Saudi role in Yemen crackdown exposed

Yemeni anti-government protesters

Sana'a, Mar 10, 2011- A Yemeni opposition leader says Saudi Arabia collaborates with intensifying efforts by Sana'a to suppress outraged masses across the country that have been calling for ouster of Yemen's unpopular ruler.

Riadh Hussein al-Qadhi said, “We blow the cover off the Saudi intelligence apparatus, which interferes in Yemen and cracks down on the people.”

“Yemen's [ruling] system has lost all its support and aces in the hole, whether tribal, racial and sectarian,” he added, apparently outlining the reason for Sana'a's dependence on Riyadh for crushing protesters.

Masses in the revolution in Yemen have been demanding the removal of 33-year-long rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime since January. The head of state has, however, said he would stay in power until the end of his term in 2013.

Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured in government-ordered armed attacks on anti-regime protests.

The demonstrations have been joined by the Houthis, the Shia minority in the north, who have long complained about efforts by the Yemeni and Saudi authorities to socially, economically, and religiously marginalize the community.

The Saudi military has been reported to have joined the Yemeni forces on numerous occasions to launch deadly attacks on the province of Sa'ada, where the faith group is concentrated.

“The system has, like the Libyan system, gone insane and if it takes up arms, a bloodbath would for sure run throughout the country and lead to the deposition of the domineering regime,” al-Qadhi added.

He said, “But the people and the youths should now be on alert to assume power as soon as the system collapses.”

“Currently, all opposition elements agree on one matter, and that is the need for the ouster of the current fascist and terrorist system, and all circles, whether at home or abroad, are trying to overthrow Yemen's system with as little cost as possible.”

Source: Press TV