Yemen's Air Force demands ouster of commander, Saleh's brother [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Male #1
Yemen's 170th Air Defense Brigade in the southern province of Taizz has joined the protests demanding the dismissal of Yemeni Air Force Commander Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar, President Saleh's half-brother.

Presenter, Female #1
In Maarib east of the Yemeni capital, members of the 180th Air Defense Brigade staged protests as part of what has become known as "the revolution of associations." Several air defense officers and recruits have been staging sit-ins in front of Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's home in the capital Sanaa for over a week, demanding al-Ahmar's ouster.

Presenter, Male #1
Our colleague, Ahmad al-Shalafi, has more details in the following report on the scene in Yemen.

Reporter, Male #2
It has been more than a week since the spark of protests by Yemeni air forces in Sanaa, Maarib, Taizz, Hadrmout, Mahra, and Lahj, demanding the ouster of the Air Forces' chief and President Saleh's half-brother, Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar. The protests of what has become known as the "revolution of associations" against corruption have spread to the intelligence agency, demanding the ouster of the agency's chief, Ghaleb Mttahar al-Qamesh.

Guest, Male #3 (Abed al-Ghani Bin Oudah, Former Leader of an Air Force Base)
We are pleading to our brother, General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar, to use his conscience and brain and realize that the situation has reached the end. He needs to leave in dignity.

Reporter, Male #2
The protests have also spread to some Navy and Republican Guard brigades, demanding the dismissal of their commanders over charges of corruption. The "revolution of associations" began before the launch of the consensual presidential elections, and it will likely continue until the revolution's objective is achieved, which is the ouster of "corrupt officials." The Joint Meeting Parties, JMP, which joined the coalition government, called on their members and supporters to join the front lines of voters and cast ballots in favor of consensual presidential candidate, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The JMP expressed relief over the efforts exerted by Hadi's campaign manager, the military committee, and the consensual government, aimed at implementing the mechanism of the Gulf imitative. For their part, the Yemeni government and the High Election Commission said they are ready to hold the presidential elections on February 21.

Guest, Female #2 (Hurriya Mashhur, Yemeni Minster of Human Rights)
Many people see the elections as non-competitive because of the consensual candidate. However, participation is very important. Everyone is required to take part in these elections, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

Reporter, Male #2
Everyone is waiting for February 21 and view it as an important transitional date in Yemen. Ahmad al-Shalafi, al-Jazeera, Sanaa.

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Yemenis blame Saleh for 2,000 deaths during revolution [Press TV, Iran]

Demonstrators in Yemen have taken to the streets across the country shouting slogans against the government. The protestors also called for the prosecution of Saleh and his aides. They also want the Cabinet and Members of Parliament to resign. Yemenis blame Saleh and his aides for the killing of nearly 2,000 demonstrators since the revolution began last year. Saleh is now in the US for what is being called a medical visit. He went there after Parliament granted him full immunity from prosecution about a week ago. Washington says Saleh has diplomatic immunity in America.

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Moroccans demand 'genuine reforms' in fresh Casablanca protests [Press TV, Iran]

Moroccan protestors have held yet another rally against the government in the largest city Casablanca. It's the latest in the string of demonstrations rocking the country over the past year. Demonstrators marching against the government in Casablanca: a familiar site in the streets of Morocco over the past year. Two weeks ago, thousands marched in the capital Rabat against unemployment among the youth. They were mainly graduate students demanding that the issue of joblessness be addressed. The Moroccan economy has been unable to create enough jobs for the growing number of young people joining the workforce. The jobless rate among the youth currently stands at around 31 percent.

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South Sudan ethnic clashes leave over 40 dead [Press TV, Iran]

Fresh ethnic clashes between rival communities in South Sudan have claimed more than 40 lives. Violence broke out when a group of armed men from the northern Unity state attacked villages in neighboring Warrap state in a cattle raid. Officials say most of the victims were women, children, and the elderly. An unknown number of people were also injured. The gunmen also stole hundreds of cattle and other property. They country's Interior Ministry has accused Sudan of supplying the attackers with arms against the government of the newly born African nation.

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Syrian regime tightens security around Damascus as rebels approach the capital [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Female #1
In Syria, all eyes are on the UN Security Council, set to meet tomorrow with the participation of the foreign ministers of Britain, France, Qatar, and the US, as well as the Arab League's secretary-general. The meeting comes amid the dramatic, unfolding developments on the ground. Meanwhile, the number of defectors from the conventional army continues to rise as battles approach the capital Damascus, which has been witnessing an unprecedented military and security deployment. Troops, tanks, and military vehicles are being heavily deployed across major streets and squares in the capital, amid heightened security measures around government institutions and around the state-run radio and television building at al-Umawiyeen Square.

Reporter, Male #1
As the number of defectors from the conventional army continues to rise, the Syrian capital Damascus is witnessing an unprecedented military mobilization, including the deployment of military machinery, armored vehicles, tanks, and troops across major city streets and squares. In addition, the regime's forces intensified their presence around government institutions and around the radio and television building at al-Umawiyeen Square. Activists said Assad's brigades launched an unprecedented operation, in which they deployed more than 50 tanks across villages in the countryside of Damascus located between the capital and the airport. Also in Damascus, a revolutionary activist raised the new Syrian flag on Mezzah Bridge. Incoming news from the countryside of Damascus confirmed that the eastern parts of the city are suffering from a sharp shortage of food and medical supplies. Meanwhile, Assad's forces prevented fuel and gas stations from selling oil products to local residents, as the internet and communication services and power were cut off. Syrian residents said the eastern areas of the countryside of Damascus, which have been facing a fierce military campaign over the past two days, are witnessing a mass displacement due to the heavy shelling. The area of East Ghuta in the countryside of Damascus has been witnessing a military campaign for the fourth consecutive day. The operation is being described as "the fiercest" since the spark of the revolution. In conjunction, a Free Syrian Army spokesman said the number of defectors from the conventional army continues to rise and added that clashes have intensified over the past few hours in the countryside of Damascus. Activists posted videos online showing al-Assad's brigades killing dozens of civilians in the city of al-Qaseir in Homs. The Syrian League for the Defense of Human Rights said in a statement that an air force intelligence unit has killed defected colonel Hussein Harmush, execution-style. In al-Rustan, Bab Amer neighborhood, Khalidi, and Qisour in Homs, activists confirmed that dozens have been killed or injured by heavy shelling and gunfire. The Syrian Revolution General Commission said the regime's army forces shelled the neighborhoods of Karm al-Zaytoun and Jurat al-Shayah with mortar shells. In addition, they opened fire from checkpoints surrounding the two neighborhoods. In Daraa Province, activists said army forces stormed the city of Nasib and launched search operations of residents' homes. The Syrian news agency SANA reported that an "armed group" targeted an oil pipeline between Homs and Baniyas near Tal-Kalakh. Videos were posted on social media websites of residents in Idlib demanding the departure of President Bashar Assad in massive demonstrations. The protestors also chanted slogans in support of the Free Syrian Army. Syrian activists posted videos showing a demonstration in Hama demanding the resignation of Assad and the protection of civilians. In addition, demonstrations broke out in several neighborhoods in Homs, demanding freedom. The demonstrators in Bab Houd's neighborhood burned the Russian flag in protest of Moscow's position at the UN Security Council regarding a resolution on Syria. The residents of Duma held funeral processions for the fallen victims killed yesterday by the gunfire of Assad's brigades during an attack on the city. The mourners chanted slogans demanding the downfall of al-Assad.

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Bahraini detainees begin hunger strike [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Female #1
The Bahraini government decided to heighten the punishment for assaulting policemen. Meanwhile, Bahraini activists and dissidents who were arrested for taking part in anti-government protests began a hunger strike yesterday evening in protest of the crackdown on demonstrations.

Reporter, Male #1
Bahraini opposition activists who were arrested on charges of participating in anti-government protests last year went on a hunger strike, according to a human rights advocate group. Chairman of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights Mohamed Maskati said the detainees had their final meal on Sunday evening before they began the hunger strike. According to the Youth Society's statement, 14 jailed human rights advocates and opposition leaders announced to go on an open-ended hunger strike in solidarity with the protestors who demand democracy, in protest of what they referred to as the brutal repression imposed on them. The Bahraini judiciary convicted a number of opposition leaders on charges of conspiring to overthrow the regime after the month-long protest movement demanding a constitutional monarchy was quelled in the middle of last March. On the other hand, the Interior Ministry said 21 policemen were injured during clashes with protestors this past Thursday. Meanwhile, the opposition said one protestor was killed and a large number of others were wounded. As the first anniversary for the eruption of Bahraini protests approaches, confrontations were intensified between Shiite protestors and Bahraini security forces. Shiites account for the majority of Bahrain's population. In November 2011, an independent investigation committee condemned the authorities' excessive and unjust use of violence, indicating that 35 people were killed in the crackdown on the protest movement in the middle of March, 2011.

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Iran vows to cut off some oil exports as nuclear watchdogs arrive [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Female #1
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi welcomed the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to his country. He asserted that there is nothing about Iran's nuclear activities that calls for suspicion. On the sidelines of the African Union's summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Salehi said nuclear fuel rods with 20 percent enriched uranium would be used in the Tehran research reactor within a month. He reiterated that his country enriched uranium according to its rights after relevant countries abandoned their obligations to provide nuclear fuel for the reactor. The Iranian Defense Ministry unveiled the manufacturing of 155mm smart munitions named "Basir" on the anniversary of the Islamic revolution's victory in Iran. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi said these munitions are laser-guided with high accuracy in targeting tanks, command centers, and moving objects. The munitions can be used in armed confrontations in mountainous areas. He added that the laser system can very accurately determine targets. In addition, Vahidi revealed a special naval aircraft and new cruise missiles produced by Iranian experts. Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasimi said his country will cut off its oil exports from certain countries, stressing that there are other markets than Europe. Iranian parliamentarians expected the European Union to retract its decision to impose an embargo on Iranian oil exports. Meanwhile, India said it has not made a decision about its Iranian oil imports.

Reporter, Female #2
Iran continues to react to Western pressure, most recently the European Union's embargo on Iranian oil. Iran does not see this embargo as a matter of significance, asserting that it has alternative markets. To strengthen its position, Iran announced it will cut off oil exports to Europe after the Iranian parliament issued a draft resolution on the matter. Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasimi said Tehran will cutoff its oil exports to certain countries soon, stressing the existence of alternative markets to Europe. He indicated that Iran's oil exports to Europe accounted for less than 20 percent of its gross exports and that ending them would not cause any setbacks for the country. His deputy Ahmad Qalebani reiterated the same statement, stating that Tehran has received oil requests from new customers. Qalebani considered Europe an untrustworthy partner to Iran, warning that Europe's decision will have a negative impact on its nations. During the parliamentary session that completed a draft resolution about ending oil exports to Europe, representatives affirmed that Europe's oil embargo was nothing but a psychological and media war.

Guest, Male #1 (Hussein Naqwi, Iranian Member of Parliament)
The purpose of creating this issue is to generate the atmosphere of a psychological war on our country's economy. By issuing the draft resolution halting oil exports to Europe, the representatives wanted to reiterate that our economy will not be affected, even if the European Union does indeed stop buying Iranian oil.

Reporter, Female #2
The members of parliament expected Europe to retract its decision, considering Europe to be the most affected in this war.

Guest, Male #2 (Sheikh Hussein Ibrahimi, Member of the National Security Committee in Iranian Parliament)
The Europeans themselves were hesitant about their decision. They made this decision under US pressure. European companies themselves said the embargo will inflict damages on them. It is not easy to find an alternative oil supplier.

Reporter, Female #2
Indeed, Europe will be the biggest loser in this war, especially its countries with deteriorating economies such as Greece and Italy, in light of the difficulty in finding another supplier that will compensate for Iranian oil without demanding additional financial guarantees. On the other hand, Iran received confirmation that its major customers will continue buying Iranian oil. The most recent confirmation was from India. Indian Minister of Finance Pranab Mukherjee said India cannot reduce its oil imports from Iran, a major regional power whose economy has an impact on the economy of the whole Third World. Indeed, Iran is a power that has managed to overcome the sanctions imposed on it for over 30 years and become a power with significant weight in the region.

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Hamas chief visits Amman after 12-year expulsion [IBA, Israel]

Hamas Chief Khaled Meshaal returns to Amman yesterday for the first time since the movement was expelled over a decade ago. This amid mounting speculation that Hamas may move its headquarters from Damascus. Jordanian King Abdullah greeted Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal alongside Crown Prince Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar at the royal palace. It was the first time the 55-year-old Islamist leader officially returned to Amman since his expulsion in 1999 when Hamas offices were sealed amid charges that the organization was stockpiling weapons to destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom and Mashal was deported to Qatar.

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Egyptians vote in second stage of parliamentary elections [IBA, Israel]

Staying in the region, in Egypt it is day two of voting in the first stage of elections for the Upper House of Parliament. Officials described yesterday's turnout as light. The second stage of balloting for the 270-member Shura Council or Upper House will take place in mid-February. Ninety seats will be decided in round one and another 90 to be chosen in round two, and the remaining 90 will be appointed by Egyt's next president. The council's powers are limited and it cannot block legislation in the Lower House but its members must be consulted before lawmakers in the lower chamber can pass legislation.

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Turkey's racist policy against Kurds [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Male #1
Today, Turkey under Ergodan's rule is no different from the Turkey that Ataturk founded. This country is accused by its own people of exercising the worst forms of racism and ethnic discrimination and of violating the rights of minorities.

Presenter, Female #1
Ankara finds itself unable to meet the European Union's standards as it still violates the rights of minorities, especially the Kurds and Alawites who account for over a quarter of the country's population.

Reporter, Male #2
Since its establishment in 1923, Turkey has been practicing a racist policy against the Turkish Kurds, so much so that all government institutions are involved in excessively exercising this policy. The Turkish army continuously oppresses the Kurds and the Kurdish movement, and the highest national council known as parliament issues laws and resolutions that are hostile to Kurds. Similarly, schools and other educational institutions impose the Turkish language and culture on Kurdish children in an attempt to eliminate all Kurdish influence despite Turkey's previous promises in the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923. The Turkish constitution can be interpreted to justify the oppressive policy against Kurds and the violation of their ethnic rights. In addition, Turkish authorities adopted a clear policy that does not comply with the country's special laws pertaining to the Kurdish people. The Dersim Law, which was issued in 1935 and effective until 1946, was a law that completely contradicted the Turkish constitution. Furthermore, the Turkish constitution contradicts Articles 38 and 39 of the Treaty of Lausanne which protects Kurdish rights. Turkey's official policy is still based on denying the existence of Kurds and the Kurdish cause in the country. Over the past several decades, Turkey has issued a number of laws that are hostile to Kurds. After the massive Kurdish rebellion in 1925, the Turkish government enacted laws to suppress any Kurdish political movement. The Dersim Massacre that took place from the spring of 1937 to the spring of 1938 is considered one of the most horrendous crimes committed against Kurdish villagers. The number of victims of the massacre is estimated to be over 13,000. This page of history has not been turned, and in fact, continues to this day. Only a few months ago, Turkish warplanes committed a massacre against the Kurdish civilians in the city of Qalban in Sirnak province, killing a large number of civilians. There are nearly seven million Kurds living in a number of Turkish regions, including Diyarbakir, Dersim, Siirt and Mus. Rim Ahmed, al-Iraqiya.