Events:
6/6. Over the weekend, the wounded Pres. Saleh went to Saudi Arabia for treatment. It was uncertain over the weekend whether he would try to return or not. At present he and his deputies are insisting he will. The two forces to watch within Yemen are Saleh’s sons, relatives and supporters (who are firmly placed in the government) and Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, in the opposition. If Saleh does return the results will likely be violent and bloody. Saudi Arabia may right now be bringing pressure to bear to keep Saleh out. But if Saleh does remain out, what will be the future of this tiny nation? It is a sometime ally of the US against terrorism. It is home to a moderately large unreached people group. Pray for the Yemenis.
6/3. Fighting continues to rage. Pres. Saleh was reportedly wounded when the palace was attacked for the first time. The fighting is still primarily tribal, who are well armed. The government will likely use the attack on the palace as an excuse for additional violent reprisals. The US has dispatched a counterterrorism aide to Saudi Arabia & the UAE to discuss options.
6/2. The fighting has intensified and spread across Yemen. The US doesn’t think fighting will end until Saleh steps down.
6/1. Street battles in Yemen erupt. Heavy Fighting Shakes Yemen Capital Overnight (NYT). Scores are dead. More embassies are being closed.
5/31. Fears of a civil war in Yemen as truce collapses. (Foreign Affairs)
5/30. Dozens Die in Yemen Protests as soldiers open fire on crowds of protestors in Taiz (WSJ).
5/26. Fighting worsens, spreads beyond capital, draws in more tribes (NYT). Yemen economy worsens with fuel shortages after violence (SFGate)
At the Start:
- XinhuaNews (China): 70 killed in Yemen’s capital in intensified clashes between troops, rebels.
- NYT: Fighting Intensifies in Yemen’s Capital
- SiFy (India): Powerful Yemeni tribe turns guns against Saleh
- VoA: Yemeni Tribesmen Take Control of Government Buildings in Sana’a
- WaPost: Powerful Yemeni tribe tightens control of vital district in capital amid fierce battles
- Guardian: Libya, Syria and Middle East unrest – live updates
- People’s Daily (China): Huge blasts heard near opposition leader’s house in Yemen’s capital
- People’s Daily: Tribal, military mediation ends deadly clashes in Yemen’s capital
- People’s Daily: Defected soldiers, tribal militants besiege Yemeni governmental buildings in capital
- NYT: After Talks Collapse, Violence Flares in Yemen
- Al Jazeera: Gunbattle in Yemen as Saleh remains defiant
- ArabNews: Yemen gunbattles erupt after Saleh refuses exit
- TIME: Yemen: President Saleh Refuses to Sign Deal and Step Down
Analysis:
- Gregory Johnsen: Three days in Yemeni history, good analysis
- Reuters: Civil war likely without Saleh exit (is what they have now, not a civil war?)
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