Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 703, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 703, part 1:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-703-yemen-war-mosaic-703
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
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
cp9 USA
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
cp12b Sudan
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
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
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
(A K P)
14 war prisoners exchanged following tribal mediation in southern Yemen
A prisoner swap between the government and the Houthi rebels took place successfully on Tuesday in the country's southern province Lahj, a military official told Xinhua.
Nine fighters of the Houthi rebel group were set free in exchange for the release of five government soldiers from the militia's jails, the local military source said on condition of anonymity.
He said that the exchange of prisoners between the two warring rivals occurred under the auspices of local mediators.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/23/c_139611477.htm
and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/30820
(A P)
UN chief urges member states to help address severe economic crisis in Yemen
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called on member states to help address the severe economic crisis in Yemen
"I call on all member states to step up their financial support for United Nations relief operations, and to help address the severe economic crisis in the country," the secretary-general said in a statement issued by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on the second anniversary of the Stockholm Agreement between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/15/c_139589521.htm
(A P)
Press Statement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen on the Riyadh Agreement Implementation
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomes the positive developments in the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, including the formation of the new Cabinet. He congratulates President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi, the parties to the Riyadh Agreement, all political parties and components that supported and contributed to this process and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for successfully negotiating it.
https://osesgy.unmissions.org/press-statement-un-special-envoy-yemen-riyadh-agreement-implementation
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(A P)
His Highness Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inaugurates the awareness campaign under the title "The Kharijites, the Sharar of Creation."
aimed at raising awareness and warning community members of the danger of the Kharijites and other deviant and deviant groups, and highlighting the Kingdom's efforts Combating terrorism and stray ideas, and working to achieve intellectual security through institutional work and practical plans that emphasize the necessity of adhering to the legitimate approach based on moderation and moderation, and the promotion of belonging to the homeland
https://www.spa.gov.sa/2171433
Remark: #Saudi Monarchy deploys its religious militia in its campaign against the #MuslimBrotherhood ideology. Khaled Faisal launches the campaign
https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1341377085877735426
(A P)
Verdict not given today. New hearing scheduled this Thursday 24 Dec. We are indeed exhausted and worried, but however they try to make us give up on our hero
@LoujainHathloul, we won’t. #FreeLoujain
https://twitter.com/LinaAlhathloul/status/1341073829171478530
(* B E P)
Kingdom's Financial Reserves Collapse .. Saudi Arabia Is Drowning in Yemen
During the past five years since of the aggression on Yemen, the military spending within Saudi budgets exceeded the spending on the education and health sectors, and reached 20.9% of the total government spending.
Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries in terms of military expenditures, as over $ 60 billion was spent in 2018 alone, and this number is three times higher than military spending in "Israel", without achieving any goal, according to the US Brookings Institution.
The financial data of Saudi budgets revealed that the allocations for military spending from 2016 to 2020 exceeded about $ 273 billion with an increase of $ 71 billion over the amount of spending on the health sector.
The data of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) also showed that Saudi Arabia is the fifth largest country in the world with military spending, in 2019, and its arms imports increased by 8.7%, amounting to $ 3.67 billion.
The Saudi financial data itself exposes the falsehood of the alleged reasons by the Saudi regime of the deficit and debt crisis. Riyadh ended the first year of the aggression on Yemen in 2015 by registering domestic debts for the first time in its history, and in the following year 2016, it began external borrowing along with doubling the amount of the internal debt, while the price of a barrel of oil was still high.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Finance, in December 31, 2015, direct debts based on the government were amounted to (37.9 billion US dollars), all of which are internal debts, equivalent to (5.8) percent of the Kingdom's GDP.
In December 31, 2016, government-based direct debts were amounted to 84.4 billion US dollars, including (56.9 billion US dollars) for internal debts and (27.5 billion US dollars) as external debt.
In December 31, 2017, government-based direct debts were amounted to (118.2 billion US dollars), including (69.2 billion US dollars) as internal debts and (49.0 billion US dollars) as External debt.
In December 31, 2018, government-based direct debts were amounted to (149.3 billion US dollars), including (81.3 billion US dollars) fer internal debts and (68.0 billion US dollars) for External debt.
In December 31, 2019, the government-based direct debts were amounted to (180.8 billion US dollars), including (99.4 billion US dollars) for internal debts and (81.4 billion US dollars) for External debt.
The government-based direct debts at the end of September 2020 reached (226.1 billion US dollars), including (132.7 billion US dollars) for internal debts and (93.4 billion US dollars) for External debt.
The US Brookings Institution indicated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a blind policy that does not reduce the volume of military spending despite the grinding economic crisis that it is going through due to the reckless policies of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
According to a former analyst in US intelligence and a fellow at the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence and the Center for Middle East Policy, "Bruce Riedel," the Saudis were spending their reserves in order to make up for the budget shortfall so that the reserve decreased from 750 to 500 billion dollars, and the king responded to the situation by doubling the tax, cutting subsidies, and imposing austerity measures, which harm the poor.
Riedel said that Saudi Arabia spent millions on armaments, but was unable to stop Yemeni attacks on Saudi installations, and was unable to respond to the violation of the country's sovereignty, and this is evidence of the waste of hundreds of billions that were spent on the Kingdom's army.
Observers point out that Saudi security, after six years of the war on Yemen, is showing an unclear defeat after victory became impossible as a result of the reversal of the Yemeni field balance since February 2020
(B E P)
Our investment plans on track, Indian economy has strength to bounce back: Saudi
In February last year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that Saudi Arabia would invest over USD 100 billion in India in petrochemicals, refining, infrastructure, mining and manufacturing, agriculture and several other sectors.
(* B P)
Saudi 'mini Ritz' corruption crackdown evokes awe, fear
Hoards of cash, some of it squirrelled away in false ceilings and water tanks, have been seized in a widening anti-corruption crackdown in Saudi Arabia that has evoked both awe and fear.
The clampdown, which has ensnared top-ranking military officials as well as low-level bureaucrats, is widely dubbed as a "mini Ritz" operation, a reference to a 2017 swoop that saw princes and tycoons locked up in Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel on graft charges.
In dramatic gumshoe-style investigations published on state media, the official anti-corruption agency Nazaha says it has caught bribe-seekers "red-handed" in live raids and sniffed out illicit cash hidden in attics, an underground safe and even a mosque.
The crackdown has led to dozens of arrests in recent months and sent confiscated cash to state coffers -- and has won praise from the public.
Saudis have been offered a toll-free number to report any suspected cases of corruption.
"The message (Saudi) rulers are sending to the corrupt is that 'you won't be going to the Ritz, you will be going to a real prison'," a local official told AFP, declining to be named.
"Anyone taking bribes and kickbacks now fears, 'are we next?'"
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201214-saudi-mini-ritz-corruption-crackdown-evokes-awe-fear
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
(* A P)
Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee urges Joe Biden to release CIA report
US president-elect can help uncover truth about Saudi journalist’s murder, says Hatice Cengiz
Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of Jamal Khashoggi, has called on the US president-elect, Joe Biden, to release the CIA’s classified report into the Washington Post journalist’s murder once he enters the White House, a move she said would “greatly assist” in uncovering the truth.
The classified intelligence assessment has never been released but media outlets have reported, without providing more details, that it concludes with “medium to high confidence” that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered the killing.
Publishing a declassified version of the report, Cengiz and other activists say, would prove Biden is committed to making Saudi Arabia “pay a price for the murder”, as he promised to do during the 2020 campaign.
and
(* B P)
Biden’s Promises to Give Jamal Khashoggi Justice Will Be Tested soon
One month before the election, Joe Biden promised to ensure accountability for the murder of Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi
The Trump administration spent two years doing everything possible to hide what the U.S. government knew about who was responsible for the murder.
Just weeks after he is inaugurated, Biden’s campaign promises to end the coverup will be put to the test in several arenas. Thanks to the persistence of lawmakers and human rights lawyers, the drive to press the U.S. government to publicly disclose what it knows about Khashoggi’s murder never stopped. If he chooses, Biden can make good on his promises and bring crucial facts of the case to light.
The administration’s first opportunity may be at the confirmation hearing for Avril Haines, who promised to “speak truth to power” when she accepted Biden’s nomination to be the director of national intelligence. Senate Intelligence Committee member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told me he intends to ask Haines whether she will follow the law and provide an unclassified report on who was responsible for Khashoggi’s murder.
“Donald Trump buried the truth to protect authoritarians and murderers in Saudi Arabia,” Wyden said. “The Biden team has a real opportunity to break from the lawlessness and coverups of the Trump administration.”
“Biden can demonstrate his administration’s commitment to democratic values by quickly releasing the ODNI and CIA reports as well as other key records that have been withheld from the public under this litigation,” said plaintiff’s counsel Amrit Singh, director of the Open Society’s accountability division. “This would be a vital step toward ensuring accountability for the murder and for its coverup by the Trump administration.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/bidens-promises-to-give-jamal-khashoggi-justice-will-be-tested-soon/2020/12/17/5eabdcf2-40a8-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html = https://english.almasirah.net/post/16688/Biden-s-Promises-to-Give-Jamal-Khashoggi-Justice-Will-Be-Tested-soon
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp8a, cp9a
(* B K P)
Der endlose Krieg zur Erhaltung der amerikanischen Vormachtstellung
Unfähig, im Ausland einen Sieg zu erringen, wurden die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika von einer Anhäufung von Krisen im Inland heimgesucht. Beides hängt zusammen.
Seit fast zwei Jahrzehnten führen die Vereinigten Staaten einen Krieg, um die amerikanische Vormachtstellung zu bewahren. Das ist natürlich nicht der offizielle Titel, aber er beschreibt den eigentlichen, wenn auch uneingestandenen Zweck des Krieges. Vieles hängt davon ab, wie die neue Regierung Biden die Aussichten des Krieges einschätzt. Das Schicksal seiner Präsidentschaft könnte von Bidens Bereitschaft abhängen, die längst überfällige Beendigung des Krieges voranzutreiben.
In den berauschenden Tagen nach dem Zusammenbruch des Kommunismus hatten sich die amerikanischen politischen Eliten daran erfreut, den einzigartigen Status der Vereinigten Staaten als einzige Supermacht und unverzichtbare Nation zu preisen. Dass die Vereinigten Staaten die Lokomotive der Geschichte waren, während der Rest der Menschheit pflichtbewusst im Waggon hinterherfuhr, wurde als gegeben hingenommen. In den 1990er Jahren schien der zukünftige Weg klar zu sein.
Als die Terroranschläge vom 9/11 ein Loch in die Ansprüche auf die amerikanische Vormachtstellung rissen, entschied sich Präsident George W. Bush sofort für den Krieg als Mittel, um diese wiederherzustellen. Seitdem wurden die militärischen Bemühungen an verschiedenen Orten und mit unterschiedlichen Ansätzen fortgesetzt, jedoch mit wenig Erfolg…
In wenigen Wochen wird der designierte Präsident Joe Biden der vierte Ingenieur sein, der die Hand auf den Steuerhebel legt, in der Erwartung, die Geschichte wieder auf Kurs zu bringen…
Auf das Wesentliche reduziert, steht man vor der Wahl: entweder man gibt den anhaltenden militärischen Bemühungen der USA in Afghanistan, im Irak und auf anderen aktiven Kriegsschauplätzen im gesamten Nahen Osten und in Afrika wieder ein gewisses übergreifendes Zielbewusstsein, oder man gibt das Scheitern zu und holt die Truppen nach Hause.
Um es anders auszudrücken: Entweder man überzeugt die Amerikaner davon, dass der Krieg zur Erhaltung der amerikanischen Vormachtstellung die Stellung der Nation auf der Weltbühne stärkt und fortgesetzt werden sollte; oder man reduziert die Verluste und gesteht ein, dass die Vereinigten Staaten nicht mehr der Motor der Geschichte sind…
Es besteht heute keine Chance, dass der Krieg zur Erhaltung der amerikanischen Vormachtstellung auch nur eines der unzähligen Ziele erreicht, die seit 2001 zur Rechtfertigung seiner Aufrechterhaltung angeführt werden. Diese Tatsache anzuerkennen, ist eine Voraussetzung, um all das zu reparieren, was in unserem Land kaputt ist. Je früher die Reparaturarbeiten beginnen, desto besser.
Wenn es darum geht, Kriege zu beginnen, haben die amerikanischen Führer nach dem Kalten Krieg eine bemerkenswerte Kühnheit an den Tag gelegt und die Vorsicht aus dem Fenster geworfen. Wenn es jedoch darum geht, Kriege zu beenden, wird Vorsicht walten gelassen. Sie “verantwortungsvoll” zu beenden, wird zu einer Begründung für Untätigkeit…
http://www.antikrieg.com/aktuell/2020_12_22_derendlosekrieg.htm
(* B K P)
The Endless War to Preserve American Primacy
Unable to achieve victory abroad, the United States has been battered by an accumulation of crises at home. The two are related.
For nearly two decades now, the United States has been waging a war to preserve American primacy. That’s not the official name, of course, but that describes the war’s actual, if unacknowledged, purpose. Much depends on how the incoming Biden administration appraises thewar’s prospects. The fate of his presidency may well turn on Biden’s willingness to expedite the war’s long overdue termination.
During the heady days following the collapse of communism, American political elites had delighted in preening about the singular status of the United States as sole superpower and indispensable nation. That the United States was history’s locomotive, with the rest of humankind dutifully trailing behind in the caboose, was taken as given. During the 1990s, the way ahead appeared clear.
When the terrorist attacks of 9/11 blew a hole in claims of American primacy, President George W. Bush immediately opted for war as the means to revive them. Pursued ever since in various venues and employing varied approaches, the subsequent military effort has met with little success.
As early as 2009, when President Barack Obama inherited the war to preserve American primacy, it had become apparent that the United States lacked the wherewithal to fulfill Bush’s ambitious Freedom Agenda, which he described as “the spread of freedom as the great alternative to the terrorists’ ideology of hatred.” But calling off the war and thereby abandoning the conceit of America as sole superpower required more political courage than Obama was able to muster. So the war dragged on.
In 2016, denouncing the entire effort as misguided helped Donald Trump win the presidency. Yet far from terminating the war once in office, Trump merely rendered it inexplicable. Trump had promised to put “America First.” Instead, his erratic behavior gave the world “America the Capricious.” All but rudderless, the war proceeded of its own accord.
Just weeks from now, President-elect Joe Biden will become the fourth engineer to put his hand on the throttle with expectations of getting history back on track. From the day he takes office, Biden will confront a host of pressing challenges. Let me suggest that ending the war to preserve American primacy should figure as a priority.
Reduced to its essentials, the choice at hand is stark: Either restore some overarching sense of purpose to continuing US military efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other active theaters of war throughout the Middle East and Africa; or admit failure and bring the troops home.
To put it another way: Either persuade Americans that the war to preserve American primacy is enhancing the nation’s standing on the global stage and should continue; or cut our losses and concede that the United States is no longer the engine of history.
Initial signs suggest that Biden will finesse the issue. While promising to “end the forever wars, which have cost the United States untold blood and treasure,” he will instead redefine the mission. Relying on air strikes, special operations troops, and American advisers working with local forces, he will continue the fight against Al Qaeda and ISIS, with strategy thereby taking a back seat to political expediency.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/56067.htm
(* B P)
US Sanctions Miss the Mark in Yemen
Unilateral actions by the US only weaken the international sanctions regimes and embolden Houthis on the ground, at great risk to aid workers.
In mid-November, Washington threatened to list the Iran-linked Houthi rebels as a foreign terrorist organization. The announcement stirred instant condemnation from international aid agencies but was praised by officials of the legitimate government of Yemen and other Houthi opponents. Falling short of the broad threat, the Trump administration recently listed five security officials as specially designated nationals for alleged human rights abuses. This move will have a minimal effect on the conduct of the war, but will significantly impact the work of aid agencies and the Biden administration’s potential approach to Yemen.
The five individuals were listed under the rules of the Yemen Sanctions Regulations, amended on October 29, which implements Executive Order 13611 of May 16, 2012. The process implemented by the Trump administration provides a hint at how the US could further target the Sanaa-based rebels prior to Joe Biden taking office in January. The move was largely symbolic, a gesture toward Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, and falls short, so far, from the threat to sanction the Houthis as a terrorist organization.
There was also no mention of the links between the sanctioned rebels and Iran or its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The October amendments to the Yemen Sanctions Regulations allowed the US to respond to pressure from regional allies and circumvent the stalemate within the UN Security Council (UNSC). The nature of the war — where Houthi rebels claim to be fighting on two fronts, one against the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and the other against the “Yemeni mercenaries,” as they refer to the forces of the legitimate government — has allowed Saudi Arabia to take the lead in diplomatic and military affairs. The current US administration has moved the bar to accommodate diplomatic pressure, risking creating both an obstruction to the delivery of aid across north Yemen and potential sabotage of the Biden administration’s future efforts. While it is imperative to continue to put pressure on Houthi officials over human rights abuses, the latest move by the Trump administration has only weakened the US role in the conflict rather than strengthening the opposition to the Houthis. The rebels will again claim that the US is not an honest actor in peace negotiations, especially following the release of US nationals by Houthi authorities in October under a UN-negotiated prisoner exchange.
(A P)
@Centcom #NAVCENT @US5thFleet Commander VADM Samuel Paparo met with #Yemen Coast Guard #YCG Commander Maj. Gen. Khaled Ali Mohammed Al-Qamali in #Riyadh #SaudiArabia #KSA (photo)
https://twitter.com/BashaReport/status/1341422221160538113
(B P)
Thread: Key point to bear in mind, sad, but true: there is no US policy toward Yemen, never has been, unlikely to be one in future. Instead, there is US policy toward Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, etc. Obama had stronger sub-Saharan Africa policy (Djibouti-based) than Yemen.
https://twitter.com/DaySWTweet/status/1341435046146748419
(* A P)
Trump Administration Weighing Legal Immunity for Bin Salman Over Assassination Plot
The US government is weighing a request to declare Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman immune from a federal lawsuit accusing him of targeting for assassination a former top intelligence officer who could disclose damaging secrets about the prince’s ascent to power, The Washington Post revealed on Monday.
The Saudi government has asked that the prince be shielded from liability in response to a complaint brought by Saad Aljabri, a former Saudi counterterrorism leader and longtime U.S. intelligence ally now living in exile in Canada, according to the newspaper.
A State Department recommendation could also lead to the dismissal of the prince as a defendant in other cases recently filed in the United States, including ones accusing him of directing the death and dismemberment of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018; and of targeting a hack and leak operation to discredit an Al Jazeera news anchor, Ghada Oueiss, in retaliation for her critical reports on Mohammed and the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates.
The State Department sent a questionnaire last month to Aljabri’s lawyers, soliciting their legal views on whether it should grant the Saudi request, according to a person close to the family who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the pending litigation and the document, The Washington Post added.
The request to the Trump administration comes as the State Department, Aljabri’s family and supportive U.S. lawmakers have condemned Riyadh for detaining two of Aljabri’s children in a bid to silence him.
(A P)
BAY AREA CAR CARAVAN PROTEST FOR YEMEN
The war is only possible because Western countries -- and the United States and Britain in particular -- continue to arm Saudi Arabia and provide military, political and logistical support for the war.
The disaster in Yemen is man-made. It is caused by the war and blockade. It can be ended.
Over 115 organizations from the US, UK, Yemen, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and across the world, are coming together to call for an end to the war in Yemen and solidarity with the people of Yemen. We demand that right now our governments:
We call on people around the Bay Area to join our car caravan protest against the war on January 25, 2021, just days after the U.S. presidential inauguration and the day before Saudi Arabia’s “Davos in the Desert” Future Investment Initiative.
Location/Time will be posted soon. Thank you!
This form: http://bit.ly/BayAreaCaravanYEMEN
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14PJhmUC4mzk4axpncpro3zEwsDegDeBqfuWoOTqbAF0/viewform
(* B P)
Pompeo pressed against labeling Houthis a terrorist group
The Trump administration’s push to label Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi group as a terrorist organization would be “deeply damaging” to U.S. national security, say former U.S. diplomats and State Department officials.
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sent Sunday, 20 former senior officials with a focus on U.S. policy in the Middle East called for the administration to “abandon plans” to label the Houthis a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
They raise alarm that such a move would be viewed as politically motivated and “undermine the credibility of U.S. counterterrorism programs and policies.”
“To be clear, we hold no sympathy for the Houthi movement, nor are we condoning its actions,” wrote the signatories, who include nearly every living former U.S. ambassador to Yemen, former counterterrorism coordinators at the State Department and former senior career officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
“That said, we do not believe that the Houthi movement meets the definition of a Foreign Terrorist Organization nor do we believe that the designation will advance U.S. national security interests.”
The signatories argue the designation would hamper the international community's efforts to deliver life-saving aid to the country that is enduring the worst humanitarian crisis in history, including delivering food and medicine to at least 70 percent of the Yemeni population under Houthi control.
They also warn that it would harm international efforts to negotiate a political solution to the crisis.
“We urge the administration not to take this step, which we believe would be deeply damaging to U.S. national security interests, including the fight against terrorism, and, most of all, to the innocent civilians in Yemen,” the signatories wrote.
“Instead, we encourage the administration to re-double its support for the UN-led peace process. U.S. backing can provide critical momentum to efforts to persuade the parties to end the fighting, implement a permanent, sustainable cease-fire, and begin the political reconciliation that will permit Yemenis finally to address the root causes of the current conflict.”
The letter in full: https://www.mei.edu/publications/open-letter-secretary-state-proposal-designate-houthis-foreign-terrorist-organization
(* B P)
Political support, not terrorist designation, is key to moving forward in Yemen
As the commander of U.S. Central Command from 2016-2019, I was responsible for conducting military operations and supporting U.S. security policy in Yemen. These responsibilities mainly focused on the prosecution of our counter-terrorism campaign against al-Qaeda. They included some other objectives as well, of which one of the most important was supporting the U.N. special envoy as he sought a process for ending the ongoing civil war. Like many things in this part of the world, attempting quick and straightforward solutions to problems with deep underlying tensions too often leads to strategic disappointment, and Yemen has repeatedly proven this to be true.
To say that the situation in Yemen remains precarious would be an understatement.
Now is the time for a political reset — and the United States, not a direct combatant in the civil war, but certainly an important and influential leader in the region, must play an important role.
This role must include encouraging all sides toward a more inclusive political process that reduces violence and raises Yemeni and international voices, and moves toward specific and achievable objectives over time. Solutions that purport to be either speedy or simple are, in fact, quite dangerous. To that point, the current administration’s consideration of designating Ansar Allah (the Houthi movement) as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) will not help advance the United States or the other various participants in this conflict toward a durable strategic settlement.
The Houthi movement has provoked and prolonged the conflict in Yemen and now presides over a starving population and a country whose infrastructure is quickly disappearing. They deserve no one's sympathy. But designating them as a terrorist organization at this time would not serve our interests or hasten the end of the conflict. Instead, it would complicate the political process and resolution of the humanitarian disaster. It would also undermine the credible and effective counter-terrorism programs that we rely upon to keep terrorists at bay.
With most of the Yemeni population living in areas under the Houthi movement's control, designation as an FTO will disrupt the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance for millions of people. – by General (ret.) Joseph Votel
https://www.mei.edu/blog/political-support-not-terrorist-designation-key-moving-forward-yemen
(* B P)
Devil's bargain: Sacrificing Yemen for a Saudi-Israeli peace deal
In its effort to promote regional peace and build an Israeli-Sunni alliance against Iran, the U.S. is rushing to offer Saudi Arabia a gift in exchange for a normalization deal with Israel.
And the gift? In its final weeks, the Trump administration would likely designate the Houthis in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), making it a federal crime to knowingly provide material support to any Houthi-controlled entity or person. On its face, prohibiting resources to the Houthi seems reasonable. To be certain, the Houthis are bad actors — a ruthless terror organization that has attacked U.S. interests directly, and that bears primary responsibility for Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe where more than 24 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian relief. With this designation, the administration seeks to sanction the Houthis, weaken Iran, strengthen Saudi Arabia, and bolster the exiled Yemeni government.
In reality, however, the gambit will likely further destabilize the Arabian Peninsula.
There are other unanticipated risks. For example, the United Nation would have challenges in mitigating a potential massive oil spill off the Red Sea from the dilapidated FSO Safer oil tanker — a spill potentially four times greater than was the Exxon Valdez — if it cannot negotiate with the Houthis. This spill would close the main port of Hudaydah, thus further disrupting food supplies. Yemen is already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and an FTO designation could very well lead to widespread famine.
The Trump administration is pushing Saudi Arabia to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel before Trump departs the White House and is offering the FTO designation, which — for Saudi Arabia — could blunt Houthi domination of northern Yemen. But Saudi Arabia and Israel would be better served by negotiating peace for peace under the incoming Biden administration, rather than plunging Yemen into an uncontrolled humanitarian collapse. This Faustian bargain fails on many levels.
First, Saudi Arabia will need to reboot its relationship with the Biden administration. In the run-up to November’s election, President-elect Biden has been clear that the tragedy of Yemen must end. There also is a congressional consensus that Saudia Arabia bears substantial culpability for Yemen’s continued war, and a bipartisan recognition that an FTO designation would further destabilize the country.
Instead of helping to resolve the civil war in Yemen, the Saudi kingdom would deepen the crisis with this FTO designation. It would have millions of starving Yemenis on its long, porous border — and an empowered Houthi insurgency that likely would increase its use of Iranian weaponry to quicken the pace and sophistication of attacks against Saudi infrastructure, cities and ports.
(* B P)
Pushing Billions in Arms Sales Is Not an ‘Accomplishment’
It matters to whom the weapons are flowing and how they will be used
By this measure, U.S. arms sales have been a dismal failure.
A case in point is a $23 billion arms package for the United Arab Emirates that narrowly escaped a vote of disapproval in the Senate on Dec. 9. The deal includes 50 F-35 combat aircraft, 18 armed MQ-9 drones, and more than 15,000 bombs.
The UAE should not be receiving U.S. weapons at this time. A primary reason for stopping arms flows to the regime is its central role in the war in Yemen
Not only have the UAE’s actions in Yemen and Libya generated massive humanitarian suffering, but they have also made it easier for extremist and terrorist groups to operate in those countries, to the detriment of long-term U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa.
Given all of the above, the Biden administration should reverse the deals to sell fighter planes, drones, and bombs to the UAE as one of its first actions when it takes office in January.
The UAE is not the only U.S. arms recipient that should get a second look in light of its human rights record.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2020/12/pushing-billions-arms-sales-not-accomplishment/170900/
(* B P)
Trump is considering a move that would prolong Yemen's misery
In one of its final foreign policy acts before leaving office, the Trump administration is considering designating Yemen's Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization. The move is part of President Donald Trump's and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's campaign to impose more sanctions on Iran and its allies in the Middle East—and to create new hurdles that would make it difficult for the incoming Joe Biden administration to resume negotiations with Tehran.
But beyond the geopolitical maneuvering, this designation could prolong Yemen's brutal civil war and drive millions of Yemenis into starvation.
If the Trump administration goes ahead with designating the Houthi rebels as terrorists, the UN and many international humanitarian groups likely would stop delivering aid to Houthi-held territory in Yemen for fear of running afoul of the United States.
Trump and his advisers blamed the war on Iran and its support for the Houthis, ignoring war crimes by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which could implicate US officials who continued to sell weapons to the two allies.
Trump's policy also ignored the fact that Iran stepped up its support to the Houthis after Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened in Yemen's civil war.
The terrorism designation is another misguided Trump administration policy that would add to the misery of millions of Yemenis. Beyond the moral reasons for Washington to help end Yemenis' suffering, the US should be pushing the Houthis and their opponents to reach a peace deal that would ultimately reduce tensions between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. Designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization is likely to make the group more intransigent and to drive it closer to Iran.
US citizens or companies can be prosecuted for providing "material support or resources" to a group that is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Foreign individuals and organizations who deal with a designated group can also face US economic sanctions and possible prosecution.
The State Department could issue exemptions that enable government agencies to continue operating in Yemen, while the Treasury Department could issue licenses that allow Americans and other individuals to deliver aid to Houthi-controlled areas, without running afoul of US sanctions. But these waivers could take months to prepare, creating delays in delivering food and other aid needed to stave off famine in many parts of Yemen.
The new secretary of state in the Biden administration could revoke the terrorism designation against the Houthis, but the process is cumbersome and could take months. It's also unlikely to be a top priority of the new administration, which could be worried about being portrayed as "soft" on terrorism.
If the Trump administration goes ahead with its plan to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, Yemen will suffer more severe food and medicine shortages. That will lead to more hunger, disease and misery—and more deaths from indirect but ultimately preventable causes – by Mohammed Bazzi
(* B P)
Democrats and ruling by fear
When politicians sell out to win, we all lose.
Allowing these profit-seeking engines to direct public policy—the current practice of D.C. Democrats and Republicans—will bring destruction to our country and planet. This is not hyperbole.
Consider the example of foreign policy. The American people don’t want forever wars or the bloated Pentagon budget that currently consumes well over half of our discretionary funds, and is greater than the military spending of the next nine countries combined. Meanwhile, one in eight Americans don’t have enough food to eat and 30 million Americans will soon be at risk of losing their homes.
But the American people have no say in the matter. Tragically, America’s foreign policy is controlled by the military-industrial complex and by the resource extraction industries. Bomb makers like Raytheon demand zones of active conflict to keep its assembly lines moving. Under Trump, our bombs fell at the rate of one every 12 minutes, killing thousands of defenseless Black and Brown people in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen; surpassing Obama’s record of one bomb every half hour. Many of the people we slaughter are civilians; none were threatening to invade the United States.
Manufacturers of big-ticket items demand hostile relations with larger nations like Russia and China to justify new sales of aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, F-35 fighter jets, and new generations of nuclear bombs. The mineral extracting industries demand that we maintain our empire of nearly 800 foreign military bases to crush the will of local people who oppose foreign exploitation of their lands.
None of this will significantly change under President Biden.
If the American people could choose our next secretary of state—the nation’s chief diplomat—they would select someone skilled at negotiating with our adversaries and easing tensions around the world. But the war industry demands a toady with the opposite skill set. So Biden has selected Antony Blinken, a man whose career has been a pendulum between government and the defense industry, where he made himself rich by writing memos advocating for new smarter more sustainable wars, and by selling his Rolodex of government contacts to help clients obtain defense contracts. Within the Obama administration, Blinken backed the interventions in Libya and Syria as well as the 2014 Ukraine coup, and he was a major proponent of backing the Saudi-led mass atrocities in Yemen. The fact that all these policies were disastrous for the people on the ground is not a negative for Blinken, because they were also highly profitable for the war industry. Blinken’s greatest career achievement appears to be his ability to keep Pentagon budgets rising while transitioning from Bush-era ground wars to smaller scale “sustainable operations.”
Thus, under Biden, we must expect more dead children, more destabilization and suffering, and more global warming – by Leonard C. Goodman
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/democrats-and-ruling-by-fear/Content?oid=85065430
(* B P)
Biden Can Broker an End to the War in Yemen
Yemenis are eager for Biden to act on his campaign pledge to end the war in Yemen, using U.S. influence to bring all sides to negotiate an end to the conflict.
The promise of a Biden presidency has been interpreted by many in the Middle East as restoring the world's trust in the people of the United States and their commitment to the principles of freedom and equality.
But our region—the Middle East—is in a state of chaos, and the United States has played a role.
Unfortunately, Yemen is no exception. U.S. policymakers ignored Yemen's realities, political forces, and hidden alliances. The United States did not pay adequate attention to the agendas of political entities involved in the conflict, whether Yemeni or foreign. The state of the Middle East today proves that the idea of change—whether through chaos or regime change—has not achieved its objective of creating a better future for the region. To the contrary, both policies have proved disastrous, especially when the allies entrusted to implement regime change have lacked popular support or the ability to govern.
A solution to the Yemeni crisis requires a fresh and new U.S. policy towards Yemen, different from the one developed after the 2000 terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Aden
To accomplish this objective, the United States will need to develop an initiative to end the war itself, along with the proxy wars and multi-faceted conflicts in the region. The United States can take advantage of the fact that both sides of the conflict in Yemen are ready for a settlement sponsored by an honest mediator and are in search of a face-saving solution.
Bringing an end to Yemen’s war now requires the inclusion of all foreign players in the conflict, known and hidden. All involved parties must share the responsibility of ending the war and pressing the Yemeni parties they sponsor to the negotiating table to agree to reach a Yemeni-Yemeni solution.
These foreign actors must also commit to respecting Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, providing guarantees for the country’s security and stability, and committing to non-interference in internal Yemeni affairs. Actors must additionally cease all types of financial support to the warring parties. Ending financial incentives for the country’s warlords will help pressure them to return to the negotiating table and end the conflict, as well as accept the necessity of building new relationships with neighboring countries.
The cessation of the war and the signing of a peace agreement between Yemenis will not be the end of Yemen’s plight. There must also be comprehensive plan put in place to build sustainable peace supported by the coalition and the international community. In addition to guaranteeing the implementation of the comprehensive political agreement, this plan should also provide adequate resources for reconstruction, the return of the displaced, and compensation for the victims. State institutions, including security forces and the military, must also be allocated funds to rebuild, along with the necessary financial and economic reforms package to prevent the collapse of the peace accord.
The people of Yemen hope that its country will remain on the Biden administration’s agenda during its first one hundred days, and that the solution for the Crisis of Yemen will not be lost sight of amongst the many priorities of the new administrationeconomic reforms package to prevent the collapse of the peace accord
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/biden-can-broker-end-war-yemen
My comment: A typical US-centered, Democratic centrist view., full of “if” “should” “could”. Keep in mind: The US never had played a positive role as peace broker anywhere on this planet; why it should do now in Yemen?
(A P)
Progressives Try to Sway Biden on Top Foreign-Policy Jobs
A gaggle of progressive groups are trying to line up candidates for top foreign-policy roles in the incoming administration.
More than a dozen progressive groups are calling on incoming President-elect Joe Biden to staff top foreign-policy jobs in his incoming administration with candidates seen as anti-war and not tied to Washington lobbying, after some of his picks raised eyebrows due to perceived establishment ties.
While progressives, some lacking foreign-policy experience to compete with centrists in the Democratic Party for top administration jobs, aren’t being considered for many leading cabinet roles, left-leaning groups are hoping to put down roots at lower levels. In a request sent to the Biden transition team today, progressives identified more than 100 candidates to fill jobs in the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council—the majority of whom are women and people of color.
Trending Articles
(* B P)
Why America Should Not Be Involved in Yemen
The conflict does not advance U.S. interests and only causes unnecessary harm.
Trump’s steadfast support for Saudi Arabia has been one of his foreign policy calling cards. His presidency began with a massive gift to Riyadh—namely, the $350 billion arms deal he signed with the kingdom on his first foreign trip in office—so it would only be appropriate for it to end with another.
Any gift to Saudi Arabia will be a headache for Biden. On the Democratic debate stage last November, Biden committed to making Saudi Arabia a “pariah.”
The Houthi FTO designation, however, would be more difficult for Biden to overcome, given how difficult it is to roll back such classifications. In the short term, humanitarian groups will struggle to help vulnerable Yemenis.
It would’ve been foolish to expect a sudden change in Trump administration policy, but even so, the Houthi designation would be a new low. It would only be the latest action the president has taken to remain in league with Saudi Arabia and complicate a devastating war. Biden has made his goals for the region clear—but he’ll be forced to tidy up Trump’s trail before he can accomplish them.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/skeptics/why-america-should-not-be-involved-yemen-174738
My question: What does this mean: If “US interests” (whatever this means) could be “advanced”, there could be any “necessary harm” a population whereverr on this planet (Yemen is 7000 miles away from the US) must sustain?? Obviously, this is the “normal” US mainstream view since 1945 at least.
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
(A P)
Iran ‘strongly refutes’ Pompeo’s ‘irresponsible’ remarks on embassy attack
Iran has dismissed “irresponsible” remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo regarding a recent rocket attack against the US embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, saying the accusations are meant to stoke tensions and that Washington’s military presence is the “source of instability” in the region.
(A P)
US nuclear submarine transits Strait of Hormuz amid tensions
An American nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine traversed the strategically vital waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula on Monday, the U.S. Navy said, a rare announcement that comes amid rising tensions with Iran.
(A P)
Iran urged not to squander chance to salvage nuclear deal
Countries trying to keep alive the 2015 deal on Iran’s nuclear program agreed Monday to “positively address” the possibility of a U.S. return to the accord under the incoming Biden administration. Germany’s foreign minister urged Iran not to waste what he called a final window of opportunity.
Monday’s virtual meeting of parties to the agreement — the first at the level of foreign ministers in over a year — came as the deal is in what German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called a “downward spiral” caused by a mixture of strong U.S. pressure on Iran and Tehran’s violations of the accord.
https://apnews.com/article/europe-iran-heiko-maas-berlin-germany-150fc484f8fabaf1f8fc62da9aeafb52
My comment: The EU itself had violated its obligations of the accord – why “urging” Iran?
(A P)
UN chief calls for trade with Iran based on Security Council Resolution 2231
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has underlined the need for preserving the 2015 landmark Iran nuclear deal, urging the world countries to engage in trade ties with Tehran based on Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the agreement.
(A P)
Iran, Russia will continue military cooperation regardless of US sanctions: Ambassador to Moscow
Iran and Russia will maintain military cooperation and the United States’ sanctions will have no impact on Tehran’s military capabilities or its scientific research, says the Iranian ambassador to Moscow.
"This behavior of the United States will continue in the future, and the reason is that the US no longer enjoys the dominance of the past,” Kazem Jalali said in an interview with Sputnik on Friday.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/18/641004/Sputnik-Iran-Russia-military
(A P)
‘EU can’t claim to advocate human rights while barring medicine for Iran children'
An Iranian human rights official has hit out at the European Parliament for passing a resolution against what it calls “human rights breaches” in Iran, saying those who have a hand in the deaths of scores of Iranian child patients by blocking their access to medicine are in no position to lecture about human rights.
Ali Baqeri-Kani, who heads the Iranian Judiciary’s High Council for Human Rights, on Friday condemned the European resolution adopted a day earlier, which deals with the detention and recent executions of a number of dual nationals on convictions ranging from espionage to murder and corruption on earth.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/18/641018/Iran-European-Parliament-resolution-human-rights
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVtxN0yewK8
(* B P)
Film: After Trump leaves, US and Israeli aggression against Iran remains
Israel's assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist is the latest act of aggression in the Trump-Netanyahu campaign to undermine the Iran nuclear deal. Although President-elect Joe Biden has voiced support for returning to the JCPOA, longstanding US-Israel hostility to Iranian sovereignty will continue under his watch. Former UN Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter debunks the myths about Iran's nuclear program and discusses the next phase of the US and Israeli campaign against Iran under Biden. Guest: Scott Ritter, former UN Weapons Inspector, former Marine Corps Intelligence Officer, and author of Dealbreaker: Donald Trump and the Unmaking of the Iran Nuclear Deal.
[Nach Trumps Abgang bleibt die Aggression der USA und Israels gegen den Iran bestehen. Israels Ermordung eines iranischen Atomwissenschaftlers ist der jüngste Akt der Aggression in der Trump-Netanjahu-Kampagne zur Untergrabung des Iran-Atomabkommens. Obwohl der designierte Präsident Joe Biden sich für eine Rückkehr zum JCPOA ausgesprochen hat, wird die langjährige US-Israel-Feindschaft gegen die iranische Souveränität auch unter seiner Führung fortgesetzt. Der ehemalige UN-Waffeninspekteur Scott Ritter entlarvt die Mythen über das iranische Atomprogramm und diskutiert die nächste Phase der US-amerikanischen und israelischen Kampagne gegen den Iran unter Biden. Gast: Scott Ritter, ehemaliger UN-Waffeninspektor, ehemaliger Marine Corps Intelligence Officer und Autor von Dealbreaker: Donald Trump and the Unmaking of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Übersetzung CG]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cwY6NbeZdM
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(* B K P)
Britain: Tories continue Saudi arms sales while Yemen bleeds
The Tories claim they are spending all their time and energy ‘dealing’ with the pandemic. However, much like Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s forced tears on the television, this is a smokescreen for what is going on behind the scenes.
But on 7 July this year, the ‘ban’ on arms sales was lifted, with the British state finding no ‘pattern’ of air strikes breaching international law.
In reality, the ban was no such thing, because it quickly ran up against the drive to keep the money tap flowing, with unlawful new licensing only revoked under pressure. Pre-existing licenses continued to operate. As BAE systems, the largest exporter to the gangsters in Riyadh, confirmed in a 2019 report, business continued as usual. Support service contracts were fulfilled, enabling fighter jets to be maintained.
Whilst Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, cried a river of crocodile tears, lakes of blood continued to be spilled in Yemen. This undoubtedly could not have happened without the instrumental role Britain played, and continues to play.
Though this ‘landmark’ court case did not really change anything, the official reasons for the ban being overturned this summer are as ridiculous as they are transparent. Truss concluded that there was no “pattern” to be found in violations. And yet, in that very month, the Ministry of Defence publicly stated that they had recorded more than 500 potential violations of humanitarian law in Yemen. And here we are of course speaking of formal bourgeois international law, which by default favours imperialism.
The Tories have been lying through their teeth about the role Britain has played in this conflict. While they may look stern and serious on television when speaking of this ongoing humanitarian crisis, they are jubilant when it comes to arms fairs, and ensuring Britain continues to have a sizable slice of the pie.
Truss’ claim that there is “not a clear risk” of British weapons being used for war crimes is a blatant fiction. The sale of arms, the maintenance of Torpedo and Typhoon jets, the sharing of intelligence and operational and technical shadowing has left just under half of Yemen’s pre-war healthcare facilities destroyed or defunct.
More liberal commentators have expressed disquiet at Britain’s ever-closer relations with Saudi Arabia. But we must be clear: these ladies and gentlemen are not objecting to the crimes of British imperialism per se. They are simply embarrassed by the ‘toxic’ ties with the despotic House of Saud. The dire and desperate situation the majority of Yemen endure is a very distant concern.
The British military operates in scores of locations across the Middle East. Declassified reports show there are 23 military bases in the region; with personnel making use of 41 on top of this. 1
The idea that the destruction in Yemen is exclusively a Saudi problem is a mirage. With the Tories’ plans to increase military spending by $22bn over four years – an increase of 10 percent – Britain will continue to aid and abet atrocities throughout the Middle East.
https://www.marxist.com/tories-saudi-arms-sales.htm n
(A P)
Detention of former Saudi crown prince 'risks security of west'
The detention of the former crown prince of Saudi Arabia in breach of international law is weakening the security of both the kingdom and the west, a cross-party investigatory panel of British MPs has found.
The MPs said Bin Nayef had recently been released from solitary detention after nine months, but added he had been warned he would be sent back to solitary confinement unless he agreed to release funds to the kingdom, an alleged threat described as coercion by the panel.
They claim it is in the interests of the international community and Saudi Arabia itself that it urgently addresses its human rights record so it “can defend and explain its actions in a way that will not leave it wholly pilloried in the wider court of global public opinion”.
They also say the Saudi failure to live up to international human rights standards weakens the kingdom and the security of the west.
Saudi Arabia refused to cooperate with the work of the panel
In the absence of cooperation from Saudi authorities, the panel held an evidence session with mainly Saudi dissidents, spoke to senior UK government officials, human rights groups and, it appears, allies of Bin Nayef.
The report claims detention of political opposition is endemic in the country, and is one reason it failed this year in its bid to be elected to the executive of the UN human rights council.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/detention-of-former-saudi-crown-prince-risks-security-of-west/ar-BB1bZCU1 = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/17/detention-former-saudi-crown-prince-security-west-say-mps
(A P)
British MPs Call For Magnitsky Sanctions On Saudi Arabia Over Prisoner Abuses
A group of British members of parliament have called on the UK and other countries to halt extraditions to Saudi Arabia and impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on the country’s officials in response to “gravely concerning allegations” about human rights abuses.
The call comes in a report from a panel set up to look into the detention of former Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef (MBN) and Prince Ahmed Bin Abdulaziz, a brother of King Salman. The two men were detained in March 2020 and have been held in unknown locations since then, but have yet to be charged with anything.
(* B P)
‘A lot of people share my opinion within the military’, says soldier who protested against UK arms exports to Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Al-Batati, a Lance Corporal in the British army, staged a public protest against British arms sales to Saudi Arabia in August, concerned that “a child was dying every 10 minutes” in Yemen. In his first interview since becoming a civilian, he tells Declassified that others in the army share his view and that he took action because parliament did nothing.
“During this covid time I did research while working from home,” Al-Batati tells Declassified. Then, he adds, “we went out for protests in Liverpool and Manchester.”
At the time, Al-Batati was on attachment to army intelligence from his regular role in the Royal Signals Corps, but, dressed in civilian clothes, he stood among the crowds as they chanted: “Yemen can’t wait.”
Exposed to the movement and the devastating impacts of the war, Al-Batati was determined to do as much as he could to help. He even helped set up a charity to donate food to Yemen.
He decided he would have to try something new. “[It] got me thinking, what can I do to be heard? Quite a powerful thing was the fact that I was in the army and I was Yemeni as well. So that’s when I came up with the idea of protesting outside 10 Downing Street.”
For Al-Batati, his journey from a communications engineer in the Royal Signals Corp to street protester was wholly unexpected. “I went into the army quite young,” he explains. “I never got into politics, I never looked at the news. I knew that Britain and Saudi Arabia are allies, but I never really looked into what they did, the arms trade that they had, or their connection with Yemen’s proxy war.
“I began to learn that Saudi Arabia was breaking international law, hurting civilians, blocking aid from going into Yemen. No matter who you are fighting, that does not give you an excuse to play with innocent lives, so for me when I learnt about that I was quite outraged by what the Saudis did.”
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
(A P)
International campaign to lift blockade on Sana’a holds conference
The international campaign to lift the siege of Sana’a Airport has, in cooperation with the Yemeni community in Germany, organised a seminar discussing the disastrous effects of the closure of Sana’a International Airport by the Saudi-led coalition on Saturday.
(* A K P)
ROUNDUP: Deutsche Rüstungsexporte nach Rekordjahr deutlich gesunken
Die Exportgenehmigungen der Bundesregierung waren zwischen 2016 und 2018 kontinuierlich gesunken, 2019 dann aber sprunghaft gestiegen. Da einzelne Geschäfte im hohen dreistelligen Millionenbereich oder im Extremfall sogar Milliardenbereich liegen können, unterliegt die Statistik starken Schwankungen.
Das Hauptempfängerland deutscher Rüstungsexporte war in diesem Jahr bisher Ägypten (Stand 9. Dezember). Für das nordafrikanische Land genehmigte die Bundesregierung Lieferungen im Wert von 751,5 Millionen Euro.
(A P)
Menschenrechtsbeauftragte Kofler zu Jemen
Allein der Gedanke daran ist unerträglich. Wir dürfen nicht wegschauen. Alle müssen ihr Möglichstes tun, um dieses schreckliche Szenario abzuwenden. Deutschland ist einer der größten Geber für Jemen. Gefragt sind in der aktuellen Situation aber insbesondere die Staaten in der Region. Sie sind dazu aufgerufen, ihrer Verantwortung gerecht zu werden und ihre Hilfe auf dem Niveau der Vorjahre fortzusetzen, um diese humanitäre Katastrophe abzuwenden.
Ich appelliere an die am Jemenkonflikt beteiligten Parteien, ihre Kampfhandlungen umgehend einzustellen. Die Konfliktparteien fordere ich auf, sich konstruktiv an Verhandlungen zu der Gemeinsamen Erklärung über einen landesweiten Waffenstillstand, vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen und die Aufnahme eines politischen Prozesses zu beteiligen, die der VN-Sondergesandte Martin Griffiths aushandelt.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/newsroom/mrhb-jemen/2429274
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
(A P)
France to Probe Family of Late Yemen President Saleh
French financial investigators have launched a preliminary enquiry in connection with property acquired by the family of late Yemen president Ali Abdallah Saleh, they said Tuesday.
The prosecutor's office confirmed a report that first appeared in the French daily Liberation and said it was probing possible embezzlement and suspected "ill gotten gains."
The newspaper said Saleh's family had purchased apartments in high-rent districts of Paris near the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe worth several million euros.
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/277913
(* A K P)
Great developments in Italy, parliament voting to stop arms transfers that fuel the crisis in Yemen. Follow @RetePaceDisarmo for analysis today! Collaborative international work by @ECCHRBerlin @MwatanaEn all contributed to this change.
https://twitter.com/veritycoyle/status/1341358147835981825
(A P)
EU-Parlamentsmitglied: EU-Mitschuld am Völkermord Saudi-Arabiens im Jemen
Mick Wallace, ein unabhängiges irisches Mitglied des Europäischen Parlaments, äußerte sich in einem Tweet, als er die EU wegen ihres selektiven Ansatzes bei Menschenrechtsverletzungen und wegen Nichterfüllung ihrer Pflicht zur Bewältigung der humanitären Krise im vom Krieg heimgesuchten Jemen zur Rede stellte.
(A P)
EU complicit in Saudi-UAE genocide in Yemen: Parliament member
A member of the European Parliament has censured Europe’s double standards on human rights, saying the EU is complicit in crimes and atrocities perpetrated by the Saudi-led coalition against Yemen.
Mick Wallace, an independent Irish member of the European parliament, made the remarks in a tweet as he took to task the EU for its selective approach to human rights violations and for failing to fulfill its duty to address the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Yemen.
“EU gives prizes to opposition in Belarus because it borders Russia,” Wallace wrote in his tweet. “We love human rights when we can kick China and Iran but can't get debate in Parliament on Yemen because we're complicit in Saudi-UAE Genocide that's killed hundreds of thousands, and millions starving.”
and also https://www.islamtimes.org/en/news/904960/eu-complicit-in-saudi-uae-genocide-yemen-parliament-member
Film: https://twitter.com/wallacemick/status/1341446907290218496
Film, earlier: https://twitter.com/wallacemick/status/1340281309453807623
and
(A P)
European Union: Yemen: Statement by the Spokesperson on the formation of the new Government
The announcement of a new Yemeni Government as part of the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement is a positive step towards a comprehensive political solution for the country.
The new government will have challenging tasks ahead and will need to take important and courageous decisions for the sake of Yemen and all of its people
(A P)
Canada expresses concern over the risks of the leakage of Safer oil tanker
Canada expressed its concerns about the catastrophic consequences including the environmental ones that could occur as a result of not the leakage of the decaying oil tanker in the Red Sea.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43926
(A P)
UAE: Imprisoned Activist’s Health at Risk
Ahmed Mansoor Held in Indefinite Solitary Confinement; Denied Necessities, Medication
The Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor’s health is at grave risk following more than three years in solitary confinement without basic necessities, Human Rights Watch and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) said today. He is on the advisory boards of both organizations.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/16/uae-imprisoned-activists-health-risk
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
(A P)
Report: gov’t spyware targets phones of Al-Jazeera reporters
Dozens of journalists at Al-Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media company, have been targeted by advanced spyware in an attack likely linked to the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a cybersecurity watchdog reported on Sunday.
Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said it traced malware that infected the personal phones of 36 journalists, producers, anchors and executives at Al-Jazeera back to the Israel-based NSO Group, which has been widely condemned for selling spyware to repressive governments.
Most unnerving to the investigators was that iMessages were infecting targeted cellphones without the users taking any action — what’s known as a zero-click vulnerability
detailed report by Citizenlab: https://citizenlab.ca/2020/12/the-great-ipwn-journalists-hacked-with-suspected-nso-group-imessage-zero-click-exploit/
thread: https://twitter.com/jsrailton/status/1340748909665275905
cp12b Sudan
(A P)
Sudan says US Congress moves ahead on ending pariah status
Sudan’s Justice Ministry said Tuesday the U.S. Congress has moved forward on Washington’s promise to end the African country’s pariah status, passing legislation that grants Sudan some immunity from legal action by Americans against its involvement in militant attacks.
(* A P)
Sudan: Gvt. begins proceedings to prosecute UAE Black Shield accused of forcing Sudanese to fight in Yemen and Libya, following workers'mobilisation
Sudanese lawyers announced on Monday that legal measures had been taken against travel agencies that have contributed to deceiving Sudanese youth by offering them work contracts with the Emirati Black Shield Security Services then transferring them to Libya instead.
The accusations, which have gone viral on Sudanese social media, have highlighted the controversial role of Sudanese militiamen in Yemen and Libya.
On 25 December 2019, The Guardian published a report on the “involvement” of Abu Dhabi in financing the transport of mercenaries to fight in Libya alongside the militias of retired Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Recently, the UAE Black Shield Company said, in a statement of which the Anadolu Agency obtained a copy, that it is a private security services company, and denied all allegations of deceiving its workers regarding the nature of the work, its system, its location or its employees.
In July 2020, "hundreds" of Sudanese people gathered outside the UAE embassy in Khartoum to demand an apology and compensation for their recruitment to Black Shields.
(A P)
Sudan’s PM meets Ethiopian leader after cross-border attack
(A P)
Sudanese protesters mark anniversary of anti-Bashir uprising
Protests in Sudan’s capital and across the country on Saturday demanded a faster pace to democratic reforms, in demonstrations that marked the two-year anniversary of the uprising that led to the military’s ouster of strongman Omar al-Bashir.
The protests come amid rising tensions between military and civilian members of Sudan’s transitional government
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
(* A K P)
Riyadh resorts to buy French radars to counter Yemen missiles
Confused by the progress of Yemen's missile power, Riyadh once again resorted to buying more radar systems from Paris so as to strengthen itself against Yemen's ballistic power.
According to Al-Manar, the Yemeni air defense systems managed on Monday to shoot down a Saudi combat drone (cH4) while it was carrying out an aggression mission over Marib, Yemen’s military spokesman, General Yahya Sarea said.
General Sarea said that the missile used to strike the Saudi drone had never been disclosed earlier, reiterating the Yemeni military readiness to confront Saudi aggression.
In this regard, Riyadh has resorted to France so as to prevent the recurrence of such incidents by the Yemeni forces, Sep25 news website reported.
The French newspaper, Challenges also confirmed Saudis' confusion about Yemeni missiles and wrote that in recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has asked France to buy weapons and radar to protect itself against Yemeni missiles.
The new arms deals between France and Saudi Arabia include the purchase of radars to monitor and intercept Yemeni drones and missiles targeting sensitive areas of Saudi Arabia.
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/167492/Riyadh-resorts-to-buy-French-radars-to-counter-Yemen-missiles
(A K P)
Petition: STOPPT die europäischen Waffenlieferungen an Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate!
Petition: A former officer in the Royal Saudi Air Force, trained by BAE and previously responsible for making sure the Typhoons on King Fahad Air Base had a constant supply of spare parts, said #RSAF would be unable to continue its air campaign on Yemen without the Typhoons
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
(* B H P)
Das Erbe des Jemen zerfällt
Report aus einer zerfallenden Welt: Die frühen islamischen Bauten von Sanaa leiden unter Klimawandel und Krieg. Das Welterbe könnte unwiederbringlich verloren gehen
Die lebkuchenbraunen Turmhäuser aus Lehm mit den charakteristischen weißen Ornamenten in der Stadt haben die Jahrhunderte überdauert. Doch die verheerende Kombination aus Klimawandel und Krieg könnten das seit 1986 als Weltkulturerbe eingestufte Ensemble von 6 000 Gebäuden unwiederbringlich zerstören, ein einmaliges Juwel früher islamischer Architektur.
Die heftigsten Regenfälle seit Jahrzehnten haben im Juli und August vier Häuser komplett zerstört, wie Aqeel Saleh Nasari der Süddeutschen Zeitung sagt, er ist Vertreter der Allgemeinen Organisation für die Erhaltung der historischen Städte Jemens (GOPHCY). Bei mehr als 100 seien die Dächer teilweise oder ganz eingebrochen. Bei 251 Häusern müsse schnell eingegriffen und renoviert werden, um zu verhindern, dass sie bei weiteren Gewitterstürmen oder spätestens in der nächsten Regenzeit zusammenbrechen. Bei 5 000 der Häuser seien die Dächer undicht - was oft den Beginn des Verfalls markiert.
Bei vier von fünf Häusern sind die Fundamente ohnehin schadhaft, weil ihnen Feuchtigkeit, Salz, Mikroorganismen zu schaffen machen. "Irgendwann stürzen sie einfach unter ihrem eigenen Gewicht ein", sagte der damalige Generalkonservator der Altstadt, Naji Thowabeh, der SZ schon vor fünf Jahren. "Und wenn eines fällt, dann sind die anderen auch nicht mehr stabil." Denn die Häuser sind in vielen der Sträßchen dicht an dicht gebaut.
Dazu kommt der Krieg.
https://de.qantara.de/inhalt/architektur-in-sanaa-das-erbe-des-jemen-zerfaellt?qt-nodes_popularity=0
(* B H P)
As Yemen's mudbrick legacy crumbles before our eyes
Report from a disintegrating world: the early Islamic buildings of Sanaa are suffering from the effects of climate change and war. This world heritage site could be lost forever.
The city’s gingerbread-coloured clay tower houses, with their characteristic white decorations, have survived for centuries. But the devastating combination of climate change and war is threatening to permanently destroy this collection of 6,000 buildings, a unique jewel of early Islamic architecture that has been designated a world heritage site since 1986.
The heaviest rainfall in decades destroyed four houses completely in July and August, as Aqeel Saleh Nasari tells the Suddeutsche Zeitung. He is the spokesman for the General Organisation for the Preservation of the Historic Cities of Yemen (GOPHCY). The roofs of more than 100 buildings fell in either partially or fully. And 250 buildings required swift intervention and renovation to prevent them from collapsing in any further storms, or during the next rainy season at the latest. 5,000 of these buildings have leaking roofs – which often signals the start of their disintegration.
The foundations of four in every five houses are already damaged, eaten away by damp, salt and microorganisms. "Eventually they are just going to collapse under their own weight," the Old Town’s former general conservator, Naji Thowabeh, told the SZ five years ago. "And when one falls, the others will become unstable." In many of the narrow streets, the houses are tightly packed together.
And then there is the war.
Most of these people, however, have long since run out of money for the necessary repairs. They have lost jobs and incomes, and many have used up all their family wealth. Expert craftsmen are increasingly difficult to find. And they can expect nothing from the state – especially the Houthi-led government, which is not recognised by the international community.
One of the inhabitants of the Old Town said: "The government doesn’t have the money to pay salaries, how are they supposed to pay for repairs to these houses?"
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
(A E P)
Saudi Arabia approves new withdrawal from cash deposit at CBY
Saudi Arabia has approved the 39th withdrawal (of US$ 94 million) from the Saudi deposit at the Aden-based Central Bank of Yemen, the official government-run supreme economic council tweeted on Monday, to cover letters of credit aimed at food exports.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21979.html
and
(A E P)
Saudi Arabia pumps 94 million dollars into bid to rescue mercenary-owned Central Bank of Aden
Saudi occupation forces have on Tuesday provided urgent support to the Central Bank in Aden, which is under control of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), for a total value of 94 million dollars, in a bid to save the STC, which is facing popular pressure over its implementation of the Riyadh Agreement at a time of economic collapse.
(* A E P)
Yemeni riyal on rebound as people voice optimism over new government
The Yemeni riyal has recovered by 20 percent after positive news about the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and the formation of a new government, giving a long-awaited boost to the chaotic exchange market.
Local moneychangers told Arab News on Sunday that the Yemeni riyal bounced to 750 against the US dollar in the government-controlled areas, rising from 925 about 10 days ago, and reviving hopes about bringing the market under the government’s control.
The riyal’s rebound began on Dec. 11 when the Arab coalition announced the Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the separatist Southern Transitional Council agreed to withdraw their forces from Aden and Abyan.
The devolution of the Yemeni riyal during the past couple of years has pushed up prices of basic commodities and fueled public anger against the country’s political establishment that had failed to address the problem.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1780241/middle-east
(* A E P)
Yemeni rial recovers after gov't formation declared
The Yemeni rial on Saturday saw tangible recovery against foreign currencies in Aden and other areas under official government control, banking sources said, hours after the new cabinet was declared.
The rial value increased (from 900+) to 775 for one US dollar, and (from 245) to 205 for one Saudi rial, the sources added.
The coming days are expected to witness further improvement in the national currency's value, particularly once the government returns to Aden and begins fiscal and administrative reforms, according to the sources.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21922.html
and
(* A E)
Today currency exchange rates in #Marib: #Yemen-i Rial 760 to 1US, 190 Yemeni Rial to 1 SR.
https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1340397900518617095
(* B E H)
Yemen's Nomadic Honey Traders Face The Sting Of Civil War
Yemen's itinerant beekeepers must follow the flowering season. But this nomadism, essential for their bees to produce this liquid gold known around the world, is hampered by the nation's ongoing civil war.
You will meet the beekeepers late at night on the roads, stacks of wooden lockers stowed in the back of their pick-up trucks. In war-torn Yemen, with its endless checkpoints and occasional explosions, no one travels as much as the beekeepers — migrating with their hives, chasing the flowers.
Honey is a serious business in Yemen. In this sparsely industrialized country, with its dizzying winding mountain roads, this liquid gold is reputed to be one of the best in the Middle East, if not the world. There is no need to engage in the national debate about which region holds the prize for the finest honey.
The soldiers at the roadblocks are clued into the situation: beekeepers can make a very handsome living, but it would be unwise to put a ransom on these farmers. "In any case, they are afraid of our bees. We usually pass by unchecked," laughs Saïd Al-Aulaqi, 40, a beekeeper in Shabwa, in the south of the country.
The beekeeper stays up-to-date with the situation the war's front lines by way of WhatsApp groups. There is a very strong community spirit in this trade. Beekeepers travel in pairs or trios, but they need to talk to everyone else to find out where flowering is good, whether rain is causing flooding in the valleys, and where it's okay to congregate since the bees circulate between the hives. Al-Aulaqi also warns his neighbors when he gives sugar or medicine to his bees: they will either take advantage of it or choose to move away.
Farea Al-Muslimi, founder of an independent think tank, the Sana'a Center, and beehive owner in the village of Wessab, says the more time one can stay in the same location, the better you can manage your bees. "But when we move around, the bees become unpredictable: it's hard to guess what they need," he explains.
In the summer, the beekeepers move to the Ibb Mountains in Dhamar, Al-Bayda. Winter is spent on the southern coast, near the ports of Aden, Moukalla or Bir Ali. In order to find a place that is not too cramped, that is away from livestock and from recent pesticide sprays, Saïd Al-Aulaqi and his companion, Adel Saleh Saber, don't speak with political authorities but instead with tribal chiefs. "Travellers are welcome, especially in the North, where tribal traditions are still strong," Al-Aulaqi said. "They are not racist towards people from the South."
The war has introduced new complications for these relationships.
https://worldcrunch.com/food-travel/yemen39s-nomadic-honey-traders-face-the-sting-of-civil-war
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Understanding the Houthi Ideology and its Consequences on Yemen, 2020
This research by Salem Bahfi analyzes the Houthis’ warped ideology in depth, aiming to not only illustrate how the group bears similarities to other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, but also to show its uniqueness and negative impact on the Yemeni people . Moreover, this research will further demonstrate the threat that the Iran-backed Houthi militias pose to the world, and the lasting effect it could have on future generations (as the Embassy has rightfully asserted in recent years).
Analogous to the Dragon Tree, the Houthis are a radical or extremist group that is definitively only found in Yemen; but they are arguably like other terrorist organizations that exist elsewhere and which are motivated by backward, extremist or sectarian beliefs. The Houthi ideology started as a seed derived from the goals of the Iranian Revolution and was shaped by the ideas of “The Believing Youth” group, which formed in 1998 and was one of the earliest iterations of the Houthi project. The tenets of that group, with the influence of Hussein Badr El Din Al-Houthi, has resulted in the Houthis’ Fascicles (i. e., set of books published in installments as separate pamphlets or volumes), whose essence can be summarized by its slogan, “God is Great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam.” It regards Iran and Hezbollah as masters of resistance to an American empire, but calls on its followers to be even more assertive, as members of an honorable lineage, one that praises Osama bin Laden as a leader.
(A P)
Film: Here is why #Houthis pose a grave threat to the region #Republican_Yemen
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1341486101018660871
My comment: A simple trick to try to internationalize the Yemen conflict
(A P)
Houthis suspend UNICEF projects over the organization's rejection of extortion
The Houthi militia has suspended the UNICEF's projects over the past few days over the organization's rejection of Houthi extortions. Alsharq AL-Awsat daily reported that the Ahmed Hamed an office director in the Political Council of the Houthi militia has prevented the UNICEF from paying social safety cash to the poor and incentives to unpaid teachers after the organization refused to pay any financial amounts to the militant.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43989
My comment: UNICEF itself did not report asomething like this. Thus this seems to be Islah Party anti-Houthi propaganda (this is taken from an Islah Party news site). – The Sanaa government’s Saba reported (Dec. 16) negotiations between the government and UNICEF on UNICEF aid at Marib province: https://www.saba.ye/en/news3120244.htm
(A P)
Khaleej Times: Peace is being given a chance in Yemen
Peace is being given a chance in Yemen. The implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and the formation of a new government by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is a significant turning point which gives hope that the long-running crisis could finally end, Dubai-based Khaleej Times newspaper said in its editorial on Monday.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30809
(A P)
Rückkehr zum Iran-Atomabkommen bedroht Stabilität im Nahen Osten
Biden riskiert, durch die Rückkehr zum JCPOA jahrelange Fortschritte bei der Eindämmung des iranischen Militantismus zunichte zu machen
Von allen paradigmenverändernden Maßnahmen, die Donald Trump während seiner Amtszeit ergriffen hat, war die wichtigste die Politik, die er gegenüber dem Iran etabliert hat.
Die Entscheidung von Trump, aus dem Abkommen auszusteigen, war eine Erleichterung für mehrere Länder in der Golfregion und im weiteren Nahen Osten. Unter den Bedingungen des ursprünglichen Abkommens erhielt der Iran Erleichterung von erdrückenden Wirtschaftssanktionen im Gegenzug für bestimmte temporäre Verpflichtungen bezüglich seiner nuklearen Entwicklung. In dem Moment, in dem das Abkommen unterzeichnet wurde, befreite es die Ayatollahs von der langen Außenseiterrolle. Noch wichtiger ist, dass es dem Regime ermöglichte, sein langjähriges Engagement in der regionalen Aggression wieder aufzunehmen. Der Iran verstärkte sein Engagement im Syrien-Konflikt und setzte sich mit Stützpunkten und permanenten Einrichtungen des Korps der Iranischen Revolutionsgarde (IRGC) weiter im Land fest. Der Iran hat Rebellengruppen im Jemen finanziert und sie mit ballistischen Raketen ausgestattet, die bis heute Saudi-Arabien und andere Länder bedrohen. Die Finanzierung der Hisbollah, der vom Iran unterstützten militanten Gruppe im Libanon, stieg in den folgenden zwei Jahren um das Vierfache. Diese expansionistische Politik Teherans zu unterbinden, war das wichtigste Ergebnis von Trumps Entscheidung, aus dem Atomabkommen auszusteigen.
Der Iran hat seinerseits deutlich gemacht, dass er nicht die Absicht hat, seine Verpflichtungen aus dem Abkommen fortzusetzen, obwohl die meisten anderen Partner im Vertrag bleiben.
Die Tatsache, dass der JCPOA keine der zerstörerischen Bestrebungen des Irans verhindert hat – in Verbindung mit dem mangelnden Engagement des Regimes, seine nuklearen Aktivitäten einzuschränken – ist der Grund, warum so viele Staatschefs des Nahen Ostens Biden drängen, das Abkommen zu überdenken.
(A P)
Irans Umzingelungsstrategie Saudiarabiens ausgeweitet
Ähnlich wie Israel, dem Teheran den Tod durch Atomwaffen schwört, umzingeln im Kampf um die nahöstliche Vorherrschaft iranische Stellvertretermilizen, deren militärische Schlagkraft zum Teil erheblich sind, Saudiarabien. Neuerdings wird das wahhabitische Königreich nicht nur vom südlichen Jemen her, aus dem die Huthis wirken, sondern auch von schiitischen Milizen aus dem nördlich gelegenen Irak her bedroht.
(A P)
Yemen agreement crucial step towards ending the war
UN must push for renewed talks that forces Al Houthis to commit to a permanent ceasefire
The formation of a new Yemeni government, which followed the singing of the Riyadh Agreement between the internationally-recognised government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), is an important step towards ending years of conflict in the Arab country.
The agreement will also allow the government and the council forces to focus on the real battle, fighting the Iran-backed Al Houthi militias, which could also speed up the political process to end the war.
The Yemeni government now controls more than 85 per cent of the territory and was engaged in UN- sponsored talks to end the war. However, since 2018, the talks have been stalled by the refusal of Al Houthis to commit to peace, likely by their handlers in Tehran who continue to support the militias with advanced weapons, drones and military experts.
Now, it is upon the UN and the international community to push for renewed talks that should force Al Houthis and their masters in Iran to commit to a permanent ceasefire and peaceful settlement, to restore the legitimate government in Sana’a and allow delivery of the much-needed humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people. We hope the UN will not let them down again.
(A P)
Book claims slain Iranian IRGC Commander Soleimani ordered killing of Yemen’s Saleh
Slain Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani had ordered the killing of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to a recently published book on Soleimani.
The book, titled “The Shadow Commander; Soleimani, the US, and Iran’s Global Ambitions,” is a biography of Soleimani by US-based Iranian journalist Arash Azizi.
In the book, Azizi wrote that Soleimani directly ordered the killing of Yemen’s slain ex-president Saleh, who was killed in 2017 by the Iran-backed Houthi militia after he turned against it.
“Two members of the Quds Force involved in setting Iran’s Yemen policy told me this separately. Additionally, a source in the Houthi leadership said this was a request from Soleimani, which had been agreed to by the Houthis themselves,” Azizi said in an interview on his book with Beirut-based think tank the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center.
and also https://republicanyemen.net/archives/26563
(A P)
There’s No Reason for Biden to Reward Iran
Column: Sanctions relief didn't bring stability in 2015. And it won't now
Sure, Biden admitted, the agreement did not cover Iran's missile programs, or support for terrorism, or human-rights violations, or malign behavior in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Absolutely, it contained a sunset clause that freed Iran of its obligations, and limited inspections to non-military installations. True, Iran maintained its archive of nuclear weapons research (until Israel revealed it to the world in 2018). And yes, the regional dynamic has changed. But these are secondary issues. "The best way to achieve getting some stability in the region," Biden said, is "with the nuclear program."
"Stability" is not how most people would describe the Middle East after 2015. Iran continued to launch missiles and send weapons and rockets to Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq, and Houthis in Yemen. Iran continued to hold captive U.S. citizens and harass and even detain U.S. naval personnel. Iran continued to harbor al-Qaeda's number two, until he was killed earlier this year.
The economic benefits from sanctions relief went straight to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its leader, General Qassem Soleimani, used this walking around money to sow murder and chaos before Trump ended his reign of terror last January.
https://freebeacon.com/columns/theres-no-reason-for-biden-to-reward-iran/
(A P)
More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2171404
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2171399
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2170410
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day
Dec. 19:
https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1889881024495587/
Dec. 18: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1889880121162344/
Dec. 17: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1888149421335414/
(* B K)
YEMEN DATA PROJECT AIR RAIDS SUMMARY DECEMBER 2020
Bombings Continue Focus on Marib and Al-Jawf
Marib remained the primary target of Saudi-led coalition bombings in November. For the seventh consecutive month the contested governorate remained the most heavily bombed in the country. In the last three months, 45% of all coalition air raids in Yemen hit Marib, with a total of 263 bombings targeting the governorate in September, October and November.
2020 is set to be the first year since the air war began that Sa'ada was not the most heavily targeted governorate by Saudi-led air raids* with Marib and Al-Jawf being the most heavily bombed. Almost a third (32%) of all air raids in 2020 to the end of November targeted Marib. Of the 11 air raids* (with up to 59 individual air strikes) on residential areas recorded in November, 9 were in Marib.
Khab Wa Al-Sha'af district in Al-Jawf was the most heavily targeted district countrywide for the fourth consecutive month in November. For the second consecutive month, 68% of all Saudi-led coalition air raids hit Al-Jawf and Marib.
Air raid numbers were down 5% in the month from October, adding to the16% month-on-month decline in October from the record high of 112 air raids in September. Four civilian casualties in Saudi-led collation air raids were recorded in November. One civilian was killed and another injured when an gas truck was hit in Marib on 13 November.
Civilian Casualties in Sixth Air Raid on Public Parks in Capital
One civilian was killed and another injured when Faj Attan Public Park was bombed in the capital, Sana'a, on 27 November. YDP has recorded six air raids on public parks in the capital since the start of the air war in 2015. At least three of which were during hours (9am to midday) when civilians were likely to be present. The Attan strike on 27 November, in the late morning, was the first air raid on a public park in the city to result in a civilian death and the first to leave civilian casualties since an air raid on Fun City Park in the capital on 12 February 2016, which injured at least 5 civilians. YDP recorded four other air raids in the capital on 27 November at the same time of day, one of which was in the same district, hitting a government compound.
In November, 13% of bombings hit civilian targets** 19% hit military targets. In 68% of air raids in November the target could not be identified. Of the 56 air raids where the target could be identified, 41% of bombings hit civilian sites. 59% of identifiable targets were military.
Of the 56 air raids where the target was identified in November 2020
11 hit residential areas.
4 hit government compounds.
3 hit transport infrastructure.
2 hit farms.
1 hit market places.
1 hit a gas truck, killing one civilian and injuring another.
1 hit Attan Public Park in the capital, killing one civilian and injuring another.
Marib continues to be the most heavily bombed governorate of 2020. Almost a third (32%) of all Saudi-led coalition air raids in 2020 have targeted Marib. In November, 43% of air raids hit Marib. Medghal was once again the most heavily bombed district in the governorate with 30 of the 75 air raids in the month in Marib hitting the district.
For the fourth consecutive month, Khab Wa Al-Sha'af district of Al-Jawf was the most heavily bombed district countrywide in November with 32 air raids. 68% of all air raids countrywide in the month hit Al-Jawf and Marib governorates.
https://mailchi.mp/58c4d38e9a92/december2020-yemen-data-project-update-6472520
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16746/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Tuesday%2C-Dec-22-2020 Saada p., Marib p., Jawf p., Asir
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16736/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Monday%2C-Dec-21-2020 Marib p., Saada p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16726/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Sunday%2C-Dec-20-2020 Saada p., Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16705/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Saturday%2C-Dec-19-2020 Marib p., Hajjah p., Saada p., Asir
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3120543.htm Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16689/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Friday%2C-Dec-18-2020 Saada p., Haajah p., Asir
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp18
Im Jemen herrscht ein militärisches Patt. Eine größere offensive mit größeren Erfolgen und Geländegewinnen für eine Seite bleiben seit der Offensive der saudischen Koalition gegen Hodeidah im Jahr 2018 aus. Kleinere Offensiven, ständige gegenseitige Angriffe und Gefechte mit Toten auf beiden Seiten und Opfern unter der Zivilbevölkerung gibt es aber ständig. Besonders betroffen sind die Provinzen Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, der Bezirk Nehm in der Provinz Sanaa, die Provinzen Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah und Saada.
There is a military stalemate in Yemen. A larger offensive with greater successes and territorial gains for one side has been absent since the Saudi coalition's offensive against Hodeidah in 2018. Smaller offensives, constant mutual attacks and skirmishes killing fighters of both sides and causing victims among the civilian population are constant. The provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, the district of Nehm in the province of Sanaa, the provinces of Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah and Saada are particularly affected.
(A K pS)
Two civilians were killed after artillery shelling hit a residential neighborhood in the east of Taiz city.
https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1341476540937367554
(A K pS)
Dozens of Houthi militants killed, injured southwest of Marib
http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/12/22/dozens-of-houthi-militants-killed-injured-southwest-of-marib/
(A K pH)
Saudi Arabia admits to losing three more soldiers in Yemeni border region
(A K pS)
Saudi project clears 1,346 more mines in Yemen
The Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (Masam) in Yemen dismantled 26 antipersonnel mines, 180 antitank mines, and 1,136 unexploded ordnance and 4 explosive devices — totaling 1,346 mines — during the third week of December.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1780891/saudi-arabia
(A K pH)
[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni forces advance closer to Ma’rib city
https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/21/yemeni-forces-advance-closer-to-marib-city/
and
(A K pS)
Yemeni [Hadi] gov't troops announce 10 Houthi deaths in Marib battles
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21959.html
(A K pH)
[Sanaa gov.] Army air defenses shoot down Saudi plane in Marib
The Yemeni air defenses shot down on Monday an unmanned combat reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the Saudi-American aggression coalition in Marib province.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3120897.htm
and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/21/yemeni-defences-shoot-down-highly-advanced-saudi-drone/
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21958.html
Films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgj9d9-8FWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fS9NUO04V4 = https://twitter.com/AlmasirahAr/status/1341364307955740673
(A K pS)
The Saudi mine action program announced on Sunday it had extracted 1346 Houthi-laid landmines and UXOs in the third week of December./ Multiple websites.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43957
(A K pS)
A Houthi landmine has killed a man and injured a child in Aljawf province./Yemen Talk.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43957
(A K pS)
5-year-old Nehal Abdo was shot by a #Houthi-affiliated sniper in Al Mufatesh neighborhood, east of the besieged city of #Taiz (photo)
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1340661595324755969
(A K pS)
#Houthi rebels launched today indiscriminate shelling on residential areas in the five-year besieged city of #Taiz. According to medical sources, the shelling left three children injured, one of them in a critical condition. (photo)
https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1340393970115911680
Three children were injured by a Houthi shell in Taiz city./Multiple websites
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43929
photos: https://twitter.com/wfahd1000/status/1340235215164334082
(A K pS)
As many as 40,000 people sign a petition demanding ending of the Houthi siege on Taiz city and repairing its only humanitarian conduit, a crumbling mountainous road./Bawabati.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43929
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43958
Photo: https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1340407407906856968
(* B K pS)
Houthis bomb more than 800 houses in six years, says CSO
Houthis have bombed 816 houses across Yemen over the past six years, a Yemeni CSO based in Marib revealed on Friday.
The chief of the Civil Organization for the Homeless Victimized by House Bombing Ms. Khadijah Ali said, "The provinces most affected by the bombing campaign was Taiz with 151 houses, followed by Beidha, 124 houses, Ibb, 120 houses and others." "There are regions where the houses were bombed en mass as is the case with Hajoor region in Hajjah [north of Yemen]," she said.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-43928
and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/30799
(A K pS)
Jazan Civil Defense: Military Projectile Launched by Iranian-Backed Terrorist Al-Houthi Militia Falls Near Al-Harth General Hospital With No Losses
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2170424
(A K pS)
Coalition says destroys naval mine in Red Sea
https://debriefer.net/en/news-21898.html
(A K pH)
Citizen Killed, Another Injured by Saudi Army's Fire in Sa'adah Governorate
and also https://www.saba.ye/en/news3120542.htm
cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle
Seit dem Abkommen von Stockholm vom 13. Dezember 2018 gibt es einen Waffenstillstand für Hodeidah. Zwar bleiben größere Offensiven aus, kleinere Gefechte gibt es aber laufend, und beide Seiten werfen sich ständig Verstöße gegen den Waffenstillstand vor.
Since the Stockholm Agreement of December 13, 2018, a ceasefire has been in place for Hodeidah. There are no major offensives, but smaller battles are going on and both sides constantly are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
(A K pS)
Civilian severely injured by explosive remnant in Hodeidah
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30815
and also https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1341064949565689856
(A K pS)
11 Houthis' spying drones detected in Hodeidah
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30794
(A K pH)
Daily violations
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
(* B D)
How Arab artists rode the wave of fame at the expense of the Yemenis?
Yemen lacks the participation of clips of its singing and popular arts among the Arab masses, as its archive is almost devoid of any art similar to the arts and songs released by Arab Gulf artists. As a country of poverty, lacking any culture and arts.
But do these Arabs know that Yemeni art is present in most Arab festivals and songs? Many art people in the Arab Gulf have taken advantage of this deep Yemeni lethargy, and their negligence in the duty of their heritage and cultures by not marketing their arts through Arab stations and screens, and perhaps the most prominent Arab stars and artists have been benefiting from this Yemeni silence and riding the wave on their behalf.
As for the unintended technical errors against Yemeni arts, as Al-Akouri describes them, the majority attributed them to being songs from the Yemeni heritage without mentioning their writer and composer, and some of them were content to say that they were transferred from traditional songs and poems, without mentioning their home or their owner, as he used to do Arab artist Mohamed Abdo.
The famous Iraqi artist, Kazem Al-Saher, had tweeted a paragraph of his words from the Yemeni poet Abdul Ghafour Abdullah, entitled “ If time threw evil on you, ” where Caesar Kazem Al-Saher put himself under the media media's cannons that were bombarded with criticism against him, to convey words from a Yemeni poet and attributed them By the late emigrant poet Elia Abu Madi, and that was during 2018.
As for artistic thefts intended from Yemeni arts and their lineage to Gulf countries that are no more than half the life of Yemeni artists, Al-Akouri explained that Emirati artist Hussein Al-Jasmi was involved in reusing several melodies from Yemeni heritage after changing their identity and origin, such as the song "Al- Izz, Your Honor, O Emirates ". Which changed its words and melodies and attributed it to the heritage of the Emirates on their 40th National Day in 2011, and in fact they are the words and melodies stolen from the Yemeni operetta in which more than one Arab singer sang the title “I Khelt Brilliant Lama ”, by the great Yemeni poet Abbas Al-Dailami, and composed by musician Ahmed Bin Saleh Godl .
Not only did the beloved Emirati artist in the Arab sector take a Yemeni melody and words that were distorted in favor of his country without apologizing and mentioning the main source for it, but he also published a song “ Habibaha ” praising the Emirati national heritage, and mainly words and melodies taken from a traditional Yemeni Hadrami song called “ Ayni Shouf Hadera ", sung by Yemeni artist Abu Bakr Salem, and written by the poet Haddad bin Hussein Al-Kef.
But this time, the Yemenis bombarded with criticism against al-Jassmi, so he was forced to delete his song from YouTube hours after its publication, and re-publish it again with the mention of the owner of the original tune, the late poet Haddad bin Hassan al-Kef, to announce that the family and the children of al-Kaf announce that they have accepted the apology, and that the melody is at the disposal of the production company in favor of al-Jasmi .
(* B H)
Desert Locust ‘re-invasion’ threatens millions across Horn of Africa
According to the agency, locust infestations increased over the past month in Ethiopia and Somalia as a result of extensive breeding, favourable weather and rainfall, with populations predicted to increase further in the coming months.
“New locust swarms are already forming and threatening to re-invade northern Kenya and breeding is also underway on both sides of the Red Sea, posing a new threat to Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, and Yemen,” FAO said in a news release.
The greater Horn of Africa region witnessed one of its worst ever Desert Locust infestations, earlier this year. A new crisis could have devastating consequenes for communities affected by recurrent drought, conflict, high food prices, and the coronavirus pandemic.
However, efforts must be scaled up to protect food production and prevent worsening food insecurity in the affected countries.
The UN agency requires a further $40 million to increase surveillance and control activities in the worst affected countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, and Yemen – next year.
Without additional funding, control efforts could slow down or halt from the end of January 2021, potentially allowing the numbers of the crop-devouring pest to surge in some places, it warned.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1080202
(* B)
Film: Jemen Reise, von Sanaa bis zum Roten Meer, "Remake" aus alten Aufnahmen
Von Sanaa, bis Al-Hudaida am Roten Meer, Al-Hudaida, Baytalfaqiyah, Kamelmarkt, Waffenmarkt Jambia, Dhau-Werft, Taizz, Jambia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcdoNzhR30E
(A H)
Film: Yemeni college students singing at graduation ceremony. Resilience and steadfastness. Such a great nation.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1341091713469870083
(* B C P)
Violence and the (trans)formation of the state in the Yemen Arab Republic 1962-1970
Did the civil war in North Yemen during the 1960s ‘make’ the new Yemeni state? If it did, how did it do so, and what was the nature of the state it made? To answer these questions, the thesis draws on hitherto untapped Egyptian and German archival material. It develops a model of the specific and contingent processes linking practices of civil war to state formation outcomes and uses the model to trace the processes whereby war (trans)formed the state. The thesis reveals dynamics of state formation that have been hitherto neglected or misunderstood during this decisive episode of Yemen’s history. Wartime violence and the practices associated with its mobilisation, administration, and financing shifted the political settlement of the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR).
The prominence of tribal leaders during the 1980s and 1990s and the concomitant tribalisation of the military and militarisation of the tribes are shown to be outcomes of the civil war. Similarly, the investigation reveals a dramatic and largely untold fiscal transformation of the YAR during the 1960s, which meant that government income came to rely primarily on external donors. Finally, the war, or rather the practices associated with it, altered the very idea of political order in North Yemen between 1962 and 1970. Spurred by competition for public support, elite discourses converged around the rhetorical commonplaces of modernity, development and the people. Although fragmentary and contradictory, these new commonplaces all privileged the central state as an actor and addressee of claims. In addition to these insights into the specific legacies of the civil war, the thesis uses points of disagreement and slippage between the model and the rarely studied case of Yemen to problematise and suggest additions to the literatures on civil war, state building, and state formation.
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-702-yemen-war-mosaic-702
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-702 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-702:
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:
Was ist Ihre Meinung?
Kommentare einblendenDiskutieren Sie mit.