Heavy battles break out in Yemeni cities

Yemeni revolutionaries clash with Yemeni security forces in the southern city of Taizz, May 31, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/182815.html

Heavy clashes have broken out between Yemeni revolutionaries and forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh across the country, including in the capital Sana'a.

Battles between the two sides began near Freedom Square and the regional presidential palace in the southern city of Taizz shortly after midnight early on Thursday morning.

Huge explosions rocked Sana'a while intense fighting was underway near the residence of opposition tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar in the capital's northeastern district of al-Hasaba.

Yemen has been the scene of bloody battles between regime troops and opposition tribesmen for days.

On Wednesday, at least 41 people were killed as clashes spread to new quarters of Sana'a, the Associated Press reported.

The deadly clashes come months after Yemenis started to stage mass street rallies calling for an end to Saleh's three decades of rule.

Opposition leaders have accused Saleh of attempting to ignite a civil war in Yemen in a last-ditch effort to hang on to power.