At least 12 people have been killed in clashes between Nehm tribesmen and the republican guards on Friday. Governmental forces were forced to evacuate three military position after clashing with the tribes. Tribal leaders in Nehm, located 30 miles east of the capital Sana'a, said that fighitng started when republican guards attacked one of the villages on Nehm killing two of its tribsemen. "We fight to defend ourselves and the majority of military positions in Nehm are now under our control," said a tribal leader in the area. Seven republican guards and five tribesmen were killed in the clashes, while more than 30 were injured according to tribal sources. The government did not comment to Yemen Post on the causalties.
Eyewitnesses said that at least one thousand republican guards fled the area after the tribes took over the military compounds.