Allgemein / General
23.10.2015 – Menas
Yemen update: both sides seek victory before dialogue
The Saudi-led coalition expects the war in Yemen to last for at least a few more months. Coalition ground forces are making some progress on the key fronts in Marib, Ta’izz, and the Tihama. But the Huthis and Ali Abdullah Saleh remain defiant, and feel that they may have the advantage as the war spreads into the more mountainous terrain of the north. They may attempt to step up the so far limited cross-border attacks into Saudi Arabia, but they lack the capacity to sustain these over the long term.
The Saudis are active among the Yemeni tribes, in a bid to win them over. But they are seen to favour old friends as well as Islah, a Yemeni political grouping with Sunni Islamist leanings. There are tensions between the UAE, which has provided a significant number of ground troops, and the Saudis over the conduct of the war, and over the role of Islah in particular. The Emiratis are sceptical about the group, whereas the Saudis seem to have becoming more comfortable with backing it as a partner. Most of the fighting is still being done by Yemenis trained by the coalition, or by Yemeni army groups often associated with Islah. There appear to be relatively few Saudi troops on the front line.
The Huthis have signalled that they are ready for negotiations but the Saudis see this as a tactic to undermine the coalition’s current offensive. The reality is that both sides think they have more to gain by fighting than talking.
Bomb attacks by the Islamic State group (IS) against Yemeni ministers and a building housing UAE soldiers underline the security problems in Aden, forcing Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and his ministers to move to Riyadh until the coalition, working with a new Yemeni organisation, can guarantee their security. Although the Huthis have been cleared from the south, what government there is in that region is now in the hands of a variety of local groups.
Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and IS are exploiting the situation, and it will be difficult to push AQAP out of Mukalla and other parts of coastal Hadhramaut.
The Huthi government based in Sana’a remains dysfunctional and may soon run out of money. It appears to have no strategy to cope.
https://www.menas.co.uk/yemen-update-both-sides-seek-victory-before-dialogue/
23.10.2015 – Critical Threats
2015 Yemen Crisis Situation Report: October 23
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is taking control of more territory in Yemen, both inside and outside of active conflict zones. The decentralization of the conflict in Yemen continues to delay a negotiated settlement and provide opportunities for AQAP to expand.
AQAP is taking advantage of a security vacuum in Aden to strengthen its presence in the city. AQAP militants are a visible presence in al Tawahi, one of the largest districts in Aden. AQAP’s flag was raised over the district police station and openly displayed on some cars in recent weeks. The coalition-backed Yemeni government does not have enough well-trained forces to secure Aden, and locals reported AQAP’s presence is growing in the city. President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi is attempting to bolster Aden’s security by incorporating popular resistance fighters into the national security forces and recalling Yemeni police cadets from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Sudanese troops reinforced coalition forces in Aden, but a UAE Special Forces unit remains the only trained counterterrorism force on the ground. The Hadi government is attempting to mask the security breakdown by denying reports of AQAP and Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS) activity in the city. Hadi government officials denied reports of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device that killed nine Sudanese soldiers near Aden International Airport. Similarly, both the coalition and the government continue to blame al Houthi rockets for an October 6 coordinated bombing by ISIS Wilayat Aden-Abyan.
President Hadi committed to UN-led peace talks, but the Saudi-led coalition will likely delay a settlement until it secures a superior position on the ground.
The anti-al Houthi frontlines in Taiz and Ma’rib governorates remain fixed.
Pro-al Houthi militias launched an offensive southeast of Sana’a. Pro-al Houthi militias pushedpopular resistance forces out of al Bayda governorate and are preparing to launch an offensive in neighboring Shabwah governorate. Coalition airstrikes in Shabwah increased, likely in response to al Houthi mobilization there.
Anti-al Houthi forces launched an offensive in al Jawf governorate in northern Yemen. Popular resistance fighters and Yemeni army units loyal to President Hadi advanced toward a strategic al Houthi-held military camp with air support from the Saudi-led coalition.
The entrenchment of existing frontlines and the initiation of new offensives will stall the coalition’s push toward Sana’a. The coalition’s inability to secure superior positions on the ground will continue to delay its support for a negotiated settlement. AQAP will take advantage of the ongoing security vacuum to consolidate its gains in Aden and threaten the Hadi government’s ability to retain control of the city – by Emily Estelle
http://www.criticalthreats.org/yemen/yemen-crisis-situation-reports-october-23-2015
23.10.2015 – The American Conservative
The Indefensible War on Yemen Continues
This is what the rest of Yemen has to look forward to even if the Saudi-led coalition “wins”: disorder and disease. Considering the inability of Hadi’s government to reestablish itself in the south even after the Saudis and Emiratis pushed the Houthis out, the folly of fighting an atrocious war for the sake of reinstalling Hadi in the capital is undeniable. Yemen has been devastated in the name of reimposing an unwanted president who becomes daily less popular as the campaign to put him back in power claims more lives and inflicts additional unnecessary suffering.
One of the many disastrous effects of the war has been the escalating failure of the country’s health services. A new article from The Guardian details the damage.
A main reason for the lack of medication is the continuing Saudi-led blockade that has cut Yemen off from most of its commercial imports. As it is, nearly a quarter of all medical facilities in the country are no longer functioning, and the longer the conflict and blockade drag on the higher that figure will climb. Deprived of much-needed medicine on the one hand, the country’s doctors are also facing an exodus of specialists and staff.
All of this is being done to the civilian population of Yemen because of Saudi paranoia about Iran and the recklessness of the new leadership in Riyadh. The intervention is entirely indefensible, but the U.S. has enabled this intervention from the beginning – by Daniel Larison
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-indefensible-war-on-yemen-continues-2/
Kommentar: Wie so oft, von Larison kurz und knapp auf den Punkt gebracht.
23.10.2015 – Academia Edu
From the margins of Yemen into the heart of the country, from fist-fights on Change Square to control of the capital city. Spatial manifestations of the Ḥūthī ascension to power
This is a brilliant paper on the Houthis and particularly Islah and recent politics in Yemen. Not for the faint hearted because it is 50 pages long, but if you have time and really want to understand what is going on now it is worth while putting apart a few hours. It explains to me why so many Islah people tell me that they have demonstrated on behalf of the Houthis and look at what good it did them. What this paper revealed was that for Islah the alliance was more of anti-Saleh rather than pro-Houthi, and after Saleh was removed from office, the same as in any conflict - the coalition victors turned against each other – by M. Heinze
https://www.facebook.com/yemennewstodayenglish/posts/1036912006461290 full study: https://www.academia.edu/16985842/From_the_margins_of_Yemen_into_the_heart_of_the_country_from_fist-fights_on_Change_Square_to_control_of_the_capital_city._Spatial_manifestations_of_the_%E1%B8%A4%C5%ABth%C4%AB_ascension_to_power
23.10.2015 – Moon of Alabama
No End To The Stuck War On Yemen
The last bigger post on the war on Yemen here was on September 9. Since then nothing important happened there to write about. Little has changed in the positions on the battlefield. The daily Saudi bombing of the cities continues, the Saudi/U.S. blockade on the country continues and a wide raging famine is imminent.
The Houthis are still fighting the Saudis in Marib in the north-east. They are still invading the former Yemeni areas in Saudi Arabia in the north. They are still targeting Saudi ships that come near the Yemeni coast in the west. (Two were allegedly hit.) They still indiscriminately shell Saudi coalition positions in Taiz. Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups are still gobbling up more territory in the south-east and around Aden. The Saudi attack on the Yemeni highlands and Sanaa is still stuck right where it started.
The Saudi/U.S. coalition included troops from the UAE which had landed in Aden. They brought in the Saudi sponsored "government" of the former president Hadi. But Hadi left the country after just 24 hours on the ground and the building the "government" occupied in Aden was targeted by double suicide car bombs. Some more UAE troops were killed and the "government" went back to reside in a convention center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The UAE troops now keep to their camps.
The "vice president" Khaled Bahah is trying to arrange some peace talks but neither the Saudis nor anyone else is listening to him. The UN is also arranging peace talks but nobody expects any results. The Saudi lunatic "young leader" Mohammad bin Salman-un wants to get whatever he wants or continue the war.
Last week troops from Sudan, paid by the Saudis, landed in Aden. The U.S. is now in a coalition with Sudan even as it accuses the same troops of genocide in Darfur. Yesterday the soldiers from Sudan were attacked with a suicide car bomb and some 15 of them died. Some 500 troops are also suppose to come from Mauritania. They will fare no better. The Saudis also hired 800 Christian mercenaries from Columbia. Al Qaeda and IS are feverishly waiting for them.
The Saudis really believe they can buy everyone and anything and achieve the results they favor. But non of the bribes they paid to this or that Yemeni tribe to fight the Houthis changed the position on the ground. All their high tech weapons fail to decide or end the conflict. None of their mercenary troops have a chance against fiercely independent Yemenis defending their homes. All the support the U.S. gives the Saudis onlybrings more death, destruction and misery.
This war on Yemen is the most stupid one I can think of. There is nothing to win for anybody. Who will tell the Saudis?
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2015/10/no-end-to-the-stuck-war-on-yemen.html
23.10.2015 – Yemen News Today
Yemen update – 22nd October 2015
My news from Yemen centres on five main areas this week: Taiz, Aden, Saada, the UN peace accords, and the health of King Salman of Saudi Arabia.
Firstly, there has been a shift in Saudi policy this week, and I gather than officials from the UN are speaking to the Crown Price, now that King Salman is ill. There seems to be a slightly more conciliatory attitude from Saudi Arabia, who are “allowing” Hadi to attend peace talks at the end of the month. Well, at least Hadi is going and he could not have done so unless Saudi had agreed. I also have heard rumour that the young Saudi man sentenced to death and crucifixion has been reprieved, so maybe they are starting to listen to outside opinions.
Saudi has also announced that some other armies are joining them in Yemen.
The reasons why these new troops are needed is because of the situation in Taiz and Aden. Aden is meant to be under control of the Yemen government and the Saudi coalition, but in reality it not controlled by anyone. Instead, it has a mix of many militias stamping their authority, most of whom are extremist Sunni militias. Some of them are fighting each other, or attacking the coalition forces. Some very gloomy reports have come out of the port this week. As armies of the coalition move from Aden into other areas to ‘liberate’ them, they are not able to control what is left behind. The UAE is controlling the port area and ships are arriving, but Aden refuses to let any aid or goods move to the north. They also refuse to allow northerners to enter Aden, including those from Taiz who are suffering so terribly at the moment, and are trapped inside the city.
Taiz is at the frontline of the war.
Saada in the northwest is as much without hope as ever – after 209 days of war, it has been reported that more than 38,000 bombs have been dropped on this governate. I mention it in comparison to Taiz, which now has relatively wide media coverage, whereas Saada still has none.
http://yemen-news-today.org/2015/10/23/yemen-update-22nd-october-2015/
22.10.2015 – All Party Parliamentary Group on Yemen
Conflict in Yemen: The forgotten crisis
Yemen currently faces its greatest crisis. With 80% of the population in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, 50% of the population lacking regular access to water and over 4,600 people estimated to have died in the conflict, the foremost message of this report is the need for all of the parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire. In the eyes of many observers, aid workers, and the Yemeni diaspora, Yemen is often seen as a forgotten conflict, not attracting the same international and public attention as comparable crises in the region. We believe it is crucial to raise awareness of this tragic crisis, as Yemen remains in critical need of emergency aid and humanitarian assistance. We come with practical solutions at with practical solutions at the heart of our recommendations, suggesting actions the British government can take in creating the circumstances for a ceasefire, a long-term diplomatic solution, and to ensure emergency aid is able to reach the population. The international community has acted decisively before to bring Yemen back from the brink. Faced by a crisis of such a vast scale, we need to do so once again. If we do not act now, it may soon be too late.
…
Multiple observers have raised concerns that International Humanitarian Law has been breached during the conflict. The United Kingdom has a responsibility to promote and protect international law. Any breaches by either party should be strongly condemned. Accusations of breaches of international law largely focus on fighting and bombings which have harmed civilians and civilian infrastructure. Amnesty International in particular has publicly condemned such breaches, stating both sides have carried out indiscriminate attacks using imprecise weapons, such as artillery and mortar fire in heavily populated civilian areas.45 The use of certain weapons has also been raised in human rights accusations, and Saudi Arabia admitted to using CBU-105 cluster munitions following accusations from Human Rights Watch, but stressed they were used on Houthi armour assets and not in population centres.46 Save the Children identify one example where a UNICEF warehouse in Dhamar (south of Sana’a) storing supplies for 11,000 people was destroyed in a coalition airstrike on 17 September.47 ProHouthi forces were responsible for indiscriminate artillery strikes into populated areas in Aden in July, which Human Rights Watch believe were “in violation of the laws of war.” 48 Houthi forces have also been accused of a widespread use of child soldiers. Diplomatic pressure is growing on this issue, and the Dutch government led an effort – which was rejected - on 2 October to mandate an independent U.N. Investigation on human rights breaches.49 Whilst both parties dispute any allegations that they have deliberately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, the political reality is that any damage, intentional or unintentional, to the civilian population will undermine legitimacy in their cause.
http://www.hscentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/APPG-on-Yemen-Report-The-Forgotten-Crisis.pdf
Kommentar: Ausführlicher Bericht aus dem britischen Parlament
Kulturerbe / Cultural Heritage
23.10.2015 – NTV
Jemen: Militärallianz zerstört Nationalmuseum
Noch einmal zum Jemen: Das Foto wurde ist inzwischen dutzendfach in meiner Twittertimeline aufgetaucht. Jetzt berichtet auch die "Yemen Post" darüber. In der umkämpften Stadt Taiz wurde das Nationalmuseum bei einem Luftschlag getroffen. Das Ergebnis sehen Sie auf dem Foto.
http://www.n-tv.de/der_tag/Jemen-Militaerallianz-zerstoert-Nationalmuseum-article16199806.html
Kriegsereignisse / Theater of War
25.10.2015 – Reuters
Yemen government forces make gains in southwest city Taiz, locals say
Yemeni forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi made gains on Sunday in the southwestern city of Taiz after days of battles with Houthi fighters, a local official and residents said.
The Hadi supporters, who have been backed by air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition since March, made particular progress around the presidential palace, the locals said. The complex has changed hands several times and been all but destroyed in the fighting.
Medical sources said 13 Houthi fighters were killed in the fighting in Yemen's third largest city. So were eight fighters loyal to Hadi. Reuters could not independently verify their accounts.
Several residents said Hadi loyalists had taken control of a number of mountain peaks on the southern approach to Taiz, Yemen's cultural capital.
Houthi gunmen prevented convoys of medical supplies from entering an enclave of Taiz, the aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres said. Residents there reported the rebels were also blocking the entry of food, water and fuel to the area, it said.
"After weeks of negotiations, we have made no progress in convincing officials of the need to provide impartial medical assistance," MSF’s emergency manager for Yemen, Karline Kleijer, said in a statement.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/25/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0SJ0AV20151025
24.10.2015 – Tasnim News / Press TV Iran
Saudi Air Raids Kill over 100 in Yemen’s Hudaydah
More than 100 Yemeni people were killed after Saudi-led warplanes heavily pounded residential areas across the northwestern province of al-Hudaydah.
According to reports coming out of the impoverished Arab country, the Saudi fighter jets on Friday bombed a number of islands, including Uqban and Kamaran, in the Red Sea and claimed the lives of 115 people.
Over 20 sorties were reportedly launched on the islands.
It was also said that the Saudi jets targeted a number of fishing boats in the area and prevented them from providing aid for the people on the targeted islands.
According to Press TV, Riyadh also bombarded residential areas in the Yemeni province of Sa’ada, killing at least 11 people and injuring two others in the district of Haydan.
It was reported a gas station and some shopping centers were targeted in the Saudi attacks on the district as well.
Saudi Arabia also pounded residential areas in the district of Bani Hashish in the province, killing at least two children. Saudi attacks were reported in other districts of the province, including Baqim and Kattaf.
Elsewhere, Saudi warplanes also bombarded the district of Bayhan in the southern province of Shabwah, killing at least three civilians.
Local Yemeni media outlets said that Saudi Arabia targeted a market in the Yemeni northwestern province of Hajjah, causing the death of eight civilians and wounding at least 20 others.
Witnesses also confirmed that Saudi fighters targeted the power plant and pylons in the district of Abs in the province.
The Yemeni provinces of Ta'izz and Ma’rib were also bombed by Saudi warplanes.
http://www.tasnimnews.com/english/Home/Single/896876 and http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/10/24/434725/Saudi-Arabia-Yemen-Hudaydah-Uqban-Kamaran
24.10.2015 – Reuters
Several Yemeni fishermen killed in Saudi-led strikes: witnesses
At least 40 people were killed, including several fishermen, when Saudi-led coalition strikes hit two Yemeni islands on the Red Sea overnight, several locals said on Saturday.
Local fishermen told Reuters that coalition helicopters and warships targeted several military locations belonging to the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh on Aqban and Kadman islands on Friday night. The strikes killed several fishermen who live on the islands and destroyed several fishing boats, they said.
Reuters could not independently confirm this account and a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition forces could not immediately be reached for comment.
On Thursday, a resident in the northern province of Hajjah said coalition planes had bombed a small island in the Red Sea close to the port of Midi, killing 10 fishermen.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/24/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0SI07G20151024
23.10.2015 – Sahafah.net (Arabisch, übersetzt mit Google Translator)
The deaths of more than 100 Houthi in a raid targeting the home of the Red Gen. Sanaa and "Saada Online" reveals the most prominent Huthi and Iranian leaders
Arab fighters Majid coalition launched several raids on the home of Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar taken by militias Houthi Imami-based unit in the center of the capital Sanaa.
A senior source explained for "Saada Online" that the rebels killed in the raid exceeded percent, including Houthi and Iranian leaders.
He said that the number of people killed was 98 dead and more than 45 wounded in the initial statistic.
He added that there is a great Houthi leaders fell in this lightning raid, including the leader of al-Huthi, "Saleh Ahmed Gargash" and "Abdullah Ahmad Madani" and "Hussein Abdullah Eida."
It also revealed the injury of an Iranian leaders were present at the home of Gen. including the Iranian leader called "Khoury Obaid Agha" and who was killed in the raid.
Channel march Huthi crew, which consists of four people were killed.
The militia captured al-Huthi Imami on the home of the Red General after control of the capital Sanaa in the 21 / September / 2014 and taken by Mohammed al-Huthi Chairman of the Revolutionary-based al-Huthi.
http://www.sahafah.net/show2113439.html
Kommentar: Seltsam, dass darüber kein anderer Bericht zu finden war. Falschmeldung? For this house, see http://www.yementimes.com/en/1830/report/4533/Ali-Mohsen%E2%80%99s-house-A-museum-with-Houthi-tour-guides.htm
23.10.2015 – Khabar Agency (Arabic, translated by Google Translator)
Yemen: the outcome of an initial heavy for the victims of # Mdzrh_chiadin in the Red Sea
Martyrs toll rose raids by coalition warplanes Saudi aggression on Thursday and Friday 22 and October 23 / October, on the islands of eagles and Kidman in the Red Sea, to 100 dead and dozens wounded.
A local official said the news agency, said that the air strike targeted the fishermen in the Red Sea with the support Apache helicopters.
The fighter jets to target ambulance teams that went to the area and prevented anyone from approaching the wounded to ambulances.
It was the local population and health centers in eagles distress call to all international and humanitarian organizations to save them and find out the massacre committed by fighters aggression against fishermen.
It was a long aerial bombardment and naval aircraft supported by Apache a number of fishing boats on the island of Kidman located on the Red Sea and the administrator of the Directorate of the beard in Hodeidah Governorate, according to a local official news agency.
http://www.khabaragency.net/news39978.html
23.10.2015 – Khabar Agency
Saudi-led airstrikes targeted fishermen boats in Akban Island #Hodiedah , killing 100 at least
https://twitter.com/khabaragency/status/657633676050735104
23.10.2015 – Sultana
actually, its two islands: aqaban & Kadaman. Strikes on thursday & friday. Toll 100+ dead
https://twitter.com/SultanetZman/status/657704966510026752
23.10.2015 – Sultana
#Saudi Apaches targetted rescuers who tried to help fishermen after strikes on Island
https://twitter.com/SultanetZman/status/657658342945501184
18.10.2015 – Radio Colombia Nacional
800 exmilitares colombianos prestarán servicios en Yemen
A finales de octubre se llevará a cabo el ingreso de tropas aliadas a una de las zonas más peligrosas de Yemen. Se trata de Aden, la segunda ciudad de este país ubicado en el medio oriente.
La situación particular en medio del conflicto que enfrenta Yemen, hace ya más de 11 años, es que en el grupo que acompañará el ingreso de los uniformados que partieron desde la zona de los Emiratos Árabes con el apoyo del gobierno de Arabia Saudita, estarán presentes exmilitares colombianos, que luego de pasar un riguroso proceso de selección, también estarán entre las líneas de coordinación de estos operativos.
En diálogo con RCN La Radio, el general en retiro Jaime Ruiz, presidente de la Asociación de Oficiales Retirados de las Fuerzas Militares (Acore), señaló que esto no es nuevo, pues en varias ocasiones ex uniformados han partido hacia otros países porque han visto mejores condiciones y garantías.
http://www.rcnradio.com/nacional/800-exmilitares-colombianos-prestan-servicios-en-yemen/ dazu auch http://www.hispantv.com/newsdetail/Yemen/72385/fuerzas-colombianas-800-yemen-arabia-saudi
Kommentar: Mit Geld geht alles. Jetzt haben die Saudis auch noch 800 kolumbianische Veteranen angeheuert.
Und auf Englisch dazu / And in English:
columbian military in yemen conflict
In an interview with RCN Radio, retired General Jaime Ruiz, president of the Association of retired officers of the Armed Forces (Acore) noted that this is not new, as repeatedly former soldiers have left for other countries because they have seen best conditions and guarantees.
"They got there because they are the best qualified and have an advantage because there fulfill their tasks and not imprison as is happening here," said Jaime Ruiz.
General Ruiz stressed that this means the recognition they have the military forces of Colombia in the world and noted that the former members who have left for foreign territory have made their own decision.
"We are proud to recognize us as the best fighters and we are there, each one can give you a different reading but what should be noted is that it is an individual decision and a choice of work and salary are better option, plus It is not new: in the Emirates have many fighters, "the general added Ruiz.
He pointed retired Gen. Jaime Ruiz that often also the decision of former military corresponds to the need to find less risky to perform their work and are today represented not only on the battlefield but in the courts
"Here the military against terrorism not only play his life to defend the instuciones but his freedom, imprisoned 15,000 people have a situation of concern for the conditions of struggle and have insisted that this must change because there will be who will defend this country, "he said.
http://defence.pk/threads/columbian-military-in-yemen-conflict.405109/
Lage in Taiz / Situation at Taiz
25.10.2015 – Doctors without borders
Yemen: Medical aid blocked from entering besieged area in Taiz
Despite weeks of intense negotiations with Ansarallah (Houthi) officials, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that stocks of essential medical supplies cannot be delivered to two hospitals in a besieged enclave of the city ofTaiz, in southern Yemen. Today MSF’s trucks have been stopped again at Houthi’s checkpoints and denied access to the area.
“The hospitals in this besieged area are seeing large number of patients with war wounds,” says Karline Kleijer, MSF’s emergency manager for Yemen, who has just returned from the country. “And yet we have been prevented from delivering essential medical supplies – including chest tubes, anaesthetic drugs, IV fluid, sutures and antibiotics – to help staff provide lifesaving surgery
“It is very frustrating that, after weeks of negotiations, we have made no progress in convincing officials of the need to provide impartial medical assistance to the victims of the ongoing fighting within this enclave, despite the continued support we are providing to health facilities in Houthi-controlled areas,” says Kleijer.
Taiz residents of the enclave speak of increasing restrictions to bring in water, fuel and food supplies. Prices within the besieged area have surged dramatically and people struggle to find enough drinking water.
Ordinary Yemenis living in the densely populated areas of Taiz live in constant fear of snipers, stray bullets and mortar shelling, which is being used indiscriminately by both warring groups, while airstrikes hit Taiz city on a daily basis. People struggle to reach clinics and hospitals, as they are scared from the fighting, the struggle to cross frontlines and are lacking transport due to fuel shortages. People often look for medical care by visiting befriended nurses or doctors in their private homes.
The arms embargo on Yemen, which has turned into a de facto general blockade implemented by the Saudi-led coalition and the UN, has led to country-wide critical shortages of food and fuel, which are only available for extortionate prices.
“A large part of the population of Taiz is displaced within the city, says Kleijer. “They are battling for their survival on a daily basis, and fighting to get hold of sufficient food and water, due to the steep cost of basic necessities and the prevailing insecurity.”
Taiz formerly had 20 hospitals for its population of more than 600,000. Due to the conflict, only six of these continue to function, and often only partially. They lack health staff, fuel and essential medicines, and are overwhelmed by the high numbers of wounded seeking to access their emergency services on a daily basis.
“The situation in Taiz is dramatic and will only get worse in the coming weeks if no efforts are made to spare civilians from the violence and allow them to access basic services, including health facilities,” says Kleijer.
http://www.msf.org/article/yemen-medical-aid-blocked-entering-besieged-area-taiz see also http://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/features/2015/10/25/yemens-war-and-its-terrible-toll-on-taiz
23.10.2015 – UN News Centre
Sounding alarm on widening crisis in Yemen, UN rights office says civilians paying ‘terrible toll’
The United Nations human rights office said today that the humanitarian situation in Yemen’s highland Taiz governorate is deteriorating rapidly in the wake of a recent attack by members of the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis which targeted residential areas and left 15 civilians dead, injured 73 others and left homes, shops, a clinic and a school partially destroyed.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the indiscriminate shelling in Taiz is only the latest incident impacting the area.
“We are concerned at the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, which is being greatly exacerbated by checkpoints which were set up by the Popular Committees affiliated with the Houthis on the periphery of Taiz city in April. These checkpoints have been tightening their restrictions on the movement of the civilian population,” OHCHR Spokesperson Rupert Colville, told reporters in Geneva.
He further added that the members of the Houthi-affiliated Committees have taken control of the eastern route into Taiz and have blocked main supply routes from Sana’a, Aden, Ibb, Lahj and Hudaydah.
Mr. Colville detailed eyewitness accounts of the attacks, which began at around 4:15 in the evening, when shells fired from Houthis-controlled Al-Hawban area targeted a number of residential areas in the Al-Dhaboaha neighbourhood, hitting the Al-Mutahideen Clinic and five neighbouring homes.
Additionally, he said that the second round of shelling resumed later that night and that an estimated 18 shells were fired in same Al-Hawban area, targeting residential neighbourhoods in the city centre.
He further added that at least one shell hit the Hayel Saeed school, at least one shell landed near a mosque in Al-Awadhi Street, two shells struck a residential area near the fish market, and more shells hit shops in the city’s central market. A total of at least seven shells also struck the Al-Akhwah and the Al-Rawdha neighbourhoods.
Mr. Colville said that the civilians are currently struggling to meet even their basic needs such as potable water and added that the prices of water have increased by 300 per cent in the last week.
He also said that reports received by OHCHR indicate that members of the Popular Committees Affiliated with the Houthis and armed forces loyal to former President Saleh have prevented local traders and residents from crossing check points with water, fruit and vegetables and other essential goods.
Mr. Colville further said that the health system in Taiz is almost collapsing.
“At present, there are a total of six public and private hospitals that are partially functional in Taiz. Following the closure of Yemen International Hospital, the largest hospital in the city, smaller private hospitals with limited capacity have been overwhelmed with casualties caused by the fighting,” he said.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52350#.VisDa37hDct
22.10.2015 – Red Cross
Yemen: ICRC deeply concerned by the impact of fighting in Taiz
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of increasingly intense fighting in the city of Taiz, where there has been indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and essential supplies are being blocked from entering the city.
"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. Hospitals have reported 22 dead and more than 140 wounded after yesterday's shelling and airstrikes," said the ICRC head of delegation in Yemen, Antoine Grand.
"We have been asking the parties concerned to authorize the delivery of urgent medicines to the Al-Thawra hospital for the last five weeks, to no avail so far. This shipment is critical to save lives," he said.
Following more than six months of escalating ground fighting, airstrikes and shelling, people in Taiz are also suffering from acute shortages of water, food, electricity, gas and fuel.
"We are deeply concerned not only by the restrictions imposed on movements of essential goods into Yemen, but also inside the country. Today, we have been able to distribute food and basic aid to some displaced people on the outskirts of Taiz, but it remains very difficult for essential goods to enter the city, leading to an extremely worrying humanitarian situation," Mr Grand said.
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/yemen-fightings-taiz-civilians
Houthi - Ex-President Saleh
24.10.2015 – Yemen Post
Yemen Ex President could be involved in money laundering
Yemen's representative to the United Nations Security Council, Khalid Al-Yamani, revealed that the UN is poised to freeze more assets of former president, Saleh, after UN member states submitted information abut that.
In a statement to the Saba news agency, the official version, he also revealed that international experts have found out involvement of Saleh in money laundering through global mafias.
Early this year, the Security Council extended sanctions against former president, his aides including son Ahmed and Houthi leaders.
The sanctions were approved last year on grounds these figures were undermining the political transition.
http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=8252&MainCat=3
Kommentar: Zwar ist Saleh gerade auch in sachen geld sehr viel zuzutrauen (er ist einer der größten Kleptokraten aller Zeiten), von Seiten der Hadi-Regierung riecht der jetzt erhobene Vorwurf aber doch stark nach Propaganda.
Ein Blick zurück auf 2014:
2.9.2014 – Huffington Post from AP
Official: Yemen Protesters Plan Ukrainian-Style Revolution
A senior Yemeni security official said that Hawthis are plotting a Ukrainian-style revolution in the capital and that they plan to storm the cabinet and parliament over the coming days – by Ahmed Al-Haj
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/yemen-revolution_n_5752302.html
Kommentar: Man sehe sich auch das Bild von der riesigen Demonstration der Huthis gegen Präsident Hadi in Sanaa am 29. August 2014 an. Ja, der Beamte der Hadi-Regierung mit seiner Einschätzung der Huthi-Proteste lag näher an der Wahrheit, als er ahnen konnte. 2015 wird er darauf nicht mehr zurückgekommen sein. Und – das hatte ich ja schon vor Monaten im Freitag geschrieben – das völlig andere Vorgehen des Westens gegenüber dem Maidan und dem Coup vom Februar 2014 in der Ukraine und den Huthis und ihrem Coup gegen Hadi im Februar 2015 offenbart die ganze Doppelmoral des „Westens“, dem es immer nur um seine eigenen geostrategischen Interessen geht. Dass ein Hadi-Funktionär damals selbst diese Parallele zwischen Maidan und Huthi-Protesten gesehen hat, bestätigt das nur einmal mehr.
UNO
24.10.2015 – Reuters
UN warns of obstruction to aid in Yemen
The United Nations envoy to Yemen is arranging face-to-face negotiations between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels but warned that a “disastrous humanitarian situation” has left most of the country in dire need.
Without naming specific parties to the conflict, UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the UN Security Council yesterday that it had been characterized by “blatant disregard for the laws of war.”
Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the Security Council that Hadi has agreed to send a delegation to peace talks that will include the Iranian-backed Houthis.
“I will start working immediately with the government of Yemen, the Houthis and other stakeholders to agree on the agenda, date and format for these talks,” he said.
“I hope that these first face-to-face talks will chart a course towards a rapid end to the fighting, the resumption of political dialogue, and Yemen’s return to an orderly and peaceful political transition,” he said.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he wanted the talks to focus on main elements of Security Council resolution 2216 - withdrawing militias from key cities, releasing prisoners, returning heavy weapons seized from the army, improving the humanitarian situation and resuming inclusive political dialogue.
Previous UN-sponsored peace talks faltered in June after Hadi’s government demanded that the Houthis pull out of cities captured since last September as a precondition for a ceasefire.
24.10.2015 – AFP
UN envoy: No time to waste for Yemen peace talks
The UN special envoy for Yemen said Friday he would begin working immediately with the government and rebel leaders to determine an agenda and date for peace talks, but warned a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis loomed.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the Security Council that the Huthi rebels and backers of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh had "clearly committed" to carrying out council resolution 2216, which calls for a negotiated withdrawal by the rebels "from Yemen's key cities and a surrender of all heavy weapons to the state."
He said the Yemeni government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi -- which last month backed away from UN-sponsored talks in Oman, demanding that the rebels first withdraw their forces -- had agreed to send a delegation to the upcoming negotiations.
No date for the talks has yet been set.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the Security Council that the already suffering people of Yemen faced a "catastrophic" situation, with up to 21 million people -- 80 percent of the population -- in need of humanitarian aid.
He said matters had grown more dire since the Arab coalition, which supports Hadi, launched its intense bombing campaign.
A naval blockade has prevented sea-going vessels from bringing fuel supplies to Yemen, with drastic effects on hospitals in particular, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said. Only one percent of the country's monthly fuel needs were met by September deliveries, he added.
http://news.yahoo.com/un-envoy-says-warring-parties-yemen-agree-talks-194208455.html
23.10.2015 – UNO
Warring Parties in Yemen Conflict Have Agreed to Peace Talks Sponsored by United Nations, Special Envoy Tells Security Council in Briefing
Following recent delays, warring parties in Yemen had agreed to take part in United Nations‑sponsored peace talks aimed at ending the fighting based on the framework set out in resolution 2216 (2015), the Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy in that country told the Security Council today, underlining the importance of its support to both sides, as positions remained “very divergent”.
Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said consultations between the Government of Yemen and its opponents had been delayed over the former’s need for clearer acceptance of resolution 2216 (2015). However, he added, he had kept in touch with Houthi leaders and the General People’s Congress, which were now committed to implementing the resolution, including a negotiated withdrawal from key cities and the surrender of weapons to the State. “I have no doubt that these talks will help us start a new phase that will mark the new history of Yemen.”
He went on to say that during his recent tour, he had updated the Government of Yemen in Riyadh as well as the leaders of Saudi Arabia on developments, and on his discussions with the Houthis. Similar discussions had been held on the margins of the General Assembly with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Russian interlocutors, all of whom supported efforts to reach a peaceful political solution.
On the basis of those developments, President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi had informed the Secretary‑General in a 19 October letter of his intention to send a delegation to the talks, he continued, adding that he would start working immediately with the Government of Yemen, the Houthis and others to agree on an agenda, date and format. The proposed negotiations would be aimed at advancing the withdrawal of militias from key cities, ensuring the release of prisoners, returning heavy weapons seized from the army, improving the humanitarian situation and resuming an inclusive political dialogue. They were designed to lead Yemen back to the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and to the outcomes of the national dialogue, he said.
As a first sign of hope, the talks must be nurtured, he emphasized. Indeed, the need was great; previous consultations had been cancelled due to new preconditions, missed opportunities that had left Yemenis in increasing misery. “Yemen is ablaze and the Yemeni population is in a catastrophic situation,” he said. “The county is bleeding.” Cities were collapsing and citizens were being denied their most basic rights.
He said extremists had rapidly taken advantage of the situation. With the return of the legitimate Government in Aden, it had been hoped that security would have been restored. Instead, extremist groups had attacked Government headquarters and civilians had been killed. The bombing of mosques in Yemen, famed for its tolerance, had become a common occurrence. “The longer the war continues, the more extremist groups will expand their presence,” he warned.
http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12095.doc.htm
Kommentar: Keiner möchte die geplanten Gespräche von vorneherein platzen lassen. Der unbestimmte Aufschub – und das wieder wegen UN-Resolution 2216, die de facto die Vorab-Kapitulation der Huthis verlangt – ist aber nichts anderes. Täglich grüßt das Murmeltier: Seit Mai verhindert diese Resolution jetzt, dass ernsthafte Friedensbemühungen auf den Weg kommen.
23.10.2015 – UNO
Security Council Press Statement on Yemen
The members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement by the United Nations and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen on the upcoming talks. The members of the Security Council commended the decision by the Government of Yemen to participate in these peace talks along with other parties. The members of the Security Council expressed their appreciation and reiterated their full support for the efforts of the United Nations and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen.
The members of the Security Council recalled Security Council resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012), 2140 (2014), 2201 (2015) and 2216 (2015), emphasizing the need for a peaceful, orderly, inclusive and Yemeni-led transition process. The members of the Security Council reiterated their demand for the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and reiterated their call from resolution 2216 (2015) on all Yemeni parties to resume and accelerate United Nations-brokered inclusive political consultations.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their call on Yemeni parties to attend the announced talks and any such future talks and engage without preconditions and in good faith, including by resolving their differences through dialogue and consultations, rejecting acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refraining from provocation and all unilateral actions to undermine the political transition. The members of the Security Council strongly condemned all violence, attempts or threats to use violence to intimidate those participating in United Nations-brokered consultations and emphasized that such action is unacceptable. The members of the Security Council emphasized that the United Nations-brokered inclusive political dialogue must be a Yemeni-led process, with the intention of brokering a consensus-based political solution to Yemen’s crisis in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and relevant Security Council resolutions.
The members of the Security Council called on all parties to engage in a flexible and constructive manner in the preparation and conduct of the talks to allow Yemen to move towards a sustainable peace.
Recalling Security Council resolution 2216 (2015), the members of the Security Council underlined the importance of the talks leading to the implementation of concrete measures to prevent any further suffering for the Yemeni people, such as a cessation of violence and unhindered humanitarian access and commercial imports into the country and distribution throughout.
The members of the Security Council expressed their support and appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, who will continue to engage with all Yemeni stakeholders to take steps towards a durable ceasefire and a mechanism for the withdrawal of forces, release of political prisoners and the resumption of an inclusive political transition process in accordance with Security Council resolution 2216 (2015). The members of the Council recognized the importance of United Nations ceasefire monitoring capacity to support the process.
The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, including the food insecurity already facing millions of Yemenis across the country and the increasing risk of famine.
They welcomed the United Nations revised humanitarian appeal which requested $1.6 billion, but which was currently only around 47 per cent funded. They encouraged the international community to contribute to the appeal. The members of the Security Council urged all parties to take immediate steps to facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance and fuel for civilian purposes to all parts of Yemen, as well as measures to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance, including through all of Yemen’s ports, recalling the need for all sides to comply with the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law and respect the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance. The members of the Security Council called upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, including to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, and to end the recruitment and use of children in violation of applicable international law, and to urgently work with the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations to bring assistance to those in need throughout the country. They also stressed the urgent need for commercially-shipped food, medicine, fuel and other vital supplies to enter Yemen through all of Yemen’s ports without further delays as a humanitarian imperative because of the heavy dependence of Yemen and its people on imported food and fuel.
http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12096.doc.htm
Kommentar: Wie man mit vielen Worten eigentlich nichts sagen kann, aber doch noch außen hin ganz gut dasteht und sich nichts wirklich ändern muss. Fazit: Das Sterben geht weiter.
23.10.2015 – UN News Center
‘Yemen is ablaze,’ UN envoy tells Security Council, pressing for peace talks to end civilian suffering
Citing the disastrous humanitarian consequences of the crisis in Yemen, the United Nations special envoy on the situation told the Security Council today that the ongoing violence has left the country “bleeding and its cities collapsing,” and he added that peace talks are the only way to restore the hope of Yemeni people “after all the suffering…crisis they have been victims of.”
In his briefing to the Council, UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the ongoing fighting has levied a heavy toll on Yemen’s civilian population, which has been left with no access to even the basic necessities for survival.
“The last [UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] report indicates that the majority of Yemenis need humanitarian aid. Twenty million Yeminis don’t have access to potable water. At least 500,000 children are suffering from malnutrition,” said Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
He informed Council members the recent deadly shelling of Taiz has left the highland city “in tatters” and has led to interruption of humanitarian services in many regions.
“Humanitarian aid, which is supposed to flow freely, is not reaching the people of Taiz leading to a grave crisis in terms of medicines. Today, a large majority of the inhabitants are left without potable water, which poses a threat to the safety and health of these people,” he added.
Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed further added that extremists groups are rapidly taking advantage of the situation. He pointed out that the groups have attacked Government headquarters in Aden and a mosque in the capital, Sana’a, during prayers for Eid, which have led to many civilian casualties.
The Special Envoy stressed that all parties to the conflict must return to the negotiating table towards reaching a peaceful solution, noting earlier efforts to allow a meeting between the conflict parties had not materialized.
“Excellent ideas were heard but they haven’t allowed us to put an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people. The Parties of the conflicts even failed to meet face-to-face. And it is very important to say here that the first attempt at talks took place nearly five months ago,” said Mr. Ismail.
He also pointed out that an initiative he had undertaken to convene consultations regarding Yemen was cancelled due to pre-conditions set.
“These missed opportunities weigh heavily on the well-being of the people of Yemen and their future is completely uncertain today,” said the Special Envoy.
However, Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed informed the Council that he has been in conversation with both Houthis and the Yemini Government and added that both parties have reiterated their intention to abide by Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) and to hand over their weapons.
“I trust that face-to-face discussions, which will be the first of the kind, will allow us to bring together the Government and the Houthis in order to pave the way to peace in Yemen and to open peaceful political dialogue to move into a new transitional state,” said Mr. Ismail.
He further added that, in a letter on 19th October, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, President of Yemen, informed the Secretary-General of his intention to send a delegation to participate in peace talks and negotiations in the frameworks stipulated by resolution 2216 (2015).
Further, Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed added that he had recently travelled to Middle East to meet leaders from Saudi Arabia and Russia to inform them about the latest developments in Yemen, and his discussion with the Houthis.
He also spoke of his meeting with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), whose initiatives to resolve the Yemeni conflict could bolster the conditions for national dialogue in Yemen.
Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed explained that the initiatives drawn by the GCC, along with his own proposals would include withdrawal of extremism from key cities, release of prisoners, return of weapons, improvements in humanitarian situation and the resumption of inclusive political dialogue.
“All this will mark a new page in Yemen’s history […] All parties today are aware that there can be no military solution to the conflict and that only peace talks works and dialogue will pave a road to a better future,” said Mr. Ismail.
Lastly, he appealed to the Council to support and protect the initiatives undertaken and to encourage all parties to move forward in order to put an end to this conflict.
Shortly after the briefing, the Security Council issued a press statement reiterating its demand for the full implementation of relevant Council resolutions, and reiterated its call from resolution 2216 (2015) on all Yemeni parties to resume and accelerate United Nations-brokered inclusive political consultations.
The members of the Council also reaffirmed their call on Yemeni parties to attend the announced talks and any such future talks and engage without preconditions and in good faith, including by resolving their differences through dialogue and consultations, rejecting acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refraining from provocation and all unilateral actions to undermine the political transition.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52355#.VisDI37hDct
Kommentar: Was tut der Sicherheitsrat auf diesen ausführlichen Bericht hin? Er verlangt die Durchsetzung seiner Resolution 2216, die die Kapitulation der Houthis verlangt und die saudischen Luftangriffe expressis verbis duldet. Diese Resolution hat bisher jede Friedensregelung verhindert. Mehr kommt vom Sicherheitsrat nicht, der diesen Namen nicht mehr verdient hat.
USA
23.10.2015 – The Intercept
Lockheed Martin, Boeing Rally Around Saudi Arabia, Wave Off Humanitarian Concerns
Representatives from two major defense contractors whose advanced weaponry is being used in the Saudi Arabia-led bombing campaign that has killed scores of civilians in Yemen were quick to defend the human rights record of the Persian Gulf kingdom in a panel discussion held last week in Washington, D.C.
Ronald L. Perrilloux Jr., an executive with Lockheed Martin, complained of an atmosphere of “hostile media reports” shaping the views of Congress, most of which, he said, are “patently false.”
“Another significant irritant,” Perrilloux said, “is the application of human rights laws” toward U.S. allies in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Perrilloux argued that these countries, despite being “better partners to us than some of our NATO allies,” were being unfairly judged compared to Chinese human rights abuses.
Democrats on Capitol Hill recently blocked arms transfers to Saudi Arabia over concerns regarding the rising civilian death toll caused by the campaign.
Jeffrey Kohler, a retired Air Force lieutenant general who left the military and now work as a vice president at Boeing, declared, “We ought be encouraging that type of cooperation and facilitating and helping them with the gaps instead of just throwing stones.”
Perrilloux added that “the biggest thing we can do to help them finish the job is to provide them with the benefit of our experiences, with training of their forces, and probably replenishment of their forces.”
Boeing and Lockheed Martin play a pivotal role in the war in Yemen and the Saudi-led air campaign, which has contributed significantly to the civilian death toll. Saudi Arabia’s air force is using Boeing-made F-15 jets to bomb Yemen. The United Arab Emirates’ air force, a major partner in the Sunni Arab and Western coalition to restore Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power, uses Lockheed Martin-manufactured F-16 jets to strike Yemen.
Perrilloux is Lockheed Martin’s director of international business for the Middle East and Africa region, and a former U.S. air attaché and acting defense attaché to Saudi Arabia.
Kohler now serves as the vice president of international sales and marketing for defense, space and security at Boeing.
For both defense contracting giants, the Middle East is still a growing market. The Congressional Research Service notes that between October 2010 and October 2014, the U.S. signed off on more than $90 billion in weapons deals to the Saudi government.
Weapons transfers are actually a foundation for stability, the executives argued. “More often than not, it is the military relationship that will keep the relations and the bonds between countries very strong,” Kohler said. “When you sell somebody a big platform like an F-15, you build a 30-plus year relationship with that air force.”
The conference, organized by the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, was designed to promote the strength of the alliance between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
The list of sponsors was dominated by powerful oil, gas, and defense contracting companies, including Aramco, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Oil, ConocoPhillips, Raytheon, United Technologies, SAIC, Leidos, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, GE, and Northrop Grumman – by Lee Fang
https://theintercept.com/2015/10/23/saudi-arabia-boeing-lockheed-martin/
23.10.2015 – The Intercept
DRONES, IBM, AND THE BIG DATA OF DEATH
The Intercept published a package of stories on the U.S. drone program, drawing on a cache of secret government documents leaked by an intelligence community whistleblower. The available evidence suggests that one of the documents, a study titled “ISR Support to Small Footprint CT Operations — Somalia/Yemen,” was produced for the Defense Department in 2013 by consultants from IBM. If you look at just one classified PowerPoint presentation this year, I recommend you make it this one.
The study is a rare, peculiar cultural artifact that opens a window into the deep guts of the military-industrial complex, where the technologies of assassination and corporate sales converge, all described in language as dead as the target of an ISR platform kinetic engagement.
IBM was offering prospective new government clients its “expertise in integrating business and technology services” using its “commercial consulting methods.” That is, IBM was bringing what it had learned from managing Big Data for corporate America to the military and intelligence worlds.
Keep that in mind as you examine the secret ISR study, and you’ll see that the Pentagon’s drone program uses data analytics in almost precisely the same way IBM encourages corporations to use it to track customers. The only significant difference comes at the very end of the drone process, when the customer is killed.
For instance, according to the ISR study, the drone program seeks to “find,” “fix,” and “finish” its “high-value individuals.” Meanwhile, in IBM’s description of Big Data for the private sector, there are precisely equivalent goals: to “acquire,” “retain,” and “personalize” a corporation’s “high-value customers.”
The drone infrastructure uses Big Data to “build target packages” about its high-value individuals, while corporations can “build profiles of the most profitable current customers.” Drones attempt “to maintain 24/7 persistent stare,” just as corporations need “to get a 360 view of the customer.”
The language of the drone study mimics corporate Big Data’s uncanny lack of affect. In both cases, highly trained technicians discuss how to make the system work more efficiently, with no room for unprofessional emotions. After examining the drone study, Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg noted its “reliance on abstract euphemisms for methods of mass murder, acronyms, and bloodless jargon to assure you were communicating with people who were cleared, in the know, and dependent for their income and advancement on uncritical devotion to the objective.”
There is also no actual blood in the presentation. The high-value individuals marked for death barely possess human names; instead they are objectifiedwith code names such as Objective Peckham or Objective Rhodes or Objective Canton. They are not shredded by shrapnel into scraps of wet, red flesh, but rather experience a “kinetic engagement” or “finishing action.” And while the drone program attempts to monitor them with unblinking HD video, there is no suggestion they ever had any existence beyond that of a target.
Finally, there’s the most important aspect of IBM’s identical Big Data approaches to death and customer service: Both are extremely powerful systems that have escaped any kind of human, democratic control.
Surprisingly, after his retirement, Gen. Stanley McChrystal made a similar point: “Although to the United States, a drone strike seems to have very little risk and very little pain, at the receiving end, it feels like war. … If we were to use our technological capabilities carelessly … we should not be upset when someone responds with their equivalent, which is a suicide bomb in Central Park, because that’s what they can respond with.” – by Jon Schwarz
https://theintercept.com/2015/10/23/drones-ibm-and-the-big-data-of-death/
20.10.2015 – Bloomberg
U.S. Approves $11 Billion Saudi Buy of Lockheed Littoral Ships
Congress notified of planned sale of four of the new vessels
Obama working to assure Gulf allies after Iran nuclear deal
The Pentagon has notified Congress of a planned sale to Saudi Arabia of as many as four Littoral Combat Ships made by Lockheed Martin Corp. for $11.25 billion, as the U.S. works to bolster defenses of its Gulf allies after the nuclear deal with Iran.
The State Department approved the sale under the Foreign Military Sales program, according to a statement Tuesday on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The approval allows the Saudis to negotiate contracts for the ships unless Congress passes legislation to block the deal.
The ships are part of a planned modernization, replacing older U.S.-built vessels in the Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet. The sale also begins to deliver on President Barack Obama’s pledge to improve the military capabilities of the U.S.’s Arab allies. Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council sought such reassurances before acquiescing to the U.S.-led deal with Iran on its nuclear program.
U.S. military aid to the Gulf nations is limited by legislation requiring that the U.S. maintain Israel’s qualitative military superiority over its Mideast neighbors, blocking the sale of cutting-edge weapons such as the F-35 fighter jet. But the ships sold to the Saudis will be the first major export of a new, U.S.-built surface naval vessel in years, the U.S. official said.
The Littoral Combat Ship, designed for operations in shallow coastal waters, is made in two versions by Lockheed and Austal Ltd. The deal would be for the “Freedom” variant made by Lockheed, the largest U.S. government contractor.
The ships will give the Saudis “protection-in-depth for critical industrial infrastructure and for the sea lines of communication,” the U.S. defense agency said in the statement. “Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability to keep pace with the rapid advances in technology and to remain a viable U.S. coalition partner in the region.”
And looking back to 2013:
U.S.-Global Leadership Project
The U.S.-Global Leadership Track is the largest global public opinion study of views about U.S. leadership. This report is the fourth in an annual series and includes U.S. leadership approval data from 130 countries that Gallup surveyed during the fourth year of the Obama administration.
The U.S.-Global Leadership Project is a joint effort between the Meridian International Center and Gallup to provide a comprehensive assessment of how world residents view U.S. leadership. The project combines Gallup’s unique global opinion data from more than 150 countries with Meridian’s leadership-focused context to create a powerful and useful barometer. The U.S.-Global Leadership Project gives public- and private-sector leaders a better understanding of what is driving global views of U.S. leadership, creates a context for collaboration on how to improve those views, and enhances U.S. public and private global engagement efforts.
The image of U.S. leadership worldwide was weaker at the end of Obama’s fourth year in office than at any point during his first administration — having never regained the momentum lost in 2010. This shift suggests that Obama and new Secretary of State John Kerry may not find global audiences as receptive to advancing the U.S. agenda as they have in the past. In fact, they may even find audiences increasingly critical — even in key partner countries. Europe led the declines between 2011 and 2012 — with losses in approval largely outnumbering any gains. The U.S.-Global Leadership Track included 130 countries and areas in 2012, slightly fewer than the 136 surveyed in 2011 but still representative of 98% of the world’s adult population. Median approval of U.S. leadership across these 130 countries stood at 41%, down from 46% in 2011. Looking at approval in 120 countries surveyed in both 2011 and 2012, the median still declined from 45% to 41%. Despite these declines, approval ratings for the most part remain stronger than they were at the end of the last Bush administration. A closer look at where U.S. leadership stands at the regional and country levels reveals specific areas of strength and weakness.
The results from the U.S.-Global Leadership Track show U.S. leadership faces increasing challenges as it attempts to build engagement worldwide, and in many places, this job may be even tougher than it has been in the past. U.S. leadership thus far has been unable to recoup the favor it lost among audiences in key countries in 2011 and has continued to lose support in many places. Meridian International Center and Gallup are committed to improving international relations by bringing leaders together to discuss global perceptions of the U.S. through the U.S.-Global Leadership Project.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/161309/global-leadership-project.aspx
Kommentar: Diese Umfragedemonstriert einen ganz klaren Anspruch der USA. Sie wirkt auf mich ausgesprochen pervers.
And looking back to 2012:
24.8.2012 – The Huffington Post
Do We Really Care About Yemen Or Just Al Qaeda?
The US is waging a shadow war in Yemen, but John Brennan claims we care about its well being. Let's be honest and admit it's self interest, just call it Real Politik.
http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/do-we-really-care/5023f9f52b8c2a200e000009
Saudi-Arabien / Saudi Arabia
24.10.2015 – The Independent
Saudi Arabia: Eight of King Salman's 11 surviving brothers want to oust him
Eight of the 12 surviving sons of Saudi Arabia’s founding monarch are supporting a move to oust King Salman, 79, the country’s ailing ruler, and replace him with his 73-year-old brother, according to a dissident prince.
The prince also claims that a clear majority of the country’s powerful Islamic clerics, known as the Ulama, would back a palace coup to oust the current King and install Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, a former Interior Minister, in his place. “The Ulama and religious people prefer Prince Ahmed – not all of them, but 75 per cent,” said the prince, himself a grandson of King Ibn Saud, who founded the ruling dynasty in 1932.
Support from the clerics would be vital for any change of monarch, since in the Saudi system only they have the power to confer religious and therefore political legitimacy on the leadership.
The revelation suggests there is increasing pressure within the normally secretive Saudi royal family to bring to a head the internal power struggle that has erupted since King Salman inherited the throne at the beginning of this year. The prince, who cannot be named for security reasons, is the author of two recently published letters calling for the royal family to replace the current Saudi leadership.
Unhappiness at King Salman’s own diminishing faculties – he is reported to be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease – has been compounded by his controversial appointments, the continuing and costly war in Yemen and the recent Hajj disaster. Earlier this week the International Monetary Fund warned that Saudi Arabia may run out of financial assets within five years unless the government sharply curbs its spending, because of a combination of low oil prices and the economic impact of regional wars.
The King’s appointment of his favourite son, Mohammed bin Salman, 30, to the novel post of Deputy Crown Prince in April, and the decision to make him Defence Minister – enabling him to launch a proxy war in Yemen against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who forced the pro-Saudi former President to flee – have heightened tensions. He is said to have assumed too much power and wealth since being elevated to this position – by Hugh Miles
22.10.2015 – Aljazeera
IMF: Saudi Arabia running on empty in five years
Gulf kingdom could deplete financial assets within five years as it struggles with slumping oil prices.
The Middle East’s biggest economy is expected to run budget deficits of 21.6 percent in 2015 and 19.4 percent in 2016, according the IMF’s latest regional outlook.
That means Riyadh needs to find money to meet its spending plans. Just like its oil exporting neighbours, it plans to make substantial cuts to its budgets.
There has been a trickle of evidence over the last few months that not all is well inside the kingdom.
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency has withdrawn $70bn in funds managed by overseas financial institutions. Its foreign reserves have fallen by almost $73bn, since oil prices slumped, leaving it with $654.5bn.
But with a debt-to-GDP ratio of two percent, there is plenty of room for the country to borrow money to fund its growth.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/imf-saudi-arabia-151022110536518.html
Großbritannien / Great Britain
23.10.2015 – Sputnik News
UK Weapons 'Probably' Used in Yemen Amid Alleged Saudi War Crimes
The British government has been accused of potentially being complicit in alleged Saudi war crimes after a UK Foreign Office (FCO) minister admitted that Saudi forces were "probably" using British-made weapons as part of the country's intervention in Yemen.
When asked on the issue during a parliamentary debate on the matter, foreign office minister Tobias Ellwood said:
"I can probably confirm that they [British manufactured arms] probably have been used.
This comes after the UK Foreign Office was heavily criticized by a House of Commons Select Committee for admitting that human rights had slipped behind securing trade deals in its order of priorities.
The committee, chaired by Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, said it was "disturbed" by the government's admission that human rights had been downgraded, and blamed a lack of funding to the FCO as a contributing factor to the situation.
Blunt agreed with the sentiments of David Mepham, the UK Director of NGO Human Rights Watch who said that reducing the priority of human rights would damage the UK's international reputation.
"This unwillingness to fully champion rights and fundamental freedoms runs counter to the best traditions in this country's history and weakens the UK's global standing and influence," he said.
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151023/1029014766/uk-weapons-saudi-yemen-war-crimes.html
Deutschland / Germany
24.10.2015 – Pax Christi
Bischof: Panzerlieferung nach Katar ist Skandal
pax christi-Präsident Heinz Josef Algermissen kritisiert heute Morgen auf der Delegiertenversammlung in Fulda die Entscheidung der Bundesregierung zu Kriegswaffenlieferungen an Katar.
„An Katar und zudem in der jetzigen Situation Panzer zu liefern, ist ein Schlag ins Gesicht all derer, die sich seit Jahren für eine restriktive Rüstungsexportpolitik einsetzen. Wie ist die Genehmigung der aktuellen Lieferung mit dem Grundsatz, keine Waffen in Spannungsgebiete zu liefern, zu vereinbaren? Diese Entscheidung ist ein Skandal.“
Wie will die Regierung verhindern, dass ab jetzt deutsche Panzer im Jemen gegen die Menschen eingesetzt werden? Wie soll dieser Export zum Frieden beitragen?
24.10.2015 – Kölner Stadtanzeiger
Kommentar "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger": D/Jemen/Katar/Rüstung
"Wenn man gewollt hätte, hätte man das Geschäft mit Geld ja noch stoppen können. Hätte. Aber jetzt sind die ersten Panzer schon verschifft, und jetzt gibt es eigentlich nur noch einen richtigen Gedanken: beim nächsten Mal von Anfang an 'Nein' zu sagen. Die Kanzlerin der schwarz-gelben Regierung, die den Export erlaubt hat, hieß übrigens Angela Merkel. Und so heißt auch die Kanzlerin der schwarz-roten Regierung, die die Ausfuhr nun nicht verhindert hat. Sie ist auch die Kanzlerin, die sich dafür einsetzen will, dass die Menschen nicht aus dem Nahen Osten oder Afrika vor Krieg und Not fliehen müssen. Die deutschen Panzer aber, sie werden im Jemen noch ein paar weitere Fluchtursachen schaffen."
23.10.2015 – German Foreign Policy
Der Hauptsponsor des Jihadismus
Inmitten der internationalen Bemühungen um einen neuen Machtabgleich im Mittleren Osten intensiviert die Bundesregierung die Aufrüstung der arabischen Golfdiktaturen. Dies belegt der Rüstungsexportbericht für das erste Halbjahr 2015, der in dieser Woche vorgelegt worden ist. Demnach ist Saudi-Arabien zum drittgrößten Käufer deutschen Kriegsgeräts aufgestiegen. Von den sechs Staaten des Golf-Kooperationsrats, in dem sich die Länder der Arabischen Halbinsel organisiert haben, gehören vier zu den Top 20-Empfängern deutscher Rüstungslieferungen. Dadurch wird nicht nur eine Konfliktpartei im mittelöstlichen Machtkampf gegen Iran mit Waffen ausgestattet. Die Ausfuhren beinhalten auch Mordwerkzeuge, wie sie Saudi-Arabien und die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate in ihrem Krieg im Jemen einsetzen oder zumindest einsetzen können: von Ersatzteilen für Kampfflugzeuge bis zu Maschinenpistolen. Mit Saudi-Arabien wird zudem ein Staat aufgerüstet, der, wie der Träger des Friedenspreises des Deutschen Buchhandels Navid Kermani bekräftigt, "Hauptsponsor des Dschihadismus" ist und religiös eine große Nähe zum "Islamischen Staat" (IS) aufweist. Sollte die Bundeswehr, wie Militärs es jetzt erneut in Aussicht stellen, im Anschluss an einen Machtabgleich in Mittelost in Syrien zum Einsatz kommen, dann stünden deutsche Soldaten wohl auch von Saudi-Arabien aufgerüsteten Milizen gegenüber.
http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/de/fulltext/59232
23.10.2015 – Auswärtiges Amt
Bundespressekonferenz vom 23. Oktober 2015, Fragen zum Panzerexport nach Katar
SCHÄFER (Auswärtiges Amt): Ich kann Ihnen sagen, dass die Entscheidung, so wie sie jetzt getroffen worden ist, aus unserer Sicht okay ist, wenn wir sicherstellen können ‑ und da sind wir ziemlich zuversichtlich, dass das gelingen wird ‑, dass diese Waffen nicht in den aktuellen Kampfhandlungen, etwas im Jemen, zum Einsatz kommen können oder zum Einsatz kommen werden. Herr Braun hatte eben gerade nach dem Begriff „Krise“ und der Beteiligung Katars daran, gefragt. Frau Wirtz hat darauf bereits einige Sätze geantwortet. Ich würde vielleicht ergänzen wollen, dass Katar Teil der internationalen Koalition gegen ISIS ist. Das stimmt. In diesem Zusammenhang ist es auch ‑ soweit wir wissen ‑ bereit, Luftangriffe zu fliegen, allerdings nicht, wie Sie angedeutet haben, Herr Braun, über Syrien, sondern wenn, dann nur über dem Irak. Darüber hinaus ist Katar Teil einer Koalition von arabischen Staaten und Golfmonarchien, die sich militärisch an dem Konflikt im Jemen beteiligen. Katar hat aber von Anfang bis zum heutigen Tag nicht aktiv an Kampfhandlungen im Jemen oder mit dem Jemen beteiligt, sondern die Beteiligung von Katar beschränkt sich auf Grenzsicherung, logistische Dienstleistungen und Ähnliches.
Mit Katar ist im Hinblick auf die jetzt von uns hier besprochene Frage natürlich das Gespräch gesucht worden. Und wir sind sehr zuversichtlich, dass das, was ich Ihnen jetzt sage, nicht nur für die Zukunft gilt, sondern auch förmlich mitgeteilt werden kann, dass nämlich ein Einsatz der in Rede stehenden Waffen weder politisch beabsichtigt, noch militärisch sinnvoll oder gar technisch möglich sei.
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/_ElementeStart/Sprecher_node.html
und zum Ansehen und Mithören:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKzLbSCVWg
Kommentar von „Jung und Naiv“: Die Bundesregierung klärt auf, was sie unter Außenpolitik versteht: "Zur Außenpolitik gehört, welchen Ruf deutsche Rüstungsunternehmen im Nahen Osten genießen."
Übersetzt: Exporte von Panzern in Arabische Diktaturen sind zwar schwierig, aber sie wurden halt beschlossen. Sowas will die Bundesregierung nicht einfach stoppen. Auch nicht im Nachhinein. Sonst kaufen die Staaten vielleicht woanders Waffen, Panzer und andere Tötungsinstrumente. Und das kann ja keiner wollen!
Propaganda
24.10.2015 – Gulf News
New Yemeni government must tackle Al Qaida
The returning Yemeni government will need to do both, win the war against Al Houthi rebels and also regain control of its territory from the well-established local branches of Al Qaida that were allowed to flourish under Ali Abdullah Saleh’s long but very light rule. The UAE has sent a substantial detachment of its special forces to train a Yemeni force to take on Al Qaida, which became a more urgent challenge after Al Qaida took advantage of the complete collapse of government over the past year to take control of Mukalla, Yemen’s third largest port, and to re-occupy parts of Zinjibar in Abyan province, which Al Qaida controlled almost entirely until forces loyal to the former government apparently defeated them some years ago. There are even Al Qaida forces active in liberated Aden today where Al Qaida’s black flag is flying over several state buildings — including a police station.
During the decades of Saleh’s government, the military situation in Yemen was split in four ways between government forces, Al Houthi militias, southern separatists and a growing Al Qaida presence. Saleh’s weakness did not allow him to tackle this in any effective way, which means the incoming government needs to rebuild Yemen and rescue the country from the previous chaos. It will be essential for the government to defeat Al Qaida. Otherwise, it will remain a seriously destabilising force with no interest in the fate of Yemen as a country, ready to delight in any collapse of governance to seek power for its own agenda of terror and regional chaos.
http://m.gulfnews.com/opinion/editorials/new-yemeni-government-must-tackle-al-qaida-1.1606040
Kommentar: Hier wird also zugegeben, dass Al Kaida weite Teile des Südens kontrolliert, aus denen sie die Hadi-Regierung verdrängt hat. Propaganda ist die Selbstverständlichkeit, mit der hier behauptet wird, das ließe sich wieder rückgängig machen, und vor allem die Behauptung, die Ex-Präsident Saleh die Schuld am Erstarken von Al-Kaida gibt. Das ist Unsinn; vor allem die saudischen Luftangriffe gegen die Huthis, die Erzfeinde von Al Kaida, haben Al Kaida erstarken lassen.
Israel
22.10.2015 – Vice News
The Bahrain-Israeli Arms Deal That Isn't Happening — Officially
Authorities in Bahrain have been busy issuing denials that they planned to purchase an anti-missile defense system, known as the Iron Dome, from Israel. The UK's Sky News reported the news in mid-October, and immediately sparked controversy, but Bahraini officials were quick to quell the uproar.
"There are no attempts whatsoever to purchase the system from Israel," Isa Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, minister of Information Affairs, said in a statement released by the Bahrain News Agency.
The original story came after Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammad al Khalifa spoke at a press and academic roundtable in London, saying, "The Israelis have their small Iron Dome. We'll have a much bigger one in the [Gulf Cooperation Council]."
A deal for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — which includes Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — would cost tens, if not hundreds of billions of dollars, according to experts.
Mohammed K. Alyahya, associate fellow at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, who also attended the event hosted by Fawaz al Khalifa, confirmed in a tweet that the foreign minister did not mention who the anti-missile battery would be purchased from.
"Israel [and] GCC view Iran as a hostile threat," he said in another tweet. "This single example of alignment of interests in no way constitutes collaboration or alliance."
Some experts, however, see things differently.
"It's not inconceivable that the Arab Gulf governments might one day deal directly with Israel to purchase military equipment," said Evan Gottesman, a Lloyd C. Gardner fellow at Rutgers University.
And while it's unlikely the GCC is looking to purchase the anti-missile defense system from Israel directly, if they're in the market for their own Iron Dome, the system would likely be purchased through Raytheon and other American contractors, who developed the Israeli Iron Dome with Israel's state-owned defense contractor, Rafael.
Buying the technology directly from Israel is controversial since Israel no longer officially maintains diplomatic relations with any of the Arab States in the Gulf — or so they would like the rest of the world to think.
None of the GCC countries recognize Israel, but meetings between Israeli and Gulf officials to discuss Iran have likely occurred, though these communications would have been discreet, Gottesman said – by Noor Wazwaz
https://news.vice.com/article/the-bahrain-israeli-arms-deal-that-isnt-happening-officially
Terrorismus / Terrorism
25.10.2015 – AP
Suspected al-Qaida gunmen free prisoner in Yemen's Aden
Yemeni security officials in the government-controlled southern port city of Aden say suspected al-Qaida gunmen have broken into the city's main prison, freeing an individual suspected of attacking the compound of Aden's former governor in August.
The officials told the AP on Sunday that the gunmen carried out the operation overnight.
Four people were killed in the August rocket-propelled grenade attack on the former governor's compound. The former governor and other officials who were present at the time were not hurt – by Ahmed Al-Haj
25.10.2015 – Twitter
Yemen Qaeda/ISIS to Aden universities: women separated, no music or parties, all should pray on time.
https://twitter.com/narrabyee/status/658274899748855816
24.10.2015 – AP
Yemen officials say talks to push al-Qaida out of Aden fail
Mediated talks between the Yemeni government and al-Qaida to persuade the militants to give up their weapons or move out of the southern port city of Aden have failed, Yemeni security officials in government-controlled Aden and tribal mediators said Saturday.
Tribal and public figures accepted by both sides, who have been involved in mediation talks, told The Associated Press the discussions began about three months ago, after government forces pushed Houthi Shiite rebels out of Aden. The mediators told AP they have also been trying to convince al-Qaida to withdraw from areas they control in al-Houta, the capital of Lahj province.
Al-Qaida militants had been fighting alongside pro-government forces without revealing their affiliation, focusing on capturing and storing weapons during the clashes with the Houthis, a security official in Aden said. Security officials said al-Qaida and other extremist Islamic groups in Aden obtained more than 55 armored vehicles, 22 tanks, anti-aircraft missiles and large amounts of other weapons during the fighting and hid them underground and in fields.
The mediators told AP they tried to convince the militants to lay down their weapons and integrate into society, promising they wouldn’t be harassed if they do. When that failed, they tried to convince them to take their weapons and leave Aden, but the militants refused again, saying they have the right to partake in running the city after they participated in the fighting, according to the mediators.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/yemen-officials-say-talks-to-push-al-qaida-out-of-aden-fail/2015/10/24/37e2c696-7a6d-11e5-a5e2-40d6b2ad18dd_story.html = http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/10/24/yemen-officials-say-talks-to-push-al-qaida-out-of-aden-fail
Kommentar: Dieses Ergebnis hätte man voraussehen können. Interessant ist ja grundsätzlich die Tatsache, dass die Hadi-Regierung sich mit Al Kaida arrangieren will, mit den Huthi-Rebellen aber im Grunde nicht.
23.10.2015 – ZDF (Doku)
Ansar al Scharia Der Islamische Staat im Jemen
Ansar al Scharia nennt sich al Kaida im Jemen. Schon längst bildet sie einen Staat im Staate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTq0sLZZjGM = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKaeCAwgxVk
30.6.2015 – Vocativ
AQAP Threatens To Destroy Tourist Sites In Southern Yemen
One of Southern Yemen's most prominent historical sites is now under threat
As al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula deepens its control of Yemen’s strategic coastal region of Hadramout exploiting the ongoing violence across the country, it is now threatening the region’s historic sites that in the past also attracted tourists.
According to activists and news outlets based in Yemen’s coastal region, members of the al-Qaeda offshoot say they intend to destroy the Ma’een Palace, a palace said to have been built by Sultan Omar Bin Awadah Qu’aiti in 1925. According to the local reports, AQAP militants have contacted the members of the local committee in charge of its ancient sites and museums and said they plan to destroy the palace in the next ten days, as it contains stones and idols from the pre-Islamic era – by Vladi Vovcuk
http://www.vocativ.com/news/206442/aqap-threatens-to-destroy-tourist-sites-in-southern-yemen/
Neue Artikel zum Nachlesen 1-38: / Yemen Press reader 1-38:
https://www.freitag.de/autoren/dklose oder / or
http://poorworld.net/YemenWar.htm
Bilder vom saudischen Luftschlag auf Haidan-Gebiet am 23. Oktober / Images from Saudi air raid at Haydan area, Oct. 23
(18 +, nichts für Sensible, graphic!!)
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