Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 705, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 705, part 1:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-705-yemen-war-mosaic-705
Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Kursiv: Siehe Teil 1 / In Italics: Look in part 1
Klassifizierung / Classification
Für wen das Thema ganz neu ist / Who is new to the subject
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp1a Am wichtigsten: Coronavirus und Seuchen / Most important: Coronavirus and epidemics
cp1b Am wichtigsten: Angriff auf Flughafen Aden / Most important: Aden airport attack
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
cp13 Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating
A = Aktuell / Current news
B = Hintergrund / Background
C = Chronik / Chronicle
D = Details
E = Wirtschaft / Economy
H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions
K = Krieg / War
P = Politik / Politics
pH = Pro-Houthi
pS = Pro-Saudi
T = Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp1b
(A P)
While holding up photographs of deceased mothers; Abductees Mother Association in Aden demands new government to prioritize force disappearance cases.
Abductees’ Mothers Association in Aden demanded Aden’s governor, Ahmed Hamed Lamlas, to mount pressure upon the competent authorities to uncover the fate of forcibly disappeared persons in all prions in Aden. The association, also, demanded Minister of Interiors, Minister of Justice and General Prosecutor to prioritize force disappearance and arbitrary arrest cases in the coming days.
http://ama-ye.org/index.php?no=1544&ln=En
(A P)
Film: Cabinet held its 1st meeting in the interim capital, Aden. The only way forward is to empower the state to counter the coup, terrorism & corruption. Our mission is to build state institutions, secure revenues, improve services & be unified to end the coup and restore stability.
https://twitter.com/DrMaeenSaeed/status/1345006341652414464
(* B P)
Aden's terrified residents fear more attacks after return of Yemeni government
Many express pessimism about future following deadly attacks that killed 25 and wounded more than 100
Many residents of Aden city woke up to a sense of dread on Thursday morning.
Military checkpoints had been erected around the city and security forces were stationed on the streets - as the impact from the previous day's attacks lingered.
Locals made tentative attempts at resuming their regular lives, but many expressed fears over what the coming period would hold, with expectations of more attacks.
Wednesday's attacks on Aden International Airport and the presidential palace put the country on edge, once again - something that has become all too familiar for its war-fatigued citizens as the five-year conflict drags on.
some residents who spoke to Middle East Eye said it was not enough to reassure them and failed to provide them with answers as to who was behind the attacks, for which no one has yet claimed responsibility.
"This is not the first attack on Aden, many have taken place in the last five years, and we have heard about investigation committees before, but we have never seen results," Mohammed Gamal, a resident of Aden, told Middle East Eye.
"Forming investigation committees is only a way to absorb the anger against the government and an attempt by the president to calm the situation, we know there won't be any results."
Gamal said that people in Aden were worried and their city no longer felt safe.
"In the past year, when the government was [working out of] Saudi Arabia, Aden was safe, and we did not experience such attacks," he said.
"But the attacks have returned to terrify us as soon as the government is back in Aden."
"The investigation committee is probing the attack and we should not accuse any party while it is still at work," a source in the Police Office in Aden told MEE on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
"We do not have any evidence to accuse anyone, and we agree that the Houthi is the main enemy and this group has been destroying the country, but we cannot accuse them but should wait for the results."
The source claimed that the city was currently in a better place, with security forces and the police doing their best to keep the city secure and help the government work from Aden.
"We hope Aden will not witness any more attacks and we will do our best to support the government to start working, building and carrying out development work, as that should be a priority."
The source said that although the attacks had terrified civilians, it should not be an indicator of a forthcoming bad period, given that the government members carried on to their destination of the presidential palace.
"That behaviour indicates this government is different and its ministers will work hard for the sake of Yemen."
Veteran Yemeni journalist Mohammed Ali said that while this was not the first attack on Aden, he believed there may be more coming. Still, he said the new government gave him reason for optimism as well.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/aden-residents-fear-attacks-government-returns-yemen
(A P)
Premier: corruption in wartime 'treason'
Yemen's prime minister Maeen Abdulmalik on Thursday said corruption in wartime is a treason and vowed to deal strictly with anyone trying to exploit the current circumstances to increase burdens on citizens.
"The government is on the ground. We will start our fight against corruption. Corruption is a curse and crime,"
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22179.html
My comment: LOL. “President” Hadi was corrupt since he came into office.
(* A P)
STC officials: Badi's statements don't represent power-sharing cabinet
The spokesman for the newly-formed government, Rajeh Badi seems like he's working for other party rather than the government, the member of the presidency of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and assistant secretary general, Fadl al-Jaadi said.
Following the terrorist attack on Aden's airport that resulted in heavy casualties of many civilians, the spokesman for the government made provocative statements to the Southerners and accused the security in Aden of negligence.
According to observers, Badi is trying to achieve political purposes that serve his party, the Muslim Brotherhood.
The member of the STC Presidency, Salem Thabet al-Awlaki said that the previous speeches given by those who fell into the orbit of Turkey and Qatar from within " the legitimacy" is no longer possible or acceptable after reaching the Riyadh Agreement.
Badi does not seem to understand the new reality. He makes no distinction between his work as a government spokesman and director of the Anadolu Agency office in Yemen, al-Awlaki added.
For his part, the vice president of the STC's media department, Mansour Saleh called on the Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik to make a rapid change in the media discourse presented by the power-sharing government spokesman, affirming that his provocative statements are unacceptable.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30906
(* B P)
Yemen's new government: divisions and common ground
The newly-formed Yemeni government, which was targeted in a deadly attack just two weeks after its formation, faces towering political, security and economic challenges.
The STC has long sought a return to an independent south Yemen, which had ended with Yemen's unification in 1990.
But Riyadh has been encouraging the new government to bolster the coalition against the Huthis, who are poised to seize the key town of Marib, the last government stronghold in the north.
"Saudi Arabia is the main guarantor that the unity government will last," Madhaji said.
What are the cabinet's priorities?
The imminent threat of famine has made the majority of Yemenis dependent on some form of aid for survival, a situation the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The economy has also been hit by inflation, with Yemen's currency plummeting from around 610 riyals to the US dollar in January to some 675 today. That has placed many essential goods out of reach.
The new government "must stop the bleeding of the Yemeni currency against the dollar and fix the economic conditions" in government-held areas, he said.
He added it should "remove heavy military equipment from Aden and its outskirts", where they have been used in clashes between anti-rebel factions, and re-deploy them to front lines against the Houthis.
Finally, Madhaji said the government must stop "losing ground" to the Houthis, who are advancing on several fronts.
http://jordantimes.com/news/region/yemens-new-government-divisions-and-common-ground
(A K P)
UAE deploys reinforcements to Balhaf port in southeast Yemen
The United Arab Emirates has deployed military reinforcements into the Balhaf oil port in Yemen's southeastern province of Shabwa where the country's sole LNG plant is based, sources said on Thursday.
Adel Al-Hasani, a leader in the southern resistance, said the reinforcements included local armed groups and have arrived at the port a day after their stop at the Mukalla port.
Their duty is to protect the UAE troops stationed at the Balhaf LNG Plant, he said, without giving more details.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22174.html
(A P)
Yemen cabinet led by @DrMaeenSaeed holds its first meeting in #Aden , a day after the Aden airport explosions. Prime minister said initial investigations show they were missile attacks. #Yemen . video
https://twitter.com/mohammedalqadhi/status/1344638067617849346
(A P)
Yemen Govt Defies Terrorism after Surviving Assassination Attempt in Aden
The Yemeni government vowed that it will continue to forge ahead with its duties until the Iran-backed Houthi coup is defeated and the state is restored.
(* A P)
UAE still banning several Hadi puppet government ministers from entering Aden
The media advisor to the Hadi government embassy in Riyadh has revealed on Wednesday that the UAE has banned nine ministers in the new government from returning to Aden.
This comes ahead of the expected arrival of Hadi’s government in the city.
Anis Mansour, an advisor at Hadi’s embassy in Riyadh, said that among the ministers banned from entering Aden were Naif al-Bakri, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, Ibrahim Haydan, Al-Maqdshi and Badr al-A’ardha.
He noted that the Saudi Arabia is holding new negotiations with the United Arab Emirates on facilitating the entry of ministers who are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
The development reveals te extent in which the UAE has power over the Hadi puppet government. The Emirati ban of Hadi ministers comes despite an official agreement made between Saudi-led and UAE-backed factions.
(* B P)
The new Yemeni government is what Saudi Arabia wanted, not what Hadi wanted
The government of technocrats was finally sworn in before Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on Saturday. The ceremony was held in Riyadh, and not in Yemen's temporary political capital, Aden. This means that the government has already fallen below Yemeni expectations from the first day of it assuming its official duties. The ceremony also highlighted the nature of the Saudi role, which still poses an existential threat to Yemen based on an unnatural superiority, and cannot guarantee stability between two states united by their surroundings and destiny.
This achievement can best be described as fragile, immature, and without real guarantees, although it came after nearly fourteen months of diplomatic wrangling, through which Saudi Arabia was able to impose this government on Hadi. On the surface, it seems to meet one of the desired outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference held in 2013 in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, as it was formed according to the principle of parity between North and South Yemen. However, in reality, it is nothing but an incomplete partnership, because the northern ministers do not control decision-making in the northern governorates, most of which are under the control of the Houthis.
So why this insistence by Riyadh on a formal north-south equality government? Doesn't this hide an intention to use northern ministers as false witnesses to an unequal political deal that will end with enabling the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) to divide the country?
Even if separation is delayed, forming a 50/50 government while most of the northern part of the country is still under the influence of a militia affiliated with Iran is nothing but an effort by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to flood the legitimate authority with issues and make it doomed to fail. It will no longer be able to differentiate itself from the STC separatists as a rebel party, armed with the latest military equipment granted to it by the Saudi-Emirati coalition.
Hence, we can understand why Saudi Arabia insisted on avoiding military and security decisions, which the Riyadh Agreement stipulated should be implemented before the formation of the government and before it begins its constitutional duties from Aden. Moreover, the military and security obligations should be implemented on the basis of the terms of the Riyadh deal, something that no party other than the Saudi government could impose, as it is the sponsor of the agreement. However, it did not do so, leaving the STC's finger on the trigger and confirming that it is at the very least a parallel authority in Aden. This means that the legitimate Hadi government will remain unable to fulfil its major economic and military obligations.
It is not enough to say that President Hadi was under great pressure to move things in this direction, as an important part of this failure is due to his policies and positions. They remain ambiguous in terms of his commitment to constitutional integrity.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that Hadi has resorted to throwing dust in everyone's eyes to cover his failure by entrusting the government with the task of implementing its military and security obligations under the Riyadh Agreement.
(A P)
Mahrah and Socotra revolutionary movement to publish new program demanding freedom from occupation
The former Deputy Governor of Mahrah province, Ali bin Salem al-Huraizy, has said that the General Council for the Sons of Mahrah and Socotra will draw up a political program for the next phase to liberate the two provinces from foreign occupation.
Al-Huraizy added in a statement after the selection of Sultan Mohammad Abdullah Al Afrar as head of the council, that the conference succeeded strongly, according to Mahriya TV.
Sheikh al-Huraizy called on people to work together to achieve the objectives of the Council, and understand the message of the people that has been sent today.
(A K P)
Abyan tribes call for STC troop departure from Zinjobar
Tribes in the southern governorate of Abyan on Tuesday called on the Saudi-led coalition to pressure the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) into handing the provincial capital, Zinjobar, to official security forces as stated in the Riyadh Agreement.
The Riyadh pact "represented glimpse of hope that peace would be established and August coup would be reversed," the tribes said in a statement after a rally in Qarn al-Kalasi.
The Arab coalition-formed committee tasked with supervising the Riyadh deal application needs to "accelerate the pullout of STC militias from Zinjobar and deployment of general security, rescue and military police," the statement read.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22108.html
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44159
(A P)
Yemen looks forward to strengthening military, security cooperation with US, report
Defence minister Mohammed Al-Maqdashi on Tuesday said Yemen is looking forward to strengthening military and security cooperation and coordination with the United States of America, especially in the fight against terrorism and building the capacities of the Yemeni armed forces.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22116.html
(* A P)
STC sets out conditions for return of Yemen govt to Aden
A leader of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), Hani Bin Breik, yesterday announced new conditions for the newly formed government to remain in the interim capital, Aden.
"The government and its ministers should appreciate the sacrifices of the southerners, respect public opinion in the south, focus on the provision of services and direct military efforts to confront the Houthis," Bin Breik who lives in Abu Dhabi said on Twitter.
He added that the southerners are provoked by and do not appreciate the proposition of keeping Yemen united.
Earlier this month, a power sharing government was announced in the war-torn Yemen, containing 24 ministers including five representatives of the separatist STC, which is backed by the UAE.
The Yemeni government was formed in accordance with the terms of the Riyadh Agreement that was jointly signed between the internationally recognised government and STC in November last year.
Sources have revealed that "Saudi Arabia has deployed various military vehicles and forces to the Sirah District near the Maasheeq Presidential Palace with the aim of securing the new government's headquarters."
Observers fear the new government will be paralyzed and limited in its powers in light of the STC's continued military and security dominance over Aden. This has led to ministers violating the terms of the newly agreed power sharing deal, and taking their oath in the Saudi capital Riyadh and not in the interim Yemeni capital, Aden.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201229-stc-sets-out-conditions-for-return-of-yemen-govt-to-aden/
(* A P)
Yemeni interim capital fully prepared to welcome new gov't
The Yemeni new government is expected to arrive in Aden tomorrow (Wednesday), one week after its members were sworn in before President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi in Riyadh, informed media sources said Tuesday.
The Saudi-led coalition troops and Aden local authorities finalized all preparations for arrival of the power-sharing government that consists of 24 portfolios equally shared by Yemen's northern and southern provinces.
According to local sources, large Yemeni-Saudi military reinforcements arrived on Saturday at the Sira-based presidential palace to secure the government imminent return to Aden.
Saudi-Yemeni troops will secure the area linking the ministers' residence in al-Maashiq palace and their workplace in the cabinet secretariat, where the government is expected to hold intensive meetings, official sources said.
At a meeting Monday with local officials, Aden governor said the government's return would offer help and assistance to Aden provincial leadership in solving a set of problems experienced by the southern governorate.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22113.html
(A P)
New Aden police chief appointed ahead of new government's arrival in Yemen
Yemen's president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on Tuesday issued a republican decree appointing Brig. Gen. Mutahar Al-Shuaibi as the chief of the Aden police department and promoting him to Major General.
Shalal will arrive in the city along with the government for the handover of his office.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22115.html
Comment: Noteworthy that STC & former director of Aden security Shalal Shai rejected ِAhmed al-Hamadi ,STC nominee 4 Aden's security who was appointed by Hadi 5 months ago. Some claimed the reason behind the rejection is that al-Hamadi is Hadrami while STC wants someone from other areas
https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1344037313945300992
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
(A P)
Over 1,000 Yemenis freed from Saudi captivity through release and exchange deals in 2020
Head of the [Sanaa gov.] National Committee for Prisoners Affairs, Abdulqadir Al-Murtadha, revealed that the committee is conducting negotiations in regard to prisoner release.
In an interview with Al-Masirah TV on Wednesday, Al-Murtadha said that the prisoners’ issue in 2020 witnessed many developments, as the first exchange through the United Nations since the beginning of the Saudi-led aggression on Yemen has taken place this year.
He pointed out that “the negotiation rounds in the prisoners’ issue in 2020 were distinguished by the fact that they ended with implementation, unlike the previous rounds,” noting that 1,087 prisoners of the Army and Committees were liberated during 2020; 670 prisoners through the United Nations and 417 prisoners through local deals.
“The enemy thwarted 30 exchange deals during 2020, which were agreed upon through local parties, in order to liberate more than 600 prisoners from both sides,” according to Al-Murtadha.
(A P)
UN Exploits Yemeni Tragedy: Director of Red Sea Ports Corporation
The [Sanaa gov.] Governor of Hodeidah, Mohammad Ayyash Qahim, addressed the United Nations, saying: We say to the United Nations the essence of Stockholm agreement is the humanitarian issue while the economic situation of the Yemeni people is worsening as a result of your coverage for the countries of aggression, adding, "The United Nations is a partner in making the Yemeni tragedy."
And Qahim added: The United Nations has not achieved anything on the humanitarian issue which is its work, so how will it succeed in reaching a political agreement, considering that the silence of the United Nations about the crimes of the aggression makes it a partner with it.
In turn, Director of the Red Sea Ports Corporation, Yahya Sharaf al-Din, said that the United Nations did not move to end the human suffering of Yemenis, and it moves only during conferences of donors to exploit the Yemeni tragedy.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(A P)
Jail for a Saudi woman who said women should drive
If Loujain al-Hathloul is guilty of trying to harm national security and advance a foreign agenda, as a Saudi court found on December 28th, then what about Muhammad bin Salman? For Ms Hathloul merely campaigned to end the ban on woman drivers in Saudi Arabia. Prince Muhammad, its de facto ruler, actually lifted the ban in 2018, not long after Ms Hathloul was detained.
The kingdom denies that Ms Hathloul was arrested just for her driving campaign, which included an attempt in 2014 to motor from the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia (leading to an earlier stint in prison). Rather, her offence was trying to undermine the royal family by, among other things, speaking to international human-rights groups and foreign journalists. The original charge sheet noted, absurdly, that she mentioned her arrest in her cover letter when applying for a job at the un and that she had also spoken to European diplomats. In the end she was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison (paywalled)
(A P)
Saudi Dissident Reveals Attempt to Kidnap, Bring him back to Kingdom
Al-Suhaimi said on his Twitter account, “A friend told me that there is an attempt to bring me back to Saudi Arabia. The plan is to drug me and transfer me to the airport with the help of some security men.” He added, “I did not care, but today the news was confirmed to me when one of the policemen called my cell phone and my wife’s mobile and asked to come to the police station in the neighborhood in which I liv, near the United Nations office."
Recently, the US National Public Radio website reported that "The Al Saud regime continues to pursue dissidents, penetrate their mobile phones and arrest their families in order to force them to return, and if it is unable to do so, it resorts to killing."
(B P)
Saudi Arabia is slowly killing my father"
President-elect Joe Biden must push the country to release its political prisoners.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/opinion/saudi-arabia-political-prisoners.html
(* B P)
There is a human rights dilemma in the US-Saudi relationship
International human rights law and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia do not sit together easily. A head of state acting as the "custodian" of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah has not stopped the Saudi authorities from acting against universal human rights, even against Muslims.
It is reported that the Saudi regime has tortured migrants, deported Muslims to India for protesting against Narendra Modi's anti-Muslim policies, and detained Uyghurs, and deported some of them to China for criticising Beijing. Saudi Arabia's apparent softening on links with Israel illustrates what many have felt for years: Riyadh is abandoning the Palestinian cause; it is ignoring the occupation state's human rights abuses.
There have been several reports by international organisations such as Human Rights Watch that Saudi Arabia does not meet international human rights standards.
Since 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has sought to cement his position through the arbitrary detention of senior members of the House of Saud and the regime.
Human rights concerns extend to the judiciary in Saudi Arabia. Many imams and activists who oppose the regime have been detained arbitrarily, and many have been tortured in prison.
A more direct threat to US-Saudi relations was the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201229-there-is-a-human-rights-dilemma-in-the-us-saudi-relationship/ = https://www.juancole.com/2020/12/violations-challenge-administration.html
(A P)
Saudi rights activist goes on open-ended hunger strike to protest prison conditions
Prominent Saudi human rights campaigner Mohammed Fahad al-Qahtani has launched an open-ended hunger strike in protest against his harsh conditions at a notorious maximum-security detention center south of the capital, Riyadh.
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp9a
(A P)
Yemen, Saudi and Middle East Watchers: Here is a thread about the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021, which was passed by veto override on January 1. Here are the sections that relate to the Yemen war. First thread is Section 1295. Buckle up...
SEC. 1295. STATEMENT OF POLICY AND REPORT RELATING TO THE CONFLICT IN YEMEN. Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on United States policy in Yemen.
https://twitter.com/Dave_Harden/status/1345455880825954304
Second Thread - Yemen, Saudi and Middle East Watchers: This thread deals with the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 which just passed by veto override on January 1 SEC. 1296. REPORT ON UNITED STATES MILITARY SUPPORT OF THE SAUDI-LED COALITION IN YEMEN.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report that includes the following:
https://twitter.com/Dave_Harden/status/1345467863226847234
(A P)
Suleimani assassination means he troubled aggressors: Houthi leader
The Iranian Quds Force commander, Qasim Suleimani, was assassinated because he had great impact on and troubled "aggressors", the Houthi leader said Saturday.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22208.html
(B K P)
Biden must end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen
President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to end United States involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. He should follow through on that promise.
In doing so, he would be undoing one of the biggest foreign policy blunders and human rights catastrophes backed by President Barack Obama and perpetuated by President Donald Trump.
Yes, while the nation continues to grapple with rising COVID deaths and should be focusing on vaccine distribution, Trump made sure to support Saudi atrocities in Yemen.
While both Obama and Trump own the tragedy in Yemen, Biden has an opportunity to change course.
https://www.ocregister.com/2020/12/31/biden-must-end-u-s-support-for-saudi-arabias-war-in-yemen/
(A P)
Yemen [Hadi gov.], US sign debt rescheduling agreement
Yemen's Finance Minister and the United States signed on Tuesday, an agreement
to help reduce the Yemeni government’s public financial burden.
The agreement is within the outcomes of the G20 initiative to support the least developed countries amid coronavirus outbreak.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30872
https://twitter.com/USEmbassyYemen/status/1343944391795351552
(* A K P)
US Approves Potential Sale of 3,000 GBU-39 SDB I Smart Bombs to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) Munitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $290 million. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy three thousand (3,000) GBU-39 SDB I munitions. Also included are containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions. The principal contractor will be Boeing, St. Louis, Missouri.
The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is a 250 lb (110 kg) precision-guided glide bomb that is intended to provide aircraft with the ability to carry a higher number of more accurate bombs.
My comment: “The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats”: What an Orwellian joke for describing bombing Yemen!!
(* A K P)
Lame-Duck Trump's "Middle East Arms Bonanza" Continues With Approval of $290 Million Weapons Sale to Saudi Regime
Additional arms deals this week include $4 billion in helicopters to Kuwait, $169 million in military equipment to Egypt, and $65 million in drones and fighter jets to UAE.
Despite opposition from the public and some members of Congress, the Trump administration in its waning days is rushing through weapons sales to a handful of Middle East nations with records of human rights abuses, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday announced a flurry of deals, including $290 million in Boeing-made, precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, $65 million in drones and fighter jets to the UAE, $169 million in military equipment to Egypt, and $4 billion in helicopters to Kuwait.
"President Trump's lame duck Middle East arms bonanza continues," said William Hartung, the director of the arms and security program at the Center of International Policy. "Selling more bombs to Saudi Arabia given its history of indiscriminate airstrikes that have killed thousands of civilians in Yemen should be a non-starter."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/12/30/lame-duck-trumps-middle-east-arms-bonanza-continues-approval-290-million-weapons = https://www.rawstory.com/lame-duck-trumps-middle-east-arms-bonanza-continues-with-approval-of-290-million-weapons-sale-to-saudi-regime/
and also https://www.facebook.com/RTnews/posts/10159736476724411
and
(* B K P)
Trump administration facing legal action over ‘rushed’ sale of arms to UAE
Lawsuit claims the US ‘rushed a review process that normally takes years, to authorize and finalize a sale of roughly $23 billion worth of the most technologically advanced weapons in the world’
The Trump administration is facing legal action over the “rushed” sale of $23bn (£17bn) worth of arms to the United Arab Emirates, amid concern the weapons could be used indiscriminately in the ongoing Yemen civil war.
After the US Senate defeated efforts to block the transfer of advanced fighter jets, drones and munitions to the UAE, the New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs (NYCFPA) has decided to file a lawsuit against the Department of State and secretary Mike Pompeo.
In a submission to be made to the US District Court for the District of Columbia on 30 December, and seen by The Independent, the NYCFPA claims that the sale “fails to meet the most basic requirements under the law” and should be deemed “invalid”.
“In just a few months, the Department rushed a review process that normally takes years, to authorize and finalise a sale of roughly $23bn worth of the most technologically advanced weapons in the world,” the document reads.
he NYCFPA claims the government failed to dedicate enough time to the review process and has not provided suitable evidence that justifies the sale of arms to the Emirates.
Instead, the think tank argues, the deal risks disturbing Middle East relations and could jeopardise America’s own security if the weapons fall into the hands of its enemies.
“Widespread and publicly available evidence suggests that the weapons being sold will be used in direct contravention of world peace and US security, as well as prior US policy,” the document adds.
It claims the sale of F-35 fighter jets and drones to the UAE is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and represents “a change in policy” for the US, “which has previously declined to authorise such sales due to concerns over the technology or weapons themselves ending up in the wrong hands”.
According to the lawsuit, one senior State official said that the department “has not received the necessary assurances from the UAE to address concerns regarding the security of US weapons technology.”
It highlighted that top members of the committees for Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Armed Forces, including Robert Menendez and Jack Reed, have “decried the authorization process for the sale as incomplete”.
(* B K P)
Trump copied Obama's failure in Yemen
Yet there is one point, at least, on which Trump has not only refrained from dismantling Obama’s legacy but actually entrenched it further: U.S. involvement in Yemen’s civil war.
given the reality now, as then, that U.S. defense does not require this entanglement. Our country has no significant interests at stake here. Who governs Yemen will affect us little, if at all: It is a very poor and small country half a world away, and the Houthis have local ambitions. Contrary to the suggestion of an ill-advised Foreign Terrorist Organization designation the Trump administration is currently considering, the Houthis are not international terrorists in the style of al Qaeda. Whether they or the recognized government ultimately prevails is not integral to American security.
Insofar as U.S. support has enabled and prolonged the coalition campaign, however, and in doing so made peace negotiations less urgent, our intervention itself is harmful to U.S. security.
That is far from the only unintended consequence of the U.S. role here. The coalition’s contribution to Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, considered the worst on the planet for several years, is significant.
In Yemen, Trump picked up where Obama left off, and he has overwhelmingly maintained that status quo throughout his tenure. He even fought Congress to maintain it.
As Trump’s term comes to a close, he leaves Yemen largely as Obama left it — in a policy sense, that is. In a humanitarian sense, Yemen is far worse now than four years ago, having suffered through another four years of epidemic illness (now including COVID-19), starvation, blockade and violence. Trump has failed in Yemen exactly as Obama did, by unjustifiably and illegally supporting an intervention that does innocent Yemenis deep harm and does the United States no good.
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/531891-trump-copied-obamas-failure-in-yemen
(* B K P)
Rep. Ro Khanna Won’t Vote to Override Trump Veto on Defense Bill
Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna says Trump’s reasons for vetoing the bill are “disingenuous,” but that he will not be voting to override the veto. “The bottom line is $740 billion is way too much defense spending,” says Khanna. “The priorities are wrong.”
We’re spending money on aircrafts. We’re spending money on the modernization of nuclear weapons. And we can’t find money to get food in to people who need it? We can’t find money to get more rental assistance for folks who are going to face evictions? We can’t find money to get $2,000 into the pockets of Americans?
https://truthout.org/video/rep-ro-khanna-wont-vote-to-override-trump-veto-on-defense-bill/
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
(A P)
IRGC chief: Any anti-Iran action to be met with ‘reciprocal, decisive’ respons
The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned of a “reciprocal, decisive and strong” response to any action by the enemy against Iran, saying no threats would go unanswered.
(A P)
Regional Arab states to hurt most in case of war in region: IRGC commander
A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned certain regional Arab countries against the adverse consequences of their cooperation with the United States and the Israeli regime, saying they will sustain the most damage in case of any possible war in the region.
(A P)
Washington Times should stop publishing 'fake news': Iranian Foreign Ministry
The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the American daily Washington Times should stop publishing fake news and end spreading anti-Iran bigotry despite the fact that it has previously been paid by the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group to circulate certain features.
(A P)
Iran beschuldigt britische Firma und US-Basis in Deutschland der Tötung Soleimanis
Ein iranischer Staatsanwalt hat gesagt, eine britische Sicherheitsfirma und eine Airbase in Deutschland hatte eine Hand in der Ermordung von Qassem Soleimani fast ein Jahr nach der Top-General wurde von den Vereinigten Staaten im Irak ermordet. In einer Pressekonferenz am Mittwoch behauptete der Teheraner Staatsanwalt Ali Alqasimehr, ohne Beweise zu liefern, dass der in London ansässige Sicherheitsdienstleister G4S eine Rolle bei der Tötung Soleimanis gespielt habe, der von dem irakischen Kommandeur Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis und mehreren anderen begleitet wurde.
“Agenten dieser Firma haben die Informationen über General Soleimani und seine Mitstreiter an die Terroristen weitergegeben, sobald sie den Flughafen betraten”, sagte Alqasimehr in Bezug auf den Internationalen Flughafen Bagdad, laut Mizan, der offiziellen Nachrichten-Website der Justiz.
(A P)
Iran tells inspectors it plans up to 20% enrichment at Fordo
Iran plans to enrich uranium up to 20% at its underground Fordo nuclear facility, international inspectors said Saturday, pushing its program a technical step away from weapons-grade levels as it increases pressure on the West over its tattered atomic deal.
The International Atomic Energy Agency acknowledged Iran had informed its inspectors of the decision after news leaked overnight Friday.
(* A K P)
US defense officials divided over potential for Iranian attack on eve of grim anniversary
The US flew nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Middle East Wednesday in the latest show of force meant to deter Iran, as defense officials remain divided over the risk posed by the regime and the Iraq-based militias it supports.
Pentagon officials say the military muscle-flexing is meant to warn Tehran off attacking American interests or personnel in the days surrounding the January 3 anniversary of the Trump administration's assassination of the powerful Iranian leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
At the same time, acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller decided Wednesday against a push to extend the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz's deployment to the Persian Gulf, sending it out of the region in an explicit de-escalation signal to Iran, according to a senior defense official.
The conflicting messages could reflect divisions within the Pentagon, where a second senior defense official tells CNN that the current threat level from Iran is the most concerning they have seen since Soleimani's death. Officials cite new intelligence that Iran and allied militias in Iraq may be plotting attacks against US forces in the Middle East.
Yet others in the Pentagon contend that the threat is being exaggerated, with the first senior defense official -- who is directly involved in discussions -- telling CNN that there is "not a single piece of corroborating intel" suggesting an attack by Iran may be imminent.
(? B P)
Film: Scope with Waqar Rizvi | US - Iran tensions | Episode 346 | Indus News
Watch Waqar Rizvi conferring with a panel of experts on recent International events in the SCOPE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkzQQ460kwY
(A P)
Iran won't relent until culprits in Gen. Soleimani assassination brought to justice: Foreign Ministry
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again censured the United States for committing a “craven act of terror” against top legendary Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, vowing to prosecute the culprits in his assassination.
(A P)
Iran top general: Revenge for Soleimani’s assassination has no expiry date
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says revenge for the assassination of anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani “has no expiry date,” stressing that the withdrawal of American forces from West Asia is “inevitable.”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/31/641931/Iran-Baqeri-General-Soleimani-revenge
(A P)
Iran general warns US: Military ready to respond to pressure
The top commander of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said Friday that his country was fully prepared to respond to any U.S. military pressure as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high in the waning days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Gen. Hossein Salami spoke at a ceremony at Tehran University commemorating the upcoming one-year anniversary of the U.S. drone strike in Baghdad that killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani
(A K P)
FM Zarif: Iran doesn’t seek war, but will ‘openly & directly’ defend its people
As the US tries more provocations in the run-up to the anniversary of its assassination of Iran’s top anti-terror military commander, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warns that the Islamic Republic avoids military conflict, but is prepared to put up an effective defense.
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/456413/FM-Zarif-Iran-doesn-t-seek-war-but-will-openly-directly
(A K P)
Roadside bomb explosion targets US-led coalition military convoy in southern Iraq
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/31/641963/Iraq-US-Basra-blast-convoy
(? B P)
As Iran Marks One Year to General’s Killing, the Mideast Is Riddled With Warning Signs
The last few days saw reports of B-52s making their way from North Dakota to the Gulf, of an Israeli submarine passing in the Suez Canal and of Trump’s intention to deliver one final blow against Tehran (paywalled)
(A)
Security firms say suspicious object on oil tanker off Iraq
Sailors involved in transferring fuel oil from an Iraqi tanker in the Persian Gulf to another vessel owned by a shipping company traded in the U.S. discovered a “suspicious object” they fear could be a mine, authorities said Thursday.
The discovery comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the waning days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
and
(A)
Iraq team working to ‘neutralize’ mine found on oil tanker
and
(A)
Iraq says it has dismantled mine on tanker in Persian Gulf
(A P)
Iran allocates payment to families of Ukraine crash victims
Iran’s cabinet has created a compensation fund to pay the families of the 176 victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that was shot down by Iranian forces outside Tehran last January, the president announced Wednesday.
Iran will pay $150,000 for each victim, state TV reported, without specifying a timeline for the awards. The announcement comes as the families of victims prepare to mark the anniversary of the Jan. 8 crash and diplomats from nations that lost citizens push Iran for more cooperation on the investigation and compensation issues.
(A P)
Iran says Trump administration resorting to cheap propaganda to hold countries hostage to its bullying
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has lashed out at the US for resorting to “cheap propaganda” to whitewash the Donald Trump administration’s failure in its so-called maximum pressure campaign against Tehran.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/30/641890/Iran-US-Mike-Pompeo-USS-Georgia-nuclear-submarine
(A K P)
US bomber mission over Persian Gulf aimed at cautioning Iran
The United States flew strategic bombers over the Persian Gulf on Wednesday for the second time this month, a show of force meant to deter Iran from attacking American or allied targets in the Middle East.
One senior U.S. military officer said the flight by two Air Force B-52 bombers was in response to signals that Iran may be planning attacks against U.S. allied targets in neighboring Iraq or elsewhere in the region in coming days.
In announcing Wednesday’s bomber flight, the head of U.S. Central Command said it was a defensive move.
Comment: Can you imagine if #Iran flew bomber jets over the Gulf of Mexico and called it a “defensive move”?
https://twitter.com/AssalRad/status/1344355476704661504 So US flying bomber jets over Persian Gulf is defensive move, but #Iran raising readiness level in *response* is only possibly “defensive” in quotes?
https://twitter.com/AssalRad/status/1345056954377334784
(A P)
Iran warns US: Militarization of Persian Gulf benefits no country
The Iranian administration has warned against any US adventurism aimed at militarizing the Persian Gulf, saying such moves would be in the interest of no country, whether in the region or elsewhere in the world.
(A P)
Iran to Qatar: US Responsible for Consequences of Any Adventurism in Region
(A P)
Iran security chief: US' increased military activities in region out of fear, worsen insecurity
The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says increased military activities by the US Army in the West Asia region stems from Washington’s fear of the consequences of its past acts of mischief in this region.
“Increased activities by the US Army in the [West Asia] region is just a defensive show and stems from fear due to past acts of mischief [by the US in this region],” Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said in a Monday tweet.
(A P)
Iraq to issue court orders for suspects in assassination of Lt. Gen. Soleimani, PMU's al-Muhandis
A senior Iraqi judicial official says appropriate court orders will be issued in the coming days regarding the suspects in the January 3 assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad International Airport.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/12/28/641712/Iraqi-Judicial-Council-Nouri-assassination
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(B P)
The Saudi billionaire who came to London, met Tony Blair and the Queen ... and took home a bogus PhD
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
(* B K P)
Rüstungsexporte in Milliardenhöhe in Krisenregion Nahost
Die Bundesregierung hat im Jahr 2020 Rüstungsexporte für mehr als eine Milliarde Euro an Länder genehmigt, die in die Konflikte im Jemen oder in Libyen verwickelt sind.
Alleine für Ägypten wurden bis zum 17. Dezember Ausfuhren von Waffen und militärischer Ausrüstung im Wert von 752 Millionen Euro erlaubt. Das geht aus einer Antwort des Bundeswirtschaftsministeriums auf eine Anfrage des Bundestagsabgeordneten Omid Nouripour hervor, die der Deutschen Presse-Agentur vorliegt.
Auch nach Katar (305,1 Millionen), in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate (51,3 Millionen Euro), nach Kuwait (23,4 Millionen) und in die Türkei (22,9 Millionen) dürfen in größerem Umfang Rüstungsgüter geliefert werden. Außerdem wurden Genehmigungen für Jordanien (1,7 Millionen) und Bahrain (1,5 Millionen) erteilt. Unter dem Strich summiert sich alles auf 1,16 Milliarden Euro.
Alle genannten Länder spielen in mindestens einem der beiden seit Jahren andauernden Konflikte eine Rolle.
https://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/news/trotz-konflikten-ruestungsexporte-in-milliardenhoehe-in-krisenregion-nahost-9551560.html = https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2021-01/ruestungsindustrie-anfrage-bundestag-nahost-lieferung-waffen
(* B K P)
Germany approves over €1 billion in arms deals to Middle East
Last year, the German government signed off on weapons exports to countries involved in the deadly conflicts in Yemen and Libya. Germany is among the world's top five weapons exporters.
The German government approved a total of €1.16 billion ($1.41 billion) in arms exports during 2020 to countries involved in both the Yemen and Libya conflicts, reported news agency dpa citing the country's Economy Ministry.
Germany, by December 17, had signed off on permissions to export weapons and military equipment worth €752 million to Egypt.
Permission was also granted to German arms companies for deals worth over €305.1 million to Qatar, over €51 million to the United Arab Emirates, €23.4 million for Kuwait and around €22.9 million to Turkey.
Licenses were granted to Jordan totaling €1.7 million and Bahrain amounting to €1.5 million.
The breakdown was provided by the ministry in response to a request from lower house parliament member Omid Nouripour from Germany's Green Party.
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-over-1-billion-in-arms-deals-to-middle-east/a-56118758
(* B K P)
Deutsches Gericht relativiert die Bedeutung der Grundrechte
Regierung geht in Revision
Kein Wunder, dass die Regierung an diesem Gerichtsurteil keine Freude hatte und auch in Erklärungsnotstand und Zugzwang geriet. Also legte sie, vertreten durch das Verteidigungsministerium, bei der nächsthöheren Instanz Revision ein, beim Bundesverwaltungsgericht in Leipzig. Dieses erklärte am 25. November 2020 das Urteil der Vorinstanz für nichtig. Schon der Titel der offiziellen Pressemitteilung sagt so ziemlich alles: «Kein Individualanspruch auf weitergehendes Tätigwerden der Bundesregierung zur Verhinderung von Drohneneinsätzen der USA im Jemen unter Nutzung der Air Base Ramstein».
Schutzpflicht mit Bedingungen
Die Klage sei «unbegründet», befand das Gericht. «Zwar können grundrechtliche Schutzpflichten des deutschen Staates auch gegenüber im Ausland lebenden Ausländern und im Fall von Grundrechtsbeeinträchtigungen durch andere Staaten bestehen.» Doch dazu brauche es bestimmte Voraussetzungen. Diese Schutzpflicht entstehe erst dann, wenn «aufgrund der Zahl und der Umstände bereits eingetretener Völkerrechtsverstösse konkret zu erwarten ist, dass es auch in Zukunft zu völkerrechtswidrigen Handlungen kommen wird». Ferner bedürfe es «eines qualifizierten Bezugs zum deutschen Staatsgebiet». Doch: «Für den erforderlichen qualifizierten Bezug zum deutschen Staatsgebiet reicht es nicht aus, dass der Datenstrom für die Steuerung der im Jemen eingesetzten Drohnen über Glasfaserkabel von den USA aus zur Air Base Ramstein übermittelt und von dort aus mittels einer Satelliten-Relaisstation an die Drohnen gefunkt wird.»
Es geht um elementare Grundrechte
Diese Entscheidung zeige die enorme Zurückhaltung der Gerichte, den Handlungsspielraum der Bundesregierung in aussenpolitischen Angelegenheiten einzugrenzen, schreibt das PRIF. «Denn die Gerichte geben der Exekutive in Fragen der Aussen- und Sicherheitspolitik nur in Ausnahmefällen bestimmte Handlungsanforderungen oder Vorgaben. Ein solcher Ausnahmefall sollte jedoch gerade in derartigen Fällen der Betroffenheit von elementaren Grundrechten wie dem Lebensschutz, besonders in Verbindung mit völkerrechtlichen Vorschriften, angenommen werden.»
Erstmals exterritoriale Schutzpflicht anerkannt
Das PRIF findet allerdings auch einen positiven Ansatz im Gerichtsurteil: In der Sache sei die Entscheidung zwar enttäuschend, doch die Klagenden konnten «zumindest abstrakt einen Teilerfolg erzielen».
https://www.pressenza.com/de/2020/12/deutsches-gericht-relativiert-die-bedeutung-der-grundrechte/
Meine Bemerkung: Über dieses Urteil wurde bereits ausführlich berichtet.
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
(A P)
Neujahrs-Angelus: Papst betet für Jemen und grüßt Sternsinger
(A P)
Pope Francis prays for Yemen on World Day of Peace
On World Day of Peace, Pope Francis expresses his appreciation for demonstrations in favour of peace, and calls for prayers for the people of Yemen, and for a bishop kidnapped in Nigeria.
The Holy Father also shared his “sorrow and concern” at the further escalation of violence in Yemen, “which is causing numerous innocent victims.” He prayed “that efforts will be made to find solutions that will allow peace to return to those tormented peoples.”
“Brothers and sisters,” he exclaimed, “let us think of the children of Yemen! Without education, medicine, hungry… Let us pray together for Yemen.”
(* A B K P)
War in Yemen: more Italian weapons in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
Italy continues to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, engaged in bombing in Yemen. Yet the House had voted an 18-month moratorium on the export of aerial bombs and missiles.
In the first six months of 2020, the Italian government sent weapons and ammunition to Saudi Arabia , mostly pistols and semi-automatic rifles, for a value of 5.3 million euros . And the government of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) also received shipments of military-type weapons from Italy for a total of 11 million euros .
And this despite the official proclamations : in July 2019 the Chamber of Deputies had approved a motion that committed the Italian government to suspend the export of aerial bombs and missiles to these two states for 18 months , due to their involvement in the conflict that since 2015 it has been inflaming Yemen .
The Chamber of Deputies voted, on the morning of today, December 22, a resolution that commits the Italian government to maintain the suspension of the granting of new licenses, for aircraft bombs and missiles, even after the expiry of the 18 months, scheduled for January 2021, and "to evaluate the possibility of extending this suspension to other types of armaments until there are concrete developments in the peace process".
https://www.osservatoriodiritti.it/2020/12/22/guerra-in-yemen-armi-italiane-arabia-saudita/
cp12a Katar-Krise / Qatar crisis
(B P)
Saudis in 2017 planned Qatar coup, now they want to be friends
In June 2017 Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic, trade, and travel ties with Qatar, a tiny, yet gas-rich country in the Persian Gulf, having accused Doha of funding terrorism and fostering instability in the region.
In a rather surprising move, Saudi Arabia is trying to resume relations with its neighbor Qatar after more than three years of tension.
In early December 2020, Riyadh announced that a resolution is “within reach” with this tiny yet gas-rich country. But there are a number of questions that need to be addressed. What has made the Saudi kingdom review its policies on Doha at this point in time?
Is Riyadh really seeking a longstanding friendship with Qatar? And is the resolution really “within reach”? And what challenges might await the Saudis? While many are hailing the Saudis’ initiative as a huge breakthrough, others think there's a long way to go.
(A P)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sends a formal invitation to Emir of Qatar to attend 41st GCC Summit
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2173608
cp13 Wirtschaft / Economy
(B E)
Aden Airport explosion forestalls expected improvement in Riyal value
The Riyal's value which is depreciating since the beginning of the war plunged to its lowest value ever on December 11, as low as YR 910 versus one US dollar.
Since the social media gossip plays a significant role in affecting the value of the Riyal, the talks after December 11 that a government would be formed sparked optimism and caused the Riyal to recover some value. The formation and swear-in of the new unity government by December 27 prompted optimism and caused the Riyal to recover more value. The exchange rate of the Riyal became 647 versus one US dollar. It was highly expected the government's return from Riyadh to Aden would cause the Riyal to regain even more value. But the bad start, this explosion the arriving government was received with, will apparently stop the good streak. Unlucky Yemenis.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44184
(* B E H P)
Mass Starvation Looms as Yemen’s Currency Nears Historic Freefall
Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates seem to be doing everything in their power to prevent an end to the suffering in Yemen. Even those living in areas under the total control of the wealthy Gulf monarchies are facing levels of devastation that harken back to the total destruction of European cities during World War II.
With no functioning government to provide residents with even basic assistance and facing a collapsed economy amid a famine that could soon beset all of Yemen according to the United Nations, the collapse of Yemen’s rial, particularly in Saudi-coalition-controlled areas, is proving to be the coup de grâce that will assure the country faces an apocalyptic level of destruction for years to come.
The economy has already collapsed for virtually every Yemeni living in the south, except for the few who managed to profit by working with Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Savings accounts have long been exhausted and by end of November, the rial depreciated to an all-time low of 850 YR to a single U.S. dollar, leaving most of the population unable to afford even the most basic essentials. Like Umm Abdu, people are reducing portion sizes and skipping meals as a kind of “coping strategy index,” one of many tools used to measure food insecurity. Fruit, fish, and meat have become a rare commodity that most can only dream of.
“Even though there is food in the markets, I can’t afford it. Not because we don’t have money, but because of the crazy prices. So we decide to reduce food to keep our children alive,” one shopper told MintPress. However, that strategy may not be enough as food prices are near double where they were in the wake of the recent currency collapse.
According to International organizations, Yemen, particularly areas under the control of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, will return to alarming levels of food insecurity by mid-2020, and a catastrophic food security crisis is looming
A stream of statements from leading aid organization officials reflects how dire the situation has become, including a warning from UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Officials in Aden, the de facto center of Saudi-Coalition power in Yemen, blame the collapse of currency on the fact that foreign reserves have dried up. According to them, remittances from Yemenis abroad, the largest source of foreign exchange, dropped by up to 70% as a result of the Covid-induced global downturn. But to Omer, a former fighter in “al-Muqawamah” in Aden who was wounded while fighting with Coalition Forces against the Houthis in 2016, these arguments are grossly inaccurate.
Omer believes that Saudi Arabia has a plan to destroy the national currency in order to intentionally accelerate famine. “Why is there no collapse of the currency in Houthi areas even though they live in conditions worse than us?” The exchange rate divergence between Houthi-controlled Sana’a and coalition-controlled Aden is indeed stark, with the Yemeni rial worth 35% less in Aden than it is in Sana’a.
According to local economists who spoke to MintPress, the reasons behind the collapse of Yemen’s economy and its currency are many and varied but the expansionary monetary policy that has been taken by Saudi Arabia is one of the key drivers of the Yemeni rial’s devaluation.
Local authorities supported by Saudi Arabia have regularly printed new banknotes in order to meet expenses compounded by the purchase of foreign currencies flowing into markets by foreign organizations.
By the end of 2019, the total rial liquidity in circulation in the country was more than three trillion, according to a source in the Aden-based central bank. As of the beginning of 2020, the bank has printed around 300 billion rials in order to address the budget deficit. The government of ousted president Hadi has largely relied on the central bank’s overdraft financing instrument to cover his spending abroad, including rent, travel, and entertainment.
Recently, Saudi’s proxies in southern Yemen have been selling large quantities of newly-printed banknotes in order to purchase foreign currency from the market and replenish their own foreign currency holdings. This has increased downward pressure on the rial’s value and helped drive inflation.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/famine-looms-as-yemen-currency-nears-freefall/273744/ = https://yemenwatch.com/mass-starvation-looms-as-yemens-currency-nears-historic-freefall/ = https://english.almasirah.net/post/16846/Mass-Starvation-Looms-as-Yemen-s-Currency-Nears-Historic-Freefall
My remark: Meanwhile, after the formation of the new Hadi government, also in the South the Riyal has somewhat recovered.
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
(A T)
Al-Qaeda militants arrested in Hadramout [Southern Yemen]
The security forces launched on Friday, a series of raids on terrorist dens in several areas of the districts of Do'an and al-Dholi'a in Hadramout governorate.
The security managed to arrest all the wanted terrorist elements of al-Qaeda after armed clashes with some of them, security officials said.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30912
(A T)
Latest #alQaeda-linked Thabat newsletter is out. It reports #AQAP attacks in #Yemen over past week as just 2 sniper ops against Houthis in Bayda. There's no mention of Wednesday's horrific #Aden airport attack, which has been blamed squarely on the Houthis (image)
https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1345061826426515462
(A T)
[Sanaa gov.] Interior Ministry Announces Killing of Most Dangerous Takfiri Criminal Affiliated with US-Saudi Aggression in Taiz
Brigadier General Al-Ajri explained that the security services managed to reach Marwan Amin Mahyoub Al-Juhafi in Al-Ta’aziah district, while he was trying - in disguise - to reach one of the dens of ISIS in areas controlled by Saudi-mercenaries.
“When the security men surrounded the criminal, asking him to surrender, he tried to throw a grenade at them, which prompted them to respond. They managed to kill him without causing any injuries to the security men,” he added.
The Interior Ministry spokesman indicated that the deadly criminal is an active member of the Takfiri groups in Taiz governorate. He is wanted for justice in many cases of murder and warfare.
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Aden attack’s lesson to Yemenis: Bet on the firearm only
December, the month Houthis were supposed to be designated a terror group by the US, is over.
Many, including Yemeni politicians, were betting that the US would designate the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization within the month.
Houthis concluded the month and the year with an unprecedented terror attack and escaped the terror designation!
The malign actors now want them to escape the punishment too.
The Aden massacre served to some such actors as a “tragic reminder of the importance of” peace - with Houthis!
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44234
(A P)
2021, Will it be a Year of Solutions and Salvation?
The regional situation is marked by political fluidity and accelerated change. Observers of the contemporary political map in the Arab world sense that there are attempts to perpetuate the successive splits, divisions and fragmentations that have struck Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya.
This affirms the fact that the crisis these countries are facing are due to Iranian interference and Turkish incursion amid an atypical international and global silence. While in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, one notices that they have some commonalities in one way or another. In addition to getting wrapped up in the politics of axes, through the activities of Iranian militias in those countries, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Popular Mobilization Forces’ terrorist factions are trying to impose their status quo. Fortifying Arab identity and Arab nationalism in devastated Arab countries has become a requisite for countering Iranian influence. For, actually, in these states, there is no genuine loyalty to the Vilayat al-Faqih in Iran or the dream of an Ottoman Caliphate. Instead, these ties are reinforced exclusively by material and economic factors and interests.
It should be noted that Saudi diplomatic efforts to confront these regional projects are pivotal to the battle against them. Iran and Turkey have violated and invaded the Arab land, and there is nothing left under to make gains, exploiting, destroying, recruiting, looting and killing in every Arab territory they reach.
Over the past year, Tehran and Ankara have played roles in entrenching the ideological movements to stir sectarian conflicts, murder in the name of identity, and hatred of the other in Arab countries. This is a manifestation of backwardness that demonstrates a pattern that contradicts the discourse of the civilized world.
But, I wonder, will things get worse?
My remark: From a Saudi source.
(A P)
Iranian-backed Houthis blamed for massive Aden attack in Yemen
It is unclear what comes next in Yemen. The desire by Iran and its allies to strike at the new unity government being supported by Saudi Arabia and the UAE clearly shows how Iran and the Houthis are afraid of the new government. This was an attempt to decapitate the unity government as it arrived by plane. Iran is doing this on the eve of a new incoming US administration that is expected to be tough on Saudi Arabia regarding the Yemen war. Riyadh is accused of harming Yemen in its war, leading to famine and hardship. It appears that pressure on Riyadh to stop the war will increase. Iran’s plan appeared to be to destroy the unity government to be part of this pressure.
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iranian-backed-houthis-blamed-for-massive-aden-attack-654021
(A P)
Why America really needs better conventional forces to deter Iran
The anniversary of the killing of Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassim Soleimani is January 3. Iranian media is full of commemorations — and demands for and promises of revenge. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq recently conducted the largest missile barrage against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in a decade.
The U.S. military has sent some reinforcements to the region to deter further escalations — but some experts think that’s a mistake. If the U.S. is serious about refocusing on great-power competition and away from the Middle East, they say, then withholding high-end reinforcements from the Persian Gulf is exactly the kind of hard call American leaders need to make.
This argument is seductive, but wrong and dangerous. American strategy must balance great-power competition with requirements to protect its interests and personnel around the world. The U.S. cannot allow its correct preoccupation with China and Russia to starve the Middle East — which also is vital to American national interests — of essential military resources in the midst of escalating crises.
If U.S. compounds are in danger of being overrun, then getting reinforcements to them is an immediate priority. In the worst case, the U.S. must be prepared to conduct an evacuation of its personnel, what the military calls a noncombatant evacuation operation. With lives on the line and the risk that hostages might be spirited into Iran itself, American forces must be present and able to get to threatened compounds in hours, not weeks. Marine Corps Amphibious Ready Groups with Marine Expeditionary Units are the premier forces for conducting noncombatant evacuation operations. At least one must be near the Middle East whenever there is a risk to U.S. facilities – by Frederick W. Kagan
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/532303-why-america-really-needs-better-conventional-forces-to-deter-iran = https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/why-america-really-needs-better-conventional-forces-to-deter-iran
My comment: LOL. Look at the author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Kagan .
(A P)
Aden massacre shows the truth western media have almost hidden
If Wednesday afternoon’s attack shows one thing, it is what western media have hidden and kept the world in the dark about: That civilians always pay the price of the Houthi militia’s war with the government.
Being hardcore supporters of the Shia putschists, the western media, along with likeminded humanitarian organizations, have – over the years- adopted the Houthi narrative and exaggerations to portray that the civilian casualties in the Yemeni war come only from the Arab Coalition’s airstrikes. The strikes of which almost 80% erred on the side of caution, hitting, in Sana’a, the same mountainous military sites that had been hit in the first month of the war! The strikes which could never come in the way of Houthis becoming the power who they have become.
The 2020-12-30 massacre reveals that civilians are primarily the victims of the Houthi hostility acts, the truth the western media’s years of dishonest reporting has hidden!
With lies that have saved the Houthis from being designated as a terrorist group this month. Which they concluded with a despicable terrorist attack!
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44217
(A P)
Yemeni Released Journalist narrating dreadful story from Houthi Prison
In short, what are the key reasons that making INGOs offering obedience and proving love and loyalty to the Houthis.
I am not here to make judgments or fabricate around charges! I know what I’m saying.
Houthi utilizing of assistance…. Another story…
The organizations are providing some assistance to Houthis like detergents, door locks, water filters, blankets, medications, pajamas and sweepers.
All these assistance being handled by Houthi as a “war effort”, (levies go to pockets of Houthi leaders) such as pajamas and medications others being sold in the markets such as blankets and detergents..
(A P)
The Aden attack rocks a potential fresh start for Yemen
The arrival of the cabinet was the first stage in a plan to make 2021 a better year for the country. It was admirably formed to patch over differences between the Yemeni government, headed by President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, and the Southern Transitional Council, a group that represents parts of the south of the country. President Hadi told his new ministers last Saturday, that his priorities are reviving government institutions and the economy, as well as restoring security. He spoke of his desire to see Aden "free from all military units", and that there be "no more blood".
Such consensus-building stands against the obstinate nihilism of groups such as the Houthis, who are the prime suspects for the attack. The fact that the blast also killed workers from the International Committee of the Red Cross, demonstrates that its perpetrators are willing to target the non-military workers who protect the well-being of the country’s citizens, many of whom rely on such international organisations to survive.
That a group would target one of the few rays of hope in Yemen, shows how determined some are to prolonging the crisis. The outgoing Trump administration is considering whether it should label the Houthis a terrorist organisation. The US should factor into its decision the likelihood that they were behind Wednesday’s attack, such a blatant attempt to stall progress in the conflict’s resolution.
Treating groups like the Houthis as anything other than militant spoilers is becoming increasingly difficult. For example, the organisation has routinely and cynically raised hopes that it was open to negotiations. Such overtones can no longer be taken seriously.
My comment: From the UAE, which themselves are guilty of all they object to the Houthis in articles like this one.
(A P)
[Hadi gov.] Yemen FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Have Opportunity to Avoid Terror Designation
On whether he believes that the Houthis still have the opportunity to achieve peace, bin Mubarak replied: “Peace is our choice. We assume the responsibility and the cost of this choice as part of the legitimate government. The Houthis must take national decisions that favor the nation, not individuals or groups or foreign parties, such as Iran.”
Iran, he added, is seeking to not only destabilize Yemen, but the entire Arabian Peninsula.
“Peace is still possible and they must seize the opportunity to help save the country and so that they have a role to play after the war is over,” bin Mubarak told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Addressing skepticism that the new government will fail in its duties, he remarked: “Those who are excessively pessimistic are usually shortsighted or do not want peace. They probably want the conflict to go on and are probably benefiting from it. These parties will unfortunately seek to obstruct any success that we seek to achieve.”
“The will of sincere Yemenis will prevail with the help of friends and brothers,” he vowed.
Saudi Arabia, he stated, is the country that understands Yemen the most. “The Kingdom is close to all parties and supports the legitimate government and unity of Yemeni territory,” the minister stressed, citing its leading role in promoting the Gulf initiative and Riyadh Agreement.
“We must first understand the Houthi movement and its ideology and how it approaches international initiatives. The international community must not grant it the opportunity to exploit international efforts to communicate with it. This sends the wrong message, weakens the UN path or may help promote the idea for the world to treat it as a de facto authority,” he remarked.
“Anyone who uses war for personal enrichment, loots humanitarian aid, terrorizes the people and kills arbitrarily is a terrorist,” he declared. “We must not remain silent over anyone who threatens international interests and marine navigation, uses the Yemeni people as human shields and attacks neighboring countries.”
“The Houthis still have the opportunity to avoid the terror designation and international prosecution. They should not, however, bet on biding their time and prolonging the conflict because that will only compound the misery of the Yemeni people and increase their ire against them,” he added.
“The international community, meanwhile, must not accept the Houthi practices by citing its keenness on reached peace,” bin Mubarak said.
“However, the decision to refuse the solution came from Iran,” he charged, saying that the Houthi militias are “being held prisoner by Tehran that is using them in a war to destroy their nation. This war does not cost Iran a thing, but generates it a lot of gains.”
“Iran has no right to interfere in Yemeni affairs. It has no right to assume to represent any sect. Yemen has never known the kind of sectarianism that is promoted by Iran,” he stressed.
(A P)
More than an angle to look at Aden airport blasts
The Houthi attack has reflected Iran’s posturing ahead of the US president’s inauguration. It has also betrayed incompetence in the ranks of Yemen’s “legitimacy” government.
The Houthi attack on Aden airport at the arrival of members of the new Yemeni government, can be viewed from two angles. One angle is the continuous Iranian onslaught on more than one front in the region before US President-elect Joe Biden enters the White House.
The attack on the airport in southern Yemen’s capital, at this particular time, cannot be isolated from Iran’s endeavour to show the incoming US administration that it is present in the region and that its presence is quite significant. Moreover, Iran wants to prove that the US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration have not affected its regional posture nor its behaviour outside its borders.
On the contrary, Iran wants to show that it is still present in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, and that its presence in these four countries is both offensive and deeply-rooted. Its talk about controlling four Arab capitals, it aims to say, is based on reality and on real facts.
Most of all, it intends it as a non-negotiable presence that could be part of a new deal wherewith the Biden administration accepts to breathe life into the Iranian nuclear deal signed during the summer of 2015 by Tehran with the Group of Five plus one.
The thrust of the message is that Iran will not enter any negotiations with the new US administration regarding its nuclear file from a weak position and under new conditions that would include the removal of its ballistic missiles.
It is true that the response will not take the form of a direct confrontation with the United States, but it is also true that there are Iranian proxies that are able to perform this task in the best way, as evidenced by the Houthi missile attack on Aden airport and then the bombing of the Al Maashiq area where members of the new Yemeni government have moved.
https://thearabweekly.com/more-angle-look-aden-airport-blasts
(A P)
US Department of State: U.S. Relations With Yemen
BILATERAL RELATIONS FACT SHEET
U.S. Assistance to Yemen
The ongoing conflict exacerbated already high levels of need in Yemen, pushing the country into a humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that more than 24 million people, or nearly 80 percent of the entire population, are in need of humanitarian assistance, more than any other single country today.
The U.S. government provided more than $630 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen in fiscal year 2020. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, the U.S. Government supports interventions including emergency food assistance, medical treatment and vaccination support for children, emergency obstetric services for women, blankets and household goods for displaced families, and hygiene kits and water treatment supplies to reduce the spread of disease. This also includes support for vulnerable refugees and migrants living in Yemen.
USAID also supports a small number of health, education, and livelihoods early recovery assistance activities seek to help households and social service delivery systems cope with the effects of the conflict and prepare for the post-conflict recovery. However, the insecure operating environment and ongoing bureaucratic impediments continue to limit development programming
https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-yemen/
(A P)
Yemen conflict in the era of digital diplomacy
The Houthi militia, who go by the name Ansar Allah (“Supporters of God”), have been defined as minorities, giving them legal cover for their role in the war. The militia’s ideology, their doctrine, who they are and what they want, have been completely neglected (intentionally or otherwise) in all international analyses and reports of this conflict.
Who are the Houthis? They are a Hashemite supremacist group similar to the Nazis, as they believe that as descendants of prophet Muhammed, they have the divine right to rule the Yemeni people politically, economically, socially, and intellectually. This justifies their war.
We Yemenis suffered from the Hashemite Supremacy and Imamates for a thousand years through ebbs and flows until the declaration of the Republic of Yemen in 1962. (For more on this, see Let’s Talk Supremacy in Yemen by Safa Karman). The Imamate in Yemen and their genocides is documented in books and online, on platforms such as the Al Masnad YouTube channel (Ancient South Arabian script) and The Republic of Yemen.
Therefore, to end the conflict and war, we need to call things by their name, starting with the Houthi and Hashemite dynastic political movement: they are a theocratic supremacist and racist group.
Second, international diplomacy and the international community remain confined to dealing with the Yemeni conflict through the official diplomatic framework.
https://republicanyemen.net/archives/26677
(A P)
Opposition to Houthi terror designation at odds with wishes of Yemeni people, says minister
Moammar Al Eryani responds to former US diplomats advocating against the move
Objections to a possible US terror listing of Yemen's Houthi rebels ignore the demands of the Yemeni people, Yemen's Information Minister Moammar Al Eryani told The National.
A Foreign Terror Organisation (FTO) designation of the Iran-backed rebels recognises the Houthi "creed which is based on murder, terrorism, slogans of death and hatred for the other including the US”, Mr Al Eryani said.
“It also ignores thousands of crimes and aggressions perpetrated by the Houthi militia against civilians, including murder, displacement, kidnap, torture, forced disappearances and forceful military conscription of children," he added.
(A P)
More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174442
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174414
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174411
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174351
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174294
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174271
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174264
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2174258
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2173434
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2173427
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2173420
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day
Dec. 27: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897346610415695/
Dec. 26: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897346030415753/
Dec. 25: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897345067082516/
Dec. 24: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897344400415916/
Dec. 23: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897343600415996/
Dec. 22: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897342933749396/
Dec. 21: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897341403749549/
Dec. 20: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1897340870416269/
(A K pH)
Aggression launches 11 raids on Capital, Sana'a
The official explained the aggression's warplanes launched a raid on Sana'a International Airport and a raid on al-Dailami airbase in the capital Sana'a.
He indicated the aggression hit Raymat Humaid area in Sanhan district with seven raids and two raids on Wadi Rajam in Bani Hushaish district in Sana'a.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122337.htm
https://debriefer.net/en/news-22168.html
and
(A K pS)
Coalition targets missile, UAV storage sites in Sana'a
The Arab Coalition launched on Thursday morning, a series of air raids targeting Houthi military locations in Yemen's capital, Sana'a.
The Coalition air strikes hit debots used for storing missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles inside Al-Dailami Air Base near Sana'a's international airport and Rima military camp in Sanhan district, in addition to targeting secrets weapon warehouses in Bani Hashish district in the northeast of Sanaa.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30892
and
(A K)
Huge explosions rocks the capital Sana'a and Saudi led coalition warplanes are heard flying over the sky.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1344414791507578888
Another huge blast just by apparent Saudi airstrike. And this time it forced the windows open.
https://twitter.com/Shuaibalmosawa/status/1344415065945083904
Another #Saudi airstrike on Sana'a international Airport.
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1344416115372544000
Photos: https://twitter.com/Naseh_Shaker/status/1344432038376579072
(A K pS)
Coalition targets Houthi military locations in Sana'a
According to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and eyewitnesses, the Coalition airstrikes target Al-Dailami Air Base near Sana'a's international airport.
Local sources said that the air raids also hit ballistic missile platforms in al-Kasarat area of Hamdan district in the west of Sanaa.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30870
and
(A K)
Houthi says Saudi-led coalition launches airstrike on military site in Yemen's capital
Yemen's Houthi militia said on Tuesday that the Saudi-led coalition launched an airstrike on Houthi military site in the capital Sanaa.
The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported the airstrike in the morning on the area of al-Kasarat in Hamdan district in western Sanaa, saying residents across Sanaa heard a powerful explosion.
http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2020-12/29/content_77061931.htm
My comment: How often did they target this former air base now? certailny, there will be no more military target left thre. These bombings are mere terrorism.
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122611.htm Hodeidah p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16897/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Thursday%2C-Dec-31%2C-2020 Sanaa city, Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16873/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Wednesday%2C-Dec-30%2C-2020 Several prov.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/16858/US-Saudi-Aggression-Launch-Series-of-Raids-on-Sana-a%2C-Sa-adah Sanaa city, Saada
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3121926.htm Bayda p.
(A K pH)
SAUDI-LED COALITION BOMBED CRASH SITE OF ITS COMBAT DRONE SHOT DOWN BY HOUTHIS (VIDEO, MAP)
The Houthi (Ansar Allah) media wing released a video showing strikes of the Saudi-led coalition on the crash site of its own drone, which was shot down by the Houthis earlier in December. The strikes took place on December 22, several hours after the announcement of the Houthis that they had downed the CH-4 drone of the Saudi-led coalition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKtKh66mKIc
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Siehe / Look at cp18
Im Jemen herrscht ein militärisches Patt. Eine größere offensive mit größeren Erfolgen und Geländegewinnen für eine Seite bleiben seit der Offensive der saudischen Koalition gegen Hodeidah im Jahr 2018 aus. Kleinere Offensiven, ständige gegenseitige Angriffe und Gefechte mit Toten auf beiden Seiten und Opfern unter der Zivilbevölkerung gibt es aber ständig. Besonders betroffen sind die Provinzen Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, der Bezirk Nehm in der Provinz Sanaa, die Provinzen Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah und Saada.
There is a military stalemate in Yemen. A larger offensive with greater successes and territorial gains for one side has been absent since the Saudi coalition's offensive against Hodeidah in 2018. Smaller offensives, constant mutual attacks and skirmishes killing fighters of both sides and causing victims among the civilian population are constant. The provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, the district of Nehm in the province of Sanaa, the provinces of Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah and Saada are particularly affected.
(B K pS)
9328 Houthi fighters, including 688 senior commanders, were killed in battles with government forces and Saudi-led airstrikes during 2020, the information centre of the government forces said on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1345409413310504966
My comment: How could they get such a figure? Even from air strikes??
(A K pH)
Civilian killed, another injured by Saudi enemy fire in Saada
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122749.htm
(A K pS)
[Hadi gov.] Army makes ground progress south of Marib
http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/01/01/army-makes-ground-progress-south-of-marib/
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-22203.html
(* B K pH)
Analysis: A Yemeni missile storm may be en route to Saudi ports
It has been a long time that the control of the Yemen war slid out of the control of the Saudis and Riyadh desperately has been seeking a way out of the quagmire it is stuck in.
Five years on, Saudi regime's defeat ins definite and the scales are tipped n favor of the Yemenis. The defining feature of this defeat is the increase of the vulnerability of the Arab kingdom to Yemeni strikes.
For example, over the past month, the routes of oil transfer in the western ports of the kingdom on the Red Sea coasts through to the western provinces experienced unprecedented insecurity.
The attacks targeted at least three Saudi-rented oil tankers that carry petroleum products from the country’s eastern port of Yanbu to the southern ports of Jeddah and Shaghigh, with the Saudis failing to take effective measures to protect their marine trade and oil shipments.
The existence of such a Saudi security loophole in the Saudi military defense in the face of growing Yemeni Ansarullah capabilities causes the Yemeni movement to give ultimatums for their demands with more confidence as Saudi Arabia is severely reliant on the oil incomes amid financial crisis it is grappling with.
On Sunday, the Foreign Minister of Sana’a-based National Salvation Government Hesham Sharaf Abdullah warned the Saudi-led coalition that if it does not review its policy of impoverishment of the Yemeni people, Ansarullah will launch retaliatory strikes on the ports of the aggression countries.
“Sana’a will not stay indifferent as some think. If the blockade on Yemeni ports continues, the enemy’s ports will not remain immune to strikes.
Saudi economic arteries within Yemen missile range
2019 witnessed important changes in Yemen war equations as the country initiated its waves of crippling missile strikes, dubbed Operation Deterrence”, against strategic targets in the Saudi depth. The first phase was launched on August 17, when missiles and drones of the revolutionary forces of Yemen carried out an attack on Al-Shayba oilfield operated by Aramco oil giant in southwestern Saudi Arabia and only 10 kilometers from the Emirati borders.
Al-Jubail port with 1,500 kilometers, Port of Jiran with 230 kilometers, and Port of Shaghigh with 500 kilometers of distance from Yemen are the other important Saudi ports.
Marking these ports as potential targets while they have a long distance from Yemen demonstrates Ansarullah’s substantial military and defense capability boost in the face of the aggression countries, a major change in the war equations, and the fact that Saudi Arabia has no choice but yielding to Sana’a demands for end of the five-year inhumane blockade on Yemen
(A K)
2 Saudi soldiers killed near Yemen border
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/2-saudi-soldiers-killed-near-yemen-border/2092922
(A K pH)
[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni forces score two major victories near Ma’rib city
https://hodhodyemennews.net/2020/12/29/yemeni-forces-score-two-major-victories-near-marib-city/
and the other side:
(A K pS)
Houthi militia suffers heavy losses west of Marib
http://en.26sepnews.net/2020/12/29/houthi-militia-suffers-heavy-losses-west-of-marib/
(A K pH)
Saudi border guards kill citizen in Saada
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122017.htm
(A K pS)
Little sisters injured by Houthi shelling in Taiz
Two little girls were seriously injured in heavy mortar attack carried out around midnight on monday by the pro-Iran Houthi militia targeting the residential area of the Old Airport neighborhood in the west of Taiz city
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30869
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-22110.html
cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle
Seit dem Abkommen von Stockholm vom 13. Dezember 2018 gibt es einen Waffenstillstand für Hodeidah. Zwar bleiben größere Offensiven aus, kleinere Gefechte gibt es aber laufend, und beide Seiten werfen sich ständig Verstöße gegen den Waffenstillstand vor.
Since the Stockholm Agreement of December 13, 2018, a ceasefire has been in place for Hodeidah. There are no major offensives, but smaller battles are going on and both sides constantly are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
(A K pS)
Fisherman severely injured by Houthi naval mine
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30922
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-22230.html
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hQnz6RmsYM
(A K pH)
Aggression launches raid on Hodeida
The US- Saudi aggression coalition warplanes launched one raid on Hodeida province, a security official said on Friday.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122611.htm
and also https://english.almasirah.net/post/16940/In-Clear-Violation-of-Truce-Agreement%2C-US-Saudi-Aerial-Aggression-Launches-6-Raids-on-Hodeidah (6 raids)
(A K pS)
Three people injured by Houthi shelling in Hodeidah
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30914
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE19jdMLiLg
(* A K)
5 Frauen auf Hochzeit im Jemen durch Geschoss getötet
Im Bürgerkriegsland Jemen sind 5 Frauen auf einer Hochzeit durch ein Geschoss getötet worden.
Das Geschoss habe am Freitagabend einen Festsaal in der Nähe des Flughafens der südwestlichen Hafenstadt Hodeidah getroffen, berichtete ein Regierungsvertreter. Durch den Einschlag wurden laut Augenzeugen zudem 7 Menschen verletzt, darunter auch Kinder. Die jemenitische Regierung und die Houthi-Rebellen machten sich gegenseitig für den Vorfall verantwortlich.
https://www.stol.it/artikel/chronik/5-frauen-auf-hochzeit-im-jemen-durch-geschoss-getoetet
und auch, mit Fotos: https://www.bild.de/news/ausland/news-ausland/wieder-unschuldige-kriegsopfer-in-jemen-fuenf-frauen-auf-hochzeit-durch-geschoss-74708936.bild.html
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUbii_RT1f4
(* A K pH)
Mercenaries' shelling kills, injures over 10 in Hodeida
More than 10 citizens were killed and wounded on Saturday in an artillery shelling on a wedding hall in al-Hawk district in Hodeida province.
Five citizens were killed and more than five injured in an initial toll by the aggression mercenaries' targeting the front of al-Mansour hall, said Hodeida acting governor Mohammed Qahim.
Qahim said the casualties who were staying in front of the hall waiting for their families to leave it to bring them back home.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3122607.htm
Photos: https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1345103929600835584
https://twitter.com/baseem_aljenani/status/1345097891728265220
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUbii_RT1f4
and
(* A K pH)
Yemen War: Saudi Attack on Wedding Kills Five Civilians in Hudaydah
Acting Provincial Governor, Muhammad Ayyash Qahim, told Yemen’s official Saba news agency that the attack in al-Hawk district of the city took place on Friday evening.
He stated five people were killed and as many injured in the incident, noting that the victims were waiting for their families to leave when they were hit.
Qahim condemned the “horrific act” committed by Saudi mercenaries and Saudi-led military forces, stressing that targeting a civilian structure is “a war crime and inconsistent with all international and humanitarian principles, and a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Stockholm agreement”.
Later in the day, Qahim criticized the United Nations for its utter silence on Hudaydah shelling, telling Arabic-language Al-Masirah television network that the port city “is being bombed in the face of an unjustified silence” from the world body.
The Yemeni official underlined that such a behavior has emboldened Saudi mercenaries to commit crimes, and that forces of the Saudi-led coalition do not hesitate to perpetrate criminal acts and blame others.
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, denounced the Saudi shelling in Hudaydah, calling for an immediate international investigation.
Houthi described the attack as “a deliberate terrorist act”,
while the other side claims:
(* A K pS)
New Houthi Massacre Targets Women, Children in Hodeidah
15 people, mostly women and children were killed and injured by a Houthi projectile landed in a wedding ceremony held in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Friday, al-Amalika media centre reported.
According to local sources, at least five women and 2 men were killed and seven others were injured, including children.
The wedding place and the source of the shelling are both under the control of the pro-Iran Houthi militia, the same sources added.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30910
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44238
My comment: ? Take into account where this wedding hall is.
and
(A K P)
[Hadi] Gov't denounces Houthi killing and injury of 12 women in wedding hall bombardment
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-44236
and
(* A K P)
Five women killed in Yemen wedding blast
Government and Houthis blame each other for the deaths, which came a day after attacks in Aden killed 26 people
Five women were killed when a shell hit a wedding venue in Yemen's Hodeidah city on New Year's Day, officials said on Saturday.
The government and the Houthi movement have blamed each other for the blast in the port city, which came just two days after at least 26 people were killed in explosions that rocked the airport of the southern city of Aden as members of a newly formed government got off a plane from Saudi Arabia.
The wedding hall was near Hodeidah's airport, a front line between the warring sides, on the edge of the rebel Houthi-held city.
"The explosion struck at the entrance to a complex of several wedding halls," a witness told AFP, as a party was being held for a newly married Houthi supporter.
General Sadek Douid, the government representative in a UN-sponsored joint commission overseeing a truce, condemned the Hodeidah blast, which also left seven wounded, including children, as "an odious crime committed by the Houthis against civilians".
Hodeidah's Houthi-appointed governor, Mohammed Ayache, said on the movement's Al-Masirah television that "the forces of aggression never hesitate to blame others for their crimes".
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-wedding-blast-women-killed
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/2/yemen-blast-in-wedding-hall-kill-5
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-9106127/Five-women-killed-Yemen-wedding-attack.html
and
(A K P)
UN troubled by civilian deaths in Yemen’s Hudaydah
The UN mission in Yemen on Saturday voiced concern over the death of civilians in a shelling in Yemen’s western al-Hudaydah province.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/un-troubled-by-civilian-deaths-in-yemen-s-hudaydah/2096243
and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/01/02/un-mission-condemns-saudi-attack-on-hodeidah-wedding-hall/
and UN statement: https://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/three-civilians-killed-al-hudaydah-attack-enar
(A K pS)
Four tons of Houthi explosives destroyed in Hodeidah
The engineering teams of the joint forces on the West Coast managed to destroy four tons of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the Iran-backed Houthi putschist militia in Hodeidah governorate, Al-Amalika Media Centre reported on Tuesday.
The demining operations included 2,656 landmines, IEDs, unexploded ordnance and missile warheads
http://en.adenpress.news/news/30873
(A K pH)
Daily violations
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
(A H)
Desert Locust situation update 30 December 2020
breeding is underway along both sides of the Red Sea coast. In Saudi Arabia, control operations are in progress against hopper groups and bands on the central coast and parts of the north as well as immature adult groups in the centre. More hatching and band formation are expected on the coast between Jizan and Duba. In Sudan, control continues against prevailing breeding along the Atbara River, near the Egypt border in the northeast, and against laying swarms on the southern coast of the Red Sea. In Eritrea, breeding is underway on the north coast and a few immature swarms were seen south of Massawa. In Yemen, scattered adults are present on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts but so far control is not likely to be necessary until the next generation of breeding.
http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/info/info/index.html
(A D)
Struggling artists bring smiles in war-weary Yemen
A troupe of struggling artists performed in the capital Sana’a a play entitled “Yemeni Film,” which showcased the country’s hardships
It revolved around young people who want to produce a film but face a mountain of challenges, including violence, air strikes, a lack of funding and a shortage of trained actors.
In an effort to avoid the minefields of political sensitivities and any backlash, the actors turned to comedy to paint a picture of their ordeal.
The conflict affected everyone and everything in Yemen, said Khaled, and the art scene is no exception.
“This play talks about me, and all the artists and filmmakers in Yemen who are struggling,” he said.
But these are not the only challenges.
Houthi authorities that control Sana’a — whose Old City is one of Yemen’s four UNESCO World Heritage sites — have imposed draconian rules on dress, gender segregation and entertainment in the capital.
Although Yemeni society has always been conservative, it has traditionally allowed space for personal freedom and cultural events, including concerts.
Actor Ahmad Hilmy hopes that such activities will return to Sana’a.
“We actors and filmmakers suffer a lot because there is no infrastructure for the film and theatre industry,” he said.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201229-struggling-artists-bring-smiles-in-war-weary-yemen = https://thearabweekly.com/sanaa-play-offers-relief-houthis-oppressive-rules
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m90DBZ1TyY = https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/video/struggling-artists-bring-smiles-war-072257753.html
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Photos: Yemen's Socotra: One of the most out-of-this-world places on Earth
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Film: Must listen: Jingle Bells from Hadhramaut
https://twitter.com/HMAMichaelAron/status/1344184234223800321
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-704-yemen-war-mosaic-704
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-704 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-704:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:
(18 +, Nichts für Sensible!) / (18 +; Graphic!)
http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/
Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:
http://yemendataproject.org/data/
Untersuchung ausgewählter Luftangriffe durch Bellingcat / Bellingcat investigations of selected air raids:
Untersuchungen von Angriffen, hunderte von Filmen / Investigations of attacks, hundreds of films:
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