Yemen's president visits south amid clashes

Source :   Al Akhbar English

Yemen witnesses spate of deadly protests Yemeni troops shot dead at least two southern separatist in clashes that erupted in Aden on Saturday when activists blocked roads in a campaign of "civil disobedience" to protest the killing of six... Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi paid a surprise visit to Aden on Sunday as clashes raged between police and southern pro- secessionist protesters amid calls for civil disobedience.

Hadi was in Aden on an "inspection visit," his first since becoming president in February 2012, and was scheduled to meet local officials and military leaders, the state news agency Saba reported.

A security official in Aden told AFP that Hadi was visiting to "closely check the situation in Aden following the unrest."

Protests have intensified in south Yemen since police and soldiers opened fire on unarmed demonstrators Thursday, killing five. They were marking the first anniversary of the ouster of former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Witnesses said pro-separatists demonstrators on Sunday clashed with security forces in the southeastern city of Mukalla after they blocked roads with burning tires and rocks.

"The army is using live ammunition against protesters," said Nasser Baqazquz, an activist from the separatist group.

In Aden itself, protesters blocked roads in the neighborhoods of Mansura, Sheikh Osman and Dar Saad, witnesses said, but no clashes were reported.

Two protesters and a policeman died when clashes erupted in the south, including Aden, on Saturday, security officials and medics said.

Also on Saturday, in the city of Sayun in the eastern province of Hadramawt, protesters trying to enforce a program of civil disobedience set a northern Yemen merchant on fire, leaving him in critical condition, witnesses said. The man is in intensive care, a medical source told AFP.

The protesters also Saturday attacked shops in Mukalla owned by northerners, and burnt down two offices belonging to the Islamist al- Islah Party, which backs Hadi, witnesses said.

The party issued a statement protesting the attacks on its southern offices and urged its members to "exercise restraint."

South Yemen broke away in 1994, sparking a civil war, before it was overrun by northern troops.

The Southern Movement has been divided over participating in Yemen's national dialogue.

All its wings had agreed to join the UN-backed talks except for a faction led by exiled leader Salem Baid which insists on full independence for the south, whose residents complain of discrimination by the Sanaa government.

The conference, originally set for mid-November, has been repeatedly delayed, mainly due to differences with the southerners. It is now set for March 18.

(AFP, Al-Akhbar)

Yemen troops shoot dead separatist in Aden clashes

Source : The Daily Star

ADEN, Yemen: Yemeni troops shot dead a southern separatist on Saturday in clashes that erupted when activists blocked roads during a protest in the main port city of Aden, medics and activists said.

"One man was killed and two others were wounded by gunfire," a medic at Aden's Al- Naqib hospital told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Activists from the separatist Southern Movement confirmed the victims belonged to their group which calls for autonomy or the complete independence of the south.

Yemeni forces shoot dead four protesters in south

Source : Al Akhbar English

Soldiers and police shot dead at least four pro-secessionist protesters and wounded over a dozen others in southern Yemen Thursday where thousands had taken to the streets to mark the anniversary of the ouster of former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, local media reported.

The country’s online news site Aden al-Ghad identified one of the victims as Bakil Ali Sa’id. Witnesses told the site that snipers from the rival Islah movement had also opened fire on demonstrators, wounding several.

The Sada Aden News Network identified another victim as Abdallah al- Amoudi. The identities of the other two victims remain unknown.

Security forces shot at them during anti-government rallies in the Krayter district of the port city of Aden.

Amateur video posted online showed an armored military vehicle driving slowly past one of the protest sites before abruptly stopping. A few seconds later several soldiers climbed out of the vehicle and opened fire on the unarmed protesters.

Yemen frees Dutch kidnap victim

Source : Voice of Russia

Yemeni authorities have freed a Dutch man held captive for a week after being kidnapped by tribesmen in the country's west, the interior ministry announced on Sunday.

"Security forces freed a Dutch man kidnapped a week ago by tribesmen between the towns of Hard in Hajja province and Al- Zaidiya in Hodeida province," the ministry said in a statement on defence ministry news website 26sep.net.

"The man was taken to Sanaa and is in good health," it added.

The foreign ministry in The Netherlands said it had been informed of the possible kidnap of one of its citizens in Yemen, but without providing confirmation.

"Until now, it appears that the alleged victim was not kidnapped," ministry spokesman Christophe Kamp told AFP, adding that his country was in contact with the man's family and authorities in Sanaa.

Hundreds of people have been abducted in Yemen over the past 15 years, with almost all later released unharmed.

The authorities are still trying to free two Finns and an Austrian snatched from central Sanaa late last year, however.

The Austrian man and Finnish man and woman were abducted on December 21 as they prepared to travel to the southern port of Aden via Yemen's second city Taez.

Last month, Yemeni security officials said the three were being held by Al-Qaeda-linked tribesmen in the eastern province of Marib.

Most kidnappings of foreigners in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state are carried out by members of the country's powerful tribes who use them as bargaining chips in disputes with the central government.

Voice of Russia, AFP

Three al-Qaida militants captured by security forces in southern Yemen

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni security authorities arrested three al-Qaida militants in the southern province of Abyan on Thursday, a government official told Xinhua.

The security forces detained three members of the al-Qaida terrorist group in a military operation in the mountainous area of Marakasha in Abyan province, the local official said on condition of anonymity.

"The captured al-Qaida militants were transferred to the military intelligence headquarters in Abyan for questioning," the government source said.

"Weapons, explosives and leaflets were seized by the security forces during the operation," he added.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after an offensive launched in Abyan months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

Deaths mar Yemen's 2011 revolt anniversary

Source : BBC News

Two people have been killed in clashes in Yemen during rallies marking the 2011 uprising that led to the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Officials say the fighting was between separatists and Islamists in the southern city of Aden.

Meanwhile, thousands of people marched peacefully in the capital Sanaa.

In November 2011, Mr Saleh handed over power to his deputy, who has since pledged to launch a national dialogue to draft a new constitution.

Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi won an uncontested presidential election the following year, marking the final stage in the exit of Mr Saleh - the country's longest-serving leader in recent times.

Mr Hadi has since set 18 March as the date for the much-anticipated dialogue to also prepare for new elections in 2014.

Despite this, Yemen remains plagued by political unrest, including clashes between security forces and Islamist militants.

In the south, separatists have for years complained of political and economic marginalisation by the central government in Sanaa.

Government troops kill three al-Qaida militants in southern Yemen

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Up to three al-Qaida militants were killed and five others were injured in armed confrontations with government troops in Yemen's southern province of Abyan on Friday evening, a security official told Xinhua.

The government troops engaged in armed clashes with a squad of al- Qaida militants in the mountainous area of Maraksha in Abyan province, killing up to three terrorists and injuring five others, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"Before the armed clashes, a group of terrorists was planning to plant an improvised explosive device against a military patrol, but they failed," the security source said.

The al-Qaida terrorist group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than two years, has yet to make comments.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.- backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United states and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

Yemenis hold anti-US protest in Sa’ada

Source : Islamic Invitation Turkey

Yemenis have staged an anti-US demonstration in the northern city of Sa’ada to protest against the interference by Washington and its allies in their country’s domestic affairs.

Chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” scores of Yemenis took to the streets of Sa’ada on Friday to demand an end to US meddling in Yemen and call for national unity.

The protesters further called for the withdrawal of American Marines. They also urged for an end to the US assassination drone attacks, which they blame for the deaths of many civilians.

The protesters accused Washington of preventing the fulfillment of the demands of a popular uprising that took place two years ago, saying that the US is imposing its policies on the country by backing a deal that equally shares power between the opposition and figures loyal to former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh. The deal also keeps allies of the deposed ruler in key military posts, the protesters said.

Saleh, who ruled Yemen for 33 years, stepped down in February 2012 after nearly a year of mass street protests against his rule under a US-backed power transfer deal in return for immunity.

But Yemenis say that so far there has been no improvement in the country and their demands have not been met because Saleh loyalists and his family members are in control of power positions in the government, as well as military and security apparatus.

Yemenis have vowed to continue protests until there is a complete regime change in Yemen.

Yemeni children rights need to be protected

Source : Xinhua

Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni children are surrounded by big problems including absence of state supervision, increasing rate of child labor, illegal immigration, children smuggling and child recruitment, as the frequent strikes of the juveniles triggered some activists and observers to say that the children's situation in Yemen is "catastrophic."

Dozens of juveniles have staged a hunger strike inside the central prison in Yemen's capital Sanaa for about a week to protest against a death sentence handed down recently against one of them.

They have vowed to continue their strike until the government meets their demand, including canceling the death sentence against Nadim Al-Azazi, who was imprisoned on murder charges while he was 15 years old.

"We are also protesting against our conditions here, the cells and cleanliness, preventing us from meeting or talking to families and maltreatment especially during interrogations," said one of the striking juveniles, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Everything related to protecting the child's rights here needs to be reconsidered and improved," Ahmed Al-Qurashi, chairman of the Yemeni-based SEYAJ Organization for Childhood Protection, told Xinhua.

"The laws, prisons, organizations and solutions don't live up to the requirements of better childhood in the country," Said Qurashi, who is a field expert on child rights and issues, he explained.

"Solutions by the government and Civil Society Organizations ( CSOs) are unhelpful and most of CSOs are illegal and are just serving political agenda, not the children's interest," he added.

He pointed out that the situation of juvenile prisoners in the capital Sanaa is not good.

"They are put together with adult inmates. Also, some may think the society has not treated them well and when they leave the cell, they will take revenge," he reiterated.

However, government officials said the authorities comply with the law which bans maltreatment of imprisoned juveniles or sentencing them while they are below 15 years old.

Nabil Abdu, a lawyer at the state juvenile court, said Yemen has never ordered to execute a juvenile through its modern history.

"All I am sure of is that if there was a death sentence, it would be handed down to an adult not a juvenile," he said.

The SEYAJ Organization for Childhood Protection is now seeking to meet the father of Al-Azazi to appeal against the preliminary verdict against his son, according to officials of the organization.

Official studies also found in 2010 that there were about 1.6 million children aged between 5 and 17 years involved in the labor market, said Mona Salem, director of the child labor control unit at the ministry of labor and social affairs.

The uprising in 2011 deepened the country's woes with poverty and unemployment increasing to record rates.

"Sometimes children deviate and learn bad behaviors when staying a long time away from their families and this is not a good societal phenomenon," Salem said, noting that children face many difficulties at workplaces including psychological and physical abuse.

"The government in coordination with international organizations including the International Labor Organization has exerted utmost efforts to combat child labor in Yemen. Still, more efforts are needed to be done concertedly," she added.

As for illegal immigration, many Yemeni children infiltrate into Saudi Arabia per year, but experts including Al-Qurashi argue they probably go there for work because of extreme poverty but not as smuggled.

He said the worst problem is the recruitment of children in conflicts by tribes, army leaders and illegal groups such as al- Qaida and Jihadists.

"This phenomenon, amid the absence of a law to ban recruiting children in very clear texts, is threatening the national and regional security," he said.

There are no studies on child recruitment or the exact numbers of the children recruited, but expectations based on observation of the situation suggest that more than 40 percent of the fighters in all conflicts in Yemen are under 18 years old, he continued.

Two army soldiers kidnapped in Yemen

Source :   Xinhua

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pro-secession gunmen kidnapped two army soldiers from a military checkpoint in Yemen's southern province of al- Dhalea on Wednesday, a security official told Xinhua.

The incident took place in the eastern suburbs of al-Dhalea province when a group of pro-secession gunmen attacked a military post with two rocket- propelled grenades and abducted two soldiers, the local security official said on condition of anonymity.

"After the attack, the gunmen who were wearing military uniform took the two soldiers to an unknown location," the security source said.

"The gunmen broke into the small military outpost and seized all ammunition there," he added.

Sources of the pro-secession Southern Movement were not available for comment.

The government has blamed an armed faction of the pro-secession Southern Movement for similar attacks that have killed many senior military and intelligence officials.

North and South Yemen unified peacefully in 1990, but their relationship deteriorated in 1994. Calls for separation in the country's southern regions were renewed in 2007, as southerners have complained of being marginalized.

Pro-secession protests have multiplied in the south amid a worsening economic situation in Yemen.

Yemeni police troops managed to defuse a bomb near an army base in the southern port city of Aden

Source :  Xinhua

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni police troops managed to defuse a bomb near an army base in the southern port city of Aden on Tuesday, a military official told Xinhua.

Experts of the bomb detection and disposal squad defused an improvised explosive device at the back of the air forces headquarters in Aden, the local military official said on condition of anonymity.

"An improvised explosive device near the headquarters of the air forces was successfully removed and detonated at a safe location," the military official said.

Militants of the Yemen-based al-Qaida wing were likely behind the botched terrorist operation, according to the official.

The Yemeni troops defeated al-Qaida fighters in Abyan in May 2012 and recaptured several cities after months of deadly battles.

Backed by international community, the Yemeni transitional government has been waging large- scale offensive on terrorist groups to restore security and reinforce government control after the militants took advantage of 2011 political turmoil in the Arab country to control large areas in the southern regions.

At least 6 killed in fresh sectarian clashes in Yemen

Source : APA

Baku-APA. At least six people were killed on Monday in fresh sectarian clashes betwe armed Shiite and Sunni groups in Yemen's northern province of Saada, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The fighting erupted Monday evening after Sunni Muslims were stopped at a checkpo manned by an armed group affiliated with the Saada-based Shiite sect, also known a Houthi rebels.

"The Sunni men were stopped at the checkpoint in Ashash area in Kutaf district and w ordered to surrender their weapons," said Abdullah Manna, a tribal dignitary in Kuta

"The Sunni group refused and quarrelled with the Shiites that triggered fierce clashe leaving two Sunni and four Shiite men died," Manna told Xinhua by phone.

Several others were also wounded as sectarian tension escalated in nearby villages, h said.

Clashes between the Sunni and Shiite groups were frequent in Saada province since Shiite Houthi rebels stormed a Sunni-held mosque in the area in September last year

The Shiite sect is a majority in Saada province but forms the minority in the whole country.

The Houthi group has controlled most parts of Saada after they reached a truce with central government in Sanaa in early 2010 following a six-year sporadic war against Yemeni army.

After former President Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in February 2012 as part of backed power transfer deal following one-year street protests, the Houthis allied wit Saleh's loyalists to fight against the Sunni groups, which are supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, known as Islah Party in Yemen that is the main partner in the current transitional government.

The Yemeni government accuses Shiite-dominated Iran of supporting the Houthi rebe but Tehran always denies such charges.

3 al-Qaida members arrested by police in Yemen

Source : Xinhua

ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Three members of the Yemen- based al-Qaida offshoot were arrested by the police in Yemen's southern port city of Aden on Monday, a government official told Xinhua.

Following an intelligence tip off, police troops arrested three al-Qaida members who were on their way to Aden, the local government official said on condition of anonymity.

"Four al-Qaida operatives were attempting to sneak into Aden to conduct terrorist operations against security officials, but the police troops aborted their plans," the government source said.

The al-Qaida terrorist group, which has been waging an insurgency for more than two years, has yet to make comments.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, known locally as Ansar al- Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), took advantage of a political upheaval in 2011 in Yemen to take over several towns of the southern restive regions.

The militants were targeted by Yemeni security authorities after a U.S.- backed offensive launched in the southern Abyan province months ago routed the militants out of their strongholds that they had controlled for nearly a year.

The Yemeni government along with the United states and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have beefed up anti-terror operation since President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi took office in February 2012.

Yemen says seized ship carried rockets from Iran

Source : Your Middle East

A ship loaded with rockets and explosives which Yemen said it had intercepted last month came from Iran and the arms were destined for Shiite rebels, a security official said on Sunday.

"The boat was heading towards the (Red Sea) port of Al-Mukha" and the arms "were destined for the Huthi rebels in Saada," the northern stronghold of the Shiite fighters, the Yemeni security official told AFP.

Yemeni coast guard in coordination with the US navy last month intercepted the ship in the Arabian Sea, authorities have said.

The vessel "came from Iran and was carrying arms and explosives among them surface-to-air missiles SAM-2 and SAM-3," state news agency Saba reported on Sunday, adding that the crew of eight Yemeni nationals were being questioned.

The ship was stopped on January 23 in Yemeni territorial waters and flew several fake flags, authorities have said.

An offshoot of Shiite Islam, Zaidis are a minority in mainly Sunni Yemen but form the majority in the mountainous north.

From 2004 the Huthis fought six wars with central government forces before signing a truce in February 2010. The rebellion claimed thousands of lives.

The government accuses the rebels of being backed by Shiite-dominated Iran, charges which the Zaidis deny.