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Tuesday, Jul 31, 2012 6:15 PM UTC

Yemen: Protesting police storm ministry; 15 killed

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Topics: From the Wires,

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Policemen loyal to Yemen’s ousted leader Ali Abdullah Saleh stormed the country’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday, setting off clashes that left at least 15 people killed and 43 wounded, according to the country’s security operations room.

The incident underlined the volatility of the situation in Yemen nearly six months after Saleh stepped down. It points to the enduring ability of his supporters, many of whom still hold key positions, to cause unrest in one of the Arab world’s poorest nations.

A security official said the attack followed a demonstration outside the ministry in the capital Sanaa by policemen loyal to the former president, who stepped down earlier this year after a popular uprising. The policemen were later joined by pro-Saleh tribesmen, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The demonstrators accused the current government of corruption.

Yemen’s security operations room said in a report that at least 15 people were killed in the clashes, according to figures from the police and military hospitals.

The security official said Saleh’s nephew Yahia Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, who commands the police’s Central Security forces, sent additional policemen to participate in the demonstration shortly before the ministry was stormed. The ministry is in charge of the police force and its building is located on the road to the airport.

The policemen loyal to Saleh remained in control of the building hours after they stormed it. They also controlled nearby streets, said the official.

Witnesses said the headquarters of the ministry was looted, with people walking out with computer sets and furniture to little interference from security in the area.

Ahmed Al-haj

More Ahmed Al-haj.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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