SANAA – Tanks were deployed in the Yemeni capital on Monday as top generals pledged allegiance to the “revolution” and the country’s main tribal leader demanded President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s exit from power.
Tanks took up positions in key locations across Sanaa including at the presidential palace, the central bank and the ministry of defence, but it was unclear what their orders were or who was in command. In the first of a series of body blows to Saleh’s authority, General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, commander of the Northwest Military District which includes Sanaa, announced he had joined the “revolution”. “The crisis is getting more complicated and it’s pushing the country towards violence and civil war,” the general said in a statement.
“According to what I’m feeling, and according to the feelings of my partner commanders and soldiers… I announce our support and our peaceful backing to the youth revolution. We are going to fulfil our duties in preserving security and stability.” One by one, dozens of officers of various ranks stood at the tent city near Sanaa University, where demonstrators have kept vigil since February 21 in spite of a wave of attacks, and publicly pledged to support the revolution. Eastern Military district chief General Mohammed Ali Mohsen also threw his support behind the protesters, as well as at least two other top generals, Nasser Ali Shuaybi in Hadramawt province and Faisal Rajab in the southern province of Lahij.
Sadiq al-Ahmar, who leads the Hashid tribal federation, the largest in deeply tribal Yemen and a crucial source of Saleh’s power, told Al-Jazeera it was time for the embattled president to make a “quiet exit”. The deputy speaker of parliament, Himyar al-Ahmar, and the governor of the key southern province of Aden, Ahmed Qaatabi, also resigned in protest at the treatment of demonstrators. “I announce in the name of all the members of my tribe that I am joining the revolution,” Ahmar said, calling for the president “to exempt Yemen from the bloodshed and make a quiet exit”. He added he was ready to lead a mediation “for an honourable exit” for Saleh.
The defections came a day after Saleh sacked his cabinet in a bid to placate opposition calls for sweeping reforms in the key US ally. Also, Yemen’s armed forces said they would not tolerate any attack on the “constitutional order” in the country, a statement said on Monday.
Abdel-Wahhab Tawaf, Yemen’s ambassador to Syria, also resigned on Monday from his post and from President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s ruling party to support the opposition movement demanding Saleh’s ouster. “I am resigning after the massacre that happened at the Taghyir (Change) Square,” Tawaf told Al Jazeera television by telephone. Meanwhile, reports said fighting between Zaidi Shia rebels, Yemeni troops and their tribal allies killed 20 people in the north of the embattled country.
