Clashes between brutal army, Houthi mujaheds kill 5 in Sana’a

At least six people are confirmed dead as clashes continue between Ansarullah fighters of Houthi movement and members of a Salafist party in the Yemeni capital city of Sana’a.

Renewed heavy fighting erupted between Ansarullah fighters and members of Salafist Islah party in Sana’a on Saturday. The Salafists are backed by some army units, which are under control of Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the step-brother of the country’s deposed dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Latest reports say several others were injured by mortar shells near Yemen’s state-run television building in the city. Earlier reports suggested that clashes broke out after Houthi fighters targeted the building with rockets.

The building and its surrounding are reportedly on fire.

A series of separate clashes are also said to be underway near Iman University as well as outside the Interior Ministry and the residence of the president’s security advisor.

Media sources say the death toll is expected to rise as some of the seriously injured are said to be in critical condition.

The latest casualties brought to at least 86 the number of people killed in clashes over the past four days across Yemen.

Protesters have been staging demonstrations in the capital for nearly a month, demanding the establishment of a new government and reinstatement of fuel subsidies. They say the government is corrupt and marginalizes the country’s Shia community.

Some local sources say a ceasefire deal between Houthi-led protesters and the government is expected to be announced later today.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently called on Yemeni authorities to probe the use of force against anti-government protesters in Sana’a and other cities.

The Houthi movement played a key role in the popular revolution that forced former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to step down in February 2012.