SANA'A: The Yemeni Defense Minister announced to the press on Friday that the armed forces were ready “to defend the country against subversive elements of the opposition and the dissident army,” amidst news that Taiz was under heavy bombardment. “The Republican Guard forces are in a state of high readiness and vigilance to defend the country against subversive armed elements of the opposition coalition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) and the defected First Armored Division,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its website, accusing their opponents of seeking a “military coup.” After several days of shelling, the government forces intensified its assault against the Taiz, saying that those dubbed the “People Protectors” were using soldiers as target practice, trying to seize the town for their own. Since the early hours of the Friday morning, violent armed clashes shook the town, claiming the lives of more than 15 people, amongst them several women and children. In his statement, the defense ministry declared that two soldiers had been killed yesterday, shot down by troops loyal to defected General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, adding that several army vehicles were damaged in the clashes as tribesmen paid by al-Islah launched several strikes against soldiers posted in Taiz. On the political front, Houria Mashoor, the spokeswomen for the Yemeni National Council for the Yemeni Revolution stated that: “Saleh is challenging the UN resolution and he has no intention to move ahead in power transition … he seeks to hinder the UN efforts through igniting conflict and violence.” UN envoy Jamal Benomar, who is currently visiting Sana'a to overview the signature Yemen power-transfer agreement, said that he “deplored the escalating violence and the targeting of unarmed civilinas in Taiz,” calling an immediate halt to the violence. BM
