Difference between Yemen Protests and Bahrain Protests
The Yemen and Bahrain protests are two of the most significant events to have rocked the Muslim world, particular since they come in the heels of the Egypt protests that toppled the country's longtime regime. More significant still is the fact that Libya is also in the grips of a similar upheaval, and all of these signs point to a rapidly changing political climate in the region. In this article, we take a look at what the Yemen protests and the Bahrain protests have in common, and its potential consequences both local and global.
Profile
The Yemen protests of 2011 came in the wake of other protests in Tunisia and in Egypt, as well as other mass protests during the early part of the year in the rest of the Arab world. Initially intended to protest widespread unemployment, poor economic conditions and government corruption, these movements later broadened in scope to include opposition to government proposals to modify the country's constitution. One of the end goals of these protests is the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Bahrain protests of 2011 are comprised of a string of demonstrations in the Persian country. Mirroring similar events in the Middle East and North Africa from 2010 to 2011, these protests were intended to promote increased political freedom and equality for the country’s Shia population. Among its other goals is the end of monarchial rule.
Background
The Yemen protests started out as a January 27 protest march in Sana'a. Comprised of more than 16,000 protesters, these demonstrations were seen as influential factors in President Saleh’s subsequent announcement that he would not be running for reelection, and that he would not pass power to his son as many expected. On February 3, more than 20,000 people took to the streets in protest against the Sana'a government, while similar protests took place in Aden.
The Bahrain protests come in the wake of a February 17 night raid against protesters at the Pearl Roundabout. Thousands of people then camped out in Manama for several days, with much of the activity centered on the Pearl Roundabout.
Current Status
By March 1, several thousand anti-government protesters took to the streets in renewed force, where they were joined by members of the country’s different opposition parties. The group converged at the university at Sana'a, where vigorous demands for the resignation of Saleh were made after his rejected proposal to set up a new Yemeni government. As of March 2, 2011, the Yemen protests were still ongoing.
In Bahrain, protests were still ongoing as of March 2, 2011, and the official death count had been pegged at 7 by this point. The protests also resulted in injury to more than 541, of which 485 were released, with the remaining 56 still confined in different hospitals.
Similarities and Differences
Yemen protests
- Came in the wake of other protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and the rest of the Arab world
- Protests were still ongoing As of March 2, 2011
Bahrain protests
- Mirrors similar events in the Middle East and North Africa
- Still ongoing as of March 2, 2011
