The Path of Protest: Infographic from the Guardian
Posted: September 12, 2011 Filed under: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Uncategorized, United Arab Emirates, Yemen | Tags: Arab Awakening, conflict, future, guide, revolution Leave a commentThis infographic from the Guardian traces the Arab Awakening from December 2010 to the current period, allowing readers to simultaneously consider the political and societal situations of 17 Middle Eastern states. View protests, political moves, regime changes, and international responses on the graph, and see links to news articles from various organizations.
Yemeni Forces Are Said to Enter Coastal City
Posted: September 12, 2011 Filed under: Saudi Arabia, Yemen | Tags: Saleh, United States, West, Yemen Leave a commentThe New York Times reports:
SANA, Yemen — Yemeni armed forces have entered the city of Zinjibar for the first time since armed Islamic militants seized the southern coastal city in May, according to state-run media.
A video aired on state-run Yemen TV showed footage of soldiers inside Zinjibar, and a government statement claimed that “Yemen’s armed forces and patriotic citizens recaptured” the city. But whether or not the entire city was under control of the Yemeni security forces could not be independently confirmed.
Yemen’s military “will continue to sweep in and secure the city of Zinjibar, in addition to the other recaptured towns. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States government provided logistical support during the ongoing operations,” according to a statement released by Mohammed Albasha, a Yemeni government spokesman.
According to the official Saba news agency, Yemeni armed forces also freed a cornered military brigade belonging to Gen. Muhammad al-Somli.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been battling for months to stay in power, despite large street protests against his rule and international pressure. Militants have taken advantage of the chaos to capture territory in the south.
In May, Islamic militants took over government buildings in Zinjibar after residents said security forces pulled out of the city. The governor of the volatile province of Abyan, where Zinjibar is located, fled to nearby Aden. General Somli, the only commander actively fighting the militants, complained publicly that his troops were running low on supplies.
Yemeni opposition members speculated that the government had essentially handed over the city to the militants, intentionally creating havoc in the country so it would seem that the timing would be bad for the embattled Mr. Saleh to step down.
However, in recent weeks, armed forces have been engaged in fierce clashes with the militants and carried out a barrage of aerial strikes on the region. Dozens of militants and soldiers have been killed, according to state-run news media reports.
The militants call themselves Ansar al-Shariah, which means supporters of Shariah, or Islamic law; they were an unknown group before they started gaining ground in southern Yemen. A video released online by the militants in August showed footage of them, turbans wrapped around their faces, waving a flag bearing the logo of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen’s branch of the terrorist network that has tried twice, unsuccessfully, to stage attacks in the United States. Additionally, local reports have noted the presence of foreigners among those fighting, lending credibility to the notion that the group has links to the Qaeda affiliate.
Yemen has been rocked by street protests since January, with its government torn apart after many officials resigned over the use of violence against protesters.
September 9, 2011 – News Review
Posted: September 9, 2011 Filed under: Libya, Syria, Turkey, Uncategorized, Yemen | Tags: Arab League, Britain, Cairo, conflict, future, Libya, Palestine, Syria, United States Leave a commentSyrians appeal for international protection, Al-Jazeera
“Syrians have taken to the streets for another Friday of protests, calling for international help to stop the security crackdown by Bashar al-Assad’s government. Large protests called “Friday for International Protection” were reported in cities including Qamishli in the northeast, Homs and Hama in the centre of the country, and Deir al-Zor in the east.
Activists and rights group say at least 2,200 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since the uprising began in mid-March. Al Jazeera’s Omar al Saleh, reporting from Ramtha on the Jordan-Syria border, said the calls vary from the execution of Assad to international protection.”
Anti-military rally in Tahrir swell to tens of thousands as more march around Cairo, Al-Masry Al-Youm
“Around 30,000 protesters gathered in Tahrir Square Friday to protest the ruling military council’s performance and their numbers continued to rise into the late afternoon for the demonstration dubbed “Correcting the Path of the Revolution.” Some of those present since midday prayers were discouraged that turnout was lower than organizers had hoped for, however the crowd was steadily swelling and was expected to reach 50,000 before the demonstration’s scheduled 6 pm end time.
“It is the first Friday after Ramadan, and summertime. I believe that the number will increase in the coming demonstrations,” said political activist and blogger Ahmed Gharbeia.
Several marches feeding into Tahrir from around Cairo have been adding a steady stream of protesters. One group came from the Israeli Embassy in Dokki, while the April 6 Youth Movement also came from Mohandiseen with at least 500 supporters. Islamist groups were, as expected, not present in the square. April 6, secular revolutionary groups, as well as the football fans known as Ahly and Zamalek “Ultras” led most of the chants.”
Russia seeks Syrian detente, The Daily Star (Beirut)
“Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that some Syrians protesting against Bashar Assad’s regime are “terrorists” and that the world should urge both sides to refrain from violence, as opposition groups made their first direct calls for foreign intervention in the country to halt the violence.
In an interview with the France-based news channel Euronews, Medvedev admitted the Syrian authorities had been guilty of using “disproportionate force” against protesters, but called the country a “friend” of Russia.
“It’s true that we recognize that there are problems in Syria. We’re aware of the disproportionate use of force, and of a large number of victims, and it’s something we disapprove of,” he said, according to a transcript provided by the network.”
Search for Tripoli prison massacre victims seeks to heal old wounds, The Guardian
“An excavation of mass graves began on Friday in search of the 1,200 victims of a Libyan prison massacre, in an attempt to close the most infamous chapter of Muammar Gaddafi‘s bloody four-decade rule.
Diggers found multiple bodies in a single grave – one of 38 graves at a cemetery in Tripoli. It is believed the remains had been moved there from the notorious Abu Salim jail, scene of the killing of inmates in 1996.
More than 1,000 bodies are still thought to be within the grounds of the prison. Excavations there have been delayed as officials await the arrival of experts and equipment for DNA testing. Digging is expected to begin in a week.”
Yemenis turn out in new anti-Saleh demos
Posted: September 9, 2011 Filed under: Yemen | Tags: conflict, future, Saleh, Yemen Leave a commentThe Daily Star (Beirut) reports:
SANAA: Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis flooded the streets of the capital and elsewhere on Friday in the ongoing campaign to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh, witnesses and the opposition reported.
In the southwestern province of Taez, where the outpouring was significant, three children were wounded when a landmine exploded.
Protesters in Sanaa braved rainfall and were protected by troops loyal to dissident General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar as they gathered after weekly Muslim prayers at University Square — which they have dubbed Change Square.
“The mask of the regime has fallen… for 33 years the country has been a hostage of a family band,” said prayer leader Fuad al-Himyari, referring to Saleh, his family and allies in the military and police.
He called on the “silent fringes (of the population) to join the revolution,” telling regime supporters that “the end of injustice is inevitable and near.”
In Sabbine Avenue, near the presidential palace on the other side of the city, tens of thousands of loyalists also demonstrated after prayers, carrying portraits of the president and chanting “the people want Ali Abdullah Saleh.”
Elsewhere, in Taez, Hodeidah, Ibb, Al-Bayda, Aden and Saada provinces, there was also a massive turnout of anti-regime demonstrators.
In a northern suburb of Taez city, three children were hurt when a landmine exploded, an opposition source reported, saying the army had mined the area to prevent residents from reaching the city and demonstrating.
On Thursday, a delegation from Yemen’s ruling party headed to Riyadh to seek permission from a convalescing Saleh for his deputy to negotiate a power-transfer plan with the opposition, a party official said.
“The delegation is heading to Riyadh to meet the president and ask him to authorise his deputy to start the dialogue” with the opposition, which is demanding Saleh’s ouster, the official told AFP.
“It has been agreed that Saleh would issue a decree vesting his deputy with constitutional powers to hold talks with the parties that have signed the Gulf initiative and agree on a timetable and mechanism to implement it,” GPC’s Assistant Secretary General Sultan Barakani told AFP.
He said implementation of the plan proposed by the GCC “would lead to holding early presidential elections that would guarantee a peaceful and democratic transition of power.”
The plan, drawn up by the six Gulf states in coordination with the European Union and the United States, calls for the immediate formation of a government of national unity with Saleh stepping down a month later in return for a promise of immunity, but the president has repeatedly refused to sign it.
September 8, 2011 – News Review
Posted: September 8, 2011 Filed under: Libya, Syria, Yemen | Tags: Al-Jazeera, Arab League, conflict, Libya, Syria, Yemen Leave a commentSqueezing Syria, The Washington Post
“The Assad regime is once again demonstrating that it has no strategy for responding to popular protests other than mass murder — and that appeals for “reform” by foreign governments are foolish. The latest statesman to be embarrassed is Nabil Elaraby, secretary general of the Arab League, who was due to fly to Damascus on Wednesday to remonstrate with the dictator. His visit was abruptly postponed to this weekend — allowing the assault on Homs to continue unhindered. Arab news reports said Mr. Elaraby hoped to persuade the regime to end the killing and take steps to satisfy the opposition. If so, he will be disappointed — like the Obama administration, European governments and Turkey before him.
Only the end of Mr. Assad’s regime will end the violence. So far the estimated death toll is well above 2,000, though the real total is unknown. Foreign governments cannot topple Mr. Assad — Syrians must do that. But outsiders can help by abandoning efforts to “engage” the dictator and instead stepping up political and economic sanctions.”
Ahmadinejad Urges Syria to End Crackdown, Al-Jazeera
“Most of the previous Iranian comments on the unrest in Syria had focused on a “foreign conspiracy” driving the instability but there has been a subtle shift in Tehran’s tone. Late last month, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s foreign minister, encouraged the Assad regime to answer to some of his people’s “legitimate demands” while reiterating Iran’s support Syria.
Ahmadinejad’s comments seem to build on the slight shift and appear to reflect growing impatience with Assad in Iran.”
Saleh Consent Sought for Power Transfer Plan, Al-Jazeera
“The plan aims to end months of anti-government protests by easing Saleh out of office before his term ends in 2013. “It has been agreed that Saleh would issue a decree vesting his deputy with constitutional powers to hold talks with the parties that have signed the Gulf initiative and agree on a timetable and mechanism to implement it,” said the GPC’s Assistant Secretary-General Sultan Barakani.
He said that the implementation of the plan proposed by the GCC “would lead to holding early presidential elections that would guarantee a peaceful and democratic transition of power”. The plan, drawn up by the six Gulf states in co-ordination with the European Union and the United States, called for the immediate formation of a government of national unity with Saleh stepping down a month later in return for a promise of immunity, but the president has repeatedly refused to sign it.”
Syrians Report Killings as Troops Hunt for Defectors, The New York Times
“Across Syria, residents and activists have reported the defection of hundreds of soldiers from the mostly Sunni army, which is led by officers from the minority Alawite sect, to which Mr. Assad belongs. All told, the activists estimate, about 700 soldiers have gone over to the opposition since mid-March. Scores more have reportedly been killed for refusing to shoot at unarmed protesters, and others have simply deserted and gone into hiding.
Activists hope that the defections will weaken the army and eventually help in getting rid of Mr. Assad. But other observers noted that the deserters were mainly low in rank and that they were not numerous enough yet to significantly weaken the army.”
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