The violence in Taiz, a major city in central Yemen, has threatened the implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) deal. Opposition figures in Sana’a have spoken out in solidarity with the people of Taiz.

Clashes are ongoing in Taiz between opposition tribesmen and loyalist troops. At least five people were killed Saturday, four of whom were civilians. Fighting was concentrated in Manakha, a mountain stronghold for the opposition tribesmen. Taiz governor and opposition figures agreed to a ceasefire Saturday and the withdrawal of military forces, but fighting was still reported in the city. A second ceasefire was to go into place Sunday evening. Artillery fire Sunday killed two people and sniper fire killed at least one person Monday. An activist reported that military assets were withdrawing from positions in the city, but noted that snipers remain. Interim Prime Minister Mohammed Salam Basendwah noted that the opposition would review commitments to the transition deal if the fighting in Taiz did not end. A government source accused defected General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar and political opposition leader Hamid al Ahmar of ordering acts of sabotage in Taiz, noting a list of recently detained individuals.

A Yemeni military official reported that suspected al Qaeda-linked militants attacked the military barracks of the 201st armored brigade east of Zinjibar in Abyan governorate with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns. The officials said that “scores” of militants surrounded Sawhyl area. At least five soldiers were killed Sunday.

Yemen’s Vice President Abdul Rab Mansour al Hadi announced the formation of a 14-member military council Sunday. The council, according the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) deal, was to have been established within five days of the signing of the transition deal.

Gunmen ambushed the Yemen’s eastern military zone’s director of military police investigations service Sunday in Irqa in Shabwah governorate. Lt. Col. Khaled Ali Saleh al Wasamani was killed driving to work in al Mukalla. Separately, gunmen killed an intelligence service officer in Ghayl Ba Wazir in Hadramawt governorate Friday. One other person was killed and three others injured in the attack.

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