The focus on the political crisis in Sana’a overlooks the continued fragmentation of the Yemeni state and long-term challenges in Yemen.

Fighting broke out again in Taiz between tribesmen and Yemeni security forces. There had been a truce in place.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman called for an immediate transition of power. Feltman was in Sana’a to meet with the acting president and opposition leaders.

Defected General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar asserted that the opposition would be a strong counter-terrorism partner. He said, “We will deal with terrorism as a critical issue. It will fight the terrorists as a matter of life or death. Not for material gain.”

The Yemeni state is undergoing fragmentation and a resolution to the political crisis in the capital will not result in a unified state. The country also remains at risk of armed conflict. The current situation has increased al Qaeda’s operating space in Yemen.

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