Thousands flee Yemeni capital as battles rage
Residents flee as armed clashes between tribal fighters and government forces intensify in capital, Sanaa.
Thousands of residents are fleeing Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, as fighting between opposition tribesmen and loyalist troops of president Ali Abdullah Saleh rages on.
Much of the fighting, which began late on Wednesday night, occurred in the Hasaba district of northern Sanaa, where Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the powerful leader of the Hashed tribal confederation, has his base.
Yemen’s defence ministry said the Special Forces, headed by Saleh’s son Ahmed, have been deployed to “liberate” buildings held by al-Ahmar’s fighters.
Medics in Sanaa told the AFP news agency that 15 people had been killed in the overnight clashes, including a seven-year-old girl hit by a stray bullet.
They have yet to receive word on casualties from Thursday’s fighting as ambulance crews were unable to access the neighbourhood.
Hakim Al Masmari, editor of the Yemen Post, told Al Jazeera that an estimated 2,000 additional fighters "armed and ready to fight" have entered Sanaa to reinforce the Hashed confederation.
"We expect [the tribal fighters] to take control of different government complexes [in Sanaa]," Al Masmari said.
For more on Yemen, visit our Spotlight page
Witnesses near the Hasaba district said they heard several blasts but were not sure of the cause or damage.
"There are very powerful explosions. Sounds like missiles or mortars. May God protect us," a resident said.
One Sanaa resident told AFP that he and 30 members of his household were trying to flee Sanaa like the city’s many others.
"Sanaa is deserted now and if these battles continue, Yemen will be finished," he said.
Many shops were closed and long queues formed outside petrol stations. Residents who had remained complained of water shortages and power cuts.
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read more at Al Jazeera. Source includes a video. Al Jazeera also has a page devoted to Yemen full of background info and other news stories
tagged this the best I could. We don't have a Yemen tag
Thousands of residents are fleeing Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, as fighting between opposition tribesmen and loyalist troops of president Ali Abdullah Saleh rages on.
Much of the fighting, which began late on Wednesday night, occurred in the Hasaba district of northern Sanaa, where Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the powerful leader of the Hashed tribal confederation, has his base.
Yemen’s defence ministry said the Special Forces, headed by Saleh’s son Ahmed, have been deployed to “liberate” buildings held by al-Ahmar’s fighters.
Medics in Sanaa told the AFP news agency that 15 people had been killed in the overnight clashes, including a seven-year-old girl hit by a stray bullet.
They have yet to receive word on casualties from Thursday’s fighting as ambulance crews were unable to access the neighbourhood.
Hakim Al Masmari, editor of the Yemen Post, told Al Jazeera that an estimated 2,000 additional fighters "armed and ready to fight" have entered Sanaa to reinforce the Hashed confederation.
"We expect [the tribal fighters] to take control of different government complexes [in Sanaa]," Al Masmari said.
For more on Yemen, visit our Spotlight page
Witnesses near the Hasaba district said they heard several blasts but were not sure of the cause or damage.
"There are very powerful explosions. Sounds like missiles or mortars. May God protect us," a resident said.
One Sanaa resident told AFP that he and 30 members of his household were trying to flee Sanaa like the city’s many others.
"Sanaa is deserted now and if these battles continue, Yemen will be finished," he said.
Many shops were closed and long queues formed outside petrol stations. Residents who had remained complained of water shortages and power cuts.
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read more at Al Jazeera. Source includes a video. Al Jazeera also has a page devoted to Yemen full of background info and other news stories
tagged this the best I could. We don't have a Yemen tag