Disgruntled Police Officers Storm Yemen'S Interior Ministry; 15 Dead

Disgruntled police officers storm Yemen's Interior Ministry; 15 dead < br />

2012-08-02 07:29:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANA'A, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- At least fifteen people were killed Tuesday when disgruntled police officers stormed the interior ministry building in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, officials said on Wednesday. It came days after another incident at the building.

The incident on Tuesday happened when a group of police officers raided the interior ministry's building in Sana'a, triggering violent clashes between the attackers and security personnel. The attackers also looted the offices, taking computers and other equipment in the building.

Yemen's interior ministry said the building's security director and four guards were killed, but security sources said the death toll was at least fifteen with more than 40 others injured. It was not immediately known how many attackers were killed and injured, or if any of them were arrested.

The government said the assault was carried out by police officers to 'claim rights', possibly demanding unpaid salaries and promised bonuses. Earlier reports said the attackers included tribesmen linked to former police chief Mohammad al-Qawsi, who had promised to enroll them into the police force.

Yemen's state-run news agency said the cabinet held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the attack, confirming there were fatalities and injuries on both sides. The report said the meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Mohamed Salem Basindwa, but other details were not provided.

Tuesday's attack came just two days after a similar attempt to seize the ministry's building. Some 100 tribesmen reportedly occupied the ministry Sunday until they were promised the fulfillment of certain demands. There were no reports of casualties from Sunday's attack.

Yemen is currently undergoing a transition process after a popular uprising erupted in the country last year, similar to protests seen in other countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Yemen held presidential elections in February, resulting in a victory for the country's new leader Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi.

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