SANA'A: Yemen government officials announced on Tuesday, the very day of the presidential elections and on the eve of President Ali Abdullah's return that the committee in charge of investigating the presidential compound attack last year had completed its inquiries and was now seeking to indict Sheikh Hameed al-Ahmar, Sheikh Hashim al-Ahmar, Sheikh Mathaj al-Ahmar, Abdel Wahab Anesi and Mohamed Aledoma. Back in June 2011, amidst a violent popular uprising, President Saleh was directly targeted in a bomb attack against his presidential compound while he was performing the weekly Friday prayer. The blast ravaged the mosque, killing several dignitaries, amongst whom senior advisor to the President, Abdel Azeez Abdelghani and injuring scores more. President Saleh and some of his closest allies were severely hurt in the explosion and had to seek medical treatment abroad. This is when President Saleh was forced to depart for Saudi Arabia where he underwent 8 consecutives operations and remained for several months in order to recover. Upon his return to the nation, Saleh vowed to take those responsible to justice, whoever they might be as he said such an act of terrorism against the state would not go unpunished. The ruling party and Saleh's loyalists immediately pointed the finger at Sheikh al-Ahmar's family and the leaders of al-Islah party, the Yemeni Islamic faction. For years, al-Ahmar family, headed by Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar proved to be Saleh's toughest opponent as they not only had great political power through their party, al-Islah, but are also a tribal force to be reckoned with since they head the mighty Hasheed confederation of tribes. An army and a political force, al-Ahmar could rage war on the government if it chooses to. Last year's violence in the northern districts of the capital, which are under their control, proved how military well-equipped they are and how much resistance they could present if necessary. Only minutes after the attack on the presidential palace, mortar shells were launched directly against al-Ahmar's residences in Sana'a, in an act of self-defense claimed the government. For hours, the capital shook under the force of the explosions and gunshots, with residents scrambling for safety. Only Saudi King Abdullah managed to enact a truce in between the two warring factions, as the international community feared Yemen would implode into civil war. Detractors of the regime have claimed for several months that by accusing al-Ahmars and al-Islah's main leaders, Saleh was merely seeking revenge against his political nemesis rather than truly seeking justice. “It is a personal vendetta. Saleh feels those men cost him his presidency and he wants to make sure before he leaves that they will no benefit from his fall in grace. The move is dangerous since those men have a formidable army at their disposal, a trial would re-ignite an armed conflict and this time it would be to the death,” a member of the coalition government under cover of anonymity told Bikyamasr.com. Al-Ahmar's brothers, Abdel Wahab Anesi and Mohamed Aledoma are all accused of planning and launching a terrorist attack against the person of the president and the Yemeni government as well as inciting violence and bloodshed. If found guilty, the accused face the death penalty. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/D9DtL Tags: Ahmar, Attack, Saleh, Trial, Violence Section: Latest News, Yemen
