Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 704 - Yemen War Mosaic 704

Yemen Press Reader 704: 29. Dez. 2020: Grenzschlacht zwischen Huthis und Saudi-Arabien – Das „Große Spiel“ der VAE im Roten Meer – Feminismus im Jemen – Neue Hadi-Regierung vereidigt – und mehr

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Dec. 29, 2020: The Houthi-Saudi border battle – UAE’s 'Great Game' in Red Sea – Feminism in Yemen – New Hadi government sworn in – and more

Schwerpunkte / Key aspects

Kursiv: Siehe Teil 2 / In Italics: Look in part 2: https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-704b-yemen-war-mosaic-704b

Klassifizierung / Classification

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

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavitrus 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

cp11 Deutschland / Germany

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp13b 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

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

Ältere einführende Artikel u. Überblicke für alle, die mit den Ereignissen im Jemen noch nicht vertraut sind, hier:

Yemen War: Older introductory articles, overviews, for those who are still unfamiliar with the Yemen war here:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-einfuehrende-artikel-u-ueberblicke

(* B H K)

Film: Why are millions starving in Yemen?

The UN says the window to stop famine in war-torn Yemen is closing fast. After a pause during the pandemic, rival groups are back to fighting. Air strikes coordinated by a Saudi-led coalition have also resumed. So how did Yemen go from being the heart of Arab civilisation to the brink of famine? Start Here revisits our first ever episode for an update.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl-ndRw8YCo 0 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=198475051948081

cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important

Hadi-Regierung: cp6 / Hadi government: cp6

(** B K P)

The Houthi-Saudi Border Battle: The First Obstacle to Yemen Peace

In 2020, the intermittent border battle between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has gained in frequency, accuracy and targets, turning into the most slippery dimension of the Yemen war. This is a rising, dangerous trend: risks of miscalculation accentuate on both sides, also offering new casus belli between conflicting parties.

The low-intensity border battle is about air and maritime attacks. On December 14, 2020, a Singapore-flagged oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat while it was anchored at the fuel terminal of Jeddah. The incident provoked a small fire and no casualties. The attack has not been claimed by the Houthis yet: it would be the first-ever episode occurring in the important Jeddah port.

Border violence follows a scheme. The Zaydi Shia armed movement carries out asymmetric attacks against Saudi territory, mainly targeting military and civilian infrastructures in southern regions (Jizan, Asir and Najran), or Saudi maritime interests, as the border battle spills over into the Red Sea threatening freedom of navigation. The Saudis react by intensifying the airstrikes against Saada and the Houthi-controlled areas.

In 2020, the intermittent border battle between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has gained in frequency, accuracy and targets, turning into the most slippery dimension of the Yemen war. This is a rising, dangerous trend: risks of miscalculation accentuate on both sides, also offering new casus belli between conflicting parties.

The low-intensity border battle is about air and maritime attacks. On December 14, 2020, a Singapore-flagged oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat while it was anchored at the fuel terminal of Jeddah. The incident provoked a small fire and no casualties. The attack has not been claimed by the Houthis yet: it would be the first-ever episode occurring in the important Jeddah port.

A spokes-person at the Saudi energy ministry condemned “these acts of terrorism and vandalism, directed against vital installations”. These words echo while the Trump administration is insistently considering designating the Houthis (Ansar Allah) a foreign terrorist organization before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021.

Border violence follows a scheme. The Zaydi Shia armed movement carries out asymmetric attacks against Saudi territory, mainly targeting military and civilian infrastructures in southern regions (Jizan, Asir and Najran), or Saudi maritime interests, as the border battle spills over into the Red Sea threatening freedom of navigation. The Saudis react by intensifying the airstrikes against Saada and the Houthi-controlled areas.

Just in November 2020, two unmanned explosive boats damaged a floating Saudi Aramco platform at the oil terminal of Jizan (13 November); a missile struck a Saudi Aramco distribution station in Jeddah, provoking a limited fire (23 November); a Greek-run tanker was damaged by a sea mine explosion off the coast of Shuqaiq, close to Jizan (26 November).

Border stabilization and Saudi national security

In this framework, securing the Yemeni-Saudi border, included its maritime side, stands at the top of any conflict resolution effort. In case of a national ceasefire, its success will largely depend on the stabilization of the frontier: in the medium-term, no transitional government of power-sharing including Ansar Allah would politically survive the weekly launch of missiles and armed drones by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, its interests and, to a lesser extent, global shipping transiting through the Red Sea.

The Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, begun in March 2015, has contributed to worsening, not to improving, Saudi Arabia’s national security. This is the great paradox - and limit - of this operation: the Houthis’ asymmetric attacks started after 2015, with a significant improvement of their air defence system since 2017. Now that Riyadh seeks a way out from Yemen, the border battle drags it inside, as Saudi oil infrastructures reveal their vulnerability. Moreover, most of “Vision 2030”-related projects are focused on the Saudi Red Sea coast.

The Yemeni-Saudi border first demarcated in 1934 (Ta’if Treaty) and formalized in 2000 (Jeddah Treaty) divides, only formally, a borderland of people sharing kinship ties, informal economy and culture: protests against boundary fortifications preceded, and were distinguished from, the rise of the Houthi insurgency.

Border de-escalation must be pursued in order to build a post-conflict horizon for Yemen. As reported by media sources, Saudi Arabia would accept a national ceasefire negotiated by the United Nations if the Houthis agree upon a buffer zone between Yemen and the kingdom, until aUN-supported transitional government is in place in Yemen. In return, the Saudis would ease the air and sea blockade on the neighbouring country.

Geography is a powerful tool in the Houthis’ hands, given the territorial proximity with Saudi Arabia. The armed movement supported by Iran - but deeply rooted in Yemen’s social fabric -, uses and will likely use asymmetric attacks to put the Saudis under pressure, eyeing political concessions for their de facto authority among Saada, Sanaa and Hodeida. Moreover, the Houthis capitalize on border attacks to boost their propaganda of “resistance” in Yemen and abroad.

The Saudi role in border security governance

Trapped in the same war it has contributed to regionalize, Saudi Arabia’s military presence in Yemen is going to last, also in case of a national ceasefire and transitional government. This is especially because of the Yemeni border.

In fact, Saudi Arabia is highly involved in border security governance, trying to secure the front line partially controlled by Houthi forces.

Two Scenarios, One Priority

Given this background, labelling the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization, as the Trump administration is considering to do as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, would generate counterproductive effects, first of all for Saudi Arabia.

In case the diplomatic scenario should prevail, addressing the stabilization of the Yemeni-Saudi border would still be a priority, especially for Riyadh. In the case of political disagreements or stalemate in the formation of the transitional government, the Houthis could easily resume asymmetric attacks against the kingdom, pushing Saudi Arabia to restart airstrikes on Saada and Houthi-controlled territories.

In all these cases, containing the Houthi-Saudi border battle, and working for de-escalation, has never been so decisive, and timely, for the fate of Yemen’s peace process, as well as for regional security – by Eleonora Ardemagni

https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/houthi-saudi-border-battle-first-obstacle-yemen-peace-28762

My comment: A demilitarized zone at the border certainly is a good idea – but of course it identically must stretch into Yemeni AND Saudi territory as well (a serious precondition the Saudi proposal of course did not include), and it should be guarded by an international force (UN Blue Helmets).

(** B P)

UAE’s 'Great Game' in Red Sea complicates regional balance

Through militias, UAE is pursuing ambitious strategic agenda in Red Sea, building military installations, controlling sea lanes

Apart from building strategic ties with Israel, the United Arab Emirates' attempts to control international naval trade in the Gulf and its activities in war-torn Yemen is increasingly becoming a source of concern for regional and global players.

Over the past five years, the UAE has pursued an ambitious strategic agenda in the Red Sea, building military installations and securing control of the southern coasts of Yemen along the Arabian Sea in the Bab al-Mandab and Socotra Island.

Analysts believe that despite reducing its military footprints in Yemen in 2019, UAE has consolidated itself in the southern regions. It has continued to finance and impart training to thousands of Yemeni fighters drafted in various groups like the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami Elite Forces, Abu al-Abbas Brigade, and West Coast Forces.

These militia groups work independently of the legal government and even challenge it.

The militias controlling these areas are loyal to the UAE and opposed to the legitimate government. In addition to controlling land and sea lines of Yemen, UAE has gained access to the Horn of Africa along with strategic maritime points in the Red Sea. It has managed to secure deals with African countries on the western shores of the Red Sea to increase its influence over the Berbera port in Somaliland, Assab Port in Eretria, Djibouti’s Port, Bosasso and Mogadishu ports in Somalia.

Al-Mokha is a small port city situated directly on the Bab al-Mandab, the narrowest point between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa and the gateway to the Red Sea. It was liberated from Houthi militias in February 2017 by UAE-backed Yemeni forces. Since then, the UAE is the only ruling power in the area between the Hodeidah and Taiz provinces. It has trained militias in the west coast under the names of Giants Brigade and Tihama Brigade, as well as fighters loyal to Tareq Saleh, the nephew of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who commands Guards of the Republic.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abdulhafez Alhatami, a Yemeni journalist from Hodeida, said the UAE is now increasingly backing Tariq’s forces at the expense of others. “In 2019, the UAE cut down military supplies including heavy weaponry and financial aid to Giant Brigade and Tihama Brigade to force them to team up with Guards of the Republic,” he said.

He revealed that the UAE had summoned the Commander of the Giants Brigade, Abu Zarah al-Muharrami, and forced him to give up the control of the western coast to Saleh's forces. The UAE was also behind in the formation of joint militias that cadres form all the three forces. Recent reports suggest that the UAE has appointed a new commander to this joint force, controlling Yemen’s western coast.

Sources said this handover process took place in the coastal city of Mokha. The new commander has been tasked to address disputes between militia leaders and build stronger ties with local people who have often protested at the UAE’s presence in the area.

Observers believe that UAE’s actions have further queered the pitch for Yemen’s problems. While the port and military base deals have been agreed formally between UAE and African states on the western shores of the Red Sea, it is unlikely that the UAE will hand over these valuable ports back to Yemen.

Speaking exclusively to Anadolu Agency, Tawfik Alhamidi, a Yemeni human rights activist, said the UAE forces on the western coast have practiced illegal actions such as closing the port of Mokha, displacing residents of Dhubab, and building military bases on Perim Island.

“They have established secret prisons, banned fishing, and allowed smuggling activities. All these actions undoubtedly will tear Yemen apart and create an unstable political and security situation,” he said.

In 2019, CNN had traced the US-made weapons sold to the UAE finding ways to militias in Yemen, that included over half a dozen MRAP all-terrain vehicles manufactured in Texas. They had been transferred to the Giants Brigade; a militia allied with the UAE.

The legitimate government’s opposition had hardly deterred the UAE, given its strong influence on many armed groups

On the larger front, observers believe the UAE’s attempts to control international naval trade lanes by undermining the interests of regional and international forces might set the ground for a trickier situation along the Red Sea. The UAE’s activities in Yemen are just an example of its self-centered strategic plan by pursuing the old saying that "the end justifies the means”, implying the final aim is so important that any way of achieving it is acceptable.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/uae-s-great-game-in-red-sea-complicates-regional-balance/2087001 = https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/uaes-great-game-in-red-sea-complicates-regional-balance-3557267 = https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/uae-scrambles-for-control-in-gulf-complicating-regional-balance

My comment: From Turkey, which is a rival to UAE in the region.

(** B H P)

A Critical Reading of the Yemeni Feminist Discourse

Yemeni women’s reality

“The status of women is the clearest indicator of injustice with all its agony and dynamics in a reactionary society.”[7] Categorized as one of the worst countries for women to live in, not to mention occupying the lowest rank in the Gender Gap Index for 13 consecutive years, Yemen is a place where women suffer immensely.

In 2010, Yemen had the lowest numbers of girls in basic education in the Middle East and North Africa region. According to the National Family Census of 2005, 40 per cent of girls between 6-15 years old never went to school, and of those who did only 1 per cent managed to pursue higher education. In rural areas, only 25 per cent of girls received basic education while others were not able to due to a number of factors, including that the decision to allow girls to go to school is almost exclusively in the hands of male family members. In addition, dire economic conditions and the long distance between schools and girls’ places of residence, especially in rural areas, are also factors that hinder girls’ access to basic education.[8] Another related issue is child marriage, given that 14 per cent of girls are married before turning 15, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF in 2006, while 25 per cent of married girls below the age of 18 are married.[9] During the current war, however, these numbers have increased and the percentage of married girls reached approximately 66 per cent within a year of the war breaking out.[10]

In terms of domestic violence, there are no available statistics that document the number of Yemeni women who experience domestic violence, most probably because of social constraints that put the lives of women at risk if they report the aggression of a male family member. Even with statistical limitations, we have a broad understanding of the situation from the findings of a 2003 World Bank survey. The numbers showed that 5 per cent of the study sample’s 13,000 women stated that they experienced physical violence, 21 per cent of whom said they did not know why they were beaten, while 10 per cent said that they were beaten for defying the orders of their abusers. To add to all of this, women experience sexual harassment on a regular basis, with no legal protection given that this form of violence is still not criminalized in Yemeni law.[11]

Yemeni legislation rules for half the amount of blood money in cases of murdered women in comparison with what is ruled for men. A husband is sentenced to a maximum of six months in prison if he murders his wife under the claim of adultery, while a woman faces the death sentence in case she commits the same crime. A woman has no right to housing or alimony if she is the one to ask for divorce, which is a form of punishment for a woman who dares to go against her husband’s disapproval of her choices.[12] Under the use of religion and traditions as justifications, Yemeni women remain treated as minors in the eyes of the law.

The war has added to the suffering of Yemeni women, who are part of the 24.1 million Yemenis in need of humanitarian assistance, with 14.3 million of them in acute need of immediate assistance. Yemeni women’s burdens on all fronts are increasing as the war does not appear likely to end anytime soon. The United Nations estimates that the number of internally displaced women has reached 3.3 million; that 6 million Yemeni women and girls of reproductive age do not have access to health care; that 1 million pregnant women suffer from malnutrition; and that 120,000 women and girls are at the risk of gender-based violence.

Dilemmas that face the formulation of the Yemeni feminist discourse

Some Arab feminists, who follow Western feminist thought without any critical deconstruction of its successes and failures, entirely reject all aspects of Arab and Islamic cultures. Thus, they face numerous obstacles in the process of introducing feminist causes to Arab and Muslim societies. Even when they approach their societies with the Islamicization of certain feminist ideas through the reinterpretation of Islamic texts, their attempts remain insufficient. The problem at the very core is that white Western feminism dismisses religiously, culturally and racially contextual diversities, which results in a dismissal of women’s distinct priorities and causes. The white Western understanding of women as a universal entity with one monolithic experience with the patriarchy fails to see that women’s struggles and analyses of oppressions cannot be reduced to one model.

In a country like Yemen with a majority Muslim population, and given that Islam is perceived, by many Yemenis, not only as a spiritual faith but also as a system that manages in detail every aspect of the lives of Muslims, introducing any idea that contradicts religion is an extremely difficult task.

https://almadaniyamag.com/2020/12/26/yemeni-feminist-discourse/

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

(A H)

2 new cases of coronavirus reported, 2,094 in total
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30860

(A H)

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Aden

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30835

(B H P)

SMEPS Yemen: Covid 19 response

COVID19 has undoubtedly changed the world and our work. Though these times are stressful and present new challenges, SMEPS has been able to adapt effectively throughout, with both our communities and even with our staff. Our staff continued working even during the spread, following all precautionary measures to ensure that we truly made a difference to the thousands of people we serve. We also supported our staff with continuous medical check-ups & health support as well as nutrition through meals in the office. This support made us better prepared to face the challenges of the pandemic in our community.

https://twitter.com/SMEPSYEMEN/status/1343224197716320256

cp2 Allgemein / General

(* A K P)

Interactive Map of Yemen War

https://yemen.liveuamap.com/

(* A K)

MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON DECEMBER 27, 2020 (MAP UPDATE)

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-december-27-2020-map-update/

auf Deutsch: https://de.southfront.org/militarische-situation-im-jemen-am-27-dezember-2020-kartenaktualisierung/

MILITARY SITUATION IN YEMEN ON DECEMBER 24, 2020 (MAP UPDATE)

https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-yemen-on-december-24-2020-map-update/

(A K P)

Saudi-backed Hadi puppet government seeks Swedish intervention in Yemen

The Hadi puppet government has called on Sweden to halt the advance of the Yemeni army forces and Popular Committees in Ma’rib province, local media reported on Monday

Pro-coalition news websites revealed that Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, so called Foreign Minister of the Hadi government is to appeal to prevent the liberation of Ma’rib.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/28/saudi-backed-hadi-puppet-government-seeks-swedish-intervention-in-yemen/

(? B P)

Der Rückweg ist das Ziel

SPIEGEL-Reportagen aus Krisengebieten zeigen Brennpunkte des Weltgeschehens. Nur wie man da hinkommt und vor allem wieder zurück, erzählen wir selten. Protokoll einer viertägigen Odyssee durch den Jemen (Bezahlschranke)

https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/jemen-der-rueckweg-ist-das-ziel-protokoll-einer-viertaegigen-odyssee-a-9fb406ae-ab0e-4887-8660-6dfd94ddc37b#ref=rss

(B K P)

Ein erster Schritt

Die neue Einheitsregierung in Jemen kann Verhandlungen erleichtern. Nach dem Machtwechsel in Washington ist eine konzertierte Anstrengung der internationalen Gemeinschaft notwendig, um den mörderischen Bürgerkrieg zu beenden

Doch die Einigung legt nur vorerst den Streit zwischen dem Lager von Präsident Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi und den Separatisten im Süden bei.

Das mag Verhandlungen auf nationaler Ebene erleichtern. Was aber Jemen braucht, ist eine konzertierte Anstrengung der internationalen Gemeinschaft, um nach dem Machtwechsel in Washington den mörderischen Bürgerkrieg zu beenden und das ohnehin ärmste Land Arabiens vor einer Hungerkatastrophe zu bewahren. Dazu ist Druck auf Saudi-Arabien erforderlich, das sich nicht mehr auf bedingungslose Unterstützung aus den USA verlassen kann.

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/meinung/jemen-ein-erster-schritt-1.5158460

(* B K pH)

Over 7 civilian die a day since Stockholm Agreement

Two years of Yemen’s Stockholm Agreement , over a thousand people (1,249) have been maimed and killed by armed conflict in Hodeida governorate. This single governorate accounts for almost a quarter of all deaths and injuries in Yemen since the agreement was inked.

New figures show that this spike in violence is happening across different parts of the country, bringing the total number of causalities in Yemen since the agreement to 5,267 – or 7 civilians a day.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121628.htm

(*B P)

Marc Owen Jones Explains Disinformation Campaigns in the Middle East

In a 17 minute video, Dr. Marc Owen Jones, an Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University and a DAWN Non-Resident Fellow, speaks about disinformation campaigns in the Middle East. He explains how Middle Eastern governments are increasingly important exporters of disinformation and targets global audiences, from the US to Europe and Asia.” To drive his point, Dr. Jones describes a first-hand, personal account about a disinformation campaign targeting Nobel Laureate and Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman after her appointment as a member of Facebook’s oversight committee, tasked with helping“democratize the process of moderating content.”

https://www.academia.edu/video/rlnRpl?email_video_card=watch-video&pls=RVBP

(* B K P T)

Analysis: Saudis hire al-Qaeda militants in Yemen

Although the Saudi-led Arab military coalition has persistently tried to say that one of the main goals of its war in Yemen was to prevent the growth of terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS in the Arabian Peninsula, the anti-Yemeni war fully revealed the strong relations between the alliance forces and the branches of al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Yemen’s Ypagency news outlet on Saturday reported about a document circulated in social media that shows a senior al-Qaeda leader has asked for high military ranks for a number of al-Qaeda members following a pact signed between him and the Arab alliance.

Saleh al-Oubaidi, an officer at the alliance, on Saturday in a Facebook post exhibited a note sent to the defense ministry of the resigned Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi according to which a top human trafficker who is a member of al-Qaeda on the Yemeni-Saudi borders has called for military ranks for some of the terrorist group’s members in Yemen.

Citing some sources, al-Oubaidi revealed that the commander of Azal Axis and 102nd Brigade on the southern Saudi borders Yasser Abdullah Ahmed al-Mabri, under “Abu Oubaida” nom de guerre, before the war was a top al-Qaeda leader in Baqem and then joined the forces of Tariq Afash, the nephew of the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saudi Arabia formed in Baqim a force containing a number of brigades having hundreds of members of al-Qaeda and ISIS as their members. Some of these terrorists, like Abu Hamal al-Harbi, Jahad al-Hanbasi, Jamal al-Awlaqi are wanted by the US.

Further information shared by al-Oubaidi held that Saudi Arabia’s intelligence hired for service in several brigades in the border regions with Yemen and with high military ranks members of Al-Qaeda who during interrogation admitted working for Abu Oubaida.

These terrorists, hired by the Saudis as members of the Yemeni army and granted military ranks, even do not respond to the Hadi’s defense ministry.

The coalition leaders detained many Yemeni military commanders who called for a probe into the presence of terrorist fighters within the ranks of the Arab coalition forces on the frontlines and the occupied Yemeni regions and also southern borders of the kingdom, al-Oubaidi further revealed.

According to the report, so far Abu Oubaida deployed thousands of the Saudi-hired mercenaries to dangerous battels and fronts to have them killed without military planning, air cover, or even prior knowledge of the coalition’s command center.

On March 22, Aljazeera news network aired a documentary titled “death on the borders” displaying the plight of the Yemeni mercenaries on the southern Saudi borders.

One of the important issues that make Saudi Arabia drift towards Al-Qaeda is Egypt and the UAE’s discontentment with the continuation of the Saudi cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islah Party of Yemen in the Saleh government.

On Monday, Hadi made new military decisions sacking key military leaders at the Islah Party in Taiz province. Sadeq Sarhan, the commander of the so-called Mika 22nd Brigade, and Abdulaziz al-Majidi, the commander of the 170th Air Brigade, were the Islah members sacked by Hadi.

In late November, Abyan’s governor Saleh al-Junaidi noted that Saudi Arabia plans to hand over the province to al-Qaeda terrorists. At the time, Southern Transitional Council (STC) accused the Saudis of stationing military forces, including al-Qaeda and ISIS fighters, in Abyan. General Mohammad al-Zamiki, a southern militia commander in Abyan, said that his forces killed 40 fighters among them al-Qaeda and ISIS members from Ma’rib province.

The al-Qaeda-Saudi cooperation did not remain hidden from international media and every day new documents of this relationship came out. The AP news agency in a report published on August 6, pointed to the Saudi and Emirati partnership with the al-Qaeda.

https://en.abna24.com/news//analysis-saudis-hire-al-qaeda-militants-in-yemen_1099557.html

(B P)

Yemen Is Sinking Into the Red Sea, but Can It Be Saved?

With 80% of its citizens living under the poverty level, a unity government was formed last week, but its prospects of surviving are uncertain

It’s difficult to describe Yemen as a state. Its official borders may be recognized by the international community and from a distance you can detect a president, a prime minister, an army, a parliament and even a budget there. But when you zoom in on its streets, alleys, market places, schools and so-called clinics or (paywalled)

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-yemen-is-sinking-into-the-red-sea-but-can-it-be-saved-1.9400260

and

(* B P)

What Are the Odds of 'Sinking Yemen' Being Saved?

Yemen can hardly be described as a state, Zvi Bar'el, a Middle Eastern affairs analyst for Haaretz newspaper, suggested.

Despite its official borders being internationally recognised, and “a president, a prime minister, an army, a parliament” being detected, albeit “from a distance”, in terms of crucial infrastructure, the country seems “to consist of spare parts” that do not form a full-fledged state, the author went on.

He described the dire conditions the population has found itself in, as the country is entering the seventh year of its civil war:

“Some 80 percent of its 29 million citizens live below the $2-a-day poverty line. Tens of thousands of people have been killed, millions have lost their homes and tens of thousands of others have died of starvation and diseases”, Bar'el explained, further citing UN Secretary-General António Guterres referring to life in Yemen today as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis”.

Secessions of political forces from the government (of the Southern Transitional Council, for instance, three years ago), let alone the central authorities’ fighting with the Houthis for leverage, are understood to have severely shaken the state’s governance, even the weak state it has lately been lingering in:

“The council’s leader, Major General Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, and his forces took over the city of Aden and a few southern districts, which al-Zubaidi declared an autonomous region under his rule in April”, explains the analyst. He sees it as a development that was threatening the government and military structure set up by Saudi Arabia, which now leads an anti-Houthi coalition, and the UAE as part of their war against the Houthi rebels and their wish to rein in Iran’s influence.

“Even worse, the UAE withdrew its forces from Yemen half a year earlier, shattering the grand Arab coalition consisting of Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, Bahrain and the UAE”, Bar'el went on.

“All eyes are upon Joe Biden’s entry into the White House. The question is if Yemen is a high priority for him. Presumably not”, he assumed.

https://sputniknews.com/world/202012261081574394-what-are-the-odds-of-sinking-yemen-being-saved/

(B H K P)

Die Gleichzeitigkeit der Katastrophen stoppen

Eine Einstufung der von Iran unterstützten Aufständischen als Terrorgruppe könnte die Trump-Administration als weiteren Teil ihrer dezidiert anti-iranischen Politik des „maximalen Drucks“ auf Teheran verkaufen. Sicherheitsberater O’Brien wirft den Huthis vor, den von den Vereinten Nationen angestrebten Friedensprozess für das Land zu torpedieren. Er forderte sie auf, Angriffe – etwa auf Saudi-Arabien – zu beenden.

Beobachter*innen jedoch sehen die US-Politik kritisch. Denn der Jemen selbst scheint in der Rechnung keine Rolle zu spielen. Für die Menschen vor Ort sind vor allem zwei Dinge wichtig: dass die Kampfhandlungen endlich aufhören und sich die katastrophale humanitäre Lage im Land verbessert.

Heute beunruhigt Stöbe die „Gleichzeitigkeit der Katastrophen“. Er sagt: „Diphtherie und Polio breiten sich wieder aus.“ Die Krankheiten seien eigentlich vermeidbar. Auch Cholera habe den Menschen schwer zugesetzt. Nun komme Covid-19 hinzu.

Tamuna Sabadze, Jemen-Direktorin beim IRC, erklärt: „Jeder Tag, an dem wir unsere humanitären Verpflichtungen nicht erfüllen, treibt Millionen Menschen weiter in eine Hungersnot.“ Im Oktober sei etwa die Unterernährung bei Kindern so hoch gewesen wie nie zuvor.

https://enorm-magazin.de/gesellschaft/politik/friedensprozess-im-jemen-die-gleichzeitigkeit-der-katastrophen

(A H K)

Trapped between Houthi snipers & siege, locals in alhasanat village n Taiz built alternative road running through farms & mountain to bring in food, medicine & other essentials to their area. They built a wall across the road to protect them from snipers

https://twitter.com/Ndawsari/status/1342157815327182852

Film: https://twitter.com/EshraqAlmaqtari/status/1342154521322074114

(* A P)

Arrival of UN mission on Yemen's FSO Safer postponed to February, say Houthis

The Ansar Allah group, known as the Houthis, on Thursday said the United Nations has postponed the arrival of international experts tasked with boarding and assessing the dilapidated Safer oil tanker off Yemen's western coast to February.
Though the national side signed a tanker maintenance agreement in November, the UN has not signed its part and provided us with a copy of the agreement, the group's supreme economic committee said in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Debriefer.
The committee urged to publish transparent information about the budget allocated for assessing and repairing the tanker after signing the agreement by the UN.
The UN has not commented on the statement.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22024.html

and

(* A P)

[Sanaa gov.] Supreme Economic Council Warns of Risks of Delaying Maintenance of Safir

The Supreme Economic Committee has warned of the risks of delaying the maintenance agreement and the comprehensive evaluation of the floating oil storage Safir.

The Committee indicates that since the national side signed the agreement on November 11, the United Nations has not informed us with the copy of the agreement, which raises questions about the hidden objectives of the media clamor and the truth of the allegations of concern for the safety and security of the Red Sea.

In a statement, the Supreme Economic Committee confirmed that the delay in signing the agreement by the United Nations will cause delay in its implementation, as planned.

It indicated that the committee was surprised by the United Nations' announcement to postpone the arrival of experts until February 15 of next year.

The committee called on the United Nations, after signing the agreement, to fully and transparently disclose the allocated budget to implement the urgent maintenance and comprehensive evaluation of Safir.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16780/Supreme-Economic-Council-Warns-of-Risks-of-Delaying-Maintenance-of-Safir%C2%A0

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/24/supreme-economic-committee-expresses-disappointment-on-un-delays-in-salvaging-safer-oil-tanker/

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121464.htm

and

(A P)

United Nations Is Not Qualified for Handling Task: Mohammad Abdulsalam

Head of the [Sanaa gov.] National Delegation, Mohammad Abdulsalam, criticized the UN handling of the technical maintenance task of the floating oil storage Safir, holding the United Nations responsible for this delay.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16775/United-Nations-Is-Not-Qualified-for-Handling-Task-Mohammad-Abdulsalam

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/24/ansarullah-spokesman-un-bears-responsibility-for-any-potential-disasters-with-safer-oil-tanker/

and

(B P)

Film: Rasha Island, 3 km off the moored FSO Safer, is a unique fish environment, due to its diversity of distinctive coral habitats. It, however, would be the first island damaged by any potential oil spill, followed by Kamaran Island, which is rich in Mangroves.

https://twitter.com/holmakhdar/status/1342934634020171778

(* A K P)

Houthis threaten to bomb Saudi ports after coalition blocks their ships

Houthi militias yesterday threatened to bomb Saudi ports in the Red Sea after their oil tankers were blocked from reaching Al-Hudaydah port in Yemen, Al-Khaleej Online reported.

Foreign Minister of the Houthis' self-proclaimed National Salvation Government, Hisham Abdullah, warned that the militias would carry out revenge attacks on ports of countries which form part of the Saudi-led coalition.

"Sanaa will not stand idle as expected by some," Abdullah said, "if the siege on the Yemeni ports continues, the ports of Yemen's enemies will not remain safe."

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201224-houthis-threaten-to-bomb-saudi-ports-after-coalition-blocks-their-ships/

(* B K pH)

Over 43,000 civilians killed by Saudi-led coalition in Yemen during 2,100 days

The Humanity Eye Center for Rights and Development revealed in a report issued Wednesday that “43,397” civilians were killed during 2,100 days of Saudi-led coalition’s aggressive war on Yemen.
The report indicated that the number of those who have been killed reached 17,042, including 3,804 children and 2,389 women, while the number of wounded reached 26,355, including 4,128 children and 2,801 women.
According to the report, the number of destroyed and damaged facilities in Yemen’s infrastructure reached 9,526, including 15 airports, 16 ports, 305 power stations and generators, and 545 telecommunication networks and stations.
The report confirmed that the coalition intentionally destroyed and targeted 2,181 water reservoirs and networks, 1,974 government installations and 4,490 bridges.
The number of destroyed and damaged economic establishments amounted to 22,913 economic establishments as follows: 393 factories, 289 fuel tankers, 11,365 commercial establishments, and 411 poultry and livestock farms.
The report pointed out that the coalition intentionally destroyed 7,229 transportation means, 463 fishing boats, 899 food stores, 392 fuel stations, 678 markets and 794 food trucks, while the number of destroyed and damaged civilian homes reached 569,283 houses.
The Center’s report revealed that the coalition destroyed 177 university facilities, 1,393 mosques, 366 tourist facilities, 389 hospitals and health facilities, in addition to the destruction and targeting of 1,099 schools and educational centers, 7,005 agricultural fields, 133 sports facilities, 245 archaeological sites and 47 media facilities.

https://en.abna24.com/news//over-43000-civilians-killed-by-saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen-during-2100-days_1098978.html

and also https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121273.htm

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16761/Eye-of-Humanity-Center-Reveals-Statistics-in-2100-Days-of-US-Saudi-Aggression-%C2%A0in-Yemen%C2%A0

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22020.html

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/24/official-statistics-reveal-over-43397-civilian-casualties-of-saudi-invasion-since-2015/

and

(* B H K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Minister of Health: US-Saudi Aggression Killed More Than 3,800 Yemeni Children

Dr. Taha Al-Mutawakel’s remarks came in an annual scientific medical conference held in the capital, Sana'a, on malnutrition diseases in pediatric medicine and surgery.

Al-Mutawakel explained that the US-Saudi aggression killed more than 3,800 children and committed an extreme crime by targeting the health ingredients for treating children.

“More than half of Yemen's children suffer from malnutrition as a result of the blockade,” he said. “More than 400,000 Yemeni children suffer from severe malnutrition.”

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16773/Minister-of-Health-US-Saudi-Aggression-Killed-More-Than-3%2C800-Yemeni-Children

(B P)

Colonial Conspiracy to Separate Socotra Island from Motherland

The island of Socotra is being carved out from the motherland under the sight and hearing of the whole world at the time of the end of the colonial era, to be surprised by […] the Emirates.

The strategic importance of Socotra is its location in the control circle of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the oil flow lines of the Arab Gulf states, and the international shipping lines in general. This important location of the island meets the military ambitions of those who control it.

The strange thing is that the miserable attempts of the UAE on the island of Socotra have been active in recent times. The most dangerous of which is that it has submitted a file to the International Court of Justice in Hague, alleging that Socotra is an Emirati land, which is something that makes the world laugh at this Emirati nonsense. In the end, it can be said that the multiple attempts of the UAE to control the island is nothing more than a pipe dream, and this is considered impossible. Socotra is a Yemeni island and it will remain so.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16758/Colonial-Conspiracy-to-Separate-Socotra-Island-from-Motherland

(A K P)

[Sanaa gov.] FM: We warn against the continuation of the starvation policy

The Foreign Affairs Minister called on Tuesday the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen to exert more efforts to immediately release the ships loaded with oil derivatives and end the acute crisis in Yemen.

In a statement to Saba, Hisham Sharaf stated that the continuation of the aggression countries and the hotel government in practicing the policy of collective punishment against the Yemeni people do not contribute in any way to pushing forward the peaceful political settlement procedures undertaken by Martin Griffiths.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121106.htm

and also https://en.mehrnews.com/news/167546/If-Yemen-s-siege-not-lifted-SA-s-ports-not-to-be-safe

(* B K P)

Over 12,000 deceived return home 8since the beginning of the war]

More than 12,000 deceived soldiers returned to the national line, an official at the Fifth Military Region said on Saturday.

Brig. Gen. Riyadh Salah said that most of the deceived soldiers, who returned to the homeland, were from fronts of the West Coast in Hodeida province and border fronts in Hajjah, Sa'ada and Jawf Jawf provinces since the issuance of the general amnesty decision until December.

In a statement to Saba, Salah added thousands of the deceived soldiers intend to return to the homeland and their families after they knew the aggression's plans that undermine Yemen's security and stability as well as destroy its infrastructure.

He affirmed the army and popular committees' readiness to secure the returnees of the deceived soldiers and facilitate their passage through the checkpoints until they reach their villages and families.

Salah considered the general amnesty decision an opportunity that should be exploited by the rest of the deceived to hasten to return to the national line.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121610.htm

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/27/over-12000-former-mercenaries-already-defected-from-saudi-led-ranks/

My remark: “Deceived” = pro-Saudi, pro-UAE mercenaries/soldiers.

(* B P)

[from 2018] Armed Conflicts and the Erosion of the State: The Cases of Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria

How have armed conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Yemen challenged or weakened each state? This report underlines the main dynamics that have affected state capacity and authority and highlights the key challenges facing policymakers in rebuilding centralized, efficient and legitimate states. It puts particular emphasis on the need for building consensus around governance mechanisms that can reconnect local- and national-level institutions and manage resource distribution. It also underlines the need for a holistic approach towards rebuilding efficient and legitimate security structures, taking into account that any such efforts will be political and contentious.

https://www.academia.edu/37755545/Armed_Conflicts_and_the_Erosion_of_the_State_The_Cases_of_Iraq_Libya_Yemen_and_Syria

and

(* B P)

El colapso estatal del Yemen (2011-2017), una aproximación desde las teorías de los estados fallidos.

https://www.academia.edu/34124291/El_colapso_estatal_del_Yemen_2011_2017_una_aproximaci%C3%B3n_desde_las_teor%C3%ADas_de_los_estados_fallidos

cp2a Saudische Blockade / Saudi blockade

(A P)

Yemen [Sanaa gov.] calls directly on several countries to aid in breaking Saudi-imposed illegal blockade

Speaker of the Shura Council of Yemen Mohammed al-Aidarous has on Saturday messages to the heads of the upper houses of parliament in Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, China, Japan, India, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.

The letters included a briefing of the ongoing arbitrary measures taken by the Saudi-Emirati aggression coalition against Yemen, in particular focusing on maritime piracy against oil ships.

The statement pointed out that these arbitrary measures come despite the fact that these oil vessels have obtained permits by the United Nations and are subject to inspection procedures in Djibouti.

The letters considered that these measures against the Yemeni people aim to further increase the human suffering

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/27/yemen-calls-directly-on-several-countries-to-aid-in-breaking-saudi-imposed-illegal-blockade/

(* B H K)

Reopen Sana’a airport become urgent necessity: Report

Yemenis who died waiting to leave the country for urgent life-saving care, they were handed a death sentence when the Saudi-led coalition blockaded northern Yemen by closing down the airport in Sana'a .

There is no justification for punishing very sick civilians by blocking them from accessing medical treatment.

The closure of Sana'a airport is one example of the way the use of blockade is causing intolerable suffering for civilians. This includes restrictions on humanitarian goods, commercial imports of food, fuel and medicines.

At least 36,000 Yemenis are estimated to have died waiting to get specialized medical treatment abroad according to the Ministry of Health in Sana’a.

Years of bombing, shelling and gunfire have damaged half of the country’s hospitals and clinics. Medical cargo through the airport has almost come to a complete halt. Yemen’s healthcare system teeters on the brink of collapse.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121615.htm

(A K P)

Ship carrying more than 29,000 tons of gasoline arrives at Hodeida port

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121466.htm

(A E K P)

Coalition supports oil black market across Yemen: Houthis

he Arab coalition persistently denies oil tankers access to Hodeida port, the Houthi-run Yemeni Petroleum Company (YPC) said Wednesday, to "serve interests of the oil black market mafia, even in Yemen's coalition-held southern areas."
The Saudi-led coalition is imposing a blockade on the whole Yemeni people, without exception, YPC spokesman told Sputnik International.
The oil crisis is not experienced only in Houthi-held areas, but also in areas governed by the official government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), Esam al-Mutawakil added.
While it has continually been plaguing the Houthi-held areas for more than seven months, oil shortage sporadically occurs in areas under government's control.
The oil released last month is not enough for more than 15 days in normal conditions, Mutawakil claimed.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22016.html

(* A H K P)

Sana'a airport closure behind 80,000 deaths in Yemen: Houthis

More than 80,000 children and women lost their lives as a result of the Sana'a airport's closure by the Saudi-led coalition, the Houthi minister for transport said Wednesday.
All humanitarian agencies and the international community are called to press for ending the blockade and resuming the flights to fro Sana'a airport, Zakariah al-Shami added, dubbing the closure as "human crime.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-21999.html

and also https://english.almasirah.net/post/16772/Transport-Minister-Over-80%2C000-Yemeni-Children%2C-Women-Died-Due-to-Closure-of-Sana-a-International

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* B H)

UNICEF Yemen Country Office Humanitarian Situation Report (Reporting Period: 1 – 31 October 2020)

The October Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Acute Malnutrition analysis revealed a near 10% increase in cases of acute malnutrition in southern governorates. The greatest increase (15.5%) comes from young children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, leaving at least 98,000 children under five at high risk of dying without urgent treatment.

A total of 47,954 suspected cases nationwide were screened for COVID-19 (22,187 Male, 25,767 Female), with 348 positive cases referred for treatment (127 Male, 221 Female).

Primary school students returned to class on 4 October in the south and 17 October in the north, following eight months of closure due to COVID-19. The pandemic has disrupted education for 7.8 million children, including 2 million out of school children.

While UNICEF continues vigorous fundraising for its 2020 HAC appeal, it has received only $76.9 million to date of the $535 million appeal.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/unicef-yemen-country-office-humanitarian-situation-report-reporting-period-1-31-october

(B H)

Film: Clean water distribution in Taiz city, Yemen - November 2020

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

(B H)

In diesem Land stirbt alle zehn Minuten ein Kind

Unicef-Exekutivdirektorin Henrietta Fore (72) beschreibt den Jemen als derzeit schlimmstes humanitäres Krisengebiet: „Acht von zehn Menschen brauchen dringend Hilfe und Schutz – darunter zwölf Millionen Kinder, deren Aufwachsen einem schrecklichen Albtraum gleicht. Es ist vielleicht der gefährlichste Ort der Welt, um ein Kind zu sein.“

Alle zehn Minuten sterbe im Jemen ein Kind an einer vermeidbaren Krankheit. 2,1 Millionen Kinder seien akut unterernährt. 360 000 der Unter-Fünfjährigen würden in Lebensgefahr schweben.

Die Situation vor Ort beschreiben Unicef-Direktorin Fore wie auch das Hilfsbündnis „Aktion Deutschland Hilft“ als ein verheerendes Gewirr verschiedener Krisen

https://www.bild.de/news/ausland/news-ausland/unicef-direktorin-ruettelt-auf-im-jemen-stirbt-alle-zehn-minuten-ein-kind-74649446.bild.html

(B H)

Children's Leukemia Claim More Lives in Yemen Amid Saudi War, Siege

In a Pediatric Leukemia Treatment Center 50 percent of patients, namely children, die due to the lack of medicine and medical care they need to survive.

Hundreds of children come to this center from all across Yemen as it is the only medical center for such patients, hoping that they will receive the required treatment. However, the ongoing war and the crippling blockade have made the center suffer from a permanent shortag

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16833/Children-s-Leukemia-Claim-More-Lives-in-Yemen-Amid-Saudi-War%2C-Siege

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/28/childrens-leukemia-treatment-centre-in-yemen-reports-up-to-50-mortality-rate-due-to-saudi-war-and-blockade/

(A H P)

After UN Refused to Save Their Lives, Zakat Authority Is in Charge of Treatment and Process of Separating Siamese Twins

The General Authority for Zakat announced that it will sponsor the treatment of the Siamese twins and carry out the surgical operations to separate them through a medical team of surgeons from outside Yemen and inside Yemen to save their lives in response to the call of Al Sabeen Hospital in the capital, Sana'a.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16819/After-UN-Refused-to-Save-Their-Lives%2C-Zakat-Authority-Is-in-Charge-of-Treatment-and

(B H)

Damaris Kunz im Jemen

Damaris Kunz (46) arbeitet seit 2019 für das christliche Hilfswerk «Medair» im Jemen. Zuvor leistete sie während insgesamt acht Jahren medizinische Dienste im Südsudan, Irak und Somaliland. Das Elend im Jemen ist gross. Damaris Kunz: «Manchmal fühlt sich meine Arbeit wie ein kleiner Tropfen auf dem heissen Stein an, aber immerhin ist es ein Tropfen.»

Damaris Kunz: Ich bin Projektmanagerin eines Gesundheits- und Ernährungsprojekts im Jemen und unterstütze und betreue fünf lokale Gesundheitseinrichtungen, welche die medizinische Grundversorgung der Bevölkerung gewährleisten. In unseren Kliniken behandeln wir Durchfall, Lungenentzündungen, Malaria, Hauterkrankungen, führen Impfungen und Vorsorgeuntersuchungen für Schwangere durch und betreiben ein Ernährungsprogramm für unterernährte Kinder und Schwangere.

https://www.livenet.ch/magazin/international/asien/384164-_aber_es_ist_immerhin_ein_tropfen.html

(A H)

Here are pictures of @monarelief's project to empowering youth in #Yemen This project was funded by our donors in #Kuwait http://qalam.NGO. Attached pictures taken in Hodeidah governorate in western #Yemen during the training and the products of trainers.

https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/1342628162639974401

(B H)

Complaints from villagers in al Dhalea and Yafea about their crops dying in addition to the livestock that was apparently distributed through @FAOYemen. An investigation to this should be conducted. People have lost their only source of income

https://twitter.com/munaluqman/status/1341993554374242306

referring to https://twitter.com/alimahmood19844/status/1341445745275269122

(B H)

WHO Yemen Situation Report, November 2020 - Issue No.11

Situation update: Conflict continued across Yemen during November, with attacks on civilians and humanitarian partners, while the country faces an unprecedented risk of famine.

Health response: WHO partners with KSRelief to support the delivery of essential health services and Health Cluster coordination in Yemen.

COVID-19: Health partners remain concerned that the virus is still spreading across the country, and that reported confirmed cases and deaths fall below actual numbers.

Malnutrition: A total of 34,364 children under fine were screened for all forms of malnutrition in October; 27 per cent of them were under six months.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/who-yemen-situation-report-november-2020-issue-no11

(B H)

Yemen: Health Cluster Achievements (November 2020)

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-health-cluster-achievements-november-2020

and regional partners.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/sanaa-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/saada-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/ibb-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/al-mukalla-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/al-hudaydah-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/aden-hub-4w-health-cluster-partners-november-2020

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/health-cluster-yemen-4w-health-cluster-partners-governorate-november-2020

(* B H K P)

Yemen’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsened Amid COVID

For Yemen, 2020 has been an apocalyptic year, which has exceeded even the worst forecasts for a country that has in recent years been ravaged by war and humanitarian disaster.

Yemen has been the victim of a regional dispute, but also of Western powers.

To commit such atrocities, the Saudi coalition needed decisive logistical assistance from countries including the United States and the United Kingdom.

It is hard to comprehend the magnitude of the crisis in Yemen: approximately one child dies every 12 minutes in the country, where 24 million people need humanitarian aid.

Donald Trump’s foreign policy has repeatedly tried to undermine the humanitarian crisis in the poorest countries.

The war is not the only catastrophe to have befallen Yemen this year

Even COVID-19 has become a political struggle, especially in the area controlled by the Houthis

The economy is also in ruin.

The international community worsened a disastrous situation when it began to reduce humanitarian funds sent to Yemen, sometimes under the pretext that the Houthis were using the aid for their own interests.

This has had dire consequences

https://truthout.org/articles/yemens-humanitarian-crisis-worsened-amid-covid/

(B H)

Aster Hospitals Bangalore helps save the lives of 62 Yemeni patients

Some 62 critically ill Yemeni patients who had been combating several illnesses for close to 9 months and required urgent transplants, treatment and care have been given a new lease of life through the efforts of Aster Hospitals Bangalore and the Government of India (GOI).

Close to 120 passengers, including the patients and their family members, have been provided emergency evacuation from Yemen to India. Many of these patients were suffering from chronic illnesses and were undergoing treatment at the hospital.

However, owing to the pandemic and the ensuing travel curbs, these patients had to postpone their treatment. Due to the delay in follow-up care and treatment after several months into the pandemic the health of such patients had now started deteriorating which indicated an exigent need for medical assistance.

With this initiative, Aster Hospitals Bangalore has taken a step towards strengthening its commitment of ‘We’ll treat you well’ and providing quality care and service to millions of people across the world.

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/HEAL_376663.html

(B H)

Yemen experiencing worst health catastrophe: [Sanaa gov.] Yemeni diplomat

A Yemeni diplomat says that his country is facing the “worst health catastrophe” as a result of the Saudi-Emirate siege.

“Yemen is experiencing the worst health catastrophe at the regional level since more than a hundred years ago,” Moataz al-Qurashi, a health consultant in the Yemeni embassy in Syria, tells the Tehran Times.

Al-Qurashi says, “Epidemics and diseases such as Malaria and others have become rampant.”

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456100/Yemen-experiencing-worst-health-catastrophe-Yemeni-diplomat

(* B H)

Here's How UNICEF Is Helping Children in Yemen

After nearly six years of conflict, Yemen has become the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Now, with COVID-19 spreading, the country is facing an emergency inside an emergency. Eighty percent of Yemen's population — 24 million people — are living in poverty and deprivation, with more than 12 million children in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

UNICEF has been on the ground in Yemen since the crisis began, working to save children's lives, help them recover from the impact of war and ensure that they can get back to learning and playing. (photos)

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/heres-how-unicef-helping-children-yemen/36793

(* B H)

Audio: Jemen: Lebensmittelverteilung nur noch alle zwei Monate

Der Krieg im Jemen dauert seit mehreren Jahren an. Die Menschen leiden immer noch Not und Hunger. Wie er das Land erlebt und was seine Hilfsorganisation im Jemen überhaupt noch leisten kann, erzählt Karl-Otto Zentel, Generalsekretär von CARE Deutschland.

https://www.ardaudiothek.de/interviews/jemen-lebensmittelverteilung-nur-noch-alle-zwei-monate/84558734

(B H)

SFD Yemen: #Lifesaving_services continuity enhances #Resilience of 12K families VS impact of conflict, epidemics, fuel scarcity. SFD& #Hajjah Governorate launch 4 water+sanitation projects,incl. water pumping using solar power& repairing the sewage treatment plant (photos)

https://twitter.com/SFDYemen/status/1341820718598811651

(B H)

Recession&closure of entertainment clubs like snooker and billiard clubs:"The situation for Yemenis is unbearable. The citizen's concern is only how to get money to feed his family,instead of spending money for entertainment,"said Mohammed al-Hubaishi, a billiard club owner in Ibb

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1341837732469825539

(* B H)

The Story Of 1-Year-Old Abdullah Is The Story Of Yemen

In Yemen today, 1 in 5 children are severely malnourished, according to U.N. reports. The five-year-old civil war has caused the country to plunge deeper into poverty that has been exacerbated by floods and locusts. And even when there is food available, a 3-year-old, Saudi-led blockade restricts goods coming into the country by land, sea and air. The resulting delays increase the cost of basic necessities like food.

And for many Yemenis, any price is too high.

During his nine years of practice, Mbuto has measured the arm circumferences of many children, a major indicator of malnutrition

If the arm circumference is in the range of about 5 to 10 inches, the child is in the green zone, indicating a healthy size. From 4.5 to 5 inches on the tape is a narrow yellow section that indicates moderate malnutrition. Then the MUAC tape is red from 4.5 inches until it ends. When children measure in the red zone, they have severe malnutrition. Mbuto has seen arms that measure as little as 3 inches around in Yemen.

At the 27 facilities where Mbuto manages nutritional programs, he says that nearly all the children he sees measure in the yellow and red parts of the tape. Mbuto says the signs of malnutrition are evident in their sunken eyes, diarrhea, ribs protruding in sharp relief and knees like "chicken drumsticks."

"Once the child is sick, their faces show sadness, the mother is also sad, then you see signs of hopelessness," says Mbuto. "They don't know what will happen the next day."

He says recovery can require up to two months of close monitoring and feeding.

Other doctors interviewed by NPR have witnessed similar distress. Dr. Wafa'a Al-Salali leads a team of nutritionists for International Medical Corps in southern Yemen. She says most of the children admitted to their health centers are severe cases. Her colleague, Thorya Sallam, a nutritional nurse in western Yemen, says the feeding centers are crowded, and malnutrition cases are compounded by cholera and diphtheria.

"When I see the children in the feeding ward I am fearful and worried," says Al-Salali. "Watching the collapse and weakness of the health system is the most difficult thing for me as a doctor during the war."

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/12/23/946756089/hope-and-hopelessness-in-the-hunger-wards-of-yemen

(A H)

QRCS gives a lending hand to victims of flash floods in Yemen

Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched an emergency intervention to help the internally displaced people (IDPs) affected by flash floods in Yemen, by deploying emergency medical care teams to the governorates of Taiz and Hajjah.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/qrcs-gives-lending-hand-victims-flash-floods-yemen-enar

(* A H)

The [Sanaa] National Cancer Foundation Launches a Distress Call

Under the slogan of "Save Cancer Patients", the Foundation confirmed that the chemical and aid items in Al-Amal Cancer Unit are about to run out during the next few weeks.

The statement pointed out that the Foundation resorted to launching an appeal to save the lives of hundreds of cancer patients, whose number reached 4,350 patients.

The foundation appealed to international and humanitarian organizations, local institutions, merchants, businessmen, and philanthropists to quickly provide assistance to save the lives of patients and help them with the necessary medicines and health services.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16747/The-National-Cancer-Foundation-Launches-a-Distress-Call

(B H)

Implemented by CSSW and funded by WFP, The food aid project is a haven for more than 65,000 families in Lahj and Taiz governorates

Asma and Muhammad are miniature models of thousands of families in the governorates of Lahj and Taiz. However, their lives have become better today after the arrival of the food aid project financed by the World Food Program (WFP) and implemented by CSSW .. What did this project offer to these families?

65,067 beneficiary families

This success occurred in a country ravaged by a humanitarian crisis, which is among the worst regionally and globally, according to UN estimates, and with more than 80% of its population currently needs some kind of aid. Based on all of the above, saving lives has become a priority for CSSW.

One of the fruits of the association’s efforts is to feed thousands of families in two Yemeni governorates through the food aid project, which comes in light of the food insecurity and with the growing threat of famine looming on the horizon.

The food aid project targeted 65,067 families in Sala district of Taiz governorate, and eleven districts in Lahj governorate, with the aim of enhancing food security for these families by providing basic food needs.

Monthly aid

The beneficiary families were selected based on the criteria approved by the donor agency, the WFP. Then the project provided its services throughout 2020 to these families suffering from war and hunger.

There are now 7010 families in Sala district of Taiz governorate that receive a varied food basket on a monthly basis, and 15,130 families in Al-Qabbeitah district in Lahj governorate receive food vouchers on a monthly basis as well.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/implemented-cssw-and-funded-wfp-food-aid-project-haven-more-65000-families-lahj-and

(B H)

WFP Yemen Situation Report #11, November 2020

Highlights

WFP targeted 8.7 million Yemeni people with general food assistance under November distributions.

The new countrywide Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) findings were released on 03 December which revealed that in the first half of 2021, the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity is anticipated to reach 16.2 million people. Additionally, for the first time in two years, pockets of IPC 5 conditions are reported, with 47,000 people facing IPC 5 conditions.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/wfp-yemen-situation-report-11-november-2020

(A H P)

Yemeni Child 'Sold' by Her Dad For $400: Internet Users Protest Govt Complicity in This Modern-Day Slavery

An online post by the Yemeni Feminist Voice goes viral after it posted photos of a young kid held by another man, in addition to a copy of an official document signed by several people including representatives of the Yemeni government which reads an agreement to sell the young child "Lemon" for about $200.

"A documented attempt to sell a child is signed by government officials. Human trafficking still exists in Yemen with no changes to this ugly reality. The kid Lemon is being sold by her criminal father joined by everyone who has signed this document."

According to the document issued in August 2019 by the documentation department at the Yemeni Ministry of Justice, the father Yasser Abdel-Naser Saeed Al-Salahi "has sold his free daughter" Lemon to Mohammad Hassan Ali Al-Fatki for a total of 200k Yemeni Riyals, with only half the price paid in advance, which equals about $400 USD.

Even though the document doesn't state the purpose or the reason for "the deal", social media users widely shared the photos condemning what is regarded as modern-day slavery that is still carried out by some people in Yemen, and especially as this "deal" seems to involve government officials in the war-torn country.

https://www.albawaba.com/node/yemeni-child-sold-her-dad-400-internet-users-protests-govt-complicity-modern-day-slavery

Tweet: https://twitter.com/YeFeministVoice/status/1342963734327816193

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

(* A H K)

Roundup: Displaced families return home in southern Yemen following de-escalation

Scores of internally displaced families returned to their homes in the country's southern province of Abyan on Monday, while other families are still seeking refuge in other areas of the war-torn Arab country, a military official told Xinhua.

According to the local military source who asked to remain anonymous, "all the people who previously left their residential areas due to the internal fighting began to return to their houses in the southern regions."

He said that the displaced families returned after the fighting ended in their areas and the adjacent villages in Abyan.

Previous fighting in Abyan forced many families to leave their houses and seek refuge in other safe areas to avoid random shelling, the source said.

In the coastal town of Shuqrah located on the Arabian Sea, local sources reported humanitarian violations including kidnapping of people returned from displacement and confiscating their own properties by armed groups.

"After the de-escalation we returned to our residential areas in Shuqrah but we found that all of our houses and business stores were completely plundered by fighters who came previously from the northeastern province of Marib," one of the residents named as Salem Yahya told Xinhua by phone.

He said that "we are also afraid from moving freely in our areas as pro-government fighters planted hundreds of landmines in and around Shuqrah during the war."

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-12/28/c_139624500.htm

(B H)

IOM Yemen | Rapid Displacement Tracking (RDT) - Reporting Period: 20 - 26 Dec 2020

From 01 January 2020 to 26 December 2020, IOM Yemen DTM estimates that 28,659 households (HH) (171,954 Individuals) have experienced displacement at least once.

Since the beginning of 2020, DTM also identified other 1,321 previously displaced households who left the displaced location and moved to either their place of origin or some other displaced location.

Between 20 December 2020 and 26 December 2020, IOM Yemen DTM tracked 205 households (1,230 individuals) displaced at least once. The highest number of displacements were seen in:

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/iom-yemen-rapid-displacement-tracking-rdt-reporting-period-20-26-dec-2020

(A H P)

Marib governor launches accommodation project for 102 IDPs families

The governor of Marib General Sultan al-Aradah has launched on Sunday a project to house 102 most impoverished families -Muhamasheen- in Al-Jufaynah camp .

Families have already moved in to the new houses and received food and financial assistance, while houses for other families are being planned and prepared

http://marib-gov.com/news_details.php?sid=2833

Photos: https://twitter.com/MCetiy/status/1343277724941623302 and https://twitter.com/MaribGov_En/status/1343309663178264578

(* B H)

Film: In 30 seconds, this little girl shows how life in IDP camps is difficult.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1342500600840241153

(B H)

Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, 24 December 2020

UNHCR is expanding its rental subsidy programme for an additional six months, from December onwards, for a thousand vulnerable families still struggling to pay rent on their own in the south. In the first half of 2020, UNHCR assisted some 6,000 displaced families in the south with cash to help them pay their rent. In November, UNHCR conducted an eligibility verification survey to determine how many of these families still need assistance.
UNHCR and partners assisted close to 7,000 displaced families, across the country, with mattresses, blankets, jerricans to help them cook, sleep, wash and clean. UNHCR also provided shelter solutions to over 1,700 conflict-affected displaced families countrywide.

CCCM partners maintained efforts to increase access to safe water and sanitation services to displaced communities. UNHCR and partner Jeel Al Bena started rehabilitation to expand the water system in several IDP hosting sites in Al Jawf and Al Hudaydah governorates.

https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-operational-update-24-december-2020

(A H P)

Algeria to deport seven Yemeni asylum seekers

Seven Yemeni asylum seekers face imminent deportation, which constitutes a serious violation of international law. They expressed fears of death if they were sent back to Yemen, Amnesty International said in a tweet.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/23/algeria-to-deport-seven-yemeni-asylum-seekers/

referring to https://twitter.com/AmnestyAR/status/1341386186942799872

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

Siehe / Look at cp13c

(A P)

PM: Next year will be year of evaluating, monitoring of govt institutions performance

Prime Minister Dr. Abdulaziz Saleh bin Habtoor said on Monday that the next year, 2021, will be the year of evaluating and monitoring the performance of government institutions, especially the service ones.

The Prime Minister noted to the need to work in accordance with the legal and regulatory frameworks for the safety of procedures and to move away from practices that confuse institutional work and affect the level of performance.

He mentioned that one of the most important plans of the aggression countries is to foil the state institutions because of their great importance in promoting steadfastness and stability and the continuation of the wheel of development and service activity.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121888.htm

My comment: LOL. Good luck. The Sanaa government state institutions foil themselves. “Services“ include illegal killings (see below), torture (see below), assaults (see below), abductions, detainment (see below), plundering, extorting money (see below), assaulting, blowing up houses (see below). And all this does not happen by failure of the government or by anarchy, but by intention.

(A P)

Houthi levies increase the burden on vendors:"The state changed&the war erupted,& we struggle to feed our families until Houthis come to share with us the morsel we extract from them with difficulty&fatigue,"said Abu Ahmed, a vendor in Sana'a.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1343618843147644928

(A P)

Houthi militants beat woman to miscarriage: Social media users

Ali al-Homayqani, a facebook activist, posted the story that the Shia militants manning Abu Hashem Checkpoint in Radaa, in the central Yemen province of Beidha, assaulted and kicked "the wife of one of my friends" until she had a miscarriage, "because she is residing in the [government-held] Marib."

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44133

(A P)

Houthi militants blow up 13 houses in Taiz in one week

The Shia extremist militia of Houthis blew up 13 houses in Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz last week, local sources said.

The militants, fighting the government since 2015 to establish a theocratic dynastical rule, planted bombs the houses and detonated them in separate operations over the whole week in Madarat area, to the west of the provincial capital.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44132

(A P)

For the third year, Houthis've been kidnapping blind elderly in Sana'a

Houthi militants have been holding hostage a blind and elderly man for the third year in a Sana'a jail denying him badly needed healthcare, a well-informed source has revealed.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44130

(B P)

Houthi violations against women in Sana'a continue, and they attempted to shut down the Yemeni Women's Union and the Business Women club on the pretext of mixing of men and women.

https://twitter.com/BelqeesRights/status/1343592545582940162

(A P)

Amar Qawbh, son of sheikh Abdullah Hizam from Amran's Kharif district, shot ystrdy by Houthi supervisor "Abu Ali al-Humaidi" at checkpoint in Harf Sufyan district of Amran province north #Yemen. Houthis even refused to take him to the hospital, left him bleeding to death.

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342302281329500161

(A P)

Fahim al-Shihab,a citizen from Ibb province, wz subjected to severe torture during interrogation by the Houthi-controlled police dept in al-Udain district, acco 2 local sources. For the record, Ibb has the highest crime rate in whole #Yemen. Pics circulated widely on social media (photos)

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342217019895250944

(A H P)

Sana’a hospital holds conference on the matter of recently born conjoined twins

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/24/sanaa-hospital-holds-conference-on-the-matter-of-recently-born-conjoined-twins/

(A P)

Houthis Killed Khetam Al-Oshari and they are Confident of Impunity

SAM confirmed in a statement that the Houthi militia unleashed its gunmen to commit the worst human rights violations against civilians in Yemen, especially the most vulnerable groups such as women and children, amid an internal societal inability to stop these violations, matched by international silence that has continued for years.

"The brutal aggression by the Houthi militia militants has become a predominant feature, and a permanent behavior against all segments of society, including merchants, property owners, women and children, and residents of the poorest and marginalized areas, as Houthi insurgents commit these crimes as part of systematic actions with great feeling of impunity," SAM said.

https://samrl.org/l.php?l=e,10,A,c,1,74,77,4109,html

(A P)

Houthi authorities suspend Odain police director over Oshari murder

The Houthi interior ministry late on Saturday disclosed that its policemen in Odain beating a Yemeni woman to death in the central governorate of Ibb, and that they were suspended until the crime is fully probed.
A committee, formed by the ministry to investigate the incident, concluded in its initial report that Odain police director sent a 6-manned patrol to arrest Mohamed al-Oshari over many thefts and inspected his house, the ministry's spokesman said in a statement.
The report blames the Odain police department for breaching applicable procedures, including the Prosecution inspection permit, Abdul Khaliq al-Ajri added, as "probes are underway on how Khitam al-Oshari, wife of the wanted, died, and the committee waits the forensic medicine report.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22079.html

and

(A P)

Houthis form panel to probe woman murder in Ibb

The Houthi group has formed a committee to investigate the issue of a Yemeni woman who was beaten to death by Houthi security men in Odain town, in the central governorate of Ibb, member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council tweeted on Saturday.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22054.html

and

(A P)

The Houthi militants have laid a siege around neighborhood of Khitam al-Eshari the woman they killed in a house raid in central Yemen’s al-Odayn town last Thursday to intimidate the neighborhood’s people into silence as the crime has become in the media cycle. Khitam’s brother Nabil also said his family members are being interrogated while the Houthi killers are at large./Arab Network News, Belqees TV channel and other websites.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44114

and

(A P)

Houthi militiamen raid house, assault woman to death in front of her kids

Houthi militiamen have raided a house in the central Yemen province of Ibb and assaulted a woman to death in front of her children, local sources said.

The militiamen self proclaimed as “policemen, in al-Odayn district of Ibb,” raided the house in search for the woman’s husband who is on the wanted list of the terrorist militia, “but as they didn’t find him in the house they assaulted his wife to death” in front of her four kids, one source said.

Sources said the neighbors hospitalized the woman thinking she is alive, but when they arrived to the nearest healthcare center, they found she was dead.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44061

and also, with photos: https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342073241502953474

https://twitter.com/AneesJahlani/status/1342112558564732929

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342522152533241856

and

(A P)

Houthis beat pregnant Yemeni mother to death in front of children in Ibb: Activists

The 29-year-old mother was severely beaten in various parts of her body and sustained several deep wounds to her head and face, which led to her death immediately after she was transferred to al-Odain Hospital in order to treat her, according to local Yemeni media outlets.

The Taiz Center for Human Rights has called for urgent investigations into the murder of the young mother and holds the Houthis accountable for her death.

The victim's father, Ali Abdulkarim al-Ashari confirmed in a complaint published by activists on social media that armed men from the al-Odain Security Department stormed his daughter's house and attacked her and her children, which led to her death.

The victim's husband appeared in a video in distress and seeking help.

“Where are those claiming to support the oppressed. They killed the mother of my children. My children have become orphans. Where is the ‘master’ who claims to support justice,” the husband said, referring to the Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/12/25/Houthis-beat-pregnant-Yemeni-mother-to-death-in-front-of-children-in-Ibb-Activists = https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/yemen/yemenhouthis-beat-pregnant-yemeni-mother-to-death-in-front-of-children-in-ibb-activists-1.76117926

and also https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-yemen-sanaa-26608e970fe456ae9f7169d74c99e5b2

and

(A P)

Activists hold Houthi security chief in Ibb district responsible for mother’s killing

Yemeni activists and several rights groups are holding Shaker al-Shabibi, a Houthi supervisor and security director of the al-Odain district, responsible for the death of a young mother who was brutally beaten to death.

Houthi militants reportedly beat a young mother to death on Thursday in Ibb in front of her four children while attempting a house raid to arrest her husband, according to activists.

NGOs that monitor human rights violations committed by the Houthis in Yemen like the Geneva-based SAM Organization and US-based American Center for Justice have condemned the recent killing, both naming al-Shabibi directly.

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/12/25/Activists-hold-Houthi-security-chief-in-Ibb-district-responsible-for-mother-s-killing

and film: Husband of the woman killed by Houthis this morning in Ibb province talking about the incident, "Houthi supervisor Abu Bashar and his escorts raided home at 5:00 am, adding "it is said Sayyed (Abdulmalik) bringing justice to the oppressed, it is nonsense"

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342205732066893824

(A K P)

Tens of deceived soldiers return to Capital

41 deceived soldiers have left the aggression's camps and joined the national army in the capital Sana'a.

The deceived included Islahi leader Mohsen Zeyad and second battalion leader at al-Hazam brigade Mohammed al- Sama'ei, according to the Returnee National Center.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121268.htm

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/24/forty-one-soldiers-defect-from-saudi-ranks-and-rejoin-yemeni-forces/

(B P)

Distressing clip of detainees kept in overcrowded cell in a prison run by #Houthis in Dimna Khadir, south of #Taiz governorate

https://twitter.com/BelqeesTV/status/1341341965770608641

(A P)

Aghbari four murderers sentenced to death

The Sana'a City-based court of appeal on Wednesday upheld the death sentence against four Yemenis accused of killing their workmate Abdullah al-Aghbari, as the fifth convict was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-21992.html

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

(A P)

Ali bin Salem al-Huraizy, a former official and a tribal figure in al-Mahra, eastern #Yemen, states that he won’t recognise and deal with the newly-formed government because “ it has not been formed by the Yemenis, but rather by the #Saudi and #UAE regimes”

https://twitter.com/SalehAlBatati1/status/1343612474508128258

(A P)

Aden: Mothers of hostages protest over missing sons

The mothers of many people missing in Aden have held a rally before the Aden governor office demanding information on the whereabouts of their sons.

The protest was organized by the Association of the Mothers of Hostages

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44129

(A P)

Shabwa gov't calls for following suit of French parliament over UAE Balhaf occupation

The local government of Yemen's Shabwa province has called on the country's parliament to follow suit of the French parliament in taking action regarding the UAE occupation of the Yemeni natural gas facility of Balhaf.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44131

(A K P)

Gunmen assassinate Yemeni pro-gov't officer in Aden

Unknown gunmen late on Sunday assassinated an officer of the Guards of Republic brigades led by Tariq Saleh and affiliated to the Yemeni UN-recognized government's joint forces in the southern port city of Aden.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22090.html

(A K P)

Child injured by explosive remnant in Abyan

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30867

(A P)

Aden governor demands preparations for Yemeni new govt arrival

The Yemeni new government return will offer help and assistance to Aden provincial leadership in solving a set of problems experienced by the southern governorate, Governor Ahmed Hamid Lamlas said Monday.
The new cabinet was expected to arrive in the interim capital on Sunday, two days after swearing-in in front of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, but its return was delayed for unknown reasons.
At meeting, Lamlas called on Aden's local officials to translate President Hadi's instructions into reality, and ease any difficulties and pave way for the government return.
"The government will return in the next two days along with complete plan and program to tackle challenges," the governor said. "We have to be prepared with all our programs, plans and resources, and to help the government cope all challenges."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22092.html

(A K P)

One man killed two injured in clashes south Yemen

One person was killed and two others wounded late on Sunday when security forces affiliated to the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) engaged in infighting in the southern port city of Aden, local sources said.
Medium and light arms were used in the clashes pitting Security Belt troops against others from Tawahi district's security department, following disputes over funds, the sources added.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22091.html

(* A P)

Eine Regierung, aber kein Frieden

In dem Bürgerkriegsland sind nun auch die Separatisten im neuen Kabinett vertreten, und es soll wieder ins Land zurückkehren. Am Konflikt mit den Huthi-Rebellen ändert das wohl wenig.

Hadi berief Vertreter aus verschiedenen Regionen des Landes ins Kabinett und band auch die den Muslimbrüdern nahestehende Islah-Partei ein. Er beließ aber Premier Maeen Abdulmalik genauso im Amt wie die Minister für Verteidigung, Inneres, Äußeres und Finanzen, die als seine Vertrauten gelten. Auf Kritik von Abgeordneten und Aktivisten stieß, dass zum ersten Mal seit 20 Jahren keine einzige Frau der Regierung angehört.

Die Minister und der Premier sollen künftig von der Hafenstadt Aden aus regieren, der wichtigsten Metropole im Süden.

Der Konflikt mit den Huthis schwelt indes weiter.

https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/jemen-eine-regierung-aber-kein-frieden-1.5158577

und

(* A P)

Neue Regierung im Jemen soll Machtkampf im Bürgerkriegsland beilegen

Das neue Bündnis besteht sowohl aus Vertretern des Nordens wie auch des Südens

Ein neues Bündnis der Regierung des Jemen mit den Separatisten des Südens soll deren Machtkampf in dem Bürgerkriegsland beilegen. Präsident Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi vereidigte die 24 Minister der neu gebildeten Regierung am Samstag. Sie besteht sowohl aus Vertretern des Nordens wie auch des Südens und folgt auf ein Abkommen, auf das sich die Konfliktparteien 2019 in Saudi-Arabien geeinigt hatten.

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000122785090/neue-regierung-im-jemen-soll-machtkampf-im-buergerkriegsland-beilegen?ref=rss = https://www.dw.com/de/pr%C3%A4sident-vereidigt-neue-regierung-im-jemen/a-56065237

(* B P)

How Long Will New Hadi Government Last?

Despite the insistence to show the two parties of the conflict in Yemen avoiding war , Yemen has been the scene of serious clashes between the two parties in recent weeks and days. In order to save the Riyadh Agreement 2 in its first year, the Saudi ambassador tried to add members in the Council of Ministers, although they are practically and intellectually supporters and allies of the UAE, however, this plan also did not succeed in reducing the hostility between the two parties. The logical conclusion of these developments is that no future can be imagined for the new Hadi government.
Hadi is, in fact, politically and militarily bankrupt in Yemen, and Ansarullah's victory in Marib is a nightmare, and at the same time, Saudi Arabia's political efforts to rescue him have not been successful. And the recent Saudi action indicates that it is the last chance for Saudi Arabia to maintain Hadi government.
The reality in the Yemeni streets shows that the new government has no chance of being in Yemen and managing its affairs for many reasons. First, the announcement of the new government had no effect on curbing violence. Second, Aden, the capital of the unilaterally declared Hadi government, is still under the control of the south. Third, the economic crisis of the occupied territories does not bode well for the new government. The fall of the Yemeni riyal against the dollar in recent months is the clearest reason for this. Finally, Hadi claims that a new government has been formed in Yemen, which has not been enforced under any of his provisions in the areas controlled by the UAE.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16836/How-Long-Will-New-Hadi-Government-Last%3F

and

(B P)

New Yemeni government to provide impetus for peace, officials say

The formation of Yemen’s new government will provide the impetus for a peace process that could end the political deadlock and revive talks, officials told The National.

“The formation of the new government is a positive and pivotal step, not only to unite forces and efforts against the Houthis but also to stabilise the situation in liberated areas and restore basic services to the people of Yemen,” said Marwan Noman, Yemen’s deputy permanent representative to the UN.

Government officials have been wary of the Houthis' commitment to faithfully engage in peace talks.

“Nevertheless, when it comes to peace talks ... we need to be very cautious. There are some preconditions to be honoured,” Mr Noman said.

The challenges facing this government are “tremendous”, he said.

Mr Noman said he was optimistic and hoped that 2021 was the year of peace in Yemen.

Another government official said the Houthi rebels were the only ones “standing in the way of peace”.

“We want to unite to create peace and every day this urge is intensified when we see the suffering of the Yemeni people,” he said.

“We are ready to build trust with the Houthis. The government is complete and we are ready."

Yemeni officials consider the formation of the government a “crucial step towards ending the war”.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/new-yemeni-government-to-provide-impetus-for-peace-officials-say-1.1136391

(* A K P)

The Southern Transitional Council rebel militia have not withdrawn troops as required under the Riyadh Agreement. Almost only a ceasefire was instead enforced in Abyan frontline, as an excuse to pressure Hadi into declaring the government./Alharf 28.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44114

(A P)

An exiled leader in the Southern [anti-Houthi] Resistance Force Adel al-Hassani said the UAE stipulated the exception of top state leaders including President Hadi from returning to Aden./Watan Alghad.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44114

and

(* A P)

Yemen's Hadi orders new government to return to Aden

Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi on Saturday ordered the new unity government to return to the interim capital Aden to begin its duties, following the swearing-in ceremony in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

In comments he made after meeting with members of the new government and Speaker of Parliament Sultan al-Barakani, Hadi told the new government to leave to Yemen, where it will work to resolve "economic challenges, to support the national currency, build and enhance the state’s revenues and its various institutions", he said, according to SABA news agency.

"We want Aden as a capital city for Yemen. We want institutions to be built to recover the economy and provide security and services to people," he said.

The announcement came after Yemeni activists last week launched an online campaign demanding that the newly formed government returns to Aden.

Activists said the campaign aimed to put pressure on the presidency, the government and the Yemeni parliament to immediately return to the country to carry out their duties.

They also called for the new government to take its constitutional oath in Aden and not in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/12/27/yemens-hadi-orders-new-government-to-return-to-aden

and also https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/12/yemen-unity-government-hadi-houthi.html

and

(A P)

Security preparations for Yemeni gov't arrival in Aden

The Yemeni new government will be in Aden within days, spokesman for the government said Sunday, as other official sources expect the cabinet arrival in the next 48 hours to commence its duties.
The government will hold its first meeting chaired by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek in Aden within days, Rajih Badi added in remarks to the Saudi Okadh paper.
According to local sources, large Yemeni-Saudi military reinforcements arrived on Saturday at the Sira-based presidential palace to secure the government return to the interim capital.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22071.html

and

(A P)

Military reinforcement arrived to secure seat of govt. in Aden

Military reinforcement arrived in the capital Aden to secure the arrival of the newly formed government headed by the prime minister Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik.
Large number of armored vehicles and tanks have been seen heading to Hoqat area where the presidential Ma'asheeq palace is located.
According to well-informed forces the new cabinet is due to arrive once all arrangements are finalized.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30852

and

(A P)

Saudi forces send military reinforcements to Aden

Saudi Arabia has sent on Sunday fresh military reinforcements to Yemen’s southern province of Aden, local sources said on Sunday.

The sources said the reinforcements, including several military vehicles, tanks and modern weapons, arrived on Saturday at Al-Mashiq Palace in Crater area, to strengthen its military presence and tighten its control over the city of Aden.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/27/saudi-forces-send-military-reinforcements-to-aden/

and

(* A P)

Yemeni activists slam new government for lack of female representation

Yemeni women’s activists denounced the new power-sharing government in Yemen over its omittance of women for the first time in two decades.

In December, a feminist movement launched a campaign on social media titled, “No Women, No Government”, which described this action as an "unfair discrimination against women’s rights to political participation"

Anadolu Agency also reported objections to the cabinet from within, including 12 lawmakers from the Tihama region who, in a written letter, opposed the formation of a new government without a minister from their region, which includes the provinces of Hudaida, Rayma, Mahwit and Hajjah.

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/yemeni-activists-slam-new-government-for-lack-of-female-representation-42750

(* A P)

Yemen’s new government faces major challenges ahead

Earlier, the Islah Party in Taiz called in a written statement for "a quick return of the government to the country to resolve the deteriorating services, health and living conditions of the citizens”.

The party stressed the need for "enabling state institutions to perform their work from inside the capital, Aden”.

“As for the return of the government to Aden, it may return, but as long as the STC stays in control in Aden, the government will be demolished and left without any army or security units. Its work will be at the mercy of the STC. Therefore, this might be some kind of temporary tactic and then a new phase of the conflict may occur again,” Dashela opined.

Regardless of the regional and international support given to the power-sharing government, it is facing opposition from within. The newly-appointed Minister of Local Administration, Hussain Abdul Rahman, refused to travel to Riyadh to take the constitutional oath before President Hadi, according to local media sources.

The sources confirmed that the minister refused to leave Cairo and travel to Riyadh, adhering to the idea that the government should take the constitutional oath in Aden, in accordance with the provisions of the Riyadh Agreement. This might have been the reason behind the postponement of the oath ceremony for the new government from Thursday until Saturday.

Twelve parliament members from Tihama region (Hodeida, Rayma, Mahwit and Hajjah provinces) also objected last week, in an official letter sent to Hadi and Speaker of Parliament Sultan al-Barakani, to the formation of the new government, citing failure to include any minister from their region.

"We were surprised when the newly-formed government did not include any minister from Tihama region,” MP Sakhr al-Wajih told Anadolu Agency.

“Tihama region represents 23 percent of Yemen's population, but the region is neither represented in Parliament and Shura Council Presidencies nor in the Advisory Board of the Presidency, in addition to not being represented on foreign diplomatic missions."

He continued: “If we do not get our rights to be treated just and equal like other regions, we will have to use our right to withdraw from attending the Cabinet session and not grant the parliamentary approval to the new government.”

However, when asked about the possibility of neglecting the parliamentary approval, al-Wajih said: “It is very likely that the government will proceed with its work without returning to the House of Representatives, especially after some ministers began to move to Riyadh to take the oath. This happened before for the Bin Dagher’s government as it worked without parliamentary approval”.

“We believe that the issue of granting the final approval for the government should remain in the hands of the parliament,” he said. “There is a 50% chance that parliamentary approval will be needed, and if the government starts its work without the approval, this will make an unconstitutional and illegal government.”

The new government faces another objection from a feminist movement that blamed it for omitting women for the first time in two decades.

The movement launched a campaign on social media named “No Women, No Government”, which described this action as an "unfair discrimination against women’s rights to political participation".

"While we appreciate the formation of the government as a fruit of consensus among Yemeni political powers in the Riyadh agreement, we denounce women's exclusion from the government," it added.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-s-new-government-faces-major-challenges-ahead/2090052

and

(* A P)

Yemen: Anger as newly sworn-in cabinet excludes women for first time in 20 years

Women activists take to the streets declaring new Saudi-backed government illegal and demanding representation

The swearing in of a new government in Yemen on Saturday has caused controversy and protests after no women were included in the 24-member cabinet, a situation that has not arisen for 20 years.

Critics of the new government have pointed out that the Outcomes document states that women should represent 30 percent of the cabinet.

Female activists, former ministers and some serving MPs have expressed their anger at the lack of representation of women in a social media campaign, the issuing of statements and letters, and protests which took place on Tuesday.

The social media campaign highlighting the exclusion of women was launched on 11 December, seven days before the announcement of the new cabinet, under the hashtag #NoWomenNoGovernment.

Yemen's wom'sen's movement, which includes several women associations, forums and groups, also released a statement reading: "Although we support the creation of a government as a step towards a full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, we strongly denounce the exclusion of women.

"This is a clear violation of the National Dialogue Conference's outcomes, the very outcomes claimed in the prologue of the cabinet decree, as one of its main references.

"It is regretful that such a political decision is taken, discarding the demands of the women's movement and its supporters from civil society pioneers.

"We will continue our movement demanding fair representation of women and youth in positions of power.

The statement held Hadi, the new prime minister, Maeen Abdul Malik Saeed, the leaders of all political parties and entities, and parliament as fully responsible for "this historic letdown".

Dozens of female activists protested on Tuesday morning in Taiz city demanding women be given positions in the cabinet and pointing out that the cabinet was illegal without such representation.

Dalia Mohammed, a social activist in Taiz city who took to the streets on Tuesday, told Middle East Eye: "We can't accept the exclusion of women, and we demand 30 percent representation of women in the cabinet as per the Outcomes of the NDC."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-cabinet-excludes-women-anger

and

(* B P)

Emirati seizure of Balhaf.. key challenge facing Yemeni gov't

Public and official pressures are in the rise to have Emirati troops out of the Balhaf oil facility, in the Yemeni southern governorate of Shabwa, amid deteriorating economy and weak government.
Despite international criticism, the United Arab Emirates turns a deaf ear to challenges facing the newly-formed government in a war-torn country whose public budget heavily depends on oil and gas exports.
In 2016, the UAE took control of Balhaf seaport along with Yemen's largest economic facility from which LNG is exported via a pipeline travelling from Marib to the Arabian Sea.
Since then, the UN-recognized government has been denied access to the facility, preventing Yemen from 2 to 3.7 billion dollars in annual revenues that made up nearly 70 percent of its budget.
Shabwa governor has repeatedly said the facility was technically prepared and safe to operate, but the "Emirati troop presence hinders its resumption of activity and gas exportation.
"The UAE transformed Balhaf facility into military barracks, and obstructs the facility's re-operation and resumption of gas exports for five years now," Mohamed Bin Edio added.
In November 2019, Le Monde said the UAE runs secret prisons in the facility (that supervised by the French group Total), according to witnesses obtained from rights groups and former detainees.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22057.html

and

(* A P)

Hadi chaired high-level meeting of newly formed Government

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi told new Cabinet ministers right "we want Aden (to be) a capital for everyone, the institutions to be built and the economy to recover."
Chairing a high-level meeting with the just sworn-in government in the presence of his deputy and the parliament's speaker, Hadi also said, "We want to make the security stabilize, counter the coup d'état and provide services to the public."
"It is true you hail from different parties, groups and geographic regions. But let your first and last concern is the people and the country," he said.
Hadi said this government comes at a time when everyone has felt that the absence of the government is the "biggest disaster" on the nation.
"I want the government's first official meeting to be held in the capital Aden urgently. Let our first messages be … that we will work to tackle the legacy of the war, promote the chances of sustainable peace, restore the state, boost the economy and confront the Iran-backed Houthi militia until we force them to yield to peace" and surrender of the state institutions.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30850

and

(* A P)

New Yemeni gov't sworn-in in Saudi capital

New Yemeni government is formed under Riyadh Agreement

Yemen’s new government was sworn in Saturday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, before Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Maeen Abdul Malik, was formed under the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to a Yemeni government source, the premier and all ministers took the oath in Riyadh, except Local Administration Minister Hussein al-Aghbari, who insisted on taking the oath in the temporary capital Aden.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/new-yemeni-govt-sworn-in-in-saudi-capital/2089549

and

(* A P)

Yemen swears in new government and plans end to Saudi Arabia exile

The new cabinet will be relocating from Riyadh to Aden within the next ten days

Yemen's new government was sworn in before President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Saturday in exile in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh due to the ongoing civil war.

Salem Al Awlaki of the STC said the formation of the new government was one of the most important and challenging parts of the Riyadh Agreement, and that Saturdays's signing was a major break-though towards ending the country's five-year-long war.

“We wish all success for the new government, which must return to Aden as soon as possible to be close to the people,” Mr Al Awlaki said.

“There is no reason for the new government to stay on exile any more because the long standoff has come to end, but the government must keep away from political agendas to avoid the fate of the previous governments."

According to the state-run Saba news agency, President Hadi spoke to the new government and directed them to work collaboratively.

“We want you to rebuild state institutions and to work hard to revive the deteriorated economy and stabilise the security situation and to provide people with public services. We must reunite to resume the battle against the Iran-backed Houthis,“ the president said.

“I want the new government to hold the first meeting in Aden very soon so we can convey a message to our people and to the world that we will work hard to face the fallout from the war."

Nazar Haitham, spokesperson for the STC, told The National that the new government chaired by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik is expected to go back to Aden in the next ten days.

“They must reconstruct and reactivate the state institutions, in addition to reviving the dire economy and saving the local currency," he said.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/yemen-swears-in-new-government-and-plans-end-to-saudi-arabia-exile-1.1135150

and

(* A P)

New Yemeni cabinet takes oath before President Hadi

Members of the newly formed government headed by the prime minister Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik sworn in before President of the Republic, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, well-informed sources told the Arab and local press on condition of anonymity.
The prime minister and members of the government are due to arrive in Aden once all arrangements are finalized.
President of the Republic, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi issued on Friday, December, 18 2020 a republican decree to form the power-sharing government of 24 ministers from south and north Yemen, headed by Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik in accordance with the Riyadh Agreement and its acceleration mechanism.
In a statement after the announcement of the new cabinet, Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik confirmed that the current government is a partnership of forces present on the ground that are united on clear goals, stressing that the current government has exceptional tasks to work on.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30846

(A P)

Hadramout Tribes Call on UAE to Open Al-Rayyan International Airport

The people of Hadramout governorate demanded the opening of Al-Rayyan International Airport, which has been controlled by Emirati forces since 2016.

A statement by the people of Hadramout stressed the importance of opening the airport to humanitarian cases and travelers from the governorate.

The statement considered that the UAE has transformed Al-Rayyan airport into a military base for its forces, and a detention center that is a mockery of the people of Hadramout, where thousands of patients suffer from the suffering of traveling abroad.

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16811/Hadramout-Tribes-Call-on-UAE-to-Open-Al-Rayyan-International-Airport

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/27/people-of-hadhramaut-demand-reopening-of-regional-airport/

(A)

Citizen killed in Shibam Hadhramaut city

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/26/citizen-killed-in-shibam-hadhramaut-city/

(A K P)

Clashes Renew Between Armed Factions Backed by Saudi Arabia and UAE in Abyan

Violent clashes, on Friday, between Saudi-backed mercenaries and the mercenaries in the occupied Aden province, southren Yemen.

The sources said that the clashes came after the mutual deployment of Aden Security Administration forces and the Security Belt in the city as part of a race for security control over Aden."

https://english.almasirah.net/post/16803/Clashes-Renew-Between-Armed-Factions-Backed-by-Saudi-Arabia-and-UAE-in-Abyan

photo: https://twitter.com/mohammedalqadhi/status/1342783657723920385

(A P)

STC official calls for self-rule in Yemeni Socotra

The Yemeni archipelago of Socotra should be granted self-rule, head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the island has said, in order to "preserve the special characters of its people away from central regimes that curbs development.

A Salafist separatist, al-Thaqali serves as the "de facto ruler" of Socotra since his STC forces seized the strategic island and forced its government-appointed governor out.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22095.html

My comment: LOL. Actually this should clear the path for UAE’s planned annexition of Socotra island. STC = His Masters Voice.

(* A K P)

STC actions on Socotra raise questions about fate of Riyadh agreement

Saudi Arabia has recently succeeded in convincing the Yemeni government to accomplish the political arrangements in the Riyadh agreement and accept formalities regarding the military and security part of the agreement.
Observers linked the move to regional and international changes, particularly the results of the US presidential elections.
However questions are raised whether the agreement will hold or not and whether president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi will continue to identify with plots against his meager legitimacy, particularly actions of the southern transitional council aimed at strengthening its presence in a number of southern provinces.
A local source in the archipelago of Socotra revealed on Friday that the UAE-backed council has set up a new military site in west of Socotra island, days after the new government was formed.
The council took over the archipelago in June after battles with the government forces.
It relocated troops and military equipment from the first Marine Infantry Brigade to the new site in the area of Shawab, the source said, suggesting that the move was taken in coordination with the Saudi and UAE forces stationed in the island.
The UAE, a member of a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, has been seeking to annex the archipelago for years. The intervention has now provided it with the best opportunity to do so directly and through the STC.
Recently, reports said UAE and Israeli experts visited Socotra as part of a plan to construct a spy base on it.
The new military site has raised questions about the seriousness of the coalition to implement the Riyadh agreement and bring peace to the country.
In recent months, the council set up two military sites in the areas of Momi and Ras Qutaynan.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22043.html

(A P)

Yemeni gov't formation sparks Tehama wrath no marginalization

Excluding them from the new cabinet formation, seems to have angered people in the western region of Tehama who always complain negligence from successive governments.
On Thursday, 12 members of the Yemeni legitimate Parliament objected to the non-inclusion of any minister from Tehama into the new cabinet.

"The region is neither represented in the chairmanship boards of Parliament and Shura, nor in the Presidency consultative board or the country's diplomacy.
"If not denied our right to justice and equality .. we'll have to practice our right in abstaining from vote of confidence to the government," the MPs added.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22033.html

(A K P)

Emirati-backed forces infighting leaves 3 injuries in Aden

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22035.html

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/26/three-wounded-in-mercenary-infighting-in-aden/

(A P)

Yemeni activists demand return of Hadi's government to the country

Yemeni activists have launched a wide social media campaign in demand of the return of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government to the temporary capital Aden.

The activists launched the hashtag #The-Return_of _the _Government_&_The Presidency_is_Our_Demand."

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44060

(A P)

Yemeni PM says gov't will fully arrive in Aden

Yemen lives a very complicated period, the war-torn country's prime minister said Wednesday, as the "State-restoration battle suffered some divisions in the last year and a half, particularly after August 2019," when the Southern Transitional Council forces seized Aden.
The current is a power-sharing government comprising different parties that are present on the ground, but it has clearly unified goals, exceptional duties to fulfill and wide lines to follow, Maeen Abdulmalek added in televised interview displayed by Yemeni official channels.
The newly-formed cabinet, with all its members, will be present in the interim capital, he said without telling when.
The government has no magic solutions, the PM added, as the past period saw decline in services and inflation that began with the coup, but worsened by the war.
"The challenges are huge, economic situation is difficult, inflation is weighty and the people deeply suffer because of the worsening public services," he complained.
Discussion is underway on the Saudi and international support for the Central Bank of Yemen, and on other issues pertaining to food security and electricity, he added.
"In our battle to end the coup, you need to have an available model for the State and guaranteeing institutions, and this is hard now. The institutions are not in their normal condition and need tangible plans," Abdulmalek said, noting that all the issues were dependent on the government formation.
"The world pressed for the new government to be there on the ground, as it is the actual partner for the international community in reforming the economic situation and curbing any humanitarian crises."

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22017.html

and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/30832

(A P)

Ministers in new Yemen government insist on taking oath in Aden, not in Riyadh

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Yemeni government has been postponed to next Saturday as some ministers insist on taking the constitutional oath before president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in the interim capital Aden not in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Debriefer learned on Thursday.
Hadi has been residing in Riyadh since he was ousted by the Houthi group five years ago.
Minister for local administration Hussein Al-Aghbari, one of the ministers rejecting to take the oath in Riyadh, said the Riyadh agreement under which the new government was formed stated that the government should be sworn in in Aden, according to sources.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22022.html

(A P)

STC members in newly formed cabinet arrive in Riyadh

President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces, Aidroos Qassem al-Zubaidi received at his residence in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on Thursday, the representatives of the STC members in the newly formed power-sharing government.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/30837

(* A K P)

New clashes between separatists and Hadi supporters show weakness of Saudi-led “unity government”

Violent clashes broke out on Wednesday between Hadi loyalist forces and UAE-backed militias in Shabwah province, southern Yemen, in a move that could turn the province into an open area for confrontations.

According to local sources, the clashes took place in Nassab district, one of the main hotbeds of tension between Hadi’s factions and tribes affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The sources reported that the clashes broke out after a mortar attack targeted a military checkpoint of Hadi forces in the directorate.

They noted that Hadi loyalist forces pushed large reinforcements to the directorate, which had already witnessed fierce fighting between the two sides months ago.

Hadi’s forces are trying to storm the directorate’s center in order to arrest suspects, which the directorate’s tribes resist.

On Tuesday, armed clashes broke out between individuals wearing military and security uniforms at the Al-Kahraba point, at the western entrance of Ataq city, the capital of the province.

The sources explained that a faction of the Islah Party militias tried to prevent the so-called Director of Political Security in the province, Swailem Al-Hindus, from entering the city with his companions, which led to violent clashes between the two parties.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/23/new-clashes-between-separatists-and-hadi-supporters-show-weakness-of-saudi-led-unity-government/

(A P)

Houthis based on racist project: Yemeni minister

The Yemeni UN-recognized government supports any international move aimed at pressing the Houthis, the Yemeni minister of religious affairs said Wednesday, even "designating the group as terrorist movement.

The international community's trial with them proved that the Houthis are not serious to move towards a political solution, Mohamed Aidha Shabiba added.
The international community is undoubtedly getting fed up with this Houthi obduracy, which widely harmed stability in the region and badly affected Yemenis' life, he told the Sputnik International.
Because of the racist project it is based on, the Houthi group should be designated as terrorist movement, since it acts against the public will and kills all opponents even if they just have different opinions, the minister added.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-22000.html

(A P)

Transitional Council expresses its satisfaction at formation of power-sharing government affirming keenness on success of its talks

https://en.smanews.org/south-arabia/transitional-council-expresses-its-satisfaction-at-formation-of-power-sharing-government-affirming-keenness-on-success-of-its-tasks/

(A K P)

UAE establishes new illegal military post on Socotra

The United Arab Emirates occupation force has on Wednesday established a new military post west of Socotra, Yemen, as part of its efforts to militarise the island at the intersection of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The commander of the so-called 1st Marine Brigade, Abdullah al-Soqadri and the head of the interim leadership Rafat al-Thaqali, who is based in the UAE, opened the Sha’aob area in the west of Socotra as a military site, in preparation for the start of foreign experts to install radar and spy devices in this area.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/23/uae-establishes-new-illegal-military-post-on-socotra/

(* A P)

Yemen's new ministers head to Saudi Arabia to take constitutional oath

Five Yemeni ministers in the new government have left the temporary capital Aden and headed to the Saudi capital Riyadh to take the constitutional oath before President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that the Ministers of Justice, Badr Al-Ardah, Transportation Abdel Salam Hamid, Social Affairs Muhammad Al-Zaouri, Civil Service Abdel Nasser Al-Wali, and Higher Education Khaled Al-Wasabi have left Aden heading to Cairo on their way to Riyadh to take the constitutional oath before Hadi.

The minister's departure goes against the terms of the Riyadh Agreement, which stipulates that the ministers should take the oath before the president in Aden.

Aden is still controlled by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), with the presidential protection forces unable to enter.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201223-yemens-new-ministers-head-to-saudi-arabia-to-take-constitutional-oath/

and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-21994.html

(A P)

Protests about water shortages hit Aden

Dozens of civilians have protested on Tuesday against water cuts in the southern port city of Aden, local sources report.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/23/protests-about-water-shortages-hit-aden/

(A P)

Marib's local authority begun installing artificial turf for the first football stadium in #Marib. (photos)

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1342269937881124866

Fortsetzung / Sequel: cp7 – cp19

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-704b-yemen-war-mosaic-704b

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-703-yemen-war-mosaic-703

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-703 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-703:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:

(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)

http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

Untersuchung ausgewählter Luftangriffe durch Bellingcat / Bellingcat investigations of selected air raids:

https://yemen.bellingcat.com/

Untersuchungen von Angriffen, hunderte von Filmen / Investigations of attacks, hundreds of films:

https://yemeniarchive.org/en

Dieser Beitrag gibt die Meinung des Autors wieder, nicht notwendigerweise die der Redaktion des Freitag.
Geschrieben von

Dietrich Klose

Vielfältig interessiert am aktuellen Geschehen, zur Zeit besonders: Ukraine, Russland, Jemen, Rolle der USA, Neoliberalismus, Ausbeutung der 3. Welt

Dietrich Klose

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