Trump’s attitude towards the Saudis contradicts one of his most important campaign promises: to be tough against “radical Islamic terrorism.”Continue Reading
Saudi aggression
Yemen hospital airstrike under investigation amid resurgence of deadly cholera
UN human rights staff in Yemen are investigating an apparent airstrike on a hospital in opposition-held territory which reportedly killed at least seven civilians on Tuesday, amid fears that cholera is spreading “like wildfire”, one of the organization’s senior humanitarian officials has warned.Continue Reading
Mass funerals in Yemen for children killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrikes
17 civilians, including 9 children were among the dead after last week’s strikes
Hundreds of mourners in northern Yemen buried 17 civilians, including nine children, killed in air strikes last week as Western pressure increased on the warring parties to end the devastating four-year war.
A Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognized government has been providing air support to tribes in Hajjah province battling the Iran-backed Houthi group. Last week, air strikes on Kushar district killed 10 women and 12 children and wounded 30 people, including 14 under the age of 18.
The coalition blamed the deaths on shelling by Houthi fighters that struck the houses of tribesmen.
Many of those killed and wounded were transported to the Houthi-held capital Sanaa. On Thursday, mourners carried wooden coffins, painted green, to the Grand Mosque for prayers.
Saudi Crown Prince’s Brutal Drive to Crush Dissenters Began Before Khashoggi
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia authorized a secret campaign to silence dissenters — which included the surveillance, kidnapping, detention and torture of Saudi citizens — over a year before the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, according to American officials who have read classified intelligence reports about the campaign.
Saudi Arabia Rebuked for First Time by Fellow Members of U.N. Rights Council
GENEVA — Dozens of Western countries rebuked Saudi Arabia for its aggressive crackdown on free expression in a landmark initiative on Thursday in the United Nations’ top human rights body.
Humanitarian chiefs concerned over Saudi and UAE aid funding for Yemen
Aid leaders accuse the two Gulf states of double standards for both providing aid and instigating violence.Continue Reading
Despite the slaughter in Yemen, Britain is still chasing arms sales
Defence contractors are in Abu Dhabi this week for the Middle East’s biggest arms fair – supported to the hilt by UK ministers.
Khaleeji bagpipe band, a colourful aircraft display, a performance by the Armenian Military Orchestra and a big show of support from the Emirate royal families. These were some of the touches at Sunday’s opening ceremony for the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2019) in Abu Dhabi, the Middle East’s biggest arms fair.
It’s a decadent and distasteful celebration of militarism and weaponry. Missiles, rifles, tanks, helicopters and warships are on display for anyone that can afford them. More than 100,000 people will attend this week, including representatives from all of the world’s biggest arms companies and military delegates from 57 nations. Among those looking to do business is the UK government, which has sent a team of civil servants to support UK arms company reps in doing as much business as possible. Particularly with the uncertainty of Brexit on the horizon, they will pull out all stops to cement sales.
