SANAA, 18 May 2003 — At least three people were killed and five wounded in a gunbattle between tribesmen in the Yemeni capital yesterday, eyewitnesses said.
Armed tribesmen from two rival clans with a running vendetta had a shootout at a road intersection near the headquarters of the Interior Ministry, the eyewitnesses said. Two of the victims were bystanders. Police did not comment immediately, saying they would issue a statement later in the day.
Both sides involved in the gunbattle were said to be members of the Bani Dhabian tribe from the lawless district of Khawlan, some 150 km east of Sanaa.
Tribal sources said police jeeps mounted with heavy machine guns launched a manhunt to arrest the attackers. Clashes between tribesmen involved in blood feuds are common in Yemen, where firearms are carried openly, mainly in tribal and rural areas, despite efforts by police and army to disarm civilians.
.
