The most senior defector in the U.S.-backed military was identified
as Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar. Al Ahmar commanded the Army's
1st Armored Division, ordered to deploy in Sanaa as part of the crackdown on
the opposition.
"I announce our support and our peaceful backing to the youth
revolution," Al Ahmar said.
In a statement to Qatar's A-Jazeera satellite channel on March 21, Al
Ahmar said military officers could no longer ignore the abuses of the Saleh
regime. The general, regarded as a longtime ally of the president, said he
and his colleagues have decided to use their authority to end the bloodshed.
"The crisis is getting more complicated and it's pushing the country
towards and violence and civil war," Al Ahmar said. "We are going to fulfil
our duties to preserve security and stability."
The sources said Al Ahmar has brought with him other officers as well as
Russian-origin T-72 main battle tanks. They said the MBTs were ordered by Al
Ahmar to deploy throughout Sanaa and respond to any Saleh assault on
protesters.
Later, another senior officer, Maj. Gen. Mohmmed Ali Mohsen, head of the
northwestern command, defected. Ali Mohsen was said to have been a leading
commander in the war against Iranian-backed Shi'ite rebels in 2010.
"The military are the protectors of the people, and I here announce that
my forces will join the revolution and protect the youth at Taghyir
Square," Ali Mohsen said.
The defection of military personnel intensified over the last week as
the Saleh regime ordered thousands of troops into Sanaa. On March 18, at
least 50 people were killed and nearly 700 injured in an assault by security
forces at Sanaa University. The most lethal regime force was identified as
the 50,000-member Republican Guard.
"This was a crime that was both illogical and unjustifiable," Health
Minister Abdul Karim Rafi, who resigned, said.
Saleh has sought to demonstrate his commitment to reform. On March 20,
the president fired his Cabinet, several of whom had already resigned in
protest of the killing by the security forces.
"After getting blood on his hands, he [Saleh] cried crocodile tears for
the martyrs," an opposition statement said.
The military said it has replaced the Republican Guard as well as police
around Sanaa University. Officials said the new force would have fewer
weapons and use them only in self-defense.
"From now on, we will be controlling the entrances and exits of the
square by orders from the Supreme Military Command," military spokesman Lt.
Col. Mohammed Hussein said.
At the same time, the Defense Ministry asserted that the military
remained loyal to Saleh. The statement came amid reports of shootouts
between regime forces and defecting military units near the presidential
palace in Sanaa.
"The armed forces will stay faithful to the oath they gave before God,
the nation and political leadership under the brother, President Ali
Abdullah Saleh," Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser Ali said. "We will not
allow under any circumstances an attempt at a coup against democracy and
constitutional legitimacy, or violation of the security of the nation and
citizens."
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