Yemeni Houthis Muslim

Yemen: Yemeni Government Casts Doubt on UN Peace Talks

Yemeni children protest for peace: Yemen's government has expressed doubts over UN-backed efforts to end its conflict with Shiite Huthi rebels who have seized control of large parts of the country. The government still has "fundamental differences" with the Huthis over "their rejection... of measures that are necessary to put an end to their plot", it said in a statement late on Friday.

Yemen’s government has expressed doubts over UN-backed efforts to end its conflict with Shiite Huthi rebels who have seized control of large parts of the country. The government still has “fundamental differences” with the Huthis over “their [continue reading].

Documentary: Frontline – Benghazi in Crisis And Yemen Under Siege

Benghazi in Crisis: journalist Feras Kilani joins Libyan fighters as they battle for a central point in the city, meets civilians displaced by the fighting, and sits down with General Khalifa Haftar – who is trying to bring all militias fighting ISIS in Benghazi under his command. Yemen Under Siege: from journalist Safa al Ahmad. She has been reporting on Yemen since 2010, from the rise of Al Qaeda, to the outbreak of civil war between government forces and Houthi rebels, to the Saudi-led military coalition that has intervened, to the current international efforts at a ceasefire and peace deal.

In an on-the-ground report from the war-torn Libyan city of Benghazi – the birthplace of Libya’s uprising, and where U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three colleagues died in an attack by Islamic extremists in 2012. In Yemen there used to be 20 hospitals in Taiz [continue reading].

Yemen: HRW Demands Rebels Free All Captive Child Soldiers

Child soldiers with Houthi fighters hold weapons during a demonstration in Sanaa on March 13, 2015. © 2015 Reuters

The parties to the conflict in Yemen should release captured children and make a commitment to not re-enlist child soldiers, Human Rights Watch said today. Parties on all sides of the conflict have used child soldiers, who are an estimated one-third of the fighters in Yemen. [continue reading].

Yemen: Words Versus Tweets – Spin Versus Truth

While reading The National’s article titled “After a year in Yemen, our resolve is firm”, I could not concentrate on the weak words, because the images of what the Yemen war and blockade looks like for the men, women, children and babies are far more powerful. [continue reading].

🍁 CDN: PM’s Deal With The Devil Has Protesters Mad As Hell

The May 18-21 festival appeared to be a Saudi charm offensive aimed at federal policy makers as the Trudeau government fields questions about its decision to grant export permits for the armoured vehicles to a country that U.S. watchdog Freedom House regularly ranks among “the worst of the worst” on human rights. The Saudi embassy blamed “logistical reasons” for its last-minute change of plans when contacted Monday and a spokesperson said the country’s decision was not motivated by fear of protesters. Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion’s office had already said he would not be attending the “Saudi Cultural Days in Canada.” The embassy was adamant the event “had nothing to do” with the $15-billion arms deal and said it had been planned for years. Canada’s Department of Global Affairs, however, said it was notified of the “Cultural Days” on Jan. 14. That date was nearly two weeks after mass executions in Saudi Arabia drew public condemnation from the Trudeau government.

The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau today issued a statement on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. However, his words ring hollow for me, ever since he and his cabinet made a deal with the devil (House of Saud), I feel as though our new Prime [continue reading].

🍁 CDN: Across Canada Protesters Condemn Trudeau’s Saudi Arms Sale

Even as Ottawa groups were planning a demonstration against the sordid Canada–Saudi arms deal, to coincide with the appearance of Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan at the annual CANSEC military trade show, Amnesty International issued a devastating new report on Saudi atrocities [continue reading].

Ramadan In Yemen: A Unique Diversity Of Eid Traditions

The month is also a time of community; it is the custom for Muslims to invite their neighbours and friends to share their evening meal – iftar – and recite special Tarawih prayers in congregation. It is also a time when Muslims try to reconnect with the Qur’an, which they believe is the word of God. However, Children, people who are sick or who have mental illness, elderly people for example do not have to fast.

The Muslim holiday Ramadan has begun, and ends on July 6th this year, also begins a time of community and family; it is the custom for Muslims to invite their neighbours and friends to share their evening meal called Iftar. I was curious to learn more about the traditions and [continue reading].

🍁 CDN: Human Rights Groups To Trudeau – Stop Immoral Arms Deal With KSA

The Liberals are on the defensive after court documents released earlier this month revealed that Mr. Dion, not Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, signed the export permits to allow seventy-percent (70%) of the transaction to ship to Saudi Arabia. Many observers had assumed the Conservatives had granted export permits when they signed the deal. trudeau speaking"The Liberal signature on the export permits means that the Liberal government has taken full ownership of a decision to sell arms to a country notorious for human-rights abuses.

Last week Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion approved the export permits allowing for the $15-billion transaction of armed military vehicles to Saudi Arabia. A decision that sets a precedence in determining whether a weapons shipment to a foreign country is [continue reading].

Photos: Tell Stories Of Coping And Resilience In Yemen

A group of children photographed while exploring the empty streets

The images most often associated with Yemen today are those of war, poverty and dire humanitarian crises. Yemeni photographer Thana Faroq, who is based in Sana’a, set out to prove that life exists beyond the war. On her Facebook page ‘Everyday Yemen‘, she [continue reading].

Yemen: Why United Nations Should Protect The Yemenis

Yemen woman in bright scarf and hat, "War humiliated my daughter." Aunt Khemissa argument.

Why people with a voice must demand that world leaders intervene in the Saudi-led coalition attack on the Yemeni people. This is the basic history of territory, and important differences between Yemeni and Saudi way of life and beliefs. This attack on Yemen, a country of [continue reading].

Yemen: Mona Charity Brings More Than Relief – They Bring Humanity

Mona Relief has become a lifeline to the Yemeni families they reach; delivering more than physical aid, they bring with them a glimmer of hope; a reassurance that Yemen is not forgotten. Mona, the new face of humanity. Mona is feeding the little ones. Mona delivers school [continue reading].

Yemen: HRW – US-Made Cluster Bombs Used On Yemen Civilians

Remains of USA cluster bombs dropped on Almaqash neighborhoods in Sa’ada. Yemen. (Photo: Yemen Post).

Human Rights Watch released a report Sunday providing new indications that Saudi Arabia has fired American-made cluster munitions, banned by international treaty, in civilian areas of Yemen, and said their use may also violate United States law. The report included photographs [continue reading].