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Yemen War: Humanitarian Crisis
12.11.2016
Yemenis call for formation of government
In a Sana’a rally, the Yemeni people have called for the immediate formation of a government in the face of a US-led Saudi coalition’s illegal war on Yemen.
One of the demonstrators said: “Amid the brutal Saudi aggression, the formation of a government of technocrats to run the country during these difficult circumstances has become necessary.”
They have also denounced US peace initiatives as it called for“surrender,” considering the fact that the US is complicit in the war and blockade against Yemen, hence, cannot be trusted as a neutral mediator.
Earlier, two civilians were killed and nine others injured in Saudi coalition airstrikes in the Sana’a province and they also targeted several other areas, including a highway in the Manakhah district.
Meanwhile, the UN children’s fund (UNICEF) said that 7.4 million Yemeni children are in dire need of medical help, and 370,000 run the risk of severe acute malnutrition.
Houthi alliance destroyed another Saudi Base
The Houthi alliance targeted a Saudi military outpost in the Asir Province and destroyed it completely with a missile strike.
However, sporadic ceasefires had mostly reduced the fighting but the latest airstrikes have prompted a powerful retaliation by the Houthi alliance.
UK navy guards oil shipping off Yemen
Meanwhile, the UK has quietly deployed a warship to guard commercial shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off the Yemeni coast. Most of Britain’s oil and gas supplies follows this route.
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, experienced some attacks recently and this highlighted the risk to energy supplies even from pirate attacks.
A senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said: “It is really critical that the strait stays open,” and the navy vessel is there to give “reassurance to UK shipping” in the strait.
Beside, this role has been played by Iran for some years, and they confirmed that its navy would escort all its own tankers and other commercial vessels from the Iranian coast through the risky waters through the treacherous Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Humanitarian aid to Syria and Yemen ‘urgent’
The Iranian Foreign Minister said that sending humanitarian aid to Syria and Yemen would better address the ongoing crises in these war-torn countries.
He arrived in Bratislava on his tour of 3 East European countries and was received by the Slovakian President, discussing bilateral relations and the crises in the Middle East.
The Slovakian President said: “Iran and EU have directed relations in an accurate path and it will be improved further. The nuclear deal with world powers showed that Iran’s diplomatic efforts could achieve what major wars would not. Iran enjoys an excellent position and stability amid the turmoil of the region.”
Regarding the Syrian and Yemeni crises where humanitarian disaster had long been an issue, the Iranian Foreign Minister said: “As the current head of the European Union, we want to see Slovakia more active and effective in advancing talks to facilitate humanitarian aid in these countries. The dire situation in Syria and Yemen demands a more active EU role in general and Iran welcomes any EU initiative to end the war and violence in Yemen and Syria through non-military means.”
Does anyone care about the US bombing Yemen?
With a long history of US support of oppressive and destructive regimes in all corners of the world, it came as no surprise that it bombed three radar stations in the Houthi-controlled area in Yemen, despite the lack of any evidence that these were used to target the US navy in the strait.
Yet, long before this ‘direct’ involvement, the US has been playing an indirect role in the destruction of Yemen by aiding the Saudi-led coalition by providing them arms, refueling their jets and providing logistical support, which continues.
The time has come for the US to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and refrain from their indirect role in the war crimes carried out by Saudi Arabia as they are most directly complicit in war crimes and the humanitarian disaster in the country.
Someone noted that the USA does not have a history, but rather a criminal record. Who can dispute this fact?
However, war isn’t inevitable; it’s sought after for economic and geopolitical reasons.
Sources:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/11/10/492943/Yemen-Sanaa-rally-Saudi-Arabia
https://southfront.org/video-footage-of-houthi-forces-destroying-saudi-army-base/
http://en.mehrnews.com/news/121231/Humanitarian-aid-to-Syria-Yemen-urgent
http://www.neiuindependent.org/7213/opinions/u-s-bombed-yemen-does-anyone-care/
