Yemen - U.S. Grants Approval For Genocide
The genocide in Yemen is going to start tomorrow. Eight million are already on the brink of starvation. Eighteen out of twenty-six million Yemenis live in the mountainous heartlands (green) which are under control of the Houthi and their allies. They are surrounded by Saudi and U.A.E. forces and their mercenaries. There is little agriculture. The only supply line from the outside world will soon be cut off. The people will starve.
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Even before the war Yemen imported 90% of its staple food. Three years of Saudi/UAE bombing have destroyed local infrastructure and production. The ongoing war has already caused mass starvation and the outbreak of a large cholera epidemic. The Yemeni coast is under blockade by Saudi and U.S. naval forces. The only supplies coming in are UN and commercial deliveries through the Red Sea Hodeidah port (Al Hudaydah on the map).
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The United Arab Emirates is leading local mercenaries and Islamist gangs against the Houthi and their allies. During the last months these forces moved from the south along the coast up to Hodeidah. The fighting is fierce:
Heavy fighting in Yemen between pro-government forces and Shiite rebels has killed more than 600 people on both sides in recent days, security officials said Monday.
Tomorrow, when the media will be busy with the Kim-Trump photo-op summit, the UAE forces will launch their attack on the city.
The UN, which oversees the aid distribution through Hodeidah, tried to negotiate between the parties:
The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, traveled to the U.A.E. capital over the weekend in an effort to forestall an attack. Mr. Griffiths had secured an agreement with Houthi rebels who control Hodeidah to allow the U.N. to operate the port jointly, the people said. But people briefed on the discussions said they doubted the U.A.E. would accept the offer or delay the planned assault.
The briefed people were right. The UN is now evacuating its staff:
The United Nations was withdrawing its staff on Monday from the besieged Yemeni port city of Al Hudaydah, after member countries were told that an attack by forces led by the United Arab Emirates was imminent, according to two diplomats briefed on the matter.
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The International Committee for the Red Cross removed its staff from the city over the weekend.
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Diplomats in the region say they believe that only more pressure from Washington will stop the planned assault.
The U.S., through its Secretary of State Pompeo, just gave a green light to the UAE to launch its attack:
The United States is closely following developments in Hudaydah, Yemen. I have spoken with Emirati leaders and made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports. We expect all parties to honor their commitments to work with the UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen on this issue, support a political process to resolve this conflict, ensure humanitarian access to the Yemeni people, and map a stable political future for Yemen.
Neither the Emirates nor the Saudis have any interest in letting humanitarian aid flow. They are absolutely ruthless. Earlier today they bombed a Cholera treatment center run by Doctors Without Borders:
MSF Yemen @msf_yemen - 10:29 UTC - 11 Jun 2018
"This morning´s attack on an @MSF cholera treatment centre in Abs by the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition shows complete disrespect for medical facilities and patients. Whether intentional or a result of negligence, it is totally unacceptable."
Last week the Saudis intentionally bombed facilities of the Norwegian Refugee Council in Sanaa:
NRC has provided all relevant parties to the conflict, including the Saudi-led Coalition, with details and coordinates on our operations in order to ensure the safety of our staff.
Hodeidah, with 600,000 regular inhabitants and hundred thousands of refugees, will be difficult to conquer. No supplies will flow through the port while the fight is ongoing. Should the UAE forces be able to take the port they are unlikely to allow aid to pass towards the Houthi controlled areas. There will be a huge famine, hundred thousands if not millions will die.
It would be easy for the Trump administration to stop the UAE attack. U.S. special forces are on the ground in Yemen working closely with UAE forces. U.S. planes are refueling the Saudi and UAE bombers. U.S. intelligence is used in the targeting process. The U.S. supplies the bombs. Without U.S. air-to-air refueling there would be no air-support for the UAE fighters on the ground. They would be unable to launch their attack.
From its very beginning the Trump administration has been extremely close (long read) with the Israeli, Emirati and Saudi rulers. Their common aim is to counter Iran. But Iran is hardly involved in Yemen:
Claims of Iran’s influence over the Houthis have been overblown. While the Houthis do receive some support from Iran, it is mostly political, with minimal financial and military assistance. However, since the Houthis took control of Sanaa, the group has increasingly been portrayed as “Iran-backed” or “Shia,” often suggesting a sectarian relationship with the Islamic Republic. Yet until after the 2011 upheavals, the term “Shia” was not used in the Yemeni public to refer to any Yemeni groups or individuals. The Houthis do not follow the Twelver Shia tradition predominant in Iran, but adhere to the Zaidiya, which in practice is closer to Sunni Islam, and had expressed no solidarity with other Shia communities.
The Saudis see the Zaidiya as an impediment of their influence in Yemen. They want to control the Yemeni government. The Emirates want to control the port of Aden and Yemen's the oil and gas loading facilities. The Obama administration supported the Saudi onslaught on Yemen to buy Saudi acquiescence with the nuclear deal with Iran. The Trump administration supports the Saudi/UAE war out of lack of knowledge. It has fallen for the Iran myth. It also wants to sell more weapons.
Millions of kids and grown ups will have to pay for this with their lives.
Posted by b on June 11, 2018 at 18:19 UTC | Permalink
The Trump admin supports the war out of lack of knowledge? Wow, just wow. You don't really think that they don't know what's going on there do you? B? Or do you mean POTUS specifically doesn't know?
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jun 11 2018 19:00 utc | 2
I have faith in the theory of unintended consequences, which has haunted the US and its client states in the region for decades.
Posted by: Ninel | Jun 11 2018 19:05 utc | 3
Surely what we need are some social media photos of choking kids and people screaming about a Saudi chemical weapons attack? Run a few rings around the OPCW and put the Saudis and Uncle Sam on the back foot. With all the "evidence" there on social media for the world to see...sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Posted by: Guy Thornton | Jun 11 2018 19:05 utc | 4
I don't think the world is yawning at all. I think the US/Western Neoliberal press is ignoring it quite on purpose. They are not "the world" China, Russia, India, Pakistan and several Central Asian countries were meeting last weekend - you can damn well bet they are noticing.
And populations around the globe are looking at the US supporting Israeli slaughter of innocent unarmed people, now the starvation of millions - are looking on in horror.
The rest of the world is trying to trade and get along, none of them are invading other countries only the US is bombing multiple countries - they are not blind this slaughter can not continue in the face of global opposition. 73 years of continuous slaughter of innocent people day in and day out Christmas and Hanukkah nonstop.
The question now is will the US take its place among equal nations, trade and cooperate in a multi-polar world - or commit suicide and take civilization with them.
Posted by: Babyl-on | Jun 11 2018 19:06 utc | 5
This disaster and that real truth behind it, should be spread far and wide on the Internet! The slow degeneration of human rights is what we're witnessing here. Consider how this is slowly becoming normalised. This is what happens when our main stream media have been totally curupted by those in charge. Now's the time the Internet could safe tens of millions of life's!
I just googled 'agenda 21'
'Time to wake up and smell the Rose's'
Posted by: Mark2 | Jun 11 2018 19:17 utc | 6
Which is greater, the cruelty of US “leaders” or the intentional ignorance of the American public?
Posted by: mike k | Jun 11 2018 19:27 utc | 7
"Millions of kids and grown ups will have to pay for this with their lives."
I'm sure, like Madeline Al-notsobright', they'll say it was worth it,,, or CNN will say we need them to die for American jobs in the weapons industry.
What the hell use is the UN anyway?
Disgusting.
Posted by: ken | Jun 11 2018 19:38 utc | 8
The US gov wants us to eat this garbage of Yemen genocide, and insists that we enjoy it. They are training us for greater things....
Posted by: mike k | Jun 11 2018 19:56 utc | 9
@ 4: Guess it's comforting to know the world is "looking on in horror" and "noticing", but I'll feel a bit more comforted when some concrete steps are forth coming. Rhetoric is easy, real and meaningful ACTION is more difficult.
We'll see....
Posted by: ben | Jun 11 2018 20:02 utc | 10
The thin pink line should remind us that the UAE-hired troops (of what origin are they?) are being bombed in by coastal bombardments. Whose ships are doing the bombardment? The UAE's or the US's?
Posted by: Laguerre | Jun 11 2018 20:02 utc | 11
What kind of people enjoy inflicting horrible pain and death on millions of people around the world? United States leaders.
What kind of people are OK with what these leaders do? The American people.
Posted by: mike k | Jun 11 2018 20:04 utc | 12
'Experts' always say 'the world' (by which they mean the Hegemon, basically the US) should do more, and then they wring their hands in an agony of compassion. Invariably the problem isn't that the hegemon should do more, but rather that it should do less.
As for 'unintended consequences', the believers in that cult are the most ridiculous fanatics of all, hand in hand with the anti-conspiracy theorists and the coincidentalists...
Posted by: paul | Jun 11 2018 20:04 utc | 13
I looked at the wiki on the port of Hodeidah, but couldn't decipher what sort of population it has. If they're pro-Houthi, the attack won't succeed, and we'll wait for calming. If they're neutral, the attack could succeed.
By the way, if a lot of mountain cultivation has been devoted to qat, that can change if people are hungry. It was what happened in Iraq, and I see no reason for difference in Yemen.
Posted by: Laguerre | Jun 11 2018 20:23 utc | 14
For the Yemenis, the Syrians, the Ukrainians and the Iranians a 9/22 is fully justified...
Posted by: Virgile | Jun 11 2018 20:23 utc | 15
Genocide has a way of hiding in plain sight, alas!
The Western mass media is diverting attention with inane "pre-coverage" of the surrealistic Trump/Kim summit. So it's as if the media is saying, "Oh, sorry, we'll get around to Yemen eventually-- but surely we're presently obliged to give our full attention to the elaborate political theater the US has so thoughtfully prepared for us."
Even RT News is in prolapsed mainstream mode, overloading its half-hour news summaries with endless "feature story" summit trivia, e.g. animated rehashing of the tiresome history of Trump/Kim's "war of words", cutesy pieces on what gifts were exchanged, what food is being served, etc.
Such cheesy, shallow infotainment beats the hell out of the grim but "boring" news of ongoing genocide in out-of-the-way Yemen, dontcha know.
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As far as "the world's" reaction is concerned, it's true enough that its reaction is adversely impacted by the continuous application of top-down infoganda and pop-culture dreck; this is why mass-media's satanic consent manufactories are in business.
The precise origin is unknown, but the rallying cry "The whole world is watching" dates back to the late 1950s; it was used by activists and supporters in the US civil rights movement in response to the growing international news coverage of the movement.
Later, it was chanted in the streets of Chicago during the infamous "police riot" at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Like “War is not healthy for children and other living things”, it's a (more or less) Sixties slogan that seems timeless-- and inspires sentimental attachment.
But in recent years, I've come to wonder whether the implicit admonition, and even hope, baked into that slogan is still viable and "operative".
As the late, great Kurt Vonnegut might have said: "Well, maybe the whole world is watching. But the 'whole world' isn't really in a position to do anything about it these days: the whole world's got problems of its own."
Posted by: Ort | Jun 11 2018 20:30 utc | 16
If the Houthi assassinate MBS (Mohammad bin Salman) does that stop the carnage? Probably not, it might get even worse, but bet your bottom dollar
the Houthi are thinking about it.
MBS made a lot of enemies recently by extorting money from other royals, if one of royals took MBS out the Houthi could be made the patsy.
If the Houthi are made the patsy it would get even worse for Yemen.
Posted by: librul | Jun 11 2018 20:43 utc | 17
In terms of consolation -- it's not a balancing of the scales, but at least there's proof that things are not going well in the "home of the brave" -- suicide rates are climbing; opioid deaths are skyrocketing; and On an Average Day, 96 Americans Die by Firearms.
Posted by: Mike Maloney | Jun 11 2018 20:47 utc | 18
Western media and politicians back once again sick dictators in UAE and Saudiarabia and the jihadist ideology, and they giving them cover and propaganda support i media.
Truly, truly disgusting.
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 11 2018 20:56 utc | 19
The US shows itself in the 21st century for what it is:
A fascist rogue state that aids and abets other fascist rogue states.
Posted by: AriusArmenian | Jun 11 2018 21:07 utc | 20
UN in 'intense negotiations' to avert attack on Hudeida
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/180611192141087.html
Qatar takes UAE to UN's highest court over blockade
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/06/qatar-takes-uae-human-rights-court-blockade-180611103646133.html
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 11 2018 21:09 utc | 21
The problem with taking concrete action against the US is what that should actually be. The thing the global public won't talk about is how dangerous both the US and Israel are. I think there are many leaders in other countries, particularly Russia and China, fully understand and are very carefully attempting to guide the collapse of the US without triggering a panic.
I've often said that the US is a zombie country; it is dead but doesn't know it yet. A zombie is incredibly dangerous because it no longer has a sole or is aware of it's own condition. As such it can rain destruction on those around it with total abandon. It may seem a frivolous analogy but it appropriate.
Posted by: Bakerpete | Jun 11 2018 21:29 utc | 22
MBS (Mohammad bin Salman)
Has it been confirmed that MBS is alive and well? or whatever condition?
Posted by: jawbone | Jun 11 2018 21:32 utc | 23
Here's another problem that needs to be addressed. The very top elite, those who actually pull the levers are fully aware of the chaos that is building all over the world. They don't mind this at all because they are in a position to take advantage no matter what the outcome. They think in very long term strategies and are quite prepared to take the lows with the highs.
However, the real problem for the world are the hired hands. The public figures; presidents, ministers, senators, think tank members, etc. Most of them are convinced they are in charge and in a matter of speaking they are since they make the immediate decisions and take the actions. As matters fall apart and events exceed their abilities they see bad outcomes for themselves. They have reputations to protect, bank accounts to fill, egos to stroke and families and friends to impress. These are the dangerous people because they are the ones prone to panic.
Posted by: Bakerpete | Jun 11 2018 21:37 utc | 24
Unfortunately for all Yemenis, policy formulation arising from the Outlaw US Empire and its vassals is based upon the Big Lie that Houthis are sponsored by/allied with Iran. And since all Iranians deserve to die in the eyes of the Outlaw US Empire and its vassals, Yemenis at large and Houthis specifically also deserve to die--just as all Western Hemisphere First Peoples deserved to die. Sorry for the bluntness, but I can't put any sort of positive spin on what's clearly another in a long line of Genocide by Imperialism.
As I wrote on the previous Yemen-related thread, only intervention by Russia or China can stop the killing. Since al-Ciada has a very large presence in Yemen, using the anti-terrorism card to directly intervene could be used by either or both. Even the R2P trope could be used at UNSC.
Although they don't seem to be capable of growing much foodstuffs, Houthis and their allies are capable of growing missiles and using them as a means of hitting their enemies infrastructure and military targets with a degree of success. It appears Houthis are willing to negotiate but their enemies are not, so the carnage never ceases.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jun 11 2018 21:43 utc | 25
Good question jawbone @21 ,
MBS is supposed to attend the opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Russia
which is next week.
If he doesn't show up then someone has some explaining to do.
MBS scheduled to show himself next week
Posted by: librul | Jun 11 2018 21:49 utc | 26
This is Iran's war, by proxy.
The UAE should be decapitated.
Meanwhile, the inhumanity of some regimes is bottomless.
The poor Yemenis are the latest nation and peoples to be destroyed.
It won't be the last.
When enough video gets out, the outrage will motivate the UNSC to hold a meeting.
Better if Iran struck a "priceless" target behind the genocide.
Posted by: Red Ryder | Jun 11 2018 22:04 utc | 27
Coverage in western MSM of alleged destruction of hospitals in terrorist-controlled areas of Syria by the Russians and Syrian - deafening.
Coverage in western MSM of destruction of hospitals in Yemen by the Saudis and Emiratis added and abetted by the United States and United Kingdom - inaudible.
Posted by: Ghost Ship | Jun 11 2018 22:14 utc | 28
The death toll in Yemen will forever be 10,000 (in order to downplay it).
The number of deaths in Syria will forever be portrayed as 500,000 and attributed entirely to Assad's dastardly chemical weapons attacks against civilians.
Since there is no accountability in the fascist (truest sense of the word, pro-state) news media, there will never be any awareness or concern by the public.
I thought that Nick Pemberton had an interesting insight by relating U.S. School Shootings to U.S. foreign policy https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/05/30/the-culture-behind-school-shootings/
""In America, we are told we can have whatever we want. If we don’t get it, we can take it. This is how our foreign policy works. Everything is unknown, everything is scary. Restraint and thoughtfulness is a weakness.
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Trace this story to our latest shooter who shot up the school because he was rejected by a girl.
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What remains astounding about America is the persecution complex we have. We still play the victim. And amazingly we believe it. These school shooters are no different. We believe we can take whatever we want. We believe that this world does not contain differences to be negotiated, but foes to be defeated. "
I think he is right but one can make a chicken vs. egg argument here.
Posted by: Christian Chuba | Jun 11 2018 22:18 utc | 29
thanks b, for staying focused on yemen.
@9 laguerre.. the propaganda site wikipedia saying 400,000 live in hodeida...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Hudaydah
@23 karlof1.. i tend to agree with your's and red ryders analysis.. this is more of the same from the usa, with it's support for ksa/uae and the headchopper cult in opposition to iran... a proxy war against iran...
the superficial rationale goes like this "Saudi Arabia, together with several other Arab nations, launched a military campaign in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government..." from @19 zanon's first link... internationally recognized.... the leader hadi - is holed up in some saudi jail indefinitely, but he serves the wests very superficial justification for continuing with the arms sales to ksa/uae and in the case of the usa - their continued military support.. i guess everyone is supposed to accept all that at face value..
i still see it this way.. until the usa decides to get out of bed with israel-ksa-uae and the rest of the rot, it will be genocide and murder as usual... it is the lockheed martin and etc way.. canada isn't much different in it's support for military sales to ksa... same with the uk... it is all about arms sales with starvation or genocide less of a concern when it comes to the pocket book... they all talk a good line, but their actions speak louder..
the msm is a joke... no one can expect to be told about anything happening on the planet, except after it has already happened and with as much bullshit spin as possible... msm - bought and paid for by the same corporations selling the arms, financial packages and etc....
Posted by: james | Jun 11 2018 22:34 utc | 30
Ben @ 1, 8: What "concrete" steps do you suggest the rest of the world (apart from the Anglosphere which is doing most of the yawning) should take to stop the genocide in Yemen?
If you mean that Russia or China or anyone else should step in, the way Russia has in Syria, then they can only do so if the "legitimate government" in Yemen requests their assistance. But we do not know what the United Nations recognises as Yemen's "legitimate government".
There is a blockade as well around Yemen so even if Russia or China were willing to help the Houthis, either nation cannot penetrate this blockade without inviting direct retaliation against it (in the form of sanctions or continued military build-up on its borders) by the US and/or any of its poodles in Europe, central and eastern Asia and Australia.
In the meantime though, you have to wonder how the Houthis, in spite of receiving no help from anyone else (including Iran), are able to launch ballistic missiles deep into Saudi Arabia, targeting Riyadh (some 900 km away from the closest part of the KSA-Yemen border). If the Houthis are not receiving weapons or munitions from outside, are they receiving them from defecting Saudi army units?
Posted by: Jen | Jun 11 2018 22:37 utc | 31
It is happening because Yemeni were abandoned by Iran under deal cancellation, by Russia under deal with Saudis to raise oil prices and China under tarrifs deal with US.
What fool said that Putin, Xi or Iranians think in scales of decades, they are greedy oligarchs who simply negotiate price per slaves under their control to be rented to global capital.
Yemenis are doomed as they are proud independent people with 5000 year of history who will not submit but due first.
Posted by: Kalen | Jun 11 2018 23:03 utc | 32
Global pathocracy feeds on holocausts and genocide to get stronger. Total control over MSM ensures most people wont know much until its time for the pathocratic elite to celebrate with pictures showing dead bodies and bloated bellies , and they can pretend outrage and sympathy and help line the pockets of the various charities/foundations who profit from such disasters.
Posted by: Pft | Jun 11 2018 23:32 utc | 33
Gareth Porter on DPRK/USA/ROK:
The political context for U.S.-North Korean negotiations has changed dramatically since 2013. The most obvious change is that North Korea has an ICBM capable of reaching the United States for the first time. Although it provoked threats by the Trump administration in 2017 to attack North Korea if it completed work on the ICBM, it also has prompted the White House to consider going further than previous administrations in meeting North Korean diplomatic demands.
Furthermore, in 2013, the South Korean government was hostile to diplomacy with the North, and the Obama administration was unwilling to consider any major political or security concessions to North Korea until after it had given up its nuclear weapons. Now South Korean president Moon Jae-in has gone further than any previous government in pushing to end the 70-year military tension and formal state of war between North and South. Moon’s commitment to a Korean peace agreement appears to be the single biggest reason that Kim switched gears so dramatically in a New Year’s Day speech that presaged dramatic diplomatic moves in 2018
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/how-the-corporate-media-got-the-trump-kim-summit-all-wrong/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Jun 11 2018 23:42 utc | 34
@29 Good question Jen, there as to be some smuggling going on from across the Red sea and Oman.
What is Somalia's position towards the Houthi? Some pirates may be able to avoid the blockade at night..
Posted by: Lozion | Jun 11 2018 23:56 utc | 35
Jen 29
According to the UNSC resolutions on Yemen, the UN recognizes Hadi as the legitimate government of Yemen.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Jun 12 2018 0:31 utc | 36
Finkelstein on 1967:
http://mondoweiss.net/2017/06/six-day-war-finkelstein/
[Looooong text deleted.
@mauisurfer
It is ridiculous to copy and paste the full text of something that is published on another site.
Don't ever do that again.
b.]
Posted by: mauisurfer | Jun 12 2018 0:39 utc | 37
"Neither the Emirates nor the Saudis have any interest in letting humanitarian aid flow." - b
Nor do they have any real "security concerns" in Yemen as Pompeo said they had.
It's the usual distraction with one hand while the other operates. I recall the 2008 Olympics in China when Georgia's military (with the encouragement of US and military assistance of US/Israel) drove into South Ossetia. I read that Putin shook a finger at Bush as in "I know what you're up to."
Posted by: Curtis | Jun 12 2018 0:39 utc | 38
@35 mauisurfer... i hope b deletes your post... what is the point of it?
is a legitimate gov't held hostage in the capital of a foreign country - the same country that claims it is representing the legit gov't? com'n... this ksa bullshit is the same as when harari jr went to saudi and started making stupid statements that sounded like he had a gun to his head from this same whacked out wahabbi death cult kingdom of clowns..
Posted by: james | Jun 12 2018 0:49 utc | 39
The attack on Yemen is about Yemen's strategically significant location.
When Britain ruled India etc, Aden at the SW corner of Yemen close to/right across from Africa was a long term British geopolitical 'prized possession'. The Red sea thataway, India over the water thataway. What a position to have! Checkmate!
Now with the recent Chinese (first) overseas military port base at Djibouti, bit more than a stone's throw directly across from Yemen and Aden, the Americans and British, who are among those who have a decided habit of 'wanting to rule us all', are shitting their geo-political-machinations pants.
Then there is the 'disturbing historical fact' that Yemen made nice with USSR, which is just an historical stone's throw away from Russia/Putin, the monstrous beast that recently had the temerity to allow the people of Crimea to flee into the embrace of Mother Russia, and the Americans subsequently did not realize their wet dream of a Black Sea port in Crimea, merely a stone's throw away from Russia.
'But if we kill most of the people of Yemen, then by golly, we will have Aden back, and we can peer suspiciously over the water at the Chinese'. Who at Djibouti, are merely a stone's throw away from Sudan, which is the door to Africa, and oil, which circumstance is extremely upsetting to the American African military command.
'What's a few million dead Yemeni as compared to finally controlling a strategically important port, on behalf of mass murder incorporated, (ghoulish laughter - Cackle hee hee hee)?
Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jun 12 2018 1:27 utc | 40
OT, but I woke up this am to the not-surprising news that - the day after Amnesty International released a report finding that quite contrary to US claims, the "Coalition" killed thousands of civilians "liberating" Raqqa - our heroes, the White Helmets claim Russia bombed civilians in terrorist-held Idlib.
Well, they released the video.
Note how many of our heroes are just standing around. As usual, they show up with lots of cameras, but no actual medical or rescue equipment. Haven't they learned to at least carry a stethoscope or spinal injury braces?
But I bet their sick Jihadist fans are loving the bloody crotch shot at the beginning of this production. Maybe not Oscar material, but surely a X-rated Sharia award.
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 12 2018 2:06 utc | 41
reply to:Kalen | Jun 11, 2018 7:03:50 PM | 30
"It is happening because Yemeni were abandoned by Iran under deal cancellation, by Russia under deal with Saudis to raise oil prices and China under tarrifs deal with US."
I was unaware Yemen had any real support ever from anyone. What was Iran supplying to Yemen? And what was Russia and China providing? Thank you for any info.
Posted by: frances | Jun 12 2018 2:20 utc | 42
mauisurfer | Jun 11, 2018 8:39:17 PM | 35
Thank you for a very interesting read, a question: I was under the impression that the attack on the USS Liberty by Israel was a false flag whose goal was to implicate Egypt and thereby get the US to bomb Egypt and its allies into oblivion. Based on your post, this fellow feels it was just a need for broad spectrum revenge on nonbelievers. Are you convinced the speaker's view is valid?
Posted by: frances | Jun 12 2018 2:27 utc | 43
Jen @ 29: How about a little high profile political theater at the UN for starters. Make some noise that'll be covered by MSM. Putin & any other high profile leaders could do that tomorrow just by showing up. I'll say this one more time, SAY SOMETHING at the very least.
How bout' a friggen tweet? Works for DJT.
Posted by: ben | Jun 12 2018 2:45 utc | 44
There's something very wrong with the photo of the remains of the purported "MSF cholera treatment centre." Neither the building itself nor the small quantity of rubble look like what one would expect to see after an intensive care medical facility, with isolation wards & quarantine facilities (for the staff at LEAST), had been bombed. I also don't believe anything MSF tells me, given France's white supremacist Christian Colonial record.
The French care about Yemeni lives?
I don't think so...
The interior divisions and design characteristics of a hospital are on a domestic, residential, scale.
I don't know what was going on in that empty warehouse, but it wasn't treatment of people with serious health problems. Imo.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jun 12 2018 4:15 utc | 45
@paul, 11.
There's a phrase used in Israel to describe the hand-wringing you describe, "Shoot and cry."
Posted by: anti_republocrat | Jun 12 2018 4:24 utc | 46
If Iran gives up on Yemen; it's next. The road to Tehran is being paved over corpses in Syria and Yemen. Syria and Yemen are the dominoes meant to topple Iran. The massive human collateral damage in Syria and Yemen is but a means to an end for the criminal states of U.S., Israel and Saudi...a-h. The bloodthirsty war criminals Trump, Netanyahoo and MBS care squat about the human tragedy and destruction they're inflicting to achieve the goal of isolating and neutralizing Iran.
Iran has great wealth of resources that would normally make it a world power; and so the evil axis is set to pounce and plunder.
Posted by: Circe | Jun 12 2018 5:01 utc | 47
A big part of the US attack on Yemen is all about having US friendly vassals controlling the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Red Sea.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Jun 12 2018 5:21 utc | 48
frances @ 41
I have no "inside" or personal knowledge of Israel's attempt to sink the Liberty. It is not clear to me why LBJ and Admiral McCain and McNamara failed to defend the Liberty, and covered up the Israeli attack. It is true that this was a turning point when USA began big sales of modern advanced military weapons to Israel. I have thought that it was not just a coincidence that Israel attacked the Golan Heights the next day, but Finkelstein says this does not make sense. I respect Finkelstein, but I do not know his reasons for this view. The best I have read is Assault on the Liberty, a harrowing first-hand account by James Ennes Jr. There is a good summary here:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/06/08/israels-attack-on-the-uss-liberty-a-half-century-later-still-no-justice/
Phillip Giraldi's article is also excellent, here:
http://www.unz.com/article/remembering-the-u-s-s-liberty/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Jun 12 2018 5:26 utc | 49
mauisurfer, francés et al.
First, thanks for the terrific posts. This article has the most up-to-date information on what actually happened in the attack on the USS Liberty and who knew what when.
This is the official site of the Memorial to the casualties of this still-unanswered for war crime.
An excellent documentary was also made. I can try to search it up if y'all are interested.
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 12 2018 6:00 utc | 50
Ben @ 42: Assuming that Putin, Xi and their allies deign to waste time on Twitter when they have better things to do (such as holding their current Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit right now), what would you have them say or do? And would what they say or do be properly covered by the MSM without it being twisted into something completely different? Would the MSM even take any notice?
What political theatre at the UN would you have the Russians and Chinese do? They could issue a resolution condemning the Saudi / UAE genocide and the entire UN membership could vote on it. Five temporary members on the UN Security Council (Kuwait, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Peru) would end up rejecting it along with Britain, the US and France. There's your political theatre for you.
Posted by: Jen | Jun 12 2018 6:07 utc | 51
Frances @ 41: I have heard that Israel attacked the USS Liberty in 1967 because the ship was sailing close enough to the Sinai Peninsula (where Israel was executing 150 Egyptian POWs in El Arish) that the Israelis perceived the ship's crew were witnessing and recording the incident somehow. The ship was apparently 12 miles away.
https://www.wrmea.org/007-may-june/israels-hush-up-machine-in-action-denying-story-israel-executed-egyptian-prisoners.html
Posted by: Jen | Jun 12 2018 6:13 utc | 52
USS Liberty: Dead In The Water - BBC 2002.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjOH1XMAwZA
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jun 12 2018 6:17 utc | 53
Mauisurfer @ 48: If one assumes that Mossad had something to do with assassinating JFK in Dallas in 1963, and because of that, LBJ was able to become President, then it seem quite reasonable to assume LBJ owed Israel something.
Posted by: Jen | Jun 12 2018 6:21 utc | 54
Along with this, now North Korea have made a deal with the same dangerous Trump to destroy the nuclear works, not a good week...
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 12 2018 7:33 utc | 55
Jen
Ben is right IMO, why do you protect Russia (and China) like this on this impending genocide? Russia arent doing anything, they could as Ben say make a UN resolution, they are not even trying perhaps because they are as guilty as US/Saudi since their approval of whats going on for the past years the war has been going on.
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 12 2018 7:37 utc | 56
@Zanon56. The word is complicit IMO. Along with the rest of the world mind you.
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jun 12 2018 11:07 utc | 57
Tannenhouser
Yes you are right but Russia is more complicit then lets say Papa New Guinea, Vietnam or Peru due to their bigger political power they could use.
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 12 2018 13:50 utc | 58
@40 Robert Snefjella.. sounds about right.. thanks..
@44 ben... it seems like you want the rest of the world to act like trump.. ain't gonna happen...
mauisurfer... so was the idea to hijack the thread with another focus on israel? it seems to have partly worked...i note who is engaging with you on this.. piss off with hijacking threads and put it on the open thread..
Posted by: james | Jun 12 2018 15:59 utc | 59
@60...perhaps O great thread defender you might clarify to us pissants how ANY discussion of ANY ME country can be complete or genuine without the Zionist state's role discussed?
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jun 12 2018 16:45 utc | 60
@61 tannenhouser... lets turn every thread into a conversation about israel.. great idea, lol..
Posted by: james | Jun 12 2018 17:57 utc | 62
Jen @54. Almost 20 years ago, when talking about JFK's murder as a conspiracy, I suddenly found myself being called an Auntie Seemite. Since the only potential perpetrators I was talking about were CIA/MIC and the Mafia (which then I saw as primarily Italian), I could not understand why that particular accusation was thrown at me.
Similarly, after 9/11, when I voiced doubt in the Official Conspiracy Theory, I was again labeled an Auntie Seemite. Once again, the only perps I was considering were USAmerican, but there was that slur again.
I am now quite sure that it's not a coincidence, but more a matter of "the lady doth protest too much."
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 12 2018 18:51 utc | 63
@62 dahoit ME is pretty standard abbreviation for Middle East. Which god is my?
@63 James....the thread is hardly a conversation about the Zio state. I will agree that the Zio crime porn does sometimes become so banal as to be no longer impactful. Please refrain from ascribing idea's that are not mine to me thanks.
Posted by: Tannenhouser | Jun 12 2018 19:16 utc | 64
Hi, this morning I was reading here ( if I am not wrong ) an interesting transcript of an interview between somebody and a certain North?? on the history of Israel and ME wars....
I am seeing that has dissapeared now, may be because of too long transcript?
I wonder whether the poster could provide the link to the interview...I left pending to read a half and was finding it a very interesting and informative reading...
Posted by: Sasha | Jun 12 2018 19:26 utc | 65
Hoarsewhisperer @ 45 Actually a warehouse would be a good choice to treat a large number of people with cholera. It's pretty ease to treat. Basically just need rest and fluid replacement.
Posted by: financial matters | Jun 12 2018 20:15 utc | 66
@65 tannenhouser.. i made an observation.. whether you want to identify with it or not - that's up to you.. i certainly haven't ascribed it to you directly as you suggest..
Posted by: james | Jun 12 2018 20:24 utc | 67
The Houthi's need starving into submission because they are allied to Iran, and Iran is bad because Zion sez so. How can the US attack Iran if there is a risk of shipping through Suez and the Red Sea being shut down by Iran's allies?
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Jun 12 2018 20:40 utc | 68
"The Trump administration supports the Saudi/UAE war out of lack of knowledge."
The Trump administration gets another free pass it seems :-( Attributing it to a lack of knowledge... I would almost feel sorry for Trump when I read that. Greedy Trump and his cabinet of reapers just don't value the human lives of Yemenis nor do they care any bit about their suffering. Suppose they would truly lack knowledge it'd be purposefully so they wouldn't have to go to bed every night with a burden.
"The Trump administration supports the Saudi/UAE war out of greed, lack of conscience and for strategic aims." sounds more appropriate.
Posted by: xor | Jun 12 2018 20:40 utc | 69
Saudi Arabia has the world's third largest military budget (huh?) and they spend most of that in the USA, where they are the #1 largest foreign buyer of US made weapons.
Posted by: Sabbie | Jun 12 2018 21:07 utc | 70
Attack have begun, genocide will be a fact coming weeks.
West have of course not codemned it...
Saudi-Led Coalition-Backed Troops Launch Operation on Yemen's Hodeidah - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201806131065354568-yemen-military-launches-operation-hodeidah-port-city/
Posted by: Zanon | Jun 13 2018 5:32 utc | 72
Not a bad synopsis however I would expand #11 for clarity.
The Bolton's and Kristol's are tools and need to be concerned about being right. The people who own them aren't concerned about right or wrong, they are positioned to benefit regardless; they have a much longer view of events and strategies.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-06-12/caitlin-johnstone-12-tips-making-sense-world
Posted by: Bakerpete | Jun 13 2018 12:06 utc | 73
Thank you to; Mauisufer, Daniel,Jen and Hoarsewhispherer for replying so quickly and thoroughly to my questions re the USS Liberty, thank you all again!
Posted by: frances | Jun 13 2018 13:40 utc | 74
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/302334/World/Region/Saudiled-alliance-launch-biggest-assault-of-Yemen-.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/302358/World/Region/UN-says-delivering-aid-to-Yemen-port-city-during-a.aspx
The Saudis started Ramadan two days late in comparison to the moon, but for the attack they scheduled with the proper eid and not the one they have imposed on their lackeys
Posted by: Mina | Jun 13 2018 17:43 utc | 75
Thanks bakerpete @73 for posting that Caitlan Johnstone article. Too bad it was wasted on the ZeroHedge audience that filled the comments section with ignorant and hateful bile. At least a couple of the commenters got it.
This was an important point she made:
"This is why I am dismissive of arguments that “Israel controls America” or “America controls Europe”. There is no “Israel” or “America”; they’re made-up ideas which rulers once upon a time treated as real, but in the modern days of nationless plutocracy they no longer do. There are individuals, there are corporations, there are government agencies, there are factions and groups, and these are what the ruling elites deal with. Governmental structures are only tools which are used by the ruling elites for the purpose of manipulation, control, and military violence, and they only do so insofar as it is useful. The idea of real nations and governments is a cutesy fairy tale sold to the masses so they won’t see the manipulations."
Posted by: Daniel | Jun 13 2018 20:14 utc | 76
The comments to this entry are closed.
As the world yawns over the plight of the Houthis and the Palestinians, the evil among us gather more strength. The silence is disgusting.
If there was in fact, a biblical God, or even Allah, now would be a good time to intervene.
Don't hold your breath...
Posted by: ben | Jun 11 2018 18:35 utc | 1