One of Yemen’s top generals defected to opposition protesters Monday, signalling a rift in military support for the embattled incumbent President Ali Abdullah Saleh. 
 
“I declare on their behalf our peaceful support for the youth revolution and that we are going to fulfill our complete duty in keeping the security and stability in the capital,” said Brigadier General Ali Mohsin al-Ahmar, who controls the troops in the northwest region of the country.

The move is seen as a "turning point" and a possible signal that negotiations for Saleh's exit are in place, according to the New York Times.  Ahmar is said to have sided with the opposition after an incident Friday in which over 40 peaceful protesters were shot and killed by government forces.

Ahmar is joined by myriad defectors from the diplomatic and military corps over the weekend, including the ambassadors to Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Algeria, China, and others. 

In response, Yemen’s defense minister spoke out on state television in support of Saleh.
 
"The armed forces will stay faithful to the oath they gave before God, the nation and political leadership under the brother president Ali Abdullah Saleh," said Defense Minister Muhammad Nasir Ali.  "We will not allow under any circumstances an attempt at a coup against democracy and constitutional legitimacy, or violation of the security of the nation and citizens."

Saleh is running out of money with which to run his government, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Ahmad Zaidan.

Yemen is a crucial ally to the United States in the war on terror.  The U.S. provides funding and training for counterinsurgency programs in order to help Yemen maintain control over Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which actively trains and recruits in the country.

Reach Executive Producer Mary Slosson here.  Follow her on Twitter @maryslosson.