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| Arabia |
| Heightened tensions in the Yemeni capital |
| 2013-01-10 |
| [Yemen Post] Residents in Sana'a, the Yemeni capital reported on Tuesday unusual army tanks movements at all of the capital exit and entry points as well as the presence of countless security check points all throughout; leading many to believe "something was either about to happen or was meant to happen." Mohammed al-Bogheti, a member of the General People's Congress told the Yemen Post on Tuesday afternoon that Hadda - southern district of Sana'a - had been zeroed in by the military with checkpoints every few meters. "You don't usually see soldiers in full combat gear unless the army issued a red alert ... Given recent rumors General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar [Army Chief of the 1st Armored Division] is planning to move against President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, I assumed the brewing storm is about to unleash on us." Although the day went by rather peacefully, some minor festivities were reported in Hasaba - northern district of the capital under the control of Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, big shot of al-Islah, Yemen Sunni political faction - opposing tribal elements and the Central Security Forces. One passer-by was injured in the shoot out and taken to hospital said witnesses. Rumors of a "coup" have been rife over the past few days, with many allegations General al-Ahmar and al-Ahmar's clan now stand united against President Hadi, having decided that with former President President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it... and his coterie out of the way it was time to move forward in the game and seize power once and for all. Of course such claims are so far mere conjectures, with both the presidential palace and the General advocating that all is well in the land of Queen Sheba. Nevertheless, with kidnapping on the increase and armed stand-offs between rustics and the central government more frequent many residents in the capital remain uneasy. Mogib al-Kibsi, a Yemeni-British medical students following a family visit in Sana'a after a year absence he witnessed first-hand how badly things have become in the capital in terms of law and order. "One simply does not feel safe ... While I would have been comfortable walking the streets late at night with family and friends only 24 months ago I know make sure I stay indoors. The risk of suicide kabooms, thugs or tribal confrontations made me nervous ... Yemen changes a lot and I don't feel the government is in control of the situation. Injustice and brigandry is on the up, there is denying it." |
| Posted by:Fred |