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Yemen


In January 2011, spurred on by the uprising in Tunisia, pro-democracy demonstrators began to protest on the streets of Yemen. The government response has at times been violent, and clashes between government supporters, rebels, and pro-democracy activists have continued. On 18 March, over 50 demonstrators were killed by security forces in Sana’aand, after a period of relative calm, over 110 protestors were killed in further clashes beginning on 18 September in Sana'a and Taiz and a further 18 people kileld in Sana'a between 15 and 17 October. Some senior military figures, including General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar, have declared their support for political reform.

On 3 June 2011, President Saleh was injured in a bomb attack at his compound in Sana’a. He returned to Sana’a on 23 September after receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. A number of other senior Yemeni political and tribal figures were killed or injured in the attack, including the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence and Security, and the Speaker of the Parliament. UK Prime Minister David Cameron, along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Spain, signed a statement following President Saleh's departure:

  • “We call on the Yemeni people to find the way to reconciliation in a spirit of dialogue and national unity... in order for the Yemeni people to be able to democratically choose its leader. We stand ready to fully support the Yemenis in this move."

Current Political Situation

President Saleh signed on 23 November the Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered Initiative. This plan commits him to resign and will see the formation of a National Unity Government and then presidential elections after a period of 90 days. This is the beginning of a complex process and will require the commitment of all sides in Yemen to ensure peaceful and inclusive transition. The UN Security Council reviewed progress following the unanimous adoption of its resolution in October and issued a press statement on 28 November welcoming developments. A further review is expected in December. We and our partners in the international community will do all we can to support the new Government in their efforts to tackle the huge economic and humanitarian challenges confronting Yemen, and to re-establish security and the rule of law across the country.  

Security Situation

Political instability has led to a precarious security situation. The Yemeni Government acknowledges that it has lost control of several governorates across the country. In clashes beginning on 18 September, over 110 protestors were killed and hundreds injured in clashes between protestors and Government security forces.

Minister Burt issued a statement on 25 September:

  • “The UK condemns the recent escalation in violence and the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators in Yemen. The number of deaths in Sana’a and Ta’iz since renewed fighting broke out on 18 September is deeply disturbing. The UK urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and abide by the ceasefire, resume political negotiations, and establish a mechanism for the peaceful and managed transfer of power. Such a mechanism was outlined in the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative. We urge President Saleh to act on his clear commitment to political transition, leading to early Presidential elections. The UK calls once again upon President Saleh to sign the GCC initiative at the earliest opportunity to stop further bloodshed. The UK has since March strongly advised against all travel to Yemen and urged all British nationals to leave Yemen immediately. In the current volatile security climate, we once again urge all British nationals to leave immediately while commercial airlines are still operating.”
In further clashes between 15 and 17 October, 18 people were killed in Sana'a.

Inter-tribal clashes and outbursts of fighting are common in many parts of Yemen. In Arhab District, north of Sana'a, heavy shelling and air strikes in July resulted in the displacement of an estimated 9,500 people from their homes.

Meanwhile, fighting between Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Government of Yemen security forces continues in Zinjibar (Abyan) in the South, prompting the displacement of up to 90,000 people to Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwa governorates. On 30 September, Anwar al-Awlaki was killed by a US drone strike in Southern Yemen. This is a significant blow to AQAP but we remain concerned about the threat they pose.

Economic Situation

A political deal is needed urgently to enable a new government to stabilise the economy. While the political deadlock is ongoing, the Yemeni economy continues to deteriorate. Foreign exchange reserves have fallen, and a serious budget deficit (around 10% of GDP) has been exacerbated by a loss of revenue from the export of Yemeni’s oil, caused by an attack on oil pipeline infrastructure. The pipeline, which carries 50% of Yemen’s oil, has now been repaired and it is likely that this will help to arrest the rate of economic decline by easing pressure on the Government's finances and increasing the availability of petrol and diesel across the country. Nevertheless, distribution of refined products across the country remains unreliable due to instability in large parts of the country.

Humanitarian Situation

The deteriorating economic situation in turn threatens to increase humanitarian needs. These were already significant prior to the current crisis, with one in three Yemenis suffering from food insecurity and more than half of all Yemeni children chronically malnourished. Since January, the cost of key food items has dramatically increased: wheat by 26%; rice by 30%; bread by 50%; cooking gas by 400%; and water by between four- and seven-fold. Coupled with fuel shortages, which have also threatened humanitarian operations and led to the closure of 20% of immunisation facilities, this is having a severe impact on the Yemeni population as a whole and the poorest Yemenis in particular. Lack of access to some areas is hampering the humanitarian response.

Does Yemen pose a threat to the UK?

The growth of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Southern Yemen continues to be a matter of grave concern. The threat posed by AQAP is real and current. They have demonstrated continued capability and intent to plan and execute attacks against Western targets. Although the death of Anwar al-Awlaki is a significant blow, we remain concerned about the threat they pose.

The start of AQAP as we know them today began following a 2006 prison break – the prisoners regrouped under the name AQ-Yemen. In January 2009 the group became an official affiliate of AQ and took the name AQ-AP.

The UK, along with the US, has been the subject of attacks in Yemen, namely the failed assassination attempt against our Ambassador in April 2010 and the rocket attack against our Embassy staff in October of the same year. Our travel advice highlights the dangers faced in Yemen.

What does the UK aim to do?

Our aims are to reach an inclusive political settlement which reflects the desires of the Yemeni people and allows the country to maintain its unity. We seek to increase the Yemeni Government’s capability to take and implement decisions, and to counter the threat of AQAP. We are also looking to support the Yemeni government’s efforts to stabilise the economy in order to improve the humanitarian situation and help those vulnerable Yemenis affected by instability and conflict.

We support democracy and human rights, and have been clear in our messaging to the Yemeni government that the legitimate demands of all Yemenis must be heard and grievances addressed.  Political transition and the subsequent election of a properly mandated government is an opportunity to end corruption, introduce a more representative and transparent government in Yemen, and instil greater respect for international standards of human rights. We welcome the recent visit from the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We have seen the mission’s comprehensive report and fully support its recommendations to the Government of Yemen, the opposition and also the international community. The UK participated in discussions at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September, making it clear we agree with the mission’s observations and its conclusions, and backed the Dutch-led resolution condemning human rights violations, urging the implementation of the UN report’s recommendations, and calling for progress to achieve a political settlement.

On 29 September 2011, Foreign Office Minister Burt met the Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi in London. Speaking after the meeting the Minister Burt said:

  • "I made clear the need for an immediate end to violence by all sides. The Foreign Minister reported on the President’s return to Sana’a. I urged that President Saleh should use this to deliver on his previous commitment to sign and implement the GCC initiative in order to facilitate a peaceful transition of power. It is clear that the economic, humanitarian and security situation in Yemen will continue to deteriorate until there is a determined drive to reach political transition. Dr al-Qirbi underlined that dialogue between the government and opposition is continuing. The managed transfer of power needs to commence now as further delay will inevitably increase the potential for violence. The UK stands ready to work with the Government of Yemen and with international partners to support the transition process."

How does the UK hope to achieve this progress?

We are working closely with US, EU, and Gulf Cooperation Council partners to put pressure on all sides to reach an agreement and to proceed urgently with an inclusive, orderly, and Yemeni-led process of political transition. We fully support the Gulf Cooperation Council agreement, which provides the best basis for a peaceful resolution to the current political impasse. Negotiations between both parties continue in the hope of finding a mutually acceptable resolution.

We welcome the most recent visit of the UN’s Special Adviser on Yemen and his briefing to the UN Security Council on 11 October. On 13 October the Foreign Secretary stated to parliament that we are seeking discussion of the situation in Yemen at the UN Security Council and are considering whether a resolution would increase the international pressure on President Saleh to agree to a transition of power.

The FCO works closely with the Department for International Development (DfID) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in order to ensure a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to the ever-changing political, economic, and security situation.

Will there be sanctions against Yemen?

We continue to urge all parties to seize the opportunity for peaceful resolution of the current political impasse. Whilst dialogue is ongoing we hope to avoid the need for sanctions and prosecutions. However, these options are still available if there are deliberate attempts by individuals to derail the political process.    

What help is the UK giving to the Yemeni people?

The Department for International Development (DfID) has a long-standing development programme in Yemen. In 2010-11 DfID spent £47.3m on programmes addressing wealth creation, poverty, hunger and vulnerability, along with governance and security. DfID is continuing with its support to individual programmes where these are able to deliver results despite the current instability. Most importantly this includes support to the Yemeni Social Fund for Development, which secures access to basic services such as health, education and water for one third of the Yemeni population. Other programmes are temporarily on hold.

DfID has also committed £15.4 million of humanitarian assistance this year in recognition of the scale of humanitarian needs. This is channeled through UNICEF, the Emergency Response Fund of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and a consortium of International NGOs.

More information on DfID’s work.

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