By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey – Talks have come to a stand still after officials from Iraq and Syria met in Ankara to discuss Iraqi allegations that Syria is harboring militants allegedly involved in deadly bombings on August 19 which killed more than 100 people and wounded more than 600. Turkey has been acting as a peace broker throughout the crisis between the two nations, especially since the recall of envoys from each nation respectively last month.

Among those present at the high-level talks were Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

The Iraqi government spokesmen Ali al-Dabbagh claims that the Iraqi delegation has evidence to back their allegations including communications, financing and logistic support by people living in Syria and who have relations with al Qaeda. The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki alleges that 90 percent of foreign fighters in Iraq have entered through Syria, a claim the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies. Further, Iraq claims that Syria is harboring two Baathist leaders who plotted the devastating bombings in August.  Iraq has demanded that Syria hand them over to Iraqi officials; a demand Syria has refused.

This diplomatic feud has strained already tarnished relations between the two countries, which saw a slight resurgence since the removal of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The talks collapsed after Syria refused acquiesce to Iraq’s demands that it extradite a list of people suspected to be involved in the bombings. Syria claims that the Iraqi government has not provided sufficient proof of involvement in the bombings to warrant extradition. The Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, speaking for the delegation, stated, “We consider this security meeting as the final one.  Such a meeting won’t happen in the future unless Syria positively responds to the unchallenged evidence and proof presented by Iraq. This is the final meeting.”

Moreover, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appealed to the U.N. Security Council to set up an international tribunal to investigate the bombings. The Iraqi government hopes to ease tension by discussing the matter with United States Vice President Joe Biden during his visit.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Iraq and Syria to hold Ankara Talks – 13 September 2009

Yahoo News Agency – Iraqi Official: Talks with Syria over attacks fail – 16 September 2009

Reuters – Iraq says Syria must show will to stop militants – 11 September 2009

Government Inflicts Heavy Casualties on Rebel Forces in Northern Yemen as Humanitarian Crisis Looms

By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’ADA, Yemen – Armed conflicts continue in Northern Yemen as Yemeni government forces engage rebel groups in the mountainous province of Sa’ada.  Regional sources claim that seventeen members of the Houthi rebel group were killed in the skirmish, which occurred in response rebel attacks in several regions. Furthermore, it has been reported that Yemeni government forces have inflicted heavy losses to the rebellion elements and destroyed several hideouts.

The government claims that the rebels are trying to impose religious Shia law. However, the rebels assert that the government is corrupt and has carried out airstrikes against villages in the region killing civilians. International Humanitarian Law requires warring parties at all times to distinguish between civilians and combatants, both the Government forces and Houthi rebels have pledged to do so. If the rebel’s assertions are true, the Government may be violating their pledge.

Moreover, a larger humanitarian crisis looms at Al-Mazraq refugee camp, located ten miles from the fighting near the Saudi Arabian border, where thousands of refugees have been displaced as a result of the fighting. Aid groups have stressed the possibility of humanitarian crisis, as the intense fighting has prevented aid groups from entering the region. Possible consequences of prevented access include lack of food to refugees and inadequate or nonfunctioning health facilities. Many of the refugees have been turned down at the border of Saudi Arabia while attempting to flee the conflict.

The United Nations (UN) is attempting to put together a cross border aid operation from inside Saudi Arabia. Although the UN has launched a $23 million dollar “flash aide” appeal to assist the approximately 150,000 displaced persons, as of now no funds have been received for the initiative. Currently the UN has been using emergency funds from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has approved a $2.5 million loan pending responses for the previous $23 million appeal. As of September 8, the refugees have received 170 metric tons of food delivered to camps in towns Hajjag and Sa’ada.

For more information, please see:

Saba News Agency – Armed Forces Cause Rebellion Elements Heavy Losses – 12 September 2009

Al Jazeera – ‘Heavy Losses’ in Yemen Fighting – 11 September 2009

UN News Centre – Yemen: UN Appeal Remains Unfunded As Thousands Flee Fighting Through Desert – 11 September 2009

BBC – Yemen Claims Success Over Rebels – 10 September 2009

Human Rights Watch – Armed Conflict in Northern Yemen – 28 August 2009

By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt– Police have arrested one hundred fifty-five people for breaking fast during the daylight hours of the holy month of Ramadan, according to several Egyptian newspapers and human rights activists.

On September 9, Al-Arabiyya reported that an unnamed source within the interior ministry stated that Egypt has launched an unprecedented campaign to enforce prohibitions against eating, drinking, and smoking during the Muslim holy month.  Several human rights organizations have condemned the arrests as a violation of personal freedoms. Furthermore, many human rights activists have emphasized that these detentions have no legal or religious legitimacy.

During the Lunar month of Ramadan all healthy adults are expected to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, or having sexual relations between dawn and dusk. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and sick individuals are not expected to keep the strict fast.

However, Gamal Eid of the Arabian Network for Human Rights (ANHR) said that fasting is something that people should do according to their own will, and that it is not an obligation, though many do fast out of courtesy. He further commented that there is no law that prohibits eating and drinking during the day in Ramadan, and that all citizens have the right to do so without being harassed. He believes that the government’s arrests are an implicit endorsement of turning Egypt into a religious state. He primarily blames the government for being complicit.

Negad Al Borei, head of the Institution for Democracy Development commented that he found it strange that, although the administration typically chases extreme religious and jihadist groups, it was executing an extreme policy based on religion. Khaled Ali, Executive Manager of the Hesham Mubarak Law Centre for Human Rights, accused the Ministry of imposing religiosity on citizens. 

For more information, please see:

Al Arabiyya News Chanel – Egypt Cracks Down on Breaking Ramadan Fast – 9 September 2009

J Post – Egyptians Irked By ‘Ramadan Eating’ Arrests – 9 September 2009

UPI – Ramadan Arrests Called Unconstitutional – 9 September 2009

LA Times – Egypt: Police Arrest 155 for Failing to Keep Ramadan – 7 September 2009

By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt– On September 2, American citizen Travis Randall of Denver, Colorado was denied entry to Egypt after being told he was “on a list.” Randall was not given any reason for being denied entry, or for being detained, and he plans on remaining in London until he finds out the particular reason why Egypt denied his re-entry.

Randall, age 27, had been living and working in Cairo for the last two and a half years, working as an environmental consultant and a free lance writer. He was returning from a trip when he was detained for twelve hours in a holding cell, and forced to purchase a ticket to London, England, as he could not return to Egypt.

The only time that Randall has ever had any problems with the Egyptian authority, was after a small protest of the Egyptian and Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip in February. After the protest, Randall was briefly detained.  The officials at the airport would not give Randall any reasons for his detention beyond Randall’s name being on a list. Randall’s laptop and cell phone were taken from him during his detention, and returned to him only upon is departure.

Egyptian police have detained hundreds of members of the Muslim brotherhood, and some Egyptian Bloggers because of their protests and writings against the blockade of the Gaza strip. One airport security officer who spoke anonymously theorized that Randall must be on the list for his own “activism” over Egyptian involvement in the blockade of the Gaza strip.

Randall does not consider himself an activist or a blogger, as his last post before his detention was from 2007. He has not participated in many protests, and does not want to be labeled an activist, as he does not believe that he fits the title.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) commented on Randall’s detainment, stating that “[even] assuming that the authorities have the right to stop the blogger from entering Egypt even though he has not been accused of anything, they have absolutely no right to seize his laptop and prevent him from making phone calls. This is an intolerable abuse.”

For more information, please see:

BikyaMasr – Egyptian National Press Lies Over Travis Randall’s Deportation – 6 September 2009

LA Times – EGYPT: Authorities Detain and Deport American Blogger – 6 September 2009

AP- US Citizen Deported from Egypt – 4 September 2009

International Freedom of Expression Exchange – American Blogger detained at Cairo Airport, Barred from Entering Egypt – 3 September 2009

By Ann Flower Seyse
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt– On September 2, American citizen Travis Randall of Denver, Colorado was denied entry to Egypt after being told he was “on a list.” Randall was not given any reason for being denied entry, or for being detained, and he plans on remaining in London until he finds out the particular reason why Egypt denied his re-entry.

Randall, age 27, had been living and working in Cairo for the last two and a half years, working as an environmental consultant and a free lance writer. He was returning from a trip when he was detained for twelve hours in a holding cell, and forced to purchase a ticket to London, England, as he could not return to Egypt.

The only time that Randall has ever had any problems with the Egyptian authority, was after a small protest of the Egyptian and Israeli blockade of the Gaza strip in February. After the protest, Randall was briefly detained.  The officials at the airport would not give Randall any reasons for his detention beyond Randall’s name being on a list. Randall’s laptop and cell phone were taken from him during his detention, and returned to him only upon is departure.

Egyptian police have detained hundreds of members of the Muslim brotherhood, and some Egyptian Bloggers because of their protests and writings against the blockade of the Gaza strip. One airport security officer who spoke anonymously theorized that Randall must be on the list for his own “activism” over Egyptian involvement in the blockade of the Gaza strip.

Randall does not consider himself an activist or a blogger, as his last post before his detention was from 2007. He has not participated in many protests, and does not want to be labeled an activist, as he does not believe that he fits the title.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) commented on Randall’s detainment, stating that “[even] assuming that the authorities have the right to stop the blogger from entering Egypt even though he has not been accused of anything, they have absolutely no right to seize his laptop and prevent him from making phone calls. This is an intolerable abuse.”

For more information, please see:

BikyaMasr – Egyptian National Press Lies Over Travis Randall’s Deportation – 6 September 2009

LA Times – EGYPT: Authorities Detain and Deport American Blogger – 6 September 2009

AP- US Citizen Deported from Egypt – 4 September 2009

International Freedom of Expression Exchange – American Blogger detained at Cairo Airport, Barred from Entering Egypt – 3 September 2009