Yemen violence erupts after months of stalemate

[Jefferson23]

Yemen's capital is seething with the worst outbreak of violence in months, as protesters fed up with President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime push further into territory controlled by government loyalists.

The fighting, in which nearly 50 people have been killed so far, underscores concerns that the impoverished Arab state could slip into civil war if an orderly transition is not soon secured.

Protesters had been hopeful that Mr. Saleh would step down after a June 3 attack on his compound forced him to flee to Saudi Arabia, where he has remained to convalesce. But Saleh last week asked his vice president to once again open negotiations on a Gulf-mediated deal that would see him transfer power in exchange of immunity – a deal that he has thrice committed to signing only to renege at the 11th hour.

"I fear the situation will get out of hand. There is no new initiative to cool things off and the other political players doubt that Saleh will abide by any terms that are set," Saadaldeen Talib, a former Yemeni opposition parliamentarian, told Reuters."Complete disintegration and chaos might come very soon."

more information and video: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2011/0919/Yemen-violence-erupts-after-months-of-stalemate-video

[bemildred]

1. Bullshit will only take you so far ...

It's kind of interesting that the Saleh guy is still out of town.

[Jefferson23]

2. Yea, that is some convalescence going on there.

Sad situation here:

“They Just Started Shooting Us From Everywhere”: Scores of Protesters Killed in Yemen

In Yemen, the government’s violent crackdown on protesters has intensified, leading to the bloodiest two days in several months. At least 21 protesters have been killed today in the capital of Sana’a. On Sunday, 26 demonstrators were gunned down and hundreds were injured. Demonstrators are calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule as he has repeatedly broken promises to step down. Last week, Saleh authorized his vice president to negotiate a transfer of power with the opposition. The initiative was proposed by the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council and sets the path for a peaceful transition of power from Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978. We go to Yemen for an update from Abdul Ghani al Iryani, a political analyst based in Sana’a and co-founder of the Democratic Awakening Movement.

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/9/19/they_just_started_shooting_us_from