Yemen: President Saleh injured in attack on palace

[malaise]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13638787
<snip>
President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been injured in an attack on a mosque in his compound in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and is in hospital, officials say, as fighting continues between the government and armed tribes.

But he was "in good health" and would soon speak publicly, officials said.

The PM and parliament speaker were hurt and three guards killed.

Earlier troops shelled the home of the brother of the tribal leader whose supporters they are fighting.


This is the first attack on the presidential palace since the clashes started.

His forces were intending to crush Hamid al-Ahmar's forces. They have moved the fight from the north of the city in Hassaba to the south in Hadda, a residential upper-class area occupied by diplomats, top officials and businessmen. Sheikh Ahmar's house is there and has been heavily targeted.

The United States has sent an envoy to the Gulf to discuss ways of stopping the violence, which has brought Yemen to the brink of civil war.
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We shall see if he is fine

[damntexdem]

1. Why are so many places in the midst of civil war said to be "on the brink of civil war"?

Why not just note that there is a civil war going on in Yemen?