After more than eight months of rival protests, Yemen is getting closer and closer to either a civil war or – at least – the failure to create a democratic state that would achieve the aspirations of Yemenis.
Two weeks ago, a near all-out war erupted when opposition protesters decided to take what they called “revolutionary action” and control the government offices by force in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. About 60 protesters were killed and hundreds wounded, including soldiers and security people, during three days of fierce confrontations in the heart of Sanaa between troops who had defected, supported by opposition armed tribesmen, and government forces also supported by loyal armed tribesmen. A fragile truce sponsored by a visiting United Nations envoy was reached on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
Three main groups (or rather three persons) were and are behind the political conflict, with all opposition and ruling parties and protesters in the streets divided among these three figures.
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