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Yemen: 37 killed in Sanaa clashes | Yemen: 37 killed in Sanaa clashes |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least 37 people have been killed in overnight fighting in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, doctors and officials say. | At least 37 people have been killed in overnight fighting in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, doctors and officials say. |
Violence escalated after a ceasefire broke down between security forces and fighters loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, head of a tribal confederation. | |
Analysts say the conflict threatens to drag Yemen into civil war. | |
Yemen is facing increasing unrest in several areas after President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to step down. | Yemen is facing increasing unrest in several areas after President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to step down. |
Witnesses reported heavy fighting in the capital overnight as both sides blamed each other for breaking the ceasefire. | |
On Wednesday morning, witnesses also reported loud explosions coming from the north of Sanaa, but the reason was not clear. | |
The defence ministry accused tribesmen of seizing the headquarters of the ruling General People's Congress and other offices in Sanaa. | |
However, sources close to Sheikh Ahmar said government forces had attacked his compound in the north of the city. | |
One report said Presidential Guard units had also shelled the headquarters of a brigade where the commander was suspected of being about to defect to the opposition. | |
Medical officials in Sanaa said casualties included fighters from both sides. | |
On Tuesday, another 12 protesters were shot dead in the southern city of Taiz following a move by security forces to remove the protest camp from the city centre. | |
There were also further clashes in the town of Zinjibar where government forces have been battling fighters described as al-Qaeda militants. | |
Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, is refusing to sign a deal to transfer power to help end the crisis. | |
On Tuesday, a US state department spokesman urged him to leave office "and to move Yemen forward". |