der Hand der Separatisten im Süden. Ihre medien verbreiten eine große Menge von parteiischen Berichten, die das Narrativ der Separatisten überihren Hauptgegner, die Islah Partei (genannt "Muslim-Bruderschaft"), über die Kämpfe in Abyan und Shabwa, ihre Herrschaft in Aden und den von ihnen kontrollierten Gebieten verbreiten.

Aden remains in the hands of southern separatists. Their media are spreading a bulk of biased reports, showing their narrative of their foes from Islah Party (labeled “Muslim Brotherhood”), the fighting at Abyan and Shabwa, their self-rule at Aden and the areas under their control.

(A K P)

Heavy gunfire exchange is heard in Aden city now. Source: Crater Sky website.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42155

(A P)

Protests over power outage continue in Aden

Dozens of angry protesters blocked a number of roads and set some rubber tires on fire in several districts of Aden late on Tuesday night, over the significant deterioration of electricity service and long hours of power cuts on a daily basis.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26158

(A P)

Marib military court approves forced arrest of coup leaders, property be seized

Yemen’s military court in the third military region of Marib province on Tuesday approved the forced arrest of the Houthi rebel militia coup leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, and 174 of the militia’s leadership figures on charges of coup against the legitimate authorities and the establishment of an armed terrorist organization, supported by Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/09/22/marib-military-court-approves-forced-arrest-of-coup-leaders-property-be-seized/

My comment: LOL. A trial in absentia (the Houthis committed the same show).

(A E P)

Al-Bahsani halts oil export from Hadramout

Governor of Hadramout - Commander of the Second Military Region, Major General Faraj Salmeen Al-Bahsani took a decision to stop the export of oil from Hadramout and transfer its revenue to the Central Bank, accusing the government of abandoning its responsibilities.
In his speech in an extended meeting held in al-Mukalla, the capital of the oil-rich southern province, on Tuesday, Al-Bahsani said "the days revealed that the government abandoned its responsibilities and duties as the congestion of people has reached its peak."
"Accordingly, the local authority is forced to halt the export of oil from the province." he added.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26153

and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-20036.html

(A P)

STC reiterates its call for comprehensive peace

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26150

My comment: LOL.

(A K P)

Infighting renews between Yemeni gov't, STC in Abyan

The Yemeni southern governorate of Abyan early on Monday saw new infighting pitting the official government troops and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces.

The two sides exchanged shelling with heavy guns in the eastern part of Zinjobar, the provincial capital of Abyan, local sources said.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-20011.html

(A K P T)

Al Qaeda, Daesh send reinforcements to Brotherhood's militias in Abyan

New military reinforcements, including terrorist fighters of Al Qaeda and Daesh arrived in the locations under the control of the Islah's militias, the arm of Muslim Brotherhood organization within Yemen's legitimacy, in Shuqra of Abyan governorate, the spokesman for the Abyan axis, Captain Muhammad al-Naqib said on Sunday.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26140

This coincides with a report by the Houthi side: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15001

and also https://uprising.today/saudi-arabia-transporting-al-qaeda-and-daesh-terrorists-from-syria-into-yemen/

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19963.html

(A P T)

Popular resistance leader survives attempted assassination in Taiz

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19989.html

(A P)

Protesters reportedly injured as live ammunition used in Mukalla rally

The Emirati Hadhrami Elite forces on Sunday opened live ammunition at fury demonstrators protesting the bad public services in the Yemeni eastern governorate of Hadhramout.

The protestors blocked main streets in Mukalla, Hadhramout's provincial capital, and set fire to used wheels in protest of deteriorated services, mostly electricity and water.

"The campaigners threw stones at the Elite forces," local source told Debriefer, after the latter "intensely deployed and tried to disperse the protestors using live ammunition."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19988.html

(A P)

Lamlas Dismisses All Heads of Local Authorities, Directorates of Aden

[Pro-separatist] Governor of Aden Ahmad H Lamlas dismisses all 8 head of directorates of Aden governorate, this came in a statement from his office this evening.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26129

and

(A P)

Shatara: Process of change has began in Aden

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26136

My comment: There is a great gap between separatists’ claims and reality.

(A T)

Yemeni businessman Mohammed Almasnoor was assassinated in Shabwa, a province where the STC militia contests the government’s control and has mounted several lone-wolf attacks

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42086

(A P)

Growing public protest over Saudi-UAE presence in Mahrah, Socotra

Protests against the Saudi presence are continuing in Yemen's eastern province of Mahrah coinciding with protests against the deteriorating situation and the UAE-Saudi presence on the Socotra archipelago.

Armed fans of the southern transitional council fired live bullets to disperse a demonstration that was staged by people in the area of Nawgad in Socotra, local sources told Debriefer, adding that the demonstrators demanded to impose the rule of law and take military forces out of the island.

Moreover, they demanded the return of the local government which left after STC forces took over the archipelago in mid-June, control the arrivals and departures of people in accordance with the laws and restore services, development and salaries of military and public servants, the sources said on Saturday.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19978.html

and

(A P)

Protests against the STC militia renewed in Socotra archipelago today Saturday. The militia responded with a heavy-handed crackdowns, live bullets and planks injuring scores of protesters and detaining others. Source of the story: Multiple media outlets.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42086

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15019

(A P)

Film: The Power Outage In Aden Increases The Hardship Of The Citizens.

The citizens of in Aden suffer the continuing crisis of electricity outage in the city for approximately 18 hours a day, coinciding with the significant rise in temperatures in the region, since citizens expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the continuing power outages that made many of them sleep in the streets, as heat might be lighter on them than the in houses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Wqd0Ug6FM

(A P)

Yemeni rally condemns Emirati-Bahraini normalization with Israel

The Yemeni southern governorate of Abyan on Friday hosted a rally (the second in a week) rebuffing the Emirati-Bahraini normalization with Israel.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19949.html

(A P)

Yemeni ex-minister criticizes gov't silence at separatist flag raised in Riyadh

The Yemeni resigned minister of transport criticized the legitimate authorities for keeping silent at the Saudi Arabia's allowing for the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to raise separatist flag at an official event in Riyadh last week.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19950.html

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

(A P)

Message by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths on the International Day of Peace

This day, the United Nations calls for fighting everywhere in the world to cease.

As we observe the International Day of Peace, we should also reflect on these five years of a war that ravaged Yemen, resulted in thousands killed and millions suffering.

This year, the Coronavirus pandemic is further pushing the limits of suffering in Yemen and is teaching us that our fates are more intertwined than ever. This is why, this year, the focus of the day is “Shaping Peace Together”.

To Yemenis, especially those Yemenis in civil society and women and youth groups, I salute you all, on your courage and persistence. Please continue to advocate for a future of equal citizenship, rule of law and accountable governance for your country. A future of sustainable peace.

To the warring Parties, I say: On this day, I hope you reflect and find the courage to take the first step towards giving the people of Yemen the peace they need and deserve.

Let us all work together and urgently to put a comprehensive end to this conflict. Let us all work for peace.“

https://osesgy.unmissions.org/message-un-special-envoy-yemen-martin-griffiths-international-day-peace

(A K P)

[Hadi] Yemen government calls for emergency meeting on Marib

The Yemeni government on Saturday called on the United Nations Security Council and Human Rights Council to hold an emergency meeting on Houthi military escalation in Marib province and its repercussions on the civilians including hundreds of thousands of internally displaced families.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19975.html

(A P)

Houthis criticise UN for ignoring talk about salaries of military, security personnel

The Houthi group, also known as Ansarullah, has criticised the United Nations for ignoring the talk about the salaries of military and security personnel in Yemen.

The UN is following a war of Saudi-led coalition against the military and security institutions in the country, senior Houthi leader, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, wrote on Twitter on Saturday. The coalition has been fighting the Houthis in support of the government since March 2015.

All UN proposals have only mentioned salaries of public servants, he said.

"Does the UN not know that military and security personnel have families threatened by famine like other families in Yemen?"

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19980.html

(A P)

Houthis want to attend UN Security Council sessions

The Houthi group, which controls several Yemeni governorates including the capital Sana'a, asked on Friday to have the chance to attend sessions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly.
"The fact that our rivals [the Yemeni UN-recognized government] stand alone in attending the sessions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly continues to prevent many countries from correctly knowing who supports peace in Yemen," the Houthi deputy foreign minister said.
"Hence, it's important to enable Sana'a to attend these sessions and discussions and present its viewpoint," Hussein al-Ezzi added in a tweet.
This would "provide better understanding and would contribute to soundly-built positions useful for peace," he argued.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19937.html

(A P)

Houthis demand balanced solution to Yemen conflict

The Houthi Group has stressed the necessity that the solution to end the conflict in Yemen should be balanced as it reiterated its rejection of any solution imposed by a Saudi-led coalition fighting in the country in support of the internationally recognised government.
Member of the Houthi supreme political council, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, wrote late on Thursday on Twitter: "The solution in Yemen should not be imposed by the Saudi-led coalition with UN facilitation".
"The return of Yemen to the pre-aggression status is the natural thing; and that can happen through resuming salaries of public servants, departure of all invaders, rebuilding the country and leaving the Yemeni people to run their country without interference," he said.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19935.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=14996

(A P)

Yemeni official says positive atmosphere domains Montero talks

The Yemeni UN-recognized government and Houthi group have held positive discussions under UN sponsorship in the Swiss city of Montero, a negotiator for the official caretaker government said Monday.

Lists were exchanged in order to agree to the application of the first 1420-people swap, Majid Fadhiel, also human rights deputy minister, added in remarks to Asharq al-Awsat.

"Discussions are continuing and atmospheres are somehow positive. If accord is fully reached, application will immediately start, in parallel with moving into the next stages," he said without further details.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-20010.html

and

(* A P)

Yemen’s rival sides meet in Geneva for prisoner swap talks

Yemen’s warring sides on Friday began long-awaited U.N.-brokered peace consultations in Switzerland on the exchange of prisoners, part of a deal aimed at ending a conflict that has killed thousands and set off the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Delegates from Yemen’s internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, sat down in Geneva with their rivals, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, for talks co-chaired by the Red Cross, according to Martin Griffiths, the U.N. envoy to Yemen.

Griffiths urged the parties to “release detainees swiftly” and “bring relief to thousands of Yemeni families.”

https://apnews.com/ac9cc00fa4ea30bc4a33d33cf4024c99

and also https://www.arabnews.com/node/1736666/middle-east

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemeni-belligerents-launch-prisoner-swap-talks-un/1978171

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/yemeni-warring-sides-hold-sponsored-talks-prisoner-swap-200918112408859.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-prisoners-un/yemeni-warring-factions-hold-talks-on-prisoners-release-u-n-idUSKBN2691PP

and

(* A P)

Yemeni rivals start 4th talks round on prisoner swap in Switzerland

This round is expected to finalize a deal under which the government would release 900 Houthis and the group would free 520 pro-government prisoners, including Gen Nasser Mansour Hadi, the Yemeni President's brother, according to government negotiators.
These talks build on consultations hosted by Sweden in December 2018, when the two parties agreed to swap 15,000 prisoners, but the deal later reached an impasse.
The negotiations aim at "putting final touches" to the process, firsthand government source told media, after it was agreed with the ICRC on "all the logistical arrangements, including the transportation of prisoners and locating where they would be swapped."
While the UN efforts have yet to persuade them to release detainees, the two parties have already exchanged prisoners under tribal mediations in Dhalea, Jawf, Marib and Taiz governorates.
Many Yemenis pin their hopes on the ongoing talks to end the detainees' sufferings in a country plagued with war, blockade and several crises.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19960.html

and

(A P)

Negotiations in prisoner release continue in Geneva

Progress reported in discussions between representatives from both sides in Yemeni conflict

The fourth round of Yemeni negotiations on the prisoners’ file have continued on Saturday for the second day in a row, taking place in the municipality of Montreux, in the suburbs of Geneva, Switzerland.

An informed source stated that Friday’s three sessions discussed what was accomplished in the negotiation sessions in the Jordanian capital of Amman, and reviewed the lists of prisoners to find out who remained in captivity and who were released during the previous stage within local mediation.

The source added that the lists would be subject to review by the two parties during the next 24 hours, before moving to discuss the implementation plan for the deal under the supervision of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

https://uprising.today/negotiations-in-prisoner-release-continue-in-geneva/

(A P)

Riyadh [Hadi gov.] Delegation Provided Fake Names in Prisoner Lists

An informed source with the prisoner exchange negotiations in Geneva confirmed, Sunday, that the Riyadh delegation provided fake and unknown names in the prisoner lists.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15023

(A P)

The [Hadi] Yemeni government’s delegation dispatched to Switzerland to negotiate with Houthis was surprised that the rebel militia’s self-styled “governor of the Central Bank” Hashem Ahmed was present despite the fact the negotiations are on prisoner exchange only, not anything economic. Political analysts like Hamdan Alaya’a said the Houthi militia suffer a financial crisis and “want to seek to force economic/financial topics into the negotiations.”

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42086

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

Saudi Arabia to lift ban on Mecca pilgrimage amid virus

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said Muslims will be allowed to perform the smaller, year-round pilgrimage starting Oct. 4 as the kingdom gradually begins lifting restrictions that had been in place on Islam’s holiest site for the past seven months due to the coronavirus.

State media reported the government plans to allow up to 6,000 visitors a day at the sprawling Grand Mosque in Mecca, which will be open to Saudi citizens and residents only during this first phase.

Before visitors can enter the mosque to pray or perform the “umrah” pilgrimage, they will have to apply and reserve a specific time and date through an online application that is launching Sept. 27 to avoid crowding and maintain social-distancing guidelines. Visitors can also select via the app their means of transportation and meeting points.

https://apnews.com/20ac4ff5226a615cc677817d17ed343e

(* B P)

Road to Saudi ties with Israel being paved, cautiously

Saudi Arabia, the most powerful Arab nation and home to Islam’s holiest sites, has made its official position on the region’s longest-running conflict clear: Full ties between the kingdom and Israel can only happen when peace is reached with the Palestinians.

Yet state-backed Saudi media and clerics are signaling change is already underway with Israel — something that can only happen under the directives of the country’s powerful heir, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The divergent messages on the possibility of Saudi ties with Israel reflect what analysts and insiders say is a schism between how the 35-year-old prince and his 84-year-old father, King Salman, view national interests.

“It’s no secret there’s a generational conflict,” said New York-based Rabbi Marc Schneier, who serves as an advisor to Bahrain’s king and has held talks in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to promote stronger ties with Jews and Israel.

The rabbi said the former Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Prince Khalid bin Salman, told him that the top priority of his brother, the crown prince, is reforming the Saudi economy.

“He said these exact words: ‘We will not be able to succeed without Israel.’ So for the Saudis, it’s not a question of ‘if,’ it’s a question of ‘when.’ And there’s no doubt that they will establish relations with Israel,” Schneier said.

Prominent Saudi royal, Prince Turki al-Faisal, insists “any talk of a rift between the king and the crown prince is mere speculation.”

“We’ve seen none of that,” said the prince, who served for years as head of intelligence and briefly as ambassador to the U.S.

Analysts and observers say Saudi Arabia is unlikely to formalize ties with Israel as long as King Salman wields power. While the king has handed off day-to-day control of Saudi affairs to his son, he has stepped in on occasion to intervene and even push back with statements in support of the Palestinians.

https://apnews.com/d89a7cb078bbfdb86b4da7b4c228e199

(B E P)

Film, in Arabic: #Saudi Monarchy TV says over 300 companies in the Eastern Province alone have filed for bankruptcy this year. Their net worth is over $80 billion.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1308234200877854720

(* B P)

Saudi Royal Family Divides Over Potential Embrace of Israel

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have been at odds over whether to ease relations with the Jewish state. Israel’s deal with the U.A.E. stunned the 84-year-old monarch. Normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel before any deal for Palestinian statehood would be a seismic shift in the Middle East.

An argument is raging behind palace doors in Saudi Arabia: Now that the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have forged ties with Israel, should the kingdom follow suit?

Saudi Arabia’s monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, has been at odds with his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, over embracing the Jewish state. The king is a longtime supporter of the Arab boycott of Israel and the Palestinians’ demand for an independent state. The prince wants to move past what he sees as an intractable conflict to join with Israel in business... (paywalled)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-royal-family-split-relations-israel-uae-bahrain-mbs-prince-king-11600446560

and

(* B P)

WSJ: Saudi Royal Family Divides Over Potential Embrace of Israel

The king is a longtime supporter of the Arab boycott of Israel and the Palestinians’ demand for an independent state. The prince wants to move past what he sees as an intractable conflict to join with Israel in business and align against Iran.

When President Trump announced on Aug. 13 that Israel and the U.A.E. were normalizing diplomatic ties, the deal stunned the 84-year-old king, who had just begun his summer holiday, according to people familiar with the matter, including Saudi advisers. His son wasn’t so surprised.

A furious King Salman later ordered his foreign minister to restate the kingdom’s commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state, without mentioning the normalization deal.

A royal family member close to him wrote an op-ed in a Saudi-owned newspaper reiterating that position and implying the Emiratis should have pressed the Israelis for more concessions.

Prince Turki al-Faisal said, “any Arab state that is considering following the UAE should demand in return a price, and it should be an expensive price.”

The newspaper considered that "the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and the Zionist enemy before any deal to establish a Palestinian state would be a seismic shift in the Middle East, which would upend an Arab position that has lasted for decades."

It added that "the tensions at the head of the Saudi ruling family indicate that the Kingdom's position on the central conflict in the region could change sooner than expected, but such a shift may involve more turmoil."

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15014

(* B H P)

UN Amplifies Ethiopian Migrant Detainees’ Cries for Help in Saudi Arabia

U.N. Migration (IOM) issued a statement Tuesday amplifying the detainees’ appeals. Saying it was “alarmed by the deteriorating situation of Ethiopian migrants detained” in Saudi Arabia, IOM called for urgent action, including access to humanitarian aid to ensure migrants’ safety.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of considering detention only as a very last resort,” IOM said, “and of improving conditions in immigrant detention.”

The Ethiopian migrants are among millions of foreigners, mostly from South Asia and Africa, who sought jobs in the oil-rich kingdom. As the London-based Sunday Telegraph noted in an August 30 report on detention conditions, some 6.6 million worked there as of June 2019, largely in low-wage positions involving domestic work, construction or other physical labor.

But migrants have been perceived as possible COVID-19 carriers. Weeks after the World Health Organization’s March 11 declaration of a pandemic, armed Houthi rebels in northern Yemen chased off thousands of Ethiopian migrants to the border of neighboring Saudi Arabia, killing dozens as they fled, according to testimony collected by Human Rights Watch.

Saudi border guards also allegedly shot and killed dozens more migrants, but others hid in the mountainous countryside. Within days, some migrants surrendered or were found by Saudi border guards, who took them into detention.

IOM estimates that, since 2017, at least 400,000 young Ethiopians have crossed to the Arab Peninsula seeking jobs, sometimes encouraged by Saudi recruiters or brought by human traffickers. An IOM study released in May found that at least a third of young Ethiopian migrants seeking work in Saudi Arabia underestimated potential hazards along the so-called Eastern Route to the Middle East, including the risk of boats capsizing in water crossings and of encountering the armed conflict in Yemen.

https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-amplifies-ethiopian-migrant-detainees-cries-help-saudi-arabia

(* B P)

[from 2018] Impacts of Saudi Hegemony on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

The events of the 2016 summit of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Turkey demonstrate how Saudi Arabia’s role within the organization has been transformed from leadership into a hegemonic one, a process that has been unfolding over five decades. As a strong voice in the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia has employed a range of diplomatic strategies, in accordance with its national interests, to influence the OIC and its member states. Based on the analysis, this paper argues that Saudi Arabia has been able to exert hegemonic control over the OIC due to the organization’s structural make-up, its reliance on Saudi funding, as well as dominance in bilateral affairs with majority of the OIC members.

https://www.academia.edu/34676548/Impacts_of_Saudi_Hegemony_on_the_Organization_of_Islamic_Cooperation_OIC_

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp9a

(A P)

Film: Free Yemenis raise the banner of freedom in New York in a mass demonstration

https://twitter.com/zaynatabeeha/status/1308315256335237123

(A K P)

US State Dep.: Humanitarian Pledges Must Be Met, Houthis Must Stop Hostilities to Stabilize Yemen

The United States remains deeply concerned by the Houthis’ aggression, supported by Iranian weapons shipments in violation of UN arms embargoes. We call on the Houthis to immediately cease their cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and halt their attacks on the city of Marib, where nearly a million Yemenis have sought refuge since the beginning of the war.

The Houthis must also stop their disgraceful treatment of journalists, opposition activists, and Yemeni Jews. We call on the Houthis to cease their environmental brinkmanship and allow UN access to the Safer tanker

https://www.state.gov/humanitarian-pledges-must-be-met-houthis-must-stop-hostilities-to-stabilize-yemen/

My comment: LOL. How ridiculous is this: Always keep in mind that the US is warring party in Yemen. Here, the State Department laments on “Houthis’ aggression” and Iranian arms supplies, while the internationalization of the Yemen War started with the (ongoing) US-Saudi aggressionagainst Houthi-held territory. and US arms exports to the anti-Houthi coalition obviously is much more than 1.000 times larger than any Iranian arms supplies to the Houthis.

(* B K P)

U.S. War Crimes in Yemen: Stop Looking the Other Way

The State Department warned for years that the U.S. was complicit in war crimes in Yemen. No one put a stop to it

The longstanding involvement of the United States in the conflict in Yemen is facing renewed scrutiny. On September 16, State Department officials testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee about whether the State Department misled Congress — and the American people — by circumventing controls designed to limit arms sales and ensure congressional oversight.

The crimes occurring in Yemen are serious — and the responsible parties demonstrably unwilling or unable to address them. The most recent report by the United Nations Group of Eminent and International Regional Experts on Yemen described “an acute accountability gap” and recommended that the UN Security Council refer the situation in Yemen to the International Criminal Court.

A State Department Inspector General report found that “the department did not fully assess risks and implement mitigation measures to reduce civilian casualties and legal concerns associated with the transfer” of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Much of the hearing focused on whether the subsequent firing of the inspector general was appropriate. But some members used the opportunity to draw attention to the tens of thousands of civilians who have died since the Saudi-led coalition began an aerial bombardment campaign in Yemen in March 2015.

Media reports have detailed the suppression of an internal State Department analysis that U.S. personnel could be legally liable for war crimes in Yemen because of continued U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Some members of Congress raised this during the hearing. The State Department’s acting legal adviser acknowledged civilian casualties were a concern, but refused to say whether he believed U.S. personnel could be held culpable for war crimes in Yemen.

The latest revelations are hardly that, though they are painful to read when compiled in such a stark narrative – by Andrea Prasow

https://fpif.org/u-s-war-crimes-in-yemen-stop-looking-the-other-way/ = https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/21/us-war-crimes-yemen-stop-looking-other-way

(* B H K P)

Yemen: the criminals of the White House

Since 2015, both successive administrations in Washington have sought and flaunted pseudo-legal reasons to justify support for the regimes directly responsible for the massacre. Behind the scenes, however, heated discussions were taking place between State Department legal advisers and their superiors, all aware that they were in the presence of actions that could lead to war crimes charges even at the highest levels of the American government.

A detailed summary of attempts to bypass international law and American law itself to supply arms to the Saudis and their allies was published this week in the New York Times. The authors of the long article relied on documents and interviews granted by anonymous officials with direct knowledge of the facts. As almost always happens with similar "exclusives", it is likely that government sources have also taken action in this case to strike President Trump a few weeks before the elections.

In any case, the picture that emerges is that of a republican administration determined not to stop the flow of weapons to the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, despite the fact that the US-made bombs had been used to carry out a very long series of massacres of civilians in the Yemen. When, then, the law offices had drafted opinions confirming the criminal nature of the conflict and the responsibilities of those who had authorized the sales, from the upper floors of the State Department, as well as from the Pentagon and the White House, initiatives were launched to liquidate any possible obstacle.

The gravity of the situation and the implications for those responsible for these decisions are such that the Times concluded by stating that "no episode in recent American history is comparable to the case of Yemen", in which the United States has "guaranteed material support for over five years ”to countries that“ have caused the uninterrupted killing of civilians ”.

Ultimately, the leaders of the US government - both during the Obama presidency and the current one - continued to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for use in Yemen, contravening the opinions of the State Department legal offices that had concluded, without half measures, as those responsible for this decision were exposed to the risk of complaints for war crimes. The decision to continue on the path taken in 2015 by Obama was deliberately made by both administrations for essentially two reasons: to fill the coffers of American arms suppliers and to guarantee a favorable outcome to the crisis in Yemen, that is to say to prevent this country enter the strategic orbit of Iran with a success of the Shiite Houthi "rebels".

The data presented indicate that the main perpetrators of the war in Yemen - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait - have not yet paid a single dollar to the 2020 fund intended to alleviate the food and health crisis in the country that they themselves are destroying. Overall, the UN has so far raised just 30% of the funds promised by potential donors and this situation will lead to a lack or total absence of aid in various areas for about 9 million Yemenis.

www.altrenotizie.org/articoli/esteri/9003-yemen-i-criminali-della-casa-bianca.html

(A K P)

US Space Force deploys to vast new frontier: Arabian Desert

The newly formed U.S. Space Force is deploying troops to a vast new frontier: the Arabian Peninsula.

Space Force now has a squadron of 20 airmen stationed at Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base in its first foreign deployment. The force, pushed by President Donald Trump, represents the sixth branch of the U.S. military and the first new military service since the creation of the Air Force in 1947.

It has provoked skepticism in Congress, satire on Netflix, and, with its uncannily similar logo, “Star Trek” jokes about intergalactic battles.

https://apnews.com/6fa38aa54f0eaebe7fc672095df74d5b

(* B H P)

Film: The DEADLY Consequences Of Trump Slashing Yemen's Aid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAy6dBM68mg

(A P)

Mass Demonstration in New York Condemning 2000 Days of Aggression, Siege Against Yemen

A demonstration was organized on Friday, in New York, condemning the 2000 days of aggression and siege against Yemen.

The demonstrators, led by members of the Yemeni community, Islamic communities in US and a large number of American anti-war activists, roamed the streets of Manhattan in New York, reaching the Senator Schumer's office, raising pictures of victims of aggression and the siege.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15012

(* B K P)

Zur Rechenschaft ziehen: US-Beamte im Visier für Kriegsverbrechen im Jemen

Demokraten werfen im US-Kongress Beamten Fahrlässigkeit bei zivilen Todesfällen im Jemen vor. Sie hätten sich der Kriegsverbrechen durch die Vertuschung rechtlicher Risiken und der Beaufsichtigung von Waffenverkäufen schuldig gemacht.

Im Visier sind nun auch hochrangige US-Beamte. Länder wie Schweden, Deutschland und Argentinien könnten theoretisch Anklage gegen US-Beamte erheben, wenn sie sich so gegen die Vereinigten Staaten verhalten würden, wie sie es sonst bezüglich der Kriegsverbrechen tun und eine internationale Gerichtsbarkeit einfordern.

Jetzt, unter der Regierung des US-Präsidenten Donald Trump, hätten die rechtlichen Risiken einmal mehr zugenommen. Denn Präsident Trump hatte es zu einem Eckpfeiler seiner Politik werden lassen, Saudi-Arabien sowie den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten Waffen zu verkaufen. So lieferte die Trump-Regierung nach dem Wahlsieg Donald Trumps Bomben an Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate aus, deren Auslieferung Barack Obama noch verhindert hatte.

Die rechtlichen Bedenken und Probleme seien absichtlich durch die US-Beamten vertuscht worden. Man hätte sich erst gar nicht mit den Gefahren befasst. Stattdessen wurden Richtlinien entworfen, um Bedingungen für die Waffenverkäufe durchzusetzen.

Ein Nutznießer ist die US-Firma Raytheon. Für den Waffenhersteller ist Saudi-Arabien ein wichtiger Kunde im internationalen Geschäft. Im Jemen-Krieg verdiente Raytheon drei Milliarden Dollar.

Am Mittwoch beschuldigten die Demokraten für auswärtige Angelegenheiten des Repräsentantenhauses den obersten Anwalt des Außenministeriums und den stellvertretenden Sekretär, der die Waffenverkäufe beaufsichtigt hatte, der Fahrlässigkeit bei zivilen Todesfällen und der vorsätzlichen Vertuschung rechtlicher Risiken.

https://deutsch.rt.com/international/106832-zur-rechenschaft-ziehen-us-beamte/

(A P)

US ruling on AJ+ projects Emirati power into the heart of American justice

Acting to exploit Trump's desire to broker normalisation deals between Israel and Gulf countries, the UAE has made an attack on free speech in North America, and across the world. The US Department of Justice's recent decision to force AJ+ to register as a foreign agent was directly made in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the growing influence of authoritarian states in shaping the global information space.

AJ+, the online news and digital storytelling outlet that focuses on highlighting "human struggles and achievements" was instructed last week by the Counterintelligence and Export Control section of the US Department of Justice to register as a Foreign Agent.

Despite winning numerous awards for its journalism, including several regional Emmys in the US, Republican lawmakers have lobbied for years to have AJ+ registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) - a law originally designed to combat Nazi propaganda.
While AJ+ is the social-video-friendly American operation of the Doha-based Al Jazeera Media Network (AJMN), compelling an organisation to register under the law means they have been deemed as acting under the control of a foreign government, in this case Qatar. Yet given the political motivations behind the move, it essentially amounts to an attack on the freedom of press, rendering AJ+'s work "political activity" instead of journalism.

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/Comment/2020/9/18/AJ-ruling-projects-Emirati-power-into-US-justice-system

(* B P)

How to Do More With Less in the Middle East

American Policy in the Wake of the Pandemic

It has been clear for some time that the United States should do less in the Middle East, despite the attendant risks and costs—a case that we made in these pages last year (“America’s Middle East Purgatory,” January/February 2019). At the time, some welcomed this argument; others balked at it. Yet the dramatic developments of recent months have underscored the need for the United States to focus less on the region, highlighting both the opportunity costs of remaining entangled and the unique dangers of President Donald Trump’s approach.

In short, the United States still enjoys opportunities to shape a more stable region that do not require expensive or long-term commitments. A focus on constraining geopolitical competition within the region, confronting Iranian behavior more effectively, and resolving proxy conflicts where possible should enable Washington to do less without threatening its regional dominance. Risks to U.S. interests remain; the pandemic and the related economic crisis offer a reminder of how fragile governance and social services remain in too many parts of this region, posing a long-term challenge to stability and security. Even if the United States succeeds in finding a path out of purgatory, it is not yet clear where that path will end.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2020-09-15/how-do-more-less-middle-east

My comment: A typical US view, promoting a sort of “soft imperialism”. Simply keep off.

(* B K P)

Reckoning The Full Costs Of Endless War

The number of people forced from their homes by our imperial projects is staggering.

Nearly twenty years of warfare in eight countries have resulted in the forced displacement of at least 37 million people. Those are the findings of a recent report by the Costs of War project at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. It is the first time that there has been an attempt to calculate a comprehensive tally of the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) driven from their homes by armed conflict in the post-9/11 era.

The 37 million figure comes from tracking the number of refugees, IDPs, and asylum seekers driven out by wars in which the U.S. has been involved either directly or in a supporting role. The total number of people displaced by war during this period is much higher, and 37 million represents a conservative estimate of the upheaval caused by these conflicts. When we consider the tens of millions of people whose lives have been uprooted and devastated by the wars that our government has started or joined, we are obliged to ask why we have allowed our government to contribute to so much unnecessary suffering in so many different parts of the world.

Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria are the countries that have had the largest number of people displaced by war. These are the countries that have experienced the longest and the most intense warfare, so it is understandable that these wars generated the most refugees and IDPs. According to the report, wars involving the U.S. led to the displacement of 9.2 million Iraqis, 7.1 million Syrians, and 5.3 million Afghans. That is more than 21 million just from those three countries. Yemen (4.4 million), Somalia (4.2 million), Pakistan (3.7 million), the Philippines (1.7 million), and Libya (1.2 million) account for the rest. Most of those displaced have since been able to return, but that still leaves roughly 12 million people that cannot. As the report’s authors note, these raw numbers cannot assess the toll that the experience of displacement has taken on the people that have gone through it.

Displacement is a rather bloodless term for a horrifying ordeal in which people are forced to abandon everything they have known because they no longer feel secure in their own communities.

The U.S. role in creating the chaotic conditions for displacement in Iraq and Afghanistan may be obvious enough, but the other cases are very instructive. U.S. involvement in a conflict does not have to be direct or even all that large to contribute significantly to forced displacement of millions. The supporting role that the U.S. has had in the Saudi coalition’s war on Yemen, for example, has been limited in the sense that no U.S. troops are directly engaged in the fighting and no U.S. pilots are dropping the bombs that kill civilians and wreck the country’s infrastructure. But it has been quite extensive in providing logistical support, intelligence, weapons, and, until not that long ago, refueling for coalition jets. The United States is extraordinarily secure from physical threats, so we cannot seriously justify these costs as being somehow necessary to protecting this country or even its allies. They were not necessary, and they can’t be justified in terms of self-defense. It is imperative that we reject a policy of endless war that has done little more than create instability, stoke conflict, and wreck countless lives. More than 19 years after the terrorist attacks that triggered decades of senseless war, we have to put a stop to our part in this disaster before we cause even more damage than we already have – by Daniel Larison

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/reckoning-the-full-costs-of-endless-war/

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

(A P)

Iran strikes defiant tone at UN under crushing US sanctions

Iran’s president delivered a defiant and fiery speech Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly as he insisted it would be the United States that surrenders to Iran’s resilience.

“The United States can impose neither negotiations nor war on us,” Rouhani said, adding: “Life is hard under sanctions. However, harder is life without independence.

Rouhani compared his country’s plight with that of George Floyd, the Black American man who died in May after a white police officer in Minneapolis pinned him to the ground by pressing a knee into his neck. Floyd’s death set off nationwide protests in support of Black lives.

Calling it “reminiscent of our own experience,” Rouhani said: “We instantly recognize the feet kneeling on the neck as the feet of arrogance on the neck of independent nations.”

He said Iran “has paid a similar high price” in its quest for freedom and liberation from domination.

Rouhani insisted his nation does not deserve sanctions and described the U.S. as “a terrorist and interventionist outsider” before referring to the 1953 U.S.-backed coup that cemented the control of the shah in Iran, which ultimately pushed the country toward its Islamic Revolution and hostility with the West. He said it is the U.S. that has been “the sole user of atomic bombs” in the world.

https://apnews.com/4820d89135364c1ec9054b0b6068fc55

(A P)

Saudi Arabia says any nuclear deal with Iran must preserve non-proliferation

Saudi Arabia said that any nuclear deal with Iran has to preserve non-proliferation and continue efforts aimed at making the Middle East a zone free of mass destruction weapons, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday.

The agreement “has to address Iran’s destabilising behaviours and its sponsorship of terrorism in the region to prevent it from any provocative actions in the future” it said in a statement issued after weekly cabinet meeting.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-iran-nuclear/saudi-arabia-says-any-nuclear-deal-with-iran-must-preserve-non-proliferation-idUSKCN26D314

My comment: LOL. Saudi Arabia is the world’s greatest importer of arms – and it deliberately uses them.

(* B P)

Lawrow zu Iran-Politik Washingtons: USA haben ihr Talent für Diplomatie verloren

Die USA haben kein Recht, die Wiederherstellung der UN-Sanktionen gegen Iran zu fordern, da sie nicht mehr Teil des Gemeinsamen umfassenden Aktionsplans sind, so betont der russische Außenminister. Das Verhalten der USA widerspreche der betreffenden UN-Resolution.

Der russische Außenminister Sergei Lawrow hat in einem Interview mit dem TV-Sender al-Arabiya die US-Politik gegenüber Iran und ihre Außenpolitik im Allgemeinen kritisiert. Er wies darauf hin, dass die US-amerikanische Politik der Ultimaten und Sanktionen ansteckend sei und die EU infiziert habe.

In dem Interview, in dem auch Libyen, Syrien und der Jemen zur Sprache kamen, wurde auch die Situation um Iran und die von den USA angestrebten UN-Sanktionen gegen Teheran behandelt.

Auf die Frage bezüglich eines vermeintlichen Waffenembargos gegen Iran, das am 18. Oktober 2020 auslaufen soll, wies Lawrow darauf hin, dass offiziell kein solches Embargo gegen Teheran existiert.

Der Minister hob hervor, dass die USA "viele merkwürdige Dinge" von sich geben würden. Eines davon sei die Behauptung Washingtons, weiterhin offiziell gemäß der Resolution 2231 des UN-Sicherheitsrates Mitglied des Gemeinsamen umfassenden Aktionsplans (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) zu sein, obwohl US-Präsident Trump persönlich ein offizielles Memorandum über den Austritt der USA aus dem Dokument unterzeichnete. Lawrow wies darauf hin, dass die US-Amerikaner damit das Wahlrecht in dieser Gruppe verloren, das sie zuvor als gleichberechtigte Teilnehmer am JCPOA hatten.

https://deutsch.rt.com/international/106905-lawrow-zu-iran-politik-washingtons/

(* A P)

Alone among nations, US moves to restore UN Iran sanctions

The United States slapped additional sanctions on Iran on Monday after the Trump administration’s disputed unilateral weekend declaration that all United Nations penalties eased under the 2015 nuclear deal had been restored.

The announcement came in defiance of nearly all U.N. members, including U.S. allies in Europe, who have rejected U..S. legal standing to impose the international sanctions. It set the stage for an ugly showdown at the annual U.N. General Assembly this week and also came as President Donald Trump seeks to portray himself as a champion for Middle East stability ahead of November’s presidential election.

https://apnews.com/1786f7eef93de6e1ccc84f348158ab2c

(A P)

Yemen government welcomes US reimposition of sanctions on Iran

Yemen's internationally recognised government has welcomed an announcement by the US department of state to re-impose sanctions on Iran.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-20007.html

(A P)

Iran FM: Trump should change tack before Pompeo brings further ridicule on US

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/20/634615/Zarif-Pompeo-US-Iran-sanctions-Trump-laughing-stock

(A P)

Iran on US histrionics: Sanctions are not back except in Pompeo’s imaginary world

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the international community will not buy into Washington’s frenetic attempt to reinstate all United Nations sanctions against the Islamic Republic, adding that US officials live in “an imaginary world.”

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/20/634586/Iran-United-States-sanctions-Pompeo-United-Nations

(A P)

US Snapback Push Against Iran ’Theatrical Performance’: Russia

Russia has censured a unilateral declaration by the United States on the restoration of UN sanctions against Iran as a “theatrical performance” that aims to mislead the international community.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/20/634594/Russia-declaration-US-sanctions-Iran-theatrical-performance

(A P)

US snapback mechanism against Iran, Trump’s propaganda stunt: Leader’s aide

A top advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United States’ push to reinstate the United Nations sanctions on Tehran through a so-called snapback mechanism is part of a propaganda stunt by Donald Trump to attract public attention ahead of the November presidential election.

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/19/634531/Velayati-Iran-US-snapback-sanctions-election

(A P)

Iran will never succumb to US bullying, illegitimate demands: President Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic will never give in to US bullying after the United States claimed it has restored all UN sanctions against Tehran through the so-called snapback mechanism of a landmark nuclear deal clinched in 2015, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

https://parstoday.com/en/news/iran-i126955-iran_will_never_succumb_to_us_bullying_illegitimate_demands_president_rouhani

(A P)

Iran: nuclear deal with world powers worth preserving

The head of Iran’s nuclear agency said Monday that the landmark 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers on his country’s atomic program is struggling since the unilateral U.S. withdrawal, but is still worth preserving.

Ali Akbar Salehi told delegates at a conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna that the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, has been “caught in a quasi-stalemate situation” since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out in 2018.

https://apnews.com/4e3e9d34826124f8b6bbedaa4ff2aec2

(* A P)

Iran dismisses US efforts for UN sanctions as currency drops

Iran’s president dismissed U.S. efforts to restore all U.N. sanctions on the country as mounting economic pressure from Washington pushed the local currency down to its lowest level ever on Sunday.

Iran’s currency dropped to 272,500 to the U.S. dollar at money exchange shops across Tehran.

The rial has lost more than 30% of its value to the dollar since June as sweeping U.S. sanctions on Iran continue to crush its ability to sell oil globally

As the currency plummeted, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani slammed the Trump administration’s declaration Saturday that all U.N. sanctions against Iran have been reimposed because Tehran is not complying with the nuclear deal.

“If America uses its bullying ... and does something in practice, it will have to face our decisive response,” Rouhani said in a Cabinet meeting Sunday.

Rouhani said that, if the deal’s remaining signatories fully carry out their obligations under the agreement, Iran will walk back its steps away from the deal. For Iran, being able to sell oil remains its most important concern.

https://apnews.com/a261527ce0899a0da7bbcae2d0445df9

and

(* A P)

UN chief: No UN support for reimposing Iran sanctions now

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United Nations will not support reimposing sanctions on Iran as the United States is demanding until he gets a green light from the Security Council.

The U.N. chief said in a letter to the council president obtained Sunday by The Associated Press that “there would appear to be uncertainty” on whether or not U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo triggered the “snapback” mechanism in the Security Council resolution that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers.

The Trump administration declared Saturday that all U.N. sanctions against Iran have been restored, a move most of the rest of the world rejects as illegal and is likely to ignore. The U.S. announcement is certain to cause controversy during the U.N.’s annual high-level meetings of the General Assembly starting Monday, which is being held mainly virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://apnews.com/d90c333f9161c2043d733f462c07c7e7

and

(* A P)

U.N. chief says no action on U.N. Iran sanctions due to 'uncertainty'

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Saturday he cannot take any action on a U.S. declaration that all U.N. sanctions on Iran had been reimposed because “there would appear to be uncertainty” on the issue.

“There would appear to be uncertainty whether or not the process ... was indeed initiated and concomitantly whether or not the (sanctions) terminations ... continue in effect,” Guterres wrote in a letter to the council, seen by Reuters.

“It is not for the Secretary-General to proceed as if no such uncertainty exists,” he said.

U.N. officials provide administrative and technical support to the Security Council to implement its sanctions regimes and Guterres appoints independent experts to monitor implementation. He said that “pending clarification” of the status of the Iran sanctions, he would not take any action to provide that support.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-un-idUSKCN26B03X

(A P)

South Africa: No evidence of alleged Iranian plot to kill US envoy

South Africa's State Security Agency says it has found no evidence to support US media claims that Iran was planning to assassinate American Ambassador to Pretoria Lana Marks.

In a statement released on Friday, the agency spokesman Mava Scott said that South African officials had met with their US counterparts to request additional information.

"At present, the information provided is not sufficient to sustain the allegation that there is a credible threat against the United States Ambassador to South Africa," Scott said.

https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/09/19/634509/South-Africa-Iran-US-assassination-

(A K P)

US-Coalition convoys are targeted in northern Iraq

The Security Media Cell reported that an explosive device had exploded on Friday on a convoy of trucks carrying equipment for the US-coalition in northern Iraq. https://shafaaq.com/en/Iraq-News/US-Coalition-convoys-are-targeted-in-northern-Iraq

(A P)

Iran vows ‘hit’ on all involved in US killing of top general

The chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened Saturday to go after everyone who had a role in a top general’s January killing during a U.S. drone strike in Iraq.

The guard’s website quoted Gen. Hossein Salami as saying, “Mr. Trump! Our revenge for martyrdom of our great general is obvious, serious and real.”

https://apnews.com/0f5efb8f2c00b538dea7ab44acc2f267

(* B P)

Neo-Arabismus als neuer Machtblock?

Die Golfmonarchien verfolgen bei der Normalisierung der Beziehungen mit Israel eigene Interessen. Diese haben wenig mit Israel und den USA, dafür viel mit regionaler Blockbildung zu tun.

Die Zusammenarbeit mit Israel bietet für die Golfmonarchien nicht nur die Aussicht auf wirtschaftliche und technologische Zugewinne. Es geht vor allem um Schutz – künftig durch die militärische Zusammenarbeit mit Israel und damit indirekt durch die USA. Vor wem sich Riyad und Abu Dhabi fürchten, ist klar: Der Erzfeind aus Sicht der arabischen Monarchien ist seit langem der Iran, und in ihrer Wahrnehmung hat er noch an Gefährlichkeit gewonnen.

Besonders seit dem amerikanischen Einmarsch im Irak von 2003 hat der Nahe Osten eine Konfessionalisierung erlebt, die zu einer schiitisch-sunnitischen Front geführt hat.

Die Angst vor dem Iran begleitet die Golfmonarchien schon lange, aber erst mit der zusätzlichen Konfrontation mit der Türkei scheint die Bedrohungslage nun als derart akut empfunden zu werden, dass neue Ansätze verfolgt werden. Beobachter in Riyad malen schon das Gespenst einer türkisch-iranischen Allianz an die Wand und weisen darauf hin, dass aus Kreisen der Muslimbrüder Kontakte zum schiitischen Klerus angebahnt werden. Daher das Bedürfnis nach zusätzlichem Schutz, den die Annäherung an Israel (und dadurch das Wohlwollen der USA) gewährt.

Als Antwort auf das türkische Gebaren betonen die Golfstaaten die arabische Identität – analog zum Neo-Osmanismus gewissermassen ein Neo-Arabismus. Damit kann weiterhin die Abgrenzung zum (persischen) Iran markiert werden, gleichzeitig wird aber auch der Konflikt mit der Türkei symbolisch ausgedrückt. Der Neo-Arabismus ist somit nicht nur Nachfolger der gescheiterten sunnitischen Blockbildung, sondern auch eine Abwehrhaltung gegen den Iran und die Türkei. Damit wird auch deutlich, dass es zumindest fragwürdig ist, wenn heute noch von Saudi-Arabien und den VAE als Anführern eines sunnitischen Blocks gesprochen wird.

Der Bezug auf das arabische Element stellt neben der regionalen Blockbildung auch ein Potential zur internen Integration dar.

Wird der Neo-Arabismus für das saudische Königshaus über die Loslösung von den Wahhabiten hinaus einen eigenständigen symbolischen Raum liefern und damit den Bezug auf den Islam ersetzen? Tatsächlich gibt es verschiedene Hinweise, die auf eine solche De-Islamisierung in der Legitimation von Staat und Herrschaft hindeuten. Wenn sich die Golfmonarchien auf den Arabismus beziehen, tun sie dies denn auch mit der Absicht, den politischen Islam aus der Öffentlichkeit zu verdrängen.

Neo-Arabismus statt eines sunnitischen Blocks, De-Islamisierung, die Konfrontation der arabischen Staaten nicht nur mit dem Iran, sondern nun auch mit der Türkei: In der regionalen Blockbildung fallen gleich mehrere Entwicklungen zusammen, die die Region prägen – von Christian Wyler

https://www.journal21.ch/neo-arabismus-als-neuer-machtblock

(A K P)

US carrier transits Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran

The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier safely transited on Friday through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important chokepoint for oil shipments, the U.S. Navy said, as tensions with Iran continue to simmer.

In a “scheduled” maneuver, the U.S. sent the carrier and several other warships through the strait, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, according to the U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th fleet. The Nimitz, America’s oldest carrier in active service, carries some 5,000 sailors and Marines.

American aircraft carriers have for decades sailed through the international oil shipping route in what the U.S. describes as “defensive” operations aimed at keeping the strait open.

The show of force follows months of escalating incidents in the crucial waterway

https://apnews.com/074d1ecb5be394bf11e4c1041f0c93ec

(A T)

Blast targets ‘American’ English school in southern Iraq

An improvised explosive device blew up outside an English-language institute in southern Iraq early Friday without causing any casualties

https://apnews.com/b10aa55b73097551498330e6f73b76d5

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A K P)

Chief of Staff tours site of UAE-Greece joint military exercises

Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, who is currently visiting Greece, today inspected the site of joint military exercises between the UAE and Greek air forces in the Greek island of Crete.

He was received at the site by General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, HNDS, and senior Emirati and Greek officers.

http://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302871781

My comment: Absurd.

(A P)

Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant reaches 50% power

Nawah Energy Company, Nawah, the Joint Venture nuclear operations and maintenance subsidiary of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC, and Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO, announced today that the reactor of Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant has achieved 50 percent of its electricity production capacity.

http://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302871626

(A P)

Abu Dhabi, UAE’s conservative capital, ends alcohol licenses

Abu Dhabi, the conservative capital of the United Arab Emirates, is eliminating its licensing system for alcohol purchases for drinkers after Dubai repeatedly loosened its own rules to boost sales and tourism amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

https://apnews.com/f6576ea2a64837d307a28861080b6444

(A P)

Bin Zayed talks with Washington to transfer US base in Turkey to UAE

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed is talking with the Pentagon to transfer the US Incirlik Air Base from Turkey to the UAE, the New Khaleej reported yesterday.

Informed sources revealed to the news site on Saturday that the plan aims to consolidate the UAE’s ties with the “deep state” in the US.

The New Khaleej reported Tactical Report, a news website specialised in intelligence news, saying that Bin Zayed believes that Abu Dhabi is seeking to place its strategic interests above all other issues, including the personal relations between Bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump.

According to the Arabic news site, the UAE is also working on economic and military projects in cooperation with the Pentagon and major US economic and financial institutions on the south coast of Yemen and a number of islands, including Socotra.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200921-bin-zayed-talks-with-washington-to-transfer-us-base-in-turkey-to-uae/

(B P)

Al-Jazeera releases extensive report on Arab states collaborating with Israel

Treasonous actions of countries such as Egypt and UAE even more far-reaching than originally thought

An Al-Jazeera investigative report aired on Monday revealed exclusive information about the tactics of a number of countries and regional powers, headed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the US, in their cooperation with Israel to disarm the Palestinian resistance.

Under the title “The Deal and Arms”, Palestinian journalist Tamer al-Mishal quoted facts revealed for the first time, about the secrets of attempts to disarm the resistance in Gaza, which was one of the most prominent items of the so-called “deal of the century” announced by US President Donald Trump.

https://uprising.today/al-jazeera-releases-extensive-report-on-arab-states-collaborating-with-israel/

cp12b Sudan

(A P)

Verdict against young artists in Sudan stirs controversy

https://apnews.com/64d4b6c90333a42ad3ff2d2525821877

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

(* A K P)

Exclusive: U.S. and UAE eye December goal to agree on F-35 deal

The United States and the United Arab Emirates hope to have an initial agreement on the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to the Gulf state in place by December, as the Trump administration studies how to structure a deal without running afoul of Israel.

Sources close to the negotiations said the goal is to have a letter of agreement in place in time for UAE National Day celebrated on Dec. 2.

Any deal must satisfy decades of agreement with Israel that states any U.S. weapons sold to the region must not impair Israel’s “qualitative military edge,” guaranteeing U.S. weapons furnished to Israel are “superior in capability” to those sold to its neighbors.

With that in mind Washington is studying ways to make the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 more visible to Israeli radar systems, two sources said. Reuters could not determine if this would be done by changing the jet or providing Israel with better radar, among other possibilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz was due to meet his U.S. counterpart Mark Esper in Washington on Tuesday.

The UAE embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House declined to comment.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-f35-exclusive-idUSKCN26D19T

(* A K P)

Saudi Navy receives new batch of French-made Speed Interceptor Boats

Commander of the Saudi Royal Naval Forces Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili patronized here today the delivery ceremony of the second and third batches of the French-made Speed Interceptor Boats HS132 as part of a joint cooperation framework between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France in the field of military manufacture and cooperation.
According to the agreement between the Saudi navy and the French company of CMN, the company manufactures and provides the Kingdom with highly qualified interceptor boats HS132, partly produced in France and the other in the Kingdom's plants.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136572

(A K P)

Yemen [Hadi gov.] calls for tougher pressures on Iran to stop destabilizing region

The Yemeni official caretaker government on Saturday called for embargo on Iranian arms be extended, and pressures on Tehran regime be intensified to stop "terrorist activities destabilizing the regional and international security and peace."
By persistently providing the Houthis with weapons, the Iranian regime "blatantly violates the UN resolutions pertaining to the Yemeni crisis," the Yemeni information minister tweeted.
"The capture of a Houthi cell smuggling Iranian arms and their admission that they received trainings in Iran and have links to the Revolutionary Guards evidently prove that Iran is involved in smuggling weapons and arming the Houthis," Moammar al-Eryani added.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19969.html

and also https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2517616/yemen-demands-extension-arms-embargo-against-iran

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42097

My comment: Once again, the Hadi government tries the Iran propaganda game. Compared to Western arms sales to all their Gulf allies fighting the Houthis, the iranian arms supplies to the Houthis even are less than pea nuts. Stop all arms supplies to all parties of the Yemen war!

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

Siehe / Look at cp1

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

(* B C)

Report aus einer zerfallenden Welt

Die frühen islamischen Bauten von Sanaa leiden unter Klimawandel und Krieg. Das Welterbe könnte unwiederbringlich verloren gehen.

Die lebkuchenbraunen Turmhäuser aus Lehm mit den charakteristischen weißen Ornamenten in der Stadt haben die Jahrhunderte überdauert. Doch die verheerende Kombination aus Klimawandel und Krieg könnten das seit 1986 als Weltkulturerbe eingestufte Ensemble von 6 000 Gebäuden unwiederbringlich zerstören, ein einmaliges Juwel früher islamischer Architektur.

Die heftigsten Regenfälle seit Jahrzehnten haben im Juli und August vier Häuser komplett zerstört, wie Aqeel Saleh Nasari der Süddeutschen Zeitung sagt, er ist Vertreter der Allgemeinen Organisation für die Erhaltung der historischen Städte Jemens (GOPHCY). Bei mehr als 100 seien die Dächer teilweise oder ganz eingebrochen. Bei 251 Häusern müsse schnell eingegriffen und renoviert werden, um zu verhindern, dass sie bei weiteren Gewitterstürmen oder spätestens in der nächsten Regenzeit zusammenbrechen. Bei 5 000 der Häuser seien die Dächer undicht - was oft den Beginn des Verfalls markiert.

Seit Jahren aber ergießen sich immer stärkere Gewitter über die Hauptstadt, was regelmäßig zu Überflutungen führt. Den gestampften Lehm der bis zu 1 000 Jahre alten Häuser weichen die Fluten auf. In den engen Gassen der Altstadt stand das Wasser knietief, was die Fundamente der Häuser ins Rutschen bringt. Risse in den Wänden sind bei mehr als 1 000 der zumeist als Wohnhäuser genützten Türme Zeichen unverkennbares Anzeichen statischer Probleme.

Bei vier von fünf Häusern sind die Fundamente ohnehin schadhaft, weil ihnen Feuchtigkeit, Salz, Mikroorganismen zu schaffen machen – von Paul-Anton Krüger

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/jemen-sanaa-baudenkmaeler-1.5039106 = https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/das-weltkulturerbe-zerbroeselt-im-regen-621214026245 = https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/das-weltkulturerbe-zerbroeselt-im-regen-621214026245

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

(A P)

[Aden] YCB takes measures to stop riyal falling

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26160

(A E P)

Film: Exchange Houses in Aden To Close Due to Continued Local Currency Collapse

Most of the exchange houses and companies in the southern city of Aden closed on Tuesday morning, following the continued collapse of the local currency in front of foreign currencies. This came after a circular issued by the Currency Exchange Association of the city after midnight, which included directives to close exchange shops until the exchange rate stabilizes. The exchange rate of the dollar rose to 860 Yemeni riyals.

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

(B E)

Cash Consortium of Yemen - Flash Update 7: YER Exchange Rate Volatility 20 September 2020 (Week 1 and 2)

The Flash Update for Exchange Rate Volatility consolidates daily exchange rate data collection throughout Yemen by CCY partners. The data is split between the two main economic spheres: Defacto Authority (DFA) and the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG). This flash update is meant to give insight into the exchange rate and allow the actors within the Yemen response to make more informed decisions.
Methodology: The analysis is predicated on assessing the averages of exchange rates between the spheres of influence for both actors. Enumerators were told to assess three exchange shops per district, however, due to travel constraints and the size of towns where enumerators are present, assessing three shops daily, may not be possible.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/cash-consortium-yemen-flash-update-7-yer-exchange-rate-volatility-20-september-2020

(* A E P)

Yemeni rial experiences persistently unprecedented depreciation

The Yemeni currency has continued declining against foreign moneys in Aden and other provinces controlled by the UN-recognized government, leading to sharp increase in prices, as the Houthi-held areas see relative stability at the market.

One US dollar is purchased by 837 Yemeni rials and one Saudi riyal is purchased with 219 rials, the highest rate ever in the Yemeni currency's history.

This depreciation is expected to persist, say banking sources, "if the official government ignores calls for measures (to curb the market, step up control and contain oil traders) that would stop speculations in hard moneys."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19986.html

and

(* A E)

Exchange rates today in Aden, Marib and other govt-held governorates: $1=YER 840 Saudi Rial =YER 220 1kg of tomatoes =YER 1600.

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1307698436855259137

and

(* A E P)

Widening currency gap between #Sanaa and #Aden approaching 40% means more unbearable suffering for millions of Yemenis. A plummeting YR leading to economic disaster, further social turmoil caused by irrational politics.

https://twitter.com/Wesamqaid/status/1307948448465989632

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A T)

#AQAP has just released an English version of its special "Inspire" publication to celebrate 9/11 anniversary. 29 pages. Unsurprisingly, it spins all material to show #jihad is winning. Generally high quality translation - a bit mixed in places but this is not #GoogleTranslate (image)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1308467207308009474

(A T)

#AQAP #Yemen posts 1st formal op in over 5 months: 3 Houthis incl commander Abu Taha killed Sunday in Dhi Na'im after attacking AQ militant's home. AQ militant & brothers were captured. 1 woman hurt Significance -Shows AQAP endures in Bayda -Op was defensive -No mention of Allah

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1308150358372384771

More oddities in latest #AQAP #Yemen claim. Photo of house appeared the previous day on local media as -Belonging to pro-gov Popular Resistance commander 'Ali al-Siba'i al-Mazfari -Destroyed by bomb (not tank) -In Tafah (not Lutfah)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1308314338747453440

New op claim by #AQAP #Yemen looks insignificant (mortar at Houthis) BUT... What's striking -Gets the year wrong (should be 1442) -Omits to praise Allah (always included) -Until yesterday, this style of claim was not seen for 5+ months (since 4/4) Wonder who's writing these...

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1308363134957125636

(* B T)

Wikipedia: Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen

The Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen was an armed conflict between the Yemeni government, United States, and al-Qaeda-affiliated cells in Yemen. It is a part of the Global War on Terror.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda_insurgency_in_Yemen

(A H)

One Nation: LemonAid boys food parcels distribution in Yemen

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

(A K P T)

Al Qaeda, Daesh send reinforcements to Brotherhood's militias in Abyan

New military reinforcements, including terrorist fighters of Al Qaeda and Daesh arrived in the locations under the control of the Islah's militias, the arm of Muslim Brotherhood organization within Yemen's legitimacy, in Shuqra of Abyan governorate, the spokesman for the Abyan axis, Captain Muhammad al-Naqib said on Sunday.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26140

My remark: As claimed by the separatists.

(* A K T)

US-Saudi Aggression Brings ISIS, Al-Qaedah Individuals to Marib

Media sources revealed that the US-Saudi aggression had brought al-Qaeda and ISIS individuals from Syria to Al-Alam Front in Marib.

A private source told Almasirah that Takfiri individuals are led by Raeed bin Saud bin Ma’ili and ISIS leader Salman bin Ali bin Hamad bin Miqan and his brother Abdullah.

Often the US-Saudi aggression resorts to push hundreds of al-Qaeda and ISIS individuals to Marib front, especially after the recent collapses of their forces in all areas in Qaifah in Al-Baidh.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15001

and also https://uprising.today/saudi-arabia-transporting-al-qaeda-and-daesh-terrorists-from-syria-into-yemen/

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19963.html

My remark: As claimed by the Houthis.

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

Taiz: The crimes that rights organizations don’t see

While many international human rights organizations concerned with Yemen continue to portray civilian casualties of the Yemeni war from the Houthi point of view, the Shia theocratic terrorists find it conducive to carry on with habitual atrocities carefreely.

Taiz, a central Yemen province, was invaded by the terrorists in early March 2015 and its civilian population have since been subjected to all sorts of collective punishmen

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42157

(A P)

Yemen’s Economy Indicators Collapse 2 Years after Houthi Militia Coup

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/09/22/yemens-economy-indicators-collapse-2-years-after-houthi-militia-coup/

My comment: Tell them that there is a war in Yemen.

(A P)

Saudi Arabia continues to work on reaching lasting peace in Yemen: Khalid bin Salman

Saudi Arabia continues to work on reaching a “comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen through the implementation of the Riyadh agreement,” the Kingdom’s Vice Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Tuesday.

He made the statement on his official Twitter account to commemorate the International Day of Peace, a United Nations (UN) holiday is observed on September 21.

“On International Day Of Peace we hope that there is peace around the world,” the minister tweeted, adding that the Kingdom continues to work to achieve lasting peace in Yemen through the Riyadh agreement and by “ensuring the success of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen’s proposal (joint declaration) to end the crisis.”

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/09/22/Saudi-Arabia-continues-to-work-on-reaching-lasting-peace-in-Yemen-Khalid-bin-Salman

and also https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2522161/saudi-deputy-defense-minister-hopes-peace-restored-yemen-based-riyadh-agreement

(A P)

Islah’s President: Orchestrated plots and treason have been documented

President of the Islah’s Higher Committee, Mohamed Al-Yadoumi said on Monday which coincides the anniversary of the Houthis’ coup on 21 September 2014, that plots that happened before and after the coup have been documented in videos.

He added that history will harshly judge participants who orchestrated the coup.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42124

(A P)

Heavy price to 21 September’s coup continues

The Houthis never feel ashamed on celebrating anniversary of their coup on 21 September or the “black day” according to the anti-Houthis’ narrative.

The Houthis consider this day as a retaliation to the 26 September 1962 revolution that toppled the monarchy imamates’ rule in north Yemen.

They consider that 21 September is the day of Sana’a fall into the hands of the Iranian regime that celebrated then the Houthis’ takeover of the city in 2014.

Iranian officials had even stated that the fourth Arab capital fell into their hands.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42148

(A P)

The hashtag #21st September the Day of Nakbah (Catastrophe) has been trending on social media in Yemen on the sixth anniversary of the Houthi military takeover of the capital Sana’a and major cities.

Commenting on what the extremist militia call “a revolution”, huge masses of social media users say, “The Catastrophe Day brought Yemen hundreds of years backwards” and “it turned Yemen into a large cemetery and large prison.”

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42127

(A P)

The 21st September is one of the gloom-ridden days of the Republic, [Hadi gov.] Yemen Minister says

Yemen’s Information Minister said the 21st September which Houthi militants in Sana’a commemorate as their takeover day “is one of the most gloom-ridden days of the Republic and is the biggest defeat in the history of Yemenis.”

In a statement to Saba, Muammar al-Eryani said the militia’s coup d’état which sought to reinstate the pre-1962 theocratic reign albeit “under the cover of seeking to reverse price increases” opened the gates of hell loose for Yemen

http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/09/22/the-21st-september-is-one-of-the-gloom-ridden-days-of-the-republic-yemen-minister-says/

(A P)

Defanging the Houthis six years after Sanaa’s fall

Since the Houthi coup of Sept. 21, 2014, Yemen has become a living hell for innocent civilians, who have been subjected to relentless war and crushing poverty. Thanks to Houthi actions, Yemen has become the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than 24 million people — some 80 percent of the population — in need of humanitarian assistance, including more than 12 million children, according to UN figures.

Six years after the capture of the capital, it is important to understand how they managed to do it and extend their rule. There are many factors contributing to the Houthis’ Pyrrhic victories. I will discuss six.

First, they used religious dogma to justify their lust for power and enlist Iran’s support. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 inspired the Houthis’ founding leaders to try and establish clerical rule in Yemen.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1737961

My commewnt: By a Saudi (!!) news site.

(A P)

Familiar but distinct

Understanding the Houthi Ideology and its Consequences on Yemen

the Houthis are a radical or extremist group that is definitively only found in Yemen; but they are arguably like other terrorist organizations that exist elsewhere and which are motivated by backward, extremist or sectarian beliefs. The Houthi ideology started as a seed derived from the goals of the Iranian Revolution and was shaped by the ideas of “The Believing Youth” groupa , which formed in 1998 and was one of the earliest iterations of the Houthi project. The tenets of that group, with the influence of Hussein Badr El Din Al-Houthi, has resulted in the Houthis’ Fascicles (i.e., set of books published in installments as separate pamphlets or volumes), whose essence can be summarized by its slogan, “God is Great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam.” It regards Iran and Hezbollah as masters of resistance to an American empire, but calls on its followers to be even more assertive, as members of an honorable lineage, one that praises Osama bin Laden as a leader.

This research analyzes the Houthis’ warped ideology in depth, aiming to not only illustrate how the group bears similarities to other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, but also to show its uniqueness and negative impact on the Yemeni people. Moreover, this research will further demonstrate the threat that the Iran-backed Houthi militias pose to the world, and the lasting effect it could have on future generations – by Salem Bahfi

https://www.yemenembassy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Houthi-Ideology.pdf

or if this link should not work: https://twitter.com/sbaafi2020/status/1307717848639377414

(A P)

Saudi Press: Iranian Missile Program Threatens Regional and Global Security

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136619

(A P)

Islah... Three decades of countering terrorism

Since its birth in 1990, the Islah Party has been dealing with terrorism as a global issue before classifying it as a local or a religious problem.

The party has been defending the true Islam against extremist ideologies and acts of violence exercised by some individuals or groups who claim affiliation to Muslims.

The party relies on a clear vision on this aspect, which has been reflected on its ideological and political literature and embodied in its unchanging stances through official statements or statements by its high, middle and junior leaders.

Within its top priorities, the Islah affirmed on the support to government efforts towards countering terrorism using integrated ideological and security approaches.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42102

(A P)

Int’ aid organizations expose themselves: Translated story from Yemen Shabab TV

For more than 5 years Yemenis have been appealing and complaining of deprivation of humanitarian aid which they say goes to the warlords and fighters of the Houthi militia. Much of the aid materials have often been sold to raise funds for the Houthi war effort before the eyes of the UN agencies in Yemen.

The UN looked at the abuses silently, raising suspicions about itself. According to Yemeni governmental and foreign reports, the is because the managers of these UN agencies are themselves involved in depriving the Yemeni people and giving the Houthis.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42107

(A P)

Houthis are ‘threat’ to Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the entire region

Houthi militias in Yemen are continuing to break international humanitarian law by targeting civilians in Saudi Arabia.
In its latest attacks on Saudi terrority, the group launched a projectile at a village in the southern Jazan region on Saturday. Five people were injured and property was damaged.
The Iran-backed militia has attacked Saudi Arabia’s territory, killing and injuring civilians in the process, since the start of the war in 2015, often to international condemnation.
“The Kingdom has tackled many Houthi attacks, which included ballistic missiles and drones that were originally intended to target civilians,” political analyst and international relations expert Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri told Arab News. “If it wasn’t for the Kingdom’s instant response they would have caused very big damage.”
Al-Shehri said that a group like the Houthis were not expected to act differently, other than be violent and destructive. He pointed the finger at the international community for its silence as well as countries that have lifted an arms ban on Iran.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1737491/saudi-arabia

(A P)

Until last govt stronghold, UN maintains unwavering bias in Houthis’ favor

As I have expected, the UN’s bias with the Houthi militia will persist until the last government stronghold is taken by the maximalist Shia theocratic militia.

From the beginning of the war, the UN sought in its diverse ways to derail the military solution against Houthis, citing the need to give political settlement a chance and avoid the humanitarian costs.

The standoff is in its sixth year now as Houthis rejected all peace offers and kept rebuilding and arming their militia, expanding militarily, and plunging the country deeper and deeper into economic and humanitarian crises.

At one point of time of this war, the armed forces were about to retake the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, but the UN, in its own ways, stopped the battle instantly and by this and other ways consolidated the Houthi control of the city.

At another, the UN watched silently as Houthis marched on government-held Al-Hazm city,

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42066

(A P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302871570

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/ksrelief-signs-joint-cooperation-agreement-unicef-yemen and https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136740

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136516

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136512

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136511

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2136506

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135181

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135180

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135178

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135173

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135171

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135163

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135155

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135070

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135066

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135041

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2518671/international-organizations-laud-saudi-arabia%E2%80%99s-relief-role-yemen

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

Sep. 15–20: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/3389745267745146

Sep. 13: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/3383692488350424

Sep. 7–12: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/3379774235408916

(A K pH)

Aggression fighter jets target sheikh's home in Marib

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109604.htm

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15042 / https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109901.htm Several prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109616.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15020 4 prov.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109504.htm Sanaa p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109498.htm Hajjah p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109495.htm Marib p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at 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)

Mohammed Askar, the [Hadi gov.] Minister of #HumanRights, said the military escalation of the #Houthi group killed 251 civilians and injured 438 in #Marib governorate and more than 11 thousand households have been displaced during the past two months.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1308463381658116098

(A K pH)

Saudi Missiles, Artillery Shells Injure 3 Civilians in Border Towns

Almasirah correspondent stated that 3 civilians were injured with Saudi missiles and artillery shells on Shida border district.

https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15051

(A K pS)

[Hadi] Yemeni gov't says its forces broke Houthi military escalation

The Houthi forces' persistent escalation in the northern governorates of Jawf and Marib has been broken, the Yemeni official foreign minister said Monday, thanks to firmness of the national army and popular resistance.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-20029.html

(A K pS)

KSrelief Masam Project Dismantles 1,464 Mines in Yemen during 3rd Week of September

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Masam Project for Clearing Mines in Yemen demined 1,464 mines during the third week of September 2020, including one antipersonnel mine, 326 anti-tank mines, 1,105 unexploded ordnance and 32 explosive devices.

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2137271

(A K pH)

Taiz's [Sanaa gov.] local authority denounces mercenaries' crime against citizens in Salah district

The local authority in Taiz province on Tuesday denounced the horrific crime that the mercenaries of aggression committed in targeting residential neighborhoods in Najdain area in Salh district with artillery shells, killing a civilian and injuring two others.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109914.htm

My comment: The Houthis themselves are sniping civilians at Taiz. See below.

(A K pS)

Houthi shell Taiz neighborhoods, kill woman, injure 11 other civilians

The Houthi militia renewed their shelling on southwestern Yemen’s city of Taiz on Monday evening killing a woman and injuring 11 other civilians, local sources said.

The militia fired shells from a tank stationed atop Softel, a hill that overlooks the east of the city, hitting a neighborhood and incurring those casualties. Of the 11 injured civilians, four are children, according to the sources.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-42126

and also https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25535 (with photo)

Film: https://twitter.com/wfahd1000/status/1308098667434442753

Photo: https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1308107196606164993

(A K pS)

Photos: What you are seeing is people running after a Houthi missile fired on a stadium during a football match in Taiz. Nothing can paintbrush this, nothing can justify...this is a crime in broad daylight.

https://twitter.com/BShtwtr/status/1308171552597442567

(A K)

Absence of army chiefs amid Marib battles: for security reasons or chapter of big plot

Battles between government and Houthi forces have been continuing for a second month in Yemen's northeastern provinces of Marib and Jawf. The Houthis have made slow but important advances as they are seeking to capture the oil-rich provinces.
Meanwhile, the absence of defence minister Mohammed Al-Maqdishi and chief of staff Saghir bin Aziz from the media scene and the field is weird and raising questions.
Observers argued that they would not keep silent and stay away amid what can be described as the fiercest battles since the war broke out in late 2014. This thing can't happen in any other country, observers said.
President and vice president are calling Marib governor, Sultan Al-Aradah, to get updates about the battles, but where are the military chiefs who should be there and do this?

https://debriefer.net/en/news-20016.html

(A K pS)

Sources said the militias raided Al-Masawa village with dozens of armed men, military vehicles and tanks, surrounded the house of Naji Al-Masawa and his brothers and bombed them with heavy weapons.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1307801852172533767

(A K pS)

Local sources: a number of women and children were injured in an attack launched by the #Houthi group on one of the villages in Al-Tafa district in Al-Baydha governorate.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1307801850809331717

Sources said the militias raided Al-Masawa village with dozens of armed men, military vehicles and tanks, surrounded the house of Naji Al-Masawa and his brothers and bombed them with heavy weapons.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1307801852172533767

(A K pS)

#Masam, the #Saudi Project for #Landmine Clearance in #Yemen, said its mine-dsiposal squads managed to remove 1464 #Houthi-laid mines during the third week of Spetember, bring the total number of mines cleared since mid 2018 to 186545.

https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1307752411579154432

(A K)

Marib liberation sovereign decision, states support terrorism in Yemen: Houthis

Houthi overthrow of the Yemeni northeastern city of Marib is "red line", the group said Sunday, vowing that it would allow no one to "interfere in our sovereign decisions under any false reason."

The countries that expressed concern at Houthi "legitimate operations in the face of Qaeda and Daesh are involved in supporting terrorist groups," head of the Houthi military intelligence said.

The Houthi intelligence bureau "has irrefutable documents unveiling facts about the supporters of terrorism in Marib,' Abu Ali al-Hakim added in remarks carried by the group-run al-Masyra.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19991.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15034

(* B K)

Attrition: Landmine Casualties Increase

In Yemen abandoned landmines have been a problem for decades. In early 2018 Saudi Arabia began another major effort to remove landmines and unexploded munitions. Since then over 183,000 mines and unexploded munitions have been removed. There is still a lot of work to do because the Shia rebels, whose 2014 rebellion triggered another civil war, have planted over half a million landmines since then and retrieved few of them when they retreat. The Shia rebels received Iranian technical advice and components to build their own anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines. In addition, the rebels have put dozens of Iranian naval mines into the Red Sea in an effort to disrupt ship traffic to Saudi ports and the Suez Canal. Mine clearance will go on for years after the fighting stops and there is no end in sight for the fighting because Iran continues to get weapons and advisors through to the Shia rebels.

The outbreak of the Shia rebellion in 2014 put an end to a 15-year mine clearing effort. By the end of that effort in 2014 five of the 21 provinces were declared free of landmines and several more were nearly all clear. During the civil wars of the 1990s the landscape was littered with over 500,000 landmines and unexploded munitions. In 1999, a clearing effort was started and by the time another civil war began over 300,000 mines and other explosive items have been found and disposed of. Since 1999, mines and other explosive items killed nearly 4,000 people. There was still a lot of work to do in 2014 because in 2013 over 700 people have been killed or wounded by mines (mostly) and other explosive items.

Even before the 2014 war broke out, rebel Shia tribesmen in the north were planting new mines to keep security forces and rival tribesmen at bay, while in the south al Qaeda has used locally made mines to protect some of its rural hideouts. Since the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings had overthrown the Yemeni government the perpetually troublesome Shia tribes up north had become more violent demanding a return of the autonomy they had enjoyed (and abused) but lost in the 1960s. Al Qaeda became more active after expulsion from Saudi Arabia in 2004. All the violence after 2011 disrupted clearing operations, in addition to putting new mines and other nasty stuff into the ground. Even before the current civil war broke out in 2014 it was estimated that would take another decade of mine clearing effort before all the pre-2014 mines and explosives was found and cleared. Now the estimates are for two or three decades, depending on how much longer the current fighting continues.

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20200919.aspx = https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25532

(A K pS)

Yemen’s Houthis launch projectile towards Saudi Arabia’s Jazan, 5 civilians injured

Iran-backed Houthi militia launched a military projectile from inside Yemen towards a border village in Jazan Region in Saudi Arabia, injuring five civilians, state news agency SPA reported on Friday.

The spokesman for the Civil Defense Directorate in the Jazan region, Colonel Muhammad bin Yahya al-Ghamdi, stated that they received a report of the fall of a military projectile launched by the Houthis towards one of the border villages in al-Harth governorate in the Jazan region, SPA stated.

The projectile damaged three civilian vehicles and injured five civilians. Their injuries were minor, mainly due to shrapnel flying. They were all taken to the hospital and are in stable condition, SPA added.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/09/20/Yemen-s-Houthis-launch-projectile-towards-Saudi-Arabia-s-Jazan-5-civilians-injured

and also https://www.arabnews.com/node/1737006/saudi-arabia

and, with a delay, by Saudi Press Agency: https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2135370

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Marib Governor refutes Houthi lies

Governor of the oil-rich province of Marib, Sultan al-Aradah, refuted on Saturday Houthi claims that they are closing in on the province.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/25494

(A K)

Marib sees fiercest clashes amid growing calls to end violence

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19962.html

(A K pH)

Citizen wounded by Saudi border guards fires

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3109538.htm

(A K pS)

Child killed by Houthi sniper in al-Dhale

A 15-year-old boy was killed by Houthi sniper in al-Shu'ara area of Qataba district in the north of al-Dhale.
Local sources said that Yaqoob Ali Saleh Salman was near his home in al-Shu'ara when a Houti sniper shot him dead and then took his dead body to a mortuary in the neighboring Houthi-held province of Ibb.
The pro-Iran rebels accused Yaqoob of spying in an attempt to justify their crime against the child, the same sources added.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26117

(A K)

Battles rage amid calls for ending "inhumane violence" in Yemen's Marib

Battles between Saudi-backed government forces and Houthi fighters are raging in several parts of Marib province in northeast Yemen.
Government forces on Thursday repelled an assault on the area of Al-Awsahl in the Murad Mountain west of the province, killing 10 Houthi fighters and capturing 6 others, a military source told Reuters.
In the south, they launched a counterattack with support from warplanes of Saudi-led coalition in the area of Al-Rahbah, retaking a number of positions in Al-Sadarah, Najd Al-Majmaah and Al-Manafil villages that fell in the hands of the Houthis in recent days, the source said.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-19932.html

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 going on and both sides constantly are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

(A K pS)

Films (Arabic): Tragedy story: A Houthi mine hits the citizen (Othman Muhammad) and his mother, and he loses his daughter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8xnVVsT3hA

A story of tragedy: a mine that lost half of his body and mind

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

Tragedy story: Yahya Salem went out to fish and was a victim of a Houthi mine that killed him, and his five children were orphaned

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCs-reJwSxU

(A K pS)

Ammunition smuggling bid foiled in Hodeidah

According to al-Amalika media centre the smuggled shipment was hidden a truck en route to the pro-Iran Houthi militants.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/26115

(A K pH)

Daily violations

Sep. 21: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15042

Sep. 19: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15020

Sep. 18: https://english.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=15004

cp19 Sonstiges / Other

(A P)

Film: Wall Paintings’ Exhibition to Mark the International Day of Peace in Taiz city.

Youth without Borders Association’s held an exhibition for wall paintings to mark the International Day of Peace in Taiz city. The drawings conveyed messages about peace and war in Taiz. The aim is to promote the peace concept through these paintings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6C7UiU-XZA

(* B C)

Trying to Surf in Yemen at the Start of the Global War on Terror Was Not as Dumb as it Sounds

The following is an excerpt from the book Reports From Hell, a gonzo ride through the Middle East with Chas Smith, the award-winning author of Welcome to Paradise, Now Go To Hell. In this chapter, our fearless correspondent arrives in Yemen in 2003, looking to answer the one question literally no surfer had ever asked: Were there any waves in Osama Bin Laden’s ancestral home?

https://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/reports-from-hell-excerpts-from-chas-smiths-new-surf-book-on-yemen/

(B H)

Desert Locust situation update 18 September 2020

In Yemen, hopper bands and swarms continue to be present in the interior and are spreading to coastal areas in the south and on the Red Sea. Limited control operations were undertaken in some areas.
There is concern that early swarm breeding is likely to commence on the Red Sea coastal plains of Yemen, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and perhaps Sudan where good rains fell in early August and again this month. Intensive monitoring and vigilance are required.

http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/info/info/index.html

and

(B H)

Kenya to benefit from FAO locust control in Yemen

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations will help Yemen in fighting the desert locusts to avert the second wave of invasion that is likely to hit Kenya again.

Although Kenya has nearly eliminated the invasion of these destructive insects—which came into the Horn of Africa region last year—there are fears that a new wave could emerge from the Middle East country next year and spread to East Africa again.

Yemen, a war-torn country, has not done much in fighting the emergence of these pests leaving them to thrive and spread widely.

FAO said it has started engaging Yemen’s government, to assist and equip it to contain its swarms before they again migrate.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/markets/commodities/Kenya-benefit-from-FAO-locust-control-Yemen/3815530-5625450-hujq77z/index.html

(-)

In pics: Al Saleh Mosque in Sanaa, Yemen

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/19/c_139381749.htm

(* -)

Yemen the beautiful: 600 photos

https://www.pinterest.de/acraftyarab/yemen-the-beautiful/

(-)

Film: Yemeni rich culture This traditional dance is from Hadhramout, South East #Yemen

https://twitter.com/AlHawtali/status/1308380133368238080

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-680-yemen-war-mosaic-680

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-680 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-680:

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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