Q+A-What are the risks of instability in Yemen?

(Reuters) – Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest country, is combating a reignited Shi’ite revolt in the north, separatist unrest in the south and intensified al Qaeda militancy.

Oil output is dwindling and water resources are being depleted. The global economic downturn has limited the ability of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government to cope with high unemployment, runaway population growth and widespread poverty.

If Yemen tipped further into instability, or even state failure, this could endanger its neighbours, especially Saudi Arabia, and complicate efforts to fight al Qaeda and protect international shipping routes from piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Western alarm is growing.

Reuters