At least 2 killed, over 70 injured in anti-government protest in Yemen

At least 2 killed, over 70 injured in anti-government protest in Yemen

2011-04-20 05:08:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANA'A, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- Protesters and Yemen security forces on Tuesday clashed during an anti-government demonstration leaving at least two people dead and several more injured.

According to the Yemen Post, two protesters were killed and over 70 more were injured at Taghyeer square in the capital Sana'a where anti-government sit-ins have been taking place for weeks.

The death toll could rise as some of the injured people are in critical condition. Security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at the protesters in order ton disperse them. More than 500,000 people participated in Tuesday's protest.

Earlier on Tuesday, protesters demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, clashed with security forces in the southern Taiz province. One civilian was killed and 20 more were injured.

The Yemeni government said that the Sana'a illegal protest was organized by members of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) who allegedly kidnapped 10 police officers.

"The demonstrators carried out acts of anarchy and violence, shot and attacked citizens and their homes and shops in planned bids to thwart the efforts of the government to resolve the crisis in Yemen," the Ministry of Interior informed.

Since the anti-government protests began in February, it is estimated that around 100 has been killed. Protesters have said that only the immediate ouster of President Saleh will put an end to the demonstrations.

Protesters have been conducting sit-ins in Sana'a, Taiz, Hodeida, Dhamar and other cities. President Saleh has blamed the unrest on a foreign agenda and added that some hostile media outlets have exaggerated about the situation in Yemen.

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