Russian President’s envoy to visit Yemen soon

Yemen and Russia discussed here on Wednesday the current arrangements for a visit of the Russian President’s envoy to Yemen expected to be paid next week, said Saba news agency.

This came during a meeting brought together Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi and Russian ambassador to Yemen Sergei Koslov.

During the visit, the Russian official will get acquainted from senior Yemeni officials with the steps undertaken by the government in the implementation of the Gulf initiative, topped by the preparations for the presidential election scheduled for February 21.

Al-Qirbi and Koslov reviewed possible means to enhance the cooperation relations between Yemen and Russia in various areas.

Source: Saba News Agency

Tens killed in confrontations between Houthis and Salafies in North Yemen

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Over 50 people were killed in fierce confrontations took place in the northern Yemeni province of Hajah between al-Houthi followers and Sunni tribal alliance fighters on Sunday and Monday, said local sources.

Al-Houthi rebels carried out an offensive on Sunday and Monday on some Sunni-held posts in Kushar district of Hajah province; but they were faced by strong counter attack launched by the Sunni tribal men supported by Arab Afghan fighters.

Over 600 families were evacuated from the disputed areas to other districts, said local sources.

Confrontations break out between Sothern militants and Yemen forces, two killed

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

At least two people were killed in clashes erupted in al-Dale province in South Yemen between Yemeni military forces and militants affiliated to the so called Southern Movement on Thursday, said local sources from Dale.

The confrontations broke out after some protesters rallied in Dale town against the early presidential elections. Tens of militants accompanied the protesters in the rally and when they reached to the center of the elections committee the militants fired RBG’s, rocket propelled grenades and machineguns at the elections committee’s office killing 2 people, said independent sources.

The army forces positioned on the surrounding mountains interfered and fired back at the assailants wounding at least 12 of them, forcing them to withdraw from the elections office.

Dale’s militants have a history of intimidation against people of the neighboring province of Abyan province that is the home land of Vice President Abdu Raboo Mansour Hadi who is nominated for the upcoming presidential elections as a sole candidate.

The two factions of the former communist party of the former Southern Socialist Republic of Yemen had involved in bloody confrontations that lead into killing tens of thousands before the reunification of Yemen that was achieved in May 1990.

One of the factions is from Dale and the other is from Abyan.

The people of Dale did not like Hadi to rule Yemen asking for separation so as to regain control of the power that they used to have before the reunification of the country. 

"The army forces located at military positions overlooking the town opened fire on thousands of people protesting against the upcoming presidential elections," a leader of the southern separatist movement told Reuters.

"One demonstrator died immediately and another 12 were injured, while another man who was standing on the balcony of a hotel adjacent to the electoral committee's office was killed by a stray bullet."

Some gunmen affiliated to the southern movement attacked the electoral committee's office in Dale last month.

The former president of south Yemen Ali Salem Albeidh said his people would not give up their fight for independence.

"Crimes like these (committed on Thursday) will not dissuade us from continuing our peaceful struggle until our people are given their freedom and independence

UK Ambassador: Yemen’s security, stability and unity is very important to the British government

By Mohammed al-Kibsi
Yemen’s Vice President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi received the new ambassador of the United Kingdom to Yemen Hobton Nicholas and Deputy Ambassador Fiona pocket at his office in Sana’a on Monday.

Hadi welcomed the new British Ambassador, wishing him wished him success in his new duties.

The Vice President referred to the depth of relations between the two countries, reviewing the historical background of those relationships.

Hadi hailed British role during the crisis of Yemen and said was constructive and wonderful in the interest of the Yemeni people.

He said: "We look forward to the continuation of this situation to get out of this crisis in accordance with the GCC deal and its mechanism and in comply with the Security Council resolution No. 2014".
Hadi also reviewed with the UK Ambassador a number of issues related to implementation of the inGCC pact and ways of  translating it on the ground according to their specific provisions in time.


He stressed the need for alignment and solidarity for the success of the political settlement to bring Yemen out of these conditions and the current crisis.
The new British Ambassador expressed his pleasure to work in Yemen. He pointed out that he will do his utmost to contribute in bringing Yemen out of the current crisis.

He said: "Affairs of Yemen, security, stability and unity is very important to the British government" .. Noting that he phoned last week, Foreign Minister William Hague and advisor to British Prime Minister, who spoke about the importance of relations between Yemen and Britain, and what can be done to smooth and safe exit from the current circumstances .. He stressed that cooperation and partnership will be continued effectively, especially in the area of security, political and economic for the sake of prosperous, stable and safe Yemen.

The also reviewed the latest developments with regard to outrageous acts of terrorism committed by al Qaeda against Yemen and endangering its security and stability, especially what happened in the city  of Radaa and its surroundings in the province of al-Baidha, as well as the provinces of Abyan and Shabwa.

In this regard Hadi stressed on the responsibility of the international community for combating terrorism.

Abducted Norwegian in Yemen assures friends he is safe

 By Mohammed al-Kibsi


Exclusive
The abducted Norwegian friends’ said he messaged them several times and assured he was safe.
One of his friends in Yemen said that Gurgt had messaged het on Sunday and Monday and told her he was safe and that his kidnappers have been treating him well and letting him chew Qat.
The source said that Gurgt 34, old from Norway who works for the United Nation in Yemen told her he was safe and that his kidnappers allowed him to use his mobile, though he said they took his mobile from him when he makes many calls or messages.
He said he was somewhere in Marib province but could not affirm in which part.
Yemen security source said that Gurgt is part of a team of U.N. election observers scheduled to oversee Yemen's presidential elections in February.
Gurgt was kidnapped by some tribesmen from Marib province in Yemen’s capital Sana’a said security and diplomat sources on Sunday.
Yemeni security official said the U.N. worker was kidnapped from Sana’a city by armed tribesmen who transferred him to Marib province.
Marib province, 170 kilometers to the North East of Sana’a is one of the strongholds of al-Qaeda in the north of Yemen.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ford Overland Andersen said the ministry was informed the 34-year-old Norwegian man was abducted early Sunday.
“U.N. worker was taken hostage by the Abidah tribe of Marib province. They were demanding the release of a tribesman who was arrested on charges of killing four Yemeni soldiers,” said the Norwegian official.

Norwegian UN worker abducted in Yemen

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

A U worker from Norway was kidnapped by some tribesmen from Marib province in Yemen’s capital Sana’a said security and diplomat sources on Sunday.

Yemeni security official said the U.N. worker was kidnapped from Sana’a city by armed tribesmen who transferred him to Marib province.

Marib province, 170 kilometers to the North East of Sana’a is one of the strongholds of al-Qaeda in the north of Yemen.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ford Overland Andersen said the ministry was informed the 34-year-old Norwegian man was abducted early Sunday.

“U.N. worker was taken hostage by the Abidah tribe of Marib province. They were demanding the release of a tribesman who was arrested on charges of killing four Yemeni soldiers,” said the Norwegian official.

AQAP captures more territories in central and southern Yemen

 By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Fighters of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) have seized Rada’a town southeast of the capital Sana’a on Sunday

Security and local sources said the militants over raided the small police force that was assigned for insuring security affairs of the town when the heavy armed militants broke into the town.

 Rada’a town of al-Baydah province, 170 km south east of Sana’a is a historical city famous for al-Amryah citadel and mosque.

Al-Baidha province borders Abyan province that is controlled by AQAP.

Local sources said the al-Qaeda militants broke into Rada’a town on Saturday night, seizing the ancient citadel and mosque of al-Amryah.

Also Sunday, a Yemeni military official said AQAP militants executed two Yemeni soldiers in Abyan province.

He said that the soldiers were abducted two months ago while fighting al-Qaeda militants west of Zinjubar, the provincial capital of Abyan province.

AQAP has been taking advantage of nearly a year of internal turmoil over demands that President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down to take control of areas in Yemen’s south.

Islamist militants began seizing territory in the southern Abyan province last spring, solidifying their control over the town of Ja’ar in April before taking the provincial capital, Zinjubar, in May.

AQAP has changed the name of Ja’ar to Waqar.

Abyan province that is the homeland of Yemen’s vice president Abdu Raboo Mansour Hadi is semi-controlled by AQAP that even has made their own checkpoints on the roads linking Abyan to other provinces, raising their black flags.

Witnesses that were travelling from Aden to Hadramout provinces through Abyan said they passed through at least three checkpoints of AQAP.