This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15030899

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh returns to Sanaa Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh returns to Sanaa
(about 1 hour later)
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has returned to the country from Saudi Arabia three months after surviving an assassination attempt, officials say.Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has returned to the country from Saudi Arabia three months after surviving an assassination attempt, officials say.
Yemen TV said President Saleh arrived in the capital, Sanaa, by private plane at dawn. No other details were given.Yemen TV said President Saleh arrived in the capital, Sanaa, by private plane at dawn. No other details were given.
He went to Saudi Arabia in June for treatment following a rocket attack on the grounds of the presidential palace.He went to Saudi Arabia in June for treatment following a rocket attack on the grounds of the presidential palace.
President Saleh, who has been in power for more than 30 years, has faced months of protests urging him to quit.President Saleh, who has been in power for more than 30 years, has faced months of protests urging him to quit.
Correspondents say his return raises the risk of all-out civil war.Correspondents say his return raises the risk of all-out civil war.
"We're definitely going to have an escalation of violence, but let him come back - we want him to come back and be tried for his crimes," said protest organiser Mohammed al-Asl."We're definitely going to have an escalation of violence, but let him come back - we want him to come back and be tried for his crimes," said protest organiser Mohammed al-Asl.
The surprise return of President Saleh raises the stakes in Yemen.The surprise return of President Saleh raises the stakes in Yemen.
When he left the country for Saudi Arabia, opposition activists hoped he would be forced to step down. But he has so far resisted domestic and foreign pressure to resign.When he left the country for Saudi Arabia, opposition activists hoped he would be forced to step down. But he has so far resisted domestic and foreign pressure to resign.
His presence in Yemen is likely to strengthen his supporters and it increases fears among his opponents of an escalation in fighting.His presence in Yemen is likely to strengthen his supporters and it increases fears among his opponents of an escalation in fighting.
In recent days there has been a surge in violence between forces loyal to President Saleh and rival opposition factions.In recent days there has been a surge in violence between forces loyal to President Saleh and rival opposition factions.
There are fears that if the violence continues, the country could slip into civil war.There are fears that if the violence continues, the country could slip into civil war.
In the south, there are concerns that Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda are taking advantage of the turmoil in the country, stepping up attacks on government forces there.In the south, there are concerns that Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda are taking advantage of the turmoil in the country, stepping up attacks on government forces there.
Activists have been camped out in an area of Sanaa dubbed Change Square since January demanding an end to his rule. Activists have been camped out in an area of Sanaa dubbed Change Square since January, demanding an end to his rule.
Clashes in the capital have recently intensified as elite Republican Guards, led by President Saleh's son Ahmed, fight running battles with army units that have defected to the opposition and tribal fighters who support the protesters.Clashes in the capital have recently intensified as elite Republican Guards, led by President Saleh's son Ahmed, fight running battles with army units that have defected to the opposition and tribal fighters who support the protesters.
More than 80 people, mostly unarmed protesters, have been killed since Sunday.More than 80 people, mostly unarmed protesters, have been killed since Sunday.
Medics say at least one person was killed overnight and many others wounded when mortars landed in Change Square. Other reports said four people were killed in the northern al-Hasaba district on Friday. Doctors say at least one person was killed overnight and many others wounded when mortars landed in Change Square. Other reports said four people were killed in the northern al-Hasaba district on Friday.
'Critical escalation''Critical escalation'
Correspondents in Sanaa reported a surge in artillery and machine-gun fire as news of President Saleh's return broke. As least some of the gunfire was celebratory, they said.Correspondents in Sanaa reported a surge in artillery and machine-gun fire as news of President Saleh's return broke. As least some of the gunfire was celebratory, they said.
Yemeni state TV broadcast old footage of Mr Saleh and played national songs as it reported his return.Yemeni state TV broadcast old footage of Mr Saleh and played national songs as it reported his return.
The Yemeni embassy in Washington confirmed President Saleh had returned.The Yemeni embassy in Washington confirmed President Saleh had returned.
In Sanaa, anti-government protesters and supporters of President Saleh are expected to hold rallies after Friday prayers. In Sanaa, anti-government protesters and supporters of President Saleh held rallies after Friday prayers.
Witnesses said thousands of cheering pro-Saleh supporters were converging on a mosque used by the president. An al-Jazeera correspondent in Sanaa says they have taken place within a few miles of each other, although it appeared many anti-government protesters had stayed at home for fear of violence.
"His return means more divisions, more escalation and confrontations," protest leader Abdel-Hadi al-Azizi told AP news agency. Protest leader Abdel-Hadi al-Azizi said President Saleh's return "means more divisions, more escalation and confrontations".
"We are in a very critical escalation." "We are in a very critical escalation," he told AP news agency.
Hopes of a lasting ceasefire between the sides, to enable a reform process to take place in which President Saleh would yield power, are fading. Hopes of a lasting ceasefire to enable a reform process to take place in which President Saleh would yield power are fading.
On Tuesday the government agreed a truce following negotiations with Western envoys. However, the ceasefire broke down hours later.On Tuesday the government agreed a truce following negotiations with Western envoys. However, the ceasefire broke down hours later.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned on Thursday that Yemen was at a "dangerous crossroads".The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned on Thursday that Yemen was at a "dangerous crossroads".
Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) chief Abdulatif al-Zayani visited Yemen on Tuesday to try to broker a deal to the crisis but left the next day empty-handed.Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) chief Abdulatif al-Zayani visited Yemen on Tuesday to try to broker a deal to the crisis but left the next day empty-handed.
Are you in Yemen? Do you have relatives there? Are you in Sanaa? What is your reaction to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's return? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Yemen? Do you have relatives there? Are you in Sanaa? What is your reaction to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's return? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions