This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-13592935
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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, Yemen's air force has bombed suspected al-Qaeda fighters who have seized the southern city of Zinjibar, witnesses said. | |
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. | 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. | 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." | "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." | 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. | 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. |
Activists in the capital Sanaa said on Monday they were clearing the protest camp of any weapons in an attempt to assert the peaceful credentials of the anti-government campaign. | |
Zinjibar 'air strikes' | |
Meanwhile, witnesses in Zinjibar said Yemeni jets had bombed positions of Islamist militants around the city on Monday. | |
One report said the army was also shelling the city with artillery. | |
Earlier, security officials said four soldiers were killed when their convoy was ambushed near the city. | |
"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". |
Army officers who have defected to the opposition say President Saleh is trying to create chaos in the country. | |
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. |