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Shiite rebels take power in Yemen, fan fears of civil war
Times of Israel ^ | 02/07/2015 | By Ahmed al-Haj

Posted on 02/06/2015 4:59:33 PM PST by Rusty0604

ANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen’s Shiite rebels proclaimed a formal takeover of the Arab nation Friday, dissolving parliament in a dramatic move that completes their power grab in the region’s poorest nation where an al-Qaeda terrorist offshoot flourishes.

The unrest could strengthen Yemen’s al-Qaeda branch, considered the world’s most dangerous wing of the terror movement, and complicate US counter-terrorism operations in Saudi Arabia’s southern neighbor. While Houthi rebels are bitter enemies to al-Qaida, they also are hostile to the United States, and frosty to the predominantly Sunni Saudis. The region’s Shiite powerhouse, Iran, looms as a potential key backer.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the United States was “deeply concerned with this unilateral step,” but insisted the Houthis’ declaration as the true government of Yemen following a four-month insurrection would not affect US counterterrorism efforts there.

Houthi supporters filled the central square in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, to celebrate the culmination of their coup. They exploded firecrackers and waved banners bearing their slogan “Death to America, death to Israel, a curse on the Jews and victory to Islam.” The menacing message is similar to those chanted by Shiite militants in Iraq and Lebanon’s dominant Shiite terrorist group, Hezbollah.

But the Houthis, traditionally based in Yemen’s north bordering Saudi Arabia, do not control the entire country. Secessionist forces and powerful tribes in the largely Sunni south are likely to confront with violence any effort by the Houthis to exert control there.

Saudi Arabia, which long has provided an economic lifeline to Yemen, slashed aid following the Houthis’ September insurrection and shows no sign of restoring it.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesofisrael.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: middleeast

1 posted on 02/06/2015 4:59:33 PM PST by Rusty0604
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To: Rusty0604

I cannot imagine how many people ACROSS THE WORLD dislike Obama. Any guesses??


2 posted on 02/06/2015 5:04:17 PM PST by EagleUSA (Liberalism removes the significance of everything")
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To: EagleUSA

Be easier to count the people that do like him.


3 posted on 02/06/2015 5:13:46 PM PST by Rusty0604
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To: EagleUSA

Dislike is such a mild term..

Probably more folks in the category of “more than dislike” than dislike. Just guessin.


4 posted on 02/06/2015 5:27:41 PM PST by usacon (United we stand divided we fall.)
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To: Rusty0604

One of OBAMA’S success stories.


5 posted on 02/06/2015 5:37:46 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

Libya, Egypt, Yemen...


6 posted on 02/06/2015 5:47:47 PM PST by Rusty0604
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To: Rusty0604

The Arab spring smells like Shiite.


7 posted on 02/06/2015 8:43:46 PM PST by Organic Panic
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar; Rusty0604
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the United States was “deeply concerned with this unilateral step,” but insisted the Houthis’ declaration as the true government of Yemen following a four-month insurrection would not affect US counterterrorism efforts there.

He’s right.

We shouldn’t expect our counter terrorism efforts in Yemen to suddenly become effect because of this turn of events.

Ah; thanks be to Obama, the Arab Spring cane early this year.

8 posted on 02/07/2015 3:17:13 AM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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To: Rusty0604

Shia, Sunni, here’s hoping they just kill each other off and ALL go to hell


9 posted on 02/07/2015 3:30:08 AM PST by Joe Boucher
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