Yemeni southern separatists backed by the UAE take port of Aden

(August 12)Aden was declared the interim capital of Yemen by the Saudi-backed government of Mansour Hadi. However, Hadi is in Saudi Arabia because of the security situation. Now Aden has been taken over by southern separatists backed by the UAE.

Aden was capital of the former South Yemen

Although the separatists with the UAE were united with the Saudis in fighting the Houthi rebels backed by Iran who control the north including the former capital Sanaa, their aims are opposed. The Saudis want a unified Yemen with Hadi as president while the separatists want an independent state in the south.

The capture of Aden

Last week protesters loyal to the southern separatists seized the presidential palace. Then, over the weekend after clashes at the palace the separatist forces moved against military camps loyal to the Saudi-backed government. While the Hadi government and the Saudis claimed a coup was taking place, nevertheless forces loyal to the separatists control Aden for now.

The alliance between the Saudis and the Southern Separatists probably doomed

The support for the Hadi government and the Saudis by the Southern Separatists and the UAE is no doubt ended for good. It has always been clear that the separatists wanted a separate country but the Hadi government might have given them some autonomy if the Houthis were defeated.. The separatists appear to be making their move to establish independence before the defeat of the Houthis. Perhaps there could be a separate peace deal with the Houthis or even an agreement to help them against the Saudis if the Houthis agree to an independent south. However, a recent article notes: "Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince visited Saudi Arabia on Monday and called for dialogue to resolve tensions in Yemen, after deadly clashes there between government loyalists and UAE-backed forces." So perhaps the two groups can settle their differences. However it is unlikely that the Southerners will yield control of Aden.

[b]South Yemen[/b]

[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Yemen t=_blank]Wikipedia describes South Yemen: "South Yemen, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (Arabic: جمهورية اليمن الديمقراطية الشعبية‎ Jumhūriyat al-Yaman ad-Dīmuqrāṭīyah ash-Sha'bīyah), was a country that existed from 1967 to 1990 as a state in the Middle East in the southern and eastern provinces of the present-day Republic of Yemen, including the island of Socotra. It was also referred to as Democratic Yemen or Yemen (Aden)."

The flags seen in the appended video are those of South Yemen not Yemen itself.

Previously published  in the Digital Journal

Southern Yemen Separatists threaten Saudi-backed government

Senior tribal, political and military leaders have formed a new council that seeks the secession of the south from the Yemen government of president Mansour Hadi,

The formation of the group was announced by former governor of the Port of Aden Aidaroos al-Zubaidi. The Hadi government backed by the Saudis, many Gulf States and the US has been fighting a lengthy battle against Houthi rebels who still control much of the north of Yemen including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis are Shia Muslims and have the support of Iran whereas the supporters of the Hadi government are Sunnis, However, the former president Saleh is also allied with the Houthis and those in the armed forces who support him. Zubaidi was recently fired as the governor of Aden,

Before the Houthis drove Hadi out of power and into exile, there was already opposition to the Hadi government in the south but many in the movement rallied behind the Hadi government's offensive against the Houthis which recaptured Aden and much of the south of the country. The flag of the former South Yemen whose forces were defeated by those from the north in 1994 uniting the country often can be seen flown by military vehicles. Zubaidi said a national political leadership with himself as president would represent the south. The south contains most of the modest oil deposits that are a prime support of the Yemeni economy. The new development threatens the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis. For their part the Houthis claim that Gulf state powers seek to divide the country and occupy it.

An anonymous senior southern official said: "It is a step forward after a long struggle. The people of South Arabia have finally managed to organize themselves towards independence,The UAE and the Gulf respect the right of self determination, and we don't think they will be against the Southern will ... We don't advise the Hadi government to use force.``Many in the south feel that they had been exploited by the north under Hadi's and previous governments and that they were cut off from jobs and influence. Zubaidi said that the council would continue to cooperate with the coalition and foreign powers to combat what he called Iranian influence and terrorism.

Zubaidi's announcement came just as there was a meeting between Hadi and the UN special envoy to Yemen, Ould Sheikh Ahmed. Ahmed is hoping to resume peace talks between the Hadi government and the Houthi rebels. Hadi had been trying to keep together a coalition fighting the Houthis. Zubaidi's move was provoked after he was fired on the 27th April along with cabinet minister Hani bin Braik. Both men played key roles in driving the Houthis out of Aden and adjacent territory but they also have close ties to the secessionist movement.

After the firing thousands of demonstrators had demanded that Zubaidi set up a new leadership. The new council has 26 members and includes governors of five southern provinces and even two government ministers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is part of the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis is apparently involved in the move against Hadi. Hadi accused the UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed as acting like an occupier. It seems that the real problem is that he Zayed had been working closely with the fired Aden governor. No doubt the UAE may be hoping for a southern government over which it would have considerable influence.

The World Health Organization estimates the death toll from the Yemen conflict so far at more than 8,000 with another 44,500 injured since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in the conflict back in 2015. The UN claims that two thirds of the population are on the brink of famine.

Islamic State in Yemen attacks presidential palace in Aden, Yemen

A suicide car bomber detonated his vehicle as he rammed into cement blocks protecting the gate of the presidential palace in Aden, Yemen, the local police chief Shalal Shaei told Al Jazeera.

Shaei said at least seven people were killed and another 15 people wounded by the blast. The dead included soldiers. Another report claimed five people were killed. A group affiliated with the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State is in competition with Al Qaeda in the Arabia Peninsula (AQAP), who has taken advantage of the civil war against the Houthi rebels to extend its area of influence and control in Yemen. It has also allied itself with local Sunni tribes to fight back against the Houthis. It virtually controls the province of Hadrahmut east of Aden and its capital city, Mukalla.

A Saudi-led coalition has beaten back the Houthis from the port city of Aden and surrounding areas. The Saudis have led an extensive bombing campaign against Houthi-held areas since last March. Prime Minister Mansour Hadi recently returned to Yemen to set up his government. He and his government had long been forced into exile in Saudi Arabia because of the Houthi advance.

A report by a panel of 18 UN experts documented 119 sorties by the Saudi-led coalition "relating to violations of international humanitarian law" and claimed that "many attacks involved multiple air strikes on multiple civilian objects." Rights groups in the U.S. and UK have called on their government to stop sales of weapons to the Saudis that could be used in these attacks. The report said all sides had violated international humanitarian law. Evidence shows that the Saudis used cluster bombs. There is an international ban on their use but neither Saudi Arabia nor the U.S. have signed on to the ban.

The aid agency Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) demanded an investigation of an attack on one of its hospitals that it claims killed six people and wounded at least seven others. Most were medical staff and patients. In the last three months MSF has seen two hospitals, a clinic and an ambulance hit.Raquel Ayora, MSF Director of Operations said: “The way war is being waged in Yemen is causing enormous suffering and shows that the warring parties do not recognize or respect the protected status of hospitals and medical facilities. We witness the devastating consequences of this on people trapped in conflict zones on a daily basis.”Nearly 6,000 people have been killed, around half of them civilians, since the coalition began air strikes in March of 2014..

Islamic State affiliate in Yemen claims credit for three attacks in port of Aden

An affiliate of the Islamic State in Yemen claimed credit for several attacks in the port city of Aden that had previously been blamed on Houthi rebels.

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Aden is now occupied by a coalition of Saudi-led troops, including many from the UAE, and local militia who support the internationally-recognized government of president Mansour Hadi. Until recently government officials have been in exile in Ryadh Saudi Arabia but some officials have now returned to set up government operations in Aden which will be designated the capital. Sanaa the former capital is still occupied by the Houthi rebels who have set up their own government. They also control much of the north west of Yemen although the Saudi-led bombing and ground campaign has driven them from several southern provinces.

Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula(AQAP) has been able to control more territory as it has battled the Houthis often with the cooperation of local Sunni tribes who also oppose the Shia Houthis. However, the Houthis have the support of army forces loyal to former president Saleh. As in other countries, some Al Qaeda fighters have switched their allegiance to the Islamic State. In Yemen IS has so far been known mostly for terrorist attacks against the Houthis including attacks on mosques. However, Al Qaeda fought a guerilla war against the Hadi government when it was in power so it is hardly surprising that they should also attack the Saudis and others who support the Hadi government as it tries to re-establish itself in Aden. There are reports that Al Qaeda members received arms during the offensive to drive out the Houthis and they are also said to control part of the port city. Some of these fighters may have joined the Islamic State. AQAP controls a large area east of Aden including Mukalla the capital of Hadramawt province.

The official Saudi Press Agency previously blamed Houthi rebels for the attack. One attack targeted the 239 room Al Qasre Hotel and Resort which officials of the Hadi government are using as headquarters. Two other attacks were launched against locations used by UAE troops.

The IS affiliate in Aden circulated a message claiming responsibility for the attack and providing details. It said that a militant called Abu al-Adani attacked the hotel using a bomb-laden truck. He was followed by another bomber who drove a Humvee packed with explosives. The Central Operations Headquarters of the Saudi and Emirati Forces and the Emirati military administrative headquarters were also targets in separate attacks. The claims have yet to be independently verified. Neither Saudi, Emirati, or Yemeni officials would comment on the claims.

The UAE official news agency did say that the death toll included four soldiers from the UAE, although the Saudis said that one Saudi and three UAE soldiers were killed. Local fighters were also among the dead. The UAE has a large military presence in Yemen with 4,000 ground troops, tanks, armoured vehicles, and attack helicopters. On Sept. 4, 52 UAE soldiers and 10 from Saudi Arabia were killed when the Houthis successfully hit an ammunition depot. The new attacks by IS fighters adds to the already complicated set of combatants in the Yemen civil war that is reported to have killed more than 4,000 people and created a huge humanitarian crisis of displaced persons and a population on the brink of famine. There is no sign of any peace as the Hadi government and its allies appear to believe that they can win militarily.

The war has taken a heavy toll on Yemen. More than 4,000 people have been killed, and the humanitarian crisis has left the impoverished country on the brink of famine.

Saudis talk peace but are preparing an offensive against Houthi rebels

The Saudi coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen, some time ago decided that the bombing campaign alone was not sufficient to defeat the Houthis. Special forces and military equipment were sent to bolster local militia in Aden.

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The change in tactics has enabled the coalition and allies in Aden to retake the port of Aden and much of the rest of southern Yemen. However, with the recent buildup of troops have come casualties. Both the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even Bahrain suffered casualties, with sixty killed in one day recently. One report, puts the total number of coalition troops on the ground at 10,000. Yemeni officials report much lower numbers and from only Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Officials claimed there were at least around 2,000. No doubt the presence of so many foreign troops in Yemen may turn even those opposed to the Houthis against their "liberators" especially given the destruction and civilian casualties caused by the bombing campaign.

Egypt has now sent between 150 and 200 troops to join battle in Yemen. Sudan has committed to sending 6,000 troops according to a source close to the Qatari military. Newly arriving Qatari troops are bringing Apache helicopters, armored vehicles, and rocket launchers. One reportputs the number of Qatari troops at 1,000. Troops appear to be massing in the central province of Marib for a march on the capital Sanaa to the north.

Ex-president Saleh has close ties with the tribal leaders in the area. Authorities are trying to determine how the Houthis managed to get coordinates to a weapons depot that they successfully hit in a rocket attack that killed many coalition troops. The tribal leaders are for the present fighting alongside forces loyal to Hadi and the coalition troops but many in the armed forces are loyal to Saleh who up until now has supported the Houthis. Saleh may perhaps be changing sides for the moment but still helping the Houthis on occasion.

Special UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ahmed, announced that the warring parties in Yemen have agreed to take part in peace talks next week. There have never been actual peace talks. The UN has passed a resolution demanding that the Houthis withdraw from all the territories they have seized. In a statement yesterday, Mansour Hadi, the president of the "internationally recognized" government of Yemen now located in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia, said he would attend the talks but that for negotiations to take place the Houthis must pull back from all the areas seized since last year. This would include Sanaa the capital. This is tantamount to a surrender and saves the coalition a bloody fight to regain territory. More than 4,500 people have been killed since the conflict began last March. Many people have been internally displaced while other fled to Djibouti and even Somalia. There is a dire humanitarian crisis with many hungry, depleted medical services and supplies, and diseases spreading. Many of the Arab States see the conflict as a battle with Iran which supports the Houthis.

The situation is more complex than this as the Houthis have support from ex-president Saleh and troops loyal to him and his son. Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula(AQAP) appears to be one of the winners in this battle as it has extended its area of control and alliances with local Sunni leaders. The coalition has not attacked AQAP as long as it has confined its activity to fighting the Houthis but when Hadi was in power the group launched devastating attacks on the government and its military. Another winner will be the southern separatist movement. Their flag can be regularly seen in areas taken from the Houthis and in military convoys. This group will insist on autonomy or even separation of southern Yemen from the north. When Hadi was in power before they often clashed with the armed forces and they reject Hadi's plan to divide Yemen into six federated regions. In this opposition they actually agree with their Houthi opponents. Even should the coalition be successful in retaking the rest of the areas occupied by the Houthi, there is no guarantee of any peace or stable government under a regime headed by Hadi.

Saudis and allies paying steep price for intervention in Yemen

As long as the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthi rebels in Yemen engaged solely in a bombing campaign, they were free of casualties except for a few losses at the southern Saudi border.

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Recently however, the coalition has sent troops to help retake the port of Aden and aid southern militia to clear out other areas in the south. The result was almost inevitable. The coalition is now paying the price in casualties. The first major incident involved the loss of 45 UAE troops, five from Bahrain and 10 more Saudi Arabians killed.

The Houthis fired a missile and scored a hit on a weapons depot in Maarib province that caused a huge blast that killed the 45 UAE troops. The Saudis confirmed that 10 of their troops were killed as well. This is the first time the Saudis have confirmed having troops in the area. The Bahrain government reported their casualties happened on the Yemen Saudi border but gave no details. There is sporadic cross-border firing. The coalition was quick to reply to the carnage inflicted by the Houthis with revenge bombing attacks.

The revenge bombings killed many innocent people who had nothing to do with the Houthi raid. There were 44 civilians reported killed including 24 in the capital Sanaa. Even more ironic was an attack in northern Jawf Province. Saudi warplanes attacked a funeral wake for a man who had been killed by the Houthis. Twenty more tribesmen were killed in the strike.

Sheik Mohamed Al Nahyan said in a meeting with exiled Yemen preisdent Mansour Hadi that the UAE would continue the operation against Houthi militias in Yemen until security and stability are restored to the country. The problem is that many of those loyal at present to Hadi in the south, are actually southern separatists. They want an autonomous or even independent south Yemen. They will fight the Houthis, but when Hadi was in power they opposed him as well often even clashing with his armed forces. The Saudis and the UAE also face troops loyal to former president Saleh who has sided with the Houthis. The coalition also is confronted by a much stronger presence of Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula(AQAP), who not only have seized several important cities including Mukalla the capital of Hadrawmut, but also occupy part of Aden. They have formed alliances with local tribes against the Houthi. They are not likely to look kindly on the return of Hadi from exile made possible only by foreign military force. Intervention is not a recipe for stability and security but internal conflict without end. Hadi and the coalition insist that they war will go on until they retake the whole country. However, if casualties continue to mount, there may finally be a push for peace.

Already the toll of those killed in the war is upwards of 4,500 people including hundreds of children according to the United Nations. At the same time, many have been displaced internally or have fled the country. Those who remain face famine and lack of basic necessities and health services on the brink of collapse as shown on the appended video.

Senior official of Yemen government-in-exile at work in Aden

Mohammed Ali Marem may be the only senior official of the internationally-recognized government of President Mansour Hadi who is working inside Yemen. Most officials are located in the safety of Ryadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Marem is chief of staff for the office of President Mansour Hadi. He has the job of paving the way for the return of the government in exile. Hadi was forced into exile when Houthi rebels marched south from their bases in the north to take the capital, Sanaa, after negotiations to form a government brokered by the UN broke down. Hadi resigned and was under virtual house arrest after the Houthis took control. However, he escaped to Aden, recanted his resignation, and tried to set up a government there, only to be driven into exile as ŧhe Houthis attacked Aden. Marem accompanied Hadi when he escaped to Aden. However, when Hadi escaped Aden to exile in Ryadh this March, Marem stayed behind in hiding during the Houthi siege of the city.

As can be seen in the photos at this site, much of Aden is in ruins. Marem said:“President Hadi has hoped to return to Aden since the beginning of August, ... however it is difficult to return to war-torn city, as there is not even an office for the president to work from and there is not a house for him. However, I hope that the reconstruction of the presidential palaces will be finished as soon as possible, and the president will return in the coming days".The Houthis were driven from the city in July.

The previous chief of staff, Ahmed bin Mubarak, was jailed by the Houthis in Sanaa but was released on the promise he leave Yemen. Hadi made him ambassador to the US.

Marem holds a Ph.D. in finance and banking from a Malaysian university. He was a finance lecturer at Aden University. He headed the National Dialogue Conference that was deigned to gather stakeholders to plan for a democratic future for Yemen. The Houthis left the conference after two of their delegates were assassinated. Subsequent to the conference Hadi drafted a plan that would divide Yemen into six federal areas. Not only did the Houthis reject this but so did the Southern Movement some of whom did not even attend the dialogue. Now the Southern Movement militias have helped drive the Houthis from Aden and other parts of the south. They are a separatist group who will demand autonomy and perhaps independence for southern Yemen. They often clashed with the Hadi government when he was in power.

UAE troops played a key role in the recapture of Aden it would appear. Recently they also rescued a UK hostage from Al Qaeda. Seven UAE soldiers have been killed.

Maren praised the UAE forces:“The Emirates led the battle in Aden from the first step to the last and they made Aden return to its normal conditions. The Emirates is the most effective country in the field, especially fighting shoulder to shoulder with the resistance on the battlefields.”He also claims they played a vital role in reopening the port and the airport. The UAE Red Crescent is also active in distributing aid within the city.

Marem said that eight ministers were expected in Aden soon. However, Marem claimed that the reconstruction of buildings was the only obstacle that faced the return of the cabinet to the city. Perhaps Marem is not aware that Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula(AQAP) has control of part of Aden and that they are expert at disruptive terror attacks. They have made many attacks against the Houthis but also carried out such attacks against the Hadi government when he was in power.

Saudi-led bombing in Yemen exacerbates the humanitarian disaster

Hodeida - White House National Security Council spokesperson Alistair Baskey said that the US is very concerned over recent Saudi-led air strikes on the Yemeni port city of Hodeida in Yemen.

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The port is used by the UN as a key entrance to deliver aid to areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthi rebels. The strikes that are supposedly aimed at the Houthi rebels in control of Hodeida, reportedly killed dock workers and damaged infrastructure needed for the port to function properly. Baskey said:"We are deeply concerned by the August 18 attack on critical infrastructure at the port of Hodeida in Yemen.The port is a crucial lifeline used to provide medicine, food and fuel to Yemen's population."Saudi bombing has before interfered with delivery of aid. In the capital the runway at the Sanaa airport was bombed to prevent an Iranian aid plane from landing. The Saudis suspected the plane carried military equipment. However, the bombing prevented UN aid planes from landing as well.

The bombing of Hodeida has been criticized also by the EU and the UN. A UN aid official told the UN Security Council that the attacks were 'in clear contravention of international humanitarian law'. Stephen O'brien who is head of UN aid said that the raids could severely impact an already deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Almost 80 percent of Yemen's population of 26 million are now in need of aid with more than a million forced to leave their homes because of the conflict. After more than 150 days of conflict, nearly 4,500 have been killed since the Saudi-led air campaign began. Hospitals and rescue teams have been targeted making it too dangerous in some instances for medical aid agencies to help. At the same, medical facilities lack critical supplies. Even in Aden, recently retaken by forces loyal to the Hadi government-in-exile the situation is so bad that the Red Cross has withdrawn its personnel because of the security situation. Part of Aden is now under control of fighters from Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula.

The UN health agency notes that nearly half of Yemen's health facilities have simply shut down leaving wounded civilians fewer and fewer places to receive treatment. In contested areas such as the central city of Taiz the situation is drastic. Dr. Ahmed Shadout of WHO said: “In Taiz, the ongoing crisis has led to the closure of many health facilities and access to health facilities for the injured civilians and doctors is almost becoming impossible; shortages of basic and lifesaving medicines, medical supplies, laboratory reagents in the health facilities are fast dwindling with limited access for replenishing,”Funds for WHO operations are meagre with the organization receiving only $25 million of $132 million it had requested.

The Saudis have targeted residential areas in some instances most recently in Taiz and Hodeida.The Saudis have also been accused of using cluster bombs in some bombing attacks. While there is an international treaty banning their use, neither the US nor Saudi Arabia have signed on to the treaty. A Pentagon official told US News that "the US is aware that Saudi Arabia has used cluster munitions in Yemen". The US considers the bombs a legitimate military weapon.

Al Qaeda in Arab Peninsula occupying parts of Yemeni port of Aden

A week ago, officials from exiled president's Mansour Hadi's government, claimed that Aden had been taken from Houthi rebels and that it would be the temporary capital for five years while the rest of the country was retaken from Houthi rebels.

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So far, the Hadi government is still mainly located in Ryadh Saudi Arabia. Saudi-led bombing and supply of ground forces loyal to Hadi have forced the Houthis out of much of southern Yemen. The Houthis still control the capital Sanaa and many other areas. However, there has been an ominous development in Aden as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula(AQAP) has taken control of a western sector of the port city. What is even more surprising is that there were no reports of any major battles with the group. AQAP has raised its flag over a number of government buildings including the port complex. A CBC report indicates that AQAP controls important areas of the city according to local officials:Fighters took Tawahi district, home to a presidential palace and Aden's main port, and were patrolling the streets flying black banners, the officials said Saturday. The militants also took parts of Crater, Aden's commercial centre, and parts of the town of Dar Saad, just north of Aden, including an army base that their fighters turned into a training camp, they added.

The officials from the military spoke anonymously. A Yemeni government spokesperson refused to comment. In Tawahi, AQAP destroyed the main security building on Saturday a site they have been trying to destroy for years. A high-ranking military official claimed that authorities in Aden had given weapons supplied by the Saudis and allies to AQAP in March and April during the drive to oust the Houthis from Aden. AQAP also captured many weapons as they have taken more territory.

While the US has continued drone attacks against AQAP, neither the Saudis nor their allies have fought with AQAP in any significant way. AQAP has been one of the most effective forces countering the Houthi advance, often in alliance with local tribes. They have taken control of a large swath of territory during the civil war, taking the port of Mukalla, the capital of Hadrahmut province east of Aden. While the US makes battling AQAP a priority, the Hadi government and the Saudis appear to see them as allies in the fight against the Houthis first and foremost, even though when in power his government faced constant attacks from AQAP as they waged guerilla warfare against his regime..

Fierce fight in Yemen for key city of Taiz as Houthi rebels lose ground

Although early reports claimed forces loyal to the Yemen government-in-exile had retaken Taiz, it appears only parts of the city are under their control.

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Taiz is the third largest city in Yemen and has been called "the gateway to Sanaa," the capital which is still occupied by the Houthi rebels. An entire 24 hours of fighting has killed at least 81 people, 50 Houthis and 31 loyal to the Saudi-based government-in-exile of President Hadi. The civilian toll in the fighting is unknown. The loyalists are backed by Saudi air strikes. The city has been contested for some time.

Recent reports indicate the loyalist forces captured intelligence headquarters in the city and also command a mountaintop nearby that they had captured earlier. However, Houthis and their allies are said to still occupy two military bases in the city. With the advance of the Saudi-supported forces throughout the south following the capture of Aden, the country increasingly looks to be divided between a north held by Houthis and their allies and the south that is held by forces loyal to the Hadi government. Many of the local militia in the south fighting the Houthis belong to the Southern Movement that will demand more autonomy or even independence for the south. In the past the south was a separate state the Republic of South Yemen with unification taking place in May 1990. The Saudi-led coalition has provided forces supporting Hadi modern heavy equipment, including tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Some Yemeni soldiers have been trained in Saudi Arabia.

The governor of the recaptured southern port city of Aden said that the city would be declared the capital of Yemen for the next five years. He also said it would be the focus of reconstruction in that period. This declaration has led some analysts to wonder if the Hadi government considers that it may take a half decade to regain control of the northern areas and the capital. The southern movement may attempt to convince the Hadi government that the south should be independent again. When in power, Hadi had been in conflict with the southern movement. The southern movement militia may not have the same agenda as the Hadi government-in-exile.

So far the civil war has killed more than 4,300 people, many civilians. It has spread disease and hunger throughout the country creating a humanitarian disaster. Recent bombings have resulted in more civilian casualties.

Former Yemeni president in talks with US, UK, and UAE diplomats

Representatives of Al Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen are talking with diplomats from the United States, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates in negotiations that may help end the war in Yemen, according to a member of Saleh's party.

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Saleh himself along with his son are sanctioned by the UN so he will not personally be at the talks. Saleh and his son are still powerful in Yemen with many of the Yemeni armed forces loyal to Saleh. Saleh has allied his group with the Houthi rebels. Without his support the Houthis would likely not have advanced nearly as far as they have especially in the south of the country. Perhaps, Saleh is contemplating changing his allegiance again in order to have more power within any new government. While he was president, Saleh often fought with the Houthis whose stronghold is in the north of Yemen. The Houthis are Shia while the majority of Yemenis are Sunni Muslims.

The exiled president Mansour Hadi, was vice-president under Saleh and took power in a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) with the support of the US. Saleh and his cronies were shielded from prosecution for any crimes committed during the Arab Spring demonstrations in which many protesters were killed by Saleh's security forces. Later, Hadi was elected president but was the sole candidate. Saleh has continued to influence Yemeni politics and when the Houthi's occupied the capital, Saleh provided support with troops loyal to him. He has continued that support since the Houthis took power after failing to negotiate a new government acceptable to them. Hadi escaped from Sanaa to Aden where he tried to set up a government but was forced out of the city to exile in Ryadh Saudi Arabia. Recently some ministers have returned to Aden. The airport is now open again.

Adel Shuja, a leader of Saleh's Congress party said:"There are negotiations in Cairo between the leaders of the Congress party and diplomats from the United States, Britain and the UAE in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Yemen...These negotiations have made significant progress so far."

These negotiations are taking place just as local forces, loyal to the exiled government, have made gains in the south taking over the port city of Aden and reopening the airport at Aden. The loss of the port happened within just a few days suggesting that perhaps Saleh had ordered his forces to withdraw.

Saleh was able to rule Yemen for 33 years by playing off rival armed and tribal groups against one another. He may be at it again, even though before he relinquished power he was almost killed in an attack on the presidential palace and sought medical treatment in Saudi Arabia and the US. The Houthis will be unable to hold territory in the south without help from Saleh. However, they also had been in talks earlier in Oman with members of the Southern Movement who are active in the fight against them in Aden. Oman has been key to mediation between the warring groups. There may be a concerted effort on the part of both rebel groups to reach a political solution as they realize continued military actions are devastating the country without much hope of final military success for either side. There will probably be increased pressure to give the south more autonomy. The separatist Southern Movement that has been a key force opposed to the Houthis often clashed with the former Hadi government. They now have significant numbers of armed fighters who will demand some political power in any new government.

Yemen government-in-exile sends ministers to southern city of Aden

Several ministers of the government-in-exile of Mansour Hadi arrived by helicopter from Saudi Arabia in preparation for the revival of institutions of state in the city of Aden.

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Al Jazeera reports several ministers, along with top intelligence officials of the Hadi government, arrived in Aden after forces loyal to Hadi recaptured Aden from the Houthis. The photo accompanying the Al Jazeera articles shows forces in Aden said to be loyal to Hadi. It is a loyalty of convenience. The flag these loyalists are flying is not that of Yemen but of the Republic of South Yemen. These are members of a Southern Movement militia who are separatists. They will use the situation to promote their own cause and not that of Hadi, whose proposal to divide Yemen into six federal regions they reject. Al Jazeera notes: On Wednesday, Popular Resistance fighters - a southern militia that has been the mainstay of support for Hadi - recaptured the provincial government headquarters in the Mualla district opposite Aden's main commercial port, Ali al-Ahmadi, a militia spokesman, told the AFP news agency.They also advanced in Aden's Crater district, where a presidential palace is located, he said.It is not clear whether reporters or analysts are stupid or deliberately fail to notice the irony that Aden is being liberated by separatists, the same group that Hadi repressed and whose government the group often clashed with. What is happening is a process of possible division of Yemen into a north controlled by Houthi and Saleh loyalists and Hadi in collaboration with the Southern Movement ruling the South. Such an alliance would be no stranger than that of Saleh loyalists with the Houthis. As the appended photo shows, the Houthis are still in parts of Aden and have set sections of the refinery on fire.

One of the arriving officials said: "[Exiled President] Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi delegated this group to return to Aden to work to prepare the security situation and ensure stability ahead of a revival of the institutions of state in Aden," .Hadi tried this before and was driven out. Hadi is being cautious this time and is not returning himself as yet. He will stay safe and sound in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia. Forces loyal to Hadi retook the airport recently and much of the nearby diplomatic district. However retreating rebels pounded the district with rocket fire. Rockets also set fire to an oil refinery.

Exiled vice-president said on Facebook that his government would try to restore life to Aden: "The government announces the liberation of the province of Aden on the first day of Eid al-Fitr which falls on July 17, We will work to restore life in Aden and all the liberated cities, to restore water and electricity." The Houthis claim that there are still clashes in several parts of Aden.

The offensive in Aden comes after a ceasefire declared by the UN failed to take effect. Saudi Arabia continued its bombing campaign just hours after the ceasefire was to come into force. UN special envoy Ismail Ahmed claimed he had assurances that both sides would agree to the "humanitarian pause" of about a week to last until the end of Ramadan. Saudi Arabian officials , nevertheless, said that they had never agreed to the ceasefire. While the UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment at the failure of the ceasefire, he did not suggest that Saudi Arabia should be punished or sanctioned. Saudi Arabia is one of the good guys so there is little international condemnation, even of the rhetorical type that involves no punishment.

The UN has declared a level-3 humanitarian emergency in Yemen, the highest possible. The UN estimates since late March more than 3,200 people have been killed since the Saudi-led airstrikes began against the Houthis who have taken over much of the west of Yemen. More than 21 million people, over 80 percent of the population are said to need aid. 13 million face food shortages, and access to water is difficult for 9.4 million people. The need for a ceasefire is urgent but apparently it is more important for Saudi Arabia to continue the battle. As the appended video from Sanaa the capital shows, there must still be some gas available there.

Saudi Arabia claims it did not agree to a ceasefire in Yemen

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that he was "very much disappointed" by the failure of a ceasefire that was supposed to begin on Friday and last until the end of Ramadan.

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Saudi officials claim they did not agree to a ceasefire in the first place. The Saudis renewed bombings just hours after the ceasefire was to take effect. The Houthis have been renewing attacks since as well.

In the latest attacks, the Saudis bombed Sawan, a slum residential area in Sanaa near a military base. Reports by local officials claim at least 25 civilians were killed and 50 wounded. Hospital officials report there were women and children among the casualties. The attacks appear to have actually missed the military base itself. Sawan was just one of dozens of targets in 10 different provinces throughout Monday. The Houthis resumed battle as well in several cities including a significant offensive into a suburb of Aden which the rebels appear to have taken. Houthi mortar fire in Aden is reported to have set a refinery ablaze with an official telling Reuters: "We are trying to put out the fire. The shelling targeted the tanks where we were storing diesel and fuel for local consumption in Aden. The damage is going to be very big."

In spite of Ki-moon's disappointment that there have now been three days of bombing and clashes since the truce was declared, UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said: "Obviously the secretary-general is very, very much disappointed. We've not lost hope and the discussions are ongoing." Dujarric also said that the UN envoy to Yemen, Ould Cheikh Ahmed, had received the commitments he thought were necessary to announce the ceasefire. He said all parties should honour their commitments. It appears that at least one party denies they made any commitment in the first place. Ahmed had contacted Saudi officials and Hadi, the president in exile, had assured him he would accept the truce and inform the Arab coalition of his support. Hadi's response is a change in policy since earlier he refused a temporary ceasefire unless Houthis withdrew from territory they occupied and laid down their arms. A humanitarian pause is absolutely essential to help relieve the humanitarian disaster the continued conflict and ceaseless bombing campaign have inflicted upon the Yemenis. The UN is continuing contacts at different levels in an attempt to secure a ceasefire still.

The Saudis are nowhere near their stated objective of restoring the Hadi government to power. He has little support in Yemen. Radical Islamists including Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula(AQAP) are thriving in the resulting chaos. AQAP in alliance with Sunni tribes has extended its power even seizing Mukalla the capital of a province. The Islamic State has carried out deadly attacks in Sanaa, the capital.

The Saudi-led bombing campaign began back in March. The campaign has not resulted in the Houthis losing any significant amount of territory. Of late, they appear to have even made gains in Aden. The Houthi rebels are Shia and are supported by Iran. The majority in Yemen are Sunni. Both Iran and the rebels would like to see a political settlement with a government that the Houthis could support. On their own , the Houthis will probably be unable to rule. Even now they depend upon the support of troops loyal to former president Saleh, who is allied with the Houthis, in spite of the fact that when he was in power he persecuted them.

Yemen peace talks to be held in Geneva on May 28

The UN has set May 28 to begin Yemen peace talks in Geneva but only one party to the conflict may attend. The Hadi government based in Saudi Arabia demands that the rebel Houthis give up some of the territory they have taken as a condition of taking part.

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Riad Yassine, the foreign minister, at first insisted the Houthis would need to implement all of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 in order for the Hadi government to agree to talks. Resolution 2216 was passed back on April 15th:Adopting resolution 2216 (2015) by 14 affirmative votes to none against, with one abstention (Russian Federation), the Council also demanded that the Houthis, withdraw from all areas seized during the latest conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Government of Yemen and fully implement previous Council resolutions.

In other words, after driving the Hadi government into exile and setting up their own government as well as occupying much of the western part of Yemen, the Houthis are to give up the territory they have occupied and cede power to the government in exile operating from the Saudi capital, Ryadh.

Sometimes, it seems as if the UN operates in a different reality as it ignores what is happening on the ground. Instead it publishes moralistic rhetoric and issues demands or resolutions that are not kept. However, in this case the UN is simply pimping for the big powers that count in the area — the Gulf Cooperation Council including Saudi Arabia plus the U.S. Hadi is their man and even though he has been driven out of Yemen, even from his refuge in the south in Aden, he is still regarded as the rightful president. He has little real power on the ground in Yemen but that matters little if the legitimate use of force in Yemen is the coalition bombing Yemen to bits and any groups fighting the Houthis, who are claimed to be loyal to the Hadi government. Some in the south fighting the Houthis are probably loyal to the southern separatist movement and many fighting the Houthis in the east are loyal to Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula and at war with the Hadi government.

Powerful governments often believe that their power ensures that they can create the situation they want. In this case Gulf Arab countries including Saudi Arabia believe that the return of the Hadi government can be attained using their superior military power. As a result, they think it reasonable that negotiation means the surrender of their opponents instead of the each side recognizing the interests of the other side.

However, even Yassine appears to realize his original precondition did not have the slightest chance of being accepted. He later suggested that at least the Houthis should give back to the Hadi government a major city such as Aden or Taez. In the past, the Saudis have ruled out peace talks without a full disarmament and surrender. Yassine said a withdrawal from some captured territory by the Houthis would be a sign of goodwill. The April UN resolution placed an arms embargo on the rebels and also imposed sanctions on the son of Saleh the former president. It reiterated sanctions imposed last November on the ex-president and also two Houthi leaders. Given these moves it is not clear who would be able to negotiate on behalf of the Houthis or Saleh, who with his son controls much of the Yemeni armed forces. Saleh is allied with the Houthis.

Yemen's ambassador to the UN Khaled Alyemany said the talks in Geneva would be designed "to convince the Houthis to give up what they are doing and be part of the solution." These do not sound like "peace talks" but surrender talks. Given the situation on the ground there does not seem to be any motivation for the Houthis to surrender. Certainly many Yemenis hate the Houthis and want the conflict to stop but continued bombing by the Saudis directly supported by Hadi and other politicians from their safe haven in the Saudi capital will hardly generate support for the return of the previous government. For talks to have any chance of success they must begin with neither side placing preconditions on participation. Both sides have set preconditions for participation.

The Houthis have suggested as a condition for their attending that the two sides agree to the Peace and Partnership agreement the Hadi government signed when the Houthis took over the capital last September. The Houthis said: "The only way to solve the political problem is dialogue in a neutral country over what has been agreed upon in advance in the peace and partnership agreement," Maybe no one will show up for the peace talks.

The agreement did not result in a government the Houthis would approve and Hadi resigned. He was virtually under house arrest but escaped to Aden, claimed he was still president, and tried to set up a rival administration to the Houthis who took power when the negotiations failed. Hadi was driven out of Aden and took refuge in Ryadh where he enlisted Arab countries to try to put him back in power.

Yemen: Four separatist protesters in south shot dead

  Yesterday (July 7) in the southern port city of Aden Yemeni security forces shot and killed 4 men participating in a separatist march. A total of 18 were wounded. The government claims that the protesters had attacked security forces.
  The protesters had been trying to gain access to a public square in Aden. The protest march was held to commemorate a day in 1994 when government forces from the north had invaded Aden at the end of a civil war. Aden was the capital of the independent country of South Yemen until 1990.
   There were protests in other southern cities as well and a leader of the Southern Movement Saleh Yahya was arrested. Even though the former president stepped down in February in a deal brokered by the GCC and supported by the U.S. divisions in the country remain. However, much of the territory seized by militants has now been retaken but at considerable cost to both sides and displacement of citizens. The U.S. was involved both in aerial attacks and special forces used as advisers on the ground. For more see this article.

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Yemen; Army represses separatists in Aden

In the news emphasis is upon the retaking of territory especially in Abyan province from Islamic militants. However, another military operation is going on against separatists in Aden.
Aden was at one time the capital of a separate secular state supported by the former Soviet Union. Many southerners feel that the central government does little for them and want to be independent again.
After a public protest calling for succession the area of Mansoura has been continually harassed by the military. In mid June protests were crushed now people are so afraid of being shot if they go out on the streets that they stay in their homes for the most part.
Though secessionists have held mostly peaceful protests they are attacked by authorities almost as vigorously and violently as Islamic militants. Yemen also faces northern Shiite separatists the Houti in the far north. For more see this article.

U.S. to provide 52 million more in aid to Yemen

The aid is for areas that have been badly affected by Yemen's war on al-Qaida. That war is supported by the U.S. with even U.S. special forces on the ground helping to direct activity.

Yemen is suffering a humanitarian disaster with people fleeing many areas of conflict and the economy in ruins. There is no guarantee that all the aid will filter through to those who most need it as the government is of the old guard many of whom are corrupt. The president Hadi for example was vice-president under Saleh and some of Saleh's relatives are still in positions of power. But the Saleh clan no doubt are not the only corrupt politicians in Yemen.

The new aid is to be directed at the provinces of Lahj, Aden and Abyan. This new aid bring total aid to Yemen to 170 million this year. For more see this article.

Yemen: Two separatist protesters killed by security forces in Aden

The two who were killed were taking part in a separatist protest in the southern port city of Aden. The south of Yemen was a separate country until 1990 and Aden has long been a center of separatist activists.

An activist from the Southern Movement separatist group said:"Security forces fired live rounds on protesters, killing two and wounding five," An official at an Aden hospital confirmed the toll.

Protesters were demanding that a week long crackdown by security forces on a protest camp be ended. Nine people had already been killed during that operation according to an activist.

The government reported that seven security personnel have been injured in clashes with protesters. For more see this article.

Top commander in South Yemen assassinated by suicide bomber

On his way to work on Monday (July 18) Maj. Gen. Sali Ali Qatn was killed when a suicide bomber detonated himself in front of his vehicle. As well as the general his driver and a passenger were also killed.

Both Al Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (AQAP) and Ansar al-Sharia another militant group are active in southern Yemen and until a recent offensive by the Yemen military with the guidance of U.S special forces had occupied and run several cities.

While there have been reports of clashes and territory has certainly been retaken details of the campaign remain unclear. In some cases locals report that militants just left without a fight. There are reports too that in some areas locals were recruited to help oust the radicals.

General Qatn was one of new president Hadi's first key military appointments. Qatn led the offensive against militants to regain territory. However, there were heavy casualties in some clashes including a raid on a military post east of Aden that killed about 100 soldiers. The central government still has a tenuous hold over the south of the country which at one time was independent. In Aden there are areas where soldiers or police dare not enter for fear of being attacked. In the area where the general was killed there are reports of the black flag of Al Qaeda being flown. For more see this article.