Archive: yemen
6th September 2011
Efforts to resolve the political crisis in Yemen are now focusing on a transition plan proposed by the United Nations rather than the earlier plan put forward by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
AFP reports that President Saleh's party, the General People's Congress, has agreed to discuss the UN plan… Read more
1st September 2011
Just over a month ago I noted that the Bell Pottinger, one of Britain's leading public relations firms, had been hired by President Saleh's regime in Yemen and was working for "an unnamed special entity" set up by the government in Sana'a.
Research by the Bureau for Investigative Journalism has now… Read more
31st August 2011
The political situation in Yemen remains as confused as ever – which is why I have avoided writing about it for some time. However, there are now a few signs of movement.
In a speech to mark the end of Ramadan, President Saleh (who is still in Saudi Arabia after being injured in a bomb attack last… Read more
29th July 2011
Yemen's political crisis has taken a strange new turn with the hiring of one of Britain's leading public relations firms – ostensibly in an attempt to end the impasse.
The company, Bell Pottinger, is working for "an unnamed special entity that has been created within the Yemen government to ensure… Read more
26th June 2011
Three weeks have elapsed since President Saleh left Yemen for treatment in Saudi Arabia after being badly injured by a bomb explosion in his palace compound. Since then, the situation has been very confused though it's beginning to clear a little.
Despite what Yemeni official may say about his "… Read more
5th June 2011
On Friday, after hearing of the attack inside Yemen's presidential compound, I posted a tweet which said:
"Send Saleh abroad to be treated for his injuries. Problem solved."
That has now come to pass, but I doubt that it's a result of my suggestion on Twitter. It struck me at the time, though,… Read more
29th May 2011
President Saleh's position in Yemen was looking extremely precarious on Sunday amid signs that the military is beginning to turn against him.
The Associated Press reported that a brigade of the Republican Guard (commanded by Saleh's son, Ahmed) has defected to the opposition.
Meanwhile, posts on… Read more
26th May 2011
Fighting has resumed in the Yemeni capital this morning. A report in today's Guardian describes the scenes in Sana'a yesterday and Gregory Johnsen has an excellent analysis of events there over the last few days.
The US has now ordered non-essential diplomatic staff to leave the country and… Read more
25th May 2011
Battles between Yemen's most powerful tribal group and sections of the military have resumed in Sana'a this morning, and tribal fighters appear to control part of the capital, including the interior ministry building.
Tom Finn, who is on the spot, reported yesterday's events for the Guardian. Jane… Read more
23rd May 2011
Despite intense diplomatic pressure from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United States and the EU, and despite verbal undertakings that he would finally sign the Yemen "transition" deal, President Saleh battled through Sunday without letting his pen touch the paper.
Instead, he brought his own… Read more