Two Yemeni soldiers were killed in the first clash between the army and Republican Guard which is loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The fireexchange took place late Monday near the presidential palace in al-Mukalla, southeastern Yemen.
Local sources said that "the bodies of two soldiers - one belonging to the military and the other for the military in the Republican Guard, were taken to a hospital in al-Mukalla, following a clash between the two sides near the presidential palace on Monday night." Three soldiers were also injured in the clashes in the capital of Hadramaut, the sources added. The clashes broke out due to the tension between the Republican Guard troops and and soldiers loyal to the commander of the Eastern Region Muhammad Ali Mohsen, who said Monday he had joined the ranks of the protest movement which aims to bring down the regime. According to the reports, the army took control of the presidential palace, prompting the Republican Guard stationed in a nearby camp to try to recapture the site."
Meanwhile, Saleh said Tuesday that "no one can take control of the country through a coup," pointing out that any such attempt would lead to civil war. During a speech in front of the Supreme Council of the armed forces, he called dissidents to "return to the right path and not to subject to the terrorizing media."
The Yemeni president said: "There is an opportunity and the door is open to return apologize." The president said that "no minority can control the course of the nation, and the government."
