[سفيان]

Seven killed in fresh Yemen violence
ثورة ثورة يا جنوب نحن جنوبيين "Revolution! Revolution! Oh South!," and "We are southerners.”At least seven Yemeni people have been shot dead after clashes erupted between regime forces and pro-secession protesters in the southern port city of Aden.


Violence erupted on Friday when thousands of demonstrators gathered in the city, calling for the secession of the south and prosecution of outgoing dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Forces loyal to Saleh fired tear gas and live bullets on protesters, killing five civilians and injuring fifteen others.

Two soldiers were killed and three officers were wounded when protesters clashed with the military forces.

The protesters were shouting "Revolution! Revolution! Oh South!," and "We are southerners.”

Aden protesters also called for a boycott of the upcoming presidential elections.

Similar anti-Saleh protests were held in the capital, Sana'a, and 17 other provinces.

Yemenis, who hold Saleh responsible for the killing of hundreds of anti-regime protesters since the beginning of protests in the country last January, say that the immunity granted to must be lifted and he must stand trial for ordering the deadly crackdown on people.

Saleh, who has been in power for 33 years, signed the power transition deal brokered by Persian Gulf Arab states in Saudi Arabia on November 23 and resigned as president in return for amnesty.

Since then, Yemenis have been holding almost daily protests, condemning the US-backed deal and demanding the prosecution of Saleh and his regime officials.

Saleh currently serves as an honorary president until polls are held in February to elect his successor.

DB/MYA/MA