As Yemen enters its fourth weeks of protests, the anti-government movement shows no sign of weakening. It continues to relentlessly ask for the immediate departure of the President. In recent days, as many more MPs presented their resignation and many Sheikhs decided to join the ranks of the protesters, the government has upped its game by sending the army to the streets.
SANA’A
In an attempt to regain control of the area surrounding the University, the Yemeni Government has ordered the army to create a ring around the protesters and to prevent anyone to enter the perimeter with tents or blankets. Ali Abdullah Saleh is using all the tools at his disposal to break the momentum of protest; but so far he had little success. Despite the heavy military presence the anti-government protesters defied the authorities by camping outside the University. The Government Forces then stormed the Faculty premises, using live ammunitions against the protesters, causing grave injuries to at least 93 people. After hours of fierce fighting, the Opposition managed to push back their attackers and to regain control of the ground.
“It’s a massacre,” said opposition spokesman Muhammad Qahtan. “It is a crime by security troops against students engaged in a peaceful sit-in.”
On Tuesday, reports of riots in the capital’s main prison forced the Security Forces to surround the building and use rubber bullets and tear gas to regain control. However, the prisoners managed to take some officers hostage, asking for the President to step down immediately. It is still unclear as to how weapons were smuggled into the facility. The insurrection led to the death of 80 prisoners and an undisclosed number of casualties. It took an entire day of intene clashes to bring back a resemblance of order to the prison.
ADEN
In Aden, the Separatist Movement is drawing more popular support as it manages to push the army back from the town centre. The rebels have vowed to burn to the ground each and every government building and to repel the military forces beyond the southern borders. Despite heavy casualties and a mounting death toll, people’s determination seems to grow stronger with every gunshot.
TAIZ and IBB
In the town of Taiz and Ibb the situation is as well extremely tense as protesters are continuing to stage anti-government protests under the protection of the Sheikhs and clerics. Crowds of thousands are said to have gathered in the towns centre. There too, the government is using violent repressive methods to break out the mounting opposition movement. However, as protesters are coming forever greater in numbers, some officers decided to join them in their fight rather than oppose them.
TRIBES
The Tribes of Al Kholan and Mareb have sent many armed men to Sana’a in order to offer protection to the protesters. This is putting the government in an uncomfortable position. Traditionally the Sheikh extends his protection to all his tribesmen and if one happens to be killed or injured, the entire tribe will rise and take revenge; shooting indiscriminately at what it sees as the guilty party. In the past, the President had to withdraw all police presence from the street after an argument between a police officer and a tribe man turned violent and led to the death of the latter. The Sheikh sent armed men to the city ordering them to shoot at whoever was wearing a police uniform. The President himself had to intervene by paying the price of blood and by offering his apologies to the family.
Tribes in Yemen value the life of their people above all else and they have a heighten sense of pride, as many have learned to their expense.
SANHAN
Even the President’s birth town of Sanhan was not exempted from the wave of protests that have rocked the country. Some graffiti asking for Saleh resignation appeared on many walls across the village. This event carries much weight as Sanhan is the President’s family stronghold. By renouncing him, they are stripping him from his tribal legitimacy, which in Yemen is a huge offense.
President Saleh has now asked for a national dialogue with the country’s top political figures and representatives as well as the security chiefs. This conference is said to take place on Thursday.
However, as many opposition leaders refuse to open any dialogue until Saleh agrees to leave his post before year’s end, any talks might prove futile.
It looks as though the President’s window of opportunity is closing fast. With reported preparation of an armed rebellion against the government under the leadership of powerful Sheikhs, who are believed to be under the US protection, a “coup d’état” might not be far away.
