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Explosion at military headquarters leads to calls for army relocation
Smoke billows from the First Armored Division’s headquarters. Authorities have still not determined the cause of the blast that killed four civilians and one soldier according to a military leader.
The Military Committee said there is no need for military camps in the capital or other major cities. They advocate the relocation of military units to less crowded areas.
Obald said in a statement that the explosion has now made the relocation a nonegotiable.
Obaid said the cause of the explosion is still vague, but the Defense Ministry established a fact finding committee to initiate an investigation.
He furthered that the presence of the military camps in the cities has too many negative impacts, indicating that his committee is working on preparing a project draft and suggestions to President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi regarding the transfer of military units.
“There should only be a presence of security forces in order to maintain security and stability in Sana’a and major cities,” the Major said.
In the same vein, Faris Al-Himairi, a journalist, said the presence of the military camps in the capital and other populous cities is causing local populations to worry. According to him, 19 camps affiliated with the military are situated in the middle of residential areas..
“The military camps are located in strategic mountainous districts. These places should be exploited as natural attractions, not military camps,” he said.
In the name of safety, Al-Himairi said there must be immediate procedures taken by decision makers to remove the military camps.
Yaser Al-Roaeini, the head of the Peaceful Youth Revolution Coordination and a member of the National Dialogue, said the military camps are a source of anxiety for people and an indicator of the jagged security situation in Yemen.
Al-Roaenini argues the majority of the cities in Yemen lack parks and gardens because of the expansion of these military camps. He believes the evacuation of military camps and weapons should be aligned with the state-promised army restructuring process.
Abdulqadir Ali Helah, the Secretary General of Sana’a, said the local council will be formally demanding the elimination of the military camps without exception or discrimination. He wants them replaced with parks, gardens, schools, hospitals and other government compounds.
