Airstrikes in South Yemen

A Yemeni General called on the international community to intervene in Yemen, saying that the entire region was about to slip into chaos. As al-Qaeda militants continue to hold on to their positions in Abyan, the government has decided to resume its airstrikes to block their advances. Problems in the south started just around the time President Saleh was taken to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for treatment following a bomb attack on his compound. Since his departure, the country has been caught in a power limbo. In between the Vice President’s refusal to assume executive powers and an indecisive political opposition; Yemenis bear the repercussions of this stalemate. Saudi Arabia is now increasing their concern over the oil route that runs through Yemen. Officials fear that armed militants could use the power vacuum to target the precious shipments, disrupting global markets and trade. As for the US, it is mainly focusing on the apparent revival of al-Qaeda’s activities in the Abyan province.

South Yemen

General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who defected in March, is now asking for foreign intervention: “We need the intervention of our friends and quickly because propaganda might take place against the country. It could put the country into a severe security stalemate. The entire region will be affected security-wise,” he said. The General warned that Saleh would use the “terror card” to blackmail the West into supporting him, caring little of the risks he was putting on Yemen. Very early in the Revolution President Saleh warned that without him, at least 5 provinces would fall to the hands of terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda. As it happens, Saleh’s prophecy is coming true…

However, the Opposition and several high ranking military officers are blaming the central government for allowing armed groups to advance rather than crediting it to Saleh’s departure. General Mohsen, a once privy member of Saleh’s inner circle, said that the Yemeni President was harboring al-Qaeda’s members within his government, plying them to his will throughout monetary incentives. And although the government claims to be sending more troops and escalating their strikes against the terror groups, residents in Abyan are painting a much different scenario. Even a commander from the 25th mechanized brigade accused the Defense Minister of abandoning his men, preventing additional troops and supplies from reaching Zinjibar.

After 3 failed attempts at negotiating a power transfer, Yemen is still battling for its future. But time is not on the country’s side. Yemen’s economy is on the verge of a complete meltdown and famine is looming for thousands of families.

Piracy

Pirates in Somalia are also using the Yemeni power vacuum to their advantage. Left unchecked, the groups are believed to be using the Yemeni island of Socotra as their new refueling base. By doing so, the pirates are now able to remain at sea much longer, putting ships at greater risk of attacks. Security analysts also warn that Yemenis could follow Somalia’s example and disrupt the oil route. About 3 million of barrels of crude oil are passing through Yemen every day. The promises of easy money could soon be too tempting to resist for men struggling to make ends meet. Tribes have a history of using foreigner kidnapping as a way to pressure the government into agreeing to their demands, imagining that they would use piracy as a source of income is not a far stretch.