Yemen Troubles Continue To Rise
04 November 2011 Most Americans have heard about Anwar al-Awlaki’s death and President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s struggle to remain in office; however, they fail to realize the increase of Al Qaeda’s presence in the Arabian Peninsula ( AQAP ). Al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni, was one of AQAP’s prominent leaders who specialized in recruiting and inspiring terrorists. His assassination and the convergence of Islamist fighters to regions around Zinjibar and Jaar have strengthened AQAP control of Yemen’s South. Bearded men have allowed the flow of artillery weapons and tanks in that area, as well. Although, Al Qaeda has dominated this region for some time, Saleh’s cooperation with the United States allowed the West to maintain some control. Saleh currently waits on the international guarantees of no prosecution, while the country remains at a stalemate due to the recent violence in Sana. Pro-democracy youths are angered at the Saudis and U.S. for agreeing to overlook Saleh’s past crimes t...