Security forces opened fire on demonstrations calling for reform and democracy, after a day of general strike. The talks to end the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh are at a stalemate. Grave economic situation of the country.

Sanaa (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least ten people died last night in Sanaa in clashes between demonstrators and police, according to local medical sources. Violent clashes took place throughout the day yesterday in various cities throughout the country: the death toll, until the evening, was 9 killed and dozens wounded. In Sanaa security forces opened fire on a crowd of tens of thousands of protesters marching toward the palace of the government. In that single encounter at least six people were killed and hundreds injured.

In the industrial city of Taiz in the south of the country, pro-government snipers killed two people. Many were left wounded. Protesters set fire to a police station and blocked government buildings. In the port of Hudaida the police opened fire on a march on government buildings, killing at least one protester. In Sanaa security forces prevented ambulances reaching the wounded, who were taken to hospital on motorcycles.

This new massacre will have the likely increase tensions tomorrow, Friday, the traditional day of protest in the insurgency raging in the country for three months against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power for 33 years. Negotiations for a change of leadership are at a standstill. Yesterday, a day of general strike semi-paralyzed the country. In the province of Maarib the tribesmen allied with the protesters, blocked the production of oil and gas. The losses are calculated at about three million dollars a day.

• Yemen
• protest
• police
• clash
• violence
• democracy
• saleh
• saana
• jasmine
• revolution