Yemeni Security Forces Fire Bullets as Protesters Demand Ouster

Yemeni security forces failed to stop thousands of protesters streaming into the center of the capital, Sana’a, after firing bullets at demonstrators demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Government forces killed at least one protester, fired tear gas and injured thousands of people in clashes early this morning, Al Jazeera television said. That didn’t dissuade more demonstrators from marching into the city’s Taghyeer Square to show solidarity with the injured, shouting “down, down with the president” and “shame on you.”

“Hundreds are suffocating and dozens of the cases are serious,” said Mohammed al-Obahi, who is running the team of medical volunteers in the square. “People affected by the gas are suffering from headaches, hallucinations and are trembling.” Fifty people have been wounded by live bullets, he said.

Protestors are rejecting Saleh’s promises of a new constitution this year as he seeks to stop a wave of protests sweeping the Arab world toppling his regime. Saleh, 68, a U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda, became leader of North Yemen in 1978, and has ruled the Republic of Yemen since the north and south merged in 1990. Yemen is the Arabian peninsula’s poorest nation.

“Protesters are demanding the prosecution of the attackers,” Nabeel Mohammed, a protester in Taghyeer Square, said. “This is a heinous crime against us. We will continue the protests in spite of this excessive use of the force. We want the immediate trial of these criminals.”

Protestors in Taiz City, south of Sana’a, were also met by live bullets after they took to the streets to condemn government actions in the capital, Bushra al-Maktari, a protester, said by telephone.