Aden Press has reported that sources say Yemeni Ambassador to Austria, Ahmed Alwan Mulhi al Alwani, has abandoned his post and is requesting political asylum in “a European country.” A source also claims that the Ambassador has plans to join the southern opposition abroad, as he is originally from Aden.
عاجل : معلومات عن هروب سفير اليمن بالنمسا الى عاصمة أوربية وطلبه اللجوء السياسي
Interesting. Al Gore got the same award last year. No prize money…they get a trohpy made from recycled metal. yeah!
Climate Change Links 2008 Champions of the Earth Award Winners
Green achievers from Bangladesh to New Zealand will be honoured at international award ceremony in April in Singapore
Nairobi, 28 January 2008- From protecting the unique biodiversity of Yemen’s islands to piloting climate-proofing strategies in Sudan and boosting conservation in Barbados, the 2008 Champions of the Earth are making their mark across the planet.
So it had nothing to do with security, nor the status of al Badawi in Yemeni custody…only the refusal of Yemen to extradite. This explanation would be convenient for Yemen, as the constitution prohibits extradition – it allows them to throw up their hands and say its not their fault, they’re bound by the constitution. The U.S. went into the extradition “negotiations” knowing they would be denied all along. It would be silly to use that as an excuse – unless its masking other reasons…like security or PR.
“Forum for Future” was never canceled for security reasons: official source
SANA’A, Jan. 28 (Saba)- Official source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied on Monday media reports that ” the US government informed Yemen about the cancellation of holding “Forum for the Future” in Sana’a and decided to hold it in another Arab country due to security reasons”.
An excellent article from the NYT…Very balanced. I am happy that the author discusses the generational differences between the old Afghan-trained al Qaeda (which I call AQ-Yemen A) and the new Iraqi, Zarqawi inspired generation (AQ-Yemen Z). Almost all of the AQ-Yemen A has been killed, quelled or allied with the government. Al Badawi is from the old generation, as is AAIA leader-at-large Khalid abdul Nabi who has been rumored to be fighting Zaidis in the north.
The suicide bombing of the Spaniards this summer was AQ-Yemen Z…but you will notice that the article makes no mention of the recent attack on the Belgians in Hadhramout – even though al Qaeda has reported claimed responsibility for the act. This is a good call by the author as, if it was al Qaeda, there is no indication which al Qaeda it was. Despite sharing a similar target, the attacks happened in a different locations, and the Hadhramout attack was significantly less sophisticated, and less sensational than the suicide bombing – which argues that it may not have been the same individuals. Although the threat was carried out in an official AQ e-zine, the claim of responsibility was was called into al-Wasat paper – somewhat dubious. Additionally, Al-Wasat has had similar communications with an AQ member with information on al Badawi (AQ-Yemen A) and the Aden-Abyan Islamic Army in the past.
For all these reasons, I am not comfortable attributing the attack, with confidence, to AQ-Yemen Z, if it was actually al Qaeda at all.
The article also features friend of the Empty Quarter Gregory Johnsen.
Yemen’s Deals With Jihadists Unsettle the U.S.
SANA, Yemen – When the Yemeni authorities released a convicted terrorist of Al Qaeda named Jamal al-Badawi from prison last October, American officials were furious. Mr. Badawi helped plan the attack on the American destroyer Cole in 2000, in which 17 American sailors were killed.
I don’t know how true this rumor is, but Yemeni discussion boards have been discussing a growing tension between two sons of the late Sheikh of Sheikhs Abdullah al Ahmar – Hamid and Sadiq. Over the last year or so, Hamid has made a name for himself within “the reform wing of the reform party” – Openly campaigning for presidential opposition JMP candidate Faisal bin Shamlan, and leading the party into a number of confrontations with the GPC. A biographical (and somewhat adulatory) article can be found here. Sadiq, on the other hand is known for his tribal inclinations and will appeal to the more traditionalist element of the party. He is also thought to be more radically religious, and is linked to jihadist AQ/AAIA figures.
If the rumours are true, and there is indeed disagreement within the party, this would be a very good development for the GPC and Ali Abdullah Saleh – who stands to gain from any Islah weakness.
The only reason I bring up the rumor, is that such a conflict between the two brothers is quite possible, if not now, in the future. Islah is not a uniform party, but a coalition of interests, which, without a strong, commanding central figure like Abdullah al Ahmar, will be easy to fracture – the brothers may eventually come to symbolize those competing interest. Thus far, it appears that Hamid has been acquiescing, and the party has been moving closer to its tribal wing – but the reform wing will only bend so far.
A rally of “tens of thousands” of Hashid tribal members reportedly shouted slogans calling for Sadiq al Ahmar, the eldest son of former tribal Sheik Abdullah al Ahmar, to take his fathers place as leader of the Hashid tribal alliance. According to al Sahwa.net, participants said that they wanted to “walk with him in advancing Yemeni tribes and contributing to the advancement of the homeland.”
Alsahwa reported that for his part, Sadiq said he intends to “follow the path of his father in alleviating injustice from the people, pursuing reform, and observing the Islamic Sharia program.”
UPDATE: YT has it in English.
Despite what the government claimed after that attack, the shooting of the Belgians seems to have had major ramifications for those in the tourism industry in Hadhramout. This only makes sense. If the government itself hasn’t restricted travel permission to the region, Embassies, foreign businesses and NGOs most likely have…at least for the time being. I don’t know why the Ministry of Tourism expects us to believe that the attack had no ill effects – insulting our intelligence.
Hadramout attack on tourists severely affected tourism in Yemen
Al Mukalla is a beautiful city and has serious tourism potential. It is also the main ports used in sea trips to Socotra, which Yemen is really trying to develop for tourism.
Yemen, WB discuss establishing new seaport in Hadramout
This story has been in the Yemeni press for a few days now…good to see it was finally picked up by an English paper. From the other reports, it sounded like Seche was trying to explain to the sheikhs how his personal belief carries no weight in an independent judiciary…its not surprising that they didn’t understand.
Maybe we’ll see problems with the Physicians, just like the teachers’ and student’s unions. Funny how Thamer accused Islah of undermining the “unification” of the medical trade unionists…old habit I suppose. I don’t really question the veracity of the accusation – its more of a kettle v. pot issue in my opinion.
Physicians chairman discloses attempt by Islah to rig elections
The Rub' al Khali, or the "Empty Quarter" in English, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula, including southern Saudi Arabia, and areas of Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers some 250,000 square miles and is one of the most inhospitable places on earth, and entirely uninhabitable.
Yemen News
The Empty Quarter 