President Ali Abdullah Saleh unexpectedly returned to Yemen on Friday after three months in Saudi Arabia, calling for a ceasefire between his supporters and opponents after five days of fierce fighting in the capital.
Saleh’s reappearance raised big questions over the future of the fractious Arabian Peninsula state, which has been paralysed by protests against his 33-year rule since January. Violence in the capital Sanaa exploded earlier this week, when a months-old standoff between loyalist troops and forces backing anti-Saleh protesters turned into a full-blown military showdown that killed more than 100 people in five days.
The country, one of the region’s poorest, also faces a worsening insurgency by al Qaeda, an uneasy truce with Shi’ite fighters in the north and separatism in the south.
Moments after state television’s announcement of his return from Saudi Arabia, where he had been recovering from severe burns received during an assassination attempt, the capital’s streets erupted with bursts of gunfire and fireworks. Shelling was also taking place in the capital’s Hasaba district. Saleh called for a ceasefire so that talks could be held.
“The solution is not in the mouths of rifles and guns, it is in dialogue and stopping bloodshed,” the defence ministry quoted Saleh as saying. But many Yemenis saw his return as an attempt to rally for war and said they now expected more bloodshed.
His return sharply divided Yemenis, with supporters joyfully predicting that he could restore order, and opponents saying they feared his presence would unleash bloodshed.
“I’m so excited,” said Akram al-Aghbari, a doorman. “He is an honourable and great man. I know he’s coming to stop this terrible violence. People here without him only know how to rule with weapons, but with him back, just you watch: he will return the country to what it was.”
Abdulghani al-Iryani, a political analyst and co-founder of the Democratic Awakening Movement, said violence lay ahead. “This is an ominous sign. Returning at a time like this probably signals he intends to use violence to resolve this. This is dangerous,” he said. “His people will feel that they are in a stronger position and they will refuse to compromise. Basically this means the political process is dead in the water.”
“LOVE RETURNED”: Supporters were ecstatic. Radio stations blared celebratory music and thousands gathered at a pro-Saleh rally waving flags, beating drums and honking horns. A newsflash on Yemen TV warned people not to fire into the air in celebration in case stray bullets hit bystanders.
