Armed opposition tribesmen have taken at least 300 Yemeni government soldiers as hostages during clashes that left seven tribesmen killed, opposition media reported Monday.
Tribesmen of the war-torn Arhab district in Sana'a have taken over the camp of brigade 63 of the elite Republican Guards following fierce military confrontations lasting several months.
At least 40 tribesmen were injured in the clashes. Several soldiers in the brigade were killed and many others fled, the Mareb Press website reported.
On Saturday, hundreds of affiliates of the Republican Guard, special forces and central forces announced their support for the popular uprising.
The Republican Guards are led by the son of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Ahmed.
Saleh, who has been in power for 33 years, has so far rejected domestic and international calls to step down.