Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 729, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 729, part 1:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-729-yemen-war-mosaic-729
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: Saudis bieten Waffenstillstand an / Most important: Saudis offer ceasefire
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
cp9 USA
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp17a Kriegsereignisse: Schlacht um Marib / Theater of War: Marib battle
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
(A E P)
Price of oil derivatives increases by 20% in Aden
The Yemeni Petroleum Company in the port city of Aden, southern Yemen, has on Monday announced a new rise in the prices of oil derivatives.
On Sunday evening, the company decided to raise the price of a petrol gallon of 20 liters from 8,000 riyals to 10,000 riyals, an increase of 20 percent, and the company also set the price of a diesel gallon of 20 liters at 10,400 riyals.
The increase in the price of oil derivatives in Aden comes as a result of the deterioration of local currency against foreign currencies,
https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/03/22/price-of-oil-derivatives-increases-by-20-in-aden/
(A P)
Yemen’s Prime Minister has left Aden for Saudi Arabia, days after the presidential palace where his government stays was stormed by separatists./Multiple websites.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45846
and
(A P)
100 days without Yemen envoy to US, as PM 'flees' to Saudi
It has also been suggested that there are disagreements within the government over appointing a new ambassador in addition to reservations by Saudi-UAE over potential nominees.
Following the incident at Aden, it has been reported that Prime Minister Saeed has "fled" Yemen again and is now back in Riyadh. Yesterday the Prime Minister's office tweeted that he had arrived in Riyadh to inform Hadi of "developments in the political, economic, military and security situation", although it is unclear at this stage if he will be returning to Yemen. The Sanaa-based Yemen Press Agency reported last week that other cabinet members were also making their exit.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210322-100-days-without-yemen-envoy-to-us-as-pm-flees-to-saudi/
and
(A P)
Yemen has no ambassador to Washington for 100 days; vacuum at wrong time
The Yemeni embassy in Washington has been living a diplomatic vacuum for a hundred days, since the former ambassador Ahmed Awadh bin Mubarak was appointed as the minister of foreign and expatriate affairs in the new government.
No successor has been appointed yet.
In spite of criticism of the Yemeni diplomatic performance in recent years, the absence of an ambassador in one of the important capitals in the world, if not the most important one at all in terms of decisions on the region, is incomprehensible for some observers.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23918.html
(A P)
STC president-al-zubaidi-people-of-the-south-will-remain-masters-on-their-land-building-and-defending-it-from-al-mahra-to-bab-al-mandab
(A P)
Shatara calls for two-state solution to ensure safe co-existence
Member of the Presidency of Southern Transitional Council (STC ), Vice-President of the National Assembly for Control and Inspection, Lufti Shatara reiterated his call for a two-state solution to ensure coexistence formula between the South and the North and what's more, to ensure security and stability at both the regional and international levels.
Shatara indicated in his tweet on Saturday that the legitimate interest of Southerners prioritizes the two-state solution as the foundation of any future rational political solution, otherwise everyone's interests to maintain political stability, promote development and combat terrorism would not be realized.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32516
(* A P)
Saudi-backed mercenaries massing near city of Ataq in attempt to quell protests
The Yemeni Islah Party, which is loyal to the Saudi-led coalition, had on Saturday deployed three military brigades in the vicinity of Ataq city, the capital of Shabwah province, eastern Yemen.
A local source in Ataq city said that the Islah had strengthened the so-called “special security forces” with the military brigades, in order to secure the city from popular protests that are demanding the improvement of electricity services and the payment of salaries.
The source pointed out that these so-called Special Forces have launched a large campaign of kidnappings against peaceful activists in the demonstrations.
This comes after one of the demonstrators was killed and others wounded by Islah forces, in an attempt to disperse the demonstration earlier in the day.
Last Thursday, one of the most prominent sheikhs in the oil-rich province, Sheikh Lahmar bin Ali Laswad Al-Aulaqi, accused the Islah party of plundering the wealth of the province and harnessing it for its own benefit, calling on all tribes of Shabwah to liberate the districts of the province from the Islah militants.
(A P)
Military Court continues sessions prosecuting Houthi leaders
The Military Court in Marib held its 14 session prosecuting the so-called Abdulmalik al-Houthi and other 174 Houthi leaders included in the criminal case on accusation of carrying out military coup against the republican system and legal and constitutional authorities, spaying for a foreign country (Iran) and committing military and war crimes.
Presided over by Judge Aqil Tajuddin, the head of the court, the session was assigned for presenting the evidence of the case, finalizing review of electronic proves and listening to testimonies of attending witnesses.
http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/03/20/military-court-continues-sessions-prosecuting-houthi-leaders/
My comment: One of these “ghost” sessions against the other side’s leadership, as both sides are committing.
(A P)
STC calls on Coalition to probe into terrorist attacks in Aden, Abyan
The STC Presidency expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist operations and it deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, calling on the Arab coalition to probe into the criminal incidents and to hunt down the perpetrators.
The STC Presidency reiterated its condemnation of violent suppression of protesters and people in regions under the control of the terrorist Brotherhood's militias.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32513
(B P T)
At least 47 dead in clashes between UAE-backed mercenaries and al-Qaeda
At least 47 elements of the so-called Security Belt mercenary force, funded the UAE, in Abyan province were killed and 27 others wounded in a total of 15 terrorist operations carried out by Al-Qaeda members during the past period, a leader in the Security Belt said on Saturday.
Abdullatif Al-Sayed, commander of the Security Belt in Abyan, accused the Islah Party of turning the central areas of the province into a “den for terrorist elements.”
He pointed out that the Hadi puppet government has “brought terrorist organisations into its areas to protect its backs.”
The commander vowed to respond harshly and pursue terrorist elements to their dens.
(* B H P)
Aden ... the “Mother of the Poor” challenges political struggles and economic suffering
The landmarks of the war impose themselves in the city of Aden, in southern Yemen, despite the cessation of the fighting, to serve as a permanent reminder of what the temporary capital has gone through. The effects of bullets, shells and raids cover government and residential buildings in the main city directorates. In public places as well as in popular neighborhoods. While reconstruction has been absent until this moment, the roads of many new neighborhoods, especially on the outskirts of the city, are still dirt, as the focus was not on paving the roads as much as the focus was on building the camps established by the "Arab Alliance" and the "Southern Transitional Council", And before that the legitimate government.
Despite the "transitional council" agreement and legitimacy about three months ago and their entry into one government, and the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, which was sponsored by Saudi Arabia between the two parties, this has not yet been reflected in the situation in the city, which has recently witnessed continuous protests and tensions due to the deteriorating economic and social conditions. Services, and the collapse of the national currency and the reflection of this dramatically by a rise in the prices of basic foodstuffs. This is accompanied by the interruption of salaries, in addition to the lack of fuel materials, the increase in their prices, and the inability to cover the city's electricity needs. Complicating the problems for the equal government is the failure of the coalition to abide by the promises of aid it made once the Riyadh agreement was implemented, amid fears among some that the agreement might collapse.
The start of implementation of the Riyadh Agreement has not yet been reflected in the city’s conditions
The people of the city and residents are not preoccupied with the Corona epidemic, and taking preventive measures to prevent the spread of the virus, similar to what is happening in most cities around the world, as much as the issue of dealing with their economic problems and the absence of electricity concerns them. Adeni citizen Saeed Omar said, in an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, that the city “suffers from many problems, and everything destroyed by the war has not been repaired, whether in buildings, roads, or anything else. The coalition or the government, either fake or patchwork, does not remove the city from its problems, but rather are projects that are used for the benefit of the contestants and warring parties, and the aesthetic face of Aden is ignored, the issue of urgent services, and the solution of the problems of the city’s people and all those who live in it are ignored. He adds, "Every time we hear about the start of reconstruction, however, most of the homes, centers, commercial real estate and even cities that have been completely destroyed or even partially affected are still the same without even compensation for their owners. Note that some buildings have been damaged due to the conflict between them." The legitimate government and the Southern Transitional Council, and people fear that the continuation of the conflict between the two sides will increase the extent of damage and destruction in the city.
https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/3882437251809276
(A P)
Yemeni House of Representatives Condemns Terrorist Attack on Riyadh Oil Refinery
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2204833
My comment: This “parliament” did not meet since more than one year.
(A T)
One soldier killed, others injured by terrorists in Abyan
One soldier was killed and three others were injured in a terrorist attack carried out on Friday, by al Qaeda-linked gunmen in Abyan province.
The attack with light and medium weapons targeted a checkpoint of the Security Belt Forces near al-Wade' area, security officials reported, adding that the terrorist militants fled to an unknown destination.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32508
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
Siehe / Look at cp1b
(A P)
GCC Emphasizes Solution in Yemen Must Be Based on 3 References
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf emphasized on Sunday the steadfast position of the GCC to end the Yemeni crisis through a political solution based on the three references represented in the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC), and UN Security Council resolution 2216.
My comment: These “3 references” claim that the Hadi government is the only government of Yemen and that the Houthis must capitulate. These “3 references” had been a main obstacle to peace since the beginning of the war. They actually are outdated since 2015 – insisting on them now after 6 years of war almost would be like claiming that the Roman Empire must be reinstalled.
(A P)
Al-Murtada: Saudi Arabia Stops, 10 Prisoner Exchange Attempts, for 500 Prisoners
Yemen: The head of the [Sanaa gov.] Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, Abdul Qader Al-Murtada, revealed Saudi rejection of more than 10 prisoner exchanges attempts involving more than 500 prisoners.
In a tweet, Al-Murtada said: “More than 10 exchanges attempts involving more than 500 prisoners from both sides were negotiated through local meditations on the fronts of Marib, Al-Jawf, and Taiz for about two months and until now they are still pending due to Saudi refusal to implement them despite the agreement even on The names from both sides.”
and also https://debriefer.net/en/news-23964.html
(A P)
UN confirms solidarity with Yemeni women and girls
The UN Secretary General Assistant, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund Natalia Kanem has called Yemeni parties for active contribution in realizing peace and called upon donors to double their supply for financing the humanitarian response plan in Yemen.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32515
and also https://english.almasirah.net/post/18416/UN-One-Yemeni-Woman-Dies-Every-Two-Hours
(A P)
Houthis propose Yemen ceasefire initiative
The Ansar Allah group, also known as the Houthis, on Friday proposed an initiative to end the war in Yemen in 48 hours.
Senior leader in the group Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi called on the member states of a Saudi-UAE coalition fighting in the country, the United States of America and Britain to cease fire comprehensively in Yemen and the Yemeni-Saudi border.
He also called for lifting a blockade on Yemen, which the coalition imposed when it launched a military operation against the group in March 2015.
He suggested that the first step to end the blockade should include allowing all ships held by the coalition during the last 48 hours to berth at Hodeidah seaport.
If they are serious about peace, they will end the humanitarian suffering, he said.
The coalition has not commented on the initiative.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23911.html
(* B P)
Houthi rebels launch drone attack on Saudi refinery in bid to pressure Riyadh over Yemen war
UN and international mediators have not succeeded in convincing the Houthis to stop their military attacks, whether in the Marib governorate or on Saudi territory using ballistic missiles, car bombs and drones.
Saree reiterated the threat to continue attacks on Saudi Arabia, boasting that they are moving ahead with their escalation of the conflict.
Observers believe that the campaign is not simply to gain leverage with an international community anxious about any major interruption the oil supply from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The Houthis are also seeking to halt Arab coalition airstrikes while still pressing ahead with their drive to capture the key town of Marib from government forces.
The twin-track approach of pressing on with the Marib assault while looking for a negotiated settlement makes clear the Iran-backed rebels are hoping that, as and when any talks do begin with the Arab coalition, they will be able to negotiate from a position of strength.
The Houthi conditions for a ceasefire and political settlement revolve around stopping the Saudi-led coalition’s air operations in Yemen, reopening Sana’a airport and lifting restrictions on Hodeidah, the only port in rebel hands.
Some Gulf analysts consider acceptance of the Houthi conditions amounting to acquiescing to fulfilling all the goals of the Houthis inclusing bestowing legitimacy on their military actions.
The Houthi attack coincided with new statements from the US State Department, on Friday, which confirmed an earlier Arab Weekly that Saudi and Yemeni governments had approved a US-proposed ceasefire initiative to start of negotiations to end the conflict.
Washington wants both sides to move rapidly into a dialogue, coordinated by the United Nations, which will enable an immediate drive to handle the widespread humanitarian disaster.
(* A P)
'How to end a war you didn't win': Yemen's Houthis seek Saudi concessions
Yemen’s Houthis say a U.S. plan for a ceasefire in their six-year war against a Saudi-led military coalition does not go far enough, and are ramping up pressure on Riyadh to lift a sea and air blockade before any truce deal is agreed.
With the United Nations warning of a looming large-scale famine, U.S. special envoy on Yemen Tim Lenderking toured the region this month to press the warring sides to agree a nationwide truce to revive U.N.-sponsored peace talks on ending the conflict.
But making clear the Houthis believed the plan must go further, Chief Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters: “We have discussed all these proposals and offered alternatives. We continue to talk.”
A main sticking point is the Houthi demand that the coalition lift the blockade - which has largely contributed to Yemen suffering the world’s worst humanitarian crisis - before any truce deal is agreed, three sources involved in the talks said.
“The issue is seen as an existential threat in Saudi Arabia. Free shipping and daily flights between northern Yemen and Iran would cause real anxiety in Riyadh,” said a source familiar with the talks. “It is a case study on how to end a war that you didn’t win.”
Lenderking has not provided details in public of what he called a “sound plan”. But Abdulsalam said it included allowing flights to Sanaa airport from some destinations with prior coalition authorisation.
He said the Houthis agreed to inspection of ships heading to Hodeidah and verification of bank transfers and goods’ origins, but that the coalition says port revenues must go to Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Lenderking has presented a fair proposal for a nationwide ceasefire, with elements that would immediately address Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation.
“The Houthis must demonstrate their willingness to adopt and adhere to a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire and enter negotiations,” the spokesperson said.
The challenge, the sources and analysts said, is finding middle ground.
“From what I understand, the Saudis are willing to make concessions,” said Peter Salisbury, a senior analyst at International Crisis Group. “But there is a lot of devil in the details to be worked out, in terms of what a ceasefire looks like and what an easing of restrictions looks like.”
“I think the military escalation in Marib and elsewhere shows that Iran wants to pressure the U.S. indirectly on the nuclear file, I do not see another reason for it,” a Saudi official, who declined to be named, said.
Abdulsalam rejected this.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said this month that Tehran supports a truce in Yemen “with lifting of the blockade”.
Lenderking has said Washington will work with the Yemeni and Saudi governments to find a way to deliver fuel to Yemenis and restore humanitarian aid funding for the north.
But time is running out. Fuel shortages have knocked out water pumps, generators in hospitals and disrupted aid supplies in a country where 80% of the population need help.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
(A K P)
Saudi Arabia launches naval exercise to protect oil installations
The Eastern Fleet of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) yesterday began a joint exercise to prepare for attacks against the kingdom's oil installations, the Ministry of Defence announced.
The five-day exercise includes units from the Eastern Fleet, the Ministry of Interior represented by the Eastern Province Border Guards, the Presidency of State Security, and the Ministry of Energy represented by Saudi Aramco and Aramco Gulf Operations Company.
The Ministry of Defence said the drill aims to raise the "readiness and preparedness of all participating units to confront terrorist operations against oil installations."
(A P)
Saudi Authorities Practicing Atrocities against Detainees
The Conscience Prisoners website revealed the atrocities practiced by the Saudi authorities in prisons against detainees.
In a series of tweets, the website holds Saudi authorities responsible for the safety of the imam and preacher of the Great Mosque of Mecca, Saleh Al-Talib, who has been detained for about two and a half years without legal reason, stressing that the judiciary in the Kingdom lacks independence, transparency and appeal.
It pointed out that there are dozens of sick elderly detainees who are being held by the regime in inhumane conditions, noting that the regime has forcibly detained dozens of academic scholars and deprived them of their most basic rights.
The website considered that enforced disappearance is a method that the authorities have used to suppress free speech, explaining that arresting citizens and denying them communication with their relatives for several months is a major human rights crime. It called on the Riyadh authorities to immediately release all detainees unconditionally, especially Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Ahmad, the university professor Sheikh Muhammad al-Barrak, and the preacher Gharem al-Bishi, who have been detained since 2017 without legal reasons.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18418/Saudi-Authorities-Practicing-Atrocities-against-Detainees
(A E P)
Saudi oil giant Aramco reports 30% drop in payments to state
(A E P)
Oil giant Saudi Aramco sees 2020 profits drop to $49 billion
Saudi Arabia’s state-backed oil giant Aramco announced Sunday that its profits nearly halved in 2020 to $49 billion, a big drop that came as the coronavirus pandemic roiled global energy markets.
(A K P)
Royal #Saudi Navy to conduct a five-day exercise in the #ArabianGulf joint with the Ministry of Energy - represented by #SaudiAramco & Aramco Gulf Operations- and the Ministry of Interior -represented by State Security and Border Guards.
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1372943989167554560
(* B P)
Interview: Adel Al-Jubeir talks Yemen, Saudi-US relations, human rights and Israel
Relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia will continue virtually unaltered under the Biden administration, the Kingdom’s minister of state for foreign affairs has said.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Adel Al-Jubeir stressed that the relationship between the two countries was “strong, dynamic and multifaceted.”
“The (Biden) administration has made it very, very clear that it is committed to the defense of Saudi Arabia, that it is committed to defending Saudi against external threats,” he said.
“So, I really don’t see much of a change between this administration and the previous administration in terms of their commitment to Saudi Arabia.”
He pointed out that relations between the two countries go back 80 years, and have been an important factor in maintaining global stability and security.
“Our relationship with the US is a strategic relationship. We have economic interests and financial interests. We work to fight extremism and terrorism,” Al-Jubeir said.
“We work to stabilize the region — whether it’s trying to bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians; whether it’s in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan; trying to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan; whether it’s stabilizing Sudan; whether it’s working to end the war in Libya or to deal with the G5 (Sahel) countries, in their fight against Boko Haram.
“I believe they have made it clear that they want Iran to go back to the nuclear agreement and they want a nuclear agreement that is, to quote Secretary of State (Antony) Blinken, ‘stronger and longer.’ This is something that we've been advocating since the advent of this deal.
“We want the ‘sunset provision’ to be eliminated so that Iran cannot indefinitely enrich uranium. And we want to have a broader and deeper inspections mechanism to make sure that everything in Iran can be inspected, should there be a need.”
The recent attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities had links to Iran, Al-Jubeir told Arab News. “All of the missiles and drones that came into Saudi are Iranian manufactured or Iranian supplied,” he said. “Several of them, as we've said, came from the north; several came from the sea.”
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1828266/saudi-arabia
cp8a Jamal Khashoggi
(A P)
Saudi Prince MBS Served With Complaint Over Jamal Khashoggi Death
WhatsApp? was used as part of approved method
Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), founded by the late Jamal Khashoggi and his fiancé, Hatice Cengiz, said it has used WhatsApp? and other means to successfully serve Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and others with a complaint over Khashoggi's murder.
They filed in a D.C. Federal District Court in October 2020. The suit alleges that "MBS and other Saudi officials 'acting in a conspiracy and with premeditation, kidnapped, bound, drugged and tortured, and assassinated U.S.-resident journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey,' and that the murder caused plaintiffs grievous injury and harm."
They are seeking relief under the Alien Torte claims Act and Torture Victim Protection Act for an extrajudicial killing that caused the pain and suffering to Cengiz.
https://www.nexttv.com/news/saudi-prince-mbs-served-with-complaint-over-jamal-khashoggi-death
cp9 USA
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp5, cp9a
(* B P)
Webinar: Reassessing & Recalibrating the U.S.-Saudi Relationship
As the Biden administration reviews this critical relationship, our expert panel considers priorities and pitfalls on the road ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rQhbYFIsus
(A P)
The Saudi Expert Who Hides Foreign Funding When Testifying to Congress
A former Trump official sidestepped a new ethics rule.
The Biden administration has pledged to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for human rights violations, though its restrained approach has raised skepticism. Congress has the power to step in, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing last week to assess the role it can play.
The hearing included a Saudi activist, explaining that torture has been documented 3,000 times in Saudi prisons. There was a free-speech advocate, urging the U.S. to punish Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who the CIA determined had ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But as members of Congress struggled to mute and unmute themselves in the virtual hearing room, the witness that Republican members had invited to testify didn’t quite fit.
She spoke with the authority of someone who had worked closely with high-level Saudi officials. She warned that taking action against the Saudi prince might have repercussions for the U.S., like losing funding for domestic investment or security work in the region. “We do really count on Saudi Arabia writing checks,” said Kirsten Fontenrose of the foreign-policy think tank the Atlantic Council. “This is best handled in a way that doesn’t make [Mohammed bin Salman] look like a public pariah,” she said.
Lawmakers had no way of knowing from her congressional testimony that Fontenrose’s employer has received millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia’s biggest boosters. The Atlantic Council has received large gifts from Saudi Arabia’s close ally, the United Arab Emirates. The two monarchies’ interests are deeply connected in Washington. The Embassy of the UAE has donated more than $1 million annually to the Atlantic Council for the past five years, and state-run entities like its national oil company and sovereign wealth fund have also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Fontenrose did not disclose any of these potential conflicts of interest to the House Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Global Terrorism in advance of her presentation last week.
(A P)
Blinken condemns attacks, discusses human rights in Saudi call -State Dept
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday condemned attacks against Saudi territory from Iranian-aligned groups and discussed cooperation to end the war in Yemen in a call with Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the State Department said.
“Secretary Blinken reiterated our commitment to supporting the defense of Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned recent attacks against Saudi territory from Iranian-aligned groups in the region,” the department said in a statement, adding the two also discussed human rights and social and economic reforms in Saudi.
(A P)
Pro-Israeli lobby presses Biden to reject Iran deal in current format
The pro-Israeli group, AIPAC, is lobbying to urge US President Joe Biden to effectively oppose reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, in its current format.
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) called on its supporters to urge US senators to sign on to a letter that asks Biden to reach an expanded agreement with Iran.
"Iran remains Israel's and America's greatest threat in the Middle East,” AIPAC told supporters in a text message this week.
"Please urge your senators to sign a bipartisan letter to President Biden... expressing the bipartisan consensus that 'a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to US national security interests and our allies and partners,” said the group.
A letter, led by Democratic senator Bob Menendez and Republican Lindsey Graham, urges the senate to reject a return to Iran’s nuclear agreement in its current format.
It says that Washington needs “to reach an agreement that prevents Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons and meaningfully constrains its destabilizing activity throughout the Middle East and its ballistic missile program.”
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/03/20/647694/www.presstv.co.uk
(A P)
US State Dep. spokesperson Ned Price: The U.S. joins the international community in calling for an end to the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and all parties to commit to a ceasefire. Today's attempts to disrupt global energy supplies by attacking Aramco show an utter lack of concern for the safety of civilians.
https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1373026540548657155
My comment: LOL. Who started attacking the other side? And why these Saudi installations should be excluded from the war (while Yemeni school busses, hospitals, funerals, weddings were not) as attacking them should “show an utter lack of concern for the safety of civilians”? Which “safety”? As Price tells us, he means the safety of “global energy supplies”. What??? Who endangered this “global energy supplies” by blocking Iran from exporting its oil? Russia? China? Uruguay?
(A P)
Film: Parts of yesterday’s #BBCPersian int. w/ Robert Malley, #Biden’s Special Envoy for #Iran. I asked what msg are they trying to send to millions of Iranians at the start of the Persian New Year #Nowruz as some see them continuing #Trump’s maximum pressure. “mp policy has failed.”
https://twitter.com/BahmanKalbasi/status/1372569437702873088
Comment by Matt Duss: "The maximum pressure campaign has failed." Good that the administration is stating this clearly, but the only place in the world where it isn't seen as obvious is Congress, and that's who they need to be telling.
https://twitter.com/mattduss/status/1372888884942618627
(* B P)
BIDEN’S CHOICE ON YEMEN
The Biden administration can follow three steps to becoming a credible actor for peace in Yemen.
Incremental changes, however, are not enough to undo the harms of the past and move forward. Moreover, a State Department apparently happy to return to business as usual, gaslighting the public about Saudi Arabia’s role in the war in Yemen, and splits amongst administration staff about how far to go in terms of accountability for Yemen, are worrying signs that President Biden may tinker but will not, on his own, be bold in making a clean break from the past.
President Biden has a choice on Yemen: invest in lasting diplomacy, accountability, and people-centered solutions, or continue with largely the same approach that has made Yemen a microcosm of the failings of US foreign policy.
What will he choose?
THE EASY — AND WRONG — ROAD IN YEMEN
Consecutive US administrations have chosen to take the easy road in Yemen. From its abusive counterterrorism operations and willful ignorance of its own ally’s misuse of US military assistance against domestic opponents, to its outsourcing of Yemen’s post-revolution transition and conflict to Saudi Arabia, US policy has been a destructive force for decades. If the administration truly believes there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen, it cannot continue to arm one side or fuel more conflict there.
As such, the administration should seek to end all US military involvement in the country that could exacerbate conflict or spoil future peace. It can do so by publicly affirming that it will not only cancel $36.5 billion in pending weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but also institute an indefinite ban on future transfers to these countries until the human rights and other export control requirements of the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act are met. It is also important to remember that the current situation in Yemen is, in part, a result of the United States viewing Yemen solely through a counterterrorism lens.
WHAT BIDEN SHOULD DO
In addition to ending harmful policies, the United States must also seek to overhaul the international approach to the conflict and take the momentum away from the original warring parties. It should attempt to do this in three ways.
First, it must make a strong push for a nationwide ceasefire and an end to the impediments to humanitarian and commercial access to the country, including an end to the coalition’s de facto air and sea blockade. It is positive that the United States is supporting the UN’s current comprehensive ceasefire proposal, which reportedly includes “elements that would immediately address Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation directly” and remains in front of the Houthis as of writing. While it remains unclear if this will change the Houthis’ military calculus regarding its offensive in Marib, the United States should still press Saudi Arabia to declare a nationwide ceasefire and to end the air and sea blockade on humanitarian grounds. Doing so would directly support the humanitarian effort to prevent famine.
Second, while a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, the United States must push the international community to recognize the failures of past ceasefires in Yemen. Time and again pivots to comprehensive peace negotiations were held hostage by the people destroying the country’s future. The United States should push for an expanded, more inclusive peace process.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS A NECESSITY FOR YEMEN
There won’t be peace without accountability in Yemen. It’s that simple. The roots of this conflict stem, in part, from a lack of accountability for the abuses and kleptocracy of the 33-year-old dictatorship of Ali Abdullah Saleh. Without meaningful accountability for current and past abuses — by both Yemeni and international actors — the cycle of conflict in Yemen will continue.
https://inkstickmedia.com/bidens-choice-on-yemen/
(B P)
The United States, Saudi Arabia and Yemen: Same Crisis, Different Administrations
Biden’s Policy
The Biden administration has set out to transform US foreign policy. Biden has set out to rebuild US relations and rebuild “moral leadership”.
Biden’s policy is a significant change from the last two administrations. He is reversing the policies of the Obama administration and he is trying to distance Washington from Riyadh, overturning the direction of Trump’s foreign policy. No longer will the US position be solely on supporting Saudi Arabia to keep Iran in check, instead it is to focus on human rights abuses on both sides of the war.
However, this policy change has come early in his administration and the effects are not yet clear. The freezing of the flow of US arms to Saudi will put the country under pressure. However, there are no immediate details on what the freeze means.
cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf
Siehe / Look at cp9
(A P)
Iran rejects Saudi accusations in GCC's name, calls for dialogue
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has reacted to a recent statement issued by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), saying what the Middle East presently needs is dialogue, rather than the accusations made by Saudi Arabia in the council's name.
(* B P)
Kushner is economical with the truth about 'peace' in the Middle East
In an article in the Wall Street Journal last Sunday, Donald Trump's son-in-law and former senior adviser Jared Kushner described how his diplomatic achievements caused a "geopolitical earthquake" in the Middle East that brought peace to the region and saw a potential end to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Kushner recalled how Dubai in the UAE, one of the Arab countries which signed his "Abraham Accords" to normalise relations with Israel, has become a safe haven for Israelis who once were seen as enemies in the region. He pointed out that more than 130,000 have already visited Dubai since Trump hosted the signing of the "peace deal" in September last year.
Kushner is not shy about being economical with the truth in his article. Nor is he concerned about feeding a few more lies into the hasbara — Israeli propaganda — machine. His intention remains to deceive his audience.
The very claim that the Abraham Accords are an elaborate "peace deal" was debunked by Lora Vonderhaar of the Georgetown University Centre for Security Studies. "[They are a] peace deal in name only," she said, "… because neither Israel and Bahrain nor Israel and the UAE, have been at war with one another." Vonderhaar noted the claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned his occupied Jordan Valley annexation plan in return for the Abraham Accords. However, it has been pointed out on many occasions since that annexation has been postponed, not abandoned altogether. This is no peace deal.
"It is unlikely that this agreement will create peace in the Middle East, as President Trump touts," wrote Alexandra Konn wrote for the Organisation for World Peace. "For some, it is nothing more than an arms deal." She added that with this agreement, and the potential for future agreements that do not require Israel to discontinue its settlements, "the dream of a Palestinian homeland becomes more unrealistic."
(A P)
Iran’s Khamenei insists US sanctions must be lifted first
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1829426/middle-east
(A P)
US, Belgium, France and Japan hold Mideast naval exercise
The U.S. Navy said Sunday it will hold a major naval exercise alongside Belgium, France and Japan in the Mideast amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program in the region.
The Group Arabian Sea Warfare Exercise will see ships from the four countries conduct drills in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Ships involved include the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, as well as the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island.
The Belgian frigate HNLMS Leopold I and the Japanese destroyer JS Ariake also will take part, as well as aircraft from the four nations.
My comment: What are they doing there???
(A P)
AP sources: Iran threatens US Army base and top general
Iran has made threats against Fort McNair, an Army base in the nation’s capital, and against the Army’s vice chief of staff, two senior U.S. intelligence officials said.
They said communications intercepted by the National Security Agency in January showed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard discussed mounting “USS Cole-style attacks” against the base, referring to the October 2000 suicide attack in which a small boat pulled up alongside the Navy destroyer in the Yemeni port of Aden and exploded, killing 17 sailors.
The intelligence also revealed threats to kill Gen. Joseph M. Martin and plans to infiltrate and surveil the base, according to the officials, who were not authorized to publicly discuss national security matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. The base, one of the oldest in the country, is Martin’s official residence.
The threats are one reason the Army has been pushing for more security around Fort McNair, which sits alongside Washington’s bustling newly developed Waterfront District.
https://apnews.com/article/national-security-iran-only-on-ap-army-1285df40348182e1b74dc403607c5928
My comment: Rather improbable; this seems to look like a try to inflate conflict.
(A P)
Trump to #Iran: starve under sanctions until you give in to our demands
Biden to Iran: starve under sanctions until you give in to our demands & happy #Nowruz
https://twitter.com/AssalRad/status/1373402607255920648
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
(B K P)
Film: 'Britain has increased weapons sales to Saudi Arabia but at the same time, they have cut aid for Yemen. This shows the amount of hypocrisy that is clearly in Britain's policies'
(A P)
British MPs urge UK to 'reconsider' Bahrain ties over rights abuses
More than a dozen members of parliament say UK must pressure Bahrain to stop political detentions and end rights abuses
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-urged-reconsider-bahrain-ties-over-rights-abuses
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
(B P)
Forthcoming book:
Reinventing the Sheikhdom
Clan, Power and Patronage in the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed’s strategy of fortification has focused on pre-empting threats from the UAE’s native population, rather than from expatriates or foreign actors. As a result, he has consolidated power, distributing its administration among his tribal and kinship allies. In essence, Mohammed bin Zayed has driven modernisation in order to strengthen his grasp on power.
This book explores Mohammed bin Zayed’s regime security strategy, illustrating the network of alliances that seek to support his reign and that of his family. In an ever-turbulent region, the UAE remains critical to understanding the evolution of Middle Eastern authoritarian control.
https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/reinventing-the-sheikhdom/
(B P)
NZ lost at sea on human rights
When Air New Zealand took on a contract to keep the ships of the Royal Saudi Navy afloat, they were aiding a brutal war machine that is contributing to a human rights and humanitarian disaster in Yemen.
Neither Air New Zealand – nor the government – saw a problem with this contract when it was signed, because there is no framework “here” that asks New Zealand companies to imagine the consequences of their actions “out there”.
This can’t keep happening. New Zealand needs to adopt a human rights-oriented trade policy, now.
https://www.fijitimes.com/nz-lost-at-sea-on-human-rights/
(A P)
Iranian Leader: Saudis Trapped by US in Yemen War Quagmire
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined Riyadh and Washington's failure in forcing the Yemenis to surrender, saying that the US has trapped the Saudis in the quagmire of Yemen war.
“The Saudis began the war against Yemen during the Obama administration. They did it with the Americans’ go-ahead. Actually, the Americans gave the Saudis permission and they helped them as well. They gave the Saudis abundant military equipment. Why? In order to force the people of Yemen into surrendering in the course of 15 days or one month after having dropped numerous bombs on them. Well, they were mistaken. They have not been able to do this over the past 6 years.
(A K P)
Are Israeli Patriot batteries deployed near Eilat due to Houthis?
A PAC-2 Patriot Air Defense system is reportedly “near Eilat in southern Israel amid threats of suicide drones and cruise missile attacks from Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.”
The reports of the Patriot deployment were met with some skepticism by others who said the batteries have been there for months. Reports in January said that Israel had deployed Patriot batteries to the vicinity of Eilat. At the time there were reports of threats from Yemen.
(A P)
#RSAF to deploy Tornado jets to #PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha. The first #Saudi Air Force Strike Group ever deployed to #Pakistan will take part in exercise ACES MEET 2021 in Mar 27th (photos)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1373650322183352329
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1373646016898011142
My comment: To Pakistan: Who goes to bed with a killer, will wake up bloody in the morning.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia-Yemen: Statement by the [EU] Spokesperson on the drone attack against ARAMCO installation in Riyadh
The EU condemns yesterday’s drone attack against an oil installation in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, claimed by Ansar Allah. This constitutes the latest of a series of dangerous attacks which have targeted sites in different parts of Saudi Arabia putting civilians and critical infrastructure at risk. These aggressions must stop.
This attack adds to an intensification of clashes and strikes within Yemen where civilians, including children, continue to bear the brunt of the conflict’s violence. All attacks against civilians are unacceptable.
The ongoing escalation in and around Yemen is undermining the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, delaying the prospect of a solution to the conflict, and increasing regional instability. The EU expects all parties to fulfil their respective commitments and engage with the UN Special Envoy to achieve a comprehensive political agreement that remains the only option to put an end to this war.
and
(A P)
#Saudi Eagles & #Hellenic Falcons fly in formation during #FalconEye-1 (photos)
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1372918518618886145
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1373002743737110531
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1373221474580975618
https://twitter.com/MbKS15/status/1373215999923740672
and
(A P)
Chief of General Staff Meets with his Greek Counterpart, Attends "Falcon Eye 1" Drill Maneuvers at Souda Airbase
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2204708
and
(A P)
Visit of the Chief of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia to Greece
The Chief of General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, received today the Commander-in-Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Rouwaili in the 115th Combat Wing at the K air base in Syria .
It was announced that this was the first time a Saudi general had officially visited Greece. The visit took place as part of the day of distinguished visitors of the bilateral exercise "Saudi - Hellenic Joint Exercise 21", under the name "Falcon Eye - 1".
The event was attended by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Greece Dr. Saad Alamar, the head of GEA , Rear Admiral George Blioumis, as well as military followers of foreign states in Greece.
My comment: To Greece: Who goes to bed with a killer, will wake up bloody in the morning.
(A P)
'A clear signal to the parties to the conflict'
'Norway welcomes that the UN Security Council has agreed on an important Press Statement condemning the violent escalation in Marib, as well as the attacks against Saudi Arabia and expressing concern about the military escalation elsewhere in Yemen.
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
(* B K P)
Canada’s aid to Yemen is just a humanitarian band-aid
Rather than pushing for more international assistance, progressives should challenge corporate and imperial power structures
Too often, international “aid” is doled out by the rich and powerful to gloss over global inequities. It’s also a tool employed by Ottawa to present itself as generous while simultaneously sustaining unequal corporate and imperial power structures that benefit Canada.
Evidently, however, Canada’s commitment to “investing in peace and stability in Yemen” stops well short of extricating itself from supporting the other side of a conflict that has left over 100,000 Yemenis dead. In response to Gould’s announcement, Rachel Small of the anti-war organization World Beyond War tweeted, “genuinely floored by the hypocrisy. $295 million in aid to Yemen since 2015 is a drop in the bucket compared to $6 billion in weapons Canada exported to Saudi Arabia in the same period. As Karina Gould knows the most important action needed for Yemen is for Canada to stop arming Saudi Arabia.”
According to Statistics Canada data from January, Canadian armoured vehicle sales to Saudi Arabia reached a whopping $487 million, the largest ever monthly total.
In a sign of the depraved state of Liberal discourse, Canada’s ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, simply denies that any of this is happening. He recently claimed, “We don’t sell arms to any of the parties to the conflict” in Yemen. Six months ago Rae responded to a UN report that documented Canada’s role in fuelling the war by labeling Canadian exported armoured vehicles “jeeps.” “It’s not what you’d call a weapon,” he said.
Alongside the weapon deliveries, the Liberals have mostly ignored Saudi violence in Yemen.
At best, Canada’s aid to Yemen is just a humanitarian band-aid that will provide little relief from a disaster partly enabled by Ottawa’s weapon sales.
A similar dynamic is at play with Canadian aid for international COVID-19 support.
More troublingly, the government has refused to support a World Trade Organization proposal calling for a temporary waiver of certain rules on intellectual property rights to allow poor countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines
Moreover, Canada’s COVID donation masks Ottawa’s unwillingness to challenge Big Pharma and the broader intellectual property rights lobby.
https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/canadas-aid-to-yemen-is-just-a-humanitarian-band-aid
(* B K)
What Are Yemen's Houthi Rebels Doing with North Korean Missiles?
Weapons can often end up in different hands than those who bought them.
There's What You Need to Know: The Houthis inherited from the defunct Yemeni military North Korean-made Scuds called “Hwasong-6s.”
It’s possible the missile strikes that badly damaged a key Saudi oil facility on Sept. 14, 2019 involved far-flying drones firing small, guided munitions.
Iran’s hard-line Revolutionary Guard Corps in the past has supplied the Houthis with weaponry including drones.
But it’s worth noting that the Houthis also possess a surprisingly sophisticated arsenal of homemade ballistic and cruise missiles possessing the range performance to strike targets deep inside Saudi Arabia.
According to aviation expert Tom Cooper, the main weapon in the Houthi arsenal is the Burkan, a modified version of the Soviet R-17E Scud rocket that’s around five feet longer than the baseline missile and some 4,400 pounds heavier and can travel farther than 500 miles.
The Houthis inherited from the defunct Yemeni military a large number of Soviet-exported Scuds as well as North Korean-made Scuds called “Hwasong-6s.”
“The R-17E is quite simple,” the engineer told Cooper. “From its tip towards the rear, it contains a warhead, then a room for equipment like gyro and timer, then the fuel tank which is about 1.35 meters long, and the oxidizer tank that is about 2.7 meters long. At the rear end is the engine.”
“While this is hardly definitive proof that the Yemenis stretched R-17Es or Hwasong-6 on their own, it at least indicates that modifying older Scud-style missiles for longer range is possible.”
The Houthis also possess a cruise missile called the “Quds 1,” which according to missile expert Fabian Hinz could be a copy of the Iranian Soumar missile -- itself a copy of the Russian Kh-55.
Noting the overall similarity in design with the Soumar, many observers claimed Iran had simply smuggled it to Yemen where the Houthis gave it a new paintjob and a new name, as they had done before with the Qiam. …
[But] there are quite a few differences. Differences between the Quds 1 and the Soumar include the entire booster design, the wing position, the Quds 1’s fixed wings, the shape of the nose cone, the shape of the aft fuselage, the position of the stabilizers and the shape of the engine cover and exhaust. …
There is yet another apparent difference between the Quds 1 and the Soumar/Hoveyzeh: size. A quick measurement using Mk.1 eyeball reveals that the Quds 1 seems to be smaller in diameter than the Soumar.
Also, the Quds 1 features a Czech-made TJ100 engine, which is less powerful than the Russian-made engine on the Kh-55.
“All of this leaves the question of just who developed and built the Quds 1,” Hinz wrote. “The idea that impoverished war-torn Yemen would be able to develop a cruise missile without any outside assistance seems far-fetched. Iran’s previous supply of missiles to the Houthis and the fact that the country uses TJ100 engines in its drone program do imply that Iran could be behind the Quds 1.”
“However, so far we haven’t seen any trace of the Quds 1 in Iran proper. This riddle is not unique to the Quds 1. Beginning in 2018, several missile systems began to emerge in Yemen that while broadly similar to Iranian-designed systems have no exact Iranian equivalent.”
cp13b Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage
(* B C P)
Gegenhegemonie der Erinnerungen
Das kulturelle Erbe des Jemen wird digitalisiert
Im Jemen hatte die Öffentlichkeit schon immer nur einen selektiven Zugang zum kulturellen, geschichtlichen und politischen Erbe des Landes. Heute tut die Gewalt des Krieges ihr Übriges, denn seit Beginn des Krieges wurden eine Vielzahl von Museen, Archiven und Sammlungen zerstört. Genau wie in Europa kann auch im Jemen die Digitalisierung dieses Erbes helfen, das Material zu schützen und öffentlich zugänglich zu machen. Gerade jetzt, wo die Geschichte des Landes von den Kriegsparteien manipuliert wird, ist es wichtig, durch die Digitalisierung von Erinnerungen gegenhegemoniale Geschichten zu bewahren.
Archive, antike Stätten, Ausgrabungen, Museen, Moscheen und Kirchen werden zerstört. Dies sind nur Beispiele, die das Ausmaß der Zerstörung des jemenitischen kulturellen Erbes andeuten. So fällt es Konfliktparteien leicht, das historische Gedächtnis zu manipulieren. Der Krieg im Jemen ist, wie jeder andere Konflikt auch, ein Krieg der Narrative. Um Anhänger zu mobilisieren, heben die jeweiligen Konfliktparteien Erinnerungen der eigenen Unterdrückung hervor und verzerren die Erinnerungen der anderen. Mit der Politisierung von Erinnerung werden immer auch Erinnerungen unterdrückt und zum Schweigen gebracht. Im Kern dieser Diskurse stehen die jemenitische Republik, die Beschaffenheit des jemenitischen Staates und die Identität der jemenitischen Nation.
Mit den jeweiligen Interpretationen mobilisieren die Kriegsparteien ihre Anhänger, diskursive Fronten verhärten sich, und ein Dialog wird immer schwieriger. In den sozialen Medien lässt sich beobachten, wie historische Ereignisse von Meinungsführern uminterpretiert und diskursiv gefestigt werden und so die Gesellschaft polarisiert wird.
Für Frieden und Versöhnung müssen Gesellschaften Erinnerungen, auch scheinbar widersprüchlichen Erinnerungen, einen Raum nebeneinander geben. Genauso wie Krieg ein Narrativ hat, braucht auch Frieden eines. Ein oft vernachlässigter Teil des Peacebuilding ist es, neue Narrative über den Krieg und seine Gewalt zu schaffen und die Geschichte neu zu interpretieren. Während die Geschichtsschreibung der Regime hegemonial ist, sind die Erinnerungen der Bevölkerung gegenhegemonial. Im Angesicht der Zerstörung des kulturellen Erbes ist es daher wichtig, jetzt Maßnahmen zu ergreifen, um Erinnerungen zu sammeln, zu schützen und frei zugänglich zu machen. Digitale Technologien können in diesem Kontext einen wichtigen Platz einnehmen, um Erinnerungen und damit das kulturelle Erbe eines Landes schützen, dessen Orte der Erinnerung zerstört werden und staatliche Institutionen kaum Ressourcen oder das Interesse haben, ebendieses Erbe zu schützen.
Bereits jetzt gibt es eine Vielzahl an Initiativen, die digitale Technologie einsetzen, um das Erbe des Jemen zu schützen. Einige westliche Universitäten beschäftigen sich mit der Bewahrung jemenitischer Manuskripte
Es gibt aber auch jemenitische Projekte. Das «Jemen-Archiv», eine unabhängige Plattform, die 2017 ins Leben gerufen wurde, hat sich auf die Digitalisierung und Veröffentlichung von literarischen Werken jemenitischer Autor*innen spezialisiert. Auf der Plattform werden Bücher, Enzyklopädien, Gedichte, Romane oder Biografien veröffentlicht.
Gerade jetzt, wo Museen weltweit aufgrund von Corona-Lockdowns umdenken müssen und ihre Sammlungen oft online ausstellen, ergeben sich neue Möglichkeiten für jemenitische Projekte. Die Digitalisierung des kulturellen Erbes bedarf nicht nur technischen Knowhows, sondern interdisziplinären Wissens, das die Objekte sozial- und geschichtswissenschaftlich ein- und zuordnen kann. Hier gibt es über die Förderung von Projekten hinaus viele Anknüpfungspunkte für internationalen Austausch.
(* B C)
Al-Ashrafiya Mosque: A Historical Madrasa-Mosque in Taiz by Nezar Moqbel
In January 2021, the artist Nezar Moqbel was in Taiz on a business trip and had the opportunity to visit Al-Ashrafiya mosque. Here we present his photo essay, and an interview he conducted with Abdullah Ahmad al-Buraihi, who is responsible for Al-Ashrafiya mosque as the resident curator and deputy imam.
When was the mosque founded?
The construction of the mosque began in 800 Hijri (1275 BC) and opened in 803 Hijri (1382 BC).
Who ordered the building of Al-Ashrafiya Mosque and who supervised its construction? Was it built to meet a certain need at the time?
King Al-Ashraf Ismail bin Al-Abbas bin Ali bin Dawood bin Yusuf bin Omar Al-Rasuli ordered and supervised the construction of the mosque. The sultans of the Rasulid Dynasty took interest in science and scholarship, so they built many schools, including Al-Ashrafiya madrasa-mosque. It is also well-known that among the apostles there were scholarly kings whose works are still widely read, even today.
Which factors and characteristics make Al-Ashrafiya mosque unique and distinguished from other mosques in Taiz, in particular, and in Yemen in general, so much so that it garnered such great fame?
One of the most important factors is the presence of Islamic inscriptions and motifs that are not found in other mosques, in addition to rare stone carvings and wooden mashrabiyas. The mosque’s geographical location is characterized by a moderate climate in summer and winter, and it was distinguished in the past as a certified madrasa attended by some of the top scholars of that period, including Imam Abu Bakr al-Muqri (many photos)
https://almadaniyamag.com/2021/03/18/al-ashrafiya-mosque-taiz/
(A P)
The extraction of 10,000 important documents from the reign of the Imam, after Ali Abdullah Saleh buried them in an underground room
The Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Hassan Sharaf al-Din, published today on the process of extracting ten thousand documents related to the period of rule of Imam Yahya Hamid al-Din, Ahmad's daughter and his government.
Hasan Sharaf al-Din: With the approval of the Leader of the Revolution and His Excellency the President of the Supreme Political Council, more than ten thousand documents were extracted pertaining to the period of rule of Imam al-Mutawakkil Yahya Muhammad Hamid al-Din and his son Saif al-Islam Ahmad and his government in Hajjah. They were extracted from an underground room designated for horse and horse feed. In 2004, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh had ordered that it be thrown in it and blocked it with stones and cement.
The documents contain correspondence between Imam Yahya and his son Ahmed, telegrams, and important political, military, security and financial documents, as well as many financial documents from the outlets. The ports, cities and villages in Hajjah and elsewhere, documents related to the endowment, insights into some of the money purchased for Saif al-Islam Ahmed, and numbers of various newspapers and magazines, these documents represent a historical treasure for the state given the importance of the period they are talking about and the scarcity of documents related to that period due to its exposure to burning and deliberate destruction. Yemen’s restoration of Hanish island by order of the International Court was based on a small document stating that the zakat of the island’s residents reached the imam.
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ar&tl=en&u=https://spicy-news.com/news/yemen/16409
cp13c Wirtschaft / Economy
(* B E)
Revitalizing Yemen’s Ancient Traditions of Coffee Cultivation
Young Yemenis set up coffee startups to bolster Yemen’s agricultural sector, setting the stage for economic recovery and social change.
Demand for high-quality coffee is growing, and the market is quickly maturing.
Qahwa, the Arabic name and origin of the word coffee, is an integral part of the region’s culture and history. The beverage’s historical roots in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically Yemen, go back to the 1300s and 1400s. Debates on the origin of coffee continue to this day. But it is commonly believed that Sufi monk Abul Hasan Ali ibn Umar discovered coffee cherries in Ethiopia as an edible fruit consumed with ghee and began cultivating the plant and boiling it into a beverage when he returned to Yemen. Drinking coffee has a long-standing history in the Sufi tradition with religious symbolic meanings, used for night prayers and worship rituals.
Yemeni coffee has only in the past few years received recognition by the international coffee community for its high quality and unique flavor complexity. Its late inclusion in the global market is primarily due to political and economic instability in the country. However, young entrepreneurs with Yemeni origins are looking to Yemeni coffee’s ancient heritage and pushing for its revival, tapping into the industry’s production side to offer coffee enthusiasts high-quality coffee beans.
AGSIW spoke to two founders of Yemeni coffee startup companies to gain insight into their journeys: Mokhtar Alkhanshali, born to Yemeni immigrant parents living in the United States, is the founder of Port of Mokha and the nonprofit organization the Mokha Institute. Abdulrahman Saeed is a United Arab Emirates national, who was born in Toronto, and the founder of Sabcomeed.
Both Mokhtar and Abdulrahman turned their passions into a career, deciding to leave their educational and professional aspirations behind to support the agricultural sector of their country of origin. Mokhtar told AGSIW, “As a child living in the United States, the portrayal of Arab communities was very negative, particularly in the media and especially after 9/11. I was always trying to find things in our past, in our history, that made me proud. I was really into Islamic history and Arabic poetry. In 2012, I discovered specialty coffee, and it was this new emerging market in the United States. Then I found out that coffee has roots in Yemen. I thought that it was kind of cool that we gave this wonderful beverage to the world that helps people get up every morning.”
https://agsiw.org/revitalizing-yemens-ancient-traditions-of-coffee-cultivation/
(* B E H)
Liquid gold: beekeepers defying Yemen war to produce the best honey
Despite the dangers, more Yemenis are turning to the sector as an alternative means of income
An estimated 100,000 small-scale beekeepers like Aulaqi in Yemen produce just 1,580 tonnes of honey a year, of which 840 tonnes is exported, according to a 2020 UN report. Sidr honey can sell for up to $500 (£370) a kilogram in neighbouring Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
While honey connoisseurs have long maintained that the Yemeni product deserves a global market, decades of political instability have meant turbulent growth and limited outside reach.
Keen to improve food stability and bring money into the country, the government has identified honey as a key sector for expansion. Beekeepers, wholesalers and exporters the Guardian met in and around Shabwa’s capital Ataq, are keen to share their liquid gold with the rest of the world.
The prized Sidr honey can only be harvested once every 12 months, but lower-grade acacia and desert flowers provide work year-round.
A generation ago, beehives were still cultivated in empty tree trunks and transported on the backs of camels; now, imported machine-made hives from Europe and pickup trucks make the work easier, even if beekeepers, like so many others in Yemen, are plagued by fuel shortages.
While there is money to be made in honey, there are also many challenges for beekeepers to overcome. If roadblocks make it impossible to move hives to more bountiful areas, the bees will die, and the insects are also at risk from unregulated pesticide use by farmers.
The war means beekeeping has become a hazardous occupation for humans too. Unmarked landmines are planted all over the country. And while keepers prefer to move bees at night, when the insects are sleepy, nocturnal movement is often viewed as suspicious by Yemen’s warring parties, and tracked closely from the air by Saudi drones.
Mohammed bin Lashar, a wholesaler in Ataq, said one of his suppliers was targeted by an airstrike in MMaʼrib governorate. “He was lucky to survive. They probably thought he was al-Qaida,” he said.
Despite the dangers, and as inflation soars and steady work dries up, in Shabwa at least it appears more and more people are turning to beekeeping as an alternative means of income.
While more experienced keepers are happy to share what they know about the trade with newcomers, they are also worried that too many bees in the same area will make it difficult to find adequate food and water for an increasing bee population, driving down standards and prices.
There could be enough work for everyone if the authorities or charities step in to help by planting more sidr trees, a move local beekeepers are lobbying for. Other necessary steps for expanding the sector include creating a standards agency and food safety certification system to allow Yemeni beekeepers to export their organic product throughout the world. (photos)
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
Siehe / Look at cp1
(A T)
UAE Arms, Trains, Moves Al-Qaedah in Yemen
The southern politician Al-Bujairi described the UAE as the devil state, accusing it of moving Al-Qaedah individuals.
In a tweet on Friday the former member of the Shura Council, Ali Hussein Al-Bujairi pointed out that the deposed (Saleh) sons handed over Al-Qaeda members to this country, which recruited large numbers and rearranged them.
He explained that the UAE arms, trains and moves those individuals in all Yemeni regions, according to their request, considering that it use them as its last card to try with in Yemen.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18403/UAE-Arms%2C-Trains%2C-Moves-Al-Qaedah-in-Yemen
cp15 Propaganda
(A P)
Yemeni observers say the UN mission’s quick visit to inspect Alsalif Seaport where Houthis claimed an Arab airstrike early Monday reveals a UN collusion with Houthis. The observers say the Houthis use the seaports for military activities. They said Houthis have shelled Ikhwan Thabet dairy products factory in the city center of Hodeidah more than 116 times in the past, but the UN mission did not visit or survey the damage there./Bawabati
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45870
(A P)
Brotherhood, Qaeda joining hands to control southern Yemen
The Muslim Brotherhood is proving to be a major stumbling block on the road to peace in Yemen, the Paris-based Middle East center for strategic studies said on Monday.
The Islamist movement works tooth and nail to control southern Yemen, which is resource-rich and enjoys a unique geographical location.
They do this to compensate the losses they sustained in the war in Yemen. The Muslim Brotherhood also backs Turkish presence near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the southern entrance of the Red Sea.
Muslim Brotherhood militias work hard to sabotage the Riyadh Agreement by escalating their violence in southern Yemen.
Brotherhood-Qaeda alliance
Some Yemeni sources have disclosed the presence of moves by al-Qaeda in Shabwah province.
Al-Qaeda, the sources said, make these moves under protection from the Muslim Brotherhood militias.
Muslim Brotherhood checkpoints ease the movement of the members of al-Qaeda in different districts in southern Yemen.
The same sources added that the terrorists who carried out an attack in the south central town of Ahwar on 18 March came from Shabwah.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32535
My comment: The separatists are blaming Islah Party. The Riyadh agreement will break soon, once again.
(A P)
Saudi Arabia wants peace … but it will defend itself
At the same time, Saudi Arabia has a permanent commitment to peace and to political solutions. It will always maintain its ability to defend and respond to any aggression that threatens its security and stability.
The Kingdom today holds exercises and maneuvers in many military sectors, including in Greece and Pakistan, along with ground maneuvers in the UAE. These joint exercises and maneuvers affirm the Kingdom's combat readiness to defend its sky, its land and its sea by responding to every possible act of aggression.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1830011
(A P)
The Houthis Are the Problem in Yemen, Not the Saudis
The Biden administration needs to reconsider its policy towards Yemen if it seeks a longstanding solution to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
After more than half a decade of conflict, one might think that the West, and particularly the US, would know how to deal strategically with and understand the Houthis’ behavior in the Yemeni civil war. However, in recent weeks US policy regarding the group continues to highlight the country’s failure, or perhaps unwillingness, to grasp the Iranian-backed militia’s role in the conflict.
The lack of Western comprehension concerning Houthi strategy was on full display in late 2017 and throughout 2018.
Ahead of the assault on the port city of Hodeidah, the international community intervened to stop the offensive and brokered the Stockholm agreement in December 2018 to prevent a “humanitarian disaster.”
The Biden administration’s delisting of the group as a foreign terrorist organization, coupled with the withdrawal of US support for the Kingdom in the war a week earlier, is yet another example of the short-sightedness and lack of understanding of the Houthis as rogue actors. Such measures only remove any sort of leverage over the Houthis, merely encouraging them, as clearly illustrated by its stepping up of attacks and eventual offensive to take Marib Province from Saudi Arabia and its local allies.
Furthermore, in the broader picture, the latest campaign against the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by the new administration is detrimental to the goal of hindering the growing influence of Tehran across the region, including through its Yemeni ally.
Although avoiding imposing sanctions on the crown prince himself, the blacklisting of his confidants and pointing the finger at Bin Salman, while at the same time providing concessions to the Houthis, further encourages the Iran-backed group to act aggressively.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/03/22/houthis-problem-in-yemen/
(A P)
Iran is increasingly obsessed with defeating Saudi forces in Yemen
This isn’t the first time Yemen has been caught in a proxy war. In the 1960s it was a center of conflict for Egypt and other powers, including Saudi Arabia.
Iran is investing heavily in the war in Yemen, through technical know-how and provision of weapons over the last six years, as well as political capital. Where once the Houthi rebels were portrayed as an indigenous rebel force that sprang from the mountains of Yemen, Iran is now taking ownership of the war.
The war in Yemen is now widely understood to have repercussions for the region, including Israel. Israel’s air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, have been improved in recent years to simultaneously confront multiple threats, including drones and missile salvos. Drones and missile salvos are what Iran has been working with the Houthis on perfecting.
To understand how Iran has sought ownership of the war in Yemen, one can look at Iran’s media reports. The regime shows support by heralding each Houthi drone attack on Saudi Arabia as a success. It often published the Houthi accounts of targeting Saudi Arabia as the attacks unfold. It also interviews leading Houthis to send messages to the US and Saudi Arabia about upcoming threats and attacks.
Now Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has upped the rhetoric again, singling out Yemen as a key property for the Islamic Republic.
(A P)
The escalation syndrome of Iran and UAE’s two putschist militias in Yemen
The Iran-backed Houthi militia, and the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militia, on many occasions manifest a tendency to copy one another’s behavior in undermining the Yemeni government’s authority. In particular, the UAE’s militia tend to copy the behavior of Iran’s militia.
As Iran’s Houthi militia in Yemen’s north stepped up their attack on the government-held Marib province this month, the UAE’s STC militia in the south stepped up their attacks on the government too by words and actions and sometimes the two militias took identical escalation measures against government-held cities:
http://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45848
(A P)
Iranian Resistance: Danger of Iran’s Ballistic Missiles Has Grown Since Attack Last Year
The National Council of Resistance of Iran held a press conference on Thursday, March 18, 2021, to discuss new revelations regarding the Iranian regime’s development and use of ballistic missiles. The press conference focused on “two of the most important sites” for those activities, both located in the Western province of Kermanshah.
According to the NCRI, the sites at Konesht Canyon and Panj Pelleh were both used as staging grounds for a ballistic missile attack on January 8, 2020, which targeted U.S. forces stationed at Iraqi military bases. The incident involved at least 15 ballistic missiles, 10 of which struck the Ain al-Asad airbase.
(A P)
Houthi escalation of attacks proof of Iran’s ‘expansive agenda’ says Yemeni official
The increase in the number of Houthi operations in Yemen and across the border in Saudi Arabia are proof the militia is a proxy for Iran’s ‘expansive agenda’, a senior Yemeni official said.
Yemen’s minister of information, culture and tourism, Muamar Al-Eryani, said in a statement that the “Houthi’s recent escalation of attacks confirms that it does not make decisions on war and peace, but rather only follows Iran’s expansive agenda.”
The Houthis work under Tehran’s envoy to Yemen, Hassan Eyrlou, to harm Saudi Arabia and threaten security of international energy and international maritime navigation, Al-Eryani said.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1829106/middle-east
(A P)
Intl leniency emboldened Houthis to indulge in crimes: [Hadi gov.] Yemeni Parliament
The Yemeni official Parliament on Saturday accused the international community of collusion and leniency with the Iranian-backed Houthi group.
Leniency by those calling for cessation emboldened the Houthis to indulge in their crimes and target economic and vital facilities, harming the global economy, the Parliament speakership board said in a statement.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23923.html
My comment: This “parliament” did not meet for more than a year. Two years?
(A P)
Yemeni gov't says Houthis reneged deal governing oil tanker entry
he Houthi group rejects all the UN efforts to solve Yemen's crisis, the official government's spokesman said Friday in remarks to Al-Jazeera.
The Houthis reneged a deal governing the oil tanker entry into the Red Sea port of Hodeida, Rajih Badi added.
The legitimate government backs a sustainable ceasefire and a political solution in Yemen, he said, but "any negotiation should be based on the Security Council's resolution, [National] Dialogue's outcomes and the Gulf Initiative."
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23920.html
My comment: The Hadi government’s old claims: WE are the only government and the Houthis must capitulate.
(A P)
Iran Probably Already Has the Bomb. Here’s What to Do about It
Washington’s policy-makers are being misled by the intelligence and defense communities that are grossly underestimating the nuclear threat from Iran, just as they did with North Korea.
Another mainstream “worst-case” view is that Iran could abide by the Obama administration’s Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and legitimately glide toward nuclear weapons capability in ten to 15 years. The Trump administration canceled the JCPOA for legitimate reasons, but the Biden administration has pledged to revive it.
In contrast to these views, we warned in these pages in February 2016 that Iran probably already had atomic weapons deliverable by missile and satellite
So by 2003, Iran was already a threshold nuclear-missile state. But for at least the last decade, the intelligence community has annually assessed that Iran could build atomic weapons in one year or less. On the other hand, less than a month ago, independent analysts at the Institute for Science and International Security assessed that Iran had a break-out time of as short as three months for its first nuclear weapon and five months for a second.
And there is no reason to believe U.S. and IAEA intelligence capabilities are so perfect that they can assuredly detect Iran’s clandestine efforts to build atomic weapons. Indeed, the U.S. and IAEA did not even know about Iran’s clandestine nuclear-weapons program until Iranian dissidents exposed it in 2002 – by R. James Woolsey
https://news.yahoo.com/iran-probably-already-bomb-192403407.html
My comment: Look who th author is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._James_Woolsey_Jr.
(A P)
Israel’s Daily Battle to Block Iran’s Infiltration and Attacks
Iran’s hegemony scheme for the Middle East not only includes surrounding Israel with missile bases and heavily armed proxies, but also earmarking territories further away, such as Iraq and Yemen, as future bases of attack.
Behind the scenes, and despite its severe economic distress due to US sanctions, Iran is working constantly to infiltrate and consolidate its presence in lands with partial or failed sovereignty, or in the case of Syria, ruled by an ally.
Iran uses the regional situation to create new security risks throughout the Middle East, while also calling on its proxy terrorist assets to pile on the pressure on the US ahead of nuclear talks.
Yet Iranian plans for other regions like Iraq and Yemen are no less important to the ayatollahs’ regime and to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which have a long-term objective of building a Shiite crescent through the Middle East.
And it is not only Israel that is in the firing line; Sunni Arab states are even more exposed.
Ultimately, the attacks on Saudi Arabia out of Yemen and Iraq are a clear signal of Iran’s intent. It wants to gain the ability to strike the sensitive strategic targets of Sunni states and Israel, and to do so from as many areas in the Middle East as possible.
Meanwhile, Iran’s well developed domestic weapons industries produce an array of conventional and increasingly reliable ballistic and cruise missiles, which the regime makes sure to show off and saber-rattle on a regular basis.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/03/19/israels-daily-battle-to-block-irans-infiltration-and-attacks/
(A P)
More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2205185
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2205175
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
(* A K pH)
Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day
March 20: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1968626949954327/
March 19: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1967760023374353/
March 18: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1967758406707848/
March 17: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/1966709353479420/
(* B H K)
Film: Violated Lives
The documentary “Violated Lives” highlights the #US forces military raid in Al Athal village of Al Jubah district, Marib governorate in #Yemen on May 23, 2017. Five people were killed in the raid, including two civilians, two members of the US-aligned Yemeni army, and another man whose status Mwatana was unable to determine. The two civilians who were killed included an elderly shepherd and a 19-year old student. Another four people were injured, including two civilians and two Yemeni army soldiers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBHiP0sRJQg
(A K)
Saudi-Arabien verstärkt Luftangriffe gegen Houthis im Jemen
Die von Saudi-Arabien angeführte Koalition, die seit 2015 im Jemen kämpft, hat Dutzende von Luftangriffen gegen militärische Ziele der Houthi-Rebellen im Norden des Landes geflogen, darunter gegen die Hauptstadt Sanaa und gegen den Hafen von Salif an der Küste des Roten Meeres. Die saudische Militärallianz erklärte, sie habe eine Raketen- und Drohnenmontageanlage in Sanaa getroffen, die den mit dem Iran verbündeten Houthis gehöre, die den Norden des Jemen kontrollieren.
https://www.mena-watch.com/saudi-arabien-verstaerkt-luftangriff-gegen-houthis-im-jemen/
und auch https://de.rt.com/der-nahe-osten/114805-saudi-arabien-bietet-waffenruhe-an/
Mein Kommentar: Die Zahl der Todesopfer im RT-Artikel ist falsch; in Salif gab es einen Toten und mehrere Verletzte.
(A K)
Saudi Warplanes Strike Yemen Targets Hours After Peace Proposal
Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck military positions belonging to Iran-backed rebels in Yemen’s capital, hours after the kingdom proposed a negotiated end to a war that’s raged for six years and created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Rebel-run Al-Masirah television said planes targeted a military camp and an air base in Sana’a, as well as other areas overnight. Residents reported hearing explosions and fighter jets hovering over the city. There was no immediate confirmation or comment from Saudi Arabia.
and
(A K pH)
Sana'a airport still subjected to aggression raids amid false initiative: official
Undersecretary of the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority Raed Jabal said on Tuesday that Sana'a International Airport is still subjected to violent raids by the aggression warplanes until this moment. In a statement to Saba, Jabal added at a time the US-Saudi aggression coalition announces the launch of its false initiative, among which is the opening of Sana’a airport and stopping the raids, the aggression’s warplanes continues to launch raids on the airport with the aim of paralyzing its movement. He pointed out the so-called initiative announced by the Saudi aggression state is nothing but an attempt to mislead public opinion before the international community.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133665.htm
and also https://en.mehrnews.com/news/171344/Saudi-coalition-fighters-attack-Sana-a-airport
(A K pH)
Saudische Jets verstärken Luftangriffe auf Jemen und zerstören Getreidesilos
Saudische Kampfflugzeuge haben eine Reihe neuer Luftangriffe auf den Jemen durchgeführt, darunter auf die Hauptstadt Sanaa und den Hafen von Salif in der westlichen Provinz Hudaydah am Roten Meer.
Laut Jemens Fernsehsender al-Masirah führten die saudischen Kampfflugzeuge am Sonntag elf Luftangriffe auf das Gebiet al-Nahdin, das Viertel al-Nahdah, den Bezirk Sanahan und den Bezirk al-Haffa in Sanaa durch.
Zwei weitere saudische Luftangriffe trafen den internationalen Flughafen Sanaa, heißt es in dem Bericht.
Saudi-Arabien behauptete am späten Sonntag, es habe die Werkstätten der jemenitischen Streitkräfte für den Zusammenbau ballistischer Raketen und Drohnen in der Hauptstadt zerstört. "Die Operation zielt darauf ab, die Quellen eines bevorstehenden Angriffs zu neutralisieren und zu zerstören", hieß es.
Die Vereinten Nationen sagten, dass die Luftangriffe am Sonntag das Getreidelager von Salif nördlich von al-Hudaydah sowie ein Lagerhaus und die Wohnräume einer Lebensmittelproduktionsfirma getroffen hätten.
"Lokale Behörden und die Geschäftsführung gaben an, dass sechs verletzte Arbeitnehmer zur Behandlung in örtliche medizinische Einrichtungen gebracht wurden", sagte die UN-Mission in Hudaydah (UNMHA) am Montag in einer Erklärung.
Das jemenitische Handels- und Industrieministerium verurteilte den Angriff auf den Hafen und sagte, dies sei ein Beweis für Saudi-Arabiens "Wirtschaftskrieg gegen das jemenitische Volk".
Der Angriff auf den Hafen von Salif verstieß gegen das Stockholmer Abkommen von 2018, wonach der Hafen Teil einer von den Vereinten Nationen vermittelten neutralen Zone am Roten Meer ist.
Al-Masirah berichtete, dass die saudischen Kampfflugzeuge am Sonntag auch die Provinzen Hajjah, Imran und al-Jawf bombardierten.
Die saudischen Luftangriffe trafen ebenfalls Marib, den Schauplatz heftiger Kämpfe zwischen von Saudi-Arabien unterstützten Söldnern und jemenitischen Streitkräften.
(A K pH)
Aggression launch 5 airstrikes on Sana'a
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133487.htm
and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/03/21/fresh-saudi-airstrikes-hit-yemeni-capital/
(A K pH)
Film: Sanaa: Now/ a fire is in maintenance (Al-Nahda / Al-Hasaba neighborhood) after a raid by the Saudi-American aggression a little while ago and 4 raids on Al-Nahdain area.
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1373729713898860546
Another film: https://www.facebook.com/LivingInYemenOnTheEdge/posts/3885721064814228
and https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/03/21/fresh-saudi-airstrikes-hit-yemeni-capital/
Photos: #Sanaa under heavy Saudi bombardments
https://twitter.com/almarshahi1/status/1373731854692581381
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/1373729524408594434
and the Saudis claim:
(A K pS)
The Arab Coalition confirmed it has destroyed Houthi workshops for assembling ballistic missiles and drones in the capital Sanaa, according to a statement.
"The operation aims to neutralize and destroy the sources of an impending attack and to protect civilians from hostile attacks," the coalition added. (with film)
(A K)
Saudi-led coalition intensifies Yemen air strikes, hits grains port
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen unleashed dozens of air strikes against what it called Houthi military targets in the country’s north, including the capital Sanaa and the port of Salif on the Red Sea coast.
“Local authorities and company management stated that six injured workers were transferred to local medical facilities for treatment,” the U.N. mission in Hodeidah, UNMHA, said in a statement on Monday.
The port of Salif is part of a U.N.-brokered neutral zone on the Red Sea, according to the Stockholm agreement signed in 2018 between Yemen’s warring parties.
The Houthi-controlled ministry of commerce and industry said attacks on the port were part of the “economic warfare against the Yemeni people”.
and
(A K pH)
Film: the aggression's aviation i targeting Al-Salif port in Hodeidah with two raids, March 21-2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqA1RUA5_qA
and
(A K pH)
Film: The aggression targeted grain silos and mills in Salif Al-Hodeidah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XNKMo6uzc
and
(A K pH)
Film: The bloody coalition forces bombed the evening of Saturday 20-3-2021 in # Al-Hodeidah with a number of missiles # Salif Port, causing the death of one worker, seriously wounding six, the loss of two people, the destruction of a building of one of the industrial and food companies of Al-Houbari (Bevico Al-Houbari), the hangar of equipment, and the damage to grain silos and damage to mills .
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1373632725329051651
A press release regarding the targeting of the grain silos and mills of the Yemeni International Food Industries Ltd. (PIVICO Al-Habbari) in the port of Salif in Al-Hudaydah (document)
https://twitter.com/KhalidAlarabi7/status/1373648871394541573
(A K pS)
Coalition destroys Houthi air defense system in Marib
The Arab Coalition said on Sunday, it destroyed a hostile Houthi air defense system on the Marib front in Yemen.
All components of the system were destroyed and its foreign operatives were killed, Al-Ekhbariya reported.
The coalition shared videos of its forces targeting Houthi equipment and elements, as part of its operations to support the Yemeni army in Marib.
http://en.adenpress.news/news/32523
(* B K pH)
Saudi-led invaders waged over 266,000 airstrikes on Yemen since 2015
The spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e, had on Sunday announced that Yemen had been subjected to more than 266,510 airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition aircraft during the past six years of war on the country.
Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e held a press conference in Sanaa this afternoon, entitled “We are coming to the seventh year,” in which he revealed the statistics on six years of steadfastness in the face of the coalition.
The spokesman said that hundreds of airstrikes were not monitored, especially during the years 2015 and 2016, noting that the total coalition airstrikes in Yemen since the beginning of the current year 2021 amounted to 1,000 airstrikes already.
He explained that most of the air raids targeted villages, cities, homes, roads, mosques, and private and public facilities, and led to the death and injury of tens of thousands of Yemenis.
The competent authorities will reveal statistics related to crimes, victims, repercussions, and damages, he added.
(A K pH)
Film: A poultry farm targeted by the American-Saudi aggression with two raids in Amran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTr_hxvdRE4
(A K pH)
Aggression warplanes launch series of raids on capital Sana'a
The US-Saudi-led aggression coalition warplanes on Saturday morning launched a series of raids on the capital Sana'a.
The aggression fighter jets waged three raids on al-Hafa area and two raids on Sana'a International Airport and one raid on Al-Nahda neighborhood, which caused damage to public and private property, a security official explained.
The official added the aggression's warplanes launched 2 raids on Jarban area in Sinhan district of Sana'a province.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133333.htm
https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/03/21/saudis-conduct-airstrikes-on-yemens-sanaa-3/
(A K)
Saudi-led coalition pounds Houthi military sites in Sanaa, say residents
The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen’s Houthi group struck military targets belonging to the Iran-aligned movement in the capital Sanaa in the early hours of Sunday, residents said.
Residents in Sanaa told Reuters that coalition warplanes bombed areas housing Houthi military camps in southern Sanaa and a military manufacturing site in the north of the city.
Houthi-run Al Masirah television also reported coalition air strikes on the capital, including on Sanaa airport.
and
(A K)
Saudi-Led Jets Strike Houthi Targets in Yemen After Aramco Hit
Saudi-led coalition warplanes have launched a series of air strikes against military bases of Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen’s capital Sana’a.
Residents and the rebel-run Al-Masirah TV said the planes hit targets at Alhafa and Alsianah military camps, as well as those in the vicinity of Sana’a airport and the city’s suburbs.
A separate strike hit a rebel target in the Al-Salif district of the port province of Hodiedah.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/saudi-led-jets-strike-houthi-targets-in-yemen-after-aramco-hit-1.1579836
and also https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1373422979179241478
and
(A K pS)
Arab Coalition launches air strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen’s Sanaa
The Arab Coalition launched air strikes on military targets that belong to the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen’s Sanaa early on Sunday, Al Arabiya reported citing Yemeni sources.
The strikes targeted sites housing ballistic missiles and military manufacturing warehouses, the sources added.
(A K)
Jemen: Luftangriffe der Koalition unter Saudi-Arabien zur Bekämpfung des Aufstands der Houthi
Die offizielle saudische Nachrichtenagentur SPA veröffentlichte Bilder von Koalitionsstreiks und sagte, sie sollten "verhindern, dass Houthi-Paramilitärs versuchen, über Cassara auf Marib vorzustoßen".
Kassara ist eine der Frontlinien nordwestlich von Marib, der Regierungshochburg von 120 Kilometern Entfernung von der Hanai-Hauptstadt, die seit 2014 von den Houthis kontrolliert wird, sowie einem Großteil des nördlichen Teils des Landes.
Die Koalition der Streitkräfte unter Saudi-Arabien sagte, es sei ihr gelungen, die militärische Ausrüstung der Houthi-Rebellen, hauptsächlich Panzer, zu zerstören und "schwere Verluste" zu verursachen.
Die Houthi-Guerillas melden selten Opfer. Das von ihnen kontrollierte Fernsehsender Al Masira meldete jedoch 38 Luftangriffe in der Region Marib.
Ein jemenitischer Regierungsbeamter teilte der AFP mit, dass die Koalition mindestens 20 Mal geschlagen habe.
(A K)
Saudi coalition strikes advancing Yemen rebels
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said Saturday it had launched air strikes in support of pro-government forces battling a quickening Huthi rebel advance on the northern city of Marib.
The air strikes launched by the coalition were designed to "thwart the Huthi militia's attempt to advance towards Marib in Al-Kasrah", the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Al-Kasrah is one of the lines of defence to the northwest of the city, which is the government's last remaining stronghold in the north and the capital of an oil-rich region.
and also https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/saudi-led-coalition-launches-new-airstrikes-yemen
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1829051/middle-east
(A K pS)
Film: Footage shows Saudi-led Coalition airstrikes on Houthi reinforcements and military hardware yesterday in alKasarah front northwest #Marib, destroying 2 tanks, 5 pickups, 3 armored vehicles and 2 BMP vehicles.
https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1373054856336924672
(A K pH)
More Saudi coalition air raids
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18446/US-Saudi-Aggression-launches-Series-of-Raids-on-Several-Governorates / https://english.almasirah.net/post/18448/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Monday%2C-March.22.2021 Several prov.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133525.htm Jawf p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133630.htm Marib p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133644.htm Jawf p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18426/US-Saudi-Aggression-launched-Series-of-Raids-on-Several-Governorates / https://english.almasirah.net/post/18434/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Sunday%2C-March.21.2021 Several prov.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133458.htm Jawf p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133317.htm Marib p.
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1373424248354639872 Hodeidah p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18413/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Saturday%2C-March.20.2021 Saada p., Marib p., Hajjah p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133195.htm Marib p.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18399/US-Saudi-Aggression-s-Daily-Update-for-Friday%2C-March.19.2021 Marib p., Hajjah p., Saada p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133131.htm / https://english.almasirah.net/post/18394/US-Saudi-Warplanes-launched-38-raids-on-Marib%C2%A0 Marib p.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133112.htm Hajjah p.
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Siehe / Look at cp17a, cp18
Im Jemen herrscht ein militärisches Patt. Eine größere Offensive mit größeren Erfolgen und Geländegewinnen für eine Seite bleiben seit der Offensive der saudischen Koalition gegen Hodeidah im Jahr 2018 aus. Kleinere Offensiven, ständige gegenseitige Angriffe und Gefechte mit Toten auf beiden Seiten und Opfern unter der Zivilbevölkerung gibt es aber ständig. Besonders betroffen sind die Provinzen Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, der Bezirk Nehm in der Provinz Sanaa, die Provinzen Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah und Saada.
There is a military stalemate in Yemen. A larger offensive with greater successes and territorial gains for one side has been absent since the Saudi coalition's offensive against Hodeidah in 2018. Smaller offensives, constant mutual attacks and skirmishes killing fighters of both sides and causing victims among the civilian population are constant. The provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, the district of Nehm in the province of Sanaa, the provinces of Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah and Saada are particularly affected.
(A K pH)
Combined [Sanaa gov.] Yemeni land and naval operation strikes near Saudi border
The Yemeni army, backed by Popular Committees has on Monday carried out a large-scale military operation near the Saudi border, military sources said.
According to the sources, the operation involved naval and ground forces, and targeted the northern outskirts of Hajjah province, located on the southern border of Saudi Arabia.
A number of gunboats also took part in the operation.
During the operation, Sana’a forces were able to retake several positions south and east of Hiran district bordering Abs district,
(A K)
Riyadh air traffic on hold #SaudiArabia. Houthis in quick counterattack response.
https://twitter.com/Intel_Sky/status/1373768718577246217
(A K)
Battle heats up between opposing sides in Yemen
Fighting between forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognised government and Houthi rebels continued on Friday in the Hajjah Province in the country's northwest. Government forces claim to have wrestled control of several villages from the Houthis in the area in recent days. On Saturday, they issued a statement saying that large areas were taken from the Houthis in the Abs district of the governorate. The battles also intensified in the governorates of Maarib and Taiz in recent days. A military source loyal to the government claimed dozens of fighters were killed in the battles, most of them Houthis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NhCh6G4b5s
(A K pS)
KSrelief's Masam Project Dismantles 1,679 Mines in Yemen During 3rd Week of March
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief)'s Masam Project for Clearing Mines in Yemen demined 1,679 mines during the third week of March 2021, including two anti-personnel mines, 246 anti-tank mines, 1,429 unexploded ordnance and two explosive devices.
Since the beginning of the project, as many as 225,509 mines planted by the Houthi militia have been dismantled.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2205166
(* B K pH)
Saudi-led invaders and mercenaries suffered over 220,000 casualties since beginning of the war
The Armed Forces Spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e, revealed on Sunday the statistics of the military operations carried out by the Armed Forces during the past six years of invasion.
During a press briefing, Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e said that “over the past six years, the heroes of the Army and Popular Committees have carried 12,366 military operations, including 6,192 offensive attacks.”
More than 6,192 offensive attacks were carried out by the Yemeni forces, including 167 attacks in the past two months alone, he added.
Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e indicated that the sniper units carried out over 54,025 sniper operations on various fronts, including 2,502 shoots done in the past two months. These operations left thousands of mercenaries, including Sudanese nationals, as well as soldiers and officers of the Saudi army dead and wounded.
The Engineering Unit carried out more than 10,560 operations, targeting fortifications, vehicles, and gatherings, Sare’e stated.
He noted that the anti-armour units carried out over 6,385 operations targeting enemy armoured vehicles, troop carriers, bulldozers and others military gear.
The artillery unit carried out more than 59,852 operations, including backing, targeting and repelling infiltration attempts carried out by Saudi-led mercenaries, including 638 joint operations with the Air Force.
Over 14,527 vehicles, armoured vehicles, tanks, troop carriers, bulldozers and various weapons of the enemy have been destroyed or damaged since March 26, 2015, he added.
(A K pS)
Houthi shelling kills a man, injures young girl in central Yemen’s Taiz
The shell hit near a mosque in Taiz’s Maqbana district (photo)
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45873
(A K)
Artillery shell kills civilian injures five others in Yemen's Taiz
One civilian was killed and 5 others wounded on Sunday in the Yemeni southwestern city of Taiz, which has been the scene for fierce battles pitting the national army and Houthi forces for nearly two weeks.
An artillery shell fell near the gate of the faculty of arts, in the vicinity of Taiz police department, claiming the life of one civilian at once and injuring others, eyewitnesses told Debriefer reporter.
While no immediate statement has been released by official authorities in the city, social media and rights activists blamed the Houthi group for the incident.
On 7 March, the government troops began a massive military campaign aimed to lift blockade imposed by the Houthis on Taiz since 2015.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23941.html
Photos: https://twitter.com/ycmhrv/status/1373572127799046144
and
(A K)
A civilian was killed and 4 others were injured when a Houthi mortar shell landed at Faculty of Arts in Yemen's Taiz province Sunday. Parts of Taiz city came under heavy mortar fire this morning amid raging battles between Houthis & Gov't forces on several frontlines in province.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1373597708049657864
and also https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45871
(A K)
Government forces seeking to break six-year blockade on Yemen's Taiz
The government forces on Saturday said they are seeking to break a tight blockade the Houthi group has been imposing on Taiz province in southwest Yemen for six years.
The spokesperson for the Taiz Army Command Col. Abdulbasit Al-Bahr told Aljazeera TV the group is closing all entries to the city of Taiz, preventing the movement of people and goods.
The government forces are seeking to break this blockade, he said, a day after Houthi leader Hizam Al-Asad appeared on the TV denying that his group is besieging the city.
Battles between the the government and Houthi forces have been raging on several front lines in Taiz for two weeks.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-23934.html
(A K pH)
Air force drones target Saudi Abha Airport
The army's air force targeted a military site at Saudi Abha international airport with a drone of Qasef K2 type, spokesman for the armed forces, Brigadier General Yahya Sarie, told Saba on Saturday.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133225.htm
(* A K)
Jemens Huthi-Rebellen greifen Ölanlage in Saudi-Arabien an
Jemens Huthi-Rebellen haben nach eigenen Angaben eine Ölanlage in der saudi-arabischen Hauptstadt Riad mit mehreren Drohnen angegriffen. Diese hätten ihr Ziel "mit großer Genauigkeit" getroffen, erklärte ein Huthi-Sprecher am Freitag.
Saudi-Arabien bestätigte den Angriff. Aus dem Energieministerium in Riad hieß es, in der Raffinerie sei ein Feuer ausgebrochen, wie die staatliche saudische Nachrichtenagentur SPA meldete. Die Ölversorgung sei nicht beeinträchtigt worden. Es habe keine Opfer gegeben.
Satellitenbilder: https://twitter.com/B4Zaman/status/1373265212158078986
(* A K pH)
[Sanaa gov.] Army announces targeting Aramco in Riyadh
The Yemeni armed forces announced the carrying out of the sixth operation of Shaaban at Friday dawn, targeted Aramco in the capital of the Saudi enemy Riyadh.
The armed forces said in a statement issued this afternoon that the operation was carried out by 6 drones, and hit their targets with high accuracy.
The General Command of the Armed Forces confirmed that its operations are continuing and escalating as long as the aggression and siege continued.
It renewed the call for all foreign companies and citizens to stay completely away from military and vital objectives as they have become legitimate targets, and maybe targeted at any moment.
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133105.htm
and also https://english.almasirah.net/post/18389/Yemeni-Armed-Forces-Announce-Operation-of-6th-of-Shaaban
and
(A K pH)
Satellite images showing the damage caused by the air attack on the Riyadh Refinery, and the analyst of these images said that he was waiting for more accurate images to analyze the damage and said that it is clear that the fire suppression system has helped to avoid much damage to the facility.
https://twitter.com/B4Zaman/status/1373265212158078986
(A K P)
Film: Drone strike targets Aramco facility in Riyadh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnLVG2jyI8s&t=3s
and
(* A K pS)
An Official Spokesman at the Ministry of Energy Condemns the Terrorist Drone Attack on the Riyadh Refinery and Denounces these Acts of Sabotage that Target the Security of Energy Supply
An official spokesman at the Ministry of Energy stated that today at 06:05 AM the Riyadh oil refinery was attacked by drones, resulting in a fire that has been brought under control. The attack did not result in any injury or death nor was the supply of oil or its derivatives affected.
In his statement, the spokesman stressed that the Kingdom strongly condemns this cowardly attack. The Kingdom asserts that such acts of terrorism and sabotage, repeatedly committed against vital installations and civilian facilities - the last of which was the attempt to target the Ras Tanura refinery and Saudi Aramco’s residential area in Dhahran - do not target the Kingdom alone, but more broadly the security and stability of energy supply to the world, as well as the global economy.
The spokesman renewed the call to all nations and organizations of the world to stand together against such acts of terrorism and sabotage, and to stop all groups carrying out or supporting these attacks.
https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2204642
and
(* A K)
Drone strike on Riyadh oil refinery claimed by Houthis causes fire
An air attack on an oil refinery in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Friday caused a fire that was brought under control, the energy ministry said, after Yemen’s Houthi group said it targeted the site with six drones.
The refinery is operated by state-controlled oil giant Saudi Aramco. The attack, which happened at 6:05 a.m. Saudi time (0305 GMT), did not result in injuries or deaths, and did not disrupt the supply of oil or oil derivatives, the energy ministry said.
The Houthis said earlier in the day that they had hit a facility belonging to Aramco in Riyadh, without specifying the targets they said were hit.
“Our armed forces carried out at dawn today an operation... with six drones which targeted the Aramco company in the capital of the Saudi enemy, Riyadh,” said Yahya Sarea, a Houthi military spokesman.
The energy ministry did not say who had launched the drones, or from where.
Aramco did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment but said it would do so “at the earliest opportunity”.
and also https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-saudi-aramco-houthis-drone-attack
(A K pH)
Jemenitischer Drohnenangriff auf saudische Militärbasis "König Khaled"
Bei ihrer zweiten Vergeltungsoperation haben die Drohnen der jemenitischen Armee die Militärbasis "König Khaled" in Saudi-Arabien angegriffen.
In einer gestern abgegebenen Erklärung teilte der Sprecher der jemenitischen Streitkräfte Yahja Sari-a mit, die Drohneneinheit der Armee nahm an diesem Freitagabend mit zwei Qaf K2-Langstrecken-Drohnen den Luftwaffenstützpunkt König Khaled im saudischen Khamis Mushait ins Visier.
(A K pH)
Yemeni Drones Hit King Khalid Air Base in Saudi
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18393/Yemeni-Drones-Hit-King-Khalid-Air-Base-in-Saudi%C2%A0
and also https://www.saba.ye/en/news3133192.htm
(A K pS)
[Hadi gov.] Yemen army launches massive attack on Houthis in Taiz
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45820
(A K pH)
4 Injured by US-Saudi Artillery Shellings, Taiz
Four citizens were injured, Friday, by artillery shelling of the US-Saudi mercenaries, that hit the house of a citizen in Taiz Governorate.
https://english.almasirah.net/post/18400/4-Injured-by-US-Saudi-Artillery-Shellings%2C-Taiz
cp17a Kriegsereignisse: Schlacht um Marib / Theater of War: Marib battle
Siehe / Look at cp1, cp4
(A K)
Houthis accused of attacking refugee camps in Yemen's Marib
Five women were injured and properties of internally displaced families damaged after the Houthi group attacked refugee camps in Yemen's Marib province on Sunday, the Executive Unit for IDPs said on Tuesday.
The group shelled the camps of Al-Mail, Al-Khair and Tawasul with heavy guns and rockets, coinciding with a visit by the UN resident humanitarian coordinator David Gressly to the province, it said in a statement.
Three of the injured women are in critical condition, and 27 tents have been burned and 18 water tanks destroyed, the statement said, urging the UN to intervene and put an end to Houthi violation international humanitarian law.
https://debriefer.net/en/news-24003.html
and
(A K pS)
Houthi ballistic missile hits IDPs camp in Marib
A Houthi ballistic missile has hit an IDPs camp north of Marib and “preliminary information confirm that casualties were incurred,” Marib News reported. The Facebook page provided a link to a short video clip of the strike that took place this afternoon.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45872
Film: https://twitter.com/ycmhrv/status/1373998180463968257 = https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1373989793630130179
(A K pS)
Saudi air strikes halt Houthi tank offensive
Air strikes on Saturday by Saudi-led coalition warplanes halted a tank and infantry offensive in Marib by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.
The coalition said it launched the air strikes to “thwart the Houthi militia’s attempt to advance toward Marib in Al-Kasrah,” northwest of Marib city, the Yemeni government’s last remaining stronghold in the north. It said it had destroyed Houthi military equipment, including tanks, and had inflicted “heavy losses.”
A Yemeni government official said the coalition had launched at least 20 strikes. “The rebels launched a violent attack, including with tanks, in Al-Kasrah and the attack was thwarted with aerial support from the coalition,” the official said.
“In the past 48 hours at least 70 fighters were killed, including 22 from the government forces, and dozens were injured in clashes.”
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1829051/middle-east
and also https://thearabweekly.com/saudi-led-coalition-strikes-houthis-advancing-marib
(A K pS)
[Hadi gov.] Yemen army regains sites, weapons, military trucks from Houthis in Marib
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45821
(A K pS)
Film: The fighting in Ma'rib threatens the security of the Rawdat Serwah IDPs camp
https://twitter.com/alhurranews/status/1372927088924139523
(A K pS)
Over 65 Houthi militiamen killed during battles western Marib
http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/03/20/over-65-houthi-militiamen-killed-during-battles-western-marib/
(* B K P)
Yemen’s Marib Offensive Born of Desperation, with No Sign Saudis/US Will Cease Their War
Having all but given up on the prospect of peaceful settlement under the administration of Joe Biden, the Houthis are now betting it all on retaking Yemen’s oil-rich Marib province from Saudi Arabia.
Battles over Yemen’s oil-rich Marib province, which lies only 100 kilometers east of the capital Sana’a, have raged on since 2015 when the war began. The clashes pit Saudi-led Coalition soldiers and their Salafist militant allies against Yemeni forces supported by the Houthis as well as partisans from local tribes. Those clashes have become more fierce as the war and Saudi-imposed blockade approach six years’ duration on March 26, and amid a new push by Sana’a to liberate the last strongholds of the Saudi-led Coalition from Riyadh’s control.
For the past few months, Yemeni forces have fought a grueling ground campaign to recapture strategic points on Marib battlefields, including villages and military positions surrounding Marib city.
Escalation born of desperation
The recent escalation is not only a result of the brutal siege and bombardment of Yemen, which has bred a communal sense of desperation, but it is also born from a recognition that there are no real intentions on behalf of the Saudis or Americans to stop the war. That sense of hopelessness has had fuel poured onto it in the form of violent acts carried out by Saudi forces that violate the core tenants and mores of Yemeni people, not to mention their very dignity.
On February 1, Saudi-backed militants raided the homes of an unknown number of displaced families in Marib and kidnapped seven women who were allegedly then sold to Saudi Arabia.
Major tribes in Marib, who for decades have maintained either neutrality or loyalty to Saudi Arabia, held a meeting in Sana’a to declare their desire to create a united front and expel Saudi forces and their allies. The declaration came on the heels of historic non-aggression treaties signed between Houthi-backed Yemeni forces and elders from Marib’s indigenous tribes of Ubaidah, Murad, Jahm, and Jadaan in the weeks leading up to the kidnappings.
Tragic stories drive the fight
Yemen’s battlefields, especially those in Marib, are a picture of contradiction. On one side are the latest warplanes and weapons made by the likes of Raytheon and BAE; fighters from a variety of backgrounds, including al-Qaeda and ISIS; Egyptians; American and British experts; and an extensive network of intelligence agents from around the world monitoring everything. On the other, young partisans with Kalashnikovs and machine guns; sometimes artillery or missiles mounted to the back of an old pickup truck; and explosive charges, usually old Soviet-era RPGs. They advance under heavy airstrikes and bombings through the rugged terrain, usually wearing sandals but sometimes barefoot.
There are no paranormal forces aiding their advance, but incentives born out of desperation. Some are steeped in patriotism, some bear a sense of religious duty; but a majority are driven by some tragic story.
Major tribes in Marib, who for decades have maintained either neutrality or loyalty to Saudi Arabia, held a meeting in Sana’a to declare their desire to create a united front and expel Saudi forces and their allies. The declaration came on the heels of historic non-aggression treaties signed between Houthi-backed Yemeni forces and elders from Marib’s indigenous tribes of Ubaidah, Murad, Jahm, and Jadaan in the weeks leading up to the kidnappings.
Tragic stories drive the fight
Yemen’s battlefields, especially those in Marib, are a picture of contradiction. On one side are the latest warplanes and weapons made by the likes of Raytheon and BAE; fighters from a variety of backgrounds, including al-Qaeda and ISIS; Egyptians; American and British experts; and an extensive network of intelligence agents from around the world monitoring everything. On the other, young partisans with Kalashnikovs and machine guns; sometimes artillery or missiles mounted to the back of an old pickup truck; and explosive charges, usually old Soviet-era RPGs. They advance under heavy airstrikes and bombings through the rugged terrain, usually wearing sandals but sometimes barefoot.
There are no paranormal forces aiding their advance, but incentives born out of desperation. Some are steeped in patriotism, some bear a sense of religious duty; but a majority are driven by some tragic story.
The Saudi-led Coalition’s campaign in Marib is not limited to the massive airstrikes for which it is now known, but it relies heavily on ideologically-driven fighters from al-Qaeda and Daesh armed with the latest Western weapons.
According to a recent report from Yemen’s Security and Intelligence Agency (SIA), the Saudi government has facilitated a massive al-Qaeda presence in the oil-rich Marib province.
The offensive against Saudi Arabia taking place in oil-rich Marib, a province deep inside of Yemen, was launched as part of an effort to end, or at least deter, ongoing Saudi airstrikes against civilian targets and to force the Saudis to allow the entry of life-saving goods. It has nothing to do with the Iranian nuclear program or a future settlement. In fact, most Yemenis, including the Houthis, have announced repeatedly that their only demand is that the blockade against Yemen ends and that the airstrikes be halted. The simple reality of the battle over Marib is that, regardless of the outcome of the Iranian nuclear deal, it will rage on until Saudi Arabia’s deadly campaign in Yemen grinds to a halt.
“Sparkling words”
The UN has warned that the recent clashes in Marib could trigger the displacement of thousands of civilians. “An assault on the city would put two million civilians at risk, with hundreds of thousands potentially forced to flee — with unimaginable humanitarian consequences,” U.N aid chief Mark Lowcock said on Tuesday, urging de-escalation.
The advance on Marib has sparked panic among Saudi Arabia and her allies, including the United States, which called on the “Houthis” to stop military operations, warning them that they should not interpret President Joe Biden’s public pivot on Yemen as a sign of weakness.
Mohamed AbdulSalam, the official spokesman and chief negotiator for Ansar Allah, the political arm of the Houthis, responded by tweeting “The U.S. depicts the battle of Marib as an aggression, asking us not to defend ourselves and leave the terrorist recruitment centers to operate with freedom.”
The Yemenis’ rush to liberate Marib, which is home to sizable oil reserves, may be understood in light of the stifling humanitarian crisis foisted upon the country for the past six years — especially the ongoing fuel crisis, which has plunged much of the nation into darkness. It is incomprehensible to many Yemenis that international criticism has now surfaced over the advance on Marib when the same critics cannot muster condemnation of the battles, airstrikes, and blockade that are battering and squeezing more than 30 million people already struggling against famine and Covid-19 – by Ahmed Abdulkareem
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.
(B K pS)
Houthis killed and injured 49 civilians in Yemen’s western coastline in the first two months of 2021/Almotamar Press.
https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-45870
(* B K pS)
At least 500 civilians have been killed by Houthi attacks in Yemen's #Hodeidah province since UN-backed Stockholm agreement was signed by internationally recognised government and Houthis in late 2018, information centre of pro-government Al-Amaliqah Bridges said on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1373664937436938242
(A K pH)
#BreakingNews | Saudi-led coalition air strike in Al-Salif port in #Hodeidah #Yemen
https://twitter.com/A7medJa7af/status/1373424248354639872
(A K pH)
Daily violations, as claimed by the Houthi side
cp19 Sonstiges / Other
(-)
Yemen's Socotra archipelago awaits ecotourists
With its lush landscape, distinctive trees, unique animals and turquoise waters home to dolphins, Yemen is hoping its Socotra archipelago will become a dream destination despite the country's nightmarish conflict.
Lying in the Indian Ocean some 200km off the Yemeni coast, the four islands and two rocky islets are home to some 50,000 people and have remained relatively untouched by the war that has devastated the mainland.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/socotra-yemen-archipelago-awaits-ecotourists-14470068
(A)
3rd Heritage and Folk festival in #Yemen's southern Shabwah governorate has begun yesterday (photos)
https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1373808013300137984
https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1373814876171345921
(* B H)
AL MADANIYA MAGAZINE: PUSHING BOUNDARIES ON A DIGITAL PLATFORM
In Yemen’s politically charged sphere, it has become challenging, if not impossible to establish new independent media outlets—even those that shy away from investigative reporting and political analysis. However, despite obstacles, a form of cultural journalism has found its way to a Yemeni audience through the internet. Several new digital media platforms focusing on social and cultural topics in Yemen have garnered a significant following.
One of the most popular is “Al-Madaniya Magazine.” Established in 2017 with the support of the German Institute of Foreign Relations, the magazine is now a prominent digital platform for Yemeni arts and culture contributors where they can publish their articles, photos and videos. The platform aims “to highlight and nurture Yemeni art, culture and civil society initiatives.” The magazine, along with similar digital media platforms such as Khuyut, Manasti30, Yemen Used to Be and Qanbus are encouraging the public to engage in new ways with artwork and cultural discourse.
They’re enabling and enriching discussions about current social dynamics and analysis of historical events. This open-minded and unrestricted space allows contributors to criticize societal norms, talk about community issues and practice creative methods of expression.
Al-Madaniya, especially, has succeeded in creating an online community where emerging contributors can reach a large audience while receiving editorial guidance and support. This arrangement has made it easier for young artists and authors to freely express themselves and generate dialogue with their peers. Since its launch, Al-Madaniya has published hundreds of pieces with a goal of representing a diverse group of Yemeni authors and visual artists. It promotes contributors from typically under-represented groups such as those living outside urban centers. This editorial approach allows writers to tackle issues that specifically affect Yemen’s unique regions.
“While editing the writing, we have open communication with authors,” says Hamza Shiban, the managing editor of Al-Madaniya. “We don’t impose creative or ideological boundaries, and we work with authors of all levels. Some are distinguished, published authors, and some are publishing an article for the first time.”
Moving forward, the publication will continue to recruit new talent. In 2021, Al-Madaniya wants to explore visual contemporary art in an effort to introduce audiences to new styles and formats of artistic expression.
The platform’s digital design further fosters productive dialogue by encouraging readers to interact with writers and other contributors through social media. Readers are invited to share their thoughts on new articles and in turn, are encouraged to share their personal experiences, pushing conversations to new depths.
However, despite the success of online platforms, large portions of Yemen’s population are still unable to access magazines like Al-Madaniya’s. This is largely due to low literacy rates and a lack of access to the Internet, especially in rural areas. Still, these publications are playing a critical role in generating important cultural conversations at a time when voices are being silenced by Yemen’s warring parties.
https://www.yemenpolicy.org/al-madaniya-magazine-pushing-boundaries-on-a-digital-platform/
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-728-yemen-war-mosaic-728
Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-728 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-728:
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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