Schwerpunkte / Key aspects
Klassifizierung / Classification
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
cp2 Allgemein / General
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
cp 7 UNO / UN
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
cp 13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
cp 13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp 13c Unsere Medien / Our media
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
Klassifizierung / Classification
***
**
*
(Kein Stern / No star)
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
cp1 Am wichtigsten / Most important
6.3.2016 – Middle East Eye (*** B H)
No country for old men: Yemen's war leaves elderly destitute
A quarter of a million elderly struggle to survive on charity alone through Yemen's war, and the country's few nursing homes are targets for attack
Ahmed sits in his wheelchair opposite the Mother Teresa nursing home, begging for money from passers-by in the street on a frigid morning. He is destitute after his sons Abdullah and Abubakr lost their jobs due to the war, moved away and enlisted for money.
The nursing home, where a Catholic charity provides care for fewer than 100 people, is the only one of its kind for hundreds of miles, and one of only four in the whole of Yemen. Its future is uncertain after militants killed 16 carers, including nuns, in an attack in Aden on Friday. The killers reportedly gained entry by telling staff they were visiting their mother.
Speaking before the attack, Ahmed, a proud man in his 60s, said the home was his only hope. In Yemen, extended families are responsible for their elderly relatives; the government provides no pension and offers no medical assistance.
But family bonds are fraying fast as war wreaks havoc on the economy and its people. People are reduced to a state such as Ahmed's as the result.
"I do not have anyone to help me in my life, and I am a disabled man, so I tried to join Mother Teresa's home but they refused," he told Middle East Eye. "They told me that the centre is full. They refuse anyone with relatives, even if they are old and disabled like me.
"My only hope in this life to join the nursing home, as there are good people will take care for me, and there I can be comfortable."
Instead, Ahmed begs every day before returning to a small room provided by another charity. The money he scrapes together is not enough. Were it not for his neighbours' help with food, he would most probably starve.
The Mother Theresa home says it is overwhelmed with requests for assistance, and its governor, who did not wish to be named, said it had to stop receiving people last year.
"The police send us people they have found in the street who have no relatives. But the home simply does not enough space for all of them."
Even before the attack in Aden, the safety and security of its residents was clearly a concern. The governor refused requests to enter the home and speak to residents.
The government knows all too well of the desperate conditions the elderly face during a time of war, but it has nothing to help. There are no state homes, and there is no budget for the elderly, a Ministry of Social Affairs source told MEE.
"In the whole country, there are only four homes belonging to Mother Teresa, which provide for 200 people, while those in need of help are more than 250,000 in the whole country," the source said.
"When the Ministry of Social Affairs tries to apply to the Finance and Planning Ministries, they refuse the application and say that the government depends on charities to help old people."
The source added that there needed to be at least one state home for the old people in each province, and at least four for each of the larger cities.
Adding to the problem is the fact that the Mother Teresa organisation is a Christian charity operating in a Muslim country – by Nasser Al-Sakkaf
http://www.middleeasteye.net/Yemen-old-peoples-home
6.3.2016 – Boston Globe (** A K P)
Yemen’s destruction is one cost of the US-Saudi alliance
Sadly, the United States seems more intent on reasserting allegiance to Saudi Arabia than pressing for a negotiated end to the conflict. Last month, following a meeting with foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Secretary of State John Kerry said: “In Yemen, we face the Houthi insurgency and the ongoing threat that is posed by Al Qaeda, threats to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we . . . stand with our friends in Saudi Arabia.” Not a word about the deeply destabilizing impact the Yemen war is having on the region or the humanitarian crisis Saudi airstrikes have provoked or the need for the parties to the conflict to redouble efforts to find a negotiated solution.
Of course, the United States is something more than a casual observer of the conflict in Yemen. The Obama administration has been providing material support for the Saudi airstrikes since they began, including intelligence, logistics, and munitions.
This is not to argue that the United States should sever ties to Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is a key counterterrorism partner and wields enormous influence in the Arab and Muslim world, influence we need to help shape. The Arab Gulf states, Saudi Arabia principal among them, make up an island of relative stability in an otherwise chaotic Middle East. And the truth is, it is entirely justifiable to form a coalition and launch a campaign designed to defeat the Houthi insurgency and make clear that the international community will never accept the usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun.
But Saudi Arabia’s relentless punishment of Yemen in pursuit of this goal is baffling, because it breeds the very instability the Arab Gulf states are desperate to avoid. And given the precipitous fall in the price of crude oil, the instability is not only political but also economic, since Saudi Arabia no longer has the luxury of hemorrhaging money in support of a military campaign in Yemen that has no end in sight.
A diplomat from the region observed recently that the real Arab Spring began “when we discovered that President Obama was either unwilling or uninterested in acting in the Middle East,” because it signaled to our Arab partners that they no longer needed to check with Washington before taking measures they deemed appropriate to protect their own security.
Nearly a year ago, Saudi Arabia did just that, and the unintended consequences of its war in Yemen have made not just the region, but the world, less safe. It is not the responsibility of the United States alone to resolve this crisis, but American leadership is needed to bring it to an end. We shouldn’t mistake the absence of headlines for an absence of urgency – by Stephen Seche, US-ambassador to Yemen 2007–2010
Comment: Seche is right in many points – but consider this: “The kingdom is a key counterterrorism partner” – that is only 20 % true. The Saudis fight terrorism, as long as it threatens their own rule – otherwise they have supported and support it in many ways, worldwide. Spreading Wahabi Islam which is the intellectual base for all Islamist terrorism. Paying and arming terrorist movements.
“The Arab Gulf states, Saudi Arabia principal among them, make up an island of relative stability”: That’s the stability of a grave yard, suppressing all other opinions and religious beliefs, by brutal suppression, beheading, flogging…
“It is entirely justifiable to form a coalition and launch a campaign designed to defeat the Houthi insurgency”: How this? This insurgency takes places not in Saudi Arabia, but in a foreign country. So fighting it cannot be the matter of a neighbouring country. An ex-diplomat should know that international politics cannot work like that.
“make clear that the international community will never accept the usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun”. First. What is “international community”? This expression is widely misused, in reality just embracing the US and its allies (or vassals), claiming their viewpoint to be the only one of the “international community”. Second. “will never accept the usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun”. That is a folly looking at the many, many cases in which the US willingly and with great sympathy have accepted a “usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun” – or the US themselves have run such a “usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun”. Ukraine just two years ago, or what about Libya, the regime change ambitions leading to war and destruction in Syria, or Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria in 1949, Iran in 1953, or, and in Southern America we will find even much more: Panama, Grenada, Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Brasil, Argentine. Others, where the US were less active themselves, but highly appreciated it: Which Latin American country did not suffer from such a military coup? Not to forget Greece. What about Indonesia in 1965/68, where this “usurpation of legitimate authority at the barrel of a gun” was followed by a mass-slaughter of dimensions nearly never seen before? And not to forget places where US-regime changes “at the barrel of a gun” failed: Nicaragua, Cuba. Third: “legitimate authority“, what is that? Is it what the US declares to be? Thus, you could justify any regime change, anytime, anywhere, just making the US the ruler and arbiter of the whole world. And for Yemen: “President” Hadis term definitely had expired on Feb. 25, 2015. So how any intervention starting on March 26, 2015, could be justified with this “president” representing any “legitimate authority”?
“It is not the responsibility of the United States alone to resolve this crisis, but American leadership is needed to bring it to an end”. Well, anyone from abroad should contribute to stop this carnage in Yemen. But what about “American leadership”? Does he really claim that. There cannot be acknowledged any “American leadership” (or other leadership) in this world. “American leadership” had threatened and endangered the whole world – from Indonesia to Guatemala to Yemen and around the whole world – long enough now.
Thus, Seche stops at least half-way. Amercica should not be blamed and not put into question – as if America still is standing somewhat aside from the conflict and now just must stand up and make the right decision to play the role of “good guy” also in Yemen. Well, in the case of Yemen, the decision already had been taken a long time ago, US hands since long being bloody of the Yemen carnage.
Let’s compare this story: When two guys have abducted a girl and misuse her as sex slave and torture her for 11 months – and then one of them thinks it should be enough now and releases her – well, that is the best role still available for the US in the Yemen drama.
4.3.2016 – Inner City Press (** A P)
Exclusive: UN Yemen Envoy Told Feltman Houthis Ready to Meet in Jordan, Saudi Low-ball
The UN Secretariat's bungling of Yemen mediation has become ever more clear, according to multiple sources and documents exclusively seen by Inner City Press, see below.
Now Inner City Press has another exclusive: UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed's email to UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, which contradicts what enovy Ould Cheikh Ahmed most recently told the Security Council. The email exclusively published by Inner City Press shows flexibility on the Houthi said, with the prospects of meeting in Jordan or Morocco, while the Saudis insist on sending low level representation. Here is the email:
"Dear Jeff, I just completed a 2-day visit in Riyadh and wanted to give you a quick update on how things have developed since my discussions with H/Mohamed AbdelSalam last week in Muscat.
I had a private discussion with both State Minister Mussaeed Al Ayban and Abu Ali where I briefed them on the readiness of th Houthis to resume discrete face-to-face meetings with KSA representatives. While they welcomed the progress made and expressed their commitment to go ahead with this track, they also emphasized that:
i) in light of the progress the Coalition has been making on the ground and their advance toward Sanaa, the Houthis should seize this opportunity and discuss in good faith as they are in a weaker position on the ground and their options are narrowing;
ii) KSA will not consider elevating the level of their representation in the KSA-H talks, as Mohamed AbdelSalam had requested. KSA considers that the 2 representatives they are sending are at the level of Mohammed AbdelSalam and the Houthis should not expect a higher representation at this point;
[…]
I immediately called Mohemad AbdelSalam from Riyadh to share the outcomes of the meeting. He was going to talk to his leadership and revert to me with a confirmation. If the Houthis accept, the Houthi - KSA meeting could go ahead as early as next week, in Jordan. We of course would not participate nor be present. I have however already started coordination with the Jordan Ambassador to Yemen, as needed. […]”
The above email was sent on February 11 and contradicts what Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the Security Council; meanwhile Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the UN told the press on March 4 that envoy IOCA does NOT want a humanitarian access resolution.
In the UN Security Council on the Yemen sanctions resolution adopted on February 24, language was added to try to discourage the Panel of Experts from looking into the act of the Saudi-led Coalition. Concessions were made, of a kind not made for or about other countries under sanctions.
On March 4 in the same UN Press Briefing Room, Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi held an unscheduled press conference to announce that OCHA, whose Yemen pick up the pieces campaign Saudi Arabia largely funds, does not think there's a need for a humanitarian access resolution. If true, some will say that OCHA has been bought.
Inner City Press asked al-Mouallimi why his Yemeni counterpart had claimed to Inner City Press, on the record, that the WFP ship the Saudis seized contained "Iranian military equipment"?
Al-Mouallimi said, among other things, the ship DID come from Iran... and the equipment wasn't on the manifest and was "hidden." Video here.
Inner City Press asked him about cluster bomb use; he denied it and many media printed that quote, without more. Inner City Press asked him, if opposed to the UN Panel of Experts looking into the impacts of the Saudi Coalition, who should do it? This was not answered, except to again emphasize how tied the PoE is to the underlying, one-sided resolution.
On March 1, back in on a reduced access pass, Inner City Press asked UN OCHA official John Ging about taking "aid" money from Saudi Arabia while it blasts away at Yemen. Video here.
Ging said these two are "ring fenced," and that the UN doesn't allow Saudi Arabia to put conditions on aid or where it is delivered.
Inner City Press asked, what about the Saudi threat that aid workers should leave Houthi-controlled areas? Ging said the UN had pushed back.
But quietly, as was the case with the Saudi diversion of the WFP ship. Does money talk? Apparently yes.
On March 3, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq about something Ging's boss Stephen O'Brien had just said, UN transcript here (video link here) [follows transcript]
The Yemen "government," which under UN rules could hold a press conference for all journalists in the UN Press Briefing Room, has instead chosen to invited only members of the Gulf and Western media dominated UN Correspondents Association to a spin session. We've put the leaked invitation online here; here's some of the text [follows; image blelow].
The focus of the annexed invitation is on "IHL and HRL violations of the Houthi - Saleh rebels." This is UNCA: this is how the UN works, or doesn't.
And now this - Inner City Press is informed that the Saudi-led Coalition hit with a missile the UN's own UNFPA compound. The UN should have complained and gone public, but didn't. Why not? Because the UN envoy IOCA has been told to stay away while Saudi Arabia bombs. How's that working out?
In the talks in Switzerland, despite the happy-talk Note to Correspondents issued on December 20, UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was repeatedly accused of merely operating “for the Saudis,” while the Saudi-led coalition took more military action.
Inner City Press on December 20 reported that the UN-facilitated talks have been such a failure that there is already a clamor to replace Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. Sources exclusively tell Inner City Press that among the names being mulled is Germany's Bettina Muscheidt, the European Union's Ambassador to Yemen.
[and going further back until June 25, 2015] – by Matthew Russell Lee
http://www.innercitypress.com/yemen123fishy030516.html
4.3.2016 – Fair Observer (*** A K P)
What Happened to Yemen?
by Fernando Carvajal
Political infighting and violence have plagued Yemen since the Arab Spring began in December 2010.
The hopes and aspirations of Yemen’s youth have dissipated into a near permanent state of war. Five years on from the electrifying momentum toward change sweeping through the Arab world’s poorest nation, an entrenched stalemate has completely derailed the political transition process. The year-long civil war, now sponsored by an Arab coalition, feeds a regional war by proxy and serves as breeding grounds for the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The current situation has truly vaporized any sense of anArab Spring, and instead has magnified a cycle of revenge among elite political actors.
The United Nations (UN), increasingly critical of the Saudi-led military coalition, has raised alarms over the devastating impact of the ongoing war. While armed clashes continue between Zaydi-Shia Houthi rebels, allied with military forces loyal to deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and resistance militias, allied with military loyalists of President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, reports indicate that up to 93% of casualties and injuries from aerial bombardments have been civilians. The war has caused a collapse of the country’s health system throughout rebel- and resistance-held areas. Aid agencies have also reported that, as of August 2015, nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced by the current civil war. Prior to the conflict, there were 300,000 internally displaced persons. The Arab coalition also enforces an air and sea blockade, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis affecting over 80% of the population.
One year into the war, Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Saleh remain unaffected and committed to multiple fronts, some of which include clashes with militants affiliated with AQAP and affiliates of IS. Local media estimate that more than 160,000 airstrikes have taken place since March 2015 in Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition. Targets include military bases in northern Yemen, Houthi positions in multiple provinces, and houses of pro-Houthi leaders or associates, as well as the residence of former President Saleh and his relatives. Yet forces aligned with President Hadi have been unable to repel Houthis and Saleh’s forces from areas other than the coastal province of Aden. Fighting in Ibb, al-Jawf, Mareb and Taiz provinces remains intense and in constant flux. A number of ceasefires negotiated by UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh have failed to deliver any relief since mid-2015.
Hope for opportunities to reengage peace talks among Yemeni actors, and the Arab coalition, remain faint as the option for total war appears to sustain the stubbornness on both sides. The recent appointment of General Ali Muhsin al-Ahmar as the new deputy chief of staff implies that Hadi and the Arab coalition are committed to a military victory. But Ali Muhsin’s resurrection since September 2014 may backfire and strengthen the Houthi-Saleh alliance rather than weaken their tribal pillars.
War crimes have undoubtedly been committed throughout the war, and reaching a lasting ceasefire long enough to engage peace talks remains a top priority amid growing fragmenting alliances. Reconstruction is simply beyond priorities held by warring parties at present.
ELITE BARGAINING
Debate over the nature of the political conflict that erupted in December 2010 has clearly eliminated the illusion of any populist movement, and provided overwhelming evidence of an intra-regime conflict responsible for today’s devastating war. The Arab Spring-inspired protests of 2011 across the Middle East and North Africa were all unique events, yet most observers fail to understand the origins and unique trajectory of Yemen’s own political infighting. It remains that an unresolved elite conflict perpetuates instability and is a principle reason for the breakdown of the transition process that was initiated in November 2011.
When Saleh stepped down after 33 years—the first phase of the transition plan—economically marginalized youth were neither empowered nor responsible for the autocrat’s downfall. The first indication of such marginalization was the fact that signatories to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) transition agreement only included the ruling party, the General People’s Congress (GPC), and the official opposition members of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP).
In theory, the GCC-sponsored agreement negotiated by then-UN Special Envoy Jamal Benomar simply inked a temporary solution to a political crisis, which erupted in December 2010 when the GPC moved to unilaterally amend the constitution. Protests organized by would-be 2011 Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman and independent Member of Parliament (MP) Ahmed Saif Hashid coincided with the Tunisian uprising in December 2010. The situation escalated in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, when the National Solidarity Council (NSC), led by Hussain Abdullah al-Ahmar, joined protests against Saleh’s move to reform the electoral commission and extend his term in office to make way for his oldest son, Ahmed Ali. Karman and Ahmar were seen as proxies for the Sunni Islamist party, al-Islah, which is the senior partner in the JMP.
The crisis leading to the Day of Rage, scheduled for February 3, 2011, was meant as political positioning rather than Saleh’s outright overthrow. The Islah party aimed at negotiating the parliamentary elections of April 2011, gaining further concessions from Saleh through a restructuring of economic resources and political posts, even if it meant marginalizing Sheikh Hamid Abdullah al-Ahmar’s ambitions to prevent Ahmed Ali’s ascent to the presidency in 2013.
Instead, the tsunami spreading from President Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow in Egypt emboldened Saleh’s principle rival, Sheikh Hamid, an MP for the Islah party. For Sheikh Hamid, there would be no negotiations on Ahmed Ali’s grasp on power. His support for the mass gatherings at Change Square undoubtedly represented a continuation of his fiery public criticism of Saleh since 2006. The stage was set for an escalation and the perfect storm gathered against Saleh—youth outside patronage networks, Sunni Islamists, Nasserists, socialists, Baathists, Houthis, GCC monarchies and even a US administration that believed time had come for democracy in the Arab world.
FAILED RECONCILIATION AND BACKROOM DEALS
The second phase of the agreed-upon transition from Saleh’s rule involved the electoral ritual to elect Hadi as president. In a one-man election, under the mantra of consensus, Hadi was elected in February 2012. The process was mandated under the GCC agreement, which was meant to contain the crisis and avert a civil war rather than initiate an era of change.
Hadi served as Saleh’s vice president from 1994 to 2011, and while of southern origin, people saw him as a continuation of the regime. Another source of contention for independent protesters was the power sharing equation produced by the GCC deal, where half the cabinet posts were given to the GPC, half to the JMP with Islah taking the largest share, and the appointment of Mohammed Salem Basindwa as prime minister. Each faction picked the ministry appointees, while President Hadi was allowed to appoint the minister of defense; Basindwa was chosen as a nonpartisan candidate. No posts were reserved for independents or for representatives of marginalized youth protesting against the regime.
This 35-member cabinet was to oversee the two-year transition period scheduled by the GCC. The first order of business was to restructure the national armed forces and security organizations, meant to gradually remove Saleh’s grip on vital national resources, but also targeted influence wielded by General Ali Muhsin, Saleh’s former close ally who defected in March 2011 and pledged to protect the “revolution.” The ultimate goal was to reform the armed forces in order to expand Hadi’s authority as commander in chief. The process not only bred further conflict among the elite, but eventually fragmented the military along patronage networks and further eroded President Hadi’s own power, rendering him nearly incapable of mobilizing sufficient resources to address the expanding security vacuum.
BREAKDOWN OF DIALOGUE
The third phase of the transition plan was the launching of a National Dialogue Conference (NDC). Delayed by a year, the NDC was finally established in March 2013. Again, ordinary Yemenis expressed their dissatisfaction with the equation used to select delegates, and later complained of further marginalization within negotiations by President Hadi, Jamal Benomar and the political elite, who bargained away aspirations of independents behind closed doors in order to produce a final agreement. Youth voices, in particular, were merely relegated to the occasional photo-op with the UN envoy and other diplomats.
The dialogue process began to disintegrate soon after Ramadan 2013, when war broke out in Amran province between Houthi rebels and tribes loyal to Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar, and it quickly spread into Damaj, Sadah. This has been presented as the start of the transition’s failure. The war in Amran also led to a boycott by NDC southern delegates aligned with Mohammed Ali Ahmed, who was initially allied with President Hadi to represent the southern contingent along with Yassin Makawi and then-NDC Secretary-General Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who is now the Yemeni ambassador to the United States.
While a number of observers have fixated their analysis on the January 2015 Houthi-led coup, a trajectory of events identifies the Amran conflict as the start of both a historic realignment of the structure of power in northern Yemen, and the chaos that would ensue from August 2014. When the NDC concluded in January 2014, it further exacerbated the conflict as protests erupted from the GPC, Houthis and independents. Although it had been discussed in committees, the newly announced plan to establish a six-region federal state in Yemen intensified tensions among political parties, as it had not been part of the official NDC outcomes, but rather a plan forged behind closed doors and sponsored by President Hadi.
THE CAUSE
Based on this author’s conversations with people inside the country, Yemeni analysts see the failure of Hadi’s government to contain the lingering elite conflict as being responsible for events that followed the NDC conclusion up until the Houthi takeover of Amran province. Houthi militia managed to capture Amran province from the 310th Brigade under General Hamid al-Qushaybi, a staunch ally of General Ali Muhsin and the Islah party. Islah officials were enraged at Hadi’s second failure to aid their cohorts—the war in Damaj was the first instance. Ali Muhsin, who also attempted to safeguard his position vis-à-vis Hadi, was attacked publicly by the party for his failure to deploy forces to Amran.
As events were mismanaged and the Hadi government overwhelmed, the government itself may have sealed its own fate and directly paved the way for a Houthi ascendency.
In July 2014, Prime Minister Basindwa’s cabinet agreed to lift fuel subsidies, handing Houthi rebels the opportunity to revive their revolutionary narrative on behalf of the masses. Houthis undoubtedly capitalized on the anger among Yemenis and reclaimed the banner of revolution from 2011. Thousands across the political spectrum answered the call to demonstrate, including GPC loyalists, who organized social media campaigns and neighborhood protests often blocking streets around Sanaa. It was an opportunity to capitalize on renewed popular discontent that neither Houthis nor Saleh could waste. A new alliance between former enemies was forged in the oddest revolutionary narratives.
BLEAK PROSPECTS BEYOND THE STALEMATE
The stage was set for a final blow on the “model transition” and a downward spin into chaos. Hadi’s position was in peril, as early reports indicated that Houthis and Saleh forged their alliance of convenience outside Yemen with help from regional powers.
Events leading to a Houthi takeover of the Yemeni capital in September 2014 were a product of overconfidence on the part of President Hadi, and Houthi collusion with Saleh’s military and tribal loyalists. Hadi is said to have opened the gates of Sanaa for Houthis in efforts to shift the balance of power away from General Ali Muhsin and the Islah party. But President Hadi, Benomar and bin Mubarak were unaware of the Houthi-Saleh alliance that ensured a military defeat of Ali Muhsin and the political downfall of Islah.
Hadi was forced to accept Houthi interpretation of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement (PNPA) signed on September 22, 2014, including a new power sharing equation abrogating the entire text of the GCC initiative, especially since the president had originally been granted only a two-year term. Houthis were not signatories to the GCC agreement, therefore, the PNAP gave the rebels a seat at the table otherwise not granted by the NDC.
The period between Houthi calls to protest against the lifting of fuel subsidies and thecoup d’état of January 2015 undoubtedly took President Hadi by surprise, along with the international community. It is clear the transition was mismanaged, and that regional and international powers underestimated a number of political actors, such as the Islah party, Ali Muhsin, Saleh and Houthis.
This view is indeed Sanaa-centric, and does neglect the role of southern secessionists, but this group remained on the sidelines of the northern power struggle until President Hadi fled house arrest and landed in Aden in February 2015. The relevance of southern actors has surged as Yemen faces a historic possibility of fragmentation. At this time, underestimating political actors, especially Saleh’s survival, left the international community unable to deal with strong challenges to Hadi’s legitimacy, leaving only the use of force as an option against Houthis and Saleh over the past year.
Today, the situation in Yemen is far beyond a “crossroads.” It is beyond “the brink.” The conflict faces a dangerous impasse as low intensity clashes expand, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and widening the security vacuum across the country. It is no longer a conflict between traditional elite actors, as southern and northern Salafists have joined the fight against Houthis and Saleh’s loyalists. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula no longer holds a monopoly on Yemen as Islamic State-affiliates have established a presence in various provinces. This makes it even more difficult to coordinate peace talks.
Furthermore, President Hadi has been unable to sustain support from various resistance groups fighting Houthis, as tension rises over financial and material resources provided by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudis hope that General Ali Muhsin can serve as a uniting figure among northern tribes in order to overcome current obstacles along the military front.
After one year of airstrikes on the capital Sanaa, Amran, Hajja and Sadah provinces, observers see a deepening quagmire for Saudi Arabia, at times using the Vietnam analogy. It is clear that no actor is in a position to make concessions. There is no confidence among warring parties due to weak, fragmented alliances, and UN efforts are hindered by a lack of resources – by Fernando Carvajal
“This article/report/video/photo-feature/infographic was originally published on Fair Observer.”
http://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/what-happened-to-yemen-32320/
Comment: Excellent article on the years leading to war in Yemen.
03.03.2016 – Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (** B K P)
Saudi Arabia’s Unholy War
Saudi Arabia’s campaign in Yemen has boosted popular support for the Houthis and is fueling greater anti-Saudi sentiment.
Since it began its war on the Houthis in March 2015, Saudi Arabia has justified its intervention as a broader holy duty to fight Shia and protect the government in exile. Yet Yemenis increasingly view Saudi intervention more as a campaign—in which they are collateral—to upgrade Riyadh’s own influence and an ill-conceived effort to promote Mohammed Bin Salman as a powerful future Saudi king. As such, Yemenis fail to see any moral or legal justification for the U.S.-backed Saudi war. What is evident to them is the deliberate destruction of people and capital—all to no end, as the war has failed to accomplish Saudi Arabia’s goal of weakening the Houthis. Instead, the airstrikes and blockade that form the core of Saudi Arabia’s strategy have increased anti-Saudi hatred, driving greater numbers of Yemenis to support the Houthis every day.
The war has done particular damage to infrastructure
Despite this devastation, Riyadh has failed to achieve its strategic goals.
As Saudis fail to take out targeted Houthis, it becomes clear that they lack a cohesive strategy or even the required intelligence to carry out operations within Yemen. When Houthis and their allies carry out operations in Najran, Jaizan, and Asir, frequently Saudi F-16 jets instead strike unrelated targets in Sanaa first—including army commanders’ homes they know are empty—rather than admit they don’t know whom to strike.
In addition to billions of dollars spent on the military war, Saudi Arabia has spent huge amounts supporting Yemeni actors they hope could carry the fight on their behalf, from President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi to thousands of tribesmen, politicians, and intellectuals in southern and northern Yemen. But this tactic has not been able to secure lasting loyalty.
In many ways the unrecognized government under Mohammed Ali al-Houthi is in a better position domestically than President Hadi and his Saudi-backed government. Hadi, currently in Riyadh, has become completely dependent on external support. By contrast, the Houthis, though they lack international legitimacy, have seen their popularity rise with every Saudi airstrike.
In many ways the unrecognized government under Mohammed Ali al-Houthi is in a better position domestically than President Hadi and his Saudi-backed government. Hadi, currently in Riyadh, has become completely dependent on external support. By contrast, the Houthis, though they lack international legitimacy, have seen their popularity rise with every Saudi airstrike.
Sayyid Abdul Malik al-Houthi’s statements in August 2015 that such advances on major Saudi cities were “strategic options” to put pressure on Riyadh if Saudi aggression does not stop.
To support this, many tribesmen—especially from the six provinces surrounding the capital Sanaa—signed the Houthi “tribal honor charter” in October 2015 to confront Saudi aggression. The Houthis aimed to have more than one million Yemenis back the charter through public rallies in cities and villages across the country, particularly in Taiz and Mareb. Since rallies began in early September 2015, the charter has also been signed by tribal leaders, politicians, and intellectuals from southern and eastern provinces currently based in Sanaa, many of whom have put aside inter-tribal disputes and have provided military and monetary support. This tribal support reflects increasing popularity for Houthis and their allies, while the government in exile is seen as largely propped up by external actors – by Nasser Arrabyee
http://carnegieendowment.org/sada/?fa=62959
cp2 Allgemein / General
4.3.2016 – Fars News (* A K P)
Gap Further Widening between Riyadh, Abu Dhabi over Yemen
The differences between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over Yemen have increased to such levels of severity that the Abu Dhabi government has announced that it will set up two Salafi brigades in Aden province, local sources announced.
"The city of Aden has been the scene of clashes between pro-UAE and pro-Saudi Arabia forces in recent days as the UAE announced that it will set up two brigades of extremist forces in the Southern Yemeni city," provincial Yemeni military sources said.
The sources reiterated that the Salafi brigades will be set up in al-Masharee and Dar Sa'ad regions, and said, "A person named Mehran al-Qatebi has been appointed as commander of one of the brigades."
Tens of pro-Hadi and pro-Saudi forces have been killed and wounded in heavy clashes between them.
The differences between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Yemen have heightened after the UAE replaced its soldiers with Blackwater mercenaries which faced the stern oppositions of the Riyadh government.
As a result, fugitive President Mansour Hadi and his Prime Minister Khaled Bahah have been running a feud for the past several months, and their differences grew noisy when a number of Saudi officials worked out a plan to replace the former president with his premier - who had both fled to Saudi Arabia then - in order to encourage the revolutionary forces back in Yemen to work with him and allow him to start a new government.
Political observers believe that the quarrel between Hadi and his prime minister derives from the underlying row between Saudi Arabia as supporter of Hadi and UAE as supporter of Bahah.
Meantime, Lahij and Aden provinces have been the scenes of numerous attacks against pro-Hadi forces; the latest case was assassination of Aden governor Ja'afar Saeed.
In a relevant development in late December, Hadi's palace in Aden came under siege by his opponents, forcing him to flee Yemen to Saudi Arabia again.
A newly-formed militant group calling itself 'Southern Yemen's Resistance Forces' had besieged Hadi's place of residence in Aden, Arab media outlets reported on December 23.
Political analysts speculate that the siege of Hadi's palace had taken place with the green light of the United Arab Emirates as a result of a row between the UAE and Saudi Arabia over Hadi and his prime minister.
The speculations came as the UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed had met the leaders of Southern Yemen, including a senior Yemeni Salafi leader Hani bin Barik, in Abu Dhabi.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941214000717 = http://www.sott.net/article/313677-Gap-further-widening-between-Saudi-Arabia-and-UAE-over-Yemen
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
5.3.2016 – Anonorpheus (A H)
Film: Watch "Taiz Feeding" by SOS team in #TaizYemenZoo
https://twitter.com/Anonorpheus/status/706078857422569473
Comment: the images of the starving animals in Taiz zoo were spread worldwide. Now, there is meat for them. People are starving further on.
5.3.2016 – WAM (* A H)
A CSO coalition reveals serious violations by Houthi-Saleh militias in Yemen during a human rights seminar in Geneva, first and last update
In the second paper on freedom of opinion and expression in Yemen, journalist Ghamdan Alyousofi presented various violations against press and media freedoms in Yemen during the year 2015. A total number of 319 violations have been reported while 11 agencies were involved in different degrees according to the last report issued by the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate.
Alyousofi stated that kidnappings, persecutions and arrests have dominated these violations with 86 cases (27per cent of total reported violations). Next is attacks and attempted killing with 85 reported cases. Fifty news websites were blocked. Thirty-eight cases of threats, harassment and defamation were reported while thirty-six cases of closure of media means and confiscation of cameras were documented. Fourteen cases of dismissal from work and salary suspension were reported. In addition, ten media workers and cameramen were killed.
He pointed out that Houthi group is involved in 250 cases of all 319 cases (79 per cent) while an anonymous entity have committed 33 violations (7per cent). Security and government agencies controlled by the Houthis have committed 17 violations (5 per cent) followed by Al Qaeda Organisation which committed 10 violations (3per cent). The Arab Coalition has committed 9 violations (3per cent of total number of violations).
In a paper on forced disappearance and torture in Yemen, the monitoring and documentation unit officer in Sam Rights and Freedoms Organization, Tawfiq Alhumaidi, pointed out that 12,241 cases of forced disappearance and torture have been reported including 8,458 cases of arbitrary detention, 1,077 torture cases and 2,706 forced disappearance cases.
He indicated that 69per cent of these cases were kidnapped from their houses or their workplaces, 20per cent of them were kidnapped in checkpoints while 11per cent of them are family members of prisoners who were taken as hostages to exercise pressure on pursued people to turn themselves in. Alhumaidi stated that categories most affected by these kidnappings and disappearances are high government officials, partisan and political leaders opposing the coup-d’etat, human right activities, civilians, journalists and media workers, children and women, and even people with special needs.
He also presented some forms of torture some kidnapped people were subjected too.
https://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395292425255.html = http://www.totaluae.com/news/a-cso-coalition-reveals-serious-violations-by-houthi-saleh-militias-in-yemen-during-a-human-rights-seminar-in-geneva-first-and-last-update/
Comment: One has to be aware anyway that this events main purpose is putting blame on the Houthis and fading out others. When googling Ghamdan Alyousofi, there is just this report and a plus.google site not open to the public.
4.3.2016 – Reuters (** A E H)
Yemen's food crisis deepens as banks cut credit for shipments
Banks have cut credit lines for traders shipping food to war-torn Yemen, where ports have been battlegrounds and the financial system is grinding to a halt, choking vital supplies to an impoverished country that could face famine.
Lenders are increasingly unwilling to offer letters of credit - which guarantee that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time - for cargoes to a country plagued by a civil war between the government and Houthi militia as well as an al Qaeda insurgency, say banking and trading sources.
"Western international banks no longer feel comfortable processing payments and are not willing to take the risk," said an international commodities trading source active in Yemen.
"What this means is traders are saddled with even more risks and have to effectively guarantee entire cargoes, usually millions of dollars, before the prospect of getting paid," said the source, who declined to be named, citing security concerns. "There are just more and more obstacles now to bringing goods into Yemen."
Traders that procure food for Yemen are mostly smaller, private firms based locally or regionally that buy the goods from international markets. Reuters spoke to several sources who declined to be identified, also citing security concerns.
The situation has worsened rapidly in the past month after Yemen's central bank stopped providing favourable exchange rates for local traders buying rice and sugar from global markets, say the sources, further hindering trading of food, which accounts for a large proportion of the country's imports.
The decision to limit such rates to wheat and medicine - deemed more nationally crucial - was a bid to preserve fast-dwindling foreign currency reserves.
The financing difficulties have been one of the factors behind falling shipments to Yemen, according to the sources. In January, around 77 ships berthed at ports in Yemen, according to U.N. data, down from around 100 ships in March last year - when the civil war escalated - and a far cry from the hundreds of ships that called every month in previous years.
The consequences could be grave for the Arab peninsula's poorest country, which the United Nations says is "on the brink of catastrophe". It relies on seaborne imports for almost all its food and 21 million out of 26 million people are in need of humanitarian support, with over half the population suffering from malnutrition.
A European banking source said some banks had decided to completely withdraw from offering credit lines on food trades to Yemen. – by Jonathan Saul, Maha El Dahan and Mohammed Ghobari
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-3476764/Yemens-food-crisis-deepens-banks-cut-credit-shipments.html http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/business/gcc-business/373127/yemen-s-food-crisis-deepens-as-banks-cut-credit-for-shipments = http://www.globalpost.com/article/6741951/2016/03/04/exclusive-yemens-food-crisis-deepens-banks-cut-credit-shipments
Comment: Since decades, Yemen is the poorest Arabian country. For 90 % of its food, the country depends on imports. Now, there is war. Now, there is a blockade by the Saudis. And further on now is coming this, increasing starvation. This is mainly a financial problem now. The glorious “West”, what will he do in this case? In any case, had the Saudi led coalition not started sieging and bombing Yemen, perhaps, things would have been slightly better.
4.3.2016 – Slate (** B H)
When home is not home: LIFE FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN COLLECTIVE SHELTERS: IBB, YEMEN
The most vulnerable Internally Displaced People are living in the open or in public buildings with little or no access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
In Ibb governorate, reports place the number of those internally displaced at somewhere between 130,000 and 300,000. Around 3,500 people have gathered in at least 16 collective shelters in 4 districts (Al Dhihar, Al Mashannah, Dhi As Sufal and Jiblah), where they are living with only basic shelter materials and without access to basic WASH services.
ACTED continues to visit the collective shelters, to talk with people there about their biggest needs and challenges, and conduct needs assessments, focusing on shelter, food security, and WASH. These communities have been largely untouched by the humanitarian response so far, yet have some of the highest needs.
Households are currently using any materials they can to provide some element of shelter and privacy. Large families inhabit small spaces, lack mattresses and share blankets, and are without essential items to cook, clean and live a little more comfortably.
WASH services at collective shelters are extremely poor. Access to clean water is limited, whilst washing and sanitation facilities are non-existent or otherwise often non-functional. Some of the water that is being used is not fit for human use and all these factors combined significantly raise the risk of illness and disease for resident populations.
Rubbish continues to accumulate as no services and systems are in place to remove waste. This again raises the risk of illness and disease as piles of garbage lay stagnant, attracting vermin.
Assessments continue. However,priority needs have already been identified and ACTED is seeking partners to meet them.
https://slate.adobe.com/cp/vlgxk/
Comment: Please look at the original site with many images.
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
7.3.2016 – Eurasia News (A K P)
Jemen: Foltervorwürfe gegen Huthi-Milizen
Die jemenitische el-Islah-Partei hat die schiitischen Huthis beschuldigt, einen ihrer politischen Führer durch Folter getötet zu haben. Der Vorfall soll sich in der westlichen Küstenstadt el-Hudeydah ereignet haben.
Die offizielle Webseite der Partei gab an, dass „Parteivertreter Suleyman Ali Hammoud am Dienstag durch Folter gestorben ist, zwei Monate nachdem er von den Huthis in el-Hudeydah entführt wurde“.
„Der Offizielle, der auch als Berater in el-Hudeydah arbeitete, wurde aus dem Gouvernement-Gebäude von Baiel entführt. In einem ihrer Gefängnisse wurde er festgesetzt und starb nach anhaltender Folter“, hieß es vonseiten der el-Islah. Weitere Details gingen aus den Berichten nicht hervor.
Die zaiditisch geprägten Huthis gaben ihrerseits noch keine Stellungnahme ab. Unabhängige Quellen konnten sich zu diesem Zwischenfall ebenfalls nicht äußern.
Die Huthi-Rebellen haben in den letzten Wochen und Monaten zahlreiche Mitglieder der El-Islah-Partei entführt, darunter hochrangige Offizielle. In der Regel wurden zahlreiche jedoch wieder freigelassen.
http://eurasianews.de/blog/jemen-foltervorwuerfe-gegen-huthi-milizen/
4.3.2016 – Middle East Monitor (A P)
Yemen’s Al-Islah party accuses Houthis of torturing leader to death
The Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Al-Islah party) accused the Houthis of assassinating one of its leaders through torture in the coastal city of Al-Hudaydah, west of the country.
The party’s official website stated that “party official, Sulaiman Ali Hammoud, died on Thursday as a result of torture, two months after being kidnapped by the Houthis in Al-Hudaydah.”
“The official, who also worked as a guidance councillor in Al-Hudaydah, was kidnapped from the Bajel governorate in the city. He was detained in one of their prisons and died as a result of torture.” They did not give any other details.
No response was immediately available from the Houthis, or from an independent source.
The Houthis have kidnapped a large number of Al-Islah party members over the past few months, including senior officials. They were detained in prisons before a number of them were released.
18.12.2013 – Yemen Peace Project (*A P)
No end in sight for Huthi-Islah conflict
After two years of a volatile cease fire between Zaydi rebels and government forces, and a year after Yemeni president ʻAli ʻAbdullah Saleh agreed to step down, the threat of all-out war still looms in northern Yemen. Tensions remain high in three provinces surrounding the Huthi stronghold Saʻdah, not to mention the capital Sanʻa.
Analysis refrains from calling armed conflicts in 2011 a civil war, even though the same conflicts existed between the same parties in the same areas prior to the popular uprisings of the Arab Spring. While the six wars fought between 2004 and 2009 involved direct conflict between Huthis and government forces, since 2011 clashes have [maily] involved armed militias. This new level of conflict produced a new dynamic whereby the state, in this case represented by transition president ‘Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, is unable to directly control the conflict. As a result, analysts have gauged the potential for expanded armed conflict based on perceived degrees of escalation.
The tension between the two groups is far from cooling. No efforts have been made to engage in a dialogue between the two religious forces, and this serves continued political posturing. Instead various alliances of convenience are formed, which represent efforts to counter Islah’s rise since the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative on 23 November 2011. Such shifting alliances are too often neglected in analysis.
The new political environment has brought old foes together. Huthi expansion into southern provinces, and funding from Iran for exiled southern leaders such as Ali Salem al-Baydh has created strange bedfellows. Huthi and Southern Movement (Hirak) elements have joined forces to counter their common foe Islah in places like the port city of ‘Aden.
[New alliances arising: Houthis and ex-president Saleh]
In a conversation with ‘Ali al-Emad, spokesman of ‘Abd al-Malik al-Huthi in Sanʻa, details were provided as to the gap between propaganda and the Huthi’s political aims. Al-Emad admitted to effective political expansion by his group beyond Saʻdah, crediting political gains among young Yemenis, who may not be Zaydis or Shiʻah themselves. Al-Emad also insists that “Hirak trusts the Huthis,” and while he did not completely deny possible financial support from Iran for the movement, he questioned the bias implicit in this question, as it is well known that Saudi Arabia supports Islah [and the GPC, among others].
While low-level confrontations with Islah do not yet amount to a sectarian war, the attack on a Huthi celebration of Ashoura on 24 November in Sanʻa may be a new level of escalation. It also still remains to be seen if alliances of convenience will hold over time as political positioning continues in the absence of a National Dialogue conference. The cohesiveness of the Huthi group may also suffer from internal vulnerabilities as time passes. ‘Abd al-Malik’s leadership is constantly challenged by his cousin Muhammad ‘Abd al-Thim al-Huthi, considered more of a religious leader. As a result of increasing confrontations with Islah and Salafi elements, and in the absence of direct dialogue toward a permanent cease-fire, time will have more of a negative affect for efforts to achieve comprehensive reconciliation, particularly in northern provinces – by Will
http://www.yemenpeaceproject.org/blogpost/politics-religion/sight-huthi-islah-conflict/
Comment: This is a really interesting article though it was written some years ago it gives a lot of insight into the current conflict between Islah and the Houthis. For those who want to understand more about the ground war in Taiz this is a good introduction into the motivations of the opposing groups there.
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1107557476063409
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
6.3.2016 – T-Online (A T)
Polizeikommandeur in Aden getötet
In der südjemenitischen Hafenstadt Aden ist ein Polizeikommandeur ermordet worden. Mutmaßliche Mitglieder der Terrormiliz Islamischer Staat hätten das Fahrzeug eines Bezirkskommandanten unter Feuer genommen und auch zwei seiner Leibwächter getötet, teilten Sicherheitsbeamte am Samstag mit.
5.3.2016 – AFP (A T)
Police commander in Yemen’s Aden killed in shootout
Yemeni security officials say the head of police in the Tawahi district of the southern city of Aden was killed along with two of his guards in an attack by suspected Islamic militants.
They said the gunmen ambushed the police vehicle carrying the three on Saturday – by Ahmed Al-Haj
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/police-commander-in-yemens-aden-killed-in-shootout/2016/03/05/f02552ba-e2ea-11e5-8c00-8aa03741dced_story.html and images: https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/706122198533197828
6.3.2016 – AFP (A T)
Indian priest held by suspected IS militants in Yemen
An Indian priest missing after an attack on a care home run in Yemen is being held by the assailants, likely militants from the Islamic State group, officials said on Sunday.
Yemeni authorities have blamed IS for the Friday attack on the refuge for the elderly operated by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in main southern city Aden.
"According to our information, the extremists who attacked the elderly care home in Aden have kidnapped priest Tom Uzhunnalil, a 56-year-old Indian, who was taken to an unknown location," a Yemeni security official told AFP.
6.3.2016 - Frankfurter Rundschau / Berliner Morgenpost (* AT)
Massaker im christlichen Altersheim
Die vier Dschihadisten in Aden kamen gleich nach der Frühmesse. Erst sperrten sie den Priester in die Kapelle, dann trieben sie die Ordensschwestern und Angestellten des christlichen Altersheims auf dem Hof zusammen, fesselten sie und ermordeten alle nacheinander mit Kopfschüssen. Vier ausländische Nonnen aus Ruanda, Kenia und Indien sind unter den Opfern, mehrere einheimische Pfleger, der Gärtner und der Pförtner. Die Ordensoberin überlebte, weil sie sich verstecken konnte. Die 60 betagten Insassen, die während des Blutbads panisch um Hilfe schrien, wurden von den Tätern verschont. Zum Schluss legten sie den Gebetsraum in Schutt und Asche und rasten mit dem gefesselten indischen Geistlichen als Geisel davon.
Sogar Al-Kaida distanzierte sich. „Dies ist nicht unsere Art zu kämpfen“, hieß es in einer Erklärung an die Bewohner von Aden.
Die Bluttat in dem christlichen Altersheim wirft ein Schlaglicht auf die humanitäre und politische Katastrophe, die der von Saudi-Arabien vom Zaun gebrochene Krieg im Nachbarland Jemen anrichtet - von Martin Gehlen
http://www.fr-online.de/politik/jemen-massaker-im-christlichen-altersheim,1472596,33917250.html = http://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article207129457/Dem-Jemen-droht-das-Schicksal-Syriens.html
5.3.2016 – Tagesspiegel (A T)
Papst Franziskus verurteilt "teuflische Gewalt"
Papst Franziskus hat die Ermordung von vier Mutter-Teresa-Schwestern im Jemen als „Akt der Sinnlosigkeit und der teuflischen Gewalt“ verurteilt. Mutmaßliche Dschihadisten hatten in Aden in einem Seniorenheim insgesamt 16 Menschen getötet.
Papst Franziskus hat die Ermordung von vier Mutter-Teresa-Schwestern imJemen als „Akt der Sinnlosigkeit und der teuflischen Gewalt“ verurteilt. Er bete dafür, „dass dieses sinnlose Abschlachten die Gewissen erwachen lässt, eine Änderung in den Herzen bewirkt und alle Konfliktparteien dazu bewegt, ihre Waffen niederzulegen und den Weg des Dialogs einzuschlagen“, heißt es in einem am Samstag veröffentlichten Beileidstelegramm. Darin ruft Franziskus alle Konfliktparteien zum Gewaltverzicht auf. Sie müssten zusammen für die Bevölkerung Jemens arbeiten, „besonders für die bedürftigsten Menschen, denen die Schwestern und ihre Helfer dienen wollten“.
Dazu siehe auch:
5.3.2016 – FAZ von AFP (A T)
Bisher bekannte sich keine Gruppe zu dem Angriff. Während jemenitische Regierungsvertreter die Dschihadistengruppe Islamischer Staat (IS) für den Angriff verantwortlich machten, distanzierte sich die rivalisierende Gruppe Al-Kaida auf der Arabischen Halbinsel (Aqap) von der Gewalt. Dies sei „nicht unsere Art zu kämpfen“, erklärte Aqap, die für dutzende blutige Anschläge verantwortlich gemacht wird.
4.3.2016 – NZZ von AP (A T)
Bewaffnete töten 16 Personen in Seniorenheim
Bewaffnete haben nach Angaben aus Sicherheitskreisen ein Seniorenheim in der Stadt Aden im Süden Jemens gestürmt. Dabei seien 16 Personen getötet worden, darunter vier indische Nonnen. Die Angreifer hätten die Nonnen zuvor von den anderen getrennt und sie anschliessend erschossen, sagten Sicherheitsbeamte. Später hätten sie die älteren Menschen in Handschellen gelegt und das Feuer eröffnet.
Das Seniorenheim liegt im Bezirk Scheich Osman von Aden
http://www.nzz.ch/international/bewaffnete-in-jemen-toeten-16-personen-in-seniorenheim-1.18706426
4.3.2016 – Salzburger Nachrichten (A T)
Tote bei Angriff von Extremisten auf Seniorenheim im Jemen
Journalisten am Tatort zufolge stürmten die Angreifer das Gebäude und eröffneten sofort das Feuer. Anschließend hätten sie fliehen können. Zunächst bekannte sich niemand zu der Tat.
http://www.salzburg.com/nachrichten/welt/politik/sn/artikel/tote-bei-angriff-von-extremisten-auf-seniorenheim-im-jemen-186515/ und schlimme Bilder (18 +) https://www.facebook.com/alialmufti/posts/990643954339522 und http://newsofyemen.net/2016/03/4-india-n-nurses-killed-in-mother-teresas-retirement-home-with-12-inmates-in-aden-yemen/
6.3.2016 – The Times of India (A T)
Movement of Missionaries of Charity (MC) sisters will not restrict their work in the wake of the murder of four of them in Yemen on Friday. Nor will they shed their trademark blue-bordered white sarees and will continue to visit the trouble-torn areas of the world to serve the poor and the needy, sources close to Mother House said on Saturday.
One of the four sisters killed in Yemen - M Anselm - was an Indian while the others included Sisters Margarita and Reginette from Rwanda and Sister M Judith from Kenya.
A special mass was held at the Mother House on Saturday morning seeking peace for the departed. While sketchy details of the incident have reached Kolkata, there has not been any official response from Mother House.
Comment by Haykal Bafana: These are true heroes of India. May God, and Yemenis, protect them.
Yemen killings won't deter nuns.
https://www.facebook.com/haykal.bafana?fref=nf
5.3.2016 – The Telegraph Calcutta (A T)
Yemen burial for nun from Gumla. Mass for Sister Annselna at Dumri today
Sister Annselna (57) of Gumla, one of four nuns who died in a terrorist attack in Yemen yesterday, will be buried at the port city of Aden, the Missionaries of Charity in Ranchi has declared.
"The deceased nun, along with others, was serving breakfast to the inmates of a home for the elderly when the gunmen attacked," said Sister Sebastino, Regional Superior, Missionaries of Charity, Ranchi, who led a five-member team this morning to convey the news of Sister Annselna's demise to her family living at Kutlu Bhandar village in Dumri of Gumla district.
"We do not intend to bring her body back to India for her last rites. She will be laid to rest at the place of her martyrdom in Aden as per our tradition," she told The Telegraph after returning to Ranchi.
Today, sisters belonging to the Missionaries of Charity in Ranchi declared Sister Annselna, the youngest of seven siblings in a family of farmers, a martyr, saying that she lived and died for the people.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160306/jsp/frontpage/story_73083.jsp#.Vtws7fnhCUm
5.3.2016 – AFP (A T)
IS blamed for Yemen care home attack, Pope 'shocked
Yemeni authorities have blamed the Islamic State group for an attack on a care home run by missionaries that killed 16 people and was condemned by Pope Francis as "diabolical".
Rival jihadist movement Al-Qaeda distanced itself from the mass shooting Friday in the main southern city of Aden, saying it was not responsible.
http://news.yahoo.com/pope-shocked-diabolical-attack-yemen-care-home-092736101.html = http://www.arabnews.com/middle-east/news/890591
5.3.2016 – Aljazeera (A T)
Pope Francis 'shocked' by attack on Yemen care home
Pope Francis has expressed his sympathy with the victims of a "diabolical" an attack on an elderly care home in Yemen in which at least 16 people, including four nuns, were killed, the Vatican said.
"His Holiness Pope Francis was shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the killing of four Missionaries of Charity and 12 others at a home for the elderly in Aden," the Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said on Saturday.
"He sends the assurance of his prayers for the dead and his spiritual closeness to their families and to all affected from this act of senseless and diabolical violence," Cardinal Parolin said in a statement.
With film.
4.3.2016 – AFP (A T)
Gunmen kill 16, including Indian nuns, at Yemen care home
Gunmen attacked a care home run by missionaries in Yemen's jihadist-plagued southern city of Aden on Friday, killing 16 workers including four Indian nuns, officials said.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Aden has seen a surge in attacks by the Islamic State group and rival Al-Qaeda.
Four gunmen entered the refuge operated by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Aden's Sheikh Othman district, killing a guard before tying up and shooting employees, security officials told AFP.
Screams of elderly residents echoed from the home during the shooting rampage, witnesses said.
They recounted seeing the bodies of slain workers with their arms tied behind their backs scattered on the blood-stained floor as the aged residents cried out in fear.
Apart from the four Indians, the rest of those killed were Yemenis working at the facility, officials said.
"I went out for Friday prayers. When I came back, I found all my friends dead," one of the residents said.
One official said the attackers were "extremists" and blamed the Islamic State group, which has been gaining ground in Aden in recent months.
http://news.yahoo.com/16-dead-gun-attack-yemen-care-home-105516854.html = http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/16-dead-gun-attack-yemen-care-home and by Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-attack-idUSKCN0W616Q and graphic images here: https://www.facebook.com/alialmufti/posts/990643954339522 and here: http://newsofyemen.net/2016/03/4-india-n-nurses-killed-in-mother-teresas-retirement-home-with-12-inmates-in-aden-yemen/
4.3.2016 – CBC (A T)
Yemen retirement home stormed by gunmen, 16 people reported dead
Two gunmen surrounded the home for the elderly in Aden while another four fighters entered the building, witnesses and officials said. They said the gunmen moved from room to room, handcuffing the victims before shooting them in the head.
One nun who survived and was rescued by locals said that she hid inside a fridge in a store room after hearing a Yemeni guard shouting "run, run."
Khaled Haidar told The Associated Press that he counted sixteen bodies, including that of his brother, Radwan. All had been shot in the head and were handcuffed. He said that in addition to the four Indian nuns, six Ethiopians, one Yemeni cook, and Yemeni guards were among those killed.
He said that his family was the first to arrive at the house and that he spoke to the surviving nun, who was crying and shaking. Haidar said that his family later handed her over to southern fighters in charge of security in the local Aden district, Sheikh Osman.
The bodies were transferred to a police station and then a hospital run by the aid organization known as Doctors Without Borders or MSF. An official with MSF confirmed that 15 bodies had arrived at the hospital. Haider said his family took his brother's body for burial.
There are around 80 residents living at the home, which is run by Missionaries of Charity, an organization established by Mother Teresa. Missionaries of Charity nuns
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/yemen-retirement-home-attack-1.3475683
4.3.2016 – Aljazeera (A T)
Nuns killed as gunmen storm elderly care home in Yemen
According to one official, the gunmen entered the premises in Aden's Sheikh Othman district after telling the guard they were visiting their mother, before storming into the building and opening fire.
Friday's casualty figure includes six Catholic nuns from India, four local nurses, four security guards and three cleaning staff, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Screams of elderly residents echoed from the home during the shooting rampage, witnesses told they AFP news agency, adding that they saw bodies of dead workers with their arms tied behind their backs scattered on the floor.
4.3.2016 – Zeenews (A T)
Yemen attack: Missionaries of Charity claims 'one Indian' casualty; Sushma appeals others to come back
Hours after reports claim that four Indian nuns were killed during a terror attack in an old care home in Yemen's Aden city, Missionaries of Charity clarified that among the causalities only one was from India.
“Sister M Anselm was from Jharkhand, 2 sisters were from Rwanda & one was from Kenya. A priest from Bengaluru is missing,” ANI quoted Missionaries Of Charity Spokesperson Sunita Kumar as saying.
"This happened when the sisters were serving breakfast. There were five sisters present when the incident happened. One of them is a superior who wasn`t located by the gunmen, but the other four were shot dead. The Indian nun was sister M Anselm from Gumla in Jharkhand, the two sisters from Rwanda were sister Marguerite and sister Reginette, and sister Judith from Kenya," said Kumar.
5.3.2016 – Hisham Al Omeisy / National Yemen (A T)
AAS/AQAP statement denying connection to Aden attack killed nuns & says such act is not their way of fighting. With Image: Letter of Al Qaida
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/706098534710435841 ?= https://twitter.com/nationalyemen/status/706110594747920386
cp7 UNO / UN
Siehe auch “Am wichtigsten / See also “Most important”
5.3.2016 – The Mercury (A P)
No need for Yemen UN move: Saudi Arabia
A possible UN Security Council resolution on the humanitarian situation in Yemen is unnecessary as even UN aid agencies don't see the need for it, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UN says.
Ambassador Abdallah al-Mouallimi's comments came a day after the Security Council expressed concern over the dire situation in Yemen, where violence continues between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government supported by a Saudi-led air campaign.
Ismael Gaspar Martins, Angola's ambassador to the United Nations and current president of the Security Council, said on Thursday that the 15-country decision-making body was considering a resolution on the humanitarian situation, which was "evolving towards a very drastic one".
However, al-Mouallimi said that while Saudi Arabia would not oppose a text on the humanitarian situation calling for aid access and an end to indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Yemen, Riyadh did not think such a measure was necessary.
"We don't think a resolution is needed at this time," al-Mouallimi said.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has made this assessment based on statements made by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UN Yemen envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/breaking-news/no-need-for-yemen-un-move-saudi-arabia/news-story/bb2710b4ade47bbe873787a67771e2bc and also http://m.voanews.com/a/attack-on-yemeni-rest-home-kills-15/3219679.html
Comment: Off course, any resolution stating and thus confessing that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is dire must be automatically includes the objection that the Saudi air raids and the Saudi blockade are guilty for that (or at least partial guilty, even for the most benevolent observer). Thus, they want to avoid any such further resolution – which could restrict the 100 % support the Saudis are getting from the Security Council by its insane resolution 2216, which just had been prolonged for another year. And this statement is part of the way they try to achieve that.
Comment by Judith Brown: Well that isn't a surprise - KSA is lobbying in the UN to stop resolution that calls for the end of the blockade on humanitarian aid and the destruction of hospitals. What sort of evil regime is it that denies citizens the right to survival.
https://www.facebook.com/judith.brown.794628/posts/10154146372228641
4.3.2016 – Al Arabiya (A P)
Saudi envoy: Political solution only exit for Yemen
Saudi Arabia’s envoy to the UN told reporters on Friday that the only exit for the Yemeni quagmire was through a political solution.
Comment: That is really strange. It was the Saudi government – as its Yemeni puppets – trying to enforce a military “solution” and to block any sort of compromise with the Houthi-Saleh alliance. Thus: just propaganda?
4.3.2016 – UNO (A P)
Press briefing note on Yemen and Honduras
Civilian casualties continue to mount in Yemen. During February, a total of at least 168 civilians were killed and 193 injured, around two-thirds of them by Coalition airstrikes.
In the country as a whole, 117 civilians were killed and another 129 wounded as a result of airstrikes, with the largest number of casualties (99) attributed to airstrikes hitting the capital, Sana’a. In November last year, there was a marked decrease in airstrike casualties, but since then they have risen again sharply, with the number killed almost doubling between January and February. The number of civilian casualties recorded last month was the highest since September.
In all, since 26 March 2015, we have documented a total of 3,081 civilians killed and 5,733 injured. These figures do not include casualties among the fighters on either side. They refer solely to reported civilian casualties.
[Some cases of mayor air strike and Houthi shelling in Taiz]
There have also been worrying allegations – which we are still working to verify -- that Coalition forces dropped cluster bombs on a mountainous area to the south of the Amran cement factory, where a military unit loyal to the Houthis appears to have been the target.
We take note of the 31 January statement by the Spokesman of the Coalition Forces concerning the establishment of a multi-national team formed by the Command of the Coalition Forces to evaluate the military targeting mechanisms and incidents taking place in civilian areas. The Command of the Coalition Forces must ensure that any investigation is in accordance with international standards, including on independence and impartiality.
During the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner will present an oral update on the human rights situation of Yemen, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 30/18 adopted at the end of the 30th session in September.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=17146&LangID=E
Comment: Any reference to the Saudis and their coalition doing any investigations (of their own war crimes) is ridiculous. The whole Human Rights Council had failed since the moment when rejecting the Netherlands’ proposal of an independent investigation of war crimes in Yemen.
4.3.2016 – Inner City Press (A P)
CP Asks UN Spox Of Ng Funds to DPI, Yemen, UN Rapes & Sri Lanka Protest & White Flag Killings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoLK6wandrQ&feature=youtu.be&t=1m34s
4.3.2016 – Zeit Online (A P)
Jemen: UN werfen saudischer Allianz Angriffe auf zivile Ziele vor
Beide Kriegsparteien bombardierten Krankenhäuser und Märkte, kritisieren die UN. Mittlerweile wird eine Resolution im Sicherheitsrat vorbereitet.
Die Vereinten Nationen werfen den Kriegsgegnern im Jemen vor, gezielt Krankenhäuser, Schulen und andere zivile Ziele anzugreifen.
Angesichts des Bürgerkriegs im Jemen erwägt der UN-Sicherheitsrat, den Zugang zu humanitärer Hilfe und ein Ende willkürlicher Attacken per Resolution durchzusetzen. Möglicherweise sei gar eine schnelle oder "sehr drastische" Resolution nötig, um humanitäres Recht durchzusetzen, sagte Angolas UN-Botschafter Ismael Gaspar Martins. Angola hat derzeit die rotierende Präsidentschaft im höchsten UN-Gremium inne.
http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2016-03/jemen-un-saudi-arabien-luftangriffe-resolution
Kommentar: Es wäre einmal etwas genauere Präzisierung nötig, wer denn im Einzelfall jeweils beschuldigt werden kann, „gezielt Krankenhäuser, Schulen und andere zivile Ziele anzugreifen“.
3.3.2016 – UNO (A P)
Humanitarian Chief Urges More Pressure on Parties in Yemen Conflict to Better Protect Civilians, Resume Peace Talks, during Security Council Briefing
The United Nations humanitarian chief, in a briefing to the Security Council, called today for greater international pressure on the parties to the conflict in Yemen in order to better protect civilians, facilitate relief access to all parts of the country, and encourage the resumption of peace talks and a cessation of hostilities.
Speaking via video link from Brussels, Stephen O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that since his last briefing to the Council on 16 February, the conflict had continued unabated, and that the protection of civilians — millions of whom had been facing relentless and often indiscriminate bombing every day — was by far the most pressing concern.
“Air strikes and random shelling of civilians and civilian areas violate cardinal rules of international humanitarian law and constitute unlawful conduct of hostilities,” Mr. O’Brien said, emphasizing that it was unacceptable that health facilities or schools were being hit, and it was critical that all parties to the conflict guarantee the protection of such locations.
He added: “Once again, I underscore the urgent need for this Council, and the international community more broadly, to impress upon the parties to this conflict their obligations to take greater measures to protect civilians and to facilitate unconditional and sustained access to all parts of Yemen. I also ask the Council to press the parties to resume peace talks and agree to a cessation of hostilities.”
Mr. O’Brien cited a number of recent incidents in which civilians had been killed, including an apparent air strike on a market in the Nahem district of Sana’a Governorate on 27 February in which some 30 people had died, six of them children, and coalition air strikes in Bidbadah district, Marib Governorate, on 24 February that reportedly destroyed a health centre.
The delivery of assistance where it was most needed was being impeded by a number of factors, Mr. O’Brien said. Those included attacks carried out by such parties as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the so-called Aden and Abyan branch of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); a proliferation of checkpoints that were holding up trucks for days and sometimes weeks; and bureaucratic requirements by Houthi authorities and the Ministry of the Interior in Sana’a, with the latter still blocking a critically needed emergency food security and nutrition assessment led by the World Food Programme (WFP).
Despite such challenges, he said, assistance was being delivered, often at great risk, across all sectors of Yemen. In February, over 3 million people had received WFP food assistance, or about 400,000 more people than in the previous month, and the humanitarian community remained committed to reaching 13.4 million people this year.
“Let me therefore remind all parties that providing timely and unimpeded access to humanitarian organizations is not only the fundamental prerequisite to any meaningful humanitarian response, but also an obligation under IHL [international humanitarian law]. I call upon the Council to request all parties in no uncertain terms to stop any denial of access and facilitate lifesaving needs immediately,” he said.
Turning to the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism — instituted by the Secretary-General on 12 February at the request of the Government of Yemen, and intended to speed up the legitimate imports of such crucial goods as food, fuel and medicines — the Under-Secretary-General said all States and relevant organizations, including the International Maritime Organization, had been notified of its procedures. In recent months, there had been a significant increase in fuel and other life-saving commodities through Yemeni ports, he said, and it was imperative that such imports, as well as trading within Yemen, be allowed to continue. All parties were called upon to ensure the protection of shipping ports and other civilian infrastructure.
Speaking after Mr. O’Brien, the representative of Yemen reiterated his country’s readiness for talks with all parties to stop the bloodshed and achieve a lasting peace. Expressing strong support for the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy and the international community for their efforts, he noted that despite significant improvements, the humanitarian needs of Yemeni people, particularly in areas under militia control, remained unmet. Houthi militias and Saleh forces continued to target civilians, besiege cities, and prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid, including oxygen, water and food.
Noting that the international community had failed to condemn terrorist acts undertaken by the militias, he expressed appreciation to humanitarian organizations which had helped Yemenis return to a normal life. At the request of his Government, the Secretary-General had instituted the Mechanism, aiming to expedite legitimate commercial imports of critical commodities such as food, fuel and medicines. However, he said, it was unfortunate that without consulting his Government, the Mechanism had been set up in Djibouti.
http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sc12271.doc.htm see also http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=53362#.VtlGD_nhCUk
Comment: It is strange that just one side is allowed to be heard there, not the other. Yemen Hadi government’s minister reiterating anti-Houthi objections as part of the general propaganda without telling anything new, and just denying Saudi air raids.
Comment: 11 months too late. Just words.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=979917382061292&id=961126490607048
And, some more aspects from the same statement:
4.3.2016 – Al Araby (A P)
UN: All parties in Yemen attacking civilians
The UN humanitarian chief accused all parties in Yemen's escalating conflict on Thursday of attacking civilian facilities including hospitals and schools and demanded an immediate halt and access to the entire country to deliver desperately needed aid.
http://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/3/3/un-all-parties-in-yemen-attacking-civilians
Comment: Trying to cling to a balance, where actually there is none:
Comment by Jamila Hanan: Just some much more than others - thanks to the huge arsenal + training + manpower + logistics provided by UK + USA
https://twitter.com/JamilaHanan/status/706044921485074432
Comment by me again: Just hitting the spot.
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
6.3.2016 - Der Standard (B P)
Saudi-Arabien: 70 Hinrichtungen seit Jahresbeginn
Die saudi-arabischen Behörden haben am Sonntag die 70. Hinrichtung seit Jahresbeginn verkündet. Der wegen Mordes verurteilte Alaa al-Sahrani sei in der Küstenstadt Jeddah exekutiert worden, teilte das Innenministerium mit. Er war schuldig gesprochen worden, einen Mann mit einem Stein erschlagen zu haben.
http://derstandard.at/2000032383287/Saudi-Arabien-70-Hinrichtung-seit-Jahresbeginn
5.3.2016 – Carlos Latuff (B K)
Leaflet made by @codepink with cartoons I made on Saudi war of aggression in #Yemen
https://twitter.com/LatuffCartoons/status/706125696440131584
3.3.2016 – The Independent (* A E)
Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking to borrow $10bn in its first international loans in a decade
Saudi's shock loan request signals that the kingdom looking at other ways to finance its economy
Saudi Arabia is reportedly looking for loans worth $10 billion from international lenders in its most significant foreign borrowing in a decade.
The Saudi Arabian government is said to have sent an invitation to banks to discuss a US dollar loan.
While the invitation did not specify an amount, sources said it could be worth $10 billion or more.
Saudi's shock loan request signals that the kingdom looking at other ways to finance its economy after the oil price slump – by Hazel Sheffield
Comment by Afrah Ateiq: The Saudi regime is now borrowing money to finance its barbaric wars and bribe its allies and puppets to buy their support for its mad policies, around the region... But not for much longer, hopefully... Slowly, but surely, the Kingdom of Saud; the beating heart of Wahhabism, is heading towards an implosion...
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=980059572047073&id=961126490607048
3.3.2016 – BBC (* B P)
Meet Saudi Arabia's stars of social media
For a nation whose king calls himself "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques", it's probably not surprising that Saudi Arabia's "superstars" of social media are clerics. Naturally, that fame does not come without controversy. So who are these prolific religious Tweeters whose followings compare to that of pop stars and world leaders? And what do they share online? The BBC series,Saudis on Social: Faith, Freedom and Fun, looks at four of the most popular Saudi accounts on Twitter.
Dubbed the "Brad Pitt" of Muslims clerics, Mohamed Al-Arifi is a leading religious figure in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world who is known for his charismatic personality. However, his views have also embroiled him in controversy.
Some of the most controversial have related to women
But Arifi's views are not limited to social matters. He also has a deep interest and involvement in the politics of the region. He is known for his strong views on Shia Islam and was accused of stirring sectarian tensions after reportedly saying that Shia were "nonbelievers who must be killed".
If there was ever a "cool" Muslim preacher, Ahmed Al-Shugairi would be it.
Liberals worry that Shugairi is an influential force for Islamising the Arab world's secular minds. Hardline clerics, however, have dismissed Shugairi as a lightweight who preaches "easy Islam".
Salman Al-Odah is a leading Saudi cleric who was once known for his extreme religious views and strong anti-government position. But after a five-year prison sentence in 1994, he was completely transformed.
Nawal Al-Eid is one of the most prominent female preachers in Saudi Arabia.
Verbal and physical harassment is an issue women in Saudi Arabia have often complained about and are increasingly turning to social media to highlight the problem.
But Eid believes such laws do not address the root cause of the problem. Instead, she argues modest dress and less mixing between the genders is the solution to deterring young men from such acts.
She is also critical of embracing "Western values". She believes adhering to Islamic teachings will provide women with "adequate" rights – by Faisal Irshaid, Ahmed Nour
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-35609249
22.1.2016 – Israel News (A P)
Israeli PM says Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab countries in talks with Israel over regional pact
Benjamin Netanyahu has been dropping hints for more than a year now that his government is having back-channel talks with Gulf countries which are normally hostile to the Jewish state.
The Israeli prime minister was speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland where he was taking part in an on-stage interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN.
"Saudi Arabia recognizes that Israel is an ally rather than an enemy because of the two principle threats that threaten them, Iran and Daesh," he told the Davos Forum and CNN audiences.
"Who can help us? they ask. Obviously Israel and the Sunni Arab states are not on opposite sides."
- See more at: http://www.israelnews.net/index.php/sid/240488221#sthash.cfZocFfI.dpuf
http://www.israelnews.net/index.php/sid/240488221
Comment: Strange allies… But, at a second look, it even might be strange no more…
cp9 USA
4.3.2016 – Code Pink (* B K P)
Saudi’s Exploding Christmas Gifts from Hillary Clinton
On Christmas Eve in 2011, Hillary Clinton and her closest aides celebrated a $29.4 billion sale of over 80 F-15 fighter jets, manufactured by U.S.-based Boeing Corporation, to Saudi Arabia. In a chain of enthusiastic emails, an aide exclaimed that it was “not a bad Christmas present.”
These are the very fighter jets the Saudis have been using to intervene in the internal affairs of Yemen since March 2015.
During her tenure as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made weapons transfers to the Saudi government a “top priority,” according to a new report published in The Intercept. While Clinton’s State Department was deeply invested in getting weapons to Saudi Arabia, the Clinton Foundation accepted millions of dollars in donations from both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the weapons manufacturer Boeing. Christmas presents were being gifted all around.
Despite the brutal attacks on Yemen and egregious domestic human rights violations, Saudi Arabia remains the number one U.S. ally in the Arab world. While the original U.S. interest was to secure Saudi’s vast oil reserves, today only 10% of oil used in the United States now comes from the Kingdom. U.S. dependence on Saudi oil has been superseded by U.S. dependence on weapons sales.
It’s hard to exaggerate the enormity and high-tech nature of Saudi weapons purchases; the sales in the decade of 2010 constitute the most enormous military sales in history. According to a White House press release in 2014, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest U.S. Foreign Military Sales customer, with active and open cases valued at approximately $97 billion, as Saudi forces build capabilities across the full spectrum of regional challenges.” The weapons include F-15 bombers, Apache and Blackhawk helicopters, missile defense systems, missiles, bombs, armored vehicles, and related equipment and services. Weapons manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas have been unapologetically pushing these sales to offset military spending cuts in the United States and Europe – by Medea Benjamin and Rebecca Green
http://www.codepink.org/saudi_s_exploding_christmas_gifts
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
4.3.2016 – Private Eye (A P)
Oiling the wheels of commerce in Yemen
OLITICS and money continue to mix sweetly for the prime minister’s special envoy to Yemen, Alan Duncan. The ex-international development minister and MP for Rutland and Melton has just become a director of oil company Fujairah Refining Ltd, on £8,000 a month for an anticipated 156 hours a year (ie more than £600 per hour).
The company, based in the emirate of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman coast, is majority-owned by Swiss-based oil company Vitol, with which Duncan has a long association.
As this military campaign comes under increasing pressure over indiscriminate bombing, perhaps the British government’s representative in the region might not be expected to be on the payroll of a company with such a commercial interest in the outcome – even if the point does escape pisspoor Acoba.
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/issue-1413/hp-sauce
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
6.3.2016 – AFP (A P)
Steinmeier fliegt zu Gesprächen in Emirate und nach Oman
undesaußenminister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) fliegt heute zu Gesprächen in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate. Dort will er nach Angaben des Auswärtigen Amtes mit seinem Kollegen Scheich Abdullah über die Krisen in der Region beraten, vor allem den Syrien-Konflikt, die Lage im Jemen und in Libyen.
Am Montag reist Steinmeier dann weiter nach Oman, bei seinen dortigen Gesprächen soll es vor allem um den Jemen gehen.
http://www.afp.com/de/nachrichten/steinmeier-fliegt-zu-gesprachen-emirate-und-nach-oman
cp12 Andere Länder / Other countries
5.3.2016 – SPA (A P)
Crown Prince is awarded Legion of Honor
French President Francois Hollande awarded Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, with the National Order of the Legion of Honor — the highest national award in France — due to his great efforts in the region and world for combating extremism and terrorism.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/crown-prince-is-awarded-legion-of-honor/
Comment: That is more than disgusting. France prostituting itself.
Comment: What on earth has this cocaine addicted prince done to get this award??? Ordered a lot of weapons and munitions from the French government?
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1107399002745923
5.3.2016 – Saudi Gazette (A P)
Saudi-French talks focus on anti-terrorism efforts
Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy prime minister and minister of interior, and French President Francois Hollande on Friday discussed “anti-terrorism” efforts and ways to boost security cooperation between the two countries.
The crown prince also held talks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls. They reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and the means to boost them in various fields.
Apart from this, they discussed the latest developments in the region and the two friendly countries’ stance towards them. They also discussed the means to achieve security, stability and peace in the region and cooperation between the two countries in combating extremism and terrorism of all forms.
Earlier, the crown prince also met with the French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday.
The two spoke of increasing military drills and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France.
Hollande expressed Paris’s support to Saudi efforts to reinstate the internationally-recognized government in Yemen.
The policies of the two countries under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and President Hollande aim to contribute to the achievement of security, stability and peace in the world in general and in the region in particular.
The two countries have reiterated their full satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations in various political, economic, cultural and defense fields, and identical viewpoints on many common issues. Events and developments in the region have proved the depth of relations between the two countries through continuous consultations between their leaderships to find the best ways to resolve the situations in the region.
Saudi-French relations could easily rank as one of the most solid in the world, with an increasingly aligned view on tackling political and security issues, which have been buttressed recently by high-level meetings between leaders of the two countries.
This shared view on regional issues has seen the Kingdom and France seeking a new government in Syria without the involvement of Bashar Al-Assad. Paris has always supported the revolution, and called for an end to the massacre of the Syrian people.
However, new realities are emerging with the involvement of Russia and Iran in the conflict, coupled with America’s diminishing role, which require new regional and international alliances that can ensure a positive outcome to the crisis. The feeling among many is that the only solution is a cease-fire and negotiated settlement. The alternative is a long and ugly civil war in Syria.
Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to ensure the stability and security of the region as a whole, which includes the launch of Operation Decisive Storm.
Saudi Arabia, the foremost leader in the region, is seeking with the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states to fill the leadership void in the Arab world. France is considered a strategic partner because of its prominent status in Europe. This partnership will go a long way in bringing much-needed security and stability to the region.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/saudi-french-talks-focus-on-anti-terrorism-efforts/ and see also http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/crown-prince-leaves-france-after-successful-visit/
Comment: Looking at the political statements transferred by this article, it is evident that it also could have been placed at cp15 “propaganda”. As France is concerned, it shows how close France is allying with Saudi Arabia – a state which in every respect is the total opposite of all the values France always claimed to stand for. Seriously claimed again after the Paris terrorist attacks in 2015. Well, the way of life they suppose to defend against terrorism – that exactly is the way of life the Saudis are flogging and beheading for if someone should dare to claim it for people in Saudi Arabia. – Nothing new and well known from Saudi propaganda is the clear claim that Saudi Arabia would be the leading nation of the region (what actually should be the justification of that claim?), that they would “ensure the stability and security of the region as a whole” – this, as is stated here, including the air raids at Yemen. One more stupid propaganda plot. Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity.
cp13a Waffenhandel / Arms trade
3.3.2016 – Sott Net (* B K P)
In violation of nuclear treaty, Saudi Arabia admits to arming their bombers with nuclear warheads
"We have nuclear bombs": this is what was said on February 19 on Russia Today by the Saudi political analyst, Daham al-Anzi, de facto spokesman for Riyadh. He repeated it on another Arab channel. Saudi Arabia had already declared 1 its intention to acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan (not a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty), of whom it finances 60% of the military nuclear program. Now, through al-Anzi, the Saudis have indicated that they started buying them two years ago.
Of course, for Riyadh, this is to confront the "Iranian threat" in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, where "the Russians aid Assad." That is to say, where Russia supports the Syrian government to free the country from Daesh (Islamic state) and other terrorist groups, financed and armed by Saudi Arabia as part of the US / NATO strategy.
Riyadh has over 250 fighter-bombers with dual conventional and nuclear capability, provided by the US and by the European powers. Since 2012, Saudi Arabia is part of the "Nato Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency," the NATO agency that manages European Eurofighter and Tornado fighters, of which Riyadh bought from Britain twice the number of that of the whole Royal Air Force.
In the same context, enter the imminent 8 billion EUR maxi contract - thanks to Minister Roberta Pinotti, efficient sales representative for the supply of weapons - to supply Kuwait (ally of Saudi Arabia) with 28 Eurofighter fighter Typhoons, built by a consortium including Finmeccanica with British, German and Spanish industries. This is the largest order ever obtained by Finmeccanica whose coffers will absorb half the 8 billion. Guaranteed with 4 billion in funding by a pool of banks, including Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo, and the group Sace Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
And thus accelerates the conversion of military Finmeccanica, with outstanding results for those who enrich themselves with war: in 2015 Finmeccanica share value grew by 67%. Right in the face of the "Arms Trade Treaty" ratified by parliament in 2013, which states that "no State Party shall knowingly authorize the transfer of arms if the weapons could be used for attacks against civilian targets or subjects, or for other war crimes. " Faced with the denunciation that the weapons provided by Italy are used by Saudi and Kuwaiti air forces for the massacre of civilians in Yemen, Minister Pinotti replies: "Let us not transform the states that are our allies in the battle against Daesh into enemies. This would be a very serious mistake. "
This would be especially a "mistake" to allow it to be known who are our "allies" Saudi and Kuwaiti: absolute monarchies, where power is concentrated in the hands of the ruler and his family circle, where parties and trade unions are banned; where immigrant workers (10 million in Saudi Arabia, about half of the labor force; 2 million to 2.9 million people in Kuwait) live in conditions of exploitation and slavery, where those who call for the most basic human rights are hanged or beheaded.
In these hands, "democratic" Italy places bombers capable of carrying nuclear bombs, knowing that Saudi Arabia already has them and that they can also be used by Kuwait.
At the "International Humanitarian Law Conference," minister Pinotti, after stressing the importance of "respecting the norms of international law," concluded that "Italy is an immensely credible and respected country."
[1] "Iran nuclear talks : Prospect of deal with Iran pushes Saudi Arabia and Israel into an unlikely alliance", Kim Sengupta, The Independent, March 30, 2015.
If this were Iran, the whole Western world would be in hysterics. But since it's a US ally, they are allowed to break an international treaty. They are already committing war crimes in Yemen, what's the difference if these head-choppers start a nuclear world war. – by Manlio Dinucci
28.2.2016 – Lettera 43 (B K)
Arabia, il nuovo «paradiso» dei mercanti di morte
Cresce il business degli armamenti: import di Riad aumenta del 300%. Affari con gli Usa per 10 mld l'anno. Seguono gli inglesi. Pure l'Italia fa la sua parte. – di Barbara Ciolli
[Overview article in Italian]
cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
6.3.2016 – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Protection Cluster (* B H)
Task Force on Population Movement, 7th Report, February 2016
Despite efforts for a political transition in Yemen over recent years, the situation in the country has steadily deteriorated as a result of political instability and increased fighting between different groups. This culminated in conflict primarily between Ansar Allah (Al-Houthis), allied with former President Saleh’s forces, and forces loyal to the previous government of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. The current conflict expanded significantly on 26 March 2015 with the start of airstrikes conducted by a Saudi-led coalition in support of Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. In addition, there are various other armed groups fighting throughout Yemen with a variety of interests and degrees of control on the ground.
The 7th report, released in February 2016, based on data up until the 31 January 2015, reaffirms the continuation of the humanitarian impact of the conflict and validates a total number of 2,430,178 internally displaced persons (IDPs), displaced due to the current conflict in Yemen, as compared to 2,501,658 IDPs in the 6th report (published on 10 December 2015). While the latest figure represents a drop in the total number of IDPs, it represents a relative stabilization in the displacement figure compared to previous TFPM reports in which an increase was documented in each report.
From the onset of the crisis, mass displacement has been a common occurrence triggered by the conflict and a fear of continued violence throughout the country. Within the first two months of the crisis, the TFPM had identified a population of approximately 550,000 IDPs, with the understanding at the time that this figure was an underestimate due to operational constraints and issues of capacity in adequately capturing displacement accurately. By 31 May 2015, the TFPM reported an IDP population of some one million individuals who had primarily fled the governorates of Sana’a, Al Dhalee and Aden. By August 2015, just under 1.45 million IDPs had been identified with Hajjah, Al Dhalee and Aden hosting the highest displaced populations.
From August 2015 onwards, a shift in the frontlines and hotspots of the conflict resulted in violence shifting and reaching new areas of the country. In October 2015, the TFPM reported an increased IDP population of 2.3 million individuals. Aden, Taizz and Hajjah were noted as hosting the highest IDP populations. The main reason for the increase in figures was due to the increased consistency of the methodology used by the TFPM and because the geographic coverage of assessment was continually and significantly improved.
By December 2015, in its 6th report, the TFPM had identified approximately 2.5 million IDPs, documenting a decrease in the IDP population in the southern governorates with increases in IDP populations within the northern governorates, consistent with situational developments on the ground. 51 per cent of IDPs identified were hosted in the governorates of Taizz, Amran, Hajjah, Sana’a and Abyan.
Since the release of its 6th report, the TPFM has observed an increasing shift in the geographic distribution of the IDP population. Although overall the number of IDPs recorded has remained relatively stable, significant regional differences can be identified. There has been a general increase of the IDP population in the North and North West areas and a decrease in the South and South East areas. This analysis reflects the increasing number of households identified to have returned in some of the southern areas of Yemen.
An additional component that has contributed to the shift in the displacement statistics is that the methodology used for the tracking and profiling of displaced people has continued to improve. The TFPM, with its operational partners, continues to harmonize data collection and establish and implement a unified methodology for dedicated displacement tracking.1 This has been particularly achieved where operational limitations have not impeded the work of the TFPM.
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/task-force-population-movement-7th-report-february-2016 and in full: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Protection%20Cluster_TFPM%207th%20Report_February%202016_FINAL.pdf
cp13c Unsere Medien / Our media
As supplement to the article on the media coverage of Yemen in the Yemen Press Reader 110, cp1:
4.3.2016 – Think Thank (A K)
Just compare stats with media coverage: Ppl who need humanitarian aid in Yemen are double than those in Syria. /1 (see infograph)
https://twitter.com/m_tomazy/status/705853798451908608
And this as well:
5.3.2016 – Yemen News Today (A P)
This woman - a so called expert on Yemen - knows nothing. Firstly the glaring mistake - she mixes up Saada and Sanaa, saying something like 'the UNESCO world heritage city of Sanaa has been levelled.' No, it is the whole of Saada City that has been levelled, the Old City of Sanaa has been hit by Saudi missiles on three occasions and has been seriously damaged but not levelled. She stokes up Iran's involvement in this disgusting war, and keeps to the Line that Hadi is internationally recognised- he is - without stating that in Yemen his term as interim president had actually expired. But she does recognise the humanitarian catastrophe and the siege of Taiz - without acknowledging that other parts of Yemen have a worse humanitarian situation because of the Saudi led embargo. If they are going to have an expert surely one who knows something about Yemen would give more information?
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1107404862745337
This harsh comment refers to:
2.3.2016 – Centre for International Governance Innovation
Crisis in Yemen | Inside the Issues 6.5
In episode five of season six, CIGI Research Associate Jacqueline Lopour joins CIGI Senior Fellow and co-host Andrew Thompson for a discussion on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhu9k-ykpKE
My Comment: Well, the critic was right. I had listened to this before – and then decided that it is not worth to be linked in “Yemen Press Reader”. There are little experts on Yemen and much more who are labeled as such.
On how great the influence of media on the public opinion can be see here: http://voxpoliticalonline.com/2016/03/04/why-tony-blair-is-wrong-in-his-claim-that-corbyn-is-unelectable-the-canary/ and http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/sep/03/will-the-image-of-a-lifeless-boy-on-a-beach-change-the-refugee-debate. In the first point, media should be obliged to the facts (for not to speak of “truth”). That not just means “Don’t lie” – not to omit facts that are inconvenient to any agenda and not to conceal correlations which lead to a broader understanding are not less important. When there is a special agenda in the media, it would be crucial: Which one? Peace, human rights, democracy, the right of all people to have a worthy life? In the moment, we see more warmongering, justification of world-wide western hegemony and of neoliberal capitalism, justification of disparity at home and abroad, combined with the misuse of the western ideals as propaganda tools for achieving all that.
Direct instructions to the media by any government are not the normal case. There exist some certain cases in the US, anyway. In most cases, the uniformity of the media in certain topics is reached in a more indirect way. It is obviously clear that our mainstream media are a project of the 1 % elite. Paul Sethe, editor of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine”, in 1965 said: “Liberty of press is the liberty of 200 rich people to spread their opinion”. The only change within the last 50 years will be that the number of these free people still has decreased. Today, in western countries that are very few people and companies who own the media –and against their principal interests there will not be any coverage in the media. Leading media representatives, journalists and editors are embedded in a dense structure of networks which are dominated by US organizations and think tanks.
Thus, we have the phenomenon that there are two levels of subjects. On the second level, there we still can see many examples of good journalism – when the coverage relates to Monsanto, landgrabbing in Brazilia, slavelike labor in the German meat industry…
But on the highest level mostly uniformity and loyalty to the elites is required: Full approval of the whole US foreign and military policy in the world, demonization of and hatred against all enemies of this US policy. If this policy changes, well, then the media will change the bias of their reporting, and if it is an U-turn (as happened with Assad and Syria). The other main point is the “neoliberal”, “Manchester” or how you want to call it capitalism of our times with its trend of economizing all sectors of life. As Margret Thather once stated, this form of life is presented to us with “There is no alternative”. We even should be made forget that once there might have existed any alternative. If really something new is shining up, then the iron front of the elite will stand together: Then politicians and all the mainstream media unanimously declare possible alternatives as “populists”, unelectable (see article linked above), as “dreamers” in the best case.
Well, to be honest, might be 10 % of space are given to other opinions – for the mainstreams’ court jesters thus giving the illusion of a “free press”. Thus, we see warmongering over warmongering in our media. It was really strange, when giving a sheet with an announcement of an event relating to “The ruin of Europe 1914 1918” to just some people, two in five told me that for them the situation today is close to early 1914, because of warmongering of politicians and media in the West as in Russia. And here the circle is closing again: Yemen is only a small and even neglected place for those who long for everywhere. The mainstream media could promote peace or warmongering. Having mostly decided for the second, they are complicit in the bloodshed in the Middle East, in Ukraine and might-be once here at our doorstep.
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
Siehe auch cp 6 Südjemen / See also cp 6 Southern Yemen
4.3.2016 – Elijah J M (** B T)
The rich Al-Qaeda is winning the “hearts and the minds” in Yemen, introducing new names.
The Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm helped Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to gain more ground, showing an increase of financial assets and popularity, providing public services in ther controlled area, mainly in Hadramawt province, the home of Usama Bin laden’ family. AQAP is no longer using this acronym, but, mainly the name of Ansar al-Sharia (AaS) and is introducing new names. Saudi Arabia’ war is definitely contributing in increasing the power of AaS in Yemen provinces.
Riyadh is sucked into a Yemen quagmire when, almost a year ago, it has declared total war against the Zaidi tribes, once considered old partners and allies. Saudi Arabia needs all the possible help to come out of Yemen with less damage possible. It is accusing Iran of intervening in its backyard, raising tension between the two countries. The nervousness reached its peak when a video leaked to the Saudi, showing pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah Video training Houthis in Intelligence warfare inside Yemen, confirmed authentic to me by sources close to Hezbollah leadership. Therefore, it is not surprising to see reports on a collaboration between the Saudi-led coalition and Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) for the battle against the Zaydi Houthis as the tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran increases.
Ansar al-Sharia come out as the absolute winner, offering infrastructure support, “recruiting” through activities, public service and games to win the “hearts and the minds”.
Today, al-Qaeda in Yemen is mirroring the name of the area, province or city where it is operating. New names like “Abna’ Hadramawt” (sons of Hadramawt-see photos below) and “Abna’ Ab’yan” (sons of Ab’yan) are mainly used along with the name of Ansar al-Sharia, not the name of AQAP.
[With many images] - by Elijah J. Magnier
5.3.2016 – DNA India (A T)
Indian national abducted by terrorists in Yemen, trying to secure his release: Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday night said that an Indian national, Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been abducted by terrorists in Yemen.
Swaraj tweeted that the Indian Embassy in Yemen was shut down after the end of operation RAHAT. Although, she further added that the Indian camp in Dijbouti is trying to ascertain the situation so that they can secure the Indian national's release.
4.3.2016 – Reuters (A T)
Drone kills four suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen
A drone strike killed four suspected al Qaeda militants in a car in the southern Yemeni province of Shabwa on Friday, local officials and residents said.
The car burst into flames and plumes of black smoke were billowing above the main road where the drone struck, they said.
Al Qaeda propaganda brochures were scattered over the ground by the road, local officials said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0W60ZC
Comment: “four suspected al Qaeda militants” – this wording is used always just stating that who has been hit just for that must have been a “al Qaeda militant” – justification of drone war which is as much “terrorism” as that what it claims to fight against.
cp15 Propaganda
Yemen's deputy chief commander of armed forces calls on rebels to implement international resolutions
The newly-appointed deputy chief commander of Yemeni armed forces, Lt. Gen Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar, today demanded the rebels show good intentions and implement international resolutions to establish real peace in the country.
Speaking at meeting with UN Yemen envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Al Ahmar said real peace should be based on good intentions, commitment to implementing UN resolutions, releasing detainees, stopping random arrests of political activists and media persons who reject the imamate sectarian agenda pushed by the Houthi rebels and militants loyal to now-ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The official Yemen News Agency noted that Al Ahmar stressed that the United Nations should act and put pressure on the rebels to end their siege of Yemeni cities and towns, allow humanitarian aid into these besieged areas, stop targeting civilians and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Earlier today, at a meeting with the UN envoy to Yemen, President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi today reiterated his call on the rebels to show good intentions and work on confidence-building measures agreed upon by the rebels and representatives of his legitimate government in the second round of peace talks in mid-December 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland.
https://www.wam.ae/en/news/arab/1395292437918.html
Comment: “the United Nations should act and put pressure on the rebels to end their siege of Yemeni cities and towns”: The Houthis are besieging Taiz – which towns else? What about Saudi bombing of cities and town? Not worth mentioning? “the United Nations should act and put pressure on the rebels to […] allow humanitarian aid into these besieged areas”. That refers to Taiz. The Saudi blockade of the whole Houthi held part of the country not worth mentioning? “…stop targeting civilians”. Saudi bombing is not targeting of civilians, not worth mentioning here??? “…implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”: As long as there are these totally one-sided resolutions, there will be no peace in Yemen. “Hadi today reiterated his call on the rebels to show good intentions and work on confidence-building measures”: What did Hadi do to “show his good intentions” and what is his “work on confidence-building measures”? urging the Saudis to stop their bombing campaign? What to say of these propaganda puppets?
4.3.2016 – Saudi Gazette (A P)
‘Thanks Salman’ banner, leaflets fill Sanaa streets
‘Thanks Salman’ banners and leaflets were put up and distributed respectively in Sanaa streets, in a message of gratitude and acknowledgement for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s efforts in restoring hope and peace in the region.
King Salman’s help to the Yemeni people was welcomed with this expression of faith and appreciation, especially in the stage Yemen is going through, after the coup carried out by Houthi militias against the legitimate president.
According to Yemeni News Agency, banners expressing thanks were on dozens of cars that roamed the streets of the capital Sanaa and the cars blared songs and poems commending King Salman for rushing to rescue of the Yemeni people and for taking the decision to launch Decisive Storm.
These actions reflect the sentiments of the inhabitants of the Yemeni capital Sanaa towards Saudi Arabia’s King, leadership, government and people, for rescuing Yemen. They also expressed compliments to other countries taking part in the Saudi-led Arab coalition.
http://saudigazette.com.sa/saudi-arabia/thanks-salman-banner-leaflets-fill-sanaa-streets/
Comment: Grotesque.
Comment by Haykal Bafana: Lies. Are you that desperate now, ya Riyadh? My tummy aches from laughing so hard.... Ya Salman, ta3al, please come to Yemen capital Sanaa. We wait here to give you our "thanks"
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=979919195394444&id=961126490607048
8.6.2015 – Council on Foreign relations (A P)
Regional Challenges and Opportunities: The View from Saudi Arabia and Israel
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Anwar Eshki of Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has passed through three phases. [The first is] the phase of its establishment, which King Abdul Aziz assumed responsibility for and King Faisal reinforced, during which loyalty was to the leader. The second phase was the phase of stabilization, which King Fahd led, during which he laid out the system of rule, transferred loyalty from the leader to the system, and substituted nationalism in the place of pastoralism. The third phase is the phase of moving forward, which is the current phase wherein the Kingdom is moving toward positive work in the region. It has formed an alliance—which represents the change in Saudi policy—and laid down a strategic goal for the Arab world, which is Arab national security, starting with Yemen and protecting the Gulf, eliminating conflicts, and calming down matters in the Middle East. In this period, during the reign of King Salman, it will transform more into a democracy with Islamic pillars. In this phase, it has rebuilt its strategic alliance with the United States of America as well as its alliance with France, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, with friends in China, Russia, and other countries.
[...] demands a number of things [selection here]:
Achieving peace between Arabs and Israel.
Changing the political system in Iran.
Achieving peace in Yemen and revitalizing the port of Aden because this will rebalance the demographics of employment in the Gulf.
Establishing an Arab force with American and European blessing to protect the countries of the Gulf as well as the Arab countries and to safeguard stability.
The speedy establishment of the foundations of democracy with Islamic principles in the Arab world.
http://www.cfr.org/development/regional-challenges-opportunities-view-saudi-arabia-israel/p36615 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhnvIOaMRxE and http://www.cfr.org/development/regional-challenges-opportunities-view-saudi-arabia-israel/p36615#transcript
Comment: Already older propaganda statement. Saudi Arabia now reaching for a “democracy with Islamic pillars” is rather funny in the homeland of Wahabism. Saudi Arabia “moving toward positive work in the region” is even more funny regarding the bombing of Yemen, the interference in Bahrain, the interference in Syria, the destabilization of Lebanon, the support of the Sisi coup in Egypt, the spread of Wahabism and sectarianism. Unmasking: Requiring “Changing the political system in Iran” as the second most important point. This should be the matter of the Iranians, not of Saudi Arabia. The whole statement clearly shows that Saudi Arabia requires the leadership in the region.
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
2. März / March:
3. März / March:
4. März / March:
5. März / March:
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
5.3.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee / Hussain Albukhaiti (A K PH)
Yemen army downed 2day reconnaissance plane belonging2US-backed Saudi war criminals over Sahool area in Ibb central
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/706167082786942976 and https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/706157098774753281
4.3.2016 – Almasdar News (A K PH)
Houthi forces overwhelm Saudi Army in northern Yemen: video
On Friday morning in the Hajjah Governorate of northern Yemen, the Yemeni Army’s Republican Guard and Houthi Forces devastated the Saudi-led Coalition fighters that were tasked to protect the Midi District, killing scores of them in the process of their advance towards the coast. Video footage from the battle displaced scores of dead Saudi Army soldiers spread across the Midi District, as the Houthi Forces walk over the territory they reclaimed from the Coalition fighters on Friday morning. In addition to killing scores of Coalition fighters, the Houthi Forces also captured a number of Saudi Army soldiers, with one of them being interviewed in the video.
On Friday morning in the Hajjah Governorate of northern Yemen, the Yemeni Army’s Republican Guard and Houthi Forces devastated the Saudi-led Coalition fighters that were tasked to protect the Midi District, killing scores of them in the process of their advance towards the coast. Video footage from the battle displaced scores of dead Saudi Army soldiers spread across the Midi District, as the Houthi Forces walk over the territory they reclaimed from the Coalition fighters on Friday morning. In addition to killing scores of Coalition fighters, the Houthi Forces also captured a number of Saudi Army soldiers, with one of them being interviewed in the video – by Leith Fadel
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/houthi-forces-overwhelm-saudi-army-northern-yemen/
3.3.2016 – Alalam (A K PH)
VIDEO: Yemeni Forces Impose Heavy Casualties on Saudi-Led Mercenaries
A missile strike conducted by OTR-21 Tochka mobile missile launch system hit a Saudi-led coalition base in the eastern city of Ma’rib on Thursday.
The strike took place Thursday in less than 24 hours after another ballistic missile hit the same base. No casualties have been reported yet.
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1795218
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/krieg-im-jemen-neue-artikel-zum-nachlesen-110
Neue Artikel zum Nachlesen 1-110: / Yemen Press Reader 1-110:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or
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