Yemeni army clash with anti-Saleh protesters

The government's elite Republican Guards reportedly clashed with supporters of al-Ahmar tribe in central Sanaa.
Aug 5, 2011

Yemeni government forces have clashed with supporters of the powerful Hashid tribal grouping led by Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar that is demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh leave office.

Loud explosions and gunfire rocked the Al-Hassaba district of Sanaa on Friday. Witnesses said an armoured vehicle of the elite Republican Guard, which is led by Saleh's son, Ahmed, was hit by a projectile and set ablaze.

The fighting erupted late Friday afternoon and lasted about half an hour. Residents reported hearing the crackle of machine-gun fire and a few explosions. There were no immediate casualty figures available.

The troops earlier blocked several roads and erected checkpoints, triggering a similar action by the tribesmen armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.

Al-Ahmar ended his support to Saleh -- also a member of Hashid -- in March and joined the protests which erupted in January demanding the ouster of the president.

Influential tribal leaders formed last week a coalition headed by al-Ahmar to bolster the uprising against Saleh who has been in a Saudi hospital since June after being wounded in a bomb attack on his Sanaa compound.

Saleh is clinging to power despite being attacked and has vowed to return to Yemen.