Harak Movement Calls for a Free South

by National Yemen

Sana'a, November 20, 2011

The Higher Council for the Peaceful Southern Movement has welcomed the initiative of Brigader Nasser Al-Nawbah, Chairman of the Higher National Committee for Independence. Al-Nawbah recently called on prominent political players of the southern movements such as the Power of Freedom and Independence, retired southern military men, and any other groups who have fought on the change squares calling to pursue freedom and independence for the south.

Al-Nahbaw called upon individuals in the Higher Council for Peaceful Southern Movement to present their new vision in forming a type of national solidarity in the south. Al-Nawbah suggested some names like National Front, National Union, or National Cooperative Council. From these names, he said, that people in the south can share in the vision that will lead to the success of the National Southern Alignment and the achievement of our people’s goals.

Al-Nawbah concluded his rallying call saying, “so that our people’s sacrifices in blood and imprisonment leads toward the achievement of freedom and independence for our land from the Arab Republic of Yemen.”

Saleh says would hand Yemen over to the military if he quits

November 19, 2011

Yemen’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday he would hand the country over to the military if he were to step down as demanded by the opposition.

“We… are ready to make sacrifices for the country. But you will always be there, even if we step down,” Saleh told loyalist troops, in statements carried by the official Saba news agency.

The news agency said Saleh made the remarks during an inspection of the Republican Guards, an elite army corps led by Saleh’s son Ahmed.

Yemeni court sentences Somali pirates to 10 years in jail

HADRAMOUT, Nov. 19 (Saba) - The First Instance Court in Mukalla City of Hadramout province passed Saturday sentences of 10 years in jail for 10 Somalis.

The Somalis were convicted of crimes of sea piracy and hijacking vessels in the regional and international waters.

The court acquitted another Somali for lack of evidence

Yemen Parliament Resumes Activities Despite Nation Outcry

Sana'a, November 20, 2011

The Yemeni Parliament resumed its activities Saturday as it opened its first session of its 5th period of its 8th annual meeting, chaired by its President, Yehia Ali al-Ra' ai, a staunched supporter of President Saleh and a fervent detractor of the Opposition.

The session opened up on a minute of silence in remembrance of late Abdal-Aziz Abdul Ghani, the former President of the Shurah Council who passed away after succumbing to its injuries following a bomb attack on President Saleh's compound in early June.

In a speech rendered by al-Ra'ai, reference was made to the negative repercussions the uprising has had upon the country's economy, finances, industries and security, putting the blame largely onto the Opposition as they are still being portrayed by the regime as the source of all evils in Yemen.

"We, as parliamentarians, have to stand with the people against the conspiracy and political jockeying, and to work to pull the country out of this crunching crisis." Al-Ra'ai added.

The Join Meeting Parties (JMP) has decried the move, arguing that the Parliament had no legal ground to congregate given that it was explicitly against the Constitution and that is was a "flagrant violation of the Interior Regulations of the Parliament".

Jurists now doubt the constitutionality of the Parliament's meetings as the Parliament was dissolved back in April 16th.

President Saleh immediately retaliated by invoking article 65 of the Constitution.

Article 65 of the Yemeni Constitution provides that "The Parliament's Duration which is six calendar years, starts from the date its first meeting, and that the President of the Republic invites the voters to elect a new board before the expiration of its term in at least sixty days, if this is not possible for compelling circumstances, the Parliament will continue to perform its constitutional authority until the circumstances are passed and the new council is elected."

Opponents Accuse Saleh of Preparing for a Comprehensive War

BY National Yemen

Sana'a, November 20, 2011

President Saleh dismissed multiple commanders from the military as a result of their support for the Youth Revolution. The dismissed commanders were from a wide range of institutions within the military including the Central Reform Base, National College for Defense, as well as the 15th, 25th, 111th, 133rd and 135th Ground Force Divisions. Opposition members have decried the dismissals as a move to prepare for civil war. A source told National Yemen that Saleh’s actions are sending a clear message that the country is not far from a civil war, particularly after the failure of the Gulf Initiative. The dismissals come as another advantage, National Yemen source said that military loyal to Saleh is moving and storing military weapons across multiple governorates. The source added that more than three trucks transferred weapons from Hodeidah Port to Al-Dailami Air Force Base near Sana’a airport.