Armies of Liberation

The electricity returned with the ever irrational Saleh as he prepares to make a televised speech to the nation.

The butcher Saleh calls for a cease fire to the violence that his loyalist forces began and are perpetuating. Well over a hundred unarmed demonstrators were killed across Yemen this week by sniper fire and shelling on the protest squares. ( The NYT and some diplos seem to blame the protesters for marching out of the square, the blood is on the hands of those with the guns, not the murder victims.) There was ample evidence to bring Saleh to the Hague on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity by 2009.

AJE : Pro-Saleh forces Friday shelled buildings in Taiz, Yemen’s second-biggest city. Heavy clashes and thuds of mortars were also heard throughout the night in Sanaa into morning Friday. One person was killed overnight after mortars hit the square in central Sanaa where protesters demanding Sale’s ouster have been camped out for months, a medical official said on condition of anonymity.

Be prepared for the coming propaganda onslaught where black is white. I guess Im going to have to fully fix the website.

The best news this week before the toxic reappearance of the revenant Saleh was new political party organization in the squares, late but important and yet another reason why the GCC plan and Obama’s call for speedy elections are counter-productive and will only re-entrench the regime. This is a related article and overview from a Yemeni perspective: Yemen’s young people are the country’s brightest hope.

The last time Saleh was pushed to sign an agreement to transfer power, he locked down the diplomats with an armed mob of regime supporters at the UAE embassy for six hours. The US ambassador later laughed it off. Both Brennan and the State Dept issued statements last week that they expected the power sharing agreement to be concluded this week. Monday’s violence occurred with the UN envoy Jamal bin Omar and GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif al Zayani in Sanaa to oversee the signing. The last time UN officials were in Sanaa, the state turned the lights back on. Astoundingly the US blames the victims by urging all parties not to provoke violence.

Update: Sahwa Net- Yemen security forces killed during last three days 77protesters and wounded 780 others in Sana’a as they used live bullets and other middle weapons against peaceful protesters, medical sources at the field hospital affirmed. Director of the field hospital Tariq Noaman expected that the number of the killed would double several times as a result of critical injures, pointing out that dozens of protesters were still in intensive care units

Update 2: .Saleh loyalists still shelling protesters in Sanaa, violence continues in Taiz.

CNN:Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) — Officials from the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council were in Sanaa, Yemen, on Monday, hoping to help organize a peaceful transfer of power as witnesses reported violence in the streets.

Thirty-one people were killed Monday in clashes in Yemen — 28 in Sanaa and three in Taiz, according to medical officials.

On Sunday, at least 26 protesters were killed and more than 550 were wounded — hundreds of them by gunshots — when security forces fired live bullets and tear gas at a massive demonstration in the city, a medic said. The death toll was expected to rise because some were in critical condition, witnesses said.

The U.S. Embassy in Yemen issued a statement saying the United States “regrets the deaths and injuries of many people” in the protests Sunday. “In this tense situation, we call upon all parties to exercise restraint. In particular, we call on the parties to refrain from actions that provoke further violence.” (Read on …)

Telegraph: Artillery and automatic weapons fire broke out near the home of a prominent anti-Saleh tribal leader in the Hasaba district, the site of weeks of fighting that began in May and edged the impoverished Arab state closer to civil war.

Diplomatic sources said mediators from neighbouring powerhouse Saudi Arabia intervened to help end the street fighting, which was the fiercest in recent weeks. (Read on …)

Dr. Al Guneid talks about AlQeada in Yemen, the truth and illusions, in the seminar “Our revolution against terrorism” in Taiz on August 10, 2011. An English version will be ready shortly.

تنظيم القاعدة في اليمن خدعة كبيرة !!

هناك جدل كبير حول وجود تنظيم القاعدة في اليمن، وحول حقيقة وجود التنظيم بالحجم الذي تتحدث عنه وسائل الإعلام، وحول علاقته بنظام صالح، لقد تناول الكثيرين الكتابة حول هذا الموضوع الا إن مع معظمها لم تَصب كبدَ الحقيقة..

ما دفعني للكتابة حول هذا الموضوع الندوة التي عُقدت في ساحة الحريه بتعز تحت عنوان ” ثورتنا ضد الارهاب” وكان من ضمن الشخصيات التي تم استضافتها الدكتور / عبدالقادر الجنيد وهو شخصية معروفة جيداً في الوسط الاجتماعي ، ويُقال ان الجنيد احد الجنود المجهولين في الثورة الشعبية وله اسهاماً كبيراً في ايصال صوت الثورة الى العالم الغربي من خلال الدور الاعلامي الكبير الذي يقوم به ليلاً ونهاراً عبر موقع التواصل الاجتماعي التويتر..

الجنيد في المحور الذي تناوله حول ” القاعده في اليمن” شرح ووصف وحلل واستنتج في كلمات غاية بالبساطة والروعة جذبت اهتمام الحاضرين ونالت استحسانهم لطريقة الطرح النادرة..

يقول الجنيد عن القاعده هذا الموضوع الشائك:
(Read on …)

After a mass anti-regime march Wednesday in Taiz, a seminar about how al Qaeda in impacting the nation and the revolution was held:

The first sign says, Within the activities of Ramadan and with the Collaboration of the Freedom Square’s Youth the Legal Center for Defending the Revolution – Taiz is holding an intellectual symposium titled “Together against Terrorism”

The second sign: Our Revolution is Against Terrorism and it Seeks Peace for all the nations Of the World

Activist Bushra Maqtari presented a paper I have a scan copy as a photo but not a doc.

On a related note, from what I understand, the organizing committee has decided to hold a nationwide protest against al Qaeda and their attacks on western interests in Yemen (and Yemenis) on the third anniversary of the 9/17/08 attack on the US Embassy in Yemen.

But they may be using the Islamic calendar to determine the anniversary date, and the attack was during Ramadan that year. I think its a good idea and commend them for their initiative. Al Qaeda is sucking the blood of all Yemenis (see below) and has elicited from the US a counter-productive idiotic policy. However, I think Ramadan 17 is also the date the JMP is going to announce the transitional council, so we’ll see what the people are shouting for on that date.

The following cartoon is entitled al Qaeda in Yemen.

International guests will attend the Anti al Qaeda seminar Wednesday night (8/10) in Taiz’s Freedom sq. which will follow a large demonstration. Several noted intellectuals and revolutionaries will present papers. The revolutionaries invite the media. The Protest is named, “Our Revolution against Terror.”

An invitation to all the revolutionaries to participate in “Together Against Terrorism” event which will be prepared and planned during the coming days in Freedom Square of Taiz.

in the following topics:
1. The Position of the Revolution Regarding Terrorism.
2. The Threat of Al-Qaeda on the Revolution.
3. The International Position on the Yemeni Revolution and the Relationship of Terrorism.

Note that this event will be prepared and planned by the Revolution Legal Advocacy Center in Taiz in coordination with some of the youth movements in the Square.

For more information or any inquires, please call these numbers,
777026700–711373704–777180901

The first symposium on Wednesday 10-8-2011

Taiz is Yemen’s largest city. For reporting on and photos of the first demonstration in Taiz against al Qaeda, see Taiz protests against Al Qaeda, their crimes in Abyan and their statements

“Next Wednesday,Youth in Taiz & Sanaa will discuss terror. An Anti-Terror Friday is planned, as a nice gesture to USA Public” That’s GOOD as the US public and many (most) officials appear to be operating under incorrect assumptions about Yemeni society. There is very little public support for AQAP. The danger has always been elite material support of al Qaeda. Beyond the obvious, AQAP’s murderous actions and supremacist philosophy, on a micro level, the fanatics’ negative effect on the revolution, Abyan, the economy and Yemen itself cannot be emphasized enough. See our earlier report, Taiz protests against al Qaeda. Considering it will be the first nationwide protests against al Qaeda anywhere, ever, maybe the upcoming protests in Yemen will change a few minds. (The Anti-Terror Friday may not necessarily be next Friday but apparently its in the pipeline.)

Update: In a direct rebuke to the terror group, residents of Taiz held a major protest against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on Thursday evening after prayers. Protesters held signs denouncing AQAP that said, “Your racism will do nothing but make us stronger.”

Taiz is the largest city in Yemen, often setting the tone for the six month revolution seeking to overthrow the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh. The goal of the revolution is the establishment of a civil (non-military) democracy with equal rights and opportunities for citizens.

Protesters also denounced al Qaeda’s media statements, including the “Inspire” magazine, which they say distorts western perceptions of Yemen.

Regime change has been opposed by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Both states seek minor cosmetic changes in Yemen’s leadership on the pretext of counter-terror concerns.

Hundreds of thousands on the streets also condemned AQAP’s takeover of Zinjibar in Abyan. In chants, they expressed solidarity with the 90,000 Yemeni citizens who fled from the violence and al Qaeda’s attempted imposition of a Taliban style culture in the city.

Ray News reported that the protesters rejected the state’s slander and use of the al Qaeda “bogeyman” to garner western support and affirmed that Taiz is known as a “city of science and always stands against terrorists and terrorism.”

Protesters also reiterated their demand for a civil state and a transitional council.

Most Yemenis believe that the state colludes with AQAP, a premised based on a decade of state facilitation and leniency with the group. Current events in Abyan also give rise to concerns that al Qaeda is working with the ruling family to ensure its longevity.

In May, security forces attacked the protest camp in Taiz City. Commanded by Yemen’s counter-terror chief, Ahmed Saleh, the president’s son, security forces shot protesters point blank and set fire to the tent city in the early morning hours. Several children and disabled persons were unable to escape the flames and burned to death. The death toll of the massacre was 57 and over 1000 were injured from burns and bullet wounds, Bloomberg reported.

–Jane @ Examiner.com for more see my recent article, Yemen’s Counter-Terror Chief Accused of Atrocities or my article at PJM Obama fumbles Yemen.

This is excellent! Prior protests in Yemen since Feb 3 have all had themes: one was in solidarity with targeted protesters in Taiz, another against Saudi and US interference. There were days of dignity, solidarity with the south, refusing the GCC plan and negotiations with the regime. Last week was Patience and Persistence. Now there are plans to hold protests themed against al Qaeda, its interference in the revolution including the fanatics takeover in Zinjibar, Abyan which displaced 90K, the al Qaeda ideology of violence and inequality, and their very presence in Yemen which is drawing US drones, negative publicity about Yemen and western resistance to the revolution. Its good timing too, coming after the latest AQAP media releases trashing the civil minded youth and mis-characterizing the protesters. What a good idea this theme is!!

Update: for photos of the anti al Qaeda protest held 8/4/11 click here.

First Saleh took the presidency, then he took everything else. Taiz City marks the anniversary with a massive protest demanding self-government:

Its a “day of rage” all over Yemen, 33 years can do that. ( Video here of aftermath of RG bombing in Taiz that killed four at random. Water cannons in Hodeidah. Gunfire heard in Sanaa as supporters fire in the air.) Thanks to the incompetence of the Obama administration, the US is (correctly) seen as extending the longevity of the regime by siding with a few corrupt elites over 22 million citizens. So many people in Yemen were joyous when Obama was sworn in and believed the Hope ‘n Change propaganda that was the essence of Obama’s platform.

There’s some shrill and shallow analysis (I’ll try to find the link again) that asserts the battle for hearts and minds in Yemen was lost a decade ago–and the proof is the USS Cole bombing. Bizarre. In reality, the Cole bombing is proof that the elite have been double crossing the US for a decade. The diverse Yemeni people aspired to and formed a unified consensus for the democracy that was supposed to underpin 1990’s unity. Yemen is the only country with national protests against political Islam, against al Qaeda and in favor of a civil government. The tribes are battling al Qaeda because the government isn’t doing a very good job of it. But when the securocrats assert Yemen is a lost cause, and that the drone campaign is taking place in a vacuum, then animosity toward the US becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

US policy seems designed to strengthen the al Qaeda narrative and sphere of influence. The hypocrisy of US statements about democracy is staggering when the US is overtly thwarting the mass effort to reform a brutal tyranny. The US’s push for immunity for Saleh and his relatives, while the slaughter continues daily, may be related to US complicity in Yemeni war crimes for a decade. It may be the US is implementing the Saudi agenda. It may have to do with trying to salvage something from the US investment in Yemen’s CT forces. But the Obama administration is demonstrating, at every opportunity, that the taking of Yemeni lives is an inconsequential act, whether by Saleh’s guns or US planes.

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) — Fighting flared in Yemen’s volatile south Saturday, as security forces — backed by armed tribesmen — battled Islamic militants in the region, eyewitnesses said.

Hundreds of tribesmen joined the fight in the town of Zinjibar, vowing to stand strong until Islamic militants leave Abyan province.

“We will not stop until the terrorists leave the province. We will fight and have nothing to lose,” said Masood Mansoor, one of the fighters. “This land is ours and we will not allow it to be a safe haven from outlaws.”

Statement by ITCHR and HOOD dated 7/4

Despite the presence of the United Nations Mission Taiz live nights terrifying artillery shelling

Civic organizations condemn the continuation of bombings in the province of Taiz and demands quickly stop the cycle of violence and terror daily (Read on …)

The families are boycotting the trial as its a farce; Prince Ahmed is continuing his blood thirsty quest in Taiz (and Arhab) randomly shelling, as collective punishment, various neighborhoods and villages. He along with his father are overtly guilty of a variety of war crimes, yet the US is undeterred in its fawning while insulitng and alienating what might be called the progressive element of society. Putting aside basic ethical considerations, and apparently the Obama administration has, even the coldest cynic cannot possibly think putting US domestic security in the hands of an avowed liar, murderer and al Qaeda facilitator is a good idea. Narrow minded, knee-jerk analysis holds that there are only two camps: Saleh’s and Zindani’s, Yet millions across Yemen demonstrated yesterday for “Civil Government” Friday, overtly and heatedly rejecting Zindani’s call for an Islamic state.

7/10/11 Yemen Post: Yemen started on Saturday the trial of 78 suspects accused of criminal acts against antigovernment protesters in the capital Sana’a including killing more than 60 protesters on March 18.

Security forces in and out of uniform and regime supporters snipped from rooftops protesters in the square of change outside Sana’a University after prayers on Friday of Dignity. (Read on …)

- Republican Guard shells a public mini-bus in Taiz, driver killed, 13 wounded including three children, attack occurred in front of a hospital, several other parts of the neighborhoods shelled by tanks and artillery: al Masdar Also Taiz, clashes after security tries to impede a mass rally demanding an immediate formation of a transitional council: al Masdar (Read on …)

Ibb “Revolutionary Will”

Taiz “Revolutionary Will”

Other demos including in Sanaa and Dhamar were held against the inane US policy in Yemen that marginalizes, insults and ignores the millions seeking a democratic future. One person was killed and several wounded during the funeral march of Ahmed Darwish, tortured to death in Aden jail a year ago during the tenure of General Qiran The murdered man, Dr. Jeyab, was the son of Ali Alsaadi a leader in the southern movement. One killed in Republican Guard’s bombing of al-Sama mountain near Arhab. The protesters refused to meet with Feltman, due to the US’s constant obstruction of the rev and continuing support for the barbaric regime, and dedicated this week’s protests to condemning the US and Saudi Arabia.

al Masdar: The demonstrators chanted “O my America .. Saud Ali Saleh will not be back.” And other slogans demanding to drop the rest of the regime.

The (Organizational Committee of the popular revolution of youth) drew in a statement received by the source online, and sent greetings “to all young people who refused to attend the meeting (with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman).” She stressed that the position of the trip came from the revolutionary responsibility and an expression of absolute rejection of the role of the American Revolution against the scandalous what the U.S. ambassador in Sana’a. According to the statement.

She said that the U.S. ambassador in Sanaa, proclaimed himself “the patron of policy dialogues between the parties and the purpose of lengthening life of the system and try to convert the Revolution to a political crisis despite the barbarism of the system, which reached its case to the siege of ambassadors Gulf and European and U.S. Ambassador without finding a position as a deterrent against such conduct reckless, who abused customs and traditions of Yemeni.”

The committee said in its statement that “the lack of response the U.S. administration to the demands of the rebels for a meeting of the Security Council to discuss the violations of human rights and stand against the serious crimes committed by the regime to benefit in addition to not freeze his assets and his relatives all this strengthens our conviction that the U.S. position is not in the interest of the Yemeni people and stands against his will to freedom and dignity.”

The statement renewed confirmation of the commission to “clear its rejection of the initiative Gulf since the first day of the (…) announced that it does not meet the aspirations of the Yemeni people do not achieve the goals of the revolution to drop the system.”

The committee also criticized the regulatory Saudi position, and said “It was clearly evident to all the rebels in the fields and arenas that the Saudi intervention in the course of events has taken a negative attitude towards the revolution in Yemen and is working to prevent the achievement of objectives of the revolution to drop the rest of the staff of government family and about this we should point out that the Saudi position will be has implications for future large are not in anyone’s interest. ”

Update: Sanaa “Revolutionary Will” via twitpic:

The US is on the wrong side of history with a policy that is alienating millions while pampering Saleh and his political tribe. Update: protesters chanting that the US is the enemy of the people:

The demonstrators demanded that Saudi Arabia and the United States to stop playing with the blood of Yemenis at the expense of political interests and carried the United States responsible for the situation catastrophic and tragic for the displaced in Abyan, Lahj and the targeting of civilians by U.S. airline, which violates the sovereignty of the country, allegedly hit the sites of militant groups in Yemen.

And raising the participants in the march, banners refusing to intervene in the U.S. and Saudi support for the Yemeni Shan system in favor of “America the enemy of the peoples of the exciting wars,” “Al Qaeda justified the U.S. occupation of the homeland”

http://www.4shared.com/video/k1K46EYK/My_Movie_12.html

http://www.4shared.com/video/0V_wB8j9/dhamar3.html

Yemen Post: Republican guards killed a 14-year old boy in Yemen’s Taiz province on Wednesday, where a massive demonstration was held coinciding with protests in other cities to urge the youth-led protesters to finish their revolution and to refuse external mandate or interventions.

Locals at Street 60th at the city’s entrance said republican guards fired at passengers inside a bus killing the teen and injuring others. The incident took place amid insecurity in Taiz, which saw deadly clashes between the army and armed tribesmen in the past weeks.

In other Taiz related news, Haykel Saed Corp is negotiating between the families of the protesters killed by forces under the supervision of lunatic security chief (transferred from Aden after several bloodbaths) Abdullah Qiran. There’s no resolution yet as the families are demanding a trial. Qiran was also charged with the murder of Ahmed Darwish tortured to death in Aden jail. One major outstanding protesters’ demand is the purge and reformation of the security forces.

Late update: Saleh: late night in Sanaa and Taiz, over two hours of heavy gunfire so far from pro-Saleh forces shooting in air at news of his return or good health. Simultaneous in Dhamar, Hadramout. In Aden, govt cars seen shooting live rounds (more celebration?) Over 20 wounded in Sanaa arrive at the field hospital. According to friends in Saudi Arabia, theres no report airing about Saleh’s good health and return, and Mareb Press just retracted the report that Saleh wanted to return in 24 hours. However “celebratory” gunfire continuing for hours already. The RG is going to be cranky tomorrow.

Sanaa: Ali Mohsen meets US, EU ambassadors; forces intercept two attacks on Acting President Hadi’s compound. Reports also disbursed protesters demanding a transition council, near Hadis compound, dozens injured. Vid, al Khaiwani arguing with Askar Zoail, Ali Mohsen’s extremist office manager who incited soldiers with sermons on jihad against the Houthis at a mosque in the fifth Saada war. Al Khaiwani was later nearly kidnapped. Later video indicates Zoali’s forces shooting into the air. See below for Mohsen’s role in Abyan fighting.

JMP: did not meet with Hadi, expect to meet within two days; seek Hadi’s formal declaration that Saleh’s reign is over, threaten to unilaterally create transitional council with protesters.

Protesters: demand transitional council immediately in mass demo, “In Sana’a, a spokesman for the youth-led protesters in the change square outside Sana’a University said, after thousands of people marched Street 60th, they had given a 24-hour deadline for the concerned political parties to form a transitional council otherwise the revolutionaries will do that.”

Taiz: still tense, sporadic clashes on the outskirts of town. The Al Qaeda district is the name of the suburb, not a AQAP hideout. Three killed Maweah and Thikra

Ibb : YP: Government forces clashed with armed tribesmen in Qaeda district, Ibb province, 30 miles off Taiz province. According to the tribesmen, the goal of the tribes is to get rid of all government forces attacking the people. “Security forces are now using this lawless time in the country to loot and attack civilians. We will not allow our people to be attacked and will ensure that they are safe from any attacks from pro govt thugs,” said a tribal fighter.

Hodiedah: roads leading in blocked by pro-Saleh thugs.

Saudi Arabia, “Yemen’s neighbor and the biggest GCC country, said after a June 6 Cabinet meeting chaired by King Abdullah that the proposal is still viable, and called on Saleh to accept it. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, will also send Yemen 3 million barrels of oil to alleviate fuel shortages, Yemen’s state news agency Saba reported yesterday.” ( SFgate)

Saada: Mass protests in favor of the end of the regime and against all plots on the rev.

UNICEF: Yemen facing humanitarian disaster.

State Department briefing; must read

AQAP: a decent analysis at Foreign Affairs of relation between tribes and AQAP and prospect in the post-rev phase.

Zinjibar: reduced to “hell” with fighting among unclear sides: < <"There is a cat-and-mouse game going on in the streets now between the army and armed men. I can't tell who's who among them any more,"... The fighting has reduced Zinjibar, once home to more than 50,000 people, to a ghost town without power or running water.>> Most residents of Zinjibar fled to Aden where many are sheltering in public buildings. The Central Security forces of Yahya are attacking the refugees as they flee.

The armed parties appear to be the national military, local tribesmen, local militants (both Saleh’s and Mohsen’s) and the defected army but I’m checking. Update: Gah!!! Armed members of the southern movement also maintaining security on some roads, and for sure they would be described by the regime as al Qaeda. If this is true, southerners carrying arms and creating their own security checkpoints outside local villages in various governorates, its new. (I deleted the areas where they are deployed or the regime will start bombing them.) It needs to be double checked. But being rebuffed after asking to coordinate security with the international community leaves few options. However as security fails, its likely the Southern Movement will reject new deployments by either Saleh’s forces or Mohsen’s forces. The only possibility is Aliwi who has a better reputation in the south than Hadi (as unlike Hadi he didnt attack civilians in the 1986 civil war, according to local lore.) And Mohsen is Mohsen.

Abyan: Local direct reports indicate military airplanes dropped two bombs today recently. Vid here of warplanes that bombed Abyan City, per local sources.

Another says the attack was on tribesmen who took up arms in the face of military assaults. “Ms. Novak – Greetings – I would like to clarify what is happening today in the province of pilgrimage in southern Yemen as a witness elders – the army is firing different weapons on the housing Almutnyen and Batalli tribes touched by the bombing respond and of these forces and drops dead from both sides.” Still no names on the militants leaders, but likely remnants of the localized jihaddist group AAIA operating under another new name. Upon asking, it seems that most discussions on southern forums regarding Zinjibar are operating on the assumption (as am I) that Khaledabul Nabi* is leading the jihaddists in Abyan but no eye witness confirmation. Ja’ar and Zinjibar are close enough. In 2009, Nabi was fighting on the side of Saleh in the battle of Ja’ar, another jihaddist proxy war.

Update, Southern Yemen: Ali Mohsen’s forces are in Abyan, see YT article Rebel soldiers engage militants, but are described below as “gunmen” so these could be the jihaddists as well. Majority of Mohsen’s soldiers are either graduates of Iman Univ or loyal to Zindani, per local buzz. The defected military issued a statement though that they were going to intervene in Abyan as military, and that may be what is triggering an armed (defensive) response by the southern movement if there is indeed an armed response. When the article below talks about forces loyal to Islah, it sounds like they mean armed militants loyal to Mohsen and Zindani. Maybe this is what Nuba meant by an invasion of Zindanis forces.

So Abyan could be a proxy war between Saleh and Mohsen with both sides using militants and military men and equipment. and the southerners who take defensive positions attacked by both. Now I really have a headache. Saada source comments, “That’s exactly whats happening with al Jawf,” and likely why the Houthis are fighting there, as a defensive measure.

Al Jawf/ Marib: Battles reported and continue over last months between Houthis and “Islahis” in conjunction with Mohsen’s forces, with back up from pro-Saleh forces according to news and local sources. Explains positioning of large amounts of troops there. Both the Mohsen forces and Saleh forces, militants and military, are fighting the Houthis in rotation. These developments bring into question both Mohsen’s alleged reformation and his commitment to the youth rev goals. Maybe he is just out to finally wipe out the Houthis and the Southerners. Clarification: There’s no troops on the al jawf/Saada border. Troops and militias of both Saleh (Republican Guards and militias) and Mohsen’s army and militias are on the border of Aljawf/Mareb and also inside both Aljawf and Mareb. There’s quite a number of troops in Saada but they are non-combative.

Yaf3press: Lapin: genocide and the destruction of cities, “Zanzibar and Jaar .. and forces loyal to the Reform Party (ed-Islah) and Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar involved in control of southern Yemen. (Read on …)

The fighting in Taiz is largely between the pro and anti governmental factions of Brigade 33 along with some civilian volunteers, not a tribe. Taiz is not a tribal area, only about 40% of Yemen is tribal.
The military/ security forces fell back from major areas but have not left the city. Al Sahwa and ohter local reporting indicates the shell was fired by the Republican Guard forces headed by Saleh’s son Ahmed.

The situation in Abyan continues to flare, 15 killed, often getting greater attention than anything else in Yemen because of the AQ packaging to the media. The opposition continues to insist its another of Saleh’s elaborate ploys: pulling back security, giving the green light to some of the state’s cadre of loyalist jihaddists and then sending the army in small numbers to be overwhelmed. While the situation remains unclear, there is no doubt that Saleh has the requisite lack of ethics required to send Yemeni soldiers to be slaughtered in order to gain a favorable sounding scroll on the cable news tickers. A good overview here at Muftah of basic fragmentation and groupings in Yemen.

MSNBC: Clashes killed 19 people, including three children, in two Yemeni provinces, military and medical officials said Tuesday.
(Read on …)

Update 2: local committees take full control of the town, now they need to teach that to the rest of the county.

Update: Al Jazeera reports security abandons Taiz City per anonymous opposition leader and GPC official Tariq al Shami. Some reports of looting.

Original: People retake the square following the massacre 5/30/11:

If I recall correctly its the first sustained armed defense of the protesters in Taiz.

Female protesters today 6/4 Taiz

Some graphic photos. Its really beyond words. But not included are photos of the citizens burned alive when Saleh’s forces set fire to the camp in Taiz, including some in wheel chairs. Hundreds were also kidnapped and reports are emerging of another mass grave; the last time wounded and killed protesters disappeared they were found chopped up in garbage bags, per HOOD. The Saleh forces steal corpses, wounded and make arrests (ie, people are disappeared) to understate the fatalities and their families think they are in jail.

Some other news: Al-Ahmar’s office disputes Saba News Agency claims of the regime that they retook control of the Ministry of health, Ministry of Trade; those claims are not true

Related “I see dead political initiatives but they don’t know they are dead.” (May 22)

The 110 listed are in Sanaa only, well over 100 were killed in Taiz when Saleh set fire to the protesters camp and in the days since.

AP:
Clinton: US working to remove Yemeni president, Thu May 26, 9:40 am ET

PARIS – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States is troubled by political intransigence in Yemen amid ongoing violence there.
Clinton says Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has repeatedly “reneged” on promises to step down, and she says the U.S. and other countries are trying hard to get him out. The U.S. had backed Saleh in exchange for cooperation against a branch of al-Qaida headquartered in Yemen, but Washington withdrew its support as Saleh pressed a violent crackdown on protesters this spring.
Intense battles spread across Yemen’s capital Thursday. At least 28 people were killed as the four-day death toll neared 110.
The State Department on Wednesday ordered nonessential U.S. diplomats to depart Yemen and urged all Americans there to leave as security conditions deteriorated.

Still pushing the GCC initiative:

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has dispatched a top aide to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the deteriorating situation in Yemen, the White House said on Wednesday. (Read on …)