18 killed in ongoing clashes in Yemen

[News_Editor]

18 killed in ongoing clashes in Yemen

2011-05-24 01:43:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 18 people on Monday were killed in ongoing clashes between Security Forces and Ahmar tribesmen in Yemen, the Yemen Post reported.

The continuing fighting began at around 1:00 p.m. local time when Central Security Forces arrived at the residence of Yemen's powerful Hashid tribe leader, Sheikh Sadeq Abdullah Ahmar, in Sanaa.

According to witnesses, approximately 100 armed gunmen and security forces attacked the residence of the opposition leader but Ahmar tribesmen responded the fire. The gunfight have lasted for hours now and expanded to other buildings in the Yemeni capital city.

The clashes have left 18 victims: ten security forces members, six Ahmar tribesmen, and two Somali civilians. In addition more than 40 individuals from both sides were injured.

The residence of the Hashid tribe leader is next to the Yemeni Interior Ministry. Rocket-propelled grenades have been fired by Ahmar tribesmen at the governmental building. Tens of bullets were also fired at the state-run Saba news agency building.

The headquarters of Yemenia airways was set on fire after tens of armed gunmen shot directly at the building. The attack was severely condemned by the organizing committee for the youth revolution and the opposition Joint Meeting Parties.

Sadeq issued a "Tribal Call" which summons every tribesman to join him in defending his honor, as attacking one's house is a great dishonor in tribal law. Clashes re-emerged at about 6:30 p.m. and tribesmen have reportedly seized the Commerce and trade Ministry building.

The Hashid tribe recently joined the opposition groups behind the anti-government protests in Yemen. Current President Ali Abdullah belongs to the Hashid, Yemen's largest tribe, but Sadeq supported the opposition instead.

The clashes cam hours after Saleh threatened with civil war after refusing, for the third time, to sign a power transfer deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) last Sunday.

The opposition signed the deal on Saturday to end the country's political crisis but Saleh told visiting GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani his refusal to the transition deal.

The GCC-proposed plan included guarantees that Saleh will not be prosecuted after his resignation within 30 days from the acceptance date. It also called for holding presidential elections within two months from the date of Saleh's departure as well as the establishment of a new government within 90 days.

Many anti-government protesters did not approve the deal as they demand the immediate ouster of Saleh and prosecute him for the crimes committed by the current leader.

Saleh previously said he would sign the GCC deal last Sunday but abruptly changed his mind and blamed opposition groups for the country's violence. He added that Joint Meeting Parties was responsible for the killing of at least 154 soldiers, who he labeled as "martyrs of the country."

According to the United Nations, the recent political turmoil has left an estimated 140 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Yemeni protesters, mostly young, are fighting against soaring unemployment rates, poverty, widespread corruption and patronage. The demonstrations were initially inspired by the Tunisian revolt, but they gathered momentum with the success of Egypt's revolution.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-24