SANA'A: Yemen's ministry of defense told the Saba news agency on Saturday that the explosions reported by many concerned residents of the capital, Sana'a, were the result of training exercises and “nothing more.” Other sources in Yemen and countless eyewitness reports told of another story, alleging that clashes between the regime's loyalists and defected General Mohsen's men erupted in the early hours of the morning, followed by loud explosions in Hasaba and Sofan, northern districts of the capital, under al-Ahmar's control. Moreover, residents in Hadda, a southern neighborhood of Sana'a also confirmed gunshots from medium to heavy artillery just around dawn. “The exchange of fire lasted 5 to 10 minutes … no more, but it made us concern over our security. We are all very tense, especially with President Ali Abdullah Saleh scheduled to return next Saturday,” a shopkeeper told Bikyamasr.com. Troubling news from the southern provinces are depicting a grim picture with secessionist warning of a civil war if the central government continues to ignore its call for a federal system. Al-Harak is believed to have armed its loyalists readying itself for a military confrontation ahead of the presidential elections. As more protesters are voicing their critic over Vice-President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi sole candidacy to the presidency, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Tawakkul Karman took to the Media and denounced vehemently the move saying a one-man election had nothing to do with what Yemen wanted but what rather another foreign “manipulation” of the situation to serve “others” interests. Although the young woman's opinions are not always shared by the general public, all agreed that her comment on this instance was mirroring perfectly Yemen's reality. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/xRqee Tags: Attack, Clashes, Military, Sanaa Section: Latest News, Yemen
