Yemen - Civil War

[Khafee]

Statement from US Central Command on attacks against U.S. observation aircraft
U.S. Central Command
TAMPA, Florida, June 16, 2019 —
View attachment 8171

A U.S. MQ-9 was shot down over Yemen by what we assess to be a Houthi SA-6 surface to air missile on Jun 6, 2019. The altitude of the engagement indicated an improvement over previous Houthi capability, which we assess was enabled by Iranian assistance.

On June 13, 2019, according to our assessment, a modified Iranian SA-7 surface-to-air missile attempted to shoot down a U.S. MQ-9 over the Gulf of Oman to disrupt surveillance of the IRGC attack on the M/T Kokuka Courageous. The MQ-9 had arrived minutes earlier at 6:20 a.m. local time at the motor tanker (M/T) Altair and had observed the ship on fire.

The SA-7 was ineffective and its closest point of approach to the MQ-9 was approximately one kilometer.

Subsequent analysis indicates that this was a likely attempt to shoot down or otherwise disrupt the MQ-9 surveillance of the IRGC attack on the M/T Kokuka Courageous.

Lt. Col. Earl Brown, U.S. Central Command Spokesman

Statement from US Central Command on attacks against U.S. observation aircraft

A U.S. MQ-9 was shot down over Yemen by what we assess to be a Houthi SA-6 surface to air missile on Jun 6, 2019. On June 13, 2019, according to our assessment, a modified Iranian SA-7 surface-to-air

www.centcom.mil

 

[Persian Gulf]

This Badr-F guided airburst missile with 160km range explodes 20m above the target and spreads 14,000 pieces of shrapnel across a blast radius of 350m. [Hope it's okay to post the video, not glorifying it and there's no 'gore' or something, just for educational purposes to show people how it works and what it is.]

This is an extremely lethal weapon and it seems they are using airburst tactics for drones (the attack against the military parade that killed dozens of high ranking Yemeni officers) and now missiles.

The Badr is an interesting system, closest Iranian analogue is the Fajr series of artillery in my opinion... Similar size, appearance and range. Only from 2017 with the Fajr-5c did they become guided systems, and I haven't seen any Iranian airburst version like this.


Regardless of my views on the KSA-Yemen war I hope the Houthis don't use this against any civilian targets especially because this type of weapon can cause horrific consequences...

 

[Persian Gulf]

[If the moderators want to remove the video perhaps this infographic/photo would be better:] @Eagle1

 

[Khafee]

One dead, seven injured in Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport
Updated 12 sec ago
Arab News
June 23, 2019

Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said on Sunday that one person was killed and seven others injured in a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport. (Screenshot/Al-Arabiya)

RIYADH: Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said on Sunday that one person was killed and seven others injured in a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport.

“A terrorist attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia took place at Abha international airport, through which thousands of civilian passengers pass daily. A Syrian national died and seven civilians were wounded,” the coalition said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Maliki did not say what type of weapon was used in the attack.

Earlier this month, at least 26 people were injured when a Houthi missile fired from Yemen hit the same airport.

After the attack, the coalition vowed a firm response and said the attack proved Tehran’s support for cross-border terrorism.

The coalition said the injured in the first attack were all civilians of different nationalities and included two Saudi children and three women - a Saudi, a Yemeni and an Indian.

One dead, several injured in Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport

RIYADH: Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said on Sunday that one person was killed and 21 others injured in a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Airport. A terrorist attack by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia took place at Abha international airport, through which thousands of...

www.arabnews.com

 

[Khafee]

Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one expat, Saudi-led coalition says
June 23, 2019 / Updated 5 minutes ago

RIYADH (Reuters) - Yemen’s Houthi movement launched an attack on Abha civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday that killed one person and wounded seven others, the Saudi-led coalition battling the group in Yemen said.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV earlier said that the Iran-aligned movement had targeted Abha and Jizan airports in the south of the kingdom with drones attacks.
“A terrorist attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militia targeted Abha airport, killing a Syrian resident and wounding seven civilians,” the coalition said in a statement carried on Saudi state television.

It did not confirm an attack on Jizan airport.

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV said a suspected drone hit the parking lot in Abha airport, which is about 200 km (125 miles) north of the Yemen border and serves domestic and regional routes.

Saudi state TV said flights had resumed at the airport, where operations were now running normally.

Earlier this month, a Houthi missile hit Abha airport in a strike that wounded 26 people.

The Western-backed Sunni Muslim coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognized government that was ousted from power in Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities in the past month amid rising tension between Iran and Gulf Arab states allied to the United States.

Riyadh has accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with the weapon used in the June 13 attack on Abha airport. Tehran and the Houthis deny coalition charges that Iran supplies the Houthis with missiles and drones.

“DESTABILIZING ACTIVITY”
The Saudi-led military coalition has targeted Houthi military sites around the capital Sanaa and Hodeidah port city.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Britain and the United States, in a joint statement published by the Saudi Embassy in Washington on Sunday, voiced concern about the escalation in Houthi attacks - without any mention of the latest drone launches.

The quartet also voiced concern about “dangers posed by Iranian destabilizing activity” to peace and security both in Yemen and the broader region, citing attacks on oil tankers in Gulf waters.

Tehran has denied involvement in the tanker attacks, which no one has claimed responsibility for.

The escalation in violence threatens a U.N.-sponsored deal for a ceasefire and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah, which became the focus of the war last year when the coalition tried to seize the port, the Houthis’ main supply line and a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

The quartet’s statement called on all Yemeni parties to engage constructively with U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths to accelerate implementation of the agreement.

The deal, reached at peace talks in Sweden last December, had stalled for months before the Houthis unilaterally withdrew from three Red Sea ports in Hodeidah. The Saudi-led alliance has yet to verify the redeployment or meet it by pulling back pro-coalition troops massed on the outskirts of Hodeidah.

Reporting by Mohamed El-Sherif in Cairo and Stephen Kalin in Riyadh; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai; Editing by Alison Williams and Gareth Jones

Yemen's Houthis hit Saudi airport, killing one, wounding 21: Saudi-led coalition

Yemen's Houthi movement launched an attack on Abha civilian airport in southern Saudi Arabia on Sunday that killed one person and wounded 21 others, the Saudi-led coalition battling the group in Yemen said.

www.reuters.com

 

[Khafee]

Houthis have smuggled various weapons from Iran: Arab coalition
Updated 12 sec ago
Arab News
June 24, 2019

Arab Coalition Spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki speaks at a press conference in Riyadh. (File/SPA)

• Col. Al-Maliki also said that the Houthis are digging trenches and building fortifications in Hodeidah
• Said Iran-backed militia is trying to provoke the coalition

RIYADH: The Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said on Monday that the Houthi militia has received various types of weapons smuggled from Iran.

Speaking at a weekly press conference in Riyadh, spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the militia has suffered heavy losses and as a result they have been targeting civilians and civilian installations.

Col. Al-Maliki also said that the Houthis are digging trenches and building fortifications in Hodeidah in violation of the Stockholm agreement.

He said that the Iran-backed militia is trying to provoke the coalition, but “we will apply international law.”

He added that the coalition has started providing financial assistance to those affected by accidents in Yemen and the coalition has already compensated 116 people affected.

Houthis have smuggled various weapons from Iran: Arab coalition

RIYADH: The Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said on Monday that the Houthi militia has received various types of weapons smuggled from Iran. Speaking at a weekly press conference in Riyadh, spokesperson Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the militia has suffered...

www.arabnews.com

 

[Khafee]

Saudi special forces capture leader of Daesh in Yemen
Arab News
June 25, 2019

The leader, Abu Osama Al-Muhajir, as well as other members of the organization including its chief financial officer, were captured on June 3 in a raid on a house carried out by Saudi and Yemeni forces. (SPA)

• Weapons, ammunition and telecommunication devices were also seized during the 10-minute operation
• There were no injuries to civilians, including 3 women and 3 children who were inside the house

RIYADH: Saudi and Yemeni special forces captured the leader of Daesh in Yemen, the Arab coalition said Tuesday.
Abu Osama Al-Muhajir was seized during an operation on June 3 along with a Daesh financial officer and a number of other members of the organization, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The arrests were made at a house that had been under surveillance, coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said. Three women and three children were in the house at the time.
The operation took 10 minutes and the women and children were unharmed.

The Daesh leader in Yemen, identified as Abu Osama Al-Muhajir, was caught in an early June raid along with other members of the militant group including its chief financial officer, Arab coalition spokesperson Col. Turki al-Maliki saidSaudi special forces capture leader of Daesh in Yemen pic.twitter.com/TBKBBlbrT7
— Arab News (@arabnews) June 25, 2019

The statement did not specify where in Yemen the raid took place.
“The operation was successful in capturing the terrorists and ensuring the safety of the women and children inside the house,” Col. Al Malki said.
The forces recovered a number of weapons, ammunition, laptops and computers, money in different currencies, and communications equipment.

Extremist groups like Al-Qaeda and Daesh have attempted to take advantage of the conflict in Yemen and assert their authority in some areas of the country — particularly in the south.

The Arab coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is fighting in support of the official government against the Iran-backed Houthi militia that seized the capital Sanaa in 2014. But the coalition has also been working with Yemeni forces to combat extremist groups in the south.
“This operation is an extension of the close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government to combat terrorism and dismantle the terrorist organizations,” Al-Maliki said. “It is also a painful blow to the terrorist Daesh organization, especially in Yemen, and it follows the Kingdom’s efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms.”

SaudiArabia's Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said the Kingdom's military operations in Yemen are aimed at preventing terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, Daesh and the Houthis from using the country to destabilize the region.

"The capture of ISIS's leader in Yemen is just the latest example of our commitment to eradicating the scourge of terrorism," Prince Khalid said on Twitter. "Saudi Arabia continues to play a leading role in the international community’s effort to combat terrorism and counter extremism."

The Kingdom’s military operations in Yemen are aimed at restoring the legitimate government of Yemen and preventing terrorist groups like the Houthis, Al Qaeda and ISIS from using the country to destabilize the region and to the threaten the global economy.
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) June 25, 2019

Saudi Arabia's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir said the operation was "another testament of the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to confront all forces of terrorism and extremism."

The successful special operation that led to the capture of ISIS leader in Yemen is another testament of the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to confront all forces of terrorism and extremism
— Adel Aljubeir عادل الجبير (@AdelAljubeir) June 25, 2019

Saudi, Yemeni special forces capture leader of Daesh in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi and Yemeni special forces captured the leader of Daesh in Yemen, the Arab coalition said Tuesday. Abu Osama Al-Muhajir was seized during an operation on June 3 along with a Daesh financial officer and a number of other members of the organization, the Saudi Press Agency reported...

www.arabnews.com

 

[Khafee]

Saudi-led coalition intercepted Houthi drone launched toward residential area
June 26, 2019 / 12:54 AM / Updated 6 minutes ago

Image of previously shot down Houthi drone

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted a drone launched toward a residential area in the Khamis Mushait by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said.

The Houthis’ Al Masirah TV said earlier that the group had attacked military positions and aircraft hangars at two nearby airports in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
There were no details about casualties or damage.

Reporting by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Susan Thomas

Saudi-led coalition intercepted Houthi drone launched toward residential area

Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted a drone launched toward a residential area in the Khamis Mushait by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said.

www.reuters.com

 

[Lieutenant]

Nice catch. When will Iraq finally get the big babbon?

 

[Khafee]

Nice catch. When will Iraq finally get the big babbon?

Maybe the big baboon will get a one way ticket?

 

[Khafee]

U.S. says Saudi pipeline attacks originated in Iraq: Wall Street Journal
June 28, 2019

View attachment 8633

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry in May originated in Iraq, not Yemen, U.S. officials have concluded, drawing questions from Iraqi officials who have asked Washington for more information supporting the claim, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence on the May drone attacks say they originated in southern Iraq, the Journal reported, saying that most likely pointed a finger at Iran-backed militias in that region.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition for four years, said they carried out the drone strikes against the East-West pipeline.

The drone attack happened two days after four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged by sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

The attacks took place against a backdrop of U.S.-Iranian tension following Washington’s move last month to try to cut Tehran’s oil exports to zero and beef up its military presence in the Gulf in response to what it called Iranian threats.

The State Department declined to comment on the report.

At a weekly news conference on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi denied the attacks could have come from Iraqi territory.

“All of our intelligence services and our air force denied these reports because the air space is known,” Mahdi said. “As far as we are concerned, we have no proof and we have no evidence in this matter.”

He said none of the Iraqi intelligence or military services that monitor its air space detected any launch. “There was no movement on that day on this subject,” he said.

Reporting by Doina Chiacu and David Brunnstrom in Washington, Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; editing by Tim Ahmann and Jonathan Oatis

U.S. says Saudi pipeline attacks originated in Iraq: Wall Street Journal

Drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil industry in May originated in Iraq, not Yemen, U.S. officials have concluded, drawing questions from Iraqi officials who have asked Washington for more information supporting the claim, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

www.reuters.com

 

[Khafee]

Houthi Leader Champions Khomeini, Dodges Peace Efforts
29 June, 2019


View attachment 8672
Armed Houthi followers carry their rifles as they attend a gathering to show support for the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen December 19, 2018. (Reuters)

Aden - Ali Rabih

The leader of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, Abdul Malik Badreddine al-Houthi, on Friday, gave a hate-spurring speech at a rally to mark their adoption of the “Khomeini Cry”.

Making no mention of UN-sponsored efforts to reinstate peace and security in Yemen, al-Houthi’s speech focused on heightened sectarianism and promoting the culture of death and used Khomeini-inspired slogans.

At the demonstration in the Houthi-held city of Sanaa, thousands chanted anti-US slogans and ideological mottos dubbed the “Khomeini Cry.”

In his speech, Al-Houthi reiterated that the Iran-tailored Khomeini culture will remain a “cornerstone in the Houthi group’s fight against the world.”

Addressing regional issues, he boasted about Iran’s strong and sect-driven ties with its Lebanon-based proxy, the Hezbollah party.

The militia leader also claimed a monopoly over the Palestinian cause, saying that any approach to the decades-long struggle outside the Tehran agenda is invalid and goes against “Islam and Muslims.”

Despite the international efforts to bring peace to Yemen, end the coup, restore the transitional path and stop the war, Al-Houthi dodged talking about peace efforts.

His very long speech, instead, focused on making outrageous claims to downplay diplomatic efforts for peace as a psychological, intellectual and military war led by Jews and Christians against Yemenis.

Using hostile rhetoric, Yemeni observers questioned Al-Houthi’s choice to exploit the Palestinian cause to garner opposition against the US and Israel. They also voiced their surprise that he chose to ignore the corruption plaguing the militias with its officials authorizing the theft of public resources and humanitarian relief aid in Houthi-run areas.

The Houthis hold annual commemorations for the adoption of the “Khomeini Cry” that was first introduced by the militias’ spiritual founder, Hussein al-Houthi, in the Maran region west of Saada. He began to boast of the slogan on January 17, 2002.

On another note, local sources in the governorates of Hajjah, al-Mahweet, Rameh, Ibb and al-Hodeidah said that Houthis started implementing a new scheme to attract school students to one of the group’s summer boot camps that employs sectarian and tactical courses with the ultimate goal of drafting them into militia ranks.

Houthi Leader Champions Khomeini, Dodges Peace Efforts

The leader of the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen, Abdul Malik Badreddine al-Houthi, on Friday, gave a hate-spurring speech at a rally to mark their adoption of the “Khomeini Cry”. Making no mention of UN-sponsored efforts to reinstate peace and security in Yemen, al-Houthi’s speech focused...

aawsat.com

 

[Khafee]

Saudi-led coalition says intercepted Houthi drone launched at Jizan airport
June 30, 2019

View attachment 8682
CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis at Jizan airport in southern Saudi Arabia, a coalition spokesman said on Saturday.

Houthi-run Masirah TV reported earlier that the Iran-aligned movement had carried out drone attacks on military positions and aircraft hangars at the airport.
“The attack has not achieved any of its targets and the drone has been destroyed,” the coalition spokesman said in a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency.

Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis

Saudi-led coalition says intercepted Houthi drone launched at Jizan airport

Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted a drone launched by Yemen's Houthis at Jizan airport in southern Saudi Arabia, a coalition spokesman said on Saturday.

www.reuters.com

 

[Khafee]

Pro-Houthi MP Accuses Militias of Torturing Hodeidah Residents
Sunday, 30 June, 2019

View attachment 8684

UN vehicles on their way to Saleef port are seen at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen May 11, 2019. REUTERS/Abduljabbar Zeyad

Sanaa - Asharq Al-Awsat

A pro-Houthi MP attacked the Iran-backed militias’ leadership during a meeting for deputies in Sanaa.

He accused it of intentionally torturing Hodeidah residents by not providing them with electricity to overcome summer season’s heat despite sufficient amount of fund available for that.

MP Abdu Bishr, who is known for opposing the group’s policies, said that its MPs have announced adding the prices of oil derivatives sold in areas that fall under the militias’ control to implement electricity project for Hodeidah’s residents, but these funds “seem to have lost their way to an unknown destination.”

Bishr called on Sanaa deputies, who are subject to the group, to take firm stances in order to know the fate of these funds, which are collected for Hodeidah’s electricity. He pointed out that these funds are being looted and seized by Houthi leaders.

Bishr was a minister in the coup government before he was ousted.

Houthis have attacked his home in Sanaa a few days ago and arrested two of his bodyguards.

Hodeidah residents told Asharq Al-Awsat that life is no longer bearable in the city due to summer heat and the lack of electricity. They said only Houthi leaders and their followers have access to electricity, which is being supplied for them for free.

Residents stressed that the militias have imposed huge sums on private generator owners, who sell electricity for people.

This has caused a hike in prices, preventing a number of people from access to their basic needs.

Pro-Houthi MP Accuses Militias of Torturing Hodeidah Residents

A pro-Houthi MP attacked the Iran-backed militias’ leadership during a meeting for deputies in Sanaa. He accused it of intentionally torturing Hodeidah residents by not providing them with electricity to overcome summer season’s heat despite sufficient amount of fund available for that.

aawsat.com

 

[Khafee]

Houthis Admit to Pursuing Greater Weapons Capabilities
Wednesday, 3 July, 2019

A shipment of grain is unloaded at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah. Reuters

Aden - Ali Rabee

Houthi coup militias in Yemen claimed responsibility for terror attacks that killed dozens in the last two months. Boasting about the militia’s missile, rocket and drone capabilities, a senior Houthi spokesman said Iran-armed group can strike targets inside neighboring Saudi territory.

In parallel to Houthi militiamen scaling up attacks that violate a UN-brokered ceasefire deal for the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, coup leaders are openly debating on how to distribute illegitimately collected levies at docks and whether or not the money should be used to pay salaries to Houthi gunmen.

Houthi spokesman and it’s the group’s acting foreign minister, Mohamed Abdel Salam Fleeta, touted Houthi weapons capabilities as efficient enough to stage further terrorist attacks against civilian targets inside Saudi Arabia.

In a tweet, Fleeta said that information revealed at another Houthi officer’s presser shows the "qualitative development" the pro-Iranian group war tactics have seen.

Houthi officer Yahya Saree had listed the outcome of two months of continuous terrorist attacks waged by Houthi gunmen against civilians in Yemeni governorates such as Taiz, Ad Dali' and Hajjah, or in cross-border offensives striking inside Saudi territory.

Saree acknowledged that the group is responsible for launching more than 347 terrorist attacks within the last 60 days, and admitted to actively pursuing to boost military capabilities.

Nevertheless, the Houthi officer failed to mention great losses incurred by the insurgency group at the hands of qualitative strikes spearheaded by the pro-government national army and adjunct Arab Coalition forces.

As for details on the group’s decision to acquire advanced weapons systems, Houthi leadership said its army engineers are close to drafting a new collection of Iran-made drones and ballistic missiles to the insurgency’s depots.

According to reports published by the militia’s official media outlets, the new arms additions will be put to display at an exclusive exhibition named after the late coup leader, Saleh Ali al-Sammad.

This comes at a time Yemen is suffering the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, Houthis’ persistent looting of internationally-sent relief aid and raiding of the countries public institutions.

Houthis Admit to Pursuing Greater Weapons Capabilities

Houthi coup militias in Yemen claimed responsibility for terror attacks that killed dozens in the last two months. Boasting about the militia’s missile, rocket and drone capabilities, a senior Houthi spokesman said Iran-armed group can strike targets inside neighboring Saudi territory.

aawsat.com