(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - 12 protesters were killed when security forces and plainclothes gunmen had opened fire on thousands of demonstrators as they marched Wednesday night from Sanaa's University Square, the focal point of protests in the capital, towards government headquarters, witnesses said.
In the southern city of Taez, police shot two demonstrators, while other two protesters were killed by police in the town of Dhamar and the city of Hudayda.
The toll may mount, with 10 of the 226 demonstrators wounded by gunfire in critical condition, while another 141 injured by sharp objects and batons and 735 suffering from tear gas inhalation, medical officials said.
The interior ministry said the protesters in Sanaa had attempted to break security cordons to "storm the radio (building) and government headquarters."
"They aim to shed blood and cause casualties (among protesters) to exploit that in mobilizing foreign public opinion," the ministry was quoted as saying.
Besides gunfire and tear gas, security forces also used hot water on protesters at Sanaa University Square, scolding at least 12 of them, according to the medic.
Armored troops led by dissident General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar had set a cordon around the University Square, dubbed "Change Square" since protests began, to protect camped-in protesters from a possible attack by loyal forces.
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