SANA'A: Following a violent altercation in al-Dalaimi air force base situated near Sana'a International Airport, a great many soldiers decided to rebel against the authority of General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar, former President Saleh's half-brother. The men staged a sit-in at the base, urging others to come and support them in their demands. “We are tired of being ruled by an unjust and corrupt man who steals portions of our salaries and confiscates our food and clothes allowances for his own benefit,” said an officer. Several Republican Guards units were sent yesterday to the airport to try to diffuse the situation, as Saleh's loyalists feared that an armed confrontation would lead to a total breakdown of the military, forcing soldiers to choose between loyalty to their country or their personal political beliefs. “We do not believe in our chain of command anymore, we want new leaders, honest leaders. Saleh is gone we need for his family to jump on a plane too,” said a defected soldier. Monday morning soldiers and officers of al-Dalaimi base decided to demonstrate in front of Vice-President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi's residence, threatening to establish a camp there if Hadi refuses to dismiss General al-Ahmar. As military sources pointed out, this new wave of mutiny could spread out across Yemen like wildfire threatening the very integrity of the armed forces. “With the threat of al-Qaeda being ever so present, Yemen cannot afford more defections or revolts within the military. VP Hadi needs to address the problem immediately and bring back peace…otherwise the army will break up and God knows what will happen then,” said Ali Mohsen a retired General. Revolt in al-Dulaimi prompted soldiers in al-Anad air base near Aden to rise against their general as well, calling for his departure. In Taiz, a flashpoint of the Revolution, soldiers managed after weeks of protest to oust their commander, appointing themselves a new leader, General al-Muhaya. Analysts also warned that Saleh's remaining family members could potentially worsen the situation as they continue to use repression and violence to quell any form of revolt against their authority. Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, President Saleh's eldest son and Head of the Republican Guard, ordered his troops to advance against the rebel soldiers, injuring 5. Such moves were repeated in every mutinous base, spreading outrage in the armed forces and in the Yemeni civilian population. Talking of Saleh's family, a soldier warned that “we will make them pay, if they want to end up like Gaddafi did, then be it, we will take the country by force if they are not willing to leave peacefully.” BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/D2lEk Tags: featured, Saleh Section: Latest News, Yemen
