Tuesday, May 9, 2017

The New York Times reports that cholera has begun to spread rapidly in Yemen during the last weeks.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

As the Saudi-led coalition continues to consider an assault on the city of Hudaydah, Reuters reports the coalition claims it will ensure that alternative humanitarian assistance are maintained.

According to AP, Yemen’s planning minister has announced that 60% of Yemen’s population is now in dire poverty. His estimate that 22 million are in need of humanitarian assistance exceeds that of the UN (19.8 million).

Thursday, May 11, 2017

The ex-governor of Aden, Maj. Gen. Aidaroos al-Zubaidi, formed a new “transitional political council of the south” today, says the Washington Post. The council was formed after pro-secessionist demonstrations in support of the former governor, and is seeking the secession of southern Yemen, according to Reuters. Al-Zubaidi enjoys support from the UAE, says The New Arab, and the formation of the new southern council threatens to further complicate the political alliances in Yemen.

Local expert Nadwa al-Dawsari, writing for the Washington Post, weighs in on the divisions within Yemeni society, their development, and the impact they have on the potential for successful peace negotiations.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Reuters reports that 51 people have died since April 27 in a cholera outbreak throughout Yemen. Risk of the disease is heightened due to poor water quality and limited medical facilities.

The Yemeni government rejected the formation of the Transitional Political Council by former governor al-Zubaidi.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, met with ambassadors to discuss the possibility of resuming negotiations between all parties to the conflict in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the US draws nearer to completing a series of arms deals with Saudi Arabia that will total over $100 billion.

As the Gulf coalition continues to consider an attack on the port city of Hudaydah, the United Nations International Organization for Migration warns that 400,000 people would be displaced by such an assault.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Al-Jazeera reports that 115 people have now died from a cholera outbreak since late April, according to the ICRC. Dominik Stillhart, director of operations for the ICRC, characterized this most recent outbreak as “serious.” San’a has declared a state of emergency due to a recent cholera outbreak in the Houthi-controlled capital which killed dozens. Andalou Agency reports that a Houthi-run prison in the city is suffering from the outbreak as well, where 24 cases of cholera were confirmed.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, emphasized today that the UAE is still in line with the Saudi-led coalition’s interests in Yemen. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has joined the Hadi government in rejecting the formation of the southern Transitional Political Council by former Aden governor al-Zubaidi.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Al-Arabiya notes that in the wake of the formation of the southern Transitional Political Council on Thursday, Oman has confirmed its continued support for the Hadi-led government of Yemen.