Yes, the middle-east is still on fire

As the world media focuses on the events now occurring in Japan, the big story of the last few weeks has disappeared onto the back pages.  That big story is of course the middle-east uprisings.  We have dug around and have found these news stories from today that indicate that the middle-east is still on fire.  Unrest continues in Bahrain, Yemen and Lebanon, and a civil war is being fought in Libya. The dynamics of middle-east politics will change radically in the months to come.  As we have pointed out in a couple of recent weekend blog entries, radical Islamic movements are now stepping into the power vacuum voids hoping to install new Sharia law based Islamic governments.

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Mark 13:7-8 NIV

From the news links:

Scattered clashes broke out across Yemen on Monday, killing three soldiers in the north, as military forces were deployed to check nationwide protests demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The impoverished Arabian Peninsula state has been rocked by weeks of demonstrations that have undermined Saleh's 32-year grip on power, with both pro- and anti-government supporters appearing to resort increasingly to violence in the struggle.

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Saudi Arabia sent troops into Bahrain on Monday to help put down weeks of protests by the Shi'ite Muslim majority, a move opponents of the Sunni ruling family on the island called a declaration of war. Analysts saw the troop movement into Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, as a mark of concern in Saudi Arabia that concessions by the country's monarchy could inspire the conservative Sunni kingdom's own Shi'ite minority.

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Bahraini police and protesters have clashed in several areas of the capital, Manama, in some of the worst unrest for weeks. Security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to battle protesters who had managed to blockade main roads into the financial district. Clashes were also reported in the city's main square and university.

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Tens of thousands of Lebanese opposition supporters on Sunday demanded Hezbollah be disarmed as they rallied to mark the sixth anniversary of a popular uprising against Syrian troops in the country.

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As Washington commended the Arab League for approving a proposed no-fly zone over Libya and European powers drew up plans for saving the anti-Qaddafi movement from defeat, Syria began sending Muammar Qaddafi supplies of arms, ammunition and weapons spare parts to sustain his effort to crush the uprising.

Violent protests across Yemen, 3 soldiers dead

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/gunfire-military-deployment-yemen-tensions-rise-20110314-025941-881.html

Saudi sends troops, Bahrain Shi'ites call it "war"

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/bahrain-calls-gulf-help-violent-protests-20110314-015057-996.html

Bahrain unrest: Manama erupts in violence

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12728765

Opposition rallies against Hezbollah

http://www.france24.com/en/20110313-lebanese-opposition-rallies-against-hizbollah-hariri-beirut-mikati

Syria sends Qaddafi arms. Exodus begins from Benghazi

http://www.debka.com/article/20761/