The Middle East

Family of Yemeni Drone Strike Victims Files Lawsuit in US

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, the Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – On Sunday, a family member of two Yemeni men killed by a US drone strike filed a lawsuit against the United States seeking the deaths be acknowledged as unlawful. Monetary compensation is not sought; rather the families want a public apology.

Mr. Faisal bin Ali Jaber filed lawsuit in United States Federal Court on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of The International)

In April, US President Obama publicly apologized for an inadvertent airstrike in Pakistan that killed two hostages, one American and one Italian. The lawsuit questions why, “the President has now admitted to killing innocent Americans and Italians with drones; why are the bereaved families of innocent Yemenis less entitled to the truth?”

The two men were killed in August 2012 by Hellfire missiles. Salem bin Ali Jaber, a cleric, and Waleed bin Ali Jaber, a traffic police officer, met with three young men the day they were killed. The US never publically acknowledged that the three young men were al-Qaeda members, but the operators appeared to have evidence that they were members of al-Qaeda and assumed the other two, Salem and Waleed, were too.

Days before the attack, Salem bin Ali Jaber, had given a sermon speaking against the beliefs of al-Qaeda. When the young men asked to see him after the service, family members sent them away fearing the young men were from al-Qaeda and thought the men were upset with the sermon. Salem agreed to meet the men the day of the incident and Waleed went along for protection.

The lawsuit was filed in United States Federal District Court by Faisil bin Albi Jaber with the assistance of the human rights group, Reprieve. Fasil bin Albi Jaber was the brother-in-law of Salem and the uncle of Waleed. Faisil bin Albi Jaber, filed suit as next of friend, in place of immediate family members, because he was in a better position to bring a lawsuit.

According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, 423 civilians have been killed as a result of President Obama’s drone strike program. Mr. Jaber’s lawyer commented, “Not only were his two relatives among the hundreds of innocent civilians who have been killed by this misguided, dirty war – they were the very people we should be supporting.”

Last year, the Yemeni government compensated the families of Salem and Waleed with $155,000, which Reprieve states was from the United States government.

Letta Taylor, a senior researcher on terrorism and counter-terrorism for Human Rights Watch stated, “It’s shocking that family members would have to take a request as basic as an acknowledgement of death of loved ones to a court almost halfway around the world, simply because they aren’t American.”

For further information, please see:

New York Times- Families of Drone Strike Victims in Yemen File Suit in Washington – 8 June 2015

Reuters- Yemeni Families sue US, Allege ‘Wrongful Deaths’ From Drone Strike- 8 June 2015

The Guardian – Yemen Drone Strike Lawsuit Forces US to Face Non-Western ‘War on Terror’ Victims – 8 June 2015

The Independent – Family of US Drone Strike Victims Files Lawsuit Demanding President Obama Apologize for Yemen Killings – 8 June 2015

Saudi Arabia Mosque Bombing Claimed by the Islamic State

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – On Friday afternoon, a suicide bomber dressed in women’s clothing detonated his bomb in front of a Shi’ite mosque killing three other people. The Islamic State claimed that they were behind the bombing, making this the second in two weeks.

Suicide bomber detonated bomb outside Shiite mosque. (Photo courtesy of BBC).

One week ago, the Islamic State claimed to be behind a bombing of a Shi’ite mosque, which killed 22 people.

The majority of Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim with a minority being Shi’ite Muslim. The attack occurred in al-Qadeeh, a predominately Shi’ite neighborhood. On Friday night, Shi’ite protesters in Dammam and al-Qadeeh demanded an end to sectarianism.

Some have suggested that Saudi Arabia has not done enough to deter online abuse of Shi’ites, suggesting that the online abuse is a gateway to overt acts against the minority sect.

The Islamic State admits to pursuing sectarian goals. The Islamic State wanted to aggravate the tension between the Saudi Arabia state and Saudi Arabian Shi’ites. Currently, Saudia Arabia is leading a coalition in an air campaign in Yemen against the Shi’ite Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia denies any sectarian objectives in forming the coalition against the Houthi rebels.

A witness to the bombing claimed to have seen a quick explosion and men preventing the bomber from entering the mosque. Security guards had become suspicious of a man in a vehicle near the mosque, and when they approached the vehicle, it exploded. The explosion resulted in other cars catching on fire and the death of three Shi’ite worshipers.

Of those killed, one was an undergraduate student at Wichita State University. Abduljaleel Alarbash was returning to Saudi Arabia to be married and intended to return to school in the fall.

The Islamic State identified the bomber as Abu Jandal al-Jazrawi. The Islamic State posted online that the bomber was a “soldier of the Caliphate.” Saudi Arabia has previously been threatened by the Islamic State because of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in a U.S. coalition against the Islamic State.

For further information, please see:

 BBC- Saudi Arabian Mosque Hit by Bomb Attack – 29 May 2015

CNN- ISIS Claims 2nd Saudi Mosque Attack– 29 May 2015

New York Times- Explosion Near Shiite Mosque Kills 4 in Eastern Saudi Arabia – 29 May 2015

Reuters- Islamic State Suicide Bomber in Women’s Garb Kills Three in Saudi Arabia– 29 May 2015

Truce Ends, Airstrikes Resume in Yemen

By Brittani Howell

 Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen—The five-day ceasefire ended late Sunday night. The Saudi-led coalition resumed airstrikes over Yemen blaming the Houthi rebels for breaking the truce. Yemen’s foreign minister, Riad Yassin, stated, “That’s what we said before – that if they start again, we will start again.”

Aid Supplies to Yemen. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

The United States, a supporter of the Saudi-led coalition, also blamed the end of the truce on the Houthi rebels. State Department representative Jeff Rathke commented on Saudi Arabia’s “exercised restraint during the humanitarian pause” while the Houthis “moved missile-launchers to the border and shelled Saudi territory numerous times.”

Air strikes resumed late Sunday night and continued into Monday. Witnesses reported strikes attacking cities neighboring Aden.

The Saudi-led coalition does not intend to reinstate a cease-fire. However, air and sea ports used for aid relief will not be targeted. Saudi Arabian officials expressed remorse for the end of the cease-fire, blaming the Houthis for its end.

The UN and humanitarian groups urged for an additional five-day truce in order to extend aid to others. During the cease fire the United Nations was able to provide enough food for one month to 273,000 people. Fuel was provided to 1.2 million people to access water. Non-essential items were distributed to 32,000 people.

Yemen is a country of 26 million people and one of the poorest in the Middle East. An extended truce would have allowed supplies to reach others who remain in desperate need as a result of the air and sea blockade. Yemen relies heavily on imports in order to sustain its population.

Unicef was able to resupply medical centers and establish mobile centers to rural areas. Solar-powered refrigerators were also provided in order to keep vaccines cool. A Unicef representative, when commenting on the aid effort, stated, “humanitarian assistance cannot replace the needs of 26 million people who have been cut off from a regular supply of commercial imports of food and fuel.”

Even with the aid received, hospitals are still in great need of fuel in order to continue to operate the generators.

The Saudi-led coalition continues to attempt to re-instate President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. President Hadi was exiled in late March. The efforts so far have not proven successful. The Houthis continue to advance in Aden with no sign of stopping. There is evidence that the truce allowed the Houthis to bring more troops into Aden.

According to the United Nations, since March 1,820 have been killed, 7,330 have been injured, and 545,719 have been displaced.

For further information, please see:

BBC- Yemen Conflict: Saudi-led Air Strikes Resume as Truce Ends– 18 May 2015

Chicago Tribune- Saudi-led Airstrikes in Yemen Resume After Truce Expires– 18 May 2015

Reuters- Saudi-led Air Strikes hit Yemen After Truce Expires– 18 May 2015

New York Times- Saudi-led Airstrikes Resume in Yemen as Truce Ends– 17 May 2015

The Vatican Will Soon Officially Recognize Palestine as a State

by Mridula Tirumalasetti

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

The Vatican announced on Wednesday that it will sign a treaty that officially recognizes Palestine as a state. “In Rome, Pope Francis will declare on May 17 two Palestinian nuns as saints, and we are in full preparation,” Bishop William Shomali told reporters. Given the international stature of Pope Francis, Palestinian leaders have celebrated this announcement.

Pope Francis pictured at the Vatican in 2014 with Israeli President, Shimon Peres, on the left, and the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on the right (photo courtesy of The New York Times)

The Holy See has been referring to Palestine as a state since 2012, when  the United Nations General Assembly voted Palestine should be recognized as a “non-member observer state.” However, the official recognition by the Vatican is a significant and symbolic step, as it supports Palestinians in their push for international recognition of their sovereignty. Husam Zomlot, who is a senior Palestinian foreign affairs official explained the importance, “The Vatican is not just a state. The Vatican represents hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide, including Palestinians, and has vast moral significance.”

Although Vatican officials, who favor a two-state solution, hoped the official recognition would help Israeli-Palestinian relations, Israel has declared that the actions of the Vatican have been disappointing. In fact, one Israeli foreign ministry official even indicated that there could be reprisals. The official stated, “This does not promote the peace process and a Palestinian return to negotiations…Israel will study the agreement and consider its next steps accordingly.”

Others states, including 135 states belonging to the United Nations, have already recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. Still, the European Union as a whole and the United States do not, and maintain that an independent state cannot emerge through unilateral recognition, but can only emerge through negotiations with Israel.  However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged that there will be no Palestinian state to emerge on his watch.

Still, there are some that believe the Vatican’s move was not supposed to be something dramatic. “I don’t think anyone is going to conclude that Pope Francis is any less committed to Israel’s security, welfare and flourishing,” said Rabbi David Rosen, who is the international director of interreligious affairs or the American Jewish Committee.

For more information, please visit:

Reuters- Vatican move on Palestine adds fuel to European debate– 14 May 2015

The Independent- Vatican recognizes State of Palestine: Does this mean Israel is becoming more isolated on the world stage?– 15 May 2015

AlJazeera- Vatican recognizes State of Palestine– 13 May 2015

BBC- Vatican to recognize Palestinian state in treaty– 13 May 2015

The New York Times- Vatican to Recognize Palestinian State in New Treaty– 13 May 2015

Saudi Arabia and Houthi Rebels Agree to Cease-Fire

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

SANA’A, Yemen

Saudi Arabia has proposed a five-day truce beginning Tuesday, after an air missile attack over the weekend. The truce was contingent on the agreement of the Houthi rebels. Both parties will resume hostilities if the truce is violated.

Southern Popular Resistance fighter securing street against Houthi fighters in Aden. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

On Friday, Saudi Arabia dropped pamphlets over Sadaa instructing civilians to evacuate. Saudi Arabia then classified Sadaa as a military zone. Many civilians were unable to leave in time largely due to fuel shortages and the lack of vehicles or communications devices. It is also alleged that Houthi rebels prevented civilians from leaving to use civilians as human shields. Over 130 airstrikes took place during a 24-hour period.

On Sunday, the Houthi rebels agreed to the truce. The home of the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh was bombed on the same day. Nevertheless, the Houthis insist on entering a dialogue with the Saudi coalition and urge that they will remain cooperative. The truce would allow food and medical supplies into Sadaa. The Houthis state that a Saudi naval blockade prevented ships that were carrying food from entering the port of Hodeida, including a ship from Tasnim.

According to the United Nations up to 1,400 people have been killed and 6,000 injured since March 19th. The majority of the victims have been civilians. Airstrikes have been conducted by the Saudi-led coalition since March 26th.

Saudi Arabia, backed by the United States, is attempting to restore the power of President Abd-Rabbu Mansor Hadi. President Hadi fled Sana’a in February after being forced out by the Houthi rebels. The Houthis goal is to remove al Qaeda militants in Yemen. The Houthis are opposed to President Hadi because of a belief that he is supporting al Qaeda militants.

The recent airstrikes targeted schools and hospitals amongst other Houthi headquarters. The schools and hospitals that were targeted were being used to store weapons. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that there were few safe places for hospitals, which resulted in the merger of departments to one location.

A U.N. humanitarian coordinator, Johannes Van Der Klaauw stated, “The indiscriminate bombing of populated areas, with or without prior warning, is in contravention of international humanitarian law.” MSF emergency coordinator Teresa Sancristóval noted, “Many people were not aware of the order of evacuation.”

For further information please see:

Associated Press – Yemen’s Shite Insurgents, Army Rebels Back 5-Day Cease-Fire – 10 May 2015

BBC – Yemen Houthi Rebels ‘Positive’ Over Saudi Truce Plan – 10 May 2015

Reuters – Houthis Accept Five-Day Truce in Yemen Proposed by Saudi Arabia – 10 May 2015

CNN – U.N. rep Accuses Saudi-led Coalition of Violation International Law – May 9 2015