SANAA – Yemeni loyalist forces fought a gun battle yesterday with opponents of entrenched President Ali Abdullah Saleh a day after he backed out of an accord committing him to step down.
The clashes in Sanaa further dimmed prospects for a political solution to a three-month crisis in which youth-led demonstrators are demanding an end to nearly 33 years of Saleh rule.
“There is heavy gunfire and violent clashing between government forces and Sheikh [Sadiq] al-Ahmar’s guards,” a witness said, referring to a powerful tribal leader who has sided with the protesters.
One person was killed and 15 people were wounded, one of them a reporter of the state news agency Saba, witnesses said.
The pro-opposition Suhail television said five of Mr Ahmar’s guards were killed and 35 wounded.
The report could not be independently confirmed. – (Reuters)