Airstrike in Yemen deepens war, puts pressure on US

[webfact]

Airstrike in Yemen deepens war, puts pressure on US

By MAGGIE MICHAEL and AHMED AL-HAJ

 

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — More than 1,000 mourners were packed into the funeral hall, including some of the most powerful figures in Yemen's rebel movement. Ali al-Akwa, who was just about to start reciting the Quran, heard warplanes overhead — but that wasn't strange for wartime Sanaa. Surely a funeral would be safe, he thought.

 

Moments later, a huge explosion struck, tearing bodies apart. The ceiling collapsed, walls fell in and a fire erupted. As people scrambled frantically to get out, a second missile struck, killing more of them.

 

Nearly 140 people were killed and more than 600 wounded in Saturday's airstrike — one of the deadliest since Saudi Arabia and its allies began an air campaign in Yemen in March 2015. The coalition is trying to uproot the Shiite Houthi rebels who took over the capital and much of northern Yemen from the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

 

The coalition seems to have been hoping to take out a significant part of the Houthis' military leadership and its allies, who were expected at the funeral. Instead, the attack is likely to deepen the stalemate in a war that has already pushed the impoverished country into collapse.

 

The bloodshed has eclipsed new U.N. efforts to secure even a brief cease-fire. Amid popular anger, the coalition has lost potential tribal allies. In an attempt to expand the war, the Houthis have retaliated by firing rockets into neighboring Saudi Arabia and at U.S. warships.

 

The only hope for progress toward a resolution, many Yemenis say, is if the strike prompts Saudi Arabia's top ally, the United States, and other Western nations to halt arms sales, pressure Riyadh to ease the war and move toward negotiations.

 

After the strike, the White House said it will immediately review its assistance to the coalition and stressed that the support is not a "blank check." The Obama administration is sensitive to criticism from human rights groups and some in Congress but has limited leverage with the Saudis, especially as Riyadh's assistance is also needed in the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has warned the Saudi coalition about strikes on civilians in Yemen, but the weekend attack on the funeral appeared to have touched a nerve.

 

"In light of the attack over the weekend, with the scrutiny that that attack legitimately calls for, we are going to undertake additional reviews of aid and assistance that goes to Saudi Arabia," State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday. "We take this very seriously, and we have been nothing but candid and forthright with the Saudis about our concerns over civilian casualties and collateral damage and our concerns about lack of precision in the conduct of some of these strikes."

 

The U.S. and Britain have sold billions of dollars in weapons to Saudi Arabia for use in the conflict. Washington also has been giving logistical and intelligence support, although this year it withdrew some personnel who it said were not linked to the coalition's actions.

 

Farea al-Muslimi, the co-founder of Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, said the West's response will determine if the war deepens or moves toward a resolution.

 

"Such sudden turns either end the war or end the country," he said. "Yemen is a country where peace is born out of huge agonies."

 

Three days after the attack, investigators are still recovering human remains amid the scattered chairs and personal belongings in the sooty, smoky hall. The roof was almost completely shredded, with chunks of metal, concrete and chandeliers dangling. Pools of blood mixed with water from broken pipes.

 

Senior Health Ministry official Mokhtar Sharaf Eddin said the confirmed death toll as of Tuesday was 135 — but likely to rise.

 

The missiles, which punched two large holes in the floor and opened the room up to a parking lot below, blew some bodies up to 200 meters (yards) away, officials said.

 

Survivors recalled fleeing over the dead and wounded. Al-Akwa, the Quran reciter, said he picked up a boy whose foot was nearly severed and carried him out.

 

"It was like the end of days, where everyone ran for his life," al-Akwa said. "In the name of God, until now I am in disbelief."

 

The funeral was for Sheikh Ali al-Rawishan, the father of the Houthi government's interior minister, Galal al-Rawishan — members of one of Yemen's most powerful tribes, the Khawlan. In attendance were senior members of the Houthi movement and military and political figures linked to the rebels' ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

 

Among the dead was Abdel-Qader Helal, the mayor of Sanaa who was widely popular and had been appointed by Hadi before the Houthi takeover. Considered a moderate who did not support either the Houthis or the coalition, he had tried mediating between the two sides.

 

Also killed were several senior military commanders and soldiers.

 

The strike sparked a wave of outrage. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon called it an "outrageous violation of international humanitarian law." Saleh and top Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi both called for "revenge" as anti-coalition protesters marched through Sanaa. The coalition initially denied it was behind the strike but then said it was investigating.

 

More than a year of heavy bombardment has wrecked the country of 26 million, with neither side able to gain an advantage.

 

The conflict began when the Houthis swept down from their northern strongholds and captured Sanaa in 2014, then pushed farther south. In early 2015, Hadi's government fled to the southern city of Aden. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations launched their air campaign against the Houthis, accusing them of being proxies of Shiite-led Iran.

 

Coalition support kept Aden from falling into Houthi hands. Since then, Saudi-backed forces — a mix of southern separatists and Sunni militant fighters — succeeded in retaking much of the south, while other local forces are still fighting in eastern and western sections.

 

But the price has been devastating for Yemen, already the poorest country in the Arab world.

 

According to the U.N., more than 4,100 civilians have been killed and over 7,200 wounded, mostly from airstrikes. With supplies disrupted by the bombing and a coalition blockade, most of the population is considered by the U.N. as "food insecure," famine has hit poorer areas, and 3 million people are displaced. Infrastructure, factories, hospitals and roads have been destroyed.

 

Three sessions of peace talks have failed. This week, the U.N. envoy for Yemen was trying to patch together a 72-hour cease-fire.

 

Sanaa is surrounded by Yemen's biggest tribes, known as the "ring," because they occupy areas around the capital. The Khawlan is one of those tribes. Previously, it and several others were neutral, with members on both sides of the conflict. But the deaths it suffered in the airstrike threaten to turn it against the coalition.

 

"Winning Sanaa is a battle of hearts. ... The tribes are the key here," said Sanaa-based writer Maged al-Mazhaji.

 

Hadi's government has been embarrassed by the airstrike, making no official statement on the bloodshed.

 

"The government of Hadi is only operating under the shadow of Saudis, and he can't say no. What happened will only diminish any credit he has" in Sanaa, al-Mazhaji said.

 

The Houthis, meanwhile, appear to be trying to escalate the conflict. Two missiles were fired from Houthi territory toward U.S. warships in the Red Sea, and others were fired into Saudi territory, including one targeting an air base that hosts U.S. military personnel training Saudi troops.

 

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said the U.S. is still investigating the incident, in which the missiles fell harmlessly into the water Sunday.

 

Al-Muslimi, of the Sanaa Center, said it could be a signal to Washington of the danger of escalation.

 

"We are seeing that for the first time there is a direct threat to the Western interests in this Yemeni conflict. Now they will start to feel the heat."

___

Associated Press writers Hani Mohammed and Maad al-Zikry in Sanaa and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.

 

-- © Associated Press 2016-10-12

[coma]

Why isn't the US screaming War crimes  ? 

[maximillian]

4 hours ago, coma said:

Why isn't the US screaming War crimes  ? 

 

Guess why.

Saudis aren't Russians.

[Morch]

4 hours ago, coma said:

Why isn't the US screaming War crimes  ? 

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/08/middleeast/yemen-airstrikes/

[Rancid]

4 hours ago, coma said:

Why isn't the US screaming War crimes  ? 

Very good question. Seems the bombing of Shiite Muslims in Yemen is perfectly OK, however the bombing of Sunni Jihadists in Aleppo is a war crime. I've commented before at the offensive hypocrisy of our media, a media that only ever puts forward one viewpoint, they are supposed to report the news not selectively censor it and offer opinions based on BS. The Hillary-Trump contest is another good example of biased opinion rather than actual news.

[craigt3365]

7 hours ago, coma said:

Why isn't the US screaming War crimes  ? 

Apples and oranges.  Seems many don't understand the difference.  The article above says the US has already reduced support and is looking at reducing it even more.  Plus, it's mainly Arab nations involved. Unlike Syria where Russia is directly bombing innocent civilians and has been asked by most of the West to stop. Which they refuse to do.

 

I've not followed this conflict much. Just read about it and it's very complicated.

 

From the article above.

 

Quote

"In light of this and other recent incidents, we have initiated an immediate review of our already significantly reduced support to the Saudi-led coalition and are prepared to adjust our support so as to better align with US principles, values and interests, including achieving an immediate and durable end to Yemen's tragic conflict," he said.

 

Wouldn't it be great if Russia would do the same in Syria?

[coma]

14 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

 

Wouldn't it be great if Russia would do the same in Syria?

 

I would't think so.

[oxo1947]

27 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

the US has already reduced support and is looking at reducing it even more.

Plus, it's mainly Arab nations involved. Unlike Syria where Russia is directly bombing innocent civilians and has been asked by most of the West to stop. Which they refuse to do.

I've not followed this conflict much. Just read about it and it's very complicated.

 

Gosh Craig you really couldn't be more slanted in your comments if you tried---which I am sure you did. So the USA has reduced support for the killing of Civilians By the Saudi's --but not stopped  supporting them. So in double talk is that ...you only get 80 bombs this week --not a hundred.

 

Its amazing how that reduced support has just come in just as they call for war crimes / sanctions against a country doing exactly the same  as the one they are just reducing support for. The Saudi's started bombing and a navel block-aid so no food goes into there on March the 26th 2015, coming up for 2 years---just now America will reduce support for them, I wonder what's changed Craig  

Also notice that you mentioned that the Russians are killing /bombing Innocent civilians .  I take it unlike the Saudi's who are just  killing  _???____  Civilians.   Although Russia stands rightly  condemned, most people know who/what brought the Russians into Syria ,  ISIS. As you say I know its very complicated Craig , but you seem to have such a good grip on it so maybe you can tell us what brought the Saudi's & 9 of their friends  into bombing and trying to starve out the Government of Yenem  was it --Al-qaeda---ISIS----Al-Shabaab  ... or any other group that means to do harm to their good friend America ?? 

 

Wiki seems to think that they just went into  there with their friends to influence who rules the country --no matter what the people want. But I guess Wiki doesn't really know how complicated it is Craig.

 

The Saudi Arabian-led War in Yemen began in 2015 as an attempt to influence the outcome of the Yemeni Civil War. .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabian-led_intervention_in_Yemen

[Naam]

18 minutes ago, oxo1947 said:

Gosh Craig you really couldn't be more slanted in your comments if you tried---which I am sure you did. So the USA has reduced support for the killing of Civilians By the Saudi's --but not stopped  supporting them. So in double talk is that ...you only get 80 bombs this week --not a hundred.

you don't understand Craig's diplomatic language Oxo. he is trying to explain in a subtle way a nearly century old U.S. policy which is "well, we know he is a bastard. but he is OUR bastard! Putin is not."

[Morch]

Morality is not necessarily the cornerstone of international relations. More like a preferable, but not strictly required ingredient. Hypocrisy and double standards are pretty much the norm. Often, even players with the best of intentions (and that's not saying the US is always one) need to compromise in order to deal with constraints and ambiguous scenarios.

 

The whole anti-US sentiment expressed in some posts rests on the underlying assumption that the US is supposed to be a paragon of virtue. Disregarding fossilized stalwart defenders of the US, doubt that there are many actually upholding this view. The US is far from perfect, and certainly faces many situations in which its claimed ideals clash with reality.

 

How seriously one takes US moralizing is a choice. Those pretending to take it at face value, are bound to find something to pretend being upset about.

 

The US is far from perfect, and its foreign policy is even worse. Things are certainly compounded when held in comparison with US rhetoric. Then again, those most vocally criticizing the US are often willing to forgive transgressions by other countries. IMO, the US still comes ahead of many with regard to these issues.

[craigt3365]

5 hours ago, coma said:

 

I would't think so.

So you are saying it wouldn't be good for Russia to admit Assad is killing innocent civilians and to scale back bombings.  I sure hope that's not what you are saying.

[craigt3365]

4 hours ago, Naam said:

you don't understand Craig's diplomatic language Oxo. he is trying to explain in a subtle way a nearly century old U.S. policy which is "well, we know he is a bastard. but he is OUR bastard! Putin is not."

Not actually.  Just trying to point out the two situations are completely different. The US isn't actively bombing civilians in Yemen,  like Russia is in Syria. Hope you guys understand this significant difference.  Seems many don't.

 

But yes, indirect support for this is wrong. Luckily,  the US recognizes this, admits it, and hopefully,  will try to stop. Unlike Russia.

[Naam]

25 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Not actually.  Just trying to point out the two situations are completely different. The US isn't actively bombing civilians in Yemen,  like Russia is in Syria. Hope you guys understand this significant difference.  Seems many don't.

 

But yes, indirect support for this is wrong. Luckily,  the US recognizes this, admits it, and hopefully,  will try to stop. Unlike Russia.

 

the facts are:

-the Saudis are protecting their interests in Yemen where a proxy war with Iran is going on,

 

-the Houthis are rebels overthrowing an elected government,

 

- the U.S. has always regretted civilian casualties caused by own bombing but at the same time called it quite often unvoidable collateral damage especially when drones are killing two dozen or more innocent human beings with a hellfire missile to get rid of a potential important "insurgent" leader.

 

-the Saudi airforce is killing "insurgents" and regrets civilian collateral damage.

 

so why should the U.S. stop delivering ordnance to Saudi Arabia? is the rule "quod licet jovi non licet bovi" applicable?

 

signed:

Naam

acting as advocatus diaboli

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, Naam said:

so why should the U.S. stop delivering ordnance to Saudi Arabia? is the rule "quod licet jovi non licet bovi" applicable?

Excellent info. I think the problem with the US is the potential legal liability?  That,  and Saudi Arabia is not a favored nation. Especially now.

[coma]

17 hours ago, oxo1947 said:

 

Gosh Craig you really couldn't be more slanted in your comments if you tried---which I am sure you did. So the USA has reduced support for the killing of Civilians By the Saudi's --but not stopped  supporting them. So in double talk is that ...you only get 80 bombs this week --not a hundred.

 

Its amazing how that reduced support has just come in just as they call for war crimes / sanctions against a country doing exactly the same  as the one they are just reducing support for. The Saudi's started bombing and a navel block-aid so no food goes into there on March the 26th 2015, coming up for 2 years---just now America will reduce support for them, I wonder what's changed Craig  

Also notice that you mentioned that the Russians are killing /bombing Innocent civilians .  I take it unlike the Saudi's who are just  killing  _???____  Civilians.   Although Russia stands rightly  condemned, most people know who/what brought the Russians into Syria ,  ISIS. As you say I know its very complicated Craig , but you seem to have such a good grip on it so maybe you can tell us what brought the Saudi's & 9 of their friends  into bombing and trying to starve out the Government of Yenem  was it --Al-qaeda---ISIS----Al-Shabaab  ... or any other group that means to do harm to their good friend America ?? 

 

Wiki seems to think that they just went into  there with their friends to influence who rules the country --no matter what the people want. But I guess Wiki doesn't really know how complicated it is Craig.

 

The Saudi Arabian-led War in Yemen began in 2015 as an attempt to influence the outcome of the Yemeni Civil War. .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabian-led_intervention_in_Yemen

 

 

Bravo !! 

[tonbridgebrit]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/11/opinion/americas-moral-duty-in-yemen.html?mabReward=A5&moduleDetail=recommendations-0&action=click&contentCollection=Middle East&region=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&src=recg&pgtype=article


The above is a link to an article in the New York Post.
A quote " Airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition that devastated a funeral in Yemen on Saturday make it clear that the United States must end its complicity in a civil war that has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in one of the world’s poorest countries and fueled extremism. It is within President Obama’s power to do so. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf state allies depend on Washington for aircraft, munitions, training and in-flight refueling."

Come on Washington, stop the killing in Yemen.  President Obama, you've got a little bit of time left, why don't you order an end to the catastrophe in Yemen ? If you do, you might be remembered as a man of peace once you're no longer in charge. A good legacy to have.

 

[craigt3365]

1 hour ago, tonbridgebrit said:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/11/opinion/americas-moral-duty-in-yemen.html?mabReward=A5&moduleDetail=recommendations-0&action=click&contentCollection=Middle East&region=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&src=recg&pgtype=article


The above is a link to an article in the New York Post.
A quote " Airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition that devastated a funeral in Yemen on Saturday make it clear that the United States must end its complicity in a civil war that has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in one of the world’s poorest countries and fueled extremism. It is within President Obama’s power to do so. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf state allies depend on Washington for aircraft, munitions, training and in-flight refueling."

Come on Washington, stop the killing in Yemen.  President Obama, you've got a little bit of time left, why don't you order an end to the catastrophe in Yemen ? If you do, you might be remembered as a man of peace once you're no longer in charge. A good legacy to have.

 

And yet you support Russia's direct bombing of innocent civilians in Syria. Sometimes wrong here. You are way too one sided.

[tonbridgebrit]

19 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

And yet you support Russia's direct bombing of innocent civilians in Syria. Sometimes wrong here. You are way too one sided.

Craigt, the Putin airstrikes in Syria are actually not the same thing as the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. What's the difference ?

The Putin airstrikes are trying to remove ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front. But the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, who are they removing ? Some of us don't even know who these rebels are. The rebels in Yemen, are they a danger and threat to world peace ? I don't think they are.

But ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front (Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria), well, they're both suppose to be a threat to world peace, right ?

 

Yes, I read the link you put up from the New York Times, and I found this article whilst looking at your link from the New York Times. I'm still waiting for your quote about how bombing missions are being done in Syria, to get rebels to join ISIS, and go after Assad better.


Okay, just imagine if it was NOT me who put up this post. Do YOU agree with this New York Times opinion article ? Do you reckon that Washington should stop supporting the Saudi coalition in Yemen ?

 

[Morch]

12 hours ago, tonbridgebrit said:

Craigt, the Putin airstrikes in Syria are actually not the same thing as the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. What's the difference ?

The Putin airstrikes are trying to remove ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front. But the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, who are they removing ? Some of us don't even know who these rebels are. The rebels in Yemen, are they a danger and threat to world peace ? I don't think they are.

But ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front (Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria), well, they're both suppose to be a threat to world peace, right ?

 

Yes, I read the link you put up from the New York Times, and I found this article whilst looking at your link from the New York Times. I'm still waiting for your quote about how bombing missions are being done in Syria, to get rebels to join ISIS, and go after Assad better.


Okay, just imagine if it was NOT me who put up this post. Do YOU agree with this New York Times opinion article ? Do you reckon that Washington should stop supporting the Saudi coalition in Yemen ?

 

 

"The Putin airstrikes are trying to remove ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front. But the Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, who are they removing ? Some of us don't even know who these rebels are."

 

Yes, it is hard to keep tabs on all them groups. And yes, some of don't even know who's who. This was patently evident from some of your own posts regarding the situation in Syria. The "Putin" airstrikes (thought they were Russia's, but eh...) are not merely trying to "remove ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front" - but pretty much anyone opposed to Assad's rule. Here are some links that may help explain things:

 

Who Are Yemen's Houthis and What Do They Want?

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/who-are-yemen-s-houthis-what-do-they-want-n665636

 

Yemen crisis: Who is fighting whom?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423

 

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemeni_Civil_War_(2015–present)

 

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabian-led_intervention_in_Yemen

 

 

"The rebels in Yemen, are they a danger and threat to world peace ? I don't think they are.

But ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front (Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria), well, they're both suppose to be a threat to world peace, right ?"

 

ISIS is certainly a "danger and threat" to world peace. The Al-Nusra Front, to date - limited its sphere of action to the Syrian conflict. With regard to the AQ affiliation, things are somewhat fluid (Speculations_on_a_split_with_al-Qaeda). The "rebels in Yemen" are not a "danger and a threat" at this time. However, firing at a US ship could give a clue to the potential threat they represent due to Yemen's geographical location. As ISIS is a "danger and threat" to world peace, the military efforts see wide international involvement, whereas the military involvement in Yemen is more localized.