Wednesday 1 June 2011

More deadly clashes in Sana'a

Yemeni officials have confirmed that as many as 40 people have been killed in deadly clashes in Sana'a. Fighting broke out between Yemeni security forces and tribal fighters, loyal to tribe leader Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ahmar, breaching the ceasefire.

Yemen's Defence Ministry accused the tribal fighters of seizing the headquarters of the ruling General People's Congress in the capital, however, sources close to Sheikh Ahmar say government troops attacked his complex in the north of the city.

On Tuesday 30th May, 12 protesters were shot dead in the southern city of Taiz following a move by security forces to remove a protest camp from the city centre. There was more violence in the town of Zinjibar, between government forces and alleged Al-Qai'da militants.

On Wednesday 25th May, US President Barack Obama said President Ali Abdullah Saleh should "move immediately on his commitment to transfer power". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon added that he was "deeply troubled" by the violence and called on all sides to find a peaceful solution. But the situation in Yemen seems to be deteriorating rather than improving with Saleh refusing to help ease the crisis; many fear the prospect of a civil war.

Sources: BBC News, The Associated Press, AFP, Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.

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