5 soldiers, 2 tribesmen die in south Yemen clashes

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Five soldiers and two tribesmen died in clashes in Yemen's restive south, where separatist sentiment is mounting, Yemeni officials said Saturday. Deputy governor of Lahuj province, Yasser al-Yamani, said the five soldiers died in an attack in the provincial town of Radfan. Local security officials said two civilians also died Saturday in clashes near the town. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Southern Yemen has been engulfed in violent daily protests since Monday, with residents demanding secession from the north. Southerners in Yemen complain of marginalization and have often called for independence from the north. Radfan is located 135 miles (220 kilometers) south of the capital, San'a.