The crisis in Yemen is more significant than Libya, according to analysts
A crisis in Yemen is rapidly escalating, according to a Stratfor intelligence bulletin. The already deeply fractious country is reportedly at risk of a civil war.
A stand-off centred on the presidential palace is taking place between security forces in the capital city of Sanaa while embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh continues to resist stepping down, claiming that the “majority of Yemeni people” support him, according to the bulletin.
The turning point in Yemen occurred on March 18 when tens of thousands of protestors came under a heavy crackdown that reportedly left some 46 people dead and hundreds wounded, claimed the analysts.
Stratfor claimed that the Yemen crisis has greater strategic consequences that the Libya situation, which is dominating headlines.
“Saudi Arabia is already facing the threat of an Iranian destabilization campaign in eastern Arabia and has deployed forces to Bahrain in an effort to prevent Shiite unrest from spreading”, said Texas based Stratfor.
“With a second front now threatening the Saudi underbelly, the situation in Yemen is becoming one that the Saudis can no longer leave on the backburner.”
