Saleh has offered to step down by the end of the year, but it’s not enough for the protesters. He warns of “civil war” if he is forced from office. Some military officers have defected. So, civil war it might be . . .
It just occurred to me: What position should the U.S. be taking here? I mean, Saleh is a scumbag dictator like the rest, but in this case al-Qaeda really is a force among the opposition.
The side of justice and democracy. The best way to disassemble Al-Qaeda is to defang it. Be on the side of the people, the downtrodden, those who want freedom.
Stand up to our own ideals. And you’ll see Al-Qaeda crumble and vanish.
I just hope my friends who still live there make out okay. Crazy stuff, but not unforeseen. Too many people with too many guns, too much corruption, not enough resources, and one crazy assed religion don’t a good mix make.
Is there any place in the MENA where the mix is different? What you’re saying even describes Israel, except for the corruption.
Things are on fire in Yemen. Tribes taking apart government buildings with RPGs and mortars.
I should clarify that Yemen has quite a few resources, but no one wants to invest because of the corruption and risk. Other places don’t have the same level of issues, or they have a way to manage many of them.
Yemen’s oil production is falling and as that brings in 90% of the revenue for the country that is a major problem because certain regions are the ones to feel the crunch moreso than those closer to the people in power. They already don’t trust the government and seeing the crack down around the country just encites them even more.
6 Yemen soldiers ambushed and killed in “al-Qaeda-held town” of Zinjibar. Not government propaganda, al-Qaeda appears to control the town at the moment. Who are we rooting for in this, again?! 
Yemen crisis deepens, dozens killed in street battles, foreigners urged to leave.
I’m thinking this is going to get a lot uglier before it’s over.
Opposition shells presidential palace in Sana.
So much for “pink” = “nonviolent intent.”
President Saleh arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for medical treatment. Apparently he was wounded – in the head*, rumor has it – in the attack on the presidential palace mentioned above. He has not been seen on TV since the attack, though he has been heard on the radio (sounding rather weak, apparently).
- I’ve read some American Protestant End-Times tracts, Jack Chick for one, where the Beast miraculously heals from a massive headwound, which is used to prove his divinity. If Saleh even comes back from Riyadh . . .
He’s taking a chance if he wants to retain power by leaving if it is the force of his personality that is maintaining the current government. It might be the excuse he needs to bow out ‘gracefully’.
Well, the protesters seem to think they’ve won already. They’re dancing in the streets.
Great gallery.
Sources: Yemeni head Saleh has collapsed lung, burns over 40% of body
Maybe he won’t return. I wonder which ‘dictator’ will replace him?
OK, if the U.S. is bombing (some of) the rebels/opposition in Yemen (specifically, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula), does that mean we’re . . . on Saleh’s side, here?