Two killed as rival soldiers clash in Yemen

14 April 2011

President Saleh still clinging to power as violence begins to escalate

Groups of rival Yemeni armed forces have clashed in the capital Sanaa resulting in the deaths of two soldiers.

The BBC reported that troops who defected to the opposition with General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar tried to search a car containing members of the forces still aligned to President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

After refusing to be searched the two groups opened fire on each other with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades.

The clash came as thousands of demonstrators continued their protests in Yemen aimed at ousting Saleh as president.

As well as anti-government protesters wanting electoral and social reforms in Yemen many also want to see Saleh and his family brought up on charges.

The GCC countries offer of arbitrating a transfer of power in return for Saleh being made immune from prosecution was dismissed by anti-government opposition.

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