Uprisings in the Arab world escalated at a fever pitch Sunday and threatened two key US allies, Bahrain and Yemen, where a top Yemini general and two other commanders joined the anti-government rebellion against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

 

Saleh, who has held power in the terror-ridden country for 32 years, is a key ally with the United States whose fall from power could have immense ramifications in the American war against al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists.

Saleh fired his cabinet Sunday after two senior officials quit in protest of his attempts to suppress demonstrators with brute force. More than 50 people were killed last week. Tanks were roaming the streets of the capital of Sana'a Monday.

The three army officers who turned against Saleh are members of his own tribe, which also has called on him to resign.

In Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, Sunni Muslim King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said his forces have foiled a foreign plot against his rule.

Saudi Arabia, which like Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni Muslim despite a majority of Shi’ite Muslims, has sent 1,000 troops to help the government suppress the uprising on fears that the fall of Bahraini kingdom could spell trouble for the Saudi King, Abdullah.