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Yemen’s President ‘has no control’ as Iran-backed Shi’ite Houthi rebels storm palace, fire on US Embassy

Jan 20, 2015 5:06 pm By Robert Spencer

HouthiThe Shi’ite Houthi rebels have received weapons, money and training from Iran. So this represents a significant advance for Iran’s power and influence in the Middle East. What will Obama do in response to the firing on the embassy? Surrender, of course: preparations are already being made to evacuate it.

“Yemen’s President ‘has no control’ as Houthi rebels storm palace,” by Josh Levs, Nick Paton Walsh, and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN, January 20, 2015 (thanks to Pamela Geller):

(CNN)Shiite Houthi rebels overtook the presidential palace in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Tuesday, marking what a government minister called “the completion of a coup.”

“The President has no control,” Minister of Information Nadia Sakkaf told CNN as clashes raged.

President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi was thought to be in his private residence at the time — not in the palace. There were reports of clashes near the residence.

And the Prime Minister’s residence was under attack from the street, Sakkaf said.

The regime still controlled the city of Aden, and it closed the port of Aden as well as roads leading into and out of Sanaa, according to Yemeni state TV, controlled by the government.

Power vacuum could benefit terrorist group AQAP

The global stakes are high. Yemen is home to al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, the terror network linked to such attacks as the recent slaughter at French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo. AQAP also tried to blow up a plane landing in Detroit in 2009.

The battle against AQAP has helped make Yemen’s government a U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda. A power vacuum often benefits terrorist groups.

The Yemeni government has been grappling with pressure not only from the Sunni Muslim AQAP but also from Houthi militants, Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country.

“We are the victims of corruption and false promises,” Houthi rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised address on a network controlled by Houthis and based in Beirut, Lebanon. “The government did not respect the peace and partnership deal from September. We are trying to bring some legitimacy to the government.”

He complained of economic struggles and poverty.

Al-Houthi also said there is an international conspiracy to link Yemen to the attacks in Paris.

“Yemeni people have two options — to move against the foreign agendas, or stand against them firmly since they seek to spread chaos in Yemen. This is why we moved with the Yemeni people though many powers inside and outside Yemen are angered. But the Yemeni people are with us and understand our goals,” he said.

AQAP claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack, and U.S. investigators have worked on the assumption that attacker Said Kouachi met the late American terrorist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki at some point in Yemen and received orders from AQAP, a U.S. official told CNN.

Tuesday’s developments came a day after heavy fighting between government forces and Houthis left nine people dead and 67 others injured, Yemen’s Health Ministry said, before the sides agreed to a ceasefire.

Gunfire could be heard sporadically across Sanaa on Tuesday.

U.S. Embassy vehicle comes under fire

Unknown assailants fired shots Monday night at a U.S. Embassy vehicle in Sanaa, the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday.

The shooters fired first into the air and then turned the guns on the vehicle, the embassy said. The vehicle carried U.S. diplomatic personnel and was at a checkpoint near the embassy at the time. No injuries were reported.

The embassy is known to use SUVs that are recognizable as U.S. government vehicles.

Two U.S. Navy warships moved into new positions in the Red Sea late Monday to be ready to evacuate Americans from the embassy if needed, a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the planning told CNN….

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Filed Under: Al-Qaeda, Sunni-Shi'ite Jihad, Yemen Tagged With: Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, Houthi


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Comments

  1. Angemon says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    The battle against AQAP has helped make Yemen’s government a U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda.

    I can’t tell who’s worse: the Obama administration for believing that the Yemeni government is genuinely interested in fighting “extremists” or the Abdu Hadi administration for believing the US government is genuinely interested in fighting “extremists”…

    • Nick D says

      Jan 20, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Our “alliance” with the Yemeni government extends back well past Obama’s first day on the job. Making everything about politics helps nothing. All of these clowns have made false truces with deceitful, extremist regimes, in the US and in Europe.

  2. Truth says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Yeah Man, Yemen is Muslim chaos.

  3. wildjew says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    Islam is on the march in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. The Middle East is on fire. Barack Obama is expected to focus his SOTU address tonight on domestic issues, the economy, the Middle Class, etc. Meanwhile the Middle East is on fire.

    • katnis says

      Jan 20, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      I am tuning in for the State of the Union (SOTU) tonight. I bet $1000 that Obama dedicates less than three sentences to what is going on in the Middle East and the related global mayhem. He is too busy glossing over the issues.

  4. Mac-101 says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    Why da US? Doesn’t the Saudis have an interest in the Area? What dey gonna do with da BILLIONS of dollars of advanced weapons systems? Save it to kill just JEWs?

    • godwin says

      Jan 21, 2015 at 4:19 am

      No, the Saudi is more fearful of ISIS and the Houti shiites supported by Iran. It is building the great walls in the north and the south to fend off dangers from these 2 dangerous (ISIS) and mortal ( Shiites) enemies.

    • umbra says

      Jan 21, 2015 at 8:17 am

      saudis may have advance western weapons and equipment, but that does not mean they know how them properly. After all, they paid the U.S. and uk to fight both gulf wars for them while their fleet of shiny weapon systems stayed almostly entirely parked within saudi arabia.

      • Mac-101 says

        Jan 21, 2015 at 9:37 am

        Ya’d think with so many members in da Royal Family, and dey be mulitplyin “Like Rabbits, their monthly stipends are bein reduced, the Royal family would use the Military in Yemen, since it is in their strategic interest and actually learn how to fight. With their money and NEW Weapon Systems, if they were only a quarter competent they could clean house and .
        gain some military muscle along with the weapons so when da show down with Iran occurs they could kick some butt. Also they, as you mentioned are considered a joke in the ME, could gain some street cred.
        .
        .
        I’m kinda thinkin that the Iranians are goin after Israel instead of ISIS full force since they figure if they destroy Israel many/most Sunni will switch to their side since they destroyed the “Little Satan” and as Mohammad said, “Da end times will come when da Trees and Rocks cry out Oh Holy Muslim Warrior, there is a Jew hidin behind me, KILL him.”
        .
        We sure live in interesting times!

  5. katnis says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    I had to go back and do a little homework on this one. I found this site for anyone else who needs a refresher on Yemen and why this is an issue. Looks like a lack of control is nothing new for this dusty, impoverished country.

    http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2010/yemen/EN/index.htm

    • RonaldB says

      Jan 20, 2015 at 8:38 pm

      I guess if we should give thanks for anything, it’s that we don’t live in Yemen.

      The jihadis there kill tourists, of course. Why would radical Muslims tolerate an honest industry when they can kill people? Can someone tell me what would attract a tourist to Yemen in the first place? It sounds like a world-class place to stay away from.

  6. Georg says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    Ok, that’s enough. We have no choice. Send in James Taylor…

    • MKG says

      Jan 20, 2015 at 9:07 pm

      LOL!
      Any particular song request?

      • pumbar says

        Jan 20, 2015 at 10:06 pm

        “Rock the Casbah” by the Clash?

        • katnis says

          Jan 21, 2015 at 1:22 am

          PERFECT. I cant’ think of anything better. LOL

  7. Ragai Mitry says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    “The Yemen model for fighting Al Qaeda is a model for expansion”. John Brennan.

    http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/13505-counterterrorism-czar-yemen-drone-war-is-model-for-expansion

    September 204: Obama: Yemen and Somalia: Models of our successful strategy
    http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/09/obamas_models_yemen_and_somalia.html

  8. gravenimage says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    Yemen’s President ‘has no control’ as Iran-backed Shi’ite Houthi rebels storm palace, fire on US Embassy
    …………………………………

    I’m only slightly surprised that these are the Shi’ite Houthi rebels—I had considered it more likely when I first heard about this that it was AQAP. But, as noted, this increased chaos will likely give them an in, as well.

    Although large swaths of Yemen have been out of the central government’s control for some time, it always seemed, at least, to have a pretty firm grasp on the capital Sana’a. No more.

    More:

    The Shi’ite Houthi rebels have received weapons, money and training from Iran. So this represents a significant advance for Iran’s power and influence in the Middle East. What will Obama do in response to the firing on the embassy? Surrender, of course: preparations are already being made to evacuate it.
    …………………………………

    Probably nothing, as noted. After all, to acknowledge that Iran was behind their proxies firing on our embassy would upset our blinkered appeasement of Iran. Can’t have that…

    More:

    Power vacuum could benefit terrorist group AQAP
    …………………………………

    We could wind up with a full Sunni/Shi’ite shootin’ war. Oh, joy…

    And note: Yemen is already pretty much a full Shari’ah state. But either Yemen is still not considered brutal enough for Jihadists, or else this is just another power struggle between pious Muslims. Funny how that “peace of Islam” never quite happens…

    More:

    The Yemeni government has been grappling with pressure not only from the Sunni Muslim AQAP but also from Houthi militants, Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country.
    …………………………………

    True—there has never been a Muslim polity anywhere that was not oppressive not only to Infidels, but also to minority-sect Muslims. If the Houthi do manage to seize Sana’a, we can expect oppression and likely massacres of Sunnis.

    God, I hate Islam.

    Shi’ites actually make up a very large minority in Yemen—usually estimated at 40-45% of the population there.

    More:

    “We are the victims of corruption and false promises,” Houthi rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised address on a network controlled by Houthis and based in Beirut, Lebanon. “The government did not respect the peace and partnership deal from September. We are trying to bring some legitimacy to the government.”
    …………………………………

    Islam—where you bring “legitimacy” to a government by bringing it down…

    More:

    Al-Houthi also said there is an international conspiracy to link Yemen to the attacks in Paris.

    “Yemeni people have two options — to move against the foreign agendas, or stand against them firmly since they seek to spread chaos in Yemen…
    …………………………………

    Grimly laughable. Yemen has long been a way station for Jihad terror of all sorts, partially because it is so chaotic and partially because as an almost 100% Muslim country most “ordinary” Yemenis support Jihad themselves. I list these as two separate factors; but, really, they are one and the same.

    The only “foreign agenda” is Infidels trying to protect themselves against violent Jihad attacks. But Muslim’s only concern is that this might make Yemen “look bad”.

    More:

    AQAP claimed responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack, and U.S. investigators have worked on the assumption that attacker Said Kouachi met the late American terrorist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki at some point in Yemen and received orders from AQAP, a U.S. official told CNN.
    …………………………………

    Yup—just cesspit of Jihad activity—now, likely, poised to become even worse.

    More:

    U.S. Embassy vehicle comes under fire
    …………………………………

    Of course, it was Iran that set the tone in the contemporary period by taking US Embassy staff hostage in 1979 after the Islamic revolution there and holding them for over a year.

    Even worse, their coreligionists are now *murdering* diplomatic staff—see Benghazi, where the US Ambassador to Libya and three of his staff.

    I also learned of another atrocity just the other day, while reading a book by an Iranian journalist who was imprisoned and tortured there—that when the Taliban took over in Afghanistan, they stormed the Iranian Consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, took the staff hostage, and eventually butchered eleven people there, including a journalist.

    *No* civilized or even semi-civilized polity does this—diplomats are treated with respect, and their safety is guaranteed. Even in the case of hostilities, the worse that happens is that enemy diplomats are safely deported to their home country.

    But Islam is not civilized. They consider diplomatic staff fair game. There was a Muslim troll here just days ago, vowing that *any* Western diplomats in Dar-al-Islam were targets for murder. *Ugh*.

    “Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb urges killing of more US diplomats”

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/al-qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-urges-killing-of-more-us-diplomats-in-north-africa/

  9. shoehorn says

    Jan 20, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    so Shi-ites are fighting Sunnis … what’s the problem?

    • godwin says

      Jan 21, 2015 at 4:43 am

      They are designed to kill each other all over the ME as mandated by their religious teachings. The weapon sellers of the west are very happy n laughing all the way to the banks. This could be Divine arrangement for the protection of Israel.

  10. Jon says

    Jan 21, 2015 at 12:33 am

    Dumb journalists.. AQAP had nothing to do with the Charlie Hedbo attack and they won’t be filling in the power vaccum, remember how this story is about Shia’s filling in the power vaccum? Are these journalists being paid for this nonsense?

    • gravenimage says

      Jan 23, 2015 at 10:10 pm

      Jon wrote:

      Dumb journalists.. AQAP had nothing to do with the Charlie Hedbo attack
      ………………………..

      Actually, Jon, they have claimed responsibility, and the Jihadist himself said that he had plotted the attack there:

      “Al Qaeda branch claims Charlie Hebdo attack was years in the making”

      http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/14/europe/charlie-hebdo-france-attacks/

      As is so often the case, the threat can come from multiple “flavors” of ravening Jihadists.

  11. jay says

    Jan 21, 2015 at 1:38 am

    I actually support pulling out of all these Islamic hell holes to be honest. Why we have an embassy in places that want us dead makes no sense.

  12. The renegade says

    Jan 21, 2015 at 1:52 am

    People may mistakenly think Shias are better face of Islam but it is only perception as they are considered kufrs and clubbed along with other non Muslims in the “dar al harb” or house of war that justify their slaughter by Sunni branch of Islam. As Shias are a minority and operate mainly out of Iran, it limits them From indulging in collective terrorism to spread Islam unlike what is being carried out by Sunni Islam through Arab countries, turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia etc.

    They read from the same “mother load” of bad ideas called Quran and Iran is just as draconian as Saudi in implementing sharia with religious police harassing women and using every excuse to incarcerate/ rape women for the benign sins like singing and dancing etc.

    Plummet of oil prices and crash of their economies will stop global jihad as even to fight wars you need money.

    God will punish these followers of evil Muhammad for causing centuries of human pain and suffering. House of Islam will start imploding from within when every one starts to question God’s alleged message called Quran as leave Islam movement gains strength.

    You can kill people but you can’t kill good ideas.

    • godwin says

      Jan 21, 2015 at 4:48 am

      The ME has been turned into a huge killing field. That is already God’s punishment.

      • The renegade says

        Jan 21, 2015 at 5:35 pm

        Agreed, the issue is where ever the Muslims go and multiply in numbers, death and destruction follow.

        Good examples are Bosnia, Chechnya, Pakistan, East Timor etc

        What worries me is that Muslim immigration into Europe is rapidly changing demographics. In another 30 years countries like France, Belgium, holland etc. Will be islamified.

        In countries like India, UK etc. They are multiplying like rabbits. Normal 2 child norm, for them it is a 5-6 child norm. They will biological out number non Muslims and destroy the nation.

        Only god can stop this demonic religion. We need to pray hard and also take action.

    • gravenimage says

      Jan 23, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      I agree, Renegade—the Shia are just as savage as the Sunni. It is just that as a minority, they don’t always have as many opportunities for barbarism as their more numerous Sunni coreligionists. But they are just as vicious to Infidels, “other-sect” Muslims, and the “insufficiently Islamic” whenever they get the chance.

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