In Yemen, top military commanders defect from Saleh regime
| Sanaa, Yemen
Several of Yemen鈥檚 top military commanders 鈥� including President Ali Abdullah Saleh's half-brother 鈥� defected today, pledging to protect opposition demonstrators after unprecedented violence in Sanaa on Friday.
The defections, which follow the resignations of eight ambassadors over the weekend, remove a critical base of support for the 32-year leader. (Editor's note: The original version overstated how many people resigned this weekend.)
While protesters in Sanaa were jubilant, Yemenis and analysts expressed concern that the developments could foreshadow a military coup or the outbreak of war between the country鈥檚 fractured armed forces.
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鈥淪aleh鈥檚 options have been becoming more limited by the day," says Gregory Johnsen, a Yemen specialist at Princeton University. "Now there are two left 鈥� he can try to hang on, which will likely lead to bloodshed, or he can step down.鈥�
For now, at least, Saleh appears determined to stay in power. His defense minister vowed today that the armed forces would remain faithful to Saleh.
鈥淲e will not allow under any circumstances an attempt at a coup against democracy and constitutional legitimacy, or violation of the security of the nation and citizens," said the statement, according to Reuters, which obtained a copy.
Ahmar deploys troops to protect protesters
Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the president's half-brother and longtime ally until today, led the military defections with a televised news conference announcing that he had deployed forces to protect demonstrators.
鈥淵emen today is suffering from a comprehensive and dangerous crisis, and it is widespread,鈥� said General Ahmar today. 鈥淚t 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 fulfill our duties."
Several other top commanders, including Gen. Ali Abdullaha Aliewa, adviser of the Yemeni supreme leader of the army, and Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Mohsen, head of the eastern division, joined Ahmar, who is head of the first armored division and responsible for the northwestern military zone.
鈥淢ajor General al-Ahmar's announcement opened the floodgates to military defections,鈥� says Mr. Johnsen, adding that no one wanted to be the last off a sinking ship. 鈥淗e has been instrumental to keeping Saleh in power and this calculated move has set him up in a position where he and other upper ranks will be able to maintain their positions in a future government.鈥�
Controversy around Ahmar
At today's demonstration in Sanaa, crowds heaved armed and uniformed security forces onto their shoulders in celebration after Ahmar's announcement.
But the major general is a polarizing figure in Yemeni politics. He has been a close Saleh ally for years, leading military campaigns in the north against the Shiite Houthi movement, which have thrown their weight behind Yemen鈥檚 uprising.
鈥淭here are people in this movement that support the Houthis and do not accept Major General al-Ahmar,鈥� says Salah al-Sharaty, a protester from the nearby province of Mahwuit. 鈥淭hey want to prosecute him for the crimes they feel he has committed during the wars in the north.鈥�
Eight ambassadors, 13 lawmakers resign
The military defections come on the heels of a growing number of political resignations from Saleh鈥檚 ruling General People鈥檚 Congress Party in the wake of Friday's violence, when gunmen opened fire on thousands of demonstrators from rooftops around the demonstration area, killing at least 45.
In the three days since then, at least three acting ministers 鈥� including Huda al-Ban, Minister of Human Rights 鈥� resigned from the party in protest of the use of force, which many have attributed to Saleh's regime. At least 13 members of parliament have also resigned from the GPC.
In addition, eight foreign ambassadors, including Abdullah Alsaidi, Yemen's ambassador to the United Nations, have quit their posts in response to the violence.
In what many see as a response to the resignations, Saleh dissolved the cabinet on Sunday. The current government is set to remain in place until Saleh is able to form a new cabinet.
While many see the defections as the beginning of the end for Saleh, some demonstrators fear that the sudden influx of high-profile army members could threaten the outcome of the uprising.
鈥淭he timing of this announcement really took us by surprise. We weren鈥檛 expecting so much military support so soon,鈥� says student leader Adel al-Surabi. 鈥淲e need the support to the armed forces, but I鈥檓 afraid that this could lead to a military government.鈥�
Saleh鈥檚 son, Ahmed, holds the highest military rank in the country as leader of the Republican Guard and Special Forces, while his four nephews head the country鈥檚 major military institutions. The possibility of violent conflict between the security forces will largely depend on the loyalty of Yemen鈥檚 rank-and-file to Saleh鈥檚 relatives, says Johnsen, speaking from Cairo.
