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Yemen Braces for More Protests

   VOA News  May 27, 2011
   Armed tribesmen loyal to tribal leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar stand at
   the entrance of a building near al-Ahmar's house during clashes in
   Sanaa, May 26, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   Armed tribesmen loyal to tribal leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar stand at
   the entrance of a building near al-Ahmar's house during clashes in
   Sanaa, May 26, 2011

   Yemeni opposition leaders are calling for anti-government protests on
   Friday, as the death toll mounts from this week's fighting between
   security forces and tribal loyalists.
   Witnesses and activists say nearly 100 people have been killed in
   clashes between government forces and loyalists to Sheikh Sadiq
   al-Ahmar, the leader of the Hashid tribe. The battles have become the
   most serious threat to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's grasp on power
   after three months of opposition protests.
   On Thursday, Yemen's defense ministry announced an arrest order for
   al-Ahmar. However, the tribal leader dismissed the warrant and warned
   President Saleh that he had the option of stepping down or being held
   accountable for "dragging Yemen into a civil war."
   New tribal fighters loyal to Sheikh Abdul Majid al-Zindani - who is
   allied with the Al-Ahmar family and faces U.S. sanctions as a terrorist
   financier - have also been fighting pro-government forces.
   In a separate development, India announced Friday that it is advising
   all of its nationals in Yemen to leave. The foreign ministry cited the
   escalating violence. About 11,000 people from India live in Yemen.
   Saleh has refused to leave power after nearly 33 years of authoritarian
   rule.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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References

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