Armed tribesman seen entering Sanaa

SANAA, Yemen, June 2 (UPI) -- Armed tribesmen were seen entering the Yemeni capital of Sanaa to support a tribal leader involved in street battles with government forces, witnesses said.

Nageeb Mujaili, a resident, said she saw about 1,000 tribesmen entering the city Thursday, CNN reported.

"We asked them why they were going to Sanaa armed," Mujaili said. "And they said to support their leader, Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar."

A tribal official said 11 tribesman died in clashes overnight and early Thursday. A government spokesman said six civilians were killed during the last 24 hours.

CNN said it couldn't verify the account independently. However, it said Yemen state television Thursday reported government forces turned back tribesman loyal to al-Ahmar from areas of the capital near the Tourism Ministry building.

A government source said residents reported hearing explosions near the presidential palace.

"The reason the street fighting in Sanaa has gotten a lot more intense in the past several hours is because special forces are now involved," the source, speaking anonymously, told CNN. "The special forces of the Republican Guard, the elite units, got involved on Wednesday. They're being used because the government wants to minimize collateral damage and the special forces have particular training in clearing fighters from buildings."