FIGHTING RAGED yesterday between troops and dissident tribesmen in Taiz, Yemen’s second city, as the government rejected an opposition proposal to prepare for the transition from the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and for the election of his replacement.
His spokesmen said no decisions on Yemen’s future could be taken until he returned from Saudi Arabia where he is receiving medical treatment for wounds received in a rocket attack on his palace.
In the southern coastal town of Zinjibar near Aden, at least 15 people were killed in fighting between troops and al-Qaeda fighters.
Sources in the Saleh camp claim surgery to remove shrapnel or slivers of wood from his chest has been successful but, since he is also believed to have burns over 40 per cent of his body, his return to Yemen could be delayed, risking countrywide conflagration.
Although vice president Abu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi became temporary head of state following the departure of Mr Saleh, he has refused to assert himself in spite of strong pressure from the US and EU to initiate what US secretary of state Hillary Clinton called an “immediate transition” to a new regime.
The president’s son, Ahmed Saleh, commander of the republican guard and heir apparent, is thought to have assumed power. His position is bolstered by the president’s nephews, who hold key security posts and are in charge of tens of thousands of well armed troops.
The main rival of the Saleh family is the Ahmar clan. Its chief, Sadeq al-Ahmar, defected to the protesters, while his brother Hamid al-Ahmar, a wealthy businessman, is seen as a potential candidate for president.
Troops loyal to Mr Saleh have been fighting armed Ahmar tribesmen in the capital Sanaa since last week. Analysts warn that there could be full-scale civil war between Mr Saleh’s son and the Ahmars if the succession struggle is protracted.
Gen Ali Mohsen, the president’s half-brother and commander of the first armoured division, is a third possible competitor. His troops shifted to the anti-Saleh camp in March. Said to be the most powerful military man in the country, he might have to battle both Salehs and Ahmars for the top job.
The opposition coalition composed of Muslim fundamentalists, tribal elements and socialists could be sidelined if war erupts between any combination of these forces.
In Bahrain, meanwhile, nearly 50 doctors and nurses have been denied access to their lawyers preparing their defence against charges levelled as a result of the kingdom’s March uprising.
The medical staff claim they were tortured into signing false confessions, allegations denied by the authorities. Last month, the prosecution proposed charges of embezzlement of public funds, assault, illegal possession of weapons and refusal to perform their duties, putting lives at risk.
An official said lawyers would be permitted to confer with clients before the next hearing on June 13th, when charges will be read.
Thirty-eight of the 48 medical workers are in prison. Lawyers expect sentences of 10-20 years for some. However, defendants believe they could be freed if next month’s dialogue with dissidents proposed by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa is fruitful.
Hundreds of Shias have been referred for trial due to the protests, four have been sentenced to death for killing two policemen and nine others have been imprisoned for 20 years for kidnapping a policeman.
The interior ministry announced that Shia protesters have been jailed in a new round of arrests for chanting anti-government slogans during clashes erupting at religious processions on Sunday.
The violence occurred less than a week after martial law had been repealed by the ruling Sunni minority regime seeking to encourage Formula One motor racing officials to reinstate kingdom’s grand prix, postponed from March to October due to Shia unrest.
Human rights organisations have sharply criticised the rein- statement of Bahrain as host of the event because of its harsh treatment of Shia dissidents demanding equal rights with Sunnis, an end to corruption and reform.
