Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    September 29, 2011

Fighting Erupts in Yemeni Capital

   VOA News
   Defected army soldiers secure a street leading to al-Taghyeer (Change)
   Square where thousands of anti-government supporters are camping to
   demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa,
   September 28, 2011.
   Photo: REUTERS
   Defected army soldiers secure a street leading to al-Taghyeer (Change)
   Square where thousands of anti-government supporters are camping to
   demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa,
   September 28, 2011.

   Heavy fighting has erupted in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, between
   forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and armed tribesman who
   side with anti-Saleh protesters.
   Witnesses said explosions and heavy gunfire broke out early Thursday in
   the north of the city, with government troops battling followers of
   tribal leader Sheikh Sadek al-Ahmar.
   There was no immediate report of casualties.
   Demonstrations against Yemen's embattled president have escalated
   during the past two weeks, with clashes between the rival sides leaving
   more than 100 people dead.
   Yemen's foreign minister has blamed the turmoil on the opposition
   movement's refusal to accept 2006 presidential results. Abu Bakr
   al-Qirbi said Tuesday that Saleh is committed to pushing forward a
   long-stalled plan to transfer power to a deputy.
   Saleh has agreed to the proposal three times since April, but has
   backed out each time before it could be signed.
   He returned to Sana'a on Friday after a three-month stay in neighboring
   Saudi Arabia to recuperate from a June assassination attempt.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

   Follow our Middle East reports on [1]Twitter
   and discuss them on our [2]Facebook page.

References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMiddleEast
   2. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

.