Yemeni women burn veils to protest violence against anti-government protesters

Yemeni women burn veils to protest violence against anti-government protesters

2011-10-27 04:18:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- Hundreds of women set fire to their veils in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a on Wednesday to protest the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters, the Yemen Post reported.

Women of all ages gathered in Sana'a to set fire to their veils while passers-by stopped, astonished to see women burn what was described as the 'symbol of their pride'. As the flames rose, the activists started to chant: "Who will protect Yemeni women from the thugs, who will stand for us?"

Other young women decided to remove their full face veil in protest against the regime, claiming that they wanted to die uncovered. Leaflets were also handed out reading: "This is a plea from the free women of Yemen; here we burn our veil in front of the world to witness the bloody massacres carried by the tyrant Saleh."


Over the past few days, several female protesters and children have been shot at by snipers. The women's protest follows further violence between forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his opponents.

Clashes erupted on Tuesday between anti-government protesters and government forces shortly after the Yemeni government announced a ceasefire. However, the truce came to an end when government forces attacked protesters in the cities of Sana'a and Taiz, leaving more than 20 people dead.

Violence in Yemen has continued to escalate after President Saleh threatened with civil war after refusing, for a third time, to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative for power transition on May 22. The uprising against President Saleh has claimed at least 1,500 lives since February.

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