A tribal source confirmed that an attack with RPGs and bazookas was launched at oil pumping station number (2) in the Serwah area in Marib governorate last Saturday morning in an attempt to explode and destroy it.
The attack, which missed its destination and did not cause any harm to the station, is said to may have been launched in response to the military escalation at the (25) region in Serwah which resulted in launched attacks against villagers houses about 40 days ago.
The military units in Serwah had destroyed 10 houses and burnt 5 others after a group from Al-Zayidi kidnapped 4 officers belonging to the Sanhan tribe, and were taken to Marib, causing tension to increase and continuous attacks to take place.
The military units currently residing in Serwah responded swiftly and strongly to the attack and confrontation between the military forces and villagers is expected to escalate in the coming few days.
On the other hand, the same tribal source added that the tribesmen are exerting pressure on the government to pay them compensation for the destruction and burning of their houses and properties.

Relatives of Sabah Seif Salem have appealed to Minister of Interior, attorney general and chairman of Ibb's prosecution to investigate into the death of their relative, Sabah.
Sabah, who belongs to Al-Akhdam (Yemenis of African origin) sector of people, died last Monday in jail in Al-Udain district of Ibb after being physically tortured to force her confess practicing adultery. Appellants expressed their hope that their 'black color' would not prevent justice to be on their side. On the other hand, tens of the victim's relatives gathered in front of the General Security Office in Ibb demanding investigation into this matter.
For his part, director of General Security Office in Ibb, urged the health office of the governorate to provide a forensic doctor for a post-mortum.
In addition, he summoned director of security office of Al-Udain district for interrogation.

The Yemeni Socialist Party renewed for the second time the leadership of Mr. Ali Saleh Abad "Mokbil'' of the party, as Secretary-General. The 4th general congress of the party that concluded its meetings Saturday elected the exiled former secretary-general of the party, former vice- president Ali Salem Al-Biedh, former prime minister Haider Abu Bakr Al-Attas, former parliament speaker Yassin Saeed Noman, and Ahmed Mohammed Al-Seeli as members of the party's new central committee.
former politburo members, Mr. Jaralla Omar and Dr. Saif Sael won the post of Assistant Secretary-General.
The YSP declared in its final statement its rejection of the constitutional amendments, and reiterated its call for national reconciliation and the elimination of the impacts of the 1994 civil war. The party's statement emphasized the importance of unifying the internal front as a decisive condition for the success of any approach to rectifying the unity course.
On the land and sea borders treaty concluded between Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the YSP congress stated that the common interest of the both countries and peoples lied in a secure and prosperous future. It added that the settlement of disputes and establishment of relations based between the two neighbors should be based on confidence and mutual interests.
The Socialist party's statement also demanded the government to consider the political parties as partners in discussions dealing with the country's future. It also stressed the importance of resolving domestic issues, especially that all border problems have been resolved. More on Law & Dip. Page

Two senior YSP members had withdrawn from the Party's 4th congress in the wake of disputes that emerged at the very beginning of the convention last Wednesday.
The two central committee members Hassan Ahmed Ba'oom and Muhammed Haidera Masdoos were at loggerheads with the Secretary General Mr. Ali Saleh Obad "Mokbil", leading to the exchange of insults. Talking to Yemen Times, Mr. Ba'oom, 1st Secretary of the party in Hadhramaut Province said: "My withdrawal came as the chairman of the congress rejected a request related to rectification of the course of Unification." He added that he will continue his struggle from within the Party or from outside through different ways. YT, which attended the deliberations session also learnt that out of the 2,486 delegates, Ba'oom and Masdoos withdrew together with more than 30 delegates. A committee comprising YSP Politburo Members Ali Munnassar and Abdulla Baider, was delegated to hold consultations with the two members; but the outcome is yet unknown.

Laying an emphasis on the significance of the right of expression and freedom of press that represent important pillars of human rights, Mr. Walid Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the English-language weekly Yemen Times said, "without those freedoms, it was obvious that the press would not be able to disclose violations and excesses." He added, " If these basic rights within the human rights are not granted to the press, journalists will always feel that the guillotine is lurking above their heads." He emphasized the importance of boosting the freedom of opinion and expression in Yemen. The press in Yemen must be given guarantees allowing it to express opinions and write about various violations including those committed by senior officials.
Mr. Saqqaf's remarks came in the seminar the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate held on Saturday and which was attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saba News Agency Mr. Hussain Al-Awadhi, Editor-in-Chief of "Al-Usboo" weekly Mr. Hassan Al-Udaini, and former chairman of Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Mr. Abdulbari Taher. The seminar was held to discuss the topic of "Press and Human Rights in Yemen''.
Mr. Saqqaf also called for the need of reconsidering the Press and Publications Law, allowing it to be more flexible; thus reducing the number of civil suits filed at different courts against newspapers. Yemen Times Editor-in-Chief also called the attention that there are other causes of the weak performance of the press in the field of human rights, citing non-availability of well-informed sources; particularly at the side of the government. He also mentioned that cooperation between the press and human rights organizations must strengthen.
He indicated that official and pro-government newspapers never furnish the required standard of information on violations of human rights in prisons and other violations at State-run utilities. "Add to these pressmen's apprehension of being pursued with court actions, should they deal with topics touching violations of human rights," he said. In conclusion, the Editor-in-Chief said that activation of the role of press in human rights area should come through strengthening the journalist's stance whenever he reports violations and discloses facts without any hesitation. It is here the journalist should be given privileges and obstacles must be removed from his way. The reported misgivings should alert those in charge to accept shouldering their responsibilities and do whatever needed for boosting human rights and freedoms. Detailed report on the seminar next week.

The Somali citizen, Muhammed Omer Haji, indicted of apostasy, escaped prison last week and fled to New Zealand, security sources in Aden Province said.
The sources considered as more probable that Haji, who converted from Islam to Christianity, received local and foreign help to escape the conviction expected to be issued against him by the court in Tawahi district of Aden.
Information maintained that Haji appeared in New Zealand last Wednesday noon where he arrived via a European state.
It is understood that Haji had entered Yemen and settled in Aden following the civil war in Somalia in the early 90s. He was employed at a church in Tawahi area where he then decided to embrace Christianity. This stirred clamor in Aden City following the campaigns launched by mosque preachers demanding Haji's execution. The news of Haji's apostasy went in line with news of missionary activities through western humane organizations.
Haji had earlier denied having changed his name into "George" and claimed to continue to be a Muslim; but Somali refugees close to him refuted his allegations. Haji's trial had begun three months ago.
The sources ascribed his continued disappearance from the court to interference from higher authorities which feared the negative result: Haji's execution. The sources referred to the appeals on Haji's release the Government received from humanitarian organizations and western churches whereas the UN High Commissioner for Refugees had delegated a liaison officer to follow-up Haji's trial proceedings. The sources claimed that Haji's getaway had been planned weeks ago through obstructing court proceedings on several occasions by precluding his appearance before the court. Sources have further said that the court has held the prosecution responsible for being derelict. It had also signaled to return the suit file to prosecution. The same sources anticipate that Haji's escape operation will cause a crisis between the Government, the political parties and national organizations. Parties and national organizations accuse the government of favoring the west, craving after grants even if these would come at the expense of the Yemeni society's norms.