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Yemen: 37 killed in Sanaa clashes | Yemen: 37 killed in Sanaa clashes |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 37 people have been killed in overnight fighting as clashes intensified 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. | 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. | Analysts say the conflict threatens to drag Yemen into civil war. |
President Ali Abdullah Saleh is resisting international pressure to step down after 33 years in power. | |
Witnesses reported heavy fighting in the capital overnight as both sides blamed each other for breaking the ceasefire. | 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. | 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. | The defence ministry accused tribesmen of seizing the headquarters of the ruling General People's Congress and other offices in Sanaa. |
People here are extremely concerned that the situation could turn into a civil war, especially if tribes from outside Sanaa join the fighting. | People here are extremely concerned that the situation could turn into a civil war, especially if tribes from outside Sanaa join the fighting. |
Opposition groups accuse the president of arming civilians and starting the clashes, but they are also angry with tribesmen - especially the Ahmar tribe - for getting involved. | Opposition groups accuse the president of arming civilians and starting the clashes, but they are also angry with tribesmen - especially the Ahmar tribe - for getting involved. |
Yemen is a complicated country with a tribal system. Guns are widely available. | Yemen is a complicated country with a tribal system. Guns are widely available. |
In Sanaa, people have started fleeing the area of Hassaba where attacks in recent days were concentrated. | In Sanaa, people have started fleeing the area of Hassaba where attacks in recent days were concentrated. |
Pro-democracy activists are concerned that the violence is detracting from their peaceful demands for change. They are calling on the international community to safeguard their movement. | Pro-democracy activists are concerned that the violence is detracting from their peaceful demands for change. They are calling on the international community to safeguard their movement. |
However, sources close to Sheikh Ahmar said government forces had attacked his compound in the north of the city. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | On Tuesday, a US state department spokesman urged him to leave office "and to move Yemen forward". |