As violence is escalating exponentially in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, defected General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar has announced that he was sending his men to the University in order to protect the revolutionaries from the military assault talking place.

So far the General who months ago sworn that he would use his military might to shield the unarmed protesters from the regime, managed to remain somewhat neutral, as he remained station in his base, north of the capital.

However, since the government troops is currently launching an unprecedented military strike against those opposed to president Saleh’s rule, the General said he had no other choice but to intervene. His men are now battling off the Republican Guards at the “Square”.

So far, no words were heard from Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar, the powerful leader of the Hasheed confederation of tribes, who also pledged to protect the Yemeni revolution. The Sheikh’ stronghold of Hasaba is currently under attack from the government forces, with witnesses reporting heavy shelling and the presence of war tanks in the streets.

A BBC reporter near “change Square” at the University said that he just “witnessed a Republican Guard aiming a rocket a protester’s head”.

As the death toll is mounting, it is difficult to get an exact figure. Some medics in the makeshift hospital of the Square have told the press that at least 22 people had died so far, with hundreds more casualties, while Suhail TV, an anti-regime TV station is talking of 80 deaths and 700 injured.

In Nasr area, which is situated a few miles away from the presidential palace, right on the demarcation line set up by the regime between the area controlled by the revolutionaries and the government, explosions were heard.

Residents reported loud “shell like” sounds as well as shotguns being fired.

In Taiz, protesters are calling for a solidarity march against the government to denounce the violence being used in Sana’a. Anti-government officials are violently decrying the regime’s behavior and tribal leaders around the city are warning of reprisals if the “blood of Yemenis continue to be spilled freely”.

Sana’a is entering its darkest night yet.