Yemen’s Saleh Narrowly Avoids Death, Civil war Looms

Yemeni president for life Ali Abdullah Saleh nearly reached the end of his term on Friday, when rockets slammed into the mosque where he was praying in congregation. His prime minister was wounded and 4 others were killed, and he suffered some flesh wounds, later coming on t.v. to deny rumors that he had been killed. The rockets may have been fired by members of the Hashed tribe loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, whose compound has itself come under government attack. Friday’s events may have been retaliation. There are fears that those tribes loyal to Saleh and those loyal to al-Ahmar are increasingly falling into civil war.

Tim Lister at CNN explains why Yemen’s fate matters to Americans.

Here’s a simpler way to do it. Google around and find out what comes to Europe and the US through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Then imagine trying to live without it, or with 10% less of it.

Eurovision reports on Saleh’s near death experience.

Aljazeera English also reports:

And here for an interview with a Yemeni opposition leaders: