High-Ranking Officer Survives Assassination in South

High-Ranking Officer Survives Assassination in South

Fuad Rajeh

Abyan- Feb 19, 2011- Chief of staff of Brigade 111 Ahmed Nasser escaped on Saturday an assassination attempt by suspected Al-Qaeda elements in Abyan province, informed sources said.

The chief and another officer got minor injuries and were rushed to hospital, the sources said.

The plot took place early today when the suspected terrorists attacked with various weapons battalions led by Nasser while on the way from Mukairas, Al-Baidha'a, to the district of Lawder, Abyan, the sources said.

In January commander of and a soldier from the brigade were injured in ambushes by suspected AQAP members.

In the last few years, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, AQAP, stepped up attacks against military commanders, personnel and convoys as well as against security patrols, officers and checkpoints in southern and southeastern regions, killing and injuring dozens.

In response, the authorities have been waging large-scale operations and a massive hunt for suspected terrorists killing, injuring and arresting many of them.

Arrests as Yemeni People 'Determined to Oust Regime'

Arrests as Yemeni People 'Determined to Oust Regime'

Fuad Rajeh

Sana'a- Feb 19, 2011- At least four people were arrested on Saturday night as the protests in Yemen have entered a new phase with thousands of people continuing to take to the streets and hold sit-inns day and night demanding the removal of the regime.

Riot police dispersed a demonstration by hundreds of people at Sana'a University with wooden and stun batons, but Saleh supporters were not seen after violent clashes with the anti-government protesters at the university at noon.

Also, hundreds of people took to Zubairi street chanting slogans: quit, Ali after Egyptian President Mubarak.

Today, a student protester was killed and many others wounded when what were believed to be soldiers out of uniform opened fire on anti-government protesters in Daery street.

Earlier, thousands of pro and anti-government protesters gathered at Sana'a University and clashed hurling rocks at each other.

The protests took place at the eastern and western gates of the university which have recently become gathering points of anti-government protests as the ruling party is continuing the occupation of Tahrir Square in downtown Sana'a.

In Taiz, thousands of people are continuing their protest in Oseifra district, vowing they will not leave the area until the government was ousted.

In Aden where deaths jumped in three days of protest to more than a dozen, thousands are continuing their protest in Al-Mansour district, with police firing in the air and ordering, according to informed sources, families to leave their homes near police stations in the district of Sheikh Othman.

There were also demonstrations in Dhale and other provinces with all seeking the ouster of President Saleh.

Exiled Politicians Urge People to Unite against Regime

Exiled Politicians Urge People to Unite against Regime

Fuad Rajeh

Southern politicians living in exile attacked on Saturday the Saleh regime, saying it is inciting violence and hiring bullies to attack anti-government protesters killing and injuring many of them in several cities.

At least four politicians of those living abroad including former president of the south republic Ali Nasser Muhammad and former premier Al-Attas said in a statement that they are watching the situation in their country with concern, criticizing the confusion and scare of the regime as the people started to revolt demanding the ouster of the 32-year regime of Saleh.

"The young protesters chanting: the Saleh regime is corrupt and out, Ali, come as a result of the political deadlock caused by the regime, which killed the peaceful unity and democracy and consolidated autocracy and corruption," the statement said.

They urged the southern movement, Harak, and the protesters in other provinces to unite against the regime.

Saluting the southern movement and the protesters in Sana'a, Taiz, Aden and other cities, they urged the military to avoid the orders of the regime for attacking and thwarting the demonstrators to avoid legal accountability.

Furthermore, they called on the government to learn from the Tunisian and Egyptian lessons and quit willingly before they are forced to do so.

"Those who support the regime and provide it with the tools that help it stay longer are contributing to the tragedy that will likely affect the country's stability and security," the statement said, condemning all oppressive measures against the people.

President Saleh Accuses Opposition of Carrying out foreign Agendas against Yemen

President Saleh Accuses Opposition of Carrying out foreign Agendas against Yemen

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a- Feb 19, 2011, President Ali Abdullah Saleh accused Yemeni opposition, Socialist party of carrying out foreign agendas against Yemen. ''There are foreign agendas and there is a plot against Yemen and its security and stability,'' he said.

The accusation against the Socialist party came during Saleh's speech at the celebration of founding conference of Civil Society Organizations on Saturday.

President Saleh indicated that "we do not want to copy others but we shall define what we want."

He criticized what happened in Aden during the past two days in which he said against the law and not with the democracy.

Saleh pointed out of the rights of all people to express their views and opinion through democratic means but not through violence.

Whoever wants power shall then come with us to the ballot boxes and the Yemeni people will face destruction and outlaw elements, president said.

European Union: Dialogue the Only Way to Progress in Yemen

European Union: Dialogue the Only Way to Progress in Yemen

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a- Feb 19, 2011,The European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton said that a comprehensive and real dialogue that should include everyone is the only way to make progress in political, economic and social reforms in Yemen.

Ashton urged in a statement self-restraint and stressed that "peaceful expression of the people's will should be faced with dialogue and calm".

She expressed regret over the loss of lives in Al-Mansoura district, Aden, in the violent protest on last Wednesday, saying that the EU was "watching the situation in Yemen closely."

The EU stance remained firm that there should be a successful dialogue and concrete reforms in Yemen, as the Union and its partners were ready to continue supporting the country, she added.

Student killed in clashes with Yemen regime supporters

Student killed in clashes with Yemen regime supporters

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a-Feb 19, 2010- One protester was shot dead and five wounded in clashes with Yemeni government supporters near the capital Sanaa's university campus on Saturday.

The death, the first in nearly a week of protests, came as government supporters, armed with guns, batons and rocks, tried to break into the campus and students responded by hurling stones.

Police did not intervene but blocked the roads leading to the university.