Victims of clashes in the capital of Yemen were about 120 people
At least 120 people were killed in three days of clashes between Shiite rebels (housitami) and security forces in the Yemen capital, Sana’a. Such data with reference to the Sky News Arabiya quoted by ITAR-TASS.
Clashes broke out with renewed vigor after the September 18 housitam managed to break through the defense and security forces in Sanaa enter.
According to Sky News Arabiya, thousands of metropolitan residents were forced to flee their homes to escape the pogroms. It is reported that the rebels fired mortars today state television building, a hospital, a university and a number of houses, resulting in dozens of people were injured. His work, in particular, temporarily suspended a government agency SABA.
Simultaneously with the clashes in Sanaa government aviation continues to strike rebel positions in the vicinity of the northern province of Al Jawf. Media reported that the Air Force eliminated approximately 30 pieces of equipment, including several tanks. According to the military, the column heading in the province of Marib, which is the largest oil pipeline in the country.
On Friday, the UN special envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar held talks with representatives of housitov in the north, but attempts emissary to call for an end to violence have been unsuccessful.
The reason for the outbreak of violence in the country has been the reduction of subsidies on petroleum products, which has led to an increase in petrol prices twice and caused strong repercussions in the Yemeni society, especially in the ranks of housitov. Since mid-August, they do not stop the mass demonstrations in Sanaa, demanding the resignation of “corrupt” cabinet.
According to Sky News Arabiya, the parties failed to agree on the beginning of the negotiation process. The government has agreed to return the original price of fuel, and the Shiite rebels, in turn, stop the demonstrations and sit-ins. This information has not yet received official confirmation.
Housity are supporters of the self-proclaimed “Imam ‘Ali Hussein al-Howes, who in May 2004 raised the anti-government revolt. They belong to the Zaidi community, who make up the majority of the inhabitants of the northern regions of the country. Until the anti-monarchist revolution 1962 in northern Yemen existed Zaidi imamate, which, according to opponents of the Shiite groups, they are now trying to revive. Rebels themselves say that their task – empowerment of Shia Muslims in the predominantly Sunni country.