Yemen: Security forces open fire on protesters in Sanaa

April 18, 2011

17 April 2011 Last updated at 17:28 ET

Yemeni security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters gathered in the

capital, Sanaa, eyewitnesses say.

Hundreds of thousands took part in the demonstrations to reiterate calls for

President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. Doctors said dozens were injured.

Many women took part in the protests, angry at President Saleh's comments last

week that their behaviour was against Islam.

More than 100 people have died in two months of protests against Mr Saleh.

The Yemeni leader, who has been in power for more than three decades, has said

he is willing to hand over power, but only to " safe hands " .

An opposition delegation, led by former Foreign Minister Mohammed Basindwa, is

meanwhile in Saudi Arabia for talks with Gulf Arab mediators.

'Terror'

In Sanaa, authorities opened fire with live ammunition and tear gas, witnesses

said.

" We neared the Sanaa Trade Centre when police confronted us with tear gas, and

suddenly opened heavy gunfire on us from all directions, " Sabry Mohammed, a

protester, told Reuters news agency.

" A state of terror set in among the demonstrators, and some of them fled into

side streets, " he added.

Mohammed al-Abahi, the head doctor at the protesters' field hospital, told the

Associated Press that at least 30 people were wounded, including two hit by

bullets.

There were also reports of clashes between demonstrators and security forces in

the southern city of Damar, in which several people were wounded.

Protests were also reported in other cities, including Taiz, Aden and

al-Hudaida.

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