There are at least 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a number that represents a quarter of Lebanon’s total population. This is the highest concentration of Syrian refugees in the world. Syrians are not the only refugee population in Lebanon. When considered alongside Palestinian, Iraqi, Kurdish, and Sudanese refugees, the total refugee population easily represents a third of Lebanon’s current residents.

Lebanon had no revolution, or sustained uprising, to contribute to the regional fervor that began in 2010 and swept Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya and Syria. Revolutions beget counter-revolutions; in Egypt a new military-authoritarian regime consolidated—and in Syria, a peaceful uprising was brutally put down by the Asad regime, and a brutal and multivalent transnational civil war took its place. In the killing fields of divided and besieged Aleppo, the promise of what over-eager journalists and analysts called “Arab Spring” unceremoniously died.

In Lebanon, the indelible mark left by the Arab uprisings quickly became the terrorized and brutalized bodies of Syrian families and individuals crossing the border into the ironic “safety” of that country. In previous wars, most notably the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war and the 1975-1990 civil war, Lebanese citizens had sought refuge in Syria.  Due to their sheer number, Syrian refugees have and will continue to change and articulate the social, political, and economic fabric of Lebanon. Thus far, the Lebanese government has responded to this reality with securitization and criminalization, threats of forcible “return,” and the pilfering of funds meant to help aid refugees. The state has also enacted a series of laws and practices that make Syrian refugee labor and bodies exploitable and expendable. These laws and "reforms" echo and form a citational pattern with previously enacted laws that produce both the conditions of Palestinian refugee life and that of foreign racialized domestic labor in Lebanon. These laws help produce Lebanese citizenship as a seductive set of economic, political, and spatial/mobility rights precisely by witholding them from abject others within the nation state.

There are overlapping Lebanons occupying the same borders. Like the characters in China Miéville’s “The City And The City,” we are trained, coerced, and work to unsee each other. So many Beiruts, for example, exist together—the partying and consumptive Beirut frequently extolled in gawking foreign media, the Beirut that lives in cardboard boxes under bridges and dives into trash receptacles for sustenance, the Beirut where people walk by refugee families on blankets on Hamra street and stumble, surprised, by a child’s leg.  This unseeing is classed, raced, and gendered. It requires even more training, desire, and work to see the multiple life-worlds that co-exist and engender each other within one space, city, or country.

[Nahr al-Barid refugee camp in 1952. Photo by gnuckx via Flickr]

[Syrian refugee children overlooking an informal settlement in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon.
Image by Russel Watkins via Department of International Development]

In Lebanon, the Syrian refugee is never herself alone. She is always already refracted through the specter of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.  The fears, anxieties, violence, and xenophobia that she inspires in Lebanese political leaders (many of whom cut their political teeth in anti-Palestinian militias during the civil war) cannot be understood without attention to the experiences of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. In fact, this phenomenon is regional—the specter of Palestine follows every refugee population fleeing from one Arab country to the next. How could it not? 1948 is not (only) a year or an event. It is an intergenerational trauma, experience, and force that extends itself indefinitely into the present and future of the Middle East and indeed the world. Palestinian refugees are not only the human stain of Israel, the cost of maintaining Israel as a Jewish state in violation of an internationally recognized legal “right of return.” They are also the human stain of the Lebanese nation state. 1948 happened only five years after Lebanese independence from the French mandate—only five years after the existence of Lebanese nation-state passports. Palestinians in Lebanon played a role in defining who Lebanese were and are—they were and are not Palestinian. The wealthy and Christian among them have largely been nationalized, re-made Lebanese, or have left. In fact, Lebanon has long welcomed and even nationalized refugee Christian populations and separated them from their Muslim historical counterparts in ways that now seem strangely prophetic. The (mostly) poor and Muslim Palestinian refugees were and are shaped into dangerous, sequestered, refuse bodies that live in camps and impoverished urban zones and camp/urban threshholds. They are the national alibi for the Lebanese civil war, a demographic threat said to endanger “Lebanese diversity,” and fertile grounds for populist and sectarian economic and political rhetoric by corrupt politicians and their supporters. By and large political rhetoric on Syrian refugees in Lebanon has followed the same itinerary. 

The terrifying specter of the permanent refugee, the Palestinian, haunts both refugees themselves and the host countries that they flee to. How could it not?  International law crumbles, its artifice visible, before the permanent refugee. The idea of an Arab community fractures at checkpoints leading into decades old Palestinian refugee camps. The expectation of sustenance—of schools and food and medical care—is thwarted by lack of international and regional funding, lack of regional and international interest. More forgetting, more unseeing. Syrian refugees today, and Lebanese refugees before them, understand the political economy of unseeing and the fragility of return precisely because they have engaged and born witness to it themselves.  They know that law is fiction backed and broken by force, that crisis is not a temporally bounded state—they carry the meaning and threat of refuse, of excess, the condition of possibility for the nation state, with them on their journeys.

When images and articles began emerging evoking the Jewish Holocaust in Europe alongside the movement of Syrian refugees in Greece, Hungary, and Germany—I thought about Palestine, about 1948, and about the history of the Lebanese nation state.

I thought about how ironic and yet strangely fitting it was that the ghosts of both Palestinian ethnic cleansing and the Jewish Holocaust followed the same national bodies into different but tragically joined historical contexts. Nowhere, it seems, is the Syrian refugee herself alone. Everywhere, she evokes the infinite extension of the past—the brutal terrains of the past— into the present. Her body is a palimpsest, a rupture in the myth of historical teleology, a lesson we are sure to forget in time for the next refugee "crisis".

In this way, her body is always already about us—the human capacity for terrifying violence, negligence and un-seeing. Our capacity to sever the human from humanity, the past from the present, and the citizen from the non-citizen. The smallness of our concerns and pre-occupations, the seduction of the alibi, the frailty of outrage.

The political economy of Jordan today is characterized by greater degrees of authoritarianism and neoliberalism than was the case in 2010. Yet two trends in knowledge production on Jordan seem to claim otherwise. The first of these trends privileges narrowly defined security concerns. The second assumes the best of intentions by a core group of those in power. Whether through reporting or analysis, authors of either suasion typically ignore the machinations of authoritarianism and neoliberalism in Jordan, their varied effects on sociopolitical dynamics, and forms of resistance against both.

Jordan did not feature the types of anti-regime mobilizations many of us followed so closely in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, and Syria. Yet it did feature a series of weekly demonstrations, an attempted Tahrir-like occupation, labor agitation, impromptu rioting, and more. Such mobilizations did not feature the numbers we saw elsewhere, whether in absolute or relative terms. Nor did they coalesce around a demand for the fall of the regime, even if that demand surfaced episodically and in isolation. There are reasons of this state of affairs, and there is no need to rehash them here. Suffice it to say that they have little to do with the alleged benevolence of the monarchy or the loyalty of the population. Rather, they can be found in the same sets of historical, institutional, sociopolitical, and strategic factors that help explain the divergent trajectories of those countries that did feature anti-regime mass mobilizations. Equally important, the regime in Jordan has since 2011 engaged in a set of measures designed to (1) consolidate control over possible sites of resistance to its agenda and (2) further intensify its pre-existing revenue-generating strategy. The counterrevolution, so to speak, is in full effect.

Initially, the regime in Jordan sought to limit the potential growth of existing mobilizations for genuine change, which included undermining the very existence of those mobilizations. Such an immediate—if evolving—strategy awaits researchers and/or analysts who are willing to look beyond the palace and explore both formal and informal processes of negotiation, coercion, and competition that undergirded that strategy. Yet beyond this strategy, the regime and its allies implemented a series of substantive shifts that sought to limit speech and affiliation, concentrate political authority, and deepen the exclusivity of the economic development model underway in the kingdom. This is to say nothing of the post-2010 role Jordan has played in the regional counterrevolution, nor the pre-2010 history of all these practices. 

Legal and Practical Restructuring in the Wake of the Uprisings

What follows is a brief outline of some of the more salient ways in which the regime has actively sought to double down on its authoritarianism in the wake of the uprisings, and their reverberations in Jordan.

The regime in Jordan heavily regulates speech, and it has utilized specific legal and bureaucratic techniques to intensify that regulation. The combined effect has been to further chill speech across the Jordanian public sphere, in research and analysis collectives, political organizations, independent activists, and laypersons.

Since 2010, but particular once the threat of mass mobilization was mitigated, the regime increasingly prosecuted those individuals that intentionally or unintentionally crossed red lines. Jordanian law has historically criminalized speech that can be deemed critical of the king, government officials, state institutions, religion, and foreign governments and states. The mechanism for criminalizing and prosecuting such speech has shifted over time, and the regime has several options when doing so. The net effect has been a series of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of dissidents, activists, journalists, editors, and laypersons. Many of these charges were based on public criticisms of official foreign or domestic policy as well as public debate and discussion about pending laws and initiatives in the kingdom. Some of these charges were based on existing civil and criminal laws. However, the regime prosecuted the bulk of them through the State Security Court on the basis of the Anti-Terrorism Law (modified in 2014) and Ministry of Information gag orders (issued frequently in 2015 and 2016).

In addition to prosecuting individuals, the regime has pursued a policy of stricter control over media outlets—specifically websites that offer analysis, commentary, and opinions. This was most effectively accomplished through modifying the Press and Publication Law in the wake of the uprisings to define online news outlets as any “electronic publication that engages in publication of news, investigations, articles, or comments, which have to do with the internal or external affairs of the kingdom.” Such outlets are now required to register with the Ministry of Information. On the one hand, failure to register can and did result in the regime issuing a blocking order to Jordanian internet service providers. On the other hand, registration requires that websites have an appointed editor-in-chief who was a member of the Jordanian press syndicate for at least four years. It is worth noting that this syndicate is part of a legacy of the regime’s corporatist control over interest representation, and thus longstanding pillar of regime control over journalists. This is to say nothing of how difficult attaining membership in the syndicate is for journalists whose work experience is limited to online outlets or for non-journalists who are nevertheless qualified to run such websites.

The regime also regulates public affiliation. Whether it is through the Political Parties Law (passed in 2015) or the Law of Association (passed in 2006), the regime has set very specific definitions for legally-sanctioned types of public meetings and efforts at community organizations. The net effect has been to bring activists and others under closer scrutiny of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Interior. The creation of new laws and modifications of preexisting laws has enabled the regime to more effectively break up informal and formal groups/meetings by concerned citizens seeking to educate themselves, debate current affairs, and mobilize to advocate for their particular vision of Jordan.

In 2014, the regime reinstated capital punishment after what many human rights organizations considered an eight-year moratorium. The eleven men executed in December of that year were already convicted and serving sentences due to their affiliation with al-Qai‘ida in Iraq. Yet in retaliation for the Islamic State’s capture and murder of Jordanian air force pilot Mu‘ath al-Kassabeh, the moratorium on capital punishment was ended and the regime executed the eleven men.

Such restrictions on speech and affiliation, along with the reinstatement of capital punishment, are occurring within a historical legacy of authoritarianism and contemporary context of unaccountability. Despite several documented allegations of corruption, excessive force, and violence by members of the police and gendarmerie, not a single member of either two coercive institutions has been found guilt of such violations. In all such cases, investigators and prosecutors are internal to these forces. Furthermore, thee-judge panel responsible for ruling in such cases (referred to the police court) is comprised of two “police judges,” meaning individuals drawn from the institutions they are being asked to giving a ruling about. 

In such contexts, talk of guaranteed freedoms and accountability borders on the absurd. Yet perhaps of equal concern are the set of constitutional amendments enacted in the context of the uprisings. Central to these amendments is the addition of a paragraph giving the king exclusive power to appoint a broad array of positions. These are: the crown prince, the regent, the speaker and members of the senate, the head and members of the constitutional court, the chief justice, the commander of the army, as well as the heads of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) and the Gendarmerie. Previously, such appointments required the approval, however formulaic, of the prime minister and relevant cabinet ministers. An additional amendment allows those with dual nationalities to run for parliament and/or hold cabinet positions. Yet another allows for cabinets to continue to “govern” in case of a prime minister’s death, under the leadership of the deputy prime minister. If public statements in the early days of the Arab uprisings claimed to be managing a transition toward a constitutional monarchy, the combined effects of actual changes indicate the concentrations of powers in already centralized monarchy.

Lingering Questions

Despite the above legal and institutional shifts, mainstream media outlets and many researchers and scholars continue to discuss the regime in Jordan through the adage of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Such characterizations minimize the intentionality and effects of a broader set of measures designed to concentrate power and undermine oppositional discourse and mobilization. At the same time, little to no attention has been given to what is undoubtedly two of the most significant macro-level developments since the uprisings: the fiscal transformations in the government budget (including subsidy cuts and foreign loans/grants disbursements); and the attempted evisceration of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood (which has featured specific participation by various state institutions). This is to say nothing of other developments such as the assassination of Jordanian dissident Nahed Hattar and the implications of his case for broader questions of freedom of speech and incitement to violence; the Jordanian-Israeli gas agreement; or any other number of issues.

During the initial stages of the uprisings, and attempts at opposition mobilization in Jordan, the frequent refrain of “forever on the brink” was used to describe politics in the kingdom. At the time, some of the more critical analysts claimed that such statements were premature and designed to hedge one’s bets. Today, in what some claim to be the post-uprisings moment in Jordan, many cling to the term “between a rock and a hard place” to describe the regime. Jordan as a state and population has for too long been problematically described as dependent and complacent, respectively. Yet if anything, the last six years reveal most of the knowledge produced on Jordan to be precisely that: dependent on regime statements and complacent with its doubling down. All the while, sociopolitical and institutional dynamics continue to shift in specific ways, betraying the reality of popular desires of meaningful change, regime policies of counter-revolution, and a regional-international context that complicates the rational choices of those seeking more accountability, transparency, and social justice.

Starting Points

We often write in critique of, or out of frustration with, existing reporting and analyze. In the coming years, knowledge production on Jordan is sure to surge due to a range of factors—prominent among them the shifting calculus among prospective researchers concerning fieldwork option. It is in this spirit that I would like conclude this article with a listing of three articles that I think are worth highlighting as critical analysis and scholarship in Jordan during the uprisings.

• Fida Adely, “The Emergence of a New Labor Movement in Jordan,”Middle East Report 264 (Fall 2012).
• Sarah Ababneh, “Troubling the Political: Women in the Jordanian Day-Waged Labor Movement,”International Journal of Middle East Studies 48, no. 1 (February 2016).
• Tariq Tell, “Early Spring in Jordan: The Revolt of the Military Veterans,” Carnegie Middle East Center (4 November 2015).

No consideration of critical knowledge production on Jordan would be complete without acknowledging the work of the 7iber Collective (among others). They are an example of how the uprisings transformed certain individuals and organizations in such a way as to continue its possibilities. Whether journalists, researchers, or analysts, we would do well to take draw some inspiration if not take some queues from them.  

Much of the writing on the Arab uprisings continues to suffer from the new think-tank-ish, self-important, semi-casual, sloppy-analysis syndromes. It is as if having a platform and a mandate are sufficient to produce sound knowledge. For the most part, the proof is in the pudding. Follow platforms and individuals across time and space and this becomes clear: zig-zagging and pendulum-swing judgements and analysis, driven more by events and politics than by historical and analytical depth. Worse still, this sloppiness has extended to scholars who frequently opine on social media and electronic publication platforms that seek content quantity over quality in a mutually beneficial exercise. Rigorous analysis that stands the test of time suffers.

Extending beyond quick platforms, the deluge of books on the uprisings is staggering and qualitatively inconsistent across publications, with some coming out within the first year of these protracted events, yet they do not consciously address their own temporal (premature?) shortcomings. Other books are published within months of the emergence of new phenomena (e.g., ISIS) and extrapolate from that particular phenomenon to all cases that experienced an uprising. Finally, as I already shared, a continuing trend of erroneously addressing the uprisings, or the odd title “Arab Spring," as one event lingers, with insufficient attention to the vast variance across cases. For the most part, the best work on the uprisings has not been written yet, and for good reason.

To make things more complicated for sound knowledge production on the uprisings, tragically contentious cases such as Syria have caused seismic schisms that continue to undermine even serious discussion, let alone publications, on multiple levels, namely, politically, analytically, and socially. I will take them up in reverse order below. This essay is intended to serve as a starting point for a more comprehensive and annotated review of literature on the uprisings, with emphasis on the seemingly intractable Syrian case.

The “Social” 

Protracted uprising cases have entered the social and discursive realm in an unprecedented and largely unproductive manner, even if quite instructive at times. Family and friends have been broken up both by diametrically opposed positions or even slight differences, signaling that the stakes are that high, although no one is sure what exactly these are. The Syrian case has had a particularly personal dimension, whereby the locus of contention between opposing observers almost shifted from differing on interpreting the conflict to simply differing with each other, often without keeping pace with developments on the ground. It is as thought the conflict was transformed from the actual battleground to social spaces and media, a phenomenon that requires more attention in due time. Often, such differences recall earlier frustrations, contradictions, and pent up resentments that have been severely exacerbated by particular cases, notably Syria. 

More structurally, we can also observe a return in the social realm to the secular-religious debate or “tool,” as well as an odd resort to primordialism regarding the Sunni-Shi‘i divide, even if often based on politics and not an intrinsic commitment to sectarian content. While the former has been influenced by the Egyptian case as well as the emergence of the lslamic State (IS), the latter is mostly a continuation of regional political rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The politicization of identities, tribal, ethnic, or otherwise, has also played a role across the region, particularly in Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen. While one can view some of these developments simply as a function of primordialism or even politics, it is important to recognize the new, often more independent, and less repressive context within which they are emerging. In some, not all, cases, it could very well be the beginning of perhaps the same long dialogues, debates, or conflicts under less restrained circumstances. However, the writing on such issues has been unnecessarily dominated by a negative view that essentialize and naturalize this politicization.

Another issue that receives little or parasitic attention is the impact of the slow collapse of states amid protracted violence on the fate of those who depended most on public sector employment and/or other forms of protection by the state, including women and other vulnerable communities. While this does not apply equally across the board, it is a reminder of one of the seldom addressed functions or contributions of state public sectors. To elucidate a conservative take-away in the form of “order at any cost” from this observation is to miss the point: it is but one reason that helps us understand (shifting) positions and attitudes within protesting polities in relation to the state and its potential collapse, especially as uprisings turn sour, reviving the lesser evil argument.

The “Analytical” 

Analytically, there seems to be strong and similar divides across microcosms as a result of calamitous escalation, counterrevolutions, and/or authoritarian retrenchment (with the potential exception of Tunisia). In academia and beyond, one sees a rather clear split between those who would like to interpret the uprisings as a first phase among a few, or many, to come, while others have, after a brief elation, restored their default culturalist lenses. Yet others were simply exhausted and disappointed, and gave in to generic pessimism fueled by an endemic feeling of powerlessness at several levels (personal, political, and/or ideological).

However, more refined analytical disagreements that did not descend to the level of unproductive or personal contention have proliferated: these are the most productive and enduring ones that will survive the wave of Facebook and Twitter “activists” and “trolls,” most of whom will eventually find their way back either to their pre-uprisings political coma or to their parochial echo-chambers. This does not mean that well-meaning observers who rise above pettiness and personalization are immune to producing analytical faux-pas. What continues to be in short supply is a systematic and historically informed analysis of the factors that brought various societies to a boil, more or less, at that particular moment. A corollary objective is to identify the factors that influenced the trajectories of different cases. The fact that the human cost of the uprisings, their diversions, and their suppression has been calamitous is all the more reason to take analytical pause in judgement.

Finally, there is an increasingly pressing need for the uprisings to be conceptualized more broadly in historical terms lest we peg analysis on empirical developments: for instance, as this path can take many forms, what is the relationship between repression, state institutions, (de)development, societal divisions, class and gender relations, external foreign policies, and mass discontent/mobilization? What kind of historical eras, periods, or junctures might be eclipsed by what sort of new configurations? How best to characterize the uprisings from a longue durée vantage point? Both the aforementioned micro and macro levels of analysis, respectively, should help us understand and account for the variance among the cases in which mass uprisings erupted and between them and the other Arab countries—if this categorization is at all relevant.

For those taking stock of writing at the academic, journalistic, policy-oriented, and even social media levels, it has become clear that the uprisings (at different times depending on the case in question) have been encumbered by politics and polemics. Once more, it is arguable that the better analysis is yet to come, not least because of emerging opportunities for research and local initiatives for data gathering: it is also significant that new balances of power, begotten by ample violence, displacement, and the loss of life and limb, are curiously spurring more sober reflection and reconsideration.

The Political

Politically speaking, the state of writing on the uprisings is becoming increasingly dire. Early on, hopes were built and partially fulfilled. They were then gradually and, in some cases, brutally shattered, ushering in what I have called “the pessimistic turn” in 2012-2013. Eventually, the breaking points that crystallized views were 2013 and 2016. With war dragging in Syria and Yemen, where some external protagonists of rebellion in one case curiously reversed positions in the other; with Libya in tatters; and with a full re-entrenchment of authoritarian rule in Egypt and, much earlier, Bahrain, we began to see the beginning of the end of the first phase of the uprisings.

Whether writers were following all or some of the uprisings, and whether they were following closely or sporadically based on news cycles, it was late 2016 that culminated in a new phase of divisions in the uprising, with the exception of Tunisia. Indeed the ostensible crushing of the last remaining metropolitan stronghold of the rebels in Aleppo in December 2016 was a critical juncture in the Syrian uprising, one that many considered to be an ostensible end of the first phase of the conflict.

Spurious analysis, marked by defeatism, blame games, and political jockeying masquerading as moral criticism and righteousness became the order of the day in the last months of 2016. The conceptualizations and convictions that were discussed in previous years became axioms to many: “lesser evil” dictatorships vs. Islamist unknowns, “rebellious” imperialism vs. “reactionary” resistance, Sunnis vs. Shi`is, and everyone vs. “terrorism” won the highest marks. The lack of a long view and analysis of slow-moving factors over extended periods of time gave way to instant scholarship that was produced and reproduced based on events and even particular battleground outcomes. 

Significantly, we all observed how the uprisings became arenas for settling political scores, for inhabitants and observers, regardless of whether or not they involved direct external intervention. This phenomenon should not be dismissed quickly, no matter how ugly, petty, and absurd some of these practices were. It reflects unresolved issues and deep-seated convictions from the pre-uprising period as well as new contradictions, uncertainties, and the rebalancing of power in the regional and global arenas. Even though it is easy to condemn the internecine spitefulness and smearing that especially characterized the Syria debates, this heightened emotional state is a function of the aforementioned unresolved issues and contradictions/changes. The final blow that intensified this state of analytical and political environment is empirical: i.e., the profound notion of powerlessness vis-à-vis the retrenchment of despotic orders, however each case is colored by its own peculiarities. People/observers took to the most raw and half-baked forms of opining, as the polemics surrounding the crucial Syrian case informs us.

Contentious discussions and writing on the Arab uprisings abound, but perhaps most polemical debates are the by-product of the Syrian case.  One dominant source of polemics is the consistent, if largely superficial, attack on “the Left,” proceeding mostly from a liberal camp with ostensible leftist vocabulary. Those attacks imagined the Left as both the arbitrators and decision-makers in conflicts where they somehow betrayed the people (e.g., Syrians) by siding with dictators, particularly in Syria. At the same time, some leftists were also held to account by what can be dubiously labeled leftist hardliners for siding with imperialist efforts and countries such as the United States.

This discursive myopia/confusion should not be dismissed nor taken too seriously. It should not be dismissed because it does raise the issue of ample contradictions within what can be patently considered leftist voices. On the other hand, in most cases it should not be taken too seriously because it emanates less from a genuine concern about leftist politics and much more from a political standpoint that is too often indifferent to such politics. Though this is a topic worthy of a separate treatment, the bottom line is that, for good reason, a superficial understanding of the left dominates discursive debates, and self-proclamations about who and what is left are unaccountable, especially while conflict is underway. After all, the “left” is not one political party with a restrictive platform.

In all cases, a new dubious taxonomy emerged to depict variants of the left that are hierarchically categorized based on levels of guilt and complicity (either in reference to imperialism, rebels, or dictators). Besides the obvious contradictions that any cursory observation can spot (e.g., support by known “leftists” of patent dictatorships like Syria, or of US policies/patronage), this entire exercise is largely ephemeral as the coming years will reveal. It is odd that otherwise well-regarded writers partook in this amorphous fad of lamenting the left.

This is not because the left, however conceptualized, should not be critiqued. On the contrary, it should be, and any serious rebuilding of revolutionary or emancipatory fervor in the coming years must include such diligent self-criticism. Rather, it is mainly because many of those who are being critiqued and, amusingly, the equivalent proportion of those who are critiquing, often do not have a record of commitment, or paper trail, or legacy that can be considered “leftist” in the most classical senses. Both have substituted classless anti-imperialism and even reactionary nationalism for leftist principles. The farce became that liberals and “progressives” (in a Trump world, this category is especially stretched/distorted) are standing in as gate-keepers of the left: a temporary concern for populism, vague notions of social justice, and lip-service support for the poor stood in for robust class analysis at the local, regional, and international levels. The end result is that these attacks were misplaced and inconsequential.

Predictably, this disfiguration of the left under its new liberal gatekeepers invited analysts who never identified with the left to join in. In that space, everyone and their mother and uncle from multiple and contradictory positions chimed in on indicting the left, while consistently exaggerating its actual impact (on anything, really) and ignoring the fact that regional and global powers that have long ago considered the “left” a cute little discursive toy do not effectively recognize its existence.

Yet, the “left” is portrayed as the problem for renegade reactionaries and liberals: a perfect diversion from engaging in comprehensive criticism and self-criticism of the actual conditions, actors, relations, and positions that animated the outcomes of the uprisings, particularly in Syria. Interestingly, in that debate, debaters claim their sharp views represent most Syrians and that their opponents do not know Syria or proceed from axioms alien to the concern of Syrians: i.e., that they oppose imperialism at the expense of the Syrian revolution, or that they support a revolution that represents imperial interests. Both dominant views obscure more than reveal in the case of the Syrian uprising as I have tried to illustrate elsewhere.

Back to Square One

Not only has the spurious writing on the uprisings persisted, but it has also regressed in quality, paralleling the regression of conditions in the Arab world. Generally speaking, there is talk of corruption, unemployment, and other negative indicators often hand-picked from something like the United Nations’ Arab Human Development Report. Almost all ills are pinned squarely on authoritarian rulers, as though they exist in a vacuum. One finds very little about the political connections of these rulers with their regional and international supporters/bankrollers. Nor is there much about the institutions that rewarded the adoption of neoliberal-like policies no matter the cost to the larger population.

In effect, there is little to no consideration that the Arab uprisings were also a voice of protest for those whose life-chances have been devoured by their local elites and the politics the latter pursued as individuals (moguls), groups (with external connections), networks (informal economic cliques between business and state officials), and/or institutions (e.g., the army in Egypt). It is as though the youth bulge, unemployment, and opposition politics are completely detached from the development policies that autocratic darlings adopted, imposed, and pursued. To be sure, data such as arms purchases in contrast to spending on development are thrown around as though they are detached from questions of accountability (if not worse) on the supplier’s/seller’s side—instead of recognizing at the very least the complicity involved. The cursory words/homage that are sometimes presented to address measures of complicity of external actors, states, and processes are actually problematic because they do not figure in the final calculus—we end up with lip-service liberal critique of elitism.

Additionally, as time goes by, the uprisings are somehow collapsed into a negative monolith, just as they were from the diametrically opposite euphoric angle early on, under the dubious banner of the “Arab Spring:” both characterizations are caricatures of reality. We increasingly see little mention of the diversity of cases and peoples, except in passing, as though it is a detail. It turns out that premature perceptions of both success and failure dull analytical vigor.

Once more, instead of historical depth, analytical and empirical fads informed by “policy-oriented” politics and fortunes came to the fore: suddenly, the depiction of the generic desire for democracy of everyone in the Arab world is substituted by the catch-all “Sunni anxiety” factor. This trending variable side-steps or eliminates all other divisions, including those between ruler and ruled, in which the majority of Sunnis in the Arab region were actually primarily suppressed by “Sunni” elites that belong to a different class, long before conspiracy theories about Shi`is trying to take over the region. Moreover, one finds that the countries that are often depicted as causing this anxiety are Shi`i majority countries, including Iran and Iraq, where similar claims of “Shi`i anxiety” can be made.

Also gone is the talk of the delayed stances and actual positions of the US and UK governments vis-à-vis the six uprisings (e.g., whose side they were on, and when): late comers to Tunisia and Egypt’s peoples’ side, against the people in Bahrain, wary of the Yemeni uprising and far more interested in profits than people in Libya. Such stances reinforce the historical external accountability, yet both the stances and the accountability are deleted or reduced to details. The case that demonstrates the lack of attention to external (specifically western) factors is Syria. Syria’s dictatorship was never Europe’s or the United States’ cup of tea. After initial hesitation very early on, they actually supported the uprising, directly or indirectly. Curiously, external support to prop up the Syrian regime, whether it is Iran, Russia, or Hizballah, is not jettisoned. While all these regimes—not to mention the other dictatorships that western powers continue to support—deserve more than overthrow for their decades-long crimes, the writing and opining/analysis is increasingly comporting with pre-uprisings foreign policies of western governments. None of this portends well for the future of democracy or even accountability in the region.

Finally, and in relation to presenting a monolithic social blob (with the exception of talk of Sunni anxiety), often not a word is uttered about gender, bodies, and space. In short treatments, even if it is unreasonable to dwell on everything in detail, it is incumbent on analysts at least to address the issue areas, and leave readers with a need to explore, not an artificial sense of satisfaction that re-catapult us to the culturalist-authoritarian boogeyman/framework. It is almost like everyone has lost their mind. As the prosecutor in the Egyptian play, A Witness Who Saw Nothing, says after the witness disclosed that he was not paying attention, “the case is to be re-opened”, (يعاد افتتاح المحضر), or back to square one.

Many non-scholarly and scholarly accounts on the societies, culture, and political economy of the Middle East post-“Arab Uprisings/Spring” still deal with cities and regions as mere repositories of social, cultural, political, and economic action—despite the spatial turn that has informed social sciences and humanities more three decades ago now. Indeed, they often overlook the shaping roles of the built and natural environments in the production of events unraveling in cities and regions of the Middle East. We thus read about cities and regions as backgrounds and contexts for processes and practices, rather than environments that have determining impacts on these.

Since its launch in September 2013, Jadaliyya’s Cities Page has been committed to produce such informed, empirical, and integrated knowledge, where the spatial engages and intersects with historical, political, economic, technological, legal, social, and cultural analysis. These are some of the questions we committed to address three years ago: “How and why does urban space contribute to public action and social movements? What is the relationship between power, space, and resistance? How do different groups utilize space to mobilize and facilitate collective action? Which forces that shape space (physical and technological, as well as social, historical, political and economic) are combined to guide this action? More broadly, how do specific historical, national policies, and global forces shape cities? How are different inequalities constituted by urban life and how do they reconstitute the city? How do the ordinary practitioners of the city negotiate, navigate, appropriate, resist, and transform urban forms?” While most other electronic outlets have been scratching the surface of such questions, focusing on formal aspects and general descriptions of urbanism, we pride ourselves at Jadaliyya Cities to have been contributing to critical urban scholarship, which has been informing reflective practice and urban activism.    

Indeed, while readers rarely know why, for instance, East Aleppo remained the last section of the city under a variety of armed forces’ control, we feature urban geography and history studies that provides a plausible explanation to how this part of the city has been more durably mobilized in the conflict. And, while readers only hear about Baghdad as the theatre of bombings and explosions, we care for featuring its historically plural urban geography, which is still materialized, albeit weakly, in its parks along the river, bringing together young men and women, families, and elderly to enjoy magsuf and hookah under the summer breeze. Additionally, while others merely mention public squares as repositories of political action, we unravel how and why Tahrir square is a heterotopic space that has been embodying protests for decades. While we document and denounce Israeli settler-colonialism in Palestine, we also are keen on recalling Jerusalem’s plural model of urban governance in the 1900s, as well as Ramallah’s contemporary diverse urbanity. Moreover, we do not suffice with labeling urban dynamics and processes with generic statements condemning neoliberal urbanism. Instead, we publish in-depth interviews with leading urban theorists on the issue (e.g. David Harvey, Timothy Mitchell, Ananya Roy), as well as contributions that empirically examine how the circuits of capital are gentrifying and commodifying cities’ spaces and increasing socio-spatial inequalities and urban poverty in sites as varied as Cairo, Beirut, Mecca, Istanbul, or Morocco. In addition to debunking structures of the urban political economy, we insist on producing informed knowledge on the meso- and micro- scales of spatial production. These could be ranging from how an array of stakeholders (local governments, mukhtars, private developers, housing corporations, banks, trade unions, informal builders and merchants, informal and formal service providers, donors and NGOs) make city neighborhoods and urban landscapes, to how a diversity of urban dwellers navigate, practice and experience spaces and places (e.g., queers and ordinary dwellers in Beirut, joyriders in Riyadh, flâneurs in Doha, pious trendy young women and men in Tehran and Beirut).  The Page also unravels the complex socio-spatial dynamics through which refugee camps have been produced decades ago from Rashidiye and Ain el-Helwe (Lebanon), to al-Wihdat and Zaatari (Jordan), as we frame the discussion on “camps” theoretically, as “a site of political invention.” 

Thus, while other outlets mention uncritically projects and endeavors, such as Morocco’s solar plant, Cairo’s gated communities, Mecca’s redevelopment, or Ramallah’s Rawabi, we feature authors who expose how these projects are also about financialization of nature and land, at the expense of a shared, livable, and inclusive urbanity. And, while many outlets deplore an alleged depoliticized youth across the Middle East region, lament the end of the Arab Uprisings in swiping gestures, or invite us to cling to the hope of an evolutionary trajectory of change modeled along Eurocentric examples, we remain committed to identify, document, and feature instances of mobilization and collective action who contest and challenge such hegemonic political economic forces—even if such resistances are transient, short-lived, co-opted, or crushed, such as in Imider (Morocco), Beirut, Bahrain, or Djerba (Tunisia). 

Indeed, while many other outlets produce stories that hold readers hostage to generic stereotypes where things happen because of Islam, ideology, culture, sectarianism, and/or neoliberalism, we work on making sure our readers get complex, intersectional, relational and multidisciplinary narratives that do not reduce realities to simplistic formulations. We make curate a platform that produces critical knowledge on how and why economic geography determines places and regions, how urban politics and service provision territorialize and distinguish spaces, how legacies of land tenure systems inscribe hierarchies and power, and how cultural geography and gendered socio-spatial practices transforms city’s neighborhoods. With such knowledge, we hope to inform and contribute to reflective urban practice and activism, and to cultivate the right to the city towards a “possible urban world.”

To investigate the trials and tribulations of the phrase “Arab Spring” for English-language audiences since 2010, it may be useful to start with a Google search—or, rather, a quick history of Google search results. If one looks at the top results for English-language searches using the term “Arab Spring” from 2010-2012, here is what you get:

A few things jump out, foremost among them the celebratory tone, accompanied by the desire to locate and attribute the credit for this “year of revolution,” as National Public Radio, hardly a hotbed of revolutionary desires, dubbed it. Was it Wikileaks that started things rolling? Should Facebook or Twitter get the laurel? How long would it be before Mark Zuckerberg was handed his Nobel Peace Prize?

In a more serious vein, what should also be noted via this short exercise in time travel is the extent to which readers at this point in time wanted to understand the chronology and, to some extent, the genealogy of events related to the uprisings (thus the popularity of interactive timelines). It is worth remembering that this was also the moment when various iterations of Occupy movements had come to prominence in North America and Europe. These movements very directly declared that the Arab Spring was a guiding inspiration for their tactics and actions; indeed, the defining statement released by Occupy Wall Street at its inception declared the movement’s debt to what it understood as the “Arab Spring”: “We are using the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to achieve our ends and encourage the use of nonviolence to maximize the safety of all participants.”

If these initial responses betrayed a lack of nuanced understanding of the full depth and complexities of the popular uprisings and revolutions throughout the region that had come to be known as the “Arab Spring,” they nevertheless suggested a hopeful sign: young English-language audiences were beginning to shed their stereotypical views of “the Middle East” and find in these popular movements a set of interlocutors and inspirations for their own struggles.

Moving ahead to the top Google searches for 2012-2014, one immediately notices the major shift that has begun to occur.

There are still attempts here to understand the roots of the uprisings, some quite serious (a study of the relationship between the Arab Spring and climate change), others still tied to the obsession with social media (“Twitter Revolution”; “Facebook, Twitter Help the Arab Spring Blossom”). But more significant in this phase is the suggestion that the time had come to identify what the final outcomes of the Arab Spring were. “Who Are the Winners and Losers from the Arab Spring?” asked the BBC; and, in a more negative mode, the Economist asked: “The Arab Spring: Has It Failed?” Beyond the idea of judging the success or failure of this thing called the “Arab Spring,” the most important thing to note here is the temporality of such articles. The Arab Spring, we were made to understand, was a thing that has happened; it is now, for purposes of analysis, over, and so the post-mortems can begin in earnest.

The most recent top Google searches confirm that “post-mortem” is the correct analogy here, at least for the dominant strand of English-language publications.

Some of the strongest voices came from the left end of the spectrum. “What Happened to the Arab Spring?” asked Jacobin. The Guardian’s most-read piece on the topic has the title: “‘I Was Terribly Wrong’: Writers Look Back at the Arab Spring Five Years Later.” From a more mainstream angle, CNN was more direct: “Arab Spring Five Years On: Corruption Increased, Says Report.” The Arab Spring, in this reading (which continues to color the views of many English-language audiences today) may have actually made things worse (says report).

It should be noted that the forces of commerce still, in spite of it all, want a piece of the action—CustomerThink, “a global online community of business leaders striving to create profitable customer-centric enterprises,” featured a report on the “Arab Spring” in May 2016 that focused on “value co-creation” and the transformation of “service systems,” with a view to how such knowledge could help “the business world”). But for the most part, the consensus appears to be that the “Arab Spring,” a thing that had happened once upon a time, had not, for the most part, turned out very well at all. Far from a site of inspiration and information for popular movements, it had been turned into a warning: be careful what you wish for.

Why worry at all about such online ephemera? Surely scholars and activists—particularly those who have themselves been involved in the uprisings—have produced far better accounts, many of them here on Jadaliyya? And surely those are the ones we should pay attention to, rather than getting caught up in the question of what got the most clicks among English speakers over the past six years?

Of course. But this battle over the meaning—or, better said, the appropriation and re-positioning—of this term “Arab Spring” nevertheless matters. It matters, first of all, for English-language audiences concerned with addressing their own governments’ role in the counter-revolutionary violence that has resounded since 2010. The role of the US and its allies—not to mention that of international financial institutions pushing the neoliberal line of structural adjustment—in unleashing counterrevolutionary violence in the region has not received nearly the attention it deserves to, nor has it been sufficiently resisted by the left in North American and Europe. This is one reason for the shocking and inexcusable silence, even among the left, regarding the continuing slaughter occurring daily in Yemen, for example. If this was all true for US-based audiences in 2010, it is even more so today, in the era of Trump’s travel and refugee ban and the more general administration policy, so well named by Zaid Jilani: “If we bombed you, we ban you.”

But the struggle over the meaning of the “Arab Spring” also matters for English-language audiences in terms of both solidarity and inspiration. From the viewpoint of solidarity, it needs to be said that, as against the idea that the “Arab Spring” is over, popular struggles in the region of course continue, and deserve our support. Early reactions to the Arab Spring, which suggested that the West’s Orientalist stereotypes might be in the process of being overthrown, have been effectively replaced by a simplified narrative by which those living in the region can be understood only through the lens of fear (“the terrorist”) or pity (“the refugee”). The battle against Orientalism, in other words, continues.

From the viewpoint of inspiration, it is important that both of the differently simplified versions of the “Arab Spring”—the first idea that it represented a brief, completely non-violent, telegenic, social-media-based revolution that achieved its ends in about the period of time necessary to binge-watch a TV series; and the second idea that the “Arab Spring” names a noble but misguided failure that has brought the region nothing but death, destruction, and ISIS—be once and for all destroyed.

To do so, we need to fight for a different framework for understanding revolutions in the moments of their unfolding. As Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi has recently and brilliantly argued in his book Foucault in Iran, our analytical struggle, in the case of the popular uprisings and revolutions such as those of the “Arab Spring,” is “to save the integrity of the revolutionary movement from its later outcomes.”[1]

To do so means insisting, once and for all, that the “Arab Spring,” as popularly understood, never actually happened; nor has it, once and for all, ended. Others who are taking part in this roundtable are better equipped to describe, with the necessary complexity and commitment, what did in fact happen. As for what happens next, that is, to a great extent, up to all of us.

NOTES

[1] Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, Foucault in Iran: Islamic Revolution after the Enlightenment (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2016), 75. 

The Arab world has been fundamentally transformed in the past six years, as part of ongoing processes that are certain to continue for some time to come. Throughout this period Jadaliyya has been providing analysis of the Arab uprisings, in their vaired manifestations and in all their dimensions. This has included the events and people who set this train in motion, and the struggles and aspirations the many that participated. Also covered were the new forms of governance that came out the ensuing struggles, and the ways in which regimes have sought to preserve, resurrect, or recalibrate the status quo. This is to say nothing of regional and international powers that have intervened to shape the outcomes in accordance with their interests.

The following contributions by a number of Jadaliyya Co-Editors represent efforts to take stock and reflect on these momentous developments:

• The "Arab Spring" Never Happened (in English) by Anthony Alessandrini
• Why Space Matters in the Arab Uprisings (and Beyond) by Mona Harb
• A Preface to A Critique of Instant Analysis and Scholarship on the Arab Uprisings by Bassam Haddad
• اليأس كسلاح للاستبداد by Sinan Antoon
• Specters of Palestine: Syrian Refugees in Lebanon by Maya Mikdashi
• Doubling Down: Jordan Six Years into the Arab Uprisings by Ziad Abu-Rish

On 17 February 1987, during one of the bloodiest periods of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), the prominent journalist, literary critic, intellectual, and activist Husayn Muruwwah (or Hussein Mroué[i]) was assassinated at his home in Ramlet al-Baida, West Beirut. Muruwwah left Lebanon at the age of fourteen to train at the Najaf hawza (seminary) in Iraq. He intended to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a respected religious scholar and cleric. Yet after a multifaceted intellectual journey that spanned several decades and multiple locations, Muruwwah went on to become a celebrated Marxist philosopher and senior member of the Lebanese Communist Party (LCP); “a Red mujtahid who was at once proud of the cultural heritage of Islam and politically committed to the cause of social justice, political freedom and emancipation from foreign domination along Communist lines.”[ii]

["Shame on the murderers of the great thinker and freedom fighter, Husayn Muruwwah."
Iraqi Communist Party poster, 1987. Signs of Conflict Archive, Zeina Maasri Collection]

A prolific writer, Muruwwah once declared, “I cannot endure life without writing.” [iii] He wrote several books and hundreds of articles in his lifetime. Sadly, aside from selected extracts, none of this important and diverse body of work has ever been translated into English. This lack of translations has limited access to his work primarily to native Arabic speakers and academic specialists. This perhaps explains why Muruwwah has remained largely unknown outside of the Arab world. On the thirtieth anniversary of his murder, this essay intends to introduce Muruwwah’s life to a broader audience and encourage greater interest in his history and work. It is indebted to the small existing body of English-language scholarship already written on Muruwwah, details of which can be found in the reading list below.

Beginnings: “Born a Shaykh”

Muruwwah was born in 1908 or 1910 in the village of Haddatha in the Bint Jbeil district of the Nabatieh province of South Lebanon.[iv] The broader area, known as Jabal ‘Amil, is home of one the oldest Shi‘a communities in the Muslim world. Muruwwah was descended from a line of religious scholars and from a young age, his family groomed him to succeed his father, Ali. In Muruwwah’s own words, Ali was a “prominent and esteemed religious leader.”[v] In his autobiography Wulidtu shaykhan wa-amutu tiflan[vi] (I was Born a Shaykh and I’ll Die a Child), Muruwwah recalls a strict, almost non-existent childhood in which he was forced to wear the black robes and turban of a Shi‘a religious scholar from the age of eight, something for which his peers ridiculed him. Revealing the enormous pressure that was placed on him by others, Muruwwah remarked that as a boy, “my dream was to become a distinguished Shaykh like my father . . . no sorry, actually . . . that was the dream of my father, and then my mother, our family, our extended family, and all of Jabal ‘Amil.”[vii]

Men from Jabal ‘Amil had received religious schooling in Najaf for centuries. From the 1880s onward, this connection intensified as a group of local clerics returning to the region from Iraq led a renewal of its religious institutions and opened a number of new schools in villages and small towns.[viii] This trend served to strengthen links between Jabal ‘Amil and Najaf and ensure that from a young age Muruwwah was destined to study there. However, despite his father’s prestige, the family’s financial situation was not secure. Indeed, in 1912, Muruwwah’s brother, Hassan, like many thousands of other Lebanese at this time, had left the country and emigrated to South America in the hope of a better future. In 1920, Muruwwah’s father died suddenly, leaving the family in an even more precarious financial situation and jeopardising his chances of being able to pursue his religious studies at all. Eventually, in 1924, following the intervention of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Husayn Sharraf al-Din, enough money was gathered from members of his family to send Muruwwah to study in Iraq.

Once in Najaf, the young Muruwwah was quickly surrounded by a host of intellectual influences in addition to those that were required by his loosely structured religious studies. Many of these were frowned upon or even forbidden by his teachers. In the city’s book market, Muruwwah was exposed to modern literature and poetry through issues of cultural and political magazines such as al-‘Usur, al-Thaqafah and al-Hilal. He was heavily influenced by the work of the Egyptian writer, Taha Husayn and other members of the nahdah movement, as well as the older Islamic reformist works of Muhammad ‘Abduh and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani. Muruwwah was also introduced to the concepts of atheism and Darwinism through articles by Shibli al-Shumayyil. Muruwwah had his first encounter with Marxism during this period too, through a novel by Farah Antun. As a result of these wide-ranging, often conflicting influences, Muruwwah began to have doubts about  the traditional clerical education offered in Najaf and to question where his future lay.

[Members of al-Shabiba al-‘Amiliyya al-Najafiyya (the Najafi-‘Amili Youth) c. 1927. Sitting from right to left:
Husayn Murruwah, Muhammad Husayn al-Zein, Muhsin Shararah, and Muhammad Shararah.
Standing from the right: unknown, Hashim al-Amin, ‘Ali al-Zein. With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

However, Muruwwah was not alone and in 1925, he joined a group of like-minded students that came together to form al-Shabiba al-‘Amiliyya al-Najafiyya (the Najafi-‘Amili Youth). One member of this group, Muhsin Shararah, strongly criticised the ‘ulama (religious scholars) of Najaf in an article published in the modernist Shi’a journal al-Irfan. Shararah’s criticism caused something of a scandal, but undaunted, Muruwwah subsequently published an article in al-Irfan that supported his friend’s stance.He argued that “[i]t is about time…that we demand of those people who wish to protect religion and persuade the people in its truthfulness that they become men of culture; the culture of their compatriots and their contemporaries”.[ix] His decision to publicly support Shararah led to Muruwwah being rejected and censured by his teachers and many of his fellow students.

The spiritual and intellectual turmoil of this period evidently took its toll, for in 1928, Muruwwah suffered a nervous breakdown and returned to Lebanon. After a brief stay in his home country during which time he met his wife, Fatima Bazzi, Muruwwah then travelled to Syria to study law and literature at the University of Damascus with the financial assistance of a relative living in Argentina.[x] After his studies in Damascus, Muruwwah then lived and taught in Beirut, al ‘Amarah and Baghdad. In 1934, Muruwwah was persuaded to return to Najaf and complete his religious education, and he eventually did so in 1938 thus formally becoming a mujtahid.[xi]

[Husayn Muruwwah with his children, Nizar, Ahmad and Hassaan, 1936. With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

Political Activities in Iraq

Muruwwah then took a role as a teacher of Arabic Language and Literature at a government secondary school in al-Nasiriyyah, Southern Iraq. According to his son Ahmad, it was at this time that Muruwwah took off his religious garb and began to wear layman’s clothing. He stayed in this role until 1941, when he moved to Baghdad to continue teaching and writing. It was during this period that he became more directly exposed to Marxist texts and explicitly Communist positions. He associated with members of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP), and one of its founders, Husayn Muhammad al-Shabibi (who had also trained at the hawza in Najaf), gave him a copy of the Communist Manifesto and Lenin’s TheState and Revolution.[xii] Although he expressed an affinity with Communist ideals, at this point, Muruwwah did not yet consider himself a Communist and did not join the ICP, preferring the Pan-Arab-orientated Hizb al-Istiqlal (Independence Party). The tumultuous political and economic conditions in Iraq at this time, notably after the events of the Second World War, during which Britain had invaded and re-occupied the country, pushed Muruwwah to engage in more overt political activities.

[Husayn with Ahmad Muruwwah and his sons Karim and Muhammad Husayn, 1945. With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

Muruwwah’s engagement with Iraqi politics culminated in January 1948, when he actively participated in the mass uprising against the Portsmouth Treaty known as al-Wathba. He took part in street protests against the treaty (which contained a number of stipulations that infringed upon Iraq’s sovereignty to Britain’s benefit) and wrote critical articles in al-Ra’i al-Amm on a daily basis. During the government’s suppression of the uprising, in which the ICP had played a central role, several communists that Muruwwah knew personally were killed. This violence had a profound impact on him and acted as “the tipping point that pushed Muruwwah towards Communism”.[xiii] Events in Palestine at this time, notably al-Nakba, also served to heighten Muruwwah’s political consciousness and cemented his life-long commitment to the Palestinian cause. It is interesting to note that in the late 1940s, Muruwwah worked at a Jewish high school in Baghdad and left a strong, positive impression on a number of his Jewish Iraqi students. One such student, Albert Khabbaza, remembered Muruwwah as a “progressive gentleman” who “showed no ethnic discrimination” and was a “nationalist who hated the influence of the British in Iraq”.[xiv]Following the events of al-Wathba, the long-serving pro-British Prime Minister, Nuri al-Sa’id, returned to office. Subsequently, the ICP was brutally suppressed by the government and several members of its leadership, including al-Shabibi, were hanged in February 1949. The dead body of al-Shabibi was displayed publicly, something which Muruwwah himself witnessed. Not long after, Muruwwah was stripped of his Iraqi nationality and, together with his family, expelled from the country by al-Sa’id’s government.

A Return to Lebanon and Travels to Moscow

Following his expulsion from Iraq, Muruwwah returned home to Lebanon and settled in the capital, Beirut. Affected deeply by his experiences in Iraq, Muruwwah decided to become a Communist and in 1951, joined the Lebanese Communist Party (LCP).[xv] At this time, the LCP was the largest Communist party in the Middle East with approximately 12,000 members and 50,000 sympathisers.[xvi] Muruwwah began to write for al-Hayat and acquaint himself with other members of the LCP. The following year, in collaboration with Muhammad Dakrub and Faraj Allah al-Hilw, Muruwwah launched a cultural newspaper called al-Thaqafa al-Wataniyya for which he wrote regularly, as well as for al-Tariq.

[Husayn Muruwwah with his wife, Fatima at their son Ahmad’s graduation from the American University of Beirut, 1956.
With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

In December 1954, Muruwwah attended the Second Congress of Soviet Writers in Moscow as a representative of the Lebanese branch of the Arab Writers’ Association. This first trip to Moscow impressed and deeply affected Muruwwah. He remarked that the relationship between the people and literature that he had witnessed there constituted “a unique interaction unprecedented in the history of humanity”[xvii]. He was struck by how Soviet writers were “of the people” and therefore their essential style was that of realism. Thus began Muruwwah’s long engagement with Socialist Realism, elements of which he began to apply to his writings on Arabic literature. In both al-Thaqafa al-Wataniyya and then al-Tariq, Muruwwah and his peers became involved in heated ma’arik adabiyyah (literary battles) that “redefined the sources of intellectual authority and invested literary criticism with a new sense of purpose”.[xviii] Simultaneously, in a reflection of the tense political climate in Lebanon (and throughout the Middle East) at this time, Muruwwah also prepared for battle more literally, carrying out military training and taking part in armed LCP patrols in Beirut against the CIA-backed government of Camille Chamoun and US Marines that – after the revolution in Iraq in 1958 – had landed in Beirut.

In August 1968, Muruwwah travelled to Moscow to begin writing his doctoral thesis, a historical materialist interpretation of Arab-Islamic turath (heritage) that brought together many decades of study. He returned to Lebanon in May 1970, before returning to Moscow again in 1971, followed soon after by his wife, Fatima. The couple stayed in Russia until mid-1974, by which time he had successfully completed his thesis. Muruwwah’s son, Ahmad recalls that upon his father’s return to Beirut, he gave a bust of the Marxist poet and playwright Vladimir Mayakovsky as a gift to another of his sons, who then displayed the statue in his home.

The study that Muruwwah wrote while in Russia was to develop into his magnum opus and his most well-known work: al-Nazaʿāt al-māddīyah fī al-falsafah al-ʿArabīyah al-Islāmīyah (Materialist Tendencies in Arab-Islamic Philosophy) which has had multiple printings since its first publication in 1978 and been the subject of several book-length commentaries itself. Epic in both length and scope, this enormous two-volume work is the most complete expression of what Muruwwah had described in 1954 as Mashru’ al-’Umr (Project of Our Lifetime), namely a comprehensive re-invention and re-reading of Islamic history from a Marxist perspective.[xix] Through studying the turath from this viewpoint, Muruwwah wanted to “uncover indigenous sources of radicalism to more firmly root the Arab liberation movement in a cultural context of its own”, in his own [translated] words:

Understanding the Arabo-Islamic cultural tradition, in light of [historical materialism], will bring forth the breadth and dynamism of the Arabo-Islamic intellectual tradition. By ‘dynamism’ I mean the power to change and develop. To grasp the heritage this way allows us to grasp its social origins and thus to identify the intellectually and materially productive forces in our history and their struggle with the exploitative classes.[xx]

The book contains a dizzying array of information and analysis that display not only Muruwwah’s immense knowledge of turath but also his detailed familiarity with the contributions Soviet orientalists made to the study of early Islamic history. An editorial by the Moroccan Communist group, al-Tawaju al-Qa’idi, published on the twenty-seventh anniversary of Muruwwah’s death in 2014 aptly described the work as a “scientific weapon in the face of reactionary ideology in all its forms”.

[Husayn and his wife, Fatima on the banks of the Litani River, 1959. With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

The Lebanese Civil War

When the Lebanese Civil War began in 1975, the LCP was allied to the Lebanese National Movement under the leadership of Kamal Jumblatt, and the party’s militia, the Popular Guard, took part in the early fighting. It supported the Palestinian resistance and believed that Lebanon was a capitalist country in need of a democratic foundation in order to “prepare the ground for the transition to socialism”.[xxi] Muruwwah believed that the crisis in Lebanon was fundamentally one of class struggle. He argued that despite the country’s ostensible independence, it remained subject to a new kind of imperialism, because “the general economic laws that rule in the frame of global imperialism” had not changed.[xxii]

Like most LCP intellectuals, Muruwwah chose to stay in Beirut throughout the civil war. Following the Israeli invasion of 1982 and subsequent siege of the city, Muruwwah was involved in distributing aid to the besieged and continued to write vociferously, documenting the resilience of the city’s inhabitants amidst dire circumstances in a daily column in the LCP’s newspaper, al-Nida’. In the words of the Lebanese poet and playwright, ‘Issam Mahfouz, he became a symbol of Beirut’s sumud (steadfastness and resistance) during the Israeli siege.[xxiii] According to Mary Nassif al-Debs, Muruwwah was also involved in the establishment of the Lebanese National Resistance Front (LNRF) in 1982. The LNRF was a coalition of groups that – until Hezbollah effectively established a monopoly of resistance in the late 1980s – was one of the principal armed resistance groups to Israel active in Lebanon.

Muruwwah’s Assassination

In the middle of the 1980s as the civil war entered its second decade, the LCP was drawn into a bloody conflict with the Syrian-backed movement, Amal. In this context, on 17 February 1987, two men armed with silenced pistols knocked on the door of Muruwwah’s home in the Ramlet al-Baida area of Beirut. Muruwwah’s wife, Fatima answered the door and told the men that he was ill in bed. Regardless, one of them entered Muruwwah’s bedroom and shot him dead. At the time of his assassination, although he was in his late 70s and suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Muruwwah was still a central committee member of the LCP and editor of al-Tariq (positions he had held since 1965 and 1966 respectively). He was also working on the third volume of Materialist Tendencies that he was to never finish.[xxiv]

[Husayn with his wife, Fatima, 1980. With thanks to Ghassan Nasser]

Muruwwah’s murder was far from an isolated incident; on the contrary, it came at a time when, following the Israeli siege of Beirut and the PLO’s forced departure from the city in 1982, reactionary forces in Lebanon had begun to systematically target leftist movements in the country and the LCP in particular came under sustained attack. According to the LCP, in the ten days that followed Muruwwah’s killing, over 40 other party members were killed. Three months later, on 18 May 1987, Mahdi ‘Amil (real name Hassan Abdullah Hamdan), a close friend of Muruwwah’s and another towering intellectual figure in the LCP—dubbed "the Arab Gramsci" by Vijay Prashad—was also murdered. It was a period of systematic violence against the Lebanese left from which it has never recovered. There are differing theories as to who was responsible for Muruwwah’s murder—the LCP itself blamed Amal—but like so many events of the Lebanese civil war, the truth has not been established and his killers have never been brought to justice.

The painful reverberations caused by Muruwwah’s assassination and the associated violence of this period, both specifically within his family and more broadly, are explored in the artwork of two of his grandsons, Rabih and Yasser Mroué (who was himself shot by a sniper in Beirut on the same day as his grandfather’s death and left permanently disabled).

Muruwwah’sLegacy

Muruwwah’s ostensible ‘conversion’ from Shi’ism to Communism has unsurprisingly been a topic of great interest. As recently as 2015, a simplistic and inaccurate account of Muruwwah’s supposedly instantaneous ‘conversion’ after reading the Communist Manifesto in 1948 (in which he is said to have immediately shaved his beard and threw off his religious clothes) was published.[xxv] Before that, Silvia Naef asked “[h]ow do members of…religious families break with this sometimes ancient tradition and commit themselves to an ideological line of thought which is, or at least which appears to be, in total contradiction with this tradition?”[xxvi] Yet, as appealing as thoughts of some kind of eureka moment or a dramatic ‘break’ from ancient traditions may be, the reality of Muruwwah’s life is more complex. Ultimately, throughout his intellectual journey, Muruwwah resolutely “insisted on integrating multiple religious, cultural and ideological stances into a new postcolonial intellectual project”, the linchpin of which was a “relentless quest for cultural authenticity in times of modern rupture”.[xxvii] As Di-Capua eloquently concludes, Muruwwah “was not a deserter of ‘religion’ and an embracer of ‘secularism’ or Communism. If anything, his life renders such categories completely obsolete.”[xxviii] Indeed, when one considers that Muruwwah was at once—among many other things—a Shi’a mujtahid, a Soviet-trained Socialist Realist literary critic and a committed Communist revolutionary, one-dimensional categories are swiftly rendered meaningless.

["The great scholar and thinker, Husayn Muruwwah lives on. The martyr of Lebanon, Palestine and the Arab Liberation Movement.
The martyr of emancipatory, democratic and progressive thought." Palestine Liberation Organisation poster, 1987.
Signs of Conflict Archive, Zeina Maasri Collection]

Muruwwah’s murder was met with genuine shock and he was widely mourned in Lebanon and around the Arab World. The following day, the newspaper al-Safir commented that if the inhabitants of Beirut were already living in moments of great tragedy, then Muruwwah’s assassination was a “tragedy of tragedies”. The LCP’s official announcement remarked defiantly that Muruwwah’s ideas and books would remain a drawn sword in the face of his killers. In an eloquent and moving obituary, his friend and comrade, Mahdi ‘Amil, wrote that Muruwwah was a symbol of the conflict between “the forces of oppression and the forces of freedom, between reason and ignorance”. The Lebanese-American journalist and diplomat, Clovis Maksoud, paid tribute to Muruwwah as a man who had fought tenaciously for over half a century in the name of freedom, unity and equality.[xxix] In the months that followed Muruwwah’s assassination, the Tunisian Marxist, Shukri Bil’id, who in a sad twist of fate was himself assassinated by reactionaries in February 2013, wrote a poem in his comrade’s honour. A short extract from Bil’id’s poem, a fitting tribute to Muruwwah and his legacy, is translated into English (by Nariman Youssef) for the first time:

You are not dead
Author of our journey
Destroyer of sects
And treacherous beards 

The shame of the lie
And the lifeless vision
Have spread across the horizon 

Qarmati - say a prayer
For the umma of oil and masks
Rise
Hussein of the flag
While we - the tired ones
The ashes of the land
With the soul’s permission
Bid farewell to your body

Let darkness
Have its time

[Note: The secondary literature written on Muruwwah contains a number of contradictory claims regarding the key events of his life and their chronology. With the kind assistance of Ahmad Morowah and Ghassan Nasser, I have attempted to present an accurate account in this article, but any errors that remain are my fault alone.]

Further Reading on Hussein Muruwwah

Abisaab, Rula Jurdi “Deconstructing the Modular and the Authentic: Husayn Muroeh's Early Islamic History” Critique: Critical Middle Eastern Studies, 17:3 (2008) pp. 239-259

Abisaab, Rula Jurdi & Abissab, Malek The Shi’ites of Lebanon: Modernism, Communism and Hizbullah’s Islamists (New York: Syracuse University Press, 2014)

al-Majlis al-Thaqafi li-Lubnan al-Janubi, Husayn Muruwah: fi masiratihi al-nidalyhah fikran wa-mumarasah (Bayrut: Dar al-Farabi, 1997)

Barakāt Qāsim, Husayn Muruwah, kalimat hayyah (Bayrut: Dar al-Farabi, 2012)

Barhūmah, Mūsá al-Turāth al-ʻArabī wa-al-ʻaql al-māddī : dirāsah fī fikr Ḥusayn Murūwah (Bayrūt: al-Muʾassasah al-ʻArabīyah lil-Dirāsāt wa-al-Nashr, 2004)

Di-Capua, Yoav “Homeward Bound: Husayn Muruwwah’s Integrative Quest for Authenticity” Journal of Arabic Literature 44 (2013) pp. 21-51

Gran, Peter “Islamic Marxism in Comparative History: The Case of Lebanon, Reflections on the Recent Book of Husayn Muruwah” in Stowasser, Barbara Freyer, The Islamic Impulse (London: Croom Helm, 1989) pp. 106-120

Mervin, Sabrina “The Clerics of Jabal ‘Amil and the Reform of Religious Teaching in Najaf Since the Beginning of the 20^th Century” in Brunner, Rainer & Ende, Werner (eds.), The Twelver Shia in Modern Times (Brill, 2001) pp. 79-86

Naef, Silvia “Shi’i-Shuyu’i or: How to Become a Communist in a Holy City” in Brunner, Rainer & Ende, Werner (eds.), The Twelver Shia in Modern Times (Brill, 2001) pp. 255-267

Staif, A. N. “The Soviet Impact on Modern Arabic Literary Criticism: Husayn Muruwwa's Concept of the "New Realism"” Bulletin (British Society for Middle Eastern Studies) Vol. 11, No. 2 (1984), pp. 156-171

Tamari, Steve “Reclaiming the Islamic Heritage: Marxism and Islam in the Thought of Husayn Muruwah” Arab Studies Journal Vol. 3. No. 1 (Spring 1995) pp. 121-129

Yāghī, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Duktūr Ḥusayn Murūwah, adīban nāqidan (ʿAmmān: Dār al-Bashīr, 1998

Younes, Miriam “A Tale of Two Communists: The Revolutionary Projects of the Lebanese Communists Husayn Muruwwa and Mahdi ‘Amil” Arab Studies Journal Vol. 14 No. 1 (Spring 2016) pp. 98-116

Bibliography of Husayn Muruwwah:

Ma’a al-Qāfilah (Bayrūt: Dār Bayrūt, 1952)

Qaḍāyā Adabiyyah (al-Qahira: Dār al-Fikr, 1956)

al-Thawrah al-‘Irāqiyyah (1958)

Dirāsāt naqīyah fi ḍaw' al-manhaj al-wāqiʻī (1965)

al-Nazaʿāt al-māddīyah fī al-falsafah al-ʿArabīyah al-Islāmīyah (Bayrūt: Dār al-Farābī, 1978)

Dirāsāt fī al-islām (Bayrūt: Dār al-Fārābī, 1980)

Fī al-turāth wa-al-sharīʿah (ʿAdan: Dār al-Hamdānī, 1984)

Turāthunā, kayfa naʿrifuh (Bayrūt: Muʾassasat al-Abḥāth al-ʿArabīyah, 1985)

Wulidtu shaykhan wa-amūtu ṭiflan: sīrah dhātīyah fī ḥadīth ajrāhu maʿahu (Bayrūt: Dār al-Farābī, 1990)

Dirāsāt fī al-fikr wa-al-adab (Bayrūt: Dār al-Fārābī, 1993)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Palestine and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Palestine Page Co-Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to Palestine@jadaliyya.com.]

The Occupation Forces

The Israeli Forces Have Closed Off A Critical Roadway In The Bethlehem Area Closing off the route used by thousands of commuters daily was allegedly due to a "significant increase in terror activities against civilians" in the area, most likely stone-throwing.

Israel Has Explicitly Attempted To Get A Palestinian Heart Patient To Spy For Them In Exchange For Treatment Seventeen-year-old Ahmed had a congenital heart defect and had undergone numerous procedures to help fix his heart. The operation was delayed multiple times because he could not get out of Gaza to enter the West Bank for treatment. While at the Erez crossing from Gaza, the boy was explicitly petitioned by Israeli forces to spy on his compatriots for access to treatment. He refused. Ahmed passed away last month.

Israeli Forces Have Destroyed The Home Of A 100-Year-Old Palestinian Woman In The Southern Negev Bringing bulldozers and police officers, the Israelis ran through two "unrecognized" villages in the southern Negev desert, demolishing numerous homes, including that which is owned by the centenarian and her daughter.

Domestic Politics

Israeli Ministers Have Endorsed A Bill That Would Silence The Morning Call To Prayer For Muslims, Claiming Noise Ordinance Violations The bill will soon go before the Knesset, then back to committee, then back to Knesset and back and forth a few more times. This delaying of the inevitable is just another way in which Israel is able to feign democracy.

An Arab Citizen Of Israel Was Almost Beaten To Death By Crowd Of Israelis After Shouting In Arabic To Warn Others After Shooting In Petah Tikva According to the news outlet Ynet, Maed Amar was attacked after yelling "Watch Out! Take Cover!" in Arabic, which led to some believing he must have been a terrorist, prompting the violence.

Foreign Policy

Qatar Has Accused The Palestinian Authority Of Interfering With Their Projects In Gaza The Qatari Ambassador Mohammad Al-Emadi is convinced that the PA in the West Bank have been "hindering" Qatari energy projects, and the resolution to the electricity crisis in Gaza. Israel and Qatar are allegedly cooperating as the PA, once again, can't get over their politics to do what is right for the Palestinian people.

Will Donald Trump's Election Be Netanyahu's Golden Ticket For The Ultra-Right Wing State He's Always Wanted? With all fear of outside restraint on his projects of destruction and murder now waning with the rise of the Trump administration, Bibi is licking his chops over the prospects of the next three years. With the recent revealing of plans for a further 6000 settlement homes, and the signing of the recent settlement legislation, it is evident that the Israeli administration has totally forsaken any hope for the two-state solution.

A Summit Between Germany And Israel Has Been Postponed Because Of Recent Settlement Law The high-profile summit that was scheduled for May has been cancelled because of Angela Merkel's dissatisfaction with the new legislation enacted by Israel's Knesset and Netanyahu's cronies.

Palestinians Are Condemning The Recent Comments Made By American Administration On The Future Of A Two-State Solution A US official made comments that put the future of a two-state solution, long the stated policy of both Israel and the United States, in final jeopardy. The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the comments a "very dangerous shift" in US policy.

Settlers and Illegal Settlements

The Annexation Of The West Bank May Be Nearing Completion With The Signing Of A New Settlement Law The new law creates a mechanism for the first time for the Israeli government to directly make rulings on the occupied territories, when historically those decisions were made by the Israeli military, and will also help to appropriate privately-owned Palestinian land throughout the territories.

Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions

Palestinian Activists In Spain Could Face Prison Time Over A Call To Boycott Matisyahu Two Years Ago According to Spanish media, one activist could face up to four years in prison just for posting five tweets criticizing a music festival for inviting the American musician to perform. Matisyahu has actively campaigned for the Israeli army and against the Palestinian cause.

The University Of Vienna Is Being Urged To Cancel A Talk That Is To Be Given By Genocide Advocate Ayelet Shaked Shaked has been notorious since 2014 when she called for a genocide of the Palestinian people, which occurred just days before a fifty one-day rampage on Gaza which killed over two thousand Palestinians, with a large number of the victims being children. It seems reasonable that she should not be given even a soap box to shout from.

Law

Israeli Prosecutors Have Accused A Palestinian Prisoner Of Attempting To Bribe A Prison Guard A Palestinian prisoner serving six life sentences and his cousin have had bribery charges filed against them, after a prison guard (who is a Palestinian citizen of Israel) was directed to entrap the prisoners in the bribing scheme.

Israeli Prosecution Has Accused Two Palestinian Prisoners Of Attempting To Stab Prison Guards The two separate incidents took place in both the Nafha and Ktziot prisons. The former incident stemmed from an alleged stabbing during a cell inspection, while the latter occurred in reaction to a prison raid by the Israeli Prison Service.

Economy and Development

Israel Is Dead Set In Their Effort To Erase Palestinian History And Culture Ben Ehrenreich, author of "The Way to the Spring," which chronicles heroic resistance in a Palestinian village, has called Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people an "incremental genocide."

Qatari Doctors Have Been Carrying Out Cochlear Implant Procedures For Children In Gaza At least eighteen deaf Palestinian children can now hear thanks to Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi the head of the Hearing and Balance Department at Hamad Medical City in Qatar. According to the Palestinian ministry of health, this is the first time that these procedures have been conducted in Gaza, and as Palestinian doctors are being trained to perform the new operation, they hope to conduct many more in the future.

Arabic 

قوات الاحتلال

قوات الاحتلال تعتقل 20 مواطنا من الضفة الغربية والقدس المحتلة فجراً
.وأفاد بيان لجيش الاحتلال، أن قواته اعتقلت 20 فلسطينيا في حملات دهم وتفيش في الضفة والقدس، وزعم أنهم “مطلوبون”، ولم تعرف هوية جميع المعتقلين

الاحتلال يداهم العيساوية وجبل المكبر ويعتقل 9 مقدسيين
اعتقلت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، اليوم الإثنين، تسعة مقدسيين خلال اقتحام منازلهم في بلدتي العيساوية وجبل المكبر بالقدس المحتلة، على أن يتم عرضهم على محكمة الصلح للنظر في طلب الشرطة تمديد اعتقالهم.

الاحتلال يهدم منشأة فلسطينية شرق القدس
هدمت آليات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، فجر الثلاثاء 14-2-2017، منزلًا فلسطينيًا قيد الإنشاء شرق مدينة القدس المحتلة، بحجة البناء دون الحصول على التراخيص اللازمة.

قوات الاحتلال تقتحم بلدة بيت امر في الخليل
اندلعت مواجهات بين الشبان الفلسطينيين وقوات الاحتلال، فجر اليوم الأحد، عقب اقتحامها بلدة ‘بيت أمر’ شمال مدينة الخليل بالضفة الغربية. وبحسب ما ذكرت مصادر محلية لموقع ‘العهد’ الإخباري، فإن قوة احتلالية داهمت منزل عائلة الشهيد عمر عرفات الزعاقيق وأقاربه في البلدة، وصادرت صورا للشهيد.

توتّر في سجن "ريمون" إثر اقتحامه من قبل قوات الاحتلال
اقتحمت وحدة "اليماز" العسكرية الإسرائيلية المتخصّصة بقمع الأسرى الفلسطينيين، اليوم الاثنين 13-2-2017، أحد أقسام سجن "ريمون" الإسرائيلي، جنوب الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة.

بيت لحم: إصابات خلال مواجهات مع قوات الاحتلال في تقوع
أصيب عدد من المواطنين في بلدة تقوع شرق بيت لحم، ظهر اليوم الأحد، بالاختناق خلال مواجهات مع قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي.

طالت العمال- الاحتلال يفرض عقوبات على حوسان
فرضت قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي، إجراءات عقابية على أهالي قرية حوسان غرب بيت لحم، ومنعت اليوم عمالا من البلدة من الدخول الى مستوطنة "بيتار عليت" للعمل، كما صادرت سيارات من الاهالي.

إصابة طالبتين وآذنة مدرسة بالاختناق من قنابل الاحتلال بقلقيلية
أصيبت اليوم الأربعاء، طالبتان وآذنة مدرسة الشارقة، غرب مدينة قلقيلية، بالاختناق نتيجة إلقاء قوات الاحتلال قنابل الغاز داخل المدرسة.

توتر في الاقصى وإجراءات مشددة لقوات الاحتلال على دخول المصلين
يشهد المسجد الأقصى توترا شديدا منذ ساعات صباح اليوم الاثنين، اذ شددت قوات الاحتلال من إجراءاتها على دخول المصلين وطلبة مدارس الأوقاف إلى باحات المسجد.

الاحتلال يقتحم مدرسة بسلوان بحثًا عن راشقي الحجارة
اقتحمت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي الأربعاء، مدرسة سلوان الإعدادية للبنين في حي رأس العامود في بلدة سلوان، بحجة البحث عن راشقي الحجارة.

الاحتلال يعتقل ممثلاً فلسطينياً
وقال علي انخيلي والد عبد الله لـ وطن للأنباء، إن قوات الاحتلال اقتحمت المنزل عند الساعة 12.30 ليلاً، وعاثت فيه خراباً قبل أن تعتقل عبد الله، بزعم أنه لم يذهب لمقابلة المخابرات الإسرائيلية، بعد تسليمه استدعاءً مؤخراً على معبر الكرامة، عقب عودته من أداء مناسك العمرة.

السياسة الداخلية

الكنيست يرفض التحقيق بضلوع فلسطينيين في الحرائق
رفض الكنيست الإسرائيلي طلبا قدّمه النائب العربي يوسف جبارين لتشكيل لجنة تحقيق برلمانية في اتهامات رئيس الحكومة بنيامين نتنياهو ووزرائه للمواطنين الفلسطينيين بالضلوع في إضرام الحرائق التي اجتاحت إسرائيل في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني الماضي.

النواب العرب يعيشون احدى اسوأ دورات الكنيست
يؤكد النواب العرب العالقون بين مطالبتهم بحقهم بتمثيل الفلسطينيين ومواقفهم الرافضة لسياسات الدولة الاسرائيلية انهم يعيشون "احدى اسوأ دورات" الكنيست بوجود حكومة بنيامين نتانياهو اليمينية التي تزداد تطرفا يوما بعد يوم.

الكنيست الإسرائيلي يصوت على قانون منع "أذان الفجر" بالمساجد الأربعاء
ذكرت صحيفة "يسرائيل هايوم" الإسرائيلية، أن الكنيست الإسرائيلي سيناقش قانون "منع الأذان" بعد غد الأربعاء، بعد تعديله من جانب اللجنة الوزارية لشئون القانون بالحكومة الإسرائيلية، التي صادقت عليه أمس الأحد.

حماس تدعو لضرورة توفير بيئة قانونية سليمة للانتخابات
اجتمع وفد من لجنة الانتخابات المركزية برئاسة رئيسها حنا ناصر اليوم الأربعاء مع قيادات من حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) في غزة لبحث إجراء الانتخابات البلدية التي سبق أن حددت حكومة الوفاق الوطني مايو المقبل موعدا لها.

«دحلان» يعلن انطلاق «تيار فتح الإصلاحى» من مصر الأربعاء
يستضيف فندق «الماسة» بالقاهرة، الأربعاء، والخميس، مؤتمرا إعلاميا وورشة عمل للقيادي المفصول من حركة «فتح»، محمد دحلان وأنصاره، لبحث آلية ترتيب البيت «الفتحاوى» الداخلي، ومناقشة عمل ما يسمى «التيار الإصلاحى» لـ«فتح»، خلال الفترة المقبلة والتعاون مع حركة «حماس»، لإجراء الانتخابات المحلية، وبحث عمل المجلس الشبابي.

السياسة الخارجية

حماس تشيد بدور قطر وتركيا في عمليات الإعمار وتصف انتقادات فتح لهما بـ «المغرضة»
يواصل السفير محمد العمادي، رئيس اللجنة القطرية لإعادة إعمار قطاع غزة، زيارته للمناطق الفلسطينية، التي تخللها لقاء مسؤولين كبار في السلطة الفلسطينية في مدينة رام الله، وافتتاح عدة مشاريع إعمار في القطاع. ودافعت حركة حماس عن دور كل من قطر وتركيا في دعم القطاع، وانتقدت بشدة بيانا لحركة فتح، وجه انتقادات للدولتين.

(فلسطين النيابية) تطالب بتعليق عضوية الكنيست الإسرائيلي بالبرلمان الدولي
وقال رئيس اللجنة النائب يحيى السعود انه على اثر قرار الذي اصدرته المؤسسة التشريعية الاسرائيلية مؤخرا والمتعلق باصدار قانون اسمته قانون تسوية الاراضي والذي يجيز للحكومة القائمة باحتلال اراضي الغير بالقوة والاستيلاء على ممتلكات فلسطينية خاصة، قامت اللجنة بتقديم مبادرة تتضمن قيام مجلس النواب وبالتنسيق مع المجلس الوطني الفلسطيني للمطالبة بتعليق عضوية «الكنسيت» بالبرلمان الدولي ووقف انشطته التشريعية، لحين إلغاء هذا القرار العنصري والمتعارض مع القرارات والقوانين الدولية.

قمة «ترامب - نتنياهو»: واشنطن تتراجع عن حل الدولتين.. وتبحث نقل سفارتها إلى القدس.. وإيران هدف مشترك
التقي رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتنياهو أمس، الأربعاء، الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب، في أول لقاء يجمعهما بعد تولي ترامب رسميا مهام منصبه، الشهر الماضي، بعد ساعات من إعلان مفاجئ لمسؤول كبير في الإدارة الأمريكية أمس الأول، الثلاثاء، أن واشنطن لم تعد متمسكة بحل الدولتين كأساس للتوصل إلى اتفاق سلام بين إسرائيل والفلسطينيين، في تعارض مع الثوابت التاريخية للولايات المتحدة في هذا الشأن، ما أثار اعتراضات السلطة الفلسطينية والأمم المتحدة.

مستشار سابق لنتنياهو يقول إن نتنياهو سيركز خلال زيارته على الملفين الفلسطيني والإيراني
يجتمع رئيس الحكومة الاسرائيلية بنيامين نتنياهو الليلة في واشنطن مع وزير الخارجية الأمريكي ريكس تلرسون، قبل أن يجتمع الأربعاء بالرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب في البيت الأبيض.

عودة: الخارجية المكسيكية دعت إسرائيل لإلغاء قانون التسوية
أكد رئيس دائرة امريكا اللاتينية، في مفوضية العلاقات الدولية بحركة فتح، الدكتور محمد عودة، أن وزارة الشؤون الخارجية المكسيكية دعت الحكومة الإسرائيلية إلى إلغاء "قانون التسوية"، والتصرف وفقا لقرارات الأمم المتحدة ذات الصلة، خاصة قرار مجلس الأمن 2334.

إسرائيل سحبت سفيرها من مصر لأسباب أمنية
أكد جهاز الاستخبارات الإسرائيلية الثلاثاء أن إسرائيل سحبت مؤقتا سفيرها في مصر ديفد غوفرين بسبب مخاوف أمنية، حيث يعمل السفير حاليا من مقر وزارة الخارجية الإسرائيلية في القدس.

الخارجية تدعو إدارة ترامب للتمسك بحل الدولتين
رأت وزارة الخارجية انه اذا ما صدقت التسريبات الصحفية التي نسبت الى مصدر مسؤول في البيت الأبيض بتراجع إدارة ترامب عن تبني حل الدولتين، فهذا يعني نجاح أول وفوري لنتنياهو حتى قبل بدء المشاورات مع الرئيس الأمريكي وحاشيته، ما من شأنه أن يعزز وضع نتنياهو في تلك المحادثات.

موغيريني: الاتحاد الأوربي لن ينقل سفارته إلى القدس
قالت مفوضة السياسة الخارجية في الاتحاد الأوربي، فيديريكا موغيريني، إن الاتحاد الاوروبي يدعم حل الدولتين دولة فلسطين ودولة اسرائيل، وسيبقي سفارته في تل ابيب ولن ينقلها إلى القدس.

الخارجية الفلسطينية يجب فرض عقوبات دولية على البنوك الإسرائيلية المتورطة في دعم الاستيطان
أدانت وزارة الخارجية الفلسطينية بأشد العبارات تورّط دولة الاحتلال في عملية إعطاء شركة «أمانا الاستيطانية» قروضاً مالية من أحد البنوك الإسرائيلية مقابل رهن أراضٍ فلسطينية خاصة في الضفة الغربية المحتلة، وذلك عبر توجيهات صريحة من وزارتي المالية والإسكان كما جاء في الإعلام العبري.

قانون

لجنة الحريات بالنقابة : 40 انتهاكا من الاحتلال وبداية خطرة على الصحفيين في غزة
كشفت نقابة الصحفيين الفلسطينيين عن اشكال وتنوعات حديثة في الانتهاكات التي ترتكبها قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي بحق الحالة الفلسطينية.

أسرى فلسطين: 51 أسيرة في السجون بظروف قاسية
وأوضح الباحث رياض الأشقر الناطق الإعلامي للمركز أن الاحتلال يعزل الأسيرات بشكل كامل في سجني "هشارون والدامون" في ظروف قاسية، وأنهن يتعرضن لكل أشكال الانتهاك والتنكيل، مشيرا أن الاحتلال أصدر مؤخرا العديد من الأحاكم بحقهن، ويوجد في سجن الدامون 9 أسيرات يقبعن في غرفتين، بينما في سجن هشارون يقبع 42 أسيرة.

هيئة فلسطينية لـ24: إسرائيل تمارس القتل ضد الأسرى
أكدت هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين الفلسطينية، أن استشهاد الأسير الفلسطيني محمد الجلاد في سجون الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، تمثل جريمة ضد الإنسانية، تتوجب أن يسعى المجتمع الدولي لوضع حداً للجرائم الإسرائيلية بحق الأسرى.

فلسطين اليوم - أسرى "هداريم" يعانون من نقص الملابس والأغطية الشتوية
يعاني أسرى سجن "هداريم" من نقص في الملابس والأغطية الشتوية. واشتكى الأسرى لمحامي هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين يوسف نصاصرة، من عدم سماح إدارة السجن لذويهم من إدخال الملابس والأغطية الشتوية لهم خلال الزيارات، حيث يعاني الأسرى في معظم الغرف من نقص فيها.

اقتصاد وتنمية

البحر الميت: “أملاح الضفة الغربية” تستقبل وفدا من “بال تريد”
زار وفد من مركز التجارة الفلسطيني “بال تريد”، مقر شركة “أملاح الضفة الغربية” في منطقة البحر الميت، حيث بحث مع ادارتها آفاق التعاون لجهة الاستفادة من برامج المركز في ترويج الصادرات الفلسطينية. وكان في استقبال الوفد، مديرها العام حسام الحلاق، ومديرها التسويقي منذر حمدان، حيث تم بحث عدد من المسائل ذات الاهتمام المشترك.

"إعمار غزة" تبدأ إعادة إعمار مستشفى الوفاء
بدأت الهيئة العربية الدولية لإعمار غزة مشروع إعادة إعمار مستشفى الوفاء للتأهيل الطبي والجراحات التخصصية، حيث سلمت صباح اليوم شركة المقاولات المنفذة لموقع المشروع الجديد في وسط مدينة غزة بمجمع أبو خضرة سابقا.

غرق 20 منزلاً في غزة بفعل الأمطار
تسببت مياه الأمطار الغزيرة التي تساقطت منذ الليلة الماضية، بغرق نحو 20 منزلا في مناطق متفرقة بقطاع غزة. وأفادت مصادر محلية جنوب القطاع، بأن طواقم الدفاع المدني عملت على إجلاء ثلاث عائلات غرقت منازلها قرب منطقة النجيلي غرب رفح، بسبب تجمع مياه الأمطار.

سلطة الطاقة تحذر من توقف محطة كهرباء غزة
حذرت سلطة الطاقة في قطاع غزة من توقف محطة كهرباء غزة بدعوى اعادة فرض كامل الضرائب على اسعار الوقود الخاص بالمحطة.

عنف المستوطنين

منح مستوطنين قروضاً مقابل رهن أراضٍ فلسطينية خاصة
منح مصرف إسرائيل أموالاً لشركة "أمانا" الاستيطانية، مقابل رهن أراضٍ بملكية فلسطينية خاصة، حيث استخدمت هذه الأموال لإقامة مبانٍ في البؤرتين الاستيطانيتين العشوائيتين "عمونا" و"ميغرون".

متطرفون يهود يواصلون اقتحاماتهم للمسجد الأقصى في القدس المحتلة
واصل متطرفون يهود اقتحاماتهم للمسجد الأقصى داخل البلدة القديمة من القدس المحتلة عن طريق باب المغاربة وبحراسة شديدة من شرطة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي وقواتها الخاصة بينما حاول عدد من المتطرفين إقامة طقوس تلمودية داخل المسجد. واقتحم المتطرفون المسجد بلباس تلمودي تقليدي فيما كان بينهم عدد من الحاخامات المتطرفين.

إصابة فلسطينييْن بعملية طعن في بئر السبع
أصيب فلسطينيان في مدينة بئر السبع جراء طعنهما في أحد شوارع المدينة من دون معرفة الأسبابغرد النص عبر تويتر. وقالت الشرطة الإسرائيلية إنها فتحت تحقيقا لمعرفة ملابسات الحادث، بينما أشارت مصادر إعلامية إلى أن مستوطنا نفذ الهجوم.

الحركة العالمية لمقاطعة إسرائيل وسحب الاستثمارات منها وفرض العقوبات عليها

حركة المقاطعة تستعد لتنظيم أسبوع مقاومة «الأبارتهايد»
تواصل حركة مقاطعة "إسرائيل" وسحب الاستثمارات منها الـ"BDS" بالتعاون والتنسيق مع كافة حركات المقاطعة المحلية والعربية والدولية، استعداداتها لتنظيم أسبوع مقاومة الأبارتهايد، وذلك في الفترة الواقعة ما بين الثامن والتاسع عشر من آذار المقبل.

ناشطون يقاطعون سفيرا إسرائيليا بجامعة أميركية
قالت صحيفة يديعوت أحرونوت الإسرائيلية إن ناشطي حركة المقاطعة العالمية "بي دي أس" قاطعوا السفير الإسرائيلي في الأمم المتحدة داني دانون أثناء محاضرة له في جامعة كولومبيا بولاية نيويورك، بينما نقل موقع إخباري إسرائيلي أن رئيس الحكومة الأسترالية الأسبق بوب هوك شن هجوما شديدا على تل أبيب بسبب سياسة الاستيطان.

فلسطينيون يقاومون قانون "التسوية" من خلال مقاطعة البضائع الإسرائيلية
رغم إعاقتها الحركية، أصرت بثينة أبو جراد (42 عاما) من سكان مدينة طولكرم شمال الضفة الغربية، على المجيء إلى مدينة رام الله وسط الضفة والمشاركة بتظاهرة ضد قانون التسوية وشرعنه المستوطنات الذي أقره الكنيست الإسرائيلي (البرلمان) أخيراً، وتجديد مقاطعة إسرائيل وبضائعها، والتي شارك فيها المئات من الفلسطينيين اليوم السبت.

قاطَعوا إسرائيل- نشطاء إسبان يواجهون أحكاما بالسجن
يواجه مجموعة من النشطاء الاسبان احكاما بالسجن الفعلي تصل مدتها الى اربعة اعوام أو اكثر بسبب مشاركتهم في فعاليات الحملة الدولية لمقاطعة اسرائيل وفرض العقوبات عليها المعروفة باسم (BDS).

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Maghreb and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Maghreb Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to maghreb@jadaliyya.com by Tuesday night of every week]

Algeria

Algeria free of landmines Algeria has officially declared itself free of landmines, meeting the nation’s obligations from the Ottawa conference.

Un chercheur algérien fait une percée dans la lutte contre le cancer et… l’exploration de la planète Mars Algerian scientist Noureddine Melikchi has recently discovered a method of analysis using lasers, which may revolutionize research on the cure for ovarian cancer, as well as the exploration of the planet Mars.

Cinéma/Bientôt un film sur Matoub Lounes Algerian film director Bachir Derrais will be dedicating an upcoming film to legendary Amazigh singer Matoub Lounes.

Algeria's shale gas dreams are a nightmare for locals BBC contributor Kieran Cooke assesses the shale gas project in Algeria and the limits to developing its fracking industry.

هل عقد الإسلاميون في الجزائر صفقة مع النظام؟ Islamist parties in Algeria form strategic alliances ahead of upcoming elections.

الأحمدية في الجزائر.. خطر حقيقي أم تضخيم إعلامي؟ In 2016, Algerian security authorities uncovered Ahmadiyya networks and arrested many of the sect’s followers. The authorities have been monitoring Ahmadi sect members, who authorities believe are spreading radical religious ideology.

Libya

UN envoy: 'Inhumane things are happening in Libya' An interview with United Nations Special Envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, on the conditions in Libya as well as possible solutions to the migrant crisis.

La Libye dans l'impasse six ans après sa révolte populaire Six years after their revolution, Libya has reached a dead-end with constant changes in government, a failing economy, and the reign of warlords.

Libye: 700 migrants interceptés Seven hundred refugees were stopped by the Libyan coastal guard on their way to Europe.

Is 'grand political bargain' in store for Libya? Russia’s increasing public support for Libyan National Army commander Hiftar has emboldened his offensive against militias in southwestern Libya.

واشنطن تعرقل تعيين فياض مبعوثا أمميا إلى ليبيا The United States objected to the United Nations Secretary-General’s choice of Salam Fayyad, former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, as Libya envoy.

أوروبا تستغل الصراع في ليبيا لتوطين المهاجرين A new clash between the Government of National Accord and the Libyan House of Representatives after the former signed a bilateral agreement with Italy regarding the fight against illegal immigration.

Morocco

Au Maroc, plus de la moitié des personnes actives n'ont pas de diplôme New statistics reveal that more than half of Morocco’s working force does not have a diploma.

Le festival Gnaoua fête ses 20 ans The annual Gnawa music festival will be celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year.

'Intimate' photos capture the daily life of Moroccan women A photo series by Ali Chraibi depicting the daily lives of Moroccan women behind closed doors.

قرى بدون رجال في المغرب Villages without men in Morocco: An Al Jazeera Documentary looks at the economic pressures facing families, and specifically women, in isolated towns of the Atlas Mountains.

تقرير: المغرب أحد أقوى المستثمرين بإفريقيا The Centre Marocain de Conjoncture predicts that development in infrastructure, energy, and services will fuel economic growth in Morocco and Africa more broadly.

Morocco Brings the Western Sahara Issue Back to the AU The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace reports on Morocco’s bid to rejoin the AU and its potential to enhance the Kingdom’s geostrategic goals.

Tunisia

Tunisie : Thala aura sa centrale électrique éolienne Wind power plants will be installed in Mateur, Sejnane, Joumine, and Béja this year.

Tunisie Poésie Ouled Ahmed : Promotion de la culture à l’école Tunisian Poetry Association Ouled Ahmed has signed an agreement with the ministry of education to help promote art and culture in schools.

UN condemns poor prison conditions in Tunisia Following his visit to Tunisian prisons, United Nations rapporteur Ben Emmerson raised concerns over abuses such as overcrowding and torture.

How Tunisia's young entrepreneurs are hoping to boost the economy Sarah Souli reports on co-working spaces in downtown Tunis and their potential to boost Tunisia’s entrepreneurship sector.

فيتش تخفض تصنيف تونس الائتماني لتراجع السياحة Fitch lowered Tunisia’s credit rating due to the retreat of tourism and slumping investment.

منصر يتهم بن تيشة بالوقوف وراء الحملة ضد المرزوقي Adnen Manser, former chief of the presidential cabinet under Moncef Marzouki, accuses Noureddine Ben Ticha, Essebsi’s policy advisor, of being behind the campaign against Marzouki.

Western Sahara

Tu navegador utiliza un bloqueador que impide que esta página funcione correctamente The stories of Sahrawi refugees, and the suffering inflicted upon them by the wall dividing the occupied nation.

Nous devons nous battre pour faire appliquer la loie The president of the Western Sahara Resource Watch Joanna Allan announces that their next challenge will be ensuring the application of the law which excludes the Western Sahara from the free trade deal between Morocco and Europe, therefore refusing to recognize the nation as part of Morocco.

By Letting Morocco Back In, The African Union Ignores Colonisation The readmission of Morocco into the African Union had led some to question the integrity of the Union, which pledged its solidarity to the Sahrawi Democratic Republic in 1966.

Moroccan police expels Spanish photographer from Western Sahara The Moroccan police force interrogated, detained, and expelled a Spanish photographer following his interaction with Sahrawi activists.

وقف الشركات الدانمركية واردات الملح من الصحراء الغربية انتصار للشعب الصحراوي The Danish salt importer Dansk Vejsalt declared that it will no longer be importing de-icing salt from the Western Sahara.

جدار من الرمال والألغام يقسم الصحراء الغربية ويفصل بين عائلاتها France 24 reports that the wall of sand and mines that separates the the Western Sahara also separates families.

Recently published Jadaliyya articles

لمحة من أحداث الحملة الانتخابية في المغرب: مجلة الوضع مع نبيلة منيب Jadaliyya co-editor Samia Errazzouki provides a glimpse of the Moroccan election campaign trail, featuring a speech from Nabila Mounib, head of the Federation of the Democratic Left and the first woman to lead a major political party in the country.

الذاكرة المجروحة Rachid Yamlouli comments on the Moroccan political experiment, the persistence of the Makhzen, and those who have made a lasting impression on the wounded national memory.

Why History Matters in Post-2011 Morocco Susan Gilson Miller offers a salutary reminder of the importance of historical memory to an understanding of the events unfolding in Morocco after the Arab revolts.

Imider vs. COP22: Understanding Climate Justice from Morocco's Peripheries In preparation for the COP22 in Marrakech, Morocco polished the most visible parts of the city and lifted its partial ban on social media, attempting to appear environmentally conscious and politically moderate. In reality, it was only hiding its social and environmental crimes in villages such as Imider, three hundred kilometers south of the environmental convention.

Why Is a Moroccan Professor Being Charged with "Endangering State Security?" An interview with history professor and 20 February Movement participant Maati Monjib, subject to a travel ban in August 2015.

A. Maria A. Kastrinou, Power, Sect and State in Syria: The Politics of Marriage and Identity amongst the Druze. London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 2016.

How has Syria, a country that was deemed “stable” by analysts only years ago, become engulfed in an utterly brutal war? Under what circumstances does intercommunal cohesion turn into sectarian strife? Focusing on the fine line between violence and intimacy in a variety of different settings in pre-war Syria, Maria Kastrinou’s Power, Sect and State in Syria addresses these questions through a multifaceted ethnographic study of Syria’s Druze community, juxtaposed with an in-depth analysis of how the pre-war Syrian state governed its ethnic and religious minorities. Her work approaches marriage as a crucial rhetoric and practice for the making of sectarian and national identity in Syria and shows its centrality in state governance, specifically in the realm of cultural policy. By conceptualizing marriage as “a site of intimacy and confrontation” (xvii), Kastrinou establishes it as a fruitful conceptual lens for exploring issues of relating in pre-war Syria and compellingly mobilises the anthropological study of kinship for an investigation into the making of the political. Focusing on the ways in which intimate relations continuously tread the fine line between harmony and violence, her work powerfully illustrates how the political comes to be forged through intimate and embodied scenes of relating.

The author’s account is committed to deconstructing reified categories like “sect” or “state”; less in order to cast them aside as “mere” constructions than to investigate, within a Foucauldian conceptual framework, the historically contingent and socially situated nature of sectarian difference and national identity and to explore, on the basis of ethnographic data, the lived (and indeed often violent) reality of these notions. A preface, introduction and final chapter frame the analysis of the ethnographic material that Kastrinou collected between 2008 and 2010 and contextualise the findings in light of the 2011 uprising and the war that followed it. The introduction moreover advances a historically grounded conceptualization of sectarianism as a specific technology of governance and representation that is inextricably linked to the rise of the modern state, rather than constituting a primordial feature of Middle Eastern societies. The remaining chapters set out to explore how sectarian identity thus constituted comes to be (re)produced, coerced and contested in Syrian intimate and public life. The book’s first three chapters address this question through a detailed ethnographic account of ritual and everyday life amongst the Druze community in Jaramana, a working and middle-class suburb of Damascus. The second half of the book then moves towards considering how sectarian difference is performed and governed on the national stage, how it is negotiated in the lives of Damascene youth and, finally, how it becomes creatively adopted as an idiom of self-reflection and social critique in contemporary Syrian performance art.   

The rich ethnography of the book’s first half allows Kastrinou to demonstrate how life-cycle events and rituals, including births, marriages and funerals, all constitute crucial elements in the making of sectarian subjects because of the ways in which they physically and symbolically draw individual bodies into the collective body of the community. At the same time this means that the body inevitably becomes a site of struggle for the negotiation of belonging and identity. The discussion of Druze endogamy in Chapter Four brings this to the fore with particular force. By focusing on the ostracization on the part of family and community of a Druze friend who married outside the sect, Kastrinou illustrates how practices of endogamy – so central for the maintenance of sectarian boundaries – always remain at risk of being defied. Endogamy emerges from this case study as a social norm that requires, simultaneously, consent, compliance and active enforcement, and as such continuously straddles the boundary between intimacy and violence.

Chapter Five goes on to trace the ambiguity between intimacy and violence as it plays out on the level of the national. An ethnography of state-sponsored folklore festivals in Syria, the chapter provides an innovative analysis of marriage as a malleable idiom that regulates relations between the state and its citizens. Departing from the observation that most performances at folklore festivals are in fact performances of marriage rituals – generically similar yet nevertheless indicative of regional and ethnic difference – Kastrinou develops a cogent analysis of the Syrian state as what she terms a “state-of-empire” (151-153). Different from a classic nation-state, she argues, the Syrian state “does not attempt to homogenise its ethnic and religious heterogeneous make-up; on the contrary, it promotes heterogeneity and ‘difference’” (151). Her analysis of folklore festivals shows how the pre-war Syrian state indeed spent considerable efforts on nurturing and publicly celebrating ‘difference’ – a difference, however, that was embraced by the state only if framed as regional, while the pronunciation of religious or ethnic difference remained proscribed. Reified in this way, “difference” would be staged at state-sponsored festivals through a discourse of cultural harmony, allowing the Syrian state to pronounce itself towards its citizens as the necessary precondition and guardian of the harmonious coexistence of difference it worked so hard to perform.

The concept of empire allows Kastrinou to highlight the particular methods and tactics of governing difference that enabled the Syrian state to rule over its heterogeneous polity in productive contradistinction to the classic nation-state model. In her usage empire refers to an ideology and practice of governance that seeks not only to manage difference but that “renders difference possible only under its [the empire’s] patronage” (152). While nation-states seek to obliterate difference, the state-of-empire as conceptualized by Kastrinou thus “aims to command difference, a difference that it itself creates as its raison d’être and which it controls in the name of empire” (152). Kastrinou accordingly reads the recurring performance of marriage rituals on the stages of folklore festivals as the controlled performance of such imperially nurtured and reified difference. Through such performances the Syrian state effectively stages itself as the guardian and patron of all unions within the nation, she argues, and in this way reinforces its central position as the necessary and inevitable precondition of harmonious coexistence in a heterogeneous world of difference.

A more explicit discussion of how this quasi-imperial governance of difference articulates with the enforced Arab nationalism of the Baathist regime would have been welcome at this point. Nevertheless, Kastrinou’s “state-of-empire” provides a useful point of departure for conceptualizing the structures of legitimacy and coercion underpinning the Syrian state, particularly in light of the current war and the breakdown of the project of imperial harmony. As Kastrinou herself notes, the ideology of cultural harmony promoted by the Syrian “state-of-empire” effectively functioned like a self-fulfilling prophecy, according to which any challenge towards the state as the guardian of harmony inevitably has to lead to discord and rupture. In the final chapter, she applies this insight to the ongoing conflict in Syria, noting that the Syrian state is likely to continue to enjoy political and ideological legitimacy as long as the opposition forces do not find an answer to the state’s vision of unity: “The fragmented nature of the opposition in Syria demonstrates that the state’s myth of cultural harmony continues to define its relationship with its citizens in times of war, as well as times of peace” (232). Kastrinou’s analysis thus provides one explanation to what has often been framed as the astonishing ability of the regime to cling to power even after more than five years of devastating civil war.

The last two chapters of the book continue to trace the interplay between violence and intimacy at two further ethnographic sites. Chapter Six focuses on the politics of youth in Damascus, providing an account of how young Syrian men and women accommodate, negotiate and at times defy the authority of parents, communities and the state. Issues of marriage emerge here as a crucial point where such authority is both enacted and defied. Chapter Seven then moves on to investigate the critical appropriation of the idiom of marriage by the Syrian dance troupe Leish (Why). Kastrinou’s analysis focuses on one of the troupe’s performances, entitled Alf Mabrouk (Congratulations), which stages a gender-divided marriage ritual that explores the conflicts between personal desire and social obligation. In the play, endogamy is performed as a social and ritual convention that restricts bodies in their desire for others. Endogamy in this way emerges yet again as a process of boundary making where intimacy can breed violence as it forcefully restricts exogamous desires while enforcing endogamous intimacy. At the same time, the chapter also gives valuable insight into the funding mechanisms and hierarchies of the pre-war Syrian cultural scene.

The heterogeneity of the material covered by Kastrinou offers an ethnographically rich account of pre-war Syrian society, even if this compromises at times the conceptual and thematic coherence of the work. The breadth of theory that the author musters for her project is impressive, though the most central theoretical contribution of the work lies perhaps with the conceptualization of “state-as-empire” as a specific formation of power aimed at governing difference through harmony. Power, Sect and State in Syria thus represents an important work for anybody seeking to comprehend “the covert kinds of violence that pre-dated the current war” (3). By detailing the mechanisms that contribute to the reification of sectarian and national communities, Kastrinou opens up an innovative path for studying the governance of difference from within the intimate spaces of ritual and everyday life.

[This is an ongoing post that will be updated regularly. It was first published on 6 December 2016. The updates appear at the bottom.]

The conflict in Yemen seems set to intensify as 2016 draws to a close. The deposed president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi returned to Aden from exile in mid-November after his government was reestablished in the southern city. This move, alongside a renewed ground campaign and the continued aerial bombardment throughout northern Yemen by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, prompted Ansar Allah—the movement commonly known as the Houthis—and the faction of the General People’s Congress party loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, to establish a “national salvation government” in Sanaa under the leadership of Abdelaziz bin Habtoor.

These latest developments seem sure to undermine whatever potential diplomatic efforts may still have had in orchestrating a sustained ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict in Yemen, and the peaceful attempts to end it, have been woefully underreported by both the alternative press (Jadaliyya included) and the mainstream media. When it has been covered, journalists—taking their cue from government spokespersons and think tank experts—have tended to reduce the conflict to a proxy war between Hadi’s internationally-recognized and Saudi-backed “legitimate” government and the Iranian-allied Ansar Allah rebels in an inherently unstable country.

This framework has the unfortunate consequence of 1) obscuring the role that US imperialism has played in destabilizing and impoverishing the country; 2) misrepresenting the influence of Iran and Saudi Arabia as equivalent in Yemen; and 3) erasing the internal historical conditions that led to the political crisis. Instead, what has transpired since Ansar Allah and its allies took control of the capital in September 2014 is more the unraveling of a northern-based historic bloc and the disastrous effects of the post-uprising counterrevolutionary “transition” plan that sought to shore up the interests of Gulf autocracies at the expense of the democratic aspirations of Yemen’s people. Those in the southern highlands and coastal regions have paid an especially high cost, as Ansar Allah and Saleh forces contend with Hadi loyalists, Salafi and Al-Qa‘ida in the Arabian Peninsula militants, popular resistance groups, and secessionist fighters (sometimes allied with each other, other times against) for control. The fulfillment of their desire for self rule, whether in a federated political system or as an independent state, seems further away than ever. In the wake of this frustration and suffering, an autochthonous politics is emerging, with hundreds of civilians of northern “origins” attacked and expelled from their homes in southern areas.

Without doubt, the Ansar Allah-Saleh alliance has caused its share of suffering, but Saudi Arabia’s war on Yemen has transformed an internal political crisis into a full-fledged humanitarian emergency. Its bombing campaigns—for which the United States and United Kingdom continue to supply arms and provide intelligence and targeting information—have led to the majority of the over ten thousand deaths documented from this conflict, with attacks on funerals, weddings, hospitals, schools, markets, homes, and fishing ports killing thousands of civilians. Meanwhile, its air and sea blockade of the country has exacerbated the poverty and food insecurity of Yemen to such an extent that roughly twenty million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance.

In the coming months, a number of regional and global developments will have a significant impact on the course of events in Yemen:

1. The inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on 20 January raises questions about how shifts in US foreign policy will affect the Yemeni conflict, especially with regard to US relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran.
2. The role of Iran in the conflict has been small, despite the tremendously overblown claims by Saudi Arabia and certain segments of the mainstream media and political establishment. Ansar Allah itself has keenly refuted any accusation of undue influence and just last week publicly warned Iran of any regional designs it might have. However, a small Iranian naval fleet has now been deployed off the southern coast of Yemen after the United States targeted Ansar Allah sites with cruise missiles in late October—it is unclear to what extent the situation may escalate.
3. The war in Syria and the geopolitical interests involved have largely overshadowed, and in part governed, how regional and global powers have operated in the Yemeni conflict. That will continue to be the case if and when those forces in Syria realign in the coming months.

With a number of other political developments on the horizon, the outcome of the Yemeni conflict is increasingly uncertain. We will continue to update this account as events unfold. Your comments on what we may have missed, or contributions in the form of links and developments, are welcome at ap@jadaliyya.com.
 

5 December 2016                                         

“The Saudi-led coalition has been accused of bombing multiple international hospitals run by the charity Médecins Sans Frontières, as well as schools, funerals and wedding parties. Strikes on a wedding in September killed 131 people, including children, in the capital Sanaa.”
 

Boris Johnson says 'we do not think the threshold has been crossed' by Saudi Arabia's bombing of Yemen
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-threshold-crossed-saudi-arabia-yemen-british-weapons-bae-systems-arms-trade-andrew-a7454731.html

5 December 2016                                         

“Every day children are perishing in rural Yemen, where two-thirds of the nation’s population lives. Parents are forced to decide between saving their sick children and preventing healthier ones from following the same perilous route. Cemeteries in this desperately poor and rugged stretch of villages in the northwest contain the bodies of children who have recently died of hunger and preventable diseases. Most are buried in unmarked graves, their deaths unreported to authorities.”

In Yemen’s war, trapped families ask: Which child should we save?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/in-yemens-war-trapped-families-ask-which-child-should-we-save/2016/11/30/c2240cf4-7d60-4132-989f-2128b077efbb_story.html?utm_term=.1b6a7733dd7e

5 December 2016                                          

“It’s sad, because Yemen has never witnessed something like this, we are experiencing a humanitarian disaster because of this war. Innocent people are dying. The heart bleeds when you think of all the tragedies. And the bombing of the funeral hall was the worst, it was one of the ugliest crimes that I have seen.

I have been a photographer in Yemen since forever, so I’m quite plugged in. When something happens, I usually get a call very quickly. On that day in October, I got a call from my nephew who lives nearby and who told me that a hall holding a funeral appeared to have been hit.”

When the heart bleeds
https://correspondent.afp.com/when-heart-bleeds  

5 December 2016                                         

“For more than a year, the Houthis have besieged government-controlled districts from their positions around the city. They have been accused of indiscriminately shelling residential areas and medical facilities and restricting deliveries of aid. Meanwhile, the pro-government fighters who control the heart of Taiz are alleged to have tortured, kidnapped and summarily killed their opponents. Both sides, but particularly the Houthis, have been accused of using snipers against innocent civilians.”

Yemen conflict: Terror of life under siege in Taiz      
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38152428

5 December 2016                                          

“The U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war on Yemen continues to be largely ignored. One reason for this is that the near-famine conditions that exist throughout much of the country and the deaths that result from them are invisible in official accounts of how many have been killed by the war. Many of the war’s victims are killed by hunger or preventable disease, and yet the warring parties have caused their deaths all the same. The humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen is every bit as terrible as any in the world, and it is probably the worst of all in some respects, but because the victims are largely cut off from the outside world their plight remains mostly unknown. Even when it is made known, it tends to be greeted by indifference because the people suffering are perceived to be on the “wrong” side or because it is an embarrassment to the U.S., Britain, and their client governments.”

The Starvation of Yemen Continues
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/the-starvation-of-yemen-continues-2/

5 December 2016                                          

تزامنت عودة هادي إلى عدن مع إصداره قرارات عسكرية شملت تغييرات كبيرة، منها تعيين اللواء الركن أحمد سيف اليافعي نائبا لرئيس «هيئة الأركان العامة»، إضافة إلى التوجيه بإرسال تعزيزات عسكرية إلى تعز تشمل «إمدادات وعتاداً عسكرياً ثقيلاً ودعماً بالمدرعات وبالجنود لحسم المعركة في المحافظة»، وفق تلك المصادر.
أما إسماعيل ولد الشيخ، فالتقى، أمس، أمير الكويت، صباح الأحمد الصباح، لبحث فرصة استكمال المشاورات التي كان للكويت دور كبير في استضافتها قبل شهور، رغم أنها لم تفض إلى نتيجة. كما التقى المبعوث الأممي، النائب الأول لرئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية الكويتي، صباح خالد الصباح، في الشأن نفسه

ولد الشيخ في الكويت... ومعركة «استعادة تعز» طور التحشيد
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269125

5 December 2016

استشهدت طفلة وأصيب والدها واثنين من إخوانها بجروح اليوم الأحد جراء غارة شنها طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي استهدفت منزلا في محافظة صعدة.
وأوضح مراسل "المسيرة نت" أن طيران العدوان استهدف منزلا في منطقة بني معين بمديرية رازح بالمحافظة ما أدى إلى استشهاد طفلة وجرح والدها واثنين من إخوانها، بالإضافة إلى تدمير المنزل وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة في محيط المنزل.
وأشار المراسل إلى أن الطفلة تم انتشالها من تحت أنقاض منزلها المدمر.
وكانت قد استشهدت امرأة وأصيبت طفلتان، في وقت سابق اليوم الأحد، في خمس غارات شنها طيران العدوان السعودي الأمريكي على مديرية باقم بمحافظة صعدة شمالي اليمن

استشهاد طفلة وإصابة والدها وأخويها في غارة للعدوان استهدفت منزلا في صعدة
http://www.almasirah.net/details.php?es_id=807&cat_id=3
 

6 December 2016  

“The siege of Yemen has taken our country back of hundreds of years. Most of the country is out of work and there are shortages of electricity, gas, food and water. For almost 600 days children have gone to bed, every single night, fearing the sound of airplanes.

Cholera is spreading here and the threat of famine is looming over millions. We are seeing scenes that remind us of Biafra, Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s. We look back to the Yemen we used to know and so little stands. Memories clash with the reality.”

In Yemen children with cancer are dying in agony
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/dec/06/in-yemen-children-with-cancer-are-dying-in-agony

6 December 2016                                         

“The explosion occurred in the remote desert area of al-Uqla in the southern province of Shabwa, the officials said, and severed the link between Yemen's gas-producing Marib region and the export terminal of Balhaf on the Arabian Sea.

Oil and gas once accounted for most of Yemen's state revenue before a civil war and military intervention led by Saudi Arabia halted their export and unleashed a humanitarian crisis.”

Qaeda militants blow up Yemen gas export pipeline: local officials
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-gas-idUSKBN13U2HA

6 December 2016                                          

“It is one testimony from a war that has caused child malnutrition rates to jump by 200% in two years. Fifty per cent of medical facilities no longer function. Some have been bombed by the Saudi-led coalition, others have ground to a halt because there is no funding. Key roads and bridges are frequently attacked, making the delivery of assistance even more difficult.”

Yemen's suffering knows no bounds as war drags on 
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38220785

6 December 2016

"نقلت وكالة «فرانس برس» عن المصدر نفسه أن هادي عارض خلال اجتماعه مع مبعوث الأمم المتحدة الخاص إلى اليمن، إسماعيل ولد الشيخ أحمد، خلال لقائهما الخميس الماضي، «خريطة الطريق» التي تقدم بها الأخير.
وضمن السقوف العالية، طلب هادي، وفق المصدر نفسه، أن يعلن كل من الرئيس اليمني السابق علي عبد الله صالح، وزعيم «جماعة أنصار الله» عبد الملك الحوثي، «تخليهما عن العمل السياسي وإلزامهما الخروج من اليمن إلى منفى اختياري لمدة عشر سنوات، وتطبيق العقوبات الدولية الصادرة عن مجلس الأمن بحقهما."

هادي يرفع سقفه: أرحل بعد نفي صالح والحوثي
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269189 

6 December 2016                                         

"نقلت رويترز عن المسؤولين أن الانفجار وقع في منطقة العقلة الصحراوية النائية بمحافظة شبوة في الجنوب وقطع الخط الواصل بين محافظة مأرب المنتجة للغاز ومرفأ بلحاف التصديري على بحر العرب.
ومثل النفط والغاز في وقت من الأوقات معظم إيرادات الدولة اليمنية قبل أن توقف الحرب الأهلية وتدخل عسكري تقوده السعودية تلك الصادرات وتتسبب في أزمة إنسانية"
 

مسلحو "القاعدة" يفجرون خط الأنابيب الوحيد لتصدير الغاز في اليمن
http://tinyurl.com/h48w5bq

6 December 2016

"تضرر قطاع الرياضة في اليمن كثيرا من الصراع الدائر بين حركة أنصار الله الحوثية وحكومة الرئيس عبد ربه منصور هادي
و تكبد هذا القطاع خسائر بمئات ملايين من الدولارات، ودُمرت عشرات المنشآت الرياضية.
ووجد كثير من الرياضيين، الذين حصدوا ألقابا لصالح اليمن في السابق، أنفسهم مضطرين إلى البحث عن عمل، بل إن بعضهم تحول إلى محاربين".

الصراع في اليمن: من بطل رياضي إلى حمال بضائع
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/media-38202373

 
6 December 2016

People in need by governorate (Acute and Moderate)
http://ochayemen.org/hno-2017/#resources

7 December 2016

“More than 7,000 people have been killed in Yemen's war and three million people have been forced to flee their homes. The UN estimates 14 million are at risk of hunger with half of those on the brink of famine.”

 
Yemen's war leaves children on the brink of famine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38229955 

7 December 2016 

“The crisis in Yemen has been overshadowed by the wars in Syria and Iraq. Barely 50% of the funding promised by donors has actually been delivered. The senior UN official in the country, Jamie McGoldrick, is clearly exasperated at the international response.

‘The politics of the situation has overcome the humanity,’ he says. ‘The humanity doesn't work anymore here. The world has turned a blind eye to what's happening in Yemen... right now we are so under-resourced for this crisis, it's extraordinary.’”

 
Yemen conflict: UN official accuses world of ignoring crisis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38220785 

7 December 2016 

“Even before the start of the conflict in March 2015, Yemen was suffering a humanitarian crisis including widespread hunger, brought on by decades of poverty and internal strife.

Around half of Yemen's 28 million people are "food insecure," according to the United Nations, and seven million of them do not know where they will get their next meal.”

The world has forgotten the Yemen war, says senior UN humanitarian official
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-war-saudi-arabia-world-forgotten-houthi-rebels-conflict-un-official-comments-a7460081.html 

7 December 2016 

“A 20 month long war, waged between a Saudi-led coalition of Gulf countries and the Government of Yemen against the Houthis, has killed and injured over 11,000 civilians, forced more than 3 million people to flee their homes and brought the economy to near collapse.

Oxfam is calling on the Saudi-led coalition to lift shipping restrictions to allow food and other vital imports to increase, and on all parties in the conflict to allow food to move freely around the country and agree a meaningful ceasefire and restart peace talks. It is also calling for rich countries to increase support to the UN aid effort which is currently only 58 per cent funded and short of over $686 million (£540m).”

Yemen: a few months away from running out of food
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-few-months-away-running-out-food 

7 December 2016 

“An investigative body set up by the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Tuesday it should apologize for a deadly attack on a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) hospital in August that the group said killed 11 people.

But the Joint Group to Assess Incidents found the coalition was not responsible for or had legitimately targeted fighters in four other incidents that rights groups blamed on Saudi-led bombings and together killed dozens of people.”

 
Investigation urges coalition apology for Yemen hospital attack
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-saudi-idUSKBN13V2JC

 
7 December 2016

"اتهم مسؤول بارز في مجال الشؤون الإنسانية بالأمم المتحدة العالم بغض الطرف عن كارثة إنسانية متفاقمة يشهدها اليمن وقال منسق الأمم المتحدة للشؤون الإنسانية في اليمن جيمي ماغولدريك لبي بي سي إن الأطفال يموتون جوعا بسبب نقص التمويل الدولي الهائل للتعامل مع تداعيات الأزمة في اليمن..
وأوضح أن البنى التحتية في اليمن قد انهارت، وأكثر من نصف السكان لا يملكون الوسائل لتلبية احتياجاتهم الأساسية.
وقال إن العالم "سيندم لعدم فعل المزيد لمساعدة اليمن" في محنته."

مسؤول أممي يحذر من كارثة إنسانية متفاقمة في اليمن ويدعو العالم للتحرك
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/middleeast-38231755

 
7 December 2016

"وعند الحدود اليمنية السعودية حيث تحدث مصدر عسكري يمني عن مقتل 4 جنود سعوديين برصاص قناصة الجيش واللجان الشعبية في مواقع الضَبْرة والمُعَنّق وقائم زَبيد بجَيزان السعودية، يأتي ذلك بعد احراق مخزن اسلحة للجيش السعودي بالتزامن مع قصف تحصيناتهم بموقع الفَريضة بجيزان، كما القت طائرات التحالف السعودي قنبلة عنقودية على جبل الدُود بجيزان وفق ما تحدث به مصدر عسكري يمني".

مقاتلات التحالف السعودي تستهدف حي سكن الضباط شمال اليمن بالقنابل العنقودية
http://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/47886/%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82

8 December 2016

“The government says the incident took place five days ago, but it appears that it was only confirmed on Tuesday. The cause of the disaster is not clear, but a minister said it was an accident. The government has asked merchant vessels and warships in the area to help search for survivors, some of whom are believed to have escaped in lifeboats.”

 
Yemen ship sinking: 35 rescued off coast
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38235043

8 December 2016

“Yemen appeared to reject the U.N. plan on Tuesday, calling it a 'dangerous international precedent' that would legitimize the rebellion against the internationally recognised government. State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a news briefing the United States was 'disappointed' by Yemen's reaction.”

U.S. urges Yemen to accept U.N.-drafted roadmap for peace talks
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-usa-idUKKBN13W2MR

8 December 2016

“The Treasury added Al-Hasan Ali Ali Abkar, Abdallah Faysal Sadiq al-Ahdal and the Rahmah Charitable Organization to its list of specially designated nationals and entities that support or engage in terrorism. It said the Rahmah Charitable Organization acted as a "front organization" for the group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).”
 

U.S. sanctions two Yemenis, charity tied to al Qaeda in Yemen
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-terrorism-idUSKBN13W22G 

8 December 2016

“(Beirut) – The Saudi Arabia-led coalition killed several dozen civilians in three apparently unlawful airstrikes in September and October 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. The coalition’s use of United States-supplied weapons in two of the strikes, including a bomb delivered to Saudi Arabia well into the conflict, puts the US at risk of complicity in unlawful attacks.”

Yemen: US-Made Bombs Used in Unlawful Airstrikes
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/12/08/yemen-us-made-bombs-used-unlawful-airstrikes

9 December 2016

“This is Sa’ada, ground zero of the 20-month Saudi campaign in Yemen, a largely forgotten conflict that has killed more than 10,000, uprooted 3 million and left perhaps 14 million – more than half the country – short of food, many on the brink of starvation.”

'Everything is over now': the last survivors in Yemen's ground zero
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/09/everything-is-over-now-the-last-survivors-in-yemens-ground-zero

 
9 December 2016

“Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is extremely concerned about the recent declaration made by the official spokesperson of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) on Yemen, Mansour Ahmad Al-Mansour, about the bombing of Abs hospital, in Hajjah governorate, on 15 August 2016. This public declaration does not reflect the conversations MSF had in Saudi Arabia with the JIAT and military forces after the attack. MSF also conducted its own investigation into the incident, which has been shared with the Saudi authorities.”

 
Yemen: Saudi-led airstrike on Abs hospital cannot be justified as "unintentional error"
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-saudi-led-airstrike-abs-hospital-cannot-be-justified-unintentional-error

9 December 2016

“The US knew that the Saudi-led coalition was committing abuses in Yemen, but they sold them this weapon anyway.

31 civilians were killed, including 3 children.”
 

Human Rights Watch
https://www.facebook.com/HumanRightsWatch/videos/10154733869264354/                  

9 December 2016

“Johnson lamented as a mistake Britain's 1968 decision to shut its Gulf military bases, which had helped anchor its global empire for more than a century, and said Britain now sought to restore the influence he suggested it had lost in the decades since.

‘Britain is back east of Suez, not as the greatest military power on earth ... but as a nation that is active in and deeply committed to the region.’”

UK’s Johnson courts Gulf after Saudi comments draw putdown
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-gulf-johnson-idUSKBN13Y2HG            

         

10 December 2016

“A suicide bomber killed at least 50 Yemeni soldiers at a base in the city of Aden, a local security official said, in another major attack claimed by Islamic State on forces allied to a Saudi-led military coalition.”

Suicide bomber kills at least 50 Yemeni troops in Aden
http://news.trust.org/item/20161210143958-lsmbh/                                   

12 December 2016

“Nearly 2.2 million children in Yemen are acutely malnourished and require urgent care. At least 462,000 children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a drastic increase of almost 200 per cent since 2014. An additional 1.7 million children suffer from Moderate Acute Malnutrition.”
 

Malnutrition among children in Yemen at an all-time high, warns UNICEF
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/malnutrition-amongst-children-yemen-all-time-high-warns-unicef-enar

12 December 2016

“BBC Arabic's Nawal al-Maghafi is one of the first journalists to report from the rebel stronghold of Saada, in the north - one of the places hardest hit by the Saudi-led air campaign, which began in March 2015.”

Yemen’s war: Inside the rebels’ battered stronghold
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38297304

12 December 2016

شهدت محافظة صعدة مؤخرا معارك ضارية بين الحوثيين والقوات الحكومية مدعومة بقوات التحالف العربي بقيادة السعودية.

بي بي سي ترصد الأوضاع في مدينة صعدة اليمنية
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/media-38300175

13 December 2016

“The United States has decided to limit military support to Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen because of concerns over widespread civilian casualties and will halt a planned arms sale to the kingdom.”

U.S. to halt some arms sales to Saudi, citing civilian deaths in Yemen campaign
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudiarabia-yemen-exclusive-idUSKBN1421UK
 

14 December 2016

“It comes amid reported discoveries of Britain-made weapons in bombed parts of the country.

Prime Minister Abdulaziz bin Habtour claimed the UK Government cared more about making profits from arms sales than the humanitarian crisis enveloping his country.”
 

Yemen's Prime Minister accuses UK of war crimes
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/yemen-prime-minister-uk-war-crimes-abdulaziz-bin-habtour-a7473001.html

14 December 2016

“It was not immediately clear who killed the men and why, but Aden al-Ghad said the condition of the bodies suggested they had been dumped there more than a month ago.

Yemen's second largest city has been suffering from lawlessness, as armed groups including Islamic State and al Qaeda continue to maintain influence nearly a year and-a-half after supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backed by Arab coalition troops, drove the Iran-aligned Houthis out.”
 

Eleven headless bodies found in Yemen's port city Aden: news website
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-bodies-idUSKBN1430FP

 

“It was the latest in a series of strikes by pilotless planes, believed to be operated by the United States, in war-torn Yemen.

The officials said the vehicle was traveling on a main road between the Marib governorate and al-Jawf when it was attacked.”
 

Four suspected al Qaeda members killed in drone strike in Yemen: officials
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1422I7

14 December 2016

"وأضاف أنه في الوقت الذي تلغي واشنطن بعض مبيعات الأسلحة للسعودية، إلا أنها ستواصل تزويد الرياض بالمعلومات الاستخباراتية التي تركز على الأمن على حدود البلاد.

وأشار برايز إلى أن " الولايات المتحدة ستوفر تدريباً للطيارين المشاركين في الضربات الجوية في اليمن لتفادي سقوط ضحايا مدنيين".

وأردف أن الولايات المتحدة ستمضي قدماً في الكثير من العقود المبرمة بين البلدين ومنها، بيع طائرات هليكوبتر عسكرية تقدر قيمتها بثلاثة ملايين دولار أمريكي."

 

الولايات المتحدة ستحد من مبيعات الأسلحة للسعودية بسبب الضربات في اليمن
http://www.bbc.com/arabic/middleeast-38311421

14 December 2016

وقالت «اليونيسف» في بيان أمس الاول «يموت في اليمن على الأقل طفلاً واحداً كل عشر دقائق بسبب أمراض يمكن الوقاية منها، مثل الإسهال وسوء التغذية والتهاب الجهاز التنفسي».

وأضافت «يعاني حوالي 2,2 مليون طفل يمني من سوء التغذية الحاد ويحتاجون إلى العناية العاجلة»، موضحة أن «بين هؤلاء الأطفال 462 ألف طفل على الأقل يعانون «من سوء التغذية الحاد الوخيم»، في زيادة كبيرة «تصل إلى 200 في المئة مقارنة بالعام 2014».

اليمن: طفل يموت كل عشر دقائق
https://assafir.com/Article/1/520222

21 December 2016

“An investigation into the worst attack in Yemen’s war.”
 

The Funeral Bombing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0872zds/our-world-the-funeral-bombing

22 December 2016

“Since war broke out in Yemen in March 2015, the fabric of the country has been disintegrating and the population of 27.4 million suffering untold hardship and misery. The situation there has been described as a ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ and without help many more people, especially children, will die from violence, lack of food and water, illness or disease. Ayman Gharaibeh, UNHCR’s Representative to Yemen, is leading the UN Refugee Agency’s humanitarian operations and response across the country. The experienced humanitarian aid worker previously served in Yemen with UNHCR from 1992 to 1994. Gharaibeh spoke to Public Information Officer Shabia Mantoo about the desperate situation there.”

 

Q&A: Yemenis face a ‘struggle for survival’
http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2016/12/5858eb774/qa-yemenis-face-struggle-survival.html

22 December 2016

"منذ ﺳﻴﻄﺮﺓ دول التحالف على جنوب اليمن، في تموز 2015، ازداد نشاط عناصر تنظيمي «ﺍﻟﻘﺎﻋﺪﺓ» ﻭ«ﺩﺍﻋﺶ» في مختلف مدنه الرئيسية، وعمد الاثنان إلى تصفية ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺎﺩﺍﺕ ﺍﻷ‌ﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺴﻜﺮﻳﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻘﻀﺎﺋﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﻴﺎﺳﻴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺤﺰﺑﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺭﺯﺓ، إما بإطلاق الرﺻﺎﺹ من على متن ﺍﻟﺪﺭاﺟﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺭﻳﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﻴﺎﺭﺍت، وإما بعشرات الجرائم ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻈﻤﺔ التي ﺷﻤﻠﺖ عمليات الإعدام الجماعي، وليس أخيراً تنفيذ الهجمات ﺍﻻ‌ﻧﺘﺤﺎﺭﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﻷ‌ﺣﺰﻣﺔ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺳﻔﺔ وباﻟﺴﻴﺎﺭﺍﺕ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺨﺨﺔ.

لا يزال أبناء الجنوب يسلمون رقابهم إلى السعودية، رغم أن المخطط الاستعماري الجديد/القديم الهادف إلى ﺇﻓﺮﺍﻍ ﺍﻟﺠﻨﻮﺏ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻮﺍﺩﺭﻩ ﻭﻗﻴﺎﺩﺍﺗﻪ الفعالة، واضح للعيان. حالياً، صارت محافظات الجنوب ومدنه مثل جزر معزولة عن كتلة المساحة الجنوبية الموحدة، فضلاً

على أن ممرات الجنوب المائية اﻻ‌ﺳﺘﺮﺍﺗﻴﺠﻴﺔ تحت سيطرة التحالفات الدولية وأدواتها المختلفة"

عودة مشاريع الموت إلى عدن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/269906

22 December 2016

“What happens when you can’t leave? That’s the story of abandoned zoos in wartime. It’s the story unfolding now for the animals in Yemen’s Taiz Zoological Gardens, neglected in the cross fire of the country’s civil war. Here 28 Arabian leopards, critically endangered in the wild, haven’t eaten in six days. They and nearly 240 other animals face imminent death if they aren’t fed very soon.”
 

War-Torn Yemen Is Letting Its Zoo Animals Starve to Death
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/12/wildlife-watch-taiz-zoo-animals-starving-leopard-war/

22 December 2016

“Fighting in Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, has severely compounded needs arising from long years of poverty and insecurity. The worsening violence has disrupted millions of lives, resulting in widespread casualties and massive displacement, and the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

Civilians bear the brunt of the crisis, with 18.8 million Yemenis now in need of humanitarian assistance. Those forced to flee their homes are especially at risk. Over 2 million people now languish in desperate conditions, away from home and deprived of basic needs. The situation is so dire that 1 million displaced Yemenis have lost hope and tried to return home, even though it is not yet safe.

Yemen is facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Without help, many more lives will be lost to violence, treatable illnesses or lack of food, water and shelter.”
 

The world cannot afford to let Yemen slip into the abyss
http://www.unhcr.org/yemen-emergency.html


22 December 2016

“At Al-Salam Hospital in Khamir, MSF is involved in the emergency, surgery, maternity, pediatric, inpatient and intensive care departments, and collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health to improve medical services. We also support the blood bank and laboratory.

During my time there as Head Nurse, we treated many children for malnutrition and severe diarrhea, as well as respiratory infections and malaria. For women, we managed a lot of very complicated obstetric cases. For men, it was trauma: mostly gunshot wounds and road traffic accidents.”
 

Yemen: Six Months Inside a Forgotten War
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/yemen-six-months-inside-forgotten-war

23 December 2016

“The Saudi Arabia-led coalition fired Brazilian-made rockets containing banned cluster munitions that struck near two schools in the northern Yemeni city of Saada on December 6, 2016, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack on al-Dhubat neighborhood in Saada’s Old City at about 8 p.m. killed two civilians and wounded at least six, including a child.

The attack came a day after Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the United States abstained from a vote in the United Nations General Assembly that overwhelmingly endorsed an already widely accepted international ban on cluster munition use. Brazil should join the Convention on Cluster Munitions and cease the production and transfer of cluster munitions, while Saudi Arabia and other coalition members should cease all use of cluster munitions, Human Rights Watch said.”
 

Yemen: Brazil-Made Cluster Munitions Harm Civilians
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/12/23/yemen-brazil-made-cluster-munitions-harm-civilians

23 December 2016

“All the crew members of the Iranian ship were Pakistani nationals, and it is believed the targeted blast has resulted in seven fatalities. Miraculously though, there was one survivor. A man identified as Officer Kabir managed to stay alive by fleeing the ship and swimming safely to the Hodeidah port, where he was later hospitalised. Kabir remains in a state of trauma.

One body so far has been recovered and identified as crew member Suhail Ahmed. The other six bodies are still unaccounted for.

As of now, nobody has taken responsibility for the attack although local insurgent groups in the area have been known to pledge allegiance to Daesh.”
 

Seven Dead After Rocket Sinks Cargo Ship
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/7_dead_after_rocket_sinks_cargo_ship

23 December 2016

“I hesitate to use the term ‘lie,’ but we have learned through experience that British ministers cannot be trusted to tell the truth when they make statements about the Yemen.

The latest manifestation of this pernicious culture of falsehood concerns Philip Dunne, then defence minister, who told parliament in May that ‘we assess that no UK-supplied cluster weapons have been used and no UK-supplied aircraft have been involved in the use of cluster weapons in the current conflict in Yemen.’

This Monday, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was obliged to tell MPs that British-made cluster bombs had indeed been dropped on Yemen by Saudi Arabia.”
 

The Fake News the UK Government has Fed Us about Yemen
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/fake-news-british-government-has-fed-us-about-yemen-206628139

 

24 December 2016

“Amal is 13 years-old, a schoolgirl living a never ending nightmare of death, fear, destruction, horror and uncertainty.

In the past four months, the softly-spoken little girl has survived a missile attack on her school that killed a teacher and classmates, burying some alive.”
 

Hell of schoolgirl living in Yemen's 'forgotten conflict' revealed
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4048538/Hell-schoolgirl-living-Yemen-s-forgotten-conflict-revealed-Amal-13-crawls-dark-avoid-snipers-haunted-horror-seeing-teacher-blown-missile-strike.html
 

24 December 2016

“At least eight civilians died in an airstrike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the central Yemeni province of Ibb.

The airstrike hit a village in the western part of the province, Sputnik quoted a local source as saying.

All the victims are members of one family, the source added.”
 

Saudi-led Strike Kills Eight People in Central Yemen
http://english.almanar.com.lb/144890

24 December 2016

“Yemen’s second largest city and once its commercial hub, Aden was intended to be a model of Hadi’s legitimacy.

Instead it has become a sign of Yemen’s woes. Multiple armed groups compete for influence, chief among them a force known as the Security Belt, created and funded by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and their allies.”
 

Yemen’s Would-Be Model, Aden plagued by bombs, instability
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/yemens-would-be-model-aden-plagued-by-bombs-instability/2016/12/24/abf91170-c9a4-11e6-acda-59924caa2450_story.html?utm_term=.2dd8ca0a7348

26 December 2016

“Yemeni army snipers claim they shot dead six Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's Najran Province in "retaliatory attacks".

According to the Al Masirah television channel, which is owned by Yemen's rebel Houthi government, the troops were killed in cross border fire at military bases inside Saudi Arabia, in Sharjah and Tal'a.”
 

Yemeni army claims snipers shot dead six Saudi soldiers
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemeni-army-claims-snipers-shot-dead-six-saudi-soldiers-a7495041.html
 

26 December 2016

“Child mortality rates — already unacceptably high before conflict broke out — have increased. An additional 10,000 preventable deaths per year are now occurring. These children are the invisible causalities of Yemen's war. Another 1,219 children have died as a direct result of the fighting. The country's fragile health system is collapsing. A fiscal crisis and the country's failing economy have led to chronic shortages of essential drugs and equipment. Health workers and doctors have gone unpaid since August 2016.”
 

Struggling to survive: Stories from Yemen’s collapsing health system
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/struggling-survive-stories-yemen-s-collapsing-health-system
 

26 December 2016

“Accusing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry of encouraging the Houthis to evade surrender, Hadi said he won’t accept any peace agreement that doesn’t also include a power transition deal from the Gulf Cooperation Council and national reconciliation talks, the government-controlled state Saba news agency reported.

Hadi was referring to a road map that emerged after a foreign ministers’ meeting in Oman suggesting that the president transfer his authority to a vice president agreed to by all actors, including the Houthis. Kerry was quoted as saying Saudi Arabia, which has backed Hadi’s government, and the Houthis had agreed on a plan to end the conflict -- without mentioning the government itself.”
 

Yemen President Warns of No Peace Without Houthis’ Withdrawal
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-26/yemen-president-warns-of-no-peace-without-houthis-withdrawal

26 December 2016

"أعلنت «جماعة أنصار الله» أنها قصفت الأحياء الجنوبية لمدينة نجران، جنوبي السعودية، بعشرات قذائف المدفعية والكاتيوشا، التي استهدفت محطة كهرباء في المدينة، فضلاً عن مهاجمة موقع السديس العسكري وتدمير ثلاث مدرعات سعودية."

أنصار الله تقصف نجران... وتقرير جديد عن قنابل عنقودية
http://al-akhbar.com/node/270124

27 December 2016

“Abdullah ­al-Haimi walked through the wasteland, pointing out the damage at a now-closed cement plant. A warehouse here, broken beams protruding. A quarry there, littered with shrapnel.

In total, he said, the complex had been bombed 53 times in the past year and a half — all by Saudi-led coalition warplanes, aided by the United States.

One strike at the main entrance killed 15 people, including an ice-cream vendor outside the gate.

But for Haimi, a manager at the plant in western central Yemen, the greatest destruction has occurred far beyond the perimeter of the state-owned facility. The lives of the 1,500 employees, and thousands of relatives who depended on them, have been shattered.”
 

The latest casualty of Yemen’s war? A small but vital middle class.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-latest-casualty-of-yemens-war-a-small-but-vital-middle-class/2016/12/26/07e051ba-e2a5-4f3f-b784-c4ed7a60fba2_story.html?utm_term=.766b1369ae36

28 December 2016

“The impact of the conflict on people’s physical and mental health cannot be overstated. In addition to tens of thousands of war-related injuries, MSF teams regularly treat large numbers of patients for acute post-violence stress syndrome. Patients report generalized symptoms such as body pain, headaches, and chest pains related to the physical and mental trauma they have endured. According to UNOCHA, nearly three million people were displaced by conflict within the country as of September 2016.”
 

 Yemen: Escalating Conflict, Escalating Needs
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/yemen-escalating-conflict-escalating-needs

28 December 2016

“بعد واحد وعشرين شهراً من العدوان على اليمن، باتت الأرض في صعدة وحجة، وهما محافظتان حدوديتان، مثقلة بآلاف القنابل العنقودية وأطنان الذخائر والأسلحة المُحرّمة التي يُلقيها طيران تحالف العدوان يومياً على كل شيء يقع في مرماها. هذه القنابل، يقع الأطفال والنساء في رأس قائمة ضحاياها قتلاً أو إعاقة بسبب فقدان أعضاء في أجسامهم، فضلاً عمّن يُقتلون مباشرة بقنابل تُلقى بالعشرات على الأحياء السكنية والقرى”.
 

السعودية تردّ... بالمزيد من القنابل العنقودية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270179

29 December 2016

“The US-Saudi aggression fighter jets launched a series of raids on separated areas of Sana'a province overnight, a security official told Saba on Thursday.

The hostile strikes targeted the districts of Sanhan, Bani Matar, Alhayma Addakheliya and Nehm, causing severe damage to private property and farms of citizens, the official explained.”
 

Saudi aggression war jets wage raids on Sana'a
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news451075.htm

29 December 2016

“Fears about looting have also spread to Houthi-controlled areas of Taiz, where some residents told MEE they considered the Houthis to be their guards.

Anas al-Samei, a resident of Taiz's al-Hawban neighbourhood said he did not want to see the area become a conflict zone or fall under the control of the resistance.

“When the Houthis took over al-Hawban in March 2015, they did not loot our houses, but if the resistance liberates it, its fighters will loot and destroy our houses," Samei told MEE.

He pointed out that he supports a political solution to Yemen’s war, hoping that the resistance will stop fighting while the warring sides negotiate a peace settlement.”
 

Shooting and looting: 'Liberated' Taiz residents say they have lost everything
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-taiz-looting-2054344058

29 December 2016

“Ultimately, if I have a simple message as a Syrian to all the Yemenis I have met or haven’t met and for others to hear: We are unified in our misery, my friends, and despite that, I really do believe that just like in Syria, you and we will pick up the pieces together once the bullets and bombs have been silenced, and   we will move forward towards something better.”
 

Yemen Through a Syrian Lens
http://aljumhuriya.net/en/yemen/yemen-through-a-syrian-lens


29 December 2016

“بعد مرور أكثر من 20 شهراً على اندلاع الحرب السعودية على اليمن في آذار/مارس 2015، تبدو جردة الحساب مُراوِحَة ضمن ما كان متوقعاً منذ ذلك التاريخ؛ حربٌ قياسية زمنياً، تُختبر فيها شتى أنواع التجارب العسكرية، ولا يتحقق أي من أهدافها الرئيسة، رغم ما يحظى به «التحالف العربي» الذي تقوده الرياض من دعم وتغطية من الولايات المتحدة وبريطانيا، منذ أكثر من 600 يوم على الحرب.”

اليمن 2016: السعودية هُزِمت
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270234

29 December 2016

“The Yemeni army began a massive offensive yesterday to retake areas in Bayhan and Asilan districts in the southern province of Shabwa, as fighting continue in the mountainous region of Naham northeast of Sana’a continued.”
 

Yemen launches major offensive in Shabwa province
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161229-yemen-launches-major-offensive-in-shabwa-province/

29 December 2016

“منذ نحو خمسة أيام مضت، تشن قوات هادي هجوماً عنيفاً على عدد من مناطق مديرية نهم، التي تعد من أكبر مديريات محافظة صنعاء، وتزيد مساحتها على 1840 كلم مربع. شملت المواجهات منطقة محلي وجنوب وادي محلي، ثم امتدت إلى جبل المريحا والتلال المقابلة لجبل القتب الاستراتيجي، كذلك اشتدت الاشتباكات في منطقة وادي ملح القريبة من جبل هيلان الاستراتيجي، الذي يشرف على مدينة مأرب.

وفي ظل وصول تعزيزات كبيرة لقوات هادي من محافظة مأرب، اتسع نطاق المواجهات إلى منطقة المدفون وجبل المنارة الاستراتيجي القريب من نقيل بن غيلان، الذي يبعد قرابة 30 كلم عن العاصمة صنعاء. وللمرة الأولى، تشارك بجانب أنواع الأسلحة المختلفة، طائرات «الأباتشي» التابعة للسعودية، فضلاً عن طائرات «إف ــ 16»، لكنها كانت مشاركة محدودة لم تخرج من نطاق الكر والفر خاصة في حال اشتداد المعارك.”

التحالف ينكسر مجدداً على أبواب صنعاء
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/270236

30 December 2016

“Surviving even birth is a struggle in Yemen. After nearly two years of war, thousands of children and adults have died from easily treatable diseases, illnesses and injuries as the health-care system collapses.

The situation is deteriorating quickly. Vital drugs, vaccines and medical equipment often cannot enter the country because of an air, sea and land blockade imposed by the coalition. Because of a banking crisis, traders cannot afford to import wheat and other staple foods, triggering alarms that hunger and illness could soon worsen. Government medical workers have not been paid in four months.”
 

‘Sometimes the baby dies; sometimes the mother’: Life and death in Yemen’s hospitals
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/sometimes-the-baby-dies-sometimes-the-mother-life-and-death-in-yemens-hospitals/2016/12/29/cdbf853c-c6e3-11e6-acda-59924caa2450_story.html?utm_term=.8b063229426c

30 December 2016

“A drone strike in Yemen likely carried out by US forces yesterday has killed a local Al-Qaeda chief and his guard, according to a local security official.

The strike hit a car at Sawmaa in Al-Bayda province, killing Jalal Al-Seydi, who was the Emir of Al-Qaeda in the town of Lauder, situated in the neighbouring province of Abyan. Both Al-Bayda and Abyan are known for being Al-Qaeda strongholds. Yesterday, the US military said it killed 28 members of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in nine strikes in Yemen since September.”
 

US drones killed 28 Al-Qaeda members in Yemen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161230-us-drones-killed-28-al-qaeda-members-in-yemen/

01 January 2017

“The meeting discussed the challenges facing the company and direct or indirect damage left by the US-Saudi aggression war and the siege on the company and oil and gas sector.

The company revealed that nearly seven million barrels of oil and gas have been re-injected into wells due to preventing the export of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, which caused significant losses to Yemen.”

Oil Minister: Safer Company is biggest revenue facility in Yemen
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news451442.htm 

01 January 2017

“As of 28 December, a cumulative total of 12 733 suspected cases of cholera, including 97 associated deaths have been reported across all affected governorates, with a case–fatality rate of 0.76%. To date, 163 stool samples have tested positive for Vibrio Cholerae 01.

The affected areas include 135 districts in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, Al-Bayda’a, Al-Dhale’a, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Amran, Dhamar, Hajjah, Ta’izz as well as Sana’a City. Recent cases have also been reported for additional districts in Ibb, Lahij, Raymah and Sana’a governorates.

The majority (nearly 60%) of cases and deaths reported so far have been in the governorates of Aden, Ibb, Ta’izz and Al Hudaydah.”
 

Yemen: 1,000 additional cholera cases reported
http://outbreaknewstoday.com/yemen-1000-additional-cholera-cases-reported-82682/

02 January 2017

“As the first light of dawn trickles in through the hospital window, 19-year-old Mohammed Ali learns that his two-year-old cousin has died of hunger. But he has to remain strong for his little brother Mohannad, who could be next.

He holds his brother's hand as the five-year-old struggles to breathe, his skin stretched tight over tiny ribs. "I have already lost a cousin to malnutrition today, I can't lose my little brother," he says.”
 

Yemen's Children Starve as War Drags On
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/yemens-children-starve-war-drags-44508227

02 January 2017

“The group's members were arrested on Sunday in Bani Matar district with at least 540 TNT explosive bars in their possessions.

Investigations revealed that the seized explosives have been stolen from an army warehouse, according to the official.”
 

TNT explosives captured in Sana'a
http://sabanews.net/en/news451473.htm

04 January 2017

“They said at least 10 other soldiers were wounded when troops were ambushed east of the coastal city of Shuqra on Tuesday. Intense clashes were continuing on Wednesday.

The sources said that Hadi forces, backed by aircraft of a Saudi-led coalition, were targeting Shuqra when they were surprised by the militants. One military vehicle overturned, another was destroyed and two were captured, they said.”
 

Three Yemeni soldiers killed in offensive against al Qaeda: sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN14O0V7?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29

04 January 2017

“Nine civilians, including five members of one family, have been killed in rebel bombing and an air strike by the pro-government coalition in war-torn Yemen, military and rebel sources said Monday.

An air strike by the Saudi-led coalition hit on Sunday a house in the province of Marib, east of the capital Sanaa, killing five members of the same family, military officials told AFP.”
 

Yemen: Bombing, air strike kill nine civilians
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/bombing-air-strike-kill-9-civilians-yemen-741746466

04 January 2017

“أفاد مصدر عسكري يمني الميادين الأربعاء بأن قوات التحالف السعودي كثّفت من قصفها الصاروخي والمدفعي على منازل المدنيين في منطقة عَيّاش بمديرية مُنَبِة الحدودية غرب محافظة صَعدة شمال اليمن، بالتزامن مع تكثيف متواصل للغارات الجوية حيث شنّت مقاتلات التحالف 12 غارة على منطقتي مَنْدَبة وآل الزَمّاح بمديرية بَاقِم الحدودية بالمحافظة ذاتها. 

كذلك أفاد مصدر عسكري للميادين عن مقتل وجرح أعداد كبيرة من قوات التحالف السعودي وقوات الرئيس عبد ربه منصور هادي في كمين محكم بصحراء البقع
بصعدة والحدودية قبالة نجران السعودية خلال الساعات الماضية”

 

الجيش واللجان يدمرون زورقاً حربياً للتحالف السعودي
https://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/49549/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4-%d9%88%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%8a%d8%af%d9%85%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%86-%d8%b2%d9%88%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a7-%d8%ad%d8%b1%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a7-%d9%84%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b9%d9%88%d8%af%d9%8a

05 January 2017

“Abdullah al-Hindi, the head of the orphanage, said that almost two years of war had decimated the economy, and there have been severe cuts to public spending.

"The orphanage is at threat of closure and the children could face loss and displacement unless there are immediate solutions from National Salvation Government and well-wishers," he told the Reuters news agency.”
 

Yemen's orphans face 'catastrophe' as fighting rages
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/yemen-orphans-170105052409798.html

05 January 2017

“Though staple foods currently remain available on local markets, elevated food prices and reduced income from sources such as farming, fishing, government salaries, and the private service sector have significantly weakened the purchasing power of many households. While recent data on food security outcomes is limited, WFP’s mVAM data and various rapid assessments suggest severe levels of food insecurity, in line with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4), in western areas. Food security outcomes are likely most severe in Ta’izz, southern coastal areas of Al Hudaydah, and amongst IDP populations.”
 

Yemen Food Security Alert, January 4, 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-food-security-alert-january-4-2017

06 January 2017

“Taiz, Yemen - A female charity worker, who campaigned to improve women's literacy in Yemen, has been murdered in a drive-by shooting in central Taiz, sparking fears of a campaign of targeted assassinations against women by "extremists".

Amat al-Aleem al-Asbahi was shot dead on 25 December by two motorcycle riders as she walked on the busy 26 September Street. Her death sent shockwaves through Taiz's activist community, who say they can no longer operate in the war-torn city in safety.”
 

Yemeni charity worker murdered, sparking fears of targeted campaign against women
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemeni-woman-activist-murdered-after-fatwa-issued-against-female-workers-189477989

06 January 2017

“وادعى المصدر أن القصف أسفر عن مقتل 6 عسكريين سعوديين وإصابة 9 آخرين بينهم ضباط.

“وأضاف أنه تم رصد عملية نقل القتلى والجرحى السعوديين إلى «مستشفى الملك خالد» بمدينة نجران
 

الحوثيون يزعمون مقتل وإصابة 15 عسكريا سعوديا بينهم ضباط في نجران
https://medium.com/thenewkhalij/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D9%88%D8%A5%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-15-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-60075316dc86#.rz1be9tra

06 January 2017

“The BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi has been granted access to the front line of the Yemen army's battle for the capital Sanaa.”
 

Yemen conflict: The front line battle for capital Sanaa
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38504068

06 January 2017

“Unexploded remnants of cluster munitions have proved deadly for Yemenis, killing or injuring at least 85 civilians, including children. After 20 months of war, the British government has finally raised the issue with Saudi Arabia, which responded by vowing to stop using this particular weapon in its ongoing Yemen campaign. But the UK's mea culpa doesn't go far enough, especially as UK officials deny another, much larger accusation - the sale of other weapons, including precision-guided munitions, which the Saudis and their allies have used in unlawful strikes against civilians and civilian structures in Yemen.”
 

Theresa May Should Come Clean on UK Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/04/theresa-may-should-come-clean-uk-arms-sales-saudi-arabia

06 January 2017

“According to al-Masirah television, the Yemeni Army, backed by fighters from the allied Popular Committees, hit a headquarters controlling joint military operations, located in al-Khadhra, near Yemen’s northern borders on Friday.

6 Saudi soldiers have been killed in the attack, and 9 others were wounded.

The fresh attack came after a tragic Thursday for Saudi Arabia.”
 

6 Saudi Forces Killed in Yemeni Attack on Najran
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2017/01/06/1289213/6-saudi-forces-killed-in-yemeni-attack-on-najran

09 January 2017

“At least 68 fighters were killed in two days of fierce battles between Yemeni forces and Houthi rebels near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, military officials said on Sunday.

The clashes erupted amid a government assault to recapture the coastal Dhubab district, just 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Bab al-Mandab which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.”
 

Dozens killed in Yemen battle for strategic strait
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/1/8/dozens-killed-in-yemen-battle-for-strategic-strait?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=sf

09 January 2017

“Living in Sanaa's Bait Bos neighbourhood, Abdulla roams the city daily, checking through rubbish piles to find something for himself and his family of 10 to eat.

'It is my daily attempt to stave off the death of my family by hunger,' he explained. 'I have become a frequent visitor of the rubbish dump. There, I also see my likes.'”
 

Starving Yemenis resort to eating rubbish
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/01/starving-yemenis-resort-eating-rubbish-170102124800887.html

09 January 2017

“'Hunger is the most dominant thought on Yemenis minds during this period,' Yasser Rayes, an author at the Yemen Times, recently wrote.

Over the past few months, several humanitarian groups have launched appeals to tackle the issue of hunger in Yemen, largely aggravated by the Saudi-led coalition's bombing of the country. As is often the case, children are the most severely affected by the crisis.”
 

Conflict in Yemen Takes Heavy Toll on Country's Children
https://globalvoices.org/2017/01/08/conflict-in-yemen-takes-heavy-toll-on-countrys-children/

09 January 2017

“Amat al-Aleem al-Asbahi, who worked to improve female literacy in the war-torn country,  was killed on 25 December by two motorcycle riders as she walked on a busy street in the city centre.

A fatwa issued by Islamic scholar Abdullah al-Odaini in September, banning women activists from mixing with men, had already curtailed Ms Asbahi and the aid community’s work, as has fierce air strikes and other violence."
 

Yemeni woman who campaigned for female literacy shot dead
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/yemen-female-literacy-campaigner-activist-amat-al-aleem-al-asbahi-woman-shot-dead-civil-war-taiz-a7513071.html

09 January 2017

“Dozens of civilians were killed and others wounded when Saudi aggression warplanes launched six strikes targeting residents near a water well in the residential area of Mocha coastal city in Taiz province, an official told Saba on Monday.

The air strikes took place late on Sunday.

The air strikes coincidently occurred with other heavy aerial attacks and continuing flying on neighboring Kahbob and Dhubab coastal areas.”
 

Saudi aggression kills residents in Mocha
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news452204.htm

10 January 2017

“A Saudi-led coalition airstrike has hit a primary school in the rebel held northern Yemeni district of Nihm, killing five people on Tuesday.

The school's headmaster and two children were among those killed, medical and military sources said. The death toll was confirmed by a medical source at Sanaa's Kuwait hospital.”
 

Staff and students killed in airstrike on Yemen school
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/1/10/staff-and-students-killed-in-airstrike-on-yemen-school

10 January 2017

“The British military has provided training to a Saudi war crimes investigations unit headed by a Bahraini judge accused of sentencing peaceful protesters to lengthy jail terms, where they were often tortured.

Campaigners say the training, which was detailed in Foreign Office documents released on Monday, make the British government complicit in both whitewashing abuses in Bahrain and the failure to properly investigate potential war crimes committed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.”
 

UK helped train Saudi unit accused of whitewashing Yemen war crimes
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-helped-train-saudi-unit-accused-whitewashing-yemen-war-crimes-828179425

10 January 2017

“تحدّث مصدر محلي للميادين عن سقوط 8 شهداء بينهم 4 طالبات ووكيل مدرسة وجرح آخرين في غارة جوية للتحالف السعودي استهدفت مدرسة الفلاح بمديرية بَاطِنَة بمديرية نِهم شمال شرق العاصمة صنعاء.

وأضاف المصدر  أنه تم نقل الجرحى جراء الغارة الجوية إلى أحد المستشفيات بالعاصمة صنعاء. ويأتي ذلك في ظل تكثيف طائرات التحالف السعودي من غاراتها الجوية على المديرية ذاتها منذ صباح الثلاثاء حيث استهدفت بسلسلة غارات جوية وادي العَصَرات ومنطقة الحَنَشَات بالمديرية”

 اليمن: سقوط 8 شهداء بينهم 4 طالبات بقصف للتحالف السعودي شرق صنعاء
http://www.almayadeen.net/news/politics/49915/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86--%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B7-8-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85-4-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%82

10 January 2017

“في ظل معاناة 14 مليون شخص في اليمن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي، خصص الاتحاد الأوربي 12 مليون يورو لدعم جهود منظمة الأمم المتحدة للأغذية والزراعة من أجل معالجة مشكلة الجوع في البلاد. 

وذكرت المنظمة أن ذلك التمويل سيستخدم لتفادي تصاعد الأزمة، وتقديم الدعم الزراعي الفوري لأكثر من 150 ألف شخص لمساعدتهم على تحسين إنتاج الغذاء”

 دعم مالي للفاو في ظل تدهور وضع الأمن الغذائي في اليمن
http://www.un.org/arabic/news/story.asp?NewsID=27919#.WHUR_vmLSUk

11 January 2017

“The battles are part of the so-called Golden Spear operation launched by the coalition and Hadi’s government and aimed at uprooting Houthis and allied forces from the western coast, starting from the strait of Bab al-Mandab and extending to the vital Red Sea ports of Mokha and Hodeida. The coalition accuses Houthis of using these ports to receive supplies of arms and ammunition from Iran.”
 

Dozens killed as fighting rages at Yemen’s Red Sea strait
http://www.sfgate.com/world/article/Dozens-killed-as-fighting-rages-at-Yemen-s-Red-10851229.php

13 January 2017

“There is abundant evidence that the high civilian death toll in Yemen is the result of deliberate--not accidental--strikes by Saudi Arabia. During its air campaign, Saudi Arabia has bombed endless civilian targets--including homes, farms, markets, factories, water infrastructure, hospitals, and children’s schools--and has even gone so far as to use internationally banned cluster weapons, which are designed to inflict damage over a wide area and often remain lethal years after being dropped.

But when secretary of state nominee and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson was asked about Saudi Arabia’s use of cluster weapons during his confirmation hearing Wednesday, he declined to answer, and suggested that the way to discourage Saudi Arabia from hitting civilians in Yemen is to provide them with additional targeting intelligence.”
 

Rex Tillerson Wants to Provide Saudi Arabia With More Help to Bomb Yemen
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/12/rex-tillerson-wants-to-provide-saudi-arabia-with-more-help-to-bomb-yemen/

13 January 2017

“British politicians have called for an independent investigation into possible breaches in humanitarian law in Yemen’s civil war as Saudi Arabia cannot be expected to lead such an inquiry.

A debate in Parliament over the “ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen” saw members on both sides of the House of Commons urging for an end to British arms sales to Saudi Arabia.”
 

British MPs urge independent inquiry into claims of Saudi war crimes in Yemen
https://www.rt.com/uk/373494-saudi-yemen-inquiry-crimes/


13 January 2017

“Spain is planning to sell warships to Saudi Arabia despite opposition from major human rights groups, which call the potential sale illegal, as Riyadh may use them in their operation against Yemen that has killed thousands of civilians.

A spokesman for Navantia, a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company, said that five Avante 2200 corvettes, which are small warships used primarily for offshore patrolling, could be sold for an estimated €2 billion ($2.1 billion), AFP reported on Thursday.”
 

Spain plans to sell warships to Saudi Arabia despite Yemen war crimes concerns
https://www.rt.com/news/373567-spain-saudi-warships-yemen/


13 January 2017

“(Beirut) – Parties to Yemen’s armed conflict violated the laws of war with impunity in 2016, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2017. Concerned governments should seek accountability for past and ongoing violations and immediately suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition has carried out military operations, supported by the United States and United Kingdom, against Houthi forces and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 2015. The coalition has unlawfully attacked homes, markets, hospitals, schools, civilian businesses, and mosques. As of October 10, 2016, at least 4,125 civilians had been killed and 6,711 wounded, the majority by coalition airstrikes, according to the United Nations human rights office.”
 

Yemen: No Accountability for War Crimes
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/12/yemen-no-accountability-war-crimes

13 January 2017

“In the midst of one of the world's worst hunger crises, Yemen's farmers urgently need support so they can grow more food and provide young people with jobs, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

Nearly two years of war between a Saudi-led Arab coalition and the Iran-allied Houthi movement has left more than half of Yemen's 28 million people facing hunger, its economy in ruins and food supplies disrupted.

Nearly half of Yemen's 22 governorates are officially rated as being in an emergency food situation, which is four on a five-point scale, where five is famine, the United Nations said last month.

'People's access to food is rapidly worsening and urgent action is needed,' said Salah Hajj Hassan, FAO representative in Yemen.

About two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for their survival, and it is one of the only sectors of the economy still functioning after years of war, according to FAO.”
 

Yemeni farmers urgently need support to help ease hunger crisis: U.N.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-hunger-idUSKBN14X1KQ

16 January 2017

“Human Rights Watch (HRW) has slammed the Saudi regime for the thousands of innocent deaths its coalition air force has perpetrated against the Yemeni's, as well as significant infrastructure destruction it has engaged in.

The annual report found that at least 4,125 civilians were killed and a further 7,207 injured between March 26, 2015 when the Saudi campaign began, and October 10, 2016.

HRW identified 'six types of air-dropped and ground-launched cluster munitions in multiple locations in Yemen, including those produced in the US and Brazil. Amnesty International has further documented the use of UK-made cluster munitions.'”
 

Human Rights Watch report identifies Saudi atrocities in Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/human-rights-watch-report-identifies-saudi-atrocities-in-yemen/


16 January 2017

“At the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen’s disastrous war has been raging for nearly two years. Somewhat overshadowed by the devastating crisis in Syria, it is nonetheless a major calamity: according to the UN, more than 10,000 people have lost their lives, while more than 20 million (of a total population of some 27 million) are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 3 million people are internally displaced, while hundreds of thousands have fled the country altogether. There are reports of looming famine as the conflict destroys food production in the country.”
 

Yemen: A calamity at the end of the Arabian Peninsula
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/yemen-a-calamity-at-the-end-of-the-arabian-peninsula-a7521841.html

16 January 2017

“A Yemeni army offensive near the Bab el-Mandeb region in the country's southwest resulted in the death of 40 Saudi-backed fighters, including their commander, local media reported Monday.”
 

Yemeni Army Kills Over 40 Saudi-Backed Fighters Near Bab el-Mandeb
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701161049634988-yemeni-army-saudi-fighters/

16 January 2017

“Pro-government forces backed by Saudi-led air strikes advanced closer towards the Yemeni port city of Mokha on Sunday, taking over the Al Maaqer and Al Gadeeda areas along the coastal road.

The latest offensive, launched from Bab Al Mandeb eight days ago, is aimed at liberating the area along the Red Sea coast from the Houthi rebels.

Yemeni forces drove out the Houthis from the Dhubab district in the southern province of Taez on Friday, and arrived in Al Gadeeda on Sunday. Their next target will be Mokha, about 30km away, according to a source in the military council of Taez province.”
 

Yemeni forces capture new areas in advance on Mokha
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/yemeni-forces-capture-new-areas-in-advance-on-mokha

16 January 2017

“Four soldiers were killed and three wounded in a suspected Al-Qaeda attack on a checkpoint in southern Yemen, a security official said Monday. 'Terrorist elements on Sunday evening attacked… soldiers at a checkpoint' in the town of Loder in Abyan province, the official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

'The exchange of fire lasted half an hour, killing four soldiers and wounding three along with an undetermined number of dead and wounded among the attackers,' he said.”
 

Yemen: Suspected Qaeda attack kills four soldiers
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/yemen-suspected-qaeda-attack-kills-four-soldiers-4476893/

16 January 2017

“Nearly 19 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN, but the worst of the civilian impact of the two-year civil war in the country has fallen on the district of Tuhayat on the Red Sea coast.

As RT’s Arabic-language crew visited the area, they witnessed scenes of chaos--as locals scrambled to acquire food--and quiet desperation, with many residents swollen with hunger, waiting for outside help, or resigned to their fate.

Salem is an eight-year-old boy, though like many in similar struggling areas around the world, he looks small enough to be mistaken for a toddler.”
 

'No food, no medicine, no money’: Yemeni town faces mass death by starvation
https://www.rt.com/news/373712-yemen-starvation-fishing-houthis/

16 January 2017

“Schools of Ibb province organized a protest rally to condemn the US-Saudi aggression air strikes the primary al-Falah school in Nehm district of Sana'a province last Tuesday.

The air raids killed eight students and injured 15 others early morning of Tuesday.

The protest rally took place on Monday.

The demonstrators expressed deep condemnations against the US-Saudi aggression air strikes, considering it a new war crime against the Yemeni people and calling for the international community to move to stop Saudi massacres against Yemenis.”
 

Schools of Ibb provinces condemn Saudi massacres against Yemen schools
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453070.htm

16 January 2017

“Officials of the private sector met with Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, George Khoury, in Yemen.

In the meeting, the officials discussed UN efforts to lift the all-out blockade on Yemen that imposed by the Saudi-led aggression coalition.

The officials discussed possibilities to pressure the aggression countries to lift the economic siege and enable the Yemeni private sector to import goods to alleviate the suffering of the people.”
 

Private sector, UN official discuss lifting aggression blockade
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news453085.htm

19 January 2017

“Female fighters carrying babies, rocket launchers and machine guns took to the streets of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to protest Saudi Arabia’s involvement in its brutal conflict.

Marching in support of the Houthi rebel movement, they shouted slogans against the multinational coalition forces led by oil rich Middle Eastern state, which support the government.

Their protest followed talks this week between a United Nations envoy and the Saudi-backed, internationally-recognised Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.”
 

Female Yemeni fighters carry babies and machine guns at anti-Saudi rally
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-female-fighters-conflict-huthi-rebels-anti-saudi-coalition-rally-sanaa-a7532486.html

19 January 2017

“The U.S. military has played a key role in the conflict for much of that time, supporting Saudi warplanes with intelligence and refueling even as their bombs have reportedly killed civilians.

Rep. Ted Lieu, a colonel in the Air Force Reserves from Malibu, has been on a sometimes-solitary quest to make the White House answer for its role.

'That is morally outrageous,' he told Josh Hersh in an interview. 'If the U.S. was doing this with our own pilots, dropping bombs on civilians, they’d be getting court-martialed right now.'”
 

Fueling Yemen’s war
https://news.vice.com/story/this-congressman-is-calling-out-the-us-for-potential-war-crimes-in-yemen

19 January 2017

“At least 10,000 people have been killed in the war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition supporting the government, the UN says.

The organisation said the death toll "underscores the need to resolve the situation" that has lasted for more than 21 months.

The news came as a UN envoy met President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi on Monday in the southern city of Aden.”
 

Yemen conflict: At least 10,000 killed, says UN
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38646066

19 January 2017

“The United Nations Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick reiterated on Monday that the blockade imposed on Sana'a international airport is unacceptable because it causes much suffering on the Yemeni people.

This came at a press conference held in Sana'a prior to his leaving for Brussels, Geneva and London in order to launch the Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen for the current year 2017.

Mr. McGoldrick said the United Nations is making efforts to unconditionally ensure humanitarian access to all those who are in need.”
 

UN: Blockade on Yemen capital airport unacceptable
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453174.htm

19 January 2017

“Yemeni security officials say a rocket fired by Shiite rebels has killed six civilians in the war-torn city of Taiz.

They say the Wednesday strike hit a residential area inside Taiz. It comes one day after six civilians were also killed outside the city, which is known as the cultural center of Yemen. Clashes between rebels and forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi have been ongoing for nearly two years.”
 

6 civilians killed in rebel strike in Yemen’s Taiz
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/6-civilians-killed-in-rebel-strike-in-yemens-taiz/2017/01/18/d1f80dd8-ddc0-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.1744a8595b9f

19 January 2017

“And the Saudi-led attacks continue, striking Yemen’s hospitals, which are running out of medicine. All the while, these attacks have continued to receive backing from the Unite States and the United Kingdom since they began on March 26, 2015.

Even The New York Times admits that the deadly Saudi project in Yemen couldn’t go on without U.S. support.

But the Obama administration has said that while they may start halting some arms sales to Saudi Arabia, they’ll push ahead with training the Gulf kingdom’s air force to improve targeting.”
 

Genocide In Yemen: Media Complicit In US-Saudi War Crimes
https://www.mintpressnews.com/genocide-in-yemen-media-complicit-in-us-saudi-war-crimes/224106/

19 January 2017

“The Yemeni city of Taiz has been under siege since 2015 by Houthi rebels and troops loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The city and its outskirts are littered with the remains of shelling, sniper fire and explosions.

But a group of youth volunteers from the Challenge Convoy have decided to take the daily reminders of death and turn them into reminders of life.”
 

Yemen: 'Life in the midst of all the death'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38597469

19 January 2017

“أعلن وزير الخارجية الأميركي، جون كيري، موقفاً صريحاً ومتقدماً بعد أسابيع من تعرقل جهوده وقبيل يومين من انتهاء مهماته، عندما قال إن «هادي أخطأ بعدم قبوله مبادرة السلام»، التي طرحها قبل أشهر، داعياً إلى «تحريك عملية السلام في اليمن».

 

وأضاف كيري، في مقابلة بثتها قناة «سكاي نيوز عربية» أول من أمس، أن «السلام في اليمن لم يتحقق لأن الرئيس هادي لم يدعم خطته»، مؤكّداً أن «ذلك كان خطأ كبيراً». وتابع: «الرئيس هادي لم يدعم فوراً المبادرة التي تقدمنا بها، لكنه الآن وافق على الإطار
العام للمبادرة، ونتمنى لولد الشيخ أن ينجح».”

كيري وولد الشيخ لهادي: إقبل مبادرتنا
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271153

19 January 2017

“تستمر أزمة الوقود التي تواجه سكان عدن، وهي كبرى مدن جنوب اليمن والواقعة تحت سيطرة حكومة هادي، وذلك بعد توقف المصفاة النفطية الرئيسية منذ أسبوع عن ضخّ الإمدادات إلى خزانات شركة النفط اليمنية في عدن.

ولم يصدر أي تعليق بعد من الرئيس المستقيل أو حكومته على هذه الأزمة المتفاقمة، فيما تصطف السيارات والشاحنات في طوابير طويلة لا تقل عن كيلومتر أمام محطات الوقود هناك، كذلك انخفضت الكثافة المرورية في شوارع المدينة، وسجلت أسعار المواصلات ارتفاعاً ملحوظاً وصل إلى 50%، وتزايدت أيضاً ساعات انقطاع التيار الكهربائي.

وكان عمال شركة مصافي عدن قد أعلنوا الدخول في إضراب احتجاجاً على توقف صرف رواتبهم. لكن مسؤولين في السلطة المحلية في عدن قالوا إن الأزمة الحالية سببها خلافات بين شركة النفط الحكومية والشركة التجارية المملوكة لرجل الأعمال اليمني أحمد العيسي، وهو المورد الوحيد للمشتقات النفطية إلى عدن والمحافظات المجاورة لها، وذلك بعدما طلبت «شركة العيسى من شركة النفط المختصة توزيع الوقود محلياً في المحافظات الجنوبية بأسعار أعلى، وهو ما رفضته الشركة الحكومية”
 

صنعاء: فتح المطار شرط لأي حوار
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271101

22 January 2017

“Two suspected members of al Qaeda's Yemen branch were killed on Sunday by what local officials believed was a U.S. drone strike.

If confirmed, it would be the first such attack since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office on Friday. The men were killed when a missile hit the vehicle in which they were travelling in southern al-Bayda province, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The United States conducted dozens of drone strikes throughout Barack Obama's presidency to combat al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.”
 

Two suspected al Qaeda members killed in drone strike in Yemen: officials  
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1560LH

22 January 2017

“Egypt's National Defence Council on Sunday extended the military's participation in a Saudi-led operation in Yemen, the presidency said in a statement. It did not specify how long the extension would be for.

"The National Defence Council agreed during the meeting to extend the participation of the required elements from the Egyptian armed forces in a combat operation outside the nation's border to defend Egyptian and Arab national security in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandab areas," the statement said.”
 

Egypt extends participation in Yemen conflict
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-egypt-idUKKBN1560R4

 
22 January 2017

“Two citizens were killed and many others injured in 45 air strikes by the US-Saudi aggression warplanes that hit several Yemeni provinces over the past 24 hour, officials told Saba on Sunday. In Taiz, a woman was killed and others were wounded in two air raids that targeted their home in Mocha district and a citizen was killed in an airstrike targeted Mageber area in Moza district, which also caused loss to a number of livestock.”
 

45 Saudi aggression airstrikes hit Yemen provinces over past 24 hours
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453754.htm

22 January 2017

“As Yemen approaches marking two years since the start of the conflict, the country faces one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world. Around three million people -ten percent of the population- have been displaced, and ten million are uncertain of how they will provide food for themselves.

Over the past year, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked against challenges and recurring security incidents in Yemen and was able to help around three million people across the country.  Still, millions of Yemenis lack access to safe water and health care services and without an end to the conflict, no amount of assistance can cover the massive needs in Yemen.”
 

Massive humanitarian needs in Yemen as conflict continues
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/massive-humanitarian-needs-yemen-conflict-continues

22 January 2017

“The Yemeni navy, coastal defense and coastguard warned the Saudi aggression's warships not to use of the international water lanes in the Red Sea to bomb civil targets in the country.

"The aggression's warships use the international water lanes to bomb civil targets, which pose a serious threat to international navigation in the Red Sea," a statement issued on Saturday said.”
 

Navy warns Saudi warships of using int'l waters to bomb civil targets
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453736.htm

23 January 2017

“The British government should increase diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia to defend children facing a desperate situation in Yemen, the head of Save the Children has said. Speaking on his return from Yemen, where civil war and a sea blockade has pushed the country to the brink of famine, Kevin Watkins said there had been a 'singular failure to deploy British soft power to defend children’s rights that are being violated on a daily basis.'”
 

UK accused of failing to defend rights of Yemeni children against daily violations
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/23/uk-accused-of-failing-to-defend-rights-of-yemen-children-against-daily-violations

23 January 2017

“The report also added that the Houthis killed 14 of the Hadi government attackers.

On 21 and 22 January, more than 45 strikes were carried out across the country and its borders, with targets varying from a school north of the capital Sana'a and Saudi border military bases.

The intense attacks over the weekend were part of a vast offensive which began on 7 January by forces loyal to President Hadi to retake the Dhubab district near the Bab al-Mandab strait which connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.”
 

75 people killed in renewed fighting and drone strikes in Yemen
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/75-people-killed-renewed-fighting-drone-strikes-yemen-1602484

23 January 2017

“Three citizens were killed on Monday by Saudi aggression airstrikes on Haydan district of Sa'ada province, a security official told Saba. The warplanes waged two airstrikes on cars in Marran area. One man was injured in the airstrikes. Meanwhile, the aggression fighter jets launched a raid on Ghafer area of al-Dhaher district, causing heavy damage to citizens' houses, the official said.”
 

Saudi airstrikes kill 3 in Sa'ada
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news453853.htm


23 January 2017

“Yemen has had a long and difficult history of neglect. Neglect by previous authorities, neglect by regional actors, and neglect by the so-called international community. This neglect continues in many ways. The greatest challenge currently facing Yemen is a war that was launched more than a year ago—a war in which all armed actors have, without exception, harmed people and vital civilian infrastructure like schools, hospitals, funeral halls, homes, and more. The reverberations of the violence have been widely felt. What has not been directly affected by the cruelty of the conflict is gradually decaying because of a lack of or restrictions on funds, resources and capabilities. The needs of the people are growing, and the country’s infrastructure strains and groans under this unceasing weight.”
 

Seventeen Vignettes from Sana’a and Amran
http://raseef22.com/en/blog/2017/01/20/seventeen-vignettes-sanaa-amran/

25 January 2017

“I’m inside 'mission control' for the Saudi-led coalition bombing rebels in Yemen. On a bank of flickering screens, a fighter jet labelled 'FRIEND' is tracked as it crosses the border. Television screens show mosques, hospitals and United Nations facilities inside Yemen - the locations that airstrikes must avoid. Officers from across the Middle East pace down the corridors outside the 'war room' - the so-called "kitchen of the coalition" - from where bombing raids are monitored.

Inside, it looks exactly as you might imagine: except for one aspect. Three foreigners sit behind a glass screen at the back of the room. They are 'liaison officers', my Saudi government guide tells me. One is British, two are American. The union flag and Stars and Stripes are draped behind their desks.”
 

Yemen War Room: ITV News granted unprecedented access
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-01-24/yemen-war-room-itv-news-granted-unprecedented-access/

25 January 2017

“Women of Ibb province staged a protest rally to condemn US-Saudi aggression attacks against Yemeni children and women in the Yemeni provinces. The protest rally took place on Tuesday in al-Radhmah district. The participants called for boycotting pro-Saudi aggression media that target the unity of the Yemeni social fabric.”
 

Women protest rally condemns Saudi aggression crimes
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news454073.htm

25 January 2017

“Tens of thousands of new archaeological sites have been discovered in Yemen by researchers who are now drawing up candidates for a “no-strike list” for combatants in the latest attempt to protect its treasures from the war. Since 2015, the Yemen government, backed by a Saudi Arabian-led coalition, has been fighting Houthi rebels. The human toll reached at least 10,000 last week, according to the UN, and structures such as the Great Dam of Marib, the pre-Islamic walled town of Baraqish and the old cities of Sana’ and Zabid — both World Heritage Sites – have been damaged.”
 

A no-strike list may shield Yemen’s ancient treasures from war
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2118745-a-no-strike-list-may-shield-yemens-ancient-treasures-from-war/

25 January 2017

“Saudi aggression warplanes launched 13 strikes on Sanhan and Bani Bahloul district of Sana'a province overnight, an official told Saba on Wednesday. The airstrikes hit al-Sawad area, causing damage to citizens' houses, private and public properties.”
 

Saudi aggression fighter jets wage 13 strikes on Sana'a
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news454063.htm

26 January 2017

“The Ministry of Defence is "tracking" 252 allegations of humanitarian law violations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the BBC has learned.

The UN estimates that up to 10,000 people have died in the country since war began in March 2015.

The MoD declined to say if British-supplied arms were involved in any of the allegations.

Former Business Secretary Vince Cable said he was "staggered" by the number of potential breaches.

Mr Cable told the BBC if he were still in government, arms exports to the Saudis would have been stopped "a long time before now".”
 

Yemen human rights 'breaches staggering'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-38745454

26 January 2017

“Already suffering grievously under nearly two years of civil war, many thousands of Yemeni state workers now face destitution as their salaries have gone largely unpaid for months.

The immediate reason is a decision by the internationally-recognized government to shift Yemen's central bank out of Sanaa, the capital city controlled by the armed Houthi movement with which it is at war.

Underlying the bank's move to Aden, the southern port where the government is based, is a struggle for legitimacy between the two sides. The result is to deepen economic hardship when four-fifths of Yemen's 28 million people already need some form of humanitarian aid, according to U.N. estimates.”
 

Unpaid state salaries deepen economic pain in Yemen's war
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-salaries-idUSKBN15A1WW?il=0

26  January 2017

“Satellite imagery confirms that UAE Patriots departed from at least two of their three known deployment locations within the country. Equipment previously deployed at Aden International Airport and Al Anad airbase was not visible in recent imagery updates.

The site at the southern coastal airport, established in early 2016, previously featured four Patriot transporter erector launchers (or TELs) and associated equipment. The TELs were no longer in residence on the south side of the airport by late October, according to imagery available in Google Earth. However, UAE armor still remained near the parking apron at the time of capture, but accompanied by a much smaller air element than previously observed.

Similarly, Al Anad airbase, located approximately 30 miles to the north of the airport, had no Patriots on-site as of January 2017. The site, composed of four Patriot TELs, was likely established in early 2016 after the airbase was reportedly attacked by a Tochka ballistic missile in January. We last observed the Patriot system on imagery at the site in November 2016.”
 

UAE Relocates SAMs In Yemen
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2017/01/25/uae-relocates-sams-yemen/

27 January 2017

“"The conflict in Yemen is now the primary driver of the largest food security emergency in the world," Stephen O'Brien, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council.

"If there is no immediate action, famine is now a possible scenario for 2017."

About 14 million people -- nearly 80 percent of the entire Yemeni population -- are in need of food aid, half of whom are severely food insecure, O'Brien said.

At least 2 million people need emergency food assistance to survive, he added.

The situation is particularly dire for children with some 2.2 million infants now suffering from acute malnourishment -- an increase of 53 percent from late 2015.

"Overall, the plight of children remains grim: a child under the age of 10 dying every 10 minutes of preventable causes," O'Brien said.

The Saudi-led coalition's shutdown of the Sanaa airport has had a heavy toll on civilians because medicine cannot be flown in and Yemenis cannot receive treatment abroad. O'Brien warned that Yemen could run out of wheat within months because foreign banks no longer accept financial transactions with many of the country's commercial banks."
 

Yemen could face famine in 2017: UN
https://www.yahoo.com/news/yemen-could-face-famine-2017-un-214840570.html

27 January 2017

“دق تقرير أممي عن الوضع الإنساني في اليمن ناقوس الخطر، مشيرا إلى أن المجاعة تتربص بملايين اليمنيين خلال العام الجاري، مطالبا بضرورة إيصال المساعدات للمدنيين.

وحذّر وكيل الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة للشؤون الإنسانية، ستيفن أوبراين، من مجاعة في اليمن خلال العام الجاري (2017)، لافتا إلى أن 14 مليون شخص يحتاجون إلى مساعدات غذائية، نصفهم يعيشون انعداما شديدا من الأمن الغذائي. وأضاف أن مليوني شخص على الأقل في حاجة إلى مساعدة غذائية طارئة للبقاء على قيد الحياة”
 

تقرير أممي يقدم صورة مرعبة عن الوضع الإنساني باليمن
https://medium.com/arabi-21/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-b885329edd44#.ptf5y9cf1
 

30 January 2017

“At least 10 Yemeni women and children have been killed in the first US military operation in the country authorised by President Donald Trump, medics and local media have said.

The US military said it killed 14 members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Sunday's dawn raid in the southern province of al-Bayda that involved missiles and helicopter machine guns.

In a statement, the Pentagon did not refer to any civilian casualties, although a US military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they could not be ruled out. The official also said that one US commando died, three others were wounded and that military forces did not take any prisoners from the site.

AQAP said Abdulraouf al-Zahab, a senior leader of the group, was killed along with several other fighters in the raid on the area that has been a frequent target of US drone strikes.

Medics in al-Bayda's rural Yakla district put the death toll at around 30, including 10 women and children. The eight-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a US-born Yemeni preacher who was killed in a 2011 drone attack, was also among the victims, family members said. Her grandfather Nasser al-Awlaki, a former minister of agriculture said: "she was hit with a bullet in her neck and suffered for two hours."
 

Yemeni civilians killed in first US raid under Trump
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/yemen-170129101045539.html

30 January 2017

“In a hideous symbol of the bipartisan continuity of U.S. barbarism, Nasser al-Awlaki just lost another one of his young grandchildren to U.S. violence. On Sunday, the Navy’s SEAL Team 6, using armed Reaper drones for cover, carried out a commando raid on what it said was a compound harboring officials of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. A statement issued by President Trump lamented the death of an American service member and several others who were wounded, but made no mention of any civilian deaths. U.S. military officials initially denied any civilian deaths, and (therefore) the CNN report on the raid said nothing about any civilians being killed.

But reports from Yemen quickly surfaced that 30 people were killed, including 10 women and children. Among the dead: the 8-year-old granddaughter of Nasser al-Awlaki, Nawar, who was also the daughter of Anwar Awlaki.”
 

Obama Killed a 16-Year-Old American in Yemen. Trump Just Killed His 8-Year-Old Sister.
https://theintercept.com/2017/01/30/obama-killed-a-16-year-old-american-in-yemen-trump-just-killed-his-8-year-old-sister/
 

30 January 2017

“Twenty months since fighting started in Taiz, the city’s health services have largely collapsed – the result of physical damage to hospitals and of shortages of staff and medical supplies. At the same time, people’s living conditions have deteriorated and the price of essentials, including food and water, has soared. A crippled health system, combined with increasingly harsh living conditions, has prompted a decline in people’s health, with particularly acute consequences for vulnerable groups with low immunity such as pregnant women, new-born babies and young children.”
 

Yemen: Healthcare Under Siege
https://msf.exposure.co/yemen

30 January 2017

“Medical services in Taiz have been directly affected by violence, with hospitals repeatedly hit by shelling and gunfire, an MSF mobile clinic was hit by an airstrike, and ambulances shot at, confiscated or forcibly entered by armed men. Medical staff have been shot at on their way to work, harassed, detained, threatened and forced to work at gunpoint. Many health workers take great personal risks working in Taiz, and many fear for their lives while at work.”
 

Yemen: Healthcare Under Siege in Taiz
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-healthcare-under-siege-taiz
 

31 January 2017

“A Saudi warship has been attacked off the coast of Yemen, causing a large explosion on board.

A video released by al-Masirah television which is run by the rebel Houthi movement claimed to show the moment of attack.

The Saudi state news agency SPA said the frigate had been on patrol west of the port of Hodeidah when it was attacked by three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias.”
 

Two killed as Houthis attack Saudi warship off Yemen coast
http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/31/two-killed-as-houthis-attack-saudi-warship-off-yemen-coast?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=Autofeed#link_time=1485853920
 

02 February 2017

“Yemen has lost a decade's worth of gains in public health as a result of war and economic crisis, with an estimated 63,000 children dying last year of preventable causes often linked to malnutrition, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

About 3.3 million people, including 2.2 million children, across the Arab peninsula's poorest country are suffering from acute malnutrition, it said. They include nearly half a million children under the age of five with severe acute malnutrition.

The most severe form of malnutrition leaves young children vulnerable to life-threatening but preventable diarrhoeal diseases, malaria and respiratory infections.”
 

Yemen war erases decade of health gains, many children starving: UNICEF
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-unicef-idUSKBN15F0WC

02 February 2017

“After being dropped by aircraft near the compound, the US special forces members engaged in a fierce firefight with suspected AQAP militants inside, according to US officials.

Chief Petty Officer William Owens, a member of the elite US Navy special forces unit Seal Team 6, was killed in the battle, which is reported to have lasted about 50 minutes.

Three other US service members were injured when an Osprey MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft made a hard landing during the operation, Capt Davis said, adding that the inoperable Osprey was subsequently destroyed in place by a US air strike.

AQAP said in a statement that its fighters downed a US Apache helicopter, one of four it said were used in the raid, and that a total of 16 missiles were fired at three homes.”
 

US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen: What we know so far
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38808631

02 February 2017

“اجرت القوات الحكومية اليمنية عملية تبادل للاسرى مع  الحوثيين في وسط البلاد بعد وساطة قبلية، على ما اعلن احد المفاوضين.

وقال عبدالله الأشرف، وهو احد الوسطاء في تصريح: "تم الافراج عن 58 حوثيا اسروا في محافظة الجوف شمال البلاد، في مقابل الافراج عن 54 من انصارنا الموالين لقوات الشرعية ينتمون الى الجوف". وتمت عملية تبادل الاسرى في منطقة قانية على الحدود بين محافظتي البيضاء ومأرب في وسط اليمن.

في حزيران، اعلن المتمردون الحوثيون من جانب واحد اطلاق نحو 270 من المقاتلين الحكوميين الذين احتجزوا لمدة اشهر. وجاء ذلك بعد تبادل للاسرى في تعز جنوب غرب البلاد شمل 194 اسيرا من الطرفين بوساطة قبلية ايضا”.

اليمن: القوات الحكومية تتبادل الاسرى مع الحوثيين
http://www.annahar.com/article/448584-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86

02 February 2017

“تأكيد الجيش اليمني أنه يمتلك إمكانات لم يستخدمها بعد وقصفه بارجة عسكرية سعودية بعد يوم واحد من التوعد بالمفاجآت يشي بمستوى عالٍ من التحدي يتواصل مع استمرار المعارك في الجنوب السعودي، في وقت تحذر فيه المنظمات الدولية من كوارث إذا بقيت الحرب.”
 

الجيش: تحالف العدوان لم يأخذ تهديداتنا بجدية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271892



02 February 2017

“أما في اليمن، فيتشارك الطرفان السعودي والإمارتي هدف مواجهة «حركة أنصار الله»، لكنهما يتباعدان في إدارة الصراع الداخلي، إذ تحاول كل دولة العمل على محاولة إقصاء الطرف الآخر. ويستخدم الطرفان في صراعهما على مسك الورقة اليمنية، خصوصاً الجنوب، كل الوسائل المتاحة، بما فيها المحرمة، مع استعار للحرب الإعلامية بينهما عبر إعلام «الأدوات». فمن جانبها، تحتضن السعودية حزب «الإصلاح» الإسلامي («الإخوان المسلمون»)، وهو عدو الإمارات التاريخي، فتدعمه مالياً وتوفر له تسهيلات ميدانية، وتمكّنه من بسط النفوذ والسيطرة في الجنوب، كما أنها تؤمّن لقادته ملاذاً آمناً على أراضيها، ومنطلقاً لممارسة نشاطهم، إضافة إلى ضغوطها لإشراكه في «رأس الشرعية» عبر تنصيب علي محسن الأحمر نائباً للرئيس، وذلك بعد إقالة نائب الرئيس خالد بحاح المحسوب على الإمارات، وتوزير أعضاء الحزب في الحكومة، ولا سيما الوزارات السيادية، وأبرزها الداخلية التي يرأسها حسين عرب. كذلك تمارس السعودية الضغوط الناجحة على الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي من أجل فتح مساحات واسعة من النشاط والحركة لـ«الإصلاح».”

السعودية والإمارات: صراع على «الوكالة» الأميركية في اليمن
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271845
 

02 February 2017

“أول من أمس، صدر تحذير يمني (راجع عدد أمس: الجيش و«اللجان» في المخا: انتظروا المفاجآت) توعّد قوات العدوان بمفاجآت في حال استمر استهداف المدنيين، علماً بأن قصف السفينة كما قالت القناة تمّ بصاروخ موجّه، وبعد «رصد دقيق قبالة السواحل الغربية».

ونقلت «المسيرة» عن مصدر عسكري أن «البارجة السعودية كانت تحمل على متنها 176 جندياً وضابطاً وطائرة مروحية، وكانت قد شاركت في العدوان على السواحل الغربية والمدن والصيادين».”

 استهداف بارجة سعودية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/271848

02 February 2017 

“Both the New York Times and Reuters carried quotes from unnamed military officials that seemed to shift blame for the mission to Trump and his inner team. It would be an extraordinary development for a president, who is commander-in-chief, to be briefed against in such detail.

The briefings suggested that one thing after another went wrong from the start of the mission, with the Yemen villagers seemingly alerted to the impending raid by drones flying lower than usual.

The special forces, apparently lacking full intelligence, were confronted by heavily-fortified positions, including landmines, and faced heavy gunfire from buildings all around during the 50-minute firefight. One of the US planes sent in to help had to be left behind and was deliberately destroyed.

US military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.”
 

Questions mount over botched Yemen raid approved by Trump
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/02/trump-approved-yemen-raid-five-days-after-inauguration

02 February 2017 

“Saudi Arabia’s investigation of its own alleged humanitarian law violations in Yemen is “like marking your own homework”, said the former UK international development secretary Andrew Mitchell.

Mitchell, recently returned from Yemen, told MPs that an independent investigation of alleged abuses during the two-year conflict was necessary to maintain credibility and the rule of humanitarian law at a time when such law was under “extraordinary pressure.”

Yemen is one of seven countries subject to a White House executive order banning citizens of Muslim majority countries from entering the US. The Ministry of Defence is tracking 252 allegations of humanitarian law violations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, according to a BBC report last week.

At a hearing on Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis by Britain’s international development committee on Wednesday, Mitchell was asked if the time had come for a fully independent investigation.”
 

Saudi inquiry into Yemen abuse claims like 'marking your own homework'
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/01/saudi-arabia-inquiry-yemen-abuse-claims-marking-your-own-homework-andrew-mitchell

02 February 2017

“A Saudi border guard was killed in an exchange of fire on Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Thursday.

SPA quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki as saying that a border checkpoint in the kingdom’s southwestern Jazan province had come under fire by "Houthi elements" inside Yemeni territory.”
 

Cross-border fire kills Saudi border guard near Yemen
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/cross-border-fire-kills-saudi-border-guard-near-yemen/740129

02 February 2017 

“President Donald Trump personally approved a US commando raid in Yemen that left one elite serviceman dead and may have killed an eight-year-old American girl, the US military has told the Guardian.

At least 14 people died in Sunday’s raid by the elite Joint Special Operations Command, which was the subject of a preliminary inquiry to determine if allegations of civilian deaths were sufficiently credible to merit a full investigation.”
 

Eight-year-old American girl 'killed in Yemen raid approved by Trump'
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/01/yemen-strike-eight-year-old-american-girl-killed-al-awlaki

02 February 2017

“Prior to US President Donald Trump's recent Muslim ban, Murad Subay, a Yemeni artist, never had to worry about being able to see his wife, Hadil, who studies in the US on a scholarship.

Following the recent executive order, which placed a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries including Yemen, seeing his wife again has become a distant dream. Subay cannot travel to visit her and fears that if Hadil returns home, she will not be allowed back in the US. What was once a valuable opportunity for Hadil to study political science at Stanford University in California has now turned into a nightmare.

Subay is stuck in a war-ravaged country while his wife lives in a place where foreign Muslims are eyed with suspicion.

Here is Subay's account of how the Muslim ban changed his life for ever.”
 

Ripped apart: Yemeni couple fearful after Muslim ban
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/ripped-yemeni-couple-fearful-muslim-ban-170202071736809.html

02 February 2017 

“Democrat representative Nancy Pelosi has come under fire online for comments she made to a Yemeni refugee, blasting Donald Trump’s recent executive order on immigration and refugees as responsible for the plight of the woman’s family.

“Your family is suffering because our president is reckless and his administration is incompetent,” Pelosi told a Yemeni refugee who said her mother could no longer come to the US due to the ban.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Pelosi was told by the Yemeni woman that her father died due to a lack of medicine in Yemen and that her mother was now unable to join her in the US.”
 

Blame Obama, not Trump: Twitter trolls Pelosi for Yemen policy memory loss
https://www.rt.com/usa/375901-pelosi-comments-yemen-refugee/

02 February 2017

“UNHCR is deeply concerned about the plight of thousands of Yemeni civilians fleeing or caught up in heavy confrontations between the warring parties in the Red Sea districts of Al Mokha and Dhubab in Taizz governorate.

Owing to ongoing military operations impeding humanitarian access, comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Current estimates from various sources indicate that approximately 3,570 individuals have fled Al Mokha to districts in the neighboring governorate of Al Hudaydah, namely Jabal Ra’s, Hays, Al Garrahi, Al Khawkhah and At Tuhayat.

There are conflicting reports as to the number of people that remain within the town of Al Mokha. Reports from a range of sources, including recently arrived internally displaced people from Al Mokha who met with UNHCR field teams in Al Hudaydah, inform that as many as 30,000 people have fled the fighting, with displaced families also reported to be moving rapidly between various locations within Taizz governorate.

Whilst others caught up by in the violence remain trapped inside Al Mokha and Dhubab, intensified hostilities in Al Hudaydah are also making it difficult for those attempting to escape to safety. The area north of Al Mokha which includes the coastal road to Al Hudaydah is also a site of military operations and remains subject to attack, placing those trying to flee at great risk during flight.”
 

UNHCR gravely concerned by intensified hostilities in Al Mokha affecting Yemeni civilians
http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2017/2/5892e8a94/unhcr-gravely-concerned-intensified-hostilities-al-mokha-affecting-yemeni.html

02 February 2017 

“عبرت المفوضية السامية للأمم المتحدة لشؤون اللاجئين عن بالغ قلقها إزاء محنة آلاف المدنيين اليمنيين الفارين أو العالقين في المواجهات العنيفة بين الأطراف المتحاربة في مدينتي المخا وذباب الواقعتين على ساحل البحر الأحمر في محافظة تعز.

نظراً للعمليات العسكرية المستمرة التي تعوق وصول المساعدات الإنسانية، يصعب حالياً التحقق من البيانات الشاملة عن النزوح. وتشير التقديرات الحالية من مصادر مختلفة إلى أن حوالي 3,570 شخصاً فروا من المخا إلى مدن في محافظة الحديدة المجاورة، لا سيما إلى جبل راس وحيس والجراحي والخوخة والتحيتا.

وهناك تقارير متضاربة بشأن عدد الأشخاص الذين لا يزالون في مدينة المخا. وتفيد التقارير من مجموعة من المصادر، بما في ذلك النازحون داخلياً الواصلون مؤخراً من المخا والذين التقوا بالفرق الميدانية التابعة للمفوضية في الحديدة، أن أكثر من 300,000 شخص قد فروا من القتال، كما أفيد عن تنقل العائلات النازحة أيضاً بسرعة بين مواقع مختلفة في محافظة تعز.

وفي حين يبقى آخرون محاصرين في المخا وذباب حيث تدور معارك عنيفة، يصعّب القتال الكثيف في الحديدة أيضاً الوضع على الأشخاص الذين يحاولون الفرار إلى بر الأمان. وتدور عمليات عسكرية أيضاً في منطقة شمال مدينة المخا التي تشمل الطريق الساحلي إلى الحديدة وتبقى هذه المنطقة عرضة للهجوم، مما يشكل خطراً كبيراً على الأشخاص الذين يحاولون الفرار.

وداخل الحديدة، يسعى النازحون إلى إيجاد المأوى أينما استطاعوا. وتستضيف العائلات المحلية بسخاء الكثيرين منهم، إلا أنهم لا يزالون يواجهون ظروفاً غير مستقرة وهم بحاجة ملحة إلى المساعدة.”

 المفوضية تعبّر عن بالغ قلقها إزاء اشتداد حدة القتال في المخا وتأثيره على المدنيين اليمنيين
http://www.unhcr.org/ar/news/press/2017/2/589326734.html 

02 February 2017

“When war escalated in Yemen, Sana was abroad, having just qualified as a doctor. Hearing the news, she felt compelled to return to Taiz, scene of some of the conflict's fiercest fighting. Now she works in the malnutrition ward of MSF's mother and child hospital.

"I had just finished studying medicine in Cairo when the war at home in Yemen escalated. My family said that I should stay in Egypt to be safe, but I wanted to go home. I arrived back on 25 May 2015.

At first, I stayed with my family – my parents, my two brothers and my sister – at our house in the centre of Taiz.

One day, a bullet hit a metal frame just outside our window as my sister and I sat inside, discussing a book. We were saved by pure luck.

In July we had to move. By then, our road was full of soldiers and there was heavy fighting in the neighbourhood. There were tanks in the streets and the noise of heavy artillery and machine guns. We were facing death.”
 

Yemen: “Word had spread that I was a doctor, and people came to me for help all the time”
http://www.msf.org/en/article/yemen-%E2%80%9Cword-had-spread-i-was-doctor-and-people-came-me-help-all-time%E2%80%9D

 

06 February 2017

“According to emerging reports from Yemen, a surface-to-surface missile fired by the Yemeni Army has hit Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

The missile was launched on Sunday evening, and sources in Yemen have described the missile test as successful.  It is unclear exactly what missile was used, and casualty figures, if any, are yet to be reported.

Update 1: More information has emerged, suggesting that the missile was a variant of a Russian Scud, known as the “Borkan” surface-to-surface missile.

Update 2: Sources indicate that the missile struck a military base West of Riyadh, in Mazahimiyah.

Update 3: On social media, a Saudi attempts to cover-up the attack, saying that the sound of the explosion in Riyadh was an earthquake or meteor.

Update 4: Co-Founder of Mona Relief, a Yemeni charity, Dr. RS Karim, has reported that his contacts in Riyadh told him that a state of emergency has been declared.”
 

Breaking: Ballistic missile strikes Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-ballistic-missile-strikes-riyadh-saudi-arabia/

06 February 2017

“A terrorist video released on Friday by the Pentagon to show what it called intelligence gleaned by the recent raid in Yemen actually was made about 10 years ago, it acknowledged.

Defense officials canceled a briefing they had called to discuss the value of the information recovered from Yemen and took the video off the website of the U.S. Central Command. They circulated clips from a video that showed how to prepare explosives without knowing it had already been public.”
 

That 'Valuable Intel' From The Yemen Raid? It Was 10 Years Old
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/03/513305178/that-valuable-intel-from-the-yemen-raid-it-was-10-years-old

06 February 2017

“Questions are mounting about the first covert counterterrorism operation approved by President Donald Trump. Authorities say it was a success. The Pentagon now acknowledges that civilians were killed Sunday when members of the Navy’s SEAL Team 6 joined with commandos from the United Arab Emirates to raid a Yemeni village where members of al-Qaeda were said to live. But human rights groups say up to 24 civilians were killed, including a newborn baby and an American 8-year-old girl, Nawar al-Awlaki, the daughter of the U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in Yemen by a U.S. drone strike in 2011. The U.S. suffered one fatality: William 'Ryan' Owens, a veteran member of SEAL Team 6.”
 

Yemen: Jeremy Scahill & Advocates Question "Success" of Trump Raid That Killed 24 Civilians
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/3/yemen_jeremy_scahill_advocates_question_success

06 February 2017

“A United Arab Emirates (UAE) soldier was killed Saturday in war-torn Yemen as part of a Saudi-led military campaign against Houthi rebels, the country’s army command said.

It, however, did not disclose the cause of the soldier's death.

The UAE is a member of the Saudi-led coalition that launched a massive air campaign in 2015.”
 

UAE soldier killed in Yemen in anti-Houthi operation
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/uae-soldier-killed-in-yemen-in-anti-houthi-operation/741766

06  February 2017

" أعلنت «القوة الصاروخية»، التابعة للجيش اليمني و«اللجان الشعبية» إجراء «تجربة ناجحة بصاروخ بالستي بعيد المدى على هدف عسكري في العاصمة السعودية الرياض»، واعدة بإيراد المزيد من التفاصيل، في وقت قالت فيه مصادر عسكرية لـ«الأخبار» إن الإعلان جاء بعد التأكد من بلوغ الصاروخ هدفه.

وأضافت تلك المصادر أن الإعلان أعقب الإطلاق بمدة قصيرة في وقت متأخر مساء أمس، وأن الإطلاق موثّق بمشاهد ستعرض لاحقاً، مشيرة إلى أنه سبق لـ«الصاروخية أن استهدفت بعشرات الصواريخ المتوسطة المدى أهدافاً عسكرية داخل المملكة ردّاً على عدوانها المستمر».

في غضون ذلك، توالت الأنباء المنقولة عن حسابات سعوديين في موقع «تويتر» تفيد بسماع صوت انفجار ضخم في منطقة المزاحمية الواقعة غرب الرياض، على طريق الرياض ــ الطائف، في وقت متزامن مع إعلان «القوة الصاروخية"».

صاروخ بالستي «يطاول الرياض»... والمملكة تخسر مواقع إستراتيجية
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272183

06 February 2017

“على الصعيد العام، شاركت المرأة اليمنية في غالبية الوقفات الاجتحاجية المناهضة للحصار الاقتصادي وجرائم طائرات العدوان بحق المدنيين، وكانت إلى جانب الرجل تتحدى التهديدات بقصف التجمعات، كذلك لعبت دوراً آخر في الجبهتين الإعلامية والثقافية، وذلك من على منابر الإذاعات والفضائيات، وهنّ اليوم صرن يطالبن بحمل السلاح والمشاركة في معارك الدفاع.

لكن، ثمة موانع اجتماعية تحول دون مشاركة المرأة في جبهات القتال، مع أنه صار من المتفق عليه بين عدد من القبائل أنه يمكنها استخدام السلاح في الدفاع عن نفسها ومنزلها من أي معتدٍ.

منذ منتصف العام الماضي، بدأ «القطاع النسوي لأنصار الله» في العاصمة صنعاء تنظيم عروض عسكرية لافتة، حملت فيها النساء السلاح، مبديات استعدادهن للمشاركة في القتال، كما ظهرت نساء يقدن مدرعات عسكرية، وأخريات حملن حتى السلاح المتوسط.

مع ذلك، لاقى العرض الأول ردود فعل لم يكن معظمها إيجابياً، خاصة أن هناك موانع تفرضها عادات وتقاليد القبيلة اليمنية التي ترفض مشاركة المرأة في القتال إلا في حالة واحدة: «عندما يفنى الرجال عن بكرة أبيهم”».

المرأة اليمنية: البندقية ليست حكراً على الرجال
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272184
 

06 February 2017

“نشر مسؤولون عسكريون أميركيون، تسجيل فيديو قالوا إنه صور في اليمن أثناء استهداف تنظيم «القاعدة» بعملية الغنزال الأمريكي الأخيرة في اليمن، ثم قاموا بسحبه بعدما لاحظوا أنه يعود إلى عشر سنوات مضت.

ووضعت القيادة المركزية الأميركية للشرق الأوسط «سنتكوم»على موقعها الإلكتروني تسجيل فيديو يفترض أن يؤكد أهمية الوثائق والملفات التي صورت في المكان.

وقام عدد من مستخدمي الإنترنت بتوضيح أن التسجيل أنجز في الواقع قبل حوالي عشر سنوات ووضع على الإنترنت من قبل، قبل أن يتم سحبه على الفور.”

الجيش الأمريكي «يفبرك» فيديو إنزال باليمن.. ويسحبه بعد الفضيحة
https://medium.com/thenewkhalij/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%AD%D8%A9-98f798e5490e#.gi0sn0rj0
 

07 February 2017

“‘Rather than advancing a political solution that almost everyone agrees is the only way to solve the conflict, it seems the Trump administration's actions are just adding fuel to the fire,’ said Adam Baron, a Yemen expert at the European Council on Foreign relation.

Reacting to the Navy SEAL raid, a Yemeni tribal leader said: ‘If they had just bombed the place it would have been much easier and less risky, but it looks like Trump is trying to say “I'm a man of action."’

‘It looks like the new President has watched a lot of Steven Seagal movies,’ he added, referring to the action film star.”
 

Trump risks deeper entanglement in Yemen’s murky war
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-trump-idUSKBN15M1HP?utm_source=34553&utm_medium=partner

08 February 2017

“Yemen has denied reports that it has withdrawn its permission for the US to conduct special operations missions in the country after the raid on an al-Qaeda base last month which killed up to 30 civilians and a US Navy Seal.

There has been widespread anger in Yemen at the reported loss of life in a ground raid in which “almost everything went wrong,” as one US military official described it, leading Yemeni officials to suspend the counter-terror programme.

Neither Yemen nor the US have officially announced the decision, which was reported by the New York Times, citing unnamed American officials, on Tuesday.

Representatives from the Yemeni government said on Wednesday that the report was erroneous.”
 

Yemen 'withdraws permission for US ground raids' after Donald Trump’s first botched military operation
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-halt-us-ground-raids-donald-trump-first-botched-seal-operation-civilian-deaths-special-a7568291.html

08 February 2017

“The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $2.1 billion to provide food and other life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen who face the threat of famine after two years of war.

'The situation in Yemen is catastrophic and rapidly deteriorating,' Jamie McGoldrick, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said in the appeal document.

'Nearly 3.3 million people - including 2.1 million children - are acutely malnourished.'”
 

U.N. seeks $2.1 billion to avert famine in Yemen
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-un-idUSKBN15N14Q

08 February 2017

“Sana'a, Yemen – Mention to someone the words “Yemen” and “refugees” and they will certainly have in mind people fleeing the war-torn state. Yemen is a country that has been ravaged by fighting since 2015, and the situation there has only worsened as third parties have contributed to that civil war.

So it is perhaps surprising that while thousands of people are indeed fleeing Yemen to the Horn of Africa (some 87,000 last year), more people still are going the other direction, with more than 117,000 reckoned to have travelled across the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea into this place of insecurity last year alone.

Since 2013, nearly 290,000 refugees and migrants have landed on the Yemeni coast. Nearly 80 per cent of these were Ethiopians, and most of the rest Somalis. Most journey to Yemen in the hope of using it as a transit point, while others look to stay in Yemen, often unaware of the dangers

The most recent figures represent a steady increase in irregular movements from Africa to Yemen – up from 65,000 in 2013, 91,600 in 2014 and 92,500 in 2015 respectively. And this notwithstanding a worsening environment in Yemen, where a full-scale war has been ongoing since 2015.”
 

Insecurity in Yemen threatens incoming refugees and migrants
http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2017/2/5899a1524/insecurity-yemen-threatens-incoming-refugees-migrants.html

08 February 2017

“Yemeni government forces backed by Gulf Arab troops have secured the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, United Arab Emirates news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, in a push that paves the way for an advance on the country's main port city of Hodeidah.

Supporters of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi have been fighting for weeks to capture the small town, which once served as a main port for exporting coffee, from the Iran-aligned Houthi that has held it since early 2015.

The advance comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran since President Donald Trump came to office in January. U.S. officials said last week that the United States had deployed a Navy destroyer, the USS Cole, to patrol off the coast of Yemen to protect waterways from Houthis, including escorting vessels.”
 

Gulf-backed Yemeni forces capture Red Sea coast city - agency
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKBN15M2LU

08 February 2017

“Residents of Yakla, an impoverished Yemeni town that was targeted last month in the first US military raid in the country authorised by President Donald Trump, have said more than a dozen civilians were killed in the botched operation.

Locals told Al Jazeera that at least 16 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the raid in Bayda province that also resulted in the death of one US commando and injured three others.

The Pentagon said the raid, which included helicopter gunships and armed Reaper drones, targeted al-Qaeda leaders.

But local journalist Mujahid al-Selalee said Abdulraouf al-Dhahab, a tribal leader whose house was attacked in the raid, had repeatedly denied being a member of the armed group.”
 

Yakla residents speak of US raid that killed civilians
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/yemen-yakla-civilians-killed-170207043727800.html

08 February 2017

“Armed hostilities have increased substantially along Yemen’s western coast in recent weeks, including fierce fighting in the districts of Dhubab and Al Mukha in Taizz Governorate. Partners estimate that more than 34,000 individuals (as of 5 February) have been forced to flee their homes across Taizz in search of safety and protection. About 60 per cent ofrecent Taizz IDPs have fled affected areas of Al Mukha and Al Dhubab districts, including most residents of Dhubab town and an estimated two-thirds of residents of Al Mukha town.”
 

Yemen: Escalating Conflict - Yemen's Western Coast Flash Update | 07 February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-escalating-conflict-yemens-western-coast-flash-update-07-february-2017

10 February 2017

“Famine in Yemen is considered a 'real possibility' this year. More than three million people - including 460,000 children - are acutely malnourished and the situation is deteriorating on a daily basis.

The UN says 7.3 million Yemenis do not know where their next meal is coming from. The crisis has been brought on by nearly two years of civil war. Iran-backed Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led coalition.

At least 10,000 people have been killed. The death toll from hunger and disease is much greater. A child under the age of five is dying every five minutes.

The international community is being urged to find $2.1bn to help ease the situation. The majority of the population has only limited access to food and medicine. The UN has described the crisis as 'catastrophic' and rapidly deteriorating.”
 

Will international community help avert Yemen famine?
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2017/02/international-community-avert-yemen-famine-170209192836050.html

10 February 2017

“The government cannot plead ignorance. When I met Alan Duncan, the Tory special envoy on Yemen, last April, he denied that Saudi Arabia was a dictatorship. When I put it to him that the Saudi regime was dropping British-made cluster bombs – for which there was overwhelming evidence – he refused to accept it. 'You are making that statement as if it is certain and definite,' he said. 'I don’t know if I can or cannot accept that.' A few months later, the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, was forced to admit in parliament that it was true.”
 

Britain has blood on its hands over Yemen
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/08/britain-role-yemen-bombs-saudi-arabia-civilians-civil-war

10 February 2017

"Broom-maker Taie al-Nahari is kneeling on the sand, shirtless, outside his thatched hut in al-Qaza village in Yemen’s al-Hudaydah governorate. His bones show through his skin.

Before the conflict began in 2015, the 53-year-old was a fisherman. Now he makes two brooms a day, which earns him a daily income of $1. 'The boats that we were working on were bombed [by Saudi jets]. Now my family and I don’t have enough to eat,' he says.

The conflict is the primary driver of a hunger crisis that the UN has warned could turn to famine this year if nothing is done."
 

Yemen's food crisis: 'We die either from the bombing or the hunger'
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/feb/08/yemen-food-crisis-we-are-broken-bombing-hunger

10 February 2017

“The Saudi-led coalition has intensified air strikes on the Yemen port of Hodeidah, potentially trapping civilians and endangering a humanitarian operation to import vital supplies, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday.

Yemeni government forces backed by Gulf Arab troops have secured the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, held by Iran-allied Houthi fighters for two years, the United Arab Emirates news agency WAM reported on Tuesday, in a push that paves the way for an advance on the country's main port city of Hodeidah.

'Civilians were trapped during the fighting (in al-Mokha), there are real fears the situation will repeat itself in the port of Hodeidah where air strikes are apparently already intensifying,' Rupert Colville, U.N. human rights spokesman, told a Geneva news briefing.”
 

Saudi-led strikes on Yemen port, fears for civilians: U.N.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN15P12V

10 February 2017

“The number of food insecure people in Yemen has risen by three million in seven months, with an estimated 17.1 million people – more than two-thirds of the entire population of 27.4 million – now struggling to feed themselves, according to a joint assessment by three United Nations agencies.

“The speed at which the situation is deteriorating and the huge jump in food insecure people is extremely worrying,” said the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Representative in Yemen, Salah Hajj Hassan, in a news release.

“Bearing in mind that agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population, FAO is urgently calling for funds to scale up its agricultural livelihoods support to farmers, herders and fishing communities to improve their access to food in 2017 and prevent the dire food and livelihood security situation from deteriorating further,” he added.

Of the 17.1 million food-insecure people, about 7.3 million are considered to be in need of emergency food assistance, according to the preliminary results of the Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment, which attributed the rapid deterioration of the conditions to the ongoing conflict.

The UN and humanitarian partners has recently launched an international appeal for $2.1 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 12 million people in Yemen in 2017 – the largest-ever humanitarian response plan for the war-torn country.

The joint assessment was conducted by FAO, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in cooperation with the authorities in Yemen. It is the first national, household-level survey conducted in the country since the escalation of the conflict in mid-March 2015.

Rates of acute malnutrition were found to have passed the “critical” threshold in four governorates, while agricultural production is falling across the country.”
 

Yemen: As food crisis worsens, UN agencies call for urgent assistance to avert catastrophe
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56143#.WJ3yefmLSUk

10 February 2017

“Hisham al-Omeisy, a resident of Yemen's capital Sanaa, talks of chronic shortages of food, medicine and electricity. The United Nations has warned that the war-torn country is facing a catastrophic famine.”
 

Yemen on the brink of famine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04s94tb

13 February 2017

“Two Saudi-backed forces clashed at the Aden Airport on Sunday morning after one of the groups refused to hand over this governmental installation to the other.

According to local reports, a southern brigade led by Saleh Al-‘Amiri refused to hand over the Aden Airport to the Hadi loyalists; this resulted in a violent confrontation that is still ongoing.

Al-‘Amiri’s forces had been in control of the Aden Airport since they recapture this strategic port city from the Houthis in late 2015.”
 

Saudi-backed forces fight each other at Aden Airport in southern Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saudi-backed-forces-fight-aden-airport-southern-yemen/

13 February 2017

“How did Nawar al-Awlaki, an 8-year-old child, die at the hands of a Navy Seal during last month’s nighttime raid in Yemen? We know from credible reports that she was shot in the neck at close range and received no medical aid throughout the remaining two hours of her life. Some questions come to mind: Was the shooting intentional? Did the soldier deliberately and with 'malice aforethought' point his weapon at Nawar and squeeze the trigger, fully aware that he was murdering in cold blood an innocent child? For that matter, might he have been influenced, if only subliminally, by our Commander-in-Chief’s prescription for winning the so-called 'war on terror'? During his campaign for the presidency, Trump announced that a sure-fire strategy for defeating ISIS had to involve eliminating their families as well as the terrorists themselves. Here are his exact words:

'When you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families. They care about their lives. Don't kid yourself. But they say they don't care about their lives. You have to take out their families.'”
 

Yemen: In the Shadow of Death
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/02/12/yemen-shadow-death

13 February 2017

“Thousands of cancer patients in Yemen are being forced to seek life-saving medicines on the black market as the health system buckles after two years of war.

The conflict between the armed Houthi movement and a Saudi-led military coalition has killed over 10,000 people and triggered a slow-motion economic collapse, forcing health staff to work without pay and undercutting patients' ability to afford their own treatment.

For patients of the National Oncology Center, who often wait hours to receive their chemotherapy treatment, hope has evaporated along with their livelihoods.

'There are no pensions any more, how are we supposed to pay?' pleaded Mohamed El Shamaa, a gaunt leukemia patient, reclining limply as he received chemotherapy via an intravenous tube.

'Most people seek charity - some give and others say they can't help. Now, some people seek help from mosques. I'm one of those people,' he said.”
 

Yemen cancer patients struggle to survive war shortages
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-cancer-idUSKBN15S126

13 February 2017

“U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday the U.N. envoy to Yemen had his full support, days after Yemen's Houthi group asked him not to renew the diplomat's term due to what it said was bias against the Iranian-aligned movement.

'Our envoy has my full support and I believe that he is doing an impartial work, that he is doing it in a very professional way and independently of what other people may think, he has my full support,' said Guterres during a stop in Riyadh, part of a regional tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates.

In a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh, Guterres appealed to the combatants in Yemen's almost two-year-old war not to exploit the delivery of humanitarian aid, adding any such action was to be condemned.

A top official of the Houthi-led government which controls Yemen's capital called on the world body on Friday not renew the term of U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, saying he had shown 'lack of neutrality' and sympathy for a Saudi-led coalition that is fighting to reinstate Yemen's internationally-recognized government.”
 

U.N. chief affirms full support for Yemen peace envoy
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-un-guterres-idUSKBN15R0MP

13 February 2017

“A Pakistani national was killed Sunday in Saudi Arabia when Yemeni rebels shelled the kingdom’s southern border region, the civil defense department said.

A rocket hit Arda, which is part of the southwestern region of Jazan, Civil Defense spokesman Yahya Al-Qahtani said in a report by the official Saudi Press Agency.

'As result, a Pakistani national was killed,' he said without naming the victim.

At least 115 civilians and soldiers have been killed in southern Saudi Arabia since a Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels in March 2015 to support Yemen’s government.”
 

Yemen shelling kills Pakistani in southern Saudi Arabia
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1053146/saudi-arabia

 
13 February 2017

“The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemeni dominant Houthi rebels killed a six-member family in an air strike on the family's house in the Red Sea port city of Mokha on Sunday evening, a medic and security official told Xinhua.

'Doctor Molok Mahis, director of maternal and childhood center, a non-governmental organization, was critically injured in the air strike on her home in Mokha and she is being now treated at the intensive care in the hospital,' the medic told Xinhua by phone.

'Her leg was amputated in the air strike and six members of her family were killed,' the medic said.

The security official in the port city confirmed that all six members of social activist Mahis were killed in one of the evening air strike that flattened her house to the ground.

This is the latest in a series of air strikes hitting Yemeni civilians since the war began in 2015.”
 

Coalition airstrike kills 6-member family in Yemeni port city Mokha
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-02/13/c_136051284.htm

13 February 2017

“The US-backed Saudi-led coalition held five oil tankers heading to Hodeida province, an official told Saba on Monday.

The tankers, which carries gas and diesel, were designated to reach Ras Isa and Hodeida ports.

The aggression's move intended to hinder the oil derivatives supplies from reaching the Yemeni people, the official said.

He condemned the UN and international community's silence to the Saudi crimes against the Yemeni people, who have already suffered from all-out blockade imposed by Saudi aggression for almost two years.”
 

Saudi aggression deprives Yemen of oil supplies
https://www.sabanews.net/en/news456041.htm

13 February 2017

“KEY FIGURES

28,000 people estimated to have fled Al Mokha

2,600 people have fled to neighbouring governorate of Al Hudaydah

2,007,216 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) since onset of hostilities in March 2015.

1,027,674 IDP returnees since March 2015

SITUATION UPDATE

UNHCR is deeply concerned about the plight of thousands of Yemeni civilians fleeing or caught up in heavy confrontation in Taizz governorate. While hostilities have intensified in the Red Sea districts of Al Mokha and Dhubab, individuals are also being displaced further inland from Al Wazi'iyah and Mawza in Taizz as conflict engulfs key strategic locations across the governorate. Thousands of civilians are being caught in the crossfire, worsening the situation for an already vulnerable population. UNHCR is mobilizing rapid assistance together with partners to help those displaced. Challenges in response include heavy fighting and ongoing military operations which are impeding humanitarian access, and comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Those trapped face serious risks in an effort to reach safety, including mined roads and ongoing hostilities.

The number of displaced is expected to increase as major confrontation continues.”
 

Yemen UNHCR Flash Update, 10 February 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-flash-update-10-february-2017

13 February 2017

“The Houthi forces launched a decisive counter-offensive near the strategic Mocha Port on Saturday, striking the Saudi-backed 'Southern Resistance' forces at the eastern flank.

The Houthi forces reportedly gathered east of Mocha on Friday evening in order to regroup for today’s offensive.

With the adequate men needed to launch the offensive, the Houthi forces began their swift counter-assault on Saturday morning; this attack resulted in a fierce battle between the two opposing parties.”
 

Houthi forces launch decisive counter-offensive in west Yemen
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/houthi-forces-launch-decisive-counter-offensive-west-yemen/

13 February 2017

“أزمة جديدة تقتحم حياة اليمنيين في الجنوب، تحديداً مدينة عدن، حيث العاصمة التي أعلنها الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي، واحة للأمان. هذه المرة كان عنوان الاشتباكات مطار عدن الدولي الذي هدّد المؤتمن عليه وقائد قوات حمايته، العميد صالح العمري، المعروف بـ«أبو قحطان»، بوقف الملاحة الجوية فيه إذا لم تصرف «الشرعية» مرتبات قواته.

جراء هذا التهديد، أمر هادي ألوية الحماية الرئاسية، التي يقودها مهران القباطي وبسام المحضار، باستلام حماية المطار من العمري، لكن الأخير رفض التسليم. ورغم دخول وسطاء عديدين، تحوّل الخلاف كالعادة، إلى اشتباكات أظهرت بوضوح كل ما كان يقال عن الصراع الخفي بين السعودية من جهة، وبين الإمارات العربية من جهة أخرى، وحلفاء الطرفين.”

 
عدن ضحية معارك «الشرعية»... و«أنصار الله» تسترد مواقع في نهم
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272505

13 February 2017

“لا يبدو الرجل يعبأ أبداً بمدى المأزق أو التخبط الذي تعانيه قواته العسكرية المشكلة من ألوية متفرقة ومتشتتة، بُنيَت على أسس مناطقية وحزبية وفصائلية ومحسوبيات وولاءات خليجية وأجنبية، وهي ــ الألوية ــ لا تحمل عقيدة عسكرية مبدئية، ولا تملك نظاماً قتالياً موحداً يمكن الركون إليهما في الجبهات التي تزج بها في الشمال اليمني.

الحرب لم تنته بعد، بل هي الآن في ضراوة العمليات العسكرية على الساحل الغربي وبقية الجبهات، حتى وقع الاحتراب الداخلي بين الفصائل السلفية المحسوبة على الإمارات وحزب «الإصلاح» الإخواني المدعوم من السعودية في محافظة تعز. وما إن توقفت المعارك بينهما بفعل ضغوط من وسطاء محليين، حتى أطلت الفتنة برأسها بينهما من جديد من خلال التهديدات المتبادلة بين الطرفين. ويجمع المطلعون على مجريات الأمور على أنه لو أتيح للحرب التي تشن حالياً على اليمن أن تتوقف، فإن حرباً ضارية ستقع وتلتهم بنيرانها البشر والحجر، ويشارك فيها جميع القوى المشكلة للسلطة.”

عبد ربه منصور هادي... «أنطوان لحد اليمن»
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272448

 
13 February 2017

“خطاب تصعيدي وسقف تحدٍّ كبير أعلنه عبد الملك الحوثي وحمل عناوين، أبرزها زيادة وجوه المواجهة العسكرية، بدءاً من التوعد بـ«قصف الرياض وما بعد الرياض»، وصولاً إلى الكشف عن دور جديد لطائرات بلا طيار تسيرها «أنصار الله»، والتجهيز لإدخال عناصر «الدفاع الجوي» في المعركة بعدما أظهرت «القوة البحرية» أداءً مقلقاً للسفن الأميركية والسعودية على حد سواء”

«أنصار الله» إلى «ما بعد الرياض»... ودفاعات جوية قريباً
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272449

13 February 2017

“قال شهود عيان في مدينة الحديدة (غرب اليمن) اليوم الاثنين، إن مقاتلات التحالف العربي الذي تقوده السعودية شنت غارتين على موقع عسكري للمسلحين الحوثيين والقوت الموالية لصالح بالقرب من الميناء.

وأفاد الشهود مراسل «المصدر أونلاين»، بأن الغارتين استهدفتا مبنى الانشاءات بالقرب من البوابة الشرقية لميناء الحديدة في شارع جيزان.

وأضافوا بأن سيارات الإسعاف وصلت إلى المواقع المستهدفة لإسعاف الضحايا.”

مقاتلات التحالف تشن غارتين على مواقع للحوثيين وقوات صالح بالقرب من ميناء الحديدة
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88830

13 February 2017

“نجا عميد كلية الإعلام السابق بجامعة صنعاء في وقوت متأخر من مساء أمس الأحد، من محاولة اغتيال نفذها مجهولون في شارع الرقاص وسط العاصمة، حسبما قال شهود عيان ومصدر.

وأوضح مصدر في نقابة هيئة التدريس بالجامعة لـ«المصدر أونلاين»، بأن مسلحين على متن دراجة نارية أطلقوا وابل من النيران على أستاذ الاتصال والإعلام بالجامعة الدكتور علي البريهي، لكنه نجا.

وأضاف إن الحادث جاء بعد تلقيه اتصالاً من مجهول، يتوعده ويهدده بالتصفية، على خلفية نشاطه النقابي في جامعة صنعاء.

وقال المصدر إن محاولة اغتيال البريهي، كانت رسالة إلى الأكاديميين في جامعة صنعاء، الذين ينفذون إضراباً عن الدراسة للشهر الثاني على التوالي، احتجاجاً على عدم تسلمهم رواتبهم منذ خمسة أشهر.”

شهود: نجاة عميد كلية الإعلام السابق بجامعة صنعاء من محاولة اغتيال نفذها مسلحون
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88825

15 February 2017

“At least seven Saudi soldiers have been killed in the past week in clashes with Yemeni rebels, state media has said.

In an unusual series of official reports, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported late on Monday that Mohammed al-Manjahi was the latest soldier to be killed 'defending' the kingdom's southern borders in the fight against Houthi rebels.”
 

Yemen conflict: Seven Saudi soldiers killed on border
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/yemen-conflict-saudi-soldiers-killed-border-170214095443697.html

 
15 February 2017

“Saudi Arabian coalition jets bombing Houthi rebel sites in Yemen increasingly turn to U.S. Air Force tankers for refueling support almost two years after the conflict began.

Since April 2015, the Air Force has logged 1,778 tanker sorties for the operation, Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Capt. Kathleen Atanasoff told Military.com on Tuesday. That includes 1,069 over the past year, an increase of 360, or 50 percent, from the 709 in the previous period.

'These operations are ongoing, with aircraft refueling occurring daily,' Atanasoff said in an email. The service's tankers such as KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders participated in 7,564 refueling 'events' with coalition aircraft, with 'about 54 million pounds of fuel off-loaded in support of Saudi operations in Yemen,' Atanasoff said.

Refueling numbers are tracked by the command but, unlike statistics on strikes and sorties against the Islamic State and the Taliban, aren't publicly released via the command's airpower summary factsheets.”
 

2 Years Into Yemen War, US Ramps Up Refueling of Saudi Jets
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/02/15/2-years-yemen-war-us-ramps-up-refueling-saudi-jets.html

15 February 2017

“A suicide car bomb attack in a rebel-held Yemeni town on Tuesday killed three people, including a child, and wounded eight others, a provincial official said.

The attack targeted a sports and culture club in the Houthi-controlled town of Radaa, he said, in the central province of Baida where Al-Qaeda fighters are present.

A security official said: 'Houthi fighters opened fire on the car before it attacked the club, causing it to explode at the gate, leading to the deaths and injuries.'

A nearby school was also damaged, the source said.”
 

Yemen suicide car bombing kills 3: officials
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1054171/middle-east

 
15 February 2017

“At least twenty one civilians were killed, Including three children, and dozens wounded in 309 airstrikes launched by US-backed Saudi aggression warplanes on several Yemeni provinces over the past five days, officials and residents told Saba.

In Sana'a province, the aggression warplanes launched ten air strikes on Nehm district and six raids on Belad Alroos area.

In Sa'ada province, the aggression launched 33 airstrikes on several districts, targeting civilians and their properties. Eight civilians, including three children, were killed in an airstrike on Haidan district of Sa'ada.

Also three children were killed in Sa'ada in an airstrike on Husama residential area in Dhahir district.

Also in Sa'ada, the air strikes targeted telecommunication networks.

In Jawf province, the aggression warplanes launched two raids on Milhan directorate and al-Maslob district.

In Taiz province, the aggression fighter jets waged 68 air raids on large swaths of residential areas, particularly in Mokha coast city. In Mokha, a ten-member family, mostly children, were killed in one of the airstrike.

Also in Taiz, the air strikes targeted telecommunication networks.

In Mareb province, the aggression warplanes carried out 38 raids on several civilian regions, in which large-scale of farms were damaged.

In Hodeidah port city, the aggression launched 48 air strikes on different areas, particularly the port itself, hampering food and medical import supplies.

In Hajja province, the aggression warplanes launched 102 airstrikes, particularly on Medi port city and boirder crossing of Haradh.

In Mahweet governorate, the aggression fighter jets launched one air strike on AL-Khabt district.

In Shabw province, the Saudi aggression launched one air raid on Aselan district.”
 

309 airstrikes hit Yemen in five days
http://www.sabanews.net/en/news456263.htm

15 February 2017

“Inter-factional clashes erupted around Aden’s international airport on Sunday, prompting Saudi-led coalition Apache helicopters to fire a missile at a military vehicle, Yemeni security officials said, without confirming the number of casualties.

The attack marks the first time the Arab coalition intervenes militarily in power struggles between the forces from the presidential guards – led by President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi’s son – and a UAE-backed rival faction group.

“The fighting around Aden airport was not spur of the moment. There has been sporadic intra-factions since Aden liberation, it just escalated today,” local journalist Saleh al-Batati told The New Arab.”
 

Boiling tensions: Yemen's pro-coalition forces fight for Aden Airport
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2017/2/13/boiling-tensions-yemens-pro-coalition-forces-fight-for-aden-airport

15 February 2017

“Yemen has no plans to request US ground troops to fight on its behalf in the country’s civil war, the permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Khaled Alyemany, said on Monday.

"We will never invite American soldiers on the ground," Alyemany stated during an Atlantic Council event in Washington, DC. "We will never invite Americans. And Americans, they understand that."

Khaled Alyemany also stated that the administration of former US President Barack Obama and the efforts of former Secretary of State John Kerry caused setbacks to the peace process in Yemen.”
 

Yemen to Never Invite US Ground Troops to Help Resolve Conflict - UN Envoy
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702131050637475-us-yemen-troops-alyemany/

15 February 2017 

“Yemen's wheat supplies will run out at the end of March, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation predicted in a report, adding that the war-torn country, which is currently on the brink of famine, is in a more desperate position than previously thought.

At the end of January, the UN's top official in the impoverished country told Reuters that there were roughly three months' supply of wheat left in the country.

'Yemen is facing the largest food security emergency in the world. Without immediate action, the situation is likely to worsen in 2017,' the FAO report said.”
 

Yemen's wheat stocks to be 'depleted by April'
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/society/2017/2/11/yemens-wheat-stocks-to-be-depleted-by-april

15 February 2017

“صعّد التحالف السعودي من هجماته الجوية على محيط ميناء الحديدة غربي اليمن، في خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية، وذلك برغم المخاوف المحلية والدولية من تداعيات استهداف المرفأ البحري الوحيد الذي تمرّ منه معظم المساعدات الإنسانية و70 في المئة من واردات الغذاء والدواء و80 في المئة من واردات الوقود.

وكانت السعودية قد استغلت استهداف فرقاطتها في المياه الإقليمية اليمنية قبالة الحديدة نهاية الشهر الماضي، لتبرر تحويل الميناء إلى هدف جدي لها. ونتيجةً لذلك، بات الميناء الذي استقبل العام الماضي أكثر من 270 ألف طن من المساعدات الإنسانية المقدمة من الأمم المتحدة، يواجه تصاعداً في التهديدات، من قبل طيران العدوان وبوارجه الحربية.”
 

صراع الساحل يصل إلى الحُديدة
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272587

15 February 2017

“أزمة جديدة تقتحم حياة اليمنيين في الجنوب، تحديداً مدينة عدن، حيث العاصمة التي أعلنها الرئيس المستقيل عبد ربه منصور هادي، واحة للأمان. هذه المرة كان عنوان الاشتباكات مطار عدن الدولي الذي هدّد المؤتمن عليه وقائد قوات حمايته، العميد صالح العمري، المعروف بـ«أبو قحطان»، بوقف الملاحة الجوية فيه إذا لم تصرف «الشرعية» مرتبات قواته.

جراء هذا التهديد، أمر هادي ألوية الحماية الرئاسية، التي يقودها مهران القباطي وبسام المحضار، باستلام حماية المطار من العمري، لكن الأخير رفض التسليم. ورغم دخول وسطاء عديدين، تحوّل الخلاف كالعادة، إلى اشتباكات أظهرت بوضوح كل ما كان يقال عن الصراع الخفي بين السعودية من جهة، وبين الإمارات العربية من جهة أخرى، وحلفاء الطرفين.”

عدن ضحية معارك «الشرعية»... و«أنصار الله» تسترد مواقع في نهم
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/272505

15 February 2017

“قال محافظ محافظة تعز (جنوب غرب اليمن) علي المعمري اليوم الأربعاء، إن السلطة المحلية قاربت من استكمال كافة الإجراءات المتعلقة بصرف مرتبات الموظفين في القطاع المدني.

ونقلت وكالة الأنباء اليمنية «سبأ» عن المعمري قوله، إن مرتبات موظفي القطاع المدني ستصرف قريباً، وإن عملية توقيع الكشوفات الخاصة بعملية الصرف قد انتهت، وإن موعد الصرف سيتحدد في وقت لاحق.

وأرجع المعمري أسباب التأخير إلى عدم استكمال بيانات الموظفين في بعض الأجهزة والمؤسسات والمكاتب في المحافظة”

محافظ تعز يقول إن موعد صرف المرتبات سيتم قريباً بعد الانتهاء من توقيع الشيكات
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88880

15 February 2017

“شهد الريال اليمني تحسناً أمام العملات الأجنبية بعد إجراءات اتخذتها الحكومة التي تعمل من العاصمة المؤقتة عدن (جنوب البلاد)، بالتوازي مع اجراءات لسلطات الحوثيين في العاصمة صنعاء.

وتراجع سعر الصرف من 365 الى 310 ريالاً للدولار بالعاصمة المؤقتة عدن (جنوبي البلاد)، ومن 390 الى 330 ريالاً للدولار الواحد في العاصمة صنعاء وأمام الريال السعودي من 102 الى 80 ريالا.

وقال صرافون، ان اجتماعاً لقيادة البنك المركزي مع الصرافين في عدن، خرج باتفاق على بيع الدولار بنحو 300 ريال للدولار الواحد والريال السعودي ب75 ريالاً.

من جانبها أكدت مصادر حكومية، أن البنك المركزي تعهد للصرافين بضخ كميات كافية من العملة الصعبة في السوق للحفاظ على استقرار العملة بما يكفي ليتساوى العرض مع الطلب.”

إجراءات حكومية تنجح مؤقتاً في كبح جماح العملة الخضراء أمام الريال اليمني
http://almasdaronline.com/article/88881

16 February 2017

“It’s impossible to get hard numbers, but child marriage appears to be on the rise in Yemen: a consequence of the extreme poverty caused by nearly two years of devastating war in what was already one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.

Parents are becoming increasingly unable to provide for their families, and interviews conducted by IRIN suggest some are opting to marry their daughters off younger than planned, reversing previous progress towards ending the practice.”
 

Shattered war economy encourages child marriage in Yemen
http://www.irinnews.org/2017/02/15/shattered-war-economy-encourages-child-marriage-yemen?utm_source=IRIN+-+the+inside+story+on+emergencies&utm_campaign=142c77ded4-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_ENGLISH_MIDDLE_EAST&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d842d98289-142c77ded4-75451173

16 February 2017

“Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition struck a house north of Yemen's capital where a crowd of mourners was gathered, residents said on Thursday, killing nine women and a child and injuring dozens.

The Saudi-led coalition said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties in the area.

The air strike hit the house of a local tribal leader in Ashira, a village north of Sanaa, on Wednesday night, a resident told Reuters. Mourners had gathered there to offer condolences after a woman died.

"People heard the sound of planes and started running from the house but then the bombs hit the house directly. The roof collapsed. Blood was everywhere," a second resident of Ashira, who gave his name as Hamid Ali, told a Reuters cameraman.”
 

Plane strike hits Yemen mourners, killing 9 women, 1 child: residents
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN15V0Q8

20 February 2017

“Amid no letup in Saudi carnage of Yemen’s civilians, counter-strikes by Yemeni forces have hit a military base inside Saudi Arabia close to the common border.

They targeted the outpost in the ‘Asir region in the kingdom’s extreme southwest with an unknown number of projectiles on Sunday, Yemen’s War Media outlet reported.

It also carried extended footage of the counter-raid after Saudi officials denied that such retaliatory attack had ever taken place.

Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters have been hitting targets in the kingdom’s border area in response to its March 2015-present invasion of the impoverished country.”
 

Watch video of Saudi base hit by Yemeni rockets
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2017/02/19/511174/Yemen-Saudi-Arabia-Asir

20 February 2017

“The UK trained an air force at the centre of war crime allegations in Yemen how to carry out airstrikes with smart bombs.

Evidence submitted during a legal case into UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia reveals the RAF trained the country’s air force how to use Paveway IV missiles.

The documents also reveal that only a 'very, very small' number of airstrikes were tracked and the UK knew little about the Saudis’ targeting practices.

Despite being kept in the dark over airstrikes, the UK Government claimed last year that no war crimes had been committed by the Saudis.”
 

Smart bombs made in Scotland were dropped in Yemen by UK-trained Saudi air force
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/smart-bombs-made-scotland-were-9848386

20 February 2017

“They call him the Banksy of Yemen. But Murad Subay, a 29-year-old street artist based in the capital Sanaa, shrugs off such comparisons.

Subay has transformed the streets of an active war zone into his own vibrant gallery. His canvases are often the ruins of war - crumbling, abandoned houses with gaping holes caused by mortar explosions.

'It is three letters only: W-A-R,' said Subay of his work, which continually shines a light on Yemen's horrific humanitarian situation.

'It's just to show the ugliness of war - this is what happens by war. This is my way to to protest against the injustice of this war and for peace.'

Subay's work also focuses on Yemen's dire economic situation, political corruption, disappeared persons, and US drone strikes.”
 

Yemen's most prolific street artist copes with Donald Trump's immigration ban.
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/02/yemen-art-love-bombs-bans-170213090154650.html

20 February 2017

“Nine women and one child have died after a Saudi-led coalition war plane struck a funeral gathering in Yemen, officials have said.

A strike which hit a house in which mourners were gathered north of the capital on Wednesday also injured dozens more civilians, witnesses said.

The home of a local tribal leader in Ashira, a village north of Sanaa, was destroyed in the strike, a resident told Reuters. Locals had gathered there to offer condolences after a woman in the family died.”
 

Saudi air strike kills 10 women and children in Yemen
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-air-strike-saudi-arabia-10-women-children-dead-funeral-bombing-sanaa-a7585886.html

20 February 2017

“Four Yemenis working with the Norwegian Refugee Council have been detained in a rebel-held part of the country, the NGO said Monday, after they distributed aid insurgents allege is linked to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, the NRC said authorities in the rebel-controlled Red Sea district of Hodeida detained three Yemeni staff and a contracted driver on Tuesday last week.

'Due to the security sensitivities regarding our staff, we cannot comment any further on the matter at this time,'said the Oslo-based non-governmental organisation.”
 

Norwegian Refugee Council staff held in Yemen
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/34455690/norwegian-refugee-council-staff-abducted-in-yemen-minister/#page1

20 February 2017

“The United Arab Emirates says an Emirati soldier has been killed while taking part in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

The state-run WAM news agency reported the soldier's death on Friday. It identified the slain soldier as Sgt. Nader Mubarak Issa Suleiman.”
 

UAE says Emirati soldier killed in Saudi-led war in Yemen
http://www.njherald.com/article/20170217/AP/302179938#

20 February 2017

“UNHCR is mobilizing rapid assistance with partners to help those displaced principally from Mokha and Dhubab in Taizz governorate. Challenges in response include heavy fighting and ongoing military operations which are impeding humanitarian access, and comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify. Assessment missions and distributions are underway, and UNHCR has pre-positioned emergency stocks in Al Hudaydah, comprising of emergency shelter kits and household assistance consisting of mattresses, sleeping mats, blankets, kitchen utensils and wash buckets.

Latest figures released by the 12th Task Force on Population Movement, coled by UNHCR and IOM, identify 2,007,216 IDPs and 1,027,674 IDP returnees in Yemen. There is a slight decrease in the numbers of displacement figures overall due to further data collection and validation procedures. The report continues to identify food as the overwhelmingly reported need by IDPs, with 75% of informants reporting it as the priority when compared to 66% in the previous report, in addition to access to income (7%), Shelter/Housing (7%) and cooking/washing water (4%). Priority needs for returnees also continue to be reported as food (36%), financial support (19%), psychosocial support (18%).”
 

Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, February 14 2017
http://reliefweb.int/report/yemen/yemen-unhcr-operational-update-february-14-2017

20 February 2017

“White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has warned journalists and lawmakers against criticizing a botched raid by U.S. commandos on a Yemeni village last month that left 25 civilians and one U.S. Navy SEAL dead. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports the January 28 assault killed nine children under the age of 13, with five other children wounded. The attack came as the United Nations appealed for $2.1 billion in emergency aid to Yemen, warning 12 million people face the threat of famine brought on by a U.S.-supported, Saudi-led war and naval blockade.”
 

Glenn Greenwald: Trump Seems to Be Committed to Escalating Violence in Yemen
https://www.democracynow.org/2017/2/16/glenn_greenwald_trump_seems_to_be

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.] 

Political Rights

Court calls on Interior Ministry to pursue HRW for ‘illegal’ operation in Egypt An Egyptian court called for the Interior Ministry to legally pursue the New York-based Human Rights Watch organization for not having state clearance to operate in Egypt, despite the international nongovernmental organization not having an office or any full-time staff in the country.

Egypt court sentences journalist to 6 months in prison An Egyptian court has sentenced on Tuesday a journalist and the legal adviser for the dissolved Freedom and Justice Party to six months in jail. 

Alexandria police accused of torturing man to death The family of Mahmoud Saeed Shehata, who died in custody on Tuesday, has accused Alexandria police of torturing him to death. Shehata was arrested on Monday for suspected involvement in the robbery of documents from the administrative prosecution office in Alexandria.

Suspects implicated in assault on Coptic Minya woman referred to trial Three men implicated in the May 2015 assault on an elderly Coptic woman in the village of Karm in Minya were indicted on Wednesday when a judge accepted the petition of the victim’s lawyer, Ihab Ramzy.

North Sinai Copts face death or displacement in absence of security and tribal protection The three recent murder incidents targeting Copts represent a worrying development in North Sinai, where Copts are often the secondary targets of Islamist groups in the area – most prominently Province of Sinai – whose primary efforts are focused on the Egyptian Armed Forces.

Parliament confirms 9 new ministers in Cabinet reshuffle Egypt’s Parliament appointed nine new ministers on Tuesday in the latest Cabinet shakeup.

Egypt swears in 9 new ministers, 5 new governors including 1st female governor The new ministers appointed in Tuesday’s cabinet shakeup were sworn in before President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday in addition to five new governors, among them Egypt’s first female governor and two generals.

New education minister raises hopes for future of education in Egypt Egypt’s new education minister, Tarek Shawki, who was sworn in on Thursday along with eight other ministers in the country’s latest Cabinet reshuffle, has been hailed on social media as the answer to Egypt’s ailing educational system — in stark comparison to his predecessor, Al-Hilaly al-Sherbiny, who received widespread criticism during his tenure, including calls for resignation from Members of Parliament and protests by students over the postponement of high-school exams.

Discipline to what end: Egypt’s failing schools and a new Education Ministry initiative Students in Egyptian schools may see a series of disciplinary measures begin to come into effect this week, as the Education Ministry announced the launch of the Week of General Discipline initiative on Sunday.

AUC students resort to Egypt’s judiciary against tuition increase The Court of Administrative Justice held a hearing on Sunday to review a lawsuit filed by parents of American University in Cairo students that challenges the university’s 2014 decision to collect fifty percent of tuition fees in US dollars.

Economy

Finance minister: Egypt’s inflation rate expected to peak by end of March Egypt’s rising inflation rate is expected to increase further, reaching a peak by end of March as a result of the currency flotation, among other factors, according to Finance Minister Amr al-Garhy.

Egypt's unemployment rate eases slightly to 12.4 per cent - CAPMAS Egypt's unemployment rate eased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2016 to 12.4 percent from 12.6 percent in the third quarter, the state statistics agency said on Wednesday.

Egypt’s economic transition could be “coming to a close”, IMF'S Lagarde says Egypt is making good progress in its economic reform program and the recent developments might be an indicator that the transition is coming to a close, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Monday. 

Crackdown on fake cotton helps revive Egypt crop Egypt's most famous export, the silky soft cotton prized by makers of luxury bedding and clothing, has become so scarce as production has fallen that most supplies sold under its brand name last year were fake.

Foreign Relations

Israel declassifies documents on 1967 Arab-Israeli War Marking nearly fifty years since the conclusion of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel’s armed forces have declassified documents, audio recordings and photos pertaining to Operation Focus, which aimed at wiping out Egypt’s air force on the ground on the first day of the six-day conflict.

A year ago, Israel, Jordan and Egypt secretly met for peace - report Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met secretly a year ago with the leaders of Egypt and Jordan in a failed attempt by the Obama administration to convene a wider regional summit on Israeli-Palestinian peace, Israel's Haaretz said on Sunday.

Arab League, Egypt say Palestinian-Israeli conflict needs two-state solution The Palestinian-Israeli conflict requires a two-state solution, the Arab League and Egypt reaffirmed on Thursday, distancing themselves from a move away from that commitment by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Sisi meets reps from US-based Zionist groups 5 times in 20 months President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with representatives from US-based pro-Israel organizations in Cairo on Sunday, for the fifth time in twenty months.

13 Egyptians kidnapped in Libya released - Armed Forces Egypt’s armed forces secured the release of thirteen Egyptians who were kidnapped in the northeastern Libyan city of Ajdabia, the Egyptian Army Spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday.

Russia approves aviation security protocol with Egypt Russia approved "the draft cooperation protocol between the governments of the Russian Federation and Egypt to maintain civil aviation safety and security," according to a statement by the Russian government on Friday.

"Blind sheik" convicted in World Trade bombing dies in U.S. prison Omar Abdel-Rahman, the Muslim cleric known as "the blind sheik" who was convicted of conspiracy in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and of planning a broader "war of urban terrorism" in the United States, died on Saturday in a North Carolina prison, authorities said.

Domestic Security

Cabinet bans motorbikes in areas of central and north Sinai for a year Egypt’s Cabinet announced a decision on Saturday to ban motorbikes from several areas in central and north Sinai for a year. The move is part of a wider strategy to restrict movement in the peninsula, particularly North Sinai, where security forces have been engaged in armed conflict with militants since 2013.

Alleged Province of Sinai statement threatens gov’t with retribution for civilian deaths Islamic State-affiliated militant group Province of Sinai allegedly distributed a statement to the public in the North Sinai city of Arish, offering condolences for unarmed civilians killed in violence with the state in recent years.

From Jadaliyya Egypt

Shadows of the Imperceptible: PhotoCairo6 (15 February - 23 March 2017)Shadows of the Imperceptible, the five-week-long public articulations of the sixth edition of PhotoCairo, consists of two exhibitions at Contemporary Image Collective and Saad Zaghloul Cultural Center as well as performances, screenings, talks, discussions and studio visits in different locations across the city. Exhibitions run from 15 February 2017, at seven pm, until 23 March 2017.

The Price of Love: Valentine’s Day in Egypt and Its Enemies This Valentine’s Day, Jadaliyya is proud to republish Aymon Kreil's article "The Price of Love: Valentine's Day in Egypt and Its Enemies" from the Fall 2016 issue of the Arab Studies Journal. 

خطوات مرحة في شارع البهلوان Marc Lutfi uses a scene from Salah Abu Seif’s 1949 film, “Acrobat Street” as a point of departure to examine the juxtaposed “duplicity” of women in both film and mainstream culture. 

اليأس كسلاح للاستبداد In light of the seventh anniversary of the wave revolutions that swept across the Arab world, Sinan Antoon examines the importance of characterization as exemplified by the Western political branding of the past popular uprisings as an “Arab Spring,” a misnomer which Antoon argues to have had a mystifying effect.

Arabic

مصر: 16 مرشحاً رفضوا الانضمام الى حكومة اسماعيل  A cabinet reshuffle, which included nine ministerial portfolios, was approved by the parliament.

«القضاء الإداري» تقضي بعدم اختصاصها بإلغاء إدراج «بديع» و«الكتاتني» على قائمة «الإرهابيين» Egypt’s Administrative Court rejected Muslim Brotherhood leaders Badie and Katatni’s appeal to remove their names from terror list. 

«القضاء الإداري» تقضي بعدم قبول دعوى إغلاق مقار منظمة «هيومان رايتس ووتش» Egypt’s Administrative Court dismissed on Tuesday a closure lawsuit filed against Human Rights Watch and foreign NGOs based in Egypt alleging that these NGOs work without authorization.

مرشحين جدد لانتخابات نقابة الصحفيين.. و«محبوس احتياطيا» ضمنهم 6 The committee on press syndicate elections continues to receive nominations for the coming elections which will be held on 3 March, 2017. 

وزراء و5 محافظين جدد يؤدون اليمين الدستورية أمام الرئيس السيسي9  Nine new ministers were sworn in before president Sisi on Thursday.

هل يتحمل المصريون تضخم الأسعار في 2017 كما تحملوه في 1986؟ Egypt’s consumer prices record a sharp increase during January 2017, the highest inflation rate since 1986.

المصري لحقوق المرأة: التعديل الوزاري "محبط" لآمال النساء في عامهن Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights stated that the cabinet reshuffle was not up to expectations or hopes of Egyptian women due to the very modest number of women represented in the cabinet.

 صادرات القطن المصري تقفز 63.9% في الربع الأول من الموسم الجاري Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics recorded an increase in Egypt’s cotton exports, jumping almost sixty three percent during the first quarter of 2016-2017.

(تقرير حقوقي صادم يرصد انتهاكات النظام المصري في 2016 (شاهد Egyptian Coordination for Rights and Freedoms reported 290 state-led killing cases during 2016.

"القضاء المصري ينظر في إغلاق "الغارديان Egypt’s Court reviews on Thursday lawsuits demanding closure of The Guardian office in Cairo over fabricating false news about the ongoing events in Egypt.

مقتل خمسة من قوات الأمن المصرية بانفجار في سيناء  Five security forces were killed and two injured on Friday in northern Sinai attack led by militants affiliated with ISIS.

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.] 

Inside Syria

Eight Syrian Factions Merge ... Massacre in Azaz (8 January, 2017) Sources at the Syrian opposition announced on Saturday that eight large opposition factions had merged in the north of Syria under the name of “Leadership Council For Liberation Of Syria.”

Syria's Civil War: Aleppo's heritage sites 'in danger' (12 January, 2017) According to Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's Director General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM): "We have more than 150 heritage buildings with different levels of damage, without taking into account places like the ancient souk, 60 percent of which is destroyed … Many of the traditional houses, dating from around the first century AD, are also damaged. 

Democratic Rep. Gabbard Makes Secret Trip to Syria (18 January, 2017) The Hawaii lawmaker, who has bucked both parties on the issue of Syria, met with government officials on a "fact-finding" mission.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reportedly suffering under 'psychological pressure' (22 January, 2017) Five years of ‘war and tension’ have led Syria’s embattled leader to develop a nervous tick, newspaper columnist claims, citing Russian officials.

While the world was watching Trump, Russia just quietly enlarged its military presence in Syria (23 January, 2017) Moscow signs long-term leases ensuring both naval and air expansion in the Middle East despite beginning withdrawal from the Syrian conflict.

Syria's war: East Ghouta 'refuses any evacuation deal' (23 January,  2017) Residents of Syria's East Ghouta say they will refuse any government efforts to forge a truce deal or evacuation plans.

Does Syria really want to reconcile with Kurds? (30 January, 2017) The future of Syrian Kurds is uncertain, but they have at least made it obvious that things must change.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: هل تريد سوريا فعلاً التّصالح مع الأكراد؟

Idlib's rebel split: A crossroads for Syrian opposition (2 February, 2017) Rebel divisions have forced a total reorder of the northern armed opposition a month before UN-led negotiations.

Turkey, US-coalition jets 'kill 47 ISIL fighters' (3 February, 2017) Military says a total of 47 fighters killed in northern Syria in clashes and air raids in the past 24 hours.

Besieged South Damascus 'wants truce not war'  (6 February, 2017) The last rebel-held districts near Damascus are under increasing pressure by the Syrian government to give up for good. 

Syrian and Turkish forces choke off Islamic State supply line  (6 February, 2017) Syrian and Turkish forces have effectively surrounded the key city of al-Bab, a critical waypoint for the Islamic State for moving fighters, weapons and supplies into the terrorist group’s de facto capital of Raqqa, setting the stage for the eventual assault on the group’s final stronghold in the region.

Syrian government jets target rebel-held area in Homs (8 February, 2017) At least eight people killed in air attack on rebel-held al-Waer neighbourhood of Homs, according to monitoring group.

Russian airstrike kills 3 Turkish soldiers in northern Syria (9 February, 2017) Andrew Roth and Liz Sly reports "A Russian airstrike in northern Syria killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 11 others Thursday, in a friendly fire incident that could test the shaky coordination between the two countries in the fight against the Islamic State."

Displaced Syrians stuck in limbo at Idlib's Taiba camp (9 February, 2017) Thousands of Syrians evacuated from east Aleppo last year face an uncertain future in Idlib province.

Syria’s Assad Sends Signals to Trump in Interview (10 February, 2017) President Bashar al-Assad of Syria suggested in an interview published Friday that he could foresee cooperation with the Trump administration and might even countenance the deployment of American soldiers in the country one day.

Erdogan: Turkish army will press on to ISIL-held Raqqa  (12 February, 2017) President Erdogan says Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria aims to cleanse a 5,000sq km 'safe zone'.

Turkey’s Erdogan wants to establish a safe zone in the ISIS capital Raqqa (13 February, 2017) Liz Sly reports "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took his proposal for a Turkish-backed assault against the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa to the Sunni Arab states of the Persian Gulf on Monday, telling an audience in Bahrain that he wants to create a “safe zone” in that part of Syria." 

Contrary to Turkish optimism, an arduous battle against a ‘dug-in’ Islamic State in al-Bab (15 February, 2017) Turkish-backed Syrian rebels currently control 40 percent of the northern city of al-Bab, making slow progress in a week-long campaign against “dug-in” Islamic State forces.

A Very Personal Call for Peace in Syria (15 February, 2017) “Arms dealers and arms exporting countries are making a phenomenal amount on this war, while the cost of it is borne by families such as the Kurdis. Who is good or bad on the battlefields of Syria is perhaps not as important as who is making these vast sums of money arming all sides of the conflict”

Hardline Salafist brigade reportedly executes up to 160 rebel fighters as infighting rocks northwestern Syria (16 February, 2017) A hardline Islamist group allegedly tied to the Islamic State executed up to 160 Free Syrian Army (FSA) prisoners amidst ongoing infighting in northwest Syria, multiple rebel military sources directly affected by the executions confirmed to Syria Direct on Thursday. 

Kurds pledge to fight Turkey to retain Syria's Manbij (18 February, 2017) Turkish president's plan to clear Kurdish forces from Syrian city and set up a safe zone meets with Kurdish defiance.

Syrian government forces press attack on Damascus outskirts: monitors, medic (19 February, 2017) Syrian government forces fired rockets at a rebel-held area on Damascus's outskirts on Sunday, pressing an attack that began the day before and has killed up to 16 people, a medical worker and war monitors said.

Regional and International Perspectives

Respite, not reconciliation  (10 January, 2017) The ceasefire in Syria and the upcoming peace talks in Astana could be the beginning of the long denouement in the war-torn country, Vijay Prashad says.

Assad Has Won in Syria. But Syria Hardly Exists. (11 January, 2017) And how would Mr. Assad rule the rump state? Pre-existing patronage networks have been shattered and replaced by semi-independent warlords, militias or local governing bodies.

Iran repopulates Syria with Shia Muslims to help tighten regime's control (13 January, 2017) New communities are settling in areas where Sunnis have fled or been forced out as Tehran seeks an arc of control stretching from its borders to Israel

Obama Adviser Susan Rice Cites Syrian War As Biggest Disappointment  (16 January, 2017) Rice, who served as Obama's United Nations ambassador during his first term, says there have been many successes over the past eight years. But she says her biggest disappointment has been the failure of the international community to stop Syria's brutal civil war.

Obama’s Stark Options on ISIS: Arm Syrian Kurds or Let Trump Decide (17 January, 2017) Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt writes "About 250,000 civilians are in Raqqa, and the Islamic State has fortified the city with trenches and mines and would defend it with suicide bombers. Because the Obama administration has ruled out the use of American combat troops, the United States has to rely on mobilizing local Arab forces to join battle-hardened Syrian Kurdish fighters." 

At Russia-led talks, Syrian rebels and government meet for the first time (23 January, 2017) Russian-backed peace talks aimed at ending the Syrian war brought rebels and the Syrian government face to face for the first time Monday (23 January), marking the launch of a new role for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a Middle East power broker.

Refugees Entering the U.S. Already Face a Rigorous Vetting Process  (29 January, 2017) President Trump has suspended entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, and he has barred Syrian refugees indefinitely. The current screening process for all refugees involves many layers of security checks before entry into the country, and Syrians were subject to an additional layer of checks. Sometimes, the process, shown below, takes up to two years. 

Trump wants to push back against Iran, but Iran is now more powerful than ever (5 February, 2017) "President Trump’s tough talk on Iran is winning him friends in the Arab world, but it also carries a significant risk of conflict with a U.S. rival that is now more powerful than at any point since the creation of the Islamic republic nearly 40 years ago." 

Syrian rebel groups see necessity in consolidating ranks (8 February, 2017) In response to losing Aleppo at the end of 2016, several Syrian opposition factions have unified their ranks into two large entities, namely Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: الشمال السوريّ يشهد أقوى حركة اندماج بين الفصائل العسكريّة منذ بدء الثورة السوريّة

Is the PLO helping or harming Palestinians in Syria?  (14 February, 2017) Critics accuse the PLO of failing to protect or financially support Palestinian refugees in war-torn Syria.

Are Russia, US ready to cooperate on Syria and beyond? (15 February, 2017) Moscow is taking a wait-and-see position as the new US administration takes shape, but Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to see the potential for military and political cooperation with the US not witnessed since World War II.

Syria ceasefire opens door for political solution, UN says (19 February, 2017) US anti-ISIS chief says country seeks role to support ceasefire. UN envoy to Syria says ceasefire holding better than previous ones.

Policy and Reports

Addressing the Syrian refugee crisis: Recommendations for the next administration (16 December, 2016) “Five years into Syria’s civil war, the international community has come to recognize that 5 million Syrian refugees will not be returning home anytime soon. The scale of the refugee crisis poses vast and consequential challenges to Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey and, by extension, to American interests in the region. As this chapter shows, resolving this conflict will require the incoming presidential administration to renew its commitments to the U.S. refugee resettlement program and to challenge the international community to provide greater support to the frontline states.” 

The Battle for al-Bab Is Bringing U.S.-Turkish Tensions to a Head (9 January, 2017) Helping Erdogan take the city could greatly decrease the civilian death toll and preserve U.S.-Turkish cooperation in Syria, but Washington will still need to decide what to do with the Kurds, its other key ally against the Islamic State.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: معركة استعادة الباب تفاقم التوترات بين الولايات المتحدة وتركيا 

Lion Odharbd 13,000 barrel bombs on Syria in 2016 ', and Chdj Salamz  (11 January, 2017) New NGO data says the Syrian government used the illegal munitions thousands of times last year, with 1,400 attacks on civilian infrastructure in total carried out by all parties. 

'No calm' in Wadi Barada following collapse of second ceasefire  (22 January, 2017) Pro-Assad and rebel forces in Wadi Barada exchanged heavy fire on Sunday (Jan 22) for the third consecutive day following a bilateral ceasefire agreement, as local opposition sources tell Syria Direct that the collapsed deal was a “deliberate distraction” in the regime’s campaign to “seize more territory by military force.”

Assad Needs 'Useless Syria' Too  (4 February, 2017) Eastern Syria holds major hydrocarbon and agricultural resources that make it a vital asset in Assad's quest for regime self-sufficiency, and a potentially powerful source of U.S. leverage against him.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: الأسد بحاجة أيضا إلى "سوريا غير المفيدة"

What would safe zones mean for the Syrian conflict? (8 February, 2017) Samer N Abboud writes "Safe zones represent a solution to the symptom and not the larger problem." 

Warning Update: Turkish Aggression Against Syrian Kurds Threatens to Halt U.S. Anti-ISIS Operations in Syria(13 February, 2017) The U.S.-led coalition’s fight against ISIS in Syria is in jeopardy as Turkey threatens an offensive against the U.S.’s primary partner force on the ground, the Syrian Democratic Forces.

HRW: Syria carried out chemical attacks in Aleppo (13 February, 2017) Rights group accuses Syria of eight chemical attacks, killing at least nine people during offensive to retake key town. 

Security Council resolutions to be 'Geneva talks basis' (18 February, 2017) Elections, new constitution and governance to be on the agenda of forthcoming meeting in Geneva of Syrian factions.

Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media

Exodus(27 December, 2016) “Exodus,” a two-hour FRONTLINE special, tells the first-person stories of refugees and migrants fleeing war, persecution and hardship — drawing on footage filmed by the families themselves as they leave their homes on dangerous journeys in search of safety and refuge in Europe.

Syria and the Left (9 January, 2017) To illuminate the history and nature of the Syrian conflict, Yusef Khalil for Jacobin conducted an extensive interview with Yasser Munif, a Syrian scholar who studies grassroots movements in the country. 

Human Rights Activism in Documenting Violations and Its Relation to Transitional Justice in Syria (11 January, 2017) Isam Al Zubi writes: "In Syria today, many organizations work in the human rights field, but they still lack the ability to do such work correctly because they remain novices in this domain without enough experience, and because many of them have only weak legal information." 

This Is Serene Family sense among Ronatd Tanks Taha, a sleek Partnership, the stomachs of a Sad when a Sinjaj (13 January, 2017) Rasha Elandari left Syria herself in 2010. Her future seemed bright; she was 27 and had won the Fulbright scholarship and could begin her master's thesis in archeology at the University of Arkansas. She's currently a PhD student at the University of Toronto.

'Yahoo News' Reporter Interviews Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad(10 February, 2017) NPR's Robert Siegel talks with reporter Mike Isikoff. In a Yahoo News exclusive interview, Isikoff confronts President Bashar al-Assad about his human rights record, his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and whether he would step aside as president if it could help end the war in Syria. 

EXCLUSIVE: Defiant Assad tells Yahoo News torture report is 'fake news' (10 February, 2017) Confronted with new evidence of torture and mass hangings in one of his military prisons, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an exclusive interview with Yahoo News that the allegations were the product of a “fake news era” and charged that a human rights group, Amnesty International, had fabricated evidence to discredit his embattled government.

Syria's 'White Helmets' makers get US visas for Oscars (19 February, 2017)

Leader of rescue group and filmmaker plan to attend Academy Awards next week after suspension of Trump's travel ban.

Maps

Syria Situation Report: February 2 - 16, 2017 Turkish President Recep Erdogan reiterated that the “ultimate goal” of Turkey in Operation Euphrates Shield is the establishment of a five-thousand square kilometer ‘safe zone’ that includes Al-Bab, Manbij, and Ar-Raqqa City in Northern Syria during a speech on February 12. Erdogan stated that the proposed “terrorist-free zone” would require the implementation of a no-fly zone, noting that he had discussed the issue with both the U.S. and Russia.

Arabic Links:

مصالح روسيا والمشروع الإيراني في سورية   (January 6, 2017) Raghida Dergham writes about Russia's interests in the Syrian conflict and what she calls "the Iranian project" in the country.

سميرة التي وراء سبعة جدران   (January 9, 2017) Yassin al-Haj Saleh dedicates this piece to his wife Samira Khalil who is currently missing after being abducted in Douma on December 9, 2013.

الإنسانيّة والفعل النبيل يعيدان الأمل إلى ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصّة في حلب  (January 9, 2017) In the thick of the Syrian war, an athlete channels his skills to help amputees receive prosthetics.

The English version of this article can be found here: Sports champion provides artificial limbs near Aleppo 

معركة استعادة الباب تفاقم التوترات بين الولايات المتحدة وتركيا (January 9, 2017) Helping Erdogan take the city could greatly decrease the civilian death toll and preserve U.S.-Turkish cooperation in Syria, but Washington will still need to decide what to do with the Kurds, its other key ally against the Islamic State.

The English version of this article can be found here: The Battle for al-Bab Is Bringing U.S.-Turkish Tensions to a Head

بعد سنوات دامية من الحرب... السريان الآشوريّون في سوريا يبحثون عن وطن بديل (January 11, 2017) A family of Assyrians, one of Syria’s Christian sects, tells Al-Monitor their story of surviving imprisonment by the Islamic State only to lose their son this year to the fighting in Raqqa.

The English version of this article can be found here: Family captive fierce long-F Hapetr, Desplkmenh

عودة إلى حلب: إرث ضائع  (January 12, 2017) Historic Aleppo was the center of many empires over the centuries but now resembles a city plundered once again by Mongols.

The English version of this article can be found here: Return to Aleppo: A squandered legacy 

إطلاق تقرير التشتت القسري -حالة الإنسان في سورية- التقرير الديمغرافي 2016 (January 14, 2017) This report, by Syrian Center for Policy Research, tackles forced displacement and provides future solutions for the crisis. 

موسم الأسئلة السوري  (January 15, 2017) Omar Kaddour explores various questions and issues that might have prevented the "Syrian revolution" from overthrowing the Syrian regime.

رحيل الفنان ممتاز البحرة.. مبتكر أيقونتي باسم ورباب في سوريا (January 16, 2017) Mumtaz Al Bahra, a well-known illustrator who worked for Syrian children's magazines, died on 16 January, 2017. 

بعد سجالات حادة حول معرضه الأخير في دمشق: يوسف عبدلكي: وما بدّلوا تبديلا (January 17, 2017) Youssef Abdelke, one of Syria’s leading artists, responded in this article to criticism and controversy in regard to his decision to stay in Syria and display a new exhibition in Damascus. 

ولدتُ لاجئاً (January 19, 2017) Dara Abdallah reflects on his personal experience as, first, a Kurdish refugee child in Syria; and second, as an adult Syrian/Kurdish refugee in Europe.

نقد نقد الإسلاميين بعد مأساة حلب (January 20, 2017) Hussein Ghrer reflects on the mainstream trend of criticizing the "Islamists" by what he calls "non-Islamists" in the Syrian uprising. 

مؤسّسة إعلاميّة في حلب تفوز بالجائزة الكبرى في مهرجان "صندانس" الأميركيّ السنويّ (February 3, 2017) The documentary "Last Men in Aleppo," which captured the suffering of the city's residents in the Syrian civil war, was honored with a top award at the Sundance Film Festival.

The English version of this article can be found here: Sundance Film Festival shines light on Aleppo

 ردود فعل السوريّين المقيمين في تركيا حول المنطقة الآمنة (February 9, 2017) A state of confusion and uncertainty prevails among Syrians living in Turkey, after the announcement by US President Donald Trump at the end of last month of his decision to create safe zones for civilians in Syria.

The English version of this article can be found here: Syrians in Turkey baffled by Trump’s safe zones plan

الأزمة السوريّة الداخليّة تدفع بممثّلين سوريّين للهجرة إلى مصر (February 14, 2017) Dozens of Syrian actors who were forced to leave Syria because of the conflict are trying to reassemble their lives and careers in Egypt.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: Syrian actors look for fresh start in Egypt

"شيلني يا بابا" ... حكاية عائلة أدمتها براميل النظام السوري (February 19, 2017) This article highlights the story of Abdulbasit Ta’an Alstoof (8 years-old) whose legs were blown off at the knees in a barrel bomb strike in Alhbit village in Idlib.

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Palestine and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Palestine Page Co-Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to Palestine@jadaliyya.com.]

The Occupation Forces

The Israeli Forces Have Closed Off A Critical Roadway In The Bethlehem Area Closing off the route used by thousands of commuters daily was allegedly due to a "significant increase in terror activities against civilians" in the area, most likely stone-throwing.

Israel Has Explicitly Attempted To Get A Palestinian Heart Patient To Spy For Them In Exchange For Treatment Seventeen-year-old Ahmed had a congenital heart defect and had undergone numerous procedures to help fix his heart. The operation was delayed multiple times because he could not get out of Gaza to enter the West Bank for treatment. While at the Erez crossing from Gaza, the boy was explicitly petitioned by Israeli forces to spy on his compatriots for access to treatment. He refused. Ahmed passed away last month.

Israeli Forces Have Destroyed The Home Of A 100-Year-Old Palestinian Woman In The Southern Negev Bringing bulldozers and police officers, the Israelis ran through two "unrecognized" villages in the southern Negev desert, demolishing numerous homes, including that which is owned by the centenarian and her daughter.

Domestic Politics

Israeli Ministers Have Endorsed A Bill That Would Silence The Morning Call To Prayer For Muslims, Claiming Noise Ordinance Violations The bill will soon go before the Knesset, then back to committee, then back to Knesset and back and forth a few more times. This delaying of the inevitable is just another way in which Israel is able to feign democracy.

An Arab Citizen Of Israel Was Almost Beaten To Death By Crowd Of Israelis After Shouting In Arabic To Warn Others After Shooting In Petah Tikva According to the news outlet Ynet, Maed Amar was attacked after yelling "Watch out! Take cover!" in Arabic, which led to some believing he must have been a terrorist, prompting the violence.

Foreign Policy

Qatar Has Accused The Palestinian Authority Of Interfering With Their Projects In Gaza The Qatari Ambassador Mohammad al-Emadi is convinced that the PA in the West Bank have been "hindering" Qatari energy projects, and the resolution to the electricity crisis in Gaza. Israel and Qatar are allegedly cooperating as the PA, once again, cannot get over their politics to do what is right for the Palestinian people.

Will Donald Trump's Election Be Netanyahu's Golden Ticket For The Ultra-Right Wing State He's Always Wanted? With all fear of outside restraint on his projects of destruction and murder now waning with the rise of the Trump administration, Bibi is licking his chops over the prospects of the next three years. With the recent revealing of plans for a further six thousand settlement homes, and the signing of the recent settlement legislation, it is evident that the Israeli administration has totally forsaken any hope for the two-state solution.

A Summit Between Germany And Israel Has Been Postponed Because Of Recent Settlement Law The high-profile summit that was scheduled for May has been cancelled because of Angela Merkel's dissatisfaction with the new legislation enacted by Israel's Knesset and Netanyahu's cronies.

Palestinians Are Condemning The Recent Comments Made By American Administration On The Future Of A Two-State Solution A US official made comments that put the future of a two-state solution, long the stated policy of both Israel and the United States, in final jeopardy. The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the comments a "very dangerous shift" in US policy.

Settlers and Illegal Settlements

The Annexation Of The West Bank May Be Nearing Completion With The Signing Of A New Settlement Law The new law creates a mechanism for the first time for the Israeli government to directly make rulings on the occupied territories, when historically those decisions were made by the Israeli military, and will also help to appropriate privately-owned Palestinian land throughout the territories.

Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions

Palestinian Activists In Spain Could Face Prison Time Over A Call To Boycott Matisyahu Two Years Ago According to Spanish media, one activist could face up to four years in prison just for posting five tweets criticizing a music festival for inviting the American musician to perform. Matisyahu has actively campaigned for the Israeli army and against the Palestinian cause.

The University Of Vienna Is Being Urged To Cancel A Talk That Is To Be Given By Genocide Advocate Ayelet Shaked Shaked has been notorious since 2014 when she called for a genocide of the Palestinian people, which occurred just days before a fifty-one-day rampage on Gaza which killed over two thousand Palestinians, with a large number of the victims being children. It seems reasonable that she should not be given even a soap box to shout from.

Law

Israeli Prosecutors Have Accused A Palestinian Prisoner Of Attempting To Bribe A Prison Guard A Palestinian prisoner serving six life sentences and his cousin have had bribery charges filed against them, after a prison guard (who is a Palestinian citizen of Israel) was directed to entrap the prisoners in the bribing scheme.

Israeli Prosecution Has Accused Two Palestinian Prisoners Of Attempting To Stab Prison Guards The two separate incidents took place in both the Nafha and Ktziot prisons. The former incident stemmed from an alleged stabbing during a cell inspection, while the latter occurred in reaction to a prison raid by the Israeli Prison Service.

Economy and Development

Israel Is Dead Set In Their Effort To Erase Palestinian History And Culture Ben Ehrenreich, author of "The Way to the Spring," which chronicles heroic resistance in a Palestinian village, has called Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people an "incremental genocide."

Qatari Doctors Have Been Carrying Out Cochlear Implant Procedures For Children In Gaza At least eighteen deaf Palestinian children can now hear thanks to Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi the head of the Hearing and Balance Department at Hamad Medical City in Qatar. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, this is the first time that these procedures have been conducted in Gaza, and as Palestinian doctors are being trained to perform the new operation, they hope to conduct many more in the future.

Arabic 

قوات الاحتلال

قوات الاحتلال تعتقل 20 مواطنا من الضفة الغربية والقدس المحتلة فجراً
.وأفاد بيان لجيش الاحتلال، أن قواته اعتقلت 20 فلسطينيا في حملات دهم وتفيش في الضفة والقدس، وزعم أنهم “مطلوبون”، ولم تعرف هوية جميع المعتقلين

الاحتلال يداهم العيساوية وجبل المكبر ويعتقل 9 مقدسيين
اعتقلت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، اليوم الإثنين، تسعة مقدسيين خلال اقتحام منازلهم في بلدتي العيساوية وجبل المكبر بالقدس المحتلة، على أن يتم عرضهم على محكمة الصلح للنظر في طلب الشرطة تمديد اعتقالهم.

الاحتلال يهدم منشأة فلسطينية شرق القدس
هدمت آليات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، فجر الثلاثاء 14-2-2017، منزلًا فلسطينيًا قيد الإنشاء شرق مدينة القدس المحتلة، بحجة البناء دون الحصول على التراخيص اللازمة.

قوات الاحتلال تقتحم بلدة بيت امر في الخليل
اندلعت مواجهات بين الشبان الفلسطينيين وقوات الاحتلال، فجر اليوم الأحد، عقب اقتحامها بلدة ‘بيت أمر’ شمال مدينة الخليل بالضفة الغربية. وبحسب ما ذكرت مصادر محلية لموقع ‘العهد’ الإخباري، فإن قوة احتلالية داهمت منزل عائلة الشهيد عمر عرفات الزعاقيق وأقاربه في البلدة، وصادرت صورا للشهيد.

توتّر في سجن "ريمون" إثر اقتحامه من قبل قوات الاحتلال
اقتحمت وحدة "اليماز" العسكرية الإسرائيلية المتخصّصة بقمع الأسرى الفلسطينيين، اليوم الاثنين 13-2-2017، أحد أقسام سجن "ريمون" الإسرائيلي، جنوب الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة.

بيت لحم: إصابات خلال مواجهات مع قوات الاحتلال في تقوع
أصيب عدد من المواطنين في بلدة تقوع شرق بيت لحم، ظهر اليوم الأحد، بالاختناق خلال مواجهات مع قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي.

طالت العمال- الاحتلال يفرض عقوبات على حوسان
فرضت قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي، إجراءات عقابية على أهالي قرية حوسان غرب بيت لحم، ومنعت اليوم عمالا من البلدة من الدخول الى مستوطنة "بيتار عليت" للعمل، كما صادرت سيارات من الاهالي.

إصابة طالبتين وآذنة مدرسة بالاختناق من قنابل الاحتلال بقلقيلية
أصيبت اليوم الأربعاء، طالبتان وآذنة مدرسة الشارقة، غرب مدينة قلقيلية، بالاختناق نتيجة إلقاء قوات الاحتلال قنابل الغاز داخل المدرسة.

توتر في الاقصى وإجراءات مشددة لقوات الاحتلال على دخول المصلين
يشهد المسجد الأقصى توترا شديدا منذ ساعات صباح اليوم الاثنين، اذ شددت قوات الاحتلال من إجراءاتها على دخول المصلين وطلبة مدارس الأوقاف إلى باحات المسجد.

الاحتلال يقتحم مدرسة بسلوان بحثًا عن راشقي الحجارة
اقتحمت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي الأربعاء، مدرسة سلوان الإعدادية للبنين في حي رأس العامود في بلدة سلوان، بحجة البحث عن راشقي الحجارة.

الاحتلال يعتقل ممثلاً فلسطينياً
وقال علي انخيلي والد عبد الله لـ وطن للأنباء، إن قوات الاحتلال اقتحمت المنزل عند الساعة 12.30 ليلاً، وعاثت فيه خراباً قبل أن تعتقل عبد الله، بزعم أنه لم يذهب لمقابلة المخابرات الإسرائيلية، بعد تسليمه استدعاءً مؤخراً على معبر الكرامة، عقب عودته من أداء مناسك العمرة.

السياسة الداخلية

الكنيست يرفض التحقيق بضلوع فلسطينيين في الحرائق
رفض الكنيست الإسرائيلي طلبا قدّمه النائب العربي يوسف جبارين لتشكيل لجنة تحقيق برلمانية في اتهامات رئيس الحكومة بنيامين نتنياهو ووزرائه للمواطنين الفلسطينيين بالضلوع في إضرام الحرائق التي اجتاحت إسرائيل في نوفمبر/تشرين الثاني الماضي.

النواب العرب يعيشون احدى اسوأ دورات الكنيست
يؤكد النواب العرب العالقون بين مطالبتهم بحقهم بتمثيل الفلسطينيين ومواقفهم الرافضة لسياسات الدولة الاسرائيلية انهم يعيشون "احدى اسوأ دورات" الكنيست بوجود حكومة بنيامين نتانياهو اليمينية التي تزداد تطرفا يوما بعد يوم.

الكنيست الإسرائيلي يصوت على قانون منع "أذان الفجر" بالمساجد الأربعاء
ذكرت صحيفة "يسرائيل هايوم" الإسرائيلية، أن الكنيست الإسرائيلي سيناقش قانون "منع الأذان" بعد غد الأربعاء، بعد تعديله من جانب اللجنة الوزارية لشئون القانون بالحكومة الإسرائيلية، التي صادقت عليه أمس الأحد.

حماس تدعو لضرورة توفير بيئة قانونية سليمة للانتخابات
اجتمع وفد من لجنة الانتخابات المركزية برئاسة رئيسها حنا ناصر اليوم الأربعاء مع قيادات من حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) في غزة لبحث إجراء الانتخابات البلدية التي سبق أن حددت حكومة الوفاق الوطني مايو المقبل موعدا لها.

«دحلان» يعلن انطلاق «تيار فتح الإصلاحى» من مصر الأربعاء
يستضيف فندق «الماسة» بالقاهرة، الأربعاء، والخميس، مؤتمرا إعلاميا وورشة عمل للقيادي المفصول من حركة «فتح»، محمد دحلان وأنصاره، لبحث آلية ترتيب البيت «الفتحاوى» الداخلي، ومناقشة عمل ما يسمى «التيار الإصلاحى» لـ«فتح»، خلال الفترة المقبلة والتعاون مع حركة «حماس»، لإجراء الانتخابات المحلية، وبحث عمل المجلس الشبابي.

السياسة الخارجية

حماس تشيد بدور قطر وتركيا في عمليات الإعمار وتصف انتقادات فتح لهما بـ «المغرضة»
يواصل السفير محمد العمادي، رئيس اللجنة القطرية لإعادة إعمار قطاع غزة، زيارته للمناطق الفلسطينية، التي تخللها لقاء مسؤولين كبار في السلطة الفلسطينية في مدينة رام الله، وافتتاح عدة مشاريع إعمار في القطاع. ودافعت حركة حماس عن دور كل من قطر وتركيا في دعم القطاع، وانتقدت بشدة بيانا لحركة فتح، وجه انتقادات للدولتين.

(فلسطين النيابية) تطالب بتعليق عضوية الكنيست الإسرائيلي بالبرلمان الدولي
وقال رئيس اللجنة النائب يحيى السعود انه على اثر قرار الذي اصدرته المؤسسة التشريعية الاسرائيلية مؤخرا والمتعلق باصدار قانون اسمته قانون تسوية الاراضي والذي يجيز للحكومة القائمة باحتلال اراضي الغير بالقوة والاستيلاء على ممتلكات فلسطينية خاصة، قامت اللجنة بتقديم مبادرة تتضمن قيام مجلس النواب وبالتنسيق مع المجلس الوطني الفلسطيني للمطالبة بتعليق عضوية «الكنسيت» بالبرلمان الدولي ووقف انشطته التشريعية، لحين إلغاء هذا القرار العنصري والمتعارض مع القرارات والقوانين الدولية.

قمة «ترامب - نتنياهو»: واشنطن تتراجع عن حل الدولتين.. وتبحث نقل سفارتها إلى القدس.. وإيران هدف مشترك
التقي رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتنياهو أمس، الأربعاء، الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب، في أول لقاء يجمعهما بعد تولي ترامب رسميا مهام منصبه، الشهر الماضي، بعد ساعات من إعلان مفاجئ لمسؤول كبير في الإدارة الأمريكية أمس الأول، الثلاثاء، أن واشنطن لم تعد متمسكة بحل الدولتين كأساس للتوصل إلى اتفاق سلام بين إسرائيل والفلسطينيين، في تعارض مع الثوابت التاريخية للولايات المتحدة في هذا الشأن، ما أثار اعتراضات السلطة الفلسطينية والأمم المتحدة.

مستشار سابق لنتنياهو يقول إن نتنياهو سيركز خلال زيارته على الملفين الفلسطيني والإيراني
يجتمع رئيس الحكومة الاسرائيلية بنيامين نتنياهو الليلة في واشنطن مع وزير الخارجية الأمريكي ريكس تلرسون، قبل أن يجتمع الأربعاء بالرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب في البيت الأبيض.

عودة: الخارجية المكسيكية دعت إسرائيل لإلغاء قانون التسوية
أكد رئيس دائرة امريكا اللاتينية، في مفوضية العلاقات الدولية بحركة فتح، الدكتور محمد عودة، أن وزارة الشؤون الخارجية المكسيكية دعت الحكومة الإسرائيلية إلى إلغاء "قانون التسوية"، والتصرف وفقا لقرارات الأمم المتحدة ذات الصلة، خاصة قرار مجلس الأمن 2334.

إسرائيل سحبت سفيرها من مصر لأسباب أمنية
أكد جهاز الاستخبارات الإسرائيلية الثلاثاء أن إسرائيل سحبت مؤقتا سفيرها في مصر ديفد غوفرين بسبب مخاوف أمنية، حيث يعمل السفير حاليا من مقر وزارة الخارجية الإسرائيلية في القدس.

الخارجية تدعو إدارة ترامب للتمسك بحل الدولتين
رأت وزارة الخارجية انه اذا ما صدقت التسريبات الصحفية التي نسبت الى مصدر مسؤول في البيت الأبيض بتراجع إدارة ترامب عن تبني حل الدولتين، فهذا يعني نجاح أول وفوري لنتنياهو حتى قبل بدء المشاورات مع الرئيس الأمريكي وحاشيته، ما من شأنه أن يعزز وضع نتنياهو في تلك المحادثات.

موغيريني: الاتحاد الأوربي لن ينقل سفارته إلى القدس
قالت مفوضة السياسة الخارجية في الاتحاد الأوربي، فيديريكا موغيريني، إن الاتحاد الاوروبي يدعم حل الدولتين دولة فلسطين ودولة اسرائيل، وسيبقي سفارته في تل ابيب ولن ينقلها إلى القدس.

الخارجية الفلسطينية يجب فرض عقوبات دولية على البنوك الإسرائيلية المتورطة في دعم الاستيطان
أدانت وزارة الخارجية الفلسطينية بأشد العبارات تورّط دولة الاحتلال في عملية إعطاء شركة «أمانا الاستيطانية» قروضاً مالية من أحد البنوك الإسرائيلية مقابل رهن أراضٍ فلسطينية خاصة في الضفة الغربية المحتلة، وذلك عبر توجيهات صريحة من وزارتي المالية والإسكان كما جاء في الإعلام العبري.

قانون

لجنة الحريات بالنقابة : 40 انتهاكا من الاحتلال وبداية خطرة على الصحفيين في غزة
كشفت نقابة الصحفيين الفلسطينيين عن اشكال وتنوعات حديثة في الانتهاكات التي ترتكبها قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي بحق الحالة الفلسطينية.

أسرى فلسطين: 51 أسيرة في السجون بظروف قاسية
وأوضح الباحث رياض الأشقر الناطق الإعلامي للمركز أن الاحتلال يعزل الأسيرات بشكل كامل في سجني "هشارون والدامون" في ظروف قاسية، وأنهن يتعرضن لكل أشكال الانتهاك والتنكيل، مشيرا أن الاحتلال أصدر مؤخرا العديد من الأحاكم بحقهن، ويوجد في سجن الدامون 9 أسيرات يقبعن في غرفتين، بينما في سجن هشارون يقبع 42 أسيرة.

هيئة فلسطينية لـ24: إسرائيل تمارس القتل ضد الأسرى
أكدت هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين الفلسطينية، أن استشهاد الأسير الفلسطيني محمد الجلاد في سجون الاحتلال الإسرائيلي، تمثل جريمة ضد الإنسانية، تتوجب أن يسعى المجتمع الدولي لوضع حداً للجرائم الإسرائيلية بحق الأسرى.

فلسطين اليوم - أسرى "هداريم" يعانون من نقص الملابس والأغطية الشتوية
يعاني أسرى سجن "هداريم" من نقص في الملابس والأغطية الشتوية. واشتكى الأسرى لمحامي هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين يوسف نصاصرة، من عدم سماح إدارة السجن لذويهم من إدخال الملابس والأغطية الشتوية لهم خلال الزيارات، حيث يعاني الأسرى في معظم الغرف من نقص فيها.

اقتصاد وتنمية

البحر الميت: “أملاح الضفة الغربية” تستقبل وفدا من “بال تريد”
زار وفد من مركز التجارة الفلسطيني “بال تريد”، مقر شركة “أملاح الضفة الغربية” في منطقة البحر الميت، حيث بحث مع ادارتها آفاق التعاون لجهة الاستفادة من برامج المركز في ترويج الصادرات الفلسطينية. وكان في استقبال الوفد، مديرها العام حسام الحلاق، ومديرها التسويقي منذر حمدان، حيث تم بحث عدد من المسائل ذات الاهتمام المشترك.

"إعمار غزة" تبدأ إعادة إعمار مستشفى الوفاء
بدأت الهيئة العربية الدولية لإعمار غزة مشروع إعادة إعمار مستشفى الوفاء للتأهيل الطبي والجراحات التخصصية، حيث سلمت صباح اليوم شركة المقاولات المنفذة لموقع المشروع الجديد في وسط مدينة غزة بمجمع أبو خضرة سابقا.

غرق 20 منزلاً في غزة بفعل الأمطار
تسببت مياه الأمطار الغزيرة التي تساقطت منذ الليلة الماضية، بغرق نحو 20 منزلا في مناطق متفرقة بقطاع غزة. وأفادت مصادر محلية جنوب القطاع، بأن طواقم الدفاع المدني عملت على إجلاء ثلاث عائلات غرقت منازلها قرب منطقة النجيلي غرب رفح، بسبب تجمع مياه الأمطار.

سلطة الطاقة تحذر من توقف محطة كهرباء غزة
حذرت سلطة الطاقة في قطاع غزة من توقف محطة كهرباء غزة بدعوى اعادة فرض كامل الضرائب على اسعار الوقود الخاص بالمحطة.

عنف المستوطنين

منح مستوطنين قروضاً مقابل رهن أراضٍ فلسطينية خاصة
منح مصرف إسرائيل أموالاً لشركة "أمانا" الاستيطانية، مقابل رهن أراضٍ بملكية فلسطينية خاصة، حيث استخدمت هذه الأموال لإقامة مبانٍ في البؤرتين الاستيطانيتين العشوائيتين "عمونا" و"ميغرون".

متطرفون يهود يواصلون اقتحاماتهم للمسجد الأقصى في القدس المحتلة
واصل متطرفون يهود اقتحاماتهم للمسجد الأقصى داخل البلدة القديمة من القدس المحتلة عن طريق باب المغاربة وبحراسة شديدة من شرطة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي وقواتها الخاصة بينما حاول عدد من المتطرفين إقامة طقوس تلمودية داخل المسجد. واقتحم المتطرفون المسجد بلباس تلمودي تقليدي فيما كان بينهم عدد من الحاخامات المتطرفين.

إصابة فلسطينييْن بعملية طعن في بئر السبع
أصيب فلسطينيان في مدينة بئر السبع جراء طعنهما في أحد شوارع المدينة من دون معرفة الأسبابغرد النص عبر تويتر. وقالت الشرطة الإسرائيلية إنها فتحت تحقيقا لمعرفة ملابسات الحادث، بينما أشارت مصادر إعلامية إلى أن مستوطنا نفذ الهجوم.

الحركة العالمية لمقاطعة إسرائيل وسحب الاستثمارات منها وفرض العقوبات عليها

حركة المقاطعة تستعد لتنظيم أسبوع مقاومة «الأبارتهايد»
تواصل حركة مقاطعة "إسرائيل" وسحب الاستثمارات منها الـ"BDS" بالتعاون والتنسيق مع كافة حركات المقاطعة المحلية والعربية والدولية، استعداداتها لتنظيم أسبوع مقاومة الأبارتهايد، وذلك في الفترة الواقعة ما بين الثامن والتاسع عشر من آذار المقبل.

ناشطون يقاطعون سفيرا إسرائيليا بجامعة أميركية
قالت صحيفة يديعوت أحرونوت الإسرائيلية إن ناشطي حركة المقاطعة العالمية "بي دي أس" قاطعوا السفير الإسرائيلي في الأمم المتحدة داني دانون أثناء محاضرة له في جامعة كولومبيا بولاية نيويورك، بينما نقل موقع إخباري إسرائيلي أن رئيس الحكومة الأسترالية الأسبق بوب هوك شن هجوما شديدا على تل أبيب بسبب سياسة الاستيطان.

فلسطينيون يقاومون قانون "التسوية" من خلال مقاطعة البضائع الإسرائيلية
رغم إعاقتها الحركية، أصرت بثينة أبو جراد (42 عاما) من سكان مدينة طولكرم شمال الضفة الغربية، على المجيء إلى مدينة رام الله وسط الضفة والمشاركة بتظاهرة ضد قانون التسوية وشرعنه المستوطنات الذي أقره الكنيست الإسرائيلي (البرلمان) أخيراً، وتجديد مقاطعة إسرائيل وبضائعها، والتي شارك فيها المئات من الفلسطينيين اليوم السبت.

قاطَعوا إسرائيل- نشطاء إسبان يواجهون أحكاما بالسجن
يواجه مجموعة من النشطاء الاسبان احكاما بالسجن الفعلي تصل مدتها الى اربعة اعوام أو اكثر بسبب مشاركتهم في فعاليات الحملة الدولية لمقاطعة اسرائيل وفرض العقوبات عليها المعروفة باسم (BDS).

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to syria@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.] 

Inside Syria

Eight Syrian Factions Merge ... Massacre in Azaz (8 January, 2017) Sources at the Syrian opposition announced on Saturday that eight large opposition factions had merged in the north of Syria under the name of “Leadership Council For Liberation Of Syria.”

Syria's Civil War: Aleppo's heritage sites 'in danger' (12 January, 2017) According to Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's Director General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM): "We have more than 150 heritage buildings with different levels of damage, without taking into account places like the ancient souk, 60 percent of which is destroyed … Many of the traditional houses, dating from around the first century AD, are also damaged. 

Democratic Rep. Gabbard Makes Secret Trip to Syria (18 January, 2017) The Hawaii lawmaker, who has bucked both parties on the issue of Syria, met with government officials on a "fact-finding" mission.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reportedly suffering under 'psychological pressure' (22 January, 2017) Five years of ‘war and tension’ have led Syria’s embattled leader to develop a nervous tick, newspaper columnist claims, citing Russian officials.

While the world was watching Trump, Russia just quietly enlarged its military presence in Syria (23 January, 2017) Moscow signs long-term leases ensuring both naval and air expansion in the Middle East despite beginning withdrawal from the Syrian conflict.

Syria's war: East Ghouta 'refuses any evacuation deal' (23 January,  2017) Residents of Syria's East Ghouta say they will refuse any government efforts to forge a truce deal or evacuation plans.

Does Syria really want to reconcile with Kurds? (30 January, 2017) The future of Syrian Kurds is uncertain, but they have at least made it obvious that things must change.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: هل تريد سوريا فعلاً التّصالح مع الأكراد؟

Idlib's rebel split: A crossroads for Syrian opposition (2 February, 2017) Rebel divisions have forced a total reorder of the northern armed opposition a month before UN-led negotiations.

Turkey, US-coalition jets 'kill 47 ISIL fighters' (3 February, 2017) Military says a total of 47 fighters killed in northern Syria in clashes and air raids in the past 24 hours.

Besieged South Damascus 'wants truce not war'  (6 February, 2017) The last rebel-held districts near Damascus are under increasing pressure by the Syrian government to give up for good. 

Syrian and Turkish forces choke off Islamic State supply line  (6 February, 2017) Syrian and Turkish forces have effectively surrounded the key city of al-Bab, a critical waypoint for the Islamic State for moving fighters, weapons and supplies into the terrorist group’s de facto capital of Raqqa, setting the stage for the eventual assault on the group’s final stronghold in the region.

Syrian government jets target rebel-held area in Homs (8 February, 2017) At least eight people killed in air attack on rebel-held al-Waer neighbourhood of Homs, according to monitoring group.

Russian airstrike kills 3 Turkish soldiers in northern Syria (9 February, 2017) Andrew Roth and Liz Sly reports "A Russian airstrike in northern Syria killed three Turkish soldiers and wounded 11 others Thursday, in a friendly fire incident that could test the shaky coordination between the two countries in the fight against the Islamic State."

Displaced Syrians stuck in limbo at Idlib's Taiba camp (9 February, 2017) Thousands of Syrians evacuated from east Aleppo last year face an uncertain future in Idlib province.

Syria’s Assad Sends Signals to Trump in Interview (10 February, 2017) President Bashar al-Assad of Syria suggested in an interview published Friday that he could foresee cooperation with the Trump administration and might even countenance the deployment of American soldiers in the country one day.

Erdogan: Turkish army will press on to ISIL-held Raqqa  (12 February, 2017) President Erdogan says Turkey's military incursion into northern Syria aims to cleanse a 5,000sq km 'safe zone'.

Turkey’s Erdogan wants to establish a safe zone in the ISIS capital Raqqa (13 February, 2017) Liz Sly reports "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took his proposal for a Turkish-backed assault against the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa to the Sunni Arab states of the Persian Gulf on Monday, telling an audience in Bahrain that he wants to create a “safe zone” in that part of Syria." 

Contrary to Turkish optimism, an arduous battle against a ‘dug-in’ Islamic State in al-Bab (15 February, 2017) Turkish-backed Syrian rebels currently control 40 percent of the northern city of al-Bab, making slow progress in a week-long campaign against “dug-in” Islamic State forces.

A Very Personal Call for Peace in Syria (15 February, 2017) “Arms dealers and arms exporting countries are making a phenomenal amount on this war, while the cost of it is borne by families such as the Kurdis. Who is good or bad on the battlefields of Syria is perhaps not as important as who is making these vast sums of money arming all sides of the conflict”

Hardline Salafist brigade reportedly executes up to 160 rebel fighters as infighting rocks northwestern Syria (16 February, 2017) A hardline Islamist group allegedly tied to the Islamic State executed up to 160 Free Syrian Army (FSA) prisoners amidst ongoing infighting in northwest Syria, multiple rebel military sources directly affected by the executions confirmed to Syria Direct on Thursday. 

Kurds pledge to fight Turkey to retain Syria's Manbij (18 February, 2017) Turkish president's plan to clear Kurdish forces from Syrian city and set up a safe zone meets with Kurdish defiance.

Syrian government forces press attack on Damascus outskirts: monitors, medic (19 February, 2017) Syrian government forces fired rockets at a rebel-held area on Damascus's outskirts on Sunday, pressing an attack that began the day before and has killed up to 16 people, a medical worker and war monitors said.

Regional and International Perspectives

Respite, not reconciliation  (10 January, 2017) The ceasefire in Syria and the upcoming peace talks in Astana could be the beginning of the long denouement in the war-torn country, Vijay Prashad says.

Assad Has Won in Syria. But Syria Hardly Exists. (11 January, 2017) And how would Mr. Assad rule the rump state? Pre-existing patronage networks have been shattered and replaced by semi-independent warlords, militias or local governing bodies.

Iran repopulates Syria with Shia Muslims to help tighten regime's control (13 January, 2017) New communities are settling in areas where Sunnis have fled or been forced out as Tehran seeks an arc of control stretching from its borders to Israel

Obama Adviser Susan Rice Cites Syrian War As Biggest Disappointment  (16 January, 2017) Rice, who served as Obama's United Nations ambassador during his first term, says there have been many successes over the past eight years. But she says her biggest disappointment has been the failure of the international community to stop Syria's brutal civil war.

Obama’s Stark Options on ISIS: Arm Syrian Kurds or Let Trump Decide (17 January, 2017) Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt writes "About 250,000 civilians are in Raqqa, and the Islamic State has fortified the city with trenches and mines and would defend it with suicide bombers. Because the Obama administration has ruled out the use of American combat troops, the United States has to rely on mobilizing local Arab forces to join battle-hardened Syrian Kurdish fighters." 

At Russia-led talks, Syrian rebels and government meet for the first time (23 January, 2017) Russian-backed peace talks aimed at ending the Syrian war brought rebels and the Syrian government face to face for the first time Monday (23 January), marking the launch of a new role for Russian President Vladimir Putin as a Middle East power broker.

Refugees Entering the U.S. Already Face a Rigorous Vetting Process  (29 January, 2017) President Trump has suspended entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, and he has barred Syrian refugees indefinitely. The current screening process for all refugees involves many layers of security checks before entry into the country, and Syrians were subject to an additional layer of checks. Sometimes, the process, shown below, takes up to two years. 

Trump wants to push back against Iran, but Iran is now more powerful than ever (5 February, 2017) "President Trump’s tough talk on Iran is winning him friends in the Arab world, but it also carries a significant risk of conflict with a U.S. rival that is now more powerful than at any point since the creation of the Islamic republic nearly 40 years ago." 

Syrian rebel groups see necessity in consolidating ranks (8 February, 2017) In response to losing Aleppo at the end of 2016, several Syrian opposition factions have unified their ranks into two large entities, namely Hayyat Tahrir al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: الشمال السوريّ يشهد أقوى حركة اندماج بين الفصائل العسكريّة منذ بدء الثورة السوريّة

Is the PLO helping or harming Palestinians in Syria?  (14 February, 2017) Critics accuse the PLO of failing to protect or financially support Palestinian refugees in war-torn Syria.

Are Russia, US ready to cooperate on Syria and beyond? (15 February, 2017) Moscow is taking a wait-and-see position as the new US administration takes shape, but Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to see the potential for military and political cooperation with the US not witnessed since World War II.

Syria ceasefire opens door for political solution, UN says (19 February, 2017) US anti-ISIS chief says country seeks role to support ceasefire. UN envoy to Syria says ceasefire holding better than previous ones.

Policy and Reports

Addressing the Syrian refugee crisis: Recommendations for the next administration (16 December, 2016) “Five years into Syria’s civil war, the international community has come to recognize that 5 million Syrian refugees will not be returning home anytime soon. The scale of the refugee crisis poses vast and consequential challenges to Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey and, by extension, to American interests in the region. As this chapter shows, resolving this conflict will require the incoming presidential administration to renew its commitments to the U.S. refugee resettlement program and to challenge the international community to provide greater support to the frontline states.” 

The Battle for al-Bab Is Bringing U.S.-Turkish Tensions to a Head (9 January, 2017) Helping Erdogan take the city could greatly decrease the civilian death toll and preserve U.S.-Turkish cooperation in Syria, but Washington will still need to decide what to do with the Kurds, its other key ally against the Islamic State.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: معركة استعادة الباب تفاقم التوترات بين الولايات المتحدة وتركيا 

Lion Odharbd 13,000 barrel bombs on Syria in 2016 ', and Chdj Salamz  (11 January, 2017) New NGO data says the Syrian government used the illegal munitions thousands of times last year, with 1,400 attacks on civilian infrastructure in total carried out by all parties. 

'No calm' in Wadi Barada following collapse of second ceasefire  (22 January, 2017) Pro-Assad and rebel forces in Wadi Barada exchanged heavy fire on Sunday (Jan 22) for the third consecutive day following a bilateral ceasefire agreement, as local opposition sources tell Syria Direct that the collapsed deal was a “deliberate distraction” in the regime’s campaign to “seize more territory by military force.”

Assad Needs 'Useless Syria' Too  (4 February, 2017) Eastern Syria holds major hydrocarbon and agricultural resources that make it a vital asset in Assad's quest for regime self-sufficiency, and a potentially powerful source of U.S. leverage against him.

The Arabic version of this article can be found here: الأسد بحاجة أيضا إلى "سوريا غير المفيدة"

What would safe zones mean for the Syrian conflict? (8 February, 2017) Samer N Abboud writes "Safe zones represent a solution to the symptom and not the larger problem." 

Warning Update: Turkish Aggression Against Syrian Kurds Threatens to Halt U.S. Anti-ISIS Operations in Syria(13 February, 2017) The U.S.-led coalition’s fight against ISIS in Syria is in jeopardy as Turkey threatens an offensive against the U.S.’s primary partner force on the ground, the Syrian Democratic Forces.

HRW: Syria carried out chemical attacks in Aleppo (13 February, 2017) Rights group accuses Syria of eight chemical attacks, killing at least nine people during offensive to retake key town. 

Security Council resolutions to be 'Geneva talks basis' (18 February, 2017) Elections, new constitution and governance to be on the agenda of forthcoming meeting in Geneva of Syrian factions.

Documentaries, Special Reports, and Other Media

Exodus(27 December, 2016) “Exodus,” a two-hour FRONTLINE special, tells the first-person stories of refugees and migrants fleeing war, persecution and hardship — drawing on footage filmed by the families themselves as they leave their homes on dangerous journeys in search of safety and refuge in Europe.

Syria and the Left (9 January, 2017) To illuminate the history and nature of the Syrian conflict, Yusef Khalil for Jacobin conducted an extensive interview with Yasser Munif, a Syrian scholar who studies grassroots movements in the country. 

Human Rights Activism in Documenting Violations and Its Relation to Transitional Justice in Syria (11 January, 2017) Isam Al Zubi writes: "In Syria today, many organizations work in the human rights field, but they still lack the ability to do such work correctly because they remain novices in this domain without enough experience, and because many of them have only weak legal information." 

This Is Serene Family sense among Ronatd Tanks Taha, a sleek Partnership, the stomachs of a Sad when a Sinjaj (13 January, 2017) Rasha Elandari left Syria herself in 2010. Her future seemed bright; she was 27 and had won the Fulbright scholarship and could begin her master's thesis in archeology at the University of Arkansas. She's currently a PhD student at the University of Toronto.

'Yahoo News' Reporter Interviews Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad(10 February, 2017) NPR's Robert Siegel talks with reporter Mike Isikoff. In a Yahoo News exclusive interview, Isikoff confronts President Bashar al-Assad about his human rights record, his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and whether he would step aside as president if it could help end the war in Syria. 

EXCLUSIVE: Defiant Assad tells Yahoo News torture report is 'fake news' (10 February, 2017) Confronted with new evidence of torture and mass hangings in one of his military prisons, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an exclusive interview with Yahoo News that the allegations were the product of a “fake news era” and charged that a human rights group, Amnesty International, had fabricated evidence to discredit his embattled government.

Syria's 'White Helmets' makers get US visas for Oscars (19 February, 2017)

Leader of rescue group and filmmaker plan to attend Academy Awards next week after suspension of Trump's travel ban.

Maps

Syria Situation Report: February 2 - 16, 2017 Turkish President Recep Erdogan reiterated that the “ultimate goal” of Turkey in Operation Euphrates Shield is the establishment of a five-thousand square kilometer ‘safe zone’ that includes Al-Bab, Manbij, and Ar-Raqqa City in Northern Syria during a speech on February 12. Erdogan stated that the proposed “terrorist-free zone” would require the implementation of a no-fly zone, noting that he had discussed the issue with both the U.S. and Russia.

Arabic Links:

مصالح روسيا والمشروع الإيراني في سورية   (January 6, 2017) Raghida Dergham writes about Russia's interests in the Syrian conflict and what she calls "the Iranian project" in the country.

سميرة التي وراء سبعة جدران   (January 9, 2017) Yassin al-Haj Saleh dedicates this piece to his wife Samira Khalil who is currently missing after being abducted in Douma on December 9, 2013.

الإنسانيّة والفعل النبيل يعيدان الأمل إلى ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصّة في حلب  (January 9, 2017) In the thick of the Syrian war, an athlete channels his skills to help amputees receive prosthetics.

The English version of this article can be found here: Sports champion provides artificial limbs near Aleppo 

معركة استعادة الباب تفاقم التوترات بين الولايات المتحدة وتركيا (January 9, 2017) Helping Erdogan take the city could greatly decrease the civilian death toll and preserve U.S.-Turkish cooperation in Syria, but Washington will still need to decide what to do with the Kurds, its other key ally against the Islamic State.

The English version of this article can be found here: The Battle for al-Bab Is Bringing U.S.-Turkish Tensions to a Head

بعد سنوات دامية من الحرب... السريان الآشوريّون في سوريا يبحثون عن وطن بديل (January 11, 2017) A family of Assyrians, one of Syria’s Christian sects, tells Al-Monitor their story of surviving imprisonment by the Islamic State only to lose their son this year to the fighting in Raqqa.

The English version of this article can be found here: Family captive fierce long-F Hapetr, Desplkmenh

عودة إلى حلب: إرث ضائع  (January 12, 2017) Historic Aleppo was the center of many empires over the centuries but now resembles a city plundered once again by Mongols.

The English version of this article can be found here: Return to Aleppo: A squandered legacy 

إطلاق تقرير التشتت القسري -حالة الإنسان في سورية- التقرير الديمغرافي 2016 (January 14, 2017) This report, by Syrian Center for Policy Research, tackles forced displacement and provides future solutions for the crisis. 

موسم الأسئلة السوري  (January 15, 2017) Omar Kaddour explores various questions and issues that might have prevented the "Syrian revolution" from overthrowing the Syrian regime.

رحيل الفنان ممتاز البحرة.. مبتكر أيقونتي باسم ورباب في سوريا (January 16, 2017) Mumtaz Al Bahra, a well-known illustrator who worked for Syrian children's magazines, died on 16 January, 2017. 

بعد سجالات حادة حول معرضه الأخير في دمشق: يوسف عبدلكي: وما بدّلوا تبديلا (January 17, 2017) Youssef Abdelke, one of Syria’s leading artists, responded in this article to criticism and controversy in regard to his decision to stay in Syria and display a new exhibition in Damascus. 

ولدتُ لاجئاً (January 19, 2017) Dara Abdallah reflects on his personal experience as, first, a Kurdish refugee child in Syria; and second, as an adult Syrian/Kurdish refugee in Europe.

نقد نقد الإسلاميين بعد مأساة حلب (January 20, 2017) Hussein Ghrer reflects on the mainstream trend of criticizing the "Islamists" by what he calls "non-Islamists" in the Syrian uprising. 

مؤسّسة إعلاميّة في حلب تفوز بالجائزة الكبرى في مهرجان "صندانس" الأميركيّ السنويّ (February 3, 2017) The documentary "Last Men in Aleppo," which captured the suffering of the city's residents in the Syrian civil war, was honored with a top award at the Sundance Film Festival.

The English version of this article can be found here: Sundance Film Festival shines light on Aleppo

 ردود فعل السوريّين المقيمين في تركيا حول المنطقة الآمنة (February 9, 2017) A state of confusion and uncertainty prevails among Syrians living in Turkey, after the announcement by US President Donald Trump at the end of last month of his decision to create safe zones for civilians in Syria.

The English version of this article can be found here: Syrians in Turkey baffled by Trump’s safe zones plan

الأزمة السوريّة الداخليّة تدفع بممثّلين سوريّين للهجرة إلى مصر (February 14, 2017) Dozens of Syrian actors who were forced to leave Syria because of the conflict are trying to reassemble their lives and careers in Egypt.

The English version of this article can be found here: Syrian actors look for fresh start in Egypt

"شيلني يا بابا" ... حكاية عائلة أدمتها براميل النظام السوري (February 19, 2017) This article highlights the story of Abdulbasit Ta’an Alstoof (8 years-old) whose legs were blown off at the knees in a barrel bomb strike in Alhbit village in Idlib.

مختارات من الصحافة العربية (من 1 حتى 7 فبراير)

شبة الجزيرة العربية

البحرين

معتقلون سيقضون 3 سنوات في السجن بسبب "قنابل وهمية"
قضت المحكمة الجنائية الرابعة بالسجن خمسة سنوات على أربعة متهمين بوضع هيكل محاك لأشكال المتفجرات على الشارع العام بالسهلة بالقرب من الجامعة العربية المفتوحة.

"رايتس ووتش" تنتقد إعادة سلطات الاعتقال لـ "الأمن الوطني": روّع الأسر وعذّب المعتقلين
أكدت المنظمة أن القرار الذي منح "جهاز الأمن الوطني" في البحرين سلطة اعتقال واحتجاز الأشخاص المشتبه في ارتكابهم جرائم إرهابية يُبطل إحدى الإصلاحات الأمنية القليلة المهمة التي أدخلت بعد 2011

الحكومة: البحرين تمر بظرف اقتصادي دقيق... وهيئة الكهرباء في أشد الحاجة لزيادة إيراداتها
قالت صحيفة الوسط إن الحكومة البحرينية تحفظت على اقتراحين برغبة قدّما من مجلس النواب لتخفيض فواتير الكهرباء والماء على المطلقات والأرامل، مذكرة النواب بـ«الظرف الاقتصادي الدقيق» الذي تمر به البحرين.

عبدالهادي الخواجة يحذر: أوضاع سجن جو تشبه ما قبل 10 مارس 2015
"لفت الخواجة في رسالة من داخل السجن إلى غياب أي دور للجهات الرقابية على السجن سواء القضائية أو الرقابية، مما يؤكد أن هذه المؤسسات هي للعلاقات العامة وللدعاية للنظام فقط..."

صحيفة بريطانية: بريطانيا موّلت تدريب مسؤوليين بحرينيين على قمع الاحتجاجات بينهم طارق الحسن
"قالت صحيفة التايمز البريطانية إن "الخارجية البريطانية اتُّهِمت بمحاولة التستر على تمويلها لبرنامج لتدريب الشرطة البحرينية على تقنيات السيطرة على الحشود، بما في ذلك استخدام خزانات الماء والكلاب"".

ميدل إيست آي: المملكة المتحدة تمول مجلس النواب البحريني الذي يوقف الإصلاح ويؤيد الإعدام
تمويل مجلس النّواب، الذي يقول المنتقدون إنّه هيئة "ختم صوري" بالنّسبة للعائلة المالكة في البلاد، كُشِف عنه بموجب قانون حرية المعلومات."

اليمن

الطب الشرعي اليمني: الصحافي العبسي توفي مسموما
توفي العبسي في صنعاء بشكل مفاجئ بعد سنوات من العمل الصحفي الذي كشف قضايا الفساد في اليمن.

صنعاء تردّ على دعوة ترامب: مقترح غير آمن
"أعلنت حكومة «الإنقاذ الوطني» في صنعاء أمس، رفضها مقترح ترامب بهذا الشأن، معتبرة «أي حديث أو إشارة إلى إقامة مناطق آمنة للاجئين والنازحين في اليمن من قبل قوى العدوان والدول الداعمة له أمراً غير مقبول."

المرأة اليمنية: البندقية ليست حكراً على الرجال
وكانت المرأة إلى جانب الرجل تتحدى التهديدات بقصف التجمعات، كذلك لعبت دوراً آخر في الجبهتين الإعلامية والثقافية، وذلك من على منابر الإذاعات والفضائيات، وهنّ اليوم صرن يطالبن بحمل السلاح والمشاركة في معارك الدفاع.

الجيش الأمريكي «يفبرك» فيديو إنزال باليمن.. ويسحبه بعد الفضيحة
عدد من مستخدمي الإنترنت اوضح أن التسجيل هو من حوالي عشر سنوات ووضع على الإنترنت من قبل، وتم سحبه على الفور.

في طريق العودة إلى اليمن
طريق العودة إلى اليمن تعج بالأحداث الكثيرة ولكن الوجع واحد...

واشنطن تنحاز عسكرياً إلى الإماراتيين في اليمن
"تأتي عملية الإنزال الأميركية في البيضاء، وسط اليمن، ضمن استراتيجية واشنطن الجديدة في تفعيل الدور الإماراتي، الذي بدا أكثر استجابة ورشاقة في الانسجام مع المصالح الأميركية."

القاعدة ينسحب من بلدات جنوبية... وبارجة أميركية ترسو قبالة باب المندب
طالبت منظمة «هيومن رايتس ووتش» الجيش الأميركي بتعويض أسر الضحايا المدنيين الذين قتلوا أو أصيبوا «خطأ» خلال هجوم الأحد الماضي على قياديين في القاعدة.

اليمن: القوات الحكومية تتبادل الاسرى مع الحوثيين
قال احد الوسطاء في تصريح: "تم الافراج عن ثمانية وخمسين حوثيا اسروا في محافظة الجوف شمال البلاد، في مقابل الافراج عن أربعة وخمسين من انصارنا الموالين لقوات الشرعية ينتمون الى الجوف."

الجيش: تحالف العدوان لم يأخذ تهديداتنا بجدية
تأكيد الجيش اليمني أنه يمتلك إمكانات لم يستخدمها بعد وقصفه بارجة عسكرية سعودية بعد يوم واحد من التوعد بالمفاجآت يشي بمستوى عالٍ من التحدي يتواصل مع استمرار المعارك في الجنوب.

السعودية

استهداف بارجة سعودية
أن قصف السفينة تمّ بصاروخ موجّه، وبعد رصد دقيق قبالة السواحل الغربية.

السعودية والإمارات: صراع على «الوكالة» الأميركية في اليمن
"يستخدم الطرفان في صراعهما على مسك الورقة اليمنية، خصوصاً الجنوب، كل الوسائل المتاحة، بما فيها المحرمة، مع استعار للحرب الإعلامية بينهما عبر إعلام الأدوات."

شركات إسرائيلية تعمل في السعودية والإمارات
"نماذج أخرى عرضها التحقيق عن ازدهار التجارة والتعاون التكنولوجي والأمني بين إسرائيل وعدد من الدول العربية، خاصة الخليجية. يقول بار: «إذا كانت الدولة لا تكن عداءً لإسرائيل، ونستطيع مساعدتها؛ فسنفعل ذلك، باستثناء سوريا ولبنان وإيران والعراق".

الخارجية الإيرانية: تصريحات «الجبير» سببها هزيمة السعودية في اليمن
"كان وزير الخارجية السعودي «عادل الجبير» قد شدد في تصريحات على ضرورة وضع حد للتدخلات الخارجية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، وخصوصا تدخلات إيران."

فيديو: بطاقة أمير-عبد العزيز بن فهد
يظهر أبرز ما يملكه عبد العزيز بن فهد.

السعودية تبحث توطين الصناعات العسكرية
بحث وزير الدفاع السعودي محمد بن سلمان الرياض مع رئيسة مجلس الإدارة الرئيسة التنفيذية لشركة لوكهيد مارتن العسكرية طرق توطين الصناعات العسكرية في المملكة.

الداخلية السعودية: مقتل عنصر بحرس الحدود
إثر تعرض إحدى النقاط الحدودية في جازان لإطلاق نار من عناصر حوثية

جمعية الحقوق المدنية والسياسية في السعودية (حسم) أحكام تعسفية بلا هوادة بحق أعضاءها ال11 (الجزء الثاني)
بداية حملة القمع وسلسلة الاعتقالات بحق أعضاء حسم مع محمد البجادي في العام 2011 واستمر استهدافها لهم واحدًا تلو الآخر إلى أن أحكت القبضة بشكل كلي على المجموعة كلها مع حكم المحكمة الأخير بحق آخرهم عبد العزيز الشبيلي في بداية عام 2017

صاروخ بالستي «يطاول الرياض»... والمملكة تخسر مواقع إستراتيجية
توالت الأنباء المنقولة عن حسابات سعوديين في موقع تويتر تفيد بسماع صوت انفجار ضخم في منطقة المزاحمية الواقعة غرب الرياض على طريق الرياض ــ الطائف.

محمد عبده يقدم حفلا غنائيا في جدة
غنى محمد عبده أمام جمهور من ثمانية الاف شخص كلهم من الذكور، في مدينة جدة العاصمة الاقتصادية للسعودية.

رسالة “تطمينات” سرية من إدارة ترامب للسعودية : تطبيقات “جاستا” فردية ولن تحظى بدعم الإدارة
"وتربط الأوساط المختصة بين التعاون السعودي مع قرارات حظر ترامب الأخيرة وبين تلك الضمانات على اساس انها مساحة للتعاون بين الجانبين."

متفرقات

الكويت: الاستئناف تلغي براءة الشيخ المعتوق وتقضي بتغريمه 20 ألف دينار
أتت محاكمة المعتوق على خلفية خطبة جمعة ألقاها بجامع الإمام الحسين في ميدان حولي، انتقد خلالها وزارة الداخلية واتهمها بتعذيب المتهمين في قضية "خلية العبدلي".

لإمارات : حظر السفر الذي فرضه ترامب شأن داخلي أميركي
قال وزير الخارجية الإماراتي إن حظر السفر الذي فرضه دونالد ترامب على مواطنين من دول غالبية سكانها من المسلمين هو قرار سيادي للولايات المتحدة ولا يستهدف دينا بعينه.

براءة المدونة سارة الدريس اول سجينة رأي في تاريخ الكويت
"قررت المدونة الكويتية سارة الدريس مغادرة البلاد إلى لندن عقب حصولها على حكم براءة من التهم التي نسبت لها بالإساءة إلى الذات الأميرية، مؤكدة أنها مغادرة حتى إشعار آخر"

السلطات الإماراتية تحقق مع وسيم يوسف بعد شكوى صحفي سعودي
وتتلخص القضية، في تلقي وسيم يوسف دعوة من ندوة ثقافية سعودية بالرياض، اعتذر عنها لاحقا بسبب ادعاءات بتلقيه تهديدات من قبل سعوديين.

الحرب الغربيّة ضد الإسلام والمسلمين: من شارل ديغول إلى دونالد ترامب
"إن فكرة حظر كل المسلمين من زيارة أميركا (وليس بعضهم من الدول السبعة فقط) تحظى ــ حسب استطلاع قبل أشهر ــ بتأييد نصف الأميركيّين (٥٠٪ يؤيّدون الفكرة، ويتوزّع التأييد كالآتي: ٧١٪ من الجمهوريّين و٣٤٪ من الديموقراطيّين و٤٩٪ من المستقلّين)".

رويترز: دول الخليج تلتزم الصمت إزاء حظر السفر الأمريكي على 7 دول مسلمة سعيا لعلاقات جيدة مع ترامب
"غابت دول الخليج العربية عن الإدانات الدولية التي انطلقت بعد قرار الولايات المتحدة حظر السفر من سبع دول ذات أغلبية مسلمة على أمل إقامة علاقات مع الرئيس دونالد ترامب أفضل من علاقاتها مع سلفه."

انقلاب في الإمارات... وواشنطن تسعى إلى منعه؟
أشار مسؤول السعودي إلى أن مسؤولين إماراتيين رفيعي المستوى ينتقدون سياسات الشيخ محمد بن زاید لإدارة الحكم.

صورة | جوازات سفر للطيور والحيوانات الأليفة بدول خليجية.. والمملكة: نصدر بطاقات ملكية فقط
تم إصدار بطاقات ملكية لنحو 105 آلاف رأس من الإبل في منطقتي القصيم والشرقية، والعمل جار لتطبيق ذلك في مدينة الرياض. ويرى البعض ان للمفارقة هناك بعض البلدان الخليجية لا تسمح للمرأة بالحصول على رخصة قيادة السيارة.

فلسطين

قوات الاحتلال

قوات الاحتلال تجري تدريبات على حدود غزة
ونقلت الإذاعة العبرية عن ناطق عسكري باسم الجيش الإسرائيلي، قوله "إن هذه التدريبات تم الإعداد لها مسبقا في إطار خطة التدريبات العسكرية للعام الجاري، بهدف الحفاظ على جهوزية القوات لمواجهة أي طارئ"، دون ذكر مزيد من التفاصيل.

الاحتلال الإسرائيلي يقتحم رام الله ويشنّ حملة اعتقالات في الضفة الغربية
اعتقلت قوّات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي صباح الاثنين، 19 مواطنا فلسطينيا في حملة مداهمات واقتحامات شنّتها بأنحاء متفرقة من الضّفة الغربية المحتلة.

الاحتلال يسلم جثمان الشهيد زيدان المحتجز منذ شهرين
وكان الفتى زيدان استشهد برصاص الاحتلال قبل أكثر من شهرين على مدخل مخيم شعفاط شمال شرق القدس، بدعوى محاولته طعن أحد جنود الاحتلال العاملين على الحاجز العسكري المقام على المدخل، ثم احتجزت قوات الاحتلال جثمانه.

توثيق 41 انتهاكا إسرائيليا بحق الصحفيين في الضفة وغزة خلال يناير 2017
وثقت لجنة دعم الصحفيين نحو 41 انتهاكا إسرائيليا بحق الصحفيين في الضفة الغربية المحتلة وقطاع غزة خلال يناير 2017، مشددة على أن ما نفذه الاحتلال بحق وسائل الإعلام من جرائم يستدعى قيام المؤسسات الدولية التي تهتم بحقوق الصحفيين بملاحقة السلطات الإسرائيلية من أجل العمل على تنفيذ قرار مجلس الأمن الدولي (رقم 2222)، الذى يضمن حماية الصحفيين.

قوات الاحتلال تقتحم مستشفى المقاصد
وافادت مراسلة وكالة معا بأن قوات الاحتلال قامت بمحاصرة مستشفى المقاصد ثم اقتحمت وداهمت أقسامه وشرعت بتفتيشها، وخلال ذلك اقتحمت قسم "الولادة" واعتقلت شابا فلسطينيا من مدينة جنين حضر الى المستشفى عبر سيارة الإسعاف مرافقا لوالدته، دون معرفة الأسباب.

قوات الاحتلال تهاجم اسرى سجن النقب
قال نادي الأسير الفلسطيني مساء اليوم الأربعاء، أن قوات القمع التابعة لسجون الاحتلال اقتحمت قسم (16) في سجن النقب، وشرعت بالاعتداء على الأسرى مستخدمة الغاز بحقهم، وذلك بعد قيام أحد الأسرى بضرب سجان، احتجاجاً على عمليات التنكيل والإجراءات القمعية التي نفذتها إدارة سجون الاحتلال بحق الأسرى في سجن "نفحة".

قوات الاحتلال تعتقل ضابطا فلسطينيا و5 مواطنين بالضفة الغربية
اعتقلت قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي فجر اليوم، أحد عناصر الأجهزة الأمنية التابعة للسلطة الفلسطينية "ضابط" لدى اقتحامها لقرية بدرس غرب مدينة رام الله.. كما اعتقلت 5 فلسطينيين خلال عمليات دهم وتفتيش بمناطق مختلفة بالضفة الغربية المحتلة.

قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي تقتحم مخيم جنين
قوات الاحتلال الاسرائيلي تقتحم مخيم جنين وتجري عمليات دهم وتفتيش فيه، وإصابة مستوطنة بحالة "هلع" بعد إلقاء شبّان فلسطينيين حجارة جنوبي بيت لحم.

استشهاد فلسطيني برصاص قوات الاحتلال في الضفة الغربية
وافادت مراسلة قناة العالم في فلسطين بان مدينة جنين تشهد اضرابا شاملا اليوم حدادا على الشهيد محمود ابو خليفة واستعدادا لتشييع جثمان.

السياسة الداخلية

توقعات بإقرار الكنيست الإسرائيلي مشروعا لمصادرة المزيد من الأراضي في الضفة الغربية المحتلة
سيكون إقرار الكنيست مشروع القانون رمزيا إلى حد بعيد لأنه يتنافى مع أحكام المحكمة العليا الإسرائيلية بخصوص حقوق الملكية، إذ يقول منتقدو هذه الخطوة وخبراء قانونيون إنه لن يصمد أمام الطعون القضائية، بحسب ما أوردت وكالة رويترز للأنباء.

إسرائيل: إلغاء منع دخول أعضاء الكنيست إلى الحرم القدسي
قررت لجنة الآداب البرلمانية في الكنيست الإسرائيلي السماح لأعضاء الكنيست "اليهود" بالدخول إلى الحرم القدسي الشريف مع الامتثال لتعليمات الشرطة.

الكنيست الإسرائيلي يقر توصيات بإغلاق مدارس فلسطينية بسبب المنهج التعليمي
وتضمنت الجلسة اتهامات، وتوصيات منها: الإقرار بأن المنهج التعليمي الفلسطيني منهج تحريضي ضد "إسرائيل" وشعبها، والمطالبة بمنع كتاب المنهج الفلسطيني من دخول مدينة القدس أو التداول في مدارس القدس.

الكنيست يدعو لمناقشة ملف استعادة الجنود المفقودين في غزة
دعا زعيم حزب البيت اليهودي وزير التعليم الإسرائيلي نفتالي بينيت، إلى مناقشة ملف استعادة الجنود المفقودين في غزة، وقال، إن الحكومة الإسرائيلية هي من أرسلت كلاً من هدار غولدن وأورون شاؤول إلى غزة، خلال الحرب على غزة في العام 2014، وإعادتهما تقع على مسئوليتها أيضاً.

السلطة الفلسطينية تعلن موعدا للانتخابات المحلية... و"حماس" ترفض
حددت الحكومة الفلسطينية موعدا جديدا لأجراء الانتخابات المحلية في الضفة الغربية وقطاع #غزة في 13 ايار المقبل، وفقا لما افاد وزير الحكم المحلي حسين الاعرج. غير ان حركة"حماس" سارعت الى رفض القرار، معتبرة انه "يعزز الانقسام" الداخلي.

حماس تدعو لاستراتيجية وطنية لمواجهة الاستيطان
دعت حركة المقاومة الإسلامية "حماس" الأربعاء الفصائل وكل مكونات الشعب الفلسطيني ومستوياته إلى تبني استراتيجية وطنية شاملة ترتكز على برنامج المقاومة لمواجهة تغول حكومة الاحتلال وعدوانها على أرضنا ومقدساتنا والتوسع الاستيطاني الخطير.

السياسة الخارجية

رئيس الكنيست يصل واشنطن لدعوتها لنقل سفارتها للقدس
قالت الإذاعة الإسرائيلية العامة إن رئيس الكنيست الإسرائيلي يولي ادلشتاين يغادر الكيان الليلة متوجهًا الى واشنطن في زيارة للكونغرس الاميركي.

الولايات المتحدة تعد إسرائيل بـ"دعم حديدي" في الأمم المتحدة
أعلن مكتب السفيرة الأمريكية الجديدة لدى الأمم المتحدة، نيكي هيلي، الثلاثاء 31 يناير/كانون الثاني، أن هيلي وعدت نظيرها الإسرائيلي داني دانون في اتصال هاتفي، الاثنين، بـ"دعم حديدي.

واشنطن تنذر السلطة من التوجّه إلى «الجنائية» لمقاضاة «إسرائيل»
وذكر أنّ إدارة البيت الأبيض نقلت خلال الأيام الماضية، رسالة واضحة جداً إلى السلطة الفلسطينية، تحذّرها من ذلك، مهدّدة بـ«اتخاذ خطوات عقابية شديدة ضد السلطة في حال أقدمت على هذه الخطوة، مثل وقف تام للمساعدات الأميركية المقدّمة للسلطة، وإغلاق مكاتب منظّمة التحرير في العاصمة الأميركية، واشنطن، واتخاذ خطوات شديدة أخرى من شأنها أنْ تُلحِق الضرر الكبير في مكانة وموقع المنظّمة».

مسؤولون فلسطينيون ينتقدون تصريحات أمين عام الأمم المتحدة حول القدس
انتقد مسؤولون فلسطينيون اليوم الأحد تصريحات أدلى بها الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة انطونيو غوتيريس، بشأن مدينة القدس، معتبرين إياها "تجاوزاً سياسيا خطيرا”. وندد وزير شؤون القدس الفلسطيني عدنان الحسيني في تصريحات لوكالة أنباء "شينخوا" بتصريحات غوتيريس، معتبراً إياها "انحيازا" لإسرائيل.

خطة تحرك عربية في الأمم المتحدة حول نقل السفارة الأمريكية للقدس
عقدت المجموعة العربية في الأمم المتحدة بنيويورك، برئاسة المملكة العربية السعودية وبناء على طلب من دولة فلسطين، اجتماعًا مطولًا لنقاش تحركات المجموعة بشأن قضيتين ملحتين، وهما: "تنفيذ قرار مجلس الأمن الأخير 2334 الخاص بالمستوطنات الإسرائيلية، ونية الإدارة الأمريكية الجديدة نقل السفارة الأمريكية إلى القدس، وآلية التعامل معها بهذا الصدد"

افتتاح سفارة دولة فلسطين في باكستان
افتتح رئيس دولة فلسطين محمود عباس، يرافقه رئيس وزراء جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية نواز شريف، اليوم الثلاثاء، سفارة دولة فلسطين في العاصمة الباكستانية إسلام أباد.

قانون

منظمة بريطانية تطالب باعتقال عضو كنيست يزور لندن بتهمة جرائم حرب
قدمت منظمة عربية بريطانية طلبا إلى المحكمة الإسرائيلية لاعتقال عضو الكنيست الإسرائيلي، اللواء اليعيزر شتيرن، المتواجد في لندن ضمن وفد عن حزب "يش عتيد" الإسرائيلي لتوضيح موقف الاحتلال حيال حملات المقاطعة في الجامعات البريطانية.

قراقع: 400 شرطي إسرائيلي يعتدون على الأسرى بالضرب والغاز بسجن نفحة
وأضاف قراقع في تصريحات اليوم، أن القوة الكبيرة من شرطة مصلحة السجون أخرجت أسرى القسمين إلى الساحات وهم مكبلون، مشيرا إلى أن قوات "المساندة" تقوم بقمع قسم 12 وتعتدى على الأسرى بالضرب والغاز.

قراقع: الاحتلال يحرم الأسرى من حقوق أسير الحرب
وقال قراقع في حديث لإذاعة موطني، اليوم الأحد، إن مصلحة السجون تتشدد في منع ادخال الأغطية والملابس الشتوية للأسرى عن طريق ذويهم أو المؤسسات الخاصة بالأسرى، لافتا إلى أنها تبيعهم هذه الاحتياجات بأسعار مرتفعة رغم رداءة نوعيتها.

الطفل زيدات يروي مشاهد مروعة من ذكريات إصابته وأسره
ماء وآلام في الظهر والصدر والقدم، وجنود يصوبون بنادقهم نحوه، هذا اخر ما يتذكره الطفل أسامة مراد زيدات (14 عاماً)، من تاريخ التاسع والعشرين من أيلول الماضي، حين أطلق عليه جنود الاحتلال النار عليه، فأصابوه في ظهره وساقه، بينما كان يسير في منطقة زراعية في بني نعيم شرق مدينة الخليل، ليمر الطفل بتجربة الإصابة والاعتقال والتحقيق لخمسة أشهر.

عنف المستوطنين

مقتل مستوطنين واصابة 7 اخرين بانقلاب حافلة
وقالت مصادر اسرائيلية أن حافلة "ايجيد" تقل مستوطنين انحرفت عن مسارها وانقلبت في الوادي بالقرب من اللبن، ما ادى الى مقتل اثنين واصابة 7 اخرين بينهم 3 في حالة الخطر الشديد، واثنان خطيرة.

اصابة 13 جندي اسرائيلي خلال اخلاء "عمونا"
أصيب 13 جندي اسرائيلي خلال عملية اخلاء مستوطنة "عمونا"، فيما اعتقلت الجنود 10 مستوطنين، هذا وواجه متطرفو اليمين الجنود بالشتائم والاعتداء بالضرب والرش بمادة خانقة وبالرشق بالحجارة.

مستوطنون يقتحمون باحات الأقصى بحماية الاحتلال
اقتحم 13 مستوطن عبر مجموعات صغيرة ومتتالية، اليوم الثلاثاء، باحات المسجد الأقصى المبارك من جهة باب المغاربة بحراسة مشددة، من شرطة الاحتلال الخاصة.

اقتصاد و تنمية

الاونروا تلجأ لمصادر الطاقة البديلة في ظل أزمة الكهرباء في غزة
قالت وكالة غوث وتشغيل اللاجئين الفلسطينيين "الأونروا"، إنها تعتمد بشكل متزايد على المصادر البديلة للطاقة، لتوفير خدمات نوعية للاجئين الفلسطينيين في قطاع غزة، في ظل أزمة الكهرباء.

"اسرائيل" تمنع إدخال 500 صنف من المواد الخام إلى غزة
وأضافت أن حظر هذه المواد "يزيد قوائم السلع الممنوع دخولها قطاع غزة بشكل يومي تقريبا، بفرض مزيد من القيود على دخول السلع عبر معبر كرم أبو سالم ( المعبر الوحيد المفتوح جزئياً لدخول السلع)" إلى قطاع غزة.

مؤتمر بغزة يوصي باعتبار الطاقة المتجددة ضرورة ملحة للتنمية
أوصى مشاركون في مؤتمر "أفاق الطاقة المتجددة في فلسطين" باعتبار الطاقة المتجددة ضرورة ملحة للتنمية وليست حلا لمشكلة الكهرباء الخالية فقط.

استطلاع أوراد:84% من غزة مقابل 18% من الضفة أكدوا تراجع الخدمات العامة
أظهرت نتائج أحدث استطلاع للرأي العام الفلسطيني أجراه معهد العالم العربي للبحوث والتنمية "أوراد"، أن الأوضاع الانسانية في قطاع غزة تفاقمت بشكل خطير وخصوصا في مجال الخدمات العامة والديمقراطية بالمقارنة بين 2016 و2015 وذلك حسب تصريحات عينة
من الرأي العام في القطاع.

الحركة العالمية لمقاطعة إسرائيل وسحب الاستثمارات منها وفرض العقوبات عليها

حركة مقاطعة ’اسرائيل’ الخليجية تدين لقاء الفيصل وليفني
وقالت الحركة في بيانٍ لها "ما يضاعف قلقنا وامتعاضنا هو أن هذا الخرق السافر لمقاطعة العدو لم يكن الأول من نوعه على يد الفيصل وغيره، فهذا اللقاء يُضاف إلى سلسلة من المغازلات التي يقوم بها الأمير مع مسؤولين صهاينة"، مشيرة إلى أن "كل ذلك يبدو وكأنه مقدمات للتطبيع ومحاولة لفرضه على الشعوب".

مشجعو سيلتيك يدعون المغني رود ستيوارت لإلغاء حفله في إسرائيل
دعا مشجعو نادي سيلتيك الاسكتلندي المغني والموسيقار البريطاني الكبير رود ستيوارت الى إلغاء الحفل الذي يستعد لإحيائه في حزيران/ يونيو المقبل له في "متنزه بارك هياركون" بتل ابيب – وسط إسرائيل

خطة فلسطينية من 26 بندا في حال نقل ترامب السفارة الأمريكية إلى القدس
وقال أمين سر اللجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية صائب عريقات في دراسة حديثة أرسل نسخة منها لوكالة (آكي) الإيطالية للأنباء إنه، "بتكليف من الرئيس محمود عباس اجتمع الدكتور صائب عريقات والدكتور محمد اشتية والدكتور رياض المالكي واللواء ماجد فرج والدكتور مجدي الخالدي يوم 5/1/2017 بمكتب دائرة شؤون المفاوضات، لوضع التوصيات للرئيس محمود عباس وللقيادة الفلسطينية لخطة عمل في حال اقدمت إدارة الرئيس الأمريكي المنتخب على نقل السفارة الأمريكية إلى القدس.

"ائتلاف حماية المستهلك": سنكشف أسماء المتورطين باستثمارات مع المستوطنات
دعا اليوم، ائتلاف جمعيات حماية المستهلك الفلسطيني إلى ضرورة إنفاذ قرار بقانون رقم (4) لسنة 2010م بشأن حظر ومكافحة منتجات المستوطنات تزامناً مع الموقف الدولي المضاد للاستيطان والحملات في العالم ضد منتجات الاستيطان والمستوطنات والتعامل معها، ويعتبر هذا الانفاذ تزامناً مع تحديث قائمة منتجات المستوطنات وتعميمها بصورة موثقة، خصوصاً تلك التي يتم إعادة تغليفها وتسويقها في السوق الفلسطيني على أنها قانونية.

الحيرة

قبل أن أفتحَ غلاف هدية عيد ميلادي، سمعتُ رنينَ الهاتف داخل العلبة. لقد كان هاتفاً محمولاً. بسرعة أخذتُ الهاتف وسارعت بالرد وإذ بي أسمع قهقهة زوجتي من هاتف غرفة النوم.

في تلك الليلة أرادت أن نتحدث عن حياتنا: السنوات التي قضيناها سويةً وأشياء من هذا القبيل. غير أنها أصرت على أن يكون ذلك عبر الهاتف، بحيث أنها ذهبت إلى غرفة النوم وعاودت مكالمتي منها في حين كنت أنا في غرفة الجلوس وقد علقت الهاتف على خصري. عندما انتهينا من الحديث بالهاتف، ذهبتُ إلى غرفة النوم ورأيتها جالسة على السرير غارقة في التفكير. قالت لي إنها أنهت حديثها للتو مع زوجها وإنها مترددة في الرجوع إليه وإن حالتنا أشعرتها بالذنب. أنا زوجها الوحيد، لذلك سارعت إلى تفسير ما قالته على أنه إثارة جنسية وهكذا مارسنا الحب في ذلك اليوم بفجورٍ وعهرٍ. في اليوم التالي، وبينما كنت في مكتبي أتناول شطيرتي، رنَّ هاتفي. كانت هي دون شك. قالت لي إنها تفضّل أن تعترف لي أن لديها حبيباً. قررت أن أجاريها بما راحت تقوله، فقد بدت لي اللعبة مسلية لنا نحن الاثنين، بحيث إنني أجبتها ألا تقلق وأننا كما اجتزنا أزماتٍ سابقة سنتجاوز هذه الأزمة. في المساء عدنا من جديد للحديث عبر الهاتف، على غرار اليوم كله، وقالت لي إنها ستقابل حبيبها بعد لحظاتٍ. أثارني الأمر كثيراً، فأغلقت الهاتف على الفور وذهبت إلى غرفة النوم، وهكذا مارسنا الحبَّ حتى الصباح. مرّ الأسبوع كله على هذا الشكل، ولكن يوم السبت، عندما التقينا في غرفة النوم، بعد مكالمتنا الهاتفية الاعتيادية، قالت لي إنها تحبّني ولكنها مضطرة لتركي لأن زوجها يحتاجها أكثر مني. قالت هذا وأغلقت الباب وراءها وذهبت، ومنذ ذلك الحين لم يعد الهاتف يرن مجدداً. أنا محتار جداً.

إنذارات

في ذلك اليوم صوتٌ متلهف لأحدٍ ما ترك على المجيب الآلي لهاتف المنزل الرسالة التالية: "أمي، أنا كرستينا، كنت أتساءل إن كان باستطاعتي تناول العشاء معك هذا المساء في بيتك، اتصلت بكِ لأقول لك هذا فقط، لأعرف إن كان باستطاعتي تناول العشاء معك. أخبريني، من فضلك، ولا تنسي ذلك، فسأبقى هنا طيلة المساء، أنا كرستينا".

مما لا شك فيه أنني لست أم كرستينا، لذلك لم تتمكن المسكينة من تناول العشاء ذلك المساء، وكذلك أنا، لم أكن قادراً على قلي بيضتين بعد أن سمعت دراما تلك الفتاة المسكينة. إن بعض الأصوات المجهولة هي بمثابة مكروبات تؤثر على يومك، ولا يوجد دواء يصدها.

في اليوم التالي لرسالة كرستينا الصوتية، عدت إلى المنزل ضغطت على المجيب الآلي للهاتف، وإذ بأحد يقول: "بيدرو، في نهاية الأمر أظهرت النتائج أنَّ الورم خبيثٌ، وعلاوة على ذلك ماريسول كسر ذراعه. حتى الآن لم نقل شيئاً لأمي لأنها لن تقدر على تحمّل الأمر بسبب مشاكل التنفس التي تعانيها. أما ناتشو فقد رسب في الثانوية وسيعيدها". مما لا شك فيه أنني لست بيدرو ولا أعرف لويس ولا حتى ماريسول وآخر همي إن كان ناتشو سيعيد الثانوية، غير أن ذلك الكم الهائل من الأخبار السيئة والبعيدة عني سوّد عليّ عيشتي. فعندما تسمع على مدى يومين متتاليين رسائل من هذا العيار، يبدو لك هذا الجهاز الهاتفي الذي يحتوي على شريط التسجيل بيئة مثالية لتكاثر المكروبات المؤذية للحالة الوجدانية، لذلك قررت تطهير الشريط بمسح الرسائل جميعها. ولكن بعد العودة من العمل في اليوم التالي سمعت الرسالة التالية: "ميغيل، هذه هي المرة الأخيرة التي تواعدني فيها ولا تأتي لأنني سأنتحر هذا المساء". لست ميغيل، ولكنني بقيت ثلاثة أيام أشعر بعذابٍ داخلي وأنا أبحث في صفحة الحوادث عن موتٍ مريع. لا يمكنني العيش بهذا الشكل.

هكذا قررت هذا اليوم أن أدافع عن نفسي، فرحت أجرب حظي بالأرقام حتى أصبت ورد عليّ المجيب الآلي فقمت بتسجيل الرسالة التالية:" مارتا، تعالي فوراً لأن مانوليتو سقط في فسحة الدرج وريكاردو بلع شفرة الحلاقة، ولكنني لا أستطيع أن أغادر المنزل وأترك الصغير. هيا تعالي بسرعة". في الحقيقة شعرت بالراحة، حتى أنني لم أشعر بتأنيب الضمير. قررت أن أرفع من حدة الحرب إذا ما طالت، وقد أُعذر من أنذر.

قلق

عادة ما يوجد ضوءٌ كهربائيٌّ، ليس في غرف الفنادق كلها، ولكن حقاً في غرف كثيرة، لا يمكن العثور على مفتاح إنارته وإطفائه لحظة الخلود إلى الفراش. من أشعل الضوء؟ ومتى؟ ومن أين؟ هي أسئلة غامضة لا يمكن الإجابة عنها.

وهكذا بعد أن يلبسك الإحباط، مستنفداً جميع المفاتيح المرئية الموجودة في الغرفة في محاولة لإطفاء ذلك الضوء، تجلس على حافة السرير وتترد في الاتصال مع الاستقبال. ولكن في نهاية الأمر يمنعك الخجل من أن تبدو غبياً، وكذلك الخوف من أن يتأخر موظف الصيانة من الصعود إلى الغرفة، فأنت بحاجة إلى الراحة بعد سفر شاق، أو يوم عمل متعب. بعد هذا كله تقول لنفسك، لا تجعل الأمر يستحوذ عليك، بالكاد يضيء قليلاً، هيا ضع نفسك في السرير وتخيّل أنك تحلق.

وأخيراً تضع نفسك في الفراش وتدير ظهرك له. ولكن ما إن تغمض عينيك حتى تسارع إلى ذهنك أفكارٌ عن أماكن مخفية يمكن أن يوجد فيها مفتاح الضوء لم تخطر على بالك في عملية البحث الأولى. تنهض وتبدأ عملية الاستكشاف في جميع أركان الغرفة لكن دون جدوى، حتى إنك تبحث في أماكن لا يمكن الوصول إليها. فجأة، تفكر أن ذلك الضوء يُنار ويُطفئ من غرفة أخرى، راح نزيلها، منذ وهلة، يفكر وهو في سريره ما فائدة ذلك المفتاح الموجود هناك والذي لا ينير أي ضوء في غرفته؟!. وهكذا وأنت غارق في هذه الأفكار يُنار الضوء فجأة وحده. ثم تقول لنفسك لعل ذلك المسافر قد نهض من سريره، تماماً مثلك، وضغط مفتاح الضوء ليرى إن كان سينير شيئاً في الغرفة هذه المرة. لا بل إنه راح يدير المفتاح ويقفله أكثر من مرة دون أمل ذلك أن الضوء في غرفتي راح يضيء وينطفئ كما لو أنه يرسل رسالة مورس. لعله يحاول أن يتواصل معك، تفكر. ولكنك لا تفهم بإشارات المورس. غير أن َّهذا هو ما يحدث معنا كلنا: نكون في غرف مختلفة ولكننا لا أحد منا يفهم لغة المورس.

لا أعرف ما هو

في أحد ممرات السوبر ماركت صادفت أمامي شخصاً أعرفه ولكن لم تكن لديّ الرغبة بالحديث معه. على ما يبدو هو كذلك لم تكن لديه رغبة بالحديث معي، لذلك، وبشكلٍ تلقائيٍّ، راح كلانا ينظر إلى شاشة هاتفه الجوال، كما لو أنه يرن، داعين ألا نتقاطع ونتقابل. هل شعر بي كما شعرت أنا به؟ كانت سلتي ممتلئة، لذلك ولكي أتجنب لقاءً آخر معه في ممرٍ ما، اتجهت مسرعاً إلى صندوق المحاسبة، دفعت ما عليّ وخرجت.

في كراج السيارات الخاص بالسوبر ماركت، ما إن فتحت باب السيارة حتى وصلتني رسالة على هاتفي. لقد كانت من الشخص نفسه الذي تجنبت لقاءه في السوبر ماركت. قال لي في الرسالة لقد صادف في السوبر ماركت شخصاً يكاد يكون أنا، وإن ذلك جعله يشتاق لي وحفزه على رؤيتي. لتنتهي الرسالة أخيراً: لنذهب لتناول الطعام في يوم من الأيام؟. تأملت الرسالة قليلاً، ورحت أفكر أنني إذا أجبته أن الشيء نفسه حدث معي أكون قد وضعت، كما فعل هو لا شك في ذلك، الأمور في مكانها الصحيح: نحن الاثنين تصنّعنا أنه لم ير أحدنا الآخر، ها ها ها. ولكن لم تكن لدي الرغبة في الدخول في هذه اللعبة التي شعرت أنها غير لبقة. لذلك قررت أن أؤخر ردي قليلاً، أدرت السيارة وعدت إلى المنزل.

في اليوم التالي، كنت إلى حينها لم أجب على رسالته بعد، عرفت من صديق قديم أن الرجل الذي التقيته في السوبر ماركت مات بأزمة قلبية حادة بالضبط بعد خروجه البارحة من السوبر ماركت. وهكذا ذهبتُ إلى مكان الدفن، واقتربت لألقي نظرة أخيرة على الجثة فلاحظت أن حاجبه الأيمن مرتفعٌ قليلاً وأن عينه مفتوحة بعض الشي. لقد كانت هذه العين تحدق فيَّ. وهكذا بعد تقديم التعازي، قال لي أحد أولاده إنه ألقى نظرة على هاتف أبيه ووجد أن رسالة أبيه بقيت دون جواب. لقد كنت سأجيب على رسالته اليوم تحديداً، تعذرت قائلاً هذا. وهكذا خرجت إلى الشارع مندهشاً. لقد حدث أمرٌ ما ولكن لا أعرف ما هو.

من أين؟

اعترف أحد طلاب ورشة الكتابة الإبداعية، بعد أن حكمنا بقسوة شديدة على عمله، أن رأينا لا يهمه على الإطلاق لأنه في ذلك اليوم هو لم يكن هو، وإنما أخوه التوأم. قلت له أن يحذر كثيراً لأنني أيام الأربعاء عادة ما أكون أنا أخي التوأم كذلك. كان الطلاب الآخرون يستمعون إلى المشادة الكلامية باهتمام. وهكذا بعد لحظات من الدهشة والاستغراب، تدخلت روسا؛ راهبة سابقة قضت معنا ما يقارب العامين، وقالت من الواضح إنه بطريقة أو بأخرى، كل واحدٍ منكما، علاوة عن كونه هو نفسه، هو أخوه التوأم. وبما أن هذا التوأم هي امرأة جميلة وغاوية، فهي تؤثر بصوتها على من يسمعها، فالصف برمته وقع تحت تأثيرها ونحن الآن جميعنا نسخة طبق الأصل عن مجموعة طلاب حضروا في الساعة واليوم نفسهما إلى صفٍ مشابه تماماً لهذا من أجل ورشة الكتابة الإبداعية.

ما قالته روسا أسس لنقاشٍ تجلى في الصف في محورين: أولئك الذين يدافعون عن فكرة الكتابة من الأنا؛ وفي المحور الثاني أولئك الذين يدافعون عن فكرة الكتابة من الآخر. لمن من هذين التوأمين اللذين يشكلانا علينا أن نسلم ريشتنا؟

إن هذا يتوقف على النص الذي نكتبه، أجاب الأصغر في الصف، وأضاف، إنه إذا كان الأمر يتعلق بكتابة السيرة الذاتية أو بكتابة طلبٍ ما، فيجب علينا أن نكتب من الأنا، أما إذا كانت قصة حب فمن الأفضل الكتابة من الآخر. ما إن سمعت الراهبة السابقة ذلك، حتى تدخلت بشدة وقالت: هذه هي مشكلة الصف فكلنا نكتب من الأنا. حتى أنها لامتني لأنني لم ألفت الانتباه إلى هذا من قبل. وهكذا ولكي نتتهي من الموضوع سألتُ، أخيراً، الطالب نفسه الذي أكد أنه كان التوأم، إن كان هذا التمرين الذي انتهينا منه للتو قد مارسه من أناه أم من الآخر. بقي وهلة صامتاً وأجابني بعد تفكير أنه عليه أن يسأل أخاه عن الأمر. وأنا كذلك، فكرت بيني وبين نفسي.

[ترجمها عن الأسبانية: جعفر العلوني]

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]

Regional and International Relations

Somalia ‘plans to file legal complaint against UAE’ over Somaliland base“Farah said Emirati officials had bribed officials in Somaliland to get the deal through.” 

Iran discovers major shale oil reserves in western province“The reserves are estimated to hold as much as two billion barrels of light in-situ shale oil which is potentially producible for industrial use.”

Bahrain: Forces Disperse Protests Trying to Reach Pearl Roundabout in “Bloody Thursday” Commemoration Thousands of Bahrainis demonstrated in various areas in commemoration of the first attack on protesters in the Pearl Roundabout on 17 February 2011.

Bahrain’s Public Debt Rises to 8.68 Billion BD at the End of November Bahrain's public debt stands at seventy-two percent of GDP, which is about 11.7 billion BD.

Asamoah Gyan deemed to have 'unethical hair' in United Arab Emirates Striker Asamoah Gyan and more than forty players are deemed to have "unethical hair" in the United Arab Emirates.

Mideast top defense fair highlights innovation in new era "Disruptive Innovation in Defence and Security Technology" is a five-day event in Abu Dhabi that attracts over one thousand firms from fifty-seven countries.

UAE to build first city on Mars by 2117“As part of a 100-year national programme, the UAE will set a plan to prepare national cadres that can achieve scientific breakthroughs to facilitate the transport of people to the Red Planet over the next decades.”

Operation Kingphish: Uncovering a Campaign of Cyber Attacks against Civil Society in Qatar and Nepal The sponsorship system, which ties migrant workers to their employers, has been widely criticized as being a major driver of exploitation.

Iran calls for dialogue with Persian Gulf Arabs to tackle common challenges Mohammad Javad Zarif said at the Munich Security Conference, "Countries in the Persian Gulf region need to surmount the current state of division and tension.”

Pro-government tribal leader among dead in US raid in Yemen“The main figure killed in last month's U.S. raid in Yemen targeting al-Qaida was a tribal leader who was allied to the country's U.S.- and Saudi-backed president.”

Feb. 14 Uprising’s 6th Anniversary: General School Strike, Closed Shops, and Mass Protests in Manama Shops and schools closed their doors in all pro-opposition areas in response to calls for a general strike by the revolutionary forces.

Bahrain Constitutional Amendment Could Send Civilians to Military Courts The Bahrain Center for Human Rights is greatly concerned with the potential consequences of such a distortion of legal power.

Yemen: Senior UN aid official ‘appalled’ by airstrikes that kill women and children Saudi-led airstrikes killed six women and a girl gathering for a funeral in the Arhab District of Sanaa Governorate.

The Trump team's deal with Bahrain could ignore its human rights abuses The Trump team is planning to approve a multibillion-dollar sale of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter planes to Bahrain without any conditions.

Saudi Arabia: Ongoing judicial harassment against Samar Badawi Samar Badawi, an advocate for imprisoned human rights activists and women’s rights, continues to be targeted.

Reports and Opinions

Global arms trade reaches highest point since cold war era Saudi Arabia, currently leading a coalition in the war on Yemen, was the world’s second largest importer of arms last year and has increased its stockpiles by 212 percent.

Iran launches 'advanced' rockets during military exercises The Fajr-3, Fajr-4, and Fajr-5 rockets, all believed to have a range of under 100 kilometers, were successfully tested in the exercise.

Funding crunch exacerbates Yemen ‘catastrophe’  “People in war-ravaged Yemen are dying of famine and lack of medical attention in a situation now “’beyond any humanitarian catastrophe,’ UNHCR said”

Saudi Arabia says four ISIL cells broken up“The crackdown, which began on Saturday, targeted the ISIL cells that had been operating in the regions of Mecca, Medina, Qassim and the capital Riyadh.”

Six Years: Roundtable on Arab Uprisings Contributions by a number of Jadaliyya Co-Editors that represent efforts to take stock and reflect on recent momentous developments.

2 Years Into Yemen War, US Ramps Up Refueling of Saudi Jets“Since April 2015, the Air Force has logged 1,778 tanker sorties for the operation, Air Forces Central Command spokeswoman Capt. Kathleen Atanasoff told Military.com.”

Second Edition of Jaw Novel out, Readers Say this Book could Break YouJaw, a literary work written by a Bahraini political prisoner, was well received by readers and has gained popularity.

Bahrain King Hails MoI Achievements in “Prosecuting Fugitives”, 1 Week after Killing 3 Dissidents at Sea The king's comments come one week after the killing of Rida Al Ghasra, Mahmoud Yahya, and Mostafa Yousef.

On Feb. 14 6th Anniversary, Al-Wefaq Deputy SG Confirms Need for UN-Sponsored Popular Referendum in Bahrain“Al-Daihi concluded his statement confirmed the choice of strategic peaceful opposition, and stressed the path of peaceful civil resistance.”

Crisis in Yemen

Glenn Greenwald: Trump Seems to Be Committed to Escalating Violence in Yemen“The U.S. has constantly droned it. The Saudis, with U.S. and U.K. support, have bombed its civilians constantly.”

Yemen: UNHCR Operational Update, February 14 2017 Heavy fighting and ongoing military operations are impeding humanitarian access and comprehensive displacement data is currently difficult to verify.

UAE says Emirati soldier killed in Saudi-led war in Yemen An Emirati soldier has been killed while taking part in the Saudi-led war on Yemen.

Reuters: UAE Says Two Soldiers Dead in Yemen Emirati soldiers have played an important role this month in capturing the port town of al-Mokha.

Norwegian Refugee Council staff held in Yemen NRC said authorities in the Red Sea district of Hudayda detained three Yemeni staff and a driver last week.

Saudi air strike kills 10 women and children in Yemen The strike, which hit a house north of Sanaa in which mourners were gathered, also injured dozens more civilians.

Yemen's most prolific street artist copes with Donald Trump's immigration ban.“Subay's work also focuses on Yemen's dire economic situation, political corruption, disappeared persons, and US drone strikes.”

Smart bombs made in Scotland were dropped in Yemen by UK-trained Saudi air force“The UK trained an air force at the centre of war crime allegations in Yemen how to carry out airstrikes with smart bombs.”

Watch video of Saudi base hit by Yemeni rockets Counter-strikes by Yemeni forces targeted the outpost in the Asir border area.

Shattered war economy encourages child marriage in Yemen Child marriage is on the rise in Yemen, a consequence of the extreme poverty caused by the devastating Saudi-led war on the country.

Yemen to Never Invite US Ground Troops to Help Resolve Conflict - UN Envoy The permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Khaled Alyemany, said “We will never invite American soldiers on the ground.”

Boiling tensions: Yemen's pro-coalition forces fight for Aden Airport“Inter-factional clashes erupted around Aden’s international airport on Sunday, prompting Saudi-led coalition Apache helicopters to fire a missile at a military vehicle.”

309 airstrikes hit Yemen in five days At least twenty-one civilians were killed and dozens wounded in airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition on several Yemeni regions.

Yemen suicide car bombing kills 3: officials The attack targeted a sports and culture club in Radaa, a city in the central province of Baida region where Al-Qaeda militants are based.

Yemen conflict: Seven Saudi soldiers killed on border According to the Saudi Press Agency, at least seven Saudi soldiers were killed last week in clashes with Yemeni rebels.

Yemen: U.S.-Backed Airstrike Destroys Hospital, Killing 15 Among the victims were three Yemeni Doctors Without Borders staff members.

Human Rights

Nine years without her salary – Maid narrate her ordeal. Thousands of migrant workers face abuse, unpaid salaries, and harsh working conditions.

Saudi Arabia: Prominent human rights defender Samar Badawi interrogated once again GCHR calls on the Saudi authorities to cease all forms of harassment against Samar Badawi.

Bahrain: Activist’s Speech-Charges Trial to Resume At the last session of Nabeel Rajab’s trial on 28 December 2016, a judge ordered Rajab’s release on bail, but authorities immediately re-arrested him.

UN human rights watchdog orders Saudi Arabia to stop stoning children“According to the UN committee, out of 47 people executed on 2 January for security offences, four were under 18.”

European Parliament - Human rights: Nicaragua, executions in Kuwait and Bahrain, and Guatemala Seven people were executed by the Kuwaiti authorities on 25 January 2017, while the Bahraini regime executed three people on 15 January 2017.

This week’s Jadaliyya "Media on Media" roundup delves into several topics affecting the Middle East and North Africa region. Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ continues to make headlines, prompting a series of interesting debates and discussions. Security researcher Ryan Lackey advises visa-holders affected by Trump’s "Muslim ban" on how to enter the U.S. with their digital privacy intact.

TheWashington Post discusses a German news story accusing a refugee "sex mob" of harassing women on New Year’s Eve, noting that allegations turned out to be false following police investigations. The Independent looks at ISIS’ use of propaganda, and the subsequent importance of its media strategy as a means for survival.

In Sudan, religious conservatives attacked newspaper Al-Tayyar and journalist Shamael Al-Nour following a column she published criticizing Islamist groups’ potential for leadership. Writer Lauren Bohn uses her personal experience to discuss the importance of social media platform Whatsapp for Syrian refugees and journalists covering the war.

On the cultural front, Al Jazeera looks at the work of Yemeni street artist Murad Subay who transforms Sanaa’s walls into a gallery commenting on themes of war, injustice, and peace.  

Trump's "Muslim Ban"

How the ACLU harnessed the power of social media to deliver hope
Source: Crave Online
Miss Rosen comments on the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) social media tactics following Trump’s "Muslim ban." She notes that the ACLU presented facts and data, which served to establish them as a credible source in a world of media disinformation.

A guide to getting past customs with your digital privacy intact
Source: Wired
Security researcher Ryan Lackey offers digital privacy tips to visa-holders and Americans entering the U.S. in light of Trump’s "Muslim ban" and executive order that calls for increased social media vetting.

Travel ban complicates VPR’s special coverage of refugee resettlement
Source: Current
The article addresses the difficulties a Vermont Public Radio journalist faced while covering refugee resettlement as a result of Trump’s "Muslim ban." 

Resistance in the time of protest selfies
Source: Good
Writer Tasbeeh Herwees highlights the controversial use of protest selfies following Trump’s "Muslim ban" and their dampening of protest potential in achieving institutional change.

Assad backs Trump "Muslim Ban," says Syrian refugees ‘terrorists’
Source: MEMO (Middle East Monitor)
In an interview with TF1 Television, Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad stated that Trump’s "Muslim ban" targeted terrorists and not the Syrian people. However, the article states that Al-Assad did not comment on the correctness of the immigration policy.

Iranian Oscar nominee gets free London screening in snub to US travel ban
Source: The Guardian
London mayor Sadiq Khan is organizing a free screening of Iranian film, "The Salesman," that will coincide with the Oscars. The film’s director Asghar Farhadi, who was affected by Trump’s ban, viewed this an act of solidarity.

Syrian "White Helmets" makers get visas to attend Oscars
Source: MEMO (Middle East Monitor)
Two members from the Syrian NGO "The White Helmets" are set to attend this year’s Oscars following uncertainty caused by Trump’s "Muslim ban." 

Media and Politics

The 'Forgotten War' in Middle East that mainstream media chooses to overlook
Source: Sputnik International
The article comments on a meeting between Russian deputy Vladimir Lukin and Yemeni political party leader Abu Bakr al Kirbi to discuss  the lack of mainstream media coverage on the war in Yemen despite its catastrophic repercussions.

The ongoing U.S. role in the decimation of Yemen
Source: Huffington Post
Writer Jesse Mechanic discusses U.S. involvement in the Yemen war, highlighting the paucity of media coverage on the issue as compared to the Syrian war. He also stresses the need for greater awareness and outrage over the crisis. 

Isis claims propaganda 'more powerful than atomic bomb' as group forms strategy for survival
Source: The Independent
The article examines ISIS’ media strategies and their use of propaganda to recruit “jihadi media operatives” who can spread its message. The author views this move as part of the group’s survival strategy, as it loses ground in Iraq and Syria.

Netanyahu steps down as communications minister amid abuse of office probe
Source: Middle East Eye
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a stand-in communications minister following allegations he negotiated favorable coverage with a newspaper. 

Media Industries

Saudi's first Comic-Con fest set to wow
Source: Your Middle East (AFP)
Saudi Arabia will host its first-ever Comic-Con event this year and the article notes that such a move is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the government’s plan to boost its entertainment sector.

Zain to offer streaming TV and movies in Middle East and Africa
Source: Capacity Media
The Dubai-based Iflix Arabia will now deliver streaming TV and movie services to Zain customers in the MENA region. The project is expected to launch during the second quarter of 2017.  

Freedom of Journalists/Expression

Beirut TV station attacked with rocks for satirical puppet sketch
Source: Middle East Eye
Lebanese TV station AlJadeed was attacked by members of the AMAL Movement, following a puppet skit deemed insulting to the movement’s founder, Musa Al-Sadr. The Lebanese Press Club and Union of Media Workers condemned the attack.

‘Salama’ app helps to keep journalists safe
Source: International Journalists’ Network
A new app titled "Salama" offers media organizations and individual journalists risk assessment services, customized safety programs, and digital security advice. The app creator noted that "Salama" fills the gap in risk training for journalists.

'Safeena' phishing attack on Qatar human rights activists
Source: Deutsche Welle
Journalists, human rights activists, and union leaders campaigning on issues related to migrant workers in Qatar fell victim to a phishing scheme. Following investigation, Amnesty International stated that it was highly likely state agents were behind the attack.

European watchdog urges Turkey to end free speech restrictions
Source: Middle East Online
The Council of Europe urged the Turkish government to respect the right to free speech, criticizing the stringent measures that were introduced in the country following the coup attempt.

حملةدينيةشرسةضدصحافيةسودانيةشابة
المصدر : رصيف22
تواجه الصحافية السودانية شمائل النور حملة شرسة من قبل متشددين إسلاميين إثر مقال نشرته في صحيفة "التيار". عبّر المتشدّدون عن استعدادهم لاتّخاذ إجراءات قانونية لمعرفة إذا كانت النور قد ارتدّت عن الإسلام.

«جريمةفيرامالله»: حينتحرمناالرقابةمنالنقد
المصدر: حبر
يتحدّث المقال عن رواية «جريمة في رام الله» للكاتب عبّاد يحيى التي حُظرت من قبل الرقابة الفلسطينية. و يقول الكاتب أنّ الرقابة التي تُفرض على الأعمال الأدبيّة تجرّدهنّ و قارئيها من الموضوعيّة.  

Social Media

Syrian history is unfolding on WhatsApp
Source: Backchannel
Lauren Bohn examines the importance of WhatsApp for Syrian refugees and reporters on the Syrian war, stating that the social platform provides a lifeline for separated families and the illusion of proximity.

Social media campaign shows life after IS
Source: The National
A social media campaign run by Sawab Center aims to show how people in Iraqi and Syrian regions freed from IS rule are regaining normalcy, using the hashtag #AfterDaesh.

Saudi Islamic leader warns over 'false news'
Source: Your Middle East (AFP)
A senior Saudi religious leader warned of the dangers of online “false” news during Friday prayers, noting that social media contributes to the spread of rumors and deceit. 

Has social media influenced our reading habits and attention span?
Source: Alarabiya
 

"صراحة": منبرالفضوليين.. والمتحرشين!
المصدر :المدن
تنتقد الكاتبة بتول خليل موقع التواصل الاجتماعي "صراحة" الذي سجّل مشاركة أكثر من 92 مليون شخصاً من كافّة البلدان العربيّة، موضحة خطورة الموقع لأشخاص ذوي الحساسية العالية.

Media Practices

German police say major newspaper’s story about a rampaging Arab ‘sex mob’ was wrong
Source: Washington Post
After investigation, German police concluded that allegations of mass sexual assault by an Arab "sex mob" published in Bild newspaper were false. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief later apologized for running the story.

BBC impartiality questioned over map of Israel which erased Gaza
Source: Russia Today
The BBC has come under attack for showing a map of Israel that depicts the West Bank annexed to Jordan and erases Gaza on an episode of a cooking show. 

The World’s Best Photo?
Source: New York Times LENS
The image of the assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was named Photo of the Year by the World Press Photo and the article discusses the controversies surrounding its nomination.

Lara Setrakian: 3 ways to fix a broken news industry
Source: TED Talks
In this video, founder of website "Syria Deeply," Lara Setrakian, discusses the shortcomings and blindspots in media coverage on the Middle East, sharing the various ways she feels the industry can be fixed to create better-informed audiences.  

Palestinians discuss need for media reform
Source: The Media Line
A policy paper prepared by several organizations in Palestine was presented to journalists, calling for new press freedoms laws, improved journalistic practice on digital platforms, and the importance of finding ways to attract investment in media.

U.S. media has long wallowed in "alternative facts"
Source: The Japan Times
Writer Ted Rall uses examples of media coverage during U.S. wars in the Middle East and North Africa to support his view on the history of media malpractice and alternative facts in the U.S.  

Culture

Video documenting the life and death of Egypt’s first transsexual actress goes viral
Source: Cairoscene
Egyptian LGBTQ advocacy group "No Hate Egypt" honored the region’s first transsexual actress, the late Hanan Al-Tawil, with a video of her most iconic moments.

Why America needs Marvel superhero Kamala Khan now more than ever
Source: The Conversation  
The article comments on Muslim-American Marvel superhero Kamala Khan, noting the importance of such characters in changing public opinion and combatting the increased pressure Muslim and immigrant communities in the U.S. face.

Yemen: art, love, bombs and bans
Source: Al Jazeera
Murad Subay, nicknamed the "Banksy of Yemen," is using collaborative street art as a means to protest the injustices of war. 

The ghosts that lurk
Source: Qantara
Palestinian filmmaker Raed Andoni addresses the political dimension of imprisonment under occupation with his new film, “The ghosts that lurk.”  

Contemporary art brings life to Cairo’s ‘City of the Dead’
Source: The National
A project initiated by Polish architect Agnieszka Dobrowolska aims to bring life to Cairo’s "City of the Dead" through contemporary art that engages with the community.

Other

Marg bar ___
Source: UPenn Language Log
Riza Mirsajadi discusses the problem of mistranslation in the famous Iranian protest chant “Death to America”, noting that it more accurately translates to “Down with America” and does not signify violent intent in Farsi.

From Jadaliyya Media Roundups

Cinéma/Bientôt un film sur Matoub Loune
Source: Jadaliyya Maghreb Media Roundup
Algerian filmmaker Bachir Derrais will be directing a film on famous and controversial Amazigh singer Mahtoub Lounes.

Palestine activists in Spain could face prison over Matisyahu boycott call
Source: Jadaliyya Palestine Media Roundup
Spanish media reported that one activist may face up to four years in prison following his tweets criticizing a festival that invited American singer Matsiyahu to perform. Matsiyahu is a staunch supporter of the Israeli army, opposing the Palestinian cause.

The "Media On Media Roundup" is an initiative to survey published material in the news and broadcast media that deals with journalism, coverage, or mass communication practices about the region. These roundups are produced and curated in collaboration with the American University of Beirut's Media Studies Program. The items collected here do not reflect the views of Jadaliyya or the editors of the Media Page.