HODEIDAH, Yemen: Residents in Hodeidah, a sea-port city west of Sana'a, Yemen's capital, has been ringing the alarm bell for some time now, reporting the increasing arrival of military cargo ships bound for the capital as the regime is allegedly gearing up for a potential armed confrontation with its opponents. Some revolutionaries are said to be convinced that Saleh is planning an overthrow of the new government to establish his son, Ahmed Ali as the next new president, despite having signed the power-transfer deal. “It would not be the first time he si [Saleh] signs an agreement and then refuse to apply it or lay a trick on people…this is his trademark. This regime is so corrupt that there is no limit to its treachery,” said Ali Hussein Ansi. Hodaidah is now determined to prevent further convoys to reach Sana'a, as they say they refuse to allow their town to become a tool against the revolution. As protesters continue to march throughout the city carrying, banners read: “The prevention of the smuggling of weapons from Hodeida is a national, religious and moral duty.” On Wednesday, the protesters vowed to end the smuggling by holding strikes in front of Hodeida harbor. They also called for Saleh to be put on trial and chanted slogans that read: “You will be tried; treacherous [Saleh]” and “Wait tyrant… justice is coming.” Military sources revealed under cover of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information that the Defense Ministry had been importing weapons and ammunitions from the Soviet countries for several months, looking at replenishing their stocks and strike capacity. Tribes loyal to the revolution however managed to hinder the regime's movements by preventing trucks to pass through their territories. “They were able to pass the first weapons shipments from Hodeida to Sana'a but later tribesmen stopped them,” the source said. BM
