Update:
Initial reports from Jawa's sources indicate the protesters numbered well over 100,000. The protest was peaceful. Earlier regime efforts to thwart the demonstration included bribery attempts, the awarding of government positions, arrests of the movements leaders and threats of violence. Hundreds of military vehicles and tens of thousands of security forces were brought to the area. In Dahll and Abyan supporters of the Aden demonstration closed the roads from Sana'a and Hadramout. The demonstration highlighted the forced retirement of hundreds of thousands of civil and military workers after Yemen's civil war. Several prominent Southern oppositionist gave speeches addressing the broader issues of regional discrimination by northern elites, regime criminal behaivor and the looting of Southern resources.

Original Post:
Activists and human rights observers have expressed fears that a scheduled demonstration in Aden, Yemen on Saturday may turn bloody. The large scale protest is an effort to peacefully highlight the years of failure by the Yemeni government to equitably implement the unity agreements between North and South Yemen, organizers say.

The mass demonstration will take place in Al-Arood Square, recently dubbed Liberty Square, in the Khormakser area in Aden. Organizers say all attempts to resolve matters with the government have been exhausted. Their aim is to call attention to the plight of Yemeni citizens of the former South Yemen and the discrimination they have faced since Yemen's 1994 civil war.

In anticipation of the protest, the Yemeni government has made threatening statements and military units have been moved to the area. The Yemeni regime shows little regard for the lives, welfare or rights of the nations's citizens. Its military and security forces have weak command and control; top level positions are filled by the President's relatives and mid level ranks are awarded as patronage for loyalty, not skill or experience. Concerns are the government may just open fire in a Tiananmen style massacre.

Unrest has been mounting since May 22. Previous Jawa Reports below the fold: Demonstrations and Armed Conflict Break Out in South Yemen

Increased Unrest in South Yemen

For more historical context, see my article at AAN Tensions Flare in Southern Yemen

And if that's still not enough for you, check out the "South" catagory at my place.

Posted by: JaneNovak at 09:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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