Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 701, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 701, part 1:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-701-yemen-war-mosaic-701
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Kursiv: Siehe Teil 1 / In Italics: Look in part 1
Klassifizierung / Classification
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavirus und Seuchen / Most important: Coronavirus and epidemics
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Großer Gefangenenaustausch / Most important: Great prisoner swap
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
cp12b Sudan
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp13b Söldner / Mercenaries
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating
A = Aktuell / Current news
B = Hintergrund / Background
C = Chronik / Chronicle
D = Details
E = Wirtschaft / Economy
H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions
K = Krieg / War
P = Politik / Politics
pH = Pro-Houthi
pS = Pro-Saudi
T = Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(B P)
Dire Conditions for Foreign Workers in Saudi Aramco
A British newspaper described the conditions of foreign workers in the Saudi oil giant as "tragic", due to the exorbitant financial losses in Saudi Aramco, which cast a negative shadow on employees who are looking for job opportunities in the oil kingdom.
The Financial Times said that tragic events are experienced by foreign Aramco employees as well as their families.
The newspaper, which reported the testimonies of employees and their families, stated that these incidents include bullying and negligence in providing the necessary health care, which caused the death of a number of foreign workers. It pointed out that the company, which was a dream for foreign engineers, has turned into a graveyard for his ambition and recently for their bodies, as happened with the South African engineer.
The newspaper quoted the testimonies of employees who confirmed that the company has become financially pressured due to the collapse of oil prices that affected the entire industry and the pressures exerted by Mohammed bin Salman towards the Saudization of the workforce in the Kingdom in a way that pushed important employees out of work and fraud in projects in search of the easiest and cheapest way, as happened in Jazan development project. The testimonials also reveal a culture in the company that suffers from perceived abuse of experienced foreigners, ranging from bullying to mismanagement and accusations of racism.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16584/Dire-Conditions-for-Foreign-Workers-in-Saudi-Aramco
(A P)
Bin Salman Increases Abuse of Mohammad Bin Nayef before Biden Inaugurated
Saudi WikiLeaks revealed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman deliberately mistreated Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, the former crown prince, in an attempt to get rid of him before the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. Bin Salman is rushing to implement a series of steps to fortify himself and ensure the king's seat, prior to the inauguration of Biden, who promised to stop the crown prince's crimes inside the kingdom and in Yemen.
For this reason, bin Salman recently resorted to transferring the two princes, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz and Muhammad bin Nayef, from their detention to a secret prison in the desert.
Days after the transfer of Prince bin Nayef, he felt tired, exhausted and physically exhausted, according to sources who asked not to be identified.
The sources added that everyone knows that the issue of the detained princes is inside the kingdom, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who in turn refused to attend bin Nayef's doctor or take him for a medical examination in a hospital.
The sources quoted the family of the arrested prince as being afraid for his life or trying to physically liquidate him through medical negligence and leaving him without following up on his health condition.
(B P)
To Normalize Ties With Israel, Saudi Crown Prince Must Placate His Father – and Biden
While the king sees his realm as the guardian of the whole Arab world, his son backs a Saudi-first approach. This debate will be key in relations with Israel, Iran and the new U.S. administration (paywalled)
(A P)
Film: Female Saudi activist Loujain al Hathloul goes on trial
The trial of a prominent women's rights activist has begun in Saudi Arabia - three years after she was jailed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_fa8PU2aiM
(A P)
Saudi Arabia: Saudi-US Doctor Sentenced on Vague Charges
6-Year Sentence for Political Views, Criticism
A Saudi court sentenced a prominent Saudi-American medical doctor to six years in prison on December 8, 2020 on vague charges mostly tied to his peaceful political views and expression, Human Rights Watch and The Freedom Initiative said today.
Saudi authorities have banned Dr. Walid Fitaihi, 56, from travel since November 2017, along with seven members of his family, all of whom are also US citizens. The Saudi government has also frozen his family’s assets since 2017. Dr. Fitaihi remains free pending appeal.
“Saudi authorities’ railroading of Dr. Walid Fitaihi under broad charges shows that the government has no intention of loosening its clampdown on peaceful critics,” said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The message to Saudi citizens is clearly that any expressed view that contradicts official Saudi domestic or foreign policy will lead straight to prison.”
Saudi authorities arrested Dr. Fitaihi in November 2017 and held him without charge or trial for 21 months.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/10/saudi-arabia-saudi-us-doctor-sentenced-vague-charges
(A P)
Saudi deported Indians for protesting against Narendra Modi's anti-Muslim register
Arab media has reported that Saudi Arabia deported a number of non-resident Indians (NRI) living in the Gulf state for protesting against the highly controversial register introduced by the far-right Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Inspired by Shaheen Bagh Protests in India last year, where a group of mainly Muslim women organised a sit-in to deonstrate against the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a number of Indians living in Jeddah are said to have shown their solidarity by holding placards against the proposed registration bill.
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp9a
(* B P)
U.S. Political Transition Weighs Heavily on Yemen Peace Process
Critics worry that the Trump administration’s threat to designate the Houthis as terrorists would also undermine humanitarian efforts, while President-elect Biden is expected to return to more robust diplomacy.
Uncertainty surrounding potential policy initiatives by both the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations is weighing heavily on the United Nations-led peace process in Yemen, as the parties involved consider how the distinctly different approaches might impact the outcome of negotiations.
In contrast to the anxiety surrounding the designation, there is some optimism that the incoming administration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. will engage in more robust diplomacy regarding Yemen, reversing the course adopted by the Trump administration, which has viewed the conflict almost entirely through an Iran lens. This perspective has shaped the nature of U.S. support for the Saudi-led military coalition, which injected itself into the conflict in 2015 in support of the Hadi government.
A more diplomatically active U.S. administration might employ its influence to mobilize renewed international support for the U.N. envoy’s efforts to cobble together a political process in Yemen, an effort that has slipped off the radar in recent months, overshadowed by the catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The Biden administration also appears more willing to distance itself from Saudi Arabia
A Biden administration that is willing to consider engaging with the regime in Tehran rather than bringing it to heel through a campaign of “maximum pressure” may also be more likely to consider what the role of Iran in a postconflict Yemen might look like and encourage Gulf Arab states to do so as well. This departure from the maximalist view that rejects any trace of Iranian influence in Arab lands is to a large extent an acknowledgement that ties between the Houthi rebels and elements of the Iranian regime, in particular the IRGC, and the extent to which they have grown over the course of the war, won’t be easily broken.
In order for this next stage of political negotiations to ensue, however, Yemen’s deeply divided political leadership will have to get its own house in order.
For the moment, then, against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis and the prospect of a potentially decisive military confrontation, the attention of virtually all those involved in the Yemen peace process is fixed on a political transition taking place thousands of miles away. One way or another, decisions about to be made in Washington appear likely to have important consequences for the outcome of Yemen’s war – by US ex-ambassador to Yemen Stephen A. Seche
https://agsiw.org/u-s-political-transition-weighs-heavily-on-yemen-peace-process/
My comment: A world in which everything depends on the US isn’t normal.
(* B P)
STATE-SANCTIONED KILLERS: AS TRUMP EXPEDITES EXECUTIONS AT HOME, BIDEN BUILDS TEAM FOR WARS ABROAD
As Biden builds his Cabinet, his national security team is looking a lot like a replay of the Obama-Biden militarist coterie. Biden’s nominees include notorious hawks who were central to the genocidal war in Yemen, the weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, the regime-change war in Libya, the war in Syria, the assassination and drone programs, and the use of economic sanctions as a deadly weapon. Several of Biden’s nominees, including his pick for defense secretary, have spent years on boards of defense corporations, profiting from military contractors and peddling influence in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the war industry. Kelley Vlahos of the American Conservative and the transpartisan Quincy Institute discusses Biden’s national security team and the largely continuous arc of U.S. policy through Republican and Democratic administrations.
JS: Well I think one of the most remarkable aspects of the Trump era is just the sameness of U.S. policy when it comes to foreign entanglements, wars, militarism. I don’t think you can make a credible case that Donald Trump is somehow wildly outside the scope of normal imperial business under both Democrats and Republicans when you look at his scorched earth policies in Syria, when you look at his wielding of economic sanctions, when you look at his kill-them-all strategy in Afghanistan, as well as his support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen. In fact Trump, himself, authorized, greenlit ground operations in Yemen. He’s dramatically expanded drone strikes and covert operations in Somalia. But that was kicked off by the Obama-Biden administration.
JS: Antony Blinken — Tony Blinken — is the nominee for secretary of state. He is a very well-known interventionist. He backed the regime change war in Libya. He wanted more military action in Syria. Blinken now sort of is trying to step away from the Saudi genocidal war in Yemen, but he was a crucial, key player during the Obama administration in advocating for increased sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. In fact, it was Blinken who went to Riyadh in 2015 as a representative of the Obama administration to announce that the U.S. was expediting its weapons deliveries to Saudi Arabia and he actually said in a press conference that the Saudis were “sending a strong message” with their war in Yemen. Kelley, pick it up from there on Tony Blinken.
https://theintercept.com/2020/12/09/intercepted-trump-executions-biden-national-security/
(* B P)
Biden Must Stick to His Pledge to End US Support for the Yemen War
The Biden campaign promised to end U.S. support for the Saudi and Emirati-led intervention in Yemen. But they have yet to provide details on how they will do so, leaving reasons to be skeptical of just how far this shift will go.
One important signpost should be an open letter from 30 former Obama administration officials, published two years ago, calling for an end to that support. Many signatories have now been selected as Biden’s nominees for high-level roles in his administration, including Antony Blinken as secretary of state, Avril Haines as director of national intelligence, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The letter made clear that ending refueling for Saudi- and Emirati-led coalition planes carrying out military operations in Yemen — which the Trump administration halted a few days before its publication — was not enough. It called for “a suspension of all U.S. support for the campaign in Yemen,” along with “a clear demand for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, and increased U.S. investment in the high-level diplomacy needed to end this war.”
Arms Sales
Yet if we have learned anything from the past 5 1/2 years, it is that “support” can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The called-for diplomacy and backing for the peace process would be undercut if the same governments continue to sell weapons, ignore accountability, and otherwise undermine efforts to end the war.
Conditions that already apply to these sales have been ignored, failing to ensure better targeting or less harmful outcomes from the coalition. Any meaningful end to U.S. support must include suspending all U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, given the risk these weapons could be used to carry out further human rights abuses or war crimes. It should also include strong calls for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the coalition they lead to end unlawful attacks, credibly investigate those that have occurred, and take concrete steps to ensuring accountability and redress.
Humanitarian Aid
Finally, as COVID-19 spreads in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis grows ever worse, the United States should push all warring parties to protect and ensure humanitarian-aid delivery, lift obstructions, and allow access to affected populations in all areas.
One of the biggest lessons from Biden’s time as vice president should be to learn from the mistakes the U.S. has made in Yemen, and the catastrophic damage those errors continue to cause. Picking up those pieces will indeed be a formidable task—one that he won’t solve by incomplete, or half measures.
https://www.justsecurity.org/73798/biden-must-stick-to-his-pledge-to-end-us-support-for-the-yemen-war/ = https://mwatana.org/en/biden-must-stick-to-his-pledge-to-end-us-support-for-the-yemen-war/
(* B P)
Biden Should Sell the Middle East Human Rights, Not More Weapons
America’s recent unilateralism, driven by militarism in both weapons sales and military intervention, continues to harm its legitimacy and will contribute to the MENA region’s destabilization.
The continued nature of a U.S. interventionist foreign policy doctrine toward the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region undermines American values and credibility within the global community. This doctrine is driven by a military interventionist mindset within the U.S. foreign policy community, which has reached a zenith through the Trump administration’s dumping of billions of dollars’ worth of advanced weaponry into the arms of MENA autocrats. However, with a new Biden administration taking the helm in a little more than one month, an opportunity exists for a new U.S. foreign policy toward the MENA region. A Biden administration will need to employ diplomacy and human rights advocacy in order to reverse U.S. hypocrisy abroad.
Yet arms sales only constitute a fraction of the militarized U.S. foreign policy approach. U.S. military engagements paint a picture of regular conflict in places like Iraq, where the beginning of 2020 witnessed a targeted assassination of an Iranian general in a third, supposedly allied, country. This led to a major escalation of tensions between the United States, Iran, and Iraq, as well as a U.S. troop influx in Iraq and Saudi Arabia from the administration that claimed to be ending “forever wars.”
Adding insult to injury, continued and expanded weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE have tied the United States to an increasingly expansive list of potential war crimes in Yemen, just as new reports have revealed significant civilian harm due to U.S. military interventions in the country against violent extremist groups in 2017.
Collectively, these foreign policy failures reflect a clear and obvious need for a new approach to the MENA region. Centering diplomacy and human rights within a new approach will have to be the focus of the Biden administration.
Coalition-building and a renewed sense of multilateralism is particularly important to the success of a “Diplomacy First” foreign policy. As I have written in the past, a unilateral foreign policy toward the MENA region has resulted in U.S. alienation abroad.
As the CATO Institute Risk Index showed, many MENA states are heavily invested in U.S. weapons inflows that are ultimately used to repress their people or harm civilians in places like Yemen. In addition, these same states spend considerable funds lobbying Washington to support their national interests.
This type of coalition-building via diplomatic tools should also promote military restraint. An entire generation has witnessed the harmful effects of U.S. military intervention in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. This stems from a conceptualization of exceptionalism within the United States that has led to arbitrary attempts to project influence around the globe via military strength. A diplomacy-centered foreign policy doctrine needs to reject this mindset.
A rejection of this mindset should not only reflect an understanding that the United States is only as powerful as its allies on the international stage, but also that domestic issues and diplomatic efforts cannot be placed on the backburner to fund military intervention around the world.
My comment: Of course, Biden should act this way. But, be honest: The US’ Middle East (and generally: foreign) policy always had been interventionlst, militaristic, brutal, warmongering, since decades, with all administrations. A Joe Biden obviously would be the wrong president to really change this. And, ever since the US claimed to promote “human rights”, it did not care a shit for them. All the time, the issue of “human rights” only had been used as a tool of interventionist and warmongering policy against the US’ enemies. The best thing we could say when reading this article is that the author proposes a type of more soft imperialism.
(* B P)
Biden’s Pentagon Pick Has Deep Defense Industry Ties. Now It Could Complicate His Nomination.
Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin sits on the board of Raytheon.
Joe Biden, in defending his decision to nominate retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin as his Defense secretary pick on Tuesday, cited Austin’s “intimate knowledge of the Department of Defense and our government,” adding that those qualities make him “uniquely matched to the challenges and crises we face.” Outside of government, those qualities were also uniquely matched to a post-military career spentcultivating ties between people in power and the defense industry.
After retiring from the Army in 2016, Austin joined the board of a defense industry giant, set up his own consulting firm, and became a partner at a private equity firm that invests in defense and aerospace companies. He quickly cashed in, earning at least $1.4 million since he joined the board of United Technologies Corp. in 2016. Earlier this year, UTC merged with Raytheon, giving Austin a seat on the board of one of the country’s most powerful defense contractors. Last year, Raytheon received more than $16 billion in federal government contracts, the fourth-most of any company.
The progressive flank of the Democratic Party, which has debated how to oppose Biden’s Defense secretary pick even before the announcement, expressed concern with Austin in a barrage of statements on Tuesday. Common Defense, a veterans group, called his nomination “a grave, democracy-threatening mistake.”
The Massachusetts based contractor has made off particularly well by selling weapons to Saudi Arabia and its allies as part of the controversial Saudi intervention into Yemen’s civil war, an ongoing catastrophe that has spiraled into the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. “Since the Yemen war began, Raytheon has booked at least a dozen major sales to the kingdom and its partners worth more than $5 billion,” the New York Times reported in May.
“If President-elect Biden is serious about enacting reform upon taking office, he would be better served by a Defense secretary without ties to one of the top five contractors. We need defense leaders who are ready to make decisions that are right for the American people, not former industry officials who stand to be influenced by their ties to contractors,” said Mandy Smithberger of the Project On Government Oversight.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/12/lloyd-austin-defense-secretary-raytheon-joe-biden/
and
(* B P)
From Iraq to Raytheon: Who is General Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden's Defence Secretary Pick?
A major position in the likely incoming administration has now been filled. As the presumptive winner of the 2020 US general election, former Vice President Joe Biden appears to be following his pledges to appoint a historically diverse cabinet. But will this have lead to any significant changes in policy?
Joe Biden has selected retired Army General Lloyd Austin to serve as his defense secretary if the presumptive 2020 winner takes the oath of office in January.
Between 2013 and 2016, the four-star general served during the Obama administration as the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for overseeing activity in the Middle East, Central Asia, and part of South Asia.
He was also the primary military architect of the US-led assault on the Daesh in Iraq and Syria. During this time, he was given $500 million to put together a rebel army in Syria against the terrorist group. The project failed spectacularly, only managing to recruit around 60 fighters of the 5,400 the Pentagon intended.
Under pressure from Congress, Austin admitted that only “four or five” Syrian rebels that the United States had trained to combat the self-declared Islamic State were actually in Syria.
During his tenure, Centcom was also accused of skewing intelligence on Daesh in order to make the extremist group appear weaker and portray US action against them seem more effective than it actually was.
The Pentagon’s inspector general later cleared Austin of the charge of deliberately falsifying intelligence.
Despite the nomination of the first Black defense secretary being lauded as a progressive victory, General Austin's position on the board of Raytheon Technology - the second-largest defense contractor on Earth - could be a sticking point for Democrats who want to see an administrative shift away from military-industrial picks.
If his selection is ultimately confirmed, this would give an arms manufacturer official direct oversight of the nation's $750 billion annual defense budget.
(A P)
U.S. Clears For Release Longtime Guantánamo Inmate Never Charged With A Crime
In a rare development at the U.S. military court in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, a so-called "forever prisoner" who has been held there for more than 18 years despite never being criminally charged has been cleared for release.
The Yemeni man in his mid-40s, known variously as Said Salih Said Nashir and Hani Saleh Rashid Abdullah, was accused of being an al-Qaeda operative. But Guantánamo's Periodic Review Board, which functions like a parole board, now says he is no longer a significant threat to the United States.
(* B P)
The Man-Made Famine In Yemen
The U.N. and humanitarian organizations are sounding more alarms about the dire situation in Yemen, where millions are acutely malnourished and tens of thousands are already suffering famine-like conditions. The U.N.’s emergency relief coordinator Mark Lowcock said this: […]
Modern famines are the result of deliberate policy choices by governments and armed groups. The famine in Yemen is man-made. The Saudi coalition and our government have been some of the main authors of that famine. When Lowcock refers vaguely to “powerful people,” these are some of the people he is talking about. The U.S. suspended most of its aid to Yemen this year in a disastrous effort to use that aid as “leverage” against the Houthis, and now there is the danger that a U.S. terrorist designation will shut down humanitarian relief efforts entirely.
It is still possible to avert the worst-case scenarios and prevent the deaths of tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of people, but that requires at the very least ramping up humanitarian assistance, pressuring the Saudi coalition to halt its campaign, and refraining from any more destructive economic warfare. The U.S. bears significant responsibility for the catastrophe in Yemen, and it is within our government’s power to alleviate the humanitarian crisis or to worsen it drastically. The Trump administration has repeatedly chosen to make matters worse in Yemen, and it may do so once again before the end.
Designating the Houthis as a terrorist group is one measure that would be particularly disastrous for the people of Yemen. Eric Schwartz and Hardin Lang list a number of reasons why the designation shouldn’t happen, and this is their conclusion:
The litmus test for U.S. policy on Yemen is simple: does it help end the conflict, or keep alive the millions of suffering Yemenis?
One of the main reasons why U.S. policy in Yemen has been so senseless and destructive is that our government insists on seeing Yemen through the distorting lens of the Iran obsession. The administration has shown no interest in helping to end the conflict. If they were interested in that, they would not have fought tooth and nail against the Congressional resolutions that demanded an end to U.S. involvement in the war. Instead they see the conflict in Yemen as an opportunity to oppose Iran. To that end, they have been satisfied to inflict enormous harm on tens of millions of innocent people because they happen to live under the rule of a group that has limited ties to Tehran. The Trump administration keeps failing the test on Yemen because it sees Yemen and Yemenis as expendable collateral damage in their effort to hurt Iran.
The war on Yemen has done nothing to hurt Iran in the slightest (not that it would be justified if it had), but it has driven a country of almost thirty million people into the abyss. For five and a half years, our government has supported the wrecking and starvation of another country, and we have failed to bring that horror to an end. That will have to change in the new year, or countless more Yemenis will die preventable deaths – by Daniel Larison
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/state-of-the-union/the-man-made-famine-in-yemen/
(* B H P)
Classifying Houthis as terrorists will worsen famine in Yemen, Trump is warned
US policy, if enacted, would hinder deliveries of badly needed aid in war-torn country
The Trump administration is facing mounting calls to abandon threats to sanction Houthi rebels in northern Yemen to avoid an imminent danger of extreme famine in the country, where almost two-thirds of the population are in need of food aid.
US state department officials are considering designating the Houthis as a terrorist group before the 20 January inauguration of Joe Biden, a move that would complicate the delivery of essential aid in large parts of the country, senior UN officials and NGOs have said.
The widely predicted move would be alongside a raft of flagged sanctions against Iran and its interests over the final five weeks of Trump’s rule, in which squeezing Tehran and its allies looms as a central plank of Washington’s foreign policy.
The Labour party in the UK added its voice to the concerns on Sunday, saying the expected move against the Houthis
Human Rights Watch has also warned of the consequences of US designation.
(A P)
One thing to understand about Biden’s cabinet picks is that you don’t really have to understand them as individuals. They all come from the same institutions, have the same corporate backing and believe in the same ideology: ruthless capitalism and American exceptionalism.
https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/1330936134289985536
These picks aren’t surprising. It's all people we expected. And they all have the same ideology: Capitalism, war and more war (film)
https://twitter.com/RaniaKhalek/status/1331010873092141064
(A P)
Film: Biden Picks Raytheon Board Member as Defense Secretary | CODEPINK's Medea Benjamin Reacts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmBX0VDVk_o&t=10s
(A P)
Al Jazeera journalist files lawsuit accusing Saudi, UAE crown princes of hack-and-leak
An Al Jazeera anchor is alleging the crown princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates helped to coordinate a hack-and-leak operation intended to intimidate and disparage her.
In a civil suit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, journalist Ghada Oueiss accuses Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) of coordinating efforts to break into her iPhone and then share private photos on Twitter and various websites.
The lawsuit says the operation is connected to larger efforts by rulers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to stifle reports about the two regimes’ alleged human rights abuses. Oueiss has been critical of both nations’ leaders as part of her work as a principal anchor and presenter for Al Jazeera
https://www.cyberscoop.com/al-jazeera-journalist-oeuiss-saudi-uae-lawsuit-hack-leak/
(* B P)
After Senate Effort Fails, Biden Urged to Block 'Corrupt and Dangerous' $23 Billion Weapons Sale to UAE
"Our government should not sell a single bullet to the UAE, much less billions of dollars in deadly military equipment."
Following the Senate's failure earlier this week to block President Donald Trump's $23 billion weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates, President-elect Joe Biden is facing pressure from anti-war organizations and activists to put a stop to the deal upon taking office to prevent further U.S. complicity in the slaughter of civilians in Yemen and Libya.
"Our government should not sell a single bullet to the UAE, much less billions of dollars in deadly military equipment," Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement Thursday. "The UAE has committed war crimes in Yemen, bolstered dictators and suppressed democracy in the broader Arab world, and smeared Americans who dare to speak up against such human rights abuses."
"Now that the Senate has failed to block the Trump administration's corrupt and dangerous arms deal," said Awad, "the incoming Biden administration should support peace, democracy, and human rights overseas by canceling the sale upon taking office."
Writing in The Nation, Michael Eisner and Sarah Leah Whitson of Democracy for the Arab World Now warned that the UAE weapons sale "would cause devastating harm to both the people in the Middle East and America's standing in the region" and urged Biden to roll it back.
"The harm in the case of the UAE arms deal is wholly foreseeable," wrote Eisner and Whitson.
(* B P)
Explained: Why the US is considering a Houthi terror designation
While some members of the amorphous group have been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, an FTO designation would apply to all its members, with "chilling" consequences on aid supplies that the Houthis largely control and the social, economic and civil institutions in their territories.
In the US, the move is also seen as an expansion of Mr Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran, which included sweeping sanctions on Iranian officials and government bodies.
It is more than two years since the designation threat was made, so why has it taken so long for the topic to be raised again, and will it really happen?
Proponents of the plan argue that all political and military options have failed to sufficiently weaken the rebels, who by some estimates control a third of Yemen’s most populous territories and have taken over key economic institutions in the north.
Simply put, the US and Yemeni governments might feel that they are out of other options, with less than 50 days in office remaining for the current Trump administration, experts say.
But critics believe a terror designation would effectively sentence thousands of Yemeni civilians to death, as they depend on imports for basic commodities like wheat, flour and rice, while aligning the Houthis further with Iran.
“The assumption that this will bring the Houthis, who argue they have been fighting a 16-year-long war through periods of deep privation, to the table willing to make big concessions is a real leap. It is not what I expect would come out of an FTO designation,” said Crisis Group Senior Analyst Peter Salisbury.
“However, one of the reasons this option is being seriously considered is due to a frustration at the seeming lack of alternative options,” he said.
But what an FTO designation does is impact millions of individual lives in an even more catastrophic, devastating way in the short term.
“It is like going to the doctor with an infection in your leg and rather than treat it, he decides to amputate it,” Mr Salisbury told The National.
“It is the most drastic option that does more damage than good.”
Long-time Yemen watchers have a few simple explanations for why the matter is only now being seen as a viable option by the Trump administration. One reason could be to create the largest impact over the shortest possible time.
“This decision is fairly easy to implement and very difficult to roll back,” Mr Salisbury said.
Policymakers might feel that the long-term benefits of designating the Houthis a terror group outweigh the short-term effects but the immediate survival prospects of an entire generation, and at least 100,000 Yemeni children below five already suffering from malnutrition, should require consideration.
(* B P)
Trump’s Parting Shot at Yemen
According to Politico: “Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla) initially expressed concerns about the sale’s impact on Israel, but told POLITICO this week that ‘I’ve been assured by the Israelis that they feel good about it.’”
I’m sure they do. Whatever objections Israel would normally have to lavishing advanced weapons on an Arab state vanished with the signing of the Abraham Accords on September 15. The Abraham Accords, negotiated by the Trump Administration, normalize relations between Israel and the UAE. The $23 billion arms sale was the UAE’s reward for agreeing to normalization.
Who else feels good about the sale? Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-35, and General Atomics, which manufactures the Reaper unmanned drone. The $23 billion the sale represents will go directly into their already over-stuffed pockets.
Failure to quash the sale is terrible news for the country of Yemen.
Twenty-nine human rights and arms control groups, including the Arms Control Association, Cato Institute, Friends Committee on National Legislation, and Win Without War drafted a letter opposing the sale.
End-use restrictions attached to US arms sales are supposed to keep US weapons out of the hands of human rights violators. However, Senator Chris Murphy, a co-sponsor of the failed resolutions, says that “The UAE has violated past arms sales agreements, resulting in U.S. arms ending up in the arms of dangerous militia groups, and they have failed to comply with international law in Libya and Yemen.”
Against these powerful reasons for stopping the UAE arms sale, the Trump Administration counterposes our old friend the Iranian bogeyman.
President-elect Joe Biden says that he wants to end US support for the Saudi-Emirati coalition. Biden can terminate Trump’s UAE arms deal. Will he? Biden is no dove. One-third of Biden’s transition team is made up of persons connected to organizations funded by arms manufacturers, including General Dynamics, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. Biden’s pick for secretary of defense, General Lloyd Austin III, is on Raytheon’s Board of Directors. Will the Biden Administration pursue peace or war? We shall see.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/12/11/trumps-parting-shot-at-yemen/
(* A P)
GOP Senators And Democratic Defectors Save Donald Trump’s Biggest Arms Deal
Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly of Arizona helped quash motions to stop Trump from selling $13 billion in sophisticated weaponry to the United Arab Emirates.
A slim bipartisan majority of senators endorsed the Trump administration’s plan to sell $13 billion in sophisticated weaponry to the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, defying concerns about the UAE’s role in civil wars and likely war crimes and President Donald Trump’s rushed process of pushing through the arms deal.
The result is a big loss for lawmakers and activists who want a less hawkish U.S. foreign policy — and a signal that they have a lot of work to do under President-elect Joe Biden.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-uae-senate-weapons-sale_n_5fd1417dc5b61d81b33ba36c?sbi
(* B P)
Biden Is the Perfect Figurehead for the Post-Trump National Security Establishment
Make no mistake, Joe Biden is a Washington creature with a multidecade record of support for wars and militarism.
The nomination and election of Joe Biden should not be construed as a major leap forward.
While attacking the left, Democratic Party leaders have steadily embraced George W. Bush and other imperial Republicans as part of their imagined coalition of adults in the room.
The dirty truth is that neoconservatives felt at home with the establishment Democratic Party, particularly on matters of national security policy, long before Trump came to power. More than a decade ago, as President-elect Obama and Biden built their national security and foreign policy teams from 2008 to 2009, they stacked their administration with Democratic hawks and cruise missile liberals and kept George W. Bush’s Defense Secretary Robert Gates in charge of the Pentagon. Conservative Republicans heaped praise on their appointments.
What the Obama presidency revealed about national security policy is that the institutional elites of the Democratic Party don’t even believably pretend to embrace progressive values or priorities, particularly on foreign policy and national security. Rhetoric is cheap, but who you choose in your Cabinet speaks to your actual principles. Under Obama-Biden, all of the political capital was used on courting the right by dismissing or attacking the left. There is a consensus among the old establishment Democrats and Republicans that militarism and the myths of American exceptionalism are eternal, nonpartisan truths. In their eyes, a team of rivals doesn’t include leftists. It is a tactical or strategic rivalry among a handful of camps within the same war party about how best to conduct imperial policy.
Biden’s nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is a well-known interventionist who backed the disastrous regime-change war in Libya, advocated for more military action in Syria, and, while serving in the Obama administration, supported the criminally brutal war in Yemen and arming Saudi Arabia. In 2015, it was Blinken who announced that the Obama-Biden administration was bolstering its support to the Saudis specifically for their war in Yemen.
The nominee for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, was a key player in developing the Obama administration’s global assassination program. She was a prominent defender of Gina Haspel, a central player in the CIA’s kidnap and torture program, and supported her nomination by Trump to serve as CIA director.
https://theintercept.com/2020/12/04/joe-biden-election-national-security/
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Wachsende Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Mounting tensions at the Gulf
(A P)
Iran president says Israel was behind killing of scientist
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Monday claimed that Israel was behind the killing of a scientist who founded the Islamic Republic’s military nuclear program in the 2000s in an effort to start a war in the last days of President Trump’s administration.
Rouhani’s comments in a news conference marked the first time he has directly accused the Jewish state of carrying out the killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh late last month.
(A P)
Netanyahu: ‘Business as usual with Iran’ will be mistake
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said it would be a mistake “to go back to business as usual with Iran,” signaling Israeli resistance to an expected push by President-elect Joe Biden to revive the international nuclear deal with Iran.
(A P)
Iran executes exiled journalist who encouraged 2017 protests
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-journalists-espionage-151ce445a43f3e99a2e086b895ca5588
Iran summons EU envoys for protesting reporter’s hanging
Iran on Sunday summoned the German envoy to Tehran after the European Union condemned the execution of an Iranian journalist whose work helped inspire nationwide economic protests in 2017, Iranian state media has reported.
https://apnews.com/article/tehran-europe-middle-east-iran-369c7478f47ff183b0f8f2ab49434e01
President Hassan Rouhani has slammed certain European countries for making interventionist remarks on the recent execution of a counterrevolutionary figure in Iran, noting that their apparent sensitivity on this issue amounts to interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
(A P)
Rouhani, Biden hint at pathways to resume Iran deal
The Iranian president wants Biden to reverse Trump policies, not start a new round of talks; the US president-elect makes clear US regional partners will also have their say.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani this week called for President-elect Joe Biden to reenter the Iranian nuclear deal by reversing sanctions imposed by the United States after the Donald Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal’s formal name, in May 2018.
Rouhani told a Cabinet meeting Wednesday that the next president "can put a good piece of paper on the table and sign it nicely so that we could return to the first place, and it does not take time at all."
(A K P)
Saudi Warplanes Escort US B-52 Strategic Bombers
The Saudi Royal Air Force warplanes escorted yesterday two US strategic bombers (B-52) while crossing the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the B-52 has the ability to launch a large load of multiple weapons and hit the targets accurately and deeply.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167184
and also https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1337437506560811010
(A P)
Sanctions on Iranian religious studies university prove ‘US hostility toward science’
An Iran-headquartered religious studies university blasts the United States for bringing it under sanctions as part of Washington’s ongoing policy of mounting “maximum pressure” on the Islamic Republic.
Al-Mustafa International University, an open university that is based in the north-central Iranian city of Qom, issued the remarks in a statement on Thursday, two days after its designation as a target by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
(A P)
Die USA und ihre Verbündeten fürchten mögliche iranische Angriffe
Anonyme US-Vertreter, israelische und europäische Politiker lassen Informationen über potenzielle Bedrohungen an die Presse durchsickern
Seit der iranische Wissenschaftler Mohsen Fakhrizadeh bei einem offensichtlichen israelischen Komplott getötet wurde, warnen die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika und Israel vor Bedrohungen in der Region. Trotz des klaren Wunsches des Iran, es bis zum 20. Januar ohne militärische Konfrontation mit den USA zu schaffen, drohen anonyme US-Vertreter mit iranischen Vergeltungsmaßnahmen für Fakhrizadehs Tod.
Am Montag teilte ein namentlich nicht genannter US-Vertreter der Associated Press mit, dass Washington befürchtet, dass der Iran einen Vorteil aus den Truppenabzügen der USA im Irak und in Afghanistan ziehen könnte. Aus diesem Grund, so der Funktionär, muessten die USA moeglicherweise den geplanten Abzug des Flugzeugträgers USS Nimitz aus dem Persischen Golf verschieben.
Die Nimitz war im September in den Persischen Golf entsandt worden, um eine Botschaft an den Iran zu senden. Der US-Vertreter sagte, das Schiff müsse "noch einige Zeit in der Region bleiben". Der Beamte fügte hinzu, dass ein zusätzliches Jagdgeschwader in den Nahen Osten entsandt werden könnte. Die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika haben vor kurzem B-52-Bomber in der Region stationiert und ein Geschwader von F-16-Kampfflugzeugen von Deutschland in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate verlegt.
Anonyme europäische und israelische Politiker erklärten gegenüber Business Insider, dass sich Beamte in Europa und der Golfregion auf bevorstehende Angriffe des Iran auf israelische oder jüdische Stätten in der ganzen Welt vorbereiten, um die Bereiche zu erweitern, in denen jegliche Gewalt in den nächsten sechs Wochen dem Iran angelastet werden kann. "Ich würde erwarten, dass das Zeitfenster für eine Antwort in den kommenden Wochen liegen wird", sagte ein namenloser europäischer Diplomat gegenüber dem Insider.
http://www.antikrieg.com/aktuell/2020_12_08_dieusa.htm
(* A P)
US and Its Allies Stoking Fears of Possible Iranian Attacks
Anonymous US, Israeli, and European officials leaking information to the press about potential threats
Since Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed in an apparent Israeli plot, the US and Israel have been warning about threats in the region. Despite Iran’s clear desire to make it to January 20th without a military confrontation with the US, anonymous officials are hyping the threat of Iranian retaliation for Fakhrizadeh’s death.
On Monday, an anonymous US official told The Associated Press that Washington fears Iran may take advantage of US troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan. For this reason, the official said the US might have to hold off on the planned departure of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from the Persian Gulf.
In September, the Nimitz was deployed to the Persian Gulf to send a message to Iran. The US official said the ship must remain in the region “for some time to come.” The official added that an additional fighter squadron might be sent to the Middle East. The US recently deployed B-52 bombers to the region and moved a fleet of F-16 fighter jets from Germany to the UAE.
Widening the areas where any violence in the next six weeks can be blamed on Iran, anonymous European and Israeli officials told Business Insiderthat officials in Europe and the Gulf are preparing for imminent attacks by Iran on Israeli or Jewish sites around the world. “I would expect the window for a response to be in the coming weeks,” an unnamed European diplomat told Insider.
https://news.antiwar.com/2020/12/07/us-and-its-allies-stoking-fears-of-possible-iranian-attacks/
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(* B H P)
Thousands are facing famine in Yemen due to continuing war and lack of foreign aid
UK involvement
Foreign Office statistics show that the UK provided £260m to Yemen in development assistance during 2019. This made Yemen the recipient of the fourth-highest amount of aid from the UK.
On 25 November, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the UK would cut its foreign aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of national income. Estimates calculate this will amount to around £4bn less in aid spending. Charities and non-profits denounced the decision, saying it would be felt by “the world’s poorest”.
In addition, analysis in September by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) concluded that the UK has licensed at least £6.5bn worth of arms to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
The government announced that arms sales to Saudi Arabia would be resumed in July. This was despite assessing the Saudi Arabian forces as having committed “possible” violations of humanitarian law and a court ruling that previous arms sales to the regime were unlawful.
CAAT spokesperson Andrew Smith told The Canary:
The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is the worst in the world, and it has been totally preventable. This is a man-made crisis that has been exacerbated by callous decisions made in Downing Street. Yemen definitely needs aid, but the most important thing is that the bombardment is brought to an end.
(A P)
Priti Patel under fire over tour of Bahrain police station where human rights activists were tortured
Exclusive: ‘How can the Home Office accept that I was tortured at this site, then send the home secretary there for a photo opportunity?’ victim asks
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
(* B K P)
Kein extraterritorialer Schutzanspruch – Das BVerwG zu US-Drohneneinsätzen über Ramstein
In der Entscheidung des Bundesverwaltungsgerichts vom 25. November 2020 zur Nutzung der US-Luftwaffenbasis Ramstein für Drohneneinsätze wird erstmals ausdrücklich die abstrakte Möglichkeit des Bestehens einer extraterritorialen Schutzpflicht durch das BVerwG anerkannt. Jedoch wird durch das Gericht ein individueller Schutzanspruch im konkreten Fall dreier Kläger aus dem Jemen gegen die Bundesrepublik Deutschland zurückgewiesen. Nach dem BVerwG können damit grundsätzlich auch gegenüber im Ausland lebenden Ausländer*innen und im Fall von Grundrechtsbeeinträchtigungen durch andere Staaten grundrechtliche Schutzpflichten bestehen. Die folgenden Überlegungen beruhen auf der mündlichen Urteilsbegründung.
Im vorliegenden Fall wies das BVerwG die Klage eines der Kläger mangels Klagebefugnis als unzulässig zurück, da er derzeit seinen Lebensmittelpunkt nicht im Jemen habe. Damit liege keine gegenwärtige Betroffenheit vor, da der Kläger in der Lage sei, durch einen Aufenthaltswechsel ins Ausland für seine Sicherheit zu sorgen. Hiermit lässt das Gericht elementare Erwägungen des Lebensschutzes weitgehend unberücksichtigt, indem es nur eine Betroffenheit bejaht, wenn sich Betroffene einer Gefahr für ihr Leben durch Drohneneinsätze im Jemen bewusst aussetzen oder keine Fluchtmöglichkeit hiervor haben. Damit ist dem Gebot effektiven Rechtsschutzes aus Art. 19 Abs. 4 GG nicht hinreichend Genüge getan.
Im Rahmen der Begründetheit der zulässigen Klage der weiteren Kläger reicht nach dem BVerwG für das Bestehen der Schutzpflicht nicht schon – wie vom OVG angenommen – die Möglichkeit einer völkerrechtswidrigen Grundrechtsbeeinträchtigung durch einen anderen Staat aus. Vielmehr entstehe die Schutzpflicht erst, wenn aufgrund der Zahl und Umstände eingetretener Völkerrechtsverstöße konkret zu erwarten sei, dass es zukünftig zu weiteren völkerrechtswidrigen Grundrechtsbeeinträchtigungen komme. Selbst im elementaren Lebensschutz wären damit eine gewisse Anzahl an Völkerrechtsverstößen gegenüber Zivilpersonen vonnöten, um eine Schutzpflicht auszulösen. Mithin höhlt das BVerwG den Schutz des Lebens im Zusammenhang mit dem Völkerrecht unzumutbar aus und lässt das Entstehen einer Schutzpflicht von der unklaren und zufälligen Maßgabe genügend vorheriger Völkerrechtsverletzungen abhängen.
Das BVerwG verlangt weiterhin einen qualifizierten Bezug zum deutschen Staatsgebiet. Hierfür seien die Übermittlungsvorgänge durch Ramstein als alleiniges technisch notwendiges Bindeglied für Drohneneinsätze im Jemen nicht ausreichend. Vielmehr müssten jedenfalls Entscheidungselemente auf deutschem Boden stattfinden. Damit wird nicht erkannt, dass es für die Schutzpflicht keiner gesonderten Begründung oder eines spezifischen Bezuges bedarf, sondern sich die Bindung hieran bereits aus der objektiven Werteordnung sowie Art. 1 Abs. 1 GG herleiten lässt. Jedenfalls aus der Überlassung des Hoheitsgebietes sowie der damit verbundenen Rücknahme von Kontrollrechten ergibt sich hier die Entstehung der Schutzpflicht.
Mit dem Urteil konnte trotz der in der Sache enttäuschenden Entscheidung nach dem überwiegend erfolgreichen OVG-Urteil, nun zumindest abstrakt einen Teilerfolg erzielt werden. Denn nun ist anknüpfend an das BND-Urteil des BVerfG vom Mai 2020, in welchem die Grundrechtsbindung der deutschen Staatsgewalt im Ausland gegenüber Ausländern jedenfalls in einer abwehrrechtlichen extraterritorialen Konstellation festgestellt wurde, die Möglichkeit extraterritorialer Schutzpflichten höchstgerichtlich anerkannt. Hierauf basierend ist zukünftig Rechtsschutz in weiteren extraterritorialen Fällen möglich.
Dennoch hat das BVerwG im vorliegenden Fall das Bestehen einer Schutzpflicht offengelassen sowie deren etwaige Verletzung abgelehnt. Ob es damit jedenfalls das Bestehen einer grundrechtlichen Schutzpflicht in der zugrundeliegenden Konstellation verkannt hat, ist nun zu entscheiden. Über eine solche Frage hätte das Bundesverfassungsgericht im Rahmen einer Verfassungsbeschwerde zu urteilen – von Vera Strobel
https://www.juwiss.de/137-2020/
und noch vollständiger: https://blog.prif.org/2020/12/11/kein-schutzanspruch-gegen-drohnenangriffe-das-urteil-des-bverwg-zu-us-drohneneinsaetzen-im-jemen-mittels-ramstein/
(A K P)
Keine Rüstungsexporte für gesamte Jemen-Militärkoalition
„Aktion Aufschrei – Stoppt den Waffenhandel!“, Oxfam Deutschland und Save the Children begrüßen gemeinsam, dass das Rüstungsexportmoratorium gegenüber Saudi-Arabien erstmals um ein ganzes Jahr verlängert werden soll und die bereits erteilten Genehmigungen widerrufen werden.
Sie fordern jedoch mit Nachdruck die Bundesregierung dazu auf, weitergehende Maßnahmen zu beschließen:
Das Rüstungsexportverbot muss umfassend und zeitlich nicht befristet für alle Mitglieder der von Saudi-Arabien geführten Militärkoalition gelten, solange diese am bewaffneten Konflikt beteiligt sind oder die Gefahr besteht, dass auch deutsche Rüstungsgüter zu Menschen- und Völkerrechtsverletzungen im Jemen beitragen.
https://www.oxfam.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2020-12-11-keine-ruestungsexporte-gesamte-jemen-militaerkoalition = https://www.ohne-ruestung-leben.de/nachrichten/article/aktion-aufschrei-save-the-children-100000-tote-jemen-krieg-ruestungsexport-moratorium-ausweiten.html
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
Siehe: cp1 (VAE) / Look at cp1 (UAE)
(B P)
Interview with Chilean activist Connie De Witt
As the Chilean capital Santiago witnessed, on November 12, 2020, a massive demonstration in front of the American embassy to protest the massacres committed by the Saudi-Emirati-American coalition in Yemen.
In this corner, we quickly present one of the truest echoes of the Yemeni grievance that has unfolded with the path of war and siege to reach all the world’s free activists, jurists and activists, and it is the story of the Chilean human rights activist “Connie de Witt” who led the aforementioned protest demonstration with the participation of Many of the liberals in that faraway country (Chile) in Latin America, uploading pictures of civilians, children, adults and omen who were killed by direct bombing of the coalition warplanes, demanding an end to the war, ending the siege, and trying the coalition parties as war criminals … to the details:
“Since 2015, I have created various social media platforms through which the Yemeni oppressed people and exposed the crimes of the US-Saudi aggression coalition against Yemen.”
I had circulated these facts to international human rights networks, I and some freedom defenders here in Chile have held several marches and protests in front of the US Embassy in Santiago, denouncing the war and demanding an immediate halt, she said.
http://www.ccdf-ye.org/en/2020/12/14/official-newspaper-chilean-human-right-activist-connie-de-witt-an-intercontinental-humanist-ideal/ = https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/14/interview-with-chilean-activist-connie-de-witt/
(A P)
Iran: Vorschlag zur Lösung der Jemen-Krise liegt noch auf dem Tisch
Laut einem ranghohen Assistenten des iranischen Außenministers liegt der Vorschlag der Islamischen Republik Iran zur politischen Lösung der Jemen-Frage immer noch auf dem Tisch.
(A P)
Foreign minister's assistant: Iran's initiative for ending Yemen war still on table
Iran has reiterated its previous call for finding a political solution to the five-year war Saudi Arabia has waged on Yemen, with the Iranian foreign minister’s senior assistant on special political affairs saying that the country's Yemen initiative is still on the table.
(* B P)
The UAE's dangerous links with declared enemies of France
The United Arab Emirates, despite the image of openness they project in Europe, maintains close relations with the very anti-French Chechnya, as well as with the Salafist militias in Libya and Yemen.
The United Arab Emirates have, through the voice of their Minister of Foreign Affairs, brought remarkable support to France in the cartoon crisis, especially against Turkey . This support has reinforced all those in our country who see the Emirates as a model of “tolerance” , even a bulwark against “radical Islamism” . This is to forget very quickly that this police dictatorship tolerates neither parties nor elections and that only 10% of the inhabitants of this petromonarchy are citizens. In addition, despite the image of openness cultivated in Europe, the Emirates maintain close relations with the very obscurantist Chechnya and support, in Libya and Yemen, Salafist militias of extreme brutality.
Mohammed Ben Zayed's obsessive hostility against the Muslim Brotherhood led him to qualify them as "terrorists" (and to treat them as such in the Emirates) and to prefer the Salafists, admittedly even more rigorous, but loyalists
The special forces of the Emirates, engaged on the ground in Yemen, as part of the offensive launched in 2015 with Arabia, collaborated with Salafi commanders. Abu Dhabi even ensured that one of them, in Taez, continues to be supported militarily and financially, despite his inclusion on a "black list" of terrorists wanted by the United States , because of his collaboration. with the local branch of Al-Qaida.
(* B K P)
France debates human rights at home while still selling weapons to oppressive regimes
As the French President Emmanuel Macron faces accusations that he is moving to curtail the civic rights in his country and reduce transparency, the recent state visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi underscored France’s longstanding willingness to turn a blind eye to systemic oppression in the countries it sells weapons to.
Human Rights Watch called for arms sales to Egypt to stop and activists were looking to French President Emmanuel Macron to make a strong statement.
They had, perhaps, reason to be hopeful. After the November arrests, the French Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its “deep concern” about developments in the Arab nation. “France maintains a frank, exacting dialogue with Egypt on human rights issues, including individual cases,” the statement said.
In the end, not only were activists disappointed by Macron’s reception of Sisi, they were outraged by it. Far from taking a firm line on abuses and demanding that Egypt do better if it hoped to continue receiving military aid, Macron went out of his way to disassociate the purchase of arms with the respect of human rights.
Macron’s stance was particularly salient given that his own government has been under fire over a proposed security law that critics charge would limit civic liberties in France.
Marcon has shown himself similarly willing to ignore abuses in other parts of the region as well. When several European countries, including Germany, called for the suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Macron dismissed those concerns as “demagoguery”, saying the weapons had nothing to do with the murder. “I understand the connection with what’s happening in Yemen, but there is no link with Mister Khashoggi,” he said.
France has a vested interest in batting away the issue of rights abuses. Arms sales are big business for the country, which is third in global military exports, coming behind the United States and Russia.
The defence sector in France employs 200,000 people, roughly 13 percent of the total industrial workforce, according to a report by the country's parliament.
“France is one of the least scrupulous arms sellers on earth,” said Kaldas. “Even the US is a little more restrictive about their arms sales.”
and
(* A P)
About fifty French deputies question the executive on a prison in a Total factory in Yemen
Based on recent information from "The World", parliamentarians questioned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Friday in an open letter.
Fifty-one French parliamentarians questioned, Friday, December 11 in an open letter , the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on the existence of a military base and a detention center of the UAE army Arab Emirates (UAE) within the confines of a gas site managed by Total in Yemen. Their questions follow on from information published by Le Monde in November on abuses attributed to Emirati forces on this site and on the ongoing struggle for its control. The factory, shut down due to the war in 2015, previously accounted for up to 45% of Yemen's tax revenue.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201214-france-mps-call-for-details-of-uae-base-in-yemen/
document: https://twitter.com/hub_laferriere/status/1337436959254450177
film: https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1338166799616118788
and
(A K P)
Parliamentarians rely on our investigative and reporting work to question the French position on the war in Yemen. These questions are of public interest.
On the other hand, we can estimate that the French parliamentarians are weakening their position by partly adopting the arguments of the Yemeni government.
The Total factory was indeed Yemen’s main source of income before the war. His arrest impoverishes the country. But the Emirates are very far from being solely responsible.
These parliamentarians, however, fill a void by questioning politically the few criticisms of the French state vis-à-vis its ally, the United Arab Emirates, which presents itself as a force for stability in the Middle East, fighting against Al- Qaida and political Islam
https://twitter.com/louis_imbert/status/1337810295025262600
(* A P)
Eritrea releases 60 Yemeni fishermen after almost a year of illegal detention
Eritrean authorities have on Friday released 60 Yemeni fishermen, nearly a year after they were arrested near international waters in the Red Sea, Almawqea Post reported.
The fishermen confirmed that the Eritrean authorities refused to return their fishing boats to them, and only released them and delivered them to one of the beaches of Khokha district, Hodeidah province.
According to residents in Hodeidah, the detained fishermen are in need of help after losing their boats, which were their only source of income.
For its part, Hadi puppet government accused the Eritrean government of detaining dozens of fishermen while fishing in international waters.
Local sources indicated that approximately 172 Yemeni fishermen and 33 fishing boats are still being held by Eritrean forces.
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-21773.html
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
(* B P)
British Magazine Describing Gulf Reconciliation 'Elusive'
The British magazine, Economist, considered that the Gulf reconciliation is far-fetched at the present time, despite the recent movement to solve the Gulf crisis and talk about the imminent reaching of an agreement between the Gulf factions.
The British magazine considered that “hostility in the Gulf appears to be deepening” after the issue reached the level of personal conflict between the “blockading countries of Qatar” and the Emir of Qatar.
The magazine stresses that the crisis cannot be solved by diplomatic courtesy, especially with the opening of the doors for the Israelis and their closure for the Qataris. Steps to resolve the conflict may have been an occasion to introduce initiatives to the incoming administration of Joe Biden.
But some of Saudi Arabia's partners are not fans. In Egypt, Qatar remains a source of concern because of its support for the Brotherhood. The UAE, which is hostile to political Islam, responded lukewarmly to diplomacy.
The magazine said that reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be added to the list of disagreements between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In the recent period, there has been a divergence in attitudes regarding oil.
The UAE has expressed its frustration with the production limit imposed by Saudi Arabia on oil producing and exporting countries. Hence, diplomatic courtesy will not bury the rift between the Emir of Qatar and the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Despite all the talk about the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the blockade has introduced a level of personal hostility in the region, especially between Qataris and Emiratis. After two days of leaks published by American newspapers about a reconciliation agreement being reached, it became clear that Kuwait's mediation had achieved a "calculated" achievement, which its Foreign Minister disclosed in a statement about the crisis between Qatar and the four countries, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
Kuwaiti statements confirmed that a final agreement had been reached to resolve the dispute, without any details of an agreement between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Qatar and Saudi Arabia welcomed what Kuwait announced, with relative ambiguity in the position of the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16586/British-Magazine-Describing-Gulf-Reconciliation-Elusive-
referring to https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2020/12/12/the-feuding-gulf-states-are-trying-to-make-nice (Paywalled)
cp12b Sudan
(* A P)
USA streichen Sudan von Liste der Terrorförderer
Die USA haben den Sudan von der Liste der Staaten entfernt, die Terror fördern. Das gab die amerikanische Botschaft in Khartum am Montag bekannt. US-Präsident Donald Trump hatte den Schritt im Oktober angekündigt, nun lief die Einspruchsfrist für den Kongress ab. Der Sudan zahlt 335 Millionen Dollar an Hinterbliebene von Anschlägen auf US-Ziele im Jemen, in Kenia und Tansania. Diese ereigneten sich, als der frühere Machthaber Omar al-Baschir das Terrornetzwerk „Al-Qaida“ förderte. Nach US-Angaben spielt auch die angekündigte Normalisierung mit Israel bei der Vereinbarung eine Rolle.
Diese Liste hat mit Terrorismus nichts mehr zu tun, sie ist ein reines politisches Druckmittel gegenüber anderen Regierungen und Bewegungen, wie etwa den Huthis. Die USA sind sich im Übrigen für keinen Kuhhandel zu schade: Eine Normalisierung mit Israel (zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt, also mit einem das Völkerrecht krass verletzenden Staat Israel) hat mit terrorismus nichts zu tun. Und Sudan soll für Verbindungen der gestürztrn Führung hohe Summen an Opfer zahlen: Wieviel hat die USA bis jetzt an die Millionen ihrer Opfer der letzten zwei Jahrzehnte bezahlt?
(* A P)
US Embassy says Sudan no longer on list of terror sponsors
The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum said Monday that President Donald Trump’s administration has removed Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move that could help the African country get international loans to revive its battered economy and end its pariah status.
According to a Facebook post by the embassy, Sudan’s removal was effective as of Monday. A notification to that effect, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, would be published in the Federal Register, it said, adding that the 45-day congressional notification period has lapsed.
The removal of the terror designation opens the door for the transitional government to get international loans and aid and rescue its transition to democracy. Sudan’s economy has suffered from decades of U.S. sanctions and mismanagement under al-Bashir, who had ruled the country since a 1989 Islamist-backed military coup
(A P)
Sudan’s PM visits Ethiopia, as Tigray refugees top 50,000
Sudan’s prime minister made a brief visit to Ethiopia on Sunday, his office said, amid a growing refugee crisis that has seen more than 50,000 Ethiopians flee conflict in the Tigray region into neighboring Sudan.
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
(* B K P)
Dutch insurers investing in weapons for conflict zones
Five Dutch insurers are investing in companies that supply weapons or parts for weapons to warring parties in conflict areas like Yemen, the Fair Insurance Guide reported. The largest investors in these weapons suppliers are Allianz and Aegon, with NN Group in a distant third place, ANP reports.
The Fair Insurance Guide looked at 14 companies that have been supplying weapons, including military vehicles and aircraft, or military supplies to countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Emirates, both involved in the war in Yemen. It also looked at the nine largest Dutch insurers and investments they made to these companies in recent years.
According to the researchers, Allianz invested in all 14 countries, a total of 3.8 billion euros. Aegon invested nearly 1.1 billion into 13 of the companies. NN invested just over 100 million in six companies. Achmea and Vivat put much smaller amounts into one company each.
ASR, CZ, Menzis and VGZ did not invest in any of the 14 arms suppliers.
In response, Aegon and NN announced that they do not invest in companies that are involved in controversial weapons like cluster munitions and nuclear weapons, or companies that supply weapons to countries that are subject to an arms embargo from the United Nations, the European Union, or the United States.
https://nltimes.nl/2020/12/12/dutch-insurers-investing-weapons-conflict-zones
(A K P)
Photos: Learn about one of the British guided missiles User in the recent raids on the capital, Sanaa British Storm Shadow missile, a type of cruise missile _ Launcher / Launchers - Tornado Dassault Mirage 2000 - Dassault Rafale Eurofighter Typhoon _The factory / MBDA Britain Follow
https://twitter.com/mineaction_ye/status/1337487529549893637
cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner
(A K T)
Huge news if proved to be true that Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, TSK met with Saudi-backed governor of Marib to recruit mercenaries to fight against Sanaa forces in Marib.
https://twitter.com/Naseh_Shaker/status/1338459023004340229
referring to
Current TFSA mercenary rumors: TSK commanders met with Sultan Murad commanders last night to discuss sending men to Yemen (this rumor has surfaced several times, starting this summer) and also to Somalia.
https://twitter.com/LindseySnell/status/1338449277027225601
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
(A E P)
Electrical equipment unloaded in Marib gas-fired station with output capacity 126MGV
http://marib-gov.com/news_details.php?sid=2800
(B E H)
How big is a loaf of bread? In #Yemen a response to inflation is to reduce the size of bread. Graphic look into poverty. Does anyone remember how big a Yemeni loaf was in 1990? Pls share a picture. Check out the name of the bakery in the background. (photo)
https://twitter.com/Wesamqaid/status/1338380539829555201
(A E P)
Stability of National Currency Confirms Success of National Salvation Government: [Sanaa gov.] Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Abdulaziz Saleh bin Habtoor stressed that the stability of the national currency in the capital, Sana'a, other governorates that are controlled by Salvations government, confirms the great success of the [Sanaa] Central Bank of Yemen in managing monetary policy.
(* A E P)
Yemeni riyal surges amid govt. troop withdrawal
The Yemeni riyal on Sunday surged for the third consecutive day as the internationally recognized government and separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) continued troop withdrawal from Aden and Abyan province, currency traders and officials told Arab News.
The riyal traded at 837 in government-controlled areas on Sunday afternoon, bouncing from 920 last week, a record low.
Currency traders told Arab News that the rebound began on Thursday, hours after the Arab coalition announced that Yemeni parties agreed to put into place military withdrawals from contested areas in the south and to later form a new shared government.
On Thursday, the Yemeni riyal traded at 920 against the dollar in Aden, before surging to 900 in the evening.
A day later, the riyal continued its recovery, reaching 870 before standing at 837 on Sunday. The long decline of the Yemeni riyal began in January 2015, when it was valued at 215 per dollar.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1776801/middle-east
(* A E P)
Yemeni rial relatively recovers in Aden after troop pullout
The Yemeni rial on Saturday saw relative recovery in Aden and other government-held areas, after record decline in the last few days.
The national currency value improved at morning transactions, from 930 to 860 rials for one dollar and from 255 to 220 for one Saudi rial, banking sources said.
The Yemeni rial's stability kept on in Houthi-held northern areas, where one US dollar is purchased with 599 rials, the sources added.
The cash recovery came as a direct result after the Yemeni government and Southern Transitional Council (STC) began pulling out their troops in the southern governorate of Abyan as stated in the Riyadh Agreement.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21768.html
(B E)
Cash Consortium of Yemen - Flash Update 11: YER Exchange Rate Volatility November Week 2 & Week 3
The implementation of the new transfer system through a new company continues in the areas aligned with the central bank of Yemen in Aden.
The IRG vs DFA exchange rate variation currently stands at a 248 YER difference. From the South to the North side there has been a 41% increase, with a 29% decrease from North to South.
The economic situation in both the North and South is still negatively affected by travel and trade restrictions as the economy attempts to rebound and rebuild.
While remittances are continuing to hold relatively steady, remittance payments have not returned to pre-COVID levels (see CCY Remittance tool)
The limited supply of USD continues to constrain exchange shops, and put additional pressure on the overall economy.
(B E)
Cash Consortium of Yemen (CCY) - Price Monitoring Tool: November 2020
https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/cash-consortium-yemen-ccy-price-monitoring-tool-november-2020
(* A E H P)
Protests Erupt in Yemen Over Currency Crisis
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in Yemen’s southern city of Taiz to express their frustration after a plunge in the local currency led to a surge in prices and shops to close.
The Yemeni rial fell to as low as 900 per dollar on the parallel market compared with the official central bank rate of 548. The depreciation has led to a rise in the price of goods including flour that resulted in a number of bakery owners closing down in protest.
The demonstrators, who have called their uprising a “revolution of the hungry”, are blaming the government, the Saudi-led coalition and the Shiite Houthi rebels for the devaluation.
They chanted “hey coalition and political parties, you have destroyed us,” while burning photos of government officials and flags of the coalition state members.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/protests-erupt-in-yemen-over-currency-crisis-1.1535491
Photo: https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1337862538931838976
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ6KxjLKvXE
and
(* A E H P)
Thousands protest against invasion and occupation in Saudi-held city of Taiz
Thousands of Yemenis took to the street in Taiz city in mass protest against the continuing deterioration of the economic situation, denouncing the inability of the Hadi puppet government, and the failure of the Saudi-led coalition states.
The protesters chanted slogans denouncing the “corruption of the Hadi government”, and demanding the departure of the Saudi-Emirati alliance from Yemen.
They also held up signs saying “Take your trust fund and leave us our wealth” , “Take your aid, and leave us our oil”, “Take your donations, and leave us our ports”, “Neither partisan or parties, our revolution is a revolution of the hungry.”
and
(A E H P)
Wounded army troops join Taiz protests against the Riyal depreciation./Alharf 28.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43783
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A T)
Media have reported the revival of #AQAP in Abyan #Yemen following 7DEC attack killing 6 #UAE-backed southern forces But note: AQAP did not formally claim it. It was #AlQaeda-linked Thabat that reported it. That was *after* the story was already public & it gave no extra info
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1338573711616712713
(A T)
Two al-Qaeda fighters killed by drone strike in Marib
A drone strike, believed to have been carried out by the US Army, targeted on Monday, two al-Qaeda fighters in Marib province, the main stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen (Islah Party).
Local sources told the press on condition of anonymity that two al-Qaeda operatives on a motorbike were hit by a drone strike in al-Batha area in Marib.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30761
(A T)
Pro–al Qaeda media circulated an article on December 11 stating that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) continues to target the al Houthi movement in central Yemen’s al Bayda governorate. The pro–al Qaeda outlet claimed AQAP militants regrouped in al Bayda’s Qayfa area shortly after the al Houthi movement claimed defeating AQAP and Islamic State in Yemen militants in Qayfa area in August.[1]
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Saudi Press: All Parties in Yemen Must Unite to End Yemen’s Crisis, Address Houthi Militias
Al-Riyadh newspaper reported in its editorial that the international condemnation of Iranian behavior has become clearer and firmer. This contradictory behavior that flaunts its bias towards freedom and just causes is the one that arrests and suppresses any voice seeking freedom, well-being, justice and equality in their homeland.
Iran's Mullahs regime justifies interference and support of its arms and militias in the affairs of its neighbors for weak reasons, while refusing any opinion opposing its failed policy in managing its internal affairs of achieving stability and development. This regime prefers to waste its money and capabilities in expansion projects and the dissemination of dogmatic ideas that reject and eliminate any opponent, the newspaper added.
The newspaper concluded that the international community’s rejection of the Iranian policy is an important step to curtail it, however it is not sufficient. The continuation of this regime with its suspicious behavior reflects the fragility of the international position; its lack of assertiveness and its ability to achieve the required action.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167766
(A P)
Rasd coalition documented 16054 killing cases & 28427 injuries among #civilians from Sep 2014 to Sep 2020. -#Houthi militia(11564) -Arab Coalition warplanes(2328) -Armed groups(627) -#AlQaeda(602) -unknown parties(538) -The legitimate government(268)
https://twitter.com/ycmhrv/status/1338179830261616647
My comment: As most sources, the UN included, ascribe ca. 70 % of war victims to Saudi coalition air raids, these figures have placed here.
(A P)
[Hadi gov.] Army spokesman: Houthi militia commits daily war crimes and must be tagged as terrorist group
(A P)
On International Human Rights Day… Al-Jaadi: Our rights to live, freedom and independence will not be taken away from us
(A P)
Yemen’s children: Between anvil of famine and hammer of Houthi abuse
At a time when thousands of Yemeni children face, on a daily basis, the dangers of being recruited into the ranks of the Houthi militia and being drawn from their schools in villages and cities to the incubators of intellectual mobilization
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43779
(A P)
Film: #Houthis' atrocious practices in #Yemen
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1337847360496472064
(A P)
What Shifts to Expect in Biden's Middle East Policy
According to recent remarks by Biden advisers, the incoming administration will have four priorities in the Middle East. The first is to contain Iran’s nuclear program and its other destabilizing activities in the region. Second is to secure Israel and advance Arab-Israeli peace. Another priority is to end the wars in Yemen and Libya, and finally, the administration wants to push the cause of human rights in the region.
The first three reflect priorities of the Trump administration as well. Given the similarities, which aspects of U.S. policy toward the Middle East will change at all? Which will stay the same?
What will remain
There will be a continued emphasis on burden-sharing. To quote a close friend of Biden's, the president-elect is not contemplating a withdrawal of troops, but he is contemplating ending wars. This requires leaning heavily on countries in the region to broker peace, make compromises, and provide incentives to adversaries to end conflicts.
There will be a continued emphasis on promoting religious tolerance
Differences in the new administration
There will be a greater emphasis on human rights and freedom of operation for civil society. This will be particularly vexing for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey.
Arms sales will be curtailed under Biden. The president will be pulled in two directions here. The left wing of the Democratic Party seeks an end to all arms sales, which impacts not only the Middle East, but also partners such as Japan and Taiwan. But Biden understands that it does not make sense during an economic downturn to cripple an American industry in which seven of the top 10 producers worldwide are American.
Sales will continue, but one sale he will end shortly after taking office is the provision to Saudi Arabia of smart bombs used to conduct airstrikes in Yemen. Until a political solution is reached for Yemen, Saudi Arabia can and will buy bombs from China to replace those withheld by the United States. When U.S. smart bombs are replaced with Chinese dumb bombs, civilian casualties in Yemen will rise. Will that make Washington less responsible for deaths in Yemen, or more?
Biden will emphasize multilateral organizations over bilateral or personal relations. Here is where the Arab Middle East, tragically, shot itself in the foot.
The approach to Iran
So where does Iran fit? Surely U.S. policy toward Iran will differ vastly under Biden? In approach and intent, yes. In tangible differences on the ground, perhaps less so.
Biden understands the threat from Iran. He understands the danger posed by Tehran’s nuclear program and by its manufacturing of ballistic missiles and sponsorship of violent militias. B
The United States and Europe need to make a promise to each other about Iran.
The United States should promise to reach out early, robustly, and earnestly. But if there is no change to Iran’s regional behavior in the medium term, Europe should promise to hold Iran accountable.
(A P)
Saudi Press: Saudi Arabia Supports Yemen and Maintain Its Security and Stability
Al-Riyadh newspaper reported in its editorial that Riyadh Agreement strengthens the prominent role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in bringing peace to Yemen, reaching a peaceful and consensual solution based on references and principles, in addition to achieving welfare for Yemeni people and standing up against the Iranian sabotage project represented by the terrorist Houthi militia which is seeking to remain Yemen as destabilized country.
The paper said that Saudi Arabia has worked to support Yemen and maintain its security and stability, as it comes as a top supporter of humanitarian response plans there, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief).
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167148
(A P)
More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167938
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167909
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2168026
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30744
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167605
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167600
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167587
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167572
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30737
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167243
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day
Dec. 11: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1883530298463993/
Dec. 10: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1881982025285487/
Dec. 9: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1881980515285638/
Dec. 8: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1881979325285757/
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3119961.htm Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16597/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Sunday%2C-Dec-13-2020 marib p., Hajjah p., Saada p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3119813.htm Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16583/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Saturday%2C-Dec-12-2020 Saada p., Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16573/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Friday%2C-Dec-11%2C-2020 Several prov.
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 H K P)
How long will civilians suffer from landmines? The little girl Ilham is an example.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1338529189918597121
(A K)
Dhalea Yemeni gov't-Houthi fighting leaves 21 deaths, injuries
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21812.html
(A K pH)
Saudi aggressors' headquarters in Ma'rib to fall soon
[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni resistance forces' advance will soon make the headquarters of the Saudi aggressors fall in the oil-rich province of Ma'rib.
According to Al Akhbar, following their advances in various parts of the strategic city of Ma'rib, the Yemeni resistance forces are trying to completely surround the city and close any escape route for the enemy
Yemeni resistance forces have moved the conflict to areas near the Great Ma'rib Dam, reports say.
On a daily basis, these forces target the Saudi coalition camps around the city with their extensive missile attacks.
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/167146/Saudi-aggressors-headquarters-in-Ma-rib-to-fall-soon
(* A K P)
Saudi-Arabien - Terrorangriff auf Tanker im Hafen von Dschedda
Auf einen Tanker im Hafen von Dschidda ist nach Darstellung von Saudi-Arabien ein Terroranschlag verübt worden.
Ein Sprecher des Energieministeriums sprach am Montag in den Staatsmedien von einem mit Sprengstoff beladenen Boot, das den Angriff verübt habe. Es sei ein kleines Feuer ausgebrochen, das von der Crew gelöscht worden sei. Es gebe keine Verletzten, die Verladeanlagen seien nicht beschädigt worden. Der Sprecher nannte weder den Namen des Schiffs noch die mutmaßlichen Täter.
https://de.reuters.com/article/saudi-arabien-tanker-anschlag-idDEKBN28O2CE
und
(* A K P)
Wer steckt hinter der Attacke auf den Öltanker in Dschidda?
Ein Angriff auf einen Tanker in einem saudischen Hafen geht glimpflich aus. Doch der Vorfall zeigt, dass der vergessene Krieg im Jemen noch längst nicht beendet ist
In der Nacht zum Montag traf es die unter der Flagge Singapurs fahrende „BW Rhine“, die vor dem saudischen Ölhafen in Dschidda nach einer Explosion in Brand geriet und am Rumpf beschädigt wurde. Das Feuer konnte schnell gelöscht werden, und es gab keine Verletzten.
Dennoch stellt sich die Frage, ob eine neue Eskalation im Konflikt zwischen Saudi-Arabien und den vom Iran unterstützten Huthi-Rebellen im benachbarten Jemen bevorsteht. Die Huthis verstärken seit einiger Zeit ihre Anschläge auf den saudischen Ölsektor.
Die „BW Rhine“ war für Aramco unterwegs und sollte 60.000 Tonnen bleifreies Benzin aus einem anderen saudischen Hafen nach Dschidda bringen, gehört aber der Reederei Hafnia in Singapur
Ob es sich um eine Treibmine oder einen anderen Sprengsatz handelte, blieb zunächst offen.
https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/Wer-steckt-hinter-der-Attacke-auf-den-Oeltanker-in-Dschidda-id58730381.html = https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/mit-minen-gegen-tanker-konflikt-zwischen-saudi-arabien-und-huthi-rebellen-droht-zu-eskalieren/26718116.html
und
(A K P)
Saudiarabien machtlos gegen Angriffe auf Tanker aus Jemen
Huthi-Rebellen dürften hinter dem jüngsten Angriff auf einen Öltanker im Roten Meer stehen. Die schiitische Gruppierung, die gegen eine von Saudiarabien kontrollierte Allianz kämpft, will den internationalen Handel sabotieren.
https://www.diepresse.com/5911396/saudiarabien-machtlos-gegen-angriffe-auf-tanker-aus-jemen
Mein Kommentar: Die Huthis haben nie gesagt, dass sie den „den internationalen Handel sabotieren“ wollen. Im Gegenteil. Eine solche Behauptung ist Propaganda. Die Schlagzeile auch. Die armen, armen Saudis!
(* A K pS)
Official spokesman at the Ministry of Energy: A terrorist attack on a fuel transport ship in Jeddah
An official spokesman at the Ministry of Energy said that a fuel transport ship, anchored in the fuel terminal in Jeddah, was attacked by explosive-laden boat in the early hours of this morning. The attack resulted in a small fire, which emergency units successfully extinguished. The incident did not result in any casualties, and there was no damage caused to the unloading facilities, nor any effect on supplies.
The spokesman condemned the terrorist attack, which came shortly after other attacks on another ship in Al-Shuqaiq, on the petroleum products distribution station in north Jeddah, and on the floating unloading platform of the petroleum products distribution station in Jizan. These acts of terrorism and Vandalism, directed against vital installations, go beyond the Kingdom and its vital facilities, to the security and stability of energy supplies to the world and the global economy.
The spokesman emphasized the seriousness of such criminal acts and their destructive impact on maritime traffic.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2167945
My remark: They still do not blame anybody.
and
(* A K)
Explosives-laden boat hits fuel ship at Saudi port, ministry says
A Saudi energy ministry spokesman, in a statement carried on state media, did not mention the name of the vessel or identify who was behind the attack.
Hafnia said there was an explosion and a fire while its oil tanker, the BW Rhine, was discharging at Jeddah port. The ship’s crew put out the fire and no-one was injured, it said, adding that parts of the ship’s hull had been damaged.
Al Arabiya TV cited the captain of the BW Rhine as saying that small boats had been spotted ahead of the explosion, and that one of the vessel’s tanks was damaged in the blast.
“BW Rhine has been hit from an external source whilst discharging at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at approximately 00:40 local time on 14 December 2020, causing an explosion and subsequent fire onboard,” Hafnia said in a statement on its website.
The Saudi energy ministry spokesman said the attack resulted in a small fire which emergency units extinguished, but that there was no damage to unloading facilities nor any effect on supplies.
and
(A K ?)
‘External source’ causes oil tanker blast off Saudi Arabia
An oil tanker off Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jiddah suffered an explosion early Monday after being hit by “an external source,” a shipping company said, suggesting another vessel has come under attack off the kingdom amid its yearslong war in Yemen.
The Singapore-flagged BW Rhine saw all 22 sailors on board escape without injury, the BW Group said in a statement. The company warned it was possible some oil leaked out from the site of the blast.
Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge the blast, which struck off a crucial port and distribution center for its oil trade. However, it comes after a mine attack last month that damaged a tanker off Saudi Arabia that authorities blamed on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations, an organization under Britain’s royal navy, urged ships in the area to exercise caution and said investigations were ongoing.
Remark: If it was the Houthi movement, I don't think the Houthis have hit a ship in the Red Sea this far up Saudi Arabia's coast before. May indicate a new or expanded capability if this ends up being a Houthi attack.
https://twitter.com/MaherFarrukh/status/1338340502110957568
Air planes not landing at jeddah airport: https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338265225137692672
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338262908359290881
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338262516837871617
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338260799006060548
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338260192333598725
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1338259874011111424
and how the Houthi news site reports: https://english.almasirah.net/post/16602/Explosion-Hits-Tanker-off-Saudi-Arabia-s-Jeddah
(* B K pS)
Houthis lay infrared rays-operated mines: Yemeni gov't official
The Houthi group lays infrared rays operated-mines and explosive devices that have left innocent civilians killed or injured, director of the Yemeni government-run National Demining Act (NDA) said Saturday.
The bombs explode once anybody passes in front of their lens, even children, Brigadier General Amin al-Aqili added at his visit to the Saudi MSAM's technical teams in the Yemeni governorate of Jawf.
While teams have removed many of them, mines and explosive devices pollute lands and leave humanitarian disaster that would remain for years, he said, since the Houthis have randomly laid, and still lying, large numbers of them.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21783.html
(A K)
Houthis claim attacks on Saudi army sites in Jizan
Houthi forces have attacked Saudi army sites in Jizan, southwest the Kingdom close to Yemeni borders, the group claimed on Saturday.
The Houthi forces carried a raid on sites of Saudi army and mercenaries in Jara Valley, al-Masyra reported.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21784.html
(A K pS)
Hamed al-Hunyashi, 18, has been killed in the explosion of a Houthi-laid landmine in Nehm east of Sana’a./Almashehad Alyemeni.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43783
(A K)
[Hadi gov.] Army attacks Houthi militia’s positions in Al-Dhale
http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/12/12/army-attacks-houthi-militias-positions-in-al-dhale/
qand also https://debriefer.net/en/news-21763.html
(A K pH)
Sniper shots dead man in Taiz
A man was shot died on Saturday by a sniper of the mercenaries in Taiz province
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3119807.htm
(A K pS)
Football coach, his son killed by Houthi shelling in Taiz
The former football player and coach of Taiz al-Thali'a club, Nasser Mohsen was killed with his son when a heavy shell hit the stadium of al-Thali'a while they were practicing sports.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30735
and also http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/12/12/houthi-shelling-kills-football-captain-son-in-taiz/
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/26488
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30739
Photos: https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1337767006184087560
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1337850425068969988
https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/1338491426905198599
Film: https://twitter.com/wfahd1000/status/1337727554598400004
(A K pH)
Two Citizens Injured by Saudi Artillery Shells in Sa'adah
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16574/Two-Citizens-Injured-by-Saudi-Artillery-Shells-in-Sa-adah
(A K pH)
Citizen Injured by Saudi Border Guards in Sa'adah
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16569/Citizen-Injured-by-Saudi-Border-Guards-in-Sa-adah
and also https://www.saba.ye/en/news3119650.htm
(* B K pS)
NGO: Houthis killed 691 civilians in Taiz
Rights Radar, an independent NGO for human rights, said on Sunday 691 civilians have been killed and 2900 wounded in the five-year besieged city of Taiz due to Houthi shelling, landmines, and snipers.
“Rights Radar’s monitors in Taiz have documented 691 civilian deaths since the outbreak of the war, including 252 children and 10 women,” Rights Radar said, noting that 2898 civilians have been wounded, 1013 of whom were children and 279 women.
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/26500
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43820
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 P)
Head of UNMHA calls for full implementation of Hodeidah ceasefire
The Head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) Abhijit Guha has called for a full implementation of the Hodeidah Agreement and the ceasefire deal.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43821
(* B H K)
Jemen: Ärzte ohne Grenzen behandelt immer mehr zivile Opfer
Die medizinische Hilfsorganisation Ärzte ohne Grenzen/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ist besorgt über den Anstieg ziviler Opfer im Jemen. Ursache hierfür sind wieder aufgeflammte Kämpfe an der Frontlinie im Süden der Hafenstadt Hodeidah am Roten Meer.
Die Zahl von Zivilistinnen und Zivilisten, die wegen schwerer Kriegswunden behandelt werden müssen, stieg laut Ärzte ohne Grenzen in der Region zuletzt stark an. Insgesamt wurden im Krankenhaus von Ärzte ohne Grenzen in der nahe gelegenen Stadt Mokka seit Oktober 122 Patientinnen und Patienten mit Kriegsverletzungen behandelt. Seit rund einem Monat beobachtet die Organisation einen drastischen Anstieg der Zahl schwer verletzter Frauen und Kinder.
„Wir behandeln alle, die in unserer Klinik eine Notoperation benötigen – Kriegsverletzte, Opfer von Verkehrsunfällen und Schwangere“, sagt Raphael Veicht, Einsatzleiter von Ärzte ohne Grenzen. „Doch da inzwischen überwiegend Zivilistinnen und Zivilisten mit schrecklichen Kriegsverletzungen zu uns gebracht werden, wirft das kritische Fragen auf. Was wir in unserem kleinen Krankenhaus zu sehen bekommen, erschüttert und entsetzt uns.
https://pflege-professionell.at/jemen-aerzte-ohne-grenzen-behandelt-immer-mehr-zivile-opfer
(* B H K)
Recurring nightmare – civilians wounded and killed in indiscriminate frontline hostilities
Renewed conflict on the frontlines to the South of Hudaydah Port on Yemen’s Red Sea Coast is intense and rising numbers of civilians need war-trauma surgery.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have treated 122 war-wounded patients in our trauma hospital in nearby Mocha since October.
Since the last week of November, the majority of severely wounded patients have been women and children.
“We treat everyone needing emergency surgery in our Mocha trauma centre – war wounded, traffic accident victims, and pregnant women needing emergency surgical delivery,” says Raphael Veicht, MSF head of mission.
“But when it’s suddenly almost all civilians coming with terrible weapon wounds, that raises serious questions. What we are seeing in our small hospital is disturbing, and outrageous. Killing and wounding civilians in conflict not only constitutes a severe violation of International Humanitarian Law. It goes further than that; our patients include children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and men working in a milk-bottling factory that was hit by shelling - and there is nothing that can justify this.”
The influxes of weapon-wounded patients to our hospital provide a confirmation that the frontlines in southern Hudaydah governorate are currently among the most active in the whole of Yemen. The intensifying conflict is also forcing hundreds of families to flee once again from their homes, and the expansion of areas at risk of shelling or other attacks means essential healthcare and food assistance is increasingly limited at the time when it is most needed.
“Whether targeted or indiscriminate, these attacks breach all the rules of war,” says Veicht. “No. More. Civilians. People just trying to get by, trying to survive, trying to be good mothers or fathers or brothers or sisters – these people are being killed and maimed, and that just has to stop.”
https://www.msf.org/yemen-civilians-wounded-and-killed-frontline-hostilities
(A P)
Houthi spies arrested in west Yemen, pro-government forces say
The Guards of the Republic, part of the pro-government forces stationed in west Yemen, on Sunday announced the arrest of five people spying for the Houthi group.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21795.html
(A K pS)
Film: A new wave of displacement of families from Mashhad neighborhood, south of Hodeidah, due to Houthi bombing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GWu5gn8AKs
(A K pH)
Daily violations
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
(-)
Photos: Beautiful Yemen
(C P)
A Tribe and Its States: Yemen’s 1972 Bayḥān Massacre Revisited
(A H)
Film: This old Yemneni man is 160 years! He lives in Hajjah governorate. #Yemen.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1337761489508323329
(-)
Film: Wadi Dawan, Hadhramaut Governorate. #Yemen. Do you want to visit this town one day, after war?
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1338506783929880577
(A H)
Overcoming war and disability: Yemen's women basketball players hit the court
But all that didn't stop a local wheelchair basketball championship going ahead in Sanaa this month.
Five all-women teams were part of the competition, only the second of its kind, including Al-Erada -- Arabic for "The Will", and Al-Mustaqbal, or "The Future".
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-9054003/Overcoming-war-disability-Yemens-women-basketball-players-hit-court.html = https://www.barrons.com/news/overcoming-war-and-disability-yemen-s-women-basketball-players-hit-the-court-01608001504
= https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/15/yemen-s-disabled-women-basketball-players-overcoming-adversity-on-court (with film)
(* B)
Audio, Manuskript: Traditionelle Musik im Jemen
Ein ungewohnter Blick auf ein politisch sehr kompliziertes Land. Nicht Schlagzeilen von Krieg und Hunger, sondern eine vielfältige Musikkultur steht im Fokus, die mit der spektakulären Architektur und der abwechslungsreichen Landschaft korrespondiert. Killius hat im Tonarchiv der British Library in London geforscht, Musikkenner interviewt und den Jemen bereist.
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-700-yemen-war-mosaic-700
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-700 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-700:
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/
Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:
http://yemendataproject.org/data/
Untersuchung ausgewählter Luftangriffe durch Bellingcat / Bellingcat investigations of selected air raids:
Untersuchungen von Angriffen, hunderte von Filmen / Investigations of attacks, hundreds of films:
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