Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 751b- Yemen War Mosaic 751b

Yemen Press Reader 751b: 17. Juli 2021: Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 751, cp6 - cp19 / July 17, 2021: Sequel to Yemen War Mosaic 751, cp6 - cp19

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Dies ist die Fortsetzung von Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 751, Teil 1 / This is the sequel of Yemen War Mosaic 751, part 1:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-751-yemen-war-mosaic-751

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

cp2 Allgemein / General

cp2a Allgemein: Saudische Blockade / General: Saudi blockade

cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation

cp4 Flüchtlinge / Refugees

cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis

cp6 Separatisten und Hadi-Regierung im Südjemen / Separatists and Hadi government in Southern Yemen

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

cp9 USA

cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

cp12b Sudan

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

cp13b Söldner / Mercenaries

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

cp15 Propaganda

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle

cp19 Sonstiges / Other

Klassifizierung / Classification

***

**

*

(Kein Stern / No star)

? = Keine Einschatzung / No rating

A = Aktuell / Current news

B = Hintergrund / Background

C = Chronik / Chronicle

D = Details

E = Wirtschaft / Economy

H = Humanitäre Fragen / Humanitarian questions

K = Krieg / War

P = Politik / Politics

pH = Pro-Houthi

pS = Pro-Saudi

T = Terrorismus / Terrorism

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

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A K P)

Pro-government military commander blames STC for setback in Bayda

A pro-government military commander on Thursday blamed the Southern Transitional Council for the setback of the pro-government popular resistance fighters during recent battles against the Houthi group in Yemen's Bayda province.

The Iran-allied group has recaptured all regions that it lost in the past ten days, including Az Zahir district.

Col. Hussein Al-Salahi, the logistics officer in the third Al-Amaliqah Brigade, said in a leaked videotape that leaders in the council prevented the delivery of munitions for the popular resistance through the region of Yafa.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26131.html

and

(A K P)

Salafist leader blames UAE for recent major Yemeni victory

Hussein al-Salahi, a Salafist leader in Yemen has held the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) leaders responsible for the defeat they suffered in al-Zaher district, Bayda governorate, in which the army of the National Salvation Government, backed by the Popular Committees won a landslide victory against the countries of aggression.

Al-Salahi accused the STC leaders of preventing the arrival of reinforcements, even going as far as accusing the Emiratis of cooperating with Ansarullah, the main political organisation in the National Salvation Government of Yemen.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/16/salafist-leader-blames-uae-for-recent-major-yemeni-victory/

(A T)

UAE mercenary killed in Hadhramaut

Unknown gunmen have on Friday killed a soldier affiliated with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) militias in Hadhramaut province, eastern Yemen.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/16/uae-mercenary-killed-in-hadhramaut/

(A T)

Two citizens, including Turkish national, abducted in Aden

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/16/two-citizens-including-turkish-national-abducted-in-aden/

(A T)

Imam assassinated in Lahj

Unidentified gunmen assassinated in front of a mosque on Thursday in Lahj province, southern Yemen, Yemen News Portal reported, citing local sources.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/15/imam-assassinated-in-lahj/

(A E P)

Yemeni MP attacks gov’t over fall of riyal value

Member of the Yemeni parliament Ali Al-Maamari has strongly attacked the government over the dramatic fall of the value of the Yemeni currency, riyal, which passed the mark of 1000 against one US dollar, a record low.

Al-Maamari posted his criticism on his Facebook page in Arabic. Here is what he had to say:

“Since the Houthi militants were driven away from oil and gas facilities and the country’s seaports were restored, calls emerged for the resumption of exportation of oil, opening of seaports to allow trade exchange to resume and for enabling the government to use the available means to obtain hard currency in a country that is fighting a fierce war and is in dire need of exploiting its resources.

But our allies, especially the UAE, wrested control of vital installations such as the Balhaf gas facility, which they turned into a military barracks and refused to evacuate, then worked to disrupt the sea, air and land ports, and concentrated their presence in the coastal and oil producing areas.

It was shocking that they were thus completing the circle of the siege that the Houthis and Iran had imposed on the Yemenis.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47862

(A P)

The Yemeni government accuses the UAE-backed STC militia of disrupting state institutions, issuing illegal "laws", and going ahead with military mobilization,and different kinds of escalation in south Yemen./Yemen Monitor

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47861

(B E P)

With the help of internal collaborators, the UAE continues to ban the export Yemen liquefied natural gas, thus depriving the Yemeni people of two $billion worth of gas sales annually, an amount enough to pay public employees and keep the currency exchange in the country stable. /Voice of Yemen

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47861

(A K P)

The UAE has imported mercenaries from different nationalities to Yemen's Socotra archipelago./ Voice of Yemen website

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47861

(A K P)

Armed clashes erupt in Shabwa's capital city

At least three persons were killed and six others injured in heavy fighting erupted in the early hours of Thursday, between two military factions of the pro-Yemeni legitimacy in the capital of Shabwa, Ataq.
According to local sources, fierce fighting, involving heavy weapons, broke out between the special security forces and the public security forces in the centre of Shabwa's capital city leaving a number of casualties among the armed groups as well as innocent civilians.
First estimates from various sources speak of three killed and six injured and also report the killing of a senior commander in the special forces.
The exact reasons for the clashes between the two factions in the heart of Attaq are still unknown.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33334

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/15/at-least-three-dead-in-shabwah-infighting/

(A P)

Al-Zubaidi bids farewell to Aron, calls on govt. to return

President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces, Maj.-Gen. Aidroos Qassem al-Zubaidi held a video meeting on Wednesday, with the British Ambassador to Yemen, Michael Aron on the occasion of the end of his diplomatic tenure.
The meeting discussed the latest political, military and economic developments and issues related to the crisis in the country, in particular the efforts exerted to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.
Al-Zubaidi reiterated the STC's adherence to fully implementing the the Riyadh deal without selectivity and the STC's position in support of all the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of binding the other party to honor its previously agreed obligations.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33332

(A P)

Transport minister discusses rehabilitation of Makha Port

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33328

and

(A E)

Mocha seaport to receive first commercial ship after 6-year halt

The Yemeni western seaport of Mocha is expected to receive the first commercial ship on Sunday, after six years of halt imposed by war, navigation sources said Saturday.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26054.html

(* A P)

Yemen government accuses southern separatists of reneging on peace deal

Yemen’s internationally recognized government has issued a new statement accusing the separatist Southern Transitional Council of stopping the implementation of a Saudi-brokered peace deal.

In a statement published on Wednesday, however, the Yemeni government said that the STC had not implemented the clauses of the Riyadh agreement which stipulate an end to all forms of "military, security, political, and media escalation" in order to allow the government to return to Aden.

The government said it had presented "serious and responsible proposals" for the ministers' return but said that the STC had “continued escalation on all levels, including direct interference in the work of state institutions, issuing illegal decrees, issuing direct instructions to state officials in the temporary capital Aden and continuing to stop the work of institutions".

The government statement also accused the STC of “mobilising militarily, inciting protests in Shabwa, and creating tension in Abyan, while conducting an intense media campaign against the state and government, making false accusations against them, even while being an essential partner in this government".

The statement also accused the governor of Aden province, Ahmed Lamles, who is loyal to the STC of issuing orders exceeding his official capacity and allowing STC fighters to storm a branch of the state petrol company in Aden.

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/yemen-govt-accuses-separatists-reneging-peace-deal

and

(* A P)

Yemeni gov't says STC reneges Riyadh pact, obstructs State institutions

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) is not committed to applying what was agreed to, and is responsible for delaying the government's return to the interim capital to resume its duties, the official government's team tasked with applying the Riyadh Agreement said Tuesday.
The team is committed to the Saudi-sponsored understandings agreed with the STC team providing for cessation of all forms of military, security, political and media escalation, and to requirements for the government to return to Aden, the team added in a statement carried by Riyadh-based Saba.
The team made responsible proposals paving way for the government to return and safely, independently do its duties, it added. "But this has yet to achieve, as the STC reneged agreement on halt of escalation and securing the government's offices."
The STC failure to abide by agreement directly delayed the government return to serve the Yemenis and tackle economic challenges, the statement said.
"Economic challenges are worsened by STC persistent escalation including direct interference in State's institutions and issuance of illegal decisions."
Recently, the STC-affiliated Aden governor issued decisions ousting senior officials appointed under presidential decrees.
The Emirati-backed STC "accuses the government with false charges, although it is a key component and partner in this government," the team added in its statement.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26114.html

(* A K P)

Nach Abzug aus Afghanistan besetzen US-Soldaten Luftwaffenstützpunkt im Südwesten des Jemen

Nach ihrem Abzug aus Afghanistan ist eine Gruppe von US-Soldaten in den Jemen geschickt worden, wo sie einen strategischen Luftwaffenstützpunkt im Südwesten des Landes besetzt hat.

Das Pentagon gab jüngst bekannt, der Abzug der US-Truppen aus Afghanistan sei zu mehr als 95 Prozent abgeschlossen.

Die jemenitische Presseagentur übermittelte den Bericht am Dienstag, wonach die Truppen zuerst am internationalen Flughafen von Aden eingetroffen und dann in die benachbarte Provinz Lahij gebracht wurden.

Dort wurden die Truppen dem Bericht zufolge auf dem Luftwaffenstützpunkt al-Anad stationiert.

https://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i60086-nach_abzug_aus_afghanistan_besetzen_us_soldaten_luftwaffenst%C3%BCtzpunkt_im_s%C3%BCdwesten_des_jemen

(* A K P)

UAE troops forced to leave al-Anad military base

Saudi Arabia forced the UAE troops to leave Al-Anad military base in Lahj province, local sources said on Tuesday.

The sources confirmed that the UAE troops left the military base on board of UAE military helicopters, amid chants against its presence in the base.

The Saudi forces imposed their control over the base, along with armed tribesmen from al-Sabiha tribes, the sources pointed out.

UAE troops departure came after the arrival of USA forces coming from Afghanistan to the base during the past two days.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/13/uae-troops-forced-to-leave-al-anad-military-base/

(A E P)

Activists call for protests in Aden against total collapse of Yemeni currency

Activists from the occupied city of Aden, southern Yemen, have on Tuesday called for civil disobedience in the provinces under control of the Saudi-led coalition, in protest against the further deterioration of Yemen’s currency.

The activists called on all citizens to escalate popular protests, after the price of the dollar exceeded one thousand Yemeni riyals per dollar in the southern provinces and the price of foodstuffs rose to record levels.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/13/activists-call-for-protests-in-aden-against-total-collapse-of-yemeni-currency/

(A P)

Al-ghaithi-sends-message-to-un-security-council-and-ambassadors-of-18-countries-on-developments-in-riyadh-agreement

https://en.smanews.org/south-arabia/al-ghaithi-sends-message-to-un-security-council-and-ambassadors-of-18-countries-on-developments-in-riyadh-agreement/

(A P)

STC calls-for-formation-of-joint-negotiating-delegation-according-to-the-riyadh-agreement

https://en.smanews.org/south-arabia/stc-calls-for-formation-of-joint-negotiating-delegation-according-to-the-riyadh-agreement/

(A P)

Hadi puppet government cancels wage payment of wounded former mercenaries treated in Cairo

Dozens of wounded Yemenis who fought for the Saudi-led coalition have on Sunday held a protest in front of the Yemeni embassy in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. The veterans are demanding their promised monthly dues from the Hadi puppet government and the coalition.

The wounded called on the embassy to pressure Hadi’s government to pay their medical dues, holding it fully responsible for the severe suffering they are exposed to, and stressing that they will continue their sit-in until their demands are met.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/12/hadi-puppet-government-cancels-wage-payment-of-wounded-former-mercenaries-treated-in-cairo/

(A P)

Government reaffirms importance of implementation of Riyadh agreement

The internationally recognised government of Yemen reaffirmed the importance of implementing the Riyadh agreement signed with the southern transitional council, especially the military and security arrangements.

At a meeting with Cathy Westley, the Chargé d'Affaires for the U.S. Embassy to Yemen, the Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ahmed Awadh bin Mubarak said any obstruction of the agreement would exacerbate the humanitarian situation and economic deterioration.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26071.html

(A T)

Oil pipeline bombed in apparent sabotage act in eastern Yemen

A crude oil pipeline has been bombed in al-Saeed region in southeastern Yemen's Shabwa province which is controlled by the country's legitimate government, it was reported on Sunday.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47805

(A T)

Clashes with wanted kill Yemeni officer, injure 4 policemen in Seyoun

One officer was killed and four policemen injured on Saturday in clashes with wanted gunmen in Seyoun, a district in the Yemeni western governorate of Hadhramout.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26055.html

and

(A T)

Yemen: 2 policemen killed by gunmen in Hadramout

Two Yemeni policemen were killed in the south-eastern province of Hadramout on Saturday by unidentified gunmen, according to an official of the internationally-recognised government.

"The unknown gunmen opened fire and engaged in an armed

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210712-yemen-2-policemen-killed-by-gunmen-in-hadramout/

and

(A T)

Two suspects arrested after police lieutenant killed in east Yemen

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26073.html

(A P)

US, UK, and France condemn recent escalation in south Yemen

The US, UK, and France have condemned the recent escalation of UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in south Yemen, calling for the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.

Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. Embassy to Yemen Cathy Westley said on Thursday that escalatory actions in southern Yemen must end, calling on both the internationally recognized government and STC, to focus on implementing the Riyadh Agreement and putting the Yemeni people first.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/28479

(A K P)

Brotherhood sends more reinforcements to Shuqra

Muslim Brotherhood organization within Yemen's legitimacy continues sending military reinforcements to the coastal area of Shuqra in Abyan governorate in flagrant violation of the Riyadh Agreement and the calls for de-escalation.
According to local eye-witnesses, military vehicles and heavy weapons, including artillery pieces were seen on Friday heading in the direction of Qarn al Kalassi.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33307

(A P)

Fifth Sheikh Zayed Festival kicks off in Socotra (Photos)

The Fifth Sheikh Zayed Festival of Socotra Heritage kicked off in Hadibo, the capital of the archipelago on Saturday amid broad popular participation.
The festival is an annual traditional gathering supported and funded by the Emirati Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works.
The event aims at giving a demonstration of the cultural heritage, traditions and customs of Socotra, in addition to a range of artistic, sports and cultural activities practiced by the inhabitants of archipelago.
The program of the festival contains exhibitions of handicrafts, traditional domestic industries, camel races, traditional poetry contests, old time games and gastronomy among others.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33308

My comment: A STC/Emirates propaganda event: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayed_bin_Sultan_Al_Nahyan

(A P)

New report sheds light on human rights abuses in Abyan

Haq Organization for Protecting Rights and Freedoms shedded light in its new report on the current human rights situation in Abyan that witnesses a widespread presence of terrorist groups belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood organization within Yemen's legitimacy.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33309

(A P)

Large anti-occupation protests rock Aden

Angry demonstrators have on Friday closed down all roads leading to Al-Tawahi area in the port city of Aden, southern Yemen.

Dozens of protesters set fire to tires at the entrances to Al-Tawahi area, in protest against the deterioration of basic services and continued power outages, chanting slogans against the authorities of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), local sources reported.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/10/large-anti-occupation-protests-rock-aden/

Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv2DL6RJhAM

(A K P)

Saudi Arabia sends reinforcements against separatist positions in Aden

Saudi Arabia has sent fresh military reinforcements to Yemen’s southern province of Aden, which is under the control of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s militias, local sources said on Saturday.

According to the sources, three Saudi military transports arrived at the coalition camp in Al-Buraiqeh district, in addition to some ambulances, after arriving on Friday in the coastal area of Ahwar coming from the border crossing of al-Wadea.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/10/saudi-arabia-sends-reinforcements-against-separatist-positions-in-aden/

(A P T)

Unknown gunmen kill 2 Yemeni policemen: gov't official

Two Yemeni policemen were killed on Saturday in an armed confrontation with unknown gunmen in the country's southeastern province of Hadramout.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-07/10/c_1310053889.htm

(A P)

At least three killed in mercenary infighting in Hadhramaut

At least three people, including an officer, were killed and five others were injured in armed clashes in Wadi Hadhramaut, eastern Yemen, local sources said

According to the sources, clashes broke out between Islah militants and rival gunmen in the city of Seiyun, leaving an officer and a soldier dead and five others wounded. The sources explained that all causalities fell in the ranks of the Islah militants.

Moreover, a civilian named Abdulaziz Al-Qathmi was killed and two of his relatives were injured in an armed attack targeting their gathering near Qidoun Stadium in Dawan District.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/10/at-least-three-killed-in-mercenary-infighting-in-hadhramaut/

(A P)

Statement-by-official-spokesman-of-the-transitional-council-about-repressive-practices-against-our-people-in-shabwa

https://en.smanews.org/south-arabia/statement-by-official-spokesman-of-the-transitional-council-about-repressive-practices-against-our-people-in-shabwa/

cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks

Siehe / Look at cp1

(* A P)

Yemen [Hadi gov.] Approves New UN Envoy

The Yemeni government approved the new UN envoy to Yemen, Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, to succeed Martin Griffiths, who spent three years without achieving a real breakthrough to the country’s crisis.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak told Asharq Al-Awsat that the legitimate Yemeni government informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of its approval.

Bin Mubarak explained that the Sec-Gen would discuss the candidate with the Security Council's five permanent members and then issue a decision.

Grundberg had held a series of meetings over the past few days with several Yemeni officials and political figures from the legitimacy and the delegation of the Southern Transitional Council currently in Riyadh.

Western sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that “everyone is waiting for the announcement of the appointment of the new envoy to Yemen in the coming days.”

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3083356/yemen-approves-new-un-envoy

My comment: No more sides to speak with?

(* A P)

Schwedischer Diplomat Grundberg soll neuer UN-Gesandter für den Jemen werden

UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres hat den schwedischen Diplomaten Hans Grundberg zum neuen UN-Gesandten für das Bürgerkriegsland Jemen bestimmt. Wie am Donnerstag aus Diplomatenkreisen in New York verlautete, informierte Guterres die 15 Mitglieder des UN-Sicherheitsrat über die Personalentscheidung. Die offizielle Nominierung Grundbergs soll demnächst erfolgen.

Der Nahost-Experte Grundberg war seit 2019 EU-Botschafter im Jemen. Er soll dem Briten Martin Griffiths nachfolgen, der mittlerweile Vize-Generalsekretär der Vereinten Nationen mit Zuständigkeit für humanitäre Fragen ist.

https://www.24matins.de/topnews/eins/schwedischer-diplomat-grundberg-soll-neuer-un-gesandter-fuer-den-jemen-werden-261802 = https://www.arte.tv/de/afp/neuigkeiten/schwedischer-diplomat-grundberg-soll-neuer-un-gesandter-fuer-den-jemen-werden

(* A P)

UN picks Swedish diplomat as new envoy to Yemen: diplomats

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg as his new special envoy to conflict-wracked Yemen, diplomats said Thursday.

Guterres made his choice known to the UN Security Council's 15 member states, and Grundberg's formal nomination should be made public soon, the diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

Grundberg - a Middle East specialist who has served as the European Union's ambassador to Yemen since 2019 - would replace Britain's Martin Griffiths, who was named in May to be the world body's under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs.

https://www.barrons.com/news/un-chief-picks-swedish-diplomat-as-new-envoy-to-yemen-diplomats-01626369907?tesla=y = https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/un-picks-swedish-diplomat-new-envoy-yemen

and also https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2021/07/16/un-hires-swedish-diplomat-to-run-yemen-peace-talks/

(B P)

New UN envoy to face old problems in Yemen

The key challenge that the new UN envoy, Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, will face is scepticism about the effectiveness of UN efforts.

Ezzat Mustafa, head of the Fanar Centre for Policy Research, believes that the new UN envoy to Yemen needs regional and international support to overcome the challenge of uniting ranks of the anti-Houthi players, including the government and the STC. This task, Mustafa says, requires the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement’s provisions.

“The implementation of the Riyadh Agreement will be a priority for Grundberg if he wants to make progress in his mission,” Mustafa said.

“Renewed fighting between the STC and the government may pose a new challenge to the UN envoy’s mission,” he added.

https://thearabweekly.com/new-un-envoy-face-old-problems-yemen

(* B P)

Film: Can a New U.N. Envoy Produce Peace in Yemen?

On July 15, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the top issues and challenges facing the incoming United Nations special envoy for Yemen.

When Martin Griffiths, the outgoing United Nations special envoy for Yemen, gave his final briefing to the U.N. Security Council on June 15, he painted a “bleak picture” of stalled efforts to broker a cease-fire and initiate talks over ending the country’s 6-year civil war. Since former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed the U.N.’s first special representative to Yemen in 2011, the country has undergone a precipitous transformation, with successive envoys overseeing an unsuccessful political transition and the eruption of a civil war, with little progress toward peace.

With news that European Union Ambassador to Yemen Hans Grundberg has been tapped to take over the role, what issues should be top of the new special envoy’s agenda? How has the situation in Yemen changed since the appointment of the first U.N. envoy, and have mediation efforts kept pace with the evolution of the conflict? What lessons can be gleaned from the efforts of previous special envoys? And what recommendations can be made to Grundberg as he takes over the role?

Speakers: Nadwa Al-Dawsari, Non-Resident Fellow, Middle East Institute Peter Salisbury, Senior Analyst, Yemen, Crisis Group Maysaa Shuja al-Deen, Non-Resident Fellow, Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies Gregory D. Johnsen, Former Member, U.N. Panel of Experts on Yemen (Moderator)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGgvJDILDGs = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dgoIKedOU

and

(* B P)

Is There A Way Forward for Yemen?

The Middle East Institute (MEI) hosted a webinar on 16 July, entitled, “Can a New U.N. Envoy Produce Peace in Yemen?

The first speaker was Nadwa al-Dawsari, a Non-Resident Fellow at MEI. Al-Dawsari said that the United Nations should not be relied upon to solve Yemen’s problems; it is contending with “huge forces”, local and regional, which are “beyond the U.N.’s ability to control”. That said, the U.N. approach to the peace process in Yemen has created specific problems, says Al-Dawsari, by being “too fixated on a political settlement within the elite”, between the Hadi government and the Iran-backed Houthis, which is to be “disconnected from the reality” as it has developed over the last seven and more years of warfare. Al-Dawsari discussed this in a recent report, nothing that the parties the U.N. has chosen to recognise as legitimate control—as a matter of simple fact—much less territory when combined than some other armed actors who are excluded from the process; there is no way to make peace with such an approach.

The “lack of inclusivity” is only one problem with the U.N. peace process, says Al-Dawsari. Another problem is leverage: Al-Dawsari points out that the U.N. has several times brought pressure on the legitimate government of Yemen and its supporters in the Arab Coalition, but they have never brought any effective pressure against Iran or its Houthi proxy. Ultimately, this means the U.N. process has “done more harm than good”, says Al-Dawsari, because it does not take account of the military realities on the ground.

The classic instance of the U.N.’s unreality over Yemen—and really the turning point of the war—was the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018

In short, “diplomacy without leverage does not work,” says Al-Dawsari, and nobody has—or is willing to gain—any leverage over the Houthis. As such, what the U.N. can do is “very limited” and it is “important that we don’t have high expectations of the incoming U.N. envoy or the U.N. peace process”.

The second speaker, Maysaa Shuja al-Deen, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, began by saying that she believed that the Houthi takeover of Sana’a in 2014 was not only the end of the transitional process that had been begun after the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2012; it was the end of the Yemeni state that had been put in place in 1994 after the socialists had been defeated.

Since 2016, if not before, the Houthis—with the help of Saleh—have co-opted large parts of the old state and created their own state, ruling over at least a plurality of the Yemeni population. This is a radical change, Al-Deen goes on, and the Houthis are “unwilling to make a deal with anyone”—and there is nobody to force them to. The U.N. cannot make up the difference for the Hadi government militarily.

“There is now a war economy”, says Al-Deen, which is effectively sustainable and disrupting it is risky to the humanitarian situation. Meanwhile, the Houthis are using their control to “spread their ideology … and change everything”: Al-Deen sums up: Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has supreme power over a de facto state that makes it difficult to dismantle and the old Yemeni state is fragmented in a way that cannot be reversed.

The final speaker, a Senior Analyst at the Crisis Group, Peter Salisbury, notes that the problem with the U.N. peace plan is the disconnect between its vision of its mission, namely a template of conflict resolution wherein a power-sharing deal is struck between a government and a rebel group to re-establish the legitimate state, and the ground reality that governance actors have proliferated and the governance capacity of one of these two main parties has collapsed. It would benefit everyone, says Salisbury, to acknowledge that this kind of deal “just isn’t going to happen”; there is not the incentive structure to get there.

Moreover, if such a deal did happen, it could be “pretty disastrous”, says Salisbury, and almost certainly would simply set up a new round of conflict.

Question and Answer

Asked how many parties should be brought into peace talks—Should it be four (Hadi, Houthis, the Southern Transitional Council, and Tareq Saleh) rather than just the current two (Hadi and Houthis), or should all the hybrid actors in the country get a seat?—Al-Dawsari says that it is difficult to specify a number of seats, especially because some non-hostile parties can be included under the Hadi government’s banner. But the U.N. needs to be engaging many more, even if it is not all, of the actors in Yemen, to give itself a better sense of ground reality and thus of how to proceed towards peace: who are the players, who are the spoilers, how would they be spoilers, what are they willing to do or to settle for, etc.

https://eeradicalization.com/is-there-a-way-forward-for-yemen/

My comment: Middle East Institute and al-Dawsari are very much biased anti-Houthi.

(A P)

SPC calls for failure experiments of UN envoys to Yemen not to be repeated

The [Sanaa gov.] Supreme Political Council (SPC) held a meeting on Tuesday chaired by Mahdi al-Mashat, president of the Supreme Political Council.

The meeting reviewed the role of the United Nations and assess the performance of UN envoys in Yemen.

He called for the failed tests of international envoys not to be repeated. Stressing the importance of the UN envoy to Yemen playing his role and his primary mission and not becoming a message carrier and siding with the side of aggression under U.S. pressure.

The Supreme Political Council reiterated its welcome to the sincere and constructive efforts to bring peace to Yemen, stop the aggression, and lift the blockade. He noted that the Yemeni people are tired of American conspiracies against them and false calls for peace.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147886.htm

and

(A P)

UN-Yemen new envoy shouldn't be partial message carrier: Houthis

The United Nations is called to "not repeat failures" in terms of selecting its envoys for Yemen, the Houthi Supreme Political Council said late on Tuesday, prior to the UN's nominating a new envoy in place of Martin Griffiths.
The UN next envoy needs to do his main mission and not become a message carrier or be biased in favor of Arab coalition and Yemeni government under US pressures, the Council added in remarks carried by the Sana'a-based Saba.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26115.html

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/14/supreme-political-council-of-yemen-asks-united-nations-to-play-serious-role-in-facilitating-peace/

(A P)

Rosemarie DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs: I told the Security Council today that as the #Yemen parties continue their search for a political agreement, a ceasefire is desperately needed for the benefit of the civilian population. We look to the Council for continued and united support of our efforts.

https://twitter.com/DicarloRosemary/status/1415342188066652168

(* A P)

UN Security Council extends its mission in Yemen

The UN Security Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to renew the mandate of its mission in Yemen, which will be extended until July 15, 2022.

In that way, the United Nations Mission in support of the Hodeida Accord (UNMHA) will continue providing assistance in a nation that has been facing a conflict for over six years, according to the document adopted unanimously.
In addition, the UN representatives assured the multilateral organization will continue contributing to the implementation of the ceasefire deal in that city and in the ports of Hodeida, Salif and Ras Issa, as established in the Stockholm Agreement, in 2018.
The new Security Council resolution again calls on the sides to work to ensure stability.
UNMHA is currently tasked with monitoring and supporting the implementation of the ceasefire and the redeployment of forces.

https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?SEO=un-security-council-extends-its-mission-in-yemen&id=69512&o=rn

and also http://en.adenpress.news/news/33330

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33335

(A P)

Yemen [Hadi] government says Houthis not taking peace efforts seriously

Yemen’s government on Tuesday blamed the Iran-backed Houthis for disrupting peace efforts to end the war and renewed calls to the international community to mount more pressure on the rebels to stop their bloody military operations across the country.

Ahmed Obeid bin Daghar, Yemen’s Shoura Council head, in Riyadh, told Marion Lalisse, deputy head of mission of the EU delegation to Yemen, that the Houthis have never taken peace ideas seriously. In addition, Daghar said that the Yemeni government had accepted the Saudi peace initiative and is willing to comply with all efforts to end the war.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1893566/middle-east

(A P)

Yemen [Sanaa gov.] asks United Nations to officially declare Saudi-led invasion force in violation of Stockholm peace agreement

Deputy Chief of the General Staff and head of the National Redeployment Team, Major General Ali Hamoud Al-Mushki, has stressed the importance of the UN officially declaring that the Saudi-led invaders are the hindering party preventing the Stockholm Agreement from being carried out completely.

The statement came during his meeting on Monday with Head of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeida Agreement (UNMHA), General Abhijit Guha, and Head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Auke Lootsma, in the presence of Director of the Executive Center for Mine Action, Brigadier Ali Sofra and other members of the national redeployment team.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/13/yemen-asks-united-nations-to-officially-declare-saudi-led-invasion-force-in-violation-of-stockholm-peace-agreement/

(A P)

Griffiths concludes his tenure as UN Envoy for Yemen

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33323

(A P)

Saudi Arabia, Oman continue their efforts to end Yemen crisis

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sultanate of Oman reiterated that they have matching points of view regarding continuing efforts to find a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the two countries stressed the importance of cooperation and dealing in a serious and effective manner with the Iranian nuclear and missile issue with all its components in a way that contributes to realizing regional and international security and stability.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33318

(* B P)

Will a new UN envoy help bring peace to Yemen?

Now, EU Ambassador to Yemen Hans Grundberg is a frontrunner for the role. Any decision by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the position must be approved by the 15-member Security Council.

While the new UN envoy will seek to push them to reach a political deal, the reality on the ground has grown tense. Bloodshed and violence on the battlefields of the country will certainly not lay the groundwork for peace.

Dhaif Allah Al-Shami, the Houthi information minister, said in a statement to Sana’a-based Saba News Agency that the Saudi-led coalition, which supports the Yemeni government, is hiding behind the fake slogan of peace.

He added, "The military operation [of the Saudi-backed Yemen government] is supported by the United States which falsely claims it is keen on peace [in Yemen]."

The Houthis don’t believe that the new UN envoy will re-energise the paralysed peace process, arguing that peace requires serious steps.

On 3 July, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a senior member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council in Sana’a, tweeted, "The Security Council and the United Nations should change their policies from supporting the coalition of the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to supporting real peace. This is a serious step. Otherwise, any new envoy will not bring anything new or break the stalemate."

This development points to the rocky path the new UN envoy will face.

Political observers hold cautious hope that Hans Grundberg, if chosen as the new envoy, will be an improvement on his predecessors, given his extensive knowledge of the gulf region and the Yemen war.

Khalil Muthana Al-Omary, a political commentator and editor-in-chief of Rai Alyemen news website, said Grundberg's understanding of the conflict is a great asset that may enable him to perform better. Omary suggested some priorities to which the new envoy can pay attention.

"The new envoy should focus more on Iran because it is the one that is running the direction of the Houthi group. Exercising pressure on Iran in this regard is crucial. If Iran instructs the Houthis to behave in a certain way or be more flexible in negotiating a political solution, the Houthi group will not disobey,” Omary told The New Arab.

“Moreover, the new envoy should coordinate with the US to put pressure on the UAE so that this country would stop its interference in Yemen's sovereignty and prevent its agendas that threaten Yemen's stability," he added.

The sheer complexity of Yemen's political and military equation seems to dwarf any sense of hope for peace efforts. The schism between the local competitors is vast, and the rivalry between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia is tense. This reality has made achieving any breakthrough an arduous task.

Ali Nasser, a resident in Sana’a, said he is not optimistic.

"This fourth UN envoy will not compel the warring Yemeni sides to make concessions, agree to a peace roadmap and stop this bloody war,” he told The New Arab. “He will just propose solution ideas, and they will reject them. There is nothing that can bind them.”

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/will-new-un-envoy-help-bring-peace-yemen

(A P)

US wants temporary disengagement to incite Yemen situation: Houthis

The US-sought peace is but "temporary disengagement aimed to inflame the economic and social situation inside Yemen, member of Houthi negotiating delegation said Saturday.
"The American statements, which incite fighting, collapse President Jew Biden's allegations on peace," Abdul Malik al-Ajri added in remarks carried by the Houthi-run al-Masyra TV.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26061.html

(A P)

[Hadi gov.] Yemeni FM condemns Houthi militia’s continued rejection of proposed peace initiative for a cease-fire

Yemen’s foreign minister condemned on Sunday the Houthi militia’s continued “intransigence and rejection” of a proposed peace initiative for Yemen.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1892276/middle-east

and also https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3079446/yemen-govt-urges-int%E2%80%99l-community-change-approach-dealing-houthis

(A P)

Oman has no initiative to resolve Yemeni crisis, TV reports

Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi on Saturday denied that there is an Omani initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis, reiterating his country's support to the Saudi initiative and efforts by the US and UN efforts to end the war in Yemen.

Oman is just contributing to efforts aimed at reconciling the Yemeni factions, he said in a statement carried by Alarabiya TV.

He pointed to Omani-Saudi cooperation and coordination on a number of regional files, including the Yemeni crisis.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26045.html

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/10/omani-foreign-minister-oman-supports-all-un-efforts-for-peace-in-yemen/

cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp2 (Rivalität mit VAE / Saudi-UAE rivalry)

(* B P)

Saudi Arabia Shuns Hardline Fatwas in Slow Religious Revolution

A series of changes ordered by the crown prince move the kingdom away from theocracy, risking a conservative backlash.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is chipping away at the power of the doctrine known as Wahhabism that has underpinned his family’s rule in the birthplace of Islam. The shift from theocracy to autocracy is dividing Saudis like Alghamdi from those who complain it could undermine the kingdom’s status in the Muslim world.

“This is a revolution that’s long overdue,” says Alghamdi, speaking by telephone from Mecca. “There should be space for religious debate, but not scholars imposing one school of thought on society.”

The crown prince wants to draw foreign investment and build the kingdom’s entertainment and tourism sectors, which face stiff competition from Saudi Arabia’s more permissive neighbors such as the United Arab Emirates. Fatwas (religious edicts) of the kind that Saudi clerics used to issue—inciting hatred against Westerners, claiming that driving can damage women’s ovaries, and banning excavations of pre-Islamic historical treasures—are not in sync with the new goal.

“We cannot grow, we cannot attract capital, we cannot have tourism, we cannot progress with such extremist thinking in Saudi Arabia,” Prince Mohammed said in an interview with a local TV station in April. “If you want millions of jobs, if you want unemployment to decline, if you want the economy to grow, if you want your income to improve, you must eradicate these projects.”

In his quest to tighten his grip on power, Prince Mohammed muzzled opposition voices, jailing women who had lobbied for the freedoms he’s introduced, as well as activists who have been mildly critical of his plans and clerics such as the popular sheikh Salman Al-Odah.

The declining power of the religious establishment has been evident for a while, though. In 2016, shortly after Prince Mohammed began his meteoric rise to power, he clipped the wings of the muttawa. Agents could no longer arrest people, chase them, or demand their documents. It’s quite rare to see them in malls now, and when they do go they’re allowed only to advise rather than admonish people.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-15/saudi-arabia-chips-away-at-islamic-establishment-in-shift-to-autocracy

My comment: This looks somewhat like a pro-Saudi propaganda article.

(A P)

‘Fossil fuel friends’: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain back Australia’s lobbying on Great Barrier Reef

Oil rich nations back push against Unesco recommendation to have reef placed on world heritage ‘in danger’ list

Australia has gained the support of oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in its lobbying effort to keep the Great Barrier Reef off a list of world heritage sites in danger.

The two nations, both members of the 21-country committee, are co-sponsoring amendments seen by the Guardian that back Australia and ask the world heritage committee to push back a key decision until at least 2023.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/fossil-fuel-friends-saudi-arabia-and-bahrain-back-australias-lobbying-on-great-barrier-reef-unesco

(A P)

#Saudi exiled activist reports disturbing news of severe torture of recent prisoners #Abha prison at the hands of #Saudi torture apparatus

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1416188283693027332

referring to https://twitter.com/saiedibnnasser/status/1416068989709586438

(A P)

Unconfirmed reports that pro #Saudi Clan regime social media influencer @TurkiHAlhamad1 has been arrested by #Saudi security agency over tweets commenting on #Saudi #Oman #UAE ties. Arrest comes a week after Clansman @kbsalsaud met with #US leaders

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1416014330433318918

(A P)

#HumanRights org @sanadUK launches a campaign to find information on Dr. Mohsin AlAwaji, a longtime activist & an acquaintance of mine. He has been disappeared by the #Saudi Clan regime Praying for his safety & freedom.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1416082223036616709

(A P)

#Saudi Clan govt released writer & novelist Ali AlShadwi 14 months after his arrest for tweeting condolences of late national leader Dr. Abdullah AlHamed who died in foreign-backed #Saudi clan prison

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415752103771914241

(A P)

Organizers of nationwide protests against #Saudi Clan regime, The National Initiative for Change publishes its instructions for gatherings for #ArafahDay #July19

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1416013250265747458

#HumanRights org @sanadUK says #Saudi Clan arrested Writer & Professor Abdullah AlShehri this May weeks before Clansman @kbsalsaud met with @jakejsullivan

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415728778882519049

(A P)

#Activists planing nationwide protests #Arafah_Day #July19 publish instructions for action against the despotic #Saudi Clan regime (image)

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415778098239442944

Exiled activist @anas_ghamdi1 sends a video message to security officers urging them to join the nationwide protests Monday #Arafah_Day

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415997796113649664

An activist partaking in nationwide protests #Arafah_Day against the #Saudi Clan regime sends a message to the nation.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1416008701291401217

Activists from holy city #Makkah prepare for nationwide protests #Arfah_day #Juky19 against #Saudi Clan rule & for freedom & end of economic downfall.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415362888693342209

Anti #Saudi Clan activists encroach @KingSalman palace #Riyadh in preparation for nationwide protests #Monday #Arfah_Day #July19

https://twitter.com/alialahmed_en?lang=de

(A P)

Human rights organization @sanadUK reports the release of writer Aqil AlBahly who was arrested for tweeting condolences of the death of national leader Dr. Abdullah AlHamed #Saudi Clan prisons last year.

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415340205058535427

(A P)

Son of freed economist Dr. AbdulAziz AlDhakeel says #Saudi security agency @pss_en forced his father to delete his @Twitter account. Hey @TwitterSafety, can you take action against those who oppress your users .

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1415008134771482629

(A P)

Film: Another tribal song -Shayla- targeting #Saudi Strongman #MBS’s corruption, a week out from planned nationwide protests against brutal #Saudi Clan & worsening economic conditions

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1414770922393853954

(A P)

#Saudi Clan govt arrested this beautiful woman, Reena, for tweeting 3 weeks before her jailer met with @jakejsullivan. Smiles & all (photos)

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1414924484117729280

(* B P)

Why would the Biden administration roll out the red carpet for this Saudi accomplice to murder?

President Biden promised during his campaign that he would dispense with the pampering President Donald Trump offered to Middle Eastern dictators. There would be “no more blank checks” for the likes of Egypt’s Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, Mr. Biden vowed; as for the leaders of Saudi Arabia, he would “make them in fact the pariah that they are.” There is “very little social redeeming value in the present government in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

So why, last week, did Mr. Biden roll out the red carpet for Prince Khalid bin Salman, the brother of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman? The former ambassador to Washington was directly implicated in the 2018 murder of exiled journalist Jamal Khashoggi, yet was treated to a host of high-level meetings, including with Mr. Biden’s national security adviser, secretary of state and defense secretary. That’s not the reception you’d expect for a pariah.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/12/why-would-biden-administration-roll-out-red-carpet-this-saudi-accomplice-murder/

cp9 USA

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp9a

(* B K P)

Bless the Traitors

Daniel Hale exposed the widespread and indiscriminate murder of noncombatants in the global US drone war. For his heroism, he faces ten years in prison while those who oversee these war crimes continue their killing spree.

Daniel Hale, an active-duty Air Force intelligence analyst, stood in the Occupy encampment in Zuccotti Park in October 2011 in his military uniform. He held up a sign that read “Free Bradley Manning,” who had not yet announced her transition. It was a singular act of conscience few in uniform had the strength to replicate. He had taken a week off from his job to join the protestors in the park. He was present at 6:00 am on October 14 when Mayor Michael Bloomberg made his first attempt to clear the park. He stood in solidarity with thousands of protestors, including many unionized transit workers, teachers, Teamsters and communications workers, who formed a ring around the park. He watched the police back down as the crowd erupted into cheers. But this act of defiance and moral courage was only the beginning.

At the time, Hale was stationed at Fort Bragg. A few months later he deployed to Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Force Base. He would later learn that that while he was in Zuccotti Park, Barack Obama ordered a drone strike some 12,000 miles away in Yemen that killed Abdulrahman Anwar al-Awlaki, the 16-year-old son of the radical cleric and US citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, who had been killed by a drone strike two weeks earlier. The Obama administration claimed it was targeting the leader of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Ibrahim al-Banna, who it believed, incorrectly, was with the boy and his cousins, all of whom were also killed in the attack. That massacre of innocents became public, but there were thousands more such attacks that wantonly killed noncombatants that only Hale and those with top-security clearances knew about.

Starting in 2013, Hale, while working as a private contractor, leaked some 17 classified documents about the drone program to investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill, although the reporter is not named in court documents. The leaked documents, published by The Intercept on October 15, 2015, exposed that between January 2012 and February 2013, US special operations airstrikes killed more than 200 people. Of those, only 35 were the intended targets. For one five-month period of the operation, according to the documents, nearly 90 percent of the people killed in airstrikes were not the intended targets. The civilian dead, usually innocent bystanders, were routinely classified as “enemies killed in action.”

Hale was coerced by Biden’s Justice Department on March 31 to plead guilty to one count of violating the Espionage Act, a law passed in 1917 designed to prosecute those who passed on state secrets to a hostile power, not those who expose to the public government lies and crimes. Hale admitted as part of the plea deal to “retention and transmission of national security information” and leaking 11 classified documents to a journalist. He is being held in the Alexandria Adult Detention Center in Virginia, awaiting sentencing on July 27. If he had refused the plea deal, he could have spent 50 years in prison. He now faces up to a decade in prison.

Tragically, his case has not garnered the attention it should – by Chris Hedges

https://www.mintpressnews.com/chris-hedges-bless-the-traitors-daniel-hale/277931/

(A P)

US State Dep.: #USEnvoyYemen Lenderking spoke w/ @AnwarGargash about the need for a comprehensive ceasefire, for the parties to stop escalatory behavior - esp in Marib & the South - & to implement the Riyadh Agreement to ensure the return of the Yemeni govt to Aden & improve Yemenis' lives.

https://twitter.com/StateDept_NEA/status/1415032982616817665

(B P)

Saudi digital news platform dominates June influence spending (paywalled)

https://www.foreignlobby.com/2021/07/13/saudi-digital-news-platform-dominates-june-influence-spending/

(* B P)

Biden’s strategy in Yemen: Drawdowns and diplomacy - analysis

Instead of a policy of redlines and holding Saudi Arabia accountable, the president has been trying to advance his platform without rocking the boat.

His strategy lies in a broader policy of balancing his desired reduction of US involvement in the Middle East without losing key allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia.

For example, Washington has been removing Patriot antimissile batteries from the Gulf since April, including from Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, part of a broader strategy of US reduction of forces in the region.

At the same time, to offset some of the fallout from such disengagement, Biden has been signaling to the Saudis that the US still values a partnership with them. Even after the report came out earlier this year linking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the response from the administration was muted.

Part of this “recalibration” lies in moves like inviting top Saudi officials to Washington.

THE WAR in Yemen follows a similar pattern. Biden’s policy lies in relying on diplomacy and military reductions, in hopes of an eventual withdrawal from the conflict.

The first part of this strategy lies in his announcement in February of halting support to offensive operations. This included blocking arms sales, including precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in direct opposition to former president Donald Trump’s policy in the country, which was marked by support for the Saudi-led coalition.

Those who supported such an action said it was long overdue and that it sent an important signal to the Saudis. But critics, including progressive democrats in Congress, say it is unclear what “offensive operations are.” On February 24, some 41 members of Congress sent a letter to Biden supporting the withdrawal and asking for clarification on the language; the administration’s response was muted.

Such limits on “offensive operations” do not necessarily mean that the US no longer supports the Saudi-led coalition. For example, US forces still helping service Saudi aircraft to keep the warplanes in the air, backing a key element of the kingdom’s strategy.

The next prong of the strategy lies in increased diplomacy.

But has Biden’s strategy worked? So far, not really. In response to Biden’s actions, the Houthis have only escalated their campaign, including intensified drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as territorial expansion inside of Yemen.

According to Elana DeLozier, the Rubin Family Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, “the recent uptick in international political will to end the war seems instead to have emboldened Houthi perceptions of their negotiating position.” Critics of Biden’s policy also emphasize that the US is losing leverage over the Houthis in their diplomatic strategy. Many also point out that Iran does not want the Houthis to back down, so that it can keep leverage in potential nuclear talks.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/bidens-strategy-in-yemen-drawdowns-and-diplomacy-analysis-673716

(A P)

Biden-linked expert backs regime change at event sponsored by Iranian militant group

Michele Flournoy claims she was ‘unaware’ her hosts are part of a well-known former terrorist organization.

Former defense official Michèle Flournoy called for regime change in Iran at a conference on Saturday sponsored by the Mojahedin-e Khalq — an Iranian militant group once listed as a terrorist organization.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/07/12/biden-linked-expert-backs-regime-change-at-event-sponsored-by-iranian-militant-group/

My comment: LOL. US never changes.

(* A K P)

US terrorist forces occupy SE Yemeni airbase after leaving Afghanistan

A group of the military forces that the US has taken out of Afghanistan have been sent over to Yemen, where they have occupied a strategic southwestern airbase.

Yemen Press Agency carried the report on Tuesday, saying the forces first arrived at the Aden International Airport in the Aden Province, and were then taken northwards to the neighboring province of Lahij.

The troops were stationed in the al-Anad Airbase in Lahij afterward.

The development came after the Pentagon said 95% of the process of US forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan had already been completed.

https://en.abna24.com/news/us-terrorist-forces-occupy-se-yemeni-airbase-after-leaving-afghanistan_1160682.html

(* A K P)

US troops arrive in Yemen’s south

US forces have secretly arrived in the port city of Aden, southern Yemen, during the past hours.

This was reported by Yemen Press Agency, based on well-informed sources.

Informed sources said that a large US military transport plane arrived at Aden Airport at dawn Saturday.

The sources pointed out that the American plane was carrying military units from the US army of up to 300 officers and soldiers, reinforced by 12 Black Hawk planes and 30 “Harvey” armored vehicles, in addition to four Patriot air defense systems and an integrated field operations room.

The American forces that arrived at Aden Airport from Afghanistan and spent about two months on the Yemeni island of Socotra are scheduled to settle at Al-Anad military base, the sources added.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/11/us-troops-arrive-in-yemens-south/

and also https://en.mehrnews.com/news/176113/Yemen-destination-of-US-troops-after-leaving-Afghanistan

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000423000623/Srces-US-Trps-Leaving-Afghanisan-fr-Yemen

(* B P)

Saudi Arabia’s Hushed Washington Visit

The visit of Khalid bin Salman has been met with little fanfare and proves Saudi Arabia is far from the “pariah” of Biden’s campaign pledge.

There is nothing unusual about a representative of a U.S. regional partner meeting with U.S. officials. (Prince Khalid is Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister.) However, the lack of fanfare underlines the Biden administration’s wariness in dealing with a government that then-candidate Joe Biden promised to treat as a “pariah” for human rights abuses, chief among them the killing of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and critic of the Saudi government.

In 2018, Prince Khalid was serving as the Saudi ambassador to Washington—at 29, the youngest to hold the position. In public interviews shortly after Khashoggi’s killing, the prince repeatedly denied Saudi involvement.

A recalibration? Biden initially held true to his promise that “America will never again check its principles at the door just to buy oil or sell weapons,” when he announced a pause in proposed weapons sales to the kingdom; the decision will likely be watered down to a suspension in the sale of air-to-ground offensive weaponry.

Yemen negotiations. Aside from bilateral ties, U.S. officials will likely bring up the war in Yemen

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/07/saudi-arabia-washington-khalid-bin-salman/

and

(A P)

Rep. Ro Khanna: Meeting with Salman w/out demanding end of blockade is not treating the Saudis as “pariahs” as Biden pledged. Yemen disaster continues. Lenderking is failing. Admin must change course fast or Congress will act.

https://twitter.com/RoKhanna/status/1415123366839730183

cp9a USA-Iran Krise: Spannungen am Golf / US-Iran crisis: Tensions at the Gulf

Siehe / Look at cp9a

(* B P)

Iran is a red herring in the debate over repealing the Iraq war authorization

If Congress wants to vote on a new war against Iran, it should summon the political courage to do so.

Congress’s momentum toward finally repealing the decades-old Iraq war authorization has hit a speed bump. After the House of Representatives in June overwhelmingly voted on a bipartisan basis to pass Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-Calif.) bill to revoke the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force, similar efforts in the Senate have hit a temporary standstill.

President Biden has twice launched strikes against militias in Iraq that he says are attacking U.S. troops with support from Iran. Even though both times he relied solely on what he believes to be his constitutional commander-in-chief powers, senators are delaying progress on a 2002 AUMF repeal bill by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), citing a desire to give the president authority for more military confrontation with Iran and its proxies. But let’s be very clear: this purported concern about how repealing the 2002 AUMF would affect the president’s ability to strike Iran-backed armed groups is a red herring.

When Congress authorized the Iraq war in 2002, it made abundantly clear in the ensuing debate and in the text of the authorization itself that it was approving force against Saddam Hussein’s government. Today, Saddam Hussein is long deceased, the Iraq war has been over for a decade, and U.S. leaders frequently laud the current Iraqi government as a close partner. Thus, any argument that the same authorization Congress gave President George W. Bush to conduct regime change in 2002 now justifies striking Iran-affiliated armed groups in 2021 is specious and falls apart under scrutiny.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/07/15/iran-is-a-red-herring-in-the-debate-over-repealing-the-iraq-war-authorization/

(* B P)

A Deranged Cult and Our Warped Foreign Policy

Every year the notorious cult and "former" terrorist group Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) holds a political conference to promote its propaganda and call for regime change in Iran, and every year many current and former American, Canadian, and European officials and elected representatives line up to pay homage to the group and their leader, Maryam Rajavi. Members of both major parties in the U.S. have either traveled to the group’s compound in Albania or spoken remotely through video messages in exchange for hefty speaking fees for the last ten years. The annual parade of prominent officeholders and policymakers that offer up effusive praise to such a wretched group is an ongoing disgrace for the United States and its allies, and it is a symptom of deeper problems with our foreign policy.

This show of support for the MEK reflects the extent to which our foreign policy debates are distorted and corrupted by the lobbying efforts of foreign groups and governments alike. No one knows for sure where the MEK gets its money, but there is reason to believe that it may be coming from the Saudi government and/or Saudi individuals. In recent years, prominent Saudis have begun participating in MEK events, and that coincided with the kingdom’s intensifying hostility towards Iran in the last decade. Our Iran policy debate is being influenced to an alarming degree by an extremist cult and an increasingly repressive authoritarian client state, and none of that can be good for American interests or democratic accountability in our foreign policy.

American support for the MEK reminds us that bipartisanship in foreign policy usually means rallying behind exceptionally bad causes.

Iran hawks and the MEK are both obsessed with regime change in Iran. Since they cannot achieve it from within Iran, it is just a matter of time before the cult’s yes-men in Washington push for military action aimed at toppling the government. Just as they sided with Saddam Hussein to attack their own country over forty years ago, the MEK wants to rope the US into fighting another war against Iran. If we want to prevent that war from happening in the future, the MEK’s cheerleaders need to be exposed to ridicule and criticism over their willingness to support a group that has both American and Iranian blood on its hands – by Daniel Larison

https://original.antiwar.com/Daniel_Larison/2021/07/13/a-deranged-cult-and-our-warped-foreign-policy/

(A P)

Iran’s president warns weapons-grade enrichment possible

Iran’s outgoing president on Wednesday warned his country could enrich uranium at weapons-grade levels of 90% if it chose, though it still wanted to save its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.

President Hassan Rouhani’s comments, carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, came as he also criticized Iran’s wider theocracy for not allowing his government to reach a deal soon to restore the 2015 atomic accord.

https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-iran-iran-nuclear-ec467d73588597557472408dfa07edd8

(A P)

Iran foreign ministry: Iran kidnap plot is ‘imaginary story’

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday that accusations by U.S. authorities that Iran is plotting to kidnap Iranians abroad who criticize the country are “baseless and ridiculous.”

The spokesperson, Saeed Khatibzadeh, was quoted by Iran’s semiofficial ISNA news agency a day after U.S. federal authorities in New York announced criminal charges against four Iranian intelligence operatives.

The authorities, quoting from an indictment, say the individuals plotted to kidnap a prominent Iranian opposition activist and writer in exile from her Brooklyn residence and take her to Tehran.

Khatibzadeh derided the plot as “Hollywood-style scenarios” and “baseless and ridiculous” accusations unworthy of a response.

“Making such an imaginary story is not unlikely by the U.S. Its entire short history is full of assassination, kidnapping and sabotage in other countries,” Khatibzadeh said.

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-government-and-politics-iran-3f57753819d62f85b0e6ad32750d2f61

and

(A P)

Iranian Intelligence Officials Indicted on Kidnapping Conspiracy Charges

Iranian Intelligence Services Allegedly Plotted to Kidnap a U.S. Journalist and Human Rights Activist from New York City for Rendition to Iran

A New York federal court unsealed an indictment today charging four Iranian nationals with conspiracies related to kidnapping, sanctions violations, bank and wire fraud, and money laundering. A co-conspirator and California resident, also of Iran, faces additional structuring charges.

According to court documents, Alireza Shavaroghi Farahani, aka Vezerat Salimi and Haj Ali, 50; Mahmoud Khazein, 42; Kiya Sadeghi, 35; and Omid Noori, 45, all of Iran, conspired to kidnap a Brooklyn journalist, author and human rights activist for mobilizing public opinion in Iran and around the world to bring about changes to the regime’s laws and practices. Niloufar Bahadorifar, aka Nellie Bahadorifar, 46, originally of Iran and currently residing in California, is alleged to have provided financial services that supported the plot.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/iranian-intelligence-officials-indicted-kidnapping-conspiracy-charges

and

(B P)

Film: I am grateful to FBI for foiling the Islamic Republic of Iran's Intelligence Ministry's plot to kidnap me. This plot was orchestrated under Rouhani. This is the regime that kidnapped & executed Ruhollah Zam. They've also kidnapped and jailed Jamshid Sharmahd and many others

https://twitter.com/AlinejadMasih/status/1415115191084322816

and https://t.co/Dnp6s96iMV?amp=1

(A P)

After US denied deal, Iran says prisoner swap talks ongoing

Iran’s government spokesman said Tuesday that talks with the United States about a prisoner exchange are still ongoing, two months after Washington denied an Iranian report that deals had been struck.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei as saying the swap negotiations are based on humanitarian interests.

https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-iran-iran-nuclear-abc6ad92ecbceaac266ebb8d4b256e45

(A P)

Iran anger at US, European support for opposition group

https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-government-and-politics-iran-6fb3961e6bc524fadacb826637dc71e4

cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A P)

MPs given vote on UK aid cuts after months of campaigning

Members of parliament will be given the option to decide on whether the UK maintains massive cuts to Britain’s foreign aid budget.
The government had initially sought to circumvent parliament to avoid putting the planned aid cuts to a vote.
But on Monday, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said that MPs would, on Tuesday, be able to give “a yes or no answer” on whether to reverse the cuts from next January.
If the government is defeated, Britain’s foreign aid budget would be returned to 0.7 percent of GDP from the 0.5 that the government reduced it to at the start of 2021.

http://en.adenpress.news/news/33324

and

(* B H P)

Foreign aid: Who will be hit by the UK government cuts?

The government's decision to cut spending on foreign aid has led to warnings from aid agencies and opposition from MPs, including some Conservatives.

This year, the annual aid budget has been reduced to 0.5% of national income. It had been at 0.7% since 2015 and this figure was a "commitment" in the 2019 Conservative manifesto. The difference between the two figures is around four billion pounds.

The government says the reduction is temporary and will reverse it but only when certain conditions are met.

What is the government's justification?

It says the 2015 legislation - which introduced the 0.7% target - refers to "fiscal circumstances" which governments may refer to, if they fail to meet it.

It says the pandemic has inflicted "immense" damage on the economy and cutting aid spending to 0.5% is a "difficult decision" to help restore the public finances.

It says it will return to 0.7% but only when the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that:

the government is not borrowing money for day-to-day spending (a current budget surplus)

underlying debt is falling as a percentage of national income

But some MPs have questioned when these tests will be met.

In Yemen, regarded as the world's worst humanitarian disaster, the UK's commitment to relief efforts for 2021 has gone down to £87.2m ($123.23m) from the £139.1m ($196.56m) that was pledged in 2020.

https://www.bbc.com/news/57362816

(* B P)

Britain accused over abuses in Gulf. The Times (page 2) — 7 July 2021 (text in image)

https://twitter.com/SAlwadaei/status/1414621588784353282

cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries

Siehe / Look at cp1, cp2 (Rivalität saudis-VAE / Saudi-UAE rivalry)

(A P)

Iranian Speaker's Advisor Calls for End of Aggression, Siege on Yemen

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000424000318/Iranian-Speaker

(A P)

UAE inaugurates embassy in Israel in downtown Tel Aviv

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-tel-aviv-42ba3751bfd49d236544acf78418bad3

(A P)

Iranian, Swedish diplomats discuss Yemen crisis in Tehran

Sweden's Special Envoy for Yemen Peter Semneby held talks with Ali-Asghar Khaji, the Iranian foreign minister's senior advisor in special political affairs, on Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/463076/Iranian-Swedish-diplomats-discuss-Yemen-crisis-in-Tehran

(A E P)

Finanzminister Maurer trifft saudiarabischen Amtskollegen in Zürich

Am Montag fand in Zürich ein Finanzdialog zwischen der Schweiz und Saudi-Arabien statt. Thema war unter anderem die Digitalisierung von Finanzdienstleistungen.

In Zürich fanden zudem ein Treffen der beiden Delegationen mit Vertretern von Schweizer Banken und Versicherungen sowie Besuche bei Fintech-Firmen in der Region Zürich statt. Dies hiess es in einer Mitteilung des Eidgenössischen Finanzdepartements (EFD) vom Montag.

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/finanzminister-maurer-trifft-saudiarabischen-amtskollegen-in-zurich-65963407

(A P)

Sultan des Oman bei erster Auslandsreise in Saudi-Arabien

Anderthalb Jahre nach seiner Machtübernahme im Oman hat Sultan Haitham bin Tarik seine erste Auslandsreise angetreten.

Im benachbarten Saudi-Arabien empfing ihn in der geplanten Küstenstadt Neom am Roten Meer der dortige Kronprinz und faktische Herrscher Mohammed bin Salman. Am Sonntag sollte Sultan Haitham auch den saudischen König Salman treffen, um laut einem Bericht der Staatsagentur SPA über eine Verstärkung der Zusammenarbeit beider Länder zu sprechen.

https://www.nau.ch/news/ausland/sultan-des-oman-bei-erster-auslandsreise-in-saudi-arabien-65962798

(A P)

Oman's Sultan visits Saudi Arabia on first overseas trip

Oman's Sultan visited Saudi Arabia on Sunday on his first official overseas trip since assuming power last year, with talks expected to focus on the Yemen war and economic and investment cooperation as Muscat looks to shore up its finances.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oman-saudi/omans-sultan-visits-saudi-arabia-on-first-overseas-trip-idUSKBN2EH09L

and also https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-business-health-religion-coronavirus-pandemic-e8646cf278eee873a30d1f7c3082337d

and

(B P)

KSA+Oman cooperation likely to fail because: 1. KSA has liquidity problems and cannot invest in Oman. In fact KSA itself is looking for FDI 2. Oman is cash strapped and failed to attract Indian+Chinese investors in recent yrs. Its infrastructure not as appealing as the UAE's.

https://twitter.com/DrBelushi/status/1414302078437138445

cp12b Sudan

(* A P)

Sudan gets $14 billion in debt relief from Paris Club

Creditor countries agreed to cancel $14.1 billion of Sudan’s international debts, praising its economic reforms and efforts to fight poverty.

In a statement Friday, the Paris Club of creditor nations also announced that it rescheduled Sudan’s remaining $9.4 billion in debt to the group, and held out the possibility of more debt relief in the future.

Sudan’s overall foreign debt is estimated at $70 billion. The Paris Club, a group of 22 nations that lend to governments in need, urged other lenders to provide similar debt forgiveness.

On his Facebook page, Sudan’s Finance Minister Gebreil Ibrahim congratulated the Sudanese people on this development, vowing to work on reaching similar or “even better” agreements with other creditors from outside the Paris Club.

https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-africa-business-sudan-59e60f3440440ed17aa7ea2ac38376c9

My comment: Western policy in the “Third World”: Dept = Dividends = Dependence. Look:

(* B P)

Can Somaliland Be Alternative for Russia’s Troubled Sudanese Naval Base Plans?

Sudan confirmed on Tuesday that it will review last year’s naval base agreement with Russia following speculation in April that the deal might be shelved. According to Chief of General Staff Muhammad Othman al-Hussein, who made the announcement while speaking to the Blue Nile TV channel, this is supposedly because “some of the document’s provisions entail certain harm for Sudan.” He also reminded everyone that the deal had not yet been approved by the country’s legislature, so it was never legally binding to begin with. Moreover, the military official denied that Sudan’s decision has anything to do with American pressure.

It is unclear whether the latter claim is credible, since the U.S. has greatly expanded its influence in Sudan upon its recent removal of the country from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. That move took place in the aftermath of the coup against the former President Omar al-Bashir, who had previously been regarded as close to Russia but ended up entering into a rapprochement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the years before his military-backed ouster. That policy reorientation resulted in him dispatching troops to assist the GCC’s war in Yemen and is thought to have served as a means for gradually repairing relations with the U.S., too.

In any case, the uncertainty surrounding Russia’s planned Sudanese naval base could harm Moscow’s regional interests.

https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2021/07/11/can-somaliland-be-alternative-for-russias-troubled-sudanese-naval-base-plans/

cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade

Siehe / Look at cp1

(A K)

Photos: Another #ArmsID question: What are these rifles recently on sale in #Yemen?

Looks like the top one is a home brew AK103 copy based on a Romanian PM md. 63 (based on selector lever markings), could just be clone conversions done by local gunsmiths, the stock buttons certainly look that way to me.

https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1415029217088229379

https://twitter.com/Lucky_Tig/status/1415039082489581573

cp13b Mercenaries / Söldner

(* B K)

Mercenaries: the sinister export from Colombia's conflict

Some fight in Yemen or Afghanistan, others guard oil pipelines in the United Arab Emirates; and yet more turned up in Haiti this week, where they are accused of assassinating the president.

Hardened by more than half a century of conflict back home, retired Colombian soldiers and illegal combatants feed the sinister market of mercenaries around the world.

Some 26 Colombians have been accused of taking part in the pre-dawn murder of president Jovenel Moise on Wednesday that also left his wife Martine wounded.

Colombia has a seemingly inexhaustible pool of soldiers. The armed forces are made up of 220,000 personnel and thousands retire over a lack of promotion opportunities, misconduct or after reaching 20 years of service.

Every year "between 15,000 and 10,000 soldiers leave the army rank and file... it's a human universe that is very difficult to control," Colonel John Marulanda, president of a Colombian association for former military personnel, told W Radio.

They retire relatively young with low pensions and that makes them "prey to better economic opportunities," said the retired officer.

He says that what happened in Haiti was a "typical case of recruitment" of Colombian ex-soldiers by private companies to carry out operations in other countries.

In May 2011, the New York Times newspaper revealed that an airplane carrying dozens of Colombian ex-soldiers arrived in Abu Dhabi to join an army of mercenaries hired by the US firm Blackwater to guard important Emirati assets.

The Times then claimed in 2015 that hundreds of Colombians were fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen, now hired directly by the UAE.

For the last decade "there's been a boom in this industry," said Mantilla.

At that time, the United States began substituting its troops in the Middle East for "private security firms because it implies a lower political cost in terms of casualties and a grey area in international law."

When it comes to potential human rights violations "the legal responsibility falls on the material perpetrators" rather than the State or company that contracted them, said Mantilla.

https://news.yahoo.com/mercenaries-sinister-export-colombias-conflict-035222174.html

and

(A B P)

The Miami-Haiti Connection: Another mercenary, another day

Emerging details suggest that President Moïse’s assassins were Colombians hired by a security firm in Florida. Sound familiar?

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2021/07/12/the-miami-haiti-connection-another-mercenary-another-day/

cp13c Kulturerbe / Cultural heritage

(B P)

Conflict & flood risks in #Yemen have driven us,

@EUinYemen, @UNESCO_GCCYemen to support #Old_Sanaa city with a plenty of jobs, resilient historical milestones & unique identity. It will magnet the poor to create enterprises. A pic on repairing the eastern wall

https://twitter.com/SFDYemen/status/1414625570453917703

cp13d Wirtschaft / Economy

Siehe / Look at cp1

(B E H)

Yemen struggles to survive by selling “natural toothbrushes”

In Yemen, many people are accustomed to selling Salvadora persica roots, also known as toothbrush trees, as a source of income. However, the civil war has devastated the country’s economy, making this small business even more difficult than it used to be.

https://illinoisnewstoday.com/british-teen-raducanu-joins-gauff-in-fourth-round-at-wimbledon-wgn-radio-720/281559/

(A E)

Business stores in the province of Shabwa have stopped using the fast depreciating Yemeni currency and switched to the US dollar and Saudi riyals./Multiple websites.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47881

(B E)

Film: Difficulties facing livestock traders in Hajjah governorate with high prices

Livestock traders in Hajjah Governorate, Yemen, are complaining about the difficult economic conditions, due to the closure of livestock markets due to the ongoing war in Yemen. Some traders in the temporary livestock market in Hayran district say that this year there are many citizens who refuse to buy Eid sacrifices compared to previous years because of the drop of the price of the Yemeni riyal against foreign currencies, and also because of the high price of fodder, and because many livestock breeders have become displaced, and Yemeni cities are subjected to a huge rise in livestock prices, where the average price of sacrifices of sheep and goats reached (130-200) dollars.

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

(B E P)

Document: Note the following voucher 50 thousand sent from Taiz to Aden and withdrawn from Sanaa. They took 25800 riyals as a commission and handwritten it by the employee of Al-Kuraimi. If the commission was paid upon sending, it would be only 16 thousand at the exchange rate on that day.. and the beneficiary reaches 34 thousand and not 24200

https://twitter.com/AneesJahlani/status/1415367270595969028

(* B E P)

Value of Yemeni riyal collapses even more in Saudi-occupied areas as more counterfeit currency appears

A ship loaded with containers full of illegally printed Yemeni banknotes that were made without proper financial backing, has arrived on Tuesday at the port of Mukalla, sure to present a new blow to the value of the Yemeni riyal in the occupied governorates.

Media sources reported that the Clementina AF arrived at the port of Mukalla with 14 containers full of illegal currency on board, coinciding with the accelerated collapse of the currency and the rise in prices in the occupied regions of Yemen.

This step comes as a new blow to the citizens in the occupied governorates, alongside the continuous deterioration of services and the accelerated collapse of the living situation as a result of the continuation of destructive economic policies by the pro-aggression puppet government.

With the arrival of these large quantities of printed currencies without a cover, specialists confirm that the dollar in the occupied governorates will continue to rise in value, along with the rest of the foreign currencies, which will double the suffering of the citizens there as their own currency loses value in comparison and their purchasing power plummets as a result.

The coalition of aggression has been using the process of printing and counterfeiting local currency as a major weapon in the economic war it is waging against the Yemeni people. The aggression prompted the pro-aggression government to print and counterfeit more than 5.32 trillion riyals without cash cover, causing massive inflation.

The liberated parts of Yemen, however, have been able to limit the effects of this action by firmly preventing the circulation of counterfeit banknotes in the areas under the control of the National Salvation Government.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/14/value-of-yemeni-riyal-collapses-even-more-in-saudi-occupied-areas-as-more-counterfeit-currency-appears/

(A E P)

Yemeni gov't takes measures to stop rial depreciation

The Yemeni official government on Tuesday adopted a package of measures aimed to curb economic deterioration and national currency's free fall against foreign moneys.
The US$ exchange rate reached 1,007 rials for first time in government-held areas.
At a virtual meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek, the Yemeni Supreme Economic Council approved a set of policies to boost and diversify revenues, ensure their addition to public account, and control and rationalize expenses, which should be limited to indispensible expenditure, so as to achieve monetary stability.
To alleviate pressures faced by the public finance and support the national money's exchange rate, the Council decided to take legally deterrent actions against parties that fail to apply the fiscal law and to deposit cash into the Central Bank of Yemen (CBY; Aden branch).

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26116.html

and also https://www.albawaba.com/business/yemen-currency-hits-record-low-despite-new-economic-measures-1438798

(A E P)

Film (in Arabic): The dollar is ironing the residents of the occupied southern governorates with the fires of collapse... and Sanaa is economically superior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtDtM94Dojc

(A E)

Yemeni Shura chairman: Rial decline risks famine, economic losses

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26079.html

(* A E)

Yemen's currency sinks to historic lows, worsening famine risk

Yemen's currency, the riyal, has sunk to historic lows in recent days, in a new threat to the war-torn country which is already on the brink of famine.

In the government-controlled southern capital of Aden, the dollar is trading at more than 1,000 riyal, the highest rate since the war began in 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the northern capital of Sanaa.

The currency has lost some 6 per cent in the south in the past three weeks. Meanwhile, the riyal trades at about 600 riyals to the dollar in rebel-controlled areas, which stretch across much of the country's north.

A source at the central bank in Aden told AFP that it was taking action to prop up the currency, amid growing social discontent in areas controlled by the government, which is backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.

"Inspection teams affiliated with the Yemeni central bank, in cooperation with prosecutors and the police, are carrying out a wide-ranging campaign against exchange rate manipulators," the source said.

Yemenis were already up in arms over the high cost of living in a country where more than 80 per cent of the population depends on international aid.

http://jordantimes.com/news/region/yemens-currency-sinks-historic-lows-worsening-famine-risk = https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2021/Jul-13/521795-yemens-currency-sinks-to-historic-lows-worsening-famine-risk.ashx

(A E)

One dollar now equals 1020 Yemeni riyals. President Hadi is asking for a Saudi deposit to save the riyal/Tweet by Saeed Alhassani

When Maeen Abdulmalik took office as a PM, he said his government would tackle the country's economy only and won'thandle the military dossier. He broke promise as to the former and kept promise as to the latter. Would that he left the economic dossier too. Unfortunately, he schemed with the UAE's loyalists and others to undermine the currency./Tweet by Mohammed Almaazabi

One US dollar has exceeded 1000 Yemeni riyals in value. The riyal is depreciated and nears final collapse. It is a real famine awaiting our kinship and your kinship in Yemen/Tweet by the chairman of Yemen's Shura Council Ahmed bin Daghr.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47830

(* A E)

Local currency hits unprecedented low in war-ravaged Yemen

The Yemeni national currency on Sunday slipped to an unprecedented low in the country's southern port city of Aden and other major cities controlled by the internationally-recognized government.

For the first time in the country's history, the collapse of the national currency slipped to a new low of 1,000 Yemeni riyals per one U.S. dollar in Aden and other provinces controlled by the government backed by Saudi Arabia, according to bankers.

"We are selling one U.S. dollar with 1,000-1,007 Yemeni riyals here in the city of Aden," a banker named Emad Mustafa told Xinhua.

The Yemeni riyal recorded a similar unprecedented decline against all other foreign currencies.

Mustafa indicated that a number of banks in the city of Aden suspended the process of buying and selling foreign currencies temporarily.

Spokesman for the Aden Money Exchange Association, Subhi Bagfar, told Xinhua that "the current decline of the national currency comes as a result of the insufficient availability of foreign currency and the insane increase in demand for it."

He said that "they are studying to halt all financial services as a protest to force the government to find urgent solutions for the currency crisis."

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-07/11/c_1310055324.htm

(* A E)

Yemen’s Riyal Hovers around 1000 against USD

Yemen’s currency has hit a record low in areas under the control of Yemen’s internationally recognized government as the Aden-based Central Bank of Yemen fails to bring the exchange system under its control.

The Yemeni riyal hovered around 1000 against the US dollar on Sunday amid skyrocketing prices of food, goods, and basic services.

The currency’s freefall takes the impoverished nation to the brink of famine as the Yemeni government seems to have lost control over maintaining a fixed exchange rate.

https://republicanyemen.net/archives/28502

and

(B E P)

Yemen's riyal collapses under the reign of one militia, holds firm under the reign of another

Yemen's riyal is seeing fast collapse against foreign currencies in the parts of Yemen under the control of the UAE's STC militia and is keeping value unchanged under the control of Iran's Houthi militia.

The US dollar's value stood at 1000 riyals today up compared to 940 rials a week ago and 860 last April in the areas affiliate to Aden central bank controlled by the UAE's militia.

Meanwhile the same currency's exchange rate against the US dollar has stayed the same for the past months at around 597 riyals for each US dollar in the northwestern part of Yemen controlled by Iran's Houthi militia.

The split of the Yemeni currency started after the Houthi militia outlawed in January 2020 the use of the newer and smaller-size riyal bills issued by the Aden central bank.

The areas under the Yemeni government's control, in the country's east, are financially affiliate to the central bank in the STC-held city of Aden.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47807

and

(A E)

Today Yemeni rial in the govt-held areas has declined against foreign currencies to the lowest rate since 2014. -982 Yer to 1$, -260 Yer to the SAR

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1414066311597068291

cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism

(A K T)

#AQAP official wire (whoever now runs it) releases new video of Bayda ops. Lots of posing for camera with #alQaeda flag. But main footage is night attack on alleged Houthi sites. NOT recent: It's the 28APR Tayyab op. No obvious AQAP faces except Harith al-Nazari (d.2015) (photos)

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1415394375702560773

and more https://twitter.com/JoshuaKoontz__/status/1415439292629929985

(A T)

Images: Striking discrepancy between English & Arabic versions of US @StateDept "Rewards for Justice" campaign for info on #alQaeda leaders in #Yemen: Arabic unequivocally states that the #AQAP figures receive orders from their leaders in #Iran. English does not mention Iran.

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1414921198719356932

(A T)

Alleged new #AQAP statement claiming to lead fight vs Houthis in Bayda #Yemen is fake (or at best a rogue splinter). Here's why -Numbered statements fell out after 2017 -Header has been grey since 9/2020 -Was not issued on official wire -Omits footer -No parallel CE date -Style..

https://twitter.com/Dr_E_Kendall/status/1413900042159673344

cp15 Propaganda

(A P)

If KSA withdraws from Yemen 1-KSA’d lose its dearest things 2-Houthis’d spread like locusts eating green&dry 3-Yemenis won’t gather again to confront Houthis 4-Iran’ll support Houthi to control Yemen w/violent Mullahs ways, Intelligence& economy 5-Yemen that we know’ll evaporate

https://twitter.com/alguneid/status/1415429138211500035

(A P)

Italy-Emirates, how to mend the tear. Sanguini's advice

Well, in recent months Italy has managed to precipitate a situation of peace and collaboration into a drift of criticality which it did not really feel the need for. And this for reasons of merit, that is for a good intention improvisedly carried out, and for reasons of method, that is, without having properly used a mechanism capable of weighing the pros and cons of the situation.

In a nutshell and without going over the details of the question, among other things already properly addressed in this newspaper, it is enough to remember that last January Italy - through an act of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - decided to revoke , of the authorizations already given at the time for the export of defense materials to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This is due to their participation in the war in Yemen with its derivative of civilian deaths and, in particular, of minors.

It is worth pointing out that the authorizations mentioned were granted when the war in Yemen was already underway. That it is a deplorable conflict in itself and for its devastating human and material consequences. And that this conflict was born at the hands of the Houthis with a bloody coup d'état, which is still ongoing, aimed at overthrowing a legitimately elected government. Government that to counter it has asked for military help from neighboring Saudi Arabia

https://formiche.net/2021/07/italia-emirati-come-ricucire-lo-strappo-i-consigli-di-sanguini/

(A P)

HOW BIDEN CAN HELP YEMEN

Five months later, though, negotiations are going nowhere. The military situation on the ground is deteriorating and the humanitarian crisis in the country continues to deepen. Perversely, the very fact that the international community has re-doubled its effort to negotiate may have encouraged Houthis to think that a military victory is within their grasp.

Biden, to his credit, seems to have recognized the need for a revised approach. The administration has sharpened its rhetoric on Houthi human rights violations and has taken actions specifically aimed at obstructing their finances and interdicting their arms supply from Iran. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman’s visit to Washington suggests a belated realization that pressuring Saudi Arabia to halt their military operations inside Yemen has had negative consequences for the balance of forces there.

An effective strategy for ending Yemen’s civil war should couple a renewed commitment to pushing back against the Houthis militarily with a new approach to negotiations that draws in a broader cross section of Yemenis and builds on on-going local initiatives. With U.N. negotiations currently in hiatus awaiting the appointment of a new U.N. special envoy, the United Nations and its international partners should reassess their top-down approach. Rather than seeking an end to the conflict based on a bilateral agreement between the Saudis and the Houthis, the United Nations should do more to build on the work that Yemenis themselves are already doing. Washington and Riyadh, in turn, need to persevere in this tragic but necessary conflict in order to achieve a sustainable and just peace for all Yemenis.

Most urgently, Houthi aggression in Mareb demands an immediate humanitarian intervention and a firm military response from Saudi Arabia. Otherwise, the Houthis will continue violently expanding into other areas across Yemen.

https://warontherocks.com/2021/07/how-biden-can-help-yemen/?singlepage=1

(A P)

The chance for peace in Yemen

Nonetheless, the government, with regional and international support, continued to call for peace and showed great flexibility.

Through its determination for achieving peace, the government aims to protect all Yemenis, including the Houthis. However, the Houthi coup against the legitimate authority and its control of certain provinces caused a civil war and afterwards the world's worse humanitarian crisis according to the United Nations.

Regrettably, the Houthis have interpreted in a wrong way the positive messages from the Yemeni government, our quest for peace and also the international community's eagerness to help restore security and stability.

Additionally, the more the government calls for peace, the more the Houthi militia become intransigent and insistent on continuing its war against the people of Yemen — even quite appalling, recruiting children and placing them in frontlines, exposing them to injury, trauma or death.

The Houthis were not only mistaken in reading the political messages, but also in their reading of history and changes in Yemen – by Ahmed Binmubarak, Hadi gov. Foreign Minister

https://euobserver.com/opinion/152435

(A P)

[Hadi gov.] Yemen's Information Minister: Houthis Attempt to Cover Up on Their Links with Other Terror Organizations

Yemen's Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani said the Houthi militia's intensive propaganda that they are countering Al-Qaeda in the central Yemeni governorate of Al Beidha is an attempt to cover up on the militia's links with other terror organizations.
In a statement to Yemen News Agency (Saba), Muammar Al-Eryani said, "These fabrications are a desperate attempt to cover up on their collusion and coordination in the field with Al-Qaeda and ISIS organizations under the patronage of Iran."

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2258117

(A P)

Bulletin of currency exchange in Khomeini's 4 capital cities: Citizen Journalism Corner

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47830

(A P)

UNHCR Report contradicts reality in Al-Jawf, misinforms local & international opinion, Relief Subcommittee in Al-Jawf says

Contradicting to the international laws on which UNHCR was founded and the law of operation in Yemen, UNHCR has come up with a report that already supports the Houthi militia.

The report, issued by UNHCR on April 29, entitled “Humanitarian and displacement situation in Al-Jawf governorate, Yemen,” contained false figures and statistics.

The report claimed that 1,255,000 IDPs have been displaced to Al-Jawf province, coming from Sa’da, Hajjah and Omran provinces and 90,000 special hardship cases and cash assistance were distributed to them.

It also claimed that 4,600 families had displaced from Marib to Al-Jawf in April 2020.

In response to UNHCR report, the Relief Subcommittee in Al-Jawf held a press conference early last week, in which it revealed the fallacies of UNHCR.

http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/07/10/unhcr-report-contradicts-reality-in-al-jawf-misinforms-local-international-opinion-relief-subcommittee-in-al-jawf-says/

(A P)

More Saudi coalition „We are benefactors“ propaganda

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2260410

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2260402

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257950

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257942

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257935

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257929

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257322

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2257140

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2256753

https://www.spa.gov.sa/viewfullstory.php?lang=en&newsid=2256682

cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids

(* A K pH)

Saudi coalition air raids and shelling day by day

July 11: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2069134966570191/

July 10: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2069134553236899/

July 9: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067079273442427/

July 8: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067078870109134/

July 7: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067077453442609/ = https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067077960109225/

July 6: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067076830109338/

July 5: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067076296776058/

July 4: https://www.facebook.com/lcrdye/photos/a.551858951631141/2067075753442779/

(A K pH)

Yemeni child dies from injuries sustained in cluster munition explosion

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/14/yemeni-child-dies-from-injuries-sustained-in-cluster-munition-explosion/

(A K pH)

Jemeniten ziehen in der Hauptstadt Sanaa eine weitere US-Bombe heraus

Nach zwei Monaten Graben in mehr als zwanzig Metern Tiefe gelang es dem jemenitischen Minenräumungszentrum, eine der größten US-Bomben, die in der jemenitischen Hauptstadt Sanaa abgeworfen wurden, zu entschärfen.

Die Bombe sollte das Zivilschutzgebäude in Sanaa treffen. Beobachter sagen, diese Bombe sei ein weiterer Beweis für die militärische Unterstützung der USA für den saudischen Krieg gegen den Jemen.

https://parstoday.com/de/news/middle_east-i60014-jemeniten_ziehen_in_der_hauptstadt_sanaa_eine_weitere_us_bombe_heraus

(B K pH)

Yemeni Mine Action Center speaks on highly destructive US weaponry used by Saudi-led invaders

The Yemen Executive Center for Mine Action (YEMAC) held a press conference on Sunday at the scene where the Civil Defence unit in Sana’a was targeted by the US-Saudi aggression forces with a GBU-24 laser-guided bomb on 19 September 2015.

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/11/yemeni-mine-action-center-speaks-on-highly-destructive-us-weaponry-used-by-saudi-led-invaders/

(A K pH)

More Saudi coalition air raids

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3148115.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147941.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147853.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147851.htm Bayda p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147727.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147641.htm Bayda p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147561.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147452.htm Bayda p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147428.htm Marib p.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147343.htm Several p.

cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War

Siehe / Look at cp18

Im Jemen herrscht ein militärisches Patt. Eine größere Offensive mit größeren Erfolgen und Geländegewinnen für eine Seite bleiben seit der Offensive der saudischen Koalition gegen Hodeidah im Jahr 2018 aus. Kleinere Offensiven, ständige gegenseitige Angriffe und Gefechte mit Toten auf beiden Seiten und Opfern unter der Zivilbevölkerung gibt es aber ständig. Besonders betroffen sind die Provinzen Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, der Bezirk Nehm in der Provinz Sanaa, die Provinzen Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah und Saada.

There is a military stalemate in Yemen. A larger offensive with greater successes and territorial gains for one side has been absent since the Saudi coalition's offensive against Hodeidah in 2018. Smaller offensives, constant mutual attacks and skirmishes killing fighters of both sides and causing victims among the civilian population are constant. The provinces of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al Bayda, Al Dhalea, the district of Nehm in the province of Sanaa, the provinces of Al Jawf, Marib, Hajjah and Saada are particularly affected.

(A K pH)

Citizen killed by Saudi army's fire in Saada

A citizen was killed on Thursday by Saudi army's fire in Monabeh district of Saada province, northern the country, a security source told Saba.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3148062.htm

(A K pH)

[Hadi gov.] Army repels Houthi terrorist attack, killing & injuring some militants southwest of Marib

http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/07/16/army-repels-houthi-terrorist-attack-killing-injuring-some-militants-southwest-of-marib/

(A K pH)

[Hadi gov.] Army secures liberated positions southwest of Marib

http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/07/16/army-secures-liberated-positions-southwest-of-marib/

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni Armed Forces push Saudi-led invaders out of key areas in eastern Ma’rib

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/15/yemeni-armed-forces-push-saudi-led-invaders-out-of-key-areas-in-eastern-marib/

(A K pS)

Governor of Yemen's afflicted Marib calls for intensified UN assistance

The governor of Yemen's afflicted city of Marib has called for an intensified UN humanitarian and developmental assistance in his province which offers a safe haven to millions of escapees from the terrorist Houthi militia.

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47880

(A K pS)

Houthi sniper kills social media reporter in Marib

The sniper shot dead Mohsen Alkatheeri a social media journalist as he escorted the army to shoot clips of the army's advance to liberating Rahadah district in Marib on Wednesday

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47860

(A K pS)

[Hadi gov.] Army regains control of Rahbah district center southwest of Marib

http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/07/14/army-regains-control-of-rahbah-district-center-southwest-of-marib/

and

(A K pS)

Around 15 govt soldiers & over 44 Houthis killed during fighting in al-Rahaba south #Marib ystrdy. The govt forces led by Maj Gen. Mufareh Bahaibah (the left) & Brg Gen Moh. Al-Hulaisli (the right)--both from Murad- managed 2 captured most of the Rahaba district, incl its center (photos)

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1415444279745515523

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1415304093866893313

(A K pS)

Several Houthi militants killed, injured northwest of Marib

http://en.26sepnews.net/2021/07/13/several-houthi-militants-killed-injured-northwest-of-marib/

(A K)

Violence renews in Yemen's Dhale

Fighting has resumed between the government and Houthi forces in Yemen's Dhale province following Houthi attacks in the areas of Battar, Al-Jub, Sbayrah and Al-Thawkhab, military sources said on Monday.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26092.html

(A K pH)

2 citizens killed, 2 injured by Saudi enemy fire in Saada

At least two citizens were killed and two others injured on Monday by the fire of the Saudi enemy forces in border Munabeh and Sheda districts of Saada province.

A security source told Saba that the Saudi enemy re-targeted Al-Raqo area in Munabeh district, which led to the killing of two citizens.

The source indicated that the Saudi enemy army targeted with artillery and missile bombardment separate areas of Sheda district, which led to the injury of two citizens and caused damage to citizens' properties.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147637.htm

and also https://en.mehrnews.com/news/176027/Saudi-border-guards-kill-two-Yemeni-civilians-in-Saada

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26093.html

(A K)

SAUDI-LED COALITION ATTEMPTS TO RETAKE BAYDHA FROM HOUTHIS

https://southfront.org/saudi-led-coalition-attempts-to-retake-baydha/

(A K pS)

Five Houthi militants have been killed as they tried to plant landmines in Al Beidha/Multiple websites

https://www.alsahwa-yemen.net/en/p-47861

(* A K pH)

Spokesman: 350 Saudi mercenaries, Takfiri terrorists killed in Yemeni army operation in Bayda

The Spokesman for [Sanaa gov.] Yemen’s Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, says Yemeni army troops and allied fighters from Popular Committees have managed to deal a severe blow to Takfiri militants and Saudi mercenaries during the recent large-scale military operation in the central Province of al-Bayda, killing hundreds of them in the process.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital Sana’a on Thursday afternoon, Saree stated that Yemeni armed forces notched up glorious victories during Operation Nasr al-Mobin (Manifest Victory), and killed 350 Takfiri terrorists, including members of Daesh and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terror outfits. Scores of them fled as well.

“Takfiri groups sought to assert control over several districts in al-Bayda Province. The resurgence of Takfiri outfits was in fact part of US plans to target Yemen, and plunge it into the hands of mercenaries and extremists,” he pointed out.

Saree added, “The large amount of weapons that Yemeni army troops, Popular Committees fighters and security forces recovered from Takfiri terrorists shows the extent of support provided by the [Saudi-led] coalition of aggression to Saudi-paid militants.”

https://en.abna24.com/news/spokesman-350-saudi-mercenaries-takfiri-terrorists-killed-in-yemeni-army-operation-in-bayda_1160767.html = https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000425000069/Spkesman-350-Takfiri-Terrriss-Sadi-Mercenaries-Killed-in-Yemeni-Army

and

(* A K)

Officials: 320 fighters killed in battle in central Yemen

Fighting raged between Yemen’s government forces and Houthi rebels, killing 320 fighters from both sides in central Bayda province since the weekend, health and security officials said Tuesday.

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-yemen-c3cbd043fbf01208165c5754cdab0f94

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni Army Pummels Saudi-Backed Mercenaries in Bayda, Reclaims Swaths of Territory

https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000423000091/Yemeni-Army-Pmmels-Sadi-Backed-Mercenaries-in-Bayda-Reclaims-Swahs-f

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Yemeni forces liberate over 100 square kilometers in latest offensive

The spokesman of the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e, has on Thursday revealed details of a military operation named “Al-Nasr Al-Mubin”, which was carried out by the Yemeni army and the Popular Committees in Bayda province, in which they were able to liberate more than 100 square kilometers.

In a press statement, Brigadier General Yahya Sare’e said that various units of the Armed Forces participated in the operation, backed by the population and tribes of Bayda province.

He indicated that “the air force and missile force” carried out 66 operations, in which the Air force carried out 40 attacks against the enemy forces along with 17 reconnaissance and monitoring operations, while the missile force carried out nine strikes, using Badr and Saeer type ballistic missiles.

Yahya Sare’e confirmed that the army forces succeeded in targeting takfiri groupings during the offensive (map)

https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/15/yemeni-forces-liberate-over-100-square-kilometers-in-latest-offensive/

and

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] Army reveals "Al-Nasr Al-Mubin” operation carried out in Bayda

Brig. Gen. Sarie explained that the operation the operation resulted in the restoration of all areas seized by Al-Qaeda and ISIS elements in Bayda, and the liberation of large areas in Al-Zahir and Al-Souma districts.

The operation, which lasted 72 hours, came in response to the brutal attack carried out by the mercenary and criminal elements of ISIS and Al-Qaeda, with the support of the Saudi-led aggression coalition countries, he added.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147777.htm

and also https://hodhodyemennews.net/2021/07/13/military-spokesman-yahya-saree-reveals-details-of-yemeni-offensive-in-central-yemen/

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26113.html

and also the pro-Saudi side confirms it:

(A K pS)

Iran-backed Houthis yesterday restored all areas they lost 2 weeks ago to the pro-govt forces in Al-Zahir district, al-Baydha governorate. As usual, mismanagement and internal conflict in the Saudi-led coalition camp played a major factor in this setback.

The main reason behind the recent setback for the pro-govt forces in Al-Baydha is that UAE-backed security belt forces in Yafa region, Lahj governorate, prevented reinforcmnts & supplies from reaching al-Zahir district, accord 2 a Yafie Salafi leader "Hussein al-Salahi".

https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1415094122319331343

(A K)

20 Houthis, including field leaders, killed in Yemen fighting

in the provinces of Bayda, Marib and Jawf.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26072.html

(A K)

Yemeni gov't says troops liberated Sawma'a district in Baydha

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26080.html

(A K pS)

Hit, Run Battles Cost Houthis Hundreds of Militants in Al-Bayda

Despite sending the “Hussein Brigades,” the insurgency militia failed in regaining any of the ground it lost and ended up entangled in hit-and-run battles that saw over 200 Houthi combatants killed, pro-government military media sources revealed.

https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3073876/hit-run-battles-cost-houthis-hundreds-militants-al-bayda

(A K pH)

Strategic district, several areas in al-Bayda liberated by [Sanaa gov.] Yemeni forces

The media bureau of Yemen’s Operations Command Center has published video footage of Yemeni army forces and allied fighters conducting a large-scale anti-Saudi military operation in the central province of al-Bayda, and establishing control over several regions there.
The video shows Yemeni troops and their allies, backed by local tribal fighters, engaged in a major offensive against Saudi-led coalition forces and their Takfiri mercenaries on the outskirts of the strategic Az Zahir district.

https://en.abna24.com/news//strategic-district-several-areas-in-al-bayda-liberated-by-yemeni-forces_1159310.html

(A K pS)

Top Houthi commander killed in new Yemen battle

Abu Yahya Al-Hanemi died in a fierce five-hour battle for Al-Zaher district, south of the central Al-Bayda province.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1891881/middle-east

(A K pH)

[Sanaa gov.] #Yemeni forces fighting #Saudi occupation forces claim they wiped out #AlQaeda in central #Yemen. #AQAP , a #Saudi proxy lost many fighters according to same #Yemeni sources. Video include #Saudi identifications cards

https://twitter.com/AliAlAhmed_en/status/1413870184985776130

(A K pH)

Military escalation in Bayda as result of US diplomacy failure: Al-Sama'ei

"America's loss in politics and the victory of Sana'a's diplomacy seeking honorable peace have made America feel humiliated to bring al-Qaeda hordes from different countries and ignite the Bayda front, and these are the reasons behind the U.S. escalation in Bayda," al- Sama'ei said in a statement to Saba.

https://www.saba.ye/en/news3147338.htm

(A K)

Houthis killed, injured in overnight battles in northeast Yemen

A number of Houthi fighters were killed and injured after the forces of Yemen's internationally recognised government repelled an assault on their positions in the area of Al-Jadafir east of Al-Hazm, the capital of Jawf province, and in north of Marib province.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26046.html

(A K)

[Hadi] Yemeni gov't says its troops retook Zahir district

The [Hadi gov.] Yemeni national army has retaken control of Zahir district in the central governorate of Baydha, information minister tweeted on Thursday, after Houthi fighters were forced out of the district.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26041.html

cp18 Kampf um Hodeidah / Hodeidah battle

Seit dem Abkommen von Stockholm vom 13. Dezember 2018 gibt es einen Waffenstillstand für Hodeidah. Zwar bleiben größere Offensiven aus, kleinere Gefechte gibt es aber laufend, und beide Seiten werfen sich ständig Verstöße gegen den Waffenstillstand vor.

Since the Stockholm Agreement of December 13, 2018, a ceasefire has been in place for Hodeidah. There are no major offensives, but smaller battles are going on and both sides constantly are accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

(A K pS)

Houthis shell Ikhwan Thabit Commercial and Industrial Complex in west Yemen

The Ikhwan Thabit Commercial and Industrial Complex in Yemen's western province of Hudaydah was attacked by the Houthi group on Monday, local sources said, adding that a massive fire broke out at the complex after three artillery shells hit it. There were no reports of casualties.

https://debriefer.net/en/news-26091.html

Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFTai-nUOuI

Photos: https://twitter.com/RepYemenEnglish/status/1414673462707228673

cp19 Sonstiges / Other

(-)

Photos: Yemen's #Socotra archipelago. Author: Daniel Kordan.

https://twitter.com/FuadRajeh/status/1413888323148566534

(B H)

The Filmmakers and the Martyrs of Charity

Meet the team behind the film about the murdered Missionaries of Charity sisters.

“This story has so many dimensions,” says Sherna Bhadresa, one of the British producers working on the project, not yet in production, entitled The Garden of Aden. She believes that the film “will have a positive impact on many” and that, “despite being a story of martyrdom, [it will] highlight humanity in all its goodness at a time when the world more than ever needs to be reminded of that.”

The movie, she tells the Register, portrays “love of one’s neighbor; willingness to die for the faith; Catholics and Muslims caring for each other in a country torn by war and famine; and the love and respect shown [by the ordinary populace there] to the nuns.”

https://www.ncregister.com/features/the-filmmakers-and-the-martyrs-of-charity

(A P)

Finding love and peace: The story of learning Turkish in Yemen

Turkish drama series, films and songs attract young Yemenis to learn and practice Turkish language in their daily lives

Using simplified teaching methods, the initiative started in early 2018 as an educational YouTube channel focusing on teaching simple Turkish words and highlighting the lives of some Yemeni families whose their Turk ancestors lived and made families in Yemen during the Ottoman Empire.

“The name of the initiative refers to Turkey as a ‘new world’ for Yemenis to explore and discover via learning its language and culture, in addition to learning from its political and economic experiences,” Adel added.

Building on the great historical relations between Yemen and Turkey since the establishment of the Ottoman Empire, with the contribution of Turkish drama series, films and songs, Yemeni youths were attracted to learn and practice the Turkish language in their daily lives as much as possible.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/finding-love-and-peace-the-story-of-learning-turkish-in-yemen/2302139

(A H)

Desert Locust situation update 8 July 2021

YEMEN. A few immature swarms persist in the highlands north of Sana’a; scattered adults are present in the interior where limited breeding is underway.

http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/info/info/index.html

(A P)

Activists enraged as photos emerge of endangered leopards killed in Yemen

Animal rights activists in Yemen have been horrified by photos circulating on social media since July 2 showing two endangered Arabian leopards that were killed. In a country torn apart by war, tracking down hunters and poachers and bringing them to justice is almost impossible.

These photos, shared by animal rights activists in Yemen, show a man and a boy posing next to two dead leopards.

The Arabian leopard is an endangered species protected by Yemeni law. It typically lives in remote, mountainous areas, particularly in southern Yemen. There are only about 200 left in the wild on the Arabian Peninsula. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) categorises it as "threatened with extinction."

After being alerted by citizens, the Yemeni Environment Protection Authority began an investigation and was able to find the perpetrator. We spoke to Abdelslam Al Jaabi, head of the Ad Dali' governorate section of the Environmental Protection Authority:

https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20210714-yemen-rare-leopards-killed-war-animal-protection

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Desert Locust briefs 2021

July 15: YEMEN. An immature swarm was seen in the highlands near Sana’a while another moved further south towards Taiz; small-scale breeding is underway in parts of the interior.

http://www.fao.org/ag/locusts/en/archives/briefs/2515/2568/index.html

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Photo: Al Karn, Al Mahwit Province, Yemen

https://twitter.com/its_yemen/status/1415400500527239170

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Photos: the historical city of Jableh – Yemen

https://twitter.com/Yemen_1y/status/1415691255028326404

Vorige / Previous:

https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/jemenkrieg-mosaik-750-yemen-war-mosaic-750

Jemenkrieg-Mosaik 1-750 / Yemen War Mosaic 1-750:

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

Der saudische Luftkrieg im Bild / Saudi aerial war images:

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

http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm

http://yemenwarcrimes.blogspot.de/

http://www.yemenwar.info/

Liste aller Luftangriffe / and list of all air raids:

http://yemendataproject.org/data/

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

https://yemen.bellingcat.com/

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

https://yemeniarchive.org/en

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

Dietrich Klose

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

Dietrich Klose

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