Witnesses and medics say Yemeni security forces have opened fire on protesters in a flashpoint city in the country’s south in a bid to break up a day—old sit—in, killing two protesters.
The crackdown early Monday comes a day after demonstrators, joined by striking teachers, took over a main street in the city of Taiz and set up tents. The government says the protesters are obstructing traffic and access to government offices.
Protester Ghazi al—Samai says security forces opened fire on the protesters and chased them through side streets. Field doctor Sadeq al—Shujah said two protesters were killed and dozens wounded, including six people in critical condition.
Yemenis have been staging daily protests for nearly three months to demand the ouster of long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh.