Yemen forces fight rebels in Sana'a

Clashes in the Yemeni capital kill at least 41 people as fighters from the powerful Hasid confederation seize buildings
An injured tribesman is brought to a field hospital after being wounded in clashes in Sana'a, Yemen
An injured rebel fighter is brought to a field hospital after being wounded in clashes with Yemeni security forces in Sana'a, Yemen. Photograph: Hani Mohammed/AP

Government forces and rebel fighters have exchanged gun and artillery fire in the Yemeni capital in fresh fighting that killed at least 41 people. The firing spread to new areas, with people from the powerful Hasid confederation seizing buildings in the south and north-west of the city.

The urban battles over the last week have posed a new threat to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule. For nearly four months, thousands of Yemenis have filled the streets daily, calling for democratic reforms and urging Saleh to go. The mostly peaceful protests gave way last week to violence between Saleh's security forces and fighters loyal to Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, head of the country's largest tribal coalition.

Fighting in Sana'a raged until 5am on Wednesday, with witnesses saying units of the elite Presidential Guard, commanded by one of Saleh's sons, had shelled the headquarters of an army brigade responsible for guarding sensitive government institutions. Army officers who have defected to the opposition said the government suspected the brigade commander was about to join forces with the movement to oust Saleh.

Opposition army officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, in line with army rules, said the brigade commander, Brigadier-General Mohammed Khalil, was neutral and without political affiliation but had apparently angered Saleh.

A resident who lives close to the fighting, and would give only his first name, Zaher, said columns of smoke and fire billowed from Khalil's brigade headquarters, and explosions could be heard.

The 41 dead included combatants from both sides of the conflict, said the medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, for fear of reprisals.

The fighting has engulfed the northern Hassaba neighbourhood, where rebel fighters have seized a number of government ministries and buildings. Government artillery fire has heavily damaged the house of al-Ahmar, the tribal leader, and the government has cut the area's electricity and water supplies.


Fighting spread to other areas of the city, with al-Ahmar fighters seizing the office of the general prosecutor, in the north-west of the city. They were accompanied by two armoured vehicles from the 1st Armoured Division, whose powerful commander abandoned the president two months ago. So far, however, his troops have not participated in battles against Saleh's security forces.

The interior ministry said in a statement that tribesmen had also taken over a five-storey building in the Hadda neighbourhood, in the city's south, after clashing with the army. The area is a stronghold of Saleh supporters.

Yemen's official news agency, Saba, called the rebel fighters "armed gangs," and said they had looted supplies, furniture, documents and other things from the buildings they seized.

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