Even as the conflict drones on....
"In Yemen, at least 13 people were killed and scores were wounded in the capital yesterday when security forces and plainclothes government loyalists opened fire on more than 1,000 antigovernment demonstrators, said medical officials and witnesses.
The clash, the most violent episode in Sana since at least 52 were killed March 18, erupted after security forces blocked a march by unarmed protesters demanding the departure of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Demonstrators then began erecting tents in front of rows of soldiers near a camp that Saleh’s opponents have occupied for weeks and, moments later, bullets rained down from snipers.
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"2 protesters slain, dozens wounded by Yemen police" May 13, 2011|By Ahmed Al Haj, Associated Press
SANAA, Yemen — Yemeni police trying to disperse thousands of antigovernment protesters in two cities yesterday killed two and wounded at least 47, some by gunfire, according to witnesses. In one of the cities, protesters overran a government building....
Bushra al-Maktari, an activist in Taiz, said police fired tear gas at the demonstrators, and the government sent army and security reinforcements to confront thousands camped in the city’s central square.
Demonstrations took place in Aden, Hadramawt, Hodeida, and other cities.
Protesters have been demanding the resignation of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh in weeks of demonstrations, some involving tens of thousands of people. Saleh has been clinging to power, warning that if he leaves without an orderly succession, the Al Qaeda branch in Yemen will take advantage of the resulting chaos.
Saleh torpedoed a mediation effort last month that appeared to be close to resolving the crisis.
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Where is the no-fly zone bombing to protect civilians, 'eh?
Oh, right, Saleh a servant.
"Troops loyal to Yemen’s president attacked the camp of a senior military commander-turned-defector yesterday in the capital, Sana, and an ensuing gun battle left at least three soldiers dead, military officials said.
Antigovernment demonstrators rallied yesterday in several cities and towns across the country, pressing their demand for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave office.
In the southern town of Ibb, security forces opened fire on a funeral procession, leaving three demonstrators dead and scores wounded. And seven soldiers died as gunmen ambushed troops elsewhere yesterday.
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"Gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on two soldiers in a market in southern Yemen yesterday, killing one and wounding the other as protests against the longtime president escalated.
Yemen’s opposition, meanwhile, said it is not ready to accept a new attempt to revive a regional initiative to defuse the crisis, if it means giving President Ali Abdullah Saleh more time in office.
Yemen is reeling from three months of protests demanding Saleh step down.
He has snubbed a proposal to resign in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Instead he has pressed a crackdown on protesters that has killed more than 150 people.
The gunmen who attacked the soldiers yesterday in a market in Abyan Province fled, the local official said.
Smells like a false flag to me.
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Also see: Yemen’s president calls for elections
