YEMEN’S popular youth revolution faced a unique set of circumstances among the contemporary revolutions of the Arab Spring — a despotic regime; armed tribes; and an Al Qaeda presence under the official auspices of the regime. But faced with all this, the youth insisted on achieving a comprehensive transformation by peaceful means. And millions of Yemenis responded to this invitation, descending on protest squares across the country.

The challenge of inviting the tribes of Yemen to join in with a revolution that was peaceful was significant; the tribes represent a major segment of the population, and weapons are a part of their makeup. So when they began to pitch their tents in the squares, stripped of all weapons, it was a surprise and an indication of the desire by all Yemenis to move towards a modern democratic state.

Now, after spending 120 days in the squares, during which time we have suffered intense violence from President Ali Abdullah Saleh while the international community has spared him, no one has the right to condemn us for any step that we take. Because it was only concerned with preventing civil war in Yemen, the international community allowed Saleh to continue his violence, despite giving guarantees he would cease. Meanwhile, we were required to exercise self-restraint.

Safeguarding the peaceful nature of the revolution has become like grasping hot coals. Then Saleh’s palace was bombed. It did not kill him, but lost him continuity as leader. The youth of the revolution believe Saleh is finished and that his presence in Saudi Arabia for treatment is a card being played to arrange post-Saleh conditions.

It is also being used to get round our demands for radical changes, that the representatives of the regime be brought to trial and that Yemen be ruled by a transitional presidential council committed to the goals of the revolution. However, the youth have the stronger card: the protests will not cease until all their demands are achieved. Those who did not share in our sacrifice today will share our country with us. So the opposition political parties and the remains of the ruling party are to share the political authority, while the US controls the security services, and the Saudis are protected from the ‘revolutionary plague’. Meanwhile, we are shot at by the remnants of Saleh’s people, who America appears keen should remain in power. The US is ignoring the fact it may lose the cooperation of the Yemeni people in the fight against terrorism because the people hate those who stand at the head of the security forces, the same forces that killed hundreds of peaceful protesters.

The feelings of the youth towards the international community was optimistic but has become frustrated, as the community which claims to stand for the values of freedom, justice and democracy abandoned them to be killed for the sake of these values without protection. Our frustrations over the position taken up by the international community will not distract us from our beliefs. Rather it will teach us to follow them while acting in the interests of our country.

The writer is a member of the organisational committee for the popular youth revolution in Yemen.— The Guardian, London