Thousands of Yemenis rallied today in the far eastern province of Hudeidah to condemn the Saleh government for its growing practice of “collective punishment” against regions that have fallen out of their control.
The protesters slammed Saleh for the government’s tendency to stop supplying electricity in cities and provinces where the regime has been forced from power in favor of reformists or tribal leadership.
They also demanded that the government bring to justice any troops who use live ammunition against civilian protesters, a practice which has also become commonplace in many of the regions where the military is trying to crush overwhelming popular opposition.
Though Yemen’s government seems by all indications to be on the brink of complete collapse, the Obama Administration today praised Saleh and his deputies for “aiding counter-terrorism efforts.” US drones have attacked a number of targets in an effort to aid Saleh’s attempts to regain control over the nation.
