Yemen Post reported that Yemen's president Saleh has planned to explode the situation militarily in the capital Sana'a, amid the escalation of the protests calling for his ouster, almasdaronline.com reported on Wednesday.
The independant news website quoted political and security sources with knowledge of the plans as saying that: " Saleh and his relatives, especially those who command key military systems, have chaos and criminal plans on which they pin hope to cling to power and that these plans just need to be implemented".
The plans will be implemented in two phases; in the first phase, the targets will be the first armored division, whose commander announced peaceful support to the popular uprising, the square of change outside Sana'a University and houses of opposition leaders , the sources were quoted as saying.
"Missiles will be fired at these targets, and in the second phase the pro-Saleh forces will raid the targets".
Saleh himself will run the operations in collaboration with his son, Ahmed, commander of the republican guard, his nephews commanders of the national security and the central security, and his brother, the website said.
The national security will use force to disperse the tens of thousands, who have been conducting a sit-in in the square of change for months to call for the resignation of Saleh, it said, quoting analysts and politicians as warning of the consequences of such plans.
LPOY contacts have also expressed similar information. The targeting of the main Ali Muhsin rebel army base would affect the areas around Al-Eman University, Nahdha street and Sitteen areas adjoining the bases. Threats have also been made to the residences of Ali Muhsin as well as parts of the al-Ahmar* family including the compound of Shaikh Sadeq in al-Hasaba area.
Insha Allah the situation finds a solution before such potentially catastrophic events befall the community. If the President leaves, it seems he will destroy what ever is left on his way out.
*The al-Ahmar family are not the same as the al-Ahmar name of Ali-Muhsin.
Showing posts with label Al-Eman University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Al-Eman University. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Civil Disobedience and Sabotage
A lot is going on around town and not all of it is happening at the demonstration area in Change Square.
Sit-inners are getting more and more frustrated and have been marching by the tens of thousands through town calling for more people to join them as well as continuing their demands of complete removal of the President, his sons and cronies rejecting all dialogue and mediation as a useless until their demands are met.
The protesters are often being met with lethal force, and are fighting back with rock throwing and many are armed with traditional daggers, which are not merely for decoration.
Acts of civil disobedience have been various, ranging from simple grafitti to spreading sit-ins to other areas of the capital, but the more dangerous actions have been coming from the big players, actions such as skirmishes between the two armies (government loyalist forces and the forces of General Ali Muhsin). One of these exchanges was reported to have happened at the Amran Road check point. (Road to Amran from Sana'a to the north). It has been reported that artillery was used by both sides as the Ali Muhsin army attempted to gain control of the area.
The call by protesters to partake in civil disobedience has opened the door for the government to sabotage vital services and then blame it on protesters, such as the cutting of power lines in Marib. These power lines provide a large portion of the energy needs of the capital Sana'a.
Government forces are also restricting gaz trucks into the Capital, causing mass cooking gas shortages and inflated prices as bottles are now exceeding 3000 riyals.
An interesting story has come out of Abyan about who was responsible for the ammunition factory explosion with resulted in the deaths of 150 people. A previously unknow Jihadi group in Jaar (the town housing the ammunition factory) has come forward claiming responsibility and saying that their group is not al-Qaeda but share the same vision as al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and also say their people wear the same clothes as Afghani people. I found this quite strange that this group has now emerged, I cannot hold the reports of this group with any credibility and will hazard a guess that this is a fabricated group made up by the Government to cover their possible involvement or implicity in the explosion.
Some interesting claims have been made that students from al-Eman University have been trained by the Ali Muhsin army and instructed to attack the Sana'a International Airport as well as government media. I am unable to confirm if such a plan was underway, but this is not the first time that students of al-Eman University have been accused of receiving military training from the army base that borders the university.
Meanwhile the value of the riyal is falling which is a problem for a country that imports almost all its food. This has been a long term prblem in Yemen and we could blame qat growing for that - agricultural sabotage and a government that seemed to encourage qat chewing perhaps as a means to pacify the population all these years.
Sit-inners are getting more and more frustrated and have been marching by the tens of thousands through town calling for more people to join them as well as continuing their demands of complete removal of the President, his sons and cronies rejecting all dialogue and mediation as a useless until their demands are met.
The protesters are often being met with lethal force, and are fighting back with rock throwing and many are armed with traditional daggers, which are not merely for decoration.
Acts of civil disobedience have been various, ranging from simple grafitti to spreading sit-ins to other areas of the capital, but the more dangerous actions have been coming from the big players, actions such as skirmishes between the two armies (government loyalist forces and the forces of General Ali Muhsin). One of these exchanges was reported to have happened at the Amran Road check point. (Road to Amran from Sana'a to the north). It has been reported that artillery was used by both sides as the Ali Muhsin army attempted to gain control of the area.
The call by protesters to partake in civil disobedience has opened the door for the government to sabotage vital services and then blame it on protesters, such as the cutting of power lines in Marib. These power lines provide a large portion of the energy needs of the capital Sana'a.
Government forces are also restricting gaz trucks into the Capital, causing mass cooking gas shortages and inflated prices as bottles are now exceeding 3000 riyals.
An interesting story has come out of Abyan about who was responsible for the ammunition factory explosion with resulted in the deaths of 150 people. A previously unknow Jihadi group in Jaar (the town housing the ammunition factory) has come forward claiming responsibility and saying that their group is not al-Qaeda but share the same vision as al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and also say their people wear the same clothes as Afghani people. I found this quite strange that this group has now emerged, I cannot hold the reports of this group with any credibility and will hazard a guess that this is a fabricated group made up by the Government to cover their possible involvement or implicity in the explosion.
Some interesting claims have been made that students from al-Eman University have been trained by the Ali Muhsin army and instructed to attack the Sana'a International Airport as well as government media. I am unable to confirm if such a plan was underway, but this is not the first time that students of al-Eman University have been accused of receiving military training from the army base that borders the university.
Meanwhile the value of the riyal is falling which is a problem for a country that imports almost all its food. This has been a long term prblem in Yemen and we could blame qat growing for that - agricultural sabotage and a government that seemed to encourage qat chewing perhaps as a means to pacify the population all these years.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
The Third Person View Through Town
Many people are getting weary of the demonstrations blogging down in their lives and clogging the roads. It is hard to get about one's daily business without meeting either road blocks, military checkpoints, demonstrators both in fixed locations and large bodies of them marching around town, tear gas, armed hooligans and other types of armed locals.
It isn't a strange thing to accidentally get caught up in a tear gas storm if your way home happened to be along the protesters march route, maybe even a stray bullet to brighten you day.
Tahrir, is reported by some to be out of bounds not because of the pro-government camp as such but because of the horrendous stench emminating from the location. One local remarked, "they are indeed the garbage of the regime."
Balataja (hired thugs) do roam and do so openly and menacingly. Just walk by and make dua they don't take to you with a bat or butt (of a rifle).
Another group described as balataja has taken over the suburb of al-Hasabah, the location of the al-Ahmar compound. Since moving in at the start of the uprising to protect the residence of Shaikh Sadiq al-Ahmar (the eldest of the brothers and the leader of the Hashid tribal confederation) residents of the area complained of rubbish in the streets, the blocking-off of roads and thoroughfares as well as feeling of fear of their mere existance.
They are not the same as government sponsored balataja as they do not actively go out and hunt people to assault or kill, the just sit around chewing qat with their rifles. They lack basic bearing and carry their weapons in dangerous ways that could easily cause a fatality of a pedestrian should the trigger become caught on something, which during the few hours I spent in al-Hasabah, happened three times, and the locals I was visiting simply remarked, "oh, there is another one," indicating that these accidental discharges happen regularly. These hired tribesmen hardly seem a force to reckon with should an attack on the al-Ahmar compound eventuate.
While walking through the area I was myself almost bowled over as a mad dash of al-Ahmar tribal gunmen ran like a heard of startled gazelles onto the road. I wondered what had happened until I saw them all clammouring at the window of an ice-cream truck!
Also in al-Hasabah area, at jawlat as-sa'ah (intersection of the clock) which is near the Thawra Park and the Ministry of Interior one of the foreign brothers reported that he was stopped by police for an ID and weapon check. Alhamdulillah he was not harrassed further and walked away without even paying a bribe. Those police must have already bought their qat.
The protestors of Change Square are continueing with their daily marches around the area, often resulting in the blocking of the Sitten, either along the road between the Science and Technology Hospital heading west, or up the Sitteen near Al-Eman University. It seems sitting-in is not enough now, and extra measures are needed. These marches are part of the civil disobedience sweeping through anti-government camps in a few protectorates of Yemen.
One wonders how long this situation can continue as many people are now out of work due to closure of businesses, schools, universities and many other institutions around the city. Transport is difficult and journeys can take double and tripple the time the same journey would take before the uprising started.
This will be a battle of patience. Not just for the protesters and political figures, but for the residents of the whole country.
It isn't a strange thing to accidentally get caught up in a tear gas storm if your way home happened to be along the protesters march route, maybe even a stray bullet to brighten you day.
Tahrir, is reported by some to be out of bounds not because of the pro-government camp as such but because of the horrendous stench emminating from the location. One local remarked, "they are indeed the garbage of the regime."
Balataja (hired thugs) do roam and do so openly and menacingly. Just walk by and make dua they don't take to you with a bat or butt (of a rifle).
Another group described as balataja has taken over the suburb of al-Hasabah, the location of the al-Ahmar compound. Since moving in at the start of the uprising to protect the residence of Shaikh Sadiq al-Ahmar (the eldest of the brothers and the leader of the Hashid tribal confederation) residents of the area complained of rubbish in the streets, the blocking-off of roads and thoroughfares as well as feeling of fear of their mere existance.
They are not the same as government sponsored balataja as they do not actively go out and hunt people to assault or kill, the just sit around chewing qat with their rifles. They lack basic bearing and carry their weapons in dangerous ways that could easily cause a fatality of a pedestrian should the trigger become caught on something, which during the few hours I spent in al-Hasabah, happened three times, and the locals I was visiting simply remarked, "oh, there is another one," indicating that these accidental discharges happen regularly. These hired tribesmen hardly seem a force to reckon with should an attack on the al-Ahmar compound eventuate.
While walking through the area I was myself almost bowled over as a mad dash of al-Ahmar tribal gunmen ran like a heard of startled gazelles onto the road. I wondered what had happened until I saw them all clammouring at the window of an ice-cream truck!
Also in al-Hasabah area, at jawlat as-sa'ah (intersection of the clock) which is near the Thawra Park and the Ministry of Interior one of the foreign brothers reported that he was stopped by police for an ID and weapon check. Alhamdulillah he was not harrassed further and walked away without even paying a bribe. Those police must have already bought their qat.
The protestors of Change Square are continueing with their daily marches around the area, often resulting in the blocking of the Sitten, either along the road between the Science and Technology Hospital heading west, or up the Sitteen near Al-Eman University. It seems sitting-in is not enough now, and extra measures are needed. These marches are part of the civil disobedience sweeping through anti-government camps in a few protectorates of Yemen.
One wonders how long this situation can continue as many people are now out of work due to closure of businesses, schools, universities and many other institutions around the city. Transport is difficult and journeys can take double and tripple the time the same journey would take before the uprising started.
This will be a battle of patience. Not just for the protesters and political figures, but for the residents of the whole country.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Sh#% Rolls Down Hill
It has been 2 months since the anti-government sit in started at the front of Sana'a University, slowly growing and extending along the adjoining streets. The protesters have remained patient and not retaliated violently to violence metted out to them by government forces and their affiliates.
I applaud the audacity of the original sit-inners, but now the situation has become way too big for the youth and well, quite frankly they have bitten off more than they can chew and now need support, help and guidance from those older and more experienced.
Hearing statements from youth expressing disappointment that America has not been more helpful is one such naive idea I have found amongst youth activists. Or the call for democracy and freedom, not realising that democracy does not equate to freedom, but is a system that bends with the desires of the people, which may not always be in keeping with Islamic principles. A move further away from Islam is not a desireable outcome for Yemen or for the Ummah in general.
In fact no matter what system is in place after Saleh leaves, the situation for the people is going to be desperate. Poverty will increase, long with unemployment and lack of opportunities while the new leadership slowly combs out all the knots tied up by the current regime. The patience of the sit-inners will have to continue as all Yemeni hands work to clean up the mess, something that could take an entire generation, pending no future internal conflicts or messy foreign interventions.
Protesters have recently taken to taking walks en masse around the areas near university and have attracted attacks from pro-government affilliates. Yesterday 4 were killed on the Sitteen not too far from Al-Eman University (which is in an Ali Muhsin army area), while on one of these walks. The protesters are frustrated that it is taking so long to dislodge the President and so need to push the point further. Continued killings have prompted responses from EU for the President to hand over power immediately, but America is still weak on resolve in this crisis wanting to support the President for his cooperation in the war on al-Qaeda, and in doing so, creating a police state which people can unite on in opposition to the Saleh regime and American foreign policy.
From what we can see, the President will cling to power as long as he can, buying time with agreements to GCC sponsored talks (which the opposition opposes as talks with the President are a waste of time, no talks until he is gone), and no one really knows how far the President will go in regards to military force upon protestors as well as opposition figures and their families. He may go so far as to "do a Gaddafi".
Allah protect us from such lunacy and strengthen us so not as to let such lunatics rule over the Muslims. Amin.
I applaud the audacity of the original sit-inners, but now the situation has become way too big for the youth and well, quite frankly they have bitten off more than they can chew and now need support, help and guidance from those older and more experienced.
Hearing statements from youth expressing disappointment that America has not been more helpful is one such naive idea I have found amongst youth activists. Or the call for democracy and freedom, not realising that democracy does not equate to freedom, but is a system that bends with the desires of the people, which may not always be in keeping with Islamic principles. A move further away from Islam is not a desireable outcome for Yemen or for the Ummah in general.
In fact no matter what system is in place after Saleh leaves, the situation for the people is going to be desperate. Poverty will increase, long with unemployment and lack of opportunities while the new leadership slowly combs out all the knots tied up by the current regime. The patience of the sit-inners will have to continue as all Yemeni hands work to clean up the mess, something that could take an entire generation, pending no future internal conflicts or messy foreign interventions.
Protesters have recently taken to taking walks en masse around the areas near university and have attracted attacks from pro-government affilliates. Yesterday 4 were killed on the Sitteen not too far from Al-Eman University (which is in an Ali Muhsin army area), while on one of these walks. The protesters are frustrated that it is taking so long to dislodge the President and so need to push the point further. Continued killings have prompted responses from EU for the President to hand over power immediately, but America is still weak on resolve in this crisis wanting to support the President for his cooperation in the war on al-Qaeda, and in doing so, creating a police state which people can unite on in opposition to the Saleh regime and American foreign policy.
From what we can see, the President will cling to power as long as he can, buying time with agreements to GCC sponsored talks (which the opposition opposes as talks with the President are a waste of time, no talks until he is gone), and no one really knows how far the President will go in regards to military force upon protestors as well as opposition figures and their families. He may go so far as to "do a Gaddafi".
Allah protect us from such lunacy and strengthen us so not as to let such lunatics rule over the Muslims. Amin.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Yemen Yarn
The anti-Government protests are not going away any time soon, but I wonder if the protesters realise what they need to do if they are successful in ousting the regime - President and his men.
The President has said he will draw up a new constitution, but the problems with that are that firstly, there isn't a problem with the current constitution, just to tweek a few of the un-Islamic aspects, secondly, why would anyone what a constitution drawn up by the current president and thirdly again there is no real problem with the current constitution except the lack of implementation! The Yemeni constitution is the best of all the Arab states.
The situation here could end similarly to what happened in Romania in 1989 when the people ousted and assassinated the President and his wife. After their victory the people thought it was the biggest party ever and they'd never have to work again. Then their lack of future planning and structure lead to what we have seen in that country ever since. The bubble of optimism burst with the continued corruption and lack of opportunities for the youth, with a brain drain of its citizens to neighbouring European countries. But at least the secret police stopped disappearing people.
The protests in Sana'a have been very well organised and the people are very united in their mission, but after than, their views range from marxism to democracy to Islamic Khalifate and the west is very afraid of the third option.
While sitting in the demonstrations to listen to some speeches, most of which were encouraging the demonstrators not to give up until they have victory, one woman spoke out and was angry about the absence of the voice of the Ulama' (Islamic Clerics). The Clerics are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Some clerics have been speaking, and one of them being Abdul-Majid Zindani, who besides being rector of al-Eman University is also the head of the organisation of Clerics in Yemen. When he speaks, his words represent all the ulema in the organisation. And he is quite clear in is words these days. He encourages peaceful resistance, condemns the use of force by the government against unarmed peaceful protestors and calls for the establishment of an Islamic state.
A Yemeni brother spoke about Amna Siyasi (political security forces) and Amnul-Qaum (bad guy security forces). He highlighted the fact that these security forces are headed by immediate relatives of the President and particularly Amnul-Qaum (which means security of the people) is a misnoma and is in fact Amnul-Kursi (security of the throne). Only the most oppressive of regimes need such a force.
More than 30 have been killed since the demonstrations started and hundreds have been injured many seriously. When security forces in Tunisia and Egypt started using live ammunition on its people the media showed the world and people were horrified, then Libya went an extra step by using air force jets to bomb areas of its people. The Yemeni Government, or Saleh and Co. have been bombing its people for a long time now and have been able to brush it off with the fighting al-Qaeda and the War on Terror claim. And with that there is no complaint from anyone, well at least not anyone who is listened to.
The President has said he will draw up a new constitution, but the problems with that are that firstly, there isn't a problem with the current constitution, just to tweek a few of the un-Islamic aspects, secondly, why would anyone what a constitution drawn up by the current president and thirdly again there is no real problem with the current constitution except the lack of implementation! The Yemeni constitution is the best of all the Arab states.
The situation here could end similarly to what happened in Romania in 1989 when the people ousted and assassinated the President and his wife. After their victory the people thought it was the biggest party ever and they'd never have to work again. Then their lack of future planning and structure lead to what we have seen in that country ever since. The bubble of optimism burst with the continued corruption and lack of opportunities for the youth, with a brain drain of its citizens to neighbouring European countries. But at least the secret police stopped disappearing people.
The protests in Sana'a have been very well organised and the people are very united in their mission, but after than, their views range from marxism to democracy to Islamic Khalifate and the west is very afraid of the third option.
While sitting in the demonstrations to listen to some speeches, most of which were encouraging the demonstrators not to give up until they have victory, one woman spoke out and was angry about the absence of the voice of the Ulama' (Islamic Clerics). The Clerics are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Some clerics have been speaking, and one of them being Abdul-Majid Zindani, who besides being rector of al-Eman University is also the head of the organisation of Clerics in Yemen. When he speaks, his words represent all the ulema in the organisation. And he is quite clear in is words these days. He encourages peaceful resistance, condemns the use of force by the government against unarmed peaceful protestors and calls for the establishment of an Islamic state.
A Yemeni brother spoke about Amna Siyasi (political security forces) and Amnul-Qaum (bad guy security forces). He highlighted the fact that these security forces are headed by immediate relatives of the President and particularly Amnul-Qaum (which means security of the people) is a misnoma and is in fact Amnul-Kursi (security of the throne). Only the most oppressive of regimes need such a force.
More than 30 have been killed since the demonstrations started and hundreds have been injured many seriously. When security forces in Tunisia and Egypt started using live ammunition on its people the media showed the world and people were horrified, then Libya went an extra step by using air force jets to bomb areas of its people. The Yemeni Government, or Saleh and Co. have been bombing its people for a long time now and have been able to brush it off with the fighting al-Qaeda and the War on Terror claim. And with that there is no complaint from anyone, well at least not anyone who is listened to.
Monday, 7 March 2011
A Big Flip - Better Late than Never
Post by Al-Ghariba
Alhamdulillah I had the opportunity to be present and listen to speeches made by the al-Eman University (womens' section) about the university's stance in the new political situation.
Before the opening dua, the Shaikha and head of the womens' section - Shaikha Aisha Zindani made it very clear that recording is FORBIDDEN. Then she started. "Indeed we are now in a time of great fitnah."
She justified her fathers previous stance and his appearance of being with the government as a matter of situation and justified his change in this stance as a matter of Islamic responsibility. She spoke candidly about the political situation, the government and the President. For once I was hearing an Islamic leader speak about politics without tap dancing. It was great, but the hall was filled at times with audible gasps of shock as students could not believe what they were hearing.
Many Yemenis really cannot imagine their country being ruled by anyone other than Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Shaikha asked the gathering upon being asked who will rule if Ali goes, that Ali Abdullah Saleh is corrupt and will not change, when he speaks he does not keep his word and is not to be trusted, he is the one who allowed the American forces to enter the country and allows them to kill Yemenis. Is there not anyone in Yemen better to rule than him? Are there not any pious men, men of Islamic understanding, men who fear Allah and act in a good way? Of course there are many good men in Yemen.
It is a sign of the final era (akhir zaman) that those least appropriate to take positions of authority will rule. Islam stipulates that someone who seeks power should not be given it. Basically, leaders are appointed without their asking and it is up to them to accept or decline.
The University is not with the protesters as such, except in wanting change. It was expressed often that now is the opportunity to work towards an Islamic state in Yemen as as students of al-Eman University, we were important in these steps. Advice was given, that if we speak against the system and propose other Islamic alternatives we must do it with good speech, no cursing or vulgar language.
The women of the university were reminded not to join demonstrations, not because demonstrations are haram for women, but because of the environment - mainly because of the squash of people it is not appropriate to be squashed up against a man in order to wave a flag and shout down the government. The university has in the past organised demonstrations for various issues for women so that women can have a voice but in an appropriate manner.
The ending statement was one of hope that a fair and just Islamic state could be established, and insha Allah if Yemen exited this current turmoil peacefully it will be much better than before the turmoil. Allah grant us a fair and free Islamic state free of fear from being bombed out of existance should we succeed in its establishment. Amin.
Alhamdulillah I had the opportunity to be present and listen to speeches made by the al-Eman University (womens' section) about the university's stance in the new political situation.
Before the opening dua, the Shaikha and head of the womens' section - Shaikha Aisha Zindani made it very clear that recording is FORBIDDEN. Then she started. "Indeed we are now in a time of great fitnah."
She justified her fathers previous stance and his appearance of being with the government as a matter of situation and justified his change in this stance as a matter of Islamic responsibility. She spoke candidly about the political situation, the government and the President. For once I was hearing an Islamic leader speak about politics without tap dancing. It was great, but the hall was filled at times with audible gasps of shock as students could not believe what they were hearing.
Many Yemenis really cannot imagine their country being ruled by anyone other than Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Shaikha asked the gathering upon being asked who will rule if Ali goes, that Ali Abdullah Saleh is corrupt and will not change, when he speaks he does not keep his word and is not to be trusted, he is the one who allowed the American forces to enter the country and allows them to kill Yemenis. Is there not anyone in Yemen better to rule than him? Are there not any pious men, men of Islamic understanding, men who fear Allah and act in a good way? Of course there are many good men in Yemen.
It is a sign of the final era (akhir zaman) that those least appropriate to take positions of authority will rule. Islam stipulates that someone who seeks power should not be given it. Basically, leaders are appointed without their asking and it is up to them to accept or decline.
The University is not with the protesters as such, except in wanting change. It was expressed often that now is the opportunity to work towards an Islamic state in Yemen as as students of al-Eman University, we were important in these steps. Advice was given, that if we speak against the system and propose other Islamic alternatives we must do it with good speech, no cursing or vulgar language.
The women of the university were reminded not to join demonstrations, not because demonstrations are haram for women, but because of the environment - mainly because of the squash of people it is not appropriate to be squashed up against a man in order to wave a flag and shout down the government. The university has in the past organised demonstrations for various issues for women so that women can have a voice but in an appropriate manner.
The ending statement was one of hope that a fair and just Islamic state could be established, and insha Allah if Yemen exited this current turmoil peacefully it will be much better than before the turmoil. Allah grant us a fair and free Islamic state free of fear from being bombed out of existance should we succeed in its establishment. Amin.
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