Civil War In Yemen?

Risk Of Civil War Looms As Yemen's Soldiers Defect From Saleh Regime -- The Telegraph

A week ago Bassam Ali Qa'id, 26, was loyal to Yemen's hated President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and part of a state security machine which has shot at, tear-gassed and beaten democracy protesters.

But on Saturday he was a hero to the protesters who in recent weeks have threatened finally to bring to an end Mr Saleh's 32-year rule.

On Monday the general who commands him defected from the Saleh regime and threw in his lot with those campaigning for democratic reform. Now Private Qa'id is helping guard a protesters' camp against the risk of attack by the regime's hard core of security forces - the type of men who nine days ago massacred 52 protesters including an eight year-old boy.

"I could not move without being kissed," he said with a grin. "They gave us flowers and food. I'm eating better here than I ever did at the military camp."

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My Comment: I have trouble believing that the common foot soldiers and junior officers in the Yemen military would be willing to follow through on any order to shoot their countrymen. Then again .... I never thought that a good portion of the Libyan army would turn around and shoot their own countrymen on Gaddafi's orders.

Yemen to me is touch and go for the moment. The next few weeks are going to be crucial on where this revolution is going.