Four killed as anti-Saleh protests sweep Yemen

Yemeni security forces and pro-government loyalists clashed with crowds demanding an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year rule in several cities on Friday. At least four people were killed and dozens wounded.

Witnesses said four protesters died from gunfire and dozens were wounded as police tried to disperse crowds in the southern city of Aden, where resentment against rule from Sanaa runs high.

Thousands rallied in various parts of Aden, angered by the killings of six people earlier this week and chanting anti-Saleh slogans such as "Ali, listen, the people want you out."

"It's shameful the government resorts to such tactics, but it won't scare us," said a protester who asked not to be named.

"Down with the dictator, down with oppression," chanted the protesters camped for days in Taiz's Hurriya (freedom) Square in imitation of Egyptian demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

In Aden, protesters burned four government cars and a local council building in the Sheik Othman neighborhood. Similar government buildings in the Mansoura and Crater districts were set on fire in the past two days.

At least 10,000 Saleh loyalists also took to the streets of Taiz -- state television put the number at a million.

"Yes to unity and stability, no to chaos and sabotage," the loyalists shouted, echoing remarks made by Saleh a few days ago warning of a "foreign agenda" to create chaos in the Arab world.

Tens of thousands of dissidents also thronged the city of Taiz, 200 km (130 miles) south of Sanaa, the capital. One was killed and seven wounded, three critically, when a hand grenade thrown from a car exploded in the crowd, witnesses said.

Some analysts see Taiz, which has a sizeable middle class and residents from both north and south, as a barometer for the protest movement in Yemen, which has gathered strength since Tunisians and Egyptians toppled their presidents this year.

"Sanaa is important, but if Taiz really gets going this thing could take off," Gregory Johnsen, a Princeton University scholar, said in his blog on Yemen, Waq al-Waq.

Sanaa is important, but if Taiz really gets going this thing could take off

Gregory Johnson, a Princeton University scholar

Sanaa

At least four anti-regime protesters were wounded Friday as partisans of the Yemeni president attacked a demonstration in Sanaa, a day after three protesters were killed by police in Aden.

Several journalists were severely beaten by supporters of the ruling General People's Congress (GPC) who attacked the demonstration using batons and axes, an AFP correspondent reported.

Thousands of demonstrators, mostly students, had gathered following the weekly Friday prayers in a main street of Sanaa.

"People want to overthrow the regime," they chanted.

Riot police fired shots in the air and used tear gas against thousands of government opponents who also clashed with supporters of Yemen's longtime ruler on what protest organizers billed as a nationwide "Friday of Rage." At least four people were wounded.

Preachers denounces torture

A preacher at the Sanaa University mosque spoke out against torture and beating of demonstrators, telling many protesters who had gathered there: "We have been living for 30 years without purpose or hope."

After the service, the protesters marched toward the presidential palace, chanting anti-government slogans, and were met by riot police and hundreds of President Ali Abdullah Saleh supporters, similar to confrontations earlier this week.

The pro-and anti-government sides attacked each other with rocks, and the riot police began firing in the air and launching tear gas canisters.

The demonstrators dispersed to other streets, some of which were blocked by police.

A large demonstration also was reported in eastern Hadramawt province, where police fired in the air to disperse protesters.

Saleh, a weak but increasingly important partner for Washington, had pledged not to seek re-election in 2013 and not to pass power to his son. The promise was seen as an attempt to defuse growing calls for his ouster.

Opposition groups said they are suspicious of Saleh's offer, however, and want concrete proposals for change.

It was the eighth straight day of protests in Yemen inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Demonstrators in the Arab world's poorest country are calling for the ouster of Saleh - a key U.S. ally in fighting al-Qaeda terrorists -who has ruled the country for 32 years.

The government, which receives millions of dollars in U.S. military aid, has allowed American drone strikes on al-Qaeda targets and has stepped up counterterrorism cooperation.