A suicide bomber killed 10 soldiers at the police college in Sana'a.
Two of the AQAP escapees from Hodeida have been captured.
Sharaf Mahfooz, a leader in the Southern Movement, was killed in Aden.
Repairs are about done on the oil pipeline that keeps getting sabotaged.
The UAE Red Crescent has opened 5 new food centers in Sana'a to aid poor families. Which is a lot of Yemen at this point.
Some current statistics on life in Yemen.
Showing posts with label yemen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yemen. Show all posts
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
YemenWatch: July 5, 2012
Things really went crazy in Yemen right after I went on hiatus. Sorry I wasn't here to keep you apprised of the situation. Here's a summary of current events.
More clashes in Ta'iz. It's not quite clear who is doing the fighting. It looks like the military attacked a neighborhood affiliated with Sheikh al-Mikhlafi. Iran is also getting into the picture, with money and even possibly weapons training for certain Yemenis in Ta'iz.
Abyan Province is in horrible condition after fighting with the AQAP-group Ansar al-Sharia. As many as 200,000 people have been displaced and land mines are a severe problem.
The Yemeni military, tribal fighters, and the United States have been trying to drive AQAP forces out of Abyan Province. Yesterday the Yemeni air force carried out several air strikes.
The US has accused Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani of supporting terrorism, which he denies. Sheikh al-Zindani is a member of the Islah Party and founder of Al-Iman University in Sana'a.
The Marib oil pipeline is almost repaired following attacks last year and this year by saboteurs.
Yemeni security forces arrested 14 suspected Al-Qa'eda members, 9 of them non-Yemeni.
Three Yemeni fishing vessels were arrested by Eritrean forces, although it's unclear if they were actually encroaching on Eritrean waters.
Saudi Arabia no longer has an embassy in Yemen, since it's vice-consul was kidnapped in March. Many Yemenis are very upset that they may not be able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Kingdom is not allowing Yemenis in on tourist or work visas. A number of prospective pilgrims held marches in Sana'a and Tai'zz. There was a new video this week from vice-consul Al-Khalidi asking for the release of female AQAP prisoners in exchange for him.
I'm not sure what's going on in Aden. There are reports of the southern separatist movement (Al-Harak) fighting the military. There was also a prison break.
There was a prison break in Al-Hodeida. Five AQAP member escaped.
Something is going on with some security forces and the Transportation Minister (Waeed Bazeeb of the Yemeni Socialist Party). This is the 3rd time his convoy has been shot at.
More clashes in Ta'iz. It's not quite clear who is doing the fighting. It looks like the military attacked a neighborhood affiliated with Sheikh al-Mikhlafi. Iran is also getting into the picture, with money and even possibly weapons training for certain Yemenis in Ta'iz.
Abyan Province is in horrible condition after fighting with the AQAP-group Ansar al-Sharia. As many as 200,000 people have been displaced and land mines are a severe problem.
The Yemeni military, tribal fighters, and the United States have been trying to drive AQAP forces out of Abyan Province. Yesterday the Yemeni air force carried out several air strikes.
The US has accused Sheikh Abdul Majeed al-Zindani of supporting terrorism, which he denies. Sheikh al-Zindani is a member of the Islah Party and founder of Al-Iman University in Sana'a.
The Marib oil pipeline is almost repaired following attacks last year and this year by saboteurs.
Yemeni security forces arrested 14 suspected Al-Qa'eda members, 9 of them non-Yemeni.
Three Yemeni fishing vessels were arrested by Eritrean forces, although it's unclear if they were actually encroaching on Eritrean waters.
Saudi Arabia no longer has an embassy in Yemen, since it's vice-consul was kidnapped in March. Many Yemenis are very upset that they may not be able to make the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Kingdom is not allowing Yemenis in on tourist or work visas. A number of prospective pilgrims held marches in Sana'a and Tai'zz. There was a new video this week from vice-consul Al-Khalidi asking for the release of female AQAP prisoners in exchange for him.
I'm not sure what's going on in Aden. There are reports of the southern separatist movement (Al-Harak) fighting the military. There was also a prison break.
There was a prison break in Al-Hodeida. Five AQAP member escaped.
Something is going on with some security forces and the Transportation Minister (Waeed Bazeeb of the Yemeni Socialist Party). This is the 3rd time his convoy has been shot at.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
YemenWatch: Wednesday January 17, 2012
It's been awhile since I've written about Yemen. Things there are still in a state of flux, to put it mildly. So what's going on?
In late December President Saleh said he was going to the United States. Yemenis, along with the UN and human rights organizations, are upset about an immunity deal for Saleh. The United States is worried that AQAP (Al-Qa'eda Arabian Peninsula) may make inroads during the unrest and power vacuum.
AQAP has taken over the town of Rada. Saleh's party and the Islamic Islah party are blaming each other for this event.
HOOD (Yemeni human rights organization) says that hundreds of people, many of them soldiers, are being tortured in camps belonging to Saleh.
The current capital of Yemen, is Sana'a, but there is talk of moving it to Aden. Aden is a port city, and was the capital city of South Yemen, before unification. It also has an international airport (like Sana'a).
I'll have more later.
In late December President Saleh said he was going to the United States. Yemenis, along with the UN and human rights organizations, are upset about an immunity deal for Saleh. The United States is worried that AQAP (Al-Qa'eda Arabian Peninsula) may make inroads during the unrest and power vacuum.
AQAP has taken over the town of Rada. Saleh's party and the Islamic Islah party are blaming each other for this event.
HOOD (Yemeni human rights organization) says that hundreds of people, many of them soldiers, are being tortured in camps belonging to Saleh.
The current capital of Yemen, is Sana'a, but there is talk of moving it to Aden. Aden is a port city, and was the capital city of South Yemen, before unification. It also has an international airport (like Sana'a).
I'll have more later.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Island
I thought this was interesting: a new island was created in the Red Sea. It was formed from a volcano there. The island may or may not be stable and survive. If it does, it might belong to Yemen.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday October 20, 2011
Earlier this week Yemeni women held a sit-in in Sana'a, against the Yemeni foreign minister. And the first woman has died, in the protests, prompting a lot of anger.
Shelling is going on in Aden.
There are US drones in Shabwa province, where AQAP and its affiliates are hiding out. AQAP is vowing retaliation against the US and Yemen governments for the death of Al-Awlaki. Three French hostages are still being held too.
President Saleh is saying he will sign the GCC proposal, on certain conditions. He is also blaming the protestors and everyone else for "hindering political solutions."
Saleh is blaming the Islamic party al-Islah for some of Yemen's problems, and now there are conspiracy theories about them. Who knows what the truth is?
Displace families in southern Yemen are living in schools. As many as 100,000 people may have fled Abyan province because of fighting and AQAP.
Life in Yemen is getting more and more difficult as food prices rise and humanitarian relief falls short.
Shelling is going on in Aden.
There are US drones in Shabwa province, where AQAP and its affiliates are hiding out. AQAP is vowing retaliation against the US and Yemen governments for the death of Al-Awlaki. Three French hostages are still being held too.
President Saleh is saying he will sign the GCC proposal, on certain conditions. He is also blaming the protestors and everyone else for "hindering political solutions."
Saleh is blaming the Islamic party al-Islah for some of Yemen's problems, and now there are conspiracy theories about them. Who knows what the truth is?
Displace families in southern Yemen are living in schools. As many as 100,000 people may have fled Abyan province because of fighting and AQAP.
Life in Yemen is getting more and more difficult as food prices rise and humanitarian relief falls short.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday October 6, 2011
Interesting article in The Week about how Yemen may be turning into a "Somalia." IRIN is also reporting similar problems for Yemen.
Yemeni-Americans in the US state of Michigan are holding a solidarity rally tomorrow for a free Yemen.
Ta'iz is under attack by government forces, and 8 people were killed.
Government forces in Sana'a seem to be preparing for the next protest and shelling killed a child.
More fighting in Abyan province between the military and the AQAP-linked group. US drones killed 5 members of either them or AQAP itself.
A Yemeni general is saying that Western nations have cut counter terrorism aid to Yemen, as the protests have progressed.
And, of course, AQAP is claiming that Al-Awlaki is alive.
Yemeni-Americans in the US state of Michigan are holding a solidarity rally tomorrow for a free Yemen.
Ta'iz is under attack by government forces, and 8 people were killed.
Government forces in Sana'a seem to be preparing for the next protest and shelling killed a child.
More fighting in Abyan province between the military and the AQAP-linked group. US drones killed 5 members of either them or AQAP itself.
A Yemeni general is saying that Western nations have cut counter terrorism aid to Yemen, as the protests have progressed.
And, of course, AQAP is claiming that Al-Awlaki is alive.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Al-Awlaki Dead!
Terrorist Anwar Al-Awlaki has been killed in Yemen. His convoy in Al-Jawf province was targeted by drones. So far I haven't found any articles on the Yemen news sites (and I can't connect to Twitter).
Thursday, September 15, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday September 15, 2011
The UN is worried about civil war in Yemen, as well as human rights abuses. They should be worried.
According to the Yemen Post, Saudi Arabia is sending tanks into Yemen to help President Saleh's regime.
More fighting in Sana'a as republican guards shelled the Hassaba district, home to Sheikh Sadeq Al-Ahmer, a leader of the tribal confederation fighting Saleh.
Military strikes at Arhab, outside Sana'a, killed civilians.
Protesters in Taiz were fired upon, and gassed.
There were explosions in Aden, resulting in at least one death, and another explosion in Dhamar province.
Yemeni forces freed Zinjubar and Ja'ar from AQAP control. (These were two of the cities declared Islamic emirates by AQAP militias.) Saleh and the army general who defected (Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar) are both claiming the victory and blaming the other for supporting AQAP.
The Yemeni rights group HOOD is calling for an arms embargo against Yemen, especially for Russia to stop supplying weapons.
According to the Yemen Post, Saudi Arabia is sending tanks into Yemen to help President Saleh's regime.
More fighting in Sana'a as republican guards shelled the Hassaba district, home to Sheikh Sadeq Al-Ahmer, a leader of the tribal confederation fighting Saleh.
Military strikes at Arhab, outside Sana'a, killed civilians.
Protesters in Taiz were fired upon, and gassed.
There were explosions in Aden, resulting in at least one death, and another explosion in Dhamar province.
Yemeni forces freed Zinjubar and Ja'ar from AQAP control. (These were two of the cities declared Islamic emirates by AQAP militias.) Saleh and the army general who defected (Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar) are both claiming the victory and blaming the other for supporting AQAP.
The Yemeni rights group HOOD is calling for an arms embargo against Yemen, especially for Russia to stop supplying weapons.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday September 8, 2011
If you read nothing else in this post, please check out Wal al-Waq's Yemen Update to see what's going.
Interesting article on media coverage of Yemen. Are the protestors being forgotten as the US focuses on AQAP? Journalists in Yemen are still being attacked. CPJ Report 1, Report 2. RSF Report.
It looks like the GCC-sponsored plan for Yemen may be working. I guess it's hard to rule a country when AQAP is running around undermining everything and everyone.
The French ambassador in Yemen has left, but supposedly it's only because his time was up.
More fighting in Abyan province, in which a hospital and mosque were hit. AQAP militants took over a town in Shabwa province. These militants appear to be calling themselves Ansar al Shariah.
Also fighting and looting in Aden. Fighting in Taiz.
The Minister of Trade and Industry is denying reports that Yemen is running low on food supplies.
Interesting article on media coverage of Yemen. Are the protestors being forgotten as the US focuses on AQAP? Journalists in Yemen are still being attacked. CPJ Report 1, Report 2. RSF Report.
It looks like the GCC-sponsored plan for Yemen may be working. I guess it's hard to rule a country when AQAP is running around undermining everything and everyone.
The French ambassador in Yemen has left, but supposedly it's only because his time was up.
More fighting in Abyan province, in which a hospital and mosque were hit. AQAP militants took over a town in Shabwa province. These militants appear to be calling themselves Ansar al Shariah.
Also fighting and looting in Aden. Fighting in Taiz.
The Minister of Trade and Industry is denying reports that Yemen is running low on food supplies.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
YemenWatch: Wednesday August 24, 2010
AQAP is still causing problems in Yemen. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up in Abyan province, and a military camp was attacked too. You may remember that AQAP and possibly another group took over part of Abyan and are calling it an Islamic emirate now. The Yemeni military is fighting back, near Zinjubar.
The Yemeni PM just returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had medical treatment. He was injured during an assassination attempt on President Saleh, when the presidential palace was bombed in June. Also, the head of the Shura Council just died from injuries from that June bombing. The government is now blaming the attack on two of the opposition leaders.
The Yemen Observer reports that the FBI may be re-opening 9/11 investigations to see what part Anwar Al-Awlaki played in them. They cite a Fox News article which says that the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee is interested in Al-Awlaki. In May of this year, Fox News reported that Al-Awlaki was a key player in 9/11. This is interesting. I haven't really heard anything about this, except on Fox News, which is a right-wing, conservative news source. If I was a conspiracy nut, I'd say that someone is laying the ground work for a US invasion of Yemen. Since I'm not a conspiracy nut, I'll just say that it makes me suspicious. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that Al-Awlaki was involved in 9/11. But the timing, as Yemen is disintegrating, and AQAP is going strong, and we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11, is suspicious to me.
Tribesmen stopped a military shipment of Russian tanks from reaching Sana'a over the weekend.
The Yemeni PM just returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had medical treatment. He was injured during an assassination attempt on President Saleh, when the presidential palace was bombed in June. Also, the head of the Shura Council just died from injuries from that June bombing. The government is now blaming the attack on two of the opposition leaders.
The Yemen Observer reports that the FBI may be re-opening 9/11 investigations to see what part Anwar Al-Awlaki played in them. They cite a Fox News article which says that the US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee is interested in Al-Awlaki. In May of this year, Fox News reported that Al-Awlaki was a key player in 9/11. This is interesting. I haven't really heard anything about this, except on Fox News, which is a right-wing, conservative news source. If I was a conspiracy nut, I'd say that someone is laying the ground work for a US invasion of Yemen. Since I'm not a conspiracy nut, I'll just say that it makes me suspicious. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that Al-Awlaki was involved in 9/11. But the timing, as Yemen is disintegrating, and AQAP is going strong, and we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11, is suspicious to me.
Tribesmen stopped a military shipment of Russian tanks from reaching Sana'a over the weekend.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saleh in Saudi
President Saleh of Yemen was injured yesterday, and is now in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for treatment. Some of his relatives went with him, which is causing rumors that maybe he won't be going back.
The Yemen Post website appears to be suspended, and many of the other news sites haven't updated in a few days.
The Yemen Post website appears to be suspended, and many of the other news sites haven't updated in a few days.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Yemen Fighting Still
Yemen is really disintegrating. Things were a bit on edge before the "Arab Spring" started, and now it seems to be civil war between Saleh's tribe/clan and the Al-Ahmer clan (Hashid confederation). There's fighting in Sana'a (which briefly shut down the airport) and in Ta'iz. Apparently the military is using tanks and cannon in Sana'a, trying to take back government offices taken by the Al-Ahmer group.
And, of course, all the "infighting" helps AQAP. They just took the seaport of Maqateen, in Shoqra city, Abyan province. Parts of Abyan have been taken over by Islamists, and a city in Shabwa province was declared an "Islamic emirate."
And, of course, all the "infighting" helps AQAP. They just took the seaport of Maqateen, in Shoqra city, Abyan province. Parts of Abyan have been taken over by Islamists, and a city in Shabwa province was declared an "Islamic emirate."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday May 26, 2011 (in brief)
BBC News has a good overview about the problems Yemen is facing. And the US is pulling most of its diplomats from Yemen.
And of course, more fighting means more deaths, many of them in Sana'a, leading many to wonder if this is basically turning into a civil war now.
President Saleh is trying to arrest Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmer of the Hashid tribe, who are opposing him.
The Yemeni government attacked and shut down the Suhail TV channel, owned by al-Ahmer's brother, last night. They also attacked al-Sahwa newspaper, owned by the Islah party.
And of course, more fighting means more deaths, many of them in Sana'a, leading many to wonder if this is basically turning into a civil war now.
President Saleh is trying to arrest Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmer of the Hashid tribe, who are opposing him.
The Yemeni government attacked and shut down the Suhail TV channel, owned by al-Ahmer's brother, last night. They also attacked al-Sahwa newspaper, owned by the Islah party.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Yemen Fighting
Yemen is still in limbo. President Saleh is refusing to step down, and his supporters trapped some foreign ambassadors at an embassy in Sana'a. That set off fighting with anti-Saleh forces, and it's a real mess right now. I'll try to have a real YemenWatch update soon.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
YemenWatch: Saturday April 23, 2011
Wow. I may not have been posting, but I have been paying attention to what's happening in Yemen. The latest is President Saleh saying that he'll step down in 30 days. This is a deal by GCC mediators so that Saleh won't be prosecuted.
First of all, I'll believe it when I see it. Saleh has been in power a long time. But he is getting older so maybe he'd like to retire somewhere with a lot of money. Second, I'm really worried about what's going to happen to Yemen post-Saleh. The Houthis in the north would love to break off from Yemen. The Separatists in the south are still fighting over the Yemeni union. And AQAP is in the middle, glorying in all the chaos. Keep the Yemeni people in your prayers.
First of all, I'll believe it when I see it. Saleh has been in power a long time. But he is getting older so maybe he'd like to retire somewhere with a lot of money. Second, I'm really worried about what's going to happen to Yemen post-Saleh. The Houthis in the north would love to break off from Yemen. The Separatists in the south are still fighting over the Yemeni union. And AQAP is in the middle, glorying in all the chaos. Keep the Yemeni people in your prayers.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
YemenWatch: Thursday March 31, 2011
Human rights organizations are growing increasingly concerned over the situation in Yemen.
President Saleh is calling for a "Friday of Solidarity" in support of his rule.
Several hundred protesters were injured by non-uniformed government forces. Live bullets were fired at the crowd and nerve gas may have been used as well.
Yemen Post reports that marebpress.com was blocked (I got redirected to marebpress.net), and the Islah Party site islah.net was hacked. Other sites that have been previously blocked are almasdaronline.com, nashwannews.com and yemennation.com. I went to YemenOnline.info earlier to see what they had to say, but I got a "bandwidth exceeded" message.
Apparently AQAP has decided that Abyan province is now an Islamic State. I mention Abyan because a landmine was set to kill "experts" for the Canadian Nexen Petroleum company there. And jihadists may or may not have taken over a radio station in Abyan, and declared the Islamic State. There are reports of Jihadi groups running all over Abyan, and I'm not completely sure what's happening there.
The JMP (a coalition of opposition political parties) is accusing President Saleh of working with groups like AQAP and for being responsible for the explosion at the weapon's plant in Abyan.
The JMP, opposition leader Hameed Al-Ahmar, and former Yemeni president Ali Nasser Mohammed are all calling for Saleh's ouster.
The first GPC MP to resign had his house burned down.
Saleh has removed Republican Guard forces from some provinces in order to prevent a coup from taking place in Sana'a.
Anwar Al-Awlaki is all for new regimes in the Arab countries, even secular regimes, because they won't be as strong as the previous rulers so it should be easier for Al-Qa'eda to make inroads.
The chairman of Islah Party met with the US Ambassador yesterday.
This seems almost like a side note given the deteriorating situation in Yemen, but the men who kidnapped 4 Czechs were sentenced to jail terms.
President Saleh is calling for a "Friday of Solidarity" in support of his rule.
Several hundred protesters were injured by non-uniformed government forces. Live bullets were fired at the crowd and nerve gas may have been used as well.
Yemen Post reports that marebpress.com was blocked (I got redirected to marebpress.net), and the Islah Party site islah.net was hacked. Other sites that have been previously blocked are almasdaronline.com, nashwannews.com and yemennation.com. I went to YemenOnline.info earlier to see what they had to say, but I got a "bandwidth exceeded" message.
Apparently AQAP has decided that Abyan province is now an Islamic State. I mention Abyan because a landmine was set to kill "experts" for the Canadian Nexen Petroleum company there. And jihadists may or may not have taken over a radio station in Abyan, and declared the Islamic State. There are reports of Jihadi groups running all over Abyan, and I'm not completely sure what's happening there.
The JMP (a coalition of opposition political parties) is accusing President Saleh of working with groups like AQAP and for being responsible for the explosion at the weapon's plant in Abyan.
The JMP, opposition leader Hameed Al-Ahmar, and former Yemeni president Ali Nasser Mohammed are all calling for Saleh's ouster.
The first GPC MP to resign had his house burned down.
Saleh has removed Republican Guard forces from some provinces in order to prevent a coup from taking place in Sana'a.
Anwar Al-Awlaki is all for new regimes in the Arab countries, even secular regimes, because they won't be as strong as the previous rulers so it should be easier for Al-Qa'eda to make inroads.
The chairman of Islah Party met with the US Ambassador yesterday.
This seems almost like a side note given the deteriorating situation in Yemen, but the men who kidnapped 4 Czechs were sentenced to jail terms.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
YemenWatch: Tuesday March 29, 2011
Yemen has been under emergency law since Wednesday. The vote itself is under question, as many MPs were not there for it. Human Rights Watch has more.
HOOD (Yemeni rights organization) says that a teenager was beaten to death by policemen using their rifle butts.
The Sheikh of the Hashed tribe claims that an assassination plot is the works, targeting high-ranking figures. This comes after the UAE police stopped smugglers from sending pistols to Sa'ada province in Yemen (that's the Houthi area).
Over 100 people, including several children, were killed when a weapons plant exploded in Abyan province. The cause is not known.
Seven soldiers were killed by AQAP in an attack in Mareb province.
You may remember President Saleh saying he would leave by January 2012, but his political party, the GPC, is now saying he will remain until his term expires in 2013. Saleh is calling for the youth of Yemen to form their own political party.
The US government and USAID is providing money to Yemeni hospitals, who are treating wounded protesters. Unfortunately, the US has also given the Yemeni government a lot of anti-terrorism money, which can now be used as anti-protester money. Human Rights Watch has called for the suspension of military aid from the US.
The Yemen Observer is reporting that Al-Jazeera is lying about Yemeni officials resigning. Don't forget, in 2009 the Observer was owned by Saleh's secretary. It probably still is.
Some GPC politicians are resigning, following a "massacre" on Friday. The government is blaming an Islah party leader for the event.
Some MPs and military and academic sources claim Saleh is using AQAP as a bogeyman to stay in power. Which is usually how it's done. You must keep me in power - I will protect you!
Six foreign reporters were deported last week and one freelance reporter died during the protests. The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate has also been attacked. Full report from the International Federation of Journalists. More from Reporters Without Borders.
HOOD (Yemeni rights organization) says that a teenager was beaten to death by policemen using their rifle butts.
The Sheikh of the Hashed tribe claims that an assassination plot is the works, targeting high-ranking figures. This comes after the UAE police stopped smugglers from sending pistols to Sa'ada province in Yemen (that's the Houthi area).
Over 100 people, including several children, were killed when a weapons plant exploded in Abyan province. The cause is not known.
Seven soldiers were killed by AQAP in an attack in Mareb province.
You may remember President Saleh saying he would leave by January 2012, but his political party, the GPC, is now saying he will remain until his term expires in 2013. Saleh is calling for the youth of Yemen to form their own political party.
The US government and USAID is providing money to Yemeni hospitals, who are treating wounded protesters. Unfortunately, the US has also given the Yemeni government a lot of anti-terrorism money, which can now be used as anti-protester money. Human Rights Watch has called for the suspension of military aid from the US.
The Yemen Observer is reporting that Al-Jazeera is lying about Yemeni officials resigning. Don't forget, in 2009 the Observer was owned by Saleh's secretary. It probably still is.
Some GPC politicians are resigning, following a "massacre" on Friday. The government is blaming an Islah party leader for the event.
Some MPs and military and academic sources claim Saleh is using AQAP as a bogeyman to stay in power. Which is usually how it's done. You must keep me in power - I will protect you!
Six foreign reporters were deported last week and one freelance reporter died during the protests. The Yemeni Journalists' Syndicate has also been attacked. Full report from the International Federation of Journalists. More from Reporters Without Borders.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
YemenWatch: Tuesday March 22, 2011
Yemen is undergoing a lot of chaos now. This morning President Saleh even offered to leave office by the end of 2011, but the protesters aren't buying it and more of the military is defecting to their side. On Monday several army commanders left the government and joined the protesters; one of them is from Saleh's clan. This follows the shooting of dozens of protesters on Friday.
Saleh is now saying that Yemen could descend into civil war. And he's probably right. There are already problems with AQAP, the Houthis in the north, and separatists in the south. The Houthis would face problems from Saudi Arabia if they split off. The Separatists might be able to make a go of it. And AQAP would be busy terrorizing everyone.
Saleh is now saying that Yemen could descend into civil war. And he's probably right. There are already problems with AQAP, the Houthis in the north, and separatists in the south. The Houthis would face problems from Saudi Arabia if they split off. The Separatists might be able to make a go of it. And AQAP would be busy terrorizing everyone.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
UK-Yemen Plot
A man who worked for British Airways was arrested last year for terrorism and recently convicted. The government just finished decrypting his e-mails, which contained correspondence with Anwar Al-Awlaki. Apparently Al-Awlaki wanted to get a person or package on board a plane heading for the United States. This is from e-mails in February of 2010, months before the AQAP bombs found in late October of 2010. Unfortunately, it took nine months to decrypt all of these e-mails.
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