2 Yemeni protesters killed, many injured

Yemeni anti-government protesters (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174554.html

At least two Yemeni protesters have been killed and several others wounded in the southern city of Aden after police opened fire on demonstrators, medics say.

The clashes apparently started after police tried to clear a makeshift roadblock on Wednesday, AFP reported.

Security forces were deployed throughout the city, some in armored vehicles and others with water cannon.

Meanwhile, as rival Yemeni security forces clashed near the capital Sana'a at least four police forces and a former army officer lost their lives.

Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out for anti-government demonstrations across Yemen including Sana'a, Aden, Taiz, calling for corruption and unemployment to be tackled and demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down.

Some 40 percent of the population live on $2 a day or less in the Middle Eastern country, and a third face food shortages.

The protests have been met by riot police or supporters of Saleh armed with knives and batons.

Saleh has said he will not seek another term in office in 2013 but has vowed to defend his regime "with every drop of blood."

According to local sources, the death toll in the country has surpassed 300 since anti-government protests began in late January.