State Dep - More Than 50 Killed As Yemeni Clashes Continue Middle East In Transition English

More Than 50 Killed as Yemeni Clashes Continue

VOA News

Photo: Reuters

Yemeni army soldiers man a security point near a square, the site of an anti-government protest to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa May 25, 2011

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Yemen Troops Fight Tribal Forces, New Turn in Revolt

Gun Battles in Yemeni Capital Kill Six

Heavy clashes between Yemeni government forces and opposition supporters continued Thursday, killing more than 50 people in less than 24 hours and threatening to plunge the country into civil war.

The fight led by Yemen's Hashid tribe - the country's largest and most powerful - is the most serious threat to Saleh's grasp on power after three months of opposition protests. Saleh refuses to leave power after nearly 33 years of authoritarian rule.

Yemen's defense ministry announced the arrest order on Thursday for Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar who heads the tribe.

Ahmar has dismissed the arrest warrant, accusing President Saleh of dragging Yemen into a civil war. He has urged other Arab countries to pressure Saleh to leave.

Witnesses in the capital Sana'a said Thursday that fighting has continued since overnight, killing at least 24 people. Scores of soldiers, tribesmen and soldiers died in the unrest earlier this week.

Separately, the defense ministry says 28 people died following an explosion at a weapons storage facility in the capital. However, opposition activists dispute the account, saying the deaths resulted from the government's heavy shelling in a residential area. Neither of the claims have been independently confirmed.

Earlier Thursday, witnesses reported heavy shelling and loud explosions in Sana'a. Witnesses also say electricity has been intermittent, and opposition fighters have taken control of several government buildings, including the offices of the state news agency.

Many residents fled the fighting by car on Wednesday.

The U.S. State Department ordered non-essential diplomats and embassy family members to leave Yemen. The State Department said that Yemen's security threat level is "extremely high due to terrorist activities and civil unrest."

Despite the fact that Yemen has been a critical ally of the United States in the fight against al-Qaida, U.S. President Barack Obama has increased pressure on the Yemeni leader to step down.

On Thursday, Reuters news agency quoted White House Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes as condemning the violence in Yemen, saying it underscores the need for a peaceful transfer of power.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Comments (10)

When bombardment fails an arrest warant may work?

To slow to react to this situation funny how what people fear, they end up bringing it on their own heads. Western nations afraid of the bogyman - help make it.Foolish

I said previously that Yemen , Libya and Souther Sudan comprised of various tribes which are ready to fight for wealth and throne till last drop of their blood . Ali Saleh knew that Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar is able to change the scenario on the ground and worsen this plight vigorously . Al-Ahmar constitute real danger to Ali Saleh before recent uprising , so it is expectable That Al_Ahmar could intensify the opposition and push the situations to cutting edge .

What is happening in Yemen is a good example which what could happen in southern Sudan and Libya . Tribes in Southern Sudan started to fight for wealth resource and throne which will jeopardize the lives of millions civilians . People in poor countries could do anything to seize power and money which will create many turbulences and disturbance in whole region . It seems that NATO should prepared to face many troubles around the world .

By the way , even my country is ready to deal with any further developments of Yemeni turmoil , if Yemeni nation needs humanitarian aid and supplies . They are our neighbor who deserves our respect and appreciations as our brothers .

Saleh is really skilled at angering the opposition(by shooting them, and blaming them for inciting violence) and his traditional allies(by backing out of deals they worked out for him). At this point, he should just quit the job, and go into exile or else he will go the way of Ceau escu(as will Assad, and Qaddafi). He is binding his own hands and pulling the noose around his own neck all by his own foolish stubbornness.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is Fighting rebels under influence of Al Qaida..

Of course, Al-Qaeda is waiting in the shadows everywhere.therefore we should trust authoritarian leaders to protect and guide us(with the aid of their guns). Democracy and citizens rights will only lead to chaos(as problems will actually have to be addressed).

You are ready to give humanitarian supplies to Yemen? Who will you be giving the aid to, the far right Islamists, Government forces, or the demonstrators? Help us sort this thing out. This is the first time you have not blamed it on Israel. Like your Country of Oman, they are oil dependent and are running out of oil. Then what are you going to do? What was it like prior to oil?

Mr Salah is the only man that can able to fight the Al-Qaida, but it's not good to fight his people

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