Peace talks: Stalemate, Conditions for a success, No plan B - Does Yemen break apart? Aerial war: From weddings to funerals - Saudis in Kosovo
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
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche/ UN and peace talks
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
cp9 USA
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
cp13a Mercenaries / Söldner
cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
cp15 Propaganda
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
cp18 Sonstiges / Other
Klassifizierung / Classification
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**
*
(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
22.5.2016 – Open Democracy (** A K P)
Peace talks in Kuwait: will they solve Yemen’s crisis?
There is no doubt that the military stalemate is a major reason leading to the Kuwait negotiations. After 14 months of full-scale war, the military situation is largely unchanged.
Thirteen months into the full scale war which has encompassed the country, negotiations started in Kuwait on 21 April between the Saleh-Huthi alliance who control the Yemeni northern highlands and the capital Sana’a and the internationally recognised government of president Hadi who was elected in 2012, and has been in exile in Riyadh for most of the last year.
A month into the talks, their main achievement is that they have not definitively broken down. Insofar as any negotiations are taking place, it is thanks to the systematic interventions from the Shaikh of Kuwait or other senior figures from different countries to bring one or the other side back to the table after their routine almost daily walk outs. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN special adviser and his team do their best and this time, at least, have real support from the international community.
While naïve observers might think that the ongoing and worsening suffering of 25 million Yemenis might have brought the warring parties to their senses to seek a solution without imposing further starvation, thirst, destitution and death, it would seem they consider this irrelevant.
Ensconced in their luxury hotels in Riyadh or their protected environments in Sana’a, living conditions of the population appear to be the least of their concerns. Instead, their petty rivalries, long-standing feuds and greed for power and control determine their tactics. Any planning they may be doing for the future may well focus more on how they will appropriate future external humanitarian and development funding.
So, why are these negotiations taking place? Answering this question may also help to understand their likely outcome. In addition to the military stalemate, and the collapsed economy, the role of external actors is as relevant today as it was to reach the Gulf Cooperation Council Agreement of 2011 and the transitional regime which followed it.
Saudi Arabia’s changed policies
First Saudi Arabia: to many people’s surprise, the regime installed in January 2015 under king Salman, is behaving differently from its predecessors, in Yemen and beyond. Although only Deputy Crown prince, young Mohammed bin Salman, the king’s favourite son, has taken a leading role and clearly wants to demonstrate his capacity as an effective ruler, anticipating his own rise to the highest position.
Initially, in the face of the takeover of Yemen by a Zaydi group allied with former president Saleh which could, with some exaggeration, be described as a Shi’a faction aligned with Iran, he most probably thought that a short military intervention would do the trick, with an unarguable victory. So he rapidly put together the coalition[1] which started aerial bombing of Yemen on 26 March 2015. By now, 14 months later, the quick win he had anticipated is further than ever, despite spending millions, sending ground troops, arousing considerable anti-Saudi public opinion throughout the world, not to mention the killing and destruction in Yemen and some in Saudi Arabia itself.
He wants to move on: financial constraints, pressure from the US and others, disagreements with Saudi Arabia’s main ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the solution, and the loss of popularity of the war at home are incentives to end the adventure.
Saudi Arabia has been less than happy about the western media coverage of the destruction and killings of civilians caused by its coalition air strikes, let alone the votes in the European and Dutch parliaments opposing continued arms sales. From a public relations point of view, regardless of international humanitarian law, bombing Médecins sans Frontières hospitals was not a great move.
The regime needs success at home to mute opposition to Mohammed bin Salman’s innovative policies within the ruling clique. His priority are younger Saudis and domestic policy: this month he issued Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, a strategy straight off the books of a US PR company, more reminiscent of Dubai than of conservative Saudi Arabia.
So for Saudi Arabia, a solution to the Yemeni problem which must look like a victory is now a priority. Recent direct talks and negotiations with the Huthis have led to agreements which suggest a possible solution between these two elements of the complex political picture.
Other external pressures
The UAE is the other main GCC player in the coalition and its divergence from Saudi Arabia’s strategy relates to the role of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Islah party in Yemen has a strong Muslim Brotherhood component including Ali Mohsen al Ahmar, recently appointed Vice President in Hadi’s government, who is considered to subscribe to its extremist wing. While Saudi Arabia has restored cooperation with Islah, anything remotely associated with Muslim Brothers is totally unacceptable for the UAE who probably consider that organisation a far bigger threat than Iran. Oman, which has been active for the past year in trying to bring about a solution, continues its efforts through an active presence in Kuwait.
The USA make regular statements in support of a solution. Torn between wanting to keep Saudi Arabia as happy as possible given disagreement over the Iran nuclear deal and its belief that Al Qaeda and Daesh are expanding their control and influence in Yemen, it is supporting the UN’s role in the talks. Britain’s active involvement in supporting the negotiations also prioritises the same counter-terrorism agenda. Other ambassadors support the talks, with the EU Delegate leading as she has the longest sustained connection and knowledge of the individuals involved in the talks. The United Nations Security Council Permanent Five states are still united about Yemen.
The situation on the ground
There is no doubt that the military stalemate is a major reason leading to the Kuwait negotiations. After 14 months of full-scale war on the ground and massive aerial bombings, the military situation is largely unchanged. Without going into details, overall, the northern Zaydi highlands are under the control of the Saleh Huthi alliance, bordered by a number of hot fronts, Nehm about 60km east of Sana’a, Jawf and Mareb beyond it, on the Red Sea coast along the Saudi border, south in Taiz governorate, extending to the Bab al Mandab strait, south east around al Baidha, with intermittent fighting in various other locations.
For the past 9 months, the people remaining in Taiz city are suffering more than any others, as parts of the city are controlled by each side and it is besieged by Huthi-Saleh forces who maintain a firm blockade of all goods along its main access roads; there are only very occasional air drops of supplies, food and medical supplies to the zones under resistance control. Its situation can be compared with Aleppo in Syria. What are officially described as ‘pro-Hadi’ forces are really ‘anti-Saleh-Huthi’ ones. While some may be fighting to retain Yemen as a unified state under an improved regime (this can mean a more Islamist one or a more democratic regime focused on addressing the socio-economic needs of the population). Either way none of them can be said to be supporting Hadi’s presidency.
Aden was named the temporary capital when Hadi spent a few weeks there between escaping from Sana’a and its occupation by Saleh Huthi forces driving him out to Riyadh. Four months of fighting ensued. This combined ground fighting between the efficient and organised Saleh Huthi military forces of the Republican Guards on the one hand, and on the other, coalition airstrikes supporting resistance forces of local separatists without a jihadist agenda, popular committee members from neighbouring governorates, and jihadists from al Qaeda and other Salafis.
It was only the intervention of coalition ground forces, under Emirati command, which finally ‘liberated’ Aden in late July. I use quotation marks because Aden is, since that time, a city whose daily routine includes assassinations, kidnappings, suicide attacks, demonstrations of government employees demanding payment, demonstrations by southern separatists with occasional electricity and water supplies. Aden airport has been open and operating for a few days throughout that period but is most of the time closed due to the threat of missiles or artillery. Since its ‘liberation’, President Hadi and his government have only spent a few weeks there, each time driven out by an attack.
Further east, namely in the other governorates of the former PDRY, local authorities manage some areas. Dhala’ and Lahej are southern separatist strongholds while others places have been described as being under the control of al Qaeda. In recent weeks, the coalition has focused military action on the latter, coastal Hadramaut and its capital Mukalla and the smaller towns on the coast of Abyan governorate. Although these successes have been trumpeted as major victories, with fanciful figures of the number of AQAP killed, reality is somewhat different: AQAP’s control was over-stated, there is evidence to suggest that its forces were allowed to leave with heavy weapons, presumably dispersing elsewhere. Their departure from towns in Abyan and Shabwa was negotiated by local leaders who wanted to avoid coalition strikes. Finally AQAP is a wide umbrella which includes genuine aggressive armed fundamentalists but also men who work directly or indirectly to orders from Saleh and other senior politicians.
How about the people?
The cease fire which started on 10 April initially considerably reduced air strikes, with some days when none occurred, but these, as well as fighting on the ground have returned to their earlier level as the Kuwait talks stalled. When talks show some signs of progress, however small, air strikes and fighting reduce: they increase as the talks are interrupted. Reduced fighting has allowed for some improvements in the delivery of basic foodstuffs and aid, despite the fact that the amounts landing in the ports have been way below requirements.
Fourteen months of intensive air strikes failed to destroy the military capacity of the Saleh-Huthi factions, but successfully killed thousands [air strikes are responsible for over half of the 6,400 dead], destroyed and damaged most of the country’s road and other infrastructure, more than 27,000 homes and other buildings, 600 medical facilities, and 1170 schools by mid-April this year. Of the 700,000 people needing emergency livelihoods assistance, ie unable to earn an income, UN organisations were able to assist 108,000 in April, while it helped none of the half million needing ‘livelihoods restoration assistance’. The situation of the country’s finances is subject to debate but, according to PM bin Daghr, ‘the CBY’s foreign reserves reached an all-time low last month of $1.3 billion, which is 28% of the prewar level of reserves of $4.6 billion.’ The exchange rate of the US dollar has reached unprecedented heights, and traders are no longer selling basic staples, in anticipation of shortages, purchase price rises and Ramadan. An indicator of Sana’a rulers’ desperation, is the creation of an emergency economic committee on 18 May.
The disastrous humanitarian situation continues to worsen. More than 21 million Yemenis [out of 26] need basic assistance and 2.8 million are displaced. In April, the World Food Programme reached 3.6 million of the 7.6 million people on the verge of starvation. The blockade preventing the arrival of foodstuffs and fuel continues, despite an agreement for inspection with the UN. Unlike people in many countries most Yemenis, faced with the shame of being unable to feed their families, are more likely to lock the doors of their houses and wait to die inside with their families, rather than beg and travel in search of help. How many have already done this? No one knows. In the words of the senior UN humanitarian official, its humanitarian appeal is “only asking for the minimum that is required to keep people alive in these awful circumstances," and only targets 65% of those in need, but has only received 16% of the funds required.
What next?
Faced with two stubborn and self-serving negotiating teams, can the Kuwait talks bring about peace, stability and development to Yemen’s 26 million people? Based on nothing other than a debatable legitimacy, the internationally recognised government is totally dependent on external forces: without coalition air strikes and ground troops, it would have become irrelevant long ago. It depends on the GCC states for everything. The Saleh-Huthi alliance is ‘contre nature’: open disagreements and clashes have become increasingly frequent in recent months, certainly something the coalition encourages. Recent border agreements between the Huthis and Saudi Arabia, excluding Saleh and his allies, are an indication of future trends. However exclusion of Saleh and his forces depends on a decisive shift in favour of the Huthis in the military balance within this alliance, something which is not yet clear. Though militarily weakened, they still control the central and northern highlands, which represent about 25% of the country’s surface but closer to 50% of its population. Other than military pressure, their main constraint is financial, something which is becoming more serious by the day. Increasing unpopularity is not a decisive factor for either side.
It is clear to all that the military stalemate is unlikely to be broken and therefore some kind of political solution is essential. Both teams are sticking to untenable positions in the talks and refusing to compromise. However, given the external pressures from Saudi Arabia, other GCC states, the US, UK, EU and indeed everyone else, it is likely that some kind of deal will eventually be made. What this might be is difficult to imagine. It may well exclude both Saleh and Hadi. It will most likely include the Huthi and Islah, as well as some sections of the General People’s Congress [currently split between Saleh and Hadi supporters] as well as some of the smaller parties. Its form is likely to involve returning to most of what the transition achieved by 2014, and here it might be helpful to revisit its lessons[2] to avoid some of the mistakes made earlier.
Unfortunately, whatever agreement is reached in Kuwait is unlikely to transform Yemen into a stable well-governed state in full control of the country and focused on the welfare of its people. The kleptocratic elites are too powerful to be excluded, and such measures are not on the agenda of the international community. Fragmentation and bitterness have increased exponentially in the past year, not only in the southern governorates, but throughout the country. There is no doubt that an end to air strikes and to full-scale war on the ground would be a major improvement.
Much more needs to be done to establish a politically viable system but, more than anything, to restore the population’s basic living standards to their pre-war status, which would leave them as the poorest in the Arab world by a long stretch. Regardless of politics, financial and economic support for development, particularly in rural areas will be essential for the coming decades. Of all the country’s fundamental problems, this article has not even mentioned the main long term one, namely the absolute shortage of water.
[1] In addition to the GCC states (except Oman) the coalition includes Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, and Sénégal, all of whom have little choice unless willing to forego the considerable financial support they get from the GCC.
[2] See my detailed analysis of the transition process and its outcomes published earlier this year by International IDEA: Yemen's 'Peaceful' Transition from Autocracy: Could it have succeeded?
By Helen Lackner
[This is the full text. This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.
22.5.2016 – Huffington Post (** A P)
There is No Plan B either in Yemen or in Syria
Let the talk about a Plan B stop out of mercy for the victims of the policies of attrition and the patchwork strategies being pursued in the raging battlefields of Syria and Yemen. There is no Plan B in Syria
Simply put, the ongoing negotiations are stuck at discussing UN Security Council resolution 2216, which was adopted following the coup in Yemen. The resolution was a “masterstroke” for having laid the roadmap for what can be described as the surrender of the rebels to the legitimate government. The resolution called on the forces of the Houthis and those loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh to withdraw from cities and handover their weapons in surrender to the legitimate government, in addition to releasing detainees and restoring the situation that existed prior to the coup, while effectively granting them immunity.
That was an important diplomatic achievement for Saudi Arabia scored by its ambassador to the United Nations Abdullah al-Muallem, with the resolution winning unanimous approval and becoming the reference frame for the solution in Yemen and legitimacy there.
That was then. But today, due to the reality on the ground and military balances, and the resulting attrition strategy and the situation in the Yemeni arena, sticking to it to the letter is neither practical nor realistic. This is the view of many Gulf stakeholders, who fear a protracted conflict in Yemen and the repercussions of the humanitarian crisis there on Gulf countries themselves and their image in the eyes of international public opinion.
The climate in the Gulf suggests interest in Yemen has receded, and that Saudi Arabia, which leads the Arab coalition forces in Yemen, has lost a lot of its enthusiasm in the recent period.
The major powers, especially the US and Russia, are currently giving leeway for negotiations led by the UN envoy to Yemen. However, according to both public and behind-the-scenes indications, they are preparing to place Yemen under US-Russian bilateral care similar to Syria.
Such a development would pull the rug from under the feet of Saudi Arabia in particular.
More deterioration in Yemen and the collapse of negotiations will help Russia to get its way along with the US. Such a development is something that Saudi leaders find extremely dangerous with long-term repercussions.
These circles also speak about the background of the decision made by the Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to replace the prime minister Khaled Bahah a few months ago, in a measure that was sudden for the Saudi leadership. According to these informed circles, the Yemeni president, whom Riyadh is keen to keep as the image of legitimacy, acted without coordination with the capital that is hosting him. Riyadh was said to be upset by the surprise move and the claim that Hadi “tried to contact” them but could not.
These important issues require a new approach to the question of how to end the war in Yemen, regardless of who exactly needs an exit strategy. In truth, there is no other option now except pursuing an exit strategy to leave the Yemeni quagmire and end the humanitarian tragedy. This requires first and foremost admitting to the failure of the costly policies of attrition, which have a moral, humanitarian, as well as material toll.
The room for compromise begins with a serious intention to implement a ceasefire and agree a transitional government, which accepts the Houthis as part of the internal Yemeni fabric rather than an outlawed group.
One of the most prominent obstacles to this solution is the resolution 2216 itself. The government party insists, with Saudi support, on the full implementation of resolution 2216, which has become impossible. The Houthis meanwhile believe there is no need for them to surrender as per the resolution, and therefore are seeking a different solution to the one at the heart of 2216, which they believe is unrealistic. Some in their ranks want a full divorce with the resolution, which is also impossible. Others are willing to make concessions, but link them to similar concessions by the other party. This is in fact the only possible solution in the current negotiations. Such a solution would take into account the facts on the ground, while enshrining consensus and not dictating surrender, which is no longer an option anyway. The foe remains strong, and there is no Plan B in Yemen just as there is no Plan B in Syria.
The Afghanization of Arab wars, especially the Syrian and Yemeni conflicts, is not a wise policy.
Neither the illegitimacy of Assad nor the legitimacy of Hadi deserve crushing Syria and Yemen’s children, as long as there is no Plan B as a serious option against war crimes, away from criminal justice – by Raghida Dergham
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raghida-dergham/there-is-no-plan-b-either_b_10089750.html
Comment: Very serious and realistic article on the peace talks. Please ead in full at the original site.
20.5.2016 – Al Monitor (** A P)
Yemen peace talks stuck in stalemate
The United Nations-brokered peace talks in Kuwait between the Houthis and their allies and Hadi's government have remained at a standstill for nearly a month now, due to the intransigence of both sides and their unwillingness to make substantial compromises to reach a political settlement .
Reporter and political analyst Ahmed Abdul Rahman, covering the Kuwait peace talks that started on April 21, told Al-Monitor that the parties are disagreeing on the ruling power.
“The delegation of Sanaa that includes Ansar Allah — also known as the Houthis — and the supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh are proposing the formation of a new consensual transitional regime made up of a national unity government and a presidential council, while Hadi's delegation insists on thereturn of the current government and president as the legitimate authority,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said that the discussions have been stuck on this issue since the start of negotiations, even after the negotiators were divided into three joint committees: a political committee, a military committee and a committee for detainees and prisoners. “The negotiators insisted on solving and reaching a consensus in regard to this key issue, delaying the work of the other committees. For nearly four weeks, negotiators failed to agree on the road map governing the talks and thus they brought back negotiations to square one,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said that on May 17, negotiators leaked the news that the talks have focused on the formation of an entirely new regime or the expansion of the participation by other parties in in Hadi’s government and the return of Hadi as president devoid of his powers. He pointed out that there is great pressure on Sanaa’s delegation to accept this proposal submitted by Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN special envoy for Yemen, making them accuse the latter of taking sides with Hadi’s delegation.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of Ansar Allah's political bureau, told Al-Monitor in Beirut that after about a month of talks in Kuwait, no significant progress has been registered on any of the issues. Bukhaiti explained that the talks are stalled due to the unwillingness of the other party — Hadi's delegation — to reach a political solution, because this solution will result in its loss of power after the formation of a joint government between the two parties.
Bukhaiti blamed Hadi’s delegation and its sponsor Saudi Arabia for the talks’ failure to reach a political solution due to Hadi’s impossible demands. He said he considered that Hadi’s demands mean a complete surrender to Ansar Allah and their supporters, in such a way that the group will achieve through the peace talks what they had failed to achieve in the war that is now in its second year.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul-Malik al-Mekhlafi said in a news conference in Kuwait that the government delegation had decided to suspend its participation in the talks and give the UN envoy a new opportunity to continue his efforts to make the Houthis accept the final agreements, in particular UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism and the outputs of the National Dialogue, and to fully recognize the legitimate power.
UN Resolution 2216 demands the Houthis to withdraw their forces from all areas, including Sanaa, hand over the state institutions to the legitimate government and release their political prisoners. The resolution stressed the necessity to resume the political transition in Yemen, according to the Gulf initiative.
Bukhaiti said in this regard, “Ansar Allah agreed to consider Resolution 2216 as a reference for the talks as a result of mediation by the European Union to facilitate the peace talks.”
He added, “It is impossible to implement this decision in its current form. The Houthis and their allies are demanding the formation of a government of national partnership involving all parties, and including Ansar Allah and the GPC in such a way that this transitional government would take over cities, government institutions and heavy weapons and manage the transition period until the new elections.
“How can we hand over weapons to a government that is a party to the war while the two terrorist organizations [al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula] and the Islamic State still have arms? Arms must be handed over by everyone, including AQAP and IS." He indicated that all parties should fight these terrorist groups together before handing arms to the government.
Mekhlafi explained that the government asked the UN envoy to provide a written document from the Houthis confirming their commitment to the agreements and to Resolution 2216, stating that the legitimacy of Hadi shall not be disputed.
Thus, it seems that the government delegation insists that it is the legitimate party, and that the other party must hand over its arms and withdraw from the cities before any talks about resuming the political process.
According to media leaks, on May 18, the UN special envoy backed by the ambassadors of permanent UN Security Council countries proposed the formation of a partnership government — three months after the future return of the current government to Sanaa — provided the return is accompanied by the formation of a joint military committee under UN supervision tasked with disarmament and taking over the cities controlled by the Houthis and the pro-Hadi armed groups. This proposal was strongly rejected by Hadi’s delegation, which rushed to suspend its participation in the talks.
Yahya Saleh, once a general in the Yemeni army and Saleh's nephew, told Al-Monitor, “This is a Yemeni-Saudi problem and Saudi Arabia seeks through the Kuwait talks to exonerate itself from its aggression against Yemen and to portray said aggression as a civil Yemeni war, alleging that its intervention was at the request of the legitimate President Hadi — so that Riyadh would evade the payment of any compensation for its aggression against Yemen in the future.”
He added, “The GPC — part of the Sanaa delegation in the Kuwait talks — rejects the return of the Hadi government to power in Sanaa.” According to Saleh, Hadi’s government is different from former Prime Minister Khaled Bahah’s government, which had won the approval of the Yemeni parliament, calling for the formation of another government with new figures.
Many observers find the demands of Hadi’s government unrealistic and perhaps aimed to provoke Sanaa’s delegation and push it to withdraw from the talks, all in a bid to exploit the UN Security Council resolution to pressure the Houthis. The international community seems to be trying to deal with the parties at the same level without taking sides.
Journalist Faisal Jalloul, a scholar of Yemeni affairs,
attributed the failure of the talks to the fact that "Hadi and the Muslim Brotherhood can no longer reintegrate into the Yemeni political arena, based on an agreement granting a victory for Ansar Allah and the GPC." He pointed out that Saudi Arabia is attempting to get the maximum possible compromises from the Sanaa delegation and expected a "positive outcome to the talks even if they stall, since the party that started the war wants to come out of it unmarred.”
Unless reciprocal compromises are made by both sides and by Saudi Arabia, the talks will lead nowhere and the devastating war in Yemen that has generated a humanitarian disaster and caused nearly 7.5 million people to face food shortages, will continue – by Haytham Mouzahem
Comment: The best and most serious explanation of the peace talks I have read up to now. Read in full at the original site.
20.5.2016 – Asia News (** A P)
Yemen at risk of break-up following tomorrow’s “declaration of independence’
The Supreme Council of the Revolutionary and Peaceful Southern Movement is set to announce South Yemen’s secession. Saudi and UAE interference hides hegemonic ambitions and fears. Some analysts, as well as some South Yemeni military, view the move as “premature and extreme”.
May 21 2016 could be a crucial day in Yemen’s history. Saleh Yahya Saied, president of the Supreme Council of the Revolutionary and Peaceful Southern Movement, which is close to former President Ali Salem al Beidh, plans to proclaim South Yemen’s secession tomorrow.
"Aden will celebrate 21 May,” he said, “the day the South will break its ties [with the North] by declaring its independence.” The Saudi dream of a divided Yemen, this time with the military support of the United Arab Emirates and by military action waged against northern Yemen (officially to eradicate Al Qaeda), seems close at hand.
Despite Saudi and UAE support, tomorrow’s step is not backed by all South Yemeni factions who see it as premature and extreme. U
Secessionist forces are backed by the UAE, which have not hidden their hegemonic plans for the area. Some believe that the UAE has ambitions over Socotra Island.
Now all eyes are turned to Saudi Arabia to see what it will do when independence is declared. So far, Riyadh has always opposed the country’s break-up, and has officially backed a “single, united Yemen”.
Even among Southern officers there are doubts. Ali Mohamad Al Khawar, a general in pro-Saudi army, views the move as "premature, since it lacks a proper security force and army.” - by Pierre Balanian
11.5.2016 – Mwatana (** B K)
"Weddings Into Funerals"
documentary by Mwatana on #Saudi-led coalitions attacks on 2 weddings in #Yemen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69hBwcHDBCo
21.5.2016 – New York Times (*** A P T)
How Kosovo Was Turned Into Fertile Ground for ISIS
Extremist clerics and secretive associations funded by Saudis and others have transformed a once-tolerant Muslim society into a font of extremism.
Every Friday, just yards from a statue of Bill Clinton with arm aloft in a cheery wave, hundreds of young bearded men make a show of kneeling to pray on the sidewalk outside an improvised mosque in a former furniture store.
The mosque is one of scores built here with Saudi government money and blamed for spreading Wahhabism — the conservative ideology dominant in Saudi Arabia — in the 17 years since an American-led intervention wrested tiny Kosovo from Serbian oppression.
Since then — much of that time under the watch of American officials — Saudi money and influence have transformed this once-tolerant Muslim society at the hem of Europe into a font of Islamic extremism and a pipeline for jihadists.
Kosovo now finds itself, like the rest of Europe, fending off the threat of radical Islam. Over the last two years, the police have identified 314 Kosovars — including two suicide bombers, 44 women and 28 children — who have gone abroad to join the Islamic State, the highest number per capita in Europe.
They were radicalized and recruited, Kosovo investigators say, by a corps of extremist clerics and secretive associations funded by Saudi Arabia and other conservative Arab gulf states using an obscure, labyrinthine network of donations from charities, private individuals and government ministries.
“They promoted political Islam,” said Fatos Makolli, the director of Kosovo’s counterterrorism police. “They spent a lot of money to promote it through different programs mainly with young, vulnerable people, and they brought in a lot of Wahhabi and Salafi literature. They brought these people closer to radical political Islam, which resulted in their radicalization.”
After two years of investigations, the police have charged 67 people, arrested 14 imams and shut down 19 Muslim organizations for acting against the Constitution, inciting hatred and recruiting for terrorism. The most recent sentences, which included a 10-year prison term, were handed down on Friday. - by Carlotta Gall
Comment: Very long and sincere article showing how Saudi politics work. And this happens everywhere where Muslims are. As in Yemen, where such a development among Sunni Muslims was the origin of the Houthi movement and thus of a great part of the strife now dividing Yemen. And these financiers of jihadism are our best friends in the region.
cp2 Allgemein / General
20.5.2016 – Critical Threats (* A K P T)
Gulf of Aden Security Review
Day by day, May 9 to 20
Yemen: U.S. sanctions ISIS in Yemen and AQAP financiers; reported U.S. airstrike targets Ansar al Sharia militants in Hadramawt governorate; al Houthis release southern prisoners in al Dhaleh following tribal mediation.
Horn of Africa: Suspected ISIS militants kill imam and two worshippers at mosque in Mwanza region, Tanzania; suspected al Shabaab militant detonates rickshaw SVBIED outside cafe in Wardhigley district, Mogadishu; UNSC representative says African Union should fund AMISOM budget deficit.
Yemen: Yemeni Prime Minister refuses al Houthi unity government proposal; UN Special Envoy for Yemen urges both delegations to take responsibility in their participation in the UN-led peace talks; Saudi-led coalition conducts more than 10 airstrikes on al Houthi positions in Amran.
Horn of Africa: AMISOM troops arrive in Beledweyne, Hiraan region to mediate clan clashes; UNSC delegation arrives in Mogadishu to discuss disputed federal election system.
http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/gulf-aden-security-review
22.8.2015 – Alwaght (* A K P)
UNSC’S Double-Standards against Yemen, Ukraine Crises
The regional and international crises and their settlements or continuation have frequently been subject to the word powers’ interests which, in turn, are based on a set of political and economic calculations. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a UN body was established to deal with issues threatening the global peace, and it is through this defined mechanism that the UNSC gains its credibility. In Yemen and Ukraine conflicts the UNSC has adopted resolutions in its course to find solutions for the situations in the two disputed countries. The resolutions obviously showed a credibility gap in the UNSC mechanism and suggested the notion superpowers have a strong effect on the UN bodys decisions.
Ukraine’s crisis
Yemen crisis
Passed by a unanimous vote with Russia abstaining, the April 14, 2015 UNSC Yemen resolution has come as a result of UNSC members’ overlapping and close interests and their agreement on limiting Yemen’s Ansarullah’ power and restoring the Persian Gulf region’s political and security power scale in favor of Saudi Arabia. The resolution, drafted by Britain and some Arab countries, dubbed as Arabic resolution, has such contents as Ansarullah exit from its controlled areas and asking for national dialogue.
Yemen has in its record several wars aiming to downgrade Shiite groups mounting powers. Undermining Shiites in the West Asia, and subsequently undermining the Resistance Axis and decreasing Iran’s influence over region are seen as the crucial and common superpowers’ goals that moved them to ratify Yemen resolution. The same superpowers’ interest accordance and unanimity is noticeable in Bahrain popular revolution which has received an impotent reaction from the UNSC. Bahrain human rights center report, published in November 2011, suggests that from protests onset in February to November, 45 people were killed and 1500 were detained arbitrarily, 1877 people were tortured and 500 others have been jailed as Political prisoners. Additionally, 40 religious places across the country were desecrated by the regime, and 500people were exiled and 477 students have been expelled from the schools. However, the reports show a rise in Bahrain revolution death toll, reaching 80, until 2012.
The UNSC inaction in face of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on civilian places which have led to death of hundreds of civilians in Yemen notifies a realistic, biased and interest-based view of UNSC members in addressing international events. UNSC members’ definition of “world peace and security endangerment” is practically made by their national interests. Crises in Iraq and Syria and Israel regime war on the besieged Gaza and conservative and irresponsible UNSC reactions against the violence of the aggressors considerably show a biased UNSC definition of the cased endangering world peace.
UNSC’s inaction in the Arab world’s disputes stem from two basic reasons. The first is superpowers’ will to support their Arab allies to restore the power balance to its former shape, and to remove the forces fighting to change the status quo. The second reason is igniting proxy wars and consequently reducing the superpowers’ losses and expenses. With this they would have more opportunity to focus on their objectives across the world.
In the west Asia, which is laden with political conflicts and sectarian disputes, it is less costly for the world powers to guide the conflicts remotely rather than intervening directly. The case was different in Ukraine as it drew an immediate reaction. This is because Russia wants preservation of strategic influence in neighboring countries and the West seeks to restrain Russias power and press it in Ukraine. However, disputes between Russia and the West over Ukraine case, after months of exchanged threats and sanctions, resulted in striking a deal.
In total, the countries that were the worlds largest economies and were enjoying nuclear powers established the UNSC as an institution to preserve the so-called world peace. Therefore, any decision that is made by the UNSC is set in line with its major members interests.
The UNSCs different reactions against Yemen and Ukraine cases showcase were due to overlapping interests in the first case and disputed ones in the latter.
Conflicting US- Russian interests in Ukraine case, after months of severe disputes, have led to a deal while the two powers’ accordant or at least overlapping interests have led to a resolution aiming to undermine and marginalize Yemen’s Ansarullah group that tipped the scale in favor of Saudi Arabia, to show that, even in such a formally global institution the decisions are directed by their makers’ national or their allies interests.
http://alwaght.com/en/News/16166/UNSC%E2%80%99S-Double-Standards-against-Yemen,-Ukraine-Crises
cp3 Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian situation
20.5.2016 – UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (A H)
Global Humanitarian Overview 2016 Funding Status As of 16 May 2016 - World Humanitarian Summit 2016 edition
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/gho_funding%20status_16.5.16.pdf
20.5.2016 – Aljazeera (* B H)
Meet the man using Facebook to help Yemen's destitute
Since 2011, Salim Omer Baras has raised more than $100,000 for the needy in the Arab world's poorest country.
Baras has become known in Mukalla for using social media networks, mainly Facebook, to collect thousands of dollars to help critically ill people, hungry families and those in need of life-saving surgery. The aid goes to destitute people in Mukalla and neighbouring regions.
Baras, 42, told Al Jazeera that he has raised more than $100,000 in charitable donations since 2011. He recalled that this January, Iman visited him in his home, and explained her family's ordeal in Somalia. "I posted her appeal online and asked for $2,310 [the total cost of the journey] to help her family return home … Some people from Saudi Arabia privately contacted me and agreed to donate half of the money."
To raise the remaining amount, Baras wrote another post, urging followers to help the troubled family. "Hours after posting the appeal for the second time, another man offered to pay more than $1,000," he explained.
After receiving the funds from local exchange companies, Baras called Iman and told her he would transfer the money to her mother in Somalia. "I could not believe my ears. I was so happy," Iman said.
Baras, who works as a librarian at a secondary school in Mukalla, said he began raising money on social media in 2011
Amid Yemen's ongoing war, Baras said, requests for aid have increased, especially among residents who have lost their jobs. He does not post all requests that he receives, but rather scrutinises each case and posts the most needy. "I give priority to those cases that I can verify personally," he added.
Baras, a father of three children, said he does not own land, a house or a car. His wife is a teacher.
Most of Baras' donors are from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, he said, while others come from Europe, Africa and North America. He said he was considering turning his online humanitarian campaigns into a registered foundation, in order to be able to receive larger donations – by Saeed Al Batati
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/meet-man-facebook-yemen-destitute-160520122915109.html
19.5.2016 – USAID (* A H)
Yemen Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #10 Fiscal Year (FY) 2016
UNVIM officially launches, begins inspecting and clearing commercial shipments to Yemeni ports
WFP distributes food to Al Jawf and Ad Dali’ governorates, previously unreachable due to insecurity
UN highlights deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Yemen, appeals for additional resources
cp5 Nordjemen und Huthis / Northern Yemen and Houthis
21.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A P)
Houthis RELEASE activist @alguneidafter 10 months illegal imprisonment. 100s still jailed
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/734046220973420544
cp6 Südjemen und Hadi-Regierung / Southern Yemen and Hadi-government
22.5.2016 – Reuters (* A T)
Thirteen militants killed in southern Yemen raid: army
Yemeni troops killed 13 militants in a raid on a house outside the southern city of Mukalla on Sunday in which two soldiers also died, the army said, extending a struggle to restore security in the area ruled until last month by al Qaeda.
"Special forces and the army gained complete control over the site backed up by helicopters from the Arab coalition, which dealt with groups of terrorists spread around the area who were fleeing," an army statement said.
"A search confirmed that these fighters were about to carry out a surprise terrorist attack on some military command centers at dawn this morning."
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0YD073
22.5.2016 – Almasdar ( K T)
Saudi warplanes target southern Yemen after ISIS appears in Aden
Saudi warplanes carried out several airstrikes over the southern countryside of Yemen on Sunday after fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) carried out a number of executions in the last 72 hours. According to the Yemen based news agency “Al-Masirah”, the Saudi warplanes targeted ISIS and the Al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) forces in Mukalla and port-city of Aden. Despite boasting about capturing Mukalla from the AQAP, the Saudi-backed forces find themselves fighting these same terrorists once again.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-warplanes-target-southern-yemen-isis-appears-aden/
22.5.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A T)
24 at least killed in clashes between Qaeda/ISIS& US-backed UAE invaders in Mukalla east Yemen early morning
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/734258048831721472
22.5.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A T)
Yemen Qaeda/ISIS killed Sultan Shuaibi, deputy governor of Aden south where groups exploit Saudi-made chaos to rule
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/734259250994778112
21.5.2016 – Hisham Al Omeisy (A P)
Protests in Aden against gov failed to restore full electricity despite ridding city of Houthis 10 months ago
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/734161686010159108
Commrnt: Did not the Emirates burst for having restored electricity there?
21.5.2016 – Alwaght (A T)
in al-Mansura district of the southern province of Aden, unidentified armed men fatally shot a pro-Hadi commander.
Moreover, there are reports that clashes have broken out between Hadi loyalists and Takfiri terrorists in the port city of Aden, with both sides exchanging heavy gunfire.
http://alwaght.com/en/News/54161
21.5.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A T)
Yemen Qaeda/ISIS Killed colonel Muthana Rasheed, commander of Saba camp in Aden where these groups want rule.
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/733937537081806848
19.5.2016 – US Department of the Treasury (*A P)
Treasury Designates Al-Qaida, Al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, And Isil Fundraisers And Facilitators
Action Targets Six Individuals Responsible for Providing Financial Support to Terrorist Organizations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury took action today to disrupt the fundraising and support networks of al-Qaida, al-Nusrah Front, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and ISIL by imposing sanctions on six individuals. Treasury designated Abdallah Hadi 'Abd al-Rahman Fayhan Sharban al-'Anizi, Abd al-Muhsin Zabin Mutib Naif al-Mutayri, Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi, Ghalib al-Zaydi, Mostafa Mahamed, and Salmi Salama Salim Sulayman 'Ammar as Specially Designated Global Terrorists pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Al-Qaida is listed in the Annex to E.O. 13224, and al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, and ISIL have all been previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13224.
As a result of today's actions, any property or interest in property of the individuals designated by Treasury within U.S. jurisdiction is frozen. Additionally, transactions by U.S. persons involving the designated individuals are generally prohibited.
"Treasury remains committed to taking aggressive action against ISIL and al-Qaida's financiers and facilitators," said Adam J. Szubin, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "Today's action targets critical al-Qaida, al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, and ISIL financiers and facilitators responsible for moving money, weapons, and people on behalf of these terrorist organizations."
Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi
Treasury designated Yemen-based Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi (al-Qaysi) for acting for or on behalf of AQAP and for providing financial and material support to AQAP.
As of 2016, al-Qaysi was a senior AQAP official and a financial supporter of AQAP. At that time, he obtained some money for AQAP from parties outside Yemen. He delivered aid to AQAP and used his position as an al-Bayda Governorate, Yemen, political leader to facilitate the expansion and settlement of AQAP in the governorate. That same year, al-Qaysi also facilitated the transfer of money and weapons to AQAP fighters and was involved in supplying AQAP forces in al-Bayda.
Since 2015, al-Qaysi served as an AQAP facilitator who had provided financial support to AQAP to help it take control of parts of Yemen. At that time, al-Qaysi raised money and transferred it and other forms of aid to AQAP. His benefactors included parties outside Yemen. That same year, he was involved in planning AQAP's militant operations in Yemen and financed AQAP training camps. As of 2015, he also distributed money and weapons to AQAP and allied Yemeni tribal forces for fighting the Yemeni Houthi rebel group.
As of 2014, al-Qaysi routinely encouraged Yemeni tribesmen to avoid confrontation with AQAP.
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0462.aspx and see also https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=5350 (located at Al Bayda, Yemen) and see photos (al-Qaysi an president Hadi): https://twitter.com/StopDestroyYem/status/733488358828150784 and https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/733930386930212864 and film from January 16. Interview with al-Qaysi, appointed governor of Bayda province by president Hadi (in Arab): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avLn8sKA3j4&app=desktop
Comment by Dr. Karim: Strong evidence: US-admin-designated #AQAP speaks in interview fight in Albaydaa Yemen is coordinated w/ #Saudi Co
https://twitter.com/StopDestroyYem/status/733494843691945984
Comment by Hisham Al-Omeisy: #PT Here's kicker, Nayif is a resistance leader, and Hadi appointed him alBayda governor in Dec 2015. A #Yemen gov official.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/733338000059473922
Nayif alQaysi designated AQAP facilitator. Yet ppl still denying AQAP in Bayda
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/733335636497829888
20.5.2016 – Nasser Arrabyee (A T)
Obama Supporting 3 clear-cut Qaeda/ISIS leaders based in Riyadh now: Qaysi Zandani Humaikani
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/733593058915188736 and https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/733680522803699712
19.5.2016 – US Department of the Treasury (A T)
Treasury Designates Al-Qaida, Al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, And Isil Fundraisers And Facilitators
Action Targets Six Individuals Responsible for Providing Financial Support to Terrorist Organizations
he U.S. Department of the Treasury took action today to disrupt the fundraising and support networks of al-Qaida, al-Nusrah Front, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and ISIL by imposing sanctions on six individuals. Treasury designated Abdallah Hadi 'Abd al-Rahman Fayhan Sharban al-'Anizi, Abd al-Muhsin Zabin Mutib Naif al-Mutayri, Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi, Ghalib al-Zaydi, Mostafa Mahamed, and Salmi Salama Salim Sulayman 'Ammar as Specially Designated Global Terrorists pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Al-Qaida is listed in the Annex to E.O. 13224, and al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, and ISIL have all been previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13224.
As a result of today's actions, any property or interest in property of the individuals designated by Treasury within U.S. jurisdiction is frozen. Additionally, transactions by U.S. persons involving the designated individuals are generally prohibited.
"Treasury remains committed to taking aggressive action against ISIL and al-Qaida's financiers and facilitators," said Adam J. Szubin, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "Today's action targets critical al-Qaida, al-Nusrah Front, AQAP, and ISIL financiers and facilitators responsible for moving money, weapons, and people on behalf of these terrorist organizations."
Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi
Treasury designated Yemen-based Nayif Salih Salim al-Qaysi (al-Qaysi) for acting for or on behalf of AQAP and for providing financial and material support to AQAP.
As of 2016, al-Qaysi was a senior AQAP official and a financial supporter of AQAP. At that time, he obtained some money for AQAP from parties outside Yemen. He delivered aid to AQAP and used his position as an al-Bayda Governorate, Yemen, political leader to facilitate the expansion and settlement of AQAP in the governorate. That same year, al-Qaysi also facilitated the transfer of money and weapons to AQAP fighters and was involved in supplying AQAP forces in al-Bayda.
Since 2015, al-Qaysi served as an AQAP facilitator who had provided financial support to AQAP to help it take control of parts of Yemen. At that time, al-Qaysi raised money and transferred it and other forms of aid to AQAP. His benefactors included parties outside Yemen. That same year, he was involved in planning AQAP's militant operations in Yemen and financed AQAP training camps. As of 2015, he also distributed money and weapons to AQAP and allied Yemeni tribal forces for fighting the Yemeni Houthi rebel group.
As of 2014, al-Qaysi routinely encouraged Yemeni tribesmen to avoid confrontation with AQAP.
Ghalib Abdullah al-Zaidi
Treasury designated Yemen-based Ghalib Abdullah al-Zaidi (al-Zaidi) for acting for or on behalf of AQAP.
Al-Zaidi has provided AQAP with weapons, funding, and recruits. He also helped AQAP expand into parts of Marib Governorate, Yemen. As of 2016, he was involved in recruiting new members for AQAP. He has served as an AQAP leader in Marib since 2015 with AQAP operatives pledging loyalty to him. In 2015, al-Zaidi financed AQAP operations in Marib and authorized AQAP members in Marib to launch terrorist operations. In the same year, al-Zaidi obtained money and weapons for AQAP members to use in operations against the Houthis. As of 2014, al-Zaidi's compound in Marib served as a staging ground for AQAP operatives.
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl0462.aspx
see also
21.5.2016 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K P T)
Resistance in Bayda, where governor is AQAP facilitator, yesterday demands Saudi support w/ more money & weapons to fight Houthis
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/733918679885328384
11.5.2016 – Al Araby (* A H P)
Aden officials backtrack on controversial deportation campaign
Authorities in Yemen’s coastal city have backtracked on a controversial campaign to expel northerners from Aden after widespread criticism.
Officials demanded an investigation into the suspects expelled for allegedly not owning correct identification documents while working in Aden, instead of deporting them.
The move was confirmed in a statement by the Supreme Security Committee in the temporary capital.
Security units responsible for the campaign must "abide by the law when dealing with suspects," it declared, noting the directives were a direct order from the president as well as the newly-instated prime minister, Ahmed Obaid bin Dagher.
It comes just days after Yemen's president criticised what he called the "unacceptable" expulsion from Aden of more than 800 northerners.
cp7 UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
siehe cp 1 Am wichtigsten / See cp1 Most important
22.5.2016 – APA (AP)
Jemens Regierung will sich an Friedensgesprächen beteiligen
Nach einem mehrtägigen Boykott will sich die jemenitische Regierung wieder an den Friedensgesprächen mit den schiitischen Houthi-Rebellen beteiligen. Wie UN-Vermittler Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmed am Sonntag mitteilte, stimmte Präsident Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi einer Rückkehr an den Verhandlungstisch zu.
22.5.2016 – Muftah (* A P)
Yemenis to Warring Factions: Do Not Return to Yemen Without Peace
As warring factions continue to bicker at the negotiating table, furthering deepening political divisions, Yemenis have managed to rally behind one uniting message: Do not return to Yemen unless peace has been realized.
Around the same time as the peace talks began, Yemeni writer and activist Hind Alaryanilaunched a social media campaign asking Yemenis to join her in pressuring the different factions to finally resolve the conflict.
“Before launching the campaign I wasn’t sure many people in Yemen actually wanted peace,” Alaryani said in a televised interview with Al Arabiya. “When watching the news, all I saw was incitement and hatred and calls to violence.”
Using Alaryani’s hashtag, which translates as ‘do not return without peace to Yemen,’ Yemenis from all walks of life expressed their desire for peace above all else and voiced their determination to see their country rid of war and suffering.
http://muftah.org/yemen-peace-negotiations/#.V0F8bpGLTIU
22.5.2016 – AP (A P)
UN envoy: Progress being made in Yemen peace talks
he U.N. envoy for Yemen says peace talks aimed at ending fighting in the impoverished Arab country are making "incredible progress" and that a halt in fighting is largely holding.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said at a forum in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Sunday that a cessation of hostilities is holding around 80 to 90 percent, even if pockets of violence continue. He says the drop in fighting has allowed much-needed aid to make its way to areas affected by the fighting.
He says he is hopeful that most of the thorniest issues in the conflict have been discussed during peace talks taking place in Kuwait and that a resolution could be "very close."
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/05/22/un-envoy-progress-being-made-in-yemen-peace-talks.html
22.5.2016 – AFP (* A K P)
Yemen govt to end peace talks boycott: UN
The Yemeni government delegation is to rejoin UN-brokered peace talks in Kuwait with Shiite rebels who control the capital, ending a four-day boycott, the UN special envoy said on Sunday.
The hard-won negotiations have been interrupted by repeated boycotts by the government delegation since they opened on April 21.
UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said that President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi had agreed to end the latest boycott after mediation by UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Hadi's supporters had baulked at discussing rebel proposals for a unity government that they fear will sideline him and undermine his claim to international legitimacy.
They insist that the talks should focus instead on enforcing an April 2015 UN Security Council resolution demanding the rebels' withdrawal from the capital and other territories they have overran since 2014.
Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi said on Twitter that the government had agreed to give the peace talks a "last chance."
"We have fixed all the references. This is a first step on the path for a real peace that leads to implementing Resolution 2216 beginning with withdrawals, surrender of weapons and the restoration of state institutions," he said.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/May-22/353241-yemen-govt-to-end-peace-talks-boycott-un.ashx and see also http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-govt-end-peace-talks-boycott-un-1163239807
21.5.2016 UN (A P)
Readout of the Secretary-General’s trilateral meeting with H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and H. E. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President of the Republic of Yemen
The Secretary-General met today with His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and with H. E. Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, President of the Republic of Yemen.
The Secretary-General appreciated the Amir’s leadership and support for several UN initiatives, including reconstruction in Gaza.
During the meeting, President Hadi of Yemen joined them. The Secretary-General underlined that peace negotiations are rarely smooth but that there was a need for commitment and perseverance by all sides. He said he strongly hoped that the talks that will shortly resume in Kuwait will lead to concrete results, and he appreciated Qatar’s support.
The Secretary-General requested his Special Envoy to respond to the recent letter received from the Government of Yemen. The President of Yemen confirmed that he will send the Government’s delegation back to the talks as requested by His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar and the Secretary-General.
The Secretary-General added that in parallel to the peace talks, all parties needed to redouble their efforts to provide and facilitate humanitarian and other supplies, including fuel, to alleviate the appalling living conditions of millions of Yemeni citizens.
http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?cuff=2
and what Saudi propaganda is making of that:
22.5.2016 – Saudi Press Agency (A P)
Tripartite summit held in Doha on Yemen's Kuwait consultations
A tripartite summit, comprising the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Yemeni President Abd Rabuh Mansour Hadi and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, was held here today.
The Yemeni news agency, which carried the news, said the meeting tackled peace in Yemen and the developments of talks being held in Kuwait under the patronage of the UN according to the agreed references: the GCC initiative, its executive mechanism, the international legitimacy resolutions, particularly resolution No. 2216 and the outcomes of the national comprehensive dialogue.
It said the meeting confirmed support for the peace consultations and the legitimacy in Yemen, represented by President Hadi, the end of the coup, bringing about peace, ceasefire, and resumption of the political process according to the prescribed references.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1502720
21.5.2016 – Reuters (* A K P)
Yemeni government to give peace talks 'last chance:' minister
Yemen's government will give U.N.-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait a "last chance", the country's foreign minister said on Saturday, four days after the delegation suspended participation in the process aimed at ending the year-long war.
The government withdrew from the talks on Tuesday, saying it would only return if its opponents committed to withdraw from cities they have seized since 2014 and hand over weapons.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi wrote on Twitter on Saturday that the government delegation would give the talks "a last chance" after President Hadi held meetings with the emirs of Qatar and Kuwait, as well as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The talks are focused on government demands for the Houthis to hand over their weapons and quit captured cities, as well as the formation of a new government that would include the rebels.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-talks-idUSKCN0YC0OM
21.5.2016 – Press TV Iran (A P)
Film: Yemen's Ansarullah says won't give in to bullying
Yemen’s Ansarullah movement says it has attended peace talks in Kuwait to engage in a political dialog, NOT to give in to bullying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX5EeE7An8U
21.5.2016 – Albawaba (* A P)
Yemen peace talks remain suspended, Loyalists present Houthi rebels six demands
The Yemen peace consultations, sponsored by the UN, have been suspended for the third day running after the Yemeni government delegation decided to stop participating.
The decision was made on Tuesday due to the rebel delegation changing their minds about the previous agreements that have been made during the month of consultations.
The suspension of talks comes at a time when mediation efforts to contain the current fallout at the consultations have been intensified by a number of sponsors of the peace process in Yemen and the UN.
The UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has plunged into the battle to prevent the failure and collapse of the consultations. This can also be said for the host country Kuwait and countries sponsoring the peace process in Yemen. Meetings with the concerned parties were held in an attempt to remove the obstacles and difficulties that the Houthi-Saleh rebels created and resume consultations.
Sources close to the consultations said that the government delegation has one condition for participating in the consultations again; implementing six demands which it made after announcing the suspension of its participation in the consultations on Tuesday.
The six demands are: adherence to the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and the procedure for its implementation, the national dialogue outcomes, full recognition of the Hadi government, commitment to the Biel consultations’ agenda, the five points which determine the agenda and the general framework for consultations and functions of the committees - by Arafat Madabish
21.5.2016 – Muhit El Yemen (A P)
Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi said the government delegation will not be leaving Kuwait unless they are being officially informed of the failure of the international efforts to push Houthis to sign a document committing to six demands and acknowledging the legitimacy of the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
In an interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Al-Mekhlafi said," We have agreed to all remarks made by the U.N. Special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, meanwhile, the Houthi delegation practices rejection to every chance it gets. We have urged partakers at the negotiations to employ their influence over the Houthis to cement all that has been agreed upon and achieve progress."
Mekhlafi urged the international community to side with the Yemeni government should Houthis refuse to concede to any decision taken at the negotiations.
http://muhitelyemen.net/en/local/news/2914.html
21.5.2016 – The Arab Weekly (A P)
Kuwait talks to end Yemen war seem in jeopardy Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi says final straw is Houthis’ failure to recognise Hadi’s legitimacy.
Yemen peace talks have been suspended after representatives of the internationally recognised government walked out of negotiations aimed at ending the 15-month war.
Negotiators for the government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi pulled out of the UN-sponsored sessions in Kuwait on May 17th, accusing representatives of the Iran-allied Houthi rebels of procrastination and failure to implement the previously agreed agenda.
The second suspension since the start of talks comes amid accusations that the Houthi militia was skirting around implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which calls for the rebels to withdraw from areas they seized and to surrender weapons.
The Hadi government Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi said the final straw was the Houthis’ failure to recognise Hadi’s legitimacy.
Mekhlafi asked the United Nations for a written guarantee from the Houthis on endorsing Resolution 2216 and recognising Hadi’s government.
“We will not return until we get a letter from them that commits them to the UN Security Council resolutions, the Gulf initiative and the outcome of the (national) dialogue… The issue of legitimacy is not subject to discussion,” Mekhlafi said during a news conference in Kuwait City.
http://www.thearabweekly.com/?id=5197
cp8 Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
20.5.2016 – Noto Wahabism (B H)
Film: SaudiArabia is Selling Castrated #BlackSlaves TODAY!!!
Watch this on foreign workers and their conditions under Saudi Royal family.
#SomeoneTellSaudiArabiathis will not continue for long!
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/895120007283249/
20.5.2016 – Noto Wahabism (B H)
Film: Saudi OFW cries and begs for help through a Facebook video!!!
#Saudibrutality against foreign maids includes physical attacks, ranging from #rapeto overwork (forced to work in several households 24/7).
If a maid escapes and files a #policecomplaint against her boss, she is often jailed for "running away" or stands accused of "lying".
Since the employers hold the migrant’s passport, changing jobs is a nearly impossible task.
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/894988873963029/
20.5.2016 – Noto Wahabism (B H)
Film: #Muslimforeign workers are brutalized in #SaudiArabia. And what's worse is that these workers won't dare file a complaint against the abuse. Victims of Saudi #brutalityknow the court will persecute foreigners in favor of the Saudis.
https://www.facebook.com/NotoWahabism/videos/894940207301229/
20.5.2016 – Stratfor (** B T)
The Next Phase of the Jihadist Threat in Saudi Arabia
Although Islamic State-related attacks in Saudi Arabia have increased over the past year, strikes against hard targets still appear to be out of reach.
For al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the end of a more than one-year unofficial truce with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen puts Saudi targets back in the crosshairs.
Saudi authorities may struggle to maintain control of the jihadist threat as Islamic State fighters return from Syria and Iraq with more advanced skills.
Jihadism has deep roots in Saudi Arabia, the second-largest source of foreign militants in Iraq and Syria since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Since the mid-2000s, Saudi security forces have contained the jihadist threat in the kingdom, aware of the economic and security dangers it could pose if left unchecked. But in the past year, Islamic State activity in Saudi Arabia — and a recent series of raids against alleged militants — has raised fears that the threat may be growing beyond authorities' control.
Saudi Jihadism: A ChronologyA New Generation
These attacks differ from al Qaeda's operations in the early 2000s, which targeted foreigners and employed large vehicle bombs. Al Qaeda's Saudi branch understood the importance of expatriates to the Saudi economy and sought to cripple it by driving them and their families out of the country. Al Qaeda's campaign included assassinations, armed assaults on expatriate housing compounds and even an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah. In April 2004, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning, advising U.S. citizens to defer travel to the country, and ordered all nonessential diplomatic and consular staff to leave Saudi Arabia.
The threat environment could change even more as Islamic State fighters return from Iraq and Syria, bringing with them experience gained on the battlefield. Like the previous generation of al Qaeda operatives in the kingdom, the Islamic State fighters could use their honed skills to conduct more complex and strategic attacks. Both groups have a history of attacking tourist attractions in Egypt and Tunisia to undermine those nations' economies. A more sophisticated Islamic State campaign might echo previous al Qaeda initiatives, targeting expatriates to impair the Saudi economy.
Don't Forget al Qaeda
In addition to the growing Islamic State menace, Saudi Arabia faces a renewed threat from AQAP. Following the March 2015 Saudi-led intervention in Yemen's civil war, al Qaeda and the Saudi coalition reached an unofficial truce: The Saudi coalition would refrain from attacking the group in exchange for the jihadists' cooperation in fighting Houthi forces and former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. AQAP benefited greatly from this arrangement, seizing the opportunity afforded by the chaos to snatch up large quantities of money, weapons and manpower while it controlled Mukalla. Despite losing several key leaders to U.S. airstrikes, the group is now arguably stronger in terms of men and resources than it has ever been.
But the truce fell apart on April 25.
Despite the surge in jihadist activity in Saudi Arabia over the past year, there is currently no sign that Saudi authorities will lose control of the threat. Nonetheless, potential targets in the kingdom must practice heightened awareness as they look for signs of change in the jihadist threat, such as attacks on oil infrastructure or expatriates, the use of larger and more sophisticated explosive devices, or increased surveillance on possible attack sites.
https://www.stratfor.com/analysis/next-phase-jihadist-threat-saudi-arabia
20.5.2016 – Business Insider (*A E P)
Saudi Arabia is borrowing more money as its reserve cash pile burns
Saudi Arabia is set to launch its first international bond to help shore up the country's finances in the wake of persistently low oil prices, says the Financial Times. Oil prices have dropped from highs in the triple digits in June 2014 to about $40 to $50 per barrel.
The FT, citing unnamed sources, said that Saudi Arabia is talking to international banks to start arranging a sovereign debt issue.
The size of the bond was not specified in the report.
The bond isn't the first round of borrowing for Saudi Arabia this year, as the country burns through its cash pile.
In April Saudi Arabia raised a $10 billion ($6.85 billion) bond from JPMorgan, HSBC and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in the form of a five-year loan, which was over-subscribed.
This loan will increase Saudi Arabia's debt levels from 7% of GDP in 2015 to 50% of GDP by 2020.
Saudi Arabia is desperate for cash because it is still heavily dependent on oil to bring in revenue.
Oil prices have dropped by 50% since June 2014 and that is hurting its budget deficit — the amount by which expenditures exceeded revenue – by Lianna Brinded
http://www.businessinsider.de/report-saudi-arabia-to-launch-an-international-bond-2016-5?r=UK&IR=T
18.5.2016 – Bloomberg (A E P)
Saudi Arabia Considers Paying Contractors With IOUs
Projected deficit prompts government to weigh alternatives
Bond-like instrument would cover part of amount owed by state
Saudi Arabia is considering using IOUs to pay outstanding bills with contractors and conserve cash, according to people briefed on the discussions.
As payment from the state, contractors would receive bond-like instruments which they could hold until maturity or sell on to banks, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Companies have received some payments in cash and the rest could come in the "I-owe-you" notes, the people said, adding that no decisions have been made on the measures.
Saudi Arabia has slowedpayments to contractorsand suppliers, tapped foreign reserves and borrowed from local and international banksin response to the decline in crude oil, which accounts for the bulk of its revenue. The country will probably post a budget deficit of about 13.5 percent of economic output this year, according to International Monetary Fund estimates, pushing the government to borrow an estimated 120 billion riyals ($32 billion) – by Matthew Martin and Archana Narayanan
Comment: The aerial war against Yemen costs about 1 billion $ every five days.
18.5.2016 – RT (* A P)
‘Saudi Arabia’s Plan B on Syria calls for support for terrorists’
The Saudi ‘Plan B’ on Syria is mind-boggling because it means intensifying support to the groups declared by the international community as terrorists, says Daoud Khairallah, Professor of International Law at Georgetown University.
Following a meeting of the International Syria Support Group in Vienna on Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir spoke to journalists and said a Plan B should have been implemented in Syria a long time ago.
RT discussed the developments in the Syrian peace talks with Daoud Khairallah, Professor of International Law at Georgetown University.
Daoud Khairallah: The Plan B that Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir has spoken about is really mind-boggling. He wants to intensify support for whom? We know that territories that are not under government control, 80 percent of those territories are under the control of ISIS and Al-Nusra and other derivatives of Al-Qaeda. Fifteen percent are under the Kurds which will not get any support. So, supporting the terrorists declared by the international community as terrorists is what Al-Jubeir is calling for. The US knows well, as well as Saudi Arabia, that if Bashar Assad is to fall those who are going to take his place would be a terrorist organization. Yet, he is talking about this support. I think the real problem resides with the American position. John Kerry talking about the war in Syria said that it will not end until Assad surrenders. In other words, we are using terrorism, fomenting terrorism to achieve political objectives. And it is a major issue legally and ethically.
RT: Washington has previously spoken of Plan B as well. Do you think the US supports Saudi Arabia on this?
DK: I think Saudi Arabia and Turkey would not do what they have been doing, in other words supporting sponsoring terrorism in Syria and particularly throughout other regions, without the US at least consent to this. I think the US bears major responsibility about the Plan B and any kind of implementation of Plan B, especially when they declare that they want to fight terrorism.
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/343462-saudi-arabia-plan-assad-us/
Comment: There are many links between the Saudis and terrorism. And there will be also no great difference between Syria and Yemen.
3.5.2016 – The Guardian (A P)
Saudi Arabia gives women the right to a copy of their marriage contract
Kingdom’s justice ministry announces move to ‘protect the rights of the woman’, ending practice of only supplying document to husbands
Saudi brides will now get a copy of their marriage contracts, a privilege that was previously exclusive to men in the ultra-conservative kingdom, the kingdom’s justice ministry has announced.
According to a directorate issued by the justice minister, Walid al-Samaani, clerics who register marriage contracts will now have to hand a copy to the bride “to ensure her awareness of her rights and the terms of the contract”.
The decision aims to “protect the rights of the woman and facilitate procedures for her”, the ministry said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency.
It said the decision took into consideration that a woman would need a copy of her marriage contract in case of a dispute with her husband and in court.
Women need the permission of their male guardians to get married under Saudi Arabia’s interpretations of Islamic law. They also need that permission to travel and work, in a country where they are not allowed to drive and have to cover from head to toe when in public.
9.3.2016 – Vice (** B H)
Inside the Underground Efforts to Liberate Saudi Arabia's Domestic Workers
By day Karl Anderson works in administration and runs a record label in California, by night he could be seen as a real-life superhero, using social media to identify and then help rescue domestic workers trapped in abusive situations in Saudi Arabia.
Since setting up a Facebook page two years ago, Anderson has led a double life, regularly receiving desperate messages and phone calls from workers in the kingdom who send photos of burned and bruised limbs, or stories of sexual assault and rape, along with pleas for help.
He told VICE News that in total he has aided somewhere between 125 and 150 women with getting home — six in January 2016 alone.
Anderson's work is necessitated by the ongoing trade in humans that takes place between wealthy Gulf states — where families seek housekeepers, drivers, and other home workers — and the desire of poorer countries in Asia and Africa to tackle rampant unemployment and receive a notable income from remittances.
However, bilateral trade agreements — which negotiate minimum wages and protections for the migrant workers — have often backfired, with embassies forced to rescue women and men who have been aggressively abused and made work day after day in inhuman conditions – by Sally Harden
cp9 USA
20.5.2016 – Washington Times (* A K T)
U.S. forces remain in Yemen amid uptick in violence
An American military intelligence team remains on the ground in Yemen, supporting the Arab coalition battling al Qaeda’s main faction in the country, amid an upswing in violence against the coalition and the country’s armed forces.
“We [still] have an operation that is going on in Yemen,” Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters Friday, noting the team is still providing intelligence and battlefield support to military commanders from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. military team played an integral role in the operation to retake the coastal town of Mukalla in Hadramawt province, located 400 miles southeast of the country’s capitol of Sana’a.
Providing intelligence support to Saudi and UAE commanders, the team also coordinated aerial surveillance operations and assisted local commanders in mission planning for the Mukalla offensive.
But almost a month later, the American team remains deployed alongside their Arab counterparts, just as a series of bombings and attacks has left Yemeni forces in Mukalla reeling – by arlo Munoz
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/20/us-forces-remain-yemen-amid-uptick-violence/
19.5.2016 – Near Eastern Outlook (* A P)
On John Kerry’s hypocritical mission to Saudi Arabia
While the U.S. has been blaming the House of Saud for allegedly supporting and funding Al-Qaeda and for its involvement in 9/11, it is still the House of Saud that the U.S. has to talk to ‘end’ the war in Syria. How logical of the U.S. policy makers! It is true that the war in Syria cannot potentially end unless the support extremist outfits continue to receive from Saudi Arabia and its allies is cut off; however, what does not make any sense at all is how this support and the war can end when the U.S. itself continues to provide weapons worth billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia; when the real enemy is not Syria, its regime or its people; and, most importantly, when Saudi Arabia’s new strategic ally, Turkey, continues to bomb the most successful ground force against Daesh, Kurds.
This is precisely where the greatest contradiction for the U.S. lies: it can neither afford to really confront the House of Saud nor can it continue, politically speaking, to support its wars by making long terms military commitments that the House of Saud has been asking for since the beginning of the conflict. For the U.S. president—the noble peace award winner—this contradiction has turned out to be too formidable to overcome.
John Kerry’s latest visit to Saudi Arabia was, in this context, yet another attempt on the part of the U.S. to pacify its angry friend before the up-coming Vienna talks. This tour, in straightforward terms, is part of the U.S.’ grand preparations for confronting Russia during these talks. That is to say, far from being a visit to end the war, the visit’s purpose was to assure the House of Saud that the U.S. would continue to assist them in every possible way to reach the desire end of the war i.e., achieve a ‘minus-Assad’ Syria – by Salman Rafi Sheikh
http://journal-neo.org/2016/05/19/on-john-kerry-s-hypocritical-mission-to-saudi-arabia/ = http://www.globalresearch.ca/on-john-kerrys-hypocritical-mission-to-saudi-arabia/5526151
Comment: On US-Saudi relations in the light of the case of Syria.
19.5.2016 – Long War Journal (A P)
US adds Islamic State branches in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen to list of terrorist organizations
The US Department of State officially added the Islamic State’s branches in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen to its list of terrorist organizations today. As State’s designation noted, there are now eight Islamic State branches throughout the world which have been designated as terrorist entities: Khorasan, or Afghanistan and Pakistan; the Caucasus; the Egyptian Sinai; Algeria; and Nigeria. Additionally, the Islamic State’s core organization based in Iraq and Syria is also listed as a foreign terrorist organization.
State noted while “presence is limited to specific geographic locations in each country, all three ISIL branches have carried out numerous deadly attacks since their formation.”
The Yemeni Branch has fought Shia Houthis, the Hadi government, and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. While the Islamic State describes its operations in Yemen as a “province,” the group controls no significant ground.
Full text of the Department of State’s designation of the Islamic State’s branches in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen: – by Bill Roggio
18.5.2016 – Courthouse News (* A P)
Courts Can't Save U.S. Citizens Stuck in Yemen
Federal courts don't have the authority to decide whether the government has an obligation to evacuate 26 U.S. citizens and permanent residents who say they are stranded in war-torn Yemen, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Nora Ali Mobarez, a U.S. citizen living in Yemen, and 25 other citizens and permanent residentssuedSecretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter last April, saying the government ignored them while ordering diplomats and military personnel to flee the civil war-ravaged country.
While the State Department issued a travel warning for Yemen and acknowledged the possibility of danger to Americans, it did nothing to evacuate U.S. citizens, the group claimed. This, the plaintiffs said, was a violation of the government's responsibilities under the Administrative Procedure Act.
But the government challenged the group's claims, saying it does not have an obligation to evacuate its citizens under the act. The government also argued the decision to evacuate citizens from a country does not fall under the federal judiciary's authority since it is a nonjusticiable political question.
U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson granted the government's motion to dismiss in a March 31 order, but the order became final with the opinion issued Tuesday.
In the 25-page opinion, Brown acknowledged that while it can be hard to determine what constitutes a political question the case at hand was relatively clear.
"After considering the parties' arguments and the applicable law regarding the boundaries of the political-question doctrine, this court is confident that plaintiffs' claims fit well within the scope of the nonjusticiability principles that the Supreme Court and D.C. Circuit have long articulated," Brown wrote.
The political-question doctrine holds that courts should not weigh in on policy choices best left to Congress or the Executive Branch, according to the opinion.
However, while foreign policy decisions certainly fall within the purview of the White House, not all foreign policy issues are political questions from which the courts must stay away, Brown wrote.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2016/05/18/courts-cant-save-u-s-citizens-stuck-in-yemen.htm
Comment: The US off course is able to send troops to this country setting “it’s boots on the ground”, but not willing to save it’s own citizens.
19.5.2016 – Haykal Bafana (A K T)
US drone attack earlier tonight with 2 missiles on a vehicle in desert area Al Abr, Hadhramaut.
https://twitter.com/BaFana3/status/733353320509788165 and images https://twitter.com/ibrahimyafea2/status/733345919928795137
cp10 Großbritannien / Great Britain
22.5.2016 – Herald Scotland (A P)
SNP accused of hypocrisy over arms manufacturer linked to war in Yemen
THE SNP has been accused of hypocrisy after a senior minister privately praised an arms manufacturer linked to the Saudi-led bombing of Yemen, and the party condemned the same war in public.
Files released under freedom of information show the then business minister Fergus Ewing visited the Glenrothes factory owned by US defence giant Raytheon last September, shortly after the plant was linked to civilian casualties in Yemen.
The Glenrothes site makes guidance systems for the 500lb Paveway IV bomb, which Saudi Arabia is reportedly dropping in Yemen.
Ewing’s “key messages” on the visit were to express “delight” at Raytheon’s support of government strategy, and “underline the Scottish Government’s support for Raytheon as a major employer in the Fife area”.
He also recognised the “vital role” the aerospace, defence and marine sector plays in Scotland’s economy, with the hope it would “grow and prosper”.
Ewing’s briefing note stated: “This government’s priority is to make sure that any company based in Scotland can compete in global markets.”
His briefing flagged up a 2014 press report about Paveway bombs being used in Gaza as a “potential sensitivity”, but he visited the plant regardless.
Opposition parties last night accused the SNP of hypocrisy for condemning the war in Yemen in public but cosying up to the bomb-maker behind closed doors.
cp11 Deutschland / Germany
20.5.2016 – Süddeutsche Zeitung (* A K P)
Sprengstoff für die Koalition
Die Waffenexporte von Deutschland nach Saudi-Arabien sorgt für Konflikte innerhalb der Bundesregierung.
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Bundeskanzlerin Merkel plädiert im Hinblick auf Saudi-Arabien für eine großzügige Exportpolitik. Vizekanzler Gabriel leistet Widerstand, könnte aber überstimmt werden.
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Der Waffenhersteller Heckler & Koch will die Regierung per Urteil zur Erteilung der Ausfuhrgenehmigung für Bauteile des Sturmgewehrs G36 zwingen - von Christoph Hickmann und Georg Mascolo
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/waffenhandel-sprengstoff-fuer-die-koalition-1.3000577
cp13a Mercenaries / Söldner
21.5.2016 – Almanar (A K)
DynCorp retire des centaines de ses mercenaires de Bab al-Mandeb
En raison des pertes humaines dans ses rangs, la société américaine de recrutement des mercenaires DynCorp a retiré des centaines de ses membres des régions de Bab al-Mandeb et Dhoubab (sud-ouest) vers la ville d’Aden (sud), c’est ce qu’ont révélé des dirigeants yéménites cités par Khabar.
DynCorp avait renforcé sa présence dans les régions de Dhoubab en dépêchant 200 de ses militaires, mais la société US a été contrainte de les retirer mercredi et jeudi, a-t-on précisé de même source.
La coalition saoudo-US avait dépêché en mars dernier les mercenaires de DynCorp à la place de ceux de Black Water conformément à un accord avec les Emirats Arabes Unis.
DynCorp a subi un revers cuisant au début du mois de Mai face à l’armée et aux forces populaires d’Ansarullah. Les cadavres de ses morts ont été transférés par des avions vers une base militaire à Abou Dhabi (Emirats).
http://french.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?eid=304214&frid=76&seccatid=30&cid=76&fromval=1
cp13b Flüchtlinge / Refugees
20.5.2016 – International Organization for Migration (* B H)
IOM Responds to Needs of Recently Displaced Families in Lahj Governorate, Yemen
Since February, ground clashes in bordering areas of Lahj and Taizz governorates in Yemen have forced hundreds of families out of their homes and villages to seek safety away from their homes of habitual residence.
Recently, through IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), IOM field staff identified 80 households that have fled to areas in Tur Al Baha district, Lahj, and 35 households to Tuban district, Lahj.
IOM field teams, comprised of shelter/non-food items (NFIs) and DTM teams, conducted rapid assessments and revealed the most urgent needs of these IDP families to be shelter/NFIs along with water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
This week, IOM shelter/NFIs teams distributed kits to 30 of the most vulnerable households in Tur Al Baha District with further transportation and distribution of another 85 Shelter and NFI kits comprising of mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, jerry cans, plastic sheets, and rope scheduled for early next week in Tur Al Baha and Tuban District.
Recently arrived Chief of Mission for IOM Yemen, Laurent De Boeck, said: “In adherence to the humanitarian principles, IOM remains committed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable affected populations, as displacement continues to touch numerous families throughout the country, and the humanitarian situation remains dire. IOM is taking all possible measures to continue serving the people of Yemen and provide direct relief in close cooperation with its national and international partners.”
Since the beginning of the crisis, IOM has assisted 834 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and families (approximately 5,838 individuals) in Tur Al Baha, Madarebah Wa Ras El Arah, Al Qabbaitah and Karish districts of Lahj govenorates.
In December 2015, IOM assisted the Local Corporation for Water and Sanitation through procuring and replacing seven water pumps in Tuban District, benefitting approximately 33,838 individuals. IOM has been assisting IDPs in Lahj governorate with a daily supply of water and the distribution of family water tanks and dignity kits.
Since 26 March 2015, IOM has assisted a total 63,709 IDPs in Aden, Abyan, Lahj, Hadhramaut, Shabwah, Al Dhale’e, Sa’ada, Taizz, Al Maharah and Socotra governorates through shelter and NFI support. A total of 634,596 IDPs and conflict-affected persons (266,530 women, 285,568 men, 44,422 girls and 38,076 boys) have benefitted from IOM’s WASH activities in Abyan, Aden, Al Dhale'e, Al Jawf, Hadhramaut, Ibb, Taizz Lahj, Sana'a and Shabwah governorates. On average, 15 litres of water per person per day is provided by IOM.
IOM Yemen’s Emergency Response is funded by OFDA (US), DFID (UK) and Japan. IOM is seeking additional funding to expand its operations to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable affected populations in Yemen.
http://www.iom.int/news/iom-responds-needs-recently-displaced-families-lahj-governorate-yemen
19.5.2016 – Danish Refugee Council (** B H)
DRC/DDG Horn of Africa and Yemen Annual Report 2015
The DRC/DDG Horn of Africa and Yemen (HoAY) regional office is pleased to present its 2015 Annual Report which provides insight into the programmatic work carried out in the country offices, achievement and lessons learnt across the region as well as strategic focus for 2016.
Throughout 2015, the region remained volatile and challenging as ever, particularly as the crisis in Yemen produced new waves of Yemeni refugees, Somali returnees and third country nationals fleeing the violent conflict in Yemen to Djibouti, Somaliland/Somalia and beyond. Despite this, DRC/DDG continued to work systematically, both programmatically as well as from an advocacy perspective in order to address these crises and continue to champion solutions for displacement-affected populations in the region.
The regional footprint of the HoAY grew considerably in the past year with the Djibouti programme becoming formally operational in March followed by the incorporation of Uganda as part of the cross border regional response on the South Sudan crisis.
In 2015, DRC/DDG responded to a large variety of displacement-related situations throughout the Horn of Africa and Yemen region caused by conflicts, slow-onset disasters, cyclical disasters and the El Niño phenomenon. The attendant complexities that emerged from displacement flows remained undiminished by the year’s end. Across the region, exists wide variations in refugee reception regimes from country to country; perspectives for solutions for the various displacement groups; vulnerabilities for the displacementaffected communities as well as variations in duration of displacement. For DRC/DDG, this has called for constant data gathering and analysis of the best programming approaches to reduce vulnerabilities of displacementaffected populations and to increase prospects for solutions, increased resilience and preventive action to reduce recurrent displacement.
In response to the various displacements, DRC/DDG have been providing humanitarian assistance in Yemen itself as well as in Djibouti and Somalia, where DRC/DDG has been managing reception facilities of the new arrivals from Yemen. Inside Yemen, DRC/DDG assisted affected populations through the following sectors: food security, protection, distribution of core relief items, livelihoods, and WASH. As of year’s end, over 530,000 beneficiaries in Yemen had been reached through DRC/ DDG’s interventions.
The escalation of Yemen’s political and social instability into a nationwide conflict affecting the entire population and resulting in a humanitarian catastrophe was a key defining aspect for most of 2015. The humanitarian crisis that developed since March 2015 when the conflict escalated, has rendered over 21 million people, or approximately 82 percent of the population, in need of some form of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. This also led to the UN declaring Yemen as a Level 3 emergency in July 2015 calling attention to the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in the country coupled with the lack of a political resolution between the conflicting parties.
DRC formally established a presence in Djibouti in April 2015 and started its work providing assistance to refugees and migrants fleeing from the Yemen crisis. DRC’s commencement of operations in Djibouti was inspired by the need to fill the gaps in protection, livelihoods, camp coordination and camp management (CCCM), and hygiene promotion for people in displacement in that country.
https://drc.dk/news/drcddg-horn-of-africa-and-yemen-annual-report-2015 and full report: https://drc.dk/media/2475699/drc-ddg-hoay-ar2015-180516-1805-hi-res.pdf
cp14 Terrorismus / Terrorism
21.5.2016 – International Business Times (* A T)
Isis Executions: Daesh militant known as 'The Bulldozer' featured in new murder video
The infamous Islamic State (Isis) executioner known as "The Bulldozer" seemingly appears in a brutal new video released by the terror group, in which a man's head is crushed by a boulder. The obese Daesh terrorist, whose true identity is not known, has been seen in previous videos decapitating Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers.
Claimed to have been shot in Yemen the slickly edited footage shows the execution of three Yemeni soldiers in blue jumpsuits in a barren desert – by William Watkinson
21.5.2016 – Mail Online (A T)
Now ISIS jihadis use BOULDERS to crush a prisoner to death in shocking new propaganda video filmed in Yemen
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ISIS executed a prisoner by crushing him to death with a large rock
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Two other prisoners, accused of being in the Yemeni army, were also killed
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A Dutch jihadi is also shown carrying out a suicide bomb attack in Aden
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WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
ISIS have released a shocking new video showing a prisoner being crushed to death by a large boulder in Yemen.
In the appalling propaganda video, several masked ISIS fighters dressed in matching military fatigues and tactical vests are shown executing three prisoners in cold blood.
Titled 'Crush your enemies,' the footage shows each prisoner, dressed in blue jumpsuits, being murdered using different methods.
20.5.2016 – Site (A T)
IS Division in Yemen Shows Brutal Execution of Houthis in Video, Suicide Bombings in Aden Including One by Dutch Fighter
Abyan Province of the Islamic State (IS) in Yemen released a video showing the brutal execution of three Houthis, one by having his head bashed with a heavy rock while bound, and featuring several suicide bombers, including a Dutch fighter.
20.5.2016 – Idea (A T)
Steht die Freilassung des entführten Priesters bevor?
Der vor zwei Monaten im Jemen verschleppte katholische Priester Thomas Uzhunnalil befindet sich nicht – wie bislang angenommen – in den Händen von Terroristen des „Islamischen Staates“ (IS). Vielmehr halten ihn regierungskritische Rebellengruppen fest. Das sagte ein indischer Regierungssprecher dem Fernsehsender „New Delhi Television“. Gemeinsam mit der zentralen US-Sicherheitsbehörde FBI und dem Vatikan verhandle man über Uzhunnalils Freilassung. Sie stehe „unmittelbar bevor“.
cp15 Propaganda
21.5.2016 – Saudi Press Agency (A P)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Congratulates Yemen's President on Unity Day
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi of the Republic of Yemen on the anniversary of his country's Unity Day.
On behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques wished the President of Yemen constant good health and happiness and his government and people steady progress and prosperity.
http://www.spa.gov.sa/viewstory.php?lang=en&newsid=1502560
cp16 Saudische Luftangriffe / Saudi air raids
22.5.2016 – Hisham Al Omeisy (A K)
Good lord two huge explosions just rocked whole city. Not sure if airstrikes but ground shook like hell. Panic on street. Sana'a
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/734289220450308096
22.5.2016 – Hisham Al Omeisy (A K)
Word on street is that they were sound bombs dropped by Saudi jets exploding midair to terrify crowds. New level of low. Scumbags.
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/734293133450727424
22.5.2016 – Hisham AlRadhi (A K)
Breaking: #Sanaain under heavy #Saudiairstrikes now! Thousands of ppl at AlSabeen celebrating the 26th #Yemennational day of unity!
https://twitter.com/HishamAlRadhi/status/734292953678614528 and also https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/734283799085907968
22.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K)
RAINING Missiles: 5 Saudi airstrikes in 5 minutes rock #Yemencapital Sanaa this morning as children hide in fear.
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/734290747239878657
22.5.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A K)
Good morning silent world.Saudi regime resumes raiding the capital Sanaa.We R hearing the sounds of KSA airstrikes flying everywhere
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/734290684853768192 and https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/734288450229305344
22.5.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A K)
Four huge explosions being heard in 20 minutes by KSA jets in the capital Sanaa.
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/734290124649996288
22.5.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A K)
Bani Hushish and Umad areas in Sanaa were hit this early morning with 3 sorties by KSA jets.
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/734286835011231745
22.5.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A K)
Huge explosion is being heard loudly in and around the capital Sanaa following intense Saudi airstrikes over Sanaa this morning
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/734286400397443072
21.5.2016 – Khabar Agency (A K PH)
#Yemen: Two #Saudi airstrikes in Bani Hushaysh east of #Sanaa
http://www.khabaragency1.com/lasten61141.html
21.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K)
Silent KILLER: Saudi warplanes roam nonstop in skies of #Yementoday as UN peace talks cancelled for 5th day.
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/734022304993280001
21.5.2016 – Almasdar (A K PH)
Saudi Air Force violates Yemeni ceasefire to aid mercenaries in Taiz
Yemen-based “Al-Masirah News” reported on Saturday morning that the Saudi Royal Air Force violated the countrywide ceasefire by launching a number of airstrikes over the city of Ta’iz. These airstrikes were conducted in conjunction with the ground assault launched by the Gulf-backed mercenaries and their Al-Qaeda allies inside Ta’iz and Dhubab City this morning.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-air-force-violates-yemeni-ceasefire-bomb-taiz/
21.5.2016 – Alwaght / Fars News / Press TV Iran (A K PH)
New Saudi Arabia-led coalition's airstrikes killed at least three Yemeni civilians and injured several others.
Saudi jets attacked two trucks loaded with bags of cement in the Hardin neighborhood of the southern Yemen port city of Mokha, situated 346 kilometers south of the capital, Sana’a, on Friday evening, killing three people and injuring five others, Yemen’s Arabic-language al-Masirah satellite television network reported.
Local sources said the trucks had made a stopover in the area where they were targeted on their way to the city of Ta’izz.
Eyewitnesses said charred body parts were strewn about the area, noting that the death toll would further increase as some of the injured are in a critical condition.
Saudi fighter jets also flew over several areas in the provinces of Ta’izz, Ma’rib and Amran, but there were no immediate reports of attacks.
Separately, a woman lost her life when Saudi warplanes conducted an airstrike in Sahar district of the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa’ada on Friday.
Another Saudi aerial raid against Qa'atabah district in Yemen’s southern province of Dhale left a woman injured.
http://alwaght.com/en/News/54161 and http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950301000338 and http://presstv.ir/Detail/2016/05/21/466639/Saudi-airstrikes-Yemen-Mokha-Taizz-civilians-killed-injured-peace-talks-Kuwait-suspension
20.5.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
At least a citizen was killed and five others were wounded on Friday in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition on Moza’ district in Taiz province.
A local official told Saba the raid targeted a truck loaded with cement on the main road in al-Hardain area of Moza’ district, which led to the killing of a citizen, injuring five others and damaging the truck’s load.
The aggression’s warplanes waged two raids on the coastal city of Mocha, the official added.
Local officials confirmed that the overflights of the aggression’s war jets continued in the sky of the province, while spy planes continued to fly over the coastal districts of the province.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news428384.htm
20.5.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression, hirelings step up breaches of ceasefire
The Saudi-led coalition and its mercenaries intensified violations of the UN-announced ceasefire during the past 24 hours, a military official said on Friday.
The aggression war jets intensified overflights in the sky of the capital Sana’a and waged six raids on al-Majaweha area in Nehm district, while the hirelings targeted Bani Bareq area in Hehm and attacked scattered areas of the district with missiles and artillery shells, the official explained.
In Taiz province, the official pointed out that a citizen was killed and five others were injured in an airstrike by the Saudi warplanes on al-Hardain area in Moza’ district of Taiz province.
Meanwhile, the army and popular committees repelled an attempt by the mercenaries to advance toward al-Aqidah area in al-Waze'yah district.
The hostile spying planes flew intensively in the sky of the province, while the warplanes launched two raids on Mocha district, the official added.
In Sa’ada, a woman was killed in an airstrike on Weld Masood area in Sahar district, and the hostile warplanes waged a raid on Dhahyan town and flew in the sky of the province.
The official pointed out that a woman was wounded by the bombing of the mercenaries on the populated neighborhoods in Qa’ataba district of Dhalea province.
The Saudi-led coalition war jets carried out sorties in the skies of Amran, Mahweet, Hajjah and Jawf provinces, while the mercenaries targeted the sites of the army in Serwah district of Mareb province with artillery shells.
In Jawf, the official said that the warplanes waged a raid on al-Aqaba area in Khab and Sha’af district, two raids on al-Masloub district and two others on al-Ghail district.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news428380.htm
20.5.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi aggression hits Jawf with two raids
The Saudi aggression launched on Friday two airstrikes on Jawf province.
The Saudi warplanes waged a raid on al-Waqaz area and another one on al-Saqeiah area in al-Maslob district, a local official said, adding no further details on casualties.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news428358.htm
19.5.2016 – Saba Net (A K PH)
Saudi raid kills woman in Sa'ada
A woman was killed on Thursday in an airstrike by the Saudi aggression on Wald Masoud area in Sahar district of Sa'ada province, a military official said.
The official added that the hostile warplanes launched another raid on Dhahyan town in Magaz district, causing huge damage to houses and properties.
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news428287.htm
20.5.2016 – Mohammed Al-Asaadi ( A K)
Jet fighters are back in Sanaa sky. They started hovering overhead few minutes back. This war doesn't seem to have an end
https://twitter.com/alasaadim/status/733802940595621888
20.5.2016 – Ahmed Alghobary (A K)
Hours ago,#Saudiled coalition air strikes killed 1 and injured 6 in Moza'a district #Taiz
https://twitter.com/AhmadAlgohbary/status/733670596379303937
20.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K)
DEATH Planes: Saudi warplanes attack #Yemenregions Sanaa & Taiz killing 3 civilians & now roams skies nationwide.
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/733641805745524737
20.5.2016 – Dr. Karim (A K PH)
#Yemen: 2 Saudi-led airstrikes on BaniHushaish #Sanaa
https://twitter.com/StopDestroyYem/status/733778636998901760
20.5.2016 – Fatik Al-Rodaini (A K)
Saudi warplanes have been soared over the sky of #Yemenprovinces of Saada, Jouf, Taiz, Amran and Hajjeh along with Nehim destrict.
https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/733733877190135808
20.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K)
Taiz BLEEDING: Houthi rockets attack residential areas in #Yemencity Taiz today as 5 Saudi airstrikes bombard city.
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/733667761734483968
20.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K PH)
No RED LINES: 4 civilians killed & 7 injured by Saudi airstrike on truck carrying cement in #Yemenregion Taiz today
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/733704710968991744
20.5.2016 – Hussain Albukhaiti (A K PH)
graphic pics of #Saudi#UAE double tap strikes on cement trucks in Mocha W #Taiz#Yemen 3 civilians killed&5 injured
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/733734483032211456 and https://twitter.com/Fatikr/status/733669221461286912 and https://www.facebook.com/SaudiArabia.war.crimes.against.Yemen/posts/1546742865621702 and film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNfX-mDyeuU
19.5.2016 – Hisham Al-Omeisy (A K PH)
Multiple airstrikes in Sana'a governorate, Nehm. In Jawf. In Mocha, Taiz
https://twitter.com/omeisy/status/733544759214530560
19.5.2016 – Tasnim News / El Alalam (A K PH)
Saudi Jets Bomb Civilian Areas in Yemen's Jawf despite Truce Saudi warplanes heavily pounded civilian areas in Yemen’s northern province of al-Jawf in yet another violation of a ceasefire aimed at putting an end to Riyadh’s unrelenting aggression against the crisis-hit country.
The Saudi jets on Wednesday struck the districts of al-Maton and al-Masloub in Jawf province, and buried scores of civilians under the rubble of their flattened homes, Yemen’s Saba news agency reported.
It added that some areas in al-Maton were also hit by the Saudi artillery despite the ongoing Kuwaiti-sponsored peace talks and a sustainable ceasefire.
http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/05/19/1079662/saudi-jets-bomb-civilian-areas-in-yemen-s-jawf-despite-truce = http://en.alalam.ir/news/1819985
cp17 Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
21.5.2016 – Almanar (A K)
Yémen: Ansarullah menace d’utiliser des missiles nord-coréens développés
yéménite Ansarullah a menacé d’utiliser contre les forces de la coalition saoudo-US des missiles nord-coréens développées, c’est ce qu’a révélé une source russe, citée par le site yéménite Khabar.
Et d’ajouter : « Ansarullah a développé une nouvelle arme à partir d’un petit missile coréen de sorte qu’il soit capable de viser des cibles de longues distances ».
« Ce nouveau missile est capable de bombarder des cibles stratégiques déterminés, dont les dirigeants des organisations terroristes », poursuit cette source.
Il s’agit d’un missile à guidage laser, ce qui l’aide à atteindre la cible avec haute précision.
http://french.almanar.com.lb/adetails.php?eid=304214&frid=76&seccatid=30&cid=76&fromval=1
21.5.2016 – Alwaght (A K PH)
New Saudi Arabia-led coalition's airstrikes killed at least three Yemeni civilians and injured several others.
militiamen loyal to former President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi lobbed a barrage of mortar shells against a position of Ansarullah fighters in al-Wazi'iyah district of Ta’izz Province on Friday, but no casualties were reported.
http://alwaght.com/en/News/54161
21.5.2016 – Alalam / ABNA / Fars News (A T)
Saudi Colonel Killed in Yemen Al-Jawf Province
Colonel Hamoud Jarad, a senior commander of Saudi Arabia's Armed Forces, was killed during a mission in the city of al-Matoun in al-Jawf province, sources disclosed on Friday.
Thirteen other Saudi officers were also killed along with Colonel Jarad in al-Matoun city.
The Yemeni army and popular forces confronted and killed a number of militants affiliated with Saudi Arabia before they could penetrate into al-Jawf province.
A large number of the militants' military and armored vehicles were also destroyed by the Yemeni popular forces in the battle.
Last Wednesday, senior military commanders warned that the Riyadh government is preparing for full-fledged military operations against Yemen as it will enjoy Washington's support in the Southern parts of the Arab country.
"Saudi Arabia is planning to initiate a joint offensive on Yemeni army and popular forces with the US support," Senior Yemeni military commander Mohammad Salman al-Salman said.
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1820318 and http://en.abna24.com/service/middle-east-west-asia/archive/2016/05/21/755465/story.html and http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950231000725
20.5.2016 – Yemen Post (A K)
Taiz BLEEDING: Houthi rockets attack residential areas in #Yemencity Taiz today as 5 Saudi airstrikes bombard city.
https://twitter.com/YemenPostNews/status/733667761734483968
20.5.2016 – Hussian Albukhaiti (A K PH)
Report of #Russia-n ballistic missile type Scud launched by #Houthi& #Yemen-i army into #Jizansouth #Saudi
https://twitter.com/HussainBukhaiti/status/733737720112152576
cp18 Sonstiges / Other
22.5.2016 – ipicture
Jemen, 164 Bilder zum Download / Yemen, 164 images for download
http://www.ipicture.de/4images/categories.php?cat_id=93&sessionid=m4b4cn3o8duslh9su7nvq4ubl4
19.5.2016 – Meine 10 Flughafenhotels
Hotels am Flughafen Sadah Airport: Flughafenhotels und Unterkünfte in der Nähe von Sadah, Jemen Ihre Unterkunft in Flughafennähe von Sadah nach Nähe sortiert Sie suchen ein Hotel am Flughafen von Sadah? Hier sind alle Hotels in unmittelbarer Nähe von 80,1 km bis 96,1 km Entfernung zum Flughafen Sadah Airport aufgelistet. Sehen Sie Ihr Hotel mit Parkplatz am Flughafen Sadah Airport, 3-Sterne Hotels mit Kochnische, umweltfreundliche Hotels oder Low-Budget Hotels. Bei jeder Unterkunft in Flughafennähe finden Sie die Distanz zum Flughafen Sadah Airport, Sterne-Kategorie bei Hotels und Informationen zur Ausstattung.
http://www.meine10flughafenhotels.de/jemen/sadah-airport-flughafenhotel-sadah/
Kommentar: Oh what a sh…
18.5.2016 – G Captain (A)
Armed Security Team Thwarts Pirate Attack in Gulf of Aden
Another attempted boarding of a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden shows that pirates are still active in the region, at least off the coast of Yemen.
The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre shed light into the recent attack, which occurred Monday (May 16). According to the report, five skiffs approached the stern of a containership underway, prompting the Master to raise the alarm, increase speed and muster crew members. As the five skiffs closed to five cables from the ship, a ladder could be seen in one approaching skiffs, the IMB said.
The skiffs aborted the attack after an armed security team on the containership fired warning shots. The Master then contacted the authorities and nearby warship dispatched its helicopter.
While pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean off the coast of Somali have not had a successful hijacking since 2012 and there were no Somali-based attacks reported in 2015, the IMB warns that vessels transiting the area should stay particularly vigilant.
According to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre’s Live Piracy Map, Monday’s attack was the second reported piracy incident off the coast of Yemen so far in 2016. The first incident occurred April 24 when a product tanker underway was fired upon near the Port Al Mukalla. In that incident, an armed security fired warning shots causing the skiffs to move away.
http://gcaptain.com/armed-security-team-thwarts-pirate-attack-in-gulf-of-aden/
Vorige / Previous:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose/krieg-im-jemen-neue-artikel-zum-nachlesen-146
Neue Artikel zum Nachlesen 1-146: / Yemen Press Reader 1-146:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or
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