SANA'A: As protesters in Taiz, the second largest Yemeni city after the captial Sana'a, and one of the main flashpoints of the revolution, were gathering in “Liberty Square” to spend another Friday demonstrating against President Ali Abdalla Saleh's rule, they were met by a barrage of bullets. While people in the town city center were performing their weekly congregational prayer, witnesses reported that the government troops willingly launched mortar shells directly at the crowd, wounding several and killing 2 women. As chaos spread in the square, witnesses managed to record onto their mobile phones scenes of massacre as snipers came into play, targeting indiscriminately women, men and children. Medical sources in Taiz hospital announced that 15 people had been killed including three women and four children, adding that 42 civilians had been severely wounded and are in local hospitals. An eyewitness near “Liberty Square” revealed that he had just seen a woman whose brother had been shot dead by a sniper and used his blood to write up “Murder” on a wall. Indifferent to danger, shirtless young men defied the security forces with nothing but their bare chests. “We will sacrifice our lives for Freedom,” said youth protesters. Clashes between tribes and the government forces also took place in various districts of the city as the People Protectors step up to protect the civilian population against Saleh's forces. Many residents claimed that “thugs” under the Taiz Governor were ordered to loot and terrorize residents, forcing them to barricade themselves in their homes. Back in the capital, Sana'a, protesters also came out in great numbers to demonstrate against the regime, calling for Saleh's immediate departure. A sea of people descended upon 60 Street, chanting for the president's ousting, demanding “vengeance for the blood of the innocents.” Figurines of Saleh were hung in a symbolic gesture, further proof of Yemen's anger for his ruler. “Down down with the murderer,” they chanted. “Vengeance, vengeance for the blood of the martyrs,” the chorus rang through the streets of Sana'a, the ground trembling from the thump of tens of thousands of feet beating the drum of revolution. BM
