A new conflict in the Middle East with the threat of a civil war in Yemen 2203113

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Defense News - Yemen
 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 07:17 PM

 
A new conflict in the Middle-East, with the threat of a civil war in Yemen.
 
 
The disputed president Ali Abdallah Saleh warned Tuesday March 22, 2011, against the risks of a civil war in Yemen, tanks of rival units are deployed in strategic points of the capital Sanaa.
     
The disputed president Ali Abdallah Saleh warned Tuesday March 22, 2011, against the risks of a civil war in Yemen, tanks of rival units are deployed in strategic points of the capital Sanaa.
Yemeni army's armoured personnel carriers M113 and soldiers are deployed
in the capital Sanaa
     

Top diplomatic and tribal allies of Ali Abdullah Saleh are also deserting him in droves but it is the military defections that are making most headlines.

Powerful general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar went on television on Monday to declare his and his unit’s support for what he called “the youths’ revolution” and its demands.

With tanks deployed at strategic points in the capital Sanaa, Yemen’s defence minister was quick to insist the army was standing by Saleh.

But, despite meeting loyalists, the president is more isolated than ever.

He sacked his cabinet after anti-government protests on Friday ended in dozens of deaths. Now Yemen’s UN representative has resigned, becoming the latest in a string of the country’s ambassadors to defect over the killings.