SANAA, Yemen (AP) - The U.S.-backed president of Yemen suffered a devastating political blow on Sunday when his own powerful tribe demanded his resignation, joining religious leaders, young people and the country’s traditional opposition in calls for an end to his three decades in power.
Massive crowds flooded cities and towns around the impoverished and volatile nation, screaming in grief and anger as they mourned dozens of protesters killed Friday when President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s security forces opened fire from rooftops on a demonstration in the capital.
Saleh appeared to be trying to hold on, firing his entire Cabinet ahead of what one government official said was a planned mass resignation, but making no mention of stepping down himself. Yemen’s ambassador to the United Nations and its human rights minister had announced their resignations earlier in the day.
Many said he would now be forced to choose between stepping down and confronting demonstrators with even deadlier force.
“We’re talking a new set of dynamics that are driving the conflict into either the resignation of Saleh or a very serious clash between the two sides,” said Ibrahim Sharqieh, deputy director of the Brookings Doha Center. “The U.S. should work now on an orderly transition in Yemen and press Saleh to find an arrangement that doesn’t allow chaos.” Sharqieh said from Washington that it was far from clear what would replace Saleh if he goes. Options could include a military-run transitional government and an adminstration of traditional political opposition parties.
Saleh and his weak government have faced down many serious challenges, often forging tricky alliances with restive tribes to delicately extend power beyond the capital. Most recently, he has battled an on-and-off, seven-year armed rebellion in the north, a secessionist movement in the south, and an al-Qaida offshoot that is of great concern to the U.S.
“The U.S. just cannot afford losing Yemen,” Sharqieh said.
Analysis: "President Saleh's grip on power in Yemen has been slipping steadily for the past month. However, this most recent blow seems to be the most significant. In a country that values traditional tribal relationships, Saleh has now lost the support of his own home team. The only significant political institution still behind Saleh is the military, and even that relationship is fragile and weak. From this point, Saleh has only two feasible options to retain power: crack down on dissent with widespread and substantial government-sanctioned violence, or attempt to offer even greater concessions to the opposition. Expect to see the initial workings of one of these options exercised in the next few days, but do not expect either to work for long."
Read the Full Article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/powerful_yemen_tribe_calls_on_president_to_step_down_after_bloody_crackdown_on_protests/2011/03/20/ABZt3qz_story.html?wprss=rss_world
Sunday, March 20, 2011
US, Allies Strike at Targets in Libya
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. and British ships and submarines launched the first phase of a missile assault on Libyan air defenses Saturday and a senior American defense official said it was believed substantial damage was inflicted.
In the strikes, 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired at more than 20 coastal targets to clear the way for air patrols to ground Libya's air force. While U.S. defense officials cautioned that it was too early to fully gauge the impact of the onslaught, the official said that given the precision targeting of the Navy's cruise missiles, they felt that Libya's air defenses suffered a good deal of damage.
In announcing the mission during a visit to Brazil, President Barack Obama said he was reluctant to resort to force but was convinced it was necessary to save the lives of civilians. He reiterated that he would not send American ground troops to Libya.
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," he said in Brasilia.
It was clear the U.S. intended to limit its role in the Libya intervention, focusing first on disabling or otherwise silencing Libyan air defenses, and then leaving it to European and perhaps Arab countries to enforce a no-fly zone over the North African nation.
Gortney told reporters the cruise missile assault was the "leading edge" of a coalition campaign dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn. Its aim: prevent Moammar Gadhafi's forces from inflicting more violence on civilians -- particularly in and around the rebel stronghold of Benghazi -- and degrading the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
A chief target of Saturday's cruise missile attack was Libya's SA-5 surface-to-air missiles, which are considered a moderate threat to some allied aircraft. Libya's overall air defenses are based on older Soviet technology but Gortney called them capable and a potential threat to allied aircraft.
Analysis: "The international community has backed up UN Resolution 1973 with military action. The current mission profile calls for allied forces to disable Gaddafi's air defense capabilities, allowing allied warplanes to fly unimpeded in enforcing the no-fly zone. This move itself is not a death sentence for Gaddafi's regime, but it does not look good for him. In my opinion, the international community and the allied nations spearheading this offensive are not about to pass UN 1973, only to let Gaddafi retake the country or concede to reforms. The only hope for Gaddafi seems to be some sort of ceasefire agreement where he keeps some degree of political power, but surrenders his armed forces or partial control thereof."
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_libya
In the strikes, 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired at more than 20 coastal targets to clear the way for air patrols to ground Libya's air force. While U.S. defense officials cautioned that it was too early to fully gauge the impact of the onslaught, the official said that given the precision targeting of the Navy's cruise missiles, they felt that Libya's air defenses suffered a good deal of damage.
In announcing the mission during a visit to Brazil, President Barack Obama said he was reluctant to resort to force but was convinced it was necessary to save the lives of civilians. He reiterated that he would not send American ground troops to Libya.
"We cannot stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people there will be no mercy," he said in Brasilia.
It was clear the U.S. intended to limit its role in the Libya intervention, focusing first on disabling or otherwise silencing Libyan air defenses, and then leaving it to European and perhaps Arab countries to enforce a no-fly zone over the North African nation.
Gortney told reporters the cruise missile assault was the "leading edge" of a coalition campaign dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn. Its aim: prevent Moammar Gadhafi's forces from inflicting more violence on civilians -- particularly in and around the rebel stronghold of Benghazi -- and degrading the Libyan military's ability to contest a no-fly zone.
A chief target of Saturday's cruise missile attack was Libya's SA-5 surface-to-air missiles, which are considered a moderate threat to some allied aircraft. Libya's overall air defenses are based on older Soviet technology but Gortney called them capable and a potential threat to allied aircraft.
Analysis: "The international community has backed up UN Resolution 1973 with military action. The current mission profile calls for allied forces to disable Gaddafi's air defense capabilities, allowing allied warplanes to fly unimpeded in enforcing the no-fly zone. This move itself is not a death sentence for Gaddafi's regime, but it does not look good for him. In my opinion, the international community and the allied nations spearheading this offensive are not about to pass UN 1973, only to let Gaddafi retake the country or concede to reforms. The only hope for Gaddafi seems to be some sort of ceasefire agreement where he keeps some degree of political power, but surrenders his armed forces or partial control thereof."
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_libya
Friday, March 18, 2011
Yemeni Snipers Open Fire of Protesters, Killing 40
SANA'A, Yemen (AP) - Yemeni government snipers firing from rooftops and houses shot into a crowd of tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators on Friday, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds demanding the ouster of the autocratic president.
The protest in the central square was the largest yet in the popular uprising that began a month ago — and the harsh government response marked a new level of brutality from the security forces of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key — if uneasy — ally in the U.S. campaign against al-Qaida who has ruled Yemen for 30 years.
Saleh declared a nationwide state of emergency hours after the shootings in the capital, formally giving the security forces a freer hand to confront the demonstrators. There was no word on how long the emergency laws would remain in place. Dozens of enraged protesters stormed several buildings that were the source of the gunfire, detaining 10 people including paid thugs who they said would be handed over to judicial authorities.
Demonstrators have camped out in squares across Yemen for over a month to demand that Saleh leave office. Security forces and pro-government thugs have used live fire, rubber bullets, tear gas, sticks, knives and rocks to suppress them. The protesters say they won't go until Saleh does.
Before the shooting Friday in Sanaa, a military helicopter flew low over the square as protesters arrived from prayers. Gunfire soon erupted from rooftops and houses above the demonstrators, where witnesses said beige-clad elite forces and plainclothes security officials took aim.
A state TV report denied government forces were behind the gunfire. Police used burning tires and gasoline to make a wall of fire that blocked demonstrators from fleeing down a main road leading to sensitive locations, including the president's residence.
Saleh announced a press conference later Friday. Opposition groups also planned an emergency meeting to discuss their next steps.
Analysis: "This event marks a dramatic escalation in protest violence under President Saleh. The Friday "Days of Rage" protests have seen the largest turnouts across the region, and therefore have been met with the most force. The decision to use sniper fire, as well as the indiscriminate targeting of protesters, will not make things easier for the Yemeni president. Expect more protest violence for the country in the coming week. The nature of these protests will speak volumes for what direction Yemen will head in the near future, but expect an escalation in violence."
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen
The protest in the central square was the largest yet in the popular uprising that began a month ago — and the harsh government response marked a new level of brutality from the security forces of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key — if uneasy — ally in the U.S. campaign against al-Qaida who has ruled Yemen for 30 years.
Saleh declared a nationwide state of emergency hours after the shootings in the capital, formally giving the security forces a freer hand to confront the demonstrators. There was no word on how long the emergency laws would remain in place. Dozens of enraged protesters stormed several buildings that were the source of the gunfire, detaining 10 people including paid thugs who they said would be handed over to judicial authorities.
Demonstrators have camped out in squares across Yemen for over a month to demand that Saleh leave office. Security forces and pro-government thugs have used live fire, rubber bullets, tear gas, sticks, knives and rocks to suppress them. The protesters say they won't go until Saleh does.
Before the shooting Friday in Sanaa, a military helicopter flew low over the square as protesters arrived from prayers. Gunfire soon erupted from rooftops and houses above the demonstrators, where witnesses said beige-clad elite forces and plainclothes security officials took aim.
A state TV report denied government forces were behind the gunfire. Police used burning tires and gasoline to make a wall of fire that blocked demonstrators from fleeing down a main road leading to sensitive locations, including the president's residence.
Saleh announced a press conference later Friday. Opposition groups also planned an emergency meeting to discuss their next steps.
Analysis: "This event marks a dramatic escalation in protest violence under President Saleh. The Friday "Days of Rage" protests have seen the largest turnouts across the region, and therefore have been met with the most force. The decision to use sniper fire, as well as the indiscriminate targeting of protesters, will not make things easier for the Yemeni president. Expect more protest violence for the country in the coming week. The nature of these protests will speak volumes for what direction Yemen will head in the near future, but expect an escalation in violence."
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Libya to Halt Military Actions
(BBC) - The Libyan government has announced an immediate ceasefire in its offensive against rebels who have seized large areas of the country. The announcement came as a coalition of Western and Arab nations prepared for air strikes against Libyan forces.
Before the ceasefire announcement, heavy fighting was continuing. Rebels said government forces had been bombarding the western city of Misrata. There are claims this has continued despite the ceasefire announcement.
Military action short of an occupation was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday evening. UN Security Council Resolution 1973 gave broad backing to taking military action against all threats to civilians, which could include bombing ground forces loyal to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Libyan Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa said his country was obliged to accept the UN resolution and to observe the air exclusion zone that had been agreed.
The ceasefire announcement came only hours after Col Gaddafi had insisted that the Security Council had "no mandate" for such a resolution, "which we absolutely do not recognise". "This is not a war between two countries that permits the council to intervene," he said in an interview on Portuguese television.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Libyan government would need to demonstrate it was implementing a ceasefire. "We are going to be not responsive or impressed by words, we would have to see actions on the ground and that is not yet at all clear," she said.
"We will continue to work with our partners in the international community to press Gaddafi to leave and to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people."
Analysis: "Gaddafi's decision to call a ceasefire may make headlines around the world, but in a practical sense it means very little. As a clear reaction to the passage of UN Resolution 1973, which calls for a military no-fly zone over Libya, Gaddafi's move shows considerable weakness but does not hinder him from further attacks on opposition forces. What remains to be seen is to what degree of commitment and force the international community will throw behind 1973. Expect to see fighting resume soon and the UN's commitment to be tested."
Read the Full Article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12787739
Before the ceasefire announcement, heavy fighting was continuing. Rebels said government forces had been bombarding the western city of Misrata. There are claims this has continued despite the ceasefire announcement.
Military action short of an occupation was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday evening. UN Security Council Resolution 1973 gave broad backing to taking military action against all threats to civilians, which could include bombing ground forces loyal to Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Libyan Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa said his country was obliged to accept the UN resolution and to observe the air exclusion zone that had been agreed.
The ceasefire announcement came only hours after Col Gaddafi had insisted that the Security Council had "no mandate" for such a resolution, "which we absolutely do not recognise". "This is not a war between two countries that permits the council to intervene," he said in an interview on Portuguese television.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Libyan government would need to demonstrate it was implementing a ceasefire. "We are going to be not responsive or impressed by words, we would have to see actions on the ground and that is not yet at all clear," she said.
"We will continue to work with our partners in the international community to press Gaddafi to leave and to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people."
Analysis: "Gaddafi's decision to call a ceasefire may make headlines around the world, but in a practical sense it means very little. As a clear reaction to the passage of UN Resolution 1973, which calls for a military no-fly zone over Libya, Gaddafi's move shows considerable weakness but does not hinder him from further attacks on opposition forces. What remains to be seen is to what degree of commitment and force the international community will throw behind 1973. Expect to see fighting resume soon and the UN's commitment to be tested."
Read the Full Article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12787739
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Libya Bombards Rebels, gets Closer to Stronghold
TOBRUK, Libya (AP) - Moammar Gadhafi's forces overwhelmed rebels in the strategic eastern city of Ajdabiya, hammering them with airstrikes, missiles, tanks and artillery Tuesday in an assault that sent residents fleeing and appeared to open the way for an all-out government offensive on the opposition's main stronghold in the east, Benghazi.
In desperation, rebels sent up two antiquated warplanes that struck a government ship bombarding Ajdabiya from the Mediterranean. But as tanks rolled into the city from two directions and rockets relentlessly pounded houses and shops, the ragtag opposition fighters' defenses appeared to break down.
Only 10 days ago, the rebellion was poised to march on Tripoli, the capital, and had appeared capable of sweeping Gadhafi out after 41 years in power, but the regime's better armed and organized military has reversed the tide. Efforts led by France and Britain to create a no-fly zone to protect the rebels have gone nowhere, and some rebels lashed out at the West for failing to come to their aid.
"The world is sleeping," he said. "They (the West) drunk of Gadhafi's oil and now they won't stand against him. They didn't give us a no-fly zone."
Residents of the city of 140,000 streamed out, fleeing toward Benghazi, 140 miles (200 kilometers) northeast. But warplanes and artillery were striking roads in and out of Ajdabiya, several witnesses and fighters said. Some reported private cars had been hit, but the reports could not be independently confirmed. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from Gadhafi's regime.
Ajdabiya, 480 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of Tripoli, is the gateway to the long stretch of eastern Libya that has been in the control of the opposition since early on in the month-long uprising. With its fall, regime forces would be able to bombard Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and the de facto capital of the opposition, by air, sea and land.
Europe and the United States, meanwhile, were tossing back and forth the question of whether to impose a no-fly zone that the opposition has pleaded for.
On Tuesday, top diplomats from some of the world's biggest powers deferred to the U.N. Security Council to take action against Libya, as France and Britain failed to win support for a no-fly zone in the face of German opposition and U.S. reluctance. France said the Group of Eight agreed that a new U.N. resolution should be adopted by week's end with measures to help Libyan rebels.
A U.N. resolution introduced Tuesday includes no-fly provisions. It also calls for increased enforcement of an arms embargo and freezing more Libyan assets, according to U.N. diplomats said who spoke on condition of anonymity because the text has not been released. One diplomat said the Security Council will be looking to see whether members of the Arab League, which is pressing for the no-fly zone, are ready to seriously participate in the establishment and operation of a zone.
Analysis: "Over the past week, Gadhafi has managed to swing the pendulum of momentum back in his favor. At the same time, the push by the international community for a military no-fly zone over Libya has slowed. Government forces have made significant gains in the meantime, taking back nearly all major cities in the western part of the country, while making significant advances towards Benghazi in the east. Rebel forces are high in numbers, but lack the arms, artillery, and air support to wage a long-term war against government forces. Unless the international community significantly steps up support for the rebels soon (openly or covertly), Gaddafi will continue gaining back populous areas. "
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_af/af_libya
In desperation, rebels sent up two antiquated warplanes that struck a government ship bombarding Ajdabiya from the Mediterranean. But as tanks rolled into the city from two directions and rockets relentlessly pounded houses and shops, the ragtag opposition fighters' defenses appeared to break down.
Only 10 days ago, the rebellion was poised to march on Tripoli, the capital, and had appeared capable of sweeping Gadhafi out after 41 years in power, but the regime's better armed and organized military has reversed the tide. Efforts led by France and Britain to create a no-fly zone to protect the rebels have gone nowhere, and some rebels lashed out at the West for failing to come to their aid.
"The world is sleeping," he said. "They (the West) drunk of Gadhafi's oil and now they won't stand against him. They didn't give us a no-fly zone."
Residents of the city of 140,000 streamed out, fleeing toward Benghazi, 140 miles (200 kilometers) northeast. But warplanes and artillery were striking roads in and out of Ajdabiya, several witnesses and fighters said. Some reported private cars had been hit, but the reports could not be independently confirmed. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from Gadhafi's regime.
Ajdabiya, 480 miles (800 kilometers) southeast of Tripoli, is the gateway to the long stretch of eastern Libya that has been in the control of the opposition since early on in the month-long uprising. With its fall, regime forces would be able to bombard Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and the de facto capital of the opposition, by air, sea and land.
Europe and the United States, meanwhile, were tossing back and forth the question of whether to impose a no-fly zone that the opposition has pleaded for.
On Tuesday, top diplomats from some of the world's biggest powers deferred to the U.N. Security Council to take action against Libya, as France and Britain failed to win support for a no-fly zone in the face of German opposition and U.S. reluctance. France said the Group of Eight agreed that a new U.N. resolution should be adopted by week's end with measures to help Libyan rebels.
A U.N. resolution introduced Tuesday includes no-fly provisions. It also calls for increased enforcement of an arms embargo and freezing more Libyan assets, according to U.N. diplomats said who spoke on condition of anonymity because the text has not been released. One diplomat said the Security Council will be looking to see whether members of the Arab League, which is pressing for the no-fly zone, are ready to seriously participate in the establishment and operation of a zone.
Analysis: "Over the past week, Gadhafi has managed to swing the pendulum of momentum back in his favor. At the same time, the push by the international community for a military no-fly zone over Libya has slowed. Government forces have made significant gains in the meantime, taking back nearly all major cities in the western part of the country, while making significant advances towards Benghazi in the east. Rebel forces are high in numbers, but lack the arms, artillery, and air support to wage a long-term war against government forces. Unless the international community significantly steps up support for the rebels soon (openly or covertly), Gaddafi will continue gaining back populous areas. "
Read the Full Article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110315/ap_on_re_af/af_libya
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