Dozens killed in ongoing Yemeni protests

2011-03-19 08:08:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- Dozens of Yemeni protesters who have been carrying out demonstrations during the past several weeks were shot dead following Friday prayers.

According to the United Nations (UN), 33 people were killed by Yemeni security forces during protests in the capital of Sanaa, injuring another 150. However, some reports say that up to 45 people were killed during the incidents.

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered on Friday as a sit-in outside Sanaa University has been ongoing for the past weeks to demand the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the country for 32 years.

However, during the latest incidents, shots were fired by pro-government forces, many of them dressed in regular civilian clothes. The gunmen surrounded the protesters shortly after their Muslim Friday prayers, which usually bring together more people than other days. Shots were also fired from surrounding buildings.

Following the incident, Saleh declared a nationwide state of emergency. He also stated that the shootings were carried out among citizens and demonstrators, underlining that government forces did not open fire.

UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the killings, saying he was "deeply troubled by the continuing violence and instability in Yemen," according to his spokesman.

Ban reiterated restraint by the Government of Yemen, which has an obligation to protect civilians. He also called on all to desist from any provocative acts that might lead to further violence

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and U.S. President Barack Obama also condemned the shootings, urging the violence to stop and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

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 dozens of deaths and hundreds of injured.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-19

Time for a UN resolution, and the removal of all aide and succour to the regime along with asset seizures. That however, will not make the oppressive Saudi regime happy, so it wont happen in all likelihood although I would love to be proven wrong

Death count in the protests hits more than 50 says my source. What is the alternative to the present government? The country is literally crawling with Al Qaida. IMO The Yemen is the one country we cannot allow to fall down into a complete loss of law and order. We don't need another Somalia on the map.