On Thursday, the demonstrators chanted “Mohammad Saleh al-Ahmar must leave”, demanding the dismissal of former president’s brother General Mohammad Saleh Al-Ahmar — Commander of Yemeni Air Forces — and his aides.
They also demanded the restructuring of the army and the release of all prisoners arrested by Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime forces during the revolution which erupted in early 2011.
Saleh’s sons and nephews still hold key positions in the military and intelligence services. Many high-profile figures from the former regime are accused of committing crimes against protesters during the revolution.
Ali Abdullah Saleh handed power to his vice Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi, a UK-trained field marshal, under a power transfer deal backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The deal also granted immunity from prosecution to Saleh and his close affiliates.
Hadi was sworn in following a single-candidate election on February 21. The sham poll was likewise strongly supported by Washington and Riyadh.
The new Yemeni president will lead the country for a two-year-long interim period as stipulated by the so-called power transition deal.
MHB/MA
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