Yemeni journalist remains in jail at request of President Obama

Abdulelah Shaye a Yemeni journalist has been two years behind bars in Yemen. Shaye revealed through photographs that a deadly strike near Al-Majalah that killed many locals in Yemen was by the U.S.rather than Yemeni forces as claimed by the government.

Shaye (or Shayi) is best known for his photographs and reporting on the U.S. bombing near al-Majalah in Yemn on December 17th 2009. He also interviewed Al Qaeda leaders.
In his reporting on the a-Majalah bombing Shaye noted that the site had remains of Tomahawk and cluster munitions. In June of 2010 the human rights group Amnesty International published photos from the site that showed the remains of aTomahawk cruise missile and other munitions. This missile carries cluster bomb sub-munitions. The photos purport to be taken at the site of the al-Majalah bombing.
We know from Wikileaks cables that U.S. attacks were represented as attacks by Yemeni forces with the agreement of the Saleh government. Shaye's evidence had shown this much earlier. Shaye also reported that 21 children and 14 women had been killed in the bombing.
In January of 2011 Shaye was arrested and eventually convicted on terrorism related charges. The trial was regarded by many rights groups as a sham. Shaye was sentenced to five years in prison. Many rights groups and also tribal leaders called for Shaye's release. Then president Abdullah Saleh was prepared to release Shaye but President Obama intervened.
Obama personally phoned Saleh on February 2, 2011 and expressed concern about his release. A U.S. government site actually has a summary of the call.
Obama congratulates Saleh on his significant reform measures. Saleh security forces killed many protesters and later the U.S. promoted a GCC(Gulf Cooperation Council) plan that led to Saleh' stepping down later with immunity for himself and his cronies for any crimes they had committed during their rule. The summary continues:
Finally, President Obama expressed concern over the release of Abd-Ilah al-Shai, who had been sentenced to five years in prison for his association with AQAP.
Shaye's(Shai) association with AQAP(Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) had been to interview members of the group. In fact Washington used material from an interview with Anwar al-Awlaki as evidence that al-Awlaki supported and worked for Al Qaeda! Revealing evidence of a U.S. attack that used cluster bombs and was disguised as a Yemeni government action was probably Shaye's real crime.
As an official from Amnesty International puts it.
“Two years on, he(Shaye) remains behind bars. The charges on which he was convicted appear to be based on what he has done as part of his legitimate activities as a journalist. As such his conviction must be set aside and he should be released.”
A treaty signed by 75 countries bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster bombs. The treaty came into effect in August of 2010. However, neither Yemen nor the U.S. has signed the treaty.

Yemen: Al Qaeda surveillance reports U.S. troops in Aden

An Al Qaeda group claimed that it had attacked a U.S. intelligence officer after their surveillance showed increasing numbers of U.S. troops in the city of Aden. The new leader Prime Minister Hadi a vice-president under Saleh has vowed to continue the fight against Al Qaeda and other militant groups. He is supported by the U.S. even though he was the sole candidate for president and Saleh supporters and relatives still are the major group running the government.
The statement about the attack came from an AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) website. The Pentagon has confirmed the attack but claims no one was killed. The website said of the intelligence officer:"He was targeted after increasing U.S. activity in Yemen in the light of new political circumstances, and the bringing of a large number of U.S. soldiers to Aden in particular," The site also urged a jihad against the Crusader enemy and to fight the American occupiers of Yemen.
A related militant group Ansar al-Sharia has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks that have killed so far at least 110 Yemeni soldiers in the south of Yemen.
The campaign of assassinations by U.S. drone strikes has been followed by increased militant activity involving taking over the entire province of Abyan at one point. There is also an active separatist movement in the south of the country. At one time the south was a separate country. For more see this article.

Yemen: Government troops suffer heavy casualties in clashes with militants

Abyan province was taken over by militants often linked with Al Qaeda some time ago. It seems that the government has not regained control as yet. Yemeni officials claim at least 85 government soldiers and 25 militants have begun since fighting began yesterday.

AP news reported a total on both sides of 106 people killed and 55 soldiers taken prisoner.. Militants mounted surprise attacks on army posts on the edge of the capital of Abyan Zinjibar. Some described the attacks as a massacre.

In Aden an official at a military hospital said that at least 103 soldiers have been killed. He claimed that many soldiers died as a result of wounds received in the attacks in Zinjibar. Al Qaeda linked fighters took control of Zinjibar back in May 2011.

Since President Hadi was sworn in on Feb. 25th there have been a series of militant attack. As Hadi vowed to keep up former president Saleh's attack against Al Qaeda a suicide bomber killed 26 soldiers outside a palace in the province of Hadramaut.

No doubt the U.S. will provide Hadi with support both from the air and on the ground with special forces. However, the militants seem to be taking the initiative and launching pre-emptive strikes themselves. For more see this article.

Not just militants are opposed to the new government. Many protesters wanted former president Saleh, his relatives and cronies to be held responsible for their acts. The GCC deal supported by the U.S. granted them immunity. Separatists both in the north and south also oppose the new government. The situation is far from stable in Yemen. Saleh's cronies and relatives remain as key figures in the government.

Yemen: America's Dangerous Game. A film

This is the title of a film about a half hour in length. The entire film can be found at Al Jazeera here.

For years the U.S. supported former president Saleh of Yemen and he supported the U.S. war on terror in turn. Often Saleh would report that U.S. attacks were actually carried out by Yemeni forces.

However with the protests and disunity within Yemen the U.S. backed a plan by the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) that ultimately resulted in a deal that saw Saleh transfer power to his vice-president who ultimately ran as the only candidate for president and of course won. Saleh his family and relatives were all granted immunity from any prosecution for crimes during the protests. Many protesters were killed.

The Obama administration has long been carrying on secret operations in Yemen using drones, air attacks, and special forces to carry out a war against AQAM Al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula. These covert operations have at times killed the wrong people and have not seem to have stopped the growth of radical Islamism in Yemen.

Quite the opposite. Militants took over several provinces and the central government has still to regain some territory. In a tribal society when members of the tribe are killed by drones this just sets up a desire for revenge and is used by militants to recruit new members.

In the film U.S. officials call AQAP the most dangerous enemy now in the war on terror. However, in Yemen new radical Islamists also are growing in number often said by media to be associated with AL Qaeda. With two separatist movements and a democratic protest movement that has been replaced by an old guard government with Saleh relatives heading security forces there could very well be much more conflict in Yemen with little progress towards democracy.

Yemen: Obama praises presidential election with single candidate

Wonder of wonders the sole candidate for president of Yemen Major General Mansour Hadi won the election. Hadi served as vice-president under Saleh and is strongly backed by the U.S. Saudi Arabia and other members of the GCC.

The GCC brokered a deal for former president Saleh to step down. Saleh and all his cronies and family were given amnesty for any crimes they may have committed such as killing their own people. The legislators decided they would extend the amnesty to themselves.

President Obama cheered on the election process and even suggested it could be a model for other Middle East elections. Huh! Single candidate elections with the candidate a military person anointed as successor by the former dictator! Perhaps Obama would like to import the model for the next U.S. election and not bother to have a Republican opponent!

Many groups have boycotted the elections. Just hours after Hadi was sworn in as president a suicide attack in the south on a presidential palace killed at least 25 people. Another 30 were wounded in Mukalla the provincial capital of Hadramaut. Most of the dead were members of the elite Republican Guard.

While AL Qaeda claims responsibility for the attack, southern separatists also operate in the area. They boycotted the elections along with rebels in the North as well. Those who protested for democracy in Yemen are also unhappy with the deal that gave Saleh and others amnesty and replaced one set of old guard leaders by another group of the same type. For more see this article. Former president Saleh who had been receiving medical treatment in the U.S. returned to Yemen to witness the swearing in of Hadi. Salehs relative remain prominent in the new government especially in the security forces.

Yemen: Orderly transition to old guard rule. U.S. approved

The reason the Yemen presidential election is held up as a model is that it involves a transition that the U.S. and neighbouring Arab states regard as in their interests. The fact that this is a deal imposed from the outside by the GCC with the approval of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is neither here nor there.

The fact that former president Saleh gets to go scot free of any liability for his killing of protesters is not to be mentioned. That his vice president is sole candidate for president does not matter. Nor does it matter that Saleh's relatives still have important roles in the government. In fact some of his relatives run the security forces.

As many protesters thought from the beginning those from the military who joined them were fair weather friends. Now they can participate with the old guard in sharing power they are joining in supporting the vice-president.

The U.S. backs the Saleh approved sole candidate Mansour Hadi a major general. Basically the entire Saleh regime remains in place. Meanwhile Saleh is in the U.S. for medical treatment. Don''t expect the U.S. to hold him responsible for his crimes. Saleh was a good guy helping out in the war on terror as will Hadi.

No doubt many protesters will boycott the elections as wiill Houthi rebels in the north and separatists in the south. One can expect continuing repression of anyone who disagrees with this new model transition to rule by the old guard in Yemen. For more see this article.

Yemen: 55 killed in latest clashes with rebels in north Yemen

After two days of sectarian clashes between Houthi Shias and Sunni groups in north Yemen have left at least 55 dead and many wounded. There were clashes between Salafist Sunni groups and the Houthis last month as well.
   The fighting came immediately after a Shia festival which drew many more Shia to the area. The Houthis have had off and on conflict with the central government for years. Saudi Arabia which is just north of the area supports the Sunni groups in the area.
  The Houthis have announced that they will boycott the coming election. A leader of the Houthi rebels said:"We demand the Yemenis also commissioned experts to formulate a new constitution, and the formation of a national body to restructure the army based on national rules." The leader also claimed that foreign forces were trying to ignite sectarian strife and destroy the revolution.
  Certainly many of the protesters against Saleh and the new government would agree at least in part. There is only one single candidate for president, the vice president General Hadi who served under Saleh. Of course Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council think all this is just fine and an orderly transition to democracy. It is an orderly transition to the old order. For more see this article.   

Yemen: Al Qaeda group seizes town with no sign of resistance from government forces

  Although President Saleh is supposed to have turned power over to his vice-president and to be only a titular president for a short while longer opposition groups see him as allowing the takeover of the town of Radaa. The opposition thinks that he is attempting to convince the western powers that he is indispensable in the fight against Al Qaeda.

     Saleh signed a deal with the GCC that he would give up power and then step down entirely in return for immunity for him, his relatives, and his cronies. The Yemen parliament went even further and granted immunity to all politicians involved in repression or corruption under his government. However, Saleh is nothing but stubborn and resourceful and the Radaa event may be part of a plot to manufacture a demand that he return to save Yemen from the militants! However, it is more likely that the militant action was made possible simply by the weakness of the forces of the central government many of whom are needed to control events in Sanaa and other main cities.
  According to reports 250 militants stormed the town. They broke into the jail and freed the prisoners including several who are thought to be Al Qaeda members. Militant groups already control several areas further south but this town is only 160 kilometers south of Sanaa the capital. The seizure makes civil war more likely. Yemen is not only threatened by Al Qaeda groups but also by strong separatist movements in the north and in the south as well. '
    The continued presence of Saleh in the country and the fact that many of his relatives and cronies are in the transitional government just makes the likelihood of civil war even greater. Protesters are still demanding that Saleh face justice rather than be given immunity from his corruption and crimes. For more see this article.

UN: Amnesty Deal with Saleh violates International Law

    A deal worked out by the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) would give President Saleh of Yemen amnesty from prosecution for any crimes both to himself, his family, and his aides. The deal was supported by the United States.
 After stalling for a lengthy period, Saleh finally signed the deal. Power was to be transferred to his vice-president although Saleh would retain the title of president for some time. Many opposition policies also supported the deal and were given in return some positions in the transitional government. However, many in Saleh's family still serve in important positions as well.
    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay noted: “I have been closely following the events in Yemen, particularly the very contentious debate about an amnesty law to be presented to Parliament shortly,” “International law and the UN policy are clear on the matter: amnesties are not permissible if they prevent the prosecution of individuals who may be criminally responsible for international crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and gross violations of human rights.”
   Protesters in Yemen take the same position as the UN commissioner. However with the U.S. and important regional powers supporting the amnesty it is unlikely that Saleh and his family will ever face justice or be held accountable for their actions including responsibility for ordering crackdowns that killed many protesters.

Yemen: Radical Islamists fight for territory in the south

   A long article in the Washington Post discusses the situation in parts of South Yemen where Islamic militants have taken over considerable territory. Islamic militants have taken advantage of the protests and opposition to the regime of president Saleh. Although Saleh relinquished power recently to his vice-president, he is still in Yemen and through his family and loyalists still exerts influence upon affairs.
   The U.S. has strongly supported Saleh's move against Islamic militants. However, the U.S. also supported the GCC deal which Saleh signed in which he relinquished the presidency in return for immunity from prosecution for himself, family, and cronies. Protesters are much opposed to granting Saleh and his cronies immunity from prosecution.
   Radical Islamist groups have established their presence in Abyan province especially Zinjibar the regional capital. The goal of the groups is to create as Islamic emirate in Yemen. One military base remains in the city and there are constant attacks on the rebels.
   In the north there are also Shiite Houthi rebels. The groups in effect have taken control of several provinces. There are also separatists in the south not associated with Islamists. Finally there are disgruntled tribal leaders with their own militias and military units who have defected even in the capital. Yemen appears far from unity and Saleh and his family power are making the situation much worse. For much more see this article.

President Saleh to remain in Yemen

   Outgoing president of Yemen Ali Saleh has flip flopped again as he has many times on other issues. After claiming that he was going to the U.S. for medical treatment he has now said that he will remain in Yemen.
   Saleh may be attempting to ensure that his family and party retains control of events. There are both internal revolts and also protesters in the streets.
   A son and nephew of Saleh command the Republic Guard and Central Security forces giving them a great deal of power. Under an agreement brokered by the GCC with the support of the Saudis and the U.S. Saleh transferred power to his vice president Abed Hadi. He will formally relinquish the presidency after he is granted immunity.
   Protesters reject the deal. They want Saleh and others to be held responsible for the deaths of many protesters and other crimes. Unrest has increased with strikes in many government institutions. The military has seen defections in support of the protesters.
  In a statement Saleh said: “It is not possible in any way, shape or form to allow the collapse of state establishments and institutions that have been built over the last 49 years,”  Translated this means that Saleh has decided to stay in Yemen and work to retain the power of his family and himself. For more see this article.

Yemen: Protesters criticize U.S. Ambassador's statemement

     Attacks on protesters by Yemeni forces killed at least nine people on Saturday. The protesters marched from Taiz to the capital Sanaa. The protesters want Saleh and his cronies to be held accountable for their crackdown against protests that killed and wounded many. Instead Saleh, his family, and his cronies have been granted immunity from prosecution in a deal supported by Saudi Arabia and the U.S. The deal transferred power to Saleh's vice president Major General Hadi.
     The U.S. ambassador Gerald Feierstein told a press conference that the protest was “not peaceful,”  and was intended to “provoke a violent response.” Feierstein also said that “if 2,000 people decided to protest against the White House in the US, we do not consider it a peaceful act and will not allow this.”  The U.S. seems solidly behind the new regime that includes many of the old guard including members of Saleh's family.
   Saleh himself is said to be considering travel to the U.S. The U.S. has said he cannot come except for medical reasons. No doubt that will be the excuse anyway! The treatment of Saleh contrasts with the treatment of other dictators who have killed their own people such as Assad or Gadaffi. While Saleh's killings have not been as extensive they nevertheless have been real enough and yet the U.S. and the GCC have been anxious to ensure that he steps down with impunity and that the old guard guides any transition.
    Hadi is to run unopposed in the next presidential election. Much of the official opposition has been bought off by being granted a few places in the interim government. However, those who started the protests against Saleh are not fooled by what happened and are continuing their opposition in the streets. The U.S. has made it clear whose side they are on. For more see this article.

Yemen: In three days 17 killed in city of Taiz

 For the third day government troops have been shelling parts of the city of Taiz where there have been protests demanding that President Saleh be held accountable for his crimes rather than given immunity as part of the deal to transfer power that he recently signed. In the most recent attacks at least two were killed.. In the last three days a total of  17 have died.
    State media claim that a ceasefire has been negotiated.  Armed anti-Saleh groups control the center of Taiz. Government forces have positioned themselves in surrounding hills and in the outskirts but also within parts of the city itself.
   Opposition groups who signed on to the GCC-brokered deal want the government to form a military commission as required by the agreement but so far the government has stalled. The opposition refuses to nominate candidates for a national unity government until the government forms the commission.
   As well as the uprising in Taiz the government faced new protests in the capital Sana demanding that Saleh be put on trial rather than being granted immunity. For more see this article.

Yemeni Nobel Laureate calls for former President to be tried for his crimes

   Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakul Karman has asked that the International Criminal Court investigate the violence used during the reign of President Saleh. In the deal brokered by the GCC that Saleh signed he, his family and aides will be granted immunity for any actions during the crackdown on protests. Many protesters were killed and wounded in attacks by security forces.
   However even Karman noted that her request stood little chance of success since Yemen has not signed on to the founding treaty called the Rome statute. The U.S. has not signed the treaty either.
   Only if the UN requested the court prosecutor to launch an investigation could he do so. Karman says there should be an easier way to hold those killing their own people to account by bringing them to the court. She herself has given the court a file of alleged crimes committed by the Saleh government.
   A new prime  minister has been appointed by acting vice-president Mansour Hadi. He Mohammed Basindwa. The transition of power applauded by the U.S. and others has not stopped the violence.
   Protests continue as does the violence. Shia Muslim forces attacked Sunni Islamist fighters in the  north. In the northwestern city of Saada Shia Muslims protested the GCC deal and demanded that Saleh be tried for his crimes. Yemen is a long way from any peaceful transition. In fact the old guard remain in power but are still being challenged by a number of groups. For more see this article.
 

Yemen: Musical chairs not transition to democracy

Yemen's interim prime minister Mohamed Basidowa announced that the vice-president Mansour Hadi will run for president of Yemen uncontested. President Saleh who ruled for 33 years is stepping down after signing a deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
 Apparently Basindowa has the agreement of the ruling party and the largest opposition party. Basindowa himself was appointed to his position by Hadi. Now Basindowa is returning the favor. The Yemeni citizens get to sit and watch and then to ratify what has been done.
 The young protesters who started demonstrations back in the spring are angered by what is happening. But they don't count. Saleh has been given immunity from prosecution, along with his family, and his aides. Relatives still have important positions in the armed forces. He even retains his title of president for now though he transferred power.
 The UN position on the transfer is typical nonsense with soothing rhetoric but actually contradictory. The UN supports the transition but adds: "'..the members of the Security Council reiterated that all those responsible for violence, human rights violations and abuses should be held accountable." But then the agreement and the transition ensures that Saleh, his familly, and cronies have immunity from prosecution. He and his cronies were responsible for much of the violence and human rights violations.
 What you will have in Yemen is a status quo candidate for the presidency. This is what the U.S. GCC and others will call an orderly transition of power. Saleh cooperated with the U.S. in the war on terror the new old guard will do so also. When it comes to actually promoting democracy or ensuring a reliable client to work with the west even though there is no real change the U.S. and others always choose the latter. Whether this move is able to calm the civil unrest is very much in doubt. For more see this article.

Yemen: Protesters reject deal with President Saleh

 Although Saleh has accepted the GCC brokered deal to step down within 30 days and transfer power to his vice-president, protesters have rejected the deal. The protesters object to Saleh being given immunity from prosecution for his killing of protesters and other crimes.
    There are also still divisions within the armed forces and there have been clashes between loyalist forces under Saleh's  nephew and those of a general who defected back in March. On Thursday gunmen with no uniforms, probably Saleh loyalists, killed five protesters in the capital Sanaa. Apparently some of the politicians who signed on to the original deal are having doubts and perhaps may join the protesters.
  The government has announced that presidential elections will held next February 21st. This will be a year ahead of schedule and complies with there terms of GCC deal that Saleh signed. However it looks as if the deal has not stop protests. The government also faces separatist movements in the north and south as well as Islamic extremists who have taken over considerable territory. For more see this article and here as well.

Yemen: Deal sells out protesters

The deal was brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council with the support of Saudi Arabia and the United States. The deal will grant immunity from prosecution for president Saleh, his family, and aides in return for his relinquishing power.
  Within 30 days Saleh pledges to leave power which will then be granted to his vice president Abdrabuh Hadi. Important positions in the government no doubt will still be held by members of his family. Presidential elections are scheduled to take place within 90 days.
   In a speech at the transfer Saleh called the protests a coup and did not mention their demands that he be held responsible for his crimes against the protesters. Saleh spoke of the opposition groups that welcomed the deal as his brothers. They are his brothers in selling out the protesters agenda to the status quo. The Saudi King said that the signing represents a new page in the history of Yemen.
  Now Saleh 69 is free to go to New York where he seeks medical treatment. Soon after the announcement of the deal protests have broken out in the capital Sanaa. The protesters reject the deal. They want Saleh and his family to be held responsible for the deaths of many protesters during protests that began last spring. Yemen still faces separatist uprisings in both the south and north as well as challenges from militant Islamist groups who have taken over considerable territory. For more see this article.

Yemen: Hundreds of Republican Guards defect to opposition

While attention is focused on Syria and Egypt, conflict continues in Yemen where protesters have been trying to oust president Saleh since spring. Reports indicate up to 400 troops most members of the elite Republican Guards have defected to the opposition and rather than attacking are supporting protesters. The troops said that they will no longer attack unarmed protesters but will defend them as they marched through what is called Change Square.
 The committee organising the protest said that dozens of protestes had been killed over the last month and that from the beginning of the protests almost a thousand had died. Gen. Mohsen Ahmar defected from Saleh's forces back in March. The newly defected troops were welcomed at his compound. There have been periodic battles between his forces and those of the government. The Republican Guards are headed by president Saleh's eldest son and his nephew.
  With the support of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia the GCC brokered a deal for Saleh to step down but at the last minute he has always refused to sign. The deal would give Saleh, his family and cronies amnesty from any prosecution. This is not acceptable to the protesters. For more see this article.