Eric Margolis: U.S. Kicks Hornet's Nest in Yemen

[marmar]

via CommonDreams:



Published on Sunday, January 3, 2010 by the Toronto Sun

U.S. Kicks Hornet's Nest in Yemen
Failed attack on Detroit-bound plane was retaliation for American military ops in the Arabian country, sources say

by Eric Margolis


Welcome to the Afghanistan of Arabia.

Yemen, the likely source of the failed Christmas Day airliner bombing at Detroit, has just rudely intruded into the west's awareness. Sources there claim the attack by a young Nigerian was retaliation for extensive covert U.S. military operations in Yemen.

I first explored Yemen in the mid-1970s. This magical land of fierce tribesmen was just then creeping into the 11th century. At the southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula, mountainous, verdant Yemen was the Biblical land of the Queen of Sheba and originator of perfume.

Sana'a, the walled capitol, was straight out of Arabian Nights. At dusk, a ram's horn would sound and its gates would close for the night. Beyond lay warlike tribesmen who would slit your throat for a watch.

Almost every man wore a curved tribal dagger in his belt and went heavily armed. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/01/03-3

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I guess we'll need to spread the troops out a little more for the upcoming war there, then.

[notesdev]

6. Upcoming?

I do believe the shooting has already started.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Oh, I meant the full-scale occupation. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

[IndianaGreen]

2. This is rich!

Just before the Detroit air incident, U.S. warplanes killed 50-100 Yemeni tribesmen fighting the American-backed regime. U.S. special forces, warplanes and killer drones have been active since 2001, assassinating Yemeni militants and anti-government tribal leaders. It was only a matter of time before Yemeni jihadists struck back at the U.S.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/01/03-3

[madrchsod]

3. what a place....!you could turn it to a sheet of glass and....

someone would still be alive to put a dagger in ya...

[Chulanowa]

7. Same with Afghanistan

The Middle East and Central Asia are just chock full of places who's major export is asskickings. Don't nuke 'em, you'll just make them angry. And possible turn them into armies of Incredible Hulks.

[formercia]

11. That would kill the market for Rhino Horn.

The Yemenis use it in the handles of their knives.

[Goldstein1984]

5. But I thought they hated us for our freedoms!?

This is going to get worse and worse.

[provis99]

4. isn't the bin Laden family originally from Yemen?

what a nice place; makes Saudi Arabia look like a beacon of Western enlightenment.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Yemenis are not like the Saudis

and you need to do some studying about Yemenis.

[madrchsod]

10. yes they are

[bertman]

12. Oh Great. (heavy sigh) I figured it was something like this.

Rec.

Killing 50 to 100 anti-government types ought to be good for recruiting another 20 or 30 THOUSAND against us.