Two killed in Yemen's southern port of Aden during eighth day of protests

[News_Editor]

Two killed in Yemen's southern port of Aden during eighth day of protests

2011-02-18 22:54:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- At least two demonstrators on Friday were killed in Yemen's southern port of Aden during the eighth day of protests, the Yemen Post reported.

Demonstrators rallied in the streets of Aden demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The protests were inspired by the ones that took place in Tunisia and Egypt.

Security forces in Khor Makser attempted to disperse the demonstrators by using tear gas, batons and stun guns. As a result, at least two people were killed and several others injured.

Friday's Aden protest followed the ones that took place in Al-Mansora district on Wednesday and Thursday. In Al-Mansora, at least three protesters were killed and many more wounded.

Also on Friday, Deputy Interior Minister Hussein al-Zawa'ari said that the riots were provoked by an armed separatist movement. Al- Zawa'ari added that protests were conducted peacefully until members of the separatist movement participated in Wednesday's demonstration.

The armed separatist members assaulted the Local Council headquarters in Al-Mansora district and burned vehicles as well. Many of them also fired at security forces and peaceful demonstrators. On Thursday, President Saleh ordered to form a committee to investigate the fateful events occurred in some zones of Aden.

On Tuesday, about 1,000 protesters marching to the presidential residence in Sana'a were attacked by pro-government supporters after riot police prevented them from reaching the palace.

Yemen has been witnessing protests since Tunisian ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali escaped to Saudi Arabia and they have gathered momentum with the success of Egypt's revolution.

President Saleh, who has been in power since 1978, pledged earlier this month not to seek his reelection in 2013 or hand over power to his son.

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