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Yemen forces 'kill 20 protesters' in Taiz | Yemen forces 'kill 20 protesters' in Taiz |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Security forces in Yemen have shot dead at least 20 anti-government protesters in the southern city of Taiz, medics and organisers say. | Security forces in Yemen have shot dead at least 20 anti-government protesters in the southern city of Taiz, medics and organisers say. |
Soldiers reportedly moved in to end a four-month-old sit-in in the city. | Soldiers reportedly moved in to end a four-month-old sit-in in the city. |
Meanwhile, four Yemeni soldiers have been killed in an apparent ambush near the city of Zinjibar, reportedly held by al-Qaeda fighters, officials say. | Meanwhile, four Yemeni soldiers have been killed in an apparent ambush near the city of Zinjibar, reportedly held by al-Qaeda fighters, officials say. |
President Ali Abdullah Saleh refuses to step down despite months of protests and strong opposition from a key tribe. | President Ali Abdullah Saleh refuses to step down despite months of protests and strong opposition from a key tribe. |
Taiz was one of the first cities in Yemen where demonstrators - inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt - chose to gather. | |
A doctor in the city, Abdulkadir al-Gunaid, told the BBC that security forces were erasing all traces of the protests in Freedom Square. | |
"They attacked, shot at people, burned their tents. The square had a big stage to make speeches and to make plays and songs, loudspeakers and this sort of thing. And countless numbers of tents and a gallery for art. And it is a magnet for every big event." | |
He added: "They killed them [protesters]... and at 3am they brought bulldozers and finished it all. There is nothing there, they are even cleaning it so no-one can guess that there was anything like that before." | |
A protest organiser told AFP that security forces backed by army and Republican Guard troops drove the demonstrators out. | |
"At least 20 protesters have been killed," the organiser said. | "At least 20 protesters have been killed," the organiser said. |
Earlier reports quoting witnesses and doctors said security forces attacked protesters with rifles and water cannon and set fire to their camp. | Earlier reports quoting witnesses and doctors said security forces attacked protesters with rifles and water cannon and set fire to their camp. |
Sadek al-Shugaa, head of a field hospital at the protest camp, was quoted by AP news agency as saying soldiers fired into the crowds indiscriminately. | Sadek al-Shugaa, head of a field hospital at the protest camp, was quoted by AP news agency as saying soldiers fired into the crowds indiscriminately. |
'Al-Qaeda ambush' | |
In Zinjibar, security officials said the soldiers died when their convoy came under attack. | In Zinjibar, security officials said the soldiers died when their convoy came under attack. |
"A convoy of reinforcements fell in an ambush by al-Qaeda elements 1km from Zinjibar. Four soldiers, including a colonel, were killed and a number of others were wounded," the security official said. | "A convoy of reinforcements fell in an ambush by al-Qaeda elements 1km from Zinjibar. Four soldiers, including a colonel, were killed and a number of others were wounded," the security official said. |
Government reports from Zinjibar suggested the town had been seized some days ago by gunmen from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). | Government reports from Zinjibar suggested the town had been seized some days ago by gunmen from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). |
A battle has reportedly been going on since as forces loyal to President Saleh try to take it back. | A battle has reportedly been going on since as forces loyal to President Saleh try to take it back. |
However, there are conflicting accounts of the loyalties of the armed men. | However, there are conflicting accounts of the loyalties of the armed men. |
The government has blamed previous attacks in southern Yemen on al-Qaeda, but the country's opposition has accused President Saleh of stoking fears of an Islamist takeover. | The government has blamed previous attacks in southern Yemen on al-Qaeda, but the country's opposition has accused President Saleh of stoking fears of an Islamist takeover. |
The opposition coalition Common Forum said Mr Saleh had "delivered Zinjibar to groups that he has formed and armed, to continue to utilise the spectre of al-Qaeda to frighten regional and international parties". | The opposition coalition Common Forum said Mr Saleh had "delivered Zinjibar to groups that he has formed and armed, to continue to utilise the spectre of al-Qaeda to frighten regional and international parties". |
On Sunday, President Saleh and the country's most powerful tribal leader agreed a ceasefire after five days of fighting in the capital Sanaa, a mediator said. | On Sunday, President Saleh and the country's most powerful tribal leader agreed a ceasefire after five days of fighting in the capital Sanaa, a mediator said. |
More than 100 people have died in clashes between forces loyal to Hashid leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar and President Saleh. | More than 100 people have died in clashes between forces loyal to Hashid leader Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar and President Saleh. |
The fighting had threatened to push Yemen into civil war. | The fighting had threatened to push Yemen into civil war. |