At least three killed as violence continues in Yemen

[News_Editor]

At least three killed as violence continues in Yemen

2011-12-03 08:00:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were killed on Friday as hundreds of thousands of people protested in Yemen's southern province of Taiz, local media reported. Several others were injured.

Clashes resumed as more than 300,000 anti-government protesters gathered after Friday prayer to demand the fall of President Saleh's regime across Yemen and condemned the violence in Taiz. Medics in Taiz said three civilians were killed and six others were injured when violence erupted at Freedom Square.

Al-Hasb district of Taiz saw heavy bombardment from government troops, forcing hundreds of families to evacuate the area. Eyewitnesses said that heavy artillery is being used within residential areas, causing damage to properties and injuring many, the Yemen Post reported.

The violence comes after at least 12 civilians were killed on Thursday during a government crackdown against protesters.

Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that the humanitarian situation in Yemen is likely to continue to deteriorate over the next year despite the recent political agreement brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to restore peace and stability.

The timetable set out in the agreement includes the formation of a government of national consensus, presidential elections within 90 days, a national dialogue, a constitutional review and a program of reforms that start to tackle the profound humanitarian, economic and security challenges that Yemen faces.

Also under the accord, President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to hand over his powers to Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi who is expected to take over as Acting President by December 23.

The political agreement which was signed last week followed months of deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of Saleh and his regime, part of the so-called Arab Spring movement that has swept the Middle East and North Africa this year.

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