Clashes in Aden and military parade in Sana'a on Unity day

By Nasser Arrabyee/21/05/2009


Three Yemenis were killed and more than 20 injured when police in the southern coastal city of Aden dispersed angry demonstrators calling for disunity.

The clash between police and protesters happened while a big military parade was taking place in the capital Sana'a to mark the 19th anniversary of the unification between the south and north of Yemen on May 22nd , 1990.

Eyewitnesses said that the disgruntled protesters, who were chanting anti-unity slogans, set fire to the flag of the unified Yemen and pelted the security men with stones.

The security authorities, however, described the demonstrators as outlaws and saboteurs. Many people were arrested, the eyewitnesses said.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties' alliance called for bringing back the brilliance of unity which is based on equal citizenship and genuine partnership in power and wealth.


While the military parade was taking place in Al Sabeen Square on Thursday 21st May, the opposition parties were concluding a two-day conference on "National Consultations to achieve National Partnership to Protect Unity and Build Modern State"


"We should celebrate with a development parade not a military parade, we are not in war with any one, we should celebrate secure and stable Yemen that respects others and that is respected by all," said Hamid Al Ahmar, chairman of the supreme committee for consultations.


"We should bring back the brightness of unity, and the partners of unity like Ali Salem, Ali Nasser, Haidar Al Attas, Tareq Al Fadhli, Al Khubaji and Al Shanfara," said Al Ahmar, an ambitious prominent opposition figure and famous businessman, in his speech to open the opposition conference. He referred to leaders of the south who are in exile now and also to those who are behind the south protests which are known as the south movement.

Only then we will celebrate the unity, he said.