Yemen’s military attacked groups they say are linked with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in the southwest and with tribal fighters across much of the rest of the nation, as thousands of protesters returned to the streets of Sanaa to demand the creation of an interim council.
The council would replace Major General Hadi, the interim ruler of the nation since President Saleh fled this weekend. It would set the stage for free democratic elections in a nation virtually torn apart by protests and crackdowns.
This sounds like a plan, even though US officials have made it clear they prefer Maj. Gen. Hadi to retain power in the near term. The regime, however, is still insisting that Saleh will eventually return to power.
But Saleh’s “minor injuries” from Friday are now reported to be extremely serious, with 40% of his body burned. Officials say that it will take months for him to recover, and a near term return seems to be out of the question. Though Maj. Gen. Hadi seems willing to keep his seat warm for him for the time being, months of protest, a brief civil war and several embarrassing “signing ceremonies” for a power transfer that never happened appear to give Saleh little chance of being welcomed back.
For their own good, I hope that the good people of Yemen figure out how to get Saleh out of the picture soon.
It will not be very easy. Only today US stopped "anti-terrorism" training of Saleh's special forces. Those are the same forces that have been killing people for the last four months. And US, France and Britain talk about Syria! Seriosly dudes! And before the uprising began for YEARS NOW Saleh and his buddies in Saudi Arabia have been living good by taking Uncle Sam for a village idiot. Saleh invents Al-Qaeda in Arabian Penninsula, or AQAP, and gives directions for drones to strike his enemies. Sweet. Naturally, south wants to escape, and the land was forcibly grabbed by Saleh, in what we called "civil war". And we dutifily keep on talking about AQAP, while one just wants to laugh. Then he had Saudi Arabia bomb those annoying tribes in the north. Leveled them. But when the whole coutry stood up, the gig was up. But if we really want democracy, why are his sons, nephews, brothers and uncles still in control of special forces, republican quard and interior ministry forces? Did not hear high moralizing coming from "The West".