Yemen has further taken strict measures as the crackdown on rioters and outlaws intensifies in its southern provinces of Lahj and Dhale, with the Ministry of Communication ordering to cut cell phone service at a further 14 districts in both cities.
Minister Kamal Hussein Al-Jabri wrote cell phone companies: owing to the commonweal and security requirements, we call on you to cut your services in the districts of Dhale, Alazariq, Jehaf, Alhasha, Alhaseen, Yaf'a, Habeel Jabr, Radfan, Tuban, Al-Hawta, Al-Musaimeer, Halimeen and Al-Shuaib as of 11:00 Monday.
Earlier, the cell phone service was cut in some areas of Dhale, but the land telephone service remains in the two provinces.
Also, the local authorities in Dhale imposed on Monday a curfew in the capital city of the governorate and other districts from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am. The move followed fierce clashes between the secessionist movement armed fans and security forces in which about 12 people from both sides were injured.
Many others were arrested with the authorities saying they were wanted in connection with destructive and criminal acts including the murder of the director of the criminal investigation department in the governorate about one week ago. The arrested also were part of rioting and lawbreaking that affected the people and the public properties in the city.
Earlier, a security cordon was imposed around the city to thwart unauthorized demonstrations. The action came after army and security forces' camps in the governorate came under fire at night over the past two days.
Lahj and Dhale top the southern cities worst hit by violence as the movement seeks the separation of the south under allegations of injustice and government abuses.