The 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.
According to sources close to the Yemeni government, Brigadier General Ali Saleh al-Ahmar, President Saleh’s half brother, would be behind the attempted assassination which took place last week. An explosion inside the presidential compound Mosque injured President Saleh alongside many senior officials and forced him to seek medical treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Despite much denial from the Yemeni government, President Saleh would have suffered severe burns over 40% of his body and shrapnel would have lodged itself under is heart, puncturing one of his lungs. Saudi surgeon performed an emergency surgery to remove the 7.5 cm piece of metal. President Saleh medical status is still ambiguous as much secrecy his surrounding his person.
Death of a Son
It all started in 2007, when Ahmed Ali Saleh, the President’s son decided that he wanted to assume the functions of Commander of the Republican Guards, held by his uncle Ali Saleh al-Ahmar. President Saleh himself ordered his brother to comply and surrender his position in favor to his son. Furious of the insult suffered by his father, Ali Saleh al-Ahmar’s son is said to have had a heating argument with the President, upon which guns were drawn and shots fired.
Upon the death of his son, President Saleh’s brother decided to leave for the United States where he became a successful businessman.
Apparently, President Saleh himself would have asked his brother to come back to Yemen and assume once again a senior position within his government. At the time already, Saleh was facing political difficulties and he wanted to surround himself with loyal member of his family, who he thought would be more likely to support his presidency.
The Plot
It is believed that Ali Saleh al-Ahmar arranged for a explosive device to detonate within the Mosque situated inside the Presidential Palace at the time of Friday prayer.
As a result of the explosion, 6 bodyguards were killed and several senior members of the Yemeni government were severely injured, amongst whom the Prime Minister and the Head of Parliament.
President Saleh who was directly behind the Imam, bore most of the blast. According to medical sources in Saudi Arabia and the statements of American diplomats, Saleh’s condition would be quite serious indeed.
International Conspiracy
Although this information is unverifiable, sources close to Saleh claim that the attack on Saleh was carried out with the full knowledge and support of the US.
Since Saleh’s departure for Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been pushing for a transition of power within the parameters of the Yemeni Constitution. The US state department also engaged in talks with the JMP and the Gulf countries to find a quick solution to the current crisis.
