Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh underwent surgery in Saudi Arabia following being wounded in an attack to his palace. The people of Yemen cheered and even killed cows (as sacrifice) in celebration to what they hope is the beginning of the end of the president’s 33-year rule.

An official representing the Yemeni government said that the leader will return to the country within a few days. However, the threat of more chaos remains high as gunfights and power struggle continue in many parts of the country.

A medical source from Saudi Arabia said that Saleh is wide awake and his condition is stable. Moreover, the source said that the surgery to remove shrapnel from his chest went very well and the leader is on his way to full recovery.

Ghanem Nuseibeh, senior analyst at Political Capital, thinks that this is the end of Abdullah Saleh’s long reign in Yemen. He added that leaving Yemen has really made it more difficult for the leader to retain his power.

However, many are concerned that if and should Saleh gives up his power, Yemen could become a failed state. That would pose a threat to global security and oil supply. Nuseibeh is hopeful and said there is a very small window of opportunity for Saudi and the West to salvage what is left of Yemen but they need to act fast.

Yemen’s government and military forces blames al Qaeda for the attack, but many analysts all over the globe believe that they are exaggerating the al Qaeda involvement in order to gain global support.

The United States advised citizens currently staying in Yemen to consider leaving the country since protests to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh are obtaining momentum.

It says the safety of the citizens in the state is highly risky.

Thousands of protesters have gathered around major cities in Yemen. On Sunday, violence emerged as loyalists of the country’s government attacked the demonstrators with stones and sticks in the town of Ibb.

Also, six security men were killed in remote provinces. The attacks were blamed on the militant group al Qaeda.

The U.S. Department of State also warned its citizens to avoid traveling to Yemen. The department said people’s security risk in Yemen has been greatly increased because of terrorist activities, as well as civil unrest.

Just like U.S., Britain has also warned its citizens against travel to Yemen. It advised those families and individuals, without great need for staying, to depart by commercial flights.

The increasing protests, as well as the series of flaws by Saleh’s support members have added pressure on President Saleh to stop his 30-year rule in the Republic of Yemen. However, both parties appear unwilling to compromise.

Earlier in February, Saleh announced that he would leave his office in 2013, the year when his current term ends. However, protesters want him to step down this year, if not any sooner.

Yemen is a country located southwest of Arabian Peninsula. Even before the protests, it was already on the brink of falling as Saleh struggles to strengthen a truce with the Shi’ite rebels.

Analysts say the protests, which were inspired by the recent activities in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, might reach a point where it would be difficult for Saleh to cling to its power.