Yemen will not be a Failed State, says President Saleh

The Following piece is written by a Yemeni-based journalist who writes for the Foreign Policy Blogs network and, due to serious security concerns, remains anonymous.

Embattled President Saleh announced on Wednesday morning in an interview with Reuters that Yemen would not become another failed state like Somalia; and that he will not allow the country to be dragged into a bloody Civil War.

But as battles are raging within the capital for 3 days now, this statement falls short of reassuring his countrymen or the international community for that matter

The President also added that he was “again” ready to sign a power transition deal, just as long as provisions were made for him to remain in the country and organize the new political opposition.

This is what he said: “I am ready to sign within a national dialogue and a clear mechanism. If the mechanism is sound, we will sign the transition of power deal and we will give up power.”

“No more concessions after today,” he added.

In another interesting declaration, President Saleh blamed the recent violence on the al-Ahmar’s clan: “What happened was a provocative act to drag us into civil war, but it is limited to the Ahmar sons. They bear responsibility for shedding the blood of innocent civilians…”Until this second, they are attacking the Interior Ministry. But we don’t want to widen the confrontation…”

President Saleh seems to have forgotten that it was him who sent a tribal mediation team to meet up with Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar while planning to use the gathering to get rid of his opponents. On Tuesday a shell hit the al-Ahmar’s house, killing several sheikhs and leaving many others injured.

Seen as a clear provocation and a betrayal, the Hasheed tribe has ever since been fighting the Security Forces and the Republican Guards with renewed determination. So far, 30 people have been declared dead by the authorities.

One has to understand that despite the President Saleh’s claims; the tribes on this instance are only acting as they are as a response to the last governmental attacks. For them it is a matter of self defense and honor.

Saleh only wants to show his detractors that he and only he can keep Yemen in check as far as security is concerned. Very much like he’s last stunt, it might all blow up in his face.

Furthermore, in the light of recent events other Sheikhs have decided to join the Opposition, offering their men and military capacity to al-Ahmar. An Air Commander and the Head of the Intelligence Services have also decided to defect from Ali Abdullah Saleh.

According to many witnesses, the Hasheed tribe is now in control of several government buildings such as the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the SABA News Agency, the Telecommunication Ministry and The Interior Ministry.

Since his latest refusal at signing the GCC brokered agreement, which aimed at implementing a peaceful transition of power, Saleh has lost many of his international support. William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary expressed his deep concern over the situation in Yemen saying:  “It’s not really a question of taking orders from foreign powers, it is in the interest of his own country and his own interest now, for there to be a transition of power in the deal that has been mediated.”

However, Secretary General, al-Zayani of the Gulf Council announced that he was willing to come back to Sana’a under the express invitation of both parties.