Yemen troops may use chemo weapons
Wed, 23 May 2007 14:05:36

The Yemen army plans to use chemical weapons in areas where it has failed to penetrate through tough opposition resistance.

Reliable sources have quoted Yemen opposition leader Yahya Badr-al-Din al-Huthi as saying the Yemen Army illegally bought a cargo of chemical weapons from Pakistan last week and has put the arsenal at the disposal of the country's 15th armored brigade.

The areas of Zahyan, Al Saifi, Nagh'eh and Matrah reportedly over the last week suffered the most violent military attacks witnessed throughout the war.

In a related development, a Yemen military commander, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, announced several days ago that the use of advanced weapons is the only military solution for controlling the Sada crisis.

Opposition leader al-Huthi has called for the international community, international organizations and political factions to prevent the use of chemical weapons.

According to reports, Yemeni army units retreated from all fronts early Sunday (May 20), presumably to escape the aftermath of the chemical attacks.

The Shia casualties are far fewer than government losses due to the guerilla-style operations by resistance fighters and their familiarity with the mountainous areas.

A separate report quoting Yahya al-Huthi said most of the army's victims were shot from behind while eyewitnesses claim military leaders forced some troops to advance at gunpoint.