At least 18 people, (ten governmental security forces, six Ahmar tribesmen, and two Somali by passers) have been killed in the continuous clashes between Ahmar tribes and Central security forces according to eyewitnesses and residents near Ahmar residents.
More than 40 injured from both sides have been reported.
Clashes started at 1pm local time when armed gunmen backed by central security forces attacked the residence of Yemen’s powerful Hashid tribe leader, Sheikh Sadeq Abdullah Ahmar eyewitnesses said. At least 100 gunmen have been shooting directly at the residence for hours now. “We expected this to happen,” said Saleh Arif, a store owner next to Ahmar residence. Saleh threatened the people with a civil war, and the Ahmar family is his biggest rivals and enemies,” he said.
Headquarters for Yemenia airways in Sana’a caught on fire after tens of armed gunmen shot directly at the building, eyewitnesses said. In addition, tens of live bullets are being shot at Saba News Agency and dozens of employees are surrounded inside the building.
The organizing committee for the youth revolution condemn the attacks on Ahmar residents and insists that the Yemeni revolution will continue being peaceful.
The opposition Joint Meeting Parties also condemned the attack. “The JMP condemn the attacks on Ahmar residents and we consider this a critical criminal behavior,” Qahtan said.
Eyewitnesses and confirmed sources said that Ahmar tribes have seized the Commerce and trade Ministry building in Sana’a.