Passerby killed and two others wounded in fresh tensions in capital of Yemen

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Tensions escalated between the security forces and republican guards loyal to president Saleh in one hand and between the defected army and tribesmen affiliated to Sheikh al-Ahmar in Sana’a the capital of Yemen on Sunday.  

A passerby was killed and two others were wounded in  clashes broke out between the security force s and militants affiliated to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar and his brothers in al-Hasaba zone in Sana’a on Sunday, said eyewitnesses.

The killed person is called Zaid Hussien al-Damimi. The three victims were hit while passing the main street near the ministry of interior.

The sources said that the security forces deployed tens of policemen on the streets surrounding al-Hasaba zone where al-Ahmar house is located and closes some of the streets following the incident.

The clashes broke out hours before the meeting of the GCC foreign ministers to be held in Saudi port of Jeddah to discuss the growing political uncertainty in Yemen and the prospects for a GCC plan for ending the deadlock.

Meanwhile AFP reported that Dissident troops loyal to a Yemeni general who defected to join anti-government protesters have accused the elite Republican Guard of shelling one of their positions in the capital, an officer said.

A dissident officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Sunday that the artillery fire was aimed at raising tensions ahead of a meeting later on Sunday of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Saudi port city of Jeddah.

"They fired four tank shells at one of our positions," on a main Sanaa boulevard, the officer from the First Armoured Division loyal to dissident General Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmar told AFP.

"They want to escalate tensions in the capital before the meeting," the officer added.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The stalemate has led to mounting fears of an all out military confrontation between the Republican Guards, who are under commanded by Saleh's eldest son, Ahmed, and Ahmar's dissident troops.

Last week, the Guards reinforced their presence in the capital, deploying tanks and missile launchers on the hills overlooking it.

At the same time, Ahmar's First Armoured Brigade troops, who are fewer in number and less well-armed, fortified their positions in dissident-held areas of the capital, primarily around University Square where protesters have been camping for months.

Armed civilians have also been seen on both sides of Zubair Street, the dividing line between the areas controlled by government forces and those held by the opposition.