Yemen: Demonstrators Reject Saleh’s Proposal, Protests Erupt

Thousands of Yemeni citizens returned to the streets, apparently rejecting President Ali Abdullah Saleh‘s latest proposal for a transition of power, and opposition members accused Saleh of political maneuvering. Additionally, bands of tribesman stormed a Republican Guards’ base at Dahrah early Monday, and the defense ministry said in a statement that the base commander, Brigadier Ali al-Keleibi, was killed. Officials told the Reuters news agency the tribesmen captured 30 guards after seizing control of the facility and at least four tribesmen were killed and 27 others wounded in the fighting.

Letta Taylor, writing in Foreign Affairs, speculates that internal political rivalries have eclipsed the Yemeni people’s call for change, and that the crisis in Yemen has “no quick fix.” The United States, the E.U., and the Gulf countries must also place pressure on Saleh, Taylor adds. Omar Mashjari contends that without increased foreign pressure on Saleh, the death toll is likely to rise rapidly throughout Yemen.