Monday, March 30, 2015

FAILING STATE - Yemen Government Collapses, What's Next

"Yemen’s government collapses after rebels offer bounty for President Hadi" PBS NewsHour 3/25/2015

JUDY WOODRUFF (NewsHour):  Now to the chaos in Yemen, which seems to be growing with each passing hour, with questions of who’s in control.

The last vestiges of Yemen’s government crumbled as Shiite Houthi rebels advanced on Aden.  The pro-American president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, had taken refuge there, but the Houthis offered $100,000 for his capture, and local officials said he fled on a boat.

Hadi’s foreign minister, speaking from Egypt, disputed that report.

RIAD YASSIN, Foreign Minister, Yemen (through interpreter):  Until now, Aden is still standing.  The president is still in Aden, and he is trying as hard as possible to withstand.

JUDY WOODRUFF:  In Washington, the State Department said only that Hadi has left the presidential palace.

JEN PSAKI, State Department Spokeswoman:  He is no longer at his residence, which you have seen in reporting, but we can certainly confirm.  I’m not in a position to confirm any additional details from here about his location.

JUDY WOODRUFF:  The Houthi advance was aided by fighters loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in 2011.  The rebels now control the capital, Sanaa, and have spread south and west.  Their advance, with Iran’s apparent support, prompted Saudi Arabia to station forces along its border with Yemen.

“Victory to the revolution,” they cried. “Victory to the south.”

As the rebels cheered today, Hadi’s aides formally asked the Sunni Arab states to come to his aid.


"Who will fill Yemen’s power vacuum?" PBS NewsHour 3/25/2015

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  In Yemen, Houthi Shiite rebels now control the capital, have spread south and west, and are making an advance on Aden, driving out President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi.  Who will rise to power and how does the turmoil affect the region?  Leslie Campbell of the National Democratic Institute joins Judy Woodruff to offer analysis.



"Yemen chaos takes another sharp turn with Saudi airstrikes" PBS NewsHour 3/26/2015

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  In Yemen’s capital Sanaa, people awoke overnight to explosions as Saudi jets bombarded military targets.  The goal of the operation, which killed at least 18 civilians, was to drive out Shiite Houthi rebels who have taken over much of the country.  Iran, key supporter of the Houthis, denounced the strikes.  Judy Woodruff reports.

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