Taizz: At least ten people have been killed and many others wounded in clashes between forces loyal to Yemeni dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh and tribesmen supporting protesters. A Yemeni official said security chief Colonel Ahmed Rezaz and two of his bodyguards were killed after tribesmen attacked their car in the southern city of Taizz on Friday.Witnesses said four tribesmen and three civilians were also wounded in the attack.
Seven civilians were also killed and 30 wounded after Yemen’s Republican Guards fired mortars in several neighborhoods of Taizz.
Saleh’s loyalists and anti-government tribesmen have been fighting in Taizz since Thursday night. Witnesses say there is widespread panic in the city.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in Taizz, the capital, Sana’a, and several other cities following the Friday Prayers to demand Saleh’s ouster.
They also called for the formation of a transitional council and prosecution of Saleh and his regime officials over the killing of hundreds of anti-government protesters since opposition rallies began in the country in late January.
Yemenis also condemned the US and Saudi interference in their country’s internal affairs.
Saleh, who ruled Yemen for almost 33 years, is currently in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment following an attack on his presidential palace on June 6.
Since his departure, anti-government protesters are holding daily demonstrations across the country, demanding a transitional ruling council to prevent him from returning to power. Influential tribal leader, Sadeq al-Ahmer, has urged Saudi Arabia to prevent Saleh from returning to Yemen, warning that his return could spark civil war in the country.
On Wednesday, Saleh’s press secretary Ahmedal-Soufi said that he would return to Yemen within a few weeks and would resume his duty as the president of the country.
