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Yemen

Military Committee Fails To Meet Deadlines

Sadeq Al-Wesabi Published:16-01-2012

SANA'A, Jan. 15 — The Military Committee’s plan to eradicate all armed manifestations in Sana'a and Taiz governorates has failed.

Last Wednesday, the Military Committee gave a two-day deadline to end the military presence in specific districts in Sana’a such as Al-Deiry, Hayel Street and Hasaba, stressing the importance of implementing their removal without delay. However, the new deadline passed without any progress.

Although the committee is making slow progress, many residents are satisfied with the improvement in security situation.

Osama Al-Rawhani, who lives in war-torn Hasaba, expressed his happiness about the eradication of most armed barracks from the district.

Although a few barracks and armed men remain in the area, Al-Rawhani said that the most important achievement was an end to the war and the return of normal life in the area.

On Sunday, Minister of Defense Gen. Mohammed Naser Ahmed told the Military Committee branch in Taiz to implement the regulations of the main branch in Sana’a, including an end to armed manifestations and a ban on the carrying of weapons in the city.

Adnan Al-Rajehi, a youth activist and pro-democracy protester from Taiz said that the Military Committee faces challenges and difficulties that affect its performance. He indicated that the committee didn't implement all of its goals because some parties did not cooperate.

“We should not look at the committee as a problem solver because it cannot force all parties to remove their weapons and end the armed manifestations,” he said.

Rasheed Al-Haddad, a political activist, told the Yemen Times that there is little real intention to really eradicate the military from Sana'a.

Al-Haddad, who lives in Madhbah district, said that many soldiers from Central Security and the First Armored Division are still stationed in streets and alleys.

He added that the committee is not serious about clearing the cities of barracks and armed men. "They removed the soldiers and barracks from main streets but simply transferred them to back streets," he explained.