Troubled Situation in Critical Yemen
“Troubled Situation in Critical Yemen”
Middle East Times
http://www.metimes.com/International/2008/09/22/troubled_situation_in_critical_yemem/2062/
Summary:
Jihadists encourage their follower to use suicide bombing violence during Ramadan. Many Muslims are fearful of attacks this month because Ramadan is in September. Al-Qaida are said to have been behind two attacks, one of which was in Pakistan and the other in Yemen.
In 2003 Yemen and al-Qaida set up a non-aggression pact together but at the of this year, the deal ended. Despite the fact that Yemeni authorities are trying to fight the revival of the al-Qaida, they tried to attack the U.S. embassy in March but this time their attack was successful. There have been some successes, however; an escaped al-Qaida leader, Hamza al-Quayti, was killed, along with a couple followers, by Yemeni security. This group was responsible for an attack on some tourists, and another attack that wounded 17. They were also planning an attack against oil instillations, but were stopped. They were also planning to hijack oil vessels.
The in-fighting between several tribes has also recently been threatening the security and stability of Yemen. A minority group, the Shiite Huthis have been carrying out attacks on the regime of president Ali Abdallah Saleh whom they accuse “of selling the country to the U.S. and Israel.” Now Yemen officials have to deal with battles between the Sunnis of al-Qaida and the pro-Iranian Shiites.
How could this situation affect the people of the region?
The people of Yemen now are on high alert for suicide attacks and this is a dangerous environment/situation for them to be in. these attacks are disrespectful and undermine the sacred religious tradition of Ramadan. This could cause hard feelings and even violence toward different groups. An possible escalation in fighting will lead to more death and destruction. It is feasible that a war may break out between the Sunnis of al-Qaida and the pro-Iranian Shiites. It is even possible that, with more provocation from al-Qaida, the U.S. will have no choice but to attack them.
How could this situation affect the rest of the world?
The United States could be threatened if the al-Qaida carry out another attack against a place like the embassy. There are also American tourists and workers in Yemen who may be threatened. Is the violence escalates further, the United Sates or another nation could possibly be forced to send troops to help out in Yemen. Other minority groups in other countries may take lead from those in Yemen and start to revolt if it was seen that the minorities in Yemen were making considerable progress in their plight.
Filed under: Week of September 22-26, Zoe
