19 Sept 2011

Dozens of protesters shot dead in Yemen

Troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Yemeni president, have opened fire on protesters in Sanaa, killing at least 26 people and injuring hundreds. Tens of thousands of protestors calling for an end to president Saleh's 33-year rule took to the streets of the capital a day after protesters stormed Yemen's main university.

saleh-burnt

Mohammad al Qadhi, a Yemeni journalist, said government snipers had fired on demonstrators from rooftops. "I talked to one of the protestors. He told me shots were fired on chests, legs, and other parts of the body," he said.

Witnesses said security forces and armed civilians opened fire on protesters who left Change Square, where they have camped since February demanding regime change, and marched towards the city centre. They also used water cannons and fired tear gas, they added.

Al Jazeera English