Weekly security briefing 15032020

Special Envoy

Envoy Martin Griffiths visited Marib city last week. During his one-day visit, he met with local government officials, including Hadi-appointed Governor Sultan Al-Arada, tribal leaders, and civil society. Griffiths gave a speech during his visit in which he called for an immediate and unconditional freeze on military action. The envoy stated that Yemen is at a “critical juncture” and either the political process will resume or slip back into large-scale conflict. He reiterated that the war cannot be won on the battlefield, and there are no alternatives to a politically-negotiated solution. He called for Marib to be shielded from conflict, urging the parties to refrain from making the governorate the new epicentre of the war.

On 11 March, Griffiths arrived in Sana’a, where he met with the Ansarallah leadership to discuss de-escalation of military operations in Marib, efforts to decouple oil and gas production from the overall conflict, and salary payments for civil servants. The following day, he is due to brief the UN Security Council, along with Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham. Griffiths is expected to brief on the escalation in Nihm, Marib, and Al-Jawf, and may repeat concerns about the impact of the fighting on the political process and call for a freeze on military activities, an appeal that he has issued publicly at least twice since 28 February. Rajasingham may mention that a donor conference for the 2020 Yemen Humanitarian Response is scheduled for 2 April in Riyadh

COVID-19

As of 12 March, the WHO stated that there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Yemen. The authorities have issued several decrees to mitigate the spread of the virus into the country, including a mandatory medical check of all passengers entering Yemen, including members of the UN and INGOs. Those suspected of carrying an active coronavirus infection will be put under medical quarantine or denied access to the country. Those coming from 13 specific countries – China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, US, Palestine, France, Egypt, and Jordan – will reportedly be quarantined at home for 14 days upon arrival.

On the same day, aid organisations warned that the coming rainy season could cause a spike in cholera cases. According to Oxfam, in the first seven weeks of 2020, more than 56,000 suspected cases have been recorded. The rainy season, starting in April, is likely to worsen the cholera epidemic and the north is most vulnerable due to the lack of a functioning healthcare system, limited access to safe water and hygiene facilities, as well as access and bureaucratic impediments. The number of suspected cholera cases increased by 132 per cent in 2019, after falling by 64 per cent in 2018 from its peak in 2017, when more than a million suspected cholera cases were reported.

Riyadh Agreement

Localised violence continues across the south

There was no progress in the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement this week. The process has been at a standstill since mid-January, and the parties to the deal have given no indication that a resumption is imminent. With the agreement at an impasse, tensions between the sides remain high.

The latest point of contention came on 11 March when head of the STC’s negotiating team for the agreement Nasser Al-Khubaji along with five other representatives, including Aden security chief Shalal Al-Shaye, were prevented from flying out of Amman, Jordan. The reports claimed the southern figures had been stopped after the Saudi-led coalition refused to grant permission for the flight to land in Aden. An STC spokesperson immediately issued a statement asking the coalition to clarify their actions. On the same day, all flights into and out of Jordan were suspended by the government in an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sada'a

The situation in the eastern parts of Saada governorate remained tense as the conflict intensifies in the neighboring governorate of Al Jawf. In this regard, coalition airstrikes targeted several areas in Kitaf Wal Boqa’ district.

Airstrikes were also reported on Sahar, Al Dhaher and Sheda districts during the reporting week.

In addition, Saudi artillery and rocket shelling targeted Razeh and Sheda districts.

Al-Hudaydah

In Al-Hudaydah, there was little change to the overall pattern of hostilities, with the typical exchanges of direct and indirect fire on the well-established frontlines and the usual fluctuating tempo and alternating hotspots. However, the week was marked by several notable developments.

The first incident of note came on 8 March, when the coalition announced it had carried out airstrikes against Ansarallh targets in Al-Saleef port in Al-Hudaydah. The coalition claimed the strikes had destroyed six explosive-rigged boats in the harbour at Al-Saleef, as well as nearby sites used to assemble explosive drone boats and sea mines. Ansarallh media also reported the air raids on Al-Saleef, but said the strikes had targeted nearby Al-Nar mountain. The coalition statement claimed the Ansarallh were using Al-Hudaydah to launch ballistic missiles, UAVs, and remote-controlled, explosive-laden boats in violation of international humanitarian law and the Al-Hudaydah ceasefire.

Aden

The recent unrest in Aden continued this week. Fighting between armed groups from the AlSailah neighbourhood in Ash Sheikh Othman and the Al-Mahareq neighbourhood in Dar Saad broke out again over several days, causing several injuries. The Security Belt forces deployed on 10 March to end the clashes. The two groups previously fought five months ago following the shooting of a young man from Al-Sailah, leaving three dead and eight wounded. Armed clashes were also reported between Southern Resistance fighters and soldiers from the Southern Giants Brigade over a land dispute in the Al-Mimdarah area of Ash Sheikh Othman on 7 March.

Following the recent increase in security incidents, the Security Belt forces deployed additional forces across several districts in the city, mainly in Dar Sa’ad, Ash Sheikh Othman, and Al-Mahareq, from 10 March, reportedly to crackdown on armed groups, stop the carrying of weapons, and to enforce a ban on motorcycles and unlicensed vehicles

Taiz

In Taiz, the recent low level of hostilities continued. The main fighting was on the southern border with Lahj, where pro-Houthi forces reportedly launched attacks on the Krish front in Al-Qabbaytah. Pro-Houthi forces also reportedly attacked in the vicinity of the air defence camp to the northwest of Taiz city on 11 March, but were repelled by the anti-Houthi 17th Infantry Brigade. In other incidents, Islah-affiliated security forces were accused of searching civilian houses in Al-Khayami village in Al-Ma’afer district on 11 March, reportedly to find wanted persons, leading to clashes with villagers.