World | Yemen Army Commanders Defect in Yemen President's key confidante switches to opposition By Matt Cantor Posted Mar 21, 2011 6:44 AM CDT Copied Anti-government protestors carry the body of a demonstrator who was killed on Friday's clashes with Yemeni security forces, during his funeral procession in Sanaa,Yemen, Sunday, March 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) Tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed in Yemen’s capital as support for the country's president continues to erode: Three army commanders have defected to the opposition, the AP reports. The officers are members of the president’s tribe, which called for his resignation yesterday. Among them is a top general who has been a 32-year confidante of President Ali Abdullah Saleh; the commander sent a message announcing his defection to protest leaders at Sanaa square. Read These Next Online sleuths expose Epstein file redactions. Rob and Michele Reiner died within a minute of each other. Sammy Davis Jr.'s ex, Swedish actor May Britt, is dead at 91. Sean Combs' team files appeal, argues he should be released. Report an error