Yemeni forces open fire on protesters

Anti-government protesters in the capital, Sana'a

Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170257.html

Yemeni security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters in the western port city of al-Hudaydah, injuring scores of demonstrators.

Witnesses and hospital officials report that at least 150 people were injured on Wednesday after security forces fired teargas and live rounds on anti-government protesters, demanding an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's three-decade rule.

Dozens of protesters also suffered from breathing difficulties in the wake of the teargas attack.

Pro-regime loyalists, armed with knives and batons, also attacked the protesters.

"Special forces, central security forces and police, most of them in civilian clothing, are surrounding the protesters. The main hospital is now at full capacity," Reuters quoted a protester as saying.

Some of the wounded demonstrators were reportedly chased down by security forces and then beaten in a hospital.

Elsewhere in Yemen, plainclothes police have targeted and beaten women at a protest rally in Taiz, a city 200 km (125 miles) south of capital Sana'a.

Weeks of anti-Saleh protests across Yemen have left about 40 people dead and thousands more injured.

On Tuesday, pro-regime loyalists shot dead an opposition activist in the northern province of al-Jawf.

At least 40 people were injured in the capital Sana'a after police opened fire on protesters on Monday.

The United Nations has condemned the attack on the peaceful demonstrators and called on all sides to engage in a dialogue.

Despite persisting nationwide protest rallies, Saleh insists that he would remain in power until the end of his term in 2013.