Yemeni forces kill 10 in Taiz as UN envoy visits the country

Yemeni forces kill 10 in Taiz as UN envoy visits the country

2011-11-12 08:21:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- At least ten people were killed on Friday in fighting between Yemeni security forces and opposition fighters in the city of Taiz, the Yemen Post reported. Dozens more were said to be injured.

Security forces were shelling several districts and downtown Taiz, where two bombs exploded near the prayer area in Freedom Square after hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters had gathered. Medics confirmed that three women were among those killed.

A medical staff member at the square said the casualties are expected to rise as government attacks continue, the Yemen Post said. Numerous families have started to evacuate the province, fearing that clashes will continue to escalate in the days to come.

The attacks come as United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar is in the country to revise the terms of a power-transfer initiative to end the social unrest.

Yemen is one of a handful of countries across North Africa and the Middle East where large numbers of civilians have risen up this year to call for greater democracy and freedoms. But violence in the country 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.

Yemeni security forces and thugs loyal to the regime have used live bullets, batons and tear gas against peaceful protesters across the country. In Taiz, pro-Saleh forces have randomly shelled residential areas in the city.

The uprising against President Saleh has claimed at least 1,500 lives since February.

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