Photo: Reuters
Anti-government protesters carry an injured fellow protester during clashes in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz, April 5, 2011
At least three people have been killed in renewed clashes in Yemen.
Yemen's military says violence on Tuesday erupted between troops supporting protesters and tribesmen loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the capital, Sana'a. The president is facing mounting pressure to leave office.
Several military leaders have recently withdrawn support for Saleh and are siding with demonstrators.
In the southern city Taiz, plainclothes security men opened fire on protesters again on Tuesday. It was the third consecutive day of violence in the city. At least 15 people were killed on Monday during anti-Saleh protests in Taiz.
The escalating violence comes as international calls intensify for Saleh's resignation.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement Tuesday saying "the political transition must begin without delay."
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed alarm at what it terms "reports of disproportionate and excessive use of force, including machine guns, against peaceful protesters in Taiz" on Monday.
The U.S. State Department on Monday called the violence in Yemen "appalling."
The New York Times reported that the United States is dropping its longtime support for Mr. Saleh and negotiating the terms of his departure. The State Department would not confirm the reports.
A Yemeni opposition spokesman said U.S. and European diplomats were in contact with Mr. Saleh and also asked anti-government leaders for their "vision" for a transition.
The Gulf Arab states have invited Yemeni government and opposition representatives to talks in Saudi Arabia.
The Yemeni president, in power for 32 years, has offered to step down but only after new elections are held. His term ends in 2013.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
0 Comments