SANA'A: Although several foreign officials congratulated themselves on the peaceful transition of power which they engineered in Yemen, hailing it as an example to be replicated across the region, the UN Security Council expressed serious concerns over a breakdown in security in the war-torn nation, warning that certain political figures were putting the entire power-transfer structure at risk by road blocking national dialogue and preventing the country's infrastructure reconstruction. When, after a year of violent and often bloody popular uprising President Ali Abdullah Saleh eventually agreed to ink a GCC brokered power-transfer initiative in the presence of Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh, the international community breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that Saleh's resignation would herald an era of stability for Yemen. The poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen holds in many ways the keys to the entire region's security and economic welfare. Situated strategically in between Africa and Asia, Yemen sits on the world's oil route. A surge in terrorist activities in the Horn of Africa and Yemen's southern provinces underscored the importance of Yemen in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia suddenly realizing that it could not afford to maintain the country in such a state of poverty and instability. Upon signature of the agreement it was decided that while President Saleh would leave power for good he would be granted alongside loyalists and family members, immunity from future prosecution, upon the condition that he would refrain from further political involvement in the country. But more importantly all parties agreed that new President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi would oversee the restructuring of the army, which was largely under the control of Saleh. A few months after the presidential elections and many promises, Hadi has yet to fulfill his oath and remove from power Saleh's sons and nephews. Interestingly, the US is actually fighting to maintain the remnants of the regime in place as it argues that they are best positioned to fight off al-Qaeda fighters. Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, Saleh's eldest son and Head of the Republican Guards as well as Yehia Mohamed Saleh, a nephew and Head of the Central Security Forces were both the recipients of several hundreds of millions of dollars throughout the past decade as the Pentagon saw to train and arm the troops in their fight against Islamic militants. Now that communication between old political rivals is breaking down amidst more terrorist attacks in the southern region of Yemen the UNSC is said to be concerned. “The Security Council expresses concern at the recent deterioration in cooperation among political actors and the risks this poses to the transition,” the 15-nation panel said in a statement. “The Security Council expresses its strong concern about intensified terrorist attacks.” Over the past few weeks security and political analysts warned that Saleh's loyalists and al-Islah, the main block of the Opposition led by al-Ahmars, the regime's most vehement detractors as well as powerful tribal leaders were preparing for a military stand-off, recruiting hundreds of new recruits. “Saleh and al-Ahmar are preparing for war. In all villages north of Sana'a under the control of al-Ahmar recruiters are patrolling to seek new soldiers, offering money as an incentive. Kids as young as 16 are enrolled without any question being ask. Families are in such poverty that they are willing to turn a blind eye. Saleh is doing the very same thing,” said Ali al-Sofi, a security consultant. Al-Sofi added that a surge in tribal violence over recent weeks led him to believe that a meltdown was not far away. “The central government is losing ground fast. Only the capital remains under its control, at least in parts as the northern districts are pretty much only answering to Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar. This apparent calm is very deceptive. If you pay attention you will notice that once again tribal leaders are taking upon themselves to render justice and seek retributions for their people…this is dangerous. Yemen is reverting to its pre-Republic era, with the tribes back in the center of it all.” To make matters worse, Yemen is still facing dissident fighters in the North with growing suspicions that Iran is arming al-Houthis, a Shia rebel group seeking a break from the Republic, as it seeks to establish a stronghold in the region to counteract the KSA's political hegemony in the region, as well as secessionists in the South and al-Qaeda. But Yemen troubles do not end at political drama, the country has been reeling from its worst economic, industrial and social crisis in decades with 5 million of its people suffering from food insecurities. “The Security Council notes the formidable economic and social challenges confronting Yemen, which have left many Yemenis in acute need of humanitarian assistance,” read the UNSC report.
