Thousands call for independence for South Yemen скачать в хорошем качестве

Thousands call for independence for South Yemen

(1 Dec 2014) LEAD-IN: Thousands have been rallying in Yemen's southern city of Aden, calling for independence for South Yemen. The separatist movement says their campaign is gathering momentum - as much of the rest of the country remains fractured by fighting between the government and various rebel factions. STORYLINE: Waving the flag of South Yemen, jubilant crowds fill one of Aden's main squares. They're celebrating 47 years since Britain's withdrawal from South Yemen - but for many it's more than just an anniversary. Recently the date has become a rallying point for southern secessionists. 30 November 1967 also marks the day southern Yemen became an independent country - as well as the start of 23 years of instability, before unification with North Yemen in 1990. Since then, those from the former country - the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen - say they have been unfairly treated and marginalised by the Sanaa based government. But as fighting continues in the country between Yemen's government, Houthi rebels and al-Qaeda militants, there's now a real hope for many activists that South Yemen could once again become independent. The Southern Movement also known as Al-Hirak al-Janoubi is leading the calls - and has been organising protests in Aden for several months. One of them, a sit-in protest that began last month in one of Aden's main squares, continues. "These days the south will witness a revolutionary escalation that is nothing like it has seen before, not even the occupation (the southern movement consider the Yemeni authority as an occupation to the south) has witnessed such escalation, because the people of the south have a great will for liberation, independence and expelling the Yemeni occupier," says Mohsen Ali, an activist with Southern Movement. Many of the protesters hold-up posters showing the face of former Southern Yemen President Ali Salem Al-Beidh who now heads up Al-Hirak al-Janoubi. Following unification, Al-Beidh served as Vice President to Ali Abdullah Saleh - before leaving the cabinet in 1993, ahead of Yemen's civil war. "Today, the people of the south are forming a red line and revolting for freedom and independence, the whole world must understand that the red line is not the United Nations, but the people of the south are going to defend their land," says protester, Saiid Rageh. Former soldiers arrive at the protest wearing the uniforms of the old order - while one man holds up his PDRY passport defiantly. Security officials were not authorised to speak to reporters, but some spoke on condition of anonymity. They claimed they later dispersed protesters gathered outside a government building by firing tear gas and shooting in the air. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...