An official at the main airport serving Yemen's capital says that protesting troops have closed the runways with armored vehicles, demanding that the commander of the country's air force be replaced.

The garrison at Sanaa airport's attached military air base is demanding the removal of Maj. Gen. Mohammed Saleh, the brother of outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the official says.

He says the Sunday protest has caused two flights to be diverted to the airport at the southern city of Yemen.

Another official at the airport in the southern city of Taez says troops there have been staging a similar protest demanding the ouster of their commander since Saturday. Both officials spoke anonymously in accordance with regulations.

Yemen has experienced an 11-month uprising against Saleh's rule.