Saleh loyalists blamed for Yemen shelling

People in southern Yemen blamed forces loyal to the outgoing president for shelling that killed a dozen civilians and wounded 45 this week. Artillery fire hit the province of Taiz Thursday and was blamed on troops still loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who officially stepped down under pressure after 33 years in power. "The attacks were everywhere," Taiz resident Shareef al-Sabri told CNN. "The government does not care anymore if anyone dies. Everyone who was killed or injured was a civilian and was not bearing arms." Yemen's government had no comment on the shelling; however, witnesses said government reinforcements were arriving in Taiz, where anti-government protesters had been demanding Saleh's resignation. Saleh did step down last month; however, the deal for the transfer of power allows him to keep his title for another three months while turning the helm of the nation over to his vice president. Residents told CNN the show of force in Taiz was meant as a crackdown on Saleh's political opponents.