38 killed in Yemen, officials say
Tribesmen stand guard near the house of Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribe, during clashes with Yemeni security forces in Sanaa, Yemen. (May 24, 2011) Credit: AP
Yemeni security and medical officials said Tuesday 38 people have been killed in a day of fighting between powerful anti-regime tribes and President Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces.
A security official said 14 soldiers were killed in the fighting and 20 others were missing. A hospital official said 24 tribesmen were killed. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Saleh appealed for a cease-fire.
Fighters from Yemen's most powerful tribes and soldiers exchanged fire in the capital Tuesday, using artillery shells, mortars in pitched street battles. This was a sharp escalation in the uprising that is threatening to become a militia-led revolt after diplomatic efforts failed to get Saleh to step down.
Up to now, protesters filled the street with hundreds of thousands in demonstrations, demanding that Saleh resign after more than three decades in power. After a mediation effort by Yemen's powerful neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council, backed by the U.S., failed this week, fighting erupted between tribes opposed to Saleh and security forces.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
