UNHCR REQUESTS U.S. ASSISTANCE TO RELEASE AID TO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001196 SIPDIS NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SA AM AEC YM SUBJECT: UNHCR REQUESTS U.S. ASSISTANCE TO RELEASE AID TO YEMENI IDPS REF: A. IRR 6884031609 ¶B. RIYADH 1156 ¶C. SANAA 01648 ¶D. FREEMAN-RAM E-MAIL DATED 9/12/09 ¶E. RIYADH 1178 RIYADH 00001196 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CDA Minister Counselor Sandra Muench for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) SUMMARY: -------------- ¶1. (S) UNHCR (strictly protect) sources told POLOFF on September 12 that UNHCR believes the Government of Saudi Arabia (SAG) is involved in military activity in the conflict between Shia Al-Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government (ROYG) in the area of Khamees Mushayt, and report that airports on the Saudi side of the border are being used for military missions. Other agencies at Post do not believe this is accurate. The ongoing clashes have displaced an estimated 150,000 persons, according to UNHCR. UNHCR has requested U.S. assistance in obtaining SAG and ROYG permission for UNHCR to distribute humanitarian aid to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Yemen from the Saudi side of the border. End summary. UNHCR CLAIMS TO HAVE WITNESSED SAUDI INVOLVEMENT -------------- --- ¶2. (S) On September 12, 2009, a UNHCR official told POLOFF off-the-record that UNHCR staff have observed military activity in the Khamees Mushayt area, on both sides of the Yemeni border, and claim that military missions are being flown out of airports on the Saudi side. This is contrary to widespread media reports in which Yemen's Defense Ministry has denied the participation of SAG in air strikes against the Al-Houthi rebel groups in the northern Yemeni province of Saada. ¶3. (S) DAO Riyadh and other agencies present at Post have no indication of SAG involvement in the conflict between the Al-Houthi rebels and the ROYG. DAO reports the Royal Saudi Air Force began flying combat air patrols armed with air-to-ground munitions while previous practice had been to fly such patrols with air-to-air munitions (ref A). DAO does not regard this development as an indication of involvement as much as preparation to defend Saudi borders if necessary. Other agencies have reported that the SAG is strengthening its presence along the Saudi-Yemeni border for security-related reasons. ¶4. (C) Yemen is on record asking for Saudi assistance. At �A;the September 1 GCC Ministerial meeting in Jeddah, Yemeni FM Qirbi requested GCC support in dealing with the Al-Houthi rebels, who belong to the Shia Zaidi sect, and are allegedly being armed by Iran. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar Madani, in a September 2 meeting with CDA Ambassador Erdman (ref B),said the GCC had expressed a willingness to provide financial and political support to Yemen, and GCC SYG Abdul Rathman Al-Attiyah had been dispatched to Yemen to meet with President Saleh and others to discuss in greater detail how GCC could best be of help. CIVILIAN SAFETY AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS -------------- ¶5. (C) Since the escalation of the conflict on August 11, the humanitarian community has been calling for a cease fire to allow for the distribution of humanitarian assistance to affected civilians and internally displaced persons. As many as 150,000 people have reportedly fled their homes since the fighting began five years ago. According to UNHCR, at least 15,000 IDPs in Saada and its surrounding areas alone remain inaccessible due to safety concerns and lack of humanitarian access. ¶6. (C) The UNHCR representative expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Saada after an announced truce collapsed in less than four hours on September 4 (ref C). IDPs fleeing are dangerously exposed to the fighting and are unable to reach safer areas, he continued, adding that they have reported airstrikes and street fights in the area. In addition, mines are reportedly hindering their safe passage and the only back exit road to Al Jawf governorate (in Saudi Arabia) is blocked, subjecting them to risky journeys through RIYADH 00001196 002.2 OF 002 mountainous desert. Phone lines have been cut, according to UNHCR, further isolating the affected population. Water and electricity are also cut, food reserves are running out, and the population is suffering from major price hikes on essential items. REQUEST FOR USG ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶7. (C) UNHCR reports that its action on cross border operations is being stymied by bureaucracy (refs C and D). In coordination with the World Food Program, UNHCR has been preparing to launch aid operations from Saudi Arabia; however, a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of International Organizations, has been pending for more than two weeks despite UNHCR's active pursuit of the matter. According to UNHCR the Yemeni government says it is waiting for SAG approval for UNHCR to conduct these operations, while the SAG government says it is waiting for Yemeni approval. UNHCR has requested U.S. assistance in obtaining SAG and ROYG permission for it to conduct these planned operations. Post has engaged the SAG, and will report details of the Saudi response as soon as they become available. MUENCH