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Yemen: 5 killed, 7 injured in anti-government protests

Dunya News

In Yemen four people killed while seven others were injured as soldiers opened fire at anti-government protesters on Friday.

Yemen has been rocked by weeks of daily anti-government protests, inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, and tens of thousands turned out in cities across the country calling for the ouster of Saleh, a key US ally in the campaign against the al-Qaida terror network. He has promised to step down after national elections in 2013, an offer rejected by protesters.According to witnesses, shootings in the town of Harf Sofyan occurred as soldiers tried to disperse thousands who took to the main street for Friday prayers. Soldiers in an army post opened fire with heavy machine guns, believing the protesters were trying to attack the post, according to the witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal.Protesters threw rocks at the troops and called for Saleh to step down, shouting: Leave Leave In the capital of Sanaa, tens of thousands assembled near Sanaa University to urge Salehs ouster. Security forces watched the gathering closely, but it was not violent.
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