Allgemein / General
22.10.2015 – The Guardian
Yemen is shattered and peace seems a long way off. The world can’t just watch on
Leaving the Yemen conflict unresolved isn’t only devastating to Yemen and the region, but also to British and American interests. A Yemen ensnared in war threatens many of the expected gains from the Iran nuclear deal; gains that cannot be realised in a heavily unstable region with multiple ongoing wars. As long as the conflict continues, the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait appears set to be mired in conflict; Yemen’s Gulf neighbours remain at risk of spillover.
Indeed, the only beneficiaries from an extended conflict in Yemen and the consequent collapse of state institutions are extremist groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State (Isis). These groups have been gaining ground and filling the power gap resulting from the ongoing chaos. Since early April, al-Qaida has held Hadhramout, Yemen’s largest governorate and one of the two major oil-producing regions in Yemen. In July, the Brookings Institute said that Isis was the “one local winner” of this war.
In recent weeks this assessment has appeared to prove to be overly optimistic, as Isis, practically unknown in Yemen until this war broke out, has claimed a number of bloody suicide bombings in the capital Sana’a, and released a number of videos bragging about their armed presence in the city of Aden.
In 2011, Yemenis of all political stripes, including Houthis, flocked to the streets in hopes of a better future. Today, many of those who once found themselves standing side by side in protests now find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. It’s a tragedy that underlines the flurry of broken dreams and shattered hopes in the country.
Today the world is watching the killing of innocent civilians in Yemen every day, and it is a shame to stand as silent observers while millions of Yemenis suffer from a conflict that they have no control over.
The UK, together with its international and regional partners, needs to publicly pressure both sides – the Saudi-led forces and the Houthi rebels backed by ex-president Saleh – to agree to a ceasefire and return to a political settlement immediately. At the moment, such a peace settlement remains in the realm of the possible. But, left to smoulder, Yemen risks continuing to inflame the region for years, if not decades to come – by Farea Al-Muslimi and Rafat Al-Akhali
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/22/yemen-peace-conflict-al-qaida-isis
21.10.2015 – Huffington Post
Intimate Photos Tell Stories Of Coping And Resilience In Yemen
These rare images are a reminder of the beauty of everyday life in Yemen despite the brutal war.
Yemeni photographer Thana Faroq, who is based in Sanaa, set out to prove that life exists beyond the war. On the Facebook page Everyday Yemen, she collects stunning images of life beyond the fighting -- vendors laughing in the market, children giggling on a curb, a game of darts in the streets.
Yemen was once a pivotal crossroads for travel and commerce, flourishing as a center of the textile and spice trades. The country is considered the birthplace of coffee and continues to celebrate rich customs and traditions, including creating impressive works of literature and theater.
"The purpose was to show that love and peace could exist amidst destruction and death," Faroq said in an email. "I aimed to tell stories of coping and resilience and that ordinary people could be heroes as well." – by Rowaida Abdelaziz and Chris McGonigal
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yemen-everyday-life-photos_5624f085e4b0bce347014038
21.10.2015 – Lobelog
Negotiations Going Nowhere Fast in Yemen
The Saudi coalition relies on the logistical support and resupply of munitions from the United States and United Kingdom. It’s in the U.S. best interest, and in the best interest of its Gulf allies, to stop resupplying the Saudi campaign without credible commitments to a negotiated settlement. Congress is already, perhaps belatedly, scrutinizing the campaign and the material role that American support is playing. Thirteen members of Congress recently sent a letter to President Barack Obama, noting their concern over the campaign and reiterating UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s call for an end to the bombings. Senator Patrick Leahy also suggested that providing support to the coalition may violate a law he authored making it illegal to sell arms to countries that use them to commit human rights violations. The U.S. commitment to broader Gulf security is largely irreversible, but it does not extend to the campaign in Yemen.
The UK government is also enduring increased scrutiny from concerned parliamentarians and human rights monitors. Moreover, continued attacks against civilians, ongoing reports of blocking humanitarian aid from the US Navy, and the exploitation of the conflict by violent actors like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula will prevent an uncritical long-term commitment to resupplying and supporting coalition bombers. Should the United States and United Kingdom decide to act on their legal commitments–both international and domestic–the coalition would be forced to more seriously examine the prospect of a negotiated solution. The Gulf coalition will remain swayed by military options so long as their allies continue to guarantee their stockpile and operational efficacy.
The US and UK commitments to Gulf and Yemeni security should include playing a role in guaranteeing the outcome of negotiations, but the Yemeni government must commit to such negotiations first. The predictable human and social costs of a military solution preclude any rational American or British support, and that’s a message that’s worth sending now as political negotiations appear viable yet again. But the coalition still appears determined to continue the war. If the Kingdom’s allies truly wish to change the coalition’s calculus, now is the time – by Adam Simpson
http://lobelog.com/negotiations-going-nowhere-fast-in-yemen/
Kommentar: Die Genfer Friedengespräche im Juni sind schon im Vorfeld gescheitert, weil die Hadi-Regierung auf der Annahme der UN-Resolution 2216 durch die Huthis bestand und die Huthis sich untereinander nicht darauf verständigen konnten, wer sie nun in Genf vertreten sollte.
21.10.2015 – Here and Now
A Closer Look At Yemen’s Civil War
Peace talks are due to take place this month between Yemen’s government in exile – which is stationed for the moment in Saudi Arabia – and the Shiite rebels, called Houthis, who now control much of the country after a civil war broke out in March.
The war has already killed more than 2,300 civilians and has drawn regional players into the fight. Coalition forces, led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the U.S., have been trying to force out Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. Those rebels forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi from office earlier this year.
Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with writer Gregory Johnsen and Doctors Without Borders coordinator Karline Kleijer, about the war in Yemen and the humanitarian situation on the ground.
Guests: Gregory Johnsen, author of “The Last Refuge: Yemen Al-Qaeda and America’s War in Arabia” and Karline Kleijer, emergency coordinator in Yemen for Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/10/21/civil-war-yemen
Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian Situation
21.10.2015 – UNO
Yemen: 3.3 million people in need of critical aid in besieged Taiz, warns UN health agency
The top United Nations health official in Yemen is appealing for unrestricted access to Taiz, where “innocent lives are at risk” in the besieged highland city where more than 3.3 million people are in critical need of health assistance, safe drinking water, food and fuel.
“The situation in Taiz is alarming,” warned Dr. Ahmed Shadoul, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Yemen.
“Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians need life-saving medicines and health services, food, safe water and fuel,” Dr. Shadoul said. “Humanitarian and health needs are increasing and the limited response we have been able to provide is not enough.”
Despite efforts by WHO to provide medicines and medical supplies to Taiz governorate, sufficient for 600,000 beneficiaries, including 250,000 people inside Taiz City, shortages of fuel and medicines have forced most health units in villages to shut down.
“Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and cancer, are unable to access life-saving essential medicines and dialysis centres due to limited access of health facilities and reduced functionality of others,” according to WHO.
WHO also said that shortages in food have led to significant price hikes, with many people now unable to afford basic food items, resulting in increased risk of malnutrition, especially in children.
“The main wells providing safe drinking-water have shut down due to interruptions in power supply and lack of fuel for generators,” the agency reported.
Through collaboration with health authorities in Taiz and its partners, WHO has been controlling a dengue fever outbreak in the governorate this year.
“There is so much more we can do for the people of Taiz, but we need unrestricted access so that we can reach more people, and additional funding to allow us to scale up our response,” said Dr. Shadoul.
“Unless we are able to overcome these two challenges, more innocent lives are at risk,” he said. “I call on all parties to the conflict to allow delivering aid into Taiz, and for the international donor community to support our work.”
He appealed for $60 million urgently needed for life-saving response operations across the country until the end of this year.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52332#.VijWDCtpn3E
21.10.2015 – Gift of the Givers
Photos of starving children – Fotos unterernährter Kinder
http://www.giftofthegivers.org/disaster-relief/yemen/854-photo-gallery-starvation
21.10.2015 – British Red Cross
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: HOW BAD IS LIFE IN YEMEN RIGHT NOW?
About 21 million people – far more than the populations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales combined – are in need of aid.
Men, women and children have been caught up in a conflict not of their making. They are struggling to survive.
Two-thirds of the Yemen’s people can’t get hold of safe drinking water. Fuel is hard to come by, and so expensive that many hospitals can’t afford to run their generators.
This means no electricity to power vital equipment, neo-natal units and operating rooms. What would you do if the lights went out as you were on the operating table?
People don’t have enough food to eat. Import restrictions are making it harder to get essential goods into the country. These restrictions must be lifted immediately.
People aren’t even safe in their homes – neighbourhoods of ordinary families have been bombarded again and again. This has to stop.
There are moments of hope. In the midst of the mayhem, Red Cross staff and volunteers have brought people life-saving food, water and medical supplies.
But to carry on with this work, they need to be able to reach people safely. Staff and volunteers have already died trying to get urgent help to those who need it – by Craig Burnett
Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
23.10.2015 – Middle East Eye
Dozens die as Houthis shell Yemen's Taiz
Red Cross official says situation in Taiz is 'dire' as 29 reported dead and many others injured in day-long rebel attacks targeting province
Twenty-nine people were killed and 90 others injured in shelling in Yemen's Taiz province by the Houthi militia, reports say.
Residents told the Anadolu agency that a number of homes were destroyed in the attacks, which reportedly lasted all day on Thursday.
Antoine Grand, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen, expressed deep concern.
“The situation in Taiz is particularly dire, even by the standards of the appalling conditions all over Yemen, with nearly half of the hospitals closed and streams of wounded people desperate for treatment,” Grand said.
Anadolu reported that the Houthi militia fired volleys of Katyusha rockets.
After more than six months of conflict, the people of Taiz have been suffering severe water, food, electricity and fuel shortages, according to the Red Cross.
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-killed-houthi-shelling-yemens-taiz-265594282
23.10.2015 – Aljazeera
Yemen's Taiz in 'catastrophic state' as fighting rages
Red Cross says humanitarian situation in country's third-largest city is dire as rocket fire and air strikes escalate.
Taiz, considered Yemen's third largest city and cultural capital, has suffered huge destruction since becoming a main battleground in the country's war.
"We urge groups to give us access in order to help those inside the city," Adnan Hazim, media officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said.
The city is currently divided between government supporters and the Houthis, who are backed by forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Red Cross said nearly half of the hospitals in in the city were closed and streams of wounded people "desperate for treatment".
Thousands have fled Taiz and those left behind face severe shortages in water, food and electricity.
Air strikes and indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Taiz on Wednesday killed 22 people and wounded 140 others, the aid group said in a statement, citing local hospitals as their sources.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/yemen-taiz-151023090703604.html
22.10.2015 – AFP
Yemen's Taez facing acute medicine, food shortages: Red Cross
Intensifying fighting in Taez has plunged the Yemeni city into a desperate situation, with closed hospitals and acute shortages of medicines, food, water and fuel, the Red Cross said Thursday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the battles in Taez, which remains in the hands of forces allied with President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, was blocking the supply of essentials from the central city.
"The situation in Taez is particularly dire, even by the standards of the appalling conditions all over Yemen, with nearly half of the hospitals closed and streams of wounded people desperate for treatment," Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC's delegation in Yemen, said in a statement.
"We have been asking the parties concerned to authorise the delivery of urgent medicines to the Al-Thawra hospital for the last five weeks, to no avail so far," he said, stressing that "this shipment is critical to save lives".
His comments came after at least 22 civilians were killed and more than 140 wounded when suspected rebel rockets rained down on Taez on Wednesday.
"We are deeply concerned not only by the restrictions imposed on movements of essential goods into Yemen, but also inside the country," Grand said.
The ICRC urged all parties to the conflict to take all the necessary precautions "to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to lift the restriction of movement of essential goods into and within Yemen."
http://news.yahoo.com/yemens-taez-facing-acute-medicine-food-shortages-red-193103730.html
22.10.2015 – Iran English Radio
Saudi attack martyrs 10 fishermen in northwest Yemen
Fresh attacks by Saudi warplanes in Yemen’s northwestern coasts have martyred at least 10 fishermen as the civilian death toll keeps rising with Saudi attacks going unabated.
Yemen’s al-Masirah TV said on Thursday that the fishermen were martyred after Saudi fighter jets pounded their boats off the coast of Uqban Island in al-Hudaydah Province.
The report said several others were wounded in the airstrike on the relatively calm area which is located around 100 kilometers from the provincial capital.
The attacks came hours after Saudi jets launched incessant airstrikes in Yemen's third-largest city of Taiz in the southern province of Taiz in a bid to back followers of the ousted fugitive president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who were reportedly engaged in fierce clashes with fighters from Ansarullah movement.
Saudi airstrikes were also reported in the northern Sa’ada Province, a main bastion of support for Ansarullah and a major target of Saudi attacks over the past months. A report by Maisrah said areas in Dahwan district in the city of Razih were bombarded, with no immediate details available on potential casualties
22.10.2015 – Yemen Post
Yemen forces thwart Houthi attempt to infiltrate into south
The Yemeni forces backed by the popular resistance thwarted an attempt by the Houthi militants to infiltrate into the province of Dhali, local sources said.
The sources affirmed that fierce battles broke out early Thursday in the town of Qatabah on the border with the province of Ibb after two Houthi convoys were trying to enter Dhali.
Around a dozen of fighters from both sides were killed in the battles, they said, adding that the Houthis retreated to Ibb.
Recently, the Houthis have attempted to infiltrate into southern cities including Abyan which were retaken from them in recent months.
Dhali was the first southern city retaken.
So far, the Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing the Houthis since March, helped the national forces to drive the militants out of most of the southern regions.
In the meanwhile, well-informed sources said clashes between the Yemeni forces and Sudanese troops broke out late on Wednesday at Aden Airport.
Six Sudanese and two Yemeni troops were killed in the battles that erupted after Sudanese troops spread at the airport, according to the sources.
Hundreds of Sudanese troops have lately arrived in Aden and more are yet to deploy in support of the Arab coalition.
In Taiz, sources within the popular resistance said the national forces and resistance retook key positions from the Houthis today.
In addition, the Saudi-led coalition bombed Houthi forces at Taiz University, the district of Salah and other parts helping the Yemeni forces and the popular resistance to make key gains on these war fronts, the sources said.
Battles between the national forces and the Houthis continued in the provinces of Marib and Baidha, according to military sources.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=8249&MainCat=3
Kommentar: Yemeni forces hier: Jemenitische Streitkräfte auf Seiten der Saudi-Koalition. Popular resistance: Kämpfer aller Art auf Seiten der saudischen Koalition mit hohem Anteil Al Kaida.
22.10.2015 – El Akhbar
20 Yemenis Killed in Saudi Airstrikes, Sudanese Troops in Yemen
At least 20 Yemeni people have lost their lives and numbers of others have sustained injuries in the latest wave of Saudi airstrikes against Yemen
On Saturday, Saudi fighter jets bombarded a mosque and a gas station in the Hajr area of the Qabbaytah district in Yemen’s southwestern province of Lahij, killing seven civilians and wounding seven others, Yemen’s Saba Net news agency reported.
Meanwhile, five Yemenis were killed and three more injured after Saudi bombers pounded the Saqayn district in the northern Yemeni province of Sa’ada.
Saudi warplanes also targeted a bank and a residential complex in the Mukha district of the southern province of Ta’izz, leaving four people dead and dozens more injured.
In the Khadir district of Ta’izz, Saudi missiles hit a gas station and killed four Yemenis. Several others were also wounded in the raid.
In another development, hundreds of Sudanese forces reportedly arrived in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden on Saturday, the first group of an estimated 10,000 troops, who are to join the Saudis in the invasion of Yemen.
According to reports, the Sudanese will be stationed in Aden and participate in the battle against Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah fighters.
http://el-akhbar.com/en/Yemenis-Killed-Saudi-18103/
22.10.2015 – Fars News
4 Sudanese Mercenaries Killed in Yemen
The Yemeni forces killed four Sudanese soldiers and two ISIL terrorists in clashes in the city of Aden, the Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, al-Ahed news website said that 12 Sudanese soldiers were killed and injured in a car bomb blast near Aden airport.
The Yemeni army and Ansarullah fighters also regained control of al-Malh Mountains that overlook al-Kofel military base in Sarwah district in Ma'rib Province, according to the Yemeni defense ministry.
The Saudi-led forces fighting against the Yemeni government have hired foreign mercenaries, specially Sudanese soldiers, after they were badly defeated in the Southern port of Aden.
"Soldiers of the Sudanese army along with their vehicles were seen moving in several areas across the Southern province of Aden," the Arabic-language Al-Manar TV quoted local sources as saying.
The sources reiterated that the move comes after heavy losses were inflicted upon the Emirati forces operating in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940730000367
Kommentar: Die Huthis wieder in Aden??
22.10.2015 – Channel News Asia
Heavy fighting breaks out in Yemen's Taiz city
At least 20 Houthi militia fighters were killed in heavy clashes in Yemen's third-largest city Taiz on Thursday, a day after they pounded it with rockets, forces loyal to the government said.
Also on Thursday, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said at least 12 Hadi supporters were killed in an ambush by Houthi fighters in Marib, east of Sanaa. Reuters could not verify the deaths.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/heavy-fighting-breaks-out/2211038.html siehe auch mit viel Propagandagetöse
22.10.2015 – The National UAE
Houthis repelled as battle for Taez intensifies
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/houthis-repelled-as-battle-for-taez-intensifies
dazu:
23.10.2015 – Yemen News Today
Taiz popular resistance consists of a Salafist militia led by Abu Alabbas, Islah militias, AQ Qaeda, and maybe joined now by Sudanese soldiers, plus aerial bombing by the pro-Saudi coalition. It is usually reported as if Houthis alone fire upon civilians in Taiz. The reality is that the Houthis and most of the Yemen army fight alongside each other, and are fighting other groups, albiet as they move amongst the population the civilian areas are invariably hurt and often targeted. It is disgusting but it is not just the Houthis that are doing disgusting things - far from it.
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1036495119836312
22.10. 2015 – Iran German Radio
Saudi fighter jets target Yemen’s Sa’ada with cluster bombs
Saudi warplanes have bombarded several areas across Yemen’s Sa’ada Province with banned cluster bombs.
Yemen's al-Massira television channel reported on Wednesday that the Saudi airborne assaults claimed the lives an unspecified number of Yemeni civilians.
Riyadh has used cluster bombs on Yemenis multiple times during the past months. Back on Monday, Saudi warplanes dropped at least 10 cluster bombs on the Haydan district of the Northwestern Province a day after Yemeni media released a video showingthe residential area of Maran villagein the same province being targeted with the banned bombs by Saudi warplanes.
Meanwhile, Saudi fighter jets conducted a series of airstrikes, targeting an air defense camp in the Western Province of Hudaydah, as well as two islands in the Northwestern Province of Hajjah.
Airstrikes on the Western Sana’a Province also claimed the lives of at least two people and left several others injured.
22.10.2015 – Southfront
Yemen: the Threat of Hodeida and Arms Supplies
Local fighting is continuing in nearly all provinces of the country. Last week, the coalition forces established control over the port city of Mokha on the Red Sea coast. But this operation was not followed through even though the capture of Mokha allows one to continue the offensive onto Hodeida,t he last sea port through which the Houthi rebels can receive weapons and materiel from Iran. There are, however, doubts on whether the Iranians are providing regular supplies to the Houthi using sea channels, as Aden hasclaimed earlier. According to the experts, the seized trawler was heading not for Yemen but for Eritrea. From there, the weapons were supposed to be transferred via Sudanese channels to the Sinai, and from there to the Gaza Strip. The Iran-Hamas “bridge” is once again in operation, and nobody in Sudanis about to turn down arms smuggling. According to the experts, there are plenty of weapons in the warehouses controlled by the Houthi and by president Saleh supporters. Arab coalition air forces did destroy a few things, ofc ourse, but not enough to undermine the fighting power of the Houthi and their allies.
http://southfront.org/yemen-the-threat-of-hodeida-and-arms-supplies/
Kommentar: Es ist falsch, dass die saudische Koalition Mokha eingenommen hätte. Sie hat die Stadt in der letzten Woche zweimal bombardiert (s. dazu Southfront selbst im folgenden Artikel): Interessant die Überlegungen über Waffenschmuggel und die Bewaffnung der Houthis.
21.10.2015 – Southfront
Yemen Map of War – Oct. 15-21, 2015
The Saudi coalition is stuck in a quagmire in the historical Northwestern Houthi areas and has made little progress on the road to Sana’a. They were expelled from the Southern province of Bayda and has lost some territory in the Southwestern provinces of the Kingdom in the past week, losing a large number of soldiers and equipment there – by Akram Abu Abs
– Der Krieg Tag für Tag mit Karte– The war day per day with map
http://southfront.org/yemen-map-of-war-oct-15-21-2015/
21.10.2015 – The National UAE
Sudanese troops deployed to Yemen are specialists in combat on mountain terrain and will be used to help liberate Ibb and Taez, both mountainous provinces, a Yemeni army official has said.
Yemeni Brigadier Sameer Al Haj said he expected more Sudanese soldiers to arrive in Aden in the coming days, to join the 950 already deployed.
A first batch of Sudanese troops arrived at the city’s port on Saturday, while another arrived on Monday. Sudan is part of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that is working to restore the government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi in Yemen. The coalition’s ground operation is being led by Emirati and Saudi troops.
Brig Al Haj also confirmed previous remarks by the director of Aden’s security office, Mohammed Mosaed, who told The National that Sudanese forces would not be taking part in operations in Aden.
The popular resistance in Taez, which has become the focalpoint of the conflict against the Houthis, said they welcomed the news that they would be reinforced by Sudanese soldiers.
“We believe that the liberation of Taez is [only] a question of time and we want mountainous fighters to come to Taez as [the terrain] is not like Aden’s – Taez needs fighters who can fight in mountains,” said Moa’ath Al Yaseri, a leading figure in the Taez resistance.
He said the resistance was coordinating its operations with coalition forces, and confirmed that his fighters were working according to coalition plans.
Taez city remains in the hands of forces loyal to Mr Hadi’s government, though others parts of the province have been taken over by the rebels.
Coalition forces and loyalist fighters have recaptured several parts of the province from the rebels, including areas leading to the coastline surrounding the strategic Bab Al Mandeb strait and the city of Dhubab. They are now advancing towards Mokha, a city further up the coast from Dhubab that is held by the Houthis.
21.10.2015 – Reuters
Rockets fired by Houthis kill 14 civilians in Yemen: medical sources
Fourteen civilians were killed in one of Yemen's largest cities on Wednesday when shells fired by Houthi fighters and their allies, forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, fell on their neighborhoods, medical sources said.
The sources said the shells also wounded some 70 people in the neighborhoods of Tahrir and Daboua in the city of Taiz, in southwestern Yemen.
The Iran-allied Houthis and Saleh's forces are battling a Saudi-led coalition which is trying to restore the government of Yemen's current president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which is now based in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.
Taiz, one of the largest cities in Yemen, has for weeks been a main battleground between the two sides and the fighting has caused significant casualties and forced thousands to flee.
Houthi officials were not immediately available to comment.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/21/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0SF2V320151021 siehe aber auch http://khabaragency.net/lasten39752.html
21.10.2015 – Press TV Iran
Saudi soldiers killed in retaliatory attacks by Yemeni forces
Yemeni forces have carried out retaliatory attacks against military bases Saudi Arabia has set up in Yemen’s central province of Ma’rib and similar targets on the Saudi soil.
According to local media reports on Wednesday, the Yemeni forces hit a Saudi base in Ma’rib, where at least 50 Saudi soldiers were killed.
The Yemeni army also attacked Saudi positions in the district of al-Khobe in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern border province of Jizan. Reports said five Saudi soldiers were killed in that strike.
A similar number of fatalities on the part of Saudi forces was also reported in the southwestern region of Asir in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, Saudi warplanes conducted seven airstrikes against various areas in the city of Sirwah, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of the capital, Sana’a.
Saudi warplanes also launched three airstrikes against the Abs district of Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah, though no reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused were available.
Additionally, Saudi aircraft bombed the military camp for the Yemeni Army’s 117th Brigade in the town of Mukayras in the central province of Bayda.
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/21/434388/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Marib-Jizan-Khobe
Südjemen / Southern Yemen
23.10.2015 – The Economist
The unbeautiful south: As the fighting moves north, chaos is left behind
Far from pacifying the south, the coalition has left it in chaos. In the strategic port city of Aden, in just one day, Islamic State, which operates in Yemen’s ungoverned spaces, claimed attacks on the UAE’s command post, an encampment of its troops and a hotel housing Yemeni politicians. Fighters from al-Qaeda, already in control of the eastern city of Mukalla, have pushed west, imposing their radical brand of Islam on conquered territory. Locals fear they will try for Aden next.
Aden was meant to be the exemplar of a “liberated” Yemen. Instead it serves as a terrible warning. The region around it is armed to the teeth. But when the Houthis pulled out, so too did the state security forces. The government in exile of Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi made a show of returning in September, but quickly scurried back to Saudi Arabia after failing to assert itself. Local fighters, representing a hodgepodge of interests, have been left to their own devices. “No one is handling law and order,” says Mohammed Albasha of the Navanti Group, a research firm. Services have also broken down. Aden is now said to be awash in sewage.
Arising from the mess is a separatist movement that has been fuelled by both the Houthis’ destruction and the government’s many failures. Yemen was formally divided after independence until 1990, and the flag of the old South Yemen is once again a common sight in Aden. Southerners have long complained of unfair treatment by the north, which they accuse of plundering the region’s jobs and resources. On October 14th thousands called for secession at a demonstration in the city. But even the separatists are split between several different factions.
The coalition has added to the discord. The Emiratis, who detest Islamism, have scorned Islah, Yemen’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and an important source of resistance fighters. Saudi Arabia supports Islah, but bankrolls the ultraconservative salafists. It also hosts Mr Hadi, still the internationally recognised president despite his unpopularity back home.
dazu:
22.10.2015 – Khaleej Times
More Sudanese troops to arrive in Yemen
The new plan is designed to impose the power of the state, rule of the law, track down the elements involved in chaos.
Sudanese troops in Yemen started carrying out the duties assigned to them by the Saudi Arabia-led Arab Coalition fighting the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to ousted former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Sudanese contingent will secure some strategic positions at present, and more troops are expected to arrive from Sudan.
Local authorities in Aden, and in collaboration with the coalition forces, began to implement a new security plan to protect the city amid intensive deployment of soldiers in all the provinces.
The new plan is designed to impose the power of the state, rule of the law, track down the elements involved in chaos. It also meant to make give law some teeth, and activate the role of police.
Houthi militias and the forces loyal to Saleh were trying, through sleeper cells, and some extremist organizations, to tamper with the security and destabilize the city of Aden.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/more-sudanese-troops-to-arrive-in-yemen
Kommentar: So sieht die Sicherheitslage in der Propaganda aus: Wir haben die Sache im Grunde doch einigermaßen im Griff. Das ist freilich wie im Arbeitszeugnis die Bewertung: „war stets bemüht“.
Hadi-Regierung / Hadi government
23.10.2015 – Foreign Policy
Can This Man Save Yemen?
Vice President Khaled Bahah is trying to push back the Islamic State and make peace with his Houthi rivals. But progress is hard to come by in war-wracked Yemen these days.
Bahah has been touted as a key figure in Yemen’s future. Western diplomats have increasingly dropped even the pretense of coyness in private, casting the removal of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi — and Bahah’s ascension to the powers of the presidency — as a key goal. But Bahah doesn’t pull his support only from the West: He has appeared to earn the trust of key Gulf actors, while remaining one of the few generally respected political figures among Yemenis — both among opponents and supporters of the ongoing Saudi military action. Notably, at the start of the conflict, even the Houthis offered him a position as the head of a presidential council under their auspices.
In many regards, this is more about what Bahah isn’t than about what he is. Because he was out of the country when the internationally backed transition that saw Yemen’s Arab Spring devolve into a civil war took place, Bahah wasn’t a party to the bulk of the Hadi-led orders’ failures.
Bahah served as oil minister under then President Ali Abdullah Saleh from 2006 to 2008 and was later appointed ambassador to Canada – because of, rumor has it, official dissatisfaction with his firm stance against the corruption rife in Yemen’s oil and gas industry. He defected from Saleh’s administration during Yemen’s 2011 uprising, and was later appointed ambassador to the United Nations by Saleh’s successor, Hadi. From there, he climbed the ranks of the new government: In October 2014, Bahah was named prime minister as part of a cabinet formed after the seizure of the Yemeni capital by the Houthi rebels, and was appointed Hadi’s vice president earlier this year in an apparent gesture toward an as-yet elusive political solution to Yemen’s conflict.
As Yemen’s government-in-exile tentatively agreed to peace talks this week, Bahah has distanced himself from the maximalist rhetoric of many in his camp toward negotiations with its Houthi rivals. The implementation of Security Council Resolution 2216, which calls on the Houthis and their allies to withdraw from areas they’d seized during the recent conflict, has been at the center of the government’s demands – and Bahah affirmed his belief that it was necessary for a true political settlement to take place. But while hard-line elements in the government have demanded full implementation prior to any negotiations, Bahah personally endorsed unconditional talks with the Houthis, saying that Resolution 2216 could function as a viable roadmap for a solution to the crisis.
Such comments — uncontroversial as they may seem — mark a key difference between Bahah’s views on how to end the conflict and those of President Hadi and his closest aides.
Bahah also appeared to subtly break with more hard-line elements of the Saudi-led coalition that has launched a six-month-long bombing campaign in the country. He appeared deeply cognizant of the humanitarian crisis the campaign has contributed to, and called for the opening of seaports, airports, and land routes — which, according to international aid groups, remain impeded by the actions of both Houthi and allied fighters and the Saudi-led coalition.
But the question of whether productive change is even possible in Yemen at this point remains an open one – by Adam Baron
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/23/can-this-man-save-yemen/
Kommentar: Man darf und soll ja durchaus Hoffnungen haben. Und annehmbarer als Hadi mag Bahar in der Tat sein. Aber auch er ist eine Person des alten Establishments noch aus Salehs Zeiten. Und als Mann des Hadi-Regimes bleibt er mit den saudischen Luftangriffen verbunden und wird für die Bevölkerung des Nordens nicht akzeptabel sein. Vielleicht ein Mann für den Übergang; für die Zukunft sicher nicht.
UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
22.10.2015 – Yemen Post
Government demands UN action over Taiz war crimes
The Yemeni government demanded the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action toward the war crimes committed by the Houthi militants in the southern province of Taiz.
In a letter to the UN quoted by the Saba news agency on Thursday, the government criticized slowness in responding to war crimes and violations of the laws of war in Yemen.
"The war crimes in Taiz are a sign the Houthis and their ally, the General People's Congress, are not serious in taking UN peace efforts," it said.
The government and the Houthi militants are preparing for UN-brokered talks in Geneva.
The letter came a day after 22 civilians including children were killed and dozens injured in Houthi rocket attacks on populated areas in Taiz.
Medics said the provincial hospitals lack medicines and equipment a problem that adds to the suffering in the city.
In addition to hysterical shelling killing many civilians, the Houthis has been imposing a siege around Taiz which has been preventing commodities from reaching the people for months.
The siege was a war tactic after battles between the government forces backed by the popular resistance and the Saudi-led coalition and the militants.
People are suffering from harsh conditions as the siege and battles have left the city without water, food and other supplies.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=8248&MainCat=3
Kommentar: Das Schreiben der Hadi-Regierung an die UN hätte seine Berechtigung, wenn nicht eben diese Regierung die saudischen Luftangriffe konsequent beschweigen würde. Ja, Hadi hat den Saudis vor der UN-Vollversammlung sogar für die Luftangriffe gedankt. So outet er sich jetzt auch mit diesem Brief einmal mehr als Heuchler, dem ermordete Zivilisten völlig egal sind, außer, er kann aus ihnen politisches Kapital schlagen.
22.10.2015 – Al Araby
Yemen: Taiz massacre threatens peace talks
A deadly rocket attack by Houthis on the Yemeni city of Taiz has sparked outrage, with calls to scrap peace talks, as Prime Minister Bahah reveals differences with President Hadi
The massacre perpetrated by the Houthis in the city of Taiz in southern Yemen is threatening to blow up the efforts for a UN-sponsored political settlement of the Yemeni conflict.
Around 23 were killed and 92 others were injured after rockets were launched by Houthi and pro-Saleh rebels at residential districts of Taiz, according to medical sources who spoke to al-Araby al-Jadeed.
Many Yemenis reacted angrily, calling for the dialogue with the Houthi rebels to be halted and for military efforts to liberate the city to be accelerated.
In a statement, the Resistance Coordinating Council called on the legitimate government it supports to refuse any dialogue with the militias, calling the attack a crime of "genocide and revenge" for which the rebels should be tried and punished. Several Yemeni civil society groups also called on the government to end dialogue with the Houthis in the aftermath of the Taiz attacks, and quickly end the siege of the city.
Online, Yemeni activists launched social media campaigns objecting to dialogue "with the killers," calling for an end to the Geneva 2 process.
Aref Abu Hatem, writer and political analyst, said: "We must raise our voice after the Taiz massacre...dialogue and negotiations with militia leaders would now be an unforgivable crime."
Saad al-Sawai, activist, echoed Abu Hatem's view, writing: "Dialogue with militia leaders after what happened is betrayal of the blood that has been spilt."
Meanwhile, sources in the United Nations office in Sanaa told al-Araby al-Jadeed that several obstacles have made it difficult to convene a meeting in Geneva at the end of October, with many throny issues still waiting to be resolved before launching the peace talks.
The sources said the Geneva 2 conference has now been postponed for several weeks, to allow time to reach certain understandings prior to the talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.
http://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/politics/2015/10/22/yemen-taiz-massacre-threatens-peace-talks
Kommentar: Friedensgespräche wären dazu da, um solche Massaker zu beenden und nicht, um irgendwelche moralische Maßstäbe an eine Kriegspartei anzulegen. Da der Feind immer böse und schlecht ist, hieße das, nie mit ihm zu verhandeln. Und man könnte diese Leute mit den Vorwürfen an die Huthis noch ernst nehmen, wenn es die saudischen Luftangriffe nicht gäbe. So fallen die Anschuldigungen nur auf die eigene Seite zurück. Und so kommt an ihre Adresse sogar noch ein Vorwurf dazu: Heuchelei.
Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
22.10.2015 – Democracy Now
U.S. Ally Saudi Arabia Prepares to Behead, Crucify Pro-Democracy Protester Ali Mohammed al-Nimr
A young Saudi protester is set to be beheaded and crucified for his role in 2012 pro-democracy protests. Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested at the age of 17 and convicted of encouraging protests during the Arab Spring. He faces execution any day. Earlier this month, in response to mounting international pressure to release al-Nimr, the Saudi Embassy in London said, "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any form of interference in its internal affairs and any impingement on its sovereignty or the independence and impartiality of its judiciary." We are joined by Clive Stafford Smith of the international legal charity Reprieve, which has just released a report on executions in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, in response to mounting international pressure to release al-Nimr, the Saudi Embassy in London issued a statement saying, quote, "the judiciary is an independent body and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any form of interference in its internal affairs and any impingement on its sovereignty or the independence and impartiality of its judiciary." So, Clive Stafford Smith, can you talk about the report that Reprieve released and what you found on executions? Who is sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia?
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/10/22/us_ally_saudi_arabia_prepares_to
21.10.2015 – Human Rights Watch / Observer
With the Saudis, the West Should Take No Prisoners
At last, Saudi Arabia’s dismal human rights record is getting media scrutiny, thanks in part to news that Saudi authorities plan to lash 74-year-old Karl Andree, a British cancer survivor, 350 times for possessing homemade alcohol. Flogging in the kingdom entails a series of strikes with a wooden cane, with blows distributed across the back and legs, normally not breaking the skin but leaving bruises.
This ruling comes after a year of bizarre and cruel punishments meted out by the Saudi judiciary, including the public flogging of liberal blogger Raif Badawi in January and a death sentence for Ali al-Nimr, a Saudi man accused of protest-related activities allegedly committed before he was 18 years old.
These incidents came to light even though Saudi Arabia bans independent human rights monitors. Saudi Arabia rarely grants United Nations experts or human rights organizations access, and because it has no law allowing non-governmental associations, domestic human rights groups are de facto forbidden. More than a dozen Saudi human rights advocates are languishing in prison today for “crimes” related to their “illegal” human rights work; most are convicted for “setting up an unlicensed organization.” These include activists such as Waleed Abu al-Khair, currently serving an outlandish 15-year sentence solely for his work exposing the government’s human rights abuses.
While Saudi Arabia receives some public scorn for discrimination against women, there is less public knowledge about its systematic intolerance of religious minorities. The country bans the public practice of any religion other than Islam: there are no Christian churches or Hindu temples to address the religious needs of millions of foreign workers.
Allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom rarely criticize Saudi abuses; one U.S. official even recently “welcomed” Saudi Arabia’s participation at the Human Rights Council. British Prime Minister David Cameron responded to the possible flogging of Mr. Andree by meekly asking Saudi officials not to carry out the punishment.
However, the unprecedented attention on Saudi Arabia’s abuses in 2015 may be altering these dynamics, creating incentives for U.S. and European politicians to support human rights in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia will employ all of its significant economic and diplomatic clout to intimidate and silence anyone who dares to challenge it on human rights grounds. According to The Intercept, the news site co-founded by Glenn Greenwald, Riyadh has recently hired several PR firms and lobbyists in Washington, including The Podesta Group, Edelman and DLA Piper to try to burnish its image.
But no PR campaign can whitewash the lashing of an elderly man, the public beheading of an alleged child offender, or the senseless bombing of Yemeni civilians. People are starting to take notice—and perhaps if the U.S. government raised its voice for human rights the Saudi government would rein in its abuses – by Adam Coogle
http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/10/21/saudis-west-should-take-no-prisoners = http://observer.com/2015/10/with-the-saudis-the-west-should-take-no-prisoners/
22.10.2015 – Die Presse
Hadsch-Katastrophe wird Politkrimi
Einen Monat nach der Massenpanik in Mekka verheimlicht Saudiarabien weiter die Opferzahl. Indizien weisen auf mehr als 4100 statt offiziell 769 Tote hin. Ein Prinz könnte mitschuldig sein.
Weltweit machen Meldungen die Runde, die Massenpanik in Mina habe dreimal mehr Menschenleben gekostet, als Riad mit 769 Toten einräumt.
So belegt die neueste Zusammenzählung der Daten in Meldungen zu ausländischen Opfern durch die Nachrichtenagentur AP, dass bisher 2177 Todesopfer identifiziert worden sind. Und: Hunderte Menschen werden nach der tödlichen Massenpanik noch immer vermisst.
Die Website Middle East Eye hatte zuvor in der Notfallklinik von Mekka ausgehängte Suchfotos dokumentiert, deren Nummerierung bei 2253 endete. Und noch eine Seltsamkeit: Auf der Website des saudischen Gesundheitsministeriums war am 29. September für wenige Minuten sogar von 4173 Toten die Rede gewesen, bevor der Eintrag rasch wieder verschwand.
Aktivisten gelang es aber, einen Screenshot zu machen. Vizegesundheitsminister Mohamed Aldowale habe ein Buch mit 4173 Fotos von Pilgern erhalten, die in Mina ums Leben kamen, hieß es in dem gelöschten Text. Und: „Die ursprüngliche Statistik ging von 769 Toten aus, die endgültige Zahl jedoch ist auf 4173 gestiegen, nachdem das Ministerium weitere Leichen erhalten hat.“
Trotzdem hüllen sich die Saudis eisern in Schweigen, das Gesundheitsministerium verweigert jede Stellungnahme zu seinem mysteriösen Webeintrag
Die rein saudische Ermittlungskommission jedoch steht möglicherweise vor der unlösbaren Aufgabe, die Ursachen der Hadsch-Tragödie korrekt zu benennen, ohne gleichzeitig die eigene Staatsspitze zu blamieren. Denn bereits 24 Stunden nach dem Unglück berichteten zahlreiche Medien, zwei Zugänge zu der Jamarat-Brücke, wo die Panik begonnen hatte, seien wegen eines VIP-Konvois gesperrt gewesen. Das hätte den Rückstau und damit die Katastrophe ausgelöst.
Nach Angaben der libanesischen Zeitung „al-Diyar“ aber saß in dem Autokorso just Vizekronprinz Mohammed bin Salman, eskortiert von 150 Polizisten und 200 Soldaten. Nach dem Unglück sei die Wagenkolonne des jungen Verteidigungsministers davongerast, das Areal wurde für Presse und Fernsehen gesperrt, um die Rolle des Thronfolgers zu verschleiern.
Das Innenministerium räumte später ein, dass ein VIP-Konvoi zur Unglückszeit in Mina war, wies jedoch den heiklen Zeitungsbericht als inkorrekt zurück. Stattdessen machte Gesundheitsminister Khaled al-Falih die Betenden selbst für die Tragödie verantwortlich: „Wären die Pilger den Anweisungen gefolgt, hätte dieser Unfall vermieden werden können“, erklärte er.
Falls jedoch dieses pompöse VIP-Gebaren die Ursache der Katastrophe sei, stünde mit einem Schlag die gesamte Führungsspitze Saudiarabiens am Pranger: König Salman, der sich mit dem Titel „Hüter der beiden heiligen Moscheen“ schmückt und nicht mehr im Vollbesitz seiner geistigen Kräfte sein soll, Kronprinz Mohammed bin Nayef als Innenminister und Hauptverantwortlicher für die Hadsch-Sicherheit sowie Vizekronprinz Mohammed bin Salman als möglicher Verursacher – von Martin Gehlen
http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/welt/4849977/HadschKatastrophe-wird-Politkrimi?_vl_backlink=/home/panorama/welt/4827924/index.do&direct=4827924 dort weitere Links zum Thema
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate / United Arab Emirates
22.10.2015 – Gulf News
‘Yemen: We Care’ campaign steps up relief work
UAE volunteers fan out in liberated city of Aden and neighbouring governorates
While the ‘Yemen: We Care’ campaign may be over in the UAE, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) will continue accepting all kinds of donations to support its relief efforts in the liberated Yemeni city of Aden and other neighbouring governorates.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Haj Al Zarouni, Manager at the Emirates Red Crescent Dubai branch told Gulf News that 170 volunteers from the UAE are currently in Aden working diligently on all humanitarian fronts to secure the basic needs of the Yemeni people.
Amid efforts to put a smile on the faces of children and families who have suffered the traumatic effects of war, the ERC volunteers held a beach carnival last week, where they organised a variety of activities for children, orphans and people with special needs.
“The carnival aimed to provide emotional support to the children, the elderly and families who attended, and to spread happiness and restore hope in the path to draw a new future for Aden,” said Al Zarouni.
The carnival and social activities held in Aden cost a total of Dh275,000.
Al Zaroni added that over 4,000 food packages are being distributed daily given the high levels of poverty in Yemen. Parcels for over 170,000 families are yet to be distributed, he added. “The 170,000 parcels sorted in the warehouse will aid 800,000 people in Yemen.”
Maintenance work in schools and hospitals in Aden are also apart of the rebuilding projects.
Around Dh220 million has been allocated for power generation projects in Aden and 90 per cent of these projects are now operational, said Al Zarouni. He added that a total of 110 schools are now operational after being evamped, equipped and furnished, while others are currently in the rebuilding and repair phase. “It has been confirmed that 110 schools in Aden have been reopened and students are now attending classes.”
The ERC has allocated Dh81.3 million for rebuilding of schools in Yemen, and Dh9 million for medicines and medical supplies. A total cost of Dh84.5 million has been spent for restoring and re-equipping hospitals and clinics in Yemen.
While relief and reconstruction efforts are currently centred around Aden and other areas liberated from the Al Houthis, aid will expand to all other Yemeni provinces as the security situation improves – by Jumana Khamis
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/yemen-we-care-campaign-steps-up-relief-work-1.1605285
USA
22.10.2015 – Telepolis
Drohnen-Krieg - Geschichten hinter den Opfern
In den "Drone Papers" wurde der amerikanische Drohnenkrieg enthüllt, das Schicksal der Opfer ist weithin unbekannt geblieben
Nach dem Angriff auf die Rehman-Familie fand das altbekannte Prozedere statt. Die Medien berichteten, wieder einmal von einem Drohnen-Angriff in Waziristan, bei dem "mutmaßliche Terroristen" getötet wurden. Was dies bedeutet, ist mittlerweile klar. Abgesehen davon, dass laut dem Weißen Haus jeder "junge Mann im wehrfähigen Alter" als "feindlicher Kombattant" gilt, tragen viele Medien ihren Beitrag zur Misere bei, indem sie jegliche Berichte, etwa jene des pakistanischen Geheimdienstes, der eng mit den USA kooperiert, ohne jegliche Skepsis übernehmen.
Im Fall von Momina Bibi wurde erst durch Recherchen des in London ansässigen "The Bureau of Investigative Journalism" (TBIJ) klar, dass kein Terrorist mit Kalaschnikow, sondern eine alte Frau beim Okra-Pflücken getötet wurde. Eine herausragende Rolle spielte auch Shahzad Akbar, ein pakistanischer Anwalt, der sich für die Rechte von Drohnen-Opfern und ihren Hinterbliebenen einsetzt. Im Oktober 2013 reiste die Familie Rehman nach Washington, wo sie vor dem US-Kongress ihre Zeugenaussagen abgeben sollten. Akbar hätte sie eigentlich begleiten sollen, allerdings wurde ihm die Einreise verweigert. Obwohl hierfür kein Grund genannt wurde, meint Akbar, dass sein Engagement gegen die Drohnen-Politik der USA der Auslöser war.
Als Nabila und Zubair vor dem Kongress ihre Aussagen machten, war der Saal alles andere als gefüllt. Von den 430 Repräsentanten waren nur fünf anwesend. Das Schicksal der Kinder aus einem weit weg gelegenen Dorf in den Bergen schien so gut wie niemanden zu interessieren.
Während der Zeugenaussagen brach der Dolmetscher in Tränen aus. Nabilas Vater richtete sich an alle Amerikaner und stellte immer wieder die Frage, warum es zu diesem Angriff kam und ob seine Töchter etwa wie Terroristen aussehen würden. Ähnliches gab Nabila von sich: "Was hatte meine Großmutter getan? Warum wurde sie umgebracht?" All diese Fragen blieben bis heute unbeantwortet – von Emran Feroz
http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/46/46334/1.html
21.10.2015 – Democracy Now
U.S. Sells New Warships to Saudi Arabia Despite Warnings of War Crimes & Civilian Deaths in Yemen
The Obama administration has approved an $11.25 billion deal to sell four advanced, Lockheed Martin-made warships to Saudi Arabia. The move comes as Amnesty International has called on the United States to halt arms transfers to Saudi Arabia or risk being complicit in war crimes in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is waging a U.S.-backed campaign against Houthi rebels. We speak to Rep. Ted Lieu about his critique of U.S. policy in Yemen and Syria.
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/10/21/us_sells_new_warships_to_saudi
Russland / Russia
21.10.2015 – Interfax
Yemen delegation head highly appreciates Russian anti-terrorist campaign in Syria
ince the start of the air force operation in Syria, Russia has achieved such results in the fight against terrorism as were never seen from the U.S.-led international coalition in all of its campaign, the head of Yemen's delegation and deputy head of the Supreme Revolutionary Council of Yemen Naif al-Qanis has said.
"Russia is actually fighting terrorism in Syria and it has achieved such results that the U.S. and other nations could not achieve in all these years," Al-Qanis told a press conference on Oct. 21.
The delegation of Yemen's Supreme Revolutionary Council arrived in Moscow with an official visit just because it believes that "Russia really opposes terrorism," he added.
It was earlier revealed by the Russian Foreign Ministry that Russia's Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had received on Tuesday a delegation composed of representatives of Yemeni social and political organizations, including the Socialist Party, Baath Party, Ansar Allah and the Southern Movement.
Großbritannien / Great Britain
22.10.2015 – Amnesty International
Yemen: UK minister's remarks over UK arms 'far too relaxed' as civilian death toll mounts
Responding to today’s remarks during a parliamentary debate by the Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood that weapons supplied by the UK to Saudi Arabia have “probably” been used in the conflict in Yemen, Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:
“Mr Ellwood is far too relaxed about the horrible civilian death toll in Yemen.
“The government has previously said that it simply relies on Saudi Arabia’s ‘assurances’ over the proper use of UK-supplied weapons by its forces in Yemen, but how can this ever be good enough?
“Mr Ellwood only needs to read our recent report on Yemen - with its evidence of the reckless nature of the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing campaign in Yemen - to set off the alarm bells
“Instead of sitting back and hoping for the best over Saudi Arabia’s use of our weaponry in the blood-drenched conflict in Yemen, he should be suspending all further arms exports to Saudi Arabia and announcing an urgent investigation into whether UK arms have been killing civilians in their hundreds in Yemen.”
In today’s debate in Westminster Hall, Mr Ellwood said that “I can probably confirm that they [British manufactured arms] probably have been used. We sell arms to Saudi Arabia - they are using weapons systems which we then sell. The more pertinent question is are they being used responsibly or not and that is the more important question and we need to make sure they are used in that responsible matter.”
22.10.2015 – Parliament Live
Debate on Yemen Conflict, House of Commons, Second Chamber
http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/9850b81f-96c0-433f-bf13-726cef1d25a2
Transcipt: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151022/hallindx/151022-x.htm and http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2015-10-22a.425.0
Debate Pack, which some members even seem not to have read: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CDP-2015-0077
So this was told by Government Minister Tobias Ellwood: “If there are human rights violations, they must absolutely be looked into, but I am not aware of any such evidence at the moment. We need to be careful about hearsay“ and “To be clear, I therefore very much welcome the crucial role of the Saudi-led coalition in reversing the military advance of the Houthis and the forces loyal to former President Saleh.“
See also
15.10.2015 –They work for you
Barry Sheerman Labour/Co-operative, Huddersfield
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the sale of arms manufactured by UK companies to governments which have committed human rights abuses.
Tobias Ellwood The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
This Government supports a responsible defence and security industry that helps meet the legitimate defence needs of other states, and contributes to their security and law and order. We take our arms export responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world. All defence and dual-use exports are required to meet the UK’s strict export control legislation and adhere to the UK international commitments including international treaties and obligations. Each application for an export licence is subject to rigorous case-by-case assessment against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. Risks around human rights violations are a key part of our assessment.
Does this answer the above question? You can vote – My vote was the very first – I voted “No”.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2015-10-09.10747.h&p=11437#g10747.r0
Es geht auch anders: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/portsmouth-south-mp-urges-government-not-to-dismiss-war-in-yemen-1-7027230
Deutschland / Germany
22.10.2015 – Süddeutsche Zeitung
Deutschland liefert Kampfpanzer nach Katar
Der Golfstaat Katar bekommt deutsche Kampfpanzer geliefert. Nach Informationen der Süddeutschen Zeitung sind kürzlich vier Panzer vom Typ Leopard 2 sowie drei Panzerhaubitzen Richtung Katar verschifft worden. Da Katar nach Medienberichten im Bürgerkrieg in Jemen engagiert ist, könnte somit eine Kriegspartei mit Gerät aus Deutschland ausgerüstet werden. Dies dürfte die Bundesregierung und vor allem Wirtschaftsminister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) unter Druck bringen. Die entscheidende Genehmigung erteilte aber die schwarz-gelbe Vorgängerregierung.
Das Ministerium habe "wegen der veränderten politischen Situation in der Region eine Überprüfung angestoßen, in die andere ebenfalls zuständige Ressorts miteinbezogen wurden", heißt es in einem Schreiben des Ministeriums an den Bundestag, das der SZ vorliegt. Einige Ressorts seien "trotz der veränderten politischen Rahmenbedingungen" nicht bereit gewesen, die Genehmigung zu widerrufen. "Eine Rücknahme einer bereits erteilten KWKG-Genehmigung löst auf jeden Fall Schadenersatzforderungen des Unternehmens aus", heißt es weiter. "Deshalb verblieb dem Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie nur die Option, die ausstehende AWG-Genehmigung zu erteilen." Über die erste Ladung hinaus sind nach SZ-Informationen dieses Jahr noch sechs weitere Leopard 2 zur Ausfuhr vorgesehen.
Vor diesem Hintergrund hat das Wirtschaftsministerium laut Schreiben an den Bundestag "gegenüber dem Auswärtigen Amt, dem Bundesministerium der Verteidigung und dem Bundeskanzleramt dazu gedrängt, von Katar eine Zusicherung zu verlangen, dass die zu liefernden Rüstungsgüter nicht in Jemen eingesetzt werden". Kanzleramt und Auswärtiges Amt würden "dementsprechend auf Katar zugehen".
Kommentar: „Armselig“ und „verlogen“ können das gar nicht angemessen kommentieren. Angeblich wegen zu befürchtender „Schadenersatzforderungen des Unternehmens“ habe man die Ausfuhrgenehmigung nicht widerrufen können? Es gibt also ein einklagbares Grundrecht auf Rüstungsexporte??? Und wie man sich dann aus diesem moralischen Bankrott herauswinden will: „gedrängt, von Katar eine Zusicherung zu verlangen, dass die zu liefernden Rüstungsgüter nicht in Jemen eingesetzt werden“: Das ist lächerlich. Sie werden im Jemen eingesetzt werden, wo sonst???
Propaganda
22.10.2015 – The National UAE
Star Wars film brings some cheer amid grim accounts from Yemen
Emiratis have been showing support for soldiers serving in Yemen through an Arabic hashtag. They have urged others to do the same.
Addressing those heroes @OxygenElkone wrote: “We take pride in your heroic actions.” He also prayed for those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Encouraging the soldiers, @AlzuodiF said that they should prove to the world that “Sheikh Zayed’s sons” could help other countries to overcome hardships.
Faisal @Faw_900 wished he could write a poem to express his gratitude towards those heroes. He thanked his “Arab brothers” for showing that “we don’t accept humiliation”.
Mohammed @AlNazerAlFalasi wrote: “Do you know what the word ‘man’ means? It means one who is not afraid of anything and anyone, except the almighty Allah.”
@AlNazerAlFalasi pointed out that when Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said that his son was not more precious to him than any of his countrymen, it was clear that “our beloved leaders” have genuine concerns for fellow citizens.
@shsm_ wrote: “With the blood spilt in Yemen by our soldiers, there are stories to be written. He said that their sacrifices would never go in vain.”
The Yemeni tragedy
A young Yemeni boy, Fareed, who told his father and the doctors not to bury him after his death became a sensation. Fareed sustained injuries in an air strike.
“The child’s words summarise the tragedy of Yemen,” wrote Ammar @ammaro.
Ahmed @AHA1R struck a similar note saying that the video of the dying child “showed the price Yemenis paid for the war”. Another Twitter user commented on the same matter. This young boy has become a symbol of the suffering in Yemen, said another tweeter.
Some like @PaxAfricanus brooded over the damages suffered by some of Yemen’s ancient cities.
Retweeting a post, Hisham @omeisy noted how the governate of Saada bore the brunt of the war. He was sad that “Saada was completely razed to the ground” – von Sarah Khamis
http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/star-wars-film-brings-some-cheer-amid-grim-accounts-from-yemen
Kommentar: Schöne Heldenpropaganda, zeitgemäß auf Twitter. Briefmarken zum „Heldengedenktag“ war vorgestern. Interessant, dass in diesem Artikel auch Kritik an der Saudi-Koalition zum Ausdruck kommt. Demnach wurde der Junge, dessen qualvoller Tod sogar in westlichen Medien Aufmerksamkeit erregte, durch einen Luftschlag getötet, also durch die Koalition. Und dass hier sogar ein Hinweis auf die Zerstörung des kulturellen Erbes angebracht wurde und der den Saudis abgeneigte Polititanalyst Omeisy aus Sanaa zitiert wird mit der völligen Zerstörung von Saada – das ist schon beachtenswert.
23.10.2015 – Emirates 24 7
Experts urge containment of Yemen by GCC
Recommend overall development after defeating the Houthi group
Arab academicians, analysts, experts and writers on Wednesday urged for containing Yemen by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and stressed that the GCC states are able to rehabilitate the country after defeating the Iranian-backed Houthis rebels.
They explained that expanding the Arab Coalition should be based on clarity of vision and success in the current operations in Yemen.
Participants were speaking on the second and last day of a forum organised by the Arabic-language daily ‘Al Ittihad’ to discuss consequences of the Houthi coup in Yemen and the response of GCC members to the Iranian proxy militia. They presented insights into Yemen's strategic importance for the security of the GCC, gave in-depth analysis of the situation in Yemen and the dangers of Iran's control of Yemen through its proxies in the country, the Houthi rebels.
Emirati researcher Salim Salmeen Al Nuaimi, noted that UAE participated in the Arab Coalition's Operation Decisive Storm because it clearly sees threats to its own national security.
He warned that if the Houthis seize control of Yemen, Tehran would be more influential in Yemen and the country will turn to a passageway for African migrants on their way to the Arab GCC states. This, he stressed, makes it urgent for the GCC states to contain and rehabilitate Yemen after they will have defeated the Houthi rebels.
Researcher Ahmed Abdulmalik noted that rehabilitating Yemen requires an agenda that goes beyond security and military considerations and focusses on development aid that would ensure stability in Yemen in the long run.
Wahid Abdulmajeed, Editor-in-Chief of the Egypt's Al Siyassa Al Dawliya Journal, said the formation of a pan-Arab Coalition should be founded on the success of its operations in Yemen and recognition of, and agreement on common threats that have to be faced.
The experts recommended that in addition to containing Yemen, the Houthi rebel group should be stripped of popular support and its social incubators in Yemen, and that overall development should be initiated in Yemen to prevent it from sliding back to Iran's hegemony.
They noted that containing Yemen should thwart Iran's attempts to take advantage of any vacuum in this region. They noted that if Yemen's accession to the GCC bloc is difficult now, the process can be carried out gradually over 15 years with admitting Yemen to a GCC free trade zone or customs union as a start.
http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/experts-urge-containment-of-yemen-by-gcc-2015-10-23-1.607798
Kommentar: Man kann die üblichen Propaganda-Versatzstücke auch in Gestalt einer “Experten”-Konferenz aufgeteilt auf verschiedene „Experten“ (auch deutsche Medien treiben übrigens Missbrauch mit diesem Wort) vorbringen lassen. Was auch durchscheint: Eine vertragliche Friedenslösung steht gar nicht auf der Agenda, sondern „defeating the Houthi group.
22.10.2015 – WAM
Yemen's President offers condolences on victims of Houthi militia in Taiz
President of Yemen, Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, today made two phone calls to Hamoud Saeed al-Mikhlafi, a leader of the popular resistance in Taiz and Brigadier General Adnan al-Hamadi, the commander of the 35th Armored Brigade, to offer his condolences to the families of martyrs who fell today in the barbaric bombardment launched by al-Houthi militia and the forces loyal to the ousted Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, on a number of residential areas in the city of Taiz.
Mansour called on the National Army and Popular Resistance forces in Taiz to stand strong in their fight against militia forces, stressing that the victory will come sooner or later. He also reiterated his support to all resistance fronts in Taiz province and the rest of the governorates of Yemen to libralise all cities. He also emphasised the importance of solidarity in the face of al-Houthi militia and forces loyal to the ousted Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh
https://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395287001146.html
Kommentar: Hadi ruft also in Taiz an, “to offer his condolences to the families of martyrs who fell today in the barbaric bombardment launched by al-Houthi militia”. So etwas ist ja durchaus eine Aufgabe eines Präsidenten. Aber ernst nehmen kann man das nicht. Über die saudischen Luftangriffe hat er noch kein kritisches Wort verloren, ja er hat die Saudis sogar genau dafür gepriesen. Heuchler, der die Toten instrumentalisiert für seine politischen Zwecke.
Pressefreiheit / Liberty of Press
22.10.2015 – Netzpolitik
Kanadisches Unternehmen unterstützt Huthi-Rebellen bei Internetkontrolle im Jemen
Die Forschungsgruppe Citizen Lab hat analysiert, wie die kanadische Firma Netsweeper dabei hilft, im Jemen das Internet zu filtern. Netsweeper bietet vor allem Filtersoftware an.
Dabei erfolgt die Filterung des Internets teilweise verdeckt. Nicht in jedem Fall wird eine Meldung ausgegeben, dass die Seite blockiert wurde, zum Teil werden den Nutzer „Not Found“-Seiten präsentiert, aus denen nicht sofort ersichtlich ist, ob es sich nur um einen Fehler oder eine Blockade handelt. Zeigt eine Meldung das Blockieren einer Webseite an, teilen sich die Begründungen in „Custom“, „Pornography“, „Web Proxy“ und „Nudity“. Die ersten beiden Kategorien sind einem Gesamtanteil von über 90 Prozent dabei deutlich häufiger vertreten als der Rest.
Kritische Inhalte werden nicht nur durch Internetzensur klein gehalten, es kam in der Vergangenheit bereits zu Entführungen und Hausdurchsuchen von und bei kritischen Journalisten, Medien und Aktivisten.
Teilweise kommen auch teilweise und komplette Ausfälle des Internets vor, so wie im März 2015. Das in Hand der Huthi liegende Kommunikations- und Informationstechnik-Ministerium schnitt den Jemen kurzzeitig vom jeglicher internationaler Kommunikation ab, teilweise Ausfälle in bestimmten Regionen kamen häufiger vor.
Überwachung ist ein weiteres Thema in Jemens Liste an Menschenrechtsverstößen. Der Hacking-Team-Leak enthält mehrere Mailkonversationen zwischen Hacking Team und jemenitischen Unternehmen, die am Erwerb von Überwachungssoftware interessiert waren. Ob es letztlich zu einem Erwerb ebenjener kam, lässt sich bisher nicht ermitteln.
Der Bericht von Citizen Lab beschreibt überdies die sonstige Infrastruktursituation im Jemen. Es kommt regelmäßig zu Ausfällen, die beispielsweise Elektrizität und Treibstoff betreffen. Dadurch wird der sowieso bereits restriktive Zugang zu Medien weiter erschwert. Nicht nur Online-, sondern gleichfalls Printmedien wird die Produktion teils unmöglich gemacht, da sie weder Printmedien herstellen noch recherchieren können. Eine Situation, die den Huthis in die Hände spielt, auch wenn die Urheberschaft der Versorgungsknappheit nicht eindeutig geklärt werden kann.
Auch wenn die Nutzung der Filter- und Zensurmaßnahmen durch die Huthi-Rebellen massiv ist, muss bedacht werden, dass Filtersoftware schon lange vor deren Machtübernahme in Nutzung war – von Anna Biselli
Kommentar: der vorletzte Abschnitt enthält eine unsinnige Annahme. Die Urheberschaft der Versorgungsknappheit ist zu 100 % geklärt: Es ist die saudische Blockade der Importe in den Huthi-besetzten Jemen samt Zerstörung von Hafenanlagen, Verbindungsstraßen, Fahrzeugen und Tankstellen im Land.
Terrorismus / Terrorism
22.10.2015 – Middle East Eye from AFP
Yemen's al-Qaeda branch now in control of several Aden neighbourhoods
The AQAP flag is reportedly flying over large parts of Yemen's southern capital
Al-Qaeda's black flag has been seen flying over several official buildings in Yemen's second city Aden as the militants have made inroads in the absence of state authority and with the country mired in conflict.
In Tawahi, the flag has been hoisted over the police station and is flying on cars ferrying men across one of the largest districts of the port city, residents told AFP.
"Armed men of al-Qaeda control our whole district, even if there are only a few dozen of them," said Raefat, a 32-year-old employee of Yemeni radio and television. "It's no surprise given there's no state or government," he said.
A government security official told AFP that the militants are active in several areas "like Crater, Khor Maksar and Brigua, where their presence is growing stronger by the day". The official, declining to be named, said he "fears the city will fall under their total control in the absence of the state".
Bahah's departure [he left Aden and went back to Ryad] was a setback for government forces and the Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting them that had recaptured Aden from the Houthis and their allies in July.
Three months later, hundreds of young gunmen now control most public buildings in the city, according to residents, contacted from Sanaa. They claim allegiance to the pro-government "Popular Resistance," a loose coalition of former regular army soldiers, tribal militias, Islamists and southern secessionists.
The coalition has battled against the Houthis but without necessarily pledging loyalty to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, also exiled in Saudi Arabia.
Aden police chief General Mohamed Mussaed said his men are "cooperating with our Popular Resistance brothers to resolve the security problem and restore police posts... a big challenge". But Aden residents say they fear the masked gunmen who roam the streets, especially after assailants on motorbikes gunned down at least six people, with Yemen's al-Qaeda franchise the prime suspect.
"We are counting on the cooperation of the youth of the Popular Resistance to restore security," said the city's police chief. While Hadi has called for such irregular forces to be integrated into the army, impoverished Yemen - in the thick of a conflict which has cost about 4,500 civilian lives since March - does not have the financial resources for such an operation.
"These armed men claim to be part of the Popular Resistance but nobody knows what group they belong to," protested Majed Ahmed, a resident of Dar Saad, another Aden district where al-Qaeda's flag flutters over a disused police post. To finance their operations, al-Qaeda fighters have seized $6m worth of diesel from a local port and sold it on the city's black market, according to an Aden refinery official.
22.10.2015 – Prameya News 7
Qaeda makes Aden inroads under Yemen conflict
Al-Qaeda's black flag is flying over several official buildings in Yemen's second city Aden as jihadists make inroads in the absence of state authority and with the country mired in conflict.
In Tawahi, the flag has been hoisted over the police station and is flown on cars ferrying bearded men across one of the largest districts of the port city, residents say.
"Armed men of Al-Qaeda control our whole district, even if there are only a few dozen of them," said Raefat, a 32-year-old employee of Yemeni radio and television.
"It's no surprise given there's no state or government," he said.
A government security official told AFP that the jihadists are active in several areas "like Crater, Khor Maksar and Brigua, where their presence is growing stronger by the day".
The official, declining to be named, said he "fears the city will fall under their total control in the absence of the state".
Bahah's departure was a setback for government forces and the Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting them that had recaptured Aden from the Huthis and their allies in July.
Three months later, hundreds of young gunmen now control most public buildings in the city, according to residents, contacted from Sanaa.
They claim allegiance to the pro-government "Popular Resistance", a loose coalition of former regular army soldiers, tribal militias, Islamists and southern secessionists.
The coalition has battled against the Iran-backed Huthis but without necessarily pledging loyalty to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, also exiled in Saudi Arabia.
Aden police chief General Mohamed Mussaed says his men are "cooperating with our Popular Resistance brothers to resolve the security problem and restore police posts... a big challenge".
But Aden residents say they fear the masked gunmen who roam the streets, especially after assailants on motorbikes gunned down at least six people, with Yemen's Al-Qaeda franchise the prime suspect.
"We are counting on the cooperation of the youth of the Popular Resistance to restore security," said the city's police chief.
While Badi has called for such irregular forces to be integrated into the army, impoverished Yemen in the thick of a conflict which has cost about 4,500 civilian lives since March does not have the financial resources for such an operation.
"These armed men claim to be part of the Popular Resistance but nobody knows what group they belong to," protested Majed Ahmed, a resident of Dar Saad, another Aden district where Al-Qaeda's flag flutters over a disused police post.
To finance their operations, Al-Qaeda fighters have seized $6 million worth of diesel from a local port and sold it on the city's black market, according to an Aden refinery official.
http://prameyanews7.com/en/oct2015/globe/5029/Qaeda-makes-Aden-inroads-under-Yemen-conflict.htm
Allgemein / General
22.10.2015 – The Guardian
Yemen is shattered and peace seems a long way off. The world can’t just watch on
Leaving the Yemen conflict unresolved isn’t only devastating to Yemen and the region, but also to British and American interests. A Yemen ensnared in war threatens many of the expected gains from the Iran nuclear deal; gains that cannot be realised in a heavily unstable region with multiple ongoing wars. As long as the conflict continues, the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait appears set to be mired in conflict; Yemen’s Gulf neighbours remain at risk of spillover.
Indeed, the only beneficiaries from an extended conflict in Yemen and the consequent collapse of state institutions are extremist groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State (Isis). These groups have been gaining ground and filling the power gap resulting from the ongoing chaos. Since early April, al-Qaida has held Hadhramout, Yemen’s largest governorate and one of the two major oil-producing regions in Yemen. In July, the Brookings Institute said that Isis was the “one local winner” of this war.
In recent weeks this assessment has appeared to prove to be overly optimistic, as Isis, practically unknown in Yemen until this war broke out, has claimed a number of bloody suicide bombings in the capital Sana’a, and released a number of videos bragging about their armed presence in the city of Aden.
In 2011, Yemenis of all political stripes, including Houthis, flocked to the streets in hopes of a better future. Today, many of those who once found themselves standing side by side in protests now find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. It’s a tragedy that underlines the flurry of broken dreams and shattered hopes in the country.
Today the world is watching the killing of innocent civilians in Yemen every day, and it is a shame to stand as silent observers while millions of Yemenis suffer from a conflict that they have no control over.
The UK, together with its international and regional partners, needs to publicly pressure both sides – the Saudi-led forces and the Houthi rebels backed by ex-president Saleh – to agree to a ceasefire and return to a political settlement immediately. At the moment, such a peace settlement remains in the realm of the possible. But, left to smoulder, Yemen risks continuing to inflame the region for years, if not decades to come – by Farea Al-Muslimi and Rafat Al-Akhali
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/22/yemen-peace-conflict-al-qaida-isis
21.10.2015 – Huffington Post
Intimate Photos Tell Stories Of Coping And Resilience In Yemen
These rare images are a reminder of the beauty of everyday life in Yemen despite the brutal war.
Yemeni photographer Thana Faroq, who is based in Sanaa, set out to prove that life exists beyond the war. On the Facebook page Everyday Yemen, she collects stunning images of life beyond the fighting -- vendors laughing in the market, children giggling on a curb, a game of darts in the streets.
Yemen was once a pivotal crossroads for travel and commerce, flourishing as a center of the textile and spice trades. The country is considered the birthplace of coffee and continues to celebrate rich customs and traditions, including creating impressive works of literature and theater.
"The purpose was to show that love and peace could exist amidst destruction and death," Faroq said in an email. "I aimed to tell stories of coping and resilience and that ordinary people could be heroes as well." – by Rowaida Abdelaziz and Chris McGonigal
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yemen-everyday-life-photos_5624f085e4b0bce347014038
21.10.2015 – Lobelog
Negotiations Going Nowhere Fast in Yemen
The Saudi coalition relies on the logistical support and resupply of munitions from the United States and United Kingdom. It’s in the U.S. best interest, and in the best interest of its Gulf allies, to stop resupplying the Saudi campaign without credible commitments to a negotiated settlement. Congress is already, perhaps belatedly, scrutinizing the campaign and the material role that American support is playing. Thirteen members of Congress recently sent a letter to President Barack Obama, noting their concern over the campaign and reiterating UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s call for an end to the bombings. Senator Patrick Leahy also suggested that providing support to the coalition may violate a law he authored making it illegal to sell arms to countries that use them to commit human rights violations. The U.S. commitment to broader Gulf security is largely irreversible, but it does not extend to the campaign in Yemen.
The UK government is also enduring increased scrutiny from concerned parliamentarians and human rights monitors. Moreover, continued attacks against civilians, ongoing reports of blocking humanitarian aid from the US Navy, and the exploitation of the conflict by violent actors like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula will prevent an uncritical long-term commitment to resupplying and supporting coalition bombers. Should the United States and United Kingdom decide to act on their legal commitments–both international and domestic–the coalition would be forced to more seriously examine the prospect of a negotiated solution. The Gulf coalition will remain swayed by military options so long as their allies continue to guarantee their stockpile and operational efficacy.
The US and UK commitments to Gulf and Yemeni security should include playing a role in guaranteeing the outcome of negotiations, but the Yemeni government must commit to such negotiations first. The predictable human and social costs of a military solution preclude any rational American or British support, and that’s a message that’s worth sending now as political negotiations appear viable yet again. But the coalition still appears determined to continue the war. If the Kingdom’s allies truly wish to change the coalition’s calculus, now is the time – by Adam Simpson
http://lobelog.com/negotiations-going-nowhere-fast-in-yemen/
Kommentar: Die Genfer Friedengespräche im Juni sind schon im Vorfeld gescheitert, weil die Hadi-Regierung auf der Annahme der UN-Resolution 2216 durch die Huthis bestand und die Huthis sich untereinander nicht darauf verständigen konnten, wer sie nun in Genf vertreten sollte.
21.10.2015 – Here and Now
A Closer Look At Yemen’s Civil War
Peace talks are due to take place this month between Yemen’s government in exile – which is stationed for the moment in Saudi Arabia – and the Shiite rebels, called Houthis, who now control much of the country after a civil war broke out in March.
The war has already killed more than 2,300 civilians and has drawn regional players into the fight. Coalition forces, led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the U.S., have been trying to force out Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. Those rebels forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi from office earlier this year.
Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with writer Gregory Johnsen and Doctors Without Borders coordinator Karline Kleijer, about the war in Yemen and the humanitarian situation on the ground.
Guests: Gregory Johnsen, author of “The Last Refuge: Yemen Al-Qaeda and America’s War in Arabia” and Karline Kleijer, emergency coordinator in Yemen for Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/10/21/civil-war-yemen
Humanitäre Lage / Humanitarian Situation
21.10.2015 – UNO
Yemen: 3.3 million people in need of critical aid in besieged Taiz, warns UN health agency
The top United Nations health official in Yemen is appealing for unrestricted access to Taiz, where “innocent lives are at risk” in the besieged highland city where more than 3.3 million people are in critical need of health assistance, safe drinking water, food and fuel.
“The situation in Taiz is alarming,” warned Dr. Ahmed Shadoul, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Yemen.
“Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians need life-saving medicines and health services, food, safe water and fuel,” Dr. Shadoul said. “Humanitarian and health needs are increasing and the limited response we have been able to provide is not enough.”
Despite efforts by WHO to provide medicines and medical supplies to Taiz governorate, sufficient for 600,000 beneficiaries, including 250,000 people inside Taiz City, shortages of fuel and medicines have forced most health units in villages to shut down.
“Patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and cancer, are unable to access life-saving essential medicines and dialysis centres due to limited access of health facilities and reduced functionality of others,” according to WHO.
WHO also said that shortages in food have led to significant price hikes, with many people now unable to afford basic food items, resulting in increased risk of malnutrition, especially in children.
“The main wells providing safe drinking-water have shut down due to interruptions in power supply and lack of fuel for generators,” the agency reported.
Through collaboration with health authorities in Taiz and its partners, WHO has been controlling a dengue fever outbreak in the governorate this year.
“There is so much more we can do for the people of Taiz, but we need unrestricted access so that we can reach more people, and additional funding to allow us to scale up our response,” said Dr. Shadoul.
“Unless we are able to overcome these two challenges, more innocent lives are at risk,” he said. “I call on all parties to the conflict to allow delivering aid into Taiz, and for the international donor community to support our work.”
He appealed for $60 million urgently needed for life-saving response operations across the country until the end of this year.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52332#.VijWDCtpn3E
21.10.2015 – Gift of the Givers
Photos of starving children – Fotos unterernährter Kinder
http://www.giftofthegivers.org/disaster-relief/yemen/854-photo-gallery-starvation
21.10.2015 – British Red Cross
BEYOND THE HEADLINES: HOW BAD IS LIFE IN YEMEN RIGHT NOW?
About 21 million people – far more than the populations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales combined – are in need of aid.
Men, women and children have been caught up in a conflict not of their making. They are struggling to survive.
Two-thirds of the Yemen’s people can’t get hold of safe drinking water. Fuel is hard to come by, and so expensive that many hospitals can’t afford to run their generators.
This means no electricity to power vital equipment, neo-natal units and operating rooms. What would you do if the lights went out as you were on the operating table?
People don’t have enough food to eat. Import restrictions are making it harder to get essential goods into the country. These restrictions must be lifted immediately.
People aren’t even safe in their homes – neighbourhoods of ordinary families have been bombarded again and again. This has to stop.
There are moments of hope. In the midst of the mayhem, Red Cross staff and volunteers have brought people life-saving food, water and medical supplies.
But to carry on with this work, they need to be able to reach people safely. Staff and volunteers have already died trying to get urgent help to those who need it – by Craig Burnett
Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
23.10.2015 – Middle East Eye
Dozens die as Houthis shell Yemen's Taiz
Red Cross official says situation in Taiz is 'dire' as 29 reported dead and many others injured in day-long rebel attacks targeting province
Twenty-nine people were killed and 90 others injured in shelling in Yemen's Taiz province by the Houthi militia, reports say.
Residents told the Anadolu agency that a number of homes were destroyed in the attacks, which reportedly lasted all day on Thursday.
Antoine Grand, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen, expressed deep concern.
“The situation in Taiz is particularly dire, even by the standards of the appalling conditions all over Yemen, with nearly half of the hospitals closed and streams of wounded people desperate for treatment,” Grand said.
Anadolu reported that the Houthi militia fired volleys of Katyusha rockets.
After more than six months of conflict, the people of Taiz have been suffering severe water, food, electricity and fuel shortages, according to the Red Cross.
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/dozens-killed-houthi-shelling-yemens-taiz-265594282
23.10.2015 – Aljazeera
Yemen's Taiz in 'catastrophic state' as fighting rages
Red Cross says humanitarian situation in country's third-largest city is dire as rocket fire and air strikes escalate.
Taiz, considered Yemen's third largest city and cultural capital, has suffered huge destruction since becoming a main battleground in the country's war.
"We urge groups to give us access in order to help those inside the city," Adnan Hazim, media officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said.
The city is currently divided between government supporters and the Houthis, who are backed by forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Red Cross said nearly half of the hospitals in in the city were closed and streams of wounded people "desperate for treatment".
Thousands have fled Taiz and those left behind face severe shortages in water, food and electricity.
Air strikes and indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Taiz on Wednesday killed 22 people and wounded 140 others, the aid group said in a statement, citing local hospitals as their sources.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/yemen-taiz-151023090703604.html
22.10.2015 – AFP
Yemen's Taez facing acute medicine, food shortages: Red Cross
Intensifying fighting in Taez has plunged the Yemeni city into a desperate situation, with closed hospitals and acute shortages of medicines, food, water and fuel, the Red Cross said Thursday.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said the battles in Taez, which remains in the hands of forces allied with President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, was blocking the supply of essentials from the central city.
"The situation in Taez is particularly dire, even by the standards of the appalling conditions all over Yemen, with nearly half of the hospitals closed and streams of wounded people desperate for treatment," Antoine Grand, head of the ICRC's delegation in Yemen, said in a statement.
"We have been asking the parties concerned to authorise the delivery of urgent medicines to the Al-Thawra hospital for the last five weeks, to no avail so far," he said, stressing that "this shipment is critical to save lives".
His comments came after at least 22 civilians were killed and more than 140 wounded when suspected rebel rockets rained down on Taez on Wednesday.
"We are deeply concerned not only by the restrictions imposed on movements of essential goods into Yemen, but also inside the country," Grand said.
The ICRC urged all parties to the conflict to take all the necessary precautions "to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to lift the restriction of movement of essential goods into and within Yemen."
http://news.yahoo.com/yemens-taez-facing-acute-medicine-food-shortages-red-193103730.html
22.10.2015 – Iran English Radio
Saudi attack martyrs 10 fishermen in northwest Yemen
Fresh attacks by Saudi warplanes in Yemen’s northwestern coasts have martyred at least 10 fishermen as the civilian death toll keeps rising with Saudi attacks going unabated.
Yemen’s al-Masirah TV said on Thursday that the fishermen were martyred after Saudi fighter jets pounded their boats off the coast of Uqban Island in al-Hudaydah Province.
The report said several others were wounded in the airstrike on the relatively calm area which is located around 100 kilometers from the provincial capital.
The attacks came hours after Saudi jets launched incessant airstrikes in Yemen's third-largest city of Taiz in the southern province of Taiz in a bid to back followers of the ousted fugitive president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, who were reportedly engaged in fierce clashes with fighters from Ansarullah movement.
Saudi airstrikes were also reported in the northern Sa’ada Province, a main bastion of support for Ansarullah and a major target of Saudi attacks over the past months. A report by Maisrah said areas in Dahwan district in the city of Razih were bombarded, with no immediate details available on potential casualties
22.10.2015 – Yemen Post
Yemen forces thwart Houthi attempt to infiltrate into south
The Yemeni forces backed by the popular resistance thwarted an attempt by the Houthi militants to infiltrate into the province of Dhali, local sources said.
The sources affirmed that fierce battles broke out early Thursday in the town of Qatabah on the border with the province of Ibb after two Houthi convoys were trying to enter Dhali.
Around a dozen of fighters from both sides were killed in the battles, they said, adding that the Houthis retreated to Ibb.
Recently, the Houthis have attempted to infiltrate into southern cities including Abyan which were retaken from them in recent months.
Dhali was the first southern city retaken.
So far, the Saudi-led coalition, which has been bombing the Houthis since March, helped the national forces to drive the militants out of most of the southern regions.
In the meanwhile, well-informed sources said clashes between the Yemeni forces and Sudanese troops broke out late on Wednesday at Aden Airport.
Six Sudanese and two Yemeni troops were killed in the battles that erupted after Sudanese troops spread at the airport, according to the sources.
Hundreds of Sudanese troops have lately arrived in Aden and more are yet to deploy in support of the Arab coalition.
In Taiz, sources within the popular resistance said the national forces and resistance retook key positions from the Houthis today.
In addition, the Saudi-led coalition bombed Houthi forces at Taiz University, the district of Salah and other parts helping the Yemeni forces and the popular resistance to make key gains on these war fronts, the sources said.
Battles between the national forces and the Houthis continued in the provinces of Marib and Baidha, according to military sources.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=8249&MainCat=3
Kommentar: Yemeni forces hier: Jemenitische Streitkräfte auf Seiten der Saudi-Koalition. Popular resistance: Kämpfer aller Art auf Seiten der saudischen Koalition mit hohem Anteil Al Kaida.
22.10.2015 – El Akhbar
20 Yemenis Killed in Saudi Airstrikes, Sudanese Troops in Yemen
At least 20 Yemeni people have lost their lives and numbers of others have sustained injuries in the latest wave of Saudi airstrikes against Yemen
On Saturday, Saudi fighter jets bombarded a mosque and a gas station in the Hajr area of the Qabbaytah district in Yemen’s southwestern province of Lahij, killing seven civilians and wounding seven others, Yemen’s Saba Net news agency reported.
Meanwhile, five Yemenis were killed and three more injured after Saudi bombers pounded the Saqayn district in the northern Yemeni province of Sa’ada.
Saudi warplanes also targeted a bank and a residential complex in the Mukha district of the southern province of Ta’izz, leaving four people dead and dozens more injured.
In the Khadir district of Ta’izz, Saudi missiles hit a gas station and killed four Yemenis. Several others were also wounded in the raid.
In another development, hundreds of Sudanese forces reportedly arrived in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden on Saturday, the first group of an estimated 10,000 troops, who are to join the Saudis in the invasion of Yemen.
According to reports, the Sudanese will be stationed in Aden and participate in the battle against Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah fighters.
http://el-akhbar.com/en/Yemenis-Killed-Saudi-18103/
22.10.2015 – Fars News
4 Sudanese Mercenaries Killed in Yemen
The Yemeni forces killed four Sudanese soldiers and two ISIL terrorists in clashes in the city of Aden, the Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, al-Ahed news website said that 12 Sudanese soldiers were killed and injured in a car bomb blast near Aden airport.
The Yemeni army and Ansarullah fighters also regained control of al-Malh Mountains that overlook al-Kofel military base in Sarwah district in Ma'rib Province, according to the Yemeni defense ministry.
The Saudi-led forces fighting against the Yemeni government have hired foreign mercenaries, specially Sudanese soldiers, after they were badly defeated in the Southern port of Aden.
"Soldiers of the Sudanese army along with their vehicles were seen moving in several areas across the Southern province of Aden," the Arabic-language Al-Manar TV quoted local sources as saying.
The sources reiterated that the move comes after heavy losses were inflicted upon the Emirati forces operating in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940730000367
Kommentar: Die Huthis wieder in Aden??
22.10.2015 – Channel News Asia
Heavy fighting breaks out in Yemen's Taiz city
At least 20 Houthi militia fighters were killed in heavy clashes in Yemen's third-largest city Taiz on Thursday, a day after they pounded it with rockets, forces loyal to the government said.
Also on Thursday, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said at least 12 Hadi supporters were killed in an ambush by Houthi fighters in Marib, east of Sanaa. Reuters could not verify the deaths.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/heavy-fighting-breaks-out/2211038.html siehe auch mit viel Propagandagetöse
22.10.2015 – The National UAE
Houthis repelled as battle for Taez intensifies
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/houthis-repelled-as-battle-for-taez-intensifies
dazu:
23.10.2015 – Yemen News Today
Taiz popular resistance consists of a Salafist militia led by Abu Alabbas, Islah militias, AQ Qaeda, and maybe joined now by Sudanese soldiers, plus aerial bombing by the pro-Saudi coalition. It is usually reported as if Houthis alone fire upon civilians in Taiz. The reality is that the Houthis and most of the Yemen army fight alongside each other, and are fighting other groups, albiet as they move amongst the population the civilian areas are invariably hurt and often targeted. It is disgusting but it is not just the Houthis that are doing disgusting things - far from it.
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1036495119836312
22.10. 2015 – Iran German Radio
Saudi fighter jets target Yemen’s Sa’ada with cluster bombs
Saudi warplanes have bombarded several areas across Yemen’s Sa’ada Province with banned cluster bombs.
Yemen's al-Massira television channel reported on Wednesday that the Saudi airborne assaults claimed the lives an unspecified number of Yemeni civilians.
Riyadh has used cluster bombs on Yemenis multiple times during the past months. Back on Monday, Saudi warplanes dropped at least 10 cluster bombs on the Haydan district of the Northwestern Province a day after Yemeni media released a video showingthe residential area of Maran villagein the same province being targeted with the banned bombs by Saudi warplanes.
Meanwhile, Saudi fighter jets conducted a series of airstrikes, targeting an air defense camp in the Western Province of Hudaydah, as well as two islands in the Northwestern Province of Hajjah.
Airstrikes on the Western Sana’a Province also claimed the lives of at least two people and left several others injured.
22.10.2015 – Southfront
Yemen: the Threat of Hodeida and Arms Supplies
Local fighting is continuing in nearly all provinces of the country. Last week, the coalition forces established control over the port city of Mokha on the Red Sea coast. But this operation was not followed through even though the capture of Mokha allows one to continue the offensive onto Hodeida,t he last sea port through which the Houthi rebels can receive weapons and materiel from Iran. There are, however, doubts on whether the Iranians are providing regular supplies to the Houthi using sea channels, as Aden hasclaimed earlier. According to the experts, the seized trawler was heading not for Yemen but for Eritrea. From there, the weapons were supposed to be transferred via Sudanese channels to the Sinai, and from there to the Gaza Strip. The Iran-Hamas “bridge” is once again in operation, and nobody in Sudanis about to turn down arms smuggling. According to the experts, there are plenty of weapons in the warehouses controlled by the Houthi and by president Saleh supporters. Arab coalition air forces did destroy a few things, ofc ourse, but not enough to undermine the fighting power of the Houthi and their allies.
http://southfront.org/yemen-the-threat-of-hodeida-and-arms-supplies/
Kommentar: Es ist falsch, dass die saudische Koalition Mokha eingenommen hätte. Sie hat die Stadt in der letzten Woche zweimal bombardiert (s. dazu Southfront selbst im folgenden Artikel): Interessant die Überlegungen über Waffenschmuggel und die Bewaffnung der Houthis.
21.10.2015 – Southfront
Yemen Map of War – Oct. 15-21, 2015
The Saudi coalition is stuck in a quagmire in the historical Northwestern Houthi areas and has made little progress on the road to Sana’a. They were expelled from the Southern province of Bayda and has lost some territory in the Southwestern provinces of the Kingdom in the past week, losing a large number of soldiers and equipment there – by Akram Abu Abs
– Der Krieg Tag für Tag mit Karte– The war day per day with map
http://southfront.org/yemen-map-of-war-oct-15-21-2015/
21.10.2015 – The National UAE
Sudanese troops deployed to Yemen are specialists in combat on mountain terrain and will be used to help liberate Ibb and Taez, both mountainous provinces, a Yemeni army official has said.
Yemeni Brigadier Sameer Al Haj said he expected more Sudanese soldiers to arrive in Aden in the coming days, to join the 950 already deployed.
A first batch of Sudanese troops arrived at the city’s port on Saturday, while another arrived on Monday. Sudan is part of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that is working to restore the government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi in Yemen. The coalition’s ground operation is being led by Emirati and Saudi troops.
Brig Al Haj also confirmed previous remarks by the director of Aden’s security office, Mohammed Mosaed, who told The National that Sudanese forces would not be taking part in operations in Aden.
The popular resistance in Taez, which has become the focalpoint of the conflict against the Houthis, said they welcomed the news that they would be reinforced by Sudanese soldiers.
“We believe that the liberation of Taez is [only] a question of time and we want mountainous fighters to come to Taez as [the terrain] is not like Aden’s – Taez needs fighters who can fight in mountains,” said Moa’ath Al Yaseri, a leading figure in the Taez resistance.
He said the resistance was coordinating its operations with coalition forces, and confirmed that his fighters were working according to coalition plans.
Taez city remains in the hands of forces loyal to Mr Hadi’s government, though others parts of the province have been taken over by the rebels.
Coalition forces and loyalist fighters have recaptured several parts of the province from the rebels, including areas leading to the coastline surrounding the strategic Bab Al Mandeb strait and the city of Dhubab. They are now advancing towards Mokha, a city further up the coast from Dhubab that is held by the Houthis.
21.10.2015 – Reuters
Rockets fired by Houthis kill 14 civilians in Yemen: medical sources
Fourteen civilians were killed in one of Yemen's largest cities on Wednesday when shells fired by Houthi fighters and their allies, forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, fell on their neighborhoods, medical sources said.
The sources said the shells also wounded some 70 people in the neighborhoods of Tahrir and Daboua in the city of Taiz, in southwestern Yemen.
The Iran-allied Houthis and Saleh's forces are battling a Saudi-led coalition which is trying to restore the government of Yemen's current president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which is now based in the southern Yemeni port of Aden.
Taiz, one of the largest cities in Yemen, has for weeks been a main battleground between the two sides and the fighting has caused significant casualties and forced thousands to flee.
Houthi officials were not immediately available to comment.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/21/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0SF2V320151021 siehe aber auch http://khabaragency.net/lasten39752.html
21.10.2015 – Press TV Iran
Saudi soldiers killed in retaliatory attacks by Yemeni forces
Yemeni forces have carried out retaliatory attacks against military bases Saudi Arabia has set up in Yemen’s central province of Ma’rib and similar targets on the Saudi soil.
According to local media reports on Wednesday, the Yemeni forces hit a Saudi base in Ma’rib, where at least 50 Saudi soldiers were killed.
The Yemeni army also attacked Saudi positions in the district of al-Khobe in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern border province of Jizan. Reports said five Saudi soldiers were killed in that strike.
A similar number of fatalities on the part of Saudi forces was also reported in the southwestern region of Asir in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, Saudi warplanes conducted seven airstrikes against various areas in the city of Sirwah, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of the capital, Sana’a.
Saudi warplanes also launched three airstrikes against the Abs district of Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah, though no reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused were available.
Additionally, Saudi aircraft bombed the military camp for the Yemeni Army’s 117th Brigade in the town of Mukayras in the central province of Bayda.
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/21/434388/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Marib-Jizan-Khobe
Südjemen / Southern Yemen
23.10.2015 – The Economist
The unbeautiful south: As the fighting moves north, chaos is left behind
Far from pacifying the south, the coalition has left it in chaos. In the strategic port city of Aden, in just one day, Islamic State, which operates in Yemen’s ungoverned spaces, claimed attacks on the UAE’s command post, an encampment of its troops and a hotel housing Yemeni politicians. Fighters from al-Qaeda, already in control of the eastern city of Mukalla, have pushed west, imposing their radical brand of Islam on conquered territory. Locals fear they will try for Aden next.
Aden was meant to be the exemplar of a “liberated” Yemen. Instead it serves as a terrible warning. The region around it is armed to the teeth. But when the Houthis pulled out, so too did the state security forces. The government in exile of Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi made a show of returning in September, but quickly scurried back to Saudi Arabia after failing to assert itself. Local fighters, representing a hodgepodge of interests, have been left to their own devices. “No one is handling law and order,” says Mohammed Albasha of the Navanti Group, a research firm. Services have also broken down. Aden is now said to be awash in sewage.
Arising from the mess is a separatist movement that has been fuelled by both the Houthis’ destruction and the government’s many failures. Yemen was formally divided after independence until 1990, and the flag of the old South Yemen is once again a common sight in Aden. Southerners have long complained of unfair treatment by the north, which they accuse of plundering the region’s jobs and resources. On October 14th thousands called for secession at a demonstration in the city. But even the separatists are split between several different factions.
The coalition has added to the discord. The Emiratis, who detest Islamism, have scorned Islah, Yemen’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and an important source of resistance fighters. Saudi Arabia supports Islah, but bankrolls the ultraconservative salafists. It also hosts Mr Hadi, still the internationally recognised president despite his unpopularity back home.
dazu:
22.10.2015 – Khaleej Times
More Sudanese troops to arrive in Yemen
The new plan is designed to impose the power of the state, rule of the law, track down the elements involved in chaos.
Sudanese troops in Yemen started carrying out the duties assigned to them by the Saudi Arabia-led Arab Coalition fighting the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to ousted former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Sudanese contingent will secure some strategic positions at present, and more troops are expected to arrive from Sudan.
Local authorities in Aden, and in collaboration with the coalition forces, began to implement a new security plan to protect the city amid intensive deployment of soldiers in all the provinces.
The new plan is designed to impose the power of the state, rule of the law, track down the elements involved in chaos. It also meant to make give law some teeth, and activate the role of police.
Houthi militias and the forces loyal to Saleh were trying, through sleeper cells, and some extremist organizations, to tamper with the security and destabilize the city of Aden.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/more-sudanese-troops-to-arrive-in-yemen
Kommentar: So sieht die Sicherheitslage in der Propaganda aus: Wir haben die Sache im Grunde doch einigermaßen im Griff. Das ist freilich wie im Arbeitszeugnis die Bewertung: „war stets bemüht“.
Hadi-Regierung / Hadi government
23.10.2015 – Foreign Policy
Can This Man Save Yemen?
Vice President Khaled Bahah is trying to push back the Islamic State and make peace with his Houthi rivals. But progress is hard to come by in war-wracked Yemen these days.
Bahah has been touted as a key figure in Yemen’s future. Western diplomats have increasingly dropped even the pretense of coyness in private, casting the removal of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi — and Bahah’s ascension to the powers of the presidency — as a key goal. But Bahah doesn’t pull his support only from the West: He has appeared to earn the trust of key Gulf actors, while remaining one of the few generally respected political figures among Yemenis — both among opponents and supporters of the ongoing Saudi military action. Notably, at the start of the conflict, even the Houthis offered him a position as the head of a presidential council under their auspices.
In many regards, this is more about what Bahah isn’t than about what he is. Because he was out of the country when the internationally backed transition that saw Yemen’s Arab Spring devolve into a civil war took place, Bahah wasn’t a party to the bulk of the Hadi-led orders’ failures.
Bahah served as oil minister under then President Ali Abdullah Saleh from 2006 to 2008 and was later appointed ambassador to Canada – because of, rumor has it, official dissatisfaction with his firm stance against the corruption rife in Yemen’s oil and gas industry. He defected from Saleh’s administration during Yemen’s 2011 uprising, and was later appointed ambassador to the United Nations by Saleh’s successor, Hadi. From there, he climbed the ranks of the new government: In October 2014, Bahah was named prime minister as part of a cabinet formed after the seizure of the Yemeni capital by the Houthi rebels, and was appointed Hadi’s vice president earlier this year in an apparent gesture toward an as-yet elusive political solution to Yemen’s conflict.
As Yemen’s government-in-exile tentatively agreed to peace talks this week, Bahah has distanced himself from the maximalist rhetoric of many in his camp toward negotiations with its Houthi rivals. The implementation of Security Council Resolution 2216, which calls on the Houthis and their allies to withdraw from areas they’d seized during the recent conflict, has been at the center of the government’s demands – and Bahah affirmed his belief that it was necessary for a true political settlement to take place. But while hard-line elements in the government have demanded full implementation prior to any negotiations, Bahah personally endorsed unconditional talks with the Houthis, saying that Resolution 2216 could function as a viable roadmap for a solution to the crisis.
Such comments — uncontroversial as they may seem — mark a key difference between Bahah’s views on how to end the conflict and those of President Hadi and his closest aides.
Bahah also appeared to subtly break with more hard-line elements of the Saudi-led coalition that has launched a six-month-long bombing campaign in the country. He appeared deeply cognizant of the humanitarian crisis the campaign has contributed to, and called for the opening of seaports, airports, and land routes — which, according to international aid groups, remain impeded by the actions of both Houthi and allied fighters and the Saudi-led coalition.
But the question of whether productive change is even possible in Yemen at this point remains an open one – by Adam Baron
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/23/can-this-man-save-yemen/
Kommentar: Man darf und soll ja durchaus Hoffnungen haben. Und annehmbarer als Hadi mag Bahar in der Tat sein. Aber auch er ist eine Person des alten Establishments noch aus Salehs Zeiten. Und als Mann des Hadi-Regimes bleibt er mit den saudischen Luftangriffen verbunden und wird für die Bevölkerung des Nordens nicht akzeptabel sein. Vielleicht ein Mann für den Übergang; für die Zukunft sicher nicht.
UNO und Friedensgespräche / UN and peace talks
22.10.2015 – Yemen Post
Government demands UN action over Taiz war crimes
The Yemeni government demanded the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action toward the war crimes committed by the Houthi militants in the southern province of Taiz.
In a letter to the UN quoted by the Saba news agency on Thursday, the government criticized slowness in responding to war crimes and violations of the laws of war in Yemen.
"The war crimes in Taiz are a sign the Houthis and their ally, the General People's Congress, are not serious in taking UN peace efforts," it said.
The government and the Houthi militants are preparing for UN-brokered talks in Geneva.
The letter came a day after 22 civilians including children were killed and dozens injured in Houthi rocket attacks on populated areas in Taiz.
Medics said the provincial hospitals lack medicines and equipment a problem that adds to the suffering in the city.
In addition to hysterical shelling killing many civilians, the Houthis has been imposing a siege around Taiz which has been preventing commodities from reaching the people for months.
The siege was a war tactic after battles between the government forces backed by the popular resistance and the Saudi-led coalition and the militants.
People are suffering from harsh conditions as the siege and battles have left the city without water, food and other supplies.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=8248&MainCat=3
Kommentar: Das Schreiben der Hadi-Regierung an die UN hätte seine Berechtigung, wenn nicht eben diese Regierung die saudischen Luftangriffe konsequent beschweigen würde. Ja, Hadi hat den Saudis vor der UN-Vollversammlung sogar für die Luftangriffe gedankt. So outet er sich jetzt auch mit diesem Brief einmal mehr als Heuchler, dem ermordete Zivilisten völlig egal sind, außer, er kann aus ihnen politisches Kapital schlagen.
22.10.2015 – Al Araby
Yemen: Taiz massacre threatens peace talks
A deadly rocket attack by Houthis on the Yemeni city of Taiz has sparked outrage, with calls to scrap peace talks, as Prime Minister Bahah reveals differences with President Hadi
The massacre perpetrated by the Houthis in the city of Taiz in southern Yemen is threatening to blow up the efforts for a UN-sponsored political settlement of the Yemeni conflict.
Around 23 were killed and 92 others were injured after rockets were launched by Houthi and pro-Saleh rebels at residential districts of Taiz, according to medical sources who spoke to al-Araby al-Jadeed.
Many Yemenis reacted angrily, calling for the dialogue with the Houthi rebels to be halted and for military efforts to liberate the city to be accelerated.
In a statement, the Resistance Coordinating Council called on the legitimate government it supports to refuse any dialogue with the militias, calling the attack a crime of "genocide and revenge" for which the rebels should be tried and punished. Several Yemeni civil society groups also called on the government to end dialogue with the Houthis in the aftermath of the Taiz attacks, and quickly end the siege of the city.
Online, Yemeni activists launched social media campaigns objecting to dialogue "with the killers," calling for an end to the Geneva 2 process.
Aref Abu Hatem, writer and political analyst, said: "We must raise our voice after the Taiz massacre...dialogue and negotiations with militia leaders would now be an unforgivable crime."
Saad al-Sawai, activist, echoed Abu Hatem's view, writing: "Dialogue with militia leaders after what happened is betrayal of the blood that has been spilt."
Meanwhile, sources in the United Nations office in Sanaa told al-Araby al-Jadeed that several obstacles have made it difficult to convene a meeting in Geneva at the end of October, with many throny issues still waiting to be resolved before launching the peace talks.
The sources said the Geneva 2 conference has now been postponed for several weeks, to allow time to reach certain understandings prior to the talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.
http://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/politics/2015/10/22/yemen-taiz-massacre-threatens-peace-talks
Kommentar: Friedensgespräche wären dazu da, um solche Massaker zu beenden und nicht, um irgendwelche moralische Maßstäbe an eine Kriegspartei anzulegen. Da der Feind immer böse und schlecht ist, hieße das, nie mit ihm zu verhandeln. Und man könnte diese Leute mit den Vorwürfen an die Huthis noch ernst nehmen, wenn es die saudischen Luftangriffe nicht gäbe. So fallen die Anschuldigungen nur auf die eigene Seite zurück. Und so kommt an ihre Adresse sogar noch ein Vorwurf dazu: Heuchelei.
Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
22.10.2015 – Democracy Now
U.S. Ally Saudi Arabia Prepares to Behead, Crucify Pro-Democracy Protester Ali Mohammed al-Nimr
A young Saudi protester is set to be beheaded and crucified for his role in 2012 pro-democracy protests. Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested at the age of 17 and convicted of encouraging protests during the Arab Spring. He faces execution any day. Earlier this month, in response to mounting international pressure to release al-Nimr, the Saudi Embassy in London said, "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any form of interference in its internal affairs and any impingement on its sovereignty or the independence and impartiality of its judiciary." We are joined by Clive Stafford Smith of the international legal charity Reprieve, which has just released a report on executions in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, in response to mounting international pressure to release al-Nimr, the Saudi Embassy in London issued a statement saying, quote, "the judiciary is an independent body and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia rejects any form of interference in its internal affairs and any impingement on its sovereignty or the independence and impartiality of its judiciary." So, Clive Stafford Smith, can you talk about the report that Reprieve released and what you found on executions? Who is sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia?
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/10/22/us_ally_saudi_arabia_prepares_to
21.10.2015 – Human Rights Watch / Observer
With the Saudis, the West Should Take No Prisoners
At last, Saudi Arabia’s dismal human rights record is getting media scrutiny, thanks in part to news that Saudi authorities plan to lash 74-year-old Karl Andree, a British cancer survivor, 350 times for possessing homemade alcohol. Flogging in the kingdom entails a series of strikes with a wooden cane, with blows distributed across the back and legs, normally not breaking the skin but leaving bruises.
This ruling comes after a year of bizarre and cruel punishments meted out by the Saudi judiciary, including the public flogging of liberal blogger Raif Badawi in January and a death sentence for Ali al-Nimr, a Saudi man accused of protest-related activities allegedly committed before he was 18 years old.
These incidents came to light even though Saudi Arabia bans independent human rights monitors. Saudi Arabia rarely grants United Nations experts or human rights organizations access, and because it has no law allowing non-governmental associations, domestic human rights groups are de facto forbidden. More than a dozen Saudi human rights advocates are languishing in prison today for “crimes” related to their “illegal” human rights work; most are convicted for “setting up an unlicensed organization.” These include activists such as Waleed Abu al-Khair, currently serving an outlandish 15-year sentence solely for his work exposing the government’s human rights abuses.
While Saudi Arabia receives some public scorn for discrimination against women, there is less public knowledge about its systematic intolerance of religious minorities. The country bans the public practice of any religion other than Islam: there are no Christian churches or Hindu temples to address the religious needs of millions of foreign workers.
Allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom rarely criticize Saudi abuses; one U.S. official even recently “welcomed” Saudi Arabia’s participation at the Human Rights Council. British Prime Minister David Cameron responded to the possible flogging of Mr. Andree by meekly asking Saudi officials not to carry out the punishment.
However, the unprecedented attention on Saudi Arabia’s abuses in 2015 may be altering these dynamics, creating incentives for U.S. and European politicians to support human rights in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia will employ all of its significant economic and diplomatic clout to intimidate and silence anyone who dares to challenge it on human rights grounds. According to The Intercept, the news site co-founded by Glenn Greenwald, Riyadh has recently hired several PR firms and lobbyists in Washington, including The Podesta Group, Edelman and DLA Piper to try to burnish its image.
But no PR campaign can whitewash the lashing of an elderly man, the public beheading of an alleged child offender, or the senseless bombing of Yemeni civilians. People are starting to take notice—and perhaps if the U.S. government raised its voice for human rights the Saudi government would rein in its abuses – by Adam Coogle
http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/10/21/saudis-west-should-take-no-prisoners = http://observer.com/2015/10/with-the-saudis-the-west-should-take-no-prisoners/
22.10.2015 – Die Presse
Hadsch-Katastrophe wird Politkrimi
Einen Monat nach der Massenpanik in Mekka verheimlicht Saudiarabien weiter die Opferzahl. Indizien weisen auf mehr als 4100 statt offiziell 769 Tote hin. Ein Prinz könnte mitschuldig sein.
Weltweit machen Meldungen die Runde, die Massenpanik in Mina habe dreimal mehr Menschenleben gekostet, als Riad mit 769 Toten einräumt.
So belegt die neueste Zusammenzählung der Daten in Meldungen zu ausländischen Opfern durch die Nachrichtenagentur AP, dass bisher 2177 Todesopfer identifiziert worden sind. Und: Hunderte Menschen werden nach der tödlichen Massenpanik noch immer vermisst.
Die Website Middle East Eye hatte zuvor in der Notfallklinik von Mekka ausgehängte Suchfotos dokumentiert, deren Nummerierung bei 2253 endete. Und noch eine Seltsamkeit: Auf der Website des saudischen Gesundheitsministeriums war am 29. September für wenige Minuten sogar von 4173 Toten die Rede gewesen, bevor der Eintrag rasch wieder verschwand.
Aktivisten gelang es aber, einen Screenshot zu machen. Vizegesundheitsminister Mohamed Aldowale habe ein Buch mit 4173 Fotos von Pilgern erhalten, die in Mina ums Leben kamen, hieß es in dem gelöschten Text. Und: „Die ursprüngliche Statistik ging von 769 Toten aus, die endgültige Zahl jedoch ist auf 4173 gestiegen, nachdem das Ministerium weitere Leichen erhalten hat.“
Trotzdem hüllen sich die Saudis eisern in Schweigen, das Gesundheitsministerium verweigert jede Stellungnahme zu seinem mysteriösen Webeintrag
Die rein saudische Ermittlungskommission jedoch steht möglicherweise vor der unlösbaren Aufgabe, die Ursachen der Hadsch-Tragödie korrekt zu benennen, ohne gleichzeitig die eigene Staatsspitze zu blamieren. Denn bereits 24 Stunden nach dem Unglück berichteten zahlreiche Medien, zwei Zugänge zu der Jamarat-Brücke, wo die Panik begonnen hatte, seien wegen eines VIP-Konvois gesperrt gewesen. Das hätte den Rückstau und damit die Katastrophe ausgelöst.
Nach Angaben der libanesischen Zeitung „al-Diyar“ aber saß in dem Autokorso just Vizekronprinz Mohammed bin Salman, eskortiert von 150 Polizisten und 200 Soldaten. Nach dem Unglück sei die Wagenkolonne des jungen Verteidigungsministers davongerast, das Areal wurde für Presse und Fernsehen gesperrt, um die Rolle des Thronfolgers zu verschleiern.
Das Innenministerium räumte später ein, dass ein VIP-Konvoi zur Unglückszeit in Mina war, wies jedoch den heiklen Zeitungsbericht als inkorrekt zurück. Stattdessen machte Gesundheitsminister Khaled al-Falih die Betenden selbst für die Tragödie verantwortlich: „Wären die Pilger den Anweisungen gefolgt, hätte dieser Unfall vermieden werden können“, erklärte er.
Falls jedoch dieses pompöse VIP-Gebaren die Ursache der Katastrophe sei, stünde mit einem Schlag die gesamte Führungsspitze Saudiarabiens am Pranger: König Salman, der sich mit dem Titel „Hüter der beiden heiligen Moscheen“ schmückt und nicht mehr im Vollbesitz seiner geistigen Kräfte sein soll, Kronprinz Mohammed bin Nayef als Innenminister und Hauptverantwortlicher für die Hadsch-Sicherheit sowie Vizekronprinz Mohammed bin Salman als möglicher Verursacher – von Martin Gehlen
http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/welt/4849977/HadschKatastrophe-wird-Politkrimi?_vl_backlink=/home/panorama/welt/4827924/index.do&direct=4827924 dort weitere Links zum Thema
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate / United Arab Emirates
22.10.2015 – Gulf News
‘Yemen: We Care’ campaign steps up relief work
UAE volunteers fan out in liberated city of Aden and neighbouring governorates
While the ‘Yemen: We Care’ campaign may be over in the UAE, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) will continue accepting all kinds of donations to support its relief efforts in the liberated Yemeni city of Aden and other neighbouring governorates.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Haj Al Zarouni, Manager at the Emirates Red Crescent Dubai branch told Gulf News that 170 volunteers from the UAE are currently in Aden working diligently on all humanitarian fronts to secure the basic needs of the Yemeni people.
Amid efforts to put a smile on the faces of children and families who have suffered the traumatic effects of war, the ERC volunteers held a beach carnival last week, where they organised a variety of activities for children, orphans and people with special needs.
“The carnival aimed to provide emotional support to the children, the elderly and families who attended, and to spread happiness and restore hope in the path to draw a new future for Aden,” said Al Zarouni.
The carnival and social activities held in Aden cost a total of Dh275,000.
Al Zaroni added that over 4,000 food packages are being distributed daily given the high levels of poverty in Yemen. Parcels for over 170,000 families are yet to be distributed, he added. “The 170,000 parcels sorted in the warehouse will aid 800,000 people in Yemen.”
Maintenance work in schools and hospitals in Aden are also apart of the rebuilding projects.
Around Dh220 million has been allocated for power generation projects in Aden and 90 per cent of these projects are now operational, said Al Zarouni. He added that a total of 110 schools are now operational after being evamped, equipped and furnished, while others are currently in the rebuilding and repair phase. “It has been confirmed that 110 schools in Aden have been reopened and students are now attending classes.”
The ERC has allocated Dh81.3 million for rebuilding of schools in Yemen, and Dh9 million for medicines and medical supplies. A total cost of Dh84.5 million has been spent for restoring and re-equipping hospitals and clinics in Yemen.
While relief and reconstruction efforts are currently centred around Aden and other areas liberated from the Al Houthis, aid will expand to all other Yemeni provinces as the security situation improves – by Jumana Khamis
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/yemen-we-care-campaign-steps-up-relief-work-1.1605285
USA
22.10.2015 – Telepolis
Drohnen-Krieg - Geschichten hinter den Opfern
In den "Drone Papers" wurde der amerikanische Drohnenkrieg enthüllt, das Schicksal der Opfer ist weithin unbekannt geblieben
Nach dem Angriff auf die Rehman-Familie fand das altbekannte Prozedere statt. Die Medien berichteten, wieder einmal von einem Drohnen-Angriff in Waziristan, bei dem "mutmaßliche Terroristen" getötet wurden. Was dies bedeutet, ist mittlerweile klar. Abgesehen davon, dass laut dem Weißen Haus jeder "junge Mann im wehrfähigen Alter" als "feindlicher Kombattant" gilt, tragen viele Medien ihren Beitrag zur Misere bei, indem sie jegliche Berichte, etwa jene des pakistanischen Geheimdienstes, der eng mit den USA kooperiert, ohne jegliche Skepsis übernehmen.
Im Fall von Momina Bibi wurde erst durch Recherchen des in London ansässigen "The Bureau of Investigative Journalism" (TBIJ) klar, dass kein Terrorist mit Kalaschnikow, sondern eine alte Frau beim Okra-Pflücken getötet wurde. Eine herausragende Rolle spielte auch Shahzad Akbar, ein pakistanischer Anwalt, der sich für die Rechte von Drohnen-Opfern und ihren Hinterbliebenen einsetzt. Im Oktober 2013 reiste die Familie Rehman nach Washington, wo sie vor dem US-Kongress ihre Zeugenaussagen abgeben sollten. Akbar hätte sie eigentlich begleiten sollen, allerdings wurde ihm die Einreise verweigert. Obwohl hierfür kein Grund genannt wurde, meint Akbar, dass sein Engagement gegen die Drohnen-Politik der USA der Auslöser war.
Als Nabila und Zubair vor dem Kongress ihre Aussagen machten, war der Saal alles andere als gefüllt. Von den 430 Repräsentanten waren nur fünf anwesend. Das Schicksal der Kinder aus einem weit weg gelegenen Dorf in den Bergen schien so gut wie niemanden zu interessieren.
Während der Zeugenaussagen brach der Dolmetscher in Tränen aus. Nabilas Vater richtete sich an alle Amerikaner und stellte immer wieder die Frage, warum es zu diesem Angriff kam und ob seine Töchter etwa wie Terroristen aussehen würden. Ähnliches gab Nabila von sich: "Was hatte meine Großmutter getan? Warum wurde sie umgebracht?" All diese Fragen blieben bis heute unbeantwortet – von Emran Feroz
http://www.heise.de/tp/artikel/46/46334/1.html
21.10.2015 – Democracy Now
U.S. Sells New Warships to Saudi Arabia Despite Warnings of War Crimes & Civilian Deaths in Yemen
The Obama administration has approved an $11.25 billion deal to sell four advanced, Lockheed Martin-made warships to Saudi Arabia. The move comes as Amnesty International has called on the United States to halt arms transfers to Saudi Arabia or risk being complicit in war crimes in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia is waging a U.S.-backed campaign against Houthi rebels. We speak to Rep. Ted Lieu about his critique of U.S. policy in Yemen and Syria.
http://www.democracynow.org/2015/10/21/us_sells_new_warships_to_saudi
Russland / Russia
21.10.2015 – Interfax
Yemen delegation head highly appreciates Russian anti-terrorist campaign in Syria
ince the start of the air force operation in Syria, Russia has achieved such results in the fight against terrorism as were never seen from the U.S.-led international coalition in all of its campaign, the head of Yemen's delegation and deputy head of the Supreme Revolutionary Council of Yemen Naif al-Qanis has said.
"Russia is actually fighting terrorism in Syria and it has achieved such results that the U.S. and other nations could not achieve in all these years," Al-Qanis told a press conference on Oct. 21.
The delegation of Yemen's Supreme Revolutionary Council arrived in Moscow with an official visit just because it believes that "Russia really opposes terrorism," he added.
It was earlier revealed by the Russian Foreign Ministry that Russia's Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov had received on Tuesday a delegation composed of representatives of Yemeni social and political organizations, including the Socialist Party, Baath Party, Ansar Allah and the Southern Movement.
Großbritannien / Great Britain
22.10.2015 – Amnesty International
Yemen: UK minister's remarks over UK arms 'far too relaxed' as civilian death toll mounts
Responding to today’s remarks during a parliamentary debate by the Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood that weapons supplied by the UK to Saudi Arabia have “probably” been used in the conflict in Yemen, Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:
“Mr Ellwood is far too relaxed about the horrible civilian death toll in Yemen.
“The government has previously said that it simply relies on Saudi Arabia’s ‘assurances’ over the proper use of UK-supplied weapons by its forces in Yemen, but how can this ever be good enough?
“Mr Ellwood only needs to read our recent report on Yemen - with its evidence of the reckless nature of the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing campaign in Yemen - to set off the alarm bells
“Instead of sitting back and hoping for the best over Saudi Arabia’s use of our weaponry in the blood-drenched conflict in Yemen, he should be suspending all further arms exports to Saudi Arabia and announcing an urgent investigation into whether UK arms have been killing civilians in their hundreds in Yemen.”
In today’s debate in Westminster Hall, Mr Ellwood said that “I can probably confirm that they [British manufactured arms] probably have been used. We sell arms to Saudi Arabia - they are using weapons systems which we then sell. The more pertinent question is are they being used responsibly or not and that is the more important question and we need to make sure they are used in that responsible matter.”
22.10.2015 – Parliament Live
Debate on Yemen Conflict, House of Commons, Second Chamber
http://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/9850b81f-96c0-433f-bf13-726cef1d25a2
Transcipt: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151022/hallindx/151022-x.htm and http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2015-10-22a.425.0
Debate Pack, which some members even seem not to have read: http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CDP-2015-0077
So this was told by Government Minister Tobias Ellwood: “If there are human rights violations, they must absolutely be looked into, but I am not aware of any such evidence at the moment. We need to be careful about hearsay“ and “To be clear, I therefore very much welcome the crucial role of the Saudi-led coalition in reversing the military advance of the Houthis and the forces loyal to former President Saleh.“
See also
15.10.2015 –They work for you
Barry Sheerman Labour/Co-operative, Huddersfield
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the sale of arms manufactured by UK companies to governments which have committed human rights abuses.
Tobias Ellwood The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
This Government supports a responsible defence and security industry that helps meet the legitimate defence needs of other states, and contributes to their security and law and order. We take our arms export responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control regimes in the world. All defence and dual-use exports are required to meet the UK’s strict export control legislation and adhere to the UK international commitments including international treaties and obligations. Each application for an export licence is subject to rigorous case-by-case assessment against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. Risks around human rights violations are a key part of our assessment.
Does this answer the above question? You can vote – My vote was the very first – I voted “No”.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2015-10-09.10747.h&p=11437#g10747.r0
Es geht auch anders: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/portsmouth-south-mp-urges-government-not-to-dismiss-war-in-yemen-1-7027230
Deutschland / Germany
22.10.2015 – Süddeutsche Zeitung
Deutschland liefert Kampfpanzer nach Katar
Der Golfstaat Katar bekommt deutsche Kampfpanzer geliefert. Nach Informationen der Süddeutschen Zeitung sind kürzlich vier Panzer vom Typ Leopard 2 sowie drei Panzerhaubitzen Richtung Katar verschifft worden. Da Katar nach Medienberichten im Bürgerkrieg in Jemen engagiert ist, könnte somit eine Kriegspartei mit Gerät aus Deutschland ausgerüstet werden. Dies dürfte die Bundesregierung und vor allem Wirtschaftsminister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) unter Druck bringen. Die entscheidende Genehmigung erteilte aber die schwarz-gelbe Vorgängerregierung.
Das Ministerium habe "wegen der veränderten politischen Situation in der Region eine Überprüfung angestoßen, in die andere ebenfalls zuständige Ressorts miteinbezogen wurden", heißt es in einem Schreiben des Ministeriums an den Bundestag, das der SZ vorliegt. Einige Ressorts seien "trotz der veränderten politischen Rahmenbedingungen" nicht bereit gewesen, die Genehmigung zu widerrufen. "Eine Rücknahme einer bereits erteilten KWKG-Genehmigung löst auf jeden Fall Schadenersatzforderungen des Unternehmens aus", heißt es weiter. "Deshalb verblieb dem Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie nur die Option, die ausstehende AWG-Genehmigung zu erteilen." Über die erste Ladung hinaus sind nach SZ-Informationen dieses Jahr noch sechs weitere Leopard 2 zur Ausfuhr vorgesehen.
Vor diesem Hintergrund hat das Wirtschaftsministerium laut Schreiben an den Bundestag "gegenüber dem Auswärtigen Amt, dem Bundesministerium der Verteidigung und dem Bundeskanzleramt dazu gedrängt, von Katar eine Zusicherung zu verlangen, dass die zu liefernden Rüstungsgüter nicht in Jemen eingesetzt werden". Kanzleramt und Auswärtiges Amt würden "dementsprechend auf Katar zugehen".
Kommentar: „Armselig“ und „verlogen“ können das gar nicht angemessen kommentieren. Angeblich wegen zu befürchtender „Schadenersatzforderungen des Unternehmens“ habe man die Ausfuhrgenehmigung nicht widerrufen können? Es gibt also ein einklagbares Grundrecht auf Rüstungsexporte??? Und wie man sich dann aus diesem moralischen Bankrott herauswinden will: „gedrängt, von Katar eine Zusicherung zu verlangen, dass die zu liefernden Rüstungsgüter nicht in Jemen eingesetzt werden“: Das ist lächerlich. Sie werden im Jemen eingesetzt werden, wo sonst???
Propaganda
22.10.2015 – The National UAE
Star Wars film brings some cheer amid grim accounts from Yemen
Emiratis have been showing support for soldiers serving in Yemen through an Arabic hashtag. They have urged others to do the same.
Addressing those heroes @OxygenElkone wrote: “We take pride in your heroic actions.” He also prayed for those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Encouraging the soldiers, @AlzuodiF said that they should prove to the world that “Sheikh Zayed’s sons” could help other countries to overcome hardships.
Faisal @Faw_900 wished he could write a poem to express his gratitude towards those heroes. He thanked his “Arab brothers” for showing that “we don’t accept humiliation”.
Mohammed @AlNazerAlFalasi wrote: “Do you know what the word ‘man’ means? It means one who is not afraid of anything and anyone, except the almighty Allah.”
@AlNazerAlFalasi pointed out that when Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said that his son was not more precious to him than any of his countrymen, it was clear that “our beloved leaders” have genuine concerns for fellow citizens.
@shsm_ wrote: “With the blood spilt in Yemen by our soldiers, there are stories to be written. He said that their sacrifices would never go in vain.”
The Yemeni tragedy
A young Yemeni boy, Fareed, who told his father and the doctors not to bury him after his death became a sensation. Fareed sustained injuries in an air strike.
“The child’s words summarise the tragedy of Yemen,” wrote Ammar @ammaro.
Ahmed @AHA1R struck a similar note saying that the video of the dying child “showed the price Yemenis paid for the war”. Another Twitter user commented on the same matter. This young boy has become a symbol of the suffering in Yemen, said another tweeter.
Some like @PaxAfricanus brooded over the damages suffered by some of Yemen’s ancient cities.
Retweeting a post, Hisham @omeisy noted how the governate of Saada bore the brunt of the war. He was sad that “Saada was completely razed to the ground” – von Sarah Khamis
http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/star-wars-film-brings-some-cheer-amid-grim-accounts-from-yemen
Kommentar: Schöne Heldenpropaganda, zeitgemäß auf Twitter. Briefmarken zum „Heldengedenktag“ war vorgestern. Interessant, dass in diesem Artikel auch Kritik an der Saudi-Koalition zum Ausdruck kommt. Demnach wurde der Junge, dessen qualvoller Tod sogar in westlichen Medien Aufmerksamkeit erregte, durch einen Luftschlag getötet, also durch die Koalition. Und dass hier sogar ein Hinweis auf die Zerstörung des kulturellen Erbes angebracht wurde und der den Saudis abgeneigte Polititanalyst Omeisy aus Sanaa zitiert wird mit der völligen Zerstörung von Saada – das ist schon beachtenswert.
23.10.2015 – Emirates 24 7
Experts urge containment of Yemen by GCC
Recommend overall development after defeating the Houthi group
Arab academicians, analysts, experts and writers on Wednesday urged for containing Yemen by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and stressed that the GCC states are able to rehabilitate the country after defeating the Iranian-backed Houthis rebels.
They explained that expanding the Arab Coalition should be based on clarity of vision and success in the current operations in Yemen.
Participants were speaking on the second and last day of a forum organised by the Arabic-language daily ‘Al Ittihad’ to discuss consequences of the Houthi coup in Yemen and the response of GCC members to the Iranian proxy militia. They presented insights into Yemen's strategic importance for the security of the GCC, gave in-depth analysis of the situation in Yemen and the dangers of Iran's control of Yemen through its proxies in the country, the Houthi rebels.
Emirati researcher Salim Salmeen Al Nuaimi, noted that UAE participated in the Arab Coalition's Operation Decisive Storm because it clearly sees threats to its own national security.
He warned that if the Houthis seize control of Yemen, Tehran would be more influential in Yemen and the country will turn to a passageway for African migrants on their way to the Arab GCC states. This, he stressed, makes it urgent for the GCC states to contain and rehabilitate Yemen after they will have defeated the Houthi rebels.
Researcher Ahmed Abdulmalik noted that rehabilitating Yemen requires an agenda that goes beyond security and military considerations and focusses on development aid that would ensure stability in Yemen in the long run.
Wahid Abdulmajeed, Editor-in-Chief of the Egypt's Al Siyassa Al Dawliya Journal, said the formation of a pan-Arab Coalition should be founded on the success of its operations in Yemen and recognition of, and agreement on common threats that have to be faced.
The experts recommended that in addition to containing Yemen, the Houthi rebel group should be stripped of popular support and its social incubators in Yemen, and that overall development should be initiated in Yemen to prevent it from sliding back to Iran's hegemony.
They noted that containing Yemen should thwart Iran's attempts to take advantage of any vacuum in this region. They noted that if Yemen's accession to the GCC bloc is difficult now, the process can be carried out gradually over 15 years with admitting Yemen to a GCC free trade zone or customs union as a start.
http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/experts-urge-containment-of-yemen-by-gcc-2015-10-23-1.607798
Kommentar: Man kann die üblichen Propaganda-Versatzstücke auch in Gestalt einer “Experten”-Konferenz aufgeteilt auf verschiedene „Experten“ (auch deutsche Medien treiben übrigens Missbrauch mit diesem Wort) vorbringen lassen. Was auch durchscheint: Eine vertragliche Friedenslösung steht gar nicht auf der Agenda, sondern „defeating the Houthi group.
22.10.2015 – WAM
Yemen's President offers condolences on victims of Houthi militia in Taiz
President of Yemen, Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi, today made two phone calls to Hamoud Saeed al-Mikhlafi, a leader of the popular resistance in Taiz and Brigadier General Adnan al-Hamadi, the commander of the 35th Armored Brigade, to offer his condolences to the families of martyrs who fell today in the barbaric bombardment launched by al-Houthi militia and the forces loyal to the ousted Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, on a number of residential areas in the city of Taiz.
Mansour called on the National Army and Popular Resistance forces in Taiz to stand strong in their fight against militia forces, stressing that the victory will come sooner or later. He also reiterated his support to all resistance fronts in Taiz province and the rest of the governorates of Yemen to libralise all cities. He also emphasised the importance of solidarity in the face of al-Houthi militia and forces loyal to the ousted Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh
https://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395287001146.html
Kommentar: Hadi ruft also in Taiz an, “to offer his condolences to the families of martyrs who fell today in the barbaric bombardment launched by al-Houthi militia”. So etwas ist ja durchaus eine Aufgabe eines Präsidenten. Aber ernst nehmen kann man das nicht. Über die saudischen Luftangriffe hat er noch kein kritisches Wort verloren, ja er hat die Saudis sogar genau dafür gepriesen. Heuchler, der die Toten instrumentalisiert für seine politischen Zwecke.
Pressefreiheit / Liberty of Press
22.10.2015 – Netzpolitik
Kanadisches Unternehmen unterstützt Huthi-Rebellen bei Internetkontrolle im Jemen
Die Forschungsgruppe Citizen Lab hat analysiert, wie die kanadische Firma Netsweeper dabei hilft, im Jemen das Internet zu filtern. Netsweeper bietet vor allem Filtersoftware an.
Dabei erfolgt die Filterung des Internets teilweise verdeckt. Nicht in jedem Fall wird eine Meldung ausgegeben, dass die Seite blockiert wurde, zum Teil werden den Nutzer „Not Found“-Seiten präsentiert, aus denen nicht sofort ersichtlich ist, ob es sich nur um einen Fehler oder eine Blockade handelt. Zeigt eine Meldung das Blockieren einer Webseite an, teilen sich die Begründungen in „Custom“, „Pornography“, „Web Proxy“ und „Nudity“. Die ersten beiden Kategorien sind einem Gesamtanteil von über 90 Prozent dabei deutlich häufiger vertreten als der Rest.
Kritische Inhalte werden nicht nur durch Internetzensur klein gehalten, es kam in der Vergangenheit bereits zu Entführungen und Hausdurchsuchen von und bei kritischen Journalisten, Medien und Aktivisten.
Teilweise kommen auch teilweise und komplette Ausfälle des Internets vor, so wie im März 2015. Das in Hand der Huthi liegende Kommunikations- und Informationstechnik-Ministerium schnitt den Jemen kurzzeitig vom jeglicher internationaler Kommunikation ab, teilweise Ausfälle in bestimmten Regionen kamen häufiger vor.
Überwachung ist ein weiteres Thema in Jemens Liste an Menschenrechtsverstößen. Der Hacking-Team-Leak enthält mehrere Mailkonversationen zwischen Hacking Team und jemenitischen Unternehmen, die am Erwerb von Überwachungssoftware interessiert waren. Ob es letztlich zu einem Erwerb ebenjener kam, lässt sich bisher nicht ermitteln.
Der Bericht von Citizen Lab beschreibt überdies die sonstige Infrastruktursituation im Jemen. Es kommt regelmäßig zu Ausfällen, die beispielsweise Elektrizität und Treibstoff betreffen. Dadurch wird der sowieso bereits restriktive Zugang zu Medien weiter erschwert. Nicht nur Online-, sondern gleichfalls Printmedien wird die Produktion teils unmöglich gemacht, da sie weder Printmedien herstellen noch recherchieren können. Eine Situation, die den Huthis in die Hände spielt, auch wenn die Urheberschaft der Versorgungsknappheit nicht eindeutig geklärt werden kann.
Auch wenn die Nutzung der Filter- und Zensurmaßnahmen durch die Huthi-Rebellen massiv ist, muss bedacht werden, dass Filtersoftware schon lange vor deren Machtübernahme in Nutzung war – von Anna Biselli
Kommentar: der vorletzte Abschnitt enthält eine unsinnige Annahme. Die Urheberschaft der Versorgungsknappheit ist zu 100 % geklärt: Es ist die saudische Blockade der Importe in den Huthi-besetzten Jemen samt Zerstörung von Hafenanlagen, Verbindungsstraßen, Fahrzeugen und Tankstellen im Land.
Terrorismus / Terrorism
22.10.2015 – Middle East Eye from AFP
Yemen's al-Qaeda branch now in control of several Aden neighbourhoods
The AQAP flag is reportedly flying over large parts of Yemen's southern capital
Al-Qaeda's black flag has been seen flying over several official buildings in Yemen's second city Aden as the militants have made inroads in the absence of state authority and with the country mired in conflict.
In Tawahi, the flag has been hoisted over the police station and is flying on cars ferrying men across one of the largest districts of the port city, residents told AFP.
"Armed men of al-Qaeda control our whole district, even if there are only a few dozen of them," said Raefat, a 32-year-old employee of Yemeni radio and television. "It's no surprise given there's no state or government," he said.
A government security official told AFP that the militants are active in several areas "like Crater, Khor Maksar and Brigua, where their presence is growing stronger by the day". The official, declining to be named, said he "fears the city will fall under their total control in the absence of the state".
Bahah's departure [he left Aden and went back to Ryad] was a setback for government forces and the Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting them that had recaptured Aden from the Houthis and their allies in July.
Three months later, hundreds of young gunmen now control most public buildings in the city, according to residents, contacted from Sanaa. They claim allegiance to the pro-government "Popular Resistance," a loose coalition of former regular army soldiers, tribal militias, Islamists and southern secessionists.
The coalition has battled against the Houthis but without necessarily pledging loyalty to President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, also exiled in Saudi Arabia.
Aden police chief General Mohamed Mussaed said his men are "cooperating with our Popular Resistance brothers to resolve the security problem and restore police posts... a big challenge". But Aden residents say they fear the masked gunmen who roam the streets, especially after assailants on motorbikes gunned down at least six people, with Yemen's al-Qaeda franchise the prime suspect.
"We are counting on the cooperation of the youth of the Popular Resistance to restore security," said the city's police chief. While Hadi has called for such irregular forces to be integrated into the army, impoverished Yemen - in the thick of a conflict which has cost about 4,500 civilian lives since March - does not have the financial resources for such an operation.
"These armed men claim to be part of the Popular Resistance but nobody knows what group they belong to," protested Majed Ahmed, a resident of Dar Saad, another Aden district where al-Qaeda's flag flutters over a disused police post. To finance their operations, al-Qaeda fighters have seized $6m worth of diesel from a local port and sold it on the city's black market, according to an Aden refinery official.
22.10.2015 – Prameya News 7
Qaeda makes Aden inroads under Yemen conflict
Al-Qaeda's black flag is flying over several official buildings in Yemen's second city Aden as jihadists make inroads in the absence of state authority and with the country mired in conflict.
In Tawahi, the flag has been hoisted over the police station and is flown on cars ferrying bearded men across one of the largest districts of the port city, residents say.
"Armed men of Al-Qaeda control our whole district, even if there are only a few dozen of them," said Raefat, a 32-year-old employee of Yemeni radio and television.
"It's no surprise given there's no state or government," he said.
A government security official told AFP that the jihadists are active in several areas "like Crater, Khor Maksar and Brigua, where their presence is growing stronger by the day".
The official, declining to be named, said he "fears the city will fall under their total control in the absence of the state".
Bahah's departure was a setback for government forces and the Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting them that had recaptured Aden from the Huthis and their allies in July.
Three months later, hundreds of young gunmen now control most public buildings in the city, according to residents, contacted from Sanaa.
They claim allegiance to the pro-government "Popular Resistance", a loose coalition of former regular army soldiers, tribal militias, Islamists and southern secessionists.
The coalition has battled against the Iran-backed Huthis but without necessarily pledging loyalty to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, also exiled in Saudi Arabia.
Aden police chief General Mohamed Mussaed says his men are "cooperating with our Popular Resistance brothers to resolve the security problem and restore police posts... a big challenge".
But Aden residents say they fear the masked gunmen who roam the streets, especially after assailants on motorbikes gunned down at least six people, with Yemen's Al-Qaeda franchise the prime suspect.
"We are counting on the cooperation of the youth of the Popular Resistance to restore security," said the city's police chief.
While Badi has called for such irregular forces to be integrated into the army, impoverished Yemen in the thick of a conflict which has cost about 4,500 civilian lives since March does not have the financial resources for such an operation.
"These armed men claim to be part of the Popular Resistance but nobody knows what group they belong to," protested Majed Ahmed, a resident of Dar Saad, another Aden district where Al-Qaeda's flag flutters over a disused police post.
To finance their operations, Al-Qaeda fighters have seized $6 million worth of diesel from a local port and sold it on the city's black market, according to an Aden refinery official.
http://prameyanews7.com/en/oct2015/globe/5029/Qaeda-makes-Aden-inroads-under-Yemen-conflict.htm
Neue Artikel zum Nachlesen 1-37: / Yemen Press reader 1-37:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or
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