Foreign Policy Blogs

Political Games continue in Yemen

he Following piece is written by a Yemeni-based journalist who writes for the Foreign Policy Blogs network and, due to serious security concerns, remains anonymous.

YEMEN SANA’A- Only a day after the Opposition inked the GCC proposal which was meant to pave the way to a peaceful transition of power, President Saleh suggested that he might not sign after all. It would only be the third time mind you.

According to his aid, the embattled President wasn’t happy with the “signing behind closed doors policy”. Instead he wanted all members of the Opposition to join him in a Public celebration of this historic event.

The Opposition which is understandably deeply mistrusting of President Saleh politely declined the invitation, pointing out that they had fulfilled their part of the deal.

Just as the country joined in the celebrations, Ali Abdullah Saleh was setting his plan in motion.

Ambassadors are held prisoners

Eye-witnesses reported that armed men assaulted the GCC secretary General’s convoy, pounding his car and shouting abuses, asking him to leave immediately. After 10 long minutes, Al-Zayani eventually managed to reach the safety of the Embassy.

In scenes worthy of a Hollywood motion picture, armed thugs, seeing brandishing traditional swords, surrounded the UAE Embassy, rendering all exit impossible and de facto turning the US, UK and EU ambassadors along with Mr al-Zayany into prisoners.

Apparently, Saleh’s supporters refused to let international meddling force their beloved President out of power, claiming that the entire nation was behind him on this Day of Unity. Clearly, the move had been carefully plan as well as the date. Saleh made every attempt to delay the signature so that it would take place on this very day.

Interestingly enough, despite the UAE Embassy being a stone throw away from Yemen Counter Terrorism Unit Headquarters, no Police Officer or Security personnel were present at the time.

After a few hours of intense chaos, a few phone calls and an army helicopter, the officials were eventually flown to the Presidential Palace were Saleh told them that he would not sign after all.

Instead, some members of his political party inked the proposal in front of a laughing US Ambassador who seemed strangely jovial given the circumstances.

Saleh made a speech to the nation announcing that the Opposition was to blame for him not signing as it had declined his invitation to join him at the palace. He also said that he was holding them responsible for whatever blood would be spilled as a result.

400,000 armed men in the Yemeni Capital

According to witnesses and leaked official documents, the Regime would have for many weeks now, distributed weapons to his supporters ahead of a possible armed conflict. Yesterday, as Yemenis celebrated May 22sd across the capital, Saleh’s men moved in, blocking many roads and attacking civilians with batons. Many men reported their cars were being vandalized by the thugs.

Clearly, the Regime is attempting to escalate the violence and plunge the nation into a bloody civil war. With most of the country outside his influence, Saleh is desperately holding to the capital, believing that he can regain the lost ground.

People are also accusing the government of staging electricity blackouts to further put pressure onto the population.

International Reaction

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton show some degree of disappointment at the news, saying that she was urging President Saleh to follow through with his promises of peaceful transfer of power.

The Gulf countries, at the exception of Qatar and Koweit, declared that in the light of recent events they would withdraw their support of President Saleh. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of Yemenis continue to stage massive protests demanding the ousting of the regime.

Also in Yemen: Tribal Leader under Government Attack

Yemen Sana’a- Only a day after warning against a possible Civil War, President Saleh ordered the attack of Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar by the regime’s Security Forces.

Sheikh al-Ahmar is the tribal leader of the powerful Hasheed tribe and the official tribal leader of President Saleh. Putting his tribal loyalty to the side, President Saleh ordered the attack on Sadeeq, risking bringing the country into civil war.

The Sheikh’s residence is in the district of Hashaba, near the Interior Ministry. As the fighting erupted, guns were trade for automatic weapons and for RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades). The Government Force tried to break into the Sheikh’s residence by using tanks and heavy artillery.

Alerted, the tribesmen immediately headed for the capital, in full gear and determined to make a stand for their leader.

According to the AFP, a Yemeni journalist was injured while covering the story, as others took cover into a nearby building. Marwan Damag, the Head of the Journalist Syndicate, explained that the fighting was so fierce that the men could not leave their shelter, by fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Overwhelmed by the tribesmen, Saleh ordered the Republican guards to step in, in a bid to break the tribe’s defenses.  Despite the reinforcement, Saleh Forces were unable to fight back the enraged tribesmen who flooded the scenes, encircling Saleh’s men.

Furthermore, having spotted snipers on nearby rooftops, the Hasheed moved towards the Yemenia Headquarters setting the offices on fire and shooting at the Saba News Agency. Witnesses also reported that the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and the GPC Headquarters were under the control of the tribe.

The US Embassy had to close its offices when armed tribesmen blocked its road access.

We know that at least 3 men died as a result of the fighting and another 25 injured.

Witnesses at “Change Square” also said that a considerate amount of military forces were gathering, fearing of a night attack under the cover of darkness. For the last few days, Sana’a has been plagued by electric cuts. Whether the Regime is behind it all is not clear at this stage.