Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's eldest son, Ahmed, the commander of the Republican Guard, was reported to have refused to obey Yemeni President's orders to stop the heavy air and land bombardment on tribal areas north the capital Sana'a, Al-Kalij Daily Newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing familiar sources.
Al-Sama brigade, a military unit that belongs to the republican guards forces, has stepped up its air and land bombing of tribal posts in Arhab for the third day, some 35 km north Sana'a, after the latter has launched mortar strikes on the brigade three days ago.
Aiming to ease tensions in the area, President Hadi ordered Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh to stop the bombardment, however, he refused to heed Hadi's orders for the second time and continued the attacks, said the paper.
Yemeni Tribal Alliance condemned the continued killings of civilians in Arhab tribal area, accusing what it has called " the remnants of former regime" of mixing cards and trying to spark tensions.
It has further called on the President to quickly restructure the army units and make it led by the Ministry of Defense not by individuals, considering what is going on in Arhab a clear breach of the GCC-brokered deal and a gross violation of human rights and international conventions.
Meanwhile, tensions are running high in the Yemeni capital after the defected army headquarters was attacked with mortar shells on Sunday night. The commander of First Armored Division Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar has redeployed his forces north Sana'a to foil any potential attack, after they were withdrawn to barracks based on the Military Committee orders.
Media outlets reported that Mohsen has ordered his troops to be vigilant and to remain on standby to foil any further attacks, however, he warned them against being dragged in an armed conflict.