Saleh forces kill 35 in Yemini capital

19 September 2011 | 19:52 Code : 16366 Latest Headlines

PressTV--Forces loyal to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh have killed 35 and injured more than 700 in an attack on anti-regime protesters in the capital Sana'a, Press TV reports. Reports from the scenes said Yemini security forces and armed thugs in civilian clothes opened fire on tens of thousands of peaceful protesters that demanded the ouster of Saleh's US-backed regime.

Medical sources reported that the regime forces fired live bullets and mortar rounds at protesters in Sana'a.

Many demonstrators were killed and injured after inhaling tear gas fired by the security forces.

The attack was the deadliest in months against Yemeni pro-democracy protesters.

Meanwhile, forces of Saleh's regime also attacked Press TV’s offices in Sana'a. It is not yet known, however, how much damage has been inflicted on the office.

A medical official told AFP that the injuries of 25 of those wounded by live rounds and shrapnel were critical.

The official also noted that among the injured was a member of Yemen's national council and a leading member of the Al-Islah (Reform) party, Mohammed al-Dhaheri.

The massacre of civilians came as Saleh declared on Sunday that he would not resign until a presidential election is held to determine his successor.

He remains in Saudi Arabia, where he went for medical treatment following a rocket attack on the presidential palace in Sana'a on June 3.

According to local reports, hundreds of Yemenis have been killed and thousands more have been injured since the onset of the uprising against the US-backed Saleh regime in late January.