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Arabia | |
Fired generalÂ’s troops force Yemen airport shutdown | |
2012-04-08 | |
SANAA: The airport in YemenÂ’s capital was shut down on Saturday after forces loyal to a sacked general close to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh surrounded it and threatened to shoot down planes, an airport official said.
Another official told AFP nine international and seven domestic departing flights had been cancelled, while three incoming Yemenia Airways flights were diverted to the main southern city Aden. The airport has been encircled by forces loyal to air force chief General Muhammad Saleh al-Ahmar, SalehÂ’s half brother, who has refused to step down after being sacked by President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, the source said. Ahmar has refused to go unless the defence minister and other senior officials also leave, a military source said. In addition to Ahmar, Hadi also sacked on Friday SalehÂ’ nephew, General Tareq Muhammad Abdullah Saleh, who heads the presidential guard. | |
Posted by:Steve White |