Given the current crisis in Yemen and the attention given by the media to events in Yemen, I find many amazing things are are not reflected in the media. The media is mainly concerned about the "plot" and not many of the important things that impact the daily life of Yemenis.....
At the beginning of this crisis there had been a lot of fears that a civil war would immediately breakout. Yemenis have weapons in their position including fire arms, and even before the current crisis, there were a lot of conflicts in which fire arms were used. Disputes about land is one of the most important causes for conflicts. In addition a number of groups use arms to pressure the government either to get money or other privileges.
In the first few weeks people were gathering weapons, and getting ready to "fight" and protect their properties against the "tribes" who will come to rob Sana'a. President Saleh's meetings with the tribes around Sana'a were mostly interpreted as a preparation for the intended raid on Sana'a.
It became clear that the government was aware of the fact that any armed conflict will actually backfire. The government decided to loosen its grip. At the same time anti-government movement, including the youth, the opposition parties, and the defector Ali Mohsen and his forces followed a similar strategy.
Although there have been some exceptions, the demonstrations are generally peaceful. Demonstrators are usually dispersed using the common tools like tear gas and water. Police forces are only equipped with sticks and shields, no fire arms.
I have witnessed a number of demonstrations in the recent days in Sana'a. The new "pro Saleh demonstrations" are usually running smoothly throughout the city. A growing number is participating in these demonstrations as the crisis continues. Many people stand to watch and picture these demonstrations.
(pro Saled demonstration, April 19, 2011)
The anti regime demonstrations are different. They usually originate from the sit-in square near Sana'a University. Although there have been only a few demonstrations over the past 2 months, the intensity of demonstrations increased since negotiations started between government and the opposition parties.
Here are some observations related to anti-regime demonstrations:
1. Sunday April 17, 2011: I came across a demonstration that was able, for the first time to cross Zubiery Street. A few thousand people (2000-3000) were going into Al-Jeria Street. They were shouting slogans against President Saleh and the regime. While passing they would paint slogans on the walls. A number of residents were gathering to watch them. They went down the street and stopped to through stones on a small house. That house had a picture of President Saleh. The owner went to the roof and started shooting to the air. A number of policemen formed a wall to stop demonstrators, and the special cars started to fire tear gas and use hot water to disburse demonstrators.
After 10 minutes the street was clear. The demonstrators run into side streets and backed up. There were hundreds of shoes on the street!... Most of the demonstrators were teenagers wearing traditional Yemeni Thawb. They started to come out of their hiding as police forces were standing ready to disperse them if they come back. A number of people dropped, a few emergency cars took them to hospitals. There was no deaths.
All policemen had only sticks and shields. They did not carry fire arms. When demonstrators started to through stones, the policemen reacted with throwing stones.
2. April 19, 2011 demonstration, Siteen/Zubeiry street:
A large number of people were coming from Siteen Street going south. Police forces were standing at the intersection with Zubeiry Street. The made a wall separating the demonstrators from tribesmen (supporters of Saleh) on the other side. As demonstrators approached shouting "Go out" slogan tension mounted.
The police started to fire tear-gas and water at demonstrators. The demonstrators started to back off. After a few minutes some gun shots were coming from the side of the demonstrators. The policemen, equipped with sticks only, ran away. Some sent to the side streets. The demonstrators followed them. At that point, the tribesmen ran toward demonstrators....
In the side streets demonstrators were able to capture a policeman. They beat him till he became unconscious. They carried him and ran away.....
Fight continues between tribesmen and demonstrators for a while until all demonstrators left the area.
10 policemen were "taken" and "kidnapped" by the demonstrators.
Today, opposition parities are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and government team is in UAE. They are are looking for a solutions for the crisis!
This is a serious development. Demonstrators kidnapped police forces and took them. This is raising tension and the relation between the two will never be the same. It is believed that some third group participated in the demonstrations and kidnapped the policemen.....
The coming days may witness an escalating conflict that could result in more casualties...... The conflict, and demonstrations could take a violent turn!.....
Although there have been some exceptions, the demonstrations are generally peaceful. Demonstrators are usually dispersed using the common tools like tear gas and water. Police forces are only equipped with sticks and shields, no fire arms.
I have witnessed a number of demonstrations in the recent days in Sana'a. The new "pro Saleh demonstrations" are usually running smoothly throughout the city. A growing number is participating in these demonstrations as the crisis continues. Many people stand to watch and picture these demonstrations.
(pro Saled demonstration, April 19, 2011)
The anti regime demonstrations are different. They usually originate from the sit-in square near Sana'a University. Although there have been only a few demonstrations over the past 2 months, the intensity of demonstrations increased since negotiations started between government and the opposition parties.
Here are some observations related to anti-regime demonstrations:
1. Sunday April 17, 2011: I came across a demonstration that was able, for the first time to cross Zubiery Street. A few thousand people (2000-3000) were going into Al-Jeria Street. They were shouting slogans against President Saleh and the regime. While passing they would paint slogans on the walls. A number of residents were gathering to watch them. They went down the street and stopped to through stones on a small house. That house had a picture of President Saleh. The owner went to the roof and started shooting to the air. A number of policemen formed a wall to stop demonstrators, and the special cars started to fire tear gas and use hot water to disburse demonstrators.
After 10 minutes the street was clear. The demonstrators run into side streets and backed up. There were hundreds of shoes on the street!... Most of the demonstrators were teenagers wearing traditional Yemeni Thawb. They started to come out of their hiding as police forces were standing ready to disperse them if they come back. A number of people dropped, a few emergency cars took them to hospitals. There was no deaths.
All policemen had only sticks and shields. They did not carry fire arms. When demonstrators started to through stones, the policemen reacted with throwing stones.
2. April 19, 2011 demonstration, Siteen/Zubeiry street:
A large number of people were coming from Siteen Street going south. Police forces were standing at the intersection with Zubeiry Street. The made a wall separating the demonstrators from tribesmen (supporters of Saleh) on the other side. As demonstrators approached shouting "Go out" slogan tension mounted.
The police started to fire tear-gas and water at demonstrators. The demonstrators started to back off. After a few minutes some gun shots were coming from the side of the demonstrators. The policemen, equipped with sticks only, ran away. Some sent to the side streets. The demonstrators followed them. At that point, the tribesmen ran toward demonstrators....
In the side streets demonstrators were able to capture a policeman. They beat him till he became unconscious. They carried him and ran away.....
Fight continues between tribesmen and demonstrators for a while until all demonstrators left the area.
10 policemen were "taken" and "kidnapped" by the demonstrators.
Today, opposition parities are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and government team is in UAE. They are are looking for a solutions for the crisis!
This is a serious development. Demonstrators kidnapped police forces and took them. This is raising tension and the relation between the two will never be the same. It is believed that some third group participated in the demonstrations and kidnapped the policemen.....
The coming days may witness an escalating conflict that could result in more casualties...... The conflict, and demonstrations could take a violent turn!.....
