President Saleh’s return creates controversy among Yemenis

By Shuaib M. Al-Mosawa

Source: Yemen Observer

It was on early Friday morning when Yemenis were woken by heavy gunfire in the air across the country to later know the news of the return of their president. President Ali Abdullah Saleh was flied to Saudi Arabia for treatment of severe burns sustained by a June botched assassination attempt at his compound and Yemenis had believed they had seen the last of Saleh.

GCC mediators, who brokered a deal in May to end the political crisis, failed on September 22 to end a weak of rivals fighting which left around 100 people killed, including protesters. Hameed al-Ahmar, a powerful businessman and a leader of the dominant Islah party, who threw their weight behind the protest wave, refused to meet the GCC Secretary General, Abdullatif al-Zayani, and asked him to leave immediately, a request al-Zayani accepted and left at night. He also demanded through his TV channel, Suhail, the Yemeni people to boycott Saudi products and accused Al-Saud of supporting Saleh’s regime.

Saudi Arabia long financial and political support for al-Ahmar family of the Hashid tribe got lukewarm after leaked documents showed on early September that one of al-Ahmar family received money from the Libyan regime in order to destabilize the security of Saudi Arabia. Upon his arrival, Saleh called for a truce and was quoted as saying, “I return to the nation carrying the dove of peace and the olive branch.” President Saleh’s opponents, shocked by the sudden return and also indicted for the June assassination attempt, fear his return will spark a civil war.

However, many among his opponents still have some hope that President Saleh will help in ending the crisis in peace.

While President Saleh’s return shocked opponents, supporters expressed their joys, and were optimistic the destabilized security situation would be restored.

Abdullah al-Hadrami said he had expected President Saleh’s return: “The opposition had exaggerated its hopes and regarded the terrorist attack [on Saleh’s compound] a revolutionary act. Then it talked about a program to eradicate the remnants of the regime; now the entire regime has come back.”

Nabeel Abdurab, a journalist, said that though President Saleh’s return would upset youth protesters demanding an end to his rule, President Saleh still an important factor in the political impasse. “If the opposition regards President Saleh’s signature [on the GCC deal] as a part of the solution, then his return was a crucial. Signing the deal from Riyadh would constitute an offence for all Yemenis. President Saleh is still part of Yemen and part of its history as well.”

Tareq al-Zuraiqi, a 25 year-old from Lahj province, said that in spit of the fact that his father has expelled him out of the house for supporting President Saleh, he remains “steadfast” and optimistic of President Saleh’s return. He said his father expelled him from the House for his advocacy of President Saleh. “He came back to his hometown and his country,” al-Zuraiqi said upon Saleh’s return,”he is a brave man, braver than those [opponents] and will maintain order. I would say to opponents, your insults to President Saleh will increase our determination and resolve. We will remain with him even if that would lead to hell.”

Opponents, however, sees that President return will disappoint their hope of ousting the regime and also spark a civil war. Fares al-Sakaf, who resigned as Head of General Authority for Book over crackdown on protesters, said to al-Tagheer news website, that President Saleh’s return surprised all and did not promise a way out. “Had he wanted to end the crisis,” al-Sakaf said, “he would have done it from there [Saudi Arabia].”

Yemeni social media platforms also discussed Saleh’s return with both supporters and opponents expressing their arguments. On his Facebook page, Khaled al-Nuzaily, a supporter of President Saleh, posted a video song celebrating Saleh’s return. The subject generated 30 comments, with 22 happy with President Saleh’s return. Commentator Ameer al-Mas (Prince Diamond), said: “Can you believe it! The satanic brotherhood party [Islah Party] is still denying the president’s return. They have gone insane.”

On its news website, the pan-Arab TV news channel, Al-Arabiya, quoted AFP news agency as saying President Saleh called for a truce after his arrival early on September 23 to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict and called all political parties for a ceasefire. It said that President Saleh returned as rivals engaged in confrontations that left more than 100 killed since September 18.

The site correspondent said Al-Ahmar family gunmen engaged in armed clashes overnight with government forces in Al-Hasabah district of al-Ahmar family.

The subject generated 282 comments. One-hundred thirty-seven commentators expressed great delight in Saleh’s return, praising his wisdom and bravery, and threatening that their leader would cleanse all “traitors of Al-Ahmars.” Reader Shofo Al-Jabal Waqif Wala Hazitah Reeh (Behold That Mountain Amid Winds Still Strong, a part of a recent popular song for Saleh), said: “Thank God for your safety. He is back to delight our hearts, lighten the country, and cleanse it from every envious and hateful person. God had mercy on the Yemeni people by bringing the wise leader back to stop bloodshed, oppression, and fear. You will always remain lofty over time. Congratulations for all Yemeni people.”

Seventy-seven readers opposed Saleh’s return and maintained to oust “the remnants of the regime.” Reader mehadi said: “Why they don’t want to leave? I don’t get it…but they want more and more... hungry for power over their own people. They play tough on their own but they’re otherwise on others.”

Three readers opposed both the regime and the opposition groups. Reader Akhokum Al-Yemeni (Your Yemeni Brother), said: “hey Al-Ahmar tribe, it’s not a manhood to fight in populated areas. Find other place to settle old score.”