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Situation stable in capital as security forces stand their guard
By Observer team *
Jul 21, 2005, 23:21

As choas reigns, looters seize the chance to raid an ATM in Zubairi Street. YO Photo/Bassam Al-Saqqaf.

SANA’A – Security officials refrained from commenting on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s riots until complete calm had been restored to the country. An eyewitness told the Observer that President Saleh had made a comprehensive tour of Sana’a Thursday morning, as the capital showed signs of returning to normality following the previous day’s violent demonstrations.

Shops, restaurants and offices tentatively opened for business, while several gatherings were seen in some parts of the city. All were reportedly peaceful.

Security apparatus, riot police and armored patrol vehicles were stationed on full alert in positions across the city to ensure a repeat of the previous day’s looting and vandalism did not occur.

Violence first spread through cities in Yemen on Wednesday, resulting in deaths and injuries, as protestors vented their anger over price increases imposed on fuel and gas.

In spite of stringent security precautions in the form of armed military units, thousands took over the streets, main intersections and most entrances to the city of Sana’a.

The protests turned violent Wednesday when crowds in the capital’s areas of Tahrir, Al-Hasaba, Hayl, and Taiz Street began to smash advertising hoardings and block roads with uprooted trees and bushes, and burnt tires.

Several banks, private companies, shops, showrooms and private buildings were attacked, as well as government institutions.

Hundreds of security force units were dispatched to the scenes and responded by firing warning shots into the air and using tear gas to disperse the protestors. Crowds then turned on the police and military with sticks and rocks.

Protestors destroy everything they can reach to press on the government to reduce fuel prices. YO Photo / Saleh Al-Dabyah

The demonstrations caused chaos and confusion as enraged crowds marched through the streets chanting. They singled out Prime Minister Bajammal as the target of their ire, and demanded his resignation. “No Bajammal after today! Vacate the seat of authority!” they shouted.

Two journalists were attacked, in separate incidents, by crowds as they observed events from their vehicles, which were subsequently damaged beyond repair while several detained journalists were released lately Thursday.

Informed sources revealed to the Observer that several main instigators of the violence had been apprehended.

Police said Wednesday they had managed to prevent entry into the capital of some 30 vehicles transporting people from the outskirts of the capital, with the intention of joining the rioting. They purportedly intended to attack banks and major stores in the capital.

Similar scenes were repeated in other cities throughout Yemen. Wednesday night saw demonstrations in the city of Taiz, where protestors targeted public buildings, causing substantial damage. Crowds also took to the streets in both Dhamar and Al-Dhal’e.
Eyewitnesses told Observer reporters that thousands demonstrated on Thursday in the city of Marib, with protests reportedly passing off peacefully.  Some causalities were reported but no official confirmation has been provided. By late Thursday afternoon, however, Ibb and Saada had recorded their first fatalities.

Other reports, as of 9 p.m. Thursday evening, put the total death toll across the country as high as 23, though some media reports gave higher figures.

Death toll
According to a variety of media reports, Wednesday saw 8 deaths occur in the capital, with a further 3 in Dhamar and 6 in Dhali’.  12 people reportedly lost their lives the following day - 3 in Hodeidah, 3 in Ibb, and the remainder in Sana’a.

Medical sources confirmed that the death toll in Sana’a, Dhamar, Al-Dhal’e, Amran, Taiz and Mareb, by Thursday, had reached at least 25 with more than 35 others injured. The source said that the previous night that the toll death rose to stand at 25 people from security forces and civilians.

Emergency staff at Azal Private Hospital said that they had received the bodies of three killed in Tuesday’s riot,   in addition to another 15 injured. Six people were killed in  clashes between the police and demonstrators in the city of Sana’a.

The same sources said that the Military Hospital had received 5 dead soldiers and others injured.  Similar confrontations occurred in other governorates, including Al-Dhali’, which resulted in seven fatalities, among them a policeman. Two more people were killed in Dhamar, and four others injured. Petrol tanker drivers in Mareb, a 4-hour drive from Sana’a, said that one of their friends was killed when he started his truck, ignoring  protestors’ instructions to stop.

Eyewitnesses said that three citizens and at least one soldier were killed in Amran to the north of Sana’a. It was not known whether the victims were shot by the police returning fire on the protestors, or by civilian bullets.

On Thursday, three further deaths were reported in Hodeidah after dozens of persons stormed an oil facility in the city.

The precise number of deaths is still unknown. Other reports indicated later Thursday afternoon that the number of deaths throughout the country were as high as 39.

From the frontline

Thousands of people broke into the streets of several cities round the country. YO Photo / SSaleh Al-Dabyah

Yemen Observer reporters entered several neighborhoods of Sana’a during the demonstrations and  interviewed some of those who had risked leaving their homes and workplaces. Onlooker Abdul-Rahman Khalid said: “I am very disappointed that what should have been peaceful protests turned violent. But I also think that the military and police response was excessive and uncalled for.”

Nobody escaped blame as temperatures ran high among the crowds over the government’s decision to radically increase fuel prices as of July 20. 

Ahmed Al-Amri, a traffic police officer who was on duty in Taiz Street at the height of the protests, described the scenes he witnessed on Wednesday as “unbelievable”: “The way rioters attacked local residents’ property, like cars, shops and public interests was extreme. Similarly, the response of the police was harsh. The situation was out of control.”

Clothes shop owner, Shaker Yahya Mohammed, said, “The decision of the government will be a fatal blow to all citizens. It will exacerbate corruption.” Shaker said that opposition parties should reject the decision and that the government should resign if it cannot shoulder its responsibility.

Hani Abdullah and many people were taking aside. He said that he can’t participate in such demonstration since it turns into violence and some of the rioters starts firing at police. “This is not the way civilized people do,” he said.

Ali Ahmed Al-Tawili, who runs a restaurant, described how he saw the decision as hitting the needy most hard: “Its effect will be to hit the ordinary man, not government top officials who enjoying the good life. The price increase in transport fares will lead to an across the board increase of prices in all goods and services too.”

Yahya Al-Haidari, a fast food owner, said: “It was an unfair decision, particularly, at the current time. Traders are putting prices up as if the its government who is doing it, but they themselves are increasing them.”

Store owner Adel Al-Rashidi, called the decision “a mistake”. “Traders,” he said, “will hike prices and we will also do the same. “In fact, the government had taken measures before approving the decision. Now, shopkeepers are indiscriminately overcharging people.”

Khaild Al-Mahwiti, a former Imam of a mosque in a Sana’a mosque, expressed his outrage to the Observer about the results of the riots. “Islam does not allow its followers to attack or loot the properties of people just like what happened today,” he said. “Those angry crowds should establish a complete sit-in before the presidential house or the parliament and put their demands forward,” he added.

Qaid Ahmed  Qasem, a telecom center employee, said the sharp rise in fuel prices would affect the majority of the public. “It was a mistake that has angered people in the extreme,” said Qaid.

Electricity facilities were among the many targets in Sana'a riots. YO Photo

Majed Al-Harazi, said the nearly 100% increase in prices of diesel and rises in other fuels was a burden the public could not bear due to the low income of the majority. “What makes the increase more painful this time is that it is being brought in at the same time as the new sales tax. If the demonstrations are determined and non-violent, they will be successful in compelling the government to revoke its decision.”

Taxi driver Farhan Ahmed Hassan expected the transport system, and traffic in general, to slacken, as people struggle to afford the new increases in fares. “The government has to change its decision, otherwise the demonstrations will persist for a long time.” He called on demonstrators to make sure that they do not violate the norms of peaceful protest.

Trees in Sana'a streets are uprooted. YO Photo

Taysir Khaled Al-Jayifi, said he had no idea on Tuesday, the very eve of the increases, that it would be the last chance to buy diesel at 17 rials a litre. “Otherwise, I would have taken the opportunity to buy as much as possible,” he said. “Now bus fares have gone up dramatically from 15 to 30 rials, in other words, by one hundred percent. It was supposed to increase by five rials only, but here it has gone mad!”

Ahmed Al-Fadhli demanded to know, “Why didn’t the ministry of transport issue a warning to drivers before the increase that they would be punished if they went on strike, or if people charged more than the fixed price? This has resulted in chaos and overcharging on buses. Where is the government? Is it alright for our government to announce a chaotic increase of prices and then disappear from the scene? No police were seen trying to protect private vehicles from the hooligans who took to the streets.”

“Keep it up, fellow thieves!” Fuad M. Radman, a traffic police officer, was shouting hysterically in condemnation of “MPs and the dumbwits who voted for them!” He hoped the “idiot majority” would “keep this in mind and act on it in the elections. Again and again, everyone will raise their hands for their infallible Sheikh when he canvasses them in the new elections. When illiteracy is such a problem, there is no hope,” he said with a deep sigh of regret.

“The more the prices escalate, the more I consider emigrating,” said painter Asem Al-Wutari.  “I would do it illegally if necessary, to Saudi Arabia or anywhere else where I can live like a real human being,” he said, refusing to join the crowd of demonstrators in Al-Zubairi street. “What do they think they will achieve?” he went on. “Will the government back down from its commitment to the World Bank under the pressure of hooligans smashing advertising signs and lampposts? I doubt it very much!”

Basem Abdul-Khaleq, a bus driver, one of a few  who didn’t join the bus strike, said he was charging people 30 rials for a single trip, double the normal price. “I know the government wants us to increase the charge for a seat by five rials only, but that is not enough. It is a myth to say bus drivers will ever accept,” Basem said. “The increase is 100%, and we need to increase prices likewise. It is hard on the public to be charged 30 rials for the same trip that was 15 rials just the day before, but this crime is the work of Bajammal’s government. We demand the government not paralyze further our already paralyzed economy. I am very pessimistic about the consequences of this increase on the security and economy of the people.”

“Traditionally, there is no way to get out of this commitment and make gradual increases,” Basem declared. “Yet this is what the government intends to do. Besides, a 100% salary increase for civil servants is essential, and it is an improvement that will never affect the state budget if it is put to effect.”

A public employee who declined to be named directed his insults at the government for the “peanuts” salary increase which was due to be given. “This is our chance, the chance for government employees to join the people and topple the government. The government fooled all civil servants with its ‘Law of Salaries and Wages.’ An increase under ‘a law’ is supposed be a once-and-for-all increase.”

The whole story…

Rains on Wednesday afternoon stopped the violence in Sana'a streets. YO Photo

It was 7:00 am Wednesday, everything was normal. 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am everything was normal as well. 10:00 crowds of demonstrators started gathering. The demonstrations had started peacefully, but later turned violent, and confrontations resulted in the deaths of both members of the public and the security forces. Most sources, including Observer reporters, could not confirm precise death and injury figures.
Security and military units used batons, water canon, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Demonstrators’ anger was aggravated into further violence, provoking a reaction from security forces and the army in which guns and armed vehicles led to the killing of a number of members of the public and the military.

All movement in the city was brought to a standstill, and communications and transportation almost came to a complete halt. Owners shut their shops for fear of a repeat of the looting that occurred during the economic crisis of nearly 10 years ago.

Public and private institutions closed as soon as demonstrators’ shouts could be heard in the vicinity. The situation became reduced to panic when demonstrators dispersed in all directions attacking new vehicles belonging to individuals,  governmental officials and anyone wearing security or military uniforms.

Banks, ministries, government institutions and companies that demonstrators believed belonged to members of the government were attacked. Yemen Mobile, Spacetel and Yemen International Bank premises were targeted, while large numbers attempted to break into the state-owned Central Bank of Yemen.  Al-Rafidain Bank in Zubairi Street was hit by arsonists. Also attacked were the Ministry of Oil & Minerals and the Ministry of Finance.

Advertising signboards, many of them belonging to the Calibers Advertising Company (CAC), were damaged, while electricity posts were pulled down. CAC is estimated to have suffered the greatest financial losses of all companies who had property damaged or destroyed.

Individuals, houses and cars targeted

Family member look sadly at their burnt taxi, sole source of family income. It was destroyed by angry protestors. YO Photo

A soldier in the Ministry of Defense told the Yemen Observer they had been given instructions not to leave their premises wearing military uniforms. “I hired a motorcycle at midday and told the driver to avoid the crowds and take a longer route through empty neighborhoods,” the source said.  

When demonstrators surrounded vice president Abdu-Rabu Mansour Hadi’s residence, units of the Special Guard were called in. Tear gas was used and warning shots fired in the air. As the tension increased a number of shots were fired resulting in several deaths.

Large groups surrounded the homes of other governmental officials, including that of prime minister Abdul-Qader Bajammal. Some elements threw stones at the houses and attacked shops that they believed belonged to successful dealers.

With the chaos deepening, Central Security, General Security, the Army and the Special Guards were called in to guard public and governmental facilities.

Many employees were unable to reach their places of work, while those who had managed to reach their shops and offices suspended their working day and awaited developments in the situation.

Vehicles belonging to reporters Mohmmed Al-Qadhi from the Al-Ryad newspaper and Mohammed Al-Dhaheri of the Al-Khalij newspaper were attacked by demonstrators, resulting in almost total destruction of one of the cars.

Several journalists were released later on Thursday after being arrested by security forces. The Yemen Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the arrest of journalists and the confiscation of their tapes.

The US embassy in Sana’a advised American citizens to remain alert. Most of the major companies give their employees Wednesday off once the extent of the demonstrations became evident.  

He couldnot find anything to take back home except mangos. YO Photo

Private shops, showrooms and restuarents like this one are attacked. YO Photo

Political party reactions
No political faction was officially being held responsible for the situation although a local  news website published security reports that accused the Yemeni Socialist Party and the Islah Islamic Party of organizing the demonstrations and inciting the acts of violence.

The Yemen Sons League Party came out first to immediately condemn the day’s events. Al-Haq Party released a statement condemning the acts of violence while at the same time reiterating its belief in the public’s right to make peaceful demands. The party also appealed to security forces to exercise self-control and act prudently to avoid further confrontations.

Assistant secretary general of the Islah party, Abdul-Wahab Al-Anisi, demanded the Yemeni Parliament form an investigative committee to look into the killings during the demonstration, and bring them to justice. He said: “Any behavior on the part of civilians, whatever its form, should never be answered by murder.”

Abdul-Gani Andul-Qader, head of the political wing of the Socialist Party, said that the party supported any peaceful democratic demonstration that expressed public rejection of government decisions.

The National Opposition Council condemned the protests, describing them as criminal and destructive.

In an official statement, the ministry of the interior stated that groups of demonstrators who had carried out violent acts had been apprehended and would be brought to trial.
The Ministry of Transport announced that fares on public transportation would see an increase of no more than 38% at the most.
 
Final resume

Ministry of Oil's glass windows are thrown with stones on Wednesday. YO Photo

The nationwide disturbances were a direct result of last week’s Cabinet meeting in which new oil fuel prices were set to tackle the 2005 budget deficit.

The Cabinet provoked the ire of the public by fixing the price of petrol at 65 rials a liter, and diesel at 45 rials. The price of a gas cylinder was set at 400 rials.

The budget deficit resulted from international increases in oil product prices, leading to a rise in foreign oil product invoices to cover local market demand.

The Cabinet reiterated the importance of tackling the deficit through a reduction in government support to oil. The government increased its attempts to stem the downturn in the national economy and support development projects to encourage investment, fund infrastructure and basic development programs, and implement health, education, insurance, agriculture, sanitation, water, electricity and road projects.

The opposition Joint Meeting Parties rejected what the government called reform prices, and held the government responsible for the consequences of its decision to cancel partial support to oil fuels, the Parties’ spokesman said on Wednesday.

In his first reaction to the situation, PM Bajammal stated that such quick modifications in oil prices had been approved by the Parliament (representatives of the people) since last year. And he affirmed that such modifications are necessary to continue the program of economic and administrative reforms adopted by the government since 1995.
According to statistics issued by World Bank, over 42% of Yemenis live below poverty line, illiteracy is 50%, and unemployment is 20%. 
He added, “The government will make use of this increase in supporting 20,000 productive families and expanding road network and creating necessary projects of the infrastructure”.

On the margin lines
Private internet users had the net to themselves on Wednesday evening, after the total closure of internet cafés in Sana’a. Telecommunications suffered most at the height of the rioting and continued on into the evening. Private and public employees could not get to work. No taxis or buses were in operation. Automatic banking services were suspended in some banks, including the Arab Bank. Cell phones were paralyzed.

* This report:
This report was compiled by the following Yemen Observer staff members: Faris Al-Sanabani, Mohammed Al-Asadi, Abdul-Aziz Oudah, Jon Rooney, Amin Abduljalil, Adnan Hizam, Khalil Al-Buraihi, Mohammed Al-Attab, Zaid Al-Alaya’a, Amira Al-Shariff, and Elham Hassan. Thanks to the efforts of photographers Saleh Al-Dabyah, Bassam Al-Saqqaf, Mohammed Hatem and the many freelancers for the Observer.