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 Two photos show 'person of interest' in Kirk shooting. MSNBC analyst fired for his take on Charlie Kirk shooting. Videos may have captured the shooter of Charlie Kirk on a roof. Disturbing video of Charlie Kirk shooting was spreading online. Report an error