UN Special Envoy for Yemen & Russian Deputy PM in Tehran

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (L) with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (R) on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

The UN Special Envoy is in Tehran for talks on the latest developments in Yemen. He is visiting Iran following his trips to Saudi Arabia and Oman.

United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed with IIranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab-African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian (R1).

Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (L) with Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (R), Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Rogozin's portfolio includes the Russian aerospace industry, shipbuilding, maritime operations, prevention and elimination of emergency situations, and the defense manufacturing sector.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitryi Olegovich Rogozin (L) with Dr. Mahmoud Vaezi, Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Iran, on 18NOV15 in Tehran.

Upon the Russian Deputy Prime Minister's return to Moscow, it was reported by Tass the following:

Russia will be ready to go over to the partial localization of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 production in Iran, if Tehran takes a decision on purchasing ready-made aircraft, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin who has completed a two-day visit to Iran told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

and...

Iran and Russia have reached agreement on expanding cooperation in space research, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told TASS on Wednesday upon the end of talks with the Iranian Vice President in charge of science and technologies, Sorena Sattari.

COMMENTARY: The Russians are interested in providing Iranian commercial applications with GLONASS system, as well as providing satellite launch services.

Recent Saudi/UAE combat losses in the Yemen conflict (2)

Second installment of imagery depicting Saudi/UAE combat losses inflicted by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, during the current Yemen conflict:

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank, captured and subsequently destroyed by Ansarullah forces at a Saudi military base near Jizan.

Second view of captured and subsequently destroyed Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank

Saudi military Gurkha rapid patrol vehicle (RPV), abandoned and captured near Jizan by Ansarullah or allied forces

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank near Jizan, hit and destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces operating ATGM.

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank destroyed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, among three AFVs destroyed at this position near Jizan.

Saudi Toyota-platform LTV and Gurkha rapid patrol vehicle (RPV) destroyed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, apparent victims of ambush near Jizan.

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATVs destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

Remains of Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) believed operated by United Arab Emirates military, downed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces in the Mukayris region.

Sana'a government imagery of Scud-type ballistic missile, launched by Yemeni Army on 26AUG15 in the direction of Jizan, at same time Yemeni Army opened up with BM-27 Uragan MLRS artillery on Najran Domestic Airport.

Sana'a government claimed imagery of Scud-type ballistic missile launch on 26AUG15, in the direction of Jizan

Recent Saudi/UAE combat losses in the Yemen conflict (1)

Social media depictions of recent Saudi/UAE combat losses inflicted by Ansarallah/Yemeni Army forces in the Yemen conflict:

Major General Abdul Rahman Al-Shahrani, commander of 18th Infantry Brigade of Saudi Arabian Army reportedly KIA with members of RSLF on 23AUG15 by elements of Yemeni Army in Jizan province, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and armored wheel loader, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M88A1 Recovery Vehicle (ARV), disabled and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force Al Shibl 2 (“Cub 2”) armored vehicle, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force wheel loader, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia

Small arms and equipment, thrown down by fleeing Royal Saudi Land Force troops at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and unidentified fighting vehicle, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia..

Doomed Saudi AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, shot down by Ansarullah forces in the district of Harad, in the western Yemeni province of Hajjah.

Ansarullah forces operating Kornet ATGM against Royal Saudi Land Force AFVs at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Land Force AFVs being targeted by Ansarullah forces operating Kornet ATGM, at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Abandoned United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

OTR-21 Tochka (NATO: SS-21 Scarab) mobile missile launch system captured by Ansarullah forces

OTR-21 Tochka (NATO: SS-21 Scarab) mobile missile launch system captured and fired by Ansarullah forces

Ansarullah or allied force member. Note the Republic of Yemen tricolor. The primary local force of the Saudi/UAE led coalition fly the flag of South Yemen, not the flag of the Republic of Yemen.

Heavy Fighting in Yemen

Reports appearing in social media this morning indicate the UAE-led Yemeni resistance forces are on the move westward on Hwy N5 and are reaching Mareb (photo above).

A Twitter report says the UAE-led force, with Saudi helicopter air support, had entered Hadramaut’s town of Al Abr, in central-eastern Yemen, before heading west toward Mareb. If the report is confirmed, the offensive forces could have crossed into Yemen’s Hadramaut from Saudi border crossing of Al Wudaydah, traveling more than 300 km (nearly 200 miles) on roads through Hadramaut desert to reach Mareb. In fact, a Twitter post said a large force was rumored to cross Al Wudaydah toward Mareb. (Twitter/@omeisy, 22 August)

There were no reports of fighting and resistance by Houthi/Saleh forces against the offensive force reaching Mareb. Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, lies 200 km (125 miles) to the west of Mareb on N5 Hwy, a major road that can support Arab coalition’s heavy military equipment. The offensive could be the initial phase of the retaking of Sanaa by the Arab coalition-led forces.

Meanwhile, there are reports of heavy Houthi artillery fire at Southern Resistance positions inside the city of Taiz and Saudi airstrikes against Houthi position around the city, causing heavy casualties. The Houthis have been attempting to recapture Taiz, 330 km (205 miles) south of Sanaa. The resistance forces last week took control of the city and its Republic palace.

Social media also are publishing photos of Saudi commandoes disembarking from helicopters in Saada province, reportedly attacking Raghat Mountain hiding place of Houthi chief Abdul Malik Al Houthi.

UPDATE: AP quoting security officials reported Saturday night that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants have seized control of key areas in and around Aden. If confirmed, this would a major gain for AQAP, which has been making inroads amid chaos of the country’s civil war.

Photo credit: A twitter photo showing a UAE-led column of anti-Houthi fighters near Mareb, 125 miles east of Sanaa (Twitter/@Yemen_Updates, 22 August)

Obama says Iran advised Ansarullah against launching armed campaign in 2014

Saudi (RSLFAF) AH-64 Apache attack helicopter reported 05AUG15 to be shot down by Yemeni SAM in the district of Harad, in the western Yemeni province of Hajjah.

According to Huffington Post, dated 06AUG15:

Iran tried to hold back Shia rebels who were intent on taking the Yemeni capital of Sanaa at the height of the uprising in 2014, President Barack Obama told a group of reporters Wednesday afternoon.

The Houthi rebels, however, ignored the advice and marched on, precipitating a much wider war in Yemen.

Obama's observation confirms an earlier Huffington Post report that, contrary to widespread assumptions in the United States, Iran was not the driving force of the crisis in Yemen.

The president relayed the anecdote as an example of how Iran is calculating, rational and opportunistic in its interventions, rather than being wildly driven by the passions of its ideology, at a briefing with reporters to discuss the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers.

“When the Houthis started moving, that wasn’t on orders from Soleimani, that wasn’t on an order from the IRGC,” he said, referring to Qasim Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.”That was an expression of the traditional Houthi antagonism towards Sanaa, and some of the machinations of the former president, [Ali Abdullah] Saleh, who was making common cause out of expediency with the Houthis.”

"We watched as this proceeded. There were moments where Iran was actually urging potential restraint,” he said. ”Now, once the Houthis march in and there’s no there there” -- in other words, the government completely collapsed and Houthis expecting resistance found none at all -- “

Commentary: Iranian intelligence likely assessed risks inherent with Ansarullah launching armed campaign in 2014. What's more, with the subsequent Feb. 2015 pullout of Western embassy personnel in Sanaa providing indication of impending Saudi-led air offensive, their warnings appeared vindicated.

Also related to Yemen from Huffington Post is this 05AUG15 interview of ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh, click HERE. [h/t Tom Cooper] Excerpts:

Q: What do you consider to be the shortcomings of the Houthis?

A: Since they are now in charge of the county, Houthis should pay more attention to political work, and they should develop a convincing program, so that they can really present themselves as a superior alternative to Hadi the traitor and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Q: Did you know that they would take over Sanaa?

A: I have already clarified that I did not know that they would enter Sanaa, and that the person who was aware of that was the traitor Hadi, who helped them in order to undermine the Muslim Brotherhood and to get rid of them, as he did when he brought down Amran and got rid of Awlad al-Ahmar after they all became a burden.

Q: Among Saudi Arabia, Iran and Gulf countries, which do you consider a friend of the Yemeni people?

A: They are all friends. After its aggression on Yemen, Saudi Arabia is no longer a friend. It is a country that has assaulted my country and the Yemeni people.

The entire interview deserves a full read at Huffington Post Arabi.

Ships of a potential ‘Gulf of Aden incident’

File photos of vessels identified in a potential incident involving Iran Shahed, the Iranian vessel said transporting humanitarian relief supplies and workers from Bandar Abbas, Iran to Hodeidah, Yemen.

UNITED STATES NAVY

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Wasp class amphibious assault ship

Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group

ROYAL SAUDI NAVY

RSN Al Riyadh class (F3000S Sawari II) light multipurpose frigate (FF)

RSN Al Madinah class guided missile frigates (FF)

EGYPTIAN NAVY

ENS Alexandria (F911) Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigate (FFG)

(plus another unidentified Oliver Hazard Perry class guided-missile frigate)

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN NAVY

IRINS Alborz (72) Alvand (Vosper Mark V) class frigate (FFG)

Islamic Republic of Iran Navy 34th Fleet

IRINS Bushehr (422) Bandar Abbas class replenishment ship (AORLH)

Islamic Republic of Iran Navy 34th Fleet

IRAN SHAHED 'RESCUE SHIP'

Iran Shahed (IMO 9184691) cargo ship

Iran Shahed, flying Yemeni flags and displaying Red Crescent banners [photo: Saed Karimi]

NOT SHOWN:
USS Fort McHenry (LSD- 43) Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship / Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group

USS New York (LPD-21) San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock / Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group

Iraq-Iran joint presidential statement expressed at Tehran

President Faud Masum of Iraq and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran

According to IRNA:

Presidents of Iran and Iraq in a joint statement here on Thursday asked for ending Saudi-led military attacks in Yemen and that no third country is allowed to interfere in the friendly ties of the two neighboring countries.

Iran-Iraq relations are referred to 'strategic and serving both friendly countries' vital interests' in the two presidents' joint statement.

On prevailing regional political and security crises, the two presidents have stressed their joint viewpoints and mutual comprehension of the discussed issues and reiterated the need for continuous bilateral and multilateral consultations aimed at passing through the existing security challenges and strengthening of the regional ties.

Dr. Rouhani and President Masum meanwhile considered terrorism and extremism as the greatest challenges with which both the region and the world are entangled.

They condemned using terrorism and extremism are tools aimed at materializing political objectives, stressing the necessity of responsible cooperation among all regional and international players in campaign against all types of terrorism.

The two sides were agreed that comprehensive regional cooperation is needed to seek political and peaceful solutions for the regional crises free from military and political interventions in internal affairs of the regional countries.

The Iranian and Iraqi president have voiced deep worry about the ongoing developments in Yemen, stressing the need for ceasefire, ending the siege and rapid forwarding of humanitarian aids to that country and immediate beginning of national dialogue aimed at establishment of a new government based on Yemeni people's will.

President Rouhani and President Masum were agreed that continuation of crisis in Syria and attacks made by terrorist groups there posed a great threat against regional peace and stability.

“The international society must responsibly react to the developments in that country and encourage the whole national forces there to hold dialogue and achieve a Syrian-Syrian political strategy out of the prevailing and lingering crisis there,' they emphasized.

COMMENTARY: Interesting this joint statement was presented the same day as the joint statement provided by the U.S.-GCC Summit at Camp David.

The Iran-Iraq joint presidential statement provides another reminder how closely the two allied nations’ foreign policies are aligned since the foundational political outcome generated by Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The American perspective views Iran’s participation in the Syrian conflict as hypocritical insomuch as Iran expresses condemnation for the Saudi-led armed intervention in Yemen. However from the Iranian and Iraqi perspectives, the Saudi-led intervention has taken place after Yemeni President Hadi resigned and in their view, became a “fugitive" upon taking refuge in Saudi Arabia” Moreover, in the Syrian case, they contend, President Assad has remained in Syria and has gone on to be reelected in a wartime, multi-candidate election, with foreign observers on hand that included delegations from more than 30 countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, India, Iran, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela. At present, none of this changes the fact that the United Nations continues to recognize Bashar Assad as president of Syria and Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi as president of Yemen. Changes, if there are to be such, seem destined to the dictates of war.

Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 lost during operation over Yemen

File photo: RMAF Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon multirole fighter

According to Reuters:

A Moroccan F-16 warplane taking part in the Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting in Yemen went missing on Sunday, the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said in a statement.

[…]

"One of the F-16s of the Royal Armed Force (FAR) made at the disposal of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia to restore the legitimacy in Yemen went missing on Sunday at 6 pm local time," FAR's statement carried by the Moroccan state news agency MAP said.

The pilot of a second jet in the same squadron could not see if the pilot had ejected, it said. An investigation is under way, it added.

Aljazeera is reporting RMAF aircraft went down after being struck by hostile fire.

From the FAR description of the incident, aircraft appears to be RMAF Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 52+ type Fighting Falcon.

This is the third aircraft reported lost during the Saudi-led air war over Yemen: the first being a RSAF Boeing F-15S Strike Eagle multirole strike fighter and the second a RSALF or SANG Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

Ansarullah tactical counterstrikes inside Saudi Arabian territory

Still from video aired on Yemen television depicting Saudi Arabian Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, downed 07MAY15 in the al Buoke region, Saada Governorate.

Unclear if RSLAF Aviation Command or SANG Aviation Command. AFV at right possibly RSLF M60A3 main battle tank.

Houthi sources claim Apache downed by hostile action with crew fleeing scene. Upon query, Saudi Arabian source claims helicopter brought down by mechanical fault, with crew surviving.

Video evidence supports claim Houthi forces were on the scene, inside Saudi Arabian territory.

Ansarullah or their allies have also been shelling the Saudi Arabian city of Najran, with mortar and/or rocket fire since 06MAY15. Additionally, these forces have hit four Saudi Arabian border guard posts at Jizan and Najran, capturing five Saudi soldiers, killing a soldier and two civilians.

These actions reflect initiation of Houthi commander Ali al-Sham's public declaration of 24MAR15, to bring the war to Saudi Arabia should it intervene in the Yemen Civil War. (RSAF commenced airstrikes on Yemen the following day.)

Photo evidence from 06MAY15 of Najran under attack by Ansarullah or allied forces

Saudi Arabian security vehicle destroyed by shelling from Ansarullah or allied forces, 06MAY15 at Najran

COMMENTARY: These strikes by Ansarullah or allied forces reflect both an asymmetric response to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, as well as a probing for weak points with which to bring the war to within Saudi Arabian territory.