Yemeni security forces opened fire on protesters in several cities on Wednesday, killing at least five people, as officials attempt to put an end to three months of continual demonstrations.
At least two were killed in the city of Ta’izz, located in the highlands near the Red Sea in southwest Yemen. In the capital city, Sanaa, another protester was shot and killed by security forces, according to Amnesty International. Dozens more in the two cities were injured.
Reuters reported that in the port city of Hudaida, snipe fire killed two demonstrators and injured dozens more.
Anti-government protesters in the country are demanding that President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for three decades, step down.
In Sanaa, protesters were marching toward the cabinet building at a protest camp near Sanaa University, reported Al Jazeera television.
“Snipers were shooting at the people,“ Talal al-Hamadi, a protester, told the television station. ”People rushed and some fell over each other. There was a stampede.”
The state-run SABA acknowledged that there was an incident in Ta’izz that entailed “destruction and chaotic events,” but said that a police source denied reports that protesters were killed on Wednesday.
Since protests began three months ago, more than 145 people have been killed as security forces attempt to crack down on protests.
“Security forces in Yemen must be immediately stopped from using live ammunition on unarmed protesters,” stated Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Saleh has not only faced internal pressure from protesters and the country’s newly-formed opposition block. He has also been pressured to agree with a regional mediation offer for him to step down, which he has refused.
Yemeni officials passed an emergency law two months ago that Amnesty said gives security forces the ability to arbitrarily detain people they deem a threat to national security.
At least two were killed in the city of Ta’izz, located in the highlands near the Red Sea in southwest Yemen. In the capital city, Sanaa, another protester was shot and killed by security forces, according to Amnesty International. Dozens more in the two cities were injured.
Reuters reported that in the port city of Hudaida, snipe fire killed two demonstrators and injured dozens more.
Anti-government protesters in the country are demanding that President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for three decades, step down.
In Sanaa, protesters were marching toward the cabinet building at a protest camp near Sanaa University, reported Al Jazeera television.
“Snipers were shooting at the people,“ Talal al-Hamadi, a protester, told the television station. ”People rushed and some fell over each other. There was a stampede.”
The state-run SABA acknowledged that there was an incident in Ta’izz that entailed “destruction and chaotic events,” but said that a police source denied reports that protesters were killed on Wednesday.
Since protests began three months ago, more than 145 people have been killed as security forces attempt to crack down on protests.
“Security forces in Yemen must be immediately stopped from using live ammunition on unarmed protesters,” stated Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Saleh has not only faced internal pressure from protesters and the country’s newly-formed opposition block. He has also been pressured to agree with a regional mediation offer for him to step down, which he has refused.
Yemeni officials passed an emergency law two months ago that Amnesty said gives security forces the ability to arbitrarily detain people they deem a threat to national security.
