The author delivered the following remarks in his capacity as discussant at the book launch of Kuwait Transformed, held at the American University of Beirut, in October 2016.]

The first page of the preface to Farah Al-Nakib’s Kuwait Transformed: A History of Oil and Urban Life (Stanford UP, 2016) begins with the author sitting in a community garden in Kuwait. She is chatting with one Maryam, who is explaining the garden’s origins by recalling that some years ago she wondered to herself that something was missing in this city she lived in.

In stark contrast to the preface’s rather bucolic and ponderous mood, the book’s introduction begins very differently. It recounts shocking violence in that same city. A murder: the stabbing of a Kuwaiti-Lebanese (my term) dentist with a meat cleaver in the parking lot of Kuwait’s largest shopping mall in late 2012. Turn the page. Another murder. And several more before you finish the paragraph.

Al-Nakib, who teaches history at the American University of Kuwait, uses these violent acts and a reading of the media discourse and popular commentary around them to frame her book with the questions: How did these shopping malls, places of leisure, become crime scenes? What happened to this city? As al-Nakib seeks to recount the history of urban development, or rather what she calls? de-urbanization, numerous accounts of murder or disappearance, and more generally of loss – physical, social, and psychological – run through the text. Early on the culprit, or let’s just say the most likely suspect, is identified: Oil and the forms of state building and urban transformation oil wealth enabled. 

This suspect has been observed in other studies of political and economic change in the Gulf states, sometimes under the alias of “petromodernity.”[1] The term has been used to identify cases when ample flows of oil receipts have allowed Arab governments to promote development and modernization efforts in which Arab rulers have rapidly sought to craft their own versions of “modern” institutions found elsewhere. These productions tend to follow seemingly “international,” rather than local, designs and architectural forms and be staffed by foreign labor.

So reading through Kuwait Transformed I often asked myself: Is this story of a killing a tragedy or noir? The victim is beautifully portrayed. Kuwait in her youth came from dirt poor origins (just like the now ruling al-Sabah family) but then made something of herself. She eventually had a rich patron in the British Empire that kept her safe, but the city was effectively built by merchants, traders, and seamen of diverse origins. It was an exciting port city that contained a diversity of urban spaces, functionally connected between seafront, market area, and residential quarters.  Al Nakib makes the case that in the years before oil Kuwait sustained a truly cosmopolitan, urban community. It was a society where people from different places, forged hybrid identities and intermingled with people of diverse backgrounds and classes. This, drawing on urban social theory, is at the heart of what is urban cosmopolitanism. Al Nakib cites the Lebanese-American writer Amin Rihani who visited Kuwait in 1922. After a trip to Najd, Rihani wrote that “There is smoking, there is whiskey, there is a patency of women” (73).  He also observed that “Kuwait is a city that makes you forget Riyadh. It is the Paris of Arabia.” (73). In this pre-oil urban space, everyone was from somewhere else, everyone was an immigrant: there were pearl divers from Africa, shipbuilders were Bahrana, Kuwaiti Jews who had come from Iraq, traders from Iran …   

So the mystery soon shifts from the shopping mall murders to explaining the disappearance of this cosmopolitan city and what role oil wealth played. Was this killing a tragedy or is this story about something even darker? By a tragedy, I mean an unfortunate or unhappy outcome that resulted from human failings or processes that no one actor could control, leading to a climax that could not be prevented and where there is no winner. Too often the story of oil wealth is framed as tragedy; people refer to the so-called “oil curse.” Getting too rich to fast, the small town victim was unable to handle so-called modern life, or – in this case - the Kuwaiti bedu were never able to become truly modern. On the other hand, noir refers to a much darker story. It is “a genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity.”[2] In noir, self-destructive tendencies are endemic and shocking violence commonplace. There is little expectation that resolving the mystery or unmasking the perpetrator of a crime will lead to a better, changed world.    

I read al-Nakib’s account of oil-era modernization as one that clearly presents the case for a killing that is not an accidental tragedy. The question then becomes is it negligent manslaughter or murder. Al Nakib, a historian, is a wonderfully clever detective who knows her city and its streets well. She searches archives and memoirs, make excellent use of the social theory from David Harvey, Henri Lefebvre, Ash and Amin, and others. Some of her key expert witnesses are the urban planners such as Palestinian American architect and town planner Saba George Shiber.

The case of explaining Kuwait’s transformation boils down to the failures of modernist state planning in an exclusivist, authoritarian context. Other suspects are capitalism and oil wealth, the merchants, but it seems the core issue is really about power, ordering, and the limits of modernism…more Timothy Mitchell or James Scott than Mike Davis or David Harvey (but all offer critical clues).

Reading her honest portrayal of Kuwait’s modernist dreams, I was distracted again by the idea of the tragic. With the advent of oil wealth, Kuwait sought to realize the dream of Arab modernity, just like Nasser might have wanted to do with the building of the Aswan High Dam.  Kuwait’s modernization sought to build a welfare state and accelerated modernization drawing from Le Corbusier but more so the British Garden City model. It attracted the cutting edge architects of the era to craft a stunning built landscape and skyline, including the most remarkable Kuwait Towers that function as symbol of the city and its modernist aspirations while supplying the city water from a massive desert-defining desalination plant.

We can also consider how much this de-urbanization was an unintended consequence, the aftermath of development, as the city center was de-populated when people moved to the newly fashioned suburbs. Many of the wealthier families were able to call on creative architects to design villas with unique designs and features. These represented, al-Nakib notes, how urban Kuwaitis fully embraced the quest for modernity as they were in search of a new identity.

One could also suggest that the breakdown of old family and communal bonds was just part of the transition from tradition to modernity, and family units moved into suburban villas gaining plots of land in a lottery and relocating to climate controlled suburban housing.

But as I read on, I detected more clues. Behind this shiny, modernist story, there appeared a darker side to oil modernization that is too often taken for granted and explained away by both participants and scholars of petromodernity. The real culprit in al Nakib’s story appears to be a relative of the one investigated by Bob Vitalis in his book, America’s Kingdom, in which he shows how ARAMCO brought Jim Crow racial segregation to Saudi Arabia, a system that would come to be accepted by other expats as part of the culture and the cost of doing business in the kingdom.[3]

Al Nakib traces how the plans for oil-led modernization were developed in the early years of oil wealth, before even the 1973 boom. She shows how planning and residential development was designed to increase social, ethnic, and racial segregation and hierarchal ordering. It sought to pacify society, create isolated homogenous communities. It spatialized political order and racial hierarchy. In the process citizenship was narrowly construed. Hybridization was effectively banned. 

Through this process the need and capacity to encounter difference and intermingling were negated.

So if the failures of high modernism, such as modernist planning efforts in US cities, might be commonly viewed as tragedy (though even this might be contested), insofar as many well-meaning efforts with lofty democratic goals ultimately killed cities (especially their racially segregated urban cores), my reading of al Nakib’s history of is the process of urban transformation in Kuwait was in fact murder. It was the intentional killing of the cosmopolitan city for the sake of the institutionalization of state and royal family power and control. It robbed Kuwaitis of their urban public spaces and their historic institutions that shared burdens and risks. It eliminated their experiences of physically walking and encountering the city and of what Henri Lefebvre (and David Harvey) term “the right to the city.” For example, al-Nakib writes: “Whereas in the 1940s it was not uncommon for Kuwaitis to take taxis, by the early 1950s citizens found it socially ‘demeaning’ to use such forms of public transportation.” (181). Moreover, in the process the Kuwaiti state sought to forge an exclusive non-hybrid identity as well as exclusive citizenship that dispossessed the vast majority of the city’s population that had grown-up with oil-fed modernization. It is this very anti-urban and anti-democratic idea that is the dark side of the story of this city’s transformation and transformation found in much of the Gulf and also in Beirut (the city I live in).

The book ends, however, as neither tragedy or noir; rather, it ends with a new beginning. As a resident (and clearly a lover) of this dark, noir world, al Nakib returns to the scene of the community garden where she recounts this and other cases of Kuwaitis, citizens and non-citizens, who seek to reclaim the right to the city. She notes that while many Kuwaiti citizens view the city center area as empty or a ghost town, any visitor can notice it has lively spaces populated by non-citizens and new shops and businesses. These are the elements that can serve as the building blocks of cosmopolitism and diversity.

One other sign of hope particularly interested me as scholar of tourism. In an essay, Marjorie Kelly writes about why there is seemly no tourism in Kuwait. She explains how there is no interest amongst most Kuwaitis (and the government) in making the city accommodate leisure visitors and their tourist gaze.[4] Many cities across both the developed and developing world have refashioned their urban spaces and heritage sites to attract visitors in order to gain economic resources. Oil wealth has historically insulated Kuwait from such forces of neoliberalism, while its version of petromodernity has prevented the forms of mobility and accessible urban spaces required for tourism development. Al Nakib, however, uncovers a different pathway. She discusses the community group Madeenah (“city”) that seeks to reclaim the right to the city for Kuwaitis “by curating public walking tours of different segments of the city that are led by Madeenah’s team or by various guides—architects, artists, residents—who share their own understandings and experiences of the spaces traversed and explored on the tour” (219).

Lastly, and most poetically, al-Nakib described the development of the Secret Garden project, where she begins the preface over a cup of hand-brewed coffee. She reports that, “the Secret Garden is a public space in its truest form: ‘a vibrant, open public forum, full of lived moments and “enchanting” encounters.’” Al-Nakib concludes: “The garden project is perhaps Kuwait’s only current example of unplanned, cooperative urbanism; no single group controls the garden, and all have equal rights of access to the space. It is the kind of unplanned and unzoned place that, by encouraging functional diversity and social exploration, could be the antidote to the orderly city planning that eroded Kuwait’s primordial quality of urbanity” (217).

And so, Kuwait Transformed ends as neither tragedy nor noir, but with a love letter to the idea of what the city can be. 

[4] Marjorie Kelly, “(No) Tourism in Kuwait: Why Kuwaitis are Ambivalent about Developing Tourism,” in Marcus L. Stephenson and Ala Al-Hamarneh, eds. International Tourism and the Gulf Cooperation Council States: Developments, Challenges and Opportunities (London: Routledge, 2017). 

This is a selection of what you might have missed on Jadaliyya last week. It also includes a list of the most read articles and roundups. Progressively, we will be featuring more content on our "Last Week on Jadaliyya" series.

• Palestine Media Roundup (April 30)
• Between the World and Algeria: International Histories of the Algerian War of Independence
• Internships At ASI (& Internships for College Credit Program)
• Toward A Vocabulary for Syria’s Opposition
• ‘Optimism of the Intellect’? How to Stay Hopeful in the Wake of Turkey’s Referendum Results
• Making History in Iran: Education, Nationalism, and Print Culture
• New Texts Out Now: Behrooz Ghamari, Remembering Akbar: Inside the Iranian Revolution
• يم القاهرة
• Media on Media Roundup (April 25)
• Last Week on Jadaliyya (April 17-23)
• Berkeley Event--6 Days, 50 Years: 1967 and the Politics of Time (28 April 2017)
• ما التنوير؟ غوغل، ويكيليكس، وإعادة تنظيم العالم
• Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (April 25)
• Turkey After the Referendum: A Roundtable
• Revisiting ‘Foucault in Iran’: A Response
• Yemen's War [Ongoing Post]
• Arab Studies Journal Announces Spring 2017 Issue: Editor's Note and Table of Contents
• Egypt Media Roundup (April 24)
• The Origins of the Lebanese National Idea, 1840-1920
• Syria Media Roundup (April 24)
• Visualizing Campus Collective Action for Palestine Solidarity
• A Letter to Foucault: Selectively Narrating the Stories of Secular Iranian Feminists

Toufoul Abou-Hodeib, A Taste for Home: The Modern Middle Class in Ottoman Beirut. Stanford University Press, 2017.

Jadaliyya (J): What made you write this book?

Toufoul Abou-Hodeib (TAH): The book started with the idea of using extant homes as a material archive, which grew out of my experience as an architecture student and a practicing architect in Beirut in the 1990s and early 2000s. The frantic post-war reconstruction of Beirut in the 1990s was accompanied by a pace of deconstruction that literally transformed whole neighborhoods overnight, not least in and around the city center, where many of the residential buildings from the late Ottoman period were located. Using homes as a material archive was an attempt to counter the disappearance of those buildings as well as to underline their value for the writing of history in the absence of organized archives. But as I started conducting research I discovered new kinds of material related to the home in various archives and realized that there was another story to be written around the Beiruti home, and not just about it—one that placed it in the context of global changes such as urban reform ideals, trade, and the emergence of a middle class in various places around the world. The focus, thus, shifted to writing a cultural history of the middle-class home from that perspective and to using a much more varied archive.

J: What particular topics, issues, and literatures does the book address?

TAH:A Taste for Home is a cultural history of the middle-class home in late Ottoman Beirut with emphasis on its material aspect. Like many port cities and like many members of the late Ottoman middle class living in those port cities, the two are often described both by contemporaries as well as by later historians as “Europeanized” or “Westernized.” But what does this actually mean? Often, this is shorthand for the consumption of commodities imported from Europe or the West and the adoption of European or Western lifestyles, ways of clothing, entertainment, education, etc. But at the same time, there was a very explicit attempt among members of the Ottoman middle-class, regardless of religion, to navigate these new forms of being in the world while at the same time to localize modernity in something more authentic, in this instance the home. The book looks at these attempts and at how the very idea of “westernization” (tafarnuj) was understood in this period in connection to imperialism, cultural authenticity, tradition, and domesticity. I use the work of Jürgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu, and postcolonial theory critically to see how the notion of “taste” becomes a carrier of these ideas from the most globalized level of production and consumption in to the most private spaces of the home.

This book is also an archival intervention with an elementary question always in the background: how would the history of a city that has been dominated by upper-class merchants, elites, and intellectuals change when the archive is diversified and supplemented by material sources on homes, urbanization, and consumption? I use archival sources from five different countries, including the archives of the Muslim Hanafi court and the Municipal Council of Beirut. At the same time, by placing the middle-class home at the intersection of local and global transformations, the book traces out tensions in the abstract ideas of middle-class authenticity as they were propagated at the time. Even as it functioned as a mark of distinction in contemporary debates on class, taste linked the Beiruti middle-class home to its urban, imperial, and global contexts. By tracing how popular commodities were debated, contested in court, and manufactured, I show how the most popular domestic items involved labor, raw material, and stylistic influences that cut across the local, regional, and global levels. This crisscrossing not only rendered the line between “ifranji” (Western) and “Oriental” difficult to trace in reality, but also complicated the intellectual project of a localized, middle-class modernity.

There are two topics that remain mostly implicit throughout the book. First, the choice of home as a topic is an attempt to bring women into the foreground of the history of the city. So although this book is not about women per se, many women naturally play central roles in this history of domesticity as educators, intellectuals, housewives, and consumers. Second, the book attempts to challenge the history of a city commonly understood in terms of sectarian divisions. This is not to say that such differences did not matter when it came to how people lived at home, but rather that sectarian differences couldn’t be taken as a starting points of analysis. Instead, I bring in a panoply of inhabitants of the city—Muslims, Christians, and Jews—indicating differences where they arise, on the one hand, and looking at shared anxieties, spaces, and consumption habits, on the other.

J: Who do you hope will read this book, and what sort of impact would you like it to have?

TAH: On the most general level, this book belongs to a growing body of work on processes of globalization and their influence on modernity in various locations across the globe. The mode of writing in the book goes back and forth between a very specific place—Beirut—and more encompassing processes that influenced and shaped places as diverse as Brazil, Japan, Zimbabwe, and Sweden. I look at these processes generally, but also at how they transformed and manifested themselves in late Ottoman Beirut. For the same reasons, A Taste for Home would also be of interest to scholars and students of material culture, cultural history, and urban history. Taking industrialization as an example, whereas previous research has stressed Beirut as a city that consumed imported (read: European) commodities, I look at how industrialization in specific European countries affected both local tastes and local labor in Beirut, and how local labor adapted and survived even as it was undercut by cheaper imports.

Second, this books addresses topics central to historians of the late Ottoman period and of the Arab world. Particularly the middle class has received a lot of attention this past decade regarding the way it perceived itself, presented itself, and attempted to find a place for itself in the modern world. By bringing in material culture against the intellectualized self-image of the middle class, the book questions the extent to which the self-perception of the middle can be taken at face value and what tensions existed in this self-image. Positing an Oriental or Arab identity in contradistinction to “Western” is in some ways a legacy of the intellectual project referred to as the nahda, and it is a history that remains relevant today. Finally, I hope anyone who is interested in the history of a city that never seizes to challenge preconceptions would find the book accessible and informative.

J: What other projects are you working on now?

TAH: I am currently completing a small project that looks at amateur history writing in South Lebanon in the 1950s and how it relates to an imagined past of Christian tribes emigrating from Yemen and the more recent past of emigration to the Americas. In addition, I am developing two interrelated projects. The first looks at leftist solidarity movements with Palestine from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. It places Palestinian nationalism in a global context and tries to understand it in relation to Third-Worldism, anti-imperialist movements, and the global circulation of political aesthetics. The second related project is longer term and focuses on the idea of folklore. It continues my previous work on material culture as a method for diversifying the archive and providing a new angle on cultural history. Looking at folklore in the Middle East during the first half of the twentieth century and the international networks of scholars and publications around it, the project aims at tracing the formation of folklore as an academic field as well as its popularization through material cultural production and practices. 

Excerpt from the Introduction, “Beirut, City of the Levant”:

We are in Beirut in 1910, a bustling port city on the Eastern Mediterranean coast. ‘Aysha al-‘Aris, a resident of the Bab Idris neighborhood, walks out of her home on a clear spring day in April. Fifteen years ago, ‘Aysha had risked losing the home that sheltered her, her husband, and children, after the municipal council demolished parts of their house and then demanded an urban improvement tax she could not afford. After ‘Aysha had made numerous petitions to the Sublime Porte and endured long years of conflict with the local and provincial authorities, the municipal council had finally decided earlier that month to reduce the tax she owed by half.

Not far away that same spring, in the government building housing the Muslim Hanafi court, pregnant Hasiba brings a case against her husband, Yusuf, a tramway company employee, for not having paid the remainder of her dowry. When Yusuf puts forward his prized possessions, a phonograph and sixteen records, as leverage in the bargaining process, the private life of the young couple is suddenly pried open to the disapproving scrutiny of the court. The case comes to an abrupt halt, with the judge rebuking Yusuf over the worthlessness of the phonograph and ruling in Hasiba’s favor.

On June 3rd of that same year, Julia Tu‘ma is delivering a speech before the Greek Orthodox Benevolent Society in Tripoli while on a visit from Beirut, where the twenty-eight-year-old Protestant educator will soon take up the position of academic administrator of the Maqasid Islamic School for girls. Referring to the home as al-sama’ al-ula, the first heaven to be attained before actual heaven, Tu‘ma describes the home as a kingdom and woman as its queen with a responsibility for the happiness and welfare of the family. Many in her audience were versed in at least two languages, and Tu‘ma addresses her speech to the “Oriental woman,” using the English word home to give her topic a more precise meaning.

At the center of these three vignettes of daily life in Beirut stands the middle-class home. Beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century, the relatively new Beirut municipal council initiated urban improvements and projects based on a legal corpus that was the product of late Ottoman reforms. Aysha’s home, like many other homes in the city, was caught up in the feverish rush to reshape Beirut as a modern city, with wide avenues and a well-ordered urban fabric. From within, domestic life reorganized itself around new commodities streaming into the city, with its growing prominence as an Eastern Mediterranean port city and first point of contact for many of the ships coming from Europe. At a time when consumption was politicized in terms of the changing economic and political balance between the Ottoman Empire and the European powers, these commodities often elicited reactions such as that of the judge in Hasiba and Yusuf’s court case. At that same historical juncture, a group of educators and writers based primarily in Beirut spread novel ideas about the home in cities and towns across the region, using the lecterns of societies and the pages of the press as their fora. For the first time, “home” was being discussed as a building block in society and the educated woman was being seen as responsible for that home’s management and for the upbringing of future citizens.

An emerging middle class was implicated in these processes through its material and moral investment in the home, as a consumer of domestic fashions, and as a target for a body of literature aimed at shaping a specifically middle-class domesticity. Focusing on the period stretching from the second half of the nineteenth century until World War I, this book argues that middle-class domesticity took form in a matrix of changing urbanity, the politicization of domesticity in public debates, and changing consumption patterns. My aim is to write a cultural history of domesticity that is at once global in the widest sense of the term and local enough to enter the most private of spaces. 

Domesticity in Turn-of-the-Century Beirut

The second half of the nineteenth century was characterized by a set of relations between Beirut, on the one hand, and its regional surroundings, the imperial center, and the world beyond the Ottoman Empire, on the other, that had particular effects on domesticity. Ottoman reforms during the latter half of the century redefined the meaning of “public” and instituted a new dynamic between domestic space and its urban setting. Beirut’s growing importance as an economic and intellectual hub and port city also entailed rapid changes on the level of daily decisions taken by people in their private lives.

Old and new classes who had access to the city’s newly acquired wealth and to the new array of commodities brought forward by the industrial revolution in European countries, witnessed a change of lifestyles in their public and private lives alike. One of the most visible manifestations of this shift was the sight of horse-drawn carriages on Fridays and Sundays, the city’s weekly days off, carrying the city inhabitants to parks located on the outskirts; these parks were referred to as muntazahat, from nuzha (promenade or outing). If the word promenade evokes thoughts of the flâneur, this is for good reason. While such retreats outside the city were not an entirely new phenomenon, they fused into modes of leisure that linked to new modes of transportation and new patterns of consumption. Weekend outings to some of those parks were also sexually mixed and developed a reputation for providing the opportunity to exhibit the latest fashions for men and women alike.

 [...]

Given the impact of new modes of consumption and lifestyles, the changes characterizing turn-of-the-century Beirut have a strong material dimension to them, and changing tastes constituted an important link between the public sphere and the lives the middle class led at home. For that reason, the home stood at the intersection of debates considered central at the time on the topics of public benefit, eastern modernity, and ifranji (Western or, more specifically, European) cultural influence. Here, the home was not just a sphere where ideas about modernity were negotiated, tested, and contested, it also took an active part in giving form to these ideas, in general, and to the middle class, in particular.

This took place against an Ottoman modernity that stamped the face of the public sphere, making the home a contested space in terms of both the aesthetics of urban modernity and the commodities within the home. In addition, contemporary debates foregrounded the role of taste in articulating the shape and position of the middle class. What I mean by domesticity is, therefore, a constellation of ideas and lifestyles in which the home played a crucial part both as a concept and as an actual material object. Such an approach takes the home beyond intellectual discourses and state reforms, bringing in the question of capital and how it transformed both the way domesticity was thought of and the way it was lived.

Although women do not constitute the explicit focus of this work, the home as a topic of study brings them into the mainstream of history both as objects and as subjects. The central role assigned to women, and articulated by female participants in the discourse of domesticity, integrated women into a modern vision of society where, through their domestic work, they complemented and challenged the transformations in the public sphere. As middle-class women, they were implicated in inculcating children, the future citizens, with ideals of behavior, moderate consumption, and proper taste—all meant to better define the middle class and reinforce its political and economic relevance in society. The topic of home also brings women forth into history as educators, mothers, housewives, consumers, and property owners. Thus, they appear at various junctures in this book as vocal advocates of a new role for the modern woman, active contestants in urban municipal projects, and litigants in court cases involving domestic possessions.

Starting in the 1870s with the burgeoning of the Beirut press, a debate centered in Beirut but drawing in other cities in the region, such as Tripoli, Hama, and Damascus, placed the woman at the center of domestic life as manager, mother, and wife. The result was a vigorous debate on modern woman’s position in society through her role at home. Several scholars refer to this body of literature as making a “cult of domesticity”—that is, consisting of a repetitive, mantra-like set of prescriptions put forward in the press and aimed primarily at women. But following the critique of both Afsaneh Najmabadi and Lisa Pollard on the use of the word cult, I see the publication of this literature as a process that carved out a larger place for women in public life, not just at home, and as a debate that tied the home to more encompassing discussions of the time. As Pollard argues, debates on the domicile and the family “formed a basic framework through which abstract concepts such as nation and, along with it, loyalty and citizenship were imagined, articulated, and debated,” and through which both men and women learned how to be modern citizens.

Modern domesticity constituted part of wider shifts in thinking not only about politics but also about society as a whole and the position the middle class occupied in it. Fresh ways of conceiving of domesticity centered on several main concerns circulating in intellectual circles and in the press at the time: the necessity of educating women; the importance of the family, as the smallest unit of society, to the welfare of the whole; the upbringing of modern citizens; and the cultivation of an ethics of consumption. For the men and women writing and lecturing on the topic, the home was posited as key to bringing together these disparate notions about society. The home became implicated not only in reconceptualizing woman’s role in society but also in the very understanding of this society.

[Excerpted from A Taste for Home: The Modern Middle Class in Ottoman Beirut, with permission of the author, (c) 2017.]

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.] 

Political Rights

HRW and Amnesty International request investigation of ‘extrajudicial killings’ in leaked video Video footage that is claimed to be leaked from a military operation and shows individuals wearing Egyptian Armed Forces uniforms executing unarmed men in North Sinai at close range was authenticated by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International last Friday.

Egypt drops 2 places on World Press Freedom Index Egypt has dropped two places on the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. The organization reports that Egypt, which now ranks 161 out of 180 states, is “One of the world’s biggest prisons for journalists.”

Admin of Facebook page arrested after publishing documents on VoIP services block A Facebook page critical of telecommunication companies and state communication policies announced on Friday that one of its administrators was arrested from his home Friday at dawn by National Security forces.

Parliament considers social media draft law, would refer unmonitored Facebook users to trial Paving the way for state surveillance over social media networks in Egypt, writer of the social media draft law MP Rayed Abdel Sattar told Egypt Independent on Sunday that sixty Members of Parliament have approved its potential discussion in Parliament.

Wagdy Ghoneim, 2 others sentenced to death for illegal organization Islamist preacher Wagdy Ghoneim and two others were handed death sentences on Sunday by Cairo Criminal Court for their involvement in establishing an “illegal organization.”

'Our strategic goal is to preserve the Egyptian state,' Sisi tells youth conference Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Wednesday that his strategic goal is to preserve the existence of the Egyptian state.

Public satisfaction with Egypt's parliament drops to 30 percent, down 5 points on last year: Baseera poll Only thirty percent of Egyptians are satisfied with the performance of the country's parliament, a drop of five percentage points on last year, according to new research conducted by the independent Egyptian Centre for Public Opinion Research.

Egypt’s parliament passes controversial judicial authority law Egypt’s House of Representatives passed on Wednesday a controversial law granting the president the power to appoint the heads of the country’s judicial bodies despite strong opposition from the judges' clubs.

Court ruling obliges authorities to register children from customary marriages An Egyptian court issued a ruling obliging authorities to register children from customary marriages, and issue them birth certificates.

Economy

Sisi praises Egyptian workers on May Day, says economic reform plan to create more jobs Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi praised on Sunday Egyptian workers and their role in the country’s economic development, in a celebration marking the international workers' holiday of 1 May.

IMF delegation to review Egypt's austerity program within days Egypt's Deputy Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said that a mission from the International Monetary Fund expects to visit Cairo this week to conduct reviews on the extent to which the Egyptian government has fulfilled its commitments to the economic and social reform program it had earlier submitted to the Fund.

A disconnect of interest: The social injustice hidden in Egypt’s monetary policy The weeks leading up to the International Monetary Fund’s visit to Cairo, which begins today, have seen the international lender signal that the Egyptian government needs to maintain or raise already high interest rates as a means to curb inflation.

Egypt eases restrictions on importation and burning of coal, environmentalists warn of implications Rights groups and environmentalists warn the Egyptian government’s recent easing of restrictions on the import and industrial use of coal threatens the health of the population and the environment.

In post-revolution Egypt, a fierce fight over coal imports The fight to preserve a long-standing ban on coal imports galvanized Egypt’s environmental movement, cost a Cabinet minister her post and ultimately demonstrated the continued influence of powerful business lobbies in post-revolution Egypt.

Chairman of Suez Canal Authority Mamish to take charge of Suez Economic Zone, replacing Ahmed Darwish Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi issued a decree Sunday appointing chairman of the Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish as head of the canal’s economic authority as well, replacing Ahmed Darwish.

Foreign Relations

Egyptian parliament slams HRW report urging Germany to scrap security agreement with Egypt The Egyptian parliament's Human Rights Committee attacked on Wednesday the New York-based Human Rights Watch over their report issued this week urging the German parliament not to approve an Egyptian-German security agreement on fighting terrorism.

Egypt bans 2 Sudanese journalists from entering the country Egyptian airport authorities banned two Sudanese journalists from entering the country on Monday, two days after Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Sudan to address growing tensions between the two countries over a number of issues.

Pope Francis to demand halt to money, arms that support violence in Cairo speech Pope Francis is set to call for the end to the flow of arms and money to support acts of violence, in a speech at al-Azhar headquarters scheduled for Cairo afternoon.

Pope Francis in Egypt: A voice of reason The pope has sent a strong message against Islamophobia and for religious and individual freedoms.

Popes Francis and Tawadros' baptism declaration: Positive step but not full solution Roman Catholic Pope Francis and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros signed on Friday a mutual declaration that each of their respective churches will seek to acknowledge baptisms performed in the other church.

Domestic Security

Kidnappings lead to heightened tensions between militants and North Sinai tribes Local tribal leaders in the North Sinai capital of Arish held meetings on Sunday to discuss defusing heightened tensions, after two Fawakhariya tribesmen were kidnapped by Islamic State-affiliated militants. Members of the Fawakhariya tribe, one of the largest in Arish, have been staging protests since Friday in response to the abductions.

Province of Sinai claims responsibility for attack targeting Tarabin tribesmen A suicide bombing at a checkpoint near Rafah has killed several members of one of North Sinai’s most prominent tribes. Islamic State-affiliate Province of Sinai claimed responsibility for the Tuesday attack, which marks the most recent development in ongoing tensions between the Tarabin tribe and Province of Sinai.

Policeman killed, two injured in North Sinai bombing A police officer was killed and two policemen were injured Thursday afternoon when an improvised explosive device detonated in North Sinai’s al-Arish city.

From Jadaliyya Egypt

يم القاهرة  Ibrahim Mahfouz examines the socioeconomic ebb and flow of the city of Cairo.

Arabic

تأييد حبس اثنين من متهمي «مظاهرات الأرض» بالإسكندرية سنتين و50 ألف جنيه غرامة  Muharram Bey Criminal Court upheld two-year sentences and fifty thousand Egyptian pounds bail against two Tiran and Sanafir demonstrators.

سعر الفائدة في مواجهة التضخم: هل يدرك صندوق النقد تضحيات المصريين؟ Analysts discuss the threats posed by IMF economic measures on Egypt and how the interest rates hike sought to contain inflation will only benefit the creditors.

!السيسي في «مؤتمر الشباب»: أنا أو الفوضى  President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s speech at the youth conference in Ismailia Wednesday made several references to his intention to run for a second term and stressed that any popular action against him would “threaten Egypt's future.”

معتقلون بسجن العقرب المصري يضربون عن الطعام  Al Aqrab political prisoners set hunger strike following the increase in arbitrary procedures of the prison administration, which withheld medical exams, the Egyptian Committee for the Defense of Detainees said.

التأديب والصلاحية» يبدأ التحقيق مع قاضيي قانون منع التعذيب.. والجلسة المقبلة 19 يونيو« Disciplinary board will resume investigations of two judges over drafting a bill against torture on 19 June.

السيسي يوجه الحكومة بمنح «المنافذ غير المرخصة» للشباب تصاريح مؤقتة  President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on the government to grant unlicensed outlets and cafeterias temporary permits until the situation is legally fixed.

حقوقيون: تعديلات «الإجراءات الجنائية» تخل بالمحاكمة العادلة  The twenty-two adopted amendments to the Criminal Procedures Code pose a far significant threat to a fair trial system, activists warn. 

تعديل قانون الأزهر.. أزمة مستمرة فى البرلمان  MP Mohammed Abu Hamid’s bill to amend Law No. 103 of 1961 on the regulation of Al-Azhar and its bodies spurred controversy among members of the Religious Committee because it contained articles authorizing the punishment of Sheikh Al-Azhar.

تحليل| هل يهدد برلمان علي عبد العال شرعية نظام السيسي؟  Tension has been intensified between legislative and judicial powers following the approval of controversial judicial bodies’ law. 

»تزامنًا مع فعاليات مؤتمر الشباب بالإسماعيلية..هاشتاج «مش عايزين السيسي» يتصدر تويتر.. وساخرون: «كفاية إنجازات  #We_don’t_want_sisi hashtag went viral on social media, showing a growing popular rage against Sisi’s failed policies.

نواب "25-30" يرفضون تمرير قانون السلطة القضائية35 Members of Parliament held a press conference to voice their opposition to the recently approved amendments to the judicial bodies’ law, which was rejected by all judicial bodies.

غرفة الملاحة: تتوقع ارتفاع إيرادات قناة السويس لـ7 مليارات دولار The Suez Canal revenues are expected to reach seven billion dollars in 2018 compared to five billion dollars the current year.

نيابة النقض تُوصي بتأييد حبس "دومة" في إهانة القضاء  Cassation Court handed down three-year prison sentence and a fine of ten thousand Egyptian pounds to activist Ahmad Douma over insulting judge Nagi Shehata.

الأزهر بين خلع عمامة الدين وارتداء عباءة السلطة  The dispute between Al-Azhar and the state in Egypt has reached a dead end, as the political leadership seeks to regulate the law of Al-Azhar and its bodies.

شبهة عدم دستورية» تهدد تعديلات قانون الطوارئ«The parliament passed controversial amendments to the Emergency Law on Wednesday, a measure likely to restrict citizens freedom under the state of emergency without a judicial order. 

مصر كبلد منتجة للنخب Amr Adly writes about the problem of gap between the elite and society in Egypt.

»مسئولون لـ«الشروق»: تفاهم مرتقب مع السعودية لوقف تسليم «تيران وصنافير  A possibility of understanding will be reached with Saudi Arabia on the annulment of Tiran and Sanafir demarcation agreement, a well-informed source said.  

القوات المسلحة: تنسيق كامل مع الأجهزة الأمنية لتأمين زيارة بابا الفاتيكان  Armed forces were deployed on high alert during Pope Francis historic two-day visit to Egypt.

مختارات من الصحافة العربية (من 10 حتى 19 ابريل)

مصر

تسلسل زمني محدث لوقائع الأحد الدامي في مصر
تسلسل زمني لكيفية حصول التفجيرين اللذين استهدفا الكنيستين القبطيتين في أحد السعف في طنطا بالأسكندرية واللذين أديا إلى مقتل ٤٣ شخصاً وجرح أكثر من مائة.

مكتفيًا بما قاله الرئيس: البرلمان يتراجع عن استدعاء وزيري الداخلية والعدل
رئيس مجلس الشعب عبد العال يتراجع عن استدعاء وزيري الداخلية والعدل بعد هجمات أحد السعف

بالأسماء.. مطرانية طنطا تنشر القائمة الأولى لشهداء كنيسة مارجرجس: 22 شهيدا
مطرانية طنطا تنشر قائمة بأسماء ٢٢ ضحية لتفجيرات أحد السعف على صفحتها على الفيسبوك

)ما تداعيات إعلان حالة الطوارئ؟ (س وج
“المصري اليوم” تناقش تأثيرات حالة الطوارىء على المصريين

البرلمان يقر حزمة تعديلات قانونية لتسريع محاكمات الإرهاب
مجلس الشعب المصري يصادق على التعديلات على قوانين الإجراءات الجنائية وقرارات الطعن والكيانات الإرهابية وقانون مكافحة الإرهاب كي يسرع محاكمات الإرهاب.

بعد تصريحات ''عبدالعال'': اعرف عقوبة الاستخدام السيء لمواقع التواصل
ستفرض حالة الطوارئ في مصر رقابة على وسائل الإعلام والإعلام الاجتماعي مما سبب قلق كثيرين حول العقوبات ضد سوء استخدام الإعلام في ظل نظام الطوارى.

السيسي بعد تفجير الكنيستين: القضاء على القضاء
خبراء يقولون إن رد فعل السيسي على الهجمات الإرهابية يعكس فشل الدولة المصرية في معالجة الإجراءات الأمنية.

المشانق ما زالت منصوبة.. تنفيذ 44 حكم إعدام في مصر عام 2016
بحسب تقرير منظمة العفو الدولية أعدمت مصر ٤٤ شخصاً وحكمت على ٢٣٧ بالإعدام قي ٢٠١٦، مما سبب ذعراً حيال الارتفاع الدرامي في عدد الإعدامات.

»!الإرهاب في «وادي النيل»: أبعد من اختراق «داعشي
تفجيرا أحد السعف الإرهابيان أثارا القلق حيال مضاعفات التبدل الاستراتيجي في التكتيكات الإرهابية التي تقودها داعش في وادي النيل في مصر.

إعلان الطوارئ ليس حلا، بل سترا على فشل
خالد فهمي يكتب عن كيف تشكل حالة الطوارئ في مصر جزءاً من المشكلة وليس الحل لمحاربة الإرهاب.

سوريا
تقدم المعارضة في ريف حماه والنظام يستنفر قواته
قوات المعارضة السورية تصل إلى قرية قمحانة في شمال حماه (٢٩ آذار ٢٠١٧) حيث تندلع اشتباكات عنيفة بين قوات النظام وهيئة تحرير الشام التي تشتمل على الفصائل الجهادية كفتح الشاب (النصرة سابقاً).

دير الزور: المدينة المنسية
بكتب حسن عرفة أنه بالرغم من كل ما يحدث في المدينة المنسية لا نرى المستوى نفسه من التغطية الإعلامية أو الدعم السياسي لدير الزور اللذين حظيت بهما مدن سوريا أخرى.

رع الفرات› ومشروع ‹إصلاح شرق الأناضول›
تستقصي المقالة العلاقة بين عملية درع الفرات التركية في شمال حلب وبرنامج تركيا الأمني إصلاح شرق الأناضول

انهيار سد الفرات مسؤولية الأسد والمحتلين
سد الفرات على وشك الانهيار، وانهياره المحتمل سيكون أكبر كارثة مدينية وديموغرافية وبيئية.

تشارلز ليستر يتحدث إلى "ديوان" عن الجهاديين ولماذا يتعيّن على الأسد الرحيل.
كان الصراع في سوريا معقداً دوماً ولم يكن هناك أبداً خيارات جيدة. على أي حال، ما رأيناه يتطور منذ التوسع الدرامي لتنظيم الدولة الإسلامية في منتصف ٢٠١٤ هو بزوغ سياسة كانت أولويتها لبعض الوقت هزيمة الدولة الإسلامية قبل أي شيء آخر.

رضوان زيادة: كيف نمنع تقسيم سورية؟
رضوان زيادة يقدم منظوره حول كيف نستطيع منع تقسيم سوريا.

مجلس الشيوخ يصدر قراراً يفرض تعامل الولايات المتحدة مع الأسد كفاقد للشرعية ومجرم حربالولايات المتحدة الأميركية تصدر قراراً للتعامل مع الأسد كمجرم حرب دون شرعية.

لعبة كبرى جديدة؟
الغارات الجورية الأميركية ضد الأسد تقدم مخاطر واحتمالات في آن.

أوهام المعارضة السورية والضربة الأميركيّة
عمار ديوب يحث المعارضة السورية على كي تتخلى عن أوهامها في نشدان المساعدة الخارجية

المغرب الكبير

الجزائر

تزايد الولادات في الجزائر بات اتجاهاً راسخاً
تزايد نسبة الولادات في الجزائر بعد ثلاثة عقود من الانحدار

كيف تخطّط الجزائر لتحقيق نموها الاقتصادي؟
الجزائر تعلن عن خطة جديدة لتحقيق النمو الاقتصادي رغم تراجع أسعار النفط العالمية.

ليبيا

مساعي الحل في ليبيا تتعثر
الدبلوماسي الفرنسي السابق في ليبيا باتريك هيمزادي يناقش ما يمكن أن تعلمه الأزمة السياسية في ليبيا للمجتمع الدولي

ليبيا تعلن وقف تهريب الوقود إلى تونس
لجنة أزمة الوقود والغاز في ليبيا تبدأ عملية جديدة كي تنهي تهريب الوقود.

موريتانيا

موريتانيا...خطر العطش يهدد مدن الشرق
التصحر يهدد الناس في المناطق الشرقية من موريتانيا الذين يعتمدون على آبار عامة بعيدة للتزود بالماء.

موريتانيا: 19% من السكان مصابون بالاكتئاب

وزارة الصحة الموريتانية تعلن أن ١٩ بالمائة من سكانها مصابون بالاكتئاب

المغرب

واش حنا مغاربة؟
مقابلة مع سورية الكحلاوي حول فلمها الوثائقي الذي يركز على صراع مغربيين ضد قيام الشركات الخاصة بالاستيلاء على أراضيهم

اختلالات طبية تؤدي إلى وفاة طفلة بتنغير وجمعويون يحملون المسؤولية لوزارة الصحة
وفاة طفلة في تنغير دفع شبكة من الجمعيات المحلية إلى نقد الخدمات الطبية السيئة موجهين اللوم إلى وزارة الصحة

تونس

تونس تشهد خلافاً حاداً بين الحكومة والاتحاد العام للشغل
تعديل وزاري يؤدي إلى رحيل وزير الوظيفة العمومية والحوكمة وتنامي خلاف بين الحكومة والاتحاد العام للشغل.

عمادة الأطباء التونسيين تدين الفحوص الشرجية وتدعو للإمتناع عن إجرائها مستقبلا
عمادة الأطباء التونسيين تعتبر الالتجاء إلى الفحوس الشرجية التي تستهدف السلوك الجنسي اعتداء على الكرامة

الصحراء الغربية

الأمم المتحدة تعتزم إعادة بعث المفاوضات بـ"ديناميكية جديدة" بين جبهة البوليساريو والمغرب
الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة أنطونيو غوتيريس يدعو إلى مفاوضات جديدة لحل صراع الصحراء الغربية

منتدى العمل من أجل الصحراء الغربية يؤكد أن وضع حقوق الإنسان في الصحراء الغربية خطير
منتدي العمل من أجل الصحراء ضاعف ضغوطه على الأمم المتحدة لتطبيق آلية لمراقبة حقوق الإنسان في الصحراء الغربية

شبه الجزيرة العربية

إقليمي ودولي

المنامة تسقط الجنسية عن ممثل المرجع الديني عيسى قاسم وتمنح مواطني مجلس التعاون بطاقات هوية
"أسقط النظام البحريني الجنسية عن عالم الدين البارز الشيخ عبد الله الدقاق واثنين آخرين بعد أحكام أصدرتها محاكم النظام بالسجن ضدهم لمدد تصل إلى 15 عاماً في تهم ذات خلفية سياسية."

موقف مختلف للرئيس الإيراني بشأن السعودية
أكد الرئيس الإيراني استعداد بلاده إلى إقامة علاقات أفضل مع السعودية املا بأن "تكف الرياض عن إجراءاتها غير الصحيحة" في اليمن وسوريا."

ثـمـن القاعـدة العـسكرية الإمـاراتية في بربرة
انتشر في صوماليلاند خطاب شعبوي يهدف للمرة الأولى في تاريخ البلاد عن أن "صوماليلاند بلد سني وأنه من واجب أبنائه دعم إخوتهم العرب السنة ضد القوى الشيعية الشريرة التي تريد ابتلاعهم."

شركات تجارة النفط تبيع أصول التخزين رهانا على نجاح تخفيضات أوبك
"أما في ظل انخفاض مخزونات النفط يميل سعر التسليم الفوري للنفط إلى تجاوز الأسعار الآجلة. وفي هذه الحالة لا يمكن بيع النفط الآجل بربح سريع وتفقد أنشطة التخزين بريقها."

منير بن صالحة: بن علي يتمتع بامتيازات وراتب رئيس في السعودية
"السعودية تمنح بن علي راتبا شهريا وتوفر له إقامة فاخرة مبينا أن منوبه يعيش في نفس الرفاهية التي يعيش فيها رؤساء العالم."

السلطات البحرينية تعيد الحقوقي البارز نبيل رجب إلى سجنه الإنفرادي بعد 3 أيام من إجرائه عملية جراحية
منظمات حقوقية طالبت السلطات البحرينية بالإفراج الفوري عن سجين الرأي والمدافع عن حقوق الإنسان نبيل رجب الذي يقبع في الحبس الانفرادي منذ تسعة أشهر.

الملك «سلمان» يهنئ «ترامب» هاتفيا على الضربة الأمريكية في سوريا
"قال مصدر بوزارة الخارجية السعودية في تغريدة: «هنأ خادم الحرمين الشريفين، الرئيس الأمريكي على القرار الشجاع الذي يصب في مصلحة المنطقة والعالم."

ماكرون “سينهي” الاتفاقات التي تخدم مصلحة قطر في فرنسا اذا انتخب رئيسا وسيكون لديه “مطالب كثيرة” إزاء قطر والسعودية
"قبل أسبوعين من الجولة الأولى من الانتخابات الرئاسية، تظهر استطلاعات الرأي ان ماكرون (39 عاما) ومرشحة اليمين المتطرف مارين لوبان متعادلان."

بعد عامين من حرب اليمن: الإمارات فازت بـ«سقطرى» وعينها على «ميون» لإحكام نفوذها البحري
"لا تزال الإمارات تتشبث بعدن كأبرز مركز لقواتها في اليمن، وهي تحركات تشير في مجملها أن الإمارات تركز أنشطتها في الآونة الأخيرة حول مضيق باب المندب بشكل واضح كما يقول مراقبون."

الغارديان: سيد أحمد الوداعي: إذا لم تستطع الفورمولا 1 ضمان سلامة البحرينيين، فلتذهب بعيدًا
"قال الوداعي أنه حين تجري الفورمولا 1 سباقًا في البحرين، فإنّها ترسل رسالة مفادها أنّ تضحية البحرينيين من أجل تقرير مصيرهم لا تعني شيئًا لأنهم ليسوا مساوين لأولئك الذين يعيشون ويتمتعون بحقوقهم وديمقراطياتهم في الغرب."

أذونات خزينة وصكوك إسلامية.. البحرين تدرج ديوناً بقيمة 1.9 مليار دولار في البورصة
أعلنت حكومة البحرين إدراج ديون قصيرة الأجل بقيمة سبعة مائة وواحد وأربعون مليون دينار للتداول في البورصة.

العلاقة بـ«بن لادن» تهدد بملاحقات أمريكية لمصارف وشركات سعودية
"رفع عدد من شركات التأمين الأميركية دعاوى قضائية ضد شركات ومصارف سعودية، بحجة ارتباطها بعائلة زعيم تنظيم القاعدة السابق «أسامة بن لادن»."

محاكمة طبيب سعودي بتهمة تأييد الحوثيين واعتراضه على عاصفة الحزم
من الاتهامات التي وجهتها المحكمة للمواطن السعودي اثارة الفتنة على فيس بوك

عاصفة الحزم وأرخبيل سُقطرى
"هناك من اعتبر الموقف الإماراتي مؤشراً على عملها من وراء ظهر شركائها في الحرب اليمنية بسبب رغبتها في ’ احتكار جنوب اليمن تحت نفوذها وهيمنتها‘."

وزير دفاع باكستان: «التحالف الإسلامي» لم يتشكل بعد.. واجتماع في مايو لإطلاقه
وأشار وزير الدفاع الباكستاني خلال كلمته في البرلمان أن حماية أراضي المملكة العربية السعودية ستكون "مكفولة مهما كان الثمن".

البدل المالي يغذي ظاهرة بطالة الشباب الخليجي والوافدون متهمون
"يوجد في المملكة أكثر من 230 ألف سعودي يحملون شهادات من المعاهد الصحية والمهنية بلا عمل، ودون فرص واعدة لتوظيفهم في التخصصات التي درسوها، لأنها لم تعد تتوافق مع سوق العمل."

صحيفة مصرية تنتقد المراهنة على علاقة مع السعودية أساسها البعد المادي فقط
"قالت الصحيفة المصرية إن «الأجندة السعودية التركية القطرية موحدة في الأزمة السورية، وتختلف تمامًا عن الأجندة المصرية، وبالتالي مصر غير قادرة على تحقيق أمنها القومي في سوريا على سبيل المثال في حال قرارها التماهي مع الأجندة السعودية."

تقارير وآراء

نجل آخر شاه إيراني يدعو إلى ثورة تعيد الملكية البرلمانية في بلاده بدعم من «ترامب»
ابن شاه إيران السابق يطلب من ترامب دعم "ثورة سلمية في بلاده".

رسالة إلى الشعب العربي في دول الخليج
"كيف تجمع المملكة بين استقاء شرعيّتها من حماية الحرميْن فيما هي تتحالف مع أعداء الإسلام والمسلمين."

القوات الجوية السودانية والسعودية تنهيان مناورات «الدرع الأزرق 1»
تعد مناورات «الدرع الأزرق 1» الأولى من نوعها بين جيشي البلدين بمشاركة مئات الجنود من السودان والسعودية.

السعودية.. مهرجان مزاين يستعرض الأبل على بساط أحمر.. ونشطاء: العسكر أولى بالتكريم
"قال النشطاء إن العسكر والمرابطين أحق بالتكريم من الأبل، مؤكدين أن العسكر يحتاج إلى مزيد من الاهتمام."

السعودية تفاوض الحوثيين .. هل تراجع الرهان على تحقيق «بن سلمان» إنجاز عسكري؟
"بحسب مراقبين، فإن عودة استقبال المملكة لوفود الحوثيين، رغم استمرار الحرب، يعكس إخفاق الحملة العسكرية، وانتهاء الرهان على قدرة الأمير «محمد بن سلمان»، ولي ولي العهد وزير الدفاع، على تحقيق حسم عسكري في اليمن."

إميل نخلة: مبيعات الأسلحة إلى البحرين تتناقض مع التزام الولايات المتحدة بحقوق الإنسان
"أفادت صحيفة النّيويورك تايمز يوم الخميس الماضي أن وزارة الخارجية الأمريكية قرّرت رفع شروط حقوق الإنسان عن مبيعات مقاتلات إف 16 وأسلحة أخرى إلى البحرين."

ولا تقسموا البلد... هذا لنا وهذا لكم
هاني الفردان: " لن نستغرب عندما يقول عضو بلدي بمنطق «همجي» و«إقصائي» وبشكل علني ’ لا نريد أن يستثمروا في منطقتنا... وإلا سأذهب إلى الملك‘!"

وزير النفط: شركة لخصخصة محطات الوقود وطرحها للاكتتاب
"كشف وزير النفط، الشيخ محمد بن خليفة آل خليفة أن الوزارة تدرس جدوى تأسيس شركة تدير عملية خصخصة محطات الوقود في البحرين على أن يتم طرحها للاكتتاب العام والإدراج في بورصة البحرين."

«الشرق الأوسط الجديد»... من ساحل اليمن!
"لم يكن الموقف السعودي الفوري لتهئنة ترامب على الضربة الصاروخية على الشعيرات لمجرد التهنئة، بل ينطوي على إشارة واضحة بأن المملكة جاهزة بالمال لمقابلة جاهزية ترامب في الميدان."

صحف السعودية تبرز اعتماد 21 سفيرا ومراجعة المشروعات والموافقة على الضريبة الانتقائية
"السلطات السعودية وجهت الوزارات والهيئات بمراجعة مشاريع غير منتهية ببلايين الدولارات، في البنية التحتية والتنمية الاقتصادية، بهدف تجميدها."

الوداعي والخواجة في مقال مشترك بـ”الغارديان”: السيارة الأسرع هو ما يهتم به العالم وليس عذابات الناس
"وأكد المقال ’ إن السيارة الأسرع هو ما يهتم به العالم، وليس عذاب الناس الذين يناضلون من أجل حقوقهم‘“.

الحكومة السعودية عاجزة عن تمويل مشاريع ضخمة
"يعود البدء بتنفيذ هذه المشاريع إلى حقبة طفرة أسعار النفط والإنفاق الحكومي الباذخ الذي انتهى عندما بدأ انحدار أسعار الخام منتصف 2014 ما يزيد صعوبة توفير الأموال التي تحتاجها الرياض لإتمام تنفيذ تلك المشاريع.

ظالأرقام المميزة... بين «المزاد» و«الاستحواذ»
"نعتقد أن مسألة الأرقام المميزة في البحرين ستتحوّل لتكون شبيهةً بالأراضي العامة، وُزّع الكثير منها بالمجان، ثم تم بيعها بالملايين، وكذلك سيكون حال الأرقام، وزعت بالمجان، وستصل أسعارها بالملايين خصوصاً الأحادية والثنائية والثلاثية."

استجواب ثانٍ لرئيس مجلس الوزراء الكويتي
"تضمن استجوابهم خمسة بنود، من بينها العبث في مسألة الجنسية."

بالفيديو.. كيف سيعلق برج من كويكب في دبي؟
أعلنت شركة العمارة "كلاودس أركيتيكتشور أوفيس" عن خطة فحواها تعليق برج فوق الأرض من خلال وصله بكويكب في الفضاء يدور حول الأرض.

هبوط أسهم السعودية بسبب دعاوى قضائية أمريكية تتعلق بهجمات 11 سبتمبر
هبط أسهم أكبر مصرفين سعوديين في بورصة السعودية بفعل أنباء تفيد بأن شركات تأمين أميركية أقامت دعوى قضائية بحقهما تتعلق بهجمات 11 سبتمبر 2011.

اليوم... «وعد»!
"لا أنتمي إلى جمعية «وعد» ولا إلى أي جمعية سياسية أو دينية، ولكن إيماناً منّي ومن غيري بأهمّية وجود التنظيمات والجمعيات والأحزاب السياسية في دولة المؤسسات، وفقاً لما نصّ عليه الدستور، فإنّني والجميع نقف مع عدم إغلاق الجمعيات السياسية."

الحرب على اليمن

خلافات الحوثيين وصالح: تحالف الانقلاب اليمني مهدّد بصراع النفوذ
"أن الأمر كان بمثابة مناورة للضغط على الحوثيين، بعدما وجد بن حبتور نفسه عاجزاً عن التصرف كرئيس حكومة. في المقابل، أشارت العديد من المصادر إلى أن الحوثيين لا يزالون يسيطرون بشكل شبه كامل على المؤسسات الحكومية."

معارك الساحل اليمني نموذجاً عن الحرب غير المحسومة
هل ستكون جغرافية الساحل السياسية والاقتصادية نهايةً للحرب؟

تحضيرات لجولة الساحل الثانية: الحديدة أمّ المعارك
"سعى تحالف العدوان عبر أتباعه اليمنيين إلى التواصل مع عدد من مشايخ ووجهاء محافظة الحديدة في محاولة للحصول على دعم للعمليات العسكرية في الساحل الغربي."

واشنطن تواصل ضرب «القاعدة»... وابن سلمان يجتمع بمشايخ قبليين
تحاول السعودية أن تعتمد على مشايخ القبائل اليمنية لتفكيك طوق صنعاء.

مقتل مجند برصاص عناصر القاعدة ومحاولة إغتيال في أبين
"تشهد محافظة أبين ومدينة لودر معارك عنيفة بين الفينة والأخرى فيما بين القاعدة وجماعات مسلحة تابعة للسعودية مع ما يسمونها قوات الحزام الأمني المشكلة من قبل الإمارات."

خلافات الحوثيين وصالح: تحالف الانقلاب اليمني مهدّد بصراع
"أشارت العديد من المصادر إلى أن الحوثيين لا يزالون يسيطرون بشكل شبه كامل على المؤسسات الحكومية، ويرفضون التوجيهات الصادرة عن وزراء محسوبين على حزب صالح."

شهيد وجرحى وأضرار مادية بمزارع المواطنين في قصف سعودي على صعدة
"طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي شن الأحد الماضي قرابة العشرين غارة مستهدفًا جسر الرقالة المؤدي إلى مديرية باقم ومناطق أخرى بمديرية الظاهر الحدودية التي أضحت بسكانها ومزارعهم هدف لقنابل العدوان الأمريكي."

نهم إلى الاشتعال مجدداً: هادي و«الإصلاح» يحشدان... والرياض تستعين بالسلفيين
"مقابل اتجاه الرياض إلى استعمال السلفيين كبديل من «الإصلاح» في «معركة صنعاء»، عمد الحزب الإخواني إلى تحجيم دور الميليشيات السلفية حتى لا يتكرر سيناريو تعز."

مقتل 38 جنديا حوثيا وثلاثة مدنيين في اشتباكات وغارات شنتها طائرات التحالف العربي غرب اليمن وبانفجار عبوة ناسفة استهدفت موكبا امنيا
"قالت المصادر لوكالة فرانس برس ان 28 حوثيا قتلوا واصيب عشرات بجروح في مواجهات مع القوات الحكومية شهدتها الاحد المنطقة الواقعة بين تعز والحديدة وترافقت مع غارات للتحالف ضد مواقع الحوثيين في المنطقة ذاتها بلغ عددها 25."

«حميد الأحمر» القيادي بحزب «الإصلاح» اليمني يغادر الرياض غاضبا
توافدت إلى السعودية شخصيات قبلية يمنية من مختلف محافظات البلاد وسط أنباء عن مؤتمر مرتقب لقبائل اليمن تستضيفه الرياض.

حرب واشنطن على «القاعدة» ذريعة للتمركز على السواحل اليمنية
تجهيزات لقوات السعودية والإمارات لعملية كبيرة هدفها السيطرة على ميناء الحديدة ومنع استفادة صنعاء من أهم مورد اقتصادي.

عسيري: مصر عرضت في السابق إرسال نحو 40 ألفا من قواتها البرية لليمن
"وتابع "لكن في ذاك الوقت كنا نتكلم من 30 ألفا إلى 40 ألف جندي كقوة برية" مشيرا فيما يبدو إلى عام 2015 عندما تشكل التحالف وتدخل في اليمن.

في أول حكم من نوعه .. الحوثيون يحكمون بإعدام صحفي بتهمة التخابر
"قالت مصادر اعلامية أن محكمة خاضعة لسلطة الحوثيين بصنعاء، حكمت صباح اليوم بالإعدام على الصحفي يحيى عبدالرقيب الجبيحي بتهم مزيفة وملفقة منها التخابر مع دول معادية."

العدوان يتكبّد «خسائر كبيرة» في تعز
"سقوط عشرات القتلى والمصابين في صفوف المهاجمين، من ضمنهم عدد من الضباط والجنود السودانيين، وإحراق سبع آليات تابعة لهم."

لقاءات ابن سلمان ــ القبائل: الإخفاق مستمر
"تسعى السعودية إلى إعادة ترتيب تحالفاتها، خاصةً مع زعماء وأبناء القبائل اليمنية، التي باتت اليوم تتصدر الواجهة، بعدما كانت مجرد «ورقة ضغط» أخفقت الرياض في استغلالها."

المأوى المؤقت يحاصر خصوصيات اليمنيات
"تتشرّد عشرات الآلاف من الأسر الفقيرة بسبب الحرب في مناطق اليمن ولا يجد أفرادها مكاناً ملائماً للمأوى يحفظ كرامة النساء ويحمي خصوصياتهن، لتبقى حريتهن مقيدة خارج وداخل سكنهن."

حقوق الأنسان

3 خبراء في الأمم المتحدة يطالبون السعودية بوقف هدم حي المسورة الأثري في العوامية
"دعا الخبراء السعودية إلى الوقف الفوري للمخطط الذي يهدف إلى هدم الحياة في حي المسورة التي يبلغ عمرها 400 عام."

المجلس الأعلى للمرأة يدعم مساع جادة لإصدار قانون موحد للأحوال الشخصية رغم توجس الشيعة
"أن التيار الغالب في الطائفة الشيعية في البحرين يتوجس من تنظيم الدولة للأحوال الشخصية المتعلقة بالزواج والطلاق والمواريث، خصوصاً في ظل الاستهداف المتواصل من قبل النظام للطائفة الشيعية وتعديه على المسائل الدينية الخاصة بها."

لجنة بالكونجرس الأمريكي تطالب البحرين بإعادة نبيل رجب للمستشفى لتلقي الرعاية الصحية اللازمة
أن الناشط الحقوقي نبيل رجب خضع مؤخراً لعملية جراحية لكن السلطات أعادته مباشرة إلى السجن وهو ما أدى لتدهور صحته بشكل سريع.

بالفيديو: الأمم المتحدة قلقة من محاكمة المدنيين في محاكم عسكرية وتدعو إلى حوار حقيقي في البحرين
"عبرت الأمم المتحدة عن قلقها من عدد من القيود المعمول بها في البحرين لا سيما المتعلقة بالحريات الأساسية."

الكويت: تعرض مدافعة حقوق الإنسان هديل بوقريص والمشاركين في حملة "نمشي لها" للتهديدات
تعرضت هديل بوقريص إلى حملة إعلامية شرسة من قبل مؤيدي الحكومة السعودية داخل الكويت وخارجها ومن بينهم أحد أعضاء مجلس الأمة الكويتي حيث استلمت هديل وزميلاتها عدداً كبيراً من التهديدات الجدية عبر الهاتف و وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي وتم اتهامهم بالخيانة.

عُمان: الإدعاء العام يهدد ناشطي الإنترنت الذين يعملون في المنفى
لم تكتفي السلطات في عُمان بخنق الحريات في داخل البلاد فهي تعمل الآن على إسكات الأصوات الحرة التي تنشط على الإنترنت خارج البلاد.

السجن 60 يوماً لشاعر "القصيدة المسيئة" لرجال الأمن
"أصدرت المحكمةُ الجزائيَّةُ المتخصِّصةُ بالرياض حُكمًا ابتدائيًّا بحقِّ شاعرٍ مشهورٍ بالسجن شهرين."

السعودية: أطلقوا سراح دينا علي لسلوم وإلغوا نظام الولاية
لا يوجد حتى الان أي معلومات عن سلامتها الجسدية والنفسية وتعرضت دينا للمساءلة القانونية بتهم عدم الطاعة بسبب محاولتها الهروب من ولي أمرها وتم توقيفها فب مطار مانيلا الفليبين.

البحرين: نداء عاجل من أجل نبيل رجب وعبد الهادي الخواجة المديرين المؤسسين لمركز الخليج لحقوق الإنسان بسبب تدهور حالتهم الصحية خلف القضبان
"كلاهما يحتاج للرعاية الطبية الضرورية، حيث يتعافى رجب من عملية جراحية أجريت له الاسبوع الماضي، بينما الخواجة معرض لفقدان البصر، بالإضافة إلى مخاطر صحية اخرى بسبب دخوله في إضراب عن الطعام."

براين دولي يوجه سؤالين إلى مراسلي الفورمولا 1 في البحرين
"تستخدم الحكومة البحرينية الفعاليات مثل الفورمولا 1 لتلميع صورة السّلطات من خلال الرّياضة."

العفو الدولية تعليقاً على الحكم بسجن الشيخ علي سلمان 4 أعوام: سجين رأي ويجب الإفراج عنه فورا
دعوة "لحث السّلطات البحرينية على إبطال إدانة زعيم المعارضة وأمين عام جمعية الوفاق الشّيخ علي سلمان، والإفراج عنه فورًا من دون أيّ شروط."

تصاعد المضايقات بحق الشيعة في مدينة حمد وأوامر عليا بمنع إقامة حفل تأبيني لمرجع شيعي لأنه "غير بحريني"
ويأتي هذا التصعيد في سياسة انتهجتها السلطات باستهداف رجال الدين الشيعية تحديداً بعد إسقاط جنسية آية الله الشيخ عيسى قاسم.

إجراءات أمنية مشددة عند مداخل الدراز لمنع دخول صحفيين أجانب يتواجدون في البلاد لتغطية سباق الفورمولا 1
"قال شهود عيان أن السلطات الأمنية وزعت على كل نقطة أمنية، ضابطاً تابعاً للداخلية، في إجراء جديد، يهدف إلى التعرف على أي مراسل أجنبي يتواجد في البلاد لتغطية سباق الفورمولا 1، لمنعهم من دخول الدراز، لنقل ما يجري هناك."

تأجيل قضية حل وعد للمرافعة الختامية في 30 أبريل
وتم حل جمعية وعد العام الماضي في حملة هي الأقسى ضد المعارضة منذ اندلاع احتجاجات واسعة للمطالبة بوضع حد لنفوذ أسرة آل خليفة.

مجلس حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة: الحصار السعودي على اليمن إجراء تعسفي قسري وغير قانوني
"دعا مجلس حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة، قوات التحالف بقيادة السعودية رفع الحصار الجوي والبحري المفروض على اليمن منذ أكثر من عامين، فوراً، والسماح بدخول الإمدادات الإغاثية لتفادي كارثة إنسانية ومجاعة شاملة."

فلسطين

قوات الاحتلال

قوات الاحتلال تستولي على منزل فلسطيني جنوبي الخليل
أفادت مصادر محلية فلسطينية، بأن قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي "كثّفت" من إجراءاتها العسكرية في مدينة الخليل ومحيطها (جنوب القدس المحتلة)؛ لا سيما نشر الحواجز وإغلاق مداخل وطرقات القرى والبلدات القريبة من خطوط التماس.

قوات الاحتلال تعتقل سبعة مواطنين من الضفة
اعتقلت قوات الاحتلال الليلة الماضية سبعة مواطنين من الضفة. وبين نادي الأسير الفلسطيني في بيان له، أن ثلاثة مواطنين جرى اعتقالهم من محافظة بيت لحم وهم: إبراهيم العدل، ستيفن منذر مطر، إضافة إلى أنس إسماعيل نواورة، الذي أُفرج عنه لاحقاً.

الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يعتقل قياديين من حماس في الضفة
اعتقلت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي فجر اليوم الأربعاء، القياديين في حركة حماس فايز أحمد ورده (60 عاماً)، والنائب المبعد عن القدس أحمد عطوان في مدينة البيرة وسط الضفة الغربية المحتلة.

قوات الاحتلال تشرع بعمليات تجريف شمالي الضفة
وقال شهود من منطقة قرى الكفريات جنوب المحافظة، إن آليات الاحتلال الثقيلة قامت بتسوية الأرض الواقعة على طول الطريق التي تربط الحاجز بطريق طولكرم قلقيلية ومدها بالبسكورس، في الوقت الذي تقوم فيه بإلقاء المخلفات من حجارة وأتربة في الأراضي المجاورة في موقع الإخرب. شاهد المحتوى الأصلي علي بوابة الفجر الاليكترونية - بوابة الفجر: قوات الاحتلال تشرع بعمليات تجريف شمالي الضفة

قوات الاحتلال تحطم نصبا تذكاريا لشهيدة بالخليل
أقدمت قوة عسكرية إسرائيلية الليلة الماضية، على تحطيم نصب تذكاري لشهيدة من مدينة الخليل جنوب الضفة الغربية المحتلة، وذلك بحسب ما نشرت صحيفة "يديعوت أحرونوت".

"نزف حتى الموت": جنود الاحتلال يستسهلون قتل أطفال الفلسطينيين
ويؤكد التقرير على أن جنود الاحتلال يطلقون النار صوب الأطفال بقصد القتل، وفي بعض الحالات، التي لا يستشهد فيه الأطفال، يُتركون ويمنع تقديم الإسعافات لهم، لينزفوا حتى الموت.

الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يسلّم أمر هدم مسجد ببلدة جنوب الأقصى بدعوى عدم الترخيص
سلم الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في القدس المحتلة، اليوم الخميس، أمر هدم لمسجد «عبدالله السناوي» في حي دير السنة في بلدة سلوان جنوب المسجد الأقصى المبارك، بدعوى البناء دون الحصول على ترخيص.

مركز حقوقي: إسرائيل قتلت 97 فلسطينيًا بينهم 36 طفلًا في 2016
وأوضح "المركز" في تقريره السنوي للعام 2016 - أن من بين الضحايا 88 فلسطينيا قتلوا في الضفة بينهم 33 طفلا و7 نساء فيما قتل 9 فلسطينيين في قطاع غزة بينهم 3 أطفال وامرأة واحدة، وفقًا لوكالة "وام".

السياسة الداخلية

إسرائيل.. السجن عامان للنائب في الكنيست باسل غطاس بتهمة تهريب هواتف لأسرى
وذكر الموقع الإلكتروني لصحيفة "يديعوت أحرنوت" الإسرائيلية" أن الحكم الذي تضمن أيضا غرامة مالية قدرها 120 ألف شيقل (33 ألف دولار)، جاء بعد موافقة محكمة الصلح في مدينة بئر السبع على الصفقة بين محامي غطاس والنيابة العامة.

قيادة إسرائيل تهاجم "هآرتس" ودعوات لمقاطعتها
هذه الهجمة الواسعة على الصحيفة جاءت في اعقاب ما نشره الصحفي الاسرائيلي يوسي كليين والذي قال فيه "إن الصهيونية الدينية اخطر من حزب الله"، وفقا لما نشره موقع الصحيفة اليوم الخميس، حيث نشر رئيس وزراء اسرائيل نتنياهو على صفحته الخاصة الفيسبوك موقفا ضد الصحيفة، وطالبها بالاعتذار عما نشره فيها معتبرا اليهود المتدينين "ملح" الدولة، مدافعا عنهم مشيرا إلى أنهم يخدمون في الجيش الاسرائيلي وفي الخدمة المدنية.

الاحتلال يمنع رئيس الجالية الفلسطينية في تشيلي من دخول البلاد
رفضت سلطات الاحتلال السماح لرئيس اتحاد الجالية الفلسطينية في تشيلي، أنور مخلوف عيسى، بالدخول إلى أراضي الضفة الغربية المحتلة. وذكرت مصادر إعلامية إسرائيلية أن قرار المنع أُتخذ 'بسبب نشاطاته المتواصلة في حركة مقاطعة إسرائيل وسحب الاستثمارات منها'.

غياب حزبي في انتخابات فلسطين المحلية يدفع نحو 'العشائرية'
أظهرت معطيات لجنة الانتخابات المركزية الفلسطينية لانتخابات الهيئات المحلية في الضفة الغربية المحتلة المزمع عقدها في 13 أيار/مايو القادم حضورا عشائريا واضحا، حيث توافقت العائلات على ترشيح قائمة واحدة في "179"هيئة محلية أصبح في حكم المقرر أن تفوز بالتزكية لعدم وجود منافس.

حماس تكشف للفصائل رؤيتها للحل مع فتح
وقال القيادي في حركة حماس، صلاح البردويل إن "هناك اتفاق على أن تشارك كافة الفصائل في أي حوار وطني مستقبلي مع حركة فتح"، مشددا على أن اللجنة الإدارية في قطاع غزة ستنتهي حال باشرت الحكومة أعمالها في القطاع حسب ما تم الاتفاق عليه.

العلاقات الخارجية

سابقة دولية.. روسيا تعتزم الاعتراف بـ"القدس الغربية" عاصمة لـ"إسرائيل"
علنت روسيا عزمها الاعتراف بـ"القدس الغربية" عاصمة لـ"إسرائيل"، خلافاً لموقف موسكو المعلن منذ احتلال ما تبقى من القدس عام 1976. وفعلتها موسكو في مايو/أيار 1948 إذ كان الاتحاد السوفياتي أول دولة تعترف بـ"إسرائيل"، وفي أبريل/نيسان 2017 تعيد وريثته روسيا عزمها النظر في الاعتراف بالقدس الغربية عاصمة لـ"إسرائيل".

الولايات المتحدة تطلب من رعاياها مغادرة قطاع غزة فورا
حذرت الخارجية الأمريكية، مساء الثلاثاء، مواطنيها من السفر إلى قطاع غزة، مطالبة الموجودين فيه بالمغادرة فورا. وحثت الخارجية الأمريكية مواطنيها أيضا في الضفة الغربية وإسرائيل بضرورة الحذر وأخذ الإحتياطات الأمنية اللازمة.

جادو تطالب ممثلي الدول الأعضاء في الاتحاد الأوروبي الاعتراف بفلسطين
وقد وضعت السفير جادو الممثلين الأوروبيين في صورة اخر الانتهاكات الإسرائيلية في الأرض الفلسطينية المحتلة من حصار لغزة ومصادرة أراضي وترحيل قصري وهدم للمشاريع التي مولها الاتحاد الأوروبي في المناطق المسماة ج ، ومحاولة سن تشريع يمنع رفع الاذان في المساجد مما يبرهن على عنصرية هذه الحكومة.

دبلوماسية فلسطينية تلتقي مسؤولة بـ"الخارجية" الهولندية
التقت سفيرة دولة فلسطين لدى هولندا، والمنظمات الدولية فيها، روان سليمان، أمس، مدير عام الشؤون السياسية بوزارة الخارجية الهولندية، أندري هاسبيلس، في مقر الوزارة في مدينة لاهاي.

"الصين" تدعم إقامة دولة فلسطينية وفق حدود 1967
قال وزير الخارجية الصيني، وانج يي، اليوم الخميس، إن بلاده تدعم إقامة دولة فلسطين ذات سيادة وعاصمتها "القدس الشرقية"، وفق حدود 1967. وأضاف في مؤتمر صحفي، عقده مع نظيره الفلسطيني، رياض المالكي، في "بكين"، أنه من الظلم عدم تأسيس دولة فلسطين ذات سيادة مطلقة على مدى 70 عامًا.

وفد فلسطيني سيتوجه إلى واشنطن قريباً
أعلن وزير الخارجية رياض المالكي، اليوم الخميس، أن وفدا فلسطينيا رفيع المستوى سيغادر إلى واشنطن في الثلث الأخير من هذا الشهر تحضيرا لزيارة السيد الرئيس المقررة إلى هناك وتوقع أن تتم الزيارة في الأسبوع الأول من شهر أيار القادم في حال كان هناك توافق حول كافة البنودالتي يناقشها الوفد مع الجانب الأمريكي.

قانون

تقرير دولي: إسرائيل تهدم وتصادر 19 مبنى فلسطينيا في الضفة الغربية والقدس
ذكر تقرير مكتب الأمم المتحدة لتنسيق الشئون الإنسانية في الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة (أوتشا)، اليوم الأحد، أن السلطات الإسرائيلية في الضفة الغربية هدمت وصادرت 19 مبنى فلسطينيا بحجة عدم حصولها على تراخيص إسرائيلية للبناء مما أدى إلى تهجير 22 شخصا وتضرر سبل عيش ما يزيد عن 90 شخصا.

تقرير دولي: خمس مؤسسات مالية فرنسية تمول الاستيطان الصهيوني
أكدت الفيدرالية الدولية لحقوق الإنسان في تقريرٍ لها أصدرنه يوم الأربعاء الموافق 29/3/2017، أن خمس مؤسسات مالية فرنسية، هي أربعة مصارف وشركة تأمين، تموِّل الاستيطان الصهيوني في الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة عن طريق مشاركتها في مصارف وشركات صهيونية تعمل في المستوطنات.

مطالبات فلسطينية بكشف نتائج تقرير "مكافحة الفساد" 2016
طالبت جهات حقوقية وبرلمانية فلسطينية رئاسة السلطة بالكشف عن فحوى التقرير السنوي لـ "هيئة مكافحة الفساد" للعام الماضي، عملا بمبدأ الشفافية والنزاهة.

قراقع: 13 قانون ومشروع قانون تعسفي ضد الأسرى منذ عام 2015
شدد رئيس هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين عيسى قراقع اليوم الجمعة، على أن اضراب الاسرى عن الطعام يأتي في سياق الرد على الهجمة القانونية المسعورة وغير المسبوقة التي تشنها حكومة الاحتلال على الأسرى من خلال تشريعات قانونية عنصرية وانتقامية دأب الكنيست الاسرائيلي بسنها وبشكل مكثف ومتسارع ضد الأسرى منذ عام 2015.

قراقع: إضراب 17 أبريل حاسم وسببه الانقضاض على حقوق الأسرى
قال رئيس هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين عيسى قراقع إن الإضراب الذي سيخوضه الأسرى في السابع عشر من الشهر الجاري سببه انقضاض إدارة مصلحة السجون على حقوق الأسرى وإرجاعها للأمور إلى الوراء.

اسرى فلسطين: 7 الاف اسير يحتاجون كل اشكال التضامن
أكد مركز أسرى فلسطين للدراسات في ذكرى يوم الاسير الفلسطيني ان الاحتلال لا يزال يعتقل في سجونه 7 الاف اسير فلسطيني في ظروف صعبة وقاسية، وهؤلاء يحتاجون الى كل اشكال الدعم والتضامن محلياً وعربياً ودولياً للتخفيف من معاناتهم ووقف الهجمة المسعورة بحقهم.

أسرى فلسطين: للمرة الرابعة الاحتلال يجدد الإداري لسبعة أسرى
أكد مركز أسرى فلسطين للدراسات بان الاحتلال يتعمد تجديد الاعتقال الإداري للأسرى وذلك بهدف اخضاعهم للاعتقال في السجون أطول فترة ممكنة دون محاكمة، وقد جدد الإداري لغالبية الأسرى الإداريين الذين يبلغ عددهم حوالي (600) أسير.

عنف المستوطنين

منظمة إسرائيلية: الجيش لا يتهم المستوطنين عندما تكون الضحية فلسطينيا
نشرت منظمة "ييش دين" الحقوقية الإسرائيلية، اليوم الخميس، تقريرا اكدت فيه أن قوات الجيش الاحتلال تتقاعس في تطبيق القانون ضد مستوطنين يرتكبون جرائم على خلفية قومية وأيديولوجية ضد الفلسطينيين في الضفة الغربية.

مئات المستوطنين يقتحمون المسجد الأقصى بالقدس والحرم الإبراهيمى بالخليل
اقتحمت مجموعة من المستوطنين المتطرفين باحات المسجد الأقصى المبارك من جهة باب المغاربة، وسط حراسة مشددة من قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلى، بالتزامن مع اقتحام المسجد الإبراهيمى بالخليل، وذلك بذريعة أداء الطقوس التلمودية تزامناً مع ما يسمى بـ " الأعياد اليهودية".

النمو الاستيطاني المتزايد يستنزف المراعي بمحافظة سلفيت
وأفاد مزارعون ورعاة أغنام، أن المستوطنين يتسببون بتقليص مساحات الرعي بسبب التجريف المتواصل في قرى وبلدات سلفيت، ويقومون بين فترة وأخرى بوضع أسلاك شائكة، حول أراضي تقع قرب المستوطنات، وأنه يمنع بذلك على رعاة الأغنام دخولها بسبب الأسلاك الشائكة والتي تتوسع لاحقاً.

مستوطنون يطاردون البدو بالقدس لمنع إقامة مساكن
ذكرت صحيفة "هآرتس" العبرية الأربعاء أن مستوطنين من مستوطنة "معاليه أدوميم" يطاردون العرب البدو في مدينة القدس المحتلة، خلال "عيد الفصح العبري"، وذلك استجابةً لما يسمى "هيئة غلاف القدس" التي تضم ممثلين من عدة مستوطنات.

اقتصاد وتنمية

الصناعات الجلدية: 70% نسبة استيراد الاحذية و10% انتاج محلي
أعلن حسام الزغل رئيس اتحاد الصناعات الجلدية الفلسطينية، أن مسؤولية الاتحاد تشمل جميع المحافظات الفلسطينية دون استثناء، ومن ضمنها صناعة الأحذية، صناعة علب الكرتون، صناعة القوالب، وجميع اشكال الاكسسوارات التي تخدم صناعة الأحذية.

رواتب موظفي غزة الأحد المقبل
أعلنت وزارة المالية في غزة عن صرف رواتب الموظفين يوم الأحد المقبل بنسبة 50% بحد أدنى 1400 شيكل. وقالت الوزارة في تصريح مقتضب على موقعها الإلكتروني يوم الأربعاء إن الصرف سيكون يوم الأحد لفئة 2500 شيكل فأقل، والاثنين لفئة 2500 شيكل فأكثر.

تسريح 70% من العاملين بالقطاع الصناعي في غزة
وأرجع الاتحاد في مؤتمر صحفي عقده بمدينة غزة، اليوم، أسباب تراجع القطاع الصناعي الى الحصار الإسرائيلي وإغلاق المعابر ومنع إدخال المواد الخام اللازمة لمختلف الصناعات، مشيرا الى أن القطاع الصناعي يمر هذه الأيام بأوضاع مأساوية وصعبة للغاية.

صناعة "الألبان والأجبان" مشروع بغزة لدعم زوجات الشهداء ضد الفقر
في محاولة منهن لمكافحة البطالة والفقر المتفشيان في قطاع غزة، عمدت الكثير من النساء في غزة إلى إقامة مشاريع صغيرة في بيوتهن، لكي يتحدين ويواجهن ضيق العيش والفقر الذي سجل أعلى معدل في غزة، بسبب الحصار المفروض عليها منذ ما يزيد عن أحد عشر عاماً.

الحركة العالمية لمقاطعة إسرائيل وسحب الاستثمارات منها وفرض العقوبات عليها

"جنود الاحتياط" يواجهون حركة مقاطعة إسرائيل بأميركا
قالت القناة الثانية في التلفزيون الإسرائيلي إن منظمة "جنود الاحتياط في الجبهة" الإسرائيلية تقوم بجهود حثيثة في الولايات المتحدة للعمل على تحسين صورة إسرائيل حول العالم، ومحاربة المنظمات المعادية التي تتحدث عن انتهاكاتها ضد الفلسطينيين في الأراضي المحتلة.

تنظيم صهيوني بفرنسا يهدد داعمي مقاطعة إسرائيل
تتعرض منذ أسابيع مجموعة من الناشطين في عدد من المنظمات الفرنسية المساندة للقضية الفلسطينية والداعمة للحركة العالمية لمقاطعة إسرائيل المعروفة باسم "بي دي أس" لحملة من التهديدات -بينها التصفية الجسدية والاغتصاب- من منظمة مجهولة تدعى "الكتيبة اليهودية".

دراسة إسرائيلية: قانون منع نشطاء المقاطعة غير مجْدٍ
قالت دراسة إسرائيلية: إن القانون الأخير الذي أقره الكنيست حول منع دخول نشطاء حركة المقاطعة العالمية (بي دي أس) إلى "إسرائيل" غير مجد، وقد يعود بنتائج عكسية عليها، فضلاً عن إثارته ردود فعل دولية كبيرة باعتبار أنه يقيد حرية التعبير.

حركة المقاطعة: مدينتان من الأندلس تتبنيان مقاطعة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي
قامتا الأسبوع الماضي مدينتي (خيمينا دي لا فرونتيرا) من إقليم قادش الأندلسي ومدينة (بيدرو أباد) من إقليم قرطبة بتبني مقاطعة دولة الاحتلال وعدم الاستثمار والمعاقبة BDS، وهي الحملة الدولية التي بدأت عام 2005 في فلسطين وطالبت المجتمع الدولي بمقاطعة الاحتلال الى أن ينسحب من الأراضي المحتلة عام 1967 وأن يحترم حقوق فلسطينيي الداخل وأن يحل قضية اللاجئين على أساس قرار 194 للأمم المتحدة.

تصادف هذا العام ذكرى مرور ستين عامًا على إقالة حكومة سليمان النابلسي، أي في العاشر من نيسان عام 1957. مرّ الأردن خلال هذه العقود الستة بتحولات سياسية كبرى ساهمت بشكل مباشر في خلق النسق السياسي في البلاد وتشكيله. ومن خلال تتبع النسق السياسي، يمكن لنا أن نجيب على سؤال تعثر التحول الديمقراطي، الذي حاول الكثيرون الإجابة عليه دون التطرق للعنصر الأهم وهو بنية السلطة وعلاقاتها وارتباطاتها، فوقعوا في فخ الخطابات الثقافوية العنصرية التي كثيرًا ما تتحدث عن ما يسمى «الاستثناء العربي» في هذا السياق، وتعزو هذا «الاستثناء» إلى «الإسلام» حينًا، وإلى «الثقافة العربية» و«الشخصية العربية» أحيانًا أخرى.

في هذا المقال الذي سينشر في جزأين، أحاجج بأن هناك ثلاثة مفاصل تاريخية فتحت الطريق لمسارات ديمقراطية كان من الممكن البناء عليها للتأسيس لحياة سياسية ديمقراطية في الأردن، تحديدًا فيما يتعلق بتوسيع المشاركة السياسية في إدارة البلاد، بدلًا من احتكارها من قبل شخص أو عائلة أو طبقة سياسية. هذه المفاصل الثلاث كان أولها حكومة النابلسي عام 1956، وثانيها هبّة نيسان عام 1989، وثالثها حراك عام 2011. وسيناقش هذا الجزء المفصل الأول، فيما يناقش الجزء الثاني المفصلين الآخرين.

في هذه المنعطفات التاريخية الثلاثة، أُجبرت السلطة على تقديم تنازلات سياسية على إثر حراك اجتماعي-سياسي أدى إلى فتح الطريق لمسار ديمقراطي كان من الممكن البناء عليه لو لم تنقلب السلطة نفسها عليه وتقطع الطريق أمامه. وقد تساعدنا هذه القراءة في أن نبرهن على أن السلطة، التي لطالما تمسكت بفكرة استعمارية مفادها أن «لا ديمقراطية دون نضوج ديمقراطي»، هي المعطل الأول لأي «نضوج ديمقراطي»، والعائق الأكبر تجاه التحول الوطني الديمقراطي الذي ناضل الأردنيون والأردنيات من أجله منذ عشرينيات القرن الماضي.

نشوء الحركة الوطنية

كثيرًا ما يتم التأريخ للحركة الوطنية الأردنية بدءًا من وحدة الضفتين عام 1950. وعند الحديث عن حكومة سليمان النابلسي، كثيرًا ما يربط السياسيون السياق التاريخي للحكومة بالحدث نفسه باعتباره نقطة البداية التي تأسست عليها الحياة السياسية في البلاد. لكننا في الحقيقة نستطيع، عبر تتبع المسار السياسي- التاريخي السابق لهذه الحكومة، أن نبرهن أمرين: أولًا، أن النضال الديمقراطي الأردني المُطالب بتأسيس حياة سياسية تقوم على صياغة شكل العلاقة بين الحاكم والمحكوم والانتقال بها من بنية إلى بنية، بدأ منذ المجلس التشريعي الأول لإمارة شرق الأردن عام 1929. وثانيًا، أن ما يسمى اليوم بأسس وقواعد التمثيل السياسي فرضَها وصاغها وأسسّ لها -قبل أن تهيمن عليها السلطة- الطرف المتهم دومًا بأنه غير واعٍ سياسيًا، وغير ناضج ديمقراطيًا.

تعتبر المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية التي فرضتها سلطات الانتداب البريطاني عام 1928 مدخلًا مهمًا لفهم بدايات تشكل الحياة السياسية في البلاد. فقد كان مسعى سلطات الانتداب في الموافقة على تأسيس المجلس التشريعي هو التصديق على المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية التي تضمنت في بنودها وجوب تصديقها من قبل المجالس البرلمانية في كلا البلدين.

أدركت القوى الوطنية المعارضة رغبة الاستعمار البريطاني في تأسيس مؤسسات تمثيلية شكلية لتحقيق مصالحه، وترافق ذلك مع قلق العديد من الفئات الاجتماعية من الفلاحين والبدو من فكرة تأسيس دولة مركزية قد تهدد نمط حياتهم بأكمله وتفرض عليهم نمط حياة جديد يترافق مع مزيد من الالتزامات المالية، كالضرائب وغيرها.

تشير الباحثة ميسون عبيدات في كتابها «التطور السياسي لشرق الأردن في عهد الإمارة» إلى وقوف الأردنيين ضد ما أسمته «مهزلة» بريطانيا في إظهار شرق الأردن بمظهر الدولة المستقلة، من خلال الموافقة على صدور القانون الأساسي وإجراء انتخابات المجلس التشريعي الأول بعد صدور المعاهدة. تؤكد الباحثة أن معارضة الأردنيين لهذا المسعى كانت قائمة على رفضهم «أن تبنى الحياة الدستورية على ضوء المعاهدة التي جاءت في جميع بنودها لخدمة مصالح السلطة المنتدبة»، وهو ما يتعارض مع أسس القواعد والأصول الدستورية، حيث تبنى المعاهدات على الدساتير، وليس العكس.

ردًا على ذلك، دعت اللجنة التنفيذية للمؤتمر الوطني الأول لمقاطعة انتخابات المجلس التشريعي الأول، وعلى إثر ذلك قاطع العديد من أهالي الكرك وعمان ومادبا والسلط والرمثا التسجيل للانتخابات. وحاولت الحكومة بشتى الوسائل الضغط على الأهالي للتسجيل، فبحسب عبيدات، تشير وثائق مديرية مادبا إلى العديد من العرائض التي قدمتها بعض عشائر مادبا احتجاجًا على التضليل الذي مارسته الحكومة من خلال الجهة المسؤولة عن التسجيل، إذ سعت إلى إقناع الأهالي بأن الهدف من التسجيل للانتخابات هو تقديم قروض من المصرف الزراعي وتأجيل دفع الأموال الأميرية. بالإضافة إلى هذا، أعفت الحكومة أهالي الكرك من ضريبة الأراضي والمسقفات وبدلات الطرق والأعشار، مقابل التسجيل للانتخابات. كما عوقبت معان بضمها انتخابيًا إلى الكرك وحرمانها من أن تكون دائرة انتخابية مستقلة، بسبب مقاطعتها الانتخابات، وبقيت على هذا الحال لسنوات عديدة.

من المهم الإشارة إلى أن اللجنة التنفيذية للمؤتمر الوطني لم ترفض فكرة تأسيس مجالس تمثيلية من حيث المبدأ، بل أن الرفض كان لهذا الشكل من المؤسسات التي تسعى القوى الاستعمارية إلى السيطرة على البلاد من خلالها. لذلك، عند تتبع خطاب اللجنة التنفيذية للمؤتمر الوطني ومطالبه نرى بوضوح أن اللجنة كانت تناضل على جبهتين، جبهة فرض وجبهة رفض؛ جبهة فرض أسس التمثيل السياسي الديمقراطي، حيث أعلنت «أن كل انتخاب للنيابة العامة يقع في شرق الأردن على غير قواعد التمثيل النيابي الصحيح وعلى أساس عدم مسؤولية الحكومة أمام المجلس النيابي لا يعتبر انتخابًا ممثلًا لإرادة الأمة وسيادتها القومية»، وجبهة رفض الاستعمار البريطاني المتمثل بالمعاهدة، حيث أكدت في إحدى بياناتها الموجه لأهالي شرق الأردن على «عدم الاعتراف بمشروعية الحكم الأجنبي، ونسيان الدماء التي بذلها العرب (..) أي عار يلحقنا أعظم من عار تسليم بلادنا لقمة سائغة للمطامع الاستعمارية وأن نخدع أنفسنا ونسمي الاستعباد انتدابًا والتحكم الأجنبي المطلق دستورًا وحرية واستقلالًا؟ (…) أيها المجلسيون [نسبة إلى أعضاء المجلس التشريعي الأول] برهنوا للعالم أجمع أن الأردني حكوميًا أو شعبيًا هو رجل شريف وأنه أسمى عقلًا من أن تخدعه الحيلة الاستعمارية والأحاييل الأجنبية».

كانت رغبة السلطة الاستعمارية والمحلية تشكيل مجلس طيع يمثل مصالحها ويمكن السيطرة عليه، لذلك لم يكن المجلس كله منتخبًا، بل كان قرابة ثلث مقاعده محجوزًا لأعضاء الحكومة، وكانت رئاسة المجلس تذهب تلقائيا لرئيس الحكومة. لكن رغم ذلك، استطاعت المعارضة أن تؤثر سياسيًا على الأعضاء المنتخبين من أجل الوقوف في وجه المطامع الاستعمارية والتأسيس لحياة ديمقراطية تقوم على المصالح الوطنية العليا للأردنيين.

يؤكد الباحث خليل الحجاج في كتابه «التطور التاريخي للحياة التشريعية والنيابية الأردنية» أن مطالب المعارضة داخل المجلس التشريعي الأول جاءت متوافقة تمامًا مع مطالب اللجنة التنفيذية للمؤتمر الوطني التي تتلخص باستقلال البلاد ودستورية حكومتها على الوجه الأمثل. فقد رفض أعضاء المجلس المنتخبين المصادقة على المعاهدة وطالبوا بتعديلها تعديلًا جوهريًا، وأبدت الحكومة عجزها عن تعديل المعاهدة قبل تصديقها، وهددت بريطانيا بإعادة البلاد تحت سيطرتها المباشرة أو ضمها لفلسطين وإدخالها ضمن وعد بلفور إذا لم يتم المصادقة على المعاهدة، وهذا ما أقر به الأمير عبد الله صراحة أمام المجلس التشريعي. ومع وجود أعضاء الحكومة في المجلس وعلى إثر تلك التهديدات، صادق المجلس على المعاهدة التي أصبح تعديلها أو إلغائها لاحقًا مطلبًا وطنيًا تبنته الحركة الوطنية الأردنية الناشئة.

ناضلت الحركة الوطنية من أجل انتزاع أكبر قدر ممكن من الصلاحيات للتأسيس لحياة سياسية تقوم على القطع مع الاستعمار وبناء المؤسسات الوطنية الديمقراطية. وانعكس خطابها على مطالب أعضاء المجلس التشريعي المنتخبين. إذ طالب المجلس التشريعي الأول بتشكيل حكومة دستورية تكون مسؤولة أمام مجلس يتمتع بصلاحيات رقابية وتشريعية، بدلًا من مجلس تشريعي ذي مهمات استشارية. كما طالب المجلس التشريعي الأول بتعديل صيغة قسم الولاء، والاستغناء عن الموظفين غير الأردنيين، ورفض إنشاء محكمة يرأسها ضابطان، أحدهما يمثل الحكومة البريطانية والآخر يمثل الحكومة الفرنسية، لحل الخلافات الناشئة بين عشائر شرقي الأردن وسوريا وجبل الدروز. وطالب المجلس بأحقية النظر في المعاهدات وتصديقها أو رفضها، إلى جانب أحقية تصديق القوانين. ورفض المجلس التصديق على ملحق الموازنة الذي تقدمت به الحكومة بعد أن كانت قد أنفقت ما احتوى عليه من مخصصات، وعلى إثر ذلك حلّ الأمير عبد الله المجلس التشريعي الأول قبل أن يكمل مدته الدستورية.

إن الهدف من هذه الإضاءات التاريخية هو البرهنة على أن ما يسمى بقواعد وأسس التمثيل السياسي والبرلماني -التي هيمنت عليها السلطة اليوم وحولتها إلى أدوات لخدمتها- تم انتزاعها انتزاعًا من السلطة الاستعمارية والمحلية على مراحل متفرقة، بدأت بالمجلس التشريعي الأول، وتطورت لاحقًا مع تطور الحركة الوطنية. فالمعارضة لم تُمنح أي شي بالمجان، بل عالعكس، كانت مضطرةً إلى الضغط باستمرار وخوض معارك لنيل حتى أصغر الأمور. ومن الأمثلة على ذلك، رفضُ المجلس التشريعي الأول النظر في الأعمال الموكلة إليه بعد أن رفضت الحكومة منح أعضائه الحصانة البرلمانية.

شهد المجلس التشريعي الثاني بقيادة اللجنة التنفيذية للمؤتمر الوطني حالة نضوج واعية بفكرة أن تطور الحياة السياسية في ظل الاستعمار ما هو إلا ضرب من الخيال. فقد طالب المجلس في بداية انعقاده بتعديل أكثر من عشر مواد رئيسية في المعاهدة، ركزت في مجملها على استقلال البلاد. وطالبت المعارضة في الوقت نفسه، من خلال المجلس، بتعديل الدستور لمنح المجلس سلطته التشريعية كاملة، منفصلة عن الحكومة من جهة، وعن وزارة العدلية التي أخذت تشارك المجلس في سن التشريعات القانونية من جهة أخرى. على إثر ذلك، طالب المجلس بالفصل بين السلطات الثلاث، تحديدًا بعد أن أصدرت الحكومة نظامًا يخوّل الأمير منح السلطة القضائية لكبار الموظفين، والتصرف بتركات وأموال الرعايا البريطانيين. وأسقط المجلس الحكومة بعد أن توترت العلاقة بينهما لدرجة مقاطعة أعضاء المجلس المنتخبين حضور الجلسات حتى رحيل الحكومة، مما اضطر الأمير عبد الله إقالة حكومة عبد الله سراج بتاريخ 18 تشرين أول 1933.

من الملاحظ من هذا العرض أن الفاعلين في العمل السياسي الناشئ مع تأسيس الإمارة كانوا منقسمين إلى طرفين؛ طرفٌ تمثله الحركة الوطنية الناشئة، يحارب من أجل فرض قواعد تحكم العمل السياسي، ويدرك أهمية التعاطي مع استقلال البلاد من جهة والتأسيس لحياة سياسية ديمقراطية من جهة أخرى كمهمة واحدة من المخلّ فصلها إلى مهمتين، وطرفٌ آخر ممثل بالسلطتين الاستعمارية والمحلية، يسعى إلى تعطيل الحياة السياسية والهيمنة على المؤسسات، وإفراغها من أي مضمون من أجل تحقيق مصالحها. لذلك، ليس من الصعب استنتاج أن دستور 1952 لم يكن منحة ولا حدثًا مفاجئًا معزولًا عن سياقه، بل كان نتاجًا لمسار سياسي بدأ مع تأسيس الإمارة ووصل إلى مداه مع حكومة سليمان النابلسي قبل أن تقطع السلطة طريقه.

دستور 1952 والمسار الديمقراطي الأول

بعد استقلال البلاد عام 1946 استمرت المعارضة في صياغة مطالبها، وحقق دستور 1947 أحد مطالب المعارضة السابقة عندما نزع حق رئاسة المجلس من رئيس الحكومة، وأسقط عضوية الحكومة من مجلس النواب التي كانت مقرة بموجب القانون الأساسي منذ عام 1928، دون أن يُمنح المجلس الحق في اختيار رئيس المجلس، وأعطى الملك أحقية اختيار الرئيس بالتعيين. ويقول الباحث هاني الحوراني في كتاب «تاريخ الحياة النيابية في الأردن» إن الدستور الجديد كان موضع اعتراض القوى الوطنية، خاصة بسبب «عدم نصه على المسؤولية الوزارية التي هي حجر الزاوية في النظام البرلماني، وكذلك بسبب عدم منحه ممثلي الأمة حق إبرام المعاهدات»، بالإضافة إلى إعطاء الحكومة الحق بعد موافقة الملك بإقرار مشروع الموازنة في حالة إذا لم يوافق المجلس على النظر في الموازنة. لذلك، نستطيع أن نقول أن دستور 1947 استمر في تكريس حقيقة أن وظيفة المجلس استشارية أكثر منها رقابية أو تشريعية كما كان قائمًا في فترة الإمارة.

استمرت المعارضة بتنظيم نفسها على المستوى الشعبي والسياسي بالعنوان نفسه القائم على التخلص من حكم الاستعمار وتداعياته والتأسيس لحياة سياسية ديمقراطية. ويؤكد الباحث خليل الحجاج أن المعارضة نشطت في عهد مجلس النواب الأول نشاطًا ملحوظًا، إذ ظهرت كتلة أطلقت على نفسها اسم «كتلة المعارضة المستقلة»، وبدأت نشاطها ببيان طالبت فيه بتعديل معاهدة 1946، وإلغاء الملحق العسكري من المعاهدة، وتخليص البلاد من الأحكام والامتيازات الاقتصادية التي أوجدتها ظروف الانتداب. وحرضت كتلة المعارضة المجلس على المطالبة بإلغاء كل القوانين التي تحدّ من الحريات العامة والعمل السياسي كقانون منع الجرائم، وقانون النفي والإبعاد، وقانون العقوبات المشتركة، وقانون الاجتماعات العامة (التي سُنت في عهد الإمارة من أجل قمع المعارضة). كما طالبت الكتلة بتعديل مواد معينة في الدستور، الذي لم يكن قد مضى عام على تشكيله، من أجل تقييد صلاحية السلطة التنفيذية في إصدار القوانين المؤقتة، والحد من السلطة المطلقة الممنوحة للحكومة وإخضاعها لمسؤولية المجلس.

مع وحدة الضفتين، تغيرت الخارطة الاجتماعية للبلاد إذ أن انضمام أعداد كبيرة من الفلسطينيين من الفلاحين والعمال والحرفيين أدى إلى اتساع القاعدة الاجتماعية لقوى المعارضة المناضلة من أجل التحرر الوطني والديمقراطي. وترافق ذلك مع موجة السعي للتحرر من الاستعمار في العديد من الدول العربية وقيام منظومة دولية جديدة من الدول الاشتراكية. ومع مطلع الخمسينيات، تأسس كل من الحزب الشيوعي الأردني، وحزب البعث، وحزب الجبهة الوطنية، والحزب الوطني الاشتراكي بزعامة سليمان النابلسي، وحددت الحركة الوطنية مهماتها النضالية، كما يلخصها هاني الحوراني في كتاب «حكومة سليمان النابلسي» أولًا بإلغاء المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية لعام 1948 واستكمال البلاد استقلالها السياسي والاقتصادي من خلال الاستغناء عن المعونة المالية البريطانية. ثانيًا، إقرار دستور ديمقراطي يحدّ من امتيازات السلطة التنفيذية ويؤكد المسؤولية الوزارية أمام المجلس النيابي ويضمن للقضاء سلطته واستقلاله. وثالثًا، إلغاء القوانين المقيدة للحريات، كقانون الدفاع وغيره من الأنظمة والتعليمات العرفية.


تمثلت أحزاب المعارضة تمثيلًا واسعًا في مجلس البرلمان الثاني، وفرضت مطالبها داخل أروقة المجلس، وكان على رأسها تعديل الدستور الذي أصبح مطلبًا عامًا أجمع عليه كل أعضاء مجلس النواب والأعيان باستثناء ثلاثة أعضاء من مجلس الأعيان. إذ رفض المجلس المصادقة على موازنة 1951 ردًا على رفض الحكومة تعديل الدستور، وعلى إثر ذلك حلّ الملك عبد الله المجلس الثاني. لكن مع استمرار الضغط لمطلب تعديل الدستور، استجابت السلطة السياسية، وأقر مجلس النواب الأردني الثالث -الذي تم انتخابه بعد بضعة شهور من حلّ سابقه- عام 1952 دستورًا وُصف بالتقدمي.

مع إقرار دستور عام 1952، دخلت البلاد مسارًا ديمقراطيًا ناضل الأردنيون من أجل الوصول له منذ توقيع المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية عام 1928. تضمن هذا المسار إقرار مجموعة من القوانين المنظمة لحقوق العمال والنقابات المهنية والأحزاب السياسية والبلديات والمطبوعات. واستعادت البلاد قدرًا كبيرًا من الحريات السياسية والعامة. ومع معركة إسقاط حلف بغداد وتعريب الجيش وطرد كلوب باشا، قويت المعارضة ونظمت نفسها وزادت شعبيتها، وجاءت حكومة سليمان النابلسي كنتاج لهذا المسار الديمقراطي الأول الذي فرضه الأردنيون على السلطة للانتقال بإدارة البلاد من مرحلة إلى أخرى.

أتت حكومة سليمان النابلسي كتجسيد سياسي للمطالب التاريخية التي ناضلت الحركة الوطنية الأردنية لتحقيقها منذ تأسيس الإمارة. حيث هدفت منذ اليوم الأول إلى إرساء قواعد الحياة الديمقراطية النيابية الدستورية، وتثبيت فكرة العمل الحزبي كأساس للحياة السياسية، والقطع مع الاستعمار من خلال إلغاء المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية، واستبدال المعونة البريطانية بمعونة عربية، واعتبار قضية فلسطين قضية العرب الأولى. وحازت الحكومة على ثقة المجلس النيابي بأغلبية 39 من 40 صوتًا، حيث عارضها نائب وحيد هو النائب أحمد الداعور، ممثل حزب التحرير الإسلامي.

انقلاب القصر

خلال الأشهر الست التي شكلت عمر هذه الحكومة البرلمانية، شهدت المنطقة والأردن أحداثًا وتغيراتٍ سياسية مهمة، بدءًا من العدوان الثلاثي على مصر، مرورًا بإنهاء المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية، وصولًا إلى مشروع آيزنهاور الذي طرحته الولايات المتحدة تحت ما يسمى بسياسة «ملء الفراغ» الناجم عن انسحاب بريطانيا من المنطقة.

وفي موازاة فترة المفاوضات على إنهاء المعاهدة الأردنية – البريطانية، كان الصراع السياسي الدستوري بين القصر والحكومة يتفاقم شيئًا فشيئًا. إذ ساهم مشروع آيزنهاور، الذي رفع شعار «محاربة الشيوعية»، في زيادة حدة الخلاف بين الحكومة والقصر. ورافق ذلك توجه الحكومة نحو فتح علاقات مع الاتحاد السوفياتي. إذ يشير السفير البريطاني في تقرير رفعه إلى الحكومة البريطانية، كما هو مذكور في كتاب «الأردن في الوثائق السرية البريطانية» لماهر عثمان، إلى أن «الأزمة الحالية سببها التنافس بين الملك والحكومة على الاستحواذ على العربة القومية، وكذلك الخلاف بينهما على الموقف الذي يجب أن يتخذه الأردن تجاه نظرية آيزنهاور».

بحسب كتاب عثمان، طلب الملك الحسين مرارًا من حكومة سليمان النابلسي الوقوف ضد ما اعتبره مدًا شيوعيًا في الأردن، والضغط على صحيفة الحزب الشيوعي، «الجماهير»، لتكف عن مهاجمة بريطانيا. لكن النابلسي، في المقابل، عبّر في أكثر من مناسبة عن اعتقاده بأن الشيوعية ليست خطرًا على الأردن.

ألقى الخلاف السياسي بظلاله على مبدأ الولاية العامة للحكومة. ففي بيان كان من المفترض أن ينشر في الصحف، يتضمن نية الحكومة الاستقالة، يذكر السفير البريطاني أن البيان جاء فيه أن الحكومة، التي تتمتع بثقة الشعب، واجهت في الفترة الأخيرة مصاعب جمة في ممارسة وظائفها الدستورية، ومنها على سبيل المثال إرسال بهجت التلهوني، رئيس الديوان الملكي حينها، إلى دمشق والقاهرة والرياض، حاملًا رسائل لم تستشر الحكومة بشأنها.

كانت جلسة مجلس الوزراء في التاسع من نيسان عام 1957 القشة الأخيرة بين القصر والحكومة، بعد أن أصدرت الحكومة مجموعة من القرارات، منها إحالة عدد من كبار موظفي الدولة -الموالين للقصر- إلى التقاعد، منهم مدير الأمن العام اللواء بهجت طبارة، وتعين اللواء محمد المعايطة مديرًا جديدا للأمن العام، وإجراء تنقلات وتعديلات في الجهاز الحكومي. اعترض القصر على تلك الإجراءات، وعلى إثر ذلك، أبلغ الملك في اليوم التالي الحكومة بقرار إقالتها.

تحرك الملك سريعًا لتشكيل حكومة جديدة تخلف حكومة النابلسي، فطلب من حسين الخالدي أن يشكّل الحكومة، لكنه أخفق في تشكيل حكومة مقبولة لكل من الملك والأحزاب السياسية. ثم كلّف الملك عبد الحليم النمر، نائب النابلسي في رئاسة الحزب الوطني الاشتراكي، لكنه أخفق في ذلك أيضًا، بعد أن اشترط حزبه أن تضم الحكومة الجديدة كل من عبد الله الريماوي وشفيق ارشيدات، اللذين كانا وزيرين في الحكومة السابقة، ولم يوافق الملك على ذلك.

وبعد أن أخفق أيضًا سعيد المفتي في تشكيل حكومة جديدة، اتفق الملك مع الأحزاب في 15 نيسان على أن يشكّل الخالدي حكومة يكون سليمان النابلسي وزير خارجيتها. بعد أسبوع من تشكيل الحكومة، عقدت الأحزاب اليسارية مؤتمرًا وطنيًا في نابلس شارك فيه 23 نائبًا من البرلمان، وأعلنوا سحب الثقة من حكومة الخالدي ودعوا الشعب الأردني إلى الإضراب في 24 نيسان، كما يشير ماهر عثمان.

على إثر الإضراب والمظاهرات التي عمّت الضفتين، بالاضافة الى سحب الأحزاب ثقتها من الحكومة، قدّم حسين الخالدي مساء ذلك اليوم استقالة حكومته التي لم تكمل الأسبوعين، ليقرر الملك تكليف إبراهيم هاشم بتشكيل حكومة جديدة دون الرجوع إلى البرلمان لأخذ ثقته. بدورها، أعلنت حكومة هاشم الأحكام العرفية واتخذت مجموعة من القرارات، منها تعيين حاكم عسكري عام، عيّن بدوره ستة حكام عسكريين على كافة مناطق المملكة، وحلّ كافة الأحزاب السياسية والاتحادات والنقابات المهنية والعمالية، بالإضافة إلى تجميد أعمال دورة مجلس النواب الحالي، مع استبعاد عدد كبير من أعضائه الذين كانت لهم ارتباطات حزبية، وهو ما أدى إلى تغيير بنية المجلس تغييرًا جذريًا.

بإقالة حكومة سليمان النابلسي، قطعت السلطة المسار الديمقراطي الأول، وتعطلت الحياة الدستورية والسياسية بالمجمل، وضعفت سلطة البرلمان حتى تحول إلى مؤسسة شكلية، قبل أن يحل بالكامل على إثر حرب 1967، مع فرض الأحكام العرفية التي استمرت وترافق معها سنّ مجموعة كبيرة من القوانين الاستثنائية، وتسربت مفاهيم الأحكام العرفية إلى القوانين العادية ومُنع العمل الحزبي.

باعتقادي، لم يكن من الممكن إقالة حكومة سليمان النابلسي دون أن يلحقها هذا الكم الكبير من القمع الذي مارسته السلطة السياسية. فقرار الإقالة كان بمثابة انقلاب على مسار تحوّل ديمقراطي التفت حوله قوى وأحزاب سياسية وفئات شعبية كثيرة، لذا كان من الصعب تمريره دون فرض الأحكام العرفية وتشديد القبضة الأمنية إلى أبعد حد ممكن.

بذلك، أسس هذا القطع التاريخي لمرحلة جديدة تمت فيها شيطنة الحزبيين واعتقالهم ومنعهم من العمل في مؤسسات الدولة، وفُصل الكثيرون من أعمالهم، واتُهموا بالعمالة للأجنبي وبأنهم «أعداء للدين والوطن»، ولجأت الأحزاب إلى العمل السري، الذي انعكس هذا بدوره انعكاسًا مباشرًا على مفهوم العمل الحزبي والنقابي في البلاد، وما زالت آثاره موجودة حتى يومنا هذا.

[يعاد نشر هذة المقال ضمن اتفاقية تعاون مع مجلة "حبر"]

“Genocide” evokes crematoria, mountains of skulls, and mass graves. It is what the Nazis did to the Jews of Europe, what the Khmer Rouge did to fellow Cambodians, what Hutu nationalists did to Tutsis in Rwanda. The term, like the practices of death and social destruction to which it refers, is odious. Charging genocide is like ringing an alarm because, when this crime is occurring or when it has occurred, consequences for perpetrators should follow.

Our approach is to trace the political history of the term “genocide”in law and jurisprudence, and compare some of the contexts in which the practices to which the term refers have occurred, and where accountability has been pursued. We also consider where and why there are grey areas in its usage, and offer some thoughts about the political utility and detriments that accompany the charge of genocide.  

Arguably, because of the gravity and potential consequences that attach to genocide, deploying it in a manner that does not correspond to its legal definition risks watering down its force, which might further harm those who are victimized by extreme forms of state violence. But we must also ask who is empowered to decide, and what criteria are used to determine whether allegations of genocide are justified. The counterargument could be made that invoking this term to characterize the treatment of Black Americans is perhaps the only way to focus negative attention on the killing of so many unarmed people by police, and to compare it to lynching, which was a direct outgrowth of the enslavement of Black people. Slavery was a genocidal regime both in the expendability of Black lives and in the imposition of social death on the slave. Contemporary mass incarceration results in the physical and social destruction of the lives and communities of people of color, who are disproportionately represented in the US prison population, and provides a new source of unpaid labor, not unlike chattel slavery. In this context, it could be argued, the way to force Americans to consider seriously the disastrousness of ongoing police violence and mass incarceration is to link them directly to the history of the even more brutal violence that begot them. Similarly, the use of the term “genocide” by Palestinians and those struggling against the long-term, systematic and criminal oppression and persecution suffered by Palestinians since 1967 (and indeed, since 1948), is necessary to force a conversation that would otherwise remain very difficult to begin.

We write “it could be argued” because genocide is a term whose meaning and even more so whose applicability remains hotly contested. It can be defined from many perspectives—legal, sociological, political and/or historical, all of which are interrelated yet each of which rests on distinct experiences, assumptions, and criteria of judgement. Determining whether Israel or the United States or indeed any other government can be reasonably accused of genocide depends first on whether the accusation is political or legal in its scope and intentions. To reach a legal standard of genocide, that is, one that accords with the criteria under international law, demands comparison with allegations and judgments of genocide cases that have been heard, tried, and/or judged by international tribunals, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and various ad hoc tribunals mandated to make such determinations.

But, as we explain below, even the most detailed investigation may not lead to a conclusive determination as to whether specific actions or policies have crossed the threshold because the standards presently used to define genocide remain deliberately vague, and the body of court judgments is limited and recent, dating back less than twenty years. Consequently, we survey existing legal standards and rationalities, and contextualize recent allegations about Israel and the United States in relation to the legal record. Finally, we suggest how violent contexts may be assessed in light of expanding sociological and political deployments of the term.

The Genesis of Genocide

Many wars and conflicts across human history have involved mass violence against whole populations that, today, would unambiguously be described as genocidal. The eighth century An Lushan revolt in China and the Mongol conquest of Eurasia each resulted in what would be the equivalent of hundreds of millions of deaths by contemporary population measurements, dwarfing the scale of the twentieth century's two world wars combined. Over the last two centuries, civilians have been increasingly targeted for large-scale violence; this can be attributed to many factors, including the build-up of standing armies; technological advances in weaponry that allowed artillery, aerial bombs, and increasingly long-range missiles to reach what previously had been the rear area of enemy territory; and the rise of “totalizing ideologies” that encouraged violence against all members of the enemy's society. As Alexander Downes has pointed out, in the wars of the twentieth century, “the startling numbers of civilian casualties” and “civilian victimization” more broadly occurred precisely at the very time a consensus emerged that targeting civilians was immoral and should be prohibited. This consensus has taken shape under the rubric of international humanitarian law (IHL), whose origins trace back to the late nineteenth century.

The United States was the first country to attempt to impose a balance between military necessity and humanitarian considerations in the conduct of war. The Lieber Code, produced by Frances Lieber and signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, was a set of military orders that took the “best practices” from the laws and customs of war to govern the Union Army during the US Civil War. This Code included the prohibition against deliberate attacks on or other forms of mistreatment of enemy civilians. The Lieber Code served as inspiration for The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, which constituted the first steps in the development of modern international laws of armed conflict, and specified that violations, or “war crimes,” would include deliberate attacks against civilians during international conflicts between states.

However, violations were not abated by these new rules. On the contrary, in the wake of the Ottoman mass murder of over one million Armenians and the similarly devastating (but far less discussed) Allied blockade of the Central Powers during World War I, there was no authoritative determination of war crimes let alone accountability for perpetrators. While these events inspired the development of the category of “crimes against humanity”—a term first used by the Allied powers during World War I to describe the Ottoman massacres of Armenians—and later the category of genocide, they did not obtain any functionality as legal concepts until the Nuremberg Tribunals after World War II.

Raphael Lemkin, a Polish Jewish scholar, coined the term “genocide” in 1943. He had been agitating over the previous few decades for international recognition that what the Ottomans had done to the Armenians should be recognized as egregious and criminal. Originally, what he called the “Crime of Barbarity” (in a 1933 academic paper) included mass murder, but also the “attempt to destroy a nation and obliterate its cultural personality” motivated on the basis of “racial, national or religious considerations.”

But it was the Nazi extermination of Jews and other population groups in Germany and the countries it occupied in Europe that provided the opportunity for Lemkin to push his argument and to name this form of violence “genocide,” which combines the ancient Greek word genos (race, clan) and the Latin suffix cide (killing). In a 1946 article for American Scholar,Lemkin elaborated on the definition of the term, arguing that it involved the “mass obliteration of nationhoods,” the “murder and destruction of millions,” and the “destr[uction] demographically and culturally” of populations within countries. Crucially, Lemkin saw genocide as both an international crime, whose commission was of concern to all nations, not just the one(s) directly affected, and as a crime that could occur during peacetime as well as wartime.

[Lithograph by Leo Haas, who survived Theresienstadt and Auschwitz.]

Not surprisingly, given the background of World War II, Lemkin argued that “genocide can be carried out through acts against individuals, when the ultimate intent is to annihilate the entire group composed of these individuals…Moreover, the criminal intent to kill or destroy all the members of such a group shows premeditation and deliberation and a state of systematic criminality which is only an aggravated circumstance for the punishment.” The objectives of such a plan would be “disintegration of the political and social institutions, of culture, language, national feelings, religion, and the economic existence of national groups, and the destruction of the personal security, liberty, health, dignity, and even the lives of the individuals belonging to such groups.” In 1946, the new United Nations General Assembly would declare in Resolution 96(1) that genocide involved “a denial of the right to existence of entire human groups.” (The United Nations was established in 1945.)

Thanks to Lemkin's passion and labors, that term became a centerpiece in the revolutionary transformation of international law in the aftermath of World War II. Nazis were tried for the newly named and defined crime, and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, passed by the United Nations in 1948, became the first international human rights law. As enshrined in Articles II and III of the Convention, genocide comprises both a “mental” and a “physical” element, and was defined as the“intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such.” It would include the commission of acts of killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting on a group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures intended to prevent births, and/or forcibly transferring children outside the victimized group. 

According to the Genocide Convention, while the levels of death and destruction do not have to encompass most or even a majority of members of a protected group, the violence does have to be of sufficient intensity and organization to threaten to change its “pattern of life.” In Article III of the Genocide Convention, punishable acts include conspiracy, incitement, and attempts to commit genocide, as well as complicity in these actions, even if they were not successfully carried out. This basic definition has been maintained and reinforced in the ensuing seven decades, including in the Rome Statute of 1998 to establish an International Criminal Court (ICC).

Despite this continuity in the legal definition of genocide since 1948, the term has not remained static. At the time the Convention was being negotiated, experts, including Lemkin, were pushing to include within the definition of the crime an explicit cultural component, which the United States strongly opposed because there was a significant fear that persecuted minoritized groups could pursue genocide claims for the destruction of their culture(s) or forced assimilation into the dominant group's. Similarly, the definition of protected groups deliberately excluded political groupings or parties, even though—or perhaps because—they were among the most common targets of large-scale state violence.

The Development of International Law 

For over a decade after the promulgation of the Genocide Convention in 1948 and the Four Geneva Conventions in 1949, further development of international law was frozen by the Cold War. But with the demise of European colonies and the rise of newly independent nations, a new era of international human rights law-making began. This included the 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which condemns “colonialism in all its forms and manifestations” (including illegal settlements established by colonizing populations). The 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination explicitly tied ongoing structural racism to colonialism.

The 1973 International Convention for the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid condemns and makes an international crime against humanity “state-sanctioned discriminatory 'inhuman' racism committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them.” The criminal nature of any apartheid regime was confirmed in the 1998 Rome Statute of the ICC. All these laws are considered “peremptory,” meaning every country is legally bound to respect them whether or not they are signatories to the conventions and regardless of their own strategic interests. 

The legal application of the crime of genocide has been developed through the work of two ad hoc tribunals established by the United Nations in the 1990s to try suspected war criminals in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the creation of the ICC. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established in 1993, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in 1994, and the ICC came into being in 2002 when the threshold of signatories to the Rome Statute had been crossed.

The work of these legal institutions in investigating and prosecuting allegations has not been easy, and in fact there has been strong opposition from the start. Many countries have long resisted applying the category of genocide in even the most extreme cases, both because they and their clients and allies have themselves engaged in mass violence that could be so defined, and because doing so in other contexts obligates them immediately to work to stop it, regardless of the military, strategic, or economic implications and difficulties of doing so. The United States in particular opposed labeling the two generative cases of genocide in the post-Cold War era as such; in the case of Bosnia, the Clinton Administration asked government lawyers, in the words of a former State Department lawyer, to “perform legal gymnastics to avoid calling this genocide,” and acted similarly in the midst of the Rwandan genocide lest it “inflame public calls for action.” In contrast, the Bush administration was quick to call the massacres in Darfur genocide, while the Obama Administration was more reluctant to condemn the Sudanese regime.

Despite the fear and opposition of leading global actors, the United Nations at least attempted to hold those responsible for recent genocides to account through the ICTY and ICTR, and later through the ICC. The trials pursued through these venues produced important discussions regarding how best to define genocide. But sadly, none of them brought much clarification to the most ambiguous aspect of the definition in the Convention, namely how extensive does the death and destruction have to be to constitute the partial (“in part”) destruction of a protected group?

[Bosnian Genocide (1995), Forensic experts of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia inspect remains of the Srebrenica massacre victims in the Pilica mass grave on 24 July 1995.]

A 3 February 2015 ICJ judgement in Croatia v. Serbia is among the most extensive recent attempts by international jurists to provide a more precise definition. In its judgment, the Court asks precisely the question of the “meaning and scope of 'destruction' of a group,” the “scale of destruction of the group,” and the “meaning of destruction of the group 'in part.’” Croatia argued that “the required intent is not limited to the intent to physically destroy the group, but includes also the intent to stop it from functioning as a unit.” That is, the Convention did not only “imply the physical destruction of the group” but could also include the destruction of the group’s culture. Serbia rejected “this functional approach to the destruction of the group, taking the view that what counts is the intent to destroy the group in a physical sense, even if the acts listed in Article II may sometimes appear to fall short of causing such physical destruction.”

In deciding on this issue, the ICJ noted that while cultural genocide was included in the original draft of the Convention, it was ultimately dropped and thus “it was accordingly decided to limit the scope of the Convention to the physical or biological destruction of the group.” In the Court’s view, this meant that even where a genocidal action “does not directly concern the physical or biological destruction of members of the group, [it] must be regarded as encompassing only acts carried out with the intent of achieving the physical or biological destruction of the group, in whole or in part.”

Biology versus Culture: Lessons from the Native American Experience of Genocide

Of course, in reality, separating the physical or biological from the cultural is impossible. The social construction of the category of race and its inherently political—as opposed to biological—essence put the lie to claims of “permanence” and “stability” of the category. In the sixteenth century, for example, European invaders of the Americas marked the primary difference between themselves and the indigenous peoples by religion, deploying the invidious categories of Christian and “pagan” (or more familiarly “civilized” and “savage”). The biologization of race began in the eighteenth century through the rise of “scientific racism,” used to justify Europeans’ claims to superiority in their imperial and colonial ventures. Scientific racism rules out even the possibility of cultural amelioration because the hierarchy in this system is fixed in nature; it provides an apparently stable (transcendent) rationale for racist and otherwise oppressive policies, including, potentially, genocide. Thus, a “racial” definition is inherently problematic because no clear-cut definition of “the racial” in biological terms exists. (The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination implicitly acknowledges the problematic nature of the term “race” when it describes racial discrimination in broad terms, as meaning “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin...”) 

So, if race is not in fact primarily a biological category, and is clearly inseparable from culture, then “genocide” necessarily should apply to the cultural destruction of a group as well as to its physical destruction. The case of Native America is instructive here. The demographer Russell Thornton estimates the 1492 population of the Americas, north and south, at over seventy-two million. By the twentieth century, the genocidal effects of European colonization had reduced this population to between four and four-and-a-half million. In the United States, in what would become the lower forty-eight states, Thornton’s figures estimate the 1492 population at over five million, reduced to 250,000 by the end of the nineteenth century through war, ethnic cleansing, and biological warfare implemented by the active spread of small pox and the withholding from Native peoples of first the inoculation and then the vaccine (both developed in the eighteenth century). There is little doubt that the level of death and destruction marks the experience of Native Americans as one of genocide, but it has never been officially labeled as such, nor are the United States or other governments in the Americas going to acknowledge such a designation in the near future, given the profound ethical, political, and perhaps even legal ramifications of such an admission.

All of these hemispheric Native American communities defined themselves culturally; their languages and worldviews did not contain a nature/culture opposition. Indeed, there is no category of “nature” as distinct or separate from the cultural or social world. In the United States, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century, with the 1846 case of United States v Rogers, that the term “Indian” was racialized to place white men adopted into tribes, and thereby subject to tribal law, under federal US jurisdiction. In the same vein, at the end of the nineteenth century, the US government imposed a blood-quantum regime on the Native nations in the lower forty-eight states in order to diminish the number of Indians further. The nations themselves adopted this regime in the 1930s following the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The idea of blood-quantum was always a bureaucratic fiction because the requirements for tribal membership vary radically from tribe to tribe, thus revealing the cultural and political basis of what is legally considered a racial identity. Indeed, in the 1974 Morton v Mancari decision, the Supreme Court seemingly reversed the previous stance by declaring that Indian hiring preferences in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) did not constitute racial discrimination because the term Indian under certain conditions referenced a political, not a biological, group. Both cases stand as precedent in US jurisprudence. 

[Massacre at Wounded Knee, December 1890.]

Since the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890, the continued genocide of Indians in the United States has been accomplished by means other than physical obliteration. This includes, for example, forced assimilation through the boarding-school system (taking Native children from their natal families) that lasted from the late nineteenth through the mid-twentieth century, the forced sterilization of Native women in the 1970s, the transfer of Native children to non-Native families (partially brought to an end in 1978 with the passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act), denial of federal recognition for tribes, and the dis-enrolling of tribal members from the rosters by members of their own tribes. In this latter case, as Frantz Fanon has taught us, the colonized do the work of the colonizers.

The relevant question here is: at what point does the destruction of a culture that constitutes a group’s identity (e.g., traditional values such as language and patterns of interaction with members of the group through the bonds of extended kinship) amount to (an actual or attempted) genocide? Simply put, can genocide be committed without the physical destruction of the group or even part of the group, even though historically physical destruction paved the way for cultural destruction? At least for the present, the exclusion of culture as a recognized category in interpretations of the Genocide Convention precludes it from being part of a legal determination of genocide. In the same manner, political groups or affiliations (such as membership in a particular party or movement) were excluded because of pressure from governments that feared their own persecution of dissident parties could then fall under the genocide rubric. This was justified by the aim of focusing the definition of the crime on more “stable” and “permanent” groups which people could not join or leave “at will.”

We explore the possibilities and implications of expanding the legal definition of genocide and the role of non-legal (i.e., sociological and political) definitions and debates in that process at the conclusion of this essay. For now, let us return to the existing legal regime encompassing the term, where the scale of physical/biological destruction of a group or members remains of paramount importance.

The “Scale” of Genocide

On the question of the “scale of destruction” of the victimized group, in Croatia v. Serbia the ICJ considered that “in the absence of direct proof, there must be evidence of acts on a scale that establishes an intent not only to target certain individuals because of their membership in a particular group, but also to destroy the group itself in whole or in part.” As for just how great a part of the group must be affected before such actions can be considered to have met the criteria for genocide (rather than being “merely” a crime against humanity), the ICJ recalled its own 2007 opinion on the applicability of the Genocide Convention to the Serbian war on Bosnia, and noted that “it is widely accepted that genocide may be found to have been committed where the intent is to destroy the group within a geographically limited area... [I]f a specific part of the group is emblematic [that is, representative] of the overall group, or is essential to its survival, that may support a finding that the part qualifies as substantial within the meaning of [the law].”

The problem here is how one is to determine whether a part of the group under consideration is “emblematic.” During the more than century-long Navajo-Hopi land dispute, for example, approximately twelve to fourteen thousand Navajos were forcibly removed from their ancestral homes in what had become, by court order, Hopi Land. The effects of this removal were devastating in psychological, social, and cultural terms to these people as land in Native cultures is considered part of the kinship nexus, a living entity. Among these Navajo families, of which only a few remain on what is termed the Hopi Partitioned Lands, are some of the most traditional Navajos, who are repositories of the historical culture, including, of course, the land from which they were removed; traditionally, Navajos bury the umbilical cords of their children on their land and when a Navajo dies, he or she is meant to be buried with his or her cord.

Do we, then, consider this “part” of the population of over three hundred thousand Navajos “emblematic”? And what are the effects of this removal on Navajo culture? These questions, which are not rhetorical, were not considered by the courts which sanctioned ethnically cleansing this area; instead, they focused on the limited set of questions surrounding land rights. Moreover, as we discuss below, “ethnic cleansing” is not at present legally a part of the juridical definition of genocide.

What the Navajo-Hopi experience tells us, however, is that while there may well be good reason for the legal definition of genocide to maintain a demographic “floor” below which actions (as opposed to intention or incitement) are not considered to meet the threshold, basing the legal determination of genocide largely on such a calculus is quite problematic. Nevertheless, it remains that the ICJ's 2015 judgment, like its 2007 decision, and decisions by the ICTY, ICTR, ICC and other UN investigations such as those examining potential genocides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Darfur, all tend to cohere towards an understanding that for a specific action to be considered an act of genocide, it must involve “physical or biological destruction” to such an extent that the continued functioning and even survival of the larger group is “conclusively” and “convincingly” threatened. We can imagine that ongoing or recently completed cases in the Sudan, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire will further explicate the legal parameters for genocide prosecutions.

Indeed, as the ICTY and ICTR have determined, when direct “smoking gun” documentary evidence (e.g., protocols of meetings, private or public statements or plans that lay out a specific plan) of genocidal intent is absent, it is precisely the “scale of atrocities committed” and the clear intent by perpetrators to “destroy at least a substantial part of the protected group” that is the determining factor. As the ICJ concluded its 2015 judgement in Croatia v. Serbia, “Genocide presupposes the intent to destroy a group as such, and not to inflict damage upon it or to remove it from a territory, irrespective of how such actions might be characterized in law.”

Applying the Genocide Calculus to the History of Palestine and Israel

Now that we have an understanding of the ambiguous parameters surrounding the legal determination of genocide, we can look at the actions that Israel has engaged in during its half century occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and even further back to the war of 1948, in order try to consider whether they constitute in whole or in part the crime of genocide. Let us begin with the 1948 War, which included dozens of incidents involving the deliberate killing of significant numbers of civilians and several massacres involving dozens and even hundreds of dead.

Martin Shaw proposes a broad interpretation of genocide, with specific reference to the 1948 War and the Palestinian Nakba: “Genocidal action aims not just to contain, control, or subordinate a population, but to shatter and break up its social existence. Thus genocide is defined, not by a particular form of violence, but by general and pervasive violence...” We would suggest that Shaw’s interpretation raises some questions. What is the line, for example, between containment and shattering? When does containment amount to a shattering of a group’s social existence?

There is also the question of determining when violence becomes “general and pervasive” as opposed to “limited,” particularly when that judgment depends, first, on defining whose death is a targeted objective and whose is “collateral.” In instances of smaller scale killing, such as “partial massacres,” according to the narrow (physical and biological) criteria used by the various tribunals charged with adjudicating claims of genocide, there must be evidence of intent towards mass murder and social destruction in order to constitute genocide; the extent or scope of a particular act of violence must be clearly intended to achieve the goal—even if unrealized—of the physical destruction of the larger group.

The critical term here is “intent.” By what criteria is perpetrators’ intent to be determined, and can intent to commit genocide be expanded to include knowledge that certain deliberate actions are likely to lead to genocide even if that is not the specifically stated intention? This is another area where jurisprudence and sociology (and scholarship more broadly) can produce differing determinations about the standards and thresholds for genocide. 

In Shaw's view, Zionist/Israeli actions during the 1948 War, both in terms of the broader ethnic cleansing of Palestine and in the context of the multiple massacres of civilians, reveal an “incipiently genocidal mentality” that reflected the “settler colonial” and “exclusivist nationalis[t]” character of Zionist and then Israeli identity, ideologies, and policies. The combination of underlying intentions and ideology with the acts of exceptional violence against civilian populations (especially the mass killings and/or destruction of more or less entire villages epitomized by the Deir Yassin massacre and the battle for Lydda), the deprivation of Palestinians' fundamental right of self-determination, the dispersal of the majority of the population, and the destruction of almost every national institution, taken together arguably could be described as genocidal. On the other hand, however, the deliberate exclusion of ethnic cleansing from the Genocide Convention, even as populations across the globe (most notably, in the partition of India and Pakistan) were being “cleansed” from their homes to create more homogeneous territories, was a deliberate and very significant fundamental lacuna in the coverage provided by the Genocide Convention. 

[Palestinian Nakba 1948, Jaramana Refugee Camp, Damascus, Syria. Source: Wikipedia. ]

However important the 1948 War and Palestinian Nakba are historically, the contemporary claims that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians are focused primarily on its ongoing occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

Numerous reports and assessments by leading local and international human rights organizations (including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, Adalah, the Palestine Center for Human Rights, al-Haq, Peace Now's Settlement Watch, Defense of Children International), as well as by the United Nations, and the US State Department provide strong evidence and compelling arguments that Israel has committed innumerable war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel frequently violates even the broadest interpretations of the principles of distinction (distinguishing between legitimate military targets and protected civilians and non-combatants) and proportionality (limiting the use of force to the extent necessary to achieve legitimate military objectives).

The list of well-documented crimes include indiscriminate, willful, and lethal attacks on civilians, inhumane treatment, collective punishment, deprivation of the right to a fair trial, closing off of entire regions and confinement of civilians within them, the use of human shields, home demolitions, illegal and arbitrary detention, torture, imprisonment of children, rape, looting, destruction of infrastructure, extrajudicial killings, deportation and exile of members of the occupied population, refusing to allow protected persons to return to their homes after hostilities, as well as the establishment of non-military settlements and the movement of Israel’s own Jewish citizens into these occupied areas. Apart from Israel’s actions during active hostilities, the daily functioning of the occupation and its goals and objectives are inherently unlawful as they continuously and without respite involve illegal expropriations of land, theft and destruction of crops and natural resources, theft and deliberately polluting and poisoning of water supplies, and impeding and even prohibiting the development of the occupied economy.

What Israeli geographer Jeff Halper has described as the government's “matrix of control” over the occupied territories has involved a level of near total control over Palestinian movement, economic, and political development to the point where Israel violates almost every one of its obligations as the internationally recognized occupying power. Israel's actions in the occupied territories are characterized, as the ICJ has described it, by “impunity across the board.” These actions and the policies on which they are based clearly meet the standard for such international crimes as persecution, colonialism, racial discrimination, and even apartheid.

Israeli Officials’ Position on the Destruction of Palestine 

In recent years, several Israeli officials and leading media outlets have suggested the state’s “right” to eradicate Palestinians, and have called for large-scale murder and even genocide of Palestinians. For example, the Chief Army Rabbi, Eyal Qarim, has explicitly advocated the rape of “gentile women”—in this case Palestinians, while the current Justice Minister, Ayelet Shaked, declared that “the entire Palestinian people is the enemy” and called for its destruction, “including its elderly and its women, its cities and its villages, its property and its infrastructure.” As should be clear from the discussion above, Shaked’s statement is an unambiguous call for genocide, and similar calls are being made by senior Israeli officials who directly shape the policies of the government and influence attitudes of soldiers towards Palestinians. 

[Students protested Ayelet Shaked during an event at Columbia Law School, 19 September 2016. Source: Columbia University Students for Justice in Palestine.]

Although the standards and consequences of incitement in international case law remain underdeveloped, the United States Holocaust Museum declares that “public incitement to genocide can be prosecuted even if genocide is never perpetrated.” The power of this language regarding incitement could be mobilized in regard to ubiquitous calls for “death to Arabs” or certain officials’ stated desire to turn Gaza into “a graveyard.” With each passing year, accusations of incitement to commit genocide are becoming increasingly plausible, especially when linked to large-scale crimes that have been committed in the assaults on Gaza over the last decade. 

Despite the heinousness of Israel’s actions in the occupied territories, under the current legal interpretations of genocide, it would be practically impossible to prosecute any Israeli leaders or state-sponsored individuals for this crime. Quite simply, the number of people killed and their percentage in the larger Palestinian population in the historic homeland or in diaspora do not rise to the levels that have occurred in conflicts where genocide prosecutions have taken place, given that current interpretations and enforcement proceedings hinge on the issue of “scale.” 

If we focus on the most recent conflicts, in Gaza in 2008-09 and 2014, the numbers of civilian deaths are approximately nine hundred in 2008-09 and fifteen hundred in 2014. Another one hundred-plus civilians were killed during the briefer but still intense 2012 conflict. All told, the number of Palestinians killed by Israel during the last fifty years constitutes less than one percent of the worldwide Palestinian population today.

These numbers are horrific and unjustifiable by any legitimate military or strategic logic based on the criteria of distinction and proportionality or the laws of belligerent occupation, which limits the use of force by an occupying power to policing and prohibits the kinds of heavy weapons and indiscriminate attacks favored by Israel. (We do not discuss Israeli casualties and deaths or the use of terrorism by Palestinians here, both because no serious argument has been or can be made that they constitute an attempt or even incitement to genocide and because the intent and scope of Palestinian violence against Israelis does not excuse or mitigate Israeli violations of international law and are thus irrelevant to this discussion.) The question before us is whether, in the context of the evolving legal and jurisprudential history of genocide described above, the level of violence against Palestinians, both the numbers of dead and the far greater numbers of wounded, imprisoned, pushed from their lands and otherwise suffering from Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, apartheid, and the everyday structural violence of a half century of occupation, rises to the level of genocide as defined in international law.

Many critics of Israeli state violence, including some Israeli and non-Israeli Jews and even Vatican officials, have in fact compared the situation in Gaza to the plight of Jews in Nazi concentration camps or the Warsaw Ghetto.  Statistically the comparison does not hold; ninety-eight percent of Warsaw's Jews ultimately perished, while sixty-three percent of Europe's pre-war Jewish population were killed during the Holocaust, compared with .5 Gazans and .2 percent total Palestinians killed since Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005. In comparison, upwards of eight hundred thousand Rwandan Tutsis (seventy-five percent of the population) were murdered during the hundred days of genocide in 1994, while over two hundred thousand Bosnian Muslims (ten percent of the pre-war Muslim population) were killed by Serbs between 1993 and 1995.

If we move beyond the number of Palestinians killed by Israel to other aspects of life under occupation, including the siege of Gaza since 2005 (which is an illegal form of collective punishment and a crime against humanity), the occupation clearly has taken a high toll on Palestinian economic, social, and political development, including devastating effects related to the most basic human development levels such as malnutrition and food insecurity (which reached chronic levels, as the World Health Organization, Red Cross, and other relief organizations have documented). Harvard University scholar Sara Roy aptly has described the overall trend as far beyond mere frustrated or stunted development, reaching rather a condition she terms “de-development,” meaning that Israel has actively pushed back the trajectory of development within Palestinian society.

Yet despite more than a half century of occupation, Palestinian society remains surprisingly vibrant and resilient, a “lower middle income” country whose gross levels of human development have increased significantly in the last four decades—certainly not as much as if Palestine had been an independent country, but greater than other Arab countries like Egypt or Syria (before the war). We do not argue that these figures somehow indicate a beneficent Israeli rule. Far from it; there are numerous reasons why Palestinian human development levels have increased that have nothing to do with Israeli policies, including remittances from family members working abroad and highly distortive levels of foreign aid. Moreover, the conditions of life in Palestinian refugee camps, particularly outside historical Palestine, remain far more severe than those within the occupied territories. 

The question could be raised as to how the present levels of Palestinian human development would be understood in reference to a claim of incitement, conspiracy, or intent to commit genocide. We believe that Israeli officials would argue that, given their ability to inflict far greater damage on Gaza, the situation demonstrates a lack of intent to commit genocide under the current legal definition. Indeed, they have repeatedly and successfully argued that their use of force was comparatively measured by utilizing such indicators. Similarly, the desire of Israeli leaders to “keep Gaza's economy on the brink of collapse” (cited in documents released by WikiLeaks quoting Israeli diplomats) indicates the intent to commit crimes against humanity, since doing so would involve repeated violations of Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. 

[Six months after Israel’s August 2014 war on Gaza, 19,000 destroyed homes had not been rebuilt and 100,000 people were still homeless, many are living in makeshift camps or schools. Source: Days of Palestine.] 

What might we conclude if we looked at the totality of the occupation in terms of the legal definitions of genocide? Could we argue, following Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, that the full measure of Israel's actions over half a century constitutes what he has termed an “incremental genocide”? Under the present legal understanding of genocide, the answer is most likely no, not least because no such temporal categorization has ever been recognized by the relevant courts. But Pappé is not the only one to deploy such a concept. In West Papua, Indonesia, Indigenous Papuans’ lives have been brutally disrupted by one of the world's biggest mining operations. Researchers and advocates have warned that the community is suffering a “slow motion genocide” as the mines destroy their habitat and way of life. This is compounded by the government’s systematic discrimination and treatment of them as an “enemy,” and the increasing presence of non-Papuan Indonesians who have made them a minority in their own territories.

The West Papuan dynamics are not that different from those in other settler colonial settings such as Australia or Israel/Palestine. Analyzing the situation in Papua, genocide scholar Kjell Anderson argues for “developing a new analytical model" to delineate different degrees and timeframes of genocide. Specifically, Anderson distinguishes “high-intensity ‘hot’ genocides” epitomized by the Holocaust, and what he calls “atypical,” “cold,” or “slow motion genocides.” These do not involve mass murder, but rather occur “incrementally, over years, or even generations.” Crucially, Anderson argues, 

Colonial or neo-colonial genocides targeting indigenous peoples often occur in such a manner. In these cases the physical destruction of the indigenous people may not be directly intended; rather, the perpetrators substantially undermine the foundations of existence for indigenous groups through systemic oppression or willfully reckless policies. These policies are often rooted in dehumanising constructions of indigeneity whereby indigenous people are said to be primitive obstacles to the progress of civilization and the collective interests of the legitimate political community.
 

Would Israel's treatment of Palestinians fit Anderson's criteria for slow motion or cold genocide? On the one hand, his model is certainly closer to the situation on the ground than the traditional legal definition of genocide with its focus on the extent of intended or actual death and communal disintegration. On the other hand, even the most incremental or slow-motion attempt to “destroy” the Palestinian population would, after this much time, have taken a far higher toll on the population than has in fact has happened, or which has been suffered by the inhabitants of Western Papua. The issue of “scale” remains paramount to the legal calculus.

For these reasons, we feel it is important to raise awareness about the expanding scholarly understanding of genocide precisely because such discussions can and should ultimately lead to similar discussions in the relevant international tribunals. The idea of establishing a scale of genocidal behavior (not to be confused with incitement, conspiracy, or intent to commit genocide) that would include the experiences of groups such as West Papuans and Palestinians, and in the process also reintegrate concepts like cultural and political genocide (originally termed “politicide”) into the matrix of legal meanings is worthy of study by scholars and advocates. Such an approach would seem to make room for the concepts of incipient (Shaw), incremental (Pappé), or slow motion (Anderson) genocides discussed here to become part of the legal discussion as the term evolves.

However, in the current legal environment, we believe it would be very difficult to prove that the Israeli government has intended or conspired to commit genocide during the occupation (whether incremental or concentrated). (Others have reached the opposite conclusion, including, most recently, an analysis published by the Center for Constitutional Rights titled “The Genocide of the Palestinian People: An International Law and Human Rights Perspective.”) 

Incitement, however, is another matter. We believe that there is evidence of incitement to genocide by Israeli leaders, which should be addressed immediately at the international level. Their language is consistent with cases dating back to Nuremberg where political leaders have been prosecuted for incitement. Incitement is particularly important because it is an “inchoate” crime under international criminal law; that is, its underlying intended crime “need not actually occur for the crime to be proven,” and because it is one area of genocide law where there has been an evolution in the legal understanding and definitions of the concept, both in international and in domestic laws. 

The Poetics of Genocide: From Legal to Sociological and Political Understandings

In our view, a “poetics of genocide” would invite the study and comprehension crucial to expanding its legal and other understandings. A poetics tries to establish the definitional limits of a given term (as Aristotle did with the term tragedy in his Poetics). Thus, a poetics is called for when the limits of a term are by no means clear. We contend that the need for such a poetics is pressing because, in recent years, the term genocide is being used to describe situations where its use has provoked confusion and opposition.

If Palestinians have not in the last fifty years experienced genocide as defined in international case law and interpreted by adjudicating tribunals, this does not suggest that they have not suffered egregiously under Israeli occupation. In fact, as we detailed above, Israel has routinely and systematically committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. The extent of Israel's crimes are such that individual state agents, in principle, could be prosecuted for the international crimes of persecution, colonialism, and apartheid. Any pursuit of these allegations would profoundly alter the international position of Israel, which could be subject to sanctions and other harsh measures until it stopped perpetrating these crimes. As signatories to the conventions that define these crimes, Israel's foreign-government supporters, including the United States and the states of Europe, would be extremely hard-pressed to avoid punishing Israel in some meaningful form in the wake of such a judgement.

Given that increasing numbers of Americans and Europeans are now willing to consider Israeli culpability for crimes against humanity and apartheid, we would urge that strong and concerted efforts be made to build both the legal and the public case for such prosecutions. We also believe that in this context, a focus on accusing Israel of genocide as a legal matter remains strategically counter-productive, since it would drain energy away from the intensive work necessary to gain a decision on these other serious international crimes, might unify skeptics and adversaries around a position that Palestinians exaggerate their suffering, and alienate sectors of the public and political audiences whose support would be needed to force the politically cautious tribunals to consider them. 

We thus suggest a focus on pursuing complaints that are more likely to be adjudicated. But we also support a second and simultaneous process to engage in the more long-term work of changing the accepted legal definition of genocide to include actions that do not meet the current standard. It may be the case that genocide has both sociological and legal definitions and meanings. But we are not talking about sociological arguments here; the Israeli occupation is, first and foremost, a legal regime. If it is going to be challenged and ultimately defeated, it will be on the basis of law far more than sociology. But at the same time, we need to consider how the legal term can evolve—first through its development within sociological, political, and legal theory, and then through the gradual application of newer interpretations and concepts by the ICC and other judicial bodies in actual cases. 

Whenever one is discussing the force of law, the question of interpretation and the authority to determine the meaning of language (the language of the law in this case) is critical. The hierarchies of legal authority are inherently colonial—and this is true even in contemporary “post-colonial” contexts. When we discuss the problem of interpretation, we must address the problem of translation. The primal crime of US federal Indian law, for example, was/is to translate Native relations to land, in which land is conceived as non-fungible because it is literally part of extended kinship systems, into property relations, which the legal scholar Robert Williams has called the legal rationalization for genocide.

Taking an example from another context, in current Bolivian and Ecuadorian law over which Indigenous peoples in both countries have had a significant influence, the land (pachahmama, or mother earth) is accorded human rights. To kill the land (and from an Indigenous perspective one way of killing it is to turn it into property), then, is to commit genocide. One of the charges articulated by the Native resisters to the Dakota Access Pipeline (based in the US state of North Dakota) is “environmental genocide.” The question is, then, who makes the law and who gets to interpret it? What do its terms include and exclude? Who is inside the law and who is outside and by what definitions are the inside and the outside constructed and how do understandings and definitions in one context impact those in another? 

As we argued above, cultural genocide and ethnic cleansing are two categories of destruction that could have been included in the parameters of the Genocide Convention, but were not because of political considerations. Indeed, in a recent debate between Benny Morris and Daniel Blatman about ethnic cleansing in 1948, published in Ha’aretz, Morris argues that people who do not leave directly under fire should not be considered ethnically cleansed even if they are not allowed to return to their homes after the conflict. This argument provides a negative illustration of the importance of providing a firmer legal foundation for considering ethnic cleansing an international crime and determining its relationship to genocide.

The definitional and interpretative limitation of genocide to physical/biological destruction to the exclusion of cultural or political dissolution was done in part to prevent colonized peoples from bringing successful claims of genocide against their colonizers. Lemkin himself was guilty of such sentiment, as he opposed adding colonialism to the list of crimes precisely because it could lead to such charges being made against the very European powers without whose strong support the Genocide Convention would have had no chance of adoption or ratification by the United Nations and its member states. As William Schabas explains in the introduction to his generative Genocide in International Law, “For decades, the Genocide Convention has been asked to bear a burden for which it was never intended, essentially because of the relatively underdeveloped state of international law dealing with accountability for human rights violations...This has changed in recent years.”

In other words, as the international legal and political environment changes, there is room for the legal understanding and meaning of genocide to evolve further. But for this to occur, legal scholars need to spend a lot more effort creating the legal—and as important, the political and moral—foundations for such an evolution. 

In this context, it is worth reiterating that there has been little expansion of the legal definition of genocide since 1948, but sociologically speaking, the concept has been greatly expanded. Concepts such as “politicide” or “ethnocide,” which were explicitly left out of the Convention by its drafters, have gained increasing acceptance among scholars, policymakers, and some sectors of the public. We consider politicide to be an especially useful term because it was included in the original draft of the Genocide Convention, but left out of the final version, both because of fears that repressed political groups and parties might use it to bring charges against their governments, and because membership in such groups was not thought to have the requisite “stability” to require protection by the Convention.

Israeli sociologist Baruch Kimmerling used the concept politicide, rather than genocide, to describe Israel's clear aim and successful execution of long-term policies geared to “the dissolution of the Palestinian people’s existence as a legitimate social, political and economic entity” by preventing any possibility of Palestinians achieving sovereignty and independence in their own nation-state.

To engage in a poetics, we might ask then, what are the limits of genocide? When does it begin and end? Lest we imagine that the past does not pre-determine the future, the present-day suffering under a continuing US colonialism and resistance to it of so many Native American communities reminds us that the crimes of previous centuries can directly impact the injustices of the present if they are not squarely faced and addressed. Palestinians can be expected to obtain no more justice than Native Americans if Israel retains the same level of power and impunity for the foreseeable future and no reckoning with its past is forced upon it.

Conclusion: Expanding Terminology

The mechanisms through which the decimation of Native Americans proceeded and their oppression continues to raise the question: Can genocide be committed without the physical destruction of the group or even part of the group, even though historically physical destruction has implemented cultural destruction? The answer seems to be “yes,” but this is a sociological answer as of now, without any legal implications unless and until one of the relevant judicial bodies uses these facts to help reshape the legal definition of genocide. 

In order to make it possible for the crime of genocide to be discussed and alleged in the context of either historical or present-day situations—whether in occupied Palestine or urban America where present conditions do not meet the current legal definition, jurists and scholars must expand the conceptualization of genocide regarding which groups are protected and what actions are covered in the Genocide Convention. It is worth noting that Palestinians already constitute a protected (“national”) group, which is covered under the Convention. Similarly, it is important to expand the scope of criminal culpability beyond the requirement for evidence that perpetrators specifically intend to commit genocide to a “knowledge-based approach” that would extend criminal culpability to include awareness of the likely implications of specific actions. However, such a change would not affect the evaluation in this case without a change in the type and scope of actions covered by the Convention.

On the other hand, especially in light of increasingly open and public comments by Israeli officials who have called for rape, mass murder, destruction, and other international crimes against Palestinians, we reiterate that accusations of incitement to commit genocide are becoming increasingly plausible, especially when linked to large-scale crimes involved in the assaults on Gaza over the past decade. At the very least, as the ongoing impact of the 2004 ICJ Advisory Opinion on the West Bank “wall” demonstrates, if a mandated UN body such as the General Assembly (which requested the 2004 opinion) could be convinced to request an ICJ opinion, the resulting investigation into all the issues raised in this essay would go a long way towards clarifying the international judicial understanding of Israel's conduct as the occupation passes the half century mark.

This action is separate, however, from the broader question we have attempted to address in this essay: whether it is possible and advisable to expand the definition of genocide to cover actions that are today not considered sufficient to warrant the application of the term in a court of law. The above discussion of the situation facing Native Americans, as well as the ongoing state victimization of Black Americans as highlighted by the Movement for Black Lives (which in fact caused an uproar last year when it's manifesto included language accusing Israel of genocide), suggests reasons for so doing. And indeed, in recent years, countries such as France and Romania have seen an expansion of genocide in case law.

Simply put, change can happen, albeit often quite slowly. We stress here that we are not advocating “lowering the bar” or standard for genocide so that acts which clearly do not involve the intent, policy, or actual physical destruction or disaggregation of communities are covered. Rather, we are calling for a broader consideration of what kinds of actions meet the existing standard.

In the case of Israeli actions against Palestinians, a two-fold strategy would seem to be called for: First, educate the public about the extent and severity of Israeli crimes and the applicability of existing international conventions and laws, such as those against apartheid, racial discrimination, persecution, and crimes against humanity. Israel's routine and long-term violation of these laws already carries profound legal consequences should they be applied. Second, call for an expansion of the legal definition of genocide to allow crimes involving ethnic cleansing and the mass killing of presently unprotected groups (i.e., those based on culture or political affiliation), as well as politicide, to become part of the legal epistemology and jurisprudence surrounding genocide.

Ultimately, broadening the sociological understandings and through them legal definitions of genocide will play an important role in the struggles to compel Israel, the United States, and far too many other governments to end their long-term, systematic oppression of brutalized populations and behave in compliance with international law. But before that can occur, a lot more groundwork needs to be done, and activists and academics should consider the political and strategic costs of accusing governments of genocide before the legal and political environment exists for such an accusation to bear fruit.

في تشرين الأول/أكتوبر الماضي، أرسلتْ الباحثة كاترين كوكيو إيميلاً لحضور واحدة من محاضرات "تاريخ الدُّوار" للكاتب كاميّ دو توليدو، في بيت الشعر بزقاق موليير في باريس. ذهبتُ، متذكراً أثناء ذهابي بورخيس وهيتشكوك، وقد ترجمتُ أعمالاً لكليهما إلى العربية. تبقى استعاراتهما الكبرى، كالمرآة والكابوس والمتاهة، صالحة لأوضاع أي عالم، ماضياً أو راهناً.

أمام الجمهور، في القاعة الصغيرة التي كانت قبواً للنبيذ فيما مضى، كان جهاز الإسقاط يلقي على الجدار الأبيض وراء المحاضر صورتين مأخوذتين من فيلم "الدُّوار" لهيتشكوك. تحدث كامي دو توليدو عن خريطة لإمبراطورية تخيلها بورخيس في واحدةٍ من قصصه القصيرة: إحدى زوايا هذه الخريطة الشاسعة يقطنها الكلاب والشحاذون، ثم أتى هذا التعليق الخاطف: "الكلاب والشحاذون على هذه الخريطة، في لاوعينا السياسي الحالي، هم اللاجئون". لم يعلق أحد من الحضور. بدا ذلك التأويل، بطريقة مبهمةٍ متفق عليها، بديهياً. أنا أيضاً لم أعلق بشيء أثناء النقاشات التي أعقبت المحاضرة، ولأسمع المزيد تقصّدتُ التخفي وعدم التصريح باسمي واسم بلادي: سوريا. استبعدتُ الأدب، وتخفّيت وراء صفة الطبيب الذي كنتُه ذات يوم، مسترجعاً المرض الوراثي في عائلة بورخيس، وهو تنكس الشبكية الصباغي الذي ينتهي تدريجياً إلى الرؤية الأنبوبية والعمى؛ كما تحدثتُ عن العناصر الثلاثة المسؤولة عن توازن الجسد: الحسّ العميق والعين والأذن التي تحتوي في ظلام تيهها وحلزونها عضو كورتي، هذا العضو المجهريّ المزود بخلايا حسّاسة للضوء.

كانت تلك الملاحظة الصغيرة بداية كتاب عملتُ عليه خلال الشهور الماضية، وهو يحمل عنوان هذه المداخلة نفسها "كلاب وشحاذون". سأتحدث هنا، باختصار شديد، عن شاعرين كلاسيكيين وُسِم أحدهما بالكلب والآخر بالشحاذ، ثم كيف انتهيتُ بسببهما إلى كتابة قصيدة طويلة.

الشاعر الأول هو المعري، المولود والمتوفّى في معرة النعمان شمال غرب سوريا.

تردد المعري، في شرخ شبابه، على بغداد. أثناء إحدى زياراته، تعثر به الشريف المرتضى في مجلس عزاء، فصاح: "مَن هذا الكلب؟" فأجابه المعري جواباً شهيراً، متعددَ التفاسير في الأدب العربي، "الكلب مَن لا يعرف للكلب سبعين اسماً". لم يجد فقهاء اللغة إلا 67 اسماً. لنا أن نقول الآن إننا قد اهتدينا إلى اسمين ضائعين أحدهما هو المعري والآخر هو اللاجئ، أما الاسمُ الختاميّ السبعون فيبقى بمثابة النهاية المفتوحة لذلك السؤال القديم.

أكملتُ تعليمي المدرسي في ثانويةٍ اسمها المعري، في البلدة الكردية عامودة شمال شرق سوريا. كانت العربية لغتي الثانية بعد الكردية، ولا يزال تنقلي بينهما مستمراً. بات هذا التنقل طبيعياً، وإن لم يكن كذلك في البداية. في صباي ترددت على الشيخ عفيف في عامودة، شيخاً كردياً ضليعاً في اللغة العربية الفصحى ولا يجيد محكيّتها، فأحببتُ هذه اللغة في مجلسه الذي يتردد عليه كبار السن. كان المعري أول الشعراء الذين أرشدني الشيخُ إلى حفظهم، لكنني تعلّقتُ كثيراً بـعمله "رسالة الغفران". وكما نعلم، فإن هذه الرسالة هي ردٌّ على شخص شبه مجهول هو ابن القارح، جوّاب الجنّة وزائر الجحيم. يصادف شعراء من قبل الإسلام في الجنة، مثل الحطيئة الذي مُحيت ذنوبه ببيت شعر واحد قاله في هجاء نفسه، وبيته يقع في أقاصي الجنة. أما الجحيم فتغصّ بالشعراء: امرؤ القيس، الشنفرى، بشار بن برد... الوحيد الذي ليس شاعراً في الجحيم هو إبليس. يقول ملاكٌ لابن القارح إن الشعر هو قرآن إبليس، وإن إبليس هو مُلهِم الشعر وأبوه.

لم يطق المعري أغراض الشعر. ألف عمله الأساسي "اللزوميات، لزوم ما لا يلزم"، خارجاً عن المواضيع المطروقة في عصره فلم يكتب المديح ولا الغزل ولا الخمريات ولا وصف الحيوانات أو الحرب أو الصحراء. فماذا تبقّى ليكتب إذن؟ في حقل ضيق من الاحتمالات، لم ينقطع عن الشعر كأفق للتفكير، مثل شاعر راهن من الشرق الأوسط، إذا جازت هذه المقارنة الجائرة، عامداً يتجنب الكتابة عن اللجوء أو الحروب أو السجون. كيف سيكون صادقاً من دون التحول إلى واعظ أو مدَّعٍ؟ ما أصعب مثل هذا الخيار، وأي جهد جبّار يستلزم.

أتوقّف هنا عند حادثة صغيرة في "رسالة الغفران": حين أتى الصحابة إلى علي بن أبي طالب فلم يجدوه في بيته، ثم سمعوا ضجيجاً على السطح، فخرجوا ليروه وسيفه ذو الفقار يقطر دماً، فقال "وقع بين اثنين من الملائكة فصعدتُ إلى السماء لأصلح ما بينهما". صحابيٌّ قديس يقتل ملاكاً. لا يظهر جسد القتيل، لا لأن الملائكة غير مرئية أو لأن المعري أعمى، وإنما لأن الموت لا وجودَ له في الفردوس، ومَن يُقتل هناك يبقى حياً. وحدهم القتلى على الأرض يموتون حقاً.

الشاعر الكلاسيكي الثاني هو هوميروس.

إذا وضعنا احتمال "رهينة" جانباً، فإن المعنى الآخر الحرفي لاسمه في اللغة السيمّرية هو "الشحاذ الأعمى"، وقد تبنّى هذا الاسم بعد رفض شيوخ سيمّريس إيواءه، إذ اعتقدوا أنهم إذا ما سمحوا بمثل هذه السابقة الخطيرة فسوف تطفح بلادهم بالكثير من homers، أي الشحاذين العميان الذين يستجدون الصدقات. سأكتفي بذكر مثال واحدٍ من الأوديسة، حين يستمع أوديسيوس المتنكّر إلى قصته تروى في بلاط الملك آلسينوس، على لسان شاعر أعمى آخر اسمه "ديمودوكوس"، ولكنه لا يقول اسمه ولا يصرّح من أين جاء. يستمع إلى الشاعر الضرير يغني قتال أوديسيوس مع آخيل وخدعة الحصان الخشبي. القصة تُروى بطريقة مختلفة عما يريد مَن عاشها أن يصفها، فتحرَّف قصته أمامه لكنه لا يستطيع الاحتجاج. أوديسيوس، عديم الحيلة، يبكي. إنه حاضر وغائب في اللحظة نفسها.

ما نريده يختلف غالباً عما نصل إليه، وكثيراً ما يختلف ما نقوله عما ننجزه، فكلُّ ما ذكرته ليس ظاهراً في القصيدة الطويلة التي عنونتُها "السيد النكرة مصغياً إلى قصته في بلاط الملك آلسينوس"، وقد تخيلتُ المعري راوياً تلك القصة من الأوديسة. وعوضاً عن "لا أحد"، إحدى تسميات أوديسيوس العديدة في الأوديسة، اخترتُ "النكرة" التي تنطوي على معنى الإهانة والتحقير والغفليّة، مثلما تشير اشتقاقات كلمة "اسم" في لسان العرب إلى الجرح والسماء. حاولتُ كتابة مسودة القصيدة بالإنكليزية، ثم أعدتُ الكتابة باللغة العربية، لكني كنت طوال الوقت أحلم بالكردية. في التراث الكردي مغنون جوالون عميان يلقون الملاحم، مثل الغوزلار في البلقان. تخيلتُ كردياً في حاضرنا هذا، من لغة إلى لغة، من كتاب إلى كتاب، من جحيم إسلامي إلى جحيم يوناني-أوروبي، من رسالة الغفران إلى الأوديسة. أثناء هذا التيه، كان يهمني التحول الذي لا يتوقف، الترجمة المستمرة التي أحياها يومياً، الكلمات المختلفة التي تعيش معاً داخل لغة واحدة. ربما الترجمة درس روحيّ في جمال التخلي وصعوبته، لأنّ التخلي أحياناً لا يقل إبهاجاً عن الامتلاك في هذه الأزمنة السوداء.

لعل المعري، المتنسّك النباتيّ، كان سيستحسن فكرة التخلّي هذه، مستبعداً الدم من تفاسير اللون الوحيد الذي ظلّ يتذكره، بسبب حمرة الثوب الذي كان يرتديه حين أعماه الجدريّ في طفولته. أتخيله ساخراً يقول إن هذه الحمرة هي الشمسُ الغاربة التي استقبلته عند ميلاده يوم الجمعة، ثم ودّعته شيخاً، في يوم جمعة آخر، بعد ستة وثمانين عاماً.

Middle East Report 
No. 280

POLITICS ON THE MOVE

Trump in the White House. Attacks on Christians in Egypt. Continued politicking in Lebanon. Appropriating Palestinian art in Egypt. Electricity in the Gulf. Asylum seekers in Sicily. The politics of American Jews on college campuses. The Middle East uprisings have not ended and US involvement in the region has not decreased since Trump came into office. The process of political transformation continues to manifest itself in new and different ways as the world and region drift toward an uncertain and contradictory era. The new issue of Middle East Report explores these politics on the move.

The municipalities of Lebanon have undergone intense politicization since the “You Stink” movement emerged. Ziad Abu Rish argues that as Lebanese elites have tightened representative institutions while decentralizing the state, activists and regular folk alike have turned to their local areas to make demands. The 2016 elections gave people a sense of hope and also allowed for shifting alliances and mobilizations. How these new forms of politics interact with Lebanon’s institutional legacies reveals new constellations of shifting power.

Sicily is not a location most think of in terms of escape from the destructive states of the Arab world. Yet the Italian island is absorbing many Middle Easterners looking for asylum. Silvia Pasquetti investigates the asylum industry in one Sicilian town and the tensions between asylum seekers and locals already marginalized by the Italian state.

Energy is nearly synonymous with the Arab Gulf. But most analyses focus on fossil fuels rather than electricity and other renewables. Zachary Davis Cuyler exploresthe movement from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Can the Gulf kingdoms mitigate climate change migration by focusing on renewable sources? Cuyler’s research suggests some answers to this question.

Dina Ramadan explores the appropriation of Palestinian artist Suleiman Mansour’s protest painting Camel of Burdens by counter-revolutionary forces in Egypt. 

Also featured: Mimi Kirk reflects on the changing politics of American Jews on college campuses by examining the Open Hillel movement; an obituary of renowned literary scholar and MERIP friend Barbara Harlow; and more.

Subscribe to Middle East Report or order individual copies here. 

Middle East Report is published by the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP), a progressive, independent organization based in Washington, DC. Since 1971 MERIP has provided critical analysis of the Middle East, focusing on political economy, popular struggles, and the implications of US and international policy for the region. 

Eight years on and Lebanon still does not have an electoral law. Despite the many draft proposals and meetings by the Council of Ministers (COM) and parliamentary sub-committees, political parties appear more likely to either hold elections according to the so-called 1960 law or illegally extend their mandates than pass a new electoral law. Granted, a new electoral law would determine who has the power to nominate a prime minister, form a new government, issue a vote of confidence and oversee government’s performance, and initiate or approve pieces of legislation. But, the failure of political elites to pass a new electoral law after more than eight years of talking about it is due to a deeper problem that dates back to the Taef agreement.
 
From the 1990s until 2005, the electoral law was the prerogative of the Syrian regime and was designed to elect MPs who were subservient to the Syrian leadership and punish or tame those who were considered to be opponents. Since the departure of Syrian forces in 2005, political parties have proven unable to resolve conflicts among themselves. This state of affairs was exacerbated by having more political parties come into the fold as rents declined; reducing those monetary flows that served to smooth the process of wheeling and dealing among elites. For almost ten years Lebanon’s governments have barely been able to govern and not coincidentally, a national budget has not been approved since then.
 
The parliamentary election of 2009 should be viewed as an anomaly, as it took place following years of paralysis that resulted in violence in May 2008 and the intervention of Qatar to bring Lebanon’s house in order. While this agreement was supposed to give Lebanon some normalcy as political parties agreed on a range of decisions including an electoral law, a president, a prime minister, and a government, it did not last long.
 
Paralysis was not confined to the executive branch as the parliament did not fare much better. Despite the many bills that were passed from 2009 to 2017, only a fraction of them required legislative effort and directly addressed people’s needs and concerns. Having failed to also elect a president after forty-five parliamentary sessions exclusively convened for that purpose and following a presidential vacuum that lasted for thirty months, the election of Michel Aoun in October 2016 initially signaled a change of alignment by political actors.
 
Although this may be interpreted as a new beginning on account of the fact that the new government formed under the premiership of Saad Hariri passed key decisions including decrees that were stuck in the COM for years, this new alignment quickly ran out of steam. The most glaring failure of this government is its inability to pass a new electoral law. While some blame the absence of the law on regional developments, other parties resorted increasingly to sectarian discourse to maintain power.
 
Political parties hold a variety of views on what laws should govern the election. In fact, LCPS interviewed 65 out of the 128 MPs who accepted to see us and asked which electoral law they favor most. Out of the seven options, 29% of MPs selected the “other”, reflecting the lack of consensus on an electoral law. This was followed by 23% of MPs who argue in favor of Lebanon being one district under proportional representation [PR] without a sectarian quota, 14% who support the Fouad Boutros draft law (hybrid of small and large districts and between PR and majoritarian system), another 14% who are calling for small districts with a majoritarian system, 9% who favor the Orthodox law, 6% that are behind the 1960 law (majoritarian system at the qada level), and 6% who favor single-member districts.
 
Looking more closely at the data, we observe not-so-surprising differences by blocs. While the Future Movement bloc supports the Fouad Boutros draft law, the Change and Reform and the Lebanese Forces express little support for it, while the other blocs do not support it at all. The Lebanon as one district proposal finds support among the Loyalty to the Resistance, Development and Liberation, and Change and Reform blocs but no support by others.
 
More surprising are three other observations. First, there are more differences within blocs than across blocs. Take for instance the Future MP bloc, which is the largest bloc in the Lebanese Parliament. Its MPs selected five different options with ten MPs opting for “other” options, eight favoring the “Fouad Boutros law”, and five selecting small districts (smaller than qada) with a majoritarian system leading the way. This is also the case for the Change and Reform bloc, the second largest bloc. Three of its interviewed MPs are in favor of the Orthodox law, another three are for small districts with a majoritarian system, two are for “Lebanon as one district”, two are for “others”, and one is for the Fouad Boutros Law. This dynamic also played out in the case of other blocs.
 
Given the confessional composition of the parliament, one would think that MPs of the same sect will favor similar policy options as is often portrayed in the media. Quite simply, this appears not to be the case either. For instance, policy preferences of seventeen Maronite MPs are scattered over six options: Three for the Orthodox Law, one for Lebanon as one district, four for smaller districts with a majoritarian system, two for the Fouad Boutros draft law, five for single-member districts, and two for others. Sunni MPs have their preferences dispersed over five options: Two are for the current law, four are for Lebanon as one district, seven are for the Fouad Boutros draft law, one is for small districts with majoritarian system, and six are for other options. Shia MPs seem to be more in agreement as their preferences are confined to three options but this could be due to the fact that we were only able to meet with ten out of the twenty seven Shia MPs, which is a lower ratio than for the other sects.
 
The third observation is the extent to which the sixty-five interviewed MPs support other reform elements, with 89% supporting lowering the voting age, 84% for preprinted ballots, 96% in favor of regulating advertisement and media campaigns, and 95% for capping campaign financing. However, their alleged support stops short of backing a women’s quota. Only 55% are in favor of it. While Sunnis and Greek Orthodox MPs are supportive, Shia and Maronite MPs are least supportive of a women’s quota. As for blocs, the Lebanese Forces and others are in favor of a women’s quota, but the Loyalty to the Resistance and the Democratic Gathering are not in favor it, with the remaining blocs falling in between the two poles. 

What should all this signal? It seems the electoral law is indicative of the fact that cleavages in Lebanon run along a number of lines, be they sectarian, political, regional, or others. While political blocs hold different positions, there are splits within blocs that are often not-so-apparent. While political parties resort to sectarian discourse to air their anger, there seems be little coherence within confessional groups. Finally, while most MPs ostensibly support the aforementioned electoral reforms, the question remains: To what extent are they genuine in their convictions and are they willing to act on them by passing meaningful legislation?

[This article was originally published on lcps-lebanon.org]

One day in Suriçi, 1 March 2017: from Melik Ahmet Avenue to Balıkçılar, from there to Dağkapı, we follow the destruction and reconstruction.

From Melik Ahmet Avenue, we are moving on to Balıkçılar. There are several police and task forces ahead on one of the narrow streets to the right. Mostly female police, wearing bulletproof jackets, are waiting with long black batons in their hands. The street entrance is closed.

Thinking that he might be a journalist, I approach someone holding a camera in his hand and wearing ordinary clothing to ask what is going on. He says it is a women’s meeting. In the evening, I learn from the newspaper Şûjin: women met to make a call for the international women’s day rally on 8 March. With their gillyflowers, tambourines, and songs, they were inviting the women of Sur to a rally on the 8th of March. There is an atmosphere of festivity in the pictures. The surrounding police with their fingers on their triggers couldn't overshadow women’s joy for 8 March.

We keep walking. From Balıkçılar, we turn to Dağkapı. The front facades of the stores on Çarşîya Şewitî and across the street are being renewed. This is the gift of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanism to the shopkeepers of Gazi Avenue. We approach Dağkapı. There is a crowd in front of the Nebi Mosque. In addition to the police tanks, it seems like there are more cars than a regular day; there are noises of horns and sirens approaching.

As we approach the exit close to the Şeyh Said Square, we see that almost all the vehicles are black and white official rangers. Task forces, the doors of their vehicles wide open, stand by on guard, with their long-range firearms. Since the exit from Gazi Avenue is closed to traffic, the vehicles coming from the direction of İnönü Avenue do not move. Closer to the Square, the number of task force personnel and police in civilian clothing carrying automatic weapons increases. Thinking that something bad has happened, we move towards the Square. While we have difficulty in finding someone to ask what is going on, we notice that the most crowded point is across from the Dağkapı restaurant. It turns out that a statesperson came, and wanted to eat liver…

The Demolition and Reconstruction Project

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanism has implemented a demolition and reconstruction project in Suriçi. On 9 March 2016, it was officially announced that the operations conducted in Suriçi by the military, police, and task forces were over. However, even though it has been more than a year since the operations ended, curfews still continue in six neighborhoods of Suriçi (Cemal Yılmaz, Cevatpaşa, Dabanoğlu, Fatihpaşa, Hasırlı, and Savaş). These neighborhoods—in which around thirty thousand people lived prior to the curfews—are closed for entry, using cement blocks, travelling police stations behind cloth walls, and iron bars.[1] While passing across the neighborhoods, it is not possible to see what is going on inside. From the pictures taken from satellites or airplanes, you can observe the extent of destruction, and the fact that the neighborhoods are mostly demolished; it is also possible to see this from the high-rise buildings in Suriçi.

On 21 March 2016, shortly after the operations ended, a decree for the “urgent expropriation” of large sections of Suriçi was issued. This expropriation is not only limited to the neighborhoods that are closed and continue to be demolished; it covers almost all of Suriçi (eighty-two percent) except the public buildings. No justifications are given for this expropriation. During the expropriation, there is quite limited information, though plenty of rumors. The process of expropriation has already started in six demolished neighborhoods. Residents whose houses have been demolished in these neighborhoods are offered prices that are way below their current market prices. People are asked to accept the sale of their houses in return for these low market prices or else to pay the high price difference and buy an apartment built by TOKI (the mass housing administration) in Çöl Güzeli, or else to go to court to object. Local authorities that we have talked to maintain that people refuse to sell their houses.

In the Change of Master Plan to Protect Suriçi posted on 28 December 2016 following the demolition and expropriation, it is stated that six police stations will be built in the closed neighborhoods. To have each police station within the sight of the other and ease the transportation between them, Suriçi’s traditional narrow streets are to be demolished and the paths are to be broadened. Just as Eyal Weizman reminds us, the state has no limits when it comes to carving out spaces for its armed forces.[2] The state seeks to establish its hegemony by transforming the space through “cleaning the landscape” by means of destroying and demolishing houses, schools, shops, roads, trees, gardens, history, every aspect of everyday life. It is certainly not possible to measure the extent of this societal and environmental disruption.

In Cities Under Siege: The New Military Urbanism, Stephen Graham argues that the most destructive aspect of new militarism, which transforms the city into a “battlefield” through endless strategies and tactics, is that it takes aim at urban everyday life.[3] The “city dweller” is turned into a target that is constantly followed, watched, documented, and monitored. But it does not end here, as the urban space itself is designed as a battlefield at the same time. The city is not an ordinary site in which the battle takes place; rather, it mediates the war and violence. The city goes beyond being simply the background for war, with its infrastructure and culture, and instead is transformed into a subject of war, through its destruction and reconstitution.

Suriçi, which likewise is sought to be destroyed and reshaped, is the heart of Diyarbakır. As a friend of mine says: “Everyone who lives in Diyarbakır has a story of Suriçi. Suriçi is the place that shapes us into a dweller of Diyarbakır; it is the heart of the city.” It seems like for the first time in years, the state has found the opportunity to change this city into something that it is not, and establish its absolute rule. And it attempts to achieve this goal through attacking the heart of the city. It thinks that by influencing the heart of the city, it can influence everyone.

À la Konya Street Arrangements, Wild Pansies in the Shadow of TOMAs

While the demolition of the closed-off neighborhoods in Suriçi continues fast, a renewal project on Gazi Avenue, along which stores, banks, restaurants, and dessert shops are lined up, operates at full speed. The stores on the avenue, with their own different and unique styles, are being transformed into identical structures. This enforced similarity wipes away differences, so much so that the other day I had difficulty finding the restaurant that I always go to; I passed by it a couple of times, not even noticing it.

The enforced similarity is not particular to Gazi Avenue; it in fact extends all the way to Konya. In order to cut down on the expenses of the project, or perhaps because everything looking identical is of no concern—or is even a desired end—to them, this storefront renewal format was copied from the Municipality of Konya’s street renewal project in the city center of Konya.[4] Store awnings and windows are the same. The only difference is that the plating they put in between stores is limestone in Konya, and basalt in Suriçi. Basalt is the type of stone used in the making of Suriçi structures; they must have used it to add a flavor of tradition, to create a “we’re protecting your culture” image. We should, however, note that this “favor” granted to the store owners on the main street of Suriçi is withheld from those forced to evacuate the demolished neighborhoods that start at one hundred meters behind the main street.

We could add to this face-saving attempt the wild pansies which are being planted in the gutters of the city’s busy roads, and in Seyh Said square. The plants are beautiful; but unfortunately, they are not able to cover up the gigantic armored riot control vehicles (TOMAs) that wait around every street corner, nor the makeshift police stations built around Sur that we have to walk by.

It is not possible to capture the “creative meaning” of a city by confining it to a copy of another place, or even of itself. David Harvey states that “the shaping of space which goes on in architecture and, therefore, in the city is symbolic of our culture, symbolic of the existing social order, symbolic of our aspirations, our needs, and our fears. If, therefore, we are to evaluate the spatial form of the city, we must, somehow or other, understand its creative meaning as well as its mere physical dimensions.”[5] What bring out this creativity are the everyday practices of the city dwellers. According to Stavros Stavrides, for a city to keep its role and maintain its significance in reproducing a society, it is necessary to control and shape the existing power relations in the city.[6] However, rather than conceptualizing this design and control as an actualized and finalized state, he sees it as an ongoing project. Therefore, it is vital to unpack the workings of this project, which aims to construct the urban and the societal order, so that we can look at how it changes and transforms power relations and how it affects everyday life, and also to understand how these types of projects are accepted/rejected, or accommodated and normalized, by the residents of these spaces. Stephen Graham claims that we can start the fight to construct counter-geographies by mapping and unpacking the hidden geographies of the new militant urbanism.[7]

The creativity of Diyarbakır and Suriçi residents’ organic relationship with the space as political subjects will shed light on the direction that the city will head towards in the future. Perhaps we will see the first symbolic manifestation of this creativity in Diyarbakır and Sur residents’ response to the constitutional referendum.

For now—even though it is only one person’s response—let us make do with what a shop owner whose storefront will be renewed as part of the Street “Healthification” Project (Sokak Sağlıklaştırma Projesi) said: “Of course, they will do it; they knocked it down, now they’re rebuilding. [But] even if they covered the whole street with gold, let alone renewing the stores, we would not change our minds.”

[The original version of this article was first published in Express, No. 15, 1 April 1, 2017—before the constitutional referendum. Translated from Turkish by Kaner Atakan Türker and Mukadder Okuyan.]

NOTES

[1] Some small sections of Fatihpaşa and Dabanoğlu neighborhoods were opened eventually.

[2] Eyal Weizman, “Lethal Theory.”

[3] Stephen Graham, Cities Under Siege: The New Military Urbanism (New York: Verso, 2011).

[4] I thank Nevin Soyukaya, whose job as the head of Cultural Landscape Management of Diyarbakir Castle and Hevsel Gardens was terminated by an omnibus bill, who drew my attention to this topic.

[5] David Harvey, Social Justice and the City (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2010).

[6] Stavros Stavrides, Towards the City of Thresholds (Trento: Professionaldreamers, 2010).

[7] Stephen Graham, Cities Under Siege. 

In October 2016, two exhibitions were inaugurated in Cairo and Paris respectively, commemorating an Egyptian surrealist art and literature group, Art et Liberté. 

I.

Art et Libertéwas co-founded by surrealist author Georges Henein in 1939. At the advent of World War II, artists and writers rallied around Henein and painter and writer Ramses Younan in their call for a perpetual revolution in art. The group aimed at gearing public opinion in Egypt away from the notion of modernization—regarded as a product of western imperialism—towards that of modernity, which saw art and daily life as malleable in their constant potential for improvement, “dans la mêlée,” as Henein called it. 

On 22 December 1938, a tract in French and Arabic was distributed on the streets of Cairo, and sent out around the world. Vive L’Art Dégénéré denounced the Nazi condemnation of modern art as degenerate “and ripe for the bonfire,” to quote poet Abdel Kader Al Janabi. Forty self-proclaimed artists, writers, journalists, and lawyers signed the manifesto, including foreigners fleeing war-torn Europe and Egyptians alike, towards an international solidarity movement: “[…] We stand for this degenerate art. It is in it that reside all the chances of the future. Let us work for its victory over the middle ages rising in the very heart of Europe […].”Printed alongside a reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica, the text in French and Arabic was probably written by Georges Henein. The name Art et Liberté alluded to André Breton and Léon Trotsky’s manifesto For an Independent Revolutionary Art, signed with Diego Rivera in Mexico earlier the same year. 

Throughout the war years,Art et Libertépublished books, held lectures, hosted literary salons, and apparently some wild parties at La Maison des Artistes. They organized five yearly group exhibitions under the title Expositions de l’Art Independent, held in what were considered unusual spaces at the time in downtown Cairo. [1] The following description by Al Janabi is telling of their spirit: “The five exhibitions of Independent Art were very large and have certainly left their traces on the history of modern Egyptian art, for they were very provocative and full of humour noir and spectacular. They contained all sorts of paintings, photographs, sculptures and ready-made objects." [2]

II.

In October 2016, two travelling exhibitions were inaugurated, a few days apart, jointly forming the largest recreation to date of Art et Liberté’sfive Expositions de l’Art independent (1940-45).In Cairo, From Art to Liberty was co-curated by the Sharjah Art Foundation at the Palace of the Arts, and Art et Liberté: Rupture, War and Surrealism in Egypt (1938-1948) was inaugurated at the Centre Pompidou in France, five years plus in the making by curator-duo Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath. The exhibitions showcased hundreds of artworks and archival documents, many of which were uncovered for the first time since the 1940s. 

In a recent review, art critic Isma’il Fayed compares the lists of collections that make up each show. Considering the many rare pieces displayed to the public for the first time, the exhibitions indeed highlight a particularly underexplored moment in the history of modern art in Egypt. Fayed in turn questions if “we’re seeing a bidding war between two of the region’s largest culture patrons, the UAE and Qatar, for prestige, capitalist enlightenment and progress.” Indeed, we have witnessed in recent weeks, a rapid boom in the Arab modern art market, notably with increased record sales at global auction houses stationed in the Gulf countries. Last month, Mahmoud Sa’id’s Assouan – Nile et dunes, at the top of Christies record sale list, sold for $685,500, a few days before the first catalogue raisoné for Said, and any Arab artist, was launched at Christie’s Dubai. Said reached another record sale at the more recent Sotheby’s Orientalist and Middle Eastern sale in London, when his portrait of Mme. Batatouni Bey was acquired for $502,916. Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s seem optimistic about boosting the regional art market, highlighting perhaps the timely convenience of the concurrent exhibitions. Gallerist Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani more optimistically points to the urgency of the exhibitions on Art et Liberté, describing them as the “first substantial surveys on the Egyptian surrealists since 1987 [which] aim to position avant-garde Egyptian art as part of the narrative of global modernity.”In 1987, Abdel Kader Al Janabi presented his lecture The Nile of Surrealism at a conference at the University of British Columbia. A year prior, Samir Gharieb had published Surrealism in Egypt and the Plastic Arts. Mostafa’s comment alludes to a gap in scholarly research on the history of surrealism in Egypt since these singular efforts of the 1980s. 

                                                                                    [Mahmoud Said, La Femme aux Boucles d'Or (1933)]  

A revived interest in the movement was sparked by the research of Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin during their residency at the Townhouse Gallery in Cairo in 2010. As part of their exhibition, they produced The Prestige of Terror—a film on the inner workings of a mid-century printing press, which would have been used by Art et Liberté at the time. Broomberg and Chanarin also founded a website, a public domain archive with primary and secondary sources on surrealism in Egypt, run by the Townhouse Gallery. Art historian Anneka Lensen describes a recent revival of interest in Art et Liberté as one that “arises not from academia per se, but out [of] the art world of galleries, museums and auction houses.” A lack in substantial research over the years is recently coupled with a growing commercial interest. This speaks perhaps to the significant role played by collectors in the region on the accessibility of primary scholarly material for academics and researchers. Private patronage is undoubtedly the largest driving force in the preservation, restoration, and partial distribution of primary historical documents. The hope is that a growing commercial interest will inspire an institutionalization and democratization of collections in the near future.  

In 2013, I worked with curator Sam Bardaouil in conducting primary research for his monograph Surrealism in Egypt: Modernism and the Art & Liberty Group (I.B. Tauris), published alongside the exhibition Art et Liberté: Rupture, War and Surrealism in Egypt (1938-1948). At Centre Pompidou, the exhibition coincided with two shows on French surrealists: René Magritte--La Trahison des Images (René Magritte—Treason of Images), and André Breton, which specifically sought to highlight the international dimension of Breton’s surrealism. 

In the context of Pompidou, Bradaouil and Fellrath’s exhibition highlighted Art et Liberté’s role as active catalysts in the evolution of the formal “qualities of surrealism at the time,” as noted in the exhibition catalogue. The show coincides more broadly with a global concern in revisiting simplistic notions of central and peripheral modernisms. To curate an exhibition on Art et Libertéis to suggest a disruption “in the reading of the overall canon of Surrealism,” to use Bardaouil’s words. 

 III.

 “Surrealism was an attempt at altering reality, and to change reality is an act of anarchy […]”

The voice of Anwar Kamel, founding member of Art et Liberté, resonates in colloquial Egyptian Arabic at the entrance of the fourth floor gallery at Pompidou: 

[…] It was George Henein who drove the formation of a surrealist art group in Egypt, and during that time he was in contact with the surrealist movement in Paris and perhaps also with the Trotskyite movement. When the manifesto was presented to me, I agreed to it and signed it among the other signatories.

A recording from May 1990 of one of the last remaining voices from Art et Liberté, months before his death, resounds eerily throughout the gallery space. Across from the entrance, a silent projection shows King Farouk of Egypt unveiling Mahmoud Mokhtar’s public sculpture of Saad Zaghloul in Alexandria in 1937. The disparity of sound and image mirrors a political confrontation at its height at the advent of the second world war. In an already ruptured political environment, a generation of young avant-garde artists, writers, and journalists called for a revolt against a local bourgeoisie, supported by the royal family and in control of art patronage and literary censorship.  

The suggested disparity becomes a backdrop against which the exhibition presents itself. Art et Libertéemerged amid the rising tension in the years leading up to the Free Officer’s coup in 1952. Under British mandate, Egypt participated in the war alongside the allies. While the Nazis never reached Cairo, the war gave way for political and paramilitary collectives to strengthen their activities in the public sphere. 

                                                                     [Hassan El Telmissany, Untitled (1946). Photograph by the author]

In March 1938, Alexandria-born Italian futurist poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti was invited to present a lecture in Les Essayistes club, of which Georges Henein was a member. Henein violently disrupted the lecture denouncing the products of Fascism, causing a scandal in the club, and eventually moving away “with the intention of establishing his own independent group,” according to Al Janabi. Bardaouil describes this event as “an uncompromising rejection of any alignment between Fascism, nationalism and art,” he considers it foundational in the birth of the Egyptian art movement. 

At Pompidou, the exhibition unfolds in eight chapters sprawled onto nine gallery spaces—the title of each devised from a concept penned by members of Art et Liberté. At first glance, the exhibition layout invokes the group’s influence on the next generations of painters and art photographers in Egypt. A section is named after the “Contemporary Art Group,” founded by Abdel Hady El Gazzar, Hamed Nada, Samir Rafie, Rateb Seddik, etc. They are known today as a pioneering generation in modern Egyptian painting, and their works are the most collected among Egyptian artists. The exhibition suggests a lineage, a passing of the baton, between the 1940s and 1950s, highlighting Georges Henein’s reservations, nonetheless, with regard to the younger generation, whom he feared was becoming too nationalistic.

At Pompidou, countless pieces were unveiled after decades of sitting in private collections—as if given a second life. Rare finds included Mahmoud Said’s La Femme aux Boucles d’Or [pictured above], thought to have been lost for several decades until it was dug up from an anonymous collection in Alexandria. La Femme aux Boucles d’Or originally hung at the inaugural Exposition de l’Art Independent in 1941 as an homage to Said for his distinct figurative language—Georges Henein considered him a precursor to Art et Liberté. Paintings and photographs by lesser known members of the group were on view for the first time, Italian anarchist Angelo de Riz, Armenian photographers Ida Kar and Hassia, Eric de Nemès, and Ezeckiel Baroukh to name a few. 

The section “Subjective Realism”particularly stood out. An iconic Ramses Younan oil painting, Untitled, from 1939 hangs alongside Egypt by Roland Penrose from the same year. Both works adopt the iconography of an ancient Egyptian goddess, Nut, mother of Isis and goddess of the sky, in a modernist painterly manner. Younan’s piece recalls Dalí’s and de Chirico’s desert landscapes. 

                                                                       [Ramses Younan, Untitled (1939). Photograph by the author]

In a vast arid desert, under a pale blue sky, three gray characters walk away in the background. A distorted female figure hangs by her limbs over the middle of the canvas. On the ground underneath the woman lay what may be two versions of her. One crouched in a familiar position, resting her head on her absent hand, and another broken limbed torso seems to have rolled beneath the dangling feet of Nut. In the foreground a fence denotes perspective, next to which the figure’s shadows are cast in blood red. “Subjective Realism” emphasized Art et Liberté’sbreak from European Surrealism. Younan aimed to create a pictorial language that intermeshed social symbols with a painterly method driven by subconscious impulses. After the war, many of the movement’s foreign members who were settled in Cairo began to emigrate. And by the 1950s, police crackdowns and increasing censorship drove many of the remaining Egyptians out as well. 

Throughout my visit at Pompidou, I found myself wondering what Henein, Younan, De Riz, et. al. would have thought of their work hanging in the world’s most distinguished museums. Would Henein have found a reason to rebel as he once did against Marinetti? Perhaps, they would have found it amusing nonetheless, that after decades of oblivion, when an ironic twist of fate brought them back into attention, not one, but two exhibitions were held simultaneously to commemorate the life and death of Art et Liberté. 

_________________________________

Footnotes

[1]Originally, Henein seemed to gear away from the national galleries and exhibition spaces available at the time. Instead he held the group’s five exhibitions at unusual spaces, namely the basement of the Lycée Français du Caire, the mezzanine level of the Immobilia building, the hotel Continental in downtown Cairo, and the Nile Club, long forgotten since, possibly out of a lack of other options but more importantly illustrating his overt disdain of the academic salon aesthetic.

[2] Al Janabi, Abdel Kader, “The Nile of Surrealism”, paper read on 26 September 1987 at the conference: The triumph of pessimism, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. The full text can be found at http://www.egyptiansurrealism.com/index.php?/contents/the-nile-of-surrealism/

[This is a monthly roundup of news articles, and other materials related to urban issues in the region, and beyond. It does not reflect the views of the Cities Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send recommendations for inclusion in the Cities Media Roundup to cities@jadaliyya.com, mentioning “Roundup” in the subject line. We also welcome your submissions to the Cities Page: please check details on cities.jadaliyya.com]

Environment, Infrastructure and Governance

24/7 Water Supply in Beirut: Fantasy or Reality? As climate change leads to a decrease in the volume of available water in Lebanon, a challenge made more difficult by the unforeseen influx of more than a million Syrian refugees, the World Bank Group explores ways to manage and increase Beirut’s water supply, most notably repairing leakages.

Reportage à Redeyef: Derrière les coupures d’eau, les horizons bouchés du phosphate Diane Robert conducts a report for Nawaa on the quality of drinking water in Redeyef, Tunisia, and its flawed distribution.

Costa Brava: la décision en appel se fait attendre Journalist Claude Assaf reports for L’Orient-Le Jour on the court’s decision to delay the hearings against the closure of the Costa Brava dump in Beirut.

Beyrouth: lie double avec vue sur mer French Journalist Mélanie Houé reports for Libération on the controversy over the closure of the Bourj Hammoud dump in Beirut.

Mapping Where the Lights Are Brighter, and Where They’re Going Dark CityLab reports on the impact of urbanization, economics and war on the satellite’s view of the Earth at night. 

Conflict and Urban Protest

Skeleton Cities and Snipers: The Shocking Photographs that Show the Scale of Syria’s Loss From the shelled-out mall that never opened to a family reclaiming their possessions from rubble, Pulitzer-winning photographer Sergey Ponomarev captured Syria’s tragedy from the inside. 

Arab Protests Move Back to the Streets From Social MediaHabib Battah reports for Al-Fanar Mediaon the annual City Debates conference at the American University of Beirut, which critically examined gentrification in Arab cities, and gave voice to the growing battle between activists and the ruling elites over urban space.

L’évolution récente de la population Turque à l’échelle des départements, d’après les dernières données officielles Jean-François Pérouse and Pascal Lebouteiller analyze changes in demographic trends in Turkey in a report for OpenEdition, which reflect an immediate reaction to the political upheavals in 2015.

La campagne du référendum d’avril 2017 à Istanbul: Une lutte visuelle urbaine Florain Fiquet reports for OpenEdition on the diverse spatiality of electoral campaigning by the Turkish parties in Istanbul.

Esquisse de géographie électorale des résultats du référendum du 16 avril 2017 dans le département d’Istanbul Jean-François Pérouse maps the electoral geography of the constitutional referendum in Istanbul in a report for OpenEdition.

Urban Mobility and Transport 

Egypt Doubles Ticket Price on Cairo Metro, Angering Commuters Euronews reports on the public outrage over the increase in ticket prices in the Cairo metro.

Urban Mobility in Cairo: Governance and PlanningTadamun examines the complex interactions that shape urban mobility in Cairo, in an attempt to create a better understanding of the institutional structure of urban transport in the Greater Cairo Region and the problems that arise from the current institutional configuration.

La tarification des transports en commun dans les villes méditerranéennes Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) examines the collective public transportation system in Tunisia, highlighting the need for a new tariff policy.
 

Urban Planning and Heritage

In Palestine, European Diplomats and Officials All Have the Blues Sylvain Cypel reports for Orient XXI on the administrative obstacles and “Potemkin Village” policies created by Israel that hinder the Jericho free zone in the Jordan Valley, a project financed by the European Union, aimed at promoting Palestine’s economic development. 

Decree 66: The Blueprint for Al-Assad’s Reconstruction of Syria? With violence in Syria ongoing and hitting new lows, rebuilding the devastated country might seem premature. Tom Rollins reports for IRIN on Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad’s plan to engineer demographic change through urban planning in a bid to consolidate his power.

Au Liban, un village bling-bling construit avec l’argent du Nigeria Par Chloé Domat reports for Le Monde Afrique on the Miziara village, north of Lebanon, which bases its income off real estate projects in Western Africa.

L’itinéraire des projets d’immobiliers résedentiels de Maslak á Ayazağa Filiz Hervet reports for the Observatoire Urbain D’Istanbul (OUI) on the housing and residential megaprojects in Istanbul, which dominate the urban landscape and metropolis.

Istiklâl, drôle de rue 2--Espace sonore Etienne Copeaux reports for Overblog on the changes in Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue soundscape.

Charting the Beirut Seafront’s Future: An Open Letter to the City Council Activist and urban planning professor Mona Fawaz calls on Beirut’s elected municipal city council to regulate more proactively development along the city coast in order to recover public access to the seafront. 

إعادة إعمار بيروت في بداية الألفية الثانية The Legal Agenda studies the shifts in the Lebanese cityscape, and the reconstruction and urban development of Beirut, since the end of the Lebanese civil war.

Archaeologists Plan Post-Islamic-State Future in Iraq Edward Fox reports for Al-Fanar Media on the agenda for the future of archaeological work in areas held by Da’esh in Iraq, who deliberately demolish remains of the non-Islamic past.

A Bullet-Riddled Mansion, A Beirut Architect Envisions a Museum of Memory Alice Fordham reports for National Public Radio (NPR) on architect Mona El Hallak’s plan to transform the Beirut mansion into a museum, and relic of the Lebanese civil war. 

Refugees/Aid

Refugees’ Impact on Job Market UnclearThe Daily Star explores the link between the influx of 1-1.5 million Syrian refugees on Lebanese unemployment, arguing that there is little hard data to support or refute the claim that refugees are taking Lebanese jobs in significant numbers.

Au Liban, la grogne monte face á la concurrence des commerces syriens Philippe Hage Boutros reports for L’Orient Le Jour on the growing anger of Lebanese traders over Syrian merchants, and the attempts made to limit the employment of Syrian workers in Lebanon. 

UN Resistance Threatens Effective Aid to Syrian Refugees As UN agencies block reforms to streamline aid to Syrian refugees, Owen Barder of the Center for Global Development outlines why donors should designate a single delivery agency to manage cash payments to each eligible refugee.

Why Jobs in Special Economic Zones Won’t Solve the Problems Facing the World’s Refugees Heaven Crawley questions the premise of a new book in which the authors call on politicians to reorient the refugee system away from humanitarian assistance towards development through the creation of jobs within special economic zones, arguing that that the authors engage only partially with the complex political and economic realities facing the world’s refugees.

Towards Stabilization: The Role of Local Governance in Conflict Management An article by Maria Chalhoub of the Common Space Initiative in the first edition of the new Syrian Echoes newsletter, a Syrian collective effort galvanized by international cooperations working on conflict resolution in Syria that aims to keep Syrian voices at the forefront of the peace-building process.

IMAR Reconstruction The fourth edition of the Syria-focused Urban Research Center’s report monitoring the progress in Syria’s reconstruction process and its related projects, and the current status of infrastructure.


Resources

CEDEJ’s monthly press review on Cities in Egypt is out now.

New Report: Egypt’s Resilient and Evolving Social Activism Amr Hamzawy studies social activism in Egypt in light of the decline of party politics for Carnegie Middle East Center, offering the greatest hope for pushing back against repression and the restoration of pluralism. 

New Report: Horsh Beirut Urban Park, LebanonEnvironmental Justice Atlas critically examines the case of Horsh Beirut, the largest park of the capital, which is threatened today by the ongoing construction of a field hospital inside the park, although laws and zoning regulations strictly prohibit any kind of construction.

New Report: USRA Annotated Bibliography February 2017 report prepared by the Common Space Initiative with the support of the European Commission and UN-Habitat.

New Report: Notes Techniques no°23, Évaluation de la politique d’aménagement du territoire en Tunisie de 1995 à 2010 Agence Française de Développement (AFD) conducts an evaluation on spatial planning in Tunisia from 1995 to 2010 in a new report.

New Website: Urban Projects Finance Initiative New website for the UPFI, which supports and finances sustainable urban project in the southern and eastern Mediterranean,

CFP: 18th N-AERUS Conference “What Urban in a Hyper-Connected Global South” (Milan, 14-16 September 2017), Deadline: 5 June 2017.

Recently on Jadaliyya

Straight Lines Haider Shahbaz studies the objective documentation of artifacts in exhibitions and art galleries, and looks critically at their ignorance of the social and political implications of disorder, in their attempt to bring order to tragedy by installing objects in neat patterns.

مدن: آلتا Azhar Jirjees poetically narrates her journey to asylum in Alta, Norway as an Iraqi refugee.

[This is an ongoing post that will be updated regularly. It was first published on 6 December 2016. The updates appear at the bottom.]

The conflict in Yemen seems set to intensify as 2016 draws to a close. The deposed president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi returned to Aden from exile in mid-November after his government was reestablished in the southern city. This move, alongside a renewed ground campaign and the continued aerial bombardment throughout northern Yemen by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, prompted Ansar Allah—the movement commonly known as the Houthis—and the faction of the General People’s Congress party loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, to establish a “national salvation government” in Sanaa under the leadership of Abdelaziz bin Habtoor.

These latest developments seem sure to undermine whatever potential diplomatic efforts may still have had in orchestrating a sustained ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict in Yemen, and the peaceful attempts to end it, have been woefully underreported by both the alternative press (Jadaliyya included) and the mainstream media. When it has been covered, journalists—taking their cue from government spokespersons and think tank experts—have tended to reduce the conflict to a proxy war between Hadi’s internationally-recognized and Saudi-backed “legitimate” government and the Iranian-allied Ansar Allah rebels in an inherently unstable country.

This framework has the unfortunate consequence of 1) obscuring the role that US imperialism has played in destabilizing and impoverishing the country; 2) misrepresenting the influence of Iran and Saudi Arabia as equivalent in Yemen; and 3) erasing the internal historical conditions that led to the political crisis. Instead, what has transpired since Ansar Allah and its allies took control of the capital in September 2014 is more the unraveling of a northern-based historic bloc and the disastrous effects of the post-uprising counterrevolutionary “transition” plan that sought to shore up the interests of Gulf autocracies at the expense of the democratic aspirations of Yemen’s people. Those in the southern highlands and coastal regions have paid an especially high cost, as Ansar Allah and Saleh forces contend with Hadi loyalists, Salafi and Al-Qa‘ida in the Arabian Peninsula militants, popular resistance groups, and secessionist fighters (sometimes allied with each other, other times against) for control. The fulfillment of their desire for self rule, whether in a federated political system or as an independent state, seems further away than ever. In the wake of this frustration and suffering, an autochthonous politics is emerging, with hundreds of civilians of northern “origins” attacked and expelled from their homes in southern areas.

Without doubt, the Ansar Allah-Saleh alliance has caused its share of suffering, but Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen has transformed an internal political crisis into a full-fledged humanitarian emergency. Its bombing campaigns—for which the United States and United Kingdom continue to supply arms and provide intelligence and targeting information—have led to the majority of the over ten thousand deaths documented from this conflict, with attacks on funerals, weddings, hospitals, schools, markets, homes, and fishing ports killing thousands of civilians. Meanwhile, its air and sea blockade of the country has exacerbated the poverty and food insecurity of Yemen to such an extent that roughly twenty million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance.

In the coming months, a number of regional and global developments will have a significant impact on the course of events in Yemen:

1. The inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on 20 January raises questions about how shifts in US foreign policy will affect the Yemeni conflict, especially with regard to US relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran.
2. The role of Iran in the conflict has been small, despite the tremendously overblown claims by Saudi Arabia and certain segments of the mainstream media and political establishment. Ansar Allah itself has keenly refuted any accusation of undue influence and just last week publicly warned Iran of any regional designs it might have. However, a small Iranian naval fleet has now been deployed off the southern coast of Yemen after the United States targeted Ansar Allah sites with cruise missiles in late October—it is unclear to what extent the situation may escalate.
3. The war in Syria and the geopolitical interests involved have largely overshadowed, and in part governed, how regional and global powers have operated in the Yemeni conflict. That will continue to be the case if and when those forces in Syria realign in the coming months.

With a number of other political developments on the horizon, the outcome of the Yemeni conflict is increasingly uncertain. We will continue to update this account as events unfold. Your comments on what we may have missed, or contributions in the form of links and developments, are welcome at ap@jadaliyya.com.
 

5 December 2016                                         

“The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of bombing multiple international hospitals run by the charity Médecins Sans Frontières, as well as schools, funerals and wedding parties. Strikes on a wedding in September killed 131 people, including children, in the capital Sanaa.”
 

Boris Johnson says 'we do not think the threshold has been crossed' by Saudi Arabia's bombing of Yemen
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-threshold-crossed-saudi-arabia-yemen-british-weapons-bae-systems-arms-trade-andrew-a7454731.html

5 December 2016                                         

“Every day children are perishing in rural Yemen, where two-thirds of the nation’s population lives. Parents are forced to decide between saving their sick children and preventing healthier ones from following the same perilous route. Cemeteries in this desperately poor and rugged stretch of villages in the northwest contain the bodies of children who have recently died of hunger and preventable diseases. Most are buried in unmarked graves, their deaths unreported to authorities.”

In Yemen’s war, trapped families ask: Which child should we save?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-yemens-war-trapped-families-ask-which-child-should-we-save/2016/11/30/c2240cf4-7d60-4132-989f-2128b077efbb_story.html?utm_term=.1b6a7733dd7e

5 December 2016                                          

“It’s sad, because Yemen has never witnessed something like this, we are experiencing a humanitarian disaster because of this war. Innocent people are dying. The heart bleeds when you think of all the tragedies. And the bombing of the funeral hall was the worst, it was one of the ugliest crimes that I have seen.

I have been a photographer in Yemen since forever, so I’m quite plugged in. When something happens, I usually get a call very quickly. On that day in October, I got a call from my nephew who lives nearby and who told me that a hall holding a funeral appeared to have been hit.”

When the heart bleeds
https://correspondent.afp.com/when-heart-bleeds  

5 December 2016                                         

“For more than a year, the Houthis have besieged government-controlled districts from their positions around the city. They have been accused of indiscriminately shelling residential areas and medical facilities and restricting deliveries of aid. Meanwhile, the pro-government fighters who control the heart of Taiz are alleged to have tortured, kidnapped and summarily killed their opponents. Both sides, but particularly the Houthis, have been accused of using snipers against innocent civilians.”

Yemen conflict: Terror of life under siege in Taiz      
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38152428

5 December 2016                                          

“The U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war on Yemen continues to be largely ignored. One reason for this is that the near-famine conditions that exist throughout much of the country and the deaths that result from them are invisible in official accounts of how many have been killed by the war. Many of the war’s victims are killed by hunger or preventable disease, and yet the warring parties have caused their deaths all the same. The humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen is every bit as terrible as any in the world, and it is probably the worst of all in some respects, but because the victims are largely cut off from the outside world their plight remains mostly unknown. Even when it is made known, it tends to be greeted by indifference because the people suffering are perceived to be on the “wrong” side or because it is an embarrassment to the U.S., Britain, and their client governments.”

The Starvation of Yemen Continues
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-starvation-of-yemen-continues-2/

5 December 2016                                          

تزامنت عودة هادي إلى عدن مع إصداره قرارات عسكرية شملت تغييرات كبيرة، منها تعيين اللواء الركن أحمد سيف اليافعي نائبا لرئيس «هيئة الأركان العامة»، إضافة إلى التوجيه بإرسال تعزيزات عسكرية إلى تعز تشمل «إمدادات وعتاداً عسكرياً ثقيلاً ودعماً بالمدرعات وبالجنود لحسم المعركة في المحافظة»، وفق تلك المصادر.
أما إسماعيل ولد الشيخ، فالتقى، أمس، أمير الكويت، صباح الأحمد الصباح، لبحث فرصة استكمال المشاورات التي كان للكويت دور كبير في استضافتها قبل شهور، رغم أنها لم تفض إلى نتيجة. كما التقى المبعوث الأممي، النائب الأول لرئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية الكويتي، صباح خالد الصباح، في الشأن نفسه

ولد الشيخ في الكويت... ومعركة «استعادة تعز» طور التحشيد
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269125

5 December 2016

استشهدت طفلة وأصيب والدها واثنين من إخوانها بجروح اليوم الأحد جراء غارة شنها طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي استهدفت منزلا في محافظة صعدة.
وأوضح مراسل "المسيرة نت" أن طيران العدوان استهدف منزلا في منطقة بني معين بمديرية رازح بالمحافظة ما أدى إلى استشهاد طفلة وجرح والدها واثنين من إخوانها، بالإضافة إلى تدمير المنزل وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة في محيط المنزل.
وأشار المراسل إلى أن الطفلة تم انتشالها من تحت أنقاض منزلها المدمر.
وكانت قد استشهدت امرأة وأصيبت طفلتان، في وقت سابق اليوم الأحد، في خمس غارات شنها طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي على مديرية باقم بمحافظة صعدة شمالي اليمن

استشهاد طفلة وإصابة والدها وأخويها في غارة للعدوان استهدفت منزلا في صعدة
http://www.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=807&cat_id=3
 

6 December 2016  

“The siege of Yemen has taken our country back of hundreds of years. Most of the country is out of work and there are shortages of electricity, gas, food and water. For almost 600 days children have gone to bed, every single night, fearing the sound of airplanes.

Cholera is spreading here and the threat of famine is looming over millions. We are seeing scenes that remind us of Biafra, Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s. We look back to the Yemen we used to know and so little stands. Memories clash with the reality.”

In Yemen children with cancer are dying in agony
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/dec/06/in-yemen-children-with-cancer-are-dying-in-agony

6 December 2016                                         

“The explosion occurred in the remote desert area of al-Uqla in the southern province of Shabwa, the officials said, and severed the link between Yemen's gas-producing Marib region and the export terminal of Balhaf on the Arabian Sea.

Oil and gas once accounted for most of Yemen's state revenue before a civil war and military intervention led by Saudi Arabia halted their export and unleashed a humanitarian crisis.”

Qaeda militants blow up Yemen gas export pipeline: local officials
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-gas-idUSKBN13U2HA

6 December 2016                                          

“It is one testimony from a war that has caused child malnutrition rates to jump by 200% in two years. Fifty per cent of medical facilities no longer function. Some have been bombed by the Saudi-led coalition, others have ground to a halt because there is no funding. Key roads and bridges are frequently attacked, making the delivery of assistance even more difficult.”

Yemen's suffering knows no bounds as war drags on 
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38220785

6 December 2016

"نقلت وكالة «فرانس برس» عن المصدر نفسه أن هادي عارض خلال اجتماعه مع مبعوث الأمم المتحدة الخاص إلى اليمن، إسماعيل ولد الشيخ أحمد، خلال لقائهما الخميس الماضي، «خريطة الطريق» التي تقدم بها الأخير.
وضمن السقوف العالية، طلب هادي، وفق المصدر نفسه، أن يعلن كل من الرئيس اليمني السابق علي عبد الله صالح، وزعيم «جماعة أنصار الله» عبد الملك الحوثي، «تخليهما عن العمل السياسي وإلزامهما الخروج من اليمن إلى منفى اختياري لمدة عشر سنوات، وتطبيق العقوبات الدولية الصادرة عن مجلس الأمن بحقهما."

هادي يرفع سقفه: أرحل بعد نفي صالح والحوثي
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269189 

6 December 2016                                         

"نقلت رويترز عن المسؤولين أن الانفجار وقع في منطقة العقلة الصحراوية النائية بمحافظة شبوة في الجنوب وقطع الخط الواصل بين محافظة مأرب المنتجة للغاز ومرفأ بلحاف التصديري على بحر العرب.
ومثل النفط والغاز في وقت من الأوقات معظم إيرادات الدولة اليمنية قبل أن توقف الحرب الأهلية وتدخل عسكري تقوده السعودية تلك الصادرات وتتسبب في أزمة إنسانية"
 

مسلحو "القاعدة" يفجرون خط الأنابيب الوحيد لتصدير الغاز في اليمن
http://tinyurl.com/h48w5bq

6 December 2016

"تضرر قطاع الرياضة في اليمن كثيرا من الصراع الدائر بين حركة أنصار الله الحوثية وحكومة الرئيس عبد ربه منصور هادي
و تكبد هذا القطاع خسائر بمئات ملايين من الدولارات، ودُمرت عشرات المنشآت الرياضية.
ووجد كثير من الرياضيين، الذين حصدوا ألقابا لصالح اليمن في السابق، أنفسهم مضطرين إلى البحث عن عمل، بل إن بعضهم تحول إلى محاربين".

الصراع في اليمن: من بطل رياضي إلى حمال بضائع
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/media-38202373

 
6 December 2016

People in need by governorate (Acute and Moderate)
http://ochayemen.org/hno-2017/#resources

7 December 2016

“More than 7,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war and three million people have been forced to flee their homes. The UN estimates 14 million are at risk of hunger with half of those on the brink of famine.”

 
Yemen's war leaves children on the brink of famine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38229955 

7 December 2016 

“The crisis in Yemen has been overshadowed by the wars in Syria and Iraq. Barely 50% of the funding promised by donors has actually been delivered. The senior UN official in the country, Jamie McGoldrick, is clearly exasperated at the international response.

‘The politics of the situation has overcome the humanity,’ he says. ‘The humanity doesn't work anymore here. The world has turned a blind eye to what's happening in Yemen... right now we are so under-resourced for this crisis, it's extraordinary.’”

 
Yemen conflict: UN official accuses world of ignoring crisis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38220785 

7 December 2016 

“Even before the start of the conflict in March 2015, Yemen was suffering a humanitarian crisis including widespread hunger, brought on by decades of poverty and internal strife.

Around half of Yemen's 28 million people are "food insecure," according to the United Nations, and seven million of them do not know where they will get their next meal.”

The world has forgotten the Yemen war, says senior UN humanitarian official
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-world-forgotten-houthi-rebels-conflict-un-official-comments-a7460081.html 

7 December 2016 

“A 20 month long war, waged between a Saudi-led coalition of Gulf countries and the Government of Yemen against the Houthis, has killed and injured over 11,000 civilians, forced more than 3 million people to flee their homes and brought the economy to near collapse.

Oxfam is calling on the Saudi-led coalition to lift shipping restrictions to allow food and other vital imports to increase, and on all parties in the conflict to allow food to move freely around the country and agree a meaningful ceasefire and restart peace talks. It is also calling for rich countries to increase support to the UN aid effort which is currently only 58 per cent funded and short of over $686 million (£540m).”

Yemen: a few months away from running out of food
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-few-months-away-running-out-food 

7 December 2016 

“An investigative body set up by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Tuesday it should apologize for a deadly attack on a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital in August that the group said killed 11 people.

But the Joint Group to Assess Incidents found the coalition was not responsible for or had legitimately targeted fighters in four other incidents that rights groups blamed on Saudi-led bombings and together killed dozens of people.”

 
Investigation urges coalition apology for Yemen hospital attack
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-idUSKBN13V2JC

 
7 December 2016

"اتهم مسؤول بارز في مجال الشؤون الإنسانية بالأمم المتحدة العالم بغض الطرف عن كارثة إنسانية متفاقمة يشهدها اليمن وقال منسق الأمم المتحدة للشؤون الإنسانية في اليمن جيمي ماغولدريك لبي بي سي إن الأطفال يموتون جوعا بسبب نقص التمويل الدولي الهائل للتعامل مع تداعيات الأزمة في اليمن..
وأوضح أن البنى التحتية في اليمن قد انهارت، وأكثر من نصف السكان لا يملكون الوسائل لتلبية احتياجاتهم الأساسية.
وقال إن العالم "سيندم لعدم فعل المزيد لمساعدة اليمن" في محنته."

مسؤول أممي يحذر من كارثة إنسانية متفاقمة في اليمن ويدعو العالم للتحرك
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/middleeast-38231755

 
7 December 2016

"وعند الحدود اليمنية السعودية حيث تحدث مصدر عسكري يمني عن مقتل 4 جنود سعوديين برصاص قناصة الجيش واللجان الشعبية في مواقع الضَبْرة والمُعَنّق وقائم زَبيد بجَيزان السعودية، يأتي ذلك بعد احراق مخزن اسلحة للجيش السعودي بالتزامن مع قصف تحصيناتهم بموقع الفَريضة بجيزان، كما القت طائرات التحالف السعودي قنبلة عنقودية على جبل الدُود بجيزان وفق ما تحدث به مصدر عسكري يمني".

مقاتلات التحالف السعودي تستهدف حي سكن الضباط شمال اليمن بالقنابل العنقودية
http://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/47886/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82

8 December 2016

“The government says the incident took place five days ago, but it appears that it was only confirmed on Tuesday. The cause of the disaster is not clear, but a minister said it was an accident. The government has asked merchant vessels and warships in the area to help search for survivors, some of whom are believed to have escaped in lifeboats.”

 
Yemen ship sinking: 35 rescued off coast
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38235043

8 December 2016

“Yemen appeared to reject the U.N. plan on Tuesday, calling it a 'dangerous international precedent' that would legitimize the rebellion against the internationally recognised government. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a news briefing the United States was 'disappointed' by Yemen's reaction.”

U.S. urges Yemen to accept U.N.-drafted roadmap for peace talks
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-usa-idUKKBN13W2MR

8 December 2016

“The Treasury added Al-Hasan Ali Ali Abkar, Abdallah Faysal Sadiq al-Ahdal and the Rahmah Charitable Organization to its list of specially designated nationals and entities that support or engage in terrorism. It said the Rahmah Charitable Organization acted as a "front organization" for the group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).”
 

U.S. sanctions two Yemenis, charity tied to al Qaeda in Yemen
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-terrorism-idUSKBN13W22G 

8 December 2016

“(Beirut) – The Saudi Arabia-led coalition killed several dozen civilians in three apparently unlawful airstrikes in September and October 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. The coalition’s use of United States-supplied weapons in two of the strikes, including a bomb delivered to Saudi Arabia well into the conflict, puts the US at risk of complicity in unlawful attacks.”

Yemen: US-Made Bombs Used in Unlawful Airstrikes
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/12/08/yemen-us-made-bombs-used-unlawful-airstrikes

9 December 2016

“This is Sa’ada, ground zero of the 20-month Saudi campaign in Yemen, a largely forgotten conflict that has killed more than 10,000, uprooted 3 million and left perhaps 14 million – more than half the country – short of food, many on the brink of starvation.”

'Everything is over now': the last survivors in Yemen's ground zero
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/09/everything-is-over-now-the-last-survivors-in-yemens-ground-zero

 
9 December 2016

“Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is extremely concerned about the recent declaration made by the official spokesperson of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) on Yemen, Mansour Ahmad Al-Mansour, about the bombing of Abs hospital, in Hajjah governorate, on 15 August 2016. This public declaration does not reflect the conversations MSF had in Saudi Arabia with the JIAT and military forces after the attack. MSF also conducted its own investigation into the incident, which has been shared with the Saudi authorities.”

 
Yemen: Saudi-led airstrike on Abs hospital cannot be justified as "unintentional error"
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-saudi-led-airstrike-abs-hospital-cannot-be-justified-unintentional-error

9 December 2016

“The US knew that the Saudi-led coalition was committing abuses in Yemen, but they sold them this weapon anyway.

31 civilians were killed, including 3 children.”
 

Human Rights Watch
https://www.facebook.com/HumanRightsWatch/videos/10154733869264354/                  

9 December 2016

“Johnson lamented as a mistake Britain's 1968 decision to shut its Gulf military bases, which had helped anchor its global empire for more than a century, and said Britain now sought to restore the influence he suggested it had lost in the decades since.

‘Britain is back east of Suez, not as the greatest military power on earth ... but as a nation that is active in and deeply committed to the region.’”

UK’s Johnson courts Gulf after Saudi comments draw putdown
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-gulf-johnson-idUSKBN13Y2HG            

         

10 December 2016

“A suicide bomber killed at least 50 Yemeni soldiers at a base in the city of Aden, a local security official said, in another major attack claimed by Islamic State on forces allied to a Saudi-led military coalition.”

Suicide bomber kills at least 50 Yemeni troops in Aden
http://news.trust.org/item/20161210143958-lsmbh/                                   

12 December 2016

“Nearly 2.2 million children in Yemen are acutely malnourished and require urgent care. At least 462,000 children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a drastic increase of almost 200 per cent since 2014. An additional 1.7 million children suffer from Moderate Acute Malnutrition.”
 

Malnutrition among children in Yemen at an all-time high, warns UNICEF
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/malnutrition-amongst-children-yemen-all-time-high-warns-unicef-enar

12 December 2016

“BBC Arabic's Nawal al-Maghafi is one of the first journalists to report from the rebel stronghold of Saada, in the north - one of the places hardest hit by the Saudi-led air campaign, which began in March 2015.”

Yemen’s war: Inside the rebels’ battered stronghold
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38297304

12 December 2016

شهدت محافظة صعدة مؤخرا معارك ضارية بين الحوثيين والقوات الحكومية مدعومة بقوات التحالف العربي بقيادة السعودية.

بي بي سي ترصد الأوضاع في مدينة صعدة اليمنية
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/media-38300175

13 December 2016

“The United States has decided to limit military support to Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen because of concerns over widespread civilian casualties and will halt a planned arms sale to the kingdom.”

U.S. to halt some arms sales to Saudi, citing civilian deaths in Yemen campaign
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudiarabia-yemen-exclusive-idUSKBN1421UK
 

14 December 2016

“It comes amid reported discoveries of Britain-made weapons in bombed parts of the country.

Prime Minister Abdulaziz bin Habtour claimed the UK Government cared more about making profits from arms sales than the humanitarian crisis enveloping his country.”
 

Yemen's Prime Minister accuses UK of war crimes
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/yemen-prime-minister-uk-war-crimes-abdulaziz-bin-habtour-a7473001.html

14 December 2016

“It was not immediately clear who killed the men and why, but Aden al-Ghad said the condition of the bodies suggested they had been dumped there more than a month ago.

Yemen's second largest city has been suffering from lawlessness, as armed groups including Islamic State and al Qaeda continue to maintain influence nearly a year and-a-half after supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by Arab coalition troops, drove the Iran-aligned Houthis out.”
 

Eleven headless bodies found in Yemen's port city Aden: news website
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-bodies-idUSKBN1430FP

 

“It was the latest in a series of strikes by pilotless planes, believed to be operated by the United States, in war-torn Yemen.

The officials said the vehicle was traveling on a main road between the Marib governorate and al-Jawf when it was attacked.”
 

Four suspected al Qaeda members killed in drone strike in Yemen: officials
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1422I7

14 December 2016

"وأضاف أنه في الوقت الذي تلغي واشنطن بعض مبيعات الأسلحة للسعودية، إلا أنها ستواصل تزويد الرياض بالمعلومات الاستخباراتية التي تركز على الأمن على حدود البلاد.

وأشار برايز إلى أن " الولايات المتحدة ستوفر تدريباً للطيارين المشاركين في الضربات الجوية في اليمن لتفادي سقوط ضحايا مدنيين".

وأردف أن الولايات المتحدة ستمضي قدماً في الكثير من العقود المبرمة بين البلدين ومنها، بيع طائرات هليكوبتر عسكرية تقدر قيمتها بثلاثة ملايين دولار أمريكي."

 

الولايات المتحدة ستحد من مبيعات الأسلحة للسعودية بسبب الضربات في اليمن
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/middleeast-38311421

14 December 2016

وقالت «اليونيسف» في بيان أمس الاول «يموت في اليمن على الأقل طفلاً واحداً كل عشر دقائق بسبب أمراض يمكن الوقاية منها، مثل الإسهال وسوء التغذية والتهاب الجهاز التنفسي».

وأضافت «يعاني حوالي 2,2 مليون طفل يمني من سوء التغذية الحاد ويحتاجون إلى العناية العاجلة»، موضحة أن «بين هؤلاء الأطفال 462 ألف طفل على الأقل يعانون «من سوء التغذية الحاد الوخيم»، في زيادة كبيرة «تصل إلى 200 في المئة مقارنة بالعام 2014».

اليمن: طفل يموت كل عشر دقائق
https://assafir.com/Article/1/520222

21 December 2016

“An investigation into the worst attack in Yemen’s war.”
 

The Funeral Bombing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0872zds/our-world-the-funeral-bombing

22 December 2016

“Since war broke out in Yemen in March 2015, the fabric of the country has been disintegrating and the population of 27.4 million suffering untold hardship and misery. The situation there has been described as a ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ and without help many more people, especially children, will die from violence, lack of food and water, illness or disease. Ayman Gharaibeh, UNHCR’s Representative to Yemen, is leading the UN Refugee Agency’s humanitarian operations and response across the country. The experienced humanitarian aid worker previously served in Yemen with UNHCR from 1992 to 1994. Gharaibeh spoke to Public Information Officer Shabia Mantoo about the desperate situation there.”

 

Q&A: Yemenis face a ‘struggle for survival’
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2016/12/5858eb774/qa-yemenis-face-struggle-survival.html

22 December 2016

"منذ ﺳﻴﻄﺮﺓ دول التحالف على جنوب اليمن، في تموز 2015، ازداد نشاط عناصر تنظيمي «ﺍﻟﻘﺎﻋﺪﺓ» ﻭ«ﺩﺍﻋﺶ» في مختلف مدنه الرئيسية، وعمد الاثنان إلى تصفية ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺎﺩﺍﺕ ﺍﻷ‌ﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺴﻜﺮﻳﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﻀﺎﺋﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺤﺰﺑﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺭﺯﺓ، إما بإطلاق الرﺻﺎﺹ من على متن ﺍﻟﺪﺭاﺟﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺭﻳﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﻴﺎﺭﺍت، وإما بعشرات الجرائم ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ التي ﺷﻤﻠﺖ عمليات الإعدام الجماعي، وليس أخيراً تنفيذ الهجمات ﺍﻻ‌ﻧﺘﺤﺎﺭﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﻷ‌ﺣﺰﻣﺔ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺳﻔﺔ وباﻟﺴﻴﺎﺭﺍﺕ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺨﺨﺔ.

لا يزال أبناء الجنوب يسلمون رقابهم إلى السعودية، رغم أن المخطط الاستعماري الجديد/القديم الهادف إلى ﺇﻓﺮﺍﻍ ﺍﻟﺠﻨﻮﺏ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻮﺍﺩﺭﻩ ﻭﻗﻴﺎﺩﺍﺗﻪ الفعالة، واضح للعيان. حالياً، صارت محافظات الجنوب ومدنه مثل جزر معزولة عن كتلة المساحة الجنوبية الموحدة، فضلاً

على أن ممرات الجنوب المائية اﻻ‌ﺳﺘﺮﺍﺗﻴﺠﻴﺔ تحت سيطرة التحالفات الدولية وأدواتها المختلفة"

عودة مشاريع الموت إلى عدن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269906

22 December 2016

“What happens when you can’t leave? That’s the story of abandoned zoos in wartime. It’s the story unfolding now for the animals in Yemen’s Taiz Zoological Gardens, neglected in the cross fire of the country’s civil war. Here 28 Arabian leopards, critically endangered in the wild, haven’t eaten in six days. They and nearly 240 other animals face imminent death if they aren’t fed very soon.”
 

War-Torn Yemen Is Letting Its Zoo Animals Starve to Death
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/12/wildlife-watch-taiz-zoo-animals-starving-leopard-war/

22 December 2016

“Fighting in Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, has severely compounded needs arising from long years of poverty and insecurity. The worsening violence has disrupted millions of lives, resulting in widespread casualties and massive displacement, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

Civilians bear the brunt of the crisis, with 18.8 million Yemenis now in need of humanitarian assistance. Those forced to flee their homes are especially at risk. Over 2 million people now languish in desperate conditions, away from home and deprived of basic needs. The situation is so dire that 1 million displaced Yemenis have lost hope and tried to return home, even though it is not yet safe.

Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Without help, many more lives will be lost to violence, treatable illnesses or lack of food, water and shelter.”
 

The world cannot afford to let Yemen slip into the abyss
http://www.unhcr.org/yemen-emergency.html


22 December 2016

“At Al-Salam Hospital in Khamir, MSF is involved in the emergency, surgery, maternity, pediatric, inpatient and intensive care departments, and collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health to improve medical services. We also support the blood bank and laboratory.

During my time there as Head Nurse, we treated many children for malnutrition and severe diarrhea, as well as respiratory infections and malaria. For women, we managed a lot of very complicated obstetric cases. For men, it was trauma: mostly gunshot wounds and road traffic accidents.”
 

Yemen: Six Months Inside a Forgotten War
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/yemen-six-months-inside-forgotten-war

23 December 2016

“The Saudi Arabia-led coalition fired Brazilian-made rockets containing banned cluster munitions that struck near two schools in the northern Yemeni city of Saada on December 6, 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack on al-Dhubat neighborhood in Saada’s Old City at about 8 p.m. killed two civilians and wounded at least six, including a child.

The attack came a day after Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the United States abstained from a vote in the United Nations General Assembly that overwhelmingly endorsed an already widely accepted international ban on cluster munition use. Brazil should join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and cease the production and transfer of cluster munitions, while Saudi Arabia and other coalition members should cease all use of cluster munitions, Human Rights Watch said.”
 

Yemen: Brazil-Made Cluster Munitions Harm Civilians
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/12/23/yemen-brazil-made-cluster-munitions-harm-civilians

23 December 2016

“All the crew members of the Iranian ship were Pakistani nationals, and it is believed the targeted blast has resulted in seven fatalities. Miraculously though, there was one survivor. A man identified as Officer Kabir managed to stay alive by fleeing the ship and swimming safely to the Hodeidah port, where he was later hospitalised. Kabir remains in a state of trauma.

One body so far has been recovered and identified as crew member Suhail Ahmed. The other six bodies are still unaccounted for.

As of now, nobody has taken responsibility for the attack although local insurgent groups in the area have been known to pledge allegiance to Daesh.”
 

Seven Dead After Rocket Sinks Cargo Ship
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/7_dead_after_rocket_sinks_cargo_ship

23 December 2016

“I hesitate to use the term ‘lie,’ but we have learned through experience that British ministers cannot be trusted to tell the truth when they make statements about the Yemen.

The latest manifestation of this pernicious culture of falsehood concerns Philip Dunne, then defence minister, who told parliament in May that ‘we assess that no UK-supplied cluster weapons have been used and no UK-supplied aircraft have been involved in the use of cluster weapons in the current conflict in Yemen.’

This Monday, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was obliged to tell MPs that British-made cluster bombs had indeed been dropped on Yemen by Saudi Arabia.”
 

The Fake News the UK Government has Fed Us about Yemen
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/fake-news-british-government-has-fed-us-about-yemen-206628139

 

24 December 2016

“Amal is 13 years-old, a schoolgirl living a never ending nightmare of death, fear, destruction, horror and uncertainty.

In the past four months, the softly-spoken little girl has survived a missile attack on her school that killed a teacher and classmates, burying some alive.”
 

Hell of schoolgirl living in Yemen's 'forgotten conflict' revealed
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4048538/Hell-schoolgirl-living-Yemen-s-forgotten-conflict-revealed-Amal-13-crawls-dark-avoid-snipers-haunted-horror-seeing-teacher-blown-missile-strike.html
 

24 December 2016

“At least eight civilians died in an airstrike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the central Yemeni province of Ibb.

The airstrike hit a village in the western part of the province, Sputnik quoted a local source as saying.

All the victims are members of one family, the source added.”
 

Saudi-led Strike Kills Eight People in Central Yemen
http://english.almanar.com.lb/144890

24 December 2016

“Yemen’s second largest city and once its commercial hub, Aden was intended to be a model of Hadi’s legitimacy.

Instead it has become a sign of Yemen’s woes. Multiple armed groups compete for influence, chief among them a force known as the Security Belt, created and funded by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and their allies.”
 

Yemen’s Would-Be Model, Aden plagued by bombs, instability
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/yemens-would-be-model-aden-plagued-by-bombs-instability/2016/12/24/abf91170-c9a4-11e6-acda-59924caa2450_story.html?utm_term=.2dd8ca0a7348

26 December 2016

“Yemeni army snipers claim they shot dead six Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's Najran Province in "retaliatory attacks".

According to the Al Masirah television channel, which is owned by Yemen's rebel Houthi government, the troops were killed in cross border fire at military bases inside Saudi Arabia, in Sharjah and Tal'a.”
 

Yemeni army claims snipers shot dead six Saudi soldiers
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemeni-army-claims-snipers-shot-dead-six-saudi-soldiers-a7495041.html
 

26 December 2016

“Child mortality rates — already unacceptably high before conflict broke out — have increased. An additional 10,000 preventable deaths per year are now occurring. These children are the invisible causalities of Yemen's war. Another 1,219 children have died as a direct result of the fighting. The country's fragile health system is collapsing. A fiscal crisis and the country's failing economy have led to chronic shortages of essential drugs and equipment. Health workers and doctors have gone unpaid since August 2016.”
 

Struggling to survive: Stories from Yemen’s collapsing health system
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/struggling-survive-stories-yemen-s-collapsing-health-system
 

26 December 2016

“Accusing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry of encouraging the Houthis to evade surrender, Hadi said he won’t accept any peace agreement that doesn’t also include a power transition deal from the Gulf Cooperation Council and national reconciliation talks, the government-controlled state Saba news agency reported.

Hadi was referring to a road map that emerged after a foreign ministers’ meeting in Oman suggesting that the president transfer his authority to a vice president agreed to by all actors, including the Houthis. Kerry was quoted as saying Saudi Arabia, which has backed Hadi’s government, and the Houthis had agreed on a plan to end the conflict -- without mentioning the government itself.”
 

Yemen President Warns of No Peace Without Houthis’ Withdrawal
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-26/yemen-president-warns-of-no-peace-without-houthis-withdrawal

26 December 2016

"أعلنت «جماعة أنصار الله» أنها قصفت الأحياء الجنوبية لمدينة نجران، جنوبي السعودية، بعشرات قذائف المدفعية والكاتيوشا، التي استهدفت محطة كهرباء في المدينة، فضلاً عن مهاجمة موقع السديس العسكري وتدمير ثلاث مدرعات سعودية."

أنصار الله تقصف نجران... وتقرير جديد عن قنابل عنقودية
http://al-akhbar.com/node/270124

27 December 2016

“Abdullah ­al-Haimi walked through the wasteland, pointing out the damage at a now-closed cement plant. A warehouse here, broken beams protruding. A quarry there, littered with shrapnel.

In total, he said, the complex had been bombed 53 times in the past year and a half — all by Saudi-led coalition warplanes, aided by the United States.

One strike at the main entrance killed 15 people, including an ice-cream vendor outside the gate.

But for Haimi, a manager at the plant in western central Yemen, the greatest destruction has occurred far beyond the perimeter of the state-owned facility. The lives of the 1,500 employees, and thousands of relatives who depended on them, have been shattered.”
 

The latest casualty of Yemen’s war? A small but vital middle class.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-latest-casualty-of-yemens-war-a-small-but-vital-middle-class/2016/12/26/07e051ba-e2a5-4f3f-b784-c4ed7a60fba2_story.html?utm_term=.766b1369ae36

28 December 2016

“The impact of the conflict on people’s physical and mental health cannot be overstated. In addition to tens of thousands of war-related injuries, MSF teams regularly treat large numbers of patients for acute post-violence stress syndrome. Patients report generalized symptoms such as body pain, headaches, and chest pains related to the physical and mental trauma they have endured. According to UNOCHA, nearly three million people were displaced by conflict within the country as of September 2016.”
 

 Yemen: Escalating Conflict, Escalating Needs
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/yemen-escalating-conflict-escalating-needs

28 December 2016

“بعد واحد وعشرين شهراً من العدوان على اليمن، باتت الأرض في صعدة وحجة، وهما محافظتان حدوديتان، مثقلة بآلاف القنابل العنقودية وأطنان الذخائر والأسلحة المُحرّمة التي يُلقيها طيران تحالف العدوان يومياً على كل شيء يقع في مرماها. هذه القنابل، يقع الأطفال والنساء في رأس قائمة ضحاياها قتلاً أو إعاقة بسبب فقدان أعضاء في أجسامهم، فضلاً عمّن يُقتلون مباشرة بقنابل تُلقى بالعشرات على الأحياء السكنية والقرى”.
 

السعودية تردّ... بالمزيد من القنابل العنقودية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270179

29 December 2016

“The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets launched a series of raids on separated areas of Sana'a province overnight, a security official told Saba on Thursday.

The hostile strikes targeted the districts of Sanhan, Bani Matar, Alhayma Addakheliya and Nehm, causing severe damage to private property and farms of citizens, the official explained.”
 

Saudi aggression war jets wage raids on Sana'a
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news451075.htm

29 December 2016

“Fears about looting have also spread to Houthi-controlled areas of Taiz, where some residents told MEE they considered the Houthis to be their guards.

Anas al-Samei, a resident of Taiz's al-Hawban neighbourhood said he did not want to see the area become a conflict zone or fall under the control of the resistance.

“When the Houthis took over al-Hawban in March 2015, they did not loot our houses, but if the resistance liberates it, its fighters will loot and destroy our houses," Samei told MEE.

He pointed out that he supports a political solution to Yemen’s war, hoping that the resistance will stop fighting while the warring sides negotiate a peace settlement.”
 

Shooting and looting: 'Liberated' Taiz residents say they have lost everything
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-taiz-looting-2054344058

29 December 2016

“Ultimately, if I have a simple message as a Syrian to all the Yemenis I have met or haven’t met and for others to hear: We are unified in our misery, my friends, and despite that, I really do believe that just like in Syria, you and we will pick up the pieces together once the bullets and bombs have been silenced, and   we will move forward towards something better.”
 

Yemen Through a Syrian Lens
http://aljumhuriya.net/en/yemen/yemen-through-a-syrian-lens


29 December 2016

“بعد مرور أكثر من 20 شهراً على اندلاع الحرب السعودية على اليمن في آذار/مارس 2015، تبدو جردة الحساب مُراوِحَة ضمن ما كان متوقعاً منذ ذلك التاريخ؛ حربٌ قياسية زمنياً، تُختبر فيها شتى أنواع التجارب العسكرية، ولا يتحقق أي من أهدافها الرئيسة، رغم ما يحظى به «التحالف العربي» الذي تقوده الرياض من دعم وتغطية من الولايات المتحدة وبريطانيا، منذ أكثر من 600 يوم على الحرب.”

اليمن 2016: السعودية هُزِمت
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270234

29 December 2016

“The Yemeni army began a massive offensive yesterday to retake areas in Bayhan and Asilan districts in the southern province of Shabwa, as fighting continue in the mountainous region of Naham northeast of Sana’a continued.”
 

Yemen launches major offensive in Shabwa province
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161229-yemen-launches-major-offensive-in-shabwa-province/

29 December 2016

“منذ نحو خمسة أيام مضت، تشن قوات هادي هجوماً عنيفاً على عدد من مناطق مديرية نهم، التي تعد من أكبر مديريات محافظة صنعاء، وتزيد مساحتها على 1840 كلم مربع. شملت المواجهات منطقة محلي وجنوب وادي محلي، ثم امتدت إلى جبل المريحا والتلال المقابلة لجبل القتب الاستراتيجي، كذلك اشتدت الاشتباكات في منطقة وادي ملح القريبة من جبل هيلان الاستراتيجي، الذي يشرف على مدينة مأرب.

وفي ظل وصول تعزيزات كبيرة لقوات هادي من محافظة مأرب، اتسع نطاق المواجهات إلى منطقة المدفون وجبل المنارة الاستراتيجي القريب من نقيل بن غيلان، الذي يبعد قرابة 30 كلم عن العاصمة صنعاء. وللمرة الأولى، تشارك بجانب أنواع الأسلحة المختلفة، طائرات «الأباتشي» التابعة للسعودية، فضلاً عن طائرات «إف ــ 16»، لكنها كانت مشاركة محدودة لم تخرج من نطاق الكر والفر خاصة في حال اشتداد المعارك.”

التحالف ينكسر مجدداً على أبواب صنعاء
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270236

30 December 2016

“Surviving even birth is a struggle in Yemen. After nearly two years of war, thousands of children and adults have died from easily treatable diseases, illnesses and injuries as the health-care system collapses.

The situation is deteriorating quickly. Vital drugs, vaccines and medical equipment often cannot enter the country because of an air, sea and land blockade imposed by the coalition. Because of a banking crisis, traders cannot afford to import wheat and other staple foods, triggering alarms that hunger and illness could soon worsen. Government medical workers have not been paid in four months.”
 

‘Sometimes the baby dies; sometimes the mother’: Life and death in Yemen’s hospitals
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/sometimes-the-baby-dies-sometimes-the-mother-life-and-death-in-yemens-hospitals/2016/12/29/cdbf853c-c6e3-11e6-acda-59924caa2450_story.html?utm_term=.8b063229426c

30 December 2016

“A drone strike in Yemen likely carried out by US forces yesterday has killed a local Al-Qaeda chief and his guard, according to a local security official.

The strike hit a car at Sawmaa in Al-Bayda province, killing Jalal Al-Seydi, who was the Emir of Al-Qaeda in the town of Lauder, situated in the neighbouring province of Abyan. Both Al-Bayda and Abyan are known for being Al-Qaeda strongholds. Yesterday, the US military said it killed 28 members of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in nine strikes in Yemen since September.”
 

US drones killed 28 Al-Qaeda members in Yemen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161230-us-drones-killed-28-al-qaeda-members-in-yemen/

01 January 2017

“The meeting discussed the challenges facing the company and direct or indirect damage left by the US-Saudi aggression war and the siege on the company and oil and gas sector.

The company revealed that nearly seven million barrels of oil and gas have been re-injected into wells due to preventing the export of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, which caused significant losses to Yemen.”

Oil Minister: Safer Company is biggest revenue facility in Yemen
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news451442.htm 

01 January 2017

“As of 28 December, a cumulative total of 12 733 suspected cases of cholera, including 97 associated deaths have been reported across all affected governorates, with a case–fatality rate of 0.76%. To date, 163 stool samples have tested positive for Vibrio Cholerae 01.

The affected areas include 135 districts in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, Al-Bayda’a, Al-Dhale’a, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Amran, Dhamar, Hajjah, Ta’izz as well as Sana’a City. Recent cases have also been reported for additional districts in Ibb, Lahij, Raymah and Sana’a governorates.

The majority (nearly 60%) of cases and deaths reported so far have been in the governorates of Aden, Ibb, Ta’izz and Al Hudaydah.”
 

Yemen: 1,000 additional cholera cases reported
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/yemen-1000-additional-cholera-cases-reported-82682/

02 January 2017

“As the first light of dawn trickles in through the hospital window, 19-year-old Mohammed Ali learns that his two-year-old cousin has died of hunger. But he has to remain strong for his little brother Mohannad, who could be next.

He holds his brother's hand as the five-year-old struggles to breathe, his skin stretched tight over tiny ribs. "I have already lost a cousin to malnutrition today, I can't lose my little brother," he says.”
 

Yemen's Children Starve as War Drags On
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/yemens-children-starve-war-drags-44508227

02 January 2017

“The group's members were arrested on Sunday in Bani Matar district with at least 540 TNT explosive bars in their possessions.

Investigations revealed that the seized explosives have been stolen from an army warehouse, according to the official.”
 

TNT explosives captured in Sana'a
http://sabanews.net/en/news451473.htm

04 January 2017

“They said at least 10 other soldiers were wounded when troops were ambushed east of the coastal city of Shuqra on Tuesday. Intense clashes were continuing on Wednesday.

The sources said that Hadi forces, backed by aircraft of a Saudi-led coalition, were targeting Shuqra when they were surprised by the militants. One military vehicle overturned, another was destroyed and two were captured, they said.”
 

Three Yemeni soldiers killed in offensive against al Qaeda: sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN14O0V7?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29

04 January 2017

“Nine civilians, including five members of one family, have been killed in rebel bombing and an air strike by the pro-government coalition in war-torn Yemen, military and rebel sources said Monday.

An air strike by the Saudi-led coalition hit on Sunday a house in the province of Marib, east of the capital Sanaa, killing five members of the same family, military officials told AFP.”
 

Yemen: Bombing, air strike kill nine civilians
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bombing-air-strike-kill-9-civilians-yemen-741746466

04 January 2017

“أفاد مصدر عسكري يمني الميادين الأربعاء بأن قوات التحالف السعودي كثّفت من قصفها الصاروخي والمدفعي على منازل المدنيين في منطقة عَيّاش بمديرية مُنَبِة الحدودية غرب محافظة صَعدة شمال اليمن، بالتزامن مع تكثيف متواصل للغارات الجوية حيث شنّت مقاتلات التحالف 12 غارة على منطقتي مَنْدَبة وآل الزَمّاح بمديرية بَاقِم الحدودية بالمحافظة ذاتها. 

كذلك أفاد مصدر عسكري للميادين عن مقتل وجرح أعداد كبيرة من قوات التحالف السعودي وقوات الرئيس عبد ربه منصور هادي في كمين محكم بصحراء البقع
بصعدة والحدودية قبالة نجران السعودية خلال الساعات الماضية”

 

الجيش واللجان يدمرون زورقاً حربياً للتحالف السعودي
https://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/49549/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%86-%d8%b2%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a7-%d8%ad%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a7-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b9%d9%88%d8%af%d9%8a

05 January 2017

“Abdullah al-Hindi, the head of the orphanage, said that almost two years of war had decimated the economy, and there have been severe cuts to public spending.

"The orphanage is at threat of closure and the children could face loss and displacement unless there are immediate solutions from National Salvation Government and well-wishers," he told the Reuters news agency.”
 

Yemen's orphans face 'catastrophe' as fighting rages
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/yemen-orphans-170105052409798.html

05 January 2017

“Though staple foods currently remain available on local markets, elevated food prices and reduced income from sources such as farming, fishing, government salaries, and the private service sector have significantly weakened the purchasing power of many households. While recent data on food security outcomes is limited, WFP’s mVAM data and various rapid assessments suggest severe levels of food insecurity, in line with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4), in western areas. Food security outcomes are likely most severe in Ta’izz, southern coastal areas of Al Hudaydah, and amongst IDP populations.”
 

Yemen Food Security Alert, January 4, 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-food-security-alert-january-4-2017

06 January 2017

“Taiz, Yemen - A female charity worker, who campaigned to improve women's literacy in Yemen, has been murdered in a drive-by shooting in central Taiz, sparking fears of a campaign of targeted assassinations against women by "extremists".

Amat al-Aleem al-Asbahi was shot dead on 25 December by two motorcycle riders as she walked on the busy 26 September Street. Her death sent shockwaves through Taiz's activist community, who say they can no longer operate in the war-torn city in safety.”
 

Yemeni charity worker murdered, sparking fears of targeted campaign against women
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemeni-woman-activist-murdered-after-fatwa-issued-against-female-workers-189477989

06 January 2017

“وادعى المصدر أن القصف أسفر عن مقتل 6 عسكريين سعوديين وإصابة 9 آخرين بينهم ضباط.

“وأضاف أنه تم رصد عملية نقل القتلى والجرحى السعوديين إلى «مستشفى الملك خالد» بمدينة نجران
 

الحوثيون يزعمون مقتل وإصابة 15 عسكريا سعوديا بينهم ضباط في نجران
https://medium.com/thenewkhalij/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-15-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-60075316dc86#.rz1be9tra

06 January 2017

“The BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi has been granted access to the front line of the Yemen army's battle for the capital Sanaa.”
 

Yemen conflict: The front line battle for capital Sanaa
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38504068

06 January 2017

“Unexploded remnants of cluster munitions have proved deadly for Yemenis, killing or injuring at least 85 civilians, including children. After 20 months of war, the British government has finally raised the issue with Saudi Arabia, which responded by vowing to stop using this particular weapon in its ongoing Yemen campaign. But the UK's mea culpa doesn't go far enough, especially as UK officials deny another, much larger accusation - the sale of other weapons, including precision-guided munitions, which the Saudis and their allies have used in unlawful strikes against civilians and civilian structures in Yemen.”
 

Theresa May Should Come Clean on UK Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/04/theresa-may-should-come-clean-uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia

06 January 2017

“According to al-Masirah television, the Yemeni Army, backed by fighters from the allied Popular Committees, hit a headquarters controlling joint military operations, located in al-Khadhra, near Yemen’s northern borders on Friday.

6 Saudi soldiers have been killed in the attack, and 9 others were wounded.

The fresh attack came after a tragic Thursday for Saudi Arabia.”
 

6 Saudi Forces Killed in Yemeni Attack on Najran
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/01/06/1289213/6-saudi-forces-killed-in-yemeni-attack-on-najran

09 January 2017

“At least 68 fighters were killed in two days of fierce battles between Yemeni forces and Houthi rebels near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, military officials said on Sunday.

The clashes erupted amid a government assault to recapture the coastal Dhubab district, just 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Bab al-Mandab which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.”
 

Dozens killed in Yemen battle for strategic strait
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/1/8/dozens-killed-in-yemen-battle-for-strategic-strait?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=sf

09 January 2017

“Living in Sanaa's Bait Bos neighbourhood, Abdulla roams the city daily, checking through rubbish piles to find something for himself and his family of 10 to eat.

'It is my daily attempt to stave off the death of my family by hunger,' he explained. 'I have become a frequent visitor of the rubbish dump. There, I also see my likes.'”
 

Starving Yemenis resort to eating rubbish
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/01/starving-yemenis-resort-eating-rubbish-170102124800887.html

09 January 2017

“'Hunger is the most dominant thought on Yemenis minds during this period,' Yasser Rayes, an author at the Yemen Times, recently wrote.

Over the past few months, several humanitarian groups have launched appeals to tackle the issue of hunger in Yemen, largely aggravated by the Saudi-led coalition's bombing of the country. As is often the case, children are the most severely affected by the crisis.”
 

Conflict in Yemen Takes Heavy Toll on Country's Children
https://globalvoices.org/2017/01/08/conflict-in-yemen-takes-heavy-toll-on-countrys-children/

09 January 2017

“Amat al-Aleem al-Asbahi, who worked to improve female literacy in the war-torn country,  was killed on 25 December by two motorcycle riders as she walked on a busy street in the city centre.

A fatwa issued by Islamic scholar Abdullah al-Odaini in September, banning women activists from mixing with men, had already curtailed Ms Asbahi and the aid community’s work, as has fierce air strikes and other violence."
 

Yemeni woman who campaigned for female literacy shot dead
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/yemen-female-literacy-campaigner-activist-amat-al-aleem-al-asbahi-woman-shot-dead-civil-war-taiz-a7513071.html

09 January 2017

“Dozens of civilians were killed and others wounded when Saudi aggression warplanes launched six strikes targeting residents near a water well in the residential area of Mocha coastal city in Taiz province, an official told Saba on Monday.

The air strikes took place late on Sunday.

The air strikes coincidently occurred with other heavy aerial attacks and continuing flying on neighboring Kahbob and Dhubab coastal areas.”
 

Saudi aggression kills residents in Mocha
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news452204.htm

10 January 2017

“A Saudi-led coalition airstrike has hit a primary school in the rebel held northern Yemeni district of Nihm, killing five people on Tuesday.

The school's headmaster and two children were among those killed, medical and military sources said. The death toll was confirmed by a medical source at Sanaa's Kuwait hospital.”
 

Staff and students killed in airstrike on Yemen school
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/1/10/staff-and-students-killed-in-airstrike-on-yemen-school

10 January 2017

“The British military has provided training to a Saudi war crimes investigations unit headed by a Bahraini judge accused of sentencing peaceful protesters to lengthy jail terms, where they were often tortured.

Campaigners say the training, which was detailed in Foreign Office documents released on Monday, make the British government complicit in both whitewashing abuses in Bahrain and the failure to properly investigate potential war crimes committed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.”
 

UK helped train Saudi unit accused of whitewashing Yemen war crimes
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-helped-train-saudi-unit-accused-whitewashing-yemen-war-crimes-828179425

10 January 2017

“تحدّث مصدر محلي للميادين عن سقوط 8 شهداء بينهم 4 طالبات ووكيل مدرسة وجرح آخرين في غارة جوية للتحالف السعودي استهدفت مدرسة الفلاح بمديرية بَاطِنَة بمديرية نِهم شمال شرق العاصمة صنعاء.

وأضاف المصدر  أنه تم نقل الجرحى جراء الغارة الجوية إلى أحد المستشفيات بالعاصمة صنعاء. ويأتي ذلك في ظل تكثيف طائرات التحالف السعودي من غاراتها الجوية على المديرية ذاتها منذ صباح الثلاثاء حيث استهدفت بسلسلة غارات جوية وادي العَصَرات ومنطقة الحَنَشَات بالمديرية”

 اليمن: سقوط 8 شهداء بينهم 4 طالبات بقصف للتحالف السعودي شرق صنعاء
http://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/49915/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86--%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B7-8-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-4-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82

10 January 2017

“في ظل معاناة 14 مليون شخص في اليمن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي، خصص الاتحاد الأوربي 12 مليون يورو لدعم جهود منظمة الأمم المتحدة للأغذية والزراعة من أجل معالجة مشكلة الجوع في البلاد. 

وذكرت المنظمة أن ذلك التمويل سيستخدم لتفادي تصاعد الأزمة، وتقديم الدعم الزراعي الفوري لأكثر من 150 ألف شخص لمساعدتهم على تحسين إنتاج الغذاء”

 دعم مالي للفاو في ظل تدهور وضع الأمن الغذائي في اليمن
http://www.un.org/arabic/news/story.asp?NewsID=27919#.WHUR_vmLSUk

11 January 2017

“The battles are part of the so-called Golden Spear operation launched by the coalition and Hadi’s government and aimed at uprooting Houthis and allied forces from the western coast, starting from the strait of Bab al-Mandab and extending to the vital Red Sea ports of Mokha and Hodeida. The coalition accuses Houthis of using these ports to receive supplies of arms and ammunition from Iran.”
 

Dozens killed as fighting rages at Yemen’s Red Sea strait
http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Dozens-killed-as-fighting-rages-at-Yemen-s-Red-10851229.php

13 January 2017

“There is abundant evidence that the high civilian death toll in Yemen is the result of deliberate--not accidental--strikes by Saudi Arabia. During its air campaign, Saudi Arabia has bombed endless civilian targets--including homes, farms, markets, factories, water infrastructure, hospitals, and children’s schools--and has even gone so far as to use internationally banned cluster weapons, which are designed to inflict damage over a wide area and often remain lethal years after being dropped.

But when secretary of state nominee and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson was asked about Saudi Arabia’s use of cluster weapons during his confirmation hearing Wednesday, he declined to answer, and suggested that the way to discourage Saudi Arabia from hitting civilians in Yemen is to provide them with additional targeting intelligence.”
 

Rex Tillerson Wants to Provide Saudi Arabia With More Help to Bomb Yemen
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/12/rex-tillerson-wants-to-provide-saudi-arabia-with-more-help-to-bomb-yemen/

13 January 2017

“British politicians have called for an independent investigation into possible breaches in humanitarian law in Yemen’s civil war as Saudi Arabia cannot be expected to lead such an inquiry.

A debate in Parliament over the “ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen” saw members on both sides of the House of Commons urging for an end to British arms sales to Saudi Arabia.”
 

British MPs urge independent inquiry into claims of Saudi war crimes in Yemen
https://www.rt.com/uk/373494-saudi-yemen-inquiry-crimes/


13 January 2017

“Spain is planning to sell warships to Saudi Arabia despite opposition from major human rights groups, which call the potential sale illegal, as Riyadh may use them in their operation against Yemen that has killed thousands of civilians.

A spokesman for Navantia, a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company, said that five Avante 2200 corvettes, which are small warships used primarily for offshore patrolling, could be sold for an estimated €2 billion ($2.1 billion), AFP reported on Thursday.”
 

Spain plans to sell warships to Saudi Arabia despite Yemen war crimes concerns
https://www.rt.com/news/373567-spain-saudi-warships-yemen/


13 January 2017

“(Beirut) – Parties to Yemen’s armed conflict violated the laws of war with impunity in 2016, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2017. Concerned governments should seek accountability for past and ongoing violations and immediately suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition has carried out military operations, supported by the United States and United Kingdom, against Houthi forces and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015. The coalition has unlawfully attacked homes, markets, hospitals, schools, civilian businesses, and mosques. As of October 10, 2016, at least 4,125 civilians had been killed and 6,711 wounded, the majority by coalition airstrikes, according to the United Nations human rights office.”
 

Yemen: No Accountability for War Crimes
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/12/yemen-no-accountability-war-crimes

13 January 2017

“In the midst of one of the world's worst hunger crises, Yemen's farmers urgently need support so they can grow more food and provide young people with jobs, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

Nearly two years of war between a Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-allied Houthi movement has left more than half of Yemen's 28 million people facing hunger, its economy in ruins and food supplies disrupted.

Nearly half of Yemen's 22 governorates are officially rated as being in an emergency food situation, which is four on a five-point scale, where five is famine, the United Nations said last month.

'People's access to food is rapidly worsening and urgent action is needed,' said Salah Hajj Hassan, FAO representative in Yemen.

About two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for their survival, and it is one of the only sectors of the economy still functioning after years of war, according to FAO.”
 

Yemeni farmers urgently need support to help ease hunger crisis: U.N.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-hunger-idUSKBN14X1KQ

16 January 2017

“Human Rights Watch (HRW) has slammed the Saudi regime for the thousands of innocent deaths its coalition air force has perpetrated against the Yemeni's, as well as significant infrastructure destruction it has engaged in.

The annual report found that at least 4,125 civilians were killed and a further 7,207 injured between March 26, 2015 when the Saudi campaign began, and October 10, 2016.

HRW identified 'six types of air-dropped and ground-launched cluster munitions in multiple locations in Yemen, including those produced in the US and Brazil. Amnesty International has further documented the use of UK-made cluster munitions.'”
 

Human Rights Watch report identifies Saudi atrocities in Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/human-rights-watch-report-identifies-saudi-atrocities-in-yemen/


16 January 2017

“At the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen’s disastrous war has been raging for nearly two years. Somewhat overshadowed by the devastating crisis in Syria, it is nonetheless a major calamity: according to the UN, more than 10,000 people have lost their lives, while more than 20 million (of a total population of some 27 million) are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 3 million people are internally displaced, while hundreds of thousands have fled the country altogether. There are reports of looming famine as the conflict destroys food production in the country.”
 

Yemen: A calamity at the end of the Arabian Peninsula
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/yemen-a-calamity-at-the-end-of-the-arabian-peninsula-a7521841.html

16 January 2017

“A Yemeni army offensive near the Bab el-Mandeb region in the country's southwest resulted in the death of 40 Saudi-backed fighters, including their commander, local media reported Monday.”
 

Yemeni Army Kills Over 40 Saudi-Backed Fighters Near Bab el-Mandeb
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701161049634988-yemeni-army-saudi-fighters/

16 January 2017

“Pro-government forces backed by Saudi-led air strikes advanced closer towards the Yemeni port city of Mokha on Sunday, taking over the Al Maaqer and Al Gadeeda areas along the coastal road.

The latest offensive, launched from Bab Al Mandeb eight days ago, is aimed at liberating the area along the Red Sea coast from the Houthi rebels.

Yemeni forces drove out the Houthis from the Dhubab district in the southern province of Taez on Friday, and arrived in Al Gadeeda on Sunday. Their next target will be Mokha, about 30km away, according to a source in the military council of Taez province.”
 

Yemeni forces capture new areas in advance on Mokha
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/yemeni-forces-capture-new-areas-in-advance-on-mokha

16 January 2017

“Four soldiers were killed and three wounded in a suspected Al-Qaeda attack on a checkpoint in southern Yemen, a security official said Monday. 'Terrorist elements on Sunday evening attacked… soldiers at a checkpoint' in the town of Loder in Abyan province, the official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

'The exchange of fire lasted half an hour, killing four soldiers and wounding three along with an undetermined number of dead and wounded among the attackers,' he said.”
 

Yemen: Suspected Qaeda attack kills four soldiers
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/yemen-suspected-qaeda-attack-kills-four-soldiers-4476893/

16 January 2017

“Nearly 19 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN, but the worst of the civilian impact of the two-year civil war in the country has fallen on the district of Tuhayat on the Red Sea coast.

As RT’s Arabic-language crew visited the area, they witnessed scenes of chaos--as locals scrambled to acquire food--and quiet desperation, with many residents swollen with hunger, waiting for outside help, or resigned to their fate.

Salem is an eight-year-old boy, though like many in similar struggling areas around the world, he looks small enough to be mistaken for a toddler.”
 

'No food, no medicine, no money’: Yemeni town faces mass death by starvation
https://www.rt.com/news/373712-yemen-starvation-fishing-houthis/

16 January 2017

“Schools of Ibb province organized a protest rally to condemn the US-Saudi aggression air strikes the primary al-Falah school in Nehm district of Sana'a province last Tuesday.

The air raids killed eight students and injured 15 others early morning of Tuesday.

The protest rally took place on Monday.

The demonstrators expressed deep condemnations against the US-Saudi aggression air strikes, considering it a new war crime against the Yemeni people and calling for the international community to move to stop Saudi massacres against Yemenis.”
 

Schools of Ibb provinces condemn Saudi massacres against Yemen schools
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453070.htm

16 January 2017

“Officials of the private sector met with Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, George Khoury, in Yemen.

In the meeting, the officials discussed UN efforts to lift the all-out blockade on Yemen that imposed by the Saudi-led aggression coalition.

The officials discussed possibilities to pressure the aggression countries to lift the economic siege and enable the Yemeni private sector to import goods to alleviate the suffering of the people.”
 

Private sector, UN official discuss lifting aggression blockade
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news453085.htm

19 January 2017

“Female fighters carrying babies, rocket launchers and machine guns took to the streets of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to protest Saudi Arabia’s involvement in its brutal conflict.

Marching in support of the Houthi rebel movement, they shouted slogans against the multinational coalition forces led by oil rich Middle Eastern state, which support the government.

Their protest followed talks this week between a United Nations envoy and the Saudi-backed, internationally-recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.”
 

Female Yemeni fighters carry babies and machine guns at anti-Saudi rally
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-female-fighters-conflict-huthi-rebels-anti-saudi-coalition-rally-sanaa-a7532486.html

19 January 2017

“The U.S. military has played a key role in the conflict for much of that time, supporting Saudi warplanes with intelligence and refueling even as their bombs have reportedly killed civilians.

Rep. Ted Lieu, a colonel in the Air Force Reserves from Malibu, has been on a sometimes-solitary quest to make the White House answer for its role.

'That is morally outrageous,' he told Josh Hersh in an interview. 'If the U.S. was doing this with our own pilots, dropping bombs on civilians, they’d be getting court-martialed right now.'”
 

Fueling Yemen’s war
https://news.vice.com/story/this-congressman-is-calling-out-the-us-for-potential-war-crimes-in-yemen

19 January 2017

“At least 10,000 people have been killed in the war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition supporting the government, the UN says.

The organisation said the death toll "underscores the need to resolve the situation" that has lasted for more than 21 months.

The news came as a UN envoy met President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi on Monday in the southern city of Aden.”
 

Yemen conflict: At least 10,000 killed, says UN
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38646066

19 January 2017

“The United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick reiterated on Monday that the blockade imposed on Sana'a international airport is unacceptable because it causes much suffering on the Yemeni people.

This came at a press conference held in Sana'a prior to his leaving for Brussels, Geneva and London in order to launch the Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen for the current year 2017.

Mr. McGoldrick said the United Nations is making efforts to unconditionally ensure humanitarian access to all those who are in need.”
 

UN: Blockade on Yemen capital airport unacceptable
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453174.htm

19 January 2017

“Yemeni security officials say a rocket fired by Shiite rebels has killed six civilians in the war-torn city of Taiz.

They say the Wednesday strike hit a residential area inside Taiz. It comes one day after six civilians were also killed outside the city, which is known as the cultural center of Yemen. Clashes between rebels and forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi have been ongoing for nearly two years.”
 

6 civilians killed in rebel strike in Yemen’s Taiz
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/6-civilians-killed-in-rebel-strike-in-yemens-taiz/2017/01/18/d1f80dd8-ddc0-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.1744a8595b9f

19 January 2017

“And the Saudi-led attacks continue, striking Yemen’s hospitals, which are running out of medicine. All the while, these attacks have continued to receive backing from the Unite States and the United Kingdom since they began on March 26, 2015.

Even The New York Times admits that the deadly Saudi project in Yemen couldn’t go on without U.S. support.

But the Obama administration has said that while they may start halting some arms sales to Saudi Arabia, they’ll push ahead with training the Gulf kingdom’s air force to improve targeting.”
 

Genocide In Yemen: Media Complicit In US-Saudi War Crimes
https://www.mintpressnews.com/genocide-in-yemen-media-complicit-in-us-saudi-war-crimes/224106/

19 January 2017

“The Yemeni city of Taiz has been under siege since 2015 by Houthi rebels and troops loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The city and its outskirts are littered with the remains of shelling, sniper fire and explosions.

But a group of youth volunteers from the Challenge Convoy have decided to take the daily reminders of death and turn them into reminders of life.”
 

Yemen: 'Life in the midst of all the death'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38597469

19 January 2017

“أعلن وزير الخارجية الأميركي، جون كيري، موقفاً صريحاً ومتقدماً بعد أسابيع من تعرقل جهوده وقبيل يومين من انتهاء مهماته، عندما قال إن «هادي أخطأ بعدم قبوله مبادرة السلام»، التي طرحها قبل أشهر، داعياً إلى «تحريك عملية السلام في اليمن».

 

وأضاف كيري، في مقابلة بثتها قناة «سكاي نيوز عربية» أول من أمس، أن «السلام في اليمن لم يتحقق لأن الرئيس هادي لم يدعم خطته»، مؤكّداً أن «ذلك كان خطأ كبيراً». وتابع: «الرئيس هادي لم يدعم فوراً المبادرة التي تقدمنا بها، لكنه الآن وافق على الإطار
العام للمبادرة، ونتمنى لولد الشيخ أن ينجح».”

كيري وولد الشيخ لهادي: إقبل مبادرتنا
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271153

19 January 2017

“تستمر أزمة الوقود التي تواجه سكان عدن، وهي كبرى مدن جنوب اليمن والواقعة تحت سيطرة حكومة هادي، وذلك بعد توقف المصفاة النفطية الرئيسية منذ أسبوع عن ضخّ الإمدادات إلى خزانات شركة النفط اليمنية في عدن.

ولم يصدر أي تعليق بعد من الرئيس المستقيل أو حكومته على هذه الأزمة المتفاقمة، فيما تصطف السيارات والشاحنات في طوابير طويلة لا تقل عن كيلومتر أمام محطات الوقود هناك، كذلك انخفضت الكثافة المرورية في شوارع المدينة، وسجلت أسعار المواصلات ارتفاعاً ملحوظاً وصل إلى 50%، وتزايدت أيضاً ساعات انقطاع التيار الكهربائي.

وكان عمال شركة مصافي عدن قد أعلنوا الدخول في إضراب احتجاجاً على توقف صرف رواتبهم. لكن مسؤولين في السلطة المحلية في عدن قالوا إن الأزمة الحالية سببها خلافات بين شركة النفط الحكومية والشركة التجارية المملوكة لرجل الأعمال اليمني أحمد العيسي، وهو المورد الوحيد للمشتقات النفطية إلى عدن والمحافظات المجاورة لها، وذلك بعدما طلبت «شركة العيسى من شركة النفط المختصة توزيع الوقود محلياً في المحافظات الجنوبية بأسعار أعلى، وهو ما رفضته الشركة الحكومية”
 

صنعاء: فتح المطار شرط لأي حوار
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271101

22 January 2017

“Two suspected members of al Qaeda's Yemen branch were killed on Sunday by what local officials believed was a U.S. drone strike.

If confirmed, it would be the first such attack since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office on Friday. The men were killed when a missile hit the vehicle in which they were travelling in southern al-Bayda province, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The United States conducted dozens of drone strikes throughout Barack Obama's presidency to combat al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.”
 

Two suspected al Qaeda members killed in drone strike in Yemen: officials  
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1560LH

22 January 2017

“Egypt's National Defence Council on Sunday extended the military's participation in a Saudi-led operation in Yemen, the presidency said in a statement. It did not specify how long the extension would be for.

"The National Defence Council agreed during the meeting to extend the participation of the required elements from the Egyptian armed forces in a combat operation outside the nation's border to defend Egyptian and Arab national security in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandab areas," the statement said.”
 

Egypt extends participation in Yemen conflict
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-egypt-idUKKBN1560R4

 
22 January 2017

“Two citizens were killed and many others injured in 45 air strikes by the US-Saudi aggression warplanes that hit several Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hour, officials told Saba on Sunday. In Taiz, a woman was killed and others were wounded in two air raids that targeted their home in Mocha district and a citizen was killed in an airstrike targeted Mageber area in Moza district, which also caused loss to a number of livestock.”
 

45 Saudi aggression airstrikes hit Yemen provinces over past 24 hours
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453754.htm

22 January 2017

“As Yemen approaches marking two years since the start of the conflict, the country faces one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. Around three million people -ten percent of the population- have been displaced, and ten million are uncertain of how they will provide food for themselves.

Over the past year, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked against challenges and recurring security incidents in Yemen and was able to help around three million people across the country.  Still, millions of Yemenis lack access to safe water and health care services and without an end to the conflict, no amount of assistance can cover the massive needs in Yemen.”
 

Massive humanitarian needs in Yemen as conflict continues
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/massive-humanitarian-needs-yemen-conflict-continues

22 January 2017

“The Yemeni navy, coastal defense and coastguard warned the Saudi aggression's warships not to use of the international water lanes in the Red Sea to bomb civil targets in the country.

"The aggression's warships use the international water lanes to bomb civil targets, which pose a serious threat to international navigation in the Red Sea," a statement issued on Saturday said.”
 

Navy warns Saudi warships of using int'l waters to bomb civil targets
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453736.htm

23 January 2017

“The British government should increase diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia to defend children facing a desperate situation in Yemen, the head of Save the Children has said. Speaking on his return from Yemen, where civil war and a sea blockade has pushed the country to the brink of famine, Kevin Watkins said there had been a 'singular failure to deploy British soft power to defend children’s rights that are being violated on a daily basis.'”
 

UK accused of failing to defend rights of Yemeni children against daily violations
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/23/uk-accused-of-failing-to-defend-rights-of-yemen-children-against-daily-violations

23 January 2017

“The report also added that the Houthis killed 14 of the Hadi government attackers.

On 21 and 22 January, more than 45 strikes were carried out across the country and its borders, with targets varying from a school north of the capital Sana'a and Saudi border military bases.

The intense attacks over the weekend were part of a vast offensive which began on 7 January by forces loyal to President Hadi to retake the Dhubab district near the Bab al-Mandab strait which connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.”
 

75 people killed in renewed fighting and drone strikes in Yemen
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/75-people-killed-renewed-fighting-drone-strikes-yemen-1602484

23 January 2017

“Three citizens were killed on Monday by Saudi aggression airstrikes on Haydan district of Sa'ada province, a security official told Saba. The warplanes waged two airstrikes on cars in Marran area. One man was injured in the airstrikes. Meanwhile, the aggression fighter jets launched a raid on Ghafer area of al-Dhaher district, causing heavy damage to citizens' houses, the official said.”
 

Saudi airstrikes kill 3 in Sa'ada
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453853.htm


23 January 2017

“Yemen has had a long and difficult history of neglect. Neglect by previous authorities, neglect by regional actors, and neglect by the so-called international community. This neglect continues in many ways. The greatest challenge currently facing Yemen is a war that was launched more than a year ago—a war in which all armed actors have, without exception, harmed people and vital civilian infrastructure like schools, hospitals, funeral halls, homes, and more. The reverberations of the violence have been widely felt. What has not been directly affected by the cruelty of the conflict is gradually decaying because of a lack of or restrictions on funds, resources and capabilities. The needs of the people are growing, and the country’s infrastructure strains and groans under this unceasing weight.”
 

Seventeen Vignettes from Sana’a and Amran
http://raseef22.com/en/blog/2017/01/20/seventeen-vignettes-sanaa-amran/

25 January 2017

“I’m inside 'mission control' for the Saudi-led coalition bombing rebels in Yemen. On a bank of flickering screens, a fighter jet labelled 'FRIEND' is tracked as it crosses the border. Television screens show mosques, hospitals and United Nations facilities inside Yemen - the locations that airstrikes must avoid. Officers from across the Middle East pace down the corridors outside the 'war room' - the so-called "kitchen of the coalition" - from where bombing raids are monitored.

Inside, it looks exactly as you might imagine: except for one aspect. Three foreigners sit behind a glass screen at the back of the room. They are 'liaison officers', my Saudi government guide tells me. One is British, two are American. The union flag and Stars and Stripes are draped behind their desks.”
 

Yemen War Room: ITV News granted unprecedented access
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-01-24/yemen-war-room-itv-news-granted-unprecedented-access/

25 January 2017

“Women of Ibb province staged a protest rally to condemn US-Saudi aggression attacks against Yemeni children and women in the Yemeni provinces. The protest rally took place on Tuesday in al-Radhmah district. The participants called for boycotting pro-Saudi aggression media that target the unity of the Yemeni social fabric.”
 

Women protest rally condemns Saudi aggression crimes
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news454073.htm

25 January 2017

“Tens of thousands of new archaeological sites have been discovered in Yemen by researchers who are now drawing up candidates for a “no-strike list” for combatants in the latest attempt to protect its treasures from the war. Since 2015, the Yemen government, backed by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition, has been fighting Houthi rebels. The human toll reached at least 10,000 last week, according to the UN, and structures such as the Great Dam of Marib, the pre-Islamic walled town of Baraqish and the old cities of Sana’ and Zabid — both World Heritage Sites – have been damaged.”
 

A no-strike list may shield Yemen’s ancient treasures from war
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2118745-a-no-strike-list-may-shield-yemens-ancient-treasures-from-war/

25 January 2017

“Saudi aggression warplanes launched 13 strikes on Sanhan and Bani Bahloul district of Sana'a province overnight, an official told Saba on Wednesday. The airstrikes hit al-Sawad area, causing damage to citizens' houses, private and public properties.”
 

Saudi aggression fighter jets wage 13 strikes on Sana'a
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news454063.htm

26 January 2017

“The Ministry of Defence is "tracking" 252 allegations of humanitarian law violations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the BBC has learned.

The UN estimates that up to 10,000 people have died in the country since war began in March 2015.

The MoD declined to say if British-supplied arms were involved in any of the allegations.

Former Business Secretary Vince Cable said he was "staggered" by the number of potential breaches.

Mr Cable told the BBC if he were still in government, arms exports to the Saudis would have been stopped "a long time before now".”
 

Yemen human rights 'breaches staggering'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-38745454

26 January 2017

“Already suffering grievously under nearly two years of civil war, many thousands of Yemeni state workers now face destitution as their salaries have gone largely unpaid for months.

The immediate reason is a decision by the internationally-recognized government to shift Yemen's central bank out of Sanaa, the capital city controlled by the armed Houthi movement with which it is at war.

Underlying the bank's move to Aden, the southern port where the government is based, is a struggle for legitimacy between the two sides. The result is to deepen economic hardship when four-fifths of Yemen's 28 million people already need some form of humanitarian aid, according to U.N. estimates.”
 

Unpaid state salaries deepen economic pain in Yemen's war
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-salaries-idUSKBN15A1WW?il=0

26  January 2017

“Satellite imagery confirms that UAE Patriots departed from at least two of their three known deployment locations within the country. Equipment previously deployed at Aden International Airport and Al Anad airbase was not visible in recent imagery updates.

The site at the southern coastal airport, established in early 2016, previously featured four Patriot transporter erector launchers (or TELs) and associated equipment. The TELs were no longer in residence on the south side of the airport by late October, according to imagery available in Google Earth. However, UAE armor still remained near the parking apron at the time of capture, but accompanied by a much smaller air element than previously observed.

Similarly, Al Anad airbase, located approximately 30 miles to the north of the airport, had no Patriots on-site as of January 2017. The site, composed of four Patriot TELs, was likely established in early 2016 after the airbase was reportedly attacked by a Tochka ballistic missile in January. We last observed the Patriot system on imagery at the site in November 2016.”
 

UAE Relocates SAMs In Yemen
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2017/01/25/uae-relocates-sams-yemen/

27 January 2017

“"The conflict in Yemen is now the primary driver of the largest food security emergency in the world," Stephen O'Brien, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council.

"If there is no immediate action, famine is now a possible scenario for 2017."

About 14 million people -- nearly 80 percent of the entire Yemeni population -- are in need of food aid, half of whom are severely food insecure, O'Brien said.

At least 2 million people need emergency food assistance to survive, he added.

The situation is particularly dire for children with some 2.2 million infants now suffering from acute malnourishment -- an increase of 53 percent from late 2015.

"Overall, the plight of children remains grim: a child under the age of 10 dying every 10 minutes of preventable causes," O'Brien said.

The Saudi-led coalition's shutdown of the Sanaa airport has had a heavy toll on civilians because medicine cannot be flown in and Yemenis cannot receive treatment abroad. O'Brien warned that Yemen could run out of wheat within months because foreign banks no longer accept financial transactions with many of the country's commercial banks."
 

Yemen could face famine in 2017: UN
https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemen-could-face-famine-2017-un-214840570.html

27 January 2017

“دق تقرير أممي عن الوضع الإنساني في اليمن ناقوس الخطر، مشيرا إلى أن المجاعة تتربص بملايين اليمنيين خلال العام الجاري، مطالبا بضرورة إيصال المساعدات للمدنيين.

وحذّر وكيل الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة للشؤون الإنسانية، ستيفن أوبراين، من مجاعة في اليمن خلال العام الجاري (2017)، لافتا إلى أن 14 مليون شخص يحتاجون إلى مساعدات غذائية، نصفهم يعيشون انعداما شديدا من الأمن الغذائي. وأضاف أن مليوني شخص على الأقل في حاجة إلى مساعدة غذائية طارئة للبقاء على قيد الحياة”
 

تقرير أممي يقدم صورة مرعبة عن الوضع الإنساني باليمن
https://medium.com/arabi-21/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-b885329edd44#.ptf5y9cf1
 

30 January 2017

“At least 10 Yemeni women and children have been killed in the first US military operation in the country authorised by President Donald Trump, medics and local media have said.

The US military said it killed 14 members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Sunday's dawn raid in the southern province of al-Bayda that involved missiles and helicopter machine guns.

In a statement, the Pentagon did not refer to any civilian casualties, although a US military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they could not be ruled out. The official also said that one US commando died, three others were wounded and that military forces did not take any prisoners from the site.

AQAP said Abdulraouf al-Zahab, a senior leader of the group, was killed along with several other fighters in the raid on the area that has been a frequent target of US drone strikes.

Medics in al-Bayda's rural Yakla district put the death toll at around 30, including 10 women and children. The eight-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Yemeni preacher who was killed in a 2011 drone attack, was also among the victims, family members said. Her grandfather Nasser al-Awlaki, a former minister of agriculture said: "she was hit with a bullet in her neck and suffered for two hours."
 

Yemeni civilians killed in first US raid under Trump
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/yemen-170129101045539.html

30 January 2017

“In a hideous symbol of the bipartisan continuity of U.S. barbarism, Nasser al-Awlaki just lost another one of his young grandchildren to U.S. violence. On Sunday, the Navy’s SEAL Team 6, using armed Reaper drones for cover, carried out a commando raid on what it said was a compound harboring officials of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. A statement issued by President Trump lamented the death of an American service member and several others who were wounded, but made no mention of any civilian deaths. U.S. military officials initially denied any civilian deaths, and (therefore) the CNN report on the raid said nothing about any civilians being killed.

But reports from Yemen quickly surfaced that 30 people were killed, including 10 women and children. Among the dead: the 8-year-old granddaughter of Nasser al-Awlaki, Nawar, who was also the daughter of Anwar Awlaki.”
 

Obama Killed a 16-Year-Old American in Yemen. Trump Just Killed His 8-Year-Old Sister.
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/30/obama-killed-a-16-year-old-american-in-yemen-trump-just-killed-his-8-year-old-sister/
 

30 January 2017

“Twenty months since fighting started in Taiz, the city’s health services have largely collapsed – the result of physical damage to hospitals and of shortages of staff and medical supplies. At the same time, people’s living conditions have deteriorated and the price of essentials, including food and water, has soared. A crippled health system, combined with increasingly harsh living conditions, has prompted a decline in people’s health, with particularly acute consequences for vulnerable groups with low immunity such as pregnant women, new-born babies and young children.”
 

Yemen: Healthcare Under Siege
https://msf.exposure.co/yemen

30 January 2017

“Medical services in Taiz have been directly affected by violence, with hospitals repeatedly hit by shelling and gunfire, an MSF mobile clinic was hit by an airstrike, and ambulances shot at, confiscated or forcibly entered by armed men. Medical staff have been shot at on their way to work, harassed, detained, threatened and forced to work at gunpoint. Many health workers take great personal risks working in Taiz, and many fear for their lives while at work.”
 

Yemen: Healthcare Under Siege in Taiz
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-healthcare-under-siege-taiz
 

31 January 2017

“A Saudi warship has been attacked off the coast of Yemen, causing a large explosion on board.

A video released by al-Masirah television which is run by the rebel Houthi movement claimed to show the moment of attack.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said the frigate had been on patrol west of the port of Hodeidah when it was attacked by three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias.”
 

Two killed as Houthis attack Saudi warship off Yemen coast
http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/31/two-killed-as-houthis-attack-saudi-warship-off-yemen-coast?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=Autofeed#link_time=1485853920
 

02 February 2017

“Yemen has lost a decade's worth of gains in public health as a result of war and economic crisis, with an estimated 63,000 children dying last year of preventable causes often linked to malnutrition, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

About 3.3 million people, including 2.2 million children, across the Arab peninsula's poorest country are suffering from acute malnutrition, it said. They include nearly half a million children under the age of five with severe acute malnutrition.

The most severe form of malnutrition leaves young children vulnerable to life-threatening but preventable diarrhoeal diseases, malaria and respiratory infections.”
 

Yemen war erases decade of health gains, many children starving: UNICEF
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-unicef-idUSKBN15F0WC

02 February 2017

“After being dropped by aircraft near the compound, the US special forces members engaged in a fierce firefight with suspected AQAP militants inside, according to US officials.

Chief Petty Officer William Owens, a member of the elite US Navy special forces unit Seal Team 6, was killed in the battle, which is reported to have lasted about 50 minutes.

Three other US service members were injured when an Osprey MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft made a hard landing during the operation, Capt Davis said, adding that the inoperable Osprey was subsequently destroyed in place by a US air strike.

AQAP said in a statement that its fighters downed a US Apache helicopter, one of four it said were used in the raid, and that a total of 16 missiles were fired at three homes.”
 

US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen: What we know so far
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38808631

02 February 2017

“اجرت القوات الحكومية اليمنية عملية تبادل للاسرى مع  الحوثيين في وسط البلاد بعد وساطة قبلية، على ما اعلن احد المفاوضين.

وقال عبدالله الأشرف، وهو احد الوسطاء في تصريح: "تم الافراج عن 58 حوثيا اسروا في محافظة الجوف شمال البلاد، في مقابل الافراج عن 54 من انصارنا الموالين لقوات الشرعية ينتمون الى الجوف". وتمت عملية تبادل الاسرى في منطقة قانية على الحدود بين محافظتي البيضاء ومأرب في وسط اليمن.

في حزيران، اعلن المتمردون الحوثيون من جانب واحد اطلاق نحو 270 من المقاتلين الحكوميين الذين احتجزوا لمدة اشهر. وجاء ذلك بعد تبادل للاسرى في تعز جنوب غرب البلاد شمل 194 اسيرا من الطرفين بوساطة قبلية ايضا”.

اليمن: القوات الحكومية تتبادل الاسرى مع الحوثيين
http://www.annahar.com/article/448584-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86

02 February 2017

“تأكيد الجيش اليمني أنه يمتلك إمكانات لم يستخدمها بعد وقصفه بارجة عسكرية سعودية بعد يوم واحد من التوعد بالمفاجآت يشي بمستوى عالٍ من التحدي يتواصل مع استمرار المعارك في الجنوب السعودي، في وقت تحذر فيه المنظمات الدولية من كوارث إذا بقيت الحرب.”
 

الجيش: تحالف العدوان لم يأخذ تهديداتنا بجدية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271892



02 February 2017

“أما في اليمن، فيتشارك الطرفان السعودي والإمارتي هدف مواجهة «حركة أنصار الله»، لكنهما يتباعدان في إدارة الصراع الداخلي، إذ تحاول كل دولة العمل على محاولة إقصاء الطرف الآخر. ويستخدم الطرفان في صراعهما على مسك الورقة اليمنية، خصوصاً الجنوب، كل الوسائل المتاحة، بما فيها المحرمة، مع استعار للحرب الإعلامية بينهما عبر إعلام «الأدوات». فمن جانبها، تحتضن السعودية حزب «الإصلاح» الإسلامي («الإخوان المسلمون»)، وهو عدو الإمارات التاريخي، فتدعمه مالياً وتوفر له تسهيلات ميدانية، وتمكّنه من بسط النفوذ والسيطرة في الجنوب، كما أنها تؤمّن لقادته ملاذاً آمناً على أراضيها، ومنطلقاً لممارسة نشاطهم، إضافة إلى ضغوطها لإشراكه في «رأس الشرعية» عبر تنصيب علي محسن الأحمر نائباً للرئيس، وذلك بعد إقالة نائب الرئيس خالد بحاح المحسوب على الإمارات، وتوزير أعضاء الحزب في الحكومة، ولا سيما الوزارات السيادية، وأبرزها الداخلية التي يرأسها حسين عرب. كذلك تمارس السعودية الضغوط الناجحة على الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي من أجل فتح مساحات واسعة من النشاط والحركة لـ«الإصلاح».”

السعودية والإمارات: صراع على «الوكالة» الأميركية في اليمن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271845
 

02 February 2017

“أول من أمس، صدر تحذير يمني (راجع عدد أمس: الجيش و«اللجان» في المخا: انتظروا المفاجآت) توعّد قوات العدوان بمفاجآت في حال استمر استهداف المدنيين، علماً بأن قصف السفينة كما قالت القناة تمّ بصاروخ موجّه، وبعد «رصد دقيق قبالة السواحل الغربية».

ونقلت «المسيرة» عن مصدر عسكري أن «البارجة السعودية كانت تحمل على متنها 176 جندياً وضابطاً وطائرة مروحية، وكانت قد شاركت في العدوان على السواحل الغربية والمدن والصيادين».”

 استهداف بارجة سعودية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271848

02 February 2017 

“Both the New York Times and Reuters carried quotes from unnamed military officials that seemed to shift blame for the mission to Trump and his inner team. It would be an extraordinary development for a president, who is commander-in-chief, to be briefed against in such detail.

The briefings suggested that one thing after another went wrong from the start of the mission, with the Yemen villagers seemingly alerted to the impending raid by drones flying lower than usual.

The special forces, apparently lacking full intelligence, were confronted by heavily-fortified positions, including landmines, and faced heavy gunfire from buildings all around during the 50-minute firefight. One of the US planes sent in to help had to be left behind and was deliberately destroyed.

US military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.”
 

Questions mount over botched Yemen raid approved by Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/02/trump-approved-yemen-raid-five-days-after-inauguration

02 February 2017 

“Saudi Arabia’s investigation of its own alleged humanitarian law violations in Yemen is “like marking your own homework”, said the former UK international development secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Mitchell, recently returned from Yemen, told MPs that an independent investigation of alleged abuses during the two-year conflict was necessary to maintain credibility and the rule of humanitarian law at a time when such law was under “extraordinary pressure.”

Yemen is one of seven countries subject to a White House executive order banning citizens of Muslim majority countries from entering the US. The Ministry of Defence is tracking 252 allegations of humanitarian law violations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, according to a BBC report last week.

At a hearing on Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis by Britain’s international development committee on Wednesday, Mitchell was asked if the time had come for a fully independent investigation.”
 

Saudi inquiry into Yemen abuse claims like 'marking your own homework'
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/01/saudi-arabia-inquiry-yemen-abuse-claims-marking-your-own-homework-andrew-mitchell

02 February 2017

“A Saudi border guard was killed in an exchange of fire on Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Thursday.

SPA quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki as saying that a border checkpoint in the kingdom’s southwestern Jazan province had come under fire by "Houthi elements" inside Yemeni territory.”
 

Cross-border fire kills Saudi border guard near Yemen
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/cross-border-fire-kills-saudi-border-guard-near-yemen/740129

02 February 2017 

“President Donald Trump personally approved a US commando raid in Yemen that left one elite serviceman dead and may have killed an eight-year-old American girl, the US military has told the Guardian.

At least 14 people died in Sunday’s raid by the elite Joint Special Operations Command, which was the subject of a preliminary inquiry to determine if allegations of civilian deaths were sufficiently credible to merit a full investigation.”
 

Eight-year-old American girl 'killed in Yemen raid approved by Trump'
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/01/yemen-strike-eight-year-old-american-girl-killed-al-awlaki

02 February 2017

“Prior to US President Donald Trump's recent Muslim ban, Murad Subay, a Yemeni artist, never had to worry about being able to see his wife, Hadil, who studies in the US on a scholarship.

Following the recent executive order, which placed a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries including Yemen, seeing his wife again has become a distant dream. Subay cannot travel to visit her and fears that if Hadil returns home, she will not be allowed back in the US. What was once a valuable opportunity for Hadil to study political science at Stanford University in California has now turned into a nightmare.

Subay is stuck in a war-ravaged country while his wife lives in a place where foreign Muslims are eyed with suspicion.

Here is Subay's account of how the Muslim ban changed his life for ever.”
 

Ripped apart: Yemeni couple fearful after Muslim ban
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/ripped-yemeni-couple-fearful-muslim-ban-170202071736809.html

02 February 2017 

“Democrat representative Nancy Pelosi has come under fire online for comments she made to a Yemeni refugee, blasting Donald Trump’s recent executive order on immigration and refugees as responsible for the plight of the woman’s family.

“Your family is suffering because our president is reckless and his administration is incompetent,” Pelosi told a Yemeni refugee who said her mother could no longer come to the US due to the ban.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Pelosi was told by the Yemeni woman that her father died due to a lack of medicine in Yemen and that her mother was now unable to join her in the US.”
 

Blame Obama, not Trump: Twitter trolls Pelosi for Yemen policy memory loss
https://www.rt.com/usa/375901-pelosi-comments-yemen-refugee/

02 February 2017

“UNHCR is deeply concerned about the plight of thousands of Yemeni civilians fleeing or caught up in heavy confrontations between the warring parties in the Red Sea districts of Al Mokha and Dhubab in Taizz governorate.

Owing to ongoing military operations impeding humanitarian access, comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Current estimates from various sources indicate that approximately 3,570 individuals have fled Al Mokha to districts in the neighboring governorate of Al Hudaydah, namely Jabal Ra’s, Hays, Al Garrahi, Al Khawkhah and At Tuhayat.

There are conflicting reports as to the number of people that remain within the town of Al Mokha. Reports from a range of sources, including recently arrived internally displaced people from Al Mokha who met with UNHCR field teams in Al Hudaydah, inform that as many as 30,000 people have fled the fighting, with displaced families also reported to be moving rapidly between various locations within Taizz governorate.

Whilst others caught up by in the violence remain trapped inside Al Mokha and Dhubab, intensified hostilities in Al Hudaydah are also making it difficult for those attempting to escape to safety. The area north of Al Mokha which includes the coastal road to Al Hudaydah is also a site of military operations and remains subject to attack, placing those trying to flee at great risk during flight.”
 

UNHCR gravely concerned by intensified hostilities in Al Mokha affecting Yemeni civilians
http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2017/2/5892e8a94/unhcr-gravely-concerned-intensified-hostilities-al-mokha-affecting-yemeni.html

02 February 2017 

“عبرت المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين عن بالغ قلقها إزاء محنة آلاف المدنيين اليمنيين الفارين أو العالقين في المواجهات العنيفة بين الأطراف المتحاربة في مدينتي المخا وذباب الواقعتين على ساحل البحر الأحمر في محافظة تعز.

نظراً للعمليات العسكرية المستمرة التي تعوق وصول المساعدات الإنسانية، يصعب حالياً التحقق من البيانات الشاملة عن النزوح. وتشير التقديرات الحالية من مصادر مختلفة إلى أن حوالي 3,570 شخصاً فروا من المخا إلى مدن في محافظة الحديدة المجاورة، لا سيما إلى جبل راس وحيس والجراحي والخوخة والتحيتا.

وهناك تقارير متضاربة بشأن عدد الأشخاص الذين لا يزالون في مدينة المخا. وتفيد التقارير من مجموعة من المصادر، بما في ذلك النازحون داخلياً الواصلون مؤخراً من المخا والذين التقوا بالفرق الميدانية التابعة للمفوضية في الحديدة، أن أكثر من 300,000 شخص قد فروا من القتال، كما أفيد عن تنقل العائلات النازحة أيضاً بسرعة بين مواقع مختلفة في محافظة تعز.

وفي حين يبقى آخرون محاصرين في المخا وذباب حيث تدور معارك عنيفة، يصعّب القتال الكثيف في الحديدة أيضاً الوضع على الأشخاص الذين يحاولون الفرار إلى بر الأمان. وتدور عمليات عسكرية أيضاً في منطقة شمال مدينة المخا التي تشمل الطريق الساحلي إلى الحديدة وتبقى هذه المنطقة عرضة للهجوم، مما يشكل خطراً كبيراً على الأشخاص الذين يحاولون الفرار.

وداخل الحديدة، يسعى النازحون إلى إيجاد المأوى أينما استطاعوا. وتستضيف العائلات المحلية بسخاء الكثيرين منهم، إلا أنهم لا يزالون يواجهون ظروفاً غير مستقرة وهم بحاجة ملحة إلى المساعدة.”

 المفوضية تعبّر عن بالغ قلقها إزاء اشتداد حدة القتال في المخا وتأثيره على المدنيين اليمنيين
http://www.unhcr.org/ar/news/press/2017/2/589326734.html 

02 February 2017

“When war escalated in Yemen, Sana was abroad, having just qualified as a doctor. Hearing the news, she felt compelled to return to Taiz, scene of some of the conflict's fiercest fighting. Now she works in the malnutrition ward of MSF's mother and child hospital.

"I had just finished studying medicine in Cairo when the war at home in Yemen escalated. My family said that I should stay in Egypt to be safe, but I wanted to go home. I arrived back on 25 May 2015.

At first, I stayed with my family – my parents, my two brothers and my sister – at our house in the centre of Taiz.

One day, a bullet hit a metal frame just outside our window as my sister and I sat inside, discussing a book. We were saved by pure luck.

In July we had to move. By then, our road was full of soldiers and there was heavy fighting in the neighbourhood. There were tanks in the streets and the noise of heavy artillery and machine guns. We were facing death.”
 

Yemen: “Word had spread that I was a doctor, and people came to me for help all the time”
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-%E2%80%9Cword-had-spread-i-was-doctor-and-people-came-me-help-all-time%E2%80%9D

 

06 February 2017

“According to emerging reports from Yemen, a surface-to-surface missile fired by the Yemeni Army has hit Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

The missile was launched on Sunday evening, and sources in Yemen have described the missile test as successful.  It is unclear exactly what missile was used, and casualty figures, if any, are yet to be reported.

Update 1: More information has emerged, suggesting that the missile was a variant of a Russian Scud, known as the “Borkan” surface-to-surface missile.

Update 2: Sources indicate that the missile struck a military base West of Riyadh, in Mazahimiyah.

Update 3: On social media, a Saudi attempts to cover-up the attack, saying that the sound of the explosion in Riyadh was an earthquake or meteor.

Update 4: Co-Founder of Mona Relief, a Yemeni charity, Dr. RS Karim, has reported that his contacts in Riyadh told him that a state of emergency has been declared.”
 

Breaking: Ballistic missile strikes Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-ballistic-missile-strikes-riyadh-saudi-arabia/

06 February 2017

“A terrorist video released on Friday by the Pentagon to show what it called intelligence gleaned by the recent raid in Yemen actually was made about 10 years ago, it acknowledged.

Defense officials canceled a briefing they had called to discuss the value of the information recovered from Yemen and took the video off the website of the U.S. Central Command. They circulated clips from a video that showed how to prepare explosives without knowing it had already been public.”
 

That 'Valuable Intel' From The Yemen Raid? It Was 10 Years Old
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/03/513305178/that-valuable-intel-from-the-yemen-raid-it-was-10-years-old

06 February 2017

“Questions are mounting about the first covert counterterrorism operation approved by President Donald Trump. Authorities say it was a success. The Pentagon now acknowledges that civilians were killed Sunday when members of the Navy’s SEAL Team 6 joined with commandos from the United Arab Emirates to raid a Yemeni village where members of al-Qaeda were said to live. But human rights groups say up to 24 civilians were killed, including a newborn baby and an American 8-year-old girl, Nawar al-Awlaki, the daughter of the U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in Yemen by a U.S. drone strike in 2011. The U.S. suffered one fatality: William 'Ryan' Owens, a veteran member of SEAL Team 6.”
 

Yemen: Jeremy Scahill & Advocates Question "Success" of Trump Raid That Killed 24 Civilians
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/3/yemen_jeremy_scahill_advocates_question_success

06 February 2017

“A United Arab Emirates (UAE) soldier was killed Saturday in war-torn Yemen as part of a Saudi-led military campaign against Houthi rebels, the country’s army command said.

It, however, did not disclose the cause of the soldier's death.

The UAE is a member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched a massive air campaign in 2015.”
 

UAE soldier killed in Yemen in anti-Houthi operation
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/uae-soldier-killed-in-yemen-in-anti-houthi-operation/741766

06  February 2017

" أعلنت «القوة الصاروخية»، التابعة للجيش اليمني و«اللجان الشعبية» إجراء «تجربة ناجحة بصاروخ بالستي بعيد المدى على هدف عسكري في العاصمة السعودية الرياض»، واعدة بإيراد المزيد من التفاصيل، في وقت قالت فيه مصادر عسكرية لـ«الأخبار» إن الإعلان جاء بعد التأكد من بلوغ الصاروخ هدفه.

وأضافت تلك المصادر أن الإعلان أعقب الإطلاق بمدة قصيرة في وقت متأخر مساء أمس، وأن الإطلاق موثّق بمشاهد ستعرض لاحقاً، مشيرة إلى أنه سبق لـ«الصاروخية أن استهدفت بعشرات الصواريخ المتوسطة المدى أهدافاً عسكرية داخل المملكة ردّاً على عدوانها المستمر».

في غضون ذلك، توالت الأنباء المنقولة عن حسابات سعوديين في موقع «تويتر» تفيد بسماع صوت انفجار ضخم في منطقة المزاحمية الواقعة غرب الرياض، على طريق الرياض ــ الطائف، في وقت متزامن مع إعلان «القوة الصاروخية"».

صاروخ بالستي «يطاول الرياض»... والمملكة تخسر مواقع إستراتيجية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272183

06 February 2017

“على الصعيد العام، شاركت المرأة اليمنية في غالبية الوقفات الاجتحاجية المناهضة للحصار الاقتصادي وجرائم طائرات العدوان بحق المدنيين، وكانت إلى جانب الرجل تتحدى التهديدات بقصف التجمعات، كذلك لعبت دوراً آخر في الجبهتين الإعلامية والثقافية، وذلك من على منابر الإذاعات والفضائيات، وهنّ اليوم صرن يطالبن بحمل السلاح والمشاركة في معارك الدفاع.

لكن، ثمة موانع اجتماعية تحول دون مشاركة المرأة في جبهات القتال، مع أنه صار من المتفق عليه بين عدد من القبائل أنه يمكنها استخدام السلاح في الدفاع عن نفسها ومنزلها من أي معتدٍ.

منذ منتصف العام الماضي، بدأ «القطاع النسوي لأنصار الله» في العاصمة صنعاء تنظيم عروض عسكرية لافتة، حملت فيها النساء السلاح، مبديات استعدادهن للمشاركة في القتال، كما ظهرت نساء يقدن مدرعات عسكرية، وأخريات حملن حتى السلاح المتوسط.

مع ذلك، لاقى العرض الأول ردود فعل لم يكن معظمها إيجابياً، خاصة أن هناك موانع تفرضها عادات وتقاليد القبيلة اليمنية التي ترفض مشاركة المرأة في القتال إلا في حالة واحدة: «عندما يفنى الرجال عن بكرة أبيهم”».

المرأة اليمنية: البندقية ليست حكراً على الرجال
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272184
 

06 February 2017

“نشر مسؤولون عسكريون أميركيون، تسجيل فيديو قالوا إنه صور في اليمن أثناء استهداف تنظيم «القاعدة» بعملية الغنزال الأمريكي الأخيرة في اليمن، ثم قاموا بسحبه بعدما لاحظوا أنه يعود إلى عشر سنوات مضت.

ووضعت القيادة المركزية الأميركية للشرق الأوسط «سنتكوم»على موقعها الإلكتروني تسجيل فيديو يفترض أن يؤكد أهمية الوثائق والملفات التي صورت في المكان.

وقام عدد من مستخدمي الإنترنت بتوضيح أن التسجيل أنجز في الواقع قبل حوالي عشر سنوات ووضع على الإنترنت من قبل، قبل أن يتم سحبه على الفور.”

الجيش الأمريكي «يفبرك» فيديو إنزال باليمن.. ويسحبه بعد الفضيحة
https://medium.com/thenewkhalij/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%A9-98f798e5490e#.gi0sn0rj0
 

07 February 2017

“‘Rather than advancing a political solution that almost everyone agrees is the only way to solve the conflict, it seems the Trump administration's actions are just adding fuel to the fire,’ said Adam Baron, a Yemen expert at the European Council on Foreign relation.

Reacting to the Navy SEAL raid, a Yemeni tribal leader said: ‘If they had just bombed the place it would have been much easier and less risky, but it looks like Trump is trying to say “I'm a man of action."’

‘It looks like the new President has watched a lot of Steven Seagal movies,’ he added, referring to the action film star.”
 

Trump risks deeper entanglement in Yemen’s murky war
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-trump-idUSKBN15M1HP?utm_source=34553&utm_medium=partner

08 February 2017

“Yemen has denied reports that it has withdrawn its permission for the US to conduct special operations missions in the country after the raid on an al-Qaeda base last month which killed up to 30 civilians and a US Navy Seal.

There has been widespread anger in Yemen at the reported loss of life in a ground raid in which “almost everything went wrong,” as one US military official described it, leading Yemeni officials to suspend the counter-terror programme.

Neither Yemen nor the US have officially announced the decision, which was reported by the New York Times, citing unnamed American officials, on Tuesday.

Representatives from the Yemeni government said on Wednesday that the report was erroneous.”
 

Yemen 'withdraws permission for US ground raids' after Donald Trump’s first botched military operation
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-halt-us-ground-raids-donald-trump-first-botched-seal-operation-civilian-deaths-special-a7568291.html

08 February 2017

“The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $2.1 billion to provide food and other life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen who face the threat of famine after two years of war.

'The situation in Yemen is catastrophic and rapidly deteriorating,' Jamie McGoldrick, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said in the appeal document.

'Nearly 3.3 million people - including 2.1 million children - are acutely malnourished.'”
 

U.N. seeks $2.1 billion to avert famine in Yemen
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-idUSKBN15N14Q

08 February 2017

“Sana'a, Yemen – Mention to someone the words “Yemen” and “refugees” and they will certainly have in mind people fleeing the war-torn state. Yemen is a country that has been ravaged by fighting since 2015, and the situation there has only worsened as third parties have contributed to that civil war.

So it is perhaps surprising that while thousands of people are indeed fleeing Yemen to the Horn of Africa (some 87,000 last year), more people still are going the other direction, with more than 117,000 reckoned to have travelled across the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea into this place of insecurity last year alone.

Since 2013, nearly 290,000 refugees and migrants have landed on the Yemeni coast. Nearly 80 per cent of these were Ethiopians, and most of the rest Somalis. Most journey to Yemen in the hope of using it as a transit point, while others look to stay in Yemen, often unaware of the dangers

The most recent figures represent a steady increase in irregular movements from Africa to Yemen – up from 65,000 in 2013, 91,600 in 2014 and 92,500 in 2015 respectively. And this notwithstanding a worsening environment in Yemen, where a full-scale war has been ongoing since 2015.”
 

Insecurity in Yemen threatens incoming refugees and migrants
http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2017/2/5899a1524/insecurity-yemen-threatens-incoming-refugees-migrants.html

08 February 2017

“Yemeni government forces backed by Gulf Arab troops have secured the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, United Arab Emirates news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, in a push that paves the way for an advance on the country's main port city of Hodeidah.

Supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have been fighting for weeks to capture the small town, which once served as a main port for exporting coffee, from the Iran-aligned Houthi that has held it since early 2015.

The advance comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran since President Donald Trump came to office in January. U.S. officials said last week that the United States had deployed a Navy destroyer, the USS Cole, to patrol off the coast of Yemen to protect waterways from Houthis, including escorting vessels.”
 

Gulf-backed Yemeni forces capture Red Sea coast city - agency
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKBN15M2LU

08 February 2017

“Residents of Yakla, an impoverished Yemeni town that was targeted last month in the first US military raid in the country authorised by President Donald Trump, have said more than a dozen civilians were killed in the botched operation.

Locals told Al Jazeera that at least 16 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the raid in Bayda province that also resulted in the death of one US commando and injured three others.

The Pentagon said the raid, which included helicopter gunships and armed Reaper drones, targeted al-Qaeda leaders.

But local journalist Mujahid al-Selalee said Abdulraouf al-Dhahab, a tribal leader whose house was attacked in the raid, had repeatedly denied being a member of the armed group.”
 

Yakla residents speak of US raid that killed civilians
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/yemen-yakla-civilians-killed-170207043727800.html

08 February 2017

“Armed hostilities have increased substantially along Yemen’s western coast in recent weeks, including fierce fighting in the districts of Dhubab and Al Mukha in Taizz Governorate. Partners estimate that more than 34,000 individuals (as of 5 February) have been forced to flee their homes across Taizz in search of safety and protection. About 60 per cent ofrecent Taizz IDPs have fled affected areas of Al Mukha and Al Dhubab districts, including most residents of Dhubab town and an estimated two-thirds of residents of Al Mukha town.”
 

Yemen: Escalating Conflict - Yemen's Western Coast Flash Update | 07 February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-escalating-conflict-yemens-western-coast-flash-update-07-february-2017

10 February 2017

“Famine in Yemen is considered a 'real possibility' this year. More than three million people - including 460,000 children - are acutely malnourished and the situation is deteriorating on a daily basis.

The UN says 7.3 million Yemenis do not know where their next meal is coming from. The crisis has been brought on by nearly two years of civil war. Iran-backed Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition.

At least 10,000 people have been killed. The death toll from hunger and disease is much greater. A child under the age of five is dying every five minutes.

The international community is being urged to find $2.1bn to help ease the situation. The majority of the population has only limited access to food and medicine. The UN has described the crisis as 'catastrophic' and rapidly deteriorating.”
 

Will international community help avert Yemen famine?
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2017/02/international-community-avert-yemen-famine-170209192836050.html

10 February 2017

“The government cannot plead ignorance. When I met Alan Duncan, the Tory special envoy on Yemen, last April, he denied that Saudi Arabia was a dictatorship. When I put it to him that the Saudi regime was dropping British-made cluster bombs – for which there was overwhelming evidence – he refused to accept it. 'You are making that statement as if it is certain and definite,' he said. 'I don’t know if I can or cannot accept that.' A few months later, the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, was forced to admit in parliament that it was true.”
 

Britain has blood on its hands over Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/08/britain-role-yemen-bombs-saudi-arabia-civilians-civil-war

10 February 2017

"Broom-maker Taie al-Nahari is kneeling on the sand, shirtless, outside his thatched hut in al-Qaza village in Yemen’s al-Hudaydah governorate. His bones show through his skin.

Before the conflict began in 2015, the 53-year-old was a fisherman. Now he makes two brooms a day, which earns him a daily income of $1. 'The boats that we were working on were bombed [by Saudi jets]. Now my family and I don’t have enough to eat,' he says.

The conflict is the primary driver of a hunger crisis that the UN has warned could turn to famine this year if nothing is done."
 

Yemen's food crisis: 'We die either from the bombing or the hunger'
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/08/yemen-food-crisis-we-are-broken-bombing-hunger

10 February 2017

“The Saudi-led coalition has intensified air strikes on the Yemen port of Hodeidah, potentially trapping civilians and endangering a humanitarian operation to import vital supplies, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday.

Yemeni government forces backed by Gulf Arab troops have secured the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, held by Iran-allied Houthi fighters for two years, the United Arab Emirates news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, in a push that paves the way for an advance on the country's main port city of Hodeidah.

'Civilians were trapped during the fighting (in al-Mokha), there are real fears the situation will repeat itself in the port of Hodeidah where air strikes are apparently already intensifying,' Rupert Colville, U.N. human rights spokesman, told a Geneva news briefing.”
 

Saudi-led strikes on Yemen port, fears for civilians: U.N.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN15P12V

10 February 2017

“The number of food insecure people in Yemen has risen by three million in seven months, with an estimated 17.1 million people – more than two-thirds of the entire population of 27.4 million – now struggling to feed themselves, according to a joint assessment by three United Nations agencies.

“The speed at which the situation is deteriorating and the huge jump in food insecure people is extremely worrying,” said the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Representative in Yemen, Salah Hajj Hassan, in a news release.

“Bearing in mind that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population, FAO is urgently calling for funds to scale up its agricultural livelihoods support to farmers, herders and fishing communities to improve their access to food in 2017 and prevent the dire food and livelihood security situation from deteriorating further,” he added.

Of the 17.1 million food-insecure people, about 7.3 million are considered to be in need of emergency food assistance, according to the preliminary results of the Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment, which attributed the rapid deterioration of the conditions to the ongoing conflict.

The UN and humanitarian partners has recently launched an international appeal for $2.1 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen in 2017 – the largest-ever humanitarian response plan for the war-torn country.

The joint assessment was conducted by FAO, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in cooperation with the authorities in Yemen. It is the first national, household-level survey conducted in the country since the escalation of the conflict in mid-March 2015.

Rates of acute malnutrition were found to have passed the “critical” threshold in four governorates, while agricultural production is falling across the country.”
 

Yemen: As food crisis worsens, UN agencies call for urgent assistance to avert catastrophe
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56143#.WJ3yefmLSUk

10 February 2017

“Hisham al-Omeisy, a resident of Yemen's capital Sanaa, talks of chronic shortages of food, medicine and electricity. The United Nations has warned that the war-torn country is facing a catastrophic famine.”
 

Yemen on the brink of famine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04s94tb

13 February 2017

“Two Saudi-backed forces clashed at the Aden Airport on Sunday morning after one of the groups refused to hand over this governmental installation to the other.

According to local reports, a southern brigade led by Saleh Al-‘Amiri refused to hand over the Aden Airport to the Hadi loyalists; this resulted in a violent confrontation that is still ongoing.

Al-‘Amiri’s forces had been in control of the Aden Airport since they recapture this strategic port city from the Houthis in late 2015.”
 

Saudi-backed forces fight each other at Aden Airport in southern Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-backed-forces-fight-aden-airport-southern-yemen/

13 February 2017

“How did Nawar al-Awlaki, an 8-year-old child, die at the hands of a Navy Seal during last month’s nighttime raid in Yemen? We know from credible reports that she was shot in the neck at close range and received no medical aid throughout the remaining two hours of her life. Some questions come to mind: Was the shooting intentional? Did the soldier deliberately and with 'malice aforethought' point his weapon at Nawar and squeeze the trigger, fully aware that he was murdering in cold blood an innocent child? For that matter, might he have been influenced, if only subliminally, by our Commander-in-Chief’s prescription for winning the so-called 'war on terror'? During his campaign for the presidency, Trump announced that a sure-fire strategy for defeating ISIS had to involve eliminating their families as well as the terrorists themselves. Here are his exact words:

'When you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives. Don't kid yourself. But they say they don't care about their lives. You have to take out their families.'”
 

Yemen: In the Shadow of Death
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/02/12/yemen-shadow-death

13 February 2017

“Thousands of cancer patients in Yemen are being forced to seek life-saving medicines on the black market as the health system buckles after two years of war.

The conflict between the armed Houthi movement and a Saudi-led military coalition has killed over 10,000 people and triggered a slow-motion economic collapse, forcing health staff to work without pay and undercutting patients' ability to afford their own treatment.

For patients of the National Oncology Center, who often wait hours to receive their chemotherapy treatment, hope has evaporated along with their livelihoods.

'There are no pensions any more, how are we supposed to pay?' pleaded Mohamed El Shamaa, a gaunt leukemia patient, reclining limply as he received chemotherapy via an intravenous tube.

'Most people seek charity - some give and others say they can't help. Now, some people seek help from mosques. I'm one of those people,' he said.”
 

Yemen cancer patients struggle to survive war shortages
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-cancer-idUSKBN15S126

13 February 2017

“U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday the U.N. envoy to Yemen had his full support, days after Yemen's Houthi group asked him not to renew the diplomat's term due to what it said was bias against the Iranian-aligned movement.

'Our envoy has my full support and I believe that he is doing an impartial work, that he is doing it in a very professional way and independently of what other people may think, he has my full support,' said Guterres during a stop in Riyadh, part of a regional tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates.

In a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh, Guterres appealed to the combatants in Yemen's almost two-year-old war not to exploit the delivery of humanitarian aid, adding any such action was to be condemned.

A top official of the Houthi-led government which controls Yemen's capital called on the world body on Friday not renew the term of U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, saying he had shown 'lack of neutrality' and sympathy for a Saudi-led coalition that is fighting to reinstate Yemen's internationally-recognized government.”
 

U.N. chief affirms full support for Yemen peace envoy
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-un-guterres-idUSKBN15R0MP

13 February 2017

“A Pakistani national was killed Sunday in Saudi Arabia when Yemeni rebels shelled the kingdom’s southern border region, the civil defense department said.

A rocket hit Arda, which is part of the southwestern region of Jazan, Civil Defense spokesman Yahya Al-Qahtani said in a report by the official Saudi Press Agency.

'As result, a Pakistani national was killed,' he said without naming the victim.

At least 115 civilians and soldiers have been killed in southern Saudi Arabia since a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels in March 2015 to support Yemen’s government.”
 

Yemen shelling kills Pakistani in southern Saudi Arabia
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1053146/saudi-arabia

 
13 February 2017

“The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemeni dominant Houthi rebels killed a six-member family in an air strike on the family's house in the Red Sea port city of Mokha on Sunday evening, a medic and security official told Xinhua.

'Doctor Molok Mahis, director of maternal and childhood center, a non-governmental organization, was critically injured in the air strike on her home in Mokha and she is being now treated at the intensive care in the hospital,' the medic told Xinhua by phone.

'Her leg was amputated in the air strike and six members of her family were killed,' the medic said.

The security official in the port city confirmed that all six members of social activist Mahis were killed in one of the evening air strike that flattened her house to the ground.

This is the latest in a series of air strikes hitting Yemeni civilians since the war began in 2015.”
 

Coalition airstrike kills 6-member family in Yemeni port city Mokha
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-02/13/c_136051284.htm

13 February 2017

“The US-backed Saudi-led coalition held five oil tankers heading to Hodeida province, an official told Saba on Monday.

The tankers, which carries gas and diesel, were designated to reach Ras Isa and Hodeida ports.

The aggression's move intended to hinder the oil derivatives supplies from reaching the Yemeni people, the official said.

He condemned the UN and international community's silence to the Saudi crimes against the Yemeni people, who have already suffered from all-out blockade imposed by Saudi aggression for almost two years.”
 

Saudi aggression deprives Yemen of oil supplies
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news456041.htm

13 February 2017

“KEY FIGURES

28,000 people estimated to have fled Al Mokha

2,600 people have fled to neighbouring governorate of Al Hudaydah

2,007,216 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) since onset of hostilities in March 2015.

1,027,674 IDP returnees since March 2015

SITUATION UPDATE

UNHCR is deeply concerned about the plight of thousands of Yemeni civilians fleeing or caught up in heavy confrontation in Taizz governorate. While hostilities have intensified in the Red Sea districts of Al Mokha and Dhubab, individuals are also being displaced further inland from Al Wazi'iyah and Mawza in Taizz as conflict engulfs key strategic locations across the governorate. Thousands of civilians are being caught in the crossfire, worsening the situation for an already vulnerable population. UNHCR is mobilizing rapid assistance together with partners to help those displaced. Challenges in response include heavy fighting and ongoing military operations which are impeding humanitarian access, and comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Those trapped face serious risks in an effort to reach safety, including mined roads and ongoing hostilities.

The number of displaced is expected to increase as major confrontation continues.”
 

Yemen UNHCR Flash Update, 10 February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-flash-update-10-february-2017

13 February 2017

“The Houthi forces launched a decisive counter-offensive near the strategic Mocha Port on Saturday, striking the Saudi-backed 'Southern Resistance' forces at the eastern flank.

The Houthi forces reportedly gathered east of Mocha on Friday evening in order to regroup for today’s offensive.

With the adequate men needed to launch the offensive, the Houthi forces began their swift counter-assault on Saturday morning; this attack resulted in a fierce battle between the two opposing parties.”
 

Houthi forces launch decisive counter-offensive in west Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/houthi-forces-launch-decisive-counter-offensive-west-yemen/

13 February 2017

“أزمة جديدة تقتحم حياة اليمنيين في الجنوب، تحديداً مدينة عدن، حيث العاصمة التي أعلنها الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي، واحة للأمان. هذه المرة كان عنوان الاشتباكات مطار عدن الدولي الذي هدّد المؤتمن عليه وقائد قوات حمايته، العميد صالح العمري، المعروف بـ«أبو قحطان»، بوقف الملاحة الجوية فيه إذا لم تصرف «الشرعية» مرتبات قواته.

جراء هذا التهديد، أمر هادي ألوية الحماية الرئاسية، التي يقودها مهران القباطي وبسام المحضار، باستلام حماية المطار من العمري، لكن الأخير رفض التسليم. ورغم دخول وسطاء عديدين، تحوّل الخلاف كالعادة، إلى اشتباكات أظهرت بوضوح كل ما كان يقال عن الصراع الخفي بين السعودية من جهة، وبين الإمارات العربية من جهة أخرى، وحلفاء الطرفين.”

 
عدن ضحية معارك «الشرعية»... و«أنصار الله» تسترد مواقع في نهم
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272505

13 February 2017

“لا يبدو الرجل يعبأ أبداً بمدى المأزق أو التخبط الذي تعانيه قواته العسكرية المشكلة من ألوية متفرقة ومتشتتة، بُنيَت على أسس مناطقية وحزبية وفصائلية ومحسوبيات وولاءات خليجية وأجنبية، وهي ــ الألوية ــ لا تحمل عقيدة عسكرية مبدئية، ولا تملك نظاماً قتالياً موحداً يمكن الركون إليهما في الجبهات التي تزج بها في الشمال اليمني.

الحرب لم تنته بعد، بل هي الآن في ضراوة العمليات العسكرية على الساحل الغربي وبقية الجبهات، حتى وقع الاحتراب الداخلي بين الفصائل السلفية المحسوبة على الإمارات وحزب «الإصلاح» الإخواني المدعوم من السعودية في محافظة تعز. وما إن توقفت المعارك بينهما بفعل ضغوط من وسطاء محليين، حتى أطلت الفتنة برأسها بينهما من جديد من خلال التهديدات المتبادلة بين الطرفين. ويجمع المطلعون على مجريات الأمور على أنه لو أتيح للحرب التي تشن حالياً على اليمن أن تتوقف، فإن حرباً ضارية ستقع وتلتهم بنيرانها البشر والحجر، ويشارك فيها جميع القوى المشكلة للسلطة.”

عبد ربه منصور هادي... «أنطوان لحد اليمن»
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272448

 
13 February 2017

“خطاب تصعيدي وسقف تحدٍّ كبير أعلنه عبد الملك الحوثي وحمل عناوين، أبرزها زيادة وجوه المواجهة العسكرية، بدءاً من التوعد بـ«قصف الرياض وما بعد الرياض»، وصولاً إلى الكشف عن دور جديد لطائرات بلا طيار تسيرها «أنصار الله»، والتجهيز لإدخال عناصر «الدفاع الجوي» في المعركة بعدما أظهرت «القوة البحرية» أداءً مقلقاً للسفن الأميركية والسعودية على حد سواء”

«أنصار الله» إلى «ما بعد الرياض»... ودفاعات جوية قريباً
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272449

13 February 2017

“قال شهود عيان في مدينة الحديدة (غرب اليمن) اليوم الاثنين، إن مقاتلات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية شنت غارتين على موقع عسكري للمسلحين الحوثيين والقوت الموالية لصالح بالقرب من الميناء.

وأفاد الشهود مراسل «المصدر أونلاين»، بأن الغارتين استهدفتا مبنى الانشاءات بالقرب من البوابة الشرقية لميناء الحديدة في شارع جيزان.

وأضافوا بأن سيارات الإسعاف وصلت إلى المواقع المستهدفة لإسعاف الضحايا.”

مقاتلات التحالف تشن غارتين على مواقع للحوثيين وقوات صالح بالقرب من ميناء الحديدة
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88830

13 February 2017

“نجا عميد كلية الإعلام السابق بجامعة صنعاء في وقوت متأخر من مساء أمس الأحد، من محاولة اغتيال نفذها مجهولون في شارع الرقاص وسط العاصمة، حسبما قال شهود عيان ومصدر.

وأوضح مصدر في نقابة هيئة التدريس بالجامعة لـ«المصدر أونلاين»، بأن مسلحين على متن دراجة نارية أطلقوا وابل من النيران على أستاذ الاتصال والإعلام بالجامعة الدكتور علي البريهي، لكنه نجا.

وأضاف إن الحادث جاء بعد تلقيه اتصالاً من مجهول، يتوعده ويهدده بالتصفية، على خلفية نشاطه النقابي في جامعة صنعاء.

وقال المصدر إن محاولة اغتيال البريهي، كانت رسالة إلى الأكاديميين في جامعة صنعاء، الذين ينفذون إضراباً عن الدراسة للشهر الثاني على التوالي، احتجاجاً على عدم تسلمهم رواتبهم منذ خمسة أشهر.”

شهود: نجاة عميد كلية الإعلام السابق بجامعة صنعاء من محاولة اغتيال نفذها مسلحون
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88825

15 February 2017

“At least seven Saudi soldiers have been killed in the past week in clashes with Yemeni rebels, state media has said.

In an unusual series of official reports, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported late on Monday that Mohammed al-Manjahi was the latest soldier to be killed 'defending' the kingdom's southern borders in the fight against Houthi rebels.”
 

Yemen conflict: Seven Saudi soldiers killed on border
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/yemen-conflict-saudi-soldiers-killed-border-170214095443697.html

 
15 February 2017

“Saudi Arabian coalition jets bombing Houthi rebel sites in Yemen increasingly turn to U.S. Air Force tankers for refueling support almost two years after the conflict began.

Since April 2015, the Air Force has logged 1,778 tanker sorties for the operation, Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Capt. Kathleen Atanasoff told Military.com on Tuesday. That includes 1,069 over the past year, an increase of 360, or 50 percent, from the 709 in the previous period.

'These operations are ongoing, with aircraft refueling occurring daily,' Atanasoff said in an email. The service's tankers such as KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders participated in 7,564 refueling 'events' with coalition aircraft, with 'about 54 million pounds of fuel off-loaded in support of Saudi operations in Yemen,' Atanasoff said.

Refueling numbers are tracked by the command but, unlike statistics on strikes and sorties against the Islamic State and the Taliban, aren't publicly released via the command's airpower summary factsheets.”
 

2 Years Into Yemen War, US Ramps Up Refueling of Saudi Jets
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/02/15/2-years-yemen-war-us-ramps-up-refueling-saudi-jets.html

15 February 2017

“A suicide car bomb attack in a rebel-held Yemeni town on Tuesday killed three people, including a child, and wounded eight others, a provincial official said.

The attack targeted a sports and culture club in the Houthi-controlled town of Radaa, he said, in the central province of Baida where Al-Qaeda fighters are present.

A security official said: 'Houthi fighters opened fire on the car before it attacked the club, causing it to explode at the gate, leading to the deaths and injuries.'

A nearby school was also damaged, the source said.”
 

Yemen suicide car bombing kills 3: officials
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1054171/middle-east

 
15 February 2017

“At least twenty one civilians were killed, Including three children, and dozens wounded in 309 airstrikes launched by US-backed Saudi aggression warplanes on several Yemeni provinces over the past five days, officials and residents told Saba.

In Sana'a province, the aggression warplanes launched ten air strikes on Nehm district and six raids on Belad Alroos area.

In Sa'ada province, the aggression launched 33 airstrikes on several districts, targeting civilians and their properties. Eight civilians, including three children, were killed in an airstrike on Haidan district of Sa'ada.

Also three children were killed in Sa'ada in an airstrike on Husama residential area in Dhahir district.

Also in Sa'ada, the air strikes targeted telecommunication networks.

In Jawf province, the aggression warplanes launched two raids on Milhan directorate and al-Maslob district.

In Taiz province, the aggression fighter jets waged 68 air raids on large swaths of residential areas, particularly in Mokha coast city. In Mokha, a ten-member family, mostly children, were killed in one of the airstrike.

Also in Taiz, the air strikes targeted telecommunication networks.

In Mareb province, the aggression warplanes carried out 38 raids on several civilian regions, in which large-scale of farms were damaged.

In Hodeidah port city, the aggression launched 48 air strikes on different areas, particularly the port itself, hampering food and medical import supplies.

In Hajja province, the aggression warplanes launched 102 airstrikes, particularly on Medi port city and boirder crossing of Haradh.

In Mahweet governorate, the aggression fighter jets launched one air strike on AL-Khabt district.

In Shabw province, the Saudi aggression launched one air raid on Aselan district.”
 

309 airstrikes hit Yemen in five days
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456263.htm

15 February 2017

“Inter-factional clashes erupted around Aden’s international airport on Sunday, prompting Saudi-led coalition Apache helicopters to fire a missile at a military vehicle, Yemeni security officials said, without confirming the number of casualties.

The attack marks the first time the Arab coalition intervenes militarily in power struggles between the forces from the presidential guards – led by President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi’s son – and a UAE-backed rival faction group.

“The fighting around Aden airport was not spur of the moment. There has been sporadic intra-factions since Aden liberation, it just escalated today,” local journalist Saleh al-Batati told The New Arab.”
 

Boiling tensions: Yemen's pro-coalition forces fight for Aden Airport
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/2/13/boiling-tensions-yemens-pro-coalition-forces-fight-for-aden-airport

15 February 2017

“Yemen has no plans to request US ground troops to fight on its behalf in the country’s civil war, the permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Khaled Alyemany, said on Monday.

"We will never invite American soldiers on the ground," Alyemany stated during an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC. "We will never invite Americans. And Americans, they understand that."

Khaled Alyemany also stated that the administration of former US President Barack Obama and the efforts of former Secretary of State John Kerry caused setbacks to the peace process in Yemen.”
 

Yemen to Never Invite US Ground Troops to Help Resolve Conflict - UN Envoy
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702131050637475-us-yemen-troops-alyemany/

15 February 2017 

“Yemen's wheat supplies will run out at the end of March, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation predicted in a report, adding that the war-torn country, which is currently on the brink of famine, is in a more desperate position than previously thought.

At the end of January, the UN's top official in the impoverished country told Reuters that there were roughly three months' supply of wheat left in the country.

'Yemen is facing the largest food security emergency in the world. Without immediate action, the situation is likely to worsen in 2017,' the FAO report said.”
 

Yemen's wheat stocks to be 'depleted by April'
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/society/2017/2/11/yemens-wheat-stocks-to-be-depleted-by-april

15 February 2017

“صعّد التحالف السعودي من هجماته الجوية على محيط ميناء الحديدة غربي اليمن، في خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية، وذلك برغم المخاوف المحلية والدولية من تداعيات استهداف المرفأ البحري الوحيد الذي تمرّ منه معظم المساعدات الإنسانية و70 في المئة من واردات الغذاء والدواء و80 في المئة من واردات الوقود.

وكانت السعودية قد استغلت استهداف فرقاطتها في المياه الإقليمية اليمنية قبالة الحديدة نهاية الشهر الماضي، لتبرر تحويل الميناء إلى هدف جدي لها. ونتيجةً لذلك، بات الميناء الذي استقبل العام الماضي أكثر من 270 ألف طن من المساعدات الإنسانية المقدمة من الأمم المتحدة، يواجه تصاعداً في التهديدات، من قبل طيران العدوان وبوارجه الحربية.”
 

صراع الساحل يصل إلى الحُديدة
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272587

15 February 2017

“أزمة جديدة تقتحم حياة اليمنيين في الجنوب، تحديداً مدينة عدن، حيث العاصمة التي أعلنها الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي، واحة للأمان. هذه المرة كان عنوان الاشتباكات مطار عدن الدولي الذي هدّد المؤتمن عليه وقائد قوات حمايته، العميد صالح العمري، المعروف بـ«أبو قحطان»، بوقف الملاحة الجوية فيه إذا لم تصرف «الشرعية» مرتبات قواته.

جراء هذا التهديد، أمر هادي ألوية الحماية الرئاسية، التي يقودها مهران القباطي وبسام المحضار، باستلام حماية المطار من العمري، لكن الأخير رفض التسليم. ورغم دخول وسطاء عديدين، تحوّل الخلاف كالعادة، إلى اشتباكات أظهرت بوضوح كل ما كان يقال عن الصراع الخفي بين السعودية من جهة، وبين الإمارات العربية من جهة أخرى، وحلفاء الطرفين.”

عدن ضحية معارك «الشرعية»... و«أنصار الله» تسترد مواقع في نهم
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272505

15 February 2017

“قال محافظ محافظة تعز (جنوب غرب اليمن) علي المعمري اليوم الأربعاء، إن السلطة المحلية قاربت من استكمال كافة الإجراءات المتعلقة بصرف مرتبات الموظفين في القطاع المدني.

ونقلت وكالة الأنباء اليمنية «سبأ» عن المعمري قوله، إن مرتبات موظفي القطاع المدني ستصرف قريباً، وإن عملية توقيع الكشوفات الخاصة بعملية الصرف قد انتهت، وإن موعد الصرف سيتحدد في وقت لاحق.

وأرجع المعمري أسباب التأخير إلى عدم استكمال بيانات الموظفين في بعض الأجهزة والمؤسسات والمكاتب في المحافظة”

محافظ تعز يقول إن موعد صرف المرتبات سيتم قريباً بعد الانتهاء من توقيع الشيكات
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88880

15 February 2017

“شهد الريال اليمني تحسناً أمام العملات الأجنبية بعد إجراءات اتخذتها الحكومة التي تعمل من العاصمة المؤقتة عدن (جنوب البلاد)، بالتوازي مع اجراءات لسلطات الحوثيين في العاصمة صنعاء.

وتراجع سعر الصرف من 365 الى 310 ريالاً للدولار بالعاصمة المؤقتة عدن (جنوبي البلاد)، ومن 390 الى 330 ريالاً للدولار الواحد في العاصمة صنعاء وأمام الريال السعودي من 102 الى 80 ريالا.

وقال صرافون، ان اجتماعاً لقيادة البنك المركزي مع الصرافين في عدن، خرج باتفاق على بيع الدولار بنحو 300 ريال للدولار الواحد والريال السعودي ب75 ريالاً.

من جانبها أكدت مصادر حكومية، أن البنك المركزي تعهد للصرافين بضخ كميات كافية من العملة الصعبة في السوق للحفاظ على استقرار العملة بما يكفي ليتساوى العرض مع الطلب.”

إجراءات حكومية تنجح مؤقتاً في كبح جماح العملة الخضراء أمام الريال اليمني
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88881

16 February 2017

“It’s impossible to get hard numbers, but child marriage appears to be on the rise in Yemen: a consequence of the extreme poverty caused by nearly two years of devastating war in what was already one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.

Parents are becoming increasingly unable to provide for their families, and interviews conducted by IRIN suggest some are opting to marry their daughters off younger than planned, reversing previous progress towards ending the practice.”
 

Shattered war economy encourages child marriage in Yemen
http://www.irinnews.org/2017/02/15/shattered-war-economy-encourages-child-marriage-yemen?utm_source=IRIN+-+the+inside+story+on+emergencies&utm_campaign=142c77ded4-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_ENGLISH_MIDDLE_EAST&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d842d98289-142c77ded4-75451173

16 February 2017

“Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition struck a house north of Yemen's capital where a crowd of mourners was gathered, residents said on Thursday, killing nine women and a child and injuring dozens.

The Saudi-led coalition said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties in the area.

The air strike hit the house of a local tribal leader in Ashira, a village north of Sanaa, on Wednesday night, a resident told Reuters. Mourners had gathered there to offer condolences after a woman died.

"People heard the sound of planes and started running from the house but then the bombs hit the house directly. The roof collapsed. Blood was everywhere," a second resident of Ashira, who gave his name as Hamid Ali, told a Reuters cameraman.”
 

Plane strike hits Yemen mourners, killing 9 women, 1 child: residents
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN15V0Q8

20 February 2017

“Amid no letup in Saudi carnage of Yemen’s civilians, counter-strikes by Yemeni forces have hit a military base inside Saudi Arabia close to the common border.

They targeted the outpost in the ‘Asir region in the kingdom’s extreme southwest with an unknown number of projectiles on Sunday, Yemen’s War Media outlet reported.

It also carried extended footage of the counter-raid after Saudi officials denied that such retaliatory attack had ever taken place.

Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters have been hitting targets in the kingdom’s border area in response to its March 2015-present invasion of the impoverished country.”
 

Watch video of Saudi base hit by Yemeni rockets
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2017/02/19/511174/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Asir

20 February 2017

“The UK trained an air force at the centre of war crime allegations in Yemen how to carry out airstrikes with smart bombs.

Evidence submitted during a legal case into UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia reveals the RAF trained the country’s air force how to use Paveway IV missiles.

The documents also reveal that only a 'very, very small' number of airstrikes were tracked and the UK knew little about the Saudis’ targeting practices.

Despite being kept in the dark over airstrikes, the UK Government claimed last year that no war crimes had been committed by the Saudis.”
 

Smart bombs made in Scotland were dropped in Yemen by UK-trained Saudi air force
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/smart-bombs-made-scotland-were-9848386

20 February 2017

“They call him the Banksy of Yemen. But Murad Subay, a 29-year-old street artist based in the capital Sanaa, shrugs off such comparisons.

Subay has transformed the streets of an active war zone into his own vibrant gallery. His canvases are often the ruins of war - crumbling, abandoned houses with gaping holes caused by mortar explosions.

'It is three letters only: W-A-R,' said Subay of his work, which continually shines a light on Yemen's horrific humanitarian situation.

'It's just to show the ugliness of war - this is what happens by war. This is my way to to protest against the injustice of this war and for peace.'

Subay's work also focuses on Yemen's dire economic situation, political corruption, disappeared persons, and US drone strikes.”
 

Yemen's most prolific street artist copes with Donald Trump's immigration ban.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/yemen-art-love-bombs-bans-170213090154650.html

20 February 2017

“Nine women and one child have died after a Saudi-led coalition war plane struck a funeral gathering in Yemen, officials have said.

A strike which hit a house in which mourners were gathered north of the capital on Wednesday also injured dozens more civilians, witnesses said.

The home of a local tribal leader in Ashira, a village north of Sanaa, was destroyed in the strike, a resident told Reuters. Locals had gathered there to offer condolences after a woman in the family died.”
 

Saudi air strike kills 10 women and children in Yemen
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-air-strike-saudi-arabia-10-women-children-dead-funeral-bombing-sanaa-a7585886.html

20 February 2017

“Four Yemenis working with the Norwegian Refugee Council have been detained in a rebel-held part of the country, the NGO said Monday, after they distributed aid insurgents allege is linked to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the NRC said authorities in the rebel-controlled Red Sea district of Hodeida detained three Yemeni staff and a contracted driver on Tuesday last week.

'Due to the security sensitivities regarding our staff, we cannot comment any further on the matter at this time,'said the Oslo-based non-governmental organisation.”
 

Norwegian Refugee Council staff held in Yemen
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/34455690/norwegian-refugee-council-staff-abducted-in-yemen-minister/#page1

20 February 2017

“The United Arab Emirates says an Emirati soldier has been killed while taking part in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

The state-run WAM news agency reported the soldier's death on Friday. It identified the slain soldier as Sgt. Nader Mubarak Issa Suleiman.”
 

UAE says Emirati soldier killed in Saudi-led war in Yemen
http://www.njherald.com/article/20170217/AP/302179938#

20 February 2017

“UNHCR is mobilizing rapid assistance with partners to help those displaced principally from Mokha and Dhubab in Taizz governorate. Challenges in response include heavy fighting and ongoing military operations which are impeding humanitarian access, and comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Assessment missions and distributions are underway, and UNHCR has pre-positioned emergency stocks in Al Hudaydah, comprising of emergency shelter kits and household assistance consisting of mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, kitchen utensils and wash buckets.

Latest figures released by the 12th Task Force on Population Movement, coled by UNHCR and IOM, identify 2,007,216 IDPs and 1,027,674 IDP returnees in Yemen. There is a slight decrease in the numbers of displacement figures overall due to further data collection and validation procedures. The report continues to identify food as the overwhelmingly reported need by IDPs, with 75% of informants reporting it as the priority when compared to 66% in the previous report, in addition to access to income (7%), Shelter/Housing (7%) and cooking/washing water (4%). Priority needs for returnees also continue to be reported as food (36%), financial support (19%), psychosocial support (18%).”
 

Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, February 14 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-operational-update-february-14-2017

20 February 2017

“White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has warned journalists and lawmakers against criticizing a botched raid by U.S. commandos on a Yemeni village last month that left 25 civilians and one U.S. Navy SEAL dead. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports the January 28 assault killed nine children under the age of 13, with five other children wounded. The attack came as the United Nations appealed for $2.1 billion in emergency aid to Yemen, warning 12 million people face the threat of famine brought on by a U.S.-supported, Saudi-led war and naval blockade.”
 

Glenn Greenwald: Trump Seems to Be Committed to Escalating Violence in Yemen
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/16/glenn_greenwald_trump_seems_to_be
 

22 February 2017

“Maj Gen Ahmed Saif al-Yafei is said to have died in the attack outside the port city of Mokha. His death will be seen as a major setback for government forces, which are backed by a Saudi-led coalition. The Yemeni government has yet to recapture the capital, Sanaa, after two years of civil war.

Maj Gen Yafei was killed along with several others when the missile hit the army camp near Mokha early on Wednesday, the military source, who is also a member of the general's family, told Reuters news agency.”
 

Yemen crisis: Army chief killed in missile strike on camp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39050802

22 February 2017

“Seven million Yemenis are closer than ever to starvation, the UN humanitarian coordinator in the country warned on Tuesday, almost two years since a conflict escalated between the government and rebels.

"Seven million Yemenis do not know where their next meal will come from and are ever closer to starvation" in a country of 27 million people, Jamie McGoldrick said.

"Over 17 million people are currently unable to adequately feed themselves and are frequently forced to skip meals - women and girls eat the least and last," he said in a statement.”
 

Seven million people 'ever closer' to starvation in Yemen: UN
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/seven-million-people-ever-closer-starvation-yemen-un-940004872

24   February 2017

“شنت مقاتلات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية فجر اليوم الخميس، غارات على مواقع لمسلحي جماعة الحوثيين والقوات الموالية للرئيس السابق، في منطقة رمة شمال محافظة الضالع (جنوب اليمن).

وقال مصدر ميداني لـ«المصدر أونلاين»، إن خمسة من المسلحين الحوثيين سقطوا في القصف الجوي.

وبموازاة ذلك، تجددت المعارك بين القوات الحكومية والمقاومة من جهة، والحوثيين وقوات صالح من جهة أخرى، في منطقة يعيس، وقُتل فيها أحد عناصر القوات الحكومية وهو الملازم ثاني أحمد محمد علوان."  

غارات على مواقع الحوثيين شمال الضالع ومقتل جندي في القوات الحكومية إثر تجدد المعارك
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89062/amp

24 February 2017

“Britain is tracking 257 alleged breaches of international humanitarian law committed in Yemen by Saudi Arabia, a major UK arms customer, the government has admitted.

The numbers emerged in response to a parliamentary question put to Defense Secretary Michael Fallon by Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Margaret Ferrier.

“The Ministry of Defense (MoD) is tracking 257 allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen,” said Fallon.”
 

UK tracking 257 possible Saudi war crimes in Yemen
https://www.rt.com/uk/378396-saudi-war-crimes-yemen/

24 February 2017

“The Saudi-backed Southern Resistance forces, alongside Hadi loyalists and Sudanese Army personnel, seized a new village north of the strategic Mocha Port in southwestern Yemen.

According to pro-government media, the Saudi-backed forces seized the village of Yakhtoul near the Mocha Port after a short battle with the Houthi forces this morning.

As a result of today’s advance, the Saudi-backed forces and their foreign allies have cleared the area north of the Mocha Port.

Intense clashes are still ongoing in the Al-Jadid area east of the Mocha Port, as the Houthi forces attempt to regain control of this strategic site.”
 

Saudi-backed forces, Sudanese Army advance north of Yemen’s Mocha Port
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-backed-forces-sudanese-army-advance-north-yemens-mocha-port/

24 February 2017

“Hundreds of thousands of Yemeni children languishing in refugee camps and remote villages are nearing starvation. Families who fled airstrikes are being forced to return to war-shattered homes, risking their lives again.

The United Nations and other humanitarian groups are describing alarming scenes in the Middle East’s poorest country as a humanitarian crisis and conflict deepen after nearly two years of war.

In recent weeks, clashes between rebels known as Houthis and forces loyal to the U.S.-backed government have intensified, especially along the western coast of the country. Airstrikes near a major port in the city of Hodeida — the main entry point for food, medicine and humanitarian aid into northern Yemen — have slowed the delivery of supplies and exacerbated the misery.”
 

Hundreds of thousands of Yemeni children are nearing starvation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hundreds-of-thousands-of-yemeni-children-are-nearing-starvation/2017/02/23/f01ead8a-f850-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_story.html?utm_term=.78a960094360

24 February 2017

“The Ikea Foundation has given over £2m to Médecins Sans Frontières and Save the Children for their work in Yemen, and is calling on other funders to do the same. The Ikea Foundation gave £1.7m (€2m) to MSF, and another £0.4m (€500,000) to Save the Children to save lives and protect children and families in Yemen. The foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the owners of the Swedish furniture giant Ikea, is calling on other funders to do the same to ensure that the people of Yemen get the help that they need. Per Heggenes, chief executive of the Ikea Foundation, said: “The Ikea Foundation is proud to support MSF and Save the Children’s work in Yemen, and it’s why we’re encouraging other funders to do the same. The international community has not done enough to prevent children and families in Yemen from suffering. If we don’t act now, the consequences are unthinkable.”

Ikea Foundation gives over £2m to charities working in Yemen
https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/ikea-foundation-donates-over-2m-to-m-decins-sans-fronti-res-and-save-the-children.html

 
24 February 2017

“A suicide bomber killed at least eight soldiers in an attack on a military camp in Yemen's southern city of Zinjibar at dawn on Friday, a local official and residents said.

The bomber, wearing a military uniform, struck Najda Camp in the Abyan provincial capital along the coast from second city Aden where the government has its headquarters.

He failed to get through the gate and heavy exchanges of gunfire ensued as other attackers tried to penetrate the base.

Residents said they heard a loud explosion at dawn in the city, the capital of Abyan province. The bomber was suspected to be an al-Qaeda member, the local official said.”
 

Suicide bomber kills at least five soldiers in Yemen
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/suicide-bomber-kills-soldiers-yemen-170224080159429.html

24 February 2017

“The US government should credibly investigate the raid on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in central Yemen in late January 2017, that killed at least 14 civilians, including nine children, and make its findings public, Human Rights Watch said today.

The high number of civilian casualties raises concerns that US forces and the armed group failed to take all necessary measures to minimize loss of civilian life, as required by the laws of war. The US government reported that 14 AQAP fighters and a US service member were killed in the fighting and, three days after the attack, that civilians, including children, were likely killed.”
 

Yemen: US Should Investigate Civilian Deaths in Raid
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/24/yemen-us-should-investigate-civilian-deaths-raid

24 February 2017

“One Emirati soldier deployed as part of a Saudi-led Arab coalition against the Shia Houthi rebel group has been killed in Yemen, the UAE’s official WAM news agency reported Friday.

The news agency carried an announcement by the UAE Armed Forces’ General Command confirming the death of UAE Army Sergeant Khaled Ali Gharib al-Blushi, who had been participating in a Saudi-led air campaign against the Houthis and their allies.

The statement did not provide any additional details regarding the soldier’s death, which brought the total number of Emirati soldiers killed in Yemen this month to four.

Another Emirati soldier was killed in Yemen last Friday, while a third reportedly died the same day of a heart attack.

The UAE is the second largest contributor -- in terms of air power -- to Saudi Arabia’s anti-Houthi coalition.”
 

Emirati soldier killed in war-wracked Yemen
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/emirati-soldier-killed-in-war-wracked-yemen/758644

24 February 2017

“Acute shortage of critical medicines, limited fuel for electricity and specialized medical staff such as intensive care doctors and nurses having left Yemen have put innocent lives in danger, the United Nations health agency has warned.

According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), only 45 per cent of the country's health facilities remain fully functional and accessible and at least 274 have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.

On top of this, drastic budget cuts have left health facilities without funds for operational costs and health care workers without regular salaries since September 2016.

One such example is the 320-bed Al-Thawra Hospital, the main functioning health facility in Al-Hudaydah (Yemen's third largest city) and neighbouring governorates. Many health facilities in the area have already closed.

Staffed by more than 1,200 employees – many of whom have not received their salaries for the past five months – the hospital provides care to some 1,500 people every day. This is a five-fold increase over the numbers in 2012 due to the influx of people displaced by ongoing conflict.

Most of the patients who arrive are unable to pay the minimal fees for hospital services.”
 

Yemen's health system another victim of the conflict – UN health agency
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56227#.WLBa5PnyiUk

27 February 2017

“The world is in the grip of an astonishing and acute crisis: More than 20 million people in South Sudan, Somalia, northern Nigeria and Yemen face starvation in the next six months, according to the United Nations. Nearly 1.4 million children are at "imminent risk" of death.  The scale of the hunger epidemic was described last month by U.S.-based researchers as "unprecedented in recent decades."

The crises are in large part man-made, stoked by ruinous conflicts, collapsing governance and international indifference. Only in one country, Somalia, which is recovering from years of war, is drought the main cause of the current food shortages.

"The situation is dire," warned U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres earlier this week, in a desperate appeal for funds. "We need $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert a catastrophe." So far, his organization has raised only $90 million, a drop in the bucket. At a time when the Trump administration has already threatened funding cuts to the U.N., the prospects for global relief look dim.”
 

The world is ignoring an ‘unprecedented’ starvation crisis
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/02/24/the-world-is-ignoring-an-unprecedented-starvation-crisis/?utm_term=.58e0e32f4c17

27 February 2017

“On Thursday, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres held a press conference in New York to issue an urgent warning that more than 20 million people in Yemen, north Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan were at risk of dying from starvation within the six months.

'We are facing a tragedy,' he told reporters. 'This is preventable if the international community takes decisive action.'

Yemen is listed as the worst-affected country facing potential famine, where more than 7 million people require emergency food assistance."
 

Humanitarian catastrophe unfolds in Yemen as world refuses to act
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-26/humanitarian-crisis-unfolds-in-yemen-as-world-refuses-to-act/8304896

27 February 2017

“As the war gets complicated, salvation seems impossible to reach. Warring parties have failed to reach an agreement during several past peace talks. One reason is that, bearing in mind how the cycle of revolutions go, the counter-revolution (Saleh-Houthis’ alliance) Yemen is going through has no easy quick fix. More importantly, in light of the war, Yemen has become a great market for weapons deals and mercenaries trade. Countries like the UK, US, Germany and others are some of the major suppliers to Saudi Arabia with weapons which include drones, bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles. Moreover, soldiers from several countries such as Colombia and Sudan have been recruited by some of the members of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen war. Seemingly, the continuation of the war is of a great interest as many are benefiting from the war."
 

Yemen War: Between Internal and External Interests
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yemen-war-between-internal-and-external-interests_us_58b06766e4b0658fc20f9462

 
27 February 2017

“One hundred and six Somali refugees returned to Somalia today after fleeing the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

The returnees, who consisted of the elderly, women and children, arrived at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport on Thursday morning on a commercial flight from Berbera, Somaliland, thus ending a difficult journey that began by boat in the Yemeni port of Aden.

Their return was facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The refugees’ arrival occurred three months after another group of 127 Somali evacuees was repatriated from Yemen last year.”
 

Over 100 Somali refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen arrive in Mogadishu
http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/over-100-somali-refugees-fleeing-conflict-yemen-arrive-mogadishu

 
27 February 2017

“Taiz, Yemen - Abdulwasse Mohammed wakes at 5am every day and is at his checkpoint near the Taiz frontline, Kalashnikov in hand, by 6am. In the slow hours he waves through cars and eats his meals in the sun. At busier times, he is rushed to the front to blaze away at the Houthis with a heavy machine gun.

This is not Mohammed's first war, nor his second. Mohammed is a veteran of three conflicts in Yemen, stretching over 30 years. Now in his 50s, this weather-beaten soldier has, like many his age, been dragged back into war as a member of the Popular Resistance."
 

'No one wants to fight at this age': Yemen's old soldiers battle into their dotage
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/taiz-old-fighters-yemen-445503599

27 February 2017

“The military operation on the Western Coast continues to intensify, with frontlines shifting north of Al Mukha City. The conflict has resulted in at least 25,000 people fleeing the districts of Al Mukha and Dhubab in search of safety. During the same period, over 44,000 people have been displaced throughout Taizz Governorate.

The displaced are mainly fleeing within Taizz Governorate or to the governorates of Al Hudaydah, Lahj, Ibb, Aden and Al Dhale’e. Most of Al Mukha’s population has now fled the town, with reports indicating that there are only between 80 and 300 families remaining. The remaining are unable to flee due to the costs of transportation, with displaced families indicating that they had to pay as much as US$200 for transportation to other villages within the district."
 

Escalating Conflict on Yemen’s Western Coast - Flash Update # 2
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/escalating-conflict-yemen-s-western-coast-flash-update-2-25-february-2017-enar

27 February 2017 

“Around 3,000 sorties have been conducted by 12 Kuwaiti fighter jets as part of the Arab Coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, Commander of the Kuwaiti Air Force Major General Abdullah Al Foudari has said.

The sorties were in addition to other operations by the fighter jets that included manoeuvring, air refuelling, positioning and communication, he added.”
 

Kuwait fighter jets conducted 3,000 sorties in Yemen
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/kuwait/kuwait-fighter-jets-conducted-3-000-sorties-in-yemen-1.1984318

27 February 2017 

“The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets on Sunday launched two strikes on Nehm district of Sana'a province, a local official told Saba.

The warplanes hit al-Hawla area two times, causing heavy damage to citizens' properties and farms, the official added.”
 

US-Saudi fighter jets wage 2 strikes on Nehm
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news457431.htm

27 February 2017

“The US-Saudi aggression warplanes on Sunday renewed strike on Utmah district of Dhamar province, a local official told Saba.

The warplanes hit Asoh area in Bani Sawid in the district, the official added.”
 

Saudi fighter jets renew strike on Dhamar
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news457424.htm

27 February 2017

“Hodeida residents on Monday staged a protest rally to condemn war crimes committed by US-Saudi aggression against the Yemeni people.

The rally called for mobilizing troops to the fronts for facing US-Saudi aggression.

The rally was attended by chairman of the Revolutionary Committees, Mohammed Ail al-Houthi, and Secretary General of the local council Ali al-Qawzi."

Hodeida condemn US-Saudi war crimes against civilians
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news457458.htm

27 February 2017

“The army and popular forces shot dead a Saudi soldier in Raqabat al-Hanjer military site in Asir province, a military official told Saba on Monday.

The army and popular forces fired a guide missile on a military vehicle in al-Khadhra border crossing in Najran province, killing its crew of mercenaries.

Moreover, the official said the artillery and missile forces targeted positions of Saudi soldiers in military sites of al-Jabanah, al-Khubah, al-Sawdaniah, al-Abadaih Borj and al-Bait al-Abaidh in Jizan province.”
 

Army shoots dead Saudi soldier in Asir
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news457447.htm

27 February 2017

 

“بدأت القوات الموالية للرئيس اليمني، بمساندة من طيران التحالف العربي الأحد 26 فبراير/شباط، عملية عسكرية برية في محافظة الحديدة على ساحل اليمن الغربي، وسط احتدام المعارك مع الحوثيين.

وذكرت مصادر عسكرية أن القوات الموالية للرئيس اليمني، عبد ربه منصور هادي، استعادت قرية الزهاري على الطريق المؤدي إلى منطقة الخوخة، أولى مديريات محافظة الحديدة.

كما تستمر المواجهات في محيط معسكر خالد الواقع عند مفترق الطريق الرابط بين تعز والحديدة، حيث تقترب قوات الشرعية من استعادة السيطرة عليه.

وشنت مقاتلات التحالف العربي، خلال الساعات الماضية، غارات على مواقع الحوثيين في معسكر خالد ومديرية الخوخة، ومواقع شمال وشرق المخا.

ونقلت وكالة الأنباء اليمنية "سبأ"، عن مصدر عسكري، قوله: "إن معارك عنيفة تدور في مشارف منطقة الزهاري شمال المخا باتجاه الخوخة بالتزامن مع مواجهات مستمرة شرقا بعد جبل النار الاستراتيجي الذي يسيطر عليه أبطال الجيش الوطني بشكل كامل".

وأضاف المصدر: "المليشيا الانقلابية تتكبد خسائر فادحة تضطر معها إلى التراجع والفرار، ومعنوياتها منهارة نتيجة الهزائم المتوالية".

اليمن.. انطلاق عملية عسكرية لاستعادة الحديدة
https://arabic.rt.com/middle_east/865317-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9/ 

27 February 2017

 

“كان صحافيون سودانيون يشيرون إلى أنه "من غير المستبعد، وفي اللحظة التي كان فيها (بن زايد وبن راشد) يحتفيان بالبشير، كانت بعض الطائرات الخليجية تنقل مئات الجنود السودانيين من مطار نيالا غرب البلاد إلى بعض المطارات السعودية القريبة من الحدود اليمنية، إيذاناً بحدوث تحوّل نوعي في الحرب التي تشنها قوات التحالف العربي بقيادة السعودية والإمارات في اليمن"، ليُضاف هؤلاء إلى جنود سودانيين موجودين ضمن قوات "التحالف".

 

ميليشيات البشير... إلى اليمن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273096

01 March 2017

“New evidence has emerged of how the Huthi armed group is actively recruiting boys as young as 15 to fight as child soldiers on the front lines of the conflict in Yemen, said Amnesty International today after speaking to the families of three boys targeted this month by the appalling practice which violates international law. The families also confirmed the recruitment of a fourth local boy.” 
 

Yemen: Huthi forces recruiting child soldiers for front-line combat
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/02/yemen-huthi-forces-recruiting-child-soldiers-for-front-line-combat/

 
01 March 2017

“Weeks after a U.S. Navy SEAL was killed in a covert mission in Yemen, Trump has resisted accepting responsibility for authorizing the mission and the subsequent death of Senior Chief Petty Officer William ‘Ryan’ Owens.”
 

Trump passes blame for Yemen raid to his generals: ‘They lost Ryan’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/02/28/trump-passes-blame-for-yemen-raid-to-his-generals-they-lost-ryan/?utm_term=.e8bdf735c8a3

01 March 2017

“Aid workers say fighting in Yemen has made it virtually impossible to ship humanitarian supplies to a key harbour when the country is at risk of famine…The port has also been targeted by warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition which is backing Yemen's government in its war with the rebel Houthi movement.”
 

Yemen conflict: Red Cross appeals for access to key port
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39114349

01 March 2017

“Russia could be the latest diplomatic player looking to end the two-year war in Yemen, as the UN's envoy to the war-torn country Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed paid a visit to Moscow on Monday.

Ahmad held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov concerning the ongoing conflict in Yemen, according Moscow's foreign ministry.”
 

Russian intrigue: UN Yemen envoy visits Moscow for talks
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/2/28/russian-intrigue-un-yemen-envoy-visits-moscow-for-talks

01 March 2017

“More than 100 Somali refugees have returned to their homeland after fleeing ongoing conflict in Yemen…

Some of the returning Somalis wept openly as they recounted the harrowing experiences they endured in Yemen.”
 

Somali refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen arrive in Mogadishu
http://www.africanews.com/2017/02/28/somali-refugees-fleeing-conflict-in-yemen-arrive-in-mogadishu/

01 March 2017  

“Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi arrived in Riyadh Monday evening to enhance coordination of efforts to defeat Yemeni rebels and carry out reconstruction in liberated areas…

Hadi last week said Saudi Arabia has allocated $10 billion in aid ‘for the reconstruction of liberated provinces, including $2 billion as a deposit in the central bank to shore up the (Yemeni) riyal.’ Hadi has called on his government to focus on power, water, roads, health and education in liberated areas.”
 

Yemen president in Riyadh for talks on reconstruction, military effort
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1061441/saudi-arabia

01 March 2017

“وقف مجلس النواب في جلسته المنعقدة اليوم الأربعاء برئاسة رئيس المجلس يحيى الراعي أمام ما تداولته وكالات الأنباء العالمية من اتفاق بين الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية ودولة الأمارات العربية المتحدة وجمهورية مصر العربية لإنشاء قاعدة عسكرية أمريكية في جزيرة ميون اليمنية الواقعة بباب المندب محافظة تعز.

وأصدر مجلس النواب بياناً حول ذلك عبر فيه عن رفضه واستنكاره لمثل هذا الاتفاق أو غيره من الاتفاقات التي تنتقص من سيادة اليمن في أي مكان من أرض الجمهورية اليمنية والجزر التابعة لها .

ورأى مجلس النواب في بيانه أنه لا يحق لأي بلد أن يجري اتفاقات تخص بلداً أخر لأن في ذلك تدخلاً سافراً في الشؤون الداخلية
ومخالف للقوانين والاتفاقيات والأعراف الدولية” .

بيان هام للبرلمان اليمني يستنكر “اتفاق أمريكي – إماراتي” بإنشاء قاعدة عسكرية في جزيرة ميون اليمنية
http://www.sahafah24.net/show836931.html
 

01 March 2017

“نظمت السلطة المحلية بمديرية شرس بمحافظة حجة اليوم وقفة إحتجاجية للتنديد بإستمرار العدوان السعودي الأمريكي الهمجي وما يرتكبه من جرائم بحق الشعب اليمني وآخرها إستهداف مجلس عزاء للنساء بمديرية أرحب بصنعاء .

وأعلن مشائخ وأعيان ووجهاء وأبناء المديرية النفير العام في مواجهة العدوان وإستعدادهم رفد جبهات العزة والكرامة والشرف بالرجال والعتاد للدفاع عن الوطن .

واستنكروا المشاركون في الوقفة الجرائم التي يرتكبها تحالف العدوان بحق أبناء الشعب اليمني والتي تتنافى مع كل الأعراف والقوانين الدولية والإنسانية .. مؤكدين أن هذه الجرائم والمجازر جرائم حرب ضد الإنسانية لن تسقط بالتقادم.

وأكدوا الحرص على إستمرار تسيير قوافل الدعم للجيش واللجان الشعبية .. مشيدين بالملاحم البطولية التي يسطرها المرابطين في كل مواقع العزة والشرف .

تخلل الوقفة عرض لوحدات رمزية من الجيش والأمن واللجان الشعبية للتأكيد على جهوزيتهم للدفاع عن الوطن والإلتحاق بجبهات العزة والشرف.”

أبناء مديرية شرس بحجة ينددون بجرائم العدوان ويعلنون النفير العام في مواجهته
http://www.sahafah24.net/show836930.html

01 March 2017

“شنت مقاتلات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية اليوم الأربعاء، سلسلة غارات على تجمعات لمسلحي جماعة الحوثيين والقوات الموالية لصالح، في مدينتي حرض وميدي بمحافظة حجة (شمال غرب اليمن).

وقال المركز الإعلامي للمنطقة العسكرية الخامسة على صفحته بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي «فيسبوك»، إن نحو 25 مسلحاً من الحوثيين سقطوا قتلى وجرحى على الأقل، إثر الغارات التي استهدفت مواقعا جنوب مزارع النسيم ومنطقة المغافلة”

مقاتلات التحالف تشن سلسلة غارات على مواقع الحوثيين في مدينتي حرض وميدي
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89214

01 March 2017

“قال شهود عيان بأن معاركاً تجددت بين المسلحين الحوثيين وقوات صالح من جهة، والقوات السعودية من جهة أخرى، على المناطق الحدودية بين اليمن والسعودية اليوم الأربعاء.

وذكر الشهود لـ«المصدر أونلاين»، إن قصفاً مدفعياً متبادلاً يدور بين الجيش السعودي والحوثيين، في منطقة المثلث بمديرية شدا بمحافظة صعدة (أقصى شمال اليمن)، والمواقع المقابلة لها من الجانب السعودي.

وأضافوا بأن مقاتلات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية شنت غارات استهدفت مواقع وتعزيزات للحوثيين.

وبحسب الشهود فإن الحوثيين والقوات الموالية للرئيس السابق علي عبدالله صالح، يقصفون بمدافع مختلفة، وقال أحد الشهود «دوي القصف بالمدافع التي يطلقها الحوثيون باتجاه الأراضي السعودية قوية، ولم نسمع مثلها من قبل».

شهود: قصف متبادل ومعارك بين الحوثيين والقوات السعودية في المناطق الحدودية
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89211

01 March 2017

“نقلت وكالة الأنباء السعودية «واس» عن مصادر لها، إن نحو 700 مدنياً سعودياً ومن المقيمين سقطوا قتلى وجرحى، جراء سقوط 40 ألف قذيفة وصاروخ أطلقها الحوثيون وقوات صالح على منطقتي نجران وجيزان، منذ بدء الحرب.

وقالت «واس» إن من بين الضحايا 80 قتيلاً، منهم 20 طفلاً وتسع نساء.

وكان وزير الخارجية السعودي عادل الجبير، قد قال إن «المملكة تحتفظ بحقها في الدفاع عن نفسها ضد أي اعتداءات، في إشارة إلى قصف الحدود السعودية من قبل مليشيا الحوثيين وصالح”».

700 قتيل وجريح سعودي جراء قصف الحوثيين منطقتي نجران وجيزان بـ40 ألف قذيفة
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89210

06 March 2017

“Yemen was already the poorest country in the Middle East before the intensification in early 2015 of a proxy war between rival powers plunged the Yemeni people into even more horrific circumstances. Now, the United Nations is warning that urgent action is needed to avert famine. As part of its war strategy, Saudi Arabia, with military and political backing from the U.S., has imposed a siege on Yemen, which depends on imports for 90 percent of its food supply. As a result, more than 7.3 million people today need food assistance, and 460,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.”
 

We stand with the Yemeni people
https://socialistworker.org/2017/03/06/we-stand-with-the-yemeni-people?quicktabs_sw-recent-articles=3-1

06 March 2017

“Suspected U.S. drones fired missiles at al Qaeda targets in two separate attacks in Yemen on Monday, residents said, extending several days of U.S. strikes against the militants.”
 

Suspected U.S. drones hit al Qaeda targets in Yemen: residents
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN16D0SW

06 March 2017

“Eight tonnes of medicine have been delivered to hospitals in government-held Taiz, Yemen's third largest city under Houthi rebel siege, according to the UN health agency.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was the first time since the conflict began that the UN negotiated access by direct route to Taiz city.”
 

UN delivers medicine to Yemen's besieged Taiz city
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/delivers-medicine-yemen-besieged-taiz-city-170304153737729.html

06 March 2017

“In the besieged city of Taiz, zookeeper and sub-manager Showky al-Haj is desperately trying to save 281 animals, which are on the brink of starvation…

For nearly two years the Taiz Zoo has deteriorated under the pressure of Yemen's civil war. An international coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, has imposed a sea blockade on the country targeting Houthi forces. It has resulted in a widespread humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.”
 

Ark of endangered species on the brink in Yemen
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2017/3/4/ark-of-endangered-species-on-the-brink-in-yemen

06 March 2017

“The bald statistics state that 14 million people are hungry while nearly 19 million (70% of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance. It broke my heart to see so many undernourished children. Their skin worn thin and barely covering their bones, they could only make their distress known with thin, reedy cries. They were so weak they could barely stand…

The resilience of communities is at breaking point and the infrastructure of survival is breaking down. When people invited us into their kitchens, all they had were empty bags of grain.”
 

Horror and uncertainty are part of life in Yemen. We must act to prevent famine
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/mar/03/yemen-horror-uncertainty-act-prevent-famine-saleh-saeed-disasters-emeregency-committee

06 March 2017

“But as the devastated country grapples with a massive humanitarian crisis, many Yemenis have become suspicious of one another. The country's economic, urban and societal fabrics have been ravaged.”
 

Yemen's war: 'No one knows when he is going to die'
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2017/02/yemen-war-die-170228103727624.html

06 March 2017

“The Supreme Revolutionary Committee on Monday strongly rejected US direct military intervention in Yemen's soil, internal affairs and violation of national sovereignty.”
 

Revolutionary Committee rejects US military intervention in Yemen
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news458133.htm

06 March 2017

“In Yemen, I was welcomed to share meals and take tea with total strangers. But America is different: We do not welcome strangers as honored guests. We barely welcome them at all.”
 

What Yemen Can Teach America About Hospitality
https://munchies.vice.com/en_us/article/what-yemen-can-teach-america-about-hospitality

06 March 2017

“With nearly 274,000 people displaced, Yemen’s Taiz is now among the crisis-torn country’s top five hosting governorates for such populations, a United Nations report has found.

For nearly 20 months, Taiz has been the centre of intense ground clashes, military confrontations and aerial strikes between warring parties in Yemen.”
 

Yemen: UN migration agency reports displacement spike in Taiz Governorate
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56282#.WL1PcvnyiUk

06 March 2017

“ترى الأوساط الإماراتية في المرحلة اليمنية الراهنة أن عودة تنظيم «القاعدة» إلى محافظة أبين وظهوره العلني في بعض مناطق حضرموت رسالة دموية من الرياض رداً على تمادي أبوظبي وتفردها في قرار جنوب اليمن. وفي حال الاستمرار بلعب ورقة «القاعدة» سعودياً مع حلفاء الرياض في اليمن، فإن الإمارات ستكون جدياً أمام خيار الانسحاب من الحرب، وهذا ما يلمح إليه قادتها بصورة لافتة عقب الأحداث الأخيرة.

لا تصح مقاربة الأحداث الأخيرة جنوب اليمن بمعزل عن الخريطة الجديدة التي ترسم للمنطقة عبر الحرب القائمة حالياً على الشعب اليمني وتشنها دول التحالف العربي، بالإضافة إلى السيطرة على المنافذ البحرية وإقامة القواعد العسكرية، أو تحت ساتر الاستفادة الاقتصادية من الموانئ البحرية والجوية في القرن الأفريقي، حيث تؤجر دوله الفقيرة مساحات واسعة من أراضيها تحت ذريعة زيادة الموارد المالية لتلك الدول، أو بسبب تبعية قادتها للدول الغربية والخليجية. كذلك يبدو الحضور الأميركي في تلك التموضعات كقطب الرحى في إدارة الصراع لجهة إدارته بين حلفائه أو إدارة الحرب نفسها

اندفاعة إماراتية في وجه السعودية التهديد بالانسحاب من الحرب
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273380

06 March 2017

“مضى شهر شباط الماضي بالحصيلة الأكبر من أرقام خسائر الجيش السعودي على صعيد عمليات القنص المُنفّذة على أيدي وحدة القناصة اليمنيين، وبأسلحة من بينها تلك القنّاصات المُغتنمة من مواقع ومخازن الجيش (أميركية وبريطانية وكندية الصنع).

هذه هي المُفارقة المرّة بالنسبة إلى الجانب السعودي الذي لا يُطيق سماع أخبار هزائم جيشه المتتالية على الحدود الجنوبية، فضلاً عن الاعتراف بها. ولولا مشاهد «الإعلام الحربي» اليمني التي تفضح أداء الجيش السعودي لحظة فراره أمام المقاتلين اليمنيين، لنجحت السعودية عبر ماكينتها الإعلامية الضخمة في تضليل الرأي العام وتقديم معارك اليمنيين داخل المملكة على أنها محض خيال لا واقع له.”

إحصاءات شباط... شهر آخر مرير على الجيش السعودي
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273453

06 March 2017 

“لمرة الثانية، تقدم الولايات المتحدة على إنزال لقواتها في اليمن تحت دعوى محاربة تنظيم «القاعدة». ووفق شهود عيان ومصادر إعلامية ومحلية، نفذت صباح أمس قوات أميركية عملية إنزال جوي، في بلدة موجان على ساحل بحر العرب شرقي محافظة أبين، جنوبي اليمن. وقال الشهود إن طائرة مروحية نفذت عملية الإنزال في بلدة موجان، شرق عاصمة أبين زنجبار، واشتبكت مع بعض المسلحين في المنطقة، وذلك في وقت قصفت فيه طائرة حربية مواقع في البلدة.

ولم تسارع واشنطن إلى إصدار بيان يؤكد العملية، مثلما حدث في نهاية في كانون الثاني الماضي، خلال عملية سابقة في محافظة البيضاء.

في غضون ذلك، نقل موقع «العربي» عن مصادر أمنية مقتل 13 عنصراً من «القاعدة» عرف منهم قيادي يُدعى الشيخ مهاجر الإبي، وذلك في هجوم وصفته المصادر بأنه «واسع» عبر 25 غارة، استهدفت الأولى منها مواقع التنظيم في أبين وشبوة والبيضاء. وعدّدت المصادر أن أربعة قتلوا في شبوة، إثر استهداف سيارة كانوا يستقلونها باتجاه الطريق الرابط بين بلدتي أحور وشقرة، التابعتين لأبين، فيما قتل التسعة الآخرون بصواريخ أطلقتها طائرة من دون طيار على مواقع الجسيمة وزعج ونوفان، على طريق منطقة يكلا، في البيضاء.”

إنزال ثانٍ فاشل للأميركيين؟
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273452

06 March 2017

“تسعى كل من الولايات المتحدة ومصر والإمارات إلى إنشاء قاعدة عسكرية في جزيرة ميون الواقعة في باب المندب، وذلك في وقت تواصل فيه البارجة الأميركية «يو اس اس كول» الإبحار بالقرب من الساحل نفسه، في تحرك رأى فيه مجلس النواب اليمني «انتهاكاً سافراً للسيادة اليمنية وتدخلاً في الشؤون الداخلية».

الرفض البارز لهذه الخطوة دولياً أتى من الصين، التي أكد المتحدث باسمها جنغ شوانغ، أن إنشاء هذه القاعدة «يعرض أمن المياه الدولية للخطر ويتعارض مع مصالح الحكومة الصينية ودول الاتحاد الأوروبي»، وقال إنه «يتعارض مع القوانين الدولية بسبب عدم وجود حكومة مستقرة في اليمن».

في خطّ موازٍ، رحّب رئيس «اللجنة الثورية العليا»، محمد علي الحوثي، بالموقف الصيني «الرافض لانتهاك السيادة اليمنية»، مشيراً إلى أن قرار «تحالف العدوان ببناء قاعدة في ميون يعكس حقيقة عدوانهم المبني على السيطرة والترهيب».”

سعي دولي إلى إنشاء قاعدة عسكرية قرب باب المندب
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273533

06 March 2017

“أظهرت وثائق صادرتها الولايات المتحدة الأميركية بعد هجومها على منزل زعيم تنظيم «القاعدة»، أسامة بن لادن، في أبوت أباد في باكستان عام ٢٠١١، اهتمامه الخاص بالانتفاضة القائمة في اليمن على حكم علي عبد الله صالح. وتبيّن الوثائق أنَّ الانتفاضة على صالح خلطت الأوراق بالنسبة إلى التنظيم في اليمن، الذي طلب رأي زعيمه ومشورته.

وفي رسالة موجهة من ابن لادن، إلى زعيم التنظيم في اليمن أنور العولقي، الذي قتل قبل سنوات، قال الأول إنَّ «الحرب في الیمن وفي جزیرة العرب مع النظام المحلي المرتد فیهما لیس مناسباً الآن، والواجب هو أنَّ نوجه كل طاقتنا وقدراتنا وإمكاناتنا إلى ضرب الرأس، وهو أميركا، والتركیز على العمل الخارجي».

كذلك، ركز ابن لادن على ضرورة «الاشتغال بضرب الرأس وتفادي أي معارك جانبیة یجرنا إلیها الأميركان عبر وكلائهم»، مضيفاً: «على كل سهم وكل لغم یمكن أن يستهدف الأميركیون به وهناك غیرهم ینبغي صرفه نحو الأميركیین دون غیرهم». وذكر في رسالته أنَّ «حرب العراق هي حرب الأمس، وحرب أفغانستان هي حرب الیوم... وإنَّ حرب الغد هي حرب الیمن»، لأنها «أكبر مخزون نفطي في العالم كما تعلمون، إضافة إلى أنَّ أهلنا وعشائرنا هناك».”

ابن لادن: الفوضى في اليمن لا تخدم مصالحنا
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273534

06 March 2017

“أتي الضربات الجوية والإنزالات الأميركية المتتالية في سياق متصاعد تحت ذريعة محاربة الإرهاب، وصولاً إلى تحقيق الحضور المباشر والدائم في اليمن. يُلاحظ من المؤشر البياني ارتفاع في نسبة التدخل الأميركي منذ تسلّم دونالد ترامب إدارة البيت الأبيض، واتخاذه منحىً أكثر عدائية تجاه اليمن. يبرر مسؤولو مكافحة الإرهاب الأميركيين هذا التدخل بأنَّ فرع تنظيم «القاعدة» في اليمن هو أحد الأفرع الأكثر دموية في العالم، ويشكل أكبر تهديد فوري للولايات المتحدة، مضيفين أنه قام بثلاث محاولات غير ناجحة لتنفيذ هجمات بطائرات فوق الولايات المتحدة.

رغم ذلك، صدر عدد من التحذيرات لخبراء أميركيين وغربيين موجهة إلى الإدارة الجديدة من الانجرار إلى «مستنقع اليمن»، خاصة أنه لا يبدو أن الضربات العسكرية التي نفذت على محافظات البيضاء وشبوة وأبين حققت كامل الأهداف المرسومة لها، على خلاف الضجة الإعلامية الضخمة التي روجت أنها حققت الأهداف، مع العلم بأنَّ الطائرات الأميركية من دون طيار تستهدف منذ سنة تقريباً قادة وعناصر «القاعدة» في المحافظات الجنوبية، بالإضافة إلى البيضاء ومأرب الشماليتين.”

ضربات واشنطن على «القاعدة»... وعينها على اليمن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273541

06 March 2017

“قتل عدد من الجنود السعوديين، اليوم الاثنين، جراء استهداف آلية عسكرية سعودية في منطقة نجران.

وقال مصدر عسكري لـ"المسيرة نت" أن ثلاثة جنود سعوديين لقوا مصارعهم عندما تمكن أبطال الجيش من تدمير آلية كانوا على متنها قرب موقع العش العسكري.

وشهدت نجران أمس الأحد عملية قنص أدت لمقتل جندي سعودي في موقع الطلعة العسكري، فيما دكت مدفعية الجيش واللجان الشعبية تجمعات للجنود السعوديين خلف موقع الشبكة.”

مقتل 3 جنود سعوديين بتدمير آلية عسكري في نجران
http://almasirah.net/~newmassirah/details.php?es_id=4715&cat_id=3

06 March 2017 

“قال تقرير لفرقة العمل التابعة للمنظمة الدولية للهجرة، اليوم الاثنين، إن نحو 273,780 شخصاً نزحوا من منازلهم في محافظة تعز (جنوب غرب اليمن)، مما يضعها بين أكبر خمس محافظات في استضافة النازحين.

وبحسب مركز إعلام الأمم المتحدة الذي أورد ملخصاً للتقرير، فإن المنظمة تتبعت مصفوفة النزوح، في أعقاب نزوح جماعي من مدينة المخا، وهي ميناء رئيسي على ساحل البحر الأحمر في فبراير الماضي.

وذكر إنه «حتى الآن، تم الإبلاغ عما مجموعه 34,920 شخص في مخيمات النازحين من مدينة المخا».”
 

المنظمة الدولية للهجرة: نحو 273 ألف شخصاً نزحوا من منازلهم في محافظة تعز
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89356

07 March 2017

“Saudi Arabia and its coalition allies are delaying Save the Children’s shipments of aid for Yemen by months, despite a looming famine that threatens to grip much of the country and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse.

In just two months, the Saudi-led coalition has prevented three shipments of medical aid from arriving at the port of Hodeida.

The cargo, intended to reach 300,000 people, included essential supplies such as antibiotics, surgical equipment, medicine and equipment to support malnourished children.

With famine looming and a healthcare system approaching collapse, these shipments mean survival for hundreds of thousands of families in Yemen.”
 

Saudi Arabia and allies delaying urgently needed medical aid to Yemen
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/saudi-arabia-and-allies-delaying-urgently-needed-medical-aid-yemen?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shared&utm_source=twitter.com
 

08 March 2017

“At the end of a five-day mission to Yemen, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, said there is still time to avert famine and alleviate the suffering of millions of Yemenis.

Mr. O’Brien undertook the mission to assess the humanitarian situation in Yemen a week after UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are at risk of falling into famine if action is not taken now, while two counties of South Sudan are in famine. In Yemen, US$2.1 billion is required to meet the urgent humanitarian and protection needs of 12 million people in 2017. With only US$63 million – or 3 per cent of the requirement – received, Mr. O’Brien encourages donors to contribute now so that life-saving humanitarian programmes can be implemented immediately.

'We need more than funds. We also need all parties to the conflict to immediately facilitate timely, full and unimpeded humanitarian access,' Mr. O’Brien said."
 

Yemen: Action now can avert famine - UN Humanitarian Chief
http://www.unocha.org/top-stories/all-stories/yemen-action-now-can-avert-famine-un-humanitarian-chief#.WL57SEFo45o.twitter

08 March 2017

“Cruise missiles, floating mines and a remote-controlled boat have been deployed to attack ships in Yemen in recent months, changing the dynamic of the two-year-old war and pushing the country closer to famine, shipping and aid officials say.

The weapons have targeted military vessels from a Saudi-led coalition which is fighting Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in the impoverished state on the tip of the Arabian peninsula, part of the same regional power struggle that is fueling Syria’s war…

Increasingly innovative maritime raids near the narrow Bab al-Mandab maritime passage, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, add to already severe difficulties getting aid and commercial supplies to a country that imports 90 percent of its food and fuel by sea.

Saudi-led air strikes close to vital ports in the Houthi-controlled north are also curbing imports, shipping sources say. Both sides deny hampering aid.”
 

Escalation in ship attacks pushes Yemen towards famine
http://shipsandports.com.ng/escalation-ship-attacks-pushes-yemen-towards-famine/

08 March 2017

“Two Yemeni boys were killed in a drone strike while walking on a road in central Yemen used by al Qaeda militants who have been subject to repeated strikes by U.S. forces in recent days, residents said on Tuesday.

They named the boys as Ahmed and Mohammed al-Khobze, two brothers both under 15.”
 

Two children killed in Yemen drone strike: residents
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-attacks-idUSKBN16E1QK?il=0

08 March 2017

“وقال مصدر نقلاً عن طلاب في مدرسة أنس بن مالك لـ«المصدر أونلاين»، إن نائب مديرقسم شرطة 7 يوليو، اقتحم المدرسة برفقة عدد من المسلحين، ثم اتجه إلى الفصل الذي يُدرّس فيه الأستاذ عبدالملك الفقيه.

وأضافوا بأن الضابط أعتدى على الأستاذ وأهانه بصورة بالغة، واقتاده بشكل غير إنساني إلى ادارة القسم”

ضابط يقتحم مدرسة في مديرية الظهار بإب وبهين مُعلماً ثم يخطفه إلى جهة غير معلومة
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89393/amp
 

11 March 2017 

“Sana’a, - Six months after withdrawing its staff from northern Yemen following the bombing of its hospital in Abs, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has restarted work in Haydan district hospital, in Sa’ada governorate.

Following the 15 August airstrike on Abs hospital which killed 19 people and injured 24 and in the wake of a row of attacks on several medical facilities in Northern Yemen, MSF decided to evacuate most of its staff from both Hajjah and Sa’ada governorates. On 19 February, an MSF team returned to work in Haydan hospital. Up to 200,000 people in this mountainous region rely on Haydan hospital for medical care.”
 

Yemen: MSF resumes medical work in Haydan hospital
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-msf-resumes-medical-work-haydan-hospital
 

11 March 2017 

“At least 22 civilians were killed on Friday and dozens wounded when a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a market in western Yemen causing a fire to break out, a local official said.

Missiles launched by fighter jets of the Arab alliance hit a market selling the mild narcotic leaf qat, which is popular among Yemenis, near the Red Sea fishing town of Khoukha.

Rescue workers on Friday night were battling a blaze in the market caused by the attack and pulling bodies out of the rubble some of which were burned beyond recognition, according to Hashim Azazi, deputy governor of Hodeidah province.

‘All of those killed were civilians, none were holding weapons,’ said Azazi.”
 

Saudi-led coalition air strike kills 22 in Yemen: official
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-hodeidah-idUSKBN16I072 

11 March 2017

“The world faces the largest humanitarian crisis since the end of the second world war with more than 20 million people in four countries facing starvation and famine, a senior United Nations official has warned.

Without collective and coordinated global efforts, ‘people will simply starve to death’ and ‘many more will suffer and die from disease’, Stephen O’Brien, the UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the security council in New York on Friday.

He urged an immediate injection of funds for Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria plus safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid ‘to avert a catastrophe.’”
 

World faces worst humanitarian crisis since 1945, says UN official
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/11/world-faces-worst-humanitarian-crisis-since-1945-says-un-official

11 March 2017

“أرتفع عدد شهداء مجزرة طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي المروعة بسوق بمديرية الخوخة بمحافظة الحديدة اليوم إلى 22 شهيدا وثمانية جرحى في حصيلة أولية.

وأوضح مصدر محلي بالمحافظة لوكالة الأنباء اليمنية (سبأ) أن طيران العدوان شن غارة على سوق الدوار بمديرية الخوخة ما أدى إلى استشهاد 22 مواطنا وجرح ثمانية أخرين.. مشيرا إلى أن عدد الشهداء مرشح للزيادة جراء الإصابات البالغة.

وأشار المصدر إلى أن طيران العدوان حلق بكثافة بعد قصف السوق لمنع المسعفين من إنقاذ الجرحى مما زاد من عدد الشهداء.

وأدان المصدر بشدة إمعان تحالف العدوان في استهداف المواطنين والمنازل والأسواق في ظل صمت دولي مخجل ومعيب.. مؤكدا أن هذه المجزرة المروعة وصمة عار في جبين الإنسانية.”

حصيلة أولية: 22 شهيدا وثمانية جرحى بمجزرة العدوان المروعة بسوق بالخوخة(مرفق صور)
http://www.saba.ye/ar/news458564.htm

11 March 2017 

“ونقلت وكالة أسوشيتد برس الأمريكية عن رئيس إدارة الأمم المتحدة للشؤون الإنسانية، ستيفن اوبراين، قوله إن العالم يشهد حاليا الأزمة الإنسانية الأشد وقعا والأكثر جديّة منذ العام 1945، حيث يعاني أكثر من 20 مليون شخص من الجوع في أربعة بلدان تشهد حروبا.

وأوضح المسؤول الأممي أن هؤلاء الناس قد يتعرضون للموت ببساطة دون "جهد عالمي منسق" من جانب المنظمات الدولية.

ووفقا له، فمن الضروري، للحيلولة دون وقوع كارثة إنسانية، تقديم مساعدات مالية في أسرع وقت ممكن لليمن وجنوب السودان والصومال ونيجيريا، ويجب جمع ما لا يقل عن 4.4 مليار دولار قبل حلول يوليو/تموز المقبل.

واضاف اوبراين: " من دون هذا التمويل الضروري، فإن نمو الأطفال وتطورهم في هذه الدول سيتأثر سلبا بشكل كبير، حيث لن يكونوا قادرين على الذهاب إلى المدرسة ومستقبلهم يمكن أن يضيع".”

الأمم المتحدة تكشف عن أسوأ أزمة إنسانية منذ العام 1945
https://arabic.rt.com/world/867460-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A3-%D8%A3%D8%B2%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B0-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-1945/

 13 March 2017

 “Two years since the launch of the Saudi-led campaign, peace in the troubled country seems as far off as ever. President Hadi and his prime minister, Ahmed Obaid bin Daghir, now govern from the port city of Aden, which they declared the temporary capital. The bulk of Yemen’s northern highlands, and the capital city of Sanaa, remain under the control of the Houthis and their allies. Amid ongoing fighting, conditions in the country continue to deteriorate. The country’s infrastructure and industrial capacity are in ruins, and the humanitarian crisis is edging toward famine. Even areas now under the control of the Hadi government are riven with instability.

The unrest in Yemen is not a single conflict but is instead a mosaic of multifaceted regional, local, and international power struggles which are the legacy of recent and long-past events. The following maps aim to illustrate key aspects of this civil war and Yemen’s historical divisions.”
 

Mapping the Yemen conflict
http://www.ecfr.eu/mena/yemen?utm_content=buffer0d745&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

13 March 2017

 “U.S. officials disagree over whether the weapons and greater hands-on support for the Saudi air campaign would result in diminished danger to civilians, arguing that the larger problem has been Riyadh’s choice of targets.

'Urging the Saudis to end the war while continuing to provide the weapons they’re using is like trying to persuade a friend not to rob a bank while driving his getaway car,' Malinowski said."
 

Trump administration looks to resume Saudi arms sale criticized as endangering civilians in Yemen
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-looks-to-resume-saudi-arms-sale-criticized-as-endangering-civilians-in-yemen/2017/03/08/a259090a-040e-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html?utm_term=.2083b0387ab8
 

13 March 2017 

“أطلق مركز الأمل لعلاج الأورام السرطانية بالحديدة نداء استغاثة للمنظمات الإنسانية والحقوقية جراء ما يتعرض له المرضى من معاناة بسبب منع دول العدوان دخول العلاجات الطبية.

وأكد المرضى الذين يعانون من أورام سرطانية أن الحصار المفروض على البلد تسبب في انعدام الأدوية ما زاد من معاناتهم.

يذكر أن مركز الأمل الذي يقدم العلاج المجاني للمرضى من محافظة الحديدة وما جاورها كان قد وجه نداءً إنسانيًا إلى المنظمات المحلية والدولية بنفاد الأدوية بسبب شحة الموارد وتأخر وصول الأدوية جراء الحصار المفروض من قبل العدوان.”

مركز الأمل لعلاج الأورام السرطانية بالحديدة يعلن نداء استغاثة للمنظمات الإنسانية
http://almasirah.net/~newmassirah/details.php?es_id=4955&cat_id=3

13 March 2017 

“تـُواصل الأعمال العدائية المتصاعدة في أنحاء غرب ووسط اليمن إجبار عشرات آلاف الأشخاص على الفرار من ديارهم. وأفادت التقارير بأن أكثر من 62 ألف شخص قد شردوا خلال الأسابيع الستة الأخيرة.

ويليام سبيندلر المتحدث باسم مفوضية الأمم المتحدة السامية لشؤون اللاجئين قال إن القتال الأخير في محافظة تعز أدى إلى نزوح أكثر من 48 ألف شخص، توجه معظمهم إلى مناطق أخرى بالمحافظة وإلى الحديدة.”

 

القتال يشرد 62 ألف يمني خلال 6 أسابيع
http://www.unmultimedia.org/arabic/radio/archives/235718/#.WMZ1KH_7GUl

13 March 2017

“Human Rights Watch Organization (HRW) confirmed that the airstrikes of Saudi-led military aggression coalition in Yemen, which have killed thousands of civilians, amount to war crimes.

"Yemen has plunged into a deep humanitarian catastrophe," RT quoted Ahmed Benchemsi, communications and advocacy director at Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa as saying.”
 

Saudi Coalition strikes in Yemen amount to war crimes – HRW
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news458816.htm

13 March 2017

“Dozens of Saudi soldiers were killed and others wounded when the artillery of the army and popular forces shelled on Monday several Saudi military sites in Jizan and Najran provinces, a military official told Saba."
 

Dozens of Saudi soldiers killed in Najran, Jizan 
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news458805.htm

13 March 2017

“The Trump administration is making its first radical policy change in the Middle East by escalating American involvement in the civil war in Yemen. Wrecked by years of conflict, the unfortunate country will supposedly be the place where the US will start to confront and roll back Iranian influence in the region as a whole.

To this end, the US is to increase military support for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and local Yemeni allies in a bid to overthrow the Houthis – a militarised Shia movement strong in northern Yemen – fighting alongside much of the Yemeni army, which remains loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

If ever there was a complicated and unwinnable war to keep out of, it is this one."
 

Yemen is a complicated and unwinnable war. Donald Trump should stay out of it 
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yemen-war-donald-trump-us-military-iran-middle-east-isis-counter-terror-operation-william-owens-seal-a7622471.html

13 March 2017

“The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that nearly 65 percent of the population in Yemen is facing food insecurity due to the lack of access to affordable and quality food commodities. The number of food-insecure people in Yemen has increased by 3 million from August–February, bringing the total to 17.1 million food-insecure people as of February 21.

Food prices increased in January amidst food and fuel shortages, which could exacerbate the already dire food security situation, according to USAID/FFP partner the UN World Food Program (WFP)."
 

Yemen - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #7, Fiscal Year (FY) 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-complex-emergency-fact-sheet-7-fiscal-year-fy-2017

13 March 2017

“Seven Yemeni soldiers and eight rebels were killed in heavy fighting over the past 24 hours near the Red Sea coastal town of Mokha, medical and security sources said Saturday. The historic port was captured by government forces on Feb. 10 as part of a major offensive launched in January to try to recapture Yemen’s 450-kilometer Red Sea coastline, which had previously been almost entirely in rebel hands."
 

Fifteen killed in fighting near Yemen Red Sea port
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2017/Mar-13/397240-fifteen-killed-in-fighting-near-yemen-red-sea-port.ashx
 

 13 March 2017

 “In recent months, with internally displaced people flooding into Al-Hudaydah governorate, the number of patients receiving haemodialysis treatment in the centre has risen to over 600, despite the fact that the centre’s capacity is 400. Day and night dozens of patients are crowded in the corridors of the centre, waiting for their turn.

“We are working around the clock in 5 shifts to provide some 145 haemodialysis sessions per day but unexpected delays are inevitable as our machines are obsolete and frequently break down,” explains the Director of the Centre, Dr Maher Majam.

'Already 9 machines have broken down and it is getting more difficult to repair them as there are no spare parts for these old models. The schedule often has to be re-arranged, leading to delays of up to 3 days.'”
 

Kidney patients struggle as Yemeni health crisis worsens
http://www.emro.who.int/yem/yemen-news/kidney-patients-struggle-as-yemeni-health-crisis-worsens.html

13 March 2017

 “A former Guantanamo Bay detainee was killed by a US airstrike on Yemen, as an American bombing campaign targeting one of al Qaeda's strongest branches struck more targets in the country over a week than it had in any previous year.

Yasir al-Silmi died alongside, Usayd al-Adnani, an emir with al Qaeda in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP) within the Abyan governorate, the Pentagon said.

Mr al-Silmi, a Yemeni citizen, spent several months in extrajudicial detainment at the Cuban naval base after being apprehended in Pakistan. But he was repatriated to his homeland in 2009.”
 

Former Guantanamo Bay inmate killed in Yemen by escalating US airstrike campaign
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/guantanamo-bay-yasir-al-silmi-killed-yemen-us-airstrike-campaign-al-qaeda-aqap-pentagon-a7615771.html

13 March 2017

 “Intensified hostilities across western and central Yemen continue to force tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, with many now struggling to cope in abysmal conditions.  More than 62,000 have been reported to be displaced within the last six weeks.

On Yemen’s western coast, recent fighting in Taizz governorate has left more than 48,400 people displaced. The majority, some 35,226 people, have fled within Taizz or to neighbouring Hudaydah (9,822). Others have also been displaced to the nearby governorates of Ibb (1,068 people), Aden (900 people), and smaller numbers to Al Dhale’e, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwah.

Most of those displaced are in dire need of assistance and have found shelter in communal and public spaces, including schools and health facilities, whilst others are living in unfinished buildings or even out in the open.

A number of those displaced, including many children, have been reported as suffering from malnutrition, while others are distressed and in need of psycho-social assistance. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in areas of displacement are also leading to outbreaks of diseases, including skin ailments.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with partners, has quickly responded to the needs of the newly-displaced people from Taizz, including through the provision of shelter and relief items for those that arriving in districts of Hudaydah and Ibb.

UNHCR’s relief assistance - including mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, kitchen sets and buckets - has so far reached over 14,000 people, whilst emergency shelter kits and tents have also been provided to cover the needs of more than 18,000. Additional distributions are planned, which will assist over 3,800 newly-displaced individuals from Taizz.”
 

Renewed fighting displaces tens of thousands more across Yemen
http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2017/3/58c270074/renewed-fighting-displaces-tens-thousands-across-yemen.html
 

13 March 2017

“With tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes following a spike in fighting across western and central Yemen, the United Nations refugee agency today appealed for more international support, as well as unrestricted access within the country so that it can reach those now facing 'abysmal conditions.'

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 62,000 Yemenis have been displaced over the last six weeks."
 

As fresh violence in Yemen sends thousands fleeing their homes, UN agency urges support
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56333#.WMZ9ZPnyiUk

13 March 2017

“It has been one year since Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) started providing life-saving health services at the general rural hospital of Thi As Sufal district in Ibb governorate, Yemen.

The general rural hospital of Thi As Sufal, locally known as Al-Kaida Hospital, is one of the numerous health facilities in Yemen to have been financially crippled by the war that started in March 2015. The hospital is located in an area that is home to nearly 500,000 people in addition to the internally displaced people who fled the active frontline just 20 kilometres away in Taiz governorate. In this hospital, MSF receives patients from both Ibb and Taiz governorates and provides an average of 250 emergency consultations each week. “Since the beginning of the war, medical needs in the country have exploded,” says Satoru Ida, MSF head of mission in Yemen. “In response, MSF has increased its assistance to those who have difficulty accessing emergency and basic medical care. Our new project in Thi As Sufal district is part of this expansion. Our aim is to ensure free access to good quality emergency health care, improving the hospital’s mass casualty management and providing lifesaving surgery as well as hospitalisation for the most severe medical conditions.” 
 

Yemen: A year of life-saving activities in Ibb
http://www.msf.org/en/article-yemen-msf-life-saving-activities-ibb-e2-80-93-one-year

13 March 2017

 “انسحاب «حزم» جاء بعد يومين من تأكيد قيادات عسكرية موالية لـ«التحالف» اختفاء كتيبة تابعة للّواء، لكن مصدراً عسكرياً مقرباً من «حركة أنصار الله» وحلفائها الذين يمثلون الجبهة المقابلة في التصدي، أكد أن تلك الكتيبة «اختفت شرق المخا بأفرادها وبمعداتها بعدما تعرضت لكمين محكم من الجيش واللجان الشعبية أثناء محاولتها التقدم في جبل حوزان الواقع بالقرب من منطقة الجديد» التابعة لذوباب في محافظة تعز.

وتروي مصادر أخرى في الجيش و«اللجان الشعبية» حادثة الكمين، بالقول، إن «قوات التحالف تقدمت شرق المخا عبر إحدى أقوى الكتائب العسكرية المدربة في جيبوتي، كما أعيد تدريبها على حرب العصابات في السعودية... أثناء محاولتها التقدم بغطاء جوي كثيف، انسحب الجيش واللجان، فتقدمت الكتيبة التي كان عدد أفرادها 200 مقاتل بعتادها الثقيل والمتوسط والخفيف نحو منطقة حوزان، وهنا تمت عملية التفاف عليهم ومحاصرتهم ثم الالتحام معهم لأكثر من ساعة تم خلالها إنهاك الكتيبة وتكبيدها خسائر كبيرة في الأرواح والمعدات».”

 

لواء «إماراتي» ينحسب من معركة الساحل
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/273959

14 March 2017

“The Saudi-led coalition’s plans to launch an assault on Yemen’s biggest port-city, Al Hudaydah, have caused concern in the Russian Foreign Ministry, which warns the operation would significantly worsen the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country.

The coalition’s 'plans to storm Yemen’s biggest port of Hudaydah give rise to serious concerns,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the ministry’s official website.

She added that battles in this area 'would not only inevitably lead to a mass exodus of the [local] population but would also de facto cut the [Yemeni] capital of Sanaa from… food and humanitarian aid supplies.'”
 

Saudi-led coalition's port op would cut off Yemen from food & aid supplies, Russia warns
https://www.rt.com/news/380524-russia-yemen-saudi-op/

14 March 2017

“How many highway lanes could be paved, how many bridges repaired, how many illnesses averted, how many opiate addicts saved from overdoses, how many veterans given better care with the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Trump administration is spending on discretionary military operations in impoverished Yemen?

The United States is allied with Saudi Arabia as it prosecutes a brutal military campaign there. 'The U.S. role in the war is substantial,' Michael Brendan Dougherty explains. 'Saudi Arabia buys most of its weapons from the U.S. Its pilots are trained by the United States. And the United States refuels Saudi planes in the air. The U.S. military is widely believed to be helping the Saudis choose targets. And U.S. special [operations] forces are on the ground in Yemen, ostensibly to fight local al Qaeda outfits.' He adds:

'But just as in Syria, the U.S. finds itself committed to the downfall of a Shia government, while at the same time working to degrade the ability of al Qaeda to benefit from the fall of that same government. The Saudi coalition routinely bomb civilian targets like hospitals or food production facilities. In turn, the Houthis have resorted to extreme tactics as well.

It’s just the sort of messy intervention that an establishment hawk like Hillary Clinton would’ve hubristically prosecuted and that populists are understandably tired of financing. (Some hawks regard it as a proxy war against Iran, a view many dispute).'”
 

Trump's Yemen Policy Serves Saudi Royals Better Than Americans
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/03/trump-yemen-saudi-arabia-counterterrorism/519324/

14 March 2017

“According to the latest United Nations figures, two-thirds of the population - 18.8 million people - need aid and more than seven million people are now facing famine. The war in the Arab world's poorest nation will soon reach its second anniversary. The fighting has already claimed more than 10,000 lives. But it's the effects of hunger and the threat of famine driven by that conflict which now loom large.”
 

Fighting Famine: How Yemen is facing the 'world's largest humanitarian crisis'
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-14/fighting-famine-yemen-facing-worlds-largest-humanitarian-crisis/

14 March 2017 

“The conflict in Yemen has killed nearly 7,700 people, including at least 1,564 children, since a Saudi-led coalition intervened on the government's side two years ago, UN agencies said Monday.

The UN children's agency UNICEF said that by March 10, at least 1,546 children were killed and 2,450 others maimed in Yemen.”
 

More than 1,500 children dead in two years of Yemen war: UN
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4310082/More-1-500-children-dead-two-years-Yemen-war-UN.html

15 March 2017 

“Amnesty International has corroborated new evidence showing that the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition recently fired Brazilian-manufactured rockets containing banned cluster munitions in the middle of Sa’da city in Yemen, injuring two civilians and causing material damage.

The attack, striking three residential areas and surrounding farmland at 10.30pm on 15 February, is the third confirmed use of Brazilian cluster munitions documented by Amnesty in the last 16 months.PR

Following the attack, Amnesty interviewed eight local residents - including two witnesses - one of whom was injured in the incident. Amnesty also spoke to a local activist and analysed photographic and video evidence provided by Yemen’s munitions watchdog, the Yemen Executive Mining Action Centre (YEMAC), which inspected the site witda cityhin 30 minutes of the attack. YEMAC staff also confirmed the use of the same type of cluster munitions in a separate attack in late January in the directorate of Abdeen, three miles south of Sa’da city.”
  

Fresh evidence of cluster bombs being used by Saudi coalition forces in Yemen
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/fresh-evidence-cluster-bombs-being-used-saudi-coalition-forces-yemen?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=20170309124754&utm_campaign=Amnesty  
 

17 March 2017

“Severe food insecurity threatens more than 17 million people in conflict-ridden Yemen, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released by the United Nations and humanitarian partners today.

Twenty of the country's 22 governorates are in ‘emergency' or ‘crisis' food insecurity phases and almost two-thirds of the population are now facing hunger and urgently require life and livelihood-saving assistance.  Without additional humanitarian and livelihoods support, Taiz and Al Hudaydah, two governorates accounting for almost a quarter of Yemen's population, risk slipping into famine.”
 

Yemen Needs Urgent Assistance to Prevent Famine 
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/26213/yemen-needs-urgent-assistance-to-prevent-famine

17 March 2017 

“Navy SEALs attempted to conduct another raid inside Yemen earlier this month but aborted the mission at the last minute, according to a senior U.S. military official.

Members of SEAL Team 6 deployed to Yemen in early March for a ground assault targeting suspected members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a group U.S. officials view as the most dangerous branch of the terrorist organization. The aborted mission followed a botched January 29 raid in the village of al Ghayil, in al Bayda province. That raid left a Navy SEAL dead and two others seriously injured, and killed more than two dozen Yemeni civilians, including at least 16 women and children. The leader of AQAP, Qassim al Rimi, released a statement mocking Donald Trump and stating that 14 men died in the assault.

General Joseph Votel, who leads U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services committee last week, 'We lost a lot in this operation. We lost a valued operator, we had people wounded, we caused civilian casualties, lost an expensive aircraft.'”
 

Seal Team 6 Attempted a Second Yemen Raid One Month After Botched Operation 
https://theintercept.com/2017/03/16/seal-team-6-attempted-a-second-yemen-raid-one-month-after-botched-operation/

17 March 2017 

“Thirty-one Somali refugees were killed off the coast of Yemen late on Thursday when a helicopter reportedly attacked the boat they were travelling in.

Coastguard Mohamed al-Alay said the refugees, carrying official UN refugee agency (UNHCR) documents, were travelling from Yemen to Sudan when they were attacked by an Apache helicopter near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

As international organisations confirmed an attack, the head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Sana’a, Laurent De Boeck, added that 77 survivors who were pulled out of the water were taken to a detention centre in Hudaydah."

 
31 Somali refugees killed in helicopter attack off Yemen coast 
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/17/somali-refugees-killed-helicopter-attack-off-yemen-coast

17 March 2017 

“New evidence of babies starving to death in Yemen has emerged as the United Nations (UN) and aid agencies issue urgent calls for increased aid deliveries to feed 7 million people at risk of famine.

Charity Save the Children took the images this week in the Yemeni Capital Sanaa, in the wards of the Al Sabeen Hospital.

The NGO says its teams are seeing skeletal children in Yemen's hospitals on the brink of death, so hungry they do not even have the energy to cry."
 

Yemen: Agencies call for aid as skeletal starving children on brink of death 
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/odds-are-stacked-against-us:-yemen-calls-for-aid-amid-famine/8362352

17 March 2017 

“Aid agencies have warned that Yemen is “at the point of no return” after new figures released by the UN indicated 17 million people are facing severe food insecurity and will fall prey to famine without urgent humanitarian assistance.

A total of 6.8 million people are deemed to be in a state of emergency – one step from famine on the five-point integrated food security phase classification (IPC), the standard international measure – with a further 10.2 million in crisis. The numbers reflect a 21% increase in hunger levels in the Arab world’s poorest state since June 2016.”
 

Yemen at 'point of no return' as conflict leaves almost 7 million close to famine 
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/mar/16/yemen-conflict-7-million-close-to-famine

17 March 2017 

“The Saudi-led coalition launched Brazilian-made cluster munition rockets that struck a farm in northern Yemen in late February 2017, wounding two boys, Human Rights Watch said today.

'The Saudi-led coalition’s continued use of widely banned cluster munitions in Yemen shows callous disregard for civilian lives,' said Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition, the international coalition of groups working to eradicate cluster munitions. 'Saudi Arabia, its coalition partners, and Brazil, as a producer, should immediately join the widely endorsed international treaty that bans cluster munitions.'

Cluster munitions are delivered from the ground by artillery and rockets, or dropped from aircraft and contain multiple smaller explosive submunitions that spread out indiscriminately over a wide area. Many fail to detonate and leave unexploded submunitions that become de facto landmines, posing a threat long after a conflict ends.”
 

Yemen: Cluster Munitions Wound Children 
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-cluster-munitions-wound-children

17 March 2017 

“Donald Trump has reportedly given the Pentagon permission to carry out more raids in Yemen – despite a botched mission in January that resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians and a US Navy Seal.

The White House told military leaders they can carry out missions in the Gulf state without specific presidential approval.

Negotiations about extending similar permissions to raids in Libya and Somalia are also taking place, CNN reported.”
 

Donald Trump gives Pentagon permission to carry out more raids in Yemen after botched operation 
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-yemen-raids-permission-botched-death-navy-seal-ryan-owens-a7631126.html

17 March 2017

“Yemeni army soldiers and fighters from Popular Committees have shot down an Apache helicopter operated by Saudi Arabia in the western province of Hudaydah, a report says.

The chopper was brought down in Hudaydah’s Bayt al-Faqih district on Thursday, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported.

On January 25, the Yemeni forces shot down another Apache helicopter belonging to the so-called Saudi-led coalition in Dhubab neighborhood of Yemen's Ta'izz province.”
 

Yemeni forces down Saudi helicopter in Hudaydah province: TV
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/03/16/514582/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Hudaydah

17 March 2017 

“An Emirati soldier has died in Yemen, where the UAE is taking part in a Saudi-led coalition intervention against rebels, the country's armed forces announced on Thursday.

The soldier was named as Zakariya Suleiman al-Zaabi in a statement carried by state news agency WAM, but it did not provide details of the circumstances of his death.

Some 85 Emirati soldiers have been killed since the coalition launched its intervention in support of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in March 2015.”
 

UAE soldier killed fighting with Saudi-led coalition in Yemen
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/3/16/uae-soldier-killed-fighting-with-saudi-led-coalition-in-yemen
 

19 March 2017

“Saudi forces backed by the United States are intentionally targeting food production and the agricultural sector in their bombing campaign in Yemen, according to a leading expert. In some parts of the impoverished country, the Saudi-led coalition is using a 'scorched-earth strategy,'says a scholar who specializes in agriculture in Yemen.

‘The coalition was and is targeting intentionally food production, not simply agriculture in the fields,’ Martha Mundy, a professor emeritus at the London School of Economics, told Salon.” 
 

Famine looms in Yemen, as U.S.-backed Saudi bombing intentionally targets food
http://www.salon.com/2016/10/27/famine-looms-in-yemen-as-u-s-backed-saudi-bombing-intentionally-targets-food-production/

 
 
20 March 2017

“The UNHCR said on its Twitter account that 42 refugees were reported dead and 39 wounded were being treated in hospitals. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had earlier said 33 were dead, 29 wounded and other passengers were missing.

‘We do not know who carried it out but survivors said they came under attack from another boat at 9 p.m., the crew used lights and shouted to signal this is a civilian boat,’ ICRC spokeswoman Iolanda Jaquemet said.

‘Nevertheless, it did not have any effect and a helicopter joined in the attack,' she said.

Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Abdusalam Hadliye Omar expressed sorrow at what he described as a 'horrific attack’.”

Air strike kills 42 refugees off Yemen, Somalia demands investigation
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-refugees-idUSKBN16O0UI

20 March 2017

“We are in a bind where UK humanitarian organisations try to get aid and medicines, paid for by the British taxpayer, into Yemen while a Saudi-led coalition, of which Britain is a part, is pounding the very port facilities through which British support needs to pass.”
 

We are complicit in the suffering of Yemen's children – we cannot ignore their starvation any longer
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yemen-saudi-arabia-famine-starvation-uk-arms-sales-a7636586.html

20 March 2017

“At least 20 Houthi rebels were reportedly killed in a failed attempt to attack government positions in Yemen’s northern Saada province near Saudi border, according to the Yemeni army.

Houthi militants on Sunday attempted to sneak into army positions in Souq al-Buqaa area in northern Saada, the army said in a statement cited by the pro-army September 26 website.

The statement cited a military source saying 20 Houthi rebels were killed when government forces aborted the attack.”

 
Yemen: 20 Houthi rebels killed near Saudi border
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/yemen-20-houthi-rebels-killed-near-saudi-border/775381      

20 March 2017

“With an estimated 17 million people at ‘emergency’ or ‘crisis’ levels of food insecurity, conflict-ridden Yemen is currently one of the worst hunger crises in the world. Twenty of the country’s 22 governorates are in ‘emergency’ or ‘crisis’ food insecurity phases and almost two-thirds of the population are now facing hunger and urgently require life and livelihood-saving assistance.

Without additional humanitarian and livelihoods support, Taiz and Hodeidah, two governorates accounting for almost a quarter of Yemen’s population, risk slipping into famine. The intensified conflict persisted for the past two years, coupled with restrictions and disruptions of commercial and humanitarian imports, mass population displacements, loss of livelihoods and income, scarcity and high prices of essential commodities including food and fuel, disrupted market systems, and suspension of safety net programmes and salaries for government employees have all contributed to the widespread food insecurity and malnutrition situation in Yemen.”

 
Yemen Market Watch Report, Issue No. 10, February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-market-watch-report-issue-no-10-february-2017

20 March 2017

“With the country's business in petroleum and currency trading decreasing, black market traders have stepped in to take full advantage of the situation.

On the streets of the capital Sana'a, petrol in bottles and small containers is sold openly, so is foreign currency.

‘Black market trading has become more prominent, while official business has decreased. The black market traders have taken advantage especially the fuel and money traders,’ said Ahmed Shamakh, an economic analyst.”

 
Yemen conflict gives local black market a boost
http://www.trtworld.com/mea/yemen-conflict-gives-local-black-market-a-boost-319713

 22 March 2017

“Similarly, the US sold a record amount of arms to Saudi Arabia under Obama’s administration, with sales set to continue under Trump. Earlier this month the State Department approved a resumption in the $300m sale of US-made precision-guided missiles, a deal blocked late in Obama’s administration due to concerns over civilian casualties.”
 

The UK has made 10 times more in arms sales to Saudi Arabia than it's given in aid to Yemen
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/saudi-arabia-arms-sales-yemen-war-uk-government-us-donald-trump-obama-aid-a7643066.html#r3z-addoor 

22 March 2017

“After two years of war, orphans in the Yemeni capital Sanaa have only one dream - to survive. The al-Shawkani Foundation for Orphan Care is located around 100 meters (yards) from the al-Nahdain mountain, widely believed to be an arms depot that has been repeatedly bombarded by Saudi-led coalition's fighter jets. Bombardment of the explosive-laden peak send huge mushroom clouds erupting into Sanaa's skies and shake the whole city. As the war rages on, the orphans suffer through a constant state of fear and trauma.”
 

 Yemen orphanage braves nearby air strikes
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKBN16T1HV-OCATP

22 March 2017

“Three intelligence sources told The Daily Beast that the ban on carry-on electronics aboard U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports in North Africa and the Middle East was the result of information seized during a U.S. raid on Al Qaeda in Yemen in January. The United Kingdom joined the U.S. ban Tuesday.

Information from the raid shows al Qaeda's successful development of compact, battery bombs that fit inside laptops or other devices believed to be strong enough to bring down an aircraft, the sources said. The battery bombs would need to be manually triggered, a source explained, which is why the electronics ban is only for the aircraft cabin not checked luggage.”
 

U.S. Raid on Al Qaeda in Yemen Led to Laptop Ban on Flights, Officials Say
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/03/21/what-triggered-the-laptop-ban-on-flights-answers-don-t-add-up-yet.html

22 March 2017

“Dozens of Saudi-paid mercenaries were killed and others wounded when the Yemeni army and popular forces hit on Tuesday their gatherings in the north of Mokha district of Taiz province, a military official told Saba.

Moreover, the national army bombed a military vehicle of the mercenaries in the operation, the official added. The Yemeni Army and Popular Committees also struck the Saudi sites in Najran in response to Saudi air raids on various residential areas in Yemen.”
 

Yemeni Army, Popular Committees Kill Dozens of Saudi-led Mercenaries in Taiz
http://english.almanar.com.lb/218161

22 March 2017

“The US-backed Saudi aggression warplanes launched four airstrikes on Arhab district of Sana'a province, a security official told Saba on Wednesday.

The warplanes hit Yahis area four times, causing heavy damages to citizen's farms and properties.”
 

Saudi aggression warplanes wage 4 strikes on Sana'a
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news459759.htm

23 March 2017

“Sajjad Mohamed Sajid, Oxfam's Country Director in Yemen, said: ‘If the parties to the conflict – and those fuelling it with arm sales – continue to ignore Yemen’s food crisis, they will be responsible for a famine. The people of Yemen are being starved to death and may not survive the situation much longer.

‘A fully funded humanitarian response is vital to prevent countless people dying needlessly but ultimately what Yemenis need is an end to the fighting. All sides to the conflict need to understand that famine is the real enemy of Yemen. Preventing famine must take priority over any side’s military aims. The world cannot wait for famine to be declared in Yemen or it will be too late.’”
 

Millions in Yemen are being knowingly pushed to the brink of famine
https://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases/2017-03-23/millions-yemen-are-being-knowingly-pushed-brink-famine

27 March 2017

“In a memo this month to national security adviser H.R. ­McMaster, Mattis said that ‘limited support’ for Yemen operations being conducted by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — including a planned Emirati offensive to retake a key Red Sea port — would help combat a ‘common threat.’

Approval of the request would mark a significant policy shift. U.S. military activity in Yemen until now has been confined mainly to counterterrorism operations against al-Qaeda’s affiliate there, with limited indirect backing for gulf state efforts in a two-year-old war that has yielded significant civilian casualties.

It would also be a clear signal of the administration’s intention to move more aggressively against Iran. The Trump White House, in far stronger terms than its predecessor, has echoed Saudi and Emirati charges that Iran is training, arming and directing the Shiite Houthis in a proxy war to increase its regional clout against the Gulf’s Sunni monarchies.

The administration is in the midst of a larger review of overall Yemen policy that is not expected to be completed until next month.”
 

 Trump administration weighs deeper involvement in Yemen war
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-weighs-deeper-involvement-in-yemen-war/2017/03/26/b81eecd8-0e49-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html?utm_term=.693fbee69085

27 March 2017

“As a Yemeni journalist working in international news, I have had to monitor every twist and turn of the civil war in my country, even when I wanted to look away.

Truthfully, the thought of coming face-to-face with the new reality shaped by the furious conflict in Yemen has terrified me.

But living through the war from outside Yemen was isolating.

As we make our way to the capital, Sanaa, on a rugged 10-hour car journey from Aden, I think back to the number of times I quietly broke down after hearing news coming out of Yemen. Working in a newsroom, this happened often.

This trip takes me from the south to the north - two parts of a country divided by more than mere miles.

In simple terms, the south is under government control, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the north is controlled by the Houthi rebels. But the reality is more complicated.”
 

Yemen conflict: How my country has changed
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-39365164

27 March 2017

“Over the course of the war, British and American military forces have supported the Saudi war machine through major arms deals. They have also admitted to training Saudi pilots and providing them with intelligence on their targets in Yemen.

On Sunday, groups of protesters met at Marble Arch, near London’s Hyde Park, and condemned the ongoing weapons deals between Saudis and their Western allies.

Carrying signs that read, ‘End Yemen Siege’ and ‘Hands Off Yemen,’ the protesters then marched outside the BBC offices to protest the mainstream media’s way of reporting the conflict.”
 

 UK activists call for end to Saudi war on Yemen
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2017/03/27/515732/UK-Yemen-Saudi-war-protest

27 March 2017

“Tens of thousands of Yemenis have rallied in the capital, Sanaa, to mark the second anniversary of a war between a Saudi-led military coalition and rebels who had overthrown the government.

The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people and pushed the impoverished country to the brink of famine, according to the United Nations.

The gathering on Sunday, which was organised by Houthi rebels, was the biggest event since an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered the conflict in March 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.”
 

 Sanaa protest marks second Yemen conflict anniversary
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/sanaa-protest-marks-yemen-conflict-anniversary-170326175737641.html

27 March 2017
 

“As the war in Yemen enters its third year more than 1,500 children have been killed, while a similar number have been recruited in the fighting.

In total more than 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting.

The latest figures released by UNICEF also reveal that 2,450 children have been injured in the war, while violence has created a food security emergency.

In total around 19 million people in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance.”

More than 1,500 children killed in Yemen's war as it enters third year
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-27/more-than-1-500-children-killed-in-yemens-war-as-it-enters-third-year/

27 March 2017
 

“The war has also tipped the country, already the poorest of the Arab states, into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with the UN predicting a famine and some aid agencies saying that parts of Yemen are already starving to death. The war has put the UK and US, who have lent, to differing degrees, political and military support to the Saudi-led campaign, in a difficult position, with rights groups accusing them of helping facilitate breaches of international law by the Saudi air force and of not doing enough to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.”

The Arab Gulf states plan to 'win' the war in Yemen – we should be wary about what their victory would look like
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates-islamist-groups-win-war-victory-a7650516.html

27 March 2017

 

“UNICEF estimates that every 10 minutes, at least one child dies of preventable causes like malnutrition, diarrhoea, and respiratory tract infections. The country’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been ravaged, posing serious health risks, especially to young children who quickly become malnourished from diarrhoeal diseases caused by the lack of clean water and proper sanitation.  Basic social services are plunging towards total collapse in many parts of the country as authorities run out of money and can no longer pay salaries and operate health facilities, schools, water supply and sanitation systems and social welfare programmes. Imposed restrictions on imports, movements and financial transactions are crippling the private sector and compromising the delivery of humanitarian aid.”

THE CHILDREN OF YEMEN
https://www.unicef.org/yemen/Yemen2Years-children_falling_through_the_cracks.pdf

27 March 2017
 

“An apparent Saudi-led coalition attack on a boat carrying Somali civilians off the coast of Yemen highlights the need for accountability on the second anniversary of the Yemeni armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today. Several witnesses reported that on March 16, 2017, a helicopter fired on the boat, killing at least 32 of the 145 Somali migrants and refugees on board and one Yemeni civilian. Another 29, including six children, were wounded, and 10 more remain missing. Photos of the boat taken the next day show damage consistent with gunfire from an aerial attack."
 

Yemen: Attack on Refugee Boat Likely War Crime
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/03/26/yemen-attack-refugee-boat-likely-war-crime

27 March 2017

"قالت منظمة الأمم المتحدة للطفولة 'يونيسيف' إن عدد الأطفال الذين قتلوا أو أصيبوا أو أجبروا على حمل السلاح في اليمن تضاعف تقريبا خلال العام الثاني للحرب، مقارنة بالعام الأول.

وربما يشير تقرير اليونيسف إلى أن الحوثيين فقدوا العشرات من مقاتليهم في العام الأول من الحرب، بفعل ضربات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية، مما دفع بهم إلى تجنيد الأطفال."

تقرير يشير إلى أن الحوثيين أجبروا الأطفال على حمل السلاح بعد مقتل العشرات من مسلحيهم
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89903

27 March 2017 

"شهدت عدد من المدن الأوروبية والأمريكية تظاهرات ووقفات تضامنية مع الشعب اليمني جراء ما يتعرض له عدوان ظالم والمطالبة بإيقاف الحرب ورفع الحصار.

رفع المشاركون في التظاهرات والوقفات في كل من السويد وألمانيا وفرنسا ونيويورك لافتات وشعارات طالبت بالوقف الفوري للمذبحة المروعة التي يتعرض لها أبناء اليمن ورفع الحصار المفروض عليهم منذ عامين ووقف بيع الأسلحة لدول العدوان."

 

تظاهرات في عدة مدن أوروبية وأمريكية تضامناً مع الشعب اليمني
http://www.saba.ye/ar/news460274.htm

27 March 2017

"أعلنت القوات الحكومية اليوم الأحد، قصفها بالمدفعية الثقيلة من مواقعها في نهم (شرق صنعاء)، مواقع للحوثيين وقوات صالح فيمحيط دار الرئاسة وميدان السبعين في العاصمة صنعاء، في عملية نوعية هي الأولى منذ اندلاع الحرب."

 

القوات الحكومية في نهم شرق صنعاء تعلن قصفها مواقع في محيط دار الرئاسة
http://almasdaronline.com/article/89880

27 March 2017

"أن حقائق الزمان والمكان تؤكد أن السعودية وحلفاءها هم بالفعل من يهددون سلامة الملاحة البحرية في باب المندب وعلى طول ساحل البحر الأحمر بمغامراتهم العسكرية التي صاحبت العدوان على اليمن وآخرها الهجوم على مناطق باب المندب وساحل ومدينة المخا، والتهديد بتحويل ميناء الحديدة إليّ منطقة عسكرية."

مصدر مسئول بوزارة الخارجية: السعودية وحلفاءها هم من يهددون سلامة الملاحة البحرية في البحر الأحمر
http://www.saba.ye/ar/news460231.htm

29 March 2017

 

“Similar to US counterterrorism efforts in Yemen under President Barack Obama, the newly minted White House administration of Donald Trump has shown little appetite to explore non-military policy options to supplement the use of American firepower in Yemen. Indeed, shortly after taking office President Trump authorized the escalation of drone strikes and special forces operations in Yemen. The Trump administration’s 2017 budget proposal to congress also outlines massive cuts in US diplomatic and humanitarian spending, even as the UN declared last month that Yemen faces the largest food security emergency in the world. Such a myopic focus on the military option in the battle against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) indicates a failure to grasp why AQAP has expanded so successfully in Yemen despite well more than a decade of US counterterrorism efforts in the country.

Among AQAP’s core strengths is its membership’s understanding of the historical context and socio-political, tribal, security and economic dynamics at play in the areas in which the group embeds itself; this allows the group to tailor its tactics and leverage local circumstances to expand its support base, operational capacity, and absorb losses. Since the onset of civil war in Yemen, AQAP has exploited the country’s sectarian polarization, the collapse of the state and security institutions, and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis such that today AQAP is a more potent force than ever before.”

 
The Limits of US Military Power in Yemen: Why Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula continues to thrive
http://sanaacenter.org/publications/item/86-the-limits-of-us-military-power-in-yemen.html

30 March 2017

 

“In October 2011, Meqdad’s father, Saleh, and his 17-year-old brother Jalal were killed in a drone strike after they drove into the desert to find some missing camels. Another brother who was with them – Ezzaldeen, 14 – escaped the blast and hid until morning, when he found the two shattered bodies.

In 2014, the Guardian gave Meqdad’s 13-year-old brother a camera to record his daily life. In January 2015, he too was killed in a drone strike.

US drone strikes in Yemen are a key part of the campaign against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but the Tuaiman family denies any links to terrorism and say the family has never received any explanation from either US authorities or their Yemeni government allies.”

'They're going to kill me next': Yemen family fears drone strikes under Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/30/yemen-drone-strikes-trump-escalate

30 March 2017

 

“As MPs prepare to debate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the tragic suffering of some of the conflict's youngest victims has come to the fore.

Two years since the civil war began, at least 1,546 children have been killed and 2,450 maimed.

Nine-year-old Ali wears two hearing aids and barely speaks after an airstrike hit a building near his home in Sa’ada Governorate. The blast threw him from a window and he fell two stories, before landing on his neck.

‘Blood was coming out of Ali’s ears and nose,’ his mother Enas said. ‘Blood was even coming out from his mouth… it was hard for him to even breathe.’”

'My wounds still hurt and I am very afraid': Yemen's civil war in the words of its forgotten children
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-civil-war-forgotten-children-conflict-mp-debate-saudi-arabia-airstrikes-a7652966.html

30 March 2017

“Four-fifths of Yemen's children are in need of humanitarian help and the health care system is on the verge of collapse. According to a UNICEF report, more than 2.2 million children are malnourished.”

 
Yemen's children pay the price of war
http://www.dw.com/en/yemens-children-pay-the-price-of-war/av-38195328  

01 April 2017

 

“The UN has warned of a catastrophe in Yemen, where some 18 million people need food assistance and face starvation. 

Sam Walton, who attempted the citizen's arrest - which is an arrest carried out by a regular citizen and not a law-enforcement official - said that Asiri shouldn’t be welcomed in the UK.”

 

Yemen war: Saudi general hit by egg, arrest attempt in London
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/activist-attempts-citizens-arrest-saudi-general-yemen-role-1657959688

01 April 2017
 

“The U.S. is also rapidly expanding military operations in Yemen. The U.S. has reportedly launched more than 49 strikes across the country this month—according to The New York Times, that’s more strikes than the U.S. has ever carried out in a single year in Yemen. While the U.S. airstrikes have been targeting suspected al-Qaeda operations in Yemen, The Wall Street Journal is reporting the U.S. is now offering even more logistical and intelligence support for the Saudi-led war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are accused of being linked to Iran. More than 10,000 people have been killed since the U.S.-backed, Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen began two years ago this month.”

 

Yemen: Trump Expands U.S. Military Role in Saudi War as Yemenis Brace for Famine
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/3/30/yemen_trump_expands_us_military_role

01 April 2017
 

“Yemen, the poorest country in the Middle East, has for years been plagued by instability and economic deprivation, and the civil war there has exacerbated the situation.

Fighting on the ground and air strikes on areas held by Houthi rebels, targeted by a Saudi-led coalition backed by the US and UK, have displaced more than three million people.

Before 2015, almost half of all Yemenis lived below the poverty line, two-thirds of youths were unemployed, and social services were on the verge of collapse.”

 

UN warns of catastrophe as 18m face famine in Yemen
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/world-facing-greatest-humanitarian-crisis-1945-un-1826175092

01 April 2017
 

“More than 14 million people in Yemen have no access to health services, the United Nations health agency today said, warning that transportation of medical personnel and treatment for the injured is getting increasingly difficult as this week the fighting enters its third year.

At least 7,719 people have been killed and 42,922 injured since 19 March 2015, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported, but the actual numbers are believed to be higher.

‘More than half of all health facilities are closed or functioning only partially,’ Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesperson, told journalists in Geneva.

Mr. Jasarevic, who was in Yemen in February, said that at least 274 health facilities had been damaged or destroyed as a result of the conflict, and some 44 health workers either killed or injured.

He noted also a shortage of medicines and specialized staff, such as surgeons, many of whom have fled the country.

‘For more than six months, health facilities in Yemen had received no financial support to cover operational costs and staff salaries,’ the spokesperson said.

As a result, health facilities such as the chemo-dialysis centre in Hudaydah, is on the brink of ceasing operations, as there was no more fuel to run the obsolete chemo-dialysis machines, Mr. Jasarevic noted. Without the facility 600 people with kidney failure would likely die.”

 

Half of all health facilities in war-torn Yemen now closed; medicines urgently needed – UN
https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56446&Cr=yemen&Cr1=#.WN-4WaIo-Ul

01 April 2017

“Human Rights Watch this week said Saudi Arabia may have committed a war crime on 16 March when a helicopter fired on a boat, killing at least 32 of the 145 Somali migrants and refugees on board and one Yemeni civilian. The attack occurred off the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah.

Asiri said Saudi helicopters did not hold the ammunition found at the site and told campaigners from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch: ‘Stop communicating what the Houthi people put in the social media. To be constructive, give us evidence and we will engage with you.’

He said campaign groups were being bluffed by people on the ground and relaying Houthi social media propaganda.”

 

Egg thrown at Saudi general in protest against military campaign in Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/31/saudi-arabia-yemen-military-campaign-general-ahmed-aisir-clashes-with-critics?CMP=share_btn_tw

03 April 2017

“A number of Schools of Raimah province organized Saturday a protest to condemned US-Saudi war crimes against the Yemeni people.

At the rally, the students denounced the brutal crimes committed by Saudi-led aggression coalition against Yemenis.

The protesters called on stopping the Saudi aggression and lift the siege which prevents from an access of the food and medicine supplies to civilians.”

 

Protest rally against US-Saudi war crimes on Yemen
http://sabanews.net/en/news460785.htm

03 April 2017

“Unpaid teachers demonstrated in Yemen’s southern city of Taiz as the war-shattered country facing an economic collapse is unable to pay salaries to educators and other government employees.

Abdel Rahman al Moktary, the head of the Teacher's Union in Taiz, said educators are struggling to feed their families.”

 

Teachers in Yemen protest over unpaid wages
http://www.trtworld.com/mea/teachers-in-yemen-protest-over-unpaid-wages-328689

03 April 2017

“Scotland Yard is examining allegations of war crimes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, the Guardian can reveal, triggering a possible diplomatic row with Britain on the eve of Theresa May’s visit to the Arab state.

The Metropolitan police confirmed that their war crimes unit was assessing whether criminal prosecutions could be brought over Saudi Arabia’s devastating aerial campaign in Yemen.

The force’s SO15 counter-terrorism unit revealed to a London human rights lawyer that it had launched a ‘scoping exercise’ into the claims before Maj Gen Ahmed al-Asiri’s visit to the capital last week.”

 

Met police look at allegations of Saudi war crimes in Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/02/met-police-examine-allegations-saudi-arabia-war-crimes-yemen

03 April 2017

“Conflict has been raging in Yemen since 2015, yet people from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea remain undeterred to thread on the perilous routes only to encounter dangerous conditions when they get there. To paraphrase the Somali-British poet Warsan Shire, they continue to flee their lands, as home won't let them stay.

Just how dangerous this journey can be was made clear last month, when a boat carrying 150 Somali refugees was attacked by a helicopter and a military ship near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. At least 42 were killed.”

 

Why are African men and women still fleeing to Yemen?
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2017/04/african-men-women-fleeing-yemen-170401081941703.html

03 April 2017

"تبحث الشرطة البريطانية في لندن في ادعاءات بأن السعودية ارتكبت جرائم حرب في اليمن.

وكانت وحدة مكافحة الإرهاب في قوات الشرطة قد أبلغت دانيل ماكوفر، محامي حقوق الإنسان في بريطانيا، أنها تقيم مدى إمكانية رفع دعوى قضائية بشأن حملة السعودية الجوية في اليمن.

وتقول الشرطة إنه لا يوجد حاليا أي تحقيق.

ووجهت تهم للسعودية بقتل آلاف المدنيين، والتسبب في حدوث كارثة إنسانية في أحد أفقر البلدان في المنطقة.

وتنفي السعودية أن قواتها تستهدف المدنيين في اليمن. وتقول إنها تتخذ إجراءات إضافية لتجنب سقوط ضحايا من المدنيين وتتهم الحوثيين بالاحتماء بأهداف مدنية.

وتقول الأمم المتحدة إن الحرب في اليمن قتلت ما يزيد على عشرة آلاف شخص نصفهم من المدنيين وتسببت في أزمة إنسانية في البلاد."

الشرطة البريطانية تبحث ادعاءات بارتكاب السعودية جرائم حرب في اليمن
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/world-39477477

03 April 2017

"يعتبر ميناء مدينة الحديدة البحري المرفأ الدولي الوحيد لمناطق شمال اليمن التي تضم 70 في المائة من سكان البلاد، وتسيطر جماعة ‘أنصار الله’ (الحوثيون) والرئيس السابق علي عبد الله صالح على أجزاء كبيرة منها، بينما تتخذ المكاتب الإقليمية ومقرات الطوارئ للمنظمات الإنسانية من الحديدة مركزاً لعملياتها. ومع ازدياد الحديث عن عملية عسكرية للتحالف الذي تقوده السعودية باتجاه المدينة، تحذر المنظمات من الاقتراب منها كونها مدخل معظم المؤن الأساسية للسكان."

هل تنتقل عمليات الإغاثة من الحديدة إلى عدن؟
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/society/2017/4/2/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%AB%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%86-1

03 April 2017

"قال ولد الشيخ: «نحن، منظمة الأمم المتحدة، نرى أنه لا ينبغي تنفيذ عمليات عسكرية في الحديدة»، مستدركاً: «يحق للسعودية والإمارات الشعور بالقلق من استمرار واردات الأسلحة عبر الحديدة وفرض الحوثيين ضرائب غير قانونية على الواردات التجارية»، لكنه حذر من أن أي عمل عسكري في المنطقة ينبغي أن «يأخذ في الاعتبار ضرورة تجنب المزيد من تدهور الوضع الإنساني»."

 

معركة الحديدة «تقترب»... وملف الأسرى قيد التداول
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/275194

03 April 2017

" خطوة احتجاجية صغيرة استفزت المتحدث العسكري باسم مملكة من المفترض أنها واثقة بأسباب حرب كبيرة تخوضها منذ عامين. لم يستطع أحمد عسيري أن يتحمل مجرد الاحتجاج، في وقت تنفذ فيه السعودية ومن معها مجازر تستحق محاكمات عادلة... على الأقل."

 

"إصبع العسيري"... في عين العالم
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/275126

03 April 2017 

"في الوقت الذي كان فيه الرئيس اليمني المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي، يبتسم أمام عدسات الكاميرات في منطقة البحر الميت غرب العاصمة الأردنية، تناقلت مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي صوراً لضحايا من الأطفال والنساء، قتلوا في غارة جوية شنتها طائرات تحالف العدوان الذي تقوده السعودية على اليمن."

 

مجزرة في صعدة... وهادي يرقّي قيادات سلفية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/274982

03 April 2017

 "مع دخول العدوان السعودي على اليمن عامه الثالث، كشفت «القوّة الصاروخية» التابعة للجيش و«اللجان الشعبية» أمس، عن نوع جديد من الصواريخ الباليستية المتوسطة المدى، وذلك عقب استهدافها قاعدة جوية جنوب السعودية.

وأعلنت أنها «استكملت بنجاح سلسلة تجاربها على صاروخ قاهر إم2 الباليستي المتوسط المدى»، الذي استخدمته في استهدافها «قاعدة الملك خالد» الجوية في خميس مشيط في منطقة عسير، جنوب غرب المملكة."

 

صواريخ باليستية جديدة... وتلميح إلى الاستغناء عن «الحديدة»
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/274909

 

04 April 2017

Steve Bell on Easter and Theresa May's Trip to Saudi Arabia
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2017/apr/04/steve-bell-on-easter-and-theresa-mays-trip-to-saudi-arabia-cartoon
 

05 April 2017

“Saudi fighter pilots are to receive a pay rises of up to 60 percent, as a military campaign led by the kingdom in neighbouring Yemen entered its third year.

Saudi Arabia and its mostly Gulf Arab allies have launched thousands of air strikes in an attempt to dislodge Yemen's armed Houthi movement from the capital Sanaa.

The kingdom is also a member of the US-led alliance against Islamic State in Syria.”

 

Saudi pilots get 60 percent pay rise as Yemen war rages
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-fighter-pilots-get-60-pay-rise-war-rages-yemen-1088259958

05 April 2017

“A new report by Mwatana on the fall of civilian victims by landmines, revealed that landmines planted by Ansar Allah armed group (Houthis), and forces of former president Saleh have killed 57 civilians including 24 children and 4 women, and injured other 47 civilians including 21 children and 6 women, in six Yemeni governorates.

The report ‘Concealed killer’ included 33 incidents as samples of landmines explosions onto civilians. Mwatana has verified these incidents through its field researches during the period July 2015 – October 2016, in governorates of Aden, Taiz, Marib, Sana’a, Al-Baydha and Lahj.”

Mwatana: Dozens of Civilian Victims of Landmines Planted by Ansar Allah group (Houthis) and Saleh Forces in Yemen
http://mwatana.org/en/442017610
 

07 April 2017

“For mother's like Ohradir there's no escape. She can only watch as her baby daughter fights severe malnutrition.

Like Yemen she is held hostage by fear and despair.

The doctors and staff here haven't been paid in six months. Yemen's economy has become another weapon in this war.

One of the managers tells me there are no medicines now for women giving birth.”

Fear and despair in Yemen as life hangs by a thread
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-04-04/fear-and-despair-in-yemen-as-life-hangs-by-a-thread/

07 April 2017

“A Downing Street spokesperson has played down the significance of a report saying Scotland Yard is examining allegations of war crimes by Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

The Metropolitan Police do have powers to invest allegations of war crimes, but when asked specifically about claims that it was, the spokesperson said: ‘There is no Met investigation. What has happened is that they received an allegation of war crimes. They are now conducting what is known as a scoping exercise, which is a different thing entirely to an investigation.’”

Metropolitan Police are not investigating Saudi war crimes in Yemen, Downing Street insists
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/metropolitan-police-are-not-investigating-saudi-war-crimes-in-yemen-downing-street-insists-a7664686.html

07 April 2017

“Indeed the UK, which officially ‘holds the pen’ on the Yemen issue, circulated a draft resolution proposing a ceasefire and a roadmap for lasting peace back in October.

However, this was the subject of an immediate veto and has not seen the light of day since, despite the UK chairing a security council meeting on Yemen just last week.

The draft was vetoed not by Russia or any other members of the security council with the actual power to do so, but by Saudi Arabia, whose UN ambassador explained: ‘There is a continuous and joint agreement with Britain concerning the draft resolution and whether there is a need for it or not.’”

Saudi bombs are decimating Yemen. Yet May’s glad-handing goes on
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/05/saudi-arabia-bombs-yemen-theresa-may-trade

07 April 2017

“Giorgio Trombatore, Yemen country director for the International Medical Corps, said the famine fails to get the same attention as the armed conflicts across the Middle East, particularly Syria.

‘I think one of the reasons might be the fact people are not directly reaching European seashores,’ Mr Trombatore said. ‘It seems more disconnected from what is happening in Europe.

‘Half the country is now suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition, and this is something that could have been prevented.’”

Europeans forgetting about Yemen famine because they don't feel it affects them, NGO director warns
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-famine-humanitarian-crisis-civil-war-forgotten-children-international-medical-corps-a7668931.html

07 April 2017

“The army and popular forces killed a number of Saudi soldiers in several military sites in Asir, Jizan and Najran provinces, a military official said to Saba on Wednesday.

The artillery of the army and popular forces shelled groups of Saudi soldiers in Malhamah, Al Rawmaih, Sharqn and Al Mawraidhah in Jizan.”

Army kills number of Saudi soldiers in Asir, Jizan, Najran
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news461137.htm

07 April 2017

"According to a report issued by the United Nations on March 27, Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen’s Houthi rebels has resulted in what is quickly becoming a humanitarian catastrophe, with nearly 7 million people at risk of famine and more than 14 million people without access to medical care. According to the World Health Organization, 7,719 people have been killed and 42,922 have been injured since the start of the conflict in March 2015.  And yet the savage war against Yemen, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and aided to a significant degree by American weapons and intelligence, shows no sign of letting up.

Disturbingly, the US has been acting as a de facto co-belligerent since at least October 2015, when President Obama gave the green light to Lockheed Martin to sell the Saudis four ‘multi-mission’ warships totaling about $11.25 billion. This came only a month after the Saudi-led military coalition earned worldwide censure for its bombing of a wedding party in southern Yemen, killing 135 people. At the time, the Obama administration issued a routine and hypocritical ‘expression of concern’ over the incident."

America’s Support for Saudi Arabia’s War on Yemen Must End
https://www.thenation.com/article/americas-support-for-saudi-arabias-war-on-yemen-must-end/

07 April 2017

“There’s no mistaking it: The government is bent upon pushing the Pakistan military deeper into this empire-driven coalition. At a time when we should be single-mindedly strengthening our military cooperation with China, Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries to stabilise Afghanistan, the epicentre of terrorism and instability in our region, when we should be focusing on internal and external terrorist threats to Pakistan, our government would like to send our soldiers to join the US-Saudi war against Yemen.

Clearly, at a time when the tectonic plates of geopolitics are shifting to favour our freedom, Nawaz Sharif would rather slither back into old familiar grooves of subservience, singing songs of devotion to the House of Saud, swaying to the do-more imperial tune. The important question is: Where does the military stand on this issue?”

Saving Yemen
ttp://nation.com.pk/columns/06-Apr-2017/saving-yemen

07 April 2017

“There is no doubt that there are many unmet needs. The lack of security due to the fighting and bombing makes it difficult to provide assistance, and the problems of access, due to restrictions or delays in permits for some humanitarian workers, is also a disadvantage.

People are totally dependent on aid, as economic activity has been greatly reduced.

Another very worrying issue is that cases of preventable infections such as whooping cough are appearing more frequently. This is a reflection of the collapse of the health system, which has left vaccination coverage well below standards.

The combined factors of fighting, import restrictions and non-payment of salaries to public officials in the north are having a serious effect on access to food. Distributions of food are irregular and erratic and there is a lack of access to nutritional treatments.”

Yemen: "The war is taking a very high toll on the civilian population"
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-war-taking-very-high-toll-civilian-population

10 April 2017

“At least 13 people were killed in a fire that broke out near an oil pipeline damaged by sabotage in the west of war-torn Yemen, a government official said Saturday.

‘Dozens of people had gathered at the site of the pipeline with bowls and other containers to fill with petrol spilling from the pipeline’ in Hodeidah on the Red Sea, the official in Yemen’s recognised government said.

He said the fire broke out because of the use of an electricity generator, leaving 13 dead and 26 others with burns, while eight people remain missing.

Yemeni government forces are preparing for an assault on the nearby port of Hodeidah held by Houthi rebels.”

Fire near sabotaged Yemen oil pipeline kills 13
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/4/9/fire-near-sabotaged-yemen-oil-pipeline-kills-13

10 April 2017

“The Saudi coalition has pursued a war strategy of maximizing pressure on the Houthi resistance by destroying agricultural, health and transportation infrastructure and by choking off access to food and fuel for most of Yemen’s population. The United States has enabled the Saudis to pursue that strategy by refueling the Saudi-led coalition planes bombing Yemen and selling the bombs. Equally important, however, the US has provided the political-diplomatic cover that the Saudis need to carry out this ruthless endeavor without massive international blowback.”

 

US Provided Cover for the Saudi Starvation Strategy in Yemen
http://original.antiwar.com/porter/2017/04/09/us-provided-cover-for-the-saudi-starvation-strategy-in-yemen/

10 April 2017