Jonathan Saruk Photography

Images: Yemen

As the outcome of the many revolutions occurring around the Arab world appear less certain, none seems to have a more potential for volatility than Yemen. With few natural resources and an impoverished population with tribal loyalties held together under the teetering rule of a president with no formal education, Yemen is on the verge of political and economic collapse.

This past March, I had the rare opportunity to photograph the events unfolding inside Yemen and document this uncertainty; the hope of the anti-government protesters, the well-funded presidential supporters, and the occasional violent encounters between the two groups.

Anti-government protesters at the perimeter of the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Microphones are set up at a podium before a speech by President Ali Abdullah Saleh March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
A poster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh floats through a crowd in a stadium after the president gave a speech to thousands of supporters on March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Military officers take their seats before a speech by President Ali Abdullah Saleh March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Plastic chairs are left behind after President Ali Abdullah Saleh gave a speech to a packed stadium on March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Anti-government protesters chew quat at the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Anti-government protesters during clashes with police and pro-government supports near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
The body of a man killed during clashes with police is moved to a stage during a memorial service at the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 11, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
An anti-government protester, injured during clashes with police and pro-government supports, is carried away for medical treatment near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Anti-government protesters during clashes with police and pro-government supports near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Protesters pray during a demonstration near the gates of the University of Sana the morning after one protester was killed and dozens were injured in clashes with the police, March 9, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have camped out in front of the university calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Young anti-government protesters at the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
An anti-government protester at the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Protesters move to confront police at the perimeter of the antigovernment protest site outside the University of Sana, hours after four protesters were killed and dozens were injured in clashes with the police, March 12, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have camped out in front of the university calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Wounded protesters receive medical attention at the antigovernment protest site outside the University of Sana, hours after four protesters were killed and dozens were injured in clashes with the police, March 12, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have camped out in front of the university calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Protesters pray during a demonstration near the gates of the University of Sana the morning after one protester was killed and dozens were injured in clashes with the police, March 9, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have camped out in front of the university calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Anti-government protesters at the perimeter of the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
An anti-government protester rests after clashes with pro-government supports near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Microphones are set up at a podium before a speech by President Ali Abdullah Saleh March 10, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
Tawakkol Karman, President of Women Journalists Without Chains, at the anti-government protest site in front of the University of Sana on March 11, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
  
The scene after clashes between anti-government protesters and pro-government supports near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.
     
  
Anti-government protesters camp out near the University of Sana on March 13, 2011 in Sana, Yemen. Thousands of Yemenis have been protesting around the country calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years.