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Yemen

Thousands of armed tribesmen march on Sanaa

Thousands of armed tribesmen are heading towards the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, as battles rage on the streets and flights are suspended. At least 15 people were killed in the city on Wednesday night in heavy fighting between supporters of Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar and Yemen's security forces.

Reuters/Ammar Awad
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Among the victims was a seven-year-old girl, who was hit by a stray bullet.

Fighting broke out on Tuesday after a truce collapsed between security forces and members of the Hashid tribal federation, who have taken control of public buildings across the capital.

The truce was announced on 27 May, after a week of fierce clashes, which erupted when embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to sign a Gulf-brokered plan for him to give up office.

Meanwhile, in the flashpoint city of Taez on Thursday, protesters took up arms for the first time since January, and there were clashes with security forces

Witnesses told French news agency AFP that there was violence near the presidential palace and near a post held by the Republican Guard, though no casualties have been reported.

A crackdown on protestors near Taez since Sunday, has left more than 50 people dead, according to the UN human rights office.

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