Yemen's army retakes public offices in capital as clashes continue

[News_Editor]

Yemen's army retakes public offices in capital as clashes continue

2011-06-03 03:21:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- The Yemeni army on Thursday regained control of public offices which were seized by tribal fighters loyal to Sadeq Al-Ahmer in the capital Sana'a.

According to the Yemen Post, an official at the Interior Ministry said security forces retook public offices in Al-Hasaba district including the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Local Administration. Meanwhile, fierce battles between both sides continued as hundreds of tribal fighters were trying to enter the capital to support their elder.

"I am in my office inside the Interior Ministry and battles are taking place right now," the official said, as eyewitnesses added that the army was shelling many areas in the zone.

In Taiz, at least three civilians were injured after clashes erupted earlier today when the forces closed all entrances of the city and dispersed a massive demonstration.

In addition, Al-Qaida on Thursday took control of a seaport in Abyan province where militants consolidated control over some cities in the past days.

Many people were killed and injured this week in the clashes between the army and armed Islamists who took over Abyan's capital Zunjbar last week and on Wednesday announced Azzan city in Shabwa as an Islamic emirate.

Tribesmen from the most powerful tribal coalition, Hashid, stormed the capital city Sana'a last week to support their leader, Sadiq Al-Ahmer, after government forces attacked his house. Tribesmen took over several government buildings, triggering fears of a civil war.

Tribesmen 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.

Violence continued escalating 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 May 22.

Protesters also rejected the GCC-proposed plan as it included guarantees that Saleh will not be prosecuted after his resignation within 30 days from the acceptance date. They want Saleh to be hold responsible for the crimes committed against the population.

The GCC-proposed plan 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.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-03