Washington planned war on Yemen months ago – preemptive naked aggression by any standard with Saudi-led proxies doing Obama’s dirty work.
Plus direct US involvement. Reports indicate one or more American warships shelled Yemeni targets. Israeli warplanes are involved.
Millions of Yemenis are experiencing the horrors of Obama’s terror wars – including willfully targeting residential areas, hospitals, schools, power facilities, Yemen’s largest food storage center and largest dairy plant, and other nonmilitary sites.
Noncombatant men, women and children are being murdered and maimed in cold blood. Bodies are piling up in streets.
Yemeni terror bombing survivors report the ground shaking beneath their feet.
An Uzbek citizen Russia airlifted to safety said
“(w)e couldn’t sleep for the last eight days.”
“We are thankful to Russia and (President) Putin for organizing the evacuation.
Russia was the only country (offering help). No one else has done that.”
A French evacuee called nightly terror-bombing impossible to bear. A Russian citizen airlifted out feared her children would die.
“The whole city (Sanaa) shook from all sides. That is what made me leave,” she said.
On April 7, Pentagon-controlled Stars and Stripes said Washington “is expediting arms deliveries to the Saudi-led coalition that is battling Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen, according to US officials.”
Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visiting Riyadh said “we have expedited weapons deliveries.”
“We have increased our intelligence sharing, and we have established a joint coordination planning cell in the Saudi operation center.”
White House press secretary Josh Earnest said “the US military continues to support the efforts of Saudi Arabia and some of their partners in the region to try to address the security situation along their border that they’re justifiably concerned about.”
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said shipments include “a combination of pre-existing orders made by our partner nations and some new requirements as they expend munitions.”
He gave no details on what’s shipped. Saying only “we’re working very closely with our partners there to get them what they need.”
Washington provides intelligence, air-refueling, logistical help and terror-bombing targets to strike – including residential and other nonmilitary areas murdering civilians.
On Wednesday, at least six children died and others were injured when Saudi warplanes terror-bombed a school in central Yemen.
UNICEF’s Julien Harneis said children “are being killed, maimed and forced to flee their homes, their health threatened and their education interrupted.”
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said many injured have no access to healthcare. The ICRC indicated it’s very hard delivering desperately needed medical supplies.
A spokesperson said if they don’t reach Yemen soon, many more people will die.
Over 100,000 Yemenis have been displaced. Others join them daily – fleeing for their lives, many with nowhere to go.
An ICRC spokesperson called conditions in Yemen’s southern port city Aden “catastrophic.”
It bears repeating. Obama’s war on Yemen is naked aggression by any standard.
International law expert Prof. Francis Boyle calls it a “case of raw, naked, brutal aggression.”
“It is about the United States, by means of its proxies and puppets Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), trying to reassert its control over Yemen because of its strategic location,” he explained.
“The only way there could be any type of lawful military intervention in Yemen is if it comes from the UN Security Council, and that so far hasn’t happened.”
UN Charter Article 2, paragraph 3 states:
“All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”
According to paragraph 4:
“All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”
Paragraph 7 states:
“Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter…”
Article 53 prohibits military force without Security Council authorization. None was forthcoming – nor will there be any. Russia and perhaps China won’t permit it.
Horrific ongoing crimes of war and against humanity are being committed. Catastrophic conditions worsen daily.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter signaled possible greater US involvement saying Al Qaeda’s activities in Yemen are expanding.
It’s vying for greater power, he said. Al Qaeda is a US creation. It’s used as both ally and enemy in different conflict areas. Carter didn’t explain.
He ludicrously warned its “ambition (is) to strike Western targets and the United States.”
Will Washington get more directly involved in Yemen’s conflict it initiated? It remains to be seen.
One thing looks certain. Another US targeted country is being ravaged and destroyed.
Millions of lives are at risk. Many tens of thousands may die before fighting ends. It could continue for years.
A Final Comment
Russia urges resolving Yemen’s conflict diplomatically. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said waging it has no “international legal basis.”
“We were, of course…disappointed that the operation was launched without any consultations with the UN Security Council or any bilateral talks, and that our partners…post factum came to the Security Council and asked for the approval of their actions,”
he explained.
“We can’t do this, because it is a request to approve just one side of the conflict and to outlaw the other side.”
“Our position is different. Right now we are actively working with our Saudi and Egyptian colleagues, with other countries that are taking part in this operation, and are calling for a peaceful settlement.”
“To do this, both belligerents have to take certain steps: the Houthis should stop the combat operation in southern Yemen where there are attempts to capture new territories.”
“The ceasefire must be unconditional. The coalition must stop air strikes.”
“The forces, which confront the Houthis on the ground, also must join the ceasefire.”
“(A)ll parties must come to the negotiating table. This is not beyond our capabilities.”
“The capitals of the region’s countries, possible hosts for the talks, are currently being discussed.”
“They should be acceptable for all of Yemen’s parties and allow for the return to dialogue and peaceful initiatives.”
“The country is in need of national unity and new elections. We have seen all that in Ukraine.”
Obama didn’t wage proxy war on Yemen to quit – not until Washington regains control of its former client state.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. 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.
