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The Facts As They Are
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Taiz Is Not Dead
Acting President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Meets With The American Ambassador
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Yemen gives wounded al Qaeda a chance to regroup
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TU E SD AY , Jun 7 , 2011 I ISSUE 43 PRICE : YER 30 WWW . NAT IONALYEMEN. COM
Clashes In Yemen, Not A Point Of No Return
3 Killed as Violence Returns to Yemen's Capital Opposition tribesmen in Yemen say government snipers in the capital, Sana'a, have killed three supporters of tribal leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar. The shootings Monday came a day after Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur Hadi ordered his forces to vacate oppositioncontrolled areas of the capital, while al-Ahmar began to evacuate his militia from government buildings and called for an end to the fighting Late Sunday, Al-Ahmar agreed to a cease-fire with Hadi, Al-Ahmar spokesman Abdulqawi Al-Qaisi told CNN. The cease-fire deal followed two weeks of clashes between government and tribal forces in Yemen, where thousands of protesters have been pressuring Saleh to give up power since January. The fighting erupted when Saleh balked at a deal with the
opposition that would have eased him out of office in 30 days. A senior U.S. official said Saleh had shrapnel wounds and severe burns to his face and chest, adding that it was not clear how serious the injuries were. The official declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the situation. Yemen's largest opposition bloc had vowed to prevent Saleh from returning. "The Yemeni people will do all in their power to not allow Saleh to re-enter the country," Joint Meeting Parties spokesman Mohammed Qahtan said Sunday. The president's sons and nephews control a significant part of the security apparatus," Hiltermann said. "And they might yet put up a fight, or decide to go into negotiations over a transition of power."
Australia to host both Yemen matches Australia will host both legs of their Olympic soccer qualifier against Yemen later this month because of the political turmoil in the Middle Eastern state, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) said on Monday. The FFA had been advised by the Australian foreign ministry that sending their team, nicknamed the Olyroos, to the Arabian Peninsula state was not advisable. "Obviously we are really happy with this outcome in light of the current situation in
Yemen," Australia coach Aurelio Vidmar said in a news release. "It was always our preference to play both matches in Australia to avoid unnecessary travel where possible. "FFA has done a tremendous job in negotiating this outcome and we thank Yemen for agreeing to this offer." The matches, part of Asian qualification for next year's London Olympics, will take place in Gosford on June 19 and Newcastle four days later.
Saleh’s Quick Recovery Expected
The presidential compound has been attacked and the President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has been wounded. Several other officials were also injured when at least two shells hit a mosque in the compound. It's the most significant escalation in days of fighting in Sanaa between President Saleh's forces and armed tribesmen allied to the powerful al Ahmar family.
DFA raises alert level in Sanaa in Yemen to '4' The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised the crisis alert level in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to "4" because of the worsened politicosecurity situation in the city. Alert level 3 is still in effect in other areas of Yemen. The DFA issued the advisory after the Yemeni presidential palace was attacked, leaving Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and some members of his government injured. Seven presidential guards were also killed.
Alert level 4 means "mandatory evacuation and repatriation" of Filipino nationals in an affected area at Philippine government’s expense. “In light of the worsening security situation in the city, we are asking Filipinos in Sanaa to get in touch with the Embassy team stationed there so they could be moved to a safer area, and then out of the country," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. Alert level in other parts of Yemen On May 24, DFA raised the
crisis alert level in Yemen to "3," specifying voluntary repatriation at the government’s expense. In coordination with Department of Labor and Employment, a deployment ban was put in place. All Filipinos were also advised not to travel to Yemen at this time. Filipinos in Yemen were also advised to call the Embassy teams in Sanaa and Aden immediately if they feel unsafe in the area they are residing and the teams can move them in a safe area.
Yemen fuel shortages grow, pipeline stays shut -trade
RIYADH: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh underwent surgery to remove sharp pieces of wood and little blood clots from his chest in Riyadh on Sunday. Diplomatic and hospital sources said Saleh was fine and recovering fast at the Armed Forces Hospital in the Saudi capital. He will later have plastic surgery to mend wounds on his face and neck. He will stay in the hospital for an indeterminate amount of time for treatment and rehabilitation, said the sources. “But, a full recovery is expected within a
short period of time,” a hospital source said. The president was accompanied by a 59-member entourage, mainly consisting of family members and ruling party officials, in two separate planes. Most of them are staying either in the hospital or at the government-owned Conference Palace Hotel in Riyadh. In Yemen, the opposition vowed to prevent the return of Saleh as tens of thousands of people celebrated his departure. “We will work with all our Continued on Page (3)
ISTANBUL/LONDON, June 6 (Reuters) - Yemen's main oil pipeline remains shut after closing in March and fuel shortages across the country continue to worsen, trade sources said on Monday. A blast in March on the pipeline, suspected to have been set off by tribesmen, has stopped the flow of light Marib crude, forcing the 130,000 barrelsper-day Aden refinery to shut and leading to the fuel shortages. "There has been no flow of crude and no Marib output. The fuel shortages are worsening, especially in Sanaa," a Yemen-based shipping source said. Trade sources said repairing the pipeline and testing were estimated to take around two weeks from when it commenced.
"When that will be remains unknown and depends on the willingness of tribes to allow it to happen," one source said. in the mean time the capital Yemen Sana'a suffered lack of petrol at the petrol station.
smuggler and nomadic can be seen in the sub streets are selling the petrol through tanks in which the cost increased tour times than the actual rate.The cost of 20 litter cost $28
West insists president quits in exchange for immunity The United States and Britain are pressing Saudi Arabia to persuade the Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to formally stand down after flying to Riyadh for treatment for injuries that were sustained in shelling in Sana'a on Friday. Diplomats said that Washington and London were insisting that Saleh now be urged to implement a deal under which he would relinquish power in exchange for immunity from prosecution and financial guarantees about his future. Pro-democracy protestors in Yemen were celebrating his departure after 33 years in power, but the Arab world's poorest country still faces turmoil as well as immediate concerns over whether a truce will hold if Saleh tries to return and his relatives and supporters fight back. The risks ahead were underlined by clashes in the southern city of Taiz, which left at least two dead and four injured. Shelling was also reported in Sana'a. Saleh was described as recovering following emergency medical treatment in a Riyadh military; he was injured by shrapnel when his palace compound was attacked by tribal rivals. Yemen's ruling party, the General People's Congress, insisted he would be back, but diplomats and analysts expressed doubt, suggesting that Saudi patience with an always fractious and often manipulative neighbour was exhausted.
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Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2011 Issue 43
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COMMUNITY
National Yemen
Taiz Is Not Dead BY Sky Sutton Since the killing of 72 innocent people in the Square of Change on March 18, 2011 Yemen has been in a state of revolution. I live in America where international news is often difficult to find. Updates on social networks were some of the best news I could get. Youtube started to fill with clips of cowardly snipers hiding in apartments to take pot shots at the peaceful protesters. Photo albums of the bloodied, broken bodies began to appear. People from countries around the globe used Facebook to get organized for rallies and to show support. I reached out to Capt. M., a British friend I met in Taiz. He lives in Hodeidah. He wrote: “We are only going into the office on Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays – and then in the mornings only. Wednesday and Saturday have both been declared as ‘Days of Disobedience’ and businesses are closed in the mornings.” I became a great fan of the photographer Ameen Al-Ghabri. His stunning images of individual protesters and passionate crowds have captured hearts around the world. Tribesmen, student protesters, every -day men, women and children have all opened their struggle to Mr. Al-Ghabri’s expert lens. Ahmed A., a gentleman from Marib living in Sana’a, became my eyes and ears on the ground. I haven’t gone more than forty-eight hours without touching base with Ahmed since the first martyrs fell in the Square. Many of my Arab friends on-line have helped me to translate slang, understand the players in the game and even allow me to be a part of the protest. I wrote to Ahmed: “If you make one of those water/paint bags to mess up a windshield write my name on it before you
throw it so I can feel like I’m there:‘Sama’a says er’hal, Saleh!!!’ ” Ahmed wrote back: “its have been done in Taiz … one of my friend did it …. throw it on an army carrier … i know u love Taiz and he made it for u ;) ” I thought: Ha! Take that, Saleh! All the way from New England! Ahmed was right: I do love Taiz. My time in Yemen affected me to the core. It is my dearest wish to return to the deserts and mountains of Sheba and Arwa.
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A brave woman in Sana’a got a live cam feed to stream from her cell phone
Where was this revolution on American news? If I was there I kept missing it. On May 29th I found a live cam of the protesters in Taiz. When I started watching there were peaceful protesters and tents. I napped to the sounds of the feed. Sleeping in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, a horn honking in traffic in Taiz, Yemen woke me up. The protesters began to pray. A
voice on the PA system called out through the crackling speakers. All was peaceful. The prayer came out line by line. There was a pop! some place near the tents and silence. A gun shot. The voice on the PA system hesitated for a moment and then continued until the prayer was finished. At the top of my screen I could see Saleh’s military vehicles, like beasts in a nightmare, rolling up on the innocent protesters. The metal beasts sat still for a moment and then moved forward spraying the protesters with giant jets of liquid and bullets over everyone. My stomach pitched every time the muzzles flashed and my brain froze trying to process the evil I was watching unfold. A man in the crowd waved his arm. Watching him, helpless to help him, I waved my arm, too. I wanted to feel any part of what he was feeling. The camera broadcasting the protest eventually lost power. When the screen went black an icy fear crept into me at what could be happening behind that black. Twitter exploded with updates: Taiz was burning. Saleh’s thugs were torching the tents and the protesters inside of them. Mosques across the sprawling metropolis opened their doors, playing the Koran at full volume in support of the protesters and as a condemnation to the soldiers and thugs who were putting innocent people to death. Saleh’s bulldozers began flattening the protesters’ camp. Looking at all of us launching news from our laptops and cell phones it felt like Khadir had blessed our fingers so we could type for hours and hours straight. We posted and reposted all the information we could find; including the blatant SOS distress calls. SOS?! I felt as though I’d slid
back into WWII. I reposted the SOS without hesitation. What more clear message was there? A brave woman in Sana’a got a live cam feed to stream from her cell phone. The violence in Taiz was being matched all around her. Her feed was a black screen and whispered words: “…Keep the light covered!” she hissed a fierce whisper at her friend, “The snipers will see it!” They discussed the 12X7’s being used. I’m still not sure what a 12X7 is. I was very impressed with the man in Taiz who Twittered even when he feared the government might knock at his door any moment. This man also helped me to understand where things were happening. Reports kept mentioning the Square and various sides of town but not actual locations. To have the street names helped me see the situation more clearly. I posted and reposted but I also talked with the people I
saw every day. I shared films and songs, art and comments. I took children’s sidewalk chalk to my back sidewalk and wrote: “Erhal!” in Arabic. A local man stopped to ask what I was writing. “It’s the mantra for the Yemeni Revolution, “ I told him. “Ah, Arab Spring,” said the man. I was so pleased that the news had reached him. Reports of al Qeada taking the town of Zinjibar sound like Saleh’s propaganda machine. The way I’ve explained the tribesmen and young protesters versus Saleh and his thugs is to compare them to Hell’s Angels and student protesters versus the police and military. Imagine the students are having sit-ins and the police are starting to harass and damage them. Imagine a few of the Hell’s Angels, an infamous American motorcycle gang, have kids at those universities. Those Angels are going to set up a perimeter around those
kids. The kids won’t have guns but the Angels would. It evens the playing field. I know there’s more to it than that. There are various tribes to consider. North and south are of importance. Post-revolution issues weigh heavily on many minds. It’s all very confusing. The day after Taiz burned Yemen was in the news in America. I breathed a sigh of relief to see the coverage on various TV and radio stations. It felt like all those distress calls had finally reached some of the right ears. Maybe now something will be done. Pressures must be applied. Saleh needs to leave. Erhal! Sky Sutton lives in Northampton, MA, USA. Ms. Sutton is the author of “Daddy Moonshine- The Story of Marvin ‘Popcorn’ Sutton” and a historian of New England histories. Ms. Sutton spent time in Yemen in 2001 as a producer for a Yemeni tour company’s promotional materials.
covering a wide range of facts and issues. This exhibit, in addition to many other photos from the revolution will be shown in Qatar, Spain and in the US. In an effort to decrease the amount of photographers in Yemen that are documenting the recent events, the Ministry of Media has not permitted international photographers to enter Yemen. While their efforts have generally succeeded, it has been a huge shock for the government to deal with the increasing amount of Yemeni photographers. As a response, security institutions have ordered commands prevent non- governmental photographers to photograph in many areas. Many cameras have been taken by police, some were broken, but worst of all, photographers have been injured or even killed because they showed the truth of what has really been happening through out Yemen. This reality has forced many
photographers in Yemen to live inside the Change Square and other squares to do whatever they can do to show the full image of the unprecedented events. More than ever, Yemen is in need for photographers to capture the reaction of the people, spread urgent messages, expose hidden plots and document the effects of the revolution on Yemeni society. As such, we should increase our support for Yemeni photographers as they will play key roles in future of our country. We should start by protecting the copyrights for photographers, creating more photographic exhibits in Yemen, increasing photography lessons in schools, and by creating an official association for Yemeni photographers. These steps are small but essential as they will help photographers play important roles in building Yemen by documenting the truth of the events that will shape our future.
The Importance Of Increasing Support For Yemeni Photographers By: Ebrahim Al-Sharif Although photography plays a crucial role in the in Yemen, Yemenis have traditionally labeled it as a profession of marginal importance. This is unfortunate because many of Yemeni events are rarely covered by Yemeni photographers. Instead, most events are covered by foreign photographers who show Yemen as their news agencies want — a country of terrorism, qat, weapon carrying, and early marriage. It is not surprising then that foreign photographers often overlook the natural beauty of our country. There are many struggles which photographers face in Yemen. The biggest reason is that Yemenis are not used to seeing Yemeni photographers take pictures of political events or even in touristic places like foreigners photographers do. As a result, Yemeni society does not accept the idea of Yemeni photographers, creating a misunderstanding of the role of photography in the country. There is also
not enough encouragement, education, cheap photography equipment, access to needed facilities or official support that Yemen photographers can draw upon. Consequently, Yemen lacks needed photographers and a critical understanding of how valuable photography is. This is why lucrative photography jobs are simply left to foreigners. However much has changed in Yemeni photography as a result of the protests in Change Square and beyond. Now there are new faces, new cameras and new ideas that are successful documenting our reality and unfolding history. Yemeni photography fans were quick to purchase new professional and normal cameras alike to fulfill their duties to Yemen by detailing the recent events in photos and videos. Even female photographers have used cameras and phones to take pictures showing the role of women in the revolution. With all of the powerful
photography that has taken place, the leaders in Change Square created a photographic exhibit
inside the Change Square itself that included different photos from different photographers
National Yemen Between Fear and Ceasefires
It is only in Playstation games that the actions of the player never harm him. The worst situation a gamer can face is the reset button. Similar logic holds true for the Saudis, Qataris, Shiekhs and decision makers as they play their war games in Yemen. While the ramifications for the buttons they push may not harm the players in Yemeni politics, their actions do however, harm every ordinary Yemeni citizen. Since the unity of Yemen in 1990 the country has had no stable security for a continuous five years. This period culminated in the summer of 1994, when a war was started in defense of Yemen unity equally harming families and the economy. The results left Southern Yemen marginalized; simmering with discontent and plots of revenge. As the war faded into history, language of discrimination between the north and south became institutionalized. The country became polarized at the hands of players in the political games that defined Yemen after unity. In 2004, the Houthi war in Sa’ada pushed Yemen into the square of semi religious warfare which dragged on for six continuous wars. Neither side managed to win the battle nor did the Houthies follow the instructions of the Qatari mediators. In between the fear and ceasefires of Sa’ada, civilians
and soldiers alike were forced to leave their homes and both became refugees. They both became victims of decision makers far from struggles they faced on a daily basis. The same pattern holds true in Sana’a today. People in al-Hasaba area, neighbors of Sheikh al-Ahmar, are being uprooted from their homes, sometimes injured, or even killed simply because of personal clashes that service the interests of the Sheikh. The events in Yemen have been, and are, the result of interests of only a few select families. And as a result, the whole population is pays the fees of its fake democracy and the interests of Saudi Arabia and gulf governments like Qatar, Kuwait and Emirates. They never want Yemen to be a civilian run country, nor strong government, because they are afraid this will affect their family governments. If there is no final solution on the ongoing clashes, it seems that the crisis of Yemen will continue and the worst is only yet to come. The hope for a civilian government will not come true since the tribes and Sheikhs are so heavily involved on the current movement change. How can we expect a good future when individuals and Sheikhs field their own armies? How can the new generation dream for a better tomorrow when there is no hope today? The basic infrastructure is destroyed; government buildings are targets of robbery and munitions. Life for Yemenis has turned into a nightmare and the real solutions have been overlooked in the processes of un-fair mediations. One must remind the players of Yemeni politics that for every action they take, no reset button can be pushed for the lives ruined and people killed.
Continued From Page (1)
strength to prevent his return,” parliamentary opposition spokesman Mohammed Qahtan said. But a spokesman of the ruling General People’s Congress told Al Arabiya news channel: “President Saleh will return to Yemen within days.” In a statement issued on Sunday five European countries – Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – thanked Saudi Arabia for accepting the Yemeni president onto its territory for medical treatment. The statement also urged “the Yemeni people to find the way to reconciliation in a spirit of dialogue and national unity”, the AP news agency reported. Vice-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has taken over as acting president and supreme commander of the armed forces
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in Saleh’s absence. However, Hadi announced that Ali Abdullah Saleh is due to return to the country as president following his treatment. When the rocket struck the mosque in the presidential compound on Friday there were approximately 200 people inside. As a result, 11 guards were killed and five officials were seriously wounded and taken to Saudi Arabia. After the attack officials promised repeatedly that Saleh would appear in public soon, but eight hours later state TV aired only an audio message from the president, showing an old photo of him on screen. “If you are well, I am well,” Saleh said in a brief message to the Yemeni people.
Fakhri Hassan Al-Arashi Publisher & Chief Editor
Noah Browning Deputy Editor
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Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2011 Issue 43 www.nationalyemen.com
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Acting President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Meets With The American Ambassador Acting president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has meet with the American Ambassador to Sana’a Today. They discuss the on going political crises in Yemen that might help the country to end the current chaos for more than four months. Hadi is ruling a the country according to the Yemeni law article 165 which say that the deputy president take care of the country affairs in the absence of the President . President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s authoritarian grip on Yemen appeared to be slipping as he arrived in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment for wounds suffered in a rocket attack on his compound.
Saleh, whose Saudi medical evacuation plane was met by a senior Saudi official, walked off the aircraft but had visible injuries on his neck, head and face, a source told Reuters. His journey to Saudi Arabia came amid speculation from Yemeni and western analysts that it was unlikely that he would be able to return to Yemen if he was forced to seek medical assistance abroad. Saleh delivered an audio address on television to reassure supporters, but his voice sounded laboured and the address was made accompanied by an old photograph of him on the screen.
Acting president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was due to meet members of the military and Saleh’s sons, al-Arabiya television said on Sunday. It was the first indication that Saleh’s powerful sons had not also left the country. A leaderless Yemen would place enormous pressure on Saudi Arabia, which has long played the role of kingmaker for its much smaller, and infinitely poorer, neighbour. The violence in the country grew out of pro-democracy protests that has turned into a power struggle between Saleh’s ruling clique and his former allies in the Ahmar clan.
Yemen Republican Guard Unit Defects A Yemeni rights activist says a brigade of the powerful Republican Guard run by the son of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh has defected to the opposition in a southern province. It’s the first reported defection among the elite troops, which have been the core of Saleh’s hold on power despite three months of massive street protests and defections by some military and tribal allies.
Activist Abdul - Rahman Ahmed says a letter from Brig. Gen. Ibrahim al-Jayfi, commander of the Guard’s Ninth Brigade was read to thousands of protesters in the provincial capital of Damar on Sunday. Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar of the powerful Hashid tribal confederation, whose fighters battled Saleh’s troops for five days last week, has called on the Guard to help topple Saleh. The clashes killed 124 people.
MTN A Victim Of The Fuel Crisis In Yemen The customers of MTNYemen network suffered from bad coverage throughout the past three days. Technical staff from MTN confirmed problems of coverage as result of attacks in which tribesmen stole the fuel which is used to power the towers. According to one NY source, the attackers stole the fuel to power both the motors that irrigate their fields as well as their personal cars. The source added that this is a bad sign for the future of MTN’s business operations if further attacks are carried out on the cell phone towers.
These problems stem from Yemen’s severe shortage in oil, gas, diesel and electricity. Long rows of people and cars can be seen in major cities and major roadways waiting for their turn to get 20 liters of petrol. The continued unrest in Yemen has pushed many families to leave Sana’a anticipating the worst. The tribal mediators between President Saleh and Shaikh Sadiq al-Ahmar the head of Hashid tribe starts to handover some governmental building which overtaken in the confrontations of the past five days.
The Vice-President assured l-Zayani that the President is safe Vice-President Abed Rabou Mansour Hadi received Sunday evening a telephone call from the Secretary Genial of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states Abdul Latif al-Zayani for getting assured on health condition of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the injured of senior officials of the state because of Mohammed Al-Asaadi Editorial Consultant
the criminal attack on Al-Nahdain Mosque when the President and the senior officials of the state and government were performing the Friday prayers. Al-Zayani has expressed his strong denunciation of this act, wishing for the President and all the injured quick recovery and expressing his condolences
Fuad Al-Qadhi Business Editor
Shukri Hussein Abyan Correspondent
to families of the martyrs in the incident and praying for God to keep Yemen and its people away from any mishap. Al-Zayani also affirmed solidarity of the GCC states with the Yemeni people in thee difficult circumstances. The Vice-President expressed his thanking and appreciation for the GCC Secre-
Jihan Anwar Staff Journalist
tary General and the GCC states for what they exert of efforts and interest and cooperation and interest in respect of the Yemeni affair and the crisis it experiences. The Vice-President assured l-Zayani that the President is safe and his injury is simple and all medical reports are satisfactory on that.
Naila Bamehriz Translator & Coordinator
The Facts As They Are
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Will Carter Anatoly Kurmanaev Bushra Al-shareef Managing Editor Int’l Journalist Intern Translator
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Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2011 Issue 43
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SPECIAL REPORT
National Yemen
Yemen gives wounded al Qaeda a chance to regroup Yemen's military blamed al Qaeda for a rocket attack on the presidential palace in Sanaa on Friday that killed seven and injured President Ali Abdullah Saleh, it said in an internet posting on Sunday. Diplomats and analysts have accused the Salaeh government of exaggerating the al Qaeda threat in Yemen to help it win global support in the fight against the militant group. "President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived last night to Saudi Arabia to complete medical tests following the criminal and cowardly attack by members of al Qaeda and the criminal elements behind it," Yemeni military online newspaper, 26sep.net, said in the posting. Saleh has blamed the attacks on a powerful tribal federation that has been fighting his forces in Sanaa. Yemeni sources said a growing number of people in Saleh's inner circle felt the attack might have been carried out by General Ali Mohsen who has broken from Saleh and sided with anti-government protesters. War in Yemen would hand al Qaeda’s boldest militants greater scope to attack the West and repair the group’s morale after the loss of Osama bin Laden. With President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government mired in worsening political strife, the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is likely to have more freedom to apply a proven talent for daring and inventive bombing plots. The small group — some estimates put it at 300 individuals — has nothing to do with a youth-based uprising seeking to end Saleh’s long rule, or with opposition forces who fought pitched battles with his loyalists this week in the capital Sanaa. But AQAP has international importance because it is al Qaeda’s most intrepid community of attackers. It is adept at fielding operatives overseas, manufacturing and concealing sophisticated explosives, and producing compelling online propaganda that instigates attacks by others. Yemen observers noted it is apparent that al-Qaeda in Yemen is not affected by the death of the leader Osama Bin Laden. Their reactions follow Al Qaeda’s attack of Zinjibar city in the Abyen governorate 90 kilometers from Aden governorate. The ongoing chaos in Yemen has given the group an additional opportunity to expand its relations with Shaikhs, military men, tribes and religious men like Shaikh Abdul Majeed al-Zandani who is rumored to be supporting the group through al-Iman University. With key relationships al-Qaeda’s activity and strength is growing. As such, Yemeni government has never stopped prosecuting Al-Qaeda supporters on its territory under the name of Islamic Jihad base in the Arabian Peninsula. Yemeni ministry of defense reported that two central leaders of Al-Qaeda died in Shabwa governorate, where the organization is highly active. The security authorities in Yemen also announced the arrest of an al-Qaeda cell which were found to have weapons, explosives and explosive belts in the province of Hodeidah. It was also reported that instruction manuals for making explosives and plans for storming of various sites were found. Desite the aggressive tactics of the Yemeni govern-
Anwar al-Awlaki
ment, Al-Qaeda continues its momentum. Al Qaeda supporters have responded quickly to the events in the Zanjibar province in the Abyan governorate by bombing of a military target associated with central security killing 5 soldiers and 5 citizens. More are being killed on an almost daily basis. Alkhaleej of the UAE Newspaper also reported through Yemeni sources that black flags were raised over some houses in the south of Abyen mainly in the provinces of Modyia, Loader and Al-Mahfad. Al-Qaeda has even go so far to boldly claim that the popular revolutions witnessed in the Yemeni squares demanding the fall of the Yemeni president. The organization led by Nasser Alwahshi who has threatened to attack oil facilities, foreign companies and security forces in order to overthrow the royal family in Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government in order to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region. Al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula as it is known now was formed 2009
by in the merging of the Saudi and Yemeni branches of al-Qaeda. A New King for the organization
Media resources announced that close sources informed them that there are consultations going on between Al-Qaeda members to assign Anwar Al-awlaki as a leader for their organization. The American government believes that Anwar Al-awlaki is qualified to be in at the front of the organization during the coming period. Al-awlaki has disappeared in the rugged mountains of Shabwa, with a number of al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen. The negotiations are taking place as eye witnesses said to the same source that there are circling flights of drone aircraft over a number of mountainous areas and desert in Yemen especially in the south, east and center of the country. Media sources also confirmed a wide search for five wanted Saudis, including a woman and a number of Yemenis, including Anwar alAwlaki, who survived a raid last week.
Anwar al-Awlaki has become a leading figure in Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula. His name came to the spot light after it was discovered that he was in close contact with major Nidal Hasan, the military psychiatrist of Palestinian origin who was accused of opening fire on his colleagues in the barracks at Fort Hood in Texas, which resulted in the death of thirteen people. Al-Awlaki called all Muslims in the U.S army to emulate what Nidal Hasan did. It is also rumored that al-Awlaki had a relation with the person who executed the failed bombing of the U.S. aircraft which was on a flight between Amsterdam and Detroit during Christmas of 2009. As a result of his actions, Nasser al-Wahayshi, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has praised al-Awlaki in his audio recordings solidfying his central role in AQAP. Al-Awalki’s rise as high target for the American government is largely a result of his unique upbringing. Al-Awlaki belongs to a wealthy family in Yemen. His father was a former minister and a former dean of commerce at Sana’a university. Al-Awlaki however was not born in Yemen, but in the U.S. state of New Mexico in 1971. He eventually returned to his father’s homeland of Yemen and received his secondary education in country before returning to the U.S. to study engineering in 1991. He went on to graduate from Colorado State University and then obtained a diploma in higher studies from the University of San Diego, according sources familiar with the details of his life. During his years in the U.S, al-Awlaki started to preach in various mosques in the U.S. and developed controversial relationships. One of such was with Abdulmajeed al-Zindani, marked as a terrorist by the American government. Al-Awalaki was known
to carry responsibilities for alZindani’s islamic charity. It is also in this time that al-Awlaki posted a series of audio and visual lectures on the life of the Prophet Mohammed in English, which was sold online and gained a huge following. Al-Qaeda In Yemen:
Mr. Abdul -Ilah Haidar, an expert on al-Qaeda commented during a speech at the al-Afif Center in 2010 said AQAP was founded in the mid 90’s by Osama Bin Laden. His purpose, Haidar said, was to expel non-Muslims in the Arab peninsula. Bin Laden also intended to expel religious men in Saudia Arabia and individuals from the the military and the Republican Guard. The first document created by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula announced the United States as its first enemy describing
Saudia Arabia as a colony of America and under the occupation of Israel. Why the Semi-Arabian Peninsula(Yemen):
Dr. Mohammed No’aman, a specialist in the Islamic movement affairs, said that al-Qaeda in Yemen is benefitting from the chaotic nature of the country. He describes the rugged terrain and the weakness of the central government to control its borders as a perfect environment for al-Qaeda to stage its attacks locally and globally. The group currently uses Yemen as safe haven to hold its military training and consequently the country has become the starting point of any Al Qaeda activity. Al-Qaeda Heaven:
Al-Qaeda is spread over many governorates where the government has struggled to solidify its presence. These governorates include Abyen, Shabwa, Marib, al-Jawf and
others areas within the Republic of Yemen. Al-Qaeda has enjoyed relative safety as a result of strong relationships with Sheikhs, decision makers and close members to President and his family. Notable figures such as Iman Al-Dawhari called Yemeni tribes to support AQAP. One stated goal of AQAP is to free the Palestinian homeland from occupation. AQAP considers the campaigns of NATO and America in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and other Arab and Muslim countries as part of their plan to protect the Jews in Palestine. As such AQAP holds Yemen as its geographical homeland and spiritual homeland as well. It is from the Arabian Peninsula that AQAP reminds people that the first Muslims cleared the Arabian Peninsula and then opened the bait al-Maqdes. This remains one large reason as to why
al-Qaeda is support ruling groups such as the Taliban. The Birth of al-Qeada in the Arabian Peninsula:
Six months after the establishment of AQAP, the Saudi organization of al-Bushair was then integrated. Ayman al-Dawahry approved the integration a new Islamic Imarah headed by Abu Basir -the Prince of al-Majahdeen. It was said that the historical boundaries of al-Qeada starts from al-Yemeni corner in Makka and reaches to the Arab Sea. The Saudi members of al-Qeada forms 50% of the group while the majority of the finances are from Saudi Arabia. The money is known to be predominately rasied through means such as drug smuggling. The Organization System:
According to researchers in the Shura council, Abu Basir is the head of the organization and does contain members of non-Yemenis.
National Yemen Saeed al-Shihri, also known as Abu Sufyan al-Azdari, is a former ex-prisoner in Guantanamo and is known to be the deputy. The organization has multiple branches consisting of a media section which contains units for production, journalism, print, marketing and research centers. There is also a military branch which has units specializing in the development and manufacturing military weapons and bombs such as the ones that were used in targeting the prince Mohammed Bin Naif in addition to the failed bomb used on the Detroit passenger plane in December of 2009. The Roots of al-Qaeda in Yemen:
Johon Novak, an American researcher of the Middle East and Yemen affairs said in one of her reports that Brigader Ali Mohsin hired thousands of soldiers to fight for Osama bin Ladin in Afghanistan whom were trained in military camps in Yemen with the support of the United States throughout the 1980’s. Yemeni fighters were widely regarded as trustful and gained high respect from Bin Laden. As a result, Yemenis often worked as drivers, cooks and guards for Bin Laden. When the Russians pulled out of Afghanistan, Ali
SPECIAL REPORT
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The most active attacks of al-Qeada in Yemen December 1992
Bombers hit hotel in Aden formerly used by US marines - first known al-Qaeda attack in Yemen.
October 2000
Suicide attack on destroyer USS Cole in Aden. Bomb attack on British embassy in Sanaa.
October 2002
French tanker Limburg damaged by bomb-laden boat in port of Ash-Shir.
8th July 2007
Spanish tourists, 2 local drivers killed by car bomb at historic site in Maarib.
Mohsin received thousands of the returning Majahdeen from Afghanistan and described them as heroes. He then hired more than five thousands soldiers during the civil war in the summer of 1994. Johon Novak says that the government continues to use the jihadis in the Sa’ada war against Al-Houthies. Hassan Zaid, a member of the opposition party, says that the presence of military camps for al-Qaeda is one of the main disagreement between the government and the Houthies. Disagreements such as this strongly indicate that Ali Mohsin is related to the military camps and are being used in the Sa’ada war against al-Houthies.
Successes on the War Against al-Qaeda:
After the attack of the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11th, 2001, President Saleh was quick to join the war against terrorism. Since then, the Bush administration and more notably the Obama administration worked to enhance its relationship with the Yemeni government to combat the threat of al-Qaeda. Therefore, the American and Yemen governments has increased exchanges of intelligence as well as logistic and financial support. With the support of the U.S. the Yemen military has killed hundreds of groups related to terrorism and has captured prominent leaders.
January 2008
Two Belgians, their guide and driver shot dead in attack in Wadi Hadramout.
March 2008 September 2008 January 2009
Policeman, student killed in attempted bombing of US embassy. 16 killed in double car bombing outside US embassy. Saudi and Yemeni al-Qaeda branches announce merger to form al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
4th March 2009 August 2009
South Korean tourists killed by suicide bomber in Shibam. AQAP bomber dies in failed bid to kill Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.
December 2009
'Underwear bomber' Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab allegedly tries to down Detroit-bound US airliner in plot claimed by AQAP.
January 2010 April 2010
London conference on extremism in Yemen. Attempted suicide bomb attack on convoy of British envoy Tim Torlot in Sanaa.
June 2010 11th July 2010
Attack on Aden security complex. 10 security officers said killed. security forces killed in 2 separate attacks in Shabwa province. Al-Qaeda attackers hit South Yemen security offices in 2 coordinated attacks.
October 2010 October 2010
Rocket attack targets British embassy car Parcel bombs, thought to have been made by al-Qaeda and dispatched in Yemen, found on US-bound cargo planes
Yemen: Has al Qaeda disappeared?
JANUARY 1, 2011
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has said it was responsible for 49 attacks since June and that 36 of these attacks targeted security headquarters and checkpoints.
JANUARY 3, 2011
Armed men, suspected to be al Qaeda militants, attacked the building of General Security and Central security in Ataq district in Shabwah governorate.
JANUARY 7, 2011
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants ambushed a military convoy transporting water supplies to a military camp in Lawder in Abyan governorate.
JANUARY 17, 2011
Suspected AQAP militants assassinated Colonel Atiq al Amri, a high-ranking security officer in the criminal investigation unit.
JANUARY 22, 2011
Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) gunmen killed Lieutenant Colonel Nabil Aklan, a top Yemeni security official,
JANUARY 23, 2011
Suspected AQAP militants attacked a hospital in Lawder, in Abyan governorate, freeing the “wanted al Qaeda suspect Amin al Sayed
JANUARY 26, 2011
Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants in Hadramawt governorate ambushed a convoy transporting money belonging to Yemen Post en route to Hami, killing four soldiers.
JANUARY 29, 2011
Yemeni security forces arrested six suspected AQAP militants believed to have been behind a January 26, 2011 attack in Hadramawt governorat.
FEBRUARY 17, 2011
Militants believed to be connected to AQAP assassinated Colonel Mohamed al Ezzy, a regional deputy director in the Political Security Agency.
MARCH 7, 2011
Suspected AQAP gunmen killed a local council member in his office in Shabwah governorate.
As Yemen is facing rapid and unprecedented changes, the country that was a year ago in the news mainly for being a haven for terrorism is not the number one priority of the U.S and the West anymore. So what happened to all the Yemeni Al-Qaeda fighters that are supposed to be in hiding on the country's territory, have they fled to Libya? The slowness and reluctance of the International community to confront the fragile political situation in Yemen surely raises questions as to why the troubled nation was portrayed as poverty stricken base for terrorists. This time last year Yemen was making the headlines as a dangerous state where
Islamist fundamentalists were posing a threat to the regime but also to the region as a whole. Today however it seems that what happens in Yemen stays in Yemen as the International Community appears totally disinterested in the collapse of the government. So what caused this change of heart? Did Al-Qaeda really happen to be influential in the country or was it just an attempt to boost the American-led war on terror? Yemen has faced a set of profound political and economic issues for decades. It is the poorest country in the Arab world, with 40 per cent living below the poverty line, 50 per cent of the country is illiterate, and 35 per cent of
the population is unemployed. The government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh has always been weak outside the capital, as it lacks both resources and credibility. It also has been accused of creating endemic corruption and had to try and suppress a bloody Zaidi Shia rebellion in the northern Saada governorate as well as a deepening secessionist movement in the south over a long period of time. The link between Yemen and radical Islam dates back to the 1980s, as thousands of Yemenis responded to the call for jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan and returned home afterwards. In Guantanamo, Yemenis convicts make up the largest core contingent.
MARCH 17, 2011
A Yemeni security source announced that two suspected AQAP militants had been captured on their way to Taiz to join the protests.
MARCH 26, 2011
AQAP militants seized control of weapons factory, Jaar town, al Husn town, and Khanfar mountain,
MARCH 29, 2011
Yemen’s
elite,
U.S.-trained
counterterrorism
forces
have
withdrawn from Abyan, an AQAP and secessionist stronghold, effectively ceding control.
APRIL 11, 2011
Suspected AQAP militants assassinated Yemeni intelligence officer Colonel Hussein Gharma in Lawder in Abyan governorate.
APRIL 15, 2011
FBI Assistant Director Mark Giuliano said that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is “the most serious threat to the homeland today.
APRIL 22, 2011
A Yemeni security official reported that AQAP militants “ambushed a military patrol in Marib near Safer,” where Ma’rib’s oil fields are located,
May 27, 2011
Suspected al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants took over Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan governorate
May 31, 2011
Al Qaeda-linked militants control Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan governorate.
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Tuesday, Jun. 7, 2011 Issue 43
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National Yemen
OP-ED
Clashes In Yemen, Not A Point Of No Return By Dr. Murad Alazzany, A professor in Sana’a University Earlier last week, Yemenis with their different political trends were optimistic that the plan created out by the Gulf Cooperation Council would end the crisis of the last three months. The brokered plan represented a deal whereby Saleh had to transfer power to his vice president and to resign within 30 days in exchange for immunity from prosecution for himself, his family members and hundreds of his regime members. But the optimism of Yemenis waned as the president balked at signing the deal at the last minute for trivial reasons. He demanded the presence of the opposition and to re-sign the deal in a ceremony at the presidential palace. That was the third time he had promised to sign the deal only to change his mind. Many analysts and political viewers were already skeptical that Saleh was going to sign that deal. All one had to do was listen to the speeches he used to flare up his supporters every Friday. The discourse of his speeches vacillated between emphasizing on the legitimacy of his rule and welcoming the gulf brokered deal. In his last speech in Al-Sabaeen square, he appeared as someone campaigning for re-election rather than a president ready to cede power. He even criticized the GCC deal before he was about to sign it describing it as a conspiracy and an endeavored coup by the opposition. Therefore, it was no surprise that the character of the president’s actions and speeches successfully revealed that Saleh had no intention of fulfilling his promises to put his signature onto the deal. He then went on and followed up his rejection to sign the deal with a defiant threat to provoke a civil warwhich soon materialized in the bloody confrontations with some of his rivals. However, his evasion in signing the deal this time was bizarre as it was Saleh himself who asked Mr. Ziani to come to Yemen after affirming his willingness to put his signature. This action has created a stalemate by which may evolve into violent nationwide confrontations. Currently, Saleh’s unwillingness to sign has unexpectedly been followed by violent clashes between pro-Saleh troops and fighters loyal to Sadiq al-Ahmar, the head of Hashid tribe who and his brothers whom sided with the growing opposition movement that has demanded an end to his 32-year-long rule. More than one hundred people have been killed and the toll of death is still on the roll as exchanges of gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades are still heard in numerous locations. The ceasefire that was agreed upon which stipulated that government ministry buildings seized by tribal militias during the clashes be evacuated succeeded to briefly contain the unfolding situation. But that truce was only a little respite as confrontations erupted again to expand into
the outskirt of the capital and other provinces. Apparently, Saleh is not willing to cede power. He has realized that negotiations with the opposition and the protesting youth were not in his favor. In fact, his earlier involvement in negotiation contribute only in putrefying his legitimacy as a president and further in portraying him as a cunning leader – if not a liar. Thus, he has opted to harden his stance and to turn the peaceful protest into bloody confrontation in a move deemed to marginalize the peaceful protest in the country and to weaken its impetus. Such a move may turn out against him. The fiercer he becomes in confronting his opponents, the fewer options he has to calm down the situation. At the end of it all, Saleh had the decision to leave now or when the country is destroyed. The Opposition Coalition Parties and the Youth Movement
Both the opposition coalition parties and the protesting youth have repetitively emphasized the peacefulness of their movement. They have aborted all attempts of Saleh to drag them into violent confrontations with his forces so they are not labeled as rebels. If they were drawn into confrontations, that alone would give good reason for Saleh’s troops to excessively exercise violence against them. A bloody confrontation would result in a chaotic situation harming their movement and in all likelihood, make their cause lose its resonance.
‘‘ The Gulf Country leaders kept pushing Saleh for almost two month to sign a deal brokered by them to end the crisis in Yemen
However, the ongoing bloody confrontation between Saleh troops and the tribal militias of Sadiq Al-ahmar represented a setback for both of them. The leaders of the opposition coalition parties who have been taking the lead
have suddenly found themselves on the sidelines of the confrontations. Likewise, the youth movement which has inspired people for three months by calling for the ouster of Saleh and establishing a civil state is shadowed by these events too. The confrontations risk that the clangor of guns will become louder than the slogans in Arabic of ‘selmiah, selmiah. selmiah’ — the Yemeni youth chant in emphasis on the peacefulness of their movement. Without any doubt both the opposition coalition parties and the protesting youth have the political dexterity to challenge Saleh politically but not the means to confront him militarily. But they both should not keep watching the ongoing clashes from the sidelines and to lose the lead of deciding the scenario of political change in the country. Allowing the tribal militias and their sheikhs to take the political change through violent means and bloody confrontations is an outright abortion of the change the youth and the opposition are calling for. The aim of the protest that has been going for three consecutive months is not just to topple Saleh. The purpose largely rests on changing his regime and replacing it with a civil state in which the force of law reign and individual freedom is respected. This explicitly means a transformation from a system of tribal favoritism and patronage into a modern state. If the tribal militias keep taking the lead, any change in Yemen will only end up enhancing tribalism instead of civil modernism. The change then will merely be move from one man autocracy to a tribal theocracy. In order for the change in Yemen not to take pitiable trajectory, the leaders of the opposition parties have to use their alliance with Al-ahamr family and pressure them into a cease fire and evacuating the ministries and government buildings they have seized. Even if Saleh’s troops have used excessive power against them, they should not strike back with violence. This will only harm the momentum the change movement has picked up and in the long run will harm its outcome. From another perspective, even if Saleh has lost his legitimacy as a president and has appeared willing to kill his people, it is still inevitable to that a deal will be made negotiated with him. That is due to two facts. First, it will be ridiculous to believe the militias of Al-ahmar family will win such unequal battle against Saleh’s troops that outperform them in numbers, means and machines. Second, a systematic and peaceful transfer of power is purely in the interest of Yemen. It will avert falling into a chaos ensuing from the removal of the current regime. We must not forget that lurking behind this chaos is the southern separatism movement, Al-houthis sectarianism, and al-Qaida extremism. These are
the cards Saleh is playing up to frighten Yemenis and international community of the change awaiting Yemen. He has started playing al-Qaida fearing card as as he let Zanijbar, a strategic city in the province of Abyan, fall into the control of a militia of about 200 men claiming to be Al-qaida militants. This move is seen as a way for Saleh to diffuse pressure from the international community to make a peaceful transfer power. Saleh appeared determined to drive the country into chaos and turmoil believing it will be easy for him to crush all his opponents in a chaotic situation- particularly when he has the will and does not lack the means. Whatever the case is, one wonders how possible it would be for anyone to overcome all these threats in such a chaotic situation. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
The Gulf Country leaders kept pushing Saleh for almost two month to sign a deal brokered by them to end the crisis in Yemen. As the deal collapsed, it was expected they would wash their hands of the deal and to issue a statement that held Saleh was responsible of its collapse. However, it was wise of them to declare its suspension. It seems that the Gulf country leaders identified negotiation with Saleh to be similar to that with an airplane hijacker. In
just one moment, a hijacker could lose hope in negotiation and get infuriated and simply blows up the plane and its passengers. Their brokered deal represents the only hope for Saleh to secure himself a graceful or dignified exit of power. If he loses that hope, nothing then will refrain him from launching a countrywide war. In his perception, that would be better than facing the same destiny of Mubarak and his sons. However, the Gulf leaders should realize that the current crisis is far more serious than anything Yemen has faced before. The already critical situation is compounded with the ongoing clashes between Saleh troops and the tribal militias as well as the fall of a city in Abyan province into the hands of armed militias. They should not confine their diplomacy to denounce the clashes in the country, call on the sides of the dispute to have more patience and ask that Saleh relinquish power. They are more obliged than any time before to use their influence and to consider new steps to resolve the escalating crisis in the country. That does not mean to take the Yemen case to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a tool to pressure Saleh into a step down. This will only push Saleh into harden his stance and possibly escalating the conflict confrontations with his rivals .
Dr. Murad Alazzany The ongoing events in Yemen are not yet a point of no return. Perhaps a more concerted diplomacy can succeed in containing the situation and to prevent Yemen from slipping into a civil war. The international community should – without a delay – stop such a war in an already fragile state like Yemen. The risks of war run high as violence is not a monopoly of the state, the number of weapons is three times as its population, the level of illiteracy is high and the economy is on the brink of collapse. All these together signify the relative ease to sow significant chaos in Yemen and the impossible means to stop it later. They signify also a full-scale humanitarian disaster that possibly could unfold and to pose risks to the whole area. The cost of containing that turmoil and the problems it will engender will be hundred times more than the cost of an active and heavy diplomacy.
National Yemen
CONGRATULATIONS
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REPORTAGE
National Yemen