January 3, 2012: President Saleh is apparently trying to use the recent peace deal, which has him resigning in February, to weaken the opposition and cancel the peace deal. Saleh is using the ceasefire to reinforce military units loyal to him, while insisting that armed rebels withdraw from cities and roadblocks. Saleh was apparently influenced by close allies, who point out that Saleh supporters will suffer great economic losses and many will be killed when the new government takes complete power (especially of the security forces). So Saleh is apparently once more changing his mind and trying to hang onto control of the country. This includes an effort, led by his son (who commands key security units) to purge disloyal officers and troops from the security forces. This is the fourth time Saleh has reneged on a peace deal and this time the issue may have to be decided by a more intense civil war, ended only when Saleh is captured or killed.

Meanwhile, large demonstrations continue, calling for Saleh to be prosecuted for the deaths of over a thousand demonstrators. The killings continue, especially in the capital and a few other large cities. But most of the civil war is over, or at least halted, and the army (except for the pro-Saleh Republican Guard) has turned to hunting down and killing the thousands of Islamic terrorists on the loose in the south. In the last few weeks over 500 Islamic terrorists have been killed, wounded, or captured in the south.

The November peace deal has led to many government departments coming under the control of anti-Saleh officials. This means that many pro-Saleh workers are getting fired.

December 31, 2011: President met with his key aides and political allies and was convinced to stay in the country.

December 30, 2011: For the first time since president Saleh signed the peace deal on November 23^rd, thousands of pro-Saleh demonstrators came out in the capital, demanding that Saleh remain in power.

Saudi Arabia has again come forward with free fuel for Yemen. This helps deal with the severe fuel shortage caused by rebels shutting down oil pumping and refining in Yemen.

December 28, 2011: The U.S. agreed to allow president Saleh to come to the United States for medical treatment. This request, made a week ago, seemed to be more for getting Saleh into a safe place of exile. In any event, Saleh changed his mind.

December 25, 2011: In the southern port of Aden, the local chief of military intelligence was shot dead.

December 24, 2011: The Republican Guard continues to open fire on unarmed demonstrators.

December 22, 2011: Outside the southern city of Zinjibar, a missile from an American UAV apparently killed the brother of the al Qaeda leader in Yemen (along with five other terrorists).