...

Blasts in Sana'a amid fighting between security, tribesmen

Arab World Materials 31 May 2011 13:31 (UTC +04:00)

Explosions and gunshots rocked the Yemeni capital of Sana'a early Tuesday, after a ceasefire deal to end fighting between government security forces and rebel tribesmen had collapsed.

Residents in the Yemeni capital said that they could hear the blasts and explosions throughout the night, DPA reported.

"Many people have left the area and tribal forces took over some government buildings," one resident said.

Sources told the Al Jazeera broadcaster that the heaviest shelling took place near the Interior Ministry building and the house of Sadiq al-Ahmar, a prominent tribal leader.

The use of force by the government against street protests has also turned increasingly lethal in recent weeks.

At least 60 people have died in recent clashes between loyalists to al-Ahmar and security forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a's al-Hasaba district.

Al-Ahmar, the head of the Hashid tribe, to which Saleh belongs, has vowed support to protesters demanding an end to the president's 32-year-old rule.

The clashes first erupted after Saleh for a third time refused to sign a Gulf-brokered power transfer agreement that would have seen him step down in return for immunity from prosecution.

Tags:
Latest

Latest