Attack on military site as violence escalates in Yemen

Fighting that has rocked Sanaa for the past five days spread beyond the Yemeni capital yesterday as tribesmen opposed to the rule of president Ali Abdullah Saleh seized a Republican Guard military camp in battles that left dozens dead and prompted claims of airstrikes by government warplanes.

About 120 people have been killed in street battles this week in Sanaa between security forces loyal to Saleh and fighters from Yemen's most powerful tribal confederation, the Hashid, which has joined the popular uprising against Mr Saleh.

The fighting has increased fears the country could be thrown into civil war as Mr Saleh clings to power in the face of months of peaceful protests demanding that he step down.

The violence poses a major new threat to Mr Saleh because of the strength of tribal loyalties among Yemenis. The Hashid group's northern-based tribes number hundreds of thousands of people, giving the Hashid's leaders enormous power.

It includes Mr Saleh's own tribe, the Sanhan - the confederation's influence is strong enough that around half the Sanhan have abandoned the president since the Hashid leadership announced it was joining the opposition several weeks ago.

Yesterday's assault on the base in the el-Fardha Nehem region was the most significant escalation yet outside the capital.

Tribal fighters stormed the camp, which lies about 50 miles north-east of Sanaa, and killed? dozens of troops, including the base commander, said Sheikh Ali Saif, a leader from the Hashid tribal confederation.

After the Hashid fighters captured the camp, government planes bombed them and other forces clashed with them on the ground, he said, adding that at least 18 tribesmen were killed.

When two military helicopters landed about two miles from the camp to unload reinforcements, tribal fighters launched an assault, capturing the helicopters and a number of troops. The fighters shot down a third helicopter, Mr Saif said.

There was no government comment on the fighting.

Mr Saif said the tribe attacked the base to prevent soldiers there moving to reinforce government troops in Sanaa. The Republican Guard is one of the best trained and equipped forces in Yemen. It is commanded by one of Mr Saleh's sons, and has remained loyal to the president while other military units have joined the movement against him.

Yemeni state television last night warned residents in Sanaa neighbourhoods engulfed in fighting to evacuate the areas in expectation of further violence.Fighting spilled into new districts around the city on Thursday, with government forces using artillery and mortars to attack tribesmen as frightened residents fled or cowered in basements.

The head of the Hashid tribe, Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, demanded earlier this week that Mr Saleh step down or else be held accountable for "dragging the country to a civil war".

Battles broke out on Monday after an attempt by government forces to storm Mr Ahmar's compound in the heart of Sanaa. By Thursday, the clashes had widened to include areas around Sanaa's airport, and other tribes had joined Mr Ahmar.

Until now, Mr Saleh's opponents have stuck to peaceful protests, massing hundreds of thousands of people in demonstrations around the country.

Mr Saleh has managed to cling to power for three months despite defections, protests and pressure from Arab neighbours and Western powers to leave office. Efforts to mediate an exit for him collapsed last week when the president refused to sign a deal providing for him to step down in 30 days.