Yemen army storms al-Habilain

by Abdullah al-Qubati, for Yemenat

Sana « a-Military troops stormed al-Habilain city of Lahj province, southern of Yemen, after fierce clashes with gunmen.

» Witnesses said sporadic clashes are still underway within the towns streets.

Heavy artillery shells launched Saturday morning by the army on al-Habilain as a number of armed residents were trying to prevent the army from entering the city, injuring at least 4 gunmen and 2 soldiers.
 
According to local sources, the population of displaced outside the town, while traffic stopped completely and phonescut offto and around the town.
 
Dozens of families fled the town over the past two days to nearby areas in anticipation of a raid. A tight siege was imposed on al-Habilain outskirts by military for a week.
 
Al-Habilain of Radfan directorates have been experiencing continues protests by the Southern Movement since 2007.
 
« Hundreds of the Sothern Movement » s supporters demonstrated for third day in a row Saturday in the closest city of al-Dhalia protesting on Radfans bombing and blockade.

In the southern province of Hadramout, dozens of protesters went in angry demonstrations Saturday in public streets of al-Mukalla and al-Shahr cities.
 
Clashes occurred between the protestors and security forces, which tried to disperse them, injured 2 civilians. Security arrested about 6 of protesters.
 
String of protests have been inflaming in many areas of Hadramout since last Thursday when a woman was crushed to death by a military patrol in al-Mukalla, the second largest city in the South.