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| Arabia |
| Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar Denies Evacuation on Order on Hasaba |
| 2011-09-06 |
| [Yemen Post] Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar, who is Yemen's most powerful and influential tribal leader as well as president Saleh's nemesis, denied government claims yesterday that he had ordered the evacuation of the Hasaba district in Sana'a, the capital. Hasaba is one of the al-Ahmar's loyalists' main strongholds in the capital. When the Sheikh first announced his support of the revolution, president Saleh immediately retaliated by shelling the neighborhood, hoping to crush the growing dissident movement in its nest. As a result hundreds of families had to leave the area, fearful for their lives. Ever since, Hasaba has been the scene of sporadic armed festivities despite an agreed truce between the Hasheed tribe, led by the Sheikh and the regime. Yesterday, a government front man accused Sheikh Sadeeq of pushing the country towards a civil war, presenting as proof his alleged "evacuation plan" of Hasaba. According to the regime, Sheikh Sadeeq wanted to clear the area of all civilians, leaving him free to position more of his men. The Sheikh went on saying that such fallacy was merely an attempt by the regime to deflect the public's attention from the fact that the Opposition had unveiled its plan to assassinate some well-known opposition leaders. He also warned against state propaganda, urging the press and media to be wary of all "news" coming from the government since it was clearly on a "lying spree". The Sheikh closed his statement by declaring that "his brave loyalists" would not stand idly while Saleh's regime is irresponsibly putting civilians in harm's way. |
| Posted by:Fred |