Thousands protest against government violence in southern Yemen

Sep 16, 2011, 13:14 GMT

Sana'a - Tens of thousands of Yemenis held a protest in the southern city of Taiz on Friday, activists said, a day after security forces opened fire at demonstrators leaving 10 people dead.

Huge crowds have marched from the Taghyeer square, which had been the focal point of protests in the city, to the Directorate of Security to protest against the violence and shelling within the city, a local activist said.

On Thursday, security forces opened fire at demonstrators rallying to demand an end to the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The violence continued till the early hours of Friday, as government forces fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at the protesters, Abdel-Rahim said.

Taiz is Yemen's second largest city and a flashpoint of the anti-Saleh protests that have gripped the country since February.

Saleh has been recovering in the Saudi capital Riyadh from injuries he sustained in an attack on his presidential palace in the capital Sana'a in June.

At least 400 people have been killed in the government crackdown against protesters since the demonstrations started, according to human rights advocates.