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Yemen unrest: 'At least 17 dead' in Sanaa attack Yemen unrest: 'Dozens dead' in Sanaa clashes
(about 4 hours later)
At least 17 people have been killed in a government assault on protesters in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, reports say. Many people have been killed in clashes in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, as protests continue against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Witnesses say the demonstrators came under fire in Change Square, the focus of months of protests. Demonstrators camped out on Change Square - the focus of protests - have been caught in fighting between the army and dissident soldiers, a journalist in the city told the BBC.
Fighting is continuing to rage, as troops target protesters and dissident soldiers. Some unconfirmed reports say as many as 40 people have died across the city.
The violence comes a day after the return of President Ali Abdullah Saleh from three months' treatment in Saudi Arabia following an assassination bid. The violence follows Mr Saleh's return from three months in Saudi Arabia.
Correspondents say his arrival back in Yemen raises the risk of all-out civil war. He received treatment there following an assassination attempt. Correspondents say his return raises the risk of all-out civil war.
The upsurge in violence happened at the end of a week of fighting in which scores of people are reported to have died. Clashes in Sanaa have recently intensified as elite Republican Guards, led by President Saleh's son Ahmed, fight running battles with army units that have defected to the opposition and tribal fighters who support the protesters.
Unconfirmed reports say Saturday's toll from the fighting in Sanaa may be much higher than 17. After Saturday's fighting, Mohammed al-Qabati, a doctor at a field hospital in the square, told AP news agency that 28 protesters and one soldier guarding them had been killed.
"More bodies and injured are pouring into the hospital," Mohammed al-Qabati, a medic at the field hospital in the square, told AP news agency. He said ambulances had been forced to leave bodies in the streets because of the fighting, and many injured were reaching the hospital by motorcycle.
He said ambulances had been forced to leave many bodies in the streets because of the heavy fighting, and many injured were reaching the hospital by motorcycle.
Fifty-four were wounded in the attack on Change Square, Mr Qabati told the agency.
A number of soldiers from a defecting military brigade which has been protecting protesters were among those killed, Mr Qabati and a spokesman for the brigade said.
Tents and buildings were set on fire, witnesses said.Tents and buildings were set on fire, witnesses said.
A resident near the camp told Reuters news agency that government forces had used armoured vehicles and rifles.A resident near the camp told Reuters news agency that government forces had used armoured vehicles and rifles.
"It was an intense fight... My house was shaking like crazy... There are no protesters there now - it's just armed people," the witness said. "It was an intense fight. My house was shaking like crazy. There are no protesters there now - it's just armed people," the witness said.
Other reports said fighting was also going on elsewhere, including the Sanaa district of Hassaba. Activists have been camped out in Change Square since January, demanding an end to Mr Saleh's decades-long rule.
Undeterred by the fighting, hundreds of thousands of protesters set out on a demonstration march, which itself came under fire from security forces, AFP news agency reported. Clashes were also reported in the north-west Sanaa, where a spokesman for the dissident soldiers told AP that 11 rebel troops had been killed.
Activists have been camped out in the 4km (2.5-mile) stretch of avenue which protesters have dubbed Change Square since January, demanding an end to Mr Saleh's decades-long rule.
Clashes in the capital have recently intensified as elite Republican Guards, led by President Saleh's son Ahmed, fight running battles with army units that have defected to the opposition and tribal fighters who support the protesters.
'Olive branch''Olive branch'
Gulf monarchies renewed their so far unsuccessful call for President Saleh to sign a power transfer deal "immediately", on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, AFP reported.Gulf monarchies renewed their so far unsuccessful call for President Saleh to sign a power transfer deal "immediately", on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, AFP reported.
In a statement carried by a Saudi state news agency, they "condemned... the use of weapons, especially heavy weapons, against unarmed protesters".In a statement carried by a Saudi state news agency, they "condemned... the use of weapons, especially heavy weapons, against unarmed protesters".
After his surprise return to Sanaa, President Saleh called for a ceasefire to stop violence which has already claimed about 100 lives this week, mainly of unarmed anti-government protesters.After his surprise return to Sanaa, President Saleh called for a ceasefire to stop violence which has already claimed about 100 lives this week, mainly of unarmed anti-government protesters.
He was quoted by the state news agency Saba as saying he was "carrying the dove of peace and an olive branch".He was quoted by the state news agency Saba as saying he was "carrying the dove of peace and an olive branch".
He flew back after having treatment in Saudi Arabia for injuries sustained in a rocket attack on the grounds of his presidential palace.He flew back after having treatment in Saudi Arabia for injuries sustained in a rocket attack on the grounds of his presidential palace.
Mr Saleh was greeted by thousands of enthusiastic supporters, who staged a rally in Sanaa.Mr Saleh was greeted by thousands of enthusiastic supporters, who staged a rally in Sanaa.
The US, whose officials were reported to have been taken by surprise by President Saleh's return, urged him to begin a transfer of power and arrange presidential elections.The US, whose officials were reported to have been taken by surprise by President Saleh's return, urged him to begin a transfer of power and arrange presidential elections.
"The Yemeni people have suffered enough and deserve a path towards a better future," White House spokesman Jay Carney said."The Yemeni people have suffered enough and deserve a path towards a better future," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
Are you in Yemen? Do you have relatives there? Are you in Sanaa? What is your reaction to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's return? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Yemen? Do you have relatives there? Are you in Sanaa? What is your reaction to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's return? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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