SANA'A: Amidst a new bout of violence in Taiz, protesters in the capital, Sana'a, decided to stage a fresh round of demonstrations to draw attention to their fate, accusing the regime of persecution and mass murder. Tens of thousands of revolutionaries, Yemeni men and women from all classes and backgrounds came together this Saturday in solidarity of their fellow citizens in southern Taiz as reports of fresh clashes came through. “We cannot continue like this, something needs to happen. Nothing will be left of Taiz at this rate. The International community needs to do something and fast,” said a young woman who had to put her medical studies on hold. Anti-government slogans rang out throughout 60 Street, with many more demonstrators asking for Saleh to be judged for his many crimes. With the protesters came the Security forces in tow, armed with machine guns and heavy caliber weapons which according to eye-witnesses they didn't hesitate to use. As the march turned violent with more clashes erupting between protesters and Central Security personnel, medical sources reported that at least two people were killed, adding that many more had been injured. In Arhab which is situated a few kilometers north of Sana'a, opponents to the regime gathered in a demonstration, chorusing slogans demanding the immediate departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh from Yemen. The villagers continued on in spite of the mortar shells being launched at them by the Republican Guards, unconcerned as they say they had lost so much that even their life was worth losing if it meant the end of the regime. “For our sons, for our daughters, we will sacrifice our blood, our soul…everything….but we need to make him [Saleh] leave,” said an old man whose house had been destroyed in the fighting some months ago. Armed tribesmen fought today the Republican guards in Arhab, forcing them back from their positions, as they refused to abandon the fight, even if the army seemed better equipped and greater in number. “We will defend our homes to the last man”, said a buoyant tribesman brandishing his gun in an act of defiance. Tribal sources announced that a 70-year-old woman had died from the shelling and that several others had been hurt. They also claimed that a number of government soldiers had been either killed or severely injured in the fight. BM
