Two big rival rallies in Sana’a, amid tightened secuirty measures

No violence, no riots so far.
By Nasser Arrabyee/03/02/2011
Tens of thousands of Yemenis took to streets on Thursday in the Yemeni capital Sana’a in two big rival rallies one calling for the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime and the other supporting the regime.

With tanks and armored vehicles deployed in and around the banks and the important institutions, special forces from republican guards along with the normal security forces are also deployed in the streets to maintain security and to prevent any possible clashes, sabotage acts or riots.

Close to the gate of Sana’a university north-west of the capital, about 10,000-12,000 demonstrators from the opposition parties mainly from the Islamist party Islah, were chanting anti-government slogans and carrying placards read: No for hereditary rule, nor for the rule of one family, no for constitutional amendments.

Wearing pink colors as headbands or sashes, young people were chanting : “people want to topple the regime, people want to topple the regime”.

They were obviously inspired and emboldened by what’s happening now in Egypt as they were imitating even same tone of Egyptians who are now protesting against Mubarak regime in Egypt.

And Tahreer Sqaure in the middle of the city, more than 10,000 demonstrators from the ruling party, mainly from the government employees and school students, held their rally .

Carrying pictures of President Saleh, flags of Yemen, they were chanting: Yes for security stability, yes for development, no for violence and sabotage . Some were carrying placards supporting the initiative of President Saleh for dialogue.

More than 10 big tens were installed in Tahreer Square for the pro-government demonstrators , because of them came from the villages around Sana’a city.

I have not seen any kind of violence or riot, or sabotage acts in any one of the two rival rallies until 10: 30 am Thursday, February 3rd, 2011, bou most if not all stores and shops and companies at least around the two big rival rallies were closed.