Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks northeast of Yemeni capital

Dozens killed as tribal forces seize military barracks northeast of Yemeni capital
Dozens of people were killed and many wounded as anti-government tribal forces on Monday overran a barracks of the Yemeni Republican Guard in Nahm, 70 km northeast of the capital Sanna, a local government official said.

The barracks is believed to belong to the Yemeni elite Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The head of the brigade managed to escape, while dozens soldiers were held captive, the official said.

The government forces' warplanes were carrying out intense raids on the occupied barracks, while the tribal militiamen responded with anti-air weapons they seized from the base, he added.

No precise figures were currently available concerning the casualties.

Officials of the Defense ministry have confirmed that heavy clashes were going on between the Republican Guard's 63rd Mountaineer Infantry Brigade and opposition-led tribal militias in Bait Dahra district in northern Sanaa province.

Editor: Deng Shasha

English.news.cn   2011-11-21 16:04:22 FeedbackPrintRSS
SANAA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)