Yemen: The Difference Between a Peaceful Revolution and Violent Clashes | Sojourners

Yemen: The Difference Between a Peaceful Revolution and Violent Clashes

Atiaf Alwazir, who runs the blog Woman from Yemen, has a new post explaining the relationship between what she calls the "peaceful revolution and violent clashes" that are going on in the Yemen revolution right now. It's a great primer for those trying to understand what exactly is going on in Yemen. The takeaway message is: "The peaceful movement and the recent armed conflict are two separate issues. The armed clashes are between government forces and armed tribesmen loyal to [Sheik Sadeq] al-Ahmar."

Furthermore, as Alwazir notes, "For the past three months, peaceful protesters have never taken up arms, even when attacked." This is an extremely important point lost in the focus on the clashes -- no doubt a benefit to Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Read the rest of Alwazir's post to learn more about the peaceful protesters and the toll violent tribal clashes are taking on civilians.

[This article appears courtesy of a partnership with Waging Nonviolence.]

Bryan Farrell is a New York-based writer, covering topics that range from the environment and climate change to foreign policy and militarism. His work has appeared in The Nation, In These Times, Plenty, Earth Island Journal, Huffington Post, and Foreign Policy In Focus. Visit his website at BryanFarrell.com.