YEMEN:Thousands of protesters clashed in the most violent day since spontaneous demonstrations began a week ago, writes IONA CRAIGin Sana'a
VIOLENCE ESCALATED in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, yesterday as pro- and anti-government demonstrators clashed for the seventh consecutive day.
Shots rang out in the west of the city in a street demonstration that descended into a riot leaving at least 20 people injured.
Several thousand protesters fought pitched battles, throwing rocks and stones, for more than two hours in the most violent day seen in the capital since spontaneous protests began following the resignation of Egypt’s former president, Hosni Mubarak, a week ago.
“They want to kill the revolution. But we will not die,” said Abdulmonem Asbahi, nursing a bleeding foot from the hail of rocks.
Gunfire broke out sporadically during the fighting in unsuccessful attempts by police to disperse the crowds. Soldiers and security forces kept their distance while the two sides charged at each other hurling large stones and bits of concrete as black smoke from burning tyres billowed into the blue sky on Rabat Street near the city’s main university.
“Mubarak’s gone now Ali leave,” chanted the anti-government crowd calling for the end of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 32-year rule.
Men continued to shower each other with stones while shouting and waving sticks.
“This is the time. This is the time for Saleh to go,” said local shopkeeper Saeed Masiel (50) as he recalled the years before the president’s rule. “He’s been stealing money from the people for three decades.”
In a strange turn of events the two sides eventually held their hands up shouting “Enough! Enough!” and came together in a vocal confrontation before dispersing at lunchtime – the traditional hour for chewing qat, the mild narcotic leaf consumed by 70 per cent of Yemeni men.
Further demonstrations also took place in the southern city of Aden where separatists, who have been protesting regularly in calls for independence since 2007, returned to the streets following the death of a least one protester on Wednesday who was shot dead by government security forces.
The highland city of Taiz has witnessed prolonged protests as thousands have gathered daily with many camping out on the streets through the night. More than 100 demonstrators were arrested and at least 30 injured after pro-government men set upon the encampment at night when street lights were switched off. Larger protests are expected in Taiz today.
In conciliatory moves, Mr Saleh has introduced a string of reforms including plans to raise the salaries of the military, halve income tax and cancel student tuition fees. Despite the concessions and a declaration the he will not run for re-election in 2013, the protests have continued.
Activists and students are using social networking sights to call for four days of continuous protest from February 25th.
In a speech during a meeting with parliamentarians and the Shura Council on Wednesday Mr Saleh said: “Anybody who wants to gain power should pass through the ballot box, which is the only way, not by chaos,” according to the state-run news agency Saba.
Iona Craig is a freelance journalist at the Yemen Times