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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Yemen unrest: Security forces open fire on protesters | Yemen unrest: Security forces open fire on protesters |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Security forces in Yemen have fired on anti-government protesters during a march in Sanaa, killing at least 26 people, witnesses and doctors say. | Security forces in Yemen have fired on anti-government protesters during a march in Sanaa, killing at least 26 people, witnesses and doctors say. |
| More than 300 people have been treated for gunshot wounds after the worst violence in Yemen for months. | More than 300 people have been treated for gunshot wounds after the worst violence in Yemen for months. |
| Security forces opened fire with heavy weapons as tens of thousands of protesters called for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down on Sunday. | Security forces opened fire with heavy weapons as tens of thousands of protesters called for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down on Sunday. |
| Protest leaders promised to continue their campaign against Mr Saleh. | Protest leaders promised to continue their campaign against Mr Saleh. |
| Laura Kasinof, a correspondent for the New York Times in Sanaa, told the BBC that gunfire and explosions had continued in the capital throughout the night. | Laura Kasinof, a correspondent for the New York Times in Sanaa, told the BBC that gunfire and explosions had continued in the capital throughout the night. |
| The defence ministry said the trouble began when protesters threw petrol bombs at the security forces, and claimed that an Islamist group had opened fire on the rally. | The defence ministry said the trouble began when protesters threw petrol bombs at the security forces, and claimed that an Islamist group had opened fire on the rally. |
| But protesters dismissed the government's version of events, saying their march had been peaceful and blaming security forces for the violence. | But protesters dismissed the government's version of events, saying their march had been peaceful and blaming security forces for the violence. |
| 'No retreat' | 'No retreat' |
| Witnesses said the security forces opened fire on the protesters after they left an encampment in Sanaa and marched towards the presidential palace. | Witnesses said the security forces opened fire on the protesters after they left an encampment in Sanaa and marched towards the presidential palace. |
| There are reports that machine guns and even anti-aircraft weapons were turned on the crowd. Tear gas and water cannons were also deployed, said witnesses. | There are reports that machine guns and even anti-aircraft weapons were turned on the crowd. Tear gas and water cannons were also deployed, said witnesses. |
| The confrontation then developed into running street battles. | The confrontation then developed into running street battles. |
| One protester told Reuters news agency he had seen his cousin shot dead. | One protester told Reuters news agency he had seen his cousin shot dead. |
| "We protested and camped here together since the beginning," said 23-year-old Tawfiq. | "We protested and camped here together since the beginning," said 23-year-old Tawfiq. |
| "I turned around and saw him fall. I tried to hold together the wound. I can't bring myself to call his parents." | "I turned around and saw him fall. I tried to hold together the wound. I can't bring myself to call his parents." |
| Large numbers of protesters have been camped in areas of the capital for months. | Large numbers of protesters have been camped in areas of the capital for months. |
| After Sunday's violence, witnesses said camps have sprung up in news areas of Sanaa, and tents are now blocking off a bridge. | After Sunday's violence, witnesses said camps have sprung up in news areas of Sanaa, and tents are now blocking off a bridge. |
| "This peaceful protest was confronted by heavy weapons and anti-aircraft guns," an opposition spokesman, Mohammed al-Sabri, told the Associated Press news agency. | "This peaceful protest was confronted by heavy weapons and anti-aircraft guns," an opposition spokesman, Mohammed al-Sabri, told the Associated Press news agency. |
| He said that the intensifying protests "will not stop and will not retreat". | He said that the intensifying protests "will not stop and will not retreat". |
| Doctors at hospitals in the capital said 26 people were killed and hundreds more were being treated for gunshot wounds and tear gas inhalation. | Doctors at hospitals in the capital said 26 people were killed and hundreds more were being treated for gunshot wounds and tear gas inhalation. |
| At least 25 gunshot victims were said to be in a critical condition. | At least 25 gunshot victims were said to be in a critical condition. |
| The violence marks a sharp escalation in the stand-off between protesters calling for Mr Saleh to step down, and security forces loyal to the president. | The violence marks a sharp escalation in the stand-off between protesters calling for Mr Saleh to step down, and security forces loyal to the president. |
| Some units of the military have defected to the opposition. There were reports of exchanges of gunfire between the two forces although a spokesman for Maj Gen Ali al-Ahmar, who defected several months ago, denied it, Associated Press news agency said. | Some units of the military have defected to the opposition. There were reports of exchanges of gunfire between the two forces although a spokesman for Maj Gen Ali al-Ahmar, who defected several months ago, denied it, Associated Press news agency said. |
| Mr Saleh is in Saudi Arabia recovering from a bomb attack on him in June. There have been widespread protests against his 30-year rule. | Mr Saleh is in Saudi Arabia recovering from a bomb attack on him in June. There have been widespread protests against his 30-year rule. |