Weekly security briefing 22122019

Stockholm Agreement

Civilian casualties by month in Al-Hudaydah before and after ceasefire

This week, on 18 December, Al-Hudaydah saw the one-year anniversary of the Al-Hudaydah ceasefire, one of the main constituent parts of the Stockholm Agreement. In the past year, hostilities have seen a reduction across the governorate, the rate of airstrikes has significantly decreased, and the number of civilian casualties as a direct result of armed violence has fallen.

In the year since the agreement was signed 811 civilian casualties have been recorded in the governorate, a drop of almost two thirds (62 per cent) compared to the 2,115 civilian casualties reported in the 12 months before the ceasefire

Challenging Riyadh Agreement

Both parties continue to blame the other for the lack of progress in implementing the deal.

Hadi government Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Hadrami met the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in Riyadh on 16 December to discuss recent developments. Al-Hadrami reportedly stressed that the STC was hindering progress on the implementation of the agreement,

Amid talks of measures to steady the economy and associated issues, on 14 December, the Minister of Finance confirmed that payment of Interior Ministry and security sector salaries for September 2019 would begin on 16 December

Commenting more generally on the progress of the Riyadh Agreement, the prime minister said parties are working together to form a strong new government “represented by all”, but that the specific criteria of the arrangements were to be discussed in the coming period with other political groups.

On the military and security files, there are reportedly two joint committees overseeing the implementation of the agreement, comprising representatives from the Hadi government, STC, and Saudi Arabia, one of which is based in Riyadh and the other in Aden. Saeed pointed out that although implementation will not be easy and obstacles should be expected, the government is optimistic.

INGOs

In Friday praying all Masjeds in Al Dhalea city talked about all INGOs who are working in the Governorate. It seems that there is a campaign against the INGOs. They are saying that INGOs are targeting the ladies, encouraging them to work with male staff in the same building. It is the first time all Masjids are talking about one issue. They mentioned a lot of bad rumors that affect the INGOs.

In Al Dhalea An INGO compound was attacked with RPG. No casualties reported but minor material damage. No claim was received and perpetrators are unknown.

Cars of two our staff in Amran, The reason could be the haters of the INGO

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health in the National Salvation government announced the state of emergency to deal with cases of swine flu, “H1N1”.

The Minister of Health, Taha al-Mutawakil, directed all public and private hospitals to raise the maximum preparedness, prepare isolation rooms to deal with swine flu cases, and receive suspected cases.

“We recorded 1,600 cases of seasonal influenza, including 48 deaths, of whom only 8 were confirmed to be infected with the H1N1 flu virus,”al- Mutawakil said.

Al-Mutawakil added: “This seasonal flu occurs every year, especially in cold days and cold areas. He also stressed the readiness of the medical and health sector in various governorates to confront the disease.

The Minister of Health indicated that “the cure rate of this disease is very high, reaching 99% if the case is treated immediately upon suspicion”.

He stressed that “prevention and treatment methods depend on behavior and awareness through adherence to educational directives and instructions published by the National Center for Education And health information. ”

Sada'a

Ground fighting was reported in several frontlines along the borders with Saudi Arabia. Saada northern and western borders with KSA were very active during the reporting week. In the meanwhile, some coalition airstrikes targeted the bordering areas and Saudi artillery shelling targeted Razeh and Munabbeh districts. Two civilians, including a female child, were reportedly injured by Saudi fire in the two districts.

Al-Hudaydah

For the third consecutive week, incident rates increased in Al-Hudaydah, with all longstanding frontlines in the governorate seeing an uptick. In Al-Hudyadah city, there were reports of exchanges of direct and indirect fire in all hotspot areas, including the Kilo 16 area, 50 Street, and the Al-Dhubyani neighbourhood. Pro-Houthi forces were also accused of firing towards the joint observation post in the vicinity of the City Max clothing store on 13 December, although no casualties were reported.

In Ad Durayhimi, typical patterns of fire from light and heavy weapons persisted in the villages to the north and east of the district, as well as around the city. The ICRC confirmed that “despite all the difficulties” the organisation had been able to bring humanitarian aid to Ad Durayhimi city on 17 December. The ICRC convoy’s passage was reportedly facilitated by the Southern Giants Brigades, according to spokesperson for pro-government armed forces on the west coast Wadhah Al-Dubaish, with pressure also reportedly applied by the special envoy and UNMHA head Abhijit Guha. Government forces accused Houthi forces of firing on the convoy and of subjecting the accompanying UN team to harassment.

Aden

Aden was calmer this week, although isolated incidents continued. These included clashes that broke out when the security forces raided a building behind Aden hospital in Crater on 18 December, reportedly arresting seven people and seizing explosives-making equipment. An STC-affiliated Security Belt forces soldier also reportedly sustained injuries when he was fired upon by armed men on a military vehicle in Ash Sheikh Othman district on 13 December. Security Belt forces were later in the week accused by partisan media of raiding houses in Khor Maksar district, making several arrests in the process. Security Belt forces have reportedly increased their presence in the city in the wake of the recent unrest, with counter-terrorism elements reported to have made several arrests over the past week.

Taiz

The security situation in Taiz remains largely the same as of the last reporting period. However, minor clashes were reported to the east and west of the city with no ground advance like usual. Intermittent clashes were also reported in Hayfan and Maqbanah but the level of hostilities has steadily declined over the recent weeks.

Anti-Houthi forces have managed to secure a successful prisoner swap with pro-Houthi fighters in Al Akroud front where 75 of anti-Houthi fighters were released in exchange of 65 of Pro-Houthis. This is the first time such a deal is arranged without a neutral mediator which goes to show that parties have developed a sense of trust which hopefully will eventually lead to a political solution soon.

Demonstration took place in Al Silw deploring WFP distribution of expired and rotten aid in Taiz. WFP has consistently been accused by distributing expired food assistance to schools and beneficiaries in Taiz with local communities have grown disgruntled over such issues.