Over 100 protesters injured in Yemen clashes

Over 100 protesters injured in Yemen clashes

2011-03-14 03:06:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 100 anti-government protesters were injured Sunday after Yemeni security forces opened fire and used tear gas to disperse them from Sanaa University.

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have staged a sit-in outside the university for the past month to demand the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the country for 32 years. According to the Yemen Post, ten of the injured were because of direct gun shots, while at least one hundred because of inhaling tear gas.


Protesters said the attack happened after government supporters helped security forces to block roads near Sanaa University, preventing anti-government protesters to enter the square of the sit-in. According to official sources, anti-government protesters are causing problems for residents living in the Sanaa University area, and locals are demanding that the protesters find a different location to demonstrate.

The White House strongly condemned the violence that has taken place in Yemen and Bahrain, where demonstrators on Sunday also clashed with security forces and government supporters on the campus of the Bahrain University.

"The United States strongly condemns the violence that has taken place in Yemen and Bahrain today. We urge the governments of these countries to show restraint and to respect the universal rights of their people," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.

The European Union (EU) also called for all political parties and activists in Yemen for restraint and to quickly start a serious and genuine dialogue, the official Saba news agency reported.

Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said that there is now a need for urgent action to meet the aspirations of Yemeni people. She expressed regret for the victims and the injured people due to acts of violence in the sit-ins.

On Saturday, three protesters were killed and hundreds were wounded when security forces stormed the sit-in site and used live bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters. President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the events.

Yemeni protesters, mostly young, are fighting against soaring unemployment rates, poverty, widespread corruption and patronage. The demonstrations were initially inspired by the Tunisian revolt, but they gathered momentum with the success of Egypt's revolution. Protests, which began in January, have resulted in the death of almost 30 people.

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