Middle East protests: Country by country - Yemen

Following the fall of the presidents of Egypt and Tunisia, unrest has been spreading throughout the region. Could a domino effect sweep more leaders from power?

Yemen

Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded in the unrest

Hundreds of people have been killed in violence between security forces and demonstrators since protests against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh began on 11 February.

The violence escalated after government forces were confronted by fighters from the powerful Hashid tribal federation, who say they back protesters.

Analysts warn the fighting could descend into civil war.

Mr Saleh initially promised not to renew his presidency in 2013 and then offered to hand over power to his deputy within 30 days of a deal being signed, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

But he has repeatedly failed to sign the deal, which was brokered by Gulf states and approved by a coalition of opposition parties. Analysts say this may be a play for a better deal or could indicate Mr Saleh's remaining reluctance to relinquish his hold on power.

On 4 June, he was flown to Saudi Arabia to receive medical treatment for injuries he sustained after his compound in the capital Sanaa was attacked the day before.

A little over a month later, he appeared on state television, with bandages on his hands and arms, saying he had undergone "more than eight successful operations". Speaking from Saudi Arabia, Mr Saleh said dialogue was needed to resolve Yemen's problems.

He welcomed power-sharing, but stressed that it should be "within the framework of the constitution and in the framework of the law".

In September, fresh violence broke out when about 50 protesters were killed and some 600 injured in a two-day crackdown in Sanaa.

Witnesses say government snipers were firing on people from rooftops, while military aircraft shelled positions held by the protest-supporting troops.

In the middle of this new bout of violence, Mr Saleh returned to the country in a surprise move with incalculable consequences.

Yemen is the Arab world's most impoverished nation and, even before the current protests, it was becoming increasingly chaotic, with both al-Qaeda and separatist challenges to the government's authority.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 948