Yemen's Most Powerful Army Officer (controls 60% of military) Says He Will Protect The Protesters

[Turborama]

Source: Business Insider

Gus Lubin | Mar. 21, 2011, 5:13 AM

Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar said today his soldiers would protect the protesters.

Ali Mohsen is the half brother of President Saleh and is described by commentators on Al Jazeera as the most influential army officer. Ali Mohsen controls 60% of the military.

What's not clear is if this has been negotiated behind the scenes. Some commentators see this as a step toward a transitional military government.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ali-mohsen-yemen-2011-3

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AJE have a banner at the bottom of the screen saying that it's three generals now.

Previous OP as the news broke.

Breaking: Yemen Military Split From Ruling Powers To Protect Protesters In Sanaa

This is breaking news on Al Jazeera English right now. Watch for how this is developing at this link: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ More details when they come online.

[aquart]

1. Ruler needs to start packing. Maybe forget the packing. Just go.

[JanDutchy]

2. Secretary General Condemns Excessive Violence against Peaceful Protests in Yemen

Date: 19/03/2011 -

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned the use of excessive force and violence against the peaceful demonstrations in Yemen on 18 March 2011, in which a large number of Yemeni civilians were killed and wounded. The General Secretariat called upon the Yemeni authorities to investigate these unfortunate incidents and put its perpetrators on trial.

While renewing its firm position in support of the unity, stability, security and territorial integrity of Yemen, the OIC reiterates the need to return to dialogue in order to find peaceful solutions to the ongoing crisis in Yemen.

http://www.oic-oci.org/topic_detail.asp?t_id=5060

[The Magistrate]

3. Rum Fun In Store, Sir....

This one could be a problem if it breaks bad....

"Round and round and round she goes, and where she stops, only the good Lord knows!"

[reggie the dog]

4. this seems like a good thing

they are condemming the act of killing the protesters it seems

[tcaudilllg]

5. LOL I'll bet this triumvirate becomes the new leadership there.

Indefinitely.

[Turborama]

6. Al Jazeera English: Top army generals defect in Yemen

Troops and tanks deploy in capital Sanna to protect anti-government protesters as three top generals back uprising.
Last Modified: March 21 2011 01:44



Three top Yemeni army generals have declared their support for anti-government protesters seeking the resignation of the country''s president, Ali Abudullah Saleh.

Brigadier Ali Mohsen Saleh, the head of the north western military zone and the head of the first armoured division, said on Monday that he had deployed army units to protect the protesters.

Two more generals rallied behind Brigadier Saleh soon after.

Addressing a news conference, Brigadier Saleh said: "Yemen today, is suffering from a comprehensive and dangerous crisis and it is widespread.

"Lack of dialogue and oppression of peaceful protesters in the pubclic sphere, resulted in crisis which has increased each day.

And it is because of what I feel about the emotions of officers and leaders in the armed forces, who are an integral part of the people, and protectors of the people, I declare, on their behalf, our peaceful support of the youth revolution and their demands and that we will fulfil our duties."

Full article: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011320180579476.html

[David__77]

12. I wonder what sort of coup attempt this is.

Somehow I suspect Western intelligence has no more idea than anyone here.

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R

[Change Happens]

8. Praise the Lord! WOW, excellent news!

[Robb]

9. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar has been waiting for his chance, I think.

He was http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article520076.ece">fingered by a former diplomat for the kidnapping of 16 western tourists in 1998, linked to the USS Cole bombing, and two years ago http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/02/yemens-looming-succession-crisis/70898/">he declared he would not tolerate Ahmed Saleh becoming president.

"The enemy of my enemy is not my friend" may apply.

[Turborama]

10. Interesting background reading

Thanks for sharing.

[oberliner]

11. Yemen's Ambassador to U.N. resigns

Yemen's Ambassador to the United Nations resigned on Sunday from his post in protest against the killing of dozens of protesters at Sana'a University Campus who have been protesting for two months demanding the fall of President Saleh's regime.
Abdullah Alsaidi said that he sent his resignation to the President's office and the Foreign Ministry in which he added it was in protest at Friday violence.
Alsaidi's resignation came after three ministers, ambassador, 11 members of parliament, and others resigned from the ruling General People Congress party in protest of the current situation in the country.

http://yemenpost.net/Detail123456789.aspx?ID=3&SubID=3309&MainCat=3

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Yemeni leader loses more of his dwindling power base as top army officers defect

Source: WAPO

SANAA, Yemen — A top military commander and at least 18 other senior officers defected Monday to the opposition movement demanding the ouster of Yemen’s embattled president, depriving the U.S.-allied ruler of most of his power base.

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Three Yemeni army commanders, including a top general, defected Monday to the opposition calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s rule, as army tanks and armored vehicles deployed in support of thousands protesting in the capital. With the defection, it appeared Saleh’s support was eroding from every power base in the nation - his own tribe called on him to step down, he fired his entire Cabinet ahead of what one government official said was a planned mass resignation, and his ambassador to the U.N. and human rights minister quit. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
The looming collapse of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime throws into doubt the American campaign against a major al-Qaida wing that plotted attacks in the United States.

Monday’s defections led to rival tanks being deployed in the streets of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, creating a potentially explosive situation and prompting Saleh’s defense minister, Mohammed Nasser Ahmed, to announce the military remained loyal to the longtime leader.

The armed forces will counter any plots against the government, Ahmed declared on state television, following a meeting of the National Defense Council, which is led by Saleh and includes Ahmed, the prime minister and the intelligence chief.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/yemeni-leader-loses-more-of-his-dwindling-power-base-as-top-army-officers-defect/2011/03/21/ABWX9Q5_story.html

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No comments from me any longer, not worth the grief

[Tx4obama]

14. Yemen will soon join the list of liberated countries

First Tunisia, then Eygpt, and now soon Yemen.

And in the future: Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Syria, Morocco, Cameroon, Mauritania, etc.

[tcaudilllg]

15. Yemen will be free. Those others... hmm... maybe Syria.

[Mr Generic Other]

16. and if we are really lucky

even the united states of america.

[joshcryer]

17. Saleh appears to be meandering about stepping down. I hope he realizes what's good for his country.

[Tx4obama]

18. Here's a link below for the Al Jazeera Yemen Live Blog

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/yemen-live-blog-march-22