Deadly violence in Yemen after Saleh power transfer deal
- 13 years ago
Violent clashes on the streets of the Yemeni capital.
At least five people were shot dead when plainclothes gunmen opened fired on anti-government protesters in the centre of the city.
Demonstrators retaliated by throwing rocks - some of them were armed and returned fire.
One protester said that government loyalists were shooting from rooftops, inside shops and from passing cars.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) INJURED MAN:
"We were walking in the march, and we suddenly heard gunshots from the camp, from Zubayr street. There was heavy fire."
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEDIC:
"Until now we have five martyrs, and dozens who are injured. There is another of our brothers here, who we are trying to save, but his injuries are serious. We are trying right now to save him."
The violence comes a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed an accord to surrender power after 33 years of autocratic rule and ten months of protests aimed at ending it.
The deal Saleh signed grants him immunity from prosecution and transfers power to his deputy, an outcome many protesters refuse to accept.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.
At least five people were shot dead when plainclothes gunmen opened fired on anti-government protesters in the centre of the city.
Demonstrators retaliated by throwing rocks - some of them were armed and returned fire.
One protester said that government loyalists were shooting from rooftops, inside shops and from passing cars.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) INJURED MAN:
"We were walking in the march, and we suddenly heard gunshots from the camp, from Zubayr street. There was heavy fire."
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEDIC:
"Until now we have five martyrs, and dozens who are injured. There is another of our brothers here, who we are trying to save, but his injuries are serious. We are trying right now to save him."
The violence comes a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed an accord to surrender power after 33 years of autocratic rule and ten months of protests aimed at ending it.
The deal Saleh signed grants him immunity from prosecution and transfers power to his deputy, an outcome many protesters refuse to accept.
Simon Hanna, Reuters.