Yemen army in clash with al Qaeda forces in Jaar

Sana'aImage via Wikipedia
Independent:

Militants clashed with the Yemeni army in a southern town yesterday, fuelling Western fears that the country could descend into chaos which would benefit al-Qa'ida if President Ali Abdullah Saleh is forced out.

The army tried to dislodge a coalition of Islamists from Jaar in Abyan province after they seized buildings on Saturday. One soldier was killed yesterday and jets flew over the town later, but it was not clear if Sana'a had reasserted government control.

Abyan is seen as a stronghold of al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemeni wing of the network, which Western countries and neighbouring Saudi Arabia fear could take advantage of any power vacuum if Mr Saleh resigned immediately.

...
I suspect if Saleh leaves he will be replaced by someone from the military. This may not please the crowds, but the army is just not likely to turn things over to someone they do not trust.

The Arab News also brings this troubling report--Yemeni regime loses grip on four provinces.

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