Allgemein / General
11.10.2015 – IOL (Südafrika)
Regime change behind Mideast crisis’
Military intervention by powerful Western countries pursuing “regime change” is often the real cause of crisis in middle eastern countries, the ANC believes.
International Relations minister and member of the ruling party's International Relations commission Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told journalists that Western countries were largely responsible for the current “refugee crisis” in Europe, in which millions of mainly Syrian refugees fleeing the civil war in their country are attempting to get to Europe.
This is because rich Western nations think that military action, even forcible regime change, is the way to solve political problems rather than dialogue.
Maite Nkoana-Mashane said this kind of militarism is also responsible for the rise in terrorism and extremism.
"The commission noted that global terrorism and extremism are on the rise. We see increased recruitment of young people into these weird organisations. The mass migration of people we see from the Middle East is driven by regime change by the big powers, accompanied by military intervention," she told a media briefing following the conclusion of discussions on foreign affairs and international relations.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the disintegration of places like Syria and Libya following Western intervention, vindicated South Africa's and the ANC's stance, which was that political problems could only be resolved through political engagement and dialogue, not the use of military force, particularly by outsiders.
Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2013, many of the globe's most powerful countries have flooded the country with weapons, covert support for the various rebel groups, and even direct military interventions, in an attempt to collapse the government of Bashar al-Assad.
Recently Russia has intervened by launching airstrikes in Syria, mainly aimed at defending and bolstering Assad – by Vukani Mde
http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/regime-change-behind-mideast-crisis-1.1928068#.VhpnsPntlHw
10.10.2015 – The International Forecaster
Breaking the Silence on the Destruction of Yemen
No matter how you boil it down, the script is as sad as it is predictable. Once again international powers are using a conflict in a strategically located country to advance their own agendas and enrich their military contractors at the expense of the ordinary Yemeni.
But as horrifying as the civilian death toll numbers are -- with the UN estimating 5000 civilian deaths since fighting began earlier this year, including 500 children -- these numbers are only the most visible symptom of a much deeper problem. Many of the 131 civilians that died at the wedding in Taiz last week, died, according to Hassan Boucenine of Doctors Without Borders, "because the Mokha hospital is closed because of supply -- no drugs, no fuel, no electricity, no nothing, so the staff left." Instead, the injured had to be transported to Hodeida province in trucks typically used for transporting livestock, with many dying en route.
Despite this unfolding disaster, the war in Yemen has been met with virtual silence in the west. Coverage of the latest deadly incidents are consigned to isolated, context-free reports and are generally confined to the back pages of the newspaper and the "world in brief" newsflashes on TV network news.
Amidst this deafening silence, at least a short form summary of the conflict is necessary for many in the west who have never had the story properly explained to them.
By 2011 [ after decades of president Saleh’s reign] Yemenis certainly did have a lot to complain about: living in the poorest country in the Middle East, the average Yemeni faced a bleak future with little hope of advancement, perpetual corruption among the ruling class, and Saleh's new proposal to loosen presidential term limits, presumably so he could become President For Life. This culminated in an uprising that became part of the "Arab Spring" narrative, and like the rest of that narrative, here, too, the genuine rage of the Yemeni people was directed and channeled by key figures with help from foreign powers.
An example of this phenomenon is helpfully highlighted by the Royal Institute for International Affairs in their September 2013 report on the country. They point to the story of Atiaf al-Wazir, whom they refer to as "One of the voices of the uprising," who just happened to be an ordinary, everyday Yemeni protester...who was flown to London by the British Government just before the uprising began to speak at a conference on online activism alongside co-speakers like Hillary Clinton and Carl Bildt. There she was given a tour of the ongoing Occupy London encampment and sent back to Yemen to tweet the play-by-play of the social media Twitter revolution "Day of Rage" as @WomanFromYemen for a foreign, English-speaking audience. Oh, and she worked for several years as a "Program Officer" for the National Endowment for Democracy. Yes, that National Endowment for Democracy.
Whatever the agenda behind the uprising, the end result was a transfer of power in early 2012 to Saleh's deputy, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Interestingly, Obama specifically pointed to the Yemeni transition as the "model" for what the US wanted to see happen to Assad in Syria.
But this nice, heart-warming, US State Department-approved Color Revolution-style fairy tale of oppressed-people-spontaneously-rising-up-against-a-dictator-and-appointing-an-American-approved-dictator was not to last. The country continued unraveling, with Houthi rebels, Islah members, and al-CIAda all vying for power.
Let's be clear: this conflict, like all conflict between would-be ruling warlord chieftains (aka politicians) does not have a "good" side and a "bad" side so much as two "bad" sides. Arguments over lesser-of-two-evils notwithstanding, one thing is certain: the Saudi bombardments are destroying the infrastructure of the country, displacing millions, and threatening the lives of an entire population. Whatever solution is going to come to this crisis, any rational observer can understand it is not going to come through bombing weddings, disrupting hospitals, ravaging cities and forcing millions to relocate.
The question, of course, is why the Saudis are leading this "coalition" against the Houthis and how they are able to do so.
The first question is best answered with slightly more nuance than the "Iran-Saudi Proxy War" narrative pumped by the mainstream western press. Although there are certainly ties and affinities between the Shiite Houthis and the Shiite Iranian government, and while the Houthis are from the northern area of Yemen on Saudi Arabia's doorstep and have fought battles in Saudi's southern Jizan Region, to say that this is simply an extension of Iranian-Saudi rivalry is too simplistic. After all, as Gareth Porter points out, the Houthis main source of arms and military support is not Iran, but deposed ex-dictator Saleh, who was himself armed by (who else?) the US. The west's desperation to see the Houthis as Iran's puppets is just another ploy to paint Iran as a dangerous threat to the region.
Instead, as Narwine Sharwani argues, it is more fruitful to consider this conflict as an extension of an overall regional struggle between two power blocs: the Neo-Colonial Axis of US/Israeli/British/France-backed governments and monarchies, and the Resistance Axis of the post-Iranian Revolution anti-imperialists. This power bloc thesis helps explain how forces are shaping up in the Syrian war (with Russia and China teaming up with Iran, Iraq and Syria to tackle the Saudi/Qatar/Turkey/US/Israeli ISIS boogeymen) and the conflict between the Saudis and Houthis in Yemen. Certainly one of the big winners in this bombardment of Yemen is the Saudi-spawned Al-CIAda, which continues to act as the terror boogeyman requiring US military involvement in the region and/or the CFR's best friend as circumstances require.
Martha Mundy, an anthropologist with extensive experience in Yemen, muses in CounterPunch that the Yemen bombardment is a test run for a new type of conflict to emerge in this competition of the power blocs. In this thesis, the attempt is to run a "Neo-Colonial Axis" led Israeli-style aerial bombardment war without the bad press that followed Tel Aviv's last bloodbath in Gaza.
If the results so far are anything to go by, they've certainly been successful at keeping their blatant war crimes under the table.
No matter how you boil it down, the script is as sad as it is predictable. Once again international powers are using a conflict in a strategically located country to advance their own agendas and enrich their military contractors at the expense of the ordinary Yemeni.
Let's not hold our breath. The last attempt at a brokered peace agreement ended with the firing of the UN representative overseeing the plan and the cutting out of the Houthis from further talks. The Saudis are still calling the shots in this conflict, and now, as chair of the Orwellian UN Human Rights Council that lent "moral legitimacy" to the destruction of Libya, they are likely content to continue bombing weddings for the foreseeable future – by James Corbett
10.10.2015 – Salon
We must pay attention to Yemen: Weddings bombed, civilians killed — with U.S. help
There is horrific new blood on our hands after another 47 civilians were killed after a mistaken wedding bombing
The Saudi government claimed the former wedding bombing — which marked the deadliest day in the over six month-long war in Yemen — was an accident, insisting it had meant to target Houthi rebels. A representative of humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders who was present during the attack, nevertheless, said that there was no military presence near the wedding.
U.S. politicians and media outlets have been remarkably quiet about the war that has devastated Yemen for over half a year now. Fighting broke out on March 26 between a coalition of Middle Eastern nations and militants loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, led by Saudi Arabia and armed by the U.S. The coalition is combating Houthi rebels and militants loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, some of whom have received weapons from Iran.
Mere days after the fighting began in the spring, coalition forces killed around 40 people and injured 200 more after attacking a Yemeni refugee camp, establishing a tenor of brutality that has continued unmitigated for the next over 150 days. Less than a month later, the U.S.-backed coalition bombed an Oxfam warehouse full of life-saving humanitarian aid.
Around two-thirds of civilian deaths and property destruction have been caused by the Saudi-led coalition, according to the U.N. Amnesty International has also revealed that “more civilians have died as a result of coalition airstrikes than from any other cause during the conflict in Yemen.”
The U.S. has not directly militarily intervened in the war, but it has steadfastly backed the coalition. In a recent statement, Amnesty International blasted the U.S. for its role fueling the conflict. Citing “damning evidence of war crimes by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which is armed by states including the USA,” Amnesty called on the U.S. and other nations to stop exporting arms.
Amnesty says weapons provided by the U.S. have been used to commit war crimes.
The Obama administration made over $90 billion in arms deals with the Saudi monarchy between 2010 and 2014. The White House also said it “welcomed” he appointment of Saudi Arabia as the head of a U.N. Human Rights Council panel. Days later, the U.S. and other Western allies helped Saudi Arabia block a U.N. inquiry into war crimes committed in the war in Yemen. In lieu of an independent international investigation, Washington and its allies approved a resolution that would allow the coalition-backed Hadi government investigate itself – by Ben Norton
7.10.2015 – Amnesty International
Yemen: Call for suspension of arms transfers to coalition and accountability for war crimes
Damning evidence of war crimes by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which is armed by states including the USA, highlights the urgent need for independent, effective investigation of violations in Yemen and for the suspension of transfers of certain arms, said Amnesty International in a new report published today.
‘Bombs fall from the sky day and night’: Civilians under fire in northern Yemen examines 13 deadly airstrikes by the coalition in Sa’da, north-eastern Yemen, which killed some 100 civilians, including 59 children. It also documents the use of internationally banned cluster bombs.
“This report uncovers yet more evidence of unlawful airstrikes carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, some of which amount to war crimes. It demonstrates in harrowing detail how crucial it is to stop arms being used to commit serious violations of this kind,” said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Adviser who headed the organization’s fact-finding mission to Yemen.
“The USA and other states exporting weapons to any of the parties to the Yemen conflict have a responsibility to ensure that the arms transfers they authorize are not facilitating serious violations of international humanitarian law.”
“The world’s indifference to the suffering of Yemeni civilians in this conflict is shocking. The failure of the UN Human Rights Council last week to establish an international investigation into violations committed by all sides is the latest in a series of failures by the international community to address total impunity for perpetrators of serious violations in Yemen,” said Donatella Rovera.
“Lack of accountability has contributed to the worsening crisis and unless perpetrators believe they will be brought to justice for their crimes, civilians will continue to suffer the consequences.”
An international investigation or inquiry could be established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly or the UN Security Council - or by the UN Secretary-General or the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights acting on their own initiative.
9.10.2015 – Oxfam
Yemen: aid work in the world’s largest forgotten emergency
What are the biggest challenges in your current role?
The airstrikes which are the biggest fear factor for working in Yemen, they are just terrifying in terms of their ferocity and the type of psychological impacts they have on everyone. I may have witnessed about 1,000 airstrikes myself and it's one of the scariest things I have had to go through.
Once or twice we have had to suspend activities because the displaced people we support got so scared by the presence of the planes that they asked our teams to stop working.
I think another challenge is just the sheer violence by all sides, the Houthis, their opponents and the Saudi-led coalition as well. It's not just fought with the guns and rockets we tragically see in humanitarian crises all over the world. This is also a hi-tech war, where you have the world's best weaponry. Moving in that environment means you have to be extra cautious. It's different to some of the other conflicts we are accustomed to like the DRC or Darfur where people are fighting with AKAs from land cruisers.
What are the key issues in Yemen?
One key issue is the impact of the blockade. All the major ports, all the airports and all road access to the country is closed off which means that imports are at roughly 10-20% of the pre-March levels, and that means that we are marching towards a possible famine right now. Thirteen million people are food insecure, because about 90% of food is normally imported. Right now there are about 21 million people in need of assistance.
One shouldn't compare crises, but from a humanitarian point of view Yemen is probably the world's largest crisis right now, having surpassed Syria. And most people wouldn't know, they wouldn't even put it in the top ten.
The crisis is not in the news, why do you think that is?
The Saudi-led coalition has blocked all access to the country with the blockade and the blockade doesn't just apply to goods it also applies to people and personnel. So in the past six months there have been almost no journalists in the country. Recently the Saudis let in a few from the BBC and the New York Times, but they had to wait months to be granted visas.
So another key advocacy ask is to remove all impediments to movement, of people, and especially human rights activists and journalists, so we can have free coverage of what's happening on the ground. Failing that there will be no international pressure.
How does Yemen compare to other emergencies you've worked on?
The access on the ground isn't as bad as some other conflicts. We've had bureaucratic obstacles like you have in all countries, but we haven't felt threatened directly. In Yemen even the warring groups are so desperate for humanitarian assistance that they really make an effort to grant you access.
But another aspect of this is also really worrying. A UN Security Council Resolution (2216) authorised this military action by the Saudi-led coalition. We've now had six months of constant bombing which has included airstrikes that the UN and human rights groups have all judged to be in clear contravention of international humanitarian law - because they have not distinguished between civilians and military targets. Has the Security Council stepped in and revoked its authorisation? No.
That is an under-reported story. I don't like comparing conflicts in terms of this is better or this is worse. It's demeaning for the people affected and it's incorrect, but this aspect of this conflict - that the UN Security Council authorised something which is clearly not being fought according to international law - is what sets this apart – Interview with Tariq Riedl, programme coordinator in Oxfam's Humanitarian Department
http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/blog/2015/10/yemen-the-worlds-forgotten-emergency see also http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk//blog/2015/10/best-job-in-the-world
Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian Situation
9.10.2015 – Huffington Post
Six Months of Brutal War in Yemen Puts Millions of Children in Danger
Abdulrahman Al-Omari, 12 years old, is one of these children. Recounting the day that he fled his home, he says:
"I still remember that day when the rocket shelling was heavy. My mother woke us up, pushed us out of the door, 'run run run' she said. We found ourselves here, in this school. I want to go back home, I want to be safe, I want to be with my friends, I want to have my life back. "
Lives of children like Abdulrahman are the norm. Attacks on civilians and infrastructure have become a common feature of the armed conflict in Yemen and children are getting caught in the middle. Schools, hospitals, roads and bridges have been damaged, and public services have collapsed. Supplies of food, fuel and medicines are critically low, and the lack of safe water and proper sanitation poses serious health risks to millions of people.
Just recently vital water supplies intended to reach people in the worst conflict-affected areas were destroyed after the bombing of a warehouse used for humanitarian supplies in Dhamar, south of Yemen's capital, Sana'a. In a country where water is already one of the most scarce resources this has had a seriously detrimental effect.
While it is clear that the children of Yemen are suffering and need urgent help, it is often easy to overlook this crisis amid ongoing conflicts in Syria and the current European refugee and migrant crisis which dominate headlines.
These children are no less worthy of our help though. Six months of conflict have exacerbated the problems that Yemen previously faced to a now critical stage and we urgently need to do something about it.
The good thing is that Unicef is one organisation that continues to work in Yemen and is committed to improving the lives of these children.
As we mark six months of conflict in Yemen, we must continue to call for all parties to respect the lives of civilians and children. We must continue to work to improve the lives of these children so that they can enjoy their childhood again.
Unicef's work in Yemen is drastically under-funded, lacking 67% of the funds that we need to keep these children safe. To continue our work supporting these children we need your help – by David Bull, UNICEF
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/david-bull/yemen-civil-war_b_8264482.html
Kulturgüter / Cultural Heritage
9.10.2015 – Human Rights Watch
Why war crimes charges now extend to the destruction of ancient monuments
UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, has noted the threat to the Old City, adding it to its 2015 List of World Heritage in Danger. After a June 12 explosion in the Old City that destroyed several buildings and killed five people, UNESCO’s director general, Irina Bokova,urged all parties to protect Yemen’s cultural heritage.
“I am profoundly distressed by the loss of human lives as well as by the damage inflicted on one of the world’s oldest jewels of Islamic urban landscape,” Bokova said. “I am shocked by the images of these magnificent, many-storeyed tower-houses and serene gardens reduced to rubble.”
Since the first codifications of the laws of war in the 19th century, there has been recognition that civilization’s most precious objects deserve special care and protection. The massive destruction of humanity’s cultural heritage during World War Two — the abbey of Monte Casino in Italy is just one of many tragic examples — gave impetus to the drafting of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, now ratified by 111 countries, including Yemen.
The Hague Convention and its 1999 protocol seek to protect “property of great importance to the cultural heritage of every people” by prohibiting parties to an armed conflict from using the property for purposes likely to expose it to destruction or damage. Hostile acts may not be committed against such property unless it is being used for military purposes, and there is an imperative military necessity to do so.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court makes it a war crime to deliberately attack historic monuments, among other structures, unless they are military objectives.
This means that the Houthis should be moving their forces away from the Old City. It also means that the coalition forces need to take the Hague Convention protections into account if they decide to attack any Houthi forces there.
International law alone could not stop the Saudi coalition from attacking Sanaa’s Old City if Houthi military forces are deployed there. The United States and other coalition backers, including Britain, need to make clear their concern for this impending threat to Yemen’s — and humanity’s — cultural heritage.
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/10/09/why-war-crimes-charges-now-extend-to-the-destruction-of-ancient-monuments/ = http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/10/09/why-war-crimes-charges-now-extend-destruction-ancient-monuments
Kommentar: Einen Teil der Schuld an der Zerstörung der Altstadt von Sanaa bei den Huthis abladen zu wollen, ist absurd. Die Saudis haben in der Altstadt keine militärischen Ziele bombardiert, sondern Wohnhäuser. Es dürften nicht viele Truppen in der Altstadt sein, unter „Huthis“ laufen in der Propaganda gerne auch zivile Funktionäre, oder einfach auch nur Anhänger der Huthis oder sogar einfach Leute, die aus dem Norden kommen. Auch die Deutschen hatten im 2. Weltkrieg Rom besetzt, und deshalb hielten sich die Amerikaner mit Luftangriffen zu rück. Innenstädte werden in Kriegen nie deswegen bombardiert, weil militärische Ziele getroffen werden sollen, es ging immer nur um zivile: London, Coventry, Dresden …
Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
11.10.2015 – Getty Images
Houthis attack with howitzers in Yemen's Taiz
11.10.2015 – Iran German Radio
Zweites Kriegsschiff Saudi Arabiens in Jemen versenkt
Laut jemenitischen Quellen haben Armee und Bürgerwehr in Jemen das zweite Kriegsschiff Saudi Arabiens versenkt.
Das Schiff wurde in der Bab Al-Mandab-Seestraße in der Nähe der Provinz Taez im Süden Jemens versenkt. Letzten Mittwoch hatten die Jemeniten ein Kriegsschiff in der gleichen Region versenkt. Jemenitische Kämpfer zerstörten zudem in der Provinz Maareb im Süden Jemens acht Militärfahrzeuge saudischer Militärs. SABA Net zufolge wurden dutzende saudische Soldaten bei diesem Angriff getötet.
http://german.irib.ir/nachrichten/item/291412-zweites-kriegsschiff-saudi-arabiens-in-jemen-versenkt
in English
11.10.2015 – Press TV Iran
Yemeni forces destroy second Saudi warship
Yemen’s army, backed by allied popular committees loyal to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, has destroyed a second Saudi warship in a missile attack in the southeast of the impoverished Arab country.
The Saudi warship was targeted and destroyed on Saturday in the southwestern coast of Yemen, in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is considered strategically important as it separates the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
On October 7, the Yemeni forces managed to destroy another Saudi vessel in the area with reports saying that the sunken ship had repeatedly fired rockets on residential areas in the southwestern province of Ta'izz.
Also on Saturday, tens of Saudi soldiers were killed and several Saudi military vehicles were destroyed in retaliatory attacks by Yemeni forces in the province of Ma’rib.
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/11/432918/Yemen-Saudi-warship-Bab-alMandab-Ansarullah-Aden
10.10.2015 – Asharq Al-Awsat
Government loyalists, Arab coalition advance in Yemen’s Taiz
Yemeni government loyalists, aided by Saudi-led coalition forces, have made fresh gains in Taiz, military sources said on Friday, bringing them closer to capturing the western governorate and the Red Sea port of Al-Mokha from Houthi rebels.
Government loyalist forces, known as the Popular Resistance, captured Friday a key military camp, 28 miles (45 kilometers) north of the strategic Bab El-Mandeb strait, after fierce clashes with the Iran-backed Houthis and allied supporters of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Dozens of rebels were killed and injured during the fighting while the remaining fled in the direction of the desert, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Saif Al-Yafey, a district commander in Yemen’s military, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Government forces have retaken Al-Omari camp in Al-Dhubab district of the Taiz governorate and are awaiting orders to advance towards Mokha, the commander said.
Last week, supporters of the internationally recognized President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, backed by Arab coalition airstrikes and ground troops, seized the strategic strait from the Houthi rebels.
Meanwhile, Saudi-led coalition warplanes continued airstrikes against Houthis and Saleh’s positions in Mokha and Taiz on Friday, in what could be a prelude to an imminent ground operation.
“Having liberated Bab El-Mandeb strait and then the coastal Dhubab district, Arab coalition forces and the popular resistance are now moving towards liberating the coastal city of Mokha,” a Yemeni military source told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“The Arab coalition’s plan is to liberate the coastal line entirely from the Putschist militias,” the source, who requested to remain anonymous, said , referring to an alliance of Houthi militias and Saleh’s followers who seized the capital, Sana’a, and toppled Hadi in September of 2014.
Separately, the Houthi movement has sent to the foreign ministries of several countries letters in which they criticized the Saudi-led coalition and provided false information about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Asharq Al-Awsat has learnt.
The letters, which bore the symbol and official seal of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry, called for the need to allow aid into the country.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yemen’s Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin said his country’s diplomatic missions abroad contacted the ministry’s temporary headquarters in Riyadh to inform it about the letters. Yassin accused the Houthis of fraud, saying that all diplomatic memoranda issued by the foreign ministry in Sana’a after the Houthis took over the capital were illegal.
Kommentar: Saudisches Medium.
10.10.2015 – Hiraan Online
Saudi air raids on Yemen leave 12 Somalis dead
Saudi Arabia’s latest airstrikes on Yemen and ensuing explosions have claimed the lives of a dozen Somali nationals, local media say.
The 12 Somali citizens were killed after Saudi fighter jets pounded a bridge in the Bagim district of Yemen’s northwestern province of Sa’ada on Saturday, Yemen’s Saba Net news agency reported.
Saudi warplanes also bombarded two areas as well as a village in the Khawlan district, located in Sana’a Province, multiple times.
Tens of families also left the al-Mukha District in the southwestern province of Ta’izz following similar Saudi airborne assaults.
Saudi jets further struck two areas in Yemen’s central Ma’rib province.
http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2015/Oct/102013/saudi_air_raids_on_yemen_leave_12_somalis_dead.aspx
10.10.2015 – Deutschlandfunk
Regierungstreue Kräfte erobern Küstenstadt
Bei ihren Vormarsch gegen die Huthi-Rebellen im Jemen haben regierungstreue Kräfte nach eigegen Angaben die Küstenstadt Dhubab unter ihre Kontrolle gebracht.
Sie gilt als strategisch bedeutsam. Bei den Kämpfen um die Stadt sollen es in den vergangenen drei Tagen fast 100 Tote gegeben haben.
10.10.2015 – Albawaba
Yemen's pro-government forces reclaim seaside town of Dhubab
Yemen's pro-government forces on Friday reclaimed the seaside town of Dhubab, a strategic area that cuts off supply routes to Taiz for Houthi rebels, the Associated Press reported.
Yemeni security officials said forces loyal to exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi retook Dhubab after three days of heavy clashes with Shiite rebels that killed nearly 100 fighters.
Pro-government forces are advancing toward the Red Sea port of Mocha as they try to secure the third-largest city of Taiz. Meanwhile, a Houthi official said rebels are currently trying to access Taiz through the southeastern abandoned town of Turba.
Besieged by Houthi forces and their supporters, Taiz is a key location for pro-government forces to advance toward the rebel-held capital, Sanaa.
http://www.albawaba.com/news/yemens-pro-government-forces-reclaim-seaside-town-dhubab-752840
9.10.2015 – Press TV Iran
Yemeni forces target Saudi spy drone in NW Yemen
A Yemeni military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Arabic-language Khabar news agency that Yemeni forces targeted the remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle on Friday as it was flying over Kitaf district in the arid and mountainous province, which lies 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of the capital, Sana’a.
The small drone was later identified as a long-endurance Boeing Insitu ScanEagle.
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/09/432715/Yemen-Saada-Saudi-spy-drone-Kataf-Sanaa
9.10.2015 AFP
Coalition warplanes bomb Yemen rebels
Warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition raided positions of the Iran-backed Shiite insurgents east of the rebel-held capital Friday, military sources said.
The air strikes targeted Huthi rebels in the west of Marib province, amid ongoing clashes between them and forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
Pro-Hadi fighters backed by Gulf forces have been pushing to regain control of Marib province in an apparent bid to advance on Sanaa.
They set their sights on Marib after pushing the rebels out of five southern provinces, including the port city of Aden to which the government returned last month after six months in exile.
Raids also targeted rebels in Hodeida in western Yemen, other military sources said.
On Friday evening, coalition warplanes struck rebel arms depots on the Nahdain hill south of Sanaa, witnesses said.
http://news.yahoo.com/saudi-led-coalition-bombs-yemen-rebels-again-151820859.html
Kommentar: Sie greifen immer “Rebellen" oder „Huthis“ an. Seltsam nur, dass es zu einem beträchtlichen Teil Kinder, Frauen und Unbewaffnete Zivilisten sind (zu ca. 85 %).
10.10.2015 – Liberation News
Saudi-led coalition bombs two wedding parties in Yemen
U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition forces have recently bombed two separate civilian wedding parties in Yemen, killing as many as 130 innocent people in the first attack on Sept. 28 and at least 28 in the second attack on Oct. 8.
According to residents, on Sept. 28, two missiles tore through wedding tents in the Red Sea village of Al-Wahijah, near the Al-Mokha, where a man affiliated with the Houthis was holding a wedding reception. The carnage in this attack was horrendous and many of the victims were women and children.
“I saw no body intact,” he added.
Less than 10 days later, Saudi bombs attacked a wedding taking place in a house south of the capitol Sana’a, killing as many as 28 civilians.
“I saw bodies lying in the yard, decapitated, charred,” he said.
In both cases, the Saudi coalition refused to take responsibility for these massacres, alleging that local militias might have been the perpetrators. However, the New York Times, acting in its role as spokesperson for U.S. imperialism, clearly identified the Saudi coalition as the responsible party. They forget to mention the role in these atrocities of the United States, in providing bombs, planes and “intelligence.” In typical fashion, they also avoid using the the word “massacre” to describe the mass killing of defenseless civilians – by Jane Cutter
https://www.liberationnews.org/saudi-led-coalition-bombs-two-wedding-parties-yemen/
Houthis
11.10.2015 – Jerusalem Post
Houthis to Jews: Convert or leave Yemen
been given the stark choice between converting to Islam and fleeing the country, acting Regional Cooperation Minister Ayoub Kara announced on Sunday.
According to the Druze lawmaker, who maintains ties with contacts across the Arab world, a representative of Yemen’s small Jewish community informed him of an ultimatum from Houthi rebels currently in control of large swaths of the country.
The Jews were told to “convert or leave the state,” Kara told the Jerusalem Post, adding that the unnamed Jewish representative “requested that I take care of this.”
Yemen boasted a Jewish population of more than 50,000 during the mid-20th century; there are now fewer than 100 Jews in the capital, with another community of similar size in the northern town of Raida. The majority of the country’s Jews immigrated to Israel shortly after the establishment of the state of Israel.
They “want to leave there fast. We need to act fast to get them out and we will do that, God willing,” Kara continued. “The whole world ought to know that there is a problem with the Houthis.”
http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Houthis-to-Jews-convert-or-leave-Yemen-422604 siehe auch http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/10/11/druze-israeli-deputy-minister-says-yemen-jews-told-to-leave-or-convert-to-islam/
11.10.2015 – Albawaba
A third of Al Houthi militants are children
Children make up a third of fighters in the armed groups in conflict-wrackedYemen, according to a UN official, who also issued a warning about malnutrition levels in the country.
“We are seeing children in battle, at checkpoints and unfortunately among [those] killed and injured,” Julien Harneis, Unicef’s representative in Yemen, said during a stop in Geneva.
Unicef has confirmed that at least 77 children have been killed and 44 others injured since 26 March, and Harneis said the true toll was likely to be far higher.
According to some estimates, boys younger than 18 form nearly a third of AlHouthi militant’s force approximately 25,000 fighters. Most are aged between 12-17 years.
The United Nations verified the recruitment of 106 children in 2013, some as young as six years of age. According to the UN, Salafists recruited 57 boys to fight against Al Houthis, while 32 children were seen manning Al Houthi checkpoints.
The United Nations verified a significant increase from 2013 of recruitment and use of children, with a total of 156 boys recruited and used between the ages of 9 and 17. The majority (140) of cases were perpetrated by Al Houthi militants with a highly visible presence.
The United Nations observed and documented armed children manning checkpoints, being present on armed vehicles and guarding buildings.
Eleven boys between the ages of 16 and 17 were recruited and used by Islah-backed tribal militias aligned with the government or Salafists, all except two of them in the frontlines.
http://en.albawabhnews.com/65344
Kommentar: Bei der “Resistance”, die gegen die Huthis kämpft, sieht es ähnlich aus.
9.10.2015 – The Independent
Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels inform UN they are ready to join talks to end conflict
Militants' leader tells Charlene Rodrigues in Sanaa that they are willing to negotiate and it is the Saudi-led air strikes – which have killed civilians – that are prolonging the bloodshed
The presidential palace now occupied by Mr Ali Houthi is still unharmed by near-constant air strikes from the Saudi-led coalition opposed to the Houthi rebels and seeking the return of President Hadi. In the reception hall, where traditional Yemeni stained-glass windows and chandeliers remain, The Independent meets Mr Ali Houthi.
He saves much of his scorn not for the Saudi Arabian government, which is fighting the Houthi on many fronts in Yemen, but for America. He says: “We believe from the start of the war, the person responsible for what is happening in Yemen is the US. They are the ones who are instigating Saudi Arabia to fight us. America creates foreign policy for the world and gets the GCC [Gulf Co-operation Council] to adopt it. We are also a group of Yemeni people with values and principles of the Yemeni people, united with Yemenis against injustice.”
Mr Ali Houthi adds: “Yemenis are civilised people who believe in democracy. Those who hold the authoritarian ideology spread chaos everywhere.” The leader of the Houthis says the rebel group has saved “billions” by weeding out corruption instigated by Yemen’s ousted government. “We tried to stop corruption and identify what caused it. For example, in the Central Bank of Yemen, after saving billions of dollars, the money was not used for the community. The government officials pocketed it for themselves.”
He adds: “All the oil companies, American or French, are really corrupt here. They used to celebrate parties in New York, and take money from the people and nothing was left for the people here.”
When asked about the claimed financial backing of the Houthis by Tehran, Mr Ali Houthi is unequivocal. “If I had Iran’s financial support, I would be in Riyadh now,” he says. “In this war, did you see any Iranian rockets leave from Yemen? Did you see us driving Iranian tanks? Did you see us driving armed vehicles from Iran?
“We challenge Saudi GCC countries to fight Iran. Iran is so dangerous to them: go fight Iran, not us. Don’t make the Yemeni community suffer.” – by Charlene Rodrigues
UNO-Friedensgespräche / UN-Peace talks
9.10.2015 – UN News Centre
Civilians killed by air strikes at Yemeni wedding party ‘deeply disturbing,’ says UN humanitarian chief
he top United Nations humanitarian official today said he was “deeply disturbed” by the news of civilians being killed by coalition air strikes that hit a wedding party in Yemen’s Dhamar Governorate yesterday.
According to the Ministry of Public Health and Population, at least 47 civilians were killed and 35 injured, among them many women and children.
“Once again we are seeing the devastating impact of explosive weapons – used by all parties – in this conflict,” Stephen O’Brien, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, said in astatement.
“Some 4,500 civilians have reportedly been killed or injured by explosive weapons in Yemen during the first seven months of this year: that is more than in any other country or crisis in the world during the same period.”
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52208#.VhgbX_ntlHx
29.9.2015 – Unites Nations Human Rights
Press briefing notes on Yemen etc.
(1) Yemen
In the two weeks from 11-24 September, a further 151 civilians have been killed -- including 26 children and 10 women -- and 151 injured in Yemen. This takes the total number of civilian casualties in the six months since 26 March to 7,217, including 2,355 killed and 4,862 wounded. During the reporting period, civilian casualties, including women and children, continued to be recorded as a result of airstrikes and indiscriminate shelling in residential areas by both sides to the conflict, which was taking place to a greater or lesser degree in 11 different Governorates. More civilians have been killed and injured by an increasing number of airstrikes targeting bridges and highways.
On Sunday, Jordan’s Foreign Minister described his Government’s “absolute rejection” of the parts of the High Commissioner’s recent report on Yemen* to the Human Rights Council concerning possible violations of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition forces.
The High Commissioner regrets that statement, and all other suggestions that his Office should only report on alleged violations by the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis and their allies. He notes that the report – which contains a number of specific examples of possible violations and abuses by both sides to the conflict – does not at any point accuse the coalition forces of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, although it does catalogue several specific incidents involving airstrikes that caused large numbers of civilian casualties. Indeed, by the end of the 12-month period covered by the report, almost two-thirds of reported civilian deaths had allegedly been caused by coalition airstrikes, which were also responsible for almost two-thirds of damaged or destroyed civilian public buildings.
The high number of civilian casualties being caused by airstrikes was starkly underlined by reports that yesterday a wedding party in Wahijah, in Taizz Governorate, was hit by a coalition airstrike reportedly killing as many as 130 civilians, including a large number of women and children, and injuring many others. Our staff in Yemen are currently seeking to confirm these reports, including precise details on casualties. If the numbers are as high as suggested, this may be the single deadliest incident since the start of the conflict.
The coalition is also indubitably responsible for the naval blockade of Yemen’s main seaports, which UN humanitarian agencies have repeatedly stated is greatly exacerbating the extremely dire humanitarian situation affecting almost all of Yemen. As Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien informed the Security Council on 19 August, “a shocking four out of five Yemenis [some 21 million people] require humanitarian assistance and nearly 1.5 million people are internally displaced.” Mr. O’Brien noted specifically that “disregard for human life by all parties continues” and said that airstrikes and other shelling in and around Hudaydah port were “in clear contravention of international humanitarian law and are unacceptable.”
The numerous alleged violations and abuses described in the High Commissioner’s report to the Human Rights Council were, unless stated otherwise, individually verified or cross-checked with a number of independent and credible sources, in accordance with established methodology. Members of the High Commissioner’s team in Yemen have taken considerable trouble, at great personal risk, to verify as many incidents as they can. However, the report clearly acknowledges that, because of the dire security situation, they were “unable to verify the vast majority of allegations of human rights violations and abuses or violations of humanitarian law.”
For this reason, among others, the High Commissioner’s report recommended that the coalition forces and the Government of Yemen ensure prompt, thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigations. The report also called on the international community to encourage the establishment of an international independent and impartial mechanism to investigate alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law and alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
The UN’s Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect, Adama Dieng and Jennifer Welsh, on 15 September expressed “alarm about allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law throughout the country, committed by both sides to the conflict.” The High Commissioner shares that alarm as well as their concern at what they termed “the virtual silence of the international community about the threat to populations.” He stresses that reporting on alleged violations and abuses by one side only would be a dereliction of duty, and is not an option any UN High Commissioner for Human Rights would consider.
On a more positive note, the Government of Yemen, which enabled the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish a Country Office in 2012, has recognized that violations and abuses have been committed by both sides, and established a national investigative body – a development the High Commissioner has welcomed.
We shared the report on Yemen with the Governments of Yemen and Saudi Arabia before submitting it to the Human Rights Council, which will decide what action to take based on the findings and recommendations it contains.
*The High Commissioner's report to the Human Rights Council on Yemen (A/HRC/30/31) can be found here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session30/Pages/ListReports.aspx
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16518&LangID=E
IWF / IMF
IMF Ready to Help Yemen When Conflict Subsides
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is prepared to provide assistance to Yemen as soon as the situation in the country allows to do so, IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Masood Ahmed told Sputnik on Friday.
“We are monitoring the situation, and stand ready to provide support to Yemen as soon as the conflict subsides and the situation permits,” Ahmed said on the sidelines of the annual IMF, World Bank meeting in Lima, Peru.
Ahmed noted that the IMF started a program in 2014 to help Yemen address the “immediate consequences of macroeconomic pressures they had, but also to lay the foundations for more inclusive growth.”
“That program is currently on hold because of the conflict,” he added.
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20151009/1028291864/IMF-Ready-to-Help-Yemen.html
Kommentar: Was der Jemen sicher auch in Zukunft nicht braucht: Internationale Kredite (kann er nie zurückzahlen), verbunden mit den üblichen vom IWF geforderten neoliberalen “Reformen”.
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate / United Arabs Emirates
(siehe auch unter Propaganda – see also at Propaganda)
11.10.2015 – WAM
ERC provides aid to rebuild Aden
The Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) has stressed that it will continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Yemen. It added that the ERC teams are providing a large number of food and relief parcels for more than 4,000 Yemeni families in Aden on a daily basis.
In its report, the ERC stated that as far as the development projects in Aden were concerned, the philanthropist body is working to reconstruct and revamp a number of infrastructure projects in various fields. The report also added that more than 50 schools in Aden have been revamped and maintenance work will continue to cover 154 schools. Also, a number of health facilities, water and electricity works, electricity, sewerage and parks and others will be included in the plan.
The report also mentioned that during the coming period, the ERC will send a bigger number of its teams to various regions in Yemen to distribute thousands of parcels of various kinds of food and relief, as well as undertake complete reconstruction of service and infrastructure facilities.
https://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395286580499.html
11.10.2015 – Hit 967
UAE helps to bring power back in Yemen
An emergency power plant provided by the UAE is up and running in Aden.
According to national news agency WAM, the station is part of the humanitarian aid for the war-torn country, and is lighting up neighbourhoods destroyed by the Houthi rebels.
The AED 217 million power grid is the latest in a number of initiatives by the UAE in Yemen.
Recent developments include the re-opening of the largest hospital in Aden, four schools, a kindergarten and a police station.
http://hit967.ae/uae-helps-to-bring-power-back-in-yemen/
USA
6.10.2015 – Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia and the price of royal impunity
It’s awkward for the US government to champion human rights while refusing to blink when it comes to accountability for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia enjoys a spectacular level of impunity from international accountability. This is not only because it has the world’s richest and largest royal family with influence spread far and wide. And it is not even just about oil, although having a quarter of the world’s pre-fracking energy reserves still engenders utmost deference from those many modern economies that will depend on Gulf oil and gas for as long as the precious black stuff lasts.
Ever since World War II Saudi Arabia has been an indispensable strategic asset for the West. Oil is the core explanation of this affinity, but it is far from the whole story. In the post-war period, Saudi anti-Communism was important, a kind of health insurance policy for the West that the government would not be lured into the Soviet orbit or adopt a non-aligned position in the manner of Nasser’s Egypt, which could have disastrously undermined energy security for Western Europe.
In recent years, converging patterns of extreme hostility toward Iran that Saudi Arabia shares with Israel has delighted Washington planners who had long been challenged by the difficulty of juggling unconditional support for Israel with an almost absolute dependence of the West on Gulf oil being available at affordable prices.
Against such a background, it is hardly surprising that NGO concerns about the dreadful human rights landscape in Saudi Arabia falls on deaf ears. President Obama, who never tires of telling the world that the national character of America requires it to live according with its values, centring on human rights and democracy, keeps mum when it comes to Saudi Arabia. He is busy reassuring the new Saudi king that the US remains as committed as ever to this second "special relationship" in the Middle East, the first being, of course, with Israel.
If we look beneath the word "special," which conveys the added importance attached of the relationship, it seems to imply unconditional support, including a refusal to voice criticism. US geopolitical backing confers impunity, shielding the beneficiary from any pushback by the international community at the UN or elsewhere.
The Saudi special relationship - unlike that with Israel - is more mutually beneficial. Because of the enormous revenues earned by selling 10 million barrels of oil a day for decades, Saudi's unwavering support for the dollar as the currency of account has been a crucial help to American ambition to dominate the global economy. Beyond this, the Saudis, after pushing the world price of oil up by as much as 400 percent in the 1970s, quickly healed the wounds by a massive recycling of so-called petrodollars through investments in Europe and North America, and especially appreciated was the Saudi purchase of many billions of dollars worth of arms.
Despite the major strategic benefits to both sides, the most remarkable aspect of this special relationship is its survival in the face of the Saudi role in funding Islamic anti-Western militancy throughout the world. Saudi promotion of religious education with a Wahhabist slant is widely believed to be largely responsible for the rise and spread of Jihadism, and the resultant turmoil.
I would have thought that the West, especially after 9/11, would insist that Saudi Arabia stop supporting Wahhabist-style extremism abroad, even if it overlooked Riyadh’s repression at home. More damaging than being the enforcer of Saudi impunity is the US acceptance of the anti-Iranian sectarian line that Saudis rely on to justify such controversial moves as direct interventions in Bahrain and Yemen, as well as material support for anti-Assad forces in Syria.
Saudi’s true enemies are Iran as regional rival and democracy as a threat to royal absolutism. What counts most is the regional rivalry with Iran and the danger that Arab democracy anywhere nearby poses to the royal regime.
Saudi impunity makes us appreciate the value of normal relationships that do not require promises of impunity in relation to international crimes and human rights violations. These special relationships have become politically costly in this century, especially when used to shield rogue states.
Accountability is better for stability, security and sustainable peace than impunity. It is awkward for the US government to champion human rights while refusing to blink when it comes to accountability for Saudi Arabia or Israel – by Richard Falk
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/saudi-arabia-and-crime-royal-impunity-198710381#pq=9PtltQ
5.6.2015 – Atlantic Council
Glimmer of Hope for Yemen, Gloom Elsewhere in the Middle East
Kommentar: Älterer Artikel, wirft ganz interessantes Licht auf die Politik der USA.
Deutschland / Germany
10.10.2015 – Publikumskonferenz
Unterdrückung des Amnesty-International-Berichtes über den Krieg gegen den Jemen
Sehr geehrter Herr Marmor,
trotz Saudi-Arabiens militärischer Intervention im Jemen, trotz aller bekannten Menschenrechtsverbrechen Riads und trotz aller weltweiten Proteste (z.B. gegen die martialischen Bestrafung des Bloggers Raif Badawi) genehmigt die Bundesregierung weiterhin millionenschwere Waffenlieferungen an Saudi-Arabien. Allein im April 2015 winkte Berlin Exporte von 100 Kleindrohnen, Funkzubehör und Ersatzteilen für gepanzerte Fahrzeuge im Wert von 12,8 Millionen Euro durch. Jetzt liegen auch Dokumente über die schrecklichen Folgen dieser deutschen Form von Beihilfe zum Massenmord vor.
Amnesty International berichtete von erschütternden Beweisen für Kriegsverbrechen seitens der von den USA unterstützten saudischen Truppen im Jemen und fordert einen Waffenlieferungsstopp und unabhängige Untersuchungen. Man kann davon ausgehen, dass es sich bei dem AI-Bericht nicht um Propaganda, sondern um Belege für Verbrechen von derartigem Ausmaß handelt, dass selbst eine der US-Administration nahe stehende Organisation wie Amnesty International nicht mehr umhin konnte, sie anzuprangern.
Die ARD hat jedoch weder über den Amnesty-Aufruf zum Waffenlieferungsstopp noch gar über die Begründung berichtet, nämlich die von den USA unterstützten saudi-arabischen Verbrechen im Jemen. Die Vermutung liegt nahe, dass den Zuschauern der Zusammenhang zwischen deutschen Waffenlieferungen und saudischen Gewaltorgien gegen die jemenitische Bevölkerung sowie den weiter zu erwartenden Flüchtlingsströmen nicht ersichtlich und verständlich deutlich wird.
Bereits Ende August war zu beobachten, dass ARD-aktuell schwieg, als die Nachrichtenagenturen von vielen toten Zivilisten nach saudi-arabischen Bombardements im Jemen berichteten. Dieser Massenmord war der ARD in den Hauptnachrichten kein einziges Wort wert.
Schon im Mai war der saudische Einsatz von Streubomben im Jemen bekannt geworden. Bereits damals haben die Hauptnachrichtensendungen der ARD Informationen totgeschwiegen, offensichtlich im Bemühen darum, die Verbrechen der Saudis und der US-Administration sowie die Unterstützung der Merkel-Regierung dafür nicht zu thematisieren.
Das Verschweigen von Fakten und solcher Informationen wie im Amnesty-Bericht gehört zum üblichen Repertoire der Kriegspropaganda und ist nach den Vorschriften des NDR-Staatsvertrages nicht zu rechtfertigen.
Wir fordern Sie zu einer Prüfung auf.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
F.Klinkhammer /.Bräutigam
https://publikumskonferenz.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=978&p=3531
Propaganda
Gulf News: Die Bombardierung des Jemen läuft unter der Rubrik “Restoring Hope” (Die Hoffnung erneuern) und “Bringing life back to normal in Yemen“ (Das Leben im Jemen wieder normalisieren), dann wird patriotische Propaganda mit dem gefallenen Soldaten der Golfstaaten gemacht: „Freunde die zusammen lebten und starben“ oder „Letzte Worte: Verkauft mein Auto, um eine Moschee zu bauen.“
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/restoring-yemen
Kommentar: Es ist wirklich schwierig, wem man eigentlich die Goldene Palme für die hanebüchenste Propaganda zuerkennen soll.
11.10.2015 – Albawaba
Seminar to discuss Human Rights for the Arab League's visit to Yemen
Human Rights Committee of the Arab League will organize a seminar Monday, to present the results of its visit to Yemen, and the abuse of citizens at the hands of armed militias in the city of Aden, Al-Bawaba News reported.
The seminar will start at 1 P.M., at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League States, in the presence of the Chairman of the Arab Human Rights League, Dr. Hadi Bin Ali al–Yami, the Minister of Human Rights in Yemen, Mr. Azzedine al-Asbahi, and Chancellor Asad Naeem Younis, head of the Arab Human Rights Committee of the Yemeni delegation
http://www.albawabaeg.com/65376
Kommentar: Das wird eine schöne Propagandaveranstaltung werden. Die Hadi-Regierung ist mit einem Minister für Menschenrechte und dem Leiter eines Menschenrechtskomites vertreten. Die saudischen Luftangriffe werden mit keinem Wort zur Sprache kommen.
11.10.2015 – Albawaba
Aden Governor commends UAE efforts in liberating and rebuilding Yemen
Major-General Jaafar Mohamed Saad, Aden's new Governor, has commended the role that the UAE forces have played in liberating Aden from Houthi militants and Saleh forces. In a statement to the UAE-based daily newspaper, Al-ittihad, the governor said, "We will never forget the role that the UAE has played in the liberation of Aden. The results of the efforts exerted by the Emirates Red Crescent have been seen in different fields which proves the genuineness of the brotherly relations between the UAE and Yemen." He went on to say, "We have high hopes regarding the Saudi-led Arab Coalition's plans to help in rebuilding Yemen and revive its economy."
http://www.albawabaeg.com/65340
Kommentar: Die jemenitischen Vasallen wiederholen dieselben Propagandaphrasen wie ihre Herren in Riad und am Golf.
10.10.2015 – The National UAE
Coalition goals remain on track in Yemen
The goal ultimately is not simply to reinstate Mr Hadi and his government but to bring peace, stability and economic opportunity to a country that was already the poorest in the Arabian peninsula well before the Houthis and Saleh-aligned militias took over large parts of it. The Dh522 million raised in the Emirates Red Crescent’s Yemen: We Care campaign is part of Dh808 million the UAE has allocated to Yemen from public funds. Our leaders have pledged that more will follow to ensure the lives of ordinary Yemenis improve.
In stark contrast to that are the reports emerging from Yemen that retreating Houthi militias have been randomly shelling civilian areas and blockading medical and other supplies from being sent to Taez, a strategically important former Yemeni capital located between Sanaa and Aden.
Sooner or later, Yemen will return to Hadi government control. The rebels can let that happen now by negotiation, rather than inflicting more suffering on ordinary Yemenis caught in the middle.
http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/coalition-goals-remain-on-track-in-yemen = http://www.pressreader.com/uae/the-national-news/20151011/281913066943246/TextView
Kommentar: Siehe Kommentare unten. Hier kommt noch die absolute Gewissheit des völligen Sieges hinzu.
10.10.2015 – China.org
UAE think tank warns of Yemen's "annexation" by Iran
United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based think tank warned of Yemen's "annexation" by Iran, and listed reasons in a report why defeating Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen by the Saudi-led Arab coalition is a must-win battle, UAE state news agency WAM reported on Friday.
The report, conducted by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) in collaboration with UAE's Ministry of Education, warned that Yemen could turn into a "subservient state of Iran through its Houthi proxies," thus restoring legitimacy as well as security, order and stability in the country is another must-do.
In order to make people aware of priorities for Yemen, the ECSSR in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has lined up a number of lectures to be delivered to students of government schools. The lectures are expected to give them an opportunity to take part in national dialogue and understand the real reasons behind the coalition, WAM reported.
The think tank went on to say that preserving Yemen's Arab identity is of utmost importance. "If the country is ruled by Houthis, it will be annexed by Iran, which already harbors plans to obliterate the identity of the whole Arab region."
A Houthi control of Yemen will be "a repeat of Lebanon's Hezbollah experience," and turn it into a permanent threat to the Gulf Arab countries, the ECSSR said.
http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2015-10/10/content_36782003.htm = http://tankler.com/iran-is-preparing-for-annexation-of-yemen-report-2765#
10.10.2015 – Asharq Al-Awsat
The Houthi movement has sent to the foreign ministries of several countries letters in which they criticized the Saudi-led coalition and provided false information about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Asharq Al-Awsat has learnt.
The letters, which bore the symbol and official seal of the Yemeni Foreign Ministry, called for the need to allow aid into the country.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yemen’s Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin said his country’s diplomatic missions abroad contacted the ministry’s temporary headquarters in Riyadh to inform it about the letters. Yassin accused the Houthis of fraud, saying that all diplomatic memoranda issued by the foreign ministry in Sana’a after the Houthis took over the capital were illegal.
10.10.2015 – Arab News
TV program on Yemen reconstruction
A new weekly program entitled “Yemen After the Storm” will begin Monday at 9 p.m. on Tabah Saudi television to be aired from Madinah and will last for 30 weeks.
“The program will be a medium for Yemenis and Saudis to extend their gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman,” Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan, the program host, told Arab News.
The initiative to thank the Saudi monarch was initiated by Al-Hassan himself, who said that the message of thanking the king would be done during the program.
Prominent Yemeni and Saudi nationals have been invited as guests “to talk on how to rebuild Yemen after the storm.”
One of Yemeni guests is Alexander Al-Asabahi who will talk about the role of the media to educate the citizens about their country after the war.
“He will talk about their concerns not only about their safety but also how to rebuild their country which greatly suffered in the wake of the conflict,” he said.
He said Al-Asabahi will make an appeal to rich people —Yemenis, Saudis, among others — to contribute to the reconstruction effort by donating money.
Prominent Saudi nationals will also talk on the occasion. Abdul Mohsin Al-Hokair, also known as “Emperor of Touism,” will encourage Yemenis to help in the reconstruction.
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/818196
9.10.2015 – Asharq Al-Awsat
Arab coalition denies targeting wedding party in southwest Yemen
Investigations by the Yemeni government found the attack took place when local militants clashed with Houthi rebels trying to enter the governorate
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi group in Yemen has denied its warplanes targeted a wedding party in the southwestern Dhamar Governorate on Thursday, maintaining that the incident was caused by a firefight between the Shi’ite rebels and militants from the governorate.
“Arab coalition warplanes did not fly over Dhamar governorate on Thursday evening,” spokesman Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri toldAsharq Al-Awsat.
“It is not our strategy to target civilians and residents, no matter what,” Asiri said via telephone, adding that investigations by the legitimate government found that the attack took place when local militants clashed with Houthi rebels trying to secure a foothold in the governorate.
The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported that a coalition airstrike killed and injured dozens at a wedding party in Dhamar on Thursday.
Given its presence on the ground, the government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is the only credible source, Asiri argued, calling on international organizations to cooperate with the Western-backed government in investigating such incidents.
“The [Saudi-led] coalition welcomes any international commission of inquiry into such incidents,” Asiri said, adding that the Arab coalition is not responsible for every single explosion that happens in Yemen.
On the humanitarian side, Asiri said efforts to deliver aid to civilians in Yemen were underway and that ships loaded with foodstuffs and medical supplies were constantly arriving in the country’s ports.
He said: “Six relief ships arrived in Al-Hudaydah’s port and 12 in Aden’s port on Wednesday.
9.10.2015 – BBC
Saudi ambassador defends human rights record - Newsnight
The Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations, Abdallah Y. al-Mouallimi, speaks to Emily Maitlis about the situation in Syria and the country's human rights record.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlt2EptjS9U&feature=youtu.be
9.10.2015 – Middle East in Focus
As the multi-faceted war in Yemen continues, the war of words between regional actors who have been involved in the proxy-war has accelerated. The Arab coalition countries have long been vocal about what they see as Iran’s support for the rebels.
Bespricht propagandistische Artikel in den Medien der Golfkoalition, ein Interview mit dem Führer der Hisbollah, und einen iranischen Artikel, der im Wesentlichen dasselbe aussagt wie Berichte von Amnesty International – Die Iraner haben hier diesmal gar keine „Propaganda“ nötig.
http://www.mepc.org/articles-commentary/commentary/can-yemen-turn-corner
Das sind u. a.:
7.10.2015 – Khaleej Times
There can be no talks if the Houthis do not surrender their weapons. The ball is in the Houthi court.
If the Iranian regime thinks it can control the region through Yemen, it is mistaken. Iran's hegemonic designs will be foiled by GCC resolve which is stronger than ever to drive out the occupying terrorist force. Tehran seeks to create divisions in Arab ranks while supporting militias like the Houthis who have no legitimacy in the country. On Tuesday, four more Emirati soldiers died in the battle for Yemen. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. It has only strengthened Gulf resolve to continue the campaign, capture Sanaa the capital, and bring succour to ordinary Yemenis battered by decades of war and civil strife.
The Iranians can expect retribution from the coalition, which will break the back of the Houthis' resistance. The repercussions will be felt all the way in Tehran if the regime does not mend its ways and acts on its words for peace. The Yemen crisis has brought the Arab states closer for a common cause against a foe that continues to meddle in their affairs. This unity has caught Iran offguard as it tries to sow discord in the ranks.
It's also time to call the Iranian bluff after the nuclear deal, which masks a deadly strategic plan by the regime, who want to influence geopolitics in the Middle East. Tehran has been talking peace, while planning for war. It is stoking dissent and aiding rebels and terrorists in countries like Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
The latest attack on President Hadi's headquarters in the port city of Aden shows the rebels have regrouped. There can be no talks if the Houthis do not surrender their weapons. The ball is in the Houthi court.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/editorials-columns/yemen-campaign-boosts-gcc-resolve
Kommentar: Totale Kapitulation (surrender their weapons) als Vorbedingung, um überhaupt Friedensgespräche zu beginnen?
Occupying terrorist force: Als wären die Huthis fremde Besatzer im Jemen. Wer sind denn fremde Besatzer im Jemen?
Houthis who have no legitimacy in the country. Wer hat denn „Legitimität” im Jemen? Genaugenommen niemand. “Präsident” Hadis Amtszeit ist im Februar 2015, also schon vor Beginn der saudischen Intervention, abgelaufen, und damit auch die seiner ganzen Regierung.
Their sacrifices will not go in vain. It has only strengthened Gulf resolve to continue the campaign: Die eigenen Gefallenen werden zur Durchhalte-Propaganda missbraucht.
Bring succour to ordinary Yemenis battered by decades of war and civil strife: So wird hier die saudische-VAE Intervention beschrieben.
Und wieder wird alles mit dem Iran begründet, weit über den Jemenkonflikt hinauis: It's also time to call the Iranian bluff after the nuclear deal, which masks a deadly strategic plan by the regime.
The latest attack on President Hadi's headquarters in the port city of Aden shows the rebels have regrouped. Nicht die Huthis haben die Anschläge in Aden verübt, sondern ISIS. Hier wird immer noch so getan, als wären es die Huthis gewesen. Und selbst wenn: Die saudischen Luftschläge haben schon Dutzende ähnlicher Anschläge verübt. Man könnte mit diesem Text noch weiter machen, lassen wir’s.
11.10.2015 – Gulf News (updated)
UAE’s resolve will not be deterred in Yemen
Martyrs’ blood has strengthened the determination to restore peace in the war-torn country
Tuesday’s loss of life is tragic. The UAE, in recent weeks, however, has shown that its men and women who wear the uniform of this nation are proud to serve, fight and pay the ultimate sacrifice in supporting the people of Yemen.
The UAE and its allies in the international coalition, who are turning back these rebels and usurpers, will not be deterred from their mission: Freeing Yemen and restoring the legitimate government. And make no mistake either — this is a cause that has the backing of a United Nations Security Council resolution and is endorsed by all the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Yemen and its people are a strategic partner in guaranteeing the security and political independence of the Arabian peninsula, free from outside influence, unbeholden to Iran.
The territorial integrity of Yemen must be respected and its geographical importance protected, ensuring the free movement of shipping through the Bab Al Mandab strait, from the Red Sea into the Arabian Sea. Any attempt by Iran or its proxies to control that key point has to be opposed both strategically and economically. And with the efforts of the UAE and its allies, that objective has been secured.
The UAE and its coalition partners have scored victories on the ground, where most of Yemen now has been cleared of Al Houthi forces and the focus is shifting towards regaining the capital, Sana’a. Yes, terrorists and extremists will always look for targets of opportunity to strike when they can, but the reality is that security and stability are being restored across Yemen by the international coalition and its partners on the ground.
And the allies are gaining ground and defeating Al Houthi and rebel forces on the battlefield. Yesterday, the party of Yemen’s former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, said that it was willing to accept the terms of a peace plan brokered by the UN in talks in Oman.
The General People’s Congress, to whom many of the army units fighting alongside Al Houthis are loyal, now realises that they cannot turn back the coalition tide and the cause of justice, and want peace. Al Houthis, reports yesterday afternoon suggested, were coming to this same realisation. If the leadership of the rebels accept that the only way forward is to recognise the legitimacy of the Yemeni government, agree to surrender their weaponry and accept the terms of a peace agreement, they too can be partners in building a better Yemen for all, free of outside influence.
But make no mistake either: Failing to agree means that the UAE and its allies will eradicate every trace of opposition to ensure that Yemen rises free again. The blood of those UAE martyrs these past weeks has only strengthened that resolve.
http://gulfnews.com/opinion/editorials/uae-s-resolve-will-not-be-deterred-in-yemen-1.1596887
Kommentar: Die eigenen Gefallenen werden zur Durchhalte-Propaganda missbraucht. Ansonsten: Holzhammerartige Dauer-Wiederholung immer derselben Parolen. Auch hier wird der innerjementische Konflikt in einen iranischen Imperialismus umetikettiert. Interessanter Aspekt: Die freie Schifffahrt in der Meerenge Bab Al-Mandab als eine Rechtfertigung für den Krieg gegeben die Huthis. Nur: der immer angeführte Iran hat hier keine Basis und keine Kriegsschiffe. Die Huthis haben die Schifffahrt nie behindert. Die einzigen, die in diesem Bereich die Schifffahrt behindert haben, sind die Saudis mit ihrer Seeblockade der jemenitischen Häfen. Und auch hier wieder die Forderung, die Huthis müssten kapitulieren. Wie war das bei uns in anderen Zeiten: Der Herr Reichspropagandaminister gibt die Themen, den Standpunkt, die Wortwahl vor?
4.10.2015 – Asharq Al-Awsat
Avoiding a Confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran
For those acquainted with the situation, it is not difficult to understand the reasons for Saudi concerns over Iran. Iran has expanded to the extent where it now has a military presence in Saudi Arabia’s immediate environs: to the north in Iraq, and in Saudi Arabia’s southern neighbor Yemen, while its affiliates are active as opposition groups in Bahrain to the east. Iran is also present in Syria where it is directly managing the conflict there on behalf of the Assad regime. Iran is investing plenty of its manpower and funds in a project which seemingly aims to lay siege to the Gulf countries.
Iran’s other protest against Saudi Arabia concerns what it calls “the Saudi war” in Yemen. Iran objects to this intervention despite the approval it has gained from all the UN Security Council’s members approved and dozens of Islamic countries. Iran has realized that its investment in supporting the Houthi rebels—who are a small group—is now evaporating into thin air after the rebels were close to seizing power in Yemen following their coup and capture of the legitimate Yemeni president. “Saudi intervention” blocked the path of Iranian military supplies destined for the Houthis by sea and by air as it shut down the Al-Hudaydah port, shelled the runway of Sana’a Airport, and sought the help of the US Navy to impose naval inspections on supplies from Iran by sea.
The Iranian government’s increased appetite to expand its activities in the Middle East contradicts US statements that Tehran’s recent nuclear deal with world powers will turn Iran into a country preoccupied only with its domestic affairs—thereby giving up its foreign adventures and seeking to cooperate for the sake of economic openness in order to improve the quality of services it offers its citizens. What is happening now is the complete opposite of that.
Escalating tensions in Saudi Arabia’s relations with Iran are a warning sign that the situation in the region will get markedly worse unless both countries work to put these relations in a context governed by standard diplomatic protocols.
The nuclear agreement has led to increased concerns from Arab countries, as it has ended economic and military sanctions that were imposed against Tehran. This has intensified disputes between Arab countries and Iran and has also worsened the bickering that exists in the media and in diplomat circles – by Abdulrahman Al-Rashed
Kommentar: Auch das ist nichts Neues, dass Saudi-Arabien alles mit dem Iran begründet, damit es in seinem Hinterhof endlich die totale Kontrolle übernehmen kann, worauf die Saudis seit über 70 Jahren hinarbeiten.
2.10.2015 – Arab News
Editorial: Tehran’s unabated meddling in Yemen
Tehran is brazenly prepared to fight this conflict down to the last Houthi terrorists.
What matters, of course, is that the Iranians have lit yet another fire in the Arab world. If they care about the destruction of life and property in a country that already faced severe economic challenges, it is only in celebration. Tehran’s planners of havoc have been frustrated in their attempts to sow dissent and disorder in Bahrain. Yemen appeared to be the vulnerable backdoor to the Arabian Peninsula. It is a door that the Saudi-led coalition is firmly slamming shut.
The calamity is that Washington, though fully supportive of Operation Decisive Storm, refuses to recognize the insidious Iranian threat to the region’s stability. The nuclear deal with Iran has mesmerized the Obama administration. Yet the removal of sanctions will empower the Iranians to continue their deadly campaign of mischief-making
Obama has been suckered by the acceptable, civilized face of the Iranian regime.
Obama and his people should immediately think again about the nuclear deal and the easing of sanctions. A regime that can regard the civilized greeting of a handshake [Protest konservativer Mullahs im Iran gegen Handschlag des iranischen Außenministers mit Obama] as a scandal, is clearly not itself civilized. It cannot be trusted to behave in a reasonable and moderate fashion. If Iran’s dangerous meddling in the Arab world has not been enough to convince Washington of its political dementia, the furious protest at that handshake ought to clinch it.
http://www.arabnews.com/editorial/news/814211
Kommentar: Noch einmal die propagandistische Iranmasche, auch mit ganz klarer Zielrichtung gegen den Atomdeal mit dem Iran und in Richtung USA.
Terrorismus / Terrorism
10.10.2015 – Tribune and NDTV from AFP
Al Qaeda in Yemen claims killing of 'sorcerers'
Al Qaeda in Yemen claimed on Saturday to have killed four men suspected of practicing witchcraft and sorcery in an area controlled by the militants.
Residents of Mayfaa town in the southeastern province of Hadramawt said al Qaeda militants had distributed a pamphlet naming the four men.
“We have implemented Allah’s ruling against them, which is the death sentence,” said the flier that was also posted on walls in the area.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/970664/al-qaeda-in-yemen-claims-killing-of-sorcerers/ = http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/qaeda-in-yemen-claims-killing-of-sorcerers-1230593 see also http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/al-qaeda-yemen-claims-killing-men-witchcraft-151010121503397.html
1.5.2015 – Vocativ
ISIS Posts First Beheadings In Yemen, Claims More Territory
ISIS has been working quickly to show it has established a foothold in Yemen, trying to take advantage of the deteriorating security situation. The country continues to face relentless air strikes led by Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has also made gains, taking over a port city in Yemen’s south.
Recently an affiliate loyal to ISIS released a video declaring the group hasestablished a caliphate in Yemen, promising to strike at the Shiite Houthi rebels who took over the capital of Sana’a in January. The rebels’ battles with pro-government forces prompted President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi to flee the country, and Saudi Arabia quickly formed an Arab coalition to fight the rebels from the sky, regularly pounding both civilian and military targets on the ground to thwart the Houthis.
In the midst of all this, ISIS has published a new video it says is from Shabwah province in Yemen’s south that it claims to control, that shows ISIS loyalists beheading several Houthi rebels and shooting Yemeni soldiers at point blank range.
http://www.vocativ.com/news/188992/isis-posts-first-beheadings-in-yemen-claims-more-territory/
Neue Artikel zum Nachlesen 1-31:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder
http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
Bilder von saudischen Luftangriffen
(18+, nichts für Sensible, Graphic!)
http://poorworld.net/Yemen/Sanaban-Wedding-1.htm
http://poorworld.net/Yemen/Sanaban-Wedding-2.htm
http://poorworld.net/Yemen/Sanaban-Wedding-3.htm
http://poorworld.net/Yemen/Sanaban-Wedding-4.htm
http://poorworld.net/Yemen/Sanaban-Wedding-5.htm
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