Fighting rages on in Yemeni capital, three soldiers die

The military official says three soldiers died early on Wednesday, raising the death toll to at least 48 since fighting broke out on Monday between tribesmen loyal to Sheik Sadeq al—Ahmar of Yemen’s powerful Hashid tribe and government troops in the capital’s Hassaba district.

Yemeni medics tend to a guard of Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribe, who was injured in clashes with Yemeni security forces near the house of al-Ahmar, in Sanaaon Tuesday. Photo: AP.

A Yemeni military official says three more soldiers have died as fighting continued for the third straight day in the country’s capital Sanaa between regime loyalists and powerful opposition tribes.

Sanaa’s street battles are a sharp turn in Yemen’s three—month peaceful uprising against embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has backed away from signing a deal to step down in 30 days.

The military official says three soldiers died early on Wednesday, raising the death toll to at least 48 since fighting broke out on Monday between tribesmen loyal to Sheik Sadeq al—Ahmar of Yemen’s powerful Hashid tribe and government troops in the capital’s Hassaba district.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he isn’t authorized to talk to the media.