Yemen diverts flights as clashes expand

Yemen diverts flights as clashes expand

2011-05-26 05:32:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- Yemeni authorities on Wednesday directed all flights to other airports as clashes between security forces and loyalists to sheikh Sadiq Al-Ahmer expanded to Sana'a International Airport.

According to the Yemen Post, all flights were directed to Aden, Yemen's business capital as the armed tribesmen took over more government buildings for the third day. Casualties were reported but there was no exact number of deaths.

In a news conference earlier today, President Saleh said the forces are fighting saboteurs and destructive elements who are killing the forces and taking over public compounds including ministries.

Earlier today, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about the violent clashes, saying the confrontation might further destabilize the situation.

Massive demonstrations were also held today in some provinces to affirm that the youth-led uprising is peaceful and had nothing to do with the battles between the government forces and the tribes.

At least 40 tribesmen and 15 policemen were killed on Tuesday as clashes continued in the capital of Sana'a. Loyalists of Yemeni opposition leader Sadiq Al-Ahmer continued their attacks on government buildings and fired rocket- propelled grenades against the Interior Ministry.

According to witnesses, approximately 100 armed gunmen and security forces on Monday attacked the residence of the powerful Hashid tribe leader, but Ahmar tribesmen responded the fire. The gunfight expanded to other buildings in the Yemeni capital city, including the state-run Saba news agency building and the Interior Ministry.

Almost 20 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and more than 38, mostly policemen, were injured in the deadly clashes.

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

The clashes came 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.

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