Death toll from Yemen violence rises to 20

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Death toll from Yemen violence rises to 20

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Death toll from clashes that erupted after UN call for President Saleh to step down has risen to 20.

24 October,2011 05:35 am

The death toll from fierce clashes and shelling that erupted in the wake of a UN call for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down has risen to 20, officials and medics said on Sunday.The violence Saturday began at dawn with intense shelling of the Hasaba district, home to tribal chief Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar who opposes Saleh, where explosions were heard throughout the day and into the evening.Intense street battles followed between troops loyal to Saleh and rival forces throughout the capital Sanaa, leaving at least 20 people dead, and dozens of others wounded, according to the latest tally by medics and government officials.Medics said at least four of the casualties were civilians, including an employee of the private Yemeni TV channel.They added that at least six armed tribesmen loyal to Sheikh Sadeq were also killed in Saturdays violence.A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said five pro-Saleh soldiers were killed and dozens of others were wounded in battles with armed tribesmen and rival forces loyal to dissident General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar who defected in March.The general and tribal chief, once staunch allies of Saleh, have declared their support for the nation-wide anti-government protests that erupted in January.In recent weeks, armed confrontations between rival forces and militias have intensified, raising fears that Salehs continued refusal to resign will push the impoverished country to an all-out civil war.Mohsen, who said his First Armoured Division lost five soldiers in Saturdays clashes, accused Saleh of ordering his sons and relatives, who command Yemens elite forces, to wage an attack.