Yemeni Conflict: News

Yemen Houthi rebels advance despite Saudi-led air strikes


(Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi rebels made broad gains in the country's south and east on Friday despite a second day of Saudi-led air strikes meant to check the Iranian-backed militia's efforts to overthrow President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Shi'ite Muslim Houthi fighters and allied army units gained their first foothold on Yemen's Arabian Sea coast by seizing the port of Shaqra 100km (60 miles) east of Aden, residents told Reuters.

Explosions and crackles of small gunfire rang out across Aden late on Friday as Houthis made a push on the southern port city's airport, a witness said.



The advances threaten Hadi's last refuge in Yemen and potentially undermine the air campaign to support him.


The spokesman for the Saudi-led operation, Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, told a press conference in Riyadh that defending the Aden government was the campaign's "main objective".

"The operation will continue as long as there is a need for it to continue," Asseri said.

Warplanes targeted Houthi forces controlling Yemen's capital Sanaa and their northern heartland on Friday. Asseri said that planes from the United Arab Emirates had carried out their first strikes in the past 24 hours.

In a boost for Saudi Arabia, Morocco said it would join the rapidly assembled Sunni Muslim coalition against the Houthis. Pakistan, named by Saudi Arabia as a partner, said it had made no decision on whether to contribute.



http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/27/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0ML0YC20150327

Arab operation hit Yemen base holding long-range missiles: Yemeni official



(Reuters) - A Saudi-led military operation has targeted a base where Iranian-backed Houthi fighters had set up long-range missiles and pointed them towards the southern Yemeni city of Aden and neighboring countries, a Yemeni official said on Saturday.

The official told Reuters that Yemeni authorities had received information that Iranian experts had brought in parts for the missiles at the base, located south of Sanaa.

Iran denies allegations made by some Yemeni and Western officials that it is providing money and training to the Shi'ite Muslim Houthis, whose rapid territorial advances triggered an Arab military campaign against them.

The official, a member of the Yemeni delegation at an Arab League summit in Egypt, showed Reuters mobile phone pictures of a huge orange mushroom cloud, saying it was the force of the rockets exploding at the base after it was targeted.

He did not specify which countries the rockets were directed at.

Houthi fighters seeking to overthrow the Western- and Saudi-backed Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have continued to make gains since the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against them on Thursday.

"It's not in our interest to directly confront them army-to-army because they (Houthis) have heavy weapons," said the official.

"It is in our interest for them to enter and becoming a constant, sitting target and then we can pick them off."



http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/28/us-yemen-security-missiles-idUSKBN0MO0MC20150328

Apparently a few hours ago another Saudi fighter aircraft was downed in the Sanaa area.

Also, there is a claim that Houthis and their allies have penetrated 15 km into Saudi Arabia. Whether it was just a raid or is part of a sustained offensive I don't know.

ShahryarHedayatiSHBA wrote:

Hillariously propagandistic and patently stupid graphic this one right here is.

It's something I would expect from the BBC; but even the BBC aren't so amatuerish.

Arab Coalition to Face Yemen Quagmire – Retired Yemeni General

Retired Yemeni brigadier-general Muhssein Khasroof said that Operation Decisive Storm was working against the clock to suppress the Houthi uprising.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — Time is running short for the Arab military operation to make a difference in Yemen as the Saudi-led coalition is unlikely to tip the power balance there without putting boots on the ground, a retired Yemeni general told Sputnik on Sunday.

"Air strikes must go hand in hand with a ground operation by forces that are loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi," retired Yemeni brigadier-general Muhssein Khasroof said.

He criticized the coalition's tactic of targeting rebel positions in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and on its outskirts, while Houthis and loyalists of Yemen's former leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, are deployed farther to the south and maintain a grip on the port city Aden.

Houthi militants and their allies "have already secured a foothold on the coast," meaning that the coalition's actions to blockade Yemeni sea ports had failed, Khasroof said, adding that aerial raids had only succeeded in destroying hardware of the regular Yemeni forces and the nation's infrastructure.

The military officer stressed that Operation Decisive Storm was working against the clock to suppress the Houthi uprising.

"If this operation does not produce a positive result within a week, then Yemen will turn into a quagmire that will drown Arab troops," Khasroof warned.

He voiced hope that Russia will play a positive role in solving the Yemeni crisis and help to bring all warring parties to the negotiating table.

On Wednesday night, a coalition of Arab Gulf countries and other regional powers began pounding militant targets across Yemen at the request of the ousted president. Dozens of people, including civilians have been killed over the past four nights, according to the estimates of the rebel-controlled Health Ministry in Sanaa.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150329/1020182960.html#ixzz3VsJkwvyj

Beijing sends ships to Yemen to evacuate Chinese nationals

BEIJING, March 30. /TASS/. China’s Defense Ministry has sent several ships to Yemen to evacuate Chinese nationals from the country on Monday.

"China sent a group of ships to evacuate citizens from Yemen due to the deteriorating situation in the country," the defense ministry said in a statement published on its official website.

People’s Liberation Army Navy ships sent to Yemen usually serve to protect trade routes in the Gulf of Aden and near the Somalian coast. The Chinese Defense Ministry made a decision to send ships "with the aim of protecting the security of Chinese citizens and their property."

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis. In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah (Houthi rebels) forced the president and the government to announce resignation.

The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces. They also announced the adoption of the so-called constitutional declaration.

Overnight to March 26, Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in the neighboring country and delivered air strikes at several Houthi positions.

Pro-government forces regained control of the Aden airport last week, while Yemeni President Abd Rabbah Mansur Hadi fled the country to Saudi Arabia.

Yemeni Army to Win Control over Aden in Hours

Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:54


TEHRAN (FNA)- The Yemeni forces, backed by Ansarullah fighters, are on the verge of milestone victory by seizing control of the city of Aden in the South in the next few hours.
Fierce clashes are currently underway in Aden and the Army and revolutionary forces have managed to take control of many districts in the city, Al-Massa Press reported.

The Ansarullah forces have just regained control of the city of Taez, Yemen's third largest city in the North of Aden a few hours ago.

Aden is seen as the main stronghold of forces loyal to the ousted president, Mansour Hadi, as well as terrorist troops.

On Sunday Ansarullah fighters regained control over Aden International Airport after heavy clashes with the forces loyal to fugitive Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

The forces loyal to Mansour Hadi had seized control of the airport only on Thursday, and German news agencies reported that Ansarullah could defeat them and took it back today.

The Ansarullah fighters also made major advances in the surrounding areas of the airport.

Medical sources, meantime, confirmed that a sum of 113 forces loyal to Mansour Hadi were killed in Sunday clashes in Aden.

Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen for five days now, killing, at least, 70 civilians and injuring hundreds more.

Five Persian Gulf States -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait -- and Egypt that are also assisted by Israel and backed by the US have declared war on Yemen in a joint statement issued earlier Thursday.

US President Barack Obama authorized the provision of logistical and intelligence support to the military operations, National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said late Wednesday night.

She added that while US forces were not taking direct military action in Yemen, Washington was establishing a Joint Planning Cell with Saudi Arabia to coordinate US military and intelligence support.

Riyadh claimed that it has bombed the positions of the Ansarullah fighters and launched attacks against the Sana'a airport and the Dulaimi airbase.

Despite Riyadh's claims that it is attacking Ansarullah positions, Saudi warplanes have flattened a number of homes near Sana’a international airport.


http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940110000591

ShahryarHedayatiSHBA wrote:

As i thought, Egypt is just going to be another Morocco for Russia.

Yeah right ...a bunch of desperadoes trying to prevent the inevitable

Iran dispatches planeload of humanitarian aid to Yemen

The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has dispatched a planeload of humanitarian aid to Yemen where Shia mosques were recently targeted by terrorist attacks.

The IRCS sent its 13-ton consignment of humanitarian aid and medical supply on Monday.

Meanwhile, 52 people injured in the recent deadly bomb attacks in Yemen were flown to Iran on Monday and taken to hospital for treatment.
An Iranian medical official said the patients have sustained such injuries as fractures, burns and amputation.

Soleiman Heidari added that six of the victims are in critical condition.

He noted that Iran sent a six-member medical team to Yemen following the terrorist attacks to treat the victims.

Three bomb attacks were carried out at two mosques in Sana’a on Friday. At least 142 people were killed and 351 suffered injuries in the blasts targeting Badr and al-Hashoosh mosques.
A branch of the ISIL terrorist group in Yemen claimed responsibility for the bombings in an online statement, warning that the attacks were “just the tip of the iceberg.”

The blasts came against the backdrop of intense gun battles between supporters and opponents of fugitive President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in the southern port city of Aden. More than a dozen people died in the fighting, which also forced closure of the Aden International Airport.

Hadi, along with members of Prime Minister Khaled Bahah’s cabinet, stepped down in late January, but the parliament did not approve the president's resignation. The president fled his home in Sana’a on February 21, after weeks under effective house arrest and went to Aden, Yemen’s second largest city, where he officially withdrew his resignation and highlighted his intention to resume duties. This came after the Houthi fighters took control of Sana’a in September 2014.

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/03/23/403062/Iran-sends-humanitarian-aid-to-Yemen

Houthi forces took full control over city of Zinjibar after driving ISIL and pro Hadi man out.Reportedly Houthis are accompanied by 115th Brigade of Yemeni army who is under their command.This forces are now heading east towards Al Mukalla



http://barakish.net/news02.aspx?cat=12&sub=23&id=311427

Houthi forces have taken control on Bab El Mandeb.Military base that overlooks the strait is captured as well as entire 17th Armoured Division.From here the whole strait can be controlled.

http://af.reuters.com/article/djiboutiNews/idAFL6N0WX5HZ20150331

Fighting along border begins

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/31/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0MR0HE20150331?utm_source=twitter

AlfaT8 wrote:

ShahryarHedayatiSHBA wrote:

As i thought, Egypt is just going to be another Morocco for Russia.

I'm going to give credit where credit is due, you proved me wrong, I thought Egypt may have turned a new leaf but nothing has changed, the Egyptian leadership is still rife with corruption and greed ever since Sadat's betrayal, it took only a measly $60 billion in aid in developing a new city for the Egyptian military to switch back sides literally over night. If they want to prop up the old order of corrupt gulf monarchies that finances Islamic extremism and no one questions Israeli nukes...then Russia should not sell them anymore mobile ABM's outside of the Antey-2500, which are already contracted. Let them live under Israel's nuclear umbrella if they so choose...

Bab-al-Mandab falls to Houthis: Yemen Rebels Seize Base Near Shipping Lane as Saudis Target Aden - Bloomberg Business


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...base-near-shipping-lane-as-saudis-target-aden

Warning: not for children under 15, weak-heart individuals, and rabies dogs who are eating shit of Obama.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11130089_457795591039028_5302093442181422877_n.jpg?oh=a7b51d8ef1329390a04a020a23aefc9c&oe=55BB3FCD&__gda__=1436903369_3a2e07751fcda6ec41be725230569b4e

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11082631_457795544372366_3126575467933954611_n.jpg?oh=362977ddd1f70af53a200b8bf40a31f3&oe=55ADE987&__gda__=1437725677_45d8a5434495d3628b8960c6693c81c6

https://scontent-sin.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11102712_457795584372362_5229038020422054190_n.jpg?oh=bef46ec161093c93746f19e3fe5ab7b8&oe=55BD2B8F

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/1908235_457795501039037_3018351732512849682_n.jpg?oh=4cb377fe33d5dcf47f74af065e5f123a&oe=55A13B59&__gda__=1437011499_ebb516e5e6c13cb1bdc6493ba153c59e

=========

http://www.newsweek.com/strike-refugee-camp-yemen-kills-45-317762

Strike on Refugee Camp in Yemen Kills 45

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/deadly-air-strike-hits-camp-yemen-displaced-un-112408956.html#sXdqiO4

Air raid kills scores at Yemen displaced camp

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/world/middleeast/yemen-camp-air-raid.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Dozens Are Reported Killed as Saudi-Led Strike Hits Camp for Displaced Yemeni Civilians

magnumcromagnon wrote:I'm going to give credit where credit is due, you proved me wrong, I thought Egypt may have turned a new leaf but nothing has changed, the Egyptian leadership is still rife with corruption and greed ever since Sadat's betrayal, it took only a measly $60 billion in aid in developing a new city for the Egyptian military to switch back sides literally over night. If they want to prop up the old order of corrupt gulf monarchies that finances Islamic extremism and no one questions Israeli nukes...then Russia should not sell them anymore mobile ABM's outside of the Antey-2500, which are already contracted. Let them live under Israel's nuclear umbrella if they so choose...

Egypt hasn't 'switched back' - in fact the Saudis were an ally of Sisi from the very beggining; and they were very quick to offer him political support during his ascension to power, and funded his arms purchases from Russia.

That doesn't mean that Sisi is their puppet as such; Egypt is pretty much pursuing an independent political course and is strengthening relations with Russia; reading out Putin's letters to the Arab League in their assembly at the same time as the Saudi Foreign Minister critisizes Russia. I get the feeling that the Saudis are not too much concerned about Egypt's close ties with Russia and at least through the loans for arms purchases have encouraged these ties in fact.

Saudi interests lie closer to home - and it is here where the Saudis are calling up Sisi's debt to them; Yemen being an example.

Arab coalition stops Russian plane from evacuating Russians from Yemen — media

No one can stop Russia from saving its citizens . Blow the hell out of arab coalition Russia .

Just read this myself. Hopefully Russia provides the right response by sending ships off the coast of it and threaten to deal with the coalitions airforce by force if they do not let the aircraft go.

sepheronx wrote:Just read this myself.  Hopefully Russia provides the right response by sending ships off the coast of it and threaten to deal with the coalitions airforce by force if they do not let the aircraft go.

It's time for Russia to put the slimy Saudi elite back in to their place.