The Hill News

“Yesterday Tunisia! Today Egypt! Tomorrow Yemen!” a small group of Yemeni protesters chanted on Sunday. Gaining inspiration from the popular protests sweeping the Arab world, Yemen is now preparing for its own “Day of Rage,” with massive demonstrations to take place tomorrow. 

As the government of Yemen, the region and the United States brace for this latest exhibit of mass unrest, many are wondering if long-time President Ali Abdullah Salih, the longest standing Arab ruler, will become the next autocrat to lose control of his regime. 

The Republic of Yemen emerged in early 2010 as a priority in the war on terror. It suffers from rampant poverty and unemployment, a youth bulge, severe water shortages and several acute political crises, including the six-year Huthi conflict in its northern provinces, the secessionist Southern Movement in its South, and an emboldened al-Qaeda affiliate.