Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:25 PM SAUDI ARABIA rm THE YEMENCONFLICT FACT SHEET: MILITARY TARGETING AND ITHE REDUCTION OF CIVILIRN no 2017 Target Selection Saudi Arabia has taken several steps to create a more thorough vetting process for target select-ion and validation for the Saudi-led Coalition's operations in Yemen. This process is meant to ensure that the Coalition: Adheres to the Law of Armed Conflict; Expands the 'No Strike List' now at over 33,000 targets; Enhances target criteriasuch as Damage Assessment and Collateral Damage Estimates; Observes the implementation of stricter Rules of Engagement. The Coalition has implemented additional vetting criteria for time-sen sitive targets. These criteria place extra responsibilities on Coalition pilots before conducting a mission. The Coalition adheres to a no?strike list that includes over 33,000 targets, as referenced above. This list includes 10cations provided by UN. and other humanitarian organizations on the grotrnd in Yemen, in addition to locations collected by the Coalition. Furthermore, the Coalition is constantly updating this list-and adding locations to it. Currently, the Coalition seeks to align its targeting practices and personnel training with NATO standards, and only personnel that meet these rigorous standards are involved in target selection. Informational Materials Distributed by Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (#5870) on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additional Information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:25 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/201 7 6:24:25 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT U.S. Cooperation Additionally. the Coalition is in regular consultation with the United States government regarding US. assistance in the vetting process. Saudi Arabia and the Coalition welcome the opporttmity to grant access to US. personnel to the Air Operations Center, and any other facilities where targeting is approved, to observe the decision-making process implementation of'such procedures. The Coalition believes that increased us. support for coalition operations, including assistance in Vetting targets, Will increaSe the effectiveness of operations, and more importantly reduce mistakes. Investigations: The Coalition has implemented recommendations of the Joint incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which is responsible for investigating any incidents where it is alleged that'Cojalition operations have targeted ciVilians. The ?ndings have?been made public. The aforementioned steps were largely instituted based on JIAT recommendations. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:25 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:26 PM SAUDI ARABIA and CONFLICT Farr sneer: winger Tana-arms grim ms neoUcnjon ojr cwrunu museums MAY 2017 Target SeleCtion Saudi Arabia has taken seVeral steps to create a more thorough vetting process for target selection and validation for the Saudi-led Coalition's operations in Yemen. This process is meant to ensure that the Coalition: Adheres to the Law of Armed Conflict; Expands the 'No Strike List? now at over 83.000 targets; Enhances target criteria such as Damage Assessment and Collateral DamageEsti'rnates; Observes the implementation of stricter Rules of Engagement. The Coalition has implemented additional vetting criteria for time-sensitive targets. These criteria place extra responsibilities on Coalition pilots before conducting a mission. The Coalition adheres to a no?strike list that includes over 33,000 targets, as referenced above This list includes locations provided by UN. and other humanitarian organizations on the ground in Yemen, in addition to locations collectedby the Coalition. Furthermore, the Coalition is constantly updating this list'and adding locations to it. Currently, the Coalition seeks to align its targeting practices and personnel training with NATO standards, and only personnel that meet these rigorous standards are involved in target selection. Informational Materials Distributed by Broynstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP (#5870) on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additional Information is on filewiththe Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:26 PM i Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:26 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT U.S. Cooperation Additionally, the Coalition is in regular consultation with the United States government regarding US. assistance in the vetting process. Saudi Arabia and the Coalition welcome the opportunity to grant access to US. personnel to the Air Operations Center, and any other facilities where targeting is approved, to observe the decision-making process implementation of such procedures. The Coalition belieVes that increased US. support for coalition operations, including assistance in vetting targets, will increase the effectiveness of operations, and more importantly reduce mistakes. Investigations: The Coalition has implemented recommendations of the Joint incident Assessment Team (JIAT), which is responsible for investigating any incidents where it is alleged that Coalition. operations have targeted civili ans. The IAT's ?ndings have been made public'The aforementioned steps were largely instituted based on JIAT recommendations. This is distributed by Qorvis of: behalfof the Royal Embassy of Saudi-Arabia. Additionat information is available at the Department Washington, D. C. Received by Registration, Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:26 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:33 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND COUNTERTERRORISM ContentsOverview: The Men, the Money and the Mindset: A Global Strategy to Defeat Terrorism and Extremism. The Men: Updates on Combating Terrorism The Money: Latest Developments in Combating Terror Financing The Mindset: The Fight Against Extremism Fighting and Defeating Daesh Chronology of Terrorism Against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2015 through February 2017 Op Ed: Saudi general: My country supports America's tough stance against ISIS terror and Iran Fox News, 26 March 2017 Op Ed: "The Sau?dis are Fighting Terrorism, Dont Believe Otherwise? Newsweek, 3 February 2016 Op Ed: "Saudi Arabia does not support Islamic State. terrorists - or any others? The Guardian, 17 August 2014 Op Ed: Don't Blame 'Wahhabism? for Terrorism Mohammed Alyahya, Nonresident Fellow Atlantc Council; New York Times, 19 October 2016 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:2017 REPORT Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARAPIA AND THE YEMEN 2017 REPORT Ol Executive Summary Yemen has experienced political turmoil and a climate of lawlessness for decades. In recent years, however, Iran?s covert support for a Yemeni faction exacerbated existing divisions and triggered a political and economic crisis that led to the violent ouster of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi in 2015. As Yemen found itself on the brink of civil war, an international coalition led by Saudi Arabia and supported by the United States intervened. Its objectives were to protect the civilian population from attacks by Iranian?supported Houthi militias, restore the legitimate government and prevent Yemen from becoming a safe haven for Al? Qaeda and a base for Iranian adventurisrn and subversion in the region. Saudi Arabia and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began an intense diplomatic effort aimed at avoiding civil war in Yemen when nationwide protests began in February 2011. Saudi Arabia helped to broker the departure of Yemen's longtime leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the formation of a National Unity government. It also promoted a United Nations?led National Dialogue among all political factions and free elections in 2012 in which Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi was elected presidentThis period of optimism was cut short by repeated attempts by the Houthis to sabotage the nation-building process. at ?rst by political obstruction, and then by military means. The root causes of the con?ict in Yemen are complex. The al Houthi family and the poiitical-rebel movement whose adherents collectively refer to themselves by "the I-Iouthis" have waged a decade?long campaign to achieve political power by military force. This campaign of aggression has aggravated longstanding divisions and produced attacks on both fellow Yemenis and Saudi civilians across the border. Their insurgency against Yemen?s central government has been aided by the financial and operational support of Iran?s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Lebanon?s Hezbollah militia. Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/20] 7 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ?9913?? AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 RUDD-RT te ts 01 Executive Summary 4 02 ovewiew of Saddi-led Coalition Achievements in Yemen 8 03 Strategic Interests in Yemen 12 04 The Houthis and Iran I 16 05 A Recent History of Yemen I 20 06 AQAP- and Daesh in Yemen 30 07 Houthi Violations I 34 08 Hunianitarian Aid to the People of Yemen 38 09 Blockade Accusations 42 10 steps to'Reduce Civilian Casualties . 44 1 1 Appendix 50 3 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT a i, china 5 I ?nd-MW .a if 5? we? $134!? 9% -: 9?91; Wm mfg-23.Q?xewx?t, ?b 5 ?53% l" . ?3?va -- v-{ag a vac?? '53 Wamov?wxm . Wm ax x; . President Hadi stated that Yemen would have fallen in four days and would have been an Iranian state had it not been for the Operation Decisive Storm launched by Arab milita coalition under the leadership of Saudi Arabia. Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT SAUDI ARABPA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Iran?s interference in Yemen is of a piece with its activities in Lebanon, Iraq, and elsewhere-and Iranian involvement has escalated in Yemen as the con?ict wore on. Indeed, upon the capture of the Yemeni capital, Sana?a by the Houthis in 2014, a prominent Iranian government of? cial boasted that Iran now controls four Arab capitals, with Sana?a joining Beirut. Baghdad and Damascus.? Iran has smuggled weapons into Yemen, in violation of an arms embargo imposed by the United In 2014, a prominent Nations Security Council, that have been Iranian government used to attack Saudi, US. and Emiratiships off the Yemeni coast and civilians in Saudi boasted that lran Arabia. Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Qods Force?the external C0ntr0 5 fourArab arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard capitals, with Sana?a Corps?met top IRGC of?cials in Tehran in February 2017 to evaluate plans that would jOining BEirUt, Baghdad further advantage the Houthis in Yemen. A senior Iranian of?cial told Reuters, "Yemen and is 'where the real proxy war is going on, and winning the battle in Yemen will help de?ne the-balance of power in the Middle East.?2 As President Hadi sought to draft a constitution that could represent the interests of all Yemenis and capitalize on the achievements of a political transition endorsed by the United Nations, former president ?Saleh found common cause with Iran and its Houthi allies, who sought to unilaterally redraw Yemen?s internal boundaries in their favor. The I-Iouthis resisted repeated diplomatic efforts by multilateral organizations to find a political solution. As violence escalated, the international community eXpres?s?ed grave concern at the prospect of a coup d?etat by an Iranian-backed extremist militia that had already violently occupied several cities, seized government posts, and bombed the Presidential Palace. 1 Middle East Monitor, ?Sana'a is the fourth Arab capital to join the iranian revolution,? September 2014 2 Reuters, "Exclusive: Iran steps up support for Houthis in Yemen?s war March 22, 201'? Received by R?gistration Unit 05/ 6/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM ARABFA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT It was successive Houthi military offensives throughout 2014 and 2015 that ?nally provoked the Hadi government to request the intervention of what was to become the Saudi-led coalition. Military action was based upon the principle of self-defense contained in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Preventing Houthi control of Yemen and protecting Yemen?s neighbors the Houthis? arsenal of ballistic weapons, tanks and other advanced military equipment was essential to the national security of Saudi Arabia and other nations. As part of the effort to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, Saudi Arabia and its Coalition partners haVe also degraded the ability of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Daesh (ISIS) to use Yemeni territory as a safe haven. AQA-P terrorists have exploited the security vacuum that followed the Houthi assault on Sana?a in September 2014, and eXpanded their presence in the specifically Yemen?s southern and eastern regions. In April 2015, AQAP ?ghters attacked and occupied the strategic port city of'Mukalla, which was subsequently liberated by Yemeni armed forces. in collaboration with Saudi and Emirati special forces. Today, AQAP does not control a single city in Yemen. In November 2014, D?aesh established a foothold in Yemen and began to directly target Coalition forces in Yemen in response to the Kingdom?s coordinated efforts to degrade the terror group's operational biases in Syria. Saudi Arabia remains committed to a peaceful, diplomatic and multilateral solution to the crisis in Yemen. Saudi Arabia supports the UN-led efforts to achieve a political solution in Yemen based upon UNSC Resolution 2216, the GCC initiative, and the outcomes of the National Dialogue. Although military intervention in Yemen was necessary to present Yemen?s collapse, the solution to the country?s conflict will be political: the formation of a new national unity government, with power shared among the parties. Such a unity government would respect the sanCtity of international borders, ensure Yemen?s territorial integrity, and prohibit the deployment of weapons from Yemeni territory that threaten international wa'ter'Ways or the security of Yemen?s neighbor's. A stable, prosperous and self?goyerning Yemen free of foreign influence and tranSnational terrorist organizations is within reach. its the single-largest donor of humanitarian aid to Yemen, the Kingdom has committed to play a substantial role-in future reconstruction efforts. Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2b1?7 SAUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT . - 1 my? 1. l1: 'g-n ,1 Received by Registration Unit 0'5/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT 072 Overview of Saudi?led Coalition Achievements in Yemen I Following are the achievements in the campaign against Iran-backed Houthi separatists as Well as against the terrorist organizations in Yemen: Improved Containment of Iranian Influenceon the Arabian Peninsula After the fall of the legitimate Yemeni government at the beginning of 2015 because of the Houthi offensive, Iran sought to provide the Houthis with political and ?nancial support The I?Iouthis subsequently became the. single largest militia force in the country; and were particularly strong in north and central Yemen. The Honthis were then able to direct significant violence at Saudi targets: In July 2015, Houthi military units shelled Saudi military sites in Jizan Province. Between May 2015 and January 27, 2017, the Kingdom intercepted more than 40 missiles launched at Saudi territory from Yemen? nine of these missiles have struck Saudi territory. A convoy of Iranian ships headed to the Gulf of Aden in March 2016 carrying weapons to that group?s militia was intercepted by US. naVal vessels responding to Saudi Arabia?s request. Saudi intervention has stalled Iranian ambitions to turn Yemen into a proxy?state and Houthi militias into another Hezbollah. Substantial Eradication of Houthi-Ied \Separatism Houthi rebels participated in the Yemeni national dialogue and agreed to its outcOrnes. The Houthis, however, r'eneg'ed in their commitments and launched a military offensive occupying the city of Amran in the summer of 2014 and the capital of Sana?a in- September Arabia's-intervention, done as a response to a request by the legitimate government of Yemen, prevented the fall of Aden and supported the legitimate government in regaining control over more than 85 percent of Yemen?s territory. 3 The Missile War in Yemen; Missile Defense Project, Center for Strategic a'nd International Studies Received by Registration Unit 05/ l6/2017 6:24:28 PM .. raver-rear .. ?<94 Erosion of Religious Extremism Saudi Arabia is the single largest donor of humanitarian Left unchecked {,em 811.8 political power struggle aid to Yemen, having contributed over $847 million in food, medicine?shelterand otherassistance and resulting Civil warvvould have left that country more vulnerable to the violent in?uence of terror groups already in?aming the region. Reduction of Aggression Against Yemen'sCiVilian Population Over the course of the war, Houthis have bombed civilians on the ground, used child soldiers, and Withheld humanitarian food assistance as a means of intimidation. In Taiz, where the Houthis used such brutal tactics against civilians, Saudi Arabia dropped food and rnedicine to relieve the siege against the city. Resumption of Humanitarian Assistance Saudi Arabia has been able to extend significant humanitarian support to helpamelior?ate the suffering of a pepu'lation that was devastated by internal. conflict long before Riyadh-?3 decision to intervene. The Kingdom has been the single largest donor of humanitarian aid to Yemen, contributing more than $847'rnillion during the conflict. In April 2015, responding to an appeal by the United Nations. the Kinngm gaVe $274 million to support UN efforts 10 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM SQUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT $267 million in assistance. Such aid is not new: Riyadh pledged $3 billion to help Yemen implement reforms against poverty and hunger in 201.2 and donated millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum pr?odtiCts to assist with Yemen's energy needs that year and beyond. T'hwart'ing the Menace of AI-Qaeda and the Rise of Daesh Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), cited by the us. State Department in 2014 as the greatest threat to Saudi internal security, sought to. exploit the Yemen civil war for its own objectives, including suicide bombings that targeted Saudi and Western nationals. Daesh has penetrated Yemen, having carried out car lives by the end of December 2015. Terrorist strongholds have subsequently been liberated by Coalition forces. Diplomatic Efforts Saudi Arabia, the GCC, 610 countries and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General have worked diplomatically to seek a peaceful transition of government. In 2011, political parties in Yemen agreed to accept the GCC Initiative. However, while Riyadh and President Hadi have sought? compromise with I?louthi forces?including parliamentary representation and greater autonomy Within Yemen?s prov'inceS?he Houthis chose to attempt to win territory through military action. Today, diplomatic efforts are mainly UN?led with the political support of Saudi Arabia, the GCC and the international community. The Kingdom and its Coalition partners continue to prevent further destabilization and create a more hospitable climate for negotiations. Left unchecked, the Houthi militias, backed by Iran, would have taken control of Yemen-along with its military arsenal of. ballistic weapons, tanks and other advanced military equipment-and turned those weapons on its neighbors. Saudi Arabia continues to Work toWard a peaceful Solution that maintains the integrity and independence of Yemen. Saudi Arabia is committed to providing the ?nancial support necessary to rebuild Yemen and improve the quality of life for all Yemenis. Without Sa?udi involvement, Yemen?s conflict could have produced unacceptable consequences for regional and international security. ?11 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6 2 28 201? REPORT SAUDIARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT ?hm? l??gl Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT 03 Strategic Interests in Yemen The strategic interest of Saudi Arabia in securing stability in 'Yemen and in - maintaining the legitimate, pepularly-ele'cted national government of President Abd?Rabbuh Mansour I?Iadi is four-fold: securing Saudi Arabiafs border, stemming Iran?s regional expansionist ambitions, combating terrorist threats and safeguarding regional security. Many of Saudi Arabia?s strategic interests in seeing stability in Yemen are in line With international priorities in the region. In particular, with respect to ?ghting terrorism, containing Iranian aggression, and promoting regional stability and cooperation, the interests of the United States and Saudi Arabia run parallel. Combating Iranebjackejd Houthi vi'olenCe directed against the Yemeni population and, by extension, against Saudi Arabia is the first strategic priority of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has endured unprovoked attacks towards its Jizan Province, Houthi ballistic missile attacks against civilians, and attacks against Saudi border security forces: To date, Houthi separatists have attempted more than 40 missile strikes against Saudi Arabia from the Yemen border and coastal territories, with nine such attempts striking Saudi land. Secondly,.Saudi Arabia?s interest in quelling this con?ict also includes thwarting the geopolitical expansionist ambitions of Iran in Yemen a sentiment also echoed by the Kingdom's Coalition partners and allies. Iran, the world?s biggest state sponsor of terrorism, has provided Houthis with weaponry, ?nancial support and training as part of an effort to swing Yemen in favor of lran?s regional ambitions. Iran has publicly admitted that they will continue to meddle in Yemen?s domestic politics, telling Renters "Yemen is Where 13 ReceiVed b'y ARA Registfatidn Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT 11; SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN the real proxy war is going on and winning the battle in Yemen will help define the balance of power in the Middle East." Iran has backed the Houthi militia, an effort that dates back over a decade. The Houthis have been a proxy for Iran, much is seeking to extend its in?uence in the region, and iran has provided the Houthis with weaponry, financial support'and training. It will be necessary to break Iranian in?uence in order to bring stability to Yemen and restore peace in the region. The burden of keeping iran in check will have to be shared by a Strong Arab cjoalition backed by the United States. all while continuing to press-the attack on terrorist organizations. The United States has committed to standing by Saudi Arabia to-accomplish this. Additionally; the international community has strategic interest in preventing Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), long a highly active terrorist group Operating in Yemen, from taking advantage of civil strife and political con?ict in Yemen to eirtend its presence th'ere..AQAP is considered by the US. Department of Homeland Security to be the Al Qaeda af?liate "most likely to attempt transnational attacks against the United States." To date. that terrorist group has unsuccessfully attempted to target the US. at least three times - using concealed explosive deVi?ces designed to destroy commercial aircraft or detonate inside parcel packages. The intelligence services of Saudi Arabia helped disrupt two of these plots. The status of Yemen as a safe haven for transnational terrorist organizations has challenged four consecutive US. Presidents. Since the bombing of the USS Cole on Oct 12, 2000, terrorist groups have continued to threaten US. interests in Yemen. For example, a September 2008 attack on the US. embassy in Senate resulted in 18 killed. and 16 wounded. in November 2014, AQAP claimed it had attempted to kill US. Ambassador Matthew Theller, but the two bombs were detected minutes before their damnation. Furthermore, terrorist plots originating in Yemen have threatened the US. homeland. Saudi and American intelligence have worked together to foil these terrorist plots. For example, Saudi intelligence was crucial in toiling a 2010 AQAP plot to detonate-a bomb lodged in a printer on-a cargo plane boimd for Chicago. The US. State Department and National Counter Terrorism Center has designated the Received by Registration Unit 05/163017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Un?it 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT group as the most aotive of terrorists openly With respect 'tO ?ghting intent on attacking the US. homeland. The con?ict in Yemen, and all developments that terrorism, contain Ing stern from it, are a vital part of the United States? Global War on Terror. Restoration of the legitimate, internationally?recognized promoting regionaI government of Yemen would further enhance US. counterterrorisrn objectives in Yemen, Stabl and cooperation, Finally, there is the Kingdom's interest in the IntE-reStS Of th unlted safeguarding regional sje'ourity. Yemen is States and Saudi Arabia of considerable geopolitical importance. The country, with its 1,184-rnile coastline, is run parallel. Strategically located next to the Bab al Mandab strait, through which commercial oil tanker-s carry an estimated 3.4 million barrels per day (3. ?36 to 4% of the global oil supply):1 .Iranian aggression, and United States foreign policy, as articulated by President Donald Trump, places a greater emphasis on us. allies taking greater responsibility for their own regional security. Saudi Arabia is in full agreement With this policy. Indeed, .Saudi efforts to Stabilize Ye'r?n'er'i are an effort to assert the Kingdom?s role as a guarantor of regional stability. These areas of agreement were. further outlined by Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al?Jubeir in remarks to the Munich Sebur'ity Conference on February 19, 2017: "[President l?rtirrip] believes in destroying Daesh; so do We. He believes in containing Iran; so do we. He believes working with traditional aDies; so do we. and When we look at the composition of the Cabinet and the personalities that be appointed: Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of CommercerSeoretary of Treasury. These are Very ekpe'r'i?nbed, highly skilled. highly capable individuals Who share that worldview." 4 Research Service. ?{ernen: Background and US. Relations?: Jeremy M. Sharp; February 31, 2015. For information on-the geostrategic position of Yemen, see also: he United States Energy Administration, ?Worm Oil Transit Chokepoints", 2012;avaitab1e at '15 by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by NSDIFARA Registration'Uhit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2013' REPORT SAUDIARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT @237ng rye-ya . w; a - ?can: ?x Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM I i 04 The Houthis and Iran Iran?s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have provided the Houthis with money, training, and sophisticated WeapOnry for more than a decade, according to the US, State Department. The Revolutionary Guard is believed to have transferred rocket and missile Capability as well. "Iran continues to provide arms to the Houthi forces. despite a UN. security COuncil resolution prohibiting such actions.? said Senator Bob Corker to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on March 9, 2017. "Houth'is have used these weapons to attack US. ships off of the Yemeni coast, and they are launching missiles across the border into Saudi Arabia" A Houthi sniper trains his sights on Sana'a. Iran has supplied the Houthis with weaponry, financial support and training. Thomas Jos'celyn of the Foundation of the Defense of Democracies at the same hearing added, ?There is no ques?tidn that Iran and the Hou'this are allies.? He continued: "It is in Iran?s interest to work with the I-Iouthis against Saudi?backed forces in Yemen, while also encouraging Houthi incursions into the Saudi kingdom?. These statements sum up the general US. government View of the Iranian relationship with the Houthi forces as well-as that of the Gulf and other Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen The US. Governmenthas long recognized Iran as?on'e of the Houthis? two key backers, the other being former President Saleh and his n?tWork. In its Cotintry' Reports on Terrorism 2012, the State Department noted. 5 5 Country Reports on Terrorism; 2012; US. Department of State; May 30, 2013 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT g; 9. I 4 I gx?nhn 3 ifik ve?s?l io?atio?s 'af? i . 333ham?, Received by Registration Unit 05/ I 6/201 7 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT 05 A Recent History of Yemen Yemen has always ?been a fragile state, one that hostile foreign actors have used as a proxy for their own regional ambitions. Throughout Yemen?s history, the United States and saudi Arabia have partnered with the legitimate government of Yemen to ?ght transnational terrorist groupsand promote regional stability. Hostile actors such as Iran, however, have preyed upon internal political divisions in the country to destabilize Yemen and use it as a base?to threaten Saudi territory, as well as disrupt vital commercial shipping lanes. Meanvvhile, transnational terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Daesh have taken advantage of internal diVisions in Yemen to carve out a safe haven for terrorist activities. The Al-Qaeda bombing of the USS Cole in October 2000 in Aden harbor was the ?rst of many attacks on Western targets in Yemen in recent years. In September 2004, a Yemeni court sentenced two men to death and four others to prison terms for orchestrating the suicide bombing of the USS Cole. Continuous Counterinsurgency: 2004-2011 In June 2004, Houthi rebels began a revolt in the northern province of Saa?da. On August 5, 2004, Yemeni of?cials announced a major offensiVe to quash this rebellion in these northern mountains. In the six-week conflict that ensued, 500 people were killed?the ?rst large~scale death toll in the con?ict. By 2007. the Yemeni gOvernrnent seized bases belonging to the Houthis in northern Yemen, folloWing ?ghting that claimed 4,000 lives and drove approximately 2,500 civili ans from th eir homes. On June 16, 2007, representatives of both sides announced a cease?re in that three-year ?ght. The cease?re was broken on January 10, 2008 when I-Iouthis attacked military bases near Jabal 21 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT The U8. and its ailies have intercepted multiple shipments from Iran to the Houthis that have included coasted defense systems, according to senior US. of?cials. Tehran has stepped up its assistance since May 2016. sending anti?ship missiles. explosives, and personnel. . 71. :Earwm, inmm?mm? theoas?w-renai- _19 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDE AND THE YEMEN 2017 arbour Mansour Hedi was elected president in a momentous vote that marked a new chapter of optimism for legitimate governance in Yemen. As part of the GCC Initiative, a National. Dialogue Conference, structured by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2051, began in 2013. The details of the accord were worked out by the United Nations, led by Special Envoy Jamal L. Benoma?r. President Hedi had managed to bring together all the nation's political factions?including the Ho?uthiswin an attempt to reach consensus on governance. A Saudi solider patrols the Saudi-Yemeni border. Houthi militias have fired over 55,000 projectiles into-Saudi territory. The NDC started its sessions on March 18, 2013, and all parties agreed on a politicalfroad map?- following the conclusion of the NDC on January 24, 2014. The NDC called for Aden and Hadramawt to be the south's two new federal regions, with the remaining four federal regions to be in the north. The-capital, Sana?a, would have a special status. The next step was drafting the constitution. The Houthis, who had initially agreed to support the outcome of NBC, obstructed its implementation. Houthi Destabiljzation; 201 442,01 5' The promise of progress and stability arising from Yemen's political transition began to erode throughout 2014 and early 2015. When the NDC concluded in January 2014, Yemen?s political transition was not yet complete. The National Dialogue worked to modify the goiternment structure and the rights of citizens. Still, a constitution was yet to be drafted, a referendum on its-approval had to be held, and subsequent presidentialrand parliamentary elections were still on hold. Many international observers were concerned that the momentum in Yemen would shift from the positive gains made by President Hadi to those oppOSed to the internationally-backed transition process?namely, former president Saleh and his Houthi allies who-sought to redraw Yemen?s internal boundaries in their favor. 23 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT- 214 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Within weeks, the Houthi movement, at war with the government on?and-off since. 2004, launched another military offensive against various local allies of President I?ladi. In February 2014, days after the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference, the Houthis launched an attack against tribal forces in Arman province. Forces aligned with former President Saleh reportedly joined the Houthis. in Mayi a brigade of the Yemeni Army with ties to former General Ali Mohsen (who had fought the Houthis in previous rounds of con?ict) engaged Houthi ?ghters in Amran. By July, Houthis had seized the province and. city of Amran, killing the leader. of the brigade that had been dispatched to stop the Houthis. Beginning in August, Houthi protesters surrounded the capital, demanding that the government resign and fuel subsidies be reinstated. (Yemen has the highest level of energy subsidies in the region). Severnrnen't sec'urity forces clashed with Houthis encamped around the capital, killing several people. By September, Houthis had taken control of Sana?a, gaining control of principal government buildings and forcing the resignation of the Yemeni prime minister, Mohammed BasindaWa. I On September 21, 2014, the United Nations brokered a ceasefire agreement knoWn as the PeaCe and National Partnership Agreement. Under the terms of the deal. the Houthis and-a separatist movement in the southern part of the country were to be granted greater representation in a new government. The deal also called for the reinstatement of fuel subsidies, An annex to the deal, which the Houthis did not sign, called on that group to abide by the cease?re, disarm their militia, and leave the capital. On November 7, Yemeni of?cials announced the formation of a new government consistent with the terms of the Peace and Partnership Agreement. However, the Houthis and the General People?s refused to participate in the new government. On the same day, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 21.40 (asset freeze and travel ban) on former president Saleh and Houthi leaders Abd al 'Khaliq a1 Huthi and Abdullah Yahya a1 Hakim. The United States, which had sought the sanctions, announced that "As of fall 2012- Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one of the primary-supporters of the Houthi rebellion. Saleh Was behind the attempts to cause chaos throughout Yemen.? A day after the formation of the new government and the imposition of Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017? 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 62-24528 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT In I v; Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 26 As of fall 2012, Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one. of the primary supporters of the Houthi rebellion, Saleh' was behind the attempts?- to cause chaos throughout Yemen. US. Letter to United Nations Security Council, October 31, 2014 sanctions, the former ruling party headed by err-president Saleh ousted President Hedi from his role as the party?s Secretary General, In addition, AQAP claimed that it tried to assassinate us. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller, but its bombs were detected ?minutes before their detonation"6 Thto'ughout the Winter of 2014, the Houthis continued to circumvent the authority of President Hadi. The group unilaterally appointed regional governors and rejected the appointment of a new army chief of staff. Despite politcal efforts, the continued to retain armed militiamen in the capital. Houthi militiamen detained President Hadi's chief of staff, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, one of the primary ?gures involved in the drafting process of the new constitution. Houthi aggression continued in early 2015, led by troops loyal to Abdul Malik a1 Houthi. The Presidential?Palajc'e was seized on January 20, 2015 and Houthi militias attacked the private residence of President Hadi in Sana?a, This Houthi leader was praised by Mohsen Rezaei, former Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander, claiming "Congratulations to you, the heroic resistance of the people and the glorious Victory or you the children of Islam"? The Houth?is placed President Hadi under house arrest, and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and his cabinet resigned. 6 Agence rance Presse, 'Qaeda kilis 'dozens' in Yemen as government tanned.? November 8, 2014 7 ?lran's Mohsen Rezaei Writes Open Letter to Yemen's Abdul Malik a] Houthi,? 'I'asnim News Agency, March 30, 2015. English transiation at Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT On February 6, the Hou?th?i movement illegally disbanded Parliament and attempted to establish the appointive Supreme Revolutionary Committee as the highest governing authority. By this time. the Houthi-Saleh coup controlled elements of the Yemeni Army, including its air forces and ballistic missile capabilities. President Hedi ?ed Sana'a and moved to Aden. Regional Intervention: 201 S?Present FolloWing the failure among political factions to produce a consensus government in the wake of the coup against l-ladi, the Houthis unilaterally announced an e'Xtra?constitutional governance plan, while the United States, United Nations. and Gulf Cobperation Council (GOO) called for President Hadi?s return to of?ce. On February 10. the US. State Department announced that it would suspend embassy operations in Sana?a and was relocating U.-S. personnel elseWhere. In March 2015, the Houthi militias. in an alliance With former president Saleh, continued their offensive and seized Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, including the international airport. 'They advanced to Aden, where they surrounded the Presidential Palace and threatened to kill or capture President Hadi. On March 8, 2015, Saudi Arabia. in response to a request by President Hadi, invited Yemeni factions to hold a cbnfere'nce under the umbrella of theGCC in Riyadh. The Houthis and their allies declined. l-Iouthi militias bombed the Presidential Palace using seized aircraft from the Yemeni air forceson March 19, 2015. On March 25. 2015, the Houthis expanded their control over most cities in Ye'rnen, seizing the southern capital, Aden. The Kingdom had by then clearly communicated that any move to capture Aden would trigger military action. The Saudi government the?n-annoirnced that it Would intervene in Yemen with a coalition consisting of nine other nations: United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan. Qatar, Sudan, Senegal and Kuwait. On March26, Saudi Arabia, leading the Coalition, launched Operation Decisive Storm. The Coalition?s March 2015 operations in Yemen came in response to an appeal for assistance by the legitimate president of Yemen, Abd-Rabbu'h Mansour Hedi, based upon the principle of self~clefense contained in Article 51 of the UN Charter. A coup d??tat by an eitr'em'ist militia supported by Iran had resulted 27 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 6/2017 6:24:28 PM Rejc?eivefd by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT in the occupation of several cities (including Sana'a), the seizure of government posts,- and the bombing of the Presidential Palace. The Houth?is and forces loyal to former president Saleh occupied major cities in violation of international law, the GCC Initiative, and the outcomes of the National Dialogue. to which the Honthis had given their consent. operation Decisive Storm: March 2015 Meme as. see me armed Rabbgh Ma'nsour Hadi, based open the principle or Self- forces at the reqt'iest of President Hedi to help resist defense in mic"? 510* the UN.- Chane? l-louthi aggression. The l-Iotithis were advancing toward the southern city of Aden, Where the Yemeni govemrnent Was based, in order to remove him from power in another attempted coup, The Ill-country Coalition joined the military campaign in order to protect and defend the. legitimate government of Yemen. Saudi Arabia pledged to protect the peeple of Yemen and its legitimategove'rnr?nent from a takeovet by the Houthi?s, Gulf of?cials also stated that theoperation was intended to deter the strategic threat against Gulf states posed byethe Houthi- advance and trans growing strategic designs in the region. Several Gulf states joined Saudi Arabia in military operations. The United Arab Enarates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar all contributed air Support. Non?Gulf states of Jordan, Morocco, and-Sudan also showed their support for Operation DecisiveStorm. These COalition members lent theit support out ofea desire to preserve the legitimate govemment of Yemen under President Hedi. Operation Ren?eWal of 2015-Prese?nt Or'i April20, 2015, Saudi spokesman for the Coalition forces, Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri announced that Operation Decisive. Storm had ended-and would bee-replaced by a new campaign, Operation Renewal of Hope. The new operation Was to mark the start of a more lirriit?d military darnpa'igr?i aimed at preventing the rebels from. operating. Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh that day, Asiri said that Decisive Stonn?s 28 Reoeiyed by Reg'istrati'oii Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT The United States stepped up its efforts to prevent Iranian interference in Yemen and Tehran?s supplying of weapons to the Houthis. The US. Navy sent the USS Theodore Ronsevelt to Yemen-on April 20,2015 tojoin other American ships prepared to intercept Vessels carrying weapons. heavy airstrikes would be scaled down. Asiri maintained that the goals of the coalition?s new phase,,Renewal of Hepe. are to prevent Houthi rebels from ?targeting civilians or changing realities on the ground.? At this time, the US. stepped. up its efforts to prevent Iranian interference in Yemen and Tehran?s supplying of W'eapbns to the Houthis. White House spokesperson Joshua Earnest announced at a press conference on April 20, that Iran Was-seeking to supply weapons to that rebel group, in violation of UN. Security Council Resolution 2216. Which authorized an arms embargo against the Houthis. The US. Navy sent the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Yemen on April 20, 2015 to intensify security and join other American ships prepared to intercept any Iranian vessels carrying weapons to the Houthis. In March 2016, Yemeni President I?ladi declared that Yemen's national army and popular resistance forces had liberated more than 85 percent of the Yemeni territories from Hodthi militia control and from the Houthi~allied forces of the ousted former president Ali Abdullah Sal eh. President Hadi also said during these interviews that Yemen would have "fallen in four days" and would have been "an Iranian state" had it not been for the launch of Operation Decisive Storm by the Arab military coalition under the leadership of Saudi Arabia.a 8 Saudi Gazette, ?Over 85% of Yemen liberated: Hadi.? March 3. 2016 29 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM sg??'gwws '12: 2917 REPORT SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Recei v'e?d by Regi strati am?m mu. 3 3m g?gmgg gi .?mmu . 9: 5w . a? ml o,8q Unit 05/16/2017 6 :24: 2 8PM RecjeiVed by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 06 AQAP and Daesh in Yemen BothAl-Qaedain the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Daesh have been able to exploit the political and security vacuum left by the civil war in Yemen to expand their presence and influence in the corintry..Saudi allies have Undertaken a campaign to combat and dismantle the dangerous terrorist organizations throughout Yemen. While the rise of terrorism in parts of Yemen has been rapid, Saudi Arabia and the legitimate Yemeni government have forced dangerdus terrorist cells to retreat from key coastal cities of Muk alla. Aden and others. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Al-Qaeda has deep roots inside Yemen. Osarna bin Laden. and Ayman a1 Zawahiri?s men first began to lay the groundwork for Al-Qaeda?s organization inside Yemen in the. early 19903. Several different terrorist organizations, including the Army of Aden Abyan and Al?Qaeda in Yemen (AQY), both considered predecessors of AQAP. haVe been able to take advantage of decades of political instability in the country to become serious terrorist threats to both Saudi Arabia and Western countries. AQY and its af?liates made terrorism against Western countries a top priority and successfully carried out several attacks against Western targets, including the bombing of the USS Cole in October 2000 that killed 1? US. service members. After the Al?Qaeda-Orchestrated attacks on September 11, 2001. the US. became more involved in countering the terrorism in Yemen by deploying special forces on the ground and executing drone strikes targeted at Al-Qaeda leadership. These counterterrorisrn campaigns were successful in weakening the organizations and diminishing the groups? members. however, several groups were able to exploit. the lack of consistent pressure to form AQAP in the late 2000s After forming AQAR the group one of the world's most-dangerous terrorist organizations. The group was formally designated a terrorist organization by the US: State Department in January 2010.0ver the past decade, the group has been responsible Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT 31 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT 32 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT for some of the most-notable terrorist attacks in the region and throughout the world. AQAP inspired or orchestrated the January 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, the failed bombing on a Detroit-bound plane in December 2009, and attacks on the us, Italian and British embassies in Yemen. in 2009, an AQAP suicide bomber attempted to assassinate Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif, then serving as deputy interior minister. in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia has been an international force in combatting the rise of terrorism in the Middle East, including AQAP in Yemen. For example, Saudi intelligence was crucial in toiling a 2010 AQAP plot to detonate abomb lodged in a printer on a Chicago-bound cargo plane. Today, Saudi Arabia, along With the military coalition in Yemen and Western allies, are foctrsed on defe'ating'AQAP and determined to prevent Yemen from being a safe haven for terrori sts. The expansionist goals and tactics of the Houthi militias in Yemen have been a boon for AQAP recruitment efforts. Since the Houthis overthrew President Hedi, AQAP terrorists have expanded their presence in the country, Speci?cally the southern and, eastem? regions. AQAP was able to take advantage of the security vacuum in the country and establish based across a large stretch of Yemen's southern coast. . In April 2015, AQAP ?ghters attacked the port city of Mukalla and were able to seize centrol of the city?s key buildings and infrastructure. AQAP ?ghters in. Mukalla stormed a prison during the attack, reportedly freeing approximately- 300 imprisoned terrorists. The practice of freeing inmates has become a regular tactic for AQAP since the Houthis consolidated p?o?Wer. A few Week?s after AQAP gained control of Mukalla, the Yemeni armed forces, in collaboration with Saudi and Emirati special forces, conducted a multi-faceted attack on AQAP in Muk'alla in order to retake the city. The campaign, which included airstrikes and ground forces, was successful in driving AQAP from the city and is estimated to have killed up to 800 terrorist ?ghters.g Since the liberation of Mirkalla in April 2016, Al Qaeda in the Arabia Peninsula does not control cities in Yemen. D'aesh - In November 2014, after AQAP was weakened by the counterterro'risrn campaign led by Saudi Arabia and its allies, Daesh established a foothold in Yemen and formally announced a branch in the country. As of 2015, at least eight sub~?groups have operated under the banner of Daesh in Yemen, though the activity of each geographic cell is Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/201 7 6:24:28 PM SAUDI nanam AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT inconsistent across the country. Daesh in Yemen has made opposition to both Saudi Arabia and Houth'i militias a large part of its ideology. In response to the progressive loss of AQAP forces in US. airstrikes, Daesh ?ghters presented itself as an alternative to attract a new cadre of followers, some of whom defected from AQAF: Through 2016, estimated that Daes?h in Yemen had hundreds of followers. The group gained international attention in march 2015 with the execution of its ?rst attack in Yemen. Daesh claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings on mosques in Sana'a. The attacks, which killed 137 and wounded. 357, marked the beginning of an ongoing series of executions and bombings targeting mosques, Houthi headquarters, and Yemeni army bases. Daesh has played an increasingly antagonistic role in Yemen's civil war. The group has exploited instability and the country'spow'e'r vacu'tirn to wage war against the legitimate Yemeni governmentln October 2015, Daesh launched its first attack against Yemeni government installations through coordinated suicide bombings in Aden, targeting Yemeni forces under President Hadi and the Saudi-led military coalition. .In December 2015, Daesh called for attacks against Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the Kingdom?s participation in the 68-member Global Coalition Against Daesh and conducting airstrikes against Daesh targets in SyriaDaesh has directly targeted coalition forces in revenge for their coordinated efforts to degrade the tenor group's operational bases in Syria. In particular, Daesh ?ghters have placed Saudi forties in their drosshairs asrthe coalition has sticcessfully liberated areas?of Yemen from Houthi and AQAP control. The expansion of military coordin'ati on between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni government forces has prompted an uptick in violent terror from Daesh-af?liate militants. As Saudi Arabia has inc?reaSed its support to the Yemen air campaign, forces allied with the legitimate government have faced targeted attacks on their security installations. In. August 2016, Daesh forces carried out a suicide car bomb attack in northern Aden, killing o?yer 7O Yemeni army recruits. In December 2016, Daesh claimed responsibility for the death of 35 Yemeni soldiers at a military camp in Aden. As the Coalition forces-cominUe to regain control over Yemeni territory, the long-term viability of Daesh is under significant threat. 9 Statement by General Asiri, Coaiition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen. April 25.2016 '33 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT SAUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT a .. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARQBIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT 07 Houthi Violations In addition? to violating UN resolutions, the Houthis have committed many other serious aCts,.including: On October 1, missiles from Yemen struck HSV Swift, a UAE civilian logistics ship carrying humanitarian aid?irrhile it transited theBab a1 Mandab strait. The ship was transiting the Red Sea near the port of Mokha. Houthi?Saleh forces are belieVed to have used Chinese~bui1t 0-8023 in the attack. The UN SeCurity Connoil condemned the attack, saying that "Members take threats to shipping around Bab a1 Mandab, a strategically important shipping passage, extremely seridusly." On October 7, a Houthi ballistic missile was fired at the saudi city of Kharnis Moshait; On October 9. a ballistic missile landed near the Saudi Summer capital of Taif, near Makkah: I Another missile was launched at the ancient Yemeni city of Marib on October 9, on the same day two missiles were ?red at US. Navy ships in the Bab al?Mandab and de?ected by defensive'systems. On October 27, the Coalition intercepted and destroyed missiles that were targeting Makkah, one of Islam's most sacred-sites. A 105-page, declassi?ed report to the United Nations Security Council published in August 2016, documented violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights committed by the Houthi-Saleh forces. The report on the implementation of an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Saleh and four Houthi leaders was submitted to the lS?mernber Security Council Sanctions 35 ReceiVed by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM, Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT 36 SAUDI ARABM AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Committee, which had imposed an arms embargo on those rebels and soldiers loyal to Saleh. Resolution 2216 of April 14, 2015 demanded that the Houth?is withdraw from all seized areas and that they relinquish all seized arms. It also established an arms embargo on the Houthis and on forces loyal to former president Saleh. The UN report. in addition to other reports of late 2016, details the following such violations by the Houthi rebels: The concealment of ?ghters and equipment in or close to civilians in Mok-ha in the Taiz governorate "with the deliberate aim of avoiding attack? and in violation of international humanitarian law; The diversion of approximately $100 million a month from Yemen?s central?bank to support the group?swar effort and that the foreign reserves of the central bank had dropped to $1.3 billion in June 2016 from $4.6 billion in November 2014;?) The recruitment of children, and for the killing and maiming of children and attacks on schools and hospitals;11 The usage of ?shing vessels for alleged Weapons transfers, as described by the 2410 Committee of the UN Veri?cation and inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). This-latter body was established in May 2016 to facilitate the ?ow of commercial goods into Yemen, while ensuring compliance with the targeted arms embargo set up in Resolution 2216. This Committee received accounts from member states of such ?shing vessels that were intercepted while transferring anns, believed to be for the Houth'is. is Please see the following hat of reports on the conflict in Yemen and Houthr violations at the UN Security Council publications site at: 1 ?1 Reuters, ?Excluswe UN Report on Yemen Says Hoothrs Used Human Shields. Islamic State Got Cash;' August 4. 2016 Received by Registration Un?it 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 PM SAUDI ARABJA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT CIVEI ans Saudi Arabia . .. .. ktHed by the Houthls 'Arabla i?ClUdl?g homes mosques and schoels .impacted by Houthllattacks Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05716/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT SAUDIARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT ?:35 Sag?yzehie?woivk . - ?Haiti? '3 Eggnamtanan Aldgand Rel ms- we} wag . thepeople of Yemen Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2'017 Render 08 Humanitarian Aid to the People of Yemen- The Coalition and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continue to make the protection of civilians the priority in its efforts to restore safety and stability to Yemen. Saudi Arabia has been the single largest donor of humanitarian aid to Yemen, providing more than $847 million in humanitarian assistance. In April 2015, in response to an appeal by the United Nations Custodian of the TWO Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abjdulaziz ordered the donation of 82-74 million to the UN to support its humanitarian efforts in Yemen. In May 2015, the Kingdom established the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) to more effectiVely?deliVer aid to the people of Yemen. The Kingdom then donated an additional $267 million. KSRelief is providing aid to all areas of Yemen. including areas controlled by Houthi militias. In fact, 70 percent of all humanitarian aid to Yemen arrives through the Port of Hodeidah, The city of I-Iodeidah is one of the?major population concentrations under Houthi control and at very high risk of famine. KSRelief, cooperates 'with a number of international hulman'itariah organizations, such as the Red Cross, the UN, and Doctors Without Borders, to facilitate their efforts in Yemen. KSRelief is also working closely with the UN International Children?s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in training 3,153 health workers on the social management of acute malnutrition and opened 854 centers for therapeutic nutrition program. The program also provided medical treatment and follow up cases of acute malnutrition. KSRelief mobile health teams have treated over a quarter of a million children'suffering from 39 ReceiVed by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ l6f201 7 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT 40 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT acute malnutrition and provid ed immunization and postnatal. care to over 1.2 million children throughout Yemen. The teams also provided services for pregnant women and post-delivery care for War 220,000 Women. KSRelief has also provided funding to the World Health Organization to assist with the organization?s life-saving heath care services in Yemen. As of May 2016, funding from KSRelief has allowed WHO to deploy 14 mobile teams to hike governOIate?s in Yemen. Additionally, sent several health facility teams to Yemen, including seven surgical teams, to provide trauma care in the governorates of Aden, Abyan, Hajjah, Sada?a and Amran. Funding from KSRelief haVe allowed the WHO to provide life-saving medicines and supplies to hospitals serving more than 2 million patients. Since its establishment, KSRelief has been an active force for providing aid to the people of Yemen. In March 2017, KSRelief sent 58 truCks carrying mediCal supplies and equipment to a number of provinces in Yemen. Of these, 11 trucks delivered supplies to Republic Hospital in Aden and six trucks to Mareb Hospital. KSRelief has entered . into a number of agreements with private hospitals in Aden and Taiz aimed at providing full medical care for more than 750 wounded in these provinces. KSRelief seeks to activate the role of government hospitals to treat the injured inside Yemeni territories by proViding medicalservices and treatment de'Vices. KSRelief has-launched 51 projects in health, nutrition, water and environmental sanitation in Yemen totaling more than $208 million and bene?ting 24.5 million Yemeni citizens, in addition to programs providing medical care and treatment for people inside Yemeni territory. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WI-IO), KSRelief provided basic services Such as diabetes and cancer medicines, andsupport the operation of emergency rooms by providing 350,000 gallons of fuel to 88 hospitals and 19 health facilities in Yemen. KSRelief has provided more than 12; million vaccines, to date, for Yemeni children against measles, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough. In January 2017, KSRelief distributed 300,000 food baskets in the Hodeidah Province of Yemen. The baskets are expected to benefit more than 460,000 Ye'menis in need. Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Reoeived by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 62-24-228 PM SAUDI THE YEMEN CONFLICT anitar [.000 Yemeni r?fegees In July 2016, KSRelief distributed more than 900 tons of medicine and medical supplies-as part of its continuing support of health care services in Yemen. In another major humanitarian effort, Saudi Arabia has allowed Yemenis who ?ed the civil war and entered the Kingdom illegally to adjust their status and become legal residents. This initiative has enabled more than 600,000 Yemenis to obtain medical care, education. and jobs. The US. and the UK. also helped form the Friends of Yemen Group, a multilateral forurn of 31 concerned countries that was launched at a Jannary 2010 conference in London in order to raise funds for Yemen?s development and increase donor coordination. Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 65245-28 PM 2017 REPORT SAUDI AND THE YEMEN 325? :31: 3? 3s" 4% - 5 x33; 11:33, if ?3 5: e? 6 ?2?33m?Ff?A? - . . . Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 09 Blockade Accusations The obstruction of the flow For commercial and humanitarian shipments in Yemen is confined to ports in areas by Houthj militias and forces loyal to former President Saleh These parties have deliberately obstructed the entry of shipments in order to deepen the humanitarian crisis and arouse international public opinion against the Coalition. In order to ensure that maritime commerce to Yemen complies with the UN Security Council arms embargo, the covamn?m cf Yemen authorized the creation of the the United Nations Verificationand Inspiection Mechanism (UNVTM) on May 2, 2016. Based. in Djibouti. UNVIM provides fast and impartial clearance services for shipping companies transporting commeICi'al irnports and bilai?er'al assistance to Yemeni ports outside of the authority of the Government of Yemen. Ships bound for Yemen are cleared expeditiously. For example, in March 2017, the most recent nionth for which data is available, 34 certi?cates of clearance were issued expediently Theseships transported 636.810 metric tons of cargo to Yemeni ports, including 254,690 metric tons of food}? In addition. to hindering huriranitarian and trade shipments, Houthi militias and forces loyal to former President Salish have exploited their control over Yemeni ports, including the Port of Hodeidah by engaging in smuggling activities. This has created a black market for petroleum, goods, and humanitarian supplies. Houthi militias have used the proceeds to finance their operations and raise the pro?le of their leaders. They have similarly 'use'd their control of ports as a political bargaining chip by imposing. stages and starvation on provinces and cities. The Coalition has not imposed a blockade or an ecdncimic boycott on Yemen. and it continues to grant immediate and periodic permits in a record time for all relief and humanitarian ships._l_n the case of commercial ships, the Win COOperation with the Coalition and the legitimate government of Yemen, issues permits on a neutral basis to ships entering all Yemeni porits. . . 12 UN Veri?cation and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen: Statement by the SecretaryGeneral, May 3. 2016. Operational Snapshot. March 2017. Available online at Received by RegiStratiOn Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 1.3 Received 'by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT I the Imilitary"aperationg in Yemen .. - - . . . . . . - - . . an . . . . A. ?Wk381.. Jam :{.frhi?F? my," 4,Al.- .. .g Egg?Egg has Received'by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM iO Steps to Reduce Civilian Casualties Safeguard Civilians The Saudi?led Coalition ianemen is committed to protectingicivilians in Yemen and has taken steps to av'oid causalities in an ongoing War zone. Among these steps, the Coalition launched an independent assessment team, fostered active partnerships with-relief organizations and focused on safeguarding Yemen's urban centers as part of1 a concerted effort to protect ci?yilians and uphold international humanitarian law. Saudi Arabia established an independent Joint Incidents Assessment Team (J IAT) and tasked it with assessing claims of violence-against civilians by Coalition forces, including violations and accidental ?re incidents, The Coalition's JIAT is cdmposed of military nrembers, weapons experts and legal specialists in the laws of war. The independent group reviews reports of Coalition activities that are known to have led to civilian casualties, and offers r'eco'rnme'tidatio?ns for ways to avoid future incidents. One of the JIAT recommendations adepted by the Coalition is the policy to issue repeated warnings to Houthi militias and Saleh forces so that they can evacuate cities prior to a Coalition air strike. The Coalition also has heightened its emphasis on safeguarding critical infrastructure and, as a result, civilian li?V'es in Yemen?s urban centers. The Coalition is working alongside UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of a collaborative approach to minimize the possibility of harm to civilians, medical. personnel, journalists and relief organizations. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017REPORT 45 Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM .2017 REPORT 46 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT llAT Findings GREAT HALL IHCIQENT With respect to ihe unfortunate Great Hall incident in Sana?a on October 8, 2016, the Coalition expresised its deepest condolences and support to the victims? families, and for all those affected by violence in Yemen. After Conducting immediate investigati on s, the IAT concluded that a party af?liated to the Yemeni Presidency of the General Chief of Staff passed inaccurate information that there was a gathering of armed Houthi: leaders in a known location in Sana'a, and insisted that the location be targeted immediately as a legitimate military target. I The JLAT found that because of non-compliance with CoalitionRules of Engagement and Procedures (HOEs), and the release of inaccurate information, a Coalition aircraft wrongly targeted the location, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. The Coalition. tasked with supporting the legitimate government of Yemen, has publicly affirmed that it accepts the results of the investigations conducted by the JIAT and is Committed to implementing its recommendations. ABS HOSPITAL In response to ]the alleged bombing Carried out by the coalition for'Ces on Abs Hospital in the Yemeni city of Abs in the province of Hjjah on August 8, 2016, which resulted in killing seven people and injuring 13 others, the of?cial spokesperson for the JIAT confirmed that the Coalition was unaware. of the presence of the hospital that was inadvertently struck. Intelligence con?rmed that Houthi militia leaders were gathered in the northern part of; the City of Abs. The Coalition forces then targeted the lecation of that gathering. As a result, air forces monitored a moving vehicle from the targeted site heading soilthwards, pursued and shelled it immediately. The vehicle was next to the building that had no signs of a hospital before the bOmbing. It was later proved to be Abs Hospital. On February 28 22016 the UN Secretary General strongly condemned the airstrike in Nahem District in Sanaa on February 27 that killed at least 32 civilians and injured at least I41. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team found after reviewing Received by ARA RegiStration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT the facts that one of the Coalition?s warplanes was on a humanitarian mission cloSe to the Popular Resistance and the army loyal to the legitimate government. It observed two heavily armed transport vehicles and armed I-Iouthi militia stopped near a small market beside some small buildings and canvas tents on a road linking the Directorate of Naham with Sana?a. These transport vehicles and Houthi militia were considered to be highrvalue military targets and a laser- guided missile was deployed. sci-loot, Refuting allegations by the Amnesty International that Asmaa school, located in the city of AlrMansouriya in the Yemeni province of Hodeidah was subject to air shelling on August 24, 2015, JLAT spokesperson Al-Mansour said that the site was targeted. based on surveillance information shouting armed Houthi militias were using itas a headquarters, storage facility and distribution post for weapons smuggled through the Hodeidah port. The site was classi?ed as a military target of high value. Based on the laws of war, the legal protections of civilian sites are dropped when that site is being used for amilitary purpose. COnsidering this fact,.as well as the fact that students had vacated the-school for some time, the Coalition forces targeted the site. The investigation showed that no human life was lost and the building only sustained partial damage (less than 25 percent.) The Joint Incidents Assessment Team reached the conclusion that the procedures followed by the Coalition forces targeting the site were correct. Human Rights Watch alleged on July 27, 2015 that the Coalition forces bombed a compound in the Directorate of Mokha, Taiz governorate three days earlier. resulting in the deaths of 65 civilians. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team found, after reviewing the intelligence information, that there were four targets in the areas controlled by the Houthi militia and forces of the former President Saleh. These included Coastal defense missile batteries, which pose an immediate danger to ships and the Coalition?s naval forces in the Red Sea. It was later found that a residential compound was erroneously targeted due to inaccurate information from the intelligence source. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team informed the Coalition forces abdiit these findings. and the cealition has expressed its deep regret at this unintentional error. Coalition forces 47 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 1 6/201 7 6:24:28 PM 2017 REPORT SQUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 7a; COmmon? near-tho: sold. cw are committed to observing the rules laid down in international conventions of humanitarian law. In particular, the Coalition maintains its commitment not to target civilians during military operations and to take all measures to preserve their safety; The Coalition con?rmed its readiness to make financial reparation to thevictims' iamiliesin accordance with international law once the supporting documentation has bee'nsubmitted to the Reparation Commission. HAYDAN According to the claims of Doctors Without Borders, the Hayden Ho'spital in Saa?da Province was bombed by the Coalition forces. The Joint Team found-after reviewing the facts that the Coalition forces had accurate intelligence information that there 148 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT was a military gathering of Houthi militia in the Directorate of Hayden. A warplane was ordered to strike the military gathering. After veri?cation of the incident from the Joint Incidents- Assessment Team, it became Clear that the building was 'a medical facility that the armed Houthi militia was using as a military shelter in contravention of international law [under Article 52, Paragraph 2, Annex Protocol This fact made it a legitimate target after coalition forces warned the persons in charge under Article 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The team has confirmed that Coalition forcjes Were unable to warn Doctors Without Borders because of the immediate threat posed by the armed Houthi militia Using the medical facility located on the borders of the Kingdom. Although the Coalition bombed the installations as a military target. it acknowledges that it should have warned Doctors Without Borders that they would lose international protection before carrying out the air strike. However, the Houthi militia had already ?ed the building, which was empty?there were no medical staff and no patients at the facility. There were no casualties. moans cumc-or cottons WITHOUT BORDERS, mz The Joint Incidents Assessment Team found that Coalition forces targeted hostile militant gatherings at the request of Yemeni forces loyal to the legitimate government and local popular resistance forces in Directorate of Hobart, Taiz Province. This was considered a high-priority target whose destruction wo?uld deliver military advantage. The tent of the Doctors Without Borders organization Was not bombed, but Was affected by these bombings due to its proximity to the target. There were no civilian casualties. Coalition forces expressed its regrets about this unintentional error. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team established that the clinic Was not a direct target and concluded that DoctorsWithout Borders should have set up its facility-away from military targets in order to airoid the risk of casualties. IAT also established that the Coalition coordinates with the humanitarian organizations and works with them toassi'st with their humanitarian missions. JIATissatisfied that allsafety procedures implemented by Coalition forces were observed and that they adhered to international law. 49 Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM 201'7?aEponT 50 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Main Actors in theYemen Crisis 2011 - Present President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour al Hadi' President Abd?Rabbuh Mansour a1 Hedi is a former military of?cer, having served in the Yemen armed forces as a ?eld marshal. Hadi?s rise as President of Yemen begin with his role as Acting President between June 4 and-September 23, 2011 folldWing the attacks on the Presidential Palace in San'a'a in the wake of the Arab protests?a period referred to as the "2011 Yemeni Uprising?*?in which then-President Saleh went to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. Hedi became Acting President again on November 23, 2011 after Saleh moved into a non-active role pending the results-of the next presidential elections. I?iadi was chosen as a president for a two-year transitional period On February 21, 2012. In a September 2012 interview13,l-Iadi warned that his country,.sti11 reeling from the popular uprising that ousted saleh, risked a deSCent into a civil war "worse than Afghanistan" should an upcoming month?s-long national dialogue fail to resolve the state?s deep political and societal rifts..1?Iadi Warned that Yemen was facing three separate enemies, which he believed were extremist terrorists Al Qaeda, pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Houthi rebel militias. He stated his strong belief that Iran Was supporting these adversaries. Ali Abduilah Sale'h a1 Sa?nhani al HUmairi As of the early 20008, the l-Io'uth'is foUght against thenational government of former Yemeni President Saleh. This radically changed in May 2015. when Saleh con?rmed his alliance with that group. Saleh is not Houthi, but is-Zaydi and a part of the Sahan tribe of northern Yemen. Traditionally, the Houthis and/or ?Ansar Allah,? the political org'aniz'atibn of the Houthis, distrusted Saleh and saw him as corrupt. These views Rece'iVed by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM RRABIA RND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT were not unfounded: In February 2015 a panel of UN experts releaSed a report, alleging that, during his time in power, Saleh amassed a fortune worth between $30 billion to S52?billion.? The background to his political career and that are of development vis?a?vis the Houthis is as follows: From 1978 to 1990 Saleh served as President of North Yemen Until its unification with South Yemen in 1990. The South accepted Saleh as president of the newly uni?ed country. A former soldier, he had participated in the 1962 coup against Yemeni King Mohammad a1 Badr Which saw the establishment of the establishment of the Republic of Yemen that year. From 2004, a sporadic civil war in the country has been underway with the security forces of the Yemen government battling ?the Believing Youth" (Al? Sh abab a1 Mu'min), thepro?Zaydi Hou'thi-led movement based inthe modntains west of Saa?da. thecapital of Yemen?s northwestern most province. On-February 2, 2011, facing a Tunisia?style, ?Arab Spring" national uprising, Saleh announced that he would not seek re-election in 2013, but would. serve out the remainder of his term. in response to government violence against unarmed protesters, 12 MP3 of'Saleh?s party resigned on February 23. By March 5, this number had increased to 13, as well-as the addition of two deputy ministers. On November 23, 2011, Saleh agreed to legally transfer the of?ce and povvers of the presidency to his deputy, Vice President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour I-Iadi. On February 27, 2012, Saleh formally ceded power to Hadi and stepped down'as the President of Yemen. .Since that time, Saleh has been a behind-the-scenes allyiof the Houth'i movement in Yemen. Tribesrnen and government forces loyal. to Saleh have joined the Houthis in their ambitions to take over the government. OnJuly 28, 2016, Saleh and the Houthi rebels announced a formal alliance to the ?ght Saudi-led military coaliti on, to be run by a political council of 10 members ?made up of five-members- from Saleh?s General People?s Congress, and ?ve from the Houlthis. 13 Blake Hounshell, 'Yemen?s president warns of a civil war 'worse than Afghanistan." Foreign Policy, September 29, 2012 14 BBC. ?Yemen eat-leader Saleh ?amassed up to $60 billion' - UN probe" February 25. 2015 51 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 201 7' REPORT 52 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT The Houthis Houthi is the name of an ancient and powerful Yemeni dynasty, in turn named after a town known as Houthi or "l-Iuthi? that is located about halfway between Saa'da in the north and Yemen?s capital Sana?a to the south. The 31 Houthi family is a ?sayyid? family -that is, descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and who played key theological and political roles in north Yemen. This family, and the political-rebel movement whose adherents collectively refer to themselves by "the Houthis," adhere to what is known "Zaidism? or "Zaydism"?the Zaidi school of jurisprudence which emerged in the 8th century as a moderate interpretation of the Shia branch of Islam. Approximately 35 to 40 percent of Muslims in Yemen adhere to Zaidism. Zaydis ruled parts of Yemen for almost 1,000 years until 1962 and'were even supported by Saudi Arabia in the 19705. But then the Houthis, who emerged as a Zaidi revivalist movement in the 19903, fought a series of wars between 2004 and - 2010 against the Saudi?supported central Yemeni state led by then-President All Abdullah Saleh. Leadership in the movement has rested in various a1 Houthi family relatives. At present, Abdul Malik Badreddin a1 Houthi is the leader. He leads this group with his brothers .Yahia Badreddin a1 Houthi, Abdul Karim Badreddin a1 Houthi, and the late Hussein Badreddin al Houthi. Abdul Malik a1 Houthi is the leading figure in an. insurgency in the Saa?da province in northern Yemen, which has been continuing from 2004 to the present day. Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM . Received by Registration'Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM i 2037 REPORT SAUDI AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 54 49mm dmillg mum am mi 35? KING 5.4m?: mun crm?nc Total Cost 8 Projects $597598580 Projects 44 Projects I i I Humanitarian and Emergency I i I Edie! coordination [23 {a I Food Seturrty I I 1 Cost Cost . Logistic; i . Camp coordination 8r i 1 78,176,921 I 238240.079 Mmgemm I i I 1 Emergency 4 i 1 Telecommunications i I Shelter 4--.. .4 - 3 9 Mill-on I 19,6 Mrllion I i '2 I brim-fawn Projects Cost I . - m" ?we" - . 55,510,970 . 224,670,610 ?Elem? I I Protection NutrItIon I [again 1 15.1 thousand i 27,7 Mdlaon I I. I I Health - - A .5 I. 44 Mlum Frown: 'i Mrllion Frayed; Million benzr?oaam Earty Recovery Protection Education 2 10 27.2 Camp coordination 3: Management {3 Hurnanstarion aim Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. a Relref coordrnatron .Logisrics . Projem Million Nutrition- NO I Health Emergency TeieCom un ications i i 10.5 4 i 12113? If Frojrus I Fewer-ch and ir-th?on Inpdt?lat'r Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARRBIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT . is. :3 5? . ?262:95The Centre. implemented sevsral praieqs and programs in the health, nutrition and WASH sectors that target Yemenis, and they are ?im. 0 ii: im?w ?4ng . seem $33? 94?;?mg9929-: TreateM-lnsidn?adi *T?s ?fm?wzsa {ems Ben??ciaries- 29;sas 2.29.; 1399?? 55' Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 2017 SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT Implemented F99d Baskets Projects tenementes! I . Qw?ips Million iggneficiaries hagkets "\patesrProject.nn?Partners '2:me mun-um. I I?J-Iij?l "l I I I 1.5; w-w .?W?z?lj . i, a .. .. l,w' . . "we{WI-Imam? a: unicef?!? $5WW4 gawk? I - Ix I i it; ?33guy 1-.- .h?l I InnFun?vu-nlch mt! Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE YEMEN CONFLICT 2017 REPORT. 4,22 2222' am2222:2222; 22 2. 2 . .. 322555;: 22- 33239?; a 3.22.24 2 2 . 9.2222223wa 22-40 . 2I 12. 2, . 4chin . ?2 5? 212222,: 2.2 :22 2 tag.22 22222 3?33?" Ii?nd? Sy? Vl?it?f?2 refugees) tnsude Aid pro 22:?2?2 2 .. r; I :22awma?i: 3?23oncoqowong?e2.2 $2223: .2. Su?? ii 'f?i ?32322?? 22" 5' 2 22? ?Ii?w? Eff-if: .2: 23Health - 3' Education Education I: i Saudi hospitals . Saudi hospitals . ngherI - . - . - . . Higher I medical 1 Education Grant -2 prowdedImedrcal Education Grant services 2' . 2 . services - :lli 2.e252 j: Around 35 thousand 3% More thin 8 thousand Around 41 thoUsan'd More than 4 thousand 2: bene?ciary lg stud?'n'ts Beneficiary stddents $5 g. 33?: . . Prjmary Health Care '3 Public Education Primary Heaith Care Public Education I322 2* Centers received Cente'rs received 0 u?a WmWh-hnw Around 370thousand I 141 thousand I Around437 thousand 285thousand i' ?f bene?ciary 2 students . ?2 bene?ciary students a . 2 . 57 Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:28 PM 4- '9 . . 15;; $25? "w 1 t? r" ?232? . ?Hush? Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:28 PM Received by ARA RegiStr'a'tion Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:29 PM SAUDI ARABIA a fair?) THE YEM EN CON SUMMARY: YEMEN WHITE PAPER APRIL 2017 The Saudi-led coalitioh's ObjeCtivesih Yemen are clear: to restore the legitimate government and protect our borders from a dangerous banish-"backed Houthi militia. - - By reapon'dijng to an appeal from the legitimate president of Yemen and eratering the con?ict. Saudi Arabia is seeking to restore a sovereign government and standing up to Iran?s aggression. . TheKingdorri has been supported in this campaign by several neighboring countries militarily and. many more throtighout the international community, including the United States. - 'The situation in Yemen is a national security issoe for Saudi Arabia, Which fnust protect its citizens from being targeted by ballistic missile attacks against its population centers. such as the holy city oiMecca. Saudi Arabia is working with all political factions in Yemen towards a peacef?l political solution to the conflict,- The endgame should be a petitical solution based on UN Security Coiindil Resolution'2216, the GCC lniti ative,~ and the Yemeni. National Dialogue. The propbsted Sandi framework. cailsfor the withdrawal of forces from Sana?a and other key areas and the transfer off-ail heavy iSi'eapons, including ballistic missiles, from the Houthis to a neutral third party.- The Houthis have the right to be part of the political process in Yemen, but they cannot use a'ggressionand military weapons to disrupt national order and regional security. 'The I-Iouth'is contimie to begetiate in. bad faith, Saudi Arabia and the international community have made more than 70 agreements with the Houthis and erpreSident Saleh, but the Houthis have renege?d on every agreement. Informational Materials Distributed by Brownstein 'Hy'att Fa?rber Schretk, (#5870) on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Kingdom of Satidi Arabia. Additional Information is on file with the Department of J_usti_ce, Washington, Receii/ed b'y ARA Registration Un?it 05/16/2017 6:24:29 PM Received By ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:29 PM ?1 ARABIA 513i?: 57 i-E The Saudi?led coalition in Yemen is achieving its goals. Military?interventio'n was Undertaken only after repeated diplomaticefforts had failed. The legitimate government of Yemen now controls over 85 percent of the country. Iranian interventionhas been contained and deterred. The coalition and the Yemeni forces reto?ok the city of Aden from the Houthis and liberated the city of Al?Mukalla from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Penisula. {ran makes no secret of its nefarious intentions in Yemen, Their intervention in Yemen is just another example of Iran acting With international mischief and aggression. Yemen is another example - along with iraq, Syria, Bahrain and Lebanon that showcases Iran?s engagement in aggression outside its borders. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have provided the Houthis with money, training, and for more than a decade, according to the US. State Department. According to a recent Renters article, Major General Qassetn Soleimam', commander of the Qods Force, met top of?cials in Tehran in 2017 to evaluate plans that would further advantage the Houthis in Yemen. secretary of Defense Mattie in Riyadh recentiy reiterated that "iran once again is no help? in Yemen. Secretary Mattie said the French, Australian and Us. Navies have intercepted iranian support and weapons in transit to Yemen. According to the White House, the Houthis have threated Us. and allied vessels transiting the Red Sea. The ?red miss'ilesat the USS?Mason in October 2016. Saudi Arabia has a right to defend itself with weapons purchased with their own funds. Every nation should proVide for its own security. Iran is posing a threat to Saudi Arabia via its support for the Houthis in Yemen. to response to this threat. Saudi Arabia wants to defend itself with weapons purchased with Saudi funds. Support for Saudi arms sales is support for saudi Arabia ?ghting its battles in the region. The Coalition deeply regrets unfortunate incidents of errant strikes causing civilian casualties in an ongoing war zone.- lt'is committed to protecting civilians in Yemen and has taken steps to avoid cau'salities. The Coalition established an independent Joint incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) and tasked it with assessing claims of'violence against civilians by Coalition forces, incitiding Violations and accidental fire-incidents. Received by Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:29 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:29 PM SAUDI ARABIA. AND THE COFEECHCT The Coialition is working alongside UN agencies and the International. Committee of the Red Cross as part of a collaborative approach to minimize the possibility of harm to civilians, medical personnel. journalists and relief organizations. The Houthis? have repeatedly violated international humanitarian law by design. Houthi militias have. shelled civilian targets, planted land mines in civilian areas and coerced child soldiers into their ranks. l-I?outhis use aid-as a weapon. At ports under their control, such as the Port of Hodeidah, the Houthis sell humanitarian aid on the black market to purchase arms. They use food itself as a weapon, particularly to recruit child sbldiers in violation of international law. Because of the.Coalition's counterterrorism efforts, terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Daesh can no longer use the vacuum created by Houthi destabiliiation to find a safe haven in Yemen. In April 2016, Coalition forces liberated the 'city of Mukalla, depriving AQAP of a key stronghold. Today, AQAP no longer controls a single city in Yemen. Daesh has attacked Saudi operations in Yemen in retaliation for Sandi partiCipation in airstrikes against Daesh in Syria. Saudi Arabia is the single largest dinner of humanitarian aid to Yemen, having contributed over three quarters of a billion dollars through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. In April 2017, the Kingdom pledged an additional $150 million donation to support KSRelief in Yemen. . - The new donation comes as part of the $8.2 billion committed by the Kingdom within its humanitarian and deVelopmental assistance to Yemen since April 2015. Hodeidah, speci?cally, is receiving the largest amount of humanitarian aid from external sources, yet much of the population is suffering from famine. Liberation of the Port of Hodeidah would improve the flow of humanitarian aid, not stifle it. Received by ARA Registration Unit 05/16/2017 6:24:29 PM Received by Registration Unit 05/ 16/2017 6:24:31 PM 51} SAUDIARABIA r; m! COUNTERTERRORISM SUMMARY: EOUNTERTERRORISM PAPER RPRIL 2017 Saudi Arabia takesa multifaceted approach to ?ghting terrorism that relies on hunting down the men, cutting off the money and changing the mindset that terror organizations create and rely (in. The Kingdom is committed to W0rl