Anti-gov't demonstrators continue protests across Yemen

Yemeni troops conduct anti-terrorism drills in the southern coastal province of Abyan Yemeni anti-government demonstrators continue protests across the country to achieve what they describe as the goals of their revolution. The protesters staged demonstrations in the capital Sana'a on Wednesday while a funeral procession was held for Yemen's Chairman of the Shura Council Abdulaziz Abdulghani, a Press TV correspondent reported.  Abdulghani died on Monday as a result of injuries he sustained during a rocket attack on the presidential palace in June. The demonstrators gathered at the change square in the capital to express their determination to continue protests and demand the ouster of the remnants of the regime. Meanwhile, violent clashes between government forces and armed groups, believed to be members of al-Qaeda, in the southern province of Abyan on Wednesday killed at least 13 soldiers and 35 armed men.
In the southwestern city of Taizz, opposition tribesmen continue fighting with Republican Guard forces loyal to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh.
“The opposition has been encouraged by what is going on in Libya and they think they have exploited all the peaceful means. So the military option has come on top of their choices. If such a scenario unfolds, considering Yemen's uniqueness as an armed tribal nation, the consequences would be catastrophic,” said a political analyst. Saleh and five other high-ranking officials fled to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment following a rocket attack on the Yemeni presidential palace in Sana'a on June 3. He has reportedly been released from the hospital and announced plans to return to Yemen soon. On Tuesday, Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujawer returned to the country from a Saudi hospital in Riyadh. Political analysts say Mujawer's arrival paves the way for the anticipated return of Saleh, raising the possibility of a civil war in the country.
Hundreds of people have been killed and many more injured in Yemen since January as a result of the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests by military forces and bands of thugs loyal to Saleh.
At least 29 people have been killed and 62 injured from both sides in Yemen's Abyan province as clashes entered a new phase, a senior security source in Abyan said Wednesday. Twelve government troops were killed and another 42 injured since Tuesday morning, the official said.
He added that government forces killed at least 17 suspected al Qaeda militants and injured 20.
Three militants were arrested by pro-government tribal fighters in the district of Dofas.
This comes as six tribal fighters were injured in Shaqra district Wednesday morning in a roadside bomb that exploded, fighters confirmed.
Sharqa was taken over by militants last week and is now reportedly being used as a gathering point for al Qaeda fighters.
Tribal fighters loyal to the government said that the militants received reinforcements after deadly clashes with government troops.
Clashes have been non-stop since Tuesday morning in nine different fronts in Abyan province, with Dofas district seeing the fiercest fighting.
Tribal fighters confirm that non-Yemeni fighters were identified among the killed al Qaeda militants.
Saleh Abdu Abdullah, a pro-government fighter, said that Saudis and Somalis were among the killed.
"Most of the fighters are not from our areas. We know the al Qaeda members of Abyan from their appearance. These fighters are not from here," said Abu Abdullah.
He said that at least six different nationalities are fighting with the militants.
Ali al-Anesi, head of the Yemen National Security, said that the government has killed hundreds of suspected al Qaeda militants since its military campaign started in May.
He said that at least 80 of the dead militants were senior members of the organization, whether Yemeni or foreigners.
"Al Qaeda was aiming at attacking and controlling Aden province after the success in Abyan. But, government efforts halted their spread and we have retaken large areas of Abyan from militants hands," said al-Anesi.
Residents in the districts of Zinjibar, Abyan, said that air raids on militant hideouts are heard at least five time a day.