Middle East Rundown 1-25-12

First to Yemen, where President Ali Abdullah Saleh not only left the country to seek medical treatment in the US, but left power as well. In November he had signed an agreement to turn power over to Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, but it took til Monday for him to actually fully leave. Part of the agreement was that he was granted immunity from any prosecution. As he left Saleh said, "I ask for forgiveness from all sons of the nation, women and men, for any shortcomings during my thirty-three years in office." The fate of Yemen is yet unknown as, during the turmoil demanding Saleh's resignation, Al Qaeda made significant gains in the south of the country, including the town of Radda. Saudi Arabia and the United States, whilst stating their deep alliance with the country of Yemen, have done very little to combat the increasing presence of the terrorist organization.

In Bahrain, at least forty-one police were injured when mobs violently attacked and beat them after a leading Shia cleric, Sheikh Isa Qassim, let loose a tirade which included the statement, "Let us die for our honour." as he told his followers to "crush" the Sunni regime. Until today the protests in the country had been peaceful demonstrations. Now it seems the country may see violence take over the movement which opposes the the government of King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa. As in many parts of the Muslim world the differences are between the two different, prominent religious groups.

Jordan's King Abdullah welcomed the leader of Hamas, Khaled Mashaal. The terrorist organization has found it increasingly difficult to keep it's headquarters in Damascus as Syria and Iran have been most unhappy that the group has not put support behind President Assad's beleaguered regime. The Jordanian government had expelled Hamas back in 1999, but relations have warmed up over the last couple years. Unconfirmed reports have Mashall meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Fatah, another terrorist organization. If correct it would suggest the rival groups are serious about unifying their efforts.

Demonstrators in Egypt are commemorating the year anniversary of the beginning of the Tahrir Square movement which was successful in toppling President Hosni Mubarak. But instead of festive celebration they are there to protest the continued control of the government by the military council, which they accuse of still carrying out the orders of Mubarak. The council is supposed to maintain power until the newly elected parliament is ready to do so. In the election, nearly half of the seats went to parties controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, parties which had been illegal under Mubarak's rule.

The interim Libyan government, National Transition Council, found its militia chased out of Bani Walid. Fighters of the Warfallah tribe have taken control and been recognized as the official local government. Both sides agreed to concessions, stating that, "to keep the whole country peaceful and that national unity was a priority," per Salah al-Maayuf, a member of the Warfallah Elders Counci. Many other towns and villages are likely to have similar circumstances occur, as the central government has very little control.


Iran and Syria continue to be thorns in the side of the United States, European Union, and the United Nations. It has only increased due to continued Russian opposition towards any kind of sanctions or military intervention. Russia has placed naval troops in the area, and stated that she is their friend no matter what comes. She has also moved up to supplying them with military hardware. It had been expected Russia would back down from their support, after China did so on Saturday. The Chinese and Russians had been the only countries providing any kind of support to the two allies. But as long as the Russians continue this posture, no UN resolutions will be possible, due to Russia's veto powers on the UN Security Council.