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US-Saudi Blockade
Prevents Vital |
By
Stephen Lendman |
| Yemen is Obama's war - more genocide on his rap sheet
against 25 million Yemenis wanting freedom from imperial oppression. US/Saudi imposed air and sea blockade prevents vital humanitarian aid in amounts needed from reaching desperate Yemenis - including food, clean water, medical supplies and other essentials to life. Obama, Saudis and rogue regional allies (including Israel) want Yemenis starved to death or perishing from untreated serious wounds. Reuters reported desperately needed vital aid is being blocked. Saudis continue "holding up food deliveries by sea" and air. ICRC spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali said things "were difficult enough before, but now there are just no words for how bad (they've) gotten." "It's a catastrophe, a humanitarian catastrophe" - worsening daily. Yemeni Human Rights Minister Izzedine al-Asbahi explained: "The war and its results have turned Yemen back 100 years, due to the destruction of infrastructure…especially in the provinces of Aden, Dhalea and Taiz." Power shortages threaten to cut off telecommunications in days. The World Food Program said lack of fuel prevents delivering food and other vital supplies - what little is available. Hospitals can't operate properly to treat patients and save lives. Since April 21, Saudi warships blocked a commercial oil tanker from reaching Yemen. Other vessels carrying humanitarian aid are prevented from reaching Yemeni ports. A Sanaa resident said "(t)he place is devastated. There are no roads, water (or) electricity. Nobody's left but thieves." Everything is in short supply or unavailable. The UN said Saudis are blocking ships carrying food, fuel and other vital supplies. Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Genera Mohammad Ali Jafari compared Saudi aggression to Israeli ruthlessness. On Monday, 47 humanitarian aid agencies called on all parties to end conflict and violence. War imposed conditions "prevent humanitarian organizations from delivering life-saving assistance," they said. "(I)nternational humanitarian and human rights laws must be upheld by all parties at all times," they stressed. A humanitarian catastrophe is happening in real time - worsening daily, threatening the lives and welfare of millions of Yemenis. Saudi warplanes and ships block vital humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen. Small amounts only are arriving. Far more is needed. Deliveries authorized by Washington and Riyadh alone are getting in. Iranian international affairs advisor Ali Akbar Velayati cited international law saying "(n)o other country, under any name, is allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of other independent countries. Therefore, Yemen's airspace (and coastal waters) belong to itself." Iran sent multiple humanitarian aid shipments to Yemen. Some got through. Others were blocked illegally. Iran Red Crescent Society (IRCS) international and humanitarian affairs deputy director Shahabeddin Mohammadi Araqi called conditions in Yemen "critical." Riyadh "prevent(s) the dispatch of aid to Yemen," he said. Recently replaced UN special advisor on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed Security Council members on crisis conditions. He warned that (US/Saudi imposed) blockade "restrict(s) the flow of much needed commercial goods and humanitarian assistance to Yemen, including food, fuel and medical supplies amongst others." He highlighted "the specter of food insecurity… (He said it) widened to threaten more than 12 million Yemenis" - a conservative estimate. He stressed peace and stability can only be restored through diplomatic negotiations - "free from interference and coercion from outside forces." Overnight, Saudi warplanes continued terror-bombing residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Scores were killed or wounded. Iran's Fars News estimates over 3,000 civilians killed - "mostly women and children," it said. Official estimates are woefully conservative - downplaying the horrific civilian carnage and human suffering. Yemen's Freedom House Foundation (FHF) estimates over 3,500 killed through Monday - nearly 6,200 others wounded, many maimed for life. FHF said 4,900 residential buildings were destroyed or damaged - plus 857 civil service and public utility facilities. The struggle for Yemen's soul continues. Obama's hegemonic lawlessness threatens endless genocidal war. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs. |
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