Rajapaksa roars in Rajarata!

• Mahinda steals the show at UPFA maiden rally
• Mahinda issues strong national security message
• SLFP seniors defy President: make Mahinda face of UPFA campaign
• Nimal Siripala vows to nominate Mahinda as premier
• Gammanpila thanks President for uniting UPFA
• UPFA leaders pledge to uphold election laws, make MR PM

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa addresses UPFA’s inaugural rally yesterday at Anuradhapura attended by thousands of his 
supporters – Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

By Dharisha Bastians-18 July 2015
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was the star attraction and central focus of the UPFA’s inaugural rally in Anuradhapura yesterday, with SLFP top brass and alliance leaders pledging to work towards his election as Sri Lanka’s next prime minister.

Rajapaksa Roars in Rajarata! by Thavam Ratna

Lonely Politics – Maithri Style

By Hilmy Ahamed –July 17, 2015

Hilmy Ahamed

Mahinda Rajapaksa is an untouchable in the eyes of President Maithripala Sirisena. He made his bold and unexpected statement on the 14th of July 2014. “He does not approve of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s candidature at the forthcoming general elections as a UPFA contestant; yet, he is willing to relent to popular demand of his coalition partners in the UPFA and let him contest but not with his blessings”. Attempts by the UPFA to discard Maithripala Sirisena from the leadership of the SLFP and UPFA were thwarted by his legal advisors with an enjoining order on the 15th of July. President Sirisena has committed to remain neutral at the forthcoming General Elections. A leader of a party, who is not willing to lead his lot from the front, and thereby give the advantage to the opponent. A charge he will have to live with, at least until August 17th 2015, and probably thereafter should Mahinda Rajapaksa face a humiliating defeat.

President Sirisena has been named and shamed with everything on earth from traitor to betrayer of the common opposition by many (including me) for not taking a stand against Mahinda Rajapaksa’s zealous gamble in reentering electoral politics. Has he managed to clear his conscience with his (very very late) statement? Has he done justice to the people who elevated him to the highest office? Has he done justice to the party that he served for 49 years? These questions would remain in the minds of friends and foes through out the tenure of his presidency and may be engraved in his tombstone.

The forthcoming election is turning out to be, not just about loyalty to political parties, but encouraging signs of principles in politics. The January 8th regime change has set in motion increasing signs of returning to the cherished democratic values that became a rare commodity with JR Jayewardene’s draconian Executive Presidential powers. For the first time in the Sri Lankan political history, issues of democracy, ethanol, corruption, drugs, nepotism, and more importantly, undesirables in parliament have become the most talked about platform slogans. The wheeler-dealers who have dominated Sri Lankan politics during the last three decades may disappear.

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The last thing that Mahinda can expect

2015-07-17
Who has done et tu Brute now?

It was from zero to hero last January – within six months hero to zero – but again on Tuesday this week President Maithripala Sirisena attempted to revive his position back – from zero to hero. 

So far he has been successful but the SLFP’s tug of war is now in the courts.

This is politics in Sri Lanka. 
Never a dull moment – and full of surprises. In fact the entire landscape of contemporary politics in Sri Lanka was always designed and destined by surprises. If we analyse at least the past 25 years – assassination of President Premadasa, Gamini – Lalith assassinations, Chandrika’s emergence and her second term Presidency thanks to LTTE suicide bomb, Mahinda’s victory in 2004 thanks to LTTE’s boycott of northern votes, Maithri’s candidature and his victory, and also the developments thereafter for the past six months were perfect case studies for such political surprises. The three cartoons (Above) that appeared in the newspapers within the last six weeks are perfect examples to the turn of events within a short span of time. 

Cartoonists send a humorous but strong social message relating to socio-political issues or personalities and this is how Dasa Hapuwalana of Lankadeepa explained the recent political developments of the country, mainly with regard to the conduct of the President. 

But the cat is out of the bag now and we see a heavy internal battle within the SLFP, the main constituent party of the UPFA after the “ballistic missile attack” on Mahinda by Maithri.

He, during the much awaited speech, justified retaining SLFP and UPFA Chairmanship under tremendous pressure, while attempting to clarify how it was important in delivering the 100-day promises in a battle through Parliament. 

President’s repeated claims about a Prime Minister of 47 seats in a 225 member Parliament was a signal that he himself had to handle Parliament battles single-handed, even to the extent of safe guarding the minority government against No-Confidence Motions. Also he exposed clandestine plans to bring Rajapaksa back as Prime Minister following the No-Confidence Motion against Wickremesinghe. 

This speech spelt out the reasons for his silence and clarified his stand, much to the relief of Yahapalana supporters. 

But against many odds, he never stated that he was cornered and pushed to the wall by his own two general secretaries – Anura Yapa and Susil Premajayatha, the most powerful duo of his camp mainly during an election period. Also he never explained how Rajapaksa camp got strengthened day by day – against all his attempts to thwart their plans and retain his grip within the party.

Rajapaksa, who assured his political retirement on January 8 night at a closed door meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe and requested his and his family safety (As we read in media), first made his appearance through a window frame in Medamulana within 48 hrs of his defeat. 

And then he went up to his roof-top with a megaphone to address a crowd in front of his house two days later, followed by daily temple visits cum politico-religious rallies, established an electoral office in Abhayaramaya, Narahenpita and then established a strong wing within the Darley Road SLFP headquarters. 
His buddies started rallies from Nugegoda without him on stage but at the last one in Matara he did not get into the political stage but got on a parapet wall to watch the rally. Maithri was watching the expansion of Rajapaksa camp – not day by day but on hourly basis - and responding to each single action of Rajapaksa in an attempt to retain his grip within the SLFP and the UPFA, but he continued to fail. Maithri was a solitary fighter.  Against all gossips of a newly-emerging Mahinda – Maithri coalition, the President categorically claimed that his hostility towards Rajapaksa was intact and he was still against granting nomination to his predecessor.   As explained through his own words Maithri had three choices. 


First was to resign from his party leadership – but it will allow Rajapaksa to comfortably replace him as party leader and run for polls at a point of strength. Thus, he did not want it to happen.  

The second option was to deny his nominations – and the Rajapaksa camp was ready with a strong Plan B. 

The third was to provide Rajapaksa and his cronies with nominations against all his wishes.  

One comment that appeared on social media after Maithri’s Tuesday speech was “Maithri pumped air into the balloon of Rajapaksa, let it go up and shot at it with a sharp bullet.

” Maithri’s decision to accept SLFP/UPFA leadership was widely criticized but his explanations could be justifiable – mainly to gain Parliamentary support for the implementation of his election pledges. But he failed to retain his grip as the party leader. Why? What was the mistake? 

To my mind he made a fundamental mistake in retaining the same office bearers who served under Rajapaksa regime, who back-stabbed him during the nomination battle.  

Anura Yapa was a strong confidante of Rajapaksa who was appointed to several responsible positions by the latter in order to safeguard the political interests of the regime.  Remember the Parliamentary Select Committee to oust the Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake that conducted a rapid process within a few weeks under Yapa’s Chairmanship? Thereafter Yapa was ‘gifted’ with a powerful ministerial portfolio. Who was the immediate choice of Rajapaksa as the party General Secretary when Maithri defected? Thus, how can one expect Yapa to change his loyalty towards Maithri against Mahinda?  

A few changes in the Central Committee did not bring him desired results. Both Susil and Yapa favoured Rajapaksa. On the other hand, Maithri claimed that all his attempts were to avoid a split within the SLFP. 

As Gamini Veyangoda, the convener of the Purawesi Balaya explained Maithri put his party before the country.  

But be that as it may, I am puzzled whether Maithri – with his 49-year experience in politics – did not foresee the fact that a split within the SLFP rank was imminent, whatever choice he would make out of the above said three options. He opted for the last option – provide nomination to Rajapaksa and then stab him in the back.

 One could easily argue that, the last option would destroy all the plans of Rajapaksa and make him but nothing at the general elections – as other two options would make him a strong candidate. But now it is clear that Maithri is not with Rajapaksa camp, Mahinda will not be appointed Prime Minister even he manage to secure majority seats, or even if the Opposition Leader post.  The last thing that Mahinda can expect is to become a Member of Parliament of the Kurunegala District. Who has done et tu brute now? 

Rajapaksa’s crocodile tears

These public servants themselves are aware how they were dragged onto the streets by their employers to campaign on behalf of the Government of the day.

by Lalith Alahakoon

( July 17, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken up cudgels on behalf of public servants. Speaking to the media after visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy on Tuesday Rajapaksa said the Good Governance Government has scared public servants, from the Presidential Secretariat down to the lowest ranks by interrogating them. He said the present Government has questioned about 500 public servants so far during a short period.”Public servants who served honestly are harassed by this Government. They (public servants) should have the background to work freely and independently. The Government has to protect public servants who work in good faith”.

We would like to jog the memory of the former President, because he says “the Government has to protect public servants who worked in good faith”. Has he forgotten how he, donned in track suit marched in procession with a band of supporters of a UPFA Provincial Minister to the home of the latter to secure the release of the politician whose house was searched for narcotics. Needless to say the STF team who conducted the raid received punishment transfers for their trouble. So much for protecting public servants who work in ‘good faith’. Rajapaksa waxes eloquent on the independence of public servants. Has he forgotten how he denied promotion to the former President of the Appeal Court who declared the Parliament Select Committee inquisition against former Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake null and void? Not long after, this senior most judicial officer passed away, perhaps a broken man. Did not this open the floodgates for judgments in favour of the Government by favourites appointed to the Supreme Court?

How free and independent were public servants under the Rajapaksa Government could be gauged from the fact that no less a personage than the country’s Chief Justice was seen in the company of MR and his inner circle on the night the results of the Presidential Election were out. Is this the conduct of the country’s Chief Justice whom the public expect to be independent and not an appendage of the rulers? Wasn’t it because he (ex CJ) had been at the beck and call of the Rajapaksas that he was where he was on that day? As this incident amply portrays it was the Rajapaksa cronies who occupied top positions in the judiciary and the public service and was obliged to do their bidding. It was only too obvious that top officials in the public service were in cahoots with the all the misdemenours of the Rajapaksas which is evidenced by the summoning of the former Secretary of the President before the FCID.

To ask them, not to be investigated for their role in the mega corrupt deals is akin to the betrayal of the general public whom these officers are obliged to serve with honesty and dedication. Besides it is public money that is being involved in the swindles. Needless to say these officials were mere ciphers of the Rajapaksas doing their bidding servilely. They did not have the spine to stand up against illegal orders with a rare exception being a former Bank of Ceylon Chairman and a relative of the Rajapaksas to boot, who refused to play ball and quit his job with his honour intact .And MR has the gall to say that “public servants must have the background to work freely and independently”. Certainly yes. But not indulge in illegal acts at the instance of their political masters. Public servants under the last regime were not only not allowed to act independently but also made pawns in the political projects of the Rajapaksas. They were deployed to do political work against their will on pain of dismissal. To use Rajapaksas own description, the public servants were ‘scared’ indeed.

These public servants themselves are aware how they were dragged onto the streets by their employers to campaign on behalf of the Government of the day. An example was when UN sounded off the Government about the war crimes probe. On that occasion the entire army of public servants was brought onto the streets to express solidarity with Mahinda Rajapaksa on pain of dismissal if they refused to do so. Is this the independence with which the public servants were allowed to function under the Rajapaksa rule? When the former President says that public servants from the Presidential Secretary to the lowest rank should not be interrogated in the face glaring evidence of wrong doing is he not encouraging the continuation of the status quo? Is he asking the law of land to be suspended to permit the offenders to get off scot free? It is only too obvious that public officials are sometimes the main link in the chain of corruption reaching to the top. That is why the Rajapaksas took good care to appoint relatives and lackeys to the top positions in the State institutions and corporations. Now when they are exposed and are being questioned Rajapaksa is crying foul. Is he demanding that the laws of the land remain silent to allow rogue State officials off the hook?

( The writer is the chief editor of the Daily News, a daily newspaper based in Colombo)

Primitive MR administers black magic potion to Maithri spending Rs.3.5 million to get nominations: Rajapakses’ idiocy and sorcery beliefs revealed

(Lanka-e-News- 17.July.2015, 7.00PM) Medamulana primitive Mahinda Rajapakse who reposes implicit faith in black magic , sorcery and all the satanic beliefs had spent Rs. 3.5 million on these satanic charms to influence president Maithripala Sirisena  to grant nominations to him, but it is now learnt all his evil charms and sorcery directed against the president have boomeranged on primitive Medamulana machiavellian  Mahinda.

Poor Mahinda Rajapakse who has yet to realize that he is the architect of his own misfortunes owing to his maniacal obsession with power , stupid black  magic and evil charms , earlier depended on astrological predictions to go for presidential elections two years ahead of schedule  only to finally fall into the grave dug by himself while viciously chasing after maniacal power at any cost. Yet as though he had not learnt a lesson despite all these devastating experiences , he has now begun going from Devale  to Devale (temple where charms are performed)  assuming that  he must at least now try to bribe the deities (not realizing deities don’t accept bribes given from  earnings accumulated out of  corrupt and evil exploitation of public monies ). 

This time Mahinda  was attracted by a Devale at Thalapathpitiya , Nugegoda where black magic and charms are carried out by a sorceress. This  ‘dead rope’ has been extended to Mahinda by a close hanger on  of his.

When Mahinda who is now in utter desperation and frustration had visited that Devale which is in the vicinity of Sri Jayawardenapura hospital , its  incumbent had told Mahinda  who had by now not only lost his sanity but even his common sense that the charmed ball he squeezes fondly in public , the rings etc . have ‘expired’ , and they must be renewed  by subjecting to the black magic spell again.
 
Mahinda who has lost his sense of direction and true pleasures after getting accustomed to squeezing artificial balls thereby developing  a trust in them  more than the god given ones , has paid a sum of Rs. 2.5 million to the black magic  charmer as an advance.

Mahinda has then got new charmed balls and rings made . In addition, in order to change the mind of Maithripala in his favor during nominations ,h e has paid a further Rs. 3.5 million .

The black magic potion was administered to Maithripala along with the pirith water when  Maithripala visited the  country’s famous temple (Maha Viharaya) , through the Diyawadana Nilame a most corrupt lickspittle and lackey of Mahinda; this evil potion had been given to Maithri to drink along with the pirith water .(This Diyawadana Nilame’s father and Mahinda had been friends from their school days).

Maithripala owing to this or some other reason (political or otherwise) granted nominations to Mahinda . However , lately Maithripala is not well disposed towards the sorcery inclined Mahinda. Maithripala addressing the nation categorically said , Mahinda will lose , and even if he wins Mahinda will not get the prime minister post . This had transformed  Mahinda’s beliefs and his evil potions into a black magic (hooniyam) spell militating against Mahinda himself apparently.

Mahinda is now throughly disillusioned and disappointed. In any case , Mahinda’s stupid cronies and bosom pals have advised Mahinda , that nothing has gone wrong with the evil potion given to Maithripala , except  that the latter perhaps must have done some charm in his favor to repel the Mahinda black magic spell cast on  Maithri.Meanwhile Mahinda’s black magic charmer had told Mahinda , this sorcery must be continued repeatedly to change the mind of Maithripala.

Machiavellian Mahinda , his artifical balls , and the pleasure he gets by sqeezing them , the pain and gain he derives from evil black magic apart  , true Buddhists of course  frown on black magic , withchcraft potions and  sacrifices .They believe only in fate.

It is the conviction  of every true Buddhist that if he does good , what he gets in return  is good , and if he does evil , what he gets in return is  evil . Mahinda Rajapakse the primitive ,barbaric brute on the contrary , who only does lip service to Buddhism while wearing the label of “Buddhist” prominently is by now best known for his worst crimes including murders in cold blood, robbing public assets, raping girls of the age range of his grandchildren , uttering lies profusely while visiting temples unendingly , is trying to change ‘fate ‘ by resorting to evil sorcery , witchcraft and blackmagic using all the satanic charmers to administer potions of the devils , and making sacrifices . Mahinda who made these satanic crafts an obsession is now himself possessed by the devils and satans, so much so that , it is the general consensus that  before he enters parliament over which he is raving mad he would enter lunatic asylum.

The photograph herein depicts Mahinda Rajapakse’s wife now after temporarily stopping the search for illicit ‘gold’(main occupation) , is now fully focused on searching for not that famous deities in the remotest areas secretly . She is now roaming all over in search of them visiting small Devales.

Shiranthee Rajapakse is seen here worshipping the Kelaniya Ranwala deity with heart and soul (borrowed from outside for she has neither heart nor soul). Behind her is a notorious crook by the name of Elyantha White . Rajapakses are never in shortage of such crooks and criminals . Perhaps ,poor  Shiranthee is yet to realize that deities flee at the sight of   crooks and criminals . No sorcerer , no black magic expert, no charmer, no abbreviated dress  has the power to hold them back.   

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by     (2015-07-17 14:34:25)

Mahinda responsible for Rs.200,000 million loss to BOC

FRIDAY, 17 JULY 2015

COPE report reveals that former Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is an accused who had defrauded more than Rs.200,000 million from Bank of Ceylon while he was the Minister of Finance.

This has been committed by allowing two companies and two NGOs to avoid paying a sum of Rs.6270 million and allowing a loans worth Rs.193,750 million for which not a single installment had been paid.

Rs.193,750 has been obtained by 33,685 persons. As such Bank of Ceylon has had to incur a loss of Rs.200,000 million.

(Irida Lanka)

CBK to join Good Governance Front next week

Friday, July 17, 2015

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is likely to align herself with the United National Front for Good Governance next week.

Kumaratunga, who left for the UK after the UPFA decided to give nomination to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is expected to return to the country after July 19, her Private Secretary P. Dissanayake told the Daily News.

Following her return, Kumaratunga is likely to extend her support to the United National Front for Good Governance campaign. "She will mainly focus on the Gampaha district where Minister Arjuna Ranatunga is a candidate.

She will also play a role in the overall campaign of the party," a spokesperson from the Good Governance Front said.

"Former President Kumaratunga earlier had some doubts about contesting under the elephant symbol. However, the Good Governance Front had to contest under the symbol of the UNP due to unavoidable reasons. Therefore, symbol will not be an issue for the former President," a source close to Kumaratunga said.

When asked whether the former President would make a special statement following her return explaining her position, the spokesman said there was no need for a special statement, at this point.

"Her position is quite clear. She does not have any reason to support the UPFA campaign. She will support any effort to protect the "January 8 revolution" and its mandate," he said.

There were speculations that the former President left for the UK in protest of the UPFA's decision to allow Rajapaksa to contest the Parliamentary election under the party ticket. However, her office released a statement saying the former President visited London to attend a family matter and the visit was planned last year. 

Petitions filed against Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security detail

July 17, 2015 

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court seeking a directive to reduce the security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is contesting the forthcoming parliamentary polls. 

The petition has been filed by Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera, who is named in the National List of the Nava Sama Samaja Pakshaya (New Equal Society Party), and states that the security provided to the ex-President was unfair towards the other candidates.

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam had also written to the Elections Commissioner stating that due to Rajapaksa entering the election foray as a candidate with the security provided to a former President, it was disadvantageous to the campaigns of other candidates. 

Meanwhile JVP candidate Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala today filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) stating that due to the former President contesting the General Election as a candidate, the privileges provided to him was a disadvantage to other candidates. 

He also says that it was in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution. 

Watagala states that the former President’s security arraignments include 105 police officers, 104 army personnel, 4 trucks, 3 Defenders, 3 Land Cruisers, 2 Cabs and 20 military vehicles including 2 buses. 

He has also been provided with another 7 vehicles including a luxury car (Mercedes-Benz), 750 litres of petrol for the VIP car, 12000 litres of diesel, Smiths Detection X-ray inspection systems, inspection gates, mine detectors and other equipment. 

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Elections Commissioner, the Kurunegala Returning Officer and the IGP have been named as respondents in the petition. 

Nurses protest in front of Puttalam hospital

Nurses protest in front of Puttalam hospital

2015-07-17 

Nurses employed at the Puttalam Base Hospital are staging a protest in front of the hospital today (17). They claim that their due transfers have been denied.

Some of the 149-strong nursing staff has been employed at the Puttalam Base Hospital for over 20 years, said Chairman of the All Island Nurses' Association Amila Rathnayake. Rathnayake went on to say that most of the staff has worked at the hospital for over five years. He said that the authorities have not responded to their requests.

(Priyankara Kalupahana and Theekshana Jayasundara)

Black Money Racketeers Call My Brother A Traitor: Sirisena’s Bro

July 17, 2015

‘‘One of the men who calls my brother a traitor invested 7 million rupees in Golden Key,’ a brother of President Maithripala Sirisena said at a cocktail party in Colombo last night, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Viyangoda

Obviously upset by accusations against his brother, the said individual had also stated the following with a liberal lacing of expletives: ‘My brother became President after being in politics for 49 years. This man was in France in the eighties working as a driver and is now eying a top post in a state media institution. I will reveal all and F$&@&& him.'”

Investors in Golden Key according to Lalith Kotelawala were launderers of black money. He said this in an interview with Upul Shantha Sannasgala a few weeks ago.

Colombo Telegraph believes that the launderer referred to is Gamini Viyangoda, a columnist who often writes about the ills of greed. When contacted Viyangoda denied having invested in Golden Key. Colombo Telegraph then asked if his wife had invested in Golden Key. Viyangoda angrily denied this too saying ‘mama thamuseta kiwwa neda eka paarak?‘ ( I’ve told you once, haven’t I)

Colombo Telegraph learns that his wife Padma Wijesinghe indeed invested in such an amount in Golden Key. Viyangoda a regular columnist and a strong backer of Sirisena recently referred to him as a traitor for having allowed Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the General Election.

The President recently said that prior to his decision to take on Rajapaksa, he hadn’t known or met most of the organizations and persons who were later involved in the campaign.Read More

Attorney general says Avant Garde cannot be put on trial!

Friday, 17 July 2015

Galle chief magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura today (17) granted permission to Ceylon Shipping, owner of the floating armoury owned by Avant Garde, to transfer its weapons to another ship in the Galle port.

The company sought the court’s permission to transfer the weapons to ‘Mahaweli’ ship, as ‘Mahanuwara’, the ship presently being used has had its insurance period expired, and because that ship being very old, any harm could cause great loss to the company.

The CID informed the court that Avant Garde would not be put on trial under the firearms ordinance, explosives ordinance or the PTA. The CID also told the court that investigations were still underway into whether action can be filed against Avant Garde over the prevention of money laundering act.

The magistrate ordered that a copy of the written order by the attorney general to the CID in this regard be submitted to courts on August 27.

PCs Dulinda Weerasuriya, Guvera de Soyza and senior lawyers Ashoka Weerasuriya and Sudath Jayasundara, instructed by Ian and Collin law firm, appear on behalf of Avant Garde.

Zionist Jews are raping Jerusalem

Muslims worldwide are sleeping

by Latheef Farook

Muslims worldwide observe the last Friday of the Holy  Month of Ramadan  as Masjid Al Aqsa Day.

In 1979 late Iranian leader  Imam Khomeini asked the Muslims all over the world to choose the last Friday of the Holy Ramadan to  show their solidarity with  the Palestinians and their legal rights.

Zionist Jews Are Raping Jerusalem by Thavam Ratna

Yemen Is Starving, and We’re Partly to Blame

A Saudi-led war supported by Washington has sparked a devastating humanitarian crisis.

By Chris Toensing-

JULY 1, 2015

Twenty million people in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, are at risk of dying from hunger or thirst. That’s 80 percent of the country’s population, which according to UN agencies badly needs emergency supplies of food and water, along with fuel and medicine.

This almost unimaginable crisis sounds like something out of a disaster movie. But the cause isn’t an earthquake or a tsunami.

The main reason for all this suffering is months of merciless bombardment and blockade led by the richest Arab countries — Saudi Arabia and its neighboring petro-princedoms — and backed by the United States. Washington’s providing the attackers with technical assistance, intelligence, and top-shelf armaments.

The countries bombing Yemen are targeting a rebel group they claim is a proxy for Iran. The evidence for that is very thin.

In fact, the conflict in Yemen is rooted in internal disputes. Try to stay with me…

In 2011, a nationwide uprising akin to those in Tunisia and Egypt deposed the country’s autocratic leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh. There was no democratic election before his successor, the Saudi- and U.S.-backed Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, took over — he ran unopposed. And there was no relief from the terrible poverty, unemployment, and government corruption that brought about the popular revolt.

IRIN Photos / Flickr

So a few months ago, a reformist movement and militia called the Houthis — which had launched a handful of rebellions against Saleh in the past — took advantage of widespread discontent to conquer the capital, Sanaa. Hadi fled into exile, and the Saudis started bombing shortly thereafter.

Since then, local militias in central and southern Yemen have fiercely resisted the Houthis and army units still loyal to Saleh, who is now allied with his former foes. Meanwhile, a local franchise of al-Qaeda is fighting everybody.

In short, it’s terribly complicated, and the bombs aren’t helping.

The Yemenis caught in this crossfire were already thirsty and hungry before the war — unlike their Saudi neighbors, they don’t have a lucrative oil supply. Now, with Yemen’s borders closed, its airports shut down, and Arab navies enforcing an embargo at sea, the situation is breathtaking in its desperation.

Saudi Arabia and its friends, including the United States, support Hadi. Yet they have no discernible plan for winning beyond reducing Yemen to rubble and besieging civilians in the hope of securing the Houthis’ surrender.

The Obama administration probably doesn’t believe the Saudis’ nonsense about the Houthis and Iran, but it’s shown no interest in stopping the war.

In fact, the United States has even announced a full suspension of aid to Yemen for a year, undercutting its occasional murmurs of humanitarian concern. By endorsing this Saudi-led shooting match, Washington may hope to calm the Saudis’ nerves about the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, which Saudi Arabia opposes.

Is that what it’s come to, soothing a bully’s nerves just because it pumps a lot of oil?

Instead, the Obama administration should withdraw its support for the bombing, lift the blockade, and broker a power-sharing agreement between Yemen’s competing factions. For the people of Yemen, it’s beyond urgent.

Chris Toensing is editor of Middle East Report, published by the Middle East Research and Information Project in Washington, DC.
Distributed by OtherWords.org.