Saleh fighting on three fronts in Yemen as death tolls rise

Government forces involved in block-to-block fighting with tribal fighters in the capital, bloody crackdowns on protest sites in Taiz, and a standoff with Islamic militants in the town of Zinjibar.

SANA'A // Tribal forces stormed state buildings in the capital and fighting raged in other parts of Yemen yesterday as fears of civil war were reignited and death tolls continued to rise.

Street battles were reported across Sana'a between the forces of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his one-time ally Sheikh Sadeq al Ahmar, leader of the Hashed tribal bloc.

At least five tribesmen were killed in yesterday's fighting and the home of Sheikh al Ahmar in the capital's Hasaba district was partially destroyed by a government missile, the sheikh's spokesman, Abdul Qawi Qaisi, said.

The government is now engaged on three fronts: block-to-block fighting with tribal forces in the capital, bloody crackdowns on protest sites in the southern city of Taiz, and a standoff with Islamic militants who continue to control the town of Zinjibar on the coast.

United Nations human-rights chief Navi Pillay said her office had received reports that more than 50 people had been killed by Yemeni government forces since Sunday. Opposition estimates put the death count much higher.

"Saleh does not want peace. Saleh thrives with blood being spilt. They attacked us and we had to defend," said Mr Qaisi.

Mr Saleh's government confirmed that the ceasefire was over, but claimed it was because of the tribal forces reoccupying the government buildings, including several ministries, which they took over in last week's fighting that left more than 120 dead in Sana'a.

Ruling party spokesperson Tareq Shami accused the Hashed tribesmen of widespread violence.

"They occupy ministries and police stations. They walk armed through the streets of Sana'a. They spread fear among the people. The tribes are attacking homes of civilians, that is why the ceasefire cannot continue," said Mr Shami. "The government cannot watch citizens being attacked by the Ahmar tribes and not react."

Hundreds of businesses have closed down in Sana'a and residents say they the situation is deteriorating.

"We need a gun when we drive in the city. I can't guarantee that I will not be attacked by the gunmen. The least I can do is defend myself if the government is not there to do that," said Ibrahim Jawani, a businessman in Sana'a.

Yahya Madwami, a local businessman who lives six kilometres west of the battles in the Hasaba district, said that bullets keep breaking through the windows of his home.

"Thank god my family was not injured, but this is a sign that we have to leave Yemen. Its too great of a risk to stay in Sana'a," said Mr Madwami. "Everyone is worried and innocent civilians are dying while no one cares."

In the city of Taiz yesterday, at least 12 anti-Saleh protesters were killed and dozens others injured when republican guards attacked thousands of protesters as they were trying to retake the city's main square, witnesses said.

The protesters fled the square on Monday after more than 60 demonstrators were killed and 1,000 injured in attacks by government forces that resulted in the burning and bulldozing of the protest camp.

Bushra Maktari, a human-rights activist, said that any protester now seen at the square would be shot on sight by security forces.

"Injuries are high and the two-day death toll could reach 100. It's a massacre on innocent civilians," said Ms Maktari.

During the assault on Monday, an ad hoc field hospital manned by the protesters was burnt down. "At least 140 of the injured were inside the field hospital when the Saleh thugs set the hospital on fire," said Abdullah al-Maktari, a medic in Taiz. "The government does not want any protester to live after the attacks and they shoot to kill, not injure."

The Yemeni government said that protesters are exaggerating the numbers and that the death toll in Taiz has not exceeded four since Tuesday. Abdu Ganadi, deputy minister of information, said that protesters kidnapped security forces and are using the same tactic the Al Ahmar family is using in Sana'a.

"The revolution is not peaceful anymore. These youth are attacking the people and killing soldiers," Mr Ganadi said.

He claimed yesterday that when the opposition succeeded in turning the revolution violent, protesters felt it was useless to continue protesting and headed home.

"Protesters felt that the opposition stole their revolution. They know that Saleh is a youth supporter," Mr Ganadi said.

But opposition leaders, including some from the youth-led organisations, have deplored the government's heavy-handed crackdown in Taiz.

"Snipers shot protesters in the head. More than 11 were burnt alive," said Yasser Numairi, a health worker who was at the protest site on Monday and yesterday. "What happened in Taiz was a massacre."

A senior security official yesterday defended the use of force.

"Protesters were trying to occupy gov building, hurt civilians, and damage govt property. That is why force was used against them," said the official.

Clashes also continued yesterday in Zinjibar town where the government has failed to retake the city from Islamic militants after six days of clashes. At least 50 soldiers have been killed or injured in Zinjibar this week, said a defence ministry official. The town was bombarded by government air raids on Monday as thousands of residents fled the city.

In Sana'a yesterday the opposition Joint Meeting Parties delivered a letter to the UAE ambassador in Sanaa informing him that the Gulf Cooperation Council proposal for a peaceful transfer of power could not go forward due to Mr Saleh's repeated refusal to sign it. The president has clung to power despite mass protests, defections from his cabinet and military and international pressure.

Opposition officials said that Mr Saleh now intends to spread violence all parts of Yemen.

"Shabwa and Mareb will see violence soon," said Ahmed Bahri, the head of the political department at the opposition Haq Party. "Clashes started this week in Sana'a, Taiz, Nehm, Arhab, Abyan, and others will follow.

"Saleh is ruling Yemen on the expense of Yemeni blood."