AMRAN, 30 Jul -- Backed by most of the tribes in Harf Sufian, the Houthi rebels advanced steadily last week, gaining momentum and more territories and shattering the prospects for peace in the war-ravaged northern region of Harf Sufian, Marib Press website said in an analysis of the recent events in the north.  Sheik Saqer Bin Aziz and his tribesmen loyal to the government were forced out of the region allowing the insurgents full control of the government’s stronghold of al-Amashiyah district hence the rebels consolidated their sway over the borders with Hashid tribes.  Is Hashid now the target of the rebels?  What is next for the Houthis now that they are 100 kilometers away from Sanaa?  Bin Aziz and his tribes fought pitched battles with the rebels for four months waiting for government aid but it never came.  What happened to him had happened to many tribal chieftains who allied with the government in its war with the rebels in the north but he was the government’s last ally in the region.  Was he a common enemy for both the rebels and the state?  Why was he forsaken and why did the regime break its pledges to support him?

President Saleh with Qatari Emir on 13 July 2010 SANAA, 13 Jul -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh Tuesday told a news conference after a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Thani “there will be no new war in the north,” the state official Saba news agency reported, adding “this is inconceivable and totally unacceptable.”  Tension has been mounting between the government troops and Shiite rebels as both sides traded accusations despite a complementary agreement reached late June to revive the peace accord and the President said “Sanaa is keen to establish peace and security in Sadaa and there are no indicators for a seventh war,” adding “what has been implemented so far is good and the Houthis will start Wednesday implementing the six-point truce including the withdrawal from districts” currently under their control and “will hand everything over to local authorities.”

Oil Minister Ameer al-Aidrous SANAA, 09 Jul -- Oil Minister, Ameer al-Aidrous Friday invited oil companies worldwide to explore Yemen’s oil and gas reserves in 50 new blocks, the state official Saba news agency reported.  The minister said “this invitation is open to all oil companies in the world and designed to expand oil and gas explorations in light of a new competition list approved by the Cabinet,” adding “the Cabinet has granted the ministry of oil the right to negotiate directly with international companies that possess proven expertise in the field of oil exploration and production.”

SANAA, 09 Jul -- The Saudi-owned London-based al-Hayat newspaper Friday cited ‘informed’ sources as saying “there is an on-going dispute between al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan and the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) over money,” adding “though both agree on the main strategies, they differ as to which branch should have financial priorities.”  The sources said al-Qaeda in Yemen “is increasingly in need of cash to support its members and provide them with arms and food but the network’s leadership believes its wing in Afghanistan should have priority,” adding “these differences actuated al-Qaeda in Yemen to resort to the intelligence agency of a non-Arab regional country for support.”

SANAA, 01 June -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh Tuesday condemend in a meeting with a delegation from Hamas led by Hamas Politburo chief Khalid Meshaal Israel’s attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters off Gaza Strip saying “Yemen denounces this brutal crime committed by the Israeli forces,” adding “this is a state terrorism and a sign of Israel’s arrogance and its disdain of international law and human values.”  The President called on the Security Council to “hold accountable everyone behind this heinous crime which shouldn’t go unpunished,” and repeated Yemen’s call for an end to Gaza blockade.  Meshaal briefed the President on the situation in Palestine and efforts of reconciliation between the Palestinian factions in addition to the sufferings of Palestinians in Gaza Strip.  The meeting was attended by head of Yemen’s Islamist Congregation for Reform (Islah), Muhammad al-Yadoumi, state minister, Abdullah al-Bashiri and several state officials.

SANAA, 04 May -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh Tuesday met US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert Mueller in Sanaa to discuss cooperation in counterterrorism, the state official Saba news agency said.  Mueller praised Yemen on strikes it carried out against suspected al-Qaeda elements at the end of 2009 and the beginning of this year and said Washington was willing to expand aspects of cooperation with Sanaa and repeated his country’s support of Yemen’s stability, and security.  For his part, Saleh reiterated Yemen’s request for Yemenis being held prisoner by the United States in its military base at Guantanamo Bay either to be tried or repatriated.  The meeting was attended by Deputy Premier for Defense and Security and Local Administration Minister, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the National Security Agency, Ali Muhammad al-Anisi, Justice Minister, Dr. Ghazi al-Aghbari, Attorney General, Dr. Abdullah al-Olifi, Deputy Director of the Political Security Organization, Gen. Ali Mansour Rashid.

Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement shout slogans as they march in an anti-government protest in Radfan district in southern Yemen March 11, 2010. LAHJ, 11 March -- At least two people were killed and scores injured when security forces tried to quash a separatist protest in the southern regions of Lahj, al-Dhala and Abyan on Thursday.  The demonstrators were calling for the military to withdraw from southern cities and for the government to halt its campaign of arrests.  Rallies of sympathy were organized in the north by the opposition parties and demonstrators in the south brandished flags of former south Yemen and chanted separatist slogans.

SADAA, 02 March -- Head of a truce committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the six peace conditions set by the government with the rebels, Ali Abu-Haliqa Tuesday said “the committee has suspended its work today because al-Houthi representatives did not show up and because the Houthis did not comply with ending fortifications.”  Abu-Haliqa who was talking to News Yemen website said “it is true the Houthis have cleared posts and ended fortifications but they quickly go back to their posts,” stressing “the committee won’t resume its work until the Houthi complies with clearing checkpoints, ending fortifications and his representative is permanently present during field visits,” adding “the committee is making slow steps because of that.”  Other truce committees continue work in the border area and in Harf Sufian region.  Meanwhile, the rebels said in a statement posted on their website they cleared 12 posts and removed checkpoints in Damaj area southeast of Sadaa city,” adding “nine other posts in al-Mahader area were cleared in addition to clearing three posts at al-Quba area.  Government buildings and facilities were also cleared while 23 checkpoints in the district of Hidah were removed.”  The statement said “the total number of checkpoints removed since the war stopped is 105,” adding “roads were re-opened on Tuesday in al-Jawf province.”

ABYAN, 21 Dec -- Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen Monday told a rally in al-Mahfid district in Abyan that their war was with the United States and not the Yemeni army.  The rally was held at a suspected al-Qaeda training camp to protest the killing of dozens of civilians in government raids last Thursday and one militant told the crowd: “Soldiers, you should know that there is no problem between us and you.  Our problem is with America and its agents.”

A helicopter flies over the district of Arhab in the Sanaa province after security forces carried out operations against Al-Qaeda suspects on December 17, 2009 in the area SANAA, 17 Dec -- Yemeni forces, backed by airstrikes, killed at least 28 al-Qaeda militants and captured 17 others Thursday in a pre-dawn assault on an alleged training camp in the southern village of al-Majala in Abyan province and in other areas. State media said the operation targeted militants planning suicide bomb attacks against Yemeni and foreign sites, including schools amid reports several civilians were also killed and homes destroyed according to witnesses.

SANAA, 14 Dec -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh Monday directed the Shoura Council to organize “a serious and responsible dialogue on December 26 between all political and social powers and civil society organizations in Yemen,”

SANAA, 13 Dec -- In a meeting headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the National Defense Council Sunday approved a call by the President to hold a national conference for dialogue on December 26, the state official news agency, S

Tribal chief and business tycoon Hameed al-Ahmar has tremendous influence on Islah SANAA, 24 Oct -- In a statement published on its official website, the General Committee of the ruling General People’s Congress (GPC) Saturday condemned the latest communique of Yemen’s Islamist Congregation for Reform (Islah) dubbing it