Democracy News

Yemen Revolt Continues; Saleh Gravely Injured
June 14, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly 

In late April 2011, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to sign a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)-brokered deal only to back out three times. After the third time, on May 22, the GCC declared it was suspending its efforts to mediate with the Yemeni government.

Opposition demonstrators have occupied Ta'izz main square since the uprising against Saleh’s rule began earlier this year. Despite initial peaceful protests, on May 29, the military started an operation to crush the protests and to clear the demonstrators from their camp at the square, the New York Times reported. Troops reportedly fired live ammunition, sprayed them with water cannons, burned their tents and some people were even run over by bulldozers.

Earlier in May 2011, government officials indicated that the GCC deal would be signed, but the opposition agreed to sign on only if Saleh himself personally signed the deal in his capacity as president. However, Saleh backed away, saying the deal did not require his signature. The opposition also backed out and accused Saleh of negotiating in bad faith.

According to the New York Times, protesters rejected the deals, criticizing provisions that granted Saleh immunity from prosecution and required the opposition to join with Saleh and his ministers in the national unity government.

On May 10, opposition leaders received assurances that Saleh would personally sign the GCC plan. In turn, the opposition demanded compliance and signed the deal. However, Saleh once again decided to back away from the deal, a brief but tense standoff occurred on May 22. Saleh's supporters surrounded the United Arab Emirates embassy in Sana'a, trapping international diplomats (including the secretary-general of the GCC) inside until the government dispatched a helicopter to transport them to the presidential palace.

On May 23, the New York Times reported that Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the head of the Hashid tribal federation, one of the most powerful tribes in the country, declared support for the opposition. The same day armed Ahmar supporters violently clashed with Saleh-loyalist security forces in Sana'a. Heavy street fighting was reported, including artillery and mortar shelling. The militiamen surrounded and blocked off several government buildings in the capital, Aljazeera reported.

Additionally, BBC News reported that as the situation in Sana'a was developing, about 300 Islamic militants attacked and captured the coastal city of Zinjibar. During the takeover of the town, the militants killed five policemen, including a high-ranking officer.

On May 26, military units that defected to the opposition were hit for the first time by mortar fire by Saleh’s forces, killing three soldiers and wounding another, BBC News reported. By the evening, tribesmen took control of the Interior Ministry building and the national airline building, the New York Times reported.

After pressure from the United States (US) and the international community, a ceasefire was announced late on  May 27. The next day a truce was established between Ahmar militiamen and Saleh’s forces. However, by May 31, the ceasefire had been broken and street fighting resumed in Sana'a. According to the Wall Street Journal, tribesmen had taken control of both the headquarters of the ruling General People's Congress party and the main offices of the country’s water utility.

On June 1, units of the Saleh’s Presidential Guard, which is commanded by one of Saleh's sons, shelled the headquarters of an army brigade belonging to the defected 1st Armored Division of the Yemeni Army. According to the New York Times, they did so even though defected military units were holding a neutral position in the conflict between the loyalists and the tribesmen.

On June 3, a rocket attack on the presidential palace left Saleh injured and seven other top government officials wounded. The New York Times reported that the Prime Minister, the deputy prime minister, the parliament chief, the governor of Sana'a and a presidential aide were wounded while they were praying at a mosque inside the palace compound. BBC News reported that Saleh had a collapsed lung and burns over 40 percent of his body.

On June 4, Saleh was flown to the Saudi capital of Riyadh for surgery and medical treatment. The same day, a cease-fire was brokered by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. The Wall Street Journal reported that Saleh was already working out the details of a power transfer when he was wounded, making his return doubtful.

An opposition party official told the Associated Press that international mediators, including the US and Saudi Arabia, tried to get Saleh to sign a presidential decree passing permanent authority to his vice president before he left for treatment in Saudi Arabia.

On June 5, BBC News reported that protesters in Sanaa celebrated Saleh's transfer of power, but Yemeni officials insisted that Saleh's absence was temporary and he would soon return to Yemen to resume his duties of office.

On June 13, leaders of the political opposition met with Yemen’s vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi, and two other senior governing party officials in the first known meeting between the two sides since the beginning of the year.US Ambassador Gerald Feierstein had previously pressed both sides to meet after the attack on the presidential palace on June 3, the New York Times reported.

According to the UN Human Development Index, Yemen has the fourth lowest rating in the Arab world after Sudan, Djibouti and Mauritania. The embattled country is also fighting al-Qaeda forces in the Arabian Peninsula as well as a revolt from secessionists in the southern part of the country that want to see the old South Yemen reconstituted as a republic.

Within Yemen, the opposition seems increasingly divided about how to move forward, with some favoring far-reaching changes and others urging a more moderate political resolution endorsed by the US and Yemen’s Arab neighbors.

For previous news on Yemen, please see:
Yemeni Opposition Coalition Accept GCC Deal; Protestors Reject

Sources:
New York Times – Yemen’s Opposition Meets With Government Officials

New York Times – Yemeni President Wounded in Palace Attack

New York Times – Citing Medical Needs, Yemeni Leader Goes to Saudi Arabia

New York Times – Opposition Is Split on How to Reshape Yemen

Reuters – Bomb kills Yemen officer as Gulf states mull solution

Wall Street Journal – Yemeni President Nears Deal to Resign

Wall Street Journal – Yemen Leader Vows to Return

Wall Street Journal – Yemeni Tribe Takes Key City

Aljazeera – US Calls for Immediate Transition in Yemen

BBC News – Yemen: Parties deny holding talks as Saleh recovers         
                          
BBC News – Yemeni President Saleh hurt by 'shrapnel' in attack

United Nations Human Development Index