Clashes between Yemeni government forces, tribesmen resume in capital

Clashes between Yemeni government forces, tribesmen resume in capital

2011-08-06 02:58:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- Yemeni security forces and tribesmen of tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar on Friday clashed in Hassaba district of the capital Sanaa, breaking a two-month-old truce, according to media reports.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing two huge explosions before the clashes started, according to the Yemen Post. They added that hundreds of gunshots were heard in the area and that at least 11 tanks were seen on main roads surrounding Hassaba, where similar clashes took place in May.

There was no immediate report on casualties.

An official of the Interior Ministry told Xinhua news agency that the tribesmen opened fire first. "The tension could develop into pitched street battles between the two sides again, especially after the opposition militants received military support by the defected First Armored Division," he said on condition of anonymity.

Another official of the Interior ministry told Xinhua that the tension escalated on Thursday after the tribesmen seized one of the patrol vehicles belonging to the security forces.

Government spokesperson Abdu Ganadi said that the Yemen government is not seeking war in Sanaa with the tribes and blamed them for any escalation that could take place, as reported by the Yemen Post. Abdul Qawi Qaisi, the head of office for Sadeq Ahmar, however, said that the tribes are still sticking to the ceasefire agreement that was signed in May after 10 days of clashes. 

Clashes between al-Ahmar's militants and government troops erupted late in May following the refusal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a power-transition deal initiated by the Gulf Cooperation Council for the third time.

The president has been in Saudi Arabia since he was wounded along with other government officials in the bomb attack that hit the mosque of the presidential palace in Sanaa on June 3.

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