One rebel killed near Yemen's capital

SANAA, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- At least one rebel was killed and two others wounded late Tuesday when Yemeni government troops heavily shelled the rebels' hideouts in an area northeast of Sanaa, a local official said.

"One armed tribesman was killed and two others were injured late Tuesday in heavy shelling by the Republican Guards in Samaa military base that targeted several hideouts of the rebels in Arhab district," the official told Xinhua, requesting anonymity.

The official added that the death toll might increase in the next few hours as the shelling is continuing.

The volatile district, about 60 km northeast of Sanaa, has been the front line of almost daily clashes between opposition fighters and Saleh's elite Republican Guards since late May.

Defense Ministry said the opposition militants were seeking to capture the military base, the Sanaa International Airport and northern entrances to Sanaa.

Yemen has been gripped by a political crisis since late January when protests demanding the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule erupted.

Officials say Yemen airstrikes kill 3 militants

By AHMED AL-HAJ Associated Press

09/07/2011

SANAA, Yemen—Yemeni officials say warplanes hunting down al-Qaida suspects have launched a series of airstrikes in the country's southern Abyan province that killed at least three militants.

The officials said the airstrikes Wednesday east of the provincial capital, Zinjibar, targeted a suspected al-Qaida hideout, killing three.

The officials said a senior military commander survived an ambush Tuesday west of the capital while two his guards were killed. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

Militants took control of parts of Abyan in March after the turmoil that gripped Yemen following protests demanding the resignation of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Yemen premier convenes Cabinet after return

Sept 6, 2011

(AP) SANAA, Yemen — Yemen's prime minister on Tuesday conducted his first Cabinet meeting since returning from Saudi Arabia for treatment for wounds he suffered in the same June attack that seriously injured the country's embattled president.

Ali Mohammed Mujawar, who returned to Yemen last week, presided over the Cabinet meeting in a symbolic show of defiance by President Ali Abdullah Saleh's government. Saleh is still in Saudi Arabia, rebuffing international pressure to step down.

Yemen's political infighting has spurred al-Qaida activity in southern Yemen. On Tuesday, four soldiers and six militant were killed in clashes there.

Mujawar is a key Saleh ally, and his return to activity underlines the president's determination to retain power despite months of huge, sometimes violent demonstrations demanding his resignation — and the June 3 bombing of his compound that forced him to leave for Saudi Arabia for treatment.

He has repeatedly rejected a proposal by neighboring Gulf countries to transfer his powers to his vice president. The most recent rejection of the Gulf initiative came on Tuesday by members of Yemen's parliament, controlled by Saleh's party. Saleh's refusal to approve the deal prompted Qatar to recall its ambassador, as thousands of anti-Saleh protesters continue to take to the streets demanding his resignation.

Yemen's political turmoil has allowed militants to take control of parts of the southern Yemen. In recent weeks, government troops backed by U.S. airstrikes have stepped up their attacks on the militants.

Western nations view al-Qaida's branch in Yemen as one of the group's most violent and dangerous.

On Tuesday, Yemeni officials said four soldiers and six militants were killed in clashes in the southern province of Abyan.

Another 12 gunmen and 15 security personnel were injured in those clashes, including three colonels, an official said.

The clashes took place just west of Abyan's capital city, Zinjibar, which is under the control of al-Qaida-linked militants. The lack of security in Zinjibar has sent over 100,000 residents fleeing for refuge in nearby towns.

Officials said gunmen torched several military vehicles in Tuesday's clashes in the town of el-Sima and mined roads leading to Zinjibar.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

The clashes came one day after witnesses and an official said warplanes killed at least seven civilians and a dozen militants. The air raids destroyed a mosque and a hospital.

Around 180 soldiers and over 300 militants were killed in fighting between May and August, according to the Interior Ministry.

Yemeni opposition shuns GCC deal

SANAA, Yemen, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A deal that gives the Yemeni president immunity in exchange for his resignation isn't acceptable anymore, a member of the opposition said.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh remains in Saudi Arabia more than three months after he was gravely wounded in an attack on his presidential compound in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital.

He's faced international and domestic pressure to stand down for most of the year. He's repeatedly rejected a plan brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council that offers him immunity in exchange for his resignation.

Mohamed Basendwa, head of the newly formed National Yemeni Council for the Revolution, said the GCC proposal wasn't good enough.

He was quoted by the Yemen Post as saying it was "ridiculous" to offer Saleh immunity given the alleged crimes committed against the people.

Basendwa added the coming days were pivotal for revolutionary groups in Yemen. Saleh could get protection if he immediately resigns, the opposition leader claimed. Pressure on the Yemeni president is expected to increase shortly, he added.

The people "will bring down the regime through peaceful ways, not violence, no matter what weapons the regime use against us," he added.

Yemen’s Islamic militias, defected army attack village near Sana’a International Airport

Mohammed al-Kibsi

Sep 6, 2011 -

Militias of the Islah party Yemen’s branch of the Islamic brotherhood and the defected army lead by General Ali Mohsen launched a missile and artillery offensive the village of Bait al-Theeb in Arhab district, near Sana’a International Airport, on Tuesday, said a local source in Arhab district.

the source said that the militias of the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen (Reform Party) and the First Armored Division, led by dissident Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar bombed houses in the village of Beit al-Theeb using Katyusha rockets and mortar shells in retaliation for the villagers who appeared on the screen of Yemen’s setline TV. and revealed the truth of what is happening in their area and expressed attitudes that reject the plans of terrorist and disruptive to those criminal elements.

The source said that the radical Islamic militia launched, last night, Katyusha rockets at houses and launched mortar shells at the village during the afternoon prayers which resulted in damage of the residents houses and injured a number of them.