Three bodyguards killed in attack on Yemeni president

An attack targeting Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Friday killed at least three bodyguards and wounded several senior officials, Yemen’s state news agency Saba reported.

Saleh, who is facing protests against his nearly 33-year-long rule that are threatening to turn into civil war, received light wounds in the armed attack by opposition tribesmen, Al Arabiya television channel reported earlier.

State news agency Saba said a shell landed in the front part of a mosque inside the presidential palace where Saleh and top government officials were present.

Al Arabiya quoted a ruling party official as saying that the president received treatment at a military hospital following the shelling, Saleh would soon make an address, the TV channel added.

An estimated 2,000 members of Yemeni opposition tribal groups entered Sanaa on Thursday to confront forces loyal to Saleh.

Anti-government protests against Saleh have been taking place for nearly five months. Over 120 people have been killed in the past week, pushing Yemen to the brink of the civil war.

CAIRO, June 3 (RIA Novosti)

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