Tribal chieftains in the southeast province of Al-Baytha, some 260km southeast of the Yemeni capital of Sana'a, gave on Wednesday 24 hours for al-Qaeda militants to leave their town of Rada.

Earlier the day, local tribal dignitaries accused outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh of conniving with the terrorists and letting Rada falls into their control, as the army looked on militants with simple weapons take control of an entire town.

The militants took control of al-Baytaha's main town of Rada on Monday, with the army looking on.


Pressed form international community, Saleh signed a peace deal which would see him out of power in less than a month. But he is well-known for his adept political maneuvers and his ability to play tribes off each other as long as it's in his favor.

Apparently, Saleh still believes he could somehow cling to power by playing his old-worn tricks.

Yemen has been hit by a year of popular protests demanding an end for the 33-rule of veteran Saleh, leaving hundreds dead and others injured.