Yemeni tribal rebels take over military camp

[May 27, 2011]  SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- A Yemeni tribal leader says tribesmen have seized a Republican Guard military camp, killing the forces' commander.

Sheik Ali Saif says his men broke into the camp on Friday in the al-Fardha Nehem area, 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of the capital Sanaa.

He says government planes bombed the tribesmen and forces clashed with them on the ground, leading to death of 12 tribesmen.

Said says the tribesmen took the base to prevent soldiers there from heading Sanaa to join a five-day battle between troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and tribesmen who joined the popular rebellion against the longtime ruler. At least 109 have been killed in that fighting.

___

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

___

SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- A Yemeni tribal leader says government planes have bombed his fighters during a clash at an army camp outside the capital, and that three tribesmen have died in the bombing.

Sheik Ali Saif says his tribesmen surrounded the camp of the powerful Republican Guard on Friday in the al-Fardha Nehem area, 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of the capital Sanaa.

He says they wanted to prevent the soldiers from heading to Sanaa to join a five-day battle between troops loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and tribesmen who joined the popular rebellion against the longtime ruler, inspired by Arab uprisings. At least 109 have been killed in that fighting.

Yemeni state TV has warned residents in Sanaa's neighborhood engulfed in the battle to leave their homes in expectations of more street fighting.

[Associated Press; By AHMED AL-HAJ]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.